PORTFOLIO Matthew Oliver Ward
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STAGE 3 ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO Matthew Oliver Ward | 150309996 | Newcastle University | BA [Hons] Architecture | 2015-2018 | Studio: ‘Future City’ matthewoward@hotmail.co.uk
+44 [0]7932 017212
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CONTENTS [...]
3
Critical Reflection
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INTRODUCTION
PRIMER
[Group Work, T.I. Part 1: Case Study]
‘TEE’: STAGING
[Tech Part 1]
REALISATION
[C4: TTMW, Theory, Tech Part 2]
REFINEMENT
[T.I. Part 2: 3D study]
[...]
Notes & References
[N.B.] Dash underlining subtitle indicates group work. Dash underlining subtitle indicates my own work. Circle and direction beside contents indicates graduation project.
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Critical Reflection |
CRITICAL REFLECTION Stage 3 of my undergraduate architectural education has been both an academically and personally challenging year. Following a 7-week work placement in a local architect’s office during the previous summer, my digital skills greatly improved along with a clearer insight into the working side of the profession.
Through the challenging but greatly satisfying characteristics of the ‘Future City’ studio, my understanding of architecture as an economic, social and political conquest has extremely broadened. Resultantly, I am grateful to say that the project has initiated an idea of my critical stance as a designer. The in-depth exploration and research undertaken this year has opened my mind to an array of wider societal issues interlinked with architectural design and I feel very passionate about exploring these solutions in the future. I wish to delve deeper into some hidden flaws and outdated patterns in how we live, work and enjoy spaces ‘together’, striving towards better well-being and human connectedness as a key factor. With reference to an apparent mental health crisis, issues of inequality and a plaguing loneliness that the current day-today system of life seems to inflict upon many of us, we should then redefine how each place may positively create happiness and
community as a cultural necessity. As displayed across, this idea of connecting space and bringing people together seems to be an idea I was subconsciously implementing in previous projects, expressed in the layout of programme and circulation initially. My dissertation research concerning social media applications and their premature integration also reiterates a design method of gathering and enjoyment through the proposition of shared public screens. The connection between internet use and well-being is a continuously well-researched area relating to negative effects on wellbeing, where designed spaces can also respond to this virtual superimposition of the same activities that we physically inhabit. Despite my struggles with ongoing health conditions that caught up with me this year, I am proud to have completed this first step of my architectural qualification. This has been made possible from the support I have had from friends, family and members of staff within the School of Architecture, with a special thanks to Kieran Connolly for his close guidance and care. With this being said, I can now positively take this academic and personal knowledge from my unique experience here at Newcastle University to significantly inform and create my future.
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| Introduction
INTRODUCTION An initial quotation and explanation of the ‘Future City’ studio and brief, led by Kieran Connolly and Luke Rigg. ‘The Future City studio asks you to develop an alternative ‘future’ for Newcastle, one that pushes back against the imperatives of market-driven, commercial urbanisation. You will propose speculative buildings, with mixed-use programmes that have strong social and civic qualities and that are inclusive of local businesses, cultural organisations and social groups that are frequently marginalised in private real estate development. [...] The studio takes a critical
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stance against current attempts to regenerate Newcastle, which we see as being generic in their architectural ambition, lacking any kind of clear social agenda and seemingly benefiting only private investors, big business and real-estate tycoons.’ 1 My chosen studio offers great creative freedom within justification, where the EPS Area is highlighted across. With a focus on research [as well as constructional adaptability and sustainability], the initial pathways are three-fold: architecture as a social and political endeavour, the neoliberal city and architecture as critique.
The East Pilgrim Street area [...] represents one of the most strategically important City Centre Regeneration Opportunity Areas in the North of England. 2
- East Pilgrim Street Regeneration Opportunity Area, Preferred Option Report [Oct 2008]
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| Introduction
CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS Taking a step back from the brief [based on the current proposals], it is applicable to outline the context of the ongoing schemes.
this would be okay, but the reality is that this will destroy vast amounts of local culture and fill the city with repetitive uses. Apart
The majority of this generic regeneration plan comprises of even more retail space for Newcastle, office space, luxury hotels and further student accommodation. In a city with a shortage of such provisions and without detrimenting existing users within a site,
In a different light and with the backing of rich investors then it is perhaps an opportunity for better proposals that actually challenge societal issues and aim to make Newcastle a better place. Eventually, corporations will need to create alternative methods when only a few select people can access these luxuries.
Due to the nature of the EPS Development Area, there was no choice but to sell this off to which wealthy overseas investors could develop this vital land. Motcomb Estates Ltd - through Taras Properties Ltd and ultimately the Reuben Brothers - now own a vast majority, especially a key block as visualised across. Because of this ownership, the development of a generic package proposal is being forwarded. This is resulting in standardised architecture and spaces with no consideration for the existing and future social aspects of the city. The site is seen as a commercial opportunity and this current framework is maybe 20% of what it could be.
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from providing more shops to visit and creating a few more jobs, this current East Pilgrim Street Development Framework will do nothing for the future of the city and, if anything, will make the social context of the city worse. It does nothing to address homelessness, inequality, well-being or any real-life problems at all. There is no specific fault to this scenario, but such broad and important areas of urban development need to address these issues if cities are going to improve in their happiness and livelihood, where healthier alternatives should be encouraged and developed.
Concern that this vision does not even reflect reality, let alone propose a viable future. 3
– Sebastian Messer, EPS Consultation Statement [Nov 2016]
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Introduction | 10
THE GENERIC CITY Limited by tight restraints of time and money as a result of the developer-orientation, this architecture becomes fitting with Rem
house style façades and perhaps alter the positioning of interior spaces, but for the most part many projects fail to add unique
Across, generic urbanisation is summarised by an urban block like that in the New York City sprawl. Masses are built right up to an already busy ground level with minimal ‘frontage’ of typically retail space onto narrow pathways. Post-machine age, design quality is also restricted by the vast slicing of roads that act primarily for pockets of land to be developed in between. There is a chance to
In a response to these dystopian shifts in the present, we need to challenge our system of design-construction and make urban and civic place far more desirable. To counteract the speed and isolation of modern cities, perhaps we need fresh community uses, open green and third space and drastic experimentation in our programmatic models of living. Then, happier buildings can be designed with identity, comfortability and a true sense of place.
Koolhaas’ ‘The Generic City’ critique. 4 The designer’s creative scope is also limited as a result, where the creation of dense and standardised buildings becomes common place as footfall and other economic motivators take priority over a design for people. In total, the physical and spiritual nature is lost, failing to improve quality of life and establish identity anywhere near its best extent.
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livelihood to a place due to these many restrictions. Projects just reflect the adjacent block and are built to an evidently flawed system of living. Additionally, digitalisation and our favouring of online over physical space for day-to-day activities adds to this, further disconnecting us from our uncomfortable and generic cities.
The metropolis as a place of exchange, dialogue and delight between diverse groups of people is being eradicated. 5
– ‘Notopia’, The Architectural Review
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11 | Introduction
UNBALANCED SOCIETY Human well-being and the equality of people should be the prime consideration for design on such a societal scale. With so many
people predicted to live in cities by 2050, we’d best make sure that they are safe and happy places to live. When generic architecture of this size is proposed though, it forms a clear physical manifestation of furthering inequality and unhappiness [expressed across]. Due to the naivety in proposing ‘high-end’ spaces, the accessibility is limited for most people and therefore widens social gaps while ignoring societal issues. What could have been affordable housing becomes flats for the overseas rich; worsening social imbalance, crime rates, homelessness and a vast cycle of negative effects. When real life issues are ignored more and more, the city directly and indirectly becomes more dangerous, uncomfortable and dimin-
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ishes our perception of the place and its liveliness. It has certainly gone too far when the homeless are given begging fines, much like
breaking a dog’s leg and punishing it for not being able to walk as well. Everyone deserves a second chance, and an altruistic and democratic approach to the future scheme needs to be taken if crime is to decrease and happiness to increase. If the aim is to create profit, then it can be achieved in a wider scale of effect. ‘Evidence shows that people who experience homelessness for three months or longer cost on average £4,298 per person to NHS services’. 6 Eventually, this social ignorance will need to change or this wider cycle of effect will continue, presenting owners of economic power with a choice for the best cause possible.
But designers continue to withhold their criticism and proposals, feeling neither responsible nor qualified to touch these urban issues. Instead they wait for clients to tell them what urban place to ruin next. – Design In & Against the Neoliberal City, Jesko Fezer
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Introduction | 14
SUPERSTUDIO Following the lead of Archigram with a similarly provocative stance, the Italian architecture group Superstudio created radical concepts and critiques following a leftist political position. One of their most well-known projects – The Continuous Monument [1969, across] – visualised a truly democratic human existence, contrary to popular notions at the time. In a similar unbuilt style to the forthcoming project, these continuous megastructures champion spatial equality and social acceptance, expressed through their initiation of the grid on white background and the subsequent inhabitation of the monument. In a world highly influenced by capitalism, The Continuous Monument appears to be penetrating through this semi-rural townscape, expressing their contradiction in views towards this influence of their time.
Still to the present day, the capabilities of architecture are seemingly restricted by similar effects of privatisation and isolation. This higher political force and power has an incredible impact on the progress of the built environment, but architecture can also have a huge say in this. Both space and politics can evidently favour certain social groups over others, where in this case, private land ownership progressively controls this vital segment of the city and mostly benefits the small but high economic percentile, devastating the rest of the modern city. Superstudio’s style is then referenced in the following project, both supporting their path of approach for architecture politically while visually referencing the grid and choice of presentation as a stylistic and subtle nod to their work.
15 | Introduction
MANIFESTO Having introduced the studio and my social, economic and political enquiries, a manifesto is established in order to design the most ethically-grounded and architecturally honourable approach possible that is reflective of the 21st century.
Summarised in the diagram across, the main aim of the project is to improve well-being by bringing people together. My alternative proposal aims to be strong in its social ties and community - in a space where everyone is equal by favouring people in need then counteracting a negative cycle of effects with these remedies. Currently, ‘loneliness hangs over our culture today like a thick smog.’ 8 In turn, these exact feelings are what provokes crime, drug abuse and many other negativities, where everything comes down to each positive state of mind. The city cannot truly progress without solving these social issues, and the EPS Area has a huge potential to counteract a status quo of privatisation and to revive a sense of connection we too often feel is missing.
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A multi-use proposal that improves opportunities, equality and well-being for all people and members of society.
Establish free and open public space for Newcastle Upon Tyne’s city centre, providing a range of third spaces. Retain all existing buildings and social groups within a site, also designing to prioritise other local people and businesses. A focus on community uses and how the building programme can foster a sense of place regardless of material. Develop a bottom-up approach within the top-down scenario that exceeds the expectations of the existing frameworks. Critique and provide architectural solutions to counteract the notions of generic urbanisation. Technologically incorporate flexibility and sustainability in the design and life of the project. To ultimately design for comfortability, conviviality and a place for everyone to belong, aiming for a happier and healthier city and 21st century society.
Civic spaces in the city centre play an important role in creating a sense of place. 9
- ‘3.18: Public Realm and Open Space’, East Pilgrim Street Interim Planning Guidance [July 2009]
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17 | Primer
PRIMER The future city studio’s initial ‘primer’ stage introduced and explored the East Pilgrim Street Development Area in architectural and non-architectural contexts. In each allocated subgroup as shown, a social, economic, material and urban focus of study was conducted, providing the studio with a richer understanding of the site assisted by readings for deeper perceptions. Based on this forthcoming initial range of group studies, a great basis of knowledge in order to begin designing was provided.
