Design development: physical model

In line with contemporary trends in architectural design, I wanted my structure to be sustainable and environmentally-friendly. Sustainable principles encourage professionals in the building industry to incorporate greenery from the planning stage. Jean Nouvel adheres to this and I know that he designed One Central Park in Sydney with sustainability in mind. This building displays the largest vertical green wall on the planet with 250 different species of plants.

Taking inspiration from this, I aimed to insert vegetation in my model. I decided to use the etched edges on each level and turn them into green spaces, which promote biodiversity and help blend the structure into the natural environment that surrounds the building. In a real life scenario, this will help absorb carbon dioxide and reduce the negative impact of human activity on the climate.

After I stuck all the levels together, I used the idea of the green spaces on the roof using sea foam on the terraces. This prompted me to add trees and vegetation where possible.

On thephysicalmodelI tested sea foam.I lovedtheway the colour ofthe vegetationmatched the colourof the model,so I decidedto use it throughoutthe building.A varietyofpieceswere spreadand gluedon the modelto resemblegrass and then Iadded biggerpiecesto indicatetrees. I felt this was an addedbenefitby turning this into asustainable structure.

The terraces can be used to turn the model into a sustainable structure. This will benefit not only the space of the city, but also contribute to the health and well-being of the users. It is an aesthetically- pleasing, responsibly-built environment with the needs of future generations in mind.

I developed a canopy for the entrance area. It displays an intricate Islamic Art pattern, which is inspired again by the research I have previously completed. The canopy provides shelter against the elements of nature and an area for cooling during the day.

It is an integral part of the building because it has been attached to the exterior wall at ground level. The weight to f the canopy is supported by six pillars arranged equally to the left and right of the entrance area. They also act as drainage for rain water that is collected through the gutter.

Plans and elevations depict the difference between the two types of elements used for the canopy. We can see that one has a pillar acting as support for the rest of the structure, whilst the other is suspended but attached to the others around.

I added trees made from wire throughout the site (including around the car park), ensuring that they are proportionate to the museum. To achieve this, I placed the model on the base and compared the height of the trees to it.

I took the opportunity to design the reception area of the museum. It features two walls that act as a doorway into the building. It is automated by a system that opens them at the start of the day, and closes them at night.

The plan views illustrate the arrangement of items in the reception area. This is also shown in the more detailed perspective of a person visiting. As you enter through the canopy, one can see the desks straight ahead for information and help. Design elements have been added for aesthetic purposes, for example the three rounded maps that resemble the continents where residents in Stratford area were born. I have taken a key feature of Asia (the Himalaya Mountains) and created an illustration of them, which is placed on a table to the left.

Toallow entrance and exitofvisitors, turnstiles arelocated to the sidesof the partitioningwall. It is a spacious,inviting environmentwhere peoplecan see artefacts gathered from different countries from across the globe. Thesereflect the cultures and traditionsofthis

After designing the canopy in SketchUp, I transferred the idea into reality by indicating the form of the canopy as seen below.

I used CADmapper to place the museum in situ. This shows the building in context, mixing up well with the existing structures around it.

Going back to the idea of sustainability, I added some more sea foam around the site. They resemble low level vegetation such as bushes and grass. Trees are represented by the twisted metal rods in various sizes. Scattered around in between them, I placed further trees to show that they are different types.

The whole site is neatly delimitated by roads and areas for different purposes, but the key element which demands focus is the museum that is centrally located on the base.

I have used a range of resourcesto producethe final model. SketchUp allowed a basic digitalversion, which was then furtherdeveloped by changing the layout and design details such as the glass roofand the canopy. These ideas were then renderedusing Revit, CAD Mapper, Photoshop and SketchUp as well. Each of them providea different perspective fromanother angle and allow focus on different elements, be they structuralor related to landscape.

I used Photoshop to produce a real life scenario for my model. I think that it works well because people can visualise the location and place the newly-built museum into context.