Unit C

Post Pandemic Civic Centre

Dr. Fulvio Wirz , Dr. Heba Elsharkawy

The unprecedented times we are living in are calling for a major rethinking of the role of public spaces in the post pandemic society which has already been labelled as the “new normal”.

Unit C explores the role of civic buildings in a world where people are progressively sublimating their real lives into a digital society made of social media and virtual meetings.

What spatial and planning strategies can architecture adopt to preserve social interaction and how can it leverage on technology to encourage digital proficiency within a shared environment?

Moreover, the current global sustainability agenda raises the significance of low carbon design supported by momentous bottom up initiatives such as Extinction Rebellion, Global Climate Strikes, etc. Hence, creating low carbon buildings helps to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions through more efficient use of resources besides enhancing people’s health and wellbeing.

The unit ethos supports the UK Architects’ declaration for climate and biodiversity emergency where over 600 architectural practices signed the pledge to: ‘adopt more regenerative design principles in our studios, with the aim of designing architecture and urbanism that goes beyond the standard of net zero carbon in use’.

Unit C seeks to achieve thoroughly considered and innovative architectural propositions following an holistic approach to architectural design where space, structure and performance work synchronously to achieve low carbon design. Libraries, mediatheques and learning centres can play a crucial role democratising the access to digital contents and new technologies required for the future jobs. We worked in collaboration with London Borough of Newham, Greater London Authority and Lendlease on this live project which supports Silvertown in achieving sustainable economic growth, vibrant communities, and a healthy environment for healthy people. We explored new concepts for civic buildings which seamlessly embed social distancing strategies. whilst fostering interaction between diverse social groups by adaptive and inclusive design approaches catering for all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Unit C encourages a responsive design approach to improve sustainability at all stages of the design process.

Particular attention is given to the building envelope and how its design filters daylight allowing to achieve healthy indoor spaces while influencing people’s spatial experience, comfort and wellbeing. We also be investigated various materials of low embodied energy and sustainable construction methods to ensure a low-zero carbon footprint of the new-built schemes.

Students:

Year 2: Ahmad Feroz, Bahar Bozyigit, Christos Karamanos, Hanan Alhili, Jennifer Glowacka, Kiran-Preet Singh, Riyad Hossain, Rova Taha, Simone Pamio, Viktor Telecky, Yucel Seckin Karatas, Zoe Kalou

Year 3: Ahmed Abuelmeaza, Aleksandra Hoffmann, Arif Khalifah Khalid, Harby Franco Fernandez, Junicila Cardoso Santos De Oliveira, Mahabub Alam, Maria Zegheru, Mateusz Sass, Mourtada Baboukari, Muayad Tuma, Riyad Hossain

Special thanks to:

Visiiting Critics; Rachael Owens (Buckley Grey Yeoman), Fabian Danker (Studio Colab), Marco Gamini (Gensler), Sohith Perera (KORA Architecture), Manuele Gaioni (...), Nicola Ancona (Diagram Architects), Contributors; Jessie Lenson (Lendlease), Margaret Almond (London Borough of Newham), Mina Hasman (SOM), Carl Callaghan, Arman Hashemi

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1Royal Docks, Silvertown, site location, Simone Pamio. 2 Site elevation demonstrating Millenium Mills and the new housing development as the site backdrop, Mahabub Alam. 3-4 ‘The aim of thie project is to create a civic centre that accommodates vegetation to be inside it and around to revive the nature of the site and make fascinating spaces with nature, providing an interesting experience for all users. The roof would have voided pockets ‘light wells’ which would allow light to seep through the tree leaves right underneath pocket gaps, illuminating the area around the space. Ahmad Feroz. 5 The zoning diagram indicating the spatial organisation, Ahmad Feroz. 6 The idea of the project is to bring back the history of the ships that once inhabited the area to inform people about the past while guiding them to learn more about the future, Simone Pamio 7-8 The CLT and interlocking LVL beam grid structural system and construction process. 9 Ground floor plan, Simone Pamio.

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10, 12-13 Bird’s eye view of the roof demonstrating PVCs and the green roof as part of the project sustainability strategy, Simone Pamio 11 ‘Detailed section indicating the structure, materiality, and spatial experience, Simone Pamio. 12-13Internal views of the workshops and meditation space demonstrating unique visitor experience within different spaces, Simone Pamio. 14 Section indicating the sustainability strategy which integrates louvers for shading and porosity, skylights for daylight, green roof and integrated solar panels, besides rain water collection, Simone Pamio. 15 The new civic centre as a new landmark, Simone Pamio. 16-17 Stoan Centre project aspires to bring the diverse community of Newham together through the expressionism of art, Bahar Bozyigit. 18 Greentown wind power research centre, Yucel Seckin Karatas

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19-20 A variety of options manifest themselves in the contemporary museum. Dramatic light suggesting movement up to the auditorium, Viktor Telecky.21 First floor plan demonstrating the workshops, auditorrium and office spaces organised around the central atrium, Viktor Telecky. 22 Bird’s eye view demonstrating the relationship between thecivic centre and the docks, Viktor Telecky. 23-24 ’Diagramatic studies and detailed wall section indicating the green walls and rammed earth construction, and the relationship between the building and the surrounding context, Viktor Telecky 25-26 Sections demonstrating the internal spatial experience, daylight quality and spatial organisation, Viktor Telecky.

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27 The design process related to the context, landscape and new master plan, Aleksandra Hoffman. 28 The south elevation demonstrating the shading canopies and timber cladding, Aleksandra Hoffman. 29 Integrated sustainability strategies including rainwater collection, PV cells, compost, and natural ventilation enhancement, Aleksandra Hoffman. 30 Ground floor plan, Aleksandra Hoffman. 31-32 South elevation and external view of the post pandemic civic centre, Arif Khalid. 33-34 Floor plans and sectional perspective of the Cultural Heritage Centre demonstrating the events hall, and recreational outdoor open space comprising the cultural hub where the many different ethnic groups can gather together to practise their cultures and learn about the multicultures in Newham, Ahmed Abuelmeaza.

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35 The Techno-Sustainable Civic Centre in context. 36‘The contruction phases starting from foundations to the erection of glulam structural system, ramp system, modular wall structure, and green roofs, Mahabub Alam. 37 Section/ elevation indicating vertical circulation at various levels. 38 External view of Techno-Sustainable Civic Centre demonstrating the relationship of the centre with the docks and the East London skyline in the backdrop, Mahabub Alam. 39 A series of hand drawn sketches reflecting the experience of the journey through the site, Mahabub Alam.

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