Artisan’s Hill
Against the Industrial City
The term Architect derives form Greek word: Architekton Archi – Chief Tekton – Builder
Throughout most of history there was no distinction between arts and crafts. Stonemasons, fresco painters, goldsmith, hatmaker etc. were simply makers in a guild system which would have them work their way up the ranks from apprentices, journeymen and eventually masters. At this point the craft would be passed on to the next generation.
A distinction started in the 1400s when renaissance modernism led to painters pushing the idea to pay based on skill rather than size (which was the tradition) this was fair but it elevated fields we recognize as fine arts over applied arts. Architects, painters, sculptors would be the face of art while others in the more practical fields would be artisans.
This divide has grown over the centuries and more so in western culture, industrialization has brought a similar divide in many working class fields, eventually entire cities are divided based on production and commerce. Areas can be split into housing, workplaces and recreational places.
The goal for Albion hill is to become a “place for everything and everything in its place”. Creating a unified locale where the traditional craft and varied techniques will be used to expand the current living standard of the housing estate. Manufacturing will be carried on site and the large area would provide a multitude of craft techniques to be learnt and practiced. The end goal is to create a small circular economy through the craftsmanship of self-build capsules, homes, furniture, accessories and more. The architect to an extent is the community and through their tacit knowledge individuals will play the role of the master builder.
*Blue
Site Analysis and Constraints
Precedent Analysis
text is/relates to a key manifesto points on craft
Barbican Estate Built post world war ii, the Barbican estate resembles a defensive architecture keeping out outsiders. This precedent was visited to as an example to see if features could be implemented for Albion hill. Although it’s a defensive site the walkways tackle the problem of accessibility and the Barbican’s various cultural, commercial and landscaping features create a city within the city. Some of these features were taken to implement into Albion hill but in a more welcoming way to outsiders. As the area cannot grow without an appreciation by the wider city. Granby Workshop Part of the Granby Four street CLT, Toxteth, Liverpool. Granby workshop is community interest company which manufactures Ceramics and tiles using local people and returns profits back into the community and business. During a tour of the workshop the spaces were analysed as a basis to create a similar operation in Albion hill. The workshop is rented by the CLT and uses half of a historical stable as a base. The remaining spaces are given to local business owners at an affordable rent, a section of the workshop is used as a communal tool store to let anyone borrow tools for very small fee. The workshop used to be located very close to the Granby four street CLT but was moved to a few minutes further on foot to operate at a larger scale. It still remains in close vicinity to the CLT. Axonometric massing of Albion Hill estate near busy Brighton street and city centre Diagram of 21st century “dependency” culture focused on housing typologies in Brighton Summer Solstice Winter Solstice Equinox Main vehicle routes Pedestrian friendly walking Bus stops Commercial Public/Social Housing Prevailing Wind Topography (5m apart) Micro climate and Topography Albion Hill is located on east facing hillside that runs into the centre of Brighton, giving it fantastic views towards the city and seaside. The dense development follows the steep contours up the hill. The lack of street trees create windy pockets and the tower blocks at Albion Hill can create uncomfortable down drafts. The bottom of the valley is sheltered form most winds and in summer the elm trees can provide cooling spots. The spaced out tower block let sunlight through but can also cast large shadows over the area. Key Areas and Land Use The area of Albion hill is situated fairly close to the city but it becomes a very quiet and unused space. Despite this, there are quite a few commercial buildings catering to small and medium businesses toward the east. Opposing Albion hill is the north Laine where a lot of small shops and stalls are open with high pedestrian traffic. Highlighted on the map are three key spot: Green strip with St peters cathedral (left), Albion hill estate (Middle), Local School (Lower middle).
