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INBlackpool

Part 2 Project 2013
Nicholas Peters
 Newcastle University | UK
‘INBlackpool’ explores issues surrounding flexibility and adaptability in architecture. Blackpool was chosen as a location due to it being a microcosm of change. In the immediate sense the town’s population fluctuates on a yearly cycle as the seasons, new attractions and one-off events manipulate the towns focus. In the long term Blackpool faces economic change either flourishing as it capitalises on the ‘Fracking’ industry or failing to resurface as a thriving sea-side town. It was decided to engage with Blackpool’s transport infrastructure as any change in fortune would be magnified in these supporting systems.

The existing transport infrastructure was unconnected, resulting in a disorientation arrival experience at the rear of town. The project seeks to consolidate the arrival experience in a new transport interchange. However, contrary to contemporary thinking regarding building to ‘projected figures’ or ‘current averages’, this thesis focuses on how in uncertain times a building can structure itself to react to change both on a daily basis through to more permanently in the future. The interchange was paired with an investment centre that sits above it. Uniquely placed the investment centre aims to redirect and assist in new economic opportunities and small business formation, whilst providing a prominent ‘shop window’ for the town. The centre contains within everything from marketing services to commercial property listings.

The project began as a commentary on the mundaneness of current transport ticketing. This manifested itself in the production of a ticket machine which produced a unique ticket dependent on a number of daily variables. From this initial exploration, the idea of the ‘instant’ unique experience as well as levels of infrastructure emerged.

The fluctuations in demand for the different transport systems were addressed by taking the analogy of a valve; resulting in the redirection and prioritisation of different forms of transport and user groups. In providing a unique arrival experience the interchange was designed through levels of infrastructure with varying degrees of permanency allowing the building to subtly change. This provided a unique user experience whilst accommodating Blackpool’s yearly cycle, from the illumination season to the hosting of political party conferences.

Tutor(s)
2013
Ticket Machine. The thesis began by making this machine that produced ‘unique tickets’ by changing certain variables dependent on their permanency.
Transect. Blackpool was chosen due to the poor existing arrival experience. By developing principles established in the ticket machine, a ‘unique arrival’ would be created.
People. Blackpool is currently inhabited by polarised groups, each experiencing the town in a totally different way aided by the fractured transport system.
Programme. The bulk of the programme was to consolidate the arrival into a hub. The rest of the programme looked at helping Blackpool develop a new economy based on three scenarios.
Economy. The image shows the main economic activity within the region that could be capitalised on.
Urban Model. This explorative model took Blackpool on an urban scale and established interrelationships between the transport systems through the understanding that an input will cause a shift or reaction.
Urban Scheme. The urban strategy involved reflection of the pier producing an event at either end and drawing visitors to and back from the promenade.
Fluctuation Diagramming. This annual diagram shows the how the demands on Blackpool’s transport systems fluctuate and shift dependent on the time of year.
Infrastructure Section. This section shows how the levels of infrastructure interact. The rear ‘valve doors’ dictate and manipulate flow and priority of individual transport systems.
Arrive. The user is brought through the main ‘hub space’ and drawn towards the periscope image as it reveals itself.
Destination. ‘Unique Arrival’ is achieved through changing certain levels of infrastructure, allowing the building to change throughout the year. This is enforced with a programmable square.
Depart
Levels of Infrastructure. The building is developed through levels of infrastructure from the permanent (concrete carcass) to the instant (light). This resulted in a flexible building with each component system on its own unique timeline.
Detail
A View From. A series of point-of-view images were created to show the building from the many different transport systems and the user’s perspective. This image is a view from a helicopter.
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