PUBLIC HOLDER
JAMES CLARK DESIGN PORTFOLIO. Design Thesis & Synthesis Project London School of Architecture 2020
Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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CONTENTS P. 4
INTENTIONALITY
5
DESIGN THESIS
5
PRIVATISATION OF POST-GASWORKS SITES
13
PUBLIC SERVICE/ COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE
19
DESIGN SYNTHESIS
19
CITY - RATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTOTYPE
25
SITE - ABBEY LANE, STRATFORD AS CASE STUDY
35
PUBLIC GROUND
45
INHABITED CORES
47
SUSPENDED FLOORS
72
PUBLIC ROOF
APPENDICES:
Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
PUBLIC HOLDER PRESENTATION VIDEO HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/_KOXVWGW7GM
ADDITIONAL WORK/ PRECEDENTS DESIGN PROCESS 1,2 3
INTENTIONALITY
HIGHER GOAL
PROJECT OUTLINE
What change do you want to see in the world?
WHAT
a built environment that is more connected with its genius loci, meaning its sensitivity to surrounding history, communities, natural environment.
How does this goal relate to pressing challenge? neoliberal top-down position typical in places which is damaging to built environment.
How does your architecture contribute to that change? by taking inspiration from both history and modern precedent, by focusing on the public and long-term flexible nature of the project.
a single public infrastructure framework system with flexible spaces for mixed-community uses above an expansive public ground plane.
WHO surrounding local residential communities. Specific site focuses on Newham residents issues, young people suffering from child obesity, high crime rates, low start-up business rates, whilst highest steep in house price rates of the century.
WHY post-gasworks sites are sold cheaply and privatised by developers with private schemes, need an alternative position to make land and services truly public.
Who do you want to be as a designer?
WHERE
an architect of integrity with a social conscience in adding societal and environmental value.
post-gasworks sites which have became vacant. Abbey Lane, Stratford used as typical site.
HOW removal of gasholder bases, decontamination of land, handover to local council in conjunction with design team to implement construction of infrastructure.
Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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GASHOLDER
WHAT
Gasholder exoskeleton, a standard type
In a society which relied upon firstly coal gas we created this type of standardised Victorian architecture that did not hold people but only services. Years later as purified natural gas was transported through the north sea via pipelines into the UK under high pressure, it was only when extra capacity was needed in the gas network that these would be used. As pipelines became larger, more effective, these occasions depleted, by 1990 most local gas networks were able to function at full capacity and by 1999 a decision was made to start demolishing them. As the country moved away from this gas storage system, these sites have become redundant, and they are left as post-industrial landscapes in incredibly important locations in the city.
Gasholder exo-skeleton analysis Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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VACANT SITES
WHAT
Gasholder frames and bases are being dismantled leaving vacant sites
As the country moved away from this gas storage system, these sites have become redundant, and they are left as post-industrial landscapes in incredibly important locations in the city. With property prices at an all time high, the National Grid is dismantling them and selling these parts of land to developers cheaply.
Gasholder site dismantling process Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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PRIVATISATION
WHY
Developer strategy - pastiche privatisation
Public Holder is in response to post-gasworks sites sold with low-land value, being privatised with homogenous ‘regeneration’ schemes, where some simulate aesthetically a circular gasholder form, this strategy undervalues public space, community infrastructure and affordable living. I do not think that this strategy is an appropriate response for these sites, as this is a pastiche preservation of a history that does not reflect the purpose of these things.
PERVERSION OF AESTHETICS MARKET DRIVEN PROMOTING SCARCITY PRIVATISING LAND NEGLECTING HERITAGE
Privatisation of public land Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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DEVELOPER SCHEMES
WHY
Berkeley Homes proposals - do we need more of this?
Berkeley Homes typical schemes on sites Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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NEW APPROACH
WHAT
Or can we take a new approach?