Social
Economic
Material
Urban
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Primer | 20
GROUP 1: SOCIAL Through this sub-group’s exploration, a range of important social groups are identified and brought to our attention, of whom may or may not be catered for in the vast framework documentation. Even though such communities are key to the cultural livelihood of Newcastle as we know it, most of these people face eviction from the area due to the majority of this block in particular now being owned by the Reuben brothers. Alternative frameworks could not only retain such vital communities but allow them to flourish and spread into the city in a way that benefits all parties. In relation to my aerial view diagram across - primarily owned by Taras Properties Ltd and home to the majority of these creative and community-based organisations - each group is located according to this diagram including the current condition of each area of land:
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Bamburgh House | Breeze Creatives, Kommunity
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Carliol House [Grade II Listed] | The NewBridge Project
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Commercial Union House | Various organisations of cultural importance, including the Vane Art Gallery and Good Space.
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DEMOLISHED Odeon Cinema
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DEMOLISHED Watson House | Formerly The NewBridge Project with proper public frontage and exhibition spaces.
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DEMOLISHED Norham House | Maker Space, Alphabetti Theatre.
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Dex Garage Multi-storey Car Park
It is acknowledged that there will need to be discussion about the future relocation of the existing artists and cultural uses which are located in the vacant buildings. 3
– Newcastle City Council Response, EPS Consultation Statement [Nov 2016]
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21 | Primer
Every Artist Needs Illustrative collage by social group, creating an output of needs for creatives and artists within the EPS Area. Adhering to these prerequisites for the persons of focus in a future proposal would be sure to add a proper nourishment for them in the area, rather than the current opposing plans set out in the development frameworks. Key for the requirements of the artists in relation to the collage above: [1]
studio space, [2] electricity, [3] water supply, [4] communal work and living space, [5a] transport links, [5b] trains, [5c] bus network, [6] shop and gallery frontage, [7] affordability, [8] natural daylight, [9] exhibition space.
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Primer | 24
Carliol House & The NewBridge Project Mixed media collage of Carliol House and its main inhabitants, produced by the social group. This piece portrays initial information on the current uses and style of inhabitation, where The NewBridge Project is a community-focussed group of artists and curators that are based here in the city centre.
25 | Primer
EVERY CITY NEEDS To summarise the social group’s primer stage studies, the headline board adjacent was produced by the group. This illustrative collage follows on from the previous style of visualisation for an artist’s needs, but on a much wider urban scale of precedent. This therefore sets out a broad range of architectural and social principles
that our future personal proposals can follow and adapt if needed. Taking on any of these aspects should assist in the development of socially positive projects and generally good urban moves, then improving the place-making qualities and our human spirit of the city.
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27 | Primer
GROUP 2: ECONOMIC The economic group focus on statistical analysis and details to learn about the economic intent of current developments. As a result, a set of various mixed-use programmes are modelled economically and graphically following different forms and contextual variations in order to grasp the types of outcome each can create. For the present day architect, it is understood that profit is an unavoidable and prime consideration in the design process in the light of clients
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and developers. Other restrictions of time and space also come into play here, further restricting the creative purpose of the designer in the building process. It seems that within every generic proposal - as desired by the top of this hierarchy - there lies a much richer proposal that can more positively benefit users while still achieving these unavoidable endeavours.
Appeal to investors and rate of return have become the most important aspects of a projects feasibility. 10
- Alejandro Zaera-Polo et al., ‘Ecotectonics?’
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Primer | 28
Reality
Generic Tower
Design Process
Present Architect & Designer
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Economic Outcome Visitorʼs spending in Bilbao in the first three years after the museum opened raised over [£87m]. 11 - The Economist
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Potential
Profit Through Architecture The economic reality for many present architects versus a better potential for the future. Within my diagram are some personal illustrations, Frank Gehry’s drawings for the Guggenheim Museum and the economic group’s calculations and model. Although widely considered as “Starchitecture” and as a building with huge economic backing, there’s no doubt that the language and confi-
dence of the building has obtained further profit. In comparison to the development of a generic building of an identical function, a larger amount of creative freedom given to the designer is a core reasoning to the projects success. In a city like Newcastle with so much existing culture, a similar building of social interest could also satisfy client profit simultaneously.
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Primer | 30
ECONOMIC MODELLING The economic group’s final headline output displays the calculations for a range of different building uses with corresponding returns of profit. This allowed us as a studio to gain a basic understanding of the amount of return that each type of space produced in relation to our developing personal projects. Excluding the construction of more student accommodation which also happens to be a great way of making the most profit, a de-
veloper opting for a ‘culture’ / ‘food offer’ / ‘educational facility’ would also bring about a better than average profit. Based on my manifesto then, and without putting too much emphasis on this economic side of project development, this generic outline of mixed-use seems to be a good starting point in terms of finding a project with a sense of place and distinction. Full headline piece produced by the economic group.
31 | Primer
GROUP 3: MATERIAL The material group produce a critical expression based on the use of materiality in the current proposals. After analysing the constructional and material choices in the proposals and other nation-wide developments of a similar nature, there is a strong correlation between the type of client-developer and the resultant language and make-up of the buildings. Due to the limitations of time and cost in particular, this seems to be a large factor in the categorisation of the developments as
generic in their pursuit. The buildings and many similar ones in the North East region follow very standardised methods, often repeating the same cheaper cladding and quick assemblage techniques due to the developer’s top priority of maximising profit based on initial costs. Through the group’s exploration and analysis of these heavily pre-fabricated and composite-clad structures, the essence of this construction paradigm is controversially visualised and critiqued ahead of the primer review.
Primer | 32
Material Collage A collage of photographs including parts of the EPS Development Area with quotes on the current pattern of material approach, produced by material group. Due to the circumstances, it is clear to see how the choice of material can add to this notion of generic urbanisation. As more and more developments are focussed on economic gain, then the budget for materials and construction of these pro-
jects will decrease and end up at the same palette, then creating a pattern of cheap buildings with the same aesthetics. Through this process additionally, the function of the spaces inside also fail to stretch any boundaries, then creating a lack of overall character from site to site.
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Primer | 34
MATERIAL CATALOGUE Graphically presented as a construction catalogue by the material group, this final piece critically visualises the limitations of the designer. Initiated through highly corporate clients and developers, the current project are resulting in a clear pattern of the cheapest constructions possible. Perhaps convincing the wealthy client of
the profitable benefits parallel to strong civic improvements could achieve a lot more through a more creative and free proposal approach. In turn, all parties could reach satisfaction, allowing each building to boast strong architectural qualities in their benefit to people and wider society.
35 | Primer
GROUP 4: URBAN Within my urban subgroup, the current EPS plans and documents were analysed in further detail with an architectural and urban mindset, outputting more genuine future design rules. Our research was initiated with a thorough critique of the current EPS proposals and documents, giving a contextualised insight into their key “aims”. A lot of the language used is very simplified, with major social groups that form the current culture and excitement
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within the development are almost completely overlooked. We also learnt a lot from the public comments on the current proposals while looking at the past urban landscape. It was our task to therefore create an urban design manifesto through more of an architectural exploration, opposing generic forms of design and instead considering the design for people over profit to precedent our future projects.
This backward-looking plan for more shops, offices and student accommodation will do nothing to improve the fabric of the city and will destroy the social, economic and creative engine. – Sebastian Messer, EPS Consultation Statement [Nov 2016]
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High Walkways 10
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Active Frontage
Transport 8
Local Business
Council Ownership 6
Vistas
Landmarks 4
Existing Buildings
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Public Space
Spatial Separation
Primer | 36
Initial Design Rule Development & Rule of Focus Design rules based on our subgroup’s initial research, collated by the author and rules produced as a collective group. Each principle gave us a pathway to further details and refinement in a search to plan for richer proposals. Rule number 4 - ‘Landmarks’ - was given a special emphasis in the group, providing much discussion between ourselves and the tutors due to the proposition of ‘mon-
ument buildings’ as a main driver in the current proposals. Rather than commercial mass creating a ‘landmark opportunity’, the very establishment of such a place grows naturally out of social interest, municipal gathering and unique offerings to the public. This should instead be realised through the exploration and discovery of unique characters for each area of the EPS site, not a tower.
37 | Primer
Learning from the Past The mapping above shows a historic plan of the city centre from the 1910’s featuring a sketched overlay defining key routes, not to scale. The organisation is of John Dobson and Richard Grainger’s Newcastle, where Northumberland Street and East Pilgrim Street remain as two of the most important circulation routes. An urban centre is implied where these two main streets meet in the city.
Primer | 38
Progressed Principles & Mock-Up Layout Progressing from the first week of primer’s 10 principles, these thoughts were refined and types of graphic representation were tested. We eventually decided on my axonometric illustrated style above for use in the main headline element of our reviews, suiting the type of response we wanted to provoke for a very much urban and architectural exploration within the primer studies.
39 | Primer
URBAN DESIGN RULES The final six urban design rules are displayed across, collated from an original twelve to focus on the vital considerations for future development. This aids in summarising the studio’s strive for an alternative framework through each of the four main outputs collectively, setting the foundations for the forthcoming project. By considering any of these principles - where the current proposals
may progress to only a very mild level - we can start to initiate designs that are more meaningful and ethically-grounded with the people of Newcastle as a core consideration. An urban landmark can then be designed withouth the naive proposition of corporate towers and through socially-thriving spaces instead. Each watercolour piece produced by myself and put together by the group.
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Primer | 42
Tectonic Integration Part 1: Case Study In a similar format to the primer studies within a separate element of coursework, the studio was given a building of study from our field trip locations in different subgroups. Our studies on Cinnamon Tower are summarised above; a mixed-use residential building in Hamburg’s HafenCity area, designed by Bolles + Wilson. The work above studies the structural and environmental intent of the build-
ing in its context, where south-facing light is utilised for all 10 of the above apartments in open-plan living spaces. Erected using a combination of primary and secondary concrete columns and floor slabs, the patterned cladding is easily attached to form differentiating properties and layouts around the core organisation. Further, a restaurant and commercial unit are present at the ground floor.
43 | Primer
PRIMER REVIEW Photograph of the future city studio’s primer review boards. The work as a whole gave the studio and other peers a great initial insight into the current scenario. Our headline boards from each subgroup are stripped centrally towards the top of each display, showcasing our main outputs such as the ‘every city needs’ piece and the urban design rules watercolour set. The primer review day
also included each studio performing a presentation introducing the projects and briefs in-depth to the rest of the year. The material catalogue board from our subgroup created a lot of controversy and discussion in particular. This engaged the audience in an interesting way and provided a further understanding in order to start designing our personal projects in the next stage.
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45 | Staging
‘THE EGALITARIAN EXCHANGE’ [Graduation Project]
The most crucial block within Newcastle upon Tyne’s ongoing EPS Development Framework is now predominantly privately-owned. While this developer-driven process will undoubtedly add a new layer to the city, there is a lack of consideration towards wider societal issues and the social equality of the design. The project purposely accepts this typical top-down development paradigm, and instead proposes a contrastingly egalitarian alternative to function inside of the capitalistic scenario inclusively. As naturally tribal beings, welfare and social support is too often disregarded and in a wide cycle of effect increases homelessness, crime rates, poverty and an overall gloom. By designing a programme for the homeless and free space for all members of society to belong, an utmost amount of users are admitted to the site, thus boosting profitable capabilities alongside standard revenue. Following this narrative focussing on people inside profit, the masterplan retains threatened creative groups on site with the design
of the shelter programme, a civic-scale community centre and an array of units for local businesses to realistically thrive. A social rather than economic monument can then be achieved. Research ranging from James Stirling’s early work to traditional exchange buildings realises a parti concept of spatial centralisation. This radical reformation of space and mixed-use is an additional critique and counteraction to generic urbanisation, creating a public arena which promotes comfortability and face-to-face ‘exchange’. The project challenges blatant epidemics by publicly embracing solutions to homelessness, equality and well-being. To remedy our expanding vacancy of strong social ties and community, public and private spaces positively inform each other sociologically, striving for better human connections. Ultimately, my alternative EPS Area proposal aims to satisfy all members of society, to reinvigorate the conviviality of urban space, eradicate the city as a shopping destination and create only a positive future for Newcastle upon Tyne.
