History of the Pilgrimage at St Davids

Finished Reflected Ceiling Plan

Finished Reflected Ceiling Plan

The atmosphere of the site

The subtle presence of the building within the valley amidst ruins, ravens, foliage and earth gave it an elemental and prehistoric atmosphere.

One wrapped in enigmatic mystery which is almost impossible to describe, but ultimately hugely captivating. Its fair to describe the atmosphere here as special, but recognising the particular spatial, historical, topographical and material relationships and combinations was especially difficult. In such a complex space these ideas were not immediately obvious and required lots of time just to fully experience the place.

I don't think it would be fair to describe any particular factor having a more significant influence over the atmosphere of the site. In face what became clearer as the day went on was just how every single aspect of the site, from the relationship to the city, river and woods, to the sunken feeling of the site, all added towards the overwhelmingly mystical atmosphere.

Site Section

At this point on the site is where all the different distinctive features which combined to make it such a unique experience.

The Wall and Arrival

What a magical experience. Despite much of the journey taking place in the dark and much of the scenery not changing until we passed Swansea, discovering the site was a truly strange yet magical experience. Winding through St Davids colourful streets we were led via signposts to a small car-park nestled amongst the foliage at the bottom of the valley. The only indication that we may be near the cathedral was the presence of the old stone wall that used to protect the city. The crumbling stones and mortar, juxtaposed against the foliage and signage as the mist was rising all added to a heightened sense of arrival, atmosphere and magic!

The Wall

Another Tutorial before presentation

Tutorial went well. Got a clearer idea of the direction to go in with the presentation now. Cant quite understand how we went from describing the first place so well, to feeling completely lost with this place. Any how- The journey into St Davids was mundane to say the least. In fact the most noticeable factor about the journey (5 hrs) was the fact not a lot changed over the course of the 250 miles there and 250 back. The only apparent changes in scenery, or suggestion that we may be entering somewhere with a cathedral was the curious round building as you entered St Davids and the old city wall near the car park.

Journey Through St Davids

Anticipation at the Wall

Felt it was the ruins of the old wall which heightened the sense of anticipation- interesting space. The juxtaposition between the old ruined wall, the signs to the cathedral, and the leafy, bucolic nature of the space set up a curious tension within it which toyed with our senses.

Chiswick House Cafe (Caruso St John) Sketches

Exterior of Cafe with Seating Area and Umbrellas

Path to Cafe from Chiswick House (aligned axially)

Interior Looking Towards Seated Area

Interior Looking Towards Chiswick House

Interior Looking Towards Kitchen Door

Initial Drawings of Reflected ceiling plan

So Far

Had a group tutorial yesterday- turned out we were slightly barking up the wrong tree with our response to the brief. Became preoccupied with the historicity of the site. Rather than taking on board our phenomenal experience of the site- how we felt when experiencing the spaces, perhaps what these feelings meant to us, where they come from, we were sidetracked by the specific dates of past events. As a group we ended up investigating a series of specific moments in the cathedrals history to draw information from.

The problem with architects studying the history of a site (especially from a guide book) is its lack of emotional depth and descriptions of what the place was actually like to experience. As such our most effective tool for investigating the nature a of site is our ability to articulate clearly the reasons behind why a place makes us feel the way it does, now. Its highly likely that upon investigation into these feelings, we will find that the historical processes which transform a place are one of many reasons behind a places nature.

st David's Cathedral, Wales continued

View of the entrance, not grand or monumental, but magical.

Beautiful Central Tower Detail

Rich material contrasts

finished!!

Sketches round town

Beautiful Sunday evening so went to do a couple of sketches around Fulham- just practicing quick sketches, none took more than 10 mins. Getting proportion etc correct.

All Saints Church, Fulham

Hurlingham Road, Street View

 Hurlingham Road, View of Putney Bridge Station

St David's Cathedral, Wales

Just got back from 20+ hrs round trip to St Davids Cathedral in Wales- awesome day but hell of a journey. Will blog in the morning and add photos. Still buzzing but need to go to bed!

