(Re)Placement | Technical Report

(RE) PLACEMENT

PROCURINGPERMANENCEINTHECITY

TECHNICALREPORT CaitlinMacLeod|s1440163 ARCH11069

POSITION+ AIMS

CONTEXTUALSITUATION The design project is situated in Edinburgh’s NewTown, which is observed to have undergoneaprocess of ‘emptying,’ bothprior toandduring(andultimately accelerated by) theevents of theCovid-19pandemic. Inprior years, this ‘emptying’ tooktheformof populationdisplacement, whereasignificant number of residential unitsintheNewTown weretakenoverbyAirbnblandlords, seeinglocal populationsincreasinglyreplacedbyyearroundtourists. Inacurrent context, theeconomicandcultural impact of thepandemicis visibleinthe‘gaps’ left bytheNewTown’spermanentlyclosedretail units, particularlyon PrincesStreet -this, combinedwiththelackof tourismwhichleavespreviouslyhigh-use Airbnbsunused,contributestoaconditionof emptinessintheheartof thecity.

Theproject aimstorespondtothisconditionof emptinessthroughthecreationof a‘New Town Neighbourhood’ - a diverse, heterogenous and socially sustainable community centredintheheart of thecitywhichwould‘Re-place’ apreviouslydisplacedpopulation of residents. Thehistoriccontext of thesiteis suchthat thereis plenty of precedent for adaptivere-useof buildings, withprogrammesbeingalteredtoaccomodatefor andadapt tothechangingsocietal needs over time, andthus theaimtorepopulatetheareawith housingandcommunity facilities canbe seenas another (post-pandemic) stepinthe evolutionof Edinburgh’sNewTown.Theseprovisionswill foregroundtheneedsof thecity’s most vulnerablepopulationssuchasthoseexperiencinghomelessness, inresponsetothe current social context of thecitycentrewherehousingisunaffordableandunderutilised andthehomelesspopulationishigh.

POSITION+ AIMS

APPROACHTOSUSTAINABILITY As mentioned, the project was conceivedinitially with a focus on social sustainability, questioningwhat makesacommunitysustainableandresiliant. Inorder toachievethis, theearly, broadaims of theproject focusedonprovidingbuilt-inworkopportunities for vulnerablepopulationstoensurelong-termsuccess, rather thanshort-termsolutionsto homelessness(‘procuringpermanence’), anapproachtoflexibledesignwhichwouldallow unitstobeadaptedtofutureuse, andaclusteringof mixeduses(home, workandplay) in thecitycentreasastrategytoreducerelianceoncarsandpromotewalkingandcyclingas modesof transport. Beforeaparticular programmehadbeendetermined, it wasdecided that theproposal wouldfocusonprovidingnot onlyaffordableandmixed-tenurehousing, but someformof public-access facility whichwoulddirectly benefit andbringtogether membersof thecommunityandfurtherafield-asocial hub,of sorts.

Right: Studyof ‘gaps’ intheNewTownanddegreesof vacancyalongPrincesStreet. Notethat64PrincesStreet hasbeenidentifiedasasuitablesitetodevelopanin-depthmixed-usedesignproposal, duetoitsfull-height vacancy, locationonthehighstreetandconsiderablesize.

POSITION+ AIMS

RE-USEPRINCIPLES Asmentioned, thebuildingsof theNewTownhaveahistoryof beingadaptedandre-used for thechangingneedsof societyover time. Sincesemester 1, theproject hasconsidered howbesttoworkwithexistingbuildings, re-usingexistingstructural elementstoreducethe significant environmental impact of demolishingandbuildinganew,asignificant problem intheconstructionindustry. Thiswasinitiallyexpressedthroughtheretentionof existing floorplatesandtheintroductionof concrete‘fins’ whichwouldforman‘inhabitedfacade’ theseideasweretestedonthesiteof apriorNewClubsiteonStAndrews’ Square.

