jack william taylor architecture urbanism art design research
select portfolio of works 00_1
B.Arch (Hons) Dip.Arch RIBA Part II
‘The City is our Factory’ 1:500
Cover Image: ‘The City is Our Factory’. Thesis: Freiraum - A Urban Manifesto for Lichtenberg
curriculum vitae.
employment: employment: September 2012 - June 2013 and June 2014 - October 2014 09/2012 - 06/2013 (Part I) and Straße Summer 2014 Sauerbruch Hutton Architekten, Lehrter 57, 10557 Berlin. education: Sauerbruch Hutton Architekten, Lehrter Strasse 57, 10557 Berlin. September 2009-2015 B.Arch (Hons) Dip.Arch (Distinction) RIBA Part II Mackintosh School of Architecture. Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, Scotland. education:
2009 - 2015 (Hons) Dip.Arch (Distinction) RIBA Part II October 2014 - February B.Arch 2015 Erasmus Exchange at the Universitat der Künste (UdK) Mackintosh School ofBerlin. Architecture, Glasgow, Scotland. awards:
2015 Nominated for theErasmus Architecture+Design Scotland for Best Urban Design Project. (Result Pending) 2014 Exchange ataward the Universitat der Künste (UdK) Berlin. 2013 ISA Charity Travel Award for Silk Steppes Research Trip. 2012 Winner - RIAS (Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland) and awards: Architecture+Design Scotland award for Best Third Year Student. “The communication for of approach and intent is excellent. Sensitivity Scotland to context is very apparent. 2015 Commendations the Architecture and Design Student The delineation of these proposals demonstrates both spatial awareness and a good understanding of Urban Design theof Royal Incorporation of Architects in the tactile Award and visualand qualities the proposed materials. The drawings are seductive and powerfully communicate space andDrawing light. The approach is highly individual while also conveying a Scotland Andy MacMillan Award. sound understanding of the needs of users.” Winner - Sheppard Robson Best Third Year Student. 2013 ISA Charity Travel Award for Silkapproach Steppes Research “Jack Taylor’s work, meanwhile, took a very different and considered to the main street ofTrip. Penicuik. Whilst many students focused on a particular building, Jack has thought very carefully about the streetscape itself and his project seeks to create interesting hard landscape and building interventions to enliven the route for the pedestrian through the town. 2012 - RIAS (Royal Incorporation Architects inartist Scotland) and He also had a very Winner bold and poetic design for a writing retreat at Little of Sparta, the garden of Ian Hamilton Finlay.” 2011 Winner - GIAArchitecture (Glasgow Instituteand of Architects) DesignCommendation Scotland award for Best Third Year Student. Best portfolio for a 2nd Year Student. 2010 Nominated for GIA Commendation.
Winner - Sheppard Robson Best Third Year Student.
other: ‘Visionary Helsinki’ Workshop Coordinator EASA012. 2011 Winnerbid- inGIA (Glasgow Bid President - INCMGlasgow012 Baku, Azerbaijan. Institute of Architects) Commendation Experience with Buro Happold Bristol. BestEngineers, portfolio for a 2nd Year Student.
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Nominated (Result Pending) Commendations. Architecture+Design Scotland award for Best Urban Design Project. Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Andy MacMillan Drawing Award.
Thesis: Freiraum - A Urban Manifesto for Lichtenberg (Economic) Subject-Object: Alienation from the product of labour
‘The struggle between the state and the urban [Henri Lefebvre]’ - can be rethought as Christoph Schäfer summarises, as a:
‘city built from imaginational passions’. Alienation from the means of production (object)
Alienation of labour power (subject)
Object of labour Instruments of Labour
Marxs’ theory of Alienation (ENFREMDUNG)
‘We’re all staying’
Society Gesellschaft Building Space based on Three Core Elements
Political Context Rising rent prices in the City of Berlin risk a decrease in Social Mobility. The state needs to recognise this and rebalance the role that private developers have in controlling the Citizens Right to the City.
THE CITY IS OUR FACTORY Christoph Schäfer
Cities for People. Not for Profit.
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Since ‘Die Wende’ The Change, - a reunified german state has emerged and in Berlin this process has especially exaggerated as a city divided between two opposite ideologies has attempted to knit back together the void left by the wall on the ground, and wall that still exists in the mind and heart.As citizens of the city of Berlin, Berliners have always been subject and victim to grand and ideology; many This cases the people didn’t buildexaggerated Berlin - the system did.divided Who isbetween the mosttwo important to Since ‘Die Wende’ The Change, - a reunified german stateideas has emerged and ininBerlin. process has especially as a city opposite the planning of the city. Is it current system find ourselves or isonit the the ground, potentialand of each individual citizen? Contemporarily, asWho architects we operate in the ideologies has attempted to knit backwe together the voidoperating left by thein,wall wall that still exists in the mind and heart. is the most important to city of neoliberal space the or Raum in Germanquestioning, as system the marxist geographer David Harveyin,refers it as. the citizens - ‘the right to the city’. planning of the city. Is it current we find ourselves operating or is ittothe potential of each individual citizen?
Thesis: Freiraum - A Urban Manifesto for Lichtenberg Spatial Agency 1:2000
Former Stasi Areal
Frankfurter Allee [200m W]
Magdalenenstraße Bowling Centre 1020hr Kaisers (Shop) 8-22hr
St MauritiusKirche
Small Independant Shops 8-20hr Peoples Archive of Wishes and Desires located opposite the symbol of state intervention in peoples lives - the Former Stasi Areal. A symbolic gesture.
Offices 9-19hr
Lidl 7-22hr
School 8-14hr
School 8-14hr Abandoned former railway yard utilised as a Peoples Planning Forum.
Lichtenberg Hauptbahnhof
Industrial 6-18hr
Kindergarten 7-13hr
Warehouses and Artist Residences
Peoples Construction and Political Knowledge Library intended build a involvement of the citizen in the formation of their own and collective space.
Community Washing Centre 8-15hr
Sectional Distribution of Interventions
‘Einsteigen Bitte... Nächste Station Bahnhof Lichtenberg.’ Cultural Attractors
Industrial 6-18hr
[Existing Other] Existing Residential
Nöldnerplatz [200m SW]
200m
‘Alight please, next station Lichtenberg’
Our Actor views the intial intervention by S Bahn and is met with intrigue.
Access Facilitators Instructional Initiators
Reclaim Your City. Participation is at its initial height. Our Actor is meeting and sharing ideas with new collaborators.
0m
Cultural Stimulation.
Our Actor is socialising in a newly opened cultural venue and meets another Actor...
‘A City is not a Company.’
‘Eine Stadt ist kein unternehmen’
Our Actors decide to occupy some of the structure and build a home together.
‘Free Time!’
Weekends are spent enjoying life and involving themselves in further acting.
‘Evolution.’
Our Actors are now fully involved in the process and spend time in the Kiez enjoying attractions with their young child.
‘Einsteigen Bitte... Nächste Station Bahnhof Lichtenberg.’ ‘Alight please, next station Lichtenberg’
Our Actor views the intial intervention by S Bahn and is met with intrigue.
