March Capital Challenge Market Place Enhancement
Artistic Input

Brief
To review existing concepts produced by Fenland District Council, and research possibilities for Artistic input into the scheme. Working to a tight timescale, develop designs for a floorscape feature and integrated range of street furniture for the Market Place area that will be unique to the town. The aim, to preserve and improve the function of the space and to provide an enhanced social setting.

The Design Process
A period of research has been undertaken to establish unique elements from the life and history of March that could form the basis for the design of the project. The aim being to find some way of connecting the people of March with their place, in a way which respects history and tradition, but which also looks to the future. The strong influence of the road, river and rail on the development of the town and market in particular has been established as a starting point for the development of ideas. March was the home of one of the biggest Marshalling Yards in Europe at one time, and was a central part of the life of the River Nene, which flows adjacent to the Market Place. The designs aim in some way to celebrate and emphasise the important connections March has beyond itself. Following public consultation of initial outline concepts, the design ideas have been developed further in collaboration with the project planners and engineers.

Outline Design

The design aims to co-ordinate visually with the surrounding architecture, but yet have a timeless feel which looks to the past and to the future.

The design evolves through a linear floorscape feature, which forms a series of motifs in the space around the newly formed circular tree seating. Constructed from bronze sand resin, inlaid to a standard pavier to co-ordinate with surrounding pedestrian areas, the design will show, through the use of abstract form, the link through history of river and rail. The curved lines, almost eel-like, suggest the river with the recognisable track-like imagery to represent the railway.

The accompanying street furniture will connect visually with the floorscape design. Fabricated from cast iron and wood, the ends and backs of the benches/ seating are designed to hint at railway architecture. The tapering cross backs are suggestive of crossing gates and, also utilised in the ends - the tapering effect could also be read as lines disapearing into the horizon. The use of cast iron connects with existing street furniture and that associated with the railways. The wood also has this link, was traditionally used in the Market Place much more, and will fit in with the picnic benches currently used by The Exchange Public House.

A range of cast iron bollards are incorporated into the scheme, based on the idea of a 'Buffer' bollard. Designed to stop parked cars overhanging the highway, shorter variations are also to be positioned to allow people to sit on, and removable versions will allow acces to the market by traders. A hinged door allows the 'buffer' to be opened for access to services by traders.

The fingerpost has been designed as 'Signal' signage, with the 'fingers' cast to look like signals, variations on an existing model, but unique to our scheme. The design for the 'Railway' railings combines the reference to the road, river and railway, with the 'Track' cycle rack also suggestive of our theme. The 'Line' lighting columns emphasise the idea of routes crossing, and co-ordinate well with the new railings and cycle racks as well as the existing architectural metalwork around the Market Place. Each lighting column is to have arms for hanging baskets and fixings for the Christmas lighting.

Tree grilles to protect the new trees in the scheme, are of an existing design, chosen to fit in with the bespoke items - a Broxap 'Lea' which reflects our linear detail in the floorscape. The Waste bins are embelleshed with Fenland District Council livery as in other locations in the town.

The design of two banner poles for in front of theTown Hall will allow for 2 double-sided banners and a flag to be flown on each pole. This series of celebratory banners will be designed with the basis of the theme in mind, with input from members of the community, a fitting way to mark the completion of the project, and the new life of the Market Place.

It is hoped the enhanced social setting will allow old March traditions to be revived, encouraging the use of the Market Place for public celebrations into the next millennium.

Zoë Chambelain January 2000