Tim Formgren MArch Portfolio Plymouth University

Page 1

Tim Formgren Portfolio

Plymouth University

Application Reference: APP082936

7538: Master of Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 2)

Contents 1. Unit 5 (Third Year) 4 2. Technical Thesis (Third Year) 8 3. Final Studio Project (Third Year) 13 4. Final Studio Project (Second Year) 15 5. Professional Experience 16 6. Technical Studies (Third Year) 18 7. Hand drawings and Model-making 19
Iridescence Experiment, Hooke Park,
Dorset, UK.

THIRD YEAR

Petrol Stations in the UK. Architectural Association, School of Architecture

A short brief at the beginning of third year looking at different edge conditions. Service Stations, as we know them, are coming to an end and there’s now an opportunity to succeed the old with a new typology. A design to service its surrounding inhabitants both in the urban, edge and rural. For over 130 years this category of building, like no other, has provided the traveler with fuel for both themselves and their mode of transportation. As the era of petroleum driven transport is facing its inevitable demise, the world is now turning to electricity. What will become of the Service Stations? This project investigates the opportunities, potential, disadvantages and dangers of designing a new form of typology to attach itself, or fully replace, the old gas stations around London. Orphaned spaces adopted by a new era.

There are currently 531 petrol stations within the Greater London Area. New petrol and diesel vehicles will be banned from sale in the UK in 2030. As the diesel and petrol vehicle are pashing out, what will become of the petrol station?

Excavating tanks.
E85, Diesel, Oil, EV-charging
Food, snacks, simple groceries, café
tire services
Amount of Petrol Stations in Greater London area, 2022.
Petrol,
Fast
Car wash,
Conveience
store
Excess petrol removal. 1:200 Plan of Petrol Station forecourt. EV Charging point Standard size forecourt in plan. 2016 of EV charging points fitting on foreourt. Filling tanks with foamed
concrete. Removal and transport of tanks.
Stations
the UK. Year 00 01 07 13 02 08 14 03 09 15 04 10 16 05 11 17 06 12 18 19 20 21 15.000 12.500 10.000 7.500 5000 2.500
Decomission of fourcourt. Decline
of Petrol
in

UNDERGROUND OIL CHAMBER DESIGN

Third Year Architectural Association, School of Architecture

This design aims to expose what lies beneath the ground of a petrol station. A conceptual space where oil from an underground oil tank is slowly dripping and running through a series of grooves and channels, disappearing, appearing, dripping from walls and funnels to eventually all end up in a large pool of oil at the end. The slanting floors guide the oil through the space above your head, inside the glass brick walls, alongside the skirting of the walls and in the floors. Based on the domestic act of Hide and Seek, this space aims to give you hints and clues of the oils whereabouts but never knowing where it will turn up next.

Design iterations

Port

Undisguised infrastructure at the center

Hollow slits for the derricks to be

to different wells

Site: Los Angeles + Aesthetic Mitigation research

Third Year Architectural Association, School of Architecture.

The notion of Hide and Seek, the fascination of oil, and the oil industry, has led my project to Los Angeles and its “aesthetically mitigated” oil-infrastructure. Man-made islands and builings cover the ongoing oil extraction in the middle of the urban fabric in Los Angeles. In this example the island White, uses fake waterfalls, concrete panels, planted vegetation and other tricks to hide the interior oil infrastructure from people on the beaches of Long Beach. Island White is one out of 4 man made islands to extract oil on the fringes of Long Beach.

Island White, Long Beach, CA. moved Planted vegetation Rocks and sand to imitate beach and natural coast line Waterfalls to reduce noise pollution of the drilling Different coloured lights lighting up the panels at night Disguised Oil derrick Concealing panels of Island White. Concealing panels and man-made waterfall on Island White. Tall wall panels blocking sound and visibility of the center exposed infrastructure

Open roof

Packard Well 5733 W Pico Blvd. 90019

Facade mimicking an office building

Colour to blend in with the surroundings

Tall walls surrounding the site to reduce visibility and noise pollution from the drilling

Retail / Resturants Residential

Tower of Hope 6417 South Normandie Ave. 90044

Fake facade covering the actual oil derrick

Facade consisting of a sound absorbing vinyl.

