Richard Demarco Archive and Galleries Dundee The brief for this project was to conceive, design and detail a public use building situated in a residential district in Dundee that would house the archives of Mr Richard Demarco. The building was also to accommodate a gallery space, a cafÊ, a cinema and other public facilities. From the outset the design was influenced by three major factors: the client, the site and the brief. From this a concept was derived of having two contrasting elements within the proposal; the heavy, monolithic ground floor Archive and the lightweight, steelframe upper Gallery/library/cinema element. The contrasting effect of the reddish rammed earth Archive which was partly underground, and the reflective aluminium upper element was key to the experience of the design, which focused on how the light filtered through the different levels. Sustainability Agenda With any design project it is important to have an underlying sustainability agenda that drives your thought processes and design decisions. Early on in the design process of the Demarco Archive a decision was made to use rammed earth for the ground floor. This was due to the delicate nature of the archived materials being housed there, and rammed earth’s fantastic environmental benefits such as enhanced indoor air quality, thermal massing, soundproofing, low embodied energy and lack of waste during construction. The decision to use rammed earth influenced the structure of the design and a decision to expose an independent steel frame that formed the upper element. Also incorporated into the design was a biomass heating system that helped heat the major spaces within the archive building, as well as an advanced ventilation and automated window system that improved natural ventilation.
Mark Johnston University of Dundee School of Architecture
Demarco Archive Dundee This project was inspired by the lifetime of artwork cultivated by Scottish artist Richard Demarco. The brief required a strong public space provision and controlled storage for his collection. The context for the building was the West End of Dundee, once an industrial area, now turned residential. From interviews with Demarco, the desire for an architectural solution contained both unexpected spaces and a rich spatial journey. The project became the exploration/creation of unexpected space enriched by this spatial journey. The concept of fragmentation, generated from site and urban analysis, created opportunities to develop unexpected spaces and act as a means of expressing the journey through the building. The spatial journey was explored through vertical movements in section, creating compression and relief, which subsequently enriched the spaces and responded to programmatic demands of the storage and exhibition of art works. The study of light became influential in the enrichment of space and atmosphere. Sustainability Agenda The vertical light tunnels create the opportunity for the introduction of natural light into key spaces, and thus reducing the dependency on artificial light. The ‘light tunnels’ also offer improved control over the internal environment, and act as natural ventilation chimneys that help to remove and recycle stale air in the key public spaces. The submersion of the archive benefits security and provides constant control over the internal environmental conditions. The archive can be vigorously controlled in terms of temperature and light, which is important for an archive of this kind. Selective penetration of the light tunnels allows access to the indirect and soft natural light into this sensitive archive area. Above ground the building is clad in re-galvanised corroded steel. This material has been selected due its low cost, low maintenance and highly reflective properties, which add to the efficiency of the active light tunnels.
Michael Quach University of Dundee School of Architecture
[Re]Collection – Energy Exchange Library Edinburgh This project frames a proposal for an Energy Exchange Library within the fabric of the old Royal Exchange on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. The building is reconfigured through the [re]collection of archived narratives of the building’s construction, occupancy and place within the city. Cooping – Roseburn Town Housing Edinburgh Linguistic gestures inform the conception of three buildings, each comprising five houses and additional housing on a site defined by three overlapping networks: cycle-way, road and river. A BakeHouse encloses five apartments that accommodate a bakery that mediates between the road and landscape. Grounding Movement – El Raval Dance Centre Barcelona Manipulation of a wider public ground plane situates a dance centre within a series of interconnected courtyards. Generous ramps provide public access, placing the building within its cultural context, whilst stairs connect the dance facilities. Sustainability Agenda The Energy Exchange Library speculates both on the role of the library in society today and on the perception of the environment in the city. The project questions whether a public and research energy library could be an important site of exchange in informing positions on how we live sustainably in the city. The project also explores the adaptive re-use of historic fabric, which both preserves the cultural heritage of buildings and minimises the embodied energy of construction. Roseburn Town Housing explores issues related to local production and consumption within a broader global context of resource consumption in cities. The scheme proposes a network of shared facilities through the strategic housing of community buildings within a residential scheme. The BakeHouse investigates thermal asymmetry, organising space living spaces synergistically around a central heat source and community bakery facility.
