SOAR ISLAND - the regeneration of Leicester's waterside

SOAR ISLAND PORTFOLIO

design research studio - semester 2 copyright 2020

architect

RIZKA KAUTSAR P2558178 design research studio

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Con

e t nt

1. Site introduction 2. Canals over time 3. Context 4. SWOT 5. Project objectives 6. Urban strategies 7. Precedences 8. Concept & Design

Site Introduction

Soar Island Soar Island is an island within Grand Union Canal and the River Soar which connected with a network of bridges and weirs. the site is located only 10 minutes walk from the city centre. currently the site is mixture of industrial work which is ready-mix concrete plant, woodland and open space.

site 0,87ha

The existing site is currently divided into 3 sections: section 1 (0.15 ha/0.37 acres), in the north area is a woodland area. Section 2 (0.50ha/1.24 acres) is in private ownership that currently leased and used by Hope Construction Materials (Concrete) as a ready-mix concrete plant.

Section 3 (0.22ha/0.54 acres) is located in the south of the island which is separated by the roadway. it features green open space that actually created from site infill.

This site is located within the the Leicester City Council's Abbey Ward and has historic plan. the site was formerly the location of mill and also location of railway interchange between swannington railway, also known the rally, west bridge and great central station. reference : http://www.ribacompetitions.com/soarisland/index.html

canals over time

The Decline the beginning of railways era is believed that killed off freight on the canals, and also the railways companies acquired many canal companies for reasons of self-interest. however, freight carrying service continued on canals until after second world war and due to competition from the new motorways in 1962/1963 was finally kill off most freight on the canal.

Waterways declined in that period and by the late 1960s the network had decreased to 2,775 miles from over 5,000 in its golden age. Many canals were abandoned, filled in, or severed by new motorways.

The Beginning The Britain’s most important canals was built in the late 1700's and early 1800’s by merchants, aristocrats and bankers, but particularly by coalmine owners, textile manufacturers, pottery barons and others who want to open up new markets for their products. canals was very important and played pivotal role in the industrial revolution

Today Today the 2000 miles waterways in England and Wales is managed by Canal & River Trust. this volunteer groups are working hard to brings these derelict waterways back to life.

The Restoration in 1946, the inland waterways association is founded by passionate enthusiasts, Tom Rolt and Robert Aickman who knew that they need to secure the future of canals. Their effort helped to save a priceless national treasure and today nearly 450 miles of canal have been fully restored.

Golden Age The waterway network was in its golden age where stretched over 5.000 miles long and carried 30 million tonnes of raw materials and goods across britain over year. furthermore, almost all major cities in uk had a canal; from London to Lancaster and from Wales to the Wash. reference : https://canalrivertrust.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=bc85e84c7069427ca87174490b03a08d

reference : https://canalrivertrust.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=bc85e84c7069427ca87174490b03a08d

ETHNIC

COUNTRY OF BIRTH

RELIGION

Community AGE

Con

middle age

Community Place Connections Natural resources Tourism Industry

e t xt

multi religion

multi ethnic mid-low income

OCCUPATION QUALIFICATION ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

INDUSTRY

elementary occupation

family students

References : https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/localarea?compare=E05001804 Disclaimer : these diagrams have been prepaired by rizka kautsar that using primary data from the following source

Community

living environment deprivation index

lncome deprivation index

Income deprivation affecting older people

It can be seen that deprivation index of community in this area is very high. income deprivation affect older people and children. living environment has significant deprive index due to lack of quality of local environment and crime index is also very high. Thus, this area should be given a major overhaul by creating a unique mixed-use area that active throughout the day in order to bring economic opportunity and overcome the issues in community.

IMD (Index of Multiple Deprivation)

Income deprivation affecting children

References : http://dclgapps.communities.gov.uk/imd/iod_index.html#

crime index

References : http://dclgapps.communities.gov.uk/imd/iod_index.html#

Place

industrial area

waterside

green area & canal

soar island site source : personal photo

heritage site

residential

office

city centre

service

Natural Resource 1 CONTOUR MOSTLY FLAT WITH GREENARY IN NORTH AREA THAT IS NOT WELL-MAINTAIN AND SMALL PARK IN SOUTH AREA

residential

ca sit nal e ca na l

tourist attraction & park

2

CANAL AND RALLY PARK IN WEST SIDE ARE POTENTIAL ASSETS

city

centre

office edu cation

Connection

1

2 source : google earth, personal photo

Touristm industry

Natural Resource

IN 2019, THE UK REMAINED 4TH FOR TOURISM “EDUCATIONAL, FASCINATING, EXCITING” ARE STILL THE WORDS MOST ASSOCIATED WITH THE UK, BUT “RELAXING” GREW TOO. MUSEUMS HAVE STRONG ASSOCIATIONS AS DO MUSIC AND FILMS WHICH ALL HAVE KEY LINKS TO BRITAIN’S TOURISM OFFER. THUS, I WOULD CREATE SOME SORT OF PUBLIC SPACE THAT HAS TOURIST ATTRACTION SPOT AND COMBINING WITH COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY

