Aire-scape

Concept Section

2011-02-24T08:59:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-08T05:48:00.002-08:00

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

2011-02-08T04:37:00.000-08:00

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

2009-08-21T05:17:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-21T04:03:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

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

Dilemmas

2009-08-11T09:48:00.001-07:00

Another update for you, this time with a more refined model - and plenty of questions to answer!

Here's a view from the locks showing the south elevation. I think it is shaping up very well, but the geoetry of the top floor is creating problems with the glazing. Put simply, the vertical mullions conflict with the edges of the slanted end walls, resulting in odd angles either side of the glazing. The solution would be to either a) make the end wall vertical, b) make the end wall at right angles with the side walls, or c) come up with some sort of glazing solution with slanted mullions. I'm in favour of c but this requires some complicated modelling!

Also the question remains how to deal with the ground floor glazing. So far I have gone for 1200mm high glazing, possibly louvred, to create the best balance of light and privacy.

This is the other side of the Elevation, showing the glazed stair core. I think it needs to be much more understated, with slender structure. The aspect also demands lots of shading, so I suspect there will be a large scale louvred system which will look suitably high tech

This image is doing my head in. What we have here is one of the best views of the canal, and the box overhead creates a natural terrace. The question is, do we make it a cafe terrace or a nursery play area? I've spent ages weighing up the pros and cons of each and still haven't reached a decision!

Lastly, here's a view of the main entrance. I'm very pleased with the shape of the upper box, which has some very sharp lines silhouetted against the sky to draw your attention to it (and the main entrance). The elevation does have the same problem as on the other side of the box though.

Quick and Dirty Update

2009-07-24T07:48:00.000-07:00

After some rationalising of the plans, here's the latest update.

On the top floor we have the medical centre, arranged a central corridor with glazed partitions. At present there is access to a fire escape across the roof of the storey below, which needs refining

The first floor will contain the waiting area and admin for the medical centre. The cafe might also end up here, using the outdoor space created by the large forms to present an outdoor terrace.

The ground floor needs a great deal of work, but is likely to house the support zone and general office. I'm currently struggling with deciding whether the nursery would be better off on the ground floor - or to swap it with the cafe directly above and use the outdoor space as a play area.

This section drives through the main stair/lift core atrium and shows the relative arrangements of floors and how the building deals with level changes.

Lastly we've got a quick and dirty pair of visuals. This first one is the view from the canal and shows the external space created by the overlapping modules. Again, that shaded roof terrace below the top floor could be the key to the whole scheme.

And here's the view to the main entrance from the middle of the masterplan. See how the eye is drawn to the main entrance by the path and the silhouette of the uppermost module against the sky.

Reshuffle

2009-07-23T09:41:00.001-07:00

I've had a reshuffle with the arrangement of the "keys" - now the uppermost one has the widest overhang to accentuate the sense of space beneath it over the entrance and the towpath. Here's an aerial view, showing the atrium:

This aerial view shows the spaces also create a external spaces which may be useful:

And lastly that cantilever over the towpath creates the dynamic "gateway" I've been banging on about without actually all the mucking about bridging over the lock.

I'm really going to push the form on this one, key precents that spring to mind are the soon to be completed Museum of Liverpool:

Good Old Herzog & de Meuron:

And closer to home, the Leeds Museum Discovery Centre. This one in particular has that emphasis of a chunky glazed deep reveal at one end of the box, which in turn is mounted on a podium of engineering blockwork. Would definitely make a good precedent for the planners!

New Design

2009-06-18T09:32:00.000-07:00

Well, nearly a month after my last post and the results are in - Aire-scape didn't make the grade. More specifically, the one thing which didn't make the grade was the design itself i.e. poor arrangement for solar gain, no justification to bridge over the locks and overall style and quality of presentation.

In my defence I would argue that the arrangement is a carefully crafted "sweet spot" taking into account solar gain, internal space and external form. Bridging over the locks was one of the most exciting aspects of the design and has generated a great deal of the form. Style of presentation was deliberately chosen to reflect the type of building - it's a building for people, not exhibtions.

Nevertheless in order to pass I need to create a new proposal on the site which addresses these issues. The biggest hurdle so far has been overcoming the mental block of being able to start over with a completely new approach to the site.

The new concept goes back to the slogan - "unlocking the leeds-liverpool canal" and uses a series of new constructions like keys on a key-ring:

Architecturally it will use similar language to the original design so I don't have to reinvent the wheel. The existing gatehouse will completely go, but the stone will be reclaimed to help construct the ground floor level, so the zinc boxes will sit on a heavy stone podium:

Rather than bridge over the lock, the building will create a gateway by overhanging the towpath at the lock to create a dynamic external space:

The "Shop Front" end will now address the masterplan more and link further into it. The forms of the zinc boxes will work to draw the eye and visitors to the main entrance Atrium:

Finished Wall Display

2009-05-19T11:04:00.001-07:00

Here's my 4 A0 boards. I'm still not 100% happy with the process, and there are a few areas of white that I found difficult to fill but overall I'm reasonably happy.

