YEAR 5 TECHNOLOGY REPORT

JODÁHAT SÁMEDIGGI

INTEGRATED DESIGN REPORT FREDERICK MAWHOOD UNIT 04

CONTENTS // PAGE INTRODUCTION & THESIS

01-02

CULTURAL CONTEXT & COMMUNICATIONS

02-22

. Summary . Ambition . Users . Client . Program . Migration Route . Site Analysis

PROFESSIONAL CONTEXT

25-36

. Economic Context . Political Context . Urban Planning Strategy . Urban Development Strategy . Health & Safety

BUILDING CONTROL . Part A Structure . Part B Fire Safety . Part K&M Access & Circulation . Part F&L Thermal Performance

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

39-50

53-60

. Principles Informing Design . Engineered Timber . Renewable Energy Production . Theoretical Energy Strategy

CONSTRUCTION, MATERIALS & STRUCTURE

63-68

. Construction Timeline . Fabrication Techniques . Construction Detail Sketches

BIBLIOGRAPHY

70

01

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

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Please note that this document is best read in conjunction with the other research books that Unit 04 produced as a group this year. Due to the extensive work-flow and research required from our brief, a conscious effort was made by students to gather our individual research and data into a number of unit documents that both represent our combined accumulated knowledge and add additional context to our individual projects. The list of documents are as follows: 1) Individual IDS Diary 2) Unit 04 Kiruna Study Trip Book 3) Unit 04 Kiruna Research Book

INTRODUCTION

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The main studio project for Unit 04 this year is to design a new public building for Sweden’s northernmost town, Kiruna. As a result of the town’s expanding iron ore mining facility, in 2004 the state owned mining company LKAB informed Kiruna‘s municipality that the town’s current site had become unstable and residents were faced with the prospect of moving to a new location 3km east. An international design competition to relocate Kiruna’s town centre was subsequently launched, and the eventual winners were White Architects with their proposed masterplan, “Kiruna 4-ever”. Included within the masterplan are a number of important new public buildings which serve a mixture of cultural and entertainment functions for Kiruna’s new city centre, and the task set by our design tutor was to select one of these centralities and design a proposal for it. After researching the indigenous Swedish Sami population during the design of my arctic shelter in semester one, I decided that I would design Kiruna’s new Sami Parliamentary institution.

PROJECT THESIS

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My thesis project is concerned with designing a new Sámediggi (Sami Parliament) building for Kiruna; one that not only serves the administrative requirements of Sweden’s indigenous Sami population, but also creates a sensible and sustainable development which has the potential to enhance the urban realm for local residents. My challenge will be to create a new architectural identity for a group of people who have traditionally led predominantly nomadic lifestyles, taking into consideration their core values and beliefs to ensure that my proposal remains culturally sensitive. I aim to deliver a fully resolved building that brings multiple users and a complex program together into a single cohesive spatial arrangement, and one that intelligently responds to White’s town masterplan and their plan for its future. It is also my firm belief that in addition to fulfilling the functions of a typical political institution, my proposal should also engage in a meaningful way with the annual reindeer migration process and thus interact with both contemporary and traditional Sami ways of life.

UNIT 04 2017-2018 BUILDING LABORATORY // FROZEN TIMBER

02 INTRODUCTION

Figure 01. Snow//Timber//Wildlife

DESIGN THESIS // PROJECT

CULTURAL CONTEXT & COMMUNICATION

05

WHAT HAS BEEN DESIGNED?

CULTURAL CONTEXT

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In my thesis project I have designed a new Sámediggi (Sami Parliament) building for the municipality of Kiruna in north Sweden. Although the town already processes an existing (albeit outdated) Sámediggi, due to the continued expansion of the local iron ore mine (run by LKAB) the existing town centre is being relocated 3km to the east, and as a consequence the current building will be lost. My project has therefore been concerned with designing a new Sámediggi for Kiruna, one that integrates itself into White Architects proposed masterplan for the new town centre.

WHERE IS THE BUILDING SITUATED?

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My building is located within White Architects proposed town centre for Kiruna and occupies a brownfield site on the eastern edge of town near the abandoned Toulluvaara mining operation. Situated at the end of a linear park dividing the new town in two, my proposal sits on the boundary between the local urban and natural environments and reappropriates Kiruna’s old golf course into a reindeer herding route and separation corral for the indigenous Sami to engage with.

WHO WILL BE USING THE BUILDING?

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Due to the complex nature of the external context and internal functions of my proposal, it has been necessary to design with multiple users in mind. The primary users of my building will be the 50 civil servants who make up the administrative wing of the facility, with an additional 31 representative members (who make up the plenary assembly) meeting at the parliament to debate three times a year. As the main task of a Sámediggi is to protect and act on behalf of the interests of the wider Sami community, I have endeavoured to ensure that my building will also engage with the industry of reindeer husbandry in Kiruna, and thus offer the indigenous Sami a place to separate and corral their herds during their annual migration. In addition to the typical parliamentary functions of a Sámediggi, my proposal also offers a wide range of additional educational and recreational facilities for the residents of Kiruna to enjoy all year round.

HOW HAS THE BUILDING BEEN DESIGNED?

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As you can see from my process diary, I have engaged with a variety of design techniques and consulted a wide range of relevant precedents to arrive at my final proposal. At the beginning of the project I invested great deal of time into researching the wider social context of my proposal for a new Sámediggi in order to arrive at a better understanding of how my building could engage with Kiruna’s different Sami demographics and respond to their specific lifestyles.

This allowed me to formulate a strong conceptual approach to design and after a series of quick sketches and massing studies I was able to arrive at a general site arrangement. For the remainder of the design process I made

CULTURAL CONTEXT SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL

DECISIONS REGARDING FORM & STRUCTURE?

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My proposal can essentially be divided into three separate layers which work together to create a series of thermal buffers that help improve thermal performance. A long-span ETFE canopy covers the entire complex, creating a dynamic interface between the exterior elements and any heat escaping from the parliament. The strong thermal envelope of the building faces inwards to direct air flow towards the centre of the facility and allow snow to accumulate along its perimeter for an added layer of thermal insulation.

In addition to this, I have designed the interior spaces as a series of open foyers and insulated chambers, in order to allow the intermediate space to act as a ‘thermal barrier’, being heated and cooled with the extracted airflow.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL/ECONOMIC IMPACTS?

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The Sámediggi is primarily a political institution and thus plays host to the various departments of the Sami Parliament and the political activities associated with them. In addition to this, I also wanted my Sámediggi to engage with Kiruna’s indigenous Sami population in a meaningful way, and this led me to design my building so that it can also be used as a corral; creating a space where the many reindeer herds can be separated and controlled during their annual migration east. This would allow the different Sami demographics to use the Sámediggi for their own purposes, and thus help to foster a dialogue regarding political issues pertaining to their individual ways of life. Finally, I have made sure to include a range of educational and leisure activities within the Sámediggi to ensure that it responds to both the requirements of local residents, and also function as a tourist attraction to help stimulate the local economy during certain seasons.

Figure 02. Sami Flag

06 CULTURAL CONTEXT

a conscious decision to employ a continuous rotation of hand drawing, digital modelling and numerous precedent studies to ensure that I was consistently engaging with as many aspects of the project as possible at any given time.

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WHAT AM I TRYING TO ACHIEVE?

CULTURAL CONTEXT

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The ambition of my thesis project is to not only design a fully realised political institution for the new Kiruna town masterplan, but also attempt to create a new architectural identity for the Sami people in the twenty-first-century. Not so long ago, the Sami were a group of indigenous people that led predominantly nomadic lifestyles, herding reindeer across the tundra; however, in modern day it is now just as common for a Sami person to be a city dweller, fully integrated into modern society and working in professions as far reaching as computer programming and astronomy. For centuries a rigorous process of cultural assimilation, endorsed by the Swedish Government, caused generations of Sami to face harsh discrimination and shamed many into rejecting their cultural inheritance, choosing instead to become Swedish citizens. It is only now, thanks in part to the global awakening of human rights and the official recognition of the Sami as an indigenous populace in 1977, that many younger Sami are keen to rediscover their cultural heritage and engage in the political debate surrounding the environmental treatment of Swedish Lapland. Therefore, I believe that it is essential that my proposal not only provides the typical functions and spaces associated with any well-rounded parliamentary building, but that it also reflects both the contemporary and traditional Sami ways of life - offering each demographic a way to directly interact with the institution in a meaningful way.

HOW WILL I ACHIEVE THIS?

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One of the ways I am trying to use my proposal as a means to bridge the divide between traditional and contemporary Sami lifestyles, is by designing the form of my building in a way that allows it to also be used as a site for local reindeer herders to corral and separate their animals during the annual migration. Kiruna is located at the edge of the autumn pastures, and before reindeer owners begin the migration back to the winter pastures it is necessary for them to organise their herds into smaller groups to make the difficult journey more manageable. It is my hope that the duality of my Sámediggi will bring different Sami communities together under one roof and help to not only celebrate the richness of Sami culture, but also foster important political discussions regarding environmental issues affecting the arctic environment.

