ALCHEMIST DEN

ALCHEMIST’S DEN S P I K E I S L A N D M I L I TA R Y C O M P O U N D

BRISTOL

by

ASHLEY BALL

THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OUTLINING THE DESIGN AND ACCESS PROCEDURES INVOLVED IN THE DECOMMISSIONING OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT AT SPIKE ISLAND MILITARY COMPOUND

FOR MILITARY USE ONLY

BRISTOL 2012

CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction 2.0 The Brief and Design Process 2.1 Assessment

2.1.1Site Overview 2.1.2Masterplan 2.1.3Economic 2.1.4Existing 2.1.5Precedents 2.1.6Social 3.0 Use 3.1 Use 1: Industrial 3.2 Use 2: Alchemists 4.0 Amount

5.0 Layout 5.1 Disassemble Chamber 5.2 Furnace Tower 5.3 Alchemist Den 6.0 Scale 7.0 Landscape 8.0 Appearance 9.0 Access 10.0 References

T H E

A L C H E M I S T with i n the f ra me w ork of

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M I L I TA RY D E C O M M I S S I O N I N G FAC I L I T Y

A S S E S S M E N T

S IT E

U N D E R FA L L YA R D

1 . 0 I N T RO D U C T I O N

The following Design and Access Statement proposes - installing a Military Compound into Bristol - a new development to recycle decommissioned military equipment - a resale of military collectables - melting down redundant steel to remake into usable agricultural equipment - Alchemist experimental research into future technology

1. Historic Maps: 1828, 1880, 1900, 1949

2. Massing: Density on the Island has slowly increased from 1828 to present, developing around the shipping trade. The lack of identity means some areas become denser than others - creating a lack of unity

2 . 1 . 1 S I T E O V E RV I EW

Spike Island is an area of land sitting just arms reach away of the city centre of Bristol. Historically the land was one of the major wealth generators for Bristol with trade continually arriving via the river and adjacent dock buildings.

However in the early 1800’s problems began to occur due to the powerful tides and drastic changes in water levels, resulting in damage to docked ships. A New Cut was engineered to contain the tidal flow allowing for the original river line to become a controlled floating harbour.

Over the following 200 years the land developed a problematic battle with rapid technological advancements, resulting in a continual add on of infrastructure to keep the Island functioning.

Despite this over engineering of the island, factors such as rises to dock fares, and alternate options of docking in Liverpool or Bournemouth lead to the decline of the dock as commercial use. As Bristol outgrew its trade use, this meant the New Cut only existed to service the Floating Harbour, and as the Floating Harbour was only needed for trade, this creates a problem of superfluous nature, putting into question the appropriateness of the existing engineering feats.

3. Division of Land: Land ownership has prevented the Island to form a coherent whole, meaning its identity over the ages becomes hindered as industries become outdated creating neglected land and unclear boundaries

4. Docks: As trade increased around the Floating Harbour, the amount of docking stations also increased along the Island, which has remained similar since 1900, as the use of the Harbour for trade diminished

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2.1.2 MASTERPLAN

The scheme has developed rationally out of the initial Masterplanning of Spike Island.

The Masterplan firstly identified the River as being the major problem to why the over engineering of the island happened. This was classified as Natural Authority. To solve this issue, the proposed solution is to dam the New Cut, returning the Floating Harbour back to its original state, that of a tidal river.

The land of the New Cut will be used as a resource for either growing crops or harvesting energy through hydroponics, whatever is in highest demand by the city. The New Cut will therefore take back its original intention of being a service to the city.

The second level of authority is the Man-made Authority dictating the purpose of the land.

Understanding Spike Island as a contained Island from the city with the New Cut and River creating physical barriers, this will be exploited rather that resisted. The Island is seen as being a service arm to the city, which historically it always has been. A Military Compound will be introduced onto this land.

1. NATURAL AUTHORITY Original river line brought back to its natural state by becoming tidal again. The New Cut is dammed off and the now free land is to be used as a resource for the city.

