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SELECTED AC A D E M I C WO R K S

MICHAEL BAUTISTA-TRIMMING MASTERS IN ARCHITECTURE 2018 - 2020

CONTENTS

[DESIGN]

[WRIT TEN]

STAGE 6 - THESIS PROJECT

STAGE 5 - TOOLS FOR THINKING ESSAY

THE MINISTRY OF LIFE

PHANTOM UTOPIAS

140

[DESIGN]

[WRIT TEN]

STAGE 5 - MINDING THE GAP

STAGE 6 - LINKED RESEARCH OVERCOMING OCCUL ARCENTRISM

144

[DESIGN]

[WRIT TEN]

STAGE 5 - TECHNOLOGY STUDIO

STAGE 6 - ARCHITECTURE & CONSTRUCTION

VIRTUAL REALIT Y

PR OFESSIONAL PRACTICE REPORT

130

154

CONTACT MICHAEL BAUTISTA-TRIMMING MBTRIMMING@GMAIL.COM WWW.MBTRIMMING.CO.UK

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

01 S TAG E 6 - T H E S I S P RO J E C T

This project serves as a critique of unethical social engineering through the use of modern technology, offering a dystopian future inspired by the novel 1984 as a cautionary tale of the dangers of current corporate and government practices. The building proposal is a metaphor for power and total societal control, expressed through an architectural language that adopts scale and motifs associated with similar historical examples to highlight the dystopian premise of the project. Set in a not so distant future, this thesis culminates in a new Ministry- The Ministry of Life. The Orwellian institution constructs a version of 1984 through an architectural language, acting as a cautionary tale on the status quo of societies current dependence on data. The technology institutes we know today continue to exploit consumers personal data in to control trends in their favour, negating legislation by assisting in governmental persuasion campaigns and instilling a totalitarian surveillance society. The Ministry of Life is formed as an institutional conglomerate of private technology companies with governmental ties, which aims to commodify a new digital afterlife.

PROJECT INTRODUCTION

T H E M I N I S T RY O F L I F E A CAUTIONARY TALE OF BIG BROTHER IN THE AGE OF CORPORATE CAPITALISM

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

ABSTRACT

2016 Presidential Campaign

The 8th of November 2018 saw the election of the most powerful man in the world, sworn in by the people to serve the people of the

Robert Mercer

United States of America, or so they thought. The voting process had not been rigged; however, the public perception of the candidates

Donald Trump

had.

Steve Bannon

In 2014, Aleksandr Kogan a Cambridge University researcher, created a personality quiz for Facebook; 270,000 people used the app; however, as with any Facebook developer at the time, Kogan

Aggregate IQ

was able to see not only the individual’s data but also that of all their friends. Kogan stored the information in private hard drives to

Cambridge Analytica

compile a database of 50 million individuals. Cambridge Analytica, commissioned to create Voter-Profiles in order to assist the Trump Presidential campaign, used the information to create “psychographic” profiles about 30 million voters. Cambridge Analytica built further on this research for the Brexit “Leave” campaign in the UK, utilising their voter profiling system in order to create pro-Brexit propaganda and mis-inform perceptible Facebook users. Arron Banks

This begs the question, are we too reliant on the use of data in our society? And are we in control?

Leave EU Brexit Campaign

PROJECT ABSTRACT - CAMBRIDGE ANALY TICA SCANDAL

Nigel Farrage

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

STUDIO INTRODUCTION

The studio focuses on tracing the making and unmaking of assemblages, collectivities made up of interactive components comprising some combination of people, places, practices and objects. Originally inspired by the work of influential French theorists Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattariand later made more coherent and highly accessible by Mexican theorist Manuel de Landa, assemblage theory provides an analytical framework for understanding social complexity and change. According to assemblage theory, the proverbial whole is bigger than the parts that constitute it. But, in turn, the whole itself is contingent on the components, which maintain their autonomy, and can over time, or under certain circumstances, be spun off to form parts of other assemblages or atrophy as vestigial elements. It is this contingent and fluctuating nature of the relationships between the parts that explains change over time. More broadly speaking, historical change over time across the globe may also be seen as the interaction of millions of assemblages with their corresponding parts

STUDIO INTRODUCTION

coming into contact and affecting each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stability.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

THESIS INTRODUCTION

Our current societal reliance on data sets the scene for this theoretical manifesto, using current research this thesis aims to extrapolate to a hypothetical but foreseeable future in which we have far exceeded the technological singularity point1. Information is available to us faster than at any point in history; within a matter of seconds we can find out future weather forecasts – of anywhere in the world, translate languages, purchase goods and answer questions in a matter of seconds. We find our soulmates by swiping left and right, our closest friends can be contacted instantly despite geographical distance, we require social gratifications using ‘thumbs up’ or ‘love hearts’. Our reliance on technology has far exceeded the singularity point; we now live our lives through our smartphones and computer screens; 80% of us touch our phones within 15 minutes of waking and on average over 2600 times per day, the more addicted of us touch our phones up to 6000 times per day (Winnick, 2016). These digital interactions, individually, may not reveal much, however, when the individual points are studied in relation to one another they reveal an assemblage which helps shape our current society. Do you know how much you’re contributing?

PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS:

Cambridge Analytica weaponised Facebook by creating the app “This is your Digital Life” to create psychographic profiles of users and their friends. The data showed that ‘likes’ could begin to indicate an Kit Kats

individual’s personality type; one of the findings was that individuals who liked the extreme hate group ‘I hate Israel’ also typically liked ‘kit kats’ and ‘Nike shoes’. They further explored this correlation and uncovered that there was some success in showing individuals who

“I Hate Israel”

only liked ‘kit kats’ and ‘Nike shoes’ Israeli propaganda. The overall research outlines that when analysing other factors, it is possible to assign personalities to people and calculate the effectiveness of propaganda or personalised advertising against them.

Nike Shoes

RESEARCH: FACEBOOK / CAMBRIDGE ANALY TICA - PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS

FACEBOOK AS A PSYCHOGRAPHIC TOOL

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

1984 “BIG BR OTHER IS WATCHING YOU!”

The idea of a surveillance society is by no means new, in 1949, George Orwell published his now-renowned book 1984; a commentary on a totalitarian society through the eyes of a low-ranking party member Winston Smith. The Dystopian novel situates itself in Airstrip 1 (London) in which the Party who’s aim to control society through surveillance. Everywhere Winston goes, even in his own home, he deals with oppression, the Party watches him through telescreens and thought police, ensuring that all the residents of the surveillance society are loyal to the party leader known as Big Brother. Sales of 1984 increased by 9500% in the US following the inauguration of President Trump (“George Orwell’s ‘1984’ Is Suddenly a Best-Seller - The New York Times,” n.d.). In the following section, I investigate the dystopian world of 1984

RESEARCH: 1984 - INTRODUCTION

and draw parallels to our current society.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

ARISTRIP 1, 1984

The adjacent mapping is a study of Winston’s life in Airstrip 1. The places in the book refer to Orwell’s life and mirror the City of Westminster, where Orwell lived and worked for part of his life. The Map shows points of surveillance referenced in the book though the use of exclamation points and “Big Brother” posters. Areas referenced in the book are overlain with a mapping of Westminster from when Orwell wrote the Novel. The pink-ish lines denote Winston’s journeys in the novel with direct routes between his place of work and home, and circular routes highlighting his reluctance to

RESEARCH: 1984 - AIRSTRIP 1 - “SITE ANALYSIS”

see public hangings and eventually his torture in room 101.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

CIT Y OF WESTMINSTER, TODAY

Nowadays, whilst it may not be as evident on the surface, we are in a very similar surveillance society. However, the methods of surveillance have changed. The illustration highlights a few methods used; primarily the location of technology companies who control our social communication, in addition to this the historic methods of communication – red phone boxed – are being replaced by modern black units, which offer free Wi-Fi in the vicinity, for a trade-off, by connecting to their services the user agrees to allow for their information to be harvested. The literal methods of surveillance are also mapped, in London there is a CCTV camera for every 14 people, therefore there is approximately 630,000 cameras in the greater London area with a

RESEARCH: 1984 - THE CIT Y OF WESTMINSTER TODAY - “SITE ANALYSIS”

higher density towards the centre.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

THE MINISTRY OF TRUTH - TODAY

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Ministry of Truth, which concerned itself with news,

President Trump is an ideal candidate for the ministry of truth in

entertainment, education, and the fine arts.â&#x20AC;?

todays society, the most powerful man in the world, despite the fact he is known to distort the truth for his personal gain. The graphic

The Ministry of Truth, where Winston works ensure that the party

shows the president as the ministry of truth, and a series of his quotes

is always telling the truth, this is done so through the altering of

on a topic then by additional quotes of him contradicting himself.

history. More specifically, through historical editing records, the Ministry can ensure that old news is always in its best interests.

RESEARCH: 1984 -THE MINISTRY OF TRUTH

THE MINISTRY OF TRUTH - APRIL 1984

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

NEWSPEAK - APRIL 1984

NEWSPEAK - TODAY

The evolving language of Oceania, Newspeak is the destruction of

Freedom of Speech refers to the power or right to express oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

the English language as todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s society knows it in order to restrict

opinions without censorship, restraint, or legal penalty. This is

grammar and limit vocabulary.

contradicted in a variety of ways, social media and forms of protest

The weaponising of language limits freedom of thought, personal

social media is scrutinized by our peers and the institutions hosting

identity, self-expression and free will, in essence, the party have

the information, a permanent record is available to be used in

criminalised any contradiction to the orthodox.

evidence for years to come. Protests, such as the Extinction rebellion protests of 2019 were wrongly deemed Illegal by the Met Police in order to prevent the protestors right to freedom of speech.

