Physical Networks.

Rail, wheels and framework

Mapping the physical networks near the site has shown that there are good transport connections such as a the metro tramlink that has two stops (New Islington and Holt Town) 5 minutes away. Bus routes also pass close by the site and there is on street parking available. This shows that the performers living in the accomodation have opportunities to travel into Central Manchester to reach the various theatres. However, there is still a need for safer transport, especially at night, calling for a new initiative such as a shared taxi scheme.

3D Mapping.

Further examination into the buildings and space around the site

These maps show the urban morphology and infrastructure of the site and surrounding areas. Directly around the site the buildings vary from 5 to over 20m (Hope Mill Theatre) which means I will have to consider the overshadowing of the site. Fortunately the buildings around the site do not require views as a lot are storage units, meaning I can build at similar heights.

There is also green space near the site and the Ashton canal runs right alongside it which creates connection opportunities.

Society Map.

Socio-economic maps

This map shows the different society statistics of the areas around the site. Directly around the site there is a low percentage of owned housing and a high percentage of people living alone. Just south of the site, the percentage of apartments decreases from 53% to 18%. Overall, only 24% of houses are owned. This highlights the housing shortages and affordability crisis’ in Manchester. In conclusion, my proposal will form affordable temporary housing for theatre performers near the city and provide a communal gathering space open to all to share the enjoyment of theatre together.

Council Housing

The council houses near the site are arranged in cul de sacs, with a crossover of space around the houses. The access points mix together, but each house has it’s own main access and private outdoor space.

Residential Typologies.

Identifying types of housing near the site

SEMI-DETACHED HOUSING URBAN SPLASH TOWN HOUSES

The semi-detached houses are arranged in a courtyard-like format with a road in the middle of them. Each house has the same road access but then splits off to their own space. Units arranged in twos.

The new Urban Splash townhouses adjacent to the site are arranged in rows. They share the same road as well as the same garden. Each house has a small private garden that is open to the communal space, encouraging social interaction.

Urban Splash Apartments

The Chips building by Will Alsop is an example of the apartments in the area. The block of flats is arranged as three blocks placed on top of each other at different angles. It creates a unique shape, with consideration of sunlight and views.

Urban Splash. The divide in community

In the 1960s and 70s, Ancoats saw huge rates of decline and depopulation. The cobbled streets turned to cotton slums, houses were torn down and jobs disappeared. In the 70s, the council’s response and antidote was ‘suburban estates’, yet this in fact was the start of the 20 year decline. Manchester’s Cardroom Estate was an area of extreme deprivation, having lost its pubs, shops and even the local primary school. While many of the residents on the estate still love their house, the area was rich with crime; drug dealing, stolen cars, breaking and entering. The result was an estate where people lock themselves in after dark. Despite this, the people that are left have long-standing roots, strong family ties and an even stronger sense of community.

Interview.

An interview with a lady working in the local chippy

In 2002, Urban Splash Developers won the opportunity to transform the area and renamed part of Ancoats ‘New Islington’. They worked with architect Will Alsop to design the masterplan of housing, social housing, apartments and family homes, alongside businesses, offices and public squares.

“there’s only one loser and that’s the next generation”

“we used to know everyone around and that’s going”

It is clear that the regeneration has brought a lot of life and people back to Ancoats and was crowned the “13th coolest place to live in the world” by Time Out magazine. However, it has also not solved a lot of the problems, but just increased the divide. The new housing provides for young professionals, but the residents of the old council estates feel segregated from the new area and new people there.

“all this £500m investment into the area yet there’s still food banks round every corner over here”

Sun Path.

Exploring light and shadows on the site

This 3D map shows the sun path around the site. In the winter months, the site is mainly in shadow due to the low height in the sky, but Hope Mill Theatre which is over 20m tall recieves sunlight. This creates an opportunity to bring light in through an atrium or light chimney. In Summer, the light is most prominent in the shaded area as shown by this diagram, meaning this would be the optimum place for the housing units.

Most well-lit section of site

Climate + Wind. Temperate Oceanic Climate

The prevailing wind comes from the West or South-West throughout the year. Therefore, my building could consider cross ventilation from South/West to East via operable openings. Climate research shows that temperatures rarely exceed 20C in the warmer months, and can be as low as just above freezing in the Winter. Precipitation is generally high and constant, averaging on 80mm monthly. As a result, glazing will be optimal for passive solar heating as risk of overheating is relatively low. Cross-ventilation and shading/overhangs will control this when temperatures are high. Effective drainage is also important to manage the rainfall, such as a green roof and opportunities for recycling water.

Strengths/Opportunities

SWOT Analysis.

Using SWOT analysis to identify the main creative drivers and parameters

Weaknesses/Threats

Opportunities.

If wall removed, access would be free-flowing from Spectator Street which creates an opportunity to expand landscaping proposal to encompass that empty land and connect site.

21.8m at back of site has unobstructed views over 5m which would be optimal for the housing on site so they have more view and lighting opportunities.

Site Conclusions.

Views.

If elevated, there will be views above the adjacent building along the canal to buildings such as the Chips building and Stubbs Mill by Urban Splash.

Looking out to canal and beyond to green and residential area of Ancoats.

Gap in building provides a connection and view towards Beswick Street.

View over adjacent building would enable unobstructed views and light if proposal is elevated over 5m.

Connections.

Connection with Pollard Street entrance - only 9m wide so project elevation won’t be fully visible. Creates opportunity for an inviting street entrance.

Site next to Hope Mill Theatre’s canopy entrance. Creative driver is to connect these two spaces by extending canopy and designing a new one for both.

North-West end of site sits on the canal line which could drive a water connection or access to site via canal. Possibility for performance space to be sit here.

KEY Connections

Views

Horizontal Measurements

Vertical Measurements Opportunities

2. Position.

Themes. MEMORY

How does Ancoats live in the memory of Mancunians? A place overlooked or seen as derelict since the depopulation in the 80s? Since the regeneration, much life has been breathed back into it, with Time Out naming it as the “13th coolest place to live in the world” in 2018. Yet, many still see Ancoats beyond it’s small areas of gentrification: as a long lived community rich with industry and history.

A DIVIDE : DERELICTION + DEVELOPMENT

As I walk around the site, Ancoats and New Islington, there is a clear divide in the area. One minute you are staring up at the latest Urban Splash quirky townhouse, and then as you turn the corner, metal fences are stamped with signs advertising the nearest food bank. The new connecting canal has been landscaped, with regular maintenance to keep it tidy, yet Ashton canal that runs along the site is rife with litter and overgrown shrubs growing up the decaying red brick walls. There is almost a sense that these parts of Ancoats have been forgotten about. Few people walk the streets and there is a strange empty, eeriness feeling. How can we show the people living here that they’re not forgotten? How can we use something as simple as ‘theatre’ to bring people together, and in doing so help reduce this divide in the community?

A United Community

There was a time when the whole population of Ancoats was the urban working class, and in that they were united. In my interview with the locals, they talked of how they “used to know everyone around”, and how this is disappearing. With my proposal, I want to create a space that encourages social interaction, and that can bring all the people of Ancoats from all backgrounds together to enjoy the arts. While we can’t bridge this gap in development easily, we can begin with society and community.

Collages.

Response to the problems performers face regarding accomodation