Northenden River Beacon MSA 3.2 | Jamie Schneider

Northenden Beacon

Jamie Schneider

Beacon Masterplan

Programme Development

Typology Studies

Constructability Studies

Plans

Site Masterplan Massing

Site Section

Landscape Survey Section

Intervention Section Beacon Section

Walk-through Sections

Materiality Studies 1:20 Fragment Model

Structural Strategy Environmental Strategy

Welcome to Northenden Refuge

A Look Back at 3.1...

The Concept

I proposed a refuge for climate migrants who were forced to flee the coast due to rising sea levels, caused by carbon dioxide emissions tipping over the edge and leading to climate disaster. The migrants would travel via the M60 or the River Mersey, which intersect at the site.

How did that manifest?

I proposed an intervention on the site that housed: 4 families of 4, 12 individuals in 2 dorms, and two elderly couples. The proposal provided residents with a private living space, outdoor areas for entertainment, a communal library and a large, shared kitchen. It was raised off the ground, on stilts to deal with flood risk.

Using iterative testing with physic models and sketches, I refined the programme to cater for the site constraints and the needs of the clients. Reviews and tutorials with tutors and guests helped refine the spatial cordination. RIBA Plan of Work throughout 3.1 and 3.2

The Site

The site is a busy car park used by office workers from a local law-firm. It looks over the River Mersey and across the river is the M60, and beyond that, a large, empty gold course, screaming to be re-wilded.

What next?

I will keep the idea of climate-disaster and mass migration from the coast, via the M60 and the River Mersey.

I will keep the clients the same, but reduce the number of them to refine a programme.

However, I was not content with how my proposal developed as a physical form. I thought it was too imposing on the site, and could do more to respect its surroundings. My concept will therefore stay the same, but its massing will change.

Aims relating to my atelier’s position and also my own.

-Use natural materials where possible

-Concepualise a sculptural aspect that brings hope to the residents.

-Create a harmonious balance of communal and private spaces.

- Use adaptable construction to cater for emergency situations

-Design with focus on non-human aspects of the site and the wider context

-Design for inevitable climate disaster, caused by anthropogenic ignorance.

Stage 0

decided that my client would be a group of climate migrants. The brief is to design a refuge for them to stay in for 3 months minimum. My climate research lay the basis for a climatedisaster orientated brief.

Stage 1

The brief was developed to address the environmental issue of imminent climate disaster.

Climate migrants need a place to flee to, so my programme was developed around rehoming them.

Stage 2

I had to find a balance between emergency architecture, and a comforting space for people who have just been through trauma. Needs of users considered, and developed into a hollistic response to brief.

Stage 3

Stage 4

This came in 3.2, using new skills and knowledge from Tech units to refine a technical appraoch to my proposal that responds to mine and my atelier’s position. Developing modular designs and easy construction details.

Stage 5

Developed a step-by-step guide to construction, and refined several details that ease the construction process and make the structure simple and easy to understand. Pre-fabricated elements were planned for mass production

Stage 6

The use of this proposal is based on the users who travel here. It is a self-explanatory layout, with instructions for each client being given to them prior to arrival. Due to the modular nature, new parts can be added if needed.

I will achieve these aims by:

Researcing typologies for wet and warm climates.

Study forms of modular architecture that simplify construction and provide adaptable spaces.

I will study the work of artist and architect, Lebbeus Woods. His work was influential during the Cold War, where he proposed the idea of ‘Freespaces’. I.e. spaces that move forward after disaster, while commemorating the past.

Stage 7

Maintenance and repairs will be simple and easy due to the adaptable nature of the building. Parts can easily be replaced, swapped or removed. Operational carbon will be tracked, and efforts will be made to use passive strategies.

[Stage 8] have also catered for end-of-life when parts of the building are no longer used. Some parts can then be used for other purposes or recycled and used in construction elsewhere.

- Create a new start for climate migrants fleeing coastal floods - Provide comfortable space for community reintegration

- Use a figurehead beacon to bring hope in post-climate disaster conditions Conceptual

- Fast, cheap construction process

- Easy and simple to build and demount

- Adaptable design with modular parts

- Natural materials wherever possible

- Minimal damage to non-human life on site

- Inclusive design to all users [Part M compliant]

Northenden Refuge Northenden Beacon

3.2 | Why, Where, What?

