Introduction
Newcastle welcomes you to its first urban honey farm! Situated under three disused viaduct arches, this project is a proposal to gradually evolve Newcastle from its binding monetary system into a resource based economy. In other words, the sheer abundance of products means that their worth drops to zero, and is freely available for all. Taking Todmorden’s ‘Incredible Edible’ project as a precedent, it is our intention to regenerate the unused green spaces of the city by planting thousands of fruit trees, vegetables and herbs around town, which would be free to use by anybody. Our honeybees will aid in the pollination of up to 75 per cent of this vegetation, a vital commodity to the city. Masses of people will be attracted to the green spaces of Newcastle, and participate in a freefor-all leisure activity which is enjoyable and productive. Phase two of this proposal will be to link these green areas throughout the city, creating green avenues of edibles and making the city a more beautiful place to reside.
Introduction Early Design Concepts The void spaces in Newcastle tell the story of the town’s history, as the city grows these virgin plots remain for reasons not immediately evident. The site is located under three arches in an ignored and underappreciated area of Newcastle. Design concepts stem from the flight of the bumblebee and the production of food.
Environmental Parameters
Average Maximum Temperature across Britain
Temperature Mapping
Environmental Parameters
Average Minimum Temperature across Britain
Temperature Mapping
Environmental Parameters
Average Seasonal Sunshine
Sunshine Mapping
Solar Analysis
Environmental Parameters Spring Equinox These diagrams display the shadows created around Newcastle throughout the year.
10am
1pm
4pm
Summer
Winter
Solar Analysis
Environmental Parameters Newcastle Cumulative Shadows
Cumulative Shadows of Newcastle’s Bridges
Spring
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Solar Analysis
Environmental Parameters Cumulative Shadows on Site
Typical Spring Day
Typical Summer Day
Typical Winter Day
Environmental Parameters These diagrams show the wind directions in Newcastle and their prevalence. The further from the centre, the higher the wind-speed. As can be observed, the general trend is a North-Easterly prevailing wind (shown in paler colours) with the darker hues representing ever less frequent winds.
Hours of wind
Wind Analysis
Wind Analysis
Environmental Parameters These diagrams show the direction of Newcastle’s winds, and their prevalence throughout the year. A longer arm represents a more prevalent wind.
Spring
Autumn
Summer
Winter
Wind Analysis
Environmental Parameters
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Environmental Parameters Newcastle Wind Exposure
A cross-section through Newcastle, showing the turbulent wind zones in yellow and the sheltered areas in red.
Wind Analysis
Water Analysis
Environmental Parameters
Average Seasonal Rainfall (days) The above diagrams illustrate the seasonal rainfall averages of North-East England. As shown, Newcastle consistently keeps in the lower bracket of 26-30 days per season.
Average Monthly Rainfall (Days)
11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
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Dec
Water Analysis
Environmental Parameters Newcastle’s main drinking water source
Great Britain flood risk
2 metre rise in sea-level
4 metre rise in sea-level
14 metre rise in sea-level
As shown in the above diagrams, Newcastle is not prone to rising sea-levels. If sea-levels rise on average 1 metre per 100 years, in 1400 years the city will still not be affected.
The journey drinking water takes to get to Newcastle
Environmental Parameters
Water Analysis
Subterranean Water Pipe Network
Distribution Main Raw Water Main Trunk Main Proposed Main Private Main
Geology
Structural Parameters Macro Level Geology Pennine Lower Coal Sandstone Pennine Middle Coal Tynemouth Newcastle
Till Grindstone
Geology Maps
Sunderland
Meso Level Geology Till Clay Newcastle City Centre
Sandstone Pennine Middle Coal Unknown Clay and Silt
Gateshead
Sand and Gravel
The predominant ground material that surround Newcastle is coal. Around Newcastle areas of this coal are still present but with large amounts of till, consisting of clay, sand, gravel and boulders, which consume the majority of the land build up.
Structural Parameters
Geology
Borehole sites around Tyneside Analysis of boreholes around Tyneside. The borehole sections display the rock formations within the strata and substrata.
Structural Parameters
Geology
Site Constraints
Structural Parameters
The location of the site amongst the seven arches of the viaduct means that there is plenty of space in the unused arches for storage. There is a minor road (Heath Court) which is large enough for lorries to access the site, and it is seldom used, meaning there will be little disruption during construction. Both the underground sewage pipelines and the water pipelines avoid the site completely, yet are close enough to utilise when construction is complete. Two buildings disrupt the free movement of cranes when they are in location, but should not hinder in the positioning of the pods once they are inserted into the arches. There are few site constraints that will hinder the construction of this building, so conclusively this is a very convenient site to build upon.
