“I take enjoyment in how small interventions in the built environment affect the large scale, and how large interventions affect the small scale.”
Hi Alastair, please tell us a bit about your work, your influences etc
“I am mainly interested in socially responsible and responsive architecture, that is sensitive to the human experience. I take enjoyment in how small interventions in the built environment affect the large scale, and how large interventions affect the small scale. This is exemplified by my final university project, that looks into the implications of re-introducing a market street to Brighton. It shows how a traditional market, with environmental ideologies can function. Bringing back the street involves elegantly demolishing part of a Hotel and a fluid ramp running through to the sea front.
“My upbringing in St.Ives, being surrounded by the rich history in fishing, art and mining has sub-consciously influenced my work. The influences which are more active have been in the interesting work by architecten de Vylder Vinck Taillieu and the elegant ideas and execution of Junya Ishigami and Go Hasegawa. Jane Rendell has played a big role in how I approach critical thinking and writing about the built environment. I have also found enjoyment in thinking what architecture could be, rather than what it is.”
How have you found your course and time at Brighton?
“The most notable has been the knowledge and enthusiasm that the tutors and technicians have passed on to the students. The people make the course what it is, not the built infrastructure.
What are your plans after graduation?
” I’m currently balancing time between being in the sea at home in Cornwall and working remotely for an East Sussex based practice. I cannot complain…”
What has been your experience during lockdown?
“I missed the casual and quick chats about ‘how is it all going’, the computer master who can show me how to solve the latest problem and seeing all the interesting methods people used present their work. Instead I sat at my desk for two months talking to myself about my next move. I realised the collective endeavour that goes into ‘our’ projects.”
View Alastair’s work in the End of Year Show.
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