Nurture : Volume 1

NURTURE

In this booklet I compare two chosen sites in Dundee City in terms of how they sit within their context of the city, pros and cons, and suitability of accommodation for individuals with ASD. Along with site specific design cues, the general city will be explored more in terms of how historic and proposed plans from the council could influence design. All of which would create a strong purpose for every decision.

Figure 1 : Ploughed Field + Greenhouse, The Netherlands - Rudy and Peter Skitterians

YEAR 4: STUDIO E CHELSEIGH BUCHANAN

NURTURE

THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS DESIGNING WITHIN THE CITY

‘‘the door handle is the handshake of the building’’ - Juhani Pallasmaa (2012) The Eyes of the Skin, Architecture and the Senses [p.62]

Studio BBPR: a design collective of architects, urban planners and designers.

Formed in the mid 20th Century, Studio BBPR created furniture and other pieces of design and were part of the rationalist movement. The Architect of the group of four was called Ernesto Rogers who’s design ethos was summed up in this re-introduced (originally from socialist city planner, Hermann Muthesius between 1910-1916) quote:

‘‘dal cucchiaio alla città’’ [re-introduced in 1952]

Meaning:

‘‘from the spoon to the city’’.

The idea was that the group could design literally anything from the small scale of a spoon to the large scale of the city, and his approach of looking at the skyscraper down to the cutlery within it is an approach that could be and should be explored more.

Within this booklet, we can see the overview of the wider scale city, to the details within potential designs, to the people that it effects, and finally to the type of people it is for.

This way of thinking allows the architectural idea to become stronger, where the concept can be seen right down to the paint colour used. Imagine taking a satellite from space with the strongest telescopic lens and zooming into the city, the area, the block, the site, the building, the room, the person, the flooring and being able to see how they all relate to each other. How history, landscape and materiality can all communicate at different scales to tell a different part of the same story.

This communication becomes more important when we talk about who this design is for - residents with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism is (as discussed in the group booklet) a complex neurological developmental disorder, where the world is viewed completely differently by individuals with it. Noise, colour, temperature, details and people can all cause a person with autism to have a bad reaction if their senses are agitated, so ensuring throughout the whole project that this is remembered is important. Where a small detail and the bigger urban environment relate to each other becomes an acknowledgement to how ASD makes people see the world, and celebrates it within an architectural design.

n.b. for all facts and figures on ASD please refer to group booklet Autism and the demographics section of the Dundee booklet.

Exploration

WHERE AND WHO I HAVE TAKEN INFLUENCE FROM TO INFORM INITIAL IDEAS

‘‘justice to the landscape’’ - Peter Zumthor Thinking Architecture [page 98]

SIR PATRICK GEDDES | CIVICS: AS APPLIED SOCIOLOGY -

page 107

‘‘Our own advance from a lower industrial civilisation towards a higher thus no less demands definite characterisation, and this may be broadly expressed as from an earlier or Paleotechnic phase, towards a later or more advanced Neotechnic one. If definition be needed, this may be broadly given as from a comparatively crude and wasteful technic age, characterised by coal, steam, and cheap machine products, and a corresponding quantitative ideal of “progress of wealth and population”—towards a finer civilisation, characterised by the wider command, yet greater economy of natural energies, by the predominance of electricity, and by the increasing victory of an ideal of qualitative progress, expressed in terms of skill and art, of hygiene and education, of social polity, etc.’’

By breaking this quote down we can begin to understand what Geddes’ plans for changing the city environment were.

In simple terms, paleotechnic phase referred to the low level industry, class division and slums with the neotechnic phase being the improvements which followed : electricity, sanitary facilities, and education which were all improving - but the old city in terms of urban design was spatially unsuitable for the neotechnic age.

Geddes believed that if you give everyone equal opportunities in terms of facilities like garden space, good sanitation and nearby amenities then they will be happy. Allowing everyone no matter how much they earn to have the same assets to live amongst then generally they will look after these assets and the place they are in and, in turn, the city will flourish: if the people are happy then the city will follow suit.

The diagram to the right by Geddes explains how creating a working city is not just about the architecture, it is about environment.

PLACE = facilities (gardens, cleanliness, etc)

WORK = economy (fair wages)

FOLK = social aspect (community, )

When all three of these aspects are combined, a city is created that people want to live in.

Reflecting on the Reclaiming Urbanism lecture series, we can see how what is discussed above was from the 20th century but is still very relevant today and we as designers should be aware of this and investigate how it could be modernised to react with cities now - so comes the idea of the micro-community.

During the mid 19th century, the cities of Scotland were extremely dense, with the majority of people living in unpleasant and overcrowded conditions. There was a huge class divide with the working class living in these awful conditions and the upper class living in large mansions and town houses. Geddes recognised this and proposed a situation where these two classes met in the middle where everyone had equal opportunities and amenities, as mentioned previously.

This recognition led to the garden city movement, which included self contained communities (with residential and industrial and agricultural buildings) being surrounded by green spaces. These communities consisted of housing with individual gardens which were clustered together, leading to housing the estates and creating the urban sprawl which we can clearly see today within Dundee’s suburbs. The principle and intention of this movement was good however, as the years have gone past, the once rich urban environment of the city has gradually been lost and has reached a point where a change is needed.

With the combination of Geddes’ equality thinking along with the garden city movement, again there almost needs to be a recognition of a middle ground between the two. Creating smaller micro-community blocks means where Geddes’ thinking can still be used as a base but modernised to suit the social and economic growth of the city as it sits today and can be adapted to keep up with the future growth of the city.

Figure 2 : Patrick Geddes’ thinking machine based on le play’s triad Lieu, Travail, Famille - early 20th century

BLOCK

The building blocks of cities are simply that - blocks. Blocks form streets and have their own characteristics that make up neighbourhoods and they create towns and cities (relating back to the ‘spoon to the city’ quote from the introduction). This means that every aspect of the block is important as it is a key part of how the city functions.

Looking specifically at the ‘Building Blocks’ chapter in Soft Cities, there are a couple of sections which stand out as being useful for this project.

‘The Potential of the Ground Floor’ talks about how active ground floors bring people and with them comes community. Activating the ground floor does not always mean with shops - they can be activated with workshops and other service functions but the idea is that they bring people. This sense of community is required to allow individuals with ASD to feel like they are a part of something, instead of being excluded.

‘What an Enclosed Block Can Do’ covers how courtyards can create protected acoustic space, better microclimate, protected secure zones and can be 100% vehicle free. All these aspects, along with carefully selecting typology, programme and form, creates almost the perfect conditions for people with Autism, where they would be safe and comfortable.

David Sim talks about successful contemporary ways you can design blocks but what about existing?

A large amount of mixed use residential/retail blocks found in Scottish cities are commonly formed by tenement blocks with active street ground floors (shop fronts) and residential functions above - which appear successful. This success is obvious from the street side, but when looking within the block on the internal environment this is not so obvious. The inside spaces of the block tend to be shared gardens which are rarely kept nice or are re-used for parking. The idea of almost turning the tenement block inside out where the protected internal courtyard would become activated which would create an autism friendly space and is something worth investigating.

Whilst shops create active ground floors and frontages (from both sides of the block) it is important to question if this permeability from street to courtyard is suitable when designing for ASD. Ensuring that there is not a free flow of people entering and leaving would be important as to not become too busy at one time and therefore be a trigger for an episode. So maybe the core becomes about managed activities where memberships to gardens, or booked events act as a control layer so that residents could prepare for situations and decide whether they would like to take part or not.

soft cities

Figure 3 : Soft Cities Book Cover

Figure 4 : Louis Kahn Sketch: the street is a room by agreement

David Sim 2019

The first thing that stands out when looking at historic Dundee from above are the old factory roofs which almost look like ploughed fields. This relationship is almost ironic, with the ploughed fields celebrating nature and the act of growing crops with rich nutrient soil being replaced by factories that kill the land beneath them.

