Project 08 (pp New Worswick Chambers [Cultural, Refurbishment]

New Worswich Chambers

An urban culture studio locates in Newcastle, the UK.

The work undertaken in Future City studio is to develop an alternative ‘future’ for Newcastle, one that pushes back against the imperatives of market-driven, commercial urbanisation.

We are asked to propose speculative buildings, with mixed-use programmes that have strong social and civic qualities and that are inclusive of local businesses, cultural organisations and social groups that are frequently marginalised in private real estate development.

This project is heavily based on the analysis and research of East Pilgrim Street (EPS) area in Newcastle, using narrative to explore the crucial social, urban, economic and material issues within this area which I then respond to architecturally, proposing a method which culminates in the design of an urban dance studio, that could promote the cultural development in EPS area.

Research phase: academic project / team work / 207-2018 / Newcastle University Design phase: academic project / individual work / 2018 / Newcastle University Contact: Kieran Connolly - kieran.connolly@ncl.ac.uk; Luke Rigg - l.s.rigg@gmail.com

There are many listed building and old buildings in EPS area. Most of them are in a large form with different blocks within, however, here is no specific distinction between different blocks and functions in one building. So in this project, the mass and height of the building are designed to create a subtle transition from the big scale of the Worswick Chambers to the wider proportions of the predominant blocks in EPS area. The aim is not only to design a building but also to design the skyline of the city.

Block Extend out and push back Subtraction Bring in light Curtain walls 4 different volumes

Main Structure - Concrete Frame

The main structure is concrete frame structure, the choice of concrete was inspired by the sites conditions and the way in which the material responds to urban dance. Concrete frame structure gives the building a solid cube form to response the heavy structures of the surrounding buildings. Moreover, the old building has the structure movement and drainage problems, so the new building cannot supported by the existing wall. The concrete columns are offset to the existing brickwork without touching the listed building.

There are 5 main stages alteration: The first stage is the analysis of the site and Worswick Chamber, define the demolition and preservation manifesto; The second stage is demolish the shabby brickwork block and install the foundation structure; The third stage is primary structure construction; The fourth is facade installation and last the roof installation.

1 6b 6c 6a 5

2 3 7

8 4b

4a

Ground Floor

1. Courtyard 2. Shop 3. Reception 4. a. Bar Counter b. Bar Storage 5. Kitchen 6. a. Accessible Toilet b. Female Toilet c. Male Toilet 7. Circulation Core 9. Bar/Cafe + Dance Hall

32mm Oakwood Inner Cladding 120mm Rigid Insulation 50mm Ventilation Gap 150mm Reinforced Cast In-situ Concrete

Aluminium Frame Glazing Roof

Dripedge Profile Glazing Tape

Condensation Outlets Overhang Space(<=100)

120mm Cast In-situ Concrete Slab 60mm Cellular Polyurethane Insulation 220mm Hollow Precast Concrete Slab

Clip Angle

Brick Veneer Cavity Steel Tie Brick Inner Wythes

Mortar Bed Weep Hole And Vent Flashing

Drainage Mat 90mm Rigid Insulation 190mm Concrete Foundation Wall 100mm Rigid Insulation Damp Proofing 50mm Concrete Slab

Concrete Spread Footing 45mm Cast In-situ Concrete 127mm Extruded Polystyrene (Eps) Insulation Waterproofing Membrane 20mm Leveling Screed 80mm Reinforced Screed 220mm Hollow Precast Concrete Slab

14mm Solid Hardwood Single Layer Semi-flexible Suspension Panel 50mm Cellular Polyurethane Insulation 6mm Dpm Vapour Barrier 400mm Reinforced Concrete

Aluminium Frame Temprated Glass Airspace Temprated Glass

18mm Plasterboard 20mm Deflection Space

10mm Thick Square Steel Column 25x40 Calcium Silicate Fire Protection Slab 45mm Steel Nail 25mm Calcium Silicate Fire Protection Slab

400mm Reinforced Concrete 50mm Kingspan Thermafloor Tf70 Insulation 150mm Concrete Floor Slab

Rubble Soling Damp Proofing 400mm Bedding 50mm Kingspan Thermafloor Tf70 Insulation 150mm Concrete Floor Slab

Pile Reinforcement (Horizontal) Lifting Hole From Head Pile Reinforcement X 2 (Vertical)

Inner walls of dance studios will be hardwood with soft insulation, to create a smooth surface to protect the dancers. Outside of the dance studio is the social and waiting area, with reclaimed and recoloured brick from the demolished part of Worswick Chambers. Different materials define the public and semi-public areas.

The toilet and shower room units have ceramic tile floors, and unpolished concrete walls. Keeping the original texture of concrete reflects urban dance culture -- the original street style, without being dogmatic. (All the ceilings in the building are unpolished concrete as well.)

Walking into the ground floor bar area, long wooden tables are provided for people’s use. The reclaimed brick is used to build the lattice wall, creating the interesting shadow, and ensuring the privacy of the room. A large atrium and curtain wall allow people at the upper floors to enjoy the view of Tyne Bridge and Quayside, and look down to the ground floor area.

View from the ground floor bar, through the courtyard, the existing Worswick Chambers, and the tunnel entrance on Pilgrim Street. The ground floor bar can be used as a dance floor as well, DJ is located at the corner, all the tables and chairs could be moved by the wall or ground floor storage area. The social area between two dance studios, the wide span of this space allows people gather together to social and communicate. The cladding of public areas would be reclaimed and recoloured brick, to respect the original Worswick Chamber, and to show the difference between the new and old textures.

A wide space with high ceilings is provided in the dance studios. The width is important for dances that move a lot in scenic space and for big groups. The height is important for dancers to practice to communicate a big image of them in space. Smooth wall surface and buffered floors are important as well, to protect dancers from the impact of jumps, falls, etc.