THE EXCAVATION ARCHIVE

by Eridona Kurtaj

The Excavation Archive project begins with a landscape design and progresses into a project with a complementary nature of archaeology. It is a building connecting the past of the Royal Docks with the present, spiking interests and creativity, in both programmatic and educational ways. In a post pandemic world, this project is extremely important to encourage the public to be outdoors and to reduce the artificial land cover posing many environmental threats, such as flooding or overheating. The design concept is to begin with excavations, landscape and archaeological, and allow these to be explored and enjoyed. This is followed by an elevation of spaces above them, to separate from the precious ground, which is protected by a light roof above. The archive design has optimal conditions to house the artefacts retrieved, through ways such as allowing air to sufficiently ventilate and create desirable moisture levels.