The Seating Blocks

With the site, it is clear that one of the more important aspects are the seating areas created. So, here are some technical drawings of the main seating blocks within the site:

The first is of the seating area within the oval, supposedly the main focal point. Although it stretches quite far there are not many seats to accomodate people, as the timbre slabbing only covers roughly one third of the ovular section.

 

The second set of drawings represent the surrounding seating blocks from the oval.

The blocks have clearly been implemented as a means of social gathering, however comparing the quantity of seats to the mass area it would appear that perhaps the space was not designed to acquire for occasions whereby there would be a large number of people using the space. It rather suggests that they are to be used for more short term usage such a cigarette breaks from local shops or maybe even an almost 'getaway' for the local residents.

The new water feature is being to the ovular area, creating even less seating area, and also implying the need for a focal monument in the space.

Survey

Upon arriving at our destination the space seemed open, bleak and without character. The World's End Place, Chelsea is a paved area containing a large ovular seating area (currently under reconstruction to introduce a new water feature) with additional seating blocks surrounding.

Due to the construction work, it proved to be difficult to fully grasp an honest representation of how the space was being used. However reviewing the smaller seating blocks suggested that the space was not used as a social space as initially intended, but rather as a thoroughfare.

View of the oval seating area from within the Worlds End Estate

After talking to a local policemen the overall impression we recieved with response to the space was confirmed by the local police officers. Upon being told the cost of £1.4 million, the immediate reaction was that 'the money could have been more wisely spent in an attempt to improve the local area'. They implied that the space served limited purpose as well as having little impact on the local community. However he did mention that 'the space became more interactive in the summer months'.

The encompassing area consists of The World's End Estate (ex-council), local amenities, a police station, a pub (currently closed), and  a communal theatre- all however appeared to be somewhat run down, whilst opposite the road lies the more desirable part of Chelsea- King's Road. The World's End Place almost seems an attempt at bridging a gap between those living in the ex-council estate and those occupying the more commercial shops on King's Road. The area at this time of year seemed to have limited usage, but with the local pub reopening in the summer, perhaps more life will be injected into the space.

World's End Pub
 
 

The flats inside the estate

Inside the World's End Estate, staircase

One of the main things we noticed was the lack of natural light in the area due to the height of the estate. When viewing the open space (around 2pm) we noticed that the sunlight only covered one third of the site-resulting in two thirds of a dark and much duller space. Taking this into account, the consideration of light becomes more important, with the introduction of spotlighting creating a more atmospheric and natural environment.

Below World's End Estate, Local Cafe