Astheproject developedandamorerational sitewasselectedat 64PrincesStreet (see previouspage), amorerigorousapproachtoretentionwasadopted. Earlyiterationsof the proposal for amixedusebuilding(containingamarket hall,a‘support hub’ for vulnerable populationsandmixedtenurehousing) retainedonlyfloorplatesandperimeterwallsfrom theexistingbuild-seeanearlycrosssectionoverleaf. However, subsequentiterationsopted for thefurther retentionof structural columnsandstair coresinadditiontothis, allowing asmuchof thebuildingtoberetainedandre-usedaspossible, andreducingthestructural burdenplacedontheproposedconcrete‘fins,’ whichwouldnowspantheentiredepthofthe building(s) asameansof dividingandorganisingspace. Thisapproachwouldalsoreduce timeanddifficultyinconstructionstages, removingtheneedfor proppingmechanismsto beplacedinordertoremovestructural columns.

Left, above:: Earlymaquettestudiesof architectural language-new‘fins’ intersectingwithexistingfloorslabs Left, below:Detail sketches, workingoutrelationshipbetweenexisting/re-usedelementswithnewelements

Newelements

Retained + re-used elements

Earlyiterationcross-section,original scale1:100|Earlierworkshows alessrigorousapproachtoretentionof existingstructural elements thanseeninfinal iterationwork(forexample, floorplans), withonly floor platesandperimeter wallsretainedandre-usedat thisstage.

Discussionwithtutors andengineeringconsultants andpersonal researchintotheenvironmental andcultural benefitsof adaptivereusemotivatedthisdevelopedapproach.

POSITION+ AIMS

PRECEDENTS-MATERIALITY,FORM Thefollowingprecedentswerepresentedtotheconsultingengineersasaspirationsforthe materiality,formandspatial arrangementof theprojectbuilding: BANCODELONDRES|ClorindoTesta+SEPRA:‘Thinanddeepconcretecolumns’ areused topunctuatetheglazedfacadeof thebuilding, withexposedconcreteusedinternallyon stairwells. Thisisutilisedalongsidemid/darkhuetimberpanelling-acontrastingpallette of materials whichhas beenusedwithinall iterations of theproposal sincesemester 1 (originallyasareferencetothecontrastingpalletteof stoneandpolishedtimberintheNew ClubBuilding). Raisedmezzaninelevelsareusedthroughoutthetall, central atriumspacethiswouldlaterbecomeprecedent forthemezannineseatinglevel overlookingthemarket hall intheproposedbuilding.

FARVARDINHOUSE|HAMAANStudio: Lessrelevantasaprecedentintermsof programme andspatial arrangement, however therecessedtimber insertsof thefacadesignificantly influencedtheproposal -thecontrastbetweenthelightcolourofthebrickworkandthedark panellingof thetimberinparticularguideddecisionsregardingthematerial pallette.

THEBARBICAN| Chamberlain, Powell andBon: Thepalletteof rough-finishconcreteand darktimber at theBarbicanEstatealsoservedasprecedent for theselectionof materials intheproposedbuilding. Additionally, thearrangement of apartments aroundacentral, communal greenspacebecameinspirationfortherooftopcommunal gardensurroundedby apartmentsandduplexesinlaterprojectiterations.

Farvardin House // ArchDaily

ucture ucture ++ screen screen Farvardin House // ArchDaily

ADClassics: Bank of London and South America // ArchDaily

Technical/material Technical/materialprecedents: precedents:Banco Bancode deLondres Londres(concrete (concrete'fins' 'fins' as asstructure structureand andscreen), screen),Farvardin FarvardinHouse House(Timber (Timberrecess recessdetailing, detailing, roof/balcony roof/balconyplanting) planting)

ADClassics: Bank of London and South America // ArchDaily

han, ahan,Iran.

Iran. ani. hani.Farvardin Farvardin ehistoric historic sfahan, Isfahan,IRAN. IRAN. ulation, ation, it ithad hada a

Structural/material Structural/materialapproaches: approaches:Concrete Concrete'fins' 'fins'that thatcan canbe be inhabited/passed inhabited/passedthrough/divide through/dividespace spaceinternally internallyand andexternally. externally.

Aims Aimsto torere-use useexisting existingstructure structureof offormer formerBHS BHSbuilding building(RESEARCH (RESEARCH ++DRAWING DRAWINGINTO INTOSITE SITETO TOBE BECOMPLETED) COMPLETED)- -how howcan canI Iwork workwith with existing existingstructural structuralelements elementsininaasustainable sustainableway? way?