Not all of these sites have the visual memory or the artefact but is there something else that we can retain when faced with this condition, like the public service and infrastructural quality that this kind of architecture had? Aldo Rossi states, “the idea of history as the structure of urban artefact is affirmed by the continuities that exist in the deepest layers of the urban structure, where certain fundamental characteristics that are common to the entire urban dynamic can be seen.�
Physical model 1:200 Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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UK SITES
WHAT
UK post-gasworks sites
There are over 500 National Grid owned postgasholder sites in the UK.
Post-gasworks sites in the UK Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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LONDON SITES
WHAT
London post-gasworks sites
There are over 70 sites in London.
Post-gasworks sites in London Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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NEWHAM SITES
WHAT
Reclaiming public sites
There are over 11 sites in Newham. Berkeley Homes are developing sites, many remain as opportunities to preserve public land.
Post-gasworks sites in Newham, red proposed development, brown no proposed development Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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BOROUGH RESIDENTS
WHO
Austerity affects - the real issues
1ST HOUSE PRICE RISE OF CENTURY Whilst property prices are at an all time high with the highest steep in house prices in the country in the last 20 years, Newham residents suffer from a skills deficit, the third highest rates of child obesity in London, the fourth highest crime rates, the lowest 5-year start-up business survival rate.
SKILLS DEFICIENCY LOCAL RESIDENTS 3RD CHILD OBESITY IN LONDON 4TH CRIME IN LONDON 1ST START-UP BUSINESS FAILURE RATE
Newham borough residents issues Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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PUBLIC SPORTS
WHAT
Lack of large public sports space in the city
There is a lack of public leisure space in the city for increasing people, football pitches are forced to be incorporated under viaducts with high pollution levels, gyms are unable to incorporate larger spaces like basketball courts or football pitches.
Lack of recreational open sports space in the city Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE
WHAT
Lack of community infrastructure in the city
Meanwhile, there is a reduction of public services, in a time where we might be needing them the most.
Need for social public infrastructure Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
WHAT
Need for closer proximity to nature and green in the city
Close proximity to nature has evidence of benefits to mental and physical wellbeing Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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WELLBEING
WHAT
Integrating social infrastructures, creating variety of use
CONGREGATING
EXERCISING
Alongside leisure, we need to reclaim community infrastructures. There is an opportunity here to take on this idea of public infrastructure and rethinking it on a site which previously held gas, can they hold something else that is public and community focused, and what would this look like?
PLAYING
LEARNING
COWORKING
LIVING
Allowing spaces for varied experiences Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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AGENCY
WHAT
Local authority response
By placing agency on local authorities, sites can be unlocked with future-proof, flexible infrastructures for a variety of social, civic, industrial, leisure uses.
FUNCTIONALIST INFRASTRUCTURE, PARK COUNCIL DRIVEN PROMOTING COLLECTIVENESS RECLAIMING PUBLIC LAND PRESERVING HERITAGE
Local municipality strategy Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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STRUCTURAL PRINCIPLES
WHAT
Public Holder prototype principles
SINGLE INFRASTRUCTURE
LIFTED FROM GROUND
SHARED CORES
FLEXIBLE FLOOR ZONES
VERTICAL PUBLIC/ PRIVATE HIERACHY
INVITING LANDSCAPE IN
I was inspired by the ability to provide a rational infrastructure which takes inspiration from the gasholder exoskeleton, which was a standard type that got placed on a site irrespective of where, taking inspiration from modernist precedents like Lino Bo Bardi’s Sao Paulo Museum (please see appendix precedent document), a lifted first floor plane can create a unique public realm, shared cores and structureless voided floors allow for flexibility above.
Structural principles of infrastructure Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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MASSING
CORES
PUBLIC / LEISURE
SEMI-PUBLIC/ COMMUNITY
NATURE
Public system massing diagram Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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STRUCTURE
Three elements
The structure is two concrete cores, steel trusses framework, aligned steel I beams with steel decking and composite slabs.
