Dudley Time Portal

Items tagged: Potential
Localising Material Accessibility During my initial walk through the High Street of Dudley, I noticed an inevitable decline in the area. There were vacant shops, but those open had apparent facade damage. For the area to thrive, there needs to be an aesthetical uplift. Here I began to question how to make the repairs. On the one hand, one could complete a like for like repair with a deep clean to provide a new lease of life to achieve an aesthetical value. Alternatively, the repairs could be a status of where the street aims to be in the future. To achieve a statement, the implementation of repair work needs to stand out. It needs to be futuristic, a bold contrast to the existing. At this point, I decided that after being informed of the damage the built environment has on the climate crisis, only carbon zero/ carbon sequestering materials would be present during repairs. This does not aim to destroy existing buildings but instead carefully implement repairs creating a patchwork effect across the street. This would then grow over time as more repair work is required. Over time, the high street would transform into a zero-carbon environment. The manufacturing and growth of these materials need to be local, so consideration is vital. This provides an opportunity for the site to be a material producer itself. - Ryan Cooksey Ban Materials.png
Localising Material Accessibility During my initial walk through the High Street of Dudley, I noticed an inevitable decline in the area. There were vacant shops, but those open had apparent facade damage. For the area to thrive, there needs to be an aesthetical uplift. Here I began to question how to make the repairs. On the one hand, one could complete a like for like repair with a deep clean to provide a new lease of life to achieve an aesthetical value. Alternatively, the repairs could be a status of where the street aims to be in the future. To achieve a statement, the implementation of repair work needs to stand out. It needs to be futuristic, a bold contrast to the existing. At this point, I decided that after being informed of the damage the built environment has on the climate crisis, only carbon zero/ carbon sequestering materials would be present during repairs. This does not aim to destroy existing buildings but instead carefully implement repairs creating a patchwork effect across the street. This would then grow over time as more repair work is required. Over time, the high street would transform into a zero-carbon environment. The manufacturing and growth of these materials need to be local, so consideration is vital. This provides an opportunity for the site to be a material producer itself.
Diagram Map Aesthetic Architecture Biodiversity Change Climate Community Connection Creatures Decay Doughnut Future Growing Identity Imagination Industry Material Nature Opportunity Pollution Potential Regenerative Sustainable System Transport
A green wall facade across the passageway could create a bold landmark to attract people to the courtyard space. - 1_zvyI4boskcIdwDPq-6EbUw.png
A green wall facade across the passageway could create a bold landmark to attract people to the courtyard space.
Drawing Imagining Actions Aesthetic Agency Care Change Colour Community Creativity Creatures Curiosity Difference Food Future Growing High Imagination Interacting Invitations Life Nature Opportunity People Plantlife Potential Views
Extrapersonnel is for rent - so there might be a NEW shop comeing - 210730 1600 New.jpg
Extrapersonnel is for rent - so there might be a NEW shop comeing
Text Cloudy Wet Consumption Future New Ownership Potential
Nurturing AgroEcology in Urban Life A strategy for living alongside food production A critical part of the climate crisis is the degradation of soil, leading to scientists predicting the UK has approximately 100 harvests left of stable crop production. As an attempt to address the problem this project will explore the possibility of integrating sustainable agriculture into an urban setting, reducing the strain on agricultural land, reducing food miles and widening city biodiversity. Taking guidance from the farming movement, ‘Agroecology,’ a climate conscious, wildlife supporting and community engaged closed loop system will be developed, combining traditional growing with technology driven techniques that will support each other to produce a diverse plate. Dudley High Street will be the focal point, reinvented as a destination not just for the purchase and consumption of food but also its creation, driven by the needs and engagement of local people. Connecting the community to the food they eat. - Annabel Linch 1.png
Nurturing AgroEcology in Urban Life A strategy for living alongside food production A critical part of the climate crisis is the degradation of soil, leading to scientists predicting the UK has approximately 100 harvests left of stable crop production. As an attempt to address the problem this project will explore the possibility of integrating sustainable agriculture into an urban setting, reducing the strain on agricultural land, reducing food miles and widening city biodiversity. Taking guidance from the farming movement, ‘Agroecology,’ a climate conscious, wildlife supporting and community engaged closed loop system will be developed, combining traditional growing with technology driven techniques that will support each other to produce a diverse plate. Dudley High Street will be the focal point, reinvented as a destination not just for the purchase and consumption of food but also its creation, driven by the needs and engagement of local people. Connecting the community to the food they eat.
Drawing Imagining Map Architecture Biodiversity Climate Community Connection Consumption Craft Creativity Creatures Food Growing Imagination Life Making Material Nature Opportunity People Plantlife Pollution Potential Regenerative Soil Sustainable System Technology
The yellow canary of the mines, a symbol of protection for miners spending time in highly polluted areas. The yellow lichen becomes the new symbol for Dudley, protecting inhabitants through carbon sequestration & clean air. - Michelle Gartside Concept Collage.png
The yellow canary of the mines, a symbol of protection for miners spending time in highly polluted areas. The yellow lichen becomes the new symbol for Dudley, protecting inhabitants through carbon sequestration & clean air.
Collage Drawing Imagining Model Air Architecture Community Creatures Growing Imagination Industry Life Light Nature Opportunity Plantlife Pollution Potential Safety Water
For Colab Dudley, I baked a model that ties into the final proposal. Food is a huge part of history and culture and part of Dudley’s history and culture is using what food there is available. Bread is cheap and easy to make, so is found in many traditional black country dishes. I foraged for edible plants in my garden and neighbourhood and built hanging baskets and islands to show in an abstract way how public space could be more productive and beautiful. They were a tasty treat and a sustainable model! - 0_jsAY5I0mxLugFHbT.png
For Colab Dudley, I baked a model that ties into the final proposal. Food is a huge part of history and culture and part of Dudley’s history and culture is using what food there is available. Bread is cheap and easy to make, so is found in many traditional black country dishes. I foraged for edible plants in my garden and neighbourhood and built hanging baskets and islands to show in an abstract way how public space could be more productive and beautiful. They were a tasty treat and a sustainable model!
Model Text Thought Beauty Creativity Culture Food Gift Imagination Making Past Plantlife Potential Taste
Building Deterioration There was a familiar aesthetic regarding the buildings during the initial site visit to Dudley High Street. However, a large proportion of the façades that look onto the street have noticeable damage, graffiti or structural issues. With that said, these images (right) are an insight into some of the damage. If the local authorities saw the high street as a priority, then damages and aesthetics would have been resolved and fixed. However, as there are multiple damages, this assumes that this high street is not one authority wish to preserve. That said, this opens an opportunity. Instead of being a conservationist and repairing these buildings to their former glory, why not make them a statement piece within the high street. Possibly by placing a blanket ban on all of the current materials seen on the street. Instead, any repairs must be in Zero carbon / Carbon negative materials. This could then become an educational street with great architectural character. Both combined may increase the high streets footfall. The first step would be to highlight any listed buildings or monuments within the high street. - Ryan Cooksey Building Deterioration.png
Building Deterioration There was a familiar aesthetic regarding the buildings during the initial site visit to Dudley High Street. However, a large proportion of the façades that look onto the street have noticeable damage, graffiti or structural issues. With that said, these images (right) are an insight into some of the damage. If the local authorities saw the high street as a priority, then damages and aesthetics would have been resolved and fixed. However, as there are multiple damages, this assumes that this high street is not one authority wish to preserve. That said, this opens an opportunity. Instead of being a conservationist and repairing these buildings to their former glory, why not make them a statement piece within the high street. Possibly by placing a blanket ban on all of the current materials seen on the street. Instead, any repairs must be in Zero carbon / Carbon negative materials. This could then become an educational street with great architectural character. Both combined may increase the high streets footfall. The first step would be to highlight any listed buildings or monuments within the high street.
