Lightbox Gallery Project
Enviromental Architectural Technology Task C
@00551349 University Of Salford
Introduction + Report; The gallery project located in MediaCity features exhibits by abstract metal sculptor Anthony Caro. The structural elements consist of a concrete strip foundation that supports a steel framework for the building. The ground floor exterior walls is a double skinned curtain glaze with the steel columns and beams being exposed within the building. The intermediate floor is concrete which has been chosen because of its properties as a thermal mass which is able to absorb heat during the summer months and releases it during the winter months (Johnson, 2004). The strip foundation connects and stabilises the steel columns and framework. Reinforced concrete was chosen because of its longevity, impermeability from insects, fast application and strength to bear the linear and horizontal loads that will be placed upon it (Bartos, 2017). The structural columns were separated by a 5m grid between them so individual pad foundations could have been used but more time and resources would be needed for each individual column. Therefore a strip foundation would be more appropriate and effective. The ground floor exterior walls and non structural double facade curtain wall glazing made from polycarbonate panels that wrap around the entire floor facade, the weight of the floor above it held entirely by the steel columns and beam framework which are held together by rigid joint connections. The justification behind this is to maintain the idea of contrast between the two floors as well as the curtain wall being able to resist wind and water infiltration. The aluminium mullions that hold the glazing in place are constructed of aluminium and are able to transfer the loads through their anchors which attach themselves onto the framework of the building. The building fabric will be built on site to reduce the time needed for construction. First floor walls are constructed using concrete blockwork on metal studs and features a seamless horizontal, overlapping panel facade made from zinc. The use of concrete blockwork is because of its strength and impermeability to weathering, combined with the use of VMZinc overlapping panels and insulation it will increase the energy efficiently of the building through the thermal properties (VMZinc, 2019). The roof is constructed using a sawtooth roof structure that features a glazing slope on one side to allow for more daylighting in the interior spaces. The structure also bears a resemblance to typical historical factory shape and was chosen after consideration of a curvature roof. However, due to the structural grid the need for additional columns and beams would be needed to support the roof and would cost more for the client. The main drawback for these pitched roof types is the issue of dealing with snow load, therefore the main way to comeback this issue is to install a proper drainage system between the pitches and the correct material to help the load to transfer and hold the load (Staff, 2013). The chosen material of steel instead of timber is because of the design for deconstruction strategy, which means that in the future the structure can be easily deconstructed and used if the needs or the functions of the space change (Schule, 2016). The roof is constructed using a concrete warm roof that is cladded with zinc panels, the panels slope help with getting rid of rainwater and the addition of the gutter system that goes inbetween the pitches create a rainwater harvesting system that can be used for irrigation of the exterior gardens. The load distribution in the gallery from gravity is carried from the concrete roof structure to the steel columns and beam, which are fixed at both ends to maximum efficiency for transferring bending stress and forces (Ching, 2012). The additional support of internal shear walls which are constructed of concrete help resist bending motions from horizontal forces like wind and friction. The extra structural element also helps reduce the impact of seismic activity on the building which is a relatively low threat based on site location as well as tension forces that would cause the building to move (Melkumyan, 2019).
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Building: Rowing Centre Architect: Jose Maria Sanchez Garcia Location: Alange, Spain Use: Leisure/Sports Centre Year: 2010
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The Rowing and Canoeing Centre is based near the Alange reservoir and aims to become as neutral as possible with the surroundings. Consisting of a large pedestal and a light deck, the resulting form created a platform that overlooks the water. The relationship between the platform and the base is solved with a large-sized hole; a crack in the platform that acts as a crevice that allows the passage of light into the lower floor, and holds a slender two-section ramp that hangs with wires from the trusses, and that connects the lower floor with the platform, this becomes the main design feature of the project (Archdaily, 2012). With this project the steel truss system and the idea for a concrete base would serve as the main idea behind the implementation of concrete as the structural supporting base through the use of foundations. Although this project used concrete retaining walls, the idea of combining the properties of concrete and steel to create a stronger structure would be ideal for the gallery project as the site is similar with the close proximity of water.
