Part 1 Graduate Portfolio - Autumn 2023

Architecture Portfolio 2023

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+ Architecture

Portfolio Alfie Demmon 2023

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Alfie Demmon

Cover Image: Collaged + Populated Space Digital Model, Grasshopper Script and Collage September 2023

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Architecture Portfolio 2023

Contents Page

Contents:

Contact

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Project 01: El Monumento Río Turia + Instituto de Investigación

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Curriculum Vitae Information

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Project 02: The Sericulturalist’s Cocoon

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Project 03: Longport Monastery Housing Unit

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Project 04: Collage Folly/ies - [WIP-09.2023]

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Project 05: Drawing Machine

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Project 06: The Burrow

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Project 07: Dissertation: ‘Dunwich Heath and Me’

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Alfie Demmon

Curriculum Vitae Alfie Demmon

BA (Hons) Architecture Graduate University for the Creative Arts, Canterbury 2023

Education BA (Hons) Architecture - 2:1, 2019-23 University for the Creative Arts, Canterbury, Kent Foundation Diploma in Art and Design - Merit, 2018-19 Suffolk New College, Ipswich, Suffolk GCSE + A levels, 2011-18 Thomas Mills High School, Framlingham, Suffolk

Work Experience

About I am a hard working, creative and resilient architect with a strong design ethos based on simplicity in design and a reverence for materials. I enjoy finding creative solutions to challenges and I am always looking to learn new techniques and methods to improve my personal practice.

I have a friendly and enthusiastic approach to my work and others, making me a strong member of a group with the resourcefulness and intuition to work well independently.

I am looking forward to working in a professional environment and seeing the connection between theory and real world architectural practice.

In my spare time I am a keen artist and musician. I also enjoy a variety of sports including swimming, climbing and skateboarding.

RLSS Qualified Lifeguard, 2018-2023 Framlingham Leisure, Framlingham, Suffolk CNC Machine Working, 2018-2020 Athena Tech, Parham, Suffolk Cleaner, 2018-2019 Thomas Mills High School, Framlingham, Suffolk Volunteer Visitor Experience and Conservation Ranger, 2015-2020 National Trust, Dunwich Heath, Dunwich, Suffolk

Awards/Prizes Canterbury School of Architecture: Dissertation Award, 2022 ‘The Phenomenology of Dunwich Heath’ - (PDF Available on request) American Institute of Architects (UK) Student Charrette Winner, 2021 ‘Bloomsbury Rain Catchers’ - (Group Project) Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, 2018 Expedition to Snowdonia, Northern Wales The Cut Arts Centre People’s Award, 2017 Large Scale Folded Paper Pieces Prints - (Prints sold) Ipswich Art Society First Prize, 2017 Folded Paper Pieces + Large Scale Prints - (Folded pieces sold)

Technical Skills Digital: Graphic Software: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator + InDesign CAD + 3D Modelling: AutoCAD, Rhino + Grasshopper Other: Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Premiere, GarageBand, Audacity Physical: 2D Media: hand sketching + technical drawing, physical + digital collage, print making, spray painting 3D Media: Origami/paper folding, woodworking, plaster casting, hand + machine sewing, laser cutting, 3D printing, pottery throwing + hand building 4D Media: Classical guitar, analogue + digital music production/sound design, animation, film making Miscellaneous: Site surveying, photography, research skills, combining physical + digital media

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Architecture Portfolio 2023

Curriculum Vitae + Contact Information

Contact Information: Email: ajhdemmon@outlook.com Telephone: Home - (01728) XXXXX Mobile - (+44) XXXX XXXXXX

LinkedIn:

Full education history, past work experience and relevant qualifications. @Alfie Demmon

Instagram:

A continuously updated body of my artistic and architectural work. @process.dot.product

YouTube:

Video, animation and temporal media experiments. @Alfie Demmon

SoundCloud:

Sonic exploration, sound design and music making. @Magnus Neilsson

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Alfie Demmon

El Monumento Río Turia + Instituto de Investigación

[The River Turia Memorial + Research Institute] A public research and arts centre for exploration our relationship with water in urban spaces El Carmen Valencia Spain (39°28’38.8”N, 00°22’48.4”W)

Cities are founded and continue to develop on the banks of bodies of water. The water is the city’s lifeblood and becomes synonymous with the city’s identity. Being such an integral part of the city, what remains when this water is removed? What is gained, what is lost? Following devastating flooding during the autumn of 1957, Valencia made the drastic decision to divert the River Turia from its original course through the city centre to a new course around the Southern boundary of the urban realm. The bed of the drained river was transformed into the River Turia Gardens; a 9km public park.

