Megan Jones | Architecture Portfolio | RIBA PT. 1

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Megan

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My name is Megan Jones, a graduate from Huddersfield University, with a First Class in BA(Hons)Architecture (International); a very dedicated and hardworking student, resulting in a nomination for RIBA Student Award 2022. My experience at university has allowed me to research and understand Architecture in a whole new light. A refined method of working, alongside new skills in software and drawing techniques, has created a solid foundation on which I can build my Architectural career.

From a young age, Architecture has always been of interest to me, from watching programmes and documentaries, to reading articles, have always photographed and appreciated a variety of structures around the world. At the age of 16, I left school and went to Barnsley Construction College; being the only girl in the whole school was intimidating at first, but with the motivation had to succeed, the two years lead me to the conclusion that the construction industry was where wanted to be.

My job as a Project Officer and Information assistant has also added to my toolbelt of skills. Arranging meetings with members of staff to discuss project updates and changes is something have developed over my time at Barnsley Hospital, as well as time management, presentation, and other communication skills. It may not be an Architectural role, but certain principles have allowed me to learn and excel at skills used in both fields of work.

A confident, hardworking individual with a big passion for architecture and the motivation to be a successful Architect.

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BRIeF

To contribute to the field of architecture by intersecting design, environmental, social criticism and activism as a key ‘creative driver’ in the advancement of innovative spatial design processes.

oveRvIeW

The Project has been designed to help fight the issue of homelessness within the small district of Chow Kit, KL. After comprehensive research, it was clear that most people wanted an opportunity at a better life, but maybe couldn’t find an opportunity or struggled with mindset towards this. By providing a safe space to sleep, as well as opportunity to learn and work, the design aims to ‘reform’ mindsets and reengage there inner passions. Traditional Malay roots within the design have been integrated, in order to provide a familiar space to help re-engage with family values.

Year - 2022

Location - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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JALAN SRI AMAR

For the site, the Jalan Sri Amar area has been chosen due to the concern regarding the homeless in immediate vicinity and around the back alleyways. The site is also surrounded by run down shop houses which tend to house those below the poverty line. This makes the area ideal for the project I am wanting to create.site two.

sun PaThs – Taken for June and December, good sun through daylight hours, shading may be an issue from the tall building to the south.

LIneaR aRRangemenT

aRound The sITecan influence the linear arrangement of the building shape.

ooTPaThsITe shoP houses hIgh RIse Road

R esea R ch & des I gn

To explore my ideas, I started by looking into articles and documentaries surrounding issues within the area, as well as any projects that focus on tackling the issue of homelessness and the strategies they present. I moved on to research what has already been designed for rough sleepers and those below the poverty line.

For the design, I was influenced by the design of structures used for sheltered accomodation, as well as mixed used spaces and traditional Malay building and spatial techniques.

The main working ethic of the building will need to feature smaller classroom spaces for specific learning which they will need to complete during there stay, as well as rooms which allow the building to operate e.g. laundry and cleaning rooms, workshops/ maintenance, allotment area.

For the feature space of this building, a large dining/ kitchen area will be in the centre of the structure will access to the outdoors; the main aim of this space is to create a sense of community value and place, which will bring all of the residents together, allowing them to share their experiences and stories. A good sense of community will help to turn the wheels of the self sufficient cycle of the home-work ethic.

Externally, a modern twist will be taken on the iconic Malaysian Houses, achieved by an adaptive façade inspired by traditional Malay shading on Malay Houses, allowing shading and temperature control, as well as glass open areas to bring natural light and views

ans and s ec TI ons

The above plan shows the structure on the site. The total gross Area of the building is 3600m2 which meets the requirements of the brief.

The design of the building fits into the linear aspects of the surroundings, with multiple faces at different angles to help with the shading of the building.

The front area features the angled ‘slices’ into the building, which face the entrance paths, in order to draw people into the market.

At 21m high, it has enough height to make an impact without overshadowing the surroundings; this can be felt from the buildings parallel.

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Green house to grow food

Biomass wood chip and boiler loctated in the plant room

Living roof results in conservation of wildlife as well as contributing to a cleaner oxygen output

Ground Level One Level Two

Vertical bamboo adaptive shading fins inspired by the shading shutters on traditional Malay housing.

P L ans

In terms of internal spatial organisation, spread across levels 1-4, a central core supports 2 wings located on the East and West sides. The wings hold the sleeping/prayer modular pods, allowing for privacy and peace away from cooking and social areas, which are an important Malay values. The central core holds social and work spaces including a dining area, art and computer spaces and a gym.

Level Three Level Four

Winter pool surrounding the entrance to the market, create a cooling effect

Stack effect throughout the wings and core.

