Artisan’s Hill
Against the Industrial City
The term Architect derives form Greek word: Architekton Archi – Chief Tekton – Builder
Throughout most of history there was no distinction between arts and crafts. Stonemasons, fresco painters, goldsmith, hatmaker etc. were simply makers in a guild system which would have them work their way up the ranks from apprentices, journeymen and eventually masters. At this point the craft would be passed on to the next generation. A distinction started in the 1400s when renaissance modernism led to painters pushing the idea to pay based on skill rather than size (which was the tradition) this was fair but it elevated fields we recognize as fine arts over applied arts. Architects, painters, sculptors would be the face of art while others in the more practical fields would be artisans.
This divide has grown over the centuries and more so in western culture, industrialization has brought a similar divide in many working class fields, eventually entire cities are divided based on production and commerce. Areas can be split into housing, workplaces and recreational places.
Axonometric massing of Albion Hill estate near busy Brighton street and city centre
Diagram of 21st century “dependency” culture focused on housing typologies in Brighton
The goal for Albion hill is to become a “place for everything and everything in its place”. Creating a unified locale where the traditional craft and varied techniques will be used to expand the current living standard of the housing estate. Manufacturing will be carried on site and the large area would provide a multitude of craft techniques to be learnt and practiced. The end goal is to create a small circular economy through the craftsmanship of self-build capsules, homes, furniture, accessories and more. The architect to an extent is the community and through their tacit knowledge individuals will play the role of the master builder. *Blue text is/relates to a key manifesto points on craft
Site Analysis and Constraints
Summer Solstice Winter Solstice Equinox
Prevailing Wind
Topography (5m apart)
Main vehicle routes
Commercial
Bus stops
Housing
Pedestrian friendly walking
Public/Social
Micro climate and Topography
Accessibility
Key Areas and Land Use
Albion Hill is located on east facing hillside that runs into the centre of Brighton, giving it fantastic views towards the city and seaside. The dense development follows the steep contours up the hill. The lack of street trees create windy pockets and the tower blocks at Albion Hill can create uncomfortable down drafts. The bottom of the valley is sheltered form most winds and in summer the elm trees can provide cooling spots. The spaced out tower block let sunlight through but can also cast large shadows over the area.
Accessible spaces are quite a big problem around the steep hills in Hanover and Elm grove (Albion Hill’s wider area). Many of the elderly and disabled people complain about walk able places and this is difficult to achieve due to the steep landscape. There are still many walking routes but they are largely unused and the only nearby bus stops are towards the flat ground on the west of Albion Hill. This leaves the car as the only option to get around for some people.
The area of Albion hill is situated fairly close to the city but it becomes a very quiet and unused space. Despite this, there are quite a few commercial buildings catering to small and medium businesses toward the east. Opposing Albion hill is the north Laine where a lot of small shops and stalls are open with high pedestrian traffic. Highlighted on the map are three key spot: Green strip with St peters cathedral (left), Albion hill estate (Middle), Local School (Lower middle).
Precedent Analysis
Sherwood forest visitor and art and craft centre
Barbican Estate Built post world war ii, the Barbican estate resembles a defensive architecture keeping out outsiders. This precedent was visited to as an example to see if features could be implemented for Albion hill. Although it’s a defensive site the walkways tackle the problem of accessibility and the Barbican’s various cultural, commercial and landscaping features create a city within the city. Some of these features were taken to implement into Albion hill but in a more welcoming way to outsiders. As the area cannot grow without an appreciation by the wider city.
Granby Workshop Part of the Granby Four street CLT, Toxteth, Liverpool. Granby workshop is community interest company which manufactures Ceramics and tiles using local people and returns profits back into the community and business. During a tour of the workshop the spaces were analysed as a basis to create a similar operation in Albion hill.
An interesting structure that blends in with the topography. This visitor centre is simple and has two main circulation routes, one through the building and one outside taking a longer but wheelchair accessible route. Of course a lift is also available to use inside.
The workshop is rented by the CLT and uses half of a historical stable as a base. The remaining spaces are given to local business owners at an affordable rent, a section of the workshop is used as a communal tool store to let anyone borrow tools for very small fee. The workshop used to be located very close to the Granby four street CLT but was moved to a few minutes further on foot to operate at a larger scale. It still remains in close vicinity to the CLT.
The buildings proportions are civic like but adapt to the surrounding not making it stand out in a protected area. Nearby this was the arts and craft centre with a translucent roof and exposed steel trusses. It brings in daylight but protects from rain making it a comfortable place to be. Around this is also a series of local shop promoting small businesses
Top: Looking over the raised flats and walkways in the Barbican Left: Private playground for residents use only
Top: Forest visitor centre
Illustration: Key points of the building
Left: Interior space of arts and crafts centre
Top: Entrance to Liverpool tool library
Illustration: Area and sizes of Granby workshop and surrounding
Right: Interior space of ceramics manufacturing