55 Degrees North, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

55 Degrees North

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

55 Degrees North remains a practice-defining project for Colour. It was our first major public realm commission, received our first award and holds a significant place in our history.

Winner of Newcastle City Council’s Lord Mayor’s Design Award for Urban Landscape, the public realm was the key that radically transformed a notorious 1960s roundabout that had become a symbol of urban dereliction into a premium, mixed-use destination with penthouse apartments, a bar, offices and the studios of the local radio station.

Our approach was 2-fold :

Psychology Reframe perception through bringing sunshine into the site and vibrant colours

Infrastructure Fix the failing physical spatial infrastructure with an urban design-led strategy

We re-branded the Site, replacing neglect, shade and hiding places with iconic views of the Tyne Bridge and All Saints Cathedral, an at-grade crossing, places to dwell and direct pedestrian connectivity from the Newcastle’s city centre to the Quayside.

Overcoming complexity, the project was a technical feat with 80% of the new external spaces situated on a suspended concrete slab over the city motorway and 360 degrees of traffic.

Today, 55 Degrees North stands as a striking landmark, a symbol of Millennium confidence, successfully stitching of the city’s public realm back together and connecting the city with its quayside.