Pods include sleeping and prayer space which is private and away from communal areas and visitors

Market has glass walling with exposed glulam columns to give the look that the core is on stilts traditional Malay houses situated on stilts

Angled solar frames link to the traditional roof shape of Malay houses does not restrict ventilation of green roof

Kitchen is situated away from sleeping quarters and recreational areas Communal feeling within the core family values

Angled Solar pannels to generate renewable energy.

Access from the Central Core to the Pods

-20 Degrees 0 Degrees 80 Degrees

The Adaptive Bamboo Facade, is wrapped around the North and South sides of the Core, as well as around the accommodation wings.

Fixed to a steel frame which is bolted into the Glulam columns and to the steel perforated

floor and ceiling, a motor connected to a Integrated Technology System, measures the amount of sunlight hitting the bamboo fins, and adjusts the angle accordingly, providing the correct amount of shade to the building and any time of the day.

sTeeL FRame adaPTIve Facade oveR gLass cuRTaIn WaLLIng

TImBeR JoIsTed FLooRIng

Steel

Prefabricated

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T he m ILLP ond

BRIeF

To create a Ecohostel by meeting a brief whilst designing for the climate.

oveRvIeW The Hotel and Hostel industry provides accommodation, comfort and enjoyment to people across the world but there are still issues surrounding environmental impacts. believe that with small changes to design methods, material source and more advanced systems, more hotels can be built more sustainable and factor. I therefore created a sustainable eco-hostel using a professional, upmarket appearance meeting the clients requirements. Using environmentally friendly construction methods and respecting the surrounding wildlife, have created a hostel to cater for all types and gorups of poeple.

Year - 2021

Location - Holmefirth, England

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• Close to the centre of Holmfirth – easy access to amenities and working areas

• Off one of the main roads into Holmfirth – convenient and appealing, close to transportation routes

• Used to be a mill site - already has water way and character.

• Scenic area opportunity –backs onto grassland which would be nice to incorporate into the design, views from the rooms

• Opportunity for a private road in – professional appearance

began looking at the topography

of the site to see where the highest points were, so could start to plan out how I was going to landscape the site.

Using the diagram above, found that the highest points were to the North of the site.

Though T P R ocess

then started to think about the key things would need to consider when designing the Hostel:

• How would I give back to the environment – achieving close to net carbon, removal of trees on the site for the structure –re-plant? Green scheme?

• Position, shape and height of the hostel – consideration to external environment

• How can it fit into the surroundings - green roof, self sustaining? Sustainable materials, bring the ‘outside in’ (balcony?)

• Flood Risk?

Looking at the site chosen, the ground and soil will be full of moisture which is due to the river and small pond, located SouthWest. This will cause issues for the stability of the structure proposed as the foundations would have to be deep to hard ground (possibly a pile foundation), but the biggest issue the water source will cause is flooding. therefore need to think carefully about the structure propose to build as it not only needs to be sustainable, but also takes into consideration the flood aspects of the site. Above is a flood diagram with the darker blue areas being at risk.

ch & des I gn

Taking information from my bubble diagram, planned out my ideas for the spatial usage. approximated the area to be 35x15x6/9m.

For the ground floor I incorporated an open reception area, leading to a restraint with views. For the first and second floor, prioritised the accommodation and living spaces.

I started to look at the flow of the landscape and what would influence my design on the site. sketched a basic shape following the river and mill pond as one building to contain all of the accommodation and therefore not disturb all the wildlife on the site with separate pods. This would also be a more ergonomic design with efficient space. have also incorporated solar panels to provide sustainable energy, as well as a green roof which will help the structure blend into the surrounding countryside as well as preserving wildlife.

ec TI ons

The design is an upmarket hostel with a professional finish, which is a style aimed to achieve for the finish.

I have used materials and methods which support a sustainable hostel as well as respecting the surrounding area with a design appearance and height that does not consume the attention to the views and wildlife.

also added the green roof with a glass atrium to allow more light inside the middle of the structure.I made a model to make sure my theories would work together to make a suitable Hotel. The model is at 1:250 and is made from felt, lolly pop sticks and card.

After sketching my basic shape from the influence of the site, then started to sketch some ideas for the appearance of the structure.

I started off by adding an extra level to the East side of the Hostel, in order to add more shape and elevation to the structure I placed the slope so it was facing south in order to put my solar panels on.

4 person room Communal kitchen and breakout

Laundry room

Plant room Biomass boiler, water and electrics board, gas inlet

IT Services

Men & Women WC, Disabled and baby change

Small Shop Bar

Commercial Kitchen

LeveL one.

LeveL TWo.

BRIeF - To create an event space which explores the concept of plasticity ts malleable and modifiable properties, and apply them to the aptitude of the city to respond, remodel, reorganize, and continually change for better ability to adapt to new situations (events).

oveRvIeW A project which aims at connecting the power of nature back together over an openvoid. ‘The Evo’ is a modern alotment, allowing walkways to manipulate themselves across the ‘void’ to different locations surrounding the site undneath a canopy of flurishing growth, bringing back the nature that had been taken away by the concrete car park; modern methods complement a key attraction of York and maintain its importance.

