Meadow Orchard ProjectPark Road, Crouch End, London N8

Building Design

Meadow Orchard Project - Building Design Feb 2011

Introduct ion & Br ief

Close to main entrance, acting as orientation/reception point and following zone 1 of permaculture principles

Natural path to garden and path from main access paths merge at sheltered boot room

Compost toilet block helps direct people into the building

Visual links to remaining site. Maintain large open space meadow, rare in dense urban areas. Private/ lockable indoor classroom area.

Sheltered outdoor space acts as intermediate space between indoor classroom and outdoor fire circle.

Reinforce woodland along perimeter making area continuous.

Classroom orientated south to maximise solar gains with views out towards site.

Relocate existing wood shelter close to woodchip pile.

Removal or relocation of bender.

Relocation of willow arch.

Meadow Orchard Project - Building Design Feb 2011

Locat ion

1 Dry Grassland

2 Damp grassland

3 Run off

4 Woodland edge habitat

5 Bramble scrub

6 Seasonal wet depressions

7 Tool shed

8 Compost toilet

9 Ant hills

10 Bee Hive

11 Old brick drain

12 Conifer trees

13 Rare meadow flowers

14 Proposed fruit and nut trees

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Meadow Orchard Project - Building Design Feb 2011

Site Analysis

Circulation from site entrance

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Ant

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Fire

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Meadow Orchard Project - Building Design Feb 2011

DevelopmentMovement and Spaces

Model 1 : rear elevation too closed off to garden

Model 2 : development of central stove as pivot

Model 3 : development of roof span, one roof is too expansive, needs to be broken down

Movement from the entrance through to the fire circle and rest of the site is key to this design, the walls were situated to pull people through a series of spaces that slowly unveil the site to the visitor. Our aim is to create spaces with different degrees of privacy allowing the building to be versatile and used by a number of different people and functions.

Meadow Orchard Project - Building Design Feb 2011

DevelopmentSketch Sect ion

Meadow Orchard Project - Building Design Feb 2011

DevelopmentWal ls, Stove & Fire Circle

Meadow Orchard Project - Building Design Feb 2011

Proposed Locat ion

Meadow Orchard Project - Building Design Feb 2011

PlanDirect visual link to fire circle, and physical connection via flooring material/ pattern

Back to back clay oven acts as central pivot point for movement through and around the building. Provides both indoor and outdoor cooking facilities.

Obscured view of main meadow, creating surprise visual revelation and helping draw visitors through the building, sinuous curved wall echo’s this movement.

Structural low cost cob wall sat on 2 courses of tyres, incorporating thermal mass and storage built into building.

Visual link to garden/allotment from kitchen prep area

Adaptability of opening building to outside in summer to pergola decking area.

Limit access to vulnerable anthills, whilst maintaining ‘bird hide’ views to raise awareness and education of species richness on site.

Monopitch timber frame roof sloping down towards tree to catch rainwater and blend into landscape. Catchement via water butts and/or water swell.

Handmade clay brick floor adds thermal mass

Disabled access, 2 chamber compost toilet linked via roofing of boot area.

Herb planters act as seating.

1m

Meadow Orchard Project - Building Design Feb 2011

Phasing

PHASING 1Classroom and boot area

PHASING 2Toilet block

PHASING 3Covered link to toilet

PHASING 4Containing wall

PHASING 5Growing structure / external covered space

Meadow Orchard Project - Building Design Feb 2011

Ideas and Mater ia ls

The images illustrate materials and methods of building that could be used at Meadow Orchard. We feel that a key aspect of the design is to tread lightly upon the earth locally and globally. Reclaiming and recycling materials either sourced on site or in the local area is important as well as using natural ad abundant materials such as cay and straw. Images from left to right - roundwood, car windscreen roof, cob wall, cob, cob wall with ‘hat’, cob details, cord wood wall being built, cord wood spiral wall, cord wood floor, gabion wall

Meadow Orchard Project - Building Design Feb 2011

ViewsLooking from the West

Meadow Orchard Project - Building Design Feb 2011

ViewsLooking from the East

Meadow Orchard Project - Building Design Feb 2011

Summary

Building that treads lightly and is respectful of existing habitats, blending into landscape, whilst encouraging biodiversity.

Low impact, off grid, sustainably sourced local materials.

Covered outdoor dry sheltered space.

Indoor classroom space for 20 adults, that is flexible and adaptable for multi-use.

Welcoming entrance/ orientation reception point.

Porch area/ boot room.

All season use.

Low energy.

Wood burning stove.

Food preparation area, linking to allotment, gardens.

Permaculture principles incorporated into building design.

Next Steps . . .

Finalise design

Planning - prepare documents and drawings

Consult Structural Engineer about foundations and roof

Build!