The Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW) has launched an ideas competition to reimagine Central Square in the heart of Cardiff.
Cardiff University students and local residents have shared their views on the city’s central square – often described as “soulless and grim”, according to Wales Online.
Cardiff Central Square pales in comparison to the heart of other capital cities, hence the invitation to leave behind this modern landscape and re-imagine the space as a reflection of Cardiff’s culture.
Discussions regarding the square’s bland design have circulated around both social media and the city since its redevelopment began in 2014.
The Royal Society of Architects in Wales set up a competition to generate original design ideas to transform the square into a “world-class public realm that reflects the spirit of Cardiff and enhances the everyday experience for all who use it.”
As published in the Architects Journal, the competition seeks “visionary concepts to enhance the public realm” and “improve inclusivity, connectivity, and sustainability in this key, high-footfall civic gateway.”
With a focus on Central Square, this conceptual design competition must accommodate flexibility within the space and provide linkage options to adjacent areas, including Wood Street and Westgate Street.
All entries will be displayed, and the winning entry will be announced during RSAW’s final Design Week event at The Parkgate Hotel on the evening of Friday 10 October, and online via RSAW’s social media accounts.
‘It would be nicer to see something that reflects the city and its history’
Two Cardiff University Architecture students, Kai James and Ella Cheney, told The Cardiff Tab: “It works as an entrance to Cardiff, but if you look at the views from other main stations, theirs are much more interesting. It would be nicer to see something that reflects the city and its history.”
When questioned on whether the square lacked personality, they added: “People come to Cardiff from across the world, and the first thing they see is nothingness. Just a big fat bus station and two large corporations.
“If you look back to what Cardiff had before they built these new buildings, it had more history. But now you leave the station and walk onto a very boring, plain, corporate cage.”
The square experiences high football, especially during commuting hours, sporting events, and festivals in Cardiff, acting as a gateway to the city.
However, the square’s convenience can’t be denied – it’s surrounded by supermarkets, cafés, the BBC headquarters, and a bus station.
David Williams from Cheltenham shared an opposing opinion, explaining that the space is good as is: “There are lots of amenities and lots of shops and it’s kept reasonably clean.
“The rest of Cardiff could do with a bit of a tidy up in places but the square in itself is quite tidy and quite clean and you’ve got lots of shops when you get off the train. There’s lots of convenience shops should you want a snack”
Although when questioned on whether it needed more character or personality, he added: “It is a bit plain. There’s a lot of concrete.
“But the problem is if you get away with the concrete you end up with graffiti and I don’t think that would enhance the square at all.”
The objectives for the competition are as follows: Designs that enhance the public realm as a welcoming and inclusive space, integrates with existing infrastructure (Cardiff Central Station, BBC Cymru Wales HQ, Capital Quarter), improve pedestrian and cyclist connectivity, celebrate Cardiff’s heritage, culture, and future ambitions, promote sustainability, biodiversity, and climate resilience, whilst also providing flexibility for events, gatherings, and everyday activities.
Designs must take into account the need to maintain flexibility within the space, allowing for crowd control operations that take place during large-scale events held at the neighbouring Principality Stadium.
A Cardiff Council spokesperson said: “Many visitors and residents to Cardiff have reflected positively on the city’s ability to host major events in the heart of the capital. Central Square plays an important role in allowing Cardiff to do that, providing a balance between civic space and public infrastructure to allow the effective and efficient use of Central Station when major events are being staged.
“The Council is exploring whether there are solutions that allow features to be brought in and then taken away for large events, while also having the desired impact. However, when evaluating options, it is important to factor in the area needing to accommodate large crowds, as well as needing to provide evacuation assembly points for the hundreds of people in the surrounding buildings.”
Judging will commence for the competition on Friday, October 10.
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Featured image via Google Maps