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Staging | 48
Site Location & Photograph The project is located within the most publicly prominent and privately-owned block of the EPS Development Area, where the majority is now controlled by Taras Properties Ltd [across]. This initiates the design of a masterplan for the block of choice which includes public space, an alternative design narrative and existing building renovation fitting to this circumstance.
49 | Staging
NORTHUMBERLAND STREET
GREY STREET
“The area should not be a continuation of Northumberland Street.
“We would argue that a strong cultural offer is a primary driver for the renaissance that the city council is seeking to achieve.”
– Rueben Giles, EPS Consultation Statement Nov 2016
– The NewBridge Project, EPS Consultation Statement Nov 2016
The uses suggested would not be good for the long term growth of the city. There are plenty of unused shops in the city centre.” 3
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Striving for Authenticity Through an analysis of the EPS documents and consultation, it is clear that people feel the need for a socially richer development proposal. Through a variety of commercial, political and land-based restrictions though, creativity is limited with design freedom capped. Northumberland Street and Grey Street have recently featured temporary patches of ‘green space’ as a desperate manifestation of
third space provision in the city, therefore calling out for a genuine area that provides this comfortability. A sufficient space for third space is obviously needed in the city, in a location suitable which doesn’t look out of place like the above. This chosen block within the EPS Area presents the ideal location to provide more long-term occupation while helping the rest of the city to work better.
Staging | 50
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Active but narrow and limited.
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ELDON SQUARE Secondary to shopping centre.
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Public Space Proposition To build upon the already flourishing cultural diversity in parts of the city, a public space of an efficient size and location would be a great attribute for the city centre. Expressed in the diagram above, the comfortability of each existing public space is hindered in one way or another. This land also sits within the epicentre of Newcastle, establishing the perfect venue for open third space in order to improve
the livelihood and well-being of the city while acting as a direct opposition to the high-density proposal in an already retail-heavy city. [Removal of Dex’s Garage & Car Park, based on the amount of other parking facilities in the city centre and its shear size within the site].
51 | Staging
Commercial Union House Commercial Union House is my chosen existing building of deeper focus within the site. Completed in 1971, it was built for commercial offices while boasting a controversially brutal overhang. Despite this, CUH is now home to some of the most important cultural and community groups in the whole city. Set to be demolished with the vacation of these vital organisations, it is a given that this building
is to be retained alongside all other existing groups within the block, following my egalitarian approach. Due to this amazing amount of activity under one roof, it will also be highly designed for to interact primarily within the new proposal. By applying spatial connections and refurbishments within sensible reason, this beating heart of the city can burst out to realise its full potential as it deserves.
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53 | Staging
Commercial Union House Tour A full guided tour from the Ampersand Inventions and Vane Gallery Directors gave me a great insight into the functioning nature of the building currently. Within a context involving tight economic considerations, I learnt much about the funding and management of the building and how each creative space and person relates to the function. Gratefully, learning about the socio-political positioning of
the organisations and people who manage them greatly improved my perspective of the current EPS plans. The lower images display their re-use of furniture and interior components additionally, then saving money towards other costs, public talks and exhibitions in a sustainable approach to this also.
Staging | 54
CUH Perspective Floor Layout This example layout of B&D Studios’ third floor displays how their communal space acts centrally to all others in the large overhang. This ‘project space’ evident in a similar position through each floor helps to foster a community by centralising movement through this space as well as the multiple uses it provides. The space is used as a gallery, a social hangout, a personal bar and cafe and for col-
laborative work and meeting areas. By using this as a precedent to centralise circulation - especially for users with shared interests and lifestyles - this could greatly improve the day-to-day livelihood of people within the site. Drawing obtained from a supporting website for Commercial Union House’s current tenants.
55 | Staging
Commercial Union House and Bamburgh House also retained
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Laing Art Gallery
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Views from main cirulation points of the city and arts / education-based buildings
Public space opens up vista from East side of city from Laing Gallery to Monument
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Main pedestrian routes
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Summer Solstice
Tall buildings around perimeter of site, 22-30m heights
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Winter Solstice
e Cor Back access to Carliol and Bamburgh House
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Main vehicular routes
S Prevailing wind direction from SW
[ARC3013] Part 1: Analysing Context & Site Site analysis drawing as part of the first half of the architectural technology module. The axonometric diagram gives an overview of environmental considerations and areas of public activity that will inform the design, programme and technological requirements.
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Staging | 56
Design Process Early development of a spatial programme and how this may be located on site, including earlier ideas and decisions on the potential adaptation of Commercial Union House.
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Staging | 58
Further early development of the masterplan, experimenting with form and considering programme in order to maximise and benefit an open public space at this core intersection of civic activity. [Across: photograph from blue carpet area towards New Bridge Street West and The Pearl.]
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Staging | 60
STAGING REVIEW A1 board pin-up for staging review shown across. At this point during my design process I had a consolidated idea of the types of spaces I wanted to propose, but the staging was lacking a bespoke social character and specifics of what type of project it is trying to be. In relation to my personal research, dissertation subject area and some ideas within the studio’s readings, I knew I wanted to focus on a certain social group and sociological aspect that governs how spaces work and feel. Through this found focus in the forthcoming
pages, I also found a more specific route towards the economic and political context of the situation to further the project and my response to the brief based on the critiques made in the staging review. In order to allow the programme and egalitarian character to perform as proposed - based on feedback from Ed Wainwright - a certain response for the ownership and freedom of spatial use for the site is responded to and justified in the following pages additionally.
61 | Staging
HOMELESSNESS Without a doubt, homelessness is a core problem in our society today. It is both immoral and has a chain reaction of negative effects on the running of our society, the economy and us individually. In terms of our urban spaces and cities in which we live and work, this must definitely create a fear and discomfort due to their abandonment on the streets, following higher crime rates and a worsened sense of place. This is a much larger problem elsewhere in the country and the world, but ‘in the North East itself [...] the homeless figure is almost 2,400. In Newcastle there are [officially] 200 homeless.’ 12 Whether people officially class as homeless or not based on their occupancy of shelters temporarily, the estimated amount of people in this level of critical need is much higher alongside other circumstances of a
“
similar severity. In general, there are a lot of people in need of help. If the initial cause is too complex and wide-ranging to prevent beforehand - and we instead turn to tackling the resultant problem the money and funding to create physical solutions is a key door to unlock. With a source of millions of pounds from the owners of this block, the latter part of my staging establishes a type of economic persuasion to justify and fund the holistic approach that is required. In the light of the generic EPS proposals, this alternative framework accepts the nature of private investment and development and proposes a more humane and daring design option that could help to revitalise a lost livelihood in society and boost profitable capability beyond current outlooks. Across is a photograph of the current situation, where thousands of people are homeless on the streets in the UK.
We have become a culture that ignores people and looks the other way. 13
- Community by Design, AIA National
”
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63 | Staging
IGNORANCE
ENGAGEMENT
‘1994’ Torre de David (The Tower of David) by Enrique Gomez and Associates, Caracas, Venezuela.
2014 Star Apartments by Michael Maltzan Architecture, East 6th Street Skid Row, Los Angeles, USA.
Homelessness as a Spatial Problem Despite the wide range of causes, homelessness in its rawest form is a spatial issue. When it is ignored and a country is in the face of an economic and housing crisis, situations such as the Torre David can occur. Construction was never completed and thousands of formerly homeless people have moved in and created their own community and economy. On the other hand, and within a city with
one of the worst homelessness problems in the world, organisations such as the Skid Row Housing Trust with Michael Maltzan have innovatively and rather cheaply created a communal village and well-being centre. Resultantly, the livelihood and happiness of the city is greatly enhanced through this avant-garde project, where the architecture itself responds on a truly societal scale.
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Develop pathways for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people to help them move into education, training and employment. 14
– Employability and Inclusion Manifesto, The North East Strategic Economic Plan [Jan 2017, Executive Summary Leaflet]
Segregated Working Class
Refugees / Asylum Seekers
41
Steven
Exchange Occupant
People in Critical Need
Started fresh in Newcastle to get away from an abusive relationship and poor housing conditions.
Kasandra, Haya
Exchange Occupants
”
34, 3
Refugees from Syria who experienced further struggles to acquire a permanent job and home in the UK.
Food & Drink
307,000 UK homeless or in inadequate housing
Sense of Belonging
Shelter Job Gary
Homeless
Exchange Occupant
29
A Holistic Approach
Community
Kicked out of his home in North Shields and formerly homeless for 2 years.
Safety
Human Engagement
Hobbies
UK Social Class Percentages
Precariats and others.
Flo
Exchange Employee
19
Counselling, Social Support
After being on a waiting list for a work as a social assistant here.
Jonas
Public Visitor
Public Visitor
22
Out in town to purchase a friendʼs birthday present, he is intrigued to explore this new area of the city.
A Holistic Solution & User Profiles The EPS framework documents evidence the neglect of local social groups, but do not mention the accessibility of the ‘luxury’ provisions to the rest of society. Urban development of this privatising nature consequently limits the progression of our cities as dignified and friendly places. Before flipping this capitalistic model into an alternatively inclusive development, a holistic solution is declared to
realistically challenge the problem. ‘It’s not the lack of resources, its the lack of a holistic [...] service system.’ 15 A programme that provides everything from social circles to counselling will allow proper personal progression and hopefully an impact on how the future city may be conceived. Additionally, the above profiling creates a realistic narrative of personal circumstances to gain a sense of the scheme.
Staging | 64
65 | Staging
“
Increase the number of jobs in the North East economy by 100,000 by 2024. 14
– The North East Strategic Economic Plan [Jan 2017, Executive Summary Leaflet]
”
Fund
Investors
Uplift Phase
Recovery Phase
Week 1 ∞
-£300ppp/w =
p/w
Food & Drink
‘Rent’
£70
£80
Bills/ Services Therapy
£20
x2 £25
Phone
Misc Budget
£20
£30
£270p/w +/- £30 Admin Costs
-£300ppp/w
On-Site Spending
>
+++
Av. £300
Normal Financial Profits Boosted by attraction of place
Unpaid, low-skilled job in the proposal
Recovery Phase Cover
Uplift Phase Turnover
£300p/w
Gain Overall Economy
Economic Persuasion Part I: Short vs Long-Term Compared to the moderate amount of funding invested in the shortterm, the longer-term social and economic gain combined with the usual and instant profits from on-site revenue could outweigh the former greatly. Chances of on-site ‘spending’ from the exchange inhabitants is high, combined with other place-making characteristics that would attract more visitors yet further satisfy the need for profit
to satisfy owners - a scenario in contrast to the current proposals that can begin to be justified. Within CUH, Jonpaul Kirvan [owner and director of Ampersand Inventions], has a freedom unfounded in corporate settings to allow the payment of studio spaces and other admin to be flexible; say, if personal problems arise. This person stayed for 4 more years, a liberating idea that can be applied here.
Staging | 66
%
Current EPS Regeneration Masterplan Package Proposal Admitted Amount of Population
“BeneďŹ tsâ€?
The Egalitarian Exchange Block B North Area Proposal
%
Economic Persuasion Part II: Admitted Population If desired, a shopping centre can easily be built further into the EPS Area in place of no existing local businesses and social groups. In this location though, an inclusive proposal is needed for the existing users and my proposed future use. All members of society now have a flow of money and access to the alternative proposal, therefore benefiting all parties beyond current approaches in the frameworks.
