The Waterways Maria Tzanidaki 11040203
INTRODUCTION No city can exist without water. Water can be used to enhance the liveability of cities and towns. Water is a scarce resource nowadays, yet it acts the key framework of Sharpness. High levels of eutrophication though and the constant decline of industry in Sharpness have prevented its use for Sharpness. Water provision for Sharpness is currently deal by Wessex Water, which purifies water from Sharpness in Purton and Littleton. Wessex water has expressed the need for water purification facilities in Sharpness. The Waterways scheme is a proposal aiming to the regeneration of Sharpness through the use of natural resources and water to shape the area. The scheme comprises of three buildings, all working in a continuous circle of production with each other. Process starts with the piping of sewage water and waste water from the canal to the water filtration plant. Another use of the pure water would be in a micro caviar farm adjacent to the plant to demonstrate one of the many uses of water in production using again natural resources responsibly to produce a luxurious product. The ancillary building provides the transition from production to consumption, and acts as a transition point between the public and the treatment and production processes. This transition if further emphasized by the demonstration wetlands through the use of walkways delivering visitors to the facilities, as well as enhancing the road. The wetlands will be shaped by the walkways and reeds, used in demonstration wetlands to study the effects of treated water compared to the untreated water which can be seen around the site. Wetlands are also developed as a means of reintroducing natural landscape around the site which is characterised by the artificial water landscape in it with the dry docks and the tidal basin. The landscaping of the wetlands is informed by the processes in the site, having the reeds and walkways in a linear layout around the industrial facilities which would turn into a freer natural shaping of reeds as one moves away from the site. The south east direction of the wind will aid expand the wetlands and reeds outside the site, through the transferring of seeds by wind along the west side of Shapness. This expansion will be done in a natural way, therefore natural landscape will be brought back in the west side opposing the manmade landscape which characterises Sharpness. Finally a third building in the site is used to complete the circle of production, as well as host all necessary ancillary uses. The building hosts three uses, informing the shape of the building. Administration offices and laboratories are kept in a building layout, linear to the layout of the two industrial buildings, along the same axes of linearity, while the two other parts of the building, hosting a restaurant and a cafe are turned in angles, to provide framed views to the river and dry docks, that way also signifying the end of production processes in the site and breaking the linearity of the context. The restaurant is turned in an angle to provide dual views of the opposing water contexts, natural and manmade, with a view of the river Severn on the one side and a view of the tidal basin on the other.
CONTENTS
PART D-OTHER 12. Watercolor Studies
1. INTRODUCTION APPENDIX A PART A-RESEARCH 2. RESEARCH ANALYSIS 2.1 Water Purification Reseach 2.2 Water Works Precedents 2.3 Water Treatment Works around Sharpness 2.4 Sturgeon Farming-Caviar Production
PART B- ANALYSIS 3. SITE ANALYSIS 3.1 The Location 3.2 Industry in Sharpness 3.3 Genius Loci 3.4 Selection of Site
4. MASTERPLAN 4.1 Speed Planning Exercise 4.2 Final Masterplan
5. THE BRIEF 6. DEVELOPMENT 6.1 Introducing the Proposal 6.2 Building Proposal 6.3 The Industrial Buildings 6.4 The Social Interface 6.5 The Wetlands Landscape
7. FINAL DRAWINGS PART C 8. TECHNICAL 9. ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY 10. B1-MEANS OF WARNING AND ESCAPE 11.HOW MUCH DOES YOUR BUILDING WEIGH-COSTINGS
Planning and Managing Development Portfolio APPENDIX B Theories of Architecture Booklet
PART A-Research
Infrastructure Brian Hayes
BRIAN HAYES-NARRATIVE OF THE JOURNEY OF WATER THROUGH PURIFICATION “Let’s follow a molecule of water through a filter plant. The aqueduct that supplies the plant discharges its water into a receiving reservoir that holds a few day’s supply. From there the water passes through another trash rack and screen, and then into mixing basin. The agitator and its overhead motor look something like an outsize milkshake machine, and they have a similar effect on the water in the basin. The milkshake being mixed is a dilute chemical concoction. In most cases the main ingredient-besides the water, of course, is alum-a form of aluminium sulphate, but there may also be iron compounds and tiny quantities of polymers. The chemicals are coagulants whose function is to bind together minute particles suspended in the water, creating much larger particles called flocks. From the violently stirred mixing tank, the water passes into the the quietest section of the plant, a settling basin where the flocks grow larger and heavier and very gradually fall to the bottom.
…Walking down the deck beside a rectangular basin, you can watch coagulation, flocculation, and settling going on before your eyes at first the water is somewhat murky and discoloured, with its load of fine salt and organic matter. Then, ten steps farther on, the water begins to clarify, but it is suddenly full of tiny white or gray or brown flakes, the size of dandruff. Still farther along, the flakes become larger but fewer, as they coalesce. Then, very gradually, over the remaining length of the basin, the flocks begin to sink, like a slow-motion snowfall, until at the far end clear water flows out of the basin.”
RESEARCH ON WATER TREATMENT WORKS CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SMALL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS Performance objectives Small wastewater treatment plants should be designed, constructed and managed to achieve the following environmental performance objectives: • any discharges to surface waters to meet all statutory requirements • measures employed to deal with emergencies without damage to any surface waters or to the soil/land • all wastewater treated and retained on land wherever practicable and environmentally beneficial • measures employed to conserve water resources or provides for the reuse or recycling of treated wastewater. Design elements It is common practice to control wastewater treatment plant by reference to matters such as waste disposal, site selection, protection of surface waters and impact on neighbourhood amenity.
Layout of a sewage treatment works
Generally, plants designed to treat domestic wastewater in accordance with the requirements of this Code will produce an effluent quality not exceeding a maximum or 80th% of 20 mg BOD/L and 30 mgSS/L called a 20/30 standard.
A small treatment plant is not, and must not be regarded simply as a scaled down version of a larger installation. The geometry, construction and scale of the plant in relation to peak flows can result in inefficient operation.
Treatment processes are often classified as: (i) Preliminary treatment (ii) Primary treatment (iii) Secondary treatment (iv) Tertiary treatment. The purpose of tertiary treatment is to provide a final treatment stage to raise the effluent quality before it is discharged to the receiving environment (sea, river, lake, ground, etc.). More than one tertiary treatment process may be used at any treatment plant. If disinfection is practiced, it is always the final process. Aerobic Biological Units (i) Filters ( intermittent sand filters, trickling filters) (ii) Activated Sludge Plant (feed of active sludge, secondary settling tank and aeration tank) (iii) Oxidation ponds and Aerated lagoons.
The treatment plant is normally designed to meet the requirement over a 30 year period after it completion. The time lag between the design and completion should not normally exceed 2-3 years. The use of treated water will reduce the ground water use and additionally the treated sludge will be very useful for increasing the fertility of soil. average sewage produced by an adult is 180 lit. /day and hence the total sewage water volume generated through design population was estimated 3.6 MLD.
3.2 Sewage Sewage is a dilute mixture of the various types of wastes from the residential, public and industrial places. The main Source of water pollution is industrial wastes coming from the industrial area and big industries contain grease, oil chemical, highly odorous substances, explosives, etc. The other source is domestic sewage which also contains oils, human excreta, decomposed kitchen wastes, soapy water etc. Sewage treatment is the process of removing contaminants from wastewater and household sewage, both runoff (effluents) and domestic. It includes physical, chemical, and biological processes to remove physical, chemical and biological contaminants. Its objective is to produce a treated effluent and a solid waste or sludge suitable for discharge or reuse back into the environment. This material is often inadvertently contaminated with many toxic organic and inorganic compounds. Sewage implies the collecting of wastewaters from occupied areas and conveying them to some point of disposal. The liquid wastes will require treatment before they are discharged into the water body or otherwise disposed of without endangering the public health or causing offensive conditions. Treatment of Sewage
Layout of low-rate filtration system
The treatment of sewage consists of many complex functions. The degree of treatment depends upon the characteristics of the raw inlet sewage as well as the required effluent characteristics.
