Project 7: "Agency"

Academic Project 7 

A.Y. 2017/2018 

Holland Park 

“ Agency ”: A polemical response to Grenfell tower and social housing 

School of Architecture and Landscape 

Kingston University London 

Camille Trinidad 

BA Hons Architecture

The Brief 

Designing a polemical intervention to claim back the agency in architecture for the 

benefit of the “many and not the few”, can stand as an advocacy to resolve current 

issues in regards to the current housing crisis. 

In response to the unfortunate fire that happened in Grenfell tower and the demolition 

of Robin Hood gardens, our studio brief is propose a housing infrastructure 

project that provides structural framework and building services to house and 

serve 129 flats that coincides with the number of families that lost their home in the 

Grenfell fire. It includes pre-requisites such as to design a pre-cast concrete framework 

to be filled in by the resident’s flats and to provide a self-build flat scheme for 

the residents in which they have the opportunity to be able to choose materials that 

they can afford rather than settling for what is given to them. 

Disclaimer: The brief states that a radical strategy to demolish possible existing 

structures can be used to make way for the social housing. The location and brief of 

this project has been quite a controversial topic of conversation amongst students, 

tutors and the critics of this project. This is because the brief itself is radical yet political 

in its agenda which has not been considered a type of project the particular 

educational institution adheres as a “their” architecture.

The Site 

The four sites are located at the middle 

of the Royal Borough of Kensington 

and Chelsea. The four selected sites has 

a common typology of residential villas 

which may or may not have been divided 

into flats and is situated on the higher 

ground. Another common typology 

found are streets dedicated to mews 

which are historically been used as 

servants’ street for horse stables. They’re 

situated on a lower ground, quite hidden 

from the main street. 

Not far from the area, about 20 minute 

walk north-west is Grenfell tower. 

The topography of the contextual site 

has quite a medium to quite dramatic 

slope. Some streets have 1 to 6 metre 

height differences in less than a 

kilometre. But nonetheless, the area is 

considered a walkable neighbourhood. 

Meaning, that within 10 to 20 minute 

walk, depending on your location, one 

can find micro community which includes 

residential housing and a small

The site model was made to realise the height 

differences between the structures surrounding 

the area but it was difficult to study as the 

ground base was considered as flat. This has 

quite ruled out the probability of creating a 

proposition with the help of its topography. 

But when the Digimap data was studied, it 

showed quite complex topography that created 

a view that heightens the villas towards 

Chelsea more so than often. 

In this proposal, the chosen site is the residential 

area between Holland Park station 

and Holland Park. It has been chosen by 98 

percent of the studio due to its condition. The 

villas are grade 2 listed buildings and houses 

the wealthy. 

The villas are not only used as houses but 

as well as embassies. Some of these villas 

are owned by wealthy offshore landowners 

thus leaving the structure, un-inhabited. The 

mews are really small in size as compared to 

the villas but each would have cost at least £5 

million per flat. It is also easily accessible and 

a walkable neighbourhood with its own park, 

high street, train station and a shopping centre 

that is a 10 minute walk from the site. The 

land value itself is high. And with the listed 

buildings located here, proposing a social 

housing scheme within the area is somewhat 

a strategy to begin with considering “taking 

back our agency and having a polemical proposal” 

is our brief.

Site Analysis 

We did a thorough group site analysis 

about the Royal Borough of Kensington 

and Chelsea. A full complete 

presentation was dedicated to context 

and planning research. It includes its 

history, land use, types of business and 

structures, the English Heritage, its 

consolidated local plan, its policy maps, 

stat analysis on household and income, 

possible planning permissions, building 

control and stakeholders diagram. 

Also, as a group, we did a separate regulatory 

context research using Robin 

Hood gardens as guide, we identified 

fire safety, construction, design and 

management, health and safety, party 

wall and right to light issues needed to 

be addressed on our projects. 

A1 

A2 

A3 

A4 

C1 

Town and country p 

Hostel 

C3 

C4 

D1 

(Use classes) orde 

Shops, hairdr 

ticket agencie 

Banks, buildi 

professional s 

(other than h 

services) 

Restaurants a 

Public house 

other drinkin 

Hotels, guest 

YMCA 

Dwellinghou 

Houses in mu 

Clinics, healt 

nurseries, sch 

museums, lib 

worship, law 

Underground station 

Sui generis 

Embassies an 

high commis 

0 5 10 20 50 

The thing that stood out in this research 

is there is a segregation of social status 

and ethnicity within the borough, and 

that the social housing catering the 

residents of RBKC are mostly housed 

outside of the borough (through the 

depressed area diagram RBKC LCP 

2018). Bias is also plausible as the overall 

character of the site reflects the type 

of community they considered to be 

“good”. 

Situationist map 

Conservation areas according to the 

English Heritage 

Building types according to planning 

use classes 

Statistic analysis 

Possible stakeholders diagram 

Possible planning application diagram 

for the type of project

APPLICATION SUBMITTED TO LODON BOROUGH OF 

KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA COUNCIL 

APPLICATION VALID 

ON RECEIPT 

APPLICATION 

INVALID 

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

TO BE RECEIVED WITHIN 21 DAYS 

ALLOCATED TO 

CASE OFFICER 

INFORMAITION RECEIVED AND 

APPLICATION VALIDATED 

INFORMAITION NOT RECEIVED 

AND APPLICATION SENT BACK 

PUBLIC 

CONSULTATION 

SITE VISIT 

CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES 

AND COMMENTS RECEIVED 

(IF ANY) 

RECOMMENDATION 

PREPARED FOR DEL- 

EGATED DECISION 

IF MORE THAN THREE OBJECTIONS 

RECEIVE CASE WILL GO TO PLAN- 

NING COMMITTEE 

RECOMMENDATION 

REFUSED PERMISSION 

RECOMMENDATION TO 

GRANT PERMISSION 

DRAFT REPORT PRE- 

PARED FOR COMMITTEE 

AGENDAS PUBLISHED 

DECISION APPROVED 

BY EXECUTIVE 

DIRECTOR 

COMMITTEE MEETING 

DECISION ISSUED 

COMMITTEE ACCEPT 

RECOMMENATION 

COMMITTEE DO NOT AC- 

CEPT RECOMMENATION 

NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK 

APPLICATION DEFERRED 

ADDITIONAL INFORMA- 

TION SOUGHT 

THE LONDON PLAN 

BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA 

PLANNING APPLICATION 

STRATEGY AND DESIGN 

BUILDING CONTROL 

FULL PLANNING 

CONSENT 

LISTED BUILDING 

CONSENT 

REMOVAL/VARIATION 

OF CONDITIONS 

APPROVAL OF 

CONDITIONS 

PRE SITE APPLICATION 

CONSERVATION 

AREA CONSENT 

COMMUNITY 

INFRASTRUCTURE 

LEVY 

FULL PLANS 

(INDIVIDUAL SELF BUILD UNITS) 

FULL PLANS 

(STRUCTURAL AND SERVICES) 

RESERVED 

MATTERS 

DESIGN AND ACCESS 

STATEMENTS 

PART A - STRUCTURE 

PART B - FIRE SAFETY 

PART A - STRUCTURE 

PART B - FIRE SAFETY 

OUTLINE PLANNING 

CONSENT 

PLANNING PER- 

FORMANCE 

AGREEMENTS 

PRIOR 

CONSERVATION AREAS 

NOTIFICATION 

DEMOLITION APPLICATION 

ENVIRONMENTAL 

PERMITS 

NOTIFICATION OF PROPOSED WORKS 

TO TREES IN CONSERVATION AREAS 

CONSENT UNDER TREE 

PRESERVATION ORDER 

FOOTPATHS, BRIDLEWAYS OR RESTRICTED 

BYWAYS - STOPPING UP/DIVERTING 

HIGHWAY - STOPPING UP 

OR DIVERSION ORDERS 

FLOOD DEFENCE 

CONSENTS 

MAKING A NAME AND 

NUMBERING APPLICATION 

PART C - SITE PREPARATION 

AND RESISTANCE TO CON- 

TAMINATES AND MOISTURE 

PART D - TOXIC SUBSTANCES 

(CAVITY INSULATION) 