Ploughing fields allows the nutrients further down to be brought to the surface, creating the perfect conditions for something to grow. This relationship/attitude could be translated into designing for people with ASD - in order to bring the best out in a person you need to create an ideal environment for them to thrive.

Figure 5 : image of ploughed fields west of Letham, Angus

Figure 6 : historic image of factory roofs, Dundee

PETER ZUMTHOR | THINKING ARCHITECTURE - pages 95

‘‘landscape also contains history. People have always lived in and worked in landscapes. Sometimes the landscape suffers from having us live and work in it.’’

However, if you work there you might have a different concept of that time, where being in the landscape becomes a chore and therefore brings negative connotations. A lot of the time buildings almost have this same relationship to landscape where there is no positive connection therefore we lose the sense of landscape. The land underneath disappears and becomes almost non existent as the built mass upon it sits.

In this scenario though where we are aiming to repair the city’s discarded sites, it is slightly different. The same principles still apply where you need to look around and care for the landscape, but in the city the landscape has already surrendered and transformed into something else. So it becomes about bringing it back in a more controlled way to allow the design to fit contextually with its new landscape (the city). We need to start looking at other ways to bring nature in through natural light, air and materials.

Zumthor: ‘‘nature has a different sense of time. Time is big in the landscape but while in the city it is condensed, just like the city’s space.’’

With this design, the aim is to change the pace of the city by introducing nature and gardens within design/ architecture and bring nature back in a controlled manor.

Figure 7 : Kolumba Museum entrance by Peter Zumthor

THE LIGHT

Looking at the colours and lighting triggers that effect a person with ASD (refer to group booklet), makes you wonder what darkness would do?

Light waves allow colours to be reflected into our eyes, but in a dark room we cannot see colour. The light also causes shadows that can be a trigger for ASD as these shadows emphasise texture and movement.

Thinking about the way we could use light to ‘‘support’’ dark spaces brings the idea of diffusion. Filtering the external environment at a higher level would allow a window to not be a ‘main event’ or the first thing you see, instead it would allow the darkness too be present without either being to intense,

By adding skylights, the roof becomes a facadeespecially when it can be seen from above. This idea goes back to the ploughed field analogy, where maybe there is an opportunity to bring back the ploughed

fields in a similar way to the factories, but looking at the idea further with the possibility of green roofs. By adding natural light this way, we create extremely private internal spaces where it would only be possibly to see within if you were on the roof. If planting was to be added amongst the windows there would be a connection back to nature, so even though you would be looking up, you would be grounded again - which may become useful when an Autistic person is having an episode.

The images to the right show different ways in which light can be introduced from above: Zenithal Light

ZENITH meaning: ‘’The zenith is the point at which the sun or moon is directly above you and seems to be at its highest’’ - Collins dictionary

LIGHT meaning: ‘‘Light is the brightness that lets you see things.’’- Collins dictionary

Figure 8 : Joseph Gandy drawing of the Bank of England designed by Sir John Soane

Figure 9 : Sir John Soane’s house/now museum

Figure 10 : Sectional Model of the Newport Street Gallery designed by Caruso St John Architects

Figure 11 : Sectional drawing of The Pantheon, Rome - engraving by Antoine Babuty Desgodets

The thing that makes architecture. The thing that people touch. The thing that people see.

Material, along with space, is one of the principle elements of architecture and without it we simply would not have space. Knowing this, it is important to ensure the correct and appropriate materials are used within a design as it has an effect on the people who use the space.

Building materials have changed over the years due to availability, cost, and ease of use but it should not just be about that - it should be about the user and how they experience it.

6a architects’ project Ravens Row is something which has a strong reference to historic material. Tom Emerson talks about how casting creates memory in a lecture on the studio’s work. When they discovered there was a fire in the building that meant a lot of the timber panels were burnt they drew inspiration from this and combined this with the technique of charring wood. 6a ended up not only using charred timber within the gallery but they also created a mould with charred timber for cast iron to be used on the facade - referring to the fire event and also the historic use of cast iron in the streets of old London.

This approach shows that how a material is made and used can act as a nod to the historic context of a city (in terms of built environment) but also in terms of events that happened on site which could influence material choice. By combining a city wide material and a historic event from a site to create an element which sits within a modern design reflects again on the idea of the ‘spoon to the city’.

Whilst the charred timber and cast iron would not be suitable when designing for people with Autism for several reasons, the principles of history and context can still be used just with the extra element of considering the users even more. The temperature, texture, and colour of materials have to be considered more sensitively to ensure they are neutral enough as to not act as a trigger for ASD. Keeping the palette neutral also allows for the raw materials to speak for themselves and express the richness of nature rather than being painted bright colours where it becomes more about the colour rather than the materials themselves.

Figure 12 : roof lights creating an even hue over the gallery space in gallery space

Figure 13 : charred timber roof lights

Figure 15 : fire damage within historic building

Figure 14 : cast iron (mould of charred timber) on facade

JOHN TOUMEY | ARCHITECTURE, CRAFT AND CULTURE

Within the ‘identity’ chapter of the book above, Toumey talks about a film called ‘Notebook on Cities and Clothes’ and the Japanese fashion designer, Yohji Yamamoto. Wim Wenders, the filmmaker describes in detail how he felt when he tried on an item created by the designer:

‘‘with this shirt and jacket it was different. From the beginning they were new and old at the same time. In the mirror I saw of me of course, only better, more than me before, and I had the strangest sensation I was wearing, yes I had no other words for it, I was wearing the shirt itself and the jacket itself and in them I was myself. I felt protected like a knight in his armour. By what? By a shirt and jacket?’’

Wenders explains the realisation that each item of clothing you wear enhances your sense of identity - but not all clothing does that. The unique peace that he had chosen in that particular time and mood was just right, a part of him.

It could be seen that adaptability in architecture is the same. The more things you can change to make unique to your space the better it suits you, the more comfortable you feel in it - the piece has personality which is moulded around you.

This shows how whenever you are designing something for people that it is really about understanding the user you are designing for.

No two autistic people are the same so it is about creating an environment which they can change and adapt to suit their own preferences and personalities.

A lot of the time you choose a pair of trousers, listen to music or paint something depending on your mood. So how can we design architecture in the same way which can be switched around in the moment of a certain feeling?

This question will be explored more in Device and Journal volume II.

Figure 16 : inverted sketch drawing from cover of book ‘Talking to Myself’ by Yohji Yamamoto

Analysis

PICKING OUT KEY ANALYSIS FROM THE GROUP WORK THAT CAN REALLY IMPACT DESIGN

‘‘old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings’’ - Jane Jacobs The Death and Life of Great American Cities [page 10]

BURGAGE PLOTS

Looking at how the burgage plots extend out into the gardens and the arrangement of blocks is something that could be influential when designing. The rhythmic pattern is an aspect that individuals with ASD appreciate, as it gives a sense of order and therefore calmness. There is also the tie back to history, with the idea of a contemporary style burgage plot referring back to how Dundee first evolved.

CITY BLOCKS

Within the existing bones of the city, roads developed around the dense blocks in the centre. These spaces in between form grids become less defined the further away from the centre you go. Existing street patterns are highly influential to the city plan we see today, and with the attitude of retaining and reflecting on the nature of the city, it would be an idea to work with these grids to inform designs.