CONCRETE CORES
STEEL TRUSSES
PRIMARY STEEL
Structural elements isometrics Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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STRUCTURE
One framework
Structure isometric Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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Physical model 1:200 Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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Physical model 1:200 Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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ABBEY LANE, STRATFORD
WHERE
Case study looking at a specific site
Abbey Lane, Stratford site location within Nehwam borough Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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GENIUS LOCI
WHERE
Sketch of surrounding genius loci, site location indicated Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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CHANGING LOCI
WHERE
Sugar House Island future development
Bromley by Bow future development
Rick Roberts Way future development
SITE
Bromley by Bow Gasholders Design Speculation project
Twelvetrees Park future development
Sketch of changing genius loci, site location indicated Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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WHERE
Satellite image of site location Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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SITE IDENTITY
Analysing change and responding thinking long-term
WHERE
Olympic Park
INDUSTRIAL COMMUNITY CULTURAL RESIDENTIAL
The site sits parallel to the London Greenway, and inbetween high density Stratford, and lower density West Ham and Bow to the east and south. The site on Abbey Lane, Stratford is typical, a post-industrial area with existing communities and residents from new housing developments. Future residential development will provide a denser part of the city.
Sugar House Island 1,200 homes
Bromley by Bow 1,600 homes
Bromley by Bow Station
West Ham Station
Twelvetrees 3,800 homes
Surrounding site identity, building uses indicated Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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LLDC DEVELOPMENT PLANS
WHERE
Preserving the public character of part of a major regeneration site
A portion of the site will place emphasis on the public realm, with the large area of the site proposed for 400 homes by LLDC.
Extract from London Legacy Development Corporation, site chosen as site allocation for mixed-used development Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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EXISTING SITE PLAN
CK RI B RO
Abbey Lane, Stratford
TS ER
RIC K
RO B
ER TS WA Y
AY W
AB
BE
Y
LA
NE
The gasholder exoskeletons have already been dismantled on the site. The gasholder bases will be removed and infilled with soil.
GREENWAY
N Abbey Lane, Stratford, existing site condition Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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LANDSCAPE
Connecting public realm
Key urban principle is to create parkland and connecting to nearby infrastructure, this site being the greenway.
Urban move creating public realm Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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Elevations Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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Sections Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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PROPOSED SITE GROUND PLAN
Abbey Lane, Stratford
The site strategy relies on a grid, the infrastructure in centre, with three pedestrian accesses each side. A level site plane allows for an expansive multi use public realm, focused on various sport and leisure activity. A stepped landscape extends from the greenway with a synthetic rubber floor finish which rolls out through the site like a carpet. Trees surround the site as a forest and are planted over the carpark, which will become redundant with fewer cars in years to come. The park promotes biodiversity, recreational activity and food production with allotments.
N Proposed site plan Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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PUBLIC GROUND
Multi use sports
FOREST
COURTYARD
ENTRANCE LOBBY
SPORTS MULTI USE
STAND/ STEPS
GREENWAY
Public ground isometric Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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Building isometric/ section cut Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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Axonometric Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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GROUND FLOOR
The infrastructure sits above the 10m high ground floor plane and courtyards, with three intermediate levels and an active public roof level. I have indicated with dashed red lines possible circulations on the plan.
N Site ground floor 1:500 Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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PUBLIC GROUND
Public realm
Public ground diagram Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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GROUND FLOOR
N Ground floor 1:250 Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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PUBLIC SPORTS
Floodlit public realm
The strip of colour acts as an urban carpet indicating recreational activity under the building. The floodlit 10m high ground floor is used all year around and after work for sport such as tennis courts, 7 a-side football pitches, baasketball, netball court. Steel mesh curtains can separate boundaries of activities. Lockers are provided for public use. The stepped landscape can take more than 200 people for larger sporting events.
View from courtyard one evening Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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CORE CIVIC LOBBY
The ground floor is welcoming either side with glass lobbys of limestone floor tiling and grand staircases leading through and around the cores.