RESEARCH: 1984 - NEWSPEAK

are areas where freedom of speech can be presented, however, our

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

MR CHARRINGTON - TODAY

During the novel, Winston meets Mr Charrington, a shopkeeper

The infrastructure which supports our communication networks

who owns an antique store full of trinkets and relics of historical

is an excellent comparison to Mr Charrington and his store, every

times. Winston purchases a diary from the store, an act which is

purchase we make or interaction we have online is recorded and able

illegal in the totalitarian society. Winston acknowledges that the act

to be viewed by the relevant companies who provide that service,

is punishable by death.

the communications we undertake online are monitored by the government and any information which is sent via the vast fibre

On the surface, Mr Charrington appears perfectly innocent however it later emerges in the novel that he is, in fact, a member of the thought police who has been investigating Winston from his first purchases

network overseas is observed by GCHQ.

RESEARCH: 1984 - MR CHARRINGTON

MR CHARRINGTON - APRIL 1984

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

TELESCREENS - TODAY

In the Novel, telescreens operate as a constant entity of propaganda

The Facebook portal, a ‘smart’ webcam-style device which tracks

and surveillance. They are a radio transmitters / televisions which

movement and allows for the camera to follow the user around a

are always on, in nearly every room, repeatedly announcing party

room whilst making video calls. Given Facebooks track record of

‘information’. The screens act as a two-way surveillance device, they

handling privacy information and the “always listening” voice

not only show the habitants of the room the propaganda but also

activation methods used in ‘smart’ devices in homes nowadays these

allow the party to spy on the oppressed, ensuring they are obeying

begin to draw parallels to the dystopian world which Orwell depicts

the party.

in 1984.

RESEARCH: 1984 - TELESCREENS

TELESCREENS - APRIL 1984

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

WORLD SUB-MAPPING

The transmission of information is the lifeblood of a global economy. Historically, messages may have taken days – or weeks – to reach from the UK to America or the UK’s empire, this flow of communication is vital for the success of nations. The first iterations of Sub-cables began in the early 19th century, this allowed Britain to dominate global communications.

Nowadays

99%

of globally transmitted data travels through ‘submarine cables’ illustrated overleaf, they allow for vast quantities of information to be distributed, almost instantly, quantified at a predicted $10 Trillion of digital information per day. Due to their importance, it is vital they the cables are maintained as best as possible, therefore they’re mapped in order to prevent fishing trawlers from disturbing the ground around them and potentially damaging the cables. However, revealing the cables locations allows for communications to be tapped, a common practice during warRESEARCH: INFRASTRUCTURE OF DATA

time between nations or by a nation who monitor its individuals; GCHQ – the UK’s cyber security department – monitor all cables into the UK.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

“ THIRD MODERNIT Y”

THE SECOND MODERNIT Y

MODERNIT Y

DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE

RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE

R OAD INFRASTRUCTURE

The image above illustrates the primary communications network

The Graphic above illustrates the primary communications network

The graphic above illustrates the communication networks of the

of the UK, a series of optical fibre loops which navigate the country

of the second modernity, the Industrial revolution. Which allowed

modern age, the grey dashed lines denote the original Roman roads

ensuring that each city can plug into one or multiple Points of

for information, wealth and power to spread across the country at

constructed between 43 – 410 AD. These original roads built by the

Presence (PoPs). The fibres are typically laid under / adjacent to

an increasing rate.

Romans in order to move troops more effectively resulted I being

roads and major transit infrastructure between cites in large bundles

the primary routes of trade, commerce and infrastructure for Britain

containing multiple unused fibres for redundancy and future

This graphic was created in order to compare against the “third

expansion.

modernity”, illustrating how at different stages the spread of

in the following Centuries.

information is facilitated. As evident, there are strong similarities The unused cables are sold individually to companies, marketed as a

between the methods of information flow.

higher capacity, more secure and unshared means of communication along the length of the country. These fibres are unshared therefore

RESEARCH: INFRASTRUCTURE OF DATA

information is usually more secure and secretive in nature.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

Y O U R D I G I TA L L I F E BIRTH

Welcome to the Internet of Things Welcome to the world, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very little you can do about your introduction to life and your digital counterpart. Its nothing that you do, relatives post about you, digital birth records, a forced introduction to the Internet of things. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that are provided with unique identifiers (UIDs) and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-

RESEARCH: BIRTH - INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNET OF THINGS

to-computer interaction.

Your Life Death

60-65

Retirement

47-52

First House

27-29 26

Become Grandparent

First Child Marriage

10-15

Puberty

1-2 0-2 0

Children Leave Home

Learn to Talk Learn to Walk Brith

Your Digital Life

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

Y O U R D I G I TA L L I F E PUBERT Y

Predictive Analysis - Facebook Age of 14, you’re allowed social media, you can now inform your friends about what you get up to on the weekend or after school, show us what you like and dislike. You can connect with friends around the world, video call, send pictures, all this information you share is just between you and your friends anyway… or is it? The information you share helps sculpt your digital profile, targeted advertisements based on your likes and dislikes. Every Image, video and message you send is stored online,

RESEARCH: PUBERT Y - INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL MEDIA

being analysed and learning about you.

Your Life Death

60-65

Retirement

47-52

First House

27-29 26

Become Grandparent

First Child Marriage

10-15

Puberty

1-2 0-2 0

Children Leave Home

Learn to Talk Learn to Walk Brith

Your Digital Life

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

Y O U R D I G I TA L L I F E PREGNANCY

Predictive Analysis - Target In an aim to increase customers to the stores Target, the US based store, identified that an individual could change their routine and habits at certain life changing moments, such as pregnancy. However, they would be too late if they checked birth records, they needed a way to bring pregnant shoppers to the stores. Target used predictive analysis on over 25 items in their store in order to calculate the likelihood of pregnancy of a female customer, they not only calculated this but also the due date of the child. Once a successful target was identified the company will post vouchers to entice the pregnant customers to store, once the customers were in store using the baby-related vouchers they would typically carry out a full shop due to convenience whilst they are pregnant. Now that Target has the customers they change their shopping habits and use the store full time.

Your Life

RESEARCH: PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS - PREGNANCY

Death

60-65

Retirement

47-52

First House

27-29 26

Become Grandparent

First Child Marriage

10-15

Puberty

1-2 0-2 0

Children Leave Home

Learn to Talk Learn to Walk Brith

Your Digital Life

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

Y O U R D I G I TA L L I F E DEATH

Predictive Analysis - Google “Project Nightingale” a collaboration between Google and US healthcare provider Ascension aims to predict or identify health conditions in people who haven’t even visited a doctor, via something called emergent medical data. Ascension’s trove of health data can help it achieve that goal. Emergent medical data is health information inferred by artificial intelligence from mundane consumer behaviour. Just as Target were able to predict the likelihood of pregnancy, Google, one of the largest and most capable technology companies in the world, will eventually be able to calculate your likelihood of illness, and death. Not only this but also the eventual time of death.

Your Life

RESEARCH: PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS - DEATH

Death

60-65

Retirement

47-52

First House

27-29 26

Become Grandparent

First Child Marriage

10-15

Puberty

1-2 0-2 0

Children Leave Home

Learn to Talk Learn to Walk Brith

Your Digital Life

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

Y O U R D I G I TA L L I F E POST-DEATH

What happens to our Data once we die? Once you die what happens to all your data? Your physical possessions are inherited to family members but what about the non-tangential items you own, the movies downloaded or images collected and stored in the cloud? Facebook profiles can be made into memorials and celebrations,Google accounts can be assigned to “account manager” relatives. But what happens to the information?

RESEARCH QUESTION: WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR DATA ONCE YOU DIE?

Where does it go? Does it live on when you don’t?

Your Life Death

60-65

Retirement

47-52

First House

27-29 26

Become Grandparent

First Child Marriage

10-15

Puberty

1-2 0-2 0

Children Leave Home

Learn to Talk Learn to Walk Brith

Your Digital Life

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

Y O U R D I G I TA L L I F E TRANSCENDENCE

A Digital Afterlife? The concept of an afterlife is nothing new, it is common in many cultures. However, what if our digital life; which has been left behind after youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve passed away, can be used to create a digital afterlife? Every conversation, transaction and interaction you have undertaken which ultimately fed into the internet of things, creating psychographic profiles about you, are left behind. This information can be used to create a digital avatar, using AI to create conversations based on the deadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actual life. This avatar will inevitably know more about the dead than their family, any dishonesties and secrets may be revealed. The Avatar can be a vessel for remembrance, a portal between the living and the dead.

Your Life

RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS: A DIGITAL AFTERLIFE

Death

60-65

Retirement

47-52

First House

27-29 26

Become Grandparent

First Child Marriage

10-15

Puberty

1-2 0-2 0

Children Leave Home

Learn to Talk Learn to Walk Brith

Your Digital Life

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

THE RITUALS OF DEATH

DISPOSITION

POST-DISPOSITION

Death is inevitable, however it is also hard to

In order to acknowledge, celebrate or forget the

In order to ascertain an understanding of the

The rituals are categories according to the

define and pinpoint, historically death was

eventual death of an individual, a series of rituals

requirements of a digital transcendence; I first

disposition3 of the body, the categories are Pre,

determined once the patient stopped breathing

take place depending on the deceased location,

began a holistic study to create a taxonomy of the

during and post disposition. These stages create a

and their heart was no longer beating, however,

economic status or society. These rituals, whilst

rituals associated with death, the procedures or

taxonomy of rituals, and the ability to see where a

with modern technological advancement we can

commonplace and seen as a rite of passage, are

moments carried out when an individual dies in

digital transcendence fits in with death.

artificially create a heartbeat and make lungs

created by individuals and seen as crucial in

different cultures throughout the world.

breath despite the patient being unconscious.

certain societies.

