Invisibility, Appropriation, Subversion: Tactical Area Command HQ: An observation post at the Shankill Falls Divide

Reenie Elliott

Invisibility, Appropriation, Subversion: Tactical Area Command HQ: An observation post at the Shankill Falls Divide

Reenie Elliott

School of Natural and Built Environment

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

Abstract

This chapter considers the architectural history of an observation post at the Shankill Falls Divide in 1972. The Falls area was considered by the British Army to be a hotbed of Nationalist Republican sentiment, and was subjected to intrusive surveillance, as evidenced by the sheer volume of observation positions. Springfield Road police station played a significant role in the conflict and has since been dismantled. Following Foucault, I ask the question ‘How important was invisibility in the appropriation and subversion of the police station for surveillance purposes?’ A series of covert lookouts were constructed over time within the façade of the RUC station. These micro-tactical structures established a network of power by augmenting and manipulating viewing trajectories.

Original language	English
Pages	1-42
Number of pages	42
Publication status	Published - 24 Jan 2019
Event	Architectural Association of Ireland Research Group (AAIRG) Annual Conference: Field Conditions - Dublin, Ireland Duration: 24 Jan 2019 → 25 Jan 2019

Conference

Conference	Architectural Association of Ireland Research Group (AAIRG) Annual Conference: Field Conditions
Country/Territory	Ireland
City	Dublin
Period	24/01/2019 → 25/01/2019

Keywords

signs and semiotics
tactical urbanism
ducks and decorated sheds
Venturi Scott Brown
urban mapping
contemporary archaeology
architectural drawing
spatial politics
Foucault
panopticism
camouflage
urban infrastructure networks
surveillance
conflict architecture
Divided Cities
Belfast

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Architecture
History
Building and Construction
Archaeology
Geography, Planning and Development
Urban Studies
Anthropology
Sociology and Political Science
Media Technology
Environmental Engineering
General Materials Science

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Invisibility, appropriation, subversion: British Army observation posts at the Shankill Falls divide, 1972
Elliott, R. (Author), Boyd, G. (Supervisor), Murtagh, B. (Supervisor) & Bryan, D. (Supervisor), Jul 2022
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy

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Cite this

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title = "Invisibility, Appropriation, Subversion: Tactical Area Command HQ: An observation post at the Shankill Falls Divide",

abstract = "This chapter considers the architectural history of an observation post at the Shankill Falls Divide in 1972. The Falls area was considered by the British Army to be a hotbed of Nationalist Republican sentiment, and was subjected to intrusive surveillance, as evidenced by the sheer volume of observation positions. Springfield Road police station played a significant role in the conflict and has since been dismantled. Following Foucault, I ask the question {\textquoteleft}How important was invisibility in the appropriation and subversion of the police station for surveillance purposes?{\textquoteright} A series of covert lookouts were constructed over time within the fa{\c c}ade of the RUC station. These micro-tactical structures established a network of power by augmenting and manipulating viewing trajectories. ",

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year = "2019",

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note = "Architectural Association of Ireland Research Group (AAIRG) Annual Conference: Field Conditions ; Conference date: 24-01-2019 Through 25-01-2019",

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N2 - This chapter considers the architectural history of an observation post at the Shankill Falls Divide in 1972. The Falls area was considered by the British Army to be a hotbed of Nationalist Republican sentiment, and was subjected to intrusive surveillance, as evidenced by the sheer volume of observation positions. Springfield Road police station played a significant role in the conflict and has since been dismantled. Following Foucault, I ask the question ‘How important was invisibility in the appropriation and subversion of the police station for surveillance purposes?’ A series of covert lookouts were constructed over time within the façade of the RUC station. These micro-tactical structures established a network of power by augmenting and manipulating viewing trajectories.

AB - This chapter considers the architectural history of an observation post at the Shankill Falls Divide in 1972. The Falls area was considered by the British Army to be a hotbed of Nationalist Republican sentiment, and was subjected to intrusive surveillance, as evidenced by the sheer volume of observation positions. Springfield Road police station played a significant role in the conflict and has since been dismantled. Following Foucault, I ask the question ‘How important was invisibility in the appropriation and subversion of the police station for surveillance purposes?’ A series of covert lookouts were constructed over time within the façade of the RUC station. These micro-tactical structures established a network of power by augmenting and manipulating viewing trajectories.

KW - signs and semiotics

KW - tactical urbanism

KW - ducks and decorated sheds

KW - Venturi Scott Brown

KW - urban mapping

KW - contemporary archaeology

KW - architectural drawing

KW - spatial politics

KW - Foucault

KW - panopticism

KW - camouflage

KW - urban infrastructure networks

KW - surveillance

KW - conflict architecture

KW - Divided Cities

KW - Belfast

M3 - Paper

SP - 1

EP - 42

T2 - Architectural Association of Ireland Research Group (AAIRG) Annual Conference: Field Conditions

Y2 - 24 January 2019 through 25 January 2019

ER -

Invisibility, Appropriation, Subversion: Tactical Area Command HQ: An observation post at the Shankill Falls Divide

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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Student theses

Invisibility, appropriation, subversion: British Army observation posts at the Shankill Falls divide, 1972

Cite this