The power of the subconscious
My student project from 1982

The power of the subconscious

No alt text provided for this image
The Temple of Horus, Edfu, 237BCE
No alt text provided for this image
47-49 Oakfield Avenue, Glasgow, 1856, AlexanderThomson
No alt text provided for this image
Shettleston HA, Glasgow, 2005, Elder & Cannon

In Land of Stone I spent some time tracing the history of the partially infilled colonnade at Edfu through Alexander Thomson's use of the same motive to several recent works in Glasgow by Elder & Cannon. The form seemed designed to introduce a measure of insubstantiality in the wall, to explore its depth and imply the infinite extension of the colonnade while, at the same time, directing attention to the entablature. These were all aspects of the form discussed by Thomson in his writings and implicit in his architecture. At Edfu and Shettleston the upper part is open while Thomson's use of it at Oakfield between windows is backed by a solid panel and disguised by an anthemion. Despite these additions it still seemed to me that Thomson was following the principles of the Edfu motive. I was never certain whether this was an original notion of mine developed in the later stages of writing the book or whether it was implicit or even explicit in something I had read but subsequently forgotten. I couldn't ever recall having seen such an exposition and liked to imagine it was my conception. Perhaps someone will disabuse me of this.

However, a recent search through old drawings of mine threw up this student project of 1982: a large leisure centre replacement for Warrender Swimming Baths in Edinburgh. And there it was: the partially infilled colonnade, its potential infinite extension, the relative insubstantiality of the wall and the heavy entablature. Had I been carrying this image from a forgotten project deep in my subconscious for nigh on 40 years for it to resurface, also subconsciously, as I sought to unravel some continuing ideas in a strand of Scottish architecture. On recovering my drawing I was surprised to see the marked similarity to the form of the Elder & Cannon designs. Are there other topics raised in Land of Stone that have their origin in equally forgotten projects? Should I investigate or leave well alone?

I think some of my other earlier design drawings need further investigation.

Ross Park

Studio Manager | Associate - Architecture | Education

2 年

Lovely drawing Roger and 41 years ago! Great wee article as well, can’t beat a well designed colonnade ????

Derek Mason

Architect Owner at Derek Mason Consultancy

2 年

Does this mean “Greek” Thompson so much admired by Gavin Stamp ?

回复
Derek Mason

Architect Owner at Derek Mason Consultancy

2 年

Great drawing Roger ! Yours ?

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Roger Emmerson的更多文章

  • Redemption 01: Arts Resource Chesser

    Redemption 01: Arts Resource Chesser

    THE GERM OF AN IDEA This project had an odd trifurcated beginning. It stemmed from a desire to recover my temporarily…

    4 条评论
  • Pre-Raphaelitism

    Pre-Raphaelitism

    My adolescence coinciding with the 1960s, it is no surprise, then, that Art Nouveau, Symbolism and Pre-Raphaelitism…

  • Taking in water, listing or sinking: Part 2, It's cauld, Cumbernauld

    Taking in water, listing or sinking: Part 2, It's cauld, Cumbernauld

    In the 1980s, an advertisement extolling the benefits of living in Cumbernauld had the tag-line 'what's it called?…

  • Taking on water, listing or sinking?

    Taking on water, listing or sinking?

    Historic Environment Scotland (HES) have invited views on whether or not to list Cumbernauld Town Centre as a…

    7 条评论
  • A recent illustration

    A recent illustration

    The Water of Leith at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh

  • Swansong

    Swansong

    I've just completed the upgrading to 4 star standard and restoration of Douneside House, Tarland, nr. Aboyne for the…

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了