1. JAMES PRIMMER
Architecture portfolio

3. CONTENT
UNIVERSITY PROJECTS
Theatre Intervention
The Productive Garden
Literary & Philosophical Society
IN PRACTICE
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4. - KEY -
1 Control booth
2 Higher viewing balcony
3 Lower viewing balcony
4 Bar area
5 External viewing balcony
6 Internal stage
7 External stage
8 Backstage area
9 Retractable seating
10 Ticket booth & cloak room
11 Access to control booth
12 Retracted seats
13 Disabled toilet
14 Shop/storage
16 Male dressing room
17 Rainwater harvesting system
18 Storage
19 Green room/ rehearsal space
20 Female dressing room
21 Large scene storage
THEATRE INTERVENTION
First floor plan
Crypt plan
Ground floor plan
- KEY -
1 Male Dressing room
2 Green room/rehearsal space
3 Female dressing room
4 Retractable seating
5 Internal stage
6 Shop/storage
7 Lower viewing balcony
8 Higher viewing balcony
9 Stairs to backstage
10 Green room/rehearsal space
11 Large scene storage
12 External seating
13 External stage
14 External viewing balcony
15 Control booth

5. Section A Section B
Site planInspiration from the rich surroundings at Seaton Delaval Hall influenced the raw
design of this Theatre. The baron Mausoleum had long since seen any of its
original features such as its striking cupola and grand doors. The design
integrates an outdoor stage to maximise use in suitable weather while subtly
flowing into the surrounding forrests with its linearity and rusted coreten steel canopy.
The ‘Grade 1 listed’ building was not loadbearing as so a simple lightweight
steelwork structure entwined with glazing and sound absorbing panels sit within
the heavy walls of the Mausoleum.
Flexibility is a key feature in the design with optional stages, internal and external areas and
retractable seating to produce clear open spaces, flooded with light from above the balconies.

6. CONCEPTS & STRATEGY
Reflecting the isolation of the surrounding forrest
Inviting warmth emmitting from the isolated Mausoleum

7. PERSPECTIVES
External performance space
Internal flexible performance space

8. MODELS & STRATEGY
Final model
Plaster model developing isolation withinPlaster model developing the warm glow
Materiality is a key feature of the model, showing how bare and exposed the design
is within this isolated site.
The glow of the recessed windows create an inviting warmth from within the
Mausoleum, an almost religious atmosphere is reininstated to the building
with the honesty of materials and use of light through the multi level design.

9. Views
Acoustics
Sound controls
Views
Private
Circulation

10. THE PRODUCTIVE GARDEN

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.

12. CONCEPTS & DEVELOPMENT - MASTERPLAN

13. CONCEPTS & DEVELOPMENT - THE GATEHOUSE

14. THE GATEHOUSE
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.

15. ATMOPSHERES
Hand drawn Computer RenderFinal model
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.

16. 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.

18. SERIAL VISION - THE GATEHOUSE
Final model of central void/ circulation
Enter the Gatehouse
Serial vision of the circulation from bottom to the top of the Gatehouse.
Recycled plywood furniture from the concrete formwork used to
create osculating furniture to maximise space within each room.

19. Development model of central void/ circulation

20. 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 historic books, with the collection covering every field of interest.
From its outset, the Society had an enterprising, inquisitive and liberal nature: the first female members were admitted by 1804, various groundbreaking demonstrations of new technology
took place, such as George Stephenson’s miners safety lamp in 1815.
The Young Literary and Philosophical Society will essentially be a specialist library, but its particular theme differs from the original Lit & Phil as it is based around cutural heritage.
Community groups from all over the region will be encouraged to use the YL+P as a learning resource, and the YL+P will re-establish the act of thinking and the pursuit and exchange of
knowledge as a rewarding pastime, and as a social experience.
Considerations:
- topography - the levels of the sight informed the initial response
- accessibility - specific routes through the site were a results 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 trditional culture of the site and original Lit & Phil

21. ELEVATIONS

22. Sympathise with landscape Formalise gradient Reduce height,
incorporate landscape
Zonal strategyIntegrate concepts
DIAGRAM DEVELOPMENT

23. SITE PLAN

24. 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
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
ROOF PLAN

25. ENTRANCE PERSPECTIVE

26. 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
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
GROUND FLOOR PLAN

27. CIRCULATION ATRIUM

28. 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
19
20
21
22
23
24
25 26 27
28
29
30
31
-1 FLOOR PLAN

29. FLEXIBLE ROOM

30. AA
BB
Section A-A Section B-B
DESIGN SECTION

31. ROOFTOP DEBATING AREA

32. 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.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Exploded Axonometric

33. Fibre cement slate
Rubber roofing membrane
Double standing seam zinc roofing
Black organically treated steel balcony
and stairs
Standardised aluminium finished double
glazing
Standardised C16 225 x 75 timber
Extruded polycarbonate modular panelling
Geothermal piles
AXONOMETRIC

34. - 225mm Retaining blockwork 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
- 225 x 400mm 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
- 75 x 225mm extruded polycarbonate panels
- 10mm 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
- 225 x 75mm standardised joists
- Damp proof course
- 18mm plywood boarding underside of joists
- 225 x 400mm 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
- Vapour control layer
- 18mm Roofboard mechanically attached
- 100mm Rigid insulation
- 18mm plywood boarding
- Damp proof course
- 150mm mineral wool insulation
- Cavity within joists for wiring and services
- 15mm Acoustic boarding
- (225 x 75mmx2) standardised beams C16 spec
- 225 x 75mm standardised treated timber covering
- 75 x 225mm 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 x 75mmx2) standardised beams C16 spec
- 18mm plywood boarding underside of joists
- Damp proof course
- 50mm Kingspan rigid insulation
- 15mm Gyproc acoustic wallboard
TECHNICAL DETAIL

35. PERSPECTIVE TECHNICAL SECTION

36. CONCEPT MODEL

37. Entrance lobby Circulation, services Quiet study, library Cafe social zone Flexible study, display, hire space
South Facade East Facade North Facade
DEVELOPMENT MODEL

38. Landscape dug and backfilled slightly,
mini CFA piling machine creates a raised
foundation level using the top of the piles.
Ground floor roof fitted with protruding
beams to cover Drury Lane. Debating
area fitting and finishing
SIP panel walling fitted to north facade,
waterproofing, membranes and insulation
fitted between rafters, nearing watertight stage.
Glazing and extruded polycarbonate façades
installed, all areas waterproofed and inhabitable.
Concrete ground beams span the main axis of the
foundation avoiding the trees and can-
tilevering partially around the trees.
C16 standardised timber rafters create the ground
floor, Standardised 225x75 x 3 timbers bolted
together create all columns and beams.
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FINAL MODEL - STRUCTURAL COMPOSITION
1 32

39. Basement columns and floor finished,
roof structure erected over river.
Main entrance ground floor columns erected,
standardised steel plate brackets connect
all timber junctions. Joists and rafters fitted.
Lightweight standardised roof beams fit-
ted, purlins and rafters connected and hung.
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40. Thank You
James Primmer
mobile : 07761352728
e-mail : james.primmer@northumbria.ac.uk