ART CATALYST by desawit1hagos

AN ART CATALYST

THESIS PROJECT I MANCHESTER SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE I MA Architecture and Urbanism

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION Importance of Arts in Manchester Essence of art & Culture in Manchester Evolution of Arts In Northern Quarter History Of Northern Quarter page.6-13

DESIGN CONCEPT

RESEARCH DATA Northern Quarter and it conservation area Northern Quarter ‘s Users and art society Developments surrounding Northern Quarter Case Studies page.16-25

SITE LOCATION

page.38-45

Urban Fabric Problems and Solutions Surrounding envirnoment Landuse Canal Analysis SWOT Analysis what we concluded

page.28-35

Migrating with arts ART CATALYST ? Conceptual idea Site connectivity and zoning

DESIGN STRATEGIES Program & Strategy Project Description Concept Surrounding connections Transformations Functions & circulation Public space Materials Environmental concerns page.48-59

DICUSSION &

DESIGN PROPOSAL Masterplan Ground floor plan Canal floor plan Section A-A Art hostel

page.62-69

ART ACKNOWLEGDGEMENT

CONCLUSION

page.78-79

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT VISUALISATIONS Art Center Public Space Canal

My tutor Dominic Sagar, my primary supervisor, guided and encouraged me throughout the study process so that I could pursue this thesis project and complete it to my greatest potential. I’d also like to thank him again for his invaluable assistance throughout the process, which he provided through his extensive evaluative techniques and feedbacks.

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9 BIBLIOGRAPHY

page.74-77

Studio B Chapter 1 - 4 Studio C Chapter 5 - 8 MA ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM

Thesis Project Kisanet Hagos Siyum Goitom [20020569] Tutor : Dominic Sagar

page.82

1900: Looking up Oldham Street towards Ancoats (Image: Manchester Libraries - http://images.manchester.gov.uk)

We want a vernacular in art. No mere verbal or formal agreement, or dead level of uniformity but that comprehensive and harmonizing unity with individual variety which can be developed among people politically and socially free. Walter Crane

01 INTRODUCTION

Northern Quarter is rich city with historical background of 2.5 century. Walking in Northern Quarter , the street art is dominating the spirit of the city but what about its history and ther various arts studies that shaped Northern Quarter and Manchester?

HISTORY OF NORTHERN QUARTER

Oldham Street in 1988 14(Image: Manchester Libraries - http://images.manchester.gov.uk)

‘Art is not only a useful thing… but is, certainly for all dwellers in large towns, a necessary for health. Neither the community nor the individual, who is not affected by the influence of Art, can possibly live a full healthy life in a modern town.’ Thomas Horsfall, founder of the Manchester Art Museum.

02 RESEARCH DATA

Northern Quarter is a rich area with historical background of 2.5 century. Walking in Northern Quarter , the street art is dominating the spirit of the area but what about its history and the other various arts studies that shaped manchester?

NORTHERN QUARTER AND ITS CONSERVATION AREAS

their

Manchester

PUBLIC CONSULTATION The MA Architecture and Urbanism students from the Manchester School of Architecture held a Public Consultation meeting on November 2018 at the Craft Center in the Northern Quarter (NQ). It was a successful informative and interactive event that attracted residents of the NQ members of Mnachester City Council and many interested passerby.

They discussed on community,architecture,planning,infrastructure,public spaces, transport,etc

COMMENTS “More greenery is deperately needed in Manchester” “Northern Quarter has an inherited roughness that is part of its character” “The NCP and other car parks (have) taken over the Northern Quarter” “It’s good to see a consultation beginning from a human perspective rather than commercial opportunity” “The pedestrianization of the central road is strong aspirational one”

SURROUNDING DEVELOPMENTS

CASE STUDY - WEAVER COTTAGE

CASE STUDY

CONNECTION OF

OTHER ART BUILDING TO NORTHERN QUARTER

25 25

Northern Quarter ‘s Art source : Author

03 SITE LOCATION

After understanding the historical background of Northern Quarter ,its current physical and social context was analyzed in order to identify the issues and work on the solutions that would knot up the history and art of Northern Quarter maintaining the existing independent spirit of the area.

URBAN FABRIC

The proposed site is located at the edge of Northern Quarter, and is surrounded with canals and next to Ancoats. The urrban fabric shows the Northern Quarter ‘s settlement is grid system and it is due to the Industrial time as the industry was growing more accommodation was need for the workers . so they used to add buildings lineary and add more as the industry gets bigger, but this grid system is not creating a junction point for strong permeability within Northern Quarter. Green space is lacking in Northern Querter and also a clear connection with piccadilly garden, New islington Marina,Arndale ,Piccadilly Station.

