Vertical Project: "Constructing an archive"

Vertical Project 2016/2017
A Project by
Camille Trinidad
Gemma Thompson
Claire Dimond
Mamta Patel
Josh Heath
Adriano Da Silva
Hana Zherka
Waterloo
Constructing an archive
School of Architecture and Landscape
Kingston University London

Constructing an archive
The school’s running theme for the second
year was dwelling into the periphery. This
time, we were asked to choose a specific
point in which we need to describe our journey
in at least 10 different representations.
In addition to that, we were to produce a
lumiere video that describes the chosen site.
Until when do we consider a specific point
a part of a journey? Do we determine it via
zoning and fares? Do we decide according
to the existing physical enclosure or do we
define it according to the people’s use of
space? We are commuters and one large
part of our academic experience is travelling
to and from the campus. Whether it is
short or long distance, an hour and a half
train journey or a minute walk, the final
location is all the same. But how about our
own individual periphery?
We agreed on a single site that we find quite
important when traveling to Kingston coming
from central London. Waterloo is an
obvious pick so we decided to choose something
in context and concluded to study 1
Charlie Chaplin Walk.
The site is an underground circular walkway
below the vehicular roundabout that connects
Waterloo road, Waterloo bridge and
A3200. It has several entrances and tunnels
accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and waste
trucks. In this project, we wanted to define
the word periphery in both tangible and intangible
aspects of architecture. We like the
idea of the walkway as a busy public space.
In this case, it was the opposite.
The site seemed calm when compared to
its context, as if it was designed to act as a
break from all the things happening above
it which contradicts its function to connect
spaces. The juxtaposition between above
and below was very eminent. There was a
quick change in atmosphere coming from
a busy Waterloo station packed with commuters
to the quiet underground tunnels
that lead to the site.
From there, we individually interpreted
our journey to this site using photographs,
models, sketches, poetry, diagrams, rubbings,
mass study and videography creating
a small archive that describes our intangible
and tangible experiences.
Lumiere videos
https://vimeo.com/184979875
https://vimeo.com/184982433
https://vimeo.com/184985514

SUBVERSIVE
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CROSSCUT
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GRAZED
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MASSED
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UNDERNEATH
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RISING
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BELOW
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SHELTER
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FURROW
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UNDERGROUND
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TUNNELING
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SECRETIVE
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The train reveals to me
its own peripheries,
lining the edge of the steel tracks.
Blank walls face me, shy windows look away.
Purposeless brick structures are now isolated
from their long lost neighbours.
I am rushed past brown and grey, iron and concrete
and now I see an empty bike rack at a platform;
surely this must be the periphery?
Nature is slowly invading the edges and forgotten spaces,
draping harsh metal fences with blankets of leaves;
the lush edges soothe my eyes.
An inviting track sweeps off
out of sight, framed with green.
I wish I could see its end.
Further along sheds and gates make their own city,
scaffolding reaches up like spires,
as we glide into the station past spokes in the sky.
The vast hall of the station is full
of moving faces never to be seen again;
I leave them and descend to the street.
Now under it, where the haunting beats
of a busker resonate.
I can’t help but walk in time.
The tunnel would darken but for eerie neon.
Then daylight is revealed, as sirens cry above me,
real life almost in sight yet out of reach.
REVELATION
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