Castle Meads - Contextual Studies and Concept Development

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The surrounding context of Alney Island plays a significant role in creating a genius loci distinct from the currently negative one. Gloucester's rich heritage owes much to its strategic position on the water. The Docks' recent transformation into a cultural quarter preserves the city's maritime history by repurposing old warehouses and incorporating heritage boats, machinery and post-industrial elements throughout the landscape. 

Due to Castle Meads’ location beside the docklands and adjacent to the public realm of Quay Street, my design intends to pay homage to the island’s history as a witness to seafarers. As an ecological park and post-industrial landscape, my design ambition is to utilise circular materials wherever possible and otherwise limit materials, following the three R principles of reduce, reuse, recycle.

The aim is to integrate the city into Castle Meads by framing key views and accentuating industrial heritage through referential elements in the park. The riverside and docks share a ocean-going history focused on shipbuilding and timber exports – one that continues today. My design for Castle Meads will highlight this link by incorporating materials and hard landscaping that resemble ‘industrial leftovers’ like timber boat frames and piles of timber. Initial ideas can be seen in the mood board below but require further development. Additionally, a key goal is to dramatically improve safety compared to current conditions, especially near the car park. 

The island has a disturbing history, and in recent years was the site of a murder of a young woman walking to her car from the Docks to the Castle Meads car park. The aim is to have the cultural centre and neighbouring residential spaces overlook key transitional areas, enhancing safety through lighting and activity.



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