Interim Use of the Unused by Anna Solomatina

INTERIM USE

of the

UNUSED

ANNA SOLOMATINA | MA ARCHITECTURE

PROJECT CURATOR: Gabor Stark

Canterbury School 12 / 13

Architecture / University

of the

Creative Arts

INTERIM USE

of the

UNUSED

“Pop-up Public Yard” Ashford, at the moment. A Masters in Architecture student from the UCA (University of the Creative Arts) in Canterbury is installing a temporary public space on the vacant courtyard next to the Gateway furniture store in Dover Place, near Ashford International Station. experimental

Architecture

project

is taking place in

The

idea behind the project is to use the vacant space while it is

unused and to turn it into a lively public space where creative ideas could come to life, and artists can exhibit work or just enjoy the space

The For

as it is.

space will be open to the public form

17th August - 25th August.

that week the pavilion structure will be used to hold a series of

public events.

Any

community groups or artists wanting to exhibit work

are welcome to do so.

Ideas

and events such as exhibitions, workshops,

art classes, talks, fairs, performances, and debates are welcome.

The

main aim of the space is to act as a stage for the many creative groups and people of

Information

Ashford

and other towns in

Kent.

and details about the project, and the events of the week,

UCA website (UniCreative Arts), the Creative departments of Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council, international cross-border England/France funding organisation ‘Interreg’ (which is about urban regeneration through the creative arts/industries), the Joining Hands Community Crafts Centre social media and the Ashford Festival of Arts and Technology website. The aspiration of the artist behind the project – Anna Solomatina - is to get as much public engagement as possible. The entire week of the project will be thoroughly documented in the way of a photo exhibition, film and a project booklet. A presentation of the film, photos and booklet will be held in UCA Campus in Canterbury at a later date. will be available from various organisations such as versity

the

STOP MOTION - project evolution

SITE LOCATION Dover Place Ahford Kent UK TH23 1HU

04 A2

st at io n

ro ad

site surrounding

Car Park

be av er

ro ad

dov

pla

be av er

ro ad

International House

Ashford International Station

A2 04 2

st at io n

ro ad

CLOSEST NEIGHBORS - CURRENT SITE USERS

dov

pla

av er

ASHFORD DRAMA THEATRE GROUP - PERFORMANCE SPACE

GATEWAY FURNITURE SHOP - CHARITY ORGANISATION

NIGHT CLUB “HUSTLE“

PUB AND RESTOURANT “PLATFORM5“

first concept

project site

2 04

COURTYARD 1

Car Park

dov

pla

be a

ve r

International House

first concept

form finding

SETTING UP FIRST CONCEPT

COURTYARD 1

RELATE THE STRUCTURE TO BUILDINGS ON THE SITE, COURTYARD OF DRAMA THEATRE BILDING AND SHIPPING CONTAINERS .

details of first concept

0.0

0.0 50

0.0 75

0.0

Junction Detail

1:10

24 1 1:50

0.100 0.100

2.280

2.180

0.150 0.150

2.590

2.680

2.200

3.798*

24 1

A 1:50

timber construction

1.800

2.600

2.200

2.160 S-14

Elevation 1

Section 1

A 0.050

1E-07

S-14

S-13

0.050

S-13

Section 2

2.200

2.400

2.200

2.400

3.873

Elevation 2

1.707 8

2.600 7

2.200 6

2.200 5

Elevation 1

1.707

2.200 4

2.200 3

2.124 2

Elevation

2.600 7

2.200 6

1:50

2.200 5

2.200 4

2.200 3

2.124 2

working drawings 1.800

2.600

2.200

first concept of scaffolding structure Elevation 1

0.0 50

ction 1

0.0

1E-07

Elevation 2

2.200

2.200 4

2.200

2.124

Elevation 1:50

1:50

Timber 2

1:100

0.225

2.200 1

2.200 4

2.200 3

2.124 2

0.225

2.380

2.700

0.195

2.700

0.195

B W 12

2.380

2.200

2.200 1A

changes on the site

adapting the concept

second concept

final site

courtyard

04 A2

st at io n

ro ad

COURTYARD 2 Car Park

be av er

ro ad

dov

pla

International House

Ashford International Station Ashford International Station

SETTING UP NEW PROJECT SITE WHICH BECOMES FINAL ASSIGNED SITE TO MY DEGREE PROJECT. VACANT COURTYARD BETWEEN BUILDING OF “GATEWAY FURNITURE SHOP” AND BACK WALL OF THE CAR SHED. COURTYARD IS KEPT UNUSED APPROXIMATELY FOR 2 YEARS. CLOSED FORM THE SITE FRONTLINE - SIDE OF ASHFORD INTERNATIONAL STATION BY TIMBER FENCE. ACCESS TO THE YARD IS THROUGH BACK SIDE, FROM THE SIDE OF CAR PARK.

final site

courtyard

finding concept for cortyard

ideas of floor deck painting

announcement boards

graffiti artists work

attraction from the streets

alternative to the gap in the fence

textile decoration concepts

3D ATMOSPHERES

PROJECT NETWORK CORRESPONDANCE

meeting the representative of site owner organisation 17

Dear Martin, I am emailing in Borough Council,

june

regards to my correspondence with

Chris Dixon,

within the past week, who mentioned to me that

the

Arts & Cultural Manager

a specific property that has come to my interest recently with regards to my have attached map and photos of my site in the email).

at the

Ashford

should contact you concerning an ownership of

Masters

degree in

Architecture. (I

Anya, and I am a Masters of Architecture student at the University of the Creative Arts in CanThe Architectural research and design unit at UCA that I currently am in this year, led by Gabor Stark, is called SYN City. It recently dedicated itself to one territory of investigation which has been in Ashford this year. The main purpose of SYN City is to explore and test argumentative and natural Architectural proposals in contemporary cities, specifically Ashford. The projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main aim is to capture new critical ways of expanding urban disciplines at specific site locations through Architectural design and research. name is

terbury.

