The concept of my project is to explore how I can recreate the existing roofscapes found in Digbeth and transform it into a creative community hub which focuses on reducing, reuse, recycling, and remaking. Known for becoming the first
centre of industry back in the 18th century, Digbeth played a vital part in the evolution of technology, manufacture, and economy for Birmingham, and remains at the forefront of creativity for the city. My initial exploration for this project was to identify the most frequent roof structures found within Digbeths’ industrial fabric.
Through my mapping studies and further research, I noticed that different roof structures had different properties, in terms of size, shape, orientation, and daylighting. This became the foundation of my design development, whereby by identifying the characteristics of a roof type and structure will then give me an informed decision on what the function of that space is.
Mark FerrerasBIO
An enthusiastic and ambitious architecture student, I aim to appreciate and recognise the potential architecture has to understand and therefore, exemplify, the physical and social elements of the city.
I am currently engaged in a project experimenting with how architecture can create a social hierarchy, recognising the implications this has on the human scale. By curating an ‘extreme’ outcome, I look to highlight the social diversity that is prevalent in today’s society. I am interested in understanding the multiple layers and how this can be abstracted to create an architectural form that is contextually aware.
My interests in architecture focus on social issues where sustainability to society is important to the vitality of spaces. I am keen to learn new skills to develop further ideas and approaches to architecture and the built environment.
