Bursledon Brickworks Semester Two Scheme - Site Model

Bursledon Brickworks Semester Two Scheme - Sections North to South

Bursledon Brickworks Semester Two Scheme - Brickworks Floor Plans

The strategy for the Brickworks structures themselves is a multilayered solution that binds the fragments of existing buildings together and ensuring they are fit to function as an educational facility, but so that the industrial nature and past narrative of the buildings are still visible. Definition of public/private and served/servant is also an important consideration, with several spaces such as the cafe, publics toilets and shop bridging this gap.

Firstly the failing roofs, fitted during the 1990's, would be removed and the original brick superstructure underpinned and made good without over restoration or the removal of integrated, original fittings.

A central corridor constructed from black engineered brick would then slot over the existing brick superstructure providing a clear aesthetic disjunction by connecting the separated drying sheds and also pragmatically providing central circulation as well as a top lit exhibition space for products produced on site.

Plugged into this central core, which would also carry of the the main services, a series of lightweight, portal frame structures, clad in CorTen steel would slot into the original shell of the drying sheds. These pods would be top lit via north facing skylights and produced off site site before being craned into position. Not all of the original structures would be inhabited and thus would create courtyards and outdoor demonstration areas.

Over the Kilns and the engine house two portal frame structures would be constructed with sides that 'concertina' up to allow them to be open or closed. A new self catering accommodation block for residential students, studying as part of the sites capacity as a Ruskin Mill Educational Trust Centre would create a sheltered cloister behind the kilns.

Bursledon Brickworks Semester Two Scheme - Site Plan

As part of its remit as an education centre focusing on sustainability by traditional practice, the site must be able to demonstrate a holistic and integrated solution to re-use and production that is evident both in the activities the centre provides for resident students and occasional users and in the general . This general sense of sustainability through re-use and traditional skills would operate on both a small and large scale, using products that are produced and/or recycled from the site or the immediate surrounding area. For example timber, animal and plant food products and compost on the one hand would be produced on site, whilst other raw materials such as stone, clay and raw composting materials would be sourced locally where necessary.

The strategy for the site itself involves dividing the area into stratified bands, representative of the industrial landscape that exists prior to the later half of the C20th. This also resulting in a pleasing fusion of post industrial and pre industrial, natural landscape that presents a synthesis between the two polemics. This format also allows a range of uses to be accommodated and appreciated as the visitor moves through the site.

Specific areas for food growing, woodland, larger sale events, recycling, animal grazing and recreation are provided as well as the Brickworks itself, which constitutes the main processing part of the site. Acting counter to this horizontality a central 'spine' comprising a colonnaded walkway spans the entire site from the community recycling and composting at the south east point to boat storage on the River Hamble at the most north westerly extents. This spine also becomes a bridge over the sunken market gardens and terraced orchard and also expands at various points to provide activity and recreational shelters, storage and other facilitates such as the community recycling point.

Existing routes reconnect the site central site to the nature reserve to the north and the local community would be encouraged to engage and use the site. However ultimately because of its geographical location the site has to provide a self sustaining, partially inward looking solution in order to function effectively and efficiently, including establishing its own community.