Cabe design review slams Aukett Fitzroy Robinson’s £450m Birmingham Eastside Locks masterplan

From Building Design,

Aukett Fitzroy Robinson’s £450 million masterplan for the Eastside Locks area of Birmingham has been slammed by Cabe, which says it has “fundamental” concerns about the proposal.

In its assessment of the scheme published this week, Cabe’s design review panel said it was “unable to see an apparent logic or a meaningful concept that has driven the site layout.”

“In the absence of a concept, the design lacks rigour and is a weak response to [the] valuable assets of the canal and the park,” the panel stated.

“Overall, the masterplan misses many vital opportunities to make this a meaningful place and requires a fundamental rethink.”

The panel said the scheme’s public realm element was its principal weakness, and questioned the need for landmark buildings at two corners of the site.

It also criticised the project’s environmental credentials, claiming these were not an “integral” part of the design thinking.

Luke Schuberth, director at Aukett Fitzroy Robinson, said Cabe had misunderstood some aspects of the design.

“The focus on sustainability at every point of the process was manifested in the sustainability development framework agreed with Birmingham City Council and Advantage West Midlands, and evidenced in the application,” he said. “This approach appears to have been overlooked by Cabe.”

“Regeneration in this area is challenging. Given that the current application is in outline, we look forward to furthering the detailed design of the scheme to ensure the overall vision of all stakeholders is fulfilled.”