This project comprehensively refurbished the public realm of six streets and formed an essential part of the Broomielaw area’s renaissance as part of the Glasgow International Financial Services District. Since completion, inward investment in the area has accelerated and new developments are rapidly coming on-stream.Glasgow City Council required that the design quality must exceed previous public realm projects and provide a benchmark for future public realm schemes in the city, drawing inspiration from successful projects elsewhere in Europe and carefully addressing the requirements of various stakeholders. With this support, our design approach delivered a project of singularly high quality.LUC's design responds to the area’s historic identity and to its future use as a major international business quarter. We sought to provide subtle differentiation between the individual streets whilst reinforcing the character of the area as a whole.The scheme delivered new footways paved with natural stone surfacing in porphyry and granite with Scottish whinstone kerbs. Bespoke stainless steel furniture, signage and street lighting complemented the pavements and the surrounding buildings. The distinctive historic character of the Broomielaw’s mercantile / maritime warehouses is reflected in the detailed design of streetscape components and in public art, such as the incorporation of fibre optic star constellations, evoking historic methods of maritime navigation, into the stone paving. The star constellations assist in pedestrian ‘navigation’ around the area by identifying a central pedestrian axis through the city blocks as well as being visible from upper floors of new office and business buildings.As one of Scotland’s largest public realm developments this was an exciting project to take from conceptual level through to detailed design and construction over four years. Given the timescale there were undoubtedly some frustrations and challenges to address although these added to the sense of satisfaction upon completion.
