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CONTENTS
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).
Thebriefwastocreatea‘ScientificResearch 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;
My design would be a scientific research facility, which focused on studying the affects of climate change on a variety of horticulture.
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.
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.
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.
