SCRACE ARCHITECTS

Adding a fourth dimension to our clients dreams

sustainable

INTERVENTION

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10th/11th & 17th/18th September 11am-3pm

An exhibition by Tim Scrace ft. Judith Rodgers
Salisbury Art Trail 2022 Venue 12

Combining mixed media, VR & sculpture, events and artworks, INTERVENTION explores the contrast of action and inaction within our urban fabric. Intervention is a fully immersive experience that will enable you to see all too familiar streets, roads and landmarks from a completely different perspective.

INTERVENTION showcases a sculpture of transparent plates, mapping the lines of the city, introduces a series of physical layers whilst meandered charcoal drawings and watercolours set your mind free from the rigor of history and the built environment. The foundations of this yet to be explored virtual world are also presented in conceptual sketches and prints. 

INTERVENTION is being held at Scrace Architects offices at The Enterprise Network, The Old Fire Station, 2-4 Salt Lane, Salisbury SP1 1DU.  Directions are available on the contact page. For more information please contact us on 01722 658048 or using form here.

INTERVENTION VR takes you on an orange pathway to a landscaped skydeck where you walk amongst trees above moving cars, across rivers and between skyscrapers.  In this re-imagined version of a #peoplefriendlysalisbury a balloon station, an aqua-theatre, art galleries materialise as new structures and Stonehenge is relocated to a roundabout. Accessible either on your own mobile phone or on a state-of-the-art VR headset, Scrace Architects invite you to explore this vision of a future city and start your own re-imaginings.

The juxtaposition of environment, space and time within the realms of sublime 3D architecture provides a unique investigation of the city’s potential.  This project, part of the Salisbury Art Trail 2022, is the result of five years of development by artist Tim Scrace and his practice.  Tim, who has applied and developed this concept through the Design Visualisation course he lectures on at Solent University is excited about the possibilities of virtual and real space and the conversations and visionary context they hold.

“Over the past few years’ students have engaged directly with the artwork, enabling them to evolve their own projects and learn from integrating them in the urban realm.  I have been lucky to witness how this has added to and expanded the dialogue of an emerging virtual landscape.”

Judith Rodgers who is working in collaboration with the team on the exhibition responds with alternate perspectives of the local geography adding a sensory and landscape orientated layer to this exciting journey of possibilities.

Scrace Architects hope that INTERVENTION will offer the hope needed to encourage the city and its inhabitants to aspire to a bigger better yet more sustainable way of life. Bring your phones and be prepared to #seespacedifferently.

The Power of Dominoes

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Recognising #Fridaysforfuture and a need to acknowledge climate change and the world around us the practice and friendly collaborators took some time out recently to see what might be required to accomplish more meaningful change.  Fresh from the IGNITE Climate & Cocktails event my head is still spinning with realistic optimism.  Here are some ideas to get us started:

One Domino …

First up we heard from Martha (11) who, inspired by Greta, in turn encouraged Elon Musk to “concentrate on sorting out our planet before starting on another??” Be sure to listen out for Martha’s contribution in an upcoming Architecture Made Simple episode.  Sophia then spoke about small changes we can all make in our homes and in our lifestyles which together contribute to bigger actual shifts.

Two Dominoes …

One of the key benefits of the IGNITE workshops is that we take the time stand back strategically from the business of our day-to-day lives and refocus.  Eva offered us the opportunity to join her and other stakeholders to join the Eco Hub, which serves to …

In this instance our presentations were interspersed with related activities and kinetic games. Rich Lloyd observed the potential we have as an individual’s (dominoes) to effect change. The group creation of a marble run (our own Rube Goldberg machine) encouraged us to recognise that, as a collective, all heading generally in the right direction, we might all eventually reach a connected and purposeful destination.

Three Dominoes …

Activities and discussions helped support the belief that in each of us making a positive change (no matter how seemingly futile) might lead to a positive outcome. Indeed, the biggest lesson of the day was in identifying the potential of geometric growth. The theory and assertion that in each of domino there is the potential to knock over a bigger domino, offered the hope that our little voice might someday become more powerful.

