Joshua Thomas: Innovation for living 2013/2014. UNIT 22 Izaskun Chinchilla and Carlos JimĂŠnez
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Iconic Cornwall. Cornwall is a peninsula bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of 536,000 and covers an area of 3,563 km2 (1,376 sq mi). Historically tin mining was important in the Cornish economy, becoming increasingly significant during the High Middle Ages and expanding greatly during the 19th century when rich copper mines were also in production. In the mid-19th century, however, the tin and copper mines entered a period of decline. Subsequently china clay extraction became more important and metal mining had virtually ended by the 1990s. Traditionally fishing (particularly of pilchards), and agriculture (particularly of dairy products and vegetables), were the other important sectors of the economy. The railways led to the growth of tourism during the 20th century, however, Cornwall’s economy struggled after the decline of the mining and fishing industries. Cornwall is the traditional homeland of the Cornish people and is recognised as one of the Celtic nations, retaining a distinct cultural identity that reflects its history. Some people question the present constitutional status of Cornwall, and a nationalist movement seeks greater autonomy within the United Kingdom in the form of a devolved legislative assembly, and greater recognition of the Cornish people as a national minority.
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Aging Population - Cornwall has a relatively high retired population, with 22.9% of pensionable age, compared with 20.3% for the United Kingdom. This may be due to a combination of Cornwall’s rural and coastal geography increasing its popularity as a retirement location, and outward migration of younger residents to more economically diverse areas.
Agriculture - The expansion of the railway system in the 19th century led to the export of vegetable products, including flowers, becoming a profitable business for Cornwall. Today fishing and agriculture are still important, but both have declined significantly. The wet climate and relatively poor soil of Cornwall make it unsuitable for growing many arable crops, but the conditions are ideal for growing the rich grass required for dairying.
Hotels / Sesonal Influx - Five million tourists visit Cornwall each year, mostly drawn from within the UK. Cornwall’s unique culture, spectacular landscape and mild climate make it a popular tourist destination, despite being somewhat distant from the United Kingdom’s main centres of population.
Amusements - Spectacular landscape and mild climate make cornwall a popular tourist destination, despite being somewhat distant from the United Kingdom’s main tourist centres. Other tourist attractions include moorland, country gardens, theme parks and wooded valleys, and tourism is a significant sector of the economy.
Second Homes - Cornish economy depends heavily on its tourist industry, which makes up around a quarter of the economy. The official measures of deprivation and poverty at district and ‘sub-ward’ level show that there is great variation in poverty and prosperity in Cornwall with some areas among the poorest in England and others among the top half in prosperity.
Resturants - Cornwall has a strong culinary heritage. Surrounded on three sides by the sea amid fertile fishing grounds, Cornwall naturally has fresh seafood readily available; Newlyn is the largest fishing port in the UK by value of fish landed. Cornwall is perhaps best known though for its pasties, a savoury dish made with pastry.
Campsites - Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants (known as campers) leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no shelter at all.
Climate - Cornwall has a temperate Oceanic climate and has the mildest and sunniest climate in the United Kingdom, as a result of its southerly latitude and the influence of the Gulf Stream. Extreme temperatures in Cornwall are particularly rare; however, extreme weather in the form of storms and floods is common particuarly on the north coast.
Fishing - Pilchard fishing and processing was a thriving industry in Cornwall from around 1750 to around 1880, after which it went into an almost terminal decline. During the 20th century the varieties of fish taken became much more diverse but are often exported to France due to higher market prices. Fishing has been significantly damaged by overfishing.
Sailing - Cornwall is one of the windiest regions of the UK with strong winds blowing over the North Atlantic. Many harbours and marinas can be found on the more protected south coast where visitors flock to enjoy the scenic landscape and ideal sailing conditions. The decline of the fishing industry has seen the conversion of many traditional harbours to yachting marinas.
Connectivity - Although Cornwall is remote and residential broadband is less common than in other parts of the UK it houses one of the world’s fastest high-speed transatlantic fibre optic cables, making Cornwall an important hub within Europe’s Internet infrastructure.
Tourism - In 2003, five million tourists were visiting Cornwall each year, mostly drawn from within the UK, making up around a quarter of the economy. Visitors to Cornwall are served by airports at Newquay and Plymouth, nightsleeper and daily rail services run between Cornwall, London and other regions of the UK. Most visitors arrive by car.
Mining - Mining of tin, copper and some rarer metals was one of the county’s principal industries until well into the 20th century, but it no longer exists—the last working tin mine in Europe, South Crofty, near Camborne, finally closed in 1998. Several defunct mines applied for status as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Economy - The economy of Cornwall, in South West England, is largely dependent upon agriculture followed by tourism. Cornwall is one of the poorest areas in the United Kingdom with a GDP of 62% of the national average, and is one of four UK areas that qualifies for poverty-related grants from the EU (European Social Fund).
Transportation - The evolution of transport in Cornwall has been shaped by the county’s strong maritime, mining and industrial traditions and much of the transport infrastructure reflects this heritage. However, with the decline in mining and industry over the last century and more, transport provision in Cornwall has increasingly focused on the needs of tourism.
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - The Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers 958 square kilometres (370 sq mi) in Cornwall; that is, about 27% of the total area of the county. It comprises 12 separate areas, designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 for special landscape protection.
Local Towns - Local towns are mainly scattered through the centre of Cornwall, located away from coastal regions and often form part and are a consequence of post-industrial mining landscapes. They feature as some of the most deprived regions of the UK in the Multiple Deprevation Index.
Tin and Copper Mining Region - Tin Mining blosomed n the 18th and 19th century, however, the tin trade fell into decline recently and is now non existant. Tin and later also copper were the most productive of the metals extracted: some tin mining continued long after mining of other metals had become unprofitable.
Tourist Towns - Tourist towns are often located along the coastline and centres include St Ives, Padstow and Falmouth. There economies are almost entirely tourist driven and seasonal - containing a high proportion of Cornwalls attractions, resturants, hotels and second homes. They feature as some of the least deprived regions of the UK in the Multiple Deprevation Index
China Clay Mining Region - China clay, or kaolin, was first discovered in Cornwall by William Cookworthy 260 years ago. It was of much finer quality than elsewhere in Europe and marked the beginning of the English white porcelain industry. by the late 19th century, 100,000 tonnes were being excavated a year in Cornwall. Today it is about 5,000 tonnes.
