London Architecture Project 2016

SPECIAL E DITION / APRIL 2016 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 10

LOnDOn P r ac t ical ‘SOL U T IONS’

A U G M E N T I N G

E X P E C T A T I O N S

stallsworth richmond T H I S P U B L I C AT I O N E X A M I N E S T H E

PROBLEMS AND ISSUES

T H AT T R O U B L E T H E C I T Y O F L O N D O N T H R O U G H C A R E F U L E X A M I N A T I O N A N D A N A LY S I S .

THIS JOURNAL OFFERS SOLUTIONS FOR A CONTEMPOR ARY ER A OF DESIGN BY OFFERING A

F O C U S E D A N D C U R AT E D

P E R S P E C T I V E T O R E E X A M I N E A N D C H A L L E N G E T H E W AY WE

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P E R C E I V E S O C I E TA L C O N F L I C T S A N D N O R M S .

authors a bo ut

Sir A l a s ta ir S ta l l s w or t h

sir rich a rd richmond

Sir Alastair Stallsworth is a proud, humble, award

Praised for his seductive writing style, Sir Richard

winning architect, columnist, psychologist, self-

Richmond started his career at the young age of 6

proclaimed taste maker, hydroponic coffee bean

when he hand wrote a letter that ultimately lead to

grower, wine-tasting 2015 winner, web designer,

the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Since then, he has

community leader, and pre-Columbus map expert

written and published thousands of award-winning

and collector.

articles, journals, books, and postcards.

Sir Stallsworth began his academic education

Before becoming the first double Pritzker Prize

with architecture at Harvard and later attended

winner and three-time Nobel Peace Prize winner

the more rigorous Massachusetts Institute

he worked for a short time as a janitor at MIT and

of Technology (MIT). Once completing an

eventually met his future colleague, Sir Alastair

architecture PhD, he pursued supplementary and

Stallsworth. Throughout his life there was a

more cultured subjects such as writing, green

reoccurring theme of never feeling satisfied or

agriculture, and social and mental medicine.

challenged, not by his work and certainly not by those around him.

He now lives in London, England in Charles Dickens’ home. Over the course of his career he

Often times described as “more than just a

has participated in and won international design

man”, Richmond is gifted with an ability to craft

competitions that change the way we think about

narratives that transcend both physical and

clean energy, food for growing populations, and

spiritual boundaries. His talents, which he

living in a contemporary time.

accredits to his pure royal bloodline, are evident in his most recent work –Practical ‘Solutions’.

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LO nDO n CON T EN T S

nuis a nce s....................5 Contributers: Large number of feral, urban foxes and flocks of pigeons.

wa s t e.........................11 Contributers: Office buildings, vehicles, public transporation, bikers, pedestrians, and lack or rubbish bins.

inf or m at ion...............23 Contributers: Complex urban fabric, large and extensive use of signs, and outdated methods of delivery.

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31....P ubl ic/Green spa ce Contributers: Inefficient postwar planning and the lack of space due to the area of the City.

41.................C onge s t ion Contributers: Buses, Taxis, Cars, Commerical Vehicles, Bicyclist, Cars, and Pedestians.

4 9......................Hou sing Contributers: Lack of housing, unaffordable housing prices, lack of space to develop and a growing city population.

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LO nDO n IN T RODUC T ION

T

he

City

of

London

is

the

leading

boroughs all around the London metropolis.

international

finance

sector

in

the

The City is a unique sector within London in

historic center of London, England. The City

that it has large, highrise commercial building

is the smallest of all the boroughs in size at

types as well as the traditional building scale

only one square mile, with a small residential

found elsewhere in the metropolis.

population spread out in pockets and large estates around the City. Not only is the City

The City of London Corporation comments

a major factor in the London Metropolis, but

“the City is also a popular place to live with

it is also the powerhouse for the national

thriving residential communities, high levels

economy.

of demand for housing and acute pressure on the limited supply of land.”

The Financial District has thousands of businesses with workers commuting from

Dudley, Martin. “Housing Strategy 2014-2019.” Housing Strategy 2014-2019 (2014): 2. The City of London. The City of London Corporation, Mar. 2014. Web. Feb. 2016.

