Joby Barrett Portfolio Sample

JOBY BARRETT PORTFOLIO SAMPLE

POLYOPOLIS 3RD YEAR UNIVERSITY PROJECT The brief for this 3rd year university project was to re-imagine the mill typology. I wanted to revive and evolve the textile industry within Manchester, whist providing a variety of public space to connect the wider community.

My research into the textile industry led me to the conclusion that rPET is the most environmentally friendly yarn source. Even more so than organic cotton. There is also a surplus of recycled plastic in Manchester, 81% of which is shipped abroad or put into landfill. Because of this Manchester City Council emphasises the need for a specialised reprocessing Plastics Recovery Facility within Manchester in their report for information on waste and recycling collection.

Therefore I decided to design a facility converting raw rPET into yarn.

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POLYOPOLIS NORTHERN EXTERIOR

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POLYOPOLIS SITE I chose a large site sitting between a newly built school, housing developments, a refurbished park/wetland and historic mills running along the canal. By allowing pedestrians to flow through the site this increases exposure

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(both to the process of recycling rPET into yarn and to a new, unusual form - stimulating memory retention) for both adults and children (going to and from the newly built school) which I believe is the first step in providing opportunity. I felt it was important to locate this project

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by the canal to pay homage to the mill typology and the cultural heritage of Manchester.

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There is pedestrian access under the ‘green steps’ to

es pedestrians to follow the building line and therefore will be more likely to look at the products/process which

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allow pedestrian flows to be uninterrupted with the exception of the gallery and store spaces. This encourag-

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has the potential to increase revenue along with public interest in the scheme.

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PL DE ANN VE ED LO H PM OU EN SIN T G

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POLYOPOLIS ‘GREEN STEPS’ STUDY I designed these steps to create the illusion of a green roof from ground level (the grass is on the rise of the step and the tread is tiled). This creates a visual connection between the site, Cotton Field’s Park and it’s ‘Poly Field’ park extension. This relatively lightweight solution allows for large spanning distances to allow for the parking, delivery and maintenance areas to be located below.

It would also act as a buffer from the noise, visual and air pollution from the main road to the south, along with blocking the Western prevailing wind. This area provides a community space with views into central Manchester to the south along with Polyfields park: the sheltered extension of Cotton Field’s Park.

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40mm Terrazzo Tiles 30mm Cement Mortar 100mm Concrete Stairs 20mm Cement Waterproof Membrane 30mm Cement Mortar 400mm Concrete 300mm Steel Bone System 40mm GRG Panels 150mm Grass box

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POLYOPOLIS ‘GREEN STEPS’ STUDY The main vehicle access will arrive from the ring road to the south, therefore the entrance to the car park and delivery spaces is in the SW corner of the building. This means the greatest elevation of the steps is in the SW corner, providing views into central Manchester.

Roof Plan

DELIVERY ACCESS area enables vehicles up to 5.5m tall to enter, turn and exit, allowing for ease of access to the STORAGE AND SERVICE AREAS (plastic store, yarn store, kitchen).

5.5m

CAR ACCESS (3m tall) is also from the SW corner and parking is available for both workers and the public to visit the park, gallery or shops. This will draw people to the site as there is a shortage of parking spaces in the area.

The ‘green steps’ are supported by 2.5m tall concrete walls and the void is filled with soil to plant various vegetation and trees to mitigate the pollution from the road.

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POLYOPOLIS SKIN STUDY

GEO-POLYMER CONCRETE

I utilised a structural vault skin (Rhinovault), a technology currently being developed by Philipe Block and his research group. This allows for a thin, fabric like structure MESH

spanning large distances. The construction method requires very little framing which can then be reused therefore far fewer materials are necessary.

This system is formed over fabric form-work giving the

GEO-POLYMER CONCRETE

appearance of a ‘soft’ fabric. The reinterpretation of materials considers the unexpected absence of object, playing on the user’s expectations drawing them into the building. This expectation along with a flowing form stim-

HYBRID-KNIT FORM-WORK

ulates a stronger emotion in the user, which will leave a

CABLE-NET FORM-WORK

longer lasting memory.

STEPPED GROUND

The lowest points of the skin are at the columns which channel rainwater towards the water harvesting system to then be recycled.

The form of the skin was designed with the assumption that people are drawn to higher ceilings, therefore using this to subtly dictate the circulation of the space though the curvature of the skin whilst putting emphasis on the factory space, which is the highest point. The skin gets gradually higher towards the north to allow soft light to illuminate the factory, cafe and gallery spaces and improve visual comfort and safety within the factory.

