THE VOYAGE CHARLES DARWIN BOTANICAL GARDEN AND MUSEUM Celebrating Darwin as a botanist by promoting interaction and education of nature. BRIEF: Given the diminishing role that traditional libraries have begun to play within general society are there other uses than a library that would better position the building for a sustainable future?
View from Castle
CONTENTS SITE RESEARCH + ANALYSIS Site Location Site Analysis Historical Audit Structural Audit Environmental Performance Audit
CONCEPT + DESIGN STRATEGY Background Design Strategy Design Development
DESIGN PROPOSAL
Masterplan Site Plan Floor Plans Major and Minor Interventions Ornamentation Elevations
SPACE STUDY: BOTANICAL GARDEN Interior Perspective Design Longitudinal Section Technical Cross Section Construction Details
SPACE STUDY: CHARLES DARWIN MUSEUM Design Longitudinal Section Interior Perspectives Technical Space Study
BUILDING STRATEGY + CONSTRUCTION Environmental and Building Strategy Construction Strategy Construction Sequence Serial Visions Bibliography + Reflection
View from Castle Road
SITE: SHREWSBURY LIBRARY SHREWSBURY Market town in Shropshire, England. Main feature: River Severn The river - being the longest in the UK - forms a loop around the town’s centre making it prone to flooding.
SHREWSBURY LIBRARY
Major concern: FLOODING Location: East of the Welsh border Serves as the commercial centre for Shropshire and midWales. ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: varies. Shrewsbury is not defined by one style.
Prison
Medieval - Shrewsbury Castle and Shrewsbury Abbey Tudor - The Trotting Horse Edwardian/ Elizabethan - Shrewsbury Library and Old Market Town Hall Victorian - Shrewsbury Train Station Georgian KEY CHARACTERISTICS Pitched roofs Narrow streets Public Squares Announced entrances and thresholds Clock towers and landmarks
JOURNEY TO SITE (Indicated by red path) Train Station Castle
River Severn
NEIGHBOURING BUILDINGS
SITE ANALYSIS
BUILDING ACCESS DIAGRAM towards train station
Raven Meadows
Meadow Place
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N Fire exit
Unused landscape
Possible entrance
towards castle Lift location not suitable
Access from stairs Main Circulation possible entrance
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Currently one existing entrance
No wheelchair access
Secondary route
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School Gardens
Route to shopping centre
SITE CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES Our site for this design project is Shrewsbury Library. It is in close proximity to Shrewsbury Castle, Train Station, Shopping Centres and the River Severn. The above diagram shows an initial overview analysis of the site and its surrounding context. For us the context was as important as the library. The location of the bus station and shopping centre car park behind means that users of the space coming by car or public transport will arrive from behind the building. This creates an opportunity for the unused landscape area behind the library and how it can be developed. When visiting the site, we arrived from behind and understood the importance and potential of the surrounding spaces. The current main entrance is important because of pedestrian access from the railway station and nearby shopping centres. The current entrance is not evident (there is a sign stating ‘entrance through archway’). There is the possibility of landscaping for the garden to encourage movement towards and through the archway.
Key: Stair access point Lift access point Stair route Lift route Primary Circulation
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The accessibility of the building was also analysed. The circulation was emphasised as a key issue. The main tower staircase was not central, not easily identified and was tight in terms of space. This brought to question the capacity of the staircase, if there was high traffic through the building. Another staircase is located in the East Wing for use by staff only and a lift tower in the North Wing.
HISTORICAL 1485 - RIGG’S 1485 HALL -AUDIT RIGG’S 1485HALL -1485 RIGG’S - RIGG’S HALLHALL
1530 - NEW1530 GRAMMAR - NEW 1530 GRAMMAR SCHOOL -1530 NEW-GRAMMAR NEW SCHOOL GRAMMAR SCHOOL SCHOOL
1976 - BEFORE 1976 -BUILDING BEFORE 1976 -BUILDING CONTRACT 1976 BEFORE - BEFORE BUILDING CONTRACT BUILDING CONTRACT CONTRACT
1983 - AFTER 1983 BUILDING - AFTER 1983BUILDING CONTRACT -1983 AFTER - AFTER BUILDING CONTRACT BUILDING CONTRACT CONTRACT
2020 PRESENT 2020 DAY PRESENT 2020 PRESENT 2020 DAY PRESENT DAY DAY
PHASING 1. Town Wall 1 2. Replacement building (Georgian Wing) 3. Riggs Hall, 15th Century (Grade II listed) 4. Riggs Hall 1589 (Grade II listed) 5. Main building - North Wing (Grade I listed) 6. Main building - tower (Grade I listed) 7. Main Building - East Wing (Grade I listed) 8. Link block 9. Charles Darwin Statue (Grade II listed)
