ATTITUDE TO THE EXISTING
1. The building sits close to / on the site boundary limiting area for development.
2. The front entrance is permanently closed. Traffic is generated through the side of the building.
3. Close proximity to adjacent residential buildings. Requires for care regarding sound polution.
4. Lack of direct sunglight due to the snooker room extension.
5. Complicated traffic patterns due to cars being parked on the street, there is not enough width.
The current building will be altered to resemble the structural shape of the original art-deco facade. The snooker room extension will be removed to provide the inner rooms of the hall with direct daylight. The vertical extension elements will create a mostly symmetrical facade and feature beacon features.
1. In the vision for the future, I will aim to provide an improved traffic pattern to limit congestion, whilst actively encouraging the use of bicycles and other sustainable modes of transport.
2. A public building front will be developed in a form of a park / garden.
3. The building will be made accessible for all from a variety of directions.
4. Vertical connection units will be developed and made prominent by implementing a beacon-like feature.
The circulation within the building will be improved. There will be no dead ends and convoluted circulation patterns. The front entrance will be re-opened to provide the building with a proper reception area.
The current structural core spaced out every 3.7m. will be used an built upon with a vertical extension unit. The envelope will be improved by adding insulation, making the building more sustainable.
MEMORIES OF LOCALS
PROJECT VISION
Arriving from the Phase 2 and Phase 3 proposals, my vision for the MWR is centred around the idea of a beacon. The Beacon can be defined as a source of inspiration and encouragement. In my Phase 4 proposal I will convert the current MWR building into a community centre that embodies the rich history of the village, brings a community together and becomes a landmark/ monument for tourists and locals.
Social:
• Enhance Social Interaction
• Improve Sense of Place
• Improve Accessibility
• Grow Community Engagement
Environmentally sustainable:
• Improve the Thermal Performance of the Existing Building Fabric
• Revitalise Green Space
• Promote Active Travel
• Encourage Self Sustainability
Cultural:
• Create a Canvas for Creative Arts in the MWR Building
• Provide Venues for a Variety of opportunities of Public Engagement
• Serve as a Voice of a Village for Tourists and Visitors
Representational:
• Respond to the Architectural Heritage Respectfully
• Represent the Rich History of MWR and Resolven through an Architectural Canvas
• Create a Vision for the Rejuvenation of other Historic Landmarks in Resolven
BUILDING USE
The proposal bridges the gap between past- current- future. The ground floor retains the function proposed in Phase 2 design of a multifunctional event space with a small cafe. The 2nd and 3rd floors bring the authentic MWR theatre back to life for public performances and events. Capturing the essence of nostalgia and reigniting the passion for the MWR hall and sense of community in Resolven. The rooftop terrace offers a sustainable way to grow produce, whilst offering a new opportunity for MWR to be visible to tourists from far away, thus representing the village of Resolven as a whole.
PROJECT GOALS
RE-OPEN THE THEATRE IMPLEMENT CO-BUILT GARDENS SYMBOLISE REJUVENATION OF THE VILLAGE
The shareholders have expressed that the community would benefit from larger, better spaces in the MWR building extension. However, it is obvious that the theatre provides the best canvas for events, gatherings and performances. Thereby, the primary goal of the proposal is to re-open the doors of the theatre.
A co-built garden is a new outlook on a green roof. It promotes community activity, nature education, achieving sustainability and society and promoting the coexistence of nature with a man built. In a striking setting surrounded by stunning nature views, the promotion of a cultural hub linked with nature is a stand-out feature when cultivating community participation with long-term sustainability goals.
The MWR building is remembered by locals as a place of gathering, where people would meet, laugh, and find love. The building is steeped in great history- built by the association of miners, in a once prosperous village the MWR carries on the memories of the past. Thereby, its public presence has to be emphasized.
MENTAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT
CO-WORKING ROOFTOP GARDEN
CONNECTING COMMUNITY
CO-WORKING ROOFTOP GARDEN
NATURE COEXISTING WITH MAN-MADE
PRECEDENT
Co-Build Roof Garden “Green Cloud Garden“ by 11architecture
The co-built rooftop garden by 11architects sets a great example of how rooftops can be utilized to bring together a community and educate society about sustainability.
SUSTAINABILITY
LOCAL FOOD
FESTIVAL
The architects offer a new take on the idea of green roofs by creating an “oasis” on a rooftop that can be accessed by the public at any time of day. An informal space is created with sustainability and education of nature’s co-existence with manmade at the forefront of the agenda. The rooftop is a beautiful, cost-effective, community-inspiring green roof terrace. The idea is delivered through the use of modular plant box units, that can be rented by locals as their own “private field” to grow produce throughout the year. The architects organise volunteering events of planting flowers, and seasonal vegetables. Several corporations have expressed interest in making the rooftop spaces, their well-being facilities. Others, choose to rent the spaces on the rooftop, for yoga exercise classes, movie-watching sessions etc.
Overall, the precedent works very well as an informal space for community gatherings.
DEVELOPMENT STAGES
In order to ensure the financial stability and function of the building in the construction period the development is delivered in stages. *More information can be found on the economics pages.
DEMOLITION
The first stage of development is the demolition of the main entrance (nonoperational at the moment) and the snooker room. By demolishing bits that are not currently in use, the MWR maintains function while developing for the future.
EXTENSION
The second stage of the redevelopment scheme is to extend vertically. This connects the theatre with the ground floor entrance, allowing the ground floor to close momentarily for renovation whilst the theatre is used to maintain the daily operations of the MWR.
THEATRE ROOF RENEWAL ROOFTOP EXTENSION REINVENTED BUILDING FACE
With the roof of the building now accessible and the ground floor reopened, the theatre is to undergo a roof conversion to allow for a vertical floor extension and to modernise an old/ unstable structure.
The fourth stage is to develop a vertical floor for the co-garden, whilst the ground floor and theatre are fully operational.
And finally, with MWR functioning at full capacity, the face of the building can be redeveloped. The building poses a strong art-deco look which is eye-catching; however, sadly the bricks are covered up, therefore, in this stage, the coating on the brick is removed to recreate the historic facade.
BUILDING PROGRAMME
The phase 4 proposal retains the space use proposal on the ground floor from Phase 2. However, changes are made to the building envelope, by removing the proposed library development to maintain the original art-deco building envelope and provide the community with a public space/garden. Additionally, the Phase 4 proposal emphasizes the position and prominence of vertical circulation elements. Instead of extending to the side, the Phase 4 proposal extends vertically, creating a community garden and community space (likely a community kitchen/ pop-up pub etc.)
*Taken from Phase 2: Strategic Proposal Report by Group 12
Stages 1 and 2 of the redevelopment focus on shaping the building envelope by demolishing elements deemed unneeded and bettering circulation around the building.
1. Ground floor facade Restoration
In an attempt to bring daylight into the lobby and create an open, welcoming environment changes are made to the main entrance area. Demolition of current walls is conducted and replaced by glazing.
2. Current lobby / staircase Demolition
The current lobby layout is the most troubling issue of MWR. Because the lobby is occupied by staircases (with no access for the disabled) there is no space for the reception area and due to arson risk the front entrance is not used. Therefore, on all floors, the current staircase structure is removed and converted into a quadruple-height space.
3. Structural wall Addition
Another structural wall is added to lighten the loads after slight changes on the upper floors.
4. Vertical Extension
A new staircase and lift are provided at the front of the house to serve all floors of the building. The remained of space is converted into a lobby.
5. Snooker room Demolition
The snooker room which is rarely used and in a bad state is demolished. The building envelope is made to be symmetrical, whilst the space is used to create a public garden.
6. Bar Demolition
The bar is demolished to open up the space for the use of the community. Thus, the restaurant space is merged with the public space.
7. 1nd and 2rd floor window Coverups
The stairwell window opening is covered up with bricks. Daylight is brought in through the quadruple height space.
