Dissolution Brief 1: Foundation - Lesnes Abbey Brief 2: Latent Order - St. Bartholemew the Great Monasteries in the British Isles were once powerful settlements. Groups of Monks would go into the uninhabited wilderness, away from the physical world of the cities. Taming the wild lands into productive landscapes, the humble groupings developed into large monastic settlements. These soon became powerful political powers until Henry 8th decided to regain sovereignty by disbanding all monasteries between 1538-1541. After centuries of destruction, few of their ruins remain, typically the ones that could neither be taken nor had any further value. Today they can provide a template for the creation of new settlements, their requirements for success and the long time they take to form.
Accommoda-
Guest House Kitchens
Guest House
School
Abbot’s House
Medical Facility
Bloodletting
Productive Dining
Potential Hostel
Sanitary
Spaces for Sick Abbey
A reconstruction view of the St. Gall monastery by Rudolf Rahn 1876
Servants
Spaces for Noviate
Sheep
Brewery & Bakery Swine
Pilgrims
Cellar Larder
Cloister
Monk Dorms
Goats Orchard & Cemetery Refectory
Kitchen Horses Granary Mare & Foal
Vegetable Gardens
Brewery & Bakery
Cattle
Workshops Cattle
Scan of the original preserved St. Gall plan dating from the early 9th century
The Monastic Template - St. Gall Plan 1:1000 St Gall Template plan at A2 The St. Gall Plan, potentially drawn by Bishop Haito is an ideal monastery scheme dating back to the 9th century which set the template for monasteries in Europe. Whilst seeming to be a highly organised plan for the monastic complex it also seems to be the earliest example of a utopian settlement due to its provision of living quarters, production, education, health and spirituality for its close-knit community. As can be seen from the plan above a large proportion of the complex was dedicated to production of food, with the orchard being planted upon ‘spiritual’ ground to highlight the status of its fruit as spiritual food linking to the fruit of the Garden of Eden. The rest of the complex is dedicated to dining, assembly or accommodation purposes. The plan is oriented North with the Abbey facing the East, the symbolic new beginning as the sun rises in the East, and perhaps towards the Holy Land. Many monasteries follow this orientation and to at least some degree the arrangement of spaces as well.
tion
Kiln
Mortar
Mill
Grain Poultry
Lesnes Abbey
Ruin Plan 1:500 at A2
Lesnes Abbey once stood on the outskirts of London. Like other monasteries, it was situated on an area elevated from the surrounding area, to give it authority over its surrounding landscape and population and to symbolically raise it in a spiritual manner. Founded in 1178 it, like the monasteries of the Somerset levels, drained the local marshland becoming landlord upon it and gaining considerable local power. Like other monasteries in the British Isles, as opposed to the European monasteries, the Abbey was disbanded during the dissolution by Henry 8th, being one of the first to close due to its close proximity to London, in 1524. Following years saw its lands becoming farmlands, not much different from their original purpose but changing ownership from religious to secular ideals.
The Abbey is Sketches
Sketch Study of the ruins of Lesnes Abbey in South East London Through a sketching exercise the grain of the Abbey could be investigated. It was found that the Abbey seemed to occupy a much higher (but not the highest) point in the landscape, detached from its surrounding settlement through the natural buffer of the park which once formed its monastic enclosure. The plan of the Abbey shown through its foundation ruins seemed mostly intact and revealed the potential spaces that once stood here.
4.
21.
19.
20. 5.
18.
3. 23.
2. 17.
6.
16.
7.
1.
14. 13.
15.
8.
9.
10.
12.
11.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
St. Thomas of Acre Austin Friars Hospital of St. Mary Bethlehem Holywell Priory Hospital of St. Mary Bishopsgate St. Helen’s Bishopsgate Holy Trinity Priory Minoresses Crossed (Crutched Friars) St. Peter ad Vincula St. Thomas’ St. Mary Overie
14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.
