Dismay as Environment gives the green light to four-storey apartment build in George Road
Saturday 6th February 2010, 2:29PM GMT.
St Peter Port junior constable Barry Cash said the decision by Environment to allow the building of a four-storey block of flats in George Road has surprised officials and residents. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0912770)
Plans to demolish and redevelop three garages near the bottom of the St Peter Port road were met with despair by residents, who launched a campaign in 2007 to stop the project.
But campaigner Celia Howe, who lives in Hauteville, confirmed the department had last month told her that the application had been successful.
‘I felt great disappointment when I got the letter because it is just going to ruin the atmosphere of Hauteville and George Road,’ the 59-year-old said.
‘The side of the building is just going to be a great block of concrete and from George Road it will look like a bank. It is far too modern for this area.
‘It’s going to look awful, it really will.
‘It’s going to stand out like a sore thumb. We have cobbled roads and now we are going to have this 21st century monstrosity. This area is the jewel of the Old Quarter and it is so sad that they are going to ruin it.’
But architect Jamie Falla of Atelier Bas Mooarc strongly disagreed that the building would look out of place.
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The apartments will probably be too expensive for locals to afford too…
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This Jamie Falla seems to be sticking his oar in everywhere, buying up lovely old sites and putting up monstrosities, look what’s happened where the shell house used to be – HIDEOUS. How does he get away with it??
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Oh dear Jamie Falla again, that only means one thing GLASS.
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At least it may bring up the housing prices turning the area more affluent, as apposed to the run down almost shanty-like interior “and exterior in the more eye offensive cases” of the houses being used by many people as hovels.
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How sad that there is so obviously one rule for the rich and those who know the right people, and one for the rest of us.
The last time the debate about Mr Falla’s idea of modern architecture came about, I was accused of being an overly passionate, old fashioned, ‘typically Guernsey’ (what IS wrong with that?!) stick in the mud, unappreciative and ignorant of modern design (Mr Falla’s evidentially being the only sort that exists in the world…really?), that the little, innocuous post war bungalows (such as the one at Portelet is/was, soon to be replaced by…oh yes, another gigantic Mooarc homage to concrete and glass) were equally awful, and that this somehow made it OK for Mooarc to buy them up, build an enormous site footprint filling glass ‘palace’ on the site, then sell it to one of his millionaire clients.
I was also informed of Mr Falla’s seemingly humanitarian award winning generosity in designing houses for us ordinary folks too (!), with the insinuation that these ‘good works for the people’ on his part, somehow meant I should be more lenient in my views of his ubiquitous uber-mansions that are popping up all over the island.
Well, fine, maybe they’re right. But maybe, just maybe, when Mr Falla’s eye turns to more and more sites to develop in his ‘distinctive’ style, maybe to the little ol bungalow situated near THEIR home, and the Environment department yet again says ‘yes, Jamie my boy, go right ahead and do whatever you like’ and it’s THEIR neighborhood that is marred by his latest ‘creation’ looming over THEIR homes, then they’ll be more open to seeing another point of view.
Isn’t is about time that we changed the Laws here? It seems crazy to me that if an application is turned down, it can be resubmitted (with little to no changes, in Mr Falla’s cases, then bizarrely, approved) and appealed, yet once permission is granted, there is no law allowing those opposing the development to appeal against that decision.
All very one sided, clearly unfair, and in desperate need of review…
…preferably before Mr Falla turns Guernsey into a mini version of Dubai, complete with a helipad at Corbiere, from which he can give private air tours in his gold plated helicopter of ‘Mooarcs-ville’ in all it’s glazed and concreted glory, and tell people ‘yes, well, this USED to be a unique and somewhat quaint little island, with a unique charm that beguiled locals and visitors for many years, but now I’VE made it all ‘modern’ and looking like everywhere else, it’s SOOO much better!’
