Oxbridge Homezone
Project brief
1. Introduction
Suffolk County Council and Waveney District Council have been successful in securing £484,000 funding from the Home Zone Challenge Fund for Oxford and Cambridge Roads in Lowestoft . One of only four Home Zones in East Anglia this is a high profile innovative project.
Home Zones have been developed over 30 years in the Netherlands, where they are called "Woonerf" "living backyard". Since then they have been successfully introduced in a number of European countries and there have been successful pilot projects in the UK. (A Home Zone leaflet is included with this brief).
They aim to strike a balance between vehicles and other users of the street, (residents, pedestrians, cyclists and business people). One of the key requirements of a Home Zone is that it is attractive and interesting urban environment that reflects local needs and activities.
Waveney District Council has a strong commitment to public art, other commissions have included a sculpture trail by Paul Amey, paving project for the front of Claremont pier by Anu Patel, a banner project by Lee Lapthorne, and a light project for two piers by David Ward.
This project brief refers to the appointment of an artist to work on the project between 2002 and 2004.
2. Project description
Oxford and Cambridge Road are adjacent to each other. The area was built between 1890 and 1910 and the housing is terraced and based upon Victorian style grid-patterns. They have a narrow rear access (approximately one car width) which are mainly used by residents and refuse services to access rear gardens.
Many of the properties open directly onto pavement whilst others have small private frontages bounded by a wall. Gardens are small and there are no green open spaces or playspace either within the street or within the immediate vicinity. Both roads are divided by Melbourne Road. The northern end is bounded by St Margaret's Road , which is a busy street on which are located local shops and services as well as bus services. (A map of the area is attached).
The project aims to create an environment in which all road users share the road space and no one use dominates. Through signing, traffic calming, street furniture and planting, vehicles will have to move more slowly (top speeds of 12.5mph or less are aimed for). Support in developing proposals and detailed designs will be provided by Suffolk Highways Engineering Consultancy and the Landscape Partnership.
The artist will be working closely with the project team and community to look at creative options to change the streetscape in order to incorporate well-designed community- focused elements, which might include play areas , meeting places, and gateway features. The aim is to ensure that local residents feel safe and have a sense of pride and ownership of their environments. They will be supported in the consultation process by a part-time community development worker who is being appointed as part of this project.
This project will be led by a multidisciplinary team including community development worker, landscape architects, engineers and planners. The artist will be expected to join this team and work closely with other members and local people in the development of proposals which should add to and complement the other improvements proposed.
3. Aims
The project has a number of underlying aims. These are as follows
• To create a new and exciting overall design, vision and concept for the home zone , in collaboration with the project team and the local community
• To create an area which has more people - focused elements and which encourages drivers to drive more slowly and carefully
• To encourage residents to have a sense of pride and ownership of their road, involving them in the development of designs and in the implementation of the scheme.
4. Technical and physical considerations
As the work is intended to be permanent, consideration will need to be given to the following issues;
Materials
Materials will need to be robust and resistant to prevailing weather conditions and vandalism. The choice of materials should consider the environmental impact of their use.
Maintenance
Attention should be paid to producing work, which requires minimal maintenance reflecting it purpose and situation.
Access
The Works should not impede vehicle or pedestrian access and should take into account the needs of disabled people.
Health and Safety
Designs should comply with all relevant health and safety requirements.
5.Selection process and timescales
A shortlist will be invited to give a presentation of previous work and projects to a selection committee comprising County Council, District Members, Officers and representatives from the local community.
Important dates are as follows:-
Interviews and Selection of Artist : April 8, 2002
Consultation and Concept Design period : April - August
Production of concept design by : 31st August
Engineering drawing production : Nov 2002 - Jan 2003
Detailed design of elements for fabrication : November-March
Construction and Fabrication : April 2003- March 2004
Celebration event : Summer
It is hoped that the artist would be able to come to the community event on Saturday 13 th April
A detailed implementation schedule will be agreed prior to design approval.
6. Budget
The overall budget for the capital works is £455,000.
The artist's fees have been split into two stages:
Stage 1:
This stage which will take place between April 2002 and March 2003 will involve extensive consultation with local groups, the production of concept designs capable of being developed into engineering drawings, for hard and soft design elements, and the detailed development of these with other team members.
In addition, the artist will be expected to contribute to a mentoring scheme for local artists.
Budget for stage 1: £17,000
Stage 2:
This stage which will take place between April 2003 and March 2004 will look at overseeing implementation and the fabrication of the designs and in particular any special elements. The actual fabrication of special elements will be covered from the capital costs
Budget for stage 2: £15,000
Fees will be paid in instalments agreed as part of the project schedule.
7.Submission
Artist interested in being considered for this project should submit the following information to Commissions East by April 5, 2002.
• 6-8 35mm slides of previous work or equivalent;
• a curriculum vitae;
• any other additional appropriate material such as videos, publications or catalogues.
