_3d model

Render In Context:-

I've spent the last week working 9-5 and then working a further 4 or 5hours each evening on this scheme, thankfully I've managed to get ahead this weekend and my 3d model is now coming together. Click the above image to see a higher res version of one of my near finished elevation renders in context.

I've started working on the details now and building it all in 3d, its somewhat time consuming but very useful, i still find myself making minor tweaks to the design even at this late stage. The below images show the external and internal use of both in-situ concrete and stone sourced from around the site (the site was formally a quary) and a swimming pool/shower section.

_3D Model _Initial Render

It’s been a while since I’ve posted and I’ve been somewhat busy over the last few months, I’ve now completed my plans and the technical report and I’ve started working on the 3d model, an initial render showing the front of the site is enclosed below, you can view a higher resolution copy if you click the image.

The render shows the north elevation from cemetery road...the front of the spa. The existing offices are converted into the entrance foyer and the new restaurant extension is located where the existing car sales office is located.. more renders and more indepth information to come soon!

_concept development Image

A concept sketch showing the development of the concept into a building can be seen here:-
http://img260.imageshack.us/i/conceptz.jpg/

_A4 Thesis Proposal

I have completed an A4 Sheet outlining my thesis proposal, this can be found at:-
http://www.tombramwell.co.uk/uni/ThesisPreposal_A4_sheet.jpg

_Concept Model Dissection

I have spent the last few weeks working on conceptual models which investigate the spaces and forms created through the dissection of a spa gown, a selection of some of my work can be seen below. Inital floor plans will be uploaded within the next week or two.

_Concept Generation _Concept Tree

I have recently developed and noted down several potential design and investigation concepts, following the near completion of my background studies I have created a visual bank of concepts in the form of a concept tree; ideas literally pinned to the trees which are located around the site.

The above image is a early photo of the concept tree taken on site.

_Concept Devlopment _Material Texturisation and Pixelation.

I have recently been sketching ideas and developing thoughts of how I could reflect the sites position and surroundings in the design/form of the proposal. One of my more literal ideas is shown above, I have used a photo of green leaves on the site and used photoshop to digitally amend the image via a proccess of texturisation and pixelation.

Could I further develop these images into the buldings cladding or colour palet?

_Concept Development - Section through the front of Site:

_Concept Development - Section through length of Site:

_Functional Spa Zones

Following research into the different facilities which should provided within the scheme I have come to the conclusion that many spa's in the UK lack good quality relaxation space, an essential feature which is just as important as the number and quality of the facitilites offered through the spa.

_Design Restraints

Following a fairly in depth site anlysis it has become aparant that the site I have chosen has several limitations and constraints, I personally favor this over a site with few or no restraints...Many projects throughout my university eduction were very open with very few restraints with rergards to the site, although this is seen as seen as a good thing by many, i personally prefer to have a more relistic brief. Anyway back to my site...

The sites main constraints involve the location of graves and trees with TPO's and the ornate and listed buildings which the scheme hopes to include, additional restraints involve the slope and topography of the site and the limited access.. all in all.. the site is quite tricky!

_Theories of stress _what is stress

One of the connections I have researched is the link between stress and relaxation. Many busy professionals suffer from stress and these are the people who can afford to use such facilities as spa's.

Questions which I have started to question myself whilst researching stress and spa use in the Uk include the in balance in proportion between female and male spa- goers, why do more females go to spa's in the UK than males when this is not the case in other parts of the world.

I have carried out some research into stress and found the following interesting information at http://www.garysturt.free-online.co.uk/theostre.htm.


"Stress has been viewed in three ways:

-Stimulus
-Response
-Process.

Stimulus refers to stress, which can be categorised as emanating from three sources:
1)Catastrophic events, such as Tornadoes and earthquakes,
2)Major life events,
3)Chronic circumstances, such as living in crowded or noisy conditions.

Response refers to how somebody responds to a particular stress, for example sitting an examination. There are two components:
1)Physiological, heightened bodily arousal-your heart pounds, mouth goes dry your stomach feels tight and you perspire.
2)Psychological, involving behaviour, thought patterns, and emotions. Feeling nervous.

Process views stress as a series of interactions and adjustments between the person and the environment. These interactions and adjustments are called transactions. Stress is not seen as a stimulus or a response, but rather as a process. The person suffering stress is seen as an active agent who can influence the impact of a stressor through behavioural, cognitive and emotional strategies.

A good definition of stress would be that stress is the condition that results when the person/environment transactions lead the individual to perceive a discrepancy-whether real or not-between the demands of a situation and the resources of the persons biological, psychological, or social systems.

Success and failure in previous transactions would determine the amount of stress perceived."

Background Studies_Booklet Design

Last time I posted I apologised for the lack of updates, this time I really need to apologise as its really been quite a while!

During the last few weeks I've come up with a finalised design for my A3 booklet, Im designing the booklet in Photoshop in A3 format and I'm hopefully going to split the images into A4 pages and have it professionally printed before the Decemeber Hand in (or thinking about it, I may wait and have all my booklets printed together to form one huge book showing all my work from this final year at university?)

