Northwich Cultural Centre

Result

DLA Architecture has been chosen as the winners of the competition to design a new Cultural Centre in Northwich. Their scheme, ‘The Salt Market’ was chosen through a two stage competition which in the first stage attracted over 100 entries from architects all over the world.

Overview

The Northwich Regeneration Partnership is inviting submissions for a two stage open design competition for the design of a new Cultural Centre to be located at Baron’s Quay, Northwich.

Description
The main aim of the Northwich Regeneration Partnership is to secure the preparation of an innovative and inspiring building design for the proposed Cultural Centre at Baron’s Quay site in Northwich. The design is expected to deliver a coherent vision for the new building as well as demonstrate how cutting edge and innovative design can support and promote the regeneration of a place and its surrounding environments.
The site is located within Northwich Town Centre in an area currently identified as Baron’s Quay. The site area of Baron’s Quay is approximately 3.2 hectares and is located adjacent to the Weaver Navigation River. The site at present contains vacant buildings that are in the process of being demolished and a working timber yard in private ownership that it is expected will be relocated in the course of the implementation of the Northwich Vision framework.
Feasibility studies on the building specification and delivery have indicated a total cost range of £14 to £16 million including construction costs and all fees.

Jury
Councillor Arthur Wood
Councillor Herbert Manley
Andy Evans, Head of Economic and Regeneration Services
Richard Tracey, North West Development Agency
Elliott Lewis Ward, English Partnerships
Mike Cooksley, Chair of Visit Cheshire and Chester
David McCall, OMI Architects, RIBA Architectural Adviser
Keith Williams, Keith Williams Architects, Architectural Adviser

Prize
At present there is no current budget for the building or identified funding. The Northwich Regeneration Partnership however remains committed to the delivery of the scheme and to the identification of support funding. The Partnership would expect the winning designer to support future fund raising for the building and any associated publicity.
Each team invited to take part in the second phase of the competition will receive an honorarium of £6,000 plus VAT. The winner’s honorarium represents an advance of any future professional fee.

Entry Fee
£35.00

Entries
A maximum of 2 A1 boards and a maximum of 4 A4 pages and a CD ROM

Submission Address
the RIBA Competitions Office
6 Melbourne Street, Leeds LS2 7PS

Timetable
Stage 1 Assessment : 16th February 2009
Shortlist notified / stage 2 instructions: 23rd February
Stage 2 Submission : 12th March
Public consultation : 16th March
Final assessment/interview : 23rd March
Winner notified : 23rd March onwards

Organizer
The Northwich Regeneration Partnership

Official Website
http://www.northwichculturalcentreriba.co.uk/