full portfolio 5

James Primmer

architecture Portfolio

*This abridged portfolio exhibits the progression of University projects. Additional projects and work available upon request.

the sill ProJect - NorthumberlaNd site locatioN

View from the Cragg

Brief:

- Design a visitor centre within the rich historical and cultural context of Northumberland

- House a contemporary interactive educational facility with flexible exhibition spaces (permanant and temporary)

- Serve as a focal point for visitors to Northumberland

- Offer visitors YHA accomodation facilities

All of which should strongly consider contextual, environmental and security aspects.

UK map locating the Steel Rigg site in Northumberland Hadrians Wall stretches from the Roman coastal defences at Ravenglass, Cumbria (East) to

Bowness-on-Solway (West).

site locatioN

Eastern approach to the Visitor Centre

Steel Rigg Carpark

Access road through site

Hadrian Wall

Peel Crag

Design Proposal

Northern Hiking Route

The proposal makes use of the spectacular views along the Sill to the lake, situating itself around the crag. The movement and motion across this isolated landscape is captured in the structural elements of the build-ing. The building itself creates a retreat from the outdoor explorations in a safe and warm environment, accentuated by the timber interior and strategic views.

PersPective

New northern route linking to existing

northern hiking route

Youth Hostel 84 Bed over

10 varying rooms

Main entrance routeleading from

existing carpark

Visitor Centresustainability, social

integration and activities including

climbing centre

Ziplineto and from the

outdoor climbing centre and pathway

up the crag

Southern routelinking to the existing

southern hiking route up the crag

PlaNsPersPectives

-1 Floor Restaurant

Youth Hostel Courtyard

features of the ProPosal axoNometric breakdowN

Water HarvestingRecycling water to

increase sustainability and independence

Climbing CentreIndoor and outdoor

climbing areas to increase visitors and movement

in the landscape

NodeStructural point of interest to guide visitors from a far

ZiplineZipline access to

and from the crag/ outdoor climbing

area

CyclingBike hire for visitors to explore further across

the landscape

HikingNew hiking routes across the landscape to increase

safety and points to admire the landscape

HorticultureGrowing fruit, vegetable and herbs to support the communal kitchens and

restaurant/cafe

Larch cladding30% reduction in material

due to extra spacing of the rain-screen cladding, to

further disguise the building

coNcePt modelsexPloded axoNometric

techNology

This deconstruction displays all details used throughout the entire structure. The same technology is used in the main buildings and the lodges, changing only its shape.

The Drystone wall links all buildings along the Ground Floor acting as a spine to the design/creature.

Earth that is excavated, to allow the build-ing to be embedding in the hillside, will be moved lower down the hill to fill under the building to reduce the need excavation as well as waste. Since there will be exposed natural stone along the VC and YH, reduc-ing the amount of excavation will drastical-ly reduce energy use, cost, material and time. Producing a more economically via-ble design.

Water Harvesting DetailThe diagrams illustrate the raised drainage across the valleys of the rooftop. These drains must be raised above the LVL frames as all other roof and wall panels are set along the centreline of the frames meaning water would not be-able to flow between panels. The drain then flows down a pipe to the lower floor of the building to the water

harvesting tanks to be recycled.

Sympathise with landscape Formalise gradient Reduce height, incorporate landscape

Zonal strategyIntegrate concepts

literary & PhilosoPhical society

West elevation South elevation North elevationEast elevation

literary & PhilosoPhical society

Durham Site: Drury LaneCultural Heritage

The Literary & Philosophical Society is the largest independentlibrary outside London, housing over 150,000 current and historical texts, with the collection covering every field of interest.

From its outset, The Society was enterprising, inquisitive and liberalin nature: the first female members were admitted in 1804 and the society has trialled a number of ground-breaking technologies, start-ing with George Stephenson’s “Miners Safety Lamp” in 1815.

The Young Lit & Phil will be a specialist library. While maintaining the social focus of the original Lit & Phil, the new building will capture the cultural heritage of Durham.