Black Friars White Friars The Temple St. Martin Le Grand Grey Friars St. Bartholomew’s Charterhouse St. John’s Clerkenwell St. Mary’s Clerkenwell Elsyngspittal
London Monasteries Plan 1: 5000 0
1km
4
4
2
2
3
3 1
1
5
5
1
2
3
4
St. Bartholemew The Great
1:1500 Plans of the Priory before the dissolution (Left) and today (Right) at A2 Monasteries constituted a powerful force in the success of the city of London. Due to their productive abilities and ambitious goals, the monasteries that formed around the London wall acted as catalysts for the settlement there as well as a substantial food source. The Priory of St. Bartholemew The Great was situated adjacent to one of London’s oldest and largest markets and its close position to the London wall suggests that it acted as a food gateway into the city. However the priory’s true unique point is its medicinal contributions. Early in its life it hosted one of the largest infirmaries which continued to grow and treat London’s population for centuries. During its dissolution, its medical wing simply became officially secular but not destruction occurred to it. The priory itself remain in good condition with only its nave destroyed, so as to take its political power upon the masses at least symbolically. Over time some of its other buildings around the cloister were lost as the monks were disbanded but it stood uninterrupted until after the second world war, a time that saw it South Eastern wing developed into accommodation and offices. Today with St. Bartholemew The Less it stands as a well preserved London Monastic reminder and monument.
5
1
2
3
4
5
The Somerset Monasteries Brief 3: Studies - Glastonbury Abbey Whilst the effects on Monasteries on already established settlements like London were great, their effect upon the wilderness were exceptional. Three monastic houses were established in South West England on the banks of a flooded marshland forming an extension of the sea. Yet as they grew the monasteries of Glastonbury, Muchelney & Athelney systematically reclaimed a giant tract of land, now called the Somerset Levels. The extensive network of drainage channels that they implemented and which can still be seen today, allowed them to convert sea into a productive landscape.
Glastonbury
Athelney
Muchelney
The Somerset Levels The three monastic houses of Glastonbury, Muchelney & Athelney reclaimed land from the sea by draining the areas that are today the Somerset Levels through a dense network of draining channels as they required further land for their productive purposes. Right: Studio 1:50000 Map of the Somerset Levels
Monastic Control & Draining 1:50,000 Reclaimed land and potential Monastic jurisdiction plan
The map shows research on the Somerset levels (flooded/reclaimed area shown in grey). Glastonbury had the largest area jurisdiction which provided it with the highest income and will explain its great political power. The monasteries of Muchelney and Athelney too had tracts of land substantially larger than themselves. However with great power came great responsibility. Large proportions of their endowed lands were submerged under water at least for a large proportion of the year. The territories therefore don’t only show control but also responsibility for draining. Their actions had been so monumental that the drainage channels, following dredging maintenance were still effective up until recent years.
Glastonbury Muchelney Athelney
1
2
4
3
1
2
4 3
Glastonbury Abbey Context
1:5000 map of Glastonbury today (Abbey plan is conjectural) Before the Abbey was founded Glastonbury Tor was already an established pagan worship ground. Alone the Tor stands upon an unusually high point in the landscape which some archaeological research finds that this unusual hill to be made of multiple layers of human settlement suggesting very ancient roots. The Abbey was potentially first founded as early as the 7th century being erected around a sacred wattle church potentially built in the 1st century by one of the first gospels who brought Christianity to the British Isles. Whilst having control over vast terrains, its immediate source of sustenance was housed within its enclosure. Here all foods and materials was produced following similar functions as seen in the st Gall plan. As it grew a secular settlement was born outside its walls which has since thrived and functions today as an unique town. 0
100
200
Glastonbury Abbey (C
1
2
5 1
2 3
4
3 7
4
6
5
6
Existing Remains
1:1000 Conjectural plan of the Abbey in current context
7
Following its dissolution in 1539, the abbey underwent a mass destruction that took several hundred years. At first the complex was burned, it’s abbot drawn and quartered and its most precious valuables taken to the king. The following centuries saw it looted, sold off for parts or senselessly demolished. Yet regardless of the long onslaught, some of the ruins remain. Of special importance to understanding the magnitude of this powerful abbey, is the verticals that are visible today with the great “wings� of the Crossing that can be seen in image 1. Its kitchen and cloister wall also remain allowing us to get a sense of the place that once stood here.
0
5
10
Glastonbury Section 1:300 Long Section at A2
Glastonbury Abbey was one of the largest abbies in England and easily dominated the Somerset levels. Stretching to a length of around 170m and rising to a top height of 60m, its great authority was visible from miles around. At its very core housing its monks in privacy lay its cloister, a local Garden of Eden detached from the world and allowing the monks to achieve their higher purpose.
Glastonbury Abbey Cloister (Conjectural) Folded Elevation 1:200 at A2
The Inner Cloister
1:200 Elevated Plan of the Monk’s Cloister at A2 The enclosed garden can trace its roots for the early start of civilisation. In the monastery these formed a crucial space in the form of cloisters. Their origins may be traced to the Greek colonnades and public squares which in the case of the monastery close unto themselves shielding them from the outside world. The cloister is usually locater to the south of the Abbey as is the case in Glastonbury and forms a square following the St Gall plan. The cloister acted as a central space reserved only for the monks where not even the laymen were allowed. This void was normally not accessed but was walked around in its surrounding ambulatories in great contemplation. 0 5 monks’ buildings to 10 be situated around it, these included the Chapter House used for The void allowed all of the assembly and teaching to its East, Refectory for dining to its South and living quarters in the forms of dormitories to its South East.
