Showcase 2024 Student Spotlight: Henry Allenby
Student Spotlight featuring BArch Architecture student, Henry Allenby and her project, Temple of Artisanship'.
By Antonio Cuyas | Published on 24 May 2024
Categories: Student Showcase; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
The project
This building serves as a temple for reconnecting people with nature through crafting raw materials. It showcases the beauty of locally made products, enriching Nottingham’s culture. Positioned a the top of the Broadmarsh, near the lace market, it has become a hub for artisanal craft. Designed with human scale to invite visitors to explore its diverse set of artisans and liminal space. The Artisanal spaces consist of Wood working, Masonry, Pottery, Leather making and tailoring along with an artisanal café and restaurant. The area is available to see the creation of products and inquire about purchasing or getting custom pieces to the courtyards' tranquility. Only the muffled noise of artisans working can be heard, enhancing the peace inside. Throughout the building, glimpses of new areas appear, rediscovered through redirected paths. The Void at the basement level offers reflection, disconnected from the outside world, with the lily pond above raining water down.
The spatial concept emphasizes human scale, with spaces that are both confined and intimate, as well as large and exposed. Visitors can see their destinations within the building, but paths are intentionally redirected to encourage exploration and discovery. This slows visitors down, juxtaposing the city's busy lifestyle, promoting peace, and reflection. The monolithic façade symbolizes protection, with thick stone walls creating a threshold that transitions visitors from the city's bustle to the courtyards' tranquility. Only the muffled noise of artisans working can be heard, enhancing the peace inside. Throughout the building, glimpses of new areas appear, rediscovered through redirected paths. The Void at the basement level offers reflection, disconnected from the outside world, with the lily pond above raining water down.
The inspiration behind the project
For this project, Henry has taken inspiration from architects such as David Chipperfield, Tado Ando and Carlos Scarpa as well as Japanese-style home courtyards and temples from around the world.
Being part of NTU
Throughout NTU, Henry has had the opportunity to be a part of many different experiences such as being the architecture society president, ADBE panelist, and student representative as well as having a great social life and options to sports clubs. He's tried to get himself involved in the many aspects of being an NTU student outside of the architecture course. NTU has been able to create a space for him to thrive not just in his course but socially and personally.
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