Photo Aesthetic Architecture Broken Climate Decay Learning Material Opportunity Past Potential Sustainable
Stepping Stone 4 adds layers to the High Street. Like the other visions, we wanted to use CoLab Dudley’s principles ‘use nature as a guidebook’ and ‘create conditions for curiosity and experimentation’. The main way we proposed to do this was adding a green canopy to provide shelter, create a hybrid indoor outdoor space welcoming to families and a more communal open space, and support ecosystems. - 1_LproE6m65nkUvUNOhgvtwg.png
Stepping Stone 4 adds layers to the High Street. Like the other visions, we wanted to use CoLab Dudley’s principles ‘use nature as a guidebook’ and ‘create conditions for curiosity and experimentation’. The main way we proposed to do this was adding a green canopy to provide shelter, create a hybrid indoor outdoor space welcoming to families and a more communal open space, and support ecosystems.
Drawing Map Access Actions Agency Care Change Colour Commerce Community Consumption Curiosity Economics Emotion Fairness Food Future Growing Health Imagination Interacting Invitations Layer Life Lingering Nature Opportunity Ownership People Plantlife Potential Shelter Stillness Unused
Things we wish we could tell you - 211110 1730 Hiding 3.png
Things we wish we could tell you
Drawing Text Chilled Evening Future Hiding Imagination Potential Stories
In this post, we captured the street’s atmosphere filled with colour, activity, and pedestrianised streets. (We decided to present our narrative through social media and instagram posts as we wanted to showcase what individual experiences might be like when experiencing the future High Street. Each of our posts captures a different element of experience on the High Street to form a collective scenario.) - 1_xiDPYDn8mSA_q0UYxmK9Zg.png
In this post, we captured the street’s atmosphere filled with colour, activity, and pedestrianised streets. (We decided to present our narrative through social media and instagram posts as we wanted to showcase what individual experiences might be like when experiencing the future High Street. Each of our posts captures a different element of experience on the High Street to form a collective scenario.)
Collage Drawing Imagining Actions Change Colour Community Creativity Culture Curiosity Difference Emotion Food Friendliness Future Imagination Interacting Invitations Life Making Memory Moving Opportunity People Potential Sounds Stories Taste Views
Folklore or myths? Myth - that the High Street is just about shops - more homes likely to emerge. - 211110 1730 Homes.png
Folklore or myths? Myth - that the High Street is just about shops - more homes likely to emerge.
Text Cold Future Homes Imagination Opportunity Ownership People Potential
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. - 1_8oJ0eISAIDZ0uX4_VksliQ.png
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.
Collage Imagining Abundance Access Big Things Change Food Future Growing High Imagination Layer Life Lingering Material Nature Opportunity People Plantlife Potential Regenerative Relaxing Shelter Sustainable Views
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. - Ryan Cooksey Water 1.png
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.
Count Diagram Map Text Growing High Material Nature Opportunity Plantlife Potential Regenerative Sustainable System Waste Water
TAKING BACK OWNERSHIP - To utilise the empty spaces and units on the high street with a place to celebrate the local institutions work. A space to help build a stronger connection within the community, creating a sense of fulfilment with the people of Dudley. - 1_9JgTintaUr7IOK9b6A515Q.png
TAKING BACK OWNERSHIP - To utilise the empty spaces and units on the high street with a place to celebrate the local institutions work. A space to help build a stronger connection within the community, creating a sense of fulfilment with the people of Dudley.
Collage Imagining Agency Change Community Connection Creativity Future Happiness Imagination Opportunity Ownership People Potential Unused
These are stepping stones that we wanted to achieve, with a scale of intervention, starting with small changes that could still have a big impact e.g. street furniture. At the other end of the scale is topography, where larger adaptations can be made for what we want to achieve. - 1_aCYWhkx_P64AMPeLQJIBqw.png
These are stepping stones that we wanted to achieve, with a scale of intervention, starting with small changes that could still have a big impact e.g. street furniture. At the other end of the scale is topography, where larger adaptations can be made for what we want to achieve.
Collage Drawing Imagining Access Actions Agency Care Control Future Growing Imagination Layer Nature Opportunity Ownership People Plantlife Potential Shelter Unused
PRODUCTIVE LANDSCAPE To create a safe family friendly pedestrianised space on Dudley's high street. By changing up the landscape and introducing micro ecosystem on the high street we aim to improve the health and well-being for the planet as well as the people of Dudley. - 1_mkCAvjf8W9Ou3S7RRn6QEQ.png
PRODUCTIVE LANDSCAPE To create a safe family friendly pedestrianised space on Dudley's high street. By changing up the landscape and introducing micro ecosystem on the high street we aim to improve the health and well-being for the planet as well as the people of Dudley.
Collage Imagining Text Abundance Actions Care Community Connection Creatures Friendliness Future Gift Growing Happiness Health Imagination Invitations Life Moving Nature People Plantlife Potential Safety Speeds Stories
The whole High Street would be dug out to make way for this new kind of “street”. The idea, as stated, is to alter the way that people use this street, so that they can learn about the legacy of Dudley. This would mean that there would be a canopy that sits on top of the cut, that would also act as a means to shelter everything underneath, but would also be made in Dudley to promote local craftsmans. This canopy can then hold something like Theatre Curtains with the history of Dudley presented on them. As you walk through the cut, you go through all the different parts of Dudley’s Legacy - Saxon, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modern, and you would end the walk on the “Future”. You would start at one end, up by the top church, and as you walk through towards the market place, you would walk through the eras in chronological order. Then, once you exit the tunnel, you would leave the Modern era, and come out into the reclaimed green space, which would represent the future of Dudley’s Legacy. This would be a Miyawaki Forest that would be expanded out through the streets, taking over the spots where cars used to drive, to now benefit Dudley, it’s people, and the world as a whole. Dudley’s High Street is about 240 metres long, about 9 metres wide, and rises about 8 metres. This would provided a very prominent feature for the High Street if it was dug out and recommissioned. An added aspect to the dug out street would be that of the canopy that would reside above it. While thinking of the design, two ideas stood out - one that would stand raised, at about the same level as the end of the street, which would create this arcade styled archway that would reside high above the street. The second was having the canopy be flush with the pavement all the way up, except at the end that would then provide a small increase around the steps. Both ideas serve the same purpose, but provide drastically different means of doing so. - Oscar Law Parti Diagram.png
The whole High Street would be dug out to make way for this new kind of “street”. The idea, as stated, is to alter the way that people use this street, so that they can learn about the legacy of Dudley. This would mean that there would be a canopy that sits on top of the cut, that would also act as a means to shelter everything underneath, but would also be made in Dudley to promote local craftsmans. This canopy can then hold something like Theatre Curtains with the history of Dudley presented on them. As you walk through the cut, you go through all the different parts of Dudley’s Legacy - Saxon, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modern, and you would end the walk on the “Future”. You would start at one end, up by the top church, and as you walk through towards the market place, you would walk through the eras in chronological order. Then, once you exit the tunnel, you would leave the Modern era, and come out into the reclaimed green space, which would represent the future of Dudley’s Legacy. This would be a Miyawaki Forest that would be expanded out through the streets, taking over the spots where cars used to drive, to now benefit Dudley, it’s people, and the world as a whole. Dudley’s High Street is about 240 metres long, about 9 metres wide, and rises about 8 metres. This would provided a very prominent feature for the High Street if it was dug out and recommissioned. An added aspect to the dug out street would be that of the canopy that would reside above it. While thinking of the design, two ideas stood out - one that would stand raised, at about the same level as the end of the street, which would create this arcade styled archway that would reside high above the street. The second was having the canopy be flush with the pavement all the way up, except at the end that would then provide a small increase around the steps. Both ideas serve the same purpose, but provide drastically different means of doing so.