After

thorough research,

decided to choose a specific site in

close consideration to site location,

The

Ashford

for my

idea of my project which makes it stand out in comparison to the other

it being at a

Ashford

Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Masters

proposal this year.

decided that it would be an applicable area for my project.

level of work, is that

With

students in my studio group, and

am hoping for some sort of public interaction/intervention in

for its present and future, and trigger an improvement of it globally with regards to the surrounding

communities.

Having said that, I hope that it has I could possibly have Dear Martin,

sparked an interest to you and it would mean a lot to me if

june

a meeting with you soon

with regards to discuss-

I would like to update you on the process of my project development. I have contacted Stella Critchley who is very lovely person and a director of Drama Youth at your site with posTheatre. She informed me about the problem I could face with the courtyard I was planning sible further intentions to build my project on. She said that everyday there are lots of trucks parking there and for my Masters degree. unloading furniture for Gateway Church company. As we literally saw that ourselves from the Your help and time would top of the roof. That information made me think about turning to another courtyard, which be very much appreciated. is empty and, as you said, could be more available. Could you please inform me what issues i could face and what permission I should get if I want to arrange my temporary project there? ing my conceptual intent

june

Sorry

for the delay in

getting back to you on this and conscious of your timescales.

Having today,

had a discussion internally on this we do have some interest from a

company wanting to take this site on a new lease.

However, I have

conversations

as a result of our told my colleagues that

1st

this site will only be available from

September

and therefore hopefully this will

provide you with sufficient time to complete your project.

Whilst

writing

would also remind you that

we have the site adjoining the restaurant

Station Road,

fronting

see plan attached, and if you did think that

this may be a better option for your project then happy to make this available.

The

has access to

interesting thing for this site is that it is enclosed,

Station Road

and could have an access created through via

the car park with a bit of work. think about this one.

Therefore

will leave it up to you to have a

look forward to speaking to you on your return from

and so we can sort out the access arrangements for the site.

Regards Martin

Thank

you for your email.

in whatever way

Where are ing? What

can.

Dover

Russia place

june I

would be more than happy to assist

you based and where would you like to have a meetare your timescales?

am generally out and about

quite a bit so will need to pin down a particular time and date.

would be

it stands at the moment the earliest

Wednesday

next week.

could meet

have a meeting in

Maidstone

for the first part of the morning but am relatively free after that.

we can arrange a time and place quite quickly then

that would be good as the diary does have a tendency to fill up quite quickly.

would also be grateful if you can give an indication of what

information you may be after so that whether there is anything

can have a look to see

can let you have directly.

Dear Lucy, My

Anya. I hope you remember me as we met several times on The first time we met on Teneshaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Caton presentation of her project in your Stour Valley Arts Gallery, I was a camera girl. My tutor Gabor Stark might talked to you as well about my project. At this stage of my project I am trying to do several things at the same time. One of the most important things is to trigger as much attention to my project as possible, so I can do at least one event there. I really want it to serve the public of Ashford and not only Ashford probably, I want it to be useful for people, if you know what I mean! I would greatly appreciate if you could find time and meet up with me soon, as possible for you. I would like to discuss with you what we could probably do together! name is

different events.

Lucy Medhurst Head of Education & Learning Stour Valley Arts

look forward to hearing from soon.

Thank you in Warm regards Anya

Hi Anya, Can

This

Amanda

please therefore copy will ask

Ali

and

Kudzai

think we

might be able to send something out for you.

in to any reply?

Can

you

but they are already very

busy with delivering projects here, so it might be more fruitful to think about a wider appeal that we can put out on our

Facebook

page for example and then

maybe you could return the favour by signposting to our workshops here at

Thanks Lucy

SVA?

am meeting up with two of our volunteers

tomorrow about

is my last day in the office.

you have some kind of call out for help

Hi Anya, I

you be a little bit more specific about what you

would want?

advance

Creative Labs,

which as

plained are due to take place here.

ex-

might work better for you to create some

written info or an image for the

Facebook

page

or website so we can make a call out and let people know what you are doing, but you will have to create the content.

Hope Lucy

you had a good time in

Russia,

Dear Huttson, It is Anya, Arts) who is

UCA (University of the Creative Ashford in Dover Place. I briefly about what I am doing.

student from doing

project in

ready talked to you

Last

Dover

time we met in

tographer.

refresh your memory about my project,

porary public space

Huttson Lo Director Stour Valley Art / Meet-Up Group Organizer, Ashford

Thank

met

Join Hands

to create something together. proper meeting tomorrow.

la-

have a

discussion with them

will send you tomorrow the first

version of my flyer, announcing just the opening of the

Space. I

Temporary Public

am sorting out my events

and will send you the final version of flyer with blurb of events as soon as get clarity about that,

hope it

will be beginning of the next week.

