FHGraham | Thesis RMS | MArch Architecture, University of Greenwich

THESIS STRUCTURE

ATLAS OF LOSS: INTERVIEWS WITH FORGOTTEN BUILDINGS

01 02 03 04

Retrieval Failure Interference Recollection Failure to Store Motivational Forgetting

However, this thesis speculates that these categories do not go far enough, as they do not encompass the failing mind. Therefore, another section has been added:

RETRIEVAL FAILURE

‘Memory Retrieval’ failure is a memory, which one can not recall despite knowing the information required. This can be applied to buildings, which have lost a feature or element which made them what they once were, however the overall form remains.

INTERFERENCE RECOLLECTION

Deterioration of Memory Form

These categories make-up the chapters within the thesis, to research a full spectrum from ‘simple forgetting’ to ‘weakening memory formation’. In these 5 chapters, 7 buildings (per chapter) have been selected of varying locations, scales, styles, and programmes to give a broad over view of all that has been lost in London. They are structured in order of date of loss within their category.

‘Interference memory’ is when “new information interferes with your ability to remember previously learned information” . Within architecture, this can be found through those suffering with lost association, as the original design and intention of the building is conflicting with newer programmes, implementations, or more.

FAILURE TO STORE

READING METHOD To reflect upon the selected case studies, the texts can be read in a variety of ways, where differing investigations can be outlined to find different conclusions:

Method 1: To reflect on these buildings through a linear investigation through their fitting chapter themes

‘Failure to store’ memory in scientific research, is when short-term memory is not committed to long-term memory as it is not seen as required.This is in association with buildings becoming obsolete as they no longer serve a purpose or are not viable.

KEY CONTEXTUAL THEORY

Why do we forget? Why do some buildings become forgotten? How do we lose architecture? Can memory as a non-physical be applied to the physical? Analysing the data: Is there a correlation between location and loss within the city? Is there a correlation between date of construction and time of loss? What can we learn from buildings’ stories? Through anthropomorphising buildings, what becomes of the future of how we lose buildings?

AMBITIONS To discover why and how we forget architectural forms, through researching memory. Additionally, discovering the theories at play within the failure of architecture, and redundancies within buildings. To ensure no correlation can be found within location and date of construction to the date of loss. Through this, it can then be said that physical implications are not the cause for loss but how we perceive these spaces and what we afflict upon them.

METHODOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES

CONSTRAINTS

Creative writing to unpack the events and history of the selected buildings to discover their ideas & feelings towards their demise. A speculative exercise to unpack stories and ideas.

Subjective response & interpretation to the information found, biased towards my beliefs, views, and discoveries.

Photography of surviving buildings, to create a series of portraits & understand their setting and atmosphere. Beneficial to visit the sites and get a sense of place.

The risk with photography, is it is subject to subjective interpretation.

To understand and collect information on the topic of memory and loss, a literature review & historical research was undertaken.

Limited resources linking the deterioration of memory, and architecture.

Research into why we forget through psychology studies; Elizabeth Loftus & philosophy; Avishai Margalit

Research into the understanding of this is still be testing, so results are speculative

Research to select applicable case studies, to create a broad range of styles, periods, locations, programmes, and scales. Broad range of buildings available to create a test sample.

Broad range of buildings available, so a small test selection was created to represent a larger sample. A broader study, however may result in skewed results.

Comprehensive research and data collection for the selected case studies, to analyse, compare and to interpret potential causes of loss.

Limited resources on certain selected buildings, therefore information credibility could be criticised.

PRESERVATION IS OVERTAKING US 2014

THE ETHICS OF MEMORY 2004

THE DEMOCRACY OF OBJECTS 2011

NEW DARK AGE 2018

EXHIBITION WORKS

(Retrieval Failure, Interference Recollection, Failure to Store, Motivational Forgetting, Deterioration of Memory Form).

Method 2: To investigate whether their location within the city has any impact on their deterioration. Method 3 and 4: Structures the buildings in a timeline to examine if a moment in time is the root cause of their loss.

