MSA Stage 4 School of Architecture
Ryan Woods
Intended to be read as one; the two bodies of studio work explore the neighbourhood of Pollokshields as a vessel for cultural and political activism. Referencing the pre-existing networks within the area, the projects seek to re-gain a sense of political agency and re-claim ownership of the city for its residents as a method of instilling systematic change.
Editor of the 49th edition of the MacMag (Transgression)
The Commoning Manifesto
The housing landscape in Scotland is one dominated by macro-economic interests and speculative markets. Defining housing as a solely profitable commodity has become a fundamental trigger of the housing crisis and needs to be re-commodified in order to subvert the status quo.
In the search for creating more equitable ways of living, the co-operative model presents a more sustainable way of generating local systems of solidarity, social capital, as well as addressing inequalities related to land ownership, access to resources and skills development.
By harnessing the existing power of our communities, implementing a contemporary form of the ‘commons’ can serve as an active platform for supporting and aiding political and urban change from within the system.
Instead of entertaining speculative property markets, the micro-political agency of co-operative practice can transform housing into a matter of necessity and resource for the common good.
Project Links
The Neighbourhood Assembly of Pollokshields
Taking the citizens’ assembly model, a deliberative and participatory democratic mechanism, which aims to make the political process more transparent and equitable to the national electorate; The urban building aims to establish a common space to provide a new level of political agency for local residents.
Despite being productive and sometimes effective at implementing necessary change, at national level, they often fail to come to fruition. The recommendations of citizens’ assemblies are not binding, and there’s no guarantee that policymakers will implement them. If there’s a lack of political appetite or if the recommendations go against the interest of those in power, the efforts of the assembly may not lead to tangible change. By situating an assembly at the neighbourhood level, more micro-political factors can be addressed and tackled, having a more immediate impact for residents. As more and more people are losing faith in their elected members of parliament, the neighbourhood scale presents a more tangible connection to political agency.
Project Links
MacMag 49
Transgression
This year’s edition seeks to explore the theme of transgression. By definition, transgression is an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offence. However, the process of creating this year’s edition has shown us that the term is a lot more nuanced in its application and transgressive acts can take on many forms. We interpret transgression as a polarised form of change, acknowledging the diverse ways architects and designers challenge the status quo, the built environment, and the socio-political sphere.
In this edition, we look to explore ways in which the arts and architecture are critical of practice, education, and politics by creating new ways of living and working through systematic change.
A decade on from the independence referendum, Scotland has evolved into a much more politically engaged country which continues to feel the effects of a post-Brexit hangover. Glasgow, in particular, upholds its proud reputation of being a hotspot for cultivating political activism and championing social justice for all.
Taking inspiration from the city we all share, we explore the questions…
When do you choose to be transgressive? How do you choose which form of transgression is appropriate? How do you sustain it?
Transgression addresses a multiplicity of contemporary notions about what architecture is, what it should be and what its future might be. We hope this edition will act as a catalyst to continue the discourse started in this publication.
