The Mow Creative Arts Centre By Joseph Chandler
THE MOW THEATRE
North Elevation
View From Art Gallery Balcony
To Un
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South Elevation To
The
Approach From Millennium Bridge
City
The proposal for The Mow Creative Arts Centre has developed as a reaction to the burgeoning creative sector witnessed in the North East. Situated in close proximity to the ‘cultural quayside’, in the historic area of Sandgate, the scheme will act as a catalyst for the creative industries, attracting new investment, offering a range of publicly accessible arts and music facilities, generating new opportunities for the local community and the North East as a whole. The projects main focus is the subject of connectivity, on both a tactile and metaphysical level. By looking back though the different layers of the sites historic urban grain—specifically the narrow streets known as ‘Chares’; once a prevalent feature on the site and along the rivers edge—the proposal seeks to reconnect and reinvigorate this historic area of Sandgate. The ‘Chares’ were organised in a perpendicular arrangement to the rivers edge, thereby creating a multitude of small permeations between the quayside and the city. The proposed arts centre embodies the connective qualities demonstrated
To The
Quayside
by the ‘Chares’. A circulatory system is created through a series of elevated walkways that also act as public thoroughfares,
To The Ousburn
improving the accessibility between the city and the quayside. To d
ea
tesh
Ga
The project aims to connect the North East with the metaphysical by providing a diverse creative platform, acting as the
Site Location Plan
convergence point for creative individuals, collectives and companies, to connect, learn and share with one another— strengthening bonds and establishing new relationships—consequently ensuring the continued success of Newcastle’s creative community.
Private Service Road
The Mow Creative Arts Centre is a contemporary reinterpretation of a Newcastle’s past, which takes form in the emergence of the newly established creative industries: the cities prolific history woven into the sites intricate urban tapestry.
Main Auditorium
The architectural language of the building draws inspiration from Newcastle’s rich industrial heritage; from the awe in-
Wrangham’s Entry Anchor Chare
spiring bridges and cranes located along the rivers edge to the emblematic rooftops of warehouse typologies, reminiscent
Flag Chare
External Terrace
External Seating
of the cities booming industrial production recognisable from the banks of the Tyne.
Break-out space
The arts centre will inject the characterless urban fabric with a vibrant infrastructure. With its feature red roof acting as the unifying element—encompassing the past, present and future developments of the site whilst imbuing the area with
Causey Way
a sense of identity—the new infrastructure sets out the parameters for a hybrid architecture, able to accommodate a conglomerate of different activities, all under one unified roof. Concept Inspiration
Sectional Perspective Through Anchor Chare, Arts Block & Flag Chare
3rd Floor GA Plan
Interior View of Artists Residence
Technical Section & Structural Bay Elevation
Approach From Flag Chare Bridge (Night View)
View Through Anchor Chare