Collage Drawing Imagining Map Architecture Change Craft Future Growing Identity Imagination Industry Learning Memory Nature Past Plantlife Potential Shelter
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. - Ryan Cooksey Green roofs.png
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.
Diagram Map Growing High Nature Opportunity Plantlife Potential Regenerative Sustainable
There is a clear presence representing Dudley with the bold red ‘Bostin’ sign at ground level. Chosen for its cantilever first and the second floor, this building could be adapted to have an external space. Also, there is a slight ‘hotel Fouquet barrière’ about the facade as its bricked-up windows represent change over time. - Ryan Cooksey Building 3 Photo.png
There is a clear presence representing Dudley with the bold red ‘Bostin’ sign at ground level. Chosen for its cantilever first and the second floor, this building could be adapted to have an external space. Also, there is a slight ‘hotel Fouquet barrière’ about the facade as its bricked-up windows represent change over time.
Model Photo Aesthetic Architecture Broken Climate Craft Decay Making Material Opportunity Potential Words
Material Accessibility is The Problem The accessibility to brick products outweigh that of the hemp equivalent. But why? - Ryan Cooksey Material accessibility 2.png
Material Accessibility is The Problem The accessibility to brick products outweigh that of the hemp equivalent. But why?
Diagram Map Change Climate Material Opportunity Potential System Transport
Concept Model - The model represents the idea of digging into the High Street itself. The idea was to drastically alter the form of the High Street to a point that it altered the ways that people in Dudley would live their day-to- day, changing the theatre of their lives, so that they could learn about their own history, their legacy, and about the endless possibilities of Dudley’s future. The idea was inspired by the word “Cut”, which in Black Country Dialect means “Canals”, as they were long cuts through the land. Dudley’s fountain represents the Middle Ages, showing the growth of Dudley over time. While it was the Capital of the Black Country (and still is), the Middle Ages is when Dudley saw itself come into it’s own place, being recognised as a big market town, and slowly expanding it’s territories and influence. The Castle represents the Dudley Castle, built in the 11th Century. Ruling over the land, the Castle is a key component of the Legacy of Dudley, sitting on the highest point for miles around, rich with history, from Being demolished twice, to the civil war, to now watching over the Zoo. The factories represent the Industrial Revolution era of Dudley, a time when Dudley was the king of England, and basically ran the entire process. It was an important aspect of Dudley’s Legacy, and sits as probably its crowning glory - even if today we can recognise the disastrous affects it had on the world in the short period of time the era passed. The Market represents the modern day. Dudley has seen better years, but it is with this project that I propose that even better ones are just around the corner. While people don’t look fondly at Dudley, those from there have a fierce dedication to the legacy of Dudley, which hopefully will burn to a brighter future. - Oscar Law Concept Model 1.png
Concept Model - The model represents the idea of digging into the High Street itself. The idea was to drastically alter the form of the High Street to a point that it altered the ways that people in Dudley would live their day-to- day, changing the theatre of their lives, so that they could learn about their own history, their legacy, and about the endless possibilities of Dudley’s future. The idea was inspired by the word “Cut”, which in Black Country Dialect means “Canals”, as they were long cuts through the land. Dudley’s fountain represents the Middle Ages, showing the growth of Dudley over time. While it was the Capital of the Black Country (and still is), the Middle Ages is when Dudley saw itself come into it’s own place, being recognised as a big market town, and slowly expanding it’s territories and influence. The Castle represents the Dudley Castle, built in the 11th Century. Ruling over the land, the Castle is a key component of the Legacy of Dudley, sitting on the highest point for miles around, rich with history, from Being demolished twice, to the civil war, to now watching over the Zoo. The factories represent the Industrial Revolution era of Dudley, a time when Dudley was the king of England, and basically ran the entire process. It was an important aspect of Dudley’s Legacy, and sits as probably its crowning glory - even if today we can recognise the disastrous affects it had on the world in the short period of time the era passed. The Market represents the modern day. Dudley has seen better years, but it is with this project that I propose that even better ones are just around the corner. While people don’t look fondly at Dudley, those from there have a fierce dedication to the legacy of Dudley, which hopefully will burn to a brighter future.
Imagining Model Architecture Change Craft Future Identity Imagination Industry Making Memory Past Potential Water
Our collective vision for Dudley is to support a creative community that is connected through our internet of things; creating spaces that allow for the collection and redistribution of materials that locals can use to construct products with. Community engagement is central to this design network with local businesses encouraged to get involved in manufacturing. We decided to bring alive this vision through a series of pavilions positioned through the High Street, following a process through recycling, storing constructing and manufacturing. To take this idea further, we allocated several empty units along the High Street to become spaces involved in the open factory, from workshops, educational centres and co-working hubs. Since we wanted to show the journey people would be able to take, we decided to create a storyboard for our final visual. These visuals show how the pavilions could sit in the High Street, starting at the market place, past CoLab Dudley’s base, and ending up at Top Church. We wanted to show how people would be able to interact with these different spaces and navigate between them. - 1_VMp1Jai-Vr7tZ4pe8U752Q.png
Our collective vision for Dudley is to support a creative community that is connected through our internet of things; creating spaces that allow for the collection and redistribution of materials that locals can use to construct products with. Community engagement is central to this design network with local businesses encouraged to get involved in manufacturing. We decided to bring alive this vision through a series of pavilions positioned through the High Street, following a process through recycling, storing constructing and manufacturing. To take this idea further, we allocated several empty units along the High Street to become spaces involved in the open factory, from workshops, educational centres and co-working hubs. Since we wanted to show the journey people would be able to take, we decided to create a storyboard for our final visual. These visuals show how the pavilions could sit in the High Street, starting at the market place, past CoLab Dudley’s base, and ending up at Top Church. We wanted to show how people would be able to interact with these different spaces and navigate between them.
Collage Drawing Imagining Map Abundance Actions Agency Architecture Change Community Connection Creativity Difference Doughnut Economics Future Imagination Industry Interacting Invitations Learning Making Material Opportunity Ownership People Potential Regenerative Shelter Technology Unused
Nowhere to sit? - 210715 1600 Lingering.png
Nowhere to sit?
Text Dry Sunny Actions Interacting Lingering Potential Relaxing
By utilising the passageway to display exhibition work from local institutions it would not only encourage them to create their crafts, it will celebrate their work and the range of crafts that Dudley has. - 1_gn_wBbjR1V2hU-J3fumonA.png
By utilising the passageway to display exhibition work from local institutions it would not only encourage them to create their crafts, it will celebrate their work and the range of crafts that Dudley has.
Drawing Imagining Actions Agency Change Community Craft Creativity Culture Curiosity Expression Food Future Growing Imagination Invitations Lingering Making Nature Opportunity People Plantlife Potential Shelter
TOO MUCH TRAFFIC! But the street must have vitality without it - 210731 1403 Identity.jpg
TOO MUCH TRAFFIC! But the street must have vitality without it
Text Cloudy Future Identity Life Potential Traffic Transport Vehicle
By using the courtyard space as allotments, it will create a social hub for the local people and connect it to local businesses and stores. - 1_Vpf99A9HuEdBxMXJ0etfRw.png
By using the courtyard space as allotments, it will create a social hub for the local people and connect it to local businesses and stores.