PART E - RESISTANCE TO 

THE PASSAGE OF SOUND 

PART F - VENTILATION 

(BUILDING SERVICES) 

PART J - COMBUSTION AP- 

PLIANCES AND FUEL STOR- 

AGE SYSTEMS 

PART K - PROTECTION FROM 

FALLING COLLISION AND 

IMPACT 

PART L - CONSERVATION OF 

FUEL AND POWER 

PART M - ACCESS TO AND 

USE OF BUILDINGS 

PART P - ELECTICAL SAFETY 

PART Q - SECURITY (PUBLIC 

ACCESS TO SERVICES) 

PART C - SITE PREPARATION 

AND RESISTANCE TO CON- 

TAMINATES AND MOISTURE 

PART F - VENTILATION 

(BUILDING SERVICES) 

PART G - SANITATION, HOT 

WATER, SAFETY AND WATER 

PART H - DRAINAGE AND 

WATER DISPOSAL 

PART J - COMBUSTION AP- 

PLIANCES AND FUEL STOR- 

AGE SYSTEMS 

PART K - PROTECTION FROM 

FALLING COLLISION AND 

IMPACT 

PART L - CONSERVATION OF 

FUEL AND POWER 

PART M - ACCESS TO AND 

USE OF BUILDINGS 

PART P - ELECTICAL SAFETY 

PART Q - SECURITY (PUBLIC 

ACCESS TO SERVICES) 

REGULATION 7 -MATERIALS 

AND WORKMANSHIP 

PART R - ELECTRIC COMMU- 

NICATIONS 

NEIGHBOURHOOD 

PLANNING 

NORLAND NEIGHBOURHOOD 

PLAN 

REGULATION 7 -MATERIALS 

AND WORKMANSHIP 

OTHER APPLICATIONS AND 

CONSIDERATIONS TO APPLY FOR 

HYBRID APPLICATIONS 

A local planning authority 

may accept a ‘hybrid’ application; 

that is, one that seeks 

outline planning permission 

for one part and full planning 

permission for another part of 

the same site. 

FIRST SECRETARY STATE APPROVAL 

Occassionally, large proposal or controversial 

applications of national significance 

are “called in” to be decided by the 

First Secretary of State instead of the LPA 

HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE FUND (2017) 

£ 2.3 billion fund offers funding to local authorities 

on a competitive basis, for infrastructure 

support up to 100,000 new homes 

MARGINAL VIABILITY FUND 

To provide broadly-defined 

‘infrastructure’ funding to get 

additional housing sites allocated 

or existing sites unblocked 

SELF BUILDHOME SCHEME 

(can be applied on each individual 

unit space rather than land 

space)

ROBIN HOOD GARDENS SITE PLAN 

Scale: 1:1000

The Proposal 

The response are two interconnected, (5 storey 

plus ground and roof level) continuous modular 

structure that provide new residents a chance to 

build a community with the existing residents 

while introducing the site to the pedestrians - by 

designing the ground floor as public space with 

a walkway that connects the high street and the 

park. The repetitive grids reflect on the standard 

measurement of the ordinary materials while the 

designation of each space was precedented by 

Herman Hertzberger’s spatial organisation theory 

and analysed through the point of view of inhabitants’ 

use of space that could take place. 

The proposal was to take away 7 villas and 6 mews 

that are aligned with each other from North to 

South to make way for the housing infrastructure. 

It is in the middle of the site that houses Grade 2 

listed villas and mews mostly bought by offshore 

land owners and commonly house the richest 1% 

of the population. The strategy to cut through the 

orderly streets of wealth and privilege and the 

aggressive approach to the existing fabric were 

aimed to represent the project as a decisive architectural 

polemic in taking back the agency in 

Architecture that prioritise the many and not the 

few. This strongly emphasises that there is a divisive 

line between the rich and the poor. Hence, 

proving that some existing architecture thus discriminate 

people according to their social class. 

Positively, it is also a way to introduce the social 

housing typology in a particular area with the 

hopes of encouraging neighbourhood interaction 

to cultivate a strong sense of community and intercross-pollination 

of social, economic and cultural 

unity within the new and the existing residents. 

The shape and form of the building was constricted 

through the pre-requisites of the strategy to 

demolish as little as possible of the existing structures 

whilst almost quadrupling its density. The 

angled approach was done to imitate the historical 

un-orderly streets that maximises the possibility 

of “accidental meetings”. The concept was initially 

driven by the possible entrances and access of the 

building, putting the pedestrian and residents first 

as an objective. Secondly, the location of the site is 

one of the iconic residential areas in London due 

to its listed Victorian buildings which meant that 

the project will greatly affect both the architectural 

and social fabric for this part of the city. And 

lastly, I question myself all of these, “what good 

can the project bring to the site? Will the design 

leave a better living condition to both existing and 

new residents? Will it be a successful example as 

a statement that architecture should not discriminate?”. 

I needed to make a decision to either play 

it safe or design it with a strong approach as if almost 

imposing. I chose the later. 

“Seventy percent of the buildings that make up London are housing. Housing 

STUDIO is what 3.2creates the very fabric of the city. It is what is all around us; it forms 

the boundaries of public space. We can say, therefore that when we design urban 

housing AGENCY 

we design cities. Housing schemes should never begin as housing 

THESIS: 

SITE: HOLLAND PARK 

schemes but as urban designs. Designs for housing should be driven in the first 

- housing instance - project by an to to take idea take back about back the the agency the city. of of the We the people should design streets and public spaces 

- structural first - - domestic proposal layouts which will will should stand as follow.” as an an infrastructure - Peter Barber project for architects for 129 129 flats flats for for the the residents of of 

Grenfell 

- a - design a of of 1 flat 1 flat that that will will be be an an example of of self self build scheme for for the the resident’s of of Grenfell 

- an - an urban proposal to to integrate the the community of of Grenfell to to Holland Park Park 

SITE SITE ANALYSIS: 

- The - The borough has has the the most most number of of wealthy residents all all around London 

- The - The site site is is located in in a conservation a area area and and contains mostly listed buildings 

- It - It is is a very a very accessible yet yet very very quiet part part of of London 

- The - The site site was was historically built built to to build housing villas for for the the wealthy e.g. e.g. merchants, foreigners, 

artists and and the the like like 

- There - is is a segregation a of of social status and and ethnicity within the the borough (seen through the the depressed 

area area diagram found in in their their local local consolidated plan plan 

de- 

- The - The character of of the the site site reflects the the type type of of community they they consider to to be be “good” 

Other types of of expenditure to to consider: 

- demolition - of of listed buildings 

- landscaping Key - concepts that drive the project 

- infilling - and and creating a new a new gradient for for the the site site 

- value 1. - Own of of property structural (purchasing system of of houses) 

precast concrete elements 

- planning - applications might be be time time costly 

2. Flexible grid system that supports self build housing using easily accessible 

materials (affordable housing) 

3. Pedestrian walkway that connects the main street, residential streets and 

Holland park can be used in many ways e.g. public us, retail space, community 

space, playground, etc. 

4. Urban strategy that introduces a new type of community integration and 

street pattern that creates “accidental meeting” spaces 

5. A polemical approach to show the desperate need of taking back the people’s 

agency in both society and architecture.

