RIBA Part I Mini Portfolio of work

1. Theatre Studios Project
Leicester
Level II Studio

3. Theatre Studios Project North-West Elevation
Leicester
Level II Studio
1. Entrance
2. ETFE Pillow Facade
3. Adaptive Light Shutters
4. Wooden Shading Devices
Render shows entrance area
and surroundings from the
3 North of the site
1 2
4

4. 1m 5m Part Section 6
Long Section
3
1 4
8
2 5
7
Open Plan Offices DETAIL A DETAIL B
1. Aluminium Eaves Strip 9. Stainless Steel Anti-Bird Wire
9 2. Spray-on Insulation 10. Roof Drainage Channel (Insulated)
3. Steel SHS Box Beam 11. Pre Insulated Internal Walling
4. Custom Steel Pillow Support
5. Aluminium ETFE Clamp System 9
6. 5-Layer ETFE Sheeting (Dot Printed)
10 7. Air Supply Unit
8. Noise Insulated Glazing (Offices Only)
11 1
Video Editing Suite 2 10 11
4
3
5 8
Stage Area 6
7
1. Aluminium Eaves (Insulated) 14
2. Air Supply Piping
3. Five-Layer ETFE Pillows
(Solar ‘DOT’ printed and Air Insulated) 13
4. Drainage Box Channels (Insulated)
5. Solar Dependent Adaptive Shading
12
12
6. Roof Ventilation Services
7. Openable Internal Window
8. Double Skin Internal Ventilation DETAIL C
9. Steel RHS Frame Structure 12. Steel SHS Box Beam
10. Pre-Cast Concrete Floor Plates & Insu- 13. Steel Window Clamp System 15
lated Floor Finish 14. Self-Supporting Timber ‘Trelis’ Cladding
11. Suspended Ceiling System 13
15. Floor Finish - (Adobe/Concrete base) 16
12. Raised Floor Flood Defence (Integrated Under Floor Heating)
13. Piled RC Substructure 16. Floor Insulation 17
17. Pre-Cast Concrete Floor Block
(High Thermal Mass)
18. In-Situ Cast Concrete Retaining Structure 18

5. Ground Floor L.Ground Floor
1. Entrance Foyer 12 12. Make-Up Room
1 2. Staff Entrance 13. Stage Storage
3. Double Height Atrium 14. Delivery Bay
4. Security Point 15. Stage
5. Video Editing Suite 16. Performance Space
6. Sound Recording Studio 13 17. W/Cs
4 2 7. Animation Room 18. Workshop ONE
8. Fire Exit 19. Workshop TWO
5 3 9. Bridge Link 15 14
10. Workshop A
11. Workshop B
A. Existing Boathouse
16
6
7
17
8
19
18
9 10
11 Upper Floor
20. Tech Support
A 21. Open Plan Offices
22. Projectionist Room
20 23. Café
21
22
23
Theatre Studios Project
Leicester
Level II Studio

7. Urban Park Design Project Current Improved
Level III Studio
Analysis
Current Pedestrian Flow
The pedestrian flow in the area of the Viaduct is
currently restrictive in nature. The road network
takes far greater priority in the built environment in
this area, The ‘restrictive movement of pedestrians
is particularly noticed between Bede Park and the
Braunstone Gate area, whereby pedestrians have to
double back on themselves to access the retail area.
Improved Pedestrian Flow
The newly adapted pedestrian flow in the area would
be more desirable. With the use of the large sloping
surfaces, a convergence of pedestrian footfall can be
enabled and a more natural flow would occur between
all areas concerned, both within and beyond the area.
Access ramps at the northern and southern ends of
the viaducts improve the pedestrian desire lines.
North access ramp
South access ramp

8. Sun Energy Centre
Working ‘Off-Grid’ viewing platform and
office space, generating electricity for the
Urban Park Design Project
park lighting and the on-site facilities.
Plan shows highlighted Sun Energy Centre in
Level III Studio context of development scheme.
Leicester

9. Display Pods
Showcase various working examples
of sustainable building techniques,
standards and workshop space.
Plan shows highlighted display area
and the Display Pods.

10. Urban Park Design Project Park Features and Displays
Constraints
There are several initial constraints which have been put in place for the design
process. The first constraint is to keep as much of the original form and structure as
possible. Also keeping the post-train use of a pedestrian walkway. The second is to
Level III Studio
give the Bowstring Bridge a renewed iconic status for the Leicester locals and visitors
alike. The third is to add emphasis at waterline level and improve pedestrian routing
Leicester
as much as possible.
Water Connection
This is an important node for the route between Bede Park and the Braunstone Gate
area. The waterline is not currently exposed but hidden behind a wall of foliage. It
would benefit the area as a whole if the waterline is opened up as in several other
European cities that utilise their urban waterways. Also this is the start of the connection
between the existing park and the above ground level viaduct (also currently hidden
behind a wall of foliage). Careful consideration is given to the merging of Park, River
and Viaduct and it’s use by pedestrians.
Site Features
The Bowstring Bridge is the dominant focal point for the site and the immediate
area. Demolishing the bridge would be a major ‘no-no’ to many local residents and
several local opposition groups would like to see a re-vamped bridge, rather than a
dismantling. Wildlife has been self seeded on top of the now disused viaduct and
the shoreline along the River Soar. Mother Nature has taken full effect along the full
course of the viaduct structure. Also, being a viaduct, the arch forms a major structural
element for the entire length.

