Materials and Textures
Materials and textures are a large part of the design of the building to contain the concept of the senses - exploring this aspect of touch and creating a tactile and interactive environment. It was necessary to consider how the material looks, how it feels and how it can work functionally within the spaces. This series of posts aims to look at buildings with different textures, the use of a tactile approach to the design and how it is used within learning. As well as materials and the senses and the considerations of different materials for use.
Buildings Visited Using Texture
Looking at images that I have taken over the period of this project (alongside a few from earlier this academic year) I been a looked at some iconic and others not so buildings that all use a tactile approach to the nature of the building. Where as many may argue that these materials were purely selected for their aesthetic qualities and purely for design purposes if theres one thing that I am taking away from this year it is that architecture is a very subjective area of work and study. I have decided to include these images as in my opinion these buildings use and interactive material approach in different ways. The first two images are of a living wall that I saw whilst trying to find the right tube station on a visit to London during July. Not only does this wall bring a burst of colour to the drab surrounding its also provides a fresh smell. I feel the use of a living wall within the concept that I have developed is something that in small areas would work well. I do not want to cover the existing building and the architecture there in plants to hide it but to use this technique in small areas to create a sense of colour and smell within the busy city environment. Relating this back to the idea of senses can also work well this wall would enhance the customers sense of smell, sight and touch.
The third images is of the Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay, Wales. I only took the one shot (annoyingly) but this image shows the contrast between the different materials used. The blue slate like brick has a very rough texture which is very visible from the image in contrast to the smooth copper oxide panels that have been used to create the front facade of the building. I think that this combination is an attractive use of material working together. The natural light creates different colours on the building surface and the texture of the slate makes you want to reach up and touch the surface (I did try but I need a few more inches to reach). The fourth image is of the iconic Bullring in Birmingham. I took this image whilst in Birmingham looking at different restaurant spaces. The use of the "disks" on the surface of the Bullring give the all over exterior a 3D structure and shape to the building. Sitting away from the surface this to the viewer my the disks look like they are "floating" so to speak. Although I feel like this technique gives the building the stand out exterior that has been required it is not a technique that I feel would work well in the concept that I am developing. I small sections I feel that it could be come lost so to speak and hide the existing building exterior that I want to maintain within the design concept.
The fifth and sixth images were taken in the first week of my studies at NTU on a visit to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park to see the James Turrell Deer Shelter and also The Barbra Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield designed by David Chipperfield. This is a visit I wont forget in a hurry - it is the first time I was really put into a position to question why a building was how it is. Having never studied architecture before this was a new and difficult task but something to this day I now see I enjoyed. The image of the entrance/exit to the Deer Shelter shows s difference in texture that would be experienced under foot. I remember the contrast between the clean and smooth concrete to the rough existing cobbles that were outside was a a noticeable change in texture and a technique which I have wanted to use within a project to define space instead of using walls - something that I can apply to this project. The final image of the Hepworth Gallery I decided to display here as I find it interesting how the building texture looks. The smooth exterior is a contrast to the rough brick texture of the building on Short Hill and the use of a material like this to create the building extension would create an interesting juxtaposition.
The third images is of the Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay, Wales. I only took the one shot (annoyingly) but this image shows the contrast between the different materials used. The blue slate like brick has a very rough texture which is very visible from the image in contrast to the smooth copper oxide panels that have been used to create the front facade of the building. I think that this combination is an attractive use of material working together. The natural light creates different colours on the building surface and the texture of the slate makes you want to reach up and touch the surface (I did try but I need a few more inches to reach). The fourth image is of the iconic Bullring in Birmingham. I took this image whilst in Birmingham looking at different restaurant spaces. The use of the "disks" on the surface of the Bullring give the all over exterior a 3D structure and shape to the building. Sitting away from the surface this to the viewer my the disks look like they are "floating" so to speak. Although I feel like this technique gives the building the stand out exterior that has been required it is not a technique that I feel would work well in the concept that I am developing. I small sections I feel that it could be come lost so to speak and hide the existing building exterior that I want to maintain within the design concept.
