Elevation

It's been a tough week so far preparing the tech report. Key section is nearly finished, and I'm working on structural and fixings details alongside. In the meantime though, here is the main elevation ready to have materials info attached.

Layout updates

A big update this week, I've been refining the plan to take into account the structure, and also engaging much more with the spaces.

Ground Floor
You can see the column layout, extremely difficult as there ar so many constraints on the site with regard to the drainage culvert and the action of the locks


First Floor
A big overhall to the medical centre, creating a "drop in" facility on the lower level with an overheead walkway to the GP "penthouse" above, enhanced with south faced glazing


Second Floor
Added staff facilties and refined GP consulting


This image shows the double height walkway to the treatment rooms. The rooms themselves would have glazed partitions, either frosted or with other manifestationing, and a curtain for full privacy.



The new shop front - each space now has it's own cladding (slate or other stone texture) to help the viewer read the building. The atrium now has a monopitch roof to match the relative heights of the spaces either side.



The shared waiting areas will have large glazed reas following the line of the water below, offering spectacular views of the canal and reinforcing the "gateway" concept

Wall display

Been kicking around a few ideas for the wall display. I see it as 4 A0s, read left to right and top to bottom, the way people scan a page. If I arrange the drawings this way, they will form a natural story. In the corner of each A0 nearest the centre will be a large important drawing - visuals, internal views, key sections etc - this forms a cluster of key images central to the wall display.

Remember, we're designing a presentation, not presenting a design.

I cannot believe I just said that!

Tech week review

Well I've had all my seminars and here's a summary of all the feedback:

Overall, very positive comments on the scheme so far.

Construction:
1. Is a black a good colour for a medical centre? Hmm.
2. Is a concrete frame necessary? Could be more lightweight eg timber, insulated panels.
3. Zinc panels need movement joints.

Services:
1. Canal cooling a good idea but needs some heating - convential gas fired boiler is fine - biomass probably a tall order on this site.
2. Chilled/Active beams would be fine distribution method.
3. Needs air handling M+E, look into heat recovery
4. Consider zoning, air handling just for the black box, natural vent for the rest
5. Move plant room to under existing lock keepers cottage - would probably have a basement.

Structure:
1. Should be no disturbance to the canal lock structure. Measures should have minimal impact on existing.
2. Create a constraints plan, plotting on what is known and assumptions based on research
3. Concrete frame foundations would probably be deep piles, bored in to minimise undermining and vibration.
4. Look into treatments to existing cottage - new roof should have comparative weight to old (10% difference max) or require strengthening of structure. May need underpinning.
5. Concrete frame made of precast columns and hollowcore deck for speed - therefore closure of lock minimal.

Black Box

I've developed the sketchup model of option D into a full blown Archicad model ready for tech week. From this I can pull off plans, sections and elevations.

What we do is take the roof off the old gatehouse and cut into it's external wall to create a new atrium with stairs and a lift. The cafe and shop are on either side to create a long "shop front" looking in to the masterplan



Internally we can keep the stone of the gatehouse (or potentially insulate and dry line it) married with a lightweight stair and glass lift.



A boat entering from the West of Leeds will pass under the "black box" extension which marks the border to the city centre.


The extension is likely to be a concrete frame construction to give high thermal mass, which could be heated either with biomass or solar and cooled with the canal water exchange system. Externally it could be clad in something like zinc (possibly at funky jaunty angles).



And here's the view from the towpath looking away from the city. Maybe black isn't the best colour for a medical centre though?

More Precedents

First off, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park visitors centre by Fielden Clegg. Not one of their greatest hits by any means, but it has a central atrium running the length of the building with different areas of accomodation within different clad spaces - timber, stone and render. The underground gallery uses exposed concrete soffits. It has some rather tasty finishes which are contemporary and natural without being too rustic, and it also has an brdige link to an existing cottage (which houses the admin) - all relevant pointers on my design.







Castleford - the much publicised bridge link across the weir. I'm not sure how successul it is as a single entity and requires further development as part of a masterplan. However, it is useful as an example of contemporary design and investment in the West Yorkshire area. This precedent is useful as there is the possibility of bridge links on my design.

Sketching Up

Playing around with massing in Sketchup.

Option A - Bridging the canal with a linear atrium


Option B - Two boxes, creating an atrium where they intersect


Option C - Creating a landing area adjacent to the cafe, using ramps for access



Option D - Using the gatehouse as an atrium with an addtional box of accomodation
bridging the canal



This option is the one to take forward because it has the best access, and has an interesting use of the existing structures on site, creating a differentiation between new and old

Massing

Playing around with different massing options in 3D, with scale block models of the blocks of accommodation