12. Barcelona Grid
Avinguda Diagonal (Diagonal Avenue - Purple) reaches a finish point directly adjacent
to the site, which is here marked in blue. The grid-work lines superimposed on the
satellite image portray the original Cedrá city plan. Coincidently the site can be seen
as the first grid-sized block on the south side of the Diagonal Avenue, and is seen as an
important node with a large sphere of influence amongst the city-scape.
Sant Marti District Road Network
The road network within the district of Sant Marti is clearly following the ‘Eixample’
layout as drafted by Ildefons Cerdà. This is despite the fact that the old town of Sant
Marti is technically not part the Eixample district of Barcelona. The historic centre of
the town however predates the grid (shown at the northern end of the district).
Barcelona Library
Level III Studio

13. Concept
The initial concept creates a gateway to the park and opens up the park with the main
pedestrian route to the North. Main transport links are also located along the main
pedestrianised diagonal route through the area.
Ramps and Escalators are used as much as possible through the building on a continuous
journey from the ground to the top floors.

14. Barcelona Library
Level III Studio
Forming the Building
The ‘Form’ of the building follows direct extrapolation of existing building lines
cutting through the site. With careful consideration to the ascertained needs of the
Library/Genealogy Centre, the ‘double wing’ design is adopted from this massing 1
exercise. This enables the buildings architecture to create the ‘gateway’ to the park 2
which is seen from the site analysis, to be very much needed.
A gateway is not only formed by the double-wing architecture of the design, but also
from the utilisation of the existing building lines and features. Catalonia Plaza (4) is
itself a gateway to all visitors arriving via the main street - Diagonal Avenue.
If arriving from the beach front, and north through the park you will be met by the
main (and largest) pedestrian plaza on site (Library Plaza, 5). This is very pedestrian
orientated and as such has the various facilities associated with pedestrian needs in
the city (i.e. Seating, Drinking Fountains etc).
Diagonal Plaza (6) is the last connection for the exterior form of the building. Aligned
with the building entrance axis (2) this will act as the main entrance for visitors
utilising the car parking and shopping facilities in the Diagonal Mar Shopping Centre.
3
Ground Floor
3
4
5
6
4
7
1. To City
2. To La Mina
3. Catalonia Plaza
4. ‘Misting Gardens’
5. Library Plaza
6. Diagonal Plaza
7. Diagonal Mar Shopping
8. To Beaches
8 Purple - Pedestrian Routing
5 Red - Ground Floor Permeability
6

15. Book Spiral
The ‘Book Spiral Block’ rises up in a single helical route. Although
smaller than the Seattle Public Library, there is still a continuous
flow of movement due to huge central void which penetrates
through the whole building thus preventing any course deviation,
from the intended route. This is a different approach Seattle’s
library which uses vast straight lines which zig-zag up the building.
Zoning
Clearly distinct zoning of the internal spaces, provide users with an
ease of navigation much the same way the Seattle Public Library
has clearly numbered the sequential book numbering system
(Dewey) to aid in book navigation. Alternating bookshelves,
study courts and desk space provide break off points from the
main spiral route.

16. 1. HEATING - The Winter Sun heats the concrete thermal mass which has integrated
Phase Change Materials to actively store heat energy and release when the
temperature drops below a certain threshold. The supplementary system of under
floor heating is activated when the load increases, drawing it’s heat from ground
source heat pumps.
2. COOLING - Evaporative cooling, cools the incoming prevailing wind which then
enters the building via trickle vents within the floor. As heat rises it naturally enters
the central void (due to slightly sloping ceiling) and is then extracted through the
roof.
3. VENTILATION - For a library, the ultimate issue is the control of the environment
in which books and people require exacting needs. Computer controlled mechanical
ventilation is the most precise method and will be the main HVAC system to be used.
4. ACOUSTICS - Noise levels are also an issue for libraries. To prevent unwanted
external noises penetrating the building envelope, a double skinned double-glazing
system is in use. With an additional air cavity, this system decreases noise pollution
substantially. Internal noises are either softened by acoustic panels (Ceiling and
Bookshelves) or redirected to louder areas. The Quiet Zones have Anechoic materials
strategically placed to prevent noise related problems.