HOW WILL I INFORM DESIGN WITH RESEARCH?

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A good starting point for my research is to look at the existing Sámediggi’s located in Finland and Norway to get a general understanding of the spaces my proposal will need to contain, and the functions associated with an indigenous parliament.

In addition, Sami culture places huge importance on the concept of sustainability and the careful management of arctic resources; therefore, I will need to build upon my semester one research into thermal buffers, engineered timber and plastic alternatives etc… to ensure that my proposal offers a sensible bioclimatic response to the harsh arctic conditions and remains as efficient as possible.

CULTURAL CONTEXT AMBITION OF PROPOSAL

08 CULTURAL CONTEXT

Figure 03. Sallivaara Corral Images

CULTURAL CONTEXT WHO WILL USE MY BUILDING?

09 CULTURAL CONTEXT THE RESIDENTS OF KIRUNA

TOURISTS & EXPLORERS

With a prominent location in the new town plan, the building has an obligation to provide the residents of Kiruna with a memorable and accessible new landmark for their city. As such it should offer lots of internal public spaces for people to enjoy, and create lots of external opportunities for leisure and recreation activities. It’s location directly adjacent to Kiruna’s soon to be retired golf course suggests that the building could be integrated into the natural landscape, and function as a gateway into a new urban park/hiking route for Kiruna’s residents.

The planned location for Kiruna’s Sami Parliament is located on the city’s eastern boundary between the urban and natural environments. The remains of the golf course, destroyed by a new road-link, could become an exciting new hiking route to the lakes north of the town, with my building functioning as a rest-stop for tourists and adventurers who have travelled to Kiruna to hike and fish. Whilst they rest in the building’s interior, they will have access to the Sami library and exhibition spaces so they can educate themselves on Sami culture.

10 CULTURAL CONTEXT

SAMI REPRESENTATIVES

SAMI REINDEER HERDERS

My building will serve as Sweden’s, much needed, new Samediggi (Sami Parliament). The design must include adequate spaces for all of the fundamental activities of a parliamentary establishment whilst simultaneously being architecturally adventurous enough to act as a landmark within the new city plan. The form and materiality of the proposal should not only create an interesting and vibrant work environment for the Sami politicians, but also respond to the cultural values of Sami traditions, i.e. minimal impact to the environment.

Kiruna is located at the boundary between the autumn and winter pastures, and thus in November the reindeer are herded past the town and corralled into smaller groups on their way back to the shelter of the eastern forests. My building should be designed to celebrate and accommodate this unique process, and become a camping and grazing area for Kiruna’s Sami population living traditional lives. This will allow them to inform and engage with the Sami who are involved in the political debate, and rediscover Kiruna’s connection to its Sami roots.

11

WHO IS MY PRIMARY CLIENT?

CULTURAL CONTEXT

_________________________________________________________________________ ONE PEOPLE SPREAD OVER FOUR COUNTRIES Sami country, or Sapmi, stretches across northern Scandinavia and Russia’s Kola Peninsula.

There is no consensus for the Sami people, but the indigenous population of Sapmi is estimated to be around 70,000 people. Spread over four different countries as a result of borders drawn up during an extended period of colonisation, approximately 20,000 can be found residing in Sweden, 40,000 live in Norway, 8,000 in Finland, and 2,000 in Russia’s Kola Peninsula.

SAMI INVOLVEMENT IN REINDEER HUSBANDRY There are an incredible 225,000 - 280,000 reindeer in Sweden today; however, despite being an important component of Sami identity, only 10,000 Sami actually earn a living from reindeer husbandry, with 2,500 of these working in Sweden, and many supplement their income with additional jobs in tourism, hunting, fishing, crafts and other trades. To support themselves using only reindeer husbandry a herder would need to own about 400 reindeer.

SAMI VILLAGES IN SAPMI (SAMEBYS) Of the 2,500 Sami working in reindeer husbandry, the vast majority of these live, or spend most of their time, in one of the 51 ‘Sami Villages’ or Samebys. They are not traditional villages, but rather a complex economical and administrative union created with the intention of keeping reindeer. The Sami have the right to pursue this industry across about a third of Sweden’s surface area, and members of a Sameby are entitled the right to use the land and water to sustain themselves and their herds and engage in hunting. Originally nomads, today these Sami live in modern housing in permanent settlements, only using their tents during the reindeer migrations.

SAMI TOURIST ENTERPRISES IN SAPMI Many Sami living in Sapmi have either expanded, or now supplement their income from reindeer husbandry with tourist enterprises. In Kiruna there are about 40 of these ventures, with most of them being run by women. These enterprises attempt to marry tourist activities with everyday Sami life and include hiking with reindeer, yoik performances, accommodation in goahtis, Sami cuisine, lasso throwing, sled driving, museums, festivals and the sale of Sami handicrafts.

SAMI IN TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY SWEDEN In the twenty-first century, Sami culture is meeting contemporary society in a new way. None of Sweden’s Sami population live a completely traditional life today, and many Sami, for different reasons, have left their home communities to study and/or work in the cities. Gone are the days when it was considered that “a Lapp is a Lapp”; nowadays, especially among younger generations, it is more common for a ‘real’ Sami person to be a city dweller, engaging in professions as far reaching as professional computer programming and astronomy.

REDISCOVERING THEIR SAMI IDENTITIES Due to the process of ‘assimilation’ practiced by the Swedish Government as well as extensive discrimination, previous Sami generations (especially the boarding house generation) lost their connection to Sami culture. In the 1960’s, along with the worldwide awakening of minorities defending their rights, the Sami movement began and Sami culture gradually broke through into mainstream society through increasing media exposure, political autonomy and the revival of many traditional customs. The growing urban Sami communities show an evolving Sami identity and large numbers of these Sami are now engaging with their cultural roots, whether it be through increased opportunities to learn about their backgrounds through cultural practices or a desire to defend the traditional Sami way of life from increasing political, environmental and social threats.

CULTURAL CONTEXT WHO IS MY PRIMARY CLIENT?

WHAT DOES MY CLIENT WANT?

“We are one people. We have a common language, a common history and culture, and we have a strong feeling of belonging together. We need to put in place in society our values, our cultures and ways of life and to have them accepted as valuable and as values to be developed. We are Sami and wish to be Sami, we are not more nor less than other peoples” MANAGEMENT OF REINDEER HUSBANDRY The parliament should act as a central administrative agency to monitor the industry of reindeer husbandry in Sweden, keeping an updated historical record of migration routes, grazing areas and most importantly Sami land ownership and grazing rights. The parliament fights to maintain and improve the land use rights of the Sami people, set out by the ‘Reindeer Herding Acts’, and legally defend their interests against private land owners, ongoing national border conflicts and the increased industrial activities of the Swedish Government in northern Sapmi.

DISTRIBUTION OF STATE FUNDING & GRANTS The parliament should debate and decide on the distribution and management of State grants and funding from the ‘Sami Foundation’ for use in the various Sami cultural initiatives, organisations and events intended to celebrate, preserve and spread the Sami community’s rich cultural heritage. Money raised helps to support lobby organisations which focus on specific aspects of Sami culture such as the Sami Council and Saminuorra Youth Organisation, the continued practice and regulation of traditional Sami Duodji, and the expansion of new and existing Sami business operations.

REGULATION OF THE SAMI LANGUAGE POLICY Because of the ‘Swedish assimilation period’, where the government attempted to remove the Sami language from the school system through discrimination and bullying, at one time the Sami language was in danger of being lost. The role of the Sami Parliament is to promote, develop and preserve the Sami dialect as a viable language for the indigenous community. This includes appointing the board for Sameskolan (Sami schools), defining the curricular, recording and archiving the different Sami dialects, and outlining the general objectives for Sami language pervasiveness in the public sector.

CREATION OF A SAMI ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM The Sami Parliament aims to strive for a sustainable and viable Sapmi rooted in a sound nature and a living Sami culture by actively contributing to society planning to see that the needs of the Sami people are considered. This includes monitering the effects of climate change on reindeer husbandry, fighting for Sami rights to land and water for those that don’t belong to a Samebys, and engaging in the debate on how Sapmi’s natural resources should be managed, with particular emphasis on its relationship to minerals mining within traditional Sami lands.

In general terms, all issues pertaining to the natural environment, business development, land-use planning, resource exploitation and permit management in Sapmi are considered.

PREVENTION OF FUTURE ETHNIC DISCRIMINATION One of the main motives for the establishment of the Sami Parliament was to recognise the status of the Sami as an indigenous people, and create a representative body that would allow the entire Sami population to participate in contemporary political life. The Sami people have a sad history of oppression, assimilation and discrimination from official authorities, and to this day Sweden regularly receives international criticism for its handling of Sami matters. This establishment therefore has the important capacity to produce legislation and sanctions that can defend the rights of a historically manipulated national minority who would otherwise have little legal knowledge or power with which they could defend themselves against matters effecting their way of life in an official court of law.

