Project 1 – Temple of Antithesis
The PINK TEMPLE is a community space located on the North shore of Blackpool. Unlike a traditional temple, the spaces provided within the complex are for multi-cultural worship or meditation. The key areas within are a space for gathering, spaces for shared interaction and spaces for individuals to reflect. I wanted to design a temple with no link to religion just shared experiences which could be inclusive to all religions, ethnicities, genders and orientations. A space for everyone to inhabit.
Project 2 – Made in Blackpool:
The SOCIAL PLATFORM rejects the existing social ‘edge’ between resident and tourist. The resident will specialise in 3D ceramic craft aiding the visiting tourist in the creation of a memorable souvenir to support the local economy through all seasons. The SOCIAL PLATFORM permeates existing edge conditions to create communal spaces maintained and owned by the community of Blackpool.
The PINK TEMPLE is a community space located on the North shore of Blackpool. Unlike a traditional temple, the spaces provided within the complex are for multi-cultural worship or meditation. The key areas within are a space for gathering, spaces for shared interaction and spaces for individuals to reflect. I wanted to design a temple with no link to religion just shared experiences which could be inclusive to all religions, ethnicities, genders and orientations. A space for everyone to inhabit.
project 1 – temple of antithesis
The site is located in Blackpool, Lancashire. It is situated to the North of Blackpool’s North Pier and was formally used as a boating pool. The site is protected by a sea wall, but is subject to environmental extremes of flooding during storms. Flanked to the East by a steep artificial rock incline and to the West by a beach, there is minimal direct access into the former boating pool. Filling the former boating pool with water could increase the local tourism trade.
project 1 – temple of antithesis
I explored the relationship between gathering, shared and solitude spaces through my concept model. Different levels seperate the unique spaces with circulation. In addition, I experimented with the use of pink to promote happiness and fun for the users. Also with the size and scale of the archways. I determined that taller, delicate yet dramatic archways balanced the notion of fun in Blackpool with the monumental scale of temple architecture.
project 1- temple of antithesis
The primary axis walkway turns right and lowers into the submerged solitary spaces. This creates a spiritual descension into a meditative space. The positioning of the mirrored gathering space reflects the morning and afternoon sunlight, ideal for festivals and sacred celebrations. Dependant on the time of day each archway will frame the sun creating a reverance to be reflected. The shared space penetrates the sea wall offering a pause for thought.
project 1 – temple of antithesis
LIGHT: Light filters through the partially submerged archway, reflecting rippling water into the solitary space.
SPACE: A series of pink archways frame the view of the artificial cliffs.
SOUND: Sounds of laughter drift between the columns of concrete.
COLOUR: The bold pink contrasts the grey Blackpool sky. Pink is a protective sacred colour.
project 1 – temple of antithesis
The experience of the gathering space is one of bringing the community together in a unique space to interact with others, it has both an inside and outside element to cater to different events such as weddings and festivals. The shared space allows a couple of people to stand on the walkway looking out over the sea. The solitary space is for a person to reflect and find peace with plays on sunlight and water to create a calming atmosphere.
project 1 – temple of antithesis
The SOCIAL PLATFORM rejects the existing social ‘edge’ between resident and tourist. The resident will specialise in 3D ceramic craft aiding the visiting tourist in the creation of a memorable souvenir to support the local economy through all seasons. The SOCIAL PLATFORM permeates existing edge conditions to create communal spaces maintained and owned by the community of Blackpool.
project 2 – made in Blackpool
The site is situated in Blackpool between a residential district occupied by the resident and Blackpool Pleasure Beach which is the temporary home to the tourist. The proposed tourist approach is shrouded by copper screens and soft landscaping to dispel the concept of ‘edge’. The gift shop is the initial point of reference to the tourist.The residential approach is more open and welcoming which is in direct contrast with how the Pleasure Beach treats the resident.
project 2 – made in Blackpool
The site I selected is unobstructed to the South, allowing for ample natural light and is protected from wind by the Pleasure Beach to the West. The site is surrounded by three distinct zones of industrial, commercial and residential which are defined by physical ‘edges’ such as the railway, a road or a boundary wall. The notion of tranforming this impermeable edge into a permeable one is the concept for my project.
project 2 – made in Blackpool
The materiality of the social PLATFORM consists of a combination of reclaimed bricks (inspired by the resdiential zone) and copper anodised aluminium panels (inspired by the commercial and instrustrial zones). The levels of the site create a spatial hierarchy with the gift shop the most accessible, the resdiential set back on a mounded grass plinth with access partially blocked by a man-made pond and the workshop and gallery on a raised plinth.
project 2 – made in Blackpool
The basis for my souvenir is a vessel of memories, the Tourist will experience Blackpool and pick a pattern for the Resident to construct using 3D printed ceramic craft. I made a 3D printed plastic prototype by creating a vase on Fusion 360 and then entering that into the 3D printer. The pattern I selected was from the metal pattern on the trailer of a van in the residential district.
project 2 – made in Blackpool
The layout of the workshop is informed by the 3m x 3m structural grid. This flexible layout allows for the future reuse of the space. The workshop will house facilities for 3D printed ceramic craft, worked in by the resident and contributed to by the tourist. The glass passage connecting the workshop and the gallery allows for views through the entire project dissolving the idea of an impereable edge.
project 2 – made in Blackpool
The gallery is situated on a rammed earth plinth connected to the residential area by a platform and to the tourist entrance by steps or a ramp. The space will exhibit revolutionary and historic works of 3d printed craft. The residential structure overhangs the sunken railway and sits atop pilotis which is a reference to the form of the opposite rollercoaster. A roof garden provides a sense of community.
project 2 – made in Blackpool
The primary structure consists of 457 x 191 x 89mm steel beams and posts; these support the secondary structure of 203 x 133 x 30mm steel beams and posts. The structure creates a 3m x 3m grid which is the base for wall and cladding construction. The load is transferred through the steel structure into the raft foundation which has downstands to support the additional weight of the posts and exterior masonry construction.
project 2 – made in Blackpool
1. Reuse of an existing site, excavate and compact.
2. Add blinding, reinforcement and pour raft foundation using recycled concrete.
3. Steel frame construction
4. Wall build up using reclaimed bricks.
5.Copper annodised aluminium cladding panels and window installation.
6. Reuse of the social PLATFORM
project 2 – made in Blackpool
The social PLATFORM has been designed with reuse in mind. The seperation of buildings could facilitate different uses such as the workshop for a community centre, the residential block as social housing or the gift shop as a soup kitchen. As the development ages the sea air will corrode the copper annodised aluminium panels creating unique turquoise patinas specific to the quality of Blackpool.
project 2 – made in Blackpool
