MArch1 Architecture Portfolio - Militsa Clerides

The whole portfolio focuses on the prime factor of accessibility; with the proposed design’s main driver being the promotion of feelings of belonging and inclusivity. Thus, the design aims to create an environment that feels like home and adapts to the needs of all users. Due to this, the portfolio is set in a blue theme enabling an easy read and understanding for viewers with colour blindness. This is also seen in the design through the incorporation of blue central features.

diagram reveals the colours as viewed by different types of colourblindness with the colour blue retaining its most true sense. (information gathered by: https://davidmathlogic. com/colorblind/#%230500FF-%2383CEA1

PS1 to PS2: An Overview

Following the PS1 submission several considerations have been taken in analysing, exploring and improving the design proposal. This was done in order to achieve a design promoting the well-being of the users in mind, through improved sustainable, environmental, structural, adaptive reuse and tectonic strategies. The following pages present these changes and the way in which they have been achieved.

Massing

The massing of the design has been altered for both environmental and accessibility purposes. As revealed from the diagram below (using the Rhinoceros Ladybug plug-in), the PS1 design received limited direct sunlight on the southern facade. Whilst, the main entrance of the site on the West facade, was hidden by the main access road. Thus a ramped access on the Northern facade has enabled for a more visible and accessible entrance. Due to this, the massing of the building has been pushed further to the south as revealed by the dashed lines, in order for more optimum sunlight. The diagram below reveals an improved sunlight intake.

PS1

PS2

Futures Framework: Adaptive Reuse Design

The massing of the adaptive reuse design has been reconsidered following the PS1 submission. This was due to guidance by architects and professionals during design reviews to reduce the box-like aesthetic that the scheme presented in PS1. In re-designing the adaptive reuse pre-fabricated structures environmental and spatial considerations in regards to the futures framework have been taken. Change over time meant that spaces had to increase according to their future spatial needs. Thus, diagrams produced in the PS1 submission such as user statistics, user - space relations and MSA’s student/ staff increase over the years have been re-visited. These have informed design decisions taken in developing the PS2 adaptive reuse scheme. In doing so, more dynamic projections have been designed calculated in order to satisfy user and spatial future requirements. The massing diagrams below reveal these changes.

Facade Materiality

Explorations in regards to the materiality of the adapted scheme’s facade have been taken. Considering that the adapted scheme is to be more durable and sustainable, explorations in regards to a charred timber cladding have been taken. This is due to the benefits a charred timber facade can offer. These include protection from weathering such as rain and wind, rotting, insects and resistance to fire. As a result, alterations towards a charred timber facade would enable the design to be more durable, sustainable as well as providing a greater architectural aesthetic.

Facade Typologies

Facade explorations have also been taken in regards to the proposed scheme’s facade. Considering the light analysis on the previous page, different facade typologies have been created in aims to control light intake according to the function of a space. Thus three typologies have been made: for low level, medium level and high level requirements of sunlight intake. These are presented by the drawings on the right hand side, revealing the distances between each timber fin for each typology. Due to the structural grid of the proposal having two distance variations between columns, a total of 6 facade typologies for the proposed scheme have been developed. In contrast, the proposed scheme in PS1 did not include any facade typologies which caused the facade to look heavy as well as act poorly in regards to the sunlight intake each space requires. As a result, this change in the PS2 design has enabled for a more sustainable design with a lesser requirement for energy resources such as artificial lighting.

Feature Staircase

Following external alterations, considerations have also been taken in order to improve the internal spaces of the design. Conversations with architects and professionals such as studio tutors and Lazlo Varga, have directed a central focus on the feature staircase. The PS1 design included of a rectilinear feature staircase serving all floors with a central glass lift at its core. Yet considering the already rectilinear mass, organised spatial allocations and open-plan living, explorations have been taken in order to juxtopose that aesthetic through an architectural staircase. The diagrams below reveal the experimentations and explorations that have been taken in order to design for a feature staircase that is more aesthetic and intriguing to the users. In doing so, spatial connectivity has been re-visited in understanding the spaces which need to be better interlinked, considering the different users’ paths in an architecture school. The diagram on the bottom left (spatial relationships) reveals this.

Thus, three main pathways have been created in trying to formulate for a new feature staircase design. Connectivity, complexity as well as enhancing the user experience have all been main challenges during this design process. In tackling this, the concept of pods in intermediate floors was created which in the end formulated the new design for the feature staircase as revealed in the diagram below.

Spatial Relationships

Feature Staircase

The illustration below reveals the new design of the feature staircase explaining the connectivities, patterns, and pathways of the design.

Structural Strategy

Following conversations with structural engineers from ARUP, the 4.5 m x 4.5 m structural grid of the PS1 design was approved. It was discussed that the 4.5 m span enables for several adaptations to be taken in the future, making the design spatially flexible and adaptable to future needs. This is due to the fact that CLT beams and columns could span, according to ARUP enginneers, up to 9.5 meters. Due to this, in the PS2 design proposal columns have been removed where required in order to allow for higher spans up to 9 m. This allows for larger unobstructing spaces where a pillar-free structure is required, such as in the lecture theatre (presented in the following page). Additionally discussions with ARUP have confirmed of beam, retaining wall and foundation sizing and material construction, as revealed in the diagrams below.

