Le Vasseur, Amy

AMY LE VASSEUR MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE

-

LIVERPOOL SCHOOL OF ART & DESIGN

/

2020 PORTFOLIO Amy Le Vasseur

HELLO! My name is Amy, I am aged 26.

Originally from Manchester, I have lived in various places throughout the UK in pursuit of achieving my architectural qualifications and currently reside in Liverpool.

As an enthusiastic, motivated and creative individual I aspire to share my art with others and through architecture hope to contribute to creating transformative space that leaves a lasting impression.

My recent Masters studies have reaffirmed my passion and the drive I have to be involved in such a visionary profession.

Thank you for taking the time to look through my work.

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

Thesis Project :

Resilient by nature:

A socio-ecological regeneration of the city through urban ecotourism driven architecture.

Urban Design Year 2 :

1

R e s i l i e n t E d g e s - Chester, UK

26

K e n s i n g t o n V i s i o n C I C

40

Live Project :

Housing Project :

T a l k i n g T e r r a c e s

48

Process of product: What should housing be?

Specialist Study :

The Architect Barbie

A historical collective analysis of the conditioning of the ‘feminine’ within the culture of the architectural profession.

Urban Design Year 1 :

C o l l e c t i v e S p a c e s - Ellesmere Port, UK

74

78

01 THESIS PROJECT

R E S I L I E N T B Y N A T U R E.

As of recent events, there is an increasing awareness of the far reaching impact of climate change. As we begin to suffer the inevitable consequences, the bleak reality of the future is no longer a mere myth to be debunked.

The proposed interpretation centre as a place of investigation is envisioned as a process catalyst. The scheme is devised as a collaborative program of use between arts & science, community & tourism, society & ecology, with a wide range of stakeholders from University students to resident artists.

Ultimately the overall mission of the centre is to promote the wetland as a source of creative expression and prompts users to explore, discover, learn, research, connect and contribute to their surroundings.

A dialogue is forged through which each user, the artist, the visitor and the local play a key role in the programme cycle with the wetland at the centre.

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

(Wetland Vision North West - Extent of wetlands)

PAST

PRESENT

FUTURE

FLOOD PHASED STRATEGY The urban design proposals saw the introduction of the wetlands as a means to begin tackling flooding issues in the surrounding area in line with the North West wetland vision as shown above. A phased strategy was presented, following the natural cycle of a flood with the over-riding ambition to ‘utilise’ the flood impact. The thesis posed an opportunity to envisage an architectural proposal that would act as a s symbolic catalyst establishing the wetlands around a socio-ecological framework and seeking new opportunities for tourism, culture and education.

EMIT

WITHSTAND

POSTPONE GREEN SPACE HABITATS

UTILISE PREPARE RESEARCH

FLOODING

1

Exploring how a socio-ecological frame work could began to underpin new ideas to be applied to the thesis. Social change was fundamental to the program with the focus of eco-tourism a conscious effort to embrace and develop the local culture and seek community improvements, be it employment, specialist education, exploring biophillic benefits or providing a space for exchange.

(Site axonometric - urban design context & eco-tourism wider strategy development sketch)

A - RESIDENTIAL (LOCAL COMMUNITY)

SEEKING NEW OPPORTUNITIES

STANDARD LINKS

NATURE PLACES

EVENTS, CULTURE AND TRADITIONS

FOOD PRODUCTION

LOCAL TRANSPORT/ACCESS VILLAGE SHOP

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

NEW IDEAS

VISITOR ACCOMMODATION

CARE AND STIMULATION FOR ELDERLY/CHILDREN/ DISADVANTAGED GROUPS

SKILLS AND TRAINING MARKETING & PROMOTION

INDUSTRY

Educational &

• Introduce research centre • Establish Chester as educati • Specialist tourism industry -

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

D - TRAVEL (TRAIN & BUS STATION) F - TOURISM (RACECOURSES)

B - COMMERCIAL (LEISURE DISTRICT)

THESIS SITE - GATEWAY BUILDING

C - INNOVATION (FURTHER RESEARCH & OFFICES)

E - COMMERCIAL (HOTEL)

VIADU

CT

RIVER DEE CITY CENTRE

THE AMBITION Ecological

scientific study ion centre for specialism - ecotourism

Educational & Social

Social & Cultural

Ecological & Cultural

• Provide jobs within group 0 - 5 employment • Events to encourage communal integration • Regenerate social structures of area

• Develop public & private realm for cultural exchange • Establish for both tourists and locals • Establish built form as primary public space for context

• Ecological resistance in both purpose and design • Establish wetlands nature as integral to place • Allow scheme to evolve and develop it’s own culture

3

SITE RESPONSE

The built form is defined by users as three primary zones, the artist, the tourist and the community. The arrangement of these on site is devised both by their relationship with each other and the site analysis conducted. The existing axis’ in paritcular that of the existing building splits the site, with proposed built form arranged to maximise access, views out and formulate edges. The programme sees the tourist interact with the Artist and as such the proposed block will be located alonsgise the existing built form to be used for the artist. This also allows interaction with the public wetland square. The community space is also to interact with the artist space however removing this from the main axis provides privacy for independent use.

Furthermore positioning the community build along the street frontage allows an active facade and transition between the large scale main build and residential properties to the North West. A private courtyard between the artist build and community build will retain the connection with the wetlands and water based activity.

