Nostalgia for the future . . .

Unitsixteen will continue it's research into the myths of the near future. This is not a Gateway [2010-11] explored the consequences of the failure of an over dominant industry on its host city. Detroit Michigan, motor city USA was taken as a model, a city with a self inflicted dependency culture running deep into the zeitgeist of its past and future. London's own dependency on an over extended service sector was pictured against imagined banking failures, mass civil unrest, leading to unprecedented urban flight, abandoned London falls into protracted decline. A journey along the A13 was an examination of this unfamiliar hinterland. This year we will explore the heart of the new metropolis, Stratford City, an area of unparalleled unnatural beauty.

The year will begin with a series of short speculative exercises, supported by tutorials and seminars. You will be asked to reflect on the urban context of site to uncover individual agendas and trajectories of interest. Final year students will further develop these themes into individual thesis projects, critically reflecting on the legacy of Stratford City, whilst First year students will propose a series of New City Centre Institutions.

Some recommended texts:

- A Guide To The New Ruins Of Great Britain by Owen Hatherly [2010] 

- EVIL PARADISES Dreamworlds of Neoliberalism edited by Mike Davis + Daniel Bertrand Monk [2007] 

- COLD WAR HOTHOUSES edited by Beatriz Colomina, Annmarie Brennan and Jeannie Kim [2004] 

- Robert Smithson - The collected writings edited by Jack Flam [1996] 

- Towards an Architecture by Le Corbusier, Jean-Louis Cohen and John Goodman [2008]

- Kingdom Come by JG Ballard [2006] Further information and links see http://unitsixteen.blogspot.com

Unit support:

Philip Turner of Alford Hall Monaghan Morris Architects will continue to act as our practice tutor