MACRO ANALYSIS

29 29

LANDUSE

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS (KEY PRINCIPLE)

SWOT ANALYSIS

CANAL ANALYSIS

WHAT CAN WE CONCLUDE

Aerial view of designated sites. Source: Google Earth

“First life, then spaces, then buildings the other way around never works” Jan Gehl

04 DESIGN CONCEPT

Based on the learnings obtained from the previous stage, proposal was obtained that take place in Northern Quarter, and later expand to other areas. The strategies range from architectural, to urban, to social and conform a whole plan that would be developed in further chapters Northern Quarter...

MIGRATING WITH ARTS

In studio A, we dicuss about migration and the interesting part is that the map express the migration of art. I believe art starts within yourself then it build up and gets developed by the surrounding such as familiy, your country, belief, travelling and many more. It is important to celebrate your art as it is abolutely sure that everyone has an art in him/her , from clothes,shoe,school,hairstyle,room,food,sport,accessories and so on. both youth & Northern Quarter are equally benefitting from the project

Project

STUDENT RESIDENT VISITOR NEIGHBOUR

ART CATALYST

Youth social issue

crimes 2018-19 compared with 2012-13 had increased by 40%.

USERS Youth

Youth needs a platform to move out of the gang,drug,knife crime and build up their life in a vibrant community with diverse background. The youth are highly interested in art.

Northern Quarter economy issue

Northern Quarter ‘asset = ART

Local resident Independent business Tourist

Survey

This survey was published by art council of England showing art is necessary to youth in UK. What do you like to do in your free time?

How important are the arts to you ? “I have had the chance to see these things for myself growing up because it is not often that youth get to see a lot of people in the education system or at home that celebrate the idea of being involved in the arts, which then reflects onto their mindset of it”

What type of arts do you like to engage in?

How do you access the art? What prevents you from taking part?

40 40

Art Council England

ART CATALYST ?

PAPER

ART HUB network The idea of building a strong network within the art buildings in Manchester is very vital to support the artist. The Art Hub is backbone of the network, exchanging services with the existing art buildings.

Art Gallery

NORTHERN QUARTER/ ART

catalyst

.an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action

Generation Gallery

Northern Quarter

CITY CENTRE ART HUB The ART HUB in Northern Quarter will infuse art through the city and will help to bring the youths out of their neighbourhood. In this art hub, the youth will be guded to a propserscy path.

The Factory

Art Catalyst

Contemporary Six The Gallery

Art Centre

Manchester Art Gallery

Saul Hay Gallery

NEW ISLINGTON

AWOL Studios

Castlefield Gallery

Art Centre

Z-arts

Art Centre

HULME The Whitworth

ARDWICK

Art Museum

MOSS SIDE

THE SITE

CONCEPTUAL IDEA

AN ART CATALYST Visions: •provide a networking art community for the youth in Manchester and for the better Northern Quarter. •reflecting the strong history, simultaneously with the existing evolution of art of Northern Quarter. •use of flexible spaces to reflect the existing independent atmosphere.

Aims: •to design an art hub that can facilitate youth and different groups of art community and in wider context. •regenerate the Rochdale canal to improve boating and wildlife. •create a network within the art museum, art center , art gallery ,art school and art stores. By making the Northern Quarter headquarter of the network using the art center. This art center will infuse in and out the artistic atmosphere and energy to the community . •attract the neighbours and connect their activities from the existing New Islington Marina and Piccadilly garden such as walking, running, cycling etc

3D - surrounding existing context 46Source: Author

“When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty.... but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong” Richard Buckminster Fuller

05 DESIGN STRATEGIES

The strategies focuses on the primary design of art center,public space,canal and network. Respecting the history and existing issue helped to direct the strategies that will enhance Northern Quarter to blend in with the niegbouring ‘s develpments.

PROGRAM

STRATEGY

PROJECT DESCRIPTION COMMUNITY ART CENTER

the project is archiecture and urban scale project to redevelope Northern Quarter . It is a MIX-USE complex facilating Northern Quarter and his neigbouring area

[community issue ] + [ Northern Quarter assets ]

YOUTH

ART

Community Art Center is designed for the the youth to help them showcase their talents in different areas providing a hostel to stay and experinces the live+work+enjoy. This center will also help to enage NQ economical with the neigbouring area. Public spaces will be designed with different art work on it .

