25/04/2012

Originally my concept developed from playing cards which I arranged on a grid.  I transferred the grid onto the site to create a 7x7m structural grid with large concrete columns which could run through the building.  I then began to arrange levels and blocks of the larger forms onto the site grid at different levels to correspond to the different levels on the concept model.  

In the images below you can see the large and smaller blocks, the yellow block is the performance theatre space and the blue the anatomical theatre memorial space.  The 'sticks' or concrete columns will flow through the space.  The columns will more than likely be constructed from a steel and with a concrete sleeve around the edge with insulation to prevent cold bridging throughout the spaces.  

The roof idea is again from the concept models of playing cards and are panels which are similar shapes but perhaps warped and angled at certain points.  The orange roof pieces represent solid sections of the roof, however the white faces represent a semi-permeable material maybe a metal mesh, I need to complete more research into this development.  I like the idea that the roof structure will cast shadows over the building creating interesting facade details.  

My next move is to complete my plans, sections and elevations along with a material study to then begin developing final models for the presentation in a few weeks. 

24/04/2012

Just while my file is opening I thought I would mention an interesting page which was pointed out to me by a friend when discussing the cladding options for my building design.  I have an idea of mis-matching the suits on playing cards to create a 3D texture preferably out of concrete.  Images of my design will begin to follow, however a website with similar ideas by printing and moulding casts of materials and patterns is 'Girlie Concrete' or its new name 'Tactility Factory.'  Below are some images from the website which show the textures and patterns that they currently create. If used on the interior it can improve the acoustic qualities of a space.  

Linen Concrete is the first surface that Tactility Factory developed.
We call it our ‘vinegar and chips’ ie two substances that normally have no relationship but when they come together it’s an obvious marriage. Of all the yarns, linen is the one most naturally suited to concrete – in its raw state the bond becomes even stronger. 

Tactility Factory applies Digital Stitching to Linen concrete to give a unique finish. Stitching can be used to enhance pattern, introduce detail or text onto linen concrete. 

Tactility Factory have developed some beautiful Crystal Concrete surfaces over the last few months. Crystal Concrete is currently available in the Veronese and Damask designs.  

Tactility Factory Tower design for a pavilion at Eco-Build 2012

I am thinking about using this kind of design for an exterior pre-cast concrete panelling on the North and East Facades of the building, and perhaps something with the fabric on the interior of the performance theatre to enhance the acoustic qualities.  

3 Weeks to go....20/04/2012

While researching into the back of house areas of theatres I came across this nice page with information about the production of scenery and prop workshops for The National's Scenic, Props and Armoury Workshops 
by Jonathan Croall. 

The page contained some useful information about the process of developing scenery. Initially small models are created in the workshops then the final pieces are created on the stage by a team or artists and designers.  The smaller props and pieces of scenery and created and stored off stage in the workshops.  

Heres the link for the page: 

http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/2110/behind-the-scenes/scenic-props-and-armoury-workshops.html 

Images below by Jim Russell:

Week......11/04/12

I haven't posted in a while because my mind has been busy trying to develop my concept and ideas in to a set of architectural drawings.  So I thought I would update my blog with a set of sketches (VERY ROUGH) that I have been doing over the past few weeks, hopefully you can see my thought process in them developing, from the idea of the symbols in the suits to represent parts of the buildings... to using them less literally to enhance the aesthetics of the building design.

In the next few days I hope to be uploading some plans and sketch development plans for you to view of the site.

Week 13_01/04/12

When thinking about the design of the Alms Houses and French Hospital I was unsure on how to approach the design, so I decided to go and visit a set of Alms Houses in Rochester, Kent.

Alms Houses(Centre) & French Hospital (Right), Rochester, Kent.

The square where the alms houses lay was previously Theobald Square, with 19 terraced houses which were built in 1840 on the site of an old brewery.  The houses were completely restored and rearranged to make 39 self contained flats for residents of Huguenot descendants.  The accommodation has recently been enlarged and they are currently collecting funding for a new 'National Huguenot Centre' which will be situated in the centre of Rochester high street.

The french hospital itself, is not a hospital as we would think, however it is more of a care home facility for the residents which need assistant on site.  The hospital contains hundreds of paintings and artefacts from the history of the Huguenots, with old dates and listings of the huguenots in the country dating back hundreds of years.

The new 'National Huguenot Centre' should be completed by 2015, and aims to accommodate a cinema where tourists can learn about the history of Huguenots, a trades gallery which will present the working life of the Huguenots displaying what type of work they did, there is a space for all sensed in the centre, small pots of relevant aromas from the trades will be on display for people to get an all round feel of the space.  Similar to the Severs House that we visited in London at the beginning of the term.  The centre is also to contain a library, archive space and reading room.

If you would like to donate money to the National Huguenot Centre please contact them at appeal@frenchhospital.org.uk

So how does this visit effect my project and design ideas, today when I visited the area it was Palm Sunday and they had a march up the high street and into the centre square of the alms houses.  I felt like the square of the alms houses was a really important feature, there was also a common room, gardens and memorial garden located around the back of the houses adjacent to the Roman Wall in Rochester.