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Well said, Scarlett. Someone said somewhere that houses should be made of the material local to the area, then it all looks somehow ‘right’ and ‘in keeping’. Falla should take a look at the Cotswolds and the beautiful honey-coloured buildings there. Doesn’t he realise that his ‘modern design’ of glass is ugly and unappealing and totally out of place on this island of granite? There is nothing attractive in huge sheets of glass. They just make you want to throw a brick through them.
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I feel it necessary to respond to some of your points, Scarlett, because I think you are making some very broad and unfair statements:-
The planning permission that has been given for the site at Portelet is a smaller footprint than the existing planning permission and the building will not be concrete but oak. It is a shame that you have not armed yourself with facts before launching your rather personal and unpleasant tirade on Jamie Falla and his company.
I remember that it was highlighted to you that Mooarc have designed housing association buildings for the community both in Guernsey and the UK. This was in response to your own complaints that Mooarc only ever designed for the rich, I don’t think it was meant to persuade you that Jamie Falla is a saint, only that your facts were wrong.
I think it is really unfortunate that you are aiming all your discontent at Jamie Falla. He runs a business and clients come to him because they like his style of architecture. He wouldn’t be in business if there weren’t a demand for his designs, and yet you are venting a vitriolic personal attack against him.
Clearly you don’t like modern architecture which is fine.
There are other people who do – each to their own.
And, quite frankly, your last paragraph rather diminishes your credibility.
My personal view is that Guernsey is awash with ugly sixties bungalows with hideous great white plastic conservatories slapped on the side of them. This adds no charm to the Guernsey landscape, but we have all got used to seeing it everywhere we look so it doesn’t seem offensive. I love the integrity of design which Mooarc have and think they respond beautifully to their context and are very far from being overbearing in their surroundings.
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Greed, wealth, profit, glass, steel, eyesore and edifice are words that describe an increasing amount of Guernsey’s buildings – totally unnecessarily.
What the Germans didn’t manage it seems our own homegrown concrete-technicians are covering nicely, whilst their pockets get lined with wads of cash. Shameless.
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Matti
The shell house was quirkily different, but certainly not suited to modern day living.
The replacement is well built and thermally ultra efficient with air source heat pump, whole house ventilation + superb levels of insulation. I consider myself privileged to have attended the recent viewing. Oh, incidentally, how much glass can you see in this house??
Scarlett
I assume you have inside knowledge that allows you to state that Mooarc are buying up sites that are then ‘sold on to millionaire clients’.
Maybe, perhaps, possibly the client already owns the site, and approached a progressive local, yes local, architect to build a modern home.
Scarlett, you also seem to have conveniently forgotten that other architects designed the glass box near the Salvation Army building in Clifton, the Woodlands Estate at Les Eturs, Admiral Park, the Houmet du Nord ‘triangular ‘houses, the Generali building in Hirzel Street etc etc. The use of glass in modern construction is widespread and certainly not the sole preserve of the Mooarc-esque way of thinking.
Furthermore, if you
understood the basic principles of law, you would not have made that statement about appeals.
ps – by the way the helipad is going to be at Fort Houmet – SOOO much further away from houses than at Corbiere.
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Mooarc are, perhaps unfairly, being labelled as the villian of this piece, take a step back for a moment, perhaps we should be looking to the planners, IDC, Environmnt, call them what you will for they are the real villians here.
I admit that like the rest of the general public we perhaps don’t know the full story here but when so many residents object to a development why is it the planners seem to totally ignore those people and grant permission to what may be an unsuitable development for this area.
This is yet another instance of incongrous development, the church extension at Trinity square for example plus many others around the island.
The house at Portelet was also objected to by residents and parish officials yet environment chose again to ignore those people.
Maybe there’s an element of glory seeking here, Moorarc for the buildings they create and Environment to be able to say “look how forward thinking our department is”
I don’t believe everything should follow the run of the mill, but things should fit in with the surroundings not stick out like a sore thum making a bold if unwanted statement of modernist architecture.
Time for the Environment Dept. to review their policies perhaps, what is the point of allowing public objection or representation to developments if they seemingly always ignore those views. They even flout their own rules by “an oversight” in installing railings on the custard castle roof. Time for them to get rid of their high and mighty attitudes and be more approachable and amenable to the public.
