Thresholds
Figure 25 Figure 24 Figure 23 Figure 27 Figure 26
Public Landscaped Amenity Space
Entrances
Public Hardscaped Amenity Space
Private Amenity Space (Back-gardens)
Figure 22: Map of the sites amenity provision and entrance. Source: Authors Own adapted from maps obtained from EDINA Digimap Service
An element of the scheme that Gibberd had not written about but clearly shows his inclusion of picturesque principles, is his treatment of entrance thresholds. Doorways on the estate show a clear disregard for the rejection of ornamentation promoted by modernism with each having some form of detailing embellishing them. As part of Gibberd's ‘urban scenes’, they needed to not only “function properly” but must also be “aesthetically satisfying” to ensure they didn't upset the larger composition44. Coloured tiling frames the entrance to the flats (Type A), Woven metal trellises adorned the bungalows and the terrace have porches reminiscent of Georgian detailing, each differing slightly in shape to its neighbour.
space, making interactions with strangers more comfortable. Collectively this results in a space that affords residents the possibility of a chance interaction. Type C: Has an equally if not more sociable arrangement. Despite consisting of flats all the entrances go straight onto a shared external square. Akin to the Tyneside flat typology, the access to the above flat is via an internal staircase with a door at street level. The square a space for casual interaction, animated by the four doors and shared bin stores nestled between them. Type B, however, is not as successful, similar to other modernist developments at the time it has a more utilitarian approach to its threshold. An abrupt unsheltered door greets residents that they open into narrow external deck access. The lack of depth engenders a space where you fell less comfortable dwelling or interacting with other people. Type B entrances are also not very well overlooked facing mainly onto blank walls and service roads. Whereas Type A face onto either green public square or public street both heavily overlooked from adjacent windows and balconies.
The configuration of the flat entrances has helped generate a more humane environment by affording residents space to comfortably connect. Type A: Sheltered overhead by private balconies and framed either side by two perchable planters, the threshold permits residents a space to dwell before entering or exiting. The wide inset doorway allowing residents their personal 16