Glastonbury Abbey Cloister (Conjectural) Folded Elevation 1:200 at A2
Loretto Chapel
North Porch North Transept
North Aisle
North Aisle
St Dustan Chapel
Galilee
St Mary’s Chapel
Foundations of Norman Church
Nave
Crossing
Edgar Chapel
Presbytery
South Aisle
South Aisle
South Transept
Cloister Chapter House
Dining Hall
Assembly Hall Refectory
Stores
Dorter
Abbot’s Chambers
Abbot’s Kitchen
Abbot’s Courtyard
Monks’ Kitchen
Site of Norman Church 10th Century
King’s Chambers
Early 12th Century Late 12th Century
Reredorter
Early 13th Century Late 13th Century 14th Century
Guests’ Chambers
15th Century
A Developing Complex
1:500 Conjectural Plan of the Abbey Complex at A2 The Monastic complex of Glastonbury was not realised instantly but for most of its life before the dissolution was a work in progress with new charismatic abbots adding multiple buildings in their lifetimes and less successful abbots ensuring to maintain and develop the complex in other ways. The plan above shows the developments by century of the monastery. Of special importance is the site of the Norman Church potentially dating back to the 1st century upon which the monastery was founded but through the multiple fires that erupted in the monastery over time and following the final destruction during the dissolution nothing remains at least above ground. This church apparently was founded by one of the four gospels who acted to bring Christianity to the British Isles, which made Glastonbury a monastery of high importance. 0
10
20
Glastonbury Abbey (Conjectural) Pre-Dissolution Plan 1:500 at A2
Conjectural Glastonbury Model 1:500 Oak Model of the Abbey
Whilst the St Gall Plan and other monasteries show but one cloister, Glastonbury seems unique as it includes a second cloister of a later date than the main cloister. This second cloister is equal in size to the main cloister and is situated closer to the perimeter wall to its South West. This was the Abbot’s Courtyard. The abbot’s complex generally served the function of housing the ruler of this settlement but perhaps more importantly allowed him to host guests of importance, usually benefactors. Seeing as the two cloisters in Glastonbury are of equal size, it can be deducted that these public function here were of equal importance to the monastic life. Furthermore the external role of the Abbot was of a political nature and so the abbot’s courtyard shows the great political power that this monastery held.
Muchelney Brief 4: Sensing Place - Meeting Room Brief 5: Reinterpretation - Dining, Accommodation & Assembly Rooms Muchelney is old English for “The Great Island� as it stands slightly elevated on the wetlands within the flooding landscape of the Somerset Levels. The monastery that once stood here was of more humble means yet it too had a great influence of its surroundings. Its ruins show a highly complete plan through its foundations and two key buildings of it remain intact. The ruins and little village form a potential for an design intervention that could develop on the idea of the monastery, ruination and community life.
Pitney
Huish Episcopi Langport
Long Sutton
Curry Rivel
Muchelney Drayton
Thorney Long Road
Hambridge
Hambridge
Flooding Landscape
1:20000 Flooding Map around Muchelney Island at A2 Lying within the Somerset levels, Muchelney island sees the wetlands around it flood annually. However, recent years have seen extreme flooding as the old monastic drainage channels were not maintained by dredging due to the introduction of automated pumping stations which were proven not to be as effective. Before the recent raising of the road west of the abbey complex, the residents became cut off by the water in recent years for up to four months showing the historical isolation which the founding monks sought.
