The Design Thesis

My Design thesis titled "Reconnecting Buttershaw - Rebuilding our Bond with Nature," centres on drawing the Buttershaw community closer to nature. Initially focused on the concept of cooking under a tree, my thesis evolves to propose a space that represents a tree's structure, housing all amenities under a single roof acting as a canopy. Research and analysis of community engagement processes and exploration in specific Buttershaw areas have unveiled a lack of disciplining spaces.

The catalyst for my design concept emerged from the community's expression of admiration for shared cooking experiences during an engagement session. This design thesis offers a response to neighbourhood challenges, presenting a strategy to elevate and enrich Buttershaw's community. By cultivating social interaction and providing essential amenities. My proposal envisions shared spaces, a community kitchen, fitness area, market space, arts and cultural centre, recreational zones, and an urban farm. These elements aim to foster community growth and combat prevailing issues like unemployment and social isolation. The proximity of old and new interventions opens new prospects, offering new opportunities. Scrutinizing community engagement sessions and local conditions revealed that food scarcity, unemployment, and resource inadequacy are paramount concerns in Buttershaw.

The project's design inherently promotes community engagement by fostering shared spaces and encouraging diverse activities. The very concept of "cooking under a tree symbolizes communal gathering, where intergenerational connections are nurtured through culinary interactions. This creates a platform for knowledge exchange, bridging gaps between the elderly and the youth. Moreover, the proposed amenities address the lack of communal spaces, ensuring that people naturally congregate, converse, and collaborate.

However, "Cooking under a tree" issues mainly revolve around logistical challenges such as limited space, weather constraints, and lack of facilities. Yet, these challenges become opportunities for design innovation, resulting in adaptable spaces that nurture community bonds while mitigating potential drawbacks. This thesis stands as a comprehensive response to Buttershaw's needs, using design to catalyse positive community transformation.

The Research

Situated in Bradford, England, Buttershaw boasts a 20th-century history transitioning from farming to the modern Buttershaw estate. Notable for the Buttershaw Business and Enterprise School, this mixed residential area features stone and brick houses with pitched roofs, totalling around 3,800 residences. Strikingly, Buttershaw lacks essential local amenities. In our series of meetings with residents, it became evident that pervasive poverty, drug-related challenges, social isolation, and unemployment persist.

The solution lies in fostering community engagement and participation. This design thesis centres on a village centre concept, intended to cultivate interactions among Buttershaw's residents. Drawing inspiration from the RHS Bridgewater building in Manchester, the proposal incorporates timber installations and public spaces. By generating numerous job prospects, promoting community engagement. The project empowers locals to take part in the process, encouraging the use of local construction materials and adapting spaces as they evolve. This active urbanization instils fresh skills, unveiling untapped employment opportunities, transforming Buttershaw into a vibrant, self-made community hub.

Technical and Technological questions

The techniques I've embraced in my studio project have been instrumental in aligning with and implementing my design principles. The central ideology of the studio, focused on "Regenerative Built Environments" and sustainability, have seamlessly integrated into my design approach. This ethos has allowed me to consistently apply these strategies throughout my work.

The studio's emphasis on introducing students to the professional realm has effectively prepared me for practical work. Through the lens of a live project, I've had the opportunity to comprehend, assimilate, and put into practice the needs of both clients and communities. This journey has been pivotal in my personal growth, illuminating the intricacies of managing and executing community-cantered projects.

Utilizing software like SketchUp, Lumion, Photoshop, and PowerPoint, including 3D axonometric and line drawings, has been essential for conveying my ideas. These tools have enhanced my ability to elaborate on my work effectively. Sustainable principles have been seamlessly woven into the design process, employing the following technological systems:

1. Material Strategy

2. Structural Strategy

Material Strategy

The material strategy I've adopted involves the utilization of locally sourced construction materials, emphasizing reclamation and recycling. Earth found on-site is employed to construct robust brick walls, subsequently adorned with wooden laminates. This tactile and visual approach immerses the community in an environment that fosters a connection with nature. Extensive research and experimentation have cantered on alluvial soil present on the site. Through a mixture of this soil, cement as a binder, and sawdust to enhance brick weight I've assessed its structural integrity. This material strategy's essence lies in its capacity to produce outcomes essential for a sustainable future, diminishing carbon footprint, crafting energy-efficient structures, and utilizing locally produced materials. This approach underscores my commitment to eco-friendly design that harmonizes with the community and environment.

Structural Strategy

The primary goals of these structural strategies are to optimise space utilization and construction flexibility, all the while establishing a robust and dependable framework that can swiftly adapt to evolving challenges. The proposed approach centres on a conventional structural system that incorporates earth bricks, timber, and steel bars. Employing a strip foundation technique, the walls feature a sturdy earth brick core, augmented by a damp proof coating and a timber laminate overlay. The bricks, sourced from on-site earth, underscore sustainability. In an innovative nod to both aesthetics and functionality, the steel columns are ingeniously arranged to mimic a tree's organic structure, interconnected through welding, and firmly grounded on concrete bases. A noteworthy aspect is the handcrafting potential of this system, substantially mitigating the requirement for extensive machinery. This holistic strategy resonates with sustainable practices, as it integrates natural and manufactured elements cohesively to yield a resilient, adaptable, and ecologically conscious architectural solution.