PUBLIC VENTURE
G 14
YING YU ALLY FUNG FILIP SUSZCZYNSKI HARRY WYATT ZADEE GARRIGUE WILL GLEESON TOMO LAPAUTRE
CONTENTS
PART 1 BACKGROUND + AIMS
PART 2 PROCESS + DEVELOPMENT
PART 3 PROPOSAL
PART 4 MATERIALITY + CONSTRUCTION
PART 5 SERVICES + SYSTEMS
PART 6 REFLECTIONS
Things are tougher than we are, just As earth will always respond However we mess it about; Chuck filth in the sea, if you must: The tides will be clean beyond. —But what do I feel now? Doubt? Or age, simply? The crowd Is young in the M1 cafe; Their kids are screaming for more— More houses, more parking allowed, More caravan sites, more pay. On the business page, a score Of spectacled grins approve Some takeover bid that entails Five per cent profit (and ten Per cent more in the estuaries): move Your works to the unspoilt dales (Grey area grants)! And when You try to get near the sea In summer . . . It seems, just now, To be happening so very fast; Despite all the land left free For the first time I feel somehow That it isn’t going to last . . . - Philip Larkin (1972) Going, Going
PART 01 BACKGROUND + AIMS
THE BRIEF Filton airfield, the symbolic home of the Bristolian aviation industry, is being transformed into a large mixed use development by YTL over the next 10 years. The 2019 Basil Spence brief is to design a flagship building for the project on the east side of the site, housing a large scale model and show home along with associated facilities such as auditoria and a banquet hall. When the Brabazon development is complete, the building will become a national centre for advanced technology, supporting start-ups, business and education.
BACKGROUND + AIMS - PART 01
Traditional investment banking vs crowdfunding
PUBLIC VENTURE MANIFESTO Innovators ask, ‘How can this be done better?’ In our epoch, to be ‘better’ is to be more ‘sustainable’ and to invest in a sustainable future is to invest in our only future.
Relentless demand for goods and services comes at huge environmental cost. We are indulging now at
the expense of our future. While shifting public mood is starting to suggest appetite for environmental regulation, cultural change is slow and therefore democratically elected governments echo this lethargy. Equally, dismantling industrial society peacefully will not happen. Finding new ways to do what we already love is the only way forward.
Most of us keep money in a bank, which loans it to polluting industry, or we have a pension in a fund
that owns shares in it. Middlemen and fast paced financial markets between investments and our money are part of the feeling of division between individuals and corporations. This project proposes that breaking down these barriers and encouraging the climate-conscious to engage directly with business presents a realistic opportunity for acceleration towards a greener future. A bank is expected to make safe investments, an individual venture capitalist can be more daring.
Climate conscious investment is becoming mainstream as digital communication enables people to better
control where their savings go. Crowdfunding and online platforms are opening the floor to smaller investors who raise funds by their sheer volume. This centre will foster dialogue between startups, corporations, traditional investors and the general public, with spaces to demonstrate new technology, debate its impact and find backers. Digital media, such as TED, will broadcast the centre to a global audience while local universities will give its status unbiased academic underpinning. Initially, under YTL’s management, the centre will focus on investment in development with Filton as a backdrop. In its second life the focus will be aerospace - one of the industries which needs to make the biggest changes. Everyone will be invited to discuss, shape and invest in the future; this will be a public venture.
The architecture will set an example for a hopeful and exciting way forward that views sustainability
as an opportunity rather than a barrier to growth. McDonough and Braungart’s model of cradle-to-cradle economics, which shuns traditional eco-efficiency in favour of eco-effectiveness, is used. This philosophy uses efficiency where useful but not to the detriment of the human experience, which is instead maximised; a dull building will not spur investment. Under eco-effectiveness waste, including end of life waste, is made useful. Flexibility and adaptability will extend the building’s life, while a demountable, reusable and recyclable material palette will ensure a clean and dignified demise: rebirth without degradation. Resources in the natural world cycle round and round to create beauty and abundance. For a truly sustainable future this model must become our economic policy. This building will be its flagship.
BACKGROUND + AIMS - PART 01
PRIMARY STAKEHOLDERS ‘The building’s architecture must reflect YTL’s ambition in terms of design aspiration’ - Brief
Family-owned YTL presents itself as a champion of sustainable, design lead development. Copenhagen’s strides towards carbon neutrality have been partially linked to the Dutch model of family business ownership, which tends to focus on the long term1. This centre supports this philosophy by getting people to engage and invest directly in projects and businesses they care about, bypassing fast paced financial markets. This process echoes YTL’s principles and manifests as a transparent, open building designed for the circular economy and the future.
Local aerospace industries will become major stakeholders in the building’s second life. Their profits are threatened by ‘travellers [who] are beginning to turn their backs on air travel over concern for the environment2’. Aerospace must develop or invest in alternative fuels or electric planes to survive, whilst convincing the public of their sincerity. The centre will provide a platform for innovators to pitch new solutions and allow engagement with these industries on a human level. Spaces for meeting and connection at different scales are provided.
Bristol has an educated and environmentally conscious population, with salaries the 3rd highest of the UK’s 12 largest cities3 making it an appropriate setting for this public investment centre. People with technical knowledge of the industries enable meaningful dialogue between potential investors and pitchers, which the architecture facilitates. A technologically educated population also makes the city fertile ground for startups, with its tech companies behind only London and Manchester in attracting investment4.
