This boat-crafting learning centre is aimed to help empower the local community of Cumbria through the Sloyd education system (learning through craft) to tackle the ongoing unemployment-related issues.
This proposal utilises the rising trend in UK boat export and resources already available in the area—human resources (skilled people of Cumbria in the nuclear and boatbuilding manufacturing industry) and materials (wood sourced from Grizedale). Small Modular Nuclear Reactor (SMR) in the scheme produces clean energy used in the building and the surplus is given to the grid, contributing to the UK’s goal of net carbon zero by 2050.
This scheme is hoped to be the first step to a future of an empowered generation, powered by sustainable nuclear energy 2022-2023
A - Loading bay
B - Boat storage
C - Raw materials storage (e.g. wood planks)
D - Student lockers downstairs, mezzanine learning space upstairs
E - Staff office
F - Boat building staff lockers + changing rooms
G - Boat building workshop area
H - 2 x accessible toilets with additional sinks outside for workshop users, HSE + Part M compliant
J - Boat lift under large boat workshop area
K - Boat kit / parts production
L - Foyer with reception, exhibition area on Sloyd education system, and viewing deck
M - SMR staff toilet, HSE + Part M compliant
N - Additional security check
P - SMR staff lockers + changing rooms
Q - SMR control/monitoring room
R - SMR
S - SMR refuelling access with secure gate and fences
Design Drivers
1. Separation of boatbuilding and SMR
For logical layout and services
Boatbuilding school with Sloyd education system (learning through craft)
2. Hierarchy of spaces + inviting lake in 3. Boat form inspired
Through research, boat building school with these additional features is found to be the programme that caters to the needs of the local community and responds to site opportunities and constraints.
The purpose of the building is embodied in its form. Combined with practicality such as separating the boat-building and SMR wings, this creates a richer design.
Boats produced are available for purchase
Boat parts are CNC-cut
Boats and related equipments available for hire, for use in Lake Windermere
SMR used to power building, give back to the grid, and charge batteries for boat motors
Boat hire
for activities such as watersport, kayaking, etc with equipment rental also available here
Coach parking for large groups of visitors (e.g. tour) 5 mins away by car
Materials delivery
by truck, unloaded at loading bay conveniently located next to storage
National and international delivery towed by pickup truck, then loaded onto ship Port Workington
Associated British Port Barrow
Local delivery and pick-up (around Lake Windermere)
Students and visitors from all around UK and international (by car or coach)
Staff from towns around site such as Ambleside and Bownesson-Windermere
Grizedale forest source of wood for boatbuilding
Roof and Services
Grasshopper mapping suggests water will naturally run through skylights (and down through glass drainpipes) due to the general height difference between lake side and road side.
Lakeside facade of workshop Foyer
Boat building wing toilets
SMR wing toilet
Energy cycle and distribution diagram
Central plant room location allows boat building and SMR wings to have separate systems so they are independent of each other in case of security threats or malfunction.
Roof-to-ceiling heights
1:200 model
(roof 3D printed ABS, base laser cut MDF)
Roof above the foyer upon entrance being the tallest (9.70 m) immediately welcomes visitors to a grand, scenic framed view of Lake Windermere, followed by the boat building workshop at 8.30 m.
Lowest points are above the toilets (3.20 m) to allow rainwater to flow naturally to these points, down the conventional drainpipes here, and used for flushing WCs.
General downwards roof slope from the lakeside towards the road allows for rainwater to enter the feature vertical drainpipes in the centre of the ‘tree’ columns.
KEY
Power / electricity
Exhaust
Drinkable tap water to sinks
Rainwater to flush WCs
Rainwater through feature drainpipes at the centre of columns
Toilets boat building wing
Toilet SMR wing
Foyer Workshop Storage SMR
Lowest Tallest Locations of downpipes from roof gutter to lake
Lakeside elevation shows volume opening up, maximising the view of Lake Windermere whereas the roadside elevation mostly uses stone slips for cladding, sensitive to the neighbouring buildings and nature, creating a harmonious streetscape. Roof contour on the lakeside is also much more expressive than the roadside for this reason. Use of different cladding materials subtly distinguishes SMR and boat building wings.
