Blackpool- Manifesting Past Glory towards a Resilient Future
Resilience Framework
Resilience
The capacity of Blackpool’s social-economic system (Folke et al. 2010) to effect context-specific change before, during and after (Menyeno, Machingura and Keefe, 2019) constant destabilising events towards dynamic equilibrium (Holling, 1973) to challenge existing status quo following desired future trajectory set collectively by the locals to prevent the system from crossing a threshold that degenerates the locality (Gunderson and Holling, 2022), (Walker et al., 2022) & (Carpenter et al., 2022) by understanding the symbiotic relationships with other systems, including the ecosystem”
An Inventory of Key Systems in Blackpool
Initial Resilience Analysis of Blackpool
Systems that could impact resilience of other systems
Systems Identification Dominant
Resort Tourism System as a Delicate Interconnected Web
Stakeholders Analysis
extension of old system TOWARDS ENDLESSECONOMIC W E A L T H Volunteer at Joe Longthorne Museum More funding is needed to refurbish North Pier Staff at North Pier wish the weather was sunny Vendor at Bonny We all have to find somewhere else on our own, and today is the last day before this market is demolished
Expensive Tourist Route Pleasure Beach South Pier Central Pier Coral Island Madame Tussauds SEALife Tower Golen Mile North Pier & Coastal Area Bonny Street Market Frontages in Central Drive Winter garden Family on staycations Marine birds Natural Recreation human intervention Ongoing £300m Redevelopment displacement Future ripple effect linkage economic contributions habitat & source of food multipurpose, seasonal programmes tourists + local community March- October £32 £20-60 £20-60 £10 £20 £29 £10 £10 Ruth- beach cleaning volunteer Peter- owner of all piers Alan- Council Officer Steve, Concerned Citizen living in Central Drive Region Molly, Tourist from Manchester None of his Jobs lasted Reasons he’s in Debt Distributive Economy Rented near the Seafront Declined Tourist Industry in 1970s Houses in Multiple Occupation poor Track Record of Maintenance
Herring Gull Silvery-grey above and white below, with pink legs Omnivorous Migrated inland in winter Nesting Season: Spring Energy Health Education Income/ Work Peace & Justice Political Voice Social Equity Gender Equality Housing Networks AirPollution Biodiversity Loss Land Conversion Freshwater Withdrawals Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loading PollutionChemical Energy Water Food Health Education Income/ Work Peace & Justice Political Voice Social Equity Gender Equality Housing Networks AirPollution Biodiversity Loss Land Conversion Freshwater Withdrawals Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loading PollutionChemical
A Degenerative Resort Tourism System
Vendors given no new site, lost of sense of place
CentralDrive
Top-down, Consumptionbased Redevelopment Scheme
Didnotaddresscomplex localchallenges
Wealthawayfromcommunities
Blackpool Central Redevelopment with Interests that solely meet the needs of developers, tourists and upper-income consumers, hence aggravating the risks of gentrification and displacement of local characters and community in a status quo of mass-tourism, consumption-based economy.
Returntolateconsolidationphase
Blackpool Illumination as extractive spectacle that mainly powered by fossil-fuel based energy, serving only well-polished tourist district whilst underutilising the potential of artists’ creative energy for the locality.
An Adaptive Cycle Analysis on Resort Tourism System Resources Institutionalisation Late 1700s 1840 1840s 1850s 1860s 1873 1870s 1893 1894 1914 Interwar 1950s 1970s 2003 2021 Class ThresholdTension between Middle & Working Classes Growth as a resort - Mainly Lancashire middle class visitors Natural maritime environment as main attraction Railway brought in skilled workers Colonised by labourers and slums North Shore developed to sustain middle class holiday season Great boom in working class visitors £300m investment to kickstart redevelopment Central Blackpool The system may collapse / undergo Forced Transformation if there is no longer sense of place, communal identity and local uniqueness Major investment to upgrade tower, winter garden & seafront Decline of tourism industry B&Bs converted into workers’ housing/ abandoned Growth of commuter, retired and service sector populations Impressive growth in working class market Business as usual despite war Opening of Blackpool Tower to encourage class mixing Working class visitors reinforce townscape that recalled Cotton Towns Opening 3rd pier to accommodate increasing middle class visitors Potential Threshold - Gentrification- Existing community and sense of place displaced
UNESCO World Heritage Application? Celebrate Uniqueness of Tourism Heritage Encourage Mixed Neighbourhood Growth Breakdown Reorganisation Consolidation Growth Consolidation N 100m Public Realm Hard-pressed Living Constrained city dwelling Refurbished in 2013 Major Redevelopment Major Tourist Attractions Culturally diverse areas Community Infrastructure North Pier Promenade Central Pier South pier Pleasure Beach Blackpool FC Odeon Cinema Revoe School & Family Centre Revoe Library Mosque Blackpool & Fylde College Winter Garden Pedestrianised Streets New Holiday Inn & Tram Line Extention Blackpool Central Redevelopment Spine of Local Life in Central Blackpool Mainly for workers of Blackpool with its culturally diverse character
Extractive Illumination-making King Edward VII Pub (locally listed) Former King
Magistrate court moved 4km away
Edward VII Picture House Former King Edward VII Apartment Building (Most Tenancy are Vacant)
Bonny Street Market demolished
Gentrification
ModernSlavery
Theme Parks Car Parks Theme parks Coach Station New pub & hotel Artisan food hall with al fresco dining Aparhotel
Buitenplaats Brienenoord by Superuse Studio
Civic Lab- A Prefiguration of Promenade Urbaine Precedent Study Discover Develop Define Deliver Civic Lab Problems Promenade Urbaine Put People First Communicate Visually & Inclusively Collaborate & Co-create Iterate, iterate, iterate Neighbourhood Segregation between two banks (Google map, 2022) Divided by the metro Divided by the metro, historically divided by Farmers General Wall Civic Lab Promenade Urbaine as Solution Interface a place of destination) that brings together the two banks Vision Sharing & opennes as a resource space for urban agriculture, event space and educational activities Programmes Participatory garden Grain library Tool library Workshop (Atelier d’Architecture Autogeree, 2016) Key Players Atelier d’Architecture Autogeree Paris City Hall Town Halls Districts of Paris Collaboration Main Objective To prefigure the activities of the Promenade Urbaine Facilitate appropriation of public space by locals Urban Tactician Encourage participation of residents to self-manage disused spaces Aim to make city less dependent on top-down development & more user- friendly Magnets Regular activities to build a true network of community (2016-ongoing) Debates Projections Recycling workshops Traditional Cooking Discuss and exchange ideas on city planning
