Tiernan Allen

The Waterlands SuperStudio has played an important and fundamental role in my Architectural studies: from exploring designs more abstractly, widening my knowledge and outlook on architecture, and in particular the process of how to explore different ways to design a building.

This year for my final project, which was a spa and Mourne granite geological exhibition, I really wanted to challenge myself, and push the boundaries. From my research work I became fascinated about the Mournes, particularly the granite geology. From the early stages of the project I explored ideas of how this could be incorporated into the design, and as a material to explore.

As our studio is known as WaterLands, I was intrigued about the nature of water:  the streams, the rivers, the valleys, and the sea. As the final project was located on the Newcastle Harbour, I was curious about how the seawater might interact with the building. Does the sea become part of the journey? Is the sea water filtered to create the pools? Can the sea be used as a source of heat exchange? I thought of the pools as small quarries filled with water. The idea of bringing the mountain quarries down to the sea is where I started noticing that earlier abstract ideas, became very useful.

Within the past three years I have developed my conceptual thinking using both sketching and model making to exploring various thoughts and moments that could occur within my buildings both spatially and structurally.  Precedent studies such as Vals became very useful to inform my project. The Mourne mountains played a pivotal role within my final design not just in only exploring the history, but by starting to think about sustainability across a much wider environment than just the building.  

For the next stage of my career, I have a placement in Belfast, which I am looking forward to in order to broaden and apply my knowledge, and in particular to develop the technical side, which I find very interesting, in understanding how a building comes together and how it is made.

I look forward to returning to complete my masters within the WaterLands studio. After this I would like to travel and explore the world of Architecture in various countries such as America. One day I would like to start up my own business, where my thoughts and ideas can be brought to life.