The walls also entail architectural clues (see fig. 17 + 18a,b,c) that disclose the possible remains of the shop and balcony that once existed in the space.
Description of 22 Chambers Street today/ “….A narrow frontage by Ian G.Lindsay and Partners, coyly set back with alternating bands of glass and glass-reinforced 3 plastic. Bold canopy over the entrance incase it gets missed”.
Indent in plaster ceiling suggesting location of previous door into shop.
[fig. 19]
[fig. 17]
Exposed stone revealing previous location of balcony (see fig 18a+b). Today, the second floor baclony is encased in glass and steel fitting (see fig.18c)
[fig. 18a]
[fig. 18b]
[fig. 18c]
An exploration of plans of the close over 150 years discloses various histories of the place. Ordnance Survey maps reveal how city development affected the opening and closing of the close as well as access into the close. The last closing of the close can be concurrent with the creation of the ‘link building’ by Ian G. Lindsay and Partners. In addition, plans of the built and unbuilt proposals for the ‘link building’ bring various narratives to light. Overall, a discovery of these plans discloses a narrative, one that reveals the architect’s intentions, thoughts and proposals for the design of a new space. Today, ‘the gap’ is a valuable, informal space used as an exhibition space presenting student work and advertising upcoming events. It is interesting to mention that one of the early design proposals indicates using the same space in a similar manner. It becomes clear, after a study of the various design proposals, the architect’s intentions were not only to create a building that connects the floor levels of the two buildings on either side but also to create a space that develops and becomes valuable and active as it becomes inhabitable.