WEEK 11

As I have already looked at floor construction, this week I began looking at different types of columns and column construction, and the way in which the curved beam structure that supports the void will be secured in place. Because my interventions are so colossal the support structure needs to be capable of not only supporting the floor and void, but it must also be able to span the entire height of the structure from the ground to second floors.

Although there are a variety of column types many of which are cheaper and easier to construct the safest and most secure, as well as aesthetically appropriate for my design scheme would be precast, circular reinforced concrete columns with a steel tubes around them. The steel tube is perfect for attaching beams, particularly with a simple filet weld which is cheaper and more effective than other options. As well as this, the steel material works perfectly with the other materials in my space outlines in week 8.

After researching into columns and floor construction I began developing my Main Space 1:100 detail drawings. I however intend to begin developing and looking primarily at the construction of the curved glass curtain wall surrounding the void in my main space first floor viewing gallery.

Although I have an understanding of the floor, column and beam construction as well as the measurements of the individual glass panels I am not yet sure how the glass structure itself will be constructed or supported. I have briefly sketched a few ideas of the construction joins however I need to do more research before attempting to draw larger and more accurately finalised detail drawings at 1:20 and 1:5.

As the final teaching has come to an end I will continue to conduct more research into glass wall construction. With my current understanding of how my building structure will work and the research I will undertake, I can begin looking in more detail at the connection elements, how the glass is connected to the floor, ceiling, columns and glass fins and begin working at a closer scale (1:5) before researching materials and companies that supply the specific elements required.

WEEK 10

After completing the toilet provisions sheet and reviewing my previous iteration design plans I noticed a number of inconsistencies including a lack of accessible toilets for staff and a lack of sinks for the public toilet spaces. On the ground floor reception I had replaced the simple rectangular reception desk with a circular one around one of the large structural columns. This keeps the desk to the side of the space and doesn’t create a visual obstacle to detract from the entrance of the building. As well as this I realised that the main central void had no discernible glass structure. On the second floor I have made the bars slightly larger to maximise the occupancy of the space in line with the maximum occupancy factor calculated for my design scheme, and on the third floor I have removed the logo shaped seating which opens the space, preventing obstacles and aiding in shortening the distances for fire escapes.

Although minor, these alterations make the scheme fit within regulations, and maximise the spaces without overcrowding or detracting. I have also updated my sections adding two more, and making the existing ones more accurate to the plans, adding windows and people to give scale to the spaces, and changing line widths to more easily distinguish the depth of the building and my design alterations.

 

Now that I have finalised my plans and sections I have continued the building of my ground floor brewery and first floor viewing gallery SketchUp model before adding materials when it is complete.

 

 

 

 

WEEK 9

This week in 4C we began developing the project images for our final Design Scheme. As I have not yet completed my model I am not able to choose any accurate perspectives from within my space, however as the ground floor brewery and first floor viewing gallery are my main spaces I am able to imagine the space from my developed floor plans and create quick sketches of the design which I used to inform and develop my image which I will submit for the next review.

The vast scale of my building and design scheme meant that choosing the best angle was difficult, however as the main elements within my design are the glass void and copper brewery equipment it was necessary to show those, and subsequently the surrounding viewing gallery. After experimenting with different techniques and drawing styles I decided on sketching my space, and using photoshop to create distinct lines before layer realistic materials. I quite like the finished image and the slightly off angle of the materials give the image an abstract quality which I feel works well. The slightly raised perspective also raises you above the space rather than being first person which I feel makes the space seem larger and allows more of the space to be capture. Unfortunately as the model still isn’t finished there are a lot of detail (beams, windows) which haven’t been included. Also, as the image was initially sketched from imagination the angle of the perspective is warped and the elements aren’t accurately to scale. Finally the contrast of the simple black silhouettes works well, contrasting the lighter materials as to stand out but not enough to detract.

This week in 4A we began also to experiment with creating Design Concept Drawings. As these are meant to convey our overall theme in a more abstract way, and as the viewing gallery and brewery are my main spaces I thought it integral to in some way incorporate the main design element within my design, this being the logo shape and void structure.