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Arms of the City of London: This crest is the official

is representative of the martydom of St. Paul.

coat of arms for the City of London and found in various

Beneath is the Latin inscription, Domine dirige nos

locations around the Square Mile. The cross and shield

which translates to ‘Lord, direct (guide) us’.

in the image is symbolic to St. George while the sword

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LO nDO n T HE CI T Y

This figure ground diagram represents the entire boundary of the City of London.

The population of the city is upwards of 7,400 people with most of the population ranging from midtwenties to mid-thirties adults.

01.......................St Paul’s Cathedral

01

02....................The Bank of England 03.............................30 St Mary Axe

N

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Buildings

Parks

03 02

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LO nDO n was t e

Rubbish bins have been removed over the past decades in London due to a long series IRA bombings in the 1990s that favored rubbish bins as prime targets for bomb drops.

R

ubbish has invaded the City of London

involves selecting the corresponding waste

and its removal has become a serious

bin, unlocking it, inserting the rubbish,

concern. The lack of rubbish bins for

and simply activating the integrated

collection combined with the careless

burn feature, all with a Wi-Fi-enabled

attitude of some of the residents has led to

Smartphone. Once the waste bins are

unacceptable levels of waste accumulating

full, a disposal company is notified and the

on the streets. The waste bins that do

bins are quickly and efficiently emptied.

Jacobs, Peter. “Here’s

exist are few and far between and are

Why There Are so Few

typically full.

Trash Cans in London.”

Tech Insider. April 4, 2014.

In this contemporary world the connection to social media has become a luxury that

The solution put forward seeks to mitigate

has not yet reached its full potential in

the waste problem by introducing a new

London. The City has the opportunity to

why-few-trash-cans-in-

waste collection service that incorporates

facilitate this social integration into the

london-2016-4.

modern technology. The new method

urban fabric and pioneer the future of

of collection and disposal will include

technological efficiency.

Accessed March 30, 2016. http://www.techinsider.io/

the addition of new rubbish bins that go beyond what was previous possible.

Funding for the new collection devices will be supported by users through a Smartphone app (Trasher). Adapting to the technology of the current generation, this app will allow users to track how much waste they are producing. The app will allow subscribers to share and compare their stats with all of their friends. The service is easy to use and

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waste track trasher

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Trasher Leaderboard weekly weight

Jeter Royshavski Alfredo Jerry Bobert Tramp Pan Mophole Pat Fesiks

all time weight

bins used

trophies earned friends

1.6kg 25.6 kg 8 25 417 1.6kg 21.1 kg 21 22 510 0.7kg 11.6 kg 17 6 245 0.5kg 8.1 kg 5 14 197 0.2kg 7.9 kg 9 13 89

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LO nDO n wa s t e [ t r a sher ]

Wood Canopy

Practical solution Rain Protection and Way Finding The unit is protected from the elements by an elegant, wooden roof structure. It also functions as an easy-to-see locating device.

Each unit is fitted with a unique serial number and will appear on digital maps.

Waste Scale The first stage in the new disposal method is collection and scaling. Each unit comes with two different disposal options; one for rubbish, and the other recyclables.

Disposal Slot

After inserting the waste, it is weighed and displayed on the screen above. All information gathered from the rubbish bin is immediately synced to your Smartphone where you are able to upload and share your disposal achievements with your friends.

Concrete Support

Waste Collector and Incinerator

Rubbish Scale

The base of the waste bin is bomb-proof designed and constructed of thick steel. The waste is incinerated, compacted and stored here after passing through the scale.

Once the bin is full, a disposal company is alerted for quick and efficient waste removal.

Rubbish Bin Axonometric page | 9

Wood Canopy

Interactive Screen

Concrete Support

Rubbish Scale

Rubish

Rubbish Bin Section page | 10

LO nDO n Nuisa nces

The Urban Fox

The Pigeon Infestation

It has been well known and documented

Europe has been plagued with this urban

that the urban fox has been pillaging the

burden that seems to be in every view.

variety of foods.

streets of London since the 1940’s.