8. New partition Walls
New partition walls are added to separate theatre space and the landing, whilst providing space for storage facilities and toilets.
9. Demolition of back staircase
The “ghost” staircase (visible on plan but impossible in reality) at the back of the building is demolished.
10. Staircase Extension
A new staircase at the back of the building is developed servicing all floors and connected to the theatre mezzanine space.
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
ROOF EXTENSION FLOOR PLAN
VERTICAL EXTENSION ELEMENT
The new vertical extension element at the front of the building functions as the beacon feature of the facade. Additionally, the staircase wraps around an elevator shaft that provides access to all floors. The structure is wrapped in corrugated steel which in tandem with brick creates a minimalist old-new fusion.
Insulation
Timber Board and Damp Proof Membrane
Timber Batten Mount System
Corrugated steel
Why corrugated steel?
- Low maintenance
- Weather proof
- Durable
- Easy to install
- Cost effective
- Recyclable
- Great strength to weight ration
Corrugated steel is an overall great material. It is easy to install and the material is extremely durable, sustainable and cost-effective. Additionally, when paired with the old MWR facade the brick - metal junction will give the building an eye-catching modern twist.
Steel Frame
Light Box
Roof structure
Elevator shaft
MATERIAL JUNCTION
With the aim to provide a historic facade with a modernized look, the vertical extension is clad in corrugated steel. Therefore, a material junction of old-new material is analysed to interrogate the interconnection between to and develop a strategy of insulation application on the inner face.
Corrugated Steel Finish
Timber stud mounts
Extended Concrete Structural Frame
Plasterboard + Wall Finish
Timber studs
Insulation
Plywood
Damp-proof Membrane
Concrete Structural frame
Steel “I” beam
U- Value 1/ (0.165+0.714+0.26+4.29+0.085+0.078+0.42) = 0,166 W/ m2K (Fits and improves upon building regulations. Slightly worse for concrete junction, but still fits the regulation.
Insulation of the MWR walls is critical for sustainability and financial stability. The current structural wall is not insulated which is a cause for structural damage, mould etc. The additional layer of insulation ensures that the building is up to standard with goals for sustainability in the UK.
Fire safety is one of the largest concerns (For analysis of current, Phase 2 refer to the integrated booklet). Because the vertical circulation elements are placed on opposite corners of the building the fire escape distances from any given point on a floor are relatively similar. The major concern; however, is escape distances from the 2nd and 3rd floors. On the 2nd floor, a balcony extension is added to ensure that there are 2 directions of escape. On the 3rd floor, the overall cumulative distance of going down 3 floors is concerning at certain points of the proposal. For this reason, I am suggesting that an external fire escape might be added to the structure (marked with a cross). This would help shorten escape distances from the centre of the room.
EXISTING ROOF STRUCTURE
Under stage 3 of the redevelopment of MWR. A new theatre roof structure is proposed. This is crucially important for safety and sustainability factors. The frame is assumingly not in a great state, while the extension above the theatre space is not used or maintained; thereby, the removal of these features is crucial for the theatre to reopen its doors. Additionally, the removal of the structure serves as a great opportunity to insulate the building creating a continuous thermal envelope for increased building performance and sustainability.
NEW ROOF STRUCTURE
A new vierendeel girder roof structure is proposed. Using the structural grid of the current envelope the system creates a flat roof that can be built upon. The structural properties of steel, dense spacing and good span coefficient ensure that the new roof structure can handle heavy loads of plants and greenery on top of it (for more information refer to the integrated booklet.).
1/2 Brick Finish
150mm. Structural Concrete
10mm. Damp Proof Membrane
30mm. Plywood
150mm. Insulation
37mm. Timber battens + Plasterboard+ Internal wall Finish
1:20 Detail
Alongside the added layer of insulation that helps improve the building’s thermal performance the building also inhabits a green roof and a rainwater collection system. The rainwater is collected through the substrate under the green roof, filtered and reused for toilet water and watering the co-garden space.