Original River Avon New Dam Gained land from the New Cut 2. USES Each area of land has be readdressed to fulfill the purpose that is inherent amongst it.

Tidal River Wealth Generator Service to the city Existing Buildings 3. INFRASTRUCTURE Several devices are to be proposed within the systems to utilizes their potential.

Tidal Power Dam Boat Parking framework Waterlines to feed the resource land 4. BOUNDARY The boundary lines that are present with the island are to be enforced maintaining the separation that exists with the land. It is not a new centre of the city but instead a service arm to it.

River Boundary New Cut boundary 5. ORIENTATION The research undergone on the island will filter out into the city through the sectors of health and education. The most private part of the compound, the research base, will be furthest away from the city, and the more public structures, such as the education buildings, will be placed between these two poles.

This proposal adheres to Policy BCS4 encouraging proposals supporting manufacturing, port related activity, and environmental industries, something that the Masterplan addresses. Additionally it is encouraged

by Bristol council, “The key economic sectors of

environmental technologies, distribution and logistics, advanced engineering and aerospace and manufacturing will be encouraged.� 1

The land and river at present have become redundant.

The intended proposal identifies the importance of two levels of authority, and how they can co-exist. The long term goal of this co-existence between the Natural and Man-made Authoritative systems is the eventual everyday wealth benefit of each city individual.

2.1.3 ECONOMIC

The concept manifested by returning land back to its original intention; a wealth generator for Bristol.

Bristol has been listed as becoming one of the next super cities of Britain because of its affluence in engineering and technical innovation. So with this source of knowledge already having its presence in the city, this field of work can be utilized and preserved by ensuring funding and relevance within the city. This is to be done by establishing a branch of Military Research on the island, where government funding will be injected into the scheme to ensure the latest technological innovation.

This knowledge can then radiate out into the education and health sectors and relevant and then into the everyday lives of the city dwellers where it is needed, spreading the wealth out across the city.

GOVERNMENTS TOTAL SPENDING 2013 ÂŁ 731.4 billion MILITARY (DEFENCE AND PROTECTION) ÂŁ76.8 billion = 10.5% of total spendings

> developing educational research - connect Faculty of Engineering with Military research

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2.1.4 E XISTING

The Underfall Yard is a group of GradeII listed buildings currently used as a working boatyard with individual tenants and small businesses, including a number of Start Up small enterprises. Although the masterplan would dismiss the current workings, the buildings will be retained offering the necessary historical language of the area, which follows Policy BCS4 ‘Principal Industrial and

Warehousing areas will be identified and retained for industrial and warehousing uses.’ 1 These building will be reused within the new scheme (refer to section ‘Layout’).

There are elements of a strong industrial built language within Bristol, working between two dichotomies; a series of Brutalist concrete structures (image 6) in parallel to traditional 19th century brick buildings (image 4) define the heritage. This will be emphasised within the scheme by creating two opposing volumes, the Disassembly Chamber displaying the industrial language of everyday warehouses, confronted by an inset concrete Furnace Tower. Both make a relationship to the existing fabric.

Immediately on the site, the Hydraulic Engine House and chimney, 1888 offers a Russian Constructavist element to the detail of brick, particularly by the machicolated parapet of the accumulator tower (image 3).

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Map highlighting exisiting industrial structures along the existing Floating Harbour.

2 . 1 . 5 P R E C E D E N TS

Stong influence by the architectural language displayed in Bernd and Hilla Becher photography. This industrial language draws a parallel between the existing site and the potential in the new.

A familiar architecture used to subtly evoke authority.

Contained unit forms a barrier

Thick brick walls forms a mass to address potential acoustic problems

River also forms a barrier between the island and the rest of Bristol

2.1.6 SOCIAL

The Military Base described under the Masterplan section, consequently means the area will have restricted access due to the high levels of privacy. Public access will not be possible, but the buildings will still be visible from across the new tidal river; as a result this mean that the new buildings should express a level of authority, whilst suitably making a relationship to the existing context.

