£3.3m art inspired public space opens in Aylesbury

The Exchange. Photo credit – BMD

Phase one of a major £18m regeneration project in Aylesbury town centre has officially opened.

The Exchange, a £3.3m, a 2,515 sqm public space is at the heart of Aylesbury Vale District Council’s (AVDC) multi-million-pound town centre masterplan. Their plans for the town centre include residential, leisure and commercial space and has been supported by funding from the South East Midlands LEP.

It’s hoped the square will boost connectivity in the town centre, linking key destinations including the Waterside Theatre, Buckinghamshire New University and the area’s canal basin.

It was designed by architects Bradley Murphy Design and built by Durkan BMD, with sustainable features including the drainage system which channels site run-off into two 9,500-litre harvesting tanks, with the drainage water then used to irrigate the square.

BMD and AVDC also developed an art brief for the space, intended to reveal a strong sense of local character.

Artists bidding for the commission were asked to reflect the town’s unique links to Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of the Paralympics.

The concept of ‘I am’ was devised by artist Colin Spofforth, expressed through three large sculptures that serve as focal points within the square. Each sculpture seeks to examine personal achievement and human endeavour.

The concept was extended to encompass the personal identity and self-expression of the Aylesbury community, with local residents, children and community groups providing quotes around what ‘I am’ means to them. These messages were then incorporated into the bespoke street furniture, paving and tree grilles designed by leading metalwork artist and blacksmith Chris Brammall.

Richard Waddell, Senior Associate at BMD and project lead for The Exchange said:  ‘At The Exchange, we were keen to create a top-quality piece of public realm, with a distinct character and sense of place. Working with key stakeholders, we designed a multifunctional space that ties in with AVDC’s current and future masterplan for improvement and extension of Aylesbury’s town centre, and honours both AVDC’s and BMD’s commitment to community, inclusivity and sustainability.

‘We are especially proud of the strong community engagement informing our design, with feedback from stakeholders shaping access options across the space to ensure disabled members can remain with their groups when moving through the square, provision of ample cycle parking and a range of seated areas for people to rest and enjoy the space.

‘We are determined to continue to work with place-makers in local councils and beyond, creating spaces that promote togetherness and shared identity.’