Pigeons have rapidly spread to almost

Opportunistic beasts

London is currently home to approximately

looking for quick and easy

10,000 urban foxes. Many of these

meals without much work or

creatures lurk in alleyways and journey

The practical solution put forward in this

streets in search of scraps of food or a

journal is an important one because it

place to sleep. Most Londoners try to

allows working Londoners to enjoy a

Latin: Columba

either completely avoid or pay no attention

moment of life without having to look at the

to these beasts; either because of lack of

unfavorable flares of city life.

Pigeons primarily eat seeds

empathy or fear of harm.

Red Fox Latin: Vulpes vulpes Omnivorous mammals capable of eating a large

effort.

Pigeon

every corner of the City and they degrade

The enormous mesh netting system allows

and fruits.

Pigeons build relatively loose nests made from sticks and debris found from trees, on ledges, or on the ground.

any area they occupy.

The animals have become a nuisance and

for complete and total protection. It will

have no consideration for the residents of

cover all potential sites of pigeon intrusion

the City. Eliminating these street dwellers

in order to guarantee there is no possibility

is not a practical solution to this problem

for pests to sleep, rest, or eat.

and rather more humane matters must be considered.

Fortunately there is a solution that will not only remove these pests from the street, but will also put their exotic nature on display.

Knapton, Sarah. “Londoners Call in Snipers to Shoot Dangerous Urban Foxes.” The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 8 Dec. 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.

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urban beast Fox sake page | 13

Strategy One: Relocate the urban fox outside City limits to a new location more suited for the beast.

p es t mesh

Strategy Two: Install a number of anti-pest nets to cleanse public areas of unwanted guests.

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Nuis a nce [f ox s a k e ]

LO nDO n

Fox Entry

Viewing Platform

Rainwater Collection

Location The Fox reserve is located outside the boundaries of the City of London and within the limits of Hyde

Fox Entry

Park in Westminster.

Purpose The intention is to remove the undesired urban foxes from the City in a humane manner in order to allow them to exist in an area more suited for them.

Fox Den page | 15

Feeding Station

Underground Tunnels

Feeding Station

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Nuis a nce [f ox s a k e ]

LO nDO n

One-Way Entry Door

Viewing Platform

Current Issue

Relocation

The City of London is not a favorable habitat scavenging creatures that can only feed themselves on food scraps and sifting through trashcans.

Instead of exterminating these creatures, it is simply suggested to relocate this species to a more appropriate environment location where they will not disturb anyone.

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Feeding Station

The Fox Enclosure Hyde Park has the acreage for the beasts to exist without interfering in society and also allow the public to observe them with proper precaution. Those willing to look at the varmint can observe them from above through a glass floor that provides visibility to the den.

The scavenging beasts have the right to live in London but it is in everyone’s best interest to allow them to live in an environment that keeps everyone safe. page | 18

Nuis a nce [p es t me sh]

LO nDO n Location

These benches are located in George Yard.

Material Protective steel cable netting prevents pests from resting or sleeping on public benches.

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Nuis a nce [p es t me sh]

LO nDO n Location

Cowper’s Court EC3V 3NB United Kingdom Purpose The Pest Mesh hinders the ability of varmint to pick at and eat the trash around the Square Mile.

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LOnDOn inf orm at ion The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation. We

R

ecently the journal was approached

faces and devices who walk through it or

by The City of London Corporation to

within its proximity. Beacon provides this

offer suggestions for solutions to clarify

service in order to provide user specific

and streamline the methods of information

information and allow the Corporation to

delivery throughout the Square Mile.

prepare for the future of the City.

The dense network of infrastructure

The hubs will be situated in some of the

paired with the culturally rich and historic

most highly trafficked areas of the Square

architecture and monuments make

Mile in order to help the greatest amount

navigating and education of the city of

of Londoners and visitors. Placement of

London rather difficult. Signage and

the hubs beneath Temple Bar or within

centre.

information has been reported to be too

the bank intersection provides optimal

small and hard to identify among the vast

convenience for the pedestrian and large

Role 2 is to work in

array of visual clutter. As a result, people

groups of people to obtain information.

partnership with local

wander lost through the streets in pursuit

The Beacon’s soft but noticeable glow and

communities to increase

of their destination. The Corporation

considerable size will ensure that the hub

wishes to gather information on and

will not be overlooked.

have a special role and wide remit that goes beyond that of an ordinary local authority with three main roles.