Cost and value management 

Individually, we created a report that focuses on 

the cost and value management of the project. I 

found that the following are some types of expenditure 

to be considered: 

Demolition of listed buildings 

Landscaping 

Infilling and creating a new gradient for the site - 

value of property (purchasing of houses) 

planning applications might be time costly 

A small part of the project was to produce a report 

through following some guidelines for the 

calculations of GEA and taking examples on the 

2018 Spons publication to compute a probable 

estimated cost for the project. Although it was 

evaluated before the final design proposal, the 

report would at least suggest an amount which 

can help when presenting initial design proposal 

to clients. It was a bit difficult to use the computations 

as the social housing brief contains a selfbuild 

scheme flat proposal which would bring 

some anomaly to the studied cost. But more or 

less, it makes us aware as professionals that designing 

within the budget is also our responsibility. 

It also makes it easier for the architect to back 

up the design when costs are accounted from the 

very beginning of the project. 

Factors that will affect the cost, programme and 

value: 

Cost 

GROSS EXTERAL AREA (GEA) 

FLAT TYPE 1 (3 BED) FLAT TYPE 2 (2 BED) FLAT TYPE 3 (2 BED) 

93.083 m 2 77.722 m 2 76.436 m 2 

1. Prefabricated materials are easier to maintain, 

build, replace and disassemble (life cycle cost) 

2. Easily accessible building materials for the self 

build scheme will provide agency to the residents 

as to how much they could spend on their property 

Programme 

The self build scheme will affect greatly on the 

schedule of building works as each individual occupant/family 

would have a varying time frame 

and budget 

EFFECTIVE FLOOR AREA (EFA) 


58.652 m 2 45.631 m 2 45.122 m 2 

Value 

NET TO GROSS RATIO 

FLAT TYPE 1 (3 BED) 

EFA/GEA 

58.652/93.083 

=0.630 

INIDAD K1457716 


EFA/GEA 


EFA/GEA 

1. Site location 45.631/77.722 is expensive and 45.122/76.436 thus the project 

needs income =0.587 returns from the =0.590 available public 

space which can be rented to sustain maintenance 

of the building services and the affordable 

housing price. 

2. Recent unfortunate fire at Grenfell caused 

a huge change on building regulations which 

hopefully result in better living conditions. 

CAMILLE TRINIDAD K1457716 



93.083 m 2 77.722 m 2 76.436 m 2 

EFFECTIVE FLOOR AREA (EFA) 


58.652 m 2 45.631 m 2 45.122 m 2 

NET TO GROSS RATIO 


EFA/GEA 

58.652/93.083 

=0.630 

SAMPLE FLATS HAB. ROOMS = 10 PER 11.5 NO. OF GRID 

TOTAL NUMBER OF GRID ALLOTED FOR FLATS = 425 

TOTAL NUMBER OF HABITABLE ROOMS: 

(10/11.5) = (X/425) 

X = [(10)(425)]/11.5 

X = 369.5652174 

X ≈ 370 

TOTAL RESIDENTIAL SITE AREA = 0.6171473 ha 

DENSITY = TOTAL NUMBER OF HABITABLE ROOMS/ TOTAL RESIDENTIAL SITE AREA (ha) 

DENSITY = 369.5652174/0.6171473 

DENSITY = 598.8282172 

DENSITY ≈ 599 dwellings per hectare 


EFA/GEA 

45.631/77.722 

=0.587 


EFA/GEA 

45.122/76.436 

=0.590 

SAMPLE F 

TOTAL N 

TOTAL N 

(10/11.5) = 

X = [(10)( 

X = 369.56 

X ≈ 370 

TOTAL RE 

DENSITY 

DENSITY 

DENSITY 

DENSITY

taken from Spons publication 2018 

TOTAL TARGET COST = (TOTAL GEA)(BUILDING 

PRICES PER SQM FOR [MEDIUM RISE FLATS]) 

MINIMUM COST 

(11,615.506)(£1375.00) = £ 15,971320 

MAXIMUM COST 

(11,615.506)(£1750.00) = £ 20,327,135 

NOTE: SOME ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT LIKE THE 

WALK WAY, LANDSCAPING AND OPEN STAIR AC- 

CESS ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE LIST WHEN CAL- 

CULATING THE (GEA) AND WILL STILL ADD UP TO 

ITS TOTAL COST 

GROUND FLOORPLAN 

GEA = 437.87 

1ST & 2ND FLOORPLAN 

GEA = 2426.373 m 2 

3RD FLOORPLAN 

GEA = 2257231 m 2 

4TH FLOORPLAN 

GEA = 2305.28 m 2 

5TH FLOORPLAN 

GEA = 1762.379 m 2 

TOTAL PROPOSAL 

GEA = 11,615.506 m 2 

CAMILLE TRINIDAD K1457716 



93.083 m 2 77.722 m 2 76.436 m 2 

TOTAL GEA = TOTAL GROSS FLOOR AREA = 247.241 m 2 

TOTAL ENVELOPE AREA 

GEA 247.241 m 2 

TOTAL PERIMETER 

76092m 

AREA OF ENVELOPE [(T.PERIMETER X 2.7) - AREA OF WALLS AND 

DOORS] 

205448.4m 2 - 51657.8 m 2 = 153790.6 m 2 

WALL TO FLOOR RATIO = AREA OF ENVELOPE/GEA 153790.6 m 2 / 247.241 m 2 = 622 

NOTE: CALCULATION FOR WALL TO FLOOR RATIO SEEMS A BIT ODD AS IT WAS ONLY APPLIED TO A SINGLE FLOOR AND ONLY TO 

A SMALL SECTION OF THE WHOLE RESIDENTIAL PROPOSAL. NOT SURE IF THIS TYPE OF CALCULATION IS APPLICABLE FOR THE 

TYPE OF PROJECT 

CAMILLE TRINIDAD K1457716

2017 2018 

RIBA stages 

DURATION 

SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN 

START OF PHASE 1 OF PROJECT (URBAN PROPOSAL, ACCESS. BUILDING SERVICES AND 

FEB 

Stage 0: Strategic Definition 

4 w 

Identify client's business Case and other core project requirements and 

1w 

Core 

contribute to development of Strategic Brief as required 

Identify strategic brief 

1 w 

Procurement Initial consideration for assembling project team 1 w 

Programme Establish project programme 2 w 

(Town) planning 

Ensure that a strategic sustainability review of client needs and potential sites has 

been carried out, including reuse of existing facilities, building components or 2 w 

materials. 

Sustainability check point - 0 Pre-application discussions: discuss project with appropriate planning authority 1 w 

Stage 1: Preparation and Brief 

4 w 

Sustainability aspirations 

The site/context: collating site information including building surveys 

Initial Project Brief and project strategy 

2 w 

Project objective 

2 w 

Core 

Develop project objective: Quality objectives 

2 w 

Develop project objective: Project outcomes 

2 w 

Project budget 

2 w 

Check other parameters/constraints and develop initial project brief 

3 w 

Undertake feasibility studies 

3 w 

Prepare project roles table 

1 w 

Procurement Prepare contractual tree 

1 w 

Continue assembling project team 

1 w 

Programme Review project programme 2 d 

Pre-application discussions - to discuss and determine the suitability of Feasibility 


1 w 

Studies with appropriate planning authority 

Prepare and review hand over strategy and risk assessments 

1 w 

Prepare and agree schedule of services 

1 w 

Prepare and agree design responsibility matrix 

1 w 

Suggested key support task 

Agree information changes 

1 d 

Prepare project execution plan - Technology and communication strategies and 

1 w 

consideration of standards to be used 

Confirm that formal sustainability targets are stated in the Initial Project Brief 

Confirm that environmental requirements, building lifespan and future climate 

parameters are stated in the Initial Project Brief 

Have early stage consultations, surveys or monitoring been undertaken as 

Sustainability checkpoint - 1 

2 w 

necessary to meet sustainability criteria or assessment procedures? 