Refering to the ‘State of the City Report’ by Bristol Council2, key challenges faced are ‘developing sufficient and appropriate skills provision’ within the city. The Military Compound is seen as a viable provision to allow this challenge to be addressed. The scheme will develop jobs, and skilled based jobs, strengthening Bristol as an engineering capital. This knowledge radiates out through the education systems creating a local strength of economy.

View from across water towards two new volumes

(above) Elevation inside the Disassembly Chamber - comprising of two levels of mechanical arms which are computer programmed to enable stripping back of redundant weapons and vehicles

(above) Investigations into the kinetic movement of the mechanical arms

3 . 1 US E 1 : I N D US T R I A L

The proposal is for a Decommissioning Facility on Spike Island which will act as part of a new Military operation within Bristol. It is divided into two key buildings, between which two processes will happen, an Industrial use, and an Alchemist use.

To the ordinary public, the authoritative body at Spike Island Military Compound are recycling decommissioned military equipment to sell as military collectables or to reuse in new technologies, in a programme aimed at strengthening Bristol as the capital of engineering. The idea of recycling weapons as a country is aimed at taking a social responsibility with regards to War. In recent years there has been notable shift in development proposals towards a ‘broader range of industrial activities including sui generis uses such as waste management and energy generation. In April 2011, New Earth Solutions completed a new 28,186 m2 waste treatment facility off Kings Weston Lane and the company has planning permission to construct a low carbon energy facility at the same site’. 3 The proposed recycling facility of decommissioned military equipment is indeed a unique scheme to be introduced into Bristol, but something with notable worth that parallels recent approved schemes.

US E 1 : I N D US T R I A L

The process of use is divided into two categories A. Reuse of exisiting equipment B. Recycling steel and steel composites through a furnace process, to manufacture into new products

A . M I L I TA RY C O L L EC T I B L E S - R E S A L E

Some items will have high value as an existing object. In the past 18 years, the government has made ÂŁ800 million from military resales.

This equipment will be identified on delivery, and disassembled to the appropriate items, ie: jet wing, engine, etc.

These items will continue to the the Collectibles Yard on site.

Collectible WW2 planes

B. R EC YC L I N G O F S T E E L A high proportion of redundant military equipment is made up of steel, or metal composites. This can be reused and made into a new object; creating use from the unused.

The military tanks, jets, trucks will arrive at the disassemble chamber to be broken down by a series of computer programmed mechanical arms.

Steel and steel composites will be separated and taken to the Furnace Tower for immediate melt down. This will be used to make new products that can be used in the New Cut facility (the resouce service arm for the city), ie: hydroponic frames, spade heads, green houses, etc. The benefit of a continual everyday use of these new objects outweighs the importance of what the steel once was.

Smaller equipment will be disassembled by hand on the ground floor of the Disassembly Chamber.

Again the steel parts are separated from alternate, and sorted into appropriate containers.

BAC PROVOST JET S P I K E I S L A N D M I L I TA R Y C O M P O U N D

DECOMMISSIONED WEIGHT

3,170KG

LENGTH

10.36M

WINGSPAN

10.77M

HEIGHT 3.10M CREW

ARMOUR ALL METAL AIRCRAFT, STAINLESS STEEL SURROUND

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3 . 2 US E 2 : A L C H E M I S TS

Alchemists developed a framework of theory, terminology, experimental process and basic laboratory techniques that is still recognisable today, in order to progress science and technology beyond everyday comprehension.

Deep in the heart of this compound lies a secret cult‌the Alchemists’ Den; a hidden authority which goes unseen. The hidden authority will interweave itself between these industrial structures and processes, with their identity remaining concealed. The Alchemists’ pursue new creations, whilst protecting centuries of secret knowledge. This will form a dualistic process, one of methodical production, the other of experimental eccentricity.

The scheme is contained within a private compound.

US E 2 : A L C H E M I S TS

The key principle of the Alchemist process is dealing with future technologies. This manifests in experimental investigations of silicon chips, to invent an alternative solution to the environmentally damaging exisiting process.

Through Industrial Biotechnology, natural enzymes and micro-organisms are developed in order to use DNA strands to grow circuitry.

