Midsomer Norton
Urban Regeneration
A community-focused project.
Project Description
The project involved transforming The Island, which was previously a road and car park, into a vibrant civic space. Our brief was to showcase the redesign of The Island by creating three CGIs to promote the regeneration scheme design in the local press.
The site is situated adjacent to the Town Hall at a busy junction in the centre of Midsomer Norton, highlighting its potential importance to the local community. An historic market square, The Island had been neglected as a community asset, with parking since dominating the space and making the environment unsafe for pedestrian use or civic functions.
Crafted with a deep respect for its historic surroundings, the new market square transformed the existing bland tarmac and concrete into an attractive area adorned with high-quality natural stone. This material has been carefully chosen in partnership with Historic England, one of BANES’ funding collaborators. Situated within the Midsomer Norton Conservation Area and flanked by several Listed buildings, this thoughtful selection significantly enhances the visual appeal of the site.
Designed to be both beautiful and functional, the square features new planting beds and inviting seating areas, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for visitors year-round.
Details of Our Work
We were commissioned by the Local Authority to promote the redesign of The Island and create CGIs to effectively market the scheme. This would involve extensive community and authority engagement throughout the project.
Our established track record of successful collaborations with Bath and North East Somerset Local Authority (BANES) made us the preferred choice for this project.
We produced three CGIs aimed at promoting the design and garnering stakeholder support. The visuals depicted Nicholas Pearson Associates’ designs and were integral in transforming the area into a usable community space.
We worked closely with Nicholas Pearson Associates, as the project’s lead designer.
This project is an integral component of the Midsomer Norton High Street Regeneration Programme, aimed at stimulating economic growth by honouring the town’s rich heritage and attracting residents and tourists alike to its bustling centre. The Market Square was developed by BANES, with financial backing and support from Historic England, the West of England Combined Authority through its ‘Love Our High Streets’ grant programme, and Midsomer Norton Town Council.
Location
- The Island, Midsomer North
Client
- Bath and North East Somerset Local Authority (BANES)
Collaborators
Nicholas Pearson Associates
B&NES & AECOM
Midsomer Norton Market Place CGI
Projects Highlights
- Completed three impactful CGIs under a tight deadline.
- Integrated elements of the redevelopment of the town hall within the CGIs.
Creation of baseline imagery posed difficulties due to scaffolding obscuring the Town Hall, coupled with winter lighting conditions that complicated the visual clarity. Extensive post-production work was required to enhance the baseline imagery, including:
- Taking reference photos from various angles.
- Capturing detailed photos of building facades for accurate mapping.
- A significant amount of recolouring and image refinement to achieve the final visuals
Conclusion
The scheme has now been successfully built, transforming The Island into a revitalised public amenity space that serves the community of Midsomer Norton. The project stands as a testament to effective planning, collaboration, visionary design, and visual communications.
