Location: Sheffield, UK
Date: 2007-2013
Client: Private
Status: Detailed design
Size: 3,600 M2
Credits: ACME Team (Stefano Dal Piva, Michael Haller, Friedrich Ludewig, Adam Modesitt, Andreas Reeg)
Consultants: WSP, ARUP
As a gateway building for the new Sevenstone quarter in Sheffield, Block 2 forms a powerful architectural signifier and entrance into the scheme. Visible from Fargate and Barkers Pool, the three level retail building is the visual marker and entrance to New Burgess Street, one of the main retail streets of the Sevenstone development. The facade of the building is designed as a densely woven steel skin, made of reflective stainless steel ribbons that change appearance and density depending on internal program, urban context and the location of the viewer. Parts of the facade will become transparent to form windows, while others will become opaque and reflective. A public passage linking New Burgess Street to a new civic square fronting City Hall is part of the building’s concept. Its design and pattern refers to the historic technique of “Sheffield plate” - walls will be clad with embossed, coloured stainless steel. To increase the permeability of the masterplan for pedestrians, a passage is integrated into Block 2, providing a convenient shortcut for locals between New Burgess Street and Barkers Pool. The walls enclosing the passage from both sides are generally opaque and do not provide windows into the retail spaces behind. It is proposed to use light and architectural wall treatment to give interest and articulation to these otherwise blank elevations. Taking inspiration from Sheffield’s long history of utilitarian metalwork with ornamentation, the passage will be covered in a re-interpreted ‘Sheffield Plate’ pattern embossed into coloured stainless steel. In order to prevent the passage from appearing as a long and narrow tunnel, creases and kinks have been integrated into walls and ceilings, thus reducing its visual length.