This proposal discusses the educational function of transition space. Assessed as a means to connect destinations, these spaces also make a significant contribution to the occurrence of happenstance interaction. Transition space is used as a platform for conveying knowledge, impromptu gathering, and discussion as described by Raphael’s School of Athens. Craft-based collectives are proposed, adjacent to St. Pancras Station, to question architectural pedagogy. Interaction and knowledge-sharing between skill-bases is encouraged together with direct, everyday access to crafted detail.

The design also attempts to interrogate and regather attention on architectural elements and architecture as a subject itself. It seeks to establish links between not only Piranesi’s elements and Vitruvius’ teaching, but also art and architecture in a mannerist way, exploring the missing authority without connecting to the periphery of architecture like political issues. Encompassing the Bauhaus, Soane Museum, traditional Chinese architecture, and other historical global influences, the spaces reflect a synthetic vision of the history and future of architecture. The project serves as an imaginative flourish that compliments the tradition of capriccio.

This work was developed as part of group work by Yiming Liu, in collaboration with Anqi Chen, Tyesha McGann, and Qiaoxi Wu.