Your City. The Berlin district of Lichtenberg could be catorgarised as the characteristic example of the failures of GDR planning. Since the fall of theReclaim wall, educated population flight to the west of the country, poorly executed commercial land speculation and development and a weak jobs market has led to a lack of social mobility, coupled Berlin district of Lichtenberg categorised as the of the failures of GDR planning. with a high immigrant population living in The a redundant ideological urbanismcould from abepast system. With all characteristic this in mind, anexample architectural intervention; the Freiraum: Cultural Stimulation. An architectural intervention; thetoFreiraum: Bezirkausbesserungswerk will attempt toiscreate and facilitate anconsolidated architecture and andplace that isa constantly Bezirkausbesserungswerk will attempt create and facilitate an architecture and place that constantly inhabited, expanded; free space inhabited, governed consolidated and expanded; a free space governed with with the the people, people, for for the the people, by the people. Participation is at its initial height. Our Actor is meeting and sharing ideas with new collaborators.
Our Actor is socialising in a newly opened cultural venue and meets another Actor...
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‘A City is not a Company.’
‘Eine Stadt ist kein unternehmen’
Our Actors decide to occupy some of the structure and build a home together.
Thesis: Freiraum - A Urban Manifesto for Lichtenberg
‘Einsteigen Bitte... Nächste Station Bahnhof Lichtenberg.’ ‘Alight please, next station Lichtenberg’
Our Actor views the intial intervention by S Bahn and is met with intrigue.
Reclaim Your City. Participation is at its initial height. Our Actor is meeting and sharing ideas with new collaborators.
Cultural Stimulation.
Our Actor is socialising in a newly opened cultural venue and meets another Actor...
‘A City is not a Company.’
‘Eine Stadt ist kein unternehmen’
Our Actors decide to occupy some of the structure and build a home together.
‘Free Time!’
Weekends are spent enjoying life and involving themselves in further acting.
‘Evolution.’
Our Actors are now fully involved in the process and spend time in the Kiez enjoying attractions with their young child.
‘Einsteigen Bitte... Nächste Station Bahnhof Lichtenberg.’ ‘Alight please, next station Lichtenberg’
Our Actor views the intial intervention by S Bahn and is met with intrigue.
Reclaim Your City. Participation is at its initial height. Our Actor is meeting and sharing ideas with new collaborators.
Cultural Stimulation.
Our Actor is socialising in a newly opened cultural venue and meets another Actor...
‘A City is not a Company.’
The program proposal is over a mixed use progressionally developed structure of cultural, economic, educational and dwellings that attempts to rethink the way in The program over athe mixed use progressionally structure ofthe cultural, economic, educational andproposal dwellings that attempts rethink the way in which the city canproposal functionis outwith pressures of influences developed of existential forces of neoliberal system of today.This attempts to bringtothe interests of the the citythat cancould function outwith the pressures ofsuch influences of existential forces the neoliberal systempromoting of today. ‘Freearchitecture Time!’ people and state closer together and question thewhich environment be possible to create under conditions.It is desirable to of create an This proposal attempts to bring the interests of the people and state closer together and question the environment that could be possible to create under such cooperation and contribution vs commodification; Architecture vs architecture. conditions. It is desirable to create an architecture promoting cooperation and contribution vs commodification; Architecture vs architecture. ‘Eine Stadt ist kein unternehmen’
Our Actors decide to occupy some of the structure and build a home together.
Weekends are spent enjoying life and involving themselves in further acting.
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‘Evolution.’
Our Actors are now fully involved in the process and spend time in the Kiez enjoying attractions with their young child.
Thesis: Freiraum - A Urban Manifesto for Lichtenberg
‘Einsteigen Bitte... Nächste Station Bahnhof Lichtenberg.’ ‘Alight please, next station Lichtenberg’
Our Actor views the intial intervention by S Bahn and is met with intrigue.
Reclaim Your City. Participation is at its initial height. Our Actor is meeting and sharing ideas with new collaborators.
Cultural Stimulation.
Our Actor is socialising in a newly opened cultural venue and meets another Actor...
‘A City is not a Company.’
‘Eine Stadt ist kein unternehmen’
Our Actors decide to occupy some of the structure and build a home together.
‘Free Time!’
Weekends are spent enjoying life and involving themselves in further acting.
‘Evolution.’
Our Actors are now fully involved in the process and spend time in the Kiez enjoying attractions with their young child.
‘Einsteigen Bitte... Nächste Station Bahnhof Lichtenberg.’ ‘Alight please, next station Lichtenberg’
Our Actor views the intial intervention by S Bahn and is met with intrigue.
Reclaim Your City. Participation is at its initial height. Our Actor is meeting and sharing ideas with new collaborators.
Cultural Stimulation.
Our Actor is socialising in a newly opened cultural venue and meets another Actor...
‘A City is not a Company.’
‘Eine Stadt ist kein unternehmen’
Our Actors decide to occupy some of the structure and build a home together.
‘Free Time!’
Weekends are spent enjoying life and involving themselves in further acting.
Rehabilitation
Occupation
Diversity
Drifting
Invention
‘Evolution.’ AsAsa aform formit itisisimagined imaginedthat thatthe theintervention interventionwould wouldbe beconstructed constructedby bythe thestate stateand and‘occupied’ ‘occupied’or ordeveloped developeddirectly directlydemocratically democratically by by the the inhabitants in a density worthy worthyofofthe thecity cityreferring referringtotoLefebvres Lefebvresidea ideathat that- ‘cities - ‘citiesare arecondensed condenseddifferences; differences;density densitymultiplies multipliesintelligence.’ intelligence.’At Atthe theIBA IBA 87 87 the the german german architect Frei Otto built a aseries seriesofofseven sevenmetre metrehigh highplatforms platformsininthe theTiergarten Tiergartenininaaproposal proposalthat thathe heimagined imaginedthe theCity Cityof ofBerlin Berlinwould wouldconstruct construct and and the the citizens citizens would expand and build. Densifying Densifyingthe theurban urbanwhilst whilstnot notbuilding buildingon ongreen greencould couldhelp helpto topreserve preserveBerlin Berlin as as the the green green archipelago that it is. Inspiration Inspiration is is also also taken taken directly from the vertical informal informalcommunity community‘Torre ‘TorreDavid’ David’ininCaracas, Caracas,Venezuela, Venezuela,squatted squattedarchitecture architectureof ofChristiania ChristianiaininCopenhagen, Copenhagen,Denmark Denmarkand and the the radical radical urban urban space of Berlin itself. Our Actors are now fully involved in the process and spend time in the Kiez enjoying attractions with their young child.
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Service Column and Signifiers Slip formed concrete service columns form the main infrastructural interventions into the site by providing water, power and structural stability for the primary structure. In an attempt to facilitate construction within the primary steel structure, it is imagined that ‘signifying elements’ are left visible for the citizens to interact with and build upon, offering an intuative starting point for expansion within the structure.
Thesis: Freiraum - A Urban Manifesto for Lichtenberg
These siginifiers could take the form of some of the examples below such as different plate or shear connections for attaching various metal elements to. In the detail below it is also possible to see a selection of different ways in which different constructional elements could be inserted and fixed within the structure before the application of vapour barriers and insulation depending on the requirments of the inhabitant. This chronicals the initial occupation of the structure by the ‘first adopters’. Demonstrated are some simple timber and steel connections and a concrete block and beam floor. The Isometric is visualised over an existing building showing the service column giving access to power for rehibilitation of the ground plain.
