the rise of the creative district
LOOK IN LOOK UP LOOK OUT the floating community library and environment observation space
I lia na M itova I nt e r i o r D e s i g n ( B A ) H o ns
“Even creative activity calls for an unfocused and undifferentiated subconscious mode of vision, which is fused with integrating tactile experience. The object of a creative act is not only enfolded by the eye and the touch, it has to be introjected, identified with one's own body and existential experience. In deep thought, focused vision is blocked; thoughts travel with an absent-minded gaze.” Juhani Pallasmaa, “Eyes of the Skin”
Iliana Mitova Interior Design BA(Hons) THE CASS Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design iliana.mitova@me.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/iliana
LOOK IN, LOOK UP, LOOK OUT
The Floating Library and Environment Observation Space
Concept & Sketches The Pfoject The project asks for an investigation and response to enable defined communities within Kings Cross area to connect, contribute and interact with a structure sited on the Regents canal. Islington borough’s position has enabled it to become second with the highest number of businesses in London after Westminster and fifth in the UK. With the regeneration masterplan for the King’s Cross area, a whole new district of creativity is being born. Battle Bridge basin is situated in the vivid and fast growing area of King’s Cross and St. Pancras stations. It is a secluded place around the bustling transport hubs with a mixed-use space of both business residential buildings.
Concept brief The Regent’s Canal function, as a fast infrastructure to enable business and building projects, linking the East to the West, has long been superseded by train, roads and bridges. The canal barges are no longer needed. Thus the boating lifestyle has declined for the last couple of decades. It is only within the last 2 decades that the canal has been thought of as desirable place to live, reside or visit. The regeneration project of King’s Cross has seen the Regent’s Canal transform its derelict and rundown properties, to an area of diverse communities enjoying the wealth of opportunities it offers, either living on the water or land. Attracted by the “nomadic” lifestyle of the boating community is on the increase, regardless the inconvenience of not having the usual commodities of a house on ground. However boaters and local residents around Regent’s Canal still share two different worlds in a common urban area. The project will aim to provide a space where local communities can share a common space that is pertinent to all.
Pavement detail from the towpath around the canal
Skylight Onyx Solar Thin Film Glass
Technical
al
ness
ucence
ure
e
ess
erature
ics
Matt
Fire resistance
Strong
50−100 %
UV Resistance
Good
Closed
Weather resistance
Good
Kinetic lamellas
resistance Good • 3Smooth mm GFRP -Scratch Glass Fiber Reinforced Weight Hard Polymer, supported at theModerate top and the Chemical resistance Good Medium bottom edge of the façade Poor
Renewable
No
None
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Floating base
Materials
Rooftop • 80mm Green Roof • 200mm Centrosolar Solar Panel Glass • 18mm Marine Ply
Glass Walls • 5mm Toughened Glass • 18mm Marine Ply Stripe Frame
Reclaimed wood flooring • 22 mm recycled timber tongue and groove flooring • highly conductive aluminium sheet, cross-linked polyethylene tubing • 36mm plywood, rebated with tubing cavities • 200mm compression resistant rigid goam thermal insulation • 18 mm Marine Ply
Orthographic Drawings Long Elevation
Short elevation
Coordinated Community The introduction of digital technologies has seen a sharp decline in the use of local libraries. This shift has seen councils closing much loved spaces, where the community not only borrowed books, but met, interacted and communicated with a diverse body of the community. The proposal is to create a mobile floating folding structure, which will host a library and meeting space for the communities around the canal, for both, boaters and local res-
idents. The aim is to encourage the community to share a common space, where they can not only find interesting books, but also socialize and attend literary/cultural discussions, as well as being able to share a different point of view over the canal. The concept is a hub for social literation and inspiration, as well as a spot for meeting two different worlds that share a common space.
UP
OUT
IN
design process Reading and Observation area
Multimedia area
Zone Planning and Grid
Green Roof Plan
Interior arrangement for library use
Interior arrangement for film screenings and presentations
Lobby and Social area
Kinetic flaps
Regent’s Canal
+ Structure Grid
= Kinetic flaps
W
IN
D
BL OW ING
Movement of the flaps resembles browsing trough book.
Model making
Play of light and shade A counter part to the multi-functional interior of the Floating Library is the kinetic façade. Like the overall architecture of the structure it evokes sensuous experiences through analogue means. During daytime the lamellas can be used to control light conditions in the library or left to be fluttered by the wind. After sunset the analogue visual effect of the moving particles is intensified by LEDs. The bionic principle of the kinetic media façade supports the idea of a „consistent effect“. Form, material, movement and light are seamlessly interrelated. Wider opening angle reflects on the bigger area affected by light. The bionic approach also underlines the ecological agenda of the Floating Library. As a moving, emotional experience the kinetic façade combines the sensation with the sensational.
Final model investigation The space will function not only as a library but also as an event space for the purposes of the community.
Process The shape and functionality of the structure was developed trough the media of model making and experimenting with light and shadows.
SKETCH MODELS Final Model
Interior Sketches
Ephemeral Interior The interior of the library is made of modular furniture flexible to be moved and re-organised differently depending on the use of the space. Folding paper partitions divide the space onto different rooms for reading, multimedia and observation deck. There is also a stair that folds into the wall, when not in use, to go to the rooftop garden on the upper deck.
Interior Render
The bookshelfs are made of easy to assemble and disasemble rectangular modules to ease the moving of the books from the British library to the floating one and back.
Paper dividers are used to separate the library into smaller spaces
Use of the structure The structure can be modified depending on the event. Library use, Literary evenings and discussions, community meetings and talks and screen projections.
Description The Floating Library is a structure of 4 x 18m (72 m2), which works within the confines of the canal’s locks and bridges. The journey to the structure will aim to attract the viewer by revealing new possibilities from day to night, through kinetic mechanisms. Once at the threshold of the structure the vista provided through emotionally charges drawing the individual in to the space. As they walk through they look up through a skylight that adds a new perspective. The space will be divided into 3 main spaces, ‘Connect’, ‘Contain’ and ‘Commune’. The first space allows for creative connections with books, technologies and community, while the ‘Contain’ area, is for quiet contemplation, research and individual activities. The final area ‘Commune’ is an observation deck for a wild life platform that is connected to the structure. The Space supported by the British Library will contain a set of modular units that will refresh, restock and change offer wide ranging themes, depending on use or events. Targeting educational events can meander it’s way up and down the canal, encouraging the community rise up and engage.