Challenge

The coastal town of Portrush in Northern Ireland required regeneration and Coleraine Borough Council commissioned Michael Whitley Architects to design an innovative and sophisticated public space, Station Square, on Kerr Street.

The development was funded by Coleraine Borough Council, the Department of Social Development and Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

The aim of the scheme was to revitalise Station Square as the main arrival point for visitors into Portrush.

Solution

AluExcel aluminium landscape edging was used for hard landscape edge restraint and demarcation.

AluExcel between the paving types clearly defines the edges and facilitates construction by creating clear 'rails' into which the paving is laid.

Outcome

AluExcel AE100 enabled the creative curves to be achieved within this design, which opened to the public on 21st June 2012.

Mayor of Coleraine, Councillor Sam Cole, hailed the success of Station Square in Portrush, stating; “This regeneration project has created a high quality, modern urban environment, in the heart of Portrush town centre. The public realm improvement work includes attractive new stone paving, a new events space with covering canopy, a mosaic for the base of the new amphitheatre, extensive bespoke seating and new lighting features for evening enjoyment.”

“Creating a visually attractive town centre will increase confidence in the town and encourage private sector investment. This in turn should generate local employment opportunities, increase the amount of visitors, create stronger and more diverse businesses, and foster a vibrant and sustainable economic centre.”