The Castleford Project is a major regeneration initiative that is a partnership between Channel 4, the Commission for Architecture and the Built environment, English Partnerships, Yorkshire Forward, Wakefield Metropolitan Council and a host of national and local agencies. Its objective is to enable the delivery of a series of public realm projects that the people of Castleford have indicated are priorities for the social, economic and cultural prosperity of the town.

Sarah Wigglesworth Architects devised a strategy for the riverside with a view to connecting it to the existing town centre. Our proposal comprised a series of components or basic building elements that can be configured in various ways. Once combined they form objects such as decks, shelters, tubs, towers and wedges. When these objects and locations are united a seed is planted. The result is an ‘object of enchantment’: a place that attracts people and activities.

After a competition, judged by the community and council, SWA were chosen to develop our a masterplan for the riverside area and Duck Island.