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Home for an ancient mariner

Part 1 Project 2008
James Lingard
 University of Plymouth | UK
Intended as an exploration of a relationship between home and place, the project acknowledges the maritime tradition of the site through the creation of a resting place for an 'ancient mariner', a man inspired by Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem.

Like a shipwreck bound to the rocks upon which it sits, the elements of nature engage with the house allowing the mariner to track tides and weather as he has instinctively done for decades. From these natural elements energy for the house is drawn. As on his ship, the land-bound mariner listens and pays heed to the surrounding environment in order to harmonise with place.




James tenaciously grappled to establish an architectural position in his joyful six week project.

His resolution is a celebration which intentionally merges natures forces with the challenge of creating a home.

Seduction of space, memory and enlightenment are blurred in an emerging philosophy. Addressing alluring intangibles, manipulating experiential qualities add to underpin 'familiar' environmental conditions by passive and manageable controls in a home from home. The proposition illuminates the surrounding heavy, dark and historic context through a series of memorable, enjoyable spaces.

Tutor(s)
2008
"The sun now rose upon the right: Out of the sea came he, still hid in mist, and on the left. Went down into the sea..."
the forces of nature engage with the house to create a home from home for a man of the sea.
The last resting place for an ancient mariner is somewhere with a strong association with maritime tradition.
The house, cast upon the 'rocks' isolates the mariner and at the same time connects him to the sea.
sustainability: Like a ship the home engages with the elements to produce power.
An 'island' allows the collection of food. Like scaling a boat, rigging is used to aid the collection.
STUDY 1: Ship construction and form were carefully considered in developing the form and details for the home.
open core: To manage the home the mariner must monitor the weather, something he has instinctively done during a lifetime at sea.
In fair weather the mariner 'raises the sails' and engages with the maritime tradition of the site.
Like a ship the house must be adjusted in order to optimise performance.
Rigging the sails. "...And soon I heard a roaring wind: it did not come anear; but with it sound it shook the sails, that were so thin and sere..."
environmental strategies
An integral relationship between the house and site/sea is established through the construction process.
STUDY 2:The surrounding context was carefully considered throughout the project
top of core/crows nest. "...He went like one that hath been stunned and is of sense forlorn: A sadder and a wiser man, he rose the moral morn."
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