'The Floating Playhouse'. Our Entry to the Tottenham Pavilion Competition.

In April 2020, MW Architects entered a competition to design for a new kind of public space that will be built in the Harringay Warehouse District in 2021.

In early 2020, a competition was launched to design a pavilion for a former industrial site in South Tottenham. The winning design will feature in the London Festival of Architecture and be built in 2021 by a team of volunteers.

Our newest team member, Khalid, took a lead role in our design entry, firstly by visiting the site and then drawing up a list of requirements and restrictions. Using hand drawn sketches created in studio based workshops, the ‘Floating Playhouse’ started to evolve, just as the global pandemic began.

Pencil sketches were used to pin down the project idea during these studio workshops. These sketches were then refined and coloured, to visualise the feel and come up with the title; ‘The Floating Playhouse’. The pandemic reached the UK. Every team member had to leave the studio in Brockley and continue their work from home.

A final 3D visualisation sketch was used and the proposal was passed to the rest of the team at MW Architects for final approval. The scheme envisaged to reflect both the industrial heritage of the warehouses and the character of the current warehouse living environments. Its industrial past as seen through the use of hollow steel sections and fabric-like tarpaulin roofs showcased Haringey's previous textile factories.

Supported by team member Patricia, the project evolved into a remote digital discussion due to the pandemic, embracing technology such as BIM which we use on all of our projects here at MW Architects.

Our project reimagines a new temporary cluster of external studios, performance and market spaces based on gathering spaces and community places. We attempted to design a structure that is free-form yet rigorous, modular yet structural and a framework that allows the public to fabricate their own spaces. Inspired by the artist Todd Mclellan and Architect Yona Friedman, the scheme experiments on the notion of creating adaptable and ever-changing improvised volumes floating in space. This is achieved through this use of a cubic modular structure that could be assembled and reassembled in different formations.

It is proposed that the pavilion itself will be built from hollow steel sections that create four cubic modules, these are then multiplied in great numbers: a 400mm x 400mm cube, 600mm x 600mm cube, 1200mm x 1200mm cube and a 2400mm x 2400mm cube. The spaces and shapes of the pavilion are created from a process of addition, superimposition, subtraction and splicing of these units. These volumes can then be turned into workshops, performance and market spaces by employing a mix of up-cycled, - by disassembling and reassembling recycled products - low tech materials and timber components, which would then be deployed onto the steel structure.

In order for this to be constructed, the 'Floating Playhouse' would be split into 7 mini pavilions. Each mini pavilion to be built by the warehouse community in the district (i.e. The New River Studios, Overbury Road) alongside volunteers in order to create a varied approach to each modular design. Each of these structures will be displaced to neighbourhoods across London. Following on from community events at these locations, these 7 structures will evolve and all mini pavilions will be introduced onto the designated site to create one big pavilion. Where they intersect, like a Tetris puzzle, they will produce spaces together.

This simple manipulation of orthogonal spaces creates an artificial landscape with cave-like interiors, in some parts sheltered and other parts open. Defining this dynamic three- dimensional experience opens up the opportunity for the different volumes to be explored and used in a variety of ways, inside and outside. As the pavilion will be experienced on different floor levels, the steel frame gives the impression that platforms, panels and people are floating in space. As a result, it becomes an object experienced through movement, with repetition and consistency, but with variation and disruption at every turn.

Before being judged by the Tottenham Pavilion panel, the local community will be able to vote on their favourite entry. All 166 designs are now available to view here and residents of N4, N15, Amhurst Park and Stamford Hill can register online by 8th May to vote.

Managing Clients Expectations and Realisation Using Building Information Modelling

At MW Architects all of our drawings are produced using ArchiCAD; from initial design sketches to detailed construction packages. Following its launch in 1987, ArchiCAD was the first CAD product on a personal computer able to create both 2D and 3D geometry. Now in version 23 it has won BIM product of the year 9 times on the trot. We use the program to develop all of our designs in 3D, ensuring a higher level of accuracy and quality than is achievable with the use of 2D CAD alone.

The built-in ArchiCAD features allow our clients to examine our models either wholly or in custom segments. The resulting 2D output we produce therefore consists of the highest level of accuracy possible. Our approach, made possible with the use of ArchiCAD, allows us to tackle each project with the capacity to push the boundaries whilst keeping the process efficient. With the ability to see through the entire design process from concept to project realisation within the same 3D platform, our team avoids many of the costly and timely hiccups that occur when small alterations need to be implemented once projects are on-site.

