Part of:

People:

Cedric Price (architect)
Yorke Rosenberg Mardall (associated architectural firm)
Felix J. Samuely & Partners (consulting engineering firm)
Baker, Wilkins & Smith (quantity surveyors)
Cedric Price (archive creator)

Title:

Two Tree Island

Date:

1963-1989, predominant 1971-1974

Level of archival description:
File 84

Extent and medium:

218 reprographic copies
56 drawings
34 maps
1 model
0.7 l.m. of textual records
0.01 l.m. of photographic materials

Scope and content:
File documents an unexecuted project for Two Tree Island, the last uninhabited island in the Thames Estuary, in Essex, England. Cedric Price collaborated with Yorke Rosenberg Mardall Architects (YMR) on the project for client David Keddie, to develop a 178-hectare site on the island which encompassed both existing and reclaimed land, some of which was reserved under a trust for nature conservation. Early proposals showed residential areas, commercial, as well as, industrial zones, and facilities for recreation and leisure activities, including a marina. The final design proposed a much smaller residential area and harbour and included larger conservation and marshland areas in response to local concerns. The project was rejected and a portion of Two Tree Island was leased to the Nature Conservancy (NERC). An Appeal and Public Enquiry lodged by the client was subsequently indefinitely postponed. The architects produced several versions of a consultant's report, created a 'logbook' for the project, and published a brochure and promotional material for a public meeting. Existing conditions and reference material in the file includes maps of the area showing locations for a photo survey; Port of Authority of London plans showing water depths at various locations; a drawing of Marine Island, Essex; and a collage of photos of the area mounted on a board. Sketches by Cedric Price show development plans for the island and explore alternate "open" and "closed" configurations for the basin. Sketch sections show established maximum flood heights on the proposed schemes (see sketches in Works II, p. 86). A series of schematic drawings by YMR develop preliminary schemes exploring alternate layouts in relation to the primary basin configuration. A perspective drawing shows a view of the site from the main road to the island. Design development drawings include both original drawings and reprographic copies and include bird's-eye view perspective sketches; diagrams showing "domestic development" and projected "typical patterning"; and diagrammatic plans/charts showing existing and reclaimed areas, compatibility of activities, and degrees of accessibility (see typical diagram in Works II, p. 87). Other design development drawings include standard plans, sections and elevations, as well as site plans, land-use plans for the marina, plans showing alternate layouts for the marina dock, plans showing Thames tidal defences, site sections, and breakwater profiles. Working drawings for the marina by consulting engineers Sir Frederick Snow and Partners include survey plans, detailed sections illustrating the reinforcement and stabilization of the marine bed, and task sequencing diagrams and charts. Publication and presentation material includes photographs of rendered perspectives, over 18 watercolour renderings of Two Tree Island by Cedric Price, and a mock-up for a 13-page brochure or report summarizing the project. Many drawings are also included in the textual records, which also include Cedric Price's diary on the project. Some material in this file was published in 'Cedric Price-Works II' (London: Architectural Press, 1984), 72, 86-87. Material in this file was produced between 1963 and 1989, but predominantly between 1971 and 1974.
Cedric Price's office lists the following firms as the main consultants for this project: Felix J. Samuely & Partners and Sir Frederick Snow & Partners, Consulting Engineers; Baker Wilkins & Smith, Quantity Surveyors; Prof. Peter Cowan, Director, Joint Unit for Planning Research; Prof. Peter Willmott, Director Institute of Community Studies; Prof. G. P. Wibberley, Professor of Countryside Planning, University of London; M. A. B. Boddington, Rural Planning Services.
One drawing in DR1995:0255:011-021 is attributed to Costain Civil Engineering Ltd.

File contains cartographic materials, conceptual drawings, design development drawings, presentation drawings, consultant drawings, model, and textual records.

Reference number:

AP144.S2.D84

Arrangement:
Materials in this series were kept in the original order in which they were received.

Location:

Essex England United Kingdom

Language of material:

English, French, Spanish

Related units of description:

For additional materials related to this project series, see the following files in this fonds: File DR2004:0036 in the Photographic Materials series (AP144.S6) contains negatives; File DR2004:1121 in South Bank (AP144.S2.D122) contains a brochure; File DR1995:0272:001 in G.T.R. (AP144.S2.D97) contains objects; File DR2004:0054 in Non-Plan (AP144.S2.D12) contains a drawing; File DR2004:0455 in Westal (AP144.S2.D138) contains a drawing possibly related to this file; and File DR2004:0223 in Housing Research (AP144.S2.D67).