Unit A is interested across the domains of architecture and urbanism and understands architecture as a contextual response to the city, by critically questioning pre-existing and found conditions. Unit A works with live-project situations and connects the learning in architectural design with active engagement in knowledge exchange between students and external partner organisations. The unit approach and method are closely linked to research outcomes and the studio works as a platform for collaborative learning and critical design practice.
This year we set out to explore Blackhorse Lane, an industrial area located within in the Lea Valley adjacent to Walthamstow Wetlands, that was designated as a Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ) by the Mayor of London in 2021. Over the last decade, the ‘Blackhorse Collective’, a loose cluster of makers and entrepreneurs, have gradually re-invented and transformed the historically significant industrial zone into an innovative hub for creative production and a unique destination for social interaction. However, only in 2022, Waltham Forest council launched a masterplan, that seeks demolition of nearly the entire area and replacement with high-density residential development in combination with industrial uses. This ‘tabula-rasa’ approach contrasts with the acknowledgement of the CEZ and shows little consideration of inherent value generated from within the existing urban and social fabric.
Through engagement with and analysis of key stakeholder organisations across the study area, students gained an understanding of the wider social, spatial and transactional context. In response to the questions arising from the described conflict, students developed personal project strategies and building briefs, that include spaces of circular production, re-use, learning and recreation. Students travelled to Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent to visit and experience contemporary buildings, that embrace a wide range of circular strategies and adaptive re-uses of light industrial spaces.
The final design proposals critically question the predominant model of spatial re-production and explore opportunities to promote co-existence of productive and social activities and de-carbonisation through integration of circular flows resources and material banks.
Guest critics:
Armor Gutierrez, Dickon Hayward (Material Works), Haleema Ahmed, Leyana Clarke, Luke Jones, Mark Sustr.
Many thanks: Ajay Pabial (Waltham Forest), Ashley Lotcho (All Plants), Ellen De Naeyer (Bronks Children Theatre Brussels), Fiona Broni (Waltham Forest), Frank Maguire (Big Penny Social), Holly Faires (Signature Brew), Kate Cowan (Waltham Forest), Jan Ackenhausen (Waltham Forest), Kartjin Demuyt (Standaertsite Ghent), Kristiaan Borret (Brussels Capital Region), Liesbeth Amelia (LAB 15 Ghent), MAD Brussels, Oscar Brito-Gonzalez and students from Studio 2 at Central Saint Martins, Patrick Shannon (Waltham Forest), Paul Jellis (Big Penny Social), Ryhove Sheltered Workshop Ghent, Stephen Bates (Sergison Bates Architects).
Students:
(Y3) Charlie Chinama, Divine Lembe Dodiya, Joanna Wong, Krishnan Nagarajan, Lida Amiri, Anik - Md Chowdhury, Nabiha Warsame, Safiya Baazi, Tarannum Mushtari Anam, Zuhaida Salum.
(Y2) Armin Jahan Tab, Carolina Machado, Emmanuel Torson, Haadiya Ashraf, Ivan Mills-Lamptey, Mae Nerona, Manuel Jackson, Maryam Khan, Sahil Sanjay Nayak, Teodora-Marilena Busnosu
Tutors: Carsten Jungfer and Fernanda Palmieri