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- Rigg’s Hall, - Rigg’s built-Hall, in Rigg’s 1450 -built Rigg’s Hall, predated in 1450 Hall, built built in the predated 1450 Shrewsbury in 1450 predated the Shrewsbury predated the Shrewsbury -theTheShrewsbury main- The buildings, main - The buildings, originally -main The main buildings, originally a Grammar buildings, originally a Grammar school originally awas Grammar school a Grammar was school - Replacement school was- Replacement wasof the - Replacement old-Georgian ofReplacement the oldof wing Georgian theofoldtheGeorgian wing old Georgian wing wing Addition ofAddition new Georgian of Addition newAddition wing Georgian of new andofLink Georgian wing newBlock Georgian and wing Link Block and wingLink andBlock Link Block How Shrewsbury How Shrewsbury Library How Shrewsbury is How in Library the Shrewsbury present is Library in the day Library present is in this thein 1552, North Wing completed Georgian Wing 2020: Design Proposal Library Library LibraryLibrary 1450: Riggs Hall predates built builteventually in 1552, built 1552: eventually in turned built 1552, inin 1552, eventually aturned library eventually in turned a library turned in a library in a library - New link- block NewBefore link connection - New block -1976: link New connection Rigg’s block link block Hall connection Rigg’s toconnection the Hall Main Rigg’s to Rigg’s the Hall Main toHall thetoMain the Main1983: Georgian wing After main library building 1630: East Wing completed Buildings BuildingsBuildings Buildings replacement and link block
PROGRAMME HISTORY
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KEY KEY ordinances established a School’s programme of building priorities: 1. Town Wall 1. Town Wall 1. Town Wall Wall 1. Town 2. Replacement 2. Replacement building 2. Replacement 2. (Georgian building Replacement Wing) building building (Georgian Wing) (Georgian Wing)Wing) - to build two (Georgian masters’ houses 3. Rigg’s Hall, 3. Rigg’s 15th-3. Hall, Century Rigg’s 3. 15th Rigg’s Hall, Century 15th Hall, Century 15th Century to build a library and gallery 4. Rigg’s 4. Rigg’s 1589-4. Hall 1589 4. Rigg’s Hall 1589 Hall 1589school toRigg’s build a country Riggs Hall built Hall 5. Main Buliding 5. Main- Buliding West 5. Main Wing 5. Main Buliding West 1594-1612 Buliding Wing - West 1594-1612 - West Wing Wing 1594-1612 1594-1612 house, to which the masters and 6. Main Building 6. Main- Building Tower 6. Main 6. Main Building Tower Building Tower Tower scholars might resort in time of 7. Main Building 7. Main- Building South 7. Main 7. Wing -Main Building Building Wing - South - South Wing Wing plague orSouth sickness 8. Link Block 8. Link Block 8. Link8.Block Link Block 9. Statue of9.Charles Statue 9. ofDarwin Statue Charles 9. Statue ofDarwin Charles of Charles DarwinDarwin
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1552 Royal Free Grammar School founded
Chapel(shown to the right), library and gallery built (above the basement was the school chapel, with the library over it and a gabled attic gallery)
1594 -1612
1589 Headmaster’s house was rebuilt (formed the larger part of Rigg’s hall)
Library used as a hairdressing saloon for the boys
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Scanned with CamScanner
1771-98 1798
1630
East wing completed - Master’s house to the south of the archway - largest school room on the top floor
Library contained a small museum
School and its library moved to Kingsland site
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1808 1880
School started anew as a public school - school of 20 boys or less
Top Schools largest classroom where 3 classes were held simultaneously. Room was also used for theatre performances and school assemblies.
Borough Library became part of Shropshire County Library Mainly a public library. Old Library room used for art exhibitions Scanned with CamScanner
1974 After July 1882 Free public library and museum Playground became a garden
Rigg’s Hall housed the students - referred to as schoolhouses
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Scanned with CamScanner Scanned with CamScanner
1983
Garden reinstated
HISTORICAL AUDIT:
AREA OF SIGNIFICANCE PLANS LIBRARY Listing Date: 10 January 1953 Last Amended: 17 November 1995 Grade: I Source: Historic England Source ID: 1271288 English Heritage Legacy ID: 455418
Significant / Minimal change Some significance / Room for change Large potential for change
The main building is Grade I listed, so this is where most of the significance is held. The floors have been replaced with concrete floors so more significance is placed on the facade.
RIGGS HALL Listing Date: 30 May 1969 Last Amended: 17 November 1995 Grade: II Source: Historic England Source ID: 1246750 English Heritage Legacy ID: 455419
TWO LEAD WATER TANKS Listing Date: 19 September 1972 Last Amended: 17 November 1995 Grade: II Source: Historic England Source ID: 1271155 English Heritage Legacy ID: 455421 2 water tanks. Dated 1737 and 1787. Lead. Low relief decoration, on the earlier with swags, dolphins and Tudor roses, and on the later tank, lions rampant and Tudor roses.
BASEMENT
Red Sandstone Brick wall to side of library
GROUND FLOOR
CHARLES DARWIN STATUE Listing Date: 19 September 1972 Last Amended: 17 November 1995 Grade: II Source: Historic England Source ID: 1246556 English Heritage Legacy ID: 455420
The Georgian Wing is a replacement building of the 18th century structure that was there before.
Although the purpose of the link block is justified, it holds little historic significance as it was built during the1980s Material use was restricted to lead, glass and oak.