Art Center + Public Space + Residential + Canal

The site Area: 11475.0m2 Project: Art Community Center Footprint Area: 2345.8m2 Total built Area: 4578.7m2

The site is an Art Exhibition

The existing site is surrounded by historical building , grafitti wall,building with interesting painting and street with full of graffiti buildings

THE SITE EXISTING CONTEXT

CONCEPT CONCEPTUAL APPROACH

-the area to be built is chosen -the original canal ‘s path is redesigned back

-maximuming the green spaces by defining 3 main space -redefining the outdoor spaces by connecting 3 green space -reorganising the context by connecting the canal path , bicycle route and pedestrain path.

-cross path to integrate the functions by creating two man vistas with interative functions -open air auditorium -park/plaza

ZONING CONCEPTUAL SYNTHESIS

SURROUNDING CONNECTIONS

TRANSFORMATION 1

BUILT SURFACE

VISTA VIEW AXIS

TRANSITION MOMENTS

CANAL ORGINAL PATH RE-FORM

SCHEME

PUBLIC SPACE EMBRACES

URBAN EPISODES

FLOW

SITE’S AREA

FUNCTIONS

CIRCULATION

PUBLIC SPACE GREEN SPACE

Multi-level space Adaptive public space are developed in different levels to create new spaces and expand the programs of functions that is provided in the art community center.

CANAL FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES

Thematic route Connecting the programs to the canals and the rest of the neighbouring areas throughout the circulations.

GREEN SPACE

STREET ART ACTIVITIES

Improved walkability The spaces are improved by changing the moveable art panels, sculpture, art display,digital art installation; functions and pavements. The art space is changed accordingly, responding the art center and it’s user at the current moment. The atmosphere is independent like Northern Quarter.

WORKSHOP OUTDOOR EXHIBITION

Expansion into public spaces Nearby spaces are connected with semi-open space creating a more varied and polyvalent public space.

STREET ART ACTIVITIES

CANAL FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES

WORKSHOP OUTDOOR EXHIBITION 57

MATERIAL SKETCH OF THE ART HOSTEL

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN SKETCH OF THE CANAL

Regeneration of the canal results in rewilding of the birds. The sustanibility focuses on ecology and technological approches for outdoor lighting system . The art center being a complex, Lighting system is essential in and out, the outdoor will use the standing pole with solar 59 panels and simultaneously the polycarbonate facade of the art center provide enough light and artistic atmosphere at night.

Port street,Northern Quarter Source: Author

“First life, then spaces, then buildings the other way around never works” Jan Gehl

06 DESIGN PROPOSAL

With the guidness of the strategies, proposal was obtained that will take place in Northern Quarter, and masterplan was proposed. The design proposal range from plans ,sections-elevations which focus on the quality of the space and the relation of space/people,space/function and function/people.

NORTHERN QUARTER

PICCADILLY GARDEN

ANCOAT

NEW ISLINGTON

MASTERPLAN This project is all about connecting the people, mentally and physically through art. Achieving this by providing more pedestrian, canal and cyclist-friendly routes, while connecting the three main areas; Ancoat,New Islington and Northern Quarter using the art community centre as the headquarter of the art community The main path is the ‘Art Catalyst’ along which these interventions can be found. There are smaller paths, as well, that connect diverse areas in both boroughs. The aim of the project is to create a strong network of art community in and out of Northern Quarter. This network will bring more diverse community to Northern Quarter and also build up a platform to strengthened the existing art community in Manchester. The first connection is Northern Quarter and Ancoat which is divided by the Great Ancoat street. This connection focuses not only physical but the art center is conceptually inspired from ex-art museum in Ancoat. The second connection is Northern Quarter and New Islington, here the canal is the main route of connection to the art centre, simultaneously focusing on pedestrian and cycling route.

ANCOAT NEW ISLINGTON NORTHERN QUARTER ART CATALYST

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

CANAL FLOOR PLAN

65 65

SECTION A-A LONGITUDINAL VISTA PATH

ART HOSTEL

1 Registration

The idea of live+work+enjoy is the inspiration of the hotel. The hotel is designed to accommodate 22-24 artist of different ages, background, style or field. Here, each artist will choose a room and design accordingly either by making their own furniture in the workshops available on the ground floor or use the existing furniture of the chosen room.

Each artist will choose a room. Studio for individual and 2+1 for pair. These are the available room to make sure that the create of individual artist is not disturbed, the living room are on the common spaces to help gather and exchange ideas with the other artist.

The artist can choose any style to design the rooms - Bohemian, Art Deco, Contemporary, Modern, Colourful, Chic, Industrial and so on. This will help for the artist to get practical education to advance their skills or learn new skills while indulging with the community.

2 Choose Each artist will choose a room. accordingly. the typical plan shows the arrangement of the spaces.

After the room contract ends, the rooms will be used as exhibition hall for some certain duration and then the furniture will be sold in the open market.

