Tom Cowman by Tom Cowman

POR TFO LIO TOM COWMAN

B.A. (Hons.) Architecture Stage 3 2013/2014

Contents

Non - Design Projects

Year Design Report

Light-ness Lightness Booklet (see seperate booklets)

Material Diary Pinhole Manual

Can Ricart

Charette

Non - Design Projects (see seperate booklet)

ARC3013 - Technology

ARC3014 - Practice and Management

ARC3015 - Priciples and Theories Part 1 Part 2

ARC3060 - Dissertation

Year Design Report

Can Ricart Feedback given throughout this project has suggested that I have some strong ideas and a ‘good contextual response to the site and clients needs’ however it seems that other ideas are not being clearly explained and are therefore creating confusion. Comments have suggested that the ‘representation of these ideas maybe the issue’ and therefore could be ‘causing some confusion’. My thoughts are that this is most definitely the case, with representation of ideas and concepts something that I have struggled with in previous years. To improve in this I think a good step is look into diagramming and concept diagram precedents by other architects and try to start representing my ideas more clearly in this form. Another way to improve could be to represent my ideas through the medium of models and photography, with the tutors comments pointing out that I have good skills in both. Both these skills are something that I really enjoy and pride myself in, modelling for me is something that doesn’t feel like work and something I look forward to in the design process. Although I was happy with the final presentation outcome I agree with some comments that some of the drawings lack refined details such as shadows, textures and architectural qualities and something that I hope to improve through the Graduation Project. This project has also made me aware of how much I have enjoyed working with an old building and master planning element especially in an international context. I find the joining of old materials with news ones interesting and working at an urban level on this project was invigorating and something I would like to do again in the future.

I hope to take film photography away with me from University and explore and test this field further. Modelling has been a dominate feature of my design process for this project, which has been great. I have modelled in new materials learning how to cast and mix concrete and plaster and I have been pleased with the results. I have also tried to model site landscaping and concepts, photographing these models in order to represent my ideas more clearly which has been received with good feedback. For the final crit I have also tried to improve from the previous project by adding the more refined architectural details into my drawings such as shadows and textures. I was forced to show these qualities in a studio such as lightness where representing shadows and materiality has been paramount. It has therefore pushed me into finding ways in doing this and done by learning rendering software such as Kerkythea to produce shadows and qualities of light and has been a great learning experience. However although the modelling process has enabled me to explain my ideas more fully it has also,I feel, made me experiment less with the design. I think this is the case because the process of model has been long and time consuming and therefore to keep changing aspects of the design means falling behind. Yet in the end I think I have pushed the external design far with models yet I think that further development of the Interiors could have been required. I also believe that even though models have helped me to represent my ideas further diagrammatic drawings are still needed in order to represent the publicity and programmatic features of the design.

Graduation Project

Conclusion

I was immediately drawn towards the light-ness project when choosing our graduation project. For me lightness, materiality and photography are aspects of architecture that I am very interested in and something that I have always tried to strongly develop throughout my designs, and was therefore very pleased when I was awarded a place on this studio. From the very beginning of this project I have enjoyed and learned a lot about photography and pinhole photography, of which I had not come into contact before. This project has allowed me to explore photographically and has meant that I can now develop black and white film, a process which even now still amazes and excites me and

Overall there is still improvement to be made representationally and graphically, which I hope to develop further in practice along side modelling and photography. I found Semester 1 the toughest, finding the final weeks very difficult to balance the design and the technology modules. The non design modules also have been more challenging than the design module, perhaps mostly because I haven’t enjoyed them as much as I have the design, something I worry about when returning to complete my further studies, however in the mean time I am looking forward to moving into the architectural profession and moving forward in my studies of architecture.

Light-ness

Site Location

Left - The site is nestled among the streets of the city centre of Newcastle. Between the narrow street of High Bridge and the busy and bustling Bigg Market. There are two unpronounced entrances leading onto the site that open up onto the site which is surround on all sides by buildings.

Left - Entrance from Bigg Market

Above - Entrances on to the site

Below- Site panorama

Above - Entrance from High Bridge

Left - Site level change

Site Massing

Above -Most promising mass model design

- Massing models tested on site. This process involved plaster masses being rearranged and reformed, which resulted in an initial building design form. Rules and site factors shaped this design process. The masses were predominately in the Northern area of the site due to solar access and the heights informed from surrounded building and views.

