Natural Dimensions are excited to announce the completion of construction work for the Carlisle Greenmarket. This area has been a central part of the history of Carlisle for several centuries and our design attempts to interweave and reinterpret the site’s historic importance into a modern urban space. Natural Dimensions was commissioned to rework the initial concept and develop a technical package for construction. The proposals aim to establish the Greenmarket as a cultural venue for the city, transforming the space into a setting for urban life. New tiered and sculpted seating encloses an event square and incorporates several innovative art and bespoke seat wall features to establish a distinctive character and relate to Carlisle’s rich heritage. A stage allows city residents and visitors to enjoy creative performance backdropped by a large stone planter which incorporates features and seating design carefully detailed to compliment the historic buildings behind it.
The western seat wall along the front of the Crown and Mitre hotel, incorporates an array of backlit glass panels designed by Natural Dimensions to exhibit images of the Greenmarket from previous centuries. ‘ To Market’, a collage of historic maps and photographs, artistically reinterpreted and arranged by Kirsty Brooks, was etched into the ten glass panels to tell the story of historic market trading, the guilds, weights, measures and the evolution of the site. The area is a gateway into the city’s Historic Quarter and provides an appropriate context for the beauty of Carlisle’s nationally recognized architecture. Backdropping the space is the grade 2 listed Crown and Mitre hotel, and the grade 1 listed Guildhall and Town hall. Most magnificent of all is the famous cathedral east window which is now revealed facing into the space and the Market Square beyond.
Architectural lighting features are also aspects addressed in our design to ensure spaces are enjoyable, attractive and safe during evening time.