Iconic Cornwall: Factsheet. Population: 550,000
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The house of the future: Drawing a hypothesis. The house of the future will be designed in response to soaring housing demand and price in the UK. Utilizing the coastal county of Cornwall as a test bed, the proposal aims to discuss a new housing typology, in order to better meet the needs of those who live in and upon local environments in rural counties. This is particularly salient for areas reliant on tourism for their economic base following the collapse of other industries. To address issues apparent in the region of Cornwall the investigation begins by examining four case study families residing in the county. These include both local and visiting households, living in permanent and flexible housing types. The study will determine key characteristics from each family to formulate a set of hypotheses for flexible and sustainable dwelling in the house of the future, with an emphasis on the interrelationship between these dwellings, their geographical environment and socio-economic context.
Local case studies. Camborne, Padstow, Gwithian, Mylor
Case Study 1
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Rob, Vivian, Tamsin and Williams Home (Sleeps 4) 2 Bed Ex-miners Cottage built in 1859. £80,000
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Pat and Seans Home (Sleeps 2/4) 1 Bed Bungalow built in 1958 £93,000
Andrew and Sarah’s Parents Homes (Sleeps 2/4) 3 bed Barrett Home built in 2012. £160,000
Local family: The Robinsons, Camborne (fixed). Population: 22,500, Multiple Deprevation Index: Very Deprived The Robinson family - Both born in Cornwall Rob (58yrs old) and Vivian (60yrs old) have been school teachers at Redruth secondary school for almost thirty years, living with their eldest son William (22yrs old) works as a retail manager at the local Tesco supermarket. Also living in the house is Williams girlfriend Tamsin (19yrs old) who works in a number of cafes and restaurants in St Ives. They live in a three-bed ex-miners house in Camborne with their dog Betsy. A half mile down the road William’s aunt and uncle Pat and Sean live in a one bed Bungalow, receiving regular visits from their grandchildren as their parents are currently work five jobs between them to pay the mortgage on their beautiful new Barrett home on the edge of the town.
Case Study 2
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David and Samantha’s 2nd Home (Sleeps 0-4) 3 Bed Ex-Fisherman’s Cottage built in 1859. £320,000
The sale price of the average house in Padstow is around £180,000; un-affordable for many due to low wage.
Almost 400 holiday lets in Padstow. Percentage of second homes 23% and total not in full time occupation 49% of housing stock.
Visiting family: The Camerons, Padstow (fixed). Population: 3,563, Multiple Deprevation Index: Least Deprived The Cameron family - David and Samantha live and work in the city of London. Three years ago they decided to invest in a second property for holidays. They spend approximately 2 - 4 weeks of the year in their Padstow property. For the remaineder of the year the property is largely vacant appart from when accomidating the occasional guest, a friend or family. Since purchasing the property the couple have invested heavily in renevation work to forsee longevity in their investment maximising the potential for profit upon resale and comfort for their annual visits. In turn this process has increase property values in the area up.
Case Study 3
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David and Samantha’s 2nd Home (Sleeps 0-4) 3 Bed Ex-Fishermans Cottage built in 1859. £23,000
Membership to the caravan park costs £1,600 per annum.
Despite their small scale uniformity many residents find interesting ways to appropriate their homes with ornaments and personalised renovations.
Local family: The Kelly’s, Gwithian caravan park (flexible). Population: 500, Multiple Deprevation Index: Very Deprived The Kelly’s have lived in the county for their entire life. Formally both school teachers at the local secondary school they have since retired and downsized to life in a static caravan next to their favorite beach Gwithian. They purchased the property in 2001 for £23,000 and have since renovated the interior and appropriated the garden with and assortment of gnomes and ornaments. Many friends are now neighbors within the caravan park. Both Pat and Sean enjoy using the facilities on sight including the gym, cabaret club and supermarket. They pay an annual sum of £1,600 for membership and upkeep of the site.
Case Study 4
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Ian, Annie, Bill and Magerets Tent (Sleeps 2-4) Tent from Blacks produced in 2010. £100
Admission to campsite: £15 per nigh.
Rental cost for bikes to travel 5 miles to local town of Falmouth: £10 per day.
Visiting family: The Beauchamps’s, Mylor campsite (flexible). Population: 80, Multiple Deprevation Index: Least Deprived The Beauchamps’s live in Bristol but love journeying down to Cornwall whenever they get the chance. They enjoy camping with the children and utilising the wide range of resources available in the county including water-sports, hiking and local historical attractions. When visiting they bring their own accommodation in the form of a high performance tent bought from Blacks for £100 and their bikes for exploring the local area. They tend to stay in the region for extended weekend breaks, which they attend at least five times a year - although they have been known to indulge in extended visits of up to two weeks.
