HELEN BENNETT
PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO
cover image: postgraduate final projectThe Civic Water Cooperative, Kathmandu
contact: helenbennett.projects@gmail.com +44 7887744785
HELEN BENNETT PROJECTS
Founding my independent design practice, I focus on Stage 1-4 low energy, predominantly residential refurbishment projects; I guide clients from concept to the detail design stage, obtaining permissions including for the refurbishment of listed buildings.
My practice is not limited to architecture but creative focus extends to the illustration of bespoke stationary, gifts and wedding decor.
UKGBC Net Zero Carbon Building Standard Task Force Member
Selected to be part of the cross-industry task group developing the UK’s first method to veryify buildings as net zero.
EXPERIENCE van Heyningen & Haward Architects
Project Architect
As a project architect within this small practice, I led several simultaneous projects independently and managed a team of architects to progress designs and specifications from Stages 2-6 of education and prestigious heritage projects. This included coordinating with other consultants, reporting and presenting progress to varying stakeholders and ensuring quality was achieved on site, particularly where attention was necessary on Listed projects.
Using Revit modelling software, I produced the practice’s first embodied carbon feasibilty and costing study and presented the results to our client to argue in favour of proposing a CLT structure.
Aros Architects Architect / Architectural Assistant
Qualifying as an architect during my position at Aros, I led the construction of design and build hotel projects in collaboration with the contractor through stages 4 & 5 and early design stages of office refurbishment projects. This included producing BREEAM Very Good documentation and coordinating technical design work meticulously avoid site issues.
Gollifer Langston Architects Architectural Assistant
Working closely with a team of assistants to develop education and social housing proposals from Stages 2-5. Development of the education projects invovled producing written specifications and full construction information for a raised library constructed from CLT. Feasibility studies for infill social housing blocks consisted of presenting our proposals to key stakeholders in the London borough for consideration.
2022 - present
2019 - 2021
2017 - 2019
2015 - 2017
PROJECTS
Leicester Cathedral Revealed
The reordering of the Cathedral and addition of the ‘Heritage Learning Centre’ extension as a space for interested visitors to explore the history following the discovery and reinterment of King Richard III.
Isle of Man, Douglas Quayside
A new welcome for the ferry arrival point in the heart of the Isle of Man’s capital that will regenerate the area for both the locals and visitors.
Cardinal Pole School
Cross laminated timber encloses a library extension to a Catholic school in Hackney.
Houlton School
Once the world’s most powerful radio transmitter, repurposed as a low energy secondary school and named after the American town that received the first broadcast
Holiday Inn Express
Insulated pre-cast concrete sandwich panels enabled a rapid construction time and a thermally efficient solution for the new 144 bed hotel in Somerset.
London Borough - Social Housing Feasibility Studies
Studies into the possible regeneration of social housing estates seeking to increase social housing to infill sites, play space and community amenities.
Waterbeach Primary School
A Nearly Zero-Emission Building will form the heart of a new masterplan development with playful community spaces and linking with the civic centre.
Private Residential Extension
The addition of a super-insulated space to provide an intimate family dining space well-connected with the garden to a beautiful home.
The following projects are available by request.
Longwood Primary School
New nursery spaces flowing out to the external playspaces, added to a school in Essex.
Other Completed Projects
vHH: 2021 - Listed entrance to a school Art Department Hammersmith
Private: 2018 - A terraced house flipped front to back created a new Acton family spaces opening out to the garden and a courtyard.
