RIBA North Farokh Damania

.....An Institution for Redefining and Celebrating Architecture BA Architecture

RIBA North Plans
The proposed building design of RIBA North
represents the idea of a staggered, linear,
modern, and organic design style with the
main aim of providing a sense of openness
between the building and its alluring exterior
surroundings.

The RIBA North consists of the public/gallery

building and the office building. The public
building consists of shop, cafe and various
types of galleries. Visitors are provided with
great opportunity to explore different art
forms displayed in the galleries and to gain
knowledge about RIBA. Visitors can also relax
and socialize while they spend their time in Water Body
cafe. Glazed façades provide natural light Site Plan Scale: 1:1000
penetration and alluring views to the users
of building. Trees are provided on balconies
and terraces to give a natural touch to the
building. The buildings are connected with
each other by bridges to allow visitors to
enter work spaces within the office building to
provide them glimpses of various architectural
activities.
SITE ANALYSIS AND RESPONSE
• The proposed site for RIBA North is located in a very • The site receives sunlight mainly from the South, South- Key

prominent area of Liverpool at the Mann Island. West and South-East. Therefore the proposed building Proposed Site

• The RIBA North takes inspiration of the idea of horizontal will ideally receive sunlight from its front side (South- Grade II* Listed Building

stripes from the Grade II* Listed Albion House. West) and at the same time avoiding the strong rays of
Grade II Listed Building Site
Node
• The No. 1 Mann island building obstructs the front view the sun coming from South. Source of Visitors
Walkway
of RIBA North and therefore glass façades are provided • People mainly tread the Strand Street and therefore most Closed Ends

around the building for providing views from various other of the visitors to RIBA North come from there. Greenscapes
Roof Plan Scale: 1:100
Source of Visitoes
sides. • Due to these reasons the public/gallery building is located Visitor Density

• The Cafe and main galleries are provided on higher in the front for convinient access, good amount of natural Important Buildings
Landmark
levels of the building in order to receive great views of the light penetration and for providing alluring views of the Existing RIBA North Bldg.
Site Plan at 1:1000 Visitor Density at 1:1000
city and natural light. three Graces, Alberdocts and River Mersey to the visitors
• Lorries and goods carriage can access the site from the • Onyx Stone is used as Artwork display of the public building.
rear side via James Street. walls. These Onyx stones are backlit • Strand street considered more important than James
• Since the site is located in the corner it provides for and therefore they provide a glowing street for providing alluring views and ideal access to
convinient access to visitors and office staff members via effect due to it translucent charecteritic. visitors.
Site Plan at 1:500 both Strant Street and James Street.
Onyx Stone
PRECEDENTS DESIGN STRATEGIES

Terrace
Sun

Gallery 1

Cantilivered Gallery 1

Cantilivered
Cafe

Design Evolution Sketch

Bioinnova (2012) by Tatiana Bilbao RIBA North (2017) by Broadway Maylan Architects Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts (1978) by Foster + Cantilivered
Partners
Gallery 2
• The staggering of each level provides shaded terraces and • The gallery spaces are the main heart of the building.
balconies. • The ground level consists of reception and a shop to • The design gives importance in providing views of the
• Large open-plan rectangular floor plates that could be welcome the visitors. exterior surroundings by providing glazed façades on Cantilivered
divided flexibly. • Its design takes good opportunity by providing visitors each of its longitudinal ends. Reception Shop

• Use of glass facade for natural light penetration. with alluring views of the Albert dock through its glazed Ground Level Introductory Gallery

• The exposed surfaces of the incubator level’s façades are facade. Level 5 Scale: 1:100
covered with a metal mesh that adds an extra level of solar
Conceptual Design Sketches
protection.
Final Stage of Design Evolution
MASSING MODELS CONCEPTUAL BUILDING DESIGN MODELS SITE MODEL I-Beam Columns act as
primary support structure
for the building.
Reinforced Concrete Double glazed panels used for
Cement Walls used for the facade of the buildings extend
Staircases and Elevators upwards from floor to act as
also act as primary Handrails for balconies/ terraces.
structural support for the
1. 2. 3. 4. building. Some of the double glazed facade
panels are partly sand blasted for
Primary Support Structure
translucency in order to hide the
structural members below the slab.

The horizontal I-Beams

The models have been used to explore various forms Below the Slabs act as The translucent effect of the glazed
panels also enhances the overall
to express the idea of bands/stripes and cantilevering/ the secondary structural
visual beauty of the buildings.
5. 6. 7. 8. suspension, in order to respond to the Albion House design support system for the
buildings.
Final of stripes and to provide a visually attractive building Secondary Support Structure Translucent Glass Effect on Exterior Facade
design that provides alluring exterior views respectively.
Massing model explore different options of abstract building • Light Control Strategy: Movable Partitions are used to place them around the inner side of the façades in order to
layout arrangements for the RIBA North. The models avoid natural light from entering the desired interior spaces. Movable Partitions provide flexibility in terms of the usage
illustrate an evolutionary process from a basic singular of natural light within the gallery spaces.
building structure to a finalised double building arrangement. Massing model no. 8 (final) is placed on the site model to • Temperature Control Strategy: Solar Control Glass panels are used for the façades of the buildings. This gives an
get an overall idea of how the RIBA building would fit into opportunity to the users of the building to experience ideal temperatures within the interiors and at the same time
its context. receiving maximum amount of daylight.

Level 4 Scale: 1:100

Level 3 Scale: 1:100

Perspective Views

Level 2 Scale: 1:100

Front view elevation (South-West) Scale: 1:100

6mm Thick Glass

Reinforced Cement Solar Film
Concrete Walls for 6mm Thick Glass
Staircase and Elevator. Perforation to expose Dessicant
(Primary Structure). Spacer
Primary Sealant Vapour Barrier
Dessicant Absorbs Moisture
I-Beam (Secondary Matching Trim
Structure). Heating Wire
Secondary Sealant
I-Beam Columns Original Casement
(Primary Structure).
Solar Control Glass Panels are used for Level 1
Pile Cap (Foundation Structure) exterior facade to provide for an incubated space
for gallery. Level 1 Scale: 1:100
Piles (Foundation Structure)

Side view elevation (North-West) Scale: 1:200 Building Structure Design Solar Control Glass Panel Detail

I-Beam columns with 6mm thick Gypsum

panelling around it.

Steel mullions are used to support 50mm thick

double glazed facade panels. Size: 60mmx 100mm.
Floor is raised by 100mm from metal deck to allow
services to pass through.
150mm thick Rockwool insulation.

Metal Decking Concrete Floor. Thickness: 150mm.

Metal Ties for supporting false ceiling.

Tapered I-Beams
Metal profile to connect mullions to I-Beams.

Castellated I-Beams.
Suspended metal false ceiling plated. Thickness:
1.5mm. Size: 4000mm x 900mm.
Basement Scale: 1:100

Sectional Elevation at AA’ Scale: 1:100 Sectional Elevation at BB’ Scale: 1:200 Architectural Model Enlarged Sectional Detail of Floor Slab Scale: 1:20