ADClassics: Bank of London and South America // ArchDaily

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ADClassics: Bank of London and South America // ArchDaily

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Design Design development development

The Barbican // GreenBlue Urban

The Barbican // Decoration and Style Blog

dd roof roof

CONSULTATION+ RESPONSE

PROGRAMME/SPATIALARRANGEMENT Theprogrammeofthemixed-usebuildingcomprisesthreemaincomponents: amarkethall, asupporthubandhousing.Themainaccesspointforthemarkethall isfromPrincesStreet, wherethefloor-to-ceilingglazedfacadecreatesanactive, invitingfrontageontothestreet.

Thehall comprisesstallswhichcanbemodifiedtosuit individual vendorswhomaysell a varietyof waresincludingfood, hot drinksorcrafts-akintotheChristmasmarket stallsin PrincesStreet gardens, but year-roundandpurpose-built. Mezzaninelevelsabovethehall provideseating,eitherforpayingcustomersorsimplyasafree-to-usespaceforrestingand socialising. Onthegroundfloor (basement level belowPrincesStreet), aspaceisprovided forfoodtruckstoparkandsell directlytocustomers, withvehicularaccessuptoRoseStreet.

Thesupport hubisaccessedfromRoseStreet, andprovidesservicesforvulnerableand/or homelesspersonsinthearea. Theprogrammeandspatial organisationof thisfacilitywas carefullydesignedfollowingavideoconsultationwithJanWilliamson, Assistant Director of Servicesat StreetworkEdinburgh. Her emphasiswasonrecognisinghomelessnessasa ‘broad’issue,providingspacewhichcould‘hostdifferentagencieswhoprovideconfidential space,’ andafocus ongiving‘agency andresponsibility’ tovulnerableusers of thehub.

Thehubaims toprovidefor bothlongandshort-termneeds - avulnerablepersonmay wishtowashclothes, gotothebathroomor contact someonebeforeleaving, or theymay beseekingpermanent accomodation, workor long-termsupport. Janwasencouragedby thesuggestionof a‘digital zone’ whichsheexplainedhasworkedwell inexsitingsupport hubs, whereaccesstoopen-sourcecomputersisprovided. Thehubthereforecomprises alaundryroom,digital zone, library/readingareaandconsultationrooms/administration officesforstaff, withafocusonspacesbeingwell overlookedwhilestill feelingcomfortable andprivatetowaryvisitors. A‘communityroom’abovethemarket hall canbeusedtorun workshopsandclasseswhichcanbenefitthesepopulations, whilethehall itselfisintended toprovidebuilt-inandlocal jobopportunitiesinretail andfoodservice.

Flatsandduplexhousingareprovidedonthefloorsabove,withamixofoneandtwobedroom units. It isintendedthat aportionof thesewouldbeset asidefor homelessvisitorsof the hubwhoareseekingeither longor short-termaccomodation, withoneunit set aside(at Jan’ssuggestion) toaccomodatesupport staff, whocanbeaccessed24hoursaday. These wouldbeintegratedalongsideaffordableandmid-market rent flatsandduplex housing, withafocus onintegrationrather thanseperationas ameans tobuildsocial resilience.

Onthesouthside, unitssurroundacommunal greenspace, puntuatedbyskylightslooking downintothemarkethall atriumbelow.

Retained + re-used elements

Newelements

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Main market hall - food/craft stalls, seating

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Food truck area (for holding + serving)

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Vehicular access fromRose St to basement

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Public restrooms

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EET ESSTR PRINC

GFPLAN| MARKETHALL, FOODTRUCKAREA

Retained + re-used elements

Newelements

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Dining/seating area above market hall

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Support Hub reception area

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Support Hub contact room

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Laundry room

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Public restrooms

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Study area + open access computers

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Library + reading area

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Waiting area

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Meeting/admin offices T ROSES

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UPPERGFPLAN| MARKETHALL, SUPPORTHUB

Retained + re-used elements

Newelements

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Hireable community room(meetings, consultations)

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Communal bike storage

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Support worker accomodation (2 bedroom)

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1 bedroomflat

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2 bedroomflat

BED DOUBLE

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KITCHEN LIVING+

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1FPLAN| MARKETHALL, COMMUNITYROOM,APARTMENTS

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Retained + re-used elements

Newelements

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Communal garden/outdoor seating

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1 bedroomduplex (ground floor)

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2 bedroomduplex (ground floor)