In connecting people and ideas we have the power to realise the unrealistic.  If we, as individuals, are being asked to change our lives dramatically, the least, we can expect is that larger companies, who often pretend to make good on their legacy, are held accountable for their actions as well as their inaction.

Time for a New Game

Whilst there is a clear positive impact from an individual response to meet our own net zero and balance our carbon footprint, Tim observed that it should not rest on us alone.   It is in the commercial power of companies where significant mitigation lies.  Rather than the individual we should be focusing our attention on the bigger players.  In reality, with just 90 companies responsible for 66% of historic carbon emissions (Heede 2016), we should be targeting their responsibility and wealth as a means of combatting the damage they have caused.

Playing Big

The question now is how to get to the policy and decision makers at the top to effect a change in ethos.  Perhaps the answers lie in dominoes?  Let us start by approaching and educating the closest domino to you on the effect they are having.  In time we will reach the shareholders and investors who can then lobby these companies to balance things up and encourage them as bigger dominoes to make the right choices.

Asked to add some positivity to proceedings Armin Ganguly assumed a realistic perspective. The question as to how to save the planet is not a fair assessment of the things “we should focus on has to save half the planet’’.  There is still time, we should see what we can do! As the great man says, #alwayslookup!

If you know someone who has power and influence then they are your next step to make that change.  Begin with the closest and biggest domino you can find.  Knock them over with the facts and offer them ideas about how they can help us all save what is left!

Make sure you don’t miss the next IGNITE event scheduled for Friday 16th September.

Recalibration

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As a profession, architects are obsessed with detail and engineering. More recently they have turned their attention to business, and building information modelling systems. Whilst rigorous quality-control-driven systems of manufacture are finally having a positive effect on the profitability of architectural businesses, they seem to be having a negative effect on the profundity of our buildings.  What price do you place on a building’s soul?

Gripped by templates and performance, it feels like architecture itself is on the cusp of losing its soul. Once again, and somewhat regrettably, we have realised a utopian vision where buildings, detail and finishes matter more than people. People change people’s lives, not buildings.

In an industry where sustainability remains an excuse to charge clients more for solar panels or insulation, the products of practice and industry are detached from living. Homes and extensions are ‘show homes’ and lack character; commercial buildings are functional without form.

It’s time architects and their counterparts recognise that they have got things wrong, and take time to adjust their approach. We are not alone in taking accountability of this systemic situation but will need to lead if we are to affect an industry-wide change. A recalibration of practice and delivery is in order.

The design and construction process should put greater emphasis on creative thinking. Whether this is through abstraction of the brief, choice of sustainable materials, development of concept, or procurement method, the path to good architecture should not be so narrowly defined.

A natural compulsion to get the detail right is incumbent on any architect, but the process by which this is achieved varies enormously. Those interested in making great space appear to be returning to their roots for inspiration, to Arts and Crafts, to the Bauhaus. Throughout history, architects have been recognised for lateral thinking.

The assimilation of ideas over time, without destination, may offer a more fruitful approach to design, and therefore product. Whilst working with a diverse and skilled building team to craft a solution might help caress the souls of our homes, for me, expanding the profession’s remit beyond the built form – to community engagement, art and place-making – offers the most interesting and game-changing opportunities.

With even greater global access to knowledge and materials, architects should be able to make dramatic changes. The real question is: will the profession take enough time to reflect and act upon the strategic and creative changes necessary to generate this shift?

Painting gives me time to stand back. Without restrictions, what would you do differently? 

Comment – RECALIBRATION

Subtle Finish

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Hidden under a suburban disguise, this recent loft conversion offers more than first meets the eye.  A sensitive design picks up on both direct and more subtle contextual references.

The house sits on the site of an old brickworks and next to historic roads and pathways.  Taking inspiration from these elements, Scrace Architects were able to develop an architectural language that grounded the design to its setting.

With each of our designs, we look to find something special that makes your project unique.  Referencing urban connections physically in this design helps to define place. This, coupled with the use of sustainable and local materials, gives a natural warmth and soul to what would otherwise be a regular loft conversion.

Where do you live? What is unique about your home or locality? Get in touch to find out how our designs make your project special info@scracearchitects.co.uk.

Review – St Andrew’s Road