IDR Richard Laycock

IDR Report 1 & 2

By Richard Laycock - C3207889 - MArch 2

Contents REPORT 1: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY 07 1. A Personal Position – Introduction..........................................................07 11 2. The Design Studio Context........................................................................11 15 3. The Design Thesis........................................................................................15 27 4. Technical and Technological questions....................................................27 5. Further Development..................................................................................33 33 REPORT 2: MANAGEMENT AND LAW 41 1. Planning issues............................................................................................41 47 2. Development Appraisal Scenario..................................................................47 53 3. Procurement & Risk.....................................................................................53 57 4. Architectural Practice................................................................................57 5. Professional reflection...............................................................................61 61 APPENDIX 1. CV................................................................................................................70

REPORT - 1 Design & Technology

1. A Personal Position – Introduction As students of architecture we have been given an opportunity to rethink situations and redesign the world around us in the hope of improvement or enrichment to people’s lives.

The architectural world is one of rigidity, a conglomeration of tried and tested mythologies which form part of its assembly. Within this informed reasoning of vector and response there lies a fast paced evolution of computational simulation ready to be unleashed.

Through the use of computational based physics software, the architectural world will become one of improved structural forms made lighter through the use of advanced composites with the addition of selective deposition modelling creating varying densities much like our own bodies.

Imagine a building created in components using a 3d printer with elements of calcified structure rapped in softer tissue which acts in both tension and compression all neatly wrapped inside a waterproof skin.

I welcome you to the future of Architecture.

2. The Design Studio Context The design studio context is to challenge the way we use information to produce building forms which respond to both environment conditions and create an intervention that improves the overall sense of place. To create an entity which has a symbiotic relationship with the space it inhabits.

As a student of architecture positioned within the Abstract Machines Studio I have had the privilege of learning about the mechanisms that drive architecture. More so about the systematic way we program these mechanisms to create real time feedback. Digital simulation becomes the tool we use as a way of processing the site conditions on these complex forms.

What we term scripting within the field of architecture offers us the opportunity to create our own tools. Emancipated from traditional software, scripting gives the power back to the designer. One can manipulate the form throughout the design as a step by step whereby at no point is it to late to edit the design. As a student of the Abstract Machines studio I have been influenced to do just that.

3. The Design Thesis New New York – Inhabiting up-cycled waste streams.

My Theses project brings together a number of innovative material separation technologies and challenges the current systems of how we deal with waste in the hope of extracting valuable resource from our waste to produce building materials.

Building program

The buildings is a response to the critical issues generated by the way waste is currently being dealt with and seeks to revolutionize the way we process waste.

Diagram shows a flow chart mapping the procedures involved in processing waste.

WASTE

AUTOMATED SEPARATING MACHINE

METALS

BIOMASS

PLASTICS

SOLD

SEPARATED

SEPARATED

INSTANT PR0FIT

SOLID

LIQUID

METHANE

EXTRACTED

BUILDING MATERIALS

ADDITIVE

System flow chart Diagram shows a flow chart mapping the connections different systems need

Methane Monitored

Waste IN

Leachates Compost

Factory Sort

Biological waste

Process Sorted waste OUT

Bio-digestion

The thesis develops a series of Techtonic explorations which change the ways of producing building materials from the Up-cycled waste material which can be 3d printed in components

The end result would be a series of interventions throughout New York using only waste as a feed.

The components would be design and printed in parts and brought together to form the whole.

The Problems:NYC has a population of over 3.2 million people. The total volume of waste produced every day by individuals & private companies is 36,000 Tons. This is equivalent to an empire state building in volume of waste every day.

01. MN - West 135th street 02. MN - East 91st street 03.

MN - West 59th street 04. MN - Gansevoort 05. BX - South bronx 06. QN - North shore 07. BK - Greenpoint 08. BK - Hamilton avenue 09. BK - Southwest brookyln 10. SI - Fresh Kills

This waste is transferred to one of 11 local Marine Transfer Station (MTS) position by water whereby it is compressed and sent to Landfill. All landfills are out of state as the local Landfill has reached capacity.

I see waste and misuse in the form of materials which I can only describe as narcissistic. This is not by a few, this attitude is widespread. Away is never gone, it is simply moved elsewhere but today elsewhere is everywhere.

The current system of dealing with waste does not work The government is proposing a new MTS which operates under an out of date system Furthermore this new design is positioned with total disregard for the people who live in the vicinity.