Accessible spaces are quite a big problem around the steep hills in Hanover and Elm grove (Albion Hill’s wider area). Many of the elderly and disabled people complain about walk able places and this is difficult to achieve due to the steep landscape. There are still many walking routes but they are largely unused and the only nearby bus stops are towards the flat ground on the west of Albion Hill. This leaves the car as the only option to get around for some people. Top: Entrance to Liverpool tool library Illustration: Area and sizes of Granby workshop and surrounding Right: Interior space of ceramics manufacturing Sherwood forest visitor and art and craft centre An interesting structure that blends in with the topography. This visitor centre is simple and has two main circulation routes, one through the building and one outside taking a longer but wheelchair accessible route. Of course a lift is also available to use inside. The buildings proportions are civic like but adapt to the surrounding not making it stand out in a protected area. Nearby this was the arts and craft centre with a translucent roof and exposed steel trusses. It brings in daylight but protects from rain making it a comfortable place to be. Around this is also a series of local shop promoting small businesses Top: Forest visitor centre Illustration: Key points of the building Left: Interior space of arts and crafts centre Top: Looking over the raised flats and walkways in the Barbican Left: Private playground for residents use only
Accessibility
Albion Hill Community Land Trust
The craft within the workshops
The practice of housing in modern times, especially social housing is a result of generalizable knowledge (numbers and statistics), the design is led by statistic on population and minimum space standards, the materials used have to be the most efficient and the production of space by usually a single contractor leads to homes being a single style while housing many individuals. Currently Albion Hill is a result of Generalizable knowledge of the 1960s, it’s a repetition of apartments with no craft being involved. What the community aims to do it take their own initiative in creating self builds to improve the housing conditions in the area. The action of self builds will become craft and the individual approach to this will define tacit (Intuitive, experience based) knowledge of the locals. The role of the workshop(s) within the housing estate will enable the craft to be practiced without standardization or restrictions beyond safety and durability.
What is a CLT?
A community land trust (CLT)is a group that has come together to collaboratively own or organise a building or land related place. The term is flexible with the exact details on how CLT’s operate but generally most CLT’s come to an agreement with a council or collectively share ownership. The Aim of the CLT is to make decision and often times improvements to the livelihood of the residents, community member and anyone else involved.
The basic structure of a CLT consists of:
• Being generally non-profit with a defined service area usually consisting of a tri-Partite board:
-Leaseholders: living or using land
-Community member surrounding area
-Other stakeholders: funders, technical experts, organisation
• Communities control organisation affecting locales, often times introduce amenities such as pubs, workshops, gardens, community spaces and more.
• Work in long term scales as it aims to benefit every future occupier. Because the community is involved it helps the future planning/ amendments to homes creating better livelihoods.
Project Aim
The goal of this project is to activate this area as a lively social hub. This would work within a larger masterplan framework to bring back activity into derelict or deprived areas throughout Brighton’s social housing estates. By using a CLT structure it gives power to the local people to make key decisions to benefit themselves. In turn this will be a beneficial reciprocity to both the council and the people living in those homes as they can use sweat equity and their own input and experiences into improving poorly maintained housing. The end goal is to keep housing an affordable necessity, preventing the negatives of gentrification and constantly improving the area.
Improving
Growing
Stalls,
Site Plan
2035 2030 2050 2025
N Stage 1: Fragmenting existing tower blocks Build sustainable infrastructure (Architects, contractors and urban planners) Introducing key workshops (Architects, Contractors and CLT) Stage 2: Building structural framework (Urban planners and local contractors) Renovating housing and creating capsules (CLT and local makers)
markets, business, playgrounds, gardens and etc. (CLT) Stage 3:
transport infrastructure
planners and local contractors)
Introducing
(Urban
nearby neighbourhoods
CLT
(Expert
members)
community interest companies
Top left: CLT Structure diagram Left: Collage of capsules being placed on tower block (from ARC6116) Right: Illustration of Albion hill evolving over the years 0m 25m 50m 1:500 Following several iterations the final building is a large but low to the ground workshop that doesn’t protrude the existing site landscape. It acts as a gateway and comfortable space for people to move around from the top to the bottom of the steepest hill in Brighton. 1. Existing tower block to be renovated 2. Existing flats to be renovated 3. Chates court farm flats 4. Re-landscaped loading and construction bay 5. Capsule manufactiring and wood workshop 6. Broken down and renovated tower block (first three floor only) Re-lanscaped entrance with water tank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 50m 45m 40m 35m 25m 20m 30m Building Grass/Vegetation Contour Line (Above sea level)
(CLT)
Programme Development
Development through making
Craft knowledge, also known as local knowledge is something gained through experience, this is different to statistics and facts which would be described as generalizable knowledge. The latter is great for quick numerical answers but what makes craft knowledge special is experience. Craft knowledge is something lost to current efficiencies in today’s fast paced world. But even in numerical situations such as mathematics, labs prototyping, etc. craft knowledge is valuable.