Role 1 is to support and promote London as the world’s leading international financial and business

skills, employment and opportunities for all Londoners.

understand the needs and desires those who enter the City.

Users can simply walk up to the hub and ask a question from virtually any topic

Role 3 is to enhance the capital as a hub of culture,

In this contemporary world, the

such as dining, transportation, major

history and green spaces

Corporation strives to deliver a tailored

attractions, ATM locations, directions

for Londoners and visitors.

and sophisticated approach of information

and history of the city. The questions

to those who travel the City streets. The

and information gathered from or on the

information hub called Beacon is an

person will be processed and stored within

interactive, geometric, glowing hologram

the Corporation database.

“About Us.” City of London.

March 19, 2013. Accessed April 18, 2016. http://www. cityoflondon.gov.uk/about-

screen that scans and analyzes users

the-city

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the hub beacon

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Strategy: Introduce a new interface that serves the public and caters to the desires of the Londoner through gathered information.

beacon information Jeter Royshavski Pat Fesiks Alfredo Jerry Bobert Tramp

income

contact information

suggested shop

suggested restaurant

£365,000

jroy@gmail.com

Fortnum & Mason

The Savoy

£202,000

pfesiks@aol.com

Harvey Nichols

Galvin at Windows

£158,000

pata1@yahoo.com Harrods

Hakkasan

£65,000

tramp@hotmail.com Selfridges

Pied à Terre

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inf orm at ion [be acon]

LO nDO n Location

The interactive screen lies in the Bank intersection and is surrounded by the Bank of England, Mansion House and the Royal Exchange.

Purpose The large and colorfully transparent information hubs allow for easy visibility and are shaped based on location.

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inf orm at ion [be acon]

LO nDO n Location

Temple Bar lies between the Southwest corner of Paternoster Square and the Northwest corner of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Purpose The interactive screen provides a wi-fi hotspot and information node for visitors in some of the most popular places in the Square Mile.

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LO nDO n P UBL IC/green SPACE The City has a variety of parks within its boundary.

Some are as follows:

T

he City of London has reached a

Instead of trying to remedy these

point of concern in regard to its public

unfortunate circumstances it may be

spaces that must be addressed and

practical to construct a new type of public

rectified to ensure that it does not chase

space made for to be inclusive to the

Garden, London Wall

away the desirable the hard-working and

faithful patrons of the city.

Cleary Garden, Queen

beacon of London in the first place.

Barber-Surgeon’s Hall

driven classes that have made the City the This new network of public space would utilize the unused or forgotten spaces

Victoria Street

Public spaces in the Square Mile are

around the city that we will refer to as the

under-performing assets, because the

pocket spaces. The pocket spaces are

Corporation allows for the masses to take

the inner alleyways and open air cores of

advantage of these spaces. This issue

the City that are generally uneventful and

Jubilee Garden,

is unique to the City in that it does not

through spaces for many travelers. These

Houndsditch

have space to accommodate large parks

urban cavities are rich with rooftops, tall

that allow for healthy distances between

vertical faces, and unique niche spaces.

Finsbury Circus, Blomfield Street/London Wall/ Moorgate

groups and peoples.

These spaces would be fit with a variety One can no longer enjoy The City’s

of plantings such as trees, grasses,

intimate public spaces without some form

bushes, flowers and a variety of public

of disruption from those of more modest

amenities and seating spanning from the

means. The snores of the dispossessed

alley floor to other vertical and horizontal

gentleman resting on a bench may

planes above. Anyone can enjoy these

go unnoticed to the exhausted nanny

open public spaces with a simple weekly

watching after her ill-behaved clients,

association payment that goes towards the

but both of these individuals disturb the

upkeep and preservation of the quality of

healthy and productive silence of those

the space.

trying to enjoy a moment of meditation.

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green ‘16 p l at f orm public space

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Strategy One: Integrate new designed public spaces into the dense urban fabric in order to better the quality of living in the City of London.

P ock e t Gr een Space

Strategy Two: Take advantage of the underutilized spaces in order to bring green space to the high density urban environment.

