Project 2.3 - Junction Theatre by Alistair Hume

2.3

junctiontheatre alistair hume

introduction

01 introduction 02

site analysis

initial concepts

precedent in metabolism

developped concepts

the junction theatre

technical drawings

19 tecnlology 25

the future of metabolism 2.0

bibliography

reflection

As resoucre scarcity and climate change raise questions as to the sustainability of our civilisation, the long term role of buildings is called into question. To save energy and materials, our current building stock is increasingly being rennovated and updated as opposed to demolished. Architects seek to extend the life of current buildings, and develop new architectures that are able to stay relevant amidst the erosive current of progress. The question of rennovation and the long term is at the core of the project; it explores a means to supercede its initial cultural and programataic brief, whilst providing a spacial experience that enables and progresses the delicate culture of one of Manchesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most infamous wards.

hulme in flux history

Since the Industrial Revolution, Hulme has been developped, destroyed and redevelopped several times.

figure ground 1880

Each time the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s problems have become too great or too expensive, Hulme has been redevelopped. It has been a repository for industrial workers, a low cost neighbourhood for post industrial Manchester and a test subject for 1950s Utopian ideologies. Its most recent redevelopment has seen gradual gentrification and efforts to reconnect with outlying social and cultural demographics. figure ground 1910 However, each time that Hulme is wiped clean, its culture is displaced and fractured; the relationship between inhabitants and infrastructure is destroyed, and the area may attract different demographics after rebuilding. As such, Hulme today bears very little infrastructural, social or cultural relation to Hulme in the 19th Century.

figure ground 1990

figure ground 2013

sunshine hours per day

climate As with most low-altitude British climates, the area will experience a moderate temperature spectrum. Similary, the scheme will have to accommodate moderate rainfall throughout the year. At a micro-level, the site has some protection from the sun during mid day, with exposure in the morning and afternnon. During the winter months, the site is moderately shielded from surrounding buildings.

average rainfall per month

high and low temperatures

summer solstice sunrise

summer solstice high noon

summer solstice sunset

winter solstice sunrise

winter solstice high noon

winter solstice sunset

a window to the past

the playhouse

The playhouse is noteworthy as one of the only buildings that has survived the successive â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;clean slateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; schemes that have seen Hulme almost completely re-written several times. As such, it exists as a snapshot into past versions of Hulme. The many previous rennovations have left layers of programatic residue, and hint at the previous cultural uses of the building.

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RESPONSE TO BRIEF INITIAL CONCEPTS

The relationship between the Playhouse and the new building has been key in the design process. Initial concepts moved from a juxtapositional relationship between old and new to one of symbiosis. The new space was envisioned as a glimpse into the future of performance that was interwoven with the traditional performance space of the theatre; the idea of a Junction between old and new was formalised, where Hulmeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history met with its future. The program was fused between the two buildings, to create a space that encapsulated the essence of performance culture across the ages.

arro

study into modularity PRECEDENT in japanese metabolism

Hulmeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social and cultural flux means that the requirements of the building may change as time passes, and the area is further developped or wiped clean again. How does one sustainably cater for such a rapidly changing culture, and create a building that can stretch and rework itself to meet a range of requirements? The Japansese Metabolists envisioned the urban fabric as a constantly changing living organism, that should be able to update, repair and regenerate iteslf as components (infrastructure and buldings) become outdated. Their buildings were modular, and able to be customised and reassembled as time passed. When a component became outdated, it could be unbolted and replated. This modular language resulted in repitition of elements in plan and section, and a linear spacial logic. The success of the movement was ultimately diminished by the cost of updating and repducing components; it was not widely adopted enough to become cost effective. It also called into question issues of sustainability with regards to replacing components, instead of recycling or reusing them. However, the essence of the movement was inspiring, and relevant to the plight of Hulme. An infrastructure that could re purpose itself would negate the need to destroy Hulme agian.

the junction developped concept

This scheme is ultimately the synthesis of Hulmeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history and its future. By merging the new an existing building, the theatre can bridge the generations of cultural flux. The new building will conect to, and be built next to the Playhouse, and have a unified experience and program.

One is able to stand on either side of the Playhouseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s North East wall, which serves as the Junction between new and old. It becomes the meeting point between progressive and traditional, and acts as the control that unifies the building.