Precedent Study Concept of Harvesting Search, find and dismantle reusable materials locally + Graphic Harvest map for Client to show overview of residual materials & where they were sourced Sourced from site of design commission that has undergone demolition/ renovation of existing building Sourced near the project Goals Realise a new camp on the island of Brienenoord with social return on investment and a minimal ecological footprint Guiding Factors Old bridge cannot accommodate a cargo truck, limited transportation of outsourced materials Tight budget from the funds raised (Superuse Rotterdam, 2020) 90% Materials Reused 10% Consciously Sourced New Elements fastening material 5 wooden trusses column boots Polycarbonate glazing in existing timber frames on south facade (Superuse Rotterdam, 2020) Retained Elements Metal roof trusses Foundation of Old Kamphuis Timber window frames (restuctured) Masonry walls (a double skin added for better insulation) Build a Better Block- Towards Reinvigoration of City Hall Plaza Precedent Study Discover Develop Define Deliver Build A Better Block Problems Living Plaza More Bicycle infrastructure Safer Streets More Street Life Retail disinvestment Auto-centric Zoning Empty Shopfronts Outdated Zoning Codes Engages City Staff & Surronding Community Aspiring entrepreneurs to test their ideas before filing permits & commit to leases 1 year (Lydon and Garcia, 2015) Key Players A small group of Neighbourhood Activists City of Dallas Jason brought together 15 Friends who were mainly Artists in 2010 tactics Loophole in the System Applied for special event permit for Art Festival Show what is Possible Show how Amenities were made Illegal by Regulations car centric Street with Restrictive Development Ordinances People-friendly Neighbourhood Black Print-out & Display of Zoning Code theyb were intentionally violating Drew attention on how Municipal Zoning Code prevents Neighbourhood Vitaity Started discussion amongst City Leader Outdated Ordinances Addressed- encourage low cost and low barrier experimentation Urban Realm Pop-up Businesses Coffee shop Flower store Kids art studio Historic Lighting Outdoor cafe Seatings magnets Grassroot Place-making i person owns a Shop Truck i person has historic street lamps & benches person provides a coffee urns Etsy artists took over vacant retail space Volunteers to do paintings Promenade Urbaine as Solution
Tactical Urbanism as Catalyst towards Regenerative Tourism
How can we Regenerate the Tourism System through Community Wealth Building to React to Current Extractive and Degenerative Top-down Redevelopments in Blackpool?
Initial Idea Sketches
Central Drive Urban RoomA Catalyst towards CommunalLed Regeneration of Central Drive Region
The urban room provides a collective space for exchanging and testing new forms of town centre against mass consumerism by occupying an empty shop unit overseeing a major site currently under redevelopment, with the end goal of Catalysing the initiation of local strategy for community wealth-building, potentially through Community Land Trust (CLT) to revitalise derelict shopfronts and Assets of Community Value.
Empathise Define Ideate Prototype Test Local Resident Working Class Tourists Small Retailers & Hoteliers Central Blackpool as Opportunistic Site Degenerative Tourism Unsnactioned to sanctioned communal intervention Quick & Inexpensive place to set vision for Communal-led Regeneration Feedback to Council Startup towards Communal Ownership Empathise the People and Environment Transient Residents & Locals in Central Drive Small Retailers & Hoteliers in Central Drive Working class Family Tourists Community Current Tourism System based on heavy consumption Resources Waste Target Users Vacant Ongoing Construction Ongoing Demolition To be Retrofitted N Existing edge of Tourism District Site Selection (Google Earth, 2022) View 1 View 1 View 2 Poor Footpath overwide and occupied by cars with no planting provision W W
Heritage Asset Grade II listedKing Edward Picture House SSite Character Red brick Late Victorian/ Edwardisn Terraces Town Centre MC Donalds TK Maxx Node (high density of pedestrian on weekends and holiday seasons Tourism District after Redevelopment Coral Island Golden Mile SEA Life Funland Madame Tussauds Relocated Magistrate Court Relocated Police Station Ongoing Construction of 7 Storey Car Road Closure till Spring 2023 Direct visibility & Accessibility from car park Bus Line Tram Line Pedestrian Connectivity Most locals shop at Central Drive to buy one-off goods/ takeaways (only open in the evening) Residential
O
SStrong Focal Point With Blackpool Tower in the skyline, high legibility is created Neglected & Vacant retail frontage Used to be thriving, now in decline after 2008 Crash, now derelict Parked by day trippers 5 minutes walk After/ before getting to her car (10am/7pm) After/ before opening shop (9am/ 5pm)/ (before 5pm) After/ before work (10am/ 6pm)/before 2pm
TNegative Perceptions Worsening reputation for criime & antisocial behaviour & perception of poor quality accommodation across Central Drive SRich Cultural Diversity Culturally diverse neighbourhood & communal infrastructure 10 minutes away
Central Drive Urban Room as Catalyst towards Community Ownership of Blackpool Central
Starling home set back from the traffic and faces blank wall to reduce disturbance yet being a legible feature from the street
fabric room channel rainwater into the existing gutter of old building before being channel into the planter box to be filtered and collected through the extended outfall pipe
fabric roof acts as structural member to hold up the metal frame from moments
2022 Winter 2023Winter Mid March October Illumination-2ndSepttillNewYear Holiday Season Annual Blackpool Carnival - 1-9 July Initiation & Set-up Open Navigate Close Gamestorming towards Community Ownership Identify main concerns, Collect all ideas & variations Experiment- possibilism of alternative vision Examine- observation, analysis & inclusivity Community converge towards running a CLT Operation Dissemination Follow on Setting up community activist group Communicate to public Demolition of Bonny Street Market 7 storey car park completd ConstructionofHeritage Quarter Site Selection Urban mining Document and display output of previous activities Apply for permit & seek collaboration from Council Evaluation to Inform the Council Communal wealth building group established Visitor participations & volunteer hours Opened avenue of communication between UR community & decision makers Paradign shift towards regenerative tourism Open Wednesday till Sunday, 10am-8pm Open Monday till Friday (weekend closed to reduce inundation of tourists) 10am-8pm