Kingsbury Episcopi
Stapleton
11
12
9
8
7
Area affected by flooding (light blue) & extreme flooding (darker blue)
3
6
Habitation
5/9
4 2
1
The “Great Island”
During the winter months the island reveals its true form. The arrangement of buildings is easily understood during this time as they situated themselves above the flooding level. The soil for the majority of the island reveals its connection to water being mostly river deposits or rock in higher levels. Land use too can be seen to be mainly pasture or crops to allow cattle to graze through the year and crops to be sold locally Island of Muchelney 1:5000 @A2
(Maps on Right 1:10,000 @2)
Soil Types
River Terrace Deposits - Sand and Gravel Bedrock - Blue Lias Formation- Mudstone Alluvium - Clay, Slit, Sand and Gravel Head- Clay, Slit, Sand and Gravel
Land Use
Woodland Pasture Unused / weeds Crops
1 Apple Orchard near Muchelney Ham 2 Pasture Field 3 Wetland path 4 Woodland 5 Nature reserve 6 Crops field 7 Drainage channel 8 Sheep field 9 Woodland pond 10 Rural road 11 Langport pumping station 12 Somerset levels view from Langport
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Island Surroundings The lands around Muchelney reveal diverse spaces ranging from areas reserved for nature conservation, agricultural land, pasture fields and wetlands. The use of land for farming purposes seemed to depend on the height of the land with cattle grazing on lower land which was more likely to flood and higher drier ground dedicated to crops. Where land wasn’t dedicated to farming, apple trees could be seen, perhaps remnants of small orchards, but since these seemed mostly untended as most of their fruit could be seen rotting on the ground. In the lowlands, channels at least a meter wide and several meters deep could be seen on the side of roads and separating plots of land. These were made by the Abbey many centuries earlier in an attempt to drain the land.
North Muchelney
South Muchelney
Muchelney seems to be split in two. The North part of the village forms around the Abbey complex in a circular fashion. Here key routes meet at the Muchelney Cross in front of the parish church. Some of the buildings here are grade two listed made of old stone, whilst others are simple farm buildings of a much newer history. This part of the village originally followed the development of the Abbey complex, developing outside the complex to cater for the secular or pubic functions of the monastery. In all the North part of the village has just 12 buildings excluding the remaining abbey buildings, the church and some farm buildings. The North part seems to be predominantly the touristic part of the village due to the strong presence of the Abbey ruins and due to the historic significance of the buildings that surround it.
The South part of Muchelney accommodates the majority of the Muchelney’s residents. The buildings are mainly masonry with some dating back hundreds of years and having grade two listed status. Historically the south part of Muchelney accommodated the secular population. Today, the residents are composed of pensioners and small families. Due to its lack of public facilities, the families drive their children to nearby villages for school. Adults also go to other villages for the purpose of public activities such as socialising in the pub, obtaining food and going to the gym, none of which are found in Muchelney. There is little sense of community as there are no public spaces in which the residents can interact apart from the little farm shop. A lot of the buildings retain remnants of the destroyed Abbey as parts from it were used centuries ago in the construction of the buildings. Unusually detailed stone window frames can be seen in various places and other parts not suited to farm buildings.
1:10000 Island Map at A2
1 Abbey Ruins 2 Abbot’ House 3 Reredorter 4 Parish Church 5 Almonry 6 Farm Barn 7 Priest’s House 8 Residential 9 Warehouse 10 South Abbey complex boundary (wall remnants found) 11 South village 12 Land prone to flooding 13 River Parrett 14 Drainage channels Dashed line - flooding boundary Coloured area - Conjectural full Abbey complex Greater colour area - Project Site
13
14 8 8
7
12
5
4 9
1
2
6
Abbey Complex
3
10
1:2000 Location Plan at A2 Separating North and South, a pasture field lies between the Abbey remains site and residential Muchelney. This field once formed the majority of the Abbey enclosure. Whilst the surrounding lands were used for the productive purposes for all areas under the monastery’s influence, the land on the enclosure (seen in colour here) was used for the needs of the monastery alone. This follows from the St Gall plan which shows a vast proportion to the south of the Abbey used for productive purposes. Either following the dissolution of Muchelney Abbey which meant that the productive buildings were no longer needed, or through their direct destruction during those years, the buildings were lost leaving the previously connecting productive complex as a void between North & South. For the project, the Abbey site and the field to its South will form the site. Whilst the full Abbey enclosure (shown in lighter colour) was larger, the project will not be sited on it due to the already existing life there.
11
Ruin Heights Key -800mm 200-300mm 400-500mm 700-800 1100-1200mm
1 Monks’ cloister 2 Nave 3 Stores 4 Abbot’s house 5 Crossing 6 Dorms (above) 7 Chapter house 8 Stores 9 Crypt (below) 10 Transept 11 Parish Church 12 Chapels 13 Reredorter 14 Infirmary cloister 15 Infirmary rooms 16 Guest kitchen 17 Guest dining 18 Guests’ cloister 19 Halls 20 Guests Lodgings 21 Guest Entrance 22 Priest’s house 23 Cross 24 Almonry
23
11 24
12 2 5
9
10
6
3
1 7
8
4
16 20 14
18
15
21 17
13 19
Abbey Site
1:500 Site Plan at A2
The abbey that once dominated the island, still dominates it through its ruins. Today the abbey site is composed of ancient ruins, scheduled ancient monument protected through conservation and two surviving buildings - the abbot’s house and the Reredorter - grade one listed buildings. English Heritage has maintained the site since 1927. However the site has mainly been preserved through conservation and opened to the public for tours. However the complex, as can be seen by the arrangement of the voids in the ruins, was made of a well planned composition of rooms necessary for this self sustaining settlement. The abbey site included the abode of the monks whilst it immediate surrounding included buildings for its provision.