Drawing Imagining Abundance Actions Care Change Community Connection Future Growing Imagination Interacting Invitations Life Lingering Nature Opportunity People Plantlife Potential Regenerative Relaxing Stillness Sustainable Water
The Overarching Concept Providing Dudley with a self-sufficient ecosystem improves local biodiversity. It is producing enough materials to repair and construct new buildings/interventions within the area. This radical movement could be implemented across many other declining towns. The issue is that we have become too comfortable linking with surrounding areas. For example, importing materials has a vast embodied carbon, likewise for electricity and so on. This thesis aims to grow the required materials and harvests water, capture energy with PV to allow the town of Dudley to be self-sufficient. - Ryan Cooksey Overarching Concept.png
The Overarching Concept Providing Dudley with a self-sufficient ecosystem improves local biodiversity. It is producing enough materials to repair and construct new buildings/interventions within the area. This radical movement could be implemented across many other declining towns. The issue is that we have become too comfortable linking with surrounding areas. For example, importing materials has a vast embodied carbon, likewise for electricity and so on. This thesis aims to grow the required materials and harvests water, capture energy with PV to allow the town of Dudley to be self-sufficient.
Collage Architecture Biodiversity Change Energy Material Opportunity Potential Regenerative Sustainable System
A great place to linger if it wasn't caged in!! - 210715 1600 Lingering R.png
A great place to linger if it wasn't caged in!!
Text Slight breeze Sunny Boundaries Imagination Invitations Lingering Ownership Potential
This gift represents the green spaces around CoLab Dudley and the connections they have to the high street. The black point marks the location of the High Street and the other pins mark each green space within the High Street’s immediate location. The lines act as a travel route that you may take in order to get from one green space to another. From this we can establish that there is a lack of greenery in some spaces. This then impacts the High Street as people do not need to use it as a travel route. By simply creating more of these green spaces like in the top right it will add more connections to the High Street which will draw more people to this particular location. - 1_WLglSFOiAMFtPQP5AWk-9w.png
This gift represents the green spaces around CoLab Dudley and the connections they have to the high street. The black point marks the location of the High Street and the other pins mark each green space within the High Street’s immediate location. The lines act as a travel route that you may take in order to get from one green space to another. From this we can establish that there is a lack of greenery in some spaces. This then impacts the High Street as people do not need to use it as a travel route. By simply creating more of these green spaces like in the top right it will add more connections to the High Street which will draw more people to this particular location.
Model Access Change Colour Connection Future Gift Imagination Interacting Invitations Making Missing Moving Nature Pattern People Plantlife Potential
This visual represents the vision for the thesis, buildings covered in lichens, air purifying plants and community activities held on the Highstreet. This visual focuses in on the proposed site for the building and shows expression of a raised new build component on site as well as a full and wild landscaping plan. - Michelle Gartside Visualisation.png
This visual represents the vision for the thesis, buildings covered in lichens, air purifying plants and community activities held on the Highstreet. This visual focuses in on the proposed site for the building and shows expression of a raised new build component on site as well as a full and wild landscaping plan.
Collage Diagram Drawing Imagining Map Air Architecture Community Creatures Growing Imagination Life Light Nature Opportunity Plantlife Potential Water
Stepping Stone 2 is about making the High Street bespoke to Dudley through street furniture. We wanted to make the High Street more sociable and colourful. By providing outdoor seating areas, people would be invited to speak to each other and bring back a sense of community. - 1_o3nY3c2woc53u0TgQDtpOw.png
Stepping Stone 2 is about making the High Street bespoke to Dudley through street furniture. We wanted to make the High Street more sociable and colourful. By providing outdoor seating areas, people would be invited to speak to each other and bring back a sense of community.
Collage Drawing Imagining Actions Colour Conversation Future Growing Imagination Interacting Lingering Nature Opportunity People Plantlife Potential Sustainable
A day out in Dudley Time inside passes slow, So we went out for the day, My favourite place to go, The high street in Dudley I'm sure that you'd agree It's not like any other town, There is lots to do and see And there's space to run around There's a playground there Just in the middle of the street And fruit growing everywhere The strawberries taste so sweet There's lots of places for grown-ups Where they like to chat and sit They say 'hello ya right bab?' And then Tarra a bit. There is no need to in When it's black over bill's mother Because should the rain begin The canopy is the perfect cover The grown-ups pick the veggies And call come get some grub We jump down from our climbing trees And head over to the food hub We get the buz back home for tea And get it down our wazzin I look back on the day with glee My Dudley town is bostin. - 1_lR0vzbG74UXCjHggkLA9Xg.png
A day out in Dudley Time inside passes slow, So we went out for the day, My favourite place to go, The high street in Dudley I'm sure that you'd agree It's not like any other town, There is lots to do and see And there's space to run around There's a playground there Just in the middle of the street And fruit growing everywhere The strawberries taste so sweet There's lots of places for grown-ups Where they like to chat and sit They say 'hello ya right bab?' And then Tarra a bit. There is no need to in When it's black over bill's mother Because should the rain begin The canopy is the perfect cover The grown-ups pick the veggies And call come get some grub We jump down from our climbing trees And head over to the food hub We get the buz back home for tea And get it down our wazzin I look back on the day with glee My Dudley town is bostin.
Collage Imagining Poem Story Text Abundance Actions Care Community Connection Conversation Culture Emotion Expression Familiar Favourite Things Food Friendliness Funny Future Gift Growing Happiness Imagination Interacting Invitations Joy Kindness Life Moving Nature People Plantlife Play Potential Relaxing Safety Shelter Speeds Stories Taste Voice Words
My purpose of my Gift to Dudley High Street is to encourage the users to become involved in the changes that occur in a place they use. The aim is to gain feedback from the users of the game to inform any progress made, this way, the focus of regeneration can come from the users themselves, becoming a collective collaboration. Through the users interacting with each other on the High Street using this game, the presence of users can be recognised, reminding the people of a sense of community to promote and celebrate going forward. - 0_MlRlMpr914pZtyUJ.png
My purpose of my Gift to Dudley High Street is to encourage the users to become involved in the changes that occur in a place they use. The aim is to gain feedback from the users of the game to inform any progress made, this way, the focus of regeneration can come from the users themselves, becoming a collective collaboration. Through the users interacting with each other on the High Street using this game, the presence of users can be recognised, reminding the people of a sense of community to promote and celebrate going forward.
Model Other visual delight Abundance Actions Community Connection Creativity Curiosity Future Gift Invitations Kindness Making People Play Potential
The meaning behind this gift is composed of three main foundations which are biodiversity, social and enclosure. The box represents the enclosed feeling of the surrounding buildings that you receive when walking down Dudley High Street. The ‘High Street’ gives the impression that the buildings are closing in on you, with very little open space around. The open element of the box is to create an airy space which is what Co-LAB Dudley is trying to achieve and make the atmosphere more sociable for the local people/ community. Therefore, attracting more people to the high street. Conducting research it is evident that the ‘High Street’ severely suffers from a lack of green space resulting in a lack of biodiversity across Dudley. Centrally, located within the box is a rose which resembles the biodiversity and the need for growth amongst the ‘High Street’. The white rose connotes the purity for the future of Dudley High Street and what it could become. - 1_sMdZMZUJNldAWFC5__XccQ.png
The meaning behind this gift is composed of three main foundations which are biodiversity, social and enclosure. The box represents the enclosed feeling of the surrounding buildings that you receive when walking down Dudley High Street. The ‘High Street’ gives the impression that the buildings are closing in on you, with very little open space around. The open element of the box is to create an airy space which is what Co-LAB Dudley is trying to achieve and make the atmosphere more sociable for the local people/ community. Therefore, attracting more people to the high street. Conducting research it is evident that the ‘High Street’ severely suffers from a lack of green space resulting in a lack of biodiversity across Dudley. Centrally, located within the box is a rose which resembles the biodiversity and the need for growth amongst the ‘High Street’. The white rose connotes the purity for the future of Dudley High Street and what it could become.
