Briefing

riefing Booklet
ooklet
AAlastair
lastair C
Cross
ross
N0504803
N0504803
DDesign
esign S
Studio
tudio P
Project
roject 3
3bb
Youth Hostel - Project Initiation

- Content - The Site - Urban Design - Typology Research - Site Details - Precedence Analysis - The Home - Materiality - Modelling - Technological Research - The Jouney - Design Decsisions - Features Page - Final Proposal -

- The Site The site finds its self on the South west side of the city in which is aproximitly 15 minutes walk
to the centre of the city. The sunpath follows the site from east to west crossing over the site
longitudinally. Prevailing winds come from the South west of the city. Main access points come from
Castle Boulevard in which follows parallel to the site. The Flat Topography means comnstruction is
very uncomplicated.

Google. (2015). Satellite. Available: https://www.

google.co.uk/maps/@52.946251,-1.1702751,18z. Last accessed 10th Feb 2015.

- The Site -

Positives

The site it located right on the boundary of the canal and the marina meaning
there is a perfect opertinuty for picturesque views across the site aswell
as prime views in which nottingham castle can be seen due to the topology.
The site is well connected to transport
links like busses, trains, main roads
and is only 15 minutes walk from bthe
city centre.

Negatives

From the history of the site the layout and organisation of the buildings are
somewhat disorentating and broken. due
to the fact alot of the houses were constructed at different periods meaning
the sense of community and connectivity
through pedestrians is poor. The lack of
co-ordination between each building creates lots of dark empty spaces also.

- Historical Analysis 1880

1910

1960
Historical maps show the extent of the develoment throughout the past 120 years. From the earliest point in 1880
backwards the site was simply a large patch of greenery
with a small forest to the west. As time progressed a lace
factory was placed there causing an increase in residential housing in the area. This has since been destroyed
yet its residential counter parts has been relitivly unchanged in terms of it form and direction. The site analysis has taught me that there is great history not just in
nottingham but right by the current site.

1980

- Urban Design The strategy of the Urban design Process was to open up the canal space in which would create a much safe and
inviting space for not only for residences who are nearby but also from people who live in the city centre to
visit.

Shown to the left

is the new proposed urban structure of the site
in which holds the
new block to hold
my unit within.
The new fully pedestrianised front
road gives the
greenery before
the canal space to
breath from the
risk of traffic
and creates a real
open canvas for
the new developments to look over
the canal and enjoy what was previously hidden

- Typology -

Youth Hostel

In its simplest form the typology

in which I was given involes developing and creating a Youth Hostel
in which can hold certain number of
visitors for a short amount of time
in which to explore nottingham.
From This point the objective was
to further develop my typology in a
way in which I can hold as a corner
stone to the concept and overall
design of my project.

Through looking at various examples of

contemporary youth hostels, i found
that the increase of travelling young
people throughout Europe has caused a
massive development in the quality of
youth hostels, this has turned them
into clean, spacious, stylistic buildings in which are not only tempting for
young people but for a whole plethera
of users.
booking.com.

(2015). Generator Hostel Barcelona.

Available: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/generator-hostel-barcelona.html. Last accessed 25th Jan
2015.

- Typology One thing i did look for was

there to be a nishe in the
market, something in which no
other hostel could either provide for, or was just no capable of doing. This is where
came up with a few ideas 1. a
Hostel of which would accomdoate for those who have never
travelled before and want experience of living in a hostel
before going abroad, almost as
a stepping stone. 2. A hostel purely made for foreign
students who are not familiar
with Nottingham, this would
have a large educational aspect to the proposal, with
tours and a shuttle bus 3.

Youth Hostel

Good buildings come

from good people,
and all problems are
solved by good design.
-Stephen Gardiner-

Each new situation

requires a new architecture.
-Jean Nouvel-

If a building becomes architecture,

then it is art.
-Arne Jacobsen-

A final Specific typology I

dececided on focussing on was
a hostel mainly for young people who have never travelled
before on their own and to use
it as a practice run before
they go abroad. From this the
age range of my users will be
smaller than an average hostel, this being mainly from
16 to 20. Due to nottinghams
significant history and highly regarded nightlife it was
a perfect option from the
context of the city. It would
also be greatly welcomed by
people who want a weekend away
whether that is international
visitors of locals.