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

1 • Existing edges

Tourist

explore wetlands

Community

SO

UT

H

private

t New Crane Stree

Artist

air ‘reflection’

ground

entry

‘motivation’ public

PROGRAMME - user identified areas

1

Community build sits against existing street edge forming active frontage. Tourist build follows linear axis of existing.

2 • Site axis

Views to wetlands maximised through linear form. Encloses courtyards with clear definition of private to public.

3 • Vistas to

Maximise city approach and wetland views - axis forms journey.

4 • Site arrangement

5

SITE RESPONSE

The surrounding walkways, roads and public square impose different characteristics upon the adjacent site borders with the opportunity to develop approprivate facades presented as explored during the site analysis.

The spatial relationship shown previously is considered in respects to programme however if this is then applied to the site, it must be formulated to address such characteristics.

The access to the building, as the starting point of the journey, the ‘motivation’, is orientated to connect the linear axis towards the city walls.

A strong facade will act as a visual landmark along the route to address a key node in the masterplan with a scale to provide a sense of arrival.

Steps down to the slightly sunken arrival will distinguish the theshold from the pedestrianised street and public realm. This will also generate the sense of enclosure, immersing ones self into the ground.

Excavating to below street level allows the ground floor to interact with the wetlands and provide access to the external walkways to be explored beyond.

Placing the wetland exhibits on this level also allows the inclusion of a submerged viewing gallery to utilise the built form in providing a unique and immersive experience for visitors.

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

It therefore begins to establish that the lower level of the site will identify as the primary public space within the scheme, where the most frequent activity will occur. Throughout this level, the visitor is free to roam.

Above this the secondary key public zone evolves.

In order to respond to the changing site levels and in order to interact with the public square, the level is split between internal and external.

The roof of part of the ground floor connects to the existing street level allowing the terrace to become an extension of the public realm, capable of hosting events and casting views over the wetlands.

Above this the built form is to continue to mirror that of the warehouse and proposed surroundings, providing shelter to the terrace space and housing the semi-private functions.

1

2

3

4

7

THE CONCEPT

The learning process can be interpreted to begin setting out both the program of use and how the spatial relationships between these ‘stages’ set out a hierarchy of spaces.

If this is applied theoretically, there are 6 vital stages to the cycle, if extruded to allign with the linear axis of the site these become a sequence of events for all users.

The three primary users: tourist, artist and local, contribute to the programme at different stages therefore independent facilities are provided to accommodate their needs. This begins to define three key spaces within the plan, distinct in their scale, internal environment and access.

Although these function as seperate facilities they are co-dependant and intergral to the overall scheme so the connection between each is devised to encourage collaboration and inter dependancy.

Between artist and tourist, a central circulation and breakout space begins to form a dialogue and space for reflection. This forms a key route along the axis as a public domain within the scheme.

Between local and artist, the program is devised to allow community involvement during the intial stages of the research exhibit development.

A shared private domain will encourage collaboration away from the main tourist centre.

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

ACTION TO DELIVER MOTIVATION

Archive/exhibit stimtulates interest

• MOTIVATIO • Input - ‘cues’

• ACTION • OUTPUT - move or movement

T0 LEARN - INTERPRET

• EXP

• PERCE

• REFLECTION • external or internal reflective observation

• DIA

• ABSTR learne

• DISCOVERY • DECIDING - processing in the brain ACTIVE EXPERIMENTATION

LOCAL

ARTIST

N

PLANATION

EIVING - concrete experience

EXPLANATION

MOTIVATION ACTION

DIALOGUE REFLECTION DISCOVERY

EXPLANATION

TOURIST

ALOGUE

RACT CONCEPTUALISATION er perceives or develops idea

9

THE SITE PLAN A1 A2

Sunken entry steps Wetland square

C1 C2 C3 C4

Wetlands basin Constructed reedbed stepped system West exhibition square Sunken walkways

DE1

Private wetlands

E1 E2 E3

Community park Ancillary services build Street edge

1 2 3 4 5

Pedestrian routes Travel interchange & retail district Office & commercial new builds Main public square Stepped edge

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

11

LEVEL 0- 2.5-5 METRES BELOW STREET A1 A2 A3 A4 A5

External stairs from street level Entry lobby Gift shop with store Bar/Coffee shop Bar

A6 A7 A8 A9

Biomass boiler WC lobby - female, male & 2 accessible wc’s Ramp - drops down 2.5 metres Central stair

1 2 B1 B2 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5

Viewing tower Stairwell Wetland static exhibit Submerged viewing gallery Public dynamic exhibition Exhibition store Plant room Floating exhibit Auditorium

E1 E2 E3 E4 E5

Primary lobby Communal hall Kitchen Secondary lobby Floating exhibit

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

13

LEVEL 1- 2 METRES ABOVE STREET LEVEL 1 2 3

Central stair Walkway Lobby

B1 B2

Viewing tower Stairwell

C1

External roof terrace

D1 D2 D3 D4

Auditorium Shared research studio Hydraulic elevated platform External walkway

E1 E2

Entry lobby Adaptable office 1 Adaptable office 2 Treatment room

E3

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

15

LEVEL 2- 6.5 METRES ABOVE STREET LEVEL A1 A2

Mezzanine landing space Reception/lounge area

1 2 3

Central stair Walkway Corridor with access to private staircase, store and plant room

B1 B2

Viewing tower Stairwell

C1 C2 C3 C4

Workshop Workshop Classroom Conference room

D1 D2

Informal offices External walkway

F F1 F2

Restaurant Kitchen facilities - dry and cold store WC lobby - female, male & accessible wc’s

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

17

LEVEL 3- 9.5 METRES ABOVE STREET LEVEL 1 2

Central stair Corridor with access to private staircase, store and plant room

B1 B2

Viewing tower Stairwell

C1 C2 C3

Laboratory Laboratory Laboratory

D1 D2

Formal offices External walkway L E V E L 4 - 13 M E T R E S A B O V E S T R E E T L E V E L

2

Corridor to staircase, store and plant room.

