UoE Architectural Design 2A 2021

Undergraduate Architecture School Design The University of Edinburgh Year 2 Architectural Design: In Place Group 3.2: Audrey Zhang, s2053404 Jiayi Liu, s2038689 Jiayu Lu, s2053454 Jingzhi He, s2070399 Ruoxin Tan, s2044218

Site analysis and design proposal for an architecture school in Lauriston, Edinburgh. Tucked away in a peaceful urban space with a rich history, this school will supplement the Edinburgh College of Art Lauriston Campus to provide facilities catered specifically to architecture and landscape architecture students.

Table of Contents

Site Background

Design Proposal

•

Site Context

1

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Aims & Requirement

15

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Historical Maps

2

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Proposed Layout

16

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Current Usage

3

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Experimental Layout

17

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Transformation

18-19

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Materiality

20

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Plan 1:2500

21

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Plan 1:500

22

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Section 1:500

23

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Plan 1:200

24-28

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Section 1:200

29-30

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Elevation

31-32

Site Analysis •

Topography

4-5

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Site Plan 1:2500

6

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Site Plan 1:1250

7

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Axonometric Illustration

33

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Transport, Circulation, & Access

8

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Routes

34

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Section from Castle to Site

9

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Studio Design

35-37

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View of Site

10

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Illumination

38

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Site Section

11-12

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Thresholds

39-41

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Precedent Simplification

13

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1:200 Model Photos

42-43

Site Context

Our site is located in Edinbugh, Scotland, in the Lauriston area. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and is located on the east coast, facing the North Sea. An illustrated timeline tracing the development of the area around the site, from the Late Middle Ages to the present day.

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Historical Maps

The site is bordered to the East by the Flodden and Telfer Walls built in the 16th century, which were once the city walls. As time progressed, Edinburgh expanded but the wall remained. The site was originally a field right outside the city wall, as portrayed in this perspectival plan from 1541.

Keir Street only began to be built on in the 1810s. The buildings were residential tenements and the earliest map of this site showing housing was from 1817. The row of tenements to the west of Keir Street were demolished to make way for the Hunter Building in the 1960s.

The segment of Keir Street running from norrth to south was named Graham Street and another row of buildings on the northern side of Keir Street was added between 1817 and 1824. The Vennel steps allowed pedestrian access from Grassmarket.

The section of Keir Street that runs from north to south was named Graham Street in the 1820s or 30s, and Greyfriars Free Church was built at the street corner in the late 1840s. It was converted into a synagogue in 1898, before being demolished in the 1960s to make way for the ECA architecture building. (Canmore)

Georg Braun, 1541 (National Library of Scotland)

Robert Kirkwood, 1817 (National Library of Scotland)

James Knox, 1824 (National Library of Scotland)

Ordnance survey map 1852 (National Library of Scotland)

The area west of Keir Street used to be a cattle market. It was cleared for the construction of the Edinburgh College of Art building, which was completed in 1909. The building bordering the site to the north, which was used as the Salvation Army Women’s Hostel, is now a commercial hostel.

The map from 1909 shows the newly erected College of Art building, which is still in use today. The fire station also remained.

In the 1960s, the architecture building was added as an eastern flank to the College of Art building. Graham Street was merged with Keir Street. The small building in the middle of the site was the Grassmarket Nursery, though it has since become a youth cafe.

John George Bartholomew, 1907 (National Library of Scotland)

W. & A. K. Johnson, 1909 (National Library of Scotland)

Ordnance survey map 1970 (National Library of Scotland)

The Hunter Building replaced the tenements to the west of Keir Street in 1977.

(Historic Environment Scotland) The row of tenement housing to the north of Keir Street was demolished in the 1970s or 80s, and the space was converted into a parking lot. Since the pandemic began, a blue shed that functions as a covid testing station has been installed there.

Site Plan 1:2500

Current Usage

The site is currently divided into two parts by a wall, the southern part being used as a parking lot with a temporary covid testing station and the northern part as a backyard between the ECA building and a youth organization located in the former Grassmarket nursery. People can access the site from the North entrance at the Vennel steps.

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Scale 1:1250 @ A2

Architecture School Design Topography

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Site Model Scale 1:1250 @A2

Sun-path Analysis The sun-path diagram integrated with the site model demonstrate the direction of sunlight coming from over the year.

Topography

This site is surrounded by highly interesting topography with a rich history.

The hill on which the Castle sits to the north was created by igneous rocks formed by the eruption of magma to the surface 340 million years ago, the same type of rock as Arthur’s Seat, whereas the flat area is formed by sedimentary rock such as sandstone and mudstone, laid down in shallow lagoons and rivers.

