CHARACTER & bUILT FORM

Character

As mentioned previously, the character of Silo D will be highlighted by its positioning in the development, away from other tall buildings and behind a large park that allows for direct views of the structure. The line of sight between the Silo and Millennium Mills will also connect the two heritage structures on the site.

The surrounding buildings will be modern in style however detailing such as brick facades and fluid shapes will point to the site's industrial past and positioning next to the water.

The Silo itself will bring a unique character to the area and act as a landmark structure, such as the Spinnaker Tower in Gunwharf Quays.

The form of Silo D will provide a striking contrast from the newer surrounding buildings which will create a unique character to the area.

Built Form

Two wings will be added to either side of the main column that will increase the venue's footprint to allow it to be more versatile for exhibitions and gatherings. The venue will however remain compact so as to respect its original form and allow it to be more suited to local creatives who may not have the resources to exhibit in a large space. Supporting small business owners is a high priority for existing residents and this built form will achieve this by creating smaller spaces that take less resources to fill and are cheaper to hire.

An observation pod will sit at the top of the tower with a light shining as a beacon within the development. This will generate income to help sustain the venue and provide an interactive visitor experience, similar to that at the recently regenerated Battersea Power Station (but on a much smaller scale).

A viewing pod will be placed at the top of the tower on Silo D which will help to generate an income for the venue, similar to the observation pod at Battersea Power Station.

Structure

The internal accommodation will be spread across 3 floors to provide flexibility and best use of space. The ground floor will become the large community cafe with multiple sets of glass doors that open onto the wrap around waterfront terrace. This space can also double as a dining space in the evenings for private and corporate hire. The second floor will be a performance space with a movable stage and seating and the top floor will become a gallery and exhibition space.

There will be few internal walls to allow these spaces to be as flexible as possible and an internal lift will allow accessibility for all.

The cultural venue will consist of 3 floors and an observation pod.

1st floor

2nd floor

3rd floor

Observation pod

Post-Pandemic Considerations

Extending the footprint of the structure will allow for larger capacities whilst still maintaining adequate social distancing if necessary. Allocating a total of only 3 floors will also allow for extremely high ceilings which will not only lend themselves to art exhibitions but provide increased air circulation. A high specification ventilation will also be installed to future proof the building.

The large wrap-around deck can be used throughout the summer months and will greatly increase the capacity of the cafe whilst the open public spaces adjoining Silo D have been designed to be able to host further performers and creators during festivals.

The wrap around deck and bi-fold doors are just a few measures being taken to maximise ventilation and make the building more resilient.