Architecture Portfolio
Selected works by
Andrew McClements andrewmcclements17@gmail.com 07311 848 546
Architecture Portfolio
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andrewmcclements17@gmail.com 07311 848 546
Hello! I have just completed my third year at the Welsh School of Architecture. I have worked on a variety of projects ranging from a timber high-rise in the dense urban context of the City of London, a concert hall within a site of heritage and a retrofit of a Victorian terrace establishing an arts quarter.
Additionally, I have participated in several architecture competition. A sustainable and contextual approach aims to underpin any design project.
Table of contents 04 - 17
Commons for the City Precariat (Third Year)
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Let it Grow! (Competition)
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House for an Artist: Developing a new Creative Centre for Roath (Second Year)
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Model Making
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Art and Photography
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Llandaff Concert Hall & Community Centre (Second Year)
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Architecture Portfolio
Commons for the City Precariat Project Date Location Programs
: Public Building : 2022 (Third Year) : City of London, UK : Rhino, VRay, Photoshop, Illustrator, AutoCAD
The chosen infill site responds to and counteracts Broadgate’s expanding privately-owned complex by providing a space and refuge for the precariat worker. I questioned whether an ‘urban commons’ can be introduced into the City of London - the Commons of the proposal comes from the need of its invisible workers and what they need most, giving back to the people than to City corporations.
Precariat workers within the City’s ‘gig-economy’ face high costs of childcare, in-work poverty, economic insecurity and multiple zero-hour jobs. Provided by a new City Trade Union, the project is funded by CIL contributions from the construction of buildings at Broadgate. Essential spaces such as for microwaving food are provided for workers and emergency accommodation is offered when workers really need it. A nursery provides daycare for children of City workers, formed as a courtyard above existing Crossrail infrastructure at the back of the site.
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The architecture of the proposal draws references from the City’s Livery Halls. The proposal acts as a new form of Livery Hall - one for the precariat worker. It also takes notions from the privatelyowned Sky Garden, where visitors can take the lift to the top. The café generates funding for the running of the building and is subsidised for workers. Unlike the Sky Garden, it is accessible to the precariat worker, and acts as the ‘public park’ they can quickly visit for lunch. Reintroducing public amenities incorporates further the proposition of developing a Commons, such as public toilets and cycle storage.
andrewmcclements17@gmail.com 07311 848 546
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Architecture Portfolio
Broadgate
Analogous Map Public space in the City has always been managed by the City of London Corporation. However, there has been a shift in the ownership of these spaces. Walking around the City signs appear informing you that CCTV is managed for LandSec or British Land. You may notice a security guard watching over the space. What differs these spaces are that they are privately-owned public spaces, known as POPs. These are public spaces with global corporations possessing ownership of them. POPs are carefully manicured spaces which have an apparent inclusivity, but access to these spaces is a privilege, unacknowledged by those who can use them. They are governed instead by corporate byelaws and the owner’s restrictions. These spaces are in many ways the manifestation of capitalism today, and this is one reason which led to the Occupy protests of 2011. Management closed off Paternoster Square in a dictatorial manner, placing railings across the square and security at all sides, as it is private property of the Mitsubishi Estate.
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andrewmcclements17@gmail.com 07311 848 546
The project aims to introduce an urban commons into a City of Privately-Owned Public Space
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Architecture Portfolio
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
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andrewmcclements17@gmail.com 07311 848 546
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Architecture Portfolio
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Nursery Courtyard The precariat worker of the City of London faces rising costs of daycare. The nursery is provided within the Commons to bring their children before starting work. The inclusion of a timber nursery and green space acts as a contrast to the opprosive, steel environment of the financial centre of London. The courtyard is created above the existing Crossrail infrastructure and ventilation tower. The playful arched entrances act as a reference to the courtyards of Livery Halls. The nursery is formed of a larger play space with a circular clerestory, and a two-storey teaching space.
