Fountain Gardens Bandstand
This project which proposes a new bandstand and accessible toilet facilities for Fountain Gardens in Paisley was prepared as part of Scotland + Venice's contribution to the 17th International Architecture Biennale in Venice.
What if…?/Scotland was designed by 7N Architects and Architecture & Design Scotland responding to the Biennale’s theme How will we live together?
7N paired 25 people from 5 places across Scotland with 25 designers, architects, and artists and asked them to share their hopes, dreams or wishes for the future of the place where they live. Graeme Nicholls worked with a local person who is also a wheelchair user to help them imagine Paisley as a more inclusive and accessible place:
“I wish... Paisley was a more inclusive place for disabled people, with more things to do in parks and public spaces and better facilities for when I’m out and about.”
“What if... Fountain Gardens, one of Paisley's most important public parks, had an accessible performance space and toiled facilities for disabled people?”
The proposal: There is a raised area on the western edge of the Fountain where there used to be a flagstaff, but which is now disused. We thought that would make a good location for a new structure encompassing an accessible toilet and bandstand.
Our design proposal follows the geometry of the Victorian park layout, with our new building formed as a half drum. The bandstand stage faces into the gardens, while the rear of the block accommodates the accessible toilets, changing rooms, storage, and so on.
The choice of materials is inspired by Paisley's historical connections to the textile industry. We are proposing concrete cast with a Paisley pattern finish. The concrete would be coloured with 'madder', a pink pigment widely used in the production of the ornate cloths so closely associated with the town.
By making this modest intervention, we hope that Paisley would be more accessible for all.
This project forms part of the 'What if...?/Scotland' exhibition, which will run from Sat 22 May – Sun 21 Nov 2021 at the V&A Dundee.
Location: Fountain Gardens, Paisley
Client: Scotland + Venice
Status: Ongoing 2021