Despite the creation of this unique green space there is still an appetite for water in the city of Valencia. Local artists have created installations throughout the city that reference water; its sound, feeling, appearance and overall presence in urban space. The River Turia Monument and Research Institute acts as a memorial to the old river whilst also providing spaces to explore the current and future relationships between the city and water.

The proposal houses spaces for scientific and experiential inquiry alongside a landscape proposal to introduce a new blue and green space into the heart of Valencia’s old town; an oasis and welcome break in the urban grain.

The River Turia Monument and Research Institute allows visitors to examine and form their own relationships with water and the urban environment. Many spaces have aquatic elements that allow people to experience the presence of water in the centre of the city again. This will lead to people asking bigger questions of urban space and how our cities can be more hospitable now and remain a comfortable place to live going into the future.

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Project 01 - El Monumento Río Turia + Instituto de Investigación

Architecture Portfolio 2023

Scientific Spaces: Concept Collage A3 - 297x420mm April 2023 4

Alfie Demmon El Monumento Río Turia + Instituto de Investigación

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Site Plan Site Programmes: A. Site wide water feature (SUDS) B. Succulent Garden C. Endemic plant and tree planting throughout D. ‘El Monumento Río Turia + Instituto de Investigación’ E. ‘Cielo de Agua (Water Sky)’ Pavilion

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Project 01 - El Monumento Río Turia + Instituto de Investigación

Architecture Portfolio 2023

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1:200 on A2 594x420mm May 2023 6

Alfie Demmon El Monumento Río Turia + Instituto de Investigación

Elevations and Plans

North Elevation

East Elevation

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Ground Floor

First Floor

Second Flo

Entrance, reception, water feature, showcase of on site archaeology, fire escape exit

Concert hall/perfomance space with water course, exhibition space 1, archaeology viewing area, cafe, kitchen

Concert hall/p space with wa research librar space II, office

Architecture Portfolio 2023

Project 01 - El Monumento Río Turia + Instituto de Investigación

Both 1:200 1189x420mm May 2023

South Elevation

West Elevation

oor

Third Floor

Roof

perfomance ater course, ry, exhibition es

Hydrological laboratory, gallery/exhibition space III, hydroponic farm

Habitat emulation domes, photovoltaic cells, water tanks, grey water recycling centre

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Alfie Demmon El Monumento Río Turia + Instituto de Investigación

Technical Detail + Bay Study

1:50 on A1 594x841mm May 2023 9

Project 01 - El Monumento Río Turia + Instituto de Investigación

Architecture Portfolio 2023 ‘Cielo Agua’ [Water Sky] Pavilion - Interior View

El Monumento Río Turia + Instituto de Investigación

Transverse Section (Also cutting through ‘Cielo Agua’ - [Water Sky] Pavilion)

1:100 on A2 594x420mm May 2023 10

Alfie Demmon El Monumento Río Turia + Instituto de Investigación

Longitudinal Section Space Programmes: A. Habitat Emulation Domes B. Hydrological Laboratory C. Hydroponic Farm D. Concert Hall/Perfomance Space E. Research Library F. Exhibition Spaces I + II G. Cafe H. Archaeology Showcase I. Covered Outside Area A

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Project 01 - El Monumento Río Turia + Instituto de Investigación

Architecture Portfolio 2023

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1:50 on A0 1189x841mm May 2023 12

Alfie Demmon

The Sericulturalist’s Cocoon

A single occupant, self-made space for a sericulturalist silk maker Franciscan Gardens Canterbury Kent (51°16’45.6”N, 01°04’37.5”E) Canterbury’s silk making industry collapsed during the beginning of the 18th Century with the invention of automated silk looms and cheaper imports from Asia. At its peak, over 2000 looms were operational in Canterbury making it the largest centre for silk production outside London. All the looms that still operate in the city are used exclusively to make ecclesiastical robes.

