Merthyr Synagogue ByWhitney Leigh Harris
Whitney Leigh Harris Student ID: 16015223 Email: hwhitney65@yahoo.co.uk Online portfolio: https://hwhitney65.wixsite.com/mysite Address: Pendarren House Heol-Y-Graig Rhigos CF44 9YY
History
Site Analysis:
Main problems in Merthyr- Drug / alcohol abuse, Unemployment and Crime
Key Merthyr Synagogue Train Station Housing Estate Large Superstore Town Centre
Building Location & History
The proposed building for this Project is Merthyr Synagogue, which is situated in Merthyrs Town Centre. The Town of Merthyr Tydfil was originaly known for its successful Iron, Steel and Coal industries. Merthyr, during the 19th century, was also known to have one of the Largest Hebrew communities throughout the whole of Wales. There were roughly around 400 Jews living in Merthyr at the time. Due to the large Hebrew congregation Merthyr Synagogue was built between the years of 1872-1875. Originally it could seat up to 200 people at a time and 60 children in the classroom which was on the ground floor. The Building is now a Grade two listed building and has been a Christian centre and gym since the year of 1983. In 2009 the building was abandoned and has been deterioating badly over the last few years.
Building Location & History
The photos above show the building through different periods of time. This shows us how the building and it’s surrounding area has chnaged over time. Looking at the images next to eachother the biggest changes are; there is an icrease in greenery surrounding the building and the old windows have now been replaced with white PVC windows .
The photos above show how the interior would have previously looked within the synagogue. After examining these photos I can clearly see that there has been a lot of dark stained wood that has been used for most of the fixtures throughout the space. Most of thesse fixtures have now been lost over the last few years an example of this is the mezzanine which has now been filled in and also most of the stained glass windows have been smashed.
The plans also show some of the original features and how it would have been previously set out when it was in use as a synagogue. In the plans you can see where the original mezzanine would have been, which is something that I wanted to re-introduce into the building. I also wanted to take inspiration from the original layout and see if I could use this in my design. My design was intended to respect the heritage of the building while giving it a new pupose for the community.
Building Location & History
These are the original plans for Merthyr Synagogue. I had to access them from the archives in Aberystwyth. The plans were produced by Duncan Lawrence, Chris Loyn and Paul Hutchinson in the year of 1969. From Studying the plans it was clear to see that there was only one main access for the whole of the building, which is located on the ground floor and only accesible by steps concluding its not suited for people with disablities, so this is something that I took into consideration for my design.
Precedent studies
Precedent 1:- Redbridge Welcome Centre Peter Barber Architects designed this centre for drug and alcahol rehabilitation. It is based in Ilford, North East London. The centre provides drop in seesions and also houses the homeless. All of the rooms in the building have a view of the garden at the back of the premises, this brings the outside into the space, giving it a light and airy feeling.
Precedent 2:- Community Hub Cambodia The company Bloom refurbished a garmet factory in Cambodia. The hub has cultural event spaces, a cafe and offices where the people of the city can come and interact and enjoy. The aim was to keep the look and feel of the shed, but to create more open spaces. The result is a large open floor plan which are flexible for any event or meetings.
The Concept After looking at the main problems in Merthyr which are unemployment, drug /alcohol use and crime the aim for this scheme is to create a place where people can have the oppurtunity to regain personal accomplishment. This building will accomidate these people by rehabilitating them and bringing people with the same issues together to develop and learn new skills. The heritage of the building will also be upheld throughout the design. This will be acheived by using original materials, keeping key features and taking inspiration from original patterns throughout the building.
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Fun
Haven
Together
This is a simple exercise that defines a concepts core values from a very early stage, and will form the basis for all design direction throughout the project. These core values can be used as a constant reference point throughout the design process. My main aim is to create a Haven for people, where they can feel safe while still having fun and express themselves. They will also have the oppurtunity to learn and develop new skills.
