concrete base construction underneath site
In 1904, Newcastle Corporation secured permission to enclose the Ouseburn in a ferro-concrete culvert, 700 metres in length.
Old industries like the Ouseburn Lead Works were demolished, then an arch of concrete, reinforced with a skeleton of steel rods was built around a temporary wooden frame.
Everything was then to be buried beneath the infamous Ouseburn Tip. Up to 30 metres of household waste and coal ashes were dumped on the open ground above the culvert over a forty year period. On hot summer days this mixture would self- combust causing localised fires and lots of smoke. It was never intended to take forty years.
In 1939, the culvert was converted into an air raid shelter. (seen in the images above) This £11,251 scheme involved adding a concrete platform inside the culvert. The Ouseburn continued to flow beneath the platform, while lighting, protective blast walls, benches and bunk beds were added in the space above to create temporary accommodation for 3000 local residents. People accessed the shelter from steps built into the tip. You can still see part of the culvert arch appearing above what is now ground level.
the site
Located under the first bridge that opens up the lower valley
of Ouseburn, the site will be located exactly on top of the
entry point for the Culvert.
The space is partially sheltered from rain by the bridge
arch, and is a slightly sloped surface on which you should
accomodate your intervention, and plan the way in which it
activates the surrounding space.
the surrounding area
Newcastle is continuously developing while green spaces are
becoming scarcer. Due to the threat of gentrification and
unsympathetic development of the city centre, Ouseburn
desires to remain the prominent creative quarter that it is, with spaces for local artists, musicians, and creative businesses to thrive.
The valley also wants to increase visitor and
educational attractions alongside residential dwellings.
The valley has a great balance between human intervention
and natural corridors. However, many buildings and structures
require regeneration, all in order to ensure
the preservation of local character and the creation of spaces for the local community to utilise.
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