Feasibility Study and site analysis Module name: Virtual project Module code: BE1341 Student number: W12033145
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Contents Page Introduction to site
The proposed development
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Feasibility and site report
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Analysis of individual elements
Dimensions of the site and site boundaries
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Site Restrictions
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North point, sun path and prevailing weather conditions
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Accessibility and transport links
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Surrounding amenities
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Demographics
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House styles and materials used in surrounding areas
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References
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Introduction to the site: Boulmer The proposed development: The opportunity has been given to convert the existing lifeboat station in the small village of boulmer that is set right on the Northumberland coast approximately 6 miles East of the Market Town of Alnwick into an educational centre. Feasibility and site report After visiting the site in boulmer, various observations and recordings were taken in order to help develop an understanding of the area and the existing building. By analysing various components related to the site and the existing building, the fundaments and essential information to produce a collaborated project will be identified, which will be delivered in the most professional way.
0.S map of existing building
Various components and elements have been considered to ensure the buildability of the educational centre will run as smoothly as possible. It is vital to ensure all aspects are considered. In order not to disturb the residents of surrounding areas, whilst ensuring the project will be developed to a high standard. The following have been closely analysed to ensure all parties will remain content during the construction of the development:
Dimensions of the site, site boundaries and restrictions North point, sun path and prevailing weather conditions Accessibility and transport links Surrounding amenities Demographics House styles and materials used in surrounding areas.
Analysis of individual elements:
Sketchup model of existing lifeboat
Dimensions of the site and Site boundaries The currently existing building consists of 3 spaces; the main building that accommodates the lifeboat, the smaller space directly behind that accommodates the tractor and a space located behind the tractor store that is the crew’s quarters. The dimensions of the main building are as follows: the external dimension of the main building that is the boat and tractor storage is 89.99m 2 and the crew’s quarters is 70.30m2. There are two further spaces to the north and south sides of the main building that are the following: the larger space to the south is a drying room for all the crew’s wet clothing with an external area of 37.74m2 and to the north there is a storage space that has an area of 19.07m2. There are four site boundaries to the current building, the east boundary (26m)meets the road which leads to the site, the north (57m) and south (42m) boundaries are defined by existing residential houses and the west boundary (26m)corresponds to existing fields. East elevation 3
Site restrictions The main site restrictions relate to the size of the site. As the site is not that large, it might be a problem storing materials and keeping plant on site, as the team will have a limited amount of space, materials and equipment will have to be regularly brought to the site as storage spaces will be limited. Another site restriction might be related to the working time on site. Since residential houses are at the boundaries of the site, continuous 24 hour work with 12 hour shifts will not be acceptable due to the construction noise and disruption that is generated during the construction process. North point, Sun path and prevailing weather conditions In relation to the north point and sun path, it is imperative to ensure that the direction of the building is positioned correctly, as it is vital to gain as much benefit as possible in terms of solar gain as well as reducing glare and overheating. Therefore the building orientation will be established by the sun path that rises from the east and sets in the west with the existing building facing east. The material choice of the building will be reflected by the weather conditions and sun path, to provide as much natural light as possible and because UV radiation affects the durability of many materials such as timber moves and twists. The weather conditions in Boulmer vary from one season to another. This ultimately means that the design of the structure has to be able to cope with a variety of conditions. Mean annual temperatures depend very much on altitude and, to some extent, proximity to the coast. The coldest waters around the UK are found off NE England with sea surface temperatures varying from about 5 °C in winter to 13 °C in summer (compared to a range of 8 °C to 18 °C off SW England). This, coupled with extensive areas of upland, leads to a prevailing coolness with mean annual temperatures typically in the range of 8.5 °C to 9.5 °C in the lower parts’’. The highest recorded temperature in Boulmer in 2012 was 24 °C with the lowest being -4.2 °C and the maximum wind speed recorded was 109.5 km/h.
Existing floor plan
North elevation of existing structure
Google maps image of existing lifeboat staSite sun orientation
South elevation of existing structure 4
Accessibility and transport links
Surrounding amenities
Boulmer is 2 miles away from the A1 with Newcastle being the nearest city to it. This site on which the existing building is situated can be accessed by two routes: The first route is as follows; from the BE1339 travellers should come off BE1339 and on to bridge end travelling in a north east direction until they reach a junction in which they have to turn left towards Boulmer longhoughton and stay on this route travelling in a north east direction until reaching beach view, where vehicles have to continue driving on this route for 0.4miles where the site is located to the left hand side.
This site has a variety of surrounding amenities. The following list is a number of surrounding amenities with respect to their position from the site: Howick Hall (Tower) – 3 miles NW Littlehoughton Hall Tower – 3 miles NW Craster Tower – 4 miles N
Dunstan Hall (Tower) – 4 miles N The second route is From the BE1339 S End vehicles must travel east, coming off BE1339 and on to boulmer road in a southerly direction. Vehicles should keep on driving in a south-east direction Dunstanburgh Castle (Ancient Site) – 5 miles N Alnwick Castle – 5 miles W Alnwick Infirmary – 4 miles W
Alnwick Infirmary
From the above list, it is quite clear that future users of the proposed educational centre will have easy access to a number of interesting surrounding amenities
Google maps—Second route leading for 1.5 miles, then turn right and continue driving for 0.2miles towards beach view, before getting to the site, which is located on the right hand side. The nearest railway station is at Alnmouth, on the East Coast main line between London King’s Cross and Scotland. The station is approximately four miles from Longhoughton and Boulmer. The nearest airport is Newcastle International, 35 miles south of Boulmer on the A1.
Craster Tower
First route leading to the site
Limited bus services operate between Longhoughton and Alnwick from where connections may be made to other local destinations, including an hourly coach service to Newcastle. The x18 and 501,505 operates between Berwick and Newcastle passing through Boulmer. The route that the x18 follows is shown opposite.
Howick Hall X18+ bus route 5
Demographics of the area
References
Boulmer has Latitude of 55°25’0″ N and a Longitude of 1°35’0″ W with an overall population that is less than 1000. The majority of people in boulmer live in detached and terrace houses according to zoopla statistics with at least two or three cars.
BBC Weather. 2014. BBC Weather - Boulmer. [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ weather/2655108 [Accessed: 31 Mar 2014].
Occupations of residents in boulmer vary from professional and white collar through to senior Hatch, B. 2012. Craster Towers. [image online] Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ familyholidays/9100337/A-family-tour-of-Britain-part-eight-Northumberland-coast.html positions in blue collar and rural trades. [Accessed: 31 Mar 2014]. NHS. 2013. Alnwick infirmary. [image online] Available at: https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/ patients-and-visitors/getting-to-us/alnwick-infirmary [Accessed: 31 Mar 2014]. Pan ramio. 2007. Howick Hall. [image online] Available at: http://www.panoramio.com/ photo/4207925 [Accessed: 31 Mar 2014]. Station home. 2014. Boulmer Volunteer Rescue Service, [blog] Available at: http:// www.boulmerlifeboat.co.uk/links/ [Accessed: 31 Mar 2014].
Neighbouring structures
A profile of the surrounding building styles and materials used in the surrounding area Housing styles in Boulmer vary between bungalows, cottages and detached houses. . Types of materials used in surrounding buildings are grey stone, timber cladding, rendering and also sandstone – the most commonly used. Nearly all Roofs in Boulmer are pitched and are covered with materials varying between; slate and roofing felt which can occasionally be found on utility/temporary-use buildings with the presence of velux windows on a number of roofs.
Surrounding building styles and materials
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