Structural Strategy: The Lecture Theatre

Discussions with ARUP have enabled for explorations to be taken in a pillar-free lecture theatre. It was agreed, taking as reference “Visionary Commons” by Kengo Kuma, that the lecture theatre could span 22 m with 2.2 m beams tapered at the ends reaching a 1.1 m depth.

The lecture theatre as seen on levels 02-03 becomes part of the adaptable design, where it can be split into three sections in order to accommodate the future and current needs of conference presentations as well as of lectures for students.

The floorplans reveal the matrix-like feature staircase. This is accompanied by a series of pods the users can use. These have been designed with the users in mind in order to accommodate all their educational needs.

PROPOSED

PROPOSED ADAPTED

PROPOSED

Short Sections, West - East

PROPOSED ADAPTED

Perspective Long Section

The perspective section presents the adapted proposal, the different spaces it encompasses and the way in which users inhabitate them. Main aspect of the design is the architectural feature staircase enabling users to interact in between classes, studio and other activities. Additionally it allows users to use the staircase in a manner of their liking through the use of the so-called pods, highlighted in the snapshots on the right.

The Feature Staircase

3D Construction Isometric

The 3D construction isometric reveals of adaptive reuse, structural and tectonic strategies of the design from foundation to parapet as well as the different construction and material assemblies.

Adaptive Reuse Strategies

Through discussions with the structural enginners of ARUP, adaptive reuse strategies have been discussed. The drawings on this page reveal the methods in which the pre-fabricated timber structures will be adapted and assembled to the proposed design. The pre-fabricated structures enable for an efficient and quick construction with limited to no obstructions to the existing structure. A schock method technique as well as a z-truss using a metal cable rod will be used in order to join the two structures together. The drawings (1:50 scale) reveal both the strutural and tectonic features of this adaptive reuse strategy.

Tectonic + Structural Strategies

Tectonic + Structural Strategies

Pages 36 and 37 reveal the tectonic and structural strategies of the design at a 1:20 scale. These also formulate the environmental and regulatory strategies previously presented due to the properties of the materials included in both wall and floor build ups.

These strategies have been approved by structural and detail engineers and consultants as well as followed recommendations as per the building regulations documents such as Part A (structure), Part E (resistance to sound), and Part B (Fire Safety).

Tectonic + Structural Strategies

Reflections + Bibliography

Reflection

The proposal has been designed having as a primary focus the main users and their spatial and future needs. In response to that, the design has effectively created spaces that students, staff and other users can not only use but feel ‘belonged to’. Considerations in regards to disabled users have been taken where the visually impaired are easily guided through spaces due to the use of a distinct blue colour. Whilst a ramped access has been designed for users to enjoy the circulation pathway the central staircase creates. Pods around the staircase also enable disabled users to feel a part of this experience as staircase landings lead to social and educational hubs. Furthermore, the design has considered all required strategies as per the RIBA Plan of Work in aims to design for a proposal that is sustainable, considerate, safe, and structurally robust. It is important to note however that these considerations could have been taken intoi more depth where more material evaluations could have been compared in order to reach the most efficient material structure. This could have not only improved the design further in regards to its carbon emissions and sustainable features, but also different structure build-ups could have been created to ensure the design has been formulated with the most robust and sustainable solution possible. Despite, considering the research made in the 3 months covering the PS2 unit, the design manages to encapsulate drawings, visuals, and illustrations that satisfy as RIBA Stages 3-6 in a portfolio-like manner.

Bibliography

Dollard, T 2022, Designed to Perform : An Illustrated Guide to Delivering Energy Efficient Homes, RIBA Publications, Milton. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [6 May 2024].

Fisher-Gewirtzman, D. (2016) ‘Adaptive Reuse Architecture Documentation and Analysis’. Haifa.

KKAA (no date) Okayama University ‘Okayama visionary commons’ (OUX), Kengo Kuma and Associates. Available at: https://kkaa.co.jp/en/project/okayama-university-okayama-visionary-commons-oux/ (Accessed: 06 May 2024).

Nichols, D. (no date) Coloring for colorblindness, David Nichols. Available at: https://davidmathlogic.com/colorblind/#%230500FF-%2383CEA1 (Accessed: 13 January 2024).

Petridou, C. (2023) Kengo Kuma’s pillar-free wooden classroom boosts eco-friendly design at Okayama University, designboom. Available at: https://www.designboom.com/architecture/kengo-kuma-wooden-classroom-okayama-university-eco-friendly-design-potential-08-24-2023/ (Accessed: 06 May 2024).

RIBA (no date) RIBA Plan of Work, RIBA. Available at: https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/resources-landing-page/riba-plan-of-work (Accessed: 06 May 2024).

UK Government (2010) Approved documents, GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/approved-documents (Accessed: 06 May 2024).

Voros, J. (2005) A generic foresight process framework [Preprint].

2050 (no date) 2050 materials - sustainable building materials, 2050 Materials - Simplifying sustainable material selection. Available at: https://2050-materials.com/ (Accessed: 06 May 2024).