MArch Portfolio for Westminster University

ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO

LILY KERR

Application Number : W2005949

MArch Architecture Programme

University of Westminster

This portfolio presents a sample of work that has been most beneficial to my architectural journey. Containing a mixture of professional work as a Part 1 Architectural Assistant and work from my final undergraduate year.

1. NAPPER Architects (Professional Part 1 Placement)

2. Heaton Forest (Third Year Design Project and Architects for Health Design Competition Winner 2022)

3. Vertical Places and their Lack of Ecosystems (Dissertation)

Part 1 Work Placement

Liebherr approached Napper Architects to prepare proposals for the development of an existing mezzanine storage area, currently accessed via a steeply sloping 'ships ladder', with balcony landing onto which materials are currently craned / lifted via forklift. [Materials access directly associated with apprentice training will continue to use existing crane and landing access, with part of the landing / balcony access to remain operational.] General materials storage is to be relocated to racking at ground floor level, to create space for new teaching classroom and apprentice practical training bays, accessed via a compliant accommodation staircase.

Liebherr

Having mainly experienced working on renovation projects for Victorian and Georgian buildings, the tasks assigned to me on this project allowed me to experience designing with larger steel constructions.

During RIBA Stage 2, I initially converted the original handrawn existing plans into Autocad. This helped me to become more familiar with universal beams and their specification.

During the proposed work the project director and I considered details such as the wall build up and joints to efficiently include a permanent classroom for circa 10 to 15 people over by the external wall with the external fixed glazing that still adhered to fire regulations. A new stair well has been implemented. Currently accessed via a steep ships ladder to 7m above GF FFL, proposals were to include a new accommodation staircase.

From the proposed cad drawings I produced a Revit model to visually portray to the client the materiality and scale.

Proposed Section BB

Bishop Auckland Reconnaissance

Bishop Auckland is an ancient and historic market town, which has been the seat for country residence of the Prince Bishops and the official home of the Bishop of Durham since the 12th century. Bishop Auckland is the largest town in the south of County Durham and is located approximately 12 miles North West of Darlington and 12 miles South West of Durham. It is currently undergoing a major Reconnaissance, in part triggered by the development of Auckland Castle, and also as a direct result of key Local Authority led intervention schemes. Currently this includes the Conservation Area Grant Scheme and also the Heritage Action Zone.

Bishop Auckland - 25 Newgate

The building owner is working in partnership with the Bishop Auckland College who are developing a catering education facility at ground floor, with a fully operational commercial restaurant and small retail space. The upper floors providing provide further training support, job creation and business start up space.

Performing the site survey with the technician provided the opportunity to accumulate dimensions and necessary pictures to produce existing and proposed layouts. The proposed plans contain demolition notes for the removal of modern partioning and lay in grid ceilings. I worked closely with the client to produce different options of spatial layouts.

Working with the project director the project was submitted for planning approval. A Listed building application was also submitted as it is a grade II listed building.

Having experienced this stage of design helped me to get to grips with the planning portal and the time schedules each project may take due to planning processes.

The works are the restoration of the 'Rocket House' and upgrading of the existing building accommodation. The building was a former Rocket House which was used as part of the coastal life saving facilities. Rocket Houses became a vital part of seafaring rescues. A rocket with a line attached was fired from the shore to stranded sailors. The shipwrecked mariners would then be brought safely to shore in a breeches buoy life ring.

The client wishes to return the building back to its former glory develop the building for their own use, however they would like to retain the potential to use this as a holiday let in the future. The accommodation is to provide, entrance hall, toilet/shower room, open plan kitchen/dining/ living and an enclosed/semi enclosed mezzanine bedroom with bath en-suite.

Proposed Mezzanine Floor with Electrical Layout

Wall Junction and Eaves / Gutter Detail Sections

Proposed Staircase Renders

Department for Eductaion - Feasibility Studies

During my first months at Napper Architects I worked with the project director as the Department for Education (DFE) design advisor for three school feasibility delivery plans. I attended multiple team meetings with the DFE consultants and the academies. Below shows the drawings produced considering the level of information needed by the DFE. Each drawing needed to indicate what is existing and proposed and to clearly indicate external space in accordance with DFE guidelines.

Each project brought its own obstacles and constraints. The challenge was to figure out the most efficient and cost effective way to position the new general DFE school footprint.

Co-op Academy Leeds TA

Benton Park School TA

St Mary’s Gomersal TA

2

HEATON FOREST

Third Year Design Project and AFH BA Winner

'Heaton Forest' is an assisted-living dementia care facility for residents with low to midstage dementia. The scheme houses up to 16 residents with dementia who may experience major cognitive deficiencies and require additional assistance to complete daily activities. The Site lies within Freeman's Hospital in High Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne. It is surrounded by healthcare facilities and a multi storey car-park to the NW, in a dense residential area. The project's concepts stem from potential solutions to create improved well being for residents in a non-pharmacological approach. The design strives to create improved environments to current issues with assisted living institutions. The most evident solution in Heaton Forest is the action to blur the boundaries between interior and exterior environments.

