The challenge to design a pioneering new visitor destination on a former colliery inspired creative teams across the world to push the boundaries of landscape and architecture. The Land Trust and RIBA’s international design competition attracted 50 entries from all around the world, including innovative projects designed by teams in South Korea, Japan and Italy.
Four of the most inventive schemes have been announced as finalists: HASSELL, Hawkins/Brown, Michael Lee Architects and Edward Architecture & Matthew Riley.
These four projects will be on display with a selection of other thought provoking schemes.
Explaining the innovative competition, the Land Trust’s chief executive Euan Hall commented, "The former Cronton Colliery is a fabulous space that has the very real potential to become a magnificent 21st century visitor destination for the North West.
"By working with RIBA Competitions on this we are hoping to change the way design teams create schemes in the future. We believe that open spaces have the potential to be the catalyst for change and can impact far more than just the 'environment'.