PORTRAIT
Community Centre
Overview
PORTRAIT Photography & Community Centre
Jesmond Dene, Newcastle upon Tyne
Reusing the site of the former Fisherman’s Lodge Restaurant to create a combined photography studio and community centre to allow residents to reclaim the Dene as their own, and capture it in its ever evolving state in the process.
Conceptual Development
Site Triptych
Three 2D pieces form a triptych analysing the visual language of the site, and how it compliments the visual language of the existing building. Above, the scaffolding holding the existing ruin interplays with the tree branches, whilst the stone and earth of the valley compliments the sandstone structure of the building itself. This creates a distinct tectonic/ stereotomic language.
Establishing Grid
Utilising the orientation and dimensions of the existing structures to create two separate organisational/structural grids to build the scheme around
Material Development
Translating Narrative/Concept into Material Finishes
Concrete: Following on from the textural section of the triptych, recreate this effect from textural section of triptych as a finish on a 3D object. By placing an acetate sheet at the bottom of wooden form-work, sprinkling it with raw plaster, cement, and ash before pouring concrete, I was able to create this marbled finish effect.
Cyanotype: Utilising cyanotype process to display archive images of the building’s history onto wooden panels which in turn could be used in the final scheme.
Structural Solutions
Resolved Plans
