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Cultural Knot Doncaster

Part 1 Project 2005
Charles Caswell
University of Sheffield | UK
The site of Doncaster’s new Arts College is earmarked for future development, yet it is cut off from the town by an inner ring road. So too is St. George church, (one of Doncaster’s most visually impressive buildings). The neighbouring Market Hall has been so clogged up by temporary market stalls that its façade is barely visible, and the market is suffering as a consequence.
My proposal introduces a structure and a strategy to revitalise these facilities, allowing them to complement one another, and by doing so, focus
their energy into a new vibrant hub for Doncaster.
Charles Caswell


Focusing on the market area, the proposal aimed to reconnect existing cultural facilities and offer Doncaster a forum that could enrich personal experiences and public events. The intervention evolved into a bridging facility that would house a visual arts centre that could inspire the community, through different experiences relating to the teaching, production and viewing of art.
He has worked extremely hard to produce a fantastic tectonic proposal, which would act as a catalyst for future development. He provides an intelligent lively building that is not only architecturally sophisticated but is highly successful as a piece of exciting urbanism.

2005
BRIEF SHEET_ The panoramic photo demonstrates the lack of cohesion and planning present in an area that has the potential to be both vibrant and inspiring.
DESIGN STRATAGY_ Fundamental to my design was the creation of a strategy, rather than a building; Every city has buildings but by giving Doncaster a unique public forum, it can create a contemporary identity to distinguish itself from neighbouring towns.
SITE MAPPING_ This sheet expresses how the brief and site influences affected the layout of the building and strategy, thus allowing a scheme that will function both contextually and programmatically.
DEVELOPMENT MODEL_ The model shows the linear path that connects the Market Hall to the Arts College, and how new public areas are created in front of the Market Hall and on the round-a-bout.
BUILDING/ BRIDGE_ I chose to express the duality of the buildings function, by positioning the two paths on opposite facades. The bridge represents rapid purposeful movement, hence the dynamic façade and linear orientation, whereas the gallery path depict
EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC _ This image demonstrates how the connective path facilitates the incorporation of existing features of the market such as police booth and market office. It also exposes the structural frame that allows the building to span the road.
EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC _To express the concept of a public building, the roof is incorporated into the buildings program, allowing every part of the structure to be publicly accessible. The rooms within the Arts Centre are articulated by the two paths runni
ELEVATIONS_ This image shows how the façade becomes increasingly transparent towards the middle of the building, allowing for greater appreciation of its purpose and structure, as well as framing the Church beyond.
STRATAGY PLAN_ The schemes plan demonstrates how the connective path ties together the Market Hall and Arts College, while attention is drawn to St. Georges Church via sight lines and structural forms present throughout the proposals landscaping.
DETAILED DESIGN MODEL_Due to the dimensions of my detailed design section, I chose to present it using a model. The fluorescent tube outline the sectional cut on a Perspex sheet that was laser etched with the buildings plan. The two arms of the model repr
DETAILED DESIGN_ The detailed design section is taken through a large proportion of the connective path. It demonstrates how the change in levels on site allow for a ramped access to the bridge, and how the roof is accessed towards the centre of the struc
ARIEL VIEW_ This image offers an overview of the proposal within its context. Note how an open area is created in front of the Market Hall by providing a covered area where the temporary market stalls can be concentrated.
PANORAMA_ The panorama is taken from middle of the connective path and shows the relationship between the landscaping the Arts Centre. Note how the site lines and landscape orientation encourage a greater appreciation of St. Georges Church.
FRONT ERSPECTIVE_ The south façade is largely covered to reduce both light and noise pollution from the road, however the front (east) façade is fully glazed to allow panoramic views of the site, and its patrons.
CARS EYE VIEW_ This image gives a cars eye view of the building, and demonstrates how the exposed structure and dynamic façade depict the notion of movement, while the increase in the structures transparency allows better views of the church beyond.
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