“Inhabiting Reverberations of Multiplicity” seeks to revitalize Battersea’s industrial identity by echoing Wachsmann’s principle of multiplicity and celebrating the Shakers’ tectonic craftsmanship, as evident in their furniture design. It draws inspiration from Wachsmann’s interest in industrial construction, repetition, multiplicity, and efficiency; exemplified by the 1950s U.S. Air Force hangars, and integrates Shaker tectonic details and their use of surfaces as structural elements, as reflected in the iconic Shaker bench. This results in a modular configuration of intersecting planes that can accommodate spaces for an artist village and public areas, adaptable across multiple scales. The project aims to reconnect with the Thames, honor its industrial heritage, and respond to the river as a dynamic, fluctuating system.
The introduction of intersecting micro-laminated wooden modules emphasizes dynamic surface interactions, adding depth and complexity to the riverfront while establishing interior spaces with varying degrees of enclosure Nine Elms neighborhood. This layered effect promotes a sense of multiplicity, where interconnected community spaces remain true to the Shaker philosophy of functionality while also creating an intermediate space between landscape and architecture. Through rhythmic repetition and meticulous tectonic detailing, the design unfolds as an evolving landscape where structure and surface harmonize.
By integrating modular systems inspired by the Wachmann and Shaker’s design philosophy, “Inhabiting Reverberations of Multiplicity” fosters an adaptable environment that resonates with the post-industrial structural systems and the ever-changing tides of the Thames, promoting a profound sense of community, continuity, and resilience above the Thames Tideway Tunnel.
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