Places - CovScape

Let us know what you think of the plans for Coventry's city centre...

Robert Walters
Anual rubber duck race down the water feature anyone? could be a big tourist attraction.coventry does need something doing, this could be a little ambitious, but toned down a bit (as these projects normally are) it could be good - love the idea of the park on a roof, why not put some parkland back near cathedral lanes?

Luke Robinson
Thank god. Coventry at the moment is the worst city in the UK for shopping. I am glad that it is going to get redeveloped but this should have been done 20 years ago. The reason being that we are now in a reccsion and the economy is totaly messed up. Come on think about it they want to start building this in say 2012. Think about the facts there is know chance. Come on Coventry city council and Jerde stop living in day dream land.

Bob C
Grass and trees on top of buildings, another dull modern public square. The outdoor market or the shiny pink egg. Nothing in these designs is really that new, exciting or groundbreaking. Firstly grass and trees on top of buildings wont last forever and will need constant maintenance, they will also look tired after a just a few years. The new Broadgate designs look good but Broadgate afterall was turned into a 'green area' after the war with lots of trees and grass areas. This was bulldozed for the tent and cathedral lanes. Not good!! Hopefully the egg wont happen as a landmark building either, it would be a joke and just be another tent! Coventry centre does need more green areas but not on top of buildings. Coventry also needs a new landmark. But instead of a pink egg or lots of random tower blocks how about 'one tall stand out tower or spire'. Something for people to look up too and be proud of but also last as long as the spires we already have. This will attract more businesses and tourists alike. We need a skyscaper that stands out on the skyline but also stands out internationally and still means something to coventrians. Simon C and other below also make great points about other cities looking back and rebuilding using the same plans, designs and materials as before the war now being tourist hotpsots, whereas now Coventry just isn't and still lags behind other cities nearby. At the moment its caught in-limbo between attracting either tourists or shoppers and doing neither very well compared to others places. Please improve again!

Simon Ashfield
this is rediculous seriously what were they smoking when they thought of this stupid idea?

>.
This is ridiculous....an outdoor market? How often is it that we see good enough weather to even step outside, let alone shop outside.Having a long river throughout the city centre? Also pretty silly.This new plan doesn't work well for me

Emma Lapworth
I'd like to say another thing this design IF it happens will certainly win awards E.g The hideous looking building in the world, we could also win an award for being the most insane. My statement still stands aweful.

kyomi + carly
WE LOVE THE NEW COVENTRY + THE EGG!xx :) xx

Sharon Clifford
We had a talking point the canopy in broadgate and now (I believe) it has been taken down. The blob is just featureless.

daniel johnston
i dont want a purple house

Chris Brennan
Looks great, anything is better than what's there now

Rosalie
How about a bird sanctuary, or botanical/herb garden.A windowed Centre graced with crystals. A park to cater for teenagers which features a football pitch, huge skateboard area, virtual reality room, and a teenage disco. to keep the youngsters off the streets

Rosalie
I like the roundness of the market, it could have arched entrances to make it unique. can't architects think in any other shape than squares! It would be nicer kept round in shape with benches

Rosalie
Please put windows in the new library and a t shop built in would be excellent.Study rooms would also be a good ideasome good old fashioned Greek and Roman art pictures or a painting of Lady godiva would be nice

Rosalie
Coventry so badly needs some garden space, interesting little shops and inexpensive t rooms and resturants and a library with windows.

stuart anderson
i think its a bit extrentric and maybe more serrealism is needed.

