Briefing Document [Transplant and Rehabilitation] Laura Brett Unit 5b Hybrid Territories Transplant and Rehabilitation Atherosclerosis Discourse “ ... all the money goes up top, while the infrastructure wastes away from neglect. The famous skyline is a cheap trick now, a sleight-of-hand to draw your eye from the truth, as illusory as a bodybuilder with osteoporosis... ” [Andrew Vachss, Mask Market] [Introduction] Page 1 [Introduction] Page 2 The Cheshire Ring chesh-ire A collection of post-industrial places stitched together by a canal circuit that knows no boundaries. The circulatory canal system connects to microcirculatory waterways from in and around Cheshire and venturing further, terri- tories of North West England. At the edge of the ring remains a place [Runcorn], once the backbone of industrial trade, fundamental for its prosperity that so heavily depended on its waterways. Now, stands a fragile town lingering on distantly dissipating memories. The prognosis would advocate [Runcorn], a case of abandonment. [The Site] Page 3 Cheshire Ring Atherosclerosis Discourse The Site_Runcorn [The Site] Page 4 Project 1 Project 2 Dissection Stent An investigation of the compo- A device of plastic or sprung nent parts of a whole and their metal mesh inserted into a relations in making up the tubular structure, such as a whole. blood vessel, to provide support Project 1 provided an opportu- Project 2 advanced the knowl- nity to explore a place [site] edge and experience acquired more in depth than before, by dissecting and furthered this basing its ideals on the concept by intending a design to form of peeling back information and that would alter the site itself. I dividing pieces up throughout designed a ‘tidal community’, an analytical process. Funda- using the disused lock from mentally, corresponding with the project 1. With the intention of definition of dissection. changing the face of the docks, My site led exploration at a from a clouded, grey industrial disused canal lock and through association moving towards a historical research I devised a greener society utilising the piece that would reflect and surrounding natural processes. express artistically and techno- logically the route and chain reaction that took place in the lock. [Project Dialogue] Page 5 Project 3 Transplant Transplant vb [træns’pla:nt] [Medicine / Surgery] To transfer [an organ or tissue] from one part of the body to another or from one person or animal to another during a grafting or transplant operation [Project Dialogue] Page 6 Transplant and Rehabilitation Historical Site Study Built Runcorn was a Timeline- Key Dates holiday makers front for summer remote, idyllic river- Saltwater Bath House 1750s 1800s 1822 1850s Industrial Revolution UK [Timeline] Page 7 Transplant and Rehabilitation and Transplant 1868 Viaduct Opened 1894 Opening of the Manchester Ship Canal 1905 Transporter Bridge Opened Historical SiteStudy 1956 Work began on a new high level road crossing 1960s Bridgewater Canal was closed 1961 Closing Ceremony for Transporter Bridge The opening ceremony for the new Silver Jubilee Bridge 1970s Ellesmere Street estate was demolished for new housing development [Timeline] Page 8 2016? New Mersey Gateway Proposed Industial Process [Industrial Research] Page 9 Transplant and Rehabilitation Industrial Heritage 1. Brief Overview Runcorn was the hub of The canals were a vital lifeline for The docks were utilised to industry; chemical and soap the residents and companies transport goods all over the works, tannery and ship situated in Runcorn. Transporting world. Mainly, dealing with building were the main goods from the Tannery work- shipments of china, clay and industrial processes, in addi- shops, coal, chemical/soap pottery and still do today. tion to iron foundry and products and ship Now it deals with powders engineering skills that were parts/materials. used for the manufacture of responsible for the siting of the Runcorn and Weston sandstone china and pottery goods. main workshops for Ship was used widely and is said to Canal Companies. Tannery have been used in the construc- was a huge industry in tion of the New York Docks. The Runcorn. The demise of rich pink or red coloured sand- tanneries occurred with the stone was extremely popular with introduction of cheap man- architects and features in made substitutes. Runcorn buildings such as the old Police Station [Industrial Overview] Page 10 Transplant and Rehabilitation Atherosclerosis Discourse 2. Industrial and SocialDevelopments [The Bridges] The consistent need to ‘bridge the gap’ across the River Mersey, has been one of a technological advancement yet it has been at the expense of the residents of Runcorn. The instalment of the Transporter Bridge in 1905 resulted in the first batch demolished homes and shops. The residents facing demo- lition were posed with two locations of low budget housing to relocate to. The people of Runcorn had no desire to leave the town, as their families had resided there for years. After the transporter bridge was dismantled in 1960s the Silver Jubilee Bridge was being