Isometric Extract of Service Column and Structural Infill
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The struggle between the state and the urban - can be rethought - as Christoph Schäfer summarises, as a ‘city built from imaginational passions’.In is envisioned that this The struggle between state and railway the urban - candue be rethought - as Christoph Schafer summarises, as a ‘city built from imaginational structure will be implemented close to thethe Lichtenberg station to the CONTEXT, and given its near redundant scale as the former main station ofpassions’. the GDR, Thethe structure will beand implemented close toantithesis the Lichtenberg railway station due toHauptbahnhof. the CONTEXT which has been reduced to no more than a point on the transit map since reunification the opening of the commercial and cold Berlin and near redundant scale as the former main station ofcan thegrow. GDR. The station itself is the key to social mobility and is able to act as thegiven nodeits from which the Freiraum: Bezirkausbesserungswerk The station itself is the key to social mobility and is able to act as the node from which the Freiraum: Bezirkausbesserungswerk can grow.
Living in Berlin: Sudkreuz Incompletness
the communal Abschlusspräsentation 09.02.2015
Jorge Reis || Agustín Martínez || Jack William Taylor
dwellings 70%
Abschlusspräsentation 09.02.2015
Abschlusspräsentation 09.02.2015
Jorge Reis || Agustín Martínez || Jack William Taylor
Jorge Reis || Agustín Martínez || Jack William Taylor
Dwellings Area: 61.221 sqm Flats units: 516 Common Spaces: 30
PLOT AREA: 36.269 sqm NEW AREA: 65.622 sqm FAR: 2 Abschlusspräsentation 09.02.2015
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Thetobrief to design a housing structure for people 5000 people was enviosned byadesigning a typology that could initially provide generous spatialfor properties for the The brief design a housing structure for 5000 led us to start by design typology that could initially provide generous spatial properties the inhabitants, inhabitants,but then could utilise thesection use of the sectiondifferent to provide different relationships. the development a typology could be adaptable and but then could utilise the use of the to provide relationships. This allowedThis the allowed development of a typologyofthat could bethat adaptable and combined in 09.02.2015 Reis || Agustín Martínez || Jack William Taylor combined in different ways.The privacy the range flat connects with the public through the userequired of a service to aThe partition between private and public whilst at different ways to accommodate theof large ofAbschlusspräsentation demographics and living situations in thecore cityJorge of make Berlin. privacy of the flat connects with the public the same the public corridor with home office space and semiprivate rooms. through the use of a service core to make a partition between private and public whilstactivating agh the same activating the public corridor with home office space and semi private rooms.The Thecommunal communalcorridor corridorspaces spacesininturn turnallow allowthe thearchitecture architectureto toinspire inspireevents events and and activity activity between the inhabitants. Jorge Reis || Agustín Martínez || Jack William Taylor
Living in Berlin: Sudkreuz Incompletness
Abschlusspräsentation 09.02.2015
Jorge Reis || Agustín Martínez || Jack William Taylor
Abschlusspräsentation 09.02.2015
Jorge Reis || Agustín Martínez || Jack William Taylor
Abschlusspräsentation 09.02.2015
Jorge Reis || Agustín Martínez || Jack William Taylor
Abschlusspräsentation 09.02.2015
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Jorge Reis || Agustín Martínez || Jack William Taylor
Jorge Reis || Agustín Martínez || Jack William Taylor
The Theflats flatsare arethen thenimplemented implementedon onthe theland landtotothe thewest westofofSüdkreuz. Südkreuz.The Thearchitectural architecturalintention intentionisisto topropose proposean analternative alternativethe the tabula tabula rasa rasa often often chosen as the best way to enact a large urbanism. Thereason, flats are raised tree to line and a platform constructed, allowing the effect the to the ecology the ground ofground such a to enact suchsuch a large scalescale urbanism. For this the flats to arethe raised the tree line and aisplatform is constructed, allowing effect to theofecology of the implementation to be minimal. Every tree is surveyed retained. Every building is retained and offered a new opportunity or is able functioning as before of such a implementation to be minimal. Every tree isand survey and retained. Every building is retained and offered a new opportunity orto is continue able to continue functioning as The inhabitants and uses of the area are not displaced. This createswhereby an architecture of addition and improvement before. The inhabitants and uses of the area are not displaced. This creates an architecture of addition and improvement the present is respected and the new whereby the present is respected and the new tries tries to to make make better sense of this. Jorge Reis || Agustín Martínez || Jack William Taylor
Abschlusspräsentation 09.02.2015
Jorge Reis || Agustín Martínez || Jack William Taylor
Abschlusspräsentation 09.02.2015
Jorge Reis || Agustín Martínez || Jack William Taylor
Abschlusspräsentation 09.02.2015
Jorge Reis || Agustín Martínez || Jack William Taylor
Living in Berlin: Sudkreuz Incompletness
Abschlusspräsentation 09.02.2015
Jorge Reis || Agustín Martínez || Jack William Taylor
Abschlusspräsentation 09.02.2015
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Jorge Reis || Agustín Martínez || Jack William Taylor
In an urban sense, the density and position of flats reacted to the exact conditions on the ground. A ‘stadt’ density is established In an sense, theisdensity andwith position of to flats reacted the exact conditions theat ground. A ‘stadt’ density is west, established near to urban the station and combined offices offer directto access to the transporton node Südkreuz. Further to the where near tothe therelationship station and with is combined withbecome offices to offer direct access to theistransport nodea at Südkreuz. Furtherwhereby to the west, where the existing more complex, the density reduced and ‘kiez’ is established a centre is the relationship with the existing become more complex,rationalised the density from is reduced and a and ‘kiez’the is established a centre is the existing new to try towhereby grow a community. rationalised from the existing and the new to try to grow a community.
Scottish Landscape Institute. people!
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se only]
[Academic use only]
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ThisThis proposal is intended to serve as an of the proposal is intended to serve asinvestigation an investigation thenotion notionofofinstitutional institutionalbuildings buildingsby byasking askingthe thequestion, question,â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;what what is the architecture architectureofofinstitute?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; institute?The Thedesign designintention intentionfor forthe theScottish ScottishLandscape Landscape Institute Institute is to create a building, space spaceand andstructure structurethat thatpromotes promotesaccess accessability abilityoutwith outwiththe theconfines confinesof ofthe thedesire desireis isthat thatthe the building building is is transparent transparent in program and form, form,different differentactivities activitiescan canbe beseen seenand andthe thearchitecture architectureof ofthe thebuilding buildingitself itselfserves serves as as aa tool tool to to learn about landscape. --the thearchitecture architecture as as education education and experience.
Scottish Landscape Institute.
[Academic use only]
reflect. the city as a laboratory. [Academic use only]
inform. [Academic use only]
[Academic use only]
learn. archive and promote.
assemble.
[Academic use only]
[Academic use only]
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The placing of of a National Institute The siting a National Institutininthe thesocio sociodemographic demographiccontext contextof ofthe theCalton; Calton; which which is is one one of the most neglected and anddeprived deprivedareas areasininthe thewhole wholeof ofScotland Scotlandis isaastatement statement in in itself itself about about the the belief in the areas and the thepeople peoplewho wholive livethere therenow. now.The Theuse useof ofbuilding buildingas asaamachine machinefor forsocial social inclusion inclusion and and education is exciting. The Theactivities activitiesor orprograms programs of of the the Scottish Scottish landscape Institute are arenot notlonger longerrestricted restrictedto tothe the academic academic elite elite or or industry professionals.
Winner RIAS (Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland) and Architecture+Design Scotland award for Best Third Year Student. Winner Sheppard Robson Best Third Year Student.
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A Writers Retreat.
A Writers Retreat.
