Crewe's Sweet Legacy: From Tracks to Treats
The Crewe Heritage Centre, currently a museum focused on the town’s railway past, was reimagined in my project as a larger cultural and production site that celebrates both heritage and the town’s future. Located on a brownfield site between two train lines, the centre sits at a physical and metaphorical fork in Crewe’s development. Through site visits and conversations with council members, it became clear that Crewe is undergoing significant change, with regeneration plans aiming to reconnect the town through green corridors and cultural investment.
As someone passionate about placemaking and the role of play in architecture, this project allowed me to explore both. A key driver was a quote from a council member: “Heritage is not just history.” This idea shaped the proposal’s ambition to celebrate Crewe not just for its past, but as a town of contemporary artisanal makers.
Taking inspiration from Learning from Las Vegas and the concept of the decorated shed, I developed a layered cladding strategy that reflects Crewe’s evolving identity through material and colour. The colours and transparencies developed for the cladding system are applied to infrastructure across the wider site plan, helping to activate the architecture as both a local landmark and a storytelling device, visible and welcoming to both residents and visitors.
The proposal introduces two new buildings: 'The Vault', an exhibition space tracing Crewe’s agricultural and industrial history, and an 'Ice Cream Emporium' honouring its dairy farming legacy while partnering with local businesses such as Whitby Morrison. This second space includes production kitchens, retail, and interactive workshops, aligning with the Heritage Centre’s aim of “a great day out for all the family.”
This project reflects my interest in architecture that is socially engaged, rooted in place, and capable of shaping meaningful experiences through playful, inclusive design.
