Shravan Vaidyanath - Work Samples 5

Analysis of MasterPlan Site Layout Analysis of Proposed site

1. Photo of site from University Road2. Site analysis looking at key destinations and routes3. Site analysis looking at access, impact on trees and location of the new building.

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WarWick University (sUmmer Placement, 2014)

Between my first and second year of Part 2 course at Oxford Brookes, I worked at Berman Guedes Stretton Architects in Oxford who had won this project for a new teaching building on a green field site, as part of an invited competition. I was involved through the feasibility studies, to concept design development, strategic technical design and the planning submission.

The critical aspect of this project was to take Warwick univer-sitys masterplan for their campus, which was commissioned a number of years earlier and to question, adapt and rein-vent it for the current context. The original masterplan pro-posed a new building right at the edge of the curve along University Road, setting up a grand axial layout with the new building as the focal point.

Our analysis of the site showed that this classical approach had a number of constraints such as the change in level of this part of the site, the need to remove most of the mature trees and have an awkward relation to the low rise residential buildings adjacent. Our proposal hence looked at moving the site to the south-west corner of the field.

This created a number of opportunities, firstly to form a building line with the building opposite, better define the plaza next to the Warwick Arts Centre, and retain the wood-ed fields to the north-east which can act as a landscaped buffer with the low rise building surrounding the site.

Shravan Vaidyanath - Work Samples 6

South-west elevation showing context

Concept section showing stacking of lecture theatres and a gridshell roof

Concept plan with lecture theatres in the centre, classrooms to the side wings and social learning spaces and access at the intersections

View from the University Road approach

Exploded axonometric

concePt Design

Shravan Vaidyanath - Work Samples 7

1. view of the 500 seat lecture theatre and grid shell roof2. Fire escape strategy3. access strategy for physically challenged4. section perspective of Bim model showing stacking of lecture theatre and relationship to adjoining spaces

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technical Design

At a technical level, I was mainly level in charge of working with the design lead in developing the form and geometry of the lecture theatre. This in-cludes understanding options for stacking the 500 seat over the 250 seat theatre, ensuring proper sightlines are maintained from all seats, ensure ac-cess for disabled, work out number and distance of fire exits.

The stacking of lecture theatres was the result of consultation with current students at Warwick Uni-versity who suggested that it is usually mean to have the wheelchair seats either right at the front or all the way at the back. We hence looked at op-tions to access the lecture theatre at the middle level thereby creating two tiers, with wheelchair seats right in the middle. This created a number of opportunities such as a tiered lecture theatre which is dramatic as the rake of the upper tier is steeper. It also allowed for heating and ventilation to the lecture to be combined and separate from the me-chanical services of the other classrooms

It was also in charge of developing the geometry of the grid shell roof. I followed an iterative design process through sketches and 3d modelling. The critical part was to ensure that distinct members of the grid shell aligned with the structural walls of the lecture theatre below.

Shravan Vaidyanath - Work Samples 8

1. View of first floor corridor and social learning space2. Sketch of classroom space3. Stepped ground floor leading to the cafe on lower ground floor4. View of the main accomodation stairs in the atrium5. View of the atrium from the first floor

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Shravan Vaidyanath - Work Samples 9

concorDia anD consortia hoUse, merton (year-oUt Project)

Located on Merton High Street and next to the Merton Conservation Area, this scheme provides a mix of 8 flats of supported housing for people with learning difficulties and remaining 11 flats for market housing. Working on this project from start to finish proved to be an invaluable experience going from design to structure to detailing and construction.

As a scheme that was part funded by the Merton Borough Council, I had the opportunity to work closely with the planning department towards delivering a high quality scheme. It was technically challenging project designed to Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and meets the criteria set out in the Lon-don Housing Design Guide. The supported housing section of the building is designed to be wheel chair friendly. A number of renewable energy features such green roofed terraces for rainwater harvesting and photovoltaic array were incorporated.

Being part of a small office, I was entrusted with the responsibility of produc-ing the entire working drawing package using BIM. I produced the drawings through constant input and co-ordination with the timber frame consultants and the contractor. I am particularly proud of the large double glazed bay windows, a striking feature of this scheme that provides plenty of light and ample views out of the spaces. The cladding is bespoke and is made from charred timber.

The scheme has made a positive impact on the neighbourhood with many members of the public coming up to us and appreciating our efforts when we were taking photos of the finished scheme.

1.View of the front entrance from Merton high Street (render); 2. Site photos during construction of the baywindow and the charred timber cladding;3. Detail plan and sections of the bay window; 4. Section

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Shravan Vaidyanath - Work Samples 10

1. Section; 2. View from the rear garden; 3. Photo of the front entrance from Merton high Street1

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