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Reacting to the work of the Sculptor Reacting to the work of the Sculptor Ian Hamilton Ian Hamilton Finlay, this is a Retreat, but also an Outpost. Finlay, this is a Retreat, but also an Outpost. Cellular accommodation, a communal bathing area Cellular accommodation, a communal bathing area guests will be tested mentally and physically. guests will be tested mentally and physically.
A Writers Retreat.
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‘that which joins and that which divides is ‘That which joins and that which divides is one and the same’ - ian hamilton finlay. one and the same’ - Ian Hamilton Finlay.
A Writers Retreat.
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The library is joined to Sparta by the water, but is divided from the living area. The library is joined to Sparta by the water, but is divided from the living area. The Retreat therefore is the experience. The Retreat therefore is the experience. The moment. The observed. The recognised. The moment. The observed. The recognised.
This is the Calton. <><><>< ><><><>
ORATION H FICATION.
ALEXANDER GARTHWAITE. JACK TAYLOR. CHEVY THOM. JULIA UNDERWOOD.
THIS IS THE CALTON.
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THE CALTON.
A Housing Concept for the A Housing Concept for the Neglected, Fragmented Urban Tapestry Neglected, Fragmented Urban Tapestry in the East End of Glasgow. in the East End of Glasgow.
This is the Calton.
Urban Block.
URBAN BLOCK.
Defining Space.
DEFINING SPACE.
Permeability.
PERMEABILITY.
Contexual Relationship.
Demographic Variation.
CONTEXTUAL RELATIONSHIP.
DEMOGRAPHIC VARIATION.
Diversity of Form.
DIVERSITY OF FORM.
[Academic use only]
GROUND. 0.00
[Academic use only]
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FIRST. +3.00
[Academic use only]
THIRD. +9.00
[Academic use only]
[Academic use only]
Permeate. Permeate. Reconnect. Reconnect. Rationalise. Rationalise. Reuse Reuse and and Densify. Densify. Slip Slip and and Block. Block.
This is the Calton.
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Reaction. Reaction.
A Rural::, Urban Renaissance for Penicuik.
Winner RIAS (Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland) and Architecture+Design Scotland award for Best Third Year Student. Winner Sheppard Robson Best Third Year Student.
People
2012 Interests
Social Supply Chains Communities Knowledge Skills Interest Groups
Powers
Rights
Education
Reflect Converse
Investment Interests Connections Environments Livability Accessibility
Place
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P
Produce
The Building Network
Rights Powers
Publish
Production Programs Prosperity Partnership
Trade
Interact Re-establish the Town Centre as a Destination
Catalyst for the Community 2020
Sustainable Space Closing Opportunity Gap
Establish a Heart for Penicuik
Interests
Renewal Wider Scheme
Realisation
Rights Powers
Investment Future Expansion
AAreaction reactionagainst againstthe thepoor poorurban urbanstreetscape streetscape and and commercialisation commercialisation of of Penicuik. Penicuik. ‘De-urbanisation’ of the town takes place, through planting of a series of grasslands; ‘De-urbanisation’ of the town takes place, through planting of a series of grasslands; this thisgrass grassisisthen thenharvested harvested within within the the central central building building proposal proposal and and is used to once again produce paper within is used to once again produce paper within Penicuik. Penicuik.
A Rural::, Urban Renaissance for Penicuik.
a town centre regeneration study, penicuik, midlothian, scotland
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Central to the building sits the red cube, Central to the building sits red cube gently pulsating (publishing gently pulsating (publishing offices for the Hawthorn Press of IHF) offices for the Hawthorn Press of IHF) to embody re-birth of the to embody re-birth of the town â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the HEART OF PENICUIK. town â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the HEART OF PENICUIK.
A Rural::, Urban Renaissance for Penicuik.
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Winner GIA (Glasgow Institute of Architects) Commendation Best portfolio for a 2nd Year Student.
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Event House.
Aa centre centre for for Muay Muay Thai Thai kickboxing kickboxing Lochwinnoch, lochwinnoch, Scotland. scotland.
Urban Shed. Milton Community Farm.
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competition entry. Competition entry. A temporary building for the ‘love milton’ community charity. a temporary building for the ‘love milton’ community charity. Glasgow, Scotland. glasgow, scotland.
Visioning Helsinki.
visioning is a process
not a statement
helsinki
Aawalk walkto tofreedom. freedom.returning returningand andempowering empoweringforgotten forgetten places places to to use use and and the the local local community. community. Swimming changing room room and swimming changing and platform. platform.
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Workshop leader at ‘wastelands’ workshop leader at ‘wastelands’ - EASA012 EASA012 Helsinki, helsinki,Finland. finland.
Neckarscope.
the neckarscope creates a unique experience in an envrionment of isolation, reflection and centrality by using a simple form and recycled materials to alter perception and engage in questioning the beauty of place and space.
tetrabrick facade process.
1:50 study model.
neckarscope.
neckarpromenade, mannheim. choose your moment and come visit.
may 23rd - 8th June 2014. simple structural buildup. plan 1:25
section 1:25
elevations 1:100
neckarscope.
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thedesign designtakes takes itsinspiration inspiration from from the the principle principle of a kaleidoscope. The its neckarpromenade, mannheim. it is intended make youperceive perceiveyour yourimmediate immidaite surroundings differently and create create aa new new composition composition of of reality. reality. choose your moment and come visit. It is intended toto make you surroundings differently and design theintent. exterior ofneckarscope the neckarscope references through abstration the art art and and architecture architecture of of the the The exterior skin skin of the references through abstraction of the the neckarscope is a new way turkish of feeling the city. diasporawhich whichmake makeup upaalarge largepart part of of the the multicultural multicultural fabric fabric of of mannheim mannheim Turkish diaspora it creates a unique experience in an envrionment of isolation, reflection and centrality by using a simple celebration of of tolerance tolerance and and understanding. understanding. --Aacelebration form and recycled materials to alter perception and engage in questioning the beauty of place and space.
the design takes its inspiration from the principle of a kaleidoscope - from the ancient greek â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;observation of beautiful formsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. it is intended to make you perceive your immidaite surroundings differently and create a new composition of reality.
Reclaiming Public Space.
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collaborative project for the a+ds [architecture + design scotland] exhibition Collaborative project for the a+ds [architecture + price: designthink scotland] exhibition ‘cedric the unthinkable’ ‘Cedric price: think the unthinkable’ Glasgow, glasgow, Scotland. scotland.
Paint.
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underground carpark. Underground carpark. Barcelona, Spain. barcelona, spain.
Chair.
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bespoke garden sun lounger. Bespoke garden sun lounger. commissioned client led design. Commissioned client led design. Wiltshire, England. wiltshire, england.
INCM Baku 2011
Prepared preparedaabid biddocument documentalong alongwith withthree threeother otherstudents studentsfrom fromthe theMackintosh mackintoshSchool school of of Architecture architecture toto host the Intermediary National Contacts Meeting of EASA (the European Architecture Students Assembly)in Glasgow host the intermediary national contacts meeting of EASA (the European Architecture Students Assembly)in glasgow in in 2012. 2012. Flew to Baku, Azerbaijan to present the bid to students from 46 other European countries. flew to Baku, Azerbaijan to present the bid to students from 46 other european countries.
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Baku, baku, Azerbaijan. azerbaijan.