Proposed roof structure
SUSTAINABILITY
Sunlight
Direct sunlight is a major sustainability component in the MWR phase 4 proposal. The South facing solar panels circulate the generated electricity through the building covering part of the electrical bill. Whilst the vertical extension uses the sunlight to create a greenhouse effect.
Passive Ventilation
Passive ventilation strategies are used around the building. The 0-3 storey high atrium is passively ventilated. Additionally, the green roof extension can be opened up for passive ventilation in case the conditions in the extension are undesirable.
Warm Air Capture
Part of the warm air leaving the MWR is captured in the greenhouse extension reducing the need for heating.
The Greenhouse Effect
Direct sunlight is captured through the entire glass roof extension creating a greenhouse effect. Allowing the roof extension to be a separately insulated structural element and reducing the need for heating, whilst capturing part of the heat loss of the building.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater is harvested from the pitched roof structure into a water container and distributed into the building for use in watering the plants, toilet water etc.
USE OF ROOFTOP EXTENSION
8am. - 8pm.
Co-garden
The co-garden space creates a relaxing atmosphere where time slows down. One may choose to read a book, observe and interact with plants/ nature or simply sit in silence. This space is pivotal for well-being and raising awareness of our connection to nature, whilst symbolising that nature and man-made can coexist.
USE OF ROOFTOP EXTENSION
12pm. - 3pm.
Communcal Kitchen
The rooftop extension communal kitchen/ lounge offers a great opportunity to have lunch and interact with colleagues, friends or members of the community in a stunning setting.
The space can also be used by students as a place to do homework, read a book or simply hang out with friends.
USE OF ROOFTOP EXTENSION
8pm. - 2am.
Multi-functional Space
The space is easily transformable to meet the needs of a community. It can be used to host bingo evenings or serve as a pop-up bar. It can be a place of celebration or a spot of nightlife.
TECHNICAL IMAGINATION FACADE IMPACT ON LIGHTING
The technical imagination brief focuses on creating dynamic lighting conditions in the reception area of the MWR building and looking into how changes to the interior are visible on the building facade. With this exercise, I was interested in the atmosphere of space rather than the quantity of light. I am looking for a mix of hard and soft shadows, creating a cohesive and playful atmosphere in the interior space, whilst paying attention at the amount of daylight.
TECHNICAL IMAGINATION FACADE IMPACT ON LIGHTING
Strategy 1. Although the lighting is dynamic and looks attractive on the inside. I do believe on a gloomy day the space would feel somewhat uninviting as the duration of quality daylight is likely to be fairly limited. It also feels counterintuitive to scrap an entire second floor and replace it with windows as it would be expensive and the historic window coverups would look asymmetrical. Additionally, from an outside perspective, the building does not feel welcoming as there is no permeability. This option is not representative of the idea of the beacon.
Strategy 2. Features the loosest design. This iteration is used as a feeler to interrogate how openings on all facades would impact the lighting conditions internally. The result, predictably, is quite unconvincing as the spatial sequence is disjointed. A floor-to-ceiling window opening on the West side is likely to cause overheating. While the facade of the building is uninspiring as it loses the character of the current and historic MWR.
Strategy 3 offers the most balanced approach both internally and externally. The building extension does not interrupt the rhythm created by the current facade while opening the ground floor feels more inviting for the passerby. The quality of light on the inside offers a good balance of playful shadows cast by the upper floors and good lighting conditions on the ground floor.
Phase
COSTS
The elemental cost breakdown of the Phase 2 proposal offers a realistic benchmark for the cost of a building fit-out behind an existing facade. Whilst the Phase 4 proposal is more ambitious in scale and extent of work carried out.
The elemental costs breakdown for the Phase 4 proposal is delivered through the use of precedent analysis (see integrated booklet for more in-depth information) and showcases the combined costs of:
- Demolition of the current roof structure and installation of a new one
- Fitting out the building behind an existing facade on the ground floor
- Creating elements of vertical extension
- Developing a new structural frame for a rooftop extension
Value for money
The Phase 4 proposal offers improved community spaces, integrated sustainability strategies and a new source of revenue for the MWR. The proposal strikes a balance in offering aesthetic, financially feasible and durable solutions.
