OVERVIEW 2

2. OVERVIEW

2.1 SITE INFORMATION

The site is situated on the south bank of River Thames in Wandsworth Borough, with an area of 5993 m2, latitude of 51.4 N, and longitude of -0.17 W. Having a varied history of social housing Battersea has a large area of public housing states dating from the 20th century.

The site connects the districts of Fulham and Chelsea (north of the river) to Clapham district (south of the site) and is accessible from the Battersea bridge road. Specifically, it is placed between Battersea Park and the riverfront and the pathway is used by the neighbours for various physical activities, with Wandsworth London borough as the local authority. Being surrounded by a mixture of high-rise structures varying from 7-21 stories in the southwest part and low-rise buildings in the northern parts, the site acts as a transitional zone between the two. Currently, the site has one-story storage blocks along with a basketball court accessed by the neighbours.

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2.2 SITE ACCESS

The project site is connected through the Battersea Church Road on the North, linked through major North-South arteries, namely, Battersea Bridge Road and Albert Bridge Road.

These two roads connect the Somerset Estate (SW11 3NE) to the rest of Northern London, while the other minor routes on the East and West provide comfortable pedestrian access to the site. These streets are essentially 4m wide and one-way, namely Bolingbroke Walk and Sunbury Lane. Furthermore, the site also offers direct access to River Thames on the North.

PRIMARY A ROAD | BATTERSEA BRIDGE ROAD

NON PRIMARY A ROAD | ALBERT BRIDGE ROAD

LOCAL B ROAD NETWORK

ACCESS TO RIVER THAMES

PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE LANE

CAR PARKING

BUS STOPS

BIKE PARKING

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2.3 SITE CONTEXT

Surrounded by a mixture of high-rise buildings such as the Marsdex Apartments and Selworthy House, varying from 7-21 stories in the South-West part (figure 2.3.1) and low-rise buildings of only 2-3 stories in the Northern regions, we intend to create the site acts as a transitional zone between the two zones with a height of 40m and 12 Floors (figure 2.3.2).

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2.4 SITE DENSITY

Low-rise residences primarily surround the Battersea Church development with 2-3 stories along with a few high-rises residential complexes such as the Selworthy House and the Marsdex Apartments. In addition, the neighborhood consists of two primary schools, including the Somerset Nursery, Ethelburga Community Center, and the historical St. Mary's Church along the River Thames.

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2.5 FACADES AND MATERIALITY

Most of the recently built high-rise residential buildings in the surrounding context have higher glazing ratios and balconies in order to provide suitable views of the River Thames as evident in North-Acre Residence, Marsdex Apartments and Selworthy House.

However, the predominant low-rise residences follow a more traditional scale of windows, along with few instances of glazed balconies. In addition, the material palette is primarily dictated by brick with tones of reds and browns.

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2.6 ON-SITE IMAGES

The court is being currently used by the people of the surrounding neighbourhood; however, no proper provision is available to host a public gathering for the matches conducted if any.

A major part of the site is occupied by storage garages, it is the least overshadowed spot by the surrounding buildings. Adaptation of design strategies should be done in a way, where proximity to the street is not ignored pedestrian or vehicle.

As seen in the image, due to the presence of high-rise structures around the site, the views of the river are obstructed. Design strategies should be implemented in order to provide a view to future dwellers.

The park is empty and does not seem to be lively throughout the day. There is an obstruction to access the park which can be seen as a potential vital usable space if provided with well-designed urban furniture and landscape.

It was observed that this was a meeting point for the students during sun hours, around 2.30 noon, close to the bicycle and scooter parking. However, no adequate provisions like urban furniture, landscape are available for the comfort of the users.

Currently, there are recycle bins present for disposal, that can be used by the existing community. In the future design, provision of a designated waste disposal area should be maintained, that can be used not only by the site users but also for people living around.

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2.7 LONDON WEATHER DATA

The weather data used for the following analysis was collected from St James Park London weather station, 4.34 km away from the Battersea Church Road Development (figure 2.7.1).

St James Park weather station:

Latitude - 51’5’’

Longitude - 0’177”

The graph in figure 2.7.2 shows averages of monthly dry bulb temperatures and solar radiation classified into direct, diffuse, and global radiation throughout a year. The adaptive thermal comfort band (EN 15251) plotted for each month ranges from 19 to 26 degrees Celsius

ADAPTIVE COMFORT BAND (EN15251)

AVERAGE MEAN TEMPERATURE (0C)

GLOBAL HORIZONTAL RADIATION (Wh/m2)

DIFFUSE HORIZONTAL RADIATION (Wh/m2)

London experiences four separate seasons (figure 2.8.1); however, light rainfall and cloudy skies are prevalent throughout the year.

3. AUTUMN (SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER) | The temperatures begin to drop sharply in October with high rainfall and high humidity levels through this season.

4. WINTER (DECEMBER - FEBRUARY) | This season is primarily cold and often rainy, with an average high of 7°C and an average low of 6°C.