Existing sterile street elevation with vacant, derelict and vandalised shopfronts
0.5m N Unsanctioned for immediate reactivation of street Sanctioned to realise permanent change with key decision makers The idea of Tactical Urbanism is translated into a fluid, vibrant and make-shift space that took over a vacant cafe by Central Drive
Street Elevation with urban room which introduces spill-out pocket spaces through temporary structure, planter boxes, seatings and painted surfaces to immediately revitalise the streetfronts
Designed as Nature through Experimental, Provocative Intervention
disperse into loose colonies to roost for the night
Starling Murmuration offer safety in numbers from peregrine falcon to keep warm at night
DIY Starling Homes
Early Spring
boxes put up to prepare for nesting season starting mid March
Mid March
Male lays the base with dry grass & leaves, then Female lines it with fine grasses, moss & feathers
Mid April
Female lay eggs, hatch 12 days later, young fed for 1/2 weeks till independent
To avoid it getting too hot/ wet
Harvest, Reuse, Disassemble
to exchange info on feeding areas
roost and nest in roof spaces of older buildings
(RSPB, 2022)
Starling population has fallen 80% due to shortage of food and resting sites
DIY interlocked exterior quality plywood joint to latch into square metal tubes
Cut lumber to secure the angle of the joint metal bracing with clips to reduce moments of the whole metal frame
Square hollow metal tubes from Bonny Street Market with its patina and rusts retained Detail
50mm
East North
Hole & Eaves to protect from predator & weather
100mm Reclaimed polycarbonate roof sheets with minimal cut from its original pieces Plastic cable ties for a quick temporary installation Plywood Planks sandwich another plank to reduce flapping Upper panels overlap its lower counterpart to prevent water leakage Detail 2
1 Detail 1 Detail 2
Towards Regenerative Tourism in a Post-Anthropocene Scenario
Timebanking
for Tourism Industry
Blackpool Timebanking Institute set up to foster communal well-being & to counter consumption-based economy
Tourism Act
New Materialism
All new built must be 90% self reliance on renewable energy and to provide habitat for natural species based on ecologist’s
Set Up Self-Sufficient Energy Projects
2nd home ownership & Short term lets with existing community banned. All tourists encouraged to credit in some time spent in Blackpool to help the commmunity in exchange for free theme park admission etc
Blackpool City Council worked with academics at Blackpool and The Flyde College to advance Coop sector to form Blackpool Cooperative Development Network
Community Wealth-Building
CLT-owned affordable homes and shops given to underprivileged based on equal representation of local demography- overseen by national body to ensure fairness
Changes in legislation, supply chain and infrastructure to facilitate material salvation & reuse
Garbage = Resources
At least 90% of technical waste in all productions reclaimed and reused as resouces, with clear guidances and incentives on tax reduction provided
Inspired by Preston Model, Blackpool is now a flourishing town of communal stewardship with a tourism system that truly benefits the locality based on democratic localism in a post-capitalist economy
Major Financial Crisis and Economic Recession
Housing market crashes
Large corporation & developer pulled out of Development in Blackpool- most redevelopment halted & abandoned
Theme Parks went into administration
Material Crisis
Persistent war in Ukraine and Supply chain problems due to Brexit and Inflation make importing new materials economically and technically unviable
The Worldwatch Institute declared that the world has run out of 40% of raw building materials
Environmental Crisis
Intensified surface water flooding due to inceased rain fall in winter and 10% of permeable urban surfaces left Stockholm Resilience Centre declared that all Planetary Boundaries have been breached 80% drop in herring gull population since 1986
50m Blackpool Tower Central Pier To Blackpool North Train Station Proposed 100% Electric Bus Services Central Drive CLT Land Biobased Illumination+ Proposed Sites for Illuminated Drone Shows as Catalyst to Revitalise Deprived Areas Material Harvesting Industries Intelligent Building Material Pooling Hub Test Houses for Buildings made of Scavenged Materials Civic Square Retrofitted Grade 3 Listed Buildings New Built made from Scavenged Stocks Coach Station Time-credit Based Theme Parks Park & Ride with wind-farm powered EV charging High Quality Green Space Future Site N Regenerative Tourism based on Democratic Localism- A Vision by 2040 COME & LET OUR REGENERATIVE BLACKPOOL INSPIRE YOUR TOWN! New Progressive Extinction Rebellion Mayor elected for Blackpool Council Triggers towards a Post-Anthropocene Scenario Urban Room 2030 Risk of Gentrification kicks off Buy in from Ordinary Blackpool InhabitantsDemocratic Economy based on Preston Model Community Land Trust Cooperate with Blackpool Council to gain funding and ownership of derelict shop lots & Flats Early Phase of Major Redevelopment Schemes Come to restore health in natural maritime environment Run from Tedious Work in Cotton Mill Factories Class Threshold Visit Blackpool for Popular Entertainments Decline due to International Tourism late1700s 1850s 1900s Northwest Regional Community Bank
local SMEs-
predicaments
Focussing on Family Staycations Support CLTs & Fund Cooperatives
Support
enable financially excluded to borrow money More resilient to
that may face larger banks + increase community cohesion away from capitalism
assessments 2040 Retrofitting of CLT owned Assets along Central Drive to cheaply rent to those at risk of being priced out
Partcipatory Illumination Hub towards Art-based Regeneration of Blackpool Central
Harnessing Blackpool’s Creative Energy for Blackpool’s Community, Businesses and Theme Parks
This radical project, which is land-locked by Central Drive Community Land Trust to retain creative talent from local artists, challenges the existing consumption-based tourism economy in Blackpool by introducing participatory illumination design based on a timebanking mechanism whereby tourists and community alike earn time credit by helping out each other. The embodiment of tactical urbanism means that change happens quickly and experimentally to revitalise the deprived Blackpool Central Drive region and beyond through displaying illuminations on deprived areas to draw attentions of key decision makers.
