THE SITE
WHAT'S STRETFORD MADE UP FROM?
The majority of buildings in Stretford are residential, and there is a large local community. In comparison, there are few open areas or buildings that serve the public. Chester Road separates the two main public buildings [the hall and the mall] and the Essoldo site from each other.
SITE 1/200
The site is surrounded by roads on the west and southern sides, on the south there is also a terrace of buildings. The canal lies to the east, whist north is residential housing.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF REGENERATING THE ESSOLDO ON THE BALANCE OF PUBLIC SERVING AREAS?
Left undeveloped, the site and road create a vicinity dominated by space which does not serve or benefit the public.
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There is no link between the Public Hall and the canal and are isolated by the road.
Utilising the Essoldo site creates a majority in community serving space. It lessens the impact of the road by providing a bridge between the canal and public hall.
THE CHESTER ROAD PROBLEM
Chester Road has been described as the ‘kiss of death’ to Stretford. It is a fast dual carriageway, which places importance on vehicles rather than pedestrians in the area. Whilst there are some significant public sites in the vicinity, the road splits these and remains dominant.
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As an open green space for pubic use, particularly families, protecting the site from the road is important for both safety and enjoyment.
PROTECTING THE SITE
The site is bordered by the main roads on the NW and S sides. On the south, the existing terrace [boxed in red] acts as a barrier to Edge Lane. On the North-West, the new developments need to have a strategy to help block Chester Road from the site. In doing this, pollution from noise, sight and fumes can be reduced to create a pleasant microclimate inside.
POSSIBLE STRATEGIES
Having the facades of buildings parallel to the road, a barrier is created providing a visual block and is defensive towards the outside.
Having open spaces between buildings that are too large will negate the effect of having front facing facades. It will not filter out the road effectively
If the facades are not parallel, then a threshold is created. This encourages a connection between two areas which need to be separate
Adding mass to act as a filter can help create a threshold for people, whilst expelling the road.
OPENING THE SITE
The Essoldo is grade 2 listed and stretches further back than the iconic blue frontage, and in fact the large brick structure that dominates the site is part of the cinema.
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However there is a strong case to suggest that the main part containing the auditorium is not of any particular interest, and the benefits of demolishing it outweigh the negatives.
IS ALL OF THE ESSOLDO WORTH LISTING?
The auditorium is visible as an unexciting 'brick box'
The auditorium is not visible.
The auditorium is visible as an unexciting 'brick box'
"The appearance of a building – both its intrinsic architectural merit and any group value – is a key consideration in judging listing proposals"
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[Principles of Selection for Listed Buildings, DCMS, 2010]
As demonstrated in the pictures above, the auditorium is not wholly visible from the surrounding roads. It does not add any value to the collective aesthetic of the cinema. The eye is drawn to the blue, art-deco frontage on Chester Road, rather than the dull, brick auditorium behind.
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Whilst some value might be found inside, it is in disrepair and of no particular rarity. Art-deco interiors are not uncommon.
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Therefore demolishing this part of the building would not negatively impact on the architectural value of the building.
KEEPING THE EDGE LANE ENTRANCE
The curved brick wall above the Edge lane entrance is unusual, but not as iconic or noteworthy as the blue frontage. It is eligible for demolition, however the is benefit in keeping it.
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The diagram below left show that in keeping the Edge Lane entrance to the Essoldo, the line of the terrace is not broken. This maintains the visual barrier from the road to the site behind.
If it were removed, it would leave a large void in the street elevation - show below right this would open the site to the vicinity of the road, which could have a negative effect due to the busy nature of the road.
THE RESULT?
The site is now open for development into a community kitchen garden [shaded in feint blue on diagram]. The demolition of the auditorium also allows the space to act as a link from the canal to the new buildings.
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Keeping the Edge Lane entrance maintains the line of the terrace, protecting the site from the road. The blue entrance on Chester Road, which is the most valuable part of the building remains, and can form part of the new development.
what about the plants?
There are many climatic considerations to account for to ensure the success of the project. The community garden is at the core of the scheme, so ensuring it is designed with conditions for plants in mind is a priority.
precipitation
sunlight
soil type
temperature
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winter solstice
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equinox
09.00
summer solstice
SUNLIGHT
12.00
winter solstice
12.00
equinox
12.00
summer solstice
16.00
winter solstice
16.00
equinox
16.00
summer solstice
The most exposed part of the site receives the morning sun throughout the year. Due to the location of the terrace to the south, only the north of the site has constant sunlight through the day. There is a dramatic change in the length of day between the solstices. In the winter, the sunlight is poor, and is less direct. Sunlight dependant plants such as tomatoes might not be suitable. In the winter, the evening sun comes back across Chester Road to the site. As the plot is fairly open on the west and east, morning and evening sun is consistent. However as the terrace is south of the plot, when the sun is lower during the winter months, shadows cover a large part in the middle of the day.
WEATHER DATA
TEMPERATURE
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The temperature is temperate and does not fluctuate between the minimum and maximum very much. In the winter there is a risk of ground frost.
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Most native plants will have no trouble growing in the spring and summer, but tougher species may be needed in the winter months. The temperature suits seasonal cultivation. This benefits the community most as there will always be something to do.
SOIL TYPE
The concrete car park covers the entire site is most likely similar in construction to a raft foundation. Below it will be a soil aggregate mix follows by poor quality loam soil.