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Architecture Portfolio
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Floor 4 1:100
1. Bedroom 2. Ensuite Bathroom 3. Communal Spaces 4. Private Seating ‘Pods’ 5. Stairs 6. Lift Shaft 7. Emergency Stair Shaft
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andrewmcclements17@gmail.com 07311 848 546
Shared Dining Spaces and Amenities for Heating Food Common spaces promote interaction between workers or simply as a place for gig-economy workers to charge their phone before continuing with their shift. Referencing the City’s Livery Halls, the staircase begins larger at the building’s entrance and decreases in size rising through the building approaching more private spaces. All floors are also easily connected through a lift and emergency stair shaft providing ease of access to workers. Small common spaces are found on both accommodation floors with access to seating, a microwave, a kettle and cutlery. Views expand towards the gardens of Finsbury Circus where workers can sit and relax.
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Architecture Portfolio PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Construction Detail
Elevation
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Plan 1:50
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andrewmcclements17@gmail.com 07311 848 546
Emergency Accommodation Accommodation is only needed when essential, such as a cleaner missing the last bus late at night, or after a tiring day of work of the gig-economy worker. Rooms are subsidised to workers as part of the trade union. It differs to a hostel and is respectful to an individual’s privacy with their own ensuite bathroom and space to relax. Bedrooms have a timber window seat which also acts as a table, and provides natural ventilation through timber louvres. The bedrooms are formed within the Glulam and CLT structure - expressed through exposing the columns and beams. The timber provides a warmth to the bedroom.
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Architecture Portfolio
The Great Hall The Great Hall takes reference from those found in Livery Halls. It is flexible like the spaces of Shibaura House. offering various functions such as performances, debates for the trade union, markets and shared dinners. The space can similarly be hired out which helps fund the running of the building through notions of a circular economy. A clerestory window is formed as the building reaches higher than its neighbour - which is distinctive in many Great Halls. A partition allows the hall to be split for multiple smaller activities, such as job training workshops or yoga sessions. An upper level to the Great Hall provides seating and control of lighting and as storage.
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andrewmcclements17@gmail.com 07311 848 546
The Conservatory Due to the low-rise height of its immediate context, the proposal rises above the neighbouring buildings, so visitors can take advantage of the views on offer on the top floors. This provides a public function for the building. It can be used by both workers and the general public. It takes notions from the privately-owned Sky Garden, where visitors can take the lift to the top. The café generates funding for the running of the building and is subsidised for workers. It is accessible to the precariat worker, and acts as the ‘public park’ they can visit and go for lunch. The Conservatory acts similarly to the Barbican’s Conservatory with lush plants.
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Architecture Portfolio
House for an Artist: Developing a new Creative Centre for Roath Project Date Client Location Programs
: Retrofit : 2020 (Second Year) : Artist : Cardiff, UK : SketchUp, Photoshop, AutoCAD
A Victorian retrofit project for an artist as well as architectural interventions of the nearby alleyway to promote a local art scene
Over the last decade, government arts funding has fallen by 35%, yet we cannot ignore the importance of the arts and its impact on the community. Art spaces and community projects are disappearing, underfunded or at risk (particularly during COVID-19) so there is a need to reinstate and bring arts to everyone. The scheme is a retrofit of a Victorian terraced house, to house an artist and her children for both living and working.
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The project also aims to develop a new cultural and creative hub for Cardiff. The project involved taking an in-depth survey of measurements of the existing house, in order to produce floor plans and sections. Doing this allowed me to understand the house’s structure, nature of construction and important details, as well as what could be improved. The decorative Victorian façade has been retained.
andrewmcclements17@gmail.com 07311 848 546
Mapping public spaces in relation to site
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Architecture Portfolio
An intervention of a pergola structure in the alleyway creates a threshold and becomes a space for locals to display their artwork. It is well connected to the workshop space behind the house.
A large glass window allows users of the alleyway to see the client’s work. Local artwork can be presented between the pergola frame. A window opening to the kitchen cuts into the side elevation allowing the client to serve refreshments to users in the alleyway during events. Such interventions like this can continue and expand across the entire alleyway. More houses and gardens can be retrofitted to become spaces of art, music, dance, teaching and more. The alleyway becomes a thriving street and cultural hub.