I won’t even get started on the subject of trees and protection orders.
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Matti asks how these vandals get away with it time after time. Maybe by employing a former IDC/Building Control chappy perhaps?
Scarlett. Spot on.
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antsy. I won’t repeat myself. If you think that Mooarc’s designs are THE definition of ALL ‘modern design’, and that opposing them (and perhaps, more importantly, their locations) somehow means I (and the many who’s objections are ignored) aren’t appreciative of all the amazing, varied other modern design out there, fine….
its as logical as saying that if I don’t like strawberry ice cream, it must mean I don’t like any ice cream….but there you go.
antsy two. Are you saying that there IS a right of appeal to object against a development once permission has been granted? When did that happen?
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Shall I rephrase then:
Clearly you don’t like Mooarc’s style of contemporary architecture which is fine, but there are plenty of people who do, Mooarc is a very successful and growing business because there are so many clients who love his style.
I find it very distasteful that so many people are prepared to demonise Jamie Falla. He’s an honest man, doing an honest job to provide for his family and is very passionate about the quality both of design and workmanship involved in his architecture. If you dislike his style than perhaps aim your criticism at the idc.
Also so many of the negative comments are made without a grounding in facts which as we’re talking about a person’s livelihood here, is morally wrong. It’s great to be able to share opinions in this kind of forum, but giving someone a slating based on WRONG information is immoral.
So far on this thread JF has been accused of :-
Buying up sites, developing them and selling them on to millionaires- WRONG. Where on earth has this idea come from? Clients employ architects, Mooarc is not a development company.
Building glass filled “palaces”/” uber mansions”- Mooarcs projects are guided by the clients but employ the most economic use of space.
Is this a witch hunt?
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And by your own logic Scarlett – if you don’t like strawberry ice cream then nobody else should be allowed to have strawberry ice cream.
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Scarlett, whilst I consider a lot of your comments to be sweeping generalisations and, frankly, hot air, you are actually quite right that there is no route for appeal for aggrieved residents after a Local Planning Authority has made a decision on an application.
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Oh Scarlett, you’re so right. I don’t like strawberry ice cream either. Lets banish it from the island, off every supermarket shelf. Let’s face it , it’s probably only those non locals that want to buy it – coming over here helping to sustain our thriving finance industry and helping us to enjoy a comfortAble standard of living, with their new fangled ice cream tastes! Lets start a campaign to banish strawberry ice cream. IF I DON’T LIKE IT THEN NOBODY ELSE SHOULD HAVE IT!
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Emille-
I think you missed Scarlett’s point just slightly.
If your solution to “a comfortable standard of living” is to turn this place into an altar to glass and steel, perhaps you’re the one shouting and being selfish?
The IDC is there to prevent this sort of nonsense, and has failed. This is Guernsey, not central London. Quite frankly, if this flavour of “ice cream” is so important to you I think you’ll find a far greater density and variety of it in most American cities. Find a big spoon, book a one-way plane ticket and get stuck in! ;)
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“Is this a witch hunt?”
It would appear so antsy. The anonymity of the Internet meets Island politics with what appears to be (qs comments) some competitive jealousy? All debates would be far more enjoyable if they lost the personal nature to them.
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Scarlett’s point is clearly made – if Scarlett doesn’t like it then noone should have it.
My comment was a light hearted way of high lighting the narrow mindedness of this outlook.
And who’s turning this place into “an altar to glass and steel? That’s a rather broad and unrealistic statement don’t you think? Out of the 10s of thousands of buildings on this island I should think less than 1 percent of those are contemporary architecture. And personally, I think contemporary architecture has a rightful place here. We are after all living in the 21st century.
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The underlying current in a lot of these posting is one of envy. I have seen much the same responses to similar develpments that have been built.
So you won’t to able to afford one of these properties once they are built? Well that’s just tough. Neither will I. Get over it.
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May i ask a question please? This is not sarcastic but a genuine lack of knowledge.
