What's the weather doing out there?

Above is a moulding fixed to a shopfront on New Street, in the middle of Longford. The effects of weathering on fabric can be clearly seen. The plywood has been ruptured, and over time (less than five years, according to anecdotal evidence) it has warped and degraded. White paint has worn off, exposing the undercoat and the plywood to the full wrath of weathering. The weathering to which this moulding has been subjected is most likely human and atmospheric. It is unlikely that the elements of wind and rain alone could have caused such damage to the timber. Perhaps somebody accessing the lane by car misgauged the width of their vehicle. Inadequate maintenance has exposed the fabric to further damage.

Where are we?

As a starting point I documented the idea and representation of boundary in relation to the terms person, building, town and country.


Boundary_person
Lanes are a common feature of the town - some protected by fences, others left open.

Boundary_building

Many of the buildings in the town are monumental such as the library shown or the Bank of Ireland building on Main Street. They also retreat in that one does not get any idea of what is happening inside from the outside. They are definitive boundaries between inside and outside.

Boundary_town

The railway line runs to the west of the town's center. It is a means of physically dividing the town and this manifests on a daily basis on crossing points when traffic is stopped.

Boundary_country

At certain points in the town, such as the park grounds at the castle the relationship to the rest of the country becomes more evident. A wider view of the landscape is possible and the boundaries that exist become layered and retreat to the distance.

Light as a guide

Light - local

The photograph is of a sketch model made to represent a light condition found on one of the south facing streets of the town. Due to the difference in heights of the buildings the sun illuminates the wall of the building at the rear of the lane and thus draws you into the space.

Light - wider context

Light also acts as a guide in the wider context. The long views out of the town at various points on the main streets illustrate this as a rhythmic route is set up often with light highlighting particular points in the distance.

A Critical Eye - Building in Flood Plains

Buildings located at Glenn Riada, at the outskirts of Longford Town. These buildings received full planning permission and were constructed in 2006, despite being situated on an annual flood plain. These apartments have been abandoned to the elements due to the seasonal floods but the houses in the back ground are still inhabited. The soil conditions are so poor that the whole estate is slowly sinking, transforming to ruin. This is but one example of the many estates dotting the Irish landscape, which stand as epitaphs for the so-called Celtic tiger, which devoured its own fortunes.

A Critical Eye

This drawing is in response to my impressions of the Main Street in Roscommon. Before visiting the town I thought the principal axis would be dominant and constant along its length. Instead I found a permeability to this street that was interesting and unexpected. Various gaps in the elevation allowed me to slip into the spaces behind to encounter contrasting realms. Boundaries are broken down and often urban and rural seem to co-exist.

Longford Exchange

Collage Town

Studying historical photos of Roscommon town from the National Library Archive exhibited the former vibrant life of the market square. It seems a shame now that the space in front of the prominent Bank of Ireland building is dominated by parked cars. Is their a vision for this space that calls to mind the former dynamics of this space and can benefit the community on both market and non-market days? A sketch scenario is proposed whereby subtle interventions could create a space for people to gather and meet or to display things whilst also providing a structure of sorts for the market when it is taking place.

Past - Market Square, Main Street Roscommon 1880-1914

National Library of Ireland - Archive

Present - Market Square, Main Street Roscommon October 2010

Future?