Whitehaven Terminal: Linking Local Identity with Global Networks
I’m Rory McLaren, an undergraduate student focused on creating spatial narratives that respond to user needs and reflect the current context. My recent project, the Whitehaven Cruise and Coach Terminal proposal, explores architecture’s potential to revitalize a town’s identity, boost tourism, and support local economies. The proposed terminal functions as both a transport hub and a community space, serving as a cultural landmark and a gateway to Cumbria’s broader regional identity.
In this project, I emphasized storytelling at multiple scales, from strategic masterplanning to the material language of facades and wayfinding. By combining the atelier’s rigorous research with my own design approaches, including digital modeling, physical prototypes, and immersive diagrams, I was able to develop a cohesive vision that balances technical precision with experiential richness. This work reflects my belief in the power of thoughtful design to communicate complex ideas and create spaces that are both functional and meaningful.
