feasability study

INFINITY ARTS CENTREFeasibility Study

IntroductionA plan has been proposed to build an arts centre on a site in the heart of Leeds. The project brief outlines that this new build will be a large scale, educational multi-storey complex with an exciting modern design making it a popular location within the city for locals and tourists alike.

1.0

Site ContentThere is currently one development on-site. The CASPAR social housing building mimics the semicircular site that it sits on. The building has a small parking area to the front/south side of the development. The remainder of the site is grass field which surrounds the building with a few trees and shrubs, the biggest of these trees sit to the East side of the development.

3.0 LocationThe location of the site chosen for this project is in the heart of Leeds. The site is convenient for visitors as it is not a far walk from the city centre. Other places worth mentioning are the educational buildings (universities and colleges) as well as the bus and train stations which are all in walking distance of the proposed site.

Distances from site to significant locations:

Figure 1 - Site Plan showing existing buildings

First Direct Arena - 0.3 miles Trinity - 0.5 milesLeeds Beckett - 0.6 miles Bus Station - 0.5 milesTown Hall - 0.6 miles Train Station - 0.8 miles2.0

STRUAN JAMES LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY DESIGN STUDIO 2.1


3.0 AccessThe analysis of bus routes and pedestrian walkways is important for determining the best means of travel to the Arts Centre. The design must also incorporate a means of access for those in vehicles and determine the most suitable way of reaching the underground car park (as mentioned in the design brief). Therefore a study of the existing roads must be undertaken to learn more about what is and isn’t possible for the design.

BusesIn walking distance from the site there are a number of bus stops to choose from that will allow a person to take one of Leeds many bus routes through or out of the city.

Bus Served RoadsPedestrian RoadsBuildings/Places of Interest

Roads & Traffic FlowNORTH STREET

A64(M)

INNER RING ROAD

NEW BRIGGATE

NEW YORK ROAD

DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC

The image above illustrates the one way system that the surrounding roads have adopted. The semi circu-lar road that surrounds the border of the site is the slip way on to the motorway A64(M).

Illustrated above is a map and key legend to inform about the main roads around the site. The site is easily accessed by roads coming from the city centre (New Briggate). Right opposite the current development is Back Brunswick Street. This is currently the main access to the site and connects to the car park. The street is accessed by the one way North Street.From the site, access to the motorway A64(M) is easy however to head back towards the city centre by car then the user must first go North in order to turn around (there are links to the A61 from which access to the bus station, train station and city centre will become plausible.



Pedestrian Routes

Pedestrian routes are necessary in any built up area for easy mobility for all those on foot. To the North of the site it can be seen that there are multiple paths throughout Lovell Park which provides access to the site.

There are multiple public crossings at the intersection that connect the side walks on each street. There is also one crossing opposite the site to allow crossings over North Street.

Topography4.0The study of the topography of a site is set to determine the arrangement of the physical features of the site whether they be natural or artificial. This site is currently occupied by the CASPAR Development and sits higher than its surrounding ground level. For purpose of illustration, the existing building has been removed to create a clearer view of the land alone.

Looking at the site from the North West it can be seen that the plot of land is raised on this side.

From the South West view it looks as if the slip way road is between the raised area for the site and the equally raised Lovell Park behind.

A view from North East reveals that the Eastern side of the site is not raised so high and sits at the same level as North Street. As does this side of the park.

STRUAN JAMES LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY DESIGN STUDIO 2.1 STRUAN JAMES LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY DESIGN STUDIO 2.1


Site History5.0

The site is a brownfield site and has been redeveloped multiple times over the years. Leeds was a major industrial town during the industrial revolution so the city has transformed more than once. Since the Second World War, Leeds like many other industrial areas have seen a decline in industrialism and a rise in new tertiary industries such as retail, call centres, offices and media. Leeds has also been developed into a more social and economic city through the creation of its two educational institutes Leeds Beckett University and University of Leeds which attracts young people to the city.

The images below found using Digimap show images of the site from the 19th century up until the current developments in the 21st century.

1850 1930 1960 2015



Planning Issues and Considerations6.0

Site OwnershipThe owner of the site is the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The foundation was the client for the current CASPER development.

Listed BuildingsThere is only on listed building of significant interest to the new development. The listed building of relevance is the Centenary House. Centenary House is a grade II Listed building which was constructed in 1904 for use as the Leeds Public Dispensary. The building is immediately North of the site on North Street. Listed buildings must not be damaged or modified or the consequences will be difficult for the client and developers of the new build on the site opposite.

