Ideology around digital manufacturing and the industry
4.0 all refer to saving space within production. Large factories will no longer
be needed as the staff and facilities have been dramatically reduced. All this
empty space could mean the prospect of companies moving to smaller sights. This
means a company could move from the city / urban space to somewhere what works
better logistically.
This move can prove beneficial to the companies however I
am curious to know what can be made from the empty spaces that are left as a
result of industry 4.0. Huddersfield is a prime example for deindustrialisation
as it was once the epicentre for the textile industry through the previous
industrial revolution. Locations such as Bates Mill have shown us how you can
transform an empty space into a spectacular design studio. With housing also
being unobtainable for the younger generation or individuals of a certain
income, perhaps these empty spaces could be transformed into affordable living
spaces.
Urban Splash are one of many companies that specialise in
regenerating decaying industrial spaces. They work between Manchester, Leeds
and Sheffield providing both residential and urban spaces. Companies such as
this will thrive as a result of Industry 4.0 however, transforming these spaces
into luxury flats only adds to housing crisis we are currently experiencing and
gentrifies the whole ideas of sustainability.
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| Boat Shed Exchange Quay (Source: Urban Splash, 2017) |
Another concern towards regenerating decaying industrial
spaces is how we can preserve the identity of that space as many buildings encompass
a certain feel. Companies such as Urban Splash must aim to maintain this feel,
an example would be within brutalist architecture. Brutalist architecture is a
bit dated for today’s world however it is very influential in some areas located within the UK such
as Sheffield or Manchester.
References
Urban Splash. (2017). Boat Shed Exchange Quay. Retrieved From http://www.urbansplash.co.uk
