Deterioration - Design Exploration by Paveena Sidhu

D D ee tt ee r r ii o o r r a a tt ii o o n n

L I E N C E

R E S I

Deterioration “The process of becoming progressively worse”

Paveena Kaur Sidhu 18101513 BA Hons Architecture Year 3 Birmingham City University

. The Site . Junkspake . Photo Montage . Site Information . Elevations . Urban Element

. Form Finding . Roof In Context

morpho[logic]

04

[GEO]GRAPHICAL

02 01

studio breakdown . The Studio Breakdown . The Brief

03

inform[action] . The Experiement - Mapping . Precedents . Field Diagrams . Concept Word . Vision 2030

01

studio breakdown

the studio

+ XY Zoom design exploration

Lines and grids are mechanisms we (designers) use to interact with a place in accordance with its own essential rules. This studio investigates the ‘traditional’ grid we follow and thus aim to reconstruct the old/ current area in order to achieve the most beneficial and sustainable outcome. For this to happen, the grid must be broken! The ‘grids’ we in society abide by impact societal influences, housing, economic and political issues.

The studio believes “the world is a system of ecosystems that interact in a scalar form, every architectural project should seek to integrate itself into its habitat.”

Design will be developed in terms of Geography, Geometry, Logics, and Structure, and able to operate at different scales.

In order to design the future, we must understand what once stood in the space prior to this development. Educating yourself on the history of the relevant context not only helps interpret the values of its environment but will also help enrich more meaning designs.

This studio encompasses creative exploration whilst encouraging new innovative ways of discovery.

“[T]here is an outside and an inside, and myself in the middle, this is perhaps what I am, the thing that divides the world in two, on one side the outside, on the other the inside, it can be thin like a blade, I am neither on one side nor on the other, I am in the middle, I am the wall, I have two faces [surfaces] and no depth...”

– Samuel Beckett

Daniel Libeskind writes, “...one is not free just to invent the lines or to treat them as purely independent phenomena. Even if lines were to be graphic, they would be an indication that in their making, there is something that precedes this making and something which has already been distorted into its own future; a future which might remain invisible to those who are not sensitive to what they are handling. ...

Perhaps the invisible lines are not solely abstract lines that you cannot see. They are inevitably the lines along which the future will move...”

the brief

This module asks students to investigate current consequences and opportunities that lie in our current cultural and social urban condition, whilst maintaining a foresight into what, and how, architecture can provide a positive impact to the environment.

The aim is to focus on the common problems that the world of architecture face involving context and sustainability.

Exploration is the heart of this studio!

02

[geo]graphical

the site

alcester Road

Birmingham is at the heart of a huge change - staring into a 21st Century Great Restructuring. However, most of the city remains untouched as the public to disregard the idea of updating the historical features of the city. The major city is known as the ‘first manufacturing town in the world’ and was hailed as the ‘city of a Thousand Trades’ in 1889; this was due to many businesses choosing to base themselves in the area.

In addition to this, Birmingham is also famous for being home to the network of canals, many are now lined with trendy bars and cafes; plus, located in the city centre, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery known for pre-Raphaelite masterpieces.

Located south to the city, Alcester road sits between the arterial route between Moseley and Balsall Health, which offers a cross section of the diversity of Birmingham life. Most development to take place on Alcester road has happened during the latter part of the 19th century, which included the expansion of Birmingham across agricultural land towards Moseley village. Balsall health was an affluent area for the Victorian population at the time. during this period, many grand Victorian civic buildings such as a library, swimming baths and college of art which is adjacent to the Victorian villas and terraced housing. However, many of these buildings are left either derelict or abandoned meaning some have been left with decay and lack of maintenance.

Areas that lack maintenance and therefore appear ‘run down’ tend to attract criminal activity. One of the factors regarding the decline in the areas fortune was a result of poor-quality housing. Residents and the local authority have started to take action to improve the site as they aim to make it a vibrant community once again.