Constructavist Dreams. narkomfin building novinsky 25 (korpus b), moscow, moisei ginzburg 1927
intourist car garage suschevsky val street, moscow konstantin melnikov 1933
Self initiated research trip discovering the work of the Constructivists anddiscovering the VKhUTEMAS in russia. self initiated research trip the work of the
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constructavists St Petersburg. Moscow. Kazan. Samara. .Sochi. 2011 and the Volgograd VKhUTEMAS in russia. st petersburg. moscow. kazan. samara. volgograd .sochi. 2011
Silk Steppes. sit the Bayterek Monument the Presidents Palace and the Norman Foster designed Pyramid of Peace and Reconciliation – itself an incredible building to visit. Due to its age, the city doesn’t offer much for the visitor – therefore immersing oneself in the insanity of its conception – walking the miles between buildings – was the best thing to do. With time in mind and upon arrival the grave sense of the challenge ahead , this led us to move on to Almaty and to get into the heart of Central Asia.
Central Asia and the Silk Road – the words conjure up many different images and memories - Genghis Khan, Nomadic Culture, Ethnic Wars, the drugs trade, a mysterious region fought over for years by various powers. As a student of architecture, Central Asia has always been of interest for me as receiving an education, which requires understanding and investigation into political, social, geographical and historical situations – well before the artistic and conceptual side of a design progress can begin, the region can offer a first hand insight into how all of these influences have come together to create such a culturally complex place. It is a region where it is possible to observe nomadic architecture being used in day-to-day life. It is a region of nomadic people restricted by border line drawn in a time It is region with new nation states which are trying to represent themselves politically and cultural through architecture to give themselves identity within the world. It is a region shaped by ideology.
We left Almaty for Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan planning to make ‘a loop’ through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan before heading back to Almaty to head on into China in around two and a half weeks. Travelling by Marshukta, which is a private minibus system, that function all over former soviet countries, 6hrs for around $9, with a Russian Mikhail that we had met in the hostel, we entered Kyrgyzstan and were imminently faced with the economic legacy of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Unlike oil and gas rich Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan was much poorer – the road to Bishkek was completely worn out and was lined by people selling fruit from there houses or cars contrasted with sporadic industrial development interweaved with improvised house solutions – not total poverty but definitely a change from the richer, more controlled urbanity and structure of Kazakhstan.
Travelling across the vast plains of the Eurasian steppe south to Almaty, it was possible to observe the sheer achievement that it was for the Soviet Union to hold power with such force in an area with such a low population density. It was a 24hr bus journey to Almaty – the landscape changed little but this made it more spectacular, it was impossible to have a sense of scale in such a space. This is a condition it is rarely possible to experience. Almaty is very much still a Russian city – architecturally but also demographically. The visible wealth was surprising however driving into the city it was easy to observe on the periphery of Almaty the very visible ‘soviet poverty’ –what I mean by this is that although the majority of the poor have a flat or house (often in a dilapidated on run down condition) however due to the collapse of the social security system in many post soviet countries after the fall of communism many live on very little money and resort to street selling for example. In soviet times, much more money was spent here than in other Central Asian capitals as it was seen by the soviets in Moscow as their power base in the region, therefore this is where we made many example of the best soviet architecture of the Brezhnev years – monolithic concrete government buildings and the striking towering façade of the ‘Hotel Kazakhstan’. Visiting the large market in the west of the city suburbs, it was the first place where I felt that I began to get an understanding of the true ethnic complexity of the region. I bought nuts from an Uzbek,
The reason to fly to Astana and begin the journey there for me was obvious – it is the epitome of city struggling to force an identity for a country without one – Kazakhstan. The Capital was relocated from Almaty to Astana 15 years ago – there are many debated reasons for this – some believe it was a political decision to move the capital to the centre of the country to assimilate power and see of a separatist threat from the ethnically Russian populated north; other believe it was a economic and cultural decision to create a city to rival Almaty, which in could also show to the world the power style and aspiration of Kazakhstan. We stayed in an apartment block with some locals in the centre of the city – coincidentally it was the 15 year anniversary celebrations of the city the weekend we arrived therefore it was possible to see the city in its full pageantry. Astana is a city of Icon buildings and developments loosely adhering to a grid plan, traversed by ‘the Millennium line’ – on this
ability to hike north into the mountain to come into direct contact with the local nomadic culture (something that was just beginning to recover only now from the auspices of soviet collectivisation policies) and in turn the architecture of this fascinating and unique culture. We spent a night camping not far from a farmers house – climbing to the top of a nearby hill that night, we were able to come into direct contact with a farmer and his horse, watching over his animals through the whole valley; incredibly even being a good 3hr walk from the town itself, with the faint sound of techno music in the background; a clash of cultures and a symbol for the challenges that face the country in the future.
We arrived in Osh with apprehension. 3 years ago there had been some serious cross border ethnic violence between the Uzbek and Kyrgyz in which 1000 people had died. We had heard from many other travellers that tensions were still running high. Travelling from the ‘Airport’ into the town it was clear to see that this part of Kyrgyzstan was significantly less developed however there was little visible damage from the violence that had flared up relatively recently. This first night in Osh was one of the most memorable - having avoided and negotiated the ‘vodka zombies’, we took an old and crammed Marshukta into the town centre. On this minibus we met an old Babushka who insisted through very physically communication that we get off at her stop and follow her to ‘casa’ (her knowledge of Spanish was vaguely existent unlike her English) for some food. The home was located in a typical Khruschevian slab block estate very near to the centre of the town and we spent a very enjoyable night chatting to the whole family, over a traditional meal of meat and potatoes, with her granddaughter attempting to translate for us. Most amazingly it turned out that the granddaughter was originally from Murmansk in the far north of Russia, and had met none other than Fidel Castro three times, whilst working as a cook in the Soviet Union Navy. This meeting for me highlighted the ethnic complexity of the region, due to the fact that this family, ethnically Russian, had unlike many others, decided to stay in Kyrgyzstan after the fall of the Soviet Union and now seemingly found themselves trapped in ethnic trouble and unrest that soviet (predominantly Russian) border and line drawing had created.
Due to time constraints and the knowledge that we were able to take an hour-long flight between Bishkek and Osh for little more than the 15-hour bus ride – we headed to the airport for the flight and encountered yet a further example of the complexity of the political situation within the region. Whilst waiting in the departure lounge, it was quite easy to observe the US Air force cargo planes
silk steppes.
Before leaving Osh, we encountered more of the generosity that had been experienced the previous day. Asking simply for directions to the Post Office, ended up in a full day Sultan (an English teacher) and his friend who gave a whole day to show us the sights of this city, the highlight being the museum at the top of the Islamic Holy Suleman Mountain. We were then treated to a traditional meal and walk through the largest bazaar in Central Asia – which it was obvious to see, had suffered a lot since the ethnic clashes three years previous, however it was still clear to see that in this part of the world, the Bazaar was the centre of all activity within the city. The time in Osh ended in an few beers with Sultan, after taking a ‘taxi’ through the Bazaar back to the Hostel with a sense of relief – the streets of Osh were incredibly dark at night and inhabited by violent drunks therefore it was a good feeling that we had mad it back alive.
post-soviet architectural observations in the aspiring new and developing independent states.
Uzbekistan geographically punctures Kyrgyzstan therefore since the fall of the Soviet union and the erection of international borders between the new nation states, this has created transit problems between regions of Kyrgyzstan and also for the people of the enclaves of Uzbekistan which exist the south of the Kyrgyzstan. Due to the border skirmishes and ethnic violence that occurred in 2010, both side make it near impossible for each others populations to cross the border simply meaning this border only 10km for the centre of Osh was reminiscent of refuge scenes from a civil war in the middle east – lots of commotion, noise and emotion, coupled with an uneasy sense of fragility – the situation could explode anytime. Keen for us not to witness this too long, we were waved through
the silk road.