Painted with flowers by hospitalised children

Cardiff Tower 9101 W. Pico Blvd and S. Doheny Dr. 90035

Mimicking the appearence of a synagogue

Hospital

Vegetation

Retail

Tall walls

School / Sports field Residential

Offices / Retail

Residential

Parks

Engines

Draw Works

Crown Block

Derrick Traveling Block

Crown BlockBlock

Crown BlockBlock

Stand Pipe

Swivel

Kelly

Rotary Drive

Blowout Prevention

Mud Pump Mud Pit

Site: Los Angeles + Aesthetic Mitigation Research

Third Year Architectural Association, School of Architecture.

Oil Derrick

Other oil-sites are concealed using fake facades mimicking that of office buildings, synagogues or light houses. Cobined with tall walls, vegetation and dull colours, these structures are the perfect camouflage in the city of Los Angeles. A poisonous architecture hiding in plain sight.

Drill Pipe

Drill Casing

Drill Bit

the interior
exposing

Third Year Technical Thesis

Iridescence and Photoelasticity

As part of the Environmental Technical Studies at the AA, all third year students are to develop a technical design thesis and submit a book of the research and design. My interest in iridescence and birefringent colours resulted in a 200 page document of research, testing, and final design.

Photoelasitc Booth, final Technical Studies model.

PHOTOELASTIC APPARATUS 01.

Third Year, technical thesis.

Architectural Association, School of Architecture

My interest in interference and its colour produced further led me to investigate and work with photoelasticity and iridescence as my material for my technical thesis.

This model is a 1:1 Photoelastic Booth in which the birefringent colours of photoelasticity can be closely examined and interacted with.

Section Long Elevation Short Elevation

PHOTOELASTIC APPARATUS 01.

Third Year, technical thesis.

Architectural Association, School of Architecture

The model was built during 5 days in Hooke Park, Dorset, UK. A series of frames and layers of polarising filters are attached to the booth. At the back, a LED-panel fixed onto a turntable allows for the polarisation to change between vertical and horizontal.

Horizontal polarisation Vertical polarisation No polarisation Vertical polarisation Horizontal polarisation Diagram showing light-rays travelling through the polarisation filters through the plastic from the light source. Applying stress to the plastic sheet.

PHOTOELASTIC EXPERIMENTATION. PLASTIC MOULDS.

Third Year, ongoing, technical thesis. Architectural Association, School of Architecture

A series of vacuum formed plastic objects shaped in angular, curved and porous appearence and form to induce as much stress into the object as possible to create different patterns and colouration of birefringence.

Technical third year thesis, Research + Experimentation.

Architectural Association, School of Architecture. Hooke Park, Dorset.

Iridescence and photoelasticity has a lot in common and aimed through this model to be able to better analyse and observe iridescent colours in oil. By applying thin layers of oil on top of water the colours could be observed with a macro lens showing its seemingly indefinate depths of colour.

Iridescence is not pigment, its the refraction of light which our eyes percieve as different colours. Going back to the notion of hide and seek, iridescence is the optimal “material” for this. It loves to hide and conceal itself only to be viewed in certain angles.

Video of iridescence in the box: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Dt6EAaZHj2s&t=47s

Other experiments investigating iridescence.

Funnel 0mm 50mm 500mm Light source
channel Funnel support Fish tank Think film of oil Water Frame Legs Mirror Light reflective surface
light absorbing surface Excess oil collection tube
Oil
Dark
Iridescent box model in Hooke Park, Dorset, UK. Iridescence experiment, oil on water. Diagram showing angles of constructive interference + destructive interference within the Iridescent Box model Iridescent dragonfly wing under microscope. Iridescence experiment. Soap bubbles. Iridescence experiment, nail polish on water.
Hooke Model 1 Elevation 1:2 @ A2
Iridescence of oil inside model.
30° 50° 60° 73° 76° 90°

Oil Monuments Final Third Year Project Architectural Association, School of Architecture.

For my final Third Year project, conceptualized a compelling narrative that wove together my proposals, utilizing a multimedia approach. The focal point of my presentation was a blend of 3D animated videos, drawings, and researched content, all choreographed to synchronize seamlessly with a pre-recorded narrative. This narrative not only served as a guiding thread throughout my presentation but also encapsulated the essence of my entire project. My work aimed to challange traditional presentation formats, embracing a storytelling approach to engage and captivate the audience. The following is a concise overview of the narrative conveyed, providing insight into the overarching theme and objectives of my project.