1 Derek Robertson / The Guardian (2019) Inside Copenhagen’s race to be the first carbon-neutral city, available at: https://bit.ly/33vRVb6 2 BBC News (2019) ‘Flight shame’ could halve growth in air traffic, available at: https://bbc.in/2sqelO2 3 Alice Philipson / The Telegraph (2013) Bristol is ‘best city to live in the UK’ available at: https://bit.ly/2DJlwnb 4 Hannah Baker / Business Live (2019) Bristol becomes ‘leading’ UK tech hub after companies raise hundreds of millions in 2019, available at: https://bit.ly/2R27yVc
YTL Brabazon / Filton Airfield Masterplan
BACKGROUND + AIMS - PART 01
THE SITE
SITE
SITE
MIXED INDUSTRIAL
ROAD
LOW RISE RESIDENTIAL
RAIL
SITE
TECH. INDUSTRIAL BRABAZON / FILTON AIRFIELD DEVELOPMENT The
site
Brabazon
Transport links including public transport
In life 1 the whole building will be exposed
development area. This end of the airfield
are being improved for the new YTL Bristol
to the sun throughout most of the day. This
will be developed for business and industry.
Arena. The A38 road will not access the site
will later be reduced as development takes
Beyond the development the area is heavily
directly but does border it. Most people who
place around the site.
industrial,
see the building will be those travelling on
hangars, aerospace.
is
on
the
edge
consisting
the
of
of
the
‘big
architectural
sheds’
and
language
of
this road.
Spitfire Hangar
Concorde Hangar
Brabazon Hangar
BACKGROUND + AIMS - PART 01
LIFE 1
LIFE 2
The centre is a flagship for YTL. It will act
The centre becomes a flagship for Bristol’s
as a showroom and sales office for Brabazon,
technology
the new development on Filton Airfield. It
aerospace. The public, large corporations and
also hosts events to attract public backing
startups are brought together to share ideas
for
The
and attract investment. The public engagement
building leads by example by bringing the
the spaces facilitate aims to drive projects
circular economy to the industry.
in more responsible, sustainable directions.
future
design-lead
developments.
companies,
backed
largely
by
PROJECT AIMS
AIMS EXECUTION
1
Be built for the future
Apply the cradle-to-cradle philosophy to the design.
2
Be open and accessible to the public
Create space that engages with and opens to the public square.
3
Spark curiosity
Create intrigue from outside, create a circulation that draws people to events beyond what they planned to attend.
4
Spur investment
Provide a variety of spaces to meet, discuss and share.
5
Connect businesses with the public
Make gathering space small enough to facilitate eye contact, arrange spaces to face each other.
6
Be a flagship for a more transparent economy
Make activities and services visible, allow people passing by to see in.
7
Promote a hopeful future
Create spaces which are joyful and exciting.
BACKGROUND + AIMS - PART 01
‘One simply cannot rely on eureka moments to generate design proposals’ - Alex Wright, 2011, Critical Method: A Pedagogy for Design Education
PART 02 PROCESS + DEVELOPMENT
The brief challenged us to design for the aerospace and property industries in a time of increasing environmental concerns. Truly sustainable design must go beyond fabric and energy use. We decided this building needed to challenge the existing ways of businesses by engaging them with the public and promoting a circular economy. We struggled to crystallise these bold aims into a form. Many initial ideas were too focussed on being meaninglessly ‘iconic’, opting for arches and domes for structural efficiency which was negated by their spatial inefficiency. STAGE I - WEEK 1-2
THE CORPORATE MENACE ‘One big dome is very strong’ - AF
STAGE II - WEEK 3-4
THE DRAWBACK OF THE DOMES ‘Looks good it’s like the beneath of a mouse’ - TL
The bold domes and arches created an icon for this new approach to industry amidst a sea of orthogonal sheds, but were inappropriate for most of the function. The building became two rectilinear big sheds, but kept the large auditorium in the language of domes. This was to be the central space where new ideas were presented, discussed and attracted investment. The spherical form created a parliamentary style space inside, which we felt worked with our aims of getting people to engage with businesses. Externally it spoke the language of a utopian future - but then ‘utopias’ tend towards control and exclusion. PROCESS + DEVELOPMENT - PART 02
Hand drawings and sketches pinned up, we entered the interim crit with high hubris - and left with none. The big sheds were relatively well received but the sphere was demolished. The space created beneath it which was supposed to be inviting was said to be dark and miserable; the space inside it, which was supposed to be a place for the public to engage with business, was labelled exclusive and closed. These criticisms were well founded. We needed to find another way, but first we needed a drink... STAGE III - WEEK 4
TORMENT OF THE CRIT ‘I’m pretty hyped for this crit’ - HW
STAGE IV - WEEK 5-6
A NEW HOPE ‘Looks like Star Wars’ - ZG After a depressing team meeting, many biscuits and the prospect of a complete redesign, a tutorial with John convinced us to focus a little harder on the positives of what we already had. Could the ball become something that would preserve its magic while making it more open? An aging orange that once was part of a concept model provided inspiration - we could ‘peel’ the ball and stretch it into a spiral. Now the auditorium was visibly open. A few iterations later and we quickly arrived at the form that stuck with us to the end. We had arrived at something that felt exciting, open and engaging. PROCESS + DEVELOPMENT - PART 02
STAGE V - WEEK
THE DEADLINE STRIKES BACK ‘Any ideas for this cursed junction’ - HW As the engineer’s report deadline loomed, work ramped up in finalising the design and we started to drill down into the details. Things started to heat up, but also come together to form a coherent design. We developed a distinctly different language for the ‘human’ spaces [yellow walkways] to separate them from the ‘machine’ spaces [big sheds].
