The Pier Head and Canal Link, River Mersey Building, Architects, Photos, Waterfront Architecture, Date

The Pier Head and Canal Link Liverpool

New Merseyside landscape, England, UK: Architecture – design by AECOM

The Pier Head and Canal Link wins the 2010 RIBA CABE Public Space Award

The Pier Head & Canal Link, Liverpool by AECOM has won the 2010 RIBA CABE Public Space Award.

photo © Lee Carus

2 Oct 2010

Pier Head Liverpool

This award is presented to the architects and landscape architects of the best RIBA Award-winning public space in the UK. It recognises the valuable contribution that well-designed public space makes to the quality of the built environment, and our daily lives.

AECOM’s Pier Head and new canal link project forms a flexible multipurpose public space which encompasses waterway, performance space, and large capacity venue, whilst showcasing Liverpool’s heritage, and allowing for quiet contemplation of the city, taking in its buildings and views. The project was commissioned by Liverpool City Council and British Waterways, and was designed by AECOM’s Design and Planning practice.

The announcement was made at the RIBA Stirling Prize 2010 Dinner in association with The Architects’ Journal and Benchmark on Saturday 2 October 2010, which took place at The Roundhouse, London. Tom Dyckhoff, architecture critic for The Times announced the winner, and the award was presented by Paul Finch OBE, Chair of CABE. The award was judged by Sarah Gaventa, Director of Public Space at CABE; Renato Bennedetti of last year’s winners McDowell + Benedetti and the RIBA’s Head of Awards, Tony Chapman.

Speaking about the scheme, Sarah Gaventa, said:

‘The Pier Head and Canal Link create an exciting new waterfront for Liverpool that elegantly complements its surroundings.

‘The craftsmanship, quality and attention to detail encourage people to linger. This is placemaking at its best.”

The other buildings shortlisted for the award were:

-7 July Memorial, London by Carmody Groarke (Landscape Architect Colvin & Moggeridge)
– Regent’s Place Pavilion, London by Carmody Groarke

The Pier Head and Canal Link, Georges Parade, Liverpool L3 1BY

The Pier Head and Canal Link – Building Information

Architect: AECOM Design & Planning
Client: Liverpool City Council / British Waterways
Contractor: Balfour Beatty
Structural Engineer: Arup
Services Engineer: Liverpool 2020
Contract Value: £22m
Date of completion: Jun 2009
Gross internal area: 25,000 sqm

The Pier Head and new canal link form an important new public space for Liverpool. This piece of public realm functions as an important bit of urbanism linking together the prominent landmarks such as the Liver Building, the new Liverpool Museum and the recent ferry terminal. It also creates a new point of entry to Liverpool through the extension of the canal.

This has been dramatised by the landscaping. Spaces akin to amphitheatres sink into the ground around the canal turning the waterway into a kind of stage. Meanwhile the Pier Head has become a large urban park, drawing on its heritage, that can accommodate big public events but which also has its more intimate spaces with planting used to create softness.

Pier Head Ferry Terminal, Liverpool
Date built: 2009
Hamilton Architects

New ferry terminal and Beatles Museum in front of the Three Graces

photo © Steve Parish