LEICESTER CATHEDRAL
& LOW - ENERGY HERITAGE LEARNING CENTRE
2020
Project Architect: Stages 3-4
Following the discovery of King Richard III’s grave in the City Centre and subsequent reburial in the Cathedral.’s Ambulatory, (tomb and Ambulatory also designed and completed by van Heyningen and Haward Architects) there has been an increase of visitors to the Cathedral. The proposed Heritage Learning Centre (HLC) will house a new Orientation Gallery and Education Space as well as much needed additional support and service space for the dayto-day life of the Cathedral within the extension’s 2 storey basement. As part of the works, the existing Cathedral will be reordered to support a wider range of events. This includes upgrading the flooring and adding draught lobbies to improve thermal comfort. The HLC was designed as closely as possible to passive house principles and has low embodied carbon with a clay block and stone skin. An ‘air lock’ between the existing Cathedral and extension will serve to reduce heat losses into the Cathedral. This phase of reordering within the Cathedral consists of laying a new underfloor heating system above the existing Cathedral basement. Developing the technical details was complex requiring intricate and timely coordination to achieve the desires of the numerous interested stakeholders involved in terms of aesthetics, sustainability and structure in a particularly sensitive setting.
I independently created the BIM model and prepared the drawings for the planning proposal for the new extension to the south east of the Cathedral, the Heritage Learning Centre. Following achieving planning approval, I lead a team of architects through Stage 4 to develop the technical design of the new extension and its integration with the existing Catheral alongside the details of the reordering works inside the Cathedral. Following development of the requirements, I also co-wrote the NBS specification for the project and prepared all pre-construction information acting as Principal Designer. I simulateously prepared information for numerous ecclesiastical and planning pre-commencement condition reports whilst progressing and coordinating the detail design with the wider team of consultants to maintain the extrememly tight project programme. As a project with significant funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, I was also assisting with the project funding update reports.
relationship to
Opposite:
van Heyningen & Haward Architects
the new HLC
render of the proposed Heritage Learning Centre from Cathedral Gardens
Heritage Learning Centre
Great South
Aisle
Nave
Ambulatory
Tomb of King Richard III
C GF 6 This page 1: north-south section through Cathedral towards entrance of proposed HLC Scale 1:200 2: render of view from the Great South Aisle towards new opening into the HLC NTS Opposite 3: east-west Section A-A: connection from the Cathedral Great South Aisle through to the new HLC entrance lobby and hospitality space Scale 1:100 4: plan - ground floor HLC and connections from the existing Cathedral Scale 1:100 1 2
FORMING A NEW SYMBIOSIS
As seen opposite, a new opening in the Cathedral wall dating back to the 1300’s from the Great South Aisle will form the new connection into the Heritage Learning Centre that will support the function of the Cathedral. The design of the new opening required careful structural coordination just as the intermediatory volume between the existing Cathedral and proposed extension required strategic consideration towards the building’s low energy intentions.
The single storey glazed entrance lobby to the HLC is not part of the extension’s thermal strategy, acting as a weathertight barrier only. The rest of the envelope of the HLC will be air tight for improved energy efficiency but with the lobby acting as a buffer for heat that would otherwise inevitably be lost into the Cathedral. The glazed lobby also provides views from Cathedral Gardens through to the historic facade of St Dunstan’s Chapel to which the HLC adjoins. The foundations and walls where the HLC meets the Cathedral were meticulously coordinated in design workshops with the energy consultant and structural engineers to avoid the transfer of energy between the new and old structures. The detail allows for the air tight barrier to wrap around the lining to the Cathedral wall, encasing the extension and a hydrophobic fill between these layers will push any water penetrating the breathable Cathedral wall, into a land drain below ground.
As the section beside illustrates, the HLC steps down to a single storey where it adjoins the Cathedral in the same way that the demolished Song School adjoined the Cathedral. Whilst less thermally efficient, exposing more surface area to the new building, the existing windows of St Dunstan’s Chapel need to be respected. The hidden facade of the HLC provided an opportunity to save costs to ensure that more prominent details and materials could be maintained elsewhere such as to the south and west elevations.
