Stratford Town Centre
Public Realm Project
The London Borough of Newham has
commissioned a leading British architecture, urban design and
landscape architecture team, led by Studio Egret West, to design
and deliver a high quality public realm at the heart of Stratford
Town Centre in time for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic
Games.
The Stratford Town Centre Public Realm Project will
complement the new Westfield 'Stratford City' shopping and leisure
complex due to open in 2011 and improve the look and feel of
Stratford Town Centre.
The work, worth £13.9 million, is funded through Section 106
funding from Stratford City, from Central Government (Department
for Communities and Local Government and Home Office) and from the
London Development Agency.
Project design proposals
The project is proposing new public realm designs for a series of
key spaces:
Meridian Square - is the gateway to Stratford for
visitors arriving via public transport. There will be new paving,
kiosks, street furniture and an improved pedestrian crossing to the
Stratford Centre. The steam locomotive, known locally as Robert,
will also be reinstated as a reminder of Stratford's great railway
heritage. 'Walking as One', a unique temporary artwork featuring
photographs of Newham residents will be installed on the outside of
the station during the works.
Theatre Square - the paving will be refurbished
and repaired, new lighting will be installed and a new piece of
public art will be commissioned to commemorate one of Britain's
finest theatre directors, Joan Littlewood.
Broadway and the Grove - new paving, street
furniture and tree planting. Relocation of the outdoor market
stalls to the Grove. Installation of Grove 'Cloud' canopy
sculptures. Feature lighting of St Johns Church, Martyrs Memorial,
Gurney Memorial and the Old Town Hall.
Maryland - Installation of the Spiral Clock which
was moved from Meridian Square.
Town Centre wide proposals - New lighting around
the outside of Stratford Island, new signage, repairs to the
paving.
The Shoal
In addition a new kinetic sculpture known as 'The Shoal', will be
installed. This eye catching sculpture is made up of around 100
titanium clad giant 'leaves' mounted between 15 and 19 metres high
on metal posts along Great Eastern Road past Stratford Station and
the main shopping centre. The leaves will gently move in the breeze
to create a dynamic and natural motion.
Overall, the re-invigorated public realm together with the 'Shoal'
sculpture aim to change perceptions and establish Stratford Town
Centre as a destination in its own right. Works have commenced and
will be completed in early 2012.