In the Green - Construction Week 2014 by Robin Philpott

IN THE GREEN - Construction Workshop 3

IN THE GREEN

St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Green, North Woolwich

CONSTRUCTION WEEK 2014 UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON Akira Imai Dhiren Appadoo Lim Tze Voon Melvin Wong Preye Kpiki Rozhgar Muhammed Robin Philpott Rosaleen Commettant Tutors: Thomas Randall-Page Alex Scott-Whitby

13.11.2014

IN THE GREEN - Construction Workshop 3

Preface This report documents the two week process of creating an event for the community of St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Green to

North

facilitate

Woolwich. a

The

conversation

project for

the

aim

was

future

development of a proposed cafe/pavilion through a temporary platform and encourage local residents to make better use of the existing space. The London borough of Newham has been looking at ways to regenerate public spaces they control within the borough and promote community ownership. In April 2014 a community vegetable garden was set up on the site with local residents taking responsibility for maintenance. Building upon its success and the idea of exploring the possibilities of similar projects on the site. Students from the university of East London were engaged by Newham Council to create an event that could aid public consultation and act as precedence for the future development. The intervention took the form of a communal table and Barbecue that was presented to the community in the form of a meal and cinema screening.

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Acknowledgements Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to thank everyone who made this project a reality, it was only possible with your contributions. Thank you to Newham council for putting their faith in nine architecture students, everyone at the University who was involved and helped along the way and the residents of St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Green both for their involvement, curiosity and turning out on the night. Special thanks to: Alan Chandler for his advice and entrusting us with university equipment off campus. Keith Murray for providing us with invaluable power, electronics and supplies on the day of the event (at his own expense). Paul Howe for contributing his personal tools and time as a favour for a friend. Edward (Ted) Corbett for lending a hand even in the rain. Sarah Dodd and Harry Holmes from Newham Council and last but not least our Tutors Thomas Randall-Page and Alex ScottWhitby.

IN THE GREEN - Construction Workshop 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS 02 St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Green History 03 Context 09 Brief 11 Modelling the site 13 Creating Conversation

14 Sketch workshop 18 Brain storming 20 Storyboard 22 Exploring further 24 Table Development 28 Construction Process 30 Prefabrication 42 Benches 44 BBQ Stove Design 46 BBQ Design Logic 49 Consultation process

Ground conditions Frame Assembly Process BBQ grills Branding and promotion Process Screen Printing

51 53 57 58 60

64 The Event 67 Appraisal 76 Finance 81 Conclusion 83 Legacy 84 All that remains 87 Bibliography 89 References 91 Appendix 93 Credits 100 Finishing Touches

IN THE GREEN - Construction Workshop 3

Creating conversation Architecture has the ability to create a conversation, not just in the sense of controversy or public reaction but through a space or moment in which a meeting can take place. The aim of Workshop 3 was to facilitate the means for a discussion to start between the Council and residents of St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s Green. Part of the approach to this project was to give a time for community to meet but also precedence towards any future developments on the site. The intervention took the form of a communal table as a platform for the event. The longer term function of the table is as community owned amenity that allows for informal events, meals and gatherings and creates the first steps towards the proposed pavilion/cafe. The simple idea of sharing food and film demonstrated community involvement was possible and gave way to a discussion about the future development. Students from Workshop 3 showed that a small initiative can have a larger impact upon the life of a community.

IN THE GREEN - Construction Workshop 3

- 1950s Site Plan of King George V Docks

IN THE GREEN - Construction Workshop 3

Historical Context Why is it called St. John‘s Green? The Construction of King George V Docks, started in 1921 and was completed the same year. Initial construction was delayed by the First World War, during which the area was severely bombed. It was the last of London‘s upstream-enclosed docks to be built and is the oldest operational dock in unaltered state in London. Today the docks act as a major feature of London City Airport, whose single runway has been built to the length of the north side dock. Whilst St. John‘s Green did not exist 1916, the Local Church and school by the same name near the site did. St Johns Church was consecrated in September 1872 serving as a mission for St Mark victoria docks, before a separate parish was created in 1977. The church was destroyed by German bombing in September 1940 and the surviving registers were salvaged from the ruins.

On Piers road, an old infant school was used temporarily as St Johns church until the present church was consecrated in October 1968. The narrow strip of Northwood Woolwich between Albert Road and City Airport is all post-war public housing, on which our site is located. The first housing on Woodman Street, by the borough of East Ham was completed in 1965. This Site is named St. John‘s Green due to the Parish of North Woolwich and Silvertown, which amalgamated to form a single church, St. Johns. Since then the park has been referred to as St. John‘s Green. The Site was being used for fly tipping. The locals described how it had burnt out cars and litter. This was cleared as the construction of Luxury Studio Flats began.

Aerial Photo of King George V in

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An advertisement was placed for volunteers to aid the community in producing a community garden in St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s Green park. The council also gained finance for the development of the Green in 2011. Transforming it into a local park for the residents through a new play park, seating and an outdoors exercise equipment.

The Site before Local Allotment in 2007

Members of the Community created raised beds

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Context Before commencing the Project, the local council informed us of surplus materials left by Crossrail behind North Woolwich Library which serves the Local area. Although there may be some controversy with the locals about Crossrail, we were very grateful for the materials. The group collated information about the materials and recorded the quantity and dimensions, which included blue corrugated tubing.

Plastic tubing was procured by Sarah Dodd from Crossrail but did not become used in the project.

