
9 minute read
Design Developement (Pages
Clients
1. (Student - Single Module) - 35m2 The first client would be based around the student lifestyle. Since the location of the building would be in close proximity from the University of Salford, the majority of residents in the complex would be students that need accommodation close to where they study.
2. (Young Family - Double Module) - 70m2 The second client would be based around a young family. This is mainly aiming towards young couples who have a child or are looking to start a family. The building complex is close to a number of primary schools and nurseries so this location would be attractive to these clients.
3. (Roommates - Double Module) - 70m2 The third client is an expansion on the first student client. The rising prices of houses and accommodation for students was the reason for this addition, this way the students would be able to find roommates if they are financially struggling so they can afford to stay within the same complex without the need to move. This module would also work well with roommates being young professionals who work within Salford.
1st Iteration Of Modules
For the first iteration of module designs, I began exploring with double height units and deck access. This design didn’t work because of the limit of 35m2, floorplans were always too large. However, the idea for deck access and balcony space remained.


2nd Iteration Of Modules
The second iteration changed the shape of the module and instead of it being a double height space, it is now a single level space. Although with this design stacking the module with the single and double unit design became difficult because of the circulation.





3rd Iteration Of Modules
The third iteration kept the same shape for the module as before but instead changed the layouts of the interior to allow for better flow within and around the units. At this point the interior space was finalised but stacking these units together made for very small balconies which didn't have much use. This needed to be changed moving further.


1st Iteration Of Double Units
For the first iteration of the double module, I had flipped the single module design around and joined to create a pentagon shape. This shape was later changed because of the difficulty with the layout of the floorplan.


2nd Iteration Of Double Units
The second interaction of the double module led to the creation of two designs being the single module side by side. One of the layouts was used for the module for the family because it had one bigger balcony instead of two smaller ones, which was more appropriate for the situation. Whilst the other was used for the roommate module because it allowed for a development in the scenario for the student.




79&Park
By BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group)
The 79&Park housing complex in Stockholm, Sweden stacking effect influenced the design I would use. In this precedent study, the building uses prefabricated modules that surround a central communal space, the modules are stacked onto one another with each having access to the landscape view and an intake of sunlight (Hernandez, 2018).
The overall effect allows for the building to blend with the natural landscape and create a community space within the void inside. It further incorporates the landscape of the site by providing space for balconies; this use of space creation was adopted from the design. As normally the view which would have the worst view from their balcony would be the one furthest in, 79&Park raises this module up higher to allow for a better viewing of the landscape and communal space. This creates a direct relationship between the site, the clients and the building.

https://www.archdaily.com/905534/79-and-park-big

Planning Sketches Of Stacking



Stacking Of Floors (Planning Spaces)
Scale 1:100 1 4 7



2 5 8



3 6


Highlighted Yellow- Balcony accessed by units of that floor Highlighted Green- Modular units Highlighted Red- Communal area spaces (Changed to make better use of space) Highlighted Blue- Space for travelling between floors (Lifts, staircases...) Page.16
Axonometric Sketch Of Building


Up Mountain and Buitenplein Amstelveen
By Rijnboutt
The Up Mountain Buitenplein Amstelveen is a multifunctional complex building that contains department stores, a car park and apartments. The stand out feature of this building design is the use of retreating terraces which create a mountain village effect. This building greatly inspired the way the internal bridges and atrium space would become. The similar use of stacking blocks onto each other to create terrace space for the one above is a reflection of what my design had become (Pintos, 2020).
The structure of the building is light and flexible and revolved around a concrete core with a steel main framework. The car park is laid below and serves as a base for the project. This building would help future develop the structural ideas for my design because of the similar effect created with the stepping terraces. Overall the building design was very explorative and unique which helped create a new space for social activity.



Ideas for Bridge Design
Design 1 For the first design idea, the standard bridge design was used with a 2m walkway from the units and multiple bridges connecting to the concrete core of the elevators. Problems with this design was because of the multiple bridge connection this would lead to odd shadows and most of the atrium space covered. Leading to the development of three main bridge connections.

Design 2 The second design had diagonal bridge connections that connected the units to the travelling space between floors, however this design complicated the structural design of the building so was left out in favour of a simpler design.

Floorplans for Bridge and Atrium Space
Scale 1:500

Light within Atrium
Draft Scale Section 1:500


Equinox 2020

Model of Bridges
Scale 1:500





Observing Site Soundings



Site Layout Draft
Scale 1:1250
- Car park in the southern side of the site due to the need for parking for some occupants - Greenspace along the side pathways - Enterence both from the northern street and from the rear car park - Balconys have a main view of the River Irwell and surrounding parks

Construction & Structure
The material used in the structure of the main building frame is steel whilst concrete cores and base groundfloor are used to support and balance the tension being applied southwards and downwards as the modules begin to retreat further south as levels get higher to create space for the balconies. Within the four concrete cores are the lift shafts and half bathroom, this was done because these bathrooms would mainly be used by visitors and would save space. These cores would rise up to the 8th floor and would all have the steel beam connections to the bridges that would connect them to the actual module units (Lawson, & Ogden, Raymond, author. 2014)

The bridges themselves are formed from steel beams and reinforced concrete slabs and support each other through the steel column connections. Using a vierendeel structure system to allow for better freedom of movement on the interior. The foundations used would be pile foundations because of the ability to resist horizontal loads in the superstructure.
The individual modules are assembled away from the site and transported. This is more efficient than having the parts transported and assembled on site which saves time in the construction. Changes in iterations and designs lead the units to be placed side by side; this would allow for easier navigation of building systems if the units had shared walls. The module services are accessed through to the outside in a service doc. This was done to allow for more privacy for clients as if problems with the system did occur they can be fixed outside of the home instead of having the plumber/electrician enter the home.