UP + 4200 mm A O D P opo ed H C GF + 8025 mm A O D P o o ed H C 1F A B C D L 2 + 3650 mm A O D To o p e a s L + 0610 mm A O D P o o ed H C F e on a o + 3525 mm A O D P o o ed H C P m y vo ume a a e 5 0 3 68 0 W GF 01 D. F 7 W 1F 06 W 1F 01 F 1 2 E ng So g S h o ounda ion how d a v e e o SE d a u h n o ma ion Acce s o rs loo and low o s via ladde s om e earch b s e e a do E g b ss e ned J 2 20 up nd om g und oo oo w h lead c add g abo e n e nal scr en p vide s c nda y h mal n a d A L A 8 S m RL GF 01 D GF D0 GF 1 64 5 mm O D T S 666 5 mm A O D T 66J 4 6 mm A O D To S n le s o err c a n ad a en o so h en ance 683 0 mm A O D Land cape an ll o an scap arch ec 's de a F e m al s c od across gle xed w ndow 683 2 mm A O D ToMemb 50 1 0 1 0 0 EQ EQ L ad lined g e sump w h n bo g e be d p ape edin a nwa e ou e nd o e low Ashla o ew rk w aps a o n co e n m e ad claddin a o ne w d w e ea Ve a ead la ding as H71 12 co u s n h ace R 0 3 7 ? R 0 3 6 ? R 0 3 6 ? L 3 1 1 S m A r ghtness ne The ma ne e a m n o m h w s n d m n e a p c e A n d b w e s R v s on 1 50 Proposed HLC WestE evat on and Section Re D e D s p o A 30 1 2 Tend u D 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 C B A Orientation Gallery Verger’s Workroom Hospitality Space Cathedral Cathedral Sacristy HLC Entrance Lobby Servery Hospitality Space Verger’s Workroom HLC Entrance Lobby Operations / Outreach Cathedral Gardens Cathedral 4 3
A-A B-B C-C
and chased
1 Section B-B 2220 AFFL u/s HLC lobby ceiling 1 40 fall 1 10 fall1 : 40 fall C B A Heritage Learning Centre Entrance Lobby 1 22 fall 2111mm 2040mm2220mm St Dunstan’s Chapel single lock vertical seam copper cladding over door light fittings copper coping and drip to parapet bronze framed screen assembly bronze framed screen assembly bronze framed screen assembly - lobby to provide weather tightness only single ply membrane roof system adapted rainwater pipe from St Dunstan’s roof acoustic plasterboard lining bespoke oak door bespoke bronze framed, glazed door Cathedral Gardens Below 1: north-south Section B -B: connecting the new HLC entrance lobby to St Dunstan’s Chapel. Facing the new opening from the Great South Aisle Scale 1:50 Opposite 3: visual of south window of the HLC NTS 2: detail section: new connection through HLC lobby roof to Cathedral facade Scale 1:100 4: detail section: groundwork and basement roof of HLC south facade Scale 1:50 roof membrane lapped
or mech. fixed into cathdral stonework by manufacturer - detail TBA critical: t/o insulation at highest point between buttresses to be lower than t/o window sill interface level stone cladding to new structure - shown indicatively. submit proposals for stonework setting out new concrete structure min 100mm 2220 AFFL u/s HLC lobby ceiling 2100 AFFL s/o height 1 10 fall away existing GSA window sill makeup unknowndetail TBA single ply membrane connections to SE detail St Dunstan’s Chapel Heritage Learning Centre 2 2 Scale 1:10
The approved appearance and sensitive choice of material palette for the Heritage Learning Centre provided the first layer to the facade of the carefully designed and coordinated extension. Thick, cellulose-filled, walls were detailed behind the Northumberland buff sandstone facade to reduce the operational energy requirements of the building in its lifetime. The structure and materials of the building were also chosen for their low embodied carbon. Reinforced concrete was used for the structure only where completely necessary such as around the large windows on the south elevation and to provide a layer of waterproofing to the double basement. Elsewhere, the inner leaf of masonry is designed to be constructed with clay blocks.
