PAUL & ADE

Hi both - well done to both of you - good progress. Do let Tom know of your site choices TODAY.

Sam

Ade O

Hi Guys

After revising my previous suggested site, I found many limitations with structures under bridges, most commonly regular bridge inspections, which require the spaces to be cleared out.

Since then I have moved on to studying other areas in the same locality please see attached  document.

I am now looking at the restoration of Piers to develop a programme which use an old pier on this site.
(coordinates 51.496988,0.078471)

Thanks all comments welcome.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/156965983/Site-Proposals-Lakes-and-Thames
http://www.scribd.com/doc/156965983/Site-Proposals-Lakes-and-Thames

Obesity Epidemic - Wellness Center

The Issue

 The World health organization classification of a normal weight is a BMI between 18.5 and 25. However the risk of illnesses can be 5-6 times reduced at a BMI of below 21. Potential health risks of obesity include diabetes, heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, cancers and physical handicaps such as arthritis. Obesity is the sixth greatest global risk factor to health with more than 2.8 million deaths every year.

There is increasing evidence for a strong individual genetic susceptibility to weight gain. Worsening this effect is that once weight is gained it is tough to loose as our bodies are naturally programmed to store energy. The brain therefore physically resists subsequent slimming attempts.

Causes

Global urbanisation resulted in reduction in the need for strenuous physical work. Job labour, cars and domestic appliances all resulted in decreased activity coupled with increased food intake, which should have decreased to compensate. The hypocrisy of government decision makers on this issue is abundantly clear, being influenced by industrial pressures (wanting us to use/ but cars, to spend money on personal entertainment systems and gadgets) yet emphasising a less sedentary lifestyle and promoting public transport.

Society has changed placing a clear cultural emphasis on food. Biologically speaking we have evolutionary mechanisms with specific taste buds linked to pleasure centres in the brain. These foods (sweeteners and fats) have become the staple components in the industrialised food chain. Thus rendering it completely inappropriate for a predominately sedentary world.

“Human biology has become out of step with the structure of society” (p791, Big Lessons for a Healthy Future, King, D.A. Thomas, S.M. (2007) Nature, 449 (7164): 791-792).

Energy Expenditure – What’s Changed?

Urbanization – the growth of the sprawl, busier traffic, and green areas lost.

Transport – walking/ biking mileage has decreased 26/ 86% respectively.

Security – stranger danger, perception of safety.

Home – smaller gardens and homes, play is less vigorous.

Entertainment – sedentary lifestyles, in 2002 99% owned a TV.

Education – less emphasis on P.E., more exam based.

Time – long working hours in the UK.

Employment – jobs less laborious thanks to technology/ mechanisation.

The Solution

Activities specific to health promotion include: healthy eating habits, body practices and/ or physical activity, prevention and control of smoking, reducing morbidity/ mortality from substance abuse, prevention of traffic accidents, prevention of violence and stimulating a culture of peace and promoting sustainable development.

Few want to embark on projects that seem doomed to failure. The prevailing public attitude is that obesity is brought on by the individual, highlighting personal failings. This fails to acknowledge enormous pressures the modern environment places on families. Such attitudes overlook the cost to individual families the economy and health services of dealing with the social and economic consequences of obesity.

“It is only pragmatic that we do what we can to reduce this waste of economic productivity and of aspiration” (Haby, 2006, A New Approach to Assessing the Health Benefit from Obesity Interventions in Children and Adolescents).

The management of obesity involves a number of steps:

-         Gain recognition that family is obese which is a problem,

-         Have a suitable location that provides appropriate help,

-         Access severity of the problem,

-         Recognise/ investigate underlying problems,

-         Treatment,

-         Develop long-term weight loss and goals,

-         Advise on diet and eating habits,

-         Advise on physical activity and reducing sedentariness,

-         Advise on psychological problems,

-         Encourage regular follow ups,

-         Evaluate effectiveness of program,

-         Use to improve tactics.