Why?

Based on climate predictions, which use previous trends to accurately extrapolate data for the future, it is clear that without drastic action to limit CO2 levels into the atmopshere, we will have to prepare for a worse-case scenario in which coastal areas are at risk of serious flooding. Using this line of reasoning, I will be proposing a refuge responding to this emergency situation, which provides accommodation for ‘climate migrants’ fleeing the coast.

The proposal will be designed to house a variety of people for up to 3 months at a time, until permanent housing is found for them further inland. When one group leaves, another will take its place, as more and more people are slowly displaced from their homes due to coastal flooding.

Where?

What?

A semi-permanent refuge for:

2 families of 4

2 elderly couples 12 individuals

The proposal will be designed to house a variety of people for up to 3 months at a time, until permanent housing is found for them further inland. When one group leaves, another will take its place, as more and more people are slowly displaced from their homes due to coastal flooding.

This map visualises the areas on the coast that will be affected by a 1 metre rise in water levels, which is predcted in the next 100 years using the RPC 8.5 scenario, i.e. business as usual. Using bus shuttles, and boat services, people will be evacuated to higher, safer land. While permanent accommodation is being organised, refuges will be needed for migrants to live in the meantime. Northenden sits on an intersection between the M60 and the River Mersey, which lead here directly from the coastal areas. This site, like others in similar places, will be home to migrants for several weeks at a time.

The site location is in England, Great Britain... In Manchester, north-west England... In Northenden, south-east Manchester

Northenden Riverside

The site sits on a conveniant intersection between the River Mersey, and the M60, both easy routes to and from coastal areas.

It is 20 minutes south of Manchester city centre by car or bus, and 15 by tram. In 100 years, tram and bus will likely be the prominent modes of transport, as well as cycling. The site can also be accesseed directly by a popular cycle route.

The map on the opposite page contextualises the site in comparison to the M60, and the River Mersey, which has introduced the idea of a migration route from Liverpool. As you can see, there is a clear intersection between the two, and the site. This opens the idea of using a beacon to

Lebbeus Woods

“My answer was that architecture, as a social and primarily constructive act, could heal the wounds, by creating entirely new types of space in the city. These would be what I had called ‘freespaces’ without predetermined programs of use, but whose strong forms demanded the invention of new programs corresponding to the new [...] conditions”

Lebbeus Woods, Injection Parasite, Sarajevo, 1992-93

I will be studying the work of Lebbeus Woods due to his influence on the idea of spaces that bring people into a new life, that remembers the old one but encourages people to move forward.

These collages conceptualise how a ‘Freespace’ could look on site. The idea that it could act as a ‘Beacon of Hope’, for people fleeing a dangerous sitaution sits well with the connotations of moving forwards while recognising the past.

Lebbeus Woods’ work focuses on the idea of re-using to commemorate, while emphasising the need to move forward after disaster. His work strongly resonates with my position, as someone designing for people who’s homes and livelihoods have been left behind. The Northenden Refuge symbolises a new start to their lives, and I want to convey this through the use of a ‘freespace’. The form that this manifests itself in, I do not know, but I plan to use Woods’ work as a start point for the ‘Beacon of Hope’ that will become the figurehead of my project.

Part of ‘Underground Berlin’, 1988. By drawing intricate forms of Lebbeus Woods’ designs, I have been able to understand the core principles in creating a space that brings hope, while commemorating the past, and I will move forward with this knoweldge to create my own beacon; rationalising the bizarre forms into a realistic structure.

The Beacon[s]

Based on Lebbeus Woods’ ‘Freespaces’, I iterated models that could serve as a beacon for the climate migrants who are travelling to the site. The iterations develop from conceptual to more realistic ideas that would be feasble on the site. Indeed, having a high tower would mean the refuge can be located from further away, so this will be something I explore.

