L e e M c I l r o y
A r c h i t e c t u r e
I N T E G R A T E D D E S I G N | s e c o n d y e a r p o r t f o l i o
The integrated design unit had a strong theoretical element to the process - the project looked to rethink the typology of public buildings of performance using philosopher Hannah Arendt's text 'The Human Condition' as a vehicle to do so. The site was based in London, on the edge of the Golden Lane Estate situated beside the the UCL's Fashion College. I took the design forward as an inquiry into the act of promenading in the modern era.
P R O M E N A D E
noun
a leisurely walk, or sometimes ride or drive, taken in a public place so as to meet others.
verb
a stroll or walk, especially in a public place, as for pleasure or display.
“ Where I appear to others as others appear to me where men exist not merely like other living or inanimate things but make their appearance explicitly. ”
H a n n a h A r e n d t
When examining the ‘Space of Appearance’ in her book ‘The Human Condition,’ Arendt describes it as a political space, in the sense of a public realm of action and discussion amongst a community of free and equal citizens. This analysis of the public realm is a critical element in the programme to create a space which encourages all to attend and showcase their individual style. In an age of social media, an especially cognitive process, this space will promote the return of a spatially-present demonstration of political thinking. Looking back at the historic promenading of London‘s aristocracy Victorian’s in Hyde Park and forward to the modern London’s Queens Walk at Southbank, considering it as a modern promenade; through compounding these antecedents with the contemporary culture of fashion and education in relation to the sites neighbouring University of Arts London’s Golden Lane fashion school, the proposal will address how the dissemination of culture can be amalgamated at the site to promote the Space of Appearance. In the common world (the macro), paths are driven throughout London linking cultural landmarks of performance, fashion and education throughout the capital city. An axis is drawn from that of the aforementioned Hyde Park due to its historical significance, this continues on a path relevant to that of fashion and education; this continues East toward the site of the new UAL’s campus near the olympic stadium, opening in 2022 - this path adjoins this campus with the currently used fashion school builds using the Golden Lane Estate building as mediator. Another route is then extruded from that of the Southbank Centre, a hub of theare, concert and the arts in London, aligning the river Thames, this is drawn toward the site as a route of organised performance, similar to that which will occur in the Public Exhibition. Externally on the site, the building draws in from all angles, inviting the residents of the Golden Lane estate, surrounding offices and students into the fashion hub. Internally this space concentrates on Arendt’s theory of judgement and validity - offering a communal space for the public to view fashion and style and form valid opinions through this interaction with others. Whilst adjoining with the fashion school allows the students to view the public participating in the promenade and form their own opinion in a semi-public realm. As participants continue upward the building becomes more exclusive, similar to that of fashions well known ‘bubble up/trickle down’ diagram, climaxing in the formal performance space in which the public can catwalk, businesses can host events and lecturers of the fashion school can host educational talks. It will be a public space of equality and discussion, a space of action and politics, a space of community and individuality. It will be a ‘Space of Appearance.’
P R O G R A M M E
1 . E X T E R N A L R A M P S : Concrete ramps lead up to the buildings main entrance, drawing from North East South and West directions, indicating the buildings position within London as a whole, in relation to the macro analysis. These encourage define the pubic square outside of the building, encouraging external interaction with the building and draws passers up into raised foyer level - performance level.
2 . F O Y E R : Internal foyer acts as an internal piazza space for the public to practise the act of promenading, or simply just watch others perform. It is a space of informal performance. It is also a place for the public to meet and discuss ‘political’ issues - this is activated by the restaurant and shops which spill onto the space and out on the the internal ramps.
3 . B A R / R E S T A U R A N T : Space can sit up to 50 people, with tables which spill onto the foyer space and potential for expansion if necessary.
4 . R E N T A L S H O P P I N G S P A C E : Intended for temporary popup shops to sell their stock, encouraging not only highstreet and high end brands to rent but small boutiques and also the fashion student of UAL fashion colleges to sell the items they create and allow the fashion business students to manage the space, and experience the industry first hand. The temporality of the space, means a high turn over of stock in the shop, with a variety of different styles, drawing the public into the building to see what is new in the shopping space.
5 . P U B L I C T O I L E T S
6 . R E C E P T I O N : In order to have management of the space to prevent unruly negative behaviour within the space, situated by the East side door in order to watch over the foyer space and control who goes up the ramps into the building.
7 . N E W F O Y E R F O R U L A G O L D E N L A N E F A S H I O N S C H O O L : This addition to the existing fashion school gives a more defined threshold to the fashion school itself, with access from Baltic Street East. The foyer can allow the user to enter the school itself or continue upstair to the next level where there is a more private entrance into the fashion centre for the staff and students of the school.
8 . A D M I N O F F I C E / S T A F F R O O M : Break space for the staff of both the fashion school and the centre, to encourage a more cohesive relationship between the staff of each different building.
9 . F O R M A L P E R F O R M A N C E S P A C E : Event hall which can be transformed into an auditorium, which can be transformed into a theater for the fashion school to use for lectures using the retractible seating, or it can be rented by companies to host dinner partys, or the general public and residents of Golden Lane can use the space to host a fashion show.
10 . S T O R A G E : For tables, staging and extra seating for the interchangeable formal performance space.
Ramps are used as a promenade throughout the building - these ramps evolving into programmed throughout the journey such as the pop-up shopping space. The building adjoins to the existing UCL Fashion College building which has access into the public building via the ramp on the first floor. The college is also incorporated by using the existing windows into the buildings as new seating areas along the ramp.