Disposition - the practice and process of dealing

with the remains of a deceased human being

RESEARCH: RITUALS OF DEATH

PRE-DISPOSITION

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

S I T I N G T H E P RO J E C T LONDON STORAGE OF THE DEAD

Each year whilst cremations is the most affordable option, hundreds of thousands of people in the UK still choose to be buried, cemeteries around the country are reaching their capacity and it is predicted that half of cemeteries managed by local authorities in the UK will be full in a few years (Cohen, 2019). The Boroughs of Hackney and Tower Hamlets have stopped providing burials in their boroughs. Meanwhile, other authorities are cutting budgets to the already struggling cemeteries. Historically a cemetery could purchase additional land in order to meet capacities; however, due to the density of urban areas and lack of space authorities are offering a new approach. The City of London Cemetery; a 200 acre space opened in 1856, which lies far outside the 700 acre City of London is at capacity, however, the management have devised a method of deepening existing graves in order to double stack the deceased. This, however, is not without its objections, many individuals do not like the concept of a grave â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;bunk bedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with a non-relative (Carington, 2016). In addition to this, certain religious prohibit cremation and require burial in some form. For the living, cemeteries are sites of remembrance and mourning. They can be places to wander, or even to jog through. But most of the time, we prefer not to think

SITE FINDING + ANALYSIS: LONDON

about what happens there.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

LONDON STORAGE OF THE DEAD The illustration opposite shows the where the dead are stored in the greater London area, as evident the cemeteries in central London are no longer accepting burials due to their lack of space, and as described the remaining spaces in the outskirts of London are quickly reaching capacity.

Cemetery Cemetery - Closed Cemetery of the City of London SITE FINDING + ANALYSIS: LONDON

The City of London Boundary Boroughs of Central London Boundary Greater London Boundary

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

LONDON STORAGE OF THE DEAD

City of London for Scale Reference / 2,900,000m2

The ‘typical’ smallest grave size according to the City of London Cemetery is circa 800mm by 2400mm. Currently the number of residents death by area of London/UK is denoted in the table below, this number is relatively consistent year on year with the average UK deaths per thousand residents being at 9.4 (“Frequently asked questions - Burial - City of London,” n.d.; Office for National Statistics, 2018). The Illustration demonstrates the special requirements for the dead each year, the solid fill denotes an area of a ‘mass grave’ with each plot directly touching one another, the dashed line denotes the maximum density according to the city of London Cemetery guides. Denotes area required for Side-by-side Graves with plots in direct contact with one-another. Denotes area required for cemetery based on density of City of London Cemetery burial area. Deaths Area (with space between)

- Individual Grave 1

1.92m2 (5.76m2)

A City of London 40

76.8m2 (230.4m2)

B Westminster

2,181m2 (6543m2)

1,136

SITE FINDING + ANALYSIS: LONDON

Location

C Central London 15,412 29,715m2 (89,145m2) D London

49,412 94,936m2 (284,808m2)

E UK

607,172 1,165,056m2 (3,495,168m2)

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

LONDON INSTITUTES OF DEATH According to research undertaken by the UK Government in 2016, regardless of age 46.9% of people die in hospital, 21.8% in care homes, 23.5% at home, 5.7% in hospices. The adjacent illustration displays every recorded hospital, retirement / care home and hospice within the Greater London Area, these institutes of death will help the ministry form a catchment area to gain clients. Hospitals Retirement / Care Homes Hospice’s 1 St Barts Hospital

Yearly deaths by top 10 London NHS Trusts Source: Hospital Episode Statistics,Office for National Statistics, NHS 1

Barts Health NHS Trust

3,690

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

3,140

NHS Trust

2,895

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

2,690

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

2,560

Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust

2,285

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

2,080

St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

1,950

Epsom & St Helier Univeristy Hospitals NHS Trust

1,885

10 Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

1,565

SITE FINDING + ANALYSIS: LONDON

Barking, Havering & Redbridge University Hospitals

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

S I T I N G T H E P RO J E C T THE CIT Y OF WESTMINSTER DATA STORAGE

The exponential growth of the Internet Of Things means that the internet (which increases by 60% year on year) is far out-racing the capacity to store. And currently storage technologies have relatively short lifespans; the current storage methods of Flash, HDD and Tape have their advantages and disadvantages, Flash is excellent for quickly retrieving information in milliseconds, however the systems typically have a life span of less than 5 years. Tape is currently used for archival storage, taking numerous minutes to access stored information however the durability, under correct conditions can be up to 30 years, this however, in the life of an archive is still a relatively small amount of time. The density of existing storage is also approaching its theoretical limit, therefore, to store the increased demand in data, vast warehouses are required. By 2025 it is predicted that we will not be physically possible to store all the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s information. In collaboration with Microsoft, researchers are developing a new method of archival storage, at a much denser capacity than what currently exists. DNA, (Bornholt et al., 2016). Access Time Durability

Use

Flash

>5 Years

Quick Access

HDD

10s ms

>5 Years

Quick Access

Tape

Minutes

15-30 Years

Archival

DNA

10s Hours

Centuries

Archival

SITE FINDING + ANALYSIS: THE CIT Y OF WESTMINSTER, LONDON

Type

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

THE CIT Y OF WESTMINSTER - DATA PRODUCTION The City of Westminster is the business and tech capital of the UK. One third of all UK start ups, (20,000) start in Westminster. Not only is Westminster the centre of all UK business (49,000 in 8 square miles), making connections and intelligence easier to access, but more and more properties are being transformed into affordable hubs, focused on the technology industries. Global market capitalisation is a measure of equity value of a company, historically the wealthiest companies are petroleum or manufacturing focused. However, nowadays the list of wealthiest companies are dominated by Tech giants. The City of Westminster is home to 9 of the 10 wealthiest companies in the world, of which 8 of them are tech focused. This creates its own economies and clusters, attracting more like-minded companies which have changed the city of Westminster into a wealthy Tech-focused borough.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Tech Institution Clusters â&#x20AC;&#x153;Silicon Roundaboutâ&#x20AC;? Speakers Corner Underground Stations City of Westminster Boundary City of London Boundary Ward Boundary

SITE FINDING + ANALYSIS: THE CIT Y OF WESTMINSTER, LONDON

A #

Global Market Capitalisation Microsoft Apple Amazon Alphabet Berkshire Hathaway Facebook Alibaba Tencent Visa JP Morgan Chase

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

S I T I N G T H E P RO J E C T THE CIT Y OF LONDON COMMODIFICATION OF DATA

The City of London, the financial Capital of the world. Home to approximately 7000 individuals, with 40 Deaths per year. The district is the home to the bank of England, which is tasked with maintaining the value of the pound and stabilising the economy. This is done by influencing the economy by encouraging/discouraging spending according to inflation. The City of London is also the headquarters for most major banks, which lend money from the Bank of England, this money and the stability of is also influenced by the financial reserves, gold bars stacked within the basement of the Bank, with an estimated total value of £200 Billion. The gold bars are currently stacked at their maximum capacity, due to the weight of the material, if they are stacked any higher the vaults are at risk of collapse due to the ground conditions beneath the bank. With information becoming a highly sought-after commodity, and the rise of tech companies and cryptocurrencies, it could be argued that the logistical issues with storing £200 Billion worth of gold could be overcome with storing an alternative commodity…

SITE FINDING + ANALYSIS: THE CIT Y OF LONDON

Information.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

THE CIT Y OF LONDON -

SITE FINDING + ANALYSIS: THE CIT Y OF LONDON

STORAGE OF COMMODITIES a The Bank of England b The Royal Exchange Financial Institution Underground Stations City of London Boundary Ward Boundary

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

FUTURE CIT Y OF LONDON CAPACIT Y FOR POWER Based on the information outlined, the Ministry is to locate itself within the Future City of London. The historic boroughs combined to form a technological and financial powerhouse in which the tech institutions guide the economy of Britain. The Ministry of Life - A Position of Power A

Houses of Parliament

MI5 - The Security Service

C MI6 - SIS D The Ministry of Defence E

10 Downing Street

Westminster Abbey

G The Home Office The Ministry of Life - A position for Death Retirement / Care homes Hospitals - Unrecorded number of Deaths 1 Hospitals - With recorded Deaths. Hospice’s Current and Historic Cemeteries Underground Stations SITE FINDING + ANALYSIS: “ THE FUTURE CIT Y OF LONDON”

Yearly deaths by Hospitals in the New City of London Source: Hospital Episode Statistics,Office for National Statistics, NHS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7*

The Lister Hospital St Mary’s Hospital St Bartholomew Hospital Chelsea and Westminster Hospital The Nightingale Hospital University College Hospital St Thomas’ Hospital

2,085 685 650 620 95 20 1,110

Total Yearly Deaths at recorded

5,265

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

THE PROGRAMME

2 3 4 5

THE SITE

2 Ministry of Defence 3 10 Downing Street + Commonwealth office 4 HM Treasury 5 Portcullis House - House of Commons 6 Palace of Westminster 7 MI5 - SiS Building

SITE SHOWCASE + PROGRAMMATIC DIAGRAM

1 Charing Cross Station

KEY PRECEDENTS

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

PRECEDENT STUDY

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

T H E M I N I S T RY O F L I F E A MANIFESTO

Set in a not so distant future, this thesis culminates in a new Ministry- The Ministry of Life. Located in a future City of London, the Orwellian institution acts as a cautionary tale on the status quo of societies current dependence on data. The technology institutes we know today, located in the City of Westminster; the former tech capital of the UK had continued to exploit consumers personal data in order to commodify and control trends in their favour, negating legislation by assisting in governmental persuasion campaigns and instilling a totalitarian surveillance society. The City of London took note as power shifted from the finance to the technology district, the districts joined to produce the New City of London, a powerhouse of information, power and wealth. The Ministry of Life was formed by the district as an institutional conglomerate of private technology companies with governmental ties, which aims to commodify a new digital afterlife. The Ministry of Life involves itself with the process of death; using healthcare data obtained through digital records, algorithms calculate a client’s likelihood and time of natural death. Upon determination, they are invited to the ministry where the process of death begins. Due to the City’s problem with the dead, the clientele seeks more affordable methods for disposition. The ministry provides the alternative - a more environmentally conscience method that also provides supplemental remembrance services for the relatives. Upon the death of the client their digital information becomes property of the ministry, as well as the body. An alternative death ritual is used to convert the body into further commodifiable resources, primarily the digital information, used for remembrance and possible leverage over alternative parties. In addition to this the body is composted and used to turn the ministry into an urban garden – the public image of the ministry. The uncomposed skeletal remains are further commodified, being compressed into synthetic diamonds and sold to the relatives as keepsakes of their loved ones. The Ministry acts as a Memory Bank, or archive; storing all of the digital information of every client, using AI to create an unfiltered digital avatar which acts as a portal between the living and the dead. Friends and families are invited to subscribe to the ministry, paying to converse and interact with the client’s avatars once they have passed away, helping them to remember the deceased. The interactions between the relatives and avatars allow for additional information to be created, further building

PROJECT MANIFESTO

on the ever-expanding digital database.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

T H E M I N I S T RY O F L I F E THE PROTAGONISTS

The thesis creates a dialogue between three primary characters: the Client, Relatives and the Ministry: The Clients are individuals who are dying; whether it be for religious, economic, or environmental reasons they chose the ministry as the method of disposition. Their healthcare data allows the ministry to ascertain the likelihood and time of natural death. If the event is likely the enrolled clients are invited into the ministry where the new death ritual may begin.