 

My initial concepts are more literal, trying to convey the structure of the main space, however I didn’t like the result so I decided to use the main void and logo shape and attempted to play around with it. These various iterations evolved into a simple but well formulated and attractive diagram that works well with, and conveys the theme of my scheme and which is uncomplicated but graphically distinct

Obviously conveying the void and logo shape which is at the centre of my design scheme, my finished concept diagram is a literal representation of the glass void structure, with the scale meant to represent the vast space of my building, and using the the colour of my design book and branding from week 5 (the colour of lager) to create a visual and conceptual consistency. Finally simple black silhouettes tie in with the project image created earlier in the week and represent how people within the space circulate around the void structure.

 

WEEK 8

As the void is much more impressive I have been looking into floor construction as well as beam construction methods that would support the void (where there used to be columns) as well as a large glass curtain wall which will span the full height of the space.

Because the void is curved I have looked into creating a beam structure that follows the curve of the edge, onto which will be a a solid concrete floor with stone surface material. As the building is huge however I have also looked into floor insulation, to hopefully minimise heat loss.

The main focus of my detail however vill be the glass structure, its assembly and how it is supported to span the width of the void, in particular at the floor and ceiling, as well as how it connects to the columns, and glass fins.

I have created a sew sketches to help me visualise the detail before I attempt its drawing and later model construction.

 

As well  as the detail I looked in depth at materiality for my main space. Unlike other projects my scheme will focus more on the interior interventions than materiality. The materials I am looking at however will compliment the scale of the space and the interventions made. I want to focus on the use of local stone to reflect the natural materials used in classical architecture as this will fit my designs narrative. I also want to use concrete, reflecting the concrete of the existing structure, with steel to reflect the modern and industrial nature of the building. The main focus however will be the copper of the brewing stills which will be visible through the class curtain wall. The simple use of stone, concrete, steel and glass will therefore emphasise the bright colour of the copper and emphasise it within the space.

 

WEEK 7

This week I began looking more in-depth at details and began deciding which areas within my space I want to focus on ready for review 7. I have decided to focus on the raised floor and ramp on the ground floor as well as the ground floor vaulting construction which I have highlighted below.

 

 

I focused on the construction of the raised floor because as a brewery it involves a lot of pipes and machinery. I however want to maintain an open floor plan and the best solution for this is to put everything under the floor. A raised assess floor therefore provides the best solution. The ramp is meant for ease of use and ease of accessibility to the space.

The main detail focus of the ramp however is the ramp shoe which I drew up at scale 1:5. Unfortunately upon completion I realised that this, although important, wasn’t the best detail and as such I intend to start focusing on the construction of the void for the floor above as this is a much more impressive design element and is more integral to the structure and design of my scheme.

 

 

 

WEEK 6

This week I began constructing a basic SketchUp Model of the structure of my building and interior scheme, however I have only focused on the construction of my interior ground and first floor spaces due to the scale of my building and the number of other floors and that these two floors are my main spaces intended for further detail and material development.

  

 

As well as this I have begun to look into the areas I intend to develop further as part of my detail package.

WEEK 5

Based on the updated, developed and accurate plans and sections drawn last week of the grain store building I was able to layer my week three plans and resolve any inaccuracies with size scale and location of my spaces. I was also able to incorporate the existing internal structural columns, altering my design to work within the grid framework. Rather than simply being structural, I have tried to incorporate the columns within the design using them as anchors between which shelving, bars and walls are aligned and supported.

On the previous plans the space on the north wall doesn’t extend the full height of the building. Because of this I have aligned the toilets and fire escapes in the same place on each floor, with the water facilities located in the same place as in the existing building.

Although I have removed the concrete grid system of the grain silos, I have retained the ones around the edge to form a base for the main first floor stair case as well as tubes for lift shafts. This retains a structural element as well as providing a practical grain storage solution for the brewery, as well as retaining some of the buildings history. Because the silos proved structural, I have replaced them with strategically placed columns and beam structures, particularly around the void which is the most sensitive area. This creates an open plan an allows for the full height of the space to be visible.

Finally, I have changed the use of the first floor from an interactive experience space into a world bar. This seems more practical and in keeping with the theme of the scheme. The void creates an anchor with the the bars arranged it, creating 4 distinct areas (splitting the world into 4 quarters, and serving beer from each of these areas) therefore creating a space for people to come, visit and explore the world through beer.