The design of the HLC became complex to meet the
requirements of the numerous stakeholders involved in the project and required a lot of technical coordination and manufacturer input. Typical passivehouse detailing was combined with the external aesthetic requirements to work with regulatory and structural needs such as creating a continuous airtight, insulated barrier around the smoke shaft from the basement seen below.
aesthetic and sustainability
3 4 Scale 1:10 6420 mm A O D P posed HLC GF E P e a p g eam SE de a Be c o a d cape A c c s de s own be o d D a n ge h nne an u u o en nee s e J40 299 Ben on c mpos e wa p oo memb ane conc e J42 120 n e ed ba emen oo o e g T m ba w h ben o ea & o d e e 1 5 DDetail 015 1 Internal Orientation Gallery External Cathedral Gardens Internal Basement Level 1 Internal Smoke Shaft RC wall to SE detail full fill cavity insulation random coursed ashlar plinth moulding +64200 AOD HLC GF 1 50 fall 64175 AOD manhole and inset tray cover(s) to LA detail Double sealed to take vehicle loading 6mm toughened glass - break out in event of fire and proprietary sheet lapping onto glass concrete blockwork services zone proprietary thermoplastic flashing membrane and lap air tightness line insulation to external walls and below ground floor slab proprietary wall ties grille to take foot traffic loading rigid insulation tight fitted to be lifted out in the event of a fire load bearing insulating block wall head restraint min 150mm green = to LA / civils details inverted basement roof covering beneath rigid insulation above RC slab to SE detail isolation joint to SE detail load bearing insulating block proprietary air tightness tape site formed flexible sheet cavity tray / dpc WCs t/o pile cap 63650 AOD ‘GOD IS IN THE DETAILS’
nature of the
thermally
2 D Education Space Orientation Gallery 70888 AOD 65175 AOD stone window sill and reveals stone plinth +71825 AOD u/s HLC primary roof slab +73525 AOD t/o HLC primary parapet +70610 AOD u/s HLC secondary soffit +68025 AOD HLC level 1 +68025 AOD HLC level 0 stone corbel supports to terracotta fins single lock vertical seam copper cladding recessed stone transom and drip spanning between stone piers patinated brass custom fabricated bris soleil fixed to stone reveals composite aluminium/timber windows terracotta fins thin lime mortar joints between vertical terracotta fins light fittings copper coping and drip to parapet This page: 1: north-south Section C-C: construction section through HLC south facade Scale 1:50 2: detail section: HLC copper parapet and primary volume roof structure Scale 1:50 Opposite: 3: hand drawn aeriel perspective looking towards the south of the proposed Cathedral and HLC NTS The entire extension beyond the new glazed lobby is designed to be completely air tight as part of the strategy to reduce the operational energy demand of the building as indicated by the section through the south facade. Establishing this line informed the construction of particular complex areas and interfaces to ensure its continuation whilst achieving the desired appearance through the details. The design of the roof to the main volume of the HLC as above, was one such example where the demands of the internal and external aesthethic appearance, the form and energy saving construction, converged. The prestigious
project and delicate budget overrode the requirement to achieve passivehouse certification but the detailing still endeavoured to create an energy and
efficient building with highly detailed interiors. 75mm +73525 AOD t/o HLC primary parapet 1 40 fall insect mesh min 100mm 400mm 100mmmin75mm min25mm min 3 degrees +71825 AOD u/s HLC primary roof slab 200mm min25mm copper coping vertical lead cladding lead gutter lining treated sw to create roof falls lead roofing plywood underlay treated sw counterbattens phenolic roof insulation timber roof joists with 2 x ply to SE detail RC ringbeam to SE detail domed plaster ceiling on metal lathing thermal break and post fixing full fill cavity insulationrandom coursed ashlar containment for lights under sill light fittings copper flashing flashed into sides and rear of terracotta fin weathering capping air tightness tape sealing vcl & ring beam terracotta fins posts and counter timber studs mineral wool insulation between structure steel beams to se detail single lock vertical seam copper cladding copper drip 1 2 air tightness line air tightness line
3
HOULTON SCHOOL
RUGBY RADIO STATION CONVERSION
van Heyningen & Haward Architects completed August 2021 Architect Stages 4-5
I worked as a supporting role as part of a wider team of architects producing information for the second stage of tender and then for information to satisfy the stage 5 IRS schedule as the project began on site. I was predominantly responsible for the precast concrete packages which involved elements of visual interest on both the new buildings and also for adaptations to the historic existing fabric of the radio station such as the lintels supporting the Power Hall’s tall arched windows, pictured adjacent.
