Aspen Cheung
Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture,University of Edinburgh
Aspen Cheung
Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture,University of Edinburgh
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On Detail in Architecture
Sep-Dec 2024
Architectural Detail, Accessibility
Through the investigation of four precedents and subsequently designing interventions for the National Galleries of Scotland, I was able to pickup the conventions in architectural details quickly and formulating bespoke details for my own design.
Precedent Study + Study Sketches
Architectural Details
1. Openings - Glucksman Gallery, O’donnell and Tuomey Architects, 2005
2. Wall/Roof Junctions - Bianchi House, Mario Botta, Riva San Vital, 1971
3. Bearing Elements - Heinze-Manke House, Heinz Bienefeld, Cologne-Rodenkirchen, 1968
Vade Mecum
The Vade Mecum gathers the various details seen in the Glucksman Gallery to illustrate its design consideration and material use. The booklet adopts a tri-fold layout to allow sufficient space for the details to be clearly read without shrinking its scale and being able to place any relevant drawings and photographs close by, offering a more holistic view of the construction details.
The booklet features other details drawn by Ed Varlow, Hannah Bendon and Wiktor Krzystolik.
Design Interventions for the National Galleries of Scotland
Upon multiple visits to the National Galleries of Scotland, one corner of the site caught my attention: the cafe in the Scottish National Gallery that is not easily visible from the outside.
The space surrounding the building, all covered in gravel, deserves more attention and is a missed opportunity for an open public space. There are currently two ramps outside the cafe leading up to the building but they created an awkward square of gravel when it could be more inviting for visitors to stay.
Opening up this part of the gallery can also help direct people from the side entrance and create an external sheltered space for the cafe customers.
1. Ramps and Stairs
To open up the space, I thought to remove some of the existing fencing and stone baluster, as well as improving the existing ramps by making it more accessible and making use of the square space in between.
Upon closer inspection of the gravel, I thought the range of colour should be celebrated through the implementation of terrazzo as they will contrast with the light coloured cement mortar. It is also a measure to make use of the excavated gravel during demolition.
With the terrazzo made in situ, the metal tray mold would not be removed, so the ramp would feel lighter as a simple thin plank resting on the existing Playfair steps.
2. Handrails
Inspired by the handrails from the Heinze-Manke House, I wanted to use steel tee bars as the primary material for the handrails due to its slim profile. The tee bars can also be slotted through the metal tray, interlocking the two elements as well as acting as the column transferring load to the concrete footings beneath the ramp.
3. Additional Entrance to Cafe
The only entrance into the cafe currently is inside the Scottish National Gallery. Therefore to add a stronger presence of the cafe externally and to accompany the new ramp, the window to the farthest right is converted into an automatic door for a more accessible entry.
4. Canopy
Aiming to provide external sheltered spaces for cafe customers, sketches of various outdoor pavilions were made. I believe these interventions should be light and movable to be scattered around the galleries.
The entire structure would be constructed out of timber with the roof being wrapped with tensile PTFE fabric. The fabric will ensure a high transmittance level of dispersed light while offering some level of privacy. The base of these columns will be made out of the stone balusters excavated and cut into the desired size.
5. Stone Wall
The rest of the excavated stone balusters as well as the original stone paving tiles will be used to construct a stone wall on the ground ramp at the entrance to the galleries, to bring attention onto the repurposed stone and block the views of the downward stairs and rooflight behind. The wall also creates an entry as it directs people onto the ramp, as well as a place to hang wayfinding signage.
Final Drawings
Site Isometric (1:100 at A1) and 1:5 Architectural Details
Plan (1:100 at A1)
Elevations (1:100 at A1)