John Pawson Exhibition- Design Museum

Interesting Exhibition, but the sterile and static environments didnt appeal to me in the slightst. Appreciated what he is trying to do. The minimalist environments created are in some cases almost spiritual, however they offer nothing more than relaxing atmospheres.

House of Mr Pawson- beautiful spaces, relaxing atmospheres- good for a museum- not for a house. I wouldn't feel comfortable there whatsoever. Plus all the beautiful details have disappeared! 

"For me the practice of architecture is about creating spaces where people feel comfortable and where a particular set of actions feels natural."

I have to say john, whilst this may be a comfortable place to walk around; to inhabit, I wouldn't find it comfortable at all. 

The monastery designed by pawson suites his style perfectly. Minimal spaces for absolute reflection. However, I have recently discovered the ceilings and walls are rendered plywood. So the feeling of a mass of a stone roof resting all its weight on the glass windows is a fake. I find this somewhat architecturally dishonest, an illusion which escapes human understanding.

New Brief- Pilgrimage and Procession

Detail

Detail of space entrance Highlighting the materiality of site.

Drawing the Site

An assortment of the drawings we produced documenting the site, hopefully capturing the materiality and spatial qualities we experienced in the space which made it and interesting and pleasant experience.

Long Section through the entrance through to the tent and assembly area. Showing the church detail and buildings in the background.

Elevation of street clearly showing the odd juxtaposition between scale, material and types of architecture at the gated entrance to the space. 

Nolly Plan showing the space as one of many such spaces which inevitably become part of the urban fabric. Also captures the curious nature of the narrow entrance to the space; the characteristic which drew us to the site in the first place.

Documenting the space- photos

Wanted to capture the transition from high street to the other worldly space of the interior.

Section at 1-50 captured that very well! Will show later

Section also looked through the tent. Interesting how selecting this site found a place for assembly- The type space we are eventually going to have to design. As such it makes sense to search for the characteristics of the site which have made it so!?!? Will show in later post as for now lets look at some photos-

"Take the temperature of the space"

The allure of a space cut off from the hustle and bustle of the high street, is perhaps the most obvious characteristic behind its appeal. However upon closer inspection the stark contrast of place use and materials made for a hugely varying space, tectonically and experientially.

Hard bricks, soft stone and smooth fabrics- all sensuous and interesting. A beautiful, surprising and sensational experience of a place for assembly!

The Space!!

like a secret garden. Our chosen space lies behind St Etheleburgas church on Bishopsgate road. We were initially drawn towards this piece of semi private/ public space for the churches juxtaposition of materiality and scale of both old and new architecture.

Upon entering the space we found it to be other-worldly, A hidden gem, in which the space formed between the buildings became of high interest, and even more interesting than the church itself.

It is these apparent rooms behind the facade of the high street which began to captivate us, the notion of how the mass and shape of the immediate surrounding buildings that make up the high street, inadvertently create spaces, atmospheres, places amongst the city buildings. Hidden spaces, which are essential to the atmosphere of the city however are not immediately present.

Thoughts on the Story Telling

Interesting brief. Walked around the city over the weekend, checking out places to feel the types of spaces which draw us in. Looking to understand the subtle qualities of place which make it interesting, memorable or emotional. Interesting links to the dissertation i'm writing at the moment regarding emotional memories of impressionist paintings. Will talk about later.

Rather than looking for something in particular about a space I want to try and feel for a space which seems interesting. Using my senses as guides for a place which appeals to me. Then try and describe those feelings, sensual and intellectual stimulants which talk to me.

Exploring the City

We often found ourselves attracted towards, less explicit, darker corners of the high street. Areas where the areas of public/ private/ and movement and their boundaries, intertwine, overlap and meet in quiet conversation.

Juxtapositions between the variety of of surface, materiality, temporality and scale makes for interesting and stimulating environments. However, the static and explicit nature of these sorts of environments possessed a lack of depth.

Found this space!

Along Bishopsgate just off London Wall. Initially I found the entrance to a space curious in its mixture of materials, size and location. For a street along which most entrances to areas are open to the public and large in scale (such as the opening to the leathersellers to the right) this gated entrance shied away from the street. It's quiet presence amongst the grandeur of the city was intriguing to say the least. Not just that, the odd mixture of materials was interesting too!