Portfolio 2021

KING’S CROSS THEATRE WORKSHOP AND IMMERSIVE SPACE

LOCATION:

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TUTORS:

KING’S CROSS, LONDON

INDIVIDUAL/ACADEMIC

2018-2019, 3RD (FINAL) YEAR OF BA

kieran@cairnarchitecture.co.uk

My final year project explores a theatrical experience in the heart of Kings’ Cross. Since it opened in 1850, Kings Cross has been a major transportation hub catering to millions of passengers to and from London. Curiously, though filled with countless of pubs and restaurants, it has little to no dedicated space for the peforming arts.

The site, a former entrance to the deep underground stations, is transformed as a workshop for a theatre production that transitions into an immersive theatre space as the sun descends. The machinery and production crew is packed up and tucked into secret corridors as the night begins and the fun starts.

1.KIERAN HAWKINS

2.BENNI ALLEN ba@eb-ba.co

KING’S CROSS STATION

Massing model 1 tested out the overall mass of the building using balsa sticks as columns. This depicts a rough look on how the structural system of the building would be laid out.

This model tested the floor plate massing of the building. Due to the context, it was decided the right side could be taller while the left side would drop down in height to match the building next to it.

The heights of the buildings on either side of the site are around 17-18m tall while the shophouses opposite do not exceed 14m. My building does not exceed 18m tall with possible allowances for some extra height towards the back of the site.

The front will be kept at a similar height as the buildings next to it and it will step back from the road to allow more pavement space. This will allow the pavement some breathing space between the road and the front of the building.

MASSING MODEL 1 MASSING MODEL 2

1. Entrance

2. Main hall

3. Workshop

4. Loading bay

5. Side entrance/ entrance from the tunnels

6. Cafe

7. Private core

8. Toilets

9. Courtyard

10. Artists’ accommodation entrance

1. Viewing mezzanine

2. Props workshop

3. Costume workshop

4. Private cores

5. Toilets

FIRST FLOOR PLAN GROUND FLOOR PLAN

1. Workshop

2. Roof garden

3. Dressing room/ green room

4. Rehersal spaces

5. Access to the artist’s dorms

1. Entrance to artists’ dorms

2. Dining area

3. Kitchen

4. Roof terrace

5. Communal area

6. Kitchen/ bathroom

7. Bedroom

8. Access to the dressing room/ green room

THIRD FLOOR PLAN

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

The first floor workshop space is pulled back from the front to form a viewing balcony for the nightly performances.

The site was originally a train station entrance but is now re-purposed as an additional entrance connecting to the underground tube lines at Kings Cross.

I hand mapped the underground tube line from the top of the stairs to each tube entrance.

SHORT SECTION 1:200

FINAL SECTIONAL MODEL

The ground floor cores are load-bearing CLT wall elements and are approximately 180m thick. They form the two wings running through the building that importantly act as a cross-bracing element.

Typically, in timber-column buildings there are concrete cores for lifts and services. It acts as a cross-bracing element that keeps the structure rigid and strong against the elements.

However in this building, it is the wall-bearing system that is the cross-bracing element in addition to being structural. Also, Core 2, which is placed at the end of the right hand side is beneficial as it becomes a tail end that helps ground the entire two systems.

Vertical axiality is lost because of the irregular shape of the two cores, disrupting the transfer of load from top to ground. Glue-laminated beams (200x500mm) are installed on the first floor to connect the two cores and help the transfer of load. It helps reinforce the floor above and maintains structural integrity of the building.

The column to wall system is used mainly in timber buildings over 8m tall. It utilises GLT columns on CLT floors.

This results in the CLT panels acting as a twoway slab diaphragm, which eliminates the need for load-carrying beams. These connections transfer vertical loads directly through the columns only.