ROOF PLAN

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POLYOPOLIS GROUND FLOOR PLAN The scheme was designed to be built for impermanence, with the ability to reconfigure the internal prefabricated panels into a new building programme to meet future societal and cultural demands. This separation of the

Factory Space VACUREMA® technology THEN-AIRFLOW® SYNERGY Yarn Storage Raw Material Storage Kitchen Equipment Storage Bathroom/Showers Changing room Admin Office Reception Gallery Reception Gallery Space SMM User Defined Division Gallery Store Covered Parking Loading Area Water Harvesting System

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‘skin’ and the ‘body’ also has the potential to reduce maintenance costs, allow for future expansion, or ease of conversion.

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POLYOPOLIS SECTION

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Gallery Space Bathroom Kitchen Cafe Cafe Balcony Gallery Store Factory Space THEN-AIRFLOW® SYNERGY VACUREMA® technology Water Harvesting System Yarn Storage Loading Area Covered Parking Public Access Stepped Ground

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POLYOPOLIS INTERIOR FACTORY SPACE

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AIMSIR STUDIO LTD JEWELLERY, CONCEPT DESIGN & ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS I have recently started my own studio that through which I have designed and produced (using 3D modelling software and 3D printing techniques) a collection of sterling silver and 9ct gold rings, packaged in a translucent biodegradable plant-based resin box that I also designed and print myself.

I currently assist two architects on a freelance basis through AIMSIR Studio Ltd providing drawings, 3D models (AutoCAD/Revit/Rhino/Sketchup) and imagery for various mixed-use and residential projects.

Extention Iterations for Studio Perrin

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Building Case Study Assignment

Environmental Design Study

Santa-Jordi School Extension | Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain

Energy Use /KWh

PRIMARY STRUCTURE

Architectural Intention

The energy usage of the building predominantly comes through the heating of the building especially from Jan-Mar, the coldest months of the year.

This is probably due to the buildings dependency on thermal mass, as it has very little insulation within the building. Therefore mechanical systems must be put in place such as pipes and radiators for space heat during the winter months. This would have decreased the build cost (good for the tight budget) however increased the running cost of the school dramatically due to the reliance on fuel.

SECONDARY STRUCTURE TERTIARY STRUCTURE

The aim of GATPA Architects was to create a ‘solar building’; Finding strategies to mitigate the effects of a disfunctional plan through a design virtue out of material constraints brought about by financial limitations. Therefore creating indoor and outdoor learning spaces providing an engaging leaning environment for children.

ILLUMINANCE JUN 1ST 1300

Green Building Studio Analysis

Waffle slab roof system (reinforced concrete)

However, due to the warm-temperate Mediterranean climate (Csa) causing hot summers reaching average highs of 25°C there is little to no energy used for heating for half the year from April-Oct. As a result of poor passive natural ventilation systems there is a high demand for mechanical cooling in the hotter summer months, with 46.2% of the annual electric usage coming from space cooling and vent fans.

Brise-soleil facade system (Hollow concrete blocks)

Cold Bridge Cold bridging would occur especially on the west facade as there is an insulation gap at the wall to floor connection allowing energy to be lost. This could have been to reduce construction costs, however would negatively impact the running cost in the winter months as the buildings heat retention would be poor.

Mechanical Ventilation Piping Electrics

External walls (filled hollow concrete blocks and glass)

Service Core

Internal core structure This is the only area of the building with load-bearing internal walls, acting as the structural core, therefore it is unnecessary for the external walls to be cross-braced, allowing for a complete orientation differentiated facade.

The north of the building contains the library and ancillary spaces which are naturally lit from northern facing fenestration, providing softer, less intense light and solar gain to ensure user comfort.

In some areas such as the dining hall all the services apart form the ventilation are hidden above a suspended ceiling, however the services are left exposed in the rest of the building leaving a refined carcass structure.

Wooden framed oriented-strand board interior walls

The elevated structure caused by the necessary set-back plinth due to the slope of 1.4m from north to south gives the building a ‘visual lightness’. This allows the extension to be at the same level as the existing building, therefore reducing the amount of stairs which could be problematic for small children and disabled users.

Lighting and electrics are run exposed along the ceiling with the main body of lights situated above the desks in the classrooms due to the poor lighting in summer and morning.

Concrete load bearing stair access

There is a rough 5x5 grid by which the organisation of columns is dictated.

Reinforced concrete insitu columns

By utilising a reduced threefold material harmony of concrete, glass and metal alongside passive systems it is clear that the architects were trying to achieve a passive building through the making of a design virtue out of material constraints due to financial limitations while adhering to the strict pre-set programme set by the schooling authorities.

