Salisbury Market Place, UK

In late 2008 Halcrow was short-listed for the final stage of the Salisbury Market Place International Design Competition and invited to prepare a project. Market Place is one of the priority projects of Salisbury Vision, the key strategic document describing future development in the city. Halcrow's team included urban designers, landscape architects, planners and specialist public art sub-consultants.

Salisbury Market Place is the central point of the city. It is the location of the twice-weekly market and other important celebrations including Remembrance Day. Halcrow's key proposal was to divide the space into three smaller, linked squares. These comprised: the Central Market; Guildhall Square; and the Cheese Market. These three spaces would be physically united by "Threads of History" - a paving grid containing etched patterns derived from historical activities and archaeology. The project also included a new lighting strategy featuring a diagonal lighting path through the central open space, and a water feature at the front of the Guildhall.

The design was progressed alongside community consultation work. Shoppers and visitors to the Market Place were interviewed, and their comments helped to shape the overall design.