12 CULTURAL CONTEXT

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ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS & PARLIAMENTARY FACILITIES

CULTURAL CONTEXT

PLENARY DEBATING CHAMBER = 700m2 Dedicated debating chamber for the 31 elected Sami representatives to debate issues effecting Swedish Sami culture. Includes extra seating for visiting officials and parliamentary proxies.

MEETING & COMMITTEE ROOMS = 150m2 Flexible meeting and committee rooms for the representatives to use at their leisure on their travels across the country, and particularly during the main tri-annual meetings in Kiruna.

THE OFFICES OF THE SAMI PARLIAMENT = 1000m2 The administrative wing of the Sami Parliament, acting as an agency of the Swedish Government and employing approximately 51 civil servants. Split up into 3 distinct departments as follows.

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS & ADMINISTRATION Department concerned with the day-to-day economic management of the parliament. Includes document registration, translation and secretariat of the bureau, board and electoral committe.

DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE, CULTURE & INFORMATION Department concerned with the preservation of Sami language and culture. Includes minority language policy, Sami culture, information on Sami relations and secretariat of committees.

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIETY, NUTRITION & ENVIRONMENT Department concerned with Sami business and environmental issues in Sapmi. Includes Sami needs in community, planning and rural development program and structural funds program.

REINDEER HUSBANDRY & LAND USE ARCHIVE = 300m2 Dedicated archiving space containing historical and updated records for land use in Sapmi, Sameby borders, reindeer herding routes and literature of significance to Sami culture.

SAMINUORRA SAMI YOUTH SOCIETY = 250m2 Office space set aside for the use of Sami youth societies such as Saminuorra. It’s important that younger generations can engage with the issues facing Sweden’s indigenous population.

PRIVATE LOUNGE & KITCHEN = 200m2 Comfortable private recreational space for the different departments and parliamentary representatives to gather and interact. Contains kitchen and dining facilities for civil servants to use at their leisure. Staff will also have access to the Sami restaurant open for public use.

PRIVATE LAVATORIES Dedicated toilet facilities will need to be provided for large numbers of civil servants to use.

CULTURAL CONTEXT PROPOSED BUILDING PROGRAM

EDUCATIONAL & CULTURAL FACILITIES & PUBLIC AMENITIES

Public library containing Sami literature and scientific research on the arctic environment and climate change. Preserving and archiving Sami language and knowledge for future generations.

SAMI SCHOOL CLASSROOMS = 250m2 Sami language is not taught in Sweden’s school curriculum so my building will offer flexible teaching spaces, connected with the library, which will function as an educational Sami facility.

DUODJI WORKSHOPS = 200m2 Informal workshop space, allowing visitors to learn and engage with the Sami tradition of handicrafts and gakti making. All materials will be sourced from local environment and stored.

SAMI GALLERY SPACE Flexible exhibition spaces will provide opportunities to display traditional and contemporary Sami artwork, duodji, gakti and artifacts, allowing visitors to learn as they navigate the complex.

SAMI YOIK & PERFORMANCE THEATRE = 700m2 The centrepiece of the public-facing side of the proposal will be a large theatre, where lectures, traditional yoik, and dramatic performances can be held, both professional and amateur.

SAMI RESTURANT & KITCHEN = 300m2 Comfortable and open public resturant serving traditional Sami cuisine, with all ingrediants sourced from the local environment.

PUBLIC LOUNGE/ATRIUM Large atrium/lounge space where visitors can gather and relax, heated by a series of traditional open fires. It will provide a connection between the public facilities and administrative spaces.

RECEPTION DESK/SECURITY = 50m2 Shared by both sides of the building, the atrium will contain a dedicated reception desk, with cloakroom storage, which will act as the directional and security clearance point of the facility.

SAMI TOURISM CENTRE = 50m2 Connected to the atrium will be a space where visitors can buy tickets to performances and book themselves onto one of the various hikes and other Sami activities happening in Kiruna.

Proceeds raised will help support the running of the facility as well as Sami tourism businesses.

PUBLIC LAVATORIES Reasonable toilet facilities will need to be provided for large numbers of public and staff to use.

ROUGH AREA OF PROPOSED SITE FOR SAMI PARLIAMENT = 11,224m2

CULTURAL CONTEXT

PUBLIC SAMI LIBRARY = 650m2

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WHERE IS MY SITE?

CULTURAL CONTEXT

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My site is located in the mining town of Kiruna, situated within Swedish Lapland deep inside the arctic circle. Due to the expansion of the mining operation in Kiruna the town is in the process of being relocated 3km east of its current position and so my designated site will be within the vacinity of the new planned town centre.

WHAT IS THE CLIMATE LIKE?

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The annual cold season lasts for approximately 4.2 months and has an average temperature of -12oc, whilst the warm season lasts for around 2.8 months with an average temperature of +12oc. Located within a natural valley, Kiruna is exposed to cold northern winds that can reach a speed of up to 10 knotts and this makes snow drifting a serious problem for the town. During the winter months Kiruna is completely covered in snow for at least four months and in places it can reach up to one metre in depth. In winter the town receives a maximum of four hours of sunlight per day, making heating an issue during this time, whilst in the summer months this number can increase to twenty-four hours, making overheating an issue.

WHO LIVES HERE?

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Kiruna has a total population of 23,178 residents, of whom 80% are said to be directly descended from the indigenous Sami. Since its foundation in 1890, Kiruna’s population growth has begun to slow, which I speculate can be attributed to an overdependence on LKAB’s mining operation and a lack of job opportunities for newer generations. This speculation is backed up by the fact that the average age of a resident is 45 years and that only 5.9% of the population can be considered foreign nationals. Kiruna also has an extremely low population density of 1.2km2.

CURRENT ISSUES SURROUNDING SITE?

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Current issues surrounding the site include ground destabilisation caused

by LKAB’s mining operation and the enormous costs and political dissidence associated with moving an entire town. In addition, the chosen site for the new town centre, particularly my Sámediggi, leaves the urban realm exposed along its northern and eastern perimeters, resulting in a site that’s open to the elements.

WHAT IS THE LOCAL ECOLOGY?

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Kiruna is located within the Arctic Tundra where the dominant biome is boreal forest; however, due to the harsh conditions there are only 1700 species of flora in this vast region. Amongst the most widespread species are birch, spruce and arctic pine, with the latter currently being used extensively within the growing industries of arctic forestry and engineered timber. Kiruna is renowned for the large amounts of reindeer, with the municipality’s key herding route running along the edge of the town. It’s important to note that the LKAB mining operation has disrupted this route and this is something that I will be addressing in my design.

CULTURAL CONTEXT SITE & CULTURAL STUDIES

Kiruna

Arctic Circle

CULTURAL CONTEXT SWEDEN’S HERDING ROUTES

17 CULTURAL CONTEXT

18 A sameby is not a traditional village, but rather both an economic association and a specific geographical area. The right to conduct reindeer herding in Sweden belongs exclusively to the Sami population; however, in order to exercise this right, it is necessary to be a member of a sameby. This is an extensive area, stretching from the inland forest areas to the mountains on the Norwegian border, and follows the reindeer’s annual migration route.

CULTURAL CONTEXT

THE 51 SAMI VILLAGES

CULTURAL CONTEXT KIRUNA’S HERDING ROUTE

19 CULTURAL CONTEXT GIDĂ // SPRING SEASON

GESSE // SUMMER SEASON

In late-march to early-april the reindeer herd begins the migration from the eastern lowland forests to the calving grounds in the mountains to the west. The migration is led by the pregnant females and both the reindeer and the Sami make the move before the calves are born. The long dark winter finally gives way to the spring season, which spans the months of April and May. The temperature begins to increase and ice starts to melt in the southern parts of Swedish Lapland - it is during this period the calves are born in the foothills.

June sees the nights get lighter as spring gradually gives way to summer. Released from its icy grip, the landscape explodes into life, and on the mountains the reindeer graze on birch groves in the swamplands. The Sami have time to rest and prepare for the earmarking of the new-born calves. The long-awaited summer season spans the months of June and July and is characterised by twenty-four hours per day sunlight.

The herds will have been moved to higher grounds to avoid the insects as the earmarking process begins.

Winter Land

Cultivation Boundary

Summer Land

Sami Forest Villages

Lappmark Boundary

Autumn Land

Kiruna Town Centre

TJAKTJA // AUTUMN SEASON

DĂ LVVE // WINTER SEASON

During August the evenings and nights begin to grow darker. It is a crucial period for the reindeer, who must sieze the oportunity to gorge themselves and develop enough fat and muscle mass to see them through the winter. The Sami prepare themselves by selecting the fattest bull reindeer for slaughter and supplement their diet with a traditional elk hunt and river fishing activities. The rutting season commences and after the mating has taken place the Sami prepare their herds for the long journey back to the winter pastures.

November and December see the days growing shorter and snow once again covers the landscape.