The Relatives seek a process of remembrance of the client. They are paying a subscription to access the Ministryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s information which creates a digital avatar for the Relative to remember their loved ones. The

Ministry

interested

in STAGING PROJECT NARRATIVE - PROTAGONISTS + KEY SECTION

commodification, power and knowledge; each stage of the new death ritual is created in order for the ministry to gain either information or wealth.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

T H E M I N I S T RY O F L I F E INVITATION

The clients are dying. They have enrolled in the ministry due to the lack of burial space and the rising cost of disposition. The ministry uses the clients healthcare data obtained through hospital records, as well as the continuous supply from smart phones and watches in order to predict the likelihood and time of natural death. Upon determination the client is contacted and invited to

FINAL NARRATIVE

attend the ministry.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

T H E M I N I S T RY O F L I F E ARRIVAL

The majority of clients arrive at the ministry, transitioning through its monolithic concrete faรงade into an artificial

FINAL NARRATIVE

oasis, housing a series of follies and the central library.

74 75 FINAL NARRATIVE

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

T H E M I N I S T RY O F L I F E THE LIBRARY

The library contains the biographies of every client, it is the public interface of the Ministry. Located within the glazed cage, the tropical garden is heated from beneath by the information it holds. Much akin to our individual desire of a successful online social appearance, the library contains edited versions of the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s records which are

FINAL NARRATIVE

filtered, exaggerated, and staged to glorify oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

T H E M I N I S T RY O F L I F E DIGITAL REMEMBRANCE

Using the digital information from every client, AI is used to create an unfiltered digital avatar which acts as the interface between the living and the dead. The relatives are invited to subscribe to the ministry, paying to interact with the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s avatars once theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve passed away, helping them to remember the deceased. The intoxicating ritual of a digital transcendence which takes place aims to cast light on how the digital communications methods we use are

FINAL NARRATIVE

created to keep us hooked within their ecosystems.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

T H E M I N I S T RY O F L I F E THE CLIENTS ROOM

The clients are assigned with a custom room, based on their lives. The rooms are tailored to them and augmented with objects of the client’s past and present, decoration and entertainment packages can be customised to each client to ensure they spend their last days in comfort. During this time the client’s digital information and social media accounts are downloaded to the Ministry’s Memory Bank. The Relatives are able to visit the Clients within their rooms, all of the discussions are further observed by the ministry and added to the digital record. Clients of social and economic power are able to subscribe to a premium scheme in which their environments are more luxurious, with amenities such as swimming pools

FINAL NARRATIVE

and libraries located higher up the Ministry.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

T H E M I N I S T RY O F L I F E BIOGRAPHER’S ROOM

The biographers edit a curated record, this is the information which is publicly available within the library. The Biographer has the most power within the ministry who are able to alter records and manipulate or withhold information as the Ministry sees fit. This data forms the

FINAL NARRATIVE

Ministry’s largest commodity.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

T H E M I N I S T RY O F L I F E PREPARATION

Once the Client passes away within the ministry their transition to the afterlife may begin. They, along with the other clients who have passed away that day, are taken to processing rooms in which they are prepared and removed of any contaminates – non-organic matter which will not decompose. During this automated process samples of the client’s DNA is also recorded- this is archived within the Ministry’s Memory Bank. Following the removal of all non-organic matter these contaminates are either destroyed or in the case of valuable metals, taken for further processing to be commodified.

FINAL NARRATIVE

The Client then passes to the composting stages.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

T H E M I N I S T RY O F L I F E COMPOSTING

Following the preparation their body can be further processed for the commodities it holds. The remaining organic matter is transported on conveyors to the processing stage, large metallic vessels capable of holding the organic material of everyone who dies in that given day. Air is introduced beneath the pits encouraging the hot composting technique. This creates vast amounts of heat which causes the organic matter to fully compost within 30 days. The excess heat is extracted with the exhaust gasses and sent off site to generate power for the ministry and City of London. After the 30 days the pits are emptied and screened, the primary products are compost, skeletal remains and water. The compost produced is primarily sent to fertilise and maintain the Ministryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gardens, excess compost is delivered to parks and greenspace around the Ministry, ensuring that the appearance of the Future City of London is to the highest of standards. Additional compost is sent

FINAL NARRATIVE

to farm in outer London.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

T H E M I N I S T RY O F L I F E SKELETAL COMMODIFICATION

The Skeletal remains are screened from the Compost and sent in metallic vessels for further processing. The remains are cremated into a fine powder and placed within a large industrial press, these are then stored underneath the ministry for months whilst the diamonds form. Once formed, the diamonds are available to be purchased by the relatives as keepsakes. Acting as the final stage of this

FINAL NARRATIVE

exhaustive method for corporate commodification.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

T H E M I N I S T RY O F L I F E THE ARCHIVE

The ministry holds the information of every client and aims to hold the information of everyone. The information, whilst used for the digital remembrance, has an ulterior motive. An individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s data reveals more than what is immediately apparent; it reveals personality traits, vices and addictions. This information, if withheld from view can be used as a currency for bargaining in the future. The archive is a cavernous space which pulls in cool air from street level down into the basement of the ministry. The data racks are located within towers which pull the cool air in and draw the heat up through the ministry, heating the spaces above. st

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FINAL NARRATIVE

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DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

T H E M I N I S T RY O F L I F E MINISTRY OFFICES

In the offices of Big Brother, the board of directors meet in the top of their Ivory tower, overseeing and commodifying the data of each person who enters the ministry. The selfappointed masters in this room have the ability to edit the past, present and ultimately the future. Their wealth of information allows them to maintain their positions of power, manipulating and releasing data as bargaining for their benefit. These surveillance capitalists revel in the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pursuit of connectivity and technological

FINAL NARRATIVE

advancement.

DESIGN: THESIS PROJECT

“Until this moment you had never considered what is meant by existence. I will put it more precisely. Does the past exist concretely, in space? Is there somewhere or other a place, a world of solid objects, where the past is still happening?” “No.” “Then where does the past exist, if at all?” “In records. It is written down.” “In records. And- ?” “In the mind. In human memories.” “In memory. Very well, then. We, the Party, control all records, and we control all memories. ... Then we control the past, do we not?”

CONCLUDING IMAGERY: PERSPECTIVE VIEW + REFLECTIVE QUOTE

1984 - George Orwell

the y of r minist lies

S TAG E 5 - M I N D I N G T H E G A P PROJECT SUMMARY

DESIGN: MINDING THE GAP

Located within the diverse District of Ottakring in the city of Vienna, Austria. The intervention takes the form of a day care centre which locals can visit as a traditional Turkish / Viennese coffee house. The coffee house will have an accompanying library space and reading rooms for the customers to use. As well as a prayer room for the Islamic community to respect their religion. The intervention is primarily aimed towards the elderly residents of Ottakring, however, not exclusively. The aim is to create a social space with the same intentions of a coffee house, creating a space for individuals to use all day without feeling financial pressure. The proposal aims to create a social hub from within and allowing the locals to once again feel part of a community. The elderly and locals can use the building in a social capacity, being a space for meeting friends, having meetings or learning. New Turkish Migrants who arrive in Vienna are invited to live within the building, helping them gain their first step into society through the use of the elderly long term residents of Vienna. They may act as passive social carers, conversing with the users of the proposal to help integrate themselves within community as well as facilitating the running of the coffee house, bakery and other spaces. The users are invited to use the space indefinitely. However, the aim with the residential aspect of the building is to allow new tenants to move in once the current feel like they have integrated into society,

PROJECT INTRODUCTION

this may take place after a year or so.

DESIGN: MINDING THE GAP

BRIEF DECL ARATION

The intervention will take the form of a day care centre which locals can visit as a traditional Turkish / Viennese coffee house. The coffee house will have an accompanying library space and reading rooms for the customers to use. As well as a prayer room for the Islamic community to respect their religion. The intervention is primarily aimed towards the elderly residents of Ottakring, however, not exclusively. The aim is to create a social space with the same intentions of a coffee house, creating a space for individuals to use all day without feeling financial pressure. The proposal aims to create a social hub from within and allowing the locals to once again feel part of a community. The elderly and locals can use the building in a social capacity, being a space for meeting friends, having meetings or learning. New Turkish Migrants who arrive in Vienna are invited to live within the building, helping them gain their first step into society through the use of the elderly long term residents of Vienna. They may act as passive social carers, conversing with the users of the proposal to help integrate themselves within community as well as facilitating the running of the coffee house, bakery and other spaces. The users are invited to use the space indefinitely. However, the aim with the residential aspect of the building is to allow new tenants to move in once the current feel like they have integrated into society,

PROJECT BRIEF

this may take place after a year or so.

