Matthew Gaster
Architect
Architecture Education
RIBA Part 2 Year 2 Project: 2012-2013
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A New English Assembly
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“In the island of Britain today there are three governments representing three constitutional and political bodies. There is the Scottish Parliament, there is the Welsh Assembly and there is the United Kingdom Parliament. They represent Scotland, Wales and the United Kingdom. Constitutionally and politically just those three exist. Constitutionally and politically England does not exist. That situation, and its implications, constitutes the English Question.” David Blunkett (2005), A New England: An English Identity within Britain.
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The process of repair and fire's ability to renew is the conceptual framework for the design project, investigating the appliance of fire as a design tool within architecture. Fire gives as well as takes. It can be constructive as well as destructive. It can promote change and renewal and has shaped us and the world we live in. Implementing its fundamental character into an alternative Houses of Parliament will replenish political discourse within the UK.
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Current devolution of powers to the nation states has given rise to national awareness within them. When devolution was put forward in the late 1990s it was the intention to devolve powers to enable separate states to have some autonomy from the Parliament in London. It was to be a safe, limited and definitive agreement. There was a labour government in the UK under Blair and Labour governments in both Scotland and Wales so the agreement was somewhat colloquial and functioned well. However, a new fiery political dynamic has developed. We now have a coalition of Conservative and Liberal parties in power in the UK, a Scottish National Party in power in Scotland and Plaid Cymru, a pro-independence Welsh party gaining popularity in Wales... a natural pulling apart has occurred.
It was never the intention that devolution would be the precursor to the breakup of the union but I believe that devolution is the road to it. Scotland is already proposing independence from the UK with a referendum due later this year. If we are to keep the Union together a radical rethink of the devolution process is needed. A move to a federal system will keep the union together. Unity, as opposed to separation, will be more beneficial to each nation state. A New English Assembly will not only complete the devolution of the UK, it will redress the political balance and ease the move towards a federal. State.
RIBA Part 2 Year 1 Project: 2011-2012
End of oil…
Most of the 20th century was an era of cheap and plentiful energy and due to this we saw a huge growth in the world economy and population. However a dramatic slowdown in discoveries has been observed in the oil industry and this has continued into the 21st century; where it is contributing to a financial crisis that has continued for decades.
Devolution of government powers has enabled London to evolve into a series of semi-autonomous enclaves. These enclaves are a cohesive integral part of our future society, trading culture as well as material goods and food. Alternative means of power production has also seen a shift from centralised power hubs to local producing nodes in a grid system. Stratford city has an old shopping complex which is now a thriving market and the disused industrial units and car parks have been turned into arable farmland. Stratford international station has long since been decommissioned.
The Alternative Futures Institute (AFI) is a leader in the creation of preferred power networks, a group of scientists and environmentalists that are seriously addressing the world’s global-warming problem. Since its founding in 2015 it has explored future possibilities. Notably they have helped organise the nations burgeoning de-centralized power networks.
The AFI draws on its experience with environmentally sensitive energy production and believes that a major technological shift is what the planet needs. They are now pursuing research into artificial photosynthesis as a viable long term fuel source. Plants take water, sunlight and carbon dioxide and produce both a fuel to feed themselves plus sequester carbon into a building material for their growth. They do this under ambient conditions without the need for extreme heat, pressure or power. The Artificial Photosynthesis Research effort at AFI involves the collaborative efforts of a wide range of fields. Research is conducted by world leading researchers in plant physiology and biotechnology, notably the processes and efficiencies of biological photo-energy conversion. This burgeoning biomimetic technology will offer hope for the future, coming at a time when the oil is at a shortage and we face the possibility of an increased energy crisis.
RIBA Part 1 Degree Year 2 Project 2: 2009-2010
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Aquaponic Residential Urban farm
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A development of 40 Studio, 1 Bed and 2 Bed apartments. The development will encourage the inhabitants to participate in the production of organic food for the organic restaurant on the ground floor. An aquaponics system will be integrated into the building providing fresh produce for the restaurant. We hope to attract eco conscious professionals to live and work within our building. A diversity of talent needed to contribute to the system. Farmers and chefs to artists and marketing executives. Everybody is welcome.
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Aquaponics. Fish and plants grow in symbiotic balance, Sustainable, productive and diverse. Organic food crops produced all year round. Combined with an organic fish restaurant and shop providing recreation and employment for the apartment’s inhabitants and surrounding population.
RIBA Part 1 Degree Year 1 Project: 2008-2011
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Himalayan Themed Spa Retreat
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This project is based on a Himalayan trek I experienced in 2007, the architecture seeks to express a trip through the mountains.
A spa complex at Deptford, bringing a touch of the fresh and new to the hard working people of London. The complex will provide an invigorating as well as relaxing experience away from the workplace.
RIBA Part 1 Degree Year 2 Project 1: 2009-2010
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