During this period a number of calves are selected for slaughter and the herds are divided into smaller groups using a corral. The Sami will also take this opportunity to inoculate their beasts against diseases and attach satellite tracking collars to selected animals. Winter runs from December to March and finds the herd grazing freely in the woodland areas, where they are monitored daily until the sun returns and the cycle begins again.

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Calving Land

CULTURAL CONTEXT WHITE ARCHITECT’S MASTERPLAN

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MY PROPOSED LOCATION FOR SAMI PARLIAMENT The proposed location for Kiruna’s Sami Parliament building is located on the eastern edge of the city at the boundary between the urban and natural environments.

The site is currently occupied by a number of disused industrial structures and features a hiking track to the north which takes you to Kiruna’s golf course and onwards to popular fishing lakes. White’s new plan for the city does not include the existing golf course, which is destroyed by the new road linking the south eastern and north-western edges of the town. The essence of Sami culture is based on the sensible and sustainable usage of the natural environment; therefore, I see huge potential in connecting the landscape left by the golf course with the parliament site to create a new public hiking route for the city and a corraling and grazing area for Sami herding their reindeer across Lapland.

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DOMINANT WIND DIRECTIONS FOR KIRUNA DURING THE YEAR

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0

N 18% NE 7% E 5%

SE 6% S 22% SW 27%

W 7% NW 8%

01 Sami Parliament 02 Kiruna City Hall 03 Transport Centre

04 Culture Centre 05 Sports Centres 06 Swimming Hall

07 Landscaped City Park 08 Church & Crematorium 09 Redundant Golf Course

Planned Landscape

Main Public Square

Existing Buildings

Existing Landscape

Important Buildings

Urbanised Areas

Golf Course Lakes

Planned Buildings

Planned Railroad

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DESIGN THESIS // PROJECT

PROFESSIONAL CONTEXT

PROFESSIONAL CONTEXT RELOCATING AN ENTIRE TOWN

KIRUNA MINE

2050 2033 Deformation Line 2023

“We are symbiotic: the town is here because of the mine, otherwise no devil would have built a city here” Deputy Mayor Niklas Siren

2100

6000 PEOPLE & 3200 HOMES RELOCATED BY 2035 Founded in 1900 by the now state-owned LKAB mining company, Kiruna has grown rich from the vast iron body lurking underneath the town - the mining industry alone accounts for 20% of all job opportunities within the municipality and 80% of all the iron produced in Europe. However, in 2004 LKAB were forced to notify the town that continued mining was beginning to cause substantial levels of ground destabilisation, and that the town would need to begin the monumental undertaking of relocating to a safe distance. Over a decade later fissures have begun to appear along the towns western perimeter, but fortunately for residents, after years of political and economic disagreement, the municipality has finally unveiled a location and masterplan for the new town centre. Now in the process of relocating 3km to the east, a new town hall and public square are already under construction; however, despite being billed as “the most democratic move in history” the undertaking is not without many social, political and economic issues. For example, the projects budget is rapidly spiralling out of control and the site for the new town has come under fire from residents who call it ‘undesirable’, and Sami communities who claim that it will disrupt the municipality’s herding route.

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HOW MUCH WILL THE MOVE COST?

PROFESSIONAL CONTEXT

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The cost of the move was initially estimated at around 3 billion euros; however, even though the project is still in its infancy, 1.2 billion has already been spent and recent figures show the final cost of the move could be closer to 10 billion euros.

WHO IS PAYING FOR IT?

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Because the mining company LKAB has been owned by the Swedish State since the 1950’s, the Swedish Government will be funding the move in its entirety. This will include the purchasing of property and provision of new accommodation for all Kiruna residents, the construction of robust infrastructure to support the new town centre, and the careful dismantling and relocation of key heritage buildings.

CURRENT LAND USAGE?

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The chosen site for the new town centre lies 3km to the east of its current location and is predominantly post-industrial brownfield land. Ironically, this was the region originally designated for Kiruna’s primary mining operation until a vastly superior iron ore body was discovered underneath Kiirunavaara mountain. As such, the abandoned Toulluvaara mining towers will occupy a prominent position next to the proposed town centre, and the location I am proposing for my Sámediggi lies on the southern boundary of Kiruna’s soon-to-be destroyed golf course.

REAL ESTATE VALUE OF LAND?

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The true value of the land cannot currently be determined as, although my specific site is likely under the ownership of the Swedish State, some of the surrounding areas are controlled by the Lapland Forestry Commission and registered as protected regions. In addition, some areas of the masterplan are categorised as ‘common land’, whilst others fall under the ownership of private landlords.

It is also worth noting that the masterplan has come under some opposition from Kiruna’s Sami community as the new town centre will disrupt the local herding route and damage the continued relevance of nearby grazing areas.

ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITIES?

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My building will be replacing Kiuna’s existing Sámediggi; with this in mind the administrative wing of my proposal will continue to provide employment for the current serving civil servants. However, as a state-funded institution this aspect of my proposal would not lend itself well to private contributions from interested parties as this would be breaking laws of ethical conduct. Taking this into account I have ensured that my Sámediggi offers an additional range of educational and recreational facilities that could potentially be more open to private investment opportunities that would bring in additional revenue to support the project.

Additionally, I am hoping that my Sámediggi would strengthen Kiruna’s tourism industry and potentially partner with a number of local Sami tourism experiences.

PROFESSIONAL CONTEXT ECONOMIC CONTEXT TO PROJECT

28 PROFESSIONAL CONTEXT

Figure 04. Moving Heritage Buildings

Figure 05. Location of New Town Centre

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POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF KIRUNA?

PROFESSIONAL CONTEXT

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The political structure of Kiruna is rather complex, consisting of sixteen different political parties ranging from official political bodies to trade unions. They meet once a month for a forum in Kiruna’s town hall and use this opportunity to discuss a wide range of local matters. It’s also worth noting that due to the wide range of demographics these sixteen parties cover, and the scope of interests that they represent, it’s taken a long time for the logistics of Kiruna’s move to be agreed upon and there are still many contentious issues that remain to be solved.

WHY IS IT STATE FUNDED?

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Because the mining company LKAB has been owned by the Swedish State since the 1950’s, the Swedish Government are obliged to fund the move in its entirety.

Being that Kirunavaara is the largest underground iron ore mine in the world, accounting for approximately 80% of all the iron produced in Europe, despite the enormous costs involved with moving a town it is still far more economical to allow the mining operation to continue producing revenue for the area. Although it has yet to be determined precisely how much of the new town centre and its planned facilities will be paid for by LKAB, because my Sámediggi is an indigenous political institution it’s safe to assume that this building will be entirely state-funded. However, I have made sure to diversify the internal program of my facility so as to ensure there is at least some enterprise opportunities for private investors, as well as multiple ways for it to tap into the local economy.

HOW SIGNIGFICANT IS MY BUILDING?

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My Sámediggi is one of several significant planned public buildings for the new town centre; including a new town hall, transport hub, culture house, sports centre, swimming pool and church/crematorium complex. This means that not only do I have an obligation to uphold the values of Kiruna’s Sami population, but as a large public facility I also have a commitment to local residents to sensitively integrate my design into the towns future architectural identity. While Kiruna has housed Sweden’s existing Sámediggi since its foundation in 1993, this wasn’t a purpose-built institution and as such the architecture doesn’t reflect Sami identity in a way that Norway and Finland’s Sámediggi attempt to do. With the expansion of mining operations across Swedish Lapland environmental exploitation is only set to increase; therefore, more than ever Sweden’s Sami population require a platform to voice their concerns regarding land usage and human rights violations across their homeland. Occupying a prominent position within Kiruna’s new masterplan, it is my ambition that my proposal stands out as an urban landmark for the city, helping to raise awareness of the issues facing Sweden’s Sami population but also remaining true to the local vernacular. As tourism is an important source of income for the region I also want my Sámediggi to tap into this industry, as this will not only generate extra revenue for the city, but also help to raise awareness of the existence of Sweden’s indigenous Sami population.

PROFESSIONAL CONTEXT POLITICAL CONTEXT TO PROJECT

30 PROFESSIONAL CONTEXT

Figure 06. Kiruna’s Existing Sámediggi

Figure 07. Kiruna’s Political Parties

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RELEVANT PLANNING POLICIES & REGULATIONS?

PROFESSIONAL CONTEXT

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Currently, there has been no specific planning policy outlined by the municipality of Kiruna, due to the fact this is an unprecedented undertaking for the country and that construction on the project has barely started. However, to support their proposed masterplan White Architects were required to put in place a number of strategic outlines for the development to ensure that there are a strong set of urban design principals governing the development of the new town centre. I have made sure to take as many of these into account during my design process and, as previously noted, even attempted to make slight alterations to their projected urban development plan. It’s also worth noting that by nudging the proposed location of the new Sámediggi away from the urban realm and onto the edge of Kiruna’s golf course, I should have less strenuous planning regulations to adhere to.