In the physical world, the environment is built with positive and negative restrictions. These openings and blockages such as walls, pathways and windows moderate our behaviour. Traditionally in the healthcare environment the main aim is to design for basic functionality and shelter. Exploration of how to overcome this baseline design considered the neurological scientific evidence and green space theories. These theories have been employed to provide positive openings to the natural environment by rehabilitating the surrounding landscape on and around the site.

GREEN APPROACH TO DEMENTIA

The intention of this design is to illustrate a sustainable building that reduces it's impact on users, the environment and climate change. Attention will be stressed on considering the small details to form thoughtful spaces to compensate for people with dementia's sensory deficits. The building will engage with the wider community.

Sustainable active methods such as Vertical vegetation, solar thermal heating, sustainable urban drainage systems and natural ventilation shall be incorporated into my design. Helping reduce the amount of energy used and fossil fuels. I think it is important to form a better relationship between humans and non humans. Create a bridge between the two ecosystems so that we may still proceed to live in harmony as we once did.

An ecological agenda became the forefront of the design path. Due to the highly built site area it is important to rehabilitate the on site and surrounding biodiversity. The Newcastle upon Tyne Council planning report heavily focuses on improving biodiversity in Newcastle. Over the following pages a fully comprehensive living wall system will be developed and curated with the building massing so that the building sustainably integrates with surrounding ecosystems. A concept developed from the beginning of my design process was to incorporate a vegetated facade to enhance biodiversity, rehabilitate the site and provide a tactile and shading strategy for people with dementia.

The tertiary structure is made from glulam beams and posts with growing gabion baskets along the bottom of each section. Each module is 5300mm wide and split into 5 beams. The skin acts as a sun attenuation layer and natural air filter for the users. The vegetation used will use local plants so they thrive and are more ecologically friendly. The integration of a living wall has many ecological and mental benefits. Upcoming research suggests that access to green views could slow down the symptoms associated with the dementia disease. Additionally, the rough texture and changing seasons act as a tactile surface that is both safe and stimulating for people with dementia.

People with dementia need a steady continuous interior temperature. The living wall retains heat during the winter and acts as a cooling agent during the summer. Using local plants within the living system will introduce a higher species richness to the site and in time to the surrounding green areas.

1. Filtration Unit

2. Underground Storage Tank

3. Recirculating Filter System for irrigation

4. Permeable Surfaces

5. Photovoltaic Solar Panels

1. Filtration Unit

2. Underground Storage Tank

3. Recirculating Filter System for irrigation

4. Permeable Surfaces

5. Photovoltaic Solar Panels

still enjoy outdoor activities in the dark days of winter.

Light Uniformity Target : 0.4 - 0.8 Uniformity : 402 / 590 = 0.68 (Fit's the required target)

To the right shows IES daylight simulations to control the strenth of direct sunlight that would fall on the floor foortprint. It is an important factor as it may improve the moveability of PWD.

The 1:20 section has focused on the tertiary structure, pavilion roof and CLT junctions between Walls and floors. The vegetated tertiary segment is a key concept carried throughout my design proposal. In this section it shows my experimentation with the growing medium.

The elevation shows the materiality and atmospheric qualities to the development. The vegetated facade has both vertical and horizontal louvres to shade west and south facing façades.

RESSURECTING BIODIVERSITY

This birds eye view plan shows the green spaces reformed and implemented in the design. A key concept of the scheme is to rehabilitate the biodiversity on and around the site. Placing what should be green spaces on the ground onto the roof to reduce the number of habitat and species lost. The integration of a living wall has many ecological and mental benefits. Using Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) aided in the placement of photovoltaic solar panels. The solar panels will be placed on the larger pavilion roof structure. The south face would be angled to integrate the solar panels to the design. The simulations show that the south faces have a constant high light source available throughout the year. Apart from the dementia pods made from prefabricated CLT modules the rest of the primary structure is post beam Glulam construction.

The model is an abstract representation of permeable paving, photovoltaic and a green roof along with solar shading. A hidden water pump is situated inside the box creating a closed loop system of flowing water. The three podiums are staggered to create a therapeutic acoustic effect which people with dementia find calming. The sound of water may also reduce agitation.

I thought very hard about how I can create a more sustainable model in itself as to not keep replacing the volume of water and to recycle. I am very pleased with the outcome of this model as it portrays the research done in a understandable format.

This detail section shows how the hydroponic irrigation system and its required components are placed in the healthcare for dementia scheme.

The Section also shows the primary CLT construction with an integrated green roof.

'House of Memories' is an evidence-based studio, valuing user-centric methods to design for people with Dementia (PWD). Dementia is caused by a progressive disease to the brain. The area that is affected is usually the higher cortical functions such as memory, orientation, language, judgement, and comprehension. Due to this decline of cortical functions, impairments of cognitive functions are commonly followed. These may include social behaviour, motivation and emotional control leading to higher cases of agitation (World Health Organization, 2012). Considering the syndrome and its cognitive effects, this automatically transcends one into considering the physical and psychological impacts of the user's well-being and neurological needs. No pharmacological treatments are currently available to cure the progressive course of dementia (Alzheimer's Society, 2021). Therefore, I have revised my design project to create non-pharmacological design methods to improve the sensory experiences of people with dementia, specifically through considering green spaces and light.