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Case Study 1: Fixed local family - The fixed local family in the region live in areas characterised by extreme multiple deprivation. Their jobs are low waged, in industries such as agriculture, retail or service, following the collapse of traditional industries such as tin mining and fishing. They dwell in post-industrial towns scattered throughout the centre of the county, typically ignored by the tourists who frequent the picturesque coastal regions, inflating prices locally and throughout Cornwall. Members of local families often work jobs supporting tourism, which may form a large part of their annual income – although the nature of this employment is seasonal and unstable. HYPOTHESIS 1 - The house of the future will act as an enabler to allow local residents better access to life and work along scenic coastal areas, promoting genuine interaction between residents and visitors, who might not be aware of their impact upon the region. This would aim to create a more balanced, considered and sustainable local economy. -
Case Study 2: Fixed visiting family – The fixed visiting family typically occupy coastal regions clustering around tourist resorts, staying in B&B’s, hotels, rental properties or second homes. These areas are often some of the most affluent in the UK. Industry in these areas is centred on tourists with retail outlets, leisure facilities and many restaurants operating seasonally to cater for visitors’ needs. Visitors to the region come primarily during the summer months, leaving much of the property in these areas unoccupied and redundant over the winter; at worst, these second homes are occupied for only 2-6 weeks each year. They tend to be owned by affluent households from other regions of the UK, primarily based outside Cornwall, with no prior connection to the region. These families can afford to pay premium prices for property and often invest heavily in renovation works for economic interest in resale, further inflating house prices in the area. In some towns and villages, the percentage of building stock not in full time occupancy now exceeds 50%. HYPOTHESIS 2 - The house of the future will subvert associations of housing value typically attached to land and often utilised as a an investment or an accumulation of capital – which inflate prices and have negative implications on a region. HYPOTHESIS 3 - The house of the future will be detached from a specific plot of land, creating autonomy, freedom and liberation from economic forces associated with land ownership. This will offer visitors a unique getaway and nurture a symbiotic relationship with the local landscape by lessening the reliance on tourist centres, allowing exploration and integration with local lives and economies. -
Case Study 3: Semi-permanent local family – The semi-permanent local family live in static caravans typically clustered around the periphery of coastal tourist resorts. These communities are populated by elderly residents who seek affordable, manageable, scenic and sociable homes in their retirement. Static caravan sites are well serviced by local shops, and amenities such as healthcare, restaurants and leisure attractions. Their adaptable nature means that they are not fixed to any one location, and are somewhat detached from the value of land or the property market. However statics have faced opposition from visitors, wealthy residents and local government, criticised as unsightly and stigmatised as ‘low-class’. HYPOTHESIS 4 - The house of the future will look to transform the caravan into an attractive alternative housing typology for people in the region. HYPOTHESIS 5 - The house of the future will encourage flexibility, access to amenities, openness and instil a sense of community despite not necessarily being attached to any fixed location. -
Case Study 4: Flexible visiting family – The flexible visiting family holidays in the region once every year. They are extremely active, investing in a wide variety of recreational activities and local businesses. Their impact upon the landscape is minimal both in terms of its physical and economic footprint, as they dwell in temporary structures such as tents and yurts in official campsites and in the wilderness beyond. Their occupation of the local area is often marred by poor weather conditions given the lightweight structures which they inhabit and the local climatic conditions. HYPOTHESIS 6 - The house of the future must be responsive to relevant climatic conditions making inhabitation comfortable for all conditions and seasons. -
Learning from case studies: Drawing hypothesis.
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Chapter 1
HYPOTHESIS 1 - The house of the future will act as an enabler to allow local residents better access to life and work along scenic coastal areas, promoting genuine interaction between residents and visitors, who might not be aware of their impact upon the region. This would aim to create a more balanced, considered and sustainable local economy. Response 1: The house of the future becomes a workshop to allow residents to customize and extend their homes to meet their specific needs and desires. Permanent residents may choose to expand their houses more than visitors by developing infrastructure for food cultivation and production, trade and more permanent dwelling structures. HYPOTHESIS 2 - The house of the future will subvert associations of housing value typically attached to land and often utilised as a an investment or an accumulation of capital – which inflate prices and have negative implications on a region. Response 2: The house of the future will utilize an existing stock of caravans in the region by transforming them into ‘toolkits’. The ‘toolkit’ will enable residents to create new (infa)structures, which are not ‘tied’ to the land in the traditional sense, but which allow them to create new ties with the region, its georgraphy, its existing structures and its other inhabitants. HYPOTHESIS 3 - The house of the future will be detached from a specific plot of land, creating autonomy, freedom and liberation from economic forces associated with land ownership. This will offer visitors a unique getaway and nurture a symbiotic relationship with the local landscape by lessening the reliance on tourist centres, allowing exploration and integration with local lives and economies. Response 3: The ‘toolkit’ will allow for flexibility in its output by allowing residents to construct mechanisms for living situations, which are both permanent and temporary. Visiting families with accustomed modes of living, having less time to fully develop the infrastructure of their ‘toolkit’, might need to prioritize necessities within their adopted? temporary? homes; this will necessitate interdependencies with members of a local community – the house of the future requires investment beyond capital – via interactions, exchanges and physical processes. The house of the future becomes an ever expanding web of community interaction and participation. HYPOTHESIS 4 - The house of the future will look to transform the caravan into an attractive alternative housing typology for people in the region. Response 4: Using the caravan as a ‘toolkit’ to catalyze transformations and respond to need and desire, the house will create environments and spaces, which subvert the traditional associations of temporary structures for living. The caravan will have the potential to attach its self to and transform building typologies; in this way, the house of the future is also a vehicle of transition between past and present. HYPOTHESIS 5 - The house of the future will encourage flexibility, access to amenities, openness and instil a sense of community despite not necessarily being attached to any fixed location. Response 5: The house of the future will evolve in lieu with the domestic and social needs and desires of its inhabitants; it is customized through a process of communal interaction and involvement, negotiating and delineating its position within the local landscape, functioning as a useful entity not only for its inhabitants but also for the wider community. HYPOTHESIS 6 - The house of the future must be responsive to relevant climatic conditions making inhabitation comfortable for all conditions and seasons. Response 6: The house of the future will incorporate innovative technologies, which respond to and utilise the local climate. -
Learning from case studies: Respondoing to hypothesis.
Innovations for living: Exploration through 1:10 model.
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Stage two: Structures may be developed or additional structures crafted through the caravans workshop. More permanent residents may develop their houses more than temporary dwellers.
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Permanence: The more residents stay in the area the more developed their infrastructure becomes.
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Stage one: Deployment of Caravan Toolkit. Facades of Caravan may be disconnected and implemented as structures for inhabitation or reclamation of surrounding environment.
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Stage three: Local residents may appropriate their houses further to utilize the local landscape for cultivation or trade.
House of the future: Caravan toolkit development diagram. The core element of the House of the Future is a recycled caravan, which is transformed into a toolkit. This toolkit provides local residents in Cornwall with tooling to design, create, and expropriate their surroundings. This may enable residents to make a more complete usage of the local landscape and embed a deeper social and cultural diversity within it. This is in opposition to the forces of supply and demand which currently delineate and restructure many of the desirable locations in the county as homes become vehicles solely for capital accumulation, disregarding their lived use. The English geographer and social theorist David Harvey, referring to Henri Lefebvre, defines the “right to the city” as a “right to change ourselves by changing the city.” The Caravan thus becomes a political instrument to catalyze a critique of development in the region, whilst simultaneously affording local residents the means to create more hospitable dwellings for themselves.
