Principally the project sought to bring together the National Museum of Wales industrial collection together within the post-industrial landscape of the River Tawy. The proposal was extensive and sought to set the new museum within a collection of vestigial heritage remains ranging from industrial archaeology through to now silent engine house, chimney stack, laboratory building, canteen, and abandoned canal.
Throughout history there has been a close integration of the maritime activity in Swansea docks south towards the industrial refinery of ore and the extraction of raw material in the north. These have relied on one another in the past but now stand largely derelict in danger of expurgation.
“Destruction has to be protected so that it isn’t destroyed again by re-cultivation.” Latz, P. BLUEPRINT, July/August 1996, No. 130, p34.
The importance of the chosen site to the heritage of Swansea and Wales is clear since it holds the last remaining relics of large scale Welsh copper refining. Responding to the remark made by Peter Latz the protection of the site is necessary for the relics to become great ruins that will be visited by inquisitive people in years to come.
Sketches by Haverstock