Jessica
Oh dear it looks like Coventry is getting one of its 'rehauls' again!! I hope they learn from the mistakes of the past and not build giant towers all over Coventry that blocks those beautiful 3 Spires (Oh wait they already have, and will do again!!) My friends and family that visit Coventry stop in and marvel and awe at the beauty that is Medieval Spon Street, the old catherdral and the monestary uncovered by Time Team. They walk right on pass the new Whittle arch without so much as a glance. One day these designers might try and put a little class and beauty back into this city centre instead of 'modernising' again and again with building that will just turn Coventry into an American Plaza and once the buildings start to age they will need to be replaced, unlike old timber building that become more beautiful with age......

bob J
Three cheers the tent has finally gone. And how much better and open does Broadgate look now. It gives an impression of what it once looked like back in the seventies, I still can't believe the green square was built over, and all the trees chopped down for a cheap looking tent. Lets hope this is the start of good things to come for the city centre and all the good bits are connected together in a modern but sympathetic way. The plans for the Belgrade Plaza also look good too, very like Brindley Place in Birmingham which has recently set the benchmark for vibrant and stylish city centre design. I think rather than the 4 or 5 new small tower blocks we should think about one tall 'standout' skyscaper development, mixing quality accomodation, shops, hotels and businesses together. This would look great on the city skyline and attract even more business and development. As already mentioned below a modern glass spire building like the shard in London would not only complement our spires but also look fantastic and would raise Coventry's profile even higher. Im sure jerde will do a good job whatever as long as they listen to the people who will live here in the years to come after the new developments are finished.

shannon
it looks very strange

N
Paul Runaghan you must be joking,,,

Nick
I would be interested to know how many people on this blog actually filled in the council questionnaire regarding the redevelopment? Only 1,800 people did from a town of 300,000 plus! In terms of achieving the objectives of the respondents the planners have listened and incorporated into the scheme. We will never get a design which we are all happy with, but we should all support the idea of change. So i hope everyone who has blogged / or reading this site has also voiced their opinions on the Council website, and even visited the exhibition in the city arcade.

Susan
I hope alot of thought goes into the design and planning of the of the new shopping and retail areas. The reason for alot of people going to the bull ring, Touchwood in Solihull and other out of town shopping malls rather than Coventry Centre is that they are all under one glass roof sheltered from the elements, especially with our weather these days. They also have better anchor stores and they have better parking. Coventry is being left behind by Brum and other cities like Liverpool, Bristol and Leicester who have recently built new shopping malls. The lower precinct with its glass roof is the way forward and we should take ideas from the Bull Ring and other places, such as the glass roof which would make for a more pleasent environment inside for shoppers. This would look good over the precincts and still give views of the spires. Other than that the first designs look good with all the trees and greenery and with Broadgate being opened up like it once was in the past. I also like the idea of the river being opened up too if that can be done.

nay say
bye bye to our traditional english cities... hello modern americana! might as well to say bye to our British culture aswell eh. can somebody pass me a good ol' fashioned american burger. but not before i've been sick!it looks too american. we should be celebrating this blank canvas by doing something celebrating english design, history and culture... this design would work in california. nor in the west midlandssomehow i though we were better...

Gary Kenning
Green areas look great, a public square is a good idea and a new libary has been needed for years. I like the new sleek look it will give to the city but I think we need to be careful when it comes to the merging of the old and the new sides of the city. Were not stratford, we don't have shakespear so theres not much point trying to attract history loving americans. What I think we need to concentrate on is the fact that were the 11th bigest city in the UK but have only the 67th largest retail centre. We need a stylish good looking revamp that doesn't forget our history but does creat jobs and not just part time retail jobs. Lets show people that we really are the midlands 2nd city!

Oli
I think the plans look superb. The chrome egg looks brilliant. The city needs more curves and less right angles. Having said that the quirky anglular structure next to the egg compliments it well. Glass, water and plenty of green spaces will make it a welcoming city once again and launch it positively into the future. More sweeping vistas and less concrete! Can't wait for it to happen!

Steve A
I know being a pessimist has its advantages (you're either proven right, or you're pleasantly surprised) but...A lot of people here seem to be getting their knickers in a twist regarding the egg! It is merely a 'placeholder' for an iconic centerpiece building that will almost certainly be designed via a national competition. So you can stop fretting.I quite like the initial concepts, and that is what they are - concepts. Expect modifications and reworkings as things progress. This is, after all, a 10-15 year plan - it's not going to be built tomorrow.

