International design competition to renew the heart of historic Salisbury

An international design competition to transform Salisbury’s Market Place, the public heart of the historic city, has been launched.

The aim is to create a grand central square to rival any in Europe, helping Salisbury prosper as a destination city able to compete with other regional centres like Southampton, Winchester, Basingstoke and Bournemouth.

It is hoped the successful £3m renaissance of the medieval Market Place and Guildhall square will provide a vibrant, welcoming place for residents and visitors alike while at the same time attracting new businesses and benefiting existing ones.

The regeneration will be the first of 24 projects outlined in the Salisbury Vision.

The design competition launch by the district and county council is expected to attract entries from architects and landscape architects across the world. It has been organised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

The winning consultant will also be asked to develop a public realm strategy for the city centre which will act as a guide and master plan for all public realm work.

The Salisbury Vision contains a number of important public realm projects, including the ehancement of the city’s medieval chequers.

Once completed, the Market Place and Guildhall Square will act as a catalyst for development and for the delivery of the overall aims of the Salisbury Vision.

The budget for the scheme is £3m, split between the district and county council. Work on the winning design could begin during the second half of 2009.

Design competition timetable

Selection will take the form of a two-stage process, with stage one seeking expressions of interest by September 16, 2008.

A short list of up to six teams will be drawn up by a judging panel made up of skilled practitioners and key partners.

The concept designs will be exhibited in public during January 2009, with residents and businesses invited to share their thoughts and views.

The winning design will be announced on February 26, subject to ratification by the district council’s Cabinet.

More information on the competition and the competition brief (which explains what you need to do to take part) can be found on the RIBA website.

Please contact RIBA directly if you have any enquiries about the competition:

RIBA Competitions Office,
6 Melbourne Street,
Leeds,
LE2 7PS.

tel:++44 (0) 113 2341335
fax: ++44 (0) 113 2460744

email:
website: http://www.architecture.com/competitions

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