The Continuity Atelier are interested in the cultural heritage of the city – from the city as a collection of physical historical artefacts, to the way people use the buildings, landscapes, and spaces that contribute to the distinct identity of the place. The Atelier considers buildings not as solitary objects, but as integral and related pieces of the city that can help people maintain and transmit their cultural identity. We believe that it is important to prioritise the intangible and tangible context of places in order to provide meaningful and dynamic architecture.

This year the Atelier has worked in the market town of Todmorden, in the Upper Calder Valley in Calderdale, West Yorkshire. Investigations in Todmorden took place in BA3, MArch1, and MArch2, fostering open atelier dialogue and vertical activities to join the different Continuity year groups together and share resources.

BA3 worked on a site in the heart of Todmorden, immediately next to the Grade 1 listed Town Hall building, the market, and Bramsche Square. They were asked to develop ideas for a building and public space that is underpinned by Calderdale Council’s ‘Public Places’ project, which seeks to revitalise Bramsche Square to create “...a welcoming, attractive, and flexible public space... [to] help boost trade to local retailers, markets and businesses, and provide a space to host Todmorden’s events, festivals and specialist markets” (Calderdale Council).

The BA3 brief was the creation of a ‘contemporary library’ in Todmorden – a place to record, preserve, and celebrate the living memories of people in Todmorden through inter-generational transmission of their stories. They were encouraged to take the starting point of a library, and to critically analyse and propose new ideas for what a contemporary library could be in this historic market town.