- Within the development, there will be entirely new facilities for the Compound as it is seen as a long term investment for the city and country. The privacy element to the Compound would restrict outside facilities developing within the Island.

- The long term development of this scheme would begin with high security into the Island. The redundant land will be used effectively during construction.

- The levels of security will decrease during future developments, in the approach towards to city, here will be new educational services

new scheme

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

4.0 AMOUNT

The main factors for the creation of a Military Compound into Spike Island have been addressed under ‘Materplan’ and ‘Economic’ sections.

The development is seen as a long term development that will radiate out into the rest of Bristol.

The short to medium term stage is what is addressed here, creating a new use and a reuse of the exisiting Grade II listed buildings on site.

LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT

MID-LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT

level of security decreasing

Delivery via river crane

DisassemblyChamber

Alchemists Den

Alchemists Den

Furnace Tower

5 . 0 L AYO U T

The scheme is divided into 4 typologies >delivery via river crane >disassembly chamber >furnace tower >alchemists den The layout has primarily been rationalised by the processes that need to occur for the decommissioning of weapons to satisfactorily work.

REUSED PARTS

CONTROL

WATER PUMP

FORMING SHED

Option 1: extend existing fabric to address the land along the waters edge

DOCKING

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BLAST FURNACE

Option 2: provide a physical relationship with the water by projecting new structures out into the river

Options of Layout

CRANES

DOCK/ PIER

DISMANTLING UNIT RETAINED EXISTING BUILDINGS

RECLAIMED LAND

Option 3: use the land adjacent to existing, but not involving them - providing a new dominance of architecture

LIGHTHOUSE/ MECHANICAL CRANE BOAT DOCK/ DELIVERY

INDIVIDUAL CRANES [MOVING]

SORTING BAY I DISMANTLING CHAMBER SORTING BAY II FURNACE TOWERS

FOUNDRY

Option 4: push boundary line of land out into the river, developing a building on the new land and new threshold

START OF PROCESS

RESALE YARD

FURNACE

PROCESS CONTINUES IN EXISTING WAREHOUSES

Diagram illustrating direction of process through facility - incorporating the existing warehouses

New access into facility - via a new chanel in the River - monitored via a contol unit

Control Unit

lding

o bui cess t c a g n Existi ill remain w s i - th

yard

building access to g in t is x E l remain - this wil

Diagram illustrating access into the site, in particular one new route via the river

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Ground Floor

First Floor

L AYO U T

INDUSTRIAL SERVICE ALCHEMISTS CIRCULATION CORE

Second Floor

Third Floor

5 . 1 L AYO U T - D i s a ss emb ly Chamb er

The Disassembly Chamber sits on the boundary line of the water and existing lanscape to form a new level of authority. It acts as a control for cargo ships arriving to off load redundant equipment.

contained unit

DELIVERY CONTROL ROOM

The main central chamber is semi exposed to the external elements, a Disassembly Chamber trussed roof covers the chamber from the main problems of rain and snow.

This creates two permanent contained units - the control unit to the north and the offices and Alchemist Den to the south.

On the Disassembly platforms, there must be a minimum height in ‘factories and warehouses of 1100mm’ for guard barriers to prevent accidents.4 This will be solved by continuous steel railing along the first, second and third floors.

SERVICE ROOM FOR MACHINES

contained unit

ARCHIVE ACCESS PLATFORM

DARKER STUDY AREA OFFICE 1

OFFICE 2

OFFICE 3

INDIVIDUAL STUDY BAYS

1. Scrap Delivery and sorting 2. Pre-charge of scrap to heat up 3. Charging of furnace 4. Meltdown 5. Slag removal 6. Tapping out

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5 . 2 L AYO U T - Furna c e Tower

The design of the Furnace Tower is again honest in its structure. The process has informed the layout as the process involves sorting, lowering into the Electric Are Furnace (EAF), and lowering again as the molten steel is tapped out. Therefore the process of verticality dominated the theme and layout of the building.