Best, Anya

pho-

am doing this tem-

pavilion, which is going to be built in a

Ashford

public.

start building up this

outcome of my project would be the successful

public dissemination, which is in my case could be various types of events holding on my site and using my pavilion as a meet-up space, for example.

remember you told me about your

17th

August. You

Meet-Up

event that would be

said as well that it has to be inside

the gallery, but that afterwards you could probably move the

dies, they are very nice and really up

tunity to be used be

Saturday. The most relevant

you for help and contacts that

you gave me.

German

week and then to exist one week more so it would have an oppor-

Dear Huttson,

on that presentation of

al-

informal part of the meeting to my site.

would be great if we could meet up and discuss the possibil-

ities of it.

Please,

let me know when it is convenient for you.

Best, Anya

Brilliant â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Natasha are

glad to hear that interested!

Betsy

and

look forward to

getting your flyer and more details next week

Huttson

17 june Anya, hello! I believe the owner of both sites (not 100% is Martin Barrow of the Homes and Communities Agency. Martin.Barrow@hca.gsi.gov.uk He

UCA

has an understanding of what

time in and around the

Chatham

sure)

is as he has worked for some-

campus,

have worked with him on

arts projects and his daughter is interested in the arts too. would make an email approach.

Regards,

Chris Dixon Arts & Cultural Industries Manager Ashford Borough Council

Chris. Dear Chris! Thank

july

you so much for being in contact with me and supporting my project.

progressing intensively.

I I

The

concept is getting close to its final version.

am trying hard at this moment to arrange the supply of all necessary materials

would need to realise my project as I have designed it. The main materials are timber and scaffolding. Now I am focused on calling all scaffolding companies around Ashford and Canterbury and trying to find out wether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible to rent a certain amount of scaffolding at least for a week. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get a positive result yet. Many of them are running out the material right now. Though I am not losing hope and still waiting for some of them to respond.

though it might be useful to ask you or

Mark Chapman

wether the

contacts, knowing that there are so many constructions going on.

construction is rather simple.

for a reasonable student prise.

Hence I

Council

regards

10 july Dean Hatcher, Ashford Scaffolder dh-scaffolding@ntlworld.com 07884496884 Has

connections to

Youth Theatre

and

am going to do.

Graffiti Artist

and has previously given his time

for free to interesting arts installations.

has any scaffolding

am hoping to find a company that can rent it to me and ensemble it

will send you the images of my project soon so you can fully understand what

Warm Anya

Ashford

Mention

my name.

Dear Chris, I

july

want to thank you again for helping me to get in contact with

row.

is tremendously helpful and very kind to me.

Martin Bar-

found out lots of infor-

mation about my site and now have a clear image of all ownership of it.

The I have to talk to now are - Ashford Gateway Church, Ashford Youth Theatre and Network Rail Ownership, who owns the frontline fence and parking in front. That’s very crucial for me now to get in touch with all of them. Martin promised to try to help me. He told me as well that you might know Youth Theatre guys very well and might have a contacts of them. I would appreciate greatly if you help me and advise whom to approach. main organisation

Thank you in Warm regards Anya Hello Chris! Thank

july Hi Anya,

advance

Yes I

july

you for taking your time but unfortu-

nately

won’t be on my site project as

have to install end year show in my university!

am sorry and

today.

was going to email you

want to invite you for the closing

event of my project, which will be on urday, from

12 - 5pm. I

Sat-

am inviting all

people that took part and helped me with the project.

really hope you could make it,

because you are the one of the most rele-

vant members of my team, though we met only once)!

The

did, so

had no expectations of being greeted

or entering into site.

event should be nice, the art-

really like the concept and

the construction looks really good, a space

would

love local artists and groups to play with more regularly.

could also be a real fun addition to a festival

site.

It is upsetting for Saturday as I live arrangements with my the activity and on facebook.

You

I cannot make Eastbourne and have already family. Please take photos of

me to say that in

made all

look forward to seeing the results

must be very proud, so well done and congrat-

ulations.

What’s

next on your plans?

craft ladies are making a fair of their work and I Please

will arrange some drinks and snacks! come!

look forward to seeing you on

Best, Anya

Regards,

Saturday!

may

Hello Duncan, My

UCA, from SynCity Ashford. We met on the presentation of the project of Tenesha Caton. I was a cameraman (or woman). You told me about this Meetup event. I am looking forward to go, meet all these creative people and hopefully to get some valuable information for my project, because it is actually just what I was searching for. Thank you for telling me about it. Just checking if it is still on. Is it going to be in me, I appreci- Stour Valley Arts, same place as Tenesha’s event? name is

Anna. I

am student from

studio, which projects are based in

Dear Duncan, Thank

june

you for being in contact with

ate that very much.

And thank Hope your

you for introducing me to

DAD

ladies.

Thank you Kind regards

fixie olympic marathon went successfully

and you came first)!

this moment

came to the stage

suppose it is time to settle up als and etc. to contact

At of final determination of my concept. I the site, size of intervention, materifinalise it, I need to obtain a certain

But to be able to I obviously have to know the with him (or her) for further

information.