Biodiversity, Resilience and Local Species

PROTECTING LOCAL ECOLOGY & BIODIVERSITY

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al ies Bird-Cherry Tree Aspen

st aterials Lilac

w s One of the primary reasons White’s masterplan was chosen was because of their commitment to creating a town centre that could not only coexist with the surrounding arctic landscape, but also promote increased biodiversity. To ensure the environment will be able to cope with the demands of the new masterplan, White have woven a number of ‘green pathways’ into the urban fabric; not only to reinforce Kiruna’s connection with nature, but also provide ample opportunities for fauna and flora to flourish and diversify in harmony with the town. I have taken this into account when designing for my Sámediggi and re-appropriated the old golf course into a public hiking route and corralling area for reindeer herds.

PROFESSIONAL CONTEXT WHITE’S URBAN PLANNING STRATEGY

hows suggestions for features and activities that can take place in the nature parks and nship with nature and outdoor activities.

Recreation

Ecology

The diagram above shows suggestions for features and activities that can show the close relationship with nature and outdoor activities.

Climate

Ecology

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Nature parks fill important ecological functions and atural parks Hiking and buildings The border zone between the natural parks and buildings is trails, skiis and bike trails in the nature parks give a close ecosystem services, for example, a lot of rainwater in parkswith is wind-protected meeting places that make it _________________________________________________________________________ meeting places make it activated andthat available relation to the surrounding landscape and its collected. Parks also play an important role as spreading along the edge. safe and experienceful to move along the edge. outdoor activities. corridor for animals.

The city’s north-south, wedge shaped configuration helps weave local ecology directly into the urban fabric and gives residents quick and easy access to the surrounding landscape. These ‘green pathways’ work in unison with the additional parks spread across the city to provide residents with a broad range of features and activities to engage with, such as ski trails, playgrounds and outdoor gym equipment. My Sámediggi will complement these activities with a new hiking trail to the northern lakes, lavvu camping grounds and an extensive reindeer herding and grazing area. These nature parks help to ensure that the natural cycle of water becomes an integral part of the city, and also provides wind-protected outdoor meeting places and double up as snow storage sites. _________________________________________________________________________

2033 Figure 08. White’s Urban Strategies

Nature parks fill i ecosystem servic collected. Parks a corridor for anim

PROFESSIONAL CONTEXT URBAN DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

WHITE’S TRANSFORMATION PLAN As part of the master planning process, White Arkitekter have structured the city to allow for multiple future development routes towards the north, south and east. This diagram shows White’s view of what the city layout could look like by the year 2100. Their proposition would result in the Sami Parliament building becoming surrounded by urban fabric and its connection to nature lost. In addition, I think that it would be a shame if the linear park connecting the east and west sides of the town became completely enclosed by urban fabric, when there is an existing hiking route to the lakes north of the city that it could feed into.

SÁMEDIGGI GATEWAY TO NATURE

The landscaped area of Kiruna’s soon-to-be redundant golf course could be used to create a new connection between Kiruna and the landscape north of the city. A new hiking route to the lakes of Tuollujarvi, Kaperasjarvi and Kirkkovaartijarvi could be established, and the area could become a camping, corralling and grazing grounds for Sami herding their reindeer across Lapland. Sami architecture is designed to be integrated with the natural landscape, so it makes sense to situate my proposal for a new Sami Parliament in this open landscape.

MY PROPOSED TRANSFORMATION As White’s transformation plan is a speculative proposition, I have decided to propose a slight alteration for the purpose of Kiruna’s Sami Parliament building. All possible routes of urban development remain intact, with the exception of the finger adjacent to the proposed location of the Sámediggi. My plan is to keep this area free of urban fabric and utilise the redundant golf course to create a herding and corralling area for the reindeer, as well as a new hiking route to the lakes north of the city. This would create a connection to nature for both tourists and citizens to enjoy, and serve as the perfect backdrop for Sweden’s new Sami Parliament.

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THE ARCHITECT’S CODE (STANDARDS OF CONDUCT & PRACTICE)

PROFESSIONAL CONTEXT

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The architect’s registration board (ARB) is an independent statutory regulator which monitors the architectural profession within the UK and aims to ensure that high professional standards are upheld by architects across the country.

Whilst failure to comply with the provisions of the code may not always constitute as unacceptable professional conduct, this document can be considered in disciplinary proceedings by the ARB’s ‘Professional Conduct Committee’ and even be used as evidence in a civil court of law. The intention of the document is not to be a detailed set of rules, but rather a set of general principals to be followed, taking into account the areas in which it is most likely for architects to encounter problems. The twelve standards outlined within the document are as follows: . Be honest and act with integrity . Be competent . Promote your services honestly and responsibly . Manage your business competently . Consider the wider impact of your work . Carry out your work faithfully and conscientiously . Be trustworthy and look after your client’s money properly . Have appropriate insurance arrangements . Maintain the reputation of architects . Deal with disputes or complaints appropriately . Cooperate with regulatory requirements and investigations . Have respect for others These standards are supplemented by additional clauses which provide the architect with additional information to take into account during a design project.

For the purposes of this report I have selected a number of these clauses which I think are particularly relevant when considered within the context of my proposal.

“You are expected at all times to act with honesty and integrity and to avoid any situations which are inconsistent with your obligations” 1.1 “Where appropriate, you should advise your client how to conserve and enhance the quality of the environment and its natural resources” 5.1 “You should carry out your work without undue delay and in accordance with any time-scale and cost limits agreed with your client” 6.2 “You are expected to keep proper records of all money held by you which belongs to a client or other third party, and to account for it at all times” 7.1 “You are expected to have adequate and appropriate professional indemnity insurance cover for you, your practice and your employees” 8.1

PROFESSIONAL CONTEXT HEALTH & SAFETY REGULATIONS

CONSTRUCTION (DESIGN & MANAGEMENT) REGULATIONS

“The principal designer must plan, manage and monitor the pre-construction phase of a project and coordinate matters relating to health and safety to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the project is carried out without risks to health or safety” CDM Regulations 2015 These regulations are intended to ensure that health and safety issues are adequately considered during a construction project’s development; thus, helping to reduce the potential risk of harm to those involved in the construction, use and maintenance of an architectural proposition. First introduced in 1994 and later amended in 2007, the regulations that I will be considering within the context of this report will be of the latest 2015 revision. Possibly the most significant change brought by the 2015 revision, is the replacement of the previously prescribed role of ‘CDM coordinator’ with that of a ‘principal designer’. This aims to ensure that full responsibility for CDM compliance is in the hands of an individual with the ability to influence the design of a project with respect to the regulations; a position which in the context of this report falls on me. The document itself is divided into five sections with ‘Part 3’ being the one that I, as principal designer, will be specifically concerned with. This section denotes all of the different health and safety duties required from designers, principal designers, principal contractors and contractors during a construction project, and some of the most important of these are listed below: . Planning, managing and monitoring the pre-construction phase of a project . Ensuring that health-risks are eliminated or controlled through design work . Passing on relevant information to the principal contractor . Ensuring that all designers involved comply with their duties of care . Preparing the project’s health and safety file . Assisting the client in preparing pre-construction documentation . Ensuring full cooperation regarding the implementation of CDM regulations

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DESIGN THESIS // PROJECT

BUILDING CONTROL

BUILDING CONTROL PART A STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS

39

STRUCTURAL PRINCIPALS OF MY SAMI PARLIAMENT PROPOSITION

BUILDING CONTROL

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“The building shall be constructed so that the combined dead, imposed and wind loads are sustained and transmitted by it to the ground: (a) Safely; and (b) Without causing such deflection or deformation of any part of the building as will impair the stability of any part of another building” Building Regulations 2010 The superstructure of my proposed Sámediggi can be divided into two seperate components which, whilst working in unison to increase the thermal performance of the building, ultimately stand structurally independant of one another. The canopy element is segmented into six double-curved glulam lattice shells, upturned to allow for even snow distribution, which lean towards a central ring beam in compression. A perimeter beam running along the edge of these shells brings them together in tension, with the structural load being transmitted to six arched glulam columns via a series of steel butterfly pin connections. Finally, this load is transferred to one of the six corresponding concrete foundation blocks, with a steel wishbone element transferring the perimeter beam load to the ground condition via tension. Sitting on top of all this structure is a lightweight triple-layer ETFE cushion system which creates a thermal buffer between external conditions

Wind and snow loads are obviously very important factors to consider when designing for an arctic environment like Kiruna and I have designed the form of my proposal to intelligently respond to these extreme conditions. The curved form of the volumes allows for wind loads to disperse evenly across the building’s facade, lessening the impacts of potential snow drifting but allowing for build-up around the perimeter to create an additional layer of insulation for the facility. The long-span canopy prevents snow from settling on the glazed roofscape of the building volumes, and its double-curved, symmetrical form promotes even snow distribution whilst directing meltwater to one of six runoff channels where it can be safely drained away.

