Portfolio / Project 2

Por tfolio /Spring 2012

Figure Ground: On the Edge

Jan-Mar 2012

Contents

Preface

1

2

3

4

5

Site Analysis

Manifesto

Site Strategy / Concept Diagram

Proposed Design

Model

Pages 2-5 A look into the site conditions and history.

Page 6

Page 7-12 My strategy in response to the site conditions.

Page 13-34 My final design from structural system to lighting strategy.

A short overview of the require-ments presented in the design brief.

Page 35-39 Model of my final scheme.

Introduction

The location for this project was in the town of Barry. Barry is a post-industrial town, it experienced a boom around the turn of the 20th century with a docklands that rivaled Cardiff ’s. The docklands were constructed by the Barry Railway Company from 1885 accompanied by a large response in the size of the town and supporting infrastructure. It now relies on tourism, particularly to Barry Island.

Our task was to design an arts centre. It was important to keep in mind the industrial heritage and character of Barry and use this to inform our design. It was necessary for this arts centre to integrate with the town so it not only needed to provide gallery space but community / key public spaces as well.

Collage

Our initial investigations in the town of Barry led us to produce a collage. One of the main ideas I was looking to convey was the difference in the architectural quality from the time when the town was experiencing its boom and today.

Site History

Site Analysis

Site Sections

Manifesto

One key idea behind this arts centre is that of accessibility. It should be user-friendly and approachable, not just physically but also through the programmes it runs (workshops, film nights, pechakucha etc) It should not be seen as a reserved, impermeable space for which an understanding of art is necessary but a transparent space which can be approached and used by people of all ages and backgrounds. This could be achieved through the scale which needs to be appropriate in comparison to the visitors (however the scale will also need to be appropriate to the works contained as to not overwhelm the artwork). A sense of ownership is necessary for this public building, the users need to feel as if the building belongs to them. As a result it is hoped they will appreciate and look after the building to a greater extent. The building will become an important part of the community which will be interacted with daily. It should fully integrate with Barry, physically at a local scale by connecting with existing pedestrian routes, but also through the material choice and character of the building; the building should speak of Barry. In a space in which art is created and looked upon light is of the utmost importance. The variety and softness provided by natural daylight is desirable, however artificial light (with-out UV) may be necessary if prints, drawings are to be viewed. An arts centre is typically a deep plan building so the provision of light to all parts of the building will be an important challenge. “I sense Light as the giver of all presences, and material as spent Light. What is made by Light casts a shadow, and the shadow belongs to Light.” -Kahn A variety of spaces is also necssary. With a diverse collection of interesting spaces which vary in scale, light and views, it is hoped this will provide some sort of refreshment; an aid to combating fatigue which is typically associated with such galleries/museums.

Site Strategy

Concept Diagrams

Materiality / Tectonics

While the dominant material in the surrounding environment of the site is brick, it is worth noting that at the time when a majority of these buildings were constructed, the start of the 20th century, brick was the most efficient material. While today, brick is considered quite a labour-intensive method of construction, especially for such a vaulted structure. Concrete is a more efficient alternative and the only real alternative for vault construction.

I feel that a composition of brick and concrete could work well together, the brick will tie the building into its surroundings and provide some warmth to the sometimes cold appearance of concrete. Furthermore, the dominant, monolithic construction of concrete will be counterbal-anced by the more intricate, human-scale nature of the brickwork. Bricks are a modular building element designed to be handled and are there-fore more approachable than a large slab on concrete.

Tectonic Models

Precedents

Plans

Ground Floor

First Floor

Sections

Elevations

Site Model

Perspectives

One of the statements in my manifesto was the requirement to provide a variety of spaces with the inherent different lighting conditions necessary to display a mixture of artistic mediums.I have decided to look at a variety of artwork which could be shown in the gallery and to look into the lighting conditions that might best display and use this to adapt my lighting design and to place potential pieces. The results can be seen in the renderings on the right.

Watercolour. Admired for its delicacy a soft light is necessary to illuminate the semi-transparent layering.Oil. A stronger light may be required to highlight the body of the colour and the texture of the brushtrokes.Sculpture. Suitable to be displayed in areas of high contrast allowing detail to be seen from every angle.Sketches. While artificial light may be appropraite to prevent degradation, this may not be able to capture the contrast and sense of immediacy.

Lighting

Physical Lighting Model

Digital Lighting Renders

Nighttime Perspective

Structural System

Roof structureDrainage Mat 50mmProtective MatDPMThermal Insulation 150mmVapour BarrierConcrete slab 200mm

Floor structure:Parquet flooring 15mmScreed with underfloor heating 80mmDPMImpact sound insulation 40mm2-way concrete slab 175mm

Brick Infill WallMasonry Brick 125mmVentilated cavity Thermal insulation board 150mmMasonry Brick 125mm

Retaining WallRetaining steel formworkIn situ concrete wall 250mmVapourproof thermal insulation 100mmGypsum board, paint finish 50mm

Construction Detail

My scheme features amongst other things, a metalworking workshop. One idea was to use the excess/exhaust heat produced from the forge to help heat the building.

This heat would pass through pipes in the concrete slabs with the thermal mass of the conrete help-ing to retain this heat.

Final Model

Tom Cooper-CocksWSA / Y2

Jan-Mar 2012