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- Permeable Grids - Civic Fabrication
Contents
Preliminary Investigations
Exploring ‘tectonics’
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Make & Create - Developing tectonic ideas
Investigating the city
Urban Fabrication
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Between loss and hope - The story of Dalmarnock Clyde Gateway and Sheppard Robson’s vision Fabricating an Urban Story: questions and possibilities of an imagined future
Architectonics
Civic Fabrication
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Healthy Living Centre
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- Permeable Grids - Civic Fabrication
Preliminary Investigations
Exploring ‘tectonics’ Make & Create - developing tectonic ideas The first part of this project investigates tectonics. Through the analysis of a piece of artwork or photograph it aims to develop tectonic themes, build concepts about ‘the way things fit together’, and explore the possibilities of tectonic expression. The piece chosen is a photograph by Yann Arthus Bertrand, ‘Cotton Fabrics Drying in the Sun’. From afar there is a sense of structure, geometry, repeated pattern and a rectilinear grid underlying the layout of the carpets. However upon looking more closely at one section it becomes apparent that there is much more complexity, that the carpets overlap, distort from the grid layout, and are non-geometric, forming a more organic and disordered grid.
Change in angular direction Abstraction of 2D rhythm into 3D plane Layering of repetitive elements Distortion of geometry and rhythm
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This section of the photograph was analysed and then modelled using card and wire, emphasising the depth of the overlaps but maintaining the relationships found in the photograph. The model shows displays the the rectilinear grid that is so apparent in the photograph, while overlaying the true more complex forms of the carpets. There is a dialectic created between the rectilinear and distorted grids. Light studies were carried out on the model, shining light at varying angles to investigate the transulencies of the panels and the shadows cast onto them by the metal frame. 6
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Rectilinear
Distorted
Translucent
Opaque
5 Degrees
30 Degrees
55 Degrees
80 Degrees
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A Permeated Grid Above: an overlay of the grid and the distortion created by light on the frame. The relationship between the grid and the distortion creates conditions of geometric permeability, whereby lines shortcut the space and bypass the established structure.
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Shad
Grid
The p The g
rid (m
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and s
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anels
)
Exploded axonometric
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ows
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Investigating the City
Urban Fabrication Between Loss and Hope - the Story of Dalmarnock Dalmarnock, Glasgow is the context for this project. A place of desperation and loss on one hand, and a site of great hope and reinvigoration on the other, Dalmarnock is being pulled by conflicting identities as it changes in the 21st Century. With buildings being torn down and vast areas of land desolated, the area is devoid of any civic or architectural identity. However with Dalmarnock the site for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, there has been renewed interest in this deprived edge of Glasgow after decades of decline. New projects by developer Clyde Gateway have brought a new sense of aspiration and hope to the people of the area, and a glimpse of what might become a more prosperous future. Though with numerous similar projects in the past having failed, the outcome of Clyde Gateway’s post-Commonwealth Games developments are uncertain. What is to happen to Dalmarnock once the Commonwealth Games are over? Will return to its state as a deprived no-man’s-land? Or will the interest and activity of the Games linger to build a new affluent centre, a civic hub of south Glasgow? And what for the community in need, those people of Dalmarnock in great need of improved health and invigorated livelihoods?
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A tale of two Dalmarnocks, deprivation and reinvigoration.
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Clyde Gateway and Sheppard Robson’s vision
Clyde Gateway is the developer behind the current reinvigoration efforts being put into Dalmarnock for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. An urban regeneration company, they aim to bring employment and investment into the area, and around the rest of the 840 acres they own in East Glasgow.
Sheppard Robson are the urban planners for the Dalmarnock development, and have provided the masterplans and ideas for the new post-2014 Dalmarnock, as seen on the right.
Bridgeton Cross ‘Olympia’ Community facilty, offices, library, cafe Cunigar Loop forest recreational development
Chris Hoy Velodrome Elite fitness and sports facilities
Shawfield Business Park
Residential developments Athlete’s Village Residential development for the Commonwealth Games. Affordable housing post-Games for local residents.
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0
200m
400m
600m
800m
1km
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1.2km
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Fabricating an Urban Story
Questions and Possibilities of an Imagined Future Despite worries that the Commonwealth Legacy might taper off and send Dalmarnock back to the gloom of its past, could the story of Dalmarnock after the Games not be one of lasting success and prosperity? With a new business park, affordable rental, links to Glasgow (and the rest of the UK via train and the M74), as well as the prestige of the Commonwealth Games, post-2014 Dalmarnock could see a huge interest from businesses to settle in the area. Wth such extensive sports facilities at the Chris Hoy Velodrome, the area could also become a new top destination for cyclists and other sports enthusiasts, drawing huge numbers of visitors to Dalmarnock to use these facilities. Furthermore,with the increased interest and public knowledge of Dalmarnock that the Games will bring, there could be a great influx of new residents, increasing population density and seeing people move from central Glasgow or the outskirts to live in a new up-and-coming neighbourhood. I believe a future such as this is possible for Dalmarnock. In this section of the project I use some of the ideas from Sheppard Robson’s masterplan to craft my own, building upon this story of success, density and prosperity that sees Dalmarnock becoming a new high-density urban centre.
