CROSS-COMMUNITY HYBRITIES :
CULTURAL & DESIGN LEXICON
SCAFFOLDING
As an easy to build and easy to access framework that can be adapted and reconstructed easily to provide a range of uses.
2023
Vaisakhi in Southall
FABRICS
Shared across communities is a significance held towards fabrics - these are used to enclose, decorate, seperate and demarcate, to wear as cultural headwear or clothing, and also to sell in Southall.
Punjabi - Phulkari Somali - Kebed and Alindi West African - Kente and Adire
in
Commonality in weave Commonality
repetition
Commonality in pattern
FABRICS CONT.
There is overlap and commonalities in these fabrics and fabric practices - what new hybrid forms of fabric making/usage, extrapolated further to architectual devices, can emerge in this setting?
Hybrid fabric patterns:
Translating fabric patterns and hybridities to architectural elements: Yinka Ilori’s Dulwich Pavilion
Blurring Phulkari pattern and Kente Rhythm Blurring Alindi pattern and colour with Adire dye techniques
Blurring Alindi and Phulkari rhythms and Kente colours
Blurring Phulkari shapes and Kebed colour and rhythm
SOUNDSYSTEMS
A rich history and heritage of soundsystem music in Southall : overlapping and intersecting strands of reggae music played through soundsystem and iconic ‘zimmers’ - commonly BMW cars, kitted up uniquely in Southall to play a bass driven, culturally hybrid mix of bhangra, reggae, dub and hip-hop. Similarly, sound is a vital part of religious street performance: from the annual Vaisakhi Parade to the adhan (call to the mosque for prayer).
LIGHTING
A commonly used element to draw attention, signpost, advertise and as a code. Ranges from the fantastical neon sign lighting, to delicate hanging light wires to coded neon signage panels - easy to attach on to scaffolding framework. How can these frameworks and systems also be occupied and inhabited to support streetlife within the scheme?
ARCHES
An architectural device used across Southall both in imagery and temporary construction, but also an imaginary of elsewhere evoked through restaurant names, such as Baraka Palace and Royal Lyallpur.
SIGNAGE
Attachable and detachable elements of signage, that can be easily updated and changed to support any change of use, ownership or cultural practices. Employing simple billboard-truss approach, to allow for simple construction and deconstruction for community use.
AWNING
As an easy to build and easy to access framework that can be adapted and reconstructed easily to provide a range of uses.
Awning Plan View
TILES
Tile facade finishes and surfacing, as reference to the checked green-red-cream tiles of the Himalaya Picture Palace and the fantastical or to allude to sites evoked through facade signage, such as the Al Rahma Mosque or Lahore. Within this framework system, these tiles would be applied as whole panels - easy to add, remove and update.
Red Sea Al Rahma Lahori Palatial Southall Vinyl Floor Himalaya Picture Palace