The grid system on sites could either be given from contextual cues or ignored, but either way the language of using a grid on a site is the same - whether it is an extension of surrounding street or not. Grids allow for designs to be read and used more easily as the legibility of them is clearer compared to randomly placed objects on a site. This becomes important when people visit (either friends, family or workers) and have to find where they are going. Instead of a labyrinth style plan like the sparse and uncontrolled nature of housing estates, the buildings and paths will be organised in such a way that users know where they are and where they are going.

sparse + regimented 1:25 000 @ A4

dense block (historic) sparse + uncontrolled

reactive (topography)

Figure 17 : 1836 plan of Edinburgh showing comparison of the rhythmic nature of the burgage plots in the old town and regimented grid of the new town

TYPOLOGIES

LOGIE HOUSING ESTATE

Looking at the Logie housing estate, it is clear how there was a conscious design attempt of creating a microcommunity. This idea of having all the buildings needed to live no more than 5 minutes from an individual’s home creates a community environment, where everyone knows everyone. This becomes important when talking about people with ASD as they not appreciate change. These changes can include routine, people and environments (which effect all senses). The world is emphasised to a person with autism, so making sure that the places they go can remain the same is important so they are not distracted or overwhelmed by new situations.

Figure 18 : image of the Derby Street Multies from Canning Street, Hilltown sitting behind low level housing [2013]

The heart of the city is the mills and are the whole reason Dundee stands like it does today. Many of these buildings are still around - being converted into shops or residential flats. This idea of converting the historic buildings of Dundee is an attitude to be brought into design.

Allowing the history of the sites to influence design is important as it not only helps inform materiality and form but it also gives a reason for certain design decisions.

TOWER BLOCKS

The tower blocks took over Dundee for a short period of time. However it is worth noting that even though 50+ stood at one time, only 7 remain, posing the question why?

Dundee as a city is very small and ‘town like’ meaning the towers almost took over the skyline of the reserved city. Whilst they do act as landmarks to orientate locals and visitors within the urban landscape, the fact so many have been demolished shows how unsuitable they are for Dundee.

There is something to be taken from them though - the idea of tower blocks for public use with offices above (like the DC Thomson building) creates a recognisable building which can be seen from a distance and with the potential to act as a meeting place - again helpful for residents and visitors.

TENEMENT BLOCK

Whilst the tenement block became an undesirable place to live at the time due to overcrowding, there are positive aspects that can be extracted. The idea of having a combination of communal and private spaces is key when designing for people with ASD as it would give them the opportunity to communicate with people or retreat to the comfort of their own space. The blocks consist of communal corridors and gardens with individual flats under 1 shared roof. A concept that can be reflected in a contemporary way.

The current public green areas available in Dundee appear to be quite generous in terms of number and size. However when investigating this further, they are not as successful as the residents of the city would like. The majority of them have lost their function of creating an escape from the urban environment, and providing a space for activities. From Clatto park having contaminated water to Camperdown Park losing its golf course, not much remains.

With this realisation brings the want to provide a functional external space for residents not just from the design but also out with. This could be brought in by introducing allotments, market areas, flexible courtyards and so on to bring the community together.

LANDMARKS

A brief look back to the towers, begs the question does the proposed scheme need to be a destination landmark?

Short answer: yes.

With the ambition of the sites being contextual and some what understated, there is still the need to create an environment which people want to be in. So giving something back to the city and the residents within is important. It would also allow for those with ASD to communicate with those not on the spectrum but still share the same interest - providing education for all.

The idea of using a tower or taller device on the site would allow for a recognisable feature - attracting everyone. The dominance of a tower is familiar within the city as there are the taller converted jute mills which may surround the site. This relationship would create a node at the site, where there is activity, protected meeting space and recognisable features. With the sites being within a district and including a landmark, paths, nodes, and edges the scheme could act as a compressed city, following on the idea of the micro-community.

CONNECTIONS

Designing ASD accommodation with associated public buildings on sites near bus stops and cycle paths means that there are strong connections for residents and visitors to and from. Along with these connections, there are the social connections and if there were several public aspects along with residential buildings, this would provide the opportunity for residents to feel connected to their surrounding community.

KEVIN LYNCH | The Image of The City

edge landmark

district

path node

Figure 19 : The element of a city diagrams by kevin lynch

By examining the matrix diagram (more detail in Dundee group booklet) an initial choice of what area to pick sites from can be made. East can be ruled out almost immediately with the scores being low across the board on all sites. North and West of Dundee generally does well however, even with good public transport, they still feel too excluded from the vibrant centre. So this leaves the Centre (south) of the city, where sites are close to amenities, fitness facilities, public transport, university buildings and more. This close relationship would allow residents to not feel isolated or rejected from residents in the surrounding area.

Looking closer at the scores across all 4 centre sites there are 4 key areas that score low. Community, issues with overlooking, security and pedestrian friendliness score generally between 1-4, meaning these elements have to be particularly focussed on when designing.

Issues with there being a lack of community can be increased immediately by introducing a public space for activities.

Overlooking can be designed out by using walls (free standing or building).

Security can tackled with the addition of a community but also by using architectural devices (such as courtyards or lanes) to surround the sites and making public/private aspects of the design very clear.

Pedestrian friendliness can be improved by introducing pedestrianisation of existing roads surrounding the site.

It may seem obvious in the first instance to make a site choice which is located out with the centre boundary and give residents a more serene environment however we have to remember that individuals with ASD are still people. These people already feel secluded as they struggle with everyday tasks, so selecting a site that makes them feel surrounded by supporting elements will allow them to feel involved within their community which is more important than creating the ‘ideal’ contextual environment.

LOOKING

INTO HOW WE CAN IMPROVE THE CITY AS IT SITS

Gehl

CURRENTLY ‘‘first life, then spaces, then buildings - the other way around never works’’ - Jan

Jan Gehl’s quote : ‘‘first life, then spaces, then buildings’’ can be broken down or explained specifically within the context of this project.

life = people (specifically individuals with ASD)

spaces = enclosed public flexible space (creating a sense of community for people who feel excluded due to their differences)

buildings = the built environment surrounding the external environment to protect and improve the user’s life (taking into account lighting, colour, noise etc)

By providing public areas and garden spaces that everyone can share refers back to Patrick Geddes’ ‘Place Work Folk’ principle. Where everyone is provided with the same amenities to live, meaning there is equality and pride with no hierarchy. These elements all create a ‘community’ environment where everyone is willing to help and take care of their surroundings and neighbours.

By introducing a single 5 minute micro-community, the first one could be echoed around the city and across other cities in the country. This principle would allow the issues in specific areas to be tackled, where there is a lack of family housing, or accommodation and work spaces for young professionals, or housing suitable for the older generation, or in this case autism based units - the list is almost endless and is completely context focussed.

1. ownership + community

residents/users have the feeling of pride of place and being part of something bigger (network)

2. walkability having everything required for living within a walkable distance or having public transport within close proximity

3. climate micro-climate created by enclosed urban block and defined boundaries

4. multi-functioning where the programme of the community and therefore use of buildings and enclosed space can change depending on brief

5. human scale comfortable spaces designed for people and their every day activities

6. flexibility spaces (internal and external) can be altered to suit contextual needs (I.e. what does that area of the city need)

7. network

the connection within and between communities

8. timescale

the idea of connectivity where the city starts with one micro-community, then adds another, and another (filling pockets within the urban environment - unifying previously disconnected areas)

[ network diagram super imposed onto plan of Dundee ]

MOVES

The aim of the design is to the repair the existing centre whilst recognising and reacting to any historic importance on or near the site and over the entire city.