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p ubl ic space [p l at f orm]

LO nDO n Location

Temple Church Courtyard, Temple, London EC4Y 7BB. Dimensions 10x10 ft.

Materials Glass cube box, elevated marble backlit steps and platform with velvet matting.

Strategy Passive lighting, heating and cooling strategy.

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p ubl ic space [p l at f orm]

LO nDO n Location

Temple Church Courtyard, Temple, London EC4Y 7BB. Dimensions 10x10 ft.

Materials Glass cube box, elevated marble backlit steps and platform with velvet matting.

Strategy Passive lighting, heating and cooling strategy.

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green space [p ock e t ]

LO nDO n Location

Cowper’s Court EC3V 3NB United Kingdom Vegetation Vertical garden, vines, bushes and shrubs, flowers, and trees.

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LO nDO n conges t ion The City of London Corporation uses the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 and other road traffic laws to make Traffic Management Orders (TMOs) which

I

n

recent

history,

navigation

through

charge in the City has been useful at

the City of London been found to be

reducing the number of automobiles by the

cumbersome and rather time consuming by

underrescourced, but it cannot solve issues

those who desire to move with purpose.

that come with a medieval urban fabric.

Simply put, London has become so large

regulate the movement of

The great kings and nobility of England

and crowded that new ways of thinking

traffic and parking within the

once moved by horse and carriage while

about congestion must be created.

City of London.

the common man navigated the region by

A TMO can be permanent, temporary or experimental.

foot. The revolutionary invention known as

The

introduction

of

the

Midground

the automobile operated at an esteemed

transportation system may hold the key to

level above the horse and carriage; but

solving the congestion and transportation

as its popularity increased, it descended

issue that has plagued London.

to the level of common technology. As it

Midground is a new form of transportation

would be, the trends of preferred movement

that adheres to the pedestrian lifestyle

have changed from the automobile back to

and reduces the dependency on the

the common man’s way of maneuvering the

automobile. By simple use of the premium,

streetscape.

paid, contactless Pearl Card, Londoners

The

and visitors will have access to a pedestrian Since the passing of the last millennium,

mover. This conveyor belt operates at the

London saw a growth in population from

ground level and bends beneath street

around 7 million in 2000 to over 8.5 million

intersections to allow for uninterrupted and

in 2016.

The once open space of the

timely movement. It will cater to those who

sidewalk has been taken over by the ever-

desire to move with speed and comfort in

growing number of daily commuters and

order to bypass the congestion problems

laborers.

caused by the underresourced citizen

The streets of the City are no

better as they are overpopulated with an

above.

increased number of cars, buses, taxis, and bikes. The addition of the congestion

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mid ground You cannot get a Pearl card with a discounted child-rate Travelcard or Bus & Tram Pass from Pearl online.

There will be a ÂŁ25.00 refundable deposit on new Pearl cards.

Pearl Pearl is the first tier payment card that allows for general access through the Midground.

Allows for access to the Midground transportation system from 07:00-17:00.

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Oyster Underground Daily Anytime

Zone 1 only Zones 1-2 Zones 1-3 Zones 1-4 Zones 1-5 Zones 1-6 Zones 1-7 Zones 1-8 Zones 1-9

Daily Off-peak

7 Day

Monthly

Annual

£12.10 £12.10 £32.40 £124.50 £1,296 £12.10 £12.10 £32.40 £124.50 £1,296 £12.10 £12.10 £38.00 £146.00 £1,520 £12.10 £12.10 £46.50 £178.60 £1,860 £17.20 £12.10 £55.20 £212.00 £2,208 £17.20 £12.10 £59.10 £227.00 £2,364 £21.70 £12.90 £64.20 £246.60 £2,568 £21.70 £12.90 £75.90 £291.50 £3,036 £21.70 £12.90 £84.20 £323.40 £3,368

Pearl Midground Pearl+ 10% Extra

Zone 1 only Zones 1-2 Zones 1-3 Zones 1-4 Zones 1-5 Zones 1-6 Zones 1-7 Zones 1-8 Zones 1-9

Daily Anytime

Daily Off-peak

7 Day

Monthly

Annual

£20.50 £20.50 £45.20 £145.50 £1,400 £20.50 £20.50 £45.20 £145.50 £1,422 £20.50 £20.50 £50.00 £170.00 £1,650 £20.50 £20.50 £56.50 £200.00 £1,975 £28.00 £20.50 £65.20 £235.00 £2,315 £28.00 £20.50 £69.10 £250.00 £2,470 £30.50 £22.90 £74.10 £270.60 £2,675 £30.50 £22.90 £85.40 £315.50 £3,145 £30.50 £22.90 £94.20 £350.40 £3,475

Pearl+ Pearl+ is the second tier premium payment card that allows for prioritized access through the Midground.