Eric Tate
as an ex coventrian I think its fab at last the city will have an exciting centre and not the hotch potch of old plans and rubbish additions like the escalators in the precinct. That is providing that it all gets built as planned and not half done like the rest of the town

sean d
its about time that change has happened for years we have done nothing to the city centre for years other uk cities have had change except for cov its about time someone has done something to change the city centre

Tom
I think the designs of the new buildings do need to be reconsidered so that they age well, and should be sympathetic to the ancient parts of the city - using the same materials such as sandstone and not just the modern glass facades that are going up all over the country. Also, if we're going to this much effort, then why not do the obvious things like destroying cathedral lanes, coventry point and the primark building, which would ruin the overall plan, since they cut off the cathedral and bayley lane from what will be the nice new area.

Jacqui H
The scheme looks very ambitious and exciting. It would be great if it actually comes to fruition. I know architects these days tend to go for the very futuristic look, with smooth clean lines etc. This is all very well, but please DEVELOPERS just remember Coventry is an ancient city with a lot of history - (Coventry was a city when Birmingham was a small town). It would be nice if the new scheme could reflect some of that history, I know that we now have the Whittle Arches, but I'm sure if the planners researched deeper into the city's history they could incorporate a few more references in the designs to blend the old with the new. It's also brilliant that they want to put in lots of green areas, unfortunately the planners in the 1950's went a bit overboard on the concrete! We will just have to wait and see....

Paul Runaghan
I am an architect who lives in Coventry and commutes to london each day to work for an international firm of architects.I greeted the appointment of Jerde with scepticism having been familair with their work and my fears have been realised.I am totally dismayed at this urban planning solutions lack of vision, inspiration or integration.There is no proposal for city scale architecture or an inspirational idea to accelerate nor attract Coventry into the eyes of the global economy.This is not a metropolian prototype of the 21'st century that can stimulate its people and more importantly create further wealth.

Sean
Would love to see the old features kept, but i think futuristic is the way to go, after all the bull ring looks great!But then again, i feel the design will dumb down before work is constructed. Much like the Ricoh and its moving roof etc.

Jenny
Not meaning to sound too cynical but will this actually happen? I would place money on there being complaints and amendments that what finally gets built is a pale imitation of the original plans. Oh, and if the water feature is built I guarantee it will be closed within a couple of months some idiot will fall in and bruise a knee and it will be fenced off.

Kayley
I love the design of the new library building and the idea of bringing the Sherbourne back into the city but demolishing the market??? Is that a mis-print? How can they even think of it? It is such an understated area of the city centre. Why can't they improve the building itself with a makeover instead of knocking it down?

Simon C
The only merit this plan has is that the river is again revealed, and the city has more green open spaces. Other than that, I think Coventry has had enough of 'modernist' designs. The city ought to be rebuilt around its remaining historical architectural features. New buildings need to use designs and materials (for example red stone used in the old Cathedral and council house), that complement the few historical buildings left.It can be done. After WW2 German cities like Freiburg were rebuilt on their medieval plans using architecture and materials that were sympathetic to the original city - Poland's Warsaw the same.The cities that attract the most visitors (and money) are those that have managed to retain or enhance their historical building stock - Nottingham, York, Leeds etc. Should the city council go ahead with this terrible glass, shiny metal and Lego brick design, in 10 years time (as some other comments have also said), it will look tired and dated. In addition, whilst historical buildings still look good, even as they age, modern buildings do not unless they are continually maintained. About five years ago Coventry spent money revamping some areas of the city. The work done on the old blue coat school and surrounding priory ruins was wonderful, and still looks it. But the buildings erected at Priory Place (now home to BBC CWR), and the ‘clock square’ outside the transport museum already look tired.The council should think again before it agrees to this scheme.