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Architecture Portfolio
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Architecture Portfolio
Day
Moving glass roof feature and shutters
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A workshop space within a courtyard allows the artist to teach students outside, yet the client can move a timber-framed glass envelope over the courtyard when required. Large glass doors welcome users from the connecting alleyway to enter the workshop, without the need of entering through the private, front of the house. If the client wishes, the public can enter her kitchen and gallery space of her ground floor.
andrewmcclements17@gmail.com 07311 848 546
Night
At night, the client can cover the courtyard for safety and warmth. This glass feature can also glow like a beacon, acting at the heart of the community as a hub of arts. The client can do this at any time or day, particularly due to Cardiff’s rainy climate. There is also great potential for this space to become a thriving exhibiton and event space during the evening where the community can gather.
Being located at the side of an alleyway, it was also important to utilise this space. It frequently connects users, acting as nodes of intersection between streets. Yet it is built informally, with a mix of auxiliary structures and ad hoc materials. The alleyway feels dilapidated yet has the potential become a beautiful part of the city. There is a cluster of art galleries which can be connected through this alleyway.
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Llandaff Concert Hall & Community Centre Project Date Client Location Programs
: Concert Hall/Residence : 2021 (Second Year) : National Youth Arts Wales : Llandaff, Cardiff, UK : Rhino, Photoshop, Illustrator, AutoCAD
A new centre for the arts combines performance spaces for music and dance, communal spaces for locals to interact as well as a residency for students enrolled on the National Youth Arts Wales programme. It aims to become a focal point of the town and an attraction for visitors, to engage with and respect the historic value of Llandaff and its cathedral.
The scheme aims to be sustainable with entirely timber framed structures and features of passive design. The proposal relies heavily on the concept of being multi-functional, so that it can be used by the entire community at a variety of times. For example, the concert hall’s seats can be taken away to form a large open space for events. The nearby school also benefits from dance and rehearsal spaces. There is a particular aim to establish a relationship and language with Llandaff Cathedral.
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Clerestory
Cloister
Layout
Bell Tower
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Architecture Portfolio
Introducing a sense of theatrics from entrance The diagrid roof produces a spotlight effect and creates dramatic shadows through most of the day. Whilst the concert hall is the main point of focus for the user, the large atrium foyer space introduces a sense of theatrics from entry. The passage between the two grand staircases begins a journey that passes through historic castle ruins and gardens, leading to the concert hall.
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At the same time, the foyer is part of a spacious public building offering a variety of uses for the National Youth Arts of Wales, the nearby Cathedral School as well as the residents of Llandaff. The open ground floor is held by columns likened to the layout of the cathedral. One side is distinctly for services and the other as a café. Above, studios for dance and music are offered.
andrewmcclements17@gmail.com 07311 848 546
CLT Roof
Glulam Roof Structure
Glulam Beam and Column Structure
Structural and Lift Core, Stairs
Concrete Foundations
Structural Axonometric of the ‘Public Building’ CLT panels and floor not shown
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Architecture Portfolio
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1. Roof Synthetic sealing layer Metal foil gutter Min. 120 mm EPS insulation to falls Vapour barrier 100mm 3-layer CLT floor panel 100mm mineral wool insulation 100mm 3-layer CLT floor panel 300x250 primary Glulam beams 200x130 secondary Glulam beams
2. Wall 25mm timber cladding 50mm cavity Breather membrane 60mm OPTIM-R rigid vacuum insulation panel (Kingspan) Vapour control layer 130mm 3-layer CLT panel
3. Between Floors Vinyl (Marley) floor finish 25mm dry screed elements 20mm sound insulation (Isover Acoustic EP3) 60mm cardboard and sand layer (Fermacell Honeycomb) Trickling protection (Kraft paper) Thermoblock at wall junction 100m 3-layer CLT panel
4. Junction Above 25mm timber claddin 50mm cavity Breather membrane 60mm OPTIM-R rigid panel (Kingspan) Vapour control layer 250x300 Glulam beam Rigid insulation French window triple aluminium frame
e Glass ng
d vacuum insulation
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e glazing in timber-
andrewmcclements17@gmail.com 07311 848 546
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5. Floor Terracotta tile finish 80mm heating screed (around underfloor heating) Separating layer 30mm footfall sound insulation 70mm insulating fill Aluminimum laminated bitumen sheeting, bitumen coating 300mm reinforced concrete ground slab
6. Drainage Drainage channel 7. Interior Wall 220mm 5-layer CLT panel 8. Balcony Timber handrail`
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Architecture Portfolio
Section AA
Section BB
Section CC
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andrewmcclements17@gmail.com 07311 848 546
Llandaff Tower iB shops Palace, Cardiff
Approaching the Tower The tower acts as a folly within the gardens of the Bishop’s Palace. The path approaching the tower is similar to the existing paving of the palace and directs the user to the tower steps.
