ABANDONED, 2025
Paper Architecture Project; Exploring the concept of revitalization of the Wolsey Factory in through the lens and theory of the performing artsA collaborative project by Ben Brantley, Tara Moran, and Myer Kim
There is a perpetual cycle where spaces are designed to meet the purpose of that specific space then are abandoned with those spaces reused and abandoned again, which results in unsalvageable and abandoned[i] spaces. Through performative art as a primary design methodology and creating modular programmatic spaces, these once abandoned spaces become revitalized and provide the people and community with significant and meaningful spaces, ending the cycle of abandonment.
[i] Zecca, Cecilia. “Challenges and Opportunities in The Reuse of Abandoned Urban Space.” Challenges and Opportunities in the Reuse of Abandoned Urban Space. Thesis, Robert Gordon University, 2019. https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/842190/challenges-and-opportunities-in-the-reuse-of-abandoned-urban-space.
UNDERSTANDING SPACE
The diagram seen above is a visual
representation of the cycle of abandonment, and
the argument of moving towards creating spaces
that are built beyond the purpose and integrating
the cultural and artistic aspects into space to create
a revitalized space.
Abandoned space don’t exist out of no where. It is a
gradual process and evolution as spaces move from
one phase to the next phase.
Our constant need and demand for more spaces
has resulted in prioritizing spaces that accomplish
or are built with a singular purpose. While
this space may have use within the next couple of
decades, it will inevitably be destroyed or abandoned
as the demand and need for that space
has changed. One could argue that renovating an
abandoned space so that it becomes repurposed
breaks this cycle of abandonment, but it actually
doesn’t because the new repurposed space is
designed to meet a singular purpose thus going
through the same cycle of abandonment once
again.
The goal should be to create eternal and flexible
spaces that are designed to meet the needs of all
rather than the needs of one. These spaces are
designed with the integration of culture and the
arts as a methodology to create architectural form
and different spaces that are then installed into the
purpose to create a revitalized space.
representation of the cycle of abandonment, and
the argument of moving towards creating spaces
that are built beyond the purpose and integrating
the cultural and artistic aspects into space to create
a revitalized space.
Abandoned space don’t exist out of no where. It is a
gradual process and evolution as spaces move from
one phase to the next phase.
Our constant need and demand for more spaces
has resulted in prioritizing spaces that accomplish
or are built with a singular purpose. While
this space may have use within the next couple of
decades, it will inevitably be destroyed or abandoned
as the demand and need for that space
has changed. One could argue that renovating an
abandoned space so that it becomes repurposed
breaks this cycle of abandonment, but it actually
doesn’t because the new repurposed space is
designed to meet a singular purpose thus going
through the same cycle of abandonment once
again.
The goal should be to create eternal and flexible
spaces that are designed to meet the needs of all
rather than the needs of one. These spaces are
designed with the integration of culture and the
arts as a methodology to create architectural form
and different spaces that are then installed into the
purpose to create a revitalized space.
VISUALIZING POTENTIAL SITES
Eventually, some of those abandoned spaces are repurposed and rebuilt[iii]; however, majority of them are repurposed and built with a misconstrued definition of functionalism that space should solely be designed around its purpose[iv]thus leading to those repurposed spaces going through a perpetual cycle of abandoning, repurposing, forgetting, disheveled, and abandoning again. This cycle not only eviscerates the space but also the surrounding area and community until said space becomes unsalvageable and destroyed.
This thesis combats that perpetual cycle of abandonment through an explorative intervention to create enduring revitalized spaces that heal and restore. These revitalized spaces reinstate the purpose; utilize different artistic processes from dance, music, theatre, and art to create an artistic meaning through symbolic and sculptural methods that people can admire and appreciate which creates a life-long connection between the person and space; and create a community culture that attaches them to the space through memory so that they will always come back to remember and appreciate the revitalized space.
[i] Shane, Jon. Rep. The Problem of Abandoned Buildings and Lots. United States Department of Justice, July 2012. www.cops.usdoj.gov.
[ii] Horvat, Jana, and Karin Šerman. “On the Phenomenon of Decay in Architecture.” Prostor 31, no. 2(66) (December 27, 2023): 168–81. https://doi.org/10.31522/p.31.2(66).3.
[iii] Lanz, Francesca, and John Pendlebury. 2022. “Adaptive Reuse: A Critical Review.” The Journal of Architecture 27 (2–3): 441–62. doi:10.1080/13602365.2022.2105381.
[iv] Kiesler, Frederick. Pseudo-functionalism in Modern Architecture. New York: Partisan Review, 1949.
PROPOSED SITE
WOLSEY FACTORYLEICESTERSHIRE, UK
The Wolsey Factory in Leicestershire, UK was chosen
as the proposed site and design with the building outlined
for the creation of a revitalized space.
