Creating the canvas for life in Bath
Creating the Canvas for Public Life in Bath is a long-term vision, public realm masterplan, coherent series of public space design concepts, a three-volume Pattern Book (including design and construction guidelines) and a suite of international award-winning wayfinding and street furniture products, all created to guide and manage the transformation of Bath’s city-centre streets and public spaces on a long-term basis.
Inspired by some of the best examples around the world eg Copenhagen, Melbourne and Bordeaux, its purpose is to build incrementally towards one high-quality, coherent, connected shared public realm for the interaction, pleasure and wellbeing of residents, businesses and visitors and to support the flow and economic vitality of the city centre.
Rhodri initiated and led this project for the city between 2007 and 2014, directing all aspects from vision, strategy and pattern-book production, to overseeing the design and delivery of the wayfinding system, bespoke furniture ranges, selection of materials and the transformation of a range of public spaces eg High Street, Northumberland Place, Stall Street and Saw Close.
The project achieved enormous public support and each project was developed through a process of collaboration and co-creation between designers, landowners and lead representatives of multiple Bath organisations and groups in line with an agreed set of Bath design values. The project is still regarded as one of the most complete and coherent approaches to a city centre public realm in the world. All subsequent public realm works in Bath city centre, whether public or private sector, continue to conform to the Bath Pattern Book.
Client: B&NES Council
Partners: City centre landowners and developers
Consultant Team: City ID (masterplanning and wayfinding), FW Design (graphic design), Pearson Lloyd (furniture and product design), Landscape Projects (Bath Pattern Book), Speirs and Major (lighting architects), Gehl Associates (urban movement advisers), Stockley (transport and movement planning)
Advisory Panel: Dickon Robinson, Martin Stockley, Andrew Grant, Nicola Turner, Mark Major, George Fergusson