Justin Frank

ContentsBrief 1Materials 2Precedents 3Initial Concepts 5Idea Development 6Drawings 9Model Photos 19

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Brief SiteThe Brief was to design a building that could house the Se-curity staff at the two entrances to the University of Bath.

The building is to be designed in a “prêt-à-porter” fashion, meaning that the same building should be able to be in-stalled in many different locations, with little to no changes necessary.

The requirements are that two members of staff have space, with adequate desk space, and are able to receive up to four visitors comfortably, in a climate controlled environment. As the building will stand at the entrances to the university, it will be the first sight of any University building to the visitors. As such, it should be of high architectural quality, an icon of the universities abilities.

Both sites are very different, one being sloping and one be-ing flat, as well as one being in plain view and the other behind trees as you approach. These considerations will be fundamental in the way the buildings get received.

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Brief SiteThe material I got assigned is Weathering Steel, often called Cor-Ten.

Weathering steel is steel that has been rusted and formed a surface patina. The rusting is controlled through the use of additives to the steel in the manufacturing process, ensuring that the steel does not rust though like conventional steel.

It originated as a structural material, as it could be used in situations were steel was hard to access and maintain. IN recent years it has been used as an aesthetic cladding material.

Depending what additives are used, the patina can vary in both colour and surface texture. The surface can also vary with atmospheric conditions, developing different patinas around urban or rural areas. Temporary conditions also have an effect, for example the metal getting darker when wet.

The profile I got given in the brief is the Square Hollow Section.

These come in a range of sizes from 40mm to 400mm square.

The advantages of square hollow sections are that the flat surfaces that make it easier to attach to other sections, and also other profiles or sheets.

Another advantage is the fact that these sections are very good at dealing with stress in various directions, as opposed to other sections, such as I-beams, which are only good in one plane.

They are also architecturally beautiful, and are often used exposed, and can also hide services within the hollow.

Brief Material

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The Vanke Triple V is a gallery building in China, constructed from Cor-Ten and glass. The way that the heavy looking Cor-Ten sits above the glass greatly increases the effectiveness of the building, creating an interesting envelope even though it uses only very simple geometry.

The Design Museum in Holon, Israel, is constructed mostly from Cor-Ten. The metal is used as a structural material, supporting itself into sweeping curves, but also supporting the building structure. It is also a good example of what finishes can be achieved with Cor-Ten.

Vanke Triple VArchitects: Ministry Of DesignLocation: Tianjin, ChinaProject Area: 750 sqmBuilt: 2011

Design Museum HolonArchitects: Ron Arad Architects Ltd (RAAL)Location: Holon, IsraelProject Area: 4,100 sqmBuilt: 2003-2010

Precedents

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PrecedentsRichard Serra is an American sculptor, who makes large space installations. Some of his most well known pieces have been made from Cor-Ten.

“Many of these pieces are self-supporting and emphasize the weight and nature of the materials.”

The response to this material, as well as the structural nature of the shapes shows what can be achieved with Cor-Ten steel.

There is very few examples of corporations pushing an aspect of architecture as much over recent years as Apple. They have constantly been pushing the limits of glass construction for their retail stores, developing new techniques for using glass as both cladding and structural elements.

Apple Stores(Left to Right)Architects: Bohlin, Cywinski and Jackson ArchitectsLocation: New York City, USA / Shanghai, China / New York, USABuilt: 2001 / 2010 / 2009

Precedents“A Matter of Time” and “Vortex”

Artist: Richard Serra

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Initial ConceptsFrom the outset it was clear I wanted a design that took full advantage of the materials properties.

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Using this curve, my initial ideas hugged the edge of the pavement with rounded sides.

The rounded sides of the Cor-Ten also meant that it could stand up on its own, similar to Serra’s sculptures.

I also wanted to explore the apparent properties of the mate-rials, and the effects they have on people, such as the visual impact of Cor-Ten over glass.

Initial Concepts

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Using maquette, I created a shape that was practical, leaving the ground in line with mullions, as well as creating a structure that was relatively close to balancing, however would tip if let go. This means the shape will look more like it is defying physics. It re-sults in the need for a large Square Hollow Section in the corner, pinning it to the floor, stopping it from toppling.

By sitting the building on a concrete slab, the height of this can be increased in order to create a level surface without many groundworks.

The foundations also add interest to the building, as in one corner the foundation

slab is chamfered off, revealing how the large steel column enters the concrete substructure.

Idea Development

The full size of the main struc-

tural Square Hollow Section.

Dimensions: 400 x 400mmThickness: 16mm

Cross Sectional Area: 243cm2

Mass: 191kg/m

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Whilst during the day the Cor-Ten has a large presence and the glass is almost invisible, at night this is reversed, with the light from inside the building creating a crystalline building, with no Cor-Ten visible in the darkness.

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A model showing the placements of the mullions holding up the glass, whilst also acting as a separate in-ner structure.

Site PlanConvocation Avenue1:200

Site PlanQuarry Road1:200

PlanConvocation Avenue

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PlanQuarry Road1:50

South-East ElevationConvocation Avenue

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Elevation

South-West ElevationConvocation Avenue1:50 14

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Section1:50

16Iso Joint Detail

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Blackened Glass

Clear Glass

Window Mullion (100 x 60mm)

Weathering Steel Sheet

400mm Square Hollow Section

60mm Square Hollow Section

100mm Square Hollow Section

Concrete

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