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Side facade: Becomes interior partition within balloon frame (see page 15) - DIY house kit.
Rear facade: Unlocks and can be repositioned to create sheltered screen for fish filleting factory (see page 17).
Front facade: Repositioned as roof for workshop, containing inbuilt toolkit for development of more permanent structures.
Green-wall facade: Unfolds to become a portable Garden.
Caravan frame: Forms central axis of home and provides temporary accommodation in inflatable balloon - this space may be re-appropriated in the future ie. Transformed into a conservatory/ living room.
Innovation for living: Caravan toolkit. The core element of the House of the Future is a recycled caravan, which is transformed into a toolkit. This toolkit provides local residents in Cornwall with tooling to design, create, and expropriate their surroundings. This may enable residents to make a more complete usage of the local landscape and embed a deeper social and cultural diversity within it. This is in opposition to the forces of supply and demand which currently delineate and restructure many of the desirable locations in the county as homes become vehicles solely for capital accumulation, disregarding their lived use. The English geographer and social theorist David Harvey, referring to Henri Lefebvre, defines the “right to the city” as a “right to change ourselves by changing the city.” The Caravan thus becomes a political instrument to catalyze a critique of development in the region, whilst simultaneously affording local residents the means to create more hospitable dwellings for themselves.
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Winch: Allows Workbench to be raised and lowered for storage or transport.
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Reclaimed roof tiles and brick chimney: The workshop allows users to reclaim materials from existing infrastructures and rebuild/re-appropriate them in their new homes.
Tools: Contained in caravan ‘toolkit’ including manual and power tools enabling residents to re-appropriate their surroundings.
Front facade: Repositioned as roof for workshop, containing inbuilt toolkit.
Workshop bench: Winches from Front Caravan Facade ceiling - for ease in transportation so site can be assembled and disassembled easily.
Innovation for living: Workshop.
The workshop component of the Caravan toolkit aids residents the means to engage with the built environment surrounding them by interacting with and constructing the landscape around them. It contains a built in set of tools which can be used to re-appropriate existing materials/building stock or to create completely new features for the house.
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Carving: The frame allows for flexibility in scale and density. Users may carve beams marked in green to construct spaces and rooms. Key structural beams are marked red and may not be cut.
Reclaimed material attachment: Reclaimed materials such as bricks, tiles, insulation and glass can be attached to the frame with relative ease.
Concrete foundations: Concrete may be used to cement the structure in place - if residents desire a more permanent dwelling.
High tension wire ties: Lightweight Balloon Frame tied to caravan with high tension wire for support. After Balloon frame is erected, residents may decide to cement frame with more permanent foundations.
Plug-in components: may be attached to the Balloon Frame via prefabricated holes and joints - for example: Fish and Chip shop seating.
Innovation for living: Balloon frame.
Light-frame construction using standardized dimensional lumber has become the dominant construction method in North America and Australia because of its economy. Use of minimal structural materials allows builders to enclose a large area with minimal cost, while achieving a wide variety of architectural styles. Historically mankind fitted naturally shaped wooden poles together as framework and then began using joints to connect the timbers, a method today called traditional timber framing.
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Copper piping: Used for heating and plumbing within the house as well as to construct components including tables, chairs and flagpoles.
Windows/Doors: Fittings such as windows and doors can be reclaimed and modified to fit within the house - functioning in the same manner or acquiring dynamic uses.
Tiles: Recycled ‘ Cornish Red Brick Quarry Tiles’ produced locally or collected from local buildings in the region.
Re-appropriation of furniture/fittings: Windows become awning to cover outdoor seating area for Fish and Chip restaurant and an iron gate screws into Balloon Frame to provide railing/ privacy.
Corrugated iron toilet: reclaimed materials can be used to construct new buildings or extensions on site in the workshop.
Innovation for living: Attachable recycled components. The county of Cornwall has been in decline for the past twenty years, particularly since the closure of many coal mines during the 1980’s and early 1990’s. This has put tremendous economic strains upon the region and its residents. However the exodus of industrial activity in the area has left a wealth of materials within its abandoned infrastructure - and surrounding towns, within which many buildings now lay unoccupied. These sites can be seen to contain a wealth of material stock. The sites are often perceived in terms of their land value rather than regarding what is already existing on site. It can therefore be assumed that materials may be acquired for relitively low prices from land owner/developers or local reclamation yards.
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Rear facade: Unlocks and can be repositioned to create sheltered screen for fish filleting factory.
Freshly caught fish: Delivered by local fisherman processed and filleted on site.
Potato Garden: Potatoes grown in fertile soil as part of the mobile garden - additional crops can be planted once site becomes more established. Potatoes used for chips in Fish and Chip Shop.
Vegetable garden: Preparation of vegetables for home use and sale in fish and chip shop.
Innovation for living: Fish filleting factory/vegetable garden. With time and commitment homes may develop to incorporate infrastructure for land use cultivation - aiding residents the ability to cultivate a stable income security with a degree of self sustainability - safeguarding them to an extent from fluctuations within the national economy which may have undesirable effects on the region. Turning buildings into machines for cultivation also emphasizes effects on the region for visitors aside from locals by creating more evident and interesting local economies/service outlets as a result.
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The Cornish Flag: is flown to signal business is open at the fish and shop and also as to signal regional pride.
Fish and chip shop server: Including deep fat fryer and counter constructed from recycled window frame, adjacent to restaurant - underneath awning made from recycled windows.
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Potato Garden: Potatoes grown in fertile soil as part of the mobile garden - additional crops can be planted once site becomes more established. Potatoes used for chips in fish and chip shop.
Fish filleting factory: Locally caught fish delivered by fishermen and preprepared on site for sale in Fish and Chip shop located at the front of the property.
Innovation for living: Fish and chip shop. Aside from infrastructure built for cultivation the house may extend to incorporate constructions for vending and consumption. These enterprises create interesting spatial and process orientated conditions deeply embedded within the local condition, which form more interesting modes and outlets for vending, retail, exchange and consumption within the region for residents and visitors alike.
Chapter 2
Balloon frame interior: may be developed, transformed or extended from to create living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, or bathroom facilities. Residents may also create additional rooms for guest houses.
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Elements from existing property in the region: can be utilised to create a sense of familiarity or homeliness.