2000mm 1100mm 1550mm 1000mm 1250mm 1500mm 1800mm 1400mm 1300mm 1250mm 1200mm 1350mm 990mm 1300mm

Materials x 300mm x x 300mm x x 40mm x x 200mm x x 220mm x x 200mm x x 140mm x x 200mm x x 180mm x x 100mm x x 120mm x x 150mm x x 120mm x x 55mm x

300mm 300mm 60mm 60mm 100mm 100mm 70mm 70mm 70mm 100mm 120mm 100mm 90mm 75mm

Unit 14 1 464 14 64 15 6 2 2 1 2 4 1 2

As a group it was decided the proposal would be designed using reclaimed materials provided onsite, this allowed us to stay within budget and to reduce the projects carbon footprint. Next to the allotment large sleepers were stacked in a pile. It was decided to not manipulate these heavy Logs due to limited availability of tools and the cumbersome nature of the material.

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Early concept sketch for film event

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The Brief The brief for the project was to design and build a structure or space for the local community of st johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s green that could accommodate a meal or meeting. The aim was to facilitate an event for the local residents that in turn would aid the public consultation process by creating a temporary platform for discussion in regards to the future development of a cafe/pavilion on the site. Additionally the structure had the potential of becoming a permanently owned communal amenity and perhaps could address needs of the community garden such as rainwater collection and tool storage.

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Modelling the site One of the first steps in this project was to create a site model as a tool for explaining concepts to the residents. Through surveying the space, producing rough sketch plans and creating a physical model there becomes an understanding of the site and scale that canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be obtained from photographs. From the Sketch plans the necessary information was easily available to produce an accurate 1:50 physical scale model.

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Consultation process Meeting One Creating a proposal that engages with the community was very important to us from the outset. With plenty of ideas and a sense of curiosity workshop 3 went to meet our potential clients. The residents and council members of st johns green. Present at the meeting was Sarah Dodd and Harry Holmes of Newham council. From this meeting a great sense of the history of the site and present uses were obtained. Residents were also happy to engage in conversion while tending to the garden. Meeting two

Group 3 discuss possible ideas on site with Sarah Dodd using the site model and presenting initial ideas. 14

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Meeting Two The opportunity arose for a second meeting. Present was Sarah Dodd, Harry Holmes, local church leader, community links representative, local artist and local residents Keith and Ted. During the meeting we began to outline our proposal, setting up a context for debate. Initial engagement will begin through invitation.

“Residents will receive invites through social media as well as in physical form via flat packed popcorn box” Detailing the highlights of the event, the box creates curiosity enticing the locals to come down and fill it up!

“A grand table awaits the community” For the sharing of food and conversation. Activity is presented through film, barbecue and social gathering.

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‘‘Build it and they will come.’’

...Err will they, Really? “Where’s your Twitter/ Facebook? Do you want this structure to be wasted on just us?” -Alex Scott-Whitby

Branding and Promotion The necessity of a Branding & social media campaign Early on in the process we concluded that a film was the main activity we were using to help launch the table. As the project had short procument period & was an event, it was important to engage the people directly (not just through the council) to make sure that they not only knew what we were doing in The Green but why. The success of the project lies with the users. If they make regular use the table for future events then the job has been successful as this is an important step to getting the community kitchen project going. Often with projects that are for the community, one of the hardest things to develop is community engament & their sense of ownership. Ideally upon handover & in the period after the initial buzz fades, intervenions are still used & protected by the community. This can only happen if there is an ongoing, sometimes informal but wholly inclusive consultation process everyone, not necessarily just the interested parties who attend all the meetings, but the kids, working parents and passers-by from the neighbourhood have a chance to get involved. We knew that promotion had to coincide with our work on site so strong branding that we could distribute/show around The Green in the week leading up to the event would establish our presence there hopefully get people talking and excited by our intentions. Also thinking forward it could be the identity of anything that went on there afterwards.

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Social media [Facebook/Twitter/ Wordpress] became a vehicle for spreading the word of the event to the interested parties that we were meeting continuously. The Wordpress blog was particularly helpful at times because the design development was hands on and very fast moving- not really the clean, traditional process where you show off presentation drawings and models of a final fixed design and build from there. In the stages where we were not sure of what we were going to end up with this helped to communicate the project and the event in a better way than a rendering which may have changed in the next couple of hours could have done.

Facebook Event

Wordpress

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Sketch Workshop Sketching is a visual way of showing the thought process. The group decided to draw individual ideas on a large roll of detail paper simultaneously as an exercise for further discussion with tutors and building upon initial ideas. Sketches help focus the design by exploring all possible ideas quickly without limitation.

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Brain storming The best way to single out an idea is through rapid process of elimination, one way to do this and explore many ideas simultaniously was to brain storm and draw mind maps. This was a not a singal occurrence but a regular part of the design process.

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Top:’In the Green’ by Rosaleen Commettant Bottom Left: ‘Start to finish’ by Lim Tze Voon. Bottom Right: ‘Soup kitchen’ by Melvin Wong.

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Story Board Story Boards allow us to imagine and plan our event for this project. The group have the same idea on having a BBQ event and a screening of a movie near the vegetable farm drawing attention of the local residents and this will aid the public consultation process by creating a temporary platform for discussion regarding the future development of a pavilion on the site. Schedule of event: 4 pm - The locals are invited to gather and bring along their food to the event. 5 pm - The main event takes place – the ‘in the green barbecue’ where everyone is invited for a meal. Seats are then taken along the table structure where this meal can be shared with friends and family. 7 pm - Movie start rolling by 6 pm. Community enjoying movie with pop corn. 9 pm - Movie ends and the people gathered to tidy up

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Exploring further Working from the brainstorming session the group divided into two and both explored different ideas from the sketches. One strong idea was to a BBQ at one end of the table and steps on the other. The steps allowed interaction between the community allotment space and the green.

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The second group looked at a triangular structured table. The Timber table is constructed in segments so it allowed some play with the form and design of the table. Working in a physical model allows for an understanding of not just scale but the relationship between proposal and site. Some initial placement ideas obstructed the pathway and other orientations took up to much space.

