Fort Widley -adaptive reuse for a wedding venue reception and accommodation with sustainable solutions

Our visit to “FORT WIDLEY’’

We’ll be talking here about the Fort Widley. The Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom recommended that Fort Widley be built on top of Portsdown Hill. It was designed to protect the city from attack from the rear. We’re tagged in a team of 5 member to go and visited this historical place under the supervision of Milena Metalkova. Thanks to her for scouting us to this place and her husband hospitality. We all are thankful to both of them. The receptionist talks to us as we enter the building. The Fort Widley Tunnel is assisted by a person. 

SITE ANALYSIS

One of the forts named after the Prime Minister was intended for the defense of the dockyard. It's very close to Fort Southwick. The roofs concealed by earth were built by Captain Crossman, Royal Engineers. The scarp and counterscarp walls are made of flint. After completion in 1871, the fort was given to the navy. The Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal Unit was based at Fort Widley during World War II. The fort has been used as an activity center since 1990. A Victorian gun was moved from Broad Street to Fort Widley by 1999. The gun emplacement is listed as Grade II. 

Begun in late 1861, it was not completed until 1871. It then appears to have actually been provided with armament. Widley later became as inactive as the rest of the line, and had a similar history, passing into naval hands in the 1920s. 

Begun 1861, completed 1870; a polygonal fort with a land front, armed with 78 guns, accommodation for 226 personnel. In a partly restored state. Hexagonal; virtually identical to Fort Southwick apart from the ditch and caponier arrangements. Plan and photograph of fort, incorporating the gun mounted outside. Fort Widley is owned by Portsmouth City Corporation. Fort Widley is now a Portsmouth City Museum (open in the summer). Part of the Portsdown Hill defences. 

The structure and layout of Fort Southwick is the same as that of Fort Widley. Both have tunnels that are dug underneath them. The Fort Southwick tunnels date from the Second World War, whereas the Fort Widley tunnels are from the 19th century. That doesn't mean Fort Widley wasn't used during WW2.

William Crossman was an officer of the Royal Engineers and was part of the staff of the Inspector General of Fortifications at the War Office. The fort was built from chalk, with red brick and local flint being used for buildings and revetment to a large dry ditch which was also dug at the same time. The main armament was mounted on a semi-circular rampart, high angle, 13-inch mortars, mounted in two protected mortar batteries and close range, mounted in one full and two semi-caponiers. Both officers and other ranks were provided with barracks accommodations.

The Fort Widley shelter

There were several doors to the left and right as we entered the first corridor. We were told that one of them was locked, and that it was the Fort Widley Bunker that was created in 1952. The Civil Defence Control is located behind the locked door. It was the main magazine for the fort in Victorian times. This area was converted into a Bunker in the event of a bomb falling. Cold War Bunker and Tunnels at Fort Widley

The curators at the Pompey Pals' Museum gave us a great talk about Pompey's First and Second World War history. We were taken to another room with a locked door after the talk in the museum room. This is the entrance to the tunnels. As the door was opened, this was the sight that greeted us.

Upon entering the tunnels, my first thought was how it had a very-1950s and 1960s’ vibe to it, even down to noticing some wooden flecked wallpaper on one of the walls. It soon became clear why this was. Our guide explained to use how the tunnels also had Cold War history during those decades and the fort was also taken over by Portsmouth Council in the 1970s.

Electrics, signs, and even some old décor are still on the wall that was built when the Bunker was built. There is a very old-fashioned feel to the labelling on the electrics. 

This area of the tunnels was directly outside of the Fort Widley bunker area. The Civil Defence Control is located behind the locked door of the Fort Widley Bunker Room. It used to be the main magazine for the fort. The area was converted into a Bunker in the event of a bomb falling. I was able to take a number of photos  and videos in the area surrounding the locked door, even though we weren't allowed to enter. 

Walking through tunnels

We were then invited to continue walking. The tunnels are now white-washed bricks walls, with various cables and pipes running along them, as the roof is now lower. 

We were only a couple of minutes into the tunnels at this point, and we saw another tunnel that branched off the main track, returning back to the main tunnel in a loop. This video shows the secondary tunnel branching off. The cold war control centre is located at the entrance to the secondary tunnel that loops around to rejoin the main tunnel. 

In order to keep the flames out of the magazine, oil lamps were placed through the glass windows into the lighting passage. 

There are ghosts in the tunnels. 