Before Solar Shading

With the addition of the solar shading frame, using IES LUX simulation the light uniformity in plan dramatically improves. Less light is concentrated near the window. This implies that there would be less heavy shadow contrasts which people with dementia may see as a hole in the ground. Creating difficulties in their comprehensibility that leads to increased levels of agitation.

After Solar Shading

The environment is impossible to separate from mental health. The ideas of Salutogenesis and the biophilia hypothesis are predominately explored through the wondering paths of my project. Walking in an outdoor environment, can improve cognitive deterioration. Evidence of these outcomes is stated in a research paper by Rebecca Whear and colleagues (Whear et al., 2014).

The sketches illustrate the thought process of the glulam structural frame which will act as both solar shading and a growing medium for improved visual connections to green areas.

Light Uniformity Target : 0.4 - 0.8 Uniformity : 250 / 590 = 0.43 (Fit's the required target)

Approved Document M

In compliance with Approved document M the spatial design of the pod considers wheelchair movement and better usability. The dimensions of floor and door clearings exceed the minimum amount according to approved document M.

INTERGENERATIONAL SPACEMarket of Memories

To the left is a set of illustrations to show how the space allocated to the modular pop up market may be changed or organised to create an attraction to the wider public. Made from recycled glulam frames this flexible structure provides opportunities to add or subtract modules. Staff and visitors to the Freeman hospital, Maggie centre and nursery may enjoy this space whilst waiting for family members of difficult news. Local restaurants and vendors may hire a slot in the market to advertise their company and increase the economy for the local Heaton area. The market of memories may also be rehabilitated with vegetation to create a miniature park like environment.

The permanent indoor market and venue space has been designed to the structural grid of 5300mm x 5300mm. The orthogonal structure creates opportunities for the space to be flexible. With the addition of extensions or to remove sections in later years.

REFLECTION -

My own personal exploration of dementia care followed research into the benefits of vegetated spaces with dementia. Furthermore, an ecological approach to design to enhance biodiversity on and around the site. The response to biodiversity aimed to shadow the natural environment through both form and function. Taking research from my dissertation into vegetated façades and their ecosystems, the design project aimed to use integrated vegetation to enhance biodiversity, well-being and functionality. I had studied the lack of connection between green roofs and the ground environments. Therefore, in my personal design it is evident that the solar shading frames and hydroponic wall systems become an assistant to connect the habitats and create a

more inclusive species richness across the site. The consideration of natural ecosystems has great impact to the context in which the site sits. This is relevant to the design and AEC industry as arguably, architectural design should consider the impacts our artificial structures have on the natural world while centralising the needs of the user. Maticulously referring to Fire safety and accessibility regulations along with research I have attempted to design a non pharmacological way to tackle dementia.

VERTICAL PLACES AND THEIR LACK OF ECOSYSTEMS Dissertation

TO VIEW FULL DOCUMENT: https://newcastle-my. sharepoint.com/:b:/g/ personal/b9030704_ newcastle_ac_uk/EV-1MBupC OxDrFGcI1oFQU0By1GlRYERBaR ahHredrssDg?e=NeQS4c

Password : Dissertation

The research and energy to produce this dissertation instigated a deep passion for sustainable architecture. Furthermore, bioclimatic architecture. Speaking with ecologist and architect Ken Yeang during the writing process of my dissertation I have implemented an inquisitive response of questioning the benefits of sustainable methods into my personal design and grown more confident in the type of architect I would hope to become.

Vegetated façades offer great potential to enhance urban biodiversity in the context of the urban environment. Walls offer an extensive area that can act as a habitat for various species and wildlife to create a ubiquitous urban ecosystem. Most investigations into wall ecology have focused on botanical surveys and the natural growth of fauna that thrive due to cracks in walls or the habitat abandonment of humans. Although the benefits of vertical greening for buildings are well-known, their benefits for biodiversity remain poorly studied. The research I propose does not intend to promote an idea of complete laissez-faire in the management of ecosystems. It tries to emulate how designers of our urban environment can adapt better methods to reduce alterations to existing ecosystems and to enhance the biodiversity from a non-human perspective so that the vegetated façades proposed in architectural projects are not of a horticultural nature. I have assessed four different buildings that assert the use of vegetated façades to enhance biodiversity in the built environment. This dissertation considers the reconciliation of ecosystems and humans using a forgotten area within the built environment, the place of façades. Furthermore, the study strives to cross disciplines to give a rounded understanding of ecosystems and the deleterious effects man has on them. Examining how humans have interacted with ecosystems in the past and postulating how humans as a society will interact with these complex natural systems in the future, I hope to shed light on how we can better create vegetated façades to form an amiable, benign environment with ecosystems.