Vertical acess strategy

Access to the building and vertical connections are of utmost priority to fulfil the phase 4 brief. With the proposal, I am aiming to meet the regulation of all-inclusive access into the building and eliminate the risks of the current MWR layout. Additionally, vertical circulation around the building is carefully considered to align with fire safety requirements and provide a suitable connection with a vertical extension.

The position of the vertical circulation element and design driver (beacon feature) has been carefully considered and interrogated in tandem with the position of the reception area, points of exit and current building structure.

1. The central position for a staircase is largely impractical due to the current structure of the building, mainly the load-bearing wall. This option poses issues regarding the location of the reception area as it would be in direct view from the entrance, or easily accessible. Furthermore, in 3d the building would be fully symmetrical, which in this case is undesirable as the material interconnection of old-new could look disjointed.

2. The position of the beacon figure on the West face of the building resolves the issue of circulation around the vertical staircase; however, there is no direct link between the staircase/elevator and the reception area. This option is also very intrusive, as a large part of the building would have to be demolished to host the staircase.

3. The third and in my opinion the most convincing option would be to develop the beacon figure on the corner of the street (the most visible spot on the site) and to extend the building envelope ever so slightly. This option would require relatively minimal change to the current building envelope. It is also convincing in developing interconnection with side/ main exits and the reception area in close proximity.