2019 - Design Report - Basil Spence Group 14 - Public Venture - University of Bath BSc Architecture

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