semiotic junctionGrand Junction was a brief that was a trio of interventions, consisting of a restoration project of a run down theatre, a new design for a digital performance space and the landscaping of Warwick Street. The brief meant the design must be approached holistically, so that individual aspects were not focused on. The emphasis was to develop a project that emphasised Manchester’s theatrical heritage and challenged the existing purpose of existing theatre within the current digital age.

The brief called for the ability to create a scheme that combined the singular function of the playhouse with the adaptability required in the digital era. The scheme had to challenge the original function of the theatre and transfer it into this new society. The outcome of the brief was to produce a project that invigorated the massively unique and transient area of Manchester by producing a landmark that grew

people to the Grand Junction of Hulme

semiotic junction

semiotic junctionThe positioning of the interior programme became an incredibly important concept for my project, one of the main concerns with the existing design was the circulation and programme layout. The process used here was rearranging the interior spaces based on dimensions appropriate for each function. This enabled me to produce a scheme that worked pragmatically and focused on the user experience.

PRIVATE FUNCTION

PUBLIC SPACE

LANDSCAPINGPRIVATE FUNCTION

The final form was a result of investigating the brickwork texture, the technology required to create an animated facade and the relationship between old and new. By creating components based on an individual bricks dimensions and distorting it into several variations it created an organic and

‘randomly’ placed aesthetic but hidden behind that were positioning based on multiple aspects.

semiotic junction

The Semiotic Junction is focused around the users of the space, the connection between the trio of intervention acts as a mechanism to join the separate functions of the renovation, the landscaping and the additional digital production and performance centre. The new build sits on the junction of Old Birley street and Chicester road and provides a landmark icon that has the ability to adapt to the interior programmatic requirements as well as functioning as a projector, bringing the interior

experience and programme out onto its exterior facade.

semiotic junction

semiotic junctionSemiotics is derived from the Greek and translate to “observant of signs”. In its current definition it is using signs and symbols as element of language within society to act as another form of human communication. This developed into the theory behind the scheme where the building would be able become a symbol of its adaptable internal programme.

semiotic junctionThe building was designed around the ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the digital age, not only is this evident within the interior spaces it is also true for the buildings facade. The users of the building have total control over the spatial environmental conditions they require. This means they are able to affect the light levels for production and performance, temperature levels if they want to have a cold or hot room for editing and performing or even change the experience within or outside of the new build.

The main concept behind the design was the adaptive moving facade, the building itself is able to act as a sign for whatever event is occurring on the inside. A program coded in JavaScript converts an image into an ASCII picture which is composed of X’s and O’s. This system enables the user to control exactly which louvre would open and which would be closed in order to generate a facade that is able to mimic the image pattern onto the exterior by using the interior lighting to punch through gaps in

the louvres.

semiotic junction

under the canopyUnder the Canopy is a low-impact and sustainable pavilion designed and built for the National Trust’s Dunham Massey Gardens. The pavilion is composed of three lightweight arch structures that create a gentle focal point for the surrounding canopy of trees. Located in the heart of a conservation garden, the design aimed to demonstrate the beauty of sustainable design.

under the canopyIt took inspiration from the rings of a tree, which get smaller nearer to the core. Each pair of arches is a smaller iteration of the one before, allowing us to take all three arch sets from the same sheets of plywood. The resulting structure sits gently on the site without drawing attention away from the surrounding gardens, but also minimises impact on the greater natural ecosystem.

The design can be cut out of sheets of plywood and easily assembled using a combination of bolts and screw fixtures. Tessellating all of the pieces on sheets of plywood; arranged to minimise the use of wood, the design is both economical and ecological. Focusing heavily of using a concept that was sustainable for the client. The materials have been chosen to have a low impact both on the garden

and the greater environment.

under the canopy

The frames are assembled from a flat pack kit of parts that are tessellated onto locally sourced FSC plywood sheets and fixed together off site. This minimises material wastage and results in a light and open space that maximises light in the enclosed surroundings. With the generous support of wood donors, ‘Under the Canopy’ was completed for under £300, and stands as an exemplar for what can be

achieved with a low budget and an environmentally friendly agenda.

under the canopy

white waterThe form of the building was derived through a series of development drawings and in conjunction with my initial personal reactions to Graz in Austria. For the design I wanted to deeply incorporate a scheme which was derived through a similar process of deconstruction of the city which was expressed at the site through the artistic interventions, otherwise seen as graffiti.

white waterAfter disassembling the block I developed spatially the organisation of rooms in accordance with the requirements. After analysing different strategies that tried to solve the brief outline I decided on a final form that didn’t sacrifice the function for the aesthetic goal. One of the main considerations in my design process was to maintain the main purpose of the existing site, circulation.

I wanted to solve the main issue of people walking into the bike lane as they exited off and onto the stair case. The design also allows people to circulate around the building throughout day and night time without being obstructed by the internal functions on each of the floors. It provides quick access for people who mealy want to get from level to level and a convenient

route to the floor above whilst being protected from the weather by the canopy above.

white water

Ben Smith.infoArchitecture Student - Final Year - BA