Model Architecture Colour Community Creativity Emotion Expression Future Gift Growing Making Material Missing Nature Opportunity People Plantlife Potential Safety
This post promotes the opening of a community kitchen, supported by the Participatory City model. (We decided to present our narrative through social media and instagram posts as we wanted to showcase what individual experiences might be like when experiencing the future High Street. Each of our posts captures a different element of experience on the High Street to form a collective scenario.) - 1_6sRUvu11L3X86f0sILXO8g.png
This post promotes the opening of a community kitchen, supported by the Participatory City model. (We decided to present our narrative through social media and instagram posts as we wanted to showcase what individual experiences might be like when experiencing the future High Street. Each of our posts captures a different element of experience on the High Street to form a collective scenario.)
Collage Imagining Actions Change Colour Community Creativity Culture Curiosity Difference Emotion Food Friendliness Future Imagination Interacting Invitations Learning Life Making Opportunity People Potential Stories Taste
The first step is sectioning out for pedestrianisation. It was important that we did this so we can move down the intervention scale to the next stepping stone; laying the foundation for social and ecological benefits. The hierarchy of space is very much dedicated to cars right now. If you design for cars, you’re going to get more cars. If you design for people, you’re going to get more people. According to Just Economics, the footfall can increase by about 40% following pedestrianisation, and retail follows suit with about 30% increase in sales. - 1_u90NvmZWEYJpy_l7kZT3ww.png
The first step is sectioning out for pedestrianisation. It was important that we did this so we can move down the intervention scale to the next stepping stone; laying the foundation for social and ecological benefits. The hierarchy of space is very much dedicated to cars right now. If you design for cars, you’re going to get more cars. If you design for people, you’re going to get more people. According to Just Economics, the footfall can increase by about 40% following pedestrianisation, and retail follows suit with about 30% increase in sales.
Drawing Imagining Map Access Change Future Imagination Moving Opportunity People Potential Safety Traffic Transport Vehicle
Nurturing AgroEcology in Urban Life A strategy for living alongside food production A critical part of the climate crisis is the degradation of soil, leading to scientists predicting the UK has approximately 100 harvests left of stable crop production. As an attempt to address the problem this project will explore the possibility of integrating sustainable agriculture into an urban setting, reducing the strain on agricultural land, reducing food miles and widening city biodiversity. Taking guidance from the farming movement, ‘Agroecology,’ a climate conscious, wildlife supporting and community engaged closed loop system will be developed, combining traditional growing with technology driven techniques that will support each other to produce a diverse plate. Dudley High Street will be the focal point, reinvented as a destination not just for the purchase and consumption of food but also its creation, driven by the needs and engagement of local people. Connecting the community to the food they eat. - Annabel Linch 4.png
Nurturing AgroEcology in Urban Life A strategy for living alongside food production A critical part of the climate crisis is the degradation of soil, leading to scientists predicting the UK has approximately 100 harvests left of stable crop production. As an attempt to address the problem this project will explore the possibility of integrating sustainable agriculture into an urban setting, reducing the strain on agricultural land, reducing food miles and widening city biodiversity. Taking guidance from the farming movement, ‘Agroecology,’ a climate conscious, wildlife supporting and community engaged closed loop system will be developed, combining traditional growing with technology driven techniques that will support each other to produce a diverse plate. Dudley High Street will be the focal point, reinvented as a destination not just for the purchase and consumption of food but also its creation, driven by the needs and engagement of local people. Connecting the community to the food they eat.
Drawing Imagining Map Architecture Biodiversity Climate Community Connection Consumption Craft Creativity Creatures Food Growing Imagination Life Making Material Nature Opportunity People Plantlife Pollution Potential Regenerative Soil Sustainable System Technology
This post captures the street qualities where the visitors experience the colour and aromas of the food. (We decided to present our narrative through social media and instagram posts as we wanted to showcase what individual experiences might be like when experiencing the future High Street. Each of our posts captures a different element of experience on the High Street to form a collective scenario.) - 1_xTufD_UHcNclrjiOlfcOeA.png
This post captures the street qualities where the visitors experience the colour and aromas of the food. (We decided to present our narrative through social media and instagram posts as we wanted to showcase what individual experiences might be like when experiencing the future High Street. Each of our posts captures a different element of experience on the High Street to form a collective scenario.)
Collage Imagining Abundance Change Colour Community Culture Curiosity Difference Emotion Food Friendliness Future Happiness Imagination Interacting Invitations Joy Life Lingering Opportunity People Potential Smell Stories Taste
This gift was created to highlight different points in the social spaces on the high street. Aspects that we can improve on and celebrate. One point found was to incorporate more green spaces to improve health and wellbeing. The other to celebrate the textures and embossings in Dudley’s early ironworking. These ornaments were created by melting sweets and printing patterns onto them. - 0_bLySD-pGcd7BOWUv.png
This gift was created to highlight different points in the social spaces on the high street. Aspects that we can improve on and celebrate. One point found was to incorporate more green spaces to improve health and wellbeing. The other to celebrate the textures and embossings in Dudley’s early ironworking. These ornaments were created by melting sweets and printing patterns onto them.
Model Other visual delight Text Thought Aesthetic Beauty Colour Craft Creativity Difference Food Gift Identity Industry Making Material Nature Opportunity Past Pattern Plantlife Potential
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. - 1_I1Zo_eW9Ylo2G6KP5uxbfw.png
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.
Collage Drawing Imagining Photo Change Creatures Food Future Growing High Imagination Life Low Nature Opportunity People Plantlife Potential Shelter Views
The main structure would have various spaces such as the Museum space, possibly a place that people can pin up local activities, and maybe rooms for either changing or for performance practice. As the street is 11m wide on average, there is plenty of space to have the building fill the space. As the sunlight comes from mainly the south, the south side buildings often shadow the street entirely, which would mean that something being built (especially as it will be dug down a bit) would not shadow out the other buildings. The biggest hurdle to tackle is that the space shouldn’t not feel overwhelming to the other shops or those who walk down the pavement. Because of this, most of the building’s structure would be in the underneath area, and only parts of it would pop out over the pavement. As the design would be flush with the pavement, there are also opportunities to have crossing bridges that are both useful by the public, but also incorporated with the design of the new street. The back of the street would create a unique space for social activities. The space is wide enough and long enough for a performance theatre space to be erected there, but it also has the possibility of having some kind of altered shape to the area, like a raised platform that could house seating and other social activities. However, the space can also perfectly fit a fully regulated tennis court, badminton court, and volley ball court. People have mentioned that there is also a lack of sport engagement in the area, so this could be used to provide that kind of space. - Oscar Law Proposed design.png
The main structure would have various spaces such as the Museum space, possibly a place that people can pin up local activities, and maybe rooms for either changing or for performance practice. As the street is 11m wide on average, there is plenty of space to have the building fill the space. As the sunlight comes from mainly the south, the south side buildings often shadow the street entirely, which would mean that something being built (especially as it will be dug down a bit) would not shadow out the other buildings. The biggest hurdle to tackle is that the space shouldn’t not feel overwhelming to the other shops or those who walk down the pavement. Because of this, most of the building’s structure would be in the underneath area, and only parts of it would pop out over the pavement. As the design would be flush with the pavement, there are also opportunities to have crossing bridges that are both useful by the public, but also incorporated with the design of the new street. The back of the street would create a unique space for social activities. The space is wide enough and long enough for a performance theatre space to be erected there, but it also has the possibility of having some kind of altered shape to the area, like a raised platform that could house seating and other social activities. However, the space can also perfectly fit a fully regulated tennis court, badminton court, and volley ball court. People have mentioned that there is also a lack of sport engagement in the area, so this could be used to provide that kind of space.
