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Defining Boundaries - Shipbreaking, Reconditioning and Recycling Facility

Part 2 Project 2011
Paul Mcguigan
University of Lincoln Lincoln | UK
The investigation began looking at territory, boundaries and void space created by the ‘peace walls’ within Belfast. The city is designed around the idea of wall which is visable within it’s urban fabric.
After analysing the walls on an urban level further investigations are carried out on the Shankill/Falls Interface which is the longest standing ‘peace wall’ in Europe which presents this idea of - ‘perception of permanence’ through construction methods, materiality and size. Several conditions became visible leading to an intervention proposal for each.

1_non-politicised space-created through the playfulness of material [perception of permanence]. conflict occurs on either side of the ‘peace wall’, yet neither side can occupy or manipulate this space.
2_fortified house-analysis a bland terraced row dwelling with a terror protection kit which was added to combat petrol bombs due to the history & location of Bombay Street. A response through intervention was to aid the people occupying the dwelling with a sense of normality through time & space where elements begin to shift/slide/move.
3_divided house-provided a peculiar condition in the form of an invisible boundary disecting the dwelling, seen as a gateway between both communities with access on either side of the interface. The intervention alludes to the physical & invisible lines that connect/disconnect either side, commemorating how government decisions, both temporary and permanent affect the lives of people within Belfast.

“the man who builds a factory, builds a temple, that the man who works there, worships there and to each is due, not scorn and blame but reverence and praise” –CalvinCoolidge_American President[1923-1929]

Belfast was once recognised for its merits in the industry of shipbuilding with more modern history being dominated by the troubles. With H&W’s recent grant of a shipbreaking license an area specific to the breaking of vessels is required. It is envisaged to revert the current standings back to what was once the biggest shipbuilding port in Europe yet on a smaller scale using the initial studies of ‘wall’ as an architectural language to develop the building. The perception of permanence, boundaries [manVmachine], barrier transition and occupying of space are all incorporated within the building design.
http://be.net/paulmcguigan


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2011
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