Project 3 - The School

In our groups for project 3 we each had to select a building from our master plan to design. I have chosen to design the art and technology building. This building sits at the back left of the site as indicated on the master plan.

As a group we decided to concentrate on the idea of an 'open and adaptable sustainable learning community.'

Below is a quick sketch of our revised master plan. We decided as a group and after speaking to the tutors that it was better to flip the plan. This was because the best part of the site (with the best northern light) was taken up by the auditorium which does not necessarily need natural lighting.


The drawing below is my idea of the art/technology department. I don't particularly like the design as it is very boring and conventional. I'm a little stuck for ideas and the tutors suggested designing a different building. However i think i will stick with designing this department. I will continue to develop the idea of outdoor learning courtyards that are directly linked to the classrooms.

Project 2 Master Plan Final

Click on the image above to see our groups main ideas and presentation for the Master Plan!

Above is the image of out groups proposal of the Master Plan for Torquay's year 10, 11 and 12 school. We got an overall good review with only criticism on the student drop off zone. We decided as a group that we will wipe out the parking spaces to the left of that area, creating a big loop and waiting area for parents. This will allow for a less congested drop off zone.

This is our Master Plan indicating the traffic control and major axes!

The three images above illustrate the fluid mapping carried out to test out our Master Plan against the strong afternoon South-Westerly wind and strong morning Northerly winds. The fluid mapping proved quite succesful, but also indicated that we may need to extend the wind barriers for the South-West.

The images above illustrate the sun shading model we put together in order to test the shading of the buildings. It is successful in the fact that there is plenty of light in the main central courtyard area. In this case, shading may be neccessary for the ourdoor laerning spaces that we created. The only downside is that the ampitheatre is completely shaded. We may need to go back and re work that area to allow sunlight onto the ampitheatre.

The image below indicates the apearance of the wind and sound barriers along the back of the site
The image above represents the outdoor learning spaces!

Project 2 Master Plan Development

The image above is a very rough schematic layout for my groups master plan. Mel, Emma and I began brain storming ideas through a bubble diagram. We indicated very brifly where we thought the different faculties could possibly go.

The drawing above is a development from the bubble diagram. Here we began thinking of the car parking solution, building orientation and their relationships with each other. It took us a while to work out the parking solution as it is already a major problem. We included a specific bus zone with its own entry. We also included a teachers/visitor parking and sepearate parent parking and student drop off zone. Connected to the bus area is a separate car park for the fitness centre which will be used by the extended community i.e old folks at the retirement village behind the school. We also included a maintenance road along the back of the school.

Project 2 Master Plan

The next project will be the design of the master plan for the senior school of Torquay including years 10, 11 and 12. The major aspects to be looked at include wind direction, sun position, traffic conditions, future develop of Torquay, community integration and the integration of indigenous planting.

Below are some examples of master plans that were found at http://www.designshare.com/

The example above is a school in Washington in America. Marysville Getchell High School is a good example of traffic control. It incorporates a good pick up and drop off area for students. It also includes a bus pick up zone and designated parking areas.

Above is another exampe of a school with good traffic control. The GEMS World School above is found in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai.

The image above is a perspective view of the school in Dubai.

Project 2 Site Visit

The images below are of the site we have to design Torquay senior college on. The site is realtively flat which also includes the Torquay council office. Towards the back of the site is an elderly persons home; this is where some type of acoustic barrier could be considered.




The path on the photo above leads to the elderly persons home. This could be a vital access path for the elderly people that live in the home. It may be importnat to keep this access for them.

Torquay Primary School Visit!

Project 2 involves the design of a senior high school for years 10, 11 and 12 for the beach town of Torquay. We visited the Torquay primary school and were given the chance to interview the grade 6 students; our clients. Currently a years 7, 8 and 9 school is being built next to the primary school. It is our job to design the senior high school next to the junior high school currently in construction.