The Sericultralist’s Cocoon is a space for a young sericulturalist (silk worm farmer) who wishes to reinvigorate Canterbury’s silk industry with a series of decentralised, silk-making outposts producing thread for the city’s silk looms.

The Sericulturalist’s Cocoon is inspired by the structures found in the cocoons of silk-producing invertebrates with the different layers of its structure, waterproofing and cladding being analogous to the layers in real silk cocoons. The Cocoon is formed of a set of CNC plywood and reclaimed pallet wood ribs that sit in a cradle of scaffolding poles that are fixed to blocks of buried concrete, thus raising the structure from the ground. The ribs are clad with a waterproof membrane and a single length of manilla rope acting as an analogue for the single strand of silk fibre that makes up the form of a silk cocoon.

Light enters the space through a large aperture at the top of the structure akin to the hole made in a silk cocoon when the pupae inside emerges. Light also permeates into the structure through small holes in the the rope facade; unique imperfections enabled by imperfect wrapping of the rope around the ribbed structure.

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Project 02 - The Sericulturalist’s Cocoon

Architecture Portfolio 2023

1:10 on A2 420x594mm November 2022 14

Alfie Demmon

The Sericulturalist’s Cocoon

Longitudinal Section A. [Buried] concrete base blocks B. Bucket of dye C. [Above] light/ventilation opening D. Work bench E. Boiling pot F. Access Opening

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1:10 on A2 420x594mm November 2022 15

Project 02 - The Sericulturalist’s Cocoon

Architecture Portfolio 2023

The Sericulturalist’s Cocoon

1:5 on A0 841x1189mm November 2022

Longitudinal Section A. Scaffolding Poles B. Light/Ventilation Opening C. Skeins of silk thread D. ‘Castle’ style spinning wheel E. Boiling pot F. Access Opening G. Access Ladder H. [Buried] Concrete base blocks

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Alfie Demmon The Sericulturalist’s Cocoon

Exploded Isometric Drawing Technical Elements: 1. Umbrella Opening Cover 2. Scaffolding Poles 3. Light + Ventilation Opening 4. Plywood Vertical Supports 5. Timber Horizontal Supports 6. Transparent Waterproof Membrane 7. Manilla Rope Facade 8. Plywood Floor Panels 9. Timber Floor Support Blocks 10. Acces Opening 11. Access Ladder 12. [Buried] Concrete Base Blocks

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Project 02 - The Sericulturalist’s Cocoon

Architecture Portfolio 2023

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Not to scale A2 - 594x420mm November 2022 18

Alfie Demmon The Sericulturalist’s Cocoon

Artefact The Artefact is a material study for The Sericulturalist’s Cocoon. It makes use of suitable analogues for the proposed materials for the cocoon; wire in place of the scaffolding poles, manilla twine in place of the rope facade, etc.

Analogous materials highlight and allow for a better appreciation of the interactions and interfaces between the different natural and industrial materials that would make up the built structure of The Sericulturalist’s Cocoon.

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Project 02 - The Sericulturalist’s Cocoon

Architecture Portfolio 2023 Media: Manilla twine, square section pine dowel, wire and paper label Approx. 450x450mm November 2022

Photos taken: A. Demmon + D. Mohan June 2023 20

Alfie Demmon A

C B

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A. Canterbury Cathedral B. Remains of St Augustine’s Abbey C. St Martin’s Priory D. Longport Monastery Proposal Site

Longport Monastery - Housing Unit

A proposal for a reinstating of the Augustinian Monastery in Canterbury Longport Car Park Canterbury Kent (51°16’38.2”N, 01°05’16.0”E)

Monasteries present an interesting approach to co-living in the modern age. Essential amenities are shared, while all members of the order hold unique roles in the maintenance and everyday running of the monastery. Referring to each other as ‘brothers’, the monks in the monastery exist as a form of atypical family under their shared father in God. In an age of increasing social atomisation, isolation and nihilism, the simple life offered by a monastery with its shared faith and worship may offer a powerful counterpoint to the complexity and flaws in modern society.

This is the design for a housing unit as part of the newly proposed Longport Monastery in Canterbury. The proposed desing is close to the remains of St Augustine’s Abbey demolished by Henry VIII during the Reformation. This firmly situates the proposal within its historical and religious context, paying homage to the religious orders that once did, and still do call Canterbury home.

