MSA Stage 3 School of Architecture

Sanju Senthilkumar

Contact
S.Senthilkumar1@student.gsa.ac.uk
Works
The Homegrown: An UFeX Project

The Homegrown: An UFeX Project

The project corresponds to energy, landscape and culture through a series of dynamic spaces. From the first order of urban farms (including temple gasworks reimagined as a vertical farm) till the last order of eating, this project brings interaction within various parts of the city. More specifically, revives the vibrance of the industrial canal. In an effort to create the perfect hub on Applecross Basin of the Scottish Canals, the structure amalgamates the neighborhood, topography, sustainability, demography and experiential qualities.

To highlight the wider site attributes into the site, the narrowness is followed within the spaces, pebbled secondary path is introduced to connect the tertiary road that runs in the middle of the site to the primary road, through which vehicles can access the structure. Moreover, introducing a pond in the core of the hub brings in a visual connectivity from the canal into the structure.

The structure itself promotes the very idea of reducing operational energy by introducing a double shell facade on the south facing. Moreover, having a compact hub and house in a singular unit reduces energy loss in locomotion. Moreover, merging of two narrow elements to create a visible privacy border between the house and the hub gives a sense of comfort for the inhabitants. The visual comfort is continued with hidden pockets of greenary, the aquaponic pond, curved forms, etc. To enrich the ecosystem, the pond acts as a natural humidifier and cooler when required. Likewise, temperature control is also done by the trombe wall facade. Creating various levels that overlook nature in one way or another fosters an urban village setup to act as a node for various zones surrounding the site. Residents have got markets to engage with, workers have got the kitchen/ dining to look forward to, tourists have got an abundance of eco-tourism and leisure visitors have got a calming environment.

location plan

1: The energy of the place is an amalgamation of the people, water, sky, plants and their reflection 2: The landscape is framed by the various textures and their foreground. 3: An evolution of walls. There is a constant juxtaposition between the panels and the graffiti that fosters engagement between the people and the architectural elements.

Site Collage

A psychoanalysis of the site showcasing the narrow and zoned separation.

Material Symbiosis: In search of green spaces

Buffer Space

The image shows the light and shadow play between contrasting materials like glass and rammed earth

Central Courtyard

A key central image overlooking the aquaponic pond

Incorporating the hidden green space idea

Having pockets of green among a vastly red/ brown space calls for contrast

Entrance passages

A narrow passage with clerestory windows create a mystery along the path. This passage leads to the aquaponic pond filled courtyard

Elevation of Temple gasworks

Section of temple gasworks

The view highlights the modular activities within the gasworks

Axonometric view of the Temple Gasworks

Urban Food Exchange Process: Farm to Plate

Site Plan showing the wind rose diagram and sun path along the structure

Exploded view

Plan

wall section of the facade

Elevations

aquaponic pond and heat island effect

The aquaponic pond fosters a permacultural ecosystem between plants and fishes. Moreover, the water acts as a temperature controlling agent

The inbetween space

An imagery of the activities along the buffer space

Section

Bedroom Spatial Arrangement

Different arrangements of room and flexible wall options (collapsible wall) accommodates various population of people

Temple Gasworks Reimagines as a vertical farm

Reusing is an important attribute of sustainability. An abandoned site with structural facilities calls for reimagination and intervention. The design brief was for the reimagined farming structure to not touch the ground as the ground is contaminated.

Temple Gasworks Site Plan 1:200

Permutation

Floor Plans of Temple Gasworks