This document provides an overview of a proposed student union building project in Swansea, Wales. It outlines the following: 1. The project will be developed on a current car park site adjacent to the Ethos building on Kings Road. 2. The design will focus on feasibility, sustainability, and the building envelope's architectural technology. 3. The client brief specifies that the building should be open and welcoming, robust for Swansea's climate, utilize daylighting and ventilation, and have energy efficiency and sustainability at the forefront.

1. UWTSD STUDENT UNION AMY TRIGGS P143410
UWTSD STUDENT EXPERIENCE CENTRE
SWANSEA
WATERFRONT
DEVELOPMENTSA1

2. UWTSD STUDENT UNION AMY TRIGGS P143410
CONTENTS OF PROJECT
The contents of this project will display the following structure in separate documents.
Each document will be categorised in a specific colour;
1. INTRODUCTION
2. DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT
3. ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY MATERIAL COMPARISON
4. ENERGY STRATEGY
5. DETAIL RESOLUTION
6. APPENDICES
Referencing for documents will be presented individually at the end of each section.
CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT
Figure 1 – Kings Rd view of site
1. PROJECT INTRODUCTION
2. CLIENT BRIEF
3. REFERENCES

3. UWTSD STUDENT UNION AMY TRIGGS P143410
1. PROJECT INTRODUCTION
The University of Wales Trinity St David wish to develop an SA1 car park into a vibrant student
union building. The site currently sits adjacent to the Ethos building on Kings Road and is to be
developed into a four-storey building at the entrance of the city.
Due to time constraints, the most important aspects of this project have been addressed. Focus
will be primarily on the projects feasibility, sustainability and the architectural technology of the
buildings envelope.
The design strategy will be presented as a rationale through each document provided. The client
(UWTSD), has initiated discussions with the developers to produce the required brief to begin
the project. With the entire university moving to the SA1 area, it is only necessary for a new
student union to be incorporated. The dialogue produced from developers and the university was
not without limitations, however, it was decided that the chosen site would be the ideal location
to develop. The current car park has so far been a missed development opportunity in this up
and coming area of Swansea.
Although the site boasts many beneficial aspects such as it being easily accessible by car and
foot; it’s extremely close to the city centre, transport hubs and essential living requirements; it is
also within walking distance of other campus buildings. Limitations exist also and need to be
overcome before construction commences. Major site constraints include the relocation of the
main electricity supply unit for surrounding buildings. The site sisters the River Tawe, requiring
the consideration of serious measures before construction, this includes ensuring the integrity of
the building and River Tawe remain at their utmost during the buildings life cycle.
2. CLIENT BRIEF
It is within the interest of UWTSD that the following objectives are undertaken as the focus of
this project:
 A building that is open and welcoming;
 That responds to a differing climate in a robust manor;
 That also responds to orientation of each façade specifically;
 Ensures daylight factor and ventilation is utilised extensively;
 Finally, energy and sustainability is at the forefront.
These such aspects will be described briefly below in a strategy as to how they will be
incorporated into the design.
OPEN & WELCOMING BUILDING
The Students Union will have an open-door policy that invites all students into the building.
Services will be offered to help and support students in their studies and day to day university
life, enhancing their university experience and aiding them to achieve their full potential.
Security will be a high priority as with any other building but access is easily granted with an
individual student card. Discrimination is not tolerated and schemes will be implemented to help
conquer such situations, facilities will be present to accommodate those who are vulnerable.
ROBUST
Swansea has a differing climate that can see major gales and driving rain one day and light blue
skies the next. This will be a major aspect of the design as the site is situated in a coastal region
being particularly exposed. The micro climate will be described in the design and access
statement.
ORIENTATION

4. UWTSD STUDENT UNION AMY TRIGGS P143410
The sun is advantageous when designing a building’s orientation, producing maximum benefits
from energy efficiency. Creating a ‘Passiv Solar’ design will enhance heat collection in summer
months by collecting energy and storing it to use when the building requires it.
The reduction in energy bills will become apparent if the building is correctly orientated, with the
building having the potential to maintain a healthy and comfortable environment.
DAYLIGHT & VENTILATION
The design to be put forward incorporates a complete curtain walling envelope which will
incorporate necessary shading for sunny days and Photovoltaics throughout to heighten the
buildings performance.
Since the entire structure will be enclosed with curtain walling, daylight factor will not be an issue.
However, the interior layout needs to complement such curtain walling to its full potential, utilising
daylight in each room where necessary to avoid artificial lighting during the day.
Natural ventilation is easily achievable and will be applied to the buildings design in this case.
To achieve optimal ventilation, it is necessary to create specific ventilation routes throughout the
building with open plan spaces and not an overcrowding of interior partitioning walls. It may be
necessary to install mechanical ventilation into the building to aid the natural ventilation due to
its size.
ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY
As a public building, this design will work towards BREEAM accreditation, hoping to gain an
‘Excellent’ rating. Where possible the following principles will be undertaken:
 Materials sourced locally
 Waste management
 Travel Plan
 Reduce Co2 emissions
 Reduce water consumption
 Minimise negative environmental impact
 Reduce pollution
 Monitor Life cycle
 Ensure occupants health and well being

5. UWTSD STUDENT UNION AMY TRIGGS P143410
3. REFERENCES
Google maps, 2017. Kings Rd. [Online]. Available at:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Swansea+SA1/@51.6207982,-
3.9330539,3a,90y,275.14h,82.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swFWQlYYhKVXj9yy3Zn5NOg!2e0!7i
13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x486e5e2be2fb1ec7:0x7f5ec1736e16ef26!8m2!3d51.6291204!4d-
3.9065562 [Accessed 11 April 2017].