Ricki sankey
i think this is another way of wastig money when there are better ways to improve the city and it should be designed by a british person as its a british city

Cath
I agree that Coventry loses more of its heritage every time there is a 'revamp'. A new layout should have as its focal points the city's remaining historical buildings. They should be shown off because they are something to be proud of, and new ones should be built sensitively to blend in with them. The latest architectural trend will quickly become passe and outdated, which is what's happened with post-war Coventry. The city is the ninth largest in England and is also one of its oldest, and I think this should be reflected in the design of the city centre.

Darrell Ingram
Monstrous. Hideous. Are they insane?It all looks awful.

James B
For £1billion - Not even 5 out of 10Firstly I would like to see the rebuilding the town's historic tram system to improve transport and link all these areas together, especially as Ive read that cars wont figure much into the new plans.As Lizzie says the actual real river needs opening up as a major feature and not just a small "fake" alternative. Perhaps linked to incorporate the canal basin area which always seems quiet and overlooked. We do need to look at other great cities and take some inspiration.Instead of two or three new medium sized tower blocks I would like to see one very tall mixed use building that stands out from a far distance (look at the designs for 'the shard' in London - very nice, modern but stylish!! Not a little shiny pink egg. We need something that will attract people and last the same time as the cathedral spire has and then this will attract more businesses, more shops and more success. A shiny egg building will not do this! A change to the skyline is more exciting. Some ideas are good. The opening up of broadgate looks great with more trees and greenery but the idea of lots of parks on top of buildings sounds like high maintenence bills in the future. I hope for £1billion these initial drawings are just an outline and can be redesigned and improved alot for the future.!

Lizzie
Born and bred in this city I feel the changes of recent years have been terrible abd Coventry has lost it's way. These new plans are long overdue but in my opinion are shallow and lacking in anything that will bring life back to our city. The Library building is hideous. Coventry needs substance not tacky statement of fashion that will 10 years on be dated and slum like. It is all atificial. Even the river won't be the river. Whats that all about either open it up or just call it a water feature because it won't be the river.

Graham
Initial thoughts are 8 out of 10. Water feature is an excellent idea, as is the opening up of the City so that the Cathedral can be viewed again from the Precinct, I also like the proposed large open squares. The blob is a good talking point, something relevant to the history of the City would be good, but it can still be done in a 21st century way.I also hope that this will open up the City Centre to more cafe's and restaurants, for a city of it's size it's poorly served at present. This proposal would compliment the excellent work already done on the Millenium project with the lovely walk from Holy Trinity to the Whittle Arches, plus the superb Transport Museum. Whilst it may not currently be part of the grand design,I also hope room could be found for a concert hall somewhere, whilst the Belgrade Theatre and Warwick Arts Centre are very good we need a venue that can put on concerts for every need, just take a look at what's on at Leicester's De Montfort Hall, or Nottingham's Royal Centre complex to see what Coventry is missing out on. Some tweaking will obviously need to be done, but it is something amazing to look forward too. I just hope the usual negative Coventry thoughts don't get in the way of a plan to make us all proud.

Sue T
I think the whole thing is too futuristic in my opinion and would soon look out of date. The egg looks hideous but I like the idea of the river winding its way through the city.

Cath Henzell
Please can we see the real River Sherbourne running through the city Centre, not some facsimile! It is prone to flooding, so we could keep the culverted part just in case, but lets make more of this precious resource! As for the rest of the plans - I like the green spaces, not sure about the tower blocks which may overshadow the three Spires somewhat.