STAGE VI - WEEK 8
RETURN OF THE CRITICS ‘Lots of yellow happening here’ - FS With the design complete and the crit fast approaching, the architects retreated into their specialities, with Zadee on models, Harry on orthographics, Ally on diagrams and Filip on rendering. Once recovered from their deadlines, Will and Tomo made a beautiful tectonic model and a cute wooden Chinook. When pinned up [before 10pm!] we felt cautiously optimistic, not wanting to repeat the same overconfidence of the interim. Ultimately it turned out well - the critics really understood the scheme and its aims. It took 8 weeks, but we had managed to create a building that was true to our manifesto and would be a joy to inhabit. Winning runner up felt amazing!
HANGAR Hangar
OPEN
MODULARISE
FOCUS
GROUND
CIRCULATE
CONNECT PROCESS + DEVELOPMENT - PART 02
‘Prefer delight, celebration and fun’ - Michael Braungart + William McDonough (2009) Cradle-to-Cradle
PART 03 PROPOSAL
SITE
1:500
0
10
5
15m
The building maintains the same spacing between its rear and the A38 as the other proposed development to integrate it into the urban grain. On square side the building form brings the public realm between its two wings.
PROPOSAL - PART 03
SQUARE [WEST] ELEVATION
1:200
0
2
4
6
8
10m
SQUARE [WEST] ELEVATION
1:200
0
2
4
6
8
10m
SERVICE
SERVICE SITE BOUNDARY
Investment Centre
SITE BOUNDARY
SITE BOUNDARY SITE BOUNDARY
PEDESTRIANS PEDESTRIANS
Investment Centre
BUILDING ORGANISATION
The building takes the form of two ‘hangars’. The north hangar houses the large exhibition space and associated storage. The space between the hangars acts as a public forum,
H UT
the large, open auditorium. Flagship square extends between the hangars, effectively into the building.
C The south hangar houses the small exhibition
L
RA
T EN
M
RU
FO
R
GA
space and the smaller support areas (such as etc.). The smaller spaces are organised
H
SO
incorporating the foyer, circulation and
the banquet hall, small auditorium, offices
AR
G AN
H
RT
NO
N HA
together as they require a higher level of conditioning than the large open spaces. This
makes
the
design
more
thermally
efficient. The
central
forum
ramp
acts
both
as
circulation and viewing space into all the major areas, inviting visitors to explore the building beyond the original purpose
E
AR
of their visit. P
HI
S AG
U SQ
FL
LIFTS WALKWAYS + STAIRS
PROPOSAL - PART 03
CENTRAL FORUM LARGE AUDITORIUM + FOYER The forum forms the heart of the building. In the large auditorium projects are presented and discussed. The spiralling ramp provides standing
room,
circulation
to
the
upper
levels and ties the two hangars together. The form makes a strong visual connection to the square, encouraging entry. A circular, parliamentary style auditorium facilitates dialogue between presenters and potential investors.
VISITOR EXPERIENCE
No one is over 20m away from the speaker,
The square spills into the building and the
allowing for eye contact, human connection
auditorium becomes a feature in the landscape
Echoing
Epidaurus1,
limestone
projects
the
Acoustic glazing at ground level and absorbent
speaker’s voice, amplification may also be used
panels on walkways minimise foyer noise ingress
1 Georgia Institute of Technology / Science Daily (2007) Ancient Greek Amphitheater: Why You Can Hear From Back Row, available at: https://bit.ly/37Um6fq
PROPOSAL - PART 03
CENTRAL FORUM LARGE AUDITORIUM + FOYER
CIRCULAR RAMP INTERSECTS WITH NORTH HANGAR WALKWAY - 1:20
The space draws inspiration from London City hall, which has a shallow spiralling staircase over the council chamber to make the motions of government visible. In our case it is a ramp viewing business and innovation conferences.
NORTH HANGAR
CENTRAL FORUM
City Hall - London - Foster + Partners (2002) PROPOSAL - PART 03
CENTRAL FORUM LARGE AUDITORIUM + FOYER Bays around the ramp provide microphones to allow questions to be taken from high up; they also provide flat space to enable wheelchair users to take part. The 1100mm solid balustrade is replaced with glass, making these bays good for children too.
1
2 3 4
Retained Bunkers
A38 Road
5
Service Road
Flagship Square
Investment Centre
SECTION BB
SITE BOUNDARY
SITE BOUNDARY
[Water store / plant]
1:200
0
2
4
6
8
10m
1 2 3
-
Foyer Large auditorium Ramp to basement
4 5
-
Backstage / air plant Dressing rooms
1:20 AUDITOIRUM DETAILS Low level lighting Service void for air diffusers + electrical provision Auditorium seating
Beam + Block structural floor
Fresh air supply
Limestone cladding for acoustic performance
Perforated backrest board for sound absorption Sound insulation infill PROPOSAL - PART 03
The A38 facing facade acts as a ‘shop window’. Activity in both exhibition spaces can be glimpsed through translucent panels while the curvature of the spiralling ramp is expressed on the exterior. The human scale yellow walkways project themselves to the world. PROPOSAL - PART 03
NORTH HANGAR LARGE EXHIBITION The large exhibition space draws inspiration from
the
archetypical
aircraft
hangar
and
from the Sainsbury Centre. It is an open space defined only by the walls which house circulation,
services
Objects
temporary
and
and
meeting
space.
cross-walkways
can
break up the void based on exhibition or event requirements. Storage is provided in a massive freestanding ‘shelving’ unit at the back.