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From the two concepts it was decided to combine elements of both ideas to create a table which would span the length of the wooden picket fence and include a BBQ, other ideas such as tool storage were dropped as it was realised a good design within the time frame required focusing on a few features rather than many poorly executed.

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Table development Working at 1:20 scale using Costa coffee stirrers as a basic analogue, the group explored construction methods for the proposed table, whilst simultaneously producing sketches and quick 3D renderings that led to an understanding for the production of 1:1 prototypes.

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Construction process Organize and differentiate materials type into categories and quantity counting for material management. Study and understand properties of use able materials on site.

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Brainstorm and produce sketch design base on materials guideline.

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Produce actual to scale study model according to pre-design mock up model. Joining system was built for technical observation and durable test.

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Continuously explore foundation joining methods. Trying different arranging methods to achieve energy efficiency, less waste produce.

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Super impose the foundation structure for better stability. Extension of frames and upper part roofing structure. Finalise first phase to scale study model.

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Flat packed materials for on-site construction. Assemble and fix first frame on predestinated location.

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Expanding Modular Design

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Reinforce Canopy structure by interlocking method in order to increase stability and aesthetic value.

IN THE GREEN - Construction Workshop 3

Final frames works completed.

IN THE GREEN - Construction Workshop 3

Prefabrication After initial 1:1 tests the next step was to create a segment of the structure on campus, this allowed for refinement of the construction process and a breakdown of the necessary prefabrication prior to arriving on site. Fig 1 : Setting up the timber in the right angle (90 degree)

IN THE GREEN - Construction Workshop 3

Benches The benches make use of the cumbersome railways sleepers left on site. Timber block dimensions: A = 300mm wide x 300mm height x 2000mm length (8 nos.) B = 200mm wide x 100mm height x 1500mm length (8 nos.) C = 60mm wide x 40mm height x 300mm length (16 nos.) Wooden bench is designed to create a feeling of floating in the air by itself (A) by putting an additional cut timber plank (C) to support by smaller wooden blocks (B) underneath. The addition of a piece of timber under the sleepers avoids ground contact and damp rot, of course the timber also faces the same fate however it is far easier to replace than a large sleeper.

Fig. 5 - Wooden block (B)

Fig. 6 - Wooden block (B)+(C)

Fig. 7 - Wooden block (A)+(B)+(C)

Fig. 8 - Total 8 bench

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Tutor Tom getting hands on with the bbq construction, possibly walling himself inside.

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BBQ Stove Design The BBQ stove design follows the language of table through itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diagonal arrangement. Recycling concrete blocks found at the back of the AVA building with permission. Sizes of the brick are 440mm wide x 220mm length x 140mm height. The first layer of the BBQ stove consist of 10 bricks while the second layer 8 bricks.

- First layer of bricks

- First and second layer of bricks

- Five layer of bricks with total of 46 bricks

Total of 46 bricks were needed in this project. 5 layers of brick were needed to reach 700mm height which is suitable for a BBQ stove.

Fig.00 - Plan view of the BBQ stove with the table

- Perspective view of BBQ stove integrating with table

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BBQ Design Logic The final stages of the design for the BBQ came after experimenting several ideas through sketches, plans, 1:1 mock ups and testing the layout of the bricks on site. For the earlier stages of the brick mock ups, we had to change the shape of the BBQ several times and taking into consideration the stability of the BBQ overall, air flowing into the BBQ between the concrete brick gaps and most importantly to integrate it with the table design. The concrete bricks are more stable if used on their widest side (440mm). But the least weighed bricks were used to experiment different layouts since it was faster and safer to handle (take into account wearing gloves for safety reasons).We thought of using Metal Mesh onto bricks for the grill, but we ended up not using this as it was galvanised (chemical poisoning). The food preparation was marked out with a timber sheet placed onto the BBQ bricks and the second space of the BBQ to be used for grilling. Also to have the bricks spaced out so there is gap to allow air flow in/out.

IN THE GREEN - Construction Workshop 3

Ground conditions The ground conditions had become very wet and muddy due to the rainy weather and constant footfall. Another issue we had to tackle on site was the ground not being level. To obtain straight beams and overall structure a spirit level was used at all times. To achieve a maximum level of stability around the BBQ, some of the soil had to be dug out to obtain a more levelled ground. For precautions, while assembling the BBQ safety gloves had to be worn when handling the BBQ concrete bricks. Planning got us far in this project, a small part of the table had been constructed at UEL and the rest of it was assembled on site. Timber beams were piled together at one place to get some protection from the rain. On site, we had to use a hand saw to cut off unwanted edges or adjust the ends of the beams. The timber beams that was connected from the ground to the floor had to provide maximum support for the overall structure. And other shorter timber beams were connected off them to the bottom table or to the roof, to balance out the weight.

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Frame assembly Material dimension: A = 40mm wide x 60mm height x 1550mm length B = 45mm wide x 85mm height x 37000mm length

- Step 1 : Positioning 5 timber frame

Step 1 : After construction of all the timber frames and delivery to site, place the timber frames all in a 45 degree direction to the left. Step 2 : Placing the horizontal recycled timber plank (B) obtained from the previous Venice pavilion at the back of AVA Building to set the timber frame in position.

- Step 2 : Brace 5 timber frame with horizontal timber plank

Step 3 : Laying 24 timbers (A) in between each timber frame to complete the table and predetermines the spacing between frames. Step 4 : The timber frame is braced in the both directions to prevent it moving.

- Step 3 : Laying 24 timber in between each timber frame

Step 5 : Top of the timber frame is braced with extension of 2 timbers which are nailed to each other and braced across so that it is cantilever and can support a canopy.

- Step 4 : Bottom of the table is braced in the opposite direction

- Step 5 : Top of the table is braced with extended timber and cantilevered

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Step 6 : Checking over the table and putting in more screws of additional screws. Step 7 : Levelling the uneven ground to allow the benches to sit correctly. The benches are offset from the table approximately 300mm to enable people to step over and sit. Step 8 : Level the BBQ stove area due to uneven ground then start setting up the BBQ stove in the diagonal direction of the design.

