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Dear Chris, Michelle and Stas,Well done for submitting your entry and coming second place!

On Monday, 5 distinguished jurors viewed the entries; Martin Field (ULI), Marc Reeves (Birmingham Post), Mary Martin (Pro-Vice Chancellor, UCE), Kenny Brown (Turley Associates) and Nicola Hopwood (Glenn Howells Architects). I attach their comments below.

Martin Field, who will be co-ordinating the publicity suggested a celebratory reception to congratulate you all, and an opportunity for you to explain your scheme to the audience. The date, time and venue will be confirmed but it will be around the last week of March. Moreover, Terry Grimley, arts and culture columnist for the Birmingham Post, will interview you for a piece he is writing on the competition and the Wholesale Market site.

Well done for your achievement. Here are the judge’s comments:

Strengths:

• Good integration of archaeological site with public park
• Broad range of uses
• Good use of water and varied grain with the finer grain emulating the historical patterns
• Similarly, block structure follows historic grain
• powerful masterplan image
• masterplan models surrounding area
• Phasing achievable

Weaknesses:

• Judges led to believe that new development sunk below street level and would be detrimental to connectivity
• 3 blocks on ridge felt to be inappropriate in height and location
• The creative hub on wrong side of development, not addressing Digbeth Media Zone
• Parts of the masterplan work better than other parts, such as the finer grain is commendable, but three long buildings on the block further north creates unusual geometry
• Overall, masterplan doesn’t come together as a ‘piece of city’
• No link to the church
• No environmental consideration

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