My first term project explored the idea of Up. My response to UP is a love story where one becomes obsessed with their beloved and finds faults in their design to reason for the relationship to progress. My love story setting is a small car park that sits between a building that is part of the brutalist architecture movement (New England House) and a demolition site (Longley Industrial Estate) in Brighton. As a first framework to the UP project, Studio 16 was assigned a site investigation task that should be approached with curiosity. The purpose of the site investigation was to find vacant spaces that extend upwards and the possibilities that these unclaimed territories can offer to the UP project. During my site investigation, I became extremely interested in two stairs—one which I named Female Stair and the other Male Stair.

My Up project takes the Male stair away from the shadows of New England House. The public can also experience this journey. Nevertheless, what is a love story without any drama? By drama I mean me interfering with the development of Longley Industrial Estate. As a way of showing my disapproval of the redevelopment, I have put up a concrete wall. The concrete wall sends a message that Longley Industrial Estate is not welcome to partake in my journey UP’.

However, what is a successful ending to a love story if one does not attempt to resolve the drama. Perhaps I am unfair to the potential residents to Longley Industrial Estate by putting up a concrete wall. They are not responsible for the unattractive building that is to occupy the site. Perhaps a concrete wall is not the best option; however, a statement must be made, and I do like the idea of a wall. Maybe it’s time to change the negative connotations associated with designing and building a wall.

My obsession with The Male Stair has given our relationship a reason to progress.