John Holroyd

Redeveloping Gerogian Houses

In Studio 3, ‘Material Language’, we looked to explore the possibilities of materiality in Architecture. Each student explored ideas of materiality differently, with a study topics ranging from the identity of place to the relationship of materials in conservation. For my final design thesis, I proposed to restore a derelict Georgian terraced house. This led me to study the existing building carefully, so that I understood which materials could be used and what their impact on the existing building might be. My design thesis is described below.

Situated in a Georgian square in the Northeast of Bristol, stands a row of Georgian terraced houses which have stood derelict since suffering bomb damage in World War two. This project proposes to restore these terraced houses as well as repurposing their use to host a school of traditional architecture and craftsmanship. This project builds on research conducted on Georgian terraced housing, and is based upon three core ideas: adaptability, abstraction and conservation.

The conservation approach explores how new additions to the existing building can restore the essence of lost building fabric, whilst ensuring the areas of restored fabric remain legible. This conservation approach intends to tell the story of the decline and decay of the Georgian terrace, as well as restore the harmony it was designed to have.

Georgian terraced housing has constantly been able to readapt to the changing needs of society over time. This project pushes the possibilities of the adaptability of Georgian terraced housing by installing an Architecture School into a building designed for dwelling. Furthermore, ideas of adaptable construction are explored in newly built elements with the intention that they can adapt to the needs of future occupants.

Lastly, ideas of how architects have abstracted architectural language via careful studies of historical precedents have provided a conceptual drive for this project. Abstraction is explored in this project, particularly in elevation, to produce an architecture which references historical precedents without becoming pastiche.