The architectural systems in place which deal with waste are engineered systems and DO NOT consider people, environment or sense of place. They remain disconnected from the environment they aim to remediate.

The ramp that leads to the MTS cuts the a sport and fitness centre grounds in two. So in addition to the noise and pollution the estimated 200 trucks that will deliver garbage to the MTS every day will generate, locals fear for the children’s safety.

My thesis project is to take waste which we throw away and recycle it inside a building constructed entirely from up-cycled waste streams.

My vision is to create a life size 3d printed architecture that utilises the tensile and compressive strengths of Advanced Polymer Composite material to its advantage, married with its form to produce an architectural style that shelters us from the elements until a time it is no longer needed at which point it can be broken down and reused as another form with little or no loss of material in the process.

Waste is not just something we bury, it becomes an architectural style we can celebrate.

I see composite materials have come a long way since their discovery in the 1800’s however a pragmatic way of recycling or even reusing these complexly combined elements known as waste has yet to emerge on a grand scale.

Today the future holds advanced polymer composites in high regard with the introduction of mainstream 3d printers and rapid prototyping machines.

4. Technical & Technological Questions The techniques of additive modelling software utilise slicer programs which take 3 dimensional objects and slice them in to thin layers which can then be printed layer by layer using an array of materials to produce a 3 dimensional object.

Physics simulation can be used to test for areas of the structure that needs to be reinforced.

Form and surface equilibrium can be reach through further physics simulations creating a system capable of supporting its own weight.

The technological requirements of the design utilise large scale 3d printing which requires complex digital models to be produced which can then be decomposed in to layers by the software which then communicate to the machine (3d Printer) the layer information with material and density requirements.

The structural system requires complex models to be digitally simulated using physics based modelling capable of computing the area of most stress and equally capable of rebuilding the digital surface to create a surface which can ultimately reach equilibrium.

further digital simulation tools were created which uniquely take any individual surface and divide the said surface in to a series of 3d printable panels - The 3d parametric brick.

The constructional systems in place allow the panels to then by position in place and the minimal surface can be constructed using a similar system to igloos whereby zero form work is required.

5. Further Development As an architect it is good to understand the material with which you are applying to create the structural systems & protective waterproof skin. However the invention of such material is far beyond the limitation of an architect.

Fortunately, much research has taken place by material scientists with regards to material science and advanced polymer composites. If allowed to continue my investigation I would feel compelled to understand what the compressive and tensile limitations are from using any number of these advanced composite materials. Next I might consider simulating the physics behind the materiality through the use of computational systems with the hope of further refining the structural system.

The construction of a DIY 3d printer has enabled me to push my design further and understand the limitation of the printer with regards to detailing and position the panels to print accurately.

Furthermore, if both time and money were no issue I would feel compelled to construct a larger 3d printer in the hope of reproducing a life size model with the intension of realising the system I have developed.

Ultimately creating a recyclable and re-mouldable 3d printable structural system would be a something that would benefit all partie.

REPORT - 2

Management and Law

Introduction New New York – Inhabiting up-cycled waste streams.

The thesis looks at creating systematic ways of extracting valuable resource from our waste to producing a building material from the Up-cycled waste material. Initially combining innovative material separation technologies and fundamentally challenging the current systems of how we deal with waste to creating a whole new system of designing the built environment.

1. – Planning issues Planning would raise several issues:The Thesis focuses on the regeneration of an urban environment through the use of an upcycling centre which could potentially produce dust particles, odours and noise pollution within the neighbouring community.

The City is studying air pollutants that may contribute to neighbourhood health problems. As part of the study, the City has installed air sampling devices 10 to 12 feet off the ground on streetlight, signal and utility poles. The devices are 2 ft by 1 ft boxes with tubes sticking out and a sticker identifying them as property of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. So meeting the specific requirements of the city is essential. http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/categories/environment/air-quality/index.page

Orientation For this reason the elements of the building that could potentially cause noise, odour and dust have been enclosed and venting occur through the East side of the development. In essence the building itself is a barrier to these conditions and the naturally prevailing winds reduce the risk further by pulling away these negative conditions from the pedestrian areas.

The scale and position of the said building has been derived from a series of site parameter from access routes one needs to create and the orientation of the road. This coupled with spanning distances have given the habitable up-cycled centre its form.

Aesthetics The building will be concealed underneath a structurally active flowing roof which doubles up as a park above and bridge over FDR drive (6 lane carriageway) creating a connection & green link from the city to the sea.