Method 3 lays out their date of completion or birth to be cross compared with Method 4, which entails their date of loss. These varieties of investigation will ensure the case studies are viewed in a variety of formats to study the impacts possibly at play and afflicting their lost conditions. It is evident that these factors are not inconsequential to ensure there is no correlation or sell-by-date for these buildings. By doing this, can it be said that we merely wish to move-on or forget the past? Why do we wish to forget these buildings?

BUILDING ANTHROPOMORPHISM In an investigation into the ‘lost’ buildings of London, a creative writing exercise was undertaken to look at these buildings in more detail, where anthropomorphism is utilised. In doing this, the building’s stories were able to be portrayed in a speculative manner, in order to investigate a building in its entirety and what it has lost. The building’s narrative is represented through one-sided answers in an interview to discuss their afflictions. While for those unable to speak for themselves, due to a life-cut short, an obituary is used to represent their narratives. Through doing this an outline of their lives is represented, as well as their feelings towards events that have afflicted them, both positive and negative.

FLORENCE GRAHAM SUPERVISOR: MIKE ALING

MOTIVATIONAL FORGETTING

Motivational forgetting occurs when someone does not want to remember a certain event or feeling so attempts to wipe the memory from their mind. This may be due to events we feel guilty over, or have left a ghostly atmosphere. In architecture this leads to the building becoming altered or demolished to remove this story of the past. DETERIORATION OF MEMORY FORM

The deterioration of memory is when the brain’s cognition begins to falter and fail. This loss of memory can be applied to architecture, when looking at the loss of physical memory through loss of fabric of deteriorating and removed architectures.

SPECULATION ON MEMORY FUTURES & THE FUTURE OF LOSS Speculations on the application of memory, as a non-physical, and applying it to the physicality of architecture to comment on failures, redundancies, and ultimately loss. Speculating on the anthropomorphism of buildings to further analyse these lost elements. From this what is the future of memory? What is the future of loss?

SECONDARY RESEARCH

RESEARCH CONTEXT

SUB QUESTIONS

CONTENTS & STRUCTURE This thesis research project, explores and discusses the lost architecture of London. This is achieved through investigating the notion of memory and asks ‘why do we forget’? Psychologist, Elizabeth Loftus01, breaks down the reasons we forget into four categories02:

RESEARCH METHODS

PRIMARY RESEARCH

RESEARCH METHOD STATEMENT

Research into literature to learn & understand the applicable theories; panpsychism, & architectural history.

DAVID ADJAYE’S MAKING MEMORIES, THE DESIGN MUSEUM 2019

BUILDING NARRATIVE

Panpsychism is a controversial philosophy, and often criticised, as it is an untestable phenomenon.

THE FUTURE STARTS HERE V&A MUSEUM 2018

THE ARCHITECTURE OF FAILURE 2012

PANPSYCHISM IN THE WEST 2017

BUILDING STORIES

LOST FUTURES

2012

2018

CASE STUDIES

REFERENCE TO REMEMBER

INFORMATION

THESIS FORM

FORM INTENTION The RMS form is based on a fold-out banner from the Thesis, which intends to break down the research methods utilised within the thesis. The RMS is removeable, so it can be kept to hand while reading the thesis. For the Thesis, an Atlas has been created and encompassed within a leather-bound book of interviews. Within this is an investigation into the Lost Buildings of London, through both an academic research format, and building narratives. This was achieved through a set of criteria to analyse the selected buildings on one side and creative writing on the other.