The project is now a new secondary school at the centre of a brownfield development named Houlton, on the edge of Rugby in the former Rugby Radio Station. Collectively, three new buildings, playing fields and play spaces all surrounding the original transmitter building to create the school. All of the buildings, historic and new, are low energy design but with the original 1920’s buildings requiring a more sensitive approach. The thermal performance of the external walls was increased by adding breathable, natural insulation internally and replacing the windows with like-for-like double glazed designs and interface details to suit the heritage nature of the building.
The project has since won numerous retrofit awards for its success.
Opposite: publication of Houlton School in the RIBA Journal and Products in Practice magasines, March 2022.
Photography by James Brittain as used in Architectural Review article February 2022.
WATERBEACH PRIMARY SCHOOL
NEARLY ZERO - EMISSION BUILDING
van Heyningen & Haward Architects
2021 Project Architect Stages 1-2
Working alongside an Associate and the practice Principal on the project, I developed the basic adjacencies and massing of the nearly zero-emission primary school to present at regular stakeholder engagement workshops. This progression included developing the area schedule to coordinate with the brief and integration with the other consultants work for the successful design of the nearly zero-emission building.
Following a successful competition entry, the new nursery and 3 form entry primary school was designed to provide community amenities for a new 11,000 home development on a former barracks, brownfield site to the north of Waterbeach, South Cambridgeshire.
The design responds to the urban design guide, integrating the entrance with a civic square and clusters around a playground that provides good efficiencies for teaching.
As part of Cambridgeshire County Council’s 2021 Climate Change and Environment Strategy, the passive design of the school plan will assist with reducing the reliance upon mechanical heat ventilation systems and to reduce it’s energy demand so it can be supplied by onsite renewables. The proposed CLT and glulam super structure, raft substructre and materiality of hung clay tiles were incorporated to minimise the embodied carbon of the project,
Opposite: Competition entry render of proposed entrance NTS Below: Competition entry render of proposed south west elevation NTS
1: Stage 2 ground floor plan NTS 2: Stage 2 classroom block section NTS
PRIVATE HOUSE EXTENSION
PASSIVEHOUSE STANDARD
Project Architect Stages 0-4
Working independently on the project, I designed and lead the extension proposal of this existing Edwardian house in south west London. I organised weekly design presentations with the owners to present updates and coordinate queries, obtaining planning approval before progressing the detail design intent and outline specification for the contractor. I also prepared the pre-construction documentation and coordinated sub-contractor design packages in preparation for the contractor to begin works.
The owners wished to extend their existing kitchen to feel more connected with the garden when dining. Being environmentally conscious, they wished for the extension to seamlessly exist alongside the existing house but to be designed as closely as possible to passive house standards. With the owner also having a meticulous eye for proportion and detail, the strategy and details of the interior were carefully aligned and coordinated to achieve his satisfaction. The project is currently on site due to complete summer 2022.