Roadside
Environmental Strategy
RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide
Net Zero Operational Carbon
#3 Prioritise Fabric First principle (angle of fins, adequate insulation, roof overhang, etc)
#4 Provide responsive local controls (ventilation flaps, louvres)
Summer sun
Limited from entering space by the use of roof overhang
Winter sun
Able to enter space due to fins being made out of glass
Net Zero Embodied Carbon
#5 Minimise materials with high embodied carbon impact (material is mostly timber = negative embodied carbon)
#8 Modular off-site construction system (outer skin fin modules)
Sustainable Water Cycle
#6 Create sustainable urban drainage considering aquatic habitats and human amenity (vertical drainpipes and gutter direct rainwater into lake)
Stack ventilation
Hot air rises and escapes through mechanical louvres in between openings for drainpipe
Skylights above columns allow daylight to reach deep into the workshop space
Sustainable Land Use & Ecology
#7 Create a range of green spaces (green roof and planted trees - seen in masterplan, site section, and GAs)
Acoustic
Noise from workshop entering inner rooms reduced by use of insulating interior wall material
Good Health & Wellbeing
#1 Provide spaces with strong visual connection to the outside (glass fins, windows, and internal windows)
#5 Design spaces with good indoor daylighting (roof overhang and glass fins), lighting (suspended strip lights at strategic places), and glare control (aluminium panel on the bottom of the outer skin of the double skin facade)
Sedum green roof
Little maintenance needed, improves quality of water runoff, provides extra insulation in winter
Rainwater also runs off to hidden gutter along the perimeter of the roof excluding lakeside where it directly runs off the edge
View out
Due to the use of glass as cladding (inner curtain wall and outer fins)
Fins reduce impact on interiors
Glare bounced by water
Aluminium panel as part of outer skin modular panel to reduce glare from water
Underfloor heating
More energy efficient than conventional heating method
Cool air enters through mesh grating and ventilation flaps at the bottom of the curtain walling (also possible through windows when opened)
Rainwater
Glass vertical drainpipes in the centre of columns direct rainwater to lake below, users in the space are able to see water trickling down due to the choice of material
Internal windows allow for inner rooms to also get view of lake
Suspended light strips to habitable level for energy efficiency
Cross ventilation
Air moves across workshop, enters inner rooms from louvres (or windows) and out to roadside through louvres
Bay Study
(above lake) — (0.12 W/m2K)
24 mm OSB (to match mesh in double skin facade)
Underfloor heating in between screed
Service void supported by timber battens
Damp proof membrane
200 mm rockwool insulation
Vapour control layer
252 mm CLT
— (0.14 W/m2K)
100 mm sedum green roof
50 mm reservoir layer
Filter layer
Vapour control layer
200 mm rockwool insulation
Damp proof membrane
12 mm CLT
200 x 300 mm CLT beams (LVL-covered)
wall — (0.12 W/m2K)
180 mm CLT
Vapour control layer
200 mm rockwool insulation
Damp proof membrane
180 mm CLT
Double skin facade
3 mm silk screen ceramic fritted toughened glass with aluminiumm RHS frames and aluminium sheet underneath to counter glare
Maintenance corridor with 24 mm GRP open mesh grating supported by steel I-beams
SIngle pane fire rated glass apron held in place with cantilever brackets and glass clamps
Alu-clad timber stick curtain walling with ‘tilt-and-turn’ windows and ventilation flaps
Rainwater passes through openings within the frames of the skylight to drainpipe (transparent rod here is only representative, refer to drawings in previous pages for actual shape) which transfers it down all the way to the lake through the centre of the column within the workshop, becoming a feature of the space
Rainwater
Steel columns (submerged) to foundation - B
RHS steel columns
Base plate
Holding down bolts
Location tube
Anchor plates
1 - Daylight creates only soft shadows which is beneficial for woodworking. If users require more clarity while working, they can use the flexilamps on the desks as shown on next page, Workstation.
2 - Beams stop at external wall with suitable thermal insulation. Hence interior is separate from exterior, creating a controlled environment.
Column is structural (loadbearing), functional (workstation, drainpipe, skylight), and decorative (water feature, light coming through skylight creates interesting soft shadows as do ambient lights shooting upwards) all at the same time.
Roof
External
Floor
Steel columns to CLT floor - A
RHS steel columns 252 mm CLT floor panel 200 mm rockwool
Bolts
Base plate
Glass drainpipe
Workstation
Parts of the workstations, such as the jack for adjusting desk height and the lights around the inner side of the desks shooting upwards are left exposed, carrying the same principle as the rest of the workshop: hardwearing and exposed. The height of each desk is adjustable independent of the other ones, allowing customisation according to a person’s height and preference, whether it be sitting, standing, or in a wheelchair (slightly higher than stool height, but not as tall as standing). This is adjusted with the two jack supports on either ends of the desk.
