Manchester School of Architecture
2009-2011
The second part of the architecture course lent a heavy emphasis on the use of ‘context’ to influence and instruct the design of a building, viewing any intervention in a given site as the introduction of an organism into an existing ecology.
Research into some of the distinctive environments brought with it the tools to quantify environmental factors, whilst the study of Biomimetics for the first time began to influence responsive and intelligent form and building systems design, learning from the lessons of the natural world.
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As an introduction to the BArch course, the Extreme Machines group project demanded a detailed understanding of a particular extreme environment; its topography, its climate, and its culture. It also demanded a detailed understanding of native species of the region, whose unique behavioural and instinctive character traits, whether as a collective unit, or individual in isolation, have ensured the organism’s continued survival, where other species have failed.
Through identifying the unique characteristics of the context and native species, from the climate to the key life characteristics and caste hierarchies present in the animal and insect kingdom, in conjunction with selected readings, a proposition could be formed around specific niche, caste and behavioural characteristics. This proposition could then be transferred to the design of an extreme machine, whose intelligence and adaptability would ensure its own ability to survive in the extreme context.
The second project in the BArch studio programme encouraged the same rigorous procedure and application of research demanded in the Extreme Machine project.
In this project, the brief required a greater understanding of the local climatic conditions in a chosen extreme environment, where basic habitable qualities, often taken for granted, are lacking. The adverse conditions, strong winds, reduced daylight and freezing temperatures make habitation impossible for only the most adapted and resilient creatures. By analysing the ability of native flora and fauna to survive and prosper, the designer is able to intelligently and effectively respond to the context.
In the project, it was necessary to devise a method of energy generation through the facade design in order to ensure self-sufficiency in an isolated context. The light qualities of the site were studied. Responding to solar geometries, a solar-responsive facade of articulated ‘fin’ elements was adopted. Sunlight, especially at times of low solar altitude can be deflected in to the building throughout the day to maximise the level of natural lighting to the interior.
HB:BX was an open international ideas competition commissioned by The Emerging New York Architects Committee (ENYA) to explore how the disused High Bridge and surrounding area can be reprogrammed into a vibrant urban centre and raise awareness of the current efforts to restore and reopen the bridge.
At the centre of the design brief is the creation of an arts centre that culturally reinforces the physical connection between the Manhattan and Bronx Highbridge communities of New York City. The new art centre is also intended to bridge the gap between two existing arts organizations, Artists Unite and the Bronx Museum of the Arts, and local residents. Thus, the design response demands a rethink of the traditional creation, exhibition and experience of Black and Hispanic art relevant to the local population.
A Castlefield Riverside Masterplan in the final semester of the BArch course began as a reflective project, building from the successes of the HB:BX Highbridge Competition as an urban regeneration scheme, and looking at ways in which concepts may be transferred to the Manchester context.
The cycle masterplan was devised to take advantage of the vast areas of abandoned railways stretching from Castlefied across the river Irwell and into Salford. The newly proposed cycle routes combined with an expanded cycle-share network would facilitate the free, unobstructed movement of commuters, shoppers and tourists between Salford and Manchester City Centre, and promote the uptake of cycling as a primary means of transport in and out of the city.
At the heart of the masterplan, a new manufacturing and commercial hub would maximise the underutilised riverfront areas of Castlefield and Ordsall, currently occupied by swathes of wasteful car parking space. A new combined production facility on the London-born bicycle manufacturer, Brompton Bicycle, and the chain manufacturer, Renold Plc. would bring together two connected industries to produce and maintain the cycles in the city’s new bike-share scheme, creating jobs in an area on life support since the deindustrialisation of the Salford Docklands in the 1970s and 1980s.
Connected to the Museum of Science and Industry, the new network will link existing points of interest for visitors to promote greater tourism in the city.
Professional
Professional Works as a Part I/ Part II Architectural Assistant
Professional
Portfolio of professional and academic modelmaking projects
Professional
Portfolio of extra-curricular works as a graphic designer
