BETH HARDY MArch & MA(hons) Part II Architectural Assistant
TAXIS
TAXIS
TAXIS
MArch THESIS
WEST END WOMEN & GIRLS CENTRE
MArch Y5 PROJECT
HARRIS IRWIN ASSOCIATES
UNDERGRADUATE FINAL PROJECT
ARKITREK
2021-2022
2021-2022
2020-2021
2019-2020
2019
2018
WORK IN PRACTICE
UNIVERSITY WORK
Plan & Section: Drawing highlighting the ways in which the rewritten building regulations have affected the design of the building.
MArch THESIS PROJECT 2021-2022
BUILDING [HUMAN] REGULATIONS
Part M
Part F Part B
[own work] My thesis explored the inadequacy of the current building regulations regarding accessibility, and the architectural potentials of accessible design. Read on two scales, this project endeavours first to interrogate, revise, adapt and rewrite Parts B, E, F, K and M of the building regulations, to better reflect the needs of its users, and to encourage designers and architects to think more creatively about accessibility.
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Part K M
Part M
Part K
Part K
Often placed at the end of the design process, accessibility becomes an afterthought something which is only encouraged by the building regulations themselves. The second scale then, is the retrofit of Sunderland Station -used as a visual and physical example of the architectural potentials of the rewritten building regulations. This design flipped the standard process of programme, massing, and then de-tail by placing accessibility as the central focus of every design decision of the project. This thesis then became not only about the building regulations, but the evolution of a station from poor accessibility to go beyond existing standards.
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Accessibility Handbook: Photographs of the accessibility handbook I made alongside my thesis. The handbook compiled all of the information I gathered about designing for accessibility. tF
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TAXIS
TAXIS
TAXIS
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tE
Part M Part M
Part M
Part B
Part E
M
MArch THESIS PROJECT 2021-2022
PART M
1.1 The entrances of public buildings should be made clear through visual and tactile. This should also take into consideration from distances. LRV 39
LRV 08
M2 3.29 Passenger lifts should be provided in every public building, as not only an accessible alternative to stairs, but as a centre piece - that is to mean that the value placed upon them should be equal to that of stairs within a design to incorporate them into the flow of movement within a building.
PART B
3.9 Refuges should be placed in public buildings and should allow a space that is removed from any busy or overwhelming spaces. a. Refuges should be able to be dark comfortable spaces b. Refuges should be minimise noise
PART K
1.42 Handrails should guide users through the building to provide support (both physically and psychologically) and create a tactile experience that enhances the user’s perception of the space.
BUILDING [HUMAN] REGULATIONS [own work]
Visual: Part M external visual showing coloured wayfinding system
Visual: Part B refuge to help those with sensory needs to de-stress.
Visual: Part M & K water powered lifts and braille handrails to guide users through the station.
Visual: Part M & K water powered lifts and braille handrails to guide users through the station.
MArch THESIS PROJECT
Model Photograph of handbraille model reading ‘rest’ used to guide users and help navigate and describe a building.
2021-2022
Model Photograph of 3d tactile plan, used by those with sight impairments to feel the plan.
Model Photograph of handrail with handprint carved into it, used to help comfort users as a psychological aid.
BUILDING [HUMAN] REGULATIONS [own work]
Final Exhbibition: Photograph of people inhabiting my final exhibition. Photographs above show the process of making the hempcrete acoustic baffles (part E) this can help people with hearing impairments and autism.
VOLUNTARY WORK | WEWGC 2021-2022
WEST END WOMEN & GIRLS CENTRE [group work] Following a competition for the north east’s first women’s library in West End Women & Girls centre, Elswick, Newcastle University approached myself and 3 other students to adapt the winning design and build it. From September 2021 creative workshops were ran (lead by me), to gather ideas with the end user. Construction drawings were then produced and issued within deadlines. These were used by the women at the centre to build the smaller scale shelving. The technical pieces that required use of a workshop was built by the team and me. My role throughout this process included project manager, designer and managing a team of volunteers to produce and deliver drawings on time, building the shelving and seating and providing ongoing communication with the client.
