Mediating the Tensions in a Divided Tunstall

Cosmic Chirpac, Diploma, The Cass School of Architecture, 2019

Tutors: Takero Shimazaki and Summer Islam

Sketch for Proposed Rear Elevation

Sketch for Proposed Rear Elevation

Student’s Project Description (extract)

To understand the issues that Tunstall is facing today it is valuable to point out the contrasting description of past and present which occurs very often throughout research of the place. If the past is defined by positive growth and opportunity, the present is mainly an unfortunate outcome…

However, most public buildings have no functional use today. Rossi writes: ’Sometimes these artefacts persist virtually unchanged, endowed with a continuous vitality; other times they exhaust themselves, and then only the permanence of their form, their physical sign, their locus remains.’

The decline of the town is vividly apparent through the current refurbishment plans of the former Town Hall. Since the library was unfortunate enough to find itself on the wrong side of town, the council therefore believes it should be relocated 100m across the A road. There is a mounting pressure of reoccupying the town hall, as it has been built by public subscription the town demands it has a public function…

Existing Elevation Analysis Drawing

Existing Elevation Analysis Drawing

Model showing the Market at the rear of the Town Hall

Model showing the Market at the rear of the Town Hall

Site Analysis

Site Analysis

Historical Precedent: Threshold Study of Chiesa di San Sabastiano by Leon Battista Alberti

Historical Precedent: Threshold Study of Chiesa di San Sabastiano by Leon Battista Alberti

Proposed sequence of opening up the existing facade and grafting on new construction.

Proposed sequence of opening up the existing facade and grafting on new construction.

Timber model of proposed new lintel

Timber model of proposed new lintel

Sketch of proposed Vestibule on Market facade

Sketch of proposed Vestibule on Market facade

Proposal to open up the ground floor of the Town Hall to connect it to Market at the rear

Proposal to open up the ground floor of the Town Hall to connect it to Market at the rear

Worm’s eye drawing of proposed interface between existing columns and new construction.

Worm’s eye drawing of proposed interface between existing columns and new construction.

Proposed Re-configured Town Hall and Market in context

Proposed Re-configured Town Hall and Market in context

Proposed Market Elevation

Proposed Market Elevation