The fifth and sixth images were taken in the first week of my studies at NTU on a visit to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park to see the James Turrell Deer Shelter and also The Barbra Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield designed by David Chipperfield. This is a visit I wont forget in a hurry - it is the first time I was really put into a position to question why a building was how it is. Having never studied architecture before this was a new and difficult task but something to this day I now see I enjoyed. The image of the entrance/exit to the Deer Shelter shows s difference in texture that would be experienced under foot. I remember the contrast between the clean and smooth concrete to the rough existing cobbles that were outside was a a noticeable change in texture and a technique which I have wanted to use within a project to define space instead of using walls - something that I can apply to this project. The final image of the Hepworth Gallery I decided to display here as I find it interesting how the building texture looks. The smooth exterior is a contrast to the rough brick texture of the building on Short Hill and the use of a material like this to create the building extension would create an interesting juxtaposition.
A Tactile Experience
Creating a tactile experience and journey through the building is an aspect of the design that developed with using the concept of the senses. Using materials that customers can reach out and touch to experience the space through the sense of touch, such as the contrast between a rough brick wall to the smooth texture of concrete. Each space would use materials that the customer can freely touch and interact with. This use of texture will also be used to define space without requiring the use of walls. This approach would be used within the kitchen and cooking schools. The space in the kitchen will see a combination of different flooring materials used to define and separate the main kitchen section from the allergy kitchen. This use of different materials - say concrete to wood will have a different feeling underfoot causing the user to realise the change and recognise which area of the space they are within. This will also be used the cooking school the areas surrounding the benches will use a different floor material to that of the main floor area. This like the use of this technique within the kitchen will define space and create this feeling of touch but in an unexpected way - through the foot rather than the hand.
The use of tactile learning is a common teaching method for those whom are deaf of blind. With a disability such as loss of hearing or sight this sense has been removed from this person causing them to rely on their other four senses to describe the environment they are within. As the concept of the building is to look at how the senses can be used within spaces to create questioning and enjoyable reactions to space I felt it would be appropriate to look at tactile learning. Understanding this teaching method and how it is used could be transferred into the design process to work to create a environment that although some users may not be able to see, or hear they would still walk away from the building with the same eating out or cooking school experience as other users.
Researching tactile learning methods was a difficult task, firstly because there are a number of papers which all look at tactile learning methods and development and secondly I will admit some of them are far more complicated for me to understand. What I wanted to get from researching this was an understanding of the approaches taken and the methods used. Below of some quotes from varying research papers that I read and looked at. I feel these quotes give me some ideas as well as some design inspiration as how I can further use this add of a tactile building within the development of the project concept.
"Often the hands of a person who is deafblind must assume an additional role. Not only must they be tools (as they are for all people who have use of their hands), and sense organs (to compensate for their missing vision and hearing), but they must also become voice, or the primary means of expression."
taken from Talking the Language of the Hands to the Hands by Barbara Miles (www.nationaldb.org/NCDBProducts.php?prodID=47)
Whilst reading articles I came across and interesting paper - From Active Touch to Tactile Communication, Jude Nicholas
www.deafblindinternational.org/PDF/Active%20Touch%20Article.pdf (further references under the reference tab)
"Touch is our most social sense, and it provides us with our most fundamental means of contact with the external world....The sense of touch provides us with an often-overlooked channel of communication. The notion “to touch with fingertips” is very much related to communication...to today’s “touch generation” consisting of a range of software, games, iPods and mobile phones which let people connect with each other through interactive experiences "
I feel that this quote shows me that as humans we can and do communicate through our sense of touch more than we realise. If I go to send a text message now I will use my finger on my iPhone screen to type - communicating with the recipient. It is a much more social sense then I think I first realised. When thinking of how we communicate in regards to our senses I would have said through our sight or through hearing. When considering this I fully agree that touch is the sense i would say I use most on a daily basis - texting, typing, hugging, pointing, expressing our opinions are all done through touch and communicating in this way.
