semiotic junction

Grand Junction was a brief that was a trio of interventions, consisting of a restoration project of a run
down theatre, a new design for a digital performance space and the landscaping of Warwick Street.
The brief meant the design must be approached holistically, so that individual aspects were not
focused on. The emphasis was to develop a project that emphasised Manchesters theatrical heritage
and challenged the existing purpose of existing theatre within the current digital age.
The brief called for the ability to create a scheme that combined the singular function of the playhouse
with the adaptability required in the digital era. The scheme had to challenge the original function of
the theatre and transfer it into this new society. The outcome of the brief was to produce a project that
invigorated the massively unique and transient area of Manchester by producing a landmark that grew
people to the Grand Junction of Hulme
semiotic junction
semiotic junction
The positioning of the interior programme became an incredibly important concept for my project, one
of the main concerns with the existing design was the circulation and programme layout. The process
used here was rearranging the interior spaces based on dimensions appropriate for each function.
This enabled me to produce a scheme that worked pragmatically and focused on the user experience.
PRIVATE FUNCTION
PUBLIC SPACE
LANDSCAPING
PRIVATE FUNCTION
The fnal form was a result of investigating the brickwork texture, the technology required to create
an animated facade and the relationship between old and new. By creating components based on
an individual bricks dimensions and distorting it into several variations it created an organic and
randomly placed aesthetic but hidden behind that were positioning based on multiple aspects.
semiotic junction
The Semiotic Junction is focused around the users of the space, the connection between the trio of
intervention acts as a mechanism to join the separate functions of the renovation, the landscaping
and the additional digital production and performance centre. The new build sits on the junction of
Old Birley street and Chicester road and provides a landmark icon that has the ability to adapt to
the interior programmatic requirements as well as functioning as a projector, bringing the interior
experience and programme out onto its exterior facade.
semiotic junction
semiotic junction
Semiotics is derived from the Greek and translate to observant of signs. In its current defnition it
is using signs and symbols as element of language within society to act as another form of human
communication. This developed into the theory behind the scheme where the building would be able
become a symbol of its adaptable internal programme.
semiotic junction
The building was designed around the ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the digital age,
not only is this evident within the interior spaces it is also true for the buildings facade. The users of
the building have total control over the spatial environmental conditions they require. This means they
are able to affect the light levels for production and performance, temperature levels if they want to
have a cold or hot room for editing and performing or even change the experience within or outside
of the new build.
The main concept behind the design was the adaptive moving facade, the building itself is able to act
as a sign for whatever event is occurring on the inside. A program coded in JavaScript converts an
image into an ASCII picture which is composed of Xs and Os. This systemenables the user to control
exactly which louvre would open and which would be closed in order to generate a facade that is able
to mimic the image pattern onto the exterior by using the interior lighting to punch through gaps in
the louvres.
semiotic junction
under the canopy
Under the Canopy is a low-impact and sustainable pavilion designed and built for the National Trusts
DunhamMassey Gardens. The pavilion is composed of three lightweight arch structures that create a
gentle focal point for the surrounding canopy of trees. Located in the heart of a conservation garden,
the design aimed to demonstrate the beauty of sustainable design.
under the canopy
It took inspiration from the rings of a tree, which get smaller nearer to the core. Each pair of arches
is a smaller iteration of the one before, allowing us to take all three arch sets from the same sheets
of plywood. The resulting structure sits gently on the site without drawing attention away from the
surrounding gardens, but also minimises impact on the greater natural ecosystem.
The design can be cut out of sheets of plywood and easily assembled using a combination of bolts
and screw fxtures. Tessellating all of the pieces on sheets of plywood; arranged to minimise the use
of wood, the design is both economical and ecological. Focusing heavily of using a concept that was
sustainable for the client. The materials have been chosen to have a low impact both on the garden
and the greater environment.
under the canopy
The frames are assembled from a flat pack kit of parts that are tessellated onto locally sourced FSC
plywood sheets and fxed together off site. This minimises material wastage and results in a light and
open space that maximises light in the enclosed surroundings. With the generous support of wood
donors, Under the Canopy was completed for under 300, and stands as an exemplar for what can be
achieved with a low budget and an environmentally friendly agenda.
under the canopy
white water
The form of the building was derived through a series of development drawings and in conjunction
with my initial personal reactions to Graz in Austria. For the design I wanted to deeply incorporate
a scheme which was derived through a similar process of deconstruction of the city which was
expressed at the site through the artistic interventions, otherwise seen as graffti.
white water
After disassembling the block I developed spatially the organisation of rooms in accordance with the
requirements. After analysing different strategies that tried to solve the brief outline I decided on a
fnal formthat didnt sacrifce the function for the aesthetic goal. One of the main considerations in
my design process was to maintain the main purpose of the existing site, circulation.
I wanted to solve the main issue of people walking into the bike lane as they exited off and
onto the stair case. The design also allows people to circulate around the building throughout
day and night time without being obstructed by the internal functions on each of the floors. It
provides quick access for people who mealy want to get from level to level and a convenient
route to the floor above whilst being protected from the weather by the canopy above.
white water
Ben Smith.info
Architecture Student - Final Year - BA