Nathan Ozga Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA)
Invitation & Escape: The Empire Palace Theatre {revisited} Edinburgh This project explores the ‘invitation character’ of voids within buildings, through the study of the architectural implications of a specified fire regulation regarding openings in floors. The theatre’s front-of-house is designed as a void: inviting visitors to move through, different types of light to fall in, and smoke to escape out. Drawing Energy: Renewable Landscapes Abu Dhabi The project proposes a renewable landscape strategy on a coastal site near Abu Dhabi. The landscape becomes a site for testing emergent methods of renewable energy production using tethered kites that harness high altitude wind energy. It acts as a public park, with buildings situated at anchor points. Dance Centre in Example Block Barcelona The design of the dance centre responds to the existing axis of movement through the site, used by locals as a shortcut across the apartment block. Programmatic spaces branch from either side, making a series of gestures to create distractions from this line. Collector’s House & Museum Edinburgh The design of a collector’s house and museum is proposed on a multi-levelled site along Advocate’s Close in Edinburgh, prolonging the Close’s sense of enclosure and opening through the building itself. Sustainability Agenda These project proposals aim to respond to the specific climate and environmental conditions of the site. The speculative landscape in Abu Dhabi not only becomes a site for testing emergent methods of renewable energy production but also acts as a public park, educating visitors about the energy strategy and making them more aware of the climatic and environmental conditions of the larger landscape. The buildings on site aim to reduce energy consumption through passive design strategies, including natural cross ventilation and shading elements. Both designs for the Empire Palace Theatre and the Dance Centre retain existing structures, for example existing steel beams, columns and vaults are incorporated into the internal walkways of the dance centre. In the Collector’s House, the private home is located on the upper floor to benefit from natural sunlight whilst the museum has a number of north-facing glazed areas, illuminated by neutral daylight for the gallery space.
Xuhong Zheng Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA)
Scottish Literature Initiative Edinburgh The two projects presented, the ‘Book Factory’ and the ‘Writer’s Retreat’, explore the idea of having a literary belt extending west into the Pentland Hills from Edinburgh, UNESCOs first city of literature. The ‘Book Factory’ is an urban strategy that aims to counter the ills of urban sprawl by reconnecting the town of Penicuik with its surrounding landscape and its rich heritage as the home of paper making in Scotland. In this proposal ‘books’ are the catalyst for social and community regeneration. Cultural initiatives such as paper making workshops are given a home in the reuse of an old building in the towns centre. The retreat at Little Sparta is designed to create inspiring and calming atmospheres where writers can leave the bustle of 21st century consumerism and focus on reading, writing and reciting. The book factory at Penicuik will be the public forum for residents of the retreat to promote themselves. Sustainability Agenda Sustainability plays an integral role for both the proposals presented. The reuse of an old building for a community centre in Penicuik and the planting of trees in the town as part of the wider urban strategy put sustainability at the forefront of the ‘Book Factory’ scheme. The design for the writer’s retreat on the other hand explores the realisation of an off-grid building. Careful positioning, orientation and a high performing building envelope are the primary devices used to minimise energy consumption. Hydroelectric power is used for the residual energy requirements and its impact on the landscaping of the site and detailing of the building has been considered from the start. Selection of building materials, trade and craftsmanship has also been studied in this project to ensure locally sourced and sustainable skills and materials are used throughout. Judges’ comments: “This submission demonstrates careful and deliberate process in the formulation of the design approach. It acknowledges history and context and utilises both intelligently. While the approach is careful and understated, there is significant drama and a real contemplative quality in the interiors in particular.”
Josh Murphy Mackintosh School of Architecture HIGHLY COMMENDED A+DS AWARD FOR BEST 3RD YEAR STUDENT
A Writer’s Retreat: Little Sparta A Rural/Urban Renaissance for Penicuik Reacting to the work of the Sculptor Ian Hamilton Finlay, this is a retreat, but also an outpost. Cellular accommodation and a communal bathing area will test guests will both mentally and physically. “That which joins and that which divides is one and the same”. Ian Hamilton Finlay The library is joined to Sparta by the water, but is divided from the living area. The Retreat therefore is the experience. The moment. The observed. The recognised. Great works of literature will flourish. ‘De-urbanisation’ is a reaction against the poor urban streetscape and commercialisation of Penicuik. The ‘de-urbanisation’ of the town takes place, through planting of a series of grasslands; this grass is then harvested within the central building proposal and is used to once again produce paper within Penicuik. Central to the building sits a gently pulsating red cube, the publishing offices for the Hawthorn Press of Ian Hamilton Finlay. These offices embody re-birth of the town – the heart of Penicuik. Sustainability Agenda The Writers Retreat is an off grid building: inhabitants are reminded through architecture of their connection to the environment. The library blocks streams flow like a stone, hydro potential is realised. The form and composition of the living block utilises passive means of heating and cooling. Rainwater is collected on the roof profiles of both the library and living block, whilst at the same time creating atmospheres to experience. Locally sourced GGBS Concrete forms the structure and thermal mass of the building suitable for the unpredictable variations in the Scottish climate. The proposal for Penicuik is environmentally sustainable by creating a greener town in appearance and in energy use and growth, but also in an economic and social sense, whereby Penicuik has the potential to have sustainable manufacturing capability, whilst creating a building at the heart that can be adapted to the changing needs of the community. Judges’ comments: “The communication of approach and intent is excellent. Sensitivity to context is very apparent. The delineation of these proposals demonstrates both spatial awareness and a good understanding of the tactile and visual qualities of the proposed materials. The drawings are seductive and powerfully communicate space and light. The approach is highly individual while also conveying a sound understanding of the needs of users.”