Allows for 24-hour access to the Midground transportation system of London.

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LO nDO n hou sing [mid ground ]

existing problem The existing system is troubled by an overwhelming amount of pedestrians constantly traveling in and out of the city.

The sidewalk congestion is only going to get worse as the population continues to grow.

The current method of pedestrian circulation is inconvenient and unsafe.

Practical solution The new design reduces congestion by introducing a new form of transportation that is quicker and requires less effort.

By riding the Midground, Pearl Card members can enjoy traveling throughout the city without the hassle of walking through turbulent crowds.

The new addition allows for pedestrians to travel comfortably and securely with speed and no danger from vehicle traffic.

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Intersection Traffic Currently, intersections are a nightmare. There are too many people, bikes, cars, and buses always trying to go out of line because they think they have the right of way.

Intersection Traffic Congestion is drastically reduced at intersections by removing two lanes and moving pedestrian traffic below ground.

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LO nDO n hou sing [mid ground ]

Practical solution Mid-Ground Function The system extends throughout the city and connects areas that were once separated by busy streets.

The goal of the Midground is to reduce the amount of congestion by providing an alternate way to travel with efficiency, safety and speed.

Technical details The conveyer belt method is designed to move at a constant speed and is wide enough to accommodate two lanes of pedestrian traffic.

The elegant structure helps traffic transition from above to below and back to above ground with minimal disruption to the existing view of the streetscape.

Midground Entrance Detail

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Entry and Exit To use the Midground, simply scan the Pearl or Pearl+ Card at any contactless entry gate, proceed down the escalator and begin the simple and leisurely move to your destination. Exiting the Midground is simply done by scanning the Pearl or Pearl+ Card on the contactless exit gate.

Escalators There are escalators at each end of intersections to move people down below the street and then back up to the street level.

Escalator Detail

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LO nDO n HOUSING The lack of supply has pushed prices up for both sale and rent, in fact research by Savills predicts that house prices will increase 19.3% over the next 5 years.

T

he topic of housing within the City of

incorporate pleasurable and affordable

London has continually resurfaced

living beneath the urban fabric.

This

into the public conversation. The Barbican

proposition allows for those with constrained

Estate and Golden Lane Estate currently

living means to live within proximity to the

make up a large portion of the living

metropolis core and place of employment.

opportunities with the rest being dotted

Those in “culturally deprived environments”

around the urban center, but at a population

are afforded prime locations just beneath

The focus of the current

just over 7,000, there are not a enough

the street but for only a fraction of what it

government is on helping

places for everyone to live.

This select

would cost to live on the upper level of a

quantity of residential living paired with the

highrise. This solution is positive because

modest pricing of each property has been

it brings both cultural and economic groups

a gripe for those who do not enjoy stylish

together in ways that are currently not

exclusivity.

possible. This solution embraces the value

Londoners to own their own homes. But with an average income in London of £33,000 a year many people cannot afford to save

of culture and ensuring a shared sense of

for a deposit. We recently discovered prices for shared

The rise in housing cost has begun to expel

ownership properties go as

the lower classes from the city. As a result,

high as £750,000, so it’s easy to see why there are a lot of people who can’t afford to buy.

place in a growing European metropolis.

the City of London is facing immense

For those who can afford a more lavish

political pressure to create more affordable

living experience the Barbican solution

housing options.

will provide more than double the amount of units that are currently available at

Fortunately, there is a quite simple and

the estate.

This suggestion resolves the

straightforward solution that will aid the

unnecessary spaces within the Barbican

“underresourced” populations that exist

floor plans in a way that brings more people

throughout the city.

into the City.