Other Architectural highlights included the ‘Circus’ – another remnant of the soviet past; it can’t be said any sort of contemporary architecture scene exists here, near impossible under the hard hand of Karimovs regime and ‘personal aesthetic design ideas’. Tashkent is policed by an incredible amount of ‘militia’, which at some points made the place reminiscent of how I imagine Stalinist Russia to have been in the 1950’s. A trip on the Metro was always met with an ID check, questions about registration, and left oneself with a feeling of, why did I come here? Ironically money changing is done on the black market on the street – the largest banknote in Uzbekistan is 1000som which is 25p – meaning carrying around a significant amount of banknotes for days activities. After some very strange nights in ‘Ali Tour Hostel’ and an unexpectedly excellent meal as the state owned ‘National foods of Uzbekistan’, we took a day to sort out our registration, a very important part of spending time in Uzbekistan. Without having registration slips for every night spent in the country, it could be impossible to leave without paying a significant fine. Dodging the Militia and propaganda on offer at Tashkent railway we headed on the Uzbekistan railway train to Bukhara – one of the more comfortable journeys of the trip.
The second time in Almaty was a time for reflection and recuperation before the next stage of the trip. It was great have a second chance to look at the city again and appreciate that in soviet planning terms, it has to be one of the best examples outside of Russia. Visiting the Arasan Russian Baths was an architectural lesson in circulation and creation of spaces for relaxtion and recuperation - both of which we did. We spent a day camping in the mountains south of Almaty – an alpine retreat for the super rich and returned to the city to sample the hedonistic, vodka induced nightlife of this bustling city, ending in a 7am encounter with the local police attempting to extract money from us after a dubious search. This for me was a reminder that although Kazakhstan has in some respects moved thoroughly on from its recent soviet past, some things still remain – corruption and bribery. This may well hinder the development of the country in the years to come.
– tourist prices were 1000% than locals and it was simple to unwillingly bribe officials to gain access to restricted world heritage archaeological digs – which we did once without realising the situation before us. On the last night in Bukhara, wandering through the confusing lanes of the old town, we encountered Ali and his son, who insisted we came to dinner with him where he shared with us some very interesting views on women – whilst drinking alcohol on Ramadan giving us a full insight into the clashes and contradictions of Islamic culture of post Soviet state. Luckily in Bukhara, it was always possible to find sanctuary in the calm atmosphere of Mubijons Bukhara house.
Uzbek urban planners have systematically destroyed Samarkand over the past decade. The old town that used to grace the periphery of the Registan and other monuments has been torn down and replaced with swathes of open space, surmounted by long boulevards of kitsch lights and coloured surfaces. This destruction was even more profound in comparison to Bukhara – these great buildings now just sit as icons in a vast plain of tourist-policed wasteland. The city itself was rather non descript; much bigger than Bukhara, however like many soviet planned cities lacking an identity – some of this soviet plan was at the time we were visiting being renovated and reworked by widening streets and adding neoclassical facades – like I said before it is near impossible for a contemporary architecture scene to exist under the iron fist of Karimovs government. For me what is being built in Uzbekistan is just a continuation of what came before; now not a soviet realism propended under Stalin, but an Uzbek realism carried out under Karimov; the cycle continues.
Upon on arrival in Bukhara it was 44c, dry and the first thought was to run for the shade. The city itself is again a soviet gridded plan which from the suburbs and surround the old core – which contains the majority of the world heritage site. Accommodation was found with Mubijon who welcomed us into his original Bukhara house, which was over 300years old; here we found the architectural highlight of the trip. Staying in a large open plan room, cooled by the central courtyard of the house, we were treated to fresh tea fruit and bread – and invited to go early one morning to the bazaar with Mubijon – here you felt the local population being at arms with current government and the soviet past. The scenes at the bazaar couldn’t have changed much in the past five hundred years. The Mosques, Madrassas and Minarets of Bukhara were definitely
encountering a checkpoint and ID check on the way to enter ‘sensitive border regions’, was one of the more comfortable journeys on the trip. The bus travelled northwest passing through the heavily mined oil extraction central desert region of Xijiang. Here again it was possible to feel the economic might of China today – the bus constantly encountered in both directions trucks travelling to and from these mines – a constant cycle of production and consumption was able to be observed at the most basic scale. On the bus we met a Chinese Kazakh university lecturer (another personal example of the ethnic and social complexity of the central Asian region – ethnically Kazakh he was unable to get a passport to leave China – therefore didn’t have much good to say about the Chinese administration in the region) who told us due to regulation we would have to stay in a hotel in Qinge before moving onto the Mongolian border in the morning. Upon arrival he took us to the police station to clarify we were able to stay in this sensitive region, and it soon became apparent that camping, which we had originally planned to do, was strictly forbidden due to ‘registration issues’. We were made to stay in a local hotel by the police – our presence in the town gaining much attention, a ethically Kazakh town which had like most of Xinjiang undergone a similar process of ‘Hanification’ – the almost dominant use of the Mandarin over the Uyghur (Arabic) script and architecturally the insertion of a new square and coloured facades – typical of Chinese Urbanism. Architecture definitely is being used in this region as a social political tool in subscribing the masses to the ideology of the state as a way to prevent further unrest and dilute the Uyghur culture. We took a taxi to the border town of Takeshikishen early the next morning and for the second time in two days we ended up in a Chinese police station – it became apparent that the border was closed at weekends and as we had arrived early Saturday morning, it was going to be a long weekend. The landscape was spectacular therefore being unable to camp was even more frustrating. Questioning the police why we were not allowed to camp this time was met with silence and shock. It seemed to me a perfect
the sea. The bus continued overnight to Urumqi across newly built bridges and through mountain tunnels to arrive in the city a 7am – 24 hours after leaving Almaty.