Mel, Emma and I interviewd 5 students. The students liked the idea of an outdoor classroom while others suggested t.v's, couches and a pool would be convenient! One of the students mentioned that the cost of travel may be a problem if a senior school was not built in torquay. The students may have to travel to Geelong; a 30minute bus trip which may become a problem.

The Torquay primary school focuses on sustainability with a wet area, a chicken coop, rain tanks and frogs and other pets in some classrooms. It was particularly impressive to see how much students know about climate change and the importance of sustainibility.

Below are some images of Torquay primary school.

When I was in primary school we never had projectors!! It may be importnat to facilitate the Senior school with this type of technology. There is alot of art work hanging on walls and from the ceiling. It looks extremly cluttered, maybe the school needs more display space in the classrooms?


A classroom with interstingly shaped tables!

An outdoor performing stage coud be a great idea for the senior school.

The chicken coop! One of the students said the teachers get to take the eggs home...

Drinking taps are always essential in schools!

The three images above indicate that storage is extremly important in primary schools. The halls were cluttered with student work and games etc. Students shoes are left outside on wet days and for some reason the students bags were lined up outside too. This may not be such a big issue for a senior school, but these sorts of problems should be considered.

A sign explaining the Torquay Primary School's Wet area!

The plan for Torquay College currently in construction!

Project 1 VIDEO INFORMATION

Unfortunately the text within our video presentation did not come out too well, so here it is:

STRUCTURE


Starting Top Left – Anti clockwise

-Energy efficient, 2-stage HVAC system reduces energy consumption and uses R410A refrigerants that to not harm the ozone layer
-Solar panels, back energy for lighting
-High efficiency fluorescent lighting, mean which occupancy sensors conserve energy by turning lights off when people come and go; lights off when people come and go; lights are dimmed when natural light reaches proper levels
-Recycled content carpet tiles help reduce landfill waste.
-Formaldehyde-free, low VOC paints and coatings reduce “off gassing’ that can result in dangerous pollution
-100% recycled plastic water tanks
Eco-friendly Interior wall finishes include recycled cork & super insulated kingspan panels for fixed walls

MATERIALITY & SYSTEMS

Starting Top Left – Anti clockwise

-White roofing(instead of black) reflects solar heat and reduces air conditioning loads to save energy
-Double insulated low ‘E’ glazing in thermally broken aluminium extruding framing system
Openable glass vent
-Recycled steel construction produces a structure that is strong, non-combustible and mold resistant because its cellulose-free (67& recycled content)
-Environmentally & ozone friendly Icyene, a water based, sprayed floor insulation & rigid Polyis, made with recycled materials, provide a continuous blanket around the exterior walls and roof for superior thermal protection, energy saving & mold resistance
-Eco-friendly exterior walls finishes include super insulated kingspan panels for fixed walls & 100% recycled plywood sheeting used in their entirety, to minimise waste, the use of which slows deforestation and helps preserve natural habitats


DETAIL

Top to bottom

-Carpet with recycled fibres
-Plantation plywood
-Felt
-Steel track
-Sprayed in place Ilcynene foam insulation


-Large windows that measure along the side of the structure provide increase window to wall ration for better exterior viewing by the occupants and reduces the need for artificial lighting.
-Manoeuvrable panels on the exterior help regulate direct sunlight penetration. Steel roller tacks allow panels to be manoeuvrable. Furthermore our post and beam construction means that all of the interior and exterior walls can be moved or renovated easily because they are not load bearing.
-Steel roller track securely fastened to plywood panel


RARE Architecture

Renewable

-Use of recycled materials
-Implementation of sustainable systems
-Environmental
-Use of efficient HVAC system
-Water collection
-Use of solar panels

Relocatable

-Flexible, modular construction system comprising of recycled steel portal frame & prefabricated panels

Adaptive

-Sliding panels gives the user control of natural lighting & views
-Panel sliding externally creates a unique outdoor learning space