Initial Research and Photography

Discovery Museum

After choosing Pipewellgate ( currently occupied by the Brett Oil Factory) as my project site, I set about uncovering the existing plans, sections and elevations of the current buildings. This is in response to maybe keeping all or some of the existing structure and progressing down the route of reuse and the synergy that is formed between mixing old and new architectural features and forms. I visited the Archive at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle (picture to the right) which handles the old historic files of the Gateshead area. The Oil factory is basically a shell, made up of both steel and timber frame construction. It was altered in the 1970's, adding toilets and covering to a courtyard space in the centre of the development. Originally the site accommodated an iron works, a foundry that was part of a river side industry that ran down the the majority of the Gateshead waterline. Old slums dwelling were also be found, running down the slope from High Level Rd, in the historic context of the site.

So far my thoughts about the design intent and client inclusion in respect of the Finnish Institute are based around an aquaponic involvement - specifically the ideas taken from my prototype investigations. The aquaponic closed loop systems are based around sustainability and renewable ideals. I want to create an urban farm/ botanical/ winter garden sort of scheme. Linking and creating around the markets and public spaces on the Newcastle Quayside. Many cities have winter gardens - notably Glasgow, Sheffield and Sunderland. I want to create a new public realm that reconnects the natural environment. An idea that resonates within the Finnish Culture, where people feel more at home within the forest and countryside than in an urban environment. My design should reconnect the impermeable urban landscape with nature. The visual interaction between the reused Brett Oil refinery infrastructure (a symbol of heavy industry and over-reliance on fossil fuels) and a new sustainable development will be an iconic symbol towards Newcastle's Utopian green city.

Brett Oil Factory Centred