Design Week 2015

Tommy Bray – Group 1 (13/11/15)

Date November 16, 2015

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Friday was the last day of the project, all students gathered back at the University of Brighton to present their finished models and designs. Myself and my other group members spent the morning creating our poster – a task that we underestimated. This is one area where I felt we could have done better if we’d planned our time more efficiently, and we definitely should have left it until the final day. I feel that had we not gone to Chichester on the Wednesday we would have had a much better final presentation. On the Wednesday there was relatively little we could do as most of the model making required heavy machinery that only Rob could operate, and although I was helping him, I was only standing at the out-feed of the machines collecting the finished pieces. However, it was a good experience to get out to a different college and experiment with a different discipline.

The finished model:

I was happy with our finished model. We had a removable roof so could view inside, and the furniture gave an accurate portrayal of the internal layout and how much space we had created by adding the sliding pod.

The last task was to present our model to the other students and a panel of judges from the University of Brighton, Chichester College, Hazelwick School and the CEO of Care Co-ops Brighton. I felt the presentation went well, with all of our group members sharing the input. I preferred the Q&A which ran for 10 minutes at the end of the presentation as it got the audience involved and it was more interactive, rather than just speaking directly to the audience.

All in all I enjoyed getting some experience with a real life client and project, and it was good to mix with other students from different disciplines.

Tommy Bray – Group 1 (12/11/15)

Date November 16, 2015

Posted by Tommy Bray

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Thursday was our last day to finalise our designs. Our design was pretty much complete, so I started looking into some other examples of container homes to see what issues had emerged during construction, and after construction when the homes were occupied.

One of the issues I found was from the ‘Containers of Hope’ project in Costa Rica, by Benjamin Garcia Saxe. The designer had underestimated the amount of wind the site received, and as the container had no cladding it was very noisy inside. The solution they came up with was to plant vegetation to reduce the power of the wind hitting the container. This isn’t an option for our project as the containers would be moved around to various locations on the site, so I looked into other ways of preventing wind noise. One option was to clad the container with re-used wooden pallets. The pallets provide a barrier to the prevailing winds as well as providing insulation from the sun, helping the container to regulate a consistent temperature. One thing I liked about this idea was that it retains the containers identity, as the container would still be visible through the gaps in the pallets. However, there were a couple of issues that needed researching:

How to fit the pallets to the container – if the pallets were screwed directly through the wall of the container it would provide a thermal bridge from the exterior to the interior, which could cause a problem with water ingress and condensation.

Whether the pallets would reduce the containers ability to pack/fold away – as we had the sliding pod and fold-down decking, adding external cladding could complicate the mechanisms that facilitate these features. Cladding the sliding pod would be especially difficult and it would have led to the loss of internal space, which ultimately was the most important thing.

Another issue I found was from the ‘G-Pod’ by Dan Sparks. He realised late on in his design that the longer walls of the container were load bearing, so if you create an opening in one of these it has to be compensated for. We were creating openings in both sides of the container, one for the sliding pod on the rear elevation, and two on the front elevation (one for a window in the kitchen, and one for a large sliding double door). This complicated the structure, added costs and questioned the structural viability of what we were trying to achieve. However, with the addition of a structural support in both of the larger openings the container would be structurally sound.

Group 4 Blog Post Monday – Friday

Date November 16, 2015

Posted by Charlotte Monk

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Our group members included; Charlotte (myself), Sam and Taiki from University of Brighton, Dan and Stephen from Chichester College, and Ross from Hazelwick school. As a whole our group got on rather well, we were able to easily share our ideas and respect each other’s opinions. We worked well in respect to having two of our members working on the model, and the rest on research and design.

One reason our project progressed well and finished on time was we divided work and clearly identified who is working on what part and by when we need to move on to next phase. Once we all shared ideas of the design and agreed direction of the design, we worked on individually the part we were responsible with. Thus prevent the work overlapping to make sure nobody working on same part and use the time efficiently. We all regularly reported the progression to be able to see overall project progression not individually.

Jon Beadle (Attenborough)

Date November 16, 2015

Posted by Jon Beadle

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Monday 9/11/15

On Monday we were introduced to the project and had a talk on the benefits of construction using shipping containers. Our group decided to use a container as our base unit, and I had the idea to increase the interior space by extruding parts of the container.

We did some preliminary design sketches for this idea and eventually came up with this final design.