Ecological toilet facilities: Allow deployment of structure away from existing sewage infrastructure. Reduces waste footprint.
Recycled elements: Employed to create livable spaces which are inhabitable all year round .The advantage of temporary constructions means that residents may edit their houses in accordance to seasonal demands (ie. More insulation during winter).
Inflatable bubble: Used as a living space for initial development but may be developed/used as living space in future. ie. Conservatory.
Innovation for Living: Inhabitation. Inhabitation emphasises processed based interaction within its flexibility. From development of the balloon frame, transforming the toolkit into a permanent livable structure; to the appropriation of elements for acclimatisation to different seasonal, residential and economic conditions. Life inside the house is designed to heighten reliance on existing local conditions in order to stimulate local economies by aiding residents and visitors the ability to contribute and interact with local inhabitation and industry, thus giving the county a greater deal of agency in its ability to define its own future.
Innovation for Living: Analysis of mistakes in model.
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Analysing the house of the future: Regional caravan re-appropriation. Upon reflection it would have been better to accommodate the caravan tookit within a vehicle, which is more specific to the region of Cornwall, rather than an aluminum air-stream model (1) which is indigenous to the USA. The implementation and design of the caravan toolkit could have also been better developed particularly with regards sourcing and re-appropriating an existing stock in the region. If I were to continue this investigation I would like to present a proposal which would thoroughly interrogated the re-appropriation of four vehicles shown above (2) static caravan, (3) RV motor home, (4) towed caravan and (5) VW camper van. Such an investigation might have allowed for a more realistic outcome.
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Analysing the house of the future: Locally sourced frame. Despite being a rural county, Cornwall is a region without much woodland. Most of the land around is arable or moorland. This may make it difficult to source wood for a balloon frame construction by sustainable means without much need for transportation. I would like to suggest that local post industrial structures such as old railway tracks and old mining station winch houses be dismantled and reused to create structures for expansion. In mine shafts which have not been flooded there is also a vast stock of timbre - it may be feasible to remove some of these preserved timbres safely from underground. Utilising the existing material stock may delineate a different form of framework for expansion. For example upon inspection of the local building stock it may be seen that steel becomes a better primary material for building frames and timbre railway sleepers are adopted as secondary material within the frame.
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Analysing the house of the future: Inhabitation. Perhaps the biggest short-coming of the house of the future is its inability to accommodate the needs and desires of all civil actors in the region as described in the earlier case studies and hypothesis. Although the project contains positive innovations which may be beneficial for all parties - it is a long way from being an accessible and implementable scheme. For example elderly people may find it difficult to design and build their own house and life inside an inflatable balloon may not be desirable for visiting families such as the Camerons. That aside from the need for tenancy laws which better define this sort of inhabitation, allowing it to occur on a large regional scale. That said the project has taught me a great deal regarding the importance of regional economies, ecosystems and seasonal adaptability; all ideas which I hope to explore, research, test and refine in my semester two portfolio: designing a hotel of the future, which links a series of economies and civil actors operating in the region.
Semester two: Citizenry association hotel, Penzance.
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The economy of Penzance has, like those of many Cornish communities, suffered from the decline of the traditional industries of fishing, mining and agriculture. Penzance now has a mixed economy consisting of light industrial, tourism and retail businesses.
Penzance railway station is the southernmost station on the UK mainland rail network. It is the western terminus of the Cornish Main Line operated by First Great Western, with both local service and direct trains linking Penzance with Plymouth,, Bristol, Reading and London Paddington.
Visitors flock to the area during summer months to experience local sights such as St Micheals Mount, the Isles of Scilly and miles of golden beaches.
The main industry in Penzance is tourism with visitors flocking experience the sights of Mounts Bay and catch ferries to the Isles of Scilly. However the local economy stagnates during inter months with harsh weather conditions and resultant lack of tourists.
Out of town shopping centers are an ever increasing phenomenon in Cornwall and Penzance is no exception. As a result of relatively high property prices in the town center, decentralising exchange interaction in the town.
Location: Penzance. Population: 21,168, Multiple Deprevation Index: Very Deprived The economy of Penzance has, like those of many Cornish communities, suffered from the decline of the traditional industries of fishing, mining and agriculture. Penzance now has a mixed economy consisting of light industrial, tourism and retail businesses. However, like the rest of Cornwall, housing remains comparatively expensive, wages low and unemployment high. House prices have risen 274% in 10 years, the fastest rise in the UK. The fishing port of Newlyn, which falls within the parish boundaries, provides some employment in the area, but has also been greatly affected by the decline in the fishing industry over the last 30 years. In the 2004 index of deprivation Penzance is listed as having 3 wards within the top 10% for employment deprivation, Penzance East (125th most deprived in England) Penzance West (200th most deprived in England), and Penzance Central (712th most deprived in England). 18-31% of households in the parish are described as “poor households�.The Penzance East Ward also has one the highest unemployment rates in Cornwall, stated as 15.4%.
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Climate: Penzance. Cornwall has a temperate Oceanic climate and has the mildest and sunniest climate in the United Kingdom, as a result of its southerly latitude and the influence of the Gulf Stream. Extreme temperatures in Cornwall are particularly rare, however extreme weather in the form of storms and floods is common. From its location at the centre of the Land’s End peninsula, Penzance is almost surrounded by the sea. This, together with the landfall on the peninsula of the mild air generated by the Gulf Stream crossing the Atlantic Ocean, provides a moderating effect on the climate, protecting the area from the extremes of temperature that are experienced in the remainder of England even in the remainder of Cornwall. Commercial produce - flowers, horticultural and agricultural - all arrive early in the year as a direct result of the mild climate.