HISTORICAL AUDIT:
AREA OF SIGNIFICANCE PLANS Significant / Minimal change Some significance / Room for change Large potential for change
No Access to internal area, cannot assess the physical properties inside
Earlier gabled range dated 1595. Principal room at first-floor level, with wide Decoratedstyle window.
Riggs Hall is Grade II listed with only the timber structure being original due to heavy restoration. Earliest building from the site and was part of Shrewsbury School.
FIRST FLOOR
SECOND FLOOR
STRUCTURAL AUDIT
PRIMARY STRUCTURE DIAGRAM
MAIN LIBRARY BUILDING The original build up consisted of coursed and squared Grinshill stone outer wall with rubble core and brick backing. Timber structured floor rested on the single thickness brick wall. There were chamfered and transomed mullioned windows. The building has undergone a series of restorations since then. In 1815, alterations were made to the roof as they realised there were defects in the timber and brick structures. In 1976 there were a number of alterations that took place. These included:
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
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WALL AND FLOOR 1. Floorboards 2. Pre-cast concrete 3. Concrete structural layer and insulation boards 4. Cement slurry 5. External Facing Grinshill stone
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RIGG’S HALL 1. External breather membrane 2. Sheathing 3. Timber beam 4. Insulation 5. Service cavity and vapour control layer 6. Plasterboard
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION 3.
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LINK BLOCK All joinery work is English Oak, coated internally with clear lacquer. External materials were restricted to lead, glass, and oak.
WALL AND GUTTER 1. Slate roof tile 2. Gutter 3. Parapet – Grinshill stone 4. Parapet – coping stone 5. Steel beam
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
ROOF 1. Slate roof tile 2. Timber Truss structure Y AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION 3. Timber beam 4. Insulation boards 5. Timber battens
Key:
GEORGIAN WING Brick construction with plain tiled roof. From 1980 to 1983, there was complete PRODUCED BYaAN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION replacement of the brick structure with a building that had a similar structure. The original roof tiles were reused and a sheet polyvinyl flooring finish was added.
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION - Steel and concrete structures replacing the existing brick and timber structures - Stainless steel rods resin bonded into the back face of the stonework - Main hall ceiling modified with cambered trusses and moulded tie beams - Lift added in North Wing - Tower staircase extended to basement
RIGGS HALL ThePRODUCED original buildBY up AN consisted of an oak structural frame on sandstone plinth. With a AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION wattle and daub panel infill and plastered and rendered on the interior. It has since had a series of restorations. From 1980 to 1983, a ground floor Grinshill stone exterior was added with the timber frame structure preserved. Infills panels were removed to leave timber structure in order to install screen wall on inner faces.
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE AUDIT PLAN: SHADOWS CAST
The diagrams below show the shadow casts from the building and the context at key times of the day. This is important as it will help with programme allocation and use. The height of the main building dominates the site through the shadows it casts. The courtyard where the link block sits is often cast in a shadow. The area to the North is shadow cast throughout most of the day whilst the areas to the South are not.
LIGHT PENETRATION MAP
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Minimal levels Average Levels Strong levels
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The diagram above shows light penetration. This is important as it will help with programme allocation and use. The basement and lift tower are the spaces where light penetrates the least. Generally, other spaces of the building are adequately lit.
BACKGROUND: CHARLES DARWIN, NATURE AND JOURNEY PS1 INFLUENCE During our first semester housing project, we looked at the importance of nature as a tool for better well being through design. The charities Hive and Mind highlighted anxiety and isolation as an increasing issue for young people in Shrewsbury.
CHARLES DARWIN - THE BOTANIST Our building celebrates Charles Darwin as a botanist, through the interaction and education of nature. Darwin was a pupil of the Shrewsbury School from September 1818 Born in Shrewsbury, (12 February 1809 - 19 April 1882) Darwin was an English naturalist, geologist and biologist, but he is best known for his contribution to the science of evolution.
INTANGIBLE CHANGE PLACE OF EDUCATION The site has always been a place of learning and education through its use as a school, museum and then library. We want our building proposal to continue this history through the inclusion of the botanical garden, museum and archive spaces.
JOURNEY TO GALAPAGOS ISLANDS The HMS Beagle set off on 27 December 1831 and lasted almost 5 years, on which he developed observations and theories. He suffered from sea sickness but still made detailed notes on his findings. The journey visited the coasts of South America but emphasis was put on Darwin’s findings whilst at the Galapagos Islands
CHARLES DARWIN BOTANICAL GARDEN AND MUSEUM Botanical Garden - Greenhouse within the existing building that encourages interaction with nature primarily BOTANY WORK Although Darwin is famed for his evolution theories, he was also interested in botany. His work falls into two periods,the first ends with the publication of the Origin of Species in 1859, while the second begins with the Fertilization of Orchids in 1862.
Museum - education of botany and Charles Darwin work
DESIGN STRATEGY: JOURNEY CYCLICAL MOVEMENT
When organising the allocation of spaces, we did a study of how the public and staff will use this space. We realised that the journey is cyclical, they end their journey where it begins and this contributed to the idea of a new structure that takes them on a journey through the building and brings them back to their starting point.
