2. 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).
3. 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 route
leading from
existing carpark
Visitor Centre
sustainability, social
integration and
activities including
climbing centre
Zipline
to and from the
outdoor climbing
centre and pathway
up the crag
Southern route
linking to the existing
southern hiking
route up the crag
5. Features of the Proposal Axonometric Breakdown
Water Harvesting
Recycling water to
increase sustainability
and independence
Climbing Centre
Indoor and outdoor
climbing areas to increase
visitors and movement
in the landscape
Node
Structural point of
interest to guide
visitors from a far
Zipline
Zipline access to
and from the crag/
outdoor climbing
area
Cycling
Bike hire for visitors to
explore further across
the landscape
Hiking
New hiking routes across
the landscape to increase
safety and points to admire
the landscape
Horticulture
Growing fruit, vegetable
and herbs to support the
communal kitchens and
restaurant/cafe
Larch cladding
30% reduction in material
due to extra spacing of the
rain-screen cladding, to
further disguise the building
6. 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 Detail
The 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.
7. 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 Lane
Cultural Heritage
The Literary & Philosophical Society is the largest independent
library 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 liberal
in 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
8. Perspectives
Entrance to The Young Lit & Phil Debating/Performance Area
Atrium Circulation Space Flexible Space
Staff room 8
Lobby, meeting area & reception 9
Lift to all floors 10
Male, female & disabled toilets 11
Stairs to -1 floor 12
Integrated light wells around trees 13
Cafe, store & cleaning area 14
Social seating 15
Group seating 16
Stairs to debating area 17
Social seating & viewing terrace 18
Plant room 19
Archive 20
Lift to all floors 21
Catalogue search 22
Philosophy social shelving 23
Stairs to ground floor 24
Meeting area 25
Integrated light wells around trees 26
Study area 27
Politics integrated shelving 28
Economics integrating shelving 29
Flexible storage space 30
Study, hire, exhibition, flexible space 31
Disabled access to roof 1
Lift to all floors 2
Debating/performance space 3
Trees integrated into study area 4
Social seating on rooftop 5
Stairs to ground floor 6
Social seating and viewing terrace 7
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25 26 27
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Plans Roof plan
Ground floor plan
Basement floor plan
9. 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
10. 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-board
FLOOR 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 joists
FOUNDATION 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
1 2 3 4 5
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16
14
6
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
- 25mm acoustic underlay
- 50mm Rigid insulation
- 45mm underfloor waterpipe heating
- Vapour control layer
- 18mm plywood boarding
- Cavity within joists for wiring and services
- 150mm mineral wool insulation
- 225x75mm standardised joists
- Damp proof membrane
- 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
- 8mm Rubber roofing membrane finish
- Heat welded bitumen bottom layer
- Damp proof membrane
- 18mm Roofboard mechanically attached
- 100mm Rigid insulation
- 18mm plywood boarding
- Vapour control layer
- 150mm mineral wool insulation
- Cavity within joists for wiring and services
- 15mm Acoustic boarding
- (225x75mmx2+noggin) standardised beams C16 spec
- 300x25mm standardised treated timber covering
- 40x400mm extruded polycarbonate panels
- 10mm laminated floor finish
- 25mm acoustic underlay
- 45mm underfloor waterpipe heating
- Vapour control layer
- 15mm Acoustic boarding
- Cavity within joists for wiring and services
- 150mm mineral wool insulation
- (225 x75mmx2) standardised beams C16 spec
- 18mm plywood boarding underside of joists
- Damp proof course
- 50mm Kingspan rigid insulation
- 15mm Gyproc acoustic wallboard
Technical Detail
11. 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
13. 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.
14. 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.
