THIS is what Castle Hill could look like if the decision was ever made to opt for a futuristic visitor centre.
These stunning images have been created by an architect and a 3D visualisation studio who believe the landmark needs a creative look to bring its history to life – and also look to the future.
Richard Benson of Lindley-based Pikcells Visualisation Studio says The Castle Hill Project is an idea which he and Dorian Grayson from Newsome-based architects Form have been developing for a number of years.
He says they have not been impressed with proposals put forward for a new pub and “felt that there should be something more ‘people-centric’ up there and decided to lead by example and conceive an idea.”
He says the current proposals by the Thandi Brothers are said to be “fuelled by financial gain and are not in tune with the spirit of the town and the needs of the people.”
Mr Benson added: “After speaking to the council we now know that the site is of substantial archaeological heritage and it seems unlikely that this would get built. The main point of all this is to make people think about what the site could be used for and how to make it into a truly inspiring place to visit and an attraction for the town which will pull in tourism It gives people an idea of what can go up there instead of a pub.”
Click on the link below to see images of the designs which have been put forward
According to the 3-D imaging company’s website the new building would house “local art and history exhibitions illustrating communities through the ages and their impact on the local environment.”
It would provide for visitors on a national scale as well as a comprehensive learning and research centre “for children of all ages to observe, experiment and understand environmental change and ecological harmony.”
Click on the link to see a gallery of Castle Hill down the years
Certainly, the proposed development would transform the current Castle Hill site – turning the ancient, historic site into easily the most futuristic landscape in the whole of Kirklees.
There would be an incongruous juxtaposition of an outstandingly desolate site combined with a breathtakingly bold statement of ultra-modernistic architecture.
The studio’s website says the idea is for the building to be constructed from two elements – “a precision-engineered, timber frame which nestles into the existing Anglo-Saxon ‘moat’, shaped to minimise foundations, thereby avoiding disturbance of the existing historic ground and the roof structure, constructed from individual ‘sky cells’ which create an undulating skin, hovering over the internal space.”
There would be two terraces at either end “for relaxing, pondering and resting.” And there would be a cafe area with framed views of the vista, too.
A blog site has been set up to explain the concept further.
