Dominic Garrett Education Architecture Portfolio
Contents Foreword The role of the Architect We live in a world of changing times where the production of space is intertwined with many visible and invisible networks. There is a shift that needs to see the architect move from the ties of the building linked to production of commodities to one where they recognise the networks architecture sits within and create a framework that recognises the broader context. This context acknowledges the social, global, ecological and virtual networks. This portfolio represents the progression of my design thinking throughout my experience in my architectural education and a time of forever changing opinions, views and growth in knowledge. The projects chosen represent key avenues of exploration that have defined my outlook on architecture today.
Undergraduate Liverpool John Moores University Postgraduate Manchester School of Architecture
Educational projects Selected projects SH-IP
Metamorphoffice
Sustainable Harbour- International Port M Arch 2
iWe M Arch1
RA-FT
C3o
Rapid Aviation Floatation Terminal M Arch 2
(competition) Creative Conditions M Arch 1
Professional Studies Essays
Routes to Roots
1. The Role of The Architect 2. The Process M Arch 2
(RSA compeition) Project Rural M Arch1
Biomimicry in Architecture Dissertation M Arch1
Complexity Theory For Cities
Fuzzy Logic and a cognitive approach to urban dynamics M Arch1
Mapping Controversies
Using Actor Network Theory to explore topics of architectural debate M Arch1
Last Minute Kitchen
(RSA competition) Waste Not want Not M Arch1
Reflex
(competition) Laka Reacts M Arch 1
The Fold
CDP project BA
Probe
Microbiology centre BA
Labyrinth of Impressions Landscape exhibition BA
Web of process Exhibiting nature BA
SHIP Sustainable Harbour - International Port This project is my final masters thesis project. Taking the airport typology and global and local context the project is a response to climate change as a storm barrier and the needs of a growing population in New York city.
Connect to existing ferry terminals
The design using principles of adaptability at different scales to allow change over time with different demands and mixed uses that blend commercial, cultural and entertainment uses into one space.
Use of waterways infrastructure
A sustainable strategy for NYC’s future What if an airport could be designed in such a way that it comes with a multitude of positive social side effects. To protect the city from floods this requires an 8km long barrier of hard engineering, but to make it socially successful it needs to take place in a dialogue with the community of New York City.
Developing new promenade community
The project doesn’t aim to throw a blanket over the issue of climate change but today we somehow have to live with the consequences of our existing lifestyle. Sustainable architecture does not have to be a myriad of sacrifices to save the planet. This project looks to flex and adapt in a way that provides a holistic approach to the global and local communities by protecting and connecting them in inventive ways. Redevelopment of resource This project can be understood in time as a series of flows that operate in relation to each other. There are three main nodes (The City, Terminal and Barrier) that connect flows that look to develop each other through reinvention of resources and their changing role socially, environmentally and politically. As this develops over time an ecosystem of development begins to emerge.
Storm surge protection
The City The city produces 50,000 tonnes of waste everyday with a cost of $2.3 billion to remove it each year. By re-envisioning it as part of a sustainable strategy for the area the waste becomes resource for energy and building material for future growth. The city also presents a series of existing transport infrastructure frameworks that can be extended and harnessed to serve a wider social purpose in the development and operation of the project. The Terminal Docked into the storm surge barrier the terminal building is a gateway between the water and air. Inherently by being located on water it becomes the ultimate flexible and adaptable space, meaning it can be relocated, redistributed or reused elsewhere allowing the terminal to develop over time depending on the needs of its inhabited context.