We started to feel the temperature drop as we descended into the tunnels. This was normal when you do a subterranean exploration. The conversation was changed to reports of hauntings because of the change in temperature. There have been reports of ghosts and spooky goings on here. Ghost tour events are held in the Fort Widley tunnels. 

It is these underground chambers that most of the paranormal activity is said to have been experienced. Ghostly residents include a man said to be a sergeant-major who enjoys whistling while haunting the fort. The old sergeants’ mess is reported to be a very intimidating area to visit now.

The chalk-lined tunnel

We walked into a new tunnel. The tunnel was without white-washed brick walls. The history of the manpower required for digging tunnels like this became clear here. The chalk was dug out by hand in the 1860s, instead of using mechanized digging equipment. Overall that's how we ended our visit to the fort. We came up with some of the findings and goal to work on our project of adaptive reuse of wedding reception venue and accommodation. 

STARTING POINT

• Sustainable development: Preserving resources and minimizing carbon emissions associated 
•  with demolition and redevelopment. 
•  Design: Appreciating that historic places are the inspiration for the great architecture of the future.
•   Valuing heritage: Caring for historic buildings and places that have their own intrinsic cultural, social, 
•  educational and spiritual value. 

Key drivers/Advantages of Adaptive Reuse:

•  The advantages of adaptive reuse are far-reaching, spanning economic, social, and ecological benefits.
•  Sustainability
•   Financial
•   Social
•   Master Planning.
•   Knowledge 

OBJECTIVES 

The research objectives for this proposal are: 

•  Current conditions of the physical structure. 
•  Initial site topography. 
•  Looking for evidence of underground chambers, tunnels, pipes, watercourses etc.
•   Checking with statutory utilities whether any of their infrastructure passes under or over the site.
•   A review of planning policy requirements and their potential impact on site capacity. 
•  The use of materials and the potential for re-use, recycling and waste handling. ❏ Definition of phases if the project is to be phased. 
•  Outline specifications including schedules of components, defining the performance and/or
•   material standards required (including colors). 
• The Positive Impact of Adaptive Reuse of a Historic Site

The Positive Impact of Adaptive Reuse of a Historic Site

Adaptive reuse of historical places involves repurposing buildings or sites that have significant cultural or historical value. This process allows for the preservation of important landmarks while also meeting the needs of modern society. It can be a sustainable and cost-effective way to revitalize communities and create new opportunities for economic growth. However, it requires careful planning and consideration to ensure that the integrity and character of the original structure are maintained. Understanding the historical and cultural significance of a site's values is crucial for its successful adaptive reuse. By preserving and incorporating these values into the design, the site can maintain its unique identity while serving a new purpose. Additionally, recognizing and respecting the values of local communities can foster a sense of ownership and pride in the site's transformation. Architecture for adaptive reuse also have a positive impact on the environment by reducing the need for new construction and minimizing waste. Therefore, it is important for architects to carefully consider the historical, cultural, and environmental context of a site when planning for adaptive reuse. 

The Negative Impact of Adaptive Reuse of a Historic Site

Adaptive reuse of a historic site can have negative impacts on the site's cultural and historical significance. The changes made to the site may not be in line with its original purpose and may alter its authenticity. Additionally, the increased foot traffic and commercialization of the site may lead to overcrowding and damage to the site's physical structure. Architectural view on negative impact on adaptive reuse of a historical site  should also be considered, as any alterations made to the site may compromise its historical significance and cultural value. Therefore, it is important to carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of any proposed adaptive reuse project before proceeding with it, in order to ensure that the site's authenticity and integrity are preserved for future generations to appreciate and learn from.

The specific research objectives of our investigation about heritage forts for reuse are to identify the current condition of the fort are below:

• Assess its historical significance, evaluate its structural integrity.

• Propose sustainable reuse options that align with its cultural and historical value.

• Additionally, we aim to determine the economic feasibility of the proposed reuse options and their potential impact on the surrounding community.

• Fort Widley is used as an example of an environmentally responsible design approach that balances energy efficiency, environmental impact, and economic feasibility. 

• Look for ways to retain historic buildings and sites while preserving their cultural relevance and heritage potential.

• Work-based learning can improve learning outcomes, professional skills, and employability for us.

• The fort's architectural elements, including its gun emplacements and underground tunnels, provide a fascinating glimpse into the military technology of the time. 

• Create design standards to address barriers and challenges to Fort Worth as a work-based learning site • Engage with stakeholders to ensure the investigation is informed by a range of perspectives and reflects the needs and aspirations of different groups. 

