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This week's Bath Chronicle will publish images of a new vision for the Recreation Ground, which is the result of work carried out by an architecture student at the University of Bath working closely with DKA Architects and Buro Happold, to a brief provided by the Real Friends of the Rec Committee. We are extremely excited about Jonathan Crossley's ideas, and feel that they have the potential to bring the focus for Bath Rugby's future back to the Recreation Ground. We await with interest the reaction to these new ideas, and include some images and a link to the press release below for your interest and comment. We are extremely grateful to Jonathan Crossley for an incredible amount of hard work, and also to DKA Architects and Buro Happold who have given generously of their professional advice, expertise and support.
Read the RFOTR Press Release.
Here is a summary of the concept as developed by Jonathan:
'The problem over the use of Rec is one of devaluation in that whatever you might seek to implement, you are deemed to be taking away from the rest of the Rec. Given that the underlying principles of the Rec are that any commercial use of it does not seek to undermine or devalue the continued recreational use of the Rec by the people of Bath, a solution was sought that allowed for both the Rugby and the Rec to prosper.
As such the overarching gesture of the building is to establish an extruded landscape that facilitates the continued use of the Rec for Rugby yet also offers back a new promenade to the city.
By sweeping the mass of the building up and away from its Northern edge, one can seek to maintain the vista across the Rec from Pulteney Rd to the city and particularly the Abbey and furthermore establish a new link onto Johnstone st which would allow for access down onto the Rec or directly onto the new promenade.
By creating a 3 sided arena that still has a temporary edge, one creates a natural theatre of sorts that open out to the rest of the Rec and creates a dialogue here where there is not one at present. This should allow for more diverse use of the Rec throughout the year for all parties.
Furthermore, by arranging the mass in such a way that it links with Johnstone St, the pressure on the riverside is eased and opened out to create a new riverside walkway that is deserving of the start of the Bath riverside experience. Shops and cafes are integrated into the building on its riverside frontage and spill out onto banks of the river. Coupled with the new promenade above, which echoes and serves as a counterpoint to Grand Parade, this will offer visitors to Bath the perfect vantage point to look back over the city.'
More details about thisthis potential 21st century heritage creation for the Rec will be posted on the RFOTR website following the University of Bath School of Architecture end of year show on June 4th. Check back to see what is new.
View From The Grand Parade
View Across the River from the SkyWalk
Rugby Entrance Into Arena |