Researching tactile learning methods was a difficult task, firstly because there are a number of papers which all look at tactile learning methods and development and secondly I will admit some of them are far more complicated for me to understand. What I wanted to get from researching this was an understanding of the approaches taken and the methods used. Below of some quotes from varying research papers that I read and looked at. I feel these quotes give me some ideas as well as some design inspiration as how I can further use this add of a tactile building within the development of the project concept.
"Often the hands of a person who is deafblind must assume an additional role. Not only must they be tools (as they are for all people who have use of their hands), and sense organs (to compensate for their missing vision and hearing), but they must also become voice, or the primary means of expression."
taken from Talking the Language of the Hands to the Hands by Barbara Miles (www.nationaldb.org/NCDBProducts.php?prodID=47)
Whilst reading articles I came across and interesting paper - From Active Touch to Tactile Communication, Jude Nicholas
www.deafblindinternational.org/PDF/Active%20Touch%20Article.pdf (further references under the reference tab)
"Touch is our most social sense, and it provides us with our most fundamental means of contact with the external world....The sense of touch provides us with an often-overlooked channel of communication. The notion “to touch with fingertips” is very much related to communication...to today’s “touch generation” consisting of a range of software, games, iPods and mobile phones which let people connect with each other through interactive experiences "
I feel that this quote shows me that as humans we can and do communicate through our sense of touch more than we realise. If I go to send a text message now I will use my finger on my iPhone screen to type - communicating with the recipient. It is a much more social sense then I think I first realised. When thinking of how we communicate in regards to our senses I would have said through our sight or through hearing. When considering this I fully agree that touch is the sense i would say I use most on a daily basis - texting, typing, hugging, pointing, expressing our opinions are all done through touch and communicating in this way.
I think that taking this small example from the research that was undertaken into the tactile learning experience will aid the concept in many ways. Eating out is a social experience where people can spend time with family, friends, loved ones and enjoy and evening out. Taking the use of tactile response into account as humans we use our touch to communicate more than we think. Using this I feel that using materials within the building that are textured and even usual building materials but in a different way will allow me to create a social experience for all. The use of materials on the floor as an example would create a talking point and the contrast between rough and smooth textures on the wall would allow for the transitions within space to be defined.
Material Considerations
Below is the research and considerations that I have made into the different materials that could be used within the development of my restaurant concept. I ensured that I looked at many different materials to find the best for the purpose to which they are to be used.
Rodeca Plastic
As the project is an accumulation of all the work and teaching over the past year I wanted to included an aspect of one of the project I enjoyed the most and that was the creation of a portable visitor centre. To do this I used Rodeca plastic. Before selecting Rodeca and the plastic brand that i would use within the building I research many different types and styles before determining Rodeca. Having studied as an Industrial Designer for 3 years before embarking on this course I spent many days designing products made from plastic and learning about its structure and uses therefore I felt it would be interesting to apply this and my previous learning to my major project as an interior architect.
Rodeca is a plastic sheet which sits within a steel frame. Which means it is a lightweight material, easy to transport and easy to adjust. Rodeca is the brand name of the plastic sheets that is used to create the building structure - Rodeca is a polycarbonate plastic meaning that it is crystal clear unless altered and is a high impact thermoplastic. Rodeca will be used alongside other materials to create many aspects of the new extensions to the restaurant space. The appearance of Rodeca plastic will create an interesting juxtaposition between the old red existing brick and the new structure. Some key facts about the material properties of Rodeca -
The plastic itself comes in a range of colours, thickness that can be sloted together with ease within the frame of the structure. The design of the way in which this product works means that its material properties make it lightweight, durable and easy to transport to the desired location with the panel stacked on top of one an other - reducing transportation costs and the environmental footprint of the building.
Another key aspect of Rodeca is that it can be used to create the windows, Internal and external walls. Within the building there are several areas in which the design uses frosted panels and clear panels combined together to create the divisions between space. This could be done through the use of Rodeca plastic. Due to the wide variety of product available this would created the desired effect of seeing both movement and light through the frosted panels without being able to fully define the space. Rodeca is a high quality and low cost material that can create many interesting affect within interior and exterior space - at a lowe cost than glass.