Above - Massing model with added materiality

Pinhole Drawing Experimentation

- This pin hole drawing was created by the artist, Stanislava Pinchuk. This drawing was the inspiration for my own pinhole drawing exploration which was initially explored through the use of a pinhole camera using film. Through the light qualities of the drawing; dappled, soft and direct, leading into a more detailed material research investigation.

Pinhole camera exhibition piece

Light shone through pin hole drawing on to light sensitive paper

Negative Kukje Gallery, SO - IL Architects - Seoul

Materiality

Pinhole drawing exhibition piece

Directing me in materiality

Positive

San Telmo Museum Extension, Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos - Spain

Courtyard House , Formwerkz Architects - Singapore

Gusswerk Extension, LP Architects - Austria

Dappled Light

Direct light

Soft light

Site Concept Site Strategy

Green Spaces

With the shortage of green spaces within the core city centre of Newcastle, my design creates a space that is dynamic. A place that attracts different types people, from a busy person wanting to find a place to eat lunch to someone wanting to meet and socialise with their friends and giving them spaces to occupy. The diagram below suggests what type of spaces people can occupy on the site but ultimately it is a space for to enjoy outdoors creating a small urban garden within the heart of Newcastle.

City Cores

Landscape Concept A

Watch

Reflect

Relax

Discover

Landscape Concept B

Landscape Concept C

Connect

Light-Well Model

Facade Study

Final 1:250 Model

Below -Facade Study Models and process

1:250 Context Model

1:100 Model

1:50 Section Model ‘A’

1:50 Section Model ‘B’

1:50 Section Model ‘C’

1:100 Model Photos

Outdoor Space

2nd Floor corridor and bridges

Dappled Light effect from perforated facade

1st floor Lightwell

1:50 Section Model ‘A’

Bench seating facing courtyard, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Sanaa - Japan

Garden Precedent - Eagle Ridge House, Orcas Islands, USA

1:50 Section Model ‘B’ Roof Garden

2nd Floor Corridor

Shop Frontage

1:50 Section Model ‘C’

1st Floor Shop

3rd Floor Gallery

2nd Floor Office

Ground Floor Entrance

1st Floor Entrance under mesh

1st Floor Reception

2nd Floor Staircase Acess

2nd Floor Teaching Space

1st Floor Reception

1:50 Section Model ‘C’

Ground Floor Entrance

Plans

N Entrance from Bigg Market

Ground Floor Plan - 1:200 1 - Reception 2 - Photographic Library 3 - Private Study Area 4 - Cafe 5 - Cinema 6 - Film Projection Room 7 - Photographic Archive 8 - Photographic Archive Reception 9 - Staff Room 10 - Plant Room 11 - Toilets 12 - Outdoor Projection Area / Event space 13 - Outdoor Cafe Area 14 - Baltic 39 Cafe Area

11. 14.

10.

13.

9. 6. 8. 4.

8. 5.

Entrance from High Bridge Street

12.

1st Floor Plan - 1:200 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Reception Area ‘Digital Lab’ Franchise Shop Photography Shop Digital Photo Lab Darkroom Toilets Outdoor Seating

5. 5. 5. 5. 1.

4. 2.

7. 3.

N Entrance from Bigg Market

2nd Floor Plan - 1:200 1 2 3 4 5

Small Private Office Large Private Office Student Studio Teaching / Workshop Space Toilet

4. 3.

2. 1.

3rd Floor Plan - 1:200 1 - Gallery 2 - View Point 3 - Accessible Roof Garden

1. 3. 1.

Outdoor Perspective

- Perspective showing the opening up of the site from High Bridge entrance

Outdoor Perspective

- Perspective showing the meshed garden leading into the 1st floor entrance

Indoor Perspective

- Perspective showing the 2nd floor light-well corridor, leading off to different workspaces.

Private

Public

Exploded Axonmetric

Roof

1st Floor

2nd Floor

3rd Floor

Exploded Axo

Public / Semi Public

Site

Design

Ground Floor

Site Plan

Technology 1:5 Wall Section

Environmental Diagrams Natural Ventilation

Pre-cast concrete panel Pre-cast concrete panel Stack effect created in light-well. Heat rises drawing cooler air into the building.