Check that the principles of the Handover Strategy and post-completion services 

are included in each party’s Schedule of Services 

Confirm that the Site Waste Management Plan has been implemented 

Information 

Exchanges Initial Project Brief 

1 d 

(at stage completion) 

UK Government Information 

Required 

1 d 

Exchanges 

Stage 2: Concept Design 

8 w 

Prepare and develop concept design - outline specification 

5 w 

Prepare and develop concept design - outline for structural design 

5 w 

Prepare and develop concept design - building services system 

4 w 

Core 

Preliminary cost information report 

2 w 

Project strategy review in accordance to design programme 

3 d 

Collate and agree alterations to the initial project brief and issue Final project brief 2 w 

Review and sign-off Concept design and Final Project Brief 

1 d 

Procurement Review and update: Project Team 1 w 

Programme Review and update: design project programme 1 d 

Pre-application discussions (consultation with planning officer) 

5 w 


Sumbit pre-application 

1 d 

Prepare and update: Sustainability strategy 

2 w 

Prepare and update: Maintenance and operational strategy 

2 w 

Prepare and update: Handover strategy 

1 w 

Prepare and update: Risk assessments 

1 w 

Suggested key support tasks 

Undertake third party consultation and research and development aspects 5 w 

Review and update: Project execution plan 

2 w 

Consider: Construction strategy (including offsite fabrication) 

2 w 

Consider: Health and safety strategy 

1 w 


5 w 

Information 

Concept design including: Outline structural and building services design, 

Exchanges 

1 d 

associated project strategies, preliminary cost information and Final Project Brief 


UK Government information Required 

1 d 

Stage 3: Developed Design 

52 w 

Prepare developed design - coordinated and updated proposals for structural 

20 w 

design 

Prepare developed design - building services system 

20 w 

Prepare developed design - outline specifications 

20 w 

Core 

Project strategies review according to the design programme 

2 days 

Stakeholders consultation 

3 d 

Issue/present detailed design 

4 d 

Cost information 

4 d 

Client sign-off Developed design 

1 d 

Programme Review and update: project programme 1 w 

Planning application preparation, drawn up and finalised 

12 w 

Planning application re-submitted 

1 d 

Approval period 

20 w 

Granting of consent 

1 d 

(Town) Planning 

Judicial review 

6 w 

Planning conditions reviewed and Discharge conditions required before start on 

12 w 

site 

Submit detailed proposal to neighbours 

1 d 

Review and update: Sustainability strategy 

4 w 

Review and update: Maintenance and operational 

4 w 

Review and update: Handover strategy 

4 w 

Review and update: Risks assessments 

4 w 


Review and update: Project execution plan including change control procedures 4 w 

Review and update: Construction and health and safety strategies 

4 w 

Undertake third party consultants and conclude research and development 

20 w 

aspects 


8 w 

Information Developed design including coordinated architectural, structural and building 

8 w 

Exchanges services design 

(at stage completion) Updated Cost information 

4 w 

CHRIS 

TMAS 

HOLI 

DAY 

OTHER STAKEHOLDERS 

HISTORIC ENGLAND 

GRENFELL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION 

HOLLAND PARK RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIO 

HOLLAND PARK AVENUE 133-159 

RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION 

HOLLAND WALK RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIO 

HOLLAND PARK WEST 

RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION 

FRIENDS OF HOLLAND PARK 

GRENFELL ACTION GROUP 

MILLE TRINIDAD K1457716 

Stage 4: Technical Design 

48 w 

Prepare and develop technical design in accordance with design responsibility 

18 w 

matrix 

Prepare and develop technical design in accordance with project strategies to 

include all architectural, structural, building services information and specialist 18 w 

Core 

subcontractors design and specifications in accordance with design programme 

Review and update cost report 

3 w 

Client comment on updated Technical design and Project Strategies as requested 3w 

Issue technical design report 

1d 

Client sign off 

1 d 

Develop tender information 

30 w 

Design team stage 4 output issued for tender 

1 d 

Pre-qualification Questionnaire and pre-tender interview 

3 w 

Invitation to tender (short listed tenderers - contractor and prefabricated 

1 d 

suppliers) 

Bidding period 

6 w 

Tender returns 

1 d 

Mid interview for construction contract 

4 w 

Procurement (Public 

Tender evaluation 

4 w 

projects: PFI Tender stages) 

Tender negotiation with preferred bidder 

4 w 

Gateway 3 review: investment decision 

4 w 

Client identified the preferred tenderer 

1 d 

Tender report and settlement meeting (preparation for construction stage and 

4 w 

mobilisation) 

Contract engrossment 

2 w 

Cost reporting 

4 w 

Building contract awarded and contract execution 

1 d 

Specialist subcontractor design work in accordance with design and construction 

Programme 

ongoing 

programme (in parallel with Stage 5: Construction) 

Prepare and submit building regulations submission 

4 w 

(Town) Planning Prepare and submit third party submissions requiring consent 

4 w 

Consent granted 

Review and update: Sustainability 

Review and update: Maintenance and Operational 

Review and update: Hand over strategies 

Review and update: Risk Assessments 

Suggested key support tasks Review and update: Project execution plan 

4 w 

Review: Construction strategy, including sequencing and updated health and 

safety strategy 

Required: further review of the Project Strategies and documentation previously 

generated 

Sustainability Checkpoint - 4 

4 w 

Information 

Exchanges Completed technical design of the project 

1 d 


UK Government information Not Required 

AUG SEP OCT NOV 

DEC 

JAN 

FEB 

2019 

MAR APR AUG MAY SEP JUN OCT JUL NOV AUG DEC SEP JAN OCT 

FEB NOV 

Stage 5: Construction 

74 w 


4 w 

Surveys and investigations 

9 w 


Demolition 

16 w 


Excavation 

20 w 


Offsite manufacturing pre-fabricated elements 

20 w 

generated 

Enabling works 


4 w 

Ground works 

20 w 

Information Core 

Onsite framework construction in accordance with construction programme and 


1 d 32 w 

resolution of design queries from site as they arise 


External works: Building services 


External works: Landscaping 

32 w 

External works: Work for external services 


74 w 

External works: General clean-up 


9 w 

Administration of building contract 

Procurement Demolition 

16 w 

Regular site inspections and review of progress 

weekly 

Excavation 

20 w 

Specialist subcontractor design work in accordance with design and construction ongoing till 

Programme Offsite manufacturing pre-fabricated elements 

20 w 

programme (in parallel with Stage 4) 

end of stage 5 



Ground works 

20 w 

Core 

Implement: Handover strategy including agreement of information required for 


commissioning, training, handover, asset management, future monitoring and 32 w 


maintenance 

Suggested key suppot tasks 


Ongoing compilation of "As Constructed: As built drawings and record drawings" monthly 


information 

32 w 


Update: Construction strategy 


Update: Health and Safety strategy 


Procurement 

Client respond to queries raised and cost report 


weekly 


monthly 


Programme Information 



Exchanges "As Constructed: As built drawings and record drawings" information 

1 d 





commissioning, training, handover, asset management, future monitoring and 

maintenance 

Stage 6: Handover and Close Out 

varies 

Suggested key suppot tasks Ongoing compilation of "As Constructed: As built drawings and record drawings" monthly 

Core 

Handover of Building to residents (Phase 2: dwelling construction) 

information 

Conclude administration of Building contract 

Procurement Update: Construction strategy 

Appoint Building Management and Housing Management team 


Handover period for phase 2: residents self build (varies) - allocation of residents, 

Programme Client respond to queries raised and cost report 

discussion of self build scheme etc. 


monthly 

(Town) Planning Handover period for phase 2: residents self build (varies) 

Information 

Carry out activities listed in Handover strategy including feedback for use during 


1 d 

the future life of the building and future projects (Phase 2) 

(at Suggested stage completion) key support tasks 

Updating project information as required 

regularly 


Respond to queries in relation to handover of building as required 

regularly 

Sustainability Chekcpoint - 6 


varies 

Information 

Core 


Exchanges Updated "As Constructed: As built drawings and record drawings" information as required 


Procurement 



UK Government information 

Handover Required period for phase 2: residents self build (varies) - allocation of residents, as required 

Programme exchanges 



Stage 7: In Use 

varies 





regularly 


regularly 


Information 




Required 

as required 

exchanges 


varies 

Client undertake in use services in accordance with schedule of services 

Core 

Client undertake tasks listed in Handover Strategy 

Conclude activities listed in handover strategy and residents inuse strategy 

including: Post occupancy evaluation, review of project performance, project 

Suggested Key support task outcomes, research and development aspects 

Updating of Project information as required in response to ongoing client 

regularly 

feedback until the end of building's life 


Information 

‘As-constructed’ Information updated in response to ongoing client Feedback and 

Exchanges 

as required 

maintenance or operational developments. 



