Fractured Cities

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boARd lAYoUT gUIdE +

[1] Initial Site Analysis + Identifying issues [2] primary Response.

e.g. further research, concept development, strategy genera-

[3] Form+Function development

e.g. Spatial+ aesthetic strategies. Research and development into circulation, environment, technology. Integrated with further conceptual development

[4] Final Representation

Final project drawings, e.g. sections/plans/elevations/ 3d visuals, along with technical + sustainbility outlines.

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The UK riots that took place in the summer of 2011 brought the fractures that exist in our cities, both physically and socially, to attention. Crime is an acceptable way of life for certain sections of communities, which results in the differences between different areas of neighborhoods growing greater in size with every generation that passes. A key cause of crime is exclusion. St Anns, a district of Nottingham famed for its crime issues, is a perfect example of this.

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Nottingham has a main network of transport links running across it. The most heavily used methods of transport are the car, the tram and buses. However many people are also beginning to see the benefits of cycling. Sport is often seen as an activity that people can channel their excess energy into. Therefore, cycling is a unique brand, as not only is it useful as a mode of transport, but it also a sport that many people develop a passion for competitively.

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The top diagram shows that antisocial behavior is a serious problem throughout the UK. This trend continues St Anns, where it is the most common crime type. When a lack of facilities are available, sometimes people cry out for attention in other ways. They may also become involved with crime as a form of keeping themselves busy. The bottom diagram shows that the majority of these crimes take place during the summer months, most likely when children are off school and bored.

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The diagram on the next page depicts the worst areas of crime around Nottingham, and some of the key statistics for each.


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When walking through St Anns, the urban decay is clear to see. The downfall in aesthetics between the section bordering the city and the heart of the neighborhood is huge. All green spaces are caged off by defensive looking barriers, and most building materials are aged and worn out.

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Image depicting the exclusion barrier between a vibrant Nottingham, and a desolate St Anns.

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Exclusion is a huge factor that influences crime, and this could not be clearer in St Anns. Nottingham itself is a vibrant city full of character, with plenty going on all year round. However, the youth in St Anns feel like they do not belong. They live in a section of the city that has become ignored and pushed aside. on the next couple of pages you can see a couple of interviews carried out with people in St Anns, and sport is seen as a solution to the area’s problems. There is nothing to do in St Anns, therefore crime is seen as a form of entertainment.

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INTERVIEWS Fellow architecture student, Tom Hurrell, and I carried out a number of interviews when visiting St Anns to hear what the local community thought about their neighborhood, and the reputation it has gained. Architecture is a social tool that has a responsibility to listen to the needs of those whose lives are going to be effected by it. Therefore these interviews played a huge role in the project’s development. INTERVIEW A Interviewee: Colleen Francis Occupation: Manager of the Robin Hood Chase Advice Centre 10 November 2011 Thomas Hurrell: Hi, my name is Tom and this is Dan. We are from the University of Lincoln and on an Architecture course. We are currently collecting information about this area as our chosen site is in St Ann’s. Would you mind answering a few questions and letting us know how it is to live and work around here? Francis Colleen:

Hi, No I don’t mind at all.

Thomas Hurrell: Great, ok firstly what are your views on the crime reputation in the area and do you feel there is a problem especially with youth crime? Francis Colleen: I feel the a lot of the reputation in the area has been blown out of proportion by the media, though of course I still clearly think there is a problem like many cities. I feel safe walking around here though in the early evenings, however I think it’s because I know the area well and know many of the people around here. Youth crime is an issue and there are many programs in the area that are looking at aiding these problems such as the youth club here. Daniel Masterman: Ok, I understand. How then, if in anyway, do you think the area can be improved to benefit the local community, for example any facilities or services that don’t already exist and would benefit? Francis Colleen: I believe there are enough facilities for the youth with youth clubs for example but not enough for the older generation. They need to walk into the centre (city) to go to a pub of cafe, which is obviously sometimes too much of a hassle for them. So I think a place for them would be a good idea. Thomas Hurrell: Do think possibly connecting the two generations would be a good idea, the young and old with some kind of intergenerational project? Francis Colleen: I think there is definitely room and maybe a need for this because though the two generations in the area generally respect one another the connection between them could be improved so yes I think this would be a good idea. Daniel Masterman: Ok, what areas and features of St Ann’s do you like and most proud of? Francis Colleen: There is a link from the Robin Hood chase area to the elm right up to the arboretum, and is quite a historical feature for St Ann’s obviously because of the myth of Robin Hood. It is a nice feature to have especially because of its green and garden like feel, which is a nice environment to get away from the greyness of the general area. So I think there could be more open greener spaces around as the area is very dense in buildings especially residential. There is currently in the masterplan for the Robin Hood Chase area there are plans to build more residential building and many of the locals were against it in a meeting because they wanted more open space rather than the closed, hidden areas such as the alleyways that the residential building create. Thomas Hurrell:

That’s great thanks. Do you know of any more future redevelopments in the area?

Francis Colleen: The only thing I can think of is the Locksley residential building is planned to be knocked down, I think it’s partly to do with its reputation of being quite a dodgy place and it’s a bit run down. Dan Masterman:

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That’s great. Thank you very much for your time.