ArchiCAD simulates physical building designs within one comprehensive 3D model that integrates information from all aspects of the design. Views, plans, sections and elevations are all created automatically and remain up to date with any alterations made to the building model on which they are based. Developing a design and producing output is a fast and efficient process using this method of working . We believe it is important to make full use of the latest technologies to not only help us design, but also to communicate our ideas as effectively as possible to clients, planners, and contractors.

ArchiCAD provides the opportunity to use both real-time realistic visualisations and Virtual Reality. The use of these top end technologies allow us and clients to fully comprehend the look, feel and light quality of proposals, as well as compare different material finishes.

Our ability to export Virtual Reality enabled ArchiCAD models to BIMx, allows us to easily integrate Virtual Reality into our design process. MW Architects offer clients a complementary BIMx model that can be opened on smart phones and tablets, giving clients the opportunity to explore realistic 3D renditions of design proposals. This means they can effectively feed in to the process, whilst remaining fully informed of all developments. As well as clients, contractors also have the ability to utilise BIMx models. Not only can they be used to better understand projects, but also as a tool for communication during site meetings ArchiCAD has proven invaluable to us in all aspects of our work. With its use we feel confident in communicating our design intent, tackling challenges, and ensuring efficiency at all stages of a project. The scheduling tools help us to maintain coordinated information about sanitary ware, lighting, electrics, windows, doors, and windows, with little room for error or misunderstandings. Fully modelling and resolving our design proposals in 3D not only forces us to consider every single aspect and junction of a design, but also gives us the ability to produce high quality imagery paramount, for the successful and smooth running of every design project.

Elgin Avenue - to be featured in Don't Move Improve 2020

Don’t Move Improve 2020. Photography by French + Tye.

March 'Shop Window'

Continuing our theme of buildings in gardens the shop window for March features our recently completed ‘Yoga Dojo’ outbuilding for Mr & Mrs Smith. More details on this project are coming soon…

I CAN BE Workshop

Our studios were recently by a very special group of school girls as part of the I CAN BE programme. I CAN BE aims to inform and encourage young women to enter into the world of professions that perhaps they thought were not possible and Clare and Mel recently signed up as volunteers to support the programme.

As a profession, Architecture is largely male dominated with the amount of registered female architects hovering around the 20-25% for many years now.  There is a high drop out rate through the eduction years as often universities have higher female intakes than male at the offset but this tends to dwindle off, and significantly reduces at Part III qualification level.

The research that ICANBE have conducted struck a chord with us and so we decided to take part.

There is a substantial body of research that shows that young girls can have formed ideas about what they ‘can’t do’ by the age of 8/9 limiting their uptake of potential possibilities in the future. This can be due to economic, cultural or religious or ethnic reasons amongst many more.  The aim of the programme is to inspire girls before they are old enough to have pre-formed judgements of the roles in which they could be employed when they are older.

They have the opportunity to meet nurses, lawyers, mechanics, painters, dancers, engineers and architects to name a few.

In our sessions, we tell them about what we do and they firstly get an opportunity to ask questions. They have been given a short ‘7-year old friendly’ bio on us before they come and so they are normally very prepared to ask the most pressing questions.

Following this introduction we explain a little bit about how we do a lot of residential properties or ‘houses’ and what it means to design someone’s home. We talk them through properties through the ages and the fact they may all live in different types of houses. Finally then have activity time during which they create a drawing of the type of house they hope to be able to design for themselves in the future.

These have been very varied and have included everything from disco balls and slides instead of stairs to rocket landing pads and super futuristic ideas.  It is wonderful to see them being so creative and thinking about the things we have to think about when having to present a new idea to a client.

We see around 3 groups a year and hope to continue doing so. More information about the I CAN BE programme can be found at their website here:

https://www.icanbe.org.uk/about-i-can-be-1

Visit to The Malings in Newcastle upon Tyne by Ash Sakula

A couple of weeks ago Luke was up in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and whilst there visited the area around the Ouseburn Valley. Historically the valley was the cradle of industrialisation in Newcastle with activity focused around the tidal River Ouse and has a history stretching back as far as the Roman period. The area is currently being slowly regenerated after being left in a post-industrial malaise for a lengthy period.

The architects Ash Sakula have been involved in the valley and the local community for over 10 years. The most obvious result of this work to date is the Malings - a residential development near the mouth of the Ouse where it enters the Tyne. 