Scale test-Placement of components on site/Arrangement of components
WATER TREATMENT PLANTS PRECEDENTS Advanced Water Purification Facility, Mainstreet Architects
bly. This transition is further emphasized through the use of bridges which deliver visitors over demonstration wetlands that surround the Science Center.
Water Filtration Plant / C+S Associati
An infrastructure is thought as a landscape design project. Located in the Nortehrn Lagoon Park north of Venice, on the southeastern edge of Sant’Erasmo island, the new water water filtration plant is part of the general urban and environmental upgrading of the island. The fragility of the island, its indefinite shores that change contours and thickness with the tide, the beautiful Austrian battery, trace of the more extensive system of fortifications that once existed in the lagoon, whose thick and solid walls leave a mark on the lagoonal landscape, the regular division of the artichoke cultivations and the ghebi or internal canals design the landscape and the building becomes part of its character.
“The theme of the project is the design of a ‘threshold space’, the point where the land and its ground comes to an end.”
The GREAT Program, or Groundwater Recovery Enhancement and Treatment Program, uses reclaimed water found within the city limits reducing the impact on other, more stressed water sources.
Four one meter thick parallel walls, built in reinforced concrete colored red with pigment and constructed as rough, untreated surfaces give the space the building form, like the ruins of an old battery, at the same time defining structure and shape.
Engagement of the community is a critical when faced with diminishing natural resources, and ownership in its preservation comes through education of the public. As part of the GREAT Program, the Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) conditions wastewater for eventual reuse.
The spaces between the concrete structures are closed by full-height panels in Iroko planks that may be opened at the entrance and in the areas used for unloading of dust.
The AWPF is comprised of five separate process-oriented facilities which will provide 25 million gallons a day (MGD) of reclaimed water to the City. A free standing education/administration building serving as a Science Center is the public’s first impression of the AWPF and serves as the beginning for tours of the process facility. The Science Center is the physical point of transition between the public and the treatment process, informing the shape and materiality, humanizing the industrial uses and is representative of the GREAT Program’s intention to use natural resources responsi-
The red concrete walls also serve as basic structures for the design of the landscape. The building buries its roots deep into the ground, at the same time facing the land, the void as a possible façade.
Map showing all water treatment works in the area
WATER AND SEWAGE In total Bristol Water has 24 treatment works with output ranging from 0.5 million litres a day at Priddy to 165 million litres from Purton. Today however, the River Severn is the Company’s largest single source, capable of supplying more than half the area’s daily needs via the open air water main that is the Sharpness Canal. Water is currently piped from Sharpness to Littleton, where tha plant treats 60-65 million liters per day, requiring extensive treatment to remove pesticides, algae, colour, ammonia, viruses and bacteria. Littleton Water Treatment Plant pipes the clean water back to Sharpness, yet its biggest supply area is Avonmouth. Bristol Water can abstract up to 235 million litres of water a day, over half the Company’s total daily requirements. At present, the foul sewerage from operations and properties on the western side of Sharpness docks is dealt with via a combined surface water/foul water drainage network which discharges directly into the Severn estuary. This effluent is not treated and has been the subject of ongoing discussions with Wessex Water and the Environment Agency . Properties to the east of Sharpness Docks are understood to drain via Wessex Water’s sewer network. As part of the ongoing discussions with Wessex Water regarding foul sewerage at Sharpness, British Waterways made an application under S101A of the Water Industry Act for ‘first time’ sewerage at Sharpness. Wessex Water have suggested that they would fund the design, construction, operation and maintenance of a pumping station and rising main, or local sewage treatment works from the point that new sewers entered the pumping station compound. Wessex Water have suggested that British Waterways would fund and construct new foul sewers only to serve the existing properties on the site to connect to the new pumping station or sewage treatment works. This would effectively remove the crude discharge into the estuary and provide separate surface water and foul water drainage. Sharpness & Gloucester Canal is designated as a ‘sensitive area’ in Defra’s report on wastewater management in the UK. The term sensitive area indicates an area, Where secondary treatment is not sufficient to protect waters and tertiary treatment may be required. Tertiary treatment can involve the reduction of nutrients (phosphorus or nitrogen compounds) to protect waters from eutrophication caused by excessive nutrient inputs from treatment plants; the reduction of nitrates to protect waters used as abstraction sources that have or could contain high nitrate levels or of pathogens to protect Bathing or Shellfish waters, or ammonia reduction to protect freshwater fisheries.
STURGEON FARMING-CAVIAR PRODUCTION The world’s finest caviar is harvested from sturgeon in waters around Russia, and Iran. Until recently, there was no caviar production in Britain, yet British caviar is now produced in Devon, in Exmoor National Park. The Exmoor Caviar Farm in North Devon has between 20,000 and 30,000 fish, which enjoy a ‘semi-wild’, non-caged life in 700-hectare freshwater lakes. Among them are various types of sturgeon including Siberian, which produce 1.5kg (53oz) of caviar each, and a Beluga-Sterlet cross, which produces 400g (14oz). Caviar has been traded for centuries and, despite the current economic downturn, yet experts estimte that the market for sustainable, high-quality farm-raised caviar will see tremendous growth over the next decade. Sturgeon production could be feasible in Sharpness since sturgeon is an anadromous fish, living in both salt and fresh water. Nowadays due to overfishing caviar is decreasing at a rate of -90%. “Historically, farmed caviar has comprised two percent of the world’s mar-
ket while 98 percent has come from wild sturgeon,” Producing caviar is a slow and complex process, as it takes an average of 15 years for the sturgeon to become mature enough, while it can take up to 25 years.. Female sturgeon in some cases in environmentally sustainable farms are not killed to extract caviar, rather than milked. Unfertilised roe – tiny eggs, which are the main ingredient – are extracted from female sturgeon when they reach reproductive maturity, which can be at anything from six to 25 years old, depending on the species. Female sturgeon can be after the eggs are extracted.
University of Georgia has been researching on farmed caviar production, and ways of improving it, as farmed caviar has the tendency to have a muddy or “off” taste. Peterson has created a new method of raising Siberian sturgeon that combines readily available aquaculture technology with a highly efficient filtration system and fresh spring water from the mountains of Northwest Georgia. The result is environmentally sustainable caviar whose taste rivals that of wild-caught.
Stage
Facility
Stocking density
Adult
spawning tank
1 fish/5 tons
Eggs
Larvae
incubation tank 100 eggs/ liter
larval rearing tank
20–50 larvae per liter
Unit vol. (ton)
No. unit
42.525
Size, shape, Capacity (liters) construction for monthly material production square concrete tank 4.5m × 6.3m × 3 1.5m 127.575
1
circular w/ flat or conical shape bottom; 1000 l capacity 6 fiber- glass tank
6
15
rectangular concrete tank (1m × 1.3m × 6m) of hollow block cement 10 w/ mild aeration
150
PART B-Analysis
National Context National Context
Regional Context Regional Contex
Local Context Local Context
3.1 LOCATION Sharpness is located at the Southwest of England, within the Stroud District. Even though Sharpness is under the jurisdiction of Stroud District Council, it is the Canal + River Trust that owns the area and they are responsible for its development. Stroud is situated 20 miles north of Bristol and immediately south of Gloucester and Cheltenham. Sharpness Docks is the eighth largest in the Southwest, which establishes the area as a mainly industrial location. Sharpness has a great industrial legacy, so does the wider district of Stroud, which makes the district a poll of attraction for tourists. In addition, Stroud Town Centre, which is in close proximity to Sharpness, is one of the district’s largest commercial centers, yet accessibility across the district is poor and connections to the river estuary at the opposite side are quite limited. Most development proposals made throughout the years have been rejected through community action. Sharpness’ population consists mainly of working-class residents. Residential properties are victorian terraced, while there is an evident lack of services and leisure facilities at Sharpness. Despite the fact that all previous ideas for development have been rejected, there is currently a proposal from Green Square Group development company to build 1,500 homes.
Distances (miles) Gloucester: 19 Bristol: 22 Cheltenham: 27 Newport: 37 Swindon: 38 Birmingham: 72 London: 120
“The biggest challenge in planning the area will fall upon bridging deprivation and new development, and maintaining the balance between conservation and improvements in the local area.”