View from entrance lobby Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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INHABITED CORE
Shared cores
Inhabited core diagram Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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INHABITED CORE
Various uses PV CELLS
PUBLIC ROOF BAR
The inhabited core is occupiable either side with views outwards and within the infrastructure with public functions like cafes or restaurants, pool changing rooms, or private shared spaces like shared living spaces, kitchens, lounges for businesses or hostel apartments are on that floor level.
HOSTEL SHARED LIVING
POOL CHANGING
PUBLIC CAFE
ENTRANCE LOBBY
Inhabited core isometric Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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FLOORS SUSPENDED FROM CORES
Rational structural solution allowing structureless suspended floors
Tectonic move structureless flexible floors on two cores Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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MAXIMISED FLEXIBLE FLOOR SPACE GRID
Creating delight by reconfiguration within a simple systematic rigid framework
An interior infrastructural system for various programmes. The three-bay spanning structure organises nine clear zones. Spaces can expand and contract according to programme spatial needs.
Infrastructural move interior flexible strategy Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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N Grid, 1:250 Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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CIRCULATION NODES
Varied nodes in the plan allowing variety of movement, no wasted circulation space
There is no wasted corridor circulation space, spaces are divisible with shared cores.
N No wasted circulation, variety of circulation, 1:250 Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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VARIETY OF SPATIAL DIVISIBILITY
Flexible versatility of the floor plan providing public to private zones in the grid
Floor activity on each level varies and the grid allows for more open public floorspace to denser more introverted private spaces in the corner of the plan which are 4m in depth, the lowest common denominator for cell units like offices or flats. The void is then able to penetrate through the floor plan providing light in the centre of the plan and close proximity to outside on the corner incubator spaces.
Spatial flexibility plan diagrams Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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FLEXIBLE INFRASTRUCTURE
I want to achieve a variety of different spaces that can be reconfigured accordingly where users can rent and adapt spaces over time, because I imagine this project of being implemented in more than one site and I cannot fully predict whatever the communities needs will be today, a month or in two years. This is why the ambition has been to pursue a very systematic approach, as opposed to something more based on a circular shape. There are elements of delight and suprise throughout the building namely the circular floor finishes of varied shades which provide a zonal organisation amongst the flexibility of the spaces, and the circular glass windows on the base of the pool which can be viewed at ground level.
Floor flexibility experiential Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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FIRST FLOOR
Public functions
CAFE KITCHEN BREAKOUT LEARNING CENTRE SCHOOL EXHIBITION HOSTEL GYM HYDROPONICS/ ALLOTMENTS
N First floor programme diagram Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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The floor plans show how spaces can work in the floor spaces for adjoining mixeduse community programmes such as cafĂŠs, a learning centre, a school, business spaces, hydroponics, a hostel.
N First floor plan 1:250 Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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INCUBATOR ATRIUM
Exposed shell & core with lightweight elements
Floors on each level are divisible, exposed finishes of concrete, steel, steel decking and glass allow for a light shell and core. Secondary steel elements indicate circulation around the building. The different staircases create a domesticity to the building. Partitions and semi-transparent curtains act as programme boundaries. (Please see appendix. precedent document for references)
View from incubator strium Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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LEARNING CENTRE SPACES
Learning centre spaces on the first floor CLASSROOMS
The mezzanine floor space occupies bookshelves as a library, classrooms and breakout spaces occupy the incubator spaces looking directly onto nature in the courtyard.
BOOKSHELVES
BREAKOUT SPACES
Learning centre isometric Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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SECOND FLOOR
Mixed public/ private functions
KITCHEN/ CAFE/ LOUNGE COWORKING LEARNING CENTRE EXHIBITION SCHOOL HOSTEL ROOMS SWIMMING POOL/ CHANGING FOOD COURT
N Second floor programme diagram Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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Office and workshop spaces provide homes for small businesses and start up businesses.