Year - 2022

Location - York, England

The site is located in the city of York, UK, within York city walls. The location of the perimeter of the site is to the NE of Clifford’s tower.

I have created a map to show the initial findings for the conditions of

When visiting York, I found that in the city centre, vegetation and greenery had been incorporated into the buildings and streets. The below photo collage shows the different ways that nature has been mixed within a historic city. This gave me the inital concept idea of focusing on vegetation patterns.

‘Could nature ever obliterate all our traces? How would it undo our monumental citiies and public works, and reduce our myriad plastics and toxic synthetics back benign, basic elements?’

The image above shows a collage which explores ideas of the site being a large ‘Void’ area, between the foliage and trees that surround the site, resulting in

a possible block in natures path; the use of green enforces this idea, as well as exploring the external views into the surrounding environment.

After collecting photographs and conducting site research, decided my chosen element to focus on would be Nature, in particular the trees and how they move and grow.

‘The CEZ is a fascinating example of nature’s power to rebound from degradtion’. Tim Christopherson, head of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Nature for Climate Branch.

Alan Weisman: ‘The World Without Us’ 2007

Once identifying elements of interest such as the ‘nature’ that encloses the car park, began researching the different trees that are on then site, and any further information regarding tree preservation. The council are responsible for any of the trees which are located in parks and open spaces, communal areas and verges adjacent to highways. Each of the trees are protected under the Arboricultural policy for York.

To develop the idea further, studied the linear paths of the existing ‘void’ car park. Looking at the paths for vehicles, pedestrians and trees, I began mapping a grid pattern. From then researched bifurcation techniques within nature and how they can form a pattern, which I could use to influence my design.

INFORM(ACTION) do W n W a R ds u PW a R ds ou TW a R ds

Downwards- Root movement, Plants venture downwards

Upwards- Plant movement, plants grow upwards towards the sun

Outwards- Branch movement, car movements towards exit.

then moved on to look at precedence studies of structures which used a similar branching technique within the design. The Metropol Parasol influenced me due to the mapping techniques used in the design process to show the evolution of the design. I can use this to influence how will use my maps to create my event space in terms of forces, space frame and naturistic relationship.

Other reseach analysis included ‘REIMAGINING CAMP NOU’ which looks at using computer techniques to create fractile structures, L-Systems, leaf skeleton studies and bifurcation. The Image shows a bifurcating natural pattern.

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My first exploration was through changing the frame to be symmetrical with a slightly simplified pattern. I also looked at changing the section to be curved. For the leg, tried creating more of a 3D curved approach that followed the shape of a structural steel ring located at the top, which would join the curved frame sections to the leg.

When researching the principles of space trusses, it was said that using mathematic computing software would be the best way to create an organic shape using NURBS to ensure that the the frame is structurally possible. Due to the organic shape of the legs, feel rhino will allow me to have the freeform abilty to create the fractile design am wanting to achieve.

I will therefore use grasshopper within Rhino to re draw and design my space frame, using the same pattern principles as Revit. This should allow to connect my legs accurately and smoothly, allowing for the organic flow that my project requires.

STAGE 4 GRID PATTERN

To solve my component decided to go with a double layered space frame, keeping the original grid as the base, but changing the grid pattern from stage 4 because when placed under analysis, it did not provide enough structural support for the frame.

The new pattern provides the correct amount of support in order to carry loading and the spans equally across the grid.

The legs have also been changed so they are more freeform and fractal like, which in my opinion, fits ‘The Evo’ project in a better way.

TOP GRID BOTTOM GRID

STAGE 5 GRID PATTERN

LIVE LOADS

R eso L u TI on

The ‘EVO’ is designed to support the evolution of nature, whilst creating a functional recreational space. My initial findings from the York site, paralell to Cliffords Tower, was that the Carpark ‘Void’ created an almost disjointed feeling between the nature that sat on either side.

therefore researched and explored ideas about how could create a structure that supported the evolution of nature, through a technique of bifurcation, which lead to the development for the design of the frame.

The organic branching frame acts as a large pergola like structure which supports natures natural branching technique over time, eventually creating a space that has been ‘taken over’ by nature, but still usable by humans.

Encouraging the use of the site for recreational and connective purposes, the structure creates walkways to different directions of the city, whilst providing a space for relaxation and reflection through seating but also planting spaces; the site can also be used as a modern take on a local allotment, encouraging people to grow their favourite plants along the structure of surrounding it.

Even though the walkways have been created by digging into the ground, soil has been repurposed to grow plants and lawn around the site, and the growth created overtime on the steel frame, will have a larger surface area than the soil excavated. Wildlife will be supported which is a key environmental benefit as many city’s seem to clear out nature rather than attracting it.

Live loads such as snow and rain are kept a minimum due to perforated envelope.

DEAD LOADS

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