THE ART IN REPLENISHING SPURN POINT | PART I
Brief Sypnosis:
The research aim for this studio was based on the title ‘Liveable Cities’, which included exploring two themes categorised under amphibious living and the fractured city. The site was set in Hull. The brief was to maintain and research beyond ‘object-centered approaches to architecture and embrace a view that is people-centred in order to create liveable environments that are vibrant, convivial and work best for local communities’.
After visiting my chosen site, Spurn Point, an undisturbed land that holds a vast amount of history, home to many bird species and the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI), my immediate response to the brief was inspired by the simplicity of the landscape. This drove my architectural approach to explore the methods in creating a harmonious relationship between building and land that in turn reflected the current topographical state and ambience of Spurn Point. My design narrative was intent on the regeneration of Spurn Point, so creating an atmosphere of transparency, comfort and tranquility was important to me as the site is prone to high flood risks. To achieve this design, I did not want the proposal of buildings or flood defences to eliminate the authenticity and beauty of the site. By constructing my masterplan with raw materials found on site and the intergration of landscape views at different levels, I succeeded in designing a public and private space that submerged into the experience of Spurn. As for the flooding aspect, my main focus was blending the accommodation on the North Sea with the rising tides so as to not create separation but consolidate the concept of living with water is possible.
Below I will highlight the main objectives of this project and my design response:
Outline design - An Artist retreat to accommodate artists on the sea and exhibit their work in the Visitor Exhibition Centre on land, which will be open to the public.
Comprehensive Detailed design - Visitor Exhibition Centre for the public to experience Spurn Point and provide shelter for those visiting and to house a gallery collection of the artist’s works within gallery spaces.
Technical Design Strategies - Use of pontoon and pile foundations to reduce flood risks for the proposed masterplan.
Selected Site Choice: Hull, Spurn Point
Main Tidal affected Areas - Land Transformation Timeline - Future Topographical Split
Historical Collage of the Building and Living Functions on Spurn Point
Flora and Fauna collage
Hierarchy of Natural Activities - Living with water precedent sketches
Mean Average High and Low Tide - Bridge connection between land and water
Site Selection Choice - Further to the Lower Spit of Spurn as highest point of land is situated around the chosen area
Design concept sketches of masterplan arrangements
Initial Masterplan Scale 1:1250 @ A3
Masterplan Building Strategy
Public and Private Spatial Programme
Masterplan Exploded Axonometric Flood Risk Solution
Masterplan High tide scenario section
Final Masterplan Visual - Low tide scenario
North Elevation of Masterplan - Scale 1:200 @ A2
Final Masterplan Model and Detailed Building design concept models