Precedents

The effect of terracing where buildings that simultaneously function as ecological landscapes is a valid avenue of research in regards to the health benefits of natural settings. One intriguing precedent employing this theme is included below.

Mario Botta Architetto - Wellness Centre 'Tschuggen Bergoase'

Set in the extraordinary geographic configuration of a natural basin surrounded by mountains. The buildings volume disappears into the earth; only the vegetal/mechanical “trees of light” emerge, marking the recreational and collective character of the structure. The different areas are characterized by their relationship with the environment through the technological trees that guarantee natural lighting, an extraordinary sight towards the landscape and the signs of life at night. The interior space is divided into four levels and the external sauna, solarium and swimming pool are reachable directly from the swimming pools and set on an attractive terracing, dipped into nature. 
 

The Site

Tamworth, Holloway/ Fazeely Road

The site forms an unused and unappreciated natural setting in close proximity to the castle grounds. Surrounded by cycle routes and bus routes allows simple integration into the existing transport infrastructure. Adjacent to the council funded park, which has basic outdoor gym equipment (although woefully inadequate to make any serious impact), it is easily within walking distance.

Wellness Centre Facilities

Many sources outline that much longer one-on-one discussion time is needed with patients. Some develop this conclusion further by suggesting that a specific obesity facility needs to be developed, one that is de-medicalised to encourage attendance.

The biological tendency to store energy and notably the desensitization of our appetite control system means we exert less control and choice over our lifestyle patterns. This element of control is an interesting point of intervention; the proposed building could be another element of control. An antidote to society with it’s own set of rules and regulations, exchange your control to reverse the effects of obesity.

Research gathered thus far demonstrates that by establishing a link with nature either directly or indirectly a positive contribution to mental health and stress levels can be achieved. Exercising in an attractive setting boosts performance and punctuality encouraging the occupants to use the facilities more vigorously. The aims of the design are as follows:

-         Increasing physical activity and making it enjoyable.

-         Increase moderate activity such as walking, which is sustainable long term.

-         Facilitate overweight prevention through encouraging and financially supporting facilities and training for those managing/ preventing obesity.

Specific design interventions include:

-         Carefully tailored spaces and separated environments for children, teenagers and adults for specialized sessions.

-         Playing areas, youth clubs, outdoor pursuits (kayaks/ canoes), jogging circuits.

-         Gym, swimming pool and supporting a range of sports (football, tennis etc), spaces for relaxation.

-         Locally sourced fruit, vegetables and meat on sale (at affordable prices), canteen (providing only healthy meals, water etc).

-         Meeting rooms (for specialist one-on-one advice regarding nutrition, exercise and psychological problems), function rooms (for group exercises).

 Supporting Images: 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/156189359/Site-Images-1

Adam Afford

Adam Afford



Hello all

For year 6 i want to pursue a utilitarian problem solving approach to an urban context with all its facets which include the social, political, economic, cultural. Proposing architecture as a social intervention to galvanise growth in an economicly depressed city.

As of yet i have not made a definete decision on my site but am exploring a range of citys/large towns in the midlands (excluding leicester) such as Nottingham, derby, coventry. I have chosen a site in this region as i feel it is important to participate at a local level as the problems are understood firsthand and more relevant.

To aid my decision i will look at the cities unemployed skill set to see if there are any trends and prepose a program that can support these. One initial idea is a program that combines production and retail for individuals such as a workshop/market where individuals or small groups can have direct access to a local market.

Encase my dissertation subject may have unnoticed links, I am researching post disaster architecture and how best to address this problem within design. Interesting proposals include Smout Allens Retreating village wereby the houses move away from potential threats of coastal erosion in Happisborugh. Also technologies such as Concrete canvas a rapid deployable shelter, using an embedded inflatable membrane between setting concrete to create pop up settlements.

Cheers.

TO ALL: Lesser Known Architecture

LAST WEEKEND to catch Elias Redstone's exhibition at the Design Museum 'Lesser Known Architecture'. PLEASE do go to see it if you are in or close to London this weekend - it's free.