Although iterations of designs were made during this project it did not come together until a first hand experience in crafting items was done. An unorthodox process through 1:1 artefacts was used. Originally this was supposed to be just joinery to see the tools and spaces required for the capsule manufacturing facility, in the end through the interactions and experiences in the workshop the opportunity came to make two more artefacts at different scales, this divided the plans into three main segments. A construction, interior and product scale. With the former being more restrictive and precautionary while the latter is more welcoming and social.
Art critic Peter dormer describes how once craft knowledge is increased through experience, and taken to an individualistic route it become tacit knowledge. This intuitive process gained from making these three artefacts provided a first-hand basis to what programmes should be occurring inside the workshop.
Coffee
Product Scale Construction Scale Furniture/Interior Scale
Joinery
Table Chess Set
Left:
plans of workshop and machinery used to create each object
Generalizable Craft Tacit
Annotated
Right: Collage of previous plans and models before being finalised
Floor Plans
0m 10m 20m A Welcoming Environment Learning a craft can be difficult and the regeneration of Albion hill and the CLT will require skill involved, what this brings out is a comfortable environment for the students. Like many other self-build projects this one will be carried out by the locals using sweat equity and their own time. This can be extremely difficult for certain individuals such as parents. There’s two goals for the workshop, firstly it needs to be welcoming and friendly, this is a place of leisure which will act as a workplace to improve the locality. Secondly it needs to avoid the autonomous and production line features taking the soul out of craftsmen. The work within this place and Albion hill needs to be enjoyable and diverse. A person should be free to work on the housing scheme but also feel free to create something for themselves or for fun. This flexibility will also enable experimentation to take their craft skills further. Tower Block Ground level The first part of the project will be adapting the first three floors of the tower east of the new building. This will act as a gateway into using the space surrounding the workshop but also regenerating small spaces in the tower block and bringing back the communal aspect that was removed from the original plans due to lack of space. As you enter the space the stairs lead you down into the floors below but right at the entrance is a shop promoting and selling objects made or recycled in the wood workshop. 1. Temporary accommodation 2. Temporary accomodation 3. Lift 4. Hallway 5. Circulation 6. Entrance 7. Artist residence 8. Workshop shop 9. Mock kitchen/showroom 10. Rainwater tank Tower Block First Level 11. Winter garden 12. Communal lounge and small kitchen 13. Large meeting room As you go down you reach a communal space with broken down floors to see below, this space will act as a winter garden and storage for small and medium sized plants. The purpose of this was to give the effect of a taller ceiling (as it currently sits at just above 2.2 meters. Without removing an entire floor. The plants and lights coming down from this floor below will make it a homely environment. Tower Block Ground (former basement) level Once you get to a level lower you enter a collective area. This is the hub for the tool library where anyone can borrow tools which might be unaffordable to use on their own projects. Here, space has been made for changing and showering facilities to transition to and from working building capsules or doing any other activities such as gardening outside. The remaining area is communal space, its close to the workshop so children can be left under supervision from a responsible adult. When you get. Lastly the corner is dedicated for library and study space. The tower block to be renovated have an odd shaped motif going across to contrast the rigid lines of Albion Hills building. 14. Exit towards car park 15. Accessible toilet and changing 16. Tool library (large items door) 17. Tool library (counter) 18. Men’s changing, showers and WC 19. Women’s changing, showers and WC 20. WC 21. Lounge 22. Library and study space 23. Ramp towards wood workshop 24. Towards workshop entrance 1 2 7 8 5 6 3 4 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 20 18 19 21 22 23 24 Tower Block Ground level 1:200 Tower Block First Level 1:200 Tower Block Ground (former basement) level 1:200 N N N Environmental Section Upper Level Mid Level Lower Level