John Greenhalgh
I naturally have a nostalgic affection for the existing precinct as I witnessed the re-building of the ruined city centre as a child. To me it is more than just a shopping centre; it is (literally) a concrete expression of Hope and Faith in the Future. I have generally found the precinct a convenient and enjoyable experience, especially with plenty of people about.Unfortunately, although relatively modern, some of the buildings appear to be approaching the end of their design life, requiring ongoing structural repairs and maintenance. I therefore support the planned re-development of the centre rether than peicemeal rebuilding.The challenge will be to produce a centre of equally radical design to the existing and which will continue to express the Hope and Faith of the post-war years.I would suggest that these could be achieved by designing the centre for a life-span of well over a hundred years. The building style should be modern but timeless, avoiding transient fashion. The beauty of such a scheme would be evident in the functionality and quality of the buildings, rather than in decorative features.The aim should be to create a centre which citizens of the 22nd Century will enjoy and value.

Mary, Wyken
Will they be able to fill all the shops, with so many closing down at the moment. How can they forcaste so far ahead. Will the design be suitable for the winter with rain and snow?

Mary Eaves
How do people get round this, ie public transport, will the ring road remain, how close will transport be to the shops?

Larry English
I am a South African architect and urban designer who has lived in Coventry for over a year. This plan is absolute nonsense reminiscent of the cold vacuous commercial urban landscape of the US than it is of the rich human scaled traditions of the UK. It is utterley simplistic. Come on Coventry, dont repeat the mistakes of the 50's and 60's. Stop feeling so inadequate that you put up with such urban design. Put it out to public competition, and allow for public participation. How do we prevent history repeating itself!

chris
hideous not at all impressed apart from bringing the 'river' back

kkd
On my trip to central library today, I knew nothing about these plans. My main reason for going was to take my children to the library. I loved going to the library when I was a child, I grew up in a place that benefited from bold decision-making. From the age of 4, I made full use of the then, new public library. Coventry library in contrast is one of the grimmest buildings to visit. The outside is so bleak, with its darkened, stained windows. I can't get my children excited about the outside of the building, even though I know they'll love pawing over all the books and dvds, once they're in it. I would welcome a library building that makes a bold statement, one where I know my children and others would be excited about visiting. I have no doubt that my relationship with the library I grew up with resulted in my love of books and learning — it was the best form of free entertainment when I was a child. I don't object to the egg at all, it looks fresh and shiny, if it has lots of light, then that's fab. Coventry is ridiculed externally, but not because of its bold risk-taking. In the 20 years I've lived here, it appears to be glued to some mythical past of legends, giving it a fuddy duddy image and a lack of progress in any direction. This contrasts sharply with its reality — an increasingly cosmopolitan population and its mess of "architecture". If people were talking about Coventry because it had taken a risk by installing some functional iconic buildings at the heart of the city — negative or positive, it would be far better than the image and concrete "architecture" that dominates right now. Bring it on I say.

Emma Lapworth
Hello there i'd just like to say that i've been in Coventry for most of my life, and seeing these new plans have left me feeling rather upset. So much of our heritage has alreay been lost due to 'Re-vamping' why loose more? Coventry is a historic city and i do not feel that the children growing up in this century are going to appreciate that. The library plans are awful why and earth would we want to spoil our beautiful city with a giant silver blob? I dont understand why you feel the need to put such nonense in place of a perfectly good building. It's understandable that you are trying to give the city a new image but why make it ugly why not find out what the residents want for their city. I'm sure many of them are left quite disheartened after seeing these plans and may have ideas of thier own but you will never know unless you ask them. Thank you for your time.

mr G.T.Jordan.
The new plans show enterprise but we need a view with annotation to what is what. I can't believe that it is the intention to knock down the present Market hall!Will It ever get finished? The plan put out after the war never was!(An old Coventry kid of 76. Freeman of the City.