Taking design cues in terms of form, scale, materiality and orientation.

Comparing two images (old and new) of a mill in Dundee, you can pick up even how the streets around the mills have changed. Going from a busy street with pedestrians, bikes and trams to a road with buses and cars shows how much transport has taken over. Vehicles provide necessary links, yes, but in doing so they create a dangerous environment for people (cycling or walking) which discourages the streets of Dundee being used how they used to be. So to pedestrianize some surrounding roads to sites would allow users to feel comfortable in their environment and reduce the risk of accidents.

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

By looking at the environmental factors of each site, the hope is to design a scheme which is mostly self sufficient and uses the natural elements as best as possible.

The idea is to create an environmental design which is understated visually as to still fit contextually and be accepted by surrounding residents.

For example, simple things like rainwater harvesting for watering plants in the gardens would be one aspect. This would allow for giving the plants what they need and it be natural along with allowing residents to be as independent as possible with little requirement for workers. It would also provide a learning area for residents and community for the surrounding area.

Using the sun to heat and wind to ventilate and create energy again reduces the impact the design would have on the site and city whilst at the same time bringing nature back - following on from the idea of ploughed fields. In situations where the site historically had a factory, there would almost be a contradiction (explored briefly in Device) where you would be replacing what is there with a like by like building visually but not environmentally.

Looking further at the wind aspect, the need for a building to be more airtight for ventilation to be controlled better would in turn provide a better environment for residents with Autism. The extra insulation would provide a good acoustic environment, meaning issues like noisy main roads and transport would be less of a problem.

Figure 20 : road outside converted jute mill

Figure 21 : street outside jute mill

Selection

IDENTIFYING TWO SITES AND INVESTIGATING THE PROS AND CONS OF EACH ‘‘we borrow from nature, the space upon which we build.’’ - Tadao Ando

The main aim of this plan is to allow the council to communicate to architects, developers etc, the aim of the city. The idea of creating high quality design and place making is key and it is explained throughout how this could be developed,

The 6 qualities that have been recognised for the whole city to be successful are for it to be:

1. distinctive ‘‘development should create places with strong sense of identity’’

2. safe + pleasant ‘‘development should create vibrant and attractive places with a sense of security through encouraging activity’’

3. easy to move around + beyond ‘‘development should consider place and the needs of people before the movement of motor vehicles’’

4. welcoming ‘‘development should promote way finding and a sense of orientation’’

5. adaptable ‘‘development should support adaptability and resilience throughout our City by accommodating future change of use’’

6. resource effi cient ‘‘development should promote the sustainable use of resources and waste management throughout the full life cycle of development’’

The points to the right highlight only a few areas of the document which can be tackled within the design of this project.

selection

Figure 22 : Dundee local development plan 2019 cover

VISION

2.4 - ‘‘Creating and maintaining sustainable communities are key national policy objectives established through the Community Planning and the Development Planning frameworks...’’

CITY OF DESIGN

4.3 - ‘‘High quality place making is promoted through the Scottish Government’s policy documents ‘Creating Places’...which both champion the six qualities of successful place: distinctive; safe and pleasant; welcoming; adaptable; resource efficient; and easy to move around and beyond.’’

SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH

5.9 - ‘‘...new development will be well located to make use of the City’s existing infrastructure with established connections to a transport network that includes public transport, active travel and green infrastructure networks rather than encouraging dependence on the car’’

QUALITY HOUSING AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES

6.2 - ‘‘The Local Development Plan seeks to encourage a design-led approach to sustainable, high quality place making, with the purpose of achieving quality residential environments... the aim is to create places that complement the distinct character and identity of the different parts of the City and promote an integrated mix of land uses, including well designed, energy efficient homes of different types and tenures.’’

6.15 - ‘‘The Scottish Government’s Town Centre First Principle, encourages local authorities to promote town centres as key areas for sustainable economic growth so that communities can thrive. ..’’

6.24 - ‘‘...shifting the balance of care in favour of older people and people with special or varying needs being able to live as independently as possible, within communities, through a variety of non-mainstream accommodation types. ...communities become more varied in relation to physical and mental well-being. Various health and mobility issues create a growing demand for particular types of services and nonmainstream housing throughout the City. Care in the community may also necessitate other types of special needs housing.’’

6.32 - ‘‘This mix of uses and the availability of a range of services and facilities locally helps to create strong, stable and sustainable communities. It is also an important means of providing opportunities to reduce the need to travel to meet everyday needs and therefore makes an important contribution to the promotion of sustainable development...’

6.38 - ‘‘Nurseries are important facilities providing childcare and contributing towards meeting the early education needs of young children. Encouraging a good distribution of such facilities is beneficial to the convenience of parents and guardians of children attending nurseries as well as contributing to the requirements of the Council’s transportation objectives...’’

TOWN CENTRE FIRST

7.48 - ‘‘Local shops play an important role in supporting Dundee’s neighbourhoods and making our communities more sustainable...’’

SUSTAINABLE NATURAL + BUILT ENVIRONMENT

8.5 - ‘‘The quality of the natural environment in and around Dundee is a key economic asset and central to the health and well-being of our residents and communities. It is also an essential part of our long-term environmental performance and climate resilience.‘‘

8.13 - ‘‘Community-led green infrastructure projects such as new allotments, community growing areas or temporary greening will be supported where these are appropriately located and managed.’’

8.62 - ‘‘Conservation areas are one of the measures available to local authorities to protect the quality of the built environment. Positive management of these areas is vital if their character and appearance is to be protected and enhanced...’’

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT AND DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY

9.3 - ‘‘At a local level Dundee is a compact city with the opportunity to deliver high levels of accessibility and efficient transportation provision to all developments. The Local Transport Strategy for Dundee sets out three key objectives of a sustainable transportation package for the City: reducing the need to travel, promoting alternative modes of travel; and restraining the use of the private car.’’

BLACKNESS BUSINESS PLACE PLAN

Whilst the area of Blackness as it sits currently has a ‘strong sense of place’ in terms of historic context, it has been recognised as being underused so a document has been set out by Dundee City Council to combat this. The existing blackness area consists mostly of business, general industry and storage and distribution but there is a want and need for other classes such as shops, food and drink, assembly and leisure facilities, and flats and live/work units to become more dominant. This means that light industry which are environmentally sensitive and business (particularly craft and maker business - I.e. artists) can combine with residential to create a ‘sense of place’ that the council are aiming for not just within this area but all over the city.

PLACE VISION

1.3 - ‘‘The vision for the future of the Blackness GEDA is that it will be a vibrant mixed-use area, consisting of compatible and complementary uses that create a successful place to invest, work, live and visit.’’

STRATEGIC LOCATION

2.1 - ‘‘Located on the city centre’s western edge and in close proximity to the city’s universities, Dudhope Park and residential areas, the GEDA’s position and industrial nature is ofparticular importance and concern.’’

DUNDEE’S WORKING SPACE NEEDS

2.5 - ‘‘Despite the demand for small to medium sized industrial, office and creative sector spaces, the Blackness GEDA still has many derelict, vacant and underused buildings and sites.’’

‘PLACES THAT WORK’ PRECEDENT

2.8 - ‘‘Through significant change in global economics, technology, employment trends, housing demands, health care and life expectancy, mixed-use developments are growing in popularity’’

selection

Figure 23 : Blackness Business Place Pan - place vision images

PLACES THAT WORK STRATEGY

The ‘Places That Work’ strategy in London is referred to within the Blackness Business Place Plan. The document explores how it is possible to mix residential and light industrial buildings in the same area which they have coined with the phase ‘New London Mix’.

