Design review | ‘Making the city’

A research project for Liverpool by Aaron Blanchard

Today, Liverpool presents itself as a beacon of excellence amongst major cities competing for recognition of the same caliber – recognized as a top spot for overseas investment, tourism, and overall economic growth. With more and more events taking place in Liverpool, the project aims to create a place for visiting and residential contributors to work. The brief for this project was to make the city work while connecting 10 streets to Liverpool. A culture centre for the city would be a fantastic new addition and create new opportunities for the city and its residents. The concept for the building was to use the ideology of the Liverpool liver birds, where one bird looks over the River Mersey and the other looks over the city. Using this idea pointing towards different landmarks allowed for the design of the structure. The concept can clearly be seen in the structural movement of the building as it split into 3 blocks, 1 in the center, 1 pointing towards the River, and 1 pointing towards the city. 

The programme for The Liverpool Culture Centre would consist of a theatre on the ground floor that can be also used for a lecture room. With the first floor being used as gallery space and other functions. The program also foreshadows the idea of the higher up the building goes the more private it becomes - with only staff and students being allowed to use the top floors. As can be seen from outside 

Aaron Blanchard / Architectural Assistant