METABOLISM 2.0 The principles of Japanese Metabolism have been updated to account for the notion of sustainability and affect a greater flexibility. Instead of finished rooms, components that can fulil a variety of functions will be developped; partition walls, floor plates and envelope modules and other components can be assembled in different combinations to articulate different spaces.

assemble

As time pases, and the requirements of the building change, the same components can be reused in different orders, to update the function of the building for contemporary influences. Therefore, the parti concept of a moduar system that can be Assembled, Reassembled and Repurposed, underpins the large scale logic of this scheme

re-assemble

re-puropse

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

PRECEDENT: The subtle solar facade covers the glazed living area. At the right angle, the facade seems semi opaque, and a diffused glow, and blurred image of the interior is visible. This generates interest in the junction between interior and exterior. Similar to that above, perofrated metal is used to achieve visual penetration. Varying the pattern of perforation allows one to emboss an image into the diffused glow.

The Flat Pak House This modular system utilises a combination of beams and fixing panels, that can be assembled in a variety of combinations, to taylor and refine space as desired.

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The modular componennts to the right reflect early development. A steel frame system serves as the base to bolt on wall and floor panels, that allow one to partiton space according to the grid defined by the frame.

The new build’s plan was defined by the grid of the frame, as to where walls could be placed.

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The Junction between the old and new building was key to the experience of the space; to give a feeling that Hulme’s cultural history and future were connected, holes were punched through the Hippodrome’s facade, and spacially unified with the new build

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Resolving the plan with function was therefore defined by the structure. All 3 developped concurrently.

junctiontheatre

the performance spectrum The Junction Theatre places the visitor at the heart of the dialogue between the two halves fo the building. The reception atrium creates a wide channel betwen the rennovation and addition. The new build focusses on promoting and enabling cutting edge performance. The ground floor suite is dedicated to music production; a large performance and recording space is partnered with a vocal recording suite and editing facilities. The public cafe can become seating for performances, as one partition wall is able to retract, exposing the large performance room.

The upper floor enables digital media production, centred around video capture. The main suite can be arranged into filming sets, or can be used for green screen work. Users have complete control over natural and artificial lighting in the building through blinds, louvres and localised light sources. The creative mezzanine is an informal space for users to discuss, develop and review projects and engage with other users of the space. It can also double as a screening venue. The entire building connects to the old theatre, which retains its traditional function as a live performance venue.

creative mezzanine

film making suite, editing suite and props room

public cafe and reception atrium

music performance/recording main theatre

flexibile space The building embodies flexibility in program as wel as concept. Users are able to control the spatial environment, to affect experience, temperature or light levels for performance and production.

The rotatable louvres, embedded blinds in the windows allow one to black out interior space if needed. The metal facade panels, made of perforated blackened aluminium can be opened and closed, allowing for one to choose between diffused ambient light, or direct solar exposure.

solar louvres: closed

embedded blind detail

solar louvres: open

examining the junction

The playhouseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s North East wall serves as the main channel of vertical circulation. Twinned staircases on either side of the wall mirror each other, and filter of into the building. This Junction represents the symbolic starting point of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey into the building.

underlying grid of landscape and new build

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urban landscape

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Hulme is in a transition phase between masterplans at the moment. There are several disused fields and empty lots that serve little assigned function, despite their potential as parkland The landscape strategy acts as a processional channel through the site and into the Theatre. Benches, bike stands, and strips of grass create paths and respites. This gives the surrounding area an urban green space that can be used independently of the theatre.

rennovate

update

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ground floor plan 1. draught lobby. 2. staff room. 3. music recording/editing room. 4. music performance/ recording room. 5. cafe 6. reception atrium 7. wc male 8. wc female 9. bar 10. kitchen 11. storage 12. seating area 13. main stage 14. backstage

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first floor plan 1. prop storage 2. editing suite 3. recording studio 4. creative mezzanine space 5. bridge over atrium 6. theatre seating 7. backstage