Wall Display

2009-05-16T03:10:00.001-07:00

Just under a week to go now. Here's the first full mock up of the wall display, still missing a few things though. I've already had feedback on the layout and colour scheme so I'll be moving things round a bit so it flows better.

Revised Aerial View

2009-05-15T03:06:00.001-07:00

This will be the final aerial view showing everything in context. I've used a real mixed media approach to this image, there's a full colour render, cad lines, hand drawing and photoshop all combined and fading in and out with one another

Night Render

2009-05-15T02:16:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick test of what the building might be like at night, using individual lamps to illuminate the columns around the lock, and pick up the texture of the existing stone.

I'm not quite sure if I'll put it on the final boards because the colours just don't go with the rest of the presentation, which has a light, hand drawn quality.

Perspective Section take 2

2009-05-12T06:08:00.001-07:00

I've updated the section by overlaying a hand drawing over the original CAD lines. Whilst this works well to give a more natural feeling rather than the very clinical CAD, I really can't decide which is better. Feel free to vote!

Elevations

2009-05-11T09:44:00.001-07:00

Elevations are practically done now, just need to play around with the background and context buildings, might have to bite the bullet and knock up a rudimentary design for the masterplan buildings, probably based on Clarence Dock. If there's time I may also overlay the elevations with some hand drawing to match the rest of my presentation.

Aerial View

2009-05-11T05:48:00.000-07:00

Quick update today, this is the improved aerial view. It merges a coloured computer model with hand drawn sketches and will be one of the main presentation images. I wonder whether I would be better off doing a visual from ground level rather than a bird's eye view?

Perspective Section

2009-05-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

This section was based on the key section drawn for the technical report, with an added perspective drawing incorporated behind it showing the spaces. On the final boards this will be used to illustrate the canal water cooling concept. The drawing isn't quite finished yet but it's well on the way.

Axo

2009-05-07T06:17:00.000-07:00

I'm spending this week getting all the 3D drawings done. Perspective section and aerial view will be coming along soon, but for the time being here's an exploded axo showing the interior spaces. I think this will work well placed directly alongside the plans, as they use the same colour scheme.

Elevations - new colour scheme

2009-04-29T04:21:00.001-07:00

I've been experimenting with a new colour scheme for the overall presentation. I want to go for a mixed media approach of hand drawings, photomontage and CAD all mixed together, and with a much more subdued colour scheme because the previous pastel colour scheme was detracting from the architecture

Here's a work in progress section

Competition Entry

2009-04-27T00:47:00.001-07:00

I've entered Aire-scape into the Northern Design competition

http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/northerndesign/index.html

As well as the obvious benefits of actually competing, putting the entry together was a worthwhile exercise in thinking about layout, colour scheme and how the individual drawings go together.

Plans

2009-04-21T03:27:00.000-07:00

Floorplans have been pimped out with a new colour scheme, still another iteration from being fully completed, but they are useful for the purposes of the design report

Site Plan 1:500

Ground Floor Plan 1:200

First Floor Plan 1:200

Second Floor Plan 1:200

Internal Views

2009-04-20T06:07:00.000-07:00

The design development is nearing completion, so here are a few internal views.

Main atrium and cafe

Waiting "atrium" serving the medical centre and support facilities. Notice the acoustic rafts and chilled beam strategy

Nursery - notice the partitioned areas seperating child age groups but allowing good visibility from the carers.

Nursery outdoor play area, which doubles as a green roof over the shop below. This image also shows some of the standing seam zinc cladding. A canopy or other shading device should probably be added.

The Medical centre corridor - notice the double height light well overhead and funky waiting pods outside the various surgeries

Medical centre upper corridor, again see the double height light well and large areas of south facing glazing. Some solar shading will almost certainly be required.

Elevations

2009-04-16T15:15:00.000-07:00

Coloured elevations of the remainder of the building have been completed for the design analysis, I think the fenestration will have to be resolved more satisfactorally for the final presentation

Definitely need to improve the facade, especially over the bridge. Something like this perhaps?

Reports

2009-04-08T05:04:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update, been had at work getting the tech report done last week, and now pushing ahead with the design analysis report. A couple of quick sketches for you though.

Elevation

2009-03-27T09:40:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-18T15:14:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-09T03:32:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-05T09:17:00.000-08:00

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

2009-03-03T05:08:00.001-08:00

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

2009-03-03T04:44:00.001-08:00

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

2009-03-03T04:36:00.000-08:00

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

2009-03-03T04:30:00.000-08:00

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

Initial Response

2009-02-19T09:43:00.000-08:00

Now we have our site properly nailed down - the adjacent Oddys Locks - we can start looking at massing.

This image extrapolates our previous bubble diagram into 3D, giving an approximate idea of areas, heights and relative positions of spaces.

