The larger area

Very close to the site the site there are a few food places where people usually go if they want food. Many people go here every day as it is quite open and easy to access from main roads. It’s a very popular location for secondary students before and after school.

Large schools close by – this means access to the library is very easy for students. The school may try to promote the library.

This is one of the largest country parks in the area. It is very beneficial for the community as they are given this open space for many activities. Lake in the centre is a large attraction for local people.

Houses in Rainham Village:

The roof is shaped differently to the generic roof design. It is made from an irregular triangle design.

This roof is made from asphalt shingles as this type of material is effective in all environmental conditions, making it a very good choice of material for roofs.

Local houses:

Following the road along, there are a row of identical houses. In terms of colour, the houses are generic brown and cream colour, however the design stands out as it is a H-shape from a bird's eye view which is very different to the generic house shape being a rectangle/square.

Each whole building is separated into two houses. They are created together, however separated by walls.

The bottom half is very geometric (cubic). This design is made from multiple cubes which join to create one building.

The roof is symmetrically joined to the bottom half. All dimensions fit the same.

The different layers of the building design:

Dagenham Heathway Library:

About 2.5 miles away from the location is a large library in the centre of Dagenham Heathway. This is a large library which is connected to an apartment block. The actual library is black colours and is half in, half out of the apartment.

I've decided to use this library as its important for me to take inspiration from other locations. This library also follows the same themes (modernism and geometric) as the library that I am creating.

Dimensions:

The design of the pillars holding up the main section is simple yet effective. They are placed in a pattern while connecting to the roof and the floor unsymmetrically.

Developing these pillars has made me realise how I can use these as an aesthetic part of my design serving a small purpose rather than it being the main attraction.

The factor of ‘flow’ is kept throughout

Flow

Outlining and separating each section I can see how the model is created and how separating it can create multiple layers.

Here are 2 simple tensile structures based on mountains/hills and how they follow an upward, wavey pattern. The white structure follows the tall uphill concept where it gets progressively taller as it goes on. However, I have created the green structure to replicate a whole mountain/hill where there is a peak height in the middle.

Follows an upward trajectory

Using the models, I have made, it had led me to create an initial design for how my library may look like. The structures are very geometric with the use of the large square walls in different sizes joined together to make an outer design. From the models I created, I decided to follow the white one where it increases in size like a hill. I believe that this is the best approach to create the design I'm envisioning. Moreover, the other model will still be used for inspiration.

Diagonal shaped like a triangle

City Lounge of Zhongshan Road, Jiaxing

The City Lounge is located on Zhongshan Road, the core area of the old city of Jiaxing. The site is sandwiched among buildings of different ages and is a typical urban debris space. The project is part of the old town remodelling plan of Jiaxing and is different from the large-scale overall renewal. This can be a good reference to look at for overall structure, materials and design.

The design of the stairs can be developed into its separate design in which I can use for future designs.

This building design keeps to the triangular geometric design throughout, mainly noticeable in the overall shape. Therefore, I have developed this into a blockier design as well as keeping the triangular look.

By applying these aspects into my own design, I am implementing different aspects of the geometric throughout the building; both exterior and interior. Given that, a design like this may attract many people as it will give them a good first impression. This also allows the people visiting to attain the full experience whether they are walking past the library or entering.

I can take inspiration of the staircase to design my own.

Using sketch up I have created multiple models of different parts of the building. I have done this to help me see how the building were created so I can enable different ideas for my own creation of a building.

These are the large, wide staircase that is in the building. They are wooden and follow through to the second floor. I have created it in sketch up to get a better understanding for how it was made and the purpose for the shape.

With the image above, I have decided to copy the building into sketch up and edit it. I have reversed angled the way each half slopes. Also, by elevating half of one of the sides, it has created sort of a new building altogether however, still following the same type of layout.

Using the internet, I have managed to find a building which follows a similar type of design that I am trying to create. It is an angled geometric building which is wooden all around with large panels of glass on either side, giving full view of the inside. Dull colours (black, grey and brown) are used which contrasts the white snowy area that the building is built upon.

Basic developments from the framework:

To develop this building further I have taken the framing which supports the structure and have separated each panel from the wall. This way I can really see how they are aligned. From using the way they are aligned I have added a top section to two of the panels while then adding a complete roof over the whole of the structure. Lastly side walls are added to close up the open sections of the building. This in take creates a final structure to which can help me design my final model.

The wall oof the researched building has been flipped on the floor and converted into 4 rational building volumes.

The volumes are then rotated to adapt a design shape and the surroundings. The volumes are shaped to create clear connections.

The volumes have then been hollowed out to create atriums. A separated grass area is added to the exterior.

The hollowed-out volumes have been clearly outlined to demonstrate the individual identity of the buildings.

The exterior walkways have been clearly shown by the shaded areas. This displays the movability around the design.

Different zones within the building can be seen through the separation of the walls. Creates a multipurpose area.

Within my final design this shape can be used to help create an aesthetic exterior which can attract many people. There are three main parts which make up this structure. They are placed around each other, and the further ones are larger.

This spiral design can help give me inspiration on the aesthetic side of the final design. With these seatings being very odd looking in comparison to other seats, it will attract people towards it. This is what is needed for my café and library design.

These are the first set of models which I have created by cutting strips of white card and placing them in a way which will best suit my design. Basing it on geometric forms, I have folded each card to make sharp corners, mimicking how the library may look.

These are some quick drawing that I drew primarily for a starting design I have decided to use limited materials (strips of card) as it is only a very rough start to a design.

Developed models:

The designs consists of paper folding

Small developments are made with each

With these models I have kept one part of it the same while changing the other half is some way, however keeping to the geometric form and purpose. This allows me to be creative with the designs, giving me inspirations/ideas for the future final model. Doing it in this way also helps me decide how the interior will work, in terms of where the tables, chairs etc are going to be arranged and how they are going to fit, by still allowing space for moving around and getting through without interrupting/bumping into each other.