Additionally, the wind rose diagrams (figure 2.8.2) highlight prevailing wind direction from the West and the South-West throughout the year with an average wind speed of 5m/s, creating the possibility of uncomfortable areas through the site.

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2.9 CLIMATE CHANGE

Observed climate trends in the UK are projected to continue and can be summarised as follows:

1. Warmer, Wetter Winters

2. Hotter, Drier Summers

3. Rising Sea Levels

4. Increased Extreme Weather Events

Climate Change impacts for the Built Environment:

1. COMFORT AND ENERGY PERFORMANCE | Warmer winters may reduce the need for heating, but it will be difficult to keep cool in summer (overheating) without increasing energy use and carbon emissions.

2.CONSTRUCTION | Resistance to extreme conditions, detailing and the behaviour of materials. For instance, a combination of better insulation and excessive, unprotected glazing can lead to overheating.

3.MANAGING WATER | Both too much (flooding) and too little (shortages and soil movement).

FUTURE (2100)

PRESENT (2020)

PAST (2000-2010)

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2.10 STRATEGIES FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

In meeting the challenge of designing for a different summer climate, we needed to extend our design skills and develop innovative technologies and products. For instance:

1. SHADING SYSTEMS for both new build and the existing stock that could be progressively rolled out as circumstances change. Deciduous trees and plants can provide beautiful,effective, low-cost shade that benefits from the process of transpiration to significantly enhance its cooling effect.

2. GLAZING AND FILM TECHNOLOGIES to improve the performance of glass in terms of solar exclusion.

3. The development of REFLECTIVE SOLID MATERIALS to reflect heat off of building surfaces.

4. Secure NIGHT-TIME VENTILATION SYSTEMS to allow buildings to be purged of hot air whilst also excluding insects.

5. High levels of INTERNAL THERMAL MASS COUPLED WITH NIGHT-TIME VENTILATION to minimise heat gains through building fabric, especially in lightweight constructions.

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2.11 EXISTING PROPOSAL ANALYSIS

COLLADO COLLINS ARCHITECTS

POSITIVES

• Smaller footprint providing adequate spaces to larger green areas for social interaction.

• Provides better views for maximum apartments.

• Provision of adequate natural light.

• Taking into consideration neighbourhood design requirements and concerns like preserving existing landscape, games pitch.

NEGATIVES

• Disconnection of the upper floors from the communal spaces and river front.

• Overshadowing created by the tower around the site.

• Poor relationship with existing environment in terms of fitting well with the context.

DARLING ASSOCIATES PROPOSAL

POSITIVES

• Being a Mid-rise, good connection to the central green spaces with all the apartments is seen.

• Overshadowing is prevented.

• The layout acts as a good sound barrier.

• Fits well with the surrounding context.

NEGATIVES

• 3 storey buildings do not receive the river front view.

• Building foot print reduces landscape area.

• Accessibility to the river is not efficient visually and physically.

• The building is overshadowed by surrounding tall structures.

DARLING ASSOCIATES PROPOSAL

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2.11 EXISTING PROPOSAL ANALYSIS

RETAINING ABOVE PROPOSALS

• Visual and Physical Connection to River Thames

• Inclusion of Green Pockets such edible community gardens, sports fields, and winter and terrace gardens for the health and well-being of high density dwellers, optimising view to the neighbors that are being blocked by the development

• Cars and bicycles Parking and Trash Disposals for residents and the community

• Low Energy Consumption and Embodied Carbon to maintain ventilation, daylight, and thermal comfort within the apartments

• Landscape and Raising the Residential Block from the Ground as a threshold to seperate the residential and public areas

AA SED TEAM 1 DESIGN PROPOSAL (2021-22)

1. Mid-Rise Apartments

2. Dual Facing (North-South)

3. Mix of Open and Shaded Spaces

4. Linear Built Form

AA SED TEAM 2 DESIGN PROPOSAL (2021-22)

1. High-Rise Apartments

2. Climatic Orientation

3. Better views towards Thames river

4. Minimizing ground coverage

AA SED TEAM 3 DESIGN PROPOSAL (2021-22)

1. Mid-Rise Apartments

ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS

• Modularity as a design approach - plug and play with different building typologies

• Given the Covid-19 Pandemic, work from home has become a crucial aspect. Therefore a mix-used building with dwellings and Various Communal Spaces for the residents and community is required, promoting Social Interactions And Exchange. Shaded/Non-shaded, Public/Semi-Private, Large/Intimate

• Demographic analysed programe

• Orienation of the building, augmenting solar radiation and daylight on most facades

2. Compactness and Density in Planning

3. Formation of Building Terraces

4. Closed Atrium Spaces

5. Biodiversity - Vegetable Gardens, Green Roofs

AA SED TEAM 4 DESIGN PROPOSAL (2021-22)

1. High-Rise Apartments

2. Optimising Views

3. Connection from the river-front into the Site along the Montevetro

4. Circular Built Form (Tower)