“Among the boundless expanse of the California desert, eight majestic monuments proudly rise, paying homage to oil. These monuments are a celebration of oil’s essence, tracing its origin back to ancient living beings, and appreciating its inherent beauty. Each structure showcases distinctive aspects of oil, from its alluring aroma to its mesmerizing iridescence and reflective qualities. This symbolic procession signifies the poignant homecoming of Californian oil, retracing its path to the underground depths where it began, thus completing a profound journey through the annals of time.

These structures, hidden amidst the rugged terrain, bear witness to a clandestine chapter in history - the legacy of the Oil Resistance Effort (O.R.E), a secretive society founded in the late 1920s amidst the encroaching shadow of oil derricks that began to dominate Los Angeles.

As the city’s skyline transformed with the relentless march of industrial progress, a group of visionaries, environmentalists, and rebels united to form the O.R.E. Fueled by a shared concern for the environment and a staunch resistance against the unbridled exploitation of oil, this society took root in the heart of Los Angeles. The O.R.E operated in the shadows, its members dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the land and resisting the unchecked power of the burgeoning oil industry.”

1:120000 Map of Los Angeles showing oil fields, active oil wells, idle oil wells, as well as, redlined areas in connection to the oil wells and fields.

Timeline diagram showing amount of transported oil into Anza Borrego desert over time. Dimensions: 250 mm x 1700 mm O.R.E Logo
Monument
1: Collection
Monument 6: Oil-fall Monument 7: Scent Monument 8: Burial Monument 2: Refuge Monument 3: Iridescent Pathway Monument 4: Reflection Monument 5: Sound

TROPHIC MUTUALISM

Second Year Studio Project.

Architectural Association, School of Architecture, London, UK.

The site of Canvey Wick is famous for its incredible biodiversity which is in essence what this project aimed to enhance and provide for. By creating a space for scientists and farmers across discipline, one of this projects goals were to fuse the gap between scientists of different fields as well as bringing farmers into the mix to create new conversations and ideas around biodiversity and sustainable food production.

By looking at the importance of the mycorrhizal network in relation to vegetational growth, as well as, the crucial components of white rot fungi aiding natural pollinators, the building invites the three kingdoms of animals, plants and fungi to become a part of both the surrounding landscape as well as the building itself.

Plan 1:200 A2 Exterior view Interior experimental field beneath mesh canopy
SECOND YEAR
Section and acivities around and inside the research center. South elevation view and surrounding of orchard and experimental agricultural fields.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Purcell Architects, London Studio.

The National Archives, Competition, Kew, London.

Thirty different practices were invited to envision The National Archives’ visitor experience and exhibition spaces. Purcell was shortlisted, securing one of the three spots remaining from the initial pool of 30 practices.

In this competition, I assumed significant responsibility for designing, creating visuals, and conceptualizing the entire project. Under the guidance of a senior architect, I largely worked independently on the project. I was thrilled to learn that we had been chosen as one of the three finalists.

The submission featured a multitude of my hand-drawn illustrations seamlessly integrated with 3D modeling, accompanied by clear, colored line drawings outlining our proposals.

I have also been working on plenty of listed buildings ranging from old manor houses to Town Halls which as helped me increase my knowledge in old building techniques but also about conservation and heritage which is something im passionate about.

Aerial

Front page hand drawing for Competition document. Vignette showing proposed signage Vignette showing extension of cafe and members area
Exploded axonometric showing all proposed areas on Ground, First and Second Floor.
Section overlooking the Ground Floor and proposed exhibition, shop, cafe, entrance and circulation spaces. Vignette showing improved entrance Vignette showing opened up existing wall to be occupied by food trucks. Vignette showing proposed playground with oversized books and reading tables found inside the archives as part of the playground.

Purcell Architects, London Studio.

University of London, Boathouse, Chiswick.

During my year out I have worked at Purcell Architects in their London Studio. I joined straight after graduation from the AA and have since been working on around 12 different projects. This page highlights some of the work and projects have been involved with over the last 6 months.

University of London, Boathouse, Chiswick, London.