Again, once a smaller amount of money is fuelled into this truly egalitarian system of development, the socio-economic benefits could be incredible. People becoming homeless instantly having somewhere to stay and actually develop, with a potential 100% of citizens with the ability to use all facilities on-site rather than a few shops within a high-end provision.
67 | Staging
Impersonal and generic retail-led approach to buildings and ‘public’ land use
Overseas Owners and Coordinators
m
2
m
2
Freedom of land use; personalised oerings to the public, full retainment of existing buildings and local business prioritisation.
Overseas Owners
Local Council & On-Site Coordination
Exchange Liaison & Management The Exchange block is proposed to function as a democratic cooperative and not a hierarchical corporation, 8 publicly ran through the private ownership. The local council and new/existing directors are given power to collectively decide on key matters and public events [e.g. Christmas markets], in liaison with the owners. As a result, the space becomes free and fruitful in activity through the less controlled
use of land with further profitable potential. The owners stay at the top but enter a joint partnership with the directors, local businesses can thrive and activities are much more suited to the users and general public through their understanding. In comparison to the existing hierarchy, the entire area can create thriving social aspects and reach its potential rather than just being another commercial opportunity.
Staging | 68
Prof. Bruce K. Alexander - Rat Park Study [1978] The study tested the likelihood of drug overuse and addiction on two separate studies of rats, one in pure isolation and a group in rat park. 16 The results found that the rat in isolation became a lot more addicted and dependant on the water laced with morphine compared to the pure H2O option based on their environmental factors. Regarding the socio-environmental factors associated with the
homeless, it seems applicable to reference this within the approach as a crucial aspect. Fostering a community of relational people with access to wider society and other facilities should be key within an attempt to approach the issue. As a somewhat psychological issue, this requires our natural human necessity of social support and a sense of involvement towards a proper remedy.
69 | Staging
“
To be radical is to grasp things by the root. - Karl Marx, Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right
New
City Centre
B
”
st
t We
tree
eS ridg
17
Formerly Homeless Exchange Occupants
General Public
FEAR OF PUBLIC SPACE? TABULA RASA FOR URBAN OCCUPANCY AND PLACEMAKING?
Re-Humanising the City The question is, does this unconcern for our homeless impact on how comfortably we inhabit the city? Their resultant dwelling and anti-social activity must play a large part in our subconscious anxiety and fear of urban places, furthering the modern city as a passing shopping destination with a lack of safety and happiness. To counteract this social abandonment, the holistic programme for people of critical need
is established with a strong connection to the proposed public plaza. Firstly, locating such a programme in a quieter area of the city would result in the creation of a ‘danger’ area to avoid. But with this public exposure and acceptance, the socio-psychological issue is challenged and embraced at the heart of the city to reinvigorate the livelihood and comfortability of Newcastle while adding a unique social character.
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“
To create a place with its own identity responding to locally distinctive patterns of development. 9
- ‘4.2[f]: Vision and Objectives’, East Pilgrim Street Interim Planning Guidance [July 2009]
”
Spatial Programme Finalised spatial programme for the urban block at a masterplan scale. All existing buildings and their uses are fully retained. Within Carliol House, most of the floor space is proposed to be sheltered accommodation floors and for further artistic use following the egalitarian narrative. The nature of the building is utilised here, working with it’s looser economic restrictions and expected revenues due to
its Grade II listing and existing spatial restrictions. This private side of the scheme also initialises a connection to the events space in relation to the previous diagram, where most other spaces also feed into this key centre. The previous manifesto of spatial centralisation is then laid out in a programmatic manner, setting the project up for architectural development and my iterative design process.
Staging | 72
73 | Realisation
REALISATION In this fourth chapter of five, I take the initial staging of the project and transform my concepts into an architectural reality. Through a variety of developmental processes including freehand sketching, technical drawing, modelling, further social concepts, deeper research with precedents and further critique, the graduation project is materialised from the forthcoming design process. The
original critical approach and manifesto is considered throughout, challenging myself with meta-thinking in regards to the idea of bringing people together in a spatial manner while adhering to my other original targets. Across, The Florey Building in Cambridge by James Stirling [1971].
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Realisation | 76
Thinking Through Making Week [TTMW] At the start of this intermediate semester in the project development, TTMW asked us to design and construct a to-scale model focussing on something important in our upcoming project. My TTMW mini project focused on the redecoration of Commercial Union House and how the building might be given a new openness architecturally through adjustable faรงades and mechanisms. This
led to the testing of sliding louvres and elements in order to make internal spaces more functional. As shown above in the technical drawings [originally at 1:20] and sketches, I plan to utilise off-theshelf spinning wheels and cast concrete in order to redesign a scale replica faรงade block as a sliding piece. It can then be tested in terms of efficiency and function as being planned across.
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Construction Process & Final TTMW Model Once I had decided on the design of this 1:10 scale model, I sketched an assembly plan for each piece of concrete and its relational jig for casting. [Above, left] The next step can be seen, where the reinforced concrete frame elements are being attached by a dowel and epoxy resin combination. To the right, and once the frame had been assembled on top of the base, the sliding block can be fitted inside of
the scaled structural frame. To achieve a similar appearance to that of the actual façade, stones have been stuck onto the corresponding areas of the block and dry-brush painted to achieve a similar texture to the real-life original. Finally, shown across, the final TTMW model is displayed. Although the manoeuvring of a 1:1 scale concrete block isn’t feasible, lighter sliding elements would be effective.
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Initiating the Design Process My rigorous design process starts here, initiated by the mapping of ideas and spaces on this core block of opportunity where key streets meet. The establishment of a large cultural and ‘experience’ programme is suited to this site, almost acting as a centralisation of the Tyneside Cinema, Laing Art Gallery, the City Library and the essential range of existing creative and community groups on-
site. Actually focussing on these social groups - where so many are based within this block - is almost the key to unlock a richer proposal, especially in the darkness of the current frameworks. By somehow integrating these into the new proposal, an area that has felt somewhat disconnected from urban activity for years can be truly revived, opening the EPS area to the rest of the city.
“
What makes good design is not what something looks like, but what it is like, meaning how you experience it. 13
- Lawrence Scarpa on Star Apartments
Struc tural Steel Expre ssion
the t Pas
du
City-wide events and activities
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Mo
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lar
ali
ity
tar
ian
ism
”
on ati oc kl rin d d an od Fo
ARCHITECTURE
PROGRAMME
Classical Referenc
es
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Re f
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Stone
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es ess sin bu al c r lo t fo oin lp ca o F
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Public place of refuge
Mo
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81 | Realisation
Building - Activity: Contextualised - Radicalised Advancing previous studies from the primer phase, the scheme’s programme seeks to establish a true and unique sense of place to act as a ‘social monument’ for the city, rather than the proposition of ‘monument buildings’ in an attempt to assert new prominence. While also avoiding unnecessary visual complexity - often disliked by the general public in comparison to contextualised and ‘fitting’
language - this creates a certain balance to allow for a more radical programme of use to stand out for the right reasons. Through word of mouth and a keener public interest, this ultimate goal of creating a new epicentre of the city is more tactically proposed, expressed through the diagram above. Even if people are drawn to the space to eat their work lunch, then the proposal would be making a difference.
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83 | Realisation
?
Ahh, some sort of public events space - I’ll check this out.
GENERIC CONTAINER ARCHITECTURE
FORM & STRUCTURE EXPRESSES FUNCTION
2009 Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre by OMA + REX, Dallas, USA.
1964 New York State Pavilion by Phillip Johnson and Richard Foster, New York, USA.
The Container: A Critique of Rem Koolhaas Within the critiques of Koolhaas’ work lays the subject of ‘container’ architecture, seemingly identical to the buildings he repulses in ‘The Generic City’ text. OMA’s Wyly Theatre above is a good example of this contradiction, where the faceless shell discloses its function to the urban context, fading into an array of similar cuboids around the city. Phillip Johnson’s New York State Pavilion on the other hand -
while possessing similar public uses - follows an open expression of structure and function to the public, therefore attracting more users due to its relatable form. Although project briefs may have defined architectural style in this case, my project chooses this publicly engaging and exciting appearance through the proposed use of structural steel expression and circular geometry.
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CIVIC CENTRE
ELDON SQUARE CAR PARK
LAING ART GALLERY
MONUMENT MALL / THE BOTANIST ST JAMES’ PARK STRUCTURE
EMERSON CHAMBERS
NORTHERN GOLDSMITHS EGALITARIAN EXCHANGE CENTRAL EXCHANGE CARLIOL HOUSE
Architectural Expression: Circular Typologies What does a public building look like? Within my blending approach to the language of the building, the proposal should equally shine brightly in order to attract more visitors and be honest in its unique pursuit. In the city, each distinctively circular structure poses a certain level of interest and importance; from celebratory neoclassical domes around Monument Square to the eccentric Eldon Square car
park. Use of a circular form can visually and functionally express itself as a new place of gathering and importance, based on the critique across and the user’s psyche of local place and experience. The use of an opening form and celebratory roof structure could achieve this fitting yet distinctive appearance, adding to the city’s eclectic brochure of style but with its own cutting edge character.
85 | Realisation
Reviving the Generic Part I: Architecture Following my enquiry into the generic, its physical epitome is critiqued. A set of design rules are applied, making the architecture more open/connected and less masked/isolated. [1] Spatial and emotional isolation. Only opportunity to connect and belong at the ground floor level. [2] Efficient distance made to the outside world. High isolation avoided. [3] Open spatial links and public activity
unrestrained from just the ground floor. [4] Internal to external areas provide a healthier sense of wider connection outside of the container. Happiness. [5] Transitional, multi-floor elements interrelate with a public realm of the city, enlightening its sense of place while de-privatising the urban situation. The typology is then re-humanised, activating a more communal physical matter.
“
For architects, continuous fields of presence and the destabilization of person-to-place relationships demands some radical rethinking.
”
18
- William J. Mitchell, City of Bits [On the digitalisation of day-to-day life and activities].
il/ ta Re ade Tr
Education Art & Culture
Food & Drink
Events
Community
Leisure
Events
Leis
ure
Art & Culture
on
nk
& Dri
cati Edu
Food
Ret ail
Community
y
nit
mu
m Co
A Cu rts & ltu re
‘Public Space’
Food & Drink
il Reta
Retail
Reviving the Generic Part II: Programme As my second out of three-stage critique of generic urbanisation, the social essence of the programme is designed for. To counteroppose the sense of isolation and monotony that ‘generic’ buildings carry, the programmatic move is to radically regroup all types of urban typology into one centre. By increasing the amount of footfall and circulation, diversity of users and a gradual comfortability, it can
become much more desirable and exciting. At the same time though, the nearby and existing spaces of identical use are not overlooked due to their own unique locations, closer to many people than others centrally. Purposely presented graphically in a meaningful way compared to the generic EPS Framework mapping, people will gather here en masse and increase the livelihood dramatically.
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87 | Realisation
Architectural Precedents: Spatial Centralisation A set of architectural precedents from various plans, not to scale. [Left to right] Sony Centre by Helmut Jahn and Peter Walker, Berlin [2000], The Word by Faulkner Browns, South Shields [2017] and Leeds Corn Exchange by Cuthbert Brodrick [1864]. In each of these buildings, this centralisation of space dramatically benefits the greatness of the design and its experience. Due to the effect of the
digitalisation of information, the South Shields library project required deep rethinking in order to bring in many users. The proposition of the central atrium with social uses situated around it potentially saved the building from becoming vague in its activity, instead reinventing the typical library into a more exciting space. Leeds Corn Exchange is similar, enhanced the array of unique shops.