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Citizenry association hotel, Penzance: Local integration diagram. The citizenry association is a body set up to ensure a future for Penzance by establishing, promoting, administering and protecting local dependencies in the town. It seeks to craft new modes of occupation and consumption, first and foremost by reevaluating the permanence of its tourist infrastructure which accounts for the more than 40% of land use in the town centre. Many of these buildings and structures are redundant and unoccupied for most of the year. A flexible hotel structure will form a focal point for this re-evaluation of land use. It will also incorporate other structures which are strategically placed throughout the town, supporting locals and visitors alike, including shopping and service outlets, which can be ‘plugged in’ to previously existing or newly built structures. This would allow for amenities to expand or retract in response to seasonal demand and afford locals opportunites to directly cultivate, vend and participate in the operation and exchange of resources in their town. Meet the cast of the Penzance citizenry association: Waterside Meadery, The Queens Hotel - Penzance, Penzance & District Tourism Association, Penzance Chamber of Commerce, The Zero Lounge , GMO Cars, Adam Gibbard Photography, Lou’s Shoes, The Bolitho Estates, Chenpump, Dutch Treats, ATT Southwest, Just Spotless, Longrock Services, The Globe, Supreme Windows, Terry Care Handyman Services, Jackson Insurances, Nanceddan Ltd, Penzance Barbering, Gordon Bilsborough (IOS Chair of Planning), Penwithian Cash & Carry, Gwavas Stores, NCT Estate Agents, Safety UK, CornwallsCoolest.com, Live/Work Network Ltd, Cornish World Magazine, Hotel Penzance, The Bay Restaurant, JH Turner, Keigwin House, Newline Fuels , Altcom, The Bakehouse Restaurant, Barn Club , Tanning by 36, Club 2K, East of Here, Addition Accountants, Penzance Parking, Elmsdale Guest House, Jacksons Financial Services, Sunnyside Farm, Poets Cafe, Fishboy, Penwith Leisure Ltd, Dunedin Guest House, Meeks The Furnishers, Fresh Cornish Fish, Workhubs.com, Trereife Wedding Services, Southern Comfort Hotel, The Cornish Range, Q Bar, MJS Second Hand, Apple Crumble, Proper Job Builders, HouseMaster, The Beauty House, Elite Wealth Management, Antony Richards Property Services, Promenade Grand Casino, Poolside Cafe (Jubilee), Lee’s Launderette, Kelly Anza Hair Design, Glynn Macey (Artist), Drams Leisure Ltd, PJ Tonkin, Zennor Gig Club, Red Rose Textiles, Humphry Davy Pub, The Green Bean Cafe, Planet Ice, The Pendennis, Zodiac Clothing, PRH Estate Agents, Marshalls Estate Agents, Millhouse Carpets, Pit Stop, Alverton House Apartments, Exchangemart Furniture, Bus and Bows, BJ Spiegelhalter & Son, Gwavas Stores, Barham Properties, Absolute Design SW Limited, PR1 Limited, Anthony Alexander Developments, The Regent Apartments, Cranbrook Properties , Skewjack Festivals Limited, Harris Begley Limited, Trelew Management, Tucker Car Rental, Penmorvah Guest House, Tremont Guest Housem Pentrea Guest House, Cornish Holidays Limited, LRB Developments Limited, R M Motor Services Limited, Rosevidney Properties Limited, MCC Systems Limited, MCC Audio Visual Limited, BKI Limited, Old Manor of Alverton, Ivy Lane Developments, David Strandberg Fine Art, Newlyn School Gallery, Isles of Scilly Parking, The Admiral Benbow, Michelle Powell Designs Harding Web Design, Penzance, John Bolton & Linda Taswell, Dunedin Guesthouse, Nuon Renewables, Bocaina Business Services.
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Occupation: Residents may retreat into their homes for the Winter months, however a realignment of property value and distribution in the centre of the town and along the seafront means that locals live in proximity to one an other and the resources they might utilise to cultivate their homes and make earn a living.
Craft: During winter months residents produce a range of food stuff using local produce grown and reared in the region. This includes, milk, cheese, ice cream, clotted cream, beer, cider, scrumpy and whiskey. Some of which may be transported for sale elsewhere. There is less need to produce products for a tourist market, therefore residents may invest more time cultivating the local region building storm
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Hotel: retracts to contain only a few rooms for guests as demand decreases during winter months. The structure also contains room to store summer amenities, modular and otherwise. It also forms defense from adverse weather conditions and flooding.
Winter produce: Dairy Cattle, Lamb, Beef, Bread, Cheese, Jam, Chutneys, Chicken, Eggs, Wine, Beer, Cider, Scrumpy, Whiskey.
Tourist structures become defense: Dismantled and replaced with temporary lighthouses and RNLI seaside rescue centers. Structures may also become reappropriated to prevent flood damage which is common in the region during winter months.
Winter catch: Bass, Brill, Lemon sole, Plaice, Skate, Dover sole, Turbot, Whiting, Huss, Whelk, Gurnard, Monkfish, Squid.
Citizenery association hotel: Winter. The central retail and service district of the city has seen great decline over the past twenty years, which has been vastly accelerated following the 2008 financial crisis. The streets now contain many vacant properties which are spaces in waiting given their inherent development potential - and resultant high rents. Demand for goods/services along the street has been dramatically reduced - excluding locals from establishing businesses and increasing reliance on large out of town shopping centers such as the nearby St Erth retail park which has recently been developed containing outlets such as Tesco, Next and Marks and Spencers.
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Occupation: Local residents begin to deploy their module component to set up industries for production and retailing, which cater to the demand of regional summer markets. The void spaces created from module storage space may allow the rooms which capitalize on the seasonal weather conditions to be built ie.
Spring craft: During the spring, local residents up their production levels to cater for the seasonal influx of tourists aside from providing for their local community. Due to this demand goods are likely to be kept and sold within the region, demand means that there is no need to export products for sale elsewhere. More micro industries supporting products for tourist markets may also develop assisted by the
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Hotel: The hotel begins to expand and develop as regional amenities are brought to build the structure and supply visitors with food and activity. Modules stored inside the hotel over winter are transported to other parts of the town to expand facilities for the high tourist season.
Spring produce: Rape seed oil, Corn, Clotted cream, Milk, Lamb, Beef, Assorted arable produce.
Tourism: Buildings such as lifeboat centers and lighthouses begin to take on dual functions as amusements and theme parks.
Spring catch: Bream, Crab Cuttle Fish, Lobster, Plaice, Skate, Dover sole, Lemon sole, Skate, Whelk, Turbot, Bass, Grey mullet, Red mullet, John dory, Monkfish, Mackerel, Herring, Sardines, Squid, Conger eel, Smooth hound.