‘‘We use the term the ‘New London Mix,’ to describe this approach[3] - mixing activities, co-locating a wide range of productive activities in close proximity to new homes without detriment to either residents or businesses. We believe this is a key condition for solving the twin challenges of the 21st century metropolis –providing suitable housing and places to work right across the city, thus underpinning a more inclusive and sustainable model for urban growth.’’

The main aspect which can be taken from the document and used when developing not only in the blackness

area of Dundee but when designing micro-communities is ‘Cross-over Activities, Hybrid Workspaces’.

These ‘hybrid spaces’ are areas where traditional separate classes meet in the middle and designing, creating and selling combine into one space or one zone as the more artisanal products become more and more popular.

Providing work spaces for people with ASD and surrounding community is an element which would help those individuals get jobs and feel part of the flow of the city. By introducing something even as simple as an allotment, the crops could then be used within a cafe or small fruit and veg shop to sell to local residents and visitors. Any high functioning person with autism could work happily in the garden, in the kitchen or behind the till with the support they need in place.

Figure 24 : Places that Work document Cover

Figure 25 : new London mix example activities

Having a connection to the city centre and university campus is important to allow the residents to feel part of something. Green space (shown as hovering above sites) and the distance from them is also important to allow for that escape to nature and relief from the city environment. It is important to recognise the routes in which the users would have to take to get from site to park as it may be necessary to enhance them and make them more safe.

The proximity to the train station is also vital, especially when it comes to friends and family visiting.

Referring to the group booklet (pages 131/132) it can be seen immediately that sites H13 and H14 are the closest to all amenities, public transport facilities, university campus.

WORKS

At first H13 may appear to be a problematic site due to the noise levels of traffic on the adjacent road. However the proximity to university buildings, the city centre, smaller shops close by and green space to the North almost overrule this issue. The issue noise can be designed out by creating a more public frontage with a secluded/private residential area to the north of the site meaning a barrier would be created between Brook Street and the north of the site. There is the opportunity to use existing walls that surround the site - creating a ‘walled environment’. The relationship between the site and amenities means that the need for parking is little with on street parking available close by and public transport being frequent.

H14 has a close relationship to Magdalen Green, the university buildings and city centre along with pleasant views of the River Tay it would be the perfect site for any residential accommodation. The pedestrian and cycle path to the south and Tesco Riverside just across the other side of the railway, all amenities are close by and within a manageable walking distance. The cycle path is attached to the south site boundary, causing a potential issue with division between public and private however, by introducing controlled lanes, gates and fences this could easily be dealt with.

Any train noise is reduced due to the corner of the track forcing trains to slow before and after the bridge at the North side. Another element that stands out to be a potential issue when looking at the site location is the airport that is just to the West. However, most planes which land here are private jets, producing not a lot of noise. When commercial flights land and take off would probably be the only issue and when they do it can be heard from the whole city not just this area.

selection

Response

‘‘everything we design is a response to the specific climate and culture of a particular place’’ - Norman Foster

A BRIEF INVESTIGATION INTO HOW A BLOCK PLAN MIGHT BE ARRANGED ON BOTH SITES

WORKS |

With the Blackness Regeneration Plan bringing in live/ work units and creating a more flexible area in Dundee, the site has been highlighted as an area of opportunity for having a work/studio section. This would allow for the residents to engage with others out with their living environment and either work or carry out activities they enjoy doing in the comfort of their own recognisable space.

Dundee City Council’s Blackness Business Place Plan, page 14:

‘‘Through significant change in global economics, technology, employment trends, housing demands, health care and life expectancy, mixed-use developments are growing in popularity. While there will always be uses, such as heavy industry, which should not be mixed with residential uses, there are light industry, commercial, leisure and care uses which can work with residential developments to create vibrant and dynamic places to live and work.’’

Along with the potential for new mixed units, there are also existing amenities nearby including the WASPS Studios and Verdant Works which both include group environments for socialising with like minded people during events and exhibitions.

Knowing what the vision of the area is, which is set out by the council, is extremely useful and can allow for better planning of the design.

division of site (north + south/public + private) using existing historic road and introduction of 3 public entrances

public courtyard space emphasising ‘‘walled garden’’ as there is already a wall around whole site

1:5000 @ A4

The history of the site (refer to group booklet Dundee) lends itself to being divided into two as a historic street (Douglas Street) still exists running from East to West across the centre of the site. The brewery and mills that used to exist here also provide an interesting scope for influencing design.

Allowing the surrounding lanes to mould the shape of the site along with the existing historic walls on the perimeter, two courtyards can be created of separate natures. This allows for those within to be ‘protected’ from the external environment of the streets around but still be included within the community. Creating a live/work area to the South will allow for direct access of visitors off Brook Street whilst creating a buffer zone between the fully public street aspect and the residential, private access to the North.

private courtyard surrounded by accommodation and using the existing entrance in wall

all elements together forming 2 courtyards to emphasise the existing wall and to also shelter both environments from noise around

With Roseangle being situation within the ‘West End Lanes Conservation Area’ set out by DCC, we can already see that this site sits within an established area which does not need much work. This would allow for a development on this site to immediately feel part of something bigger, instead of being part of the development of an areainstantly allowing for residents to feel part of something important.

A down side to this site is its openness in terms of nearby development which could appear in the future. There would be no control over what programme goes into the adjacent site to the east, meaning it could end up being very disruptive and therefore rendering the site unsuitable for autistic residents.

division of site (parking, flexible, residential) with introduction of route/street from existing road to key space response

protective north barrier and adaptable south entrance

1:5000 @ A4

To create the most efficient use of space on site, it can be divided into three as the northern edge changes direction 3 times, creating two points where lines can be drawn from. The historic use (refer to group booklet Dundee) of having part of a railway track on provides scope for reference back to historic Dundee and would provide a reason for using certain materials/forms on site.

Allowing the surrounding routes to form further divisions and access on site gives guidance for the initial layout. By creating a protective barrier to the North of the block, the residents would have privacy from neighbouring buildings and a sense of security. The permeable South entrance would give the design a sense of flow and bring back the nature of the condensed environment of burgage plots.

all elements together forming wall to the north and permeable entrance to the south which reacts to existing cycle path and views of the river

protective north barrier and permeable south entrance

Development

A FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO HOW THE INITIAL RESPONSE MIGHT WORK

‘‘the city is a granite garden, composed of many smaller gardens set in a garden world...nature in the city must be cultivated...rather than ignored or subdued.’’

- Anne Whiston Spirn

The Granite Garden: Urban Nature and Human Design [page 114]

COURTYARDS IN DIFFERENT CLIMATES (world)

Figure 26 : image of courtyard space of Employment Academy by Peter Barber

COUNTRY

China | Asia

TRADITIONAL STYLE REASON

Siheyuan garden of greenery

Fully enclosed by a combination of single storey building and smaller courtyards

Several courtyards surround the central courtyard as the Chinese culture includes a lot of belief in the spiritual world. The smaller gardens force a change in direction before reaching the central garden and as spirits can only travel in straight lines they cannot travel to the inner space of the design.

Saudi Arabia | Middle East

Morocco | North Africa

Riad area with water, greenery and seating

Fully enclosed by the house where the courtyard is surrounded by cloisters/balconies on each level.