Concept
Community
Key Moves
I will be introducing a new side entrance which will lead you to the first floor or to the lift for people with disabilities. This is being introduced so the counselling floor will have more privacy.
I will be re-introducing the original balcony on the second floor which overlooks the first floor, this will help to show some of the original heritage of the building.
The counselling floor will have moveable screens so the workers can split the area up for one to one sessions. The space will also be able to be used for AA meetings and other group sessions.
I will keep or reintroduce most of the original features from the building as I want the heritage of the building to come through in my design. Another way I will show this is by using certain shapes from around the building which will influence design features e.g. tiles.
Pattern Concept:- I will be taking inspiration from the shapes that can be found within the synagogue. The shape that is used most frequently is called a Quatrefoil, it is relevant on the exterior and interior of the building . It is featured in the windows, stone work and some of the originlal wood fixtures.
Sage green tile:- Skills level
Orange tile:- Activity and cafe level
Light grey tile:- Counselling level
Pattern Concept
Patterend Tiles:- My plan is to use a different tile for each level to show the seperation of each floor and indicates that there is a different activity on each flooor of the Synagogue.
New Access
My aim for this project is to create a new side access which will lead to both the first and second floors.This access will provide the counselling floor with some privacy as you will not have other users walk into this floor unless they are intending to attend counselling sessions. The new access will either lead them to the first floor by using the steps or the lift which is located in the basement of the synagogue. There will also be tiered gardens leading on from the new side access. This will create a space where people can relax and have some time to thereselves.
These diagrams show you a variety of options to how I wanted the shape of the new access to look. I wanted it to look apart of the building and not darw any attention from the actual building itself.
This is a collage which gives you an inisght of how the new access will look next to the building. I feel like the best material to use for the access would be to create a living wall as it would blend in with the surrounding greennery and not detract from the Synagogue.
New Access
Main Access Points This diagram shows you where the new main access points will be, as previously mentioned before there was originally only one main entrnace to the building and that was located on the ground floor. By adding this new entrance there is now 4 places to access the building including the original main entrance aswell.
Original Balcony Plan
Mezzanine
Original Balcony Photo
I wanted to re-introduce the original mezzanine in order to respect the builidngs heritage. Re-introducing the mezzanine will make the space feel more light and airy and not so confined and dark. It will also make the space feel larger and create a communal atmosphere, which is a main objective of mine. In order to bring back the mezzanine the new floor and beams will have to be removed. This is demostrated in the diagram above. I have also postioned the mezzanine in a diffrent position compared to the original position. It is also smaller in size so there is more space and better circulation.
New balcony Plan
On the Ground floor the features that I will be restoring to it’s original state is the windows, the Mikvah and also re pointing the brick work at the front of the building.
The features That I will be restoring on the first floor are the stairs that lead to the second floor, the windows and I will be re-introducing some of the pues that would have originally been used in the Synagogue.
On the second floor I will be looking to retore the original stained glass windows, reintroduce the mezzanine and I will be adding a recessed strip light to show the outline of the original mezzanine to reflect the buildings heriatge.
Original features
The features That I wil be keeping/ restoring in the basment is the original red and black quarry tiles, as they are still in a good condition.
Council Room Options
Precedent study- Substrate Factory Ayase / Aki Hamada Architects. Here is a precedent image that I have took inspiration from and to use in my design. This structure was planned as a workshop, it was then changed to be used as a showroom and a multi-purpose space for local community, and therefore versatility and openness were required. Furthermore, since future reconstruction of the currently used factory building was under consideration, we tried to design an extension allowing for multiple uses, while providing adjustable spaces and programs in accordance with the active involvement of users.
