Theo Ellis WSA2

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As a group we developed a masterplan for 12-15 inhabitants in a site in Grangetown, Cardiff. The main concept that drove our project was the idea of an ‘urban tree’ as a housing typology.

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Urban Tree

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The Urban Tree consists of a trunk, that acts as a circulation space for both people and services. The dwellings are supported by the trunk, which are heated from a ground source heat pump. Rain water is collected and stored in a tank below the tree, to be used for irrigation.

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The masterplan consists of five ‘trees’, arranged on the site to maximise solar access to the public space. The tree in the center of the site is a community center and the other trees contain two-three dwellings.

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A community center located in the center of the site provides a focal point to draw people into the site.

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Each dwelling has access to their own semi-private roof terrace.

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The ‘trunk’ serves as a central circulation space.

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A more indepth design of an induvidual dwelling within the context of the master-plan. Concieved as a series of flexable rooms, easily adapted by the user as their needs change, through means of sliding walls. The sliding walls are given a sense of place within the dwelling by incorperating storage units that can be inhabited by the users.

A long term approach to the adaptability and sustainabilty of the dwelling was considered. The house has the capability to be split up into two flats in order to deal with changing economic circustances.

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Dwelling

The Dwelling is located on the north eastern corner of the masterplan. Initially designed as a three bedroom unit, the dwelling also has the capacity to be adapted to other configura-tions.

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In addition to storage space, the sliding walls incorporate a folding panel to that can either increase or decrease the levels of privacy.

Sliding Walls

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N0.5m 1m

Technical Section

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1 Steel Balustrade2 Corten Steel Cladding3 Air Gap4 Triple Glazing5 Damp Proof Membrane6 Insulation7 Plasterboard8 Timber Decking9 Rafters10 Waterproof Metal Membrane11 Steel Channel12 I-Beam13 Steel Bracing14 Sliding Wall15 Concrete “Trunk”

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KitchenDining RoomLiving SpaceWorking SpaceBathroomTrunk2 Bedroom Unit3 Bedroom UnitDouble BedroomSingle Bedroom

Plans

0.5m1m

Bedroom

Living Space

Office Space

Kitchen

Bathroom

Dining Room

Key

Iterations of the sliding walls showing the different configurations possible.

Diagram showing the potential to split the house into two flats, and the change in ownership as one family’s children move out and another couple move into a flat above.

Flexable Housing Options

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Family A

Family B

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A collection of quick attempts at getting to know 3D Studio Max from a series of digital sessions.

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