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Working Through Key Urban Moves While in the earlier stages of the design process, it was planned to quickly sketch up a range of key urban moves before focussing on one or two which are the strongest architecturally. Each of the positive or negative moves are highlighted above, accompanied by the summarising label. At this stage, it was a definite that Commercial Union House was to be retained due to its extremely rich
cultural activities. The only element of the building which could be adaptable is the lower left-wing at the back, unused on the ground and first floors with movable storage and plants in the basement. Through this sub-process, I refined this core urban move to the sixth drawing, where the circular centralisation of activity can achieve my ambitions here.
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Design Process in Section Vintage photograph of families walking across a slum clearance site in Newcastle [1972, across], with process work towards the gathering of people through core design moves above. The panoptical layout - as a direct opposition to the form of a generic tower - creates an array of active frontage and connections. Rather than going up to the street level, a multi-level span of units begins to function as
social frontage by connecting to the events space below. Accessed through a clean transition from the plaza and city, many comfortable third spaces are created within this iterated atrium. The local business units and central events space of importance act in a similar way reminiscent of Norman Foster’s Reichstag, hoping to create a similar exciting essence following the civic activities.
91 | Realisation
Progressed Isometric & Elevation Sketches Further design process focussing on an architecture language that is identifiable as public use for any new visitors and tourists. The buildings are too grouped together here and can be better designed in connection to one another, but the plaza is progressed. Before entering a busy civic space, people can gather, markets and exhibitions can be set up and the longer space properly connects the
area from Grey’s Monument to the Blue Carpet. Viewing the above elevation [not to scale], a specific focus is drawn to the CUH overhang. This is publicly considered an eyesore and apparently blocks ‘key vistas’, but this is a naive claim and is vital in the internal uses. Instead, the new proposal works with this level by matching other openings with its characteristics in relation to the new buildings.
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Plan Iterations I The first set of freehand-drawn plans from top-left to bottom-right, all originally at 1:500 scale on layout paper. Based on the previous programme in staging and the preliminary realisation pieces so far, I begin to design these elements with varying forms and spatial connections. Currently, Newcastle’s ‘Stack’ shipping container box park is located towards the top-left of where the plaza is forming at this
central urban intersection. Including the removal of Dex’s Garage and Car Park, each person employed in these areas and buildings will be guaranteed new and similar-level jobs within the new proposal. These removals are unfortunately key to the development of the new proposals, where such disruption has been limited to the most extreme percent in relation to other existing uses on-site.
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The WZB Wissenschaftszentrum Building, Berlin, Germany [1988].
Museum for North Rhine-Westphalia, Dusseldorf, Germany [1975].
The Florey Building, University of Oxford, UK [1971].
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Introduction to James Stirling & The Classical Based on my forms and uses being developed, it was recommended that I look into the work of Sir James Stirling [1926-92]. With a focus on his earlier pieces, they are similarly characterful of consistency and order, cultural buildings in complex urban contexts [proposed with forecourts/gardens] and reference classical typologies to derive concepts and built elements. Taking on a similar approach to
Stirling, I also ventured into analysing past layouts and plans in order to create a similar type of centre to bring people together in the urban block. Often using the cleanliness of stone surfaced on forms powerful in their appearance, analysing the buildings across helped to realise that I should separate the blocks in a similar manner while achieving a contextualised look with powerful forecourts.
95 | Realisation
The Agora: An Epicentre of Activity Through this architectural voyage I rediscovered the ancient Greek Agora, drawing interesting similarities between this core civic place and the reasoning behind the nature of its trading. Much like our vast modern system of industry and consumerism, the Greeks dismissed ‘kapeloi’ traders; the untrusted middle-person between the maker and seller who profited from others. This psychology seems to play
out to the present day, where a much better relationship and sense of place can be made through local businesses. A current trend in consumerism happens to be a search for this authenticity, exposing the ‘raw/industrial’ process as a precedent to bring in the consumer. While reconnecting labour and product, the centralisation of the civic uses creates the actual heart of the city.
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97 | Realisation
Past & Existing Exchange Buildings Within my research into past spaces of civic gathering, I analysed the exchange typology that used to set the stage for urban life. Based on trade and commerce, There is a historic span of these building types from the Newcastle Central Exchange [shown above, c. 1860] to trade exchanges in the USA, all characteristic of public activity. Originally a corn exchange, the Central Exchange became a news room,
art gallery, concert hall and theatre. Alongside the huge, circular and encapsulating space, this mix of uses created a great sense of place and identity. While my circular form established can make reference to this local history, the proposition of community uses with local businesses can help to create a similar core of face-to-face activity, helping to counteract the harsh effects of modern e-commerce also.
“
There are no strangers, only friends we have never met. 19
- Susan Jeffers, Dare to Connect
Information Conversation
News
”
Goods & Services
Trade
Stories
Manners
Happiness
Altruisms Skills & Knowledge Opportunities Entertainment Compliments
A New Civic Exchange This diagram conceptualises the desired psychogeography required to create a 21st century node of ‘Exchange’. Based on the egalitarian essence and community-based programme, the resultant feelings and activities in these spaces can form a strong identity and character. Through the city-wide events, local business stalls and artistic offers, the scheme is rewarded with a positive essence for its users
and visitors. Openness and kindness is encouraged, making conversation and happiness commonplace. Our urban environments today are evidently lacking this authenticity, where fast food chains and claustrophobic shopping centres become the sole places to gather. As another effect of generic design and the shift to digital space, it can become this unique gathering place for everyone to belong.
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99 | Realisation
Plan Iterations II Further design iterations in plan of the block, not to scale. In this set of developmental plans, the idea of creating separate but connecting buildings based on Stirling’s earlier work is taken forward. This helps to differentiate for element of spatial programme while preserving quality views from the most public spaces to the existing and retained buildings rather than building right up against them. The main
circular space is to become the main area of ‘Exchange’ and public activity. Conferences, entertainment venues and political discourse will happen here, offering a more collective municipality and equality for all citizens. As an example, someone on the local council could speak out about the proposition of more homeless shelters, with the public being allowed to openly respond.
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Architectural Precedents: Structure To give myself the most spatial and structural freedom as possible, it was a definite that structural steel would be used in order to achieve this and create the complex connections and expressions desired. For example, this could be celebratory roofs with lightweight and tensile structures, larger fenestration or the choice to suspend steel staircases in heavy usage areas that allow the most light and visibility
through these circulatory elements. In relation to previous reference to the expressibility of steel as well, the main justification of this research was mainly for practical and technical precedents. Above: The Millennium Dome by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, London [1996-99] and New York State Pavilion by Philip Johnson and Richard Foster, New York [1964, also pictured across in an old postcard].
103 | Realisation
Material Expression & Technical Process Alongside the technical process work across, it is vital to outline my material palette and desired expression before further refinement. The aim is to sensibly contextualise the proposal with its classical environment while using structural steel, so it seemed necessary to take an open and honest approach to its expression, as totalled in the diagram. Structural steel forms the primary to tertiary structural
elements, including the use of stone panels, concrete inner floors, exposed steel framing and large glass panes for the opening types. Inspired by Kieran Connolly’s involvement in the renovation of our Armstrong Building, the traditional stone-look cladding is stripped away at human intervals rather than trying to hide this in the urban context. Meanwhile, panoramic views of the city are created.
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“
The Generic City is what is left after large sections of urban life crossed over to cyberspace. 4
– Rem Koolhaas, The Generic City
Instant Access
All Activities
Physically disconnected
ʻNeed to belongʼ ʻNeed to self-representʼ
”
Isolation
Entertainment
Socialising
Marketplace Belonging
Events
Information
News Max - 21st Century citizen
Meeting new people
Self-representation
Well-being
Local Access
Face-to-face interaction
All Activities
[ARC3015] Theory into Practice: Digitalisation The transition of day-to-day activities from physical to virtual space is becoming a social pandemic. This inhumane interaction with a screen not only affects our natural well-being, but also superimposes places designed for such socialisation, trade and entertainment. Social media being a primary diver, this shift of activity into a single, pseudo-connected device further promotes the city as generic and lifeless, calling
for an architectural response. The most successful online applications target two necessities which are fundamental to our human being; ‘the need to belong and the need for self-representation’. 20 As a counteraction to the digital centralisation of social activity to one device, the building programme radical regroups spatial use and provides for our social prerequisites in one central place, satisfying needs physically.
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107 | Realisation
While considering the urban block at an overall masterplan scale, the Exchange Building is the one of most focus due to its response to all parts of the brief. The drawings above were for an interim review, furthering the technical process. Similar to Stirling’s work, some of the building elements are quite modern in their appearance and each single-loaded space creates a modern day corridor of circulation.
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As many small, independent businesses as possible should be encouraged to populate the area, bringing true diversity and a more interesting retail offer. 3
– World Headquarters Ltd, EPS Consultation Statement [Nov 2016]
�
Duplex Trade Unit Set of floor plans for a duplex live/work local business unit as part of this civic array of trade being developed. An Agora-inspired space, it allows craftspeople of all social class and age to sell their products where they are truly made while having the chance to live in comfort at the heart of the city. Rather than being small commercial units, the start-up units are personalised offers, places to build relationships
and offer a greater sense of identity and satisfaction that comes from spending in these spaces. Newly renovated with materials on-site a fine artist usually based in Manchester could use this unit say, setting up for a given time of 3 months with free access to the other uses. In response to the previous critique of the generic, the whole building is activited with the array of units into internal streets of social frontage.
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109 | Realisation
Stone-Look Recycled Aggregate Panel Mock-Up A mock-up of a stone panel to clad the building was tested. This constituency of fine and/or coarse aggregate with sand and a stone-coloured pigment is also used in larger and thicker dimensions for the surface of the plaza and external atrium pavers. Following the sustainability aspect of the brief, it is planned to extract aggregate from site ground as well as recycling CUH’s existing facade blocks for
a fresh appearance by crushing these large pieces. The components of the panels are shown above, with a collage of my 1:1 scale tester panel shown across. The pieces requiring more impact strength and resistance to compression include a light rebar reinforcement within each jig before adding the constituents. Internal blocks for new walls can also utilise this mixture which is cast in situ.
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[ARC3013] Part 2: Detail & Sustainability Extracts from the second architectural technology coursework. This includes a progressed detail section and a method of calculating and recycling material towards a sustainable approach. To make way for the new buildings an unused bay of CUH is demolished, creating more raw material for the on-site production of recycled aggregate. Based on the sustainable practice of utilising salvaged furniture in
Commercial Union House, I plan to extend this principle throughout the urban block and use only recycled furniture in the new buildings, often restored in the on-site workshop for a much lower expense. Originally at a 1:20 scale, the iterated detail section across is split into the required constructional bays to detail for the coursework, showing the ground and intermediate floors and the roof garden bay.
113 | Realisation
Architectural Precedent: Homeless Living Unit I looked at a range of current architectural precedents that design living units for the homeless in order to create a healthy and inspiring environment within this part of the masterplan. The idea of not only housing these individuals but creating a happy community within this element of programme was the main focus here. If these were to be created in quite an isolated manner - perhaps that of a corridor to flat
layout with no chance to come together - then this would not help towards the well-being of these members of society and would instead decrease motivations. If the sheltered housing was to be somewhere that promoted the gathering of like-minded individuals in the sense of having actual neighbours and chances to live and cook together though, this defines the holistic approach to the issue.
“
For those individuals who have been largely isolated and alone, beginning to try and build a sense of community is one of the essential goals. 13
– Michael Maltzan on Star Apartments, Michael Maltzan Architecture
”
Designing & Locating the Living Units After looking at a range of homeless living precedents, this extract from my sketchbook displays the thinking behind the physical units as well as their connection to one another in a co-living fashion. The workings to the top-right in particular show the decision process of dividing each floor of Carliol House with anchors of living, cooking and cleaning/washing. While the existing floors home to creative
groups can include more areas of low-cost rent for artists and other start-ups alike, the remaining floors become the communal shelter areas with a strong connection to one another. My design process here has been largely inspired by Michael Maltzan’s architecture for the homeless, where he strongly forwards this communal approach which can be the core of helping these people to feel human again.
