Exhibitions
SuperCity
20 January to 15 May 2005
Level One Gallery
Urbis encouraged visitors to explore and be inspired by the SuperCity, in a sensational exhibition about the unique built environment of the North, its changing identity and its ability to shape our lives.
Imagine a future in which the vast M62 corridor is a singular entity, a huge coast to coast 'SuperCity', 80 miles long and 15 miles wide. Here city limits are blurred, its inhabitants live in Liverpool, shop in Leeds and go clubbing in Manchester. Using the latest forms of advanced transportation, SuperCity residents could wake up by the Mersey and commute to an office overlooking the Humber. Air travel from a central hub puts the world on our doorstep. What impact will this have on the traditional definition of a city and the people who work, rest and play in this radical new landscape?
SuperCity took visitors on a visual and mental journey in which architectural visions were tested against the urgent needs and realities of the region. Featuring large-scale sculptural forms created by Will Alsop, it examined a complete spectrum of city life, from housing and working to transport, food chains and leisure spaces that we will own and share.
Virtual Tour
Take this virtual tour of SuperCity to get a glimpse of part of the exhibition. Use the controls at the bottom of the screen to rotate your view and zoom in and out.
To view this tour you will need either RealPlayer 10 or Apple's Quicktime player.
View low res version of virtual tour
Tour created by Bart Izoard of SoundbringerVR.com
create your own supercity
This online game gives you the power to redesign the cities of the North however you like.
If you’ve always wanted to brighten up Barnsley’s Town Hall, freshen up Liverpool’s waterfront, add a lick of colour to Hull’s city centre, or even dwarf Urbis with a futuristic tower block, this is your chance.
reviews
"SuperCity more than lives up to its aim of being a fun, inspiring and unique showcase."
Richard Smirke, Metro
"Instead of the the white antiseptic efficiency of the modernists' vision, SuperCity pullulates with colour and confusion as Alsop tries to capture the energy and vitality of its inhabitants, not tidy them into neat, tidy packages."
Giles Worsley, The Telegraph
visitor comments
SuperCity included some extreme ideas that inspired wonderment in some, shock in others. As one visitor put it in the exhibiton’s comments book: “Love the vision even if I’m not keen on the design.”
Above all, the exhibition provoked debate and encouraged people to think about the possibilities for future development in the North. Here's a small selection from the exhibition comments book:
“Stimulating, thought provoking, interesting, extreme.”
“Love the vision even if I’m not keen on the design. We should push for a better, more interactive urban environment which embraces the old but isn’t afraid to be totally new.”
“This is a brilliant exposition of vision, colour and fun in architecture and urbanism.”
“Vacuous? Vain? Maybe, but at least someone is doing and expressing something other than obsessing over money, status and celebrity.”
“Well done to Will Alsop for showing his ideas that too many people are too frightened to voice. May he come with more ingenious ideas like this one.”
“Alsop’s ideas are ghastly; I do not want to live in his future.”
“Enjoyed it very much. Some great ideas but I don’t like the look of many of the new buildings. They should blend in more with what’s around them.”
“FANTASTIC!!! Just the kind of vision needed for regeneration and the North. Will be putting my name down for Manchester Chips!”
“The buildings bear no relation to the lie of the land or our northern culture and heritage – there’s no sense of natural, organic development.”
“The impossible actually appears to be possible! – Really enjoyed the radical colours, textures and randomness of objects to project building appearances.”
SuperCity Lightboxes
For the duration of the exhibition, nine images created by Will Alsop were displayed on the Metrolink platform at Manchgester's Piccadilly Station. The images were representation of some of the the key cities along the M62 corridor, each linked to Alsop's vision of the future.
links
New Islington Project
Urban Splash is working with Alsop architects to deliver the strategic framework scheme design for the new Manchester Millennium Village in New Islington, East Manchester. Urban Splash is the lead developer for the 29 acre site, working with partners, English Partnerships, Manchester City Council and New East Manchester to deliver Alsop's strategic vision.
Urban Splash
Urban Splash has an established reputation as a pioneer in urban regeneration and advocate of modern design. The company has received 119 awards to date for its committment to architecture, design, regeneration and enterprise. Its award-winning projects include Timber Wharf, Box Works, Britannia Mills and Smithfield Buildings at Manchester and Collegiate, Matchworks, Tea Factory and Concert Square at Liverpool. Urban Splash is developing further schemes at Castlefield, Manchester and an exciting scheme at Altrincham, Cheshire designed by Lord Foster, as well as schemes at Plymouth, Leeds, Birmingham and Bradford.
Northwest Regional Development Agency
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of England’s Northwest and has five key priorities: Business Development, Regeneration, Skills & Employment, Infrastructure and image.
Northern Rail
Northern Rail operate over 1675 miles of the national rail network, and manage the operation and maintenance of 265 diesel and electric trains and 475 stations across the North of England. At the heart of the operations are the city regions of Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield complemented by a large number of other top leisure and tourism locations including Blackpool, York, four National parks and a wide range of top-class sporting venues.
GMPTE
Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) is responsible for the overall planning, securing and implementation of public transport policy across Greater Manchester.”
supercity was supported by...
Supercity was a collaboration between Urbis and Alsop Architects.