The height of a this courtyard can vary from 2-4 storeys however the taller the space, the more building is in shade which in turn creates a cooler ‘micro-climate’ in the existing hot climate as there is not as much warm air bouncing around.

Due to the main religion being Islam in both countries, another reason for the courtyard existing is for privacy. It allows, mainly the women, to carry out tasks outdoors and in private. There is also a spiritual connection as the courtyard is open to the sky, so it can often been seen not just homes but also religious buildings.

Italy | Europe

Peristyle

Surrounded on three sides by building and a wall on the fourth, the courtyard acts as the centre of the house or public building. It provides shelter from the sun and sudden winter storms, and acts as social space for eating and conversing or a place for ceremony.

By comparing various country’s traditional courtyard typology and looking at the reasons why they exist will hopefully give an insight into how suitable the courtyard would be in the cooler climate of Scotland and within the city context of Dundee.

Courtyards were originally used for the gathering of people and provided a sheltered place for cooking; sheltered in terms of wind and privacy from external environment of building however they are open to the sky.

There are different types of courtyards (in terms of plan shape and sectional height) which are used in certain situations whether that be the relationship between public + private or simply the climate they are situated in.

Looking at different countries across the globe we get can get an idea of why a courtyard style is typical of that area and if any of these attributes can be brought forward within the design of a project in Dundee. This would be an attempt of cross pollinating architectural styles and pushing proven methods which in turn would allow anyone from any background to feel a little piece of home wherever they area from - providing further comfort.

It can be seen even from the examples to the left that courtyards come in various shapes and sizes. This also results in a mixture of public and private uses, showing how there can be multiple uses and forms of this architectural device.

The courtyard can also act as a space between room, or in other situations the space between public and private/ street and building.

The list below shows many reasons courtyards are used, with some of them being brought forward in to design:

SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS

- can be a place for gathering - safe environment for children to play

CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS

- some cultures require privacy for women and this space allows that

RELIGIOUS + SYMBOLIC IMPLICATIONS

- open to the sky

CLIMATIC/ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPLICATION

- can provide shade when built high - protects from winds - creates a barrier and reduce noise from external environment

ECONOMIC

- allow for natural lighting + ventilation (meaning artificial/ mechanical devices are not relied on)

- opportunity to grow crops for consuming - if used in a ‘side by side’ formation only one facade would have to be designed and clad for the street which would reduce materials costs drastically

The detail of traditional courtyards are too intense and unsuitable for designing for residents with ASD and also the Scottish Climate. The aim when taking the idea forward would be to create very simple spaces which are still enclosed but are less fussy and where greenery is the main focus.

CONTEMPORARY COURTYARD

Looking at how courtyards act now, they are still a way of providing privacy whilst at the same time creating a ‘microclimate’. The suitability of this for ASD design is very high as it allows for gatherings of a controlled number whilst at the same time being separate enough from the context of roads and pedestrians. It would provide a place for growing crops where residents would be able to take part in growing fruit and vegetables, whether it is a hobby or a new skill it would have a positive effect on the design.

Figure 27 : Siheyuan courtyard sketch

Figure 28 : Jorn Utzon sketch of courtyard house

Figure 29 : Typical Moroccan courtyard with pool

Figure 30 : Courtyard at Holmes Road Studio by Peter Barber

Many courtyards have various ways of entering however there is one way which creates great significance, and emphasises that you are entering a space entirely different to the one you are leaving.

The act of changing level signifies something important: the courtyard. As well as being symbolic, the addition of stairs can also help with parking, storage, services and allowing sunlight to reach if the surround buildings are taller. However this does have the potential to cause problem with access which would need to be investigated further.

Figure 32 : steps down to courtyard at Mount Pleasant by Peter Barber Figure 31 : Conceptual project: steps up to courtyard by Caruso St John

Figure 33 : Steps up to courtyard of Saynatsalo Town Hall, Finland by Alvar Aalto

Spencer Courtyard, London

Elements which could be used when designing an environmental ASD accommodation:

perforated walls used throughout allowing for an element of privacy but not exclusion

2 courtyard styles where one is used for parking and the other is for garden

Figure 34 : Spencer Courtyard in London by Kennedy Twaddle

rhythic roof pattern with the use of green roofs

MEWS IN DIFFERENT CITIES (UK)

Figure 35 : Standhope Mews South In London

CITY

London Edinburgh Glasgow

CHARACTERISTIC STYLE EFFECT

painted white/other bright colours wide straight lanes cobbled road foliage seating two-three storey small balconies

With the buildings being painted bright colours, the lanes are usually very bright and inviting. However because of the lanes being wider (and the nature of parking in London being difficult) cars do still occasionally park in these spaces which can mean that not as many children can be found playing or people sitting on benches. Small balconies can provide a ‘community’ environment with people at different levels being able to talk and see each other. This in turn creates a vibrant scenario with lots of activity going on in the one concentrated area.

natural sandstone narrow curved lanes cobbled roads foliage seating two storey dormer windows

The natural sandstone material used on the façades, the lanes can be dark but also feel rich with history. The lanes are narrow and open ended however with the curved nature of them, they can still appear to be enclosed as you cannot see the end of the lane. Again, cars can be found on the occasion however due to them being narrow, this does not happen often.

mixed facade materials/colours narrow hilled lanes cobbled roads foliage seating one-two storey dormer windows

With a combination of materials being used means that each mews is even more unique and created a different lighting condition. Cars are rarely found here as the lanes are usually on hills. The lanes can be either straight or curved, but the hill usually creates that enclosed feeling similar to the other cities. However, do to the sloped conditions does not provide much scope for kids to play or people to sit and enjoy the sun so whilst benches can be found they are rarely utilised.

The first thing to notice about the London Mews is the similarity between them and the contemporary courtyards. There is a journey of plants, colour and doors with a stop vista at the end - enclosing the visitor within the buildings. Originally acting as the service road with horse and carriages for the grand Victorian and Georgian houses on the opposite facade, they have a sense of community. Where anyone is invited and included, children play whilst the adults enjoy tending to their plants or sipping a cup of tea at the back door.

This kind of environment is one that people are drawn to with any kind of background. ‘Neighbourly’ culture is allowed to thrive with the absence of cars which makes you questions why...

Could it be the combination of historic cobbles and mishmash of old service entrances that are inviting or is it simply the residents and their personal interventions? It is also important to note the painted white façades which reflect light allowing the space to be bright. The idea of something being lived in allows people to feel at ease and like they are at home rather than some fancy hotel that would cost a month’s wage if they broke anything.

Whilst courtyards and mews have a similar nature they are still different. The length of a mews is larger with them being more of a dead-end lane rather than a garden with walls. There is still the obvious sense of enclosure though and the private aspect - you would not walk down a dead end street unless you were going to one of the houses.

The historic use of mews has disappeared along with the horse and carriage as one of the main modes of transport. However the character still remain strongly which is an aspect that would be interesting to carry forward along with the strong relationship to materiality. Traditionally it was the workers who used this back ‘mews’ entrance so anyone could be walking around this area, but times have changed and they are now a lot more private where just the residents use it and treat the street as a back garden with bench seating commonly found.

CONTEMPORARY MEWS

Mews now still contain the large space for carriages but are replaced by the modern car or studio. This space is very flexible, especially when talking about artists who need wide doors to get pieces in and out of their house. They could also be used as an external space where the main of the building overhangs it and creates the boundary needed from the public.

Figure 37 : Image of inhabited contemporary mews house at Grove Lane by Cottrell and Vermeulen

Figure 36 : Image of inhabited traditional mews house at Dunstable Mews, London

Images copyright of Google.

