Public Realm & Regeneration

Golden Square

Project Details

Client
Birmingham City Council
Location
Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham
Year
2009-2014
Services
Landscape Architecture

A new public square

Since the completion of the Golden Square in 2014 we have been observing how this vibrant public space has evolved and become the key events destination in the Jewellery Quarter. Given several Define team members were instrumental in the original competition entry and went on to complete detailed design of the space (in their previous company Lovejoy), it has always been a project that is close to our hearts.

Following the successful winning competition entry and on behalf of Birmingham City Council, we led the varied and extensive public and stakeholder consultation exercises, prepared the planning application and technical and construction design stages (and subsequently provided design continuation services whilst at Define).

Concept

The concept for the square was inspired by the worldwide connections that this important part of Birmingham had in the 19th and 20th century. Compass lines were drawn out from the space, pointing towards the places in the world that had supplied Birmingham with precious metals and stones. In doing so, the space was divided into 3 distinct zones. The Events Space, the Promenade and the Garden.

The design team

Working in a design team with Public Artist David Patten we detailed several core elements of the site that were inspired by it’s history. These included Gold Dust Grilles, bespoke seating that forms an amphitheatre, lighting and blue brick specials.

During the process we worked alongside architects Bryant Prints Newman who prepared the proposals for the canopy and jewellery shop that were designed to frame the space and ‘fold’ out of the ground in a seamless transition between landscape and built form.