The Site is located in Burslem, one of the six towns of Stoke-on-Trent. Burslem is known as the “Mother of Potteries” as in the late 17th century it was famous as the city, which produced the best classes of pottery made in the UK. The potteries supported Burslem and SoT economically, and contributed to the creation of the great history of ceramics in the UK. Additionally Josiah Wedgwood, also known as the “Father of Potteries” was born in Burslem in 1730. In 1759, Wedgwood founded his first pottery business in Burslem.

In 1859, the authorities in Burslem decided to combine the need for a School of Arts and the desire to provide a permanent memorial to Josiah Wedgwood in the City Center.  As a result the Wedgwood Institute was founded in 1869. Its façade is highly ornamented with ceramic plates and decorative tiles. The Venetian Gothic inspired façade become the billboard of the great history of ceramics and a mean to promote the material itself.

Nowadays, Stoke-on-Trent and Burslem feel rather abandoned due to the collapse of the ceramic industry in the UK.  The only trace of this great history are some remaining pottery factories which are still functioning as they are determined not to let all these years of knowledge to get lost.

The scheme identifies the importance of the great heritage of Burslem and proposes the creation of an Art Academy dedicated to ceramics. The academy aims to transfer the unlimited experience of ceramic Artisans to new Artists who are interested to expand their knowledge on that field.

The center will also act as an Education and Research Centre, developing the understanding of Ceramics, ultimately maintaining an academic source of knowledge for students and visitors.

In order to provide functional spaces, the process of ceramic creation was studied in great depth and it was translated into creative spaces and studios. Wedgwood Institute’s ornamented façade became a strong inspiration point for the facade panels of the buildings of the center that also have functional use for the spaces inside.