van Heyningen & Haward Architects completed August 2021
50mm
single ply roof membrane
loadbearing insulating block cavity tray air tightness tape to lap junctions
firrings
sheathing boards
steel plate welded to shs
150mm timber joists
plasterboard ceiling fixed to
175mm rigid tapered insulation mineral wool cavity closer
10mm
lintel to brick
weephole
2850
height
recessed roller blind fixed to cp
100x100x6.3 shs header beam
triple glazed window structural opening to shs = 20mm>window frame brick dim opening = 10mm>window frame
flush skirting into window reveals brick dimension opening
portland stone floor finish floating screed and embedded ufh
100x100 shs post either side of opening perimeter edge strip insulation
10mm of window frame visible above ffl for glazing replacement
- min 65mm above ufh pipes 170mm ground floor insulation cp board fixed to steel angle fixed at 400mm cs
t.o.s
ufh
slip membrane below screed
200x100 steel angle fixed to slab
high compressive strength insulative block fixed to cp board
cut to allow for base of window
10mm mortar fill
reinforcing strip to specialist’s detail
baseplate fixed to slab
min 65 100 100 102,550135100varies nom. 15mmto match existing shadow gap Liquid applied air tightness membrane eg. Passive Purple to external face of blockwork with air tightness seals lapping at interface with DPC. Passive purple not to be painted directly onto DPM layer Below ground insulation 180mm XPS Proprietary self-adhesive DPM sheet and system eg. RIW Sheetseal 226 RC slab and underslab to SE detail Perimeter edge strip insulation to screed to manufacturer's detail +/- 25mm lean mix backfill for tolerance Loadbearing insulating course eg. Perinsul Proprietary floating screed above underfloor heating Portland stone floor finish to match existing. Level to align with existing finished floor level Underfloor heating system connected to existing system and laid above slip layer Clear weepholes above proprietary cavity tray eg. Rytons Wall lining system eg. BG Gyplyner with min 25mm service void and 2no layers of plasterboard. Void widened locally to form adjacent window reveal at jamb DPC eg. RIW Sheetseal 9000 RIW Sheetseal reinforcing strip lapped over cement fillet and Sheetseal 226 at junction with slab TOS level to be ascertained by the contractor with reference to the stone flooring and bedding thickness &UFH screed thickness ATL tape lapping liquid air tightness membrane and DPC Partial fill phenolic cavity insulation boards, staggered and taped (eg. Kingspan Kooltherm K108) Reclaimed London stock brick to match existing with coursing to align with existing Ground Floor Insulation Board eg. Kingspan K103 170 590-D-005.dwg Design intent CAD fileNever scale dimensions from this drawing. Use written dimensions only. Report any discrepancies. Ask in doubt. Always use latest revision. 10 OUT IN NOTE: Structural Opening dim. to SHS is 20mm+ of window frame. Brick dim. Opening is 10mm+ of window frame. 20 BrickDim.Opening102,5 50 135 100 to meet W-02 frame Triple glazed window to sub-contractor's detail Compriband or equal approved compressible window sealant between edge of window frame and brickwork Liquid applied air tightness membrane to external face of blockwork with air tightness seals lapping interfaces turned into reveal Mineral wool cavity closer Window fixed to steel plate welded to SHS posts to SE detail Silver anodised aluminium cills to match existing window structural opening = Frame width + nom. 20mm Window EPDM to lap onto steel plate outside cavity 1. Liquid ATL painted onto steel plate whithin cavity 2 layers of 12.5mm plasterboard and lightweight steel stud drylining with all abutment and interface details 3. CP board fixed to SHS beam and plate Date Revisions Revisions Never scale dimensions from this drawing. Use written dimensions only. Report any discrepancies. Ask in doubt. Always use latest revision. 03.09.21 Design Intent Legend: 4. 3. 2. Window W-03 Jamb detail 1:5 Above: north-south section through existing kitchen and proposed kitchen extension Scale 1:20 2. Detail sections through proposed kitchen window Scale 1:10 existing kitchen 1 2 3010 or to closest existing brick coursing 2850 AFFL u/s ceiling height level of exg. brick coursing t/o new brick to align 0.0 - FFL existing floor levelMJ roof u-value 0.13 W/m2K wall u-value 0.13 W/m2K existing external wall air tightness line formed with liquid vcl existing floor finish 1 - paint liquid atl onto steel plate 2 - fix window and EPDM to steel plate
steel
outer leaf compressible window sealant between window frame and brick 3 - fix cp board to shs beam and plate
allow 30mm behind window frame
sw battens
timber
liquid atl
min
2 x
-
with
shs
level to be ascertained by contractor with reference to existing stone flooring and bedding thickness with
screed depth
pipework
135mm
AFFL align brick opening structural opening u/s ceiling
1. folded aluminium coping CBA C D bespoke rooflights