Furthermore, Alcester road consists of various faith organisations and multiple independent local prayers such as St Paul’s Community Development Trust, Ort Gallery and The Old Print Works creative hub. It is also home to several environmental organisations and a Zero Carbon House.

Photo of the Old Tram Depo

1904

1962

1900

1950

Interesting facts of the Alcester Road include: the measurement of the street measures approximately 1,755 metres long. Secondly, the average house in Alcester Road sells for £311,238.44 and lastly, the average elevation of Alcester Road is roughly 147.88 metres above sea level. with the highest point being 159.70 and the lowest point being 132.90. A change of 26.80 metres.

junkspace defining the plot Derelict: A place or building that is derelict is empty and in a bad state of repair because it has not been used or lived in for a long time.

Things associated with derelict buildings:

- The ‘Broken Glass’ Theory

- Target to destroy = criminal activity

- Lost sense of ownership – forgotten Abanonded:

The term “abandoned building” connotes an image of a building that is unoccupied and in a state of grave disrepair, perhaps boarded up, strewn with trash, and scrawled with graffiti.

Things associated with abandoned buildings: - Graffiti - Criminal activity - Empty - Homelessness/ squatters

Academic theorists, James Q Wilson and George Kelling proposed the ‘Broken Glass Theory; in 1982, where the ideology that used broken windows as a metaphor for disorder within neighbourhoods. Their theory states that visible signs of crime, anti-social behaviour, and civil disorder create a hostile urban environment that encourages further criminal activities.

James Q. Wilson and George Kelling

“An old building is like a show. You smell the soul of a building. And the building tells you how to redo it.”

Cameron Mackintosh

journey to site

chosen site ...

alcester road

old tram deport

old tram deport 582 Mosley Road, Balsall Health, Birmingham, B12 9AA The Grade II listed property was built in the year of 1906. The building was in use during the years 1908-1947 and was sold in 2004. Unfortunately, the property is still abandoned. Although it is unclear as to when work had taken place on the property, it appears that the building has since had mid c20 alterations, possibly by FB Osborn who designed the Office Range, the adjacent building.

The old tram depo was built with red brick with ashlar dressings and welsh slate roods with clerestories in an baroque revival style.

As shown on the historical maps above, the former Old Tram Depo was built in 1906. The building was in use between the years 1908-1947. Although the building was sold in 2004, there has been no further development to it meaning.

site map

PHOTOS OF SITE North Elevation

West Elevation

East Elevation

South Elevation

urban element

initial urban element

Initially when exploring the site, I was fascinated by the organic elements that had taken over the building. There was overgrowing plantation falling out of the windows, through the cracks and sweeping across the whole façade. The building looked extremely run down. As shown above, the mixed media collage shows a compilation of sketches, photography and paint alongside interpreted decomposed organic elements such as a moss and dead lives. Moss was represented by spreading the inside of an open tea bag. For the interim review, I also presented ink prints of decayed leaves and showed real decayed elements such as moss, a broken tile and a rotting potato.

However, moving forward I decided to change my urban element and instead look at the decompostion of brick as I was intregated by the decay on the material surface.

As shown on the left, some of the prints of dead leaves.

exterior photos of urban element

new urban element Exploring the process of deterioration and decomposition on brick

interior photos of urban element

process of brick decompisiton on site As shown in the photos above, the brick on site was originally covered by paper which laid on top of glazed brick. The building contained different types of brick- coated brick, glazed brick, fired brick and baked brick.

Urban Element

Fly Ash Bricks

Brick Types of Bricks used in Masonry Construction https://theconstructor.org/building/types-of -bricks-identification-properties-uses/12730/

-> Bricks are broadly classified into two types: 1. Sun-Dried or unburnt bricks 2. Burnt bricks

Sun-Dried or Unburnt Clay Bricks - Less durable - Used for temporary structures Process: - Unburnt bricks preparation involved in 3 steps they are preparation of clay, molding and drying.

- After molding, bricks are subjected to sunlight and dried using heat from sun. = not that much strong + less water resistance + less fire resistance. These bricks are not suitable for permanent structures!

