Custom House Square and Cathedral Quarter Public Realm Project wins Belfast’s Custom House Square and Cathedral Quarter public realm project, promoted and funded by Laganside Corporation, has been awarded the 2006 Civic Trust Northern Ireland Public Realm Award. This prestigious award is sponsored by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to honour design excellence in the public domain.
At a local prize-giving ceremony held today (Tuesday 12 th September) at the Custom House in Belfast to mark their success at the national ceremony, which took place in London earlier this year, landscape architects The Paul Hogarth Company were presented with the award for the design and creation of an outstanding public square and the sensitive regeneration of an important historical quarter in Laganside at the heart of Belfast city centre.
The Laganside area has been successfully transformed, thanks to the work of the Laganside Corporation, with the project regenerating an important historical quarter of the city and giving Belfast a new and dynamic public square for formal and informal events. As Paul Harron, Architecture and Public Art specialist at the Arts Council commented, the regeneration of the city’s riverside over the past ten years has been a story of considerable success, with previously neglected or decaying parts of the city being brought back to life. He said, “The Cathedral Quarter streetscape successfully integrates the narrow alleys and wider streets of the area and links the regenerated Laganside area of Belfast and the rest of city centre . Through its sensitive use of high quality natural materials enhanced by contemporary street lighting and public art, the project has transformed a neglected and unwelcoming area into a thriving and animated one that cherishes its historical built environment yet provides a contemporary city experience. “The Custom House Square development gives the people of Belfast the benefits of a large, open, neutral public space where people can gather to enjoy carnivals, open-air concerts, markets, public speaking and other events. This reclaimed pedestrian area illustrates international standards in design and civic provision, with playful fountains, public art, grid-lighting and interactive chimes to engage the children, setting off the two beautifully restored and historically significant Victorian architectural treasures of the city – the Albert Clock and the Custom House. Custom House Square demonstrates excellent attention to detail and delivers for the people of Belfast, a new space in which they can take considerable civic pride.” Kyle Alexander, Chief Executive Laganside Corporation commented, “This national award reflects Laganside’s commitment to high quality, people friendly public realm. Importantly Custom House Square is now the catalyst for private sector investment in the surrounding area. This has been a team effort and I would like to congratulate the consultants, staff, contractor and statutory agencies involved.” Paul Hogarth, Principal of The Paul Hogarth Company was delighted that the Practice had been honoured with this prestigious design award and also paid tribute to all involved in the project from the clients’ representatives, members of the design team, and the contractors. “Particular thanks must be given to the key members of the TPHC team, namely Andrew Haley (Partner) and David Watkiss (Associate) for their outstanding contributions to the success of this project.” The design team comprised The Paul Hogarth Company (Lead Consultant and Landscape Architects), McAdam Design (Civil & Structural Engineer), White Young Green (Quantity Surveyor and Planning Supervisor), Delap and Waller (Mechanical and Electrical Engineer). The contractors were FP McCann for Custom House Square, and Whitemountain Surfacing Ltd for Cathedral Quarter.
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