(A. Miller, ‘The Volcanoes that Shaped Edinburgh’ in The University of Edinburgh Centre for Open Learning,

https://www.ed.ac.uk/files/atoms/files/

the_volcanoes_that_shaped_edinburgh.pdf)

Igneous Rock: volcanic vents marking the sites of volcanic craters, where magma came to the surface 340 million years ago.

Igneous Rock: lava flows and ash layers formed at the surface during volcanic eruptions.

Igneous Rock: intrusive formed by magma squeezing between existing rock layers underground.

Site Plan 1:2500

The site is found on the northern side of Keir Street in the Lauriston area within Edinburgh’s Old Town, to the south of Edinburgh Castle and Grassmarket.

The site is framed by the Lauriston Campus of the Edinburgh College of Art to the west, residential housing to the north and south, the old city wall and George Heriot’s School to the east.

The cluster of buildings in the ECA Lauriston Campus could be interpreted as a response to the group of buildings, both public and private, in the Castle.

The main building of the ECA acts as the centerpiece of the campus around which other buildings, such as the fire station, Evolution House and the Hunter Building, orientate, much akin to the Castle.

Site Recreations Residential University Vegetation Public School

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Scale 1:2500 @ A2

Site Plan 1:1250

The site sits in a rather densely built area of the Old Town, surrounded by existing buildings with diverse functions to all sides. It makes for an ideal site for an architecture school as it is located within the Lauriston Campus of the University of Edinburgh, and directly neighbours the Edinburgh College of Art. It’s also close to other spaces of primary and secondary education, notably George Heriot’s School to the east.

In terms of vegetation, while it appears on the site plan that the site is surrounded by greenery, in reality most of the green spaces are private in nature, meaning they are inaccessible to the public. The two public parks, the Meadows and Princes Street Gardens, are both not in the immediate vicinity of the site. Based on this it could be extracted that this site could use some extra green space.

Site Cafe Recreations Residential University Vegetation Public School

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Scale 1:1250 @ A2

Transport, Circulation and Access

The site is easiest to reach by foot, via Keir Street or Heriot Place from Lauriston Place, or the steps at the Vennel from Grassmarket. It could be approached by bike via Keir Street or Heriot Place.

Bikes could be stored in the bike sheds in the ECA courtyard. The site is a two minute walk away from several bus stops, with buses from lines 2, 23, 27, 35, 45, 47 and 47B.

Vegetation

University

School

Cycle Path Mountain Biking Trail

Current Entrance to the Site

Bus Station

Current Entrance to ECA

Bicycle Parking Area

Future Entrance to ECA

Residential Area

Site Plan

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Scale 1:2500 @ A2

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Section from Castle to Site

The Meadows

Section A to A’ Scale 1:1500 @ A2

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A

This section depicts the terrain of the area surrounding the site, running from the Meadows in the south to the Castle in the north, while the series of photographs document the journey from a first person perspective. The section breathes life into the scale of the site, which is rather miniscule compared to the surrounding built environment; the photographs supplement the section in providing a sense of the narrowness of the stairs and the presence of the site along this specific route, as well as showing materiality and spatial context.

A'

Edinburgh Castle

ECA Campus Site

Grassmarket

View of Site

Three possible routes between the site and the Edinburgh Castle indicated on a collage. The white lines surrounding the site represent the rhythm and repetition of spatial elements that help inform the immediate environment of the site. Key elements identified here include the flights of steps, blocks of housing and the large trees. An emphasis is placed on the steps, as staircases form an important spatial element in the journey from Castle to site and serve as visual indicators of the site’s unique topography as well as its connection to other areas within the Old Town.

This site provides a magnificent view of Edinburgh Castle. The southern side of the Castle could be viewed directly from the eastern end of the site and the Vennel, or through the porous screen of lagre trees from the middle. The city skyline featuring St Giles' Cathedral could also be seen, as well as a peek at one of the historical buildings belonging to George Heriot's School.

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Scale 1:2500 @ A2

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Site Section

The site sits on a hill that slopes downward to Grassmarket and rises again as it reaches the Castle. This site section shows the terrain and the site’s relationship to nearby buildings.

The site model explores the spatial qualities of the area immediately surrounding the site, the storey heights and paths.

ECA Campus Site

Scale 1:500 @ A2

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Section B to B' Grassmarket

Section C to C'

Section B to B' Section C to C'

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Scale 1:2500 @ A2

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Site Section

This section explores the relationship between the site and the ECA, particularly the Main Building. We’ve chosen the Sculpture Court as a room of particular interest to investigate, since it is the most iconic and recognizable space in the College.

