visual research
for masterplans
and projects design

Title: visual research
for masterplans
and projects design

Location: varied

Client: project by project

Date: ongoing

Visual Research for Development Designs

At the start of the Landhouse Bruton project, Mark commissioned a group of artists to conduct visual research that would inform the developments designs. By employing photography, engaging with the community, and developing a comprehensive visual palette, we gain a deep understanding of the site, community, and the visual atlas of the surrounding area. This information was utilized to inform the developments initial design.

Mark experienced this process of working in the late 1980s while working for Partnership Arts, a public art practice based in Manchester.

On a project in Hartlepool, led and initiated by Jem Waygood, now of Waygood Colour, (known for their wonderful colour studies for projects), the project involved six artists, including Mark, with diverse practices who conducted residencies in Hartlepool. They gathered visual information from the area to create a palette for the developments design teams to use as source material for the Hartlepool docklands project. Although the dockland development did not proceed due to the withdrawal of government funding, the principles and benefits of this process have remained integral to Mark’s design approach and has been applied to projects whenever possible, often informally due to the unique nature of this methodology.

This approach is particularly beneficial and informative for large design teams working on masterplans or large-scale developments. By integrating visual and community research, we ensure that the designs are informed and contextually relevant.

If you are interested in learning more about this process, please do not hesitate to contact us.