Wildlife skyscraper wins design award

Garnett Netherwood Architects has won the Holbeck Urban Village Wildlife Design Competition.

June 2009. Garnett Netherwood Architects were declared the winners of the first Holbeck Urban Village Wildlife Competition with an ambitious design for a Green Tower Structure which is to cater for the wildlife of Holbeck Urban Village. There were 31 entries from architects, artists and designers from as far and wide as Mumbai, New York, Seoul and Rotterdam.

Garnett Netherwood's design is a skyscraper for wildlife made from the recycled materials of demolished buildings. It is to house a number of species and if successful could provide a template for many more green towers within and around the area. The tower structure resonates with the Italianate towers which are a well known landmark on the Holbeck and Leeds skyline.

Hopefully these green towers will attract wildlife back into the urban environment.

Neil Oxlee of Garnett Netherwood said "We did believe that Holbeck Urban Village was the place to create such an iconic structure. The idea is well suited to an urban environment and will provide many environmental advantages if constructed. This structure could serve as a talking point whilst having an extremely positive effect on the local wildlife. Since we found out we had won there has been a lot of positivity towards the design which will hopefully lead to a full version of the scheme being created."

Competition judge Geoff Ward who is the chair of RIBA Yorkshire commented "The Urban Takeback design had the right balance of ambition alongside a sensitive understanding of the local environment. Also, its high visibility gives it potential to be a focal point for engaging and attracting the community."

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/wildlife-tower.html