As the purpose of my design is a brewery I have decided to focus on developing my ground floor brewery and first floor viewing gallery as my main space, in particular the central void and glass structure.

Second Floor World Bar Concept

 

This week for 4C we began looking at design books, and how to create a graphic presentation that best represents, and both professionally and aesthetically represents our design scheme and design concept. Although not initially working out It has developed into an attractive graphic image that communicates the concept and theme well.

  • The grid pattern represents the existing grid structure of my building
  • The name is arranged in the centre of the page between the lines giving the image symmetry (enhanced by the almost symmetry of the name AGORA)
  • the brand logo fits in a box beneath
  • the colour transition from golden to white represents a glass of lager

 

I also used this new colour palette and design aesthetic to attempt creating a branding scheme for my final project which I will incorporate in my final design book

WEEK 4

My updated plan, sections, and elevations give me a much clearer understanding of the building and as such any major alterations that it is possible to make and how issues could be resolved. these new plans and sections have shown me that there is an intricate grid system of interior structural columns

I intend to layer my existing design plans onto the new drawings so to figure out any mistakes, alignment issues, make sure that the toilets and other water facilities align as much as possible with the existing site, and change the plans to make sure they use as much of the existing structure as possible, to not only be sympathetic to the site and its history, but also so that I know where to provide structural solutions for the area around the voids.

WEEK 3

Since week one of semester two I have done more research into classically inspired although modern architecture. From this precedent research I have taken specific architectural, design, and material elements that I like and have used as inspiration in my new set of design plans.

Form these precedents I particularly like the use of columns, voids, arches, vaulting, muted industrial and natural materials (stone, concrete, steel, glass, and brick), the muted colour palette, vast scale, large stairs and circulation, fluid curved surfaces, minimal detail, and that they are all sympathetic to their surroundings.

 

 

As with the previous design plan iterations there are fundamental structural problems which need to be sorted before developing my plans further. In order to do this I need to look more in-depth at the existing structure and redraw my plans sections and elevation. It is also integral that I begin drawing my plans and sections up on the computer. Despite this however I think that the overall proposal works well with each floor providing a distinct purpose, and creates a well balanced scheme. As developed from week one the Greek and president influence is clear with the foyer/reception reflecting the design of an amphitheatre. Moving the stairs around the edge keeps the floor plans open and allows the void to be the focal point within the space. Constructing a first floor which is accessible via the amphitheatre reception creates a ground floor space which can be used as a brewery. This viewing gallery above, with the void, frames the brewery equipment and allows it to be seen from above, making it a sculptural element within the space.

In week three 4C we began looking at our mini portfolios, compiling our projects in a way the is short and concise way that best communicates our presented work.

Although a good start the pages don’t seem balanced, and others (the photography and sketch pages) require more information to give the work context (what the building is, what the drawings are of). The simple grid structure however is consistent and is something I will keep developing throughout the rest of the semester. I will also include other projects which best convey my varied skill base.

WEEK 2

Developing Floor Plan design scheme one:

Developing Floor Plan design design scheme two:

 

Unfortunately having done more research into the existing site I have realised that neither of these design iterations are possible (there are far more existing interior floors, walls and there is more interior structural walls than originally thought and the small attachment space used for lifts, stairs, and toilets can’t be translated onto either side as this is too much of a structural alteration meaning that the fire escape and toilets need to be housed somewhere else). Despite however there are elements developed from the two that I find effective and will subsequently push forward into my developing work, including:

  • Logo shaped void (creates a statement piece in the centre of the space, is used as circulation to naturally guide people around the space, it opens up the building and will maximise the already huge scale, keeps the space symmetrical)
  • (despite issue with structure) Location of fire escapes at either side as well as the back maximises the exits, is symmetrical and does’nt intrude in the centre of the space.
  • Top floors used for restaurant and bar seating as well as kitchens and other auxiliary spaces keep the lower floors void of obstacles and means they can be open plan

 

Also for 4C we began looking at the graphic layout and content creation for our CV, Personal Statement, and cover letters. I think this was a good start with the content converting my personality and future intentions in a personal yet professional way. I also like the simple graphical layout and use of colour to distinguish the text from the background in a way that is different and unique. Despite this however, there are changes to be made based on the feedback received.