SAM GILES
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This Portfolio Represents an abridged collection of work and a skillcase that had been developed and matured over my time as an architectural student. Predominantly shown here is a sampled collection related to a year long research project into how one might harness and enhance protest through meaningful architectural intervention * As presented here, the aim and necessity of graphical design in architecture is to maintain a personal connection between architect and the representation of his work in a given piece. Each detail described is necessary in describing the physical and subsequent emotional intention to a reasoned architecture * It is my absolute wish that you enjoy and understand my unique training in graphical and architectural design and representation. Refer to the above website for the online portfolio that this is abridged under
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Research 01 Top Right Protocul and Protest in Parliament Bottom Right Protest routes and sizes
01 - Protest & Protocol * Protest and protocol within Parliament began with a breakdown of both central Governing bodies within the Palace of Westminster, the House of Commons and House of Lords. Within parliament the hierarchy of government responsible for the passage of Law was documented revealing the key figures within government and subsequent hierarchy. So too was the role of those lower down the hierarchy of government understood in the study of protest though backbench rebellions within the Labour government of 1997-2010. * Through the revelation of major protests within the last 15 years within Central London, each revealed the routes adhered to during several key protests throughout the past 15 years, and the breaking away of this control into other areas of the city where confrontations with police occurred. A series of pseudo-processions, in place of the adhered protester routes, could thus be a and visualised in relation to the Square.
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- Daylight Plan -
- Scheme in Context -
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Shadow takes a prominence in the scheme during the day, utilising the roof span to provide a series of lit passageways in accordance to the design of the floor. Those entering form Westminster station are greeted immediately by shadows that provide the beginning of the narrative through the scheme. The protestor is slowly introduced to light until he enters the main route which culminates into the opening into parliament square. Along the passage to Parliament square are multiple occurrences of design thresholds that allow the formation of a personal narrative that informs the procession into Parliament Square.
The scheme starts at the ticket floor of Westminster station and gradually reaches the North East corner of Parliament Square. It forms a continuous ramp, at its deepest 9m, that allows a passage through unhindered by the above context. The use of a continuous ramp allows a consistent sense of movement throughout the scheme, only leveling within Internal Fragment floors and set pauses to emphasise their purpose.
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The elevation permits the need to address people passing into the square from the major infrastructural piece of Westminster Tube station, part of the overall London Tube network. Much as Parliament exists on a higher level to the ground, addressing its own existence from such, the scheme addresses the rival existence of the people through Westminster station in order to begin the narrative of the protestors procession into Parliament square.
The journey through is one of gradual narrative conditions that are met and either entered into or ignored by the agenda of the protestor. Thus begins a new ceremony of procession into Parliament Square articulated by the protestor. A microcosm of the overall protest ceremony is created and introduced into the Square. Through this a necessary tension is formed against the ceremony of state and the rivaling ceremonies of protest.of the city where confrontations with police occurred. A series of pseudo-processions, in place of the adhered protester routes, could thus be documented and visualised in relation to the Square.
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(Overleaf)
02 Journey Adjacent Daylighting Plan of Scheme
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03 Context Spread Axonometric view of Site & Scheme
Fragment 04 Spread Section cut through fragment piece
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- Scheme in Context * Each fragment, aside from its allocated function, serves as a further expansion to the journey through its architectural detailing. The entire scheme, as discussed, operates a deeply austere materiality and construction, allowing each fragment to maintain a meaningful interior condition to enhance the protestor’s experience through its spaces. Much as
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the floor conditions contrast the austere shell, the interiors further develop a relationship to the light that enters them. The warmth of material that lines the interior radiates under the natural and artificial light conditions, transmitting these spaces as radiant presence to the protestors occupying the main pathway. In spite of the relationship
to light, there is an equally deep relationship and mastery of shadow. Each space thus commands its own atmosphere relevant to its function, with such conditions contrasting heavily during either day or night. In continuity with the floor conditions of the main pathway, the ceiling openings follow each pathway and allow for light and ventilation.