The Ghost of the Old Works: The Presence of Absence
This project is an extension to the existing Crewe Heritage Centre, designed to rebuild the town’s fading identity by creating a new cultural landmark. It responds to the continuous loss of architectural heritage of the town caused by recent town development and acts as a wayfinder visible from the train station. Instead of incorporating a tower, the proposal enhances the visual impact through the facade that echoes the site’s industrial past.
The new gallery programme features local sculpture artists, promoting the creative identity of Crewe. Complementary programmes, including a pattern making workshop, cafe, weekend market and a public performance space are integrated into the heritage centre. These additions act as a catalyst to drive people into the site, fostering everyday interactions and creating new collective memories to enhance community engagement with the locals.
The project is located on the former site of the Crewe Old Works, once the heart of the town’s railway industry. Established in 1843 by the Grand Junction Railway, the Old works created locomotives that supported the British railway. Today, little of this structure remains and this proposal aims to uncover the hidden historical layer beneath the existing heritage centre, honouring the memory of Crewe’s industrial workforce.
Drawing from archived plans and photographs, the architectural language of the Old Works is reintroduced to the building through features like the arches and layered brickworks. The arches are intentionally low and submerged to express the idea of a buried history. This creates a walking experience that evokes a sense of loss, acting as a reminder to the demolition of significant historical structures due to redevelopment. This spatial memory invites reflection, positioning the user in dialogue with what once stood.
