Sophie Gibson Interior Projects 2016

A work in progress

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Cornflowers, corn cockles, marigolds, buttercups and 460 other species of plants are extremely close to extinction in the Northampton county. Since 1940, the ecosystems in the area have deteriorated with many ponds, fens and heathlands have almost completely disappeared. This is due to habitats being taken over for arable farming and dug up for quarrying; farmers use chemicals for pesticide and herbicides which killed many native plants like water violets. It is also thought that the increase in nitrogen in the soils has caused less plants to sprout. The lack of places for plant to grow (besides woodlands where they are luckily still thriving) causes a need for this installation in Northampton. The atrium area will be dedicated to celebrating the native plants of Northampton and teaching how to keep them from not going extinct, in an effort to get Northampton alive again. This could work in connection with 'Grow Wild', a £10.5 million programme to get everyone in the UK involved with replanting native plants across country. Supported by the Big Lottery Fund and Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, the project hands out free packets of seeds along with funding for hundreds of projects. For more information on the programme, see this link https://www.growwilduk.com (( http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/native-plants-extinct-or-under-rising-threat-1-924690 ))

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Grid system:

The square metre of the building stands at approximately 1720 sqm per floor and so I found it quite tricky trying to get the interior elements to not look random. I therefore came up with this grid system to not only help in placing but to also explain the way of circulation around the building. This way people will be encouraged all the way around the building, especially due to it being mainly open plan.  

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These are my sun paths and placements of vegetation within the building. Plants that have adapted to need more warmth from the sun will be placed in the areas the sun will reach.

((Floor 3 has a lot more sunlight due to it being at the top of the building with the roof removed))

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One of the main elements to make this project work is sunlight. It is needed not only to help power the water pump for the irrigation but also for the growth of the plants inside. In order to organise the elements inside the building, I looked at where the sun would come into the building and place the flowering elements in the sun paths. I went onto SunCalc.net to determine which way the building was facing and where the sun would come in during different times of day and different seasons.

The sun dials show that the building is facing south and so the sun light will move across the building all day; more so in the summer as daylight is longer. Between the seasons you can see the movement of the sun on the dial. The winter sun moves on the outside of the shaded circle and the summer sun moves on the inside. This shows the sun to look higher in the sky in summer, which is because the earth is closer to the sun making it hotter in the summer months of June, July and August. Plants that are put at the front of the building will therefore have to be able to put up with a higher temperature than those at the back of the building. This has then determined the placing of the Biophilic features in the project. I have drawn the line in which the sun will go through so I can place things in the best places for the processes to work.

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Botanical Garden, Leicester uni

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                                       If bees die.. we die

Surprisingly, honey bees play a very important role in keeping us humans alive. We rely on bees to pollinate up to a third of the food we consume with many fruits and veggies such as avocardos, melons, cucumbers and cranberries being prime examples. Along with this, bees pollinate alfalfa and clover which is a main food source for cows, therefore effecting dairy and beef produce.

It isnt only food products though, cotton plants also need pollination so it affects the clothing industry too! Bees pollination led to up to £200 million in 2009 which would be huge to lose out on.

Bees are the most effective source of pollination and they are dying out. In the 1950s 50 types of bees exisited. While 25 species still exist in the UK, 3 species are already extinct and 2 are critically endangered with other species number diminishing

This is due a variety of reasons

The industrialisation and urbanisation of many places - pesticides and insecticides spraying on plants often kill bees

Non-native bees(not necesserily honey bees) - invading native bees hives and killing them

Disease - Bees live in large close communitys so disease can spread very quickly

Awareness if this issue is of dire importance as well as planting bee friendly plants.

Many organisations have been created to help the cause such as

Save our bees

Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming

British Bee Keeping Association

THE BURT'S BEES GREATER GOOD FOUNDATION

Burts Bees whole ethos is to sustain bees and spread awareness of their importance through their world famous beeswax lipbarm. The new #bringbackthebees campaign is full of celeb endorsments such as Lea Michele, former Glee star and Paul Wesley, Tv Series 'The Vampire Diaries' star.

Oth contriuting to the social initiative of removing the letter (you know which letter) from tweets and instagram posts or adding #bringbackthebees and in return urts ees vow to plant 1000 wildflower seeds

So what are you waiting for, tweet urts ees here Urts Ees (Burts Bees)

Or plants some bee loving flowers

Or share your awareness

and help save our bees before its too late 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

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Succulents or 'fat plants' are often identified by thickened fleshy parts which are the parts which give the plants their name as they retain water. This is usually in the leave or stems but can also be stored in the roots Originating from the desert, these plants have adapted to grow in arid climates with limited rainfall and can even thrive on as little sources of water as mist or dew with some varieties of cactus surviving for months with no rainfall They are difficult to kill, require low maintenance (when planted correctly) are striking to look at and survive as well indoors as out so they would therefore thrive within biophilic design Examples include: Aloe Vera Hens and Chicks Jade plant Christmas Cactus Burro's tail

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By incorporating live plants into her jewellery, Floral Designer Susan Mcleary has found an quick and simple way to connect nature with the human form. Using succulent plants such as Burros Tail and Hen-and-Chicks and a dab of plant safe glue transforms ordinary jewellery into a work of art. Each piece becomes unique as it may bloom at different rates and colours within its 1-3 week life cycle (however some have been kept for 6 weeks) Succulent flowers retain water through their thick fleshy leaves and therefore do not need to be watered as much making it ideal for hotter/dryer conditions within a biophilic building

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The whole area of the Hawkins building is roughly at 1720 sqm. The large scale means that placement of interior elements is important so that it doesn't look too empty or too cramped. Due to this being a Biophilically designed building, it means I want to go for a more spacious open plan so that people can feel more comfortable.

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Soil bags stacked up to put a twist on the average living wall. Plants growing out of the bags will change the look of the wall everyday, making it a very interesting feature.

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Kings Cross Station - London

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German Gymnasium

The German Gymnasium is a perfect example of a reformed building. Designed by Edward Gurning in 1865, the building was originally the first purpose built gym in London and held indoor Olympic events such as boxing at Londons first Olympic games in 1866.  

Now, it is part of the 'D&D London' an international group of bars and resturants. Even though the resturant has a very modern feel, the 2 1/2 story buildings heritage is kept through the roof structure (constructed from laminated wood trusses with cast iron fillets) which is exhibited beautifully inside. Also by keeping the name the same, it causes you look into its history and understand the building a whole lot more

Located: 1 King's Boulevard, London close to Kings Cross Station

Check out these links for more information:  German Gymnasium D&D London Discover Kings Cross   

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Water Light Graffiti

Water Light Graffiti project by: Antonin Fourneau  Engineer : Jordan McRae Design Structure : Guillaume Stagnaro

                     A wall of LEDs that light up when water is applied

Watch this video for more info on how it is made!

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Water inspiration mood board

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Peter Zumthor - Therme Val

Renovated hotel into spa/baths complex in 1996

Cave like

Natural materials such as locally quarried Valser Quartzite slabs inspired the design

“Mountain, stone, water – building in the stone, building with the stone, into the mountain, building out of the mountain, being inside the mountain – how can the implications and the sensuality of the association of these words be interpreted, architecturally?”

Light and Shade

Interior and Exterior

Careful method of movement circulation of visitors

Either ensures or denies a view

Fluidity

Peaceful and pulsating

Discovery

Warmth, Light, Bubbles, Darkness, Steam