Why are these little pieces of paper put up and IDC permission requests put in the press when if those people who oppose them are ignored?
Why arent they taken on board when the work is approved?
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Bogart – I wouldn’t buy one of these flats out of principal, not due to envy, need, or ability to pay. I’m more of an oak-beam-thatched-roof chap anyway :) but I can empathise why you might think envy plays a card for some. I hope they do get over it.
Emille –
The overriding point here that we’re both guilty of straying from, and that Scarlett was trying to make in the infamous ice-cream analogy, is that the people who live in that area have been campaigning against it – it wasn’t their “flavour” – and it’s eventually been passed by the IDC. I too agree that there are places for 21st century living, but often they’re the inner cities where 21st century life and architectural revolution is both desirable and inescapable. We’ll have to agree to disagree there.
There are however of course people who quite literally pay through the nose on the island for the privilege of traditional views, vistas and streets who can see, I think, much more plainly the damage “glass and steel” might do to the island as a whole in the future.
Finally, sorry for the harsh fact but anyone can live in a glass and steel tower – they’re putting them up in Stockholm, Sofia and San Francisco to name a disparate few. Why should St PP feel so desperate to rush to remove its identity and niche brand?
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Looks like Mooarc decided to use their employees wisely today, all targeting Scarlett. I completely agree with her, the buildings along Admiral park are disgusting, and a horrible view to holiday visitors.
@Emille, I imagine use Guern’s would do fine without all you foreigners in the finance section.
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A witch hunt?! Personal? Oh, purleez, we’re all grown ups here.
The more contentious designs, which have been permitted by the Department concerned (as rightly stated by GregR, equally to blame here, if not more, for ignoring avid, vocal and genuine opposition to them by the many people they will affect, namely, the neighboring residents) are highlighted in the media, thus allowing them to be debated on these forums, and are, invariably, Mooarc designs…simples, yes…?
I have taken my fair share of flack because of my views on certain subjects, but don’t cry myself to sleep at night because of them…neither, do I think, does Mr Falla, who as a seasoned professional in a tough, competitive industry, is well aware of peoples views for and against his designs (as it comes with the territory) yet carries on regardless…
perhaps the enormous fees provide him with the necessary consolation.
And yes, RT2, Antsy and Emille have sadly been unable to get my point, which I thought was a pretty straightforward analogy, but there it is.
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…oh, and Antsy, Emille, according to you, if TWO individuals (Mr Falla and his client) like strawberry ice cream, then the TWENTY two (plus) others who don’t, should just shut up and eat it….
well, that seems much more fair minded and liberal than my views, doesn’t it…?
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AnstyToo – superbly insulated and ultra-efficient the replacement of the shell house may be, (and I never did say it had glass) – it’s hideous enough with its strange wooden cladding and anonymous high windows. The shell houe of course was one man’s titivating of his property, but at least he titivated a COTTAGE in keeping with the small hamlet just below him – this new monstrosity just looks completely out of place looming out through the trees (and yes, I bet they’ll have those trees down before long).
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Ansty, you have made some good points, but in your defence of the style of architecture you obviously have a fondness for you have portrayed yourself as the opposite to Scarlett; you like the “glass & concrete” flavour so everyone should have it.
The real point is that every style has its place but the question is whether or not it “fits” in with the surroundings.
For years past the IDC went to great pains to ensure this “fitting in” to the extent that extensions perhaps had to have different roof tiles to the original, just because Mr Bourgaizes’ house down the road has an extension just like it, the fact it may have been built with what was available at the time has no bearing, it sets the scene.
Why is it environment can now pass plans for buildings which seem to NOT “fit in” despite objections yet when someone builds an “ordinary” house with ridge height 400mm too high Environment are straight on the case after one or two comments from neighbours.
As seems to be too often the case nowadays it’s the relevant States Department that should be questioned.
@ Bogart…I personally would not want to live in a glass goldfish bowl and have no envy for those who do, I’m quite happy with my 1930′s semi.
