Citylife Magazine
One of the city’s most impressive landmarks will be the subject of a major exhibition this month. The display at the Guildhall has been created by MA Design students from Northumbria University’s Design School.
Students have been working with tourism staff at the building to look at ways the historic location can be used in the future. The Guildhall on the Newcastle Quayside already provides visitors with tourist information about the city and region as well as a display space for local artists.
Working in partnership with the visitor information centre the project involves over 50 international students who have been led by Erik Bohemia, Hilary McGloughlin and Elizabeth MacLarty at the university. Starting from Wednesday 16 January this six week long exhibition will look at design concepts for phase 2 of the Guildhall redevelopment and will include everything to make a visit to the centre and city more enjoyable.
Some of the things on display will include ideas for furniture, staff uniforms as well as on site waste management. The exhibition will look at the promotion of the building as a venue for exhibitions, private functions and also suggest an alternative use for the outside space.
Some of these ideas will be adopted and used to create a better visitor experience at the Guildhall. Fiona Wilson, Tourism and Information Manager, said: “This has been a thrilling project for us at the Guildhall and we have been delighted to work along side Dr Bohemia and the students from Northumbria University. “
The students have really worked hard in producing a challenging, innovative and exciting take on the design and future use of the Guildhall Visitor Information Centre.” During the exhibition visitors will get the chance to vote on their favourite ideas which may feature in the redevelopment of the Guildhall.