Photograph: Using the bandsaw to create the plywood shelves
VOLUNTARY WORK | WEWGC 2021-2022
Construction drawing: Drawing showing all elements needed for the seating and shelving, built by us.
Workshops: 1:20 models of a corner of the library decorated by the women at the centre. Workshops were used to communicate with users about the design and their ideas for the proposal.
Workshops: Creative workshops with the West End Women and Girls Centre
WEST END WOMEN & GIRLS CENTRE [group work]
Workshops: 1:20 model of the room with the model decorated by the women at the centre inserted
Building: Building the seating and shelving arrangement in the workshop
MArch Y5 PROJECT 2020-2021
ELDON SQUARE: INDUSTRIAL RENEWAL [own work] Buildings like Eldon Square create indistinguishable cities that are often filled with failing commercial retail industries. My project aims to draw upon the cities industrial heritage to inject experiential, and cultural qualities that provide character to the city -that was lost from the expanse of consumerist outlets - whilst challenging the man-centric focus of the industrial heritage and its more contemporary gentrified persona to create a more inclusive and accessible environment for all. The programme of this project responds to 3 key areas of focus identified within the thesis. 1. Design a space for creativity and culture that relates to the city’s history 2. Design an accessible space that challenges the past male dominated industries 3. Design a space that challenges the expensive and gentrified aspect of craft to create an inclusive and affordable city space for Newcastle residents
Section: Section through gallery, IT suite and glad blowing workshop.
Visual: Exterior view from monument showing children’s play area
Visual: Interior visual of glass blowing workshop and viewing bubble above used as teaching space
MArch Y5 PROJECT 2020-2021
Plan: Plan of existing structure of Eldon Square retrofitted with library, IT suite, public toilets and children’s play area.
Site model: Photograph of site model.
Plan: Plan of ceramic and glass blowing workshop with studio space.
ELDON SQUARE: INDUSTRIAL RENEWAL [own work]
Sketchbook Extracts: Drawing studies of the site and its surroundings.
Section: Through glassblowing and ceramic workshops and children’s nursery.
MArch Y5 PROJECT 2020-2021
Structure model: Exploded axo of the structure of the glass and ceramic workshops.
ELDON SQUARE: INDUSTRIAL RENEWAL [own work]
Detail: Detail drawing of tiled façade providing privacy and shade.
Detail: Detail drawing of wooden frame meeting rammed earth base.
PART I ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT
Site Plan: Site plan of residential project in Wollaston
2021-2022
HARRIS IRWIN ASSOCIATES [own drawings] Harris Irwin Associates is an architecture firm that focusses both on large scale care developments and small-scale residential design. During my time working for the company (October 2019 onwards) I communicated the ideas of the architect through scaled drawings, sketches, visualisations, massing models and booklets. I contributed my own thoughts in design discussions to solve architectural issues and I corresponded with the client to navigate briefs. Beyond this, my role involved being a team member and managing my time to ensure that deadlines were met by all. I believe my time working at Harris Irwin has been extremely beneficial in developing both my understanding of the profession and my own enthusiasm within the subject. Through working on care homes and housing schemes, I have developed my knowledge of building regulations and design costs, and how this reflects in the proposed designs. However, I would like to develop my awareness of structure and the more technical elements of design – such as understanding material choices and the detailed drawings.