filtration system has been installed, bathing water quality has been great, now seagulls catch fish instead of eating junks from town. By the way, all these plastic waste will be sold at local upcycling center to be converted into new
Participatory Illumination Hub, with Participatory Workspace being the Main Volume
People & Organisations earn time currency by helping each other Tourist Footfall 3 million footfall 4 million footfall
Artists’ Creativity Tourists’CreativeEnergy Spent on theme parks/ public transport/ learning from community Early January Year-round Illumination as Catalyst to Regenerate Blackpool’s Neighbourhood Mid March April August Early September Mid-October Lightpool Festival It’s such a breath of fresh air to try new things & earn time credit for it! Let’s keep homes and shops affordable against market forces & land-lock them for locals for perpetuity! There is so much communal value and collaboration in material salvaging and reuse, now that new materials are becoming unaffordable These renewed furniture will be exchanged with anchor institutions for old ones / sold to locals
Can’t wait to see the drone shows tonight at Revoe! Enlivening dead steetscape quickly so that
politicians
stagnated
throgh pop-ups Renewing/ Crafting Furniture from Junks Urban Mining Buy-in and Retrofitting by Central Drive Community Land Trust Instantaneous Enjoyment of the fruits of participation in the evening Dismantling, Sorting & Storing Co-designing Illumination Making, Crafting and Erecting Illumination Street Art Artist-led Public Arts to add Vitality of immediate Public Realm Painting Hoardings Guerilla Gardening Local Creative Assets ParticipatoryIlluminationHub CentralDrive Offices & Studio Spaces for local small creative industries Workersowned Pub Illumination Artists’ Studio Light tube for nighttime drone display Roof Garden Time banking hub Shop lots for local small businesses Affordable homes for artists N 20m Central Drive CLT Land Civic Square Grade 3 Listed Buildings Abandoned Construction Sites Struggling Theme Parks Multistorey car Parks Proposed one-way Low Traffic Zone 1. Illumination Switch on- September 2. Ride the Lights- August 3. Lightpool Festival- October 4. Blackpool IlluminationsSeptember till January Illuminations Regional Landmark Local Landmark Frequent Surface Water Flooding Node N
Community’sCreativeEnergy
Since sea
products!
our
see how
development could be tackled
Central Drive
Sharp Centre, Ontario College of Art and Design by Will Alsop
Falkestrasse Rooftop by Coop Himmelbau
Burning Man Festival by Burning Man Project, San Francisco, California
Community Engagements at Predesign + Design Stages The Walking City as inspiration of lifting new addition into the air to free up space below+ view penetrations Save the Views of Grange Park + reconnecting the park to McCaul Street (Ontario Association of Architects, 2020, Sketches by Will Alsop courtesy of aLL Design) Paintings 20000 early promotional postcards People in the neighbourhood given crayons to to draw their vision of the addition Everyone in the college+ alumni asked to write stories about their aspirations of the new addition (Carr, 2009) Key View to Toronto Tower (Herron, 1966) Preserved the Views into the Park Framing Regional Landmark Different Perception and Aspects at Night Steel box clad in pixellated black and white aluminium panels + random coloured window openings to blur the scale 26m 9m 84m Bottom lit by 16 large metal halide bulbs Large steel box trusses 6 pairs of reclaimed steel legs in 3 layers of intumescent coatings Art Studio, teaching, meeting rooms, exhibition, offices Entrance hall Extension of Grange Park Existing College Building as part of history (Carr, 2009, exterior (Carr, 2009, exterior, night view
Precedent Study Committee-like
Precedent Study (Burning Man Project, 2023) (Howarth,2015) Transformative change through deep personal and communal participation Economically deprived area of Northern Nevada Radical self expression from Collaborating Groups Sculptures burnt on the last day of festival (28 August- 5 September) Participation Leaving no trace First decision makers (Carpenter + Landscaper) constructed a wooden man and burnt it on a beach in San Francisco (Burning Man Project, 2019) 1986 1990s Joined my volunteers (carpenters builders), project included members of local Cacophony Society (artists + urban pranksters specialised in interactive events) 3 steering committees manage and lead loose-knit scial networks of friends and volunteers Burning Man’s Organisation formed with tiers of decision-making & levels of consensus formation 1997 An executive committee formed to manage the project (then became Limited Liability Company) 100000 tons of CO2 per year 2019 Began an open source approach to become carbon-negative, ecologically regenerative & sustainably managing waste Illumination made from ocean plastic Sala Beckett Theatre by Flores & Prats An Economical Methodology of Renewed Old (Gomez Moriana, 2019) Reusing Components of old co-op as much as possible (the very ghost that enchants new theatre) Valued Components to be documented & enhanced Architecture of Continuity Transition spaces Reconfigured and opened up Co-op Gym Modern Black Box Theatre
One of the earliest Deconstructivist Architecture- A dramatic loft conversion of a law firm (90sqm meeting room+ small offices+ reception) Ignored all area’s planning regulations on no changing of roofline/ material Justification The design was not architecture, but work of art, therefore cannot be controlled by codes, so long as safety code is followed Controversial Design A new Focal Point A demonstration that radical schemes are possible to be built, contrasting skyline drew a great deal of attention, showing significance for the concept of Deconstructivism Servant Served Visual Control Open, glazed surfaces to allow view & North-West Light Closed, folded linear surfaces to control light and restrict views Winter Sun Summer Sun (Archello, 2023) (Ravenscroft, 2022)
Building Value Analysis towards a Balanced Adaptive Reuse
projects adopts a balanced value-based approach to celebrate various values of the historic quater whilst proposes sensitive, yet radical and legible intervention to accommodate the programmes.