Bridges Secondary Structure
Skin
The Barrier The barrier not only becomes an infrastructural connection for the terminal and protection for the city but provides valuable land for development of social infrastructure outside of the city. Where urban residential development is most salient in the City centre the barrier presents an opportunity for more development a civic agenda, freeing up valuable space a Foundations
27,826
13,231 8,354
Growing demographic Vulnearble to flooding
14,649
3,132
ight’
‘NY b
Existing shipyards as construction sites
Population under threat
Generation of reef ecosystems
Storm paths
Connecting the existing transport
Wind farm sites New airfield
N
Protected zone
Protection strategy
Primary Structure
Skin
SHIP Sustainable Harbour - International Port Blue value The space of experience extends beyond the walls of the terminal into the space in-between. Located in the corridor between each terminal envelope a body of water is used as source for an environmental strategy that makes use of water as an alternative source of energy. As well as environmental value this space has social value in the form of an activity space and opportunity for inhabitants to feel the sensory qualities of the nature of a floating structure. Studies suggest that bodies of water promote physical and social activity whilst being by nature has many mental benefits. Reflective space The natural luminance of the interior spaces is enhanced by the patterns and textures of the floor and feature wall surfaces. It is a space that not only offers a waiting space for passengers to board flights but views across the ocean and back to the city. Lower ceilings in the final zone aim to create a sense of calm and tranquility to improve enjoyment of th experience whilst the hues of the interior landscape reflect the variable hues of the interaction between sun and water. Roof scape Sometimes seen as merely a plane of protection the roof of a building often serves nothing else. Through consideration of the roof as a landscape, developing a unique relationship with the city through unprecedented views a horizontal narrative of event can begin to form. Social Infrastructure There is no predetermined and predictable future with architectural projects and this is the uncertainty that is often not dealt with through design that allows temporal change. This project aims to not force a future upon this site but allow multiple imaged future to be manifested depending on the changing context from a political, social and environmental view. The environmental context suggests that aspects of the function as a storm surge barrier will remain constant but the use of the airfield offers an unknown future. The project offers both growth in the form of allowing new runways but also retraction in the form of relocation of the floating built forms of the terminal and re appropriation of the site to serve alternative social needs. The social adaptability is accommodated in the design of the terminal building that provides an open framework for civic activities to manifest themselves inside and naturally entice the needed future.
Flexible frameworks To allow the different programs of the airport to develop and change over time the terminal tectonics have been considered in respect to their ability to change and serve a number of different need. Arguably being flexible and adaptable is the ultimate example of achieving sustainable architecture. By being able to recycle, reuse and redistribute components of the building will limit the redundancy in the building leading to opportunities to improve occupancy potential.
Narrative of development The morphology of the terminal is developed from principles of internal experience and external interaction. 1.Sitting horizontally along a long stretch of airfield the linear shape offers a massive area for expansion. 2. Rising up form water to air the terminal shape wedges to reflect flows. 3. Stepped terraces allow use of the roof-scape as a functional space 4. South orientated chasms aid with an environmental strategy and develop a modulated form. 5. Bridged corridors connect terminal units
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Metamorphoffice Information Work Environment Transformation of office culture Sitting within the Airport City Masterplan for Manchester Airport the project brings together member of big businesses, local residents and international travelers, offering an exciting experience for all that discover the site. Offering a work experience that takes advantage of the sites location Metamorphoffice has been designed to allow development and change to take place over time and for companies to grow in an effective way. The bridging physically and visually within the design promotes collaboration between a full social spectrum and encourages play to help promote and induce a happy and creative atmosphere. Lifespan of building elements By splitting up a building into different elements to understand the life cycle of each they can be treated differently. Site Eternal Structure 30-300 years Skin 20 Years Services 7-15 years Space plan 3-30 years stuff 1 day to 1 month It is important to consider the building a temporal element that has the ability to change over time. Considering the structure of the building and structure of the office as two separate elements when it comes to time means they can be approached in different ways. The most ecologically positive solution for the structure may be that it remains for a long period of time (ecological paradigm) as arguably the structure can house the different lives of the building within it which changes with culture and technology (electronic paradigm). The building as a system As technology progresses and internal environments in buildings change so do the services they require. Not only do this, as we strive in new ecological paradigm to act in a way that doesn’t harm the environment we look to alternative influences such as nature to help us use systems that are intelligent and passive reducing the energy demands on our buildings.