As required 

as required 

Exchanges 


4 w 




generated 


4 w 

Information 


1 d 




74 w 


9 w 

Demolition 

16 w 

Excavation 

20 w 

Offsite manufacturing pre-fabricated elements 

20 w 


Ground works 

20 w 

Core 


32 w 




32 w 




Procurement 


weekly 


Programme 





commissioning, training, handover, asset management, future monitoring and 

maintenance 

Suggested key suppot tasks Ongoing compilation of "As Constructed: As built drawings and record drawings" monthly 

information 

Update: Construction strategy 


Client respond to queries raised and cost report 


monthly 

Information 


1 d 




varies 

Core 



Procurement 


Handover period for phase 2: residents self build (varies) - allocation of residents, 

Programme 







regularly 


regularly 


Information 




Required 

as required 

exchanges 


varies 

Client undertake in use services in accordance with schedule of services 

Core 

Client undertake tasks listed in Handover Strategy 

Conclude activities listed in handover strategy and residents inuse strategy 

including: Post occupancy evaluation, review of project performance, project 

Suggested Key support task outcomes, research and development aspects 

Updating of Project information as required in response to ongoing client 

regularly 

feedback until the end of building's life 


Information 

‘As-constructed’ Information updated in response to ongoing client Feedback and 

Exchanges 

as required 

maintenance or operational developments. 



As required 

as required 

Exchanges 

ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSE

NOV 

MAR APR MAY 

2019 2020 

JUL 

AUG SEP OCT 

JUN DEC JAN FEB MAR APR 

ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA 

GRENFELL RESIDENTS 

PROJECT MANAGER 

N 

BUILDING SERVICES 

MAIN CONTRACTOR 

(principal contractor) 

ARCHITECT 

(principal designer & lead consultant) 

COST CONSULTANT 

SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT 

N 

SUB CONTRACTOR 

DESIGNERS 

HEALTH AND SAFETY ADVISOR 

LANDSCAPE CONSULTANT 

HERITAGE CONSULTANT 

CONTRACTUAL 

NON CONTRACTUAL 

PLANNING CONSULTANT 

FIRE SAFETY 

2019 

2020 2019 

JUN 

JUL 

AUG SEP OCT 

NOV 

DEC 

FEB 

MAR APR MAY JUN 

JUL 

AUG SEP OCT 

MAR APR MAY NOV 

JAN DEC JAN FEB 

ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA 

GRENFELL RESIDENTS

3D STRUCTURE SAMPLE 

Structural strategy: proposal 

The project brief requires a pre-cast concrete structure which is a 

building infrastructure designed with structural frames and building 

services which will then be inhabited by the residents to build their 

own flats with the use of cost-efficient and accessible materials. 

Architectural objectives: 

There will be two phases for the construction. The first involves the designing 

and building of the urban scale of the project (spatial organisation) 

where the major stakeholder is the royal borough of kensington 

and chelsea. The second phase of the project involves a more domestic 

scale where the major stakeholders are the families or residents of 

grenfell where they have the freedom to choose materials, design and 

build their own flats with the help of the design guide of sample flat 

plans. 

6 

Scale: 1:50 

A. Phase 1: organisation of space (urban scale) 

1. Street level public walkway 

2. Pockets of public and green spaces 

3. Building framework 

4. Site and building access 

5. Building services such as gas, electric, water and drainage 

B. Phase 2: inhabitation of space (domestic scale) 

1. One floor flats 

2. Deck access balconies 

6 

3D STRUCTURE SAMPLE 

Scale: 1:50 

3. Possible extension of the flat (flexibility on future changes of the 

flats) 

The framework is made out of number of precast reinforced concrete 

elements that are manufactured off-site and hence reduces site programme 

times. They are then delivered and assembled on site. 

7 

JOINT DETAILS 

Scale: 1:20 

The building skeleton is made up of t and c beams connected in 4’s 

which are supported by a double column system. Both are arranged 

formally in regular grids and strategised by using multi-storey columns 

system. The floor and roof systems are made up of double-t 

slabs which spans over and supported by the primary and secondary 

beams. There is also a separate precast joining element for the beams 

and columns. Some walls are non-bearing which meant that they are 

only designed to carry their deadweight and is independent of the primary 

structure. 

Since the site has a slope, using pile foundations that are spread between 

2.4 M (midpoint of each grid) which are topped with pile caps 

and then installed with ground beams to support columns are more 

appropriate solution for this type of construction. Augered piling is 

commonly used in clay subsoil which is present on site. It involves 

drilling on site, auger withdrawal and filling the hole with reinforced 

concrete. It is the least expensive and virtually vibration free. It is also 

possible for the site which could have a very restricted access.

Structural design 

For the structure of the building, i have included and designed my own 

system which was inspired and precedented from timber construction 

methods and angelo mangiarotti’s projects respectively. As explained 

on the previous page the precast system was designed in a certain system 

that i think suitable due to the aspect of flexibility and changes in 

a growing family. 

Although it focuses more on the domestic changes, a larger scale of 

change is also be possible as one of the construction system’s philosophy 

was the ability to extend its structure through disassembling a 

part of structural framework without affecting the whole building. It 

was done in a way where each floor is independent of each other. This 

is precedented with park hill estate in sheffield which recently went 

through regeneration where the structure was mended and reused. 

This shows that the sustainability of a structure was also thought of. 

It was arranged in a grided layout where the vertex are placed in the 

midpoint of the double column. This type of layout is easier to build 

and will produce a minimum number of precast elements which is 

more cost-effective. Repetitive precast concrete bays also adds to the 

unity of the design aspect of the building. The structural organisation 

will also reflect on the spacial organisation of the design which made 

it easier to produce pockets of spaces that can be flexible of use. It was 

a design strategy that allows a lot of possibility. Hence, the free flowing 

walls which was an option for the design solution for some flats with 

privacy and daylight issues. 

The design of each element shows that each of them exist in pairs. There 

is a prefabricated elemental joint that connects the primary beams to 

the columns per storey. The primary c and t beams sit on top of the 

columns and is designed to slot in and support the secondary beams in 

each bay. The floor slabs in double-t system then sits on the top of each 

secondary beam which is more of a standard design. This is preferable 

than the hollow core slabs as the double t is much thinner in thickness 

so it will leave a lot of room for underfloor heating and services to run 

through with the possibility of exposing the structure on the interior 

spaces. 

Even though the system is designed to have some fixed end strategy 

and others are joint through their protruding part, all elements are put 

together through different types of joints depending on each individual 

element. E.G. Tie bars, weld plates, hooks and bends in reinforcement 

of the precast element, steel angle and webplate connections which are 

casted to the beams for de-mountability. 

Load bearing elements: How these spans can support various types of 

loads and what how much of design was involved in mitigating issues 

( Connections) 

Depending on which element, the system is arranged in a heirarchy. 

The primary elements support and are usually aligned in perpendicular 

to the secondary elements. Tertiary elements are used to stiffen 

the structure to provide additional strength to its framework design. 

