Mending the Square

The thesis investigates concept of ‘mending', whether it has architectural implications and delve in the recognition of the ‘care’ involved in mending – how the concept of care is addressed in the social aspects of architecture, and subsequently, in our urban spaces. 

The thesis addresses mending through the philosophical framework of 'ethics of care,' a term that places importance on interpersonal relationships, placing caring as central to ethical decision-making and taking a care-based approach to urban design, aiming to repair both the physical environment and the social bonds that inhabit it. 

Two aspects of mending are explored in the thesis; 

• Social practice approach that emphasises on community engagement and collaboration, focusing on mending practices that foster meaningful connections. 
• Spatial mending investigates the physical changes to these under-used spaces that can be repaired, transformed, and reimagined into urban 'living rooms'. 

The methodology approach taken has been looking at sewing and fabric techniques by mending at the scale of the body and applying that to the scale of the city. Experimenting with various techniques such as stitching, patchwork, layering, weaving and smocking, has led to developing four design strategies, that have then been applied to the selected sites in Newmarket.

The design intention is to ‘stitch together’ three currently under-used sites in the central Newmarket area of various scales, through small interventions or mending practices, in order to become public ‘gathering rooms’ for engagement and discovery, accessible to all ages. In addition to being spaces for lingering and leisure, these spaces are vital for the care and wellbeing of local communities and users, further exploring their potential as environments for curiosity and learning. 

These three Newmarket sites selected are A Square Patch, Teed's Pocket, and Teed (en)counter. It is noted that these existing public spaces, and the research approach used attempts to mend, stitch, extend, and repair.

1. Newmarket Train Station Square 
   • Extend + Open
   • Insert + Embellish 
2. Teed's Pocket Park
   • Repair + Strengthen
   • Replace + (Re)Connect
   • Insert + Embellish 
3. Teed’s (en) counter
   • Replace + (Re)Connect
   • Extend + Open
   • Insert + Embellish 

By stitching together the currently-fragmented patches of Newmarket, the aim is to initiate connection across the communities using the area, and enhance their function as places of encounters and care.