ABSTRACT
The most noteworthy aspect of Colin St John Wilson's first Liverpool scheme is its early exploration of the atrium form. At the outset of the Liverpool design process Wilson could count on the support of Alderman William Sefton, Leader of the City Council, Graeme Shankland as consultant planner, and the city planners; but relations began to sour. The cross-scheme mapped onto two clear lines of desire: the east-west route from the St George's cultural precinct to the commercial sector on Dale Street, and the links from the shopping activities on Williamson Square northwards to the cultural complex of the Museum, Library and Art Gallery. From St Georges plateau the topography drops away westward through the terraced St John's Gardens to the Kingsway mouth of the Mersey Tunnel. Ideograms and topological drawings were again used to explore patterns of movement and design possibilities.