Low Value Moderate Value High Value 1909 Cinematography Act Increased Cinema Construction in Blackpool 1984 Bingo Hall 2011 Vacant & Neglected Night Club Family Entertainment Venue 2028 Purchased by CLT from Council & Converted into Illumination Workshop (Nikal Ltd. and Media Invest Entertainment, 2021) (Cinema Treasures, 2023) 0.5m Former King Edward Picture Theatre The King Edward VII Public House The King Edward Apartments Strengths to Celebrate Fine-grained, Eclectic Composition PrincipalBays Principal Entrance Chapel Street CentralDrive 1. Original ceiling plaster 2. Subdivided glazed tile entrance foyer 3. Pair of Tuscan columns that support an entablature Weaknesses to Rectify Attic floors unused and deteriorating Insensitive Addition 5. A series of ad hoc addition took over rear courtyard 1960s Closure of Central Station removes key aspect of serving the station 1910 Apartment building constructed as accommodation for train crews from Central Station Original building has a uniform facade with commercial purposes on ground floor and 3 floors of accommodation above Addition of crude rooftop floor 1980s Converted into selfcatering holiday flatlets Strengths to Celebrate Facade Detailing brick pilasters with raised bands of dark terracotta Capital below the deep oversailing eaves cornice Flat arches formed in flushed terracotta Small brackets support window cills Weaknesses to Rectify Insensitive Adaptations Overtime Shop Lot Alterations ruins the Uniformity of Original design All original window frames replaced
Low Value Moderate Value High Value Architectural Value Characterises Pre-WWI Blackpool- Signature of Significant Local Architect, John Butcher Mather Chequered Gable Accrington brick with stone coloured dressing Crude floor addition that ruined original barrel volumed auditorium Weaknesses Floral Inspired Craftsmanship Moulded ceiling braces Artistic Value Radical and Provocative Adaptive Reuse through Form Manipulation
The
Form Exploration, Design Development and Experimenting with Provocative Tectonics
Setback A Dynamic, Blossoming and Provocative Landmark of Central Drive First Iteration Second Iteration Illuminate streetscape Reflecting the curve of vaulted timber frame Framing Key View A Radical Local Landmark to Catalyse Regenerative Tourism Daylight Strategy Illumination Strategy Direct and reflected lights from BioIlluminated drones at night Mirrors orientated to reflect sun lights onto Ground Floor Stained Glass More Steel Trusses at the bottom, with some welded connection for maximum strength’ More timber element can be used at higher level (can be layered to increase length) ‘Reclaimed steel can be driven into ground as steel piles’
Design Development of Creative Reuse of Central Drive Historic Quarter
Creative energy from locals and tourists are harnessed for daily spectacle-making by bioluminiscent drones and bio-based public arts that revitalises deprived areas in Blackpool
Increased permeability to back garden and Car Park behind
Colourful Stilts direct attention to new pocket spaces
Solar Penetration Releases Bio-Illuminated drones at night Self Sufficient- solar-harvesting Local Landmark Regional Landmark New form mirrors valued vaulted ceiling 4. Enhancing Circulation & Egress Routes 5. Additional Observation Deck to Create a Spectacle on Street Level Blackpool Tower Framing the views Positive Space 6. Relation to Surrounding through Openings Morning Sun Openings allow diffused light to hit facade of old Picture Theatre and Ground Level Welcoming public to go upstairs Summer sun shaded Winter sun admitted 7. Dynamic energy of Frames on Key Openings 8. Adding Dynamic Characters to Existing Facade Additional Co-working Spaces 9. Increasing Street Vitality & Liveliness New Entry Point into the Apartment Extended outward to increase the tension on linear streetscape Variation with tensional emphasis
1. Ad hoc, hasty & insensitive modifications removed to reveal the original visions of architect
2. Addition on Stilts to Contrast with surroundings & free up spaces below
3. Stimulating the Senses through Eccentric Form & Illuminations
Reconfigure served and servant zones Illuminating Main Facade Dialogue between old and new
A Multicolour Fabric of Solar Energy-Generating Reclaimed Windows Facade
Experimenting on various Colour Combinations & Lighting Effects
Injecting Tinges of Vibrancy onto a Lacklustre Palette
Sequenced and somewhat flourescent blue, purple, yellow and pink palettes against the rusty red palette to represent the collective synergy of the creative energy in transforming the degenerative status quo into a post-consumption new economy. Light Tube as an interior and street-level landmark in the day and at night to stimulate contribution of creative energy from the community through vibrant colours and a makeshift aesthetic from scavenged stocks. It releases bioluminiscent drones at night for light shows around Blackpool.