Community groups from across the region will be encouraged to use the Young Lit & Phil as a learning resource. It will re-establish the act of thinking as well as the pursuit and exchange of knowledge as a rewarding pastime and as a social experience.Considerations: - topography - the levels of the site informed the initial response

- accessibility - specific routes through the site were a result of limited access

- conservation - integrating light wells around the existing trees (influences from Louis Kahn) and a complex pile foundation allows all trees to be preserved

- culture - materiality, atmospheres and organisation was informed by the traditional culture of the site and the original Lit & Phil

elevatioNs

site PlaN

PersPectives

Entrance to The Young Lit & Phil Debating/Performance Area

Atrium Circulation Space Flexible Space

Staff room 8Lobby, meeting area & reception 9

Lift to all floors 10Male, female & disabled toilets 11

Stairs to -1 floor 12Integrated light wells around trees 13

Cafe, store & cleaning area 14Social seating 15Group seating 16

Stairs to debating area 17 Social seating & viewing terrace 18

Plant room 19Archive 20

Lift to all floors 21Catalogue search 22

Philosophy social shelving 23Stairs to ground floor 24

Meeting area 25Integrated light wells around trees 26

Study area 27Politics integrated shelving 28

Economics integrating shelving 29Flexible storage space 30

Study, hire, exhibition, flexible space 31

Disabled access to roof 1Lift to all floors 2

Debating/performance space 3Trees integrated into study area 4

Social seating on rooftop 5Stairs to ground floor 6

Social seating and viewing terrace 7

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9

10

11

12

1314

15

16

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19

20

21

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24

25 26 27

28

29

30

31

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2

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4

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PlaNsRoof plan

Ground floor plan

Basement floor plan

isometric techNical sectioN

- 36 sqm

- 60 sqm

- 60 sqm

- 56sqm

- 100sqm

- 60 sqm

techNical detail

Black organic coated 30mm steel stairs and balconies with 5mm steel mesh seating and 10mm perforated steps.

Standardised 225 x 75 sawn easy edge timber furniture multicoloured to match zonal strategy. Black aluminium hanging lights to match standardised aluminium glazing.

Laminated flooring over 10mm underfloor pipework to heat and cool the building. Water heating is thermally regulated using Geothermal piling.

Riverdale fibre cement slate roofing/ facade along with double standing seam zinc panel roofing and 200mm glavanised steel ventilation pipes.

Standardised 225 x 75 timbers used to construct all elements of the load bearing structure.

225 x 75 class 3.1 treated timber cladding covers exposed untreated structure.

PC 2440-3 extruded polycarbonate panels used throughout the building to maximise light gain while minimising views.

Standardised aluminium finished double glazing units with top hung window for automated ventilation purposes.

EP194 SIP eco panels used to overcome racking and insulate areas of the building.

15mm gyproc wallboard with specified studd wall structure for all internal walls.

Standardised 225 x 75 C16 timbers used for all primary structure. 300mm block retaining wall ontop of specified concrete ground beam withholds slight site infill.

Specified Geothermal piles support the building with incorporating ground heat recovery system to heat and coolthe structure.

Exploded Axonometric

techNical detail

WALL 1 - 225mm Retaining block-work wall 2 - Damp Proof Course 3 - 50mm Kingspan rigid insulation 4 - 15mm Gyproc acoustic wallboard 5 - 10mm Oak skirting-boardFLOOR 6 - 10mm carpet finish 7 - 25mm acoustic underlay 8 - 45mm underfloor waterpipe heating 9 - Vapour control layer 10 - 18mm plywood boarding 11 - Cavity within joists for wiring and services 12 - 150mm mineral wool insulation 13 - Damp proof membrane 14 - 18mm plywood boarding underside of joistsFOUNDATION 15 - 225 x 400mm concrete groundbeam reinforced with 12mm dia rods and A142 steel mesh 16 - Specified concrete piles to be cast insitu with reinforced A142 cage and integrated geothermal piping for ground heat exchange

