Transformations

PROJECT 2

For project 2 I delved further into the challenges faced in Short strand and how it is isolated from the rest of East Belfast, however whilst exploring for places of interest one location in particular stood out to me, Cluan Place. Cluan place is a small Loyalist Street that connects to the albertbridge road, it is tucked away, out of site and unless you went looking for it you wouldn’t find it. For these reasons I feel that it is the perfect place for an transformational plan.

Stage 1: PRECEDENT

Name: Viewing Tower Reusel

Location:Reusel-Netherlands

Architect:Ateliereen Architecten

Six asymmetrically stacked boxes define this viewing platform that marks the entrance to a recreational area near the small town of Reusel in the Netherlands. It is perhaps the most eye-catching of the 50 markers in the area, and maybe the most diverse in terms of function. In addition to marking an area to explore on foot, by mountain bike, or by horse, the 25-meter-high (82 feet) tower incorporates climbing and rappelling.

Research Booklet

Stage 2: INTERVENTION

WELCOME TO LOYALISYT CLUAN PLACE

CLUAN PLACE , BELFAST

Building on the ideas of Robert Venturi and his approach to the Sign as a monument, I have decided in order to overcome the lack of awareness the street gets to place my tower at the end of Cluan Place , this tower will work as a beacon shining bright above the peace wall and houses situated in the street in order to inform those driving past that Cluan Place does exist

As you can see , Cluan Place (Orange) is surrounded by either a Peace Wall (Red), Catholic House (Green) or derelict shop (Blue) this is why i belive that the best location for my own tower whould be on the place holder (white)

Stage 2: INTERVENTION

Just like Robert Venturi’s big apple scheme where he proposed to put a giant apple on top of a building in time square as the big apple is synonymous with NYC, I have taken all of the loyalist heritage found in the area and clad my tower with it so that it can shine as a beacon above the surrounding houses

Progressive Nature

The design itself utilises polycarbonate as an external envelope so that the tower itself has the ability to remove the loyalist murals and replace them with community based imagery whenever they want to so that the tower itself can also invite people into space who would otherwise try and avoid it