Concept Section

I've got an early section on the drawing board, still loads to do such as the new stairwell, ideas for the roof and bringing it all to life. However, the most interesting thing that this drawing shows is probably the unique barrel vaults of the floor structure.

Site Works

Below is a satellite photo of the site with a "wish list" of site improvements.

1. Ideally the roof needs to be made waterproof or preferably properly re-instated with a pitch. A green roof would be an excellent solution. Provision for fire escapes need to be worked out, and the building needs an electrical, water and heating overhaul.

2. A new bridge link to the opposite bank of the river and nature reserve.

3. Clear the site and possibly create allotments

4. Possibility of extending the riverside walk on the Eastern bank of the Aire.

5. The old mill course here would make an excellent site for renewable energy micro generation.

St Ann's Mill

We have a new project for Aire-scape! The project is the redevelopment of the now empty St Ann's Mill complex on the river Aire at Kirkstall.

This project is being spearheaded by Councillor John Illingworth and you can read all the whole story at his website here

To summarise, the 18th century mill was bought up by the council in 1970 along with other parcels of land in the Kirkstall Valley with the intention of it becoming one large riverside park. This plan never came to fruition and the mill was continued to put to light industrial use. The council attempted simply selling it, and later undertook a feasibility study to develop it and then sell it, but neither plans would be economically viable, not least because it is sited on a flood plain. Residential/Office conversion is not the only solution.

John has another idea. Keeping the mill as a community amenity; developing the site as a training/rehabilitation centre for offenders, using them as a source of labour to improve the site. The Leeds Canoe club have expressed interest in occupying the site because the river and mill race would make an excellent course. The upper floors could be used for artist studios or small business incubators, and the site itself could have a portion turned over for allotments.

I am undertaking the design of the new scheme on a voluntary basis, and this blog will follow it's development.

Below: location plans

Views

More 3D views


This is the main stair atrium from the top floor looking down to ground floor. I've gone for lightweight stainless steel handrail with glass infill to match the language of the stairs and atrium. There is a line of fire-rated glass dividing the atrium from the spaces, which provides protection and works with the solar gain / passive vent strategy of the atria themselves.




This is the secondary staff stair/fire escape, which uses the same language as the atrium - louvred glazing to get light into the main spaces.




This a new space, the nursery. Due to the level change, there is a 5m floor to ceiling depth on this storey which I have used as an opportunity to design a curved acoustic raft for the main nursery play area to keep things interesting




Here's the view from the grassed square, showing the building in context.





These last two are the views from the tow path, again showing the building in context. The lower floor is built from reclaimed stone and the structural frame is on show to heighten the feeling of strength, supporting the zinc box and overhangs above.

Plans

Getting there on the plans



This is the second floor medical centre, which is causing the most headaches at the moment. I want to arrange the space so at the southern end we have the waiting area, and at the northern end we have the staff roof (to maximise the light and views in each case. Then the reception dek should be near the entrance from the atrium and also preferably be able to see into all areas, so patients can't wander off. And at the same time, satisfy means of escape regulations - all in all a tough order!





First floor now, this one is shaping up well with a new staff area and updated cafe/terrace.



Ground floor, lots of progress on the nursery, support and staff areas.



And the basement, with wcs, plant, general store and bin access.

Context

Something I should have done a looong time ago - model some elevations for the surrounding context for the design to fit into. Whilst I've been able to very quickly design some reasonable facades largely based on Clarence Dock (see earlier posts), the problems of working with a masterplan on this project once again rears its ugly head.



Aire-scape and it's context all share a common reference of language - in this case a 5m high podium, then a design break and subsequent 4m storeys with a completely different material.



Aire-scape is lower than it's context to the north, to prevent overshading



And here's the money shot, the main image I'll be using to illustrate how the design responds to it's site - see how the heights all reference each other, the landscape and form lead the visitor into the front door, and eventuly we'll have lots of greenery and people enjoying themselves, so that the grassed square becomes part of the design as much as the architecture.

Louvres

Right, I've been working on the atrium today, trying to get some semblance of form to work. I've decided to clad the whole thing in louvres to keep it from overheating



This view really starts to show hoe prominent the louvred atrium is, and how you really read it as a seperate element to the zinc boxes





Here's the view across the park again, you can see the fire escape atrium has had a similar louvred treatment but needs finishing



And lastly here's a view from ground floor looking right up through the atriu, you can see one one side we have the external louvred glazing, but internally there is another line of glazing for fire protection and to augment the effect of solar gain