And now Zaha Hadid has bought the Design Museum building, it may be your last opportunity to see it before it's transformed into a more permanent exhibition space for architecture.

Elias Redstone's Website

Design Museum, London

TO ALL: Richard Rogers Inside Out

There's a fantastic exhibition at the Royal Academy in London on the work of Richard Rogers, open till October 13th

Link to Dezeen Review here

Link to RA website to book tickets here

The Friday evening talks look particularly worthwhile. 

And also read a stinging critique by
Owen Hatherley in the Guardian

TO ALL: Review 1 Reminder

Now may be a good time to gently remind you that in less than thirteen weeks' time you will present your 1:200-ish / outline building proposals at the first review, which is an examination worth 10% of your final grade. Less than 13 weeks away!  

I notice that some of you refer to this work as being 'next year'. This is a dangerous mistake to make. You began your CPD project over 9 weeks ago, so should by be nearing half way to a fully researched design - taking in site, local culture & society and the subject of your building proposal.

If you are daunted by this prospect, retrace your steps through your 5th year work - that's what it was for! - recall the best work you saw in the crits and be inspired by it. 

Please read all previous posts on the blog - there is a reason for doing this publicly, rather than privately by email!-  as well as the comments on them

Please also now re-read page 10 of the CPD handbook - 'Requirements for Review 1' to focus your minds. For those of you in the UK, I know this heat can play havoc with creativity but there is no time to lose.

Sam

Ade O

Hi All,

I have decided to go with a more local approach in terms of site location.
To be more specific, Thamesmead in southeast London which is on the river Thames before Kent.

Thamesmead was a civic housing development project undertaken by the Greater London Council Department of Architecture and Civic Design. Thamesmead was the most ambitious post-war social housing development in London. The project developed marsh land, previously used as weaponry storage, south of the Thames River in a multi-stage housing project. Thamesmead was to combine urban living, both owned and rented, with shops, schools, and park space.

Today Thamesmead has developed past the original proposals and now as surrounding towns (Woolwich and Belvedere) are currently experiencing a facelift Thamesmead is also lining up for another round of housing/community developments.

Thamesmead has also played host to many successful films/tv to name a few "A Clockwork Orange, Harry Potter and MisFits". Not sure if this will play any relevance but just but just a mention.

Please pdf link of a possible site

http://www.scribd.com/doc/153964518/Site-Proposals-Byron-Close

Thanks

Site Ventures

Hey all,

Sorry for the lack of general contact, been busy working in order to fund my site travels in the upcoming week...

However since finishing the pavilion... for the time being.  I have been looking into a variety of locations, although have been confining myself  towards Germany, a preferential choice based on prior and enjoyable experiences. 
I have looked into many of Germany's cities, but have settled upon concentrating my efforts on Cologne, Frankfurt and mostly Munich.  Three different-ish cities, riddled with a variety of styles; historic and contemporary, as well as their playful masterplans, and scales (particularly with the variety of cathedrals distributed throughout the cities). 

I haven't looked too much into specific sites as of yet, although my preference is more to city centre, as I have never really had much of an opportunity to develop a project enclosed by architecture, I have quite often gone for more 'secluded' sites, which was no different this year.
However with this said, I would still ideally like to go to my eventual chosen location with an open mind and try to absorb as much culture as I can whilst out there, and hopefully transform it into something usable.

So if you have any thoughts on these locations, or have any experiences to share (with in reason) or any suggestions to make, anything would be greatly appreciated and well used.

From Sam H:

I am still keen to carry out my CDP in the city of Alcala (Spain).
Since out last meeting I've done some research on the city's heritage but have yet to find a site. I plan to visit the place in two weeks, by which time I hope to have clearer ideas on the program I will pursue.
At the moment I am moving towards an educational-type building (perhaps a university extension, library, theatre, etc.). This is largely because the city is home to one of the oldest universities in the world and provides potential for a rich program. It is also where Cervantes (author of Don Quijote) was born.
I realise these are still fairly broad ideas, so any advice/comments are welcome.
Here is a link to what trusty old Wikipedia has to say about the city:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcal%C3%A1_de_Henares

Cheers everyone, looking forward to seeing you all soon.