ASPIRATIONS
The scheme will use nature as a key design tool that can be used to promote a healthier well-being for the Shrewsbury residents and others that come to visit. The proposal will allow for an interaction, investigation and exploration into nature and also provides the platform for botanical research to take place.
CHARLES DARWIN’S JOURNEY TO THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
HMS Beagle
JOURNEY
Charles Darwin went on a journey to Galapagos Islands... On his boat journey he experienced sea sickness but still managed to produce drawings of his findings. Stepping onto this independent structure references getting on the boat and taking a journey through nature.
Galapagos Islands Darwin was in the Islands during the months of September and October of 1835.
HMS Beagle
BOTANICAL GARDEN AND MUSEUM
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Botanical Garden Allows for visitors to go on a personal adventure of exploration and discovery of plants
Museum Allows for visitors to further learn about plants from the perspective of Darwin by viewing his botanical studies.
Reception
ARCHIVE (Research)
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Archive Reading Room Allows for further research into Darwin’s botanical work for researchers and scholars.
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DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
The draft masterplan focused on how to guide users around the site and into the building. In our final masterplan, we have maintained a route through from the bus station behind to the main road in front of the library but we have adjusted the route for clarity in the final proposal. Whether you are a visitor arriving from the front, or the back, you arrive at the same point in the courtyard where the current link block sits.
The ramp also had to be adjusted to accommodate the level change and to create a thoughtful journey for those who are unable to use the stairs.
This design iteration did not work as the arrangement was ‘fiddly’. We has many ideas at this stage but had not found a way to bring it altogether in a cohesive manner. The botanical garden was placed in Riggs Hall but due to the climate and humidity we wanted to achieve in the greenhouse, Riggs Hall was not suitable because of its timber structure.
We were interested in how to create interventions that sit within the existing building, but at this stage had not adapted the idea enough to this particular building we were working on. We experimented with ideas on how to guide movement through Riggs Hall back into the link block and main building to make it feel part of the overall design.
MASTERPLAN OBJECTIVES
Creating accessibility from the bus station Creating route through to the castle and shopping district Landscaping and access behind Formal landscaping in front entrance Informal landscaping back entrance Controlling movement
PLACE-MAKING
The added access from behind the build creates a route through for the people of Shrewsbury, even for those who do not want to access the building but want to take a short cut towards the castle or river. The council were keen on this idea as the building becomes part of the townscape and encourages people to take in the building. The workshop with Riccardo Marini highlighted the importance of using design to encourage interaction with the building through place-making.
Towards train station
Towards river Towards castle
Towards shopping centres
SITE PLAN: JOURNEY AND ACCESSIBILITY
MODEL VIEW - FROM BEHIND LIBRARY (GEORGIAN WING REMOVED) - FROM CASTLE ROAD
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1. Entrance (Steel columns) 2. Cascading terrace with seating 3. Access Ramp with Information stands 4. West-facing cafe terrace 5. Projector screen for outdoor events space 6. Charles Darwin Statue 7. Corten steel bench 8. Statue 9. Mary Webb Statue 10. Entrance (Information stand)
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Corten steel interventions have been placed along the route to guide users through the space and create moments; they also act as place makers. Precedent: Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter, Rosheim
Key: Pedestrian Route Wheelchair Route
ACCESSIBILITY DIAGRAM Pedestrian and wheelchair access has been provided through the site to provide a route through that can be accessed by everyone. TRANSPORT (Demographic Research - Group 4) The most popular commuting mode in Shropshire is the personal vehicle. With cycling and walking ranking third. Our aim is to make our site pedestrian friendly, encouraging the use of bikes and discouraging the use of cars.
FLOOR PLANS Key: Grey: Existing Structure Black: Proposed Design
1. Charles Darwin Archive (collection hold) 2. Plant Room 3. Old boiler room 4. Cloakroom 5. Toilets 6. Toilet A/C 7. Compost store 8. Cleaner’s store 9. Staff toilets 10. Flexible exhibition gallery 11. Greenhouse control room 12. Toilet A/C 13. Reception 14. Staff Office 15. Outdoor events space with projector screen 16. Cafe 17. Outdoor seating area 18. Servery kitchen 19. Staff Office 20. Staff room
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FLOOR PLANS Key: Grey: Existing Structure Black: Proposed Design
21. Archive Reading Room 22. Archive Reception 23. Main archive entrance 24. Botanical Garden (Greenhouse) 25. Outdoor events space 26. Charles Darwin Museum Exit 27. Charles Darwin Museum 28. Viewing platform
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Botanical Garden
Corten Steel Walkway
Visitors are able to get close to the plants through the layout of plants beds and steel mesh walkways.
The walkway guides visitors through the museum with integrated seating.
Hold-Open Doors These doors stay open for ease of journey but close automatically when the fire alarm is set off.
Outdoor Events Space in Courtyard The staircase emphasises the courtyard as a key location, The council liked how this space- that is currently unused - has been transformed and integrated with the main building. It encourages visitors to get up close to the building and appreciate it from a new perspective.