Floor Plans
Upper Level (Social space) 1. External staircase circulation (north side) 2. Rammed earth open sculpture space 3. Communal open space 4. Caretaker equipment store 5. Accessible WC with accessible changing space and infant changing 6. WC 7. Open seating area 8. Communal kitchen 9. External staircase circulation (south side Upper Level (Studio workshop) 10. Lift 11. Built and working object storage 12. Material and tools storage 13. Woodworking tables area 14. Light woodworking machine area 15. Computer and drafting desks Mid Level (Workshop) 16. Material store 17. Woodworking machinery 18. Stack ventilation chimney 19. Woodworking tables 20. Tool and substance store with sink 21. Large object moving zone 22. Open desks 23. Woodworking machinery Lower Level (Manufacturing) 24. Large material, recycling and up cycling store 25. Material and tool store 26. Open workspace 27. WC 28. Open workspace 29. Large object elevation zone
Valuable tool store 31. Sliding door entrance 32. Open workspace 33. Large material cutting area 34. Material cutting area 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 30 26 29 28 33 34 32 31 Studio Workshop a. Small hand tools and fixings store (Coping saw, squares etc.) b. Small bandsaw c. Disc sander d. Downdraft table e. Workbench with vice Workshop f. Wide belt sander g. Large band saw h. Medium dust extraction unit (x2) i. Wood turning lathe j. Disc sander k. Planer and thicknesser l. Custom mitre and circular saw station m. Workbench with vice n. Sink with oil stones o. downdraught tables p. Hand and machine tool store (japanese saws, routers, sanders etc.) q. Hazardous substances (varnishes, finishes, special paints r. Bandsaw with bobbin sander s. Pillar drill t. Bobbin sander u. Band saw (x2) Capsule Manufacturing v. Trestles, large saws and power tools (Jigs, circular saws, nail guns) w. Large panel saw x. Heavy duty band saw (x2) a b c d e h g f i l j k m n p q o r u t s v w x 0m 2.5m 5m Upper Level (top right) 1:75 Mid Level (middle) 1:75 Lower Level (bottom left) 1:75 1:10 Self build capsule model (from ARC6116) N N N Longitudinal Section Key Tools List
30.
Elevations and Section
0m 5m 10m
Front Elevation (top left) 1:100
Longitudinal Elevation (top right) 1:100
Longitudinal Section (bottom right) 1:100
The stepped design was made to reduce the amount of ground that’s required to be removed for construction. Although a significant amount of ground will still need to be moved/adjusted, the effect has been minimized as some ground will have to be moved up for the upper level, slightly increasing the topography below the structure. When looking at it from a master planning point of view the infrastructure for irrigation (refer to environmental section and site plan) will require significant excavation which would align with the buildings construction. Finally the entrance past the water tank is reserved for rammed earth , here, leftover ground can be used to create sculptures, seating, walls and etc. for example if a spray booth is required an outdoor area could be created using earth.
Longitudinal Section Strip Elevation 14,000mm 14,000mm 14,000mm 7200mm 10500mm 13000mm 9400mm 12700mm 15100mm 19100mm 22,200mm 1900mm
Interior Illustration (Right)
The following represents the communal kitchen and seating area inside the workshop. Doors nearby allow for ease of entry and exit not just for convenience but also fire safety. The atmosphere inside aims to be even throughout the entire building with the semi translucent roofing system providing consistent light. On top of this a large number of small LEDs sitting below the rafters will automatically adjust throughout the day providing lighting when needed.
Exterior Illustration (Below)
Depicting a view coming into “Artisan’s Hill”. New pathways and landscaping promote leisure and loitering. The space being busy can create a welcoming response for newcomers and paths from the street lead people towards the building which acts as a central circulation for this side of Albion hill
Structural Framework
Structure
A key part of this project. Inspired by a reclaimed telegraph pole structure by studio WHBC in Malaysia. It’s an affordable, lightweight construction method recycling existing materials.
