THE PORT OF
ROCHDALE
B E T W E E N T W O B R I D G E S SUBHAN
SALEEM
CONTINUITY IN ARCHITECTURE 2018-19
‘Architectural Continuity is the product of our interaction with the constructed world, a world that at once connotes a recognition of the past as well as an anticipation of the future.’ Rafael Moneo ‘Against Indifference as a Norm’
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
Building Sketch Proposal
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Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
Rochdale Canal Basin - View from the Fire Station Tower (1940)
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THE PORT OF ROCHDALE BY SUBHAN SALEEM The project investigated the fragmented central retail park of Rochdale which was situated at an important junction between the industrial and residential side of Rochdale with the historic Drake Street. Currently, the site remains home to the Central Retail Park, however this was the former canal basin and once described as ‘The Port of Rochdale’ and was one of the contributing factors to the success of the town. Throughout our Continuity in Architecture atelier, we are taught to ‘remember, reveal, construct’ the stories behind the façade of our cities and towns that have been left behind by people before us, hoping we will learn from them. The Former canal basin is an archetypal example of history being erased with the traces being left behind. These traces can be replotted therefore remembered. The project began as an urban masterplan that aimed to create a link towards the historic Drake Street towards the city centre. The site was coined as the arrival into the town by the council and this sense of arrival was explored and became a significant factor in the development of the project. The question of ‘what lies in between Drake Street and the Train station’ was visited regularly. At its peak, Rochdale was a thriving industrial town known for its manufacturing and distribution in textiles and cotton. The town evolved through the canal and railway routes which the foundations of the town were built upon. Based on research and analysis, I have tried to reconstruct what was once a thriving place at the heart of Rochdale. The project accommodates a mixture of recreational, residential and commercial buildings which are all connected and integrated with the canal and the arrival square. The former canal and underpass were restored to create a vibrant series of spaces that connected the different parts of Rochdale. From research and mapping, a new metro link station was proposed due to the proximity of the viaduct. Due to the history of manufacturing and boating on the site, a series of canal workshop as a collection of buildings were proposed that aimed to provide an active frontage and direct link with the canal. The notion of ‘making’ echoed the history of the site. In between the workshops and the station, a series of central market hall’s that opened out onto the public square were made to create the heart of the space. The forms were influenced through the contextual town and programme with the tower acting as an urban tool to create an identity for the site as well as a marker for the arrival sequence.
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
Location Plan - Central Retail Park
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Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
Sketch Proposal
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SEARCHING EVOLUTION
OF
FOR THE
CLUES:
SITE
‘traces of history engraved onto the space’
1824
1850
Research was carried out which explored the site’s history. The aim was to search for clues as to how the site has evolved over time.
This was prior to the creation of Oldham Road. I found it quite interesting for the positioning of the gardens next to the canal basin.
The canal basin is an archtypal example of history being erased with traces left. These tracec can be replotted therefore remembered.
By 1850, these gardens had been replaced with warehouses and a two other canal arms were created. It was in 1880s, where the Rochdale waterways expanded. This was also alongside the expansion of the tramways. This era marked the opening of the first theatre and hippodrome.
In 1824, there was a single canal which ended at the basin with a handful of warehouses. Another important element which resided along Drake Street were gardens.
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
By 1930, Rochdale had became a met-
1930 ropolitan borough and more prominent warehouses were made alongside the canal basin which pushed an active frontage onto the corners of the site. Unfortunately, these canals were then filled and built over with carparks and retail stores by 2001. This coincided with the decline of Rochdale. Leading to a closing of mills, factories and mines. Today, the site remains a wasteland waiting for an opportunity which has been lost.
PRESEN T
DAY (2019)
Historical Analysis
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? Drake Street
Creative Hub
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
The site
‘what lies in between?’
Central Market
Train Station
Train Station
Concept Masterplan
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New Station
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
Market Halls
Market Halls
Workshops
Oldham Road Elevation
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‘Architecture emerges as an outcome of a dialogue maintained with our surroundings. We need to look at them to act.’
Rafael Moneo ‘Against Indifference as a Norm’
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
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Building Concept Diagram
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On Approach Destination / Station / Landmark
A building which fronts onto the square confronting the people passing towards it. The series of workshop buildings frame the view with the market halls spilling out onto the square creating a thriving place of activity. The heart of an new quarter into the town trying to repair a broken urban form.
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
On Approach Visual
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Threshold Entrance / Ornament / Set Back
Inspired by looking into the sense of arrival as a starting point. The entrance onto the plinth from the platform compared to the entrance at ground level through the arches. An active frontage that invites the user through a series of spaces.
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
Threshold
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Framing the view Sense of Arrival / Arrival Square / Looking Back
An introduction into the town from the platform, framing the view of Rochdale through the arched windows. A view into the market square, the tower, the canal workshops and the residential developments. A place to observe, a place to meet and work, A destination point.
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
On Arrival - Framing the view / Looking Back
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Canal Side Promenade / Ornament / Activity / Edge
A canal promenade which is carved out through historical and future references. A series of activites along the canal bring the space to life and connects the industrial and quiet side of Rochdale towards the town centre. A soft edge towards the canal that brings commercial and recreational uses to the site.
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
Canal Side
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Rochdale Market Hall Market House / Oldham Road / Craft
The idea of a porous facade was prevalent through the series of market halls. A building which you could pass through and interact with. A building which spilled out into the square and created a space for activity. A welcoming facade that mirrored the busy commercial frontage of Oldham Road.