DESIGN STRATEGY: JOURNEY Circulation was a major issue within the existing building, our intervention aims to solve this problem by creating an independent structure that guides users through the space and acts as a place maker.
Fourth Floor Viewing Platform (inside greenhouse)
The exploded diagram shows how visitors are intended to move through the spaces focusing on the courtyard and main building.
Third Floor Greenhouse Isolated Design Intervention OUTDOOR EVENTS SPACE
This is the starting point of the journey and also the end.
GREENHOUSE
The botanical garden is in the greenhouse in the North Wing. After ascending the main staircase, visitors will go here. It has a sub-tropic climate similar to Galapagos Islands to reference Darwin’s trip to the islands and the climate he experienced there.
Second Floor Greenhouse Charles Darwin Museum
MUSEUM
The museum space is experienced after the botanical garden where users walk along a walkway and descend through the floors, seeing the drawings, books and other botanical work that Darwin created. The walkway consists of turns that go against the grain of the existing building.
ARCHIVE
Archival material is located in the basement in a controlled environment but the support spaces i.e reading rooms are located in Riggs Hall, more private and secluded from the main public use - botanical garden and museum
First Floor Greenhouse Entrance to greenhouse Charles Darwin Museum Exit from museum Outdoor events space
Ground Floor Outdoor events space Exhibition Gallery Cafe + Outdoor Seating Area Basement (not shown) Charles Darwin Archive (collection hold)
Design Intervention sitting within existing building
MAJOR AND MINOR INTERVENTIONS: LIBRARY AS EXISTING Key: Demolition Renovation
1. NORTH WING ROOF
4. EAST WING ROOF
Due to our programme the current roof design does not meet the standards required for the greenhouse that will be placed here, so the roof will be replaced with a glass roof to maximise the sunlight for plants. The roof is not an original element which helped justify our decision to remove it.
This wing currently has bad lighting, we will add a glass roof to part of this wing to improve the lighting in the space.
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3. GEORGIAN WING
We decided to remove the Georgian Wing as it doesn’t hold as much historical significance in comparison to the other buildings. Its removal creates access from behind the site.
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Riggs Hall is a Grade II building and the oldest building on the site so we thought it was important to keep. We will add new infill panels (the current ones are not original) and make small renovations to improve appearance of facade. We removed part of Riggs Hall to create more space for the courtyard/events space.
5. LINK BLOCK
Latest addition to the site built in the 1970s. We will be demolishing this block as it is one storey and limits an appreciation of the facade facing this space and is also poorly lit. We replaced the link block with an outdoor pavilion that acts as an event space that still has the same purpose of linking the main building and Riggs Hall. It allows users of the space to appreciate the facade of the building and tackles existing circulation and accessibility issues.
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We decided that the facade is the most important element of the main building and therefore made only minor changes. The facade has had the least amount of changes made to it over the building’s history
FLOORS
The original floors were replaced with concrete floors in the 1970s so we did not deem it a significant feature and therefore have made changes that also deal with accessibility issues. The second floor in the North wing is currently not level with the second floor in the East wing, our proposal levels these two floors.
MAJOR AND MINOR INTERVENTIONS: DESIGN PROPOSAL
FRONT ENTRANCE
EVENTS SPACE
The design went through a series of iterations before we arrived at the final proposal.
AIMS/OBJECTIVES
In 100 years how would the building look? If they took away our additions, most of original features preserved/unchanged Major interventions are within, minor interventions to shell
CASCADING TERRACE
BACK ENTRANCE
Promote the Grade I listed building Generate income for future renovations Enhance and take influence from certain architectural features for the library and Rigg’s Hall Create awareness of Charles Darwin and his work Improve the wellbeing of people in Shrewsbury Improve the circulation in and around the library
ORNAMENTATION: PATTERN EXPERIMENTATION 1. STEEL PERFORATION - COLUMNS AND BALUSTRADES 2. ACID-ETCHED GLASS PANELS 3. STEEL CARVED PANELS We tested out a series of patterns inspired by plants that can be used as ornamentation within our design. Some patterns were developed from our own hand drawings, whilst some manipulated designs from the William Morris & Co. Wallpaper collection. The Ornamentation Lecture highlighted its importance. The existing building is intricately detailed and we wanted our design proposal to match this high level of detail.
UTRETCH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, THE NETHERLANDS
Inspired by the names and other carvings in the East Wing and the concept of taking away.
FACTORY VISIT JACK BADGER, MASONRY AND CARPENTRY
WILLIAM MORRIS, THE RED HOUSE
Some patterns were created by manipulating designs from the William Morris & Co. Wallpaper collection. We used his as inspiration because of his techniques in using nature for ornamentation. Repeated texture inspired by jungle trees printed onto glass and carved in relief on black concrete panels. We wanted to create an abstract pattern that can be etched into the glass and steel panels of the greenhouse.
OWEN JONES
We were also inspired by Jones, who was a major influence on decorative art. He used ornamentation to explain the different species of plants in ‘The Grammar of Ornament’.
