Architectural Strategy

The project is made with focus on preserving the identity and narrativity of the building, recognizing that prolonging life of the building and adapting the site is part of an inevitable process, where originality and authenticity will continue to decrease over time.

On the basis of the conservation value assessment, four main goals are developed for the architectural interventions on site:

1. Prolonging the functional life of the building

2. Approaching the site in a process historical manner

3. Accentuating the architectonic character

4. Facilitating a future functional use of the site

Due to limited time and manpower during study trip, I have focused on measuring of the cell block and keepers

house. These two buildings will therefore be main focus for restoration in the project. Restorations of the remaining smaller buildings, will follow the same strategy as shown in the cell block and keepers house.

Following are the main principles for the restoration, reinterpretation and transformation of the site.

Exners keys for restoration can be seen as universal guidelines when approaching a historical building. By defining the Originality, Authenticity, Identity and Narrativity of the building, it creates a framework for building preservation, which might limit the objective perception of the architect. Working in a foreign culture, a universal framework as well as thorough registrations of the site and context are important to achieve a subjective understanding of the building.

For further readings on building preservation in a postcolonial context, I will refer to Appendix 3: Reflections.

Original fabric in situ are Danish bricks and natural stones in all walls as well as certain cell doors, window shutters and iron grills in doors and windows.

Original fabric of the buildings which is subject to restoration will be kept, if its structural abilities are intact or possible to reestablish. Walls will be finished and repaired with Danish bricks of another color than the existing. This will make additions of 2017 visible, as well as being true to the original fabric and structural principle.

82 Originality refers to the physical fabric of the building which dates back to the time of erection. This is only original when kept in situ and not when moved (Exner. 2007).

EXISTING MATERIALS 2017

Red lime wash Danish bricks and local stone

Iron bars in windows and door openings.

NEW MATERIALS

Remains of metal roof will be replaced with cedar shingles, as before 1950. Metal roof (changed from wood shingles ca 1950).

New red lime wash. - Preparing the historic walls for climatic challenges - Presenting the original craftsmanship and technique to its context

83 19 of 52 wood cell doors are in situ. Wrought iron details rusty.

Concrete buildings, made from concrete blocks done by prisoners in Richmond. ca 1950.

Repair of walls will be done with pale danish bricks and flemish bond.

In the matter of authenticity, building details like doors, window shutters, iron grills etc. will be kept when possible. These will be repaired to serve its structural matter, and show the authenticity in its materials.

All walls will be finished with lime wash, protecting the walls and original substance from further decay. I see this as a protecting layer, in the manner of maintenance of the building. Lime wash will constantly be in the process of decay, and is therefore not a final removal of authenticity. The harsh climate of St. Croix means that these historical walls need

protection to prevent further withering. This will prolong the buildings functional life. The authentic fabric will be kept, but damage in wall surfaces will be lime washed in the facades and interior.

The choice of limiting patina with lime wash also refers to the context. Christiansted and Richmond as context shows numerous examples of buildings, historical and modern, suffering from bad maintenance. The appreciation of a well kept building, communicating quality craftsmanship, is more valuable in this setting than the communication of patina and worn surfaces.

Authenticity refers to the reliablity of the building in structures, detailing and surfaces. This means the extent to which the building communicates its history through its visual apperance (Exner 2007).

Richmond Penitentiary’s identity is connected to its plan layout, which shows the original program as a prison. Although the programmatic identity of the building will change, the architectural identity as a prison will be kept visible in the layout of the complex and the repetition of cells. All cells will be kept. The new use will be accommodated with flexible interior solutions.

All roofs and flooring are today totally removed or in a structural bad shape due to termites and moisture damage. These elements will be reestablished, as close to the original form and materiality as possible, to complete the buildings architectural identity.

Sources of reference for reestablishing are archive photos of the building as well as studies of local architecture, restorations on Løvmand`s country schools and preservation guidelines of the Division for Archaeology and Historic Preservation (1993).

85 Løvmands first plan drawing for Richmond Prison, St. Croix (Landmarks Archive, St. Croix)

Identity refers to the appearance of the building and personal character that is presented in at a sertain time. The identity of a historical building will normally change during time, due to change of use etc. (Exner 2007).

Transformation of the site to serve as a creative community center, will be done with a process-historical approach, keeping the narrativity of the building for the future and emphasizing the identity shown in the organization of the site. Both additions and removal of volumes will be done.

The narrativity of the site is seen in its additions and subtractions during history. Today the site consists of buildings and changes from 1836, 1880 and 1950. Additions from all time periods will be kept, to preserve the narrativity and show a process historical approach.

Strategies for possible future additions will be developed to secure the continuation of the sites peculiar organization.

86 Narrativity refers to the expression of history visible for the viewer. Exner values the possibility for visitors to “read” a building in its construction, surfaces, detailing and architectural style. This includes visibility of new additions. (Exner 2007).

Addition of volume

A reintrepretation of Jailers residence will be added to the site to reestablish the strict symmetry, which is one of the main conservation values. This addition will reestablish the symmetrical sequence of keepers house - cell block - jailers residence. The addition will be designed as a reintrepretation based on Keepers house.

Removal of volumes

To accentuate the system of organisation, one building will be removed and one building will be reduced to one story.

1. The two story hospital building in the northeastern corner (1880) will be reduced to a one story building. This to create a consistent hirearchy in the layout.

Diagrammatic representation of east facade as measured, 2017

Diagrammatic representation of east facade as proposed after transformation

2. The 1950 concrete building in the south eastern corner will be removed entirely, because of its inconsistence to the narrow space inside the perimeter wall. The building is also shadowing several cells and disrupts the otherwise clear hierarchical organisation of the site.

The removal of the concrete building, makes the widest built space inside the perimeter wall to 7 meters. The strategy for future additions will be keeping within this line for a continuation of the peculiar organisation of the site.

Diagrammatic representation of plan as measured, 2017

Diagrammatic representation of plan as proposed after transformation. Area for future additions marked

To reestablish the symmetry of the site, a reintrepretation of Jailers residence will be the only addition of volume.

The reintrepretation is done on the basis of measurements, drawings and registrations of keepers house. The different structural function of the facade elements, will be enhanced by using the brick in different angles.

The reintrepretation will be visible as a new addition, with its facade done in light bricks and wood detailing, none of which are painted or limewashed. Bricks and wood are selected to keep the mate

rial identity of the site as well as to accomodate the climatic issues of heat, wind and rain.

A massive brick wall increases the time for sun heat to reach the interior and ventilation of the interior is done through openings in the brick facade.

A vented space above the roof insulation allows heat to escape before entering the interior. Hip roof with a wooden construction is flexible in case of storm. The same roof construction will be used for the resoration of Keepers house.

Communicating the different structural elements of the facade in bricks.

Section of Keepers House Facade 1:100 - Basis for reintrepretation

Structural elements plinth - cornice - pediment:

Standing brick - Soldier

Facade surface:

Laying brick - Stretcher

Stairs:

Brick on edge - Rowlock