Reclaimed Railway Revival
My work explores how architecture can act as a bridge between past and future, using adaptive reuse as both a sustainable strategy and a cultural imperative. Rooted in the principles of continuity and user experience, my Studio 3.2 project, Reclaimed Railway Revival, reimagines Crewe’s Railway Heritage Centre as a vibrant public destination that honours industrial legacy while enabling new creative life.
The design retains the original steel portal frame and repurposes materials from the former building, including black powder-coated and intumescent-treated steel components, embracing the ethos of reuse. Local pre-war Cheshire red brick is introduced through a contemporary brick in-fill, drawing on regional craftsmanship and material memory. This combination of old and new allows the architecture to speak to multiple generations, making the building both familiar and forward-looking.
Inspired by detailing practices of Alvar Aalto and theoretical readings like Re-Readings by Sally Stone, I’ve prioritised user experience through a series of spatial moments, such as a suspended walkway above an entire steam train, designed to immerse visitors in Crewe’s rich railway heritage. Accessibility, inclusivity, and environmental responsibility remain central throughout, with wide corridors, accessible WCs, and solar passive strategies informing the design.
Ultimately, my architectural interest lies in reclaiming overlooked places and stories, connecting people both within and beyond Crewe. I aim to contribute to a practice that celebrates memory, revives local identity, and responds creatively and responsibly to the climate emergency through material, social, and spatial care.