SHREWSBURY ARTISTS
The council mentioned how local artists and craft workers could be used to develop ideas for the patterns and ornamentation proposed. This would ensure that the new build is not only made for the people of Shrewsbury but to some degree was also designed by them.
Original digital pattern created from hand sketch of a tulip.
WEST ELEVATION Our main design intervention is a pavilion that sits in the courtyard and extends into the building, made of corten steel. We wanted to juxtapose the existing building and highlight the addition proposed.
ORNAMENTATION
The mesh pattern was inspired by the Imperial War Museum Archive and the use of engraving in the steel. We created our own patterns using plants as inspiration.
PRECEDENT: Caixaforum, Madrid Herzog and de Meuron
PRECEDENT: Imperial War Museum Archive, England Architype
NORTH ELEVATION ORNAMENTATION ROOF
The roof of the greenhouse located in the North Wing pushes through the roof line of the existing building to maximise sunlight into the space and also to reference the new use of the building. The pattern we created will be etched into the glass panels.
SPACE STUDY: SUB-TROPIC BOTANICAL GARDEN (GREENHOUSE)
CIRCULATION
The greenhouse is the first space that the users experience within the building. Once accessed through the first floor, users can ascend up to the fourth floor which provides views out over Shrewsbury.
LIGHT
The design proposal means that the greenhouse is well lit, with light coming from above through the glass roof and through the original window openings of the existing building. A series of voids and steel mesh floors allows light to penetrate from above to the lower floors. The variance in transparency of the glass panels limits solar gain.
MATERIALITY
Due to the sub-tropic climate and humidity of the greenhouse our main structure is made up of coated galvanised steel. The protective coating of zinc prevents the steel from rusting.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
The humidity is maintained by cytometers. They measure the rate in which a Vick dries out. Misters at the top of the glasshouse come on automatically if it falls below a certain threshold. The boiler room has a biomass boiler.
DRAINAGE
Gutter behind parapet. Rainwater tank for filtration and storage of rainwater as greywater for toilets and plants.
ACOUSTICS
Existing masonry walls are insulated to guard against high street noise levels.
BR - PART M - Access and Use of Buildings
The new floors and addition of the glass lift allows for level access into the greenhouse and through the floors.
VENTILATION
Comes in from the outside. Because of humidity, mould would occur in the service area if vents were inside. Vents work on an automatic rack and pin system that partially close because of scattering. High level to improve ventilation. There are also openings in the glass roof on the side and above that can be manually opened, also automatically controlled.
SPACE STUDY:
TYPE OF PLANTS
SUB-TROPIC BOTANICAL GARDEN
The plants consist of palm trees and other tropical plants that can thrive in the humid climate provided in the greenhouse. Plants such as the Peacock plant, Dragon Tree and Bromeliads are located in areas that do not have as much access to sunlight and ceiling height. Palm trees are located in the double height space and include species such as the Suicide Palm and Canary Palm Tree.
(GREENHOUSE) The greenhouse has a sub-tropic climate that references the Galapagos Islands that Charles Darwin visited on the HMS Beagle.
KEY POINTS FROM SITE VISIT
The beds on the higher level are shallow to reduce the weight of the soil that’s overhead. Plants that can cope in shallow beds will grow here. In the greenhouse in each zone, water is needed so hose pipes are used and carried around. Underfloor heating. The oil heats hot water in pipes to keep it warm, also deals with excess water. Heating is under the floor and at the back of the beds but that tends to dry out the plants. Good ceiling height is needed. Scientists that study the plants need the plants to mature, flower and fruit to study the life cycle. They only mature once they are a good size.
KEW GARDENS SITE VISIT
NORTH ELEVATION
DESIGN SECTION:
GREENHOUSE AND COURTYARD The greenhouse sits within the North wing and is connected to the outdoor pavilion in the courtyard.
PRECEDENT: Lyceum of Arts and Crafts Sao Paulo, Brazil Eduardo Colonelli The walkway tapers over the existing building to highlight it as an independent structure, that sits apart from the library building.
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDEN
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION 6.
D. Concrete bedding and floor build-up 1. Root ball and earth 2. Concrete box 3. Metal mesh floor and truss structure 4. Structural beam and column 5. Underfloor heating
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION 2.
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
A. 3 way Curtain wall and glazed roof connection 1. Glazed panels curtain wall 2. Spigots 3. Glazed pitched roof and mullions 4. Cin cap 5. Main structural frame (column) 6. Mullion and aluminium framework
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
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B. New glazed roof, gutter and wall build-up connection 1. Curtain wall 2. Aluminium plasterboard 3. Insulation 4. Concrete structural layer 5. Parapet - Grinshill stone and coping stone 6. Insulated Aluminium pressed gutter 7. Grinshill stone 8. Metal steel plate
C. Door and Walkway Connection 1. Glass Door 2. Metal mesh floor 3. Metal steel plate 4. Grinshill stone 5. Padstone 6. Insulation 7. Concrete structural layer
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Y AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
*Roof is tilted by 3 degrees to allow for drainage.