Below is information about the product, how it slots together and how it can be used.
Rodeca is a plastic sheet which sits within a steel frame. Which means it is a lightweight material, easy to transport and easy to adjust. Rodeca is the brand name of the plastic sheets that is used to create the building structure - Rodeca is a polycarbonate plastic meaning that it is crystal clear unless altered and is a high impact thermoplastic. Rodeca will be used alongside other materials to create many aspects of the new extensions to the restaurant space. The appearance of Rodeca plastic will create an interesting juxtaposition between the old red existing brick and the new structure. Some key facts about the material properties of Rodeca -
- Temperature restistance from -40 to 115°C, temporarily up to 130°C
- Impact resistance virtually unchanged within these temperatures
- Good long term performance through UV Protection
- 10 years warranty against yellowing – ageing – hail stone
- Translucent with excellent thermal properties
The plastic itself comes in a range of colours, thickness that can be sloted together with ease within the frame of the structure. The design of the way in which this product works means that its material properties make it lightweight, durable and easy to transport to the desired location with the panel stacked on top of one an other - reducing transportation costs and the environmental footprint of the building.
Another key aspect of Rodeca is that it can be used to create the windows, Internal and external walls. Within the building there are several areas in which the design uses frosted panels and clear panels combined together to create the divisions between space. This could be done through the use of Rodeca plastic. Due to the wide variety of product available this would created the desired effect of seeing both movement and light through the frosted panels without being able to fully define the space. Rodeca is a high quality and low cost material that can create many interesting affect within interior and exterior space - at a lowe cost than glass.
Below is information about the product, how it slots together and how it can be used.
Below are some images used displaying how the Rodeca plastic can be used visually through the use of light. Taking inspiration from Steven Holl's work I used the samples of the Rodeca that I was able to obtain from the company and using lights within a stand was able to pass the light through the plastic creating this affect. The light in these images is concentrated as it is shone through the plastic so therefore with lights spread throughout the plastic sheet this would run throughout the entire panel creating a soft glow. The use of this material for the entrance tunnel, staff facilities block and the balcony extension on the second floor combined with concrete will work well visually using the lighting at night to create an interesting visual on the Nottingham skyline.
Brick
Number 10 Short Hill is the existing building that is being used within the development of the restaurant. Using the existing building which is grade II listed has meant to considerations of how to incorporate this within the design development. The majority of the brick will be retained inside and out with it being cleaned and restored. By doing this it reduces the cost of materials for the development of the space and also works to maintain the history of both the site and the area. Using this brick alongside other materials will create an interesting juxtaposition between the new structures and the old history.
The building that stands on the site currently is built from a traditional red brick, from research this building was identified as a former warehouse. Considering all the information about the space I took the conclusions that the interior space would also be predominantly brick as well. Working within the space ans taking this idea the use of brick works well within the idea of creating textured spaces.
The building that stands on the site currently is built from a traditional red brick, from research this building was identified as a former warehouse. Considering all the information about the space I took the conclusions that the interior space would also be predominantly brick as well. Working within the space ans taking this idea the use of brick works well within the idea of creating textured spaces.
Concrete
The use of concrete within buildings is a material until this year I would not have considered for use within a building interior space. The project we completed during the second term - architecture for death illustrated to myself how when used concrete can create beautiful interior and exterior spaces which use the light and environment to create the necessary effect. Having discovered the potential of this material this year and consideration of texture and senses within the building space I have decided to use different forms of concrete within areas of the building. The concrete will also be used to create an atmosphere. The use of concrete within the entrance area space will use the material to do so. The sound of shoes on the material such as stiletto heels will create an echo-y noise on the surface bouncing this around the walls and creating this contrasting atmosphere that is desired from the silence of the entrance tunnel.
Considering other aspect of design concrete is also easy to clean and an easy surface for wheelchair users to move around on. The concrete surface alongside other materials and surfaces will lose its industrial appearance be develop into a material that works to create the fine dining experience. On the other hand maintaing some of the industrial aspect of the concrete will work to create this industrial appearance within a old industrial building. There are several different concrete textures that have been considered and could be used within the design - board-formed concrete, polished concrete, concrete panels and texture concrete.