INTERVIEW B Interviewee: DAVID LIVERSIDGE Occupation: ST ANN’S WARD COUNSELLOR 10 November 2011 Thomas Hurrell: Hi, my name is Tom and this is Dan. We are from the University of Lincoln and on an Architecture course. We are currently collecting information about this area as our chosen site is in St Ann’s and were wondering if you could answer a few questions and help us in anyway? Dave Liversidge:

That says fine. What would you like to know?

Daniel Masterman: Firstly, what are your views on the crime reputation in the area and do you feel there is a problem especially with youth crime? Dave Liversidge: Yes, there is a problem here for crime, but many dense residential areas like St Ann’s in cities have social problems. In terms of youth in particular, I don’t believe it is as big of a problem as it used to be. We have many youth clubs and advice centres around that have aimed to help and have had some success. Thomas Hurrell: Yes, we have noticed from statistics that the area has improved in recent years. What are the future plans for this area and what would you like to see happen here to improve St Ann’s? Dave Liversidge: Well, the main focus for any future development in the area is to utilise any open spaces, making them more appealing and welcoming because there are many open areas that are just not being used because they just don’t appear to be public, whether because it is fenced off or whatever. Another issue that is being looked into is encouraging people to travel up the hills in St Ann’s because I don’t know if you know, but St Ann’s sits in a valley and St Ann’s Well Road (the main road through St Ann’s that leads to the city centre) runs along the bottom of it. This means that people tend not to travel off the main road which results in local businesses that are set back off the road having fewer customers. We have the Robin Hood Chase Path which is an important feature in helping this situation but it’s not enough. Daniel Masterman: That’s brilliant thanks. That’s given us really interesting information about the area. Just lastly, what kind of facilities do you think are needed in the area? Dave Liversidge: Well to be honest, I think there are plenty of indoor facilities such as the youth centre etc, but not enough outdoor facilities, there is actually plans for a football pitch to be made on the large green area at the bottom of this path because the space is just being wasted for the reason I mentioned earlier. But having said that, I think maybe more cafes, restaurants or bars possibly, would be welcome because the older generations have to travel into the city centre for such amenities and generally have little to do or visit in the area. Thomas Hurrell:

Thank you very much. You have been a great help

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INTERVIEW C Interviewee: NAMES WITHHELD Occupation: OWNERS OF LOCAL FISH AND CHIP SHOP 10 nOVEMBER 2011 Daniel Masterman: Hi, my name is Dan and this is Tom. We currently are studying Architecture at the University of Lincoln. For our project we have chosen a site in St Ann’s and are collecting information about this area. Would you mind answering a few questions and letting us know how it is to live and work around here? Interviewee:

Yes that’s fine no worries.

Daniel Masterman: Ok, thanks. We’ve seen quite a lot of negative publicity surrounding St. Ann’s, do you think it lives up to this reputation? Interviewee: Personally I don’t notice anything particularly bad, but that’s probably because we’ve lived here all our lives. We get the odd dodgy character coming in now and again, but that’s the same with everywhere isn’t it. It’s a shame the area has this reputation because it effects the local trade seeing as people just don’t want to stop when they pass through. Thomas Hurrell: Yeah, it does feel like the reputation gives an edge to the atmosphere round here. What kind of action do you think needs to be taken in order to improve the area and people’s thoughts about it? Interviewee: There just needs to be more stuff to do really, you see kids standing on the street corners all the time but that’s mainly because there’s nothing else provided for them to occupy their spare time. Daniel Masterman: What kind of things do you think need to be provided? Interviewee: Well we’ve been promised a football pitch and other kinds of sports facilities on the large green area opposite for the last 10 years. The council had been saving money for quite a while to try and fund something, but instead it seems to have been spent on security measures and maintenance. Also, there’s nothing for the older generations to do. The advice centre runs all these youth schemes but half of the youngsters never turn up. I’m sure if they put on some kind of events for the older local’s they’d be more popular. Thomas Hurrell: We’ve noticed this as well. This is our third trip to St Ann’s and we’ve explored the area thoroughly each time, and we’ve never actually noticed a pub, restaurant or any other kind of public facility that’s actually open. What do you do outside of work? Interviewee: Well usually we have to go into the city to go to the cinema or have a meal out and all that. There have been a number of pubs opened over the years, but they all shut down after a while, and of course over time this bad reputation grows and no one ends up wanting to open a pub in St Ann’s. There’s a new multi-use centre opening just behind us, and that should hopefully bring more people into the area, but again it’s not really providing people, especially the youngsters, with something to do. There needs to be something done with all the large spaces that have been fenced up. There’s so much potential there and it’s depressing to see it go to waste.

