Flux
Adrian Scott ID: 150134088
A Landscape for Change: The Govan Graving Docks Introduction
Concept
The Govan Graving Docks is a set of three dry docks, built in the 1870s and operating until its closure in 1987. When built, docks 1 and 3 were the deepest in Britain. The site has been derelict since it was abandoned in 1987. Since then vegetation and decay have taken over. In 2003 the remaining buildings were cleared to make way for new development, which has yet to begin. Only Pump House 1 is still standing, a hollow, roofless structure.
FLUX: The action or process of flowing or change.
“..(they) were used for the maintenance of the exterior of ships hulls, i.e. graving work, which involves primarily removal of rust and barnacles and repainting of the hull.” [Iain McGillivray. 2014] The docks along with the remaining pump house are both Grade-A listed and in a poor state of repair, with structural and cosmetic repair needed. Members of the community in Govan use the site informally, for drinking and socialising. Due to its unique character the site is also visited by photographers.
Riv er C lyd
e
The current site owners are New City Vision, a housing developer that want to see Govan Graving Docks turning a profit, but so far their planning applications for 800 new homes have been refused. The proposal would be wholly innappropriate given the unique nature of the docks, and would be a terrible loss of open riverside space and heritage and could alienate local residents.
A LANDSCAPE FOR CHANGE
This concept was born out of the site itself: -The neighbouring river Clyde and it’s constant tides demonstrate flux. -The nature of the dry docks was one of flux, as they were pumped empty and then filled again. -Flux can be seen in the way that the docks have slowly deteriorated, rust and plant-life breaking down rock-hard stone and iron. -The fate of the site is also in flux. It was once full of life, now still and derelict and in the future will be full of life again.
Govan docks
Govan
Strategic plan
M8
Glasgow
Flux in the shipbuilding industries meant a decline in the fortunes of Govan and Glasgow, which now are being redeveloped for other industries. Flux connects all things, and as each part of life in the city changes, it in turn influences other spheres which speed up or slow down their own processes of flux. Like the ever-changing tides, as social and economic pressures build, it is time again for the docks to bring life to Govan and the City of Glasgow. Govan Graving docks will become a new riverside park, acting as a catalyst for increased leisure opportunites, employment and skills training and low-priced housing.
A LANDSCAPE OF CHANGE Flux not only is description of the current state of the site, but also the landscape concept. The new landscape will be one that plays with ideas of flux and change. Site layout and pedestrian movement, planting, and material selection, all seek to show or emphasise flux in various ways.
Site Development View to Museum of transport
Link from Govan ferry
Year 1 -Structural and aesthetic repair completed. -All graving docks flushed and cleaned. -Tidal zone contoured with dredged silt.
Flux can wake the sleeping structure of the Govan Graving Docks with a new vitality and allow the silent water of dereliction to flow, living, again. The Pump house River taxi from Science center
Year 3 -Tree planting and seeding of ‘coastal grassland’ -Water quality checks. -Commercial units open for letting -Dockside space rented to floating restaurants. -Housing put on ‘afforardable’ market. -Dock 3 given to Galgael boatbuilding trust as a work space
Key street corner
The community
Govan Stats
% Difference to Glasgow Average
Connections
The docks are part of Govan, a burgh of Glasgow on the south bank of the Clyde. Govan was once well known for shipbuilding with thousands employed in the industry. Since the 1960’s and the closure of many of Glasgow’s docks and shipyards, unemployment and housing have become major social problems.
A new approach is needed: a landscape design approach that allows for several functions to co-exist and be integrated, a design that is based on the unique nature and aesthetics of the graving docks and one that will integrate ecology, the needs of the local community and the general public.
Key Views
roa d
-Site opened to public. View of Glasgow tower
Tidal zone
Current regeneration seeks to address these problems and includes investment in housing, public space and connectivity, with a focus on Govan Cross, the historic heart of the community.
Key focal points in site Activation of urban edges.
Govan has had periods of greatness but is still reeling from the loss of the shipbuilding industry. Govan is:
Tidal marks on the dock gates at the Govan Graving Docks
“It’s ‘Blawin a hoolie’”
“a place and community in a crushing spiral of decline; a poverty statistic; the butt of Rab C jokes; an undesirable stereotype; a resilient and spirited community; a historic place with unique and desirable assets; a place and people with potential to regenerate.” (Get Into Govan. 2016)
Masterplan
Go van
Activation of dock
Year 2 -Establishment of benthic ecology in docks 1 + 2. -Landscape construction works -Construction of housing and commercial units. -Renovation of Pump house into Cafe and information center.
New pedestrian walk From Pacific quay
Year 5 -Local watersports and biking events held in docks. -Grassland reaching maturity -Wader birds seen in tidal zone Year 10 -Trees reaching maturity -Employment, tourism and new riverside park benefitting Govan and Glasgow.
North
+2m
View point River Clyde
South
+4m
Tidal zone
+3m
-2m
0m
+2m
10m
50m
100m
-1m Grassland +2m
+2m
Sec
-0.5m
tio
+2m
Tidal bridge
od
el
Pump house cafe
+0m (High tide)
Floating restaurants
Changing rooms and showers
+1.5m
+5m
nal m
Ind
oor
swi mm in
g po
ol
Storage sheds
Clyd e
bra e st
+1m
ree t
Com
me
rcia l
Lido
Dock 1: Lido and Cafe +2m
+5m
ts
are a
+1m
+1m
uni
De tai l
Taxi dock
+3.5m
River taxi
Kayaking ing
Bike park stre et
Par k
+7m Pinus sylvestris
Water aeration features
Populus tremula
Boatbuilding and repair works
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’
Steps to dock from road level.