Geological Context
3.2 NDUSTRY IN SHARPNESS
HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT IN SHARPNESS THE GLOUCESTER & SHARPNESS CANAL
2.6 WATER AND SEWAGE At present, the foul sewerage from operations and properties on the western side of Sharpness docks is dealt with via a combined surface water/foul water drainage network which discharges directly into the Severn estuary. This effluent is not treated and has been the subject of ongoing discussions with Wessex Water and the Environment Agency . Properties to the east of Sharpness Docks are understood to drain via Wessex Water’s sewer network. As part of the ongoing discussions with Wessex Water regarding foul sewerage at Sharpness, British Waterways made an application under S101A of the Water Industry Act for ‘first time’ sewerage at Sharpness. Wessex Water have suggested that they would fund the design, construction, operation and maintenance of a pumping station and rising main, or local sewage treatment works from the point that new sewers entered the pumping station compound. Wessex Water have suggested that British Waterways would fund and construct new foul sewers only to serve the existing properties on the site to connect to the new pumping station or sewage treatment works. This would effectively remove the crude discharge into the estuary and provide separate surface water and foul water drainage. Sharpness & Gloucester Canal is designated as a ‘sensitive area’ in Defra’s report on wastewater management in the UK. The term sensitive area indicates an area, Where secondary treatment is not sufficient to protect waters and tertiary treatment may be required. Tertiary treatment can involve the reduction of nutrients (phosphorus or nitrogen compounds) to protect waters from eutrophication caused by excessive nutrient inputs from treatment plants; the reduction of nitrates to protect waters used as abstraction sources that have or could contain high nitrate levels or of pathogens to protect Bathing or Shellfish waters, or ammonia reduction to protect freshwater fisheries.
Gloucester&Sharpness Canal has been the source of all development in Sharpness, and is responsible for the way the character of the place was formed. Its purpose was to control the flow of ships passing through the Canal Basin to reach a broader canal network. Development initially occurred at the north, around the Canal Basin in 1827. The canal, as Sharpness is under the jurisdiction of Stroud District Council, who is responsible for any development plans relating to Sharpness, yet no significant development has occurred since the linear extension of Newtown.
Foreign Imports Years 1864-1973 1874-1883 1884-1893 1894-1903 2002-2011
Tons 1,399,582 3,532,365 3,676,127 4,790, 223 1,192 000
The canal now under responsibility the Canal+River Trust The canal now is is under thethe responsibility the Canal+River Trust who conwho controls development on site. Former warehouses havebeen retrols development on site. Former warehouses have nowadays nowadays been replaced by companies operating the shipyard. placed by companies operating the shipyard. Gloucester Sharpness Canal: Responsible all development original Gloucester Sharpness Canal: Responsible for all for original at development at Sharpness, in order to control the flow of ships Sharpness, in order to control the flow of ships entering and leaving the entering and the the Canal Basin to pass into the wider canal Canal Basin toleaving pass into wider canal network. Original development network. Original development centred around the Canal centred around the Canal Basin to the north established in Basin 1827. to the north established in 1827.
“Sharpness is a development born “Sharpness is a of necessity and a product of indevelopment born of dustry.”
necessity and a product of industry.”
The main drives shaping development in Sharpness were necessity and efficiency of use. Sharpness was formed through industry, to fulfil the industrial needs of the original canal basin as an entrance to the wider network initially, and later the development of Sharpness as a port in its own right, with the formation of a larger harbour, and good rail connections to other towns. The main drives shaping development in Sharpness were necessity and efficiency of use. Sharpness was formed through Most of the to original zones of development have remained and industry, fulfil the industrial needs of the original canal unchanged, basin their is nottoathe result of any strategical as location an entrance wider network initially,development and later theplan placement, butdevelopment the result of of sheer necessity industry. Sharpness as of a port in its own right, with the formation of a larger harbour, and good rail connections to other towns. THE PORT’S HISTORY
Mostwere of theinitially original zones development haveand remained •Ships towed upofthe canal by horse later by tug. unchanged, and their location is not a result of any strategical development plan placement, but the resultTimber of sheer necessity of North •Imports included grain from northern Europe. from the Baltics, industry. Russia & North America. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PORT •First warehouse was built by canal company, various floors were rented by various merchants. • Ships were initially towed up the canal by horse and later by tug.cargo to be exported was salt, many ships left empty. •Only • Imports included grain from northern Europe. Timber from the Baltics, North Russia & North America. •Cargo dwindled in the 60’s due to pipelines, containers, modern road trans• First warehouse was built by canal company, various floors port. were rented by various merchants. • Only cargo to be exported was salt, many Built shipsinleft empty. •Northern warehouse only surviving original. 1871 and used as a • Cargo dwindled in the 60’s due to pipelines, containers, granary. modern road transport. warehouse only surviving original. Built in 1871 and • Northern •Timber was often transported in the water up the canal, pulled behind used Itaswas a granary. a boat. also stored in the water to prevent drying out. • Timber was often transported in the water up the canal, pulled behindimports a boat. roughly It was also stored water to prevent drying •Current match thatinofthe 1864. out. • Current roughly match •Growth onlyimports happened when it hadthat to. of Not1864. a lot of speculation around site. Growth only happened when it had to. Not a lot of speculation • Sharpness survives because demand meets supply. around site. Sharpness survives because demand meets supply.
SITE ANALYSIS Framework & Context
Water as framing device
Ancient woodland and biodiversity areas
as
Industrial context
Sunpath
3.3 Genius Loci
TOPOGRAPHY Sharpness’s landscape is a crucial in shaping its character. Water provides the framework of the area, shaping the topography with the River Severn Estuary, Lock, Tidal Bassin, Main Dock, Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, Old Arm Marina and Bassin. Vast grassland can be found expanding north of the Tidal Bassin, and to the south of the basin on either side of the public car park. Furthermore, open spaces overlooking the Estuary provide some stunning views. Another element of its topography is the ancient woodland areas found to the North of the docks, consisting of some of the oldest trees in the district. The surrounding area is chaacterised by a rural landscape, consisting of a patchwork of meadows and agricultural fields, with isolated farmsteads, “set within a strong framework of hedgerow landscape structure with small pockets of woodland and a strong topographical ‘frame’”. BUILDING TYPOLOGIES With a very small number of commercial or culture buildings, Sharpness’ building types are distinguished in residential and industrial. Industrial warehouses can be found all along Sharpness Canal, while a few Victorian terraced houses can be found to the west, along Dock road. The warehouses are mainly a-framed structural form to allow maximum internal space, creating a very big difference of scales in Sharpness. The scale of the industrial buildings in com- parison to the residential illustrates the pur- pose of their design for machines not people. Vernacular MATERIALS There is a clear distinction of materials and textures in Sharpness according to uses. Warehouses’ structure consists mainly from an a-framed skeleton, with corrugated aluminum sheets cladding, while the materials used in the Victorian terraced houses, are more domestic, with brick facades and clay roof tiles. Other materials shaping the vernacular character of Sharpness, evidence of its rich industrial heritage, are iron and concrete. These can be seen in the large concrete silo’s that dominate the area’s skyline, the canal bank’s concrete surface, as well as the cranes and bridges. New development should therefore respect the character and the local aesthetic, in terms of scale, materials, and building uses. Some of the building materials found in the wider area, are listed below: Building materials found in the area: -Limestone buildings -Stone and brick buildings -Traditional rough cast or dashed render -Lime wash -Cotswold stone, slate or tile roof -Red clay roof tiles (pantiles and double roman) -Welsh and spanish slates
3.4 SELECTION OF SITE
4. THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 4.1 INTRODUCING THE PROPOSAL
This document has been created on be a private party and forms part of submission, along with Part C-Design Part D-Proposal Drawings.
This part of the Document (Part masterplan and the building proposal Sharpness. The views and objec masterplan will be analyzed in this sec and objectives as these are draw documents. 4.2 THE BUILDING PROPOSAL.
The building proposal for Sharpness i part of Sharpness, adjacent to the tida Micro-Water Filtration Plant and a Ca The proposal uses landscape, formu reed-beds, to integrate industrial and re articulating circulation through the sit and private areas.
In more detail, the proposal consists of
1400 m2 – 1-2 storey water filtration pl from adjacent properties on Dock ro water from the canal.
