Daniel James Hatton

[danieljhatton]

Good luck everyone. This is a really nice looking challenge we have here.

[danieljhatton]

Ok. Initial idea development.

I Started to research what my core subjects will be. I decided to go for forest/overgrown wooded ground as this is an area I want to be able to improve on, so that was my first research title. Second Title was naturally Hover/Bridge/Architecture. Using these titles I started to fall across dis-used railway bridges. Fascinated at the though of combining a disused bridge and railway with contemporary architecture in an overgrown wooded area. It started to lead me into a new subject...hopelessness. I dis-used railway, no longer needed, no longer sustainable, abandoned....

I remember a few years back here in Ireland, TG4 (tv channel) created these amazing idents and I remember one of them was a disused railway animation called Past and Present. It takes the viewer from the railway in full blown use, to abandonment - into beauty Here

This leads me to the inspiration of visualising architecture connected to a disused railway track and bridge, but in a celebratory way with a restorational approach, new plants, grass and area of contemplation and relaxation in an over grown forest with the new architecture connected to the old bridge in some way.

Tip. I have started a Flickr Gallery to record ideas, here.

[bakbek]

I love the general idea and more specifically the restoration approach you present. You can play with old / new materials and construction methods which might turn up fascinating.

Very much looking forward to see your progress.

[danieljhatton]

I'm thinking of looking through a restored bridge, this side is restoration, beautiful new materials, flowers, trees, benches SUMMER! and through the tunnel, the other side is abandonment WINTER!. We'll see, still formulating some ideas. I don't want to make it too labour intensive, but effective.

[Rod]

I love your concept Daniel! For many years I was involved with the rails to trails program here in the US. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy:: Creating a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines:: Building healthier places for healthier people. So many great things have been done to recapture, reuse, and enjoy some very nice areas. I'll be sure to watch your thread as we go along.

[isucur]

Beautiful concept, Daniel! I like this "two sided" idea, impressive potential. Knowing your detailing from previous challenge, and this new given references it's going to be one post to subscribe to! .

Cheers!

[mattclinch]

liking the HighLine reference. i worked on a scheme that cantilevered over the HighLine. really nice area to do something like that. look forward to seeing some sketches.

[danieljhatton]

Originally Posted by isucur

Beautiful concept, Daniel! I like this "two sided" idea, impressive potential. Knowing your detailing from previous challenge, and this new given references it's going to be one post to subscribe to! .

Cheers!

Thanks isucur! My aim is to finish this time. : )

Originally Posted by mattclinch

liking the HighLine reference. i worked on a scheme that cantilevered over the HighLine. really nice area to do something like that. look forward to seeing some sketches.

I love high line. I have been on it a couple of times and it's rare I find a public space I don't want to leave. Just sitting there above the world in a garden watching people walking by. Perfection.

[danieljhatton]

LOL. Is that you Peter? Only a bit heavier?

[Javier Pintor]

Very nice and original idea, knowing the quality of your work this can be really interesting project. Looking forward for more.

[danieljhatton]

Thanks guys, Formulating some thoughts now. Early stuff. Thinking about it I probably wont try for too much variation in the low line, more along the lines of the attached photo. I'm thinking about the environment at the moment. You see how the new 'bridge' crosses the lowline? Well the landscaping will stop dead at that point and then you are back to the abandoned railway, bridge in the distance.

[danieljhatton]

I'm definitely going to angle the building as per photo, and bring the perspective right in. Bring the old bridge and the new house closer together. Still toying with the idea of offsetting the new architecture onto the slope and fusing it to an old structure. dunno.