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115 | Realisation
“
Major public realm assets to improve quality of life. - ‘9.7.1: Public spaces and improved public realm’, East Pilgrim Street Regeneration Opportunity Area, Preferred Option Report [Oct 2008]
2
”
Progressed Elevation & Perspective Sketches As seen in plan view across, the iteration above shows the idea of extending the double-height entrance into a walkway composition to the plaza. Rather than having an almost completely open space, there are additional third places of shelter and comfort here. Although this would have improved the plaza past its original purpose of being a vista and circulation, it takes some emphasis from the centre rather
than being an intermediary element of the proposal. The realisation of this idea interestingly came from non-architectural research that informed the built project and opened my mind to how people will want to feel in this public space.
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Plan Iterations III Final ordered collage of plans from the design process, where the form of the building becomes very refined around the creation of the public spaces. Often considering levels of profit from an economic perspective helped to realise this final layout, considering mixeduse elements such as: a food hall, local businesses, office space, the community uses and mainly the quarterly events that take place.
117 | Realisation
Implementing the Solution & Co-Living Study The design process above defines community areas while avoiding hidden corridors and carefully considering private to public moves. Living amongst a variety of people in a carefully design collective manner could be vital in re-establishing those in need as healthier members of society. Realistically, such spaces would need regular but limited surveillance, much outweighed by the positives. Us-
ers can eat together, conversations can take place between the like-minded and each become their own counsellors to one another. Certain ideas within the current trend of co-living provide great precedents. Although the existing schemes remain expensive, the sense of belonging and opportunity for proper social ties that these examples offer establish strong approaches to happier living.
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119 | Realisation
Progressed Sketch Model at 1:500 Model of the near-final design using modelling foam, greyboard, bamboo dowels, wire and scaled with 1:500 vehicles. The internal organisation of the urban block is finalised here. After the idea of the plaza and public space is concrete - if compared to the generic cuboid - a similar or identical amount of local business
units would have been built in a much less connected environment. While this could be the case, the plaza facing the North acts as an opposition to the proposal of a denser and more generic scheme. Standardised and taller buildings would hug the perimeter of this site to New Bridge Street West, where the faceless but more practical walls of the two anchoring buildings mimic what would have been.
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Process model from an aerial view, expressing the openness and spatial connectivity within the centre. In this iteration, the circulation tower is allowed to peak above the adjacent roof and garden levels, offering a panoramic view of the scheme and city. When looking at the different spaces and revenues allocated here
in comparison to the existing proposals, there would be a similar amount of profit generated - if not more - than the current, denser mixed-use scheme. The local business units would match the retail units towards the lower levels, with the large outputs of the daily to quarterly events superseding that of the office and restrictive luxury hotel spaces.
121 | Realisation
Further process sketches in various scales and conventions. In this collage of study, the relationship between the spaces above and the central events space is being considered alongside environmental practicalities of the building. With the units relating to a much larger and interactive space, active frontage to a street functions more as an actual connector to activity through many floors.
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Physical to Digital Modelling The extract above combines my freehand sketching to the start of my 3D digital model on SketchUp. The initialisation of its creation ran parallel to the finalisation of my hand-drawn design, using both simultaneously to speed up the process and use time efficiently. The double-heighted entranceway makes circulation to the centre clear, offering views through at moments of level change and comfort.
Users can transition from the freely accessible ground floor to the atrium or instantly go into the main building via the stairs, both of which follow this same nature of accessibility. Within this important half-level which caters for changes in the site, market stalls and more seating can also be freely opened in this area during the time of a quarterly event such as a Christmas market or summer exhibition.
123 | Realisation
Previous Final Section A rendered section through the masterplan presented at the final review. At this point, I had spent much time creating the SketchUp model to the level as shown above; enough detail to quickly export views and drawings. The centre - emphasised by all new buildings - becomes a stage for all people to debate, entertain and gather as a city, surrounded by all urban users and interconnecting frontages.
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Previous Final Axonometric Drawing Shortly after the original final review was the yearly exhibition, in which this drawing was taken from. The axonometric above shows the Exchange Building in its raw digital model detail and expresses the technical and conceptual design processes that have gone into it. This drawing on a different background colour was also used for business cards as well as the A1 board at this stage.
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Realisation | 126
Final Review & Process Shown across is a photograph of the final review presentation board and accompanying physical process pieces. After a hard and long but rewarding final day of reviews, I got great constructive feedback from guest tutors in relation to the design and essence of the project. Critique was given to some architectural elements like the plaza and more explanation of the narrative itself was needed. The concept of
providing a highly public space in which anyone can come to debate and discuss politics was an idea favoured in the feedback after my presentation, suggested by other design tutors earlier in the year. A few key sketches on the Exchange Building from different mediums describe the process of designing this complex, as well as deciding on each allocation of units and the experience within.
127 | Realisation
Commercial Union House Facade Development To make sure that my existing building of research and importance is distinctive alongside the new buildings, I decided earlier to redesign the facade of the building. The Brutalist blocks are the sole blame of this negative public opinion on the building materially, and renovating this element not only allows the building a better prominence in the city but does not change any internal layouts while actually making
the spaces more functional. In order to provide for the many types of artistic and community uses which take place within the building, I wanted to forward a customisable system where light can be altered in a few moments and one that is lightweight and sustainable. This involved designing a range of louvre systems and sliding elements, narrowing this down to an aluminium-timber hybrid.
128
129 | Realisation
Finalised Building Development Iterations of the large ‘Community Building’ and food hall and smaller ‘Cooperative Building’ adjacent. Where meeting rooms and municipal offices spaces are situated above in the latter, what was the events stage is now home to the shared workshop and store. Any of the users within the block can book to use this space and it is home to a set of employees who rework salvaged furniture and create props for
the events centre just outside. Much of the character comes from the Community Building. As the largest building of the block, it champions a homeless-ran food hall with numerous cultures of food on offer, with function rooms above for anything from war veteran meets to student stress and anxiety.
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New Union House is perhaps the most generic new building, but is important in its use as administrative office spaces for the running of the scheme with a shared conference hall to the ground floor. As a definite controversy to my previous critique on the appearance of the generic building, it importantly creates a finalising composition in the block in a less busy area opposing Portland House across the street.
A small car park and bike store is also located in the basement of this building as a key requirement and it covers a large ventilation box and plant room for the underground metro system which is definitely not moveable due to its importance for the city’s transport network. A connection to the central atrium through views from this building is still given through each floor and is no way separated from the core.
131 | Realisation
More detail of the SketchUp model shown in a partly rendered style. Unlike the tower typology, even the smallest areas of this building become more interesting and exciting due to the spatial connection they provide. One side is a view of the city and a corridor becomes public street on the other, with the final design almost realised for the refinement stage. This idea of minimising the corridor as a high-
ly used but generally under-designed space is applied throughout; from the creation of internal trade streets of the Exchange Building and residential streets of Carliol House’s shelter scheme to the large Community Building’s lobby and social areas. Additionally, it is clear to see the amount of jobs that this building alone could create, from cleaners and gardeners to activity assistants and security guards.
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Final Design Changes The main and final change made to the building was the roof design, from the lower drawings to the upper two sketches before altering the digital model. Compared to the previous retractable roof at an intermediate level, I wanted to truly encapsulate all floors within one centre and provide the most striking experience, provoking me to go back to a final celebratory roof above the whole scheme and city.
133 | Refinement
REFINEMENT The refinement of final visualisations and ideas of the project are now presented. Narrative, research and concepts from the initial manifesto to the architectural realisation are amalgamated in the forthcoming pages. Following on from the latter of the realisation chapter, the architectural and technical side of the final pieces are displayed initially. These are followed by finalised social aspects and the heart of the spaces, finalised by the future city ending. [Across] As a main destination in the city, Northumberland Street
creates a grand entrance into the proposal. In comparison to the busyness of the nearby streets, the plaza contrastingly provides an equally grand amount of open space. The public can look up to the Exchange Building and see that people do everything in this core from living and working to socialising and watching events. The local businesses within can use their customisable sliding doors to express their businesses and ideas to the public in the plaza in the form of plywood etchings and artistic hangings.
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Refinement | 136
City-wide Performances
Stage for Political Events
Art and Media Exhibitions
Community Classes Placemaking
Community Aerobics, Ran by Shelter
E.g.
7:00
Saturday
8:00 AM
9:00
10:00
Vane Gallery Exhibition Opening
11:00
12:00 PM
Newcastle Busking: Singing Group
1:00
2:00
3:00
Newcastle Busking: Bassist and Drummer
4:00
5:00
6:00
Breakdancing Practice Session
7:00
Seating Spill for ‘Pie and Pint’ Night
8:00
9:00
10:00
11:00
Aerial View & Placemaking Diagram The Egalitarian Exchange opens the East Pilgrim Street Development Area to the rest of the city. Shown across at this core location, the distinctive centre creates a heart of activity in Newcastle. The hybrid parti diagram above explains how spatially centralising a diverse range of activities around a constantly changing civic heart
establishes a vigorous monument of socialisation. Where markets and kid-friendly events are sufficed by the size of the plaza, the central amphitheatre can also host screened events for international sport and late evening drinking nights. Public space is no longer feared and everyone can reside comfortably and happily together. The blue section cut line locates the forthcoming perspective section.
137 | Refinement
Site Plan Figure-ground site plan with new and existing buildings within the block labelled according to the key below, original at 1:10,000 scale. The upcoming selection of plans show key spaces at varying levels.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Exchange Building Community Building Cooperative Building New Union House Existing Commercial Union House Existing Carliol House Existing Bamburgh House
0 m
20
50
100
150
200
N 1:5000
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139 | Refinement
Ground Floor Plan Ground floor plan at 1:500 scale, showing a combination of ground and basement floor levels where appropriate as noted. Coloured texture highlights flow of external stone floor paving.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
External Spaces: Plaza Exchange entranceway Central amphitheatre Disabled access lifts Access to circulation tower Back delivery area Private basement car and bicycle store
11 12 13
Entrance lobby Food/drink hall counter Kitchen, prep and storage
14 15 16 17
Cooperative Building: Access ramp and entrance On-site shared workshop CNC room 1 Toilet
8 9
Exchange Building: Main stair access points Sheltered lift and escape access
11 18 19
10
Community Building: Sheltered seating spill
20 21
New Union House: Entrance lobby Reception Access to metro heating and ventilation box Conference room Plant room
0 2
5
10
40
20
m
22 17 11 18 23 12 24 25 26 27 28 17
N 1:500
Cleaner’s store Toilets Existing Commercial Union House: Entrance lobby Reception New shared gallery Counter Storage New shared community workshop Creative studios Tyneside cinema pop-up film school Globe gallery Toilets
21
Plant room
11 21 29
Existing Carliol House: Entrance lobby Plant rooms Shelter scheme open admin office spaces New health and wellness centre Storage Toilets
30 24 17 -
Existing Bamburgh House: [Building fully retained with no immediate spatial connections to project hatched fill].
