Henri Lefebvre understands the formation of space as the outcome of collective action and therefore as “social product” itself. Unit A is interested in processes that relate to the production of space by investigating found conditions and urban morphology. Our agenda engages across the domains of architecture and urbanism and embraces a design approach that is critically responding to pre-existing contexts by interrogating spatial, historic and social fabric of the city.
Following last years focus on Dalston’s cultural quarter surrounding Ashwin Street, we initiated a collaborative partnership with the Local Borough of Hackney and carried out a funded research project together with five unit A alumni over the summer. ‘Relational States of Dalston’ investigates socio-spatial conditions between local stakeholders within its urban context. Findings from the research lead to this years subject of interest: Ridley Road Market
While Dalston town centre has transformed considerably over recent years, the study area Ridley Road Market has retained original patterns of use and respective character. The market itself is a community asset, both in cultural and social terms that provides civic and inclusive space within the town centre. As street-market it has always been a place of conflicting needs and desires, though new kinds of pressure seem to emerge as a result of ongoing change that contribute to an increasing vulnerability.
During the first term students analysed chosen everyday moments of exchange across the street-market, which helped them to build an understanding of relationships between space and activities. Students interacted with a wide range of stakeholders and from here developed individual responses in form of critical briefs and building programmes.
The proposed strategies agree to support the existing market by introducing complementary programmes, such as educational and cultural uses. As a collective, students speculate that extended territories for formal and informal encounters, new civic infrastructure, shared and adaptable spaces, are required to help Ridley Road Market to maintain its critical role as a place of exchange. At the same time those will provide opportunity for the market to evolve from within to ensure a sustainable future serving East London heterogenous demographic.