I I

may

would like to inform you that my project is intensively developing.

1. I

discussion.

Hello Anna

ly interested in who owns this wonderful fence!

The

Stour Valley Arts, yes Tenesha’s event. It from 6 - 8 pm.

is due to run

All

the best

Duncan

june

arrange a gap in it and access to the courtyard behind it for a public.

the best

think the car park belongs to the people who own the nightclub. https://

do not know who owns the courtyard.

www.facebook.com/HUSTLE.NIGHTCLUB.ASHFORD

major

interest is in possibility to

will be at

the same place as

am interested in this

area of parking and extreme-

All

direct owner of my site and how

should be grateful if you could give me some information or advise where should approach.

Hi Anna

space

The

–

S&B

was being used as a van rental

van hire http://www.sbcarandvanhire.co.uk/

fence looks to me like it should belong to the courtyard.

You could gov.uk

try

Chris Dixon

Ashford Borough Council -

chris.dixon@ashford.

Dear Stella, Thank you I need to

july

for the information you gave me on the phone, consider all these aspects and probably adjust

my project.

Unfortunately, as english is not my first language, sometimes it’s difficult to get names and titles on the phone. I didn’t get the name of organisation you told me about, which leases the next courtyard and could allow me to built this project there. Were you talking about the nightclub? Sorry for bothering you. I hope we could meet the next week for a short discussion, because I am searching intensively for active and creative people in Ashford whom could I get involved

july

Hi Anya,

and make the place vibrant and appealing for public at least for one weekend.

The chap you need to explore other sites in Dover Place is Martin Barrow. I’ve spoken to Chris Dixon

Really

today and he is going to give you a contact number for a lady called

Kathy Streeter

to help you set something up in

Ashford. If

hope you could be interested in that,

Thank you in Warm regards Anya

one of

interest, do try

commercial

estate agents

Richard Stafford at the Taylor Riley and Stafford

advance

North

Just

will your

Stella

to have been so quiet

on holidat.

Not

v.v. busy!

I ‘ve

circulated your flyer to

an overwhelming response as most of them seem to be away

think one or two may contact you themselves.

reply from a folk group.

You

Anyway.

might like to contact them yourself to

make arrangements

Hi Stella!)

july

the structure will be quite strong as

it is from scaffolding, it supposes to be

band is up for doing our regular

in the space if it is available.

below is a

Yes,

Stella,

me know

hold a skateboarder?

august

all my contacts.

Our

a quickie

structure be strong enough to

Hi Anya, Sorry

july

Hi Anya

Stella

is going to be filmed

who might be able

the elegant old shops in the town centre would be of

Street

Everything

and published somewhere, as it is a part of my project.

Thurday

evening band practice

usually start at

7:30.

Let

really really safe!

will talk to

Dean

Sounds exciting! Feel free to ask

am sure, but anyway

today as well!

me any other questions.

july

Dear Dean,

have just come back and start sorting out hundreds of issues of my

I I

need to fill some forms in terms of funding your work.

have full permission to use it.

project.

july

still donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the keys from the courtyard as i didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hear back

from the owner.

Though

and now waiting for his

It was clear that I wrote him about the graffiti wall response. I will call him on monday anyway.

in the last email from him

have a question about painting the scaffolding.

As I

see it, it

seems easier to paint it when they are lying on the ground with a paint spray.

Hence

it would be a lot better if you could bring them

on the site one day, before the day of assembling, so them in advance.

Let me know as soon as possible. I am again on my UK number, so please Best, Anya

july

Hi Anya Yes the date Will talk to Dean

is still available

(3rd August)

you when you get back.

call me anytime.

could paint

Hello Anya,

august

Hope

it’s going well.

I’ve

added the information to the newsletter and

added you to our mailing list.

hope to see you on the opening night if

get a lift.

Hello Helen, Thank

august

But I

Could

Would you be able to forward this to If you are interested please come along. http://kentcreativelive.org/what-we-do/ workshops/workshop-22nd-august-2013/ your networks?

you please

send me the link with my project on your website, it’s a part of my project to have all reports of public dissemination.

All

will forward your event to my facebook page

and twitter! it?)

Network

is great tool, isn’t

august

There

the

Best,

Helen

Hello Anya, Thanks for everything! Hopefully see you Saturday or Sunday! I have edited my flyer Hope all is well. a bit more, because some new things appeared just recently. Have a look and see you soon! I’ve added your event Best, Anya

22nd August with School We are running a

£12.50.

couldn’t actually find the

announcement on the website.

Creative Start Ups.

can

very cheap price for graduates and students for

you a lot for adding me in your news-

letter!

have an event on the

for

to the newsletter and tweeting about it.

is a possibility we could add you to the website if we sent you

an interview for our

Spotlight

section.

Would

you be interested in

this? http://kentcreativelive.org/in-the-spotlight/crista-cloutier-interview/

Would

you be interested in attending one of our meet ups?

one is

13th September

at the

Beaney. They

are great fun.

Our next We are

always on the look out to connect with people that might want to talk about their projects.

august

All

the

Best,

Helen

Ok, you have some folks tweeting you now ;) 53

Here

august

is the

Festival

logo.

are very excited to be work-

ing with you and look forward to

Friday. I

7 8

will wait for everything tomor-

row and

august

will try to get some-

thing in the paper for

Good

august

Dear Anya, Thanks

for coming over today and working with us on your exciting

Please

find attached our logo for your flyer and a logo of the

project.

val also that you can put on, even if it is really small.