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My issues with a lot of the comments on this thread are that they are of a personal nature – there have been at least 2 comments which have implied planning permissions is granted without going through the usual channels – Who are you accusing of what here?
Yes, clearly Jamie Falla’s style of architecture is contentious but the fella’s doing a job and earning a living, if you have a problem that the buildings go up then your beef should be with the IDC, not the designers. That’s fair isn’t it? The designers fulfill the client’s brief, the IDC make the decision whether the design gets built. But you seem to be determined to make Jamie Falla the villain, and that clearly isn’t the case. I’m sorry but those are the facts and that’s why I think it is totally unreasonable and unpleasant.
And because I express an opinion that supports his brand of architecture and contemporary architecture in Guernsey I must be a Mooarc employee. Believe it or not there really are plenty of people in Guernsey who appreciate Mooarc architecture. His thriving business proves that, if I was a mooarc employee I certainly would’nt have time in the day to be doing this!
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thank you GregR for some sensible comments. Yes I do like modern architecture and have stated that. But no, I don’t think everyone should have it, very far from it. I love all of the old Guernsey farm houses and believe that Guernsey needs to maintain its heritage in the preservation of these. I don’t believe though that the 60′s bungalow and plastic white conservatory are necessarily what the Guernsey landscape should be perpetuating or should be what we identify as Guernsey style, yet that is what there is masses of. I just feel that good contemporary architecture has its place here too.
And I would have to disagree with you Matti – The house that used to be the shell house is beautiful, I love the materials that have been used and I think it sits very quietly in its site. That’s my opinion, I hope you’ll agree I’m entitled to it. Each to their own.
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Heres a spanner – I am young (ish), local, and I cant afford a glass and steel tower to live in – but I like it – Im jealous yes – but only coz i want to live in them – and one day who knows maybe I will. There is nothing wrong with adding a splash of the 21st century to this island. As it has been pointed out before, the uber modern acounts for probably less then 1% of the properties in the island. Id sooner see these places then old properties left to wreck and ruin-or all of the places in union street and the surrounding area.
Ohhhh contraversial – I like strawberry ice cream too – especially in a neopolitan with an italian wafer! Shocker!
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Scarlett -
Theres always the Clameur de Haro eh?
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absolutely, GregR, you have explained my point perfectly. Thank you!
In the appropriate setting, some of Mooarc’s designs may well fit in, perhaps they’d even stand out in a positive way…
HOWEVER, these uber modern materials/designs, being crowbarred into areas where they are totally incongruous, standing alone in total contradiction to their environment, looking entirely alien to their surroundings, and built with flagrant disregard to the wishes of neighboring residents (who have to see them almost EVERY DAY – not just drive past occasionally to admire the ‘modern design’ – with no course of action left open to them once permission is given), it is an unfair and absolute shame that should be addressed immediately by a change in the laws and a sea change in the Environment Department’s attitude….
preferably so they stop giving the impression that a suitable number of 000 000′s and familiar names on an application doesn’t give it a head start over those who don’t.
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I understand you must feel really aggrieved Scarlett and I can heartily sympathise with you, genuinely, and I agree that you have every reason to be bitterly disappointed with the idc and the whole system. But I hope you can agree with me that it is the system that is at fault here and not the architect.
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yes they probably do account for 1 percent of the total houses but the problem is that most of the steel and glass monstrositys sit right on the seafront over belle greve looming out of the horizon for every visitor to see from the ferry who thought he was on holiday to the channel islands not tokyo. I even like tall glass and steel buildings aslong as they’re in a city which is where they were originally designed for. People keep saying it’s the 21st century and that we should move on but there’s more than enough of these buildings everywhere else. America, England, Dubai all positively brimming with them and 21st century life. Did it ever occur to you that if we wanted that we’d simply move over there?. I agree with scarlett, what is wrong with being typically guernsey?.My family are all from guernsey and im proud of it, I think he means we dont like being told what to do and damn right too. it’s the attitude that allowed us to outlast the germans when the english abandoned us to sit in a bomb shelter for a few years while we starved to death. On a final note you might not like the little plastic coated bungalows antsy but you dont have to drive past them on the way to work every day
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How long before Herm gets its first high-rise?