Step 6 : Completing the table with screws

Step 7 : Putting in the bench into its position

Step 8 : Setting up the BBQ stove into its position 55

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Process: BBQ grills

Two metal base grills were made in the steel workshop, to be used on the BBQ bricks as a grill base. The metal sheets were a recycled material that came from UEL university. Dimensions of the steel sheets were 846mm width x 340mm length Height of the desired barbecue base was 80mm Wear safety gloves and helmet when using certain machines in the steel workshop - Testing on a spare metal sheet to learn to cut a Straight line with the cutting machine - Draw a square shape at each end of the metal sheets - Cut out the square shapes with the cutter machine

- The bending machine had to be adjusted according to the Longest side of the metal sheet - The flat sheet was inserted between the bending machine - Pushing all our weight on the bending machine - All four sides of the metal is now bent then weld the Corners together - The BBQ metal base was ready to be sanded at each corner

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Branding and promotion Poster and Popcorn Box development As we proposed to show a film, the popcorn box was a way engaging with the local people. The idea was to give them this invitation which promised a reward of free popcorn to watch with the film if they brought it back. Popcorn was good because it is simple to make and produced large quanities cheaply. The branding style here was 50’s American drivethrough-cinema inspired. We planned making about 100 by screenprinting event info onto them. We managed to source free paper to do this from the print studio. The fact that the colour was a bright orange/red instead of the typical ‘environment’ green that would match the work going on with the allotment was good; exciting and bold like the structure the Unit is proposing.

Motif: Diagonals that mirror those of the table Inspiration: 1950’s American drivethrough cinema culture Facebook logo development Graphics: Studio Myers-Gough Experiments with 3-d model of billboard Font tests First poster attempt Final poster design Final popcorn box design Black + White versions of poster and popcornbox ready to screenprint

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Process: Screenprinting Screen Prinitng Process 1.

Prepare the screen to receive an image by painting it with photo-

sensitive emulsion. This makes it become like a piece of 35mm camera film. NOTE: The photo emulsion is cariogenic so always wear gloves and try to keep it off your skin.

Leave it to dry in Drying Room

Oil the prints

Take the BW prints and coat them in oil (vegetable oil is fine). This makes the white paper transparent. Light shines through the white part of the paper but not the black. They are ready to be introduced to the screen. To can skip this stage by printing your image onto clear acetate.

Prepare your paints

Commercial Screen Printing uses oil based paints but these are not used at UEL for varied reasons (toxic/smelly fumes). Using a water based acrylic, we add a base which stops the paint drying out before we finish printing. We use somewhere between 1:1 and 1:2 paint top base ratio. (We are warned that as the silver is iridescent it may not be as bright/intense as we imagined. Adding white paint may help intensify the colour.)

5. Exposure So the screen has dried. We put the screen face down onto the screen of this machine. It emits UV Light and it extracts the air so that the now translucent B+W print makes contact with the photo emulsion treated screen. Much

Screen printing/silkscreening is a process where you make a stencil using a tighltly woven mesh and push ink through it to create an image on your chosen material which could be anything from paper to cloth and metal sheeting. The mesh or Screen is treated with a photosensitive paint that when exposed to light reacts with it, much like a peice of photographic paper. Exposing your screen to a ‘positive‘ version of your imagewhere everything you want to print in your chosen colour is black, you cause everything else to be exposed to the light. These parts of the screen that were covered by the black areas have not reacted to light and can be washed away. You are left with a stencil in the mesh. With screen printing colour is applied in layers so complex images that have many colours need to have separate screens made. As you increase the number layers that you break the image into the more difficult it becomes to print. Getting the image to line up and using the right amount to ink when printing are skills you need to develop. Screenpriniting is a good process because it you can produce large batches images quickly as the screen is hard wearing and can be used many times. The only thing that affects the print quality is when the screen gets clogged but the mesh is easily washed without damaging the image.

like making contact negatives in the darkroom, the UV light causes the photo emulsion to react. Everywhere that the light has managed to reach except where it was black has reacted.

6. Washing So the parts of the screen covered by the black image have not reacted and will wash off so we have our image burnt into the screen. We have our negative.

7. Drying We leave our screen to dry for a about 30mins and will be ready to use it for printing.

Left: Screen Printing Process Right: Warhol and Lichenstien; Famous screenprint images Below Right: Macro image of a‘screen‘ Making a print

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Far Left: Printing and assembly Left: Flyering and advertising Right and below: At the event using the invites

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Finishing Touches Last minute preparations as we eagerly await for the big day! A large effort is made by all with last minute tweaks to add our finishing touches. Every member of group three tutors and students alike contributed with supplying food bought and homegrown, and the last big prep. Giving the ship her sails! In this case the canopy to our community table. ‘‘The barbecue is lit has the guests arrives and the evening starts to unfold’’

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The Event The local community start to gather at st Johns green, children and parents drawing closer to the table. Many drawn by its structure as they take a seat along it for the first time, many drawn by the smoke of the barbecue eager to get their first taste. The popcorn is cooking and the children can’t wait with their flat packed popcorn boxes assembled and ready to be filled! Its 7pm and time to begin projecting our Disney family film ‘ratatouille’. children and parents take their places on the constructed seating made from reused railway sleeper. COMMUNITY RESPONSE:

“Absolutely love the community table, and now we have people turning up on an October night, very impressed!” ~Sarah Dodd Newham Council

“For something that wasn’t here four or five weeks ago, it makes a big difference, you can see by how much of the community is here, if it wasn’t here everyone would be indoors” ~Local resident Its a great sight to behold when each aspect of the proposal is being used by the community, the structures of table and seating combined with invitation and visuals through film are actively full filling their purpose and place on site. Conversation is steered by the event allowing residents to engage with fellow neighbours. The idea of the table informing what is next to come in the form of cafe is discussed amongst the locals.