Provides access to green roof as a semi-private space

B1 B2

Viewing tower Stairwell

C4 D3

Green roof terrace Roof extension

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

19

ACTIVE FACADES

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

21

ACTIVE FACADES

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

23

THE LEARNING PROCESS

1

MOTIVATE

3

EXPLANATION

(Entry to exhibition space - wayfinding)

(Tourist - wetlands static exhibition & viewing gallery)

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

2

IMMERSION

5

DISCOVER

6

RE

4

DIALOGUE

7

EMERSION

8

AC

(Excavated site - sense of grounding with solid columns)

(Central stairwell with breakout space connecting new & old)

(Interactive exhibitions - tv garden)

(Ascend to viewing tower, cast views out to wetlands and descend to explore)

(Watch bird

EFLECT

ds nest and take flight from green roof)

CTION

25

02 URBAN DESIGN Y2

RESILIENT EDGES.

// Group project

As an academic study conducted by Newcastle University into the effects of climate change would suggest ‘Chester could be among the worst hit cities in the British Isles for river flooding due to climate change.’ The vision for the scheme is to combine both resistance and resilience in an effort to embrace the inevitable change and guide future investment towards accessible communities.

By increasing access to the River Dee shoreline and waterfront the scheme focuses on the increasing demand for affordable and socially rented accommodation within a city oasis by bringing nature back as a flood defence system.

Working along the existing route of the River Dee the self-sustainable district will connect these lost spaces to the city walls. Along the route, a selection of buildings at risk to flooding will be adapted in order to tackle the future impacts of climate change as well as the implementation of elevated landscapes, raised walkways and protective barriers.

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

27

AMBITION

HISTORY

EDUCATION

INDUSTRY TOURISM

SOCIAL

ENVIRONMENT

RIVER DEE

RESIDENTIAL

FUTURE

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

Education & Environment • Introduce research centre - scientific study • Establish Chester as education centre for specialism • Specialist tourism industry

Education & Social • Identify public space to incorporate group 0 - 5 employment • Events to encourage communal integration • Allow opportunities for all employment groups

Social & Residential • Provision of Services • Adapt existing built form to fit overall scheme • Live, work, play - facilities to suit all lifestyles

Environment & Residential • Consideration of typologies to co-exist with nature • Recreational Parks and good quality outdoor space • Green transport routes - bicycle paths, walkways...

29

ESTABLISHING THE RIVERS EDGE

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

31

SITE BREAKDOWN

VEHICLE

AXIS

Bus stop

Bus stop

Train

Train station

Boat Park & ride

Spatial grid

Bus

Destination points

Car

Views

PEDESTRIAN

CYCLE

Zebra crossings - paving design

Scenic primary route General access routes

Scenic cycle route

Wetlands walkway

Cycle paths

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

THRESHOLD

DISTRICTS

1

Typology 1

Typology 3

2

Typology 2

1 2

3 3 Inner City walls Public realm - wetlands Office - Future phases

Primary thresholds

Tourism

Secondary thresholds

Residential

Threshold - hard-scape

Industrial

PUBLIC REALM

LANDSCAPE 1

1 2

3 2

Public space

4

3

4

Public & Private Private space for public

Hard landscape

Private space

Soft landscape

33

THE SITE PLAN A B C D E F G H J K L M N P Q R S T U V

Arrival Destination Point - listed building as landmark Terraces to match existing typology - mixed accommodation Sealand Road Redirected away from terraced street New Proposed High Street with openings onto wetlands Nature Reserve/Wetlands with elevated and sunken walkways Viewing Platforms for the Nature Reserve Developed Existing Residential - proposed commercial ground level Public Park for Residents - capable of hosting events Existing Warehouse re-purposed as a Research Centre for the Nature Reserve Educational Facilities - residential floors above Retail Square - bus stop, taxi rank and ground floor car park Restaurants & Bars within Existing Arches Walkways cutting under the Arches - access to racecourse Existing Hotel developed as a new Train Station - route over arches Proposed extended public square related to the Racecourse Existing Residential developed as proposed offices district Proposed Hotel for visitors of the Racecourse - connection to stables Re-purposed buildings as stables for the Racecourse & hotel accommodation Flood Management Office - potential future gutter infrastructure Chester Boat Tour destination point - connection to hotel

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

C

A

E D

F

V

B

U T S J

R

H

G

K

M

L

N

Q

P

35

PROPOSED ZONES Steps feature down to water

Scenic river walk Existing cycle path improved with connections to proposed cycle path along East side of river.

Borders the public square allowing visitors to walk, sit and enjoy the wetlands.