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The ‘Urbanising’ of Dalmarnock
An increased population density and business activity in Dalmarnock turns what was a low-density fringe of Glasgow into an extension of Glasgow City Centre. Building heights increase to 6 or 7 storeys to accommodate the increased number of Dalmarnock residents and office demand.
An Extension of Glasgow Centre
The streets of Glasgow Centre were designed on a grid-iron pattern, a layout which has many benefits in a dense urban centre, such as orientation and wayfinding.
Glasgow Centre Dalmarnock
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Existing buildings retained
1:10,000
The Dalmarnock Grid A hierarchical street grid is designed for the higher-density urbanised Dalmarnock, making it truly an extension of Glasgow’s City Centre street pattern. The streets of the grid vary in width and degree of pedestrianisation. Permeable Grids - Civic Fabrication
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Street Hierarchies
Street Type 1 - Bridgeton Boulevard
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Street Type 2
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Street Type 3
Street Type 4
Street Type 5
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Permeating the urban grid - a recreational network of connectivity Encouraging exercise and better health through provision of natural cycle paths.
Bridgeton Cross
Chris Hoy Velodrome
Cunigar Loop Dalmarnock Cross
Cotton Mill Square
Shawfield Business Park 2014
Cycle network increasingly extensive over time, expanding through Dalmarnock.
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2016
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South of Dalmarnock Cross The area highlighted below becomes the new hub of Dalmarnock, joining residential, commercial and retail areas together through public, civic space.
Dalmarnock Cross
1:10,000
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1:5000
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Urban Permeability
The civic square as the centre of connectivity. Railway links to central Glasgow and the rest of UK.
Retail centre Connected pathways: Dalmarnock station Gateways of movement: The permeable urban block Commercial, residential and retail precinct
Crossing boundaries: Linking two previously unconnected sides of the railway
Masterplan Section AA
0m
20m
40m
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Commercial, retail and residential precinct
River Clyde
Residential
A
A
Urban Axis
Healthy Living Centre Block
Public Square
Raised recreational pathway on disused railway
Railway
Public connecting square
Public space crossing the railway, joining the River Clyde to the far side of the Healthy Living Centre block.
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The Showpeople Dalmarnock is home to a great number of showpeople and their families, who have settled in the area south of Dalmarnock Cross throughout the last 30-40 years. It is estimated that a total of approximately 170 families live in South Dalmarnock, representing around 620 people. The showpeople’s settlement is on the urban axis by the railway. The masterplan creates a square across the railway perfect for the showpeople to set up their shows and funfair; at a pedestrian connection point where public moving through and between spaces of Dalmarnock will pass through the fair.
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Urban Axis
Showpeople’s caravans
Showpeople’s caravans
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Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) Dalmarnock (pictured above), is at a very low elevation in relation to the River Clyde, and on occasion when the banks break the river floods the streets. At such a low topography it is necessary to address issues of draining water in a sustainable way, that does not require huge and extensive piped drainage. The SUDS is a way of draining the excess water (both in floods and rain) naturally into the ground, creating a natural landscape while encouraging a natural ecosystem to develop. Seen on the left is an extensive SUDS network which runs through the residential area as a wetland, with trees, reeds, and retention ponds to encourage aquatic life. The SUDS culminate at the main square, where the natural landscaping blends into public space.
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Retention pond
Reed beds Wetland areas
Retention ponds
River Clyde Permeable Ground - the SUDS Permeable Grids - Civic Fabrication
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Architectonics
Civic Fabrication Healthy Living Centre Dalmarnock’s ‘healthy living’ problem The neighbourhood of Dalmarnock is known to be one of the most deprived areas in Scotland, where the average male life expectancy only reaches to around 58 years - 20 years younger than other parts of the country. Unhealthy lifestyles of largely staying indoors, taking the car and doing very little physical exercise (less than 20mins a week) contributes to the social and physical health problems in the area. There is a great need to encourage the local residents to adopt more active, healthy lifestyles if the health problems are to improve. It is for this reason that a healthy living centre was the brief for this project. A building programme to promote physical health and mental wellbeing, the programme includes; - A doctor’s surgery {a medical centre to accommodate the new influx of residents to the area} - A community fitness centre {a space for group exercise classes, encouraging more social engagement and so seeking to improve physical fitness and mental wellbeing} - A citizens’ advice beureau {a centre to offer free help to local residents with issues surrounding money, legal cases or otherwise}
The question is, how can this healthy living centre become a piece of civic architecture, and create a reinvigorated identity for the Dalmarnock of the future?