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KITCHEN LIVING+

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KITCHEN LIVING+

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EET ESSTR PRINC

2FPLAN| APARTMENTS,DUPLEXHOUSING

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KITCHEN LIVING+

KITCHEN LIVING+

Retained + re-used elements

Newelements

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1 bedroomduplex (first floor)

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2 bedroomduplex (first floor)

T ROSES

KITCHEN

NE TS. LA S E S O R

BED DOUBLE

BED DOUBLE

OM BATHRO

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KITCHEN LIVING+

BED DOUBLE FFICE STUDY/O

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DINING LIVING+

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OM BATHRO BED DOUBLE BED DOUBLE BED DOUBLE

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EET ESSTR PRINC

3FPLAN| APARTMENTS,DUPLEXHOUSING

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WC BED DOUBLE

RETAINED+ RE-USED; Concrete slab floors Stair cores Structural RCcolumns Perimeter walls

CONSULTATION+ RESPONSE

STRUCTURE

Consultingwithstructural engineer PatrickWemyss at DavidNarroAssociates, I initially openeduptheconversationbyaskingafewquestions, namely: howcanI workwithan existingstructural framework alongsidemy propsoedsystemof concrete‘fins’, andis it possibletobuildwithconcreteinanecologicallysustainablemanner?

Patrickwas keentoadviseonthepotential sustainability benefits of usingconcretefor theproposedbuildingprogramme, highlightingitsconsiderabledurabilityandthuslonglifecycleasamaterial -theinitial carbonfootprint maybehigh, but usinganappropriate material nowandthinkinglong-termcanmakeamoresustainablebuildinginterms of full lifecycle. As theproject focuses on‘procuringpermanence’ andlong-termsocietal resilience, I felt that thisapproachtolong-termthinkingintermsof material selectionwas appropriate.

Intermsof retainingexistingstructural elements, Patrickinitiallyadvisedonhowtoreplace existingstructural columnswithstructural concretefinsbyasystemof temporarystaged propping. Thisledmetoreconsider andeventuallyopt for theretentionof theseexisting columns, toreducethecomplexityof theconstructionprocessandworkasfaraspossible withintheexistingstructural framework. Structural perimeterwalls, concretefloorslabsand staircoreswerealsomaintained(seedrawingopposite).

Asaresponsetotheproposedretentionandalteringof what wouldbecomethecentral mezanninefloor, theconsultant advisedthat aseriesof secondarybeamssupportingthe perimeterof thisfloorwouldbeneeded,Asimilar‘grill layout’ of RCbeamswasproposedto supporttheedgesoftheskylightsabove,andwasincorporated(seeskylightdetail drawing).

Left: Explodedisometricof final iteration

CONSULTATION+ RESPONSE

ENVIRONMENT

CallumMcIntoshof Max Fordhamadvisedontheenvironmental aspectsof theproject thesewerefar less consideredthanthestructural aspects of thedesignat thestageof consultation, andas suchmy questions weregeneral andbroad; I askedif therewould bespecificdemandsplacedonthebuildingduetothepresenceof multipleoverlapping programmesandbuildingusers, andifaparticularenergystrategywouldbestsuitthiskind of multi-useconstruction.

Callumadvisedthat thenatureof theoverlappingprogrammes-namely, thehousingunits andsupport hubsituatedatopthepresumablynoisy, communal market hall -meant that soundproofingandacousticinsulationwouldbeapriority(noteDetail 3). Acousticbaffles arealsoincludedontheceilingofthesupporthubtopreventsoundtransfertotheresidential unitsabove.

Interms of heating, it was notedthat themarket hall wouldhaveless intenseheating requirements thantheresidential units andsupport hub, withit beingmoreof a‘semiindoor’ spaceaspeoplecomeoffthestreet andkeepontheir jacketsastheywander the stalls.Thepresenceofcookingstallsandtruckswouldalsoaidinheatingthespace(itshould benotedthat largefloor-to-ceilingglazingisprovidedonboththenorthandsouthfacesof thehall inordertonaturallycross-ventilatethespace, at thesuggestionof theconsultant).