Tuesday 10/11/15

On Tuesday our group at Brighton University worked on finalising dimensions and plans for the design so that the model could be constructed. We finalised a floor plan and I worked on designing a detail that would allow the extruded element to slide in and out of the main container.

Wednesday 11/11/15

On Wednesday we went to Chichester college to assist in the construction of the model. I had to work out exact dimensions of all the interior furniture so they could be cut.

Thursday 12/11/15

On Thursday we were back in Brighton finalising the poster for our presentation. I had to draw a technical drawing for our floor plan and the detail for the sliding element.

Friday 13/11/15

On Friday we had to present our idea to the group. I talked about the construction and the sliding element of the design as well as answering several questions about the idea.

Group 5 Dunster Friday Blog (13/11/15) – Kevin Padilla

Date November 16, 2015

Posted by Kevin Padilla

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Friday morning was an early start the students from Chichester and Hazelwick College were joined with AT student her in University of brighton.While everyone is preparing for the presentation and waiting for the model to come Laura and I printed out the A1 poster to ensure it is perfectly fine and nothing is missing. We displayed our poster into the board first which then followed by the model brought by Sam straight from Chichester College and placed on a position where the audience can see the model on different angles.

When the model arrived there are still some finishing to do to present the model properly, for example the material attached to the raised roof that provides lighting for the entire building. The actual material we will used on the real cabin is tarpaulin therefore we used tracing paper around the opening part to represent it. Moreover due to limited time the proper stands for the canopy didn’t get to me made therefore we improvised to have a reasonable size stand just to show that it does open up. Furthermore we printed our solar panels onto scale to represent the right numbers and energy source to be collected for the cabin. Externally the model is reasonable done however due to the limited time we didn’t get to do anything for the interior design and furniture for the cabin.

After all the alteration to improve the model we then started preparing for the presentation. We had a little meeting to ensure everyone is on the same page and will know what to say if being asked or to share ideas while presenting. We then started the presentation with an introduction of the group and begun to explain how we came up with the whole idea and giving out information for the entire Eco-cabin, we all provided our own knowledge about the model as a whole a we helped each other out while presenting. I believe that the presentation was very successful there are some positive and negative feedback’s from the audience however this will all be for the Eco-cabin’s improvement our design can still be developed to be more efficient and sustainable.

Further in the day while the other groups are presenting their projects and while listening to the audiences feedback’s I had gained a lot of information and understanding with the other options of how our Eco-cabin’s self efficiency and sustainability could be improved. Each projects have lots of advantages and disadvantages as a whole which can still be improved on therefore while listening to each others presentation we learn from each other to improve our work. There are lots of alternative materials that I would’ve replaced to be used on our Eco-cabin design for example insulation and cladding to increase its environmentally friendly features. Over all I was pleased with the end results from our efforts working as a group from Monday it was a great way to gain experience of having an actual project with group of people with the same aim until the end of the project.

Group 5 Dunster Thursday Blog (12/11/15) – Kevin Padilla

Date November 16, 2015

Posted by Kevin Padilla

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On Thursday AT students stayed in University of Brighton and the other students stayed in their colleges. Before I left Chichester College last night I ask our module leader if I can go back the next day to help Sam from Chichester to work on the model however the group needed extra hand with research and sketches therefore I stayed in the University which gave same additional time to work on the model on his own. Haroon was also helping us for further research on his precedence studies to provide good examples where we got the ideas for the Eco-cabin.

The AT students in our group continued finalizing the model and the designs for the Eco-cabin such as materials and furniture. During the day Aidan focused on costings of the entire Eco-cabin and I helped on precedents studies. Managing the costings took longer than we thought this is because we wanted to get the most efficient products and materials for the cabin. While me and Aidan are doing the research Laura is assigned on sketches and final drawings, she produced the 3D final design drawing combine with different elevations and floor plan to have a clearer understanding for the client.

Further in the day Laura and I decided to plan out a rough layout for the A1 poster due to the limited space and to ensure every details needed are presented for the client. In addition Aidan completed the costing with the references and dimensions including everything provided for the client. At the end the rough total cost of the cabin was £6100 therefore we are in the budget which is a good sign.

During the same day Sam have mostly finished the model where most of the components are placed and included to represent their individual function from the decking up to the roofing.