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Third Floor Plan Third floor plan at 1:500 scale, including the primary Exchange street and a shelter scheme floor layout. Coloured textures highlight the inhabitable spaces internally at this third floor level.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Exchange Building: Exchange seating array Internal trade streets ‘Charity Clothing’ ‘The Geordie Bakery’ ‘Newcastle Cockapoo Cafe’ ‘Everything Eggs! All Day Breakfast’ ‘Handmade Stationery & Book Shop’ ‘Ceramic Arts’ (Work) ‘The Vegan Food Shop’ ‘The Florist’ (Work) ‘NCL Barber Shop’ (Work) ‘Kirsty’s Baskets’ (Work) ‘Newcastle Gaming Arena’ Toilets
15 16
Plant room Cleaner’s store
17 18 19 20 15 21
Community Building: Community centre lobby Reception Function room 1 Function room 2 Plant room Storage
22 23 24 21 15
Cooperative Building: Semi-public seating array Municipal meeting room Circulation corridor Storage Plant room
0 2
5
10
40
20
m
18 25 26 27 16 21 15 28 29 30 26 31 14
N 1:500
New Union House: Reception Municipal office space Shared kitchenette Printing room Cleaner’s store Storage Plant room
21
Storage
32 18 33 34 35
Existing Commercial Union House: ’Arcadea’ communal space Gallery Offices Kitchenette Studios Toilets
36 15 37 38 16 21
Existing Carliol House: ‘Shelter Floor 2’ lobby Reception Co-living shelter street Example 2-bed living unit Shared dining and kitchen area Recycling area Plant room Laundry and towel room Toilets and showers Laundrette Storage
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143 | Refinement
Fourth Floor Plan Fourth floor plan at 1:500 scale, differentiating from the previous by showing the duplex floors of the central buildings. Coloured textures highlight the inhabitable spaces internally at this level.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Exchange Building: Elevated walkway Plant rooms ‘Newcastle Arts Group Administration Offices’ Resident communal area Communal kitchen Shared unisex toilets ‘Handmade Stationery & Book Shop’ (Upper) ‘Furniture Design Studio’ ‘Ceramic Arts’ (Live) Accountant (Live/Work) ‘The Florist’ (Live) ‘NCL Barber Shop’ (Live) ‘Kirsty’s Baskets’ (Live) Local Architect’s Office
15 16 17 2 18
Community Building: Reception/seating area Meeting rooms Function room 3a Plant room Storage
19
Cooperative Building: Exchange site admin office
15 20 5 21 22 18
New Union House: Reception Municipal office space Shared kitchen Printing/scanning room Cleaner’s store Storage
0 2
5
10
40
20
m
1:500
Plant room -
24 25 26 5 6 18
Existing Commercial Union House: B&D Studio’s gallery, bar and communal area Studios Lecture/function rooms Offices Communal kitchen Toilets Storage
27 15 28
Existing Carliol House: ‘Shelter Floor 3’ lobby Reception Co-living shelter street
23
N
29 5 30 2 31 6 22 18
Example 1-bed living unit Shared dining and kitchen area Recycling area Plant rooms Laundry and towel room Toilets and showers Laundrette Storage
144
145 | Refinement
Ninth Floor Plan Ninth floor plan at 1:500 scale showing the public roof garden that carefully peaks over the level of adjacent buildings. Coloured textures highlight the inhabitable spaces at this level.
1 2 3 4 5
Exchange Building: Public Roof Garden Sheltered circulation cores and furniture storage Local ‘Ice Creams & Co’ business stand Unisex toilets Local ‘North East Fine Roast’ coffee stand
0 2 m
5
10
20
40
N 1:500
The celebratory roof garden can also become an events venue, utilising the sheltered spaces and small frontages with the incredible views of the city. Otherwise, it’s freely open to all members of the public and free of charge as per the rest of the proposal. [Next] South-East facing front elevation through New Bridge Street West and Blackett Street, 1:500 scale. From the Blue Carpet area to Grey’s Monument, the project connects two key public spaces with the anchoring of the open plaza and activities of this centre.
146
147
148
149
Refinement | 150
Worm’s Eye Axonometric & T.I. Part 2: 3D Study The worm’s eye shows this seamless transition from the plaza to the centre of activity. The whole ground floor is publicly accessible. Tectonic Integration Part 2 is combined with adaptability aspects of the brief as applied to the Exchange Building. Internal walls, sliding doors, soft spots and primary columns acting as vertical services
distribution make the units and their use as flexible as possible for future upsizing and downsizing. Inspired by CUH, each duplex floor has a semi-private communal space for all users to gather in. Like a 21st century Stoa, the single-loaded street of trade provides the experience of connectedness by providing much civic activity in this centre while the material modularity relates to its urban context.
151 | Refinement
Environmental Segment & Technical Elevation This technical slice of the main building details its environmental performance while providing a fully rendered depiction of its raw materiality like previously. In addition to the explanation of lighting, cross ventilation and fire escape, you can see how each level has its own active frontage to provide a level of excitement from even the smallest and furthest away areas. In order to truly celebrate the
proposal, the semi-translucent fabric roof provides proper shelter for the atrium and encircles the grand centralised skylight and eye. The 2D elevation across provides a traditional visualisation of the Exchange Building, cut as a section through the centre. Based on Stirling’s work, this boasts the detailing and composition created.
152
153 | Refinement
1:20 Technical Detail of Exchange Building Bay Constructional bay through the Exchange Building, 1:20 scale. The segment shows an intermediate floor, external wall / facade and the connecting roof garden above.
1 Intermediate Floor: 965mm x 100mm x 19mm staggered softwood floorboards nailed to battens beneath, intumescent varnish finish. 50mm x 50mm softwood battens perpendicular to floorboards at 250mm centres. 20mm thick sound-proof insulation laid between battens, providing a horizontal service void underneath. Continuous damp proof membrane. x2 12mm OSB-2 board decking, attached above secondary and tertiary floor system.
12mm screed leveling structural platform. 150mm x 250mm steel I-section beams. 190mm rigid insulation between 150mm x 200mm steel purlins. Internal service void within structure to accommodate spaces below. Resilient bars attached to steel beams. x2 layers of 2440mm x 1220mm x 15mm fire and sound-proof gypsum board laid perpendicular to each layer. White fire-retardant ceiling finish.
plaster
2 Upper External Walls:
3 Accessible Roof Garden:
400mm x 200mm x 50mm recycled concrete aggregate stonelook panels attached with aluminium fixings on 24mm custom-sawn plywood to cover both floor constructions above and below.
500mm x 500mm x 50mm RCA stone-look external pavers, slip-resistant flamed finish.
2600mm x 1000mm x 60mm aluminium pre-built vertical sliding louvre doors. Fixed wheels for the manual sliding system rotate to navigate across circulinear railings. All components painted with fire retardant. Optional shading louvres and opaque panels within doors.
75mm rigid insulation.
Triple glazing within PVC inward awning windows also allowing for cross ventilation.
50mm support pedestals in 500mm x 500mm square grid to cross slabs above.
Waterproof membrane below drainage. 24mm thick plywood decking with continuous angle to initiate drainge towards the gutter and down through primary columns.
154
1 Intermediate Floor: 965mm x 100mm x 19mm staggered softwood floorboards nailed to battens beneath, intumescent varnish finish. 50mm x 50mm softwood battens perpendicular to floorboards at 250mm centres. 20mm thick sound-proof insulation laid between battens, providing a horizontal service void underneath. Continuous damp proof membrane.
3
x2 12mm OSB-2 board decking, attached above secondary and tertiary floor system. 12mm screed leveling structural platform. 150mm x 250mm steel I-section beams. 190mm rigid insulation between 150mm x 200mm steel purlins. Internal service void within structure to accommodate spaces below. Resilient bars attached to steel beams. x2 layers of 2440mm x 1220mm x 15mm fire and sound-proof gypsum board laid perpendicular to each layer. White fire-retardant plaster ceiling finish. 2 Upper External Walls: 400mm x 200mm x 50mm recycled concrete aggregate stone-look panels attached with aluminium fixings on 24mm custom-sawn plywood to cover both floor constructions above and below.
2
2600mm x 1000mm x 60mm aluminium pre-built vertical sliding louvre doors. Fixed wheels for the manual sliding system rotate to navigate across circulinear railings. All components painted with fire retardant. Optional shading louvres and opaque panels within doors. Triple glazing within PVC inward awning windows also allowing for cross ventilation. 3 Accessible Roof Garden: 500mm x 500mm x 50mm RCA stone-look external pavers, slip-resistant flamed finish. 50mm support pedestals in 500mm x 500mm square grid to cross slabs above. 75mm rigid insulation. Waterproof membrane below drainage. 24mm thick plywood decking with continuous angle to initiate drainge towards the gutter and down through primary columns.
1
155 | Refinement
Commercial Union House: Facade Renovation A fresh facade system for Commercial Union House offers a range of new functions while rewarding the building with the refreshing visual prominence in the city that it deserves. Described above in the schematic style, these constructional ‘kits’ retain all internal layouts. This system is also used in symmetry for New Union House on the Exchange Building’s other shoulder.
[Across] Perspective from Hood Street connecting to Grey Street and Monument. As a direct path of circulation from the Monument Metro station, users and visitors can quickly access Commercial Union House and Carliol House through this street from the city square.
156
157
Annotation line with circular symbol portrays an activity or design element provided in response to the holistic solution to homelessness and other people in critical need within the programme.
Shelter
Community Groups
Human Engagement
The Exchange Building and community aspects encourage use from all members of the public, creating the opportunity for more equal and humane interaction between users within these social functions and throughout the site in it’s sense of place.
The flat-pack style units that utilise salvaged material allow for quick erection in the spaces.
Open Workshop
Low-Skilled Job
Elevated ‘streets in the sky’ connect new and existing buildings to a lift tower into the centre in thought of past concepts for Newcastle’s city centre in this revision.
Spatial centralisation creates social monument space
Sense of Belonging
Food and Drink
Hobbies and Social Groups
Counselling and Therapy
Construction of the units respond to the internal environment of Carliol House for sufficient daylighting and physical comfortability.
The fully customisable units can be moved into different positions.
Full privacy from the communal areas within.
Community
Hobbies and Social Groups Living Facilities
Safety and security
Additional opportunities for social support, counselling and various hobbies and interests offered within Commercial Union House.
Every floor of the shelter scheme includes vital facilities including shared toilets, showers, kitchen, dining and a laundrette plus living areas.
Carliol House shelter floor.
Refinement | 158
Carliol House: The Holistic Solution The spatial and programmatic response provides for the users of critical need. A balance between comfortability and freedom but with an essence of security is designed for. In a way, the proposal learns from the hidden successes of Torre David by giving trust to these new members of society, resulting in psychological freedom and a decrease in potential disuse. Like in Michael Maltzan’s
Star Apartments, the design provides for all necessities previously unavailable for these members of society including the important relation to the public space. The perspective above highlights the lift tower as the main circulation from the shelter scheme as well as users of Commercial Union House and the Cooperative Building. These elevated walkways also reference past plans for Newcastle.
159 | Refinement
Coalescing Research: Human Psyche & ADITL All previous cross-disciplinary research, concepts and theory are amalgamated into one overall scale of implementation. The original manifesto criteria is achieved towards the re-humanisation of the people and city. On a global scale, the programme provides all dayto-day activities like the mobile device. A new place to belong and to self-represent is offered in physical space, reducing our virtual
cravings and promoting the use of an exciting array of third place in the presence of others. Assisted by the spatial centralisation, the proposal is a built critique of generic development on an urban scale. At the human scale, the egalitarian nature along with all other efforts to create comfort and conviviality can allow the project to thrive in its socialisation. ‘A day in the life’ scenarios shown across.
29
Gary
Exchange Occupant
Wakes up and showers in his shelter accommodation within Carliol House.
Goes to the food hall to sit for breakfast with some new friends in the scheme.
Gary attends his third compulsory counselling session with an on-site therapist in New Union House for help with his current situation and future.
He revises the session while taking a stroll on the public Exchange roof garden, looking over the city.
Shortly after, he eats lunch in an accommodation living area with another formerly homeless friend.
Following a past college course and recent machinery induction, he starts his first shift as an apprentice technician in the on-site workshop to make furniture for a new Exchange unit.
