S3 - Material Language: Evangeline Barrow

‘Thresholds of Time’ explores how the perceived value of monastic ruins has evolved—from vibrant centres of knowledge and community to evocative relics of the past.

Eve graduated from the 乐播传媒 in 2022 and worked at Jonathan Rhind Architects in Somerset before returning to 乐播传媒 to pursue her Part 2 studies. Her architectural interests include the adaptive reuse of historic sites to create contextually rich designs, as well as exploring the intersection of conservation and sustainable development.

Evangeline Barrow

Thresholds of Time

‘Thresholds of Time’ explores how the perceived value of monastic ruins has evolved—from vibrant centres of knowledge and community to evocative relics of the past. This thesis argues that reimagining these sites through adaptive reuse and by challenging conventional preservation practices can promote sustainable redevelopment, restore cultural relevance, and secure their future.

The proposal envisions transforming the ruins of Byland Abbey into an English Heritage Archive, providing a new home for the UK’s hidden treasures and offering the public a profound journey of reconnection with heritage.

Studio 3: Material Language is rooted in considering materials and details for their poetic potential—linking materiality, sustainability, and tectonics to craft atmosphere. Building on this ethos, the thesis employs three spatial strategies: constructing within the ruins, building directly atop them, and floating above them—each with distinct material languages and atmospheric qualities.