CONSTRUCTION
It is interesting how the buildings structure and materiality is dictated by how it can be constructed. This notion is important to this site as it is situated in a public space on the river, so it cannot be accessed on all sides. These constraints helped decide that the building should be made of two easily constructed buildings as opposed to one large centre. As the buildings is in a park by the river, extra attention had to be paid to the local wildlife. This meant that all the trees were conserved during the sites construction and that no pollution or rubbish could be leaked into the river. The use of environmentally friendly materials helped stopped any form of pollution affecting the local environment.
CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
After talking to the people who work on the site, and investigating the structure of the building, i have decided to illustrate the construction process.
The first step is to lay the foundations. As the site is next to the river Thames, the foundations have to be not only strong, but adverse to flooding and strong winds. The foundations also have to take into account storage for Kayaks between the two sites.
The first step is to lay the foundations. As the site is next to the river Thames, the foundations have to be not only strong, but adverse to flooding and strong winds. The foundations also have to take into account storage for Kayaks between the two sites.
After the foundations, the Timber frame is added. The Timber frame used here is slightly different to that used on housing, as its not made of a series of vertical supports with horizontal support at the top and bottom, but as a grid, with horizontal supports throughout the structure. This not only gives the frame extra strength, but make is easier to attach the outer Cor-ten steel panels to the frame.
Once the Timber Frame is finished, it is important to clad the structure to stop the frame being over-exposed to the natural elements. The Cor-ten steel is then mounted onto a supporting frame that is attached to the Timber Frame. It is important to start the oxidising of the Cor-Ten steel quickly, as this is what forms the protective layer, that strengthens the material as well as its joints.
It is at this stage, before the interior walls and flooring are put in, that the insulation is added. The Sheepswool is first stuffed into the timber frame, pushed up against the exterior wall. It is incredibly easy to install. and all that is needed is a staple gun. After this has been fitted. the interior walls can then be added onto the inside of the timber Frame.
It is the important to make the building waterproof, by sealing off any other gaps in the frame, like doors or windows. Once this is done, it is possible to start work on the interior and the electrics.
The last thing to add is the external walkway between the two sites. Once the foundations and two buildings have been built, it is then easy to building the connecting walkway. The Steel Mesh Panels, are cut to shape, and then placed onto a metal frame. After this the Disabled Chairlift can be installed.
REPLACING THE OLD SITE
This drawing shows a corner of the previous site. This corner was the most interesting as it has many existing features that were important to keep and protect during the construction period. The thick black lines show the old site and the new details are in red dashed lines and are what appear today.
During the construction of this corner the previous manholes were relocated and reconnected to current system, a brick wall was demolished and bricks were set aside for when they would be re-used further into the construction period. The old shipping container that provider the Kayaking school with a office was taken away and disposed of.
During the construction of this corner the previous manholes were relocated and reconnected to current system, a brick wall was demolished and bricks were set aside for when they would be re-used further into the construction period. The old shipping container that provider the Kayaking school with a office was taken away and disposed of.
The drawing above shows the right hand bottom corner of the site, the part that connects the site to the river. Before work could begin the site needed to be prepared, it was important that many original features remained and that the permanante structures such as the flood defences were not damaged. This drawing details the original features and the new building.
Conservation During Construction
The environmental aspect of the site is very crucial. During construction it was important that the site remained as an environmental park. The architects included details (similar to that opposite) on the drawings explaining that the trees were to be protected during construction.
STUDY INTO THE CONSTRUCTION OF COR-TEN STEEL
We used a model to investigate how the Cor-Ten steel is applied to the Timber Frame. What this taught us is not so much about the Cor-Ten steel, but more about how the timber frame underneath has been built. The frame had added horizontal bracing, which was added not just for strength, but as a way of applying the steel sheets on the exterior. What appeared to be an irregular pattern,was actually intentionally chosen to make room for windows and a door, while keeping all the sheets to the same few sizes.