1. Scrap steel is taken up to the top of the tower via the winding system

2. Steel sorted by hand into larger steels and smaller steels; smaller steels will enter the baskets first as these will melt down quicker to form the base for the larger steels to melt

3. The baskets are lowered into the electric arc furnace, delivering the steels for charging

4. Meltdown commences

5. Slag removal

6. Tapping out of molten steel

Early sketch highlighting the layout and the prominance of verticality of the Furnace Tower process

Arrival of Alchemists via the river

Inside detail of service runs overhead - where the Alchemists will disguise their movement through

5 . 3 L AYO U T - Al chem i st D en

Ground Floor

First Floor

Second Floor

Third Floor

The design of these 19th Century warehouse buildings provides the necessary requirements for reuse.

Warerhouses providing a human scale as a lead to the new fabric.

Scale is function led, designed around the need for an electric arc furnace, and the process entailed in this. Authority of scale forming a relationship with existing chimney tower and existing buildings, but also standing dominant as a solid mass.

100 sq metres

EXISTING BUILDINGS - USED AS FOUNDRY

FURNACE TOWER

EXISTING BUILDINGS

6.0 SCALE

The process of the recycling facility supports the scale of the scheme. This challenges the scale of land allocated to new industrial land that Bristol Council advocates. According to 4.8.14 of the Bristol Development Framework Core Strategy Report (adopted June 2011) ‘The Employment

Land Study also indicated that the built-up nature of Bristol and factors such as Green Belt, flood risk and open space means that the ability to allocate new industrial and warehousing land within the city is extremely limited. Due to these challenges, and having regard to its overall objectives, the Core Strategy does not propose to deliver all of the 24.5hectare recommendation’5 The proposed scheme challenges this, as the Masterplan

supports the area of Spike Island being a service to the city, aiding the land take over as industrial use.

The proposed scheme aims to take up as much of the 24.5 hectares are possible.

The buildings are required to create an authority within the landscape, which is developed through the hierarchy of volumes. Delivery of military equipment via cargo ships also form part of the scheme, creating a continual feeling of movement, including the kinetic movement of cranes, and the ballet of mechanical arms within the dismantling chamber.

Height of building dictated by potential equipment sizes into chamber. This informs the process - meaning two levels are required to mechanincally strip the equipment, with the ground floor used for smaller objects

975sq metres

DISASSEMBLY CHAMBER

Rotating portal crane at an approprtiate scale for the cargo ships that will be arriving

KINETIC MOVEMENT

375sq metres

DELIVERY BAY

CARGO CHANEL

WATER: The beauty of the flows of nature. Although the water levels will change, the remnants of silt and discolouration of brickwork will create a temporal beauty which leaves traces behind.

WATER: The water is an essentail boundary line of the scheme - a physical and visual boundary between private and public. It will form the frame for the scheme.

HARD LANDSCAPE: In and around the scheme and existing buildings has to be made up of a hard wearing surface due to the machinery and cranes working around this area. Frequent damage would otherwise pose a problem.

7.0 LANDSCAPE

Landscape has been divided into three sections, 1. Water 2. Hard landscape 3. Bioremediation

The following policy has been considered into the design of the scheme: Preparation of site and resistence to contaminants: C1. (1) The ground to be covered by the building shall be reasonably free from any material that might damage the building or affect its stability, including vegetable matter, topsoil and pre-existing foundations.6 Both buildings will meet the ground level and water level. This means that a solution is required to prevent moisture entering the building, and any potential contaminants also leaving the building.

Concrete foundations will sit above pile foundation to distribute the loads across the two surfaces.

The meeting of the building with the water will be solved by creating a watertight concrete basement acting as a waterbarrier, much like a dam. The inclusion of a sump pump will be a preventative measure against any potential leaks into the building.

BIOREMEDIATION: The new bioremediation is incorporated into existing areas of open land, and will filter into the existing building yard boudary to break up the harsh industrial processes.

This will also form the basis of the Alchemist supply for their investigations.

It is situated adjacent to the rivers edge, to parallel the brutal built volumes.

