Vision for Morley

Intro

Morley was once an independent town, but is now part of Leeds, leaving it in the cities shadows.

Unable to get back to its industrial boom of trade and quarrying other measures are being

considered to ‘put Morley back on the map’. The citizens of Morley are a very proud people and this

would not only increase trade into Morley, but make them even more confident in the success of

Morley. This report will look at the possibilities of Morley’s future, looking at Morley in general and

also 3 specific sights; Windsor court, directly outside the Town Hall, the New Pavilion cinema and

neighbouring land at the end of Queen street, and St Mary’s in the woods which suffered from fire

damage recently.

Windsor court

Windsor court sits directly outside the Town Hall acting as a traffic route between the Morrisons car

park and main high street, Queen Street. This is one of the interesting features of the sight as it sees

a large amount of traffic which is divided by the central tree features. However this central feature

is very dated and lacks in the effort to make itself a unique feature that creates event upon passing it

by. A new central feature that creates event or maybe threshold would emphasise the use of this

area for traffic, maybe zig-zagging through the space rather than just passing by to make it a more

memorable point of transverse. Along with this comes the use of the standard feeling stone floor,

beige to show walking space, and smaller darker bricks to highlight upcoming barriers, or this case

tree. A change in materials may help to give more warmth to Windsor court, and may also create an

interesting contract with the Town Hall, or maybe find a way to fuse the two spaces as the change in

height, massing and material gives the Town hall a slightly misplaced feel. The awning that

highlights the walking route next to the shops also feels misplaced and doesn’t suit the area at all,

looking stuck on for pure function without much adherence to form (an inference from its indust rial

metal aesthetics and blue colour that in my opinion doesn’t fit the stone of the site). Maybe a more

fitting awning or canopy would help highlight the area more.

Another way to increase warmth in the area, especially in the evening, is the use of l ight. There are

only two lights for the area from high above on the town hall, and protruding light from shop

windows. This gives it a gloomy, uninviting feel which is deepened on approach to the tunnel causing

unease. The use of more lighting or maybe a different colour and positioning of light would help

make the area more inviting and make you feel comfortable travelling through, rather than being on

edge. The tunnel could also be made into an alley to lower the tension; however it acts as a

threshold that that symbolises the change from car park to high street and creates an awe-like

feeling when stepping through due to change in massing and height.

Another factor that gives the court less intrigue is the shops that are based on its edge, and the

Morrisons. The memorable shops on this strip are Greggs, the travel agents, and Morrison ’s café.

These shops don’t make you want to stop and look at or in, taking away the static possibilities of

stopping and looking around and realising what there is to offer on the area, this could be changed

by putting more upmarket shops on the strip or the use of a more interactive feature in the court.

There are a number of possibilities of the site to enhance its already existing beauty and/or

change its concept all together. The main drive for me in the enhancement of Windsor Court is the

idea of interactivity, whether this is physical or inferred. I feel this will make people realise the area

through which they are walking through, rather than just passing it by. The possibilities for the sight

are as follow;

Exhibition space- An ever changing outdoor arts/exhibition space which creates different

involvement every time there is a new piece. This would not only promote the arts within

Morley, but also make other people want to come and look from neighbouring places, and

also draw people from Leeds. This space could also be heightened in popularity through links

with the Leeds art gallery; however this may take away the unique link of the project to

Morley.

Folly-like feature- An interesting medium sized structure with use, like a looking deck would

create a lot of appeal to younger ages, however would need the ability to be locked to avoid

older youths hanging there and possibly using it to drink or do drugs in. Also, the size of the

folly-like could be difficult to decide upon as being too small could make it overpowered by

the surroundings, but too big and it may look like its challenging the town hall but poorly.

Monument- Something to celebrate the heritage and proud nature of the people of Morley.

Being placed next to the Town Hall as well will enhance the idea of individuality and

independence of the town as well as the idea of strength.

Seating/Vegetation-I noticed the lack of seating in the area, apart from the monumental

feeling bench at the end of the strip, and un-interesting vegetation, however this may have

been due to visiting in winter as oppose to summer. The introduction of more seating would

enhance the stop and look prospect, in addition to introducing more lively/colourful

vegetation in a more beautiful way, maybe using local stone as a shuttering for the

vegetation.

Canopy- A canopy to replace the current blue awning to give the area more weather defence

but also let light through. This could cover the whole area or just part depending on the

intended effect. Another issue would be whether to connect the canopy to the town hall or

not and whether this would be allowed should such a plan go forward. Although more

controversial this is the idea I'm looking to explore due to the possibilities of interaction,

cover and lighting.