Festi-

august

will wait to have all the info from you to get on with the work.

Thanks.

august

Dear Betsy, It

meet you today!

was incredible to

Thank

you for that inspirational dis-

cussion and for everything you are doing for me, it made me believe arrange some really creative vital events and my project can

You

havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t attached

Festival

logo, just you

I will send you everything tomorrow And will come on Friday to discuss I

Joining Hands

could

really work!

one.

as soon as possible.

all the details.

look forward to have a wonderful collaboration with you and your other art-

ists.

Thursday.

Best,

Sounds

amazing!

night.

OLGA VAN DJIKE Hallo David, Hope

I have sent Artists members

august

you are enjoying your holiday and energising

wonder whether your eight hour’s drive will

This

I met up with Anya regarding the POP UP exSunday, the 18th of August, and as in the under mentioned mail mentioned, could continue during the week till the 25th. Till now Anya has not had any requests for days during the week. Does that mean that nobody of the Ashford Visual Artists is interested or are you coming over on Sunday to have a look what it is like and then decide? afternoon

Anyway, David Hover

has to come by train from

Canterbury). Her

na.anna@gmail.com

Sunday.

so that she can

mobile

email solomati07849018133.

am unable to advise whether the pop-up exhibition can be a success.

august

Please, confirm your Pop-Up Art exhibition, so I can make a flyer and print it out tomorrow. I want to distribute it tomorrow in town. Sending you the Flyer, I need to add details program. Vikky from AVA contacted Vikky’s email “As I said I’m a Member

Anya

make arrangements to be there when needed

(she

regards,

and myself will be exhibiting on

you decide to participate, please contact

a lovely time with your family.

Olga,

members,

hibition on

citing event, weather and crowd permitting.

and

Ashford Visual I understand the importance for Anya to know Ashford every day of the week to open up. I

Dear AVA

is a great place and it could be an ex-

Dear David

Betsy,

and that the space will be used to its full potential.

Saturday or Friday. Anya would like us to come on Saturday to try the hanging system, whether it needs adjustment before the Sunday morning. I can come with a large piece to Dover Place on Saturday between 1.30 and 3 pm. We can bring lots of work. I will compile a list tomorrow to give Anya an idea. Could you please let Anya know whether you will be able to make it on Saturday and it is best to give an approximate time as well. Her email: solomatina.anna@gmail.com or mobile 07849018133

Have Kind Olga

and

sincerely hope that you are successful in approaching other artists

be on

Hallo Anya

the under mentiond message to the

whether to come to

your creativity.

august

Please

come and see for yourself.

Kindest AVA

regards,

Olga

membership secretary

of you and how you would like it to be written on

me today so they want to arrange art street session. of the

AVA

and a friend of

would like to draw portraits in the street on

Sunday

Olga’s

as is my husband

at your event.”

Chris,

and we

CRITICAL PAPER

Project Focus and Rationale Two fields of Interest.

ABOUT THE REALISATION OF THE PROJECT “POP-UP PUBLIC YARD“

- “Pop-up Public Yard” -

project

is a

temporary public space on the vacant plot which is

Ashford. Concept

located in the town centre of

of the

project went through several stages of transformation and

ended

which week

and

pop-up

structure

3. Reasons

will

real

open

for

act

events.

site

and

Rationale. Two

fields

- Ashford. Specific

site

of such choice of the project. and and

the

Project Development. Steps realization. 6. Aspirations of the project usage.

results and user’s feedback.

The

:Influence The Potential

and

4. Developing the Project Network discovering Interested Users. Meet-Ups other creative enterprises.

7. Project

themes

1. Project Focus of interest. 2. Project research.

will

1:1 scale installation, Ashford public for one

stage

project

for

relevance of Public Spaces Unused Space, particularly, Temporary Uses of Vacant City

Project

- Ashford. Specific

Ashford

either

and

lacking

values.

Probably

the

location

Ashford growth the

one

areas,

rest

which

the

most

railway

connected

UK, A28,

and

domestic

and

relatively

young

cultural

value

transport

industry.

designated

government

South East,

the

Europe

mainland

domestic

the international rail link to

Both

important

UK’s

the

site research.

historical

and of

and

town

particular

well

the

M20, A20

art main

and

of two

and

(Alternative Spaces)

site

series

addressing

Paris

international

via

services,

rail

and

links

the and

Brussels.

are

upgraded

with the opening of the high speed train services to

London and Europe. Hence the area of the Ashford International Station attracted my particular attention. I took several walks

observing

and

exploring

the

areas

the

closest proximity to the station and the routes from the station towards the town centre.

Ashford

can

see

place

beginning

first

steps

city

square,

which

where of

are

on new

the

one

urban

already

hand

development,

realised

and

are

working successfully, such as new pedestrian paths, innovative

road

junctions

and

various

urban design objects.There are new urban development strategies

worked

out

and by

other local

programmatic

Council

proposals,

and

other

being

Ashford

establishments.