Phil
From my initial look it's difficult to take in the detail of all the proposed changes. A lot of the existing shopping looks like it's going to stay - with refurbishment/enhancements?It's not clear what is planned for the area between Broadgate and the Cathedral area. I would have liked to see the area opened up so that there is a good natural link between the 'tourist' area and the shopping centre, which as far as I can remember has never existed. This would surely benefit both the Cathedral and the shopping centre as Coventry people would be more aware of their cathedral and visitors would get a better idea of where the shops are. (I attend Holy Trinity Church and I speak to a lot of visitors who wander in and ask 'is this the cathedral?' so it needs to be more easily visible and accessible from Broadgate). Will all the greenery be visible and accessible from ground level?

phil
we need labels

bill brant
looks ok. hope they have a helicopter pad .the roads all around the city are allready in bad state now theonly way into the city will be by helicopter because the roads by then will be unusable.

anon
Gaudy, gauche, facile and transient architecture which won't weather well materially or stylistically. It ignores the architectural significance of many of the city's competent but poorly maintained post war buildings. Hollow and pointless iconography and 'funnyshapeism' such as this is best kept to theme parks, horrendous shopping malls or the mind of a six year old.It lacks integrity and should remain on paper only.

PJ Walsh
I'm impressed. I do like the idea of green open spaces, "the silver bean" library. I do wish though that the Sherbourne river was visible rather than a mock river which is to be created.I do hope that cathedral Lanes finally go and Godiva returns in the park centre where she used take pride of place until the late 80s.Thumbs up!

Lauren Knight
I think it is great. A new look will do Coventry good. When i go to town i feel so depressed.

alanwhitlam
looks great desperatley needed but should make sure that it stand the test oftime and can be updated as needed ie not to many listed buildings also make sure work goes to local people otherwise get cracking

Paul O'Donnell
All architects and planners should be made to present illustrations of how the buildingd will look 50 years after construction, not in a new build state. Todays modern buildings can end up tomorrows slums.

Kerrie
I like the proposals especially the water features and green areas at ground level, not sure about the egg..still pondering that one, personally I would have liked a slightly more traditional and a less stylistic look as fashions change. A lot of people keep mentioning Birmingham, but I want a refreshed Coventry and not a 2nd Birmingham.

Ade
I think everyone agrees a major rebuild of the center is needed. I feel we need less of the 'concrete corridor' mistakes such as Priory place and more of the open plaza area's like outside IKEA. Rooftop gardens though..no. I agree with the other comments about those being neglected no-go areas at night. Don't mind an iconic center piece building , but should be related to the rich heritage of the city as someone else has said.So I feel much more work to be done but the right idea.

Anna W
The Precinct and market area are desparately in need of a facelift, but I too am concerned that any redevelopment scheme should take into consideration how the buildings will look and fit in in 10 or 20 years' time - something that has previously been lacking in Coventry's town centre planning! I think the egg is hideous and does not fit in at all - it's no better, in many ways than the building it will replace, and I think will not age well. We need buildings that will look good and continue to be fit for purpose in the future, not ones which make an "architectural statement" now.

CC
I think it is great that Coventry is getting some investment but I would opt for a more classic look as it seems making Coventry look of the time or futuristic is the reason the city looks such an awful mess right now.

Adam, Whoberley
I love the overall plans. The features that will make this inspirational and enduring will be:-The rooftop gardens. Think of the Bulllring in Birmingham where there is no blade of grass and you can see why that will (has) date(d) quickly. Ensure the gardens are world-class to attract visitors from all over to see them as a wonder in their own right. If the use of the gardens can be part of the transit between shops and buildings this will give them purpose and life.Don't allow any compromise on materials for any new building or feature. Use only the best that is specified or the iconic features will be half-baked.Don't compromise the rear-ends of buildings - vehicular access areas, etc. or the result will be like the rear of West Orchards; cold and ugly, detracting from the execution of the vision and the exeperience of the city.Do it! - go for it whole-heartedly! Don't compromise!