Precedent on Dye-sensitised Solar Cells
First Multicoloured Semitransparent Dye solar Cell Facade in Swiss Tech Convention Centre Option 1 Making a clear distinction between old and new through detached verticality of red tones Option 2 Slow transition from rusty palettes of Historic buildings at the bottom to a contrasting shades of turquoise Option 3 Scattered palettes to dematerialise the mass of the tower to harmonise with immediate colour tones Diffused light through facadeOption 1 chosen as it translates the lighting concept best (Herzog, Krippner and Lang, 2017, p. 319, Cross Section) Steel Facade Support Double Glazing Anodised Aluminium Cover Hollow SS Dual glass solar panels in anodised aluminium frame (Beciri, 2013) 1400 solar modules on west facade, 2-3kWp Output Choice of colouration based on printing processes 35cm 50cm 13x2cm wide strip of Gratzel cells Mimic the principle of photosynthesis in plants Parallel connection allows mix panel types and sizes Installed in various angles without losing efficiency (Solaronix, 2014)
World’s
Old Single Glazed Windows loaned from Material Pooling Hub Window frame fitted with muticoloured semi-transparent solar cell panels Reclaimed Window Facade 10 1 11 Gaps filled with small wood panels 5 12 3 4 3 4 3 5 7 6 4 3 1 Main Facade Colour Palette Signage Colour Palette Edge Colour Palette Colour Mapping of Historic Quarter to be Interpreted into Lighting Concept
Equinox (March)
(21 June) 12:00pm, Azimuth: 177 °, Elevation: 12 °
Daytime Lighting Strategy Summer
Strategy Mirrors orientated to reflect sun lights onto Ground Floor 12:00pm, Azimuth: 148°, Elevation: 56 ° 9:00am, Azimuth: 96°, Elevation: 34° Participatory Illumination Workshop 5:00pm, Azimuth: 257°, Elevation: 38° Users’ Intensity Summer School Engagements + Tourists Illumination Exhibition at night Illumination Incubation & Prototyping Studio Users’ Intensity Hot-desking for Illumination Artists Spring 9:00pm, Azimuth: 124°, Elevation: 22° Autumn 9:00pm, Azimuth: 113°, Elevation: 16° Spring 12:00pm, Azimuth: 173 °, Elevation: 35° Autumn 12:00pm, Azimuth: 160°, Elevation: 34° Users’ Intensity in Spring Users’ Intensity in Autumn Illumination Exhibition Preparation Spring 12:00pm, Azimuth: 173 °, Elevation: 35° Autumn 5:00pm, Azimuth: 253°, Elevation: 11° Participate in Lightpool Festival Final Touch-up for Lightpool Festival Community Initiatives such as Furniture making & Guerilla Gardening workshop Local Arts & Crafts Exhibition Users’ Intensity Brainstorming through Gamestorming + Illumination Concept
(21 December) 10:00am, Azimuth: 150°, Elevation: 7° 1:00pm, Azimuth: 191°, Elevation: 12° Users’ Intensity Indoor Illumination Exhibition Illumination co-making Users’ Intensity Designing / maintaining Illuminations Projected colours Participatory Illumination Workshop Illumination Incubation & Prototyping Studio
Equinox (September) Daylight
Winter
Starling Murmurations as Biomimetic Inspiration for Light Spectacles
Appearance
Movements of Illuminated Drones
Users’ Intensity
Nighttime Lighting Strategy Changing
via
Illumination Incubation & Prototyping Studio
creations
Partying
Socialising and exhibition of today’s
Socialising/
Late-night working/ brain-storming Movie-night/ Puppet show....
1. Bio-illuminiscent drones + Downlights
Lighting Concept
1. Preparation
2. Flying drones without downlights
3. LED Flood Lighting + Downlights
2. Overture
to Perform
3. Outbound
Starlings copy each other with small speed fluctuations Each bird keeps track of 7 neighbours Separation Alignment Rising from the tower Tavelling to spot of light performance Spectacles co-designed by artists and tourists Photobacterium bacteria- Output brightness of 25 lm/ sqm- Light pollution well-controlled to keep drones visible at night sky Magnetic charging case Sleeve to protect marine birds Flying motion makes bacteria glow consistently (Stinson, 2015)
A New Urban Vernacular Focussing on Material Salvation and Reuse
Transforming Value in Old Materials Present on Site & Nearby Demolition into New Value
To work within the planetary boundaries, most resources are salvaged and reused from Blackpool town itself under a new salvage economy, with a minimal extracted from the rest of UK
Steel Universal Beams, Columns, Hollow square section, C shape & L shape sections (0-300m, Storage + Cleaning + Testing)
Reclaimed uPVC windows (1km, Sorting+ Storing+ Cleaning+ Assembling)
Harvest Sites +1km transport 2 3 4
1. Central Picture Theatre Adaptive Reuse: 2030
2. Old Police Station & Majistrate Court Demolition: 2026
3. St Chadd’s Hotel Demolition: 2024
4. The Big Wheel on Central Pier Replacement: 2024
(0km,
Crushed Concrete Floors reuse in Ring Beam Foundation Mix
Storage +
Testing)
Steel trusses columns (600m, Storage + Cleaning+ Testing)
Tinted Glass Panel (300m + Storage) Metal Fencing (300m + Storage+ Cleaning+ Bending)
Reclaimed
Reclaimed Structural Timber Studs & Floorboards (1km, Grading+ Cleaning) 3000 100 200 1800 100 100 2100 100 150 2000 100 47
Mineral Fibre Insulation (1km, Grading+ Cleaning)
Undamaged
Reclaimed Tinted Glass Panel
Undamaged Mineral Fibre Insulation
Metal fencing
Communal Participation in Keeping Plastic in Technical Circular Economy
Central Drive Urban Room also acts as Household PVC Collection Hub
Reduced tax on labour enables Scavenge Company to salvage PVC window frames, downpipes and gutters economically
Shredded PVC Toxin-free additives to strengthen the product
Powered by Offshore Wind Farm Powered by Offshore Wind Farm
Sent to local Plastic Upcycling Centre
Household PVC Waste Sorted based on Colours
Reuse
Metal Clip as fastener onto reclaimed fence
Recycled again and again for the same end use/ end use of similar values at the end of its lifespan
PVC Shredded into 5mm wide pieces
Warm Colour Cool Colour Neutral Colour
Material Passport
Direct physical tagging of characteristics and certification of PVC shingles as robust measures for rapidly changing future
C2C Certified
Mono-material components to prevent Monstrous Hybrid
Mechanical Fastening of Individual PVC Shingles Panel to Faciliate Salvageability, Repair and Replacement
Precedent on 100% Recycled PVC Shingles
Cladding Tiles made from 100% Recycled PVC Construction Waste by Dutch studios Overtreders W and Bureau SLA (Pretty Plastic, 2023)
Hung from a single screw
First Permanent Application on a Music Pavilion in the Netherlands (Crook, 2020)
Assembling PVC shingles as a fun and interactive activity to foster Community’s sense of Project Ownership
C2C Certification
Full capacity to be returned to a technical process (MBDC, 2023)
BIM contains information on life-cycle care from material level to entire building
Reusable PVC Shingles
Class B Fire Rating, suitable for external facade
PVC windows & drainpipes collected from demolition sites
Sorted & shredded into 5mm wide pieces
Shipped to Belgium to be transformed into shingles by a company that makes materials from recycled plastics
Temporary Application in People’s Pavilion as Prototype (Frearson, 2017)
Material Salvation and Reuse- A Balanced Making Do and Getting by Methodology
Transforming Materials Present On Site
Aesthetic and Materiality of new intervention are positively influenced by the characteristics of old components
Asphalt + Aggregate Calcium Carbonate Wood Flour
Transformed Asphalt Pavements
Moulded on similar size and thicknesses as existing pedestrian pavements
Curing for 72 hours at ambient temperaturev
Material Passport as Aesthetic Expression
Markers such as stamps on pavements express the documentation of the materials explicitly.