The roof acts as a protective barrier between the processing of waste and the public areas above, yet conceals the major road network without removing its functionality. Desire lines through the site create a natural space which looks moulded not by man, but by nature itself.

3mm heat resistant ACM 25mm high tensile ACM Intenal infill using low density hexagon lattice high tensile ACM

Material selection The specific materials which are to be used for the structural solution have been chosen specifically for their unique properties to keep the building safe, whilst providing an aesthetic which is both complimentary and ultimately sustainable for the environment.

Overshadowing & Height Although the scale of the system in terms of total footprint make this intervention appear quiet large and the form reaches heights of 20 meters at its tallest point the building system and its sloping roof give this building a seamlessly connection to the current green space because the design of the intervention is lowest where it is closest to neighbouring buildings.

2. – Development Appraisal Scenario

•

What is the Business CASE. Risks, Benefits Defrayed between parties involved?

The Business case would have a number of parties involved. The development team would have more in common with the automotive industry than the building industry due to its automotive panel design process via 3d printing and detailed schematic production entirely through computational system.

This would come with risks & benefits to all parties. The timescale of the production of the said panels would be directly links to the completion date and so if the machinery had set backs then the contractor in charge of installation would also fail to meet the completion date.

•

In your proposition how do you take possession of the land (ownership)?

Land ownership is currently held by the state. The land was previously use as a Marine Transfer Station for the distribution of Municipal waste from Manhattan to landfill via barge. Its position was largely influence by the range and extent of the waterways.

Because a change of Land Use is not required, the land will be leased on a long term basis to the company who in-turn will be backed by an investor.

•

What organisation (ie client - eg institution because its research or a community) would develop your proposal and why?

The experimental construction research would likely be a research and Development team which may be part of a university. The design itself would be conceptualised by an Engineer, or designer such as a PHD student led team – who research and develop components with a specific interest and knowledge of advanced materials and specialise in selective material deposition (3d printing) on a large scale.

They may also be required to organise the design up to a certain stage.

•

How is your project funded and why?

The project would be funded by an initial research investment which may come from a private interest, someone with ties to the university with an interest in experimental construction.

The project would be issued by the state but funded by investors interesting in selective deposition modelling. This development could have subsidiary portions funded by the state as this is a beneficial development. Generating a synergistic system which is capable of expanding and feeding off waste material which could save potentially 2.7 billion dollars which is the current figure NYC spends disposing of waste every year. This coupled with the ability to generate new land from an otherwise land consuming entity is in itself a profitable scenario and lucrative investment.

Furthermore the ongoing running of the waste separation system would generate an income and any maintenance would be paid for by the income of the system itself.

3. – Procurement & Risk

•

Who builds it and why (eg large contractor / research specialists etc)?

The project team would consist of a number of specialist branches not usually found in the same specialist field. Firstly I see this particular development being constructed by a specialist’s contractor with an understanding of polymer composite materials for example ‘Gurit’ a leading global manufacturer and supplier of composite materials, engineering, tooling, parts and systems would be an ideal choice as they have knowledge and ties to specialist sub-contractors.

The team would be backed by a structural engineering team first who have the potential to deal with complex physics based simulations and the ability to test and prototype computational models in house.

As a front to the physical production operation side of this would sit a 3d printing company with capabilities in advanced material deposition on a large scale with room for expansion in to a wider market.

•

Discuss the key constructional risks associated with your scheme (eg building in a dense area, unfamiliar country, water, module sizes, unskilled labour)

The key risks of the development would be supporting the structure as it is constructed over a 6 lane highway (FDR Drive) whilst delivering an uninterrupted service throughout the construction. Fundamentally this causes serious issues with regards to health and safety as the possible of things falling on to the road would be unacceptable.

This problem is overcome by the closing of FDR drive over a single night to demolish the existing MTS and access bridge and using the existing column footing as a new footings for the new development – Further development will occur off site and will be positioned in place via crane.

The design employs a structurally active 3d printed system and thus requires zero formwork as the system is when in position, self supporting.

4. – Architectural Practice

•

Architectural services, 2013 Plan of Work, office resourcing, indemnity, fees.

The Particular area of risk might be maintenance of the panelling system or possible removal of a section of the system which would require access from underneath or a specific retrieval program integrated in to the design to remove panels from above.