AssuchIdecidedonasplit, ratherthancollated, heatsourcestrategy.Forthelessstringent heat loadsof thecommercial market hall, fancoil units(air heatingonly) wouldbeused, wherehot water isdistributedviaagasboiler. For theresidential unitsandsupport huba CHP(combinedheatandpower)systemwouldbeused,whereheatisgeneratedfromagas pipeline, but thesteamgeneratedturnsaturbinetogenerateelectricityinturn, bringing downgridloads.

Further consultationwithAndrewBrooksrevealedaneedtoconsider therisksinvolvedin workingwithanexistingbasement, whichcanbepronetoleakagesandcanbeassumedto bepoorlyinsulated-seedetails1and2forwaterproofingandinternal insulationstrategies.

Right: Perimetersection,original scale1:20

DETAIL5

DETAIL4

DETAIL3

DETAIL1

DETAIL2 RETAINED+ RE-USEDELEMENTS (Foundations, floor slabs, basement walls)

Concreteparapet Glazing

*Concretecladdingfixedbacktoconcrete: Zincplatedsecretpanel fixing Concretescrews(panel intocladding) M10Resinanchors(panel intowall)

EXTERIOR-ROOFTOPGARDEN

Greenroof/concreteslabbuildup: Vegetationlayer BauderIntensiveSubstrate Vapourcontrol layer Waterstorage/drainagemat Rockmineral wool insulation Dampproof course Retainedconcreteslab

FloatingCLTbenchwith‘secret’ fixings: Steel equal-anglebrackets Countersunktekscrews(intobenchandbracket) M12Resinanchors(intobracketandwall)

Skylight wall buildup: Concrete‘fin’builtontoproposedreinforcedconcretebeam Dampproof course Rockmineral wool insulation Vapourcontrol layer Concretecladding*

INTERIOR-MARKETHALL

RESPONSE

DETAILING+FIXING Inareaswheretimber isbuilt intoconcretetoformseatinganddeskspace(seeskylight detail opposite, perimeter detail 3below), acommon‘secret fixing’ languageis utilised togivetheeffect of ‘floating’ benches, wherescrewsandboltsarecountersunkandor/ incorporatedintowall buildups/behindcladdingwheretheycannotbeseen.

Left: Skylightdetail, original scale1:10 Below:Perimetersectiondetail 3, original scale1:5

Concretesill Glazing

Wall buildup: Timberwall panelling Plasterboard Timberstuds+ mineral wool insulation Plywood Timbercladding

INTERIOR-SUPPORTHUB

EXTERIOR FloatingCLTbenchwith‘secret’ fixings: Steel equal-anglebrackets Countersunktekscrews(intobenchandbracket) M12Resinanchors(intobracketandstuds)

DETAIL3 Basement wall/ceiling(including DeltaMembranewall system) Retainedconcretewall +floorslab Mortarplusfillet Waterproofingcoating Polysil anti-limecoating Primer Cornerstrip Cavitydrainmembrane Rockwool insulation Vapourcontrol layer Plasterboard

INTERIOR-MARKETHALLBASEMENT

Basement floor buildup: Polishedconcreteflooring Screed Rockwool insulation Cavitydrainmembrane Polysil anti-limecoating Retainedconcreteslab

DETAIL1

DeltaMembraneSystemsumppump: DeltaDual SumpV3 Pumpchamberinstalledintoconcretebed Inletdrain Cableduct

Basement floor buildup: Polishedconcreteflooring Screed Rockwool insulation Cavitydrainmembrane Polysil anti-limecoating Retainedconcreteslab

Basement wall buildup: Retainedconcretewall Polysil anti-limecoating Cavitydrainmembrane Rockwool insulation Vapourcontrol layer Plasterboard Flushingport withaccesspanel

DETAIL2 Koster quellband Adaptor Deltapuddleflange Inlet drainlaidtofalls

Balconybuildup: Softwoodtimberfloorboards Raisedfloorsupports Thermal insulation Dampproof membrane PIRInsulationboard Vapourcontrol layer Retainedconcretefloorslab EPSInsulation Proposedconcreteslab

DETAIL4

Balconyrailing: Concreteparapet Timber‘slatted’balustrade (Fixedwithresinanchors)

Roof buildup: Zinchelmet(atopparapet) Precastconcrete XPSinsulation Waterproofingmembrane Levellingscreed Screed Proposedconcreteslab

Facingconcretewall/parapet

Thermal bridgebreak

DETAIL5