Learning the ropes

Abstract

‘learning the ropes’ aims to be a solution to overcome the post pandemic recession the entire globe is experiencing the effects of today. Without a system put in place to combat this recession, the world remains isolated once again with large businesses declaring bankruptcy and a standstill in the development of knowledge worldwide.

have forged a new architectural language that provides a system for communities to return to their heritage and earn an income whilst having an opportunity to continue developing knowledge and learn new skillsets. This proposal notices the value of knowledge, time and the touch of the human, archiving the crafts that are currently listed as endangered and under threat of the forecasted recession. These crafts contain skillsets that are suitable to produce an entirely sustainable language for the future of architecture as the project can be grown and continues to exist only with the maintenance of the user.

Crafts such as Pottery, Blacksmithing, Clog making, Watchmaking and Ropery interact with one another, combining attributes to form an architecture that is whole and complete. Rope is at the center and the soul of this Woolwich proposal, revisiting a time of culture and success that was the Woolwich ropery, which goes without any recognition in the Woolwich we see today.

Learning the ropes

Project 03 | Rope as a language

1. Location plan illustrating key cultural locations near site

2. Forecast recession following series of covid lockdowns

3. 1800’s map of site showing loss of historic rope yard

4. Research into WBA solutions to previous recessions

5. 1:500 CNC topography model with cast massing of site

6. Initial site mapping and adjacencies overlayed on model

Learning the ropes

Project 03 | Rope as a representation of time

Rope becomes a direct representation of time being linear yet cyclical and if able to be produced continuously it becomes time itself. This project proposes a new plane of time, event based time (T-0000). A time that is the result of an action or an event such as the time taken to make a piece of rope continuously. In this way the project becomes timeless, as the craftsman continuously produce rope and lay it around themselves to form structures and define spaces. As the continuous construction enters different eras of craftsmen, new interactions of knowledge occur resulting in a different construction method. The hazy transitions between a floor, a wall or a roof reflects the element of time, how there is a distortion and blend between eras as it becomes one continuous undulating form.

1. Abstract plan expressing rope maker forming structure

2. Abstract plan expressing blacksmiths forming structure

3. Abstract plan expressing potters forming structure

4. Layers of craftsman overlayed to form a combined form

5. Imagery of drawing machine in use to form abstract plans

6. Hand made rope making machine used to spin yarn into 3 strand rope used throughout the project.

Learning the ropes

Project 03 | An imagined reality

1. Floorplan at T-4800 with 5 crafts forms in collaboration

2a. Imagined realities derived from knowledge of roper

2b. Imagined realities from knowledge of roper + potter

2c. Imagined realities from knowledge of roper + Clogmaker

3. 1:200 section at T-4800 through 5 craft forms

Project 03 | Seasons of

slacking

1. Final model at T-6700 | Rope . Plaster . Timber . Leather

| Technique 015_B

Professional work

Groupwork | Finchley road (RIBA stage 3-5)

My role in this project has been for the past 18 months, and continues to be, to work closely with one other project architect as-well-as the wider design team developing detail and GA drawings for construction and tender packages, leading some of these packages myself. This includes an entire M&E and fitout model following discussions with design consultants and relevant engineers, whilst simultaneously producing self motivated image making to assist with key design decisions.

1. M&E modellling throughout scheme for stage 4/5 design

2. Central staircore internal renders for design review

3. Apartment M&E model to coordinate design with engineers

4. Internal fitout package completed for tender

5. GA section through appartments and central stair

6.

Professional work

Groupwork | Greville street (RIBA stage 5)

A ground + six commercial project comprised of stripped back interiors to existing structure in its most raw state, with a 2 storey CLT extention above. The patinated perforated mesh facade constructs a memory of the building that once previously sat at 24 greville street. with intricate classical details recreated in folded metal sheets only to reveal its contemporary form once seen up-close as the facade becomes semi-tranparent leaving the memory slightly lucid and interpretive.

My role on this project was to work along side one other project architect to see out the project at stage 5 with regular site visits and snagging reports as-well- as making final finishing decisions to complete the narrative as a whole. This included producing imagery for the client to advertise the space to potential leasers.

1. Elevations determining patination on mesh facade

2. Site photos during snagging showing patinated mesh

3. Renders produced for meetings held with leasers

4. Renders produced for meetings held with leasers

5. Typical 1st to 4th floor plan

6. Typical 5th and 6th floor plan

Professional work

Groupwork | Cow shed (RIBA stage 0-3)

The Cow shed in Widford, South Oxfordshire is a renovation of an existing heritage-listed cow shed and mill house, along with 3 further structures introduced within the expansive landscape. The proposal suggests a continuation of the local castle boundary stone walls disappearing and reappearing in the landscape when required to from a space.

My role in this project was to develop a package of design intent drawings and massings to present to the client and our collaborative partners for this project AAU anastas Architects. The design intent was then handed to Anastas to carryout a series of design exercises which they returned to us with a resolved stone vault system to incorporate in our design as seen in the images to the right.

1. In location view from across the river at night.

2. Close up material detailing, expressing reveales in volume

3. Prototype constructed by AAU Anastas for Venice biennale

4. 1:25 detail section through proposed stone vault

5. GA section through the proposal addressing the river

6. GA plans of existing cowshd and further 3 volumes

Selected competitions

Castle park | Stage 1 and 2 competition winner

1. Render of proposed castle park scheme from park

Role as lead visualiser to complete Stage 1 which went on to win a residential competition in Bristol town center. The scheme focuses on high quality design with a carbon negative stone exo skeleton and CLT floor plate construction in collanoration with local landscape architects

Graz Bridge | Public footpath + cycle bridge - pending results

1. In location view showing the experience on the bridge

2. Site plan of footpath+cycle bridge next to existing autobahn

3. Sections illustration pre tensioned construction technique

Assisting colleagues and a small team of architects from a local Austrian architecture firm to complete competition entry. Held a design development exercise with structural engineers to form a pre-tensioned structural stone bridge that is a carbon negative alternative to concrete.

Selected competitions

Royal Academy | 2022 exhibitor

Took lead role to design and make a narative based model outside of contracted hours to communicate our practice ethos. The model looks to express the full lifecycle of stone combined with timber and how we can minimise CO2 emissions with simple practices from cradle to cradle

Drawing inspiration from the stone technology developed in the previous bridge competition, I lead and designed a 3-part 1:5 prototype design to be exhibited in the RA and design museum this summer. The model uses CNC cut stone to express the raw finished, hand carved Key stone.

Recreational Making | Hand carved + Lathe spun bud vase

As a piece of self-motivated research carved two vessels, one by hand and one by lathe. The results developed an interest in the values and ethics we develop for an object and subsequent space it creates. This inspired my undergraduate thesis to uncover the values of these spaces.

1. Oil paint on canvas - 24” x 36”

2. Close-up detail of oil painting

3. 3-portraits acrylic painting on reclaimed wooden table 1.5m

Experimenting with further mediums to expand my skillset and opportunities for future illustrations. The brief for these paintings were to select 3 challenging techniques - Self portrait, reflections and water to recreate on canvas and reclaimed materials to be displayed in a home.