• Insufficient daylight, damp walls, vertical and horizontal circulation in construction, doors, hardware, sanitary fixtures, safeguards, isolation, some unfinished floors, fire safety, and a heating system. These are some of the most important parts of a construction plan that need to be included to ensure safety, functionality, and compliance with rules. 

• The isolation of certain areas and the implementation of safeguards are particularly important for hazardous or sensitive environments.

Meeting 

We had a meeting with our tutor to discuss the details of our group project. We went over the timeline and delegated tasks to each member. Our tutor provided valuable feedback on our ideas and suggested some additional resources we could use for research. 

The client: Deniz Beck

Deniz Beck is a conservation architect who specializes in the sensitive refurbishment of vulnerable historic buildings and monuments. She is the founder of Deniz Beck Partners. An accredited conservation architect, she specializes in the sensitive regeneration of historic buildings and monuments, particularly those considered at risk and with complicated issues. She is a fully chartered member of RIBA and a trustee of ICOMOS-UK, and works regularly and closely with Historic England, as well as other conservation groups and authorities. In recent years, she has worked across complex and diverse schemes such as The Hotwalls Studios and Spitbank Fort, The Martello Tower, High Street Heritage Action Zones among many others. Their mission is to provide assistance to charities, social enterprises, and local organizations with limited financial resources to help them achieve their goals in preserving and regenerating heritage structures and the wider historic environment.

Concept:Sustainable modern conservation

Fort Widley is a historic fort located in Portsmouth, England that has been abandoned for many years. However, the fort has the potential to be transformed into a sustainable modern conservation concept that offers adaptive reuse as a wedding venue reception and accommodation with sustainable solutions. For this project Sustainable modern conservation concepts for adaptive reuse of a wedding venue reception and accommodation can be achieved through several innovative solutions. These solutions can help to reduce the environmental impact of the venue while providing a unique and memorable experience for the wedding party and their guests. One of the key considerations for sustainable conservation is the use of materials that are environmentally friendly and locally sourced. This could include using reclaimed wood, recycled materials, and eco-friendly building materials. These materials can be used to create a rustic and charming atmosphere that is in keeping with the surrounding environment. Another important consideration is energy efficiency. This can be achieved through the use of renewable energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines. The venue could also incorporate energy-efficient lighting, heating, and cooling systems to reduce energy consumption and minimize the carbon footprint. Finally, education and awareness-raising can be a key component of sustainable modern conservation. The venue can provide information on its sustainable features and practices to guests, encouraging them to adopt sustainable behaviors in their daily lives. In summary, sustainable modern conservation concepts for adaptive reuse of a wedding venue reception and accommodation can be achieved through the use of environmentally friendly and locally sourced materials, energy-efficient systems, water conservation measures, waste reduction strategies, and transportation solutions. These sustainable solutions can create a unique and memorable wedding experience while minimizing the environmental impact of the venue. 

Design Details

The project is divided into two pieces. The first is the wedding reception, and the second is the guest accommodation. My team and I were tasked with organizing the wedding celebration. That is why I will only detail the wedding reception portion that I have worked on.

EXISTING FLOOR PLAN

Fig: EXISTING FLOOR PLAN

 

PROPOSED PLAN LAYOUT

Fig: PROPOSED PLAN LAYOUT

CIRCULATION AND SERVICE ENTRY

Fig: CIRCULATION AND SERVICE ENTRY

The main entry is a visitor entry, which I colored green in the illustration, and the secondary entry is a service entry, which I marked red. The first room with a guest entry is the initial arrival space, where I placed a seating area and a bar for people to gather and socialize. The main party hall and the sit-down dinner area are accessible from here. The following two rooms are designated as sit-down dining areas where guests can enjoy their meals. I created the main party hall, both inside and out. Because if I only have an outdoor party space, we may have challenges due to natural factors. My interior party hall is adjacent to the original gathering area.

We can gain entrance to the kitchen, as well as the dry and cold storage spaces, by using the service entry. The buffet area is located in the space adjacent to the kitchen. I wanted to place things here, but there wasn't enough room, so I had to put them in the back of the buffet. despite the fact that it is not far from the kitchen. The storage space is directly accessible from the kitchen.

Fig: FLOW

SOME PERSPECTIVE IMAGES

LONG SECTION

KITCHEN DETAILS WITH SECTIONS

BUFFET AREA WITH STAFF ROOM

INDOOR SIT DOWN MEAL WITH TOILET DETAILS AND SECTIONS

DANCE FLOOR,PHOTO BOOTH AND DJ

SOME RENDER IMAGES

Outdoor ceremony space

For wedding ceremonies, I found some case studies that inspire me to think about outdoor space for the actual ceremony. Which I designed afterwards.