Sitting in a structural grid of three segments and two small pathways on either side the timber frame is dived into 3 sections housing each of the main programs listed on the programme development panel.
The columns are made using 4 100x100 posts placed together in a 100mm grid, sustaining the load of a pitched roof truss. Wherever it may be susceptible to shear loads, possibly by strong winds or moving gantries a cross can be placed to strengthen the columns.
The roof truss uses a 150x250 cross section timber joined using traditional craft joinery. Strengthened truss beam runs across on the capsule production floor to take the load of gantries moving and lifting objects. The remaining structure uses a multitude of 100x100 beams placed across each other to evenly share load.
The collective expertise
When it comes to craftsmanship there are constitutive rules that must be followed. These are important rules that cannot be broken, however when a someone in any field gains enough expertise and tacit knowledge to regarded as an “expert”, it brings forth an intuitive judgment.
With this in mind it’s important to understand that anyone can become an expert, especially so under handicraft activities. Talent is not a requirement. If certain individuals take advantage of the facilities provided in artisans hill and work on constantly working on their craft they can become experts. At this point they can have stronger knowledge on how to improve the structure and the wider CLT landscape.
The structure was designed to be easily taken apart and maintained but with a collective expertise it’s easier to understand methods of improvement, communicating these ideas across will be easier and even better so it can be done by the collective that gathers around said structure
Exploded Axonometric Structural components (Not to standard scale) Photographs: 1:20 Structural frame model
tacit knowledge
come up with biscuit joinery for roof rafters Squaring telegraph poles to create posts and cladding Reusing broken down concrete wall in foundation aggregate
Using
to
Cast concrete foundation with pre-cast concrete slabs Reclaimed structurally tested telegraph poles. Structure relies on 100x100 Cross section timber. With exception on higher loads (roof, gantry truss) C24 and reclaimed telegraph pole floor slab and stack ventilation chimney Wall build (refer to detail section) and off cut cladding Kalwall, Transluscent and insulated roof system
Environmental Section
Rainwater Harvesting In a larger scheme to harvest rainwater
extremely steep site for a high density area will be transformed with permeable paving and underground storage tanks. Rainwater and grey water collected will be used for certain amenities. Ventilation Taking advantage of the heavy wind hitting the site due to the tower blocks a chimney stack is located at the corner of the hottest area in the building, the main workshop. The draught from the lower level will into and up the mid-level pushing the low density air up the chimney stack. On top of this almost all windows are sash windows. With both top and bottom being able to open simultaneously, with the large roof overhang, windows can be left open of rainy humid days to cool the structure. Solar Energy Photovoltaics are used on the longitudinal south side of the structure. As you go further up more solar panels are place on the south side. This is because less evenly dispersed lighting is required in the more social spaces. When it comes to overheating the gaps within the columns of the structure can be adapted to hold up a reflective or a blackout cloth to stop direct sunlight reaching in and overheating
the
Summer Solstice Peak 62° Equinox34.7°WinterSolstice15.7°
Detail and Materiality
Kalwall Roof build
1. Reclaimed telegraph pole roof truss
2. 100x200mm reclaimed telegraph pole roof rafter
3. 20mm insulation board improve thermal line
4. Bespoke aluminium “top hat” section to frame kalwall roof
5. 15mm Interior shatter-proof face sheet
6. 160mm (Increased) aerogel transparent insulation
7. 20mm exterior shatter-proof face sheet
8. PVC Strip to trickle water down
Photovoltaic and Drainage (Note this detail only applies to south facing longitudinal side of building. No PV is used on the north facing longitudinal side
9. Bespoke aluminium “top hat” section to frame photovoltaic system
10. 20mm plywood board to support PV system
11. Junction box with wiring running into inverter and breaker box
12. Solar cells contained within aluminium frame
13. 15mm front glass
14. 8mm thick Bespoke seamless aluminium “K” gutter sitting on top of waterproof lining
15. 100x100mm roof rafter
16. 10mm aluminium fascia and soffit with waterproofing layer below
17. 100x100mm load sharing crossbeams
18. 8mm thick bespoke gutter downpipe. Internal pipe diameter no less than 75mm
Timber frame wall build
19. 22mm fire rated plasterboard with skim plaster and oil based paint applied
20. 2x12mm OSB Sheathing
21. 300mm Mineral wool insulation running between two stepped stud walls
22. 12mm plywood board
23. 25x38mm treated timber counter battens (also providing air cavity)
24. 25x38mm treated timber battens
25. 30mm External cladding from offcuts of reclaimed telegraph poles when squared off
26. 140x60mm Internal lower track of timber stud wall
27. 100x50mm External lower track of stud wall
28. Sash window turning lever (adjust if both windows open simultaneously or if
2 3 4 5 6 7
1
8
29.
