Plans For Mixed-Use Neighbourhood On Former Phoenix Industrial Site In Lewes Revealed

Friday, 10 September 2021 06:00

Human Nature is set to share its plans for a sustainable, walkable, mixed-use neighbourhood on the former Phoenix industrial site in Lewes.

Taking place from today (Friday) until Sunday, the Phoenix Project Design Festival will include an exhibition of drawings and models at the Foundry Gallery, as well as talks and workshops.

Human Nature intends to gather opinions on this work in progress so it can enhance the plans and designs, blending local expertise with the experience of its professional team to 'make this a truly remarkable place for Lewes'.

There will be food and drink from local suppliers including Zu Cafe and Beak Brewery – as well as a great musical line-up, curated by the team behind the Lewes Hilltop Sessions. This will include composer and songwriter Guy Chambers, Lewes busking troupe The Magnificent Kevens and jazz-punk outfit Opus Kink. The programme also includes special performances by young musicians from Lewes charity Starfish Youth Music and the Lewes Dance Academy.

Over the course of the event there will be a rolling programme of talks and workshops, hosted in the old Soap Factory – one of several buildings dating back to the days of the Phoenix Iron and Steel Works that Human Nature intends to upcycle and keep. The venue has been named ‘Soapbox’ for the event.

Talks kick off tonight with a presentation by Human Nature Founder and CEO Jonathan Smales on the ‘Why, How & What’ of the Phoenix Project.

The programme also includes talks on building in timber and sustainable local materials by Paloma Gormley of Material Cultures and Steven Johnson of The Architectural Ensemble, while Fred Labbé and Judith Sykes of Expedition Engineering and Daniel Rea of landscape architects and urban designers Periscope will talk about flood strategies for the development.

Patrick Bellew of Atelier Ten will share his perspectives on how the Phoenix Project can be designed to help mitigate and adapt to climate catastrophe. Mellis Hayward and Kyle Buchanan of Archio and Emilie Jaspers and Xavier Smales of Human Nature will discuss shared living and co-housing in the development, plus Joanna Yarrow, also of Human Nature, will talk about healthy and sustainable living.

Chelsea Renton, Head of Communities at Human Nature, said:

“At Human Nature our mission is to create beautiful and accessible neighbourhoods where everything you might need to live a full life is within walking distance of your home. But we know this isn’t something we can do on our own – it takes the input of local people to create such a place.

“We hope to share our early designs and gather ideas and fresh perspectives on how to craft a new development bespoke to Lewes, that will work for all, from young people and down-sizers through to creative makers and those wanting safer, low-traffic streets.”

See humannature-places.com/designfestival