MATERIAL DECL ARATION

Lintels, Heads +

External + Some

Brickwork Soldiers at

Internal

specific internal walls

internal Finishes

4000mm FFL

Charred Larch

Copper

Embossed Concrete

Brickwork (Petersen)

Stretcher Bond, Perforated,

Soldier Coursing

DESIGN: MINDING THE GAP

MATERIAL DECL ARATION

Fixtures

PROJECT MATERIAL DECL ARATION

Stacked

The predominant use of black brickwork for internal and external use due to the similarity in texture to the local rendered finishes, also being able to explore the use of perforations within the building. Soldier Courses are used to distinguish after the ground floor level. Concrete is selectively used for lintels and walls to contain â&#x20AC;&#x153;memoriesâ&#x20AC;?, stories and way-finding . Internally charred larch and copper are used to reference the roasting of coffee.

100

101

102 103 PROJECT PL AN

DESIGN: MINDING THE GAP

104 105 PROJECT MODEL

DESIGN: MINDING THE GAP

PROJECT GROUND FLOOR PL AN + EXPLODED AXO

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

106

DESIGN: MINDING THE GAP

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

107

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

108 KEY SECTION

DESIGN: MINDING THE GAP

110 111

DESIGN: MINDING THE GAP

PRAYER SPACE

PROJECT VISUALS

OLFACTORY GARDENS

READING ROOM

DESIGN: MINDING THE GAP

LIBRARY

An dem Tag, an dem Sie es sehen, wird jede stillende Mutter von dem [Kind] abgelenkt, das sie pflegte, und jede schwangere Frau wird ihre Schwangerschaft

PROJECT VISUALS

‫ٍلْمَح ِتاَذ ُّلُك ُعَضَتَو ْتَعَضْرَأ اَّمَع ٍةَ ِعضْرُم ُّلُك ُلَهْذَت اَ َهنْ َورَت َمْوَي‬ ‫ٌديِدَش ِهَّللا َباَذَع َّ ىَ َرتَو اَ َهلْمَح‬

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Herb Gardens - An olfactory space used as a threshold between the central courtyard and the prayer space. Herbs are

Lavender Gardens - An olfactory space used as a threshold between the central courtyard and the prayer space. Lavender

grown to be used within the cafe and bakery

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DESIGN: MINDING THE GAP

COURT YARDS

PROJECT AXO EXTRACT - OLFACTORY SPACES

COURT YARDS

TELL THE TALE DETAIL

An dem Tag, an dem Sie es sehen, wird jede stillende Mutter von dem [Kind] abgelenkt, das sie pflegte, und jede schwangere ‫ٰىَر َاكُسِب مُه اَمَو ٰىَر َاكُس َس َاّنلا ىَ َرتَو اَ َهلْمَح ٍلْمَح ِتاَذ ُّلُك ُعَضَتَو ْتَعَضْرَأ اَّمَع ٍةَ ِعضْرُم ُّلُك ُلَهْذَت اَ َهنْ َورَت َمْوَي‬

DESIGN: MINDING THE GAP

TELL THE TALE DETAIL

An dem Tag, an dem Sie es sehen, wird jede stillende Mutter von dem [Kind] abgelenkt, das sie pflegte, und jede schwangere

TELL THE TALE DETAIL - CAFE

‫ٰىَر َاكُسِب مُه اَمَو ٰىَر َاكُس َس َاّنلا ىَ َرتَو اَ َهلْمَح ٍلْمَح ِتاَذ ُّلُك ُعَضَتَو ْتَعَضْرَأ اَّمَع ٍةَ ِعضْرُم ُّلُك ُلَهْذَت اَ َهنْ َورَت َمْوَي‬

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TELL THE TALE DETAIL

1 Parapet: Stack bonded black brickwork with protruding stack after every second brick. capping brick 100mm rigid insulation 50mm insulation between timber battens forming parapet Cementitious board to rear of parapet An dem Tag, an dem Sie es sehen, wird jede stillende Mutter von dem [Kind] abgelenkt, das sie pflegte, und jede schwangere ‫ٰىَر َاكُسِب مُه اَمَو ٰىَر َاكُس َس َاّنلا ىَ َرتَو اَ َهلْمَح ٍلْمَح ِتاَذ ُّلُك ُعَضَتَو ْتَعَضْرَأ اَّمَع ٍةَ ِعضْرُم ُّلُك ُلَهْذَت اَ َهنْ َورَت َمْوَي‬

DESIGN: MINDING THE GAP

TELL THE TALE DETAIL

An dem Tag, an dem Sie es sehen, wird jede stillende Mutter von dem [Kind] abgelenkt, das sie pflegte, und jede schwangere

2 Roof: ‫ٰىَر َاكُسِب مُه اَمَو ٰىَر َاكُس َس َاّنلا ىَ َرتَو اَ َهلْمَح ٍلْمَح ِتاَذ ُّلُك ُعَضَتَو ْتَعَضْرَأ اَّمَع ٍةَ ِعضْرُم ُّلُك ُلَهْذَت اَ َهنْ َورَت َمْوَي‬ Membrane sealed to rigid insulation, with nominal fall to roof perimeter 150mm min. rigid insulation beam and block construction suspended MF ceiling system fixed to concrete soffit 2no. 12.5mm gypsum plasterboard

3 Glazing: Decorative pre-cast concrete lintel with embossed text stacked brickwork “fins” with perforate brickwork concealed aluminium profile glazing An dem Tag, an dem Sie es sehen, wird jede stillende Mutter von dem [Kind] abgelenkt, das sie pflegte, und jede schwangere

An dem Tag, an dem Sie es sehen, wird jede stillende Mutter von dem [Kind] abgelenkt, das sie pflegte, und jede schwangere

‫ٰىَر َاكُسِب مُه اَمَو ٰىَر َاكُس َس َاّنلا ىَ َرتَو اَ َهلْمَح ٍلْمَح ِتاَذ ُّلُك ُعَضَتَو ْتَعَضْرَأ اَّمَع ٍةَ ِعضْرُم ُّلُك ُلَهْذَت اَ َهنْ َورَت َمْوَي‬ 4 Second Floor: Copper effect balustrade embossed concrete facing

5 Intermediate Floor: Polished concrete floor finish 75mm cast concrete beam and block construction Services within ceiling void suspended MF ceiling system with 2no. 12.5mm gypsum plasterboard to finish 6 Interior finish: Petersen D58 brickwork stretcher bond stretcher bond @1100mm FFL Recessed charred larch cladding 5

7 Wall construction: black brickwork (petersen d58) stretcher bond with black mortar and vertical soldier coursing @ +3600mm from ground level 25mm cavity 75mm insulation structural blockwork Petersen D58 black brickwork12.5mm gypsum plasterboard to finish

8 Ground floor slab: Polished concrete floor finish 100mm cast concrete slab 150mm rigid insulation with perimeter waterproofing membrane 200 mm reinforced concrete raft

TELL THE TALE DETAIL - CAFE

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DESIGN: MINDING THE GAP

1: Sun rises to east and filters through Slit and skylight to prayer room. 2: Midday sun shines against south facing residential block. External South facing fenestration is to be shielded through the use of perforate

Integrated Section

brick. Having the additional benefit of acting as louvres, blocking harsh summer sun from entering the buildings whilst allowing winter sun to warm the spaces. 3: Evening light enters the cafe space

through the framed window on the second floor. 4: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chimneysâ&#x20AC;? act as light wells allowing sun to track round the chimney across the course of a day. 5: Stack Effect takes place from within

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INTEGRATED SECTION

chimneys, the effect is enhanced within the cafe and bakery due to the heat from cooking. Air rises out of light wells

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122 123 PROJECT SITE PL AN

DESIGN: MINDING THE GAP

Brickwork Perforations as shading device

124

DESIGN: MINDING THE GAP

MATERIAL STRATEGY

TECHNOLOGY - MATERIAL CHARACHTERISTICS

MATERIAL STRATEGY

125

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

ACCESSIBILIT Y STRATEGY

SERVICING STRATEGY

DESIGN: MINDING THE GAP

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Friedmanngasse

Flush External-Internal Thresholds are shown in Red.

Vertical Circulation shown in Blue.

Plant / Service Areas are highlighted in Orange.

The Residential Block is serviced Via Friedmanngasse, either into the common area to the plant room or into the circulation core.

The Public Buildings are primarily served through the Bakery service access to Gaullachergasse. The prayer and reading rooms may be serviced

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127

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Ground Floor External Circulation with Primary Access Points Shown in Green.

from the central courtyard. With the library accessible from both directions.

TECHNOLOGY - ACCESSIBILIT Y AND SERVICING

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Gaullachergasse

Blavatnik Building , Tate Modern Extension, Herzog & de Meuron “Construction of the brick façade is as unique as the structure, with the bricks being used in a way never previously thought possible and acting as a veil over the structure. On site the blocks were connected together using elastomeric joints, stainless steel pins and a resin joint.”

128

The Prayer space appears as a brick cube, simple in form. Perforated brickwork from the first allows a glimpse through to observe the volume of the prayer hall, acting as a Minaret to the street.

