The historic town of Petworth, nestled in West Sussex, has long been cherished for its rich history and picturesque landscapes. However, the community's heart—the town centre—faced challenges due to an unsightly public convenience block and a lorry and coach park that detracted from its charm. To rejuvenate this vital space, a local community group approached Charles Roberts Studios, seeking assistance in presenting their vision for a new town green space. This collaboration aimed to create a compelling narrative that would engage stakeholders and spark community interest.
The community group's vision revolved around regenerating the Petworth town centre and creating a new visitor centre alongside a communal garden. This vision sought to improve the area's aesthetic appeal, foster a sense of community, and enhance the experience for visitors and residents alike. The group's brief emphasised the need for a clear and engaging presentation to effectively communicate these ideas to the local council and residents, setting the stage for future consultations and discussions.
To bring the community's ideas to life, Charles Roberts Studios set out to create a CRS Reveal before-and-after planning slider. This interactive tool would allow viewers to visualise the transformation of the existing space into the proposed new environment. The process began with gathering detailed information about the town centre's current layout and challenges. The studio team engaged with the community group to fully understand their aspirations and ensure their vision was accurately represented.
A key element of the presentation was the use of drone photography to produce an aerial architectural visualisation of the proposed site. By capturing high-resolution images from above, the team created a comprehensive overview of the area, showcasing the existing landscape and the planned enhancements. This innovative approach provided a unique perspective, allowing stakeholders to see the potential for change in a way that traditional methods could not convey.
With the drone imagery, the design team began creating the before-and-after slides. The "before" images depicted the town centre's current state, highlighting the existing public space's stark contrasts and shortcomings. Conversely, the "after" images illustrated the transformation, featuring a vibrant visitor centre, lush communal gardens, and inviting pathways that would encourage community engagement. This visual storytelling made the proposal easily understandable and engaging for the audience.
Upon completing the presentation, the team presented their work to the local community group, which enthusiastically received it. The slider effectively captured the essence of the proposed changes and sparked discussions among community members about the potential benefits of the new green space. Subsequently, the presentation was shown to the local council during consultation sessions, where it garnered positive feedback from attendees who appreciated the clear visual contrasts that illustrated the vision for Petworth's future.
As the project entered the consultation phase, the community group harnessed the positive reception to rally support from residents. The engaging visuals created by the CRS Reveal before and after planning slider inspired community discussions about urban regeneration and the importance of green spaces. Many residents expressed excitement about enhancing the town centre, recognising its potential impact on local businesses, tourism, and communal well-being.
The collaboration between Charles Roberts Studios and the Petworth community has set the stage for an exciting transformation of the town centre. The project has successfully highlighted the importance of green spaces in enhancing community life by utilising modern technology and engaging visual presentations. As the consultations continue, the vision for a new visitor centre and communal garden is to foster a more beautiful environment and a stronger, more connected community in Petworth. The work of CRS and the community is an inspiring example of how thoughtful design can positively influence urban spaces and enhance the quality of life for all residents.