Marie Magnien RIBA Part II Architectural Assistant
From Avisfield to King’s Cross 3 sites, 3 different environments. From a small cottage in the suburb of Edinburgh to a 250 units mansion block on a very busy street of King’s Cross via the houses of the bucolic area of Hampstead. One brief links the 3 projects together, with one main connecting thread. How to open the buildings to their surroundings and still keep a feeling of privacy, shelter. An idea : The borrowed landscape. Photos (from left to right) : Post office/self storage outlet site in King’s Cross. Argyle Square in the first plan. London 2 Willow Road view towards Hampstead Heath. London Avisfield House . Edinburgh Block Plans Scale 1:20000
Turbulent & serene. Massing duality One side of the massing sits on busy Euston Road, the other on Argyle Square, a green and quite row of victorian houses. This duality has to transpire in the design of the building’s facades. The surroundings have a major impact on the aesthetic of the mansion block. 1. Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Jacopo Tedesco 2. Highly sculptural corner with three faces - Fara House by Pavel Janåk. Czech Republic Massing Model Scale 1:200
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Composing the facade A 1:33 model helps understand the relationship of the different elements that compose the facade. Like in the precedent studies, the imposing structure creates apertures to the surroundings. Large columns start at ground level and make their way up to the mansard. A 1:20 model shows how this relationship is transcribed inside a flat. 1. Facade primary sketch 2. Edificio via Daniele Manin by Asnago and Vender, Milan.
Ground floor and surroundings plan Plan Scale 1:500
Entrance mise en abyme 1. Palazzo Alibrandi 2. Tonbridge House Model Scale 1:30
Connecting courtyards and interior The ground floor is composed of different interior spaces. A creche, a community center and cafe, a gym, etc. All these rooms are accessible from the entrance courtyards and can use the exterior for their actities. Enfilade of spaces concept sketch Sequence of courtyards in Karl Seitz Hof, Vienna Model Scale 1:30
1st to 5th floor typical floor plan Plan Scale 1:200
Cluster plan floor 1st to 5th. Plan Scale 1:50 Enfilade of rooms and balcony 1:20 concept model
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Form follows the surroundings. The mansard As illustrated in the massing models, the floor plan changes from the 6th floor upwards. The very linear massing turns into a playful mansard. The mansard responds to the low gerogian houses of Argyles Square and stays traditional south of the sites. Closer to Euston Road, it turns into a tower and responds to the busy surroundings. 1. Euston Road facade 2. Argyle Square facade 3. Mansard initial sketch Site Model Scale 1:200
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Unit 9 : Between room & city 1.Make - Remake: Extension and refurbishment of an existing building, Norris House. 2. House : Inhabiting the uninhabitable,not another noble house on Chelsea Embankment.
Marie Magnien
Norris House. An isolated site The site is a 6 stories block of flats in Haggerstone. The building is part of the Colville Estate and is situated on a large and leafy commercial street, Whitmore road. Its architecture is typical of 1960s buildings, with a single floor plan repeated from ground to last floor. The flats are accessed by an open deck, decorated with a geometric ballustrade. All the units have a very good size so they do not need to be extended. However, the deck is very narrow and the lack of ground floor arrangement make the building circulation difficult and uninviting. Norris House is placed far back from the street with a car park at the front. There is a big contrast between this side of Whitmore road and the opposite charming shopping side. Existing east elevation scale 1 : 250 @ A2
Existing site plan scale 1 : 1000 @ A2
A lively ground floor Th two wings are extended and the double height ground floor stops right at the pavement line.The bays above are slightly cantilevered to form a canopy above the new entrance and the workshops windows.The front of the building is now better integrated in its environment.At the same time the central courtyard is emptied of cars and create a secure entrance threshold for the residents. The ground floor flats are now more private maisonettes, protected by a playful colonnade. Proposed textured card model scale 1 : 25
The model photos show the new ground floor openings. Double height entrances, on the street and in the courtyard. A colonnade, that all the decks above, runs all around the building and cover and protect the entrances.
