While director of Insite Environments, Chris Emmerson led the winning entry in an open street furniture design competition for the historic heart of Newcastle. Glass, granite, stainless steel, light and the written word have been combined to create a highly imaginative range of benches, litterbins, bollards and cycle racks which complement the proportions of the surrounding Georgian architecture. Each seat includes a themed artwork etched into the glass backrest and illuminated with colour changing LEDs.

The success of the project has been recognised through numerous awards including the Academy of Urbanism’s Best Neighbourhood, a European Nostra prize for Cultural Heritage and the RTPI Silver Jubilee Cup. Through partnering with a glass designer, Cate Watkinson, and writer, Julia Darling, the ‘nine things to do on a bench’ theme has successfully blended art with architecture, undoubtedly contributing to Grey Street being dubbed ‘Best Street in the UK’ on a number occasions including twice by BBC Radio 4 listeners in two separate polls, one in 2002 and another more recently in 2011.

Coming soon

client: grainger trust
landscape architect: insite environments (led by chris emmerson)