Rob Taylor
I agree that almost anything would be better than what we have at the minute. However, i don't think that these plans are the answer. Why replace something that now looks so dated after 50 years with something that is going to look equally dated in another 50? We should be trying to emulate the grandeur of the buildings in places like London, Edinburgh and Manchester, using beautiful natural materials like limestone and marble. We should be aiming to create a city centre that will stand the test of time and that people will still be flocking to in 150 years, rather than the tacky, 'talking point' features we see above. Rooftop gardens are a gimmick we just can't afford to be taken in by. Why not create one large green area right in the centre,that everone will have to walk through to access different parts of the city centre? Then everyone would be able to enjoy a proper, secure city park, rather than having these areas tucked up out of the way on roof tops, which will quickly become run down and centres for vandalism.Almost everyone i speak to agrees on most of these points, i just cannot understand why these views are not shared by the council planning office. Enough of our council tax has already been wasted on getting these plans drawn up, please don't throw good money after bad by implementing them. In my opinion it's a case of back to the drawing board!!

Laura D
I think these plans are brilliant and will help to make Coventry the place it can be. We have everything, good transport, good location and a lot more. This will help us to take advantage of it and hopefully allow us to Grow as a City.

Alex Milne
Looks great, maybe not the "Egg".

Steve Burns
With the new library being both potentially stunning and the main focal point (ok maybe the design could be rethought through a competition), and the new market building with square, Jerde's focus is both sound and future orientated. The UK's economy is becoming more and more knowledge based, so to make the library the highlight of the new development is both hugely positive and a key statement/ symbol for the rebirth of the city. Bringing the food market to a new building (and with outdoor trading facilities) has the potential to positively enhance the City's food consumption patterns. Many continental towns/ cities have farmers markets, delicatessant stalls, with producers coming in from the surrounding rural areas. The new market facility could really help sell this 'life style', whereby people benefit from locally grown, seasonal produce and think beyond the supermarket fix.When Jerde were first asked to produce plans for the City Centre, many people had real fears that they would just propose another huge shopping centre. However, with the emphasis on culture and learning, fostering local food supply and consumption, plus the proposed open spaces/plazas, residential blocks, rooftop gardens, and water features, this has all the makings of a city centre, that not only meets real peoples' needs, but is also something to be very proud of.

Carole & Gil Bourne USA
Looks like something out of the future , I guess the traditional is going out the window

Anne
I like the general idea, particularly the opening up of the centre around the precinct cross, and the green areas on different levels - it adds interest to what I have always found to be a rather cold, concrete, grey city centre. However, please, please do not saddle Coventry with the hideous egg and the K it is attached to - I do trust that bulding is not a serious suggestion. JK and Thom below have made some excellent points in that regard: if we want something iconic, please let it be related to the city of Coventry and its heritage, and not to 1960's sci-fi.

John
just because there is an egg shown on the plans doesnt mean you are actually going to get one. i think a statement building which will be a public buidling i.e. a libray is a great idea. these plans are at such an early stage it'll still be years before anything happens. encouraging start though.

Neil
Not worth the money, not a big enough impact and not over a wide enough area, you will have to be high up to see the full impact of the greenery which is not practical. Please do something with the City but ensure value for money and something that has a lifespan to it not something that in 10 years will look dated else it does not move it forward, why don't you benchmark Birmingham they have worked wonders.

christine webster
just what the city needs, only thing i am unsure about is the library. i have no objection to selfriges in birmingham as design, but this one doesn't really gel together i think it needs to be either the egg or the cube not both.apart from that, go for it coventry! the sooner the better.

James B
Ive recently come back from chicago - and they have a silver 'bean' in the new millenium park and it looked fantatastic. Its alot smaller than this egg-like building but it does look good, so I will reserve judgment for now. Overall the plans look good at first look, i like the idea of the river Sherbourne being opened up - but I just hope thought has been given to how this will all be maintained too. What it will look like in 10-20-50 years.