1440 m2- sturgeon farm using clea filtration plant for the fish tanks.
5780 m2- wetlands landscape, extendi the Severn Estuary at the southwest to the north.
The Site The site selected for this water purification scheme, is located to the West of Sharpness, by the Dry Docks. The selection of this site was done mainly due to the water framework around the site, consisting of the Severn Estuary and the Dry Docks with the Tidal Basin. One clear opposition is formed by these water elements. The opposition of natural (The Severn Estuary) and man-made (The Dry Docks and canal) water landscapes. This helped shape the landscape strategy of the scheme, which was to bring the natural water landscape back to Dock road, as it would have normally been without any human intervention, that way also enhancing the road, creating a more pleasant environment for the residents. This was achieved through wetlands and reeds along the site. Furthermore, Dock road as a street axes, was another important contextual element that influenced the design and layout of the building. The linearity of the street axes, informed also by the row of Victorian terraced houses along the street was a key axes when designing, whose linearity has to be kept. This helped form the second clear opposition related to the site, the opposition of residential and industrial. The Victorian row of terraced houses, created a very residential environment on one side of the road, with front gardens and fences, opposed by the very industrial elements on the other side of the road, the dry docks and warehouses around them, and even more profoundly by the 40 m tall concrete silo, adjacent to the site. This second opposition formed the building strategy, which was for the building to act as a threshold, linking these two opposing world of residential and industrial, providing a smooth transition from one to the other, Finally, other practical requirements also informed the choice of site. The location of the proposal was one of vital importance to the efficiency of operations within the facilities. Located within the industrial zone of Sharpness, its close proximity to the canal was a major requirement for the pumping of water, while the choice of placing the facility to the West of Sharpness was to satisfy the need for a sewage treatment plant for the properties at this side of Sharpness, whose sewage is currently disposed, untreated into river Severn.
Site Analysis
The site chosen for the building scheme as afore mentioned has one key axis of linearity, that od Dock road. In the image to the left, one can see the most dominant elements around the site, demonstrated in the pictures below. An analysis of the natural elements of the location and orientation of the site was done and can also be seen in the image to the left. The size, shape and orientation of the site would allow for transversal buildings, utilizing the northern light in large parts.Another important factor to the choice of site was the Southwest orientation of the wind, facilitating the incorporation of an industrial scheme in such close proximity to residential properties by transfering any odours taway from the properties. Finally, noise is generated by the activities at the dry docks from the shipyards and warehouses, but an addition of a building on the site could act as a facade, hiding these activities and covering the noise.
The concrete silo
View of Dock Road
The tidal bassin
Severn Estuary
4. Masterplan
4.1 SPEED-PLANNING EXERCISE THE BRIEF The speed-planning exercise was a group task, and each group was assigned a different set of prompt words, in order to create their own agenda for a masterplan for Sharpness. Using the prompt words given and a set of objects to act as symbols of each objective developed from the prompt words, each group has to work on the strategic placement of these objects initially on a 1:1000 base map, and then on the 1:500 site model. The words given to my group were the following: • Unpretentious • Yaughty • Industrial • Live/Work • Leisure Land • Forest Kindergarten • Outward-bound School • Special Needs Residential Building
Speed Planning Exercise-Site Model 1:500
Speed Planning Exercise
3.2 THE RESULTING STRATEGY THE RESULTING STRATEGY The main guiding the masterplan a light industrial core The main idea idea guiding the masterplan waswas a light industrial core the canal, with residential development forming a alongalong the canal, with residential development forming a live-work live-work relationship adjacent to A it,new to the west.for A Sharpness new centre relationship adjacent to it, to the west. centre for Sharpness would be formed at the north docks, would be formed at the north docks, while the canal while wouldthe be canaltowould be improved achieveofincreased activity ships improved achieve increasedtoactivity ships and boatsofgoing andit.boats going through it. Furthermore, the preservation through Furthermore, the preservation of natural assets at of the natural assets at the northwest and northeast of theobjective. canal was northwest and northeast of the canal was another key another key objective. terms of point access new Finally, in terms of accessFinally, a new inentrance to aSharpness entrance point to Sharpness was created from the North, was created from the North, replacing the old B4066 entrance. replacing the old B4066 entrance.
INDUSTRIAL CORE -INDUSTRIAL CORE The area around the canal would remain an exclusively industrial The area around the canal would remain an exclusively area, with heavy industrial uses though being replaced by lighter industrial area, with heavy industrial uses though being replaced ones,bycleaner uses with a smaller impact on the residents lighter ones, cleaner uses with a smaller impact on theand the environment. residents and the environment. LIVE-WORK -LIVE-WORK To integrate the industrial landscape with To integrate the industrial landscape withthe therest rest of of developments, residences would be provided forprovided those working there, at developments, residences would be for those working the northwest of Sharpness, to satisfy the need for housing that there, at the northwest of Sharpness, to satisfy the need for will be created. housing that will be created. NEW-NEW HUB HUB To support new development residential industrial To support new development and and residential andand industrial landlandscape, the formation of acentre new centre at scape, the formation of a new wouldwould take take placeplace at the the north of the Docks with the necessary services and leisure north of the Docks with the necessary services and leisure facilisupport theand houses and industries. new ties tofacilities supporttothe houses industries. Most newMost development development will occur along the coastline to take full will occur along the coastline to take full advantage of the natural advantage of the natural assets of the site. assets of the site. -INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE Green corridors would be created along edges thecanal canal Green corridors would be created along thethe edges of ofthe the north, while new routes linking all residential and at theatnorth, while new routes linking all residential and industrial industrial development crossing through the core of the site. development crossing through the core of the site.
Speed Planning Resulting Strategy Diagram
4.2 THE FINAL MASTERPLAN
Masterplan Phases
Phase 1 -Construction of water purification and sturgeon farm scheme -Development of reedbeds landscape and wetlands north of the site -Expansion of-Construction housing on DockofRoad Water Treatment Plant Establishment of new woodland area
Phase 1
-Expansion of housing on Dock road -Establishment of new woodland area
Phase 2 (20 years) Phase 3 (50 years) -Expansions of Water Treatment plant -Establishment of North of Sharpness as nature reserve -Expansions of reeds outside site along Dock road -Establishment of woodland landscape along Dock road axis -Establishment of new water-based industries -Regeeration of industrial core along Sharpness -Establishment of North Canal of Sharpness as -Expansion of Water Treatment Plant -Increase in exports -Additional housing in Newtown reserve of residential area of Newtown -Expansion of newly-Expansion established woodland -Expansion of industry, new industries -Establishment of new water-based industries -Preservation and protection of ancient woodland
Phase 2 (20 years)
-Development of commercial activity-Expansion of newly established woodland
Phase 5 (50 years)
-Increase of comercial activity -Additional housing in Newtown
nature
5. The Brief
The Brief The brief as developed from the initial studies is to design and water treatment plant ad sturgeon farm.
Landscape of Sharpness; mediation between the industry and the public domain… Expectations:
Main Function:
Sewage from the houses on Dock road will be pumped to a receiving tank, along with 20,000 litres of water from the Sharpness Canal. From there, both sewage and wastewater will be purified and passed in the Sturgeon Farm. Sludge output from the process will be used as manure for the wetlands landscape extending at the north part of the site. Effluent water from the water plant will be pumped in the sturgeon tanks where it will be used for the production of caviar. Water from the fishtanks will go back to the water plant to be purified again throuh the landscape. Finally, ending the production processes, part of the production will be exported, while a smaller part will be passed to consumption at the adjacent caviar restaurant for visitors to taste. The boutique farm will ultimately produce caviar. From the sturgeon tanks, water will continue its route to demonstration wetlands with reed beds that will span along the north side of the site. Water will finally return from there to the Severn River or the receiving tanks where it will be purified to be used once again. Motivation: This project is partly driven from the need for sewage on the west side of Sharpness to be treated and not discharged directly into the Severn. In addition, another drive can be found in defra’s 2012 document Wastewater treatment in the United Kingdom , which deals with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). According to defra’s document there is a need for improvement of the water in the Sharpness canal as water within it is listed as eutrophic (excessive inputs of nutrients present in wastewater). Any utilization of the water from the canal therefore would require its treatment.