Making

it clear that

Ashford

is in

process of economic growth and hence social and urban development of infrastructure.

the

other

hand

one

can

particular

the

moment

developing

barely

that

would

and

play

vibrant urban environment. about

notice

any

improving crucial

This

vital

There

processes

role

are at

forming

raises the questions

essentiality of public spaces, where various

community

groups

local

and

visiting

town

people

can interact, socialise, enjoy town environment and become a part of it.

This

might be a key solution

in revitalising the town centre and other important public places and routes.

Reasons

of such choice of the project.

There

are

several

reasons

that

Temporary Public Space / Pavilion. To begin with, Ashford has a very poor urban public space. The only part of the town which works as a public space is the High street and shopping centre on the same street. None of these places offer a proper space and conditions for public events, gatherings and various social activities. Ashford has only one place for Art and Culture, Stour Valley Arts Gallery, which is trying to cope with cultural education, providing various exhibitions, workshops, talks and other art activities within the town. The workshops the art community provides are mostly conducted in Ashford woods and fields and not involving the town centre. The reason of taking this particular site and building up temporary project is the advantage of the location and of the current state of the site.

‘island’

old

brick-wall

semi-abandoned

buildings is surrounded by main roads, civil buildings and

developing is

located

infrastructure within

International Station to the town centre.

second reason was the research of all current uses the

buildings

and

courtyards

walking

around.

distance

used or totally abandoned. of

buildings

relatively

them.

between

Half

Moreover Ashford

and on the way from the station

yards,

and

big

plot

Despite

all

of the small scale

together

land

with

they

the

compound

constructions

that currently couldn’t be refurbished or demolished.

Thorough

research of city council proposals and real

plans for this area showed that the constructions as they are right now will stay at least for half a year more.

At this point my Interim Use Project.

project took the direction of

Developing the Project Network and Interested Users. Meet-Ups and other creative enterprises. As

influenced

to come up with the idea of

This

of the buildings and spaces of this plot is poorly

developments and changes in the town life. no

The

any town or city more or less,

discovering

Ashford

has

got a certain amount of cultural, social or business startup groups.

They

Ashford,

are scattered all over

some of them are located quite far from the centre, others groups

don’t

just

working,

possess

collaborating,

are

constantly

appropriate

exhibiting.

inspirational environments.

space

Most

new

Temporary

for

these

spaces

and

use of buildings

is one of the current responses to meet this demand.

“Many

the

groups

responsible

for

accumulate

enough

such

demand

are, moreover, unstable and too far form established markets

able

capital

complete with the demand in urban real estate markets or

even

purchase

space.

These

include

range

of social uses, such as club activities, space for children

and

activities term;

young

that in

the

people

need

space

field

etc., but

in not

culture,

general

social

over

the

long

which

has

long

since grown out of the classical sites for culture and places for popular culture and needs flexible spaces of all sizes.”

Rudolf Kohoutek, Christa Kamleithner, Temporary Uses, Deregulation and Urbanity in Temporary Urban Space __ Concepts for the Use of City, Basel,

Boston, Berlin, 2006,

p.30

realisation.

The more I Ashford, the more

it was becoming clearer that there

terms

big

gap

was

exploring of

different

public

parts

spaces

and

facilities for different social activities.

urban

While

the same time there is a lot of waste land, unused buildings and abandoned territories.

This

observations

made me think of combining and applying my two fields of research.

Lack

of the public space and big amount

Temporary

of unused recourses lead me to the idea of

Public Space

Meet-ups, Start-ups enterprises.

creative

Here

for

and

other

My design concept ended up being built 1:1. Through research and experience I have

in scale realised

Step 2 Process

Exploring Find out abandoned.

real

it being

intervention on the explored site.

The

result as well as the process of achieving it step me

full

The

multisided

experience

Architecture

particular sphere of

Urban

and

this

design.

idea of the project was to gain full awareness

of the issues, and unexpected situations which would be faced in creating such a structure.

faced a lot of challenges, which made me adapt my

project.

This

was

due

short

period

for

project

realisation combined with real site conditions, real communities and organisations.

project

designing also: and

eventually

and

became

developing

communicating,

dealing

eventually

with

achieving

process on

networking,

desirable

and

not

paper,

the

promoting

permissions,

project

Temporary Public Space / Pavilion

result

only

research

go work

gradually

the

through and

moved

final

concept to

stage

certain the

the reasons and premisses of

Project site is situated on the International Station to the town of

building

Place

and

courtyards

were warehouses in the

Ashford The block between them in Dover remote past. For a long way

form

centre.

time the area has been used as a storage for cars and furniture of the

Gateway

night club

and pub

“Hustle”

charity shop.

“Platform5”

There

which are

the most active uses of the area buildings.

the new town planning project most of the buildings

period

development.

actual

process

Commercial Quarter.

and of

Afterwards

Step 3 Starting developing the network of the project agenda. Meeting the “Meet-up” community and other relevant contacts for my project development. Attending different meet-up groups and others

gathering of the creative communities set a start of

project,

new

ideas

as an interim use

site.

achieve

the location, advantages and

but

of the gap between intended and practiced use of the

To I had to

has

would be knocked down and the area would be part of

concept

regulations

which

of researching and analysing the current state

of the site.

disadvantages.

gave

steps

Step 1 Finding an appropriate site for my concept of the Reuse of the vacant land. I did a lot of walking research in order to discover the unused spaces and constructions. Eventually I came across the site on Dover Street which is 2 minutes’ walk from the Ashford International Station and 10 minutes’ walk to the town centre. I considered the beneficial location of the site and

that the best way of displaying my ideas would be a

step

major

appropriate project site.

the

the abandoned state of most of the building as very

Project Development. Steps of the Realization.

