Initial design solutions Module name: Virtual project Module code: BE1341 Student number: W12033145
Initial solutions The feasibility study and site analysis that was undertaken in part A has helped develop a greater understanding of the site and enhanced the proposed design ideas for converting the existing structure into an educational centre. As part of the brief, a number of rooms have to be provided in order to ensure the functionality and comfort of the proposed structure. The initial solutions for this project is to demolish the structures that are marked in red as shown opposite and replace them by a new built structure. However, the stone from the existing structure that is proposed for demolishment will be used as an external cladding for the new built one in order to maintain a link between the existing and new structure and reduce the amount of waste generated and materials required during this process. Stonework on the building that will remain as part of the design will be repointed by the use of mortar, as the presence of cracks/gaps in wall can lead to heat loss. The main building that currently accommodates the lifeboat will remain as part of the proposed design and will be used as a Lobby/Entrance area. However, the pitched roof will be replaced by a monopitch roof. This type of roof will be used in order to provide additional space for a mezzanine floor that serves as a staff area, and to maximise the effectiveness of the solar panels that will be placed on it since the sun rises from the east and sets in the west with the main building facing east. The existing front door on the main building will be replaced with a curtain wall, similar to that shown in figure 5, to allow as much natural lighting as possible and provide views onto the facing sea. Natural lighting will also be provided by the curtain walls placed between the existing stone walls and the monopitch roof similarly to that shown in figure 2.
Figure 4- Initial ideas for the main existing building—Sketchup
Figure 1- Initial solution for demolishing and maintaining
Figure 2- Monopitch roof natural lighting
Figure 5- Hertfordshire barn conversion, fully glazed gable for natural lighting
Figure 3- Skylights internal view to be used for providing
Figure 6- Mezzanine floor—sketchup model
Since the main existing building allows for a first floor and will remain as part of the proposed design, a mezzanine floor will be installed into it providing a lightweight platform which can be attached using steel bolts and joist hangers and will be used as a staff kitchen and sitting space. This space will be provided by natural lighting from curtain walls placed between the roof and the existing stone walls and from the curtain wall placed on the east side of the building replacing the entrance doors. Figure 11- Skylights external view to be used for providing natural
In addition to maintaining the existing structure, a new structure will be built to the south side of the site with a glass tunnel connecting both the old and new structure as shown below.
Figure 7– Extra space allowing for a mezzanine
Figure 8– Mezzanine floor used as an extension for restaurant, Wiltshire School. Design ideas.
The other existing building marked in white that is currently used as storage for rockets/ flares will be used as a kit drying space. This space will be entered through external doors placed on the east side of the site that lead into the drying space and then into the main building. This is to ensure that users that enter the building with wet clothes will not effect other spaces/ keeping them dry. The new opening created to connect the kit drying space with the main building will be supported by steel lintels . In order to ensure that this space serves its function of drying kit, natural lighting and ventilation will be provided by skylights that are placed on the flat roof that replaces the existing pitched roof.
Figure 12– Initial sketch for designing a link between the old and new structures.
Since the required floor area for the kit drying space is larger than the existing structure, an extension will be built to the west side of the site. However, the extension will not have an effect on the neighbouring building that is built on
Figure 13– Ice house (restoration man, 2010) Figure 10– Design ideas for the purposed converFigure 9– Existing building for flares storage
Since the remaining structure does not have enough space to accommodate all the required spaces within the brief, a newly built structure will be placed on the west side of the site. The glass tunnel leads straight into the main teaching space that will then lead to other areas such as the toilets, smaller teaching space and the storage space as shown below.
Figure 16– Overall initial design, sketchup Figure 14– Room division, sketchup model
Natural lighting will be provided in the main teaching space mainly by the use of curtain walls placed on the south side of the site overlooking the existing fields and the curtain walling between the wall and monopitch roof that will be used for the main teaching space. Since the existing water services run to the south side of the new main teaching space, the newly built W.C’s will be placed to the south side of the main teaching space. The W.C’s consist of 2 staff toilet, children's male toilets, Childers female toilets and a disabled W.C.
The two additional spaces to the north side of the main teaching space are the storage room and the smaller teaching space. The storage room has an area of 65sqm and has been placed to the north side of the site with the main entrance doors facing east onto the sea to allow easy use and transport of the kit across to the coastline.
Figure 17&18-
The Final space is the small teaching space that can also be used as a meeting space and has an area of 20sqm. This space is provided with natural lighting in a manner similar to that of the main space, by the use of curtain walling overlooking the existing fields. Figure 15– Staff, disabled and children's W.C’S