Materiality.

Sustainabilty and connections to surroundings

For the units, painted cedar cladding has been used. The paint acts as a protective coat and to make the units vibrant and stand out. Colour is associated with creativity and also reflects the colour used by the Urban Splash redevelopments. Timber is also a good material because of it’s low embodied carbon, making it a more sustainable option.

The walls of the steel structure are clad in polycarbonate. PC is a sustainable material as it is produced from recycled materials, and it’s lightweight eases portability and construction. The translucent panels will let in light into the internal greenhouse space and into the back of the units while also creating some privacy as they won’t be completely transparent.

The modular units are supported by a recylced steel frame painted with red iron. This provides incredible strength and durability, making it ideal for longevity. This metal is also rust, fire and termite resistant. The red frame links back to the red steel used in the stairs next to the site, linking the building to the surroundings. The I beams maximise strength and minimise material use, making it the best shape.

The ground floor and basement is made up of a concrete core and structure. This creates a strong foundation and base for the steel frame and also means a green internal roof can be installed on the first floor. The concrete pile foundations are made out of recycled concrete aggregate, maximising sustainability.

The windows used will be double-glazed in the Ground Floor to lower the U-value and reduce energy and heat loss. The frames are made of a soft timber that is coloured red to match the steel frame to create continuity in the design that is coherent in colour but varies and contrasts in texture.

Environmental Section. Sustainable design

VENTILATION

Passive cross-ventilation as windows on either side of units

LIGHT

Units facing North-West so get indirect light on main spaces to avoid glare and overheating

HEATING

Timber units and concrete base absorb heat in day and release at night so act as thermal mass

RAIN

Collected and treated for internal facilities and to water green spaces

PREFAB CONCRETE

Less waste and low embodied carbon. Slabs constructed off site to speed up building process. Loadbearing to