Sainsbury Centre - Norwich - Norman Foster + Wendy Cheesman (1974)
VISITOR EXPERIENCE
When the doors are opened the large exhibition
Informal meeting space is provided on all
space becomes an extension of the square
levels of the walkways throughout the building
Scissor
lift
accessed
vertical
storage
visible to the public from inside and out
is
Exhibits viewed from all angles, temporary cross-walkways installed based on need PROPOSAL - PART 03
Chinook - WILL GLEESON
NORTH HANGAR 1:10 CONCERTINA DOOR DETAIL Primary Structure Truss 200mm back-to-back equal angle Drip detail Top - Bottom -Heavy duty bristle brush
Motor - on guide rails
-Interlocking Rubber Seal, commercial grade -Weep Hole integrated into the mullion frame
Top Rail offers lateral stability to the door
Polycarbonate Door Panel Door Panel Steel Structure
The door rests on the ground. The opening ‘pivot action’ is initiated by the motor above as Anodised Aluminium flashing Externally located Gutter
it pulls the door panels along the guide track, recessed into the ground.
RC upstand Glass Fibre pad below to reduce
heat transfer
PROPOSAL - PART 03
NORTH HANGAR LARGE EXHIBITION
2
2
2 1
Flagship Square
Investment Centre
Service Road
Retained Bunkers
A38 Road
SECTION AA
SITE BOUNDARY
SITE BOUNDARY
[Water store / plant]
1:200
0
2
4
6
8
10m
1 2
-
Large exhibition Storage 'shelves'
1:10 WALKWAY DETAILS
Tension Cable - Stainless steel, 15mm
Handrail - Steel hollow section encased in FSC certified Beech
Wire Balustrade System Stainless steel, 10mm
Timber Floor finish - Solid Beech FSC certified, 40mm treated with Auro
251
Matt
finish
natural
varnish Cable Tray - concealed out of sight, accessible from deck Cladding
-
Aluminium,
powder
coated in RAL 1018, satin finish Spot Light - LED, dimmable Acoustic
-
frequent
perforations to provide higher
Walkway bolted to portal
performance,
frames at intersection
installed
with
acoustic insulation to the rear, 80mm
Sprinkler System 3.4m interval
Panel
Infra
Red
Panel
-
provides
focused heating to the walkway below
PROPOSAL - PART 03
The Chinook is raised up, allowing the floor area to be used for trade shows and small temporary exhibits. The big doors extend the public square into the building in summertime and make delivery of large exhibits a performance. Scan the QR code with a mobile device for VR!
PROPOSAL - PART 03
SOUTH HANGAR SMALL EXHIBITION + SUPPORT BLOCK The smaller spaces are grouped together on the square side of the south hangar for thermal efficiency, since they will be more highly conditioned than the rest of the building. The bulk of the South Hangar is used by the small auditorium and small exhibition space, which can become one large presentation venue.
A FLEXIBLE SPACE The Shed in New York is a highly flexible exhibition and performance venue that can expand or contract to meet demand. Similar ideas have been applied to the South Hangar to make it appropriate for a wide variety of performances and displays. In life 1 the presence of the show home will restrict full flexibility but in life 2 there will be no fixed exhibit, instead allowing the space to meet the varying demands of businesses, innovators and presenters.
The Shed - New York City Diller Scofidioo + Renfro (2019) PROPOSAL - PART 03
SOUTH HANGAR SMALL EXHIBITION + SMALL AUDITORIUM INTERACTION
186 Seated
400 Seated
600 Seated + standing
Small auditorium opened
Small auditorium expanded
The small auditorium provides a light controlled, acoustically isolated space for performances or demonstrations that would not work in the main auditorium. The building can transform to allow the small auditorium to open or expand into the small exhibition space, which is also a controllable space, for larger performances.
PROPOSAL - PART 03
SOUTH HANGAR SMALL EXHIBITION + SUPPORT BLOCK
1
2
3 4
Retained Bunkers
A38 Road
5
6
Service Road
7
8
Flagship Square
Investment Centre
SECTION CC
SITE BOUNDARY
SITE BOUNDARY
[Water store / plant]
1:200
0
2
4
6
8
10m
1 2 3
-
Events space Small auditorium Office
4 5 6
-
Small exhibition Auditorium expansion Exhibition storage
7 8
-
Kitchen Cafe
FIRE ESCAPE DETAILS
Flame retardant Silicone Spider Fixing for curtain wall
glass
strapped
panel,
back
to
all the
primary structure of the walkway behind Fire Resistant Glazing -
1:50
Each wing of the building provides 4, ventilated, fire resistant, stair cores. Without intersecting the route of escape, at each level, an accessible refuge point (900mm) is provided.
1:5
20mm, panels offering up to 120 minutes of integrity and insulation PROPOSAL - PART 03
PROPOSAL - PART 03
12
1 11
2 11
3
6
4
5
11
7
11
GROUND FLOOR
1:200
0
2
4
6
8
10m
8
10
9
1 2 3
-
Large auditorium Small exhibition Large exhibition
4 5 6
-
Foyer Reception Storage (incl. bins)
7 8 9
-
Kitchen Kitchen lobby Cafe
10 11 12
-
Staff lobby Plant room Storage 'shelves'
A casual summertime visitor enters the building through the open hangar
A product fund-raiser visitor sees a presentation in the large auditorium,
doors and explores it via the spiral ramp.
tries a demo in the small exhibition space and eats in the banquet hall.