WITH THE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE ASSETS LIKE CANAL AND GREENSPACE, THE LEISURE AND RECREATION COMBINE WITH COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY COULD BE POTENTIAL INVESTMENT AS TOURIST ATTRACTION. MUSEUM (CANAL MUSEUM) +COMMUNAL SPACE + SPORT ACTIVITY + FOUNTAIN SHOW + JOGGING TRACK+ FOOD HALL + BOAT DINING + RETAIL/COMMERCIAL AREA

reference: https://www.leicester.gov.uk/media/183734/leicesters-green-infrastructure-strategy-2015-2025.pdf

SWOT study project objectives Strengths 1. has potential green infrastructure assets like canal and greenspace.

2. easy access to city centre and another attractions.

3. has captive market such as, students, office workers, and locals live in residential area. weaknesses 1. current green infrastructures are not well maintain 2. lack of activities in canal.

3. canalside is not well-designed.

4. not lit-enough areas, crime possibility is high. opportunities 1. only a few of distinct attraction area in Leicester.

2. in line with local authority’s vision to develop green infra in this area. threat 1. global pandemic such as covid-19 could decrease the traffic of tourism.

Enhance the value of community and bring the economic opportunity by creating the mixed-use urban tourist attraction.

urban strategies Ÿ making an iconic active urban park and museum. Ÿ adopt Jane Jacob’s theory “eyes on the street” by

creating mixed-use project to enhance economic in society and overcome the crime issue as well. Ÿ apply Kevin Lynch’s theory “elements of the city” to enhance the legibility and bring a good images of leicester. Ÿ utilize canal as leisure waterway. Ÿ making waterfront as communal space and create outdoor and watersport activities. Ÿ redesign pathway which secure only for pedestrian and cyclist.

precedences

granary square, king cross, london, UK

grand canal museum, china source : https://www.kingscross.co.uk/summer-love-film-festival

source : https://www.dezeen.com/2020/01/03/herzog-de-meuron-grand-canal-museum-complex-china-architecture/

chicago riverwalk, US source : https://architizer.com/projects/chicago-riverwalk-2/

zaryadye park, moscow, russia source : https://architizer.com/projects/zaryadye-park/

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Macro Concept ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................

Micro Concept ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................

Mass Study ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................

In-Depth Concept ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................

Elements of The City images ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................

Surroundings + Accessibility ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................

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Sustainable Energy ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................

Siteplan ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................

Floorplan ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................

Elevation ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................

Section ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ...........................................................................................................

3D Visualization ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................... ...........................................................................................................

Con g s e d i n + C pt e

CONNECTION TO OTHER PUBLIC ATTRACTION

RESIDENTIAL

SPACE CENTRE

ABBEY PARK

UTILIZE CANAL AS TOURIST ATTRACTION AND SPORT

BEDE PARK

SITE

AY W

PUBLIC SPACE WITH MIX-USE ACTIVITY

ST. MARGARET’S BUS STATION

H T PA AY EN RW E E T GR A W

CASTLE PARK

HIGHCROSS SHOPPING MALL

PROVIDE GREEN SPACE & PRESERVE THE HISTORY

ADOPT THE JANE JACOBS THEORY “EYES ON THE STREET” WHICH CREATE A MIXED-USE PROJECT (CANAL MUSEUM+URBAN PARK+PUBLIC SPACE+COMMERCIAL AREA+TOURIST ATTRACTIONS) IN THIS AREA, PROVIDING ACTIVE SECURITY WITHIN COMMUNITY AND TRY TO ELEVATE THE VALUE OF NEIGHBORHOOD AND LEICESTER AS WELL.

KING POWER STADIUM

MACRO

concept

MICRO

concept

mass study

mass study

1

2 weir (north entrance) canal canal

site

3

N

N

rally park

total site area is 0,87 ha which surrounded by edges bridge(east entrance) which are two canals and also rally park in the west side and it is like small island that connected by two main bridge bridges and two weirs as weir (south entrance) e n t r a n c e , a l l o f t h e s e (west entrance) infrastuctures are listed of heritage buildings so I would keep and preserve as it is.

offset the outline of the site to create pathway which surrounded the main building and provide connection and easy access to each entrance (bridges + weirs).

gate paddle ground

4

pull the surface up to create the main building and push down area in the west side to provide amphitheater and commercial areas beneath the main building.

shape up in every corner to create an iconic building that inspired from canal lock. providing pitch green roof that can be accessible for pedestrian from ground level to public space in top level. pull up space in north area to be a landmark tower which can be utilized as wind power and sports activity area such as wall climber and flying fox.