Creating a new flat and improving an existing one The wings, on both side of the deck, are extended to create a new one bedroom flat.The existing three bedroom home was already very generous but the rooms were badly arranged. By loosing all the windows on the east side, the floor plan had to be remodelled and the new flat can nest into the existing.The north and south aspects are being utilised to create new openings for the family home.A new kitchen window overlooks the extended deck and a spacious bay window is added to the parental bedroom, which also gained an ensuite bathroom. Proposed card model scale 1 : 50
Proposed extension of the wings plan scale 1 : 50 @ A2
A collection of bays The facade is composed of a succession of bays. Full size bays which are rooms, smaller ones which are balconies to the deck and two end ones which are windows for the bedroom.All together they form an harmonious and dynamic new building on the street. Precedent image : Condominio per abitazioni e uffici by Antonio Pastorini, Reggio Emilia. Proposed half sketch model scale 1 : 50 Proposed card model scale 1 : 50 Proposed textured card model scale 1 : 25
Breakfast on the deck The extension of the deck allows the residents to have an extra space outside of their flat.They can even use it as a second balcony overlooking the shared, private courtyard. Precedent image : Le goĂťter sur la terrasse painting Ă Sainte-Maxime by Henri Lebasque Proposed textured card model scale 1 : 25
Unit 9 : Between room & city
2. House : Inhabiting the uninhabitable,not another noble house on Chelsea Embankment.
Chelsea vernacular The second part of the year is focused around the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and its peculiar housing types. The areas architectural and historical significance stems in part from the civic value offered by Wren’s handsome Royal Hospital and adjacent gardens but also because of its array of idiosyncratic artists studio houses. On the affluent riverfront, a series of noble houses mixed with upper class apartment buildings and terraced houses form the Royal Hospital conservation area. At its center, an unbuilt triangular plot holds the potential for a new freestanding building. The prime location is under extreme scrutiny and the new construction will have to be perfectly integrated into the architectural character of the area in order to be recognised. Survey sketches of quirky artist studio and appartment facades in Chelsea. Sketch views of the site. From the magnificient Embankment and from the quieter Embankment gardens residential street. Existing site plan scale 1:2500
The‘mini city’ The new house’s distinct collection of bays on facade comes from a 5 week long extended survey and investigation into the area’s figurative architectural elements. Like a life painting the exercice was to only focus on the essential shapes and forms of the facade components.The goal was to draw on any style and period and put together a composition that best considers the rich and peculiar architectural heritage of the area. Firstly in two dimensions, the study then takes shape into a white card model. Being so contextual, the composition can be placed anywhere and still be well integrated with its direct neighbours. The study, which is independent from the rest of the project, helped to make a start but careful adjustments were needed for the form to perfectly fit on the site and embrace the prime views and its relationship with the city. The freestanding nature of the proposal can be seen as a mini city which amalgamates with an existing body and make it better. Precedent image : Giorgio Morandi, Still Life Final still life composition drawing Abstract facade models Translation of the complex facade study into diagramatic massing models on site scale 1:250
A highly decorative corner The third, short facade, is located on the tip of the triangular plot. It is not strongly defined and makes a link between the two long facades with bays that ingenuously turn the corner. The three grand openings accommodate double height spaces (living rooms) which staircases can be witnessed from the pavement, through the windows. The bays make the eye travel from the ground floor entrance to the roof and create a highly decorative corner that strongly position itself on the Embankment.