Expectations arising from the completion of this project would primarily be the improvement of water quality in the canal. Future aspirations would be an increase of interest for investments on water-based industry around the canal that would result in a regeneration of the industrial core of Sharpness, and would bring a future need for expansion of the plant to provide more industrial facilities with water. Design Direction: The site would comprise of three different buildings whose design and placement on the site will reflect their function, in terms of the level of privacy required. The two main industrial buildings, the purification plant and the sturgeon farm will be placed in a linear alignment, to allow for flexibility, as well as facilitate the route of the water treated. The choice of façade materials will demonstrate which parts of these buildings and processes within them will be open to be viewed by the public. A third building that will house all ancillary uses would welcome visitors at the north side, on Dock rd, which will be accessible by everyone and will be evident in its façade treatment by a choice of more transparent materials. Finally materiality of the project will also be affected by the existence of residential buildings at the north of the site, which will dictate the transition of materials from domestic at the north part of the site to more industrial materials on the south side. Client: The sewage and wastewater purification facility part of the project has been assigned and funded by Wessex Water, while the sturgeon farm has been commissioned by a private investor.
Scheme Diagram
6. Development
6.1 INTRODUCING THE PROPOSAL Research on water treatment plants, emphasized on the importance of access to the facility, to facilitate the transport and handling of chemicals used in the plant. The need to provide for two different accesses to the site and facilities became evident very early on in the development of the design, creating that way two zones in the site, an open access and a restricted access zone. Keeping heavy industrial activities within the restricted access zone to the south of the site, was a requirement for the smooth integration of the building with the residential properties across the road, keeping it hidden by friendlier to the public, ancillary uses and wetlands to the North of the site. Areas and uses across the site therefore, progress from ancillary, to industrial. Access will be open to public to the north of the site, in the demonstration wetlands area, will be open to some of the procedures of the water treatment plant and the caviar farm, with controlled circulation, yet some of the areas will be restricted for visitors, mainly with processes involving chemicals. Finally the zone to the south of the site, by the tidal basin will be strictly restricted to visitors, and will only be accessible for personnel, as the zone will be used by lorries delivering chemicals, and for chemical storage and handling operations.
Circulation Diagram where red: restricted access and green open access
1:200 Model of volumes with acetate and foamboard indicating the levels of privacy within each part of the building Model experimentations on linearity and building forms
Preliminary design of scheme into context, showing bigger sturgeon farm and ancillary uses positioned to the north of the site, while some tanks are not enclosed within the water treatment plant
Soulages Museum, Pyrenees, RCR Arquitectes
Form Presedents
Marfa Texas, Donald Judd
By 1963 Judd had established an essential vocabulary of forms — ‘stacks’, ‘boxes’ and ‘progressions’ — which preoccupied him for the next thirty years. Most of his output was in freestanding “specific objects”, that used simple, often repeated forms to explore space and the use of space. Humble materials such as metals, industrial plywood, concrete and color-impregnated Plexiglas became staples of his career. Judd’s first floor box structure was made in 1964, and his first floor box using Plexiglas followed one year later. Also by 1964, he began work on wall-mounted sculptures, and first developed the curved progression format of these works in 1964. In 1965, Judd created his first stack, an arrangement of identical iron units stretching from floor to ceiling. Judd’s work in Marfa includes 15 outdoor works in concrete and 100 aluminum pieces housed in two painstakingly renovated artillery sheds.
Similar layout attempted in structural model
Soulages Museum was built in a site of great significance, and the architects considered it as a link between the historic centre and the new quarters. « The museum rises up from the park, it restructures, gives order, reveals and clarifies ...” (RCR Arquitectes ). Respectful of its surroundings, the building is organised in a succession of parallelepiped volumes (cubes). Orientated towards the garden, the south wall does not exceed three meters whilst on the the north side of the site , the ‘boxes’ are overlooking a pathway. The cladding is made of Corten steel also known as weathering steel. When exposed to the weather (corrosion), this material a protective layer of rust is created.. « The Corten steel, ages with time, and perfectly suits the park’s natural surroundings. It is not a lifeless and asceptisized material. Furthermore, its colour-range echoes Rodez’s pink grey colours. » (RCR Arquitectes) The shades of this steel also reflect Pierre Soulages’ work.
6.2 BUILDING PROPOSAL The site will host activities in three different buildings. Industrial activities will occut in the water filtraion plant and the sturgeon farm, while there will be a third building, hosting a caviar restaurant and ancillary uses.The two main axes to the site therefore, remain Dock road, and the Sharpness Canal axis, and building and landscape layout is developed along those axes. A wetlands landscape therefore has been placed to the north, along Dockroad, with deck corridors, enhancing that way the landscape of the road for residents and visitors. Industrial processes are found along the middle of the site, behind the wetlands landscape and the reception building, in order to ensure minimum disturbance to the residents on Dock rd. The water treatment plant is placed to the east side of the site, on the canal’s edge, to facilitate the pumping of water to be purified from the canal. Next to the water treatment plant, is the caviar farm which takes the purified water from the farm and uses it, therefore the choice of placing it along the same axis as the water treatment plant is also for efficiency purposes. Finally, the south side of the site is occupied by all noise and traffic generating processes, it’s to be accessed from the lorries transferring the chemicals, therefore parking and chemical storage is placed on this part of the side, where it would be better integrated with the processes on the Docks and wont disturb the residents of the area.
Water Filtration Plant Two-Point Perspective/Section
6.3 THE INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS The water plant and the sturgeon farm, are positioned in a similar layout, following the same linear design, to show the order of processes in the site. The sturgeoon farm, is set back, in order to emphasize the importance of the water plant building on the site. Accessibility to the site is segregated for the users visiting the site and for those working there and heavy vehicles. Heavy vehicles carrying chemicals and any other resources will be accessing the site from its south side, by the docks, in order to prevent any disturbance to the residencts, and limiting industrial uses south of the site, along the canal and docks. Visitors will be able to reach the buildings from its north side, where a landscape of wetlands and reedbeds will be expanding. The users will be able to circulate through that landscape to reach the buildings from Dock road.
CIRCULATION & ACCESS Circulation for visitors will be designated through the landscape and will progress as the visitors’ journey through the water processes from restricted to open. Visitors will be able to circulate freely at the north of the site, through the wetlands and walkways. Circulation in the water filtration tank will be strictly segregated between workers and visitors. Visitors will not be able to circulate around the tanks, but will be able to view the processes by a height of 3 m, reached through a suspending walkway at the north part of the building. Access within the sturgeon farm will be free for everyone, and users will be able to view the tanks and fish inside.
THE FACADE Facades in all three buildings consist of two main materials, glass and wood, used in a different manner in each building. The proportion of glazing and timber in each part of the buildings, allows for complete, none or partial permeability into the activities of the building. Parts of the processes, the parts which mainly involve the handling of chemicals are completely enclosed in the facade, while parts that do not involve any chemicals or any unpleasant sights or smells, are completely glazed, allowing for people to view some parts of the purification process. The elevations of the industrial buildings, i.e. the water treatment plant and the sturgeon farm are made up of a combination of curtain walling and timber cladding, The water treatment plant has a curtain walling system extending all along the north wall, covered with prefabricated timber palettes in the biggest part of it, with the planks running in a horizontal manner, informed by the movement of water in the interior of the building. Curtain walling in the middle part of the building is left completely exposed, for visitors to be able to whitness the part of the process before the chemical treatment (see diagram left). Facade treatment changes slightly in the third building of the scheme, hosting the restaurant and ancillary uses. This building, signifying the end of industrial processes uses more transparent and warmer materials, showing its freer accessibility compared to the other two buildings. Timber frame is chosen, opposing the steel frame used in the other buildings, as wood is a softer material than steel, for a warmer effect. A secondary timber structure is attached to the frame, fully glazed, with walkways for circulation, as well as a reception/lobby space.
FACADE PRECEDENTS
Vortex Installation In September, 1024 architecture created “Tesseract,” a light installation featuring complex geometrical compositions within a simple structural framework. The architecture firm, created by Pierre Schneider and François Wunschel, “focuses on the interaction between body, space, sound, visual, low-tech and high-tech, art and architecture.” Vortex builds upon a combination of these eight elements by using organic materials alongside new technology. The structure wraps around a footbridge between two buildings causing the bridge itself to dematerialize behind a complex matrix of light and wooden planks. “Vortex evolves like a living organism; it breathes, trembles and emits pulses of light.