4 x workstations
Each with a different function as below, for ease of services
1. Drilling - mats to prevent drilling into desks
2. Sanding - debris collection under desk
3. Bonding/gluing - worktop cover to prevent glue from damaging surface
4. Painting - glass notch to hold water (explored in-depth on the right)
Steps to fold stool 1 2 3 4 5
Ready to be hung onto the right side panel under each desk
Feature drainpipe running rainwater to lake underneath
Power sockets
Spotlight towards column at various angles
Pop-up downdraft extractor
Downdraft pipe with partial flexibility to still be able to stand up by itself but able to follow adjusted desk height
Under desk ambient light
Jack for adjusting height of desk
4 x galvanised steel RHS column to with greater spacing compared to timber columns above, for drainpipe maintenance
storage when not in use
Flexi desk lamp
Stool
Double Skin Facade TECHNOLOGICAL STUDIES
Iterative Testing l Record of Process (Observed Result)
Fin Material
Expected Result
A double skin facade (DSF) boosts energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and noise control. Its dual-layer design with an air cavity regulates temperature and allows natural ventilation, reducing energy needs and enhancing occupant comfort. Strategies
Summer afternoon is the time most solar shading is needed for thermal comfort and glare control. Since sunlight is from the west in the afternoon, positive values may provide more solar shading. Larger fin size may also have a significant impact.
Fin angle 0o ∑ sun hours 2746
Most of the sun exposure hit the thickness of the fins (yellow on the thin strip dimension) meaning most of the daylight penetrates in without hitting the fins therefore they are not very successful acting as solar shading devices.
Methodology
Iterations are done to the Rhino model in Grasshopper which is then processed through Galapagos to find the optimum angle and size of the fins.
Options for angle are set between -90o to 90o with an increment of 15o
Total number of direct sun hours on the fins is used to determine whether fins successfully block natural light in the afternoon (3 pm onwards). This is obtained by summing up the values of the colourful squares (grid size of 100x100 mm).The higher the sum, the more natural light blocked, hence the more successful the fins are.
Fin angle 15o ∑ sun hours 3385
This angle gives the maximum sun hours exposure on the fins based on calculations by Galapagos. This option is the most appropriate angle and size considering implications on weight for structural stability and ease of construction.
Fin angle -15o ∑ sun hours 2833
The same angle but to the negative result in notably less sun exposure on the fins.
Fin angle 15o Fin width scale x1.5
∑ sun hours 4425
Increased sun exposure due to increase in size of fin.
Requirement: solar shading with minimal disruption to view and interior quality.
Options:
- Plain safety glass: no solar shading, but unobstructed view out.
- Tinted glass: solar shading, but interior quality will be affected by the colour.
- Ceramic fritted glass ink printed to glass with customisable pattern for shading.
Roof overhang protects from summer sun
Chimney / stack effect occurs in the space here, encouraged even more with the angle of the outer skin (pressure difference)
Fire directed away from inner skin using ‘growing’ aprons (the higher the wider)
Daylight able to enter space due to glass used on both outer (fins) and inner (windows) skins
Effect of strong wind from lake is reduced with the use of fins
Fin angle 45o ∑ sun hours 3035
Starting to rotate the fins is proven to increase total direct sun hours.
Fin angle 15o
Fin width scale x2
∑ sun hours 5778
The most sun blocked but means modules are heavier.
Cool air enters space from below, through mesh grating and ventilation flaps - it then rises indoors
Glare from water is minimised using strategically placed aluminium sheet
Tinted glass results in tinted interior
Fritted glass
Glass clamps with rubber inserts in between to secure glass apron using 2 x M8 bolts each
Round eye staple plate, bolted, for maintenance and construction workers to hook safety harness onto
Steel I-beam supports the weight of outer skin (together with steel RHS on top) and maintenance corridor (including worker live load); rests on CLT within floor; insulation fills cavity between flanges for thermal continuity; beam secured with L-bracket underneath and bolted with 2 x M16 bolts
Steel rails for motorised roofcar to suspend scaffolding ‘cage’ for construction and maintenance due to the height variations of the curved roof (difficult to manually go uphill)
100 x 50 x 1300 mm steel RHS for support of outer skin; fixed to outer skin panels with 2 x M16 bolts, fixed to inner skin with L-bracket and M16 bolts
3 mm silk screen ceramic fritted toughened glass fins (5 mm x 300 mm x 3.6 m)
3 mm refers to diameter of frit pattern, fixed at -75o angle for maximum sun exposure reduction as explored previously; frit for solar shading, toughened to withstand wind
50 x 100 mm x 4 m aluminium RHS mullion
hollow to minimise weight; adjacent mullions bolted together side-by-side with U-brackets
600 mm distance between outer-inner skins (maintenance corridor, restricted access), just enough for 1 person to do maintenance such as cleaning windows
50 x 50 x 1400 mm aluminium SHS transom
U-brackets securing glass fins are welded onto this
1400 x 500 x 5 mm aluminium sheet to minimise effect of glare bounced by water on interior, welded to aluminium RHS frame, stops right above steel C-channel to allow brackets to bolt mullions together (see magnified bottom section)
24 mm GRP open mesh grating
secured to steel I-section below using standard floor grating clip
Cantilever bracket with 4 glass clamps welded to it (2 on each side) to hold apron glass
Fixed to inner skin curtain walling with 4 x M12 bolts
Single pane fire rated glass apron (noncombustible, allows daylight into space) fixed using rubber glass clamps with 2 x M8 bolts, aprons are of increasing width going up to achieve effect of moving fire away from inner skin but the width never surpasses half of the distance between inner and outer skins to allow horizontal movement when they need replacing (see diagram below, red dashed lines)
Alu-clad timber stick curtain wall
Uppermost transom follows roof curvature while the rest is angular. Double glazed windows on habitable level are operable for manual user control.