According to the BCIS the combination of works carried out and the scale of the proposal the average cost per sq/m would be 4 750 £/m2. Thus the proposed price of 3 920 per £/m2 offers a good balance of quality and economy.
Phase
FUNDING
The funding sources established in the Phase 2 proposal offers sources of revenue that can be used to fit out the existing building envelope. An additional source of income is identified through the Welsh Government Food Investment Scheme as a means to develop the vertical extension unit with the co-garden space.
Lottery Community Fund.
- Grants up to 100 000 £
- Supports community organisations facing increased challanges of the cost-of-living crisis and cash flow problems
- People led scheme to imrove local public facilities
The Clothworkers foundation.
- Grants over 10 000 £
- Purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment of renovation of public buildings.
- Prominant in towns with former mining or industrial activity
Community Facilities Programme.
- Grants up to 250 000 £
- Improve community facilities
- Capital gains for construction projects
- Reintroduce key services to local areas
Staged Development
The Food Business Investment Scheme. Alongside the fund raising schemes proposed in Phase 2 for building retrofit the Phase 4 co-garden space is funded by the Food Business Investment Scheme. This grant is not capped and can be granted if it is proven that the grant is beneficial to the community and local economy.
Revenue Streams
Community space Event space
Mon - Fri 2h - 60£ (10h. work day)
Sat - Sun 2h - 80£ (14h. work day)
Income per month - 6880£
Annual income - 82 560£
*Taken from Phase 2: Strategic Proposal Report by Group 12
Theatre Cafe
Rehersal / performance space
Mon - Fri 3h - 70£ (6h. work day)
Sat - Sun 4h - 200£ (8h. work day)
Income per month - 6000£
Annual income - 72 000£
4.5£ spent per person
5 customers per hour
in 10 hour working day = 225£
Income per month - 6300£
Annual income - 75 600£
Total annual income - 230 160£
The Phase 2 expenses are used as a benchmark, increased by 20% due to the larger scale of the proposal annual expenses of the Phase 4 development come to a total of 123 780£ p.a
Total annual profit - 106 380£
With an expected source of funding coming from the Food Business Investment Scheme and the already covered 360 000£ in capital gains, I presume it would take a total of 4 years to complete the works in the MWR building and further 5-6 years to repay the grants.
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
The beacon of Resolven also makes a statement on a larger scale about potential developments in the area addressing key issues.
Train Station
Train station development is proposed for a better connection with other cities, and villages. Resolven used to have a train station in the coal mining era. However, after most of the local coal mines closed, so did the train station. The village has great connections to larger towns, and the infrastructure is already there next to MWR and a footbridge over a railway is ideal.
Cycling Roads
Cycling roads. Currently, the city does not have any infrastructure for cycling. Resolven is known for weekend getaways. A lot of tourists come to Resolven for hikes and taking advantage of developing a cycling network would be beneficial for representation, interconnection within the village and sustainability.
Pedestrian Paths
Similarly, the use of pedestrian paths could be encouraged by “humanizing the streets” by making them greener and feel safe to encourage footpaths to be more commonly used.
Car Parking
Even though the use of cars is not encouraged, it is obvious that there is parking (thus traffic) related problems in Resolven. Therefore, I have pointed out a couple of locations where I believe car parking spaces could be beneficial for the community.
Traffic Patterns
Lastly, traffic patterns can be simplified in Resolven to function more like Barcelona. With a clear grid and one-way traffic, roads would be able to accommodate cycling lanes, trees and pedestrian paths and would be safer overall due to slower speeds.
INFLUENCE OF THE BEACON
SITE
BUS STOPS LISTED OBJECTS
TRAIN TRACK
BUILDING APPLICATIONS
ALLEYWAYS CLOSE TO SITE
MAJOR ROADS
LARGE ROADS
INFLUENTIAL BUILDINGS
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