The development manifests itself eventually as pylon-like typologies. Using decomissioned pylons as the landmark for my refuge would both save materials, and act as a beacon of hope for those fleeing from disaster.

The purpose of this page is to demonstrate how a future might look when a large influx of climate migrants need to be rehoused. A multitude of beacons are constructed using decomissioned electricity pylons, creating a skyline of beacons.

Chorlton Beacon

Greenpark Beacon

Wythenshawe Beacon

Northenden Beacon

Didsbury Beacon

Fletcher Moss Beacon

Gatley Beacon

Programme and Plan Development

Wet and Warm Typologies

Due to the significant increase of temperatures that are predicted with a ‘business as usual’ appraoch to the current climate emergency, it is likely that in 100 years time, the architecture we need for the climate will be similar to that used in tropical climates now. Plenty of cover from rain is needed, but open, ventillated spaces should be priortised as well. This usually comes in the form of a canopy structure.

Developing Constructability

My atelier position, and my technical position put importance of reducing waste and materials. Where possible, I should aim to reduce embodied carbon. This is not specific just to the material used, but also how my building is constructed, it’s performance during use, and its afterlife.

Images above show Oliver Wilton and Mattew Barnett Howland’s proposal for Cork House. It involves using a 6-axis milling machine to cut dense cork blocks into modular shapes that form bricks, replacing the entire envelope of a wall and roof build-up.

However, while this reduced materials, cutting a shape out of a large block produces large amounts of waste. I am proposing a new method of prefabrication using a series of moulds, that different shapes of cork blocks can be created from using a hand crank drill press.

envelope made from cork blocks [1:10 physical model test*]

The same process could also be done with mycelium. That is an option I would explore and test further with more time.

Using cork blocks significantly reduces the embodied carbon. Estimated at 286kgCO2e/m2 based on Cork House testing.

When the blocks are no longer able to be used for the thermal build-up they can still be used for other things, like furniture.

[1] Wall to wall build-up

[2] Wall to roof corner build-up

[3] Roof corner, with timber rot resistant [acetylated] roof beam notched into blocks, and roof blocks resting on top.

[4] Corner block build-up

[5] Blocks with channels to support window units

Incorporating drainage and air-neutralisation slots would be something I would develop with more time and reosurces. Adding timber weatherboarding to the faces could reinforce the envelope.

Expanded cork is Euroclass E-rated. Lab testing [BS 476 Part 3 2004 and 2006] should be undertaken to characterise the spread of flame and penetration of the system.

Hand-crank drill press Wooden mould Thermal

Fraximus Acer campastre Rubus fruticosus

Fraximus Acer campastre

Renoutria japonica

Species ground cover and distribtion

Northenden Beacon Conceptual Section

Sculpting a beacon to be the hope that people need after a climate disaster has manifested itself as a sculptural proposal that forms part of the Mancunian skyline. Using the idea that there will be lots of refuges for climate migrants to travel to, my proposal is the refuge in Northenden.

As Lebbeus Woods’s wants to commemorate past events, I feel the dystopian forms adopted here connote the climate-disaster events which will have happened. In terms of looking forward, the sculptural beaconaims to evoke feelings of hope.

[Atelier Agenda]

My physical model demonstrates how the beacon could be made from recycled materials. Using steel from decomissioned electricity pylons is an option I could use, which would need to be structurally reinforced so it is safe to use in a cable-bridge.

Section [A] -Reading room

Section [B] - Shared toilet

Section [C] - Contemplation room

Materiality Profiles

[1] GRP roof cladding (Manchester)

Very lightweight, easy to recycle, good light distribution. Blocks UV, allows light to dissipate through.

[2] Corrugated steel roofing sheets (Manchester)

Lightweight and adaptable. Standard sizing - replaced easily Widely available from individual vendors. No need for new sheets to be manufactured.

[3] Douglas fir timber (Scotland)

Lightweight, cheap. Sourced from UK forests in the North-west/Midlands and Scotland. Grown sustainably with healthy forest harvesting techniques. When buiding, rewilding the golf-course increases biodiversity and will provide replacement timber when the time comes.