Alu-clad timber ventilation flap
Hot air tends to move down as it is heavier than cool air. Material is uniform with window frames above. Chamfered edge to minimise risk to users’ legs and feet when opened.
Construction Sequence 1.
Scale 1:5 @A4
Scale 1:5 @A4
Scale 1:5 @A4
Newhaven Health Hub
2023-2024
Newhaven, UK £12.5m
Client: Lewes District Council and Eastbourne Borough Council
• Revit
• Bluebeam Photoshop
The project was inherited from a previous architecture firm. After completing Stage 3+, Murphy Philipps continues the design to Stage 4 and 5. The project comprises two buildings that will be occupied by two NHS GP Surgeries: Chapel Street and Quayside. Quayside will also have a connection to the Sports Centre next door.
Working with existing buildings, I have had to go to site to check the current conditions and measurements of different elements. It is expected that I will be going on even more site visits now that we are starting Construction.
New Copford Place
Colchester, UK £1.5m
Client: Friends of the Elderly
Revit
• Lumion
The existing home offers residential care with 27 bedrooms. Due to its success, the charity wanted to invest in improvements to the care complex to support future health needs in the local community.
Produced a video walkthrough using the rendering software Lumion, building on the 3D Revit model of the project, going back and forth between the two software.
These are selected stills from the walkthrough.
WDC & SPFT
Office Co-location
Hailsham, UK
Client: Wealden District Council
• Revit
£3.4m
The proposed project aims to co-locate Wealden District Council (WDC) and Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust (SPFT) on the ground floor of the existing office space while retaining WDC’s space on the first floor.
I have been in this project since it started, until now developing Stage 3 directly with my Director. Moving forward, I will be involved heavily on the room layout and furnitures design, collaborating closely with the clinicians from SPFT.
2023-2024
Jakarta, Indonesia
• Rhino Photoshop
Early concept design for an apartment. Lots of storage space was a key requirement from user. Hanging bottle display from the ceiling above the kitchen island is a key element of the open space. This project has since been taken over by a contractor and is now under construction.
MA_67K 06
Kiwi Residence
Sumbawa Barat, Indonesia
• Rhino
• Photoshop
A 30-bed, two-storey, en-suite residential compound for workers from a nearby mine. Keeping costs low while still designing compact, comfortable rooms was the main consideration to attract renters while still maximising profit. Consideration to feng shui was also a request from the Client, making this project a great client-tailoring exercise.
A local contractor has since been brought into the project to deliver technical design and construction while I remain as a client-side advisor.
A Simple Relief
New York and New Jersey, USA (mobile)
• Rhino
• Sketchup
• Photoshop
• Illustrator
2022
Being a moving centre, the set up for the structures has been designed to allow for flexibility in the overall shapes, sizes, and dimensions.
Segregation of functions to multiple stations with their own independent structures means flexible layout and stations can be included or taken out of any one pop-up instance.
Easy to assemble and portable this project puts a heavy focus on minimising assembly time for volunteers as well as requiring minimal training with straightforwardness. It also ensures ability to be placed in different site sizes and aspect ratios. All elements are also able to be folded away for compact transport.
It also catered to multilingual communities there through the use of multilingual (English, Spanish, Chinese Mandarin) signages.
Student design competition by PAVE in collaboration with City Relief, a charity outreach for the homeless.
