THE
AR/BA/SON MARKET | MASTERPLANNING
Site Analysis
The boundary of this project was within the existing basement, ground and first level of the Freemasons’ Grand Lodge, on George Street. A good understanding of the whole interior was established during the ‘Masonic Synergy’ project; as a result, a further analysis was conducted on the exterior influences to this site.
Precedent Studies
Critical Geometry
The decision to divide the Grand Lodge in two ways to create a visible demarcation of function. This division highlights the historical alterations made to the original Freemasons’ Hall, what was once possibly a garden, now is the Grand Hall. This division highlights where the architecture of the building itself doesn’t quite align due to the natural topography the City of Edinburgh offers. In ways, the Freemasons’ Grand Lodges response to the site below incorporated the principle of social-distancing into its very own architecture, both sides juxtaposing each other's elevations and exposing where they touch.
Creating an Inner Street
The interior space references the James Craigs First New Town. Employing the gridiron plan to define the floor layout, creating a miniature axis to run through the Freemasons’ Grand Lodge. Constructing a “street” within the interior that connects George Street and Rose Street, and punctures the concept of social hierarchy that was embedded into the framework of the James Craigs First New Town.
Zoning
Having a clear division within the building, I began to explore ways to functionally join the George Street and the Rose Street sections together. I also began planning out the masterplan of space usage to contextually adapt to subsidise the market space, making sure that the market space is also the focal function.
Things I Thought About:
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Access to the market from George Street that would blend into the existing architecture, a ramp from market to George Street Ground level would waste space.
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Elevator access for public use and access to upper floors, and the elevator access for staff access to upper floors, and how to rationally keep these two separate to avoid joining their circulation routes.
Atmosphere
The strength in the initial market plan was the strong separation of the building, now that they have joined, I have begun to explore how to maintain but introduce this separation in a more visual way. Juxtaposing the contemporary aesthetic of the market and retaining the traditional symbolic aesthetics of the masonic lodge.
Aesthetics
The strength in the initial market plan was the strong separation of the building, now that they have joined, I have begun to explore how to maintain but introduce this separation in a more visual way. Juxtaposing the contemporary aesthetic of the market and retaining the traditional symbolic aesthetics of the masonic lodge.
CITATION
Gifford, J., McWilliam, C., Walker, D. and Wilson, C. (2003). Edinburgh. New Haven, Conn.: [Yale Univ. Press]. (Gifford et al, 2003)
Frearson, A., 2020. Shift Architecture Urbanism Designs Social Distancing Into The Food Market. [online] Dezeen. Available at: <https://www.dezeen.com/2020/04/03/shift-architecture-urbanism-designs- social-distancing-into-the-food-market/> [Accessed 25 June 2020].
Wolff Architects. 2020. Watershed - Wolff Architects. [online] Available at: <http://www.wolffarchitects.co.za/ projects/all/watershed/> [Accessed 25 April 2020].
Ravenscroft, T., 2020. Dominique Coulon & Associés Turns French Distillery Into Covered Market. [online] Dezeen. Available at: <https://www.dezeen.com/2020/06/08/dominique-coulon-associes- schiltigheim-covered-market/> [Accessed 25 June 2020].