Temporary

are

resulted the final completed stage of the project.

theoretical project

the whole project network and helped to get important people on board.

Step 4 Choosing

First

the

site.

project

first concept of the project structure of the site constructions finding

out

what

scaffolding.

Choice

and

available

first

project

site

community

which

the

was and

members

performance space.

use as a

achieve

materials

for

set

timber and related

the of

building the

group

Step 5 Using

the obtained connections to get in contact with

the site owner organisation.

With the help of Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council I got through the Homes and Communities Agency and the representative who is responsible for that particular area. Arranging a meeting to present my concept. Unexpected

in the project development.

to the other nearby site

‘Migrating’ - Courtyard #2.

with the site owner representative gave me

opportunity for

while.

visit

the

Discovering

site, the

which

was

closed

difficulties

that

prevent erecting the structure.

Finding

new solutions

for

another

site

the

concept.

Courtyard#2.

Considering

the

the new site. pavilion

local

artists

Building

and

arranging

collaboration

a structure and involving artists

in the construction process. Extending project network. Communicating with local Stour Valley Art Gallery and getting through new members of the project - “Joining Hands “ art-craft community and individual artists. Engaging new members in the project event program. Relevant moment of the project - finding scaffolders who are graffiti artists as well. Getting permission to use scaffolding material for art installation.

Step 10 construction done and arranging events on the

project week.

Step 11 Holding

series of

Events

on the project, documenting

the process and collecting the various opinions about the idea of

debate

report.

Temporary Public Space. Arranging survey Ashford Public Realm. Making a

about

- Summarising design mode of the first concept to the new

project site.

Adapting

together.

Step 12

Step 7 Applying

Step 9

Getting

Step 6 Meeting

“Breeding” the project networking. Meeting site neighbors, other local art and culture community groups. Setting up the programmatic agenda of the project. Finding interested users and project members. Communicating with Drama Theatre group as a closest neighbours. Meeting

the

courtyard,

that

the

possibilities,

material

Considering

Drama Theatre

existing on

the

- Courtyard #1. Designing

varieties

period of time.

Relating

to peculiarities and

Step 8

the work has been done and the feedback

has been got through the whole process of realisation the project.

concept

scaffolding

structure

Designing a new form of scaffolding ‘courtyard within courtyard’.

concept of

Aspirations

The

Project Usage

in terms of

aspiration behind the project

–

art

is to get

as much public engagement as possible, in order to make the

Space / Pavilion

act as stage for various

community groups and people of

Ashford ,

“Ashford Visual Artists”. After

group

to use the

vacant space while it is unused and to turn it into

various space

events

for

held,

were

art,

exhibiting

using

the

project

communicating

and

up with friends or new people.

The

location

and

the

abounded

state

unpredictable.

enjoy the space as it is.

it into bright attractive public space.

the task, to revitalise grey

got some public coverage, was published in

turn

‘dead’

this

unused

area

place at least for one week.

The

pavilion that could

into

lively

vibrant

most desirable thing for me is to get my structure

used by public.

Preferably

in a creative way.

i would like to keep the programmatic agenda and open for various options.

Though free

definitely would love

some group of artists to come and use my structure as three-dimensional canvas, to play with it and use it for their own installations.

The

shape and robustness

of the construction allows to do a lot.

thematic

lecture,

meet-up

event

moment could happen.

That life

film-screening

could be the most amazing response to my short

project.

sure

Ashford

happening in

that

very often.

such

things

Hence I

are

not

was trying

my best to find someone who would appreciate such a chance and would like to have a creative fun together.

Project Results

people

project

was

successfully

built

with

involvement and support of many various members and participants. realising

the

was

project

got

planned involved

the

process

many

creative

Ashford, and even Maidstone Canterbury. The major participants were local artists Olga van Djike and David Hover, artcraft community “Joining Hands”, graffiti artists Dean Hatcher, Tom Stanley and Lloyd Glayzer and people and communities of and

spot and to turn

The

project

Kentish Ashford

passing by families and people of different

groups.

Moreover

the

space

worked

Ashford

the travellers changing trains in around

town

the

closest

International Station. The opinions of reflected

the

concern

particular area and

Both,

the

proximity

visitors about

Ashford Public

process

were

current

well

for

and walking

Ashford

positive state

and this

realm in general.

well

future

the

result

brought me important experience and valuable skills, would

followed

The

‘dead’

and the pavilion itself attracted attention of local

Hopefully

User’s Feedback.

the

Express newspaper and was mentioned in various Kent websites, such as Kent Creative Life and Ashford Art Festival. From the public side the project got the most desirable diverse attention and good feedback. Due to network and press coverage the Pavilion was visited by local artists, artists from other nearby towns and members of various art organisations. Art exhibitions

that and

and

age

would be also great if a workshop, art-classes,

the other hand it was a part of

to life, artists can exhibit work and people can just an architect i have designed my structure

meeting

site obviously made the the process challenging and

a lively public space where creative ideas could come

which is temporary public space

the

construction was built and opened for public, several

definitely the project

series

work

“Pop-up new

ambitious

will bring lively public scene of

practice.