The diagrams below demonstrate how the counselling space can be adjusted and split up into smaller spaces. I wanted the space to be flexible so there could be an option of either holding group meetings or one to one sessions with profesionals. I have only shown four different options here but there could be endless possibilities. The adjustable screens would be a vareity of materials. The thicker screens as you can see from these plans would be made by a company called Baux acoustics, they use a material which is environmetally friendly and is great for absorbing sound. The other screens would be made from steel, in shape of a quatrefoil and frosted glass to give users the privacy they need.
Basment- Lift and Disabled WC
First Floor- Activity and Cafe Area
Ground Floor- Counselling
Second Floor- Skill Zone
Rough Occupancy Plan
This Diagram shows what the proposed plans are for each level of the Synagogue .
Basement
Ground Floor
First Floor
Second Floor
White Renders
These are some white renders that I made using 3DSMAX. These visulas give you an insight into how the final design will look. I have placed different textiles and materials on some of the key features within the design. In the basement I am planning to use the original black and red quarry tiles, in order to respect the heritage of the building. The next floor is the ground floort where the key feature is the adjustable screens. I have placed the materials and textures that I will be using for these screens. This will give you an idea of how the materials will look within the space. The first floors key feature is the mezzanine. This I something that I wanted to re-introduce in order to respect the buildings heritage. This is one of the main key features in the entire building. On the second floor once again the balcony is the key feature and also the stained galss windows. I will replace the windows as over time the windows have been smashed so I think in order to keeping the history of the building, the windows will be restored to look like their original patterns.
This is the mood board for the ground floor. As you can see I have shown what materials and fixtures that I will be using on this floor. I have also added photos to show what features That I will be restoring .
This is the mood board for the First floor. This once again shows the different types of furnishings and materials to be used on this floor. The first floor has a large living wall, bringing the outside in to the inside of the space this also links to the new access
The mood board for the second floor. I have shown what materials that i’ll be using and also furnishings. I’ve also shown some original pictures of the lights and the mezzanine which are both key features on this floor.
Rough Occupancy Plan
This is the mood board for the basement floor. I plan to use the original black and red quarry tiles. I plan to make this room have a moody atmosphere and have neon light in the shape of the buildings logo. There will also be a living wall aswell.
Floor Plans
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Basement 1:100
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Ground floor 1:100
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First sloor 1:100
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Second Floor 1:100
Section
Section A Drawn not to scale
Here is a section of the synagogue. This gives you an insight of what occupies each floor in the building.
The images below show a draft model of the synagogue. I made this model to get a sense of size and how I would want my final model to look like. I printed this model at a scale of 1:100 and displayed the whole of the building with the floor plans showing where eeverything would be placed within the building. After making this model I had more of an idea how the final model would look like. I gathered from making this model that I did not want to make the whole of the building but instead take a section from the centre of the building. I was really happy with the overall outcome especially the external living wall.
Draft Model
Drawn not to scale
Havwoods End Grain Nature 180MM Engineered Oak Wood Flooring Code:HW2604
Karndean Flooring Looselay Weathered Timber Wood Plank 1050MM X 250MM Code:LLP103
CAD Floor Finishes
English Salvage Black & Red Quarry Tiles 152 X152 MM Code: 18056
Walls & Floors Ledbury Slate Grey Pattern Tiles 450 X 450 MM Code:37444
Walls & Floors Ledbury Orange Pattern Tiles 450 X 450 MM Code:37443
Walls & Floors Ledbury Green Pattern Tiles 450 X 450 MM Code:37442
This CAD sheet shows what and where each floor finishing will be placed and in the key on the side tells you the manufacturer and size of that finish.
Drawn not to scale
Paint- The Habitus collection Grey Kabe Texture To Be Applied
Paint- Farrow & Ball No.57 Off Black-Paint To Be Applied
Paint- Farrow & Ball No.201 Shaded White To Be Applied
Reeded Glass Panes
Crittal Glazing
Cork Notice Board
Cork Notice Board
Baux Acoustics
English Salvage Black & Red Quarry Tiles 152 X152 MM Code: 18056
This CAD sheet shows what and where each wall finish will be placed the key also indicates the manufacturer of these finishes. As you can see on the CAD plan the coloured lines distinguish the difference in floor finishes.