First class bricks

Four types:

Advantages of fly ash bricks over clay bricks: -High fire insulation, high strength, uniform sizes for better joints and plaster, lower water penetration, does not require soaking before use in masonry construction.

Concrete Bricks -Manufacturing using concrete with ingredients as cement, sand, coarse aggregates and water -Manufactured in sizes as required Advantages of using concrete bricks over clay bricks: -Can be manufactured at construction site, reduces quantity of mortar required, can be manufactured to provide different colors as pigmented during its production -Concrete bricks are used for construction of masonry and framed buildings, facades, fences, and provide an excellent aesthetic presence

Engineering Bricks

Burnt Clay Bricks - Good quality bricks

-Manufactured using fly ash and water -Better properties than clay bricks + great resistant to freeze thaw cycles -Contains high concentration of calcium oxide which is used in cement production, thus it is also called as self-cementing brick -Lightweight = reduces self weight of structures

(BUT consist some defected bricks)

Second class bricks

-Engineering bricks have high compressive strength + are used special applications where strength, frost resistance, acid resistance, low porosity is required -Commonly used for basements where chemical or water attacks are prevalent and for damp proof courses

Sand Lime or Calcium Silicate Bricks - Good quality bricks compared to other classes - Molded by table-molding + burnt in large kilns - Standard shape, sharp edges +smooth surfaces - More durable + more strength - Used for permanent structures - BUT costly

Third class bricks

-Moderate quality bricks -Molded by ground-molding process -Burnt in kilns.

But because of ground molding, they do not have smooth surfaces as well as sharp edges.

- Shape: irregular due to uneveness in ground - Best results in strength and durability - Smooth plastering is required on the brick structure

-Calcium silicate bricks are made of sand and lime and popularly known as sand lime bricks -These bricks are used for several purposes in construction industries such as: = ornamental works in buildings = masonry works

Fourth class bricks

Identification of Bricks Quality at Construction Site

(To build a good quality structure, observing quality of materials is important)

How good bricks are identified at construction site:

-Poor quality bricks -Used for temporary structures like unburnt bricks.

They are ground-molded type bricks and burnt in clamps.

-Surface of this type of bricks are rough and they have unfair edges

-Very poor quality bricks -Not used as bricks in the structure - Crushed + used as aggregates in the manufacturing of concrete -They are obtained by over burning= gets overheated and obtains brittle nature -Break easily +not suitable for construction purpose

-The color of bricks should be bright and uniform -They should be well burned and having smooth surfaces and sharp edges -Thermal conductivity of bricks should be less and they should be sound proof -They shouldn’t absorb more than 20% by weight when we placed it in water -When we struck two bricks together, ringing sound should be delivered -Structure of bricks should be homogeneous and uniform -The bricks should not break when we dropped it form 1m height -There should not be any scratch left on the brick when we scratched with finger nail -There should not be any white deposits on brick, when we soaked it in water for 24 hrs

Properties of Bricks Hardness of Bricks A good quality brick will have resistance against abrasion. This property is called hardness of brick which helps to give permanent nature of brick structure. Because of this property bricks do not damaged by scraping.

Compressive strength of Bricks Compressive strength or crushing strength is the property of brick which represent the amount of load carried by brick per unit area. According to BIS the minimum compressive strength of brick should be 3.5N/ mm2. Crushing strength of bricks reduced when they are soaked in water.

Crushing strength of Bricks:

Grades:

7 – 14 N/mm2

Class A

>14N/mm2

Class AA

Absorption of Bricks Bricks are generally absorbs water but having limits. As shown below absorption limit percentage by weight for different classes of bricks:

Class of Bricks:

Water Absorption % by weight:

Heavy duty bricks (special made)

Only 5%

First class

20%

Second class

22%

Third class

25%

Uses of Different Types of Bricks Bricks are widely used in construction industry for different purposes as following.

Good quality bricks (1st and 2nd class) are used in the construction of buildings, tunnels, pitching works etc.