THREADED RODS

CLT FLOOR PANEL 150MM CONSISTING OF 5 LAYERS: 40,20,30,20,40 (MM)

THREADED RODS

GLT COLUMN TO CLT FLOOR DETAL

THE COLUMN DETAIL BEING EXPRESSED IN THE MODEL

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS OF THE BUILDING

The foundations is made of reinforced concrete cast in-situ. The building sits on a concrete slab with strip footing. However, taking into consideration the tunnel and the train line nearby, the foundations are a concrete pile foundation that goes deeper than the tunnel. The decision to have a concrete pile foundation is due to the site and the need to have a deep and stable foundation. This is something timber cannot achieve.

The joint techniques involving CLT are relatively simple and only requires lightweight power tools. This makes CLT a relatively easy and safe material to work with.

The wall to concrete connection is expressed in the building, with a concrete plinth coming out of the ground for the columns to sit on. This functions to prevent damp from creeping into the CLT column and also as an design element of the building.

GLUE-LAMINATED TIMBER COLUMN (GLT)

FACADE

STEEL BOLTS

STEEL KNIFE PLATE

INSULATION WITH WOODEN STRUCTURE IN BETWEEN

TIMBER BATONS

VAPOUR BARRIER

CONCRETE PLINTH

CONCRETE SLAB

ANCHOR BOLT

HOLLOW STRUCTURAL STEEL

STEEL PLATE

PILE CAP

GROUND

GLUE-LAMINATED TIMBER COLUMN (GLT)

CONCRETE PLINTH

HARDWOOD FLOORING

TIMBER BATONS

CONCRETE SLAB

INSULATION

HARDCORE

PILE FOUNDATION

The dorms comprise of a communal living room, with partition doors that allow them to open the entirety, forming a long corridor to practise and rehearse their performance.

A snug kitchen and bathroom precedes the bedroom that overlooks the rooftop garden of the main building.

SECTION A

SECTION B

SECTION C

Final sectional model that showcases the various balconies and mezzanine levels, facilitating cross level interaction during its nightly productions.

The main hall becomes a central point of the performance, with a mezzanine balcony for viewers to interact and view the production on different levels.

MAIN PERFORMANCE VIGNETTE

MAIN PERFORMANCE SPACE IN THE FINAL MODEL

1. Side entrance/ entrance from the tunnels

2. Workshop

3. Private core

4. Entrance lobby

5. Cafe

6. Viewing balcony

7. Costume workshop

8. Roof terrace

9. Dressing room/ green room

10. Artists’ accommodation

ST.ANDREW’S GARDENS

LONDON WELSH CENTRE EXTENSION

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GRAY’S INN ROAD, LONDON

INDIVIDUAL/ACADEMIC

2018-2019, 3RD (FINAL) YEAR OF BA

1.KIERAN HAWKINS

kieran@cairnarchitecture.co.uk

2.BENNI ALLEN

ba@eb-ba.co

The London Welsh Centre Extension is small project that combined public and private use. The public function of picking fruit and the private function of contemplating is combined and this is explored through the study of Alvar Aalto’s windows in his projects and old Welsh mine collieries. The extensive use of models in this project helped visualise the extension that would sit above the far right side of the building.

I took the language of the old welsh mine collieries and translated it into inspiration for the structural system of the extension.

The highlighted part is where the extension would sit.

These models analyse Alvar Aalto’s windows to facilitate the two activities: contemplating while fruit was being picked.

MODEL ITERATION 2

The final iteration takes all the lessons from the previous attempts on structural language and window typology and situates itself as a gentle, sloping piece above the London Welsh Centre.

The bottom floor feautures an intergrated reading bench and a floor to celing high bookcase. The bench sits just below the window, perfect for contemplating. The upper floor is a small mezzanine balcony. The railing facing the front of the building is used as a planter’s trellis, allowing the inhabitants to plant and pick their fruit as it blossoms.