Removing Impermeable asphalt paving on Central Drive to be reconfigured
Collaboration with Demolition Company
Agree with demolition company to extract mineral wool insulation, timber studs and floor boards prior to destructive demolition
Old Mineral Fibre Insulation inspected, labelled and collected in bags
Allow a Greater Margin for Performance of Old Materials
Excess Materials documented and stored in Material Pooling Hub
Undamaged Reclaimed Mineral Fibre Insulation
A Full Material Logs for the building + Guidance for Deconstruction
New Machine-paved Central Drive Enables Ground Water Recharge, improves surface water drainage & blends into the intimate scales and textures of street frontages
Precedent on Tranforming Older Materials
Tarmac Slice (Will Yates-Johnson, 2015)
Old Mineral Fibre Insulation placed in the gaps in the wooden pallets, then complemented by extra layer of Cellulose Insulation outside
Tarmac+ Aggregate (Will Yates-Johnson’s MA Work in Royal College of Art)
Polyspolia:
A proposed concept of retaining material resources and made older materials visible to users to challenge society’s expectations for newness
All pieces
Cast into mold + Natural fillers Broken up
Endless cycle of Reuse
A Methodical Approach to Urban Mining
Energy & Financial Savings
1kg New Steel 1.53 kgCO2e
1kg Recycled Steel 0.4 kgCO2e
1kg Reused Steel 0.03 kgCO2e
£187- 313/ tonne cheaper
(Gorgolewski, 2018)
Supply Chain Integration
Stimulating a reused structural steel market through an online information portal (Gorgolewski, 2018)
Reclaimed Timber Pallets, Floorboards, Framing and Studs
Intelligent Material Pooling Hubs
Construction companies share access to a collective storage of technical nutrients, pooling information and purchasing power (Gorgolewski,
Detailed Guidance
Procedures for testing at nesrby suitable test houses
Predictive full size prototype to test how bolted and welded steel trusses of various dimension and types resist moments and tortional forces
A database of all structural model to make steel traceable when the building is deconstructed
Meanwhile, most modular assemblies out of scavenged stocks are safe and simple enough to be fabricated in Nearby Depots, providing work opportunities and social engagements to the community
Inteligent
3D Scanning to Streamline Timber Grading
Sorting and Grading waste wood made easier to reduce
Timber Pallets reused as internal studwork for walls
Reclaimed Structural Steel Sections
Store Loan Return
Light Tube as Celebration of Material Salvation
A Dynamic Spectacle of Lights and Colours
Light Tube as an interior and street-level landmark in the day and at night to stimulate contribution of creative energy from the community through vibrant colours and a make-shift aesthetic from scavenged stocks. It releases bioluminiscent drones at night for light shows around Blackpool too.
Structural Appraisal of New Addition- Composite Welded+ Bolted Steel Truss System
Existing Building Primary Trusses
Secondary Trusses Service Core
Light Tube as Columns
0.5m 1.0m Welded steel plate 1. Higher Part of Tower 2. Middle Part of Tower 3. Lower Part of Tower 1 2 3 Greater Stength Higher Density of Wood Grain Lesser Defects More balanced moisture content Structural Timber Grading
Fabrication in Modules 3 Layers of Epoxy Intumescent Coatings Shop-applied (White on Outermost Layer) Steel Columns
and
in light tube Simple bolts and nuts connection to ease deconstruction Reversible Connections Final touches of intumescent paint applied on unavoidable damages Section of Light Tube Removed Materials documented and stored in Material Pooling Hub
Off-site
graded
reused
A Local Landmark of Community Ownership
Contrasting new addition above Central Drive as a statement to transform status quo of consumption-based tourism into a participatory one whilst celebrating and modernising the historic red brick quarter
Local community is busy giving opinions on the ongoing development through a 1:200 model of existing & future buildings
Weekly meeting to oversee delegation of affordable housing to artists & land-locked shops to small businesses
Association
As a photographer, Steve volunteered to record videos explaining Blackpool Time-Banking scheme to be uploaded onto social media
250mm Addition Enhancement Removal Ground Floor 1 N 3rd Floor 4th Floor Long Section Short Section 1. Civic Square 2. Family Bioluminiscent Workshop 3. Co-design Hub / New Urban Room 4. Illumination Workspace 5. Office 6. Tool Station 7. M&E 8. Store 9. Service Lane 10. Spill-out from Cafe 2 3 4 5 6 8 7 9 10 11. Illumination Design 12. Carving & Prototyping 13. Drone Display Design 14. Light Tube 11 12 13 14 15. Time banking Hub 16. Illumination Design Forum 17. Observation Deck 15 16 17
Come Bank in a bit of your time for Free Tourism & More!
Steve, Concerned Citizen
Central
Region Co-design Hub Community Land Trust Meeting Room above Main Entrance Time Banking Hub Central Drive Community Land Trust Board 4 Residents of CLT Land + 4 Residents of Central Blackpool + 4 Stakeholders
Investors/ Blackpool
Housing
living in
Drive
of Social
Council/
A Bottom-up Participatory Tourism-making for All
Artists are busy translating community and tourists’ visions into drone shows and new Street Art Installations
In the artist’s affordable home, party wall opens up for shared child care
CLT-owned Homes for the Artists Community Illumination Design Studio
Matt, Local Illumination Artist Molly, Tourist from Manchester
Park& Ride here gives free EV charging & incentive for electric buses!
