‘Thresholds of Time’ explores how the perceived value of monastic ruins has evolved—from vibrant centres of knowledge and community to evocative relics of the past. This thesis argues that reimagining these sites through adaptive reuse and by challenging conventional preservation practices can promote sustainable redevelopment, restore cultural relevance, and secure their future. 

The proposal envisions transforming the ruins of Byland Abbey into an English Heritage Archive, providing a new home for the UK’s hidden treasures and offering the public a profound journey of reconnection with heritage. 

Studio 3: Material Language is rooted in considering materials and details for their poetic potential—linking materiality, sustainability, and tectonics to craft atmosphere. Building on this ethos, the thesis employs three spatial strategies: constructing within the ruins, building directly atop them, and floating above them—each with distinct material languages and atmospheric qualities.