Phoenix The

Character Study Site Edges

The Phoenix site has a rich industrial history, though much of this has now been lost. Fragments of the past glory of the Ironworks remain, and a number of other significant heritage structures which have been overclad. Its character is now predominantly one of a typical late 20th Century light industrial site, which has fallen into decline and underuse.

a detailed study of the character of the Phoenix site has been undertaken to allow its characteristics to be recorded and analysed. This has been used to inform the principles and requirements of the Design Code, covering the following themes:

* riparian threshold

* Site edges

* Industrial heritage

* Character of buildings

* roofscape

* Materials

Riparian Threshold

The soft, verdant and ever changing character of the natural river edge collides with uncompomising and often brutal human interventions which typically only address the functional needs of this industrial site, albeit with an appropriate economy and durablity.

Over time flood walls have been constructed in flint, brickwork, concrete and sheet piling, with newer walls often overlaid onto, or adjacent to, the old. along the river edge the appearance of the flood walls has been softened over time by encroaching vegetation, water staining and natural migration of the river banks.

Heavy engineering structures such as the flood wall and bridge contrast with lightweight, seemingly precarious metal structures such as Wileys bridge, access stairs and viewing platforms

The edges around the site have a series of very different characters:

River edge

Delapidated industrial buildings on the Phoenix site are juxtaposed with the original riparian character of the river edge. Long views back to Lewes are seen over the rooftops. The east edge of the site forms an effective barrier and walking along the river is currently only possible along the east side by Malling recreation Ground.

Pells Edge a green buffer blurs the edges of the site from the meadows to the north, characterised by the arcadian wildness of the nature reserve, the Pells Ponds and the more municipal Pells Pool and recreation ground. This edge is more permeable, with important routes from town through to Wileys bridge and the meadows to the north

The soft, verdant and ever changing character of the natural river edge collides with uncompomising and often brutal human interventions which typically only address the functional needs of this industrial site, albeit with an appropriate economy and durablity.

Over time flood walls have been constructed in flint, brickwork, concrete and sheet piling, with newer walls often overlaid onto, or adjacent to, the old. Along the river edge the appearance of the flood walls has been softened over time by encroaching vegetation, water staining and natural migration of the river banks.

Town edges conservation areas

Traditional streets and houses close to the centre of town, connecting the Phoenix to the cultural heritage and everyday life of Lewes.

Riparian threshold Site Edges

Heavy engineering structures such as the flood wall and bridge contrast with lightweight, seemingly precarious metal structures such as Wileys Bridge, access stairs and viewing platforms

The edges around the site have a series of very different characters:

River edge

The site adjoins and overlaps the Lewes Conservation area and the Malling Deanery Conservation area is in close proximity. The Heritage report accompanying this application includes a detailed study of the significant features of the conservation area and their relationship with the Phoenix site.

Causewayside

Delapidated industrial buildings on the Phoenix site are juxtaposed with the original riparian character of the river edge. Long views back to Lewes are seen over the rooftops. The east edge of the site forms an effective barrier and walking along the river is currently only possible along the east side by Malling Recreation Ground.

Pells Edge

Semi industrial scale, dominated by the through road across the Causeway bridge. Fast, noisy traffic and few crossing places make this a relatively hostile space for pedestrians, with little sense of place.

A green buffer blurs the edges of the site from the meadows to the north, characterised by the arcadian wildness of the nature reserve, the Pells Ponds and the more municipal Pells Pool and recreation ground. This edge is more permeable, with important routes from town through to Wileys bridge and the meadows to the north

Town edges conservation areas

Traditional streets and houses close to the centre of town, connecting the Phoenix to the cultural heritage and everyday life of Lewes.

Causewayside

Semi industrial scale, dominated by the through road across the Causeway bridge. Fast, noisy traffic and few crossing places make this a relatively hostile space for pedestrians, with little sense of place. DRAFT 16/11/22

Industrial Heritage

Much of the industrial heritage of the Phoenix site has been lost over time and subsumed by functional adaptions and modern overcladding . Its essence can still be seen, not just in th fragement of remaining facade from the Iron Works, but also in the historic metal and timber structures still remaining within the Hammonds building (every Hall) and Foundry buildings.

The legacy of the Phoenix Ironworks still lives on, with many examples of cast iron products still visible in the streetscape and buildings of Lewes (and indeed the whole of the uK)

Building Character

The character of the buildings on the Phoenix is typical of an industrial site. Strong, uncompromisingly utilitarian forms are juxtaposed, with incongrous jumps up and down in scale, in particular at the north end of the site. The expedient and highly functional approach to the design of the buildings brings an incoherent, often unattractive, but also energetic character to the site.

Openings are characteristically large, repetitive and generally rectilinear, reflecting their industrial purpose.

Industrial Heritage

Much of the industrial heritage of the Phoenix site has been lost over time and subsumed by functional adaptions and modern overcladding . Its essence can still be seen, not just in th fragement of remaining facade from the Iron Works, but also in the historic metal and timber structures still remaining within the Hammonds building (Every Hall) and Foundry buildings.

The legacy of the Phoenix Ironworks still lives on, with many examples of cast iron products still visible in the streetscape and buildings of Lewes (and indeed the whole of the UK)

Building Character

The character of the buildings on the Phoenix is typical of an industrial site. Strong, uncompromisingly utilitarian forms are juxtaposed, with incongrous jumps up and down in scale, in particular at the north end of the site. The expedient and highly functional approach to the design of the buildings brings an incoherent, often unattractive, but also energetic character to the site.

Openings are characteristically large, repetitive and generally rectilinear, reflecting their industrial purpose.

Roofscape

The existing roofscape at the Phoenix is typical of an industrial site, with large expanses of low pitches and long, parallel rows of ridge lines. These are expressed as simple gables, often in pairs or multiples. a variety of scales and changes in rhythm provides some visual interest.

Clusters of more steeply pitched and a limited number of traditional roof forms are also present, with a smattering of low monopitches and flat roofs.

roof materials are predominantly asbestos/ fibre cement and profiled metal cladding.

Materials

Wall surfaces to the industrial buildings are predominantly in profiled metal cladding, with the exception of the Soap Factory which has rendered walls on two sides.

Much of the cladding is self coloured or painted in strong, contrasting hues, bringing visual drama to the site.

use of masonry is generally restricted to modern brickwork where visible, often in brown or darker shades. Small areas of historic Phoenix Works brickwork remain.

Other materials present include ribbed precast concrete on Phoenix House and lightweight spandrel panels to the riverside building.

Roofscape

The existing roofscape at the Phoenix is typical of an industrial site, with large expanses of low pitches and long, parallel rows of ridge lines. These are expressed as simple gables, often in pairs or multiples. A variety of scales and changes in rhythm provides some visual interest.

Clusters of more steeply pitched and a limited number of traditional roof forms are also present, with a smattering of low monopitches and flat roofs.

Roof materials are predominantly asbestos/ fibre cement and profiled metal cladding.

Materials

Wall surfaces to the industrial buildings are predominantly in profiled metal cladding, with the exception of the Soap Factory which has rendered walls on two sides.

Much of the cladding is self coloured or painted in strong, contrasting hues, bringing visual drama to the site.

Use of masonry is generally restricted to modern brickwork where visible, often in brown or darker shades. Small areas of historic Phoenix Works brickwork remain.

Other materials present include ribbed precast concrete on Phoenix House and lightweight spandrel panels to the Riverside Building.