Corruption

Conservation by the State recruits the past into the processes of the present. It attempts to preserve a history that has been erased by the loss of Empire, immigration, and the Information Age. As the consequences of these changes threaten traditional power structures, the State responds by encouraging the Heritage Industry to create a mythic common history in which the aristocracy, and their subjects share a pastoral Arcadia.

Apocalypse

The fire of November 1992 has stripped away Wyatville’s artificial architecture, and left the authentic Plantagenet hall, and chapel as a ruin. The conflagration has destroyed five hundred years of self-aggrandising myth creation, and restored the real architecture of the past. The flames have revealed the true architecture, and landscape of the twentieth century in the skies above the castle.

Redemption

Our proposal breaks through the synthetic nature of Heritage to reveal the genuine contemporary landscape. We preserve the aristocratic ruin whilst exposing the free movements of peoples in the flight paths overhead. The burnt-out shell is re-gilded by light that responds to the changing elements. The space is extended beyond earth to the galaxies, providing an experience that transcends the fragility of man’s vanity, greed, and power.

Specification

1.0 Existing structure
All masonry walls to be stabilized.
Floor to be re-laid where necessary, using original boards, and swept.
Window glass to be left as is.

2.0 New Structure
Galvanised tubular steel scaffolding erected to form structural enclosure spanning between the Quadrangle, and the north wall of St. George’s Hall, leaving 1m wide opening running the entire length of the Hall, precisely aligned with Heathrow runway 09/27.

3.0 Cladding
PVC-coated polyester sheeting laminated both sides with vacuum deposited gold-coated Mylar film, made up with grommets at 300mm c/c, and laced to structure.
Cladding to edges of opening to be finished on site.

4.0 Lighting
100 no. high-pressure Sodium motorway lamps placed inside the gap between the ruin, and the enclosure, illuminating the golden tarpaulins.

5.0 Furniture
All original furniture to be kept in store.
Dining furniture to be drawn from store as required.

6.0 Public Access
There shall be public access at all times.

Mark Fisher, and Stuart Hopps of Casaverde Construction Inc.
April 13 1993

Reviews

THE TIMES:
View: Monument to Chivalry (pdf)
THE INDEPENDENT:
View: Room for Improvement (pdf)
THE GUARDIAN:
View: Schlock of the New (pdf)
LIVING:
View: Windsor Change (pdf)