Wolzak, Netherlands-SeARCH The load bearing construction of the extension consists of a series of solid prefabricated wooden plates. They define the building’s internal finishes and influence the quality of the interior space. By cladding the roof and elevations with a continuous skin of horizontal timber laths, the façades simultaneously have the appearance of being open, semi-transparent and closed. The workroom, guest accommodation and garden store are all located in the remainder of the new volume separated from the living spaces by a large conservatory.
1:200 Model of volumes with acetate and foamboard indicating the levels of privacy within each part of the building
Different permeabilities of the wooden palettes
Interior of Water Filtration Plant Perspective Visitors’ Point of View
Interior of Water Filtration Plant Perspective Employees’ Point of View
6.4 THE SOCIAL INTERFACE Ancillary Uses-The Caviar Restaurant Building
OPPOSING VIEWS Natural Water Landscaoe: Severn Estuary
Manmade Water Landscape: Sharpness & Gloucester Canal
The social building of the site, is where industrial processes stop and the passage from production to consumption occurs. Its form indicates the functions carried out inside the building. The core of the building which is where ancillary uses are hosted such as laboratories and administration offices follows the same linear layout as the industrial buildings, with this being the last part of the industrial process. The other two parts of the building are indicated for social interaction, hosting a cafe and a restaurant. These sides of the building have been shifted in angles in order to provide the dual opposing views mentioned before. The building is unified to the exterior by a two-storey glass structure, acting as the building’s facade and providing the building’s circulation through its walkways as well as act as a lobby for the building, where caviar restaurant customers will be greeted.
1:200 Ground Floor Plan
A Caviar Restaurant will be located on the 2nd floor of the building, wihile the glazed facade will allow for views over the Severn and the Gloucester &Shapness Canal. The 2nd floor will also host laboratories for the two industrial buildings.
1st Floor Plan showing caviar restaurant and offices-1:200
1:200 East Elevation showing conservatory and restaurant
The Social Interaction Building A timber frame has been chosen as the skeleton for this building hosting the caviar restaurant and ancilary uses of the site. A gluelam beam structure was chosen for this building in order to oppose the steel structure of the other two buildings of the scheme, in order to show the different uses of the buildings. While steel seemed to be the obvious choice for buildings hosting industrial uses, a softer and friendlier to the users material pallette was chosen for this building, where timber structure seemed appropriate.The restaurant building consists of a different structure, with a timber frame, made up of 900 mm deep gluelam beams and 400 mm by 200 mm timber columns completing the primary structure. A secondary glass structure hosting the walkways of the building is attached to this main structure, supported by 400 by 200 mm beams and columns bolted on the main structure, as shown in the diagram to the right, while additional columns and beams were added between each component for extra support of the glass structure.
Restaurant Building Composition Isometric
The restaurant The restaurant has been shifted in a specific angle,from the main axis of linearity running through the site, in order to provide dual opposing views of the two main water frameworks of Sharpness. The manmade landscape of the Sharpness Canal to the southeast of the site, and the Severn Estuary to the northwest. The industrial view of the Sharpness Canal, with the concrete towers and crane can be seen on the section on the right.
1:20 section through restaurant
Structural Model of building, showing primary and secondary timber structure
Section through Restaurant showing Severn Estuary View
Section through Restaurant showing Sharpness Canal View
6.5 The Wetlands Landscape
THE VEGETATION Reedbed Wetlands Reedbeds are in decline due to water pollution, land drainage and excessive water extraction. Important reedbeds that still exist in low-lying areas of the East coast are threatened by rising sea levels. Estimates of reedbed habitat loss may be as high as 45% since 1945. It is therefore intended that 1,200ha of new reedbeds should be created in the UK by the year 2010*. Management To maintain a good stand of reeds, water levels should be kept at an a propriate level. A regime of rotational cutting and burning will prevent a layer of litter building up and so improve the quality of the reed. Water Treatment Systems Reeds are increasingly being used to treat domestic and industrial wastewater. A constructed reed bed system r moves the ‘middle man’ – the sewage treatment works. As the wastewater passes through the horizontal and vertical rhizomes of the Common Reed is organically cleaned by bacterial activity. The purification process is by aerobic and/or anaerobic decomposition. Aerobic processes take place when oxygen is present. The organic matter is broken down into inorganic compounds such as nitrates, phosphates, sulphates and carbon dioxide. Anaerobic processes occur when there is no oxygen and the biochemical end products are different (ammonia, sulphides and methane). A combination of both processes helps to achieve the complete breakdown of organic matter. Microorganisms and plants can consume and/or remove pathogenic bacteria and viruses, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, nitrogen, phosphorus and suspended solids.
Landscape Precedents Tianjin Qiaoyuan Wetland Park The overall design goal for this project is to create a park that can provide a diversity of nature’s services for the city and the surrounding urban residents, including: containing and purifying urban storm water; improving the saline-alkali soil through natural processes; recovering the regional landscape with low maintenance native vegetation; providing opportunities for environmental education about native landscapes and natural systems, storm water management, soil improvement, and landscape sustainability; creating a cherished aesthetic experience. The regional landscape is flat and was once rich in wetlands and salt marshes, which had been mostly destroyed by decades of urban development and infrastructure construction. Though it is difficult to grow trees in the saline-alkali soil, the ground cover and wetland vegetation are rich and vary in response to subtle changes in the water table and PH values. Inspired by the adaptive vegetation communities that dotted the landscape in this region, the solution for this park was developed called The Adaptation Palettes, which was designed to let the nature work.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Campus by Gustafson Guthrie Nichol Prior to development, the site of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Campus was a 12-acre parking lot cut off from the surrounding neighborhoods by major roads. Years before Seattle became a city, the site was a rich, peaty bog situated in the saddle between Lake Union and Elliott Bay. Over time, industrial activities contaminated the bog with a cocktail of toxic chemicals that were eventually covered in asphalt. This hardening of the landscape resulted in an isolated, degraded site. Through a close collaboration, the design team developed the buildings and landscape to represent complimentary principles inspired by the Foundation’s goals of a global mission and local roots. On the ground, the landscape and building podiums root the project in the former bog through materials and planting, giving continuity throughout the site, as well as restoring native habitat and ecological functions previously lost. The combined site and building composition of this “local ground” responds to the neighborhood grid and fronts onto the surrounding streets.
THE LANDSCAPE A wetlands landscape is an important part of the site, extending on a big part of it. Inspired by the adaptive vegetation communities that still partly dot the landscape in this region, and the Severn Estuary vegetation, a regenerative design strategy was devised consisting of the development of wetlands and reeds not only within the site, but along Dock road. The landscape strategy for this scheme in the longterm is for the reeds to be extended with the passage of time all along Dock road. Reedbeds therefore, will be extending from the upper swing bridge, all the way to the Severn Estuary, filtrating rain water running to the Estuary. In that way, the aim is to bring back the natural wetlands landscape to Dock road, which has been eliminated by the man-made landscape with the Tidal Basin and Dry Docks, and provide a transition between the two, creating both a pleasant environment for the residents of Dock road that highlights the natural elements of the area, as well as filter the water running to the Estuary. Reeds will expand with the help of the Southwest wind direction.
Development of landscape layout in 1:500 model with threads
SHADOW PATTERNS STUDY In order for the landscape to be developed on the north part of the site, given the north-south orientation of the site, it would have to be ensured that shadow patterns do not create a very dark environment in the wetlands landscape. Lighting patterns were studied therefore in watercolors for the winter and summer months throughout the day Although due to the big volumes of the industrial buildings, their relatively small height would not affect the lighting in the landscape severely. Additional space between the building was ensured though to allow more southern light into the landscape.
