Mersey Square & The Bear Pit.
Illustration by Katherine Dauncey
SB-LA were appointed to help Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council deliver an ambitious and sustainable transformation of Mersey Square, a large public square in the town centre, linking the new Interchange with the Mersey Way Shopping Centre. The project brief outlined requirements for extensive tree planting, SUDS, integrated cycle routes, and ambitious play spaces.
The design pushes the potential for the square, developing a multifunctional approach that meets the needs of visitors and wildlife and turns the grey soviet-style experience into something much more pleasing and inviting.
We’ve incorporated SUDs, play, dwelling spaces, outdoor dining and active travel networks into a rejuvenated public space which will transform the face of Stockport.
Existing Site
How we helped push the design
Taking a creative approach to the brief we explored the spatial quality, function and constraints of the site and put forward a series of options to discuss. Over a 4 month period we met regularly with the client to develop this into a concept design which met the brief and delivered a buildable, playful design.
Further design reviews with Transport for Greater Manchester tested the approach to develop the proposals prior to moving to the next stages.
We also explored how the project could reduce it’s carbon impact. Using the Pathfinder tools and our own research into sustainable landscape construction, proposals included:
Existing paving crush and re-use for sub-base. Cost saving and carbon saving
Maximising the tree planting, finding a balance of space and carbon sequestration
Refurbishing site furniture
Recycling the trees in planters to help reduce nursery planting and extend their life-span
Key Design Principles
The Bear Pit
The largest conundrum on the site is what to do with the bear pit. Since the 80s this area has fallen into disrepair, rarely used and an eye-sore to passers by (with the exception of pigeons!). Transforming this space and giving it a new purpose was essential to the success of the whole project, and it needed a bold proposal to bring it back to life.
As the space sits over the River Mersey (flowing below the square and shopping centre), there were significant limitations to what can be implemented due to weight and drainage. Scrunched up tracing paper sketches of walkways, mini-forests and sunken gardens went into the bin, and out emerged a bold, exciting and inviting play space.
The level change creates an amazing opportunity to create interesting play features as well as an amphitheatre space for sitting and outdoor events. References to the river and industrial heritage are made with the materials, and the Bear Pit will live on as a regeneration success.
We are looking forward to seeing the proposals come to life, and as the gateway to the Town Centre East the project will link key development sites, whilst delivering a climate resilience public space for generations to come.
The new Bear Pit