The Prayer space, whilst appearing to be of brick construction, is in-fact primarily structurally supported with the use of concrete, with the concrete expressed internally. A concrete base provides support for the columns which

in turn provide support for a small steel steel supporting beam can be inserted frame to brace the perforated brickwork as a cap across the top of the perforated against. The perforated brickwork is brickwork to brace the structure. held together in a similar manner to the Structural precedent, the Tate Extension, through the use of stainless steel pins. A

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DESIGN: MINDING THE GAP

STRUCTURAL STRATEGY

TECH PRECEDENT + DIAGRAM

STRUCTURAL PRECEDENT

DESIGN: TECHNOLOGY STUDIO

03 S TAG E 5 - T E C H N O LO G Y S T U D I O PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Experimenting with a small-scale installation, the studio aims to use an architectural drawing to engage with the fracture between the simulative virtual reality experience and the physical, embodied space of the installation. Our study seeks to recalibrate one of Daniel Libeskind’s Micromegas drawings, The Burrow Laws, into the virtual domain. The process of translation from drawing into virtual reality is similar to that of language as discussed by Robin Evans within his book Translations from drawing to building. Evans asserts that the translation of words between languages ‘does not appear to have requisite evenness and continuity; things can get bent, broken or lost on the way.’ What becomes interesting about the virtual representation is where things have become ‘bent, broken or lost,’ its ‘unlikeness’ to the drawing that it represents, rather than its ‘likeness to it.’ It is through ‘unlikeness’ we can consider our created world a separate entity to Libeskind’s drawing and explore the fracture between physical and virtual experience. Once inside the virtual world, the viewer can explore the digital environment in order to engage with the translated drawing. After leaving virtual reality, the viewer is encouraged to produce a new drawing of The Burrow Laws from their own experience. These re-translations represent a shared internal and external reality which make up the viewers experience and can be understood through Donald Winnicott’s theory of Transitional Objects. The architecture inherit within both the virtual model and drawings is not an exact representation of The Burrow Laws, neither are the drawings an internalised representation. Instead, they transgress between these two states, between the viewer and the designer or the public and private domain

V I RT UA L R E A L I T Y

GA2

GC1

GC2

GC3

GC4

GC5

GC6

GC7

GC8

GC9

GC10 GC11

.1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .1 .2 .3 .1 .2 .3 .1 .2 .3 .1 .2 .3 .1 .2 .3 .1 .2 .3 .1 .2 .3 .1 .2 .3 .1 .2 .3 .1 .2 .3 .1 .2 .3 130

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PROJECT INTRODUCTION

allowing for both subjective and objective readings.

DESIGN: TECHNOLOGY STUDIO

The drawings are extrapolations from Voltaireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s philosophical tale Micromegas, a story of travel and exploration in which

technique which attempts to find a new system of order, exploring the complexity of real space and reducing this data to

a man eight leagues tall investigates the microscopic inhabitants of Earth. Libeskind shifts the parameters of how reality is

a series of lines which can be rendered graphically visible on paper.

read, the vision explodes and recasts the linguistic instruments to achieve an unprecedented perspective.

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PROJECT DEVELOPMENT - MODELLING

The Micromegas drawings, whilst appearing as a series of incomprehensible and chaotic lines are examples of a graphic

DESIGN: TECHNOLOGY STUDIO

Using SketchUp the drawing was translated from a two dimensional object into a three dimensional space by utilising

undertaking, however, it allowed us to become fully immersed in the drawing. It also drew attention to the varying

parallel projections which were interpreted into the third dimension.

perceived scales of the drawing .

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PROJECT DEVELOPMENT - MODELLING

In order to create the three dimensional model a two dimensional AutoCAD drawing was required. This was a monotonous

136 137 USERS EXPERIENCE - VR

DESIGN: TECHNOLOGY STUDIO

138 139 PROJECT OUTCOME - RETRANSFORMED MICROMEGAS

DESIGN: TECHNOLOGY STUDIO

WRIT TEN: TOOLS FOR THINKING ESSAY

04 S TAG E 5 - TO O L S F O R T H I N K I N G E S S AY

“A map of the world which does not include Utopia is not worth even glancing at”

- Oscar Wilde

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PROJECT INTRODUCTION

P H A N TO M U TO P I A S

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WRIT TEN: TOOLS FOR THINKING ESSAY

ESSAY INTRODUCTION SAMPLE

This essay was inspired by the tales of early adventurers and cartographers, exploring and documenting uncharted territories. One noteworthy story is that of Alonso de Santa Cruz, a notorious Spanish cartographer, who in the 16th Century charted the island Bermeja in his map El Yucatan e Islas Adyacentes; with further authentication in following years. The 80km2 island stated as being positioned within the Gulf of Mexico remained on the map until the late 20th Century following explorations carried out by the USA and Mexico. This was due to Bermeja’s extreme economic value to Mexico, expanding the nation’s allocated area for the harvesting of oil in the gulf. The expeditions went on for years, until 2009 when the island was confirmed to be non-existent, a utopia which Mexico wished to believe for financial gain (Brooke-Hitching, 2016, pp. 38–41). This essay attempts to examine the field of cartography; both historical and current, in order to explore how fictions are created within an artefact which is relied upon to be fact. Examples of the components used to create these utopias will be explored and compared, highlighting

PROJECT INTRODUCTION

any potential controversies caused.

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05 S TAG E 6 - L I N K E D R E S E A RC H

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The door handle is the handshake of the building.â&#x20AC;? (Pallasmaa, 2012)

The Nest Elevations Key 1. Materials Exhibition: Information Posters

9. Materials Library: Case Study Material Samples+Details

OV E RC O I N G Library: O C C U L A RC E N T I S M Library: 6. M Materials 10.RMaterials Adjustable Shelving Display

3. Materials Exhibition: Material Library Proposals

7. Material Library: Archival Storage Drawers

4. Materials Library: Materials Library Information Posters

8. Materials Library: Case Study Posters 144

PROJECT INTRODUCTION

2. Materials Exhibition: Case Study Posters

5. Materials Exhibition: Display Unit

Feature Central Exhibition 11. Materials Library: Table Workspace

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REPORT ABSTRACT

Plato regards vision as humanities greatest gift; nowadays, current society is reliant on sight predominantly with a technological bias towards sight and hearing. The loss of sight is regarded as the ultimate physical loss to oneself (Jay, 1993; Pallasmaa, 2012). As Architecture students, we experience our education using computer screens and glossy magazines, critiquing spaces based on what we see in this two-dimensional digital or printed image. Companies thrive through creating digital renders, depicting future architectural works, the commodification and curation of visual imagery within architecture have created an ongoing argument within the architectural world which makes a point of stating that Architects design buildings solely to look good in priority than to function well (Lange, 2019). “The very method we use to develop architectural proposals – orthographic drawings – describes only form and relegates material to the empty spaces between the lines. The privileging of form is deeply embedded into our working practices, and material is rarely examined beyond its aesthetic or technological capabilities to act as a servant to form.”(Lloyd Thomas, 2007, chaps. 1-Introduction: Architecture and Material Practice). In The lovers by René Magritte, the painting depicts the use of sight, however, the subject’s heads are covered, illustrating that in moments of heightened sensual experience an individual chooses to close their eyes in order to enhance the experience. Therefore, when we have five senses, why does sight dominate? Furthermore, even when using sight, we do not use it to our full extent; only experiencing “the digital” rather than “the real”? This Linked Research report aims to record the process we undertook and aims to understand the role of a materials library. This will be outlined and realised through various site visits to galleries, materials library collections and liaisons with PROJECT SAMPLE: PROJECT ABSTRACT

individuals who specialise in material research. Additionally, this research was undertaken in order to create a proposal for a materials library and exhibition, and finally, to evaluate the use of a materials library within Newcastle University.

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RESEARCH TRIPS

In order to ascertain the requirements of our proposed Materials Library, we first undertook numerous group research trips to Glasgow and London. The research trips helped us gain an understanding in answering a few of the main questions we had, and these included: What is a materials library? How is a library curated? Where does one start? Finally, what are the main challenges? The Linked Research module began with a study trip to the Lighthouse, a visitors centre located within Glasgow city centre; the building focuses on Design and Architecture (“The Lighthouse,” 2019). We were particularly interested in the “Material Considerations: A Library of Sustainable Building Materials” permanent exhibition, a sustainable materials library primarily focused on construction materials. We were invited by a member of staff to observe the library and converse about the running of such a space. ... On the 3rd of May 2019, we undertook a study trip to London. The primary outcomes for the study trip were to observe the Sir John Soane’s Museum and visit the Building Centre to meet with Material Driven, a design consultancy with materials library focusing on advanced and specialised materials primarily for design and architecture (“Material Driven,” 2019). The trip began with a visit to Sir John Soane’s museum. 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the former home of the architect John Soane which is curated in order to display his collection. The house-come-museum is a busy, sophisticated space showcasing Soane’s work. The work appeared to inhabit most areas in a somewhat messy and chaotic manner. Upon reflection, the “clutter” allowed for viewing of the pieces in various manners, unlike in sterile and heavily curated galleries, the Soane museum allowed users to get up close and view artefacts from various angles. The rooms often lead on from one another and allowed for views through spaces and artefacts to others, small details such as the use of mirrors to observe statues from behind if it is not possible to physically walk around the object. The PROJECT SAMPLE: RESEARCH STUDY TRIPS

drawing room featured large panelled doors which open out to display more artefacts at a certain time of day. Whilst these are very specific featured used in a somewhat chaotic manner in Soane’s museum these could be features that can be used in our materials library for the university.

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PROJECT SAMPLE: ANALYSIS OF CASE STUIES TO GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF MATERIAL PROPERTIES

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CASE STUDIES

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PROJECT OUTCOME: PHOTOGRAPHS OF FINAL EXHIBITION

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WRIT TEN: LINKED RESEARCH

PROJECT OUTCOME

153

WRIT TEN: ARCHITECTURE + CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT REPORT

06 S TAG E 6 - A RC H I T E C T U R E & C O N S T RU C T I O N M A N AG E M E N T

154

PROJECT INTRODUCTION

P RO F E S S I O N A L P R AC T I C E R E P O RT

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WRIT TEN: ARCHITECTURE + CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT REPORT

2.0 Professional Practice Issues to be considered

ii) Services Provided

The Professional practice issues outlined will be referring to UK

Finally, while time is not a priority as the project does not have

based legislation and statutory bodies.

particularly tight deadlines, time certainty would be preferred by

In order to maintain quality, the architect will carry out the role of Project lead, principal designer and contract administrator, allowing

the client. Due to the site’s proximity to the Brunnenmarkt and the i) Client Priorities

them to review and manage the production and issuing of drawings

social links which the project aims to achieve, the client desires a

within the project team. Under the contract the architect has

certainty on the completion date. As quality is a high priority, the In construction, a client’s priorities typically fall under three

numerous obligations principally; exercising reasonable skill, care

client is aware that this will result in slower work.

and diligence expected of them. Informing the client of progress

categories: Cost, Time and Quality. These categories require careful

and when made aware of any issue which may affect the project

thought and inevitably are either prioritised or compromised by the

brief, programme, cost or quality of the project4.

method of procurement . In this case, a traditional contract is used 1

as the client’s priority is quality.