Citizenery association hotel: Spring. The central retail and service district of the city has seen great decline over the past twenty years, which has been vastly accelerated following the 2008 financial crisis. The streets now contain many vacant properties which are spaces in waiting given their inherent development potential - and resultant high rents. Demand for goods/services along the street has been dramatically reduced - excluding locals from establishing businesses and increasing reliance on large out of town shopping centers such as the nearby St Erth retail park which has recently been developed containing outlets such as Tesco, Next and Marks and Spencers.
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Occupation: Local residents are less reliant on their homes, although they are still private spaces for refuge and relaxation, despite elements opening and moving to become public features spaces, which support the tourist economy.
Spring craft: During the spring, local residents up their production levels to cater for the seasonal influx of tourists aside from providing for their local community. Due to this demand goods are likely to be kept and sold within the region, demand means that there is no need to export products for sale elsewhere. More micro industries supporting products for tourist markets may also develop assisted by the flexibility of service modules.
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Hotel: Expanded on versatile scaffold grid to cater for a large number of guest who are expected to visit the region during the summer months. Despite its predominant location on the seafront the structure allows a high degree of permeability, keeping views of the coastline open for the rest of the town.
Summer produce: Rape seed oil, Corn, Clotted cream, Milk, Lamb, Beef, Assorted arable produce.
Tourist infastructure: Buildings such as lifeboat centers and lighthouses begin to take on dual functions as amusements and theme parks.
Summer catch: Bass, Bream, Brill, Crab, Cuttlefish, Lobster, Plaice, Red Mullet, Skate, Dover sole, Lemon sole, Squid, Turbot, Grey mullet, Mackeral, Sardines, John dory, Huss, Monkfish.
Citizenery association hotel: Summer. The central retail and service district of the city has seen great decline over the past twenty years, which has been vastly accelerated following the 2008 financial crisis. The streets now contain many vacant properties which are spaces in waiting given their inherent development potential - and resultant high rents. Demand for goods/services along the street has been dramatically reduced - excluding locals from establishing businesses and increasing reliance on large out of town shopping centers such as the nearby St Erth retail park which has recently been developed containing outlets such as Tesco, Next and Marks and Spencers.
Chapter 4 Occupation: Local residents begin to dismantle tourist infastructure and relocate service modules back to their homes, expanding liveable space for winter months and scaling back production and exchange to accomodate a smaller local economy. Under new housing policy residents also granted access to currently unattainable central plots. Nurturing local exchange processes.
Craft: Rape seed oil, Corn, Clotted cream, Milk, Lamb, Beef, Assorted arable produce.
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Hotel: Dismantled and reappropriated to fit local demand during winter months. Although the frame can be entirely removed some of it may be left to form flooding defense or other amenities required by locals.
Summer produce: Rape seed oil, Corn, Clotted cream, Milk, Lamb, Beef, Assorted arable produce.
Tourist Infastructure: is recouped to seaside defence and other local amenities.
Autumn catch: Winter catch: Bass, Brill, Lemon sole, Plaice, Skate, Dover sole, Turbot, Whiting, Huss, Whelk, Gurnard, Monkfish,
Citizenery association hotel: Autumn. The central retail and service district of the city has seen great decline over the past twenty years, which has been vastly accelerated following the 2008 financial crisis. The streets now contain many vacant properties which are spaces in waiting given their inherent development potential - and resultant high rents. Demand for goods/services along the street has been dramatically reduced - excluding locals from establishing businesses and increasing reliance on large out of town shopping centers such as the nearby St Erth retail park which has recently been developed containing outlets such as Tesco, Next and Marks and Spencers.
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Services: Local and seasonal service modules can be inserted into vacant lots in the town (dry cleaners, hairdressers, locksmiths etc).
Retail: Local and seasonal retail outlets can be inserted into the vacant lots and areas of the town - and returned to provide additional space for local homes when not in use.
Central hub/tourist accommodation: Sites for hotels located on seafront. Retractable seasonal infrastructure, additionally providing homes for local residents.
Tourist infrastructure: Services including bike hire, boat hire, entertainment and seasonal vending crafted by locals in modules and deployed during peak season.
Energy: off shore wind farms located in Penzance bay - in association with energy provider Vattenfall.
Culinary catering: Located close to harbor and along mainroad for access to fish and produce from surrounding area. Overlooking bay for attractive location.
Agriculture: Fishing infrastructure around harbor including processing and market. Formed from flexible modules and existing harbor buildings.
Town Stratagy: Connecting a local economy. Many high street and industrial units surrounding the harbor lay unoccupied as large scale commercial and industrial organisations have pulled out of Penzance, particularly in the wake of decline following the collapse of industries such as mining and fishing over the past 20 years, diminishing the value of their location in the region. However the value/rental costs for these spaces is still relatively high given their large surface area and prime location for future development (ie. waterfront housing) - much of this property is owned by development agencies operating from outside the county. Many local industries are thus left without means to purchase, rent or occupy these spaces. The citizenry association will look to fill these spaces in waiting with temporary animations via modules which can be inserted into different parts of the town - allowing residents affordable means to cultivate, vend and dwell in these unoccupied spaces. Capitalizing on the economic downturn and assisting local producers an outlet to establish their own regional economy, which might one day establish enough momentum and collect sufficient capital to buy back spaces in the town from development agencies. These modules are likely to interact with existing spacial conditions in the town - for example retail modules will be placed in the high street and agricultural modules may be inserted near the harbor or on farms outside of town.
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Alexandra Grounds: Seafront units on road contain two hotels (Beachfield and Carlton), residential flats and a disused car show room. Behind these areas lies another car show room and a large area of disused scrub land currently occupied by an overspill of vehicles from the car show room.
Queens Hotel: Victorian Seaside hotel located on central strip of Promenade. The hotel has fallen into a state of disrepair since its hey day. Much of the interior and exterior is now scruffy and dowdy - which has led to many poor reviews and an unattractive image.
