pH(-CO2): BRADFORD’S INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM & INCUBATOR

PH(-co²) is a proposal of an industrial museum and living incubator in Bradford, Manchester, next to the Etihad Stadium. The focus of this project is to create awareness on the power of moss and lichen as agents of change in the age of Bradford’s Anthropocene as a post-industrial landscape. This proposal intends to answer the research question; How can the irreversible environmental impacts caused by Bradford’s anthropocentric activities during the industrial era be combated by encouraging the growth of mosses and lichens on site?

As the name of this project suggests, mosses and lichens play important roles in the ecosystem as indicators and mitigators of air pollution. Awareness of their role in combating air pollution and biodiversity loss is highlighted by integrating these species in our architectural proposal and the overall masterplan. The intervention masterplan intends to rewild the existing landscape and sequester carbon dioxide by propagating moss and lichen on site and connecting it to the surrounding vegetation spaces through eco-bridges and green belts.

The building is broken down into several programs that reflects the past Anthropocene activities and uses speculative design methods to create a ‘plausible’ prediction of Greater Manchester’s future, incorporating biodiversity-prioritizing scientific theories and contemporary design into a clearer picture. By creating spaces which highlight Bradford’s industrial past and its sustainable industrial future, our proposal hopes to raise awareness of environmental degradation and pollution by preparing the community for the future.

The landscape, Bradford Park, plays a wider role in encouraging biodiversification of the area, once a car park. The river daylighting strategy is the main core of the park as it reintroduces its original biodiversity of what it once was before. The park is broken down into several spaces; Heathland, Lowland Wetlands and Grasslands according to existing species and land typologies on site.

Potential Carbon Dioxide Absorbtion

Based on the formula on the right, an estimation calculation for carbon dioxide absorbtion with the proposed facade system is done as below.

1 Purification Pod = 150 ml of Water + (6cm x 6 cm) Moss = 150 ml + 36cm2 of Moss

1 Lawn of Moss = 100cm x 50cm = 5000cm2

Therefore,

1 Lawn of Moss = 5000cm2/ 36cm2 = 138 pods.

1 Purification Pod = 1000grams of CO2 / 36cm2 = 7.2 grams of CO2 (per day)

*Note: Theres is a total of 6680 Purification Pods to be used on the proposed facade.

Estimation of Carbon Dioxide Absrobtion (Per Day):

7.2 g CO2 x 6680 pods

=48096 g CO2

= 48 kg CO2 (per day)

Estimation of Carbon Dioxide Absrobtion (Per Year): 48kg CO2 X 365 Days

=17554kg CO2 (per year)

Main Frame

The frames will be holding the purification units. It will be a clip on system onto the existing structural frame that provide lateral and vertical resistance to wind and other actions.

Purification Units

Instead of having one whole panel of purification pods, by breaking them into several parts, it will make maintainence and services easier. Furthermore, it is easier to disassemble for replacement in the future.

1. 150x50mm molded ETFE Air Purification pods filled with moss and lichen slushies on 75mm rockpanel frame cladding, 300mm space for air ducts, 600mm vacuum space for ventilation connected to main air supply encased by ETFE panel system.

2. Main air duct pipe connected to Air Handling Unit

3. Transparent recycled ETFE panels

4. 20mm gypsum flooring, 65mm cement mix with 16mm radius underfloor heating pipes, 75x150mm timber floor joist, 12.5mm screed, 65mm rigid thermal insulation wrapped with water proofing membrane, 500mm glulam structural beam with 150x50m stiffeners.

5. 2500mm width existing outershell steel bracing.