Sir Terry Farrell appointed Ashford 'design champion'
Comments |
The man who has made his mark on the world – literally – has
become the “design champion” for Ashford.
For £25,000 Sir Terry Farrell, best known for creating the MI6
building in London, will be charged with “positioning” Ashford as
the fastest growing town between London and Europe. He has been
hired by Ashford’s Future, a company tasked with investing £2.5
billion into the town.
The author of KCC’s aspirational document 21st Century Kent
said: “My job is to articulate what’s going on in Ashford, elevate
people’s understanding and promote good design.
“I’m also here to look at areas where design can be
improved.
“I am keen to work with Ashford to produce a vision of regeneration
that will help it secure a prosperous future as one of this
country’s finest and most successful towns.”
Speaking exclusively to the Kentish Express he even hinted that
he may design a building for the town.
He said: “If I’m asked I might do that. It might or might not
happen.”
The architect, who is on a six-month contract, met with Ashford’s
Future bosses and other stakeholders to discuss the role at a
meeting in London last week.
He continued: “The aim of the meeting was to discuss this new
role beginning and we discussed how we want to up the game for
developers and to see them raise their game in terms of design.
“Ashford has to compete with lots of other towns and it’s got to
position itself in all of that.
“But it’s got a lot going for it; it’s the first station on the
high speed one line and will become a portal to the north of
England.”
He added: “Although Ashford is very charming and has its
history, it is not an overly precious town. It’s not like
Canterbury, it’s got the ability to change and grow."
Details of how Ashford will up its designs and be marketed are
to be revealed to townsfolk at a meeting at the international hotel
on June 2.
Wednesday, March 17 2010
The KM Group does not moderate comments.
Please click here for our house rules.