The measurement of individual elements are designed using the standard 

ratio requirement e.g. 1:20 For beams (depth/span) and columns 

(width/height). The design tested its stability and capability to support 

a load through model making. 

Modular components 

The measurements are also based to co-relate to the standard sizes of 

building materials and elements such as plywood, doors, windows. It 

was created to attain a modular and sustainable use of materials.

How does the structural elements contribute to the architectural 

character of the building? 

The concrete structural elements itself were designed to be a part of 

the subtle ornamentation of the structure which is a character like 

some brutalist buildings. 

The effects of texture, change in colour, heaviness of concrete itself 

were used to create a character of the building as a whole. It manifests 

a mood that the material makes when it behaves differently on 

various times during the day or due to weathering e.G. Concrete 

getting wet when it rains or dry during the summer. 

Structure as architecture is a continuing challenge for architects as 

modern applied technology are more associated with contemporary 

and modern living in this generation. By using the structure 

as a starting point for layout and composition is a logical approach 

when designing buildings as this tends to be more cost efficient 

and clearly a more sustainable and sensible approach when thinking 

about the future life of the building. 

By designing a repetitive/grid layout for a structural system creates 

a uniform architectural character for the building despite the individual 

identity of the flats. 

For the elevation, the repetition of bays reflects from formality of 

the plan which makes it easier to identify level/building storeys 

and access. This strategy brings out a modular approach and thus 

makes it more flexible in organising spaces. Meanwhile, using a 

singular type of material strategy makes the architecture of the 

building more coherent and explicitly shows that brutalism was 

used as a precedent architectural style. It also reflects on the aesthetics 

issues on social housing which is widely debatable in the 

architectural world and specifically in united kingdom e.G robinhood 

gardens, park hill estate in sheffield, trellick tower, alexandra 

road estate, etc. 

The structure also affects the quality of spaces and how can it be 

more feasible to inhabit and sustain. Using new technology with 

precast concrete can create a sophisticated approach on the topic 

of ornamentation which was a preferred style used during the post 

war period of building of social housing estates and low cost housing 

around the world. 

Collective inhabitation of materials 

How does this approach affect the overall design? 

The subtle design approach of brutalism becomes the neutral approach 

for this type of project as it will tend to equalise or tone 

down the explicit use of different types of materials for the flats. 

Hence the structure will act as a folder or container for the variety 

of texture, colour, feel and mood of the building envelope. If 

it was to be compared to another building, it can be compared to 

how the silodam by mvrdv architects in amsterdam used the shape 

and form of the building to create singularity without affecting the 

freedom of the residents when designing their own houses. It becomes 

a collective group which has both freedom and restriction 

to balance each other out. 

For structural ornamentation, examples where the structure has affected 

the design of the facade e.g. bracings and mies van de rohe’s 

approach on making the structural elements as the ornaments for 

his buildings and how the smithsons were also referencing Mies for 

Robinhood gardens.

Public space 

Atmosphere: One particular design strategy that aroused from the lumiere video 

study for the context and planning was a space dedicated solely to pedestrians. This 

is a result of the comments taken that the existing streets are designed to prioritise 

vehicles. There is little to none outdoor or street activity happening that involves 

the existing residents besides the Holland Park Avenue high street. The existing 

villas had their backs turned against the main road, creating the feel of exclusivity 

of the residential area creating an invisible gate against the public. 

The design concept for the ground floor was a pedestrian led street thus the plan 

shows a continuous public pathway where the pedestrians are prioritised. It serves 

as shared public and residential covered walk with a series of courtyards. 

Using Cambridge’s St. John’s College - Cripps Building by Powell and Moya as 

precedents, I designed two types of ground floor public spaces that can be differentiated 

through its level, height, accessibility and enclosure. The idea is to provide 

a flexible space for pedestrian circulation where static and in flux movements are 

separated through spaces. 

The elevated space serves as the walkway and entrances to the flats (located to 

its upper storeys) through an open-access, non-gated stairs and residential lift. In 

here, the flats are considered as houses on their own right. Most houses in the UK 

do not have a gate, leaving its threshold as boundary line between private and 

public. For this project, it is that stairs that acts as a threshold for the residents; 

designating the ground floor as public and upper storeys as private.

The typology is commonly used in high streets where land value is quite 

costly hence the flats are always located on the first floor and the ground 

floor dedicated for business or public use. 

Meanwhile, the ground spaces serves as a series of voids that have different 

hierarchies. This is to create a layer of invisible enclosure in open areas, 

creating different types of spaces in a repetitive grid and making the people 

aware of the spaces they use. The idea is that each space could provide 

a make-shift room or setting to different activities that could take place 

depending on the day, time and weather. Hence, the users becomes the 

identifiers of space. The spaces can transform or mimic particular setting, 

acting as a chameleon depending of the needs of its users.

Flats 

Historically, the site was a rural area until 

the purchase of the Holland Estate in which 

marked the urban development of the area. 

The two sloped parallel roads to Holland Park 

Avenue and two perpendicular ones on both 

ends were built as an access road to 4 rows 

of identical detached villas that were generally 

set together to mimic a terrace housing 

effect. The Holland Park Mews that are situated 

in between were preserved due to their 

lavish coach-houses and stable designs. The 

villas housed wealthy merchants, foreigners 

and mostly artists. It is due to the fact that 

the original floor plans of the villas have their 

saloons facing just about North which is important 

for painters and artists because there 

is only daylight coming through the windows 

- as sunlight affects the visual perception of 

colours. The mews’ household consisted of 

servants with living accommodation located 

in the first floor, accessible through an exterior 

stairs. 

Even around 1870’s, most villas only housed 

the caretakers rather than the home owners 

themselves. This has been the truth about 

these lavish structures and has been continuing 

through out the 21st century. 

Both the mews and the villas has a common 

theme for central hallways that cuts 

through the structure from north to south. 

It also serves as a space for interior access 

and exterior entrances for the front and rear 

elevation in which throughout the years, has 

been preserved. Although, some were altered 

due to the owners dividing the villas into a 

number of flats. The central hallway was used 

as a historical precedent for the location of 

the proposal in which it mimics the movement 

circulation of the users of the villas and 

transferring it to the streets. 

For the whole structure, across each floor 

there are 11 open stair access, 3 residential 

lifts and 7 rooms dedicated to communal water, 

electric and gas connections. Waste and 

recycling are located at the ground floor for 

communal use. Over all gas, electric and water 

main rooms are located on ground floor 

with provider only access. Posts and parcels 

will be delivered door to door. 

In total, there are 122 flats across 5 storeys 

within both structure. 

First and second floor: total of 25 flats with 

(9) 1-bedroom, (9) 2-bedroom and (7) 

3-bedroom flats 

Third, fourth and fifth floor: total of 24 flats 

with with (10) 1-bedroom, (8) 2-bedroom 

and (6) 3-bedroom flats

The concept of “pedestrian first” continues to the semi-public access of the flats 

which was precedented by Park Hill’s streets in the sky - where the deck access was 

designed as a street to highlight and encourage neighbourhood interactions. The 

initial idea was to provide ample space and enough accessible exits for each flats 

for fire safety to prevent unfortunate events like what happened at Grenfell tower. 

Each bay that corresponds a part of a flat has always a corresponding bay dedicated 

to outside access, allowing ample amount of communal space. 

The structural strategy is designed to reflect the division of flats. Each bay can be 

used as a single use of space but at the same time, is flexible to be divided in half, 

etc. to accommodate the need for space. For example, a single bedroom flat will 

take 2 bays but the fact that one can extend and buy another bay in the future incase 

they get married or have a family is possible. There is always an opportunity 

for extension as the resident’s living situation changes. There is also a possibility of 

extending the flats towards the semi-public bays, providing that there will be no 

disruption to both communal and disabled access.