Simultaneously acts as a flood defense system allowing rising water levels to be buffered from the neigbouring buildings.

Enclosed by mixed use buildings with commercial facilities to ground level to allow transparency throughout the site.

Enclosed street Existing terraces will be mirrored along Sealand Road enclosing the street and redirecting the main road traffic.

Facing terraces will sit behind apartment typologies to house those displaced by the scheme and accommodate a number of socially rented and elderly accommodation.

Terrace street The existing terraces will be retained and given an identity as a distinct district by enclosing them from Sealand Road.

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

Museum square

Canal route Terrace street The existing terraces will be retained and given an identity as a distinct district by enclosing them from Sealand Road.

The existing apartments along the canal are successful and as such the scheme looks to encourage a similar typology is used on the new residential sites. By connecting the canal to the wetlands it allows for this residential typology to be expanded upon in future developments of the golf course.

This square will be treated as both public in access and connection to the water as well as private in its connection to the wetland discovery museum. It will provide a location for local events and bridges the gap between the public wetlands and private canal apartments.

Enclosed canal basin Elevated walkway will separate the wetlands from the existing canal with a clean water basin. This allows potential water-sports being introduced to the area or a future canal boat docking station.

37

FLOODING SCENARIOS

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

low level

average level

rising levels

high level

39

03 LIVE PROJECT

KENSINGTON VISION CIC. // Group project

Kensington Community Investment Company (CIC) leases 6 out of 7 ground floor retail units of a building block, located on Holt Road in Kensington. As they continue to grow, they are seeking to further develop the whole building in partnership with their landlord, who currently rents out various flats above the retail units. Kensington CIC has received funding from Creative Civic Change, to promote meaningful civic change in their area, and they are working with Creative North to develop a clear business plan to underpin the development of their building.

The current vision is to convert some of the currently poor quality flats above of the building block into an Arts Hotel, a youth hostel, capitalising on tourism in the city and bringing more employment and expenditure into their neighbourhood. Additionally the project seeks to expand the existing successful community radio station facilities, and provide studio space for a local animation studio.

Working with a business plan and outline cost information the Live Project seeked to enable progression of further bids for charitable and regeneration funding, identifying a phased approach such that some redevelopment work can be started in the near future.

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

45-47 ‘Onya bike’ shop & storage

49-53 Bakery, sandwich shop & radio

53-57 ‘The croissant of inequality’ cafe

SOCIAL ENTERPRISES

41

ACTIVE STREET FRONTAGE

(Street elevation visualisation).

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

West - Dell Street

South - Holt Road

East - Cliff Street

North - Rear

43

FINAL PROPOSALS

Ground Floor

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

First Floor

Second Floor

45

FINAL PROPOSALS

Ground Floor cafe & lobby

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

First floor roof terrace

47

04 HOUSING PROJECT

TALKING TERRACES.

/ Process or Product - social housing

The vision for the ‘talking terraces’ is a huge step towards achieving the city’s broader strategic aims as set out in the local plan and in line with the local Toxteth setting and demographic.

The overall masterplan looked to make use of a vacant plot of prime land by introducing a residential scheme whilst simultaneously revitalising the surrounding area through the introduction of a large communcal green space, commercial facilities and a neighbourhood co-operative that transcends beyond the site boundaries.

By developing a scheme that looks further than the existing terrace or private apartment typologies and more towards

multi-generational, multi-cultural & mixed income living, it is hoped this would begin to to establish a treatment capable of being expanded upon and developed elsewhere within both the local and larger context of Merseyside.

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

• MERSEYSIDE

N

N

N

PARK RD

TOXTETH, LIVERPOOL

DEVONPORT RD

•TOXTETH

• PARK ROAD

49

SCENARIO

• LOCAL DEMOGRAPHIC •7 6 . 3 % w o r k i n g a g e ( 1 9 - 4 4 ) •1 3 . 2 % c h i l d r e n •1 0 . 5 % e l d e r l y • i n c r e a s i n g s t u d e n t p o p u l a t i on • help to buy schemes • high demand for 4+ bed homes

45.9%

Single households

13.9%

Lone parent households

• ACCOMMODATION PROVISIONS 1 bed 2-3 bed 4 bed

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

45% 40% 15%

4 60% 40%

wheelchair

accessible

apartments

potentially housing

terraces

8 3 - 119

people

• HISTORY

live

• COMMUNITY INTEGRATION

• NEIGHBOURHOOD work

• FAMILIES

play

• CONTEMPORARY DESIGN

• SUSTAINABILITY

51

SITE RESPONSE

TERRACES

TOWNHOUSE

APARTMENTS

OTHER VACANT RESIDENTIAL

green space

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

typologies

grid form

terrace access at street level with corridors between to allow access to rear and below ground dwellings.

sun path over site allows optimum light into central corridor

Car Access

terraces mimic adjacent with ground floor sunk to give impression of two storeys private outdoor space for terraces as with traditional housing

central walkway connects to neigbouring sites

access to apartments kept within site. public access along street front.