The housing unit is formed of structural rammed earth walls that join the housing units together, creating a protective wall which separates the secular and religious spaces of the street and the Monastery’s cloister. The rammed earth is largely made from reclaimed masonry, tarmac and concrete from the existing Longport Car Park and nearby housing developments.

This imbues the rammed earth with a unique colour gradient and patina that firmly situates it within its architectural context.

Internally the houses are made using reclaimed timber, creating a simple, paired back aesthetic that resembles monastic cells that monks have traditionally live in.

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Project 03 - Longport Monastery - Housing Unit

Architecture Portfolio 2023

Longport Monastery: Cloister - External View

Longport Monastery

Masterplan A. Housing Units B. Drying Space/Icon Gallery C. Cloister D. Chapel E. Refectory

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1:250 on A2 420x594mm December 2022 22

Alfie Demmon Longport Monastery - Housing Unit

Floor Plans

A A

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Ground Floor

First F

A. Monastic Cells B. Kitchenette and Sitting Area C. Covered Walkway D. Cloister

A. Mon B. Land C. Toile D. Void

Project 03 - Longport Monastery - Housing Unit

Architecture Portfolio 2023

A A

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[F] D

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Floor

Second Floor

nastic Cells ding ets and Showers to floor below

A. Studio B. Access to neighbouring studios C. Toilet D. Landing E. Reading Space F. Void to Floors below

1:50 on A2 420x594mm December 2022 24

Alfie Demmon

Longport Monastery Housing Unit: Studio Space

Longport Monastery Housing Unit: Monastic Cell 25

Project 03 - Longport Monastery - Housing Unit

Architecture Portfolio 2023

Longport Monastery - Housing Unit

Exploded Isometric Drawing Programmatic Elements: A. Studio B. Landing + Reading Space C. First Floor Monastic Cells D. Landing + Showers E. Ground Floor Monastic Cells F. Kitchenette + Sitting Area G. Covered Walkway

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Not to scale A1 - 594x841mm December 2022 26

Alfie Demmon

Collage Folly/ies - [WIP-09.2023]

An ongoing project exploring the links between analogue, physical collage and the creation of architecture in digital space My first year at university was carried out using analogue drawing and model-making techniques exclusively. The drawings created were rich with character, texture and a sense of identity of both the designer and the proposal being presented. However, after the first year there was an expectation that work would be produced digitally, thus taking full advantage of the quicker turnaround times and faster iteration cycles that these processes enable and often emphasise.

However, it is my opinion that until a high level of proficiency is achieved within digital software these quicker, more efficient methods have removed a large portion of the character from the final drawings. This actively inhibits the natural formation of a personal graphic style. University deadlines are not conducive to developing this style.

To bridge this gap, I have been investigating techniques to generate shapes and forms in digital space from physical collages that better represent my personal aesthetic and style that has been developed organically over a lifetime of material and procedural exploration. The initial results of this exploration have been the random field of collaged shapes seen on the cover of this document and a series of tower ‘follies’ of which one iteration has been presented here. Further interrogation of this method is ongoing.

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Project 04 - Collage Folly/ies - [WIP-09.2023]

Architecture Portfolio 2023

Not to scale A3 - 420x297mm September 2023 28

Alfie Demmon

[01]: Create physical/analogue collage using opaque, high contrast shapes//forms.

[02]: Extract shapes/forms in digital, 2D format to export into 3D modelling software.

[03]: Extrude, slot and itersect forms to create structures in 3D space. >> Iterate_

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Project 04 - Collage Folly/ies - [WIP-09.2023]

Architecture Portfolio 2023 Collage Folly Iteration 01 [WIP]: Elevation

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Alfie Demmon

Collage Folly Iteration 01 [WIP]: Plan + Shadows 31

Project 04 - Collage Folly/ies - [WIP-09.2023]

Architecture Portfolio 2023 Collage Folly Iteration 01 [WIP]: External View

Collage Folly Iteration 01 [WIP]: Internal View

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Alfie Demmon

Drawing Machine

A unique instrument to record aspects of site that traditional surveying techniques often miss Oare Gunpowder Works Faversham Kent (51°19’35.5”N, 00°52’26.7”E) A thorough survey of a site is an essential part of the architectural design process.Without an in-depth understanding of the unique historical, ecological, sociological and physical environment of the site any intervention will not sit harmoniously within its context. always be ‘other’ to it.