Iteration of flat design 

There was a brief to follow for the flats and the 

theme was living from the centre. Initially, the 

flat was octagonal in shape and as the structural 

framework of the project developed, the flat progressed 

into having angled walls that mimic the 

fabric of the repetition of existing bay windows 

of the villas. This was studied along with the 

form of the building and was used as a solution 

to privacy by creating window views that does 

not directly facing towards its neighbouring 

villas. But as the scheme is big, it was difficult 

to have each flat be tapered to a particular view 

and at the same time providing enough space to 

live in according to the national housing space 

standards. The brief for the flat design thus takes 

another interpretation where it was taken as a 

literal prescription for the living room as a central 

space that divides the private and the public. 

The strategy sketch for placement of flats shows 

that each flat’s living room corresponds to the 

deck access as their balcony which solves the 

need for personal exterior space. But it also 

serves as a street, leaving the spaces to act as a 

threshold for each flat. Thus, blurring the line 

between public and private.

The final flat design development approach 

was a flat that still has dual aspect to provide 

cross ventilation and enough daylight 

to pass through the rooms. Building service 

routes influenced the placement of the 

kitchens and toilets to make sure the MEP 

design is suitable to fit the structural design. 

Each flat would have different but similar 

solutions on their interior spatial design. 

This is because some flats face the stairs - 

making it difficult to project the interior to 

exterior. Also, depending on which part of 

the structure they are located, there is a limitation 

in how much windows they can have 

and as well as the different need for heating 

and cooling strategy. But nonetheless, the 

voids are driven by the bays and maximum 

open spaces making it flexible to transform 

the room into the residents’ particular need. 

The following examples of inhabited designed 

flats shows how the altered interior 

spaces has affected the enclosures and zoning 

of the “streets in the sky”.

Inhabitation 

The deck access is designed to be a living street. It is a residential area with communal responsibility. 

By creating a space that inspire collective living we create an idea of a village 

within a building. The drawing shows an idea how it can be perceived ideally. 

Designing the deck access space includes the identification of zoning and enclosures which 

were configured by the voids left by the stairs, flats (immovable) and public furniture (movable). 

Use of plants were inspired from my childhood home where instead of building a fence, 

we used potted plants to define the boundary of our premises. This is due to a fact that it is 

cheaper and they looked more appealing. 

Meanwhile, the available spaces left can be used by the residents up to a certain extent. E.g 

possible communal space for neighbourhood event such as birthday parties, outside afternoon 

tea or whenever they feel like hanging out. To identify how much space a resident is 

responsible of was decided by whether a space is a shared or sole responsibility. Since events 

are rather temporary, it should not be a reason for traffic obstruction. This proposes the idea 

of belonging within the residents, meaning they also need to exert an effort to build that 

community to feel more safe with each other. In architectural perspective, the decks act as a 

tertiary type of street and becomes a centre that connects all the flats in site.

Long elevation 

The elevation drawings in context show how the character of the site will change 

with the proposal cutting through the parallel rows of villas and mews. The way 

that the proposal intervenes and placed tangent to the existing fabric is a polemical 

statement. The drawing highlights the villas and mews with the proposal existing 

as a background. This outlook changes when observing the sectional elevation 

where the proposal relates its section to the elevation of the existing structures; 

for the social housing is highlighted as the villas and mews become a repetitive 

background. 

The fact that precast concrete structure signifies an architectural period where 

there are less resources available and hence ornamentation is omitted completely 

juxtaposes the villas’ intricate stucco design and decorative cast ironwork. This 

is evident in the elevational section drawing with the front elevation of the villas 

where the proposal seems to mimic the Greek embassy (1A Holland Park) on the 

end of the street which was built after the war. This is due to a fact that the original 

villa was damaged and demolished during the WW2, hence its renovation was 

done after the war. 

Because of the differences in heights, the proposal creates a new building landscape 

that seemed to disturb the organisation of existing fabric. The shape and 

form of the building is projected through the elevation drawing revealing different 

layer of spaces. Like the mews’ original use, the proposal’s accommodation is 

located on the upper storeys of the structure. The sudden change in height on the 

rear part of the first building was to respect the vertical relationship between the 

villas and mews. 

The Holland Park Avenue elevation shows that the access stairs acts as the connection 

between the main road and the Holland Park street. The raised entrance 

and walkway was designed to resemble public arcades that function as shortcuts; 

as well as to be a form of temporary public shelter and access to some businesses 

inside.

CROSS SECTION 

Scale: 1:200 

REAR ELEVATION 

Scale: 1:200

Long section 

Drawing the section of the proposal in context shows a comparison between the 

social housing and the villa’s presence. It seems like as much as the villas’ lavish 

condition, the social housing seemed much more interesting due to the density 

and the amount of activities happening on each level. It shows a massive difference 

in social context most importantly if the villa compared is empty. 

The cross section shows how the layer of privacy is applied to the design both 

vertically and horizontally. It reveals the vertical circulation and order of activities 

happening at different levels and bays. We can see that as we transitioned along the 

series of bays, we also traveled from an open space into an intimate one. 

The section helps the designer to easily identify ventilation and lightning strategies, 

as well as the vertical circulation of movement. This thus help in determining 

the loads applied to the structure, which is clearly seen to be integrated within the 

overall design of the scheme, creating repetitive grids that are flexible in adapting 

variety of use of space. 

The courtyards provide a particular identity for their area highlighting a hierarchy 

within the exterior spaces. There is a connection between the floors above and 

the ground floor courtyards. It shows that human interaction exist between floors 

through the deck balconies which juxtaposes the repetitive and static design of the 

structure. There are minimal changes in height across each floor e.g. through the 

walk way and the private projected balconies that usually has a difference of 400- 

300 mm respectively.

Self build scheme 

One part of the brief of the project is to help create self built housing for 

the people which is quite impossible to execute individually as the proposal 

scheme is designed as two singular structures. This is due to healthy and safety, 

the procurement stage and construction stage as it becomes a 129 individual 

project when it is handed over to the residents. There are a lot of factors 

that will affect the cost, programme and value that will affect the results for 

planning application. 

But with the brief in mind, the initial idea was to provide a flexible structure 

hence the use of grid. Whilst the flats would have a guide and hence 

restrictions in terms of alteration. Each floor and area has its own designated 

services room that house water, gas and electricity. Deep ceiling, party walls 

and floor voids act as circulation route for ventilation and servicing pipes, 

and cables. 

Each flat can be designed according to the needs and affordability of the resident 

by choosing their own materials and method of heating (e.g. underfloor 

heating or using radiators). Thermal and sound insulation runs through external 

and party walls, ceilings and floors. 

The residents can also decide if they want to expose the concrete structure in 

their interior or not, how high the ceiling or floor will be. The proposed design 

of the structure, plan and integration will act as an example of standard 

build up that was precedented with passive house design samples. 

The strategy of wide deck access was precedented from Park Hill Estate in 

Sheffield to act as both circulation route and balcony for the residents of the 

flats to encourage the residents to grow as community. Meanwhile the presence 

of the structure is there to act as a grid to identify a space. 

Although there is freedom to designate or change the spaces on each flat, it 

is somehow restricted to follow a few from the unoccupied design proposal 

as there is restriction due to the placing of the integrated systems. This is also 

applied for the exposed exterior structure. The structural presence on the exterior 

of the building is made to create a unified scheme and the use of precast 

concrete is intended from the very beginning. This unified design of the 

structure then creates a contrast to the individuality of the materials used in 

each flats; which shows the modularity of the design. 

Lastly, the material used for the structural framework and slab is precast reinforced 

concrete without painting it or covering it. This is a way to show and 

appreciate raw design and texture of the material. As this is precast, there will 

be improvement on resource efficiency, less waste, quicker construction time 

frame and ensuring that environmental management systems compliant to 

ISO 14001 and EMAS are maintained.