View A
View B
C
View C
E
A
D
View D
View E
Site Views
Left - key views, Right 1:500 Group timber model of Abbey Site The remains on the site where the abbey once stood are spacious, missing its key building since the dissolution. Instead its plan may be deciphered from remaining foundations and the buildings of the Abbot’s House, the Reredorter and the Parish church which gives clues about this lost place.
B
10
1 6
71 3
2
9
72
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
10
11
12
13
14
4 5
14
12
13 11
8
69 7
1
1998 Geophysics survey of the ruins (see illustrations for reference)
Ruin Study
Above - ruin plan, aerial view of the ruins and 1998 Geophysics survey, right, existing ruin situation With the dissolution came many years of destruction and looting to the abbey. All that was considered valuable or useful was taken away apart from the abbot’s house and Reredorter which were converted to farm houses. When English heritage arrived at the site in 1927 the ruins were indistinguishable, being covered with a thick layer of concealing vegetation. Following the removal of this layer, the English Heritage uncovered the remaining ruins, these being the bare foundations which were furthermore unleveled as they are today and incomplete. Conservation work by EH aimed to complete the ruins by adding a top layer of similar masonry and reversible lime mortar. A Geophysics survey undertaken in 1998 revealed further archaeology below ground to the South Eastern part of the existing ruins.
8
A B C
A B C
Section A
Section B
Section C
Ruin Sections
1:200 Sections at A2, Plan 1:2000 at A2 The ruins found on the site present a unique point to the site. These ruins formed the foundations for the dissolved monastery and therefore they are the oldest remains potentially dating back more than a millennia. A study of the ruins and the differing levels on the site can be seen above.
Conjectural massing view before dissolution
Current massing view
Muchelney over time
Top - pre and post dissolution isometric view, Bottom - Muchelney over time The abbey that once stood here dominated the landscape in its magnitude and splendour, it dwarfed the currently dominating parish church and stretched in all directions. Before the dissolution it included 3 cloisters each satisfying a different end. The abbey was founded in the 7th century prospectively on top of an existing Roman settlement of some form. By the 11th century had an established abbey complex rather than mere groupings of buildings, surrounding secular function outside its enclosure, and extensive use of its southern field for monastic agricultural purposes solely. A small secular settlement, perhaps housing the working peasant population formed outside the perimeter of the southern part of the enclosure. Following the dissolution its royal instructions, material from monastery was taken in order to construct buildings of other use. These original remnants are found in the now centuries old houses in the South and North parts of Muchelney with some founded further afield in Thorney, Langport and other local settlements.
1140
Early
Early
Early
Early
Early
Early
1140
1140
1140
1140
Post Dissolution
Pre Dissolution
1140
At Peak (1530s)
At Peak (1530s)
At Peak (1530s)
At Peak (1530s)
At Peak (1530s)
Post-dissolution (post1539) Post-dissolution (post1539) Post-dissolution (post1539)Post-dissolution (post1539) Post-dissolution (post1539)
Current
Current
Current
Current
Current
Current
1:3000 A2
Cloisters
Conjectural sketches of the cloisters development over time In Muchelney the cloister became an unusually continuous form. Following the St Gall plan the monks’ inner cloister was formed first, South of the Abbey building. As the complex developed an infirmary cloister was formed to the former cloister’s South East. This proposed a continuous cloister formation in this direction which le to a guests’ cloister around which the guests were accommodated, to be made. Potentially other cloisters were or were proposed to be formed following the same direction. To maintain the otherwise lost value of the inner cloister, a hierarchy was given enhancing it instead by ensuring this cloister was the largest and most symmetric with the latter two cloisters being smaller.
Current Ruin Site
Sensing Place
Above - abbey ruins as viewed from the parish church tower, right - proposal to give meaning to the horizontal ruins through planting The ruins currently form the most dramatic force upon the site. In their current manicured state by the English Heritage they seem as rocks following a pattern in a well trimmed field. Yet these spaces had great meaning through their spatial layout and volumes appropriate to their specific function. To give some meaning to these spaces, a small and unobtrusive intervention was proposed in the form of vegetation that could also link the ruins to their surrounding agricultural or natural surroundings. The voids within the ruins could be planted with various long grasses depending on the height for example of the original space. Furthermore throughout the year the grasses will notice different periods of growth, bloom and death which for the entire ruin composition will create a dynamic changing landscape.
