Something to be published in Spectrum Magazine soon.
Richard III and Leicester
Well not literally, but after 500 plus years he
is certainly getting a good airing.
Discovered under a car parking space marked
"R" you perhaps could be surprised its taken over 500 years to find
him again. However, found he was and it did take that time.
Last medieval king, last English king killed in
battle and arguably our most controversial king as well. You have to say that
finding him in Leicester is a result for the City.
In just over the two years since he was found,
Leicester has fought off the claims of York to be his final resting place and
geared itself up to honouring him in major ceremonies next March. That the
Archbishops of both Canterbury and Westminster (Heads of the Church of England
and Rome respectively) in this country will be in attendance speaks volumes for
his importance.
Leicester City Council has moved incredibly
rapidly in public procurement terms (including the acquisition of the building
opposite the Cathedral on St Martins) to already have up and running a
permanent visitor centre. I was lucky enough to have both visited it and been
given an insiders talk by the architects Maber Associates and contractors
Morgan Sindall.
What is my view? The centre is really
impressive and of least national standard. It is well worth a 2 hour visit,
either in its own right or as part of a day or weekend out in the City. The
centre very ably presents the key aspects of the story from the historical
context of his life to the different ways he is remembered since his death. The
exhibition also tells the story of his discovery including, of course, the
science. The latter using another of Leicester's more recent and famous
discoveries involved the distillation of the DNA.
Hearing about the formation of the Centre from
the insiders definitely enhanced the whole experience for me in explaining some
of the design cues. For example: to replicate the crypt location where he was
found (and now incorporated into the centre) the design reduces the temperature
in that area. The ceiling is also lowered, so you are 'encouraged' to bow your
head to honour the king, where a skeleton like hologram rests in the original
grave.
The building is a pleasure to walk around as a
little oasis in the heart of a bustling City, where one can also sit and have a
coffee or lunch in a very pleasant ambience.
Outside a whole new Cathedral Square has been
created, containing the relocated Richard III statue. This part of the City is
being transformed wholly for the good.
But you would not expect me to write this review
without some 'professional' critical points. So here goes. The legibility of
the entrance to the centre is poor and at the time of writing the signage is
virtually non existent. I can't believe this won't be addressed very quickly.
Inside the Centre the courtyard is completely hard surfaced. Original designs I
saw used grass (ideally artificial?), which would have calmed the space much
better in my opinion and is a very effective solution, used in other high usage
locations in the City.
But really ignore the carping, don’t even think
about not visiting. It is for the whole family. And from a professional
planning point of view form your own opinion on how it has honoured a former
king and how it is and how it will transform another quarter of the City
centre.