RETRIEVAL FAILURE ATLAS FORMAT ACADEMIC FORMWORK

KENTISH TOWN SOUTH STATION

CRYSTAL PALACE, HYDE PARK

TV-AM TELEVISION STUDIOS

ADMIRALTY CITADEL

BALFRON TOWER

BRIXTON RECREATION CENTRE

SPACE HOUSE

BUILDING NARRATIVE

BUILDING NAME NOLLI MAP

INTERFERENCE RECOLLECTION

INFORMATION & DATA BUILDING STORY

BUILDING LOGO

INDEXING DEMARCATIONS

CRITERIA

BUILDING PORTRAIT

HOLLAND HOUSE

BETHLEM HOSPITAL, SOUTHWARK

CROSSNESS PUMPING STATION

HORSE HOSPITAL

FAILURE TO STORE

NECROPOLIS RAILWAY

PEMBROKE HOUSE

CASSON PAVILION, LONDON ZOO

LOTS ROAD POWER STATION

LONDON CHANCERY BUILDING

MACADAM BUILDING, KING’S COLLEGE

SAINSBURY’S 55 BUGSBY WAY

HOLLOWAY PRISON

SAMPSON HOUSE

WELBECK STREET CAR PARK

MEMORABILIA MODEL To go alongside the selected case-studies in the Thesis, I have created small, hand-held memorabilia plaques of each building. The intention for this is to memorialise each building in a tactile, singular element. Each motif can be held and manipulated leaving a residue and form of disintegration as the building’s story is depicted.

“Elizabeth F. Loftus – UCI School Of Social Ecology”. 2019. Faculty.Sites.Uci.Edu. https://faculty.sites.uci.edu/eloftus/.

“4 Reasons We Forget Things”. 2019.Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/explanations-for-forgetting-2795045.

Margalit, Avishai. 2004. The Ethics Of Memory. Image. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ethics-Memory-Avishai-Margalit/dp/0674013786/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8& qid=1551042947&sr=8-1&keywords=ethics+of+memory.

Koolhaas, Rem. 2014. Preservation Is Overtaking Us. Image. https://www.arch.columbia.edu/books/reader/6-preservation-is-overtaking-us.

Bryant, Levi R. 2011. The Democracy Of Objects. Image. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Democracy-Objects-Levi-R-Bryant/dp/1607852047.

Bridle, James. 2018. New Dark Age: Technology And The End Of The Future. Image. https://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Dark-Age-Technology-Future/ dp/178663547X.

Reeve, Ed. 2019. “David Adjaye: Making Memory” Opens In London, A Recreated Portion Of The Sclera Pavilion. Image. https://www.contractdesign.com/news/ industry/david-adjaye-making-memory-opens-in-london/.

Parsons, Elly. 2018. Eternal 5D Data Storage, By University Of Southampton. Image. https://www.wallpaper.com/lifestyle/the-future-starts-here-exhibitionpreview-at-the-vanda-museum-london.

Murphy, Douglas. 2012. The Architecture Of Failure. Image. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Architecture-Failure-Douglas-Murphy/dp/1780990227/ref=sr_1_1?i e=UTF8&qid=1551044992&sr=8-1&keywords=the+architecture+of+failure.

Skrbina, David F. 2017. Panpsychism In The West. Image. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Panpsychism-West-Press-David-Skrbina/dp/0262534061/ ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1551046193&sr=1-1.

Ware, Chris. 2012. Building Stories. Image. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Building-Stories-Chris-Ware/dp/0224078127.

Hopkins, Owen. 2018. Lost Futures. Image. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Futures-Owen-Hopkins/dp/1910350621/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1551043 037&sr=8-1&keywords=Lost+Futures.

The London Great Exhibition’s Crystal Palace. 2019. Image. Accessed February 24. https://www.classicchicagomagazine.com/they-made-no-little-plans/.

Detail Of Balfron Tower, St Leonard’s Road. 2018. Image. https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5569618.

Brixton Rec. 2013. Image. https://www.brixtonblog.com/2013/02/brixton-recreation-centre-architect-george-finch-dies/10290/.

Our History. 2019. Image. Accessed March 4. https://operahollandpark.com/our-history/.

Crossness Pumping Station. 2019. Image. https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2018/12/22/crossness-pumping-station-saved-reopens-in-2019/.

Casson Pavilion - Hugh Casson And Neville Conder, 1962-1965. 2019. Image. https://www.timeout.com/london/art/ten-iconic-london-designs.

Lots Road Power Station. 2019. Image. https://planningconsult.rbkc.gov.uk/consult.ti/prop.cs.2009/viewCompoundDoc?docid=2122356&partId=2240116&sessionid=&voteid=.