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APPRAISAL There are some elements which led to change our design and deley our works. Design Stairs: We could not end up making the stairs with intergrated storage. However, we laid leftover material to create a platform for the water tank.

Initial stair design

Stair was replaced with water tank

One of the greatest factors that affected our project build was bad weather conditions. It rained intermitentely everday while we were on site. When it was raining we were forced to interrupt our work. What is more, the ground of site was getting soft so we had to spend time to steady the table. As a result of the delays we were unablbe to finish parts of the deisgn. We should have worked with a schedule that considered weather conditions.

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Bad weather condition

Weater condition It rained intermitentely everday while we were on site. And it was very changeable. So it made us chaos. However, fortunately, it was not raining on our celebratory event!

changeable weather condition

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Roof We decided that the roof be made from corrugated plastic and would angled collect rainwater for the water tank. As we knew time was short we were looking at materials that had a large span and could be affixed to the structure quickly. We tried to source corrugated polycarbonate sheeting from the council but were not successful.So we ended up using simple cotton fabric for roof. This was more of a decorative gesture that worked well for our celebratory event. It was not raining on the evening so we were lucky. This is something we would have to go back and complete at a later time. Next time we would have considered design our roof faster than we did.

Changed roof design

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Material We used untreated timber as our primary material. Water affects timber and causes it to cup, bow, twist or crook which meant that we had to redo some parts of the table that had been soaked overnight. We as architect should have considered these characteristics of material. And also, we should have replaced the bent timber and the bent timber should have been sanded. A future improvement would be to treat the timber with a waterproof stain. Next tiome we would cover the structure and the material overnight when we were not working on it.

Characteristic of timber

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Color

Summary

Initially, we selected orange paper with silver letter for the poster and popcorn box. However, we noticed that silver letter was quite difficult to see after printed them out. This problem led to increase in budget and delayed our work. We should have considered compatibility of color.

The problems we had to overcome were understanding the characteristic of materials and compatibility of color, we also had to schedule with taking weather conditions into consideration.

Popcornbox; orange papre with silver letter

Popcornbox; orange papre with green letter

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Finance This project had no official budget that we could work from and considering this we think we have managed to create an amazing structure for the people of Woolwich. We think that if we did have a budget, it would have turned into a completely different project. From the beginning we were relying on found resources. The timber, our main construction material was salvaged from the Crossrail building site and a lot of the other essential equipment was borrowed. Although there are things that we had to purchase like screws, a van, the fabric for the roof and in the end food, the spirit of this project lies in what we could procure by using our networks and reaching out to the community so they could input their assets.

Item Fabric for roof structure Recycled Timber Recycled Timber beams 3.7m

The project was to be completed within two weeks but we spent just over a week planning our ideas in different forms such as sketching, plans, models and 3D modelling. We tested the 1:1 materials (concrete blocks for BBQ and timber beams for the table/standing) to see if there was any need for adjustments before we had started the actual project. Had we not planned and experimented with the materials at 1:1, it would have resulted in many errors and therefore would have increased our budget dramatically. We only spent 4 full days on site building the table, canopy and BBQ. Our planning process enabled us to be more cost effective and complete the construction at an economical price.

Source

Estimated Cost

Actual Cost

Green St Market

£31-50

£600

Free

£230

Free

Newham Council

UEL

Concrete Bricks x 46

UEL

BBQ Metal Sheets

UEL

Free

PromotionPaper

Savings: Estimated: £1-550

UEL

Screen Printing Process

£80

Free

£130

£5-00

Cost of Build: Estimated: £122-35/m. sq

Actual: £4.92/m.sq

(Audio Visual) PA System

Keith (Resident)

£300

Free

Projector

UEL

£150

Free

Power tools

Team member/UEL

Screws Van Hire Plastic cups, plates, Cutlery and tissues Food,drinks & charcoal

Free

£10

Free

UEL

£35

Free

Residents

£15

Free

Residents/Team members

£65 +

£65+

TOTAL

£1615

£65-00

ACTUAL COST £4.92/m.sq

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Conclusion We made it! Construction week 2014 has been an interesting program for our group. From task introduction to final outcome. We are confident to say we gained a lot in the course of two weeks. We started with reading and analyses of the site. In order to have better achievement, our group has done more than just site studying. Community interaction was of great importance to the success of the project, meeting with local council and community. We think, we talk, and we sketch. That was what we usually did to design and generate ideas. Team spirit can be easily found as we always cooperate well with one and other. Technical knowledge is important in creating architecture, but cannot replace the creative process. One of the groups visions was to maintain a sustainable project by reusing,recycling materials on site, reactive a dormant area by proposing suitable events, connecting people by providing a platform. Thousand thanks to the community for providing us precious materials for the project, enabling our creative vision to be implemented. Architecture is always about people. not buildings, we develop bonds amongst people through architecture. Sadly the project was only short lasted due to vandalism and arson on bonfire night 2014 however we are proud of the short term impact and hope that the legacy will go on in some small way. Cheers! The Students and Tutors of workshop 3

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Stage 1

Stage 2

Proposed site

The design/ build process and community engagement

Stage 4 Post Event the Table is handed over to the community who come and use it regularly. People hire Keith and his equipment to put on film events. The Council occasionally puts on a show during the school holidays. Children have birthday parties at the table. It becomes an attraction in the park.

Stage 5 The structure was incomplete at the time of the event but local people with funding from the council have worked to add a roof and new structures providing the storage solution that we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t manage to achieve. It is an asset that the Community value. The discussion regarding the new Pavilion intensifies.

