City Park design team selected
BIRMINGHAM’S cabinet is set to approve the appointment of the design team which will create Birmingham’s new City Park in Eastside.
A report to Cabinet on 27 November recommends the selection of the team, from a field of six international design practices which won through to the second stage of a design competition for the park launched earlier this year.
Cabinet Member for Regeneration Councillor Ken Hardeman said, “Eastside City Park is a top priority for the City Council. It has been a key cornerstone of the Eastside vision from the outset, and has been significant in attracting major developers to invest in the area. As a member of the judging panel I can say that we had a difficult task choosing from the high quality concept designs that were submitted. The team that we have selected has produced a scheme which will deliver a stunning new park for our city. We will be announcing the successful practice as soon as the procurement regulations allow.”
The Eastside City Park design competition was launched last March and attracted well over 100 enquiries, some from firms based in Europe. Six internationally-recognised design practices were shortlisted by a panel of experts to compete for the chance to design and deliver the park.
The teams were asked to prepare concept design schemes and technical reports illustrating their approach to the design of the park in this important city centre location. The six design schemes were put on show for public consultation in October, as part of a three-layer process including technical assessment by a wide range of organisations and an expert judging panel chaired by John Sorrell, Chairman of CABE, the government’s design advisory body.
The expert panel has now assessed the design proposals and the results of the public consultation, and has selected the team which they believe will be able to deliver a unique and inspirational park for the people of Birmingham.
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