Civil Engineering and Architecture Vol. 1(2), pp. 42 - 50
DOI: 10.13189/cea.2013.010202
Reprint (PDF) (839Kb)

Process not Product: Arc, Hull’s Architecture Centre

Chris Hay^*
School of Architecture, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, United Kingdom

ABSTRACT

This paper discusses the Arc project in Hull. It takes the form of a case study of a building conceived from the outset as having no fixed final form or indeed permanent location. The first iteration of the building, designed by Niall Mclaughlin Architects, was completed in 2006 and houses the events space and offices for Arc, the Architecture Centre for Hull and the Humber Region. The project grew out of an initiative formed by collaboration between academics from the two local Universities, plus Community and Business representatives. The intention was that the organization would act as a catalyst for change, and raise architectural aspirations underpinned by an ethos that local people were experts in their own lives. Arc did this through a series of interlinked programmes including Design Review, and the Learning and Public Realm programmes. In addition the building hosted exhibitions, debates and workshops. This is a timely moment to revisit this project as the particular set of circumstances that enabled the building to be realized have already passed into history. Arc both as a building and as organization can now be seen as representative of a particular political and cultural moment in the UK, one that is now firmly over.

KEYWORDS
Architecture Centres, Relocatable Buildings, Regionalism, Participatory Design

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Chris Hay , "Process not Product: Arc, Hull’s Architecture Centre," Civil Engineering and Architecture, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 42 - 50, 2013. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2013.010202.

(b). APA Format:
Chris Hay (2013). Process not Product: Arc, Hull’s Architecture Centre. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 1(2), 42 - 50. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2013.010202.