DEVELOPING PLAN
STRUCTURE ENHANCING PLAN
After developing the form of the plan I began to experiment with the structural elements that would make up the retail units. This allowed me to understand how the structure would determine and restrict the development of the plan. Modelling the structural components of the retail units I could then begin to develop the spaces within and start imagining what they could become.
SKETCHING INTO RESTRICTIONS
As I set up the structural stragety for the building I then began sketching into the plan. At this stage I allowed both the structure and design to enhance one another, knowing the stragety I had layed out but also using design as a tool to shift and challenge the norm.
PUBLIC + PRIVATE
Forming the spaces which would become the retail units I then had to develop a stragety for what was needed internally. Knowing that each unit would need storage and staff facilities I began to experiment in breaking up spaces to allow for the needs of the units. The diagram below shows how I played with postioning and circulation.
Beginning to design spaces meant that I needed a concise idea of what each space would be occupied by as it would change delivery methods, storage space and staff facilities as well as control other spaces such as kitchens or specific equiment. The diagram above shows the initial thoughts about laying out the shops.
OCCUPYING SPACE
CIRCULATION + DISTRIBUTION
As seen in the initial laying out of storage and staff facilitity spaces I played around with where this space should sit in the buildings. Certain buildings it was obvious where the storage should be, at the back of the building where the space opened out onto delivery bays. The buildings which needed addressing were those which had the potential for cross circulation which I had layed out in my stragety. However, through experimentation I came to the decision that this would be impractical for goods and create awkward internal spaces. The spacing of the buildings already allowed for circulation through the alleys between the buildings, therefore I decided that placing each storage space as near to delivery space would be the best option.