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I’m with Scarlett and Greg R on this one. Whilst I appreciate a nice glass and concrete box as much as the next student, when they are planted in an environment like Guernsey, it does the box no good, nor does it complement the Island itself. It is incongruous.
Antsy asks how we can blame the architect. I’m afraid it’s quite simple. He’s the one who designed it! These modernist designs are out of context with Guernsey and are quite simply lazy architecture. Anyone can draw a square and cover it with concrete and glass.
Surely, on our little island, the real challenge for an architect would be to create a building that blends modernism with Guernsey’s unique character?? I’d love to see a modernist take on the Guernsey fisherman’s cottage!!
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I agree with Ross and Scarlett but the Environment Department is also to blame for granting the building permission even after the neighbours have strongly objected.
I just can not help feeling that many of our ‘modern’ buildings will just look hideous in 10 years time and we will wish they had never been built. Look at what happened with ‘Tower Blocks’ in the 60′s.
The RBS building and Trafalgar Court already look out of date to me.
I can not help being a traditionalist and say that my preference is for such buildings as Marina Court, and the new Royal Site is not too bad.
p.s. people seem to forget there wasn’t that much money around after the war to build nice houses for everyone, and its still a struggle now for many Islanders to get on the housing ladder.
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Marmite. That’s the issue here, Marmite.
Looking at the “Shell House” replacement – I think it’s a carbuncle. A hideous affront to all that is beautiful in this world. A thing of such nastiness and evil that everytime I walk past I start to cross myself, play with my rosiary and worry beads in case it manifests itself into Satan. I can only look at it with garlic in my pocket and a Colt 38 loaded with silver bullets.
This is worrying as I’m as religeous as a Hamster.
My wife, on the other hand, thinks it’s great – a thing of imagination and design style.
A massive argument ensues every time we walk past with the dogs – who, it should be noted, howl past property as if driven by the 9 riders of the apocolypse.
As I said, Marmite.
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Student Bob
You normally think through your comments before you post, but you have let your standards drop a little this time.
If the client wants a glass box, then if the first architect turns down the job, number two (or three or four…..) will do the designing. Therefore you cannot blame the architect, you have to blame the client.
Furthermore, we are all currently discussing the modernist take on the Guernsey fisherman’s cottage – it is …………… a glass box!!
Over and out
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Antsy too, I don’t think a glass box is a realistic alternative to the home for the proles that the fishermans cottage was!! (Although, in an island where the new proletariat earn £70k a year laundering Russian drug money perhaps you may have a point….).
Whilst I accept that the client will brief the architect, the architect is still the one who visualises that brief and must therefore take responsibility! He’d be the first to take the praise if the design was a modern classic after all….
The shame is that these designs do not care for Guernsey’s heritage. I mean, if we replaced the concrete with granite, we’d all probably love it…..
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What is an “eyesore”?
The new shell house – only seen from a few metres away?
The proposed modernist design on Albeqc headland, which will be seen from a long way off?
The approved modern design for the building which will dominate Portelet beach?
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Wow! I’ve just discovered this site and am very impressed with the wit that has been appplied to so many of the comments both for and against modernism in architecture. Thoroughly enjoyable reading though it may be, I believe the seriousness of the subject requires a greater degree of levity. Architecture like visual art and music is a matter of taste. However with visual art and performing art we can choose whether or not to hang it on our wall or listen to it. With architecture we do not have that luxuary. We may walk along the coast on the Island we call home and find that a house that was so familiar has been replaced by a space-age edifice not to our liking and beyond our control. If we object we are called old fashioned “stick-in-in-the-muds” Change is an essential part of our evolution but like evolution it must be gradual. Society must come to terms with change in it’s own time, when and if it sees fit. Those who seek to force change too quickly are both selfish and arrogant. Those, in power who allow them to do thus are not worthy of being Civil Servants and those who employ the civil servants are incompetant, un-caring nincompoops.
