To cluster or not to cluster - that is the tall buildings dilemma facing Liverpool. Peter Elson reports on a computer website that widens the high-rise debate
IMAGINE what it would be like if all the tall buildings for Liverpool city centre were built. Well, you need wonder no more. Thanks to a simple but intriguing computer website devised by a Merseyside graphic designer all is revealed.
Jamie Dunmore, 22, who graduated in graphics from Liverpool School of Art, has taken various views of Liverpool and, through the wonders of technology, added every tall scheme proposed for the city centre. The results are stunning.
It adds considerably to the debate on whether the city's high-rise developments should be put into three clustered groups (Liverpool City Council's seeming preference) or allowed to group together through market forces. Which looks better?
Dunmore, now a freelance graphics designer, based in Ellesmere Port, says: "As an exercise for my first year graphics course work module I put the images together on a computer graphic. Every time I read about a new proposal for a skyscraper I would add it in.
"I could have chosen any subject, but I settled on the Liverpool skyline and I've become totally absorbed by it. There's not much effort involved - which makes it easier - but the result is very satisfying.
"I'm very pleased with the way it's worked out and intrigued by the amount of comments it's generated on the website from interested viewers.
"I think having a positive tall buildings policy creates something that is superb to look at. Of course, it depends where you are, as inevitably some people will benefit from the view while others will be frustrated by the fact that a particular vista is blocked.
"The history of Liverpool is built on capitalism. It seems stupid to try and limit this drive to build more extravagantly and higher to rival other buildings in other places."
News RSS Feed