40 BUILDING CONTROL

and the courtyard below, whilst still allowing light to filter down and melt-water to run off to the building’s permimetre where it can be removed through a robust drainage system. The superstructure of the building itself is much simpler in comparison and can be divided into three primary volumes, connected via three circulation corridors, which flow into one another using the same structural system - heavy-frame timber construction. Large vertical glulam elements, cut on a CNC machine, connect to a central ring beam to create a rigid timber frame and transfer wind, snow and dead loads to the concrete substructure beneath.

This holds up a series of small arched timber ribs which in turn support the layer of curved glass panels that make up the roofscape of each volume. The outward facing facade consists of cnc-cut, locally sourced spruce wooden planks which protect a thick layer of mineral wool insulation beneath, whilst the inward facing facade comprises of a system of steel framed, retractable double-glazed panels.

41 BUILDING CONTROL

The canopy is divided into six double-curved timber shells which lean towards the central ring beam in compression.

Each shell is comprised of two secondary beams and two perimeter beams, held together by a series of smaller glulam elements which form a double-layered diagrid lattice. Each segment is then held up via a series of steel butterfly pin connections which run along each of the arched glulam primary columns, transferring wind, snow and dead loads to one of six concrete foundation blocks

Drainage Channel

BUILDING CONTROL STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

42 BUILDING CONTROL

A series of cnc-milled arched timber ribs support a layer of steel-framed, curved, double-glazed panels

Primary Column Steel Butterfly Connection Secondary Beam Perimeter Beam

A bespoke steel wishbone connection, attached to the perimeter beam of each timber shell, holds the structure in tension and anchors wind, snow and dead loads to a concrete foundation block which transfers them to the ground condition

A series of large cnc-milled vertical glulam elements are anchored to the concrete substructure and connect to a central ring beam, supporting the glazed roofscape. Locally sourced spruce planks make up the outer facade, with a thick layer of mineral wool and a simple rendered finish making up the interior cavity.

Additional horizontal elements would be required to ensure that the structure doesn’t deform under heavy wind loads

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SKETCH CONNECTION DETAILS FOR BUILDING VOLUMES

BUILDING CONTROL

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BUILDING CONTROL STRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT

SKETCH CONNECTION DETAILS FOR ETFE CANOPY

44 BUILDING CONTROL

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45

HOW HAVE FIRE SAFETY REGULATIONS INFORMED THE DESIGN?

BUILDING CONTROL

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“The building shall be designed and constructed so that there are appropriate provisions for the early warning of fire, and appropriate means of escape in case of fire from the building to a place of safety outside the building capable of being safely and effectively used at all material times” Building Regulations 2010 In order to increase the thermal performance and fire safety potential of the Sámediggi I have made sure to compartmentalize the internal configuration as much as possible. Each of the three buildings are divided into a main lobby, a central volume which contains the primary function, and a layer of supporting rooms that accommodate a variety of secondary functions.

Separating each building is a spacious circulation corridor which acts as the primary entrance/exit of the facility and can be closed off from the rest of the complex if deemed necessary. In addition, in the case of an emergency the central courtyard can be easily accessed from any point in the facility via a retractable glazing system, and two assembly points lie to the south should an evacuation need to take place. This level of compartmentalization means that should a fire break out inside the Sámediggi, it is likely that it can be isolated and brought under control before it has a chance to spread too far.

The majority of the parliament’s structure comprises of glued laminated timber elements which has a burn-off rate of 0.7mm/min and thus doesn’t require expensive fire protection coatings. When fire encases a glulam beam or column a carbonized layer forms around the structural core, reducing the external supply of oxygen and heat, meaning that a fire resistance of 60-90 minutes is easy to achieve. Other materials used extensively throughout the facility include mineral wool insulation which can provide fire resistance for up to four hours (depending on product), and concrete which has the highest fire resistance rating possible.

The building will also be outfitted with up-to-date sprinkler fire detection/alarm systems in accordance with ‘Building Regulations Approved Document B’.

FIRE SAFETY DIAGRAM KEY

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Compartment 01 (Primary Function) Compartment 02 (Secondary Function) Compartment 03 (Circulation Corridor) Circulation Core and Lobby Staircase Fire Assembley Point Gathering Hall Planned Escape Routes

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Figure 09. Intact Structural Core

BUILDING CONTROL PART B FIRE SAFETY CONTROL

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HOW HAS BUILDING ACCESS & CIRCULATION INFORMED THE DESIGN?

BUILDING CONTROL

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For a large-scale public building like my Sámediggi it is extremely important to arrange the internal program in a way that clearly conveys navigation routes to first-time users. Upon entering any of the Sámediggi’s three volumes one is greeted with a similar view; a large open lobby space which contains an information desk and two grand staircases hugging the edges of the internal floor plates. The primary function of each building volume (e.g. the debating chamber) is always centralised within the space and always surrounded by a large circulation corridor (minimum width 2.5m) which grants the user access to a number of smaller supporting rooms (e.g. meeting rooms). At the front end of this corridor, hidden underneath the lobby staircase, are the WC provisions, and located further back is the building’s core consisting of an

BUILDING CONTROL PART K&M ACCESS & CIRCULATION

Separating each of the three volumes is a buffer zone, which can either be closed off from the main facility or opened up to create a single flowing lobby space. Each acting as one of the Sámediggi’s primary entrances/exits, they face inwards toward the central courtyard and a retractable glazing system allows reindeer to cross through when being corralled into smaller groups. Simple in plan, but complex in section, my Sámediggi clearly separates the political, educational and recreational functions of the parliament; ensuring that public/ private circulation routes and access points can be easily controlled/regulated, and multiple events can take place at any given time with minimal disruption.

CIRCULATION DIAGRAM

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Stairway (General Access) Disabled Access Circulation Public Foyer WC Provision Primary Entrance/Exit

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evacuation stairway and two lift shafts, each capable of carrying up to eight people. This simple configuration is repeated on each floorplate, ensuring that anyone with a physical handicap has access all levels of the facility, and also dividing the internal area into clear primary, secondary and circulatory functions.

BUILDING CONTROL PART F&L THERMAL PERFORMANCE

49

HOW HAVE HEATING/COOLING STRATEGIES INFORMED THE DESIGN?

BUILDING CONTROL

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The thermal performance of my Sámediggi was always at the forefront of my mind during the design process, and I believe that through a combination of internal compartmentalisation, thermal buffer zones and the layering of materials my proposal offers some unique solutions to the extreme conditions facing it.

I have arranged my Sámediggi into three functionally independent (albeit interconnected) organic volumes, which face inwards toward a central courtyard where Kiruna’s Sami population can coral their reindeer herds. The exposed outer-face of the thermal envelope is fully insulated, with an unbroken layer of mineral wool up to 500mm thick in places, and the building is orientated so that snow drift can build up against this facade and create an extra layer of insulation during the cold winter months. The glazed roofscape of each volume faces inwards at an angle of 26 degrees; not only allowing sunlight to penetrate down into the large, open foyers, but also directing any escaping heat towards a central point within the facility. In this way the thermal energy produced by my Sámediggi is not immediately lost to the environment but instead remains temporarily trapped underneath a layer of ETFE pillows and forms a thermal buffer between the building and external conditions. In addition to protecting the glazed roofscape from excessive snow accumulation, this layer of ETFE also helps to filter out and capture solar radiation during the summer months and nurtures a sheltered microclimate for the Sami herders and their reindeer to enjoy all year round.

Services Trench

VENTILATION STRATEGY _______________________________________

Heated/Cooled Via CHP Plant Heated/Cooled Via Extraction Airflow/Heat Transfer Direction Solar Thermal Energy Transfer

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50 BUILDING CONTROL

After looking back on my semester one investigation into Shigeru Ban’s Tamedia office complex, I decided that a good method of increasing the thermal performance of my proposal would be to compartmentalise the large internal volumes into smaller, more manageable spaces. Each section of the Sámediggi contains a central compartment, housing a primary function such as a plenary chamber, which is heated via a CHP unit located within the substructure below.

Arranged around this space are a series of secondary compartments, containing supporting functions such as meeting rooms and exhibition spaces, which absorb any surplus thermal energy and can also be independently heated via the CHP unit as necessary. Enclosing all of this is a single, large open public foyer, exclusively heated and cooled via recycled air extracted from the aforementioned spaces, which also doubles up as a ‘thermal screen’ against the extreme external conditions. This layering of space allows the facility to easily regulate and optimize its thermal output with regards to the changing requirements of such a complex and dynamic brief; thus, helping to increase the Sámediggi’s sustainable potential and reduce its annual energy consumption as a result.

DESIGN THESIS // PROJECT

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

SUSTAINABLE POTENTIAL PRINCIPLES INFORMING DESIGN

JODÁHAT SÁMEDIGGI // INSPIRED BY THE SAMI TERRITOY OF SÁPMI

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Jodáhat // “Sami word for tracks left in the snow by a migrating reindeer herd” The form, composition and functionality of my proposal has been heavily influenced by Sami culture, the local vernacular, and the way that Sweden’s indigenous population interacts with the natural environment in everyday life.

