Masterplan
Will Hayter
Site strategy
How the Strategy behind the demolition and subsequent building of the Arts Factory can promote a new idea of communal engagement
Intervention
A timeline
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How the proposed demolition of the Essoldo can provide a catalyst for change within the area.
An abandoned old cinema sits unoccupied next to a string of empty shops.
Site strategy
The new Arts Factory shows how small-scale interventions can provide the stimulus for greater change within Stretford.
Material manufacture
The Story of the Essoldo
1.) Start with a building. A small, modest workshop and studio unit occupying half of the back of the Essoldo, a derelict Art deco cinema within Stretford.
2.) Introduce the people. These people will begin working in the workshop and introducing new ideas of what they want within the space
3.) Knock down the back of the Essoldo. In parts. Take down the roof, in parts.
4.) Create an on-site recycling centre. Recycle all the bricks and rubble, ready for re-use in the scheme.
5.) Plant seeds amidst the space cleared, allow grass to grow, flowers to blossom
6.) Expand workshop, expand membership. Introduce new spaces from the vision behind Stretford
7.) First exhibition of works produced within the workshop, the space will oxidise itself.
Intrigue will go, soon this small-scale venture can turn big.
8.) People want to buy these products, but where to sell them? Look up at the empty shop front by Edge lane, can we expand onto that?
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9.) Summer climate caters for outdoor Essoldo cinema to be created, freeness of the space allows for a number of small-scale opportunities, from Markets to Art classes. Members of the workshop can build for these types of ventures
10.) Ambition is now firmly in the air, people are still attracted by this idea of creation, and want to create more from this workshop
Community-led interventions
How the Intervention will take place
Precedent:
Luchtsingel
“Urban mixed use as a catalyst for redevelopment”
This project looked to revitalise a run-down area of Rotterdam through a community led intervention. This urban high line presented a sense of ownership for the public; each person or company was able to buy a plank of wood for £20 apiece, creating a new public park kick started by the people of Rotterdam. Businesses have now moved into this district, and the area has become popular again, suggesting how small scale interventions can foster a new attitude to an area.
Assemble
Yardhouse
"A prototype for high quality new-build affordable workspace provision"
Community Engagement within project
Community building as implementing a sense of ownership
Facade design by the canal will be created from a series of ceramic moulds, recycled from the demolition cinema. Moulds can be made by members of the public and installed onto the walls by workers, creating a building that is ingrained to the community of Stretford.
Precedent: Recylart
"The Arabesk Palaverboom project done by members of Recyclart and the wider community was a project designed to increase social interaction; “an invitation to loiter”; “the design encourages people to linger”
“Fabrik trains apprentices in its metal and timber workshops to produce street furniture for public clients and for projects projects initiated by Recyclart”
“Combining artistic activies, socio-professional training, and urban design projects, Recyclart operates programmatically as an interstice. Whilst Recyclart’s artistic production is anchored in international arts scenes, it also involves inhabitants of local neighbourhoods, and runs socio-professional activities aimed at re-inserting the long-term unemployed back into the job market.”