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
TECHNICAL SECTION: GREENHOUSE
SPACE STUDY: CHARLES DARWIN MUSEUM After the botanical garden, users move through the museum, going across and descending, directed by a walkway that is elevated from the existing floor structure. During Darwin’s stay on the HMS Beagle, Darwin experienced seas sickness. The grain of the walkway goes against the grain of the existing building.
WHAT IS ON DISPLAY? The museum displays Darwin’s work, which consists mainly of his drawings and books
EAST ELEVATION
SPACE STUDY: CHARLES DARWIN MUSEUM CIRCULATION
The museum is the second space that the users experience within the building. Once accessed from the second floor after leaving the garden, users move along and descend down to the first floor. The void on the second floor helps users navigate the space below.
PRESERVATION STRATEGY
There are two other interventions, the glazed roof and the void. Currently, the natural light in this wing is not substantial so the roof has been added to solve this issue. The void has been added to allow more natural light into the first floor and help with user navigation. The name carvings around the edge of this space has been preserved as its an important part of the building’s history.
LIGHT
The glazed roof addition acts as a source of natural light, with light also coming through the original window openings of the existing building. Artificial light is provided to aid the natural light.
MATERIALITY
The main fabric remains the same with the main intervention being the elevated corten steel walkway which guides users through the space. We used corten steel to highlight the contrast of the new intervention and the existing building.
VENTILATION
The glazed roof has openings that allow for stack ventilation and cross ventilation through the existing windows of the wing.
DRAINAGE
Gutter behind parapet. Rainwater tank for filtration and storage of rainwater as greywater for toilets and plants.
ACOUSTICS
Existing masonry walls lined with ADDITIONAL INSULATION to guard against high street noise levels.
BR - PART M - Access and Use of Buildings
The walkway and addition of the lift allows for level access into the museum and through the floors.
Top: Overlooking double height space in Museum Bottom: Visitor looking at Darwin’s plant drawings
TECHNICAL SPACE STUDY: CHARLES DARWIN MUSEUM
PRECEDENT: Querini Stampalia, Venice. Carlo Scarpa The walkway is elevated to emphasise the idea of an independent intervention that sits separately from the existing building. We liked how Scarpa uses the path to control movement and separate the user from the rest of the space.
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PRECEDENT: Castelvecchio Verona. Carlo Scarpa 4.
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Due to Covid-19, we were unable to create a physical model and therefore created a technical axonometric analysis of the museum instead, Focusing on two main interventions, the elevated walkway and the glazed roof.
The existing roof pulls away, revealing the new glass roof that has been added above the void in the museum.
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GUTTER AND WALL 1. Parapet – Coping stone 2. External facing Grinshill stone 3. Glazed roof – Glass panel and truss structure 4.Aluminium Plasterboard and insulation 5. Concrete structural layer PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
TECHNICAL CROSS-SECTION
3D SECTIONAL AXO
ENVIRONMENTAL/BUILDING STRATEGY
BUILDING REGULATIONS
Regulations are also looked at on the space study pages
There are 3 protected staircases, with modifications being made to the staircase in the East Wing. There is direct access to the outside spaces from the basement to the second floor. 5
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Approved Document B: 2.4 Every part of each storey has two means of escape either through stairs or direct access to the outside. Table 2.1 5c: Maximum travel distance: 18m (one direction) 45m (more than one direction) Travel distances have been calculated as paths, furniture can be changed to make distances shorter.
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Travel Distance
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13. 4m
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9m
23.5 m
18.8 m
BASEMENT
GROUND FLOOR
17.5 m
Ventilation / Temperature Control The greenhouse is maintained at a minimum temperature of 18 degrees Celsius. There is no maximum but vents are opened when temperature rises above 28 degrees, for the benefit of visitor and staff wellbeing. The greenhouse is climate controlled to maintain the subtropic climate. Cytometers and misters are used to assist with this. (Kew Garden Visit, 2020) Ventilation has to come from the outside due to humidity, otherwise it would produce mould in the service area. To maximise ventilation North facade was used as it was found to be the most effective. Natural ventilation will be used in the other parts of the building due to the nature of the spaces. Reflecting on the design of the ventilation pipes, they could do with further development. Some of the pipes have been added for decoration purposes and two have a functional purpose.
Final Exit
* Stair design will be adapted so that stairs is completely closed off to act as means of fire escape
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1. Plant Room Located in the basement, central to greenhouse and museum. Easily accessible due to level change in front of building. Biomass boiler will be used (Kew Gardens, 2020) Biomass will come in pallets due to lack of space on site. Pallets already heat treated. 2. Lift Lift is accessible from all floors of the greenhouse and the basement level for staff only. Allows for easier transfer of equipment and compost. 3. Compost Store Located on the basement level outside. 4. Bin Store Located on the ground floor in the position that it currently is in. 5. Control Room The climate control room for the greenhouse is located on the ground floor below the greenhouse and above the plant room. From this room, lighting and the pipe temperatures are controlled. Also used as storage for equipment for the greenhouse
Protected Stairs
16 m
9m
19 m
15.5 m 19 m
7m
13.5 m
FIRST FLOOR
Greenhouse Cross-Section Showing Stack ventilation
FIRE ESCAPE STRATEGY
SECOND FLOOR
10 m
CONSTRUCTION STRATEGY (INDEPENDENT STRUCTURE)
The new interventions sit independently from the existing building, respecting it and revering its history. We were inspired by the RISD Library and TU Delft and the idea that these interventions sit apart and can be taken away with little change being made to the existing build. The floors in the North wing were removed as a stronger support was needed for the greenhouse. Corten steel could not be used for the greenhouse because of the humidity, therefore galvanised steel is used instead. The glass roof was added to occupy the heights of the plants in the botanical garden and to maximise sunlight.
