FEETHAMS DARLINGTON: ARRIVA BUS DEPOT
Development proposal by Stephen Twist
Outline of proposal
To create a Performance and Concert Hall venue with a catering facility and performance studios.
The concept draws upon the success of Gateshead’s Sage, demonstrating that with vision and public/private partnership investment in the arts, Darlington can be rejuvenated as the region’s leading town of culture.
Reasoning behind proposal
The Feethams North site lies in a coveted, prominent and highly visible location within 30 metres of the town’s market square, adjacent to the Town Hall and the Dolphin Centre. Its future use should sensitively integrate with existing civic facilities. Complimenting Darlington’s Civic Theatre and the Arts Centre, a Concert venue would attract performance arts, exhibitions, multi-media concerts, regional and national conferences and conventions. The centre would be linked by short walkway to the Arts Village Parkgate across St Cuthbert’s Way.
The structure
Based on similar concept to the Gateshead Sage, the ‘Concert Hall’ would be housed together with associated facilities, in a large over- span structure covering the whole Feethams site from St Cuthbert’s Way to the east, Feethams to the west, Victoria Road to the south and the Town Hall to the north. Main access would be at first floor level by illuminated covered walkway and glass bridge over both the river Skerne and St Cuthbert’s Way rising from the east side of the road to link with Darlington’s new Arts Village. This could draw on ideas from Campo Volatin Footbridge, Bilbao, Spain.
The ‘concert hall’ would be the main component within the structure. Unlike Gateshead Sage, this would comprise a level performance area with removable seating, surrounded by fixed, raked side-seating. The aim would be to accommodate dance, gymnastics and other performance arts requiring a ballroom setting, and to offer amphitheatre facility for conventions. Restaurant/bar facilities would span above the ‘concert hall’ offering up-lit flexible café/bar/restaurant/dining areas capable of seating larger commercial bookings. This would provide a single location for conferences and conventions as well as accommodating associated catering and bars for concert nights. Additionally, smaller performance studios would be available for bespoke functions, meetings and private hire. Their theme would be to provide areas principally designed as mirrored-performance spaces which could be used flexibly for other purposes.
Beneath the ‘concert hall’, ground level would provide through trade access from Feethams North for high sided vehicles to support the concert space. Deliveries and theatre storage at ground level would access trade lifts to take performance equipment, staging, catering supplies etc directly to stage level and upwards to the second floor restaurant/bar facilities and performance suites.
Development of the Skerne riverside walkway
Integral to the proposal is the development of the Skerne Riverside, extending the complete length from Victoria Embankment to Tubwell Row. This area, beneath the new structure and overviewed by it, would be transformed into a mini-riverside venue scaled from London’s re-developed South Bank, enjoying outside, semi-covered catering and bar facilities. A further re-development opportunity may arise to develop Victoria Road east from Bank Top station and the Skerne bank to South Park via Victoria Embankment.
Alternative uses distinguished
A significant benefit from the proposal is symbiosis with existing facilities and commerce within the town. The concert venue would attract a new range of visitors from the whole region, as save for the Gateshead Sage, there is no similar facility providing state-of-the-art performance space. Local businesses would benefit from increased trade, and Darlington’s hotels can take advantage of a leading regional and national conference and convention facility.
Retail provision within the town is close to optimum and further retail development would be rejected by both traders and residents. Commercial office development would be wasteful of this prime civic site.
With the support of the Darlington community, EC and national subsidy, public/private partnership funding, this project would take Darlington to pole position in the region, offering one of the closest ‘national venues’ to main-line rail and bus communications.
Stephen Twist © 2007
Campo Volatin Footbridge, Bilbao, Spain (1997)
This pedestrian bridge links Campo Volatin Street in downtown Bilbao (Spain) across the River Nervion to Gehry's Guggenheim Bilbao Museum. Floating 8.5 metres over the river, it is built of translucent laminated glass. Lighting plays a critical role. The lighting fixtures were specially designed by Santiago Calatrava and are located between the steel ribs, illuminating the floor from underneath. Additional lighting is paced in the handrails, stairs and ramps. Laminated glass is used in the deck of the bridge so that the bridge can be illuminated from below. Consequently, the bridge floor becomes the source of lighting and the use of aerial lighting fixtures is avoided. The use of laminated glass also lends the bridge a feeling of lightness.
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