Collage Drawing Imagining Map Architecture Change Craft Future Growing Identity Imagination Industry Learning Memory Nature Past Plantlife Potential Shelter
A sketch showing workshops utilising the empty spaces, street furniture, canopies on the side, and street art to brighten and liven the current High Street. - 1_lZXcIupYLTB5bBnb5G-adg.png
A sketch showing workshops utilising the empty spaces, street furniture, canopies on the side, and street art to brighten and liven the current High Street.
Collage Drawing Imagining Actions Colour Conversation Creativity Future Growing Imagination Interacting Life Lingering Nature Opportunity People Plantlife Potential Sustainable Unused
A collage response to a Co.LAB gift for the High St - “It was nice to be able to use the image for something else. It made me think about placing the cut-out roadmap onto a slightly brighter future version, with colour, vibrancy and plantlife, so that it reminds me what we are heading towards, but still with a hark back to the people and the industry that made Dudley the town it is...” - 2656268F-99B4-47D8-8FF5-953A7068378B (1).jpg
A collage response to a Co.LAB gift for the High St - “It was nice to be able to use the image for something else. It made me think about placing the cut-out roadmap onto a slightly brighter future version, with colour, vibrancy and plantlife, so that it reminds me what we are heading towards, but still with a hark back to the people and the industry that made Dudley the town it is...”
Collage Imagining Abundance Aesthetic Agency Beauty Change Colour Connection Contrast Craft Creativity Emotion Expression Familiar Future Gift Identity Imagination Industry Interacting Joy Life Making Material Memory Moving Nature Opportunity Past Plantlife Potential Stories
Street scale patchwork Investigating Facade Damage will highlight where the repair needs to be undertaken. It is creating an irregular pattern of repair that evolves. Only intervene when necessary; this proposal will not ‘repair what does not need fixing’ as it appreciates there could be a negative effect on an already declining high street. Repairs will be constructed with the materials grown on the street as part of the Macro-scale intervention. - Ryan Cooksey Street Scale Patchwork 1.png
Street scale patchwork Investigating Facade Damage will highlight where the repair needs to be undertaken. It is creating an irregular pattern of repair that evolves. Only intervene when necessary; this proposal will not ‘repair what does not need fixing’ as it appreciates there could be a negative effect on an already declining high street. Repairs will be constructed with the materials grown on the street as part of the Macro-scale intervention.
Diagram Drawing Imagining Photo Text Textile Aesthetic Architecture Broken Care Change Climate Decay Growing Imagination Material Nature Opportunity Pattern Plantlife Potential Regenerative Repair Sustainable Unused
The interior of the community kitchen would be inviting and colourful to create a positive atmosphere. The colours were abstracted from one of our group collages of food. The kitchen counters are not considered as a back of house element; they have been combined with seating as we are trying to embrace the cooking process. The kitchen desk is designed in a way so multiple people can work together from all sides, with central storage for herbs. The facade of the kitchen contains a small window so food can be sold outside. We have also created a vertical herb garden so it can be used in the community kitchen. We wanted to keep these below eye-line so people outdoors have a clear view into what’s going on inside. This street section shows activity from the back of the community kitchen to the other end of the street and how all these elements are working coherently. The street is filled more with people rather than cars. We believe that the outdoor seating, more trees, canopies and street lights can attract people to connect with the High Street. - 1_FhlTHeqQ2vTYTBYjPskjSg.png
The interior of the community kitchen would be inviting and colourful to create a positive atmosphere. The colours were abstracted from one of our group collages of food. The kitchen counters are not considered as a back of house element; they have been combined with seating as we are trying to embrace the cooking process. The kitchen desk is designed in a way so multiple people can work together from all sides, with central storage for herbs. The facade of the kitchen contains a small window so food can be sold outside. We have also created a vertical herb garden so it can be used in the community kitchen. We wanted to keep these below eye-line so people outdoors have a clear view into what’s going on inside. This street section shows activity from the back of the community kitchen to the other end of the street and how all these elements are working coherently. The street is filled more with people rather than cars. We believe that the outdoor seating, more trees, canopies and street lights can attract people to connect with the High Street.
Collage Drawing Imagining Actions Aesthetic Change Colour Commerce Community Connection Consumption Culture Curiosity Food Future Growing Imagination Interacting Invitations Low Nature Opportunity People Plantlife Potential Shelter Taste Traffic Vehicle Views
The first Stepping Stone project looks into designing multifunctional furniture for Dudley High Street to provide opportunities for a regenerative community, focusing on how the high street can be occupied with resilience. Initially, the stalls act as market stalls to provide opportunities for enterprises and small businesses to begin thriving and encouraging the High Street to become a place of inclusivity. However, the stalls can extend out into outdoor seating arrangements, which can become an extension of the community kitchen and during events can become a part of the whole atmosphere. By extending the furniture, they can connect together and become a large spread where people can sit together and enjoy company. It creates a lowered centre space so children can sit together, or paint on the surfaces. We decided to focus on furniture because we felt the importance of it can go unrecognised. We felt through the design of this market stall, many memories can be created and attached to these items, and become valuable assets within the community. - 1_OZxPTXXsNAi7K07s8cozeQ.png
The first Stepping Stone project looks into designing multifunctional furniture for Dudley High Street to provide opportunities for a regenerative community, focusing on how the high street can be occupied with resilience. Initially, the stalls act as market stalls to provide opportunities for enterprises and small businesses to begin thriving and encouraging the High Street to become a place of inclusivity. However, the stalls can extend out into outdoor seating arrangements, which can become an extension of the community kitchen and during events can become a part of the whole atmosphere. By extending the furniture, they can connect together and become a large spread where people can sit together and enjoy company. It creates a lowered centre space so children can sit together, or paint on the surfaces. We decided to focus on furniture because we felt the importance of it can go unrecognised. We felt through the design of this market stall, many memories can be created and attached to these items, and become valuable assets within the community.
Collage Drawing Imagining Agency Change Colour Commerce Community Connection Conversation Creativity Culture Fairness Food Friendliness Future Imagination Interacting Invitations Life Lingering Low Memory Opportunity People Potential Regenerative Relaxing Resilient Stillness
A cardboard box that when opened shows mirrors in all internal faces reflecting a web made with strings that represents Dudley as a complex system of interconnected elements. The Dudley High street has lack in colour, public spaces, and green areas, reflecting the local population that is experiencing deprivations and vice versa. Making a high street attractive can improve the local population in health, social and economic aspects. - 0_g7YfznbDsLKKDQci.png
A cardboard box that when opened shows mirrors in all internal faces reflecting a web made with strings that represents Dudley as a complex system of interconnected elements. The Dudley High street has lack in colour, public spaces, and green areas, reflecting the local population that is experiencing deprivations and vice versa. Making a high street attractive can improve the local population in health, social and economic aspects.