9:00
10:20
10:55
12:30
1:00
8:00
Monday
AM
Kasandra, Haya 34, 3 Exchange Occupants
They wake up, shower and go out into the city to buy breakfast.
7:00
Sunday
Eat their own breakfast in the Community Building shared living area.
Kasandra takes her daughter to an Exchange unit childcare group for the day.
7:30
AM
As an on-site cleaner, she starts her day in the Exchange; cleaning floors, surfaces and toilets with co-workers.
8:30
PM
Lunch in the food hall with work friends.
Following a dance performance in the exchange centre during lunch, Kasandra clears any remaining litter and dirt after this heavy public use.
1:00
1:30
9:00
PM
Kasandra cooks her own Halal meal upstairs in the Community Building, and they reside in the presence of other occupants playing outside in the semi-private roof garden on a warm summers evening.
6:30
7:40
Exchange Occupant
Now an ex resident, he commutes from Heaton by cycling and safely locks his bike under New Union House.
Steven works a morning café shift in one of the now permanent units.
Ran by people formerly homeless using food bank stock, Steven swears by eating at the food hall when in the city.
After his only shift for the day, Steven heads upstairs to a function room running a social group on confidence building.
Before going back home, a political debate being held within the exchange catches his attention from the crowd of people and stays for this.
Steven treats himself to a takeaway for dinner before going to a comedy club at The Stand with some friends.
Wednesday
8:30
9:00
12:30
1:05
4:35
6:30
Steven
41
AM
Sarah
Site Director
45
Thursday
Sarah commutes from her family home in Whitley Bay to start another day as a head of the joint Shelter / NECA community scheme.
Meeting with the Vane Directors Paul Stone and Christopher Yeats for information about the Good Space social support to inform new residents.
Group induction meeting with new residents, initialising social bonds and explaining the community here.
Lunch sat in the suspended seating of the Exchange Building.
Assists an English speaking and writing workshop in a function room of the Community Building.
All building directors gather in the Cooperative Building meeting room to discuss upcoming events and their future involvement in the Great Exhibition of the North.
Checks through the Shelter resident floors before heading home, assisted by a supervisor.
8:30
10:00
11:30
12:30
1:30
4:00
5:30
AM
Jonas
Public Visitor
Saturday
22
PM
8:00
5:30
A short period after her workday finishes, she collects weekly spending and phone budgets.
6:00
After a long and 160 hard first workday, he meets some school friends for dinner at a local pub.
PM
After crossing New Bridge Street West into the plaza, a dance practice catches Jonas’ attention. He also notices many posters on Commercial Union House’s facing wall and is intrigued to explore these new ‘trade’ and social units.
As a lover of art, he locates units of this type in the Exchange Building.
He gets talking to an artist who lives and works in the Exchange and learns a lot about the social opportunities here. After finding an ideal present as intended, he takes himself over to the Community Building.
Jonas signs up to a social group for gamers of all age groups before leaving the area.
As he is nicely surprised with how his day planned for shopping has unfolded, and meets his partner to stay for the Food Hall’s 2 for 1 cocktail evening.
12:30
1:00
2:00
3:30
4:30
PM
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Refinement | 162
Satirical Collage & Internal Perspective The poster adjacent is a summarising critique of the corporate agenda of the East Pilgrim Street Development Framework. This is satirically expressed through the use of generic buzzwords, surface-level persuasive language and an overall charade of the scheme. Through this purposely standardised advertisement, the benefits of the scheme are playfully conveyed from a commercial
perspective that would otherwise be displayed to the general public. The internal perspective above displays a busy public street of trade in the Exchange Building. A group of students decide to take a break from the library, where they enjoy ice creams while searching for art-based frontages in the array of local business units.
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Example Occupancy & Perspective Section The poster shows a mock-up of the current occupancy, where it can provide up to 122 units favouring local business. With a new fine artist moving from Glasgow for a month and the monthly change in food and drink menus, the uses are constantly altered to provoke people to regularly visit this authentic core of activity. Due to higher profits being made elsewhere in the block, the start-ups are given
freedom to be prioritised over the commercial tenants, where these are present but restricted to the areas identified with arrow corners. Main perspective section across, cut in reference to the previous placemaking diagram. The dream of an ‘experience’ and ‘cultural’ offer is finally created, showing the Exchange frontage and elevated shelter resident roof garden with its own third place into the centre.
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SPIRIT
SPIRITLESS
2018 The Egalitarian Exchange, East Pilgrim Street Development Proposal: North Area [Block B] Masterplan, Newcastle upon Tyne.
2000 The Sony Centre by Helmut Jahn & Peter Walker, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin.
Reviving the Generic Part III: Architecture for All Since the physical and spatial agendas of the generic have been critiqued and adapted, the proposal is ultimately awarded with a truer public conviviality. Separate from the centralising layout of the Sony Centre, its disheartening commercial nature is replaced by the exciting and welcoming essence of new civic quality within a similar spatial order, encapsulated and celebrated by the roof
design. With existing communities also flowing into this central space, the prioritisation of social values and opportunities achieve my original intentions and ultimately re-humanise the liveliness of a place originally defined by the capitalistic scenario. [Across] Sarah and Eve visit the Egalitarian Exchange on this sunny Friday afternoon to enjoy local drinks and a dance performance.
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THE FUTURE CITY With an increase in the purchase of land primarily for commercial gain, the project sets a precedent for future development scenarios to follow a similar alternative line of enquiry. On a national and global scale, almost every urban context faces the inevitability of homelessness and other scenarios causing states of critical need, furthering this harsh cycle of negative effects on our cities and wide -ranging economic loss. Each space is applicable and probably just as desired in different locations, from the city-wide events and local business units to the community centre and publicly-influenced homeless shelter. So, the establishment of this programmatic organisation can produce a different collective sense of place and identity to improve other urban contexts within the same model of architecture. In this positive cycle of effects, such a proposal can, in time and knowledge, become the place of communal dignity and refuge relating back to my original manifesto. Psychologically, this begins to rid of the characteristics of the generic and lifeless urbanisation that would have originally taken place within the top-down regime. What would have been high-end retail and luxury hotel spaces become an architecture for all, carrying a potential to generate more profit in the long-term while benefiting entire urban sprawls based on an actual reflection of reality and its often inhumane social outcomes.
In the future, and when other sites have taken on a similar social haven for the context in which they are located, interesting social connections can be made between one Exchange and another. An individual or family in distress have the opportunity to vacate and easily access a new community in a completely different city or country, while not necessarily possessing the required funds to perform the transition without an Egalitarian Exchange. Theoretically, the physical world finally mimics the globalised nature of virtual connectedness, where the levelling of this currently confusing juxtaposition also brings about harmony in the people who use them. In the light of emotional or financial struggles in particular, modern society can surely perform in a more comfortable and happy state with the knowledge of free and accepting spaces to fall back to in extreme circumstances, as well as being able to join these communities around normal day-to-day life. Conclusively, I believe that the state of the future city can solely depend on the well-being of its citizens as the core to our actual being. Architecture and its industry can positively impact this by challenging a current state of affairs to ask if this is the most positive way to develop an ongoing project. Places to call home for the current and future populations can avoid a further chain reaction of negativity and danger, ultimately becoming comfortable places to live and explore for every individual equally.
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NOTES & REFERENCES References 13
AIA National, Community by Design: Skid Row Housing Trust (2017), <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zq5LGqu7pQ> [accessed 17 July 2018].
1
Connolly, Kieran and Luke Rigg, Future City Studio Brief, Stage 3 (2017-18).
20
Crisan, Daniela, ‘Face to Face(Book): Users’ Traits and Motivations and Effects of Facebook Use on Well-Being’, in Implications of Social Media Use in Personal and Professional Settings, ed. by Vladlena Benson and Stephanie Margan (Hershey PA: IGI Global, 2015) 45-72.
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Economist, The Bilbao Effect (2018), <https://www. economist.com/special-report/2018/08/14/the-bilbaoeffect> [accessed 21 August 2018]. Fezer, Jesko, Civic City Cahier 6: Design In and Against the Neoliberal City, ed. by Jesko Fezer and Matthias Gorlich, (London: Bedford Press, 2013). Hadaway, Patricia F., Bruce K. Alexander, Robert B. Coambs, Barry Beyerstein, ‘The effect of housing and gender on preference for morphine-sucrose solutions in rats’, Psychopharmacology, 66.1 (1979) 87-91. (Numerous other articles and videos based around this original piece).
8
Hari, Johann, Lost Connections, 1st edn (London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018).
19
Jeffers, Susan, Dare to Connect: How to Create Confidence, Trust and Loving Relationships, 1st edn (London: Judy Piatkus Publishers, 1992).
12
Kelly, Mike, ‘Shelter report lays bare the number of homeless people in the North East’, Chronicle Live, 8 November 2017, North East News (Statistics from Shelter Research).
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Koolhaas, Rem and Bruce Mau, Small, Medium, Large, ExtraLarge: Office for Metropolitan Architecture, 2nd edn (New York: Monacelli Press, 1998), pp 1239-64. Maceri, John, Can homelessness be solved? TEDxUCLA (2014), <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eCROJkVc54&t=9s> [accessed 27 June 2018]. Marx, Karl, Critique of Hegel’s ‘Philosophy of Right’, ed. by Joseph O. Malley (Cambridge University Press, 1970).
18
Mitchell, William J., City of Bits: (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1996).
5
Murray, Christine, ‘Editorial: Notopia is less a warning than a prophecy of doom’, The Architectural Review, 2 June 2016.
3
Newcastle City Council, East Pilgrim Street Development Frameworks: Consultation Statement, (November 2016).
9
Newcastle City Council, East Pilgrim Street Interim Planning Guidance, (July 2009).
2
Newcastle City Council, East Pilgrim Street Regeneration Opportunity Area: Preferred Option Report, (October 2008).
14
North East Local Enterprise Partnership, The North East Strategic Economic Plan: Executive Summary, (January 2017).
6
Pleace, Nicholas and Dennis P. Culhane, Better than Cure? (London: Crisis, 2016).
10
Zaera-Polo, Alejandro et al., ‘Ecotectonics?’, in Perspecta 47: Money, ed. by James Andrachuck et al., (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2014), pp. 128-138.
Images & Photography [8] investnewcastle.com, [9] goadvancedenergy.com - Breakfast Event Cover, [49, 66] insidermedia.com - ‘plans designed to transform Newcastle revealed’ / ‘EPS project moves forward’, [54] orbis.one, [68] Stewart McMillen, [81] www.chroniclelive.co.uk - ‘Doc Marten at 50’, [101] Joe Haupt/Flickr, [105] “SUR-FAKE” by Antoine Geiger, [113] Dezeen - Tiny Home by Drabovskiy et al., [118] Podshare/Archinect - ‘Strange Bedfellows’ - Co-Living. Photography: Steve Ellwood [ii, 18, 23, 46, 48, 71, 81, 147-8], Nick Hedges [1, 89] Mitja Schneehage [41], Bruno Vincent [62], Steve Cadman [74].
Post Deferral Additional Pieces [16, 52, C4 minus: 73-9, 85, 97, 117-20, 123-4, 134, 149-50, 152-4, 157, 165, 169.]
Other Involvement [2017-18]
Charrette Week: ‘ReTyne’, Thinking Through Making: Casting and Augmented Reality, Future City field trip: London and Hamburg.
Acknowledgements I owe thanks to Kieran Connolly, Luke Rigg, Steve Parnell, Ed Wainwright, Paul Stone, Jonpaul Kirvan, Chris Yeats, Steve Ellwood and Nick Hedges.
Matthew Oliver Ward, RIBA Part 1 | Graduation Project Process matthewoward@hotmail.co.uk
+44 (0)7932 017212
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