Final idea

Why

Form- shape of structure

Columns (benches

Holes- trees/light

Materials

Traffic- columns slow people down as well as flowing form- eased curve

waterfall

Cinema

The New Pavilion cinema and neighbouring land provides great space for a new feature in Morley.

However the building itself is very aesthetically pleasing, in its use of red brick and organic white

stone features, particularly the window sills and monumental entrance façade. This is something I

will be looking to preserve, either by using it and extending, or leaving in untouched, however

extending would be a better of space and would also be an interesting design project in balancing

form and material. The gradient of the neighbouring site also offers for some interesting design

concepts. An advantage of where the site is is that it’s easy to find, being at the end of Queens

Street, and there’s already a car park opposite. In addition the crossing is leads you right to the front

of the Pavilion, however should the extension be the main entrance , a zebra crossing or light

controlled crossing may be needed. The possibilities for the site are (all with possibility of either

extending or not using existing Pavilion as this will be explored in through development);

Re-open as Cinema- To draw a greater evening life it could reopen as a small cinema. This

will mean the pubs/clubs would have more business in the evenings, rather than most

people going to Leeds, and would also give the people of Morley some day time

entertainment too.

Museum- A museum to commemorate the hard working industrial past of Morley. This

could run activities during holidays and weekends to give children something to do. Again

there is the possibility for exhibition space, which with being inside and having a nearby car

park I think will pull people in from Leeds, which in turn could create more trade in the area.

Activities/community centre – A possible add on to the museum idea, or just purely a

community centre for all ages that could run a number of workshops and activities. These

activities could revolve around things to do in Morley, like visiting the sports centre or going

to the Skate Park. Furthermore the ground floor could be used as a café for not only passers-

by, but also the parents of the children there as this would bring in more revenue and also

provide a modern café. However there are a number of café in the area to compete with.

A possibility for the neighbouring site, should there be space left underneath after an

extension, could be used to grow forced rhubarb for nearby eateries. This would bring

people of the community together to grow, and pay homage to the nearby mural.

Proposed design

The proposed design is a large addition to the existing cinema that spans the span and also across

the road via columns (height will depend on whether this is a bus route etc.). The building will be a

community centre, catering for various activities within, and also outside the buildi ng, i.e.

underneath. The large open space underneath is an important feature of the design as it will be

home to a play area with frames etc. for younger children, but also an arts wall for all ages to add to

and constantly changes. Around the edge will be large steps to sit on and watch/talk/eat. The area

could be left open or constantly or a fence system could be put into place for security if needed. The

form will be lifted via red brick columns, a nod towards the existing building and factories in the area

from its industrial era. The building itself will be wrapped in a metal that contrasts the texture of the

existing building. Holes will be pierced through the body to allow light to shine into the underneath

area, the interior of the holes glazed to al low light into the main body, but also allow visuals down to

the play area and up from it.

The primary push in this design was creating an outdoor communal space near that centre that

could also be used in less than suitable weather such as rain.

St Mary in the woods

St Mary in the woods was a prominent church in Morley, but was recently damaged by fire leaving it

open to the environment. The setting for the church is great though as there is a long path leading

up to it creating a sense of approach. There are also good visuals with the church across Morley,

making it another Landmark of navigation in Morley and making you want to head towards it. There

are two main possibilities in terms for form in my opinion for St Marys; rebuild it as a church, or

change the form completely, both however making use of the remnants of the building. This

restoration/addition could be done with either the same material, or like Peter Zumthor’s ‘Kolumba

Musuem’ in Cologne, build upon the remains, however for Morley maybe a less extravagant design

in terms of size. This building could then resume as a church, or maybe a museum showing the

history of religion and the church in the area, depending what the Pavilion is used for. A link

between these two would be really successful in making visitors walk through and around Morley,

making a kind of history walk, which also link with the Library and other places of rich history

throughout Morley, ‘The Morley Heritage Walk’ it could be named. Another alternative is to leave

the church as it is as part of history. I also quite like the form that is left behind and the mystery of

viewing the church from a distance behind closed gates and raised landscape with a barrier of local

stone. This mystery and eeriness could then give forth to a ghost walk around the site, using the

quarry and industry based history, as well as religion, to theme the night. Queen street could then

be used as a long gloomily lit road of horror.

Proposed design

St Marys in the Woods will be a museum showing the history of Morley through artefacts and

plaques. This will boast pride, something no citizen of Morley is short of. The historic building is the

perfect setting for such a purpose. The remains of the building will be kept almost fully in tact except

for bits that need structural enhancement for either safety, or additions/extensions of the space.