Proposed landscaping
Sensing Cloisters
Above - visualisation showing potential planting of the cloisters, right - site plan showing the 4 courtyards The seemingly important and unique cloisters have lost their gesture as they lost their enclosing buildings. Their presence cannot be gouged from the horizontal existing layout. A secondary proposal wished to revive these crucial spaces by planting within them instead. By filling these original voids, two main ends are achieved. Firstly the cloisters are given a boundary and presence creating spaces which revive them. Secondly the idea of the cloister is reinterpreted, the negative space within becomes the positive space here which, true to its origins was not simply accessed but was walked around as the planting will allow to occur.
2 1
4
1
1
1
4
4 3
3
2
4
3 2
2
3
3
4
1
1
1
2
4 2
3
2
1
4
4
3 2 3
4 1
2 1
4
1
1
4
4 3
3
2
Arrangement Tests As the settlement of Muchelney develops new rooms are required to fill the purposes of “Eat, Sleep & Study�. In the contemporary development of this site the built spaces for the Dining Hall, Accommodation and Assembly Hall should will create a series of open spaces that will work to unify the agricultural landscape, the wildlife, the historical ruins and the community life of Muchelney to provide a harmonious whole.
3
3
2
2
Room Key 1 Meeting Room 2 Dining Room 3 Accommodation 4 Assembly Hall
Following the cloister plan
Geometrical Plan
Building on corners of interest
Muchelney follows a unique curved formation of cloisters starting with the large public square between the nave and Almonry, the monks’ cloister, the medicinal cloister and the guest cloister. This massing aims to provide each inner cloister with a building appropriate to its original use . This simultaneously creates two open spaces , one for the planted ruins and one between the abbey buildings and the new buildings. Here the meeting room is placed in the nave, the assembly stands elevated near the cloister and dining and accommodation occupy a building addressing the south field.
In this massing model the buildings will seek to complete the circle that formed by the lay buildings around the grided abbey complex. A grand entrance is proposed which will connect West to East cutting down the middle of the site from the cloister to this Eastern grand entrance. From this entrance, following a similar strategy to that employed in the Acropolis of ancient Greece as observed by Doxiadis, the entrance reveals the buildings following angles of 30 & 12 degrees and further forms an equilateral triangle with the Reredorter and parish church tower.
This massing aims to provide a building according to the most appropriate condition found at each location and by doing so create an enclosure formed of “corner� buildings. The meeting room is located on the boundary where public life meets the historical ruins and connects them to the cloister. A sequence of building is proposed by phases according to human survival priorities : - consciousness, shelter, nourishment, development, hence meeting room, accommodation, dining and assembly.
Below 1:4000 proposed massing plan, above 1:500 massing model
Whilst none of the above was selected, each provided an additional idea to the final design. The first promoted the idea of continuation as found in the cloisters, the second highlighted the value of adding an additional courtyard on the East side and the third enforced the ideas of created implied enclosures.
Below 1:4000 proposed massing plan, above 1:500 massing model
0
10
20
30
40
50
Below 1:4000 proposed massing plan, above 1:500 massing model
0
10
20
30
40
50
Closed circle model
Tests in Island Context The flooded landscape transforms Muchelney into an island annually and so the proposals must be tested under flood conditions, however as can be seen all proposals, due to their being situated on higher unflooded terrain, will not be immediately affected by flooding and instead could benefit from constantly changing views.
Corners model
Diagonal cloisters model
First ideas aimed to build within voids within ruins, but further investigation revealed that conservation will not allow walls to be built closer than 1.5m to remains
Working with Ruins
Above - building with ruins design process sketches, right - structural composition on ruins The design aims to utilise the existing ruins which were originally the foundations of the abbey complex. These were able to support buildings of the abbey of several stories and therefore should be sufficient for the single storey building to be proposed. Since the ruins are protected under archaeological conservation, they cannot be modified or attached to. However they are formed of two layers with the top layer being added by the English Heritage for conservation purposes and the lower layers being the ancient ruins. In order to build upon these foundation ruins a layer of lime mortar may be added to level off the ruins. This will act as a reversible separating layer. On top of these rubber bearing pads that may be cast onto the ruins and will act as further separation between the superstructure and the conserved ruins. In order for the superstructure to utilise the existing foundations, the weight of the new members will have to be very dense so as to sit upon the bearing pads with their own heavy weight. Additional foundation anchors will be connected to the floor slabs where archaeological remains are not present. In such a way the design is able to use the original footings of the abbey whilst allowing its foundations to once again assume their true role. The superstructure will consist of a composite structure made of columns and piers of denser pre-cast concrete built in a classical fashion. An inner layer will form the load bearing structure and will consist of most of the weight. The walls will be held together by the floor and the roof.