Maintenance and delivery workers can come into different entrances
Service and office staff use their own core, linking kitchen, office,
depending on their destination space.
banquet hall, changing rooms, green room and cafe. PROPOSAL - PART 03
5
1
3
3
2
6 4 4
BASEMENT
1:200
0
2
4
6
8
10m
1 2 3
-
Large auditorium stage Backstage / air duct Plant / store
4 5 6
-
Dressing room Fire escape Ramp to entrance level
BASEMENT 1:20 SHEET PILE DETAILS
Retaining
Wall
sheet pile, 450mm Sand infill within the sheet pile corrugation Concrete blockwork Baseline Membrane t:2mm h:30mm Concrete screed, 50mm Concrete structural slab Compacted Hardcore
Wider pad foundation to
support
primary
structure PROPOSAL - PART 03
11
1
2 10
3 4 9 5
6
7
8
12
FIRST FLOOR
1:200
0
2
4
6
8
10m
1 2 3
-
Large auditorium Small exhibition Large exhibition
4 5 6
-
Small auditorium Green room Air plant
7 8 9
-
Staff changing Operations office Storage / plant
10 11 12
-
Informal meeting space Storage 'shelves' Broadcast studio
A small broadcast studio is provided in the operations office for podcasting. This is an increasingly popular form of long format programming, great for explaining potentially complex ideas to millions.
PROPOSAL - PART 03
9
1 10
11 2 10
3 4 10
6 5
7
8
8
SECOND FLOOR
1:200
0
2
4
6
8
10m
1 2 3
-
Large auditorium Small exhibition Large exhibition
4 5 6
-
Small auditorium Staff kitchen Storage / plant
7 8 9
-
Sales office Formal meeting space Storage 'shelves'
8
10 11
-
Informal meeting space Temporary walkways
[ On stilts and can be stored away / reconfigured based on exhibits ]
BUILDING ORGANISATION PLACES TO SHARE IDEAS A range of spaces is provided throughout the building for people to meet, talk and present at different levels of formality and scales.
Ground space
SCALE
Large auditorium
Small auditorium
Meeting room Walkway nook
FORMALITY
PROPOSAL - PART 03
8
1 9
2
3
9
6
5
7
4
THIRD FLOOR
1:200
0
2
4
6
8
10m
1 2 3
-
Large auditorium Small exhibition Large exhibition
4 5 6
-
Roof terrace Events space Table / chair storage
7 8 9
-
Staff facilities Storage 'shelves' Informal meeting space
The kitchen is on the ground floor to serve the cafe and to
The banquet hall is positioned to overlook both the small
receive deliveries. A staff core including a goods lift links
exhibition space and the square. A terrace is provided square-
it to the offices and banquet hall above.
side and the top walkway can be accessed exhibit-side.
PROPOSAL - PART 03
‘At its deepest foundation, the industrial infrastructure we have today is linear: it is focused on making a product and getting it to a customer quickly and cheaply without considering much else’ - Michael Braungart + William McDonough (2009) Cradle-to-Cradle
PART 04 MATERIALITY + CONSTRUCTION
CRADLE-TO-CRADLE PHILOSOPHY Materials and methods of construction have been
chosen
based
on
principles
of
the
circular economy, for which this building will be a flagship. Michael Braungart and William McDonough’s ‘cradle-to-cradle’ philosophy has been used as guidance. In the first instance a building must be designed to last for its purpose, then parts ought to be reusable and ultimately they must be recyclable (if a ‘technical nutrient’) or biodegradable1 (if a ‘biological nutrient’). Complex technical ‘nutrients’ such as aerogel are to be leased from suppliers rather than purchased, to keep responsibility for reuse and recycling with a party best placed to deal with it. Cradle-to-cradle certification also
considers
processing,
energy
toxicity
requirements and
for
manufacturer’s
social responsibility.
1 William McDonough (2005) On Cradle to Cradle Design [TED talk] available at: https://bit.ly/2DAafW2
MATERIALITY + CONSTRUCTION - PART 04
PORTAL FRAME The building structure is primarily a set of truss portal frames, which
Base connection - TOMO LAPAUTRE + WILL GLEESON
efficiently use materials, minimise footings and crucially allow for large span space with an open end for bringing people and exhibits in. The portal frames are assembled out of standard steel angle profiles, so old ones taken from existing structures can be used. At the end of life the same thing can happen, minimising the need for hot recycling. All connections will be bolted to aid this process. Concrete with a high recycled content will be used for pads under the portal frame. Stone was considered but is inappropriate for a building of this size.
Bracing Connection - TOMO LAPAUTRE
GROUND LEVEL JUNCTION
Primary
Structure
-
EXT.
INT.
Unequal
Angle, 100mm x 200mm back to
Limestone slabs will be used
back with 10mm spacing.
for flooring, as they can be reused after the building’s life and have a lower carbon footprint than concrete.