Primary Public Corner

circulation

apartments run along apartments connecting to central corridor

balconies along top apartments cast views over Liverpool

apartments along Park Rd risen & commercial sunk

PRIVATE

TWO STOREY

PUBLIC

FIVE STOREY

levels

all residents outdoor space sunken or risen to give privacy from central public space

PRIVATE PUBLIC

outdoor

53

THE ‘SOCIAL‘ IN HOUSING The concept behind the proposed scheme dissects and explores how ‘social’ housing works in relation to ‘co-housing’. Although the initial design response looks very much at the history of the terrace typology common place in Liverpool, not everyone wants to live in a ‘standard’ home and with increasing demand for affordable homes and the emerging fashion for local housing co-operatives, this project looks to provide variety. The terraces along Devonport Road provide a more traditional, private dwelling for families whereas the adjacent apartment block along Park Road exists of a combination of studios and 1 bed apartments for students and young professionals as well as larger apartments for lone parents, young families and the retired. The arrangement of these allows a ‘cluster’ to form, each space with its own compact ‘private’ spaces both internal and external as well as shared facilities including a large communal space.

The building is designed to evolve as needs change such as the double height spaces, studios capable of expanding and terraces devised to function as independent dwellings where required.

The variety of accommodation allows costs to be kept down by enabling those on lower incomes the smaller private studio spaces whilst making use of shared kitchens and follow the ethos ‘live, work, play’.

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

‘terrace‘

‘social‘

‘intergenerational‘

55

04 HOUSING PROJECT

APARTMENTS

THE SITE

Larger apartments

D1 / 2 / 3 Affordable apartments

C1 / 2

Co-Housing

B

A2 Traditional Terraces

A1/2/3 TERRACES

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

P A R K

A1 A2

A1 A2

R O A D

A1 A2

D E V O N P O R T

A1 A3

A1 A3

A1

R O A D

57

TERRACES

Family of 6 G I A - 167.2 s q . m FP00 - Double bedroom - Single bedroom - Bathroom - Primary Lounge FP01 - Kitchen - Dining room - Secondary lounge - WC - Balcony - Central atrium FP02 - Single bedroom x 2 - Master bedroom - Bathroom - Balcony

1Dwelling

A1

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

SX01 SX02

-3.0M

Ground Floor

0M

First Floor

+3.0M

Second Floor

SX02

SX01

59

TERRACES

Family of 4 6 & grandparent G I A - 167.2 170.3ss q . m FP00 (wheelchair - Double bedroom accessible) - Double Single bedroom bedroom - Bathroom - Open plan living Primary Lounge FP01 - Kitchen diner - Lounge Dining room - WC Secondary lounge - Balcony WC - Central Balconyatrium - Central atrium FP02 -FP02 Single bedroom - Twin Singlebedroom bedroom x 2 - Master bedroom - Bathroom - Balcony

C1 oD - Hwoeul sl i n g

A2

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

SX03 SX04

-3.0M

Ground Floor

0M

First Floor

+3.0M

Second Floor

SX04

SX03

61

TERRACES

Family of3 &Lone Parent G I A - 170.3 s q . m FP00 - Double bedroom - Single bedroom - Bathroom - Open plan living FP01 - Kitchen diner - Lounge - WC - Balcony - Central atrium FP02 - Single bedroom - Twin bedroom - Master bedroom - Bathroom - Balcony

2Dwellings

A3

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

SX05 SX06

-3.0M

Ground Floor

0M

First Floor

+3.0M

Second Floor

SX06

SX05

63

TERRACES

MATERIALITY

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

Brick

Ti

A modern take on the traditional brickwork facades neighbouring.

Dark bricks reinforce the concept of internal social interaction by casting an unassuming street facade.

Ch th we th low giv th wi

imber

harred timber references he 1981 Toxteth riots as ell as working alongside he dark brickwork. The wer ground windows are ven further privacy with he addition of a timber indow shutter.

Road Level

Street Access Level

Glazing

Concrete

East facing large window openings allow optimum daylight and pertrude the facade with exaggerated clad frames acting as a subtle privacy barrier. Large clad frames distinguish the additonal access points to both the internal communal areas and additional below ground dwellings.

A solid non- structural concrete frame surrounds the building highlighting the abstracted terrace roof form.

65

APARTMENTS

-2.5 METRES

+0.5 METRES

+4.5 METRES

+6.5 METRES

E - Commercial Units F - Car park Entrance ( with bin store allocation and other utilities) G - Car Parking

H J -

B N P -

C1 C2 D1 D2 D3 Q -

-1

Ground Floor

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

Public Cafe Reception area & managers suite K - Residents communal Space (with individual units including rental space such as a music room, conference facilities etc.)

L - Private Residents entry point M - Communal sheltered outdoor decking space

0

First Floor

Q R -

1

Studio Apartment Shared Kitchen Shared Utilities Laundrette Primary circulation Outdoor balcony space and circulation

Second Floor

R -

2

-

1 Bed Apartment 2 Bed Apartment 1 Bed Apartment 2 Bed Apartment 3 Bed Apartment Primary circulation Outdoor balcony space and circulation

Third Floor

3

E

E

E

F G

-1 L

H K

M

+9.5 METRES C2 D1 D2 D3 R V -

3

-

J

0

2 Bed Apartment 1 Bed Apartment 2 Bed Apartment 3 Bed Apartment Outdoor balcony space and circulation Roof garden for all residents

Q P

B

B

B

B

B

B

B

B

B

N

D1

D1

1 Fourth Floor

D3

D3

D2

D2

Q C1

C2

C2

2

C1

C2

R

V D3

D3

D2

D2

D1

D1 C2

3

R

67

APARTMENTS

Student G I A - 19.8 s q . m - Access to shared kitchen & facilities - Communal balcony Access

Studio

B

Young Professional G I A - 52.5 s q . m -

Glazed doors Double bedroom Open plan living Bathroom Private Balcony Communal balcony Access

1 Bed

C1

Lone Parent G I A - 66.8 s q . m -

Glazed doors.

