Writing | Symposium Video

Sameness: The Indian Transgression

A short talk discussing my experiences of domestic life (dwelling, eating, bathing and sleeping) in India with feedback from Roger Tyrrell and former head of school Professor Geoffrey Broadbent of the University of Portsmouth, and Adrian Carter and Lars Botin  of the University of Aalborg.

Writing | Symposium

Sameness: The Indian Transgression

“Modern architects have been harping continually on what is different in our time to such an extent, that even they have lost touch with what is not different, with what is always essentially the same.” Aldo van Eyck

These words ring true now more than ever. There is nothing banal about the familiar, and nothing poor about honesty. Simplicity can be sensual, and the truth can be humbling. There is beauty in everyday objects and occurrences, which in turn will become relics and rituals. By celebrating everyday architecture, the secular will become sacred.

Through a dialogue of differences between his experiences in India and the UK, Simon hopes to distill the underlying principles of architecture through identifying a prevalent human condition.

For more information visit facebook.com/event.php?eid=184744891540778

Domestic Transgressions | Model

Domestic Transgressions | New Havant Linear Marketcross (with Paul Cashin)

Predicated upon a apocalyptic scenario in which Christianity has imploded and sea levels have risen by ten metres; a levee has been erected through the centre of Havant - and the extant St. Faith’s church - dividing land and sea dwellers.

I worked with Paul Cashin to design a place for these two distinct civilizations to dwell and trade in the post-apocalyptic era, which surmounts the levee and is accessed through the bell tower.

The hearth is used as an anchoring device, both for individual families and the new commune as a whole.

Follow Paul's blog at emergentstudiopcc.blogspot.com

Publications | Coming Soon

Tectonic Transgressions

A photobook recording the unique qualities of light found whilst on study trips to Finland, Denmark and Estonia (the North) and Morocco (the South).

INDIA Summer 2010 (with Vinesh Pomal)

A photobook recording our travels from inception (Vinesh being awarded the RIBA Barrington Smith Travel Award 2010) to reflection (Vinesh and I giving a lecture at the Portsmouth School of Architecture).

Domestic Transgressions | Post-Apocalyptic Film Night

Nordic Transgressions | Orestad Church Competition (with Paul Cashin)

I worked with Paul Cashin to design a non-denominational church for a new community in a Copenhagen suburb. The congregation would first find a site in the scrubland outside the town, then build a fire which they would use to fire bricks made from clay on the site, which would then be used to build the church.

The central hearth is accessed from a tunnel starting beneath the bell tower in the town square, from which horizon and sky chapels radiate.

I also designed a clay votive candle to light an otherwise dark world.

Follow Paul's blog at emergentstudiopcc.blogspot.com