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15

16

14

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Both axonometrics show the construction of the standard components used throughout the building. The use of double timbers with noggins allows for integrated services to be fitted into the void within the beams or columns. This significantly reduces waste as any lengths cut producing excess from the standard ‘off the shelf’ lengths can be reused to create the noggins to build the finished members.

structural strategy

fouNdatioN detail

- 225mm Retaining block-work wall

- 50mm Kingspan rigid insulation

- 15mm Gyproc acoustic wallboard

- 10mm carpet finish

- 25mm acoustic underlay

- 45mm underfloor waterpipe heating

- Vapour control layer

- 18mm plywood boarding

- Cavity within joists for wiring and services

- 150mm mineral wool insulation

- Damp proof course

- 18mm plywood boarding underside of joists

- 225x400mm concrete groundbeam reinforced

with 12mm dia rods and A142 steel mesh

- Specified concrete piles to be cast insitu with

reinforced A142 cage and Geothermal piping for

ground heat exchange

- 40x400mm extruded polycarbonate panels

- 10mm Oak laminated floor finish


- 50mm Rigid insulation






- 225x75mm standardised joists

- Damp proof membrane


- 225x400mm concrete groundbeam reinforced with 12mm dia rods and A142 steel mesh

- Specified concrete piles to be cast insitu with reinforced A142 cage and Geothermal piping

for ground heat exchange

- 8mm Rubber roofing membrane finish

- Heat welded bitumen bottom layer

- Damp proof membrane

- 18mm Roofboard mechanically attached

- 100mm Rigid insulation





- 15mm Acoustic boarding

- (225x75mmx2+noggin) standardised beams C16 spec

- 300x25mm standardised treated timber covering

- 40x400mm extruded polycarbonate panels

- 10mm laminated floor finish




- 15mm Acoustic boarding



- (225 x75mmx2) standardised beams C16 spec


- Damp proof course

- 50mm Kingspan rigid insulation

- 15mm Gyproc acoustic wallboard

techNical detail

PERPECTIVES & DETAILS

The concepts encorporated in the rejuvenation of this productive garden relate to the origins of nature itself. The idea of physically representing natures patterns and forms through geodesic shapes and morphology, relating to the function of each building.

Morphology relates to the study of forms of biological structures which developed the design to become heavily influenced by the golden ratio and aspects of the ‘Red Clover’ plant which derrives from the site.

THE PRODUCTIVE GARDEN

CONCEPTS & DEVELOPMENT - MASTERPLAN CONCEPTS & DEVELOPMENT - THE GATEHOUSE

THE GATEHOUSE ATMOPSHERES

Hand drawn Computer RenderFinal model

The Gatehouse takes influence from Louis Kahns theories while encapsulat-ing the ideas and developments surrounding morphology and geodesic forms.

Its the entrance to the site with a high level bridge crossing the firm historical boundary of the existing gardens.

A Dynamic Facade first captures the eye as it mirrors the growth movement of the ‘Red Clover’ found at the site, demonstrating natures inspiring complexity.

To control the senses is to indulge the senses. A building which is able to intrigue the mind, the ears and the eyes without emersion in detail takes a careful balancing of barren design with intricatre placement. natural light creates an illumination rather than a spotlight, the sharp corners and the hollow central hub disseminate a gentle echo rather than an overexcited hum. While it is clear that the space leads somewhere and that a specific route is to be followed it is not clear what this route is until it is taken. The expanse of the journey within is concealed like the bud of a flower which wil only be revealed with patience.

The gatehouse creates a retreat from the overpowering surrounding environment, which submerges the visitor to such an extent that it goes unnoteiced. The simplicity of the design forces amplified appreciation of the environment.

BREAKDOWN

Natural ventilation through the structure reduces huge servicing costs and energy levels while the thermal mass of the primary structure regulates the temperature sufficiently for minimal services to be required

The exploded isometric drawing shows how the structure is layered as well as the materiality used through the design.Simple bare materials are used throughout the structure which are recycled, encorporating ‘natures cycle’ within the design ethos.

Thank YouJames Primmer

mobile : 07761352728e-mail : [email protected]

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