Model Other visual delight Aesthetic Colour Connection Future Gift Health Making Material Nature People Plantlife Potential System
Looking to be the centrepiece of our exhibition, we proposed to create a site model of Dudley Highstreet at 1:200 scale with buildings modelled in a simple form. Local residents and visitors to the exhibition are then invited to decorate a chosen building to how they would envision it sat within the context of a greener Highstreet. We want to tie in our themes of biodiversity and materials by proposing that buildings can, and do, have the potential to be a lot healthier, sustainable, and interactive on the street. This site model also helps gain vital public opinions on the Highstreet and prompts discussion of areas most in need of attention. To ensure that the model is utilising the MDF to the most efficient standard possible. First, the centres of the massing blocks have been hollowed out. This allows a reduction in materials used as other buildings can be cut in the centres of the model. Then the top is finished with a solid piece. The waste material is placed into the recycling rack where other students can reuse it; otherwise, if the material left cannot be used for another project, it is recycled correctly by the university. The model spanned just over 3.4m long and over 50cm wide. With the majority being cut from scrap woods that would fit the jigsaw of the shape, we were able to drastically cut down on waste. We also got some small benches and bee hives printed from recycled plastics, and used dried flowers as trees to represent the green spaces. Ultimately, the model seemed like a huge success, and really helped portray our ideas about Dudley High Street to those who came by. Everyone from Dudley who saw the model knew that it was the High Street, and interacted well with it. The size did make it difficult to move, especially to carry to the site, but it sat nicely in the centre of the the room and really drew people in to interact with it. The model brought people in from outside to play with, write on, interact with. It became a spectacle for the public to come in and see what was happening and offer their ideas about what could be done. The event was a success. Many people from the public (those who heard about the event, and those who just happened across it on the day) came in to interact with the model, which sat as the centre piece in the room. Kids liked to play with the pieces while the adults talked about things that could come from actions to help the High Street, not just leave it as is. SOME OF THE KEY IDEAS WERE: - The Shops need to be inviting for everyone. It’s no good having these places to go if people would rather take a bus to the next town. - Just putting up boards across the windows is awful. Paint, Posters, Graffiti: Anything that actually makes the High Street look still alive is better than just wooden boards. - More Green is needed. While it is obvious that there is a lack of Trees, many people wanted to push for these small bushes or planting spaces that could easily be implemented across the street. - Spaces for public events or for people to at least gather at. While there is the Market and Fountain, it is not enough for the people of Dudley. - Something needs to be done about the cars on the High Street. Some were Pro-Removal of all Cars, while some just wanted to limit when they could access the High Street. Following the exhibition we created a series of drawings with our own interpretation of Sarah Wigglesworth ‘The Dining Table’ drawing. The drawings are a perfect representation of the our interactive model at the ERA Environmental Exhibition and Event. Showing the interaction the public had with the model, as well as the conversations that were held around the model. - Table 7.png
Looking to be the centrepiece of our exhibition, we proposed to create a site model of Dudley Highstreet at 1:200 scale with buildings modelled in a simple form. Local residents and visitors to the exhibition are then invited to decorate a chosen building to how they would envision it sat within the context of a greener Highstreet. We want to tie in our themes of biodiversity and materials by proposing that buildings can, and do, have the potential to be a lot healthier, sustainable, and interactive on the street. This site model also helps gain vital public opinions on the Highstreet and prompts discussion of areas most in need of attention. To ensure that the model is utilising the MDF to the most efficient standard possible. First, the centres of the massing blocks have been hollowed out. This allows a reduction in materials used as other buildings can be cut in the centres of the model. Then the top is finished with a solid piece. The waste material is placed into the recycling rack where other students can reuse it; otherwise, if the material left cannot be used for another project, it is recycled correctly by the university. The model spanned just over 3.4m long and over 50cm wide. With the majority being cut from scrap woods that would fit the jigsaw of the shape, we were able to drastically cut down on waste. We also got some small benches and bee hives printed from recycled plastics, and used dried flowers as trees to represent the green spaces. Ultimately, the model seemed like a huge success, and really helped portray our ideas about Dudley High Street to those who came by. Everyone from Dudley who saw the model knew that it was the High Street, and interacted well with it. The size did make it difficult to move, especially to carry to the site, but it sat nicely in the centre of the the room and really drew people in to interact with it. The model brought people in from outside to play with, write on, interact with. It became a spectacle for the public to come in and see what was happening and offer their ideas about what could be done. The event was a success. Many people from the public (those who heard about the event, and those who just happened across it on the day) came in to interact with the model, which sat as the centre piece in the room. Kids liked to play with the pieces while the adults talked about things that could come from actions to help the High Street, not just leave it as is. SOME OF THE KEY IDEAS WERE: - The Shops need to be inviting for everyone. It’s no good having these places to go if people would rather take a bus to the next town. - Just putting up boards across the windows is awful. Paint, Posters, Graffiti: Anything that actually makes the High Street look still alive is better than just wooden boards. - More Green is needed. While it is obvious that there is a lack of Trees, many people wanted to push for these small bushes or planting spaces that could easily be implemented across the street. - Spaces for public events or for people to at least gather at. While there is the Market and Fountain, it is not enough for the people of Dudley. - Something needs to be done about the cars on the High Street. Some were Pro-Removal of all Cars, while some just wanted to limit when they could access the High Street. Following the exhibition we created a series of drawings with our own interpretation of Sarah Wigglesworth ‘The Dining Table’ drawing. The drawings are a perfect representation of the our interactive model at the ERA Environmental Exhibition and Event. Showing the interaction the public had with the model, as well as the conversations that were held around the model.
Diagram Drawing Model Aesthetic Architecture Biodiversity Colour Conversation Craft Creativity Growing Health Imagination Interacting Invitations Making Material Nature Opportunity People Plantlife Play Potential Stories Sustainable Transport Vehicle Voice Waste Words
This post develops what the community kitchen has to offer with street grown resources and community engagement. (We decided to present our narrative through social media and instagram posts as we wanted to showcase what individual experiences might be like when experiencing the future High Street. Each of our posts captures a different element of experience on the High Street to form a collective scenario.) - 1_TRZ52VkRCaxNYWyppD-lmg.png
This post develops what the community kitchen has to offer with street grown resources and community engagement. (We decided to present our narrative through social media and instagram posts as we wanted to showcase what individual experiences might be like when experiencing the future High Street. Each of our posts captures a different element of experience on the High Street to form a collective scenario.)
Collage Imagining Abundance Actions Change Colour Community Creativity Culture Curiosity Difference Emotion Food Friendliness Future Growing Happiness Imagination Interacting Invitations Joy Learning Life Lingering Nature Opportunity People Plantlife Potential Relaxing Stories Taste Traffic Unused Vehicle
Explore The History Of Site Voids - This will provide an opportunity to reimplement these to allow vertical green corridors to occur. Explore Vacant Buildings - To avoid damaging an already deteriorating high street, I aim only to take over vacant plots. Investigate the opportunity for Miyawaki planting - understand the conditions required to grow a sustainable material source on-site, including ground, water, and space conditions. It takes over a building that leads directly to an open space where a community hub is the centre of the thesis, offering education, community engagement and material celebration. - Ryan Cooksey Material Celebration Hub 1.png
Explore The History Of Site Voids - This will provide an opportunity to reimplement these to allow vertical green corridors to occur. Explore Vacant Buildings - To avoid damaging an already deteriorating high street, I aim only to take over vacant plots. Investigate the opportunity for Miyawaki planting - understand the conditions required to grow a sustainable material source on-site, including ground, water, and space conditions. It takes over a building that leads directly to an open space where a community hub is the centre of the thesis, offering education, community engagement and material celebration.
Collage Diagram Drawing Imagining Map Photo Text Aesthetic Archaeology Architecture Biodiversity Change Climate Community Decay Energy Growing Health Imagination Learning Nature Opportunity Past Plantlife Potential Regenerative Sustainable Unused Water
This building has been chosen due to the clear retrofit it has already undergone. The building has two halves, a modern function on street level with roller shutter doors. These doors seem very out of place as they are not shy in hiding their presence. Then the top half is traditional stone and mortar with some elements of detailing around the windows. I wonder what the addition would look like with the zero- carbon material repair pallet. - Ryan Cooksey Building 2 Model 4.png
This building has been chosen due to the clear retrofit it has already undergone. The building has two halves, a modern function on street level with roller shutter doors. These doors seem very out of place as they are not shy in hiding their presence. Then the top half is traditional stone and mortar with some elements of detailing around the windows. I wonder what the addition would look like with the zero- carbon material repair pallet.
Model Photo Aesthetic Architecture Broken Climate Craft Decay Making Material Opportunity Potential
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. - 1_uHX3-RDbo4tI8fS04tzp9g.png
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.