Existing Hydraulics House on site -nterest in brick detailing

Example of contemporary brick work, Nanjing, China

Flemish bond as a continuation of architectural language from old to new

Contemporary brickwork, Amsterdam. Shift in brickwork to create an acoustic barrier.

The buildings have been developled as a response to the industrial language of industrial buildings.

Victorian mills and warehouses served their purpose successfully, but also stand as contemporary solutions as their integrity of design displays longevity. These buildings were built to last and can be transformed today into apartments, offices, or adapted into new industrial schemes. The sustainable stance taken on board for this scheme is a ‘build to last’ philosophy.

8.0 APPEARANCE

The main driver for each building was function. External junctions and facades will be indicators to what is happening within, in order to develop a suitable language.

Authority is also a visible feature from the appearance. Its dominance is on par with existing structure, defining a language of authority along the river. ‘Working with Appearance’ by Sergison Bates 7 has been an influential text that explores the familiar as an architectural device.

Deep brick recesses to create privacy, and a strong dominance of brick - authority

Examples of industrial architecture expressing their construction externally

A. Clash of Routes:

On foot By vehicle

The pedestrian route onto Spike Island becomes very disjointed around areas of heavy road work and traffic. Bridges, underpasses and awkward crossings are needed in order to travel a few hundred meters.

B. Limited Crossing

On foot

South of Spike Island is a large built up residential area which houses a lot of the working population of Bristol. The main route into the city funnels to one point, the pedestrian bridge crossing, and filters out again to the city.This point become highly congested before and after the working hours of the week.

C. Broken Paths

On foot By vehicle

The ratio of pathways to road becomes really confused on the pedestrian run into the city. No clear crossings are present and in times of rush hour a large deal of distruption is caused between walkers, cyclists and traffic.

9 . 0 AC C E S S

Looking at the site as a whole, three key moves have readdressed existing problems of access in and around the site (see diagrams on left for existing problems).

Solution to poorly planned routes is to strengthen the two axis into the city - containing Spike Island further - sexploiting its privacy.

Controlled access will be monitored around this point Access into Spike Island Military Compound will be from the Western axis

Although this access route is accessible, it is restricted to cargo ships only

circulation core including sanitary provisions potential hazards within the industrial working areas - although the area is generally flat and open meaning ease of movement

Principle entrance to whole scheme

Safest area away from industrial processes

Parking

Means of Access to and within the building The scheme has restricted access from a public viewpoint, this will manifest in control areas that are located on the axis points previously mentioned.

In the site itself, the hard landscape provides suitable access conditions for workers, and deliveries with no level change apparent.

The Disassembly Chamber has a circulation core located to the South West which provides a staircase and lift, and sanitary provisions on each of the three levels.

Design considerations 1.14 people who need to travel to buildings by car need to be able to park, have sufficient space to enter and leave thier vehicle, then walk, travel in a wheelchair or with pushchairs of luggage, etc. to the principle entrance, the staff entrance or any alternative entrance of the building. 8 Although the scheme would more than likely not allow access to general public, the provisions have still been adhered to, providing suitable parking and access to nearby buildings. This will be located adjacent to the existing warehouse, and away from the new development. The exisiting warehouses are integrated into the new scheme and are not exclusive from it.

Current railings acting as barriers are unsuitable and unsightly

Current Underfall Yard buildings with a hard ground surface for a mix of activities. Also there are often obstructions with equipment left outside meaning health and safety is a concern, particularly for people with a physical disability.

10.0 REFERENCES

1. Policy BCS4, Bristol Development Framework Core Strategy - adopted June 2011, P.20.

2. Clarke, D, 2011, ‘Bristol: State of the City Report’, Bristol City Council 3. Bristol Annual Monitoring Report, 2011, Bristol City Council 4. The Building Regulations 2010, Document K, Protection from falling, collision and impact, P.14 5. 4.8.14 Bristol Development Framework Core Strategy - adopted June 2011.

6. The Building Regulations 2010, Document C, Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture, P.5 7. ‘Working with Appearance’, Papers II, Sergison Bates 8. The Building Regulations 2010, Document M, Access to and use of buildings, P.22