JK
Sorry to be voice of doom but this looks rediculous. We need a city centre that will ladt us more than 10 years before it looks dated, we should go for a classic look of boulevards and covered malls with a continental theme, high ceilings, marble floors and natural light (we need to think more Burlington arcade in London)not something out sci-fi weekly. Rooftop gardens, which don't seem to be linked will not be used and quickly become the home to gangs and will fall into disrepair. We need to start bottom up with this and get rid of city point, catherdral lanes, the burgess, city arcade, the market, basically everything between spon St and the cathedral and west orchards (which should be extended across to corporation St and to the lower precenct), then a boulevard between the lower precinct (getting rid of the tower block - so you can stand at the bottom of spon st and see the cathedral - 2 of the best features of the city) and the cathedral, making a feature of the square with Lady godiva and peeping tom - think Copenhagen by the Royal palace where there is ice scatink in the winter - all pedestrianised - possibly with a tram system - then flatten everything out towards the railway station and start again, making features of Inspire and making that area a restaurant qtr. You get once chance at this coincil and rooftop gardens won't cut it - 3 out of 10 for Jerde - must try harder!

Hannah Johns
Cathedral Lanes and Coventry Point will ruin this scheme if they are left in place.

Mike
Not bad, except for the obscene design for the Library. Nobody likes the Bullring in Birmingham, so why would Coventry wish to 'copy' such a poor design. Please re-think and give us something to be proud of, and not just a horrible 'talking point'. Have respect please, we are the people who live here after all.

Elaine
I'm sorry but that silver blob looks hideous, something out of Flash Gordon, it'll be a shame to get rid of the old market too

Dave Faulkner
You'll never please everyone, especially in Coventry. But surely even the sceptics can see this is a massive improvement. At the moment the City centre is a ghost town, we need something like this to bring people back into Coventry.

Thom
Vast majority of this looks very impressive, and would be a much needed improvement on what the current city centre looks like. The city has needed an overhaul for along time now, and I am sure coventrians will have reason to be proud. In theory, the idea of including grass on the roofs of buildings etc is good way of making the city centre look less concrete. A couple of things spring to mind though. Not sure how well the architects know the city, but I don’t really understand the significance of including a giant egg near the library. True, it will generate (negative) conversation, but wouldn’t it be better to include something which relates directly to the heritage of the City? We have a long history of watch making, bike, and car industries, which I am sure could be exploited to better effect than a futuristic looking egg. One of the problems with the Gibson plan was that it now looks dated. It would be a shame for exactly the same thing to happen again? The other issue is that any green area on rooftops will need a great deal of maintenance, at the probable expense of the tax-payer. In addition, these kinds of areas could potentially be a problem at night, in the same way that the subway structure of the city centre is now. Just hope these things have been taken into consideration!

Pauline
I think the concept is very good. At least the planners have listened to the people of Coventry by getting rid of the three principle eyesores.i.e. the tent, Cathedral Lanes and the escalator. The only problem is they are replacing all three with a futuristic library building which would be a total disaster it would be outdated before it was even built. I think they should think again on that building.

Antony Schneider
They look really good & I hope they come off! In the past Coventry seems to have made mistake after mistake in the planning department; this looks like a brave new world & would hopefully make a huge difference to the City and the surrounding area

Karen Braithwaite
Looks impressive- except for that ridiculous 'egg'. It looks totally out of place with everything else. It reminds me of something out of Doctor Who!!

david griffiths
Looks stunning, a really inspiring design, in a city which is undergoing constant renewal. hopefully bureaucracy will not dilute the design.

steve spon end
it looks very exciting and iconic. i'm not convinced about the blob of solder at the library but the rest looks great. is coventry point staying as it is? I hope not, i can't tell from the images.

Sherry Matthews
Marvelous!!I was ashamed to bring my friends & family (who are away) to Coventry City Centre. This one looks like, I can spend some time at rooftop parks with them in the comfort of City Centre (weather permitting!!!)However, the question of security may keep my mind wandering...Thanks,Sherry.

Francis Wilson
This is Fantastic for coventry, and will really give this place the look it has deserved for a long time Very Impressed, Hope it all goes to plan

Robin Elms
Coventry is treated as a joke around the country, this will only enhance that reputation, they have got to be having a laugh

Geoffrey Eccles
Why are you getting rid of the round market, which is coventry's best feature?