Jack Taylor Mackintosh School of Architecture WINNER A+DS AWARD FOR BEST 3RD YEAR STUDENT
Belgrove Housing Glasgow Firstly, as a collaborative exercise, a housing masterplan for a brown field site located in Dennistoun, Glasgow, was developed. From this masterplan a particular area was chosen to develop into a viable housing scheme. Careful consideration towards environmental strategies was particularly important for the initial design stage. Family housing was also a specific focus, bringing a more permanent community to the ever-popular student area of Dennistoun. Sustainability Agenda The block stretches around a south-facing courtyard. This enables maximum utilisation of solar gains. On the south block sun buffers capture these gains acting as valuable overhangs in summer to protect the living spaces from direct sun. In the winter these sun buffers act as thermal barriers for heat loss. SIP panel construction is used for the wall build up; this allows thick layers of insulation to be used creating a very low U-value rating for the building fabric. This in turn produces a small heating season. An air source heat pump is included in the ventilation system, which occasionally gives a boost of heat to the MHRV when required. St. Andrews Weather Centre Courtyards between the building masses are a common feature in St. Andrews. In the design of the St. Andrews Weather Centre the courtyard is used for two purposes; experiential and interaction. What better way to experience the weather than being outside? The courtyard facilitates interaction between public and private users of the building. By using the existing building and walls the subtle design sits comfortably in context. Delicate connections between ‘old’ and ‘new’ emphasise the contrast. Sustainability Agenda Angling the courtyard to a southernly aspect maximises solar gain. This, with an environmental strategy that combines a micro hydro and water source, creates a very low carbon design.
Neal Hemingway University of Strathclyde
Project 01: ‘To Play’ Glasgow ‘To Play’ is a design for a performance building closely linked to Glasgow’s film heritage. The Glasgow Film Archive was intended to record the important milestones in Glasgow’s history, culture and heritage through the memories and experiences of the ordinary Glaswegian. Research was conducted into Glasgow’s ‘hidden’ subterranean tunnel network during the development of the design. The tunnels link much of the infrastructure needed in the event of a disaster: transport stations, hospitals and government buildings. The research informed the decision to locate the building underground, which would protect the sensitive film reels from harsh lighting and fire. Sustainability Agenda Given the building’s positioning underground, the temperature would stay relatively constant throughout the day and would therefore require less heating/cooling. Film storage vaults were kept at a constant temperature of -5oC to prevent deterioration of film reels. A cooling unit was specified with heat produced from the unit as a by-product being used elsewhere in the building through a MHRV unit or reclaimed in ‘dynamic concrete walls’. Project 02: ‘To Live/Work’ Glasgow This project aimed to provide safe and affordable accommodation for Glasgow’s homeless population while also offering suitable employment opportunities in the adjoining textile factory. The building provided safe spaces for homeless individuals to congregate and meet, in particular a soup kitchen and community garden. Sustainability Agenda Efficient systems were encouraged such as water harvesting and PV panels to generate electricity for the scheme. Heat gains gathered from the adjoining textile factory were used for community water heating for occupants. Fuel ash was specified instead of cement in concrete to reduce the detrimental effects of cement production on the environment. Steelwork was generally favoured with Quicon fixings used throughout for adaptability in the future. SAP and NHER calculations were recorded with all flats gaining an ‘A’-rating.
Christine Halliday University of Strathclyde
The work featured in this book formed part of a public exhibition displayed in the Lighthouse, Glasgow from 31st July until 5th October 2012. A+DS and the RIAS would like to thank all of the students who took part in this year’s competition.