Sculpture Hall

ECA Campus

Section D to D’ Scale 1:500 @ A2

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D'

D Site

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Section D to D'

Scale 1:1000 @ A2

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Precedents Simplification University of Limerick Medical School Before starting the design process, we investigated how we could incorporate certain design elements from the precedent studies into our proposal for the architecture school. We cropped out plans of our precedent buildings and overlaid them in their original scale onto the Keir Street site plan to gain an understanding of the size of the site and what possible forms the building could take on. We then simplified and abstracted each of the precedent buildings to explore different massing possibilities.

Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop

Centraal Beheer

LAMDA Drama School

Greenwich School of Architecture

Undergraduates Architecture Schoo

ol Design

Research Aims

This architecture school on Keir Street is to become an extra gathering point for ESALA students and staff, providing suitable learning and teaching spaces for students to develop and present their work. It is intended as an expansion of the Lauriston Campus, an addition to the existing ECA buildings to the west of the site and therefore it will share certain facilities with the neighbouring buildings, but will include spaces specifically made for architecture and landscape architecture students.

The sample size the research is 112, and the sample range is architecture and landscape architecture students across different years. to gather inspiration for what our architecture school should include. It seems that overall, the students are quite satisfied with the current state of facilities in the ECA Lauriston Campus, though there are individual points that could be improved upon.

It appears that some facilities are rather difficult to find, perhaps due to the size and complexity of the ECA buildings. A good number of students would like to have the studio, workshop, library and individual study spaces improved.

This architecture school is designed for: • • • • •

Undergraduate architecture students Staff ECA and wider University of Edinburgh students Exhibitions Visitors

The most common modes of transportation seem to be walking and bus, understandably as cycling or driving could be difficult given the terrain and lack of parking spaces. This is perfect as our site is easiest to approach on foot or by bus.

In terms of potential additions to the ECA Lauriston Campus, over half of the students that took part in the survey would like another entrance to the campus. In terms of facilities, there is an overwhelming call for a separate studio, workshop, individual study space and exhibition hall for architecture and landscape architecture students.

Facility Requirements

The focal point of this proposal would be the exhibition hall, a space for displaying projects by students of architecture and landscape architecture, such as models and drawings. A space like this does not currently exist for ESALA, and we believe it would be a welcome addition to the architecture department. Because of limited space at the site, this building will be unable to host all facilities required for an architecture school; we will instead focus on providing those facilities currently unavailable in ESALA or those in high demand.

This architecture school will provide the following facilities: (Facilities shared with the ECA are marked with *)

Educational: • Studio and crit space (max. capacity 100) • Model making workshop * • Lecture theaters * • Library • Individual study space • Computer lab * • Exhibition space • Storage • Printing service *

Commercial/public: • Cafe * • Social gathering spaces • Art supplies shop * • Green spaces (courtyard, garden, atrium, terrace etc.)

Accessibility: • Elevators • Ramps • Wide, light doors • Multiple entrances and exits

Services: • Reception • Bathrooms • Storage

Staff: • Meeting rooms • Offices

There will be at least one corridor connecting the ECA buildings to our architecture school.

Proposed Layout

The core facility of this school is the exhibition hall, which provides a space for students to showcase their finalized projects. This allows fellow architecture and landscape architecture students, visitors and other ECA students to learn about the current projects in architecture and landscape architecture, generating creative discussion and a reference point for students from years below. This exhibition hall would be located on either the ground or first floor since it is the primary space.

To aid the assembly of exhibitions in this space, we would like to include a workshop and studio spaces for students to finish or touch up on their projects prior to exhibitions, to prevent damage during transportation or last minute emergencies.

To this end, ample storage space would be provided for students to store their work securely. There is an existing workshop in the Hunter Building so that could be shared; the studio spaces would be located around or above the exhibition hall.

Typical disabled access will be provided, such as elevators and ramps. We thought it would be ideal if the doors for the entrance, studio and exhibition hall could be wide, automatic doors, or very light ones at least. It would be a struggle for students carrying multiple models or folders to open doors as heavy as the ones at Adam House.

To this end, ample storage space would be provided for students to store their work securely. There is an existing workshop in the Hunter Building so that could be shared; the studio spaces would be located around or above the exhibition hall.

We would also include study spaces where students have access to a quiet, private environment for reading, writing or researching. These would include a variety of seating options that facilitate both individual study and group work, ranging from study pods or rooms for up to four people to large tables with individual seats. These spaces would be located on a separate level as the exhibition hall.