Watercolor diagram showing changing shading patterns onto site during the day
1:5000 masterplan in watercolor showing reedbeds development in Sharpness
THE LANDSCAPE STRATEGY-1:1250
Landscape Strategy
Walkways
Water Routes
Reedbeds Phase 1
Reedbeds Phase 2
1:1000 Site Model, showing landscape
Demonstration wetlands and reeds have been designed to the north of the site, in a linear layout following that of Dock road, with wooden walkways going through the wetlands, providing circulaiation to the site and access to the facilities. The landscape though is not to be limited only within the boundaries of the site. The reeds landscape, will follow a very linear and strict layout within the site, following the layout of the buildings, yet as one moves beyond the site, the reeds will be developed in a freer more natural way, with no clear pattern. As one approaches the Water Purification Facilities, the reeds will indicate the proximity of the site and will guide the public to the building.
Perspective collage of Landscape-Visitors Point of View
7. FINAL DRAWINGS
Site section through restaurant, sturgeon farm and water treatment plant-1:200
Short Section through sturgeon farm and landscape, showing context-1:200
Roof Plan 1:500
PART C-TECHNICAL
8. TECHNICAL THE STRUCTURE As afore mentioned, two different types of structures are used within this scheme. The industrial buildings have a different structural frame from that of the social interface building. The water filtration plant and sturgeon farm are made up of a steel frame construction, hosting the industrial processes of the scheme, while a timber frame was chosen for the consumption and ancillary parts of the scheme, hosted in the third building. Spacing of each structural component is 6 m for the water filtration plant, 5 m for the sturgeon farm, while timber beams and columns are spaced 4 to 5 m for the primary structur and the secodary structure haldway betwen the primary every 1.9 or 2 m for the restaurant building.
Although flooding was not a concern for the site, due to the development of wetlands extending in such close proximity to the buildings, waterproofing was an important issue when detailing. Initial sections had the walkways supported on a concrete slab, with a waterproof membrane running under the slab, as well as around the foundations and ending at the water. This solution changed though later on, with the foundations being deeper and adding insulation all around them, while walkways would have hardwood timber posts sank in the ground, with their own concrete foundations, as will be seen later in this section.
Structural model showing steel structural frame of Water Plant.
1:1 Drawing exercise-Section through water filtration plant showing walkways and reeds
Structural model of Ancillary Building, investigating structure components within (Timber Frame)
Primary structure components of all buildings
Context
Material Response
Materiality Response to vernacular materials found around the site In terms of materiality, building materials have been chosen as a response to the vernacular materials shown in a previous section of this booklet, as well as the kind of activity carried out within each building and the level of privacy required. As mentioned earlier, in the research analysis part, vernacular materials found in Sharpness range from domestic, such as brick and clay roof tiles found in the Victorian terraced houses, to iron and concrete found dominating the area’s skyline, through the silos, cranes and bridges. Materials have therefore been chosen in respect to those materials that characterize and serve as evidence of Sharpness’ rich industrial heritage. The two industrial buildings, which are the water treatment plant and the sturgeon farm, will have more industrial, harder materials, emphasizing on the fact that the buildings need to be flexible and efficient, while they are not accessible to everyone. The third building on the other hand, which is about social interaction, and hosts the restaurant and ancillary uses will use softer materials, allowing also for more transparency of the uses carried out inside, that way signifying the end of the industrial processes and the passing from production to consumption, showing also that it is a building accessible to everyone, with no restricted parts. Representing the concept of the life cycle of water, the facade, which would be using wood from the local woodland (ash, lime and cherry tree wood) would act/react in a similar way, as due to the different types of wood used, each wood will age in a different way, and their life span will therefore be different, while the different aging of each wood used will create changing patterns on the facades with
Building Envelope Composition of Facade
Detail 2
Water Filtration Plant The water filtration plant with a total area of 120 m2, was a building requiring flexibility and efficiency, that would need to allow for future extension of the building. Therefore a steel structure seemed more appropriate. The plant has steel columns with a height ranging from 5.5 m to 9 m. 1m deep and 20 m long n-truss lattice beams sit on top of the columns to support the curved roof structure. Structural components have a spacing of 6 m. A secondary structure of suspending walkway 1.5 m wide and 20 m long is attached on one side of the structure, providing internal circulation for visitors, who can view some of the processes from a safe height of 3 m. The roof structure is completed by mullions 600 mm apart, running along the structure, finished with zinc roofing.
Detail 1
Detail 2-Water Plant Roof 1:10 mm Metal Flashing
Zinc Roofing
Roof Purlins
Insulation Boards
Vapour Barrier
Liner Sheet
Aluminium Gutter
Sealant
CurtainWall Cladding Suspended Walkway Structural Beam
Suspended Walkway Support Column
Structural Steel Column
Curtain Wall Stick System
Structural Steel Truss
Detail 1-Water Plant Foundations 1:5 mm
External Wooden Walkway Curtain Walling Blanking Panel Curtain Walling Fixing Bracket Structural Steel Column 400x200 mm 60 mm Screed Waterproof Membrane 50 mm Insulation 200 mm Concrete Slab 50 mm Insulation DPM 75 mm Sand 250 mm Hardcore
Waterproof Membrane Roof Covering
Glass Panels
Flashing
Rainscreen Cladding
Vapour Barrier
Waterproof Membrane Roof Covering
Bitumen Roof Tiles
Glass Panels
Insulation
Gluelam Beam Secondary Structure Battens
Primary Gluelam Beam
Structural Wall Timber Framing
Gypsum Board Structural steel column Plywood Sheathing Panel Rigid Insulation eated timber counter batten Timber boardingTAluminium L Profile Joint protection-Backer rod and sealant
Foam Fixing bolt Setting Block Window Sill Glazing
1:5 Window and wall detail-Sturgeon Farm Building
THE WALKWAYS A timber walkway structure has been chosen for circulation through the site and the landscape. Walkways with width of 2 m are designed to be placed to the exterior of the buildings and along the north part of the site on Dock road. Hardwood timber posts will be placed, 900 mm deep, with individual concrete foundations for each post. The timber deck will be placed on a horizontal perpendicular structure of timber beams, secured on the posts.
9. ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY
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Industrial buildings, although operations carried inside do not require any specific temperature control, would both have ambient environments. Openings in the roof would allow for extra ventilation as well as allowing lighting into the landscape. High amount of glazing on the northern wall would allow for indirect northern light to enter the building, while southern light will be limited through blinds, allowing only winter sun light to enter.
All buildings of the scheme would have to comply with Part B of the Building Regulations Fire Safety.
10. B1 MEANS OF WARNING & ESCAPE Any point within the buildings would have to be within a distance of 45 m from direction exits. There would need to be at least 2 direction exits. The exits should be at least 2 m wide The circulation routes should also be at least 2 m wide. Fire extinguishers will be provided in the interior as well as exterior of the building. Smoke alarms and sprinklers will be placed in every room, and they would need to have a spacing of 4 m for bigger areas. B2 INTERNAL FIRESPREAD & LININGS All internal components and fnishes will be protected. Fire resistant doors and walls will be chosen for the building. B3 INTERNAL FIRESPREAD & STRUCTURE A sprinkler system will be installed in each building as afore mentioned. Glulam structures have a protective layer in order to keep their structural ability for more than an hour. B4. The external walls of the building shall adequately resist the spread of fire over the walls and from one building to another, having regard to the height, use and position of the building.
B5 ACCESS FOR FACILITIES FOR FIRE & RESCUE The building will be easily accessible, with access for heavy vehicles and in case of fire fire vehicles provided to the south of the site. People within the buildings will be within easy reach of an exit. The site is located by the Sharpness Canal and a water pump will be placed a minimum of 15 m away from the buildings.