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
The Market Hall
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Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
Across The Pond
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“Anything that can contribute to the fragile continuities between the contemporary situation and past architectures is worth the effort. It is only by understanding and reflecting on the past that architecture can continue to be a relevant social and artistic discipline.� Caruso, 2002
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
Location Plan
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CANAL
LEVEL FLOOR PLAN
1 Halfpenny Bridge Bridge underpass New Pedestrian Bridge 4 Waterside Cafe 5 WC’s and Storage 6 Canal Promenade 7 Wet Dock Restoration 8 Steps to Canal side living 9 Canal Boat
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
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Canal Level Floor Plan
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5 GROUND FLOOR PLAN
1 Halfpenny Bridge Bridge underpass New Pedestrian Bridge 4 Canal Promenade 5 Wet Dock Restoration 6 Workshops 7 Entrance Hall 8 Lecture Hall 9 Market Hall 10 Canal-Side living 11 Servicing 12 Bridge Overhead 13 Metro Station 14 Workstations 15 Circulation Core 16 WC’s 17 Basin 18 Tower
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
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Ground Floor Plan
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FIRST FLOOR PLAN
1 Workshops Bridge Workstations 4 Platform 5 Canal Side Living 6 Atrium space 7 WC’s Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
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First Floor Plan
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SECOND FLOOR PLAN
1 Workshops 2 Canal Side Living 3 Atrium space 4 Tower
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
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Second Floor Plan
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Workshops
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
Canal Restor
ration Workshop
Canal Promenade
New Canal Road Elevation
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Market Halls
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
Canal Side Living Cafe
Canal Promenade
Section Through Market Hall / Canal and Apartmenta
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Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
Section through canal workshop
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Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
1:500 Site Model with building proposal
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Option 1 - Train underpass
Option 2 - Canal/path Underpass
Figure 1- Where the canal currrently ends. The site can be seen at the top of the picture The Underpass The underpass was quite a significant part of my project. It was where the scheme started and what I felt connected the various parts of Rochdale together. Initially, the underpass was used as the entrance for the station (Option 1). However, through testing and analysis, I opted for the concept of the new canal being connected to the existing canal 250m away (Figure 1). This allowed for the distribution of canal boats while also solving the issue of standing water.
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
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Rochdale Metro Station
Halfpenny Bridge
3 Improve links with the industrial side:
Canal side activity
Train Station entrance:
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Rochdale Metrolink Station;
Restoring the underpass
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Landmark Sense of Arrival / Path finding / Identity The introduction of the tower was a significant point in the development of my project. This created the identity of the space that was inspired by the tower of Piazza della erbe in Verona and the Piazza Novella in Florence. The tower acted as a marker for place finding, giving the market space an identity and frontage while giving the user coming into Rochdale a unique sense of arrival and was in diologue with the fire station museum tower.
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
1 Place Finding ; The tower helps with placefinding at the turn of the corner towards the approach of the site. This setback of the tower was inspired by Piazza della Erbe in Verona.
2 Landmark/identity ; it gives the market space an identity and an active frontage
Connection with context: The visual con-
3 nection and link witht he immediate context reinforces the idea of the landmark.
The Tower
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Entrance Sequence Route - Arrival from the metro station The entrance sequence has been designed as an arrival sequence through a series of thresholds that are applied within the building. 1. The first moment is the arrival platform from the metrolink tram. The move from the platform to the inside serves to express the transition of the first threshold. 2. This space then focuses on the capturing the first view of Rochdale through the arches. A balustrade sets you back and forces you to stop and witness ‘Rochdale’ at a first glance. This was taken from the ‘plinth’ aspect of the original viaduct and focused on the concept of being on the plinth and looking out into Rochdale with the first views. 3. Stairs and escaltors on either side that take visitors and passengers to each level. 4. ‘Welcome to Rochdale’ view from under the arch 5. This threshold aims to seperate the underpass and the public space and connect the two spaces.
Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
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Staircase/Escalators 3
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Platform
Framed View
‘Welcome to Rochdale’
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Entrance Sequence
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Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
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Market Hall / Canal Workshop 1 Weathered Brick 2 Glazing 3 Lecture Room 4 Canal Boat Workshop 5 Skylight 6 Stone Caping 7 Bronze Roofing 8 Indoor Market 9 Doors 10 Rooflight 11 Acoustic Baffles 12 Paving slabs 13 Gutter Canal Workshop Section
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Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
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MetroStation Entrance 1 Concrete Paving 2 Grater with ornamental pattern 3 Concrete Plinth 4 Ornamental Floor Paving 5 Ornamental Concrete Columns 6 Stone Caping 7 Sedum Roof 8 Weathered Brick 9 Rooflight 10 Glazing 11 Brickwork 12 Interior Precast Wall 13 Reception 14 Arrival Hall 15 Balustrade 16 Platform
Station Bay Entrance Section
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Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
Facade options for the station, exploring ornament and materiality
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Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
Facade options for the station, exploring ornament and materiality
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Identity of the square Programmes/ Activity / Community
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Morning; A path to a destination
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Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
Afternoon; Market place
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Evening; A place for theatre/Performance
Identity of the square
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Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
Design Development
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Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
3D Printed Bay Model
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Subhan Saleem - The Port Of Rochdale
[Drawing Title] Scale: 1:100