Reinforced concrete flooring with a terrazzo finish Concrete set back plinth

Theory- Strategy

classroom

Ceiling Waffle Slab Load Paths Live Loads

Dead Loads

The west facade is orientated to block the most harsh winds of up to 24mph. Whereas the user operable openings are positioned mostly on the south and west faces as this is where the wind blows most frequently. The orientation and this would aid cross ventilation in the future, however the current position of the interior walls do not allow for this.

Due to the disfunctional layout a low cost orientation differentiated facade was utilised to create a passive solar shading system, mitigating the effects of excessive solar gain and glare, especially in the South facing classrooms.

Construction Sequence

I also believe even with all of the constraints, both material and financial, the architects have developed this successful brise soleil system to be aesthetically pleasing, at a low cost.

Excavation and laying of foundations

This extension was built with the future use of a language school in mind. The use of non-load bearing internal walls makes the space very adaptable allowing for the potential alteration of programme in an easy and cost effective way. The use of wood framing with a chip board render keeps material costs low and reduces the impact on the environment while providing a reduced threefold material harmony of concrete glass and wood. The ‘refined carcass structure’ although being cost effective i don’t believe to be aesthetically pleasing, therefore this could have been where funds were directed if the layout was not so disfunctional causing time and money to be spent on developing the effective, low cost brise soleil. Also these internal walls block natural ventilation as the Northern prevailing wind would be able to effectively passively ventilate most of the building, rather than adding mechanical ventilation as they have.

Due to the financial constraints the building relies almost entirely on its thermal mass for heating, which could be problematic in the winter, this is not aided by the thin wooden internal walls used.

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The orientation differentiated facade system is designed to diffuse the direct sunlight effectively aiding visual comfort and the mitigation of glare, providing a more ideal working environment.

Reaction force

Wind Analysis

This was extremely successful as they managed to use the same low cost hollow CMU block (sourced locally reducing the environmental impact) to create the two brise soleil facades whilst reducing material costs (only one type of brick used). The perforated facade on the east and south faces diffuse the direct sunlight effectively aiding visual comfort and the mitigation of glare.

The West facade is the same CMU blocks reinforced, filled and turned in a E-W direction. This also diffuses the direct sunlight for most of the day, then in the evenings it will allow softer light directly through as the sun sets. This direct sunlight may beam through the building after the children have left school (depending on school hours), therefore not effecting the visual comfort within the learning environment.

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Northern prevailing wind

Although this programme was a key driver for the solar strategy, I believe that with the use of a different layout they could have achieved a more engaging learning environment with less design constraints, therefore having to put less focus on solar strategy.

However I believe the use of landscaping and vegetation has not been utilised to full effect, with only 5 small trees being planted, none of which on the south side of the building. Therefore none of these provide seasonal shading which would be useful in this climate to regulate solar gain and diffuse light reducing glare.

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Wind Load (live)

Sound baffles are fitted to the ceiling by the glazing in the classrooms and along the corridors to increase speech intelligibility and sound clarity whilst reducing the sound level to provide a engaging leaning environment for children.

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Load Paths

Radiators are mostly situated by the windows due to the heat loss from the glazing in the winter, to aid thermal comfort.

West Facade (Plan view)

Perforated Facade

SOFT EVENING LIGHT

library

Although it is not stated I believe there is a service core in the NorthWest area of the building, by which heating pipes, ductwork and electrical services are run through a service block from the ground. Vents on the perforated facade are exposed externally whereas on the west facade are situated between the external wall and the facade, there is also a fan output above the kitchen to aid with the extraction of fumes

Environmental Analysis

Combination of strip and raft reinforced concrete foundation

The layout determined by the Department d’Ensenyament was extremely disfunctional in relation to the schools orientation on site.

The most used spaces for learning (classrooms) are situated in the South which has the most solar gain causing great visual and thermal uncomfort, especially during the hot summers the region is subject to. Whereas the less used spaces such as the library and dining hall were situated in the North allowing much softer light which would be more ideal for visual comfort in a learning environment.

Although there is some penetration of light through the facade in the southern part of the building during mid winter, it is minimal, therefore the use of internal lighting is required in both summer and winter.

Vents and Pumps

The building is predominantly low-tech using a CMU block brise soleil facade which acts as a ‘climatic cushion’ as it negotiates with the sun’s rays to regulate the solar gain into the classrooms. The aim of this porous skin brings in optimal light and climatic conditions for students to work. User operable openings are utilised to ensure the building has passive ventilation alongside its passive solar systems.

dining hall

ILLUMINANCE DEC 1ST 1300

However this may not have been possible due to the rigidity of disfunctional layout, as the interior walls block cross ventilation.

