Cave Diving

CAVE DIVING UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE YEAR 2 | PROJECT 1

YORK ROAD STATION

THE FILLING STATION Overview map showing both Project 1 (The Filling Station) and Project 2 (York Road Station)

THE FILLING STATION

Sketch overview of a portion of the King’s Cross Masterplan.

The site and it’s position in King’s Cross

The current building occupying the site temporarily

Key site constraints, opportunities and design principles

Movements studies looking at the sport of rock climbing

Initial sketch plans cut at every metre

Initial concept sketches and investigations of forms and ideas

Initial concept sketches and investigations of forms and ideas

Initial concept sketches and investigations of forms and ideas

Initial concept models to test forms and textures

Museum of the history of Polish Jews by Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects The contouring and flow of this space provides a direct inspiration for the internal spaces within this design. The forms affect the light throughout the day creating a dynamic space which reflects the dynamism of the desired activity inside

Bruder Klaus Field Chapel by Peter Zumpthor Learning from the textures created by the unusual construction methods. Tree trunks create the mould for the inside of this project. Once the concrete cured, the trunks were burnt, leaving the internal surface blackened.

Initial sketch plans cutting at every metre from the ground (top-left) to the roof (bottom-right)

Situated on a triangle site adjacent to the river, the intervention learns from the geometry of the site which develops additional layers and contours that adds to an already complicated site.

The architecture attempts to reflect both the language of King’s Place to the north, and a more natural, peaceful setting to the west .

The contours of the rock formations frame the openings and light coming into the building

Rock climbing can happen anywhere ing due to the nature of its constructi

e in the buildion

The terrain and same rocky surface finish makes up the internal finishes and furnishings

Views out are framed by the shape o crevices and layerings

of the rocky

Rock climbing extends over the water, connected to the river running past the site

Lower Ground

Ground

Ground | Cut 01 | 1

First Floor

First Floor | Cut 01 | 1 metre

First Floor | Cut 02 |

metre

Ground | Cut 02 | 2 metres

Ground | Cut 03 | 3 metres

2 metre

First Floor | Cut 03 | 3 metre

Roof

An initial sketch section cutting through King’s Place, the site and the train tunnels leading into King’s Cross station.

A concept model which explores a relationship between a solid opaque back to the building which houses the “cave” and the light translucent front which faces out to the public realm.

The design of this building orientates around the cave at the back which faces on to the river allowing the practice of deep water rock climbing over a 6 metre deep pool. This means climbers need no ropes and freeclimb over the ‘natural’ rockface.

The rest of the building originally had a similar aesthetic and design as the cave, creating a powerful space to walk intofrom the street.

Whilst I still like this aesthetic, I felt it was perhaps a more interesting project to look at this relationship between the street and the cave through the building.

Therefore , whilst the floor plates of the second ‘half’ of the building spring out of the shape of the rockface inside, the front becomes this glass facade which mirrors the Guardian building to the East, whilst it’s open plan structure allows views through into the sports centre.

The building has two halves with a void in between to facilitate the daylighting of the space. The two sides interact and create two fronts which interact differently with the surroundings The upper floors contains open plans offices and meeting spaces with balconies looking over the rockfaces which can be climbed on both sides. The ground floor create an interactive social space with a bar and cafe area, creating seating out of the landscaped areas which spill out on to the rest of the site.

A central ‘corridor’ runs between the two halves and rises in level to create a link between the lower level of the site and the higher edge of the bridge to the east aof the site increasing accessibility to the building through a large ramp.

The facilities related to the act of rock climbing are hidden within the cave, the changing rooms are in the depth of the concrete mound which opens out right on to the pool.

Ground Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

Roof Plan

Initial sketch of inside the cave

Exterior render of redesigned project

Overview render of redesigned project

Exploded axonome

etric of redesigned project

Project Overview

Project Overview