Integration 

The project was thoroughly designed using precedents, research and by 

studying its contextual analysis. Besides costings, we also did a sustainability 

design statement, a value management report to understand fully 

the value of our project and as well as technical detail studies for structure, 

MEP and the fabric. This is to ensure that we understood how the structure 

is made up to the smallest details and to make sure that the construction 

strategy can be realised.

Services integration 

Integrating building services to the structure creates an issue 

with spaces that is why they are well considered from 

the very beginning due to the fact that the project’s nature 

includes a lot of distribution routes for different servicing. 

Designing the skeletal framework (structural design) has 

taken building services in consideration by making structural 

components 

That would have design characteristics with enough space 

for cables, servicing pipes, ventilation, etc. Individually 

and when they are connected together. Although, concrete 

is a lot more restrictive than steel which means that 

it cannot be produced like steel cellular beams but can be 

mitigated through another approach by tweaking on its 

component design. 

The connecting spaces within the building were also reserved 

to be used for plant rooms and access lifts. There 

is also a consideration for enough space to allow future 

changes in accommodating the needs of the residents. 

Exposing structural component is an option for easier 

maintenance but should be well thought of as the pipes 

should be located on a well insulated and ventilated space 

to reduce risks of bursting pipes due to accidents and extreme 

weather. There is also a flexibility on the structural 

system to move structural elements according to the need 

of servicing in the future. 

Most importantly, as the project develops, there became 

some building services route constraints to allow these 

services to be distributed efficiently. So even if the structure 

was created to adapt to the service requirements, 

the routes also has to adjust to the structural form of the 

building and the location of the flats. 

11. Built-in wooden chair doubles as fence 

15. Plant layer 

Growing medium 

Filter layer 

40 mm drainage layer 

6mm building protection mat + 2 ply bitumen seal 

Waterproof membrane 

200 mm EPS thermal insulation 

40 mm PUR foam soundproofing sheet 

Vapour barrier 

60 mm Protection board 

Precast concrete slab with T-beam system 

16. Double glazing folding door with wood framing 

17. Double glazing sliding door with metal framing 

18. Lights fixed on suspended outdoor ceiling trellis 

19. Floor joist 

20. 10 mm concrete flooring tiles 

10 mm acoustic insulation sheet 

20 mm wood floor board 

Underfloor void for servicing pipes, cables and UFH 

100 mm acoustic mineral wool 


21. Interior wall finish 

Sound insulation sheet supported by header 

22. Interior wood casing 

23. Interior wood door

24. Gypsum board supported by furring 

channels and hung as suspended ceiling, 

Hanger wire 

25. Adjustable ceiling spotlight 

26. Galvanised steel cable trunk 

27. Galvanised steel conduit trunk and fittings 

28. 2 way push dimmer steel light switches 

29. Galvanised steel double socket with USB 

30. 12 mm laminated wood flooring 

65 mm screed with UFH pipes 

Polythene waterproof lining 

35 mm sound insulation sheet 

100 mm EPS thermal insulation sheet 


Precast concrete slab with T-beam system 

100 mm acoustic foam 

Acoustic foam mount 

31. Light switch 

32. Cast iron radiator 

33. Outdoor pendant LED lighting mounted 

into the T-slab used for deck access and public 

walkways 

34. Precast concrete element that serves as 

eave and shading mount 

35. Steel anchor to secure the window frame 

to the wall construction 

36. Double glazed window with galvanised 

steel frame 

37. Snap-in glazing beads 

38. Window flashing 

39. Resident’s choice of exterior material 

cladding e.g. wood tile, weatherboard, corten 

steel, fibre cement sheet, corrugated aluminium 

sheet, etc. 

Cladding rail 

Air gap 


12 mm fibreboard sheathing e.g. OSB 

150 mm EPS thermal insulation (between 

a wood stud wall) 

9 mm fibreboard sheathing 

60 mm cellulose acoustic insulation 

Resident’s choice of interior material cladding 

i.e. plywood, magnesium oxide board, 

dry wall, plaster or gypsum board, tiles, etc. 

Skirting board 

40. Precast concrete element seating 

41. Drainage 

42. Precast concrete ground beam 

43. Dowel reinforcement bar interlocking the 

precast concrete ground beam and precast 

concrete pile cap, non-shrink grout 

44. Precast concrete pile cap 

45. Precast concrete pile

1. Photovoltaic solar panels 

2. 60 mm concrete paving slab 

3. Wood balustrade 

4. Flashing 

5. Concrete Parapet 

6. Reinforced concrete beam 

7. Reinforced concrete column 

8. Wood balustrade 

9. Balustrade metal baseplate mount 

10. 200 mm RFC element with PMMA resin coating 

12. 400 mm precast RFC slab element with PMMA resin 

coating 

200 mm precast concrete planks 

13. 700 mm precast concrete ground beam used as plinth 

14. 100 mm brick paving slab 

Tamped sand base 

Landscape fabric 

Gravel base 

Soil

Reflection 

How does the proposal could affect the site and potentially the city 

fabric and the future of social housing? 

The concept and placement of the proposal was a polemical example 

in questioning the ideals of an orderly society. We tend to 

agree on what the institution in power deemed to be good and acceptable. 

The approach in building and design strategy adheres the 

politics in architecture where the industry tends to be subjective 

but bias in regards to certain aesthetic tastes. It has come to a point 

that the project must defend its narrative to justify the aggressive 

demolition of few listed buildings in which some are proven to be 

uninhabited. We always deny the fact that architectural discrimination 

is present. Thus the aim of this project is to build, design 

and dedicate a project for the ordinary people which constitutes 

more than 90 percent of the population. 

The end goal was to use architecture to create an awareness about 

our bias towards the typology of affordable housing and to remove 

the negative connotations about it. Because of this bias, the 

project location seemed to be unorthodox and seemingly angry 

towards the rich although it is not the case when a “depressed” 

area goes under regeneration. That is why I think that the project 

would cause a controversial conversation which is needed when 

challenging the ‘norm’. 

Compared to the existing buildings in context, the villas have different 

type of construction method than the one that was this thesis’ 

pre-requisite. The structure did not intended to blend in within 

the context but rather to stand out within it. 

In all aspects of the design, regularity and repetition are the subtle 

themes that organically developed on my project. This is because 

it solves the pragmatic issues of the design concept of accidental 

spaces which was a main idea that transpired the angled forms of 

the building. Going back to my previous tutorials, i found out that 

my decisions on the design development of the project were carefully 

thought of through considerations of dropping some ideas 

that has been there from the beginning but does not work out. 

Not a single part of the design was accidentally made but rather a 

product of trial and error. 

To be able to reflect on the very heart of the project every iteration, 

the site strategy of building where the framework cuts across the 

site was a reminder of the thesis theme. This have affected a lot of 

structural decisions that was made; if a singular aspect of the design 

changes, it will affect the whole of it. All aspect of the project 

should work together to be able to make sense of it. 

Ideally, the proposal would be a positive contribution to Holland 

Park and will nurture its social diversity by integrating a new type 

of community to an existing one. Architecturally, it will greatly 

affect the fabric of the city. By putting a break on a series of villa 

mansions using a public housing could potentially bring the housing 

estates towards the front, saving them and as well as encourage 

treating them as good government assets. It is the same approach 

as to the change and tightening of building regulations for this 

type of housing typology after the Grenfell fire. Although this 

time, we do not need an unfortunate event to happen before we 

make an action. We know that regeneration and privatisation of 

property developers cause communities to break up and continues 

to further segregate the inhabitants according to their social status 

e.g. postcode envy. 

Architecture evolved out of the dynamics between the needs and 

means of the people but later formalised into a craft. Throughout 

history, architectural styles and technology advanced so much and 

so the ever changing fabric of the city. But it should not discriminate 

and aesthetics should only come second to