CASE STUDY I

Vincigliata Castle in Tuscany, a fabulous glam Wedding

The Castle of Vincigliata near Florence has become one of my favorite wedding venues of Tuscany, and maybe of the whole of Italy. And if you look at these pictures it is not difficult to understand why more and more couples choose this medieval castle on top of a hill, immersed in the magnificent Tuscan countryside, as the perfect setting for their wedding in Tuscany.

This event, in particular, is truly spectacular. For privacy reasons, we cannot publish photos of the ceremony and party with the guests, but the setting and floral decorations are so elegant and refined that I am happy to share these pictures with you on my blog.

The ceremony was celebrated outdoors under a gazebo on the castle terrace. The aisle was decorated with roses and hydrangeas in white and pale pink. Larger vases were put at the entrance of the ceremony area. Delicate white orchids embellished the gazebo.

A lounge area was set up in the castle garden with white Chesterfield sofas and poufs. Notice the spectacular lighting of the castle walls.

After the wedding reception the castle courtyard was transformed into a dance club with mirror balls and fantastic lighting. The celebration continued with an incredible guest: the queen of disco music Jocelyn Brown was the life of the party

CASE STUDY II

From fortified castle to wedding venue: Venetian examplars of adaptive reuse

What does one do with a castle? The Venetian Terraferma (and, indeed, all of Europe) is dotted with medieval castles that have long outlived the purposes for which they were intended. And yet, built of stone, they are costly to demolish and—more importantly—of great historical interest. Despite fires, earthquakes, and simple neglect, many remain standing thanks to the creativity of owners, architects, and municipalities in finding ways to restore and preserve these evocative palimpsests of the past.

Wedding venue

The Castello di Villalta is situated atop a mound in the countryside overlooking vineyards and fields of grain with views south all the way to the Adriatic on a clear day. Home of the Della Torre family since the fifteenth century, the medieval castle was badly damaged by an earthquake and a peasant uprising in 1511 but was soon rebuilt and expanded with a Renaissance wing. The site of a Della Torre fratricide in 1699, the castle was abandoned after the execution of Lucio Della Torre in 1723 for the murder of his Venetian wife and became something of a haunted house, with rumors of subterranean escape passages and Lucio’s ghost prowling the walls at night. The Della Torre heirs sold off the castle, with crumbling walls and fallen ceilings, in 1905. During the First World War it served as an Austro -Hungarian command post after the defeat of the Italian army in the Battle of Caporetto. After passing through several hands and partial restorations, the  castle was reacquired by descendants of the Caporiacco family, its original owners, in 1999, and today—carefully restored and updated—it serves not only as a captivating venue for wedding celebrations, but also as a site for concerts, meetings, and cultural events.

The castle rises up from a moraine hill in a strategic position and with a double defensive wall surrounding it. Its walkways, for the guards who scoured the horizon to warn of enemy attacks, the castellated ghibelline swallow tail merlons indicating the family allegiance to the emperor, the corner towers of circular shape and the oldest square tower, the earliest of them all, built in the XII century, all are most imposing. Everything at Villalta speaks of strength and power. There are a succession of courtyards, green lawns and pathways.

The main floor of the Castle, decorated with 17th Century frescos, is composed by the Great hall, the tapestry drawing room, the Bernadotte drawing room with its french “grisaille” paintings, then the small library and the family drawing room, hung with with portraits of ancestors

AND THE RESULT

OUTDOOR VENEU PLAN

OUTDOOR WEDDING VENEU

After finishing the work both our group for wedding venue and the other group for accommodation it seemed both of us ignored this part of tunnel connectivity. This is the most important topics that we missed last time. And it’s about how a tunnel could be a part of a celebration. According to the existing plan we worked on, distance between the wedding reception area and the accommodation area is very long. Which sometimes can be boring or scary as its dark in the tunnel. So I followed a lot of case study and give it a many thoughts.

HOW COULD BE A TUNNEL PART OF A CELEBRATION?

SOME CASE STUDY FOR TUNNEL DESIGN

Japan's Spectacular Tunnel of Lights

one of Japan's most stunning 

displays of light called 

Winter Illuminations

Passages Insolites, or Unusual 

Passages, is an outdoor public art 

exhibition in Quebec City featuring

 modern and interactive works of art 

in Old Quebec.