The booklet is going to have three sections:-

Section 01 -
Background information about Stress in the UK & its links to Relaxation and Spa's
Background information about Spa's and Spa design

Section 02
Site Location
Site History
Existing Buildings On The Site
Existing Materials in and about The Site#
History Timeline
Precidents - UK, Europe and Worldwide
Site Plan
Grave Locations,
Access issues, safety etc.

Section 03
Why the chosen site is suitable
Design Brief

The above left image shows one of my A3 sheets showing the existing buildings on site including the Non Conformist Chapel and the Registrars office. The above right image shows additional buildings on site including the Anglican Chapel and the entrance gates off Ecclesall Road. Please click on the images to see larger versions.

Background Studies_Booklet Design

Apologies for the recent lack of updates, the last few weeks have been rather busy for me, I've started to develop and build up my background studies for this project but I've also been very busy with my terriblely mundane day job and at the same time I seem to have recieved quite a few new photography jobs (this is my second job..come..evening..come..weekend job!!!)

The background studies is the first 'physical' piece of work which I have to hand in, in December 2009, the A3 booklet of information is meant to be around 5000words in size. Im currently trying to come up with a format and design which I like, a design which I can use throughout both this booklet and the later booklets which will follow.

_Site Selection _ The Sheffield General Cemetery, a Conservation Area and Historic Park

I have finally chosen my site! - The Sheffield General Cemetery, a Conservation Area and Historic Park.

The General Cemetery is a cemetery in the city of Sheffield, it opened in 1836, and closed for burial in 1978. It was the principal cemetery inVictorian Sheffield with over 87,000 burials. Today it is a conservation area and comprises of large areas of woodland with a selection of beautiful listed buildings, all of which are deralict and in need of redevlopment!


The top photo shows the corner of the site I am looking into developing, the photo shows an ariel view of the three buildings I am going to look into. The two smaller images shown above show the The Registrar's house and The Gatehouse.

_Site Selection _ UK Rainforest?

OK, so last time I checked the UK didnt have a hidden rainforests to locate a secluded spa, the UK does however have stunning areas of woodland and forests where Robin Hood once aquanted! Much of the UK's forest and woodland are of course protected, there are a few examples of sites which are surrounded by woodland and are crying out for development however.

I've been looking into different sites to locate a potential spa during the last few weeks and have come up with a few potential sites, all of the sites are located arond the town of sheffield where I live, the sites include:-

1. A general cemetery and wooded park with several deralict buildings which is screaming out for redevelopment.

2. A small wooded area located near the centre of the city of Sheffield, a old and tired green patch located within a grey urban sprawl.

3. An area on a small hill which overlooks a canal and river and has several old buildings which could be converted.


The above photo is an early precident, the photo shows the home of architect Chris Tate based in Auckland, the building slides between thick trees and sits on the forest floor.

_Two Weeks In Thailand Did The Trick _ Design Concept Finalised

Two weeks in secluded Thailand did the trick, I have concluded that I am going to base my final project around the idea of an Urban Spa.. an urban Oasis. Inspiration and conformation of this topic came from some of the beautiful hotels I've stayed in during my trip to Thailand.

Many of the top hotels in Thailand have a multitude of facilities including stunning spa's, restaurants and pools, yes this is not unusual in top hotels but the difference between top hotels in Thailand and top hotels in the UK, europe and much of the rest of the world is the difference in cost! I stayed in a selection of 4star and 5star hotels and Boutique hotels whilst away in Thailand with the average cost per room of around £55 per night! You would be lucky to find a 3star hotel for that price in the UK!

Many of hotels I stayed in Thailand were inspirational, beautiful modern architecture positioned next to lush green rainforest, stunning blue pools with beach views! I understand that the UK lacks rainforest and stunning beach views, indeed the UK also lacks the intense heat and incredible year round temperatures of Thailand.. but and this is a big BUT.. why are there so few luxury modern spa's in the UK? Why do the spa's which exist have to be hidden within grand country houses or within the urban jungle that is the UK's top cities?!


The above two photos show two of the hotels (with stunning spa's and pools) I stayed in during my trip to Thailand this summer.

_PG Dip Arch Year2 _Final Design Project - Design Concepts

Choosing a project to showcase the skills and architectural understanding I have developed during the last seven years of university is a somewhat daunting task, not only will the project last one entire academic year, the project will most probably contribute to the overall success of my career, after all this will be the project at the forefront of my portfolio during future interviews.

I have been playing with several projects ideas and concepts this summer, some wacky and completely unfeasible (one such idea - a portable river cleaning and filteration devise that also enables swimmers to swim up and down in a small but clean area of the river Don in Sheffield) and some less so.

I will going to asia on holiday in a weeks time, during this time I hope to come to a final decision with regards to my chosen project, my current mental list of design options include:-

-Cooking school
-Urban Health spa