design and access statement
Post on 03-Mar-2016
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Contents
P1 ...... Title Page
P2 ...... Contents
P3 ...... Contents
P4 ...... Design Introduction
P5 ...... Religious epicentre
P6 ...... Concept
P7 ...... Site section
P8 ...... Social
P9 ...... Economical
P10 .... Economical
P11 .... Planning
P12 .... Planning (Masterplan)
P13 .... Planning
P14 .... Planning
P15 .... Sustainability
P16 .... Sustainability
P17 .... Sustainability
P18 .... Access
P19 .... Access and Epilogue
P20 .... References
Design
Portal, the life after death centre is designed to create a gateway between realms.
It uses Client donated information to generate an artificial intelligent life form (avatar).
The avatars can be created to emulate the client or if the client has ‘right of publicity’ of
another person they can create an avatar of that person. ‘Right of publicity’ is to control
the commercial use of one’s name, image, likeness or other unequivocal aspects of one's
identity. The ownership, control and transfer of information will replicate the Inheritance
System.
Clients will fall into one of two groups:
A person knowing they will die soon may wish to create a lasting legacy via an
avatar memorial. Genealogy is a growth industry and when most are forgotten in
two generations, the avatar provides a perpetual interactive testament for ones
ancestors.
A client who has ‘right of publicity’ of another person may wish to create an avatar
memorial to celebrate a life of someone dear to them. The interactive avatar offers
a sense of continued life after passing and comfort when dealing with loss.
The project has the potential to turn the site into an epicentre for religious and social
community as leading health professionals such as Marie Curi use ‘Memory box’
techniques to provide comfort and solace to patients.
Religion is the area
The size of sphere represents the
number of participants
Christian
Catholic
Islamism
Judaism
Greek orthodox
Buddhism
This benefit coupled with developing the areas circulation, public space etc. Portal will
maximise potential through development and evolution of the following elements.
Concept
Social
Economy
Planning
Access
Sustainability
Concept
The sites most important feature is the dominating height of the Cathedral that
represents man’s aspiration to reach heaven. This results in the surrounding buildings being
submissive to the Cathedral as religion dominates this site. The Cathedral and graveyard
suggested a symbolic theme of life and death (irrespective of denomination) and the
project’s function would concentrate on celebration life by linking the transition of life and
death.
There is an interesting juxtaposition of Portal versus Cathedral. A fluid, organic building
nestled under the wing of an imposing rectilinear gothic structure.
Though submissive in scale to the Cathedral, it was important for the Portal not to be in
its physical shadow and hence is situated to the south where it can capture the greatest
solar energy within a multi level topography. These levels are a consequence of previous
quarrying, resulting in a nine meter deep excavation complete with 45° - 60° grassed
slopes which the Portal would sympathetically envelope. The Portal will complement and
enhance this area of natural (and built) beauty and provoke architectural conversation,
interest and opinion for all.
Site section
Social
Through discussions about the Portal’s position in Liverpool, ethical and contextual
debates are bound to arise; however, before any planning permission is granted, the on-
site religious clergy would have to give permission. In order to ease some of the ethical
concerns, bishops, priests etc. will
educate, inform and promote the
projects positives. They range from
opening community free spaces to
stimulating the local economy.
Economy
The surrounding area would receive a multitude of benefits e.g. clients and staff will
provide an finical boost to the local economy, increasing trade in the local residential
area and during the Portal’s lifetime, local residents and businesses would receive
preferential treatment to encourage inclusivity and participation. Local employment,
trade & training opportunities will arise during the construction phase and throughout the
operational lifetime of the project. This will stimulate the local economy where local
tradesmen and materials will be preferred.
The Cathedral is
currently a ‘Top 10’ tourism
attraction on the ‘Liverpool
Tourism City Bus’ hop on - hop
off service route. The adjacent
Portal’s upper three floors are
designed to entice the public
in from the side of site with the
other tourism attraction by
continuing the life/ death
theme and thus
compounding the tourism
trade for both Cathedral and
Portal in a symbiotic manner.
Reference 1
Joining the Cathedral tourism site immediately creates a greater sphere of
influence. Together they will increase the profile of the area by promoting a positive
economic growth and encouraging further investment that could lead to an increase in
land value. The construction will begin with the existing 60m – 90m forest area providing a
visual and acoustic barrier during the six – eight month construction period.
Planning
The project will unlock and further develop a currently private 4000m2 of green space
as the main element of the transitional public master plan, subsequently increasing land
values, and encouraging other growth opportunities in the area. The building and its
landscaping are designed to impress and create a striking landmark without imposing on
the natural or urban landscape.
Voronoi (a parametric design program) diagramming from the building facade system
will bleed into the landscape providing transference of inside to outside space.
Landscaping is designed to open up public areas and invite the community to enjoy
green space whilst the surrounding forest is used to camouflage the building and lead
people through a transitional zone and into another realm.
Master plan
Bleeding Voronoi landscaping
Car park > Forest (buffer) > Building = Entrance > Transition area (buffer) > Function pods
The organic design sympathises with organic neo-classical gothic surroundings and
natural environment whilst absorbing existing land contours using hidden masses set into a
three storey excavation. The scale of the structure is respectful of St James Mount, using
approximately 12 % of the space for building and without comprising the Grade II* listed St
James house.
The design focuses on:
Solar orientation and sustainable energy
Natural site topography
Urban grain and surrounding massing
Privacy and microclimate
Solar diagramming ever 2 hours
during the spring equinox
Due the site residing on consecrated land, any plans would require the Bishops
permission (Town and Country Act 1947). Whilst there may be no legal duty, in order to
practice due diligence, approval/acceptance of plans by the local religious hierarchy &
diocese officials would be sought.