Limestone Slab, 50mm Pin Joint Connection
Sand blinding, 20mm
Locally sourced Granite foot
Heavy duty protection layer
stone, weep holes integrated to allow facade water run off Screed, 80mm Underfloor heating integrated EPS Rigid Insulation, 250mm DPM Concrete structural slab
Compacted Hardcore Wider pad foundation below the primary structure
Foundation footing
MATERIALITY + CONSTRUCTION - PART 04
Portal frame development model, final design makes end frame same as mid frames
2020-2050 - SOLAR ROOF
2050 ONWARDS - SEDUM
2020-2050 - SOLAR ROOF
2050 ONWARDS - SEDUM
3
1
3 3
7
2
1
3 6
5
SERVICE
6 Investment Centre
SITE BOUNDARY
SITE BOUNDARY
5
Investment Centre
SECTION ZZ
1:200
0
2
4
6
8
10m
SECTION ZZ
1:200
0
2
4
6
8
10m
1 2 3
-
Informal meeting Large exhibition Storage 'shelves'
4 5 6
-
Ramp to basement Backstage / air supply Large auditorium
7
-
Small exhibition
1 2 3
-
Informal meeting Large exhibition Storage 'shelves'
4 5 6
-
Ramp to basement Backstage / air supply Large auditorium
7
-
Small exhibition
SITE BOUNDARY
4
SITE BOUNDARY
PEDESTRIANS
PEDESTRIANS
4
SERVICE
2
7
ROOF METAMORPHOSIS The roof is flat to allow it to adapt to changing technology. Currently we judge the best use of the space is photovoltaic panels; however by 2050 when the PVs are nearing the end of their life the grid may be carbon neutral. At this point the roof could be used either to test different power / nutrient generation technologies or as insect habitat, depending on what is judged the best use of the space at the time. The PVs are freestanding to make this change easier. 2020-2050 - PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS
A DE-CARBONISING NATIONAL GRID
2050+ - OPTION 1 - PHOTOBIOREACTOR PANELS
- TOMO LAPAUTRE + WILL GLEESON
2050+ - OPTION 2 - SEDUM INSECT HABITAT
ROOF DETAIL 1:20
r
t gh
e ov
c
li
ue
y Sk
q pa
O Anodised Aluminium
capping
Single-ply membrane PV Panel, freestanding on a heavy duty rubber protection Rock-Wool
insulation,
200mm
min. Gutter to grey water collection Corrugated anodised Aluminium deck, concrete screed infill, 80mm
MATERIALITY + CONSTRUCTION - PART 04
CLADDING William
McDonough
+
economy
at
circular
Partners’ Davos
uses
institute
for
materials
the
‘which
will be returned to industry at the end of their use ... These elements can be endlessly used, reused or recycled in new products across generations’1. Our aerogel filled polycarbonate cladding panels follow this design. ‘During the LEXAN [polycarbonate] sheet extrusion process, recycled content is used to produce virgin material and LEXAN sheet has the potential to be 100% recycled’2. Lumiera aerogel insulating the panels is ‘completely recyclable, eco-friendly, noncombustible, and Cradle-to-Cradle certified3’. Though expensive, only a 10-20mm layer of aerogel is required, making it affordable for use in public buildings. There are no chemical connections between frame and cladding components to make demounting easier.
1:10 Recycled `Twin Skin’ Polycarbonate Panel, 100mm Aerogel insulation,20mm layer
Spacing bracket, 50mm - Allows the Polycarbonate facade to be strapped back to the primary structure Institute
for
the
Circular
Economy
-
Davos
-
force
to
resist
lateral
i.e: wind loading
William McDonough + Partners 2016 1 Mcdonough Innovation (2016) Ice House, available at: https://bit.ly/2Y3Yrog 2 Sabic (2016) Building the Future, available at: https://bit.ly/2P3nWSx 3 AmeriLux International What is Lumira Aerogel, available at: https://bit.ly/33GxVCG
MATERIALITY + CONSTRUCTION - PART 04
CLADDING METAMORPHOSIS In life 1 translucent panels allow the model and show home to be naturally lit and make use of the open space either side of the building. In life 2 valuable aerogel panels are removed and reapplied to the neighbouring buildings. The replacement panels are opaque so the exhibition spaces’ lighting can be more easily controlled for varying exhibits.
LIFE 2 - OPAQUE
Retained Bunkers
A38 Road
LIFE 1 - TRANSLUCENT
Service Road
Flagship Square
Investment Centre
SIDE [NORTH] ELEVATION
SITE BOUNDARY
SITE BOUNDARY
[Water store / plant]
1:200
0
2
4
6
8
10m
CLADDING REPLACEMENT 1:10
LIFE 1
LIFE 2
-TRANSLUCENT SIDE PANELS
-OPAQUE SIDE PANELS - CURTAIN DRAWN FOR PERFORMANCE MATERIALITY + CONSTRUCTION - PART 04
BUILDING OPTIMISATION A lightweight frame and minimal footings bring embodied carbon to 558.25tn for the construction (excluding services and fit-out). The annual operational carbon footprint is 16.86tn per year. The structure has been optimised to use minimal material to do its job.
BUILDING STATISTICS - TOMO LAPAUTRE
The portal frames are made from a pair unequal angle elements of 200x100mm for the outer parts (yellow) and 50x50 to 100x100 for the internal parts depending on where more structure is needed to support the roof and hang a 10tn exhibit - TOMO LAPAUTRE
EMBODIED CARBON - TOMO LAPAUTRE
Spiral
connection
details
and
cantilever
supporting
standing area overlooking the auditorium - TOMO LAPAUTRE
stepped
MATERIALITY + CONSTRUCTION - PART 04
CONSTRUCTION Based on work by WILL GLEESON
[1]
Footings
and
service
[2] Sheet piles are installed for the
[3]
Pad
and
strip
foundations
[4] Truss elements arrive on site
trenches, including those for
auditorium and in ground services
are poured to support the portal
in
earth tubes under the square,
laid, including attenuation tank
frame. Footings for a crane go in
Construction starts from the A38
are excavated.
to rear.
the future courtyard, from which
side and moves towards the square.
large
prefabricated
parts.
the whole building may be reached.