Rather than building or extending structures into the sky it may be more pragmatic to

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Mile living Strategy One: Re-Examine the organization of existing housing complexes in order to maximize efficiency.

ba rbica n

The Barbican Estate was constructed between 1965 and 1976 by Architects Bon and Powell Chamberlin. It is adjacent to the Barbican Art Center, the Museum of London, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and the Barbican Public Library. Today it is one of the major nodes for residential living within the City of London.

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Strategy Two: Construct additional living structures around

refl ec t ion

the city core to bring people downtown.

H o us i n g o pt i o ns w i t hi n t h e Ci t y of Lo n d o n a r e f a r a n d few b et we e n f o r m o st t h at c r ave ‘ t h e Ci t y Li fe’.

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LO nDO n hou sing [b a r bic a n ]

Practical solution

Storage Fold Out Bed

Rest and Work Space The lofted space above organizes a private and isolated space for residents.

Glass

Frosted Glass

Privacy Wall Work Desk

The lofted space is outfitted with a bed and folding desk/table for residents to work.

Pocket Door

Hygiene and Kitchen This public area provides a fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, range, oven, and sink.

Sink Range/Oven

Located within proximity to the kitchen is the bathroom which includes a toilet and standing shower.

Shower

Refrigerator

Dimensions This compact unit maximizes efficiencies within the home environment.

At 225 cubic feet this unit spans 4 feet wide by 7 feet long for a total of 28 square feet. The 8 foot high ceiling allows for comfortable living.

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Toilet

Toilet

2’

4’ Kitchen 2’

Shower Ladder

Unit Plan The unit layout pushes the private spaces to the back and the efficient and compact floor plan allows for easy maintenance.

Section of the Hygiene Area

Section of the Kitchen and Work Area

The water tanks and water lines are all built into the wall to maximize the use of the space.

By locating the living and work areas above, the unit takes advantage of commonly wasted vertical space. page | 54

LO nDO n hou sing [b a r bic a n ]

Practical solution

<5 people - ÂŁ3,000 per month per person

page | 55

>50 people - ÂŁ300 per month per person

page | 56

LO nDO n hou sing [b a r bic a n ]

existing problem 01

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02/03/04

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Bedroom Dining Room Living Room Kitchen Bathroom

Blake Tower

Lauderdale Tower

The 17 storey tower, that forms part of Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brutalist Barbican Estate, was bulit in 1968 by architects Chamberlin, Powell and Bon.

The 41 storey tower is located at the intersection of Aldersgate Street and Beech Street. The tower sits at the northwest corner of the Barbican Estate.

The building has 74 residences and received a Grade II listing in 2001.

02 03 04

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01 05 01

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04

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page | 57

01 02 03 04 05

Bedroom Dining Room Living Room Kitchen Bathroom

Practical solution

Blake Tower

Lauderdale Tower

As of April 2016, a 579 square foot flat on the 7th floor of the Blake Tower is can be purchased for ÂŁ875,000.

As of April 2016, an unfurnished flat on the 26th floor of the Lauderdale Tower will cost ÂŁ3,445 per month.

page | 58

LO nDO n hou sing [r ef l ec t ion ]

practical solution

Surface Entrance

Underground

Lift

Flat

Pile Cap page | 59

underground and Surface connection

Taking advantage of the underutilized space below ground, this design doubles the amount of housing in the City by creating comfortable, pleasurable, and affordable living beneath the existing urban fabric.

This urban living condition exists in harmony with existing buildings by existing in just below the surface. These underground flats and condos come with the added benefit of being adjacent to the existing underground stops. The dream of Londoners to have immediate transportation right outside oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doorstep is reality with this new, innovative, underground living.

foundation and structure

This proposition allows for those with constrained living means to live in close proximity to the core of London. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Reflectionâ&#x20AC;? living provides six elevator and structure cores that breach the surface for entrance/exit in easily accessible locations.

page | 60

LO nDO n hou sing [r ef l ec t ion ]

Housing Adjacent to Tube Line

page | 61

page | 62

pas t editions S P E C I A L E D I T I O N / J U N E 2015

S TA N DA R D E D I T I O N / A PR I L 2015

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 08

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 03

Tower of Hamlets Pr ac t ical ‘SOL U T IONS’

Zzzzzz...