Accomodation: Location on Western Promonade. Penzance Promenade stretches the seafront between the Jubilee Pool at the Eastern end and Newlyn to the West. With views spanning Mounts Bay it’s the idyllic place to take a stroll on a sunny summers day. The Promenade was constructed in stages during the 1800’s with the Western end finished in 1893. During it’s life the prom has played an integral part of leisure time in Penzance. The seafront was the centre of nightlife with the Winter Gardens and the Queens Taverns being the hottest nights out in their time. In 1905 a new bandstand was built on the Promenade opposite the Queen’s Hotel, and the Pavilion Theatre opened nearby in 1911, complete with a roof garden and cafe. The theatre has since become an arcade and restaurant.Today, the seafront has two children’s play parks, basket ball courts, a bowling green, an arcade and a smattering of restaurants and cafes.
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Rear scrub land: Unoccupied scrub land at rear of site has been earmarked for redevelopment for the last 10 years. Plans to build a new Tesco superstore were thwarted as the store chose a more preferable location on a local bypass.
Existing property on promenade: Including a disused car show room, residential property containing five flats and two hotels each with 30 rooms.
Accomodation site one: Alexandra Grounds -Central hotel hub. The site on Alexandra Grounds offers ideal development potential as it currently largely unoccupied by any building structures and is situated in a prime location on the promanade. The rugby stadium located behind the site also offers great potential for seasonal extensions if needs be given its limited use over the summer months.
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Citroen car garage: Service dealership for Citroen cars building located inside renovated warehouse.
Queens Hotel: The hotel has seventy rooms and can accomodate up to 170 guests. It also includes the 60 seater ‘Promanade resturant’ which has great views across St Mounts bay.
Accomodation site two: Queens Hotel - Hotel expansion. Victorian Seaside hotel located on central strip of Promenade. The hotel has fallen into a state of disrepair since its hey day. Much of the interior and exterior is now scruffy and dowdy - which has led to many poor reviews and an unattractive image.
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Total Site area: 5148sq/m approx (4) Existing Hotel Area: 1780sq/m approx (30 Beds) (3) Hotel Extension: 2000sq/m approx (40 Beds) (1) Private Residential: 250sq/m approx (50 per house) (2) Service Module: 300sq/m approx (60 per module)
Central hub massing: Seasonal hotel/market plaza. 1. Local residential house, including garage for caravan storage (summer) 2. Public house/service module component: may include shops, restaurants, guest houses, etc on reclaimed railway tracks allowing units to be pushed out during the summer and retracted during winter months as well as deployed and transported throughout the town on lorries. 3. Extendible hotel on scaffold - allows additional hotel rooms to be constructed above plaza/market area during summer months. Materials may be re-appropriated to form screens to protect from stormy weather conditions in winter months. 4. Existing hotel - renovated and used as guest house off season in winter. 5. Public plaza/ market area - turfed to soften connection with sea along promenade. Railway tracks crossing road slow traffic to calm area. 6. New access road for residential properties. 7. Connection to rugby stadium possible for events/expansion. 8. Connection between existing hotel and new residential housing (winter months).
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Scaffold Hotel Room Extension (50bed approx): Additional hotel rooms can be built for peak summer months. Within a flexible grid structure, which can be entirely removed if needs be.
Promenade Gardens: The adjacent promenade and surrounding site becomes public park land - opening up the site and forging a more pleasant connection to the coast in an urban context. Gardens also contain allotments which produce food for local hotel and services.
Plug-in Services: Residents can build and equip their services within this module for deployment in the adjacent plaza or throughout the town reducing necessity for rental costs. During quiet winter months modules may form storage units for seasonal equipment or create extensions to living space.
Plug-in Components: Attached to reclaimed train tracks can be pushed and pulled throughout hotel plaza. Components may also be loaded onto trucks or ferries for deployment elsewhere in the town or county (see high street activation).
Permanent Housing: Private property for Local Residents.
Existing Hotel: Serves as guest house during winter months aside from housing local authority offices.
Central Hub Strategy: Seasonal hotel/market Plaza. The central hub forms the core component of the citizenry association hotel, containing an expandable hotel structure on scaffolding poles which allow for quick construction during times of seasonal demand and complete dismantlement when demand is limited. The site also contains residential properties which are occupied by local residents and service modules which attach to these residential properties, although they may be detached and redeployed throughout the town. Offices for local government and public recreation are also contained on site.
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38 Market Jew Street: is Penzance’s main shopping area with a varied selection of national multiple stores and Independent shops, although in recent years many national retailers have closed their doors leaving large empty lots.
Chapel Street: A narrow street with a variety of independent retailers including chemists, doctors, printers, landscape gardeners, cobblers etc.
Retail and Service: Tempoary appropriation on Market Jew St and Chapel St. The central retail and service district of the city has seen great decline over the past twenty years, which has been vastly accelerated following the 2008 financial crisis. The streets now contain many vacant properties which are spaces in waiting given their inherent development potential - and resultant high rents. Demand for goods/services along the street has been dramatically reduced - excluding locals from establishing businesses and increasing reliance on large out of town shopping centers such as the nearby St Erth retail park which has recently been developed containing outlets such as Tesco, Next and Marks and Spencers.
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Market Jew Street: is Penzance’s main shopping area with a varied selection of national multiple stores and Independent shops, although in recent years many national retailers have closed their doors leaving large empty lots.
Chapel Street: A narrow street with a variety of independent retailers including chemists, doctors, printers, landscape gardeners, cobblers etc.
Retail and Service: Tempoary appropriation on Market Jew Street. The central retail and service district of the city has seen great decline over the past twenty years, which has been vastly accelerated following the 2008 financial crisis. The streets now contain many vacant properties which are spaces in waiting given their inherent development potential - and resultant high rents. Demand for goods/services along the street has been dramatically reduced - excluding locals from establishing businesses and increasing reliance on large out of town shopping centers such as the nearby St Erth retail park which has recently been developed containing outlets such as Tesco, Next and Marks and Spencers.
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Retail/service outlet modules: Deployment throughout Market Jew St. 1. Existing vacant retail outlets on lower Market Jew Street 2. Public house/service module: May include shops, restaurants, guest-houses, etc delivered from central hub on lorries and installed within existing infrastructure to temporarily reactivate the property. These modules may adjust in size to accommodate different spaces and uses. 3. Local plant firm Macsalvors provides lorries and cranes to transport modules from hub to desired location. 4. Activation of modules can occur anywhere where there is free space in the town for example in car parks. Total area for potential retail outlets: 1600sq/m approx (2) Service Module: 300sq/m approx (60 per module)