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Industrial Domesticity: ‘Monotowns’ in the Age of Green Industrial Revival

Part 2 Project 2023
Walid George Al Jaber
James Bower
Lewis Washington
David Grant
University of Liverpool | UK
How does Industry and Living collide today? Since the Industrial Revolution, the relationship between Live and Work has driven great architectural change within our cities. Yet, 21st Century legislation concerning long-term building sustainability has been directed twofold; towards the growth of green energy production, and towards the provision of equitable housing…

This project explores the re-converging of housing and industrial production through the ‘Monotown’ settlement typology – one capable of manufacturing renewable energy-generating technologies to meet 2050 UK carbon targets. The scheme hypothesises a network of repeatable infrastructural systems in locations sharing site commonalities. Parasitic relationships are averted by engaging local material suppliers/manufacturers and generating employment in socio-economically deprived post-industrial areas.

The Socio-Industrial spine acts as a new coastal promenade for Sunderland – bridging the previously anonymous brownfield areas between the coastline and existing urbanity. Re-wilded terrain and socio-cultural/leisure facilities grow over the phased design life-span. Such facilities are not to be utilised solely by new infrastructure workers/residents, but all locals/visitors alike.

A flexible ’Open Building’ model supports sustainable long-term living for residents, who can reconfigure their homes according to personal/family needs. In addition, parts are – and can be – recycled/reused, forming a rare type of architecture which envisages its own disbandment.

Walid George Al Jaber
James Bower
Lewis Washington
David Grant

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2023
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