Tunnel: 

My thought was to make the tunnel a part of the celebration. I was really thinking a lot about it. Because, although it's a wedding, considering the importance of this venue regarding its own history, specifically during the Second World War, it was massive. This really forced me to think about how I could make them relevant to both the wedding and the history of this fort

So I came up with this. My idea is to give a story-telling vibe using real pictures that happened during the world war. And use track-mounted lights that can provide general and focused task lighting. So that the guests can move forward and gather knowledge about the actual history of this fort.

Track Mounted: With track mounted lighting, , “pull a wire out from the ceiling, connect it to the fixture and snap it into place. The fixture acts as a horizontal extension of the electrical signal,” said Schroeder. Track mounted lighting can provide general or focused, task lighting.

CEILING LIGHTING DETAILS

CEILING LIGHTING DETAILS

CEILING LIGHTING DETAILS

Conclusion

“Long life, loose fit”—one way designers talk about design for adaptability In conclusion, Fort Widley is an excellent example of how historical buildings can be adapted and renovated to incorporate sustainable modern design principles. important aspect of this concept is to prioritize community engagement and social responsibility. The development could include affordable housing units, community gardens, and shared spaces for events and gatherings. The project could also prioritize the use of sustainable materials and construction methods to minimize its environmental impact. Overall, the adaptive reuse of Fort Widley as a sustainable modern community would not only revitalize the historic site but also provide a model for sustainable development that prioritizes environmental responsibility and community engagement. 

Progression of this project with dates

6th February: Group meeting and project presentation 

13th February: Decision of Project 

13-24th February: Research with background history, structure analysis, site analysis, and collecting related research papers. 

24th February: Brief of design 

27th February: Visit Fort Widley to gather details that need. Had a meeting with our tutor to discuss the plan details. 

28th February- 9 March: Material analysis and understanding such as pictures, videos, and data found from the site visit. Making notes and preparing documents. 

10-12th March: Draft writing. 

13th March: Meeting with our tutor and preparing interview questionnaire 

14th March: Arrange interview times with our client Deniz Beck 

15th March: Carry out interviews 

16-21th March: Additional reading, getting ready to refine the draft paper. Finalizing documentation of the contract. 

22nd March: Submission.

23th March- 26 April: Design development.

May 2nd: Design development.

May 11th: Presentation.

May 18th: Online tutorial.

May 28th: completed the reflective essay.

May 29th: completed writing the blog. 

May 30th: Final design and reflective essay submission. 

References

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Abdullah, F., Basha, B., & Soomro, A. R. (2017, July 1). Sustainable Heritage: Analytical Study on the Viability of Adaptive Reuse with Social Approach, Case Study of Asia Heritage Row, Kuala Lumpur. Advanced Science Letters, 23(7), 6179–6183. https://doi.org/10.1166/asl.2017.9231

Aigwi, I. E., Egbelakin, T., Ingham, J., Phipps, R., Rotimi, J., & Filippova, O. (2019, July). A performance-based framework to prioritize underutilized historical buildings for adaptive reuse interventions in New Zealand. Sustainable Cities and Society, 48, 101547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2019.101547

Aigwi, I. E., Phipps, R., Ingham, J., & Filippova, O. (2020, February 22). Characterisation of Adaptive Reuse Stakeholders and the Effectiveness of Collaborative Rationality Towards Building Resilient Urban Areas. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 34(2), 141–151. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-020-09521-0

Campagnol, G. (2017, March 1). The Place of the Industrial Past: The Adaptive Reuse of the Industrial Heritage in the Engenho Central de Piracicaba, Brazil. Built Environment, 43(1), 107– 129. https://doi.org/10.2148/benv.63.3.107

Conejos, S., Langston, C., & Smith, J. (2015, July 6). Enhancing sustainability through designing for adaptive reuse from the outset. Facilities, 33(9/10), 531–552. https://doi.org/10.1108/f-02-2013-0011

 

Hooja, R. (2017, December). From the Editor’s Desktop. Journal of Heritage Management, 2(2), vii– viii. https://doi.org/10.1177/2455929618757361

la Hausse de Lalouvière, P. (2021, May 4). Editorial. Journal of Southern African Studies, 47(3), 345– 347. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057070.2021.1910392

García Sánchez, F., García Sánchez, H., & Ribalaygua, C. (2020, July). Cultural heritage and sea level rise threat: risk assessment of coastal fortifications in the Canary Islands. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 44, 211– 217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2020.02.005