Later that day we still had spare time to so more work so I had drawn sections and detailing to present and add onto the poster. After all the drawings and research done Laura started putting all the information needed onto a A1 poster to be ready the next day (Friday). Laura’s presentation and layout of the poster is how I would say on point this is because all the information is provided for easy understanding which follow through the poster. From the precedence studies to costing management and to the model making.

Takuya Asada-Lucas-15/11/2015

Date November 16, 2015

Posted by Takuya Asada

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Day 1:

The first day of the design week started on Monday from 9 am morning. We got project brief and it explained what to do for the week. We waited about 1 hour for Chichester and Hazelwick students to arrive so our lecturer could explain about the brief and what to do from today. Our project was to create an eco-cabin in France, which 4 people should be able to stay for about 1 week on holidays or vacation, and also, some of them could be disabled, therefore, we had to create an eco-cabin that is sensory and disability-wise cared. The aim of the project is to learn to co-operate with other people and learn how to create, design and present a building that we made by our self.

The first thing we did after couple of lectures was introducing each other, and talk about what to do and what type of construction do we want to create on the site. At this early stage we just talked about what is eco-cabin and how do we create. Before we left the university of Brighton, we came up with some ideas about the eco-cabin and started to ask out teachers if our ideas are actually do-able. After we had group meeting, we had one more lecture about shipping containers, how good they are and how cheap they are. When we discussed about our eco-cabin with our group, originally we were thinking of a timber-made eco-cabin that has green walls and green roofs, but after we had that lecture, we change our mind and we decided to use shipping containers, as it is very cheap and it can be easily transferred from place to place.

first plan

For architectural technology students, we had to create a rough plan of the site until the end of the day, which we sketched, in 1:20 on the plane paper placing all of our ideas.

Day 2:

The second day of the design week started on 9 am morning. On Tuesday, we started our day with group meeting from 9 am.

The Chichester student in our team, tom and Hazlewick students, kiera and semini, stayed at their college and school for Tuesday, so we had only 3 Brighton university students to have a meeting, but we were able to contact them via using application; whatsapp and facetime with our phones.

As me, janavi and will were discussing, first thing we did was to optimize the floor plan that we sketched yesterday. We added and deleted some details of the cabin. At next stage, we considered what options we could have with the amount of budget we got. Our budget was 7k pound for materials (excluding personal expenses). Hazlewick students started to source the facilities that we are going to use on the cabin, for example, water tank, pump, solar panel, kitchen devices, and insulations.

At further stage of the meeting, we came up with a plan that we all agreed, and tom started to work on base outline of the model in his college, preparing for tomorrow.

Day 3:

The third day of the design week started on Wednesday from 8 am morning. At Wednesday we had to go to Chichester college to work on the model and almost finish it off. All the architectural technology students gathered at lobby of cockroft building at between 8 am to 8 : 30 am. Our lecturer, Dr.Poorang bought us a cup of coffee before we got in to train to motivate us for the day. After 1 and half hour, we got out of the train, and we arrived at Chichester, it took only 10 minute to each the Chichester College from station. We were surprised when we looked at the model, because it was huge and a perfect model. The only change we did was to make the angle of the solar panel’s base lower, 45 degree to 30 degree to gain maximum electricity from sunlight. After sometime, we decided to divide the group in half, one group for the research and costing the materials that we are going to use for the cabin, and another group to continue work on the model.

I stayed at 1^st floor to help tom progressing the model at first, but then I started to consider about the furniture of the cabin. To maximize the space of the cabin, we decided to create a sofa that can be transformed into bed as well. While tom and William were creating the model, I left them and started to design sofa and bed with help of our lecturer and janavi. The furniture that we designed is placed at very end, left side of the cabin, two 1950 mm wide sofas at each side, facing each other and a same sized table in middle of them. We designed the table in the way that it could be adjusted up and down, so if people wants to sit on it, they should press a button or turn the screw, then the table will lift up. When they want to sleep, with same progress they can move it down and by sliding the cushion/mattress and it transforms into a bed.

sofa plan

Day 4:

The fourth day of the design week started on Thursday from 9 am morning. At Thursday, as we knew tomorrow is the day to present, we had to finish our work by today.

We didn’t have lot of time left; we started to work on our project as soon as we met. William went to his home to draw a new sketch of a new plan that we got advised on; janavi was working on pricing all the materials, research about floor and wall. I first started to work on the insulation, I came up with some option, notably, crushed newspaper insulation and cotton insulation. As our cabin was focused to ecology, I wanted to use crushed newspapers for the insulation, but in UK we couldn’t find any store that sells it, therefore, we chose cotton as insulation.