Storage locations Access road for loading and unloading Site Underground sewage pipelines Underground water pipelines Crane location movement arcs
Construction Parameters Quarries in Tyne and Wear
Historic Vernacular Listed Buildings
Limestone and sandstone quarries situated around Newcastle. Explains the prevalence of such materials in Newcastle’s architecture Locally sourced, sustainable material
Medieval street layout
Remaining medieval streets in Newcastle Blue highlights remaining medieval alleyways, ginnels and staircases
Vernacular styles exhibit prevalent use of locally sourced materials. Neo-classical styles feature flat or gently sloped roofs to accentuate feeling of dominance, ignoring vernacular functions. Tall windows to let in maximum light.
Sustainability Criteria
Construction Parameters The sustainability strategy for the site will be deduced from 5 criteria. They are: 1 - All materials should be sourced locally 2 - All energy required should be sourced from local, renewable sources 3 - Project should have the potential to be removed and recycled
4 - Build with an aim to maximise environmental benefits while minimising negative impacts 5 - Maximise social and economic benefits
1 - Locally Sourced Materials
2 - Locally Sourced, Clean Renewable Energy
Sandstone widely used in Newcastle after the prosperity the Industrial Revolution brought. Quarries found as little as 25 miles away.
Due to ample monthly rainfall levels, rainwater can be harvested on site. Solar energy can also be utilised, be it to help provide electricity or to aid in ventilating the building.
Timber also sourced locally, from Northumberland National Park. Grown sustainably and in plentiful supply.
The proximity of the river Tyne could also help in the production of clean energy. Tidal power can be harnessed, or the simple continuous flow of water downstream could be used to power turbines and create electricity. Using locally sourced materials means less energy is used in transporting materials to site. Also intended to utilise local bespoke businesses in order to promote local trade and strengthen community bonds.
Construction Parameters
Sustainability Criteria
3 - Potential to Remove and Recycle
4 - Maximise Environmental Benefits
5 - Maximise Social and Economic Benefits
Providing the function of the design was that it be removable, it might be necessary that the design be a series of modular structures, which are easily fitted together or taken apart.
In order to maximise environmental benefits, certain criteria must be adhered to:
In order to minimise negative social and economic impacts in Newcastle:
Maximise use of reuseable materials
Aid in community development by promoting local interactions between residents.
Maximise use of retainable reuseable energy Monitoring of water and energy use Maximise wastewater renewal and recycling
The recyclability of the materials comprising these modules would be vital in retaining a sustainable ethos. Materials such as sandstone and wood are sourced locally, thereby reducing transportation costs. Other local materials can be used such as sheep’s wool for insulation.
Also, subject to availability, scrap machinery from the extinct industries could be used to create bespoke modules.
Actively aid in the conservation of wildlife species in the area. Employ local residents Utilise local and fair-trade products
Promote local entrepreneurs to develop and sell sustainable products based upon the nature, history and culture of Newcastle.
Environmental Strategies
Synergistic and Environmental Programme Space
Entrance
Hive Room
Typologies
Argument
South Facing Shade Mandatory Sheltered
Narrow entrance creates darkness, providing strong contrast when entering the main hive room
South Facing Shade Tolerant Sheltered
Hive should not be exposed to direct sunlight to help mimic the natural environment of the beehive interior
Environmental Strategies
Synergistic and Environmental Programme Space
Staff Room
Honey Room
Typologies
Argument
Indirectly Illuminated Ambient Lighting Shade Tolerant
Relaxing atmosphere
Indirectly Illuminated Ambient atmosphere
No direct sunlight to reduce glare from metal machinery
Environmental Strategies
Synergistic and Environmental Programme Space
Wax Room
Shop
Typologies
Indirectly Illuminated Sheltered
South Facing Direct Sunlight
Argument
No direct sunlight to reduce glare from metal machinery
Should be exposed to direct sunlight to allow maximum amount of natural light into the space, in order to better see the products on display
Environmental Strategies
Synergistic and Environmental Programme Space
Intermediary Spaces
Typologies
Naturally well lit Semi permeable facade Well Ventilated
Argument
Provides physical link between outside and inside. Makes you question what is inside and what is outside
Environmental Strategies
Solar Analysis Spring Equinox Spring sun, 45 degrees Moderate morning sunlight Ample afternoon sunlight No evening sunlight
Environmental Strategies
Solar Analysis Summer Summer sun, 61 degrees Ample morning sunlight Excessive afternoon sunlight No evening sunlight
Environmental Strategies
Solar Analysis Spring Equinox Winter sun, 12 degrees Sparse morning sunlight Moderate afternoon sunlight No evening sunlight
It is clear that the site receives no evening sunlight at all throughout the year, however it does receive plenty of natural light in the morning and afternoon. The building has been suspended a few metres above the ground in order to receive more natural light. It has also been established through these diagrams that the site does not overshadow any buildings, although it is itself overshadowed.