There will be minimal disruption to the graveyard and exhumations and re-
interments must be carried out both legally and with sensitivity.
m
In order to disinter graves from consecrated land, alterations are to be defined on
notices in local papers (at least twice) and notices on site, Open Spaces Act (1906).
Furthermore, no symbols, inscriptions or ornamentation of inappropriate religious nature
may be used (Interpretation Act 1889). The unique function won’t detract from any other
local businesses; however public consultations are still required.
Portal is more likely to receive approval from planning authorities if it can be
environmentally friendly and prove it wouldn’t increases strain on the local amenities but
aid them.
Sustainability
Portal will be an energy negative building. A system that generates more energy
than it needs and can therefore be energy self sufficient whilst provided some energy for
its surroundings. A symbiotic combination of the two energy generating systems and
energy conservation techniques will achieve this.
A micro hydro plant will generate
the majority of the Portals energy
by dropping 31m3 of water down
the natural occurring drop of 9m.
The water drops and forces
turbines to move which are
connected to an electrical
generator provides electricity. The
system will have paid its capital
cost back over 14 years and will
provide ample electrical
quantities for Portal.
Translucent Photovoltaic cells are located over the organic shaped structure at
optimum orientation and trajectory for annual solar gain and during off peak
electrical grid times is used to facilitate the movement of the water from the hydro
plant system to the upper tanks.
The buildings internal program is
based upon a 7m-14m passive
light and ventilation distance.
The ability to predominantly
service the maximum
percentage of Portal passively is
a main design focus.
Mechanical ventilation and
lighting will be needed but only
as a backup source.
The organic sloping shape of the
structure prevents any wind
buffering and wind tunnels and
all concrete structural members
consist of 50% concrete and 50%
Fly ash shotcrete (recycled high
thermal performance material),
and is produced less than 7 miles
away at a leading concrete
production company ‘Spotmix’.
14m
The shotcrete external nodal system can be easily dismantled and reassembled in
a different size or format to become flexible based upon demand. This allows
Portals system to grow and shrink to eliminate excess waste.
Combining with the flexible form of the building the interior in generally
uninterrupted by permanent structural members with less than 10% of the building
being compartmentalised. This provides versatility, should the economy dictate a
change of function in the future and increase portal lifespan.
Environmental damage will be minimised by conserving material distribution,
replacing backfilled earth and re-planting displaced vegetation by incorporating it into
the master plan. This allows for minimal impact on the local environment flora and fauna.
Enabling and developing the sites current vehicle, pedestrian and service access is
another great way to minimise environment damage and strive towards more sustainable
design.
Access
Communications to and from site:
A bus stop is to be added to the current Liverpool C1 bus route to provide greater
access to and from city centre. The bus route already passes the Anglican Cathedral so
there is minimal impact of the bus that passes 6 times daily. Liverpool Lime Street train
station and Victoria Bus Station are both 1 mile away. Provision has been made for coach
drop off point.
Delivery and emergency service access is via an existing service road that facilitates
the Cathedral. All emergency services are within a 1.5 mile radius of the site, with ample
and uninterrupted service road access; Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, A & E at
Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Merseyside Police headquarters.
The large quantity of car parking surrounding the site is fully utilised, so the site will
provide sufficient spaces with regard to staff and customer parking.
The highway agency standards will be met through a series of master plan essentials.
1. Disabled parking spaces are in close proximity to Portal’s entrance.
2. Road distances between adjacent roads to alleviate any increase in congestion.
3. Town Planners are to be satisfied with all aspects of road layout and appropriate
vehicle logistics
4. A one way herring bow drop off and extraction point located closest to the
entrance.
5. A calculating quantity of both public and staff parking for a suitable range of
vehicles; cars, motorbikes, coaches, buses, bicycles etc.
Communications within the site:
The master plan encourages pedestrian circulation with improved East-West
circulation across the site via stairs to the north and south of the building and various
routes through the building. The stairs and paths offer controlled vertical movement up
and down the 9 metre grassed slope around the Portal whilst combined with the
combined effort of the disabled access ramps allow vertical circulation across the site
and together with lifts increased circulation throughout the building for all age’s and
disabilities.
Epilogue
The building and its surrounding landscaping will provide a welcoming, inclusive
atmosphere. For people who require a sensitive approach at this special time, they will
find a safe, secure and controlled environment which will allow them the time and setting
to gather their thoughts, memories and experiences to create a dignified epitaph.
Regardless of disability (e.g. hearing impaired, partially sighted etc) everyone will
receive a holistic sensory experience.
This bespoke facility pioneers cutting edge technology and delivers the finest
quality service to the highest standards. This iconic landmark will be a great addition to
the continuation of Liverpool’s new generation of architecture and augment the United
Kingdom’s most cultural city.
References
City seeing. (2012) Tour bus, [Internet]. Available from: <http://www.city-
discovery.com/liverpool/tour.php?id=2956> [Accessed on the 29th March 2012].
Energy efficiency and sustainable power. (2012) Hydro power calculations, [Internet].
Available from: <http://www1.eere.energy.gov/water/hydro_plant_types.html
> [Accessed on the 2nd April 2012].
Spirit solar. (2012) Solar calculations, [Internet]. Available from:
<http://www.spiritsolar.co.uk/solar-performance-calculator.php#results> [Accessed on the
2nd April 2012].
Spotmix. (2012) Shotcrete, [Internet]. Available from: < http://www.spotmix.co.uk/
> [Accessed on the 10th March 2012].
Town planning. (2012) Legislation, [Internet]. Available from: <
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1950/792/made?view=plain> [Accessed on the 17th
March 2012].
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