- My Brief With most other design proposals it is not just the client in which will effect the design i will creating, on this page I will describe features and aims that I will couple with the information that I
have on my client to form my own specific breifing and concept from which I can alway rely on to go
back to, make sure my design decisions and heading into the right direction.
1. The proposal must relate historically to the
site in small features throughout the design due
to its placement in an extremely histrical zone
- this can give the client a sense of the history
and meaning when walking around the building

2. The design itself must be monumental in its

form and materiality - this is from how most youth
hostels now are extremely stylistic, colourful and
sculptual. Designs that are interesting and fun
appeal to young people,

3. Use spaces creativly and to thier maximum potential to give the opertunity for the client to
explore and use the spaces has they choose - having flexability in movement ,how things are used
and how things are oberserved in a space are very
prominatant within hostels.

- Site Detailing -

Alastair(2015) View

from my unit from the old site context

From the image above we can see this is the current view where my design proposal will eventually be be placed.
The orientation provides a prevailing wind that will hit on the western side of the building. With direct sunlight
scares due to the east and south facing sides being covered through neighbouring units, the only direct sunlight
will come through from the west side in the afternoon, especially in summer.

topographic-map.

(2014). NotAvailable: http://en-gb.

topographic-map.com/places/Nottingham-78816/. Last accessed 25th
Jan 2015.
tingham.

- Precedence Analysis The sketch to the right shows a

new hostel found in Dublin which
has just opened. This example is
particularily interesting as it
cantain so many styles within one
roomthat it should feel jaggered
and unappealing but due to the
quality and the way each style is
joined it creates a real sofisticated contrasting environment.
One feature I really found interesting was the feature wall found
on the right of the image, it
also fills the room with colours
by itself and constrasts greatly
with the contemporary roof light.

- Precedence Analysis The Generator Hostel in Barcelona has been a particually strong
precedence for me due to its sheer stylistic seperation from
other hostels. It uses colourful modern materials in which to
create its environments as it changes the atmosphere from room
to room with various techniques. Their rooms are also very inertersting as they come as almost a solid shape rather than
each peice of furnature being placed into a room, this saves
room and in essance give the opertunity to create more rooms
which give more money to the company.

The design also contains various monumental

features in which add to the feel of the place.
The changes in levels and materials throughout
give a drive to start exploring the buildings and
see what else it has to offer

- The Home -

15.5

Ground Floor

15.5

First/ Second Floor

15.5m

13m

15.5m

13m

1.5m

1.5m
12.5m

2.5m

12m

15.5

Third Floor/Roof

15m

2.5m

10m

12.5m

2.5m

- Materiality Nearing the end of the project thinking about what my design be made from aswell as the furnashings of
my design is very important, particular pallets and precedence will help me explain this.
Natural green walls are perfect for any
environment, they not only improve the
air quality but create a natural and
less synthetic environment. Although
they are useful they must get plenty of
sunlight with moderate up keep to keep
it looking at its best. Rusted steel
walls give a real emotion to a wall, it
is also very stylistic and although it
is very thin it gives a wall more depth
and a particular weight to it.

The images below show partiular finishs in which will be mainly used in the interior, the brick is a
partiular peice of slate in which would work well for the main interior boundary walls and maybe the
exterior also. the others are experimentations of materials in which will clad the modular iving spaces, giving each pod a particular character in which gives them individuality.

- Modelling -

- The Spaces -

List of Spaces

Identifying spaces that are needed within my environment is key in how the design will be formed and
layed out, On this page I will be specifying the particular spaces I need on each level and why they
are important to my design proposal.
Ground Floor

Lobby - For every hostel there must be

a lobby, this is where groups meet up

and use as a base for going out and exploring.
Reception - guidance and signing in to
the hostel will happen here.
Exhibition space - having relivant
local hostircal work will give the place
a deeper meaning and more atmostphere.
Toilets - Before going out to explore,
this may be neccessary.
Public cafe/ Bar - This is a place
for the residence and comunity to enjoy
a tea and a cake.
Elevator - Regulations state a need
for a full elevator on all floors.
Stairs - A natural lit staircase will
make for a functional and sculptural
peice of art
Bag Storage - Through travelling
through a busy city leaving bag securely
in the hostel after a long day is something that is common with hostels.
Seating space - After researching
various hostels a waiting space for either signing in or waiting for the rest
of your group is a good idea to keep the
space open and free of traffic.

