A Self-Building Community // Living and Working in Granton [R&D Booklet]

The juxtaposition of a self-build manufacturing business with residential units and leisure facilities has created a new productive, communal hotspot in Granton, Edinburgh. Whilst enhancing circulation towards the Waterfront, Granton’s disused Gasholder is being enhanced as well, making Granton’s identity more prominent. The simultaneous provision of /Living, /Working and /Leisure facilities in one architectural complex creates unique lifestyles that revolve around self-building.

The /Living Building provides spectacular views over the Gasholder area, overlooking the /Leisure and /Working activities. From the residential balcony, solar shading is provided by the gasholder’s structure, motorised folding shutters, and the bracings of the building itself. From a public’s point of view, they see an animated facade controlled by the residents according to their routines. Alongside that, the radial geometry of the gasholder and the doublelayered bracings present at the facade enhance this animation. Thus, the building enhances Granton’s sense of place identity through animating its iconic gasholder.

The customisable residential units allow its residents to design their own furnished living, creating endless possibilities to enhance their lifestyles. Here, a newly-wed couple who are expecting is living together in one unit. They custom designed the layout of their home according to their routines and preferences. Both of them intend to stay here for a long time, which is beneficial as their family starts to grow. There is always the option to expand their home, as the middle self-build wall can be disassembled to make way for a larger home for the family. Thus, the flexibiltiy and customisability of the /Living residential units are very favourable for them.

The pavilion facilitates /Leisure activities in the form of events, markets, shows and exhibitions. However, when no events are in place, as shown above, the pavilion becomes a communal hub to meet-up, have fun, and relax. The scene above shows the everyday lifestyle around the pavilion - workers having coffee at the cafe, children playing around the area and the self-build pods, friends meeting up, and also tourists visiting the area - a lively place.

As the main /Working space in the Self-Build Manufacturing Business, the CNC Cutting Factory is publicly shown to the 1st Floor Showrooms through a curtain wall, becoming a showroom itself. While allowing people to see the work, this actually aims to educate people more about self-building and digital fabrication, as the industrial world is approaching Industry 4.0. Children would gain early exposure and would benefit the industrial world in the long-run. The skylights, while allowing daylight penetration, helps with ventilation through its built-in stack effect ventilation vents. Along with extractor fans, the air inside the factory is safe. All in all, the /Working environment is safe and educational for the public.

Overall, the implementation of /Living, /Leisure and /Working around the Gasholder creates a lively, communal and productive Granton through a Self-Building Community.