Frank to reveal King Alfred models
A small team of professionals representing Brighton and Hove City Council will travel to the United States to liaise with architects working on revised plans for Hove’s King Alfred redevelopment.
The trip is seen as important because architects have produced three models up to twelve feet long to give city representatives a clearer view of their proposals.
Two council officers will be accompanied by an independent architectural advisor. They will spend three working days at Gehry Partners studio in Los Angeles discussing how key elements of the scheme will be incorporated into the design.
Detailed talks will include planning issues, the £30m sports centre, public open spaces and 236 affordable homes earmarked for the site.
The cost of the trip, scheduled for November 3, will not exceed £5000. Funds will come from a budget reserved for King Alfred-related work.
Chair of the King Alfred project board Councillor Sue John said: “If there was any other way we could do this in the UK, we would. But we cannot. The architect Frank Gehry starts by modeling the shape of the buildings and the city needs representatives there at that stage.
“The visit will be important in getting the scheme right and the cost is small compared with the value of a £30m public sports centre which the developers are paying for.”
It is expected the architects will produce revised designs for council consideration at the end of the year. These will draw on discussions and consultation on the project over the last year. A planning application for the scheme is expected in June 2005. Public consultation will follow.
Recently the council announced an increase in the number of flats for the site from 438 to 590 including more affordable homes. The height of the towers, originally 32 and 38 storeys, will be reduced and affordable homes would be no higher than seven storeys.