Single & Double Open plan living Bathroom Private balcony Communal balcony Access

2 Bed

Young Professional G I A - 85.4 s q . m -

Glazed doors.

Single & Double Open plan living Bathroom Private balcony Communal balcony Access - Entry via communal walkway

C2 1 Bed

D1

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

Ground Floor

Ground Floor

First Floor

Ground Floor

Ground Floor

69

SITE SECTION

D1/D2/D3

C1/C2 B-Studios Communal

Commercial

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

BALCONY TREATMENT

CIRCULATION

CONNECTIONS

A1/A2/A3

CAR

PARK CENTRAL CORRIDOR

71

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

73

05 SPECIALIST STUDY

THE ARCHITECT BARBIE. A historical collective analysis of the conditioning of the ‘feminine’ within the culture of the architectural profession.

It has been thirty years since the architect Denise Scott Brown wrote ‘Sexism and the star system in architecture’ looking to challenge the patriarchy that entrapped the female architect from fulfilling her potential and acquiring the due credit deserved under the notion of the ‘Star architect’.

Since then there has been a wealth of literature published on the topic, new branches of feminist theory and practice developed and a greater understanding of how the profession is entrenched by gender disparities. However underpinning all of these is the technicalities of the machine itself, the culture the profession perpetuates that continues to enforce the masculine versus feminine constructs.

Drawing examples from architectural history in conjunction with feminist theory, philosophy and a literature on the professions, the study looked to identify how the feminine is conditioned.

Ultimately it posed the question, if we are to look further, what structural continuities are there to explain why the architectural profession persists to be such an unfavourable territory for women, or more specifically encourages feminine constraints?

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

The study was divided into three key parts, over five chapters, summarised as follows: PART 1.

To begin the study, C h a p t e r 1 looked to apply the notion of the ‘Other’, prevalent in feminist theory, to the architectural professional culture.

C h a p t e r 2 then posed the argument the ‘image of the architect’ is dominated by masculine concepts from sole authorship to media representation through to employment rates.

Finally C h a p t e r 3 considered both principles in respects to how these begin to form a glass ceiling for the female architect and ways in which the professional culture struggles to accept the ‘feminine’.

PART 2.

PART 3.

Part 2 devled into a historical analysis with a series of case studies begginning to explore the conditioning of the ‘feminine’ within the profession. These are presented in the form of the experiences of three significant female architects.

Following this the final Part 3 analyses the opposing stance of the ‘masculine’ in relation to the female experience, with reflection on the successful legacy of Z a h a H a d i d and her journey to the forefront of the architectural world.

E i l e e n G r a y demonstrates the marginalisation of the feminine by the hands of the ‘masculine’ construct.

D e n i s e S c o t t B r o w n highlights the professions attitude to authorship under the attitudes of the ‘Star architect’.

This further embodies the notion of the ‘Image of the architect’ as a sole creator within a specific male agenda.

A i n o A a l t o exemplifies the role of the ‘Other’ the ‘Architects Wife, The Architect’.

A comparative analysis then concludes all chapters posing a personal reflection as female within the industry whilst hinting at hopes for the future of the profession.

‘........ Nobody can deny Zaha Hadid made it to the pantheon of ‘star’ architects but in order to do this did she compromise her identity as a woman to fulfil the architects role within a male domain. Her objection to being recognised for her gender as opposed to her architecture in theory works as the ideal. However within a ‘boy’s club’, her gender is what stood her apart and set her as capable of breaking the boundaries. Does the feminine need to be recognised and celebrated to finally reach a level of understanding within the profession that the female architect is

both an architect and a woman, neither exclusively but mutually.

By doing this will we begin to shatter the gender stereotypes enforced on the female and champion the very ‘feminine’ existence of a woman. ‘

75

Extract ‘01 - The Architect Construct - The Image of the Architect’ The prototypical architect has for decades been that of the protagonist Howard Roark from the 1949 film ‘The Fountainhead’, (see Figure 6) based on the philosophical novel by Ayn Rand. Played by Gary Cooper, the character was loosely based on the prestigious architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The portrayal sees a powerful and successful male excelling in the professional field, embodying the indoctrinated believe the architects identity exists only as ‘masculine’.

It is common place for the white male stereotype of an architect to be glamorised in Hollywood, as research by Kathryn Anthony, a professor of Architecture at the University of Illinois accounted for. Her research was conducted by watching 45 films released between 1942 to 2010 with the protagonist an architect. She found that 91% of these were male, ‘likely to be clean shaven, with dark and brown eyes’. Frequently television and film portray strong female roles, practicing doctors, lawyers, artists even, but rarely do they tackle the female architect role.

The Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation released a documentary titled ‘A Girl Is a Fellow Here: 100 Women Architects in the Studio of Frank Lloyd Wright’ in 2009 (see Figure 7 & 8). The film presented first time accounts of six of the women, from over 100, who working as architects, not assistants as commonly misunderstood (see Figure 9) helped in Frank Lloyd Wright’s success. Such information contrasts and dispels the alleged beliefs Wright worked alone as a sole author and unique genius. This myth of sole authorship as the ‘masculine’ is common place as explored further in Chapter 4 - Invisible Women. Similarly this is echoed in the notion of the ‘star architect’.

Budd Sculberg defines ‘star quality’ as a “mysterious amalgam of self-love, vivacity, style and sexual promise.” (What Price Glory?, 1973) On first impressions these qualities are shared between the sexes however within the profession of architecture, if we were to follow suit with history, pop culture representation and the internal power structure, these are more likely to be deemed ‘masculine’.

As Denise Scott Brown, or as she was more commonly referred to, Robert Venturi’s wife, discussed in her 1989 essay ‘Room at the Top? Sexism and the Star System in Architecture’, the creation of the ‘star architect’ derived from the need for a ‘guru’. As she goes on to explain, “The guru, as architectural father-figure, is subject to intense hate and love; either way, the relationship is personal, and necessarily one-toone. ….. I suspect, too, that for male architects the guru must be male. There can be no mom and pop gurus in architecture. The architectural prima donnas are all male.”

Subsequently the concept of the ‘star architect’ bread the path for privileging single authorship and the notion of ‘celebrity’ within the architecture professional culture. The pantheon of male architect figures shown in pop culture became a practice relied on by the profession as it fed back financially into the individual “iconic” role of the architect. (Jencks, 2005). As a result of this the image of the profession is kept as visibly male, praising the ‘masculine’, therefore conditioning the ‘feminine’, in this case the female architect, be it wife or collaborator to the background.

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

Extract ‘02 - Invisible Women: Feminine - Eileen Gray Although now gaining a fraction of the recognition she deserved, Eileen Gray (1878 -1976) stood as one of the finest architects and designers of the 20th century to go relatively undiscovered. An Irish-born architect and furniture design based in France, she was a pioneer of the Modern architectural movement just as her counterparts Le Corbusier, Mies van de Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright.

Zeev Aram, a British furniture and interior designer and close friend of Eileen Gray spoke in a 2013 interview of his opinion that Gray should be considered alongside “all the other big shots”, her modern counterparts but goes on then concludes that because she chose a “quiet, modest life she was not included. If you are modest and you don’t shout, nobody asks you to do anything.”

Gray did find a receptive audience during the 1920’s and 30’s however much like Aram’s opinion, it is frequently explained as a result of her ‘reclusive nature’ that her work was not pushed to forefront.

Gray even admitted herself “I was not a pusher and maybe that’s the reason I did not get to the place I should have had.”

However this self deprecating admission sits in line with the constructs the professional culture had bestowed on the feminine. Working in a largely male dominated field Gray was always at a huge disadvantage. Aware of this, in 1922 she opened a shop in Paris to sell her furniture designs (see Figure 19). Rather than following tradition and naming the shop after herself, she instead chose to call it ‘Jean Désert’ under the premise a more masculine name would attract a greater level of respect, one a feminine name could not. In this respect she was successful, later having to co-sign as imaginary business partners on her letterhead ‘Jean Désert et E. Gray.’ Her own admission demonstrates the fundamental conditioning women were subject to, the notion bestowed on them that the only way to succeed is to take on the ‘masculine’ construct, to create a persona. (as discussed in Chapter 5) Further evidence of this was Grays relationship with Le Corbusier, one of the leading historical architect figures. The now historically significant house E:1027 (see Figure 20) has often been credited to her partner Jean Badovici however Gray was in fact the sole author.

Her friend at the time Le Corbusier, whilst staying as a guest violated Gray’s express wish that the house be free of any form of decoration, designed in a clean and minimalist style. Instead Le Corbusier in what Rowan Moore has called an “act of naked phallocracy” chose to paint eight large Cubist frescoes on the previously white walls (see Figure 21). Moore has suggested such actions were indicative of a man asserting “his dominion, like a urinating dog, over the territory”. Gray had entrusted Le Corbusier and in return he had demonstrated a chauvinistic desire to dominate her achievement.

The essay ‘E:1027, Battle Lines’ written by Beatriz Colomina gives a critical account of the house Gray designed and the ways in which the culture of architecture has historically excluded her. Colomina states that “The defacement of the house went hand in hand with the effacement of Gray as an architect. When Le Corbusier published the murals in his Oeuvre Complète (1946) and in L’architecture d’ aujord’hui (1948), Gray’s house was referred to as “a house in Cap-Martin” her name was not even mentioned. Later on, Le Corbusier actually got credit for the design of the house and some of its furniture.”

77

06 URBAN DESIGN Y1

COLLECTIVE SPACES.

// Group project

Our vision for Ellesmere Port’s waterfront is a huge step towards achieving the city’s broader strategic aims as set out in the local plan and in line with the Ellesmere Port development board. The overall masterplan looks to revitalise and establish the waterways as a key component towards improving the city’s overall image and townscape. The scheme will utilise a desirable location, currently undervalued and put it at the heart of the city by creating a high quality, mixed-used, waterside urban-district within the larger context of overall town improvement schemes looking to contribute towards the long-term regional growth.

“Apparently, one out of five people choose to live in a city that is located beside water.