Other ideas aimed for a delicate structure, but such a structure would need foundations to be drilled into the ruins which is not a possibility
In line with conservation, a separating layer between new construction and ruin is required. A light structure will not be able to be stable on this
The separating element would allow for a bearing pad on top. The structure above will necessarily have to be of great weight so as to be supported upon the existing
For great mass and pre-made members that can be more easily assembled on site pre-cast concrete would be able to perform the required goals well
Rather than closing the cloisters onto themselves the voids are proposed to remain incomplete allowing for “work-in-progress” inherent in the original monastery and connection to their historical surroundings
Design development over time. At first the voids within the ruins surrounding the cloisters were proposed to be built on, but impracticability meant that building on top of the ruins presented a less intrusive and damaging method whilst gaining more internal space and utilising the remaining ruins for their original function as foundations. As the proposal developed so did the continuity of the “cloisters” as suggested by the introduction of a new vehicle cloister on the East side that will allow and entrance and transportation on and off the site.
Sensing Cloisters
Above - visualisation showing potential planting of the cloisters, right - site plan showing the 4 courtyards Planting within the cloisters established a previous boundary and created anticipatory gardens around which buildings could form. However as previously proposed the planted cloister aimed to reinterpret the cloister. The buildings that once stood here did not develop in one go but gradually overtime in a never-ending work in progress sequence. So too does the proposed building aim to suggest. By failing to create full enclosures around the cloisters, the open cloisters propose a continuous ad incomplete sequence of spaces suggesting further work in progress and the potential for change and organic growth. Simultaneously the “cloisters” then allow glimpses into their surroundings allowing them to connect to the historical context rather than be closed off from it.
Spreading columns
1:500 initial arrangement card model The anticipatory planted cloisters allow the development of a building around them. By building on top of the ruins utilising their foundation capabilities and the original footings, new spaces may be formed. .
Work in progress
1:500 card model showing development over time The project may not be built it one phase but rather as an accumulation over time. The proposed accumulation above shows a development starting with a public road facing building housing a public meeting room, gradually developing the inner cloister, an assembly room, dining hall, productive room and accommodation block respectively.
1
2
4
3
5
6
Apples & Cider The South field pre-dissolution was a highly productive space potentially housing several outhouses for the exclusive use of the monastery. Furthermore the island to a large degree had apple orchards for the provision of apples for cider making which according to historical reading of tax records by the monastery reveals that it was a substantial source of income. In order to provide the funding for the project whilst making the south field productive yet again, and filling this void so as to connect the separate parts of Muchelney. The field may be planted with a network of orchards with apples of several varieties. These will be used to the production of apple cider in line with the original ventures of the monastery.
1 1:8000 historical map of Muchelney showing orchards and site 2 Current view of South field 3 Potential orchard view 4 “Apple day� in Muchelney where local varieties of apples were showcased 5 Demijohns used for storing apple cider 6 1:2500 Island group timber model
St Gall
Glastonbury
St. Bartholemew the Great
Lesnes
Monastic comparison 1:2000 Muchelney imposed plans of monastic precedents at A2 In order to understand the scale and potential arrangement of the proposal, it was useful to use the monastic precedents explored previously. The plans revealed Muchelney to be of similar size to Lesnes of St. Bartholemew yet the space around suggest the greater spreading out of its outhouses. Following the St. Gall plan it may be seem that the farm barn south of the Abbot’s house show some of the productive outhouses, and further development of the south field is in line with this monastic template. 0
10
20
30
40
50
0
10
20
30
40
50
0
10
20
30
40
50
The Monastery Revived A Case for Open-Ended Occupation of the Ruin The final proposal suggests the creation of open ended “cloisters� around which occupied buildings may be situated forming an interplay of external and internal spaces. These will utilise the original footings of the monastery through the existing ruin foundations to which they will be connected in a reversible way. In line with the productive nature of the monastery, the building will host a cider making facility with the south field being used for the cultivation of apple orchards.