developed for build. For the second time residents would face losing their family homes. The Expressway that would connect to the bridge would mean more demolition. Yet again the overtaxed residents will witness another proposal for a new bridge, The New Mersey Gateway... [Industrial Overview] Page 11 [Industrial Overview] Page 12 Transplant and Rehabilitation Atherosclerosis Discourse Runcorn’s civic coat of arms : The coat of arms signifies prosperity and commerce and is an illustrated symbol of Runcorn’s history. The lion and crown are a reminder of the local link with the monarchy through the Barony of Halton. Within the main shield of the arms are two playing knives, a sym- bolic reminder of the prosperous tanning industry. The main emblem of the shield is the galley ship with the Cheshire sheaf on its sail. This ship and the motto: ‘ Navem Mercibus Implere’ signify a time when Runcorn’s prosperity was heavily dependant upon local water- ways. The motto is latin translated as: ‘fill the ships with goods’ [Atherosclerosis Discourse] Page 13 “ Construction is the art of making a meaningful whole out of many parts...” [Peter Zumthor, Thinking Architecture] [Atherosclerosis Discourse] Page 14 Transplant and Rehabilitation Past and Present Simpson Davies A busy boatyard in Heath Road, responsible for the building and repairing of countless narrow boats. The company owned a large fleet of vessels. The image above was taken in 1958 when pleasure crafts were beginning to make an appearance on the canal as trade on the canalways declined. Todaythe public house, the Union Tavern is the last remaining feature of the site’s past and buried beneath the Expressway lies the body of the old boatyard. [Industrial Places] Page 15 Transplant and Rehabilitation Past and Present The Town Warehouse The photograph (above) depicts a busy scene of a barge being unloaded with goods for local businesses. The cranes and machinery have now gone yet the garage (left) was occupied for years after as a workshop. It’s now derelict, empty and awaiting its fate. There are a few sites similar to this located along the side of the Bridgewater Canal that have potential for develop- ment. [Atherosclerosis Discourse] Page 16 Social “ Where we once dwelt our name is heard no more “ Transplant and Rehabilitation Atherosclerosis Discourse More than one in five Halton households jobless Sep 13 2012 by Daniel Mckenzie, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News ALARMING new figures show more than 20% of Halton households do not have a single person with a job. The latest available figures, for 2011, show that 8,000 homes in the borough are classed as ‘workless’. A regional breakdown of national data showed that Liverpool had the highest percentage of so-called workless households in 2011 at 31.6 It was the fourth year in a row that Liverpool had the highest rate, according to the Office for National Statistics. Areas with the highest rates were generally heavily industrialised in the last century, with industries such as coal mining and shipbuilding, which have long been in decline. “Instead we need an industrial strategy and proper investment to create jobs and give hope to these communities.” [Trade Union Congress general secretary Brendan Barber] [Media and Runcorn] Page 18 Transplant and Rehabilitation Atherosclerosis Discourse “...The newly proposed bridge will destroy Run- corn, it is heavily op- posed by the residents and will turn Runcorn into roundabout...” Runcorn Resident: Liz Howard When revisiting Runcorn, I stumbled into an old book- shop ‘Curiosity Bookshop’ owned by Brian and writer Liz Howard, both residents of Runcorn. Residing in Runcorn her whole life and knowing past generations had been in the town for over 100years, Liz gave great insight into the changes the town had seen over the years. I have used her knowledge alongside research to build my briefing report. Liz recalls childhood memories of watching huge vessels gliding into the docks every day, presenting books that demonstrated changes from past to present she outlined beautiful, pink sandstone buildings that were demolished in way for roads, supermarkets and health centres. When discussing the project and asking her opinion of what industry would benefit the town best, she was insistent that reopening the Bridgewater Canal [previously used for transporting coal and goods] and designing a place that could be accessed by tourists would benefit the town immensely, ensuring Runcorn’s survival. [Runcorn Resident] Page 19 “Man loves everything that satisfies his comfort. He hates everything that wants to draw him out of his acquired and secured position and that disturbs him. Thus, he loves the house and hates art. ” [Adolf Loos] [Atherosclerosis Discourse] Page 20 Transplant and Rehabilitation Atherosclerosis Discourse “There is no room for any more industry at the docks...” [Manchester Ship Canal- Peel Ports Staff] [Revisiting The Docks] Page 21 The Runcorn Docks Revisiting the Docks I returned to the docks with the knowledge I had acquired from project 1&2, accompanied by a series of questions.