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second floor plan 1. circulation area 2. projection room 3. theatre seating area 4. wc male/female 5. storage 6. backstage

south east elevation

north east elevation 17

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tectonics and technology 19

sectional buildup opaque roof module

roof skylight module rotatable perforated mesh facade

aluminium wall panel module

exterior facade frame steel frame interior partition wall ground floor assembly floor module

insulated assembly cap sloped roof module cap roof module

interior wood fascia panel aluminium frame and 150mm insulation

70mm insulation

envelope cap aluminium rainscreen cladding

resin finish poured resin trough floor decking cross braced frame steel frame base

wall asembly side cap

perforated soffit

detail of a structural frame junction

frosted glass fascia

beam spacer plate

node

column decorateve fascia panel

frame node, column and beam PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT The entire structure is supported by a steel frame. As part of the modular experiment, the frame is standardised. The columns beams are connected through node units, as seen to the left. So that services can be ran through the beams, the nodes are hollow to allow for transition of ventilation and cables. Fascia panels cover exposed sides of the node. The services are also hidden behind frosted glass for exposed beams and columns. Diffused lighting units can be added behind the frosted glass.

ventelation channel cables and electrics

frosted glass fascia

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technical drawings skylight assembly

500 x 200 i beam PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

insulated envelope cap and gutter system

roof assembly detail 1:10

perforated steel soffit and led lighting assembly

sloped solid roof module

200mm insulation inside solid roof module

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isulated rotatable louvre

insulated thermal cap is sloped towards gutters roof perimeter

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envelope section 1:50

foundation and slab detail 1:10 beam and ventilation

150mm acid stained screed finsih

150mm insulation

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dpm

300mm concrete raft slab

side view of services trough in slab 1:10 steel rebar reinforcement concrete pile foundation block

ground

1. foundation slab is cast

2. ground floor framework assembled

construction sequence

conceptual sequential construction assembly

3. first floor assembly fixed

4. first floor framework assembled

5. roof system frames added

6. first part of roof modules added

7. interior walls and details added

8. roof system caps added

9. wall modules added and envelope sealed

11. facade panels fixed into place

10. facade frame assembled

safety zone

The new build will have low thermal inertia, but is highly insulated. It will draw heat from the Playhouse via heat exchange if needed, and can vent heat into the playhouse, or out of the top skylights.

00 safety zone

The skylight assembly can be use to control solar gain into the building, as seen to the right. The small side window allows a thermal stack effect, which can vent heat from both parts of the building via heat exchange.

safety zone

high thermal inertia low thermal inertia

fire and environmental strategies solar gain mode ventelation channel cables and electrics

louvres are angled to allow maximum light penetration, and facilitate solar gain

ambient light with heat venting

skylight vent open

beam assembly details 1:10 louvres are closed, blocking light from interior space

thermal stack enabled by window vent

solar block mode

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louvres are facing sun, bouncing ambient light into the space

in the future These images conceptually explore completely alternative configurations of the modular components. If the scheme were to gain momentum, the urban infrasctructure could be composed of compatable, interchangable parts that can be used and assembled as needed. This project could be seen as a devleopmental starting point for a a wider masterplan that could expand and diversify the selection of modules and aim towads a virtually mobile architectural infrastructure.

bibliography study into metabolism: project japan: an oral history of metabolism koolhaas, rem;obrist, hansolrich 2010 kisho kurokawa: metabolism and symiosis: kurokawa, kisho 2005 theatre design critical essays: theatre: building community and the public realm pfeffier, norman, 2000 twenty first challenges for the theatre architect stewart

group site analysis precedents study

texts used: introducing architectural theory smity, korydon; and associates 2012 new edition manchester claire hartwell 2005

building construction illustrated 4th edition ching, f. 2008 4th edition

journals used:

architectural review

architectural journal

architecture + urbanism miscellaneous:

the work of jean marc-emy and his city life project. a visual study into the retrospective legacy of metabolism had it succeeded as an international movement

evolo.us arch daily inhabitat deviant art

reflection

This project has required perception of Hulme in five dimensions; its past, present and future all play a vital role in defining my scheme. The Playhouseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gradual weathering from its initial construction (both physically and metaphysically), gave me concern for the future of the rennovation, and catalysed my interest in a mobile architectural typology. Detailing a project to work according to the brief, but also for a potentially infinite number of different briefs (reuse of the

modules), was challenging. If I were able to continue development of Modularity 2.0, many additional modules would benefit a wider adoption. I will leave this project with an altered perception of buildings; as mortal entities in an ever changing arhitectural landscape; as a flow of resources, that is either open or closed; as five dimensional objects that whose essence changes with their surroundings; as objects that have short and long term cultural importance.

I look forward to continuing my studies in the future.... Thanks for reading!

junctiontheatre

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