Site Plan 1:1000 Site plan at A2 Growing orchards within the South field will allow connections to be made between the North and South parts of Muchelney through the development of paths already required to collect the apples. Furthermore, since apples cannot be grown where the land is too wet and where cold winds are prevalent, the flooding level will not permit apples to be grown within this portion of the South field. On this flooding boundary a path may be created that will become an intriguing walkway around the orchard in dry times and wet. The “Tractor Shed� will act as the origin of the main North South path and will provide the start point for the diagonal arrangement leading all the way to the public pub on the road on the West.
Orchard Strategy 1:1000 Site plan at A2 The planting of the orchard will not only provide a source of income and reconnect the village, but will also allow for the development of agritourism that may revive the community. agritourists will come to work in the orchards and cidery for a short duration. The cider produced will then by sold off the site but also on it in the pub adjoining the western street so as to provide a meeting space for the local community which was found to be lacking previously. To pollinate the trees, an additional polliating force will be needed. Beehives within the orchards will act to introduce new bee colonies that will pollinate the trees and provide honey (areas show in yellow).
1
2
3
4
Phasing Birdseye view of the potential phases in which the project may be realised It is likely that the project will not be realised in one go but rather in various phases. At first a public-private partnership may be struck between English Heritage and a private business for the erection of a cider making facility (1), the cultivation of orchards and the planting of the cloisters that will act as pleasure gardens. If the cider mill is successful, the introduction of living quarters and dining facilities (2) may be established for agritourism. As it open to the public a function space may be built on the chapter house ruins (3) and as a final completion phase the introduction of a public house for the residents of Muchelney may be made, completing the monks’ cloister (4).
Abbey Site Plan 1:500 Site plan at A2
Seated upon the ruin in a reversible way, the new structure follows the footings of the ruins or conjectural plan until it diverges and suggests a continuation of the pattern in the courtyard in front of the cidery on the most eastern corner.
Kitchen
Meeting Pub
Monks’ Cloister Chapter Hall
Kitchen Dining Hall Abbot’s House
Function room
Infirmary Cloister
Guests Cloister
Bottle Store
Public Toilets Delivery Court Bedrooms
Plant
Reredorter
Private Toilets
Showers
Tractor Shed
Cider Mill Bedrooms
Proposal Plan 1:200 plan at A2 The building proposes the erection of private and public spaces, each arranged so that they open on 2 opposing sides to the cloisters or the surrounding landscape. As one moves from the orchard to the street the building becomes goes from private to public function with the cidery and accommodation being private/semi private. In the accommodation block, agritourist will stay for a short duration using their private courtyard facing the orchards. Enclosing the “Guests Cloister” will be a demijohn and bottle storage room, a connecting ambulatory and the dining hall open to the public as well as the agritourists. The public rest rooms will look onto the Reredorter, a beautiful building which acted as the monks’ rest room. The “Infirmary Cloister will be enclosed by the Chapter hall and its function room whilst the main cloister will be enclosed by the Pub, Chapter hall and
A
A
East Elevation 1:200 as A2
Section A 1:200 at A2
East Elevation
B C
North Elevatio n B C
North Elevation 1:200 as A2
Section B 1:200 at A2
Section C 1:200 at A2
3
4
2
1
5
7 6 1
4 3 2
Construction Detail
1:20 Facade, Structure build up on Ruin and plan detail The following shows a detail of the proposed facade in the dining room, but which will likely be further ornamented to match features found in the Abbot’s house, a section of the wall showing its build up upon the ruins and plan segment. A layer of lime mortar will act as a separation layer upon which the rubber bearing pad may be cast allowing for reversibility. A levelling pre-cast member will be fitted onto to it and upon these the base rafts upon which the heavy walls will sit. A series of low angle ramps (less than 5 degrees) will act to connect the different levels of the rooms through the cloisters that provide long walkways.
1 Window Timber Frame 2 100mm Pre-cast Concrete 3 120mm Rigid Insulation 4 350mm Pre-cast Concrete 5 Heated timber floor 6 Services box 7 Pre-cast concrete raft base 8 Separating layer rubber bearing pad 9 Existing Foundation ruins 10 Anchor foundations
8 9
10
Structure Layers Exploded isometric of the construction layers The building is formed of three layers, the existing foundation ruins complemented with additional anchor foundations, the superstructure made of denser pre-cast concrete walls, piers and columns held together with pre-cast beams and a final light timber roof layer providing stability to the structure through triangulation and allowing for water and solar harvesting.
1:2500 timber model
1:500 timber model
1:200 card model
North Eastern Entrance to Site
Public House Front
Monks’ Cloister
Chapter Hall
Dining Hall
Orchard View