3rd class and unburnt bricks are used for temporary structures.

4th class bricks are used as aggregate for making concrete.

Bricks are also used for architectural purposes to give aesthetic appearance to the structure.

Cross-hatching of types of decomposition on site

03

inform[action]

The experi

iment The experiment In order to test the durability of brick and the process of deterioration I needed to construct multiple experiments.

The first experiment (as sown on the right) I constructed involved foam blocks and clay in small arrangements which represented brick walls. During this experiment, the process of deterioration was challenged by an external interference of syrup being purposely poured onto the forms made for this practical.

Although, this experiment explored the durability of the material used, it didn’t necessarily help with the understanding of the process of deterioration within how it effects brick surfaces.

This experiment needed improvement! Rules had to be set and followed.

Whilst the variables changed in the following experiments, the ideology of what I was tested did not.

For instance, for the next three experiments, I used an ice cube tray which contained the mixture of clay powder and water. The ice cubes were put into the freezer for a certain amount hour (this was kept the same- in order to make it a fair test). Once the ice cubes had frozen, I had then placed each ice cube one by one and recorded the time in which it took for the cube to melt. A series of photographs were taken at one minute intervals of the experimenet. Testing durability, decomposition and porosity. This experiment was very interesting as I was unaware of what was going to be left after the cube had melted. This experiment was successful; I then repeated this process a further two times in order to collect as much data as I could. The following photographs help portray the process of derteriotion....

The final experiement - a series of photographs are shown below taken at one minute intervals of the experimenet.

Testing durability, decomposition and porosity. The diagrams are set into three sections: looking at the cubes form (from the front/ side elevation), top-view and exploring the water spilage.

No Powder- 10 minutes to melt Form

Top-view

Water spillage

Half tbs Powder- 7 minutes to melt

One tbs Powder- 6.5minutes to melt

One and half tbs Powder- 6.5minutes to melt

Two tbs Powder- 6.5minutes to melt

All powder Clay powder does not freeze by itself, it must be mixed with another substance in order for it to freeze and create an ice cube.

From this experiement I have learnt that by adding additional substances, the mix of a creation can change due to external pressures or additions. Can this relate to society?

the outline...

No powder

Half tbs powder

One tbs powder

One and Half tbs powder

Two tbs powder

All powder

Form

No powder

Half tbs powder

One tbs powder

One and Half tbs powder

Two tbs powder

All powder

Top-view

No powder

Half tbs powder

One tbs powder

One and Half tbs powder

Two tbs powder

All powder

Water spillage

From this experiment, I have learnt that by adding additional substances, the mix of the creation can change due to external pressures.

The question is – can this relate to society?

“All things deteriotate in time”

examples of architectiral influences Within my project, I am interested in exploring light and building porosity. Relevant precedents include: the experimental project, where D.E. SHAW & CO. OFFICES were exploring the phenomena of spatial colour reflection/ “projected colour”. The intervals of instruments were used to help design the interior space of the building (figure one).

Figure one

A possible idea to take forward into my project is the use of time in reflection to the variable you are working with. For instance, the idea of gaps/ wholes in the walls adds to the ideology of deterioration; whereas the structure remains resistance to external pressures.

The permanence of the transient

Precedent two: Studio Libeskind – Jewish Museum, in Berlin. This museum exhibits social, political and cultural history of Jews in Germany. Libeskind’s interests when designing this museum was to focus on specific areas such as sections exploring the past and the future of the Jewish community (figure two).

Inside the building, sits a void which cuts through the zigzagging plan of new building and creates a space that embraces absence.

“Liberty is found where the conditions that favour the emergence and concreteness of induvial will exist”

Figure two

This building is very thought provoking. It has influenced me to think about buildings or spaces that connect to emotional impacts/ situations that have happened. I am interested at exploring more into buildings that relate to emotional/ social deterioration. An example of this would be the Twin-Tower memorial.