In one of those chance meetings we met a group of Mongolian truck drivers who invited us into there hotel and after a few beers and a bottle of vodka – agreed to let us hitch with them to Khovd in Mongolia on the Monday. The time spent Takeshikishen was frustrating however with hindsight, the sense of helplessness we had being trapped in the town for the two days gave us both a sense of reality about where we were an helped to appreciate the sense of isolation from the world. The dream of a two-day drive with a group of Mongolian truck drivers sadly ended when they were kept at customs for not paying their taxes, however what ensued was the most intense week of travelling I have ever experienced across the Mongolian grasslands. Picking up transport on the Mongolian side of the border we were driven to the nearest town, where we first encountered the nomadic lifestyle and architecture that had drawn me to the visit. Our driver handed us both a cigarette and a beer, put the car windows down and said ‘Welcome to Mongolia’ – this for me being the most memorable entry into a country I have ever experienced. Rolling over the grasslands, the view opened up to show the landscape littered with little white buns – the Gers of Mongolia. We reached Khovd after an 15hr overnight minibus ride across unpaved grasslands (most of Mongolia is only linked by paths that appear and disappear over the year – very little paved road exists)
and realised that the journey to Ulaanbaatar was going to be long and painful – the scenery however completely compensating for this. Khovd City is one of the Aimag Capitals predominantly built (with advice and help from the Soviets) in the period after the Second World War. Architecturally the city was formed by a concrete ‘socialist’ core of shops and public buildings flanked by a periphery of ‘Ger’ communities - a semi nomadic result of the modern pressures on Mongolian society. In a country of Nomads, it is possible to camp anywhere therefore we were able to experiences the nature fully, whilst camping on the edge of the city. Encounters with goat herders and local people each morning made us feel like part of the community – the chance to leave a tent for a day and return to find it untouched demonstrated the respect and honesty of the Mongolian People. Reaching Ulaanbaatar from Khovd required the most incredible and frustrating journey I think I will ever have to complete. We took an old overloaded Soviet bus for 34 hours (500km) across the Mongolian grasslands, gently touching the northern edge of the Gobi desert arriving in Arvikheer (another Aimag Capital) withered from two nights of intermittent sleep – however having got to know some of the nicest people – communicating with little more than their basic English skills, also being treated to an amazing few hours of Mongolian throat singing. From Arvikheer we headed to Karakorum, the former site of the Genghis Khans capital of the Mongol empire, to see the Erdene Zuu Monastry. There for the first time we encountered the tourist industry of Mongolia; the sense of adventure and isolation ended as we were confronted with busloads of Europeans tourists. Despite this it was still possible to spend a couple of nights staying in a Ger in the garden of a local family, which in itself was as nice opportunity to have. The special week we spent in the far west of the country will remain my memory of a country that is bound
Tashkent is the strangest city. Architecturally, it sprawls like many soviet cities however in recent years a kitsch process of ‘beautification’ has taken place, whereby many older soviet concrete buildings have been re-clad in a neoclassical style that has become predominant within the whole region. Luckily one of the best examples of late soviet concrete architecture survives – Hotel Uzbekistan – a monolithic slab block graced with an intricate façade, which could only be described as an interpretation of the Uzbek vernacular.
old part of Urumqi it was clear to see that by no means does this development benefit or include the whole population. Districts were being destroyed to plough through dual height concrete road decks much reminiscent infrastructure development that happened in Britain in the 1960’s – albeit on a much larger scale. However this side of Chinese urban development (the word ‘Development’ underpinning the goals and beliefs of the Chinese state as a way to forge a peaceful and productive coexistence) as brutal and inhuman as it can seem created for us one of the best encounters of the trip. Disorientated by the multi levelled multi faceted urbanism of the city we ended up walking down a motorway hard shoulder lined by warehouse units where looking extremely out of place, we were shouted down by an man and invited to drink tea outside of his unit. With this encounter began a 4-hour tea tasting session at the side of the motorway, which developed upon invitation of a English teacher, into a gathering and welcoming for us, their very lost foreign friends. Uyghur, Han and us translated and exchanged stories in this strange location which for me summed up the challenges facing Chinese society right now – the problems of rapid urbanisation in still somewhat in many ways a traditional society faced with increased inequality, tension, exclusion and oppression.
It is always said that the first time you go to China is a culture shock and for me I will never forget that first day in Urumqi – the sights, the smell, the sounds and the sense of isolation – it transpired in the four days in city of 5 million and further 3 days the hinterland of Xinjiang we saw two other non Chinese. Whilst in Urumqi it was possible the witness Chinese governments hard hand in the region –armed troop trucks patrolled the streets of this highly developed city constantly and guarded the entrances to the bazaar where the local and predominantly Muslim Uyghur population find there community within the city. In recent years there has been a spate of riots and terrorist attacks allegedly perpetrated by Uyghur’s, however it is easy to have sympathy with these people. The Chinese government has year on year moved ethnic Han Chinese into the area to assimilate control over the minorities and this has led to a dilution of the culture and identity of the region, creating a sense and feeling of occupation. Islam, even at its most moderate, clashes with the ideologies and ideals of the Chinese one party state – this is clear to see wherever you travel in Xinjiang. Our experiences here left the official party line given in the Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum, which suggested that this was a healthy and friendly cooperation somewhat difficult to believe. Architecturally, most of Urumqi had been built in the last 15 years – the greater standard in streetscape, urbanism and build quality was clear to see, in comparison to the Central Asian states where little or no contemporary architecture scene actually exists. An exhibition in a Buddhist temple in the peoples park gave an oversight into the expansion of the city through the past 40 years - the view from the temple giving you the live view to observe the constantly evolving city – Chinese urban development continues to grow faster and bigger, however walking through some of the
The sleeper bus from Almaty to Urumqi was by far one of the highlights of the trip. Travelling east from Almaty the bus traversed a more arid, harsher and drier landscape than previously encountered which became more and more underdeveloped as we reached the border with china at the town of Korgas. There it was possible to see the economic power and might of China in the simplest sense. Approaching the border, in the distance across this arid plain appeared towers and office blocks seemingly dropped in the middle of this harsh wasteland -to assimilate the economic and political power of the Chinese in the region. The contrast between the two sides of the border was immense. After a nervy border crossing (due to the political and ethnic tensions in Xinjiang) we entered into China. There couldn’t be more of a larger contrast of culture at an border in the world – language family, script, ethnicity and to a larger extent history over the past 2000 years - clash between heavily Russian and European influenced Kazakh culture and Chinese culture. The border also coincidentally is sited not far from the Eurasian Continental Pole of Inaccessibility, which is the place on the Eurasian landmass that is farthest from
example of the power of a state, which has now had power for numerous generations, rarely encountered questioning of the rules. Like the Soviet Rule followed by Karimovs’ rule in Uzbekistan had rendered most of the population subjugates of the state, in China is near impossible for anyone to ask a question against the state – the states cares for us therefore there is no need to question the status quo. The final answer to the camping question was that there was ‘dangerous dogs’ therefore we would only be safe in one of the three state owned hotels.
the border, having to guiltily walk past all the families and after completing a number of forms and checks at the Uzbek border – we entered Uzbekistan from the east with a sense of apprehension and excitement. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office seriously advisory against all but essential travel into the region (due to a small jihadist and violence risk after the riots in the regional capital Andijon in 2005), however on a journey such as this, confidence grows and taking into account stories and people we had met along the way who had transited the we decided to go through. After encountering the usual hustling at the border, we found a driver and headed through the Fergana valley with the smell and taste of Shaslik Kebab and a very heavy military presence – passports were checked twice by a teenager in an army uniform with an ak47, a little unnerving. The climate of the valley was extremely harsh – dusty and dry, littered with remnants of its soviet past, whether that be abandoned factories or monuments to the Great Patriotic War. The valley links the two wings of Uzbekistan, the military presence officially said to be to protect the valley from the risk of attack and extremism however for me it was obvious that it was more to do with the subjugation of the people to the power of the state. As we approached Tashkent more and more propaganda greeted us form the incumbent President I Karimov, which was a reminder that the government in Uzbekistan holds a strong hold over the population, this becoming more clear over our time in the country.
At this point, my feeling on the journey changed, for me it now became a case of ‘trust everyone’ at the same time of being aware of the dangers and judging each situation with a certain amount of precedent – in a region of such hospitability, it seemed a shame not to now take full advantage of this.
two months of border politics across the eurasian steppe.
