Architectural Design Statement 81v4s

Faizal Deriwala

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STATEMENT INTRODUCTION The University of Leeds boast an international reputation and some of its structures have become iconic within this recognition; most notably the Parkinson Building. Within its quarters it houses architecture from various ages with the majority of the university structure being from the Brutalist age.

PROJECT Brutalism was the way of architectural design in 1950’s and it prospered for around 20 years. The Red route Bridge is very typical of its Brutalist ways – a concrete angular skyway, simplistic in design which aims to on any attention to the twisted and complex Roger Steven Building. The Pedestrian Link is a breath of the modernist architectural movement which influenced brutalism; it purposefully brings calmness to its socialist utopian environment. The Roger Stevens Building is vivid, with its striking corners where symmetry is completely lost as no side or corner is the same – something not common in Brutalist architecture. But Brutalist order is restored by the Red Route Bridge and the very link that s The Roger Stevens Building to its very Brutalist neighbour [School of Mathematics] is a description of symmetry and simpleton design.

EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT BRIEF The need for a new structure link between School of Mathematics and the Roger Stevens Building is that of regeneration. The desire of the client is that a new link is to be constructed in the current location, one that fulfils the function of the current link, but one that is to become a symbol for the university like that of the coherent family of structures it would belong to. As every bridge, this link is to reflect the technology of the period it was created in. A design is needed which is conceptual yet feasible.

PROPOSED DESIGN The aim of this design is to successfully balance my architectural aspirations whilst creating a structure which is sympathetic to its surroundings. This can be achieved by high-quality design; one which has a broad view of its environment and in the end good judgement on whether it ‘works’. There is a risk that it could be isolated in its appearance. To eradicate this; the main architectural style taken into is Brutalism. Yet implementing modern techniques and material which are more commonly used today taking a ‘regionalism design value’ the aim of achieving visual harmony between the structure and the surroundings can be  Roger Stevens Building achieved. My design is not of Brutalist in nature but influenced by the surrounding Brutalist structures, more specifically the Roger Stevens Building and what my favourite part of Roger Stevens building – the glass sections. A structure containing glass increases natural light coming into the structure; it makes the structure less heavy hence less exertion upon the foundations allowing for a more flexible design. To take advantage of these benefits more glass is used over concrete. I propose to use this to benefit the population by giving the bridge a greater function other than being a link between two places. Therefore I introduced social value into my design by including a lounging area to sit back and appreciate the view being offered. I felt that this would be very beneficial to the entire Leeds University society as I have notice areas of such nature being introduced throughout the University campus and I feel this area would become an instant favourite.