IN-PERSON: Prague – Section B
Abstract
The Welsh Terrace is considered by many as a romantic notion of a bygone age in history, in which connection, collection and community resonated as its heart. Today, it is considered an architectural vernacular that is no longer needed by society, as we strive for personal autonomy and grand ways of living, in detached un-identified boxes. It is acknowledged that the archetypal Welsh Terrace house, is difficult to heat and complicated to retrofit to current standards of thermal comfort. Consequently, it has oppressed Councils over Wales, and raised dilemmas towards their future. Consequently, as a building type, they have not been extensively replicated within the standard house builders’ footprints. It is with this notion, that this paper will challenge current pre-conceptions of the Welsh terrace amongst the built environment, professional and the general public. Designers and procurement frameworks need to look beyond current stigma and problems and go back to the original characteristics and reasoning for the development of the Welsh Terrace. Created out of a social need, the fundamental principles that generated its form, function and articulation are ideologies that we seek in every successful housing development. It could even be argued that if the foundations of the Welsh Terrace are applied to all housing designs, no matter the mix, it will create the most successful places to live. This paper considers the following characteristics: • Social inclusion • Achieving energy efficiency • Simplicity of function • Ease of construction & Modern Methods of Construction • Changing of ownership boundaries. • Solving the climate crisis.
Dan is Principal Designer at Benham Architects, who have recently completed RIBA Award winning building ‘Grange Pavilion’. Dan is President Elect for the RSAW and is a tutor and visiting lecturer at Welsh School of Architecture at Cardiff University, specialising in teaching social value on the RIBA accredited master’s in architecture course. Dan has a strong passion for Welsh Housing Heritage and his strong design credentials stem from simple place making and pushing the boundaries of spatial understanding. He’s driven by how the social and community aspects of architecture can change lives
Elinor is the Director of the Royal Society of Architects in Wales and has experience in the Built Environment Industry in Wales since 2009. Elinor works with members of the RIBA who live and work in Wales and has a strong passion for creating opportunities for the profession to raise the profile of Architecture and enabling it to be accessible to everyone. Elinor is Chair of the Welsh Architectural Archives Advisory Panel for the RSAW, focusing on a project which highlights the benefits of Architects being prepared to leave their legacy for the education of future generation of Architects;
Professor Mhairi McVicar is year chair of the Masters of Architecture (Year2), module lead of Design Thesis, leading a design Unit on Value. Her teaching embeds community-university partnerships in Grangetown, Cardiff, facilitated through her role as Project Lead of Cardiff University’s Community Gateway. The partnership began with community led ideas, skills, and expertise to inform and develop university teaching and research. Mhairi encourages students to collaborate and to build on previous interdisciplinary research and ideas within design and dissertation work. Mhairi’s research includes facilitated engagement partnerships and has embedded live teaching and research activities within these partnerships, supporting ongoing development and observing and reflecting on the role of the architect and of the University within community development.
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Friday 30th June, 2023