[4] Pre-fab straw and timber panels (Chester/Scotland)

Extra passive insulation. Constructed off-site in standard sizes with pressed straw in a timber frame. No internal finish needed. Natural materials, locally sourced, adaptable and strong for interior walls.

[5] Standardised oak door units (Scotland/Liverpool)

Standard units - easily replaced and constructed. Slot into cork blocks. Good life span, and thermal performance. Double glazed, toughened glass has good thermal performance, reducing operational carbon.

[6] Timber decking (Manchester)

Reclaimed and recycled scaffolding boards outside the residences. It is widely available, cheap and durable.

[7] Construction waste wall (Manchester)

Made from aggregate recovered from waste demolition sites around Manchester. Mortar made from water, sand, clay and straw.

[8] OSB floor panels (Manchester)

Panels slot together and can be taken apart again easily. More locally sourced from construction sites.

[9] Expanded cork billets (Mediterranean)

Good thermal and acoustic performance, chemical stability, contributes to high indoor air quality. Can be pressed in a mould to required density [140kg/m3]. Not grown in the UK but only harvested every 10 years, and the use of the material sustains biodiverse forests in the Mediterranean.

My technical position has helped me develop a material pallet that keeps embodied carbon to a minimum by re-using materials. The after-life of these materials can be full-circle, with obsolete materials being used for other refuges elsewhere.

Re-used materials from construction waste:

- Agrregate wall

- Steel cladding

- Timber decking

- OSB floor panels

Using local timber is cheap due to transport being minimised. It reduced embodied carbon and it is sourced from sustainable forests with healthy accredations. The non-natural materials in my design still contribute to carbon neutrality - by improving climate performance of the building, reducing operational energy use.

Natural materials Locally sourced Lightweight Adaptable Recycled materials

1:20 Section Model

Pre-fabricated post footings, with movement joints to deal with the varying length needed due to the declining topography

Structural timber beams span from wall to wall, to support the roof blocks as well as window frames

Extendable steel screw piles elevate the cork off the ground, allowing drainage under the building.

The stone wall declines with the topography,meaning the timber columns increase in length at each interval

The aggregate wall retains the earth and supports the load of the structural frame

My 1:20 section model shows the material build-up starting from a flattened site, all the way through to a thermally insulated space, protected by a canopy structure. The model demonstrates the relationship with the topography of the site as well as how the canopy structure controls passive light and heat strategies by controlling solar gain into the interior space.

Structural Scheme

Environmental Strategies

[1] Under-building services

Screw piles elevate the building and allows services to run underneath - uninterrupted insulation therfore less thermal heat loss.

[2] Acoustic comfort

Cork can absorb up to 40% of sound produced by the human voice, and effectively block up to 10dB Noise from wier and M60 won’t affect residents

[3] Circular timber usage

Rewilding the golf course north of the site with douglas fir means parts can easily be replaced after their life span, and old timber used for the wood-fired ovens

[4] Water collection

Corrugated cladding collects water effectively and corten steel gutters collect water into butts for reuse in the garden

[5] Bricks re-used from existing building on site

Old cafe on the site to be demolished, but materials used in construction for wood ovens and vegetable planters in the garden

[6] North facade glazing

Having limited glazing on the south facade but plenty on the north passively prevents too much heat transfer and allows passive cooling - reduces operational carbon.

[7] Vegetation on-site undisturbed

Stone foundation walls don’t disturb existing vegetation on the site, and reasonably shallow, minimising disruption to ecosystems.

[8] Aggregate wall from nearby construction waste

Nearby construction sites provide enough waste to build foundation walls with spare aggregate - reduces embodied carbon.

[9] Drainage built into foundation wall

Using drain-grade gravel and a perforated drainage pipe at the bottom of the wall, with a slight slope dug into the trench. Raising the building deals with potential flood risk from the River Mersey.

[10] Modular blocks can be swapped for ventillation and pipe units

Using standard blocks means parts can easily be replaced depending on the program of the building - reduces construction time thus minimising embodied carbon.

