image showing concepual ‘wrap’ of the concrete form

Site plan showing location of residential wing Not to Scale

overview of project within its context

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Complex Material Assembly Goitside Alzheimers Centre

Structural concrete, 300mm roof and floor slabs. Load transferred through shear concrete walls that also define accommodation units.

This study investigates materiality and structure of a residential wing within this Alzheimer’s care facility in Bradford. The project is situated within the currently deprived, yet historically significant area of Bradford called Goitside. Once a thriving industrial neighborhood, the context is of large scale industrial warehouses and factories – most of which now lie unused and derelict.

Line of thermal break between structural concrete structure and ‘clip on’ façade

The Primary structure is Reinforced concrete that forms the conceptual ‘wrap’ that responds to the scale and typology of the industrial context. The inserted timber then attempts to break down the scale of the façade to generate the desired domestic feel. The detailing should therefore expresses the different rooms behind allowing the façade to be read as a number of domestic units while maintaining the scale and elemental form of the structural concrete.

Clip on concrete frame – forms desired conceptual ‘wrap’

Timber boxes ‘inserted’ into the concrete structural frame

Timber is used due to its warm colour and texture in an attempt to juxtapose and soften the harshness of the concrete. The balconies have been detailed to create the impression of a timber box – inserted into the concrete. Although a fairly straightforward structure, the complexity has arisen through avoiding cold bridges as the façade undulates beyond the insulation line. Achieving thermal continuity has been coupled with creating barrier free flush access to the balcony, and flush soffits

Facade Model This study model explores the affect of timber - (in the case of this model oak has been used) as an insert within a heavy concrete frame Timber columns are placed at 3m centers along both north and south facades to provide rhythm while the timber cladding elements are irregular, allowing the façade to undulate. The design expresses the different rooms allowing the façade to be read as a number of domestic units while maintaining the scale and elemental form of the structural concrete.

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The extensive south facing facade faces almost directly to the south, permitting control of solar shading, this will be achieved through strategically placed glazing, and through the use of deciduous trees that allow light in during the winter, but provide much needed shading during the summer Section AA Scale 1:50

Section BB Scale 1:50

Section CC Scale 1:50

The image (bottom left) also investigates the relationship of the accommodation units to their surroundings. The access walkway and entrances are located around the courtyard and views are provided from the bedrooms and balconies over the landscaped public realm of the urban strategy.

Room Plan 23m² The access corridor is open to the courtyard mimicking the form of street access to a regular house, the corridor is detailed with exposed concrete – giving the impression of the ‘street’. This emphasises a notion of normal living, important to instilling a sense of well being in the patients. C

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The door to the room is set in from the main corridor to emphaise the transition form inside to outside. The bathroom is an important space as it forms part of the daily routine - this is very important for people with cognitive impairment and memory problems by representing an important daily ritual. The bathroom is large and is day lit and ventilated with a deeply recessed window that brings light deep into the room and helps to provide privacy by restricting views in.

Room Plan Scale 1:50

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