Collage Imagining Access Aesthetic Beauty Big Things Change Curiosity Future High Imagination Invitations Layer Opportunity People Potential Shelter
This building has been picked because it is significant as it represents the language slang used in the local area. Not only that, the facade clearly looks worn and requires repair throughout. This is the best place to start as the locals would easily refer to it via slang. So when spreading the news of repair, people would instantly know which building it is. - Ryan Cooksey Building 1 Model 1.png
This building has been picked because it is significant as it represents the language slang used in the local area. Not only that, the facade clearly looks worn and requires repair throughout. This is the best place to start as the locals would easily refer to it via slang. So when spreading the news of repair, people would instantly know which building it is.
Model Photo Aesthetic Architecture Broken Craft Decay Making Material Opportunity Potential
New use for cars — As part of pedestrianisation we would like to suggest a memorial of sorts to cars. The feature would sit in the middle of the High Street and would consist of an old out-of-use car, being used as a planter and being filled with plants. This gesture symbolises the movement of the High Street’s priorities shifting from the automobile to plants, people and food. - 1_5qV59l-Z2_O-_1DJy2oNgw.png
New use for cars — As part of pedestrianisation we would like to suggest a memorial of sorts to cars. The feature would sit in the middle of the High Street and would consist of an old out-of-use car, being used as a planter and being filled with plants. This gesture symbolises the movement of the High Street’s priorities shifting from the automobile to plants, people and food.
Collage Drawing Imagining Change Creativity Food Future Growing Imagination Memory Moving Nature New Opportunity People Plantlife Potential Transport Unused Vehicle
Lingering can be done outside cafes + shops if chairs are there - 210715 1600 Lingering R.png
Lingering can be done outside cafes + shops if chairs are there
Text Slight breeze Sunny Invitations Lingering People Potential
The third Stepping Stone project attempted to design the community kitchen in one of the empty shops on Dudley High Street. We all know that food is an essential factor in our life and eating and cooking the food is not an abstract activity we do, it is part of our everyday routine. In our initial research, we found that many people live alone in compact housing on the High Street. We thought the kitchen connect the residents with society. We decided to make the process of preparing food more enjoyable. As our aim was to grow food on the street wherever possible, we can use these vegetables for the community kitchen. This will encourage residents to come down onto the street and engage with it. This could also be a new experience for the visitors of the High Street. - 1_hvQXOY39qWZ19g07wz8ung.png
The third Stepping Stone project attempted to design the community kitchen in one of the empty shops on Dudley High Street. We all know that food is an essential factor in our life and eating and cooking the food is not an abstract activity we do, it is part of our everyday routine. In our initial research, we found that many people live alone in compact housing on the High Street. We thought the kitchen connect the residents with society. We decided to make the process of preparing food more enjoyable. As our aim was to grow food on the street wherever possible, we can use these vegetables for the community kitchen. This will encourage residents to come down onto the street and engage with it. This could also be a new experience for the visitors of the High Street.
Collage Imagining Abundance Actions Change Colour Community Connection Culture Curiosity Food Future Growing Homes Imagination Interacting Invitations Life Nature Opportunity People Plantlife Potential Taste
After investigating the history, heritage, culture and institutions of Dudley and its High street, I made a kaleidoscope gift based around the themes ‘overlooked’, ‘resilience’ and ‘layered’. Although sight is the most immediate sense in which many people engage with their surroundings, it’s not until you look beneath the surface and start to see things from a new perspective that you fully appreciate what is there and the potential beyond. I wanted people to engage with my gift, have fun and evoke a sense of nostalgia, whilst also using it as a way to look forward to what the High Street could be, all the while embodying the CoLab Dudley principle of allowing this object to be a co-op piece. The gift relates to the people and allows for each user to interpret and express their own thoughts. - 0_45V_6qYjaVPtSZYF.png
After investigating the history, heritage, culture and institutions of Dudley and its High street, I made a kaleidoscope gift based around the themes ‘overlooked’, ‘resilience’ and ‘layered’. Although sight is the most immediate sense in which many people engage with their surroundings, it’s not until you look beneath the surface and start to see things from a new perspective that you fully appreciate what is there and the potential beyond. I wanted people to engage with my gift, have fun and evoke a sense of nostalgia, whilst also using it as a way to look forward to what the High Street could be, all the while embodying the CoLab Dudley principle of allowing this object to be a co-op piece. The gift relates to the people and allows for each user to interpret and express their own thoughts.
Model Other visual delight Community Culture Expression Familiar Future Gift Hiding Layer Memory Overlooked Past People Play Potential Resilient
The second Stepping Stone project focused on the representation of colour and revitalising frontages. During our group discussions, we recognised the negligence of existing colour on Dudley High Street. Colour is a key element we believe can bring a sense of brightness into the High Street, and an element that should be of focus when revitalising the frontages. In this example, we have approached the frontage for the community kitchen we envision. The visual showcases a Community Kitchen in which different herbs and spices can be grown. These can then be used to cook the many dishes respective to the different cultures existing on the High Street. Each frontage can respond to the different uses of the buildings to promote individuality across the street. - 1_pm9_qBkIxwst2IcGMPeT4A.png
The second Stepping Stone project focused on the representation of colour and revitalising frontages. During our group discussions, we recognised the negligence of existing colour on Dudley High Street. Colour is a key element we believe can bring a sense of brightness into the High Street, and an element that should be of focus when revitalising the frontages. In this example, we have approached the frontage for the community kitchen we envision. The visual showcases a Community Kitchen in which different herbs and spices can be grown. These can then be used to cook the many dishes respective to the different cultures existing on the High Street. Each frontage can respond to the different uses of the buildings to promote individuality across the street.
Collage Imagining Aesthetic Architecture Change Colour Community Creativity Culture Curiosity Food Future Imagination Invitations Opportunity Potential
Pond — At the northern reaches of the High Street lies a raised bed with nothing but a sterile patch of grass. We suggest as a miniature stepping stone, we replace the grass with a pond. The sounds of water can soften the noise of the traffic and it will invite pedestrians onto the high street by having this point of interest. It also works with the plans for re-wilding and growing food along the High Street as it aids pollination. - 1_nMGRrDR-iuxSL-9S7MgWHw.png
Pond — At the northern reaches of the High Street lies a raised bed with nothing but a sterile patch of grass. We suggest as a miniature stepping stone, we replace the grass with a pond. The sounds of water can soften the noise of the traffic and it will invite pedestrians onto the high street by having this point of interest. It also works with the plans for re-wilding and growing food along the High Street as it aids pollination.
Collage Drawing Imagining Food Future Growing Imagination Invitations Nature Opportunity Plantlife Potential Sounds Traffic Water
By placing a community garden in this space space you can learn how to plant food and it will lead to more edible spaces on the High Street that will then lead to the re-wilding of Dudley. - 1_RI1cRE5_PNCwHyNETHVKkw.png
By placing a community garden in this space space you can learn how to plant food and it will lead to more edible spaces on the High Street that will then lead to the re-wilding of Dudley.
Collage Drawing Imagining Abundance Access Architecture Care Change Community Creativity Creatures Culture Curiosity Food Future Growing Imagination Invitations Learning Life Lingering Nature Opportunity People Plantlife Potential Regenerative Relaxing
(*imagining*) two Christmas spirited robins joining in with the festivities of the street, singing along with your Christmas joys. - 211110 1730 Hiding 3.png
(*imagining*) two Christmas spirited robins joining in with the festivities of the street, singing along with your Christmas joys.
Drawing Text Chilled Evening Creatures Emotion Friendliness Future Happiness Hiding Imagination Interacting Joy Light Potential Sounds Stories