Perhaps it’s because it provides a sense of nature, or because it connects us to the surrounding world. Whatever the reason, there has always been a link between economic activity and the openness that waterfronts can provide to cities. Yet many cities around the world do not capitalise on this to spark revitalisation.” (‘The key to successful waterfront development’, Pablo Lazo, Arup, 2018)

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

79

KEY STRATEGIC MOVES The development masterplan is made up of numerous key components including: • E X T E N D I N G the city centres built form down to the waterfront • I M P R O V I N G provision of facilities for walking, cycling, canal boats and parking • R E D U C I N G of the existing environmental effect of cars and parking • C R E A T I N G a new ‘node’ location along the proposed Greenways routes to act as a destination for both pedestrians and cyclists • R E M O V I N G of sections of South Pier Rd and repurposing of the remaining sections into a pedestrian pier walkway • R E F U R B I S H I N G the existing Bridges 146 & 147A beneath the M53 road as well as general improvements to the Shropshire Union canal • I N T R O D U C I N G numerous green tree lined buffers along the M53 and surrounding industrial districts which will subsequently minimise noise pollution and soften the edges between the new ‘district’ and surrounding areas • F O R M I N G attractive, desirable sites to accommodate a variety of new mixed use developments • E S T A B L I S H I N G a major new civic space composed of a number of smaller public and private squares to encourage communal integration within currently vacant or undervalued land • E S T A B L I S H I N G specific districts within an overall ‘district’ to house a number of purposes including education, leisure, community and retail.

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

HEALTH & WELLBEING

DRAW IN CROWDS

ENCOURAGE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

RELAX, ENJOY& INTEGRATE

81

M

THE SITE PLAN A - Arrival Point B - Community Centre C - Childrens Playground D - Picnic Woodland Zone E - Hospitality & Residential F - Outdoor Market G - Canal Basin H - Hospitality & Residential J - Water Feature K - Waterways Museum L - Pier Walkway M - Arts & Music Venue N - Hotel P - Water Taxi Point Q - Boat Tours Point R - Education Centre S - Allotments T - Arts Quarter V - Park W - Offices Y - Canal Z - Residential

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

N

Z

K L P J G

Q

H

T

E S

F

R V

A

D

C

Y B W

83

SITE AXIS & ROUTES

Arrival routes

Pedestrian arrival

Market Square

Public Square

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

85

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

87

06 URBAN DESIGN Y1

COLLECTIVE CORRIDOR.

// Individual project

The urban design masterplan sought to create civic space as an extension of the proposed urban context. Although the strategy outlines the central public squares, there are a number of linear spaces between buildings that are devised to navigate routes and break up the dense urban environment. It is crucial these spaces are considered in conjunction with the more active squares and provide their own identity to encourage diversity, fluidity and a sense of arrival to disregard the potentially uncharactersistic desolate pedestrian corridor.

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

superkilen

the goods line

biscayne green

escape

create

play

89

THE CONCEPT

The concept behind the ‘collective corridor’ is to reate a strong civic spine by establishing a range of opportunities for people to come together, inhabit, occupy and use the space creatively.

The design is for a human centred place offering a variety of social experiences for the individual to the collective of all demographics. Furthermore the proposals looks to transform isolated spaces into creative and connected public destinations to enhance the public life.

sq

ua

s re

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

This linear space is filled with a social infrastructure including sports courts, an outdoor pool, seating. an ampitheatre, playspace, tennis tables and an elevated walkway. The landscaping is designed to faciltate pop up events to inject a sense of community into a potentially otherwise overlooked space.

r

t ou

es

water

ed

ges

trans pare ncy

levels

91

PROGRAMME OF USE

‘Iknew the baths very well, we went there many times to swim, play, and generally cool off. M Frank, was a very good swimmer, and played water polo for the local team.During his youth in t h e y u s e d t o h o l d a ‘ f a m i l y w e e k e n d ’ e a c h su m m e r a t t h e b a t h s , i n w h i c h h e w a s p a r t o f a c o m We had some apple, pear, and plum trees in the garden, and during the later stages of the sum the fruit became ripe, we opened up a stand at the house, and sold the fruit to the crowds at weekends, as they made their way down Rivacre Road to and from the baths.‘ (David Copnall speaking of his memories of the local Rivacre Baths, 2008) ship canal

youth squad

rivacre baths

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

y father n the 1930s, medy team. mmer when the

1

corridor spine

1

2

2

3

3 4

4

5 6

5

6

7 7 93

D T

S

U

A

A - sports facilities B - playground C - graffiti wall D - urban orchard E - elevated walkway F - container spaces G - landscaped park H - water feature J - container spaces K - picnic seating L - table tennis M - audotorium N - viewing platform P - concrete beach Q - outdoor pool R - active dock S - inactive dock T - dock walkway V - seating zone

B

C

THE SITE PLAN

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

95

Q

R

P

N

L

K

H

G

M

J

F

E

GROUND TREATMENTS

A

B

C

A-A

1

hardscape

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

B-B

2

pop up space

3

risen

B

n platforms

C-C

4

public realm

5

water to land

97

VISITOR EXPERIENCE

‘elevated walkway‘

2020 Portfolio // Amy Le Vasseur

‘pop up space‘

‘sports courts‘

‘public realm‘

99

THANK YOU!