public yard” will be projects

Ashford.

which

Start of the Construction Period Officialy got the Permission to Use the Vacant Site from 1st August - 1st September

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS - DAY 1

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

DOCUMENTING THE PROCESS

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS - DAY 2

painting the structure

/ â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;getting

whiteâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

PAINTED STRUCTURE

MEETING ‘JOINING HANDS’ COMMUNITY

building table

bringing furniture

attaching first piece

working out method of textile attachment

attaching mdf map of ashford to scaffolding

MAP | LONG TABLE | PLINTHS

PROJECT WEEK BLURB | 17th - 25th AUGUST

DATE 17

EVENT

GUESTS, PARTICIPANTS

Opening Day morning - creating and attaching graffiti signboards / announcement of Opened public space “Pop-up Public Yard“ 3.00-5.00pm - Public Opening, Survey/Debaits on the theme “Temporary public Space / Ashford Public Space Realm “ Opening of the Local Ashford Artist’s Exhibition Olga van Djike and David Hover ‘Ashfird Visual Artists’ community - Life Portrait Sketching Open (Not

for

PLANNED

Public Visit Day

free for any art or social activity)

Children Art/Graffity Workshop - Tom Stanley

Ashford Public Ashford Artists other Visiters Ashford Public other Visiters

occupied for special events yet

graffity artist

Stour Valley Art Members Ashford Artists / Meet-up members Ashford Public, other Visiters

might be swoped

Youth Club, Skatepark

the day

Street Theatre Day (?

Open (Not

for

Open (Not

for

settling

)

Public Visit Day

occupied for special events yet

free for any art or social activity)

Public Visit Day

occupied for special events yet

free for any art or social activity)

10.00am - 4.00pm Art Craft Fair / Exhibition / Art Class Artists from Joining Hands Community

CLOSING OF THE TEMPORARY PUBLIC SPACE

Ashford Public other Visiters

members

LIST OF ALL POSSIBLE MEMBERS AND USERS OF THE PROJECT

Chris Dixon Arts & Cultural Industries Manager Ashford Borough Council Duncan Brannan Visual Arts Officer Arts & Culture Service, Kent County Council

arts@kent.gov.uk

Martin Barrow Homes and Communities Agency, UK Betsy Aidinyantz & Keighly Smith Community Crafts Centre Joining Hands, Ashford Lucy Medhurst Head of Education & Learning Stour Valley Arts, Ashford Huttson Lo Director Stour Valley Art / Meet-Up Group Organizer, Ashford

http://www.meetup.com/Ashford-Culture-Creativity-Hub/events/112441902/?g-

j=wc1d_e&a=wc1d_gnl&rv=wc1d_e&_af_ eid=112441902&_af=event

Dean Hatcher DEAN HATCHER SCAFFOLDING / Graffity Artist, Ashford Tom Stanley Graffity Artist / Art Graffiti Workshop Curator Ashford, Maidstone Individaul Ashford Artists Olga Van Djike and David Hover Stella Crichley Ashford Youth Theatre, Ashford Certain number (settling)

Individual Artists, 2-4

PROJECT WEEK PROGRAM | 17th - 25th AUGUST

DATE 17

EVENT

CARRIED OUT

EVENT OUTCOME

The Opening

happened and some of the

invited guests came over to have a look.

Signboards show.

attaching was a part of the

Exhibition was attended by local artist, guests, friends of the artists and passing by ashford citizens. Good weather / good organization / lack of people on the streets. Ashford Public Ashford Artists other Visiters

Second day of Exhibition Olga van Djike and David Hover

20 21 22

Children Art/Graffity Workshop - Tom Stanley

graffity artist

MUSIC BAND SET “THE fuNKSters“

might be arrange something similar together with art craft fair

10.00am - 4.00pm Art Craft Fair / Exhibition / Art Class Artists from Joining Hands Community

CLOSING OF THE TEMPORARY PUBLIC SPACE

Everythings was cancelled BAD weather conditions

due to

ACTUAL EVENT WEEK

POP-UP PUBLIC YARD Interim use of vacant urban space

A project by Anna Solomatina | MA Architecture - UCA Canterbury School of Architecture You are cordially invited to a series of cultural events in Ashford, Kent. From 17th - 25th of August, Anna Solomatina and her team will transform an unused courtyard in central Ashford into a public urban space. A purpose-built temporary pavilion acts as a stage for number of performances, exhibitions, film screenings, workshops and debates. The programme involves artists, community groups and young entrepreneurs from Ashford, Kent and beyond. Opening: 17th August at XX.00 pm At Dover Place | 2 minutes walk from Ashford International Station Ashford, Kent Postcode Contact: solomatina.anna@gmail.com 84

Temporary Pop-up Pavilion / Public Space

“POP-UP PUBLIC YARD“ PUBLICATION IN KENTISH EXPRESS

PROJECT FACEBOOK PAGE

ASHFORD FESTIVAL WEBSITE NEWSLETTER

KENT CREATIVE NEWSLETTER AND TWEETER

POSSIBLE OBJECTS TO DEMOLISH

Canterbury School 12 / 13

100

Architecture / University

of the

Creative Arts