A trip to Poundbury

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Poundbury is an urban extension to the Dorset county town of Dorchester, built on Duchy of Cornwall land in accordance with the principles of architecture and urban planning, as advocated by HRH The Prince of Wales in his book ‘A Vision of Britain’.

Poundbury is a development that intended to build something other than "another soulless housing estate". Creating beauty through architecture, reflecting local character and identity. While encouraging and adopting methods to reduce carbon emissions. So I anticipated a friendly, innovative, eco-living, town of the future. 

As we arrived I was foolishly dazzled by the twinkle toy town, showcasing the architectural talents of our predecessors. A few moments of confusion, wait. Where am I? What is this place? These buildings were built recently... Oh, right. okay. 

A Royal Exchange, capital architecture, wide open streets and a Waitrose. So many cars, yet very few people. Prefabricated, pretend... deserted?!

My wonder for Poundbury diminished fairly quickly; the car more than dominated the land and the Genius Loci was confused. The mix match architecture skewed any identity they were aiming for, yet there it sits, boastfully over the town of Dorset, clashing in the landscape. 

There was an eerie stillness to Poundbury - empty gardens, exaggerated unused balconies and closed shop fronts. I believe this town will and should be one of its kind. It's outdated, too little - too late, weirdly conformative, and a poor execution of the scheme's initiatives.


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