The
Student

18+ years

Zara is worried about her future, in particular, there is no creative opportunity in Port Talbot for when she finally finishes. However, there is a public art programme which showcases art by Foundation students. Participation in the arts by young people is rapidly decreasing thanks to government cuts.

Architectural Manifestation

The Co-Working Space

The
Retiring Steelworker

50+ years

Ken has worked at the steelworks since he was 18. He is scared that TATA’s new pension deal is going to leave him penniless or homeless. He may not be able to afford his mortgage but the £10,000 promise from TATA could give him the opportunity to repurpose his skills and set up his own business and make some profit.

Architectural Manifestation

The Home

The
Young Steelworker

18+ years

After speaking to a young steelworker on Aberavon beach he told me of his worries about the future of Port Talbot Steel. I felt that the Young Steelworker could be grouped with The Student as they still have their future ahead of them.

The
Entrepreneur

30+ years

Louise wants to remedy the lack of cultural sites in Port Talbot that highlight the town’s history and draw investment through exhibitions and events. She negotiated the fictional deal of TATA buying Ladybird.

Architectural Manifestation

The Gallery & Archive

The
Social Club Musician

5+ years

Ben is a user of the Social Club site. After speaking to a brass band on a visit to the site it seems that locals don’t use the practice room whereas he, a Bristolian, uses it to practice for the musical competitions that the South Wales mining community is renowned for. He is worried that funding and upkeep of the club will be lost if TATA leaves Port Talbot.

Architectural Manifestation

The Existing Social Club

Fiction Based on Fact

The user’s needs offer a response to TATA’s need to earn £200m profit EBITDA to guarantee their investments in Port Talbot. The next phase involves the stories of each user and analysing the patterns and isms of spaces that share commonalities.

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PUBLIC SPACE