Murphy, Benjamin

BENJAMIN MURPHY 2020 Portfolio

BA(Hons) Architecture Liverpool School of Art and Design

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ABOUT ME I am a hard-working, fastlearning individual, who performs well working as part of a team, or alone if necessary.

I have held down 2 seperate jobs since 2015, whilst going to College where I obtained a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Construction - graduating with Distinction*; I have also managed to retain both jobs whilst studying my Degree.

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CONTENTS BA Year 3 Semester 1: Weather of Not 1

BA Year 2 Semester 2: ‘Library of the Future’

7 New ‘Off-road’ Cycle Lane

BA Year 2 Semester 1: Urban Design Project

Fountain/ Reflective Pool

Coffee Kiosk

Planter/Bench (Type B)

Sun-sails at Various Heights

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BA Year 1 Semester 2: A Place for Crafting

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BA Year 1 Semester 1: Archifilm

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Planter/Bench (Type A)

Tactile Paving

Glass Wind Breaks

Grade II Listed Monument

Large Multi-use Space For Markets/Urban Art/Events etc.

Large Entrance to Train Station

Proposed Design for

Monument Place Fabric District, Liverpool

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WEATHER OR NOT BA Year 3 Semester 1

‘Weather or Not’ was the first project in my Final Year - it comprised of 2 stages; - Preliminary Designs (Origination) - Final Design (Resolution).

The brief was to create a ‘Scientific Research Facility based around Climate Change’.

I was given a site in Festival Gardens, Liverpool - an abandoned, overgrown site which was home to the 1984 International Garden Festival (and previous to this, an industrial waste site).

Looking at the former use of the site, which housed many pavilions, all for public use - I favoured the idea of my design being usable by the general public, as well as relating to the site’s history.

I also was inspired by the overgrown nature of the site, I was interested in how this contaminated site had been conquered by a large variety of nature.

After being intrigued by these aspects of the site, I had settled on my theme;

‘A Climate Change Pavilion’ My design would be a scientific research facility, which focused on studying the affects of climate change on a variety of horticulture.

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In my design, I believe that the most important aspects were; The relationship between the inside of my building, and the environment, - The ‘Open’ design, encouraging people to use the building in a variety of ways, -Creating a space which focused on scientific research, yet encouraged the public to experience the building as an extension of the existing public realm.

The above 4 images show a few ways my design connects with the environment; 1. The glass facade can be retracted, allowing the inside to seamlessly transition into outside space.

2. The internal floor level matches the external level, removing a ‘step’ - which would be a boundary line between interior and exterior.

3. The same floor finish is used internally and externally, again, removing a boundary between inside and outside.

4. The materials used are natural and ‘earthy’, complementing the nature outside.

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The right 2 images show how my design includes versatile spaces.

The right image shows the Atrium & Skybridge.

The left shows the Café with a mix of formal and informal seating.

Both of these spaces are very versatile and can be used in many ways, such as ehibition space, or theatrical space - they do not just have to be used for their intended use.

The left 2 images show how my design includes public spaces.

The

left image shows people socialising in the Pavilion.

The right shows children using the proposed Playground.

Although my site is a scientific research facility, due to the location (neighbouring a public park) I feel that the design should be inviting, and act as an extension to the well utilised park space.

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This page shows a variety of Scientific and Academic Facilities; • A large, 2-storey laboratory • A private research room • Studios for educational, group workshops • Academic Exhibition rooms • Private Study Rooms Also, the pavilion, which is accessible to the public, is ‘Climate Controlled’ this allows scientists to experiment and study the affects of different climates in a variety of controllable scenarios.

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LIBRARY OF THE FUTURE BA Year 2 Semester 2

‘Library of the Future’ was the title of my final unit in the Second Year of My Degree.

The brief I was given tasked me to ‘Design a Library fit for the 21st Century’.

Visiting a range of libraries across the UK, I realised that modern libraries offer more than just the ability to borrow books; Casual Reading Spaces Quiet Reading Spaces Casual study areas Private study areas Children’s Playgrounds Performance Spaces ICT facilities Video Game Rental Urban Gardens Cafes Archives Help Desks Tourist Info Observation Decks

I also noticed the physical design of libraries has changed. Modern libraries appear to be becoming more open, and light - making the building feel more inviting.

This makes the building a more attractive destination to a wider amount of people.

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I decided that my library should embrace the trend of new modern libraries by being open and inviting.

However, I also decided that I wanted my building to blend into its surroundings; become a subtle, yet key part of the city.