These additions will be timber and glazing based, linking not only to the new canopy, but also to give

a natural feel to the building and to expose as much of the existing building whilst still adding to it.

The museum would be the start of the history walk and would include all three sites (and others), all

of which are pivotal points in the town centre.

Future of Morley

Discussed so far is the use and possibilities of three sites and some of how this could affect Morley in

the Future. However there is a much bigger picture to discuss as well, the vision of Morley as a

whole; the problems it’s facing, how to combat these, and where Morley might/could stand in the

future. There is on overriding problem that lumps together the individual problems; there’s nothing

much to do in Morley, except shop or go to Leeds as found through questionnaires in the urban

study. This is due to a lack of what’s on offer. In addition there is a lack of visitors as Morley is tucked

away and in the shadow of Leeds. To draw people in, Morley needs something(s) of big interest for

not only Morlians, but also people from other places like Leeds and Huddersfield. Having something

new to entice people will bring them in and allow them to then be captured by the existing beauty of

Morley, mainly its history and architecture. This will in turn bring more money into Morley to allow

expansion upon new features and selling current features and events.

Some contemporary architectural features would bring visitors in, especially If they’re modern in

style as the contrast in style would be quite controversial, pushing people to want to see the

developments within a small town. Again this influx would allow others to realise how pleasant the

current architecture is there as well and how much character is present, the new buildings could

enhance the character of the area as well as push it into the present. Three pivotal points for this

development, as previously shown in the report, are Windsor court, the New Pavilion Cinema, and St

Marys in the Woods. These highlight the ends and midpoints of Queen Street, the busiest point of

Morley with it being the high street. These points all have landmark based properties which would

only be heightened by the described developments. This could lead to history walks, ghost walks and

other activities based around the purpose of these new buildings and surviving history of Morley,

pushing people to explore Morley. The advertising of such activities would more than likely bring

others, especially with Morley having good transport links of car, train and bus. The train though is

set quite far away, but then that could be the start of the adventure.

In theme with the History walk is the possibility of re-instating the tram system that operated in

Morley. Bringing back the Trams step Morley into the feeling of being back in its prime and bring

back the character that the trams gave. This would also make Morley independent in providing its

own local transport, and add an interesting quirkiness to the town.

Another factor that isn’t too appealing in Morley is the lack of shop variations and ‘high street

shops’; the bulk of the shops being charity shops, hair dressers, and cafes. However higher class

shops come at a cost so there would be two options; get higher class shops first and let them bring

the revenue, or wait for the money to pay for them then get them, the first being a gamble and the

second a procrastination. Another problem will be the moving of local business, depending on

placement of the new shops etc. The introduction of better and less tucked away private shops is

another alternative but again this requires revenue and space still. This is definitely something that

would make more people shop here rather than go to Leeds as Leeds has all the shops that younger

people want, but again the idea of breaking Morley’s character may come into play. A shop that

could be changed to a higher class shop is the Morrison’s, which could be changed to a Sainsbury’s,

Marks and Spencer’s, or Waitrose; however this wouldn’t affect the area too much. On the same line

of retail and trade, Morley could hold a large outdoor market along Queen Street where local shops

set up stalls to promote themselves and sell products, included could be farmers and there produce.

This is the opposite of getting high street shops and instead promotes produce from within Morley,

however with it being a big event all along Queen Street that could be done weekly or monthly it

would draw in people with curiosity as to what there is on offer. Another alternative is to open

Queen Street to traffic again as many said upon questioning that the pedestrianizing of this road

brought less trade as it was a straight forward route through Morley, but now you have to go round.

A final option that I don’t suggest is just leaving everything the way it is and not changing

anything, however this would mean Morley stay a quiet town in the shadow of Leeds only to be used

as a dormitory town despite having a lot of potential for a great future and features. Morley has

fairly cheap property prices making it quite good for those wanting to work in Leeds but not l ive in a

busy city. This brings the possibility of Morley having a park and ride, for those visiting Leeds but not

wanting to park there. This may mean more people will experience the pleasures of Morley, or

maybe just take the small town for granted and want to just go through and not take any notice,

unless some new innovations and interesting spots of history were key points on the travel. In

addition the train station could be improved to be more of a noticeable feature when passing by,

rather just a platform, and the main Bus stop/turnaround point more obvious (however the canopy

should it stretch that far would help this).

Action Plan

Redevelopment of the 3 sites

Activities for children/youths at St Marys in the Woods and New Pavilion

Promotion of local shops and retail via better placement and market Day

Possible Introduction of some ‘high street’ stores

History Walk based around three new developments, Queen street, library, and other points

of historical significance

Re-instating of Trams