This is a research portfolio where I will explore and gain anunderstanding of the ambitious Park Hill estate.
Firstly, I will look at thehistory of the building and research how it has changed throughout the decades,gaining a deeper insight into the context, function and future speculations ofthe structure. I will investigate the place that once was a fantastic utopia thatimproved people’s lives, taking a look into its decline and rebuild. Why hasthis building created much controversy among the public? I see this buildingevery day as it dominates the skyline above Sheffield’s railway station, likemany people I perceived these flats as an eyesore. It wasn’t until I actuallyvisited park hill that I saw it was more than a derelict block of concrete,whilst admiring the new development of the complex I could see why thisbuilding was once seen as a symbol of new beginnings.
I took great interest inthe mixed use of industrial materials in addition to the structural design ofthe interior. My aim is to carry out further research on Park Hill’s architecture,spatial language and design, this will benefit my idea development throughoutthis project. Park Hill is a former council estate located near to the centre ofSheffield, South Yorkshire. Notably it is the largest listed building inEurope, having been given its grade II status in 1998, this means thatSheffield City Council have the responsibility to preserve it and it cannot bedemolished. Built over one of the city’s seven hills east of the mainline trainstation, the building is significantly visible with its large structure whichconsists of 998 units covering 400 acres of land. Park Hill is currently foregoingredevelopment with the regeneration company, urban splash. Giving a new ease oflife to the decrepit housing estate, transforming it into stylish contemporaryapartments and commercial space for the residents.
The major industrial city of Sheffield brought many trade workers to thefactories and workshops during the 19th century. This resulted inthe build of terraced back to back housing to accommodate the newly arrivingworking families. This grid of overly populated houses resided in an areapolluted by smoke from the city centre and nearby railway and soon became illsuited for the residents especially due to open sewage, contaminated watersupplies and shared standpipe which contributed to the numerous choleraoutbreaks within the area which claimed over 400 lives.
There remained a pressing need for more council homes due to thedevastation caused by the second world war. By 1939 the steep hillside ofSheffield park was cleared of its slums, allowing the council to introduce aproposal for an innovative redevelopment in order to rehouse people within thecity. With the vision of two young architects Jack Lyn and Ivor Smith, whobelieved that architecture had the power to solve society’s problems and had aimsto relieve the pressures of overcrowding, they started development in 1957 in aradical scheme, creating the ‘streets in the sky’ This became internationallyrecognized and played a big part in generating the city’s new image at the timeof its completion in 1961. Housing thousands of previous residents, this styleof development helped recreate a community as families were rehomed next to oneanother and former street names used on the decks. This was a vast improvementon the slum housing which they replaced. Unfortunately, during the 1980’s the country was in a time ofunemployment, strikes and thousands of jobs were lost within the steelindustry. Downfall in the economy saw costs rise therefore maintenance,security and repairs could not be afforded, resulting in the decay of the oncethriving estate. After over a decade of decline Park Hill became a well-knownplace of anti-social behaviour and poverty, leaving a negative space thetenants were desperate to get out of.
The design of Park Hill estate was led by an innovative and imaginativesolution to address the visual impact and impact on the social issues of highrise housing, harnessing the geological challenge of building on a large escarpment.The building has been cleverly designed to adapt to its landscape using thesloping hillside whilst keeping a constant roof level, as the blocks are variedin height ranging from four to thirteen storeys. With the uniquely continuous system of widecovered decks which link the flats together, a large sheltered area wasprovided for the occupants with also the added benefit of vehicularsegregation. Park Hill is an example of post war architecture, the complex is made upof a series of interconnected concrete blocks which snake across the hills ofSheffield. The brutalist design concept of the estate was inspired by LeCorbusier’s Unite d’habitation development, an architect and urban planner whoinfluenced the brutalist movement, a French term which means raw, defining theexpressive use of rough unfinished surfaces and textures combined with boldgeometrics of the structure.
Architectural partners Alison and Peter Smithsonalso championed the new style of modernism and inspired aspects of Park Hill.The brutalist movement was popular in the country from the 1950’s until early1970’s. To achieve the new recent construction of the building, the entire blockof flats was gutted internally leaving behind the original gridded concreteframework, conserving the vital architectural features. The faded brick fromthe early exterior have been replaced with a new façade of anodised aluminiumpanels of similar tones, this will prevent fading and will create a vibrantmodular structure. The brutalist aesthetic of the building has been combinedwith exposed metal fixtures, glass, wood and coloured plastic to create a distinctivecontemporary and industrial quality. Park Hill now has spacious one and two-bedroom duplex, dual aspectapartments, the changes made to the original structure now includes a spaciousfloorplan and deliberate visibility of certain surfaces.
The features thatdidn’t work the first time have now been restored and redesigned in a morefitting way to prevent failures of the previous build. The old lattice windowshave been replaced by large areas of glass, providing extensive views acrossthe city creating a greater openness. External spiralled stairways have beendesigned using mirrored metal material, reflecting views of the cityscape.Through later years the revitalized complex will consist of 874 new apartmentsfor sale and rent whilst the lower floors will soon offer 7,600sqm ofcommercial space intended for shops, studios and social venues.
Increasingoccupant diversity and making the space a lively and sustainable community.