8 Ann Rostron describes an attempt to create a city-wide harmony in the streets of Norwich A COLOUR STRATEGY FOR NORWICH In 1989 Norwich City Council was asked if ir would participate in a srudy, to be carried our by the Sikkens Foundation, into rhe use of colour in several European cities. The Foundation is an independent organisation sponsored by rhe paint manufacturer Akzo. The other participants were Moscow, Budapest, Turin, Barcelona and Berlin, as well as projects in France and the Netherlands. The projects were to be individual and varied, ranging from historic areas to modern buildings. The strategies which evolved would be capable of adaptation to other areas, places and groups of buildings. An author was appointed for each project - Michael Lancaster wrote rhe Norwich chapter of the book - The Colour of the City published privately by Akzo in 1992. The contribution that colour makes to our appreciation of the character of a town or city is not always recognised. It originates from both its history and its geographical area. Norwich, for example, is characterised by a palette of varied natural materials and enriched by painted facades. In the past the colours applied to painted surfaces were limited by the availability of pigments and by cost. The development of synthetic paint colours and the increased availability of paints over the last hundred years have allowed an unrestrained use of colour to develop which does not always relate to the intrinsic character of its location. A colour strategy for Norwich was intended to provide a coherent basis and starting point for advising and choosing colours for buildings within the historic city centre. The strategy could also be used for new buildings and applied to other areas. The starting point was to consider: 0 historic development and the use of natural materials at different periods; 0 materials and pigments used 1n traditional painted finishes; and 0 how a colour range might be promoted through various conservation and design policies. HISTORJC DEVELOPMENT From earliest times, Norwich was a sea port and trade from Europe brought Above: Elm Hill, Norwich. Below: Hovells,BedfordStreet. many colour influences into the city in materials, spices, dyes and manufactured goods, as well as stimulating the manufacture of goods for export - woollen and leather goods in particular. By the beginning of the 11eh centuty the city was the fifth largest in England, with many timber-framed houses and 40 churches. Early Norwich grew from Saxon settlements along the banks of the River Wensum -wattle and daub huts thatched with reed, Reed thatch survives today on a handful of buildings in the city centre. The Normans came and built the Castle and the Cathedral, introducing creamy white Caen limestone, and stone dressings to local flint work. In medieval times the city developed as a centre for the wool trade and worsted weaving, becoming home to immigrants from Europe and the surrounding region. Rich merchants built splendid houses and trading halls with steep thatched roofs, timber frames and plastered walls. The city wall was built enclosing the city centre, 50 great flint churches and the Guildhall in the Market Square. In the 17th and 18th centuries local red brick started to be more widely used for house walls but it was often plastered over and lime washed, usually in its natural creamy colour but sometimes coloured with red or yellow earth pigments. Thatched roofs were a fire risk in the walled city and were gradually replaced with red clay pantiles. The 18th century saw the development of brick as a facing material in its own right, often enriched with 'stone-like' refinements. Slate started to be used as an alternative roofing material. In the 19th century pale yellow Costessy brick was a popular substitute for stone and strongly influenced certain areas, such as Prince of Wales Road, leading from the new railway station to the city centre. Art Nouveau brought decorative finishes of ceramic tile and terracotta, exemplified in Skippers' Royal Arcade. In the 20th century the buff brick City Hall was built facing the Castle. It replaced earlier buildings at the top of the market place, re-emphasising the importance of that historic space, enlivened by its market awning in primaty colours. MATERIALS The historical development of the city centre provides the basic palette of materials and colours which create its distinctive character. 0 The dark and light grey, yellow and brown of knapped flints, roughly worked or more closely cut, sometimes with flint galletting worked into the joints. It was used in combination with brick as rubble walling, and with stone or brick quoins and dressings. 0 Where stone is used it is creamy white limestone ot clunch chalkstone. 0 Bricks characteristically range from orange to red, often set off by white painted windows and door frames. The CONTEXT 40 7
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