Memory Archive & Museum of the Everyday Life Part 2 Project 2014 Sara Neuberg University of the West of England | UK The project is a response to the Spitafields’ rich history of diversity and culture. It focuses on the everyday lives of the people that contribute to creating the unique identity of the area. The role of the Memory Archive and Museum of the Everyday Life is to preserve, store and eventually exhibit the memories and the everyday objects of these people. The programme is driven by the idea of discovery and the provision of a journey that takes us through the lives of these ordinary people, giving us a real insight into the past. This relationship with the past led to the utilisation of an existing ruin on the site. As we grow we accumulate objects and memories that create who we are. To store these memories, the Memory Archive will provide each person in the area with a chest in which they will deposit their objects of personal value. Thus, the archive will be free form, where each space will be defined by the chests themselves, allowing for the space to be ever changing. In accordance with Henri Lefebvre’s theory of space, each user will have the chance to open their chest and reminisce about their lives, thus changing the archive into a personal volume. As soon as the person leaves, the previously used space becomes blank again. If a chest becomes ownerless it will remain in the repository and become part of the architecture. As such chests deteriorate they will merge with the building, acting to both provide space for new boxes and enable individuals to leave a unique mark on the project that will always be a part of the site. Some chests will be donated to become part of a public exhibition. In this way, the exhibition will provide a real insight into the manner in which people used to live and will allow the public to have a real experience of the past. The act of discovery is translated into the architectural form, creating a tactile exhibition where the public discovers each person’s objects individually, consequently widening his or her knowledge in a unique way. Tutor(s)Mr Jonathan Mosley