Curtain wall (glass)

Therefore a passive brise soleil shading system was put in place through an orientation differentiated facade using cheap, locally sourced hollow concrete blocks to keep material costs low, but also as a result of the country’s material stock issue following the economic downfall. This consisted of two brise soleil facade systems of the same materiality but with different arrangements covering the east, south, and west facades keeping costs low however ensuring ‘surprising’ diversity.

kitchen

These diagrams show the illuminance levels 2.9ft above ground level (table height).

The black areas are too dark for users to read (less than 300 lux), the Grey shows roughly where the optimum lit areas are from 300-1000 lux, whereas the yellow and red areas are overlit with values over 1000 lux.

As the ‘Natural Ventilation Potential’ table shows almost two thirds of the required mechanical cooling hours would not be necessary if cross ventilation was utilised.

The site is situated in Vilanova i la Geltrú, 40km west of Barcelona- Spain, it has a warm-temperate Mediterranean climate (Csa). Therefore has mild and relatively rainy winters, with hot and sunny summers.

The average temperature in January is 9°C, while in August it’s 25°C. Due to these hot summers along with the disfunctional layout determined entirely by the Department d’Ensenyament (schools authority) the classrooms on the south and west sides of the building would be subject to excessive solar heating.

It is clear from the diagrams that in mid summer many of the rooms are extremely underlit, mainly the classrooms which need the most optimum lighting. This is due to the high sun angle (72.1°) along with the small perforations which do not allow any direct sunlight into the rooms.

However, the diagrams could be deceiving as light would be bounced up into the room (shown in visual comfort diagram) to the ceiling of the classrooms onto the ribs used along the ceilings perpendicular to the glazing shown below to allow further penetration of light.

Ventilation

Foundations (strip and raft) are framed with wood and filled with reinforced concrete. One of the rafts is used as a service block for the electrical and water systems.

Structural columns cast insitu

Concrete set back plinth constructed

This provides extra structural stability to cope with the 1.4m slope on site.

Floor, roof and access stairs constructed Scaffolding used for extra support when laying the reinforced concrete floor and the reinforced concrete waffle slab roof.

The perforated facade along with user operable openings allows air to flow through into the building, however this flow is interrupted by the internal walls. This building would be able to be cross ventilated by the southern and western prevailing wind optimising user comfort the utilisation of passive means to reduce the reliance of mechanical systems, in turn reducing the running cost of the building. However the disfunctional layout means there are internal walls that prohibit cross ventilation, leading to the addition of a mechanical HVAC system.

Electricity Ventilation system Water

Air flow creating low pressure areas also aids natural ventilation. As the South prevailing wind travels over the void the hot air is drawn out creating a cooler low air pressure area (highlighted purple below) which then draws the hot air from inside the building into the cooler outdoor area to then be carried away by the prevailing wind. This will aid thermal comfort especially in the hot summer months.

Solar Control systems

The facade system regulates solar gain to ensure greater thermal comfort especially in the hotter summer months. The energy from solar gain dissipates into the inside of the perforations heating up the facade and keeping the inside of the building cool in summer months.

Thermal v Visual Comfort

There is a trade off between thermal and visual comfort as by reducing the solar gain in this manner (see solar control systems above) the visual comfort is affected dramatically, leaving very underlit areas such as the classrooms.

However the perforated facade will reflect some sunlight towards the ceiling from the inside the perforations(see below), to then be bounced further into the room via the ribs positioned on the ceiling, therefore improving the visual comfort of the underlit classrooms. The addition of artificial lighting is a necessity in the summer months, this down-lighting allows for user controlled visual comfort but will increase the running cost of the building.

The visual comfort is aided in the winter months by the low sun angle (25.2°) allowing more direct light through the perforated facade lighting up more of the internal space, therefore the building would require less internal lighting.

June 21st 1300

December 21st 1300

Exterior walls and building core added

Also waterproofing layers added to roof and walls.

Brise Soleil facade constructed

Rebars added to hollow blocks before being filled for structural stability.

Interior walls added Insulation added

Servicing and windows added

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Building Case Study Assignment

Balustrade wall/ ground floor construction

Santa-Jordi School Extension | Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain The aim of GATPA Architects was to create a ‘solar building’; Finding strategies to mitigate the effects of a disfunctional plan through a design virtue out of material constraints brought about by financial limitations. Due to the disfunctional layout a low cost orientation differentiated facade was utilised to create a passive solar shading system, mitigating the effects of excessive solar gain and glare, especially in the South facing classrooms.