CAD Wall Finishes
Timber Slat Ceiling 15MM Gap Between Each Slat
CAD Lighting & ceiling Finishes
Drawn not to scale
Norman Copenhagen Bell Lamp Size: Medium Colour: Grey
Recessed Spot Tilting Code: 89194 Colour: Black
Modern Track Light Phase 1 3 spotlights Jeana Colour: black
Line Pro Trimless Recessed System By Aqulus Code: 1314808
Bae Desk Light Orangebox Colour: White
N/A
Bespoke Chandelier Fluorescent tube Light Worn iron chains
E27 Pendant Lamp Mutto Colour: Olive
Continuous Rod Minimal Recessed 1M By Simes Code: 1540238 Colour: Black
All ceilings to be shaded white Farrow & Ball
Trusses to be restored to original timber and Lacquered
Acoustic panels to be Baux Acoustics
Reclaimed Timber slat Ceiling
This CAD sheet shows what light fixtures that I will be using throughout the space and where they will be placed. This sheet also tells you about the ceiling finishings that I will be using aswell.
Drawn not to scale
2600.0000
2423.7005
1984.2317
200.0000
A D
DO1
B
C
77.6165
1115.2210
220.0000
1570.4255 565.7265
649.2083
598.1652
1721.9038
313.4058
2195.9952
This CAD sheet shows a sanitary drawing for the disabled toilets which are found in the basment of the synagogue.
Sanitery CAD Drawing
646.0408
MezzanineDetail Drawing
Drawn not to scale
3075.2642
Detail B
394.0755 Reclaimed Timber Hand Rail
Reclaimed Timber Floor 1050MMX250MM
Insulation
Screed
Underlay
Detail A
Reclaimed Timber Slat Ceiling 1050MMX250MM Aluminum Angle
4506.0000
1520.0000 Coloured Stained Glass
3045.0000
992.9744 Acoustic Panels
Worn Iron Columns Shape Referring back to original Columns
Iron Shaped Pattern
Recessed Strip Lights
This CAD sheet shows you a detailed drawing of the new Mezzanine that I will be re-introducing in to the building. This shows you the different types of materails that will be used to form this feature.
Storage/seating/ bar unit
Counselling adjustable screens
One to one pods
Bespoke seater and planter This bespoke seating is based on the second floor. It offers soft seating for those users attending upskilling sessions.
These One to one pods are based on the second floor. These pods are for people who want more private upskilling sessions.
Bespoke Furnishings
This multi functional unit will be based on the first floor and will be used by a vareity of different users.
These adjustable screens will be based on the ground floor and used during counselling sessions.
Visual one
The Ground Floor will be formed of moveable/ adjustable screens, which will be used for the counselling sessions. Having these screens will give the opputunity to either use the whole space or split it up into different sections, depending on what type of session is in place that day.
Visual Two
The first floor will feature a small cafe area and two seperate activity zones, one for physical activity such as yoga, the other zone is used for art and crafts. These activities will benefit those who are attending the counselling sessions and in return help them with their rehabilitation.
Visual Three
The second floor will be used for those who want to learn new skills essentail to applying for jobs such as writing a cv, computer skills and mock interview sessions. This will help those find new oppurtunities and give people hope. The floor features four one to one pods, a Laptop bank and open seating area for more casual sessions. This floor also features a balcony where you can look below onto the cafe area.
Visual Four
The new side access will be accessible from the ground floor. It will lead up to the first floor where you will find the cafe and activity area. while making your way up to the first floor there are three openings which lead you to three seperated tiered gardens. This will give you an oppurtunity to gather your thoughts and time to enjoy the outside and the beautiful views of the valley.
Axonometric This axonometric gives you an overview what each floor will consit of and gives you a more in depth look into the interior.
Final Model
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