ELASTICITY OF MEMORY.

Think of memory as elastic. The further back in time (the longer it stretches), the easier it is to be forgotten. There is also a love and hate relationship with memory. Some wish to let go of the unpleasant memory while some want to remember or even relive the past.

The circulation of visitors is prioritised in the film archive. By segmenting the lower floors for public use and the upper for exclusive access, it caters to different types of visitors.

Two main features of NEFA is the outdoor and indoor cinema. With 120 seats indoor and public benches outdoor, most visitors will experience the archive through a film screening. If they want to know more about the northeast culture and the film collection, they can take the stairs up to visit the gallery. Finally, after visiting the exhibition, they are offered an elevated view of the river Tyne along the outdoor corridor, leading them to the cafe to share their insights and stories with families and friends.

Inspired by optical illusion Entasis, which is found in Roman Temples, the decreasing distance of the timber strips at the facade the closer they are to the top gives an illusion that it is higher than its 12 meters height. The reason behind this is to give an impression of stability and importance being as an archive. Exposed concrete used at the exterior further enhances this feeling.

Located between the landmark buildings of the Sage Gateshead Concert Hall and the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, this 125m-long of pedestrian link not only connects the two main attractions, but also serves as a storyteller for Gateshead and the River Tyne. With a prominent shipbuilding history along the river in the 1930s-80s, the inspiration of the design came from the wakes of newly built ocean liner passing by the River Tyne. Various features including a cave-link shelter, panoramic viewpoint and busking area also echoes with the development of Gateshead.