Quick Sketch - Castle Meads

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The sketch above offers a glimpse of Castle Meads, featuring a proposed pedestrian river crossing to the right and riverside seating with an amenity play/sculpture area in the distance. Vegetation includes marginal planting, coppiced willow, and the existing willow tree positioned to the left.

The furniture design is intentionally simple, drawing inspiration from the area's post-industrial maritime history. It seeks to evoke nostalgia by resembling materials reminiscent of its past, perhaps appearing as remnants from its maritime heritage.

The timber seating will consist of reclaimed or distressed 'ship's timbers' or 'ship building timbers', historically used in shipbuilding and related maritime constructions. These timbers, typically large and heavy with square ends, often feature metal fasteners or clips.

The layout aims to create the illusion that the ship timbers have come to rest naturally, some perhaps gently rolling down towards the water as depicted in historical images. Portions of the logs may be partially reclaimed by the ground, adding to the authenticity of the scene.

This choice of materials is guided by both heritage preservation and low-impact principles, favouring reclaimed or natural materials with a circular lifecycle. The oak ship timbers, chosen for their historical accuracy, contribute to this ethos.





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