Testing the elevational treatments shows different environments where in each case the existing wall to Brook Street (south of site) is still respected but in various ways. From the top down, a brief study explores how discrete the design on the site can be and whether this is a suitable reaction or not. From this study it can be seen that the wall is extremely long and having something which almost hides behind it emphasises this. Even though this approach keeps the internal environment low, I do no believe this is the best route to go down. The last diagram explores a combination of high, medium and low impact buildings behind and to the wall which appears to be the best path to take as it creates interest on the street whilst providing plenty of accommodation.

The last elevation not only has a better relationship to the main street to the South, but it is also recognisable. This becomes important for when the residents with ASD leave their accommodation and come back - it will be easy to find and be seen from a distance, and it is also be useful for visitors. The larger facade also provides a barrier to protect the courtyards from noise which again is key to create a serene environment for users to relax and enjoy being outside.

BRIEF [subject to change following design development] [total gross internal floor area: 10 000m2]

KEY

5no. terraced houses - 255m2 (4 bed | 2 storey)

1no. private residential courtyard - 1290m2

13no. flats - 40m2 (1 bed | 1 storey)

1no. entrance/office block - 425m2 (2 storey)

6no. mews houses - 135m2 (3 bed | 2 storey)

26no. mixed residential flats - 40m2 or 60m2 (1 or 2 bed | 2 storey)

LIVE 1. high functioning autism units 2. private courtyard for residents + visitors 3. low functioning autism units 4. main entrance block for residents, workers and visitors (family/ friends) with associated office spaces 5. family/respite units

1no. nursery + external courtyard - 100m2 + 395m2

5no. flexible studios - between 100m2 + 300m2

1no. allotment area - 1605m2

6no. shops + 20no. private studios - 60m2 + 30m2

7no. shops + 12no. live/work units - 60m2 + 60m2 (1 bed)

1no. storage + market hall - 385m2

1no. plant + storage - 610m2

1no. cafe - 205m2

1no. entrance/office block - 1420m2 (5 storey)

LEARN 6. autistic children’s nursery with external courtyard 7. artist studios for individual use and group events 8. community allotments

WORK 9. ground floor shops (for work made by studios) + upper floor studios 10. ground floor shops (for work made by studios) + upper floor live/work units

VISIT 11. cafe (using crops from allotments) 12. entrance/office tower for artists and rentable offices

KEY DESIGN MOVES

Following on from the initial sketch diagram with two courtyards and further investigation into courtyards and retaining the existing wall, a more refined layout can be deduced.

The way the buildings are compacted side by side means it would be hard to get light in, especially if high privacy was wanted. This would give the opportunity to play with Zenithal light which could be isolated as the key method of getting light into spaces, where the history of factory lighting could be retained and brought through in a contemporary manor.

Referring back to the density studies found in the group booklet it starts to become clear that there a mixture of low and medium density proposed within this design. Both allow for the scheme to be recognisable but also means it is low scale enough to be inviting and create pleasant and usable green spaces in-between.

Figure 38 : Angela Burgess Recital Hall of the Royal Academy of Music by Ian Ritchie Architects

grid lines provide unity and echo the idea of ploughed field

replacing existing building on site with another corrugated metal clad building as a nod to history

reflecting the history of Dundee by using a contemporary take on burgage plots all visitors buildings are to the east - having the closest relationship to the city centre

reflecting factory roofs of surrounding historic buildings

By pedestrianising the street that runs east to west through the centre of site this creates a more natural transition between north and south (public and private) areas of the site.

The tower on the corner acts as a recognisable feature when approaching from the centre. This ‘tower’ is the tallest element and does not exceed 5 storeys as to not intrude on the surrounding context and scale of immediate buildings.

Keeping these key moves within the design would be good to allow the site to act as recognisable feature within the blackness area.

After ‘completing’ the brief, it can be seen that there are too many residential units (especially ASD specific accommodation) - possibly too many buildings overall so if the site was to be taken further the next step would be to reduce the number of facilities, giving the space to another external use.

It is clear from the isometric drawings that the south area of the site is more resolved than the North. The residential half would need developed further as there is a lack of definition. Using controlled garden spaces would help to create a stronger more functional courtyard, so working in plan and section next semester would be a good place to start.

The analogy of the ploughed fields also has not been explored as much as it could have been, so overlaying an abstracted drawing of ploughed fields along with directional cues from the surrounding context will help enrich the design further, where there would be an extremely strong connection with the environment that surround the city and the history of burgage plots and factory roofs.

Images copyright of Google.

A quick study into the privacy of a residential zone on the site shows a variety of treatments. From individual dwellings in the style of cottages to terraced housing with private backs and public frontages.

Playing with widths of lanes, introduction of gardens and the addition of low walls and gates gives the difference between public and private lanes clarity. It can be seen that for this site, particularly because the permeability between the cycle path to the south and the site is important, the bottom elevations show the best combination of ideas. They allow privacy of gardens as they are raised from street level, there are smaller balconies to the private lanes where bins etc would be kept. These additions create a rich mews environment where the public streets are still open enough to be inviting but at the same time they are not too wide to be uncomfortable. They create through routes which people use to get to a place rather than stopping and meeting - which would not be wanted as they are still the front of the residential blocks.

At the end of each lane there would be another building which is taller to create privacy from the buildings to the North and create a stop vista at the end of each lane.

The suitability of the last elevations for residents with ASD is also high with a combination of environments they have to choose from. Along with the public aspect to the west of the site, there is the opportunity to have private garden terraces where users can see down to the ‘street’ and to the public but the public cannot see them.

128no. parking spaces - 3120m2 total area

1no. cafe - 250m2 (1 storey)

1no. shop - 735m2 (1 storey)

1no. public courtyard - 1685m2 total area

1no. market area - 1798m2 total area

1no. entrance/office block - 1245m2 (5 storey)

1no. private residential courtyard - 1295m2 total area

160no. residential block - 40m2 or 60m2 (1 or 2 bed | 3-6 storey) 8000m2

32no. terraced houses - 135m2 (3 bed | 2 storey)

25no. mews houses - 50m2 (2 bed | 2 storey)

KEY DESIGN MOVES

Following on from the initial sketch diagram with the division of the site into thirds and further investigation in mews (typical of historic city architecture) a more defined layout can be deduced.

Keeping the idea of the gradual increase in privacy from west-east and south-north along with ensuring the design is still contextual within its surroundings.

Looking back at the nature pages (13/14) and Zumthor’s quote on how nature changes the pace of the city, we can image how the very private courtyard surrounded by residential buildings could be transformed into a garden to get lost in. Being surrounded on all sides, there would be labyrinth of paths between plants - with pockets of themed gardens like an edible garden or the scent garden acting as a place for learning and having the potential to connect to the gardens at slessor gardens along the road.

Figure 39 : Allotments and private gardens at The Malings, by Ash Sakula Architects

main pedestrian routes with connections to roseangle, city centre and a permeable barrier to the cycle path

investigating how a mews lane could be introduced in a repetitive manor as a reference back to the ploughed fields analogy

angle buildings to the south as a reaction to prevailing south west winds

pitched roofs to reflect surrounding context

extension of existing parking to the west of site

Again, the tower to north acts as a recognisable feature when approaching from Roseangle but also when walking along the path to south.

The height of buildings in the proposal do not exceed six storeys and are broken up to keep with the scale of surrounding context and to not block their views of the River Tay too often. There is a balance between not blocking their views to the Tay and not allowing them to see into the private residential courtyard so if this site was to be taken forward, further testing through sectional studies would need to be carried out.