[5]
To
errect
a
truss,
first
the
[6] Once the second pair of truss columns
[7] As additional truss columns go up,
portal frame columns are bolted to pad
has gone up they can be cross braced
horizontal purlins now provide lateral
foundations, supported laterally and
together for permanent stability.
stability.
longitudinally for temporary stability.
[8] The two parts of the truss main
[9] Bracing is installed in the
[10] The temporary lateral
[11]
The
temporary
longitudinal
span are bolted together and lifted
roof / across the top of the truss
supports can be removed.
supports can be removed.
into place using a 5 point load lift
structure.
to limit lateral torsional buckling.
[12] The roof structure and panelling
[13]
The
ground
slab
is
installed,
is installed, providing a covered space
once cured the external cladding can
to complete the rest of the building.
be fitted.
[14] The building is clad and fitted out.
MATERIALITY + CONSTRUCTION - PART 04
‘[Focus] on heating and cooling the people in the building rather than the building itself’ - Michael Braungart + William McDonough (2009) Cradle-to-Cradle
PART 05 SERVICES + SYSTEMS
SERVICES OVERVIEW The building is divided into conditioned and semi conditioned spaces to make operation more energy efficient. The big shed spaces are semiconditioned, meaning they will be heated to 18 celcius and cooled minimally [except in the case of the large auditoirum which would have additional cooling]. The block of small spaces [banquet hall, cafe, offices, small auditorium] would be more highly conditioned, heated and cooled to standard room temperature.
ENERGY USAGE VS PV GENERATION - TOMO LAPAUTRE
HEAT GAINS BY MONTH - TOMO LAPAUTRE
Highly conditioned space marked in red
SOLAR ENERGY Flat roof for PVs or photobioreactor panels PV’s sized for the summer can fully power the building for 4 months of the year. The majority of the demand is from the commercial kitchen where we have little control over energy use.
WATER Rainwater attenuation tank in existing bunkers - Water can be slowly released into the A3
8
lake across the road Gutter Grey water collection tank SVP stack Sewer under A38
VENTILATION + COOLING MVHR for highly conditioned spaces Diffusers for large semi-conditioned spaces Earth tubes under Flagship square
GROUND SOURCE HEATING + COOLING Ground source heat pump in basement Underfloor heating coils Ground source heat pump boreholes
SERVICES + SYSTEMS - PART 05
PEDESTRIANS
SERVICE
SITE BOUNDARY
SITE BOUNDARY
Investment Centre
ROAD [EAST] ELEVATION
1:200
0
2
4
6
8
10m
VENTILATION AND COOLING
Earth tubes bring slightly conditioned air into the building, this is mostly diffused at ground level (where the building is most highly occupied) but also smaller amounts are distributed to serve the walkways. Fans in the rooflights create a pressure differential and draw stale air out of the building. A heat exchanger is used for the more highly conditioned parts of the building. The ground source heat pump can also provide limited underfloor cooling. In life 1, before there is much development around the building, wind driven ventilation is an option, particularly in summertime when large parts of the facade will be open. Some days in life 2 this system will still be workable. SERVICES + SYSTEMS - PART 05
RADIANT HEATING
In the large open spaces heat is focussed on the people in the space rather than the air, this is done via radiant heating. On ground level this is delivered via underfloor heating fed by ground source heat pumps. On the balcony levels it is provided by electric radiant heating panels.
SOLAR GAINS
Cloudy aerogel polycarbonate panels can limit light and thermal
The central forum however needs to be as transparent as possible,
transmission - TOMO LAPAUTRE
to connect it to the public realm. On the square side it is triple glazed and shaded by the South Hangar, shading devices and trees in the courtyard. The roof is aerogel filled polycarbonate with a coating to reflect excessive heat and light.
SERVICES + SYSTEMS - PART 05
‘Just Relax’ - Daniel Wong (2018)
PART 06 REFLECTION
POST CRIT REFLECTION The critics understood our scheme and its aims, acknowledging the ‘very strong moral agenda’. The pin up was praised for its coherence and they commented that we had created spaces that felt strongly public. We breathed a huge sigh of relief; after the previous crit it was brilliant to feel that the development had paid off. Winning runner up amongst all the competition was very humbling. A
major
and
criticism
cooling
was
strategy,
of which
the we
ventilation have
since
developed; see the services + systems chapter. Other discusssion focussed on how clearly the building met our brief of engaging the public and getting passers by to visit. We had the spiral against the road-facing facade to act as a ‘shop window’ and a courtyard on the square facing facade, extending the public realm between the two hangars. An alternative approach would be to bring the spiral towards the square and allow the rest of the building to recede. This might however break the red line or inhibit the rear service road. This could make the building less ‘mute’ from the square side, but perhaps it would leave behind the A38 facade, which is the side with the greatest number of people passing by. While the building may lead by example in the circular economy of the built environment, much of this is based on how the materials are obtained and managed, thus not visible to visitors. In life 1, as a centre for innovation in building and development, its story would
Both convex and concave facades engage with
be told at events, though including permanent
the public square. Further development could
exhibits on the building itself could give the
involve considering more closely the pros and
story longevity.
cons of each.