Building: Heustadelgasse Secondary School Architect: Henke und Schreieck Architekten Location: Vienna, Austria Use: Education Year: 2003 The school is located in a residential district on the outskirts of Vienna. The site is amid meadows and fields. The height of the school itself responds to the flatness of the surroundings and the scale of the neighbouring buildings. The goal was to balance the substantial volume in order to define spaces like the central court, which is simultaneously self-referential and urban. The internal circulation hub is the double height entrance hall, which is approached over the central court. The surrounding fields are visible through the continuous glazing of the sunken gymnasium and the four sides of the courtyard are treated in ways in order to create spatial tension by the conscious use of asymmetry. To the north the first floor of the building forms a bridge to the main approach from the street. The eastern side features the stepped section of the classroom block contrasted with the two storey elevation of the corridor zone opposite. Technically speaking the cantilevered pergola constructions serve as solar shading for the rooms below. Through the use of climbing plants the idea was to create a special, natural atmosphere with a Mediterranean feel. The internal circulation forms a ring around the courtyard and is large to create more social interactions between people. The adjoining terraces extend these spaces to the outside. While the circulation is introverted and orientates itself to the central court, the classrooms open themselves to the surrounding landscape through the high amounts of glazing (Detail, 2003). From this precedent, the use of large window glazing would help shape the vision of the ground floor curtain walling system. The issue the building had with insulation was dealt with by the use of interior insulation that helped the building themally and the large windows allowed for natural daylighting. Therefore within my internal fabric insulation should be used to not only help thermally but acoustically.
Concrete blockwork
Reinforced concrete slab
Rigid joints
Curtain Glazing
Aluminium framing
Polycarbonate panels
Structural & material choices Steel columns/beams & concrete roofing/flooring
Structural Model 1:50
Internal Structural Walls
Arrangement of roof connections
Pressures on structure
Load Distribution
Rigid Joint connections
Concrete Slabs
Strip Foundation
Stainless steel framework
Curtain wall
1:50 Exterior Envolope Foundation to Roof 1. Ground Floor construction layers - Concrete Slab (Polish finish) 200mm - Damp proof membrane - Sand substrate 10mm - Site compact hard substrate (I.E Stone) 150mm - Strip foundation
2. Exterior Wall construction layers - Zinc overlapping panels - Concrete blockwork 200mm - Thermal Insulation 50mm - Cavity air 75mm - Plywood substrate 20mm - Steel structure 150mm - Vapour membrance - Gypsum board 15mm - Polished concrete finish
3. Roof construction layers - Zinc standing seam panels 40mm - Rigid insulation 50mm - Asphalt 20mm - Aluminium vapour barrier - Concrete screed 50mm - Concrete 175mm
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References; Archdaily “Rowing Center / José María Sánchez García”, 2012 https://www.archdaily.com/202458/rowing-center-jose-maria-sanchez-garcia Detail, “Rowing Centre”, 2011 https://inspiration-detail-de.salford.idm.oclc.org/Download/document-download/id/5b190c110f552 VMZinc, 2019 https://www.vmzinc.co.uk Johnson. (2004). Composite structures of steel and concrete beams, slabs, columns, and frames for buildings (3rd ed.). Blackwell Pub. Bartos. (2017). Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete : Principles, Production, Properties and Applications. Whittles Publishing. Timothy A Schuler. (2016). Recycled Buildings or Bridges? Designing for Deconstruction Beyond Adaptive Reuse. Product Design & Development. Ching. (2012). A visual dictionary of architecture (2nd ed.). John Wiley. Staff. (2013). Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE/SEI 7-10). American Society of Civil Engineers. https://doi. org/10.1061/9780784412916 Melkumyan. (2019). Seismic isolation strategies for earthquake-resistant construction : emerging opportunities. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Image source list; Detail, 2003 https://inspiration-detail-de.salford.idm.oclc.org/Download/document-download/id/5a292bafa4dc5 Detail, 2011 https://inspiration-detail-de.salford.idm.oclc.org/Download/document-download/id/5b190c110f552