Grey Lines in the Sand

Abstract

We now live in a time when it is now quicker, easier and more efficient to speak to one another, yet it doesn’t always reflect on the fruitfulness in decision making and outcome of a conversation. Face to face conversation is one of the most effective means to converse and the North Sea is a space which needs to be part of the conversation. The research report found that North Sea is a one of the most dense urban seascapes in the world, with each nation taking a piece of the sea for the benefit of themselves rather than seeking to explore the notion of the North Sea as a common. One space; stronger, more resilient and profitable for those interacting with it, whether you are a fisherman or an energy company.

The architecture intervention has led to the notion of a space to gather those interacting in it, to put their nation status aside for the benefit of the North Sea. This space becomes a state of exception, where jurisdiction and sovereignty of one state no longer applies. The site is on Dogger Bank, a former land bridge it becomes a poetic reference to a past time when the United Kingdom was connected to the continental Europe. It is also one the shallowest points of the North Sea, making it physically possible to construct an island.

The design will seek for all nations to contribute to the island, building an aspect of the architecture, to create an emotional connection, so the space feel like theirs. The architecture is designed to be prefabricated and shipped across the North Sea, the island cannot follow typical building methods. The building construction is also dependant on the weather therefore the time to build the island can not follow a traditional schedule.

As a typology the building is a Parliament, but it is more than this. A hybrid building, it goes beyond the traditional parliament set up we know today. It seeks to look at conversation spaces; informal/formal as the main role to get attendees together and discuss matters on the North Sea. Every attendee would have to travel to the island and may find themselves delayed in leaving due to weather conditions. The attendees truly find themselves understanding the environment they are discussing and start to truly respect the environment they are discussing.

The design will question the idea of performance as part of the decision making process. Parliaments today can be very theatrical (United Kingdom). The stage in this concept is very import in the design, it questions its position, is it the main assembly room floor , the informal conversation spaces or is it the North Sea? A part of the performance is the audience, the design questions if it is those attending the parliament or is it audience those beyond, and everyone interacting in the space?

Finally, I ask those reading the book to ultimately question where you position yourself when making a decision, are you an ego (authoritarian, dualistic, self-destructive, imbalanced, power-seeking or eco (democratic, sustainable, balance, interdependent). And what would you do if you attended the parliament?