Single Point Perspective

Single-point perspective overlayed on top of site map

Single-point perspective connecting to decomposed bricks located along the street

field diagrams Diagram connecting all (inner street) points together

Single-point perspective connecting to the wider site

Diagram connecting all (wider street) points together

Diagram connecting all points together

Decomposed bricks on site

Zoomed in- Decomposed bricks on site

After conducting my experiments and taking influence from the precedent studies explored, I re-explored my chosen site but this time merging the ideas of deterioration, durability, porosity and the “grid” in order to help create my field diagrams.

When making my field diagrams I decided to take three approaches, firstly: a single point perspective that connects the inner and wider points together. Secondly, connecting the decomposed bricks on site. Lastly, looking at the same points but in a more zoomed in viewpoint.

The following page consists of two field diagrams which link all possible decomposed bricks on the surrounding area of site.

concept word

resilience

An article published by the house of commons committee stated that the Highstreet is in decline.

The way we shop has changed and will continue to adapt as new circumstances hit the society that we live in. New technologic developments in online shopping has recently been proven very helpful, especially with the recent global pandemic.

Access to the internet has unleashed new and interesting ways of working.

Between the month January and June, in 2018, the Highstreet saw a massive decline in the number of customers. One in ten Highstreet shops were vacant. More and more people are shopping online. What will be left in the Highstreet in the year 2030?

My vision for 2030 incorporates my theme of social decomposition due to external pressures deteriorating the way we live. I will be look at the core of society being resistant to the deterioration.

Taking influence from my experiment, I can link my ideology of decomposition within brick to society itself. Society is faced with external pressures every day.

There’s only so much pressure something can handle. However, we must investigate the idea of the core being resistance to these pressures of deterioration. Therefore, this portrays an idea where the ‘traditional’ sense and moral of societies core remains resistant whereas the outer circle of society could deteriorate due to these pressures.

Many believe the conspiracy that we are constantly being watched and that the government want to control us. Well shading light on the recent global pandemic, I believe that the idea of ‘track and trace’ will be developed further, and possible microchips will be inserted into people at point of birth. Hence the idea of ‘The Human Barcode’. A barcode is overlying the hybrid drawing in order to display this idea. However, parts of the barcode is ‘broken’. The word derelict/deteriorate and decompose all have connotations relating to the word ‘ruins’ meaning crumbling and disappearing. This is therefore showing that the signs of ‘closing stores’ hopefully stays in the past and kept behind the barriers of ‘the human barcode’; whereas the new life of 2030 shines through.

2030 holds new and exciting ways of shopping in the Highstreet. Possible ideas include interactive walls in order to persuade consumers to physically go shopping whilst integrating them back into society. As mentioned before, technology has made it easier for buyers to shop online taking this further the Highstreet will offer both services. for instance, as shown in the hybrid drawing, online retailers are starting to buy store fronts in order to generate more revenue. Therefore, I believe more online retails will home the streets of the ‘traditional’ Highstreet.

“Any society which is not improving is deteriorating, and the more so the closer and more familiar it is. Even a really superior man almost always begins to deteriorate when he is habitually king of his company.”

John Stuart Mill

“Act now before it’s too late”

Exploring the idea of societal decomposition through social impact

04

morpho[logic]

form finding

For my form finding exercise, I decided to take influence from my experiment where I looked at the process of decomposition through the act of melting, where it was found that the core remained resistant. In addition I am connecting the points taken from the field diagram where existing decomposed bricks situated.

Connectivity Discontinuiy

Fold Press Crease Compress Shrink Twist Turn Rotate Balance

The process of melting

The idea of the core remaining resistant to decay/ deteriarion whereas the sides are melting (deteriorating) due to external pressures/ influences

Incomparison to the ice cube- act of compression or shrinking

possible ways in which the form will fit in the building

Concept two

Concept one

concept one

concept two

My form is still very much conceputal. However, possible entrance and exit pointscan be distingusihed in addition to possible roof/floor layouts (taking inspirtation from Libeskin Studio in particular)

To be contined...

Question of Social Resilience

“Act now before it’s too late”