Thesis Design: Principles of Continuity
Three key ideas derived from Fred Scott’s ‘On Altering Architecture’, Degrees of Intervention, Fleeting and Fixed Elements and Armature, form a meaningful and economic approach to redevelopment for use on both listed and non-listed buildings; building Continuity celebrates the passage of time, history and naratives. Here, the Continuity approach is applied to an urban block of uninhabited buildings in the local context of Nottingham, to provide a new Arts Centre for the city. The chosen site offers three very different buildings, each possessing different characteristics, conditions and requirements: the 1888 Nottingham Guildhall is Grade II listed, the Art-Deco inspired fire & police station is starting to deteriorate, and the 1954 ‘island’ building is an eyesore. An architectural language developed through proposed interventions within these existing buildings culminates in a new spatial volume at the heart of the site, that encapsulates all three principles of Continuity.
NOTTINGHAM GUILDHALL
In order to restore the clarity and spirit of the original Guildhall, understanding of the historic and current significance of the building was required to track the changes that have been made over time. The 2020 proposal for the Guildhall shown in this comparative diagram, not only strips the design back to the core, original fabric, but in place echos the physical historic changes to the building, for example in the reimagined, lightweight rear extension.
FIRE & POLICE STATION
In order to restore the clarity to the Fire & Police Station, in the absence of listing descriptions and more prescriptive heritage information, investigation was made into the underlying structure. At the time of construction the development of in-situ concrete was progressing rapidly, therefore it is presumed that the building consists of reinforced in-situ concrete column and slab frames, with band beams spanning the garage. This analysis allows the building to be re-configured to fit new the programme of the Arts Centre performance venue, whilst celebrating key destinations rich in character.
'THE ISLAND' & 'THE YARD'
Proposed interventions within the site aim to maximise use of the site by turning external areas in to new rooms. The language of armatures both physically supports areas of existing fabric that require a ‘prop’, creates new volumes to inhabit and maintains a series of spatial relationships that enable the new programme to function. Spread across the site in 3 distinct areas, this language aims to unite differing building use, age, style and topographical level. Garage doors change the perception of the spatial volume and permeability of the space when they are opened or closed. The construction of these lightweight and independent frames mean that lines blur between purely structural or spatial armatures - many elements become both.
![Combined Plans].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5d51da_9dadf94365654001a60f1cfced77ba25~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1931,h_1043,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Combined%20Plans%5D.jpg)