Environmental Strategies
Wind Analysis The prevailing wind originates from the SouthWest, rarely exceeding level 4 on the Beaufort Scale (13-17mph) and is channeled through the city buildings, largely diverting its course away from the site. The breeze that does flow past the site, however, in fact aids in the ventilation of the site. As wind rushes past the archways, it sucks air from the other side through, maintaining a steady flow of cool air through the site.
Detail of wind movement through the archways
The convenient location of the site once again proves beneficial to its synergistics, utilising natural ventilation efficiently.
Wind facilitated ventilation
Environmental Strategies
The Tyne River
The River Tyne lies relatively close to the site (highlighted in red), however it is too far away for it to be of any influence. The site is 14 metres above the river level, and so ther poses no risk of flooding.
Water Analysis
Proximal Sewage Pipe System
Proximal Water Pipe System
The underground sewage pipes run very close to the site, yet are far enough away to pose no threat during the construction process. They are in a handy location for connecting additional pipework to the main sewer system, as minimum disruption would occur.
The underground water systems again lie very close to the site, yet they would not be disturbed during construction. The close proximity of these pipes allow easy connection to the mains system, and far fewer materials need be used in order to connect up to the water mains.
Environmental Strategies
Servicing Strategies
Passive Ventilation Strategy: Cool air passing through the archways enters the building, drawing hot air emanating from the observation hives up and out through the upper levels of the building, thus keeping the interior spaces at an ambient temperature.
Environmental Strategies
Servicing Strategies
Hive Room and Staff Room Passive Ventilation Strategy
Natural and Artificial Lighting Strategy
The rooms here are ventilated passively due to the currents of air flowing constantly Both the hive room and the staff room would ideally like to be indirectly illuminated by around and through the building. The cold air is drawn through the hive room, pulling the sun, as the honeybees would prefer a darker environment. However, the intermedithe hot air from the hives up and out, keeping the rooms at an ambient temperature. ary space, the walkway between different archways, is basked in direct sunlight, providing extreme lighting as well as spatial contrasts between the rooms of the building.
Environmental Strategies
Servicing Strategies
Honey Room Passive Ventilation Strategy
Natural and Artificial Lighting Strategy
The honey room is passively ventilated due to the currents of air flowing constantly around and through the building. The cold air is drawn through the room, pulling the hot air up and out, keeping the rooms at an ambient temperature.
The honey room should be indirectly illuminated by the sun, in order to prevent glare from the sun off of all the metallic machinery. However, the intermediary space, the walkway between different archways, is basked in direct sunlight, providing extreme lighting as well as spatial contrasts between the rooms of the building.
Environmental Strategies
Servicing Strategies
Hive Room and Staff Room Passive Ventilation Strategy
Natural and Artificial Lighting Strategy
The rooms here are ventilated passively due to the currents of air flowing constantly around and through the building. The cold air is drawn through the wax room, pulling the hot air from the machinery up and out, keeping the rooms at an ambient temperature.
The wax room should be indirectly illuminated by the sun, in order to prevent glare from the sun off of the metallic machinery The natural light will be subsidised by artificial lighting. However, the shop on the upper level is basked in direct sunlight, providing comfortable lighting so as to be able to exhibit the products available under natural light
Environmental Strategies
Servicing Strategies Plant Room
Plant room houses all the services of the building such as the boiler, dishwasher and toilets.