Metamorphoffice Information Work Environment The way that humans move around a space is just as important as the way we inhabit the space. Movements can create ideas, cause interactions and in general someone who is moving more is more active. A well planned circulation layout is easy the understand yet can produce unique relationships between elements of the building and the people that inhabit it. Customisable environment The space is populated with a number of modular furniture units that can be customised to make chairs, tables, platforms and even walls for privacy. This lets the users take control over the space and create the environments they require. Seasonal retreat The central garden remains an indoor space, irrigated by the rainwater collection system on the roof. This means that despite seasonal change which creates undesirable external conditions outside the space will still be comfortably habitable. 24 hour functionality The integration of evening and night time activities means that the buildings operation extends beyond the typical 9-5 hours of an information work environment. This is something that is a unique and important part of the project to consider as when thinking of ecological systems there is always a constant use of resources and this is a step towards full time habitation. Performance layout The layout of the central space works well for observing a performance act. The balconies look down into the space are suitable for seating and the central square can host a large crowd of observers. Providing choice When considering furniture and places to work it is important to consider the different tasks that workers will be undertaking that require different furniture types. Providing choices of places to work is also strongly linked to worker satisfaction and self reported productivity. Biophilic thinking Links to nature within the office can aid with stress relief, lowering blood pressure and longer concentration periods. Moss carpets represent one method of implementation and require little maintenance and leave little trace once their time is up.
PV shading System An alternative to the nitrogen filled pillows these ETFE pillows are printed on with photo voltaic material. Not only does this generate electricity for the building by being on an uninterpreted sun facing surface but as the pillows increase and decrease the level of solar radiation that enters into the space is monitored to create a thermally desirable environment and reduce distractors such as glare. The pillow is built up of three 2 chambers which not only increases insulation but vary in inflation to move a change the level of solar shading.
Lenticular System A lenticular pillow shape provides the solution to solar shading within the space. As sensors detect the level of sunlight the pillows fill with nitrogen and increases the air density and acts as a solar filter. The system still creates a translucent layer so a desirable level of light can enter into the space.
Routes to Roots
routes to roots
Project Rural As part of the masters course we entered a number of RSA competitions. This brief asked entrants to design something that would aid in improving the lives of people in rural communities. Research into the existing UK rural paradigm leads to discovery that a disconnection of services and transport as part of a complex system has lead to the social malfunction of rural communities. The rural/ urban divide is only growing and with an aging population the need to retain the connection of rural communities is as salient as ever. This project aims to tackle the goals established to allow rural communities to flourish in their reconnected paradigm, retaining their sense of place (roots) and forming new relationships that benefit their future (routes). Plant Rural areas can be difficult to deliver materials to so all the building materials are modular and prefabricated offsite. Each container houses the required ammenities for each particular rural community. The pad foundation system that capable to cope with any uneven ground is first laid out before fixing the floor panels. Columns and wall panels are erected alongside with roof components. Roof is lifted and fixed onto columns followed by attaching and filling the EtFE pillows. The containers is plugged in to complete the construction process. This modular system means the design is resilient and can adapt to different rural communities needs. Nurture Buildings often required a total overhaul to serve the new needs of their inhabitants and this can be costly and represents the poor resilience of these buildings. Through creating a system where by pre-fabrication units can be easily plugged and unplugged, we are proposing a place with high adaptability that can suit and serve any community without creating permanently binding infrastructure. This allows the building to sit lightly on the pond of rural communities without intruding the special qualities of the space. Grow People will always adapt a space to suit their needs and with this flat packed and easily transportable furniture module, available in two sizes, it can be manipulated and arranged to suit multiple functions. The triangular prism module can is composed of an insert that can form shelves and storage but this can be customized to establish a desired aesthetic or acoustic function developing an intricate and personalized social realm. The system is therefore highly resilient and can adapt to the needs of its users.