REFLECTION - PART 06
PERSONAL REFLECTION
WILL GLEESON
ZADEE GARRIGUE
HARRY WYATT
‘Ignore awful drawing skills’
‘I love symmetry so it’s stressing me a bit’
‘Not gonna lie this excites me a bit’
At the start of the project Tomo and I worked
Picking a team to tackle the infamous Basil
We had a rich diversity of ideas and skills
closely in collaboration with the architects to
Spence project is no easy feat. As I look
in the team but we managed to communicate
develop the concept and theme for our design.
back on our project I realise what a good
successfully
This involved a lot of group discussions and
job we did in putting together this team. We
coherent in which we all played a meaningful
sketching as we tried to establish a building
not only worked well together throughout the
part. I am grateful that we managed to resolve
form and strategy. After the interim crit and
design process, bouncing ideas off each other
everything by discussion and consensus rather
as the design developed, the roles of the
and pushing our project forward, but we also
than having to resort to voting. Yes there
engineers and architects diverged somewhat
managed to organise ourselves so that each
were sometimes slightly heated discussion but
to their separate disciplines. Tomo and I
person was working to their full potential in
this was a strength rather than a weakness and
started to split the tasks here, at this point
their area of expertise in the presentation
was testament to how much people in the team
I headed up the Environmental Strategy and the
process.
cared about producing something of which they
constructibility of the building, and Tomo
to
bring
together
something
could be proud.
concentrated on the structural system of the
I was responsible for our main 1:100 sectional
building. In hindsight I would make a greater
model to help sell the scheme. It was a challenge
This has perhaps been the project I’ve had
contribution to the structural design.
but something I really enjoyed; figuring out
the most and least confidence in at different
how to build the model and well represent
points throughout the process. If there is
I have learnt a lot about myself in the last 7
our vision for the building at this scale.
anything I have learned from this is that even
weeks of this project, testing my engineering
I loved the design process and being able to
disastrous feedback on core elements does not
knowledge,
built
collaborate with the rest of the team. We all
necessarily mean the entire scheme is doomed.
environment and sustainability aspects. Going
got heavily involved in debating our decisions
Sometimes small changes - such as making the
forward, in future design projects I should
and putting our ideas forward, learning from
sphere into an open spiral can make a massive
doubt my abilities less and be more forward
each other and coming to conclusions as a
difference.
in proposing structural and conceptual ideas.
team. The project was really fulfilling and as
circular economy has been intriguing and if
runners up on crit day I couldn’t be prouder
I were to do this project again I would give
of what we have achieved.
this aspect even more focus.
particularly
in
the
Delving
into
ideas
about
the
YING YU ALLY FUNG
FILIP SUSZCZYNSKI
TOMO LAPAUTRE
‘What about some more vibrant colours?’
‘There’s a lot of yellow going on here’
‘I’m more productive in cadlab’
Our project started off with a strong and
A linear process, an ordered pattern of design
During
well-established manifesto. Although this did
moves, and a holistic design scheme without a
was immediately surprised by the level of
help a lot on defining a direction for our
hiccup along the way – I’m yet to experience
technical knowledge the architects in my group
design, we realised that we were probably too
this dream. Challenging discussions, countless
possessed. This made me truly enjoy Basil
caught up in the ideals we established on a
design iterations, compromise, and above all,
Spence as we could have meaningful conversation
very early stage. ‘The manifesto is great,
three new grey hairs on my head – that sounds
about technical topics which blurred the line
everything you’ve said makes sense, but how do
more like Basil Spence.
between architects and engineers. Ironically,
these translate into your architecture?’ was
the
first
week
of
our
project,
I
it also led to us debating about trivial
the question that had come up in every early
The design journey took us on a convoluted
tutorial. There were numerous iterations made
path to discover each other’s strengths and
on how to best represent our ethos, small
talents – it became a learning process of
The passion of my team motivated me to develop
steps were made each week, but each week
efficient self-application to a group setting.
ideas and present architectural and structural
better. Although we never reached a perfect
Throughout the process I actively challenged
concepts to the table. Although I consider
design, we were confident when critics raised
my views, and as a team we scrutinised each
myself not particularly creative, I challenged
the question ‘Is this the best way to express
other’s. This way, we managed to act on advice
myself to contribute to the artistic design
your manifesto architecturally?’ in the final
given
pragmatic
process, thinking about what form would best
crit, and I think the critics were convinced.
manner. On numerous occasions, the feedback
encapsulate our building. Compared to last
on our response has been a rollercoaster of
year’s design project, I found Basil Spence
Everyone was talented in something no one else
suggestion,
to be a lot more enjoyable due to the extended
can do better, which made us a very strong
contradiction
we
time which allowed us to delve further into
team. We have achieved so much more than we
always managed to find our ground. Personally,
our design, giving me more time to research
could on any individual project, and given
I learned not to become overwhelmed by the
and explore ideas I had.
everyone is still friends with each other, I
influx of information, instead, I always took
think we have done a very good job.
a step back, and became more selective in the
to
us,
in
a
focused
criticism, of
and
opinion,
and
sometimes in
the
even
end,
application of the advice given to us.
engineering details.
REFLECTION - PART 06
‘Right - I’m off to bed now!’ - FS
REFLECTION - PART 06