Inhabiting the uninhabitable The plot is not a realistic location as it actually is the garden of an existing property. Nevertheless the site has an incredible potential and its development could bring a lot to the area. Being at the center of an existing composition, the new building is thought carefully to enhance and not overshadow its surroundings. The proposal is not a ‘pastiche’ version of an existing building. It does reference and play with local architectural elements but by use of forms and materials bring a new contemporary touch to the traditional Chelsea mansion block. Existing south elevation scale 1:300
Revitalise the neighbourhood The ground floor is lively and responds to the needs of the surrounding institutions. There is no accommodation at this level but communal / event rooms which create an inviting urban environment. The public lobby is spacious and versatile and can be seen from the street when walking along the embankment. Both residents and visitors can coincide when entering through the building. On the other side a more private and enclosed resident entrance can be found. Small landscaping interventions create a more enjoyable street experience. The many parts of the ground floor react to the contrasting edge situation around the site. Precedent image : Luigi Moretti, Palazzina Il Girasole Proposed ground floor plan scale 1:150
Proposed north west section scale 1:100 Proposed north west section scale 1:500
Composing a dramatic volume Every two floors are found generous double height living spaces for the residents private use.This is where most of their daily life will be spent cooking, socialising, relaxing,... So the room needs to be well thought about and appealing. Such dramatic volume is sometimes overwhelming. Carefully positioned bays, to frame the views and draw light, create a more homely, defined interior.They also emphasise the very high ceiling and give perspective to the room.A spiral staircase attached to a small mezzanine at the top links the upstair bedrooms and give them a direct access into the communal area.
The bay The bays are separate entities to the main body of the house. Their positions fluctuate going up the floors. Double height bays are used as intimate alcove in the living rooms and smaller, more domestic ones give more spaces to the more modest bedrooms. Precedent image : Edwin Lutyens, Little Thakeham Section through a bay scale 1:20
A bustling corridor More conventionally the lengthy north west facade would accommodate the circulation.Though its repetition throughout the facade can be overwhelming on the street and does not leave much room for playfulness.The core is then placed centrally, distributing the single occupancy dormitory rooms on the north and south sides. Being the darkess place, the long corridor is connected to all communal rooms and capture the light with far reaching views in all directions. It then becomes a living space in its own right as it would be in a standard flat. The layout encourages communication and co-living. Precedent image : Auguste Perret, Immeuble Raynouard Proposed first floor plan scale 1:150
Far reaching views The four faces of the house are connected and the beautiful surroundings can be witnessed through the large bay windows.A far reaching view layout brings light deep inside the plan and give a more homely feel with the sweetness of the light. The bedrooms’ doors face each other, inviting the residents to gather in the central circulation space and leave their door opened for a while. This interconnectivity of views enables the north facing tenants to enjoy the picturesque riverside views and does not create such disparity of living conditions. Precedent image : Pieter de Hooch, Mother Task (Detail) Proposed north west elevation scale 1:500
A homely corner The west side is not as opened to the city but still remains a valuable corner of the house. This part accommodates living rooms only for privacy reasons (this facade is located just a few meters away from the existing building).The view turns around on itself, making use of the long perspective through the corridor or the secret enclosed loggia. This side is more private, personal to the residents compared to the very exposed living spaces on the south side. Precedent image : Hugh Strange, Strange house
Reference but not copy The facades are dressed with several materials creating a beautiful palette of red hues characteristic of the area.The light CLT structure is exposed inside and weightless materials embody it outside. White stucco is an emblem of west London so the use of lime render comes naturally. Render in the orange tones references the traditional brick facades with a contemporary twist. Shimmering glazed tiles on the ground, top and around the windows draw the light and tie the facade together. The materiality is toned down on purpose to compliment but not overshadow the complicated architectural forms. Inside, a very light palette of greens and timber is complementary to red. On the windows reveal the render comes inside the rooms and the contrast makes for a powerful sense of interior. Exterior and interior materiality palettes
Precedent image : Fernand Pouillon, Montrouge RĂŠsidence du stade Buffalo
Roof sculpture The roofline, with its series of pitches and different height rooms, headdresses the building with a crown. This roof sculpture gives the facades a strong identity recognisable when walking along the riverside. The different levels reference the surrouding roofs and the volume is considerably lower on the east side to meet the existing Chelsea Court.The two rooflines complete each other . Survey sketches of Chelsea Court’s roof made at the beginning of the semester
Oasis in the city At the top a series of terrasses and garden rooms make up for the lost of the existing resident garden.The red ceramic tiles reflect the sun and with the ondulated parapet wall, they are recognisable playful elements of the facade.The terrasses break up the volume and create the opportunity to site, contemplate and admire the view accross the city.