Sketchbook Extract: Ink sketches exploring material and form for residential project in Wollaston
Elevation Illustration: Residential project in Wollaston
PART I ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT 2019-2020
Visual: Exterior visual of care home proposal
HARRIS IRWIN ASSOCIATES [own drawings]
Plan Sketches: Ink on trace - adjusting plans to fit more bedrooms
Sketch: Hand drawn sketch of care home proposal
Y4 UNDERGRATUATE WORK
Visual: Extra care living arrangement along Falkirk highstreet
2019
REDESIGNING THE SCOTTISH HIGH STREET : HOUSING FOR A COMMUNITY [own work] The project focused on opportunities to re-imagine Falkirk High Street - a large town in Scotland- as a place to live for all, reversing a fifty year-long trend of housing people on the perimeter of towns. As a group of 3 we investigated our site and researched into the history, context, and the people of Falkirk, prior to producing our individual proposals. ‘Housing for a Community’ outlines my housing proposal for people who require extra care with a focus on providing a safe environment within a community. The program comprised of 3 main housing types, each aimed to reduce the contrast of previous living arrangements: 1-bedroom apartments aimed at young professionals; 1-bedroom apartments surrounding the central courtyard for extra care residents; and 2 storey independent housing, designed for extra care residents who require less support. These aim to reduce the contrast of previous living arrangements whilst providing a safe environment. By integrating the 3 housing typologies around one central space, a sense of community is formed within, with the intention of developing a positive effect on extra care residents’ health. The proposal aimed to reduce the impact of compact living by maximising natural light through form and void. Consequentially my proposal was driven by a need to penetrate rays of light into the core of each scheme by using roof lights, light wells, and the form of the building itself.
Model Photographs: 1:500 concept models playing with form
Sketchbook exerts: Light studies of the site and high street.
Sketchbook extract: exploring ideas of form.
Model: Photograph of model of extra care living arrangements
Y4 UNDERGRATUATE WORK
2019
Plan Second floor plan of extra care living and high street facilities
Elevation: West elevation of the extra care living arrangements.
REDESIGNING THE SCOTTISH HIGH STREET : HOUSING FOR A COMMUNITY [own work]
Y4 UNDERGRATUATE WORK
2019
Detail: Roof detailing of extra care housing
REDESIGNING THE SCOTTISH HIGH STREET : HOUSING FOR A COMMUNITY [own work]
Exploded axonometric: Structural elements of extra care living arrangements
Section: Section of extra living arrangements with light well.
PART I INTERNSHIP 2018
ARKITREK: COMMUNITY BAMBOO MUSEUM & BSBCC HOUSING [own drawings] During a Part I internship I worked for a small architecture firm called Arkitrek in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo. The firm worked on a broad range of predominantly small -scale projects that were ecological and culturally aware. One of the main projects that I was appointed to was the Bamboo Museum - a community led ecotourism project, proposed to encourage tourists to understand traditional crafts and local culture of the Kadazan-Dusun Tribe- and the BSBCC portable living arrangements. The Bamboo Museum project involved researching the architectural qualities of bamboo, the weaving methods used by the Dunsuns, designing the museum, and creating concept drawings and models for the clients to discuss ideas with. The project would become part of a permanent exhibition within the museum but also cast an appealing light display that stretched out across the stage. The BSBCC project involved working alongside the client, a sun bear conservation centre in Borneo. The project aimed to provide living arrangements in the heart of Borneo’s rainforest to allow a small team of staff to live alongside bear cubs whilst preparing for their release. Due to the project’s location, there were restrictions within the design; the building must be raised from the ground to prevent animals from entering, but must also be secure enough to withstand larger animals and storms. My role was to converse with the clients and design both living arrangements and an enclosure over the space of a 5-day trip. The enclosure would be used to move the sun bear cubs to their destination for release.
Visual: Exterior visual of the bamboo museum, highlighting the south facing baboo woven façade.
Ground Floor Plan: Bamboo museum
Sketchbook Extract: Sketchbook extracts of museum façades - a central panel of bamboo weave is placed on the south facing elevation, allowing natural light to seep into the building.
Photographs: Photographs of the structure on site and research into bamboo architecture. Image 2 shows the colour and bamboo weave used in a local hut.
South Elevation: Bamboo museum
PART I INTERNSHIP 2018
Visual: Exterior visual of the proposal for the BSBCC portable living arrangements.
Ground Floor Plan: BSBCC portable living arrangements.
South Elevation: BSBCC portable living arrangements.
ARKITREK: COMMUNITY BAMBOO MUSEUM & BSBCC HOUSING [own drawings]
Photographs: Photographs from site visits to BSBCC, a museum being built, and a potential site for a house.
Section: BSBCC portable living arrangements.
BETH HARDY MArch & MA(hons) Part II Architectural Assistant