window 30.
window 31.
framing 32.
post
33.
foundation Timber frame floor build 34. 15mm Hardwood floorboard 0 0.5 1m Detail Section 1:20 (Left) Strip Elevation 1:20 (Right) 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 35. 18mm Plywood board 36. 200x100 timber floor joists resting across I joists 37. 400x100mm Bespoke I Joists with top and bottom made form reclaimed structurally sound telegraph poles and railway sleepers Concrete wall build 38. 22mm fire rated plasterboard with skim plaster and oil based paint applied 39. 2x12mm OSB Sheathing 40. 150mm Rigid foam Insulation 41. 0.6mm Breather Membrane 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 42. Cast (on site) concrete wall with recycled concrete in aggregate mix Concrete floor build 43. Antislip epoxy industrial floor paint 44. 100mm screed with underfloor heating 45. 200mm Heavy duty board insulation 46. 0.6mm Breather Membrane 47. 170mm Precast concrete beam 48. Clearing of at least 120mm from ground 49. 4mm Waterproofing membrane 50. Cast concrete Base 51. Binding sand 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 Shallow water pond 52. Bespoke water overflow tank to trickle water to pond and hold water temporarily for irrigation. 53. Shallow water planting 54. Hydric soil 100-150mm 55. Protective soil layer circa 200mm 56. Permeable sub base rock 57. Semi permeable geo textile membrane 58. Sub grade soil 59. Precast concrete base angled to runoff into site irrigation systems and tanks Detail Section
only top window opens downward)
Upper sash
Lower sash
Hardwood window cill
100x100 reclaimed telegraph pole
(part of 4 creating column. All posts must be structurally tested)
Hardwood base drilled into raised section of concrete
A Carpenter
1. A section of the column has been deteriorating to a point where it needs to be replaced, people have been nailing and hanging workshop tools on it for a while now.
2. The section has been held up with temporary post and using a handsaw part of the post has been cut off. The area around this has been cleared for maintenance.
3. While discussing ways of fixing the section of the column the designer suggests a bladed scarf joint. It’s a little complex but its drafted on CAD software to help out making the new post.
4. The new post is fitted flush and sanded down. The surrounding area is back to working order. A Designer
A. Overtime the handle to operate the sash window has been worn down and it looks like it snapped. It needs to be replaced.
B. The scrap pile is looked through to find some nice timber to create an updated handle for the window. Luckily with all the bits thrown from the public a nice piece at the correct length has been found.
C. While looking to make the new handles the carpenter offers to cut them to the correct size as they are similar to the dowels required for a scarf joint.
D. The sash windows are fixed and the handles are extended to make it easier to reach over the large table.
The Collective Practice
“Human knowledge is created communally. If you decide not to compare your work or your ideas with those of other people then you withdraw from the culture of discoveries, inventions, innovations, techniques and insights. You give yourself the awesome task of having to discover everything on your own”
1 2 3 4 B A C
D
0 1m 2m Perspective Section (Not
standard
-Peter Dormer
The
Art of the Maker (1994)
to
scale)