PT1: The Best of the Old

Guildhall

Obscurity and the Sublime

The philosopher Edmund Burke theorised that when we know the full extent of any danger, when we can accustom our eyes to it, a great deal of the apprehension vanishes. Danger can be interpreted as: the excited emotional state that comes from 'fear of the unknown' and once the adrenaline of fear is gone, there is no excitement and the imagination is no longer active.

In Architectural terms: If a building or group of buildings is wholly perceivable (Not partially hidden by trees or another building) and its features are obvious and predictable, it does not activate our imaginations. Thus is ignored quickly (potentially causing neglect) and does not leave any psychological impressions.

I believe Commercial road is a victim of this banality; and hence why its atmosphere is uninspiring.

In the past, tree's may have overshadowed and obscured our smaller buildings, but will so many high rise, they are the ones overshadowed and the effect is no longer present.

Areas of Commercial Road reimagined.

Utopian City

A Typical model of a historic 'ideal' city arrangement. Featuring: radial geometry, central square or meeting point (town hall or place of worship), clear boundaries/walls, symmetrical plan, order.

Left to Right: Thomas Moore's model for an English City, Plato's Atlantis, Collection of Utopian plans.

The Centre is identified, signifying it as the most important area in the city. Typically in these models this centre may contain a religious spot or the source of authority and power, as the most important features in these times. In contemporary life, this 'centre' of importance may be identified at something else entirely, for example a community space for events or gathering.

The general ideology of having a self sufficient, contained city, is useful. Residential areas, Shops, transport, worship, activity and work are all combined into this one space.