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Legacy Stage 3 The Event: Film In the Green Enthusiasm, Buzz, Talking point “This is the most exciting thing to happen in Woolwich for a LONG time”

Projected Use of the St John’s Green Community Table

-Harry Holmes (Newham Council)

As part of Newham Councils initiative to improve and regenerate ailing public spaces within the borough. This project aimed to be an interim project that would inform the future development in St Johns Green. Following the success of the community garden, the long term plan for St John’s Green was to have a small community café/pavillion within the park. It‘s expected to be completed in 2015 but the design of it is still unclear.

Stage 6 UEL Students return for a new design project. There is debate about whether to keep the table as park furniture or to break it down and use the material for something new. Either way the design of the new structure will be informed by the Table.

Summer 2015 Another Event to Launch, A New Community Kitchen for St Johns Green

The intention of the Film in the Green was to not only be an single day intervention but a way to continue the discussion about this future community café. By building up a network of interested parties and support for the work going on in and around St John‘s Green the locals would be able to prove to the powers that be in local govenment that this project would be a worthy asset for the community. That is the only way they would secure the funding in the future. The allotment in a way was the jump off point. Adding another use and purpose to the park, Film on the Green and the remaining table is a way to raise the profile of the area and things going on there. Hopefully this will be followed by a new bigger structure that is informed in terms of design by the table.

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All that remains Like a grave, the remains mark a void where a once proud structure had stood; all be for a short time, It is not to be seen as a failure, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence did make a change, so much so it grew enough attention to become a target for a small minority. But you see this is a form flattery, monuments often fall victim to vandalism. On Bonfire night a group of hooded louts tore down the structure and set fire to it, the police were called but it was too late. It has become a poignant reminder that change is not an isolated incident but an ongoing effort, progress was made, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence is not forgotten, the void left by the structure stands in defiance. It will remain in the memories of the community and those involved. Do not be discouraged in the face of adversity for the needs of the many outweigh those of a few. To give up on such projects is to give up the fight to seek change and improve the lives of a community in fear of a a small minority.

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Bibliography Pace, M, 2014. ACEUEL Architecture Yearbook 2014. 1st ed. .: University of East London. http://www.muf.co.uk/ http://caravanserai.org.uk/ www.assemblestudio.co.uk http://www.rtusummerschool.lv/Salsmaize http://www.rdlac.org.uk/ http://www.labolleur.com/site/

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References • Risk Assesment • Brief

(Appendix) Alan Chandler

(Appendix) Alex Scott-Whitby & Thomas

Randall-page • Unknown author, (1980), Historic Docklands [ONLINE]. Available at: https:// constructionweek2014.files.wordpress. com/2012/09/dsc03981.jpg [Accessed 15 October 14].

• Andy Warhol, (1962), Marilyn Diptych [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.tate.org.uk/art/ artworks/warhol-marilyn-diptych-t03093 [Accessed 12 November 14]. • Roy Lichtenstein, (1964), Kiss V [ONLINE]. Available at: http://s3.amazonaws.com/ spoonflower/public/design_thumbnails/0261/5154/ roy_lichtenstein_the_kiss_v_large_shop_thumb.png [Accessed 12 November 14].

• Digimap. 2014. Map of Docks 1980. [ONLINE] Available at: http://digimap.edina.ac.uk/digimap/ home. [Accessed 30 October 14].

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Appendix

Precedence Risk assessment Brief Saganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Questions

I II III IIII

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Precendence Here are existing projects that articulate some of what CW Unit 03 were brainstorming, especially in the initial phases. Examining them helped us visualise what our creation would look like as the material aesthetic (salvaged timber) is similar. Canning Town Caravanserai/ ASH SAKULA Reclaimed materials have a character of their own, embrace this, don't fight it! It is perhaps more through the occupation of space that the architects vision is realised than through the permanence of a structure Salsmaize/ RIGA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY Excited by the prospect that a small initiative by students like ourselves and local interaction in an event can lead to a long term change for a community Keep It Burning/ LABOLLEUN Inspired by the idea that an invitation can be more than just a leaflet to throw away, it can have a purpose beyond informing, it can engage and create participation in an event. The Big Slide/ ASSEMBLE STUDIO The big staircase/seating element with storage for the cinema. Folly on a Flyover/ ASSEMBLE STUDIO These guys have essentially built what we are proposing although in a completley different context. Bermondsey Square/ EAST ARCHITECTURE LANDSCAPE URBAN DESIGN LTD Award winning public square project. This is working on a larger scale but still the seating, decorative elements and the storage shed were things that we were looking at. Sussex Road School/ EAST ARCHITECTURE LANDSCAPE URBAN DESIGN LTD Carol Cobb Truner Branch Library/SCOGIN, ELAM & BRAY These helped us understand buildings for a social purpose become important to the users Both use different ways to encourge Community Participation. In finger-painting in Stucco or having a personalised tiles, you help to build a sense inclusion, ownership and so value within the community- something you strive for when proposing a design for a diverse area (Read council estate in east London). 95

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Possible bodily Injuries using any machinery as Saws, Suffer Planers, Sanders or Jointers

Annex A: ARCHITECTURE - ACE Health and Safety Risk Assessment for Postgraduate Research Degree Projects Name: Alan Chandler Students: Max 8

School: Architecture (ACE) Subject leader: Carl Callaghan

WOOD DUST Breathing of the dust, eyes injured by any chips or wood splinters, or by cleaning any dust of the machine with hands or while its on. TRIP HAZZARDS Depending on Site and weather conditions, Slipping or tripping close to any sharp tools or slope. WORKSHOP HAZZARDS By being distracted or not watching the space you are in; tripping on cables, tools or materials; Blade kickback; or by leaving any clothing or hair hanging which can be caught. WEATHER CONDITIONS Surfaces could potentially become wet and slippery, causing slips and falls. INSERT 10 explain INSERT FURTHER EXAMPLES IF REQUIRED explain

