Creative companies and TV channels moving to MediaCityUK will be inspired by its fresh new public spaces and waterside landscape, designed by Gillespies. MediaCityUK has been developed by The Peel Group and creates a globally significant digital media hub.  It is one of the UK’s largest construction projects and has regenerated a former industrial dock site.

Paralleling the development of the buildings has been the construction of high quality external spaces designed to integrate the new architecture and create a fresh and creative public realm, with heart and human scale.  The external spaces enhance the appeal and function of each building individually, and ground them collectively into a holistic visual language.

Gillespies’ challenge was how to deliver this given the density of the built development and the constraints to hard and soft landscape created by the exposed site, challenging micro climate and restrictions created by extensive underground communications and anti-terrorism site security restrictions.

At the heart of the new landscape is a multifunctional Piazza, with a radial geometry and elegant arrangement of natural stone paving that establishes a dynamic connection between the waterfront and the adjacent buildings.  Its broad expanse serves as a function space for activities, media events and large gatherings and is enhanced at night by over 350 computer controlled LED up-lighters and dramatic 20m high sculptural lighting masts.

Architects: Gillespies
Location: Salford, England
Design team leader: Jim Gibson, Partner, Gillespies
Public Realm & Landscape Designer: Gillespies
Buildings Architects: Wilkinson Eyre, Chapman Taylor, Fairhurst Design Group, Sheppard Robson
Masterplan: Benoy Architects
Main Contractor: Bovis Lend Lease
Structural and Civil Engineer: Jacobs UK
M&E Engineers: AECOM
Quantity Surveyor: Gleeds
Landscape Contractor: English Landscapes
Lighting Consultant: Pinniger & Partners
Project year: 2011
Photographs: Darren Hartley Photography and Ben Page Photography