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Mixed Use 6 -storey Block The healthy living centre is situated within a much larger urban block of 6 storeys. With the doctor’s surgery and fitness centre occupying the bottom two floors at either side, a minority of space is taken up by the healthy living centre. The four floors above and five floors in the middle are occupied by offices and residential apartments, while the bottom floors in the middle are active shop fronts with small retail units. Why mixed use? The mixed use aspect means that many types of people use the space for different reasons and at different times of day, ensuring that a level of activity is maintained at all times. It also encourages the mixing of people and social engagement, which can ultimately alleviate social problems caused by isolation - an issue pertinent in the Dalmarnock of today. Why 6 storeys? The size of the block means it fits well into its context. The Dalmarnock of the future has become one of high density and urban-scale development in city blocks, and so it was most appropriate that the healthy living centre fitted within this high density urban fabric, part of a large block rather than a small detached form.
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Iterations
The structured grid. The block is laid out on a rectilinear grid, of 5x5m.
Offset voids Displaced sections of the grid create huge openings, ‘urban windows’ which allow movement through the building. Crossing the railway. Some displaced sections of the grid cut through the raised railway, inhabiting the space beneath and offering programme space on the other side of the square.
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Maquette Explorations Exploring the creation of voids through the building, first as tunnel forms then as overlapping planes.
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Public Square Doctor’s Surgery Fitness Centre Citizen’s Advice Beureau Cafe Shops Shops Startup businesses
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4 5
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2
Ground Floor 1:500 40 - Permeable Grids - Civic Fabrication
1 2 3 4 5 6
Doctor’s Surgery Fitness Centre Restaurant Office Space Office Space Raised Cycle Path
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3
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5
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First Floor 1:500 Permeable Grids - Civic Fabrication
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1 2 3 4 5
5 5 5 5
3 2
4 1
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Foyer/ reception/ waiting area Consultancy rooms Admin office Staff room WCs
1 2 3 4
Consultancy rooms Storage room WCs Void to foyer
1
3
2 4
Doctor’s Surgery First Floor 1:200
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3
2
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Fitness CentreGrids Ground Floor 1:200 44 - Permeable - Civic Fabrication
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1
Foyer/ reception Male changing room Female changing room Admin office/ staff room Cycle racks
1 2 3 4
Multi-purpose gym hall Weights Gym Storage room Void to foyer
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Fitness Centre First Floor 1:200
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1 2 3 4 5 6
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Cafe/Citizen’s Advice Beareau 1:200 46 - Permeable Grids - Civic Fabrication
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Citizens’ Advice Beureau foyer/ reception Offices WC Cafe Kitchen WC
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Doctor’s Surgery Concultancy Rooms
The raised ground floor allows for views out of the consultancy rooms while maintaining privacy from passers-by.
1.5m
Views from south facing rooms look out over the SUDS landscaping.
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B
B
Section BB 1:200
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C
C
Urban windows through the block
Section CC 1:200
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1
2
3 4
1
Concrete slabs
2
Steel frame
3
‘Wrapper’ facade steel frame
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Perforated concrete and glass facade panels
Structural Scheme
Exploded Axonometric 1:200 Permeable Grids - Civic Fabrication
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Permeability of Light - facade conditions The ‘wrapper’ facade has four different panel conditions, allowing varying permeability of light, and various levels of privacy.
A
1:50
B 1:50
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C
A
Perforated concrete panel - 200mm
B
Perforated concrete panel - 50mm
C
Fritted glass panel - 30mm
D
Empty frame opening
1:50
D 1:50
Steel clips to hang panels on rails
Steel rail
50mm thick perforated concrete panel
19mm Floorboards 50x50mm timber battens
Mineral wool
356mm deep steel beam
Compressed insulation pads 350mm Concrete floor slab 457mm deep steel beam Steel bracket (in addition to welding)
Panel condition B 1:20 detail Permeable Grids - Civic Fabrication
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Sectional facade model - light studies 54 - Permeable Grids - Civic Fabrication
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Internal view of central urban window
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The Development of a Tectonic Concept
Permeable Grids
Make & Create
Masterplan
Permeability of the Grid
Permeability of the Grid
- Geometry. A rectilinear grid overlaid by a distorted nongeometric grid cast by shadows on the planes.
- Geometry. A rectilinear urban grid from central Glasgow overlaid by a network of cycle paths, which cut through the geometry in a curvilinear fashion.
- Light. Grid panels filter light at varying levels, with changing translucencies with the changing light angles
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- Space. Boundaries within the urban grid are crossed by public space , allowing ease of movement through and between spaces in Dalmarnock . - Ground. The SUDS network introduces natural and sustainable drainage of water through the creation of permeable wetlands.
Healthy Living Centre Permeability of the Grid - Geometry. A rectilinear grid has off-set sections which cut through the order of the steel frame. - Space. The offset voids create huge urban windows which allow movement through the block from street to square and vice versa. - Light. Grid panels on the facade filter light into the spaces of the building, the four different types creating varying conditions of light permeability.
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