After we had lunch break, I started to work on poster layout, what to put where, title, headings and subheadings. When I was working on posters, I realised that I didn’t contacted with tom about the furniture. Originally I thought tom is going to make the model of the furniture, but because we didn’t have time and we change our window design at late stage he was busy creating holes in wall to create windows. We miss-communicated and we actually didn’t make the model at the day before the presentation. After i realised we don’t have a model of furniture, I went to workshop, the model studio of the university of Brighton and started to create sofa bed and table.

Day 5:

The final day of the design week started on Friday from 8 am morning. At Friday, janavi and me went to university early so we can meet each other and put everything that we made so far together. First thing we did was to complete the poster. I scan the drawings that William drew and put it on poster and put a picture of our precedent study, furniture, progress of floor plan and some pictures of our model for method of construction. After I have finished that, janavi then started to put writings on posters and she optimised the poster layout as well.

Presentation started, William started to speak at first, and introduced us. William talked about the layout of our design and why we are using pallets cladding. Then janavi explained about our construction’s basic material, placement of windows and etc…

When my turn came, I explained how our sofa bed and table works and what was our precedent study. After our presentation finished, I realised that I didn’t explain about our precedent study of furniture’s design and concept of using pallets.

presentaion

Taiki Mishima, Day 5 13/11/15

Date November 15, 2015

Posted by Taiki Mishima

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Finally the last day, we are mostly ready for the presentation. Sam told me the plan and section I drew by pencil was not displayed well enough for the poster. I traced over by plan by pen. But unfortunately I made easy mistake, I scanned drawing inverse.

Chichester and Hazlewick students arrived and we got final model. We drew the furniture on the model while Sam went to print a poster.

Our turn was 3^rd, Mr. leader Sam started of the outline if the design and me and Charlotte explained individual design section. Then Chichester students spoke about the model and structure of the house, Hazlewick student spoke about disable access. I personally think it was good presentation that all of us spoke individual part that we divided on day 1 and 2. The questions from all lectures were successfully answered and got the word they like the simplicity of the design.

Overall I think we have done well and had a fun.

Jake Hagan-Carson-Day 5

Date November 15, 2015

Posted by Jake Hagan

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This was the day that we were to present our final poster and the model. As we had stupidly not done any work on the poster before the morning I had a full on morning putting it together.

I was sticking down the floorplans and elavation that I had done previously and typing out some additional boxes of text to go under the pictures. I then went to the library to print these off and stuck them on also. I was pretty happy with the result considering I had put it together on the day, ideally I would have done it on a computer and printed it out but due to the very tight timescale of the project this would’ve been very hard. A picture of the poster can be seen below

Watching and listening to other peoples presentations was very insightful, as every group but one decided to use shipping containers it was interesting to see how they had overcome the problems that we had also incountered. The most interesting prooblem was seeing everyones methods of working around the limited space; there were some ideas which were very similar to ours in the way of haing a folding out decking but also some other interesting concepts like whole sections that slid out.

I feel our presentation went well, we filled the 10 minutes without having to pause or think of anything to make time which was good. We also answered all of the questions with an answer that was logical and answered the question. The only downside was that we missed afew points off the costing sheet that we forgot about. Apart from this I feel we did a good job overall and I’m pleased with our final result.
I also enjoyed the week as a whole, the work load was very high but in fairness we were warned! Pictures of our final model can be seen below

Taiki Mishima, Day 4 12/11/15

Date November 15, 2015

Posted by Taiki Mishima

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I got use to early start at this point or maybe I was scared the fact this was the last full day to work this project.

Once our group all finalized the design of individual section, we worked on written part of the poster. After I sent the work to Sam for the poster, I worked on the final plan and two sections to put it on the poster.

Our design is very simple due to limited design area, low budget and transportability. Our design aim was to create big interior opening space. The living room area has sofa bed and folding bed to create opening space at non sleeping time. The kitchen is very simple but it designed in minimal space but has enough facility. Bathroom is not as compact as caravan but not big enough for full disable access. I could not take too much space for bathroom but I designed to be able to access with wheelchair all toilet, sink and shower.

Then I scaned the plan and sections and sent to Sam for the poster.

Luckly we progressed wll as a group so we did not have though night today.

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