Paradise Street

A public realm as palimpsest of time

As part of the Liverpool ONE Development (2008) GROSS. MAX. was commissioned after a selected design competition, to design a proposal for Paradise Street. Our aim was to give expression to the connection of the new city centre with Liverpool’s waterfront.

The project reflects upon Liverpool’s unique maritime history. The location for the project is site of the first commercial enclosed tidal dock in the world. How to give expression to such condition? The project reflects upon one story which captured our imagination. It is the story of the tidal journals by Old Dock Harbour Master William Hutchinson who meticulously recorded twice a day the high tides during the 30-year period between 1764-1793. The tidal journals, which only recently have been rediscovered, provided the first systematical tidal measurement in the UK. Most recently researchers utilized Hutchinson’s data to verify the rise of sea level during the 20th century as result of global warming. The proposed water feature consists of a black granite circular ‘lunar pool’ of 9-meter diameter. The lunar pool of still water ‘floats’ in a larger pool that has a rough base. The composition is a play on the contrast of these two elements l]one still and one with movement. The lunar pool represents the lunar cycle and its significance on the tidal range. The old shoreline is represented by grasses and a grove of swamp cypress trees. A 42-meter-long strip of water jets which are programmed to represent the Hutchinson’s high tide measurements. The strip of water jets demarcates the position of the old dock harbour wall. At night images of the age of the moon are projected upon the circular pool whilst tidal jets are illuminated with fibre optic uplighters. The fountains are set in limestone paving with engravings of tidal measurement recording. Scattered trees and seats are integrated in the overall scheme, which provides a transitional space between Chavasse Park and Liverpool’s proposed discovery axis.

The Liverpool One development was shortlisted for the 2009 Stirling Prize for its exceptional contribution to Liverpool’s regeneration.