The art hostel was zoned on this area , as it is higher compared to the art centre . The height will harmonised with the high building of the neighbouring area -Ancoat.

3 Workshop The workshop will be used to develop craft skills such as making your own table ,bed or even vase.

4 Design

Each artist will design their room. The design can differ from painting, to make your own furniture or to changing the spaces organisation .The artist can choose any style to design the rooms - Bohemian, Art Deco, Contemporary, Modern, Colourful, Chic, Industrial and soon.

5 Retail The room will be exhibited for some time to inspire other youth or artist about creativity. If the rooms had any interesting furniture, it will be sold in the retail store on the ground floor.

studio

1+1 room

studio

reception

workshop

Turner street,Northern Quarter Source: Author

“Dull, inert cities, it is true, do contain the seeds of their own destruction and little else. But lively, diverse, intense cities contain the seeds of their own regeneration, with energy enough to carry over for problems and needs outside themselves”

Jane Jacobs

07 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

VISUALISATION

MAIN ENTRANCES The main entrance has auditorium with a harbour for the canals to stop and the visitors can get facilitate by the restaurant, cafe and different public spaces.

Open to crea renting

74 74

ART OPEN MARKET

market helps to support small business and freelancer ate a network using the art center as platform without g any space, the market is semi-open space.

WATER ACTIVITY AREA The canal can be used more than just a circulation route , here the canal is used as display for canal festivals, rewilding etc

75 75

Street Art in Northern Quarter 76Source: Author

“Just look at what we can do, when we work together ” Marcus Rashford

08 CONCLUSION

The result of this design process is a masterplan and an future plan. We were able to learn from the needs of this community as well as their opportunities for growth. This document aims to serve as a tool for art community members, public and private initiative to be envolved and work on vibrant place called Northern Quarter and united community.

CONCLUSION The goal of this design thesis is to comprehend how important art completion is for Manchester’s young, as well as the strong network that surrounds the Northern Quarter as a means of escaping the abandoned city. As previously stated in Chapter 1, the Northern Quarter is an abandoned area as a result of deindustrialization and suburbanization. To this day, the Phenomenon has a long-term impact on negotiation and ambiguity. As a result, the government sees the Northern Quarter as entirely pedestrianised. This component could be linked to the surrounding regions to form strong ties. Today, the design thesis seeks to solve this challenge with a single concept: “live, work, pleasure.”

THE ROCHDALE CANAL

ART CATALYST

The project entails the construction of the Rochdale canal, as well as the improvement of the canal walkway by extending the New Islington path. The programme provides rewilding of birds in the Northern Quarter, as previously mentioned. Aside from that, the upgrade intends to boost the Rochdale canal’s use as a waterline connection for boating services and as a tourist attraction. As a result, the design comprises of retail or independent businesses that provide a platform to the community, such as antique stores, artisan shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and other.

As discussed in Chapter 3, one of the issues preventing the development of the Northern Quarter, as well as the other areas in the city centre, is connectivity. Furthermore, the Northern Quarter lacks public areas and flora. The goal of the urban scale solution in this design thesis is to establish an Art Community Centre that will create a strong network for the art community. It will generate a variety of public space and greenery activities by working together.

The Rochdale canal in Manchester is the focal point of this design project. The project’s goal, as stated in Chapter 5, is to provide an art centre, an art hostel, public space, and canal enhancement. Through the concept of “live+work+enjoy,” these four parts form a circle of living community. The art center’s programmes allow participants to work while also engaging with the community and the surrounding public places. The art hostel will play the part of the artist in residence, working on the development of their room while enjoying the experience. These programmes give people with not just jobs, but also experiences and an excellent network.

COCLUSION In conclusion Finally, Northern Quarter has the potential to expand in the same way that its surrounding regions have. It is not like other cities’ situations, which can be quickly developed by the construction of big and futuristic buildings, but Northern Quarter requires an energising source to help the area grow. It has remained unchanged for over 200 years, and the key is to continue to develop. As a result, this concept offers a more pedestrianised complex offering with different levels of artistic public space with greenery, as the government indicated the development through pedestrianization of the streets in Northen Quarter. In order to progress, Northern Quarter must stand up straight through this foundation. By establishing a vibrant art community, youngsters who are not educated but gifted will be able to advance in their careers. Specifically, the premise of this design thesis suggests a way for Northern Quarter to escape the abandoned city and move forward into a brighter future. Art Catalyst -Kisanet goitom-

Illustration poster demonstrating how the art catalyst route energises the lives of young people. 79 Source: Author

09 BIBLIOGRAPHY 81

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