ALL - Uploading PDFs / FILMS / ETC to Blogger

Uploading PDFs, films, etc to blogger is easy, but you need to do it via scribd.com. 

1) Go to Scribd.com

2) Upload your pdf, film, or whatever you want

3) copy the URL that has been created

4) In Blogger, using the 'compose' rather than 'html' setting, click add a new 'link' to the URL you had created. Give it a sensible name rather than url gobbledegook. 

5) Give your post a title - maybe follow the format: "THE NAME OF THE PERSON ABOUT WHOM THE POST REFERS - some words to describe the post"

5) Publish your post.

OLI - Possible sites

Follow link (via scribd.com) to view PDF document: 

POSSIBLE SITES

From Oli:

 At the moment I have a few places in mind, some just cites i'd like to study or some more specific sites. Please see attached a list of notes, locations and images of places, (apologies about the lack of any form presentation). The first idea is located in Anglesey. There is an old existing building that has interested me for a while. Nerja, Spain. A location I have visited many times before. An old sugar factory. (as with the site in Anglesey, a lack of context?) Ronda, Spain. This is a location I have never been too, but from reading about and doing a little internet browsing, could be worth a visit for a site, although I don't as yet have any idea of a site there. Sitges, Spain. I am due to visit this location in September (if this was my chosen location I would visit well before this holiday to get started on the work) Copenhagen and Amsterdam, two cites that I have not had chance to stay in as yet. These cities interest me because of the interplay and mix of architectural languages from current architecture to more historical formats. I am going to Anglesey this Saturday to visit this possible option.

PAUL - Liverpool / Brooklyn dock site

Photo taken here from here, roughly:
http://goo.gl/maps/0AM4d


 Paul, your site on LIverpool's docks reminds me a little (geographically, historically, though perhaps not socially (??) with Brooklyn's front on the East River. Of course Liverpool and New York were once directly connected through shipping. I suggest you have a look into recent dock-side / pier developments in Brooklyn, and perhaps also on Manhattan's other side, on the Hudson. You will no doubt have heard of Williamsburg, the waterfront area of Brooklyn which over the past few years has become more perhaps even more fashionable than Manhattan for creative types. It's following a similar path to Mitte/Prenzlauerberg/Kreuzberg/Neukolln in Berlin, Hackney Wick in east London, and even my own Margate in the UK, using (relatively) cheap building stock, old industrial spaces, etc for artists to colonise.

Have you looked into the Liverpool Biennial of Contemporary Art?

http://www.biennial.com/

I know one of the curators if you're interested in pursuing research into this. Im sure they adopt / build / temporarily inhabit spaces in very interesting ways.

Check this out, from 2006 by the Office for Subversive Architecture:

OSA Liverpool Biennial

PAUL - possible sites

Thanks for setting this up Paul!

I've posted below your email question to me. Let's keep everything here on the blog from now on:

Hey Sam,

I revisited some sites in Liverpool and looked more closer to the waterfront as you suggested.

I've attached a document with some photos, locations and plans of the site I liked the most. Its a set of 3 piers on the Princes Dock in Liverpool.

They are abandoned and parts of it rotting away, with the wooden half of the pier looking particularly interesting.

Also there would be room to expand the project if necessary because across the road there is a disused car park and also the site could occupy more of the River Mersey.

I was just wondering your opinions on this site? I do rather like it but currently unsure of what the most appropriate program could be for it. But with more work looking at this area I imagine the correct solution would come to me.

Also about the blog you suggested, Blogger which is in the google task bar is pretty good. People can access it using university email address as they are google ones. So I believe if I created a new blog everyone could access it and comment on and add new bits to it.

Regards,

Paul Oldfield

LINK TO THE PDF:

POSSIBLE SITE

First Post/Test

This blog was created to share ideas and thoughts during the Comprehensive Design Project for 6th year M.Arch at the Leicester School of Architecture.