The Illustrated London News Etching From 1854.Pembroke House,Whitehall Gardens, The Office Of The Minister At War. Crimean War. 2019. Image. Accessed February 24. https://dissolve.com/stock-photo/Illustrated-London-News-Etching-1854-pembroke-House-rights-managed-image/102-D869-94-241.

Holloway Prison – Covered Walkway Leading To The Chapel. Note The High-Security Walls. 2019. Image. https://www.bcd-urbex.com/hm-prison-hollowaylondon/.

Chetwood Associates. 2019. Sainsbury’s, Greenwich, London. Image. Accessed February 24. https://c20society.org.uk/lost-modern/sainsburys-greenwichlondon/.

Tyburn Gallows. 2019. Image. Accessed February 24. https://www.flickr.com/photos/carverjones/4028343641.

Hooke, Robert. 2019. The Hospital Of Bethlem [Bedlam] At Moorfields, London: Seen From The North,With People Walking In The Foreground. Engraving. Image. Accessed February 24. https://wellcomecollection.org/works/v5y5j6sf.

Newgate Gaol, London. 2019. Image. Accessed February 24. http://www.noseygenealogist.com/blog/5830/new-record-release-of-newgate-prison-recordsreveal-thieves-and-marie-antoinettes-libeller.

Bullock’s Museum, (Egyptian Hall Or London Museum), Piccadilly. Coloured Aquatint, Attributed To T. H. Shepherd, 1815. Image. Accessed February 24. https:// wellcomecollection.org/works/s9apdebs.

BOX

39 Hilldrop Crescent, Islington, North London. 2019. Image. Accessed February 24. https://www.lifedeathprizes.com/real-life-crime/uks-most-notoriousaddresses-houses-of-murderers-55413.

THESIS

PA Photo. 2019. Image. Accessed February 24. https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/our-yorkshire/heritage/video-on-this-day-in-1953-rillington-placemurders-1-8400068.

BUILDING MEMORABILIA

All of this is to be housed within a ‘black-box’, which is often used to symbolise the human mind, however in this case it will be used to represent the ‘lost memories’ of the architectural case-studies.

MOTIVATIONAL FORGETTING

TYBURN

BETHLEM HOSPITAL, MOORFIELDS

BBC TELEVISION CENTRE

10 RILLINGTON PLACE

39 HILLDROP CRESCENT

EGYPTIAN HALL

NEWGATE PRISON

BOX SECTION:

BBC. 2019. Image. https://www.lshmedia.co.uk/beast.

MIRRORED BASE

DETERIORATION OF MEMORY FORM

CRYSTAL PALACE, SYDENHAM

RED SANDS FORT

EUSTON ARCH

HOLLOWAY PRISON GATEWAY

THE STUMP

GRENFELL TOWER

ROBIN HOOD GARDENS

The Crystal Palace Destruction By Fire. 2019. Image. Accessed February 24. https://redsearch.org/images/p/the_crystal_palace_destruction_by_fire. Douglas, Chuck. 2014. Red Sands: Maunsell Fort. Image. https://www.flickr.com/photos/chuckdouglas/14720986516.

Euston Arch. 2019. Image. Accessed February 24. https://www.timeout.com/london/blog/nine-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-eustonstation-051917.

HMP Holloway Prison. 2019. Image. Accessed February 24. https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/hmp-holloway-prison-london-april-2017.108535/.

Arrested Development: London’s Tallest Building-To-Be Slated For Demolition. 2015. Image. https://archinect.com/news/article/134799180/arresteddevelopment-london-s-tallest-building-to-be-slated-for-demolition.

35 IMAGES

36 37

Grenfell Tower. 2019. Image. https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/grenfell-tower. Lousada, Sandra. 1972. The Smithson Family Collection. Image. https://municipaldreams.wordpress.com/2014/02/11/robin-hood-gardens-poplar-presencedignity-and-a-bit-grim/. All other imagery is own works, and own photography.