A place designed for people, surrounded by spaces that capture the essence of Frome’s character.
Above: Looking down Merchant Bartons towards St John’s Church, heritage features as natural wayfinding – old town wall on the left.
Left: Looking towards the river across the central axis, covered Market and Press Shops 1&2 – Notts Building.
The Mayday plan takes Frome’s unique character as its starting point
Catherine Hill
Intimate, charming streetscape created by small-scale pedestrian spaces. The unique, individual shop facades invite engagement, and the curving form of the road allows a gradual reveal of views.
Gentle Street
Beautiful material details allow water to be an integral part of this streetscape.
Heritage Retained
Small features offer surprise
and delight.
Cheap Street
Water is a feature within this commercial street, and the busy, eclectic facades create a very active, engaging space.
Human scale – no cars.
Shepherds Barton
The historic residential street offers a delightful example of a small-scale pedestrianised street. Drainage is open and visible and forms a playful
element to the street.
Principles of Landscape & Urban Design
The Mayday plan works to the following principles
- Human scale. Walkability: Pedestrian-friendly streets, limited use of cars except for access. Unified surfaces – slow traffic.
- Connectivity: interconnected streets, the hierarchy of narrow streets, boulevards, and alleys.
- Quality of architecture & pattern of place.
- Defined character through materials and heritage features being drawn out.
- Quality of life: created by connections of people and activities which create culture.
- Urban hydrology – uncover the historic springs and waterways – make visible rainwater and use it in the streetscape.
- Opportunity for delight – food growing, play, and places to stop and engage.
From these principles, the following landscape and urban character layers to the landscape follow
Landform
We will work with the form of the land.
Frome’s steep hills form part of the landscape character, working with the landform of Saxonvale creates a unique environment and sense of place.
Hydrology
We will bring water into the streetscape.
Showcasing the existing network of springs along with active drainage of hard surfaces to add a sense of place and playfulness to the spaces.
Key Spaces – Culture – Heritage
Create active spaces for people.
Connect into an existing network of active spaces, particularly along the river. Allowing a range of spaces from active, to ‘Staying Spaces’.
Axis – Connections – Network
A network of streets.
Street spaces have a defined hierarchy, allowing comfortable and engaging pedestrian movement around and through the site.