Thesis Title: Fieldwork location:

Type of Fieldwork:

STRUCTURAL TIMBER WORKING

Period of Fieldwork: Hazard Severity: (rate high medium or low - 1 = low, 3 = high)

Likelihood of Occurrence: (rate high medium or low - 1 = low, 3 = high)

3. CARRYING LOADS HS 2 , LO 2 - Low Risk 5. INJURY WHILE USING ANY MACHINERY HS , LO 7. TRIP HAZZARDS HS 2, LO 1 - Low Risk 9. WEATHER CONDITIONS HS 1 , LO - 1- low risk

HS 2 , LO 2 – Moderate Risk 4. INJURY DURING CONSTRUCTION OF SHELTER HS 3 , LO 2 - Moderate Risk 6. WOOD DUST HS 3, LO 1 - Medium Risk 8. WORKSHOP HAZZARDS HS 3, LO 1 – Medium Risk 10. INSERT HS , LO -

1. CUTTING DOWN TREE HS 3 , LO2 - Low Risk

2. USE OF HAND TOOLS ON SITE

Potential Consequences for each hazard: (please continue on a separate sheet if necessary) STRUCTURAL TIMBER PREPARATION Large scale handling issues with powerful powered hand tools.

Controls in place for each hazard in order of likely risk: (please continue on a separate sheet if necessary) Listen carefully to the instruction of the staff, monitoring; using bags for compilation, using gloves for protection against splints and cuts. USE OF HAND TOOLS ON SITE

Staff monitoring, keeping the site conditions tidy, always be aware of the surroundings and what tools have been stored where. Use hand tools and all other tools as instructed. CARRYING LOADS

Always lift with the knees not your back, ask for help from team/staff members were necessary, use trolley for carrying the load were possible.

INJURY DURING CONSTRUCTION OF SHELTER

Always use the correct tool for its correct purpose. Ensure you understand what is being asked of you during the construction process, ask for help if not. Understand what it is that is being built think ahead to avoid any harmful activity. INJURY WHILE USING MACHINEARY

Make sure everyone has been fully inducted and are aware of how each machinery operates and what it is used for. WOOD DUST

Providing masks, goggles, always cleaning machinery after using only when off, use of a brush to clean the machinery to stop dusting circulating in the air.

USE OF HAND TOOLS ON SITE Personal injury due to unfamiliarity of equipment – lacerations.

TRIP HAZZARDS

CARRYING LOADS Manual lifting, strain to the back, muscles and if the load is to heavy for one person. Not knowing the correct way to lift things.

WORKSHOP HAZZARDS

Wearing the right equipment and clothing, always being prepared for adverse weather conditions and keeping the site in tidy conditions to avoid weather contact.

INJURY DURING CONSTRUCTION OF SHELTER Handling tools, which could be used inappropriately due to lack of knowledge, splinters, cuts and bruises from the use of wood, collapse/fall of some structural elements during construction.

Having a full induction by a member on staff about all Machinery and Tools. Following workshop and staff rules/instructions, using recommended PPE, awareness of First aids support, and Staff monitoring.

INJURY WHILE USING ANY MACHINERY

WEATHER CONDITIONS

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Check weather forecast prior to session & observe conditions throughout, If necessary stop. INSERT 10

explain

INSERT FURTHER EXAMPLES IF REQUIRED

explain

Please sign the following understanding: By signing this document you are indicating that you have consulted the policy and have fully considered the risks.

I agree to the assessment of risk in relation to this project.

Signature of Students:

Signature of responsible staff :

Date:

NOTES Risk Assessment Rating Risk = Hazard Severity x Likelihood of Occurrence Hazard Severity (HS) 1 = slight hazard - injuries where people may be unfit for normal activity for up to 3 days 2 = serious hazard - injuries where people may be unfit for normal activity for more than 3 days 3 = major hazard - death or major injury (see App 4 of UEL Code of Practice for Fieldwork) Likelihood of Occurrence (LO) 1 = where harm will seldom occur 2 = where harm will occur frequently 3 = where it is certain or near certain harm will occur

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CW: St John’s Green Location: St. Johns Green on Albert Road E16 Client / funders: Local residents and park users / Newham London (LBN) Facilitators:

Thomas Randall-Page, Alex Scott-Whitby

“Salsmaize” an event at RTU Summer School

DESCRIPTION: ‘Newham London’ has been undertaking an on-going improvement and regeneration project in the public spaces they oversee within their borough. This process is very much about engaging the local residents and finding out what they would like their public spaces to be like and what would encourage them to make better use of their open spaces. The site of St John’s green is adjacent to the Royal Docks Learning & Activity Centre that has a year round role as a multi-purpose, voluntary sector organisation, firmly rooted in the local community. They promote diversity by bringing together people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds and support those who endeavour to make the Royal Docks area a stronger, healthier and happier place to live for all. A community food growing space was set up in St Johns Green in April 2014, with local residents taking ownership for the build and maintenance of the site. Local residents have been building raised beds and growing food in the community garden over the summer, LBN are keen to encourage increased ownership of the community garden and build on this level of involvement for the development process of the pavilion/ informal event space in the coming months. There is planned to be a pavilion that will provide space for community functions and facilitate events on the site. This is expected to include some form of cooking and food reparation facilities and the project is expected to be completed in 2015.

INTRODUCTION AND TIMELINE: Friday 26th September @ 4pm

Introduction by Thomas Randall-Page followed by a site visit

Weekend:

Mapping exercise, Site model building and materials audit.

Monday 29h September @ 11.30am th

Initial propositional models.

Monday 29 September @ 10.45am

AVA Workshop induction – COMPULSORY

Tuesday 30th September @TBC

Meeting with local residents and Community leader, Presentation of ideas to local Jury

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Wednesday - Friday rd

Proposal development and refinement.