Corten Steel Sleeve
PRECEDENT: RISD Fleet Library Rhode Island
Corten Steel Sleeve SALLY STONE: TAKING AWAY LECTURE We removed parts of the facade of the main building to create entrances and exits. We carefully considered our approach and highlighted the addition of corten as new and independent. PRECEDENT: The Why Factory TU Delft, MVRDV
CONSTRUCTION STRATEGY
CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE
The diagram below shows an exploded axonometric of the greenhouse identifying its key structural details.
The sequence focuses on the greenhouse that will be built into the North Wing.
(INDEPENDENT STRUCTURE)
Ventilation pipes
Glass curtain wall and aluminium framework
Fourth Floor: Steel mesh floor Third Floor: Steel mesh floor Concrete beds
1. EXCAVATION The existing floors and roof will be removed and temporary support and cover will be provided.
2. LIFT TOWER The glass lift tower with its steel structure will be constructed.
4. FLOORS Pre-cast concrete for green beds and steel mesh floors will be added.
5. CURTAIN WALLING Glass curtain wall with aluminium framework.
3. STRUCTURAL FRAMEWORK Formation of steel structural grid
Second Floor: Steel mesh floor Concrete beds
First floor Glass elevator with steel structure Steel staircase
Structural Frame: Columns and Beams
Concrete Pile Foundation
STAGE 0 STRATEGIC DEFINITION - Initial site analysis of Shrewsbury and establishment of the users in Shrewsbury STAGE 1 PREPARATION AND BRIEF - Development of project and design objectives : - Provide a scheme that is able to survive in a flood plane - Research through site visit to Shrewsbury - Development of the project team, assigning the responsibilities STAGE 2 CONCEPT DESIGN - Preparation of concept design along with concept strategies to inform the design ranging from Masterplan to the Main building STAGE 3 DEVELOPED DESIGN - Development of the concept design along with the introduction building services and structural design
6. GLASS ROOF Glass roof will be put into place, completing the implementation of the greenhouse in the North Wing.
STAGE 4 TECHNICAL DESIGN - Preparation of technical design through 3d modelling, elevations, plans and sections. The technical design to include: Architectural, structural, environmental and building services information STAGE 5 CONSTRUCTION - On site construction and offsite manufacturing of materials such as pre-cast concrete panels in accordance with the construction program - Building Contract between the client and contractor and subcontractors is set up. Regular site visits from architects to be conducted in order to review the progress of construction on site. Respond to the design queries arising from the site progress STAGE 6 HANDOVER AND CLOSE OUT - Handover and conclusion of the Building Contract STAGE 7 IN USE
SERIAL VISION
Text 1.1 In the Concise Townscape, Gordon Cullen says that cities should be designed from the view of moving people. Shrewsbury creates a drama of juxtaposition through its mix of narrow streets, squares and alleys. We aimed to continue this drama through a variety of spaces leading into the building and through it.
REFLECTION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
We enjoyed the process of being able to create a design for the people of Shrewsbury by using its history to form and develop ideas. At first we were hesitant to make drastic changes to the building so we were happy that the council were accepting of our proposal. The design is established as part of the townscape through the concept of journey. Our dissertation topics both investigate how people move through spaces as a consequence of design. Therefore we were interested in exploring this concept through our studio project.
LECTURES Lee, J. (2020) Ornamentation Stone, S. (2020) Taking Away Stone, S. (2020) Undoing Buildings Marini, R. (2020) Place Making
We did not explore ornamentation thoroughly in PS1 so we were happy to develop and investigate this. Due to Covid-19, we were unable a physical model that showed our concept of expressing history through the new and the old. We would liked to have refined the greenhouse further, for example the ventilation pipes and how the environmental needs could further dictate its design. However we focused on the North Wing, East Wing, Courtyard and landscape for most of the project time scale.
BOOKS Cullen, G. (1961) The Concise Townscape. Koolhaus, R. (2014) Elements of Architecture.
Our talk with the council highlighted that it was important for the library to be adapted into a building that is for the people of Shrewsbury. Creating a scheme that was influenced by mental well-being from PS1 we have used nature as a key design tool. The council liked this link to health and wellbeing. We were happy with the council’s response as they described the design as taking the building into a new era. We were able to adapt this established community building into one that forms part of the townscape, can contribute to the well-being of the people of Shrewsbury whilst also creating a place of education for them and people across the UK potentially. The council introduced the idea of including local artists in the ornamentation development, which given more time we could have looked into this idea further.
SITE VISITS Kew Botanical Gardens, London Barbican Conservatory, London Jack Badger, Carpentry and Masonry