To do this, I chose a site in the heart of Liverpool City Centre; a site which is largely empty - with the exception for an abandoned, lonely terrace building (shown above).

I wanted to encorporate that old building into my design; therefore retaining character of the area, yet breathing life back into this derelict spot of the city centre.

As shown above, I made that historic building the centrepiece of my

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I wanted my design to be as ‘Open’ as possible.

Considering the findings from my research, I decided that the design would include landscaping the larger site - space which is currently vacant rubble.

I wanted the area to become a small ‘Oasis’, nestled between the buildings, hidden up the narrow lanes.

I wanted my building to be the centrepoint of the Oasis, yet I wanted the building to seamlessly become part of its surroundings.

To achieve this, I decided my ‘Open’ design would feature large, glazed portions of wall (images above), which could be entirely retracted - allowing air and daylight to flow through the design on every floor.

At Ground level, people would also be able to flow from the ‘Oasis’ into the building.

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To further cement my design as an ‘Urban Oasis’, my design encorporated an internal Courtyard and Rooftop Terrace.

The Courtyard could be viewed and accessed from any part of the building, regardless of what floor the visitor may be on - this allowed daylight to flow into all areas of the design, further fitting my ‘Open’ design.

The Courtyard included water features, grassed areas, and extensive landscaping - plus at ground level, when the retractable walls were open, visitors could walk directly from the external Oasis into the Private Courtyard Garden.

The Rooftop terrace offers expansive views across the city, as well as quiet places to sit and read. The roof terrace covered the whole building.

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Internally, my design was very varied, it included Show Spaces, Children’s Play Areas, Cafe Spaces, Formal and Informal Seating - and of course, bookshelves.

As well as the converted existing building, another entrance was proposed for the rear, I felt this was important, as it faces Moorfields Underground Station, the busiest train station in Liverpool, and at the time, was the 3rd busiest station in the North West.

Having an entrance at the front, and the rear, encourages people coming from Moorfields, to walk directly through my building and the ‘Oasis’, instead of walking around the block (which they currently have to do).

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BA Year 2 Semester 1

Urban Design DESIGN PROJECT URBAN BA Year 2 Semester 1

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The first Project of my 2nd year was titled ‘Urban Design’ which was split into 2 sections: 1) Groupwork - Masterplan a site 2) Individual Work - Refine the design of a specific portion.

Our group were tasked with redesigning ‘Monument Place’, the former heart of Liverpool City Centre, which is now tired and a major route into the core city centre. The area is also known as the ‘Fabric District’ as it used to be bustling with Fabric Merchants.

Our original group design (small site plan, bottom left) improved the area by introducing seperated cycle lanes for Liverpool’s then-new City Bike Scheme, Tree Lined Boulevards to reduce noise pollution and improve the visual aesthetic, Water Features, Raised Planters, an Underground Train Station (as the site is situated directly above a disused railway tunnel), and Created a sun-sail covered area - which could house the existing market stalls and be used as exhibition space for street artists.

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My further improved scheme is the large plan (bottom). Retaining many features from our original plan; I impro the Underground Station’s entrance (so when people come out of the tunnel, they are greeted by an impressive listed monument in the middle of the Plaza; Increased a However my biggest and most visible change is the introduction of sun-sails spanning the entire

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oved the efficiency of the proposed cycle lanes; Improved the tree positions along the boulevards; reconfigured e view across the plaza); Increased the capacity for Market Stalls; introduced raised steps around the Grade II and improved the size and appearance of the fountains. width of the plaza. These sails were designed to be various fabrics - a nod to the site’s heritage.

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BA Year 1 Semester 2

‘A Place for Crafting’

‘A PLACE FOR CRAFTING’ BA Year 1 Semester 2

This unit required me to design a building which is suitable for carrying out some form of craft - any craft I chose.

I chose brewing Beer.

The site I was given was a small, yet promenant corner site on the edge of Liverpool City Centre.

This area has a large volume of well established pubs and bars, so my chosen craft fits in well.

After analysing the area in detail, I decided that my design should be a modern take on the traditional Northern England terrace property, as many buildings in that area are of this nature.

My scheme would be a city-centre brewery, with on-site bar; however I was also required to provide living accomodation inside my design for the ‘landlord’.

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Second

The design comprises of 4 floors; Basement - Part of the Bar, also houses many parts of the brewery equipment, Ground - Main Entrance, part of the bar, also houses parts of the brewery equipment, First - More bar area, extra tables Second - Residential space for the landlord Accessed from the rear of the property, not through the bar.