RECONNECTING RURAL COMMUNITIES DEVELOPS NEED FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT
COMMUNICATES NEEDS FOR HEALTH SERVICES
INCREASES DESIRABILITY FOR YOUNGER INHABITANTS
BOOSTS LOCAL BUSINESS CONNECTIONS
IMPROVES RESILIENCE OF SENSE OF PLACE
REJUVENATES SOCIAL CONNECTIONS REDUCING DEPRESSION
ELIMINATES LONG BUSINESS COMMUTING
IMP AWAR HEALT
PROVES RENESS OF LTH ISSUES
BRINGS EDUCATION CLOSER TO RURAL COMMUNITIES
The Fold Liverpool’s Fashion centre This project based in Liverpool was the final project for undergraduate degree. For this i developed a design for a fashion education facility on the docks in Liverpool that developed as a result of thinking and interpreting the theme of a ‘fold’ as will become apparent through the development of the project. Fashion of the fold The Fold sits sensitively on the edge of Wapping quay, creating both a fashion generation centre and a universal public space influenced and generated by process within fashion. The project aims to produce a desirable and innovative space for those that inhabit it as well as harnessing the site in an expressive way to create something forever positively fashionable. the building relays themes within fashion through its delicate translucent skin that changes depending on the external conditions adapting and protecting the structure inside echoing the ancient history of the importance of clothes.
The Fold Liverpools Fashion centre Fusion of space The creation of a healthy and desirable work environment requires the implementation of plants. Bamboo can grow indoors with only a mist needed , harvested from rainwater in winter to keep it watered. scented geraniums, lavender and mint provide pleasant smells in planters throughout the higher levels to increase nasal satisfaction. Bamboo also plays a large roll in forming furniture and fittings throughout the building creating a flow between the living environment and the work space to stimulate the experience of the inhabitant. Accompanying the plants is a pool of water to further the experience of outdoors indoors, folding one into the other, a merge of opposites creating an instant escape from the working environment without need for a high footfall. Process of creation After developing ways of expressing the fold in a physical form i looked into expressing the fold taking into consideration the site (Wapping quay Liverpool). Using the proportions of the site i constructed a frame and cast a fabric formed plaster mould. this would emulate a form that could rise from the site looking as if gravity had reversed itself. After de-constructing this form into three others i translated these forms into a cad model through the method of 3d scanning allowing me to manipulate the forms into a delicate sculptural form.
Probe A biologists view of Rio Tinto This project was the final piece of work in my second year in my undergraduate degree. I used it as an opportunity to showcase my hand drawing and modeling skills to represent a sculptural approach to architectural design. Sculpture meets science Rio tinto river offers much to humankind, a rich mining history giving it its initial fame and also providing a beautiful surreal landscape. The river, full of rich hues of red and yellow providing interest for photographers and in recent times becoming a salient site for astro and microbioloists. The life within to be thought at analog with the subterranean landscape of mars due to its highly acidic nature. Gantries give a unique experience to the occupant by extending out from the rocky landscape over the river with timber slatted walkways initating a walk of faith. The walkways delve and slide through the tall steel curled columns giving a sense of adventure and mystery. they break and weave with the copper cladding celebrating the rich mining history of the river and the birth of the copper age. A delicate copper canopy extends itself back towards the bank shading and celebrating an area specifically designed for micro and astrobiologists to complete their field work, also giving occupants the chance to learn and experience the current work of scientists and the advances in research and how we are increasing our knowledge of unknown lifeforms. The patterns forged by the delicate cladding and canopy suggest the shading of a light structure similar to the thin delicate yet protective texture of a leaf, the perforations allow varied levels of light much how the leaf allows varying levels of carbon dioxide through the stomata. All of this is strung in tension from the powerful curved columns much like the curved ridges of the leaf providing the essential structure of the form. Probe is a celebration and exploration of the past present and on going reach into the future.
Dominic Garrett Education Architecture Portfolio