During this project I have been involved from Stage 0 where we designed an extension to the existing boathouse for University of London’s rowing club. Together with my line manager we developed a student residential scheme, new gym, improved ERG room, changing rooms as well as boat storage as part of the brief. I produced a series of diagrams showing the historic development of the building from 1936’s up to the 1980’s.

Alongside the diagrams a series of hand drawn plans and elevations were also produced for the pre-app, as well as, a physical 1:200 site model showing the proposed design which can be taken a part leaving only the existing building.

1:200 model. Proposed scope of works. Historic Development Diagram 1:500 Hand drawn site plan
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Isometric drawing showing historic development.

PRAY REFUGE

Hooke Park, Dorset, UK.

Environmental Technical Studies, third year. Architectural Association, School of Architecture.

The building sits upon a pile foundation of concrete attached to a steel frame that is comprised of eleven steel sections which supports the rammed earth interior walls, corck insulation and exterior charred timber cladding. The exterior facade protects the rammed earth walls from rain and wind but leaves interor rammed earth walls exposed. The roof uses reclaimed corrugated steel which is supported by a series of timber beams opened in the middle for a roof window to fill the space with light. On the east and west facing walls, and the south facing shorter wall, a narrow window is sliced through the envelope to create a view of the surrouding forest. The windows are purposely set close to the floor at head height when lying down, on the slanted floor which cantilevers over the stream. Inserted in the slanted floor, another window creates a top view of the below stream. By minimizing the windows in the space and opening up for natural hints of the surrounding environment, the attention on praying, relaxing and sleeping is in focus within the space. The building is slightly raised from the ground to prevent ground moisture and potential flooding to cause any damage to the structure.

North elevation

Cantileved floor floating above the stream

South elevation

West elevation

Top view

Roof plan

Floor window above the stream

Hooke Park, Dorset, UK.

Water permeable layer

Steel Frame Section

Concrete foundations

Charred timber cladding

Cork insulation sheets

Air gap

Rammed earth

Timber floor

Sub flooring

Floor joists

Window Reclaimed Corrugated

Steel Roof

Window Frame

Inner Roof

Timber Roof Supports

Primary Timber

Roof Beams

Secondary Timber Roof Beams

Rammed Earth Walls

Cork Insulation Sheets

Floor Charred Timber Cladding

Steel Frame Support

Steel Frame

Concrete foundation Stream

The rammed earth walls are constructed by making a plywood framework in which different layers of soil, clay, gravel, sand and stabilizer is filled. Once the frame is filled to the desired amount the earth-mixture is compressed using a pneumatic tamper. Once the earth-mixture has reached about half its size in volume more material can be added on top.

The walls are resting on the steel frame. A cladding of charred timber is used on the exterior to prevent weathering and erosion of the rammed earth walls. The charred timber cladding is a inexpensive and relatively environmental friendly way of making sure the cladding resist both weather and insect infestation. Between the cladding and the rammed earth wall a insulation layer of cork is added to help the pray center keep the temperature during the colder winter months.

TECHNICAL STUDIES - THIRD YEAR
Graphite on black paper. Deconstructed roof drawing of Skogskapellet, Skogskyrkogården, Stockholm, Sweden.
DRAWINGS
3 m map of Upper Street, London, UK showing all manhole covers on the pavements. 7 m long drawing. Smudged graphite. Swedish highway drawing using techniques from the work of Paul Noble. A1 graphite and tracing paper. Spore-chimneys and central forests attracting settlers to cultivate barren lands. Page 1, A3 of the graphic novel “The Noble Gas Heist”.

Model-making and hand drawing is an important part of my work and use it as one of the prime methods of developing a project. can spend hours losing myself in the work and enjoy solving anything from tiny detail issues to large scale design problems with both drawing and model-making.

1:200 massing model of hotel in the desert. Card and paper. Year 1. 1:20 model of Absalon’s Cell No. 5. Cardboard and paper. Year 1. 1:200 chunk model of Canvey Wick and initial platform field proposal. Year 2. Magnifying frame + miniature drawing. Year 3. Stone piece made out of Purbeck marble and sand stone. Year 1. 1:50 Spore-creature. Kinetic model year 2. Paper pavillion. Year 1.
MODELS

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