Case Study: Stockport Interchange / Merseyway Shopping Centre

Project Name: Stockport Interchange/Merseyway Shopping Centre
Location: Stockport
Client: Wright Landscapes / George Cox & Sons
Architect: BDP/ CW Studio
Products Used: Splash, Tree Line Seating, Bespoke movable Oval Planters with Integrated seating
Artform Urban Furniture brings unique and playful street furniture elements to the all-new Stockport Interchange.
From an early stage, Artform Urban worked alongside BDP & CW Studio to develop a range of furniture that would be design-led, functional and considering the demanding design brief from the end client Stockport Council.
Wright Landscapes added the finishing touches to the recently completed Bus interchange in Stockport. The new state-of-the-art facility will hugely improve public transport for Stockport and connecting locations across Manchester and Cheshire and beyond. The unique project features an elevated green space surrounding a large oval opening bringing natural light to the bus stops beneath. Here, the Splash bench has been dotted around offering an inviting and playful seating option. The organic design of Splash echoes that of the green space while bridging the gap between the contemporary aesthetic and the playground elements that occupy the space - creating a welcoming environment for all visitors.
The Merseyway Shopping Centre, situated opposite the interchange, has also seen recent refurbishment works to elevate the centre in line with the other developments in Stockport. CW Studio specified more Splash seating and the Tree Line modular concrete seating units. These robust benches come in various shapes and sizes that interconnect to create visually interesting configurations that inspire social interaction. The bench is manufactured from an incredibly durable mix of granite and marble stones but with a softer edge making it less industrial than typical concrete bench designs.
Finally, to bring natural colour and green to the high street, 2 large bespoke oval planters with integrated seating were designed for the project. Each planter/seating system consists of 5 self-contained sections that are movable and easily assembled into place, requiring no groundwork. The integrated hardwood seat toppers offer various seating options with backrests and armrests available providing easier access for the elderly. These were all set off on new paving throughout the area.
The Interchange and Merseyway developments are a continuation of Artforms’ work in Stockport, on projects such as Redrock and Stockport Exchange which are all part of efforts to boost footfall and appeal to the town. It’s always an honour to be involved in projects on our doorstep especially when they have the potential to positively impact and bring huge benefits for the area and surrounding businesses.