London is a unique city in terms of local politics, the 32 boroughs and the City of London, each part of the unique institution of the Greater London Authority. My project, a platform for the people, creates a new public city hall and debate chamber for the G.L.A. and the people of London. Locating my project in former meat market of Smithfield will not only preserve a historic and beautiful building, it will restore Smithfield's public plane back to an open space of exchange and conversation. Through a shifting of the ground plane in the listed building, the City Hall will create a space for debate that is an extension off of the street; providing a new place, in a historic setting, for Londoners to engage with City Politics. The stepped plane that holds the debate will sit atop of the public program of a sports centre, Library and Idea Store, each program assures the building is filled with a diversity of Londoners throughout the day. The new City Hall will be for the people of London, a place where they can express their views directly to the G.L.A on the scale that they see fit.
New City Hall Perspective Section - This perspective section drawing, through my proposed project of a new public city hall, showcases the public debate plane and the program that lies beneath.
New City Hall Exploded Axonometric - This drawing shows how the new plane extends from its surroundings, entering from ground level, the public debate plane acts as an extension of the street.
New City Hall Plan - A plan cut through the building, shows the plane in context with its surroundings. The unique area of Smithfield becomes a pedestrianised zone for diversity and discussion.
New City Hall Ground Plan - Cutting the building at ground reveals the program beneath the plane; the G.L.A offices (top left), a library entrance (top right), and the public entrances onto the plane.
New City Hall Basement Plan - The basement plan reveals the full extent of the public library and shows the former car park entrances new use as a public way into the heart of the debate plane.
New City Hall Noli Map - The public nature of the new city hall is demonstrated with use of a Noli map, showing private areas in black we see how the city hall will act as a moment of public pause.
Stepping Taxonomy - Subverting the ground of my site led to an investigation into the use of a varied stepped plane. Through use of a taxonomy, interpretive use of the stepped plane was clear.
Londons History - A timeline of the City of London, Greater London and the monarchy with their links, shows that governing bodies and the concept of greater London is relatively recent.
London City Hall Mapping - The distributed network of town halls, civic centres and city halls throughout London are displayed here, in relation to public transport and each other.