Considering other aspect of design concrete is also easy to clean and an easy surface for wheelchair users to move around on. The concrete surface alongside other materials and surfaces will lose its industrial appearance be develop into a material that works to create the fine dining experience. On the other hand maintaing some of the industrial aspect of the concrete will work to create this industrial appearance within a old industrial building. There are several different concrete textures that have been considered and could be used within the design - board-formed concrete, polished concrete, concrete panels and texture concrete.
Board - Formed Concrete
Board - formed concrete is formed by pressing wooden board into the surface of concrete whilst it is wet. This leaves an imprint of the wood into the surface, this creates many interesting and different textures within the surface. Using the idea of a tactile experience within the restaurant would work well with the use of this material. The appearance also gives the appearance of wood - something which would then also give the customer a sense of questioning what the surface is that has been used. This material would be used internally within the spaces. The use of concrete within the building and how it can be used within some many different ways will mean that the cost of the material would be cheaper than using a combination of many different materials. Pressing the surfaces in different way will also allow these textures to flow together and work together within the different spaces.
Textured Concrete Case Study - The Nottingham Contemporary
The Nottingham Contemporary an at gallery space on the same road within the Lace Market as the existing structure that will be used to create the restaurant. The surface of the Nottingham Contemporary has lace pattern embossed within the surface of the concrete. This texture within the surface can be seen close up and away from the building in the light. This interesting texture within the surface works to reflect the sites history of the lace manufacture within the area. The use of this material is unique to this site with no other building within the area using this technique the building by Caruso St John uses the lace concrete on the front and back facade. A technique like this would be suitable for use within the site without directly mimicking that of the contemporary due to how unique this material texture is to this site. The use of lace within the surface of material would be suitable to reflect the history of the site but within a new and innovative method.
Frosted and Clear Glass
The combination of both frosted and clear glass would be used with the building to divided spaces such as a the wall between the main space within the building and the cooking school. This idea of combining the use of both frosted and clear glass will work to filter both light and movement with the building and the spaces. The glass would be used within the space way as the Rodeca plastic to create the window and glass wall spaces. The use of glass throughout the building due to the amount used could be come an expensive way of creating space. having said that cost would be a factor in what material would be used the interior aesthetic that glass creates cannot be beaten by the use of plastic. The way in which the glass is used within the space would required a frame work or clamping system that would be used to hold the glass into place. The use of bi-folding glass doors would be used to create the open facade on the basement level. This idea has been explored within the functional aspects post.
Glass Panels
The images below look at how glass panels have been joined together to create facades within buildings. Looking at this is important as it will impact the design of the space. Due to the nature of some of the glass walls within the design it would not be possible to have a piece of glass that size and also the combinations of clear and frosted panels would also need to sit within a frame. The images show buildings around Nottingham that use panels and how they have been fitted together.
Carpet and Felt
Carpet and felt are to be used within the private dining space on the top floor of the building. The use of these materials will create a quite space way from the noise of the main restaurant space. The carpeted walls will work to create a different acoustic within the space Covering the walls, ceiling and floor within the carpet will muffle the noise from the outside creating this unique and private space for groups of people. The use of carpet will also create a darker space within the restaurant which when lit will work to create this intimate area for guests.
Researching how carpet might be used in this space the use of carpet installation companies who apply carpet to the walls in the cinemas were the main sources of information available. The company EOMAC supplies wall fittings of this type. The carpets when fitted become acoustically absorbent ensuring the no sound leaves or enters the space - creating the needed space to watch a film and when applied to the restaurant the required material to develop the private space required.
Researching how carpet might be used in this space the use of carpet installation companies who apply carpet to the walls in the cinemas were the main sources of information available. The company EOMAC supplies wall fittings of this type. The carpets when fitted become acoustically absorbent ensuring the no sound leaves or enters the space - creating the needed space to watch a film and when applied to the restaurant the required material to develop the private space required.