The reason for this site being chosen is actually because
of a photography book titled “Off Screen” by
Mitra Tabrizian that was purchased around 2024 at a
field trip for an art history class.
Speaking personally, this book fascinated me, and
(being a photographer myself) I saw how much detail
and history behind the buildings and spaces that
Tabrizian documented just from a single photograph.
I originally purchased the book as inspiration and reference
for my architectural design, but I found myself
drawn to this book when I finally formalizing my
thesis.
Photography by Mitra Tabrizian
Ultimately, they only way to envision the site was to
splice all the images together to build one long map.
Studying aspects of space formation and deformation,
abandoned vs occupied space, and the art of consecration.
Inspired by reading and listening to classical music, I felt compelled and started to develop the building blocks to visualize a potential form.
Dance in a way was another visual form and the study of dance poses and moves allowed me to connect space from one area to another.
ITERATION 1
THE TESTING OF IDEASITERATION 2
THE REFINING PERIODITERATION 3
THE CLOSETHE FINAL
Sources/Additional Reading:
Clark, Laurie Beth. “Ruined Landscapes and Residual Architecture.” Performance Research 20, no. 3 (May 4, 2015): 83–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/13528165.2015.1055084.
Edgar Arceneaux, Vincent Galen Johnson, Olga Koumoundouros, Matthew Sloly, and Rodney McMillian. “It Was What It Was: Modern Ruins.” Art Monthly no. 336, May 2010.
Feuerstein, Marcia, and Gray Read. “Architecture as a Performing Art.” Ashgate, April 15, 2016, 45–123. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315567716.
Guillen, Mauro F. “Modernism without Modernity: The Rise of Modernist Architectre in Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, 1890.” Latin America Research Review 39, no. 2 (June 2004): 7–27. https://doi.org/10.1353/lar.2004.0032.
Holl, Steven. “The Architectonics of Music.” PAJ: A Journal of Performance and Art 39, no. 2 (May 2017): 49–64. https://doi.org/10.1162/pajj_a_00363.
Horvat, Jana, and Karin Šerman. “On the Phenomenon of Decay in Architecture.” Prostor 31, no. 2(66) (December 27, 2023): 168–81. https://doi.org/10.31522/p.31.2(66).3.
Lanz, Francesca, and John Pendlebury. “Adaptive Reuse: A Critical Review.” The Journal of Architecture 27, no. 2–3 (April 3, 2022): 441–62. https://doi.org/10.1080/13602365.2022.2105381.
Maestas, Benjamin, and Rob Corser. Thesis. A Conversation between Dance and Architecture. Thesis, University of Washington Libraries, 2013.
Overy, Paul. “‘The Whole Bad Taste of Our Period:’ Josef Frank, Adolf Loos, and “gschnas“.” Home Cultures 3, no. 3 (November 2006): 213–33. https://doi.org/10.2752/174063106779090721.
Phillips, Stephen. “Toward a Research Practice: Frederick Kiesler’s Design-Correlation Laboratory.” Grey Room 38 (January 2010): 90–120. https://doi.org/10.1162/grey.2010.1.38.90.
Rogers, Michael R. “Trends and Issues in Music Theory Teaching.” Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy 30, no. 1 (January 1, 1987): 132–41. https://doi.org/10.71156/2994-7073.1330.
Shane, Jon. Tech. The Problem of Abandoned Buildings and Lots. 145 N Street, N.E., Washington, DC: US Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2012.
Spitzer, Leo. “Leo Spitzer — Classical and Christian Ideas Oi World Harmony. Prolegomena to an Interpretation Oi the Word ‘Stimmung.’” Cambridge Univeristy Press 2, no. 1944 (December 31, 1967): 154–57. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783112315385-020.
Zecca, Cecilia, R. Laing, F. Smith, D. Lobefaro, D. McClean, and C. Thorpe. Thesis. Challenges and Opportunities in the Reuse of Abandoned Urban Space. Thesis, Robert Gordon University, 2019.
Acknowledgements:
I would also like to thank the JMU College of Visual Performing Arts Undergraduate Professional Development Award Committee for providing funding for my research and thesis and my faculty advisor William Tate for his everlasting wisdom and whimsical nature.
Special thanks to the Office of Creative Propulsion Kathryn Logan and Alison Trocchia for their continuous support and advice throughout my thesis and research process being there at every step. As well as supporting this thesis and research through the Undergraduate Integrative Arts Fellowship.
Much thanks to Jori Erdman, William Tate, Dylan Krueger, Traci Wile, and other ARCD Faculty (current and former) for their support and advice during my architectural design studies.
LETTER OF THANKS;
To Tara,
To Ben,
KDA STUDIO Designers & Management:
Ben Brantley - Research Collaborator
Tara Kay Moran - Research Collaborator
Myer Kim