words of transformation

TRANSFORMING SPACE TRANSFORMING LIVES


Words of Transformation

Alex CoppockDirector - BSc Dip Arch GradDipCons (AA)RIBA

Words or Works ?



What is Architecture?

Words only exist as part

of a language


word |wərd|

noun

a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others (or sometimes alone) to form a sentence and

typically shown with a space on either side when written or printed.

• a single distinct conceptual unit of language, comprising inflected and variant forms.

• (usu. words) something that someone says or writes; a remark or piece of information: his grandfather's words had been

meant kindly | a word of warning.

• speech as distinct from action: he conforms in word and deed to the values of a society that he rejects.

• [ with negative ] (a word) even the smallest amount of something spoken or written: don't believe a word of it.

• (one's word) a person's account of the truth, especially when it differs from that of another person: in court it would have

been his word against mine.

• (one's word) a promise or assurance: everything will be taken care of—you have my word.

• (words) the text or spoken part of a play, opera, or other performed piece; a script: he had to learn his words.

• (words) angry talk: her father would have had words with her about that.

• a message; news: I was afraid to leave Washington in case there was word from the office.

• a command, password, or motto: someone gave me the word to start playing.

• a basic unit of data in a computer, typically 16 or 32 bits long.

Architecture exists as part of a landscape


but there is a relationship

between them


Words not only help us understand buildings they also help us design them



14th Century Farmhouse, Careful conservation, with a twist.

17th Century barn Repair and Transformation

11th Century St Peters Peterchurch, Re - imagining

5 boxes and and floor


14th Century Farmhouse,

Careful Conservation, with a

twist.

Conservation is defined as:

“ The process of managing change to a significant place

in it’s setting, in ways that would best sustain it’s heritage

values, or recognising opportunities to reveal or re-

enforce those values for present and future generations’.

P.7 Conservation Principles, Policies and guidance for the Sustainable Management of the Historic

Environment. English Heritage.

What is valuable?

to correct what is disturbing

What is valuable?

2.



TRANSFORMING SPACE TRANSFORMING LIVES TRANSFORMING SPACE TRANSFORMING LIVES

3.

St Peters Peterchurch,

Re - imagining



There are 425 churches within the Diocese of Hereford. Over 90% of them are

listed Grade 1, 2* or 2. The total population of the Diocese is 285,000. National

figures suggest that only 5% of people will regularly attend church. The sad truth is

that the average weekly congregation for the vast majority of rural churches in

Hereford Diocese is in single figures.

Context

‘...we have this difficulty of vast spaces with really small numbers of people in.’

(CHALLENGER 12.02.11)

Impact

‘I think that what is sad, is that 2 or 3 churches over the last few years have

become redundant because the cost of repairing them has just become

astronomical and not achievable by those communities.’


‘Once you get to a stage where a PCC reaches that desperation with lots to do and

walks away from it, it is actually too late then to do anything about it.’


Impact

‘The greatest problems arise when large buildings, built for needs which cease to

exist, become vacant’.

(DoE CIRCULAR 8/87 PARAS 20-21)

Re-imagining

The PCC of St Peter’s Church were approached by the local authority with the

possibility of re-ordering the church and using the nave as a community centre,

primarily to work with young parents and children under the Sure Start

programme.

After much negotiation and community consultation the PCC agreed that St

Peter’s church should be re-ordered to create a sustainable, multi-use

community building, designed to function as:

• Service delivery centre for children’s services

• Worship space for Anglican services

• Community event space

• Public lending library

A place of worship

The Idea - 5 Boxes - 1 Surface

1 Box of Energy

2 Boxes of Delight

2 Boxes of Stuff

Provide a new ‘Space Plan’

Contain the ‘Services’

Manage the ‘Stuff’

Golden Girls

Childrens Services

Acts of Worship

Friendship

Birthday Parties

Meetings

Enterprise

Library

Credit Union

Health Clinics

ORLANDO JOPLING PLAYS BACH CELLO SUITES

Concerts

SISTER MOON, MOTHER EARTH

GRAHAM JONES

Exhibitions

Silence

Remembrance

‘This is a very good example of a church expanding its role in village life through

the provision of new services - to the young and to the old. As well as transforming

a gloomy, damp space, the work has redefined the churches’ role in its village. The

interventions work with the grain of the building and have a simplicity, austerity and

clarity which works extremely well.

The architects and client have created a series of spaces in which a huge variety of

activities can take place and this inventive programming will hopefully help

encourage the kind of chance encounters which help make up a community. If this

kind of partnership between churches and villages are reproduced throughout the

country, both will thrive.’

(ACE/RIBA AWARDS 2011 Jury’s citation)

‘Peterchurch you know is a great example of what can happen...Peterchurch is

wonderful because it is relational.’

(LOCKETT 16.02.12)

Result

Result

Transformation of a Community

Viability

From 30 people / week to 300 people / week

Used everyday for everything by everyone

Gives the Parish back its church




11th Century St Peters Peterchurch, Re - imagining


11th Century St Peters Peterchurch, Re - imagined

words of transformation

Presentations & Public Speaking