arctic associates: if these walls could talk

‘if these walls could talk’ by arctic associates all images courtesy arctic associates

UK arctic associates have sent in their proposal ‘if these walls could talk’ their entry into the room for london competition. influenced by the words of english poet william wordsworth where he describes the divine and rare experienc of finding a busy city fast asleep at dawn, guests are encouraged to leave behind noise, demands and personal effects for a time of contemplation. a spontaneous response is recorded of each guest in speech, the written word, drawing or clay model as a collection of their experience in the room.

axonometric view

as guests arrive at the south bank of the thames and make their way past the continuing narrative of performing arts, they will be taken up the walkway flanked with a roof top garden and greeted by the multifaceted facade of the room on top of the queen elizabeth hall. warmed through under floor heating, the full-height space of the dome is illuminated by filtered natural light. to facilitate a time of contemplation, the room is purposely devoid of modern entertainment save for a bathtub. smart glass provides the inhabitants with full control of the transparency and micro-climate with a push of a button.

the changing seasons are recorded daily and projected during dusk onto the convex wall situated behind the double bed. a camera will record leaf movements of the plane trees by day and provide a ‘living wall finish’ by night. at night, the dome puts on its own light display to the roof of the queen elizabeth hall.

the roof of the dome features photovoltaic panels to aid the energy consumption of the room

night view

floor plan

structural components

a. blanks for individual structural units are cut out of sheets of perforated steel minimizing the amount of material required and the total weight of the structure.

b.blanks are folded and welded to from a self-supporting structural unit.

c. units are to be either assembled into 11 larger structural shells to be transported to site or the individual tessallated units can be site assembled.

structural components

d. each prefabricated tessallated unit is fitted with smart glazing system or a composite panel providing thermal and acoustic insulation creating protection from the elements under the dome. the shell structure transfers loads to adjustable footings  through the floor deck.

elevation

site plan