Silicon seal and glazing fitting Pre-fabricated double glazing insert

Light-well Light Penetration

Tapered sill to stop rainwater collection

Metal covering plate

Insulation

Light-well allows light to filter down and reflect off surfaces bringing light down to the 1st Floor. 300mm

Concrete Wall Panellisation

- shows concrete weathering

Perforations Sizes

Perforation Re-ordering - creating randomness

Perforation Reflection - creating randomness

1:25 Technology Model

Side View

Front

Light-ness Photos

Can Ricart

Final Crit

Site Location

Left - Can Ricart is located in the Poblenou District of Barcelona, Spain. The Poblenou District was built prior to the building of the grid system which is now an iconic feature of the city. It was built outside of the walls of the old town, with factory buildings mainly being built. When the grid system was established this area was retrofitted with this system however elements of the old streets and roads exist. This site has an extremely old heritage and holds archaeological importance and therefore holds a high listed building status.

Building Location

My design primarily involves the highlighted building however the design also incorporates a majority of the site and a master plan scheme was also put into place. The building in question is in a state of disrepair with part of the building have no roof, which occurred due to a recent fire. Structurally the building is sound and some repair work has been carried out on some of the neighbouring buildings. The Central Park of Poblenou to the South of the site, which was also recently redesigned by Jean Nouvel, and its proximity to the site means that the design of Can Ricart should encompass this and use it as part of the new urban fabric.

Building Interiors + Strategy

Old and newer additions to building

Separation of these elements

Clock tower - Pivital focal point

Keep existing verical circulation

Clients La Machine

Clients La Machine is a theatrical company that uses giant mechanical animals that they have created and performs various stories in the middle of city and public spaces. The events are huge with thousands of people attending. The design therefore needs to meets the needs by

creating a public space and route around Can Ricart and the neighbouring surrounds allowing them to carry out public performances. There is also a need for La Machine to have a large workshop and exhibition space in order create, build and store their animal creations.

Site Strategy

Building demolition diagram

This diagram shows my master plan has created a natural grid system within the site. The idea behind this was to bring familiarity to the site and therefore the site become a hybrid of old and new. Streets and squares are created giving la machine the performance space and routes needed for their performances. Access routes Design Location Public square/ performance space

Public building diagram

Conecting to the central hub

Rotation of arrows

Performance route from site into the Central Park of Poblenou

Creation of grid

Expansion of grid system

The grid system and rhythm of window openings abstracted to form the site design constructed from glulam timber beams and fins.

Materiality + Precedents

This precedent shows what I am trying to achieve with the timber beams to create rhythm and street / walkways. They are also a great way to create shading especially in a hot country such as Spain. Greenery could also be added to provide foliage and cool the environment.

Can Ribas / Jaime J. Ferrer ForĂŠs - Spain Can Ricart stone walls

Rhythm of window openings

The stone walls of Can Ricart were a huge feature point for my design and bring a lot character to the building. My design strips away any plaster covering these walls to expose the bricks.

The windows also gave me a sense of rhythm and therefore these windows will also be opened up to enhance the rhythm of the timber beams run throughout the site.

Nordic Pavilion, Sverre Fehn - Venice

Exploded Axonometric

Macro Structure + Axo

New extension

New extension exploded

Tower View Point

1:200

2nd Floor Plan

1st Floor Plan

1:200

Ground Floor Plan

Basement Plan

1:200

1 : 20 Wall Section Detail 700mm existing stone wall lead waterproof lining 80mm double glazing steel angle beam hidden steel fixing

steel angle beam

steel I-beam 400mm concrete floor 100mm x 500mm steel corten beam

Parade Render

steel corten cap

Sections

1 : 5 Beam + Glazing Detail Sections

hidden steel screw and bolt fixing

10mm aluminium T-bar

aluminium snap in cap EPDM foam strip thermal break

aluminium cap 80mm double glazing

EPDM fin gasket aluminium glazing bar

SS round head woodscrew 2â&#x20AC;? 165mm x 600mm glulam timber beam

East Elevation

1:100 Site Model

Model Photos

Charette

Group 7 Our charette project was to create food from iconic buildings from around Newcastle. With our group being assigned the sage it seemed fitting to create our food from jelly. This was due to the curvaceous exterior and that from the outside you cant tell exactly what happens within the building. However The Sage is a place where large numbers of people food into to watch and listen to a wealth of musical performances. For this reason we decided to added chopped chillies, ginger and mint, which all have a very powerful and

recognisable taste within this extremely bland looking jelly. The reason why you see the jelly on the right glowing blue is because it contain quinine which is found in Tonic Water. Our reasoning for turn the jelly from clear in light to glowing blue when shown with an ultra violet light was because of The Sageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s temporal nature. The Sage in the daytime is extremely quite however at night it becomes a completely different space, becoming vibrant and sociable.