400/400/150mm concrete hollow block wall filled with concrete, waterproof jointed Rebar reinforcement

Lighting Detail

80mm mineral wool thermal insulation

The perforated brise soleil is a low cost strategy that effectively provides solar shading in the classrooms, diffusing the direct sunlight aiding user visual comfort, providing a better area for children to learn. The facade system also regulates solar gain to ensure greater thermal comfort especially in the hotter summer months.

15mm gypsum plasterboard

50mm bed of gravel

Layer of battens

Geo-textile waterproofing layer

10mm oriented strand board with fire resisting coating

60mm XPS thermal insulation

35mm terrazzo flooring

2 layer bituminous sealW

10mm XPS impact sound insulation

50mm lightweight concrete Ventilation Detail The brise soleil along with user operable openings mainly on the south and west faces (where the wind blows most frequently) allows air to flow through into the rooms, partially naturally ventilating them.

320mm reinforced concrete

70/320mm reinforced concrete cassette roof 400/400/200mm concrete hollow block parapet wall filled with concrete and reinforced with rebars 50mm XPS edge insulation strip 50mm cork flanking insulation

Drainage Detail The flat roof partially uses an exterior drainage system of rainwater where the roof is angled to a roof outlet drain.

From here a pipe carries the water through the roof, along the outside of the external walls to the ground. Located inside the west facade it is hidden from the external aesthetic.

On the perforated facade the water is drained through small pipes near the roof which allow water to flow through and drop to the floor.

Louvred windows

1 Strip foundations are excavated and laid along with the columns and plinth (to cope with the sites 1.4m rise, providing structural stability).

2 Floor slab and blocks of external wall added.

3 Roof slab added.

4 Brise soleil added providing secondary structural support.

5 Floor and balustrade wall (assembly sequence below) finishes added

6 Window fittings and glazing added.

Double glazing

SUCCESSES

Aluminum frames

1 The orientation differentiated facade is a successful system using cheap, locally sourced hollow concrete blocks to keep material costs low reducing overall construction costs whilst ensuring ‘surprising’ diversity, exemplifying successful aesthetics. It is also successful at absorbing solar gain to regulate heat during the summer months while providing solar shading to diffuse the direct sunlight to soften the light within the classroom.

400/400/200mm concrete hollow block brise soleil filled with concrete and reinforced with rebars

2 The use of chipboard internal walls is a success in both aesthetic appearance and utility. With the chipboard being predominantly soft wood it aids speech intelligibility and sound clarity whilst reducing the sound level to provide a engaging leaning environment for children. This mitigates the echo effect of a predominantly concrete building.

3 This extension was built with the future use of a language school in mind. The use of non-load bearing chipboard internal walls makes the space very adaptable and successful as a way to ‘future proof’ the building, allowing the next use to completely rearrange the layout, relatively cheaply and easily. The roof is clear, with no photo-voltaic panels or services, along with excessive structural support allows for the potential of adding a second floor to expand the language school.

FAILURES 1 The layout determined by the Department d’Ensenyament was extremely disfunctional in relation to the schools orientation on site. The most used spaces for learning (classrooms) are situated in the South which has the most solar gain causing great visual and thermal uncomfort, especially in the hot summers the region is subject to. This building would have benefited from a reverse layout to that which was decided, with the classrooms in the north allowing for softer lighting without the brise soleil system.

2 The building is lacking renewable energy sources, although there is currently no photo-voltaic panels (possibly due to the extension potential) the building would benefit from there addition.

3 There has been excessive use of mechanised systems due to a poor incorporation of passive systems which adhered to the constraint of a low cost build but also increasing the running cost of the building. Rethinking of the internal walls could allow for the building to be more naturally ventilated, reducing its reliance on mechanical HVAC systems to cool the space, in turn reducing the running cost.

4 Cold bridging would occur especially on the west facade as there is an insulation gap at the wall to floor connection allowing energy to be lost. This could have been to reduce construction costs, however would negatively impact the running cost in the winter months as the buildings heat retention would be poor. However, in the summer months this could aid space cooling as energy escapes. This could be easily altered to have no gaps in the insulation, vastly improving the buildings heat retention capability therefore reducing the running cost as less energy will be necessary for space heating.

50mm bed of mortar 400/200/50mm precast lightweight concrete threshold with 3% falls

5.1 400/400/150mm concrete hollow block wall filled with concrete, waterproof jointed reinforced by rebars

5.2 80mm mineral wool thermal insulation pinned to 15mm of gypsum plasterboard

5.3 Layer of battens

5.4 10mm oriented strand board with fire resisting coating

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