Grassland planting
Fire pits
Stag
Key
+2m
+1m
Co
mm e
rci al u
nit
-10m
s
Bike park
+1m +7m Pump house cafe and information point. Dock access platform
Housing
Allotments
+2m
+1m
Go van
Boatbuilding and repair works
+2m
+2m
roa
d
Co mm erc
ial
Seating pits
un it
s
Glasgow tower +2m
Get into Govan (2011) Govan Cross. Get into Govan. [Online] Available at: http://www.getintogovan.com/about [Accessed 05/02/2016]
McGillivray, I. (2014) Govan Graving Docks Heritage Park: A conceptual proposal for the redevelopment of Govan Graving ocks in lasgow as a shipbuilding and maritime heritage park. Glasgow: McGillivray, I
+7m Prince’s dock
Dock 3: Boatbuilding and repair works
+0m
The River Clyde Floating restaurants
+2m +2m
Detail plan 1:200
+0m
Taxi dock
+3m
River taxi Fire pit Outdoor seating
+4m
P1
+3m +2m
+5m The Pump house cafe
+4m Underground bar
+0m =MHWS
D1
+3m
Information
P1
+2m +2m
Ramp
Ramp
+1m +1m
+1m
+1m
Ramp
+1m
+2m Bollards Fire pit
Changing rooms and WC
-2.7m
Deck
-2.7m
-3m
-3m
-3m
Outdoor showers -0.24m
-1.47m
-2.7m
Dock gate
Lido
Hot tubs
Changing rooms and WC
-2.7m
-2.7m
Ship hull lamposts +2.5m Ramp
+2m +1m
+1m
Planting Planting design is inspired by the West and Northern Coasts of Scotland and seeks to evoke the wild character of the many calcareous grasslands found there. The planting will bring to attention, seasonal and daily changes in the weather.
Fire pit detail
Grassland seed mix
D1
Isometric 1:40
Mixture to consist of 80% grasses to 20% forbs (by weight). Grasses to be sown at 5795 seeds m-2, forbs at 1133 seeds m-2. Sowing rate of grass–forb mixture to be: 30 kg ha-1 (= 3.0 g m-2).
D2
Tree and ornamental grass specification Pinus sylvestris // 175/200cm / C70 / 12-15ft Miscanthus sin. ‘Morning Light’: // C10 / 24”-36” An understanding of existing patterns of use in the docks led to the concept of formalised fire pits which have become a key repeated form in the new landscape.
Soil specification To create calcareous grasslands, specific alkaline soils are needed. Pine trees however, prefer a more acidic soil. All topsoils to be managed in accordance with BS 3882:2015. GRASSLAND SOIL Depth: 200mm Type: Sandy loam with 60% sand, of which 50% is to be course sand. Soil is to be mixed with existing demolition rubble at different quantities until it achieves the required pH values. Demolition rubble should be graded to <30mm. Target pH: 7.8-8.5
7000mm
5000mm
TREE PLANTING SOIL Depth: 1000mm Type: Sandy Loam with 60% sand, of which 50% is to be course sand. Target pH: 6.5-7.0
D2
D2
Data from Forest Research. 2014. BPG -Note 18
Management recommendations Seeded grassland should be mown to 50mm height in Autumn and to 100mm in Spring, mimicking heavy and light cattle-grazing. Grassland to be untouched in flowering season from May to September. All cuttings should be removed from site to prevent soil becoming nutrient-rich. Miscanthus sin. ‘Morning light’ to be left over winter and cut to ground in early spring.
Section 1:20
Medium sandblasted finish on all concrete horizontal surfaces
Sandy loam topsoil mixed with demolition rubble.
Medium sandblasted C35/45 concrete step filled with A393 reinforcement mesh
Polished Whinstone setts. Recycled from dock surface. 200x100x90mm Can/cup holder slot
200x100x90mm refractory brick (BS EN 771–1) lain on 50mm refractory mortar. Bonded with HeatStop Premixed mortar
20mm chamfers on top edge
FIne picked Whinstone setts. Recycled from dock surface. 200x100x90mme
Cement mortar dyed dark grey to match the setts. 40mm chamfer on seating edge
Exposed aggregate finish on verticals. C35/45 (BS EN 206-1) in-situ cast concrete with 2/14 crushed local Whinstone aggregate (BS EN 12620:2002) giving darker appearance. Mix ratio 6:1 aggregate to portland cement. Concrete mix to contain Medium sharp sand as laid out in BS Soil Classification Water spec. to BS EN 1008:2002
Medium sand-blasted finish.
200mm compacted Dot -Type 1 sub-base 500mm 500mm 500mm 500mm
500mm
300mm
100mm
P1
150mm 25mm diameter LED strip light at 3000Kelvin to give warm downlighting. Soil barrier to 400mm depth extending 100mm above soil level
4000mm
250mm
Adrian Scott ID: 150134088