The documents below look at the technical aspects with regards to the fitting of the necessary panels, how they work, the space they need along with the acoustic values of the carpeted spaces.
Living Walls
The idea of using a green wall within the building came about due to the idea of using the scenes that the building is promoting. The visual appearance of a living wall is textured and the smells that would come from using living plants within a space would use the sense of smell. It was decided that the wall will be used on the external areas of the building within the external dinning area. This idea of creating a green space within an inner city environment would use the wall for a visual purpose.
Researching living walls it became clear that they can be used for so much more other than this idea of aesthetics and also are a very sustainable method of constructing spaces. Looking at the company Mobilane whom create living walls they state that they "supplies the most robust, innovative, cost effective and sustainable living systems for the built environment. These include; exterior and indoor living wall systems, sustainable 'Green Screen' fencing, and noise reducing acoustic fencing" (http://www.mobilane.co.uk/)
From this we can see that the use of a living wall is not only for the visual of the building this green screen which acts as an acoustic barrier has many positive impacts on the use of this material. The living wall was to be created as stated within the external I area, due to the location of the site and the external space this living walls would help muffle the noise of traffic and the everyday city life to create a peaceful external space. The use of the living wall on the existing building will also aid the acoustics within the basement space. This is to be turned into a library area for reading a researching recipes - again this living wall can help create a quiet and tranquil space.
Whilst there is some internal space needed to fix the required panels and irrigation's systems in place there is a little impact from the installation of a green wall.
They are low maintenance with all the required elements being given to the plants through the system. There is also a creative aspect to the design of the living wall with the plants used being selected by the client through the use of colour, texture, the environment.
Researching living walls it became clear that they can be used for so much more other than this idea of aesthetics and also are a very sustainable method of constructing spaces. Looking at the company Mobilane whom create living walls they state that they "supplies the most robust, innovative, cost effective and sustainable living systems for the built environment. These include; exterior and indoor living wall systems, sustainable 'Green Screen' fencing, and noise reducing acoustic fencing" (http://www.mobilane.co.uk/)
From this we can see that the use of a living wall is not only for the visual of the building this green screen which acts as an acoustic barrier has many positive impacts on the use of this material. The living wall was to be created as stated within the external I area, due to the location of the site and the external space this living walls would help muffle the noise of traffic and the everyday city life to create a peaceful external space. The use of the living wall on the existing building will also aid the acoustics within the basement space. This is to be turned into a library area for reading a researching recipes - again this living wall can help create a quiet and tranquil space.
Whilst there is some internal space needed to fix the required panels and irrigation's systems in place there is a little impact from the installation of a green wall.
They are low maintenance with all the required elements being given to the plants through the system. There is also a creative aspect to the design of the living wall with the plants used being selected by the client through the use of colour, texture, the environment.
The document below again taken from (http://www.mobilane.co.uk/), looks at the financial benefits of using a green wall with the construction of a building. This idea of promoting sustainability through design architecture is an aspect I feel can work well in the development of this building. The sustainable aspect reusing and existing building to rejuvenate an area alongside sustainable building techniques I feel works well alongside the concept. As designers and architects we should always strive to create sustainable spaces.
Slate
The texture that was seen on the exterior of the Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay has been created through the use of slate bricks. These heavily textures panels fit together on walls to create the appearance that can be seen within these images. The slate would be used within the building in small areas due to is texture and interactive surface for the customer to touch and experiance. The material has a dark finish to it and therefore using large areas of this would reduce the light within the space which is already restricted. Using the slate next to a smooth finished concrete would create an interesting juxtaposition of materials.
Wood
To further create this idea of texture for the sense of touch the use of rustic styled would will be used. The wood is aged bring out different colours and textures within the space. The wood will be used on both the walls and floors. The idea of using this is so that people can touch the surfaces and feel the different textures used. The sound of people walking on a wooden surface is also different to that of a concrete surface creating the contrast desired. The material would be used within the restaurant spaces or toilets due to the cooking spaces needing a wipe clean surface for hygiene reasons.