Unit A

Unit A is a research-led BSc Architecture Design Studio at the University of East London, lead by Carsten Jungfer and Fernanda Palmieri. We work with live-project situations and connect design learning with research through knowledge exchange between students and external partner organisations. Unit A focuses on social-spatial conditions within contested urban contexts and understands architectural design both as a spatial and strategic response to specific socio-spatial contexts.

18/12/2013

Thu 9 Jan 2014 PS site visit 15.30





St Elizabeth Primary School, Bethnal Green.
It was an interesting experience to visit St Elizabeth Nursery in Bethnal Green. The site is surrounded by the terrace houses and tall council buildings with narrow roads on the front and the rear sides of the site. The project was designed by architects “SCABAL “ with the active participation of the school kids who helped in making models on the site. As explained by Isabel from the practice, the project area is around 200sqm and was completed in two phases (depended on the release of funds). 
Arriving in late afternoon, the buzz of the after school pickup could be seen from a distance. After entering the front gate and crossing through the open school yard and play ground, as we entered the main reception, the interesting features of the project started to speak for itself. The use of “cork” as facing material for doors and furniture not only giving it a natural warm effect but also a tactile and acoustic performance. After passing through a well light corridor, we entered the backside where faced with a small slide in a very playful and kids’ friendly landscape, and where the nursery is housed. The most striking feature of the nursery is the “ship shaped” dark pink coloured glass fibre roofcover, supported by the “tree-like” blue coloured metal columns. There are nine columns in total to support the roof and surprisingly they all are different from each other and that makes the whole design more interesting . The main timber structure of the roof is a reciprocal structure, following an interlocking system in the pattern of a grid , which gives the amazing stability to the structure both horizontally and vertically. The circumference / edges of the wooden structure is made up of the steel gutter which looks surprisingly good against the pink and blue colours.
Entering the nursery hall, one can clearly see how a well planned open space can be adapted for  the multifunctional environment of a nursery. The details can be easily observed in regards to the health and safety criteria for the kids. The roof has acoustic panels with four skylights for the light and ventilation. Another important part of the design comprises of the two opposite door openings for the cross ventilation. The toilets are at the rear side with the right scale gives it a very “practical user friendly approach”. This small sized project has walls made up of clear glass and wooden panels that gives  it an open and transparent feel .  The use of wonderful different colours and shapes throughout the nursery definitely boosts the imagination of the magical adventurous world for the kids. In short, through the clever, cost effective design, the nursery caters a safe, clean, healthy , happy and good learning environment for the kids.
Written by Puja, year 2

Link to SCABAL website

16/12/2013

crit feedback

just to say we have e-mailed you the feedback sheets.
check your e-mail.

11/12/2013

For students presenting on friday:

In addition to all your work produced this term, remember to show your Palermo site sketches and site photos of personal observations informing ideas of programme. 
Also critical: show your sketch model from workshop and the schematic section of that idea drawn and inserted into an existing peoject site section. 

Also: everybody is expected to attend and participate the entire day. We will take a register in the morning (and if you are not on that list you will not present).

08/12/2013

Crits Tue 10 & Fri 13 Dec

This is who will present on what day. (Not running order)
We will start at 10.00 sharp. Everybody to attend all day.

All presentations are individual - make sure you show everything you have done so far on portfolio sheets. A3 reductions are OK - however make sure that key drawings are printed full size e.g. A1 - so that they can be comfortably seen.

Prepare your verbal presentation (10min max), script keywords, so you know how to connect all the bits ad pieces of work. Important: Make sure you sleep the night before!

Project site drawings (group work): As said, all those site drawings will be hung onto walls too - so you need to coordinate with your site group that you have everything ready to be hung. If you are the only one presenting from your group its your responsibility to print the drawings. 

For your presentation (verbal and visual) you will receive an indicative mark / feedback, that will show you where you are standing at this point in time with your work. For this we will use the same feed-back sheets that are used at the end of the year for assessments. So this is a great opportunity - make sure you do not miss it.



TUESDAY 10 DEC:
guest critic Emu Masuyama (Mesa Studio) and Camilo Amaral

SPASIMO ANNEX
Tiffany, Isabella, Daniela B

VIA SANTA TERESA
Ivan, Arifa, Ilianna, Puja, Daniella R


CITY FORTIFICATION
Irena, Chido

VICOLO DEL CACCAMO+ VIA LUNGARINI
Aslihan, Anastasia

POCKET SPACES
Azizul



FRIDAY 13 DEC:
 
guest critic Paulina Huukari and Tak Hoshino

SPASIMO ANNEX
Adriely, Vaselieos

POCKET SPACES / VICOLI
Andreas, Akin, Shakirin

VICOLO DEL CACCAMO + VIA LUNGARINI
Sonia, Marija, Ping
, Marie

CITY FORTIFICATION
Ruta, 
Vasilia



03/12/2013

Fri 6 Dec | Sketch Model Workshop

We will start the workshop at 10.00 with a short introduction (lecture). The workshop will be a full studio day and we expect everybody to attend.

Site info: Could all groups also pin-up their current site information to the walls.

Please preparare one single A3 sheet with this information for Friday, see image (ask colleagues if you did not attend today).

Materials
Pease bring grey cardboard, some bits of other cardboard too (recyled bits are OK) cutter, cutting mat, glue, etc.

02/12/2013

Tue 03 Dec - Tutorials

Please bring in all finalised site drawings+ site models.
IMPORTANT:  Also finalise your personal analytical drawing of your chosen architectural space from field-trip and brind in. 

10.00 SPASSIMO ANNEX
Adriely, Vaselieos, Tiffany, Isabella, Daniela B

11.00 VIA SANTA TERESA
Ivan, Arifa, Ilianna, Puja, Daniella


12.00 CITY FORTIFICATION
Ruta, Vasilia, Irena, Chido

13.00 lunch

14.00 POCKET SPACES / VICOLI
Andreas, Akin, Azizul, Shakirin


15.00 VICOLO DEL CACCAMO + VIA LUNGARINI
Aslihan, Sonia, Marija, Ping, Anastasia, Marie