Materiality
Residential blocks will sit within the more solid, heavy weight supporting structure, helping to ensure privacy. By way of contrast, the lighter, cantilevered elements, with their ability to be opened up to the public could perhaps be clad with glass.
In developing my building's elevation, I considered how the surrounding materiality could be be used within my building to ground it with the local context of Stretford.
Brick is found in abundance around the site. As a material, it would be perfect for my building as it can be locally sourced.
Visual expression of floors in Stretford Public Hall could be interesting to emulate within my project. Using a more contemporary material, such as concrete, will further this by creating a sense of juxtaposition.
As discussed before, louvres can be used by residents to mediate between publIc and private. Timber, as a renewable material, would be the most environementally friendly choice.
Glazing in these areas would open up the possibility for pop-up self build projects in these areas, such as resident managed shops.
Café and residential blocks should use the same materiality to ensure that it is evident they are interrelated.
Nordic wood from Metsa is responsibly sourced. As well as this, the process by which it is treated makes it more durable.
Double glazing can be sourced loaclly from System 3 in Denton. This will ensure my building has good thermal insulation.
Continuity of brickwork from outdoor to indoor spaces to encourage residents' integration with surrounding communities.
Using brick produced in the IBStock factory in Stockport helps to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of transportation.