Structural Strategies
Architectural/Engineering Precedents Suspension Bridge, Trift Glacier, Switzerland Structural Engineers: Ingenieurburo Hans Pfaffen, Chur 168m long Recycled steel tension cable bridge, features parabolic underspanned suspension cables for support. Used as a precedent for suspended walkways between arches, delicate construction yet extremely tough
Structural Strategies
Architectural/Engineering Precedents Birds Nest Treehouse, Inredningsgruppen, Sweden Architect: Bertil Harstrom This concept is based upon the contrast between exterior and interior. From the outside it appears as a big nest, only the scale separating it from the other nests in the vicinity. Discreet windows are almost hidden by the network of branches. Inside it is a high standard room with modern design. A coachwork panel decorates the inner wall. There is space and beds for a family with two children. The bedroom is a separate room with sliding doors. You access the nest by a retractable staircase. Used as a precedent for its contrast between interior and exterior, and also its suspension above the ground and its bird nest appearance.
Facade Design
Structural Strategies Metropol Parasol, Seville Jurgen Mayer H.
Used as a precedent for its innovative use of Glulam beams and organic flowing shape, as well as its undulating rooftop walkway.
Architectural/Engineering Precedents La Roche Residence, Archiplein, France
This bird nest staircase influenced my design of a similar system, combining the staircase precedent with the suspension bridge, creating a suspension staircase which winds itself up through my building in between ther facade wall and the interior glulam structure.
Structural Strategies
Bracing Strategies Masonry or concrete foundation may continue up as exterior wall
Steel base plates anchored to concrete foundation wall or to a continuous bond beam in masonry walls.
Open-web steel joists
100-150mm minimum bearing for regular joists; 150-230mm minimum for long-span joists
Wood beam
Section through Honey Farm
Column support for beams
Provide 13mm minimum air space on the tops, sides and ends of wood beams entering a concrete or masonry wall unless pressure treated wood is used; additional space may be required for construction access.
Building felt prevents direct contact between wood and masonry.
Shims to level beam 75mm minimum bearing for wood beams supported on concrete or masonry; thicken wall to form a pilaster if additional bearing is required.
Beam hanger with concealed flanges
Pocket to receive wood beam
Built up beam resting on built up column Steel angle with web stiffener
Stud wall framing Header or rim joist Wood joist framing
Kerfed beam set into steel plate
Bearing block bolted to column Diagonally braced connection Post with saw kerf at base Through bolts with countersunk heads and nuts Steel plate welded to base Concrete foundation wall or isolated pier
Sill plate anchors or holddowns may be required to secure the wall and floor framing to the foundation against uplifting wind or seismic force
Pressure treated 2x6 or 2x8 sill plate typical; lay over fibrous sill sealer to reduce air infiltration; level with shims if necessary
Post or column Column base with anchor strap cast into concrete foundation wall or pier Through-bolts 150mm to grade minimum Building code may require a 51mm standoff height above concrete when exposed to weather or water splash.
Additional thickness for masonry cavity or veneer walls
Structural loads on steel tension cables
13mm anchor bolts embedded into concrete or the grouted cells of masonry cavity walls at no more than 1830mm
Structural Strategies
Glulam frames are pre-made in a factory
Floorboards inserted
The wooden frame would be suspended from the arches first, then the walkways would be attached to the frame and also reinforced to the walls. Finally, the facade would be lifted in place, secured, and the walkways would then be connected to the facade to give the whole structure rigidity.