N

6

N

5

(west entrance)

N

N

(east entrance)

pull more in the main building which is museum to make iconic one, push down in the middle of 2 entrances (west entrance and east entrance) to provide node and main access to the museum and direct access from east to west

Kevin Lynch in his book “images of the city” said that the ultimate way of organizing five elements which are path, edges, district, nodes, landmark is combining as “melodic” line (analogy to the music) which connecting each part rather than separate points. Thus, in this project I would try to make sequence series that has an introductiondevelopment-climaxconclusion part in one area.

canal locks

gate paddle

adopt the outline of a gate paddle in the canal locks which tilted from the ground level and become the shape of main building and point of interest in this project.

point of interest

in-depth concept : an active urban park + canal museum

communal space in upper level with greenary surrounding to preserve to existing habitat of birds. commercial slot in ground level could be used as restaurant or branded tenants

this project aims to create some sort of active urban park which can be used as outdoor activity such as canoeing, wall climbing, flying fox, water sports, jogging, running, cycling, camping ground, art performance, watching sports game, watching music concert, watching free movies, and combining with canal museum and also commercial area, making this mixed-use project the next big thing in leicester, and UK as well. wind power tower which can be used as flying fox and wall climbing

weir

elements of the city images this project also adopt the kevin lynch’s theory about elements of the city images. there are two landmarks which can easily be recognized from distance, several path around the island and nodes that people can enter to shift from place to another like a junction. not to forget the canal surrounding as the edge. those elements combine together to make melodic line which have introduction, development, climax, and conclusion. furthermore, this concept perhaps could enhance the value and economic of community and also bring a good visual image of Leicester .

east canal is utilized as canal tour, there is a boat dock as starting point and providing cruise experience along the canal

(north entrance)

canal

canal museum solar panel

bridge(east entrance)

small plaza as a node & main entrance to the museum

canal

path

path landmark

edge landmark

main stage

path path

rally park

there are 2 kiosk zone : east side kiosk, and west side kiosk. each zone consists of up to 9 kiosks

bridge

(west entrance)

edge

communal space weir

(south entrance)

fountain show that running in a certain time observation deck to explore canals weir and fountain show

N

amphitheater to hold the watersport game, music concert, movie theater, or other art performance.

surroundings + accessibility

taxonomy

this project is located in the strategic point. it is only a walking distance from city centre and has an easy access by bus. there are several potential captive markets for this project between 400m walking distance, namely: residential area, friarsmill business centre, merlin height stident accomodation, service apartment, great central square business centre & novotel hotel, the wullcomb luxury apartment, etc. it could make this project feasible in business.

BUS

ROU

TES the wullcomb

0m

(luxury apartment)

18

400 m

great central square (business centre + hotel)

rally park friarsmill (business centre)

residential area

merlin height (student accomodation)

service apartment

highcross (shopping mall)

roof garden canal museum restaurant/branded tenant amphitheater main stage kiosk area communal space observation deck fountain show wind power tower (flying fox + wall climbing)

sustainable strategy

wind power

solar panel

using permeable pavers in order to easily recharge the underground water

the concept is collecting the rain water into grey water cistern and will be used to watering the plantation to reduce maintainence cost.

the power which generated from solar panel in the roof and wind power tower in north area of this island could produce green energy and cause less pollution. Moreover, it could reduce the electricity bills.

floorplan weir (north entrance) 64.60

30.00

wind power tower & flying fox + wall climbing attraction

20.00 34.00

communal space in upper level commercial area in ground level

43.00

amphitheatre

42.20

22.50

BRANDED TENANT/ RESTAURANT

kiosk & sitting area

20.00

stage 24.00

boat dock

20.00

22.50 59.50

rally park

MUSEUM

bridge (east entrance)

kiosk & sitting area

MAIN STAGE

59.50

canal museum UPPERFLOOR

15.00

bridge (west entrance)

communal space

24.00

fountain show 45.60

N

observation deck

siteplan

5

weir (south entrance)

20 10

GROUNDFLOOR

elevation

south elevation

east elevation

west elevation north elevation

section a

a’

b

33.50

b’

15.00 15.00

7.00 4.90

7.00

0.00

0.00 -1.80

-4.80

-4.80 3.00

0.00

0.00

5.50

-1.80

-1.80

6.70

10.00

10.00

5.00 5.00

20.00

24.00

59.50

15.00

3.00

21.00

45.60

-1.80

section b-b’

-4.50

-4.80

3.00

0.90

6.75

10.00

21.70

3.00

10.90

2.00

section a-a’

3D visualization

bird’s eye view in the daylight

bird’s eye view in the night

day image in summer

night image in raining scene

winter scene

bird’s eye view in winter

amphitheater in sunset

sunset in raining scene

canal museum interior

node to shift between east and west side

east side panoramic view

west side panoramic view

amphitheater in west side

perspective image

observation deck in south side

communal space

narrowboat dock

kiosk area and sitting group

access to upper floor

view to west side

communal space in upper floor + amphitheater in west side

amphitheater in daylight

detail of communal space in upper floor

soar island by rizka kautsar

bird’s eye view