THE BEACON HOTEL 7 West Hastings
THE BEACON HOTEL 7 West Hastings
HISTORY / DESIGN INTENT
• The Beacon Hotel at 7 West Hastings was acquired by BC Housing in the summer of 2009. • The Portland Hotel Society (PHS) was contracted to manage the single room occupancy suites. • Upon acquiring the Beacon Hotel, The PHS managed a partial renovation of the building that included the installation of a redesigned air intake system as well as several cosmetic improvements. Although the initial renovations greatly improved the quality of life for the residents, we propose several small scale architectural interventions that will further increase
livability at the Beacon Hotel. Our proposed interventions aim to improve air circulation, regulate air temperature, create more communal space, address privacy concerns, and introduce greenery to bring life to dormant spaces. In this proposal we will outline 5 issues facing The Beacon Hotel and the resultant design solutions. These are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Air Quality Access to Natural Light Personal Space and Privacy Communal Space Greenery
Proposed Condition Existing Condition
Main Atrium
Glass Canopies
Secondary Atrium Primary Atrium Secondary Atrium
AIR QUALITY
Main Floor
Lack of fresh air during the summer months at The Beacon Hotel renders the building nearly unliveable. Factors responsible for this condition include an inadequate air intake system, greenhouse heating effects observed in the atrium and light well spaces, and the blockage of air flow through the building. Our proposed solution addresses the blockage of air flow through the building. This condition is mostly observed in the two secondary atrium spaces where the vertical shafts have been interrupted by glass canopies at each floor level - installed supposedly for the safety of the residents.
Removing these barriers will create conditions conducive to passive air circulation: wherein warm air will rise through the building thus drawing in fresh cool air. Next, to address the safety concerns of residents falling (or throwing objects) down the atrium, we recommend simply raising the banister to regulation height and installing a single safety net above the first floor, or a similar barrier that will not obstruct air flow.
1
Access to natural light is essential for the residents physical and psychological health. We’ve observed that while the atrium provides access to natural light, many residents keep their blinds closed for privacy reasons. We propose to address this issues by installing a privacy screen in front of each window, while maintaining enough distance between the screen and the wall to allow for natural light to filter through. Existing Condition
a: b: c: d:
push screen away from the window limit height of the screen to average height of occupant. 5’10’’ resultant screen location allows natural light to filter into the room while still maintaining a high level of privacy the use of greenery as a privacy barrier
2
b a
c d
Proposed Interventions
Our material palette is simple, economical, sustainable and locally produced. We propose the use of recycled palettes as they are readily available from local industries.
Resulting Condition
3
ACCESS TO NATURAL LIGHT Main Floor
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Privacy is a basic need IVA residents of the Beacon Hotel. Our design TE addresses the privacy concerns of those residents whose rooms open into the primary atrium space. While the atrium space provides excellent access to natural light, most residents keep their blinds closed because their windows directly face opposing rooms, and because the main atrium floor in publicly accessable.
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PERSONAL SPACE AND PRIVACY Main Floor
Our design responds to both the need for privacy and the desire for natural light. We propose installing a system of wood screens in front of the south facing windows to ensure privacy, while maintaining enough distance between the wall and the screen to allow for natural light to filter into the rooms.
+
COMMUNAL SPACE
Main Floor
We propose a designated communal space on the main floor of the atrium that will include access to several computer workstations and some general seating. Access to computers will provide an obvious benefit to the residents: creating opportunities to job search, network and entertain. By extending the current communal space deeper into the hotel we will activate unused space and further the mission of community building.
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GREENERY
Main Floor
The introduction of greenery to the primary atrium will greatly improve the quality of space and liveability of the Hotel. Green space helps to regulate air temperature, improve air quality, and brings life to dormant spaces. Specifically, the proposed window boxes will provide caretaking opportunities, as interested residents will be asked to tend to their personal potted gardens. The ground-floor greenery will also serve as a privacy screen for the first floor residents whose windows open to the atrium. These common area plantings will provide an opportunity for group gardening while remaining accessible for maintenance by hotel staff.