Inspiration for the parliament’s form came from our visit to the Lapporten Valley in Abisko National Park; a landmark which has long been culturally significant to the indigenous Sami population of Sweden who have herded reindeer across the pass for generations. In that moment I decided that I wanted my proposal to resemble this natural feature in elevation, and a series of initial massing studies led me to arrange the parliament into a sequence of large and small volumes - mimicking the natural cleft that weather has eroded from the Tjuonavagge mountain range. As it was always my intention for the facility to double up as a corralling centre for Kiruna’s reindeer herders, the composition of the parliament and general arrangement of building volumes on-site has been informed by the unique fencing strategies found in the Sami-built roundup corrals across the Swedish tundra. In addition to this, the functionality of the parliament has also been directly inspired by the local vernacular, in particular the traditional lavvu shelter used by Sami across the region. Developed specifically with thermal comfort and portability in mind, I looked to these efficient structures for inspiration on how to deal with airflow, wind-loads, snow drifting and ways of maximising heat retention.

Figure 10. Traditional Sami Lavvu Shelter

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HOW HAS THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF THE PROPOSAL BEEN REDUCED?

SUSTAINABLE POTENTIAL

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I decided fairly early on in the design process that one of the ways I was going to reduce the Sámediggi’s overall carbon footprint was to make extensive use of locally sourced engineered timber, rather than depending on more conventional materials used in large-building construction such as concrete.

Buildings like the Tamedia office complex, which I researched in semester one, show us how far timber construction technologies have matured in recent years, and how an interdisciplinary approach to construction can make timber into a viable material for complex, large-scale inner-city buildings. Not only is wood a renewable and sustainable alternative to concrete, but it is widely regarded as a much more sensuous and aesthetically pleasing material to the human soul - a particularly important characteristic that a Sámediggi needs to exhibit.

While the substructure and internal floorplates of my Sámediggi are formed of conventional concrete slabs, the majority of the building’s superstructure consists of large glulam timber elements, with the external cladding system comprising of hundreds of individually cnc-cut spruce wooden planks seamlessly connected with horizontal finger joints. Seeing as seventy percent of Sweden’s land mass is covered by forest, in particular boreal woodland, there is an abundance of natural material surrounding Kiruna which I can use to make the parliament’s structural framework and cladding system. According to ‘Swedish Wood’ forest assets in the country have doubled in the past hundred years, and because the felling rate is substantially less than the growth rate this volume continues to increase on an annual basis. It is also worth noting that almost all of the forest in Sweden can be defined as ‘cultured forest’, which means that it is cultivated and managed under sustainable forestry initiatives; further increasing the sustainable potential of using engineered timber within the context of my proposal.

In addition to its status as a renewable material and the over-abundance of local sources, another reason for choosing to build the Sámediggi out of timber rather than concrete or masonry is due to the much lower carbon footprint it leaves behind. To put this into perspective, the production of one ton of concrete for construction purposes releases almost exactly the same amount of carbon dioxide out into the atmosphere, and the manufacturing process used to create cement accounts for five percent of the total global C02 releases from fossil-fuel burning.

In addition, if not properly maintained, concrete will also passively release a steady stream of embodied carbon throughout its lifespan; with the vast majority of material ending up in unsustainable landfill sites instead of being recycled.

During its lifespan a tree grown for use in the engineered timber industry will take large amounts of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and transform it into sugars for sustenance and growth. On average this sequestration of carbon will amount to approximately 900kg of CO2 for every m3 of wood and the material will hold this captive during its entire lifetime, even after it has been processed into products like CLT or glulam. In addition to this, engineered timber also has many fundamental design qualities that can help to further reduce my Sámediggi’s carbon footprint including; increased potential for offsite construction, minimal transportation requirements, shorter build program, increased structural accuracy, less waste production and an ability to achieve greater spans with less material.

SUSTAINABLE POTENTIAL USE OF ENGINEERED TIMBER

56 SUSTAINABLE POTENTIAL

Figure 11. Publications from ‘Swedish Wood’ Website

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SWEDEN: A MODEL STATE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE

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Of the 28 member-states making up the European Union, Sweden is by far and away the leading country in terms of renewable energy to gross final consumption, standing at an incredible 57% as of 2018. Not content however to settle with their title as one of the most sustainable countries in the world, the focus is not on what has been accomplished thus far but rather on what remains to be done, and the Swedish Government has boldly committed to cutting its net carbon emissions to zero by 2045. To help them realise this vision a cross-party committee voted unanimously in 2017 to establish an independent Climate Policy Council which now has the task of monitoring governmental policies regarding climate change and assessing whether or not these are compatible with the climate goals they are legally obliged to satisfy. Seeing as the sustainable management of Lapland’s natural resources is of great importance to the traditional Sami way of life, I felt that it was important to investigate ways of incorporating site-specific renewable energy strategies into my Sámediggi to make it as sustainable as possible.

Famous for its low population density and vast open landscapes, wind power has become one of the fastest growing sources of renewable energy in Sweden recently, with a total of 3600 active turbines now meeting 12% of its total energy requirements. As my Sámediggi will be repurposing Kiruna’s old golf course into a herding route for Sami reindeer companies, this existing large open space offers the perfect site for a wind farm on the outskirts of the town. Situated in a natural valley and receiving strong northern gales of up to 25kmph all year round, there is incredible potential for a small wind farm to contribute considerably to the running costs of not only the Sámediggi, but also the town itself and the demands that increases in infrastructure will bring.

Due to the sites close proximity with the urban environment, I would propose a series of Archimedes Windmills which have the ability to yield high power output despite running at only 45dB and being relatively unobtrusive to local wildlife.

A more outlandish, but equally effective way of powering my Sámediggi via renewable energy would be to install a system of ‘Ground Source Heat Pump Boreholes’ underneath the concrete substructure. This would take the form of a closed loop system comprised of a set of pipes vertically inserted into the ground which would circulate water to and from a geothermal heat pump to generate power and heat/cool the building. While the initial investment required to install this system would be high, the only running costs incurred thereafter would be to power the heat pump itself, making it a far cheaper long-term alternative to the traditional CHP systems commonly used in public buildings of a similar scale.

As of spring 2018, the Swedish Government has invested 100 million euros into a nation-wide scheme supporting the installation of state-funded solar panels in privately owned residences. Baring this in mind, the ETFE pillow system which I have incorporated into the design of the Sámediggi’s canopy offers the perfect opportunity to capture solar energy using modern photovoltaic technologies.

Photovoltaic rolls would be cut to length, aligned and joined together to form laminates designed specifically for Kiruna’s unique climatic conditions. This membrane would then be bedded between ETFE layers of different thicknesses and could either form the intermediate or outer layer of each pneumatic cushion.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE SWEDEN’S RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET

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1990: 34%

2016: 54%

Figures 12 & 13. Photovoltaic ETFE System & Archimedes Urban Windmill Design

2045: 100%

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PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS

SUSTAINABLE POTENTIAL

This diagram represents my attempt to combine the three available renewable energy sources; solar, wind and geothermal into a single system that would have the potential to fully power my Sámediggi and feed directly into Kiruna’s electrical grid.

A set of vertical pipes, located beneath the building’s substructure, would take cool water from the facility and heat it via geothermal energy before pumping it back up to surface level, turning a turbine located within a centralised heat exchanger during the process. This heated water can then be distributed around the facility as required and used to maintain a comfortable internal temperature all year round. Through a sequence of evaporation and condensation units this water is then pumped back underground into the closed loop system with additional melt-water being added to replace any amount that may have been lost. This system can be fully powered directly via a photovoltaic ETFE system incorporated into the canopy and the adjacent Archimedes Windmill farm.

SUSTAINABLE POTENTIAL THEORETICAL ENERGY STRATEGY

GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP BOREHOLE

ARCHIMEDES WINDMILL FARM

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KIRUNA ELECTRICAL GRID DISTRIBUTION

DESIGN THESIS // PROJECT

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS

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PHASE 01 - SITE PREPERATION & EXCAVATION

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS

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The first stage of construction will involve clearing the site of industrial debris and preparing ground levels for the substructure. A specialised drilling rig will be used to excavate a series of 15-100m deep (depending on survey) boreholes ready for the installation of my proposed geothermal heat pump system. The excavated soil can then be stored and later used in Kiruna’s new linear parkway.

PHASE 02 - SUBSTRUCTURE & FOUNDATIONS

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After the foundations have been laid the substructure can be built in-situ by pouring a concrete mixture into a rigid formwork containing steel reinforcement bars. While this method is more labour intensive than off-site prefabrication, it’s far cheaper and often the prefered method when it comes to building at this scale.