CDM Regulation 7.1 states - Follow the rules where the rules have been designed for a specific purpose. i.e removal or maintenance of panels. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/320/regulation/7/made 03 05 14 Specialist Design by Specialist Subcontractors including the integration of maintenance procedures

For this reason a Health & safety maintenance procedure will be designed and available to anyone undertaking the maintenance work. This would be signed-off of Performance Specified Work by the Lead Designer and other designers as set out in Design Responsibility document and all maintenance Information could be for use on future projects.

5. – Professional Reflection As a student of Architecture starting out in my career I must consider the practical skills I have gained and the opportunity to learn about myself, my interests and my specific skill set. The architectural world itself seems a far cry from where I feel my skills can take me, I am a problem solver, a designer, an inventor of systems......

If I consider the practical application of the system I have developed at a Masters level, it is fundamentally a system which could be used and developed on any small or large scale custom bespoke design.

The system would only need a large A frame with a few stepper motors and some waste materials to create real building scaled interventions.

Now let’s combined the ever increasing tool kit of physics based modelling and digital simulation married with rapid prototyping and we begin to realise the system although somewhat fictional is entirely possible.

The design has been entirely fictional and In terms of costing the 3d printer itself would need to be factored in to the equation as the purchasing of such a machine would bring down costs of maintenance and overall the cost of the development in the long run.

Printing the panels would be a time consuming task with speed of production playing a large role in the completion date. This would most likely be done off site and using a series of printers which had the capability of printing several panels at a time.

The positioning and construction of this development would be an extensively laborious task with most of the panels being lifted in to place using a crane.

This said, as long as well thought out schedule is planned which allows for the production of the building elements to be printed on time, the cost of erecting should be relatively fast and thus equally low for such a bespoke one off Architectural piece.

As this particular development would have ties to vast income in the form of potentially free resources from waste separation technologies any maintenance would be paid for by the income of the system itself.

The government could and would be in a position to charge the up-cycling centre for the delivery of waste from the houses of the public to the up-cycling centre and tax the business in the same instance thus making this economically favourable for all parties involved.

The Government could charge for delivery of waste and lease the land.

Investors would receive income from waste separation in the form of resalable materials and profit margins.

References http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/320/regulation/7/made - 03 05 14 http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/categories/environment/air-quality/index.page - 02 05 14

Supplimentary guidance notes The Construction & development Industry- February 2014 RIBA plan of work 2013

Appendix

RICHARD LAYCOCK 16/03/1984 I am an enthusiastic and self motivated individual with a host of abilities including excellent presentation & communication skills. I have 18 months experience as a part 1 Architectural Assistant working at PD Associates which has given me the opportunity to work on a number of projects ranging from large scale housing developments through to construction details and fully understand the importance of meeting deadlines.

WORK EXPERIENCE PD ASSOCIATES LTD Sept 2011 – Mar 2013 Part 1 Architectural Assistant • Site surveys • CAD drafting • Sketch-up modelling • V-Ray Rendering • Photoshop visuals • Illustrator presenting • Practical Construction on directors house CARER ASSISTANT March 2010 – September 2011 • Providing rest bite for Mother B&Q Jan 2009 – March 2010 Customer Representative • Deal with queries on shop floor • Keeping department stocked up BT OPENREACH (Kelly’s Agency) July 2006 – December 2009 Service Professional • Dealing with Internal/external calls • Liaising with engineers on EU (End Users) appointments • Making outgoing calls to EU’s to confirm appointment dates • Dealing with a multitude of query e-mail inboxes • Escalating orders that needed attention

AIM June 2004 – March 2006

Trainee fitter • Delivering and installing office furniture across the UK. • Ensuring fast and efficient installation to deadlines • Prioritising and working overtime whenever needed.

FINE COMPANY Nov 2003 – May 2004

Sales Representative • Appointment making over the phone.

• Cold calling and building up relationship with customers • Following up leads and converting into appointments.

• Communicating with clients, following up on appointments.

• Quality control and cleansing data.

EDUCATION LEEDS METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY Sep 2012 – Present • Masters of Architecture LEEDS METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY Sep 2008 – June 2011 • Completed an Architecture BSC (Hon) Degree receiving an Upper class second (2.1) HUDDERSFIELD UNIVERSITY Sep 2007 - May 2008

• Completed an Architecture Foundation course REFFERENCES Keith Andrew Senior Lecturer, Architecture Leeds Metropolitan University Broadcasting Place Arts Building, B502 Woodhouse Lane Leeds LS2 9EN