This section shows an anticipated strategic response - south facing glazing and atrium for passive gain and ventilation, exposed soffits with acoustic rafts and chilled beams, heat pumps and so on. Of course, the finished article will hopefully be a very different beast

Long time no see

2009-02-19T09:31:00.000-08:00

It's been almost a month since the last post, I've been working on the 5k word site analysis report. First of all, we've got a new precedent - Clarence Dock.

This recently completed residential/commercial development is likely to be very similar to the finished "Bankside" masterplan so gives a good indication of what the surrounding context will be like.

This image shows how part of the design bridges the canal, just as my design will have to. In this case the block is supported by huge steel beams nearly a metre deep, indicating the seriousness of the structure required!

The designs follow the typical ground floor retail space units, with upper level apartments and a "penthouse" on the top floor

Masterplan Sun Path

2009-01-20T07:38:00.001-08:00

The sketchup model of the Allen Tod Masterplan has now been completed. This will be extremely useful for massing and sunpath analysis.

The building heights have been based on the planning submission. In general the proposed buildings comprise a double height podium of glass around the the base, with an upper portion of around 4 stories. Above this, there is "potential for expansion" of up to an additonal six stories. Allen Tod have recommended a percentage of this portion - indicated here on the model by the darker brown. This gives us an overall massing envelope which represents the typical scenario, and it is this which I have used for the sun path analysis.

21st December 0900

21st December 1200

21st December 1500

21st June 0900

21st June 1200

21st June 1500

This sunpath analysis has been essential, as I find the brief taking the project more and more toward passive solar design.

New Precedent

2009-01-16T07:22:00.000-08:00

Spent a lot of time refining the project proposal document this week. We've got a new precedent - Sandy Road Clinic.

This is a £2m, 1,500m2 development designed by Gareth Hoskins Architects, built by Kier Scotland for Greater Glasgow NHS Primary Care Trust and completed in 2004.It is extremely relevant to the brief because it combines a multi-disciplined polyclinic offering a wide range of healthcare services (GP, Dentist, Physiotherapy and so on) with a Nursery for 0-5 year olds. These two uses are expressed within two different interlinked boxes, the former clad in glass and pre-weathered zinc, the latter being clad in timber.

The design makes use of level change to create voids and light wells which also serve the passive heating and ventilation strategy, augmented by underfloor heating.

This precedent is relevant to the brief for its strategy of combining a polyclinic and nursery

Site Visual Note Taking

2009-01-09T03:48:00.001-08:00

3 hand drawn sketches, coloured in Photoshop which will go into the 5000 word project proposal. Beats taking a photo any day!

Building Visit - Elmswell

2009-01-05T08:01:00.001-08:00

Elmswell is a small low carbon residential development completed in November 2008. It comprises blocks of two and three bedroom dwellings using hempcrete, clad in timber. The energy strategy was to exploit passive solar gain and high levels of thermal insulation in order to mitigate the need for heating and cooling. This is further augmented by an on-site biomass boiler, which used energy from waste, serving the development as a whole. Additional touches include provision of cycle racks, communal outdoor drying spaces, allotments and areas for recycling.
Whilst the strategy looks to be impressive, the overall style of building is a little too contemporary for the area, which is a traditional country village.
This precedent is relevant to the brief for its strategies of sustainably resourced material, passive solar design and provision of community services.

Masterplan options

2008-12-11T09:21:00.000-08:00

Three options for the mini masterplan. All three have a couple of ideas in common - retaining the Royal Mail sorting office to provide a long term source of employment and economic activity, giving the site a "reason to be." There is also the creation of a small "dock" area where the canal occupies the same level as the site. In all cases the drop-in centre occupies a central position adjoining the existing Lock Keeper's cottage.

Option A "Bookends"
Here the commercial development occupies either end of the site, bookending a long ribbon residential block. The are small service pavillions next to the "dock"

Option B "Wharf"
This design drives the dock straight across the site, dividing it into an Eastern "public" zone and a Western "Private" Zone. There are links to the adjacent retail park on Kirkstall Road via a footbridge

Option C "Lakeside"
This design builds on the dock idea, turning it into a "lakeside" with accompanying commercial and services. A snakelike block of residential developments creates a spine along the rest of the site.

Project Proposal Updates

2008-12-11T05:01:00.000-08:00

Lots of updates this week. Although I've been working on the Briggate project for the last month, the thesis has been going on in the background.

Above is the site sketchup model of the existing site, which will come in handy for massing studies and masterplanning.

And here's the strategic programme of accommodation (the bubble diagram!)

Welcome!

2008-11-24T07:15:00.000-08:00

This blog follows the development of my Design Thesis as part of my RIBA Part II Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Hopefully this blog will represent a comprehensive diary of design development from beginning to end. So let's begin with the design narrative which will underpin the entire procress:

Canals in the UK are an anachronistic museum piece from a previous age of economic and industrial development. This project demands Canals be brought up to date in the 21^st century encompassing a range of issues including energy, transport, social and economic.