Friday 3 October @ 4pm

Completion of risk assessments and method statements and upload on blog together with final proposals.

Saturday – Saturday

Building and materials sourcing

Monday 8th October @ 1.20 &

pupils to finalise design and solve specific constructional problems

Friday 10 October 10.50

Show them what it means to be an architecture student!

Saturday 11th October @ TBC

Event!

Sunday 12th October

Clear up and removal or handover

THE BRIEF: To design and build a structure/space for the local community which will accommodate a meal or a meeting. We aim to facilitate an event/meeting/meal/bbq for the local residents and this will aid the public consultation process by creating a temporary platform for discussion regarding the future development of a pavilion on the site. The Structure(s) may have a permanent role to play if adopted by the community; they may also house other functions currently missing from the community garden such as rainwater collection or tool storage.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS: 

Sarah Dodd A Newham has secured some materials from Cross rail etc. sarah.dodd@newham.gov.uk



It would be worth being in contact with Royal Docks Learning and Activities Center to keep everyone in the picture http://www.rdlac.org.uk/contact-us



Working in a public space has special difficulties – you have a ‘duty of care’ over members of the public around you and you must take extra care and plan in advance using the risk assessment template.



You will need to organise the transportation of materials and you may need to hire a van. www.zipvan.com



For additional materials you need to order these in advance through the school so they can be claimed back. This will need to be



Make sure you have mobile numbers of each other and of the facilitators.



Organise clear roles and responsibilities as a team and pre-arrange meeting times. This is a complex and fast-moving project and

done as early as possible.

if you are not well-organised it will pass you by. 

A temporary project lives in the moment – make sure that one of you is assigned as a photographer and documenter of the process during the works. This will enable efficient production of the final report.

OUTCOMES: The ideal outcome is as series of designed and beautifully built elements which allow the site to be re-imagined and tested buy the local community through social events and interactions. This will aid the consultation process and help NBC to best serve their local residents. The structures are to facilitate the event(s) and the event is to aid discussion and allow re-imagining.

KEY RISKS TO CONSIDER: The 'ANNEX A' risk assessment is a document that asks you, the team to collaborate in anticipating the activities you are about to engage in, and to develop a strategy to deliver a safe and effective outcome. This is not a chore - it is core - an architect who cannot establish a safe design is not an architect. Update the risk assessments online as a first draft via the blog and upload for review on the 1st October - as the design progresses, the risk assessment will be revised and uploaded as Revision A latest Friday 3rd October. REFERENCES: www.muf.co.uk www.assemblestudio.co.uk http://www.rtusummerschool.lv/Salsmaize

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Saganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Questions about UEL Construction Week 2014 1) Has your experience with your construction week project changed the way you understand how buildings are made. If so, how? During the construction week, we had a lot of ideas and designs. The design process was longer then expected and when we actual started to build our design we found problems which had to be resolved onsite. These problems would have been difficult to predict, and in relation to buildings designers would leave contingences. What ever you design, the end product may not be 100% perfect. The skills of the builders and other factors come into play. We were lucky that we did not run into any major design flaws on site. 2) Has your experience with your construction week project changed the way you view your role as an architect? If so, in what way? As a group of architects, we are all in competition with each other, pushing our own designs forwards. The ego of the architect must be put aside and one must take up other roles, even though its something they are unaccustomed to. Deciding whom to take the lead was difficult and held some tension within the group. An architect should come with a set of skills? 3)

Has your experience with your construction week project taught you anything new? If so, what?

Did you take any chances this week? If so what?

Due to the poor weather in the week, we took a chance of having a fabric cover over the structure. Luckily the weather was in our favor and did not rain which would have also prevented us from having the BBQ and Movie projection. Our backup plan was to have the even in the local library if it did rain which would have been meaningless to all the work we put in. 5)

What was your favorite thing about working on this project?

The enjoyment of allowing people to come together and enjoy themselves, and interacting with the community and getting involved with there own community.

What did you like the least?

Unfortunately the weather did not help with the creation of the table, as we could have been more efficient if there was no rain. 7)

Did this experience connect you with people?

For some group members this was there first live design project with a real client on the other end. The construction week process allowed us to interact with the client and understand what they would 100

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like. This interaction allows the clients to agree with our designs in order to benefit them. 8)

What did this experience teach you about yourself?

Did you learn any new skills? If so what were they?

As a group we all have learnt new skills or worked on existingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skills. Some students did not know how to use a power drill or handsaw correctly at the start of the projects to being fairly confident with tools.

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Credits Editing

Robin Philpott & Preye Kpiki

The Event

Preface

Robin Philpott

Appraisal

Acknowledgements

Robin Philpott

Creating Conversation Historical Context Context Brief

Robin Philpott

Dhiren Appadoo

Modelling the site

Robin Philpott

Consultation process

Storyboard

Rosaleen Commettant

Melvin Wong

Exploring further

Melvin Wong & Dhiren Appadoo

Table Development

Melvin Wong

Construction Process Prefabrication Bench

Lim Tze Voon

Melvin Wong

BBQ Stove Design

Melvin Wong

BBQ Design Logic

Rozhgar Muhammed

Ground conditions Frame Assembly

Rozhgar Muhammed

Melvin Wong

Process BBQ grills

Rozhgar Muhammed

Branding and promotion

Preye Kpiki

Process Screen Printing Finishing Touches

102

Lim Tze Voon

Preye Kpiki

Bibliography

Robin Philpott

Brain storming

Rozhgar Muhammed

Conclusion Legacy

Akira Imai

All that remains

Dhiren Appadoo

Sketch workshop

Finance

Rosaleen Commettant

Preye Kpiki

Rosaleen Commettant

Robin Philpott

References

Robin Philpott

Precedence

Preye Kpiki

Appendix

Robin Philpott & Dhiren Appadoo