Other Developments in LeedsLeeds is a city which has seen and still is undergoing large changes with developments proposed, under construction and recently completed.

Trinity LeedsTrinity is a large shopping centre located right in the heart of Leeds City Centre. The centre opened in 2013 but after clearance of the site was completed in 2008, construction of the development wasn’t started until 2010 and finally finished in 2012.

Train Station RenovationBelow is a concept image from the development plans for the ongoing project to refurbish the train station.

Victoria GateVictoria Gate is another ongoing development in Leeds which is situated not far south from the site for this project. It is another shopping centre on George Street beside the market and not far from the bus station. The development is due for completion in late 2016.

Hilton Leeds ArenaThe newest Hilton hotel has been developed on a site right next to Leeds Beckett Universities Rose Bowl building. The construction of this 14 storey building recently ceased due to funding issues so remains halfway though its construction.



7.0 ClimateThe climate of the location is important to study as it will determine many necessary design features that must be included. Whether this be designing for heat or for the cold. For rainfall or not etc.

RainfallTypically the rainfall is quite high in Leeds as it is in any parts of the UK. It can effect the design stage as the designer must insure that their chosen materials are suitable for these conditions and that the building has an effective guttering system for example.Below is a chart which represents the rainfall in Leeds between 2000 and 2012, providing figures to work from.

WindWind speeds vary constantly but generally small buildings are sheltered by tall ones in the city scene. However the site is less sheltered than many other parts of Leeds so potential wind issues should be addressed.

TemperatureWhen determining the materials for the building it is important to consider the temperatures that the building will be exposed to. If the material that is chosen is prone to heat loss then it may not be suitable for the UK. Not only are core materials of the development chosen largely with consideration to the climate temperatures but other design aspects such as choice of windows will also be linked to average temperatures.The graph below illustrates the average temperatures for Leeds.

Ground Conditions8.0The site is a Brownfield site which will mean that there is going to be a lot of coarse ground types from previous developments. Information may exist from the previous development of the CASPER project, including various information from soil analysis. However to be sure a full Site Investigation and Sub-soil Investigation will be carried to out to learn exactly what ground conditions the development will be constructed on.

Without proper analysis of the ground conditions then there is a risk of using an unsuitable foundation method which will not last as they are planned, significantly reducing the buildings lifespan. Difficult grounds will contain moisture and most likely be clay. Pile foundations will go deep into the ground until a strong bearing strata is reached. Generally multi-storey buildings will use some method of pile foundations whether or not the ground conditions are suitable.

STRUAN JAMES LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY DESIGN STUDIO 2.1 STRUAN JAMES LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY DESIGN STUDIO 2.1 STRUAN JAMES LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY DESIGN STUDIO 2.1


Sun Study9.0The sun path can have a significant effect on how the arts centre is designed. As with any development the design must consider when, where and how often it will receive natural light on the exterior of the building. Therefore determining the location of windows and skylights to allow the light to be most efficiently used to the advantage of the development. The sun study for Leeds will allow extra information to be gathered prior to the design process.

The above image illustrates the hours of day light and hours of darkness each year.

Below are two images of the site once the CASPER building is demolished. There are clear differences between the two. The images are from a Sketch Up model which has had shadows turned on to illustrate the differences in light levels between summer and winter solstice. Pay particular attention to the shadows from the Centenary House Building as it will be the key building in close proximity of the site that can be expected to create the largest shadows over the development. Both images are at Midday on the 21st of June and 22nd of December.

Summer Solstice 2015, Leeds Winter Solstice 2015, Leeds

Precedents10.0Various Images of buildings and shapes that have led up to the final concept design for this development.



11.0 Concept Design


The concept design is a very brief idea for one of var-ious directions that could be considered. The ‘very’ basic sketch is just to represent the general collection of thoughts that were forming for the development pro-posal. The design is always subject to change at this early stage so no excessive digital creations seemed necessary.

The most valued idea at this stage is the dome. Whether this become more of a sphere or a prism or even stay the same as a ‘truncated icosahedron’.

A more simplistic accompanying building to the sphere would be the space for classrooms etc. It will be of a simpler design to enhance the dome part of the building. It is to be made of standard block with either brick or brick cladding for the exterior.

The design is the same shape as a standard football only hollow and may be modified at the bottom to be make it sturdier.

The land around it to be lock block and a well treated grass lawn to look smart and social and must compliment the building design.

A centre piece that symbolises the name of the development and makes the building unique. Finished with a smart tinted black glass exterior.

Colour Scheme

feasability study

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