Sleep

This naturally occurring condition of the body and mind is reexamined through rigourous inquir y into the consciousness.

A resurgence in the study of sleep in We s t m i n s t e r h a s i n s p i r e d f u r t h e r s t u d y i n t h e b e n e f i t s o f r e s t a n d t h e w ay s p e o p l e s l e e p. T h e f i n d i n g s a r e s h a r e d through a series of literar y and scholarly

Pr a c t i c a l ‘ S o l u t i o n s ’ e x a m i n e s t h e e x t e n s i v e a n d s c h o l a r l y

publishings.

science of the banquet. The lost ar t of the formal evening dining experience is undergoing unforeseen revival in contemporar y London for a new generation of people.

_Wes t mins t er

M o n t h s o f c o m p l e x r e s e a r c h h ave c u l m i n a t e d i n a s e r i e s o f publications that analyze the ‘proper ’ order of the banquet a n d t h e s o c i a l r e a s o n s f o r w h y g r o u p s g a t h e r.

Pr ac t ical ‘SOL U T IONS’

t h e

b l a c k

e d i t i o n

t he bl a ck edi t ion

sl eep

The lost art of the formal evening dining experience is undergoing unforeseen revival in contemporary London for a new generation of people.

Sleep: this naturally occurring condition of the body and mind is reexamined through rigourous inquiry into the consciousness.

Months of complex research have culminated in a series of publications that analyze the core of the architecture profession and its direct relationship to the ‘proper’ order of the banquet.

Resurgence in the study of sleep in Westminster has inspired further study in the benefits of rest and the ways people sleep. The findings are shared through a series of literary and scholarly publishings.

The scientific research has been extensively thorough as to not overlook any potential side-effects.

page | 63

S TA N DA R D E D I T I O N / AU G U S T 2015

STANDAR D E DITION / JANUARY 2016

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 10

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 2

M a k ing s ou t hwa rk usef ul aga in

Kensing ton - Chelsea Pr ac t ical ‘SOL U T IONS’

Southwark P r ac t ica l ‘SOL U T IONS’

Pretend your Problems Away

A lt er n at e P er sp ec t i v e

T he Unseen

Blurring the ambiguous line between what is and what isn’t, researchers in the borough have been working hard to remove themselves from the constraints that come with working in a real environment in order to study a fictional realm where architecture and interior design can work together in harmony.

Scientists have been working hard to discover areas, both large and small, of the borough that have any amount of architectural value or significance.

This exploration into uncharted territory seeks to uncover a hidden beauty where there clearly is none.

page | 64

c r i tic al r ev ie w s “The ar ticles in Practical ‘Solutions’ ask big questions about democracy and capitalism that interest just about ever yone. The journal ser ves a vital role in reaching across disciplines a n d h e l p i n g to c o u n te r t h e exc es s i ve s p e c i a l iza t i o n o f t h e m o d e r n a c a d e m i c wo r l d .”

Mark A. Smith, University of Washington

“Practical ‘Solutions’ has ar ticles of unusual range and richness. It is a must for ideahu n g r y p o l i t i c a l s c i e n t i s ts .”

D a v i d M a y h e w , Ya l e U n i v e r s i t y

“A n exc e l l e n t p u b l i c a t i o n .”

Anthony Giddens, London School of Economics

“ I n t e r e s t i n g a n d c o n t rove r si a l .”

R o b e r t E . L a n e , Ya l e U n i v e r s i t y

“I read

P r a c t i c a l ‘ S o l u t i o n s ’ r e g u l a r l y. I f i n d i t o n e o f t h e m o r e i n t e r e s t i n g j o u r n a l s t h e s e d ay s b e c a u s e i t i s s c h o l a r l y,q u i r k y, a n d u n p r e d i c t a b l e .”

Daniel Bell, American Academy of Ar ts and Sciences

“ Pr a c t i c a l ‘ S o l u t i o ns’ i s t h e b es t - e d i te d j o u r na l i n p o l i t i c a l s c i e n c e, b a r n o n e.”

M a r t i n S h e f t e r, C o r n e l l U n i v e r s i t y