N Second floor plan 1:250 Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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EXPANSIVE TERRACE
Expansive views of the city from the perimeter terrace
Terraces allow for expansive views over the city, from outside the furniture highlights the habitation. Terraces are of varied depths based on solar shading, 2.5m on south and east, 1.5m depth on north and west.
View from terrace Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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JUNCTIONS
Exposed services and fittings
Ductwork and services are exposed in the ceiling with high internal floor to ceiling heights of 3.2m.
Detail junctions Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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COWORKING SPACES
Coworking spaces on the second floor BUSINESS CELLS
This shows how business breakout spaces can occupy the mezzanine floor space and office units can occupy the incubator spaces. The users renting spaces in the infrastructure for their business means, may habitate the terraces with furnitures creating a community essence along the facade of the building.
BREAKOUT SPACES
Coworking isometric Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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THIRD FLOOR
Private functions
SHARED KITCHEN/ LOUNGE COWORKING LEARNING CENTRE EXHIBITION SCHOOL HOSTEL ROOMS LEISURE HYDROPONICS
N Third floor programme diagram Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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The higher floors can occupy more private uses like a hotel, hostel, or a school.
N Third floor plan 1:250 Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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SCHOOL SPACES
School spaces on the third floor CLASSROOMS
A softer floor material like timber can create warmer spaces such as a school multi-use hall, auditorium or classroom spaces. The circular staircase leads to the roof where an external classroom and playground occupies.
MULTI USE HALL
BREAKOUT SPACES
School isometric Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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HOSTEL/ HALL SPACES
Hostel spaces on the third floor HOSTEL/ HOTEL ROOMS
Short stay facilities like a hotel or hostel can occupy the highest floor of the building, spaces may have a warmer timber floor finish. Rooms look directly onto nature providing a real attention to wellbeing.
MULTI USE HALL
Hostel isometric Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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PUBLIC CENTRAL DIAGRAM
Public triple height zone spanning from each core with adjoining public levels
Public central diagram Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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PUBLIC CENTRAL
An Olympic sized public swimming pool with a retractable roof, a major public intervention to attract interest
RETRACTABLE ROOF
PUBLIC CAFE
SWIMMING POOL
ENTRANCE LOBBY
PUBLIC SPORTS
Public central isometric Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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INCUBATORS DIAGRAM
Focused proximity to nature
Incubators diagram Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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INCUBATOR FLOORS
Showing the flexibility of each floor
ALLOTMENTS
HOSTEL ROOMS
BUSINESS SPACES
LEARNING CENTRE WORKSPACES
COURTYARD GARDEN
Incubators isometric Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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MEZZANINES DIAGRAM
Shared space for larger spaces for the adjoining incubator programme
Mezzanines diagram Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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MEZZANINE FLOORS
Showing the flexibility of each floor
PLAYGROUND
SCHOOL HALL
COWORKING ZONE
LIBRARY
PUBLIC SPORTS
Mezzanines isometric Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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ROOF
Public functions
ROOF BAR COWORKING LEARNING CENTRE EVENTS/ CINEMA PLAYGROUND/ CLASSROOM HOSTEL SPORTS COURT ALLOTMENTS
N Fourth floor programme diagram Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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The roof can accommodate a playground and external classroom to the school below.
N Roof plan 1:250 Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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ROOF PLAYGROUND
Lifting the public realm playground
View from roof towards playground Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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ROOF CINEMA
Lifting the public realm - open air cinema
The public realm is elevated to the roof with public functions like an open air public cinema with views to the city. and community allotment beds.
View from roof towards cinema Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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Third floor isometric Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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GHOST OF THE GASHOLDER
The memory or the ghost of the gasholders are apparent in the ground floor circular finish, the balustrade density, and playground roof outline. The public holder is an infrastructural solution to giving back public land and public services back to local residents.
Perspetive elevation Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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Public Holder | Portfolio | James Clark
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