Secondary focus old co-op
A green wall facade across the passageway could create a bold landmark to attract people to the courtyard space.
Tree on roof
Opening takes advantage of another classic view
This visual represents Dudley High Street re-imagined; a new vision of a re-wilded, food-centric town centre. The green canopy will begin as a frame that will encourage the growth of plants. Smaller scale units will be integrated at the start and build towards the final vision.
Water Collection
With this information I can begin to map out 1038m2 of miyawaki forests.
It is crucial that the forests do not use more water than stored as then the project isn’t zero carbon as it would require fresh water. It is important that the water collected is sufficient for this project to work. This data also provides the information to how much storage is required on the site.
Motif / sign above G.P. Footwear not seen before
Buddleia and ferns growing in the guttering reaching for the sky
Localised Green Spaces
Here I begin to locally map Dudley, identifying its potential for green space for planting or PV panels. There is a huge potential here with up to 22,855m2 of flat roofs directly looking onto the high street. As well as the potential for a street takeover.
This map is only a theoretical analysis of a utopian idea; however, even if a small percentage of the green space highlighted became an area for planting, that is a success.
Limitation to rooftop planting would be based on the structural qualities of the existing structure. It would be wrong to say that these would be suitable with the additional weight.
Old shop sign
Small tree growing next to wall, high up
Dudley Market pictured in May 1982
Water pouring from broken downpipe
Tiny shrub on top of church
Secondary focus old cinema
The image shows what this space could look like as a productive landscape. Where all the space is used. Vertical growing space can be utilised for pollinators for heights out of human range and for fruit and herbs in the lower regions that lie within our grasp. Trees can provide shelter, pollen and fruit, as can shrubs.
Decaying paint / wall above shops
Slooow peeling of cladding on 1st + 2nd storeys of bldg
This gift is made of cardboard and acrylic. A map of the High Street is drawn on the acrylic sheet, and the distribution of buildings and roads are drawn on different acrylic sheets. Through my research, I know that the annual precipitation rate in Dudley is very high, but from the photo, there is no place to block the rain beside the buildings on the street, so I want to add the element of the poncho and make it transparent, so that it will not block the sun, and it is also more convenient for people to travel.
LAYERS TO THE HIGH STREET - To introduce covered, sheltered areas on the high street. Making the high street welcoming for the entire family and adding topographical value to the high street that is visually interesting. Adding another layer to the high street that will encourage exploring spaces for children as well as adults.
Up high buddleia + fern waving in gentle breeze
Top floor - Represents social decay + the action in response
Top Church spire focal point
Sketch view of Dudley High Street
The classic Dudley view up to spire of Top Church