Table 1
Methods used to compile the building biography of the North Street Arcade
| METHOD | TO WHOM? WHERE? | EXPECTED RESULT |
|---|---|---|
| Archive work and literature review |
|
|
| Documentation |
|
|
| Fieldwork and semi-structured interviews |
|
|
| Graphic anthropology |
|
|
Figure 1
Past and proposed changes in the urban form of the area around the North Street Arcade, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Note: The plot of the arcade is outlined in green.
Sources: (left to right) Ordnance Survey 25-inch Irish grid 1st edition 1958–62; Ordnance Survey Northern Ireland (OSNI) 2005; ‘Context of North Street Arcade within wider Outline Application NTS)’ in Consarc Conservation (2019), available at the Northern Ireland Planning portal, application reference LA04/2019/2049/LBC.
Figure 2
North Street Arcade: aerial view, 2021.
Source: © 2021 Google and Map Data.
Figure 3
Architectural drawings of the North Street Arcade: elevations and section.
Sources: Drawing by Anna Skoura based on Chapman Taylor Architects & Consarc Conservation from the Northern Ireland Planning portal, application reference LA04/2019/2049/LBC.
Figure 4
North Street Arcade at different times.
Note: Graphic anthropology in the form of sketches showing the character and atmosphere of the arcade in different periods. The drawings were informed by archival information and historic photographs.
Source: Drawings by Aisling Madden.
Figure 5
North Street Arcade, 1990s.
Note: An example of graphic anthropology aiming to recreate the interior and atmosphere of the arcade in that period. The drawing was informed by archival information, historic photographs and semi-structured interviews.
Source: Drawing by Aisling Madden.
Figure 6
North Street Arcade as part of the proposed redevelopment: North Street elevation and section.
Source: Drawn by Anna Skoura based on the architectural drawings submitted by Chapman Taylor Architects & Consarc Conservation from the Northern Ireland Planning portal, application reference LA04/2019/2049/LBC.
Figure 7
Mapping the responses to the North Street Arcade’s redevelopment by different stakeholders and interest groups.
Source: Anna Skoura.
Table 2
Mapping heritage values ascribed to the North Street Arcade by different stakeholders and interest groups
| HERITAGE VALUES | EXPERTS | ARTISTS | PAST USERS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historical | * | |||
| Architectural | * | * | ||
| Social | Social memory | * | * | |
| Symbolic meanings | * | * | * | |
| Cultural practice (everyday life and artistic practices) | * | * | ||
Figure 8
Andy Council, The Belfast of Phoenix, 2014, a mural on the facade of the North Street Arcade.
Source: David @imagesNI.
Table 3
Heritage values associated with different periods of the North Street Arcade’s life by the main interest groups
| 1936 | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2004a | 2010 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Use | Construction | In use | Vacant | ||||||
| Building condition | New | Fair | Declining | Arson and decaying | |||||
| 1. Experts | A&H | Social memory | Symbolism Cultural practice | ||||||
| 2. Artists | Social memory | Everyday and cultural practice | Symbolism Cultural practice | ||||||
| 3. Past users | Everyday practices and social memory | Symbolism | |||||||
[i] Note: a Arson attack.
A&H = architectural and historic value.