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PANOPTICON – OXFORD STREET

Part 2 Project 2004
Saleem Al-Mennan
 University of Lincoln Lincoln | UK
“...our society is not one of spectacle, but one of surveillance we are neither in the ampi – theater, nor on the stage, but in the panoptic machine’- Michel Foucault

The project explores the subject of surveillance,as a means to generate architectural proposition, and to raise question on the broader issue of surveillance. Inspired by Eame’s ‘power of ten’ the project became an adventure exploring London from satellite imaging, CCTV surveillance on the street and shop floor to generating DNA profiling via forensic analysis. Through the use of different media, initially surveillance imaging and video, to forensic analysis. To gain an in depth knowledge and feel for the subject and then exploring the outcome by means of model making and exploratory photography, with the intention of generating ‘questioning’ narrative, spatial and structural dynamics.

The site –Marble Arch Island. Historically a place for execution and part of Hyde Park, it is currently on the agenda for redevelopment – one of the propositions being is to turn it in to a farmers market. The scheme – aims to regenerate the island and to create a link (between the three different urban conditions Oxford Street – Marble Arch island – Hyde Park), which is not only physical but also draw on the issues of surveillance and the market place (oxford street).

Market – inspired by the movie ‘Blade runner’ a hybrid 24 hour market – providing from instant noodles to DNA testing, creating a quirky, surreal experience in the heart of London. bringing together fragments from a culturally divers context. An exhibition of surveillance – trade and voyeurism.

The program and narrative of the bridge adopts the idea of Jeremy Benthams Panopticon – reconstructed to adopt the 21st century surveillance, market place and entertainment (voyeurism)
As Oxford Street is one of the most intensely watched place – one is not able to be on the street without being watched by CCTV. The bridge becomes an extension of
Saleem Al-Mennan

The Panoptican project engages with the very modern phenomenon of detached observation. Remote surveillance has become an integral part of our cultural experience both as entertainment, and perhaps more significantly, as an overt expression of voyeurism. The scheme draws it’s strength from the rigorous application of a studio process. This process is primarily concerned with the generation of form and the development of architectural language from the acute observation of the ephemeral and the transitory.
The scheme succeeds on many levels; the thoroughness of the investigations, the rigorous exploration of program and language, and above all, the beauty of the architecture. The resultant built form embodies the essence of a place transformed. It possesses cultural and emotional syntax.

2004
SITE STUDY - In keeping with the design methodology the processes of surveying at different scale – at this scale it’s the site – Marble arch island – at the present it is dislocated – the proposition will make connection between oxford street – marble ar
FORENSIC SCIENCE - analysis of receipts – taking the concept of surveillance to an extreme – to the point of DNA profiling.
Analysis of the receipts at different scales revealing different conditions – DNA analysis with the hypothesis that DNA profile could be made from a finger print, swab.
An expression of surveillance - WATCHER BEING WATCHED - it gives the audience or subject the both perception of surveillance –
Zooming in to an extreme thereafter building up. Reconstructing fragments of fingerprints which was used as a base at times literal at times intuitively translated into 3D wire and mesh models – this move takes the analysis to a level where it begins to h
De-fragmenting fingerprints and creating an whole – the process of articulating the market became the opposite of that – the whole is fragmented displaced and juxtaposed to create another whole. The fragments become the market – making reference to market
Living bridge - The process of design worked at two different strands – one generating the program and narrative and the other generating the architectonic form and space – the photgrams were subjected to further explorations they were playfully distorted
PHOTOGRAMS - Analogy was made to finger prints when doing the photograms, the photograms in essence are the ‘finger prints of the model – or it can be received as a form of archive of the finger prints. Exploring further using the medium of photograms as
GROUND FLOOR PLAN – under bridge café with in the fabric of hybrid market
FIRST FLOOR PLAN - As Oxford Street is one of the most intensely watched place – one is not able to be on the street without being watched by CCTV.The bridge becomes an extension of this concept of surveillance – and adopting the idea of high street and c
SURVEILLANCE – COMMODITY – VOYEURISM - The Bridge over the market becomes a junction (bar) from where people are able to watch and observe the different market pods and stalls for what they have to offer, via high – tech CCTV – which will become integral
ELEVATION STUDY – bridge hovering over the market – dialogue created between the two via CCTV imaging.
Structural strategy – bridge interweaving through the super structure – developed from the formal exploration of the models which was generated from fragments of finger prints.
MARKET – inspired by the movie ‘Blade runner’ a hybrid 24 hour market – providing from instant noodles to DNA testing. At the Beginning of Oxford street, bringing together fragments from a culturally divers context. An exhibition of surveillance – trade
SURVEILLANCE - satellite imaging to CCTV - ‘structure and event’ that exist in a moment in time. ‘starting at human scale of one meter, moving and surveying outwards, power by power, and understanding little by little – what it means to add another zero
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