WORKING ARCHITECTURE GROUP [WAG]

WAG have just submitted planning application for this green new mixed use scheme in Limehouse, London. The development will contain a new residential block at the rear of the site whilst the existing listed building will contain a bar, recording studios, art and sculpture exhibition space, a yoga space and artists studios. The scheme will collect rainwater, recycle greywater, and combine solar water heating with a sustainable combined heat and power solution for the new flats and existing building. The main structure of the new building will be constructed from structural timber panels (tying up around 200 tonnes of CO2 in the structure).PRESS: For more information and full press-release please contact us at info[at]wag-architecture.co.uk

We are very pleased to report that our “Social Ecologies” proposal for Milton Keynes site in Europan 9 Competition has received a commendation.

Jury’s report:
The project explored social structures and an approach to tenure rather than architecture or built form. Housing is grouped in small courts with shared community gardens and clustered communal resources. The jury welcomed this holistic consideration and positive vision for medium density housing in the 21st century.

The Milton Keynes Social Ecology by WAG is an urban cohousing permaculture project, aimed at meeting a growing niche demand in the housing market. The proposal is an opt-in community for individuals and families who want to take the next step in sustainable modern living. The Social Ecology is organised through the collective ownership and management of a community freehold, with private leaseholds for dwellings. There are shared car pools, rather than private car ownership, and instead of roads, a network of cycle routes and footpaths cross the site. There is an ecology of green spaces - from public to private. The dwellings are clustered into groups of twenty units, organised around a linear public park, permaculture based community school, market hall and democratic billboard mediaspace. Each co-housing cluster overlooks shared garden, organic food growing and playground spaces. The individual dwelling units are organised around private courtyard gardens, which are treated as an external living rooms.

Click images to enlarge

About Europan:
Europan is a biennial competition for young architects and urban design professionals, under 40 years of age, to design innovative housing schemes for sites across Europe.

Year: 2007

WAG: Architects

Project Description: Ideas competition for development of a derelict but listed island resort and bridge/pier for UrbanSplash.

Estimated contract sum: N/A

Our latest competition submission for this exciting new project. Unfortunately, WAG was not shortlisted to procure project further. To see other entries/winner please visit RIBA competitions office.

Click to Enlarge (Full Screen)
Site Analysis:
Weston-Super-Mare operates efficiently during the holiday season, but has a lot of spare capacity for the rest of the year. Part of the brief we set ourselves is to develop a business model for Birnbeck Island that can use this spare capacity as an opportunity.

Strategy:
Create a destination that supports and attracts the existing tourist market during the summer season, providing cafes, restaurants art, live music etc. For the rest of the year, the island operates as a new university and business think tank venue, specialising in ecology, new media art, IT - partnering with local hotels to use spare capacity as student accommodation..

Tactics:
1. Renovate the pier and the listed buildings on the island to provide cafe and restaurant facilities, fully online etc
2. Remove concrete pillars and platform, and build a new, state of the art, semi submerged auditorium - acting as a music venue in season and a lecture theatre etc for the rest of the year
3. Insert a new crane/funfair like structure, which can unfold to provide lighting, AV, umbrella etc functions as required
4. Create a field of wave/wind powered lights, across the local bay

Philosophy:
The geographer and cultural theorist Manuel Castells has argued that our contemporary condition can be described as a “bipolar opposition between the net and the self”, and he has suggested that if we are to take control of our futures, and the futures of our cities, then we need to build what he calls “bridges” between what he calls “the space of flows” (ie global information and capital networks) and the “space of places” (ie the real, local world and its ecologies). He argues that places that do not robustly plug themselves into the global space of flows risk economic and social stagnation. Our approach bridges these spaces, by working with ecological models that combine and synergise natural and social ecosystems.

Sustainability:
In developing this proposal we have applied best practice thinking regarding sustainability, which is defined as working to the triple bottom line: People, Planet and Profit. We have developed a business model that turns problems with the local economy into opportunities, generating new business, culture and training.
The light field is a self powering system. We have maintained all of the important existing fabric, and have only introduced new structure where it can provide most value (all detailed specification will be according to Cradle2Cradle principles). We believe that there are opportunities for site micro energy generation - probably solar water heating and wind power… but to be determined….

Networks:
Birnbeck Island Bridge Ecology is an IT hub… kitted out with the latest AV, on-line and media interface gear
Media of all kinds are organised across the island according to Democratic Billboard principles: partnerships are formed with local councils, business and indeed multinational corporations. Space and time usage of the media infrastructure is allocated as:
20 % Art
20% BIBE
10% Local news/information
30% Local advertising
20% Global advertising

WAG are currently working on this green new mixed use scheme in Limehouse, London. The development will contain a new residential block at the rear of the site whilst the existing listed building will contain a bar, recording studios, art and sculpture exhibition space, a yoga space and artists studios. The project is currently being prepared for planning. The scheme will collect rainwater, recycle greywater, and combine solar water heating with a sustainable combined heat and power solution for the new flats and existing building. The main structure of the new building will be constructed from structural timber panels (tying up around 200 tonnes of CO2 in the structure). Images shown here are work in progress.

About Sailmaker’s Building:
“the listed building at 11 West India Dock Road only retains its original front and east wall. A rare former sail makers warehouse which was subsequently used for making specialised equipment for steamship merits serious consideration for statutory protection.” GLIAS: GREATER LONDON INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY Notes and news — August 2000 “Threatened historic buildings in Limehouse Conservation Area” Tom Ridge

WAG have just completed this new outlet for Nincomsoup in the new shopping centre in Derby by Westfield. WAG have been working closely both with the client and Westfield to create this high quality foodcourt unit that reflects the quality and success of first Nincomsoup in Old Street, London completed in 2002. WAG would like to wish Ben & Tom at Nincomsoup all the success with their new store. About Nincomsoup:Nincomsoup is a fast food diner specialising in soups, juices and coffee. Nincomsoup was founded by two brothers Ben and Tom Page-Phillips to provide a healthy alternative to the usual fast food suspects that litter the high street.Nincomsoup’s aim is to provide ‘real food’ served with the same efficiency and convenience that we have come to expect from the big fast food operators. By ‘real food’ we mean food that provides a balanced diet, food that we can eat 365 days a year, food that feeds the mind as well as the body.