LOWER FLOOR PLAN

UPPER FLOOR PLAN HAND- DRAWN AXONOMETRIC OF THE EXTENSION

FINAL MODEL

WHITECHAPEL

INTER-GENERATIONAL COMMUNITY HUB

Child’s Day Adult’s Day

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WHITECHAPEL, LONDON

INDIVIDUAL/ACADEMIC

2017-2018, 2ND YEAR OF BA

1.KIERAN HAWKINS

kieran@cairnarchitecture.co.uk

2.BENNI ALLEN ba@eb-ba.co

Responding to the rising alienation of the elderly in London’s public spaces; the intergenerational community hub aims to merge the young and the old offering an opportunity for both age groups to symbiotically care for each other. Situated near the Royal London Hospital, the Hub allows for retired hospital staff and the children of the current hospital staff to come together in a warm space whereby different physical restraints have informed the design and, allows all to participate together socially. The Hub aims to provide the community of Whitechapel an opportunity to come together to improve the lives of their most overlooked residents.

FORD SQUARE

ROYAL LONDON HOSPITAL SITE

LONDON ISLAMIC SCHOOL

NEWARK KINDERGARTEN

In the final massing diagram (pictured right), the adults and the kids enter the building seperately at first and then come together at key points. The courtyard/ playground is situated at the back, giving ample space for both adults and kids to exercise and enjoy nature in.

The overarching philosophy of the circulation of this building is enabling the two generations to cohabitat in the same building by providing separate and combined spaces.

The massing model (pictured left) established a few key elements in the building:

1. The windows should suit the eye level of both adults and kids.

2. The ground floor should be pulled back further, creating a larger sidewalk and allowing the first floor to provide shade and cover from any rain.

MASSING MODEL SKETCH PLANS

FINAL MASSING DIAGRAM

MASSING DIAGRAM OPTION 1

MASSING DIAGRAM OPTION 2

SIDEWALK SIDEWALK SIDEWALK

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

1. Adult’s entrance

2. Children’s entrance/ Locker area

3. Courtyard/ Playground

4. Kitchen

5. Study booth

6. Toilet

7. Light well

8. Lounge Area

9. Sunken dining area

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

1. Sleeping pods

2. Toilet/ Bathroom

3. Reading area

4. Bookcases

5. Study booth

6. Garden terrace

7. Kid’s watch tower

8. Light well

Each room was hand modelled individually that came together as the final model. This method allowed me to test the internal layouts of each room before deciding on its final form. Models were used extensively throughout the design process to test new ideas and differently schemes.

1. Sunken dining area

2. Lounge

3. Study booth

4. Kid’s locker area

5. Reading room

6. Sleeping pods

7. Rooftop terrace

8. Sidewalk

Steel angle cap

Air space

Metal fixture that the slip brick sit on

Slip bricks

Wall joint

Gutter

Waterproofing

Insulation

Damp proof membrane

Screed to fall

Concrete deck

Slip bricks

Damp proof membrane

Concrete

Soil

Concrete base

Metal frame

Fixture T bar

Glass

Air space

Wall finish

Click lock timber flooring

Insulation

Concrete base

Hardcore

1. Sunken dining area

2. Kitchen

3. Lightwell

4. Garden terrace

5. Kid’s watch tower

6. Rooftop terrace

7. Courtyard/ playground

NANTOU ANCIENT TOWN PAVILION

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ROLE: SUPERVISOR:

NANTOU, SHENZHEN, CHINA GROUP WORK/PROFESSIONAL 2020

CONCEPT DESIGN/3D MODELLING/ CONSTRCUTION DETAIL SCHEDULES

1. NGUYEN TAT DAT

2. HUYNH TAN DUNG hcmc@vtnaa.com

This pavilion started with a simple concept: to inject more greenery into the city of Nantou. It was important to showcase no matter how small the project, it can be connected to nature. The pavilion will be a way for the city-dwellers to experience a small piece of nature within their busy lives.

It was invaluble to work on this project as I worked on it from its conceptual development up to construction details. The pavilion works on the simple principle of stacked planter boxes that form a central space that can be used for local performances on occasion.

WALKWAY THROUGH THE PAVILION

FRONT VIEW BIRD’S EYE VIEW