In return for affordable homes, artists contribute to regional vitality that responds to local needs such as giving lessons on clay moulding for kids overseeing the workshop space
Herring Gull, Endangered Species
Steve Herring gull Matt Molly
Offshore windfarm filter & deacidify seawater
Nesting Spaces
Shortfall
Time-banking based tourism to benefit locality and inspire other towns
Multistorey parkings behind as Park & Ride Family Bioluminiscent Workshop
Small Fish is aplenty now that coastal ecosystem has been restored by land stewardship community groups
Population of herring gull has gone back to equilibrium as society values non-human stakeholders
1. Planted Ditch to recharge surface ground water
2. Civic Square
3. Foyer
4. Family Bioluminiscent Workshop
5. Illumination Workspace
6. Service Lane
7. Materials and Tools Storage
8. Pantry
9. CLT Meeting Room
10. Illumination Studio
11. Observation Deck
12. Time-banking Hub
13. Illumination Design Forum
New Built provides niches for marine birds
Low cost housing and shop lots land locked by CLT
Tactical Urbanism as key to influence Political decision makers
Bioilluminiscent paint on moulded clay for a quick, fun and biodegradable spectacle at night
1.0m
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Long Section
Holistic Whole Building Approach
Good Airtightness and Vapour Permeability in Relation to Adaptability of Historic fabric + Continuous Thermal
Stack Effect in summer- 8m above highest roof point at least 19°C Exhaust Outlet Thin Film Solar Panels Infrared Heating Panels Underfloor Space Heating Geothermal Piling Thermal Stores Heat Pumps Monocrystalline PV Panels Junction Box Defrost Unit Heater Battery Fabric Ducting Diffuser South 30° 30° South-facing to cope with increased energy demand in the afternoon due to higher user intensity Powered by Solar Energy Air Intake Heat from Cafe Kitchen Heat from people in workshop Clear and easy-touse interface with Customised user manual for users to monitor and maintain MVHR system Adaptive Thermal Comfort - Good Natural Ventilation + MVHR to Avoid Overheating Winter Heat Recovery Exhaust Intake Defrost Unit Exhaust Intake Summer Bypass + Cooling 9° 0° 30° 35°
Prevailing Westerly Summer Wind Operable window to allow Cross Ventilation Adaptive Thermal Comfort - Good Natural Ventilation + MVHR to Avoid Overheating Stack Ventialtion MVHR Structural Thermal Break for Steel Framing System Mitigating Thermal Bridging Activity Level Temperature Needed Building Illumination Design Tasks on Desktop Brainstorming & Discussion Winter 18°C 21°C South Building Illumination Brainstorming & Discussion Design Tasks on Desktop Tinted Dye Sensitised PV to trap heat from Winter sun Correlation of Heating Requirements with Activity Level Space Heating Demand 10 W/m2 Peak Demand 8 W/m2 Peak Demand Heating Users Directly & Effectively Suspended Infrared Heating Panels Hidden LED Strip Correlation of Heating Requirements with Activity Level Optimised Airtightness 1 m3/m2hr at 50 Pa 5 m3/m2hr at 50 Pa 2.5 m3/m2hr at 50 Pa
Insulation Historic Breathable Fabric with Minimal Alteration Historic Breathable Fabric with Deep Retrofit New Addition with Breathable Construction Lime Plasterboard Lime pargecoat plaster Airtight sealant tape on
to
Zoning to
cold temperature Communal Spaces Oriented to South Toilets face North Exposed North Walls Insulated Winter Sun Penetration Summer Sun Shaded
junctions
be plastered over
prevent overheating/
50 mm gap for birds
Reusable PVC shingles fitted onto reclaimed metal fence service void Plywood OSB board with airtight sealed joints Bolted + welded composite metal truss system
Acetylised MDF
100mm
Elastomeric bitumen roofing with gutter
North Light
Annealled
Tiles made from pulverised demolised waste nearby
Fabric ducting diffuses fresh air from heat recovery unit
EPS insulation
100mm Existing Features
Sprayed-on cellulose insulation
Scavenged Mineral fibre insulation
Recycled plastic shingles clipped onto bent salvaged galvanised steel fences
Breathable wood fibreboard insulation
Exposed Cable tray housing office lighting and MVHR ducting
Lime pargecoat
Breather membrane
Timber roof sheathing board with airtight sealed joints
Blown In breathable cellulose insulation
Waterproof sheeting
Blown In breathable wood fibre insulation
Breather membrane Untreated plywood panels
Brickwall repointed with lime plaster
Breathable paint on lime plasterboard
500mm
laminated glass panel + doubleglazed unit
White powder based clay paint to project colours
in existing wall void
Existing Features Continuous Insulation Airtightness Lines
Nurturing a Wider Systemic Health
Sustainable Urban Drainage System Localised Planter Boxes Grouped Plants with Sequential Flowering Educational Signs Permeable Demolished Concrete sourced in-situ + Compact Stone Dust Recharge Ground Water Table Extended Overflow Slow release to Combined Sewer Pipeline Planted Filter Ditch- 0.5m deep Native Uncut Grass for Wildlife Rain Garden evoke footprint of previous Train Tracks Simple Water Butt for Landscape Irrigation Low Carbon Heating & Ventilation MVHR Heat Recovery Unit Fabric Ducting PV Panels to power heat pumps Thermal Store Grey Water Cistern for Flushing Grey Water Tank Participatory Illumination Making Bio-Illuminant Bacteria Creative Energy from Artists & Tourists Co-design through Public Consultation Time-Credit Mechanism for Post-Consumption Tourism Dye-sensitised Solar Cells to power Daily Nighttime Drone Shows Demonstrating Circular Economy of Technical Waste through Scavanging + retrofit Nesting Space for Herring Gulls (May- August) Illumination Committees Brain-storming+ Collaboration with local designers Local Resilience Tactical Urbanism Central Drive Community Land Trust Affordable Housing for Artists to work on Illumination + Street Art Studio + Offices for budding Creative Industry Co-op Cafe Guerilla Gardening Street Art Social JusticeEmbedded Transportation Existing Multistorey Carpark as Charging Hub for EVs Park & Ride LowCarbon Street 100% Electric Bus Services along Central Drive Powered by Offshore Wind-Farm off Blackpool Coast North-West Community Bank Time-banking for locals Geothermal Piling Thin Film PV Panels Illumination Committee Pedestrian, Cyclist & Public TransportCentric Creative Contribution CLT Dye-sensitised Solar Cells to power Display Drones Guerilla Gardening Planted Ditches Recharging Groundwater Sustainable Urban Drainage System Social JusticeEmbedded Transportation Participatory Illumination Making Local Resilience Low Carbon Heating & Ventilation 90% dependant on solar energy