The construction industry global emissions 1 , highlighting to retrofit aging buildings.
In my final year, I developed approach to identify optimal dealing with existing structures. was demonstrated in a collaborative project.
This is Transformation.
Martin Sekac
1 Source: Bringing Embodied Carbon Upfront
industry accounts for 39% of highlighting the urgent need buildings. developed a pragmatic design optimal strategies for structures.
Designed in Sheffield, 2024.
The content of this Thesis Project was jointly produced by Martin Sekac and Parth Chauhan as part of the studio unit called Street Dreams led by Bryony Spottiswoode.
The final presentation took place on 23rd of May 2024.
Is it enough to be sustainable?
An introduction 12
How we designed a building for 100 people
Thesis Project
I like to let things breathe. Kendrick Lamar
In my dissertation, I conduct a comprehensive review of the current BREEAM system and its approach to addressing embodied carbon. This review serves as the foundation for a critique of the current system, which I undertake using two case studies: Bloomberg HQ for new construction and 100 Liverpool Street for retrofit.
Expanding upon this analysis, my dissertation introduces the Material Palette, an innovative approach that empowers the development of a pragmatic design process.
It not only reduces embodied carbon but also considers the costeffectiveness of materials and the existing condition of the site. This concept aims to reshape our approach to sustainable building design.
Left Material Palette and its implementation during the RIBA stages, showing the approach for both new construction and retrofit, including the most suitable tools for each stage.
Thesis Project in collaboration with Parth Chauhan
Key responsibilities:
• Critical Agenda
• Spatial Planning
• Façade concept
• Model making
• Production of drawings
Left
Inspired by the work of Pulitzer Prize-winning data journalist Mona Chalabi, we are utilizing data from the 2021 Census to portray Westminster City’s demographics as if it were 100 people. It includes us as well!
We are using 2021 Census data to represent local demographics as if it were 100 people, illustrating factors like gender, age, ethnicity, and economic activity.
This helped us identify trends such as many one-person households, population decline, and a lack of children as factors driving the transformation of the UK’s largest cooperative business. We propose using the department store as a tool for economic restructuring to benefit employees and locals.
This includes introducing on-site housing as an employee benefit to reduce commutes and improve wellbeing, inspired by historical hostels that accommodated workers. Additionally, we propose a new façade inspired by John Lewis’s patternmaking heritage, designed to be adaptable for future climate change.
On 10 August 2018, House of Fraser entered administration.
Above
Context model at a 1:1000 scale used to explore new massing options.
At the end of the Coronavirus pandemic, Great Britain was left with excess retail space – which was recorded to be up to 40% of all retail space
Existing_Building_assesment.pdf
Ground Floor Plan of the existing department store, highlighting which elements we want to adapt.
A graph provides a detailed breakdown of carbon emissions across different components of the building.
Source: OneClick LCA
To determine which parts of the building are suitable for demolition, we utilized Carbon Designer, a tool developed by OneClickLCA. This tool provided valuable insights into the embodied carbon of a new structure.
For the input data, we referenced the existing building, which spans approximately 70,000 sqm with the same number of floors and ceiling height of 4 meters. The structure of this model comprises a steel frame with a maximum span of 9 meters.
This diagram highlights the main hotspots, showing high amounts of embodied carbon particularly in the floors due to the metal deck construction and in the glazing frames made of aluminium.
Right Existing and proposed. Atriums are slightly shifted and aligned with main entrances. The delivery area is downsized, and new lobbies are located in the back.
Right below Idea: Department store as a bazaar
Opposite The street extends inside to become a marketplace, allowing an organic flow of people that feels less contained and controlled.
Department store for Oxford Street 2040 (Client version).pdf
Above When working on our design manifesto to address the client, we drew a section illustrating our approach. Right Development sketch I drew where we wanted to explore different depths of atriums.
Opposite Physical model at 1:100 scale illustrating key design elements: façade design, atrium space, and residential part.
Right
John Lewis acquired Chadwickham House in 1914, which was used as a hostel for employees until it was shut down in 1940.
Opposite
We would like to utilize the department store as a resource that operates 24/7. In exchange for providing amenities within the neighbourhood, it would give back to its employees and support the community.
15 min walk
Unit Type 1
Shared: yes
Capacity: 8 people
Suitable for: Students, Young professionals
Unit Type 2
Shared: no
Capacity: 2 adults + child
Suitable for: Couple, Family, Carer, Disabled
Darren (22)
My mum has worked for John Lewis in Liverpool for 16 years, so I chose to apply for a placement with the same company to start my career. After three years at UCL, living costs are high, but cooperative housing allows me to afford it without compromising my quality of life.
Robin (29) + Brian (31)
As we both work for John Lewis, it was a great relief to be able to live on-site when our child was born. Even though we’re on the busiest street in all of London, it’s very quiet up here, and we’re able to enjoy quality time with our neighbors.
Unit Type 3
Shared: yes
Capacity: 6 people
Suitable for: Students, Young professionals
Sharon (25)
Hi, I’m Sharon, 25, and I work for John Lewis as a skincare specialist. I absolutely love the sense of community here. It’s amazing how close-knit and supportive everyone is. I enjoy staying active and love spending time at the gym. The community life here is fantastic, and it’s wonderful to share it with so many likeminded people.
Unit Type 4
Shared: no
Capacity: 1 person
Suitable for: Students, Young professionals, Disabled
Howard (32)
I love most about living here is the sense of community and the opportunities it brings. I’ve been amazed by the vegetables I’ve been able to produce, especially the basil, which is perfect for homemade pesto— my favorite! It’s incredible to grow my own food and share it with friends and neighbors.
Right Physical model at a scale of 1:200 with four types of units, made out of foam to help us develop the layout.
The diagram shows the addition of a new structure within the department store and a new residential unit stacked across three floors.
Small Co-living Unit
Architecture of Stockholm: Observing the diverse architectural styles in Stockholm.
Stockholm’s fully pedestrianized High Street, spanning 1 mile, hosts diverse uses like educational institutions and government buildings. During our field trip to Stockholm, we observed this variety, inspiring our vision for Oxford Street. Oxford Street, with its length and width, and excellent transportation links, could also be fully pedestrianized. Referencing the Mayor of London’s 2018 proposal, our diagram shows traffic efficiently diverted without burdening side roads.
Typical floor height: 4000 mm
Current use: stockrooms & changing rooms
Vertical member profile (aluminium)
Horizontal member profile (aluminium)
As we envision Oxford Street being fully pedestrianized, we propose a façade that engages with the street and becomes a local work of art in its own right.
Below
After studying several textile patterns, we developed a script in Grasshopper to rationalize the design and make it possible for 3D printing.
Opposite Prototype of façade design at a 1:100 scale.
Recycled aluminium is the preferred material choice as it is lightweight, durable against UV exposure, and minimizes the need for future replacements.
Textile pattern
Light Shelf
Light Shader
Adaptable to climate change
Above
Behind the scenes of the model assembly. It took us a while to find the right glue to hold the fragile atrium structure together.
Halfway through, we realized that the size of the building we’re dealing with is massive, making it quite a challenge to transform a mundane department store into something that goes beyond retail.
Countless hours were spent designing each feature, such as the façade, atrium, and residential part. We had lots of fun building the physical model just a week before the deadline.
Although our sleep schedules took a hit, we pushed ourselves to produce the best version we could.
End.
