Let public have a say in building design

ARC Design Studio’s suggestion in last week’s Post (30th December) as replacement for Broadmarsh is not the sort of monolithic architecture that is truly visionary and befits the site.

Arc’s design strikes too much of the brutalist and hackneyed square box, which wouldn’t truly enhance the space.

Whatever architecture replaces Broadmarsh it must be iconic, setting the tone and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible that will be admired nationally and internationally for the next 100 years or more.

Arc’s vision replaces a former giant monolith with another one. Befitting architecture often comes down to personal opinion about what’s good and what’s bad.

If the powers that be at the council are reading this they might want to consider the next steps in deciding Broadmarsh the sequel by using a design competition that includes a community led evaluation/decision panel, made up of ordinary Nottingham residents from all corners of our community. Broadmarsh 2 needs to be one of the most outstanding aspects to Nottingham’s architecture and one of the most sustainable, using zero-carbon construction and using net zero energy when occupied.

Nottingham residents need to be part of the decision making design process about what replaces Broadmarsh, which need to be far more creative and attractive than the designs that are coming out at the moment.

Peter Saunders Sherwood