The Drawing Machine addresses a failure in traditional surveying techniques to record the material and textural qualities of site.

Designed to be operated by a single user, The Drawing Machine creates a 1:1 textural drawing of the unique patina and material qualities of the site, allowing these characteristics to be studied and referenced at a later date.

Through its use the machine gives the user a new and unique experience of the qualities of the site. Every change in material and texture is felt through the mechanism of machine’s recording process, creating textural memories in the mind of the user that can be recalled through study of the drawings.

The Drawing Machine was built as part of a group project in my first year of university, following a comprehensive traditional survey of the remains of the Corning House in the Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park in Faverhsam, Kent. This was the site of the machine’s first use as a surveying tool. Being nearly two centuries old, the site’s age meant there was a rich body of worn textures that our drawings lacked but the machine could capture. This added a richness and depth of character to our survey drawings that could not have been captured through other more conventional means.

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Project 05 - Drawing Machine

Architecture Portfolio 2023

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Alfie Demmon

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Project 05 - Drawing Machine

Architecture Portfolio 2023

Photos taken: J. Circket + A. Demmon October 2019 36

Alfie Demmon

Drawing Machine

Entry Boardwalk Drawing

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Project 05 - Drawing Machine

Architecture Portfolio 2023

Mud and debris on lining paper 10000x1580mm October 2019

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Alfie Demmon

A Smithy B Shower C Reading Room

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D Camera Obscura E Bedroom

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The Burrow

A subterranean dwelling for a troglodyte mycologist and blacksmith Oare Gunpowder Works Faversham Kent (51°19’35.8”N, 00°52’27.0”E)

The Burrow was an exercise in understanding space through the removal of matter as opposed to adding it; a form of antibuilding. In this way, furniture can be understood as pockets of unexcavated space; benches are made from raised beds of material, steps are formed directly from the space’s fabric while shelves are formed by carving alcoves directly into the walls.

Being entirely off-grid with no easy means of supplying the site with electricity, the use of natural light was paramount in the design process.This has been maximised wherever possible with large light wells being dug from the surface shaping the internal void spaces of The Burrow below. From the surface the dwelling is entirely concealed except for the tops of these light wells creating an interesting field of intriguing geometry.

Included within the proposal are spaces for reading and relaxation, washing and sleeping as well as specialist spaces including a smithy where the occupant can engage in their hobby.

Mycological alcoves throughout the proposal house a number of endemic fungi species while a ‘camera obscura’ allows the dweller a link to the surface and outside views despite their being in an entirely subterranean space.

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Project 06 - The Burrow

Architecture Portfolio 2023

Various Scales on A1 - 841x594mm [Pencil, ink, charcoal and collage on tracing paper] - June 2020

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Alfie Demmon

Dissertation: ‘Dunwich Heath and Me’

A phenomenological exploration of our experience of landscapes: A case study of Dunwich Heath Dunwich Heath Suffolk (52°15’31.8”N, 01°37’15.8”E) PDF copy available upon request.

The impetus of my research thesis was a discussion after a walk with a friend in the landscape of the beach and heath at the National Trust site at Dunwich Heath. Our feelings and impressions regarding the walk and the landscape differed greatly despite both occupying the same physical and temporal space.

My dissertation was an interrogation of these some of these differences; exploring their causes in the landscape and within the mind and how these intersect to form our experiences and memories of landscape. It was written as an attempt to better understand how it is that the series of large and immovable spaces that make up landscapes have a seemingly contradictory ability to be plastic and be shaped and informed by our own ideas, impressions as well as the physicality of the terrain and the passing of time.

As architects we are constantly creating new, and manipulating existing, space along with the experiences and memories that those spaces carry with them. The study of experience is called Phenomenology. It attempts to make concrete and analyse that which is inherently impossible to capture. Phenomenology is an essential and fundamental part of our understanding of architecture as it can be be used as a tool to understand how our designs will be understood by those that interact with and use these spaces.

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Project 07 - Dissertation: ‘Dunwich Heath and Me’

Architecture Portfolio 2023 Not to scale A4 - 210x297mm December 2021

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Alfie Demmon

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Thank you for reading.

Any further information about the projects presented here is available upon request.

AJHD - 2023

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