jimmy
02-12-2008, 11:29 PM
Observatory plans go on display
The observatory will offer panoramic views of the river estuary
Designs for the proposed Mersey Observatory have gone on display.
The landmark structure will replace the existing radar tower at the mouth of the river near Crosby Beach, home to Anthony Gormley's Another Place.
Five shortlisted entries were chosen from 92 submitted by architects around the world and local people are now being asked for their views.
They will go on display at the Renew Rooms in Wood Street in Liverpool city centre and the Seacombe Ferry Terminal.
They can also be seen in Crosby Library until the end of the month.
The project is being led by the Mersey Basin Campaign and it is thought it will cost in the region of £11.5m.
Organisers say each of the designs offers "a very different but imaginative approach to making the most of the Crosby site's fabulous location and views".
We will have to live with it for much of our lives
Ian Hamilton Fazey, chairman of the Waterloo Residents' Association
They range from a V-shaped structure with a suspended viewing pod out over the River Mersey, to a wedge-shaped building extending out over the river that is inspired by a pier.
The other designs include a tower shaped like a table lamp, a weathered steel tower topped by a transparent viewing platform inspired by a lighthouse, and a structure with high piers over the river.
Ian Hamilton Fazey, chairman of the Waterloo Residents' Association, said: "We have five very interesting and very different designs. Whichever is chosen will dominate the entrance to the Mersey from Liverpool Bay for many decades.
"It will be a prominent feature from Formby to Ellesmere Port and will have an enormous visual impact."
"We will have to live with it for much of our lives. We don't want people moaning that no one gave them a say in what this important structure should look like.
"This is the opportunity for everyone to let the jury know what they think face-to-face and make their voices heard in the debate."
The observatory will offer panoramic views of the river estuary
Designs for the proposed Mersey Observatory have gone on display.
The landmark structure will replace the existing radar tower at the mouth of the river near Crosby Beach, home to Anthony Gormley's Another Place.
Five shortlisted entries were chosen from 92 submitted by architects around the world and local people are now being asked for their views.
They will go on display at the Renew Rooms in Wood Street in Liverpool city centre and the Seacombe Ferry Terminal.
They can also be seen in Crosby Library until the end of the month.
The project is being led by the Mersey Basin Campaign and it is thought it will cost in the region of £11.5m.
Organisers say each of the designs offers "a very different but imaginative approach to making the most of the Crosby site's fabulous location and views".
We will have to live with it for much of our lives
Ian Hamilton Fazey, chairman of the Waterloo Residents' Association
They range from a V-shaped structure with a suspended viewing pod out over the River Mersey, to a wedge-shaped building extending out over the river that is inspired by a pier.
The other designs include a tower shaped like a table lamp, a weathered steel tower topped by a transparent viewing platform inspired by a lighthouse, and a structure with high piers over the river.
Ian Hamilton Fazey, chairman of the Waterloo Residents' Association, said: "We have five very interesting and very different designs. Whichever is chosen will dominate the entrance to the Mersey from Liverpool Bay for many decades.
"It will be a prominent feature from Formby to Ellesmere Port and will have an enormous visual impact."
"We will have to live with it for much of our lives. We don't want people moaning that no one gave them a say in what this important structure should look like.
"This is the opportunity for everyone to let the jury know what they think face-to-face and make their voices heard in the debate."