DESIGNING WITHOUT

IMITATING.IMITATING.

Our approach

Case Studies

– Shechem– Shechem

– The Stealth House

– The Monk House

Stylistic consensus is ultimately a myth

The challenge of the

‘Pluralist Milieu’The juxtaposition of distinct

architectural styles (and the

philosophies that created them)

In the same shared space.

The challenge of difference is

here to stay…..so how can we

ensure we achieve unity

within difference.

‘E Pluribus Unum’

Celebrating ‘E Pluribus Unum’

Classism

Fit in

Pastiche

Georgian

Contrast

Bespoke

Contemporary

VernacularModernism

Contextual

How does a building grow naturally and uniquely out

of the conditions of its site?

the need for a theory of relating difference.

a new ism

Rationalism

RevivalismRevivalism

Eclecticism

Relationalism

A Social Theory

“Receptivity is only one side of hospitality. The other

side, equally important is confrontation… When we

really want to be hospitable we not only have to

receive strangers but also to confront them by an

unambiguous presence, not hiding ourselves unambiguous presence, not hiding ourselves

behind neutrality but showing our ideas, opinions

and lifestyle clearly and distinctly. No real dialogue

is possible between somebody and nobody.”

Henri Nouwen

‘Love thy neighbour as thy self’

Perhaps the most well known relational axiom, ‘Love thy neighbour,’ is completed with ‘as thy self’.

In the original Biblical account of this axiom, ‘neighbour’ In the original Biblical account of this axiom, ‘neighbour’ is a verb. Co-appearing and proximity alone are inadequate without the evidence of meaningful and positive interaction between subjects.

Look for evidence of meaningful interaction between the old and new.

The notion of RECOGNITION

Design generated from the site

‘The true innermost being of architecture can be compared to natures seed, and something of the inevitability of nature’s principle of growth ought to be a fundamental concept in architecture. If we think of the seeds that turn into plants or trees, seeds that turn into plants or trees, everything within the same genus would develop the same way if the growth potential were not so different and if each growth possessed within itself the ability to grow without compromise. On account of different conditions, similar seeds turn into widely differing organisms.’

Jorn Utzon,The Innermost Being of Architecture

Winchester

Style is not local but it can be Localised

London Bath Edinburgh

1 Castle Street, DublinDe Blacam & MeagherDe Blacam & Meagher

The scale, massing and height of

proposed development should

be considered in relation to that

of adjoining buildings; the

topography; The general pattern

of heights in the area; and views, of heights in the area; and views,

vistas and landmarks all

influence the form of a

development.

House in CorrubedoChipperfield

An entry from Snug’s blog

When we design we must have our eyes and our hearts open.

We must listen as well as look. We must smell, feel and

remember. All of our senses must be alive if we are to create

designs that bring ongoing life to the places in which we work.

There is no status quo. Places, like the cells in our own body,

are always being renewed. The challenge is to maintain our are always being renewed. The challenge is to maintain our

identity and character whilst striving towards maturity.

For the buildings we design to succeed in this task we must

develop a deep understanding and respect for site. The result

will not however be a pastiche of past responses. It will be

something new, something befitting our era and the needs of

our age, something us and our clients can be proud of.

Shechem House

stealth HOUSE

Front In Side

Out SideRear

The Monks House

The Site

The Site.

The Site.

The Analysis.

The Analysis.

The Analysis.

The Analysis.

The Analysis.

PULLED BACK FROM FRONTAGE

Imitate?

The Analysis.

Is this the right approach?

CONTEXTUALISM/CONSERVATION LED APPROACH -

SEEKING TO PRESERVE.

CHARACTER / DESIGN LED APPROACH -

SEEKING TO ENHANCE.

a fresh perspective.....a fresh perspective.....

‘What's in a name? that which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet.’

The concept

The Precedent

The Proposal.

The Proposal.

APP/L1765/A/10/2135765 “I conclude that the proposed development

would cause no unacceptable harm to the living conditions of those at No.1

Birinus Road with special reference to visual impact and daylight.”

The Progress.

The Proposal.

In context.

CONTEXTUALISM/CONSERVATION LED APPROACH -

SEEKING TO PRESERVE.

CHARACTER / DESIGN LED APPROACH -

SEEKING TO ENHANCE.

ELEVATIONAL ANALYSIS

RECESSIVE RIDGE LINE

DOMINANT RIDGE LINE

Ground/Half Basement Floor Half First Floor

KEEP HORIZONTAL LEVELS

RECESSIVE RIDGE LINE

MAINTAIN STREET RHYTHM

VIEW OF EAST ELEVATION FROM BIRINIUS ROAD

VIEW NORTH ALONG BIRINIUS ROAD

CONTEXTUALISM/CONSERVATION LED APPROACH -SEEKING TO PRESERVE.

CHARACTER / DESIGN LED APPROACH -SEEKING TO ENHANCE.

NPPF

60. Planning policies and decisions should not attempt to impose

architectural styles or particular tastes and they should not stifle

innovation, originality or initiative through unsubstantiated

requirements to conform to certain development forms or styles. It is,

however, proper to seek to promote or reinforce local distinctiveness.

61. Although visual appearance and the architecture of individual 61. Although visual appearance and the architecture of individual

buildings are very important factors, securing high quality and

inclusive design goes beyond aesthetic considerations. Therefore,

planning policies and decisions should address the connections

between people and places and the integration of new

development into the natural, built and historic environment.

63. In determining applications, great weight should be given to

outstanding or innovative designs which help raise the standard of

design more generally in the area.