As project lead, the co-ordination of the project can be managed against a framework, such as the RIBA Plan of Work (See fig. 7)

The building uses a minimal material palette, with an emphasis

which is a model to organise the project into a series of eight stages

on the quality of the materials and their finishes. More complex

from designing, constructing and operating buildings5. The model

An dem Tag, an dem Sie es sehen, wird jede stillende Mutter von dem [Kind] abgelenkt, das sie pflegte, und jede schwangere

architectural features create cultural connotation within the design,

explains key stage outcomes, tasks and exchange of information

a vital component to the client when creating this cultural day-

required at each stage.

care centre. A traditional contract allows for the client to expect specific standards of quality shown; the contractor is responsible for

achieving the standard2. As the district council funds the project, it is paramount that cost

‘Standard Professional Services Contract 2018’ (Royal Institute of British Architects, 2020), https://parsefiles.back4app. com/vy3GQS8Kt0HZRRnFkyglGgQUysHXN5BXjYUpP5vC/ ec2d11123d7161192f30daed714ff361_pstd.pdf. RIBA, ‘RIBA Plan of Work 2020 Overview’ (London: RIBA, 2020).

certainty is established from early stages within the process, in

RIBA Plan of Work 2020

The RIBA Plan of Work organises the process of briefing, designing, delivering, maintaining, operating and using a building into eight stages. It is a framework for all disciplines on construction projects and should be used solely as guidance for the preparation of detailed professional services and building contracts.

Strategic Definition

Preparation and Briefing

Concept Design

Spatial Coordination

Technical Design

Manufacturing and Construction Handover

Stage Boundaries:

Stage Outcome

The best means of achieving the Client Requirements confirmed

to quantify all materials, components and the labour required for the works3. This quantifiable list, known as a bill of quantities, helps contractors reliably price for the proposed works and requires the

Stages 0-4 will generally be undertaken one after the other. Stages 4 and 5 will overlap in the Project Programme for most projects. Stage 5 commences when the contractor takes possession of the site and finishes at Practical Completion. Stage 6 starts with the handover of the building to the client immediately after Practical Completion and finishes at the end of the Defects Liability Period. Stage 7 starts concurrently with Stage 6 and lasts for the life of the building.

contractor to produce what is documented in the drawing package. Resulting in a cost certainty; however also an increased workload at earlier stages as the architect or lead designer may need to work collaboratively with a specialised design team in order to issue complete documents to the contractor. Issues may arise when

Planning Note: Planning Applications are generally submitted at the end of Stage 3 and should only be submitted earlier when the threshold of information required has been met. If a Planning Application is made during Stage 3, a midstage gateway should be determined and it should be clear to the project team which tasks and deliverables will be required. See Overview guidance.

partially completed packages are priced by a contractor, as what is documented is priced. If this is the case, a bill of approximate quantities is used; an example may be the JCT Standard Building Contract with approximate quantities 2016 (JCT SBC/AQ 16).

Procurement: The RIBA Plan of Work is procurement neutral – See Overview guidance for a detailed description of how each stage might be adjusted to accommodate the requirements of the Procurement Strategy. ER

2 3

Fig. 6 - Elevation Extract

Sarah Lupton, Which Contract?: Choosing The Appropriate Building Contract, 5th ed. (Routledge, 2019), 23. Lupton, 46. Will Hughes, Ronan Champion, and John Murdoch, Construction Contracts: Law and Management (Routledge, 2015), 31.

Employer’s Requirements Contractor’s Proposals

at the end of the stage

Prepare Client Requirements

during the stage

Develop Business Case for feasible options including review of Project Risks and Project Budget

Project Strategies might include: – Conservation (if applicable) – Cost – Fire Safety – Health and Safety – Inclusive Design – Planning – Plan for Use – Procurement – Sustainability See RIBA Plan of Work 2020 Overview for detailed guidance on Project Strategies

Core Statutory Processes

Ratify option that best delivers Client Requirements

Project Brief approved by the client and confirmed that it can be accommodated on the site

Prepare Project Brief including Project Outcomes and Sustainability Outcomes, Quality Aspirations and Spatial Requirements Undertake Feasibility Studies Agree Project Budget

Architectural Concept approved by the client and aligned to the Project Brief

Architectural and engineering information Spatially Coordinated

The brief remains “live” during Stage 2 and is derogated in response to the Architectural Concept

Prepare Architectural Concept incorporating Strategic Engineering requirements and aligned to Cost Plan, Project Strategies and Outline Specification

Undertake Design Studies, Engineering Analysis and Cost Exercises to test Architectural Concept resulting in Spatially Coordinated design aligned to updated Cost Plan, Project Strategies and Outline Specification

Agree Project Brief Derogations

Source Site Information including Site Surveys

Undertake Site Appraisals

Prepare Project Programme

Undertake Design Reviews with client and Project Stakeholders

Prepare Project Execution Plan

Prepare stage Design Programme

Initiate Change Control Procedures Prepare stage Design Programme

No design team required for Stages 0 and 1. Client advisers may be appointed to the client team to provide strategic advice and design thinking before Stage 2 commences.

Strategic appraisal of Planning considerations

Planning Building Regulations Health and Safety (CDM)

Develop architectural and engineering technical design Prepare and coordinate design team Building Systems information Prepare and integrate specialist subcontractor Building Systems information Prepare stage Design Programme

Finalise Site Logistics Manufacture Building Systems and construct building

Rectify defects

Resolve Site Queries as required

Complete initial Aftercare tasks including light touch Post Occupancy Evaluation

Building handover tasks bridge Stages 5 and 6 as set out in the Plan for Use Strategy

Review design against Building Regulations

Submit Building Regulations Application

Carry out Construction Phase Plan

Prepare and submit Planning Application

Discharge precommencement Planning Conditions

Comply with Planning Conditions related to construction

Appoint design team

Pre-contract services agreement

Implement Facilities Management and Asset Management Undertake Post Occupancy Evaluation of building performance in use Verify Project Outcomes including Sustainability Outcomes

Comply with Planning Conditions as required

Adaptation of a building (at the end of its useful life) triggers a new Stage 0

Comply with Planning Conditions as required

Prepare Construction Phase Plan Submit form F10 to HSE if applicable Tender

Appoint client team

Undertake review of Project Performance

Inspect Construction Quality

Agree route to Building Regulations compliance

Management Contract Construction Management

Hand over building in line with Plan for Use Strategy

Undertake seasonal Commissioning

Undertake Commissioning of building

Building used, operated and maintained efficiently

Stage 7 starts concurrently with Stage 6 and lasts for the life of the building

Monitor progress against Construction Programme

Obtain pre-application Planning Advice

Option: submit outline Planning Application

Building handed over, Aftercare initiated and Building Contract concluded

There is no design work in Stage 5 other than responding to Site Queries

Initiate collation of health and safety Pre-construction Information

Design & Build 1 Stage

ER CP

Appoint contractor

Appoint Facilities Management and Asset Management teams, and strategic advisers as needed

Appoint contractor

Contractor-led

at the end of the stage

Manufacturing, construction and Commissioning completed

Source pre-application Planning Advice

Traditional

Design & Build 2 Stage

Use

Prepare Building Manual Specialist subcontractor designs are prepared and reviewed during Stage 4

See Planning Note for guidance on submitting a Planning Application earlier than at end of Stage 3

Information Exchanges

All design information required to manufacture and construct the project completed Stage 4 will overlap with Stage 5 on most projects

Review Feedback from previous projects

during the stage:

Procurement Route

Projects span from Stage 1 to Stage 6; the outcome of Stage 0 may be the decision to initiate a project and Stage 7 covers the ongoing use of the building.

If the outcome determines that a building is the best means of achieving the Client Requirements, the client proceeds to Stage 1

Core Tasks

Preferred bidder

Client Requirements

Project Brief

Project Brief Derogations

Signed off Stage Report

Manufacturing Information

Business Case

Feasibility Studies

Signed off Stage Report

Project Strategies

Construction Information

Site Information

Project Strategies

Final Specifications

Project Budget

Outline Specification

Updated Outline Specification

Project Programme

Cost Plan

Updated Cost Plan Planning Application

Procurement Strategy Responsibility Matrix

Residual Project Strategies Building Regulations Application

Building Manual including Health and Safety File and Fire Safety Information Practical Completion certificate including Defects List

Feedback on Project Performance

Feedback from Post Occupancy Evaluation

Final Certificate

Updated Building Manual including Health and Safety File and Fire Safety Information as necessary

Feedback from light touch Post Occupancy Evaluation

Asset Information If Verified Construction Information is required, verification tasks must be defined

Information Requirements Core RIBA Plan of Work terms are defined in the RIBA Plan of Work 2020 Overview glossary and set in Bold Type.

Further guidance and detailed stage descriptions are included in the RIBA Plan of Work 2020 Overview.