11. HOW MUCH DOES YOUR BUILDING WEIGH COSTINGS
Component
Cantilevered Retaining Wall
Structural Wall Wall Insulation Internal Wall Foundation Ground Beam
Material
Reinforced Concrete (eg in-situ floor slabs) with 50% GGBS RC40 Extruded Polystrene Concrete Reinforced Concrete (eg in-situ floor slabs) with 50% GGBS RC40 Reinforced Concrete (eg in-situ floor slabs) with 50% GGBS RC40
Area (m2)
Depth (m)
Volume (m3)
Density (kg/m3)
Weight of Material (kg)
Embodied Carbon (kgCo2/kg)
Total Embodied Carbon (kgCo2)
Embodied Energy (MJ/kg)
Total Embodied Energy (MJ)
Construction Cost (£/m3)
6,25
209,50
1.309,38
2.400,00
3.142.500,00
0,16
499.657,50
0,88
2.765.400,00
£296,00
£387.575,00
837,00 837,00
0,20 0,20
167,40 167,40
30,00 2.400,00
5.022,00 401.760,00
3,48 0,10
17.476,56 40.577,76
101,50 0,88
509.733,00 353.548,80
£40,00 £120,00
£6.696,00 £20.088,00
1,50
209,50
314,25
2.400,00
754.200,00
0,16
119.917,80
0,88
663.696,00
£296,00
£93.018,00
0,15
209,50
31,43
2.400,00
75.420,00
0,10
7.617,42
0,88
66.369,60
£120,00
£3.771,00
Total Cost (£)
1.863,90
0,10
186,39
2.400,00
447.336,00
0,16
71.126,42
0,88
393.655,68
£296,00
£55.171,44
Slab Insulation Hardcore Blinding
Reinforced Concrete (eg in-situ floor slabs) with 50% GGBS RC40 Extruded Polystrene Coarse Aggregate Fine Aggregate
1.863,90 1.863,90 1.863,90
0,10 0,15 0,02
186,39 279,59 37,28
30,00 2.240,00 2.240,00
5.591,70 626.270,40 83.502,72
3,48 0,00 0,00
19.459,12 3.006,10 400,81
101,50 0,08 0,08
567.557,55 51.980,44 6.930,73
£40,00 £34,53 £34,53
£7.455,60 £9.654,07 £1.287,21
Primary Structure Secondary Structure Insulation Ground Covering
Reinforced Concrete Beams Reinforced Concrete Floor Slab Extruded Polystrene Soil
54,45 1.359,70 1.359,70 1.359,70
0,70 0,30 0,20 0,60
38,12 407,91 271,94 815,82
2.400,00 2.400,00 30,00 1.200,00
91.476,00 978.984,00 8.158,20 978.984,00
0,16 0,16 3,48 0,00
14.544,68 155.658,46 28.390,54 3.915,94
0,88 0,88 101,50 0,00
80.498,88 861.505,92 828.057,30 3.915,94
£296,00 £296,00 £40,00 £0,00
£11.282,04 £120.741,36 £10.877,60 £0,00
Primary Structure Secondary Structure (Climbing Wall) Sheer Wall Wall Insulation Climbing Wall External Wall Glazing
Timber Frame
20,56
0,40
8,22
800,00
6.579,20
0,86
5.658,11
10,40
68.423,68
£790,00
£6.496,96
Steel Lattice
148,00
0,05
7,40
7.800,00
57.720,00
1,42
81.962,40
21,50
1.240.980,00
£245,00
£1.813,00
Reinforced Concrete Extruded Polystrene Ply Board Masonary Timber Frame
83,10 147,80 167,00 147,80 47,98
0,50 0,20 0,02 0,20 0,05
41,55 29,56 3,01 29,56 2,40
2.400,00 30,00 540,00 2.180,00 >
99.720,00 886,80 1.623,24 64.440,80 >
0,16 3,48 1,07 0,12 20,00
15.855,48 3.086,06 1.736,87 7.475,13 >
0,88 101,50 15,00 0,85 300,00
87.753,60 90.010,20 24.348,60 54.774,68 >
£296,00 £40,00 £370,00 £288,00 £453,99
£12.298,80 £1.182,40 £1.112,22 £8.513,28 £1.089,12
Wall
Reinforced Concrete
130,00
0,40
52,00
2.400,00
124.800,00
0,16
19.843,20
0,88
109.824,00
£296,00
£15.392,00
Foundation Finish
Reinforced Concrete Timber
13,65 260,00
0,60 0,03
8,19 6,50
2.400,00 800,00
19.656,00 5.200,00
0,16 0,60
0,88 10,40
17.297,28 54.080,00
£296,00 £120,00
£2.424,24 £780,00
Structural Columns
400x400 800x800
Reinforced Concrete Reinforced Concrete
11,20 2,56
0,40 0,80
4,48 2,05
2.400,00 2.400,00
10.752,00 4.915,20
0,16 0,16
3.125,30 3.120,00 0,00 1.709,57 781,52
0,88 0,88
9.461,76 4.325,38
£296,00 £296,00
£1.326,08 £606,21
External Envelope
Glazing Insulation Structure Internal Envelope
Structural Extruded Polystrene Stone Stone
92,96 34,00 34,00 34,00
0,05 0,20 0,20 0,20
4,65 6,80 6,80 6,80
> 30,00 2.180,00 2.180,00
> 204,00 14.824,00 14.824,00
20,00 3,48 0,12 0,12
> 709,92 1.719,58 1.719,58
15,00 101,50 15,00 15,00
> 20.706,00 222.360,00 222.360,00
£18.000,00 £40,00 £288,00 £288,00
£83.664,00 £272,00 £1.958,40 £1.958,40
Floor
Concrete Floor Slab
Green Roof
Climbing Tower
x5
Load Bearing Walls
Staff Tower / Café Tower
Excavation
x2
Primary Structure
Timber Frame
22,37
0,40
8,95
800,00
7.158,40
0,86
6.156,22
10,40
74.447,36
£790,00
£7.068,92
Secondary Structure Stairs External Envelope Glazing Wall Insulation
Timber Joists Concrete Masonary Timber Frame Extruded Polystrene
25,44 4,95 147,80 47,98 147,80
0,05 0,50 0,20 0,05 0,20
1,27 2,48 29,56 2,40 29,56
600,00 2.400,00 2.180,00 > 30,00
763,20 5.940,00 64.440,80 > 886,80
0,86 0,16 0,12 20,00 3,48
656,35 944,46 7.475,13 > 3.086,06
10,40 0,88 15,00 300,00 101,50
7.937,28 5.227,20 966.612,00 > 90.010,20
£600,00 £180,00 £288,00 £453,99 £40,00
£763,20 £445,50 £8.513,28 £1.089,12 £1.182,40
Ground
Earth
186,39
4,00
745,56
>
>
>
>
>
>
£75,30
£56.140,67
Grand Total
Total Weight
8.104.539,46
Total Embodied Carbon
1.148.570,07
Total Embodied Energy
10.523.789,05
Total Cost
Cost Per m2
£1.092.793,07
£1.045,37
Total Tower Cost x5=
£32.505,78 £162.528,91
Total Tower Cost x2=
£19.062,42 £38.124,84
PART D- OTHER
12. WATERCOLOR STUDIES
Watercolor Presedents
Watercolors have been an important means of representation throughout the scheme. They have been chosen as an approach to represent forms and natural light. Two main architects have influenced this choice of representation, due to their preference of watercolors to represent building forms and landscape. These architects are RCR Arquitectes (see left), mentioned in the previous page, and Stephen Holl (see right) (his museums in Qingdao, China were looked at, more specifically). At a time of rapidly changing technology in the service of architectural design, Steven Holl’s watercolors is an important reminder of just how much you can do with the simplest of means. Holl’s watercolors has become his signature, a truly unique style of visualization and one that continues to inspire awe among his fellow architects. Holl does not doubt that digital tools are essential to the practice of twenty-first-century architecture, but he worries that architects who don’t draw enough are missing out on the vital connection between hand and mind. “We’re losing the sense of craftsmanship for certain things. We’re losing knowledge,” he says. To the right is a small handful of the tens of thousands of watercolors produced by the incredibly productive Holl over the course of his four-decade-long career. RCR Arquitectes is the second example of watercolor use. Although a new firm, they use watercolors to show the relationship between forms and landscape (see left). The linearity of their building forms (Soulages Museum), as well as their use of materials is what intrigued me to look into their work.
Initially lighting studies were performed with watercolors, studying the different shadows created by the building forms, as well as the individual components in the interior of the buildings. Further use of waterclors was used in landscape representation is plans and perspectives, chosen in plans and perspectives to demonstrate the reeds and water. Perspectives in watercolros of the buildings and the landscape were done throughout the design development studying the materiality of the buildings, the different kayers of transparency. Perspectives to the left demonstrate earlier stages of the design, designs at the next page, are of latter stages.