Thomas Hurrell: Do you think an intergenerational type of facility would work well? Or do you think there is too bigger divide between the generations? Interviewee: I personally think it would work very well. We get loads of the youngster’s in here, and they may look dodgy to some but we’ve seen that they’ve all got hearts of gold really. Something definitely needs to be done to provide a facility for different generations, whether that’s separate or together. Hopefully the new multi-use centre will make people want to visit St Ann’s, but I think a more sport and activity orientated facility would attract more. Daniel Masterman: Sure, talking of the new multi-use centre, have there been any other new developments built recently? Interviewee: Well the advice centre just opposite is relatively new, but we can’t say it’s helped us. Sure it’s good to have one, but the positioning of it couldn’t be worse. We used to be able to see the main road from here and had a lovely view of the Chase, but now that buidling’s

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blocked it all off. I think that is the main problem with the new development’s round here; none of the planners seem to take the people who are actually going to be in and around the building into account. If this area’s going to be improved, it needs to be through something the people want. Daniel Masterman: And we gather this is something sports and activity orientated, but also intergenerational as well? Interviewee:

Yes, that sounds great to us!

Thomas Hurrell: That’s brilliant, thank you very much for your help.

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When travelling through St Anns, a number of open space opportunities presented themself. These spaces were either used as car parks, or fenced off from public use with security like barriers.

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Areas of usage and potential sites.

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Rather than developing a project near the border between Nottingham and St Anns, it seemed more appropriate to create a facility that would directly serve the community. Two social barriers had become apparent. one between Nottingham and St Anns, but also between the neighboring valleys. St Anns lay in one dip, while neighboring communities existed in the others. However it is rare for people to travel from one valley to the other.


developing in the heart of St Anns meant that people from other areas would have to venture further into the neighborhood, therefore creating a more vibrant and active atmosphere.

The valley set up provided a perfect platform for an interesting form of architecture that would link the two fractions within the urban fabric together. by creating viewpoints and inviting access routes the space could become socially enhanced.

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FUNCTIoN

Researching the history of Nottingham revealed that it was the birthplace of Raleigh cycles. When interviewing residents of St Anns, it emerged that a new development that provided sports facilities would be very popular. Therefore integrating this request with a part of the area’s proud heritage appeared to be the logical next step.

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The topography surrounding St Anns divides different neighborhoods into different valleys. After speaking to some of the locals, it became clear that people would stick to their own valleys for their everyday needs such as shopping and visiting people, and would rarely venture over the hills into the neighboring communities. When people do cross from one valley to the other, it is either when they are passing through by car or by travelling into the city center. However there is one historical route that is successful in attracting people to cross from one valley to the other either by foot or by bike. This is the ‘Robin Hood Chase’ path that leads from the arboretum down into the St Anns Well Road valley. This path is naturally orientated with trees and hedges lining the whole route, and it provides a welcome break from the surrounding urban fabric that otherwise consists of decaying concrete. by linking the project into this path, there will be a greater attraction for even more people to use the route, and know that there is a social facility waiting at the end.

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Cycling is a proud part of Nottingham’s heritage. Creating a cycling-based sports facility that doubled up as a venue where local people could be trained in the mechanics of bicycles fits the gap in the community perfectly. people could learn new skills leading them on to better job prospects and fresh hobbies.

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Form inspiration is taken from the kinetic movement involved in the mechanical components of a bicycle. These movements are then represented by a dynamic form, as seen growing down the leg of the cyclist in the image directly above. The dynamic qualities of a contoured landscape being dissected have a similarity to these forms and the two aspects combine naturally. Therefore the main inspiration for form was derived from the concept of these kinetic-based objects cutting and exposing different sections of the landscape. landscaping holds an important role in the project’s development, so the combination of these two key aspects is a natural progression in the process.

A design and Access Statement for the first prototype proposal follows, following the guidelines listed as part of ARC3005M.

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The final layout on site created far more intriguing pathways and spaces in and around the buildings. A bridge connects the two opposing hills that run parallel to St Anns Well Road, providing a level of crossing for pedestrians and a seperate level of crossing for cyclists. A wooden decking provides access for all user types in and around the buildings. The movement through and around the development is one of the major parts of the concept, and is therefore taken into key consideration. All buildings are made up of exterior timber frameworks that oscillate vertically to create a kinetic motion digging into the landscape. The landscape goes up onto certain parts of each building to integrate the new building into the existing, naturally beautiful urban fabric.


The workshop aims to relate to Nottinghams proud cycling heritage. The workshop will be open to members of the public to assist them with any problems they may be experiencing with their own bicycle. The workshop will also run classes on bicycle mechanics. Cycling is becoming a major sport in the UK, with the recent success of the gb cycling team at the 2008 olympics inspiring many people to get involved. Career prospects are promising in the industry. At the workshop, people of all ages have the chances to learn new skills covering the manufacturing process of all sorts of things, not just bicycles. These skills can then be taken to gain apprenticeships or improve individual job prospects.


The buildings exterior privatizes certain spaces such as the offices and WC’s, but the rest of the space is sheltered by a timber skeleton that allows those passing by to become a part of the activities that are taking place inside. Natural lighting is also very important for both aesthetic and sustainable


INITIAl ElEVATIoNS +SECTIoNS

These initial drawings do not represent the final building. However they do aim to represent the sympathy the final building will show to the surrounding natural context. Timber blends in with surroundings, and the low building heights combined with banks climbing up certain parts of the exterior helps to create a harmonious whole.



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