Fig. 7 - RIBA Plan of works template 2020. Available at: https://www.architecture.com/-/media/GatherContent/Test-resources-page/ Additional-Documents/2020RIBAPlanofWorktemplatepdf.pdf 5

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REPORT EXTRACT: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE ISSUES + ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN ARCHITECT

traditional contracting, achieved by appointing a Quantity surveyor

iv) Legal Hurdles/Statutory authorities

Due to the significance placed on quality by the client from the

Due to the focus on quality, it would be wise for the architect to

In the UK, the Local Planning Authority (LPA) is responsible for

Because of the proximity to the market and pedestrians within the

outset, the project team must be assembled as early as stage 0 in

consult sub-contractors at an early stage within the plan of works.

producing local development plans which outline the framework

area, stages of the construction process may cause potential risk to

the RIBA plan of works. This increases costs early in the project;

Particularly during the design stage, a proprietary system and

from which planning permissions are granted or refused. This

individuals on the footpath, such as demolition works or working

however, ensuring that potential issues are dealt with early, potentially

associated knowledge from a sub-contractor can ensure the quality

plan provides a basis for influencing scale, timing and development

from height adjacent to the public right of way. Therefore, sections

reducing the risk of issues which can cause high costs or delays from

of design is maintained through construction, this would however

of land unless material considerations indicate otherwise, or the

of the footpath may require temporary closure at specific stages of

developing later in the project.

require Nomination; a method which the employer, through the

national planning policy overwrites it .

the construction period. The nature of the works and proximity will

contract administrator, selects firms to ender into a sub-contract

determine the temporary layout required. Risk assessments are to

Also note this increases the complexity of the contract since the main

with the main contractor in order to ascertain the knowledge of a

The project is architecturally different from its neighbouring

be carried out by competent individuals11 and liaisons with highway

contractor has no design liability in general contracting, additional

specialist subcontractor7. This method should be used with care as

buildings; therefore, significant effort may have to be placed on the

authorities and the local planning authority to obtain necessary

clauses will be required giving sub-contractors design obligations

it affects the balance of risk between employer, contractor and sub-

planning application. A dialogue should be opened at the earliest

licenses, approvals and temporary traffic orders12. While the

which they typically would not, this should be agreed and outlined

contractor8.

convenience with local planning officers; an outline planning

procedure varies between local councils, the overriding legislation

application can reduce risks of planning delays and additional costs

falls under the Road Traffic (Temporary Restrictions) Procedure

when making amendments to suit planning requirements.

Regulations 1992. It involves notifying the council with a minimum

within the contract . 6

WRIT TEN: ARCHITECTURE + CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT REPORT

iii) inputs from additional parties

of six weeks notice, taking place following approval of planning Due to the clientele of the finished scheme being elderly residents,

permission and before works commence on site.

special care should be taken in the detailed design stages. While Role

Ottakring District Council

Client

Architect

Architect, Project Lead, Lead Designer, Contract Administrator

it is the architect’s obligation to meet building regulations, it may be necessary to gain additional consultants to ensure further that statutory documents - such as Building Regulations Approved Document K: Protection from falling - are adhered to as much as possible.

Quantity Surveyor

Consultant

Civil / Structural Engineer

Designer

Building Services Engineer

Designer

Clerk of Works

Supervisor

market street is one of the primary site constraints; the market is

Main Contractor

Contractor

the social epicentre of the district; therefore, the project must cause

Specialist Sub-Contractor

Designer, Consultant, Contractor

Highways Consultant

Consultant

Planning Officer

Consultant

Demolitions

Consultant

Site Surveyor

Consultant

v) Site and other constraints The proximity of the site to the Brunnenmarkt, Vienna’s busiest

minimal disruptions to the market10.

10 6

Sarah Lupton, Which Contract?, 33.

7 8

Hughes, Champion, and Murdoch, Construction Contracts, 332. Hughes, Champion, and Murdoch, 37–38

David Chappell and Michael H. Dunn, The Architect in Practice, 10th ed. (John Wiley & Sons, 2015), 358. Vienna Tourist Board, ‘Yppenplatz and Brunnenmarkt’, VIENNA – Now. Forever, 2009, https://www.wien.info/en/shoppingwining-dining/markets/yppenplatz-restaurants.

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Department for Transport, ‘Safety at Street Works and Road Works: A Code of Practice’ (London: Department for Transport, 2013), https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government /uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/321056/ safety-at-streetworks.pdf ?fbclid=IwAR0IwYfhEpbcO8XEa9g g7eioR3a5dfRiqhByRvaivxKvdWw9zfquobIgDew. ‘Road Traffic (Temporary Restrictions) Procedure Regulations 1992’, 1992.

REPORT EXTRACT: DESIGN TEAM REQUIREMENTS + LEGAL HURDLES / REQUIREMENTS

Stakeholder

Physical Interface Management

As outlined previously in this report, quality is of paramount

While the role is no longer common practice, a good CoW can be

importance to the client, therefore in this section “value” as seen by

invaluable to an architect when seeking that quality is maintained

the client does not necessarily focus on financial value, more a means

throughout a project. Employed as inspector of the works during

to obtain quality within the construction of the project.

construction, either through the client or the architect, the CoW is responsible for representing the clients’ interests of maintaining

Quality

quality by checking that the workmanship and materials conform to the specification previously outlined in the contract documents and

Quality concerning workmanship is often seen as subjective

agreed tender packages16.

and difficult to define. The architect can outline certain aspects within the specification – such as good practice and the method

A method to mitigate risk for one party, such as the architect, could

for construction; however, a baseline should be established from

be to include a net contribution clause within the contract17. If

the outset13. One such method for establishing this is using Site

the actions of multiple parties cause a loss; for example the lack

Reference panels, particularly useful with brickwork constructions14.

of inspections, inadequate workmanship and therefore a lapse in

The panel provides an opportunity to identify characteristics of

quality, without this clause one party is liable for 100% of the losses

the material specified as well as setting a baseline for the general

despite not being solely responsible18, the Architect, in this case,

standard of quality and appearance that can be reasonably achieved

must then seek to recover a portion of those damages from the

by the tradesman, thus, providing an essential benchmark should any

additional liable parties under the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act

issues arise during construction.

197819. A result of a net contribution clause being in the contract is that if the architect is found to be only 60% responsible for the

In order to ensure consistent quality, architects are required to

damages, they are required to pay that amount, not 100% as they

undertake site inspections throughout the construction period.

would without the clause20.

However, realistically, they are not always available to observe all

An interface is defined as a point of connection – either tangible

The partial demolition to the adjacent derelict building provides

or intangible, between entities working on a project . These can

manageable interfaces. As principal designer, the architect is

potentially negatively impact the cost, quality and schedule of the

responsible for the health and safety on-site while the works are

project. Interface Management is the method of mitigating risk. In

taking place. As per the HSE’s requirements for all construction sites,

larger, or more complex projects as the scope of a project increases,

they must ensure that the demolition works are recorded in writing

so does the risk associated. Failure to properly manage interfaces has

before the works commence and that the works are undertaken as to

the potential to result in; poor quality, increased costs, infringement

prevent danger or, where it is not practicable to prevent it, to reduce

to regulations or claims from parties .

danger to as low a level as is reasonably practicable26. Attention

WRIT TEN: ARCHITECTURE + CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT REPORT

3.0 Two Key Issues

should be taken throughout the demolition phase, ensuring that While the project is not large scale, the site boundary to the

the remaining constructions are precise and neat, allowing the new

Brunnenmarkt and party walls form physical interfaces which

construction to begin seamlessly alongside.

require appropriate management. If mismanaged, they have the potential to increase the risk of poor quality, health and safety

As previously mentioned in section 2–Site and other Constraints, a

risks as well as disturbances to the community. The site boundaries

risk report will be produced in order to obtain a Temporary Traffic

provide a demarcation which the architect will require clarification

seeking to close portions of nearby highways, protecting the public.

and confirmation from the client’s solicitors as deed plans are often unclear23. Due to quality of the scheme being of paramount importance, a structural engineer and demolitions specialists are consulted at a pre-construction stage24. The remaining building forms a party wall with the new construction; therefore, before any works begin the

works on-site; therefore, the requirement for a Clerk of Works

neighbouring building owners should be consulted and a party wall

(CoW). Typically onsite during the hours which the contractor

agreement drawn up, surveyors may be required if each party isn’t

operates, the CoW must attempt to observe all aspects of work

in agreement25.

undertaken. The Architect is responsible for adequately instructing the CoW. Note: while it is the CoW’s job to be impartial on the building site Chappell states that it can be particularly useful for the architect to get to know the CoW in order to gain a good rapport15.

13 14

Chappell and Dunn, The Architect in Practice, 423–26. Brick Development Association, ‘Good Site Practice and Workmanship’ (Brick Development Association, 2015). Chappell and Dunn, The Architect in Practice, 13.

17 18 19

Institute of Clerk of Works, Clerk of Works and Site Inspector Handbook (RIBA Publishing, 2006). Hughes, Champion, and Murdoch, Construction Contracts, 322. Chappell and Dunn, The Architect in Practice, 275. Thomson Reuters, ‘Net Contribution Clause’, Practical Law, accessed 15 April 2020, http://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters. com/4-362-5960?transitionType=Default&contextData=(sc. Default)&firstPage=true&bhcp=1. ‘Net Contribution Clauses on Construction Projects’, accessed 16 April 2020, https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Net_ contribution_clauses_on_construction_projects.

23 24

‘Interface Management Resources’, accessed 16 April 2020, https://www.interfacemanagement.com/im/resources/aboutinterface-management?t6. ‘Interface Risk in Construction’, accessed 16 April 2020, https:// www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Interface_risk_in_ construction. Chappell and Dunn, The Architect in Practice, 354. Health and Safety Executive, ‘Construction - Demolition’, accessed 17 April 2020, https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/ safetytopics/demolition.htm. ‘Party Walls and Building Work’, GOV.UK, accessed 17 April 2020, https://www.gov.uk/party-walls-building-works/reachingagreement-with-neighbours.

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Health and Safety Executive, ‘Managing Health and Safety in Construction: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015’, 2015, 51.

REPORT EXTRACT: KEY PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE ISSUES

162 163 PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BL ANK

MICHAEL BAUTISTA-TRIMMING

MASTERS IN ARCHITECTURE NEWCASTLE UNIVERSIT Y