Cafe

Student Studio

Workshop & Library

Exhibition Space

Experimental Layout Proposal 1

Proposal 2

As the next step, we created massing models at 1:500 scale to drop them into the site model and test out a variety of proposals. We took inspiration from the arrangement of shapes and forms explored in the precedent simplifications, and made axonometric diagrams to indicate movement along the two major urban circulation routes, one down the Vennel and one through the center of the site.

Route Outside Site

Route Through Site

Proposal 3

Proposal 4

Cafe

Student Studio

Workshop & Library

Exhibition Space

Transformation

After considering the aims outlined in our briefing document, we decided that we wanted to have two separate buildings for our proposal: one that is more connected to the College of Art and complements existing facilities, and another that is more independent and exclusive to the students of this architecture school.

Because of the complicated geometry of the site, the building complex had to be split into multiple blocks in order to maintain orthogonal interiors.

Route Outside Site

We indicated the nature of the two main blocks using height, with the ECA block having two storeys and the same overall height as the North East Studio, and the independent block bearing four storeys and the same height as the neighboring tenement buildings.

Route Through Site

A cafe extension block was added to the northern part of the site to make full use of space and frame the building complex.

The resulting proposal offered a straight, descending corridor down the middle of the site, which would be the site of our reinterpretation of the Sculpture Court.

Transformation: From Exhibition Hall to Courtyard

We originally wanted to make the exhibition hall a primary internal space referencing the Sculpture Court in the Main Building, though after practical and aesthetic considerations it had to be drastically reworked. Because the reconsidered proposal contained an open, central corridor through the site, we decided to adapt the typology of the classical gallery from the Sculpture Court into an outdoor space, replacing columns with trees instead. This also conveniently translated the use of the Sculpture Court as a circulation space, as this central corridor was the primary route of circulation within the building complex. The site slopes downwards as it approaches north, so we created three flights of stairs with ramps at the end of the formal garden to respond to the terrain, all executed in classical symmetry.

Greenwich Architecture School

ECA Sculpture Hall

Proposed Cour

Vegetation Identification

rtyard

They are coniferous trees with clusters of branches at the top, providing shading and wind break throughout the year. They are easy to grow and require low levels of maintenance. Their tall, slender silhouette resembles man made columns and works perfectly for the classical design language of the courtyard.

Materiality

We decided on Scots Pine (pinus sylvestris) as the species of trees that we would plant in the courtyard, as it is the national tree of Scotland and native to the area, serving nicely as an indicator of place.

Apart from their elegant and aesthetic appearance, the timber from Scots Pines is also a common building material in Scotland, a great choice for the timber columns in our structural system.

Since it is a softwood, it would likely have to be made into cross laminated timber panels in order to be considered a sturdy, structural choice. The planting and use of Scots Pine would create resonance between structure and ornament in the whole project, anchoring it to both the built and natural environments of Scotland.

Scots Pine

Concrete

Plan 1:2500

Firstly, we identified the roof plan in the 1:2500 map context to explore the accessibility of the building.

Visitors’ Routes

Students’ Routes

Interior Routes

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Scale 1:2500 @ A2

Daylight Context

Night Context

Plan 1:500

Then we rationalized and refined our plan at 1:500 scale. We employed a different design language for the ECA block and the independent block, the former being more formal and orthogonal and the latter more freeform. The ECA block would be focused on public academic dissemination, hosting events such as student exhibitions, seminars and talks by external speakers etc.. The independent block would be more private and work oriented, assisting students in their production and refinement of coursework. To this end, the exhibition hall as a primary space was then relocated to the front of the ECA block, where it could act as a visual attraction for external visitors. The corridor connecting the ECA block to the North East Studio could be seen in this plan; it leads to a mezzanine level in the North East Studio, offering the opportunity to enter through either level.

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1:500 Model

Ground Floor Plan

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Scale 1:500 @ A2

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Section 1:500

This 1:500 section was taken across the proposal from east to west, through the North East Studio and all the way through the Main Building. The connection between the ECA block and the North East Studio is highlighted by the section, as well as the Sculpture Court which is the main source of inspiration for our proposal.

Section A to A’

Scale 1:500 @ A2

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Plan 1:200

Moving on to 1:200 scale, the layout of individual floors could be explained in further detail. At the basement level we have the cafe, which could be entered from either the independent block or the platform next to the Vennel, drawing in visitors from the Grassmarket. Visitors could be seated at tables or on the steps created by the topography, encouraging social activities.

Plan 1:200

The independent block is subdivided into two sections, the western, more orthogonal part and the eastern, freeform part. The two parts are divided by a central circulation spine, consisting of two elevators and a long staircase.