Incidentally, you do know, I hope, that your valid comments will make not one iota of difference to the outcome of our future. Guernsey apparently, does not belong to us but to the shakers and movers of fashion and finance.
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Certainly the Environment Department is the Rome that all paths lead to, Antsy. A combination of client, designer, and entirely inconsistent, unfair, confusing, and apparently conflicting policies on their part, leaves a trail of saddened, angry and ultimately, helpless people in it’s wake.
On the front is a classic example of this inconsistency. There’s the building Andrew Ozanne designed, where great efforts were made to ensure it complemented it’s surroundings, using granite and a modernised take on the original buildings nearby, then, directly next to it (the old Bucktrout’s site) there’s yet another enormous box being built.
I know that the gentleman responsible for designing this was told he ‘really should use materials that fitted in with the environment’ (never mind the design) – so did he? Well, he got permission anyway, and now there’s another unimaginative, alien looking glass fronted box to ruin the seafront.
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Student Bob – “The shame is that these designs do not care for Guernsey’s heritage. I mean, if we replaced the concrete with granite, we’d all probably love it…..”
…until they come to dig a quarry next to your house to find more granite to use to build these heritage buildings ;-)
For the record, I agree that change is good, provided it is gradual and sympathetic. I have no particular knowledge of whether this development fits with that or not. The fact that it is 4 stories does not necessarily mean it is bad, depending on the lie of the land. It is all comes down to the design.
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oh, and could someone tell me where the “shell house replacement” is, as I’d like to see where you are all talking about.
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A few years ago I came back to Guernsey with a friend from Europe we were on the boat and as we came along the seafront my friend asked me “is that factory’s over there” I could not answer him as I had been off the island when all the buildings had been built along the front. I just said “sure looks like it” So I suppose that sums up these modern buildings from a distance at least. There is also a very modern building near where I live next to some old Guernsey fishmans cottages. I believe it won some awards funny though can’t understand why everybody calls it the fish tank :)
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I’m a George Rd resident, a stone’s throw from the planned development. [insert glass houses pun here;) ]
They’re planning to build on top of 3 big white garages. I don’t see this as a loss.
The new building doesn’t look awful nor does it spoil the area. If there were a gap in the road and we could choose the garages or modern looking housing I’d take the modern housing. Whether you personally like “modern” architecture or not is somewhat irrelevant, people have the right to their own taste, and what’s being built is enough in keeping with the area that planning has approved it.
If anything is tasteless its not the design, its the petty neighbour trawling their dead dispute through the local press.
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I don’t have any love for Jamie Falla’s designs. I find them boring and very “samey”. It’s the same with all the refurbished bars and pubs in town. They are all designed by someone with (in my view) little imagination.
However….most of the posts on this thread are ignoring the fact that people are paying Mr Falla to design buildings for them. And then they are deciding they like Mr Falla’s designs and having the ideas turned into reality. Mr Falla is just doing a job, and he obviously likes the style of his designs.
So maybe some of the contributors on this thread should perhaps be getting on the back of the folk who have commissioned Moorac to design homes for them?
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I don’t know who designed the new builds at the Blue Mountains but congrats to the planners who passed them.
They really look a good fit on the skyline when observed from North Beach
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A respected local architect said on Radio Guernsey” An architect has a responsibility not only to their client who will live in their creation but to the public who will have to look at it from the outside”.
This just about sums it all up for me.
And Greg I agree with you – it also applies in equal measure to the client.
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TL
Turn left out of the Mallard, then after about 600 yards hang a left just before Tostevin’s vegetable stall. Turn right at the end of that lane, then when there is a sharp left corner, the ‘shell house’ is straight ahead.
Please let us all know your opinion on it
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TL – it’s down near La Corbiere road/track leading to the cliffs, was once a quirky bungalow and garden covered in ormer shells, (which I never thought beautiful) but now there’s something there far more ugly than you could ever dream of…
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@GG
You might imagine it but the “foreigners” bring so much to the island. A tad racist and narrow minded perhaps??
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