Engaging with the Ruins Walking up the tower allows the user to walk next to the historic walls of the castle. Each step takes the visitor closer to light and views. A short bridge connects the tower to the concert hall.
A View of Llandaff Reaching the top provides visitors with a panoramic view of Llandaff and the Welsh hills. The viewpoint also allows users to observe the musicians and performers below. The views of the nature, the cathedral and the sounds of the orchestra create a special experience for visitors.
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Architecture Portfolio
Let it Grow! Project Project Year Type Client Award Co-authors
: Sanctuary for School : 2021 : Competition Entry : Lakeside Primary School : Winning Proposal : Aleksandra Banas, Felix Storer, Zsofi Veres
Group Competition: Let it Grow! is a space to retreat which accommodates for a range of feelings that children can experience while in school - both positive and negative. This simple unit-based design creates a variety of spaces with different levels of privacy addressing the need of all children, from private pods to gardening spaces and amphitheatres. Private pods are reliefs from the every day life of school; the semi-public area in between the mounds is a place to interact with nature; the public area encourages interactions between kids from the school promoting peer support and collaborative activities. Thanks to the unit-based design of the structure, the scheme can be easily replicated around the UK and beyond.
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Scan for construction video https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=3OoUAZF0FdA
andrewmcclements17@gmail.com 07311 848 546
Interactive space
Transitional space
Explorative space
Reflective space
Incorporating common activities as gathering, learning in the amphitheatre and gardening.
Allowing movement between public and semi-private spaces; and hosting activities for children to play and relax.
Engaging with nature thorugh climbing and walking.
Relaxing and sheltering from the everyday life while being able to watch the world go by.
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School building
Sport fields
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Plan
Section AA’
Section BB’
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Architecture Portfolio
Model Making Replicating an interior painting through model making The 1:20 model attempts to reproduce the atmosphere of the Dutch interior painting, through details such as the door and clerestorey lighting, soft and hard objects and particularly the reflectance of materials
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Project
: Primer for Public Project
Date
: 2021 (Second Year)
Painting
: A Mother’s Duty
Artist
: Pieter de Hooch
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Architecture Portfolio
Site Model with Proposal The site model showcases Llandaff’s steep topographical landscape, its cathedral and castle ruins, showing how my intervention is placed within its historical context.
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Project
: Public Project
Date
: 2021 (Second Year)
Client
: National Youth Arts Wales
Location
: Llandaff, Cardiff, UK
andrewmcclements17@gmail.com 07311 848 546
Interior Wooden Foyer Model Designed in 1:50 scale, it is large enough for the possibility of putting your head inside the model, getting a true sense of the space through light and materiality, particularly with details such as railings and lights.
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Architecture Portfolio
Art and Photography These works are taken from personal photography and my A-Level Art, primarily in architecture through a variety of forms, ranging from realistic drawings and negative space to abstract interpretations of architectural features and space. Such experience has been immensely useful in my architecture studies.
Celeriac Graphite Drawing
Left: Overlapping Liverpool, UK Right: Gothic Entrance Graphite Drawing
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Shadows at Metropolitan Cathedral; Anglican Cathedral in background Liverpool, UK
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Thank you for reading. Andrew McClements
andrewmcclements17@gmail.com 07311 848 546
Architecture Portfolio