On the ground floor, the orthogonal part boasts a seminar room facing the street, a workshop, some bathrooms and a corridor leading to the cafe; the bathrooms could also be shared with the cafe. The freeform part is a library available to students and staff. The facade facing the northeast is carved out this way to maximize views of the Castle to the north, as well as daylight. In the ECA block, located in the room directly facing Keir Street is the double height exhibition space, which will establish visual connection with the outside but maintains the curiosity of visitors as they have to enter through the main entrance at the central corridor. Considering that this spot is situated at the corner of Keir Street and thus the terminating point of a line of sight, it serves as an impressive urban vista.

Plan 1:200

In the independent block, from the first floor up the freeform part is studio space on every level. The orthogonal part is filled with individual and group study spaces, which are quieter and less exposed than the studio and allows for discussions in smaller groups. In the ECA block, the first floor space above the auditorium has a large room that serves as office space and a preparation and resting room for guest speakers. The end of the room leads to a viewing platform where one could look out at the outdoor space and landscaping outside.

Plan 1:200

The ECA block is only two storeys and has no internal space on the second floor. The second floor of the independent block is identical to the first excluding the void at the corner, which creates a double height atrium in the studio space. Since the studio is repeated on three levels, a double height atrium was added to break up the space and create variation. This space also provides an opportunity for students to look at each other’s work across levels as well as open views.

Plan 1:200

The independent block retains the same layout as the first and second floor, except for a terrace created by rolling the orthogonal block back. This was also done to break up the repetitivity of the floor plan and to create an outdoor social space where students could enjoy fresh air and views of the Castle and the landscaping outside.

Section 1:200

This 1:200 long section shows the colonnade of trees and the change in levels in full, as well as the roofscape of the independent block.

Scale 1:200 @ A2

Seciton 1:200

Scale 1:200 @ A2

Elevation

This elevation shows our principal facade, the southern facade facing Keir Street. It shows the double height glazed exhibition space, which is a major vista. Our materiality choices are also represented here: sandstone cladding for the external wall elements and native Scottish timber for the columns.

We planned for the trees to be tall, slender and having branches at the top to achieve a classical, formal appearance.

Scale 1:200 @ A2

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16m

Elevation

This elevation shows the eastern facade, which employs a similar materiality. The connection of the cafe to the Vennel steps and the formality of the corridor could be seen.

Scale 1:200 @ A2

0m 2 4

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16m

Axonometric Illustration

This axonometric section shows in three dimensions the materiality and spatial configuration of the proposal. It further explores the texture of the space in an abstract manner.

Routes

The two major vertical circulation routes, namely the staircase and elevators at the entrance atrium of the ECA block and the central circulation spine of the independent block, are highlighted in these plan overlays.

Student Routes

Public Routes

Studio Design Workspace Variations Zooming further into human scale at 1:50, we explored some of the key moments and thresholds in our proposal.

Here we illustrated the various types of spaces within the studio. The section investigates the double height atrium and the new spatial relationship it creates.

Scale 1: 50 @ A2

0m

1

2

3m

Studio Design

Studio Design

The photos of the 1:200 model show the relationship between occupants and building structure. The rendered layout of the studio realistically illustrates the arrangement of space.

Window Design & Light Effect

Morning Sunlight

Illumination

The studio space is intended to be illuminated to a great extent by natural daylight from the zigzag windows on the eastern facade.

The light effect experiments demonstrate the interior shadow patterns of various window sizes. The double spaced studio with more extensive glazing will create more communication in the building.

Noon Sunlight

Afternoon Sunlight

Thresholds

Exhibition Hall

We made some diagrams to illustrate styles of indoor spatial configurations for the different rooms. We designed different arrangements of tables and chairs to be placed in the studio spaces for diverse seating options, and we also considered the unique spatial requirements of the exhibition hall and auditorium.

We chose a sawtooth roof with clerestory windows for the individual study space on the top floor, as it does not receive as much daylight as the other spaces do. It faces north because north light is beneficial for a working space.

The angle is designed to let in low winter sun but not high summer sun.

Auditorium

Roof Construction

Exhibition Hall

Classrooms

Office Studios

Cafe

Thresholds- Cafe

As an extended block from the main building, the Cafe serves as a gathering space for both University students and public visitors. The variations of stairs’ height allow people to use the space multi-purposely. The large double glazed window is set on the three sides of the Cafe to increase permeability and enhance the connection between the university and society.

Thresholds- Cafe

Architecture School Design The University of Edinburgh Architectural Design: In Place Group 3.2 Audrey Zhang, Jiayi Liu Jiayu Lu, Jingzhi He, Ruoxin Tan