[De] Constructing

The construction process begins off-site, with mass pre-fabrication needed for cork blocks to be produced and used for structured as and when they are needed. I am suggesting a framework in a world where governments are preparing for climate-disaster events, so funding will be available for large-scale pre-fabrication of parts. Standard timber parts, cork blocks, and steel footings will be produced off-site and delivered as and when necessary. Cork structures can be assembled in any format, depending on the site.

Blocks are numbers, and easy-to-follow instructions are provided, as with flat-pack furniture. This means low-skilled workers can still build it.

Pre-design: I established a minimum budget and easy construction brief.

1: I developed my scheme. Most important was the canopy, the internal spaces can fit under anywhere.

2: I developed an efficient way to construct the building.

3. Construction documents would be needed for an actual build. Contractors given bidset with all CD set.

4. Interview general contractors, compare bids and select a contractor.

5. Site visits decide what parts needed.

Timber joists and cross joists are fixed into steel screw piles

Light, Adaptable Construction

Exploded isometric shows a joint fitting together with pre-cut parts. It can be put together and parts replaced easily if needed. For example, if more light was needed in the canopy, it would be easy to replace the corrugated steel cladding sheets with GRP.

Exploded isometric drawing showing how the footing interacts with the wall and the post

drawing shows how

Isometric

timber beams fit into aggregate wall, and timber decking sits on top.

Detailing - Post Footing and Stone Wall

Material sourcing

-Aggregate sourced from various construction sites in the Manchester area.

-Parts of footings can be recalimeduse same -process as Rotor DC - go to abandoned sites and reclaim old, working parts.

Tools required

4/8 foot level

Tall stakes and string

Shovel for digging and backfilling

Mattock for attacking the grade

Small sledgehammer for tamping soil

Electric drill with 25mm diamond drill bit for footing bolts

Benefits

-Quick and easy construction

-Light materials don’t damage existing site as much as concrete foundations

-Adaptable construction - parts can move or be replaced easily

--Mostly natural materials and re-used waste rubble reduces carbon footrpint

-Galvanised steel footings last a long time and parts can be re-used/replaced easily

Part B: Fire Safety

Reading room - quiet but communal

Contemplation room - communal but quiet

Controlling light

Part K: Protection from falling, collision and impact

Shared kitchen - communal and busy

Pre-fabricated straw insulation panels for internal walls

Reflections

[1] Through hollistic research into typologies and theories, I feel I have successfully achieved my conceptual aims to provide climate migrants with a refuge to call home during their time of crisis. Using architectural historians such as Lebbeus Woods, I have been able to design a sculptural beacon as a ‘Freespace’. With more time, I would look into the structural integrity of my beacon, using structurally reinforced decommissioned electricity pylons as the foundations on which a Freespace could manifest itself.

[2] Using technical studies and research throughout the term, I have developed a position that responds to my objectives in a successful manner. Using my own design of pre-fabricated cork blocks, I have been able to cut down on many layers of material build-up. This has, in turn, simplified construction - decreasing time, money and skill needed for my proposal to be built. This is key for my project, due to the ‘emergency’ nature on which the concept is based.

[3] Using the climate emergency as my nonhuman design driver, I have proposed a scheme based on the immovebale force of the sea, and its innevitable rise due to anthropogenic ignorance and ourv government’s ‘business as usual approaches - putting politics and economy before the non-human force of mother nature.

[4] With more time, I would like to test of feasability of the cork blocks that I have designed against environmental factos such as wind, rain and thermal comfort. It is possible that the blocks will need to develop in complexity due to the multitude of services they provide.

[5] Using accessibility as a design driver helped me incorporate inclusive design into my project. From the beginning, I made sure was the building Part M compliant. The ramped access became a prominent part of my proposal and am pleased to use it as a way to integrate the existing topography into my design. Inclusivity to humans and non-humans.

RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Overview

Whole life net carbon was considered throughout the designmaterials reused, recycled and minimised. Parts replaceable and have another use once structurally obsolete.

Environmental sustainability achieved through minimal site damage, limited embodied carbon and passive environmental strategies.

Social sustinability achived through a community-like design.

Economic sustainability achieved through hollistic appraoch to material use, construction time and building preparations

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