Act Five - Zooming In V.VII The Mud-Room

1:2o Sectional Model

The Mud-room vestibule provides the family with a space to shed the armour of the day and a place to store the detritus of things which would otherwise clutter the living space. The space acts as a mediator between indoors and outdoors. The internal bench provides a place to take off muddy shoes and store them, while the external bench provides a spot for neighbours to chat or parents to watch their children while they are playing in the mews. Modelling the mud room has allowed me to explore the use of perforated brick which creates dappled playful light within the intimate space and the interface between the facade and the structure.

Act Five - Zooming In V.VIII The Heart of the Home

Part K - Protection from Falling

The stairs are designed around a central void which acts a visual and communication core, atop of the circulation space a roof-light brings daylight into the deep plan which is broken and manipulated by the overlapping stairs and bridges. The space is a central hub for the family linking the layers of the home together. The stairs are designed in accordance to Approved Document K guidance on domestic stairs, the pitch of all stairs is within 42 ° and the maximum flight is 16 steps with at least one landing equal to the width of the stairs (950mm). The rise and run of the stairs is 200mm x 230mm and the handrail is set at 900mm height from the top of the pitch and 1000mm from the landings. The stairs are carved from treated and stained spruce to match the window surrounds and ‘storage walls’. Mitered butt joinery hides the seams of the steps and railings

Act Five - Zooming In V.IX Thresholds & Openings

Part K5- Manifestation of Glazing // Part E - Resistance to Sound // Part F - Ventilation

The windows are designed in accordance with document K5 which covers previous guidance from Part N - Glazing. Part K5 discusses minimum heights of operable windows, which all windows abide by and framing for windows to prevent falling in case of potential collision.

The glazing is also designed in accordance with Part E and F, providing adequate protection from sound with the use of double glazing with silicone seals. Alongside the use of double glazing the walls are also lined with a secondary layer of acoustic insulation. The adjoining walls between the homes are thickened with additional 200mm of acoustic insulation to prevent the travel of sound between dwellings. The structure of both homes is separated by this fire resistance insulation to prevent travel of sound through reverberation. The windows are also design in accordance with Part F Volume 1 - for dwellings . All windows are operable allowing natural ventilation into each room and purge ventilation for humidity and exhaust of fumes. Allowing natural air flow into homes improves the air quality and health of the home and supports the MHVR system.

Tsagaraev’s series of paintings depict a young girl [Masha] at her window gazing out at the view. At first glance they are very similar in both composition, colour and form, however on closer inspection they reveal very different narratives and evoke different emotional responses. While Spring feels somewhat melancholy, and sombre with Masha gazing through the closed window at dreary weather. The piece evokes a sense of longing or absence, and the window here serves as a separation tool between Masha and wherever or whatever she is longing to be or be doing. The toys sit untouched a further notion towards Mashsa’s unrest and boredom. In contrast Masha’s Dream evokes a completely different sensation in the viewer. The lighting and open window promise hope or a look beyond the window and draw the viewer to wondering what Masha may be contemplating. There is a sense of something to come and a urgency as if Masha is about to jump off the sill and run outside. The fundamental use of lighting and the symbolism of the objects and spatial qualities of the painting change the entire feeling of the image. The painting translates into and inspired my work on the facade treatment and creation of cinematic moments within the architecture of the home, in this case at the window. The window shape, orientation and context affect the way we use it and create entirely different moments. Having a ledge to sit on, being able to open the window and perhaps even looking one way or the other change the way the dweller uses the space creating an entirely different scene in life.