Basement

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Shadows Dec 21st

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Shadows Jun 21st

All floors of the bar are visually connected to each other by a large atrium at the main entrance. When walking in through the entrance, you could look up to the bar area upstairs, or look down - whilst walking over a short bridge - to the bar below.

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BA Year 1 Semester 1

‘Archifilm’

‘ARCHIFILM’ BA Year 1 Semester 1

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The very first unit in my degree required me to create a short film about an unusual, mythical structure.

Being in Liverpool - a major port, I decided to make a short film based around historical sea-legends that sailors used to tell. The film was called ‘Maritime Monument’.

The idea being that sailors would spot the unusual structure in the middle of the ocean and be intrigued. Their curiosity would lead them to the structure.

On arrival at the structure, a small ‘pod’ would appear from the base of the structure, lower down to the sailors, who climbed aboard before being lifted up.

Once inside, they would find themselves in a dark room, where they would be beckoned forward by a slim flicker of light from a distant staircase.

Following the light upstairs, they would find themselves in a small room; where the architectural placement of walls would play with the light coming through slim, tall windows at the far end.

Navigating the room, they find another staircase - but this one is dark at the top.

Once climbing, they find themselves in a room which appears infinite. The walls were infact mirrors, which were angled to face each other, and appear to go on forever.

At the end of an infinitely long corridor is a bright light.

Following the bright light out of the unsettling roof, they find more stairs - which they climb.

Here - they are on the roof. Finally greeted by the sound of seagulls and waves crashing.

After navigating the unnerving architecture which play on the senses, they would be amazed by the beautiful view over the ocean from the towering height of the structure.

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CURRICULUM VITAE Phone

+44 (0) 7411 633 603

Email

ben6562@gmail.com

Address

32 Lester Drive, Eccleston, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 5ES

Work Experience

Lawrenson Associates My responsibilities here are also very varied; Charted Structural Engineers & Architectural Services • Liaise with Clients, (Summer 2016 - Present) • Liaise with Planning / Building Control, • Conduct Measured Surveys, I am currently employed at Lawrenson Associates, a • Prepare and submit Planning Applications, family run Chartered Structural Engineering firm which • Draw and Detail 3D Visualisations, offeres Architectural Services.

• Create Floor Plans, Elevations and Cross Sections for Clients, I initially started here doing work experience, however • Write Design & Access Statements, by the end of it, the chairman offered me a job • Produce CAD drawings to assist with Structural ‘Trainee Architectural Technician’ which would fit Engineering reports. around my education.

Working at Lawrenson Associates has given me a Up until 2018, I worked under the close supervision rounded view of the Construction Industry, from both of the Head Architect - since then, my role changed to an Architectural and Structural point of view. I have ‘Junior Architectural Technician’, working as part of the learned the importance of the planning process, how Architectural team. to liaise with clients and appreciate the work which goes into a successful construction project.

Since 2016, I have worked on a variety of projects; • Concept Schemes, such as a shipping container retail park, • Small House Extensions, • Large House Extensions, • New-Build housing estates, • Building Conversions, such as converting offices into apartments, • Restoration work, such as restoring Grade II listed properties 25

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Work Experience (Continued)

Education

I started here in 2015 as a Bar Assistant, since then I have worked my way up to Hospitality Event Management as well as assisting with Building Operations.

College City of Liverpool College

Level 3 Extended Diploma in

Construction and the Built Environment

Obtained - Distinction*

St Helens RLFC Professional Rugby League Club Hospitality & Building Operations (Summer 2015 - Present)

My job is varied, I frequently do any of the following; - Supervise hospitality events of up to 400x people, - Manage a team of up to 12x bar staff, - Building and facility maintenance, - Carrying out relevant Security Checks, - Meet and Greet various dignitaries, - Cleaning and sanitation of facilities, - Setting up events, - Organising and setting up bars.

University Liverpool John Moores University

BA Architecture

Software

Adobe Photoshop Adobe InDesign Autodesk AutoCad Autodesk Revit Enscape (3D Rendering Software) Microsoft Excel Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word SketchUp

This job is very unique. One day I may be Supervising the running of a Wedding for hospitality, and the next References day I may be carrying out building maintenance for ...

Building Operations or assisiting in the running of a professional sports game.

Working here has given me the ability to work with members of the public; be able to switch roles and adapt quickly.

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Benjamin Murphy 2020 Portfolio