When looking at the number of residential units compared to site H13, it is clear that there is a lot of accommodation. It is discussed that Queen Victoria Works has too much as it sits currently, so with this one having the capacity to hold more shows how it is even less suitable for this project. Whilst the site does not have to be filled, the want for a safe and protected community environment, lanes, courtyards and pocket gardens would not have the same effect if spread out and left exposed on the edges. Leaving half the site would mean that someone else could take control of the programme which could end up clashing with the ASD accommodation.

There are areas however which can be taken further from this site but explored at Blackness which would make more sense. From testing brief to privacy, this site is too open for the environment this design is aiming to achieve - but it has not been a wasted exercise.

The idea of mews could be explored further within H13, so H14 will not be explored further moving on to the next stage of the design process.

By reflecting on the site locations and layouts, we can take a step back before moving on to the next stage and question whether the designs are really that suitable for ASD accommodation.

Reminding ourselves of the ASD specific demographics from the group work, the number of people with ASD living in Dundee is 1131. With the total population of Dundee being 148,270 people, the percentage of people with ASD is 0.8% compared to 0.6% across the other 3 major cities in Scotland. Looking at these numbers along side the spread of population with long term disabilities across Dundee, a lot of those people are within the centre of the city. So, the need for autistic accommodation in the city of Dundee is there, and the location within the city chosen (being south/centre) is also appropriate.

Both briefs include residential facilities for low and high functioning Autism, along with family housing and mixed use blocks. There is also the addition of work spaces, which would give residents the opportunity to work whilst being supported by those that choose to be there and understand their needs. This is important when referring back to the statistics of individuals with ASD who would like a job being a high percentage of 77%.

‘‘we do not create the work. I believe we, in fact, are discoverers’’ - Glenn Murcutt

A COLLECTION OF BUILT EXAMPLES OF ACCOMMODATION THAT DEMONSTRATE KEY ELEMENTS

SENIORS HOUSE

LOCATION: Apartments | Hinnerup, Denmark

ARCHITECT: Wienberg Architects and Frier Architecture

AREA: 615m²

VALUE: unknown

COMPLETION DATE: 2012

Senior House, designed by Wienberg and Frier, is a residential accommodation for the elderly with ASD.

The use of the green timber within the courtyard of the design reflects the surrounding context of trees, so there strong relationship to nature. Plants are also brought internally where even when users are inside they can still connect to the external environment.

Diffused artificial lighting and high level glazing provides a soft internal environment where the residents are not distracted or triggered by intense light conditions.

nature inside and outside with an emphasis on high windows to diffuse lighting

precedent

Figure (s) 40 : collection of precedent images

LOCATION: Apartments | Baitaisi, Beijing, China

ARCHITECT: Vector Architects

AREA: 155m²

VALUE: unknown

COMPLETION DATE: 2017

This courtyard hybrid by Vector Architects is a residential unit which sits within the dense environment of Beijing.

Being located within the historic part of Beijing’s old city, Vector Architects wanted to ‘renovate the historic area’ which is an idea that be translated into the design within the Blackness area of Dundee.

Again, the use of raw natural materials brings warmth and nature into the design.

The courtyard and adaptability of spaces is interesting, where rooms can be used for almost anything and can be opened up completely to blur the boundary between internal and external environment.

internal/external flexibility

natural materials

Figure (s) 41 : collection of precedent images

LOCATION: Co-Housing | London, UK

ARCHITECT: Architects Henley Halebrown

AREA: 795m²

VALUE: £1 800 000

COMPLETION DATE: 2014

Copper Lane, by Architects Henley Halebrown, is a cohousing scheme where there is a lot of layering of public, semi-public (communal) and private areas where a community is allowed to thrive.

There are a mixture of deep and shallow thresholds between housing entrances and the shared courtyard areas where plants are used to create these thresholds.

The low scale of the design and the way it sits within an existing block is an example of how contemporary design can meet historic layouts.

threshold inhabiting existing block

Figure (s) 42 : collection of precedent images

LOCATION: Social Housing | Gistel, Belgium

ARCHITECT: Witherford Watson Mann architects

AREA: 1018 m²

VALUE: £1 570 000

COMPLETION DATE: 2015

Gistel, by Witherford Watson Mann architects is a social housing unit for senior citizens. The way the building sits on the street is discreet, casually blending in with the existing streetscape. Within the courtyard created by the shape of the building, external ‘streets’ line the tops where balconies become part of this.

Again, there is a community environment where the scheme gives the residents a sense of security and allows for them to socialise within the comfort of their own home and garden.

The materials and plants used are very reserved, where the colour is muted and the plants are minimal and controlledmeaning there is not much maintenance required to keep the courtyard tidy.

contextual upper and lower streets

Figure (s) 43 : collection of precedent images

LOCATION: Education | Exeter, UK

ARCHITECT: Alison Brooks Architects

AREA: 6000 m²

VALUE: unknown

COMPLETION DATE: 2017

Exeter College, Cohen Quad by Alison Brooks Architects, is an educational building with attached residential units. There is a strong relationship to the external street environment where communal spaces include large glazing, giving the visitor something to look out to and also allows passers-by to get a glimpse inside.

Shared spaces also have a connection with the other areas within the building where internal glazing is used to block out noise but not visual connection - meaning everyone can see what is happening around them.

The signage around the building provides clarity throughout and ensures the users know where they are and where they are going.

Boards are located in rooms so that notes can be left beside the door, which may be useful with ASD accommodation where workers are coming in and out and changing shifts so note boards near the entrance would be helpful.

notes board signage relationship to internal/external environments

Figure (s) 44 : collection of precedent images

‘‘I think architecture becomes interesting when it has double character, that is, when it is as simple as possible but, at the same time as complex as possible’’ - Tadao Ando

WHAT HAS BEEN REALISED AND HOW THIS CAN BE TAKEN FORWARD INTO DEVELOPMENT

Throughout this booklet there has been the investigation into urban theories, architectural theories and their relationship to the city of Dundee and ASD specific design.

The ideas of adaptability, layering of use and privacy, incorporation of nature, and the driving theme of allowing individuals with ASD to feel part of a community have all been explored.

The next stage is to refine and pull out the intense key ideas and recognise the driving factors within the Queen Victoria Works (H13) site. By doing a loop, we can almost going back to the start (but this time with the knowledge gained throughout this booklet), and refine the urban and architectural ideas with the addition of investigating how details can relate to these. Looking at materials, sectional studies for light and privacy and a closer look at adaptable elevational studies (through the thinking machine in relation to mood) we will be able to create a design with clarity and purpose.

‘’Layering and changeability: this is the key, the combination that is worked into most of my buildings. Occupying one of these buildings is like sailing a yacht; you modify and manipulate its form and skin according to seasonal conditions and natural elements, and work with these to maximize the performance of the building’’ - Glenn Murcutt

WHERE ALL THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION WAS FOUND

BOOKS

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https://pixabay.com/photos/plowed-field-greenhousedark-sky-2293822/ [accessed 12 November 2020]

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Figure 20 : Street view of old converted Eagle Mill, Dundee (2018) Google Maps https://www.google.com/maps/@56.46742 74,-2.9632381,3a,75y,45.55h,91.22tdata=!3m6!1e 1!3m4!1stjCazATL2fBoKaVOXTfwVQ!2e0!7i1 6384!8i8192 [accessed 22 October 2020]

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Figure(s) 44 : Exeter College Cohen Quad mixed images (2017) Alison Brooks Architects https://www.alisonbrooksarchitects.com/project/exetercollege/ [accessed 14 November 2020]