PHASE 03 - CONSTRUCTION OF CANOPY LAYER

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At this point in the project construction would begin on the ETFE canopy as this would be able to shelter the building site from snow accumulation which may otherwise slow the operation down. Using a crane, the six primary columns would be hoisted onto their respective foundation blocks, secured with a steel plate and anchor bolt system and connected to a central ring beam (temporarily held in place via scaffolding). One by one each of the six timber shells which make up the canopy structure would be constructed by means of; fixing the secondary beams to the primary columns via steel butterfly joints, attaching the perimeter beams and steel wishbone elements to the framework and finally connecting the intermediate glulam elements together to create a complete lattice system. Once the timber structure has been locked in place, the ETFE membrane panels can be installed on top and filled with air to create the pneumatic cushion system.

PHASE 04 - ERECTION OF TIMBER FRAMEWORK

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Now the site is sheltered, work can begin on installing the building’s structural framework, starting with securing the primary glulam columns to the substructure via a steel pin connection and fixing them to a central ring beam. To ensure that the framework doesn’t distort under heavy wind loads additional horizontal bracing elements would need to be added to ensure that rigidity is maintained.

PHASE 05 - APPLICATION OF EXTERNAL FIXINGS

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The cnc-cut spruce cladding planks are now joined together via a finger joint system and fixed onto a series of wooden laths which are hoisted up and attached to the structural columns. The wall build up consisting of proofing membranes, mineral wool insulation and support beams can now be added to these laths before a final internal finish is applied. A series of arched glulam ribs are then slotted into a series of notches which run along the timber ring beam, allowing the lightweight steel framework and curved double-glazed panels of the roofscape to

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE

PHASE 06 - APPLICATION OF INTERNAL FIXINGS

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Now that the envelope is complete, work on the internal fixings can begin. The structural cores and internal floorplates are fabricated offsite as panels and brought to site for assembly. Once assembled the plates are lifted onto pre-cast concrete columns and suspended from the superstructure (via steel cables) so that the final buildup can be added and the lobby staircase system installed.

PHASE 07 - APPLICATION OF FINAL FIXINGS

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For the final fixings there will be a changeover of personal as specialists are brought in to install the wiring, plumbing systems and mechanical/electrical services. Non-structural internal walls, partitions and glazing panels are placed into the building and the internal space is finished with bespoke fixtures and fittings such as skirting panels, architraves, doorways and safety handrails.

PHASE 08 - LANDSCAPING & CORRAL FENCING

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With construction on the building now complete, attention is directed toward the public realm and external landscaping. Paths connecting the Sámediggi and Kiruna Town Centre are established, region-specific trees are planted and the reindeer fences are installed onto a series of sunken concrete base pads.

Figure 14. Installing the Curved Glulam Framework for Kamppi Chapel of Silence in Helsinki

64 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS

be installed. The final step in this phase involves fitting out the internal courtyard’s retractable glazing system, thus completing the building’s external envelope.

65

WHAT MACHINERY WILL BE REQUIRED FOR CONSTRUCTION?

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS

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All of the structural glulam elements, along with the spruce cladding planks, will need to be prefabricated offsite using locally sourced materials and an industrial scale ‘6-Axis CNC Machine’. Apart from the specialised drilling rig which will be required to bore holes for the geothermal heat pump system, the machinery required to construct the proposal will be fairly standard; consisting of cranes, excavators, loaders, dumpers, graders, forklifts and concrete mixers.

WHAT SPECIALISTS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR CONSTRUCTION?

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As would be expected for a building of this scale, a number of different specialists will be required to work on the project during its construction. CNC specialists will be employed to fabricate the structural and cladding elements, while skilled woodworkers/carpenters will be required to advise and assemble these components on site in the correct manner. Groundwork specialists will be brought in to; clear the site of industrial debris, lay the foundations and cast the substructure in-situ, while a specialised team of engineers will be required to survey, operate and supervise the borehole drilling process. Glazing specialists will be employed to install the various window elements, ensuring that any cold bridging issues are addressed, and another team of specialists will be brought to site to supervise the installation process of the ETFE canopy panels and ‘Air Handling Units’. The services of electrical and mechanical engineers, along with lighting specialists will be required during the final fixing and steel welders may be required throughout to ensure that all glulam connections are structurally sound.

HOW WILL CONSTRUCTION BE MANAGED & COORDINATED?

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Offsite fabrication and construction will be outsourced to certified and trustworthy companies and will therefore require little supervision on the part of the architect.

Issues in management could begin to arise if deadlines are not being met which is why a set of ‘JCT Standard Building Contracts’ will need to be drawn up and agreed upon by all parties before construction commences. Additionally, a project manager will be appointed by the client to coordinate all matters pertaining to the procurement process, and they will be required to work in tandem with the design team to ensure that a smooth and efficient construction schedule is maintained.

WHAT HEALTH & SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WILL BE REQUIRED?

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A building site can be a very dangerous place to work and, in this case, the potential for health and safety hazards will be compounded by Kiruna’s extreme and unpredictable arctic conditions. The Building Site Supervisor will be in charge of keeping an up-to-date register for all on site personnel and all workers are required to wear adequate protection, including hard hats, warm clothes, sturdy boots and high-visibility jackets, at all times. Hoarding and signage will need to be established around the perimeter of the site to warn passers-by of hazards and cranes must be positioned accordingly according to forecasted conditions.

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS FABRICATION & CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES

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Figure 15. Specialist Team Installing ETFE Cushion System

Figure 16. Specialist Geothermal Drilling Rig

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS CONSTRUCTION DETAIL DEVELOPMENT

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68 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS

Due to the inherent complexity involved with taking on a design project of this scale and nature, construction details were never the focus of my intent and it would require additional time and research to resolve the multitude of unique connection details to their fullest potential. However, I have attempted to sketch out a couple of rough preliminary construction details on this double spread; one showing a potential method of fixing the external envelope to the internal structure, the other a possible junction detail between two ETFE pillows. Despite requiring further development, I believe that this approach of fixing pre-fabricated external wall panels onto steel clamps connected to the glulam columns would be simpler and cheaper than using a more traditional wall buildup construction. It would also allow the structural framework of the building to be expressed internally, a personality that would be further accentuated by the suspended floorplates.

BIBLIOGRAPHY // SOURCES Figure 01

Mawhood, F. (2018) Snow//Timber//Wildlife Unit Trip Images [Photograph].

Figure 02

Crouch, A. (2015) Flag of Sápmi [Digital Image]. Available at: http://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/2015/05/flag-of-sapmi.

Figure 03

Metsahallitus. (2018) Sallivaara Corral Images [Various]. Available at: http://www.nationalparks.fi/sallivaarareindeerroundupsite.

Figure 04

Utsi, C. (2017) Moving Heritage Buildings [Photograph]. Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/sweden-kiruna-relocation/index.html.

Figure 05

Vagen, A. (2017) Location of New Town Centre [Photograph]. Available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Quality_images/Subject/ Architecture/Agricultural_and_Industrial#/media/File:Tuolluvaara_September_2017_03.jpg.

Figure 06

Lindgren, D. (2005) Kiruna’s Existing Sámediggi [Photograph]. Available at: http://www.langdale-associates.com/sweden_2013/part_5/pic_30.htm.

Figure 07

U.S. Department of State. (2016) Arctic Council Meeting [Photograph]. Available at: https://worldpolicy.org/2016/09/07/visualizing-the-arcticcouncil-at-20.

Figure 08

White Arkitekter. (2014) Urban Strategy Diagrams [Digital Image]. Available at: https://www.ghilardihellsten.com/kirunadevelopmentplan.

Figure 09

Unknown. (2018) Glulam Beam Exposed to Fire [Photograph]. Available at: https://disastersafety.org/ibhs/tall-wood-buildings-gaining-attentionconstruction-world.

Figure 10

Emmons, R. (2004) Traditional Sami Lavuu Images [Photograph]. Available at: https://www.laits.utexas.edu/sami/dieda/anthro/architecture.htm.

Figure 11

Swedish Wood. (2017) Sustainable Forestry Diagrams [Digital Image]. Available at: https://www.swedishwood.com/about_wood/choosing-wood/ wood-and-the-environment/the-forest-and-sustainable-forestry.

Figure 12

Unknown. (2012) Photovoltaic ETFE System [Photograph]. Available at: http://knifesharpenercritics.pw/solar-panel-etfe.

Figure 13

The Archimedes. (2014) Archimedes Urban Windmill [Photograph]. Available at: http://factor-tech.com/future-cities/3981-revolutionary-urban-windturbine-to-transform-city-power-generation.

Figure 14

KS2 Architects. (2011) Glulam Frame Construction [Photograph]. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/167114/in-progress-kamppi-chapel-ofsilence-k2s-architects/dsc_0452-2.

Figure 15

Vector Foiltec. (2015) ETFE Cushion Installation [Photograph]. Available at: https://www.vector-foiltec.com/services/installation.

Figure 16

Mincon Group PLC. (2018) Geothermal Drilling Rig [Photograph]. Available at: https://www.mincon.com/news-mincon/424-drilling-above-thearctic-circle.html.