There are several housing types arranged into a series of splayed terraces running down the slope of the valley with pockets of public space created in-between the groupings and at the foot of the hill on the river front. There is a diverse range of housing types including courtyard houses, tower houses, terraced house and a modern interpretation of the ‘Tyneside flat’ in the stacked duplex flats. The mix of house types combined with the arrangement of the terraces on the hill creates a visually dynamic complex when viewed from the opposite side of the valley that is reminiscent of a Tuscan hill town - a Geordie San Gimigiano. 

The simple and robust materiality sits well in the urban context and makes the development feel at home with the surviving industry that surrounds it. The limited material palette reinforces the coherence of the architectural ensemble and avoids becoming banal with subtle shifts in the plan creating a varied fenestration pattern, variable parapet heights and slight cranks, and curves in the elevations that follow the curves of the river and hillside helping to open up the facades to the spaces carved out for public use. 

These small spaces also have a flavour of the Tuscan hill town - the communal gardens and bike/recycling stores creating a meeting at the village well moment. The largest of these spaces in particular is so evocative that one could be forgiven for thinking they have been transported to the Piazza della Cisterna in San Gimigiano. In-between the terraces small private gardens and terraces lead onto larger shared gardens that are only accessible to the residents which again leads to a diverse range of spatial experiences contained within a cohesive overall complex.

Following his visit Luke was keen to share this project with the rest of the studio and we have all been enjoying studying the development drawings and models produced by Ash Sakula - the rough and ready cardboard model with line drawn vehicles and internal lights is a real thing of beauty! 

Ash Sakula’s website has lots more information about the development which can be found here: https://www.ashsak.com/projects/malings

Workshop for the Courtauld Institute of Art

Recently Luke ran a workshop introducing the use of 3D modelling to a group of Art Historian students at the Courtauld Institute of Art. The workshop was part of a series organised by the Digital Art History Research Group led by Dr Fern Insh.

Firstly the workshop covered the use and production of scale drawings and methods of surveying buildings before getting the students to model the Dulwich Picture Gallery by John Soane using Google SketchUp. Dulwich Picture Gallery was chosen as a building of huge historical significance both in architectural and art history and also for its simple geometric forms. 

Soane conceived of the primary spaces within the Dulwich Picture Gallery as a series of top lit cubes using Elizabethan Long Galleries and Vanbrugh’s top lit great kitchen at St James Palace as models for his design. This simple repeated form allowed the students to quickly develop a model that could easily be identified as the Gallery whilst also allowing the more advanced students a chance to start adding more details. 

By the end of the workshop the students had built a massing model of the gallery, applied materials to the surfaces, geo-located the model within its terrain, learnt how to share the files and how it might be 3D printed. Some students were even able to start work on modelling the interiors and learnt how accurate scale objects could be made to represent paintings and statues that could be moved around in the space which would be a useful tool for curators. 

For more information on he DAHRG at the Courtuald Institute of Art visit:

https://courtauld.ac.uk/research/research-forum/research-groups-and-projects/digital-art-history-research-group

January 'Shop Window'

To coincide with the revamp of our planters we decided to install a new shop window display. As we are all mightily impressed with Barry’s gardening skills we though our window display ought to showcase some of our recent buildings in gardens.

The two projects showcased are the ‘Greenwich Garden Studio’ and the ‘South Downs Sitooterie’. More details on both projects can be found on our Projects page. The window is our first full display following the festive trial hang we had for our decorations before Christmas.

Front Planter

After moving into our new studio in Brockley towards the end of November, we have been hard at it trying to put are our stamp on our ‘shop windows’, allowing us to showcase what we do as a studio. 

Leading on from our recent festive window display during December we decided it was time to complement this by stripping back the dilapidated planters in front of our new window displays. After stripping back and clearing away, the neglected overgrown areas revealed rotted plywood bases which simply had some holes cut out to hold the existing plant pots in place.

We thought we could utilise and reuse the retained pallets from when we were fitting out the new studio spaces. With the addition of the pallets and some additional bracing to strengthen the existing base structure we were able to give a new lease of life to our little front garden. 

One of the issues with the existing planter was poor drainage. To tackle this by cutting pallets to fit with the pallets running front-back, lining the base using a weed check 50gsm provided a natural gully in between while adding a layer of gravel over this should offer a suitable drainage system. On top of this, we added a layer of composite and layer of topsoil finished off with wood bark chippings around the plants.  

Barry is our head gardener and sourced a selection of shrubs, ferns, coloured heather, ivy and conifers positioned carefully to utilise the varying soil depths of the planters due to the natural slope. 

We are really pleased with the results, happy to have recycled some of the waste material from our fit out and Barry has already set his sights on the next outdoor project which will see the landscaping of the side plot re-landscaped! Watch this space!