The following report chronicles a trip made with the support of Richard Paice and the ISA Charity and the company and support of friend and fellow student from the Mackintosh School of Architecture, Josh Murphy, made between the 3rd anofarchitectural July and 4th of September 2013 to Kazakhstan, highlightthe of the trip, if somewhat overstored by an Uzbek government eager to attract tourism to the area. Sadly at Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and China. all of these sites Mongolia we encountered the corruptness of the country
Bishkek is again a typical regional soviet grid city, albeit with some interesting ‘Kyrgyz’ culturally design influenced concrete buildings in the city centre. Due to the abolishment of visa requirements for many western European countries to encourage tourism (Kyrgyzstan is becoming very popular with mountaineers and cyclists due to its value for money and spectacular scenery), we encountered many more travellers here, however the centre of Bishkek really gave a diluted vision of the state of the country as a whole therefore it was important to get out of the city to further understand the country as a whole. Starting to understand how transportation worked in the region, we paid a local $5 each to drive us with another family 5hrs east to Chopan alta on Lake Issyk Kul. The town itself has become a mecca for the Russian tourist due to its beach and party lifestyle, however it was recommended to us from locals because of the
loading and unloading supplies to be taken to Afghanistan. The Kyrgyz Republic had stopped renting the air base to the Americans however after a renegotiation, which involved a significant increase to a rental price of $60 Million a year, they had been allowed to stay. A simple lesson in geopolitics highlighted the new ‘Great Game’ that has existed in the region since the fall of the Soviet Union.
Upon return to Bishkek, we found ourselves at the Osh bazaar just in time for the last call to prayer of the day. The sun was setting and the atmosphere unnerving as everyone fell silent or disappeared to pray. This was then followed up with a hustling by the local police, who took our passports and led us into the bazaar, into the police office – an improvised container whereby they tried to shut the doors and close the blinds. Luckily we were able to resist this however were still intimidated into an hour long drugs search in which I was seriously reminded of the fragility of our presence within some of these countries. Even from a situation like this, it was possible to take from it an architectural lesson. The intimidation followed by the passage through the complex and dark lanes of the bazaar had left us completely disorientated with little or no knowledge of how to get ourselves out of the place if the situation had escalated. The policeman would have known this therefore specifically used the plan against us. Though with hindsight, it was an exhilarating experience indeed.
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a book from a European Russian Babushka and eat Muslim Uyghur Chinese food for lunch. For me the sense of ‘clash of cultures’ – which brought me to the region - was encountered first in this market.
With the next stage of the trip came a large amount of aspiration surmounted just by a sense of excitement and exploration into the unknown. From research before the trip, the 1500km link between Urumqi and Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia seemed be one of the lessertravelled corridors in the region. This is mainly due to the fact that the western border between China and Mongolia only opened to foreigner’s last year meaning that no information appeared about it in any travel guides and information the Internet was somewhat sporadic and dubious in content and accuracy. However for me, this why I travel, for chances like this – to be truly out in the unknown. Transit from Urumqi to Qinge was by bus, and although
to change with the arrival of a paved road to the West in the near future. Since opening up to world after the fall of communism, mining has become the predominant industry of a country that is struggling to deal with this progress whilst having sensitivity to the nomadic culture of its people. It was easy to sense that social and economic pressures could see this unique nomadic culture, founded on architecture of survival, be reduced to nothing more than a tourist attraction thin the near future. Ulaanbaatar as a city is an allegory for this cultural clash and contradiction, which is taking, place in a country in the grips of modernisation. In the centre of the city, new office and residential towers have sprung up over the past few years fuelled through the mining boom and the influx of foreign investment, whilst on the periphery of the city, informal and often undeveloped (in some cases bordering on slum) Ger neighbourhoods give a sharp contrast to this. Like in many developing countries the promise of work in the Ulaanbaatar brings many people to ’find their dream’, often ending in many not finding employment, resulting in the unplanned Ger districts – the contrast of wealth on display was outstanding. As a city, Ulaanbaatar surprisingly was devoid of Mongolian culture (for a capital of such a culturally rich country)– the framework laid down by the soviets has been supplemented with a heavily westernised culture rendering Ulaanbaatar as a cultural oddity in the middle of the Mongolian hinterland – the appreciation for American culture widespread – it is easy to see this as a reaction against the soviet past, and the perceived Chinese threat from the south. We left Ulaanbaatar on the Trans Mongolian railway on an overnight train through the inhospitable Gobi Desert to the Chinese border at Erlian, to be encountered by the last border crossing, and by far the most eventful. As the train arrived into the station at 630am, we had to disembark the train as fast as possible and run, along with a thousand other
passengers to pick up an old Kamaz Russian Jeep to take us over the border. The Chinese had made a rule that you could only cross the border on a vehicle therefore the chaos was unprecedented. We managed to look lost enough whereby a young girl grabbed us and through us into her jeep, speeding to the border to join the queue. After an hour of waiting, We picked up the Mongolian exit stamps; she then decided to push two more people into the jeep, therefore I was made to lay under the back seat as if I was being smuggled into China. After a smooth entrance into the Chinese ‘Border city’, we boarded a bus, passing the full scale dinosaur models placed all over the Chinese side of the Gobi desert, to Hohhot the Capital of the Chinese Province of Inner Mongolia. Hohhot was a large Chinese city and in many cases wasn’t that dissimilar from Urumqi, the only thing defining it as a city of Inner Mongolia was the addition of the traditional Mongolian script to the signs; ironically something that had been lost in Mongolia since the adoption of Cyrillic after the War. Here ended the trip through Central Asia and as we moved on the Beijing and Shanghai we were confronted with a whole new experience – much different from the 7 weeks spent in this amazing part for the world therefore it is appropriate to end the story here.
I return from this trip thoroughly affected and excited by the experiences. What was experienced in those even weeks will only serve to inform my own opinions and knowledge of the world for years to come, and I hope that the people of Central Asia, at the perils and risk of war, insurgency and unrest, can overcome these problems and the region can remain as one of the most cultural diverse and stimulating places on earth. Architecture is for people; as a training architect therefore this trip has been invaluable in me furthering my understanding of people and in a wider sense – the way the world works, this knowledge will only help me in years to come and the experiences will last forever.
post-soviet aspiring new new and and developing developing independent independentstates. states. post-soviet architectural architectural observations observations in in the the aspiring two months of border politics across the eurasian steppe. two months of border politics across the eurasian steppe. thesilk silkroad. road. the Expedition and report chronicles a trip made with the support of Richard Paice and the ISA Charity and the Expedition and report chronicles a trip made with the support of Richard Paice and the ISA Charity and the company and support of friend and fellow student from the Mackintosh School of Architecture, made between company and support of friend and fellow student from the Mackintosh School of Architecture, made between the Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia Mongoliaand andChina. China. the3rd 3rdof ofJuly Julyand and the the 4th 4th of of September September 2013 2013 to to Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
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Furtherinformation information available byby request. Further available request. skills: skills: Adobe creative suite - Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, Adobe creative suite. Autocad architecture, Rhino 5, Microstation 2d/3d, Vray and some Autocad Architecture, Rhino 5, Microstation 2d/3d, Vray experience of Grasshopper. Limited of and Grasshopper PhysicalExperience model making drawing/painting form a key part of my Physical model making and drawing/painting form a key part of my work. work.
languages: other information: German B2 German Writtenand and spoken spoken attoanan intermediary stage, currently trying to develop Written intermediate level. my knowledge of the language further. Spanish - Beginner Spanish A1 Full clean european driving licence. contact: Further interests in political and social sciences.
m:contact: 0044 7557 416 966 e:m: jack.w.taylor@btinternet.com +44 7557 416 966 a:e:Flatjack.w.taylor@btinternet.com 1 1 Burnbank a: Flat 1 Terrace 1 Burnbank Terrace Glasgow Glasgow Scotland Scotland G20 6UT G20 6UT
allallimages taylor 2015. images (C)(C) jack jack williamwilliam taylor 2015.
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