First Floor
Second Floor
Breakfast/Dinner zone - On 1 - 4 Bed rooms - Having
the first floor a private space
for the residence to eat breakfast and dinner is Imporant,
the space is flexable and informal for maximum relaxation
in the space.
Kitchen - To provide breakfast
and dinner a kitchen with staff
will be needed to produce food
day and night.
Recreational space - preferably facing the park oppsite,
a fun seperate space for hanging around in the evening or
early morning with table football, pool, table tennis tables
and TVs
Balcony space - Having a
variable balcony should be a
great place to get some fresher
air and get some views over the
park and over to the canal.
stairs - These will follow up
through the design creating a
functional stack in the process
Elevator - Regulations state
a need for a full elevator on
all floors.

a variation in the types of

room available will provide
a good mix of people to the
hostel, with the introduction of single rooms it
will help socially uncomforatble people mix with
other people within the
hostel.

Lounge space/ tables -

From waking up having soft

seating is a perfect place
for people to socialise in
the morning, it promote a
relaxed homely atmosphere
Stairs - These will follow up through the design
creating a functional stack
in the process
Elevator - Regulations
state a need for a full elevator on all floors.
Toilets - Not having
to travel up or down the
stairs in the night for the
toilet is something quite
deviod in a few hostels especially without en-suite.

Third Floor
Open roof space
- This space will

open up into the

space over the whole
of nottingham being
the signature peice
of experience within the hostel , views
over the canal ,marina, the park and even
Nottingham Castle
will provide a tranquil environment to
enjoy at all parts of
the year.
Seating - Taking
advantage of smart
cooling and heating
techniques the roof
top should be comfortable enough to
sit and relax for
most times of the
year

Viewing platform At the southern side

of the roof a slight
raise of height will
give a panaramic view
around the site.

- Technological Research The construction and technical construction of my design is very important to my brief, as it must
work with and provide stylistic advantages in which may advance the atmosphere of my design, on this
page I will be analysising various examples of construction in which will be used in my design.

As the structure can only be load baring, this

would include masonry, concrete, stone and various
other techniques.
Masonry - Masonry construction is a very common
construction technique in which provides a very
traditional facade. Brick can be very diverse however with many different textures and colours
availiable.
Concrete - Concrete can be made to be various
shapes and forms unlike brick. It can also be reinforced with steel if the form is more monumental

Final Review

1:50 Modelling

1:50 Drawings

Scale Modelling

Individual Sergery

Initial Modelling

Urban Design

Final Drawings

Final Model

Technical Review

Interim Review

1:100 Drawings

Initial Ideas

Typology Research

Site Analysis

- The Journey -

- Design Decision Diary -

On this Page I will be reflecting on my design decisions for each week and document my process throughout my 8 week process.
Week 1. On this day the aim was to re-design the
current site in which we could place our new block
in which to place each of our design proposals.
From this day creating an open adn attractive environment in and around our block to give our designs
a suitable place to be created in, at the end of
the day each of our typologies were handed out to
each person to start working on designs.
Week 2. This week was all about model making and
exploring through card and various other materials,
but before we did, we practiced with diagramatic
illustations in which could better help us understand our environment that we had created in our
urban design stage. This proccess was considerabily
helpful in developing and progressing with our initial proposals.
Week 3. With the first one to one sergeries happening on this day, it was a good time to see how
our designs had developed and how our design concepts could control the form and functions. From my
sergery, I was told that my concept of developing
a Youth hostel for people who havent travelled before was a good place to start and that my models
and drawings were good at exploring form and spaces
but it was time to start working at 1:100 to start
solving inssue that may come up and thinking about
the atmposhere i was trying to achieve.

Week 4. In this week the main direction was

through scale diagraming and small scale models
in which to develop the spaces within and to design from the inside out. Developing my briefing
booklet along with the site analysis was another
key point of the week. Looking again at particular
precedence to see how they function specifically
on the pedestrian flows and space efficiency.
Week 5. Starting to work the design up at 1:50
this week with more emphesis on materiality, furnashing and structure. This has worked hand in
hand with the technology and the environment modual. This week looked more at the organisation and
how the spaces work/ if they work. Many problems
could be found out through doing all this scale
development.
Week 6. On this week as the final review is only
a week away getting proper to scale drawings and
renders is very important. A full 1:50 model is
also a priority at this time. Creating other panels like materiality, process and certain features
would also be very useful in which to show off and
explain my design.

- Feature Page -

This page is show and express partiular parts of the design which are particulary important to my project

Perspective of living exterior

Interior model image

perspective of view out from one of the

pods

perspective of view out from one of the

pods

- Final Review -

- Final Proposal -