Hard Space : Soft Tactics

STUDIO RESEARCH STATEMENT

Research Description, Content and Questions  

This studio employs the architectural teaching studio in a process of situated learning in multi-actor settings, initially examining the post-industrial post-conflict  northern edge of the city of Belfast. This approach recognises address well-established criticisms of professional self-referencing and limited relevance in  both the ‘black box’ of conventional architectural studio education and commission-dependant professional practice. Our extended and evolving contextual  engagement centres on live-issues, real-world engagement and data collection. Students are introduced to discourse around the limits of architectural  determinacy in social, material, economic, political, legislative and environmental fora. Studio actions are contingent upon ‘live issues’ identified through evolving and widening engagements. The distinction between live issues and live projects is significant. Belfast’s recent history of technocratic conflict  management and subsequent dominance of free-market investment exacerbates limits to broad-based spatial representation and empowerment. This democratic deficit informs the studio’s ambition. Rather than claim to represent any one actor or agency however, the studio’s position of honest broker’ explores opportunities for shared spatial and architectural futures and mutual benefit. Studio outputs are formed as products to extend dialogue, knowledge exchange and knowledge-building. The over-arching research question can be summarised as: “Can reframed architectural operations contribute more effectively to socially sustainable futures.”  Or, more specific to Belfast: “Do architectural operations offer a potential contribution in resolving contested space?” 

The pedagogic questions for students are “What agendas might define your future work?” and “What is your personal ambition in that work?” 

Method  

The initial methodology is drawn from EU/CRC funded research (Your Space or Mine?) and associated funded projects carried out by the studio lead in  Derry/Londonderry and Belfast since 2008. This work has employed architectural skills and knowledge along with public art and participatory practice  methodologies in engaging diverse interests and actors. Methodology rather than a specific question is central to the studio. Community planning, public art  and conflict resolution theories share ‘engagement’ as central to ambitions for shared, positive and sustainable outcomes. Our extended studio-based  research creates opportunities to address some well-established critical perspectives on conventional professional engagement processes which are typically  restricted by time, funding and commission-determined parameters.

Findings and Outlook  

Work in 2020–21 mainly responds to the recently announced public consultation on the major infrastructure project at York Street Interchange (YSI). The studio will focus on the spatial aspects of significant physical and economic disconnection and rupture in the YSI “Shatterzone’. This area is recognised as stifling opportunities for communities of extreme socio-economic multiple-deprivation in North Belfast to benefit from the major investment corridor running from the  city centre, through development at Tribeca, Ulster University, Clarendon Quays and into Titanic Quarter. 

It is planned that, through the Civic Ambassador programme, work in Sailortown, YSI and Ardoyne/Cave Hill will extend to include York Street New Lodge and  Tiger’s Bay communities. Separately, initial approaches have been made to the studio by community organisations in Peter’s Hill/Millfield and on the  Springfield/Shankill community interface and it is expected that future work can be developed in those areas. 

Dissemination  

Plans for a stakeholder and public exhibition of studio work to be held in St Joseph’s Church and public workshops in community settings have been postponed due to Covid restrictions but it is expected that these will take place as soon as restrictions are lifted. A website is planned to record and further disseminate the work of the studio. As a Civic Ambassador funded studio, dissemination of work will be supported by the University’s Widening Access and Participation  programme and Ulster’s Science Shop community-engaged research and learning programme.