Ease of Erecting
Cross bracing are attached in place to give the frame rigidity
Observation hives are inserted
Structural Strategies Fireproofing Beams Reinforced concrete Thickness of the concrete cover and size of the steel member determine the fire rating
Fireproofing Floors and Roofs
Fireproofing walls and partitions
1-hour rating
1-hour rating
Clay or shale brick with brick and mortar fill Building paper to break bond 2-hour rating Multiple layers of gypsum board; or perlite or vermiculite gypsum plaster on metal or gypsum lath
Concrete and masonry walls Solid reinforced concrete 165mm - 4-hour rating 150mm - 3-hour rating 125mm - 2-hour rating 90mm - 1-hour rating Solid brick masonry 205mm - 4-hour rating 150mm - 2-hour rating 100mm - 1-hour rating Brick cavity wall 255mm - 4-hour rating
Concrete masonry wall 205mm - 2 to 4-hour rating 150mm - 1.5 hour rating 100mm - 1-hour rating
Double wood floor Wood joists 405mm 13mm type X gypsum board or16mm gypsum plaster or metal lath Fire-resistant roofing over wood fiber insulation board and 38mm steel roof deck
2x4 studs 16mm gypsum plaster on metal lath, or two layers 13mm regular gypsum board or 16mm type X gypsum board on each side
64mm steel studs 16mm gypsum plaster on metal lath, or 16mm type X gypsum board on each side
Steel joists 19mm gypsum plaster on metal lath
Spray-on fireproofing is a mixture of gypsum plaster, mineral fibres with an inorganic binder, or magnesium oxychloride cement, applied by air pressure with a spray gun to provide a thermal barrier to the heat of a fire Liquid-filled columns are hollow structural-steel columns filled with water to increase their fire resistance. If exposed to flame, the water absorbs heat, rises by convection to remove the heat, and is replaced by cooler water from a storage tank or a city water main
Fireproofing
51mm solid gypsum plaster partition with 19mm channels and 10mm gypsum lath
51mm reinforced concrete slab on steel form units Steel joists 16mm type X gypsum board or perlite plaster on 10mm perforated gypsum lath attached to 19mm cold-rolled channels 4-hour rating
2-hour rating Similar to above but with 64mm slab and 19mm vermiculite gypsum plaster on metal lath
2x4 studs 22mm neat-wood fibered gypsum plaster on metal lath, or two layers 16mm type X gypsum board on each side
75mm slab Reinforced concrete joists 25mm vermiculite gypsum plaster on metal lath attached to 19mm cold-rolled channels at 305mm
Steel studs at 405mm or 610mm
38mm sand-gravel concrete topping 205mm precast concrete slabs with all joints grouted 165mm regular or 125mm expanded shale concrete slab
19mm perlite gypsum plaster on 10mm perforated gypsum lath, or two layers 13mm type X gypsum board on each side
51mm solid gypsum plaster partition or 13mm type X gypsum board on each side of 25mm gypsum coreboard
Structural Strategies Fire Walls
Fireproofing/Span:Depth Ratios Span Ranges for Wood Joists
Fire walls are required to have a fire-resistance rating sufficient to prevent the spread of fire from one part of a building to another. They must extend in a continuous manner from the foundation to a parapet above the roof or building, or to the underside of a non-combustible roof. All openings in fire walls are restricted to a certain percentage of the wall length and must be protected by self closing firedoors, fire-rated window assemblies, and, in the case of air ducts, by fire and smoke dampers.
2x6
up to 3050mm
2x8
2440mm - 3660mm
2x10
3050mm - 4265mm
2x12
3660mm - 5485mm
Rule of thumb for estimating joist depth: span/16 Joist deflection should not exceed 1/360th of span. The stiffness of the joist framing under stress is more critical than its strength. If the overall construction depth is acceptable, deeper joists spaced further apart are more desirable for stiffness than shallow joists spaced closely together.
Structural Strategies
Embodied Energy
Construction Strategies
Facade
Facade Elevation
Facade cross section, showing walkway and tension cables
Walkway and steel cable detail
Steel tension cable facade Pros
Steel tension cable facade Cons
Recycled steel tension cables, durable, further recyclable
Low thermal performance, very holey facade, semi permeable
Incredibly strong Low maintenance Stainless steel cable weather resistant, will not corrode “A facade is a means of negotiating between different energy zones�. This facade quite literally segregates various zones of the building, and integrates with it, weaving in and out of the structure The style of this facade is derived from the language of the bee; the flight of the bumblebee. Despite this, its sits coherently within the site and forms an attractive outer membrane.
Connection Detail
Construction Strategies
Roofing
Green Roofs
Green roofs provide large thermal masses, which help to retain heat. They also retain moisture which also helps to offset exterior temperatures. Effective at keeping the building warm in winter and cool in summer Minimal maintenance required to keep a green roof, aesthetically pleasing to see an unkempt green roof, allowed to take its own form. My building is almost entirely sheltered underneath arches, and so my roof is already in situ. Needles to say, there is no reason why i cannot plant a green roof atop the viaduct itself, and in time allow this to become overgrown and spread down over my building. This is a very sustainable answer to my roofing problem.
Solar Vacuum Tubes as Roofing structure Solar vacuum tubes use the energy from the sun to heat water. These tubes would fit seamlessly into my facade design, providing a coherent yet functional solution to my roofing issue.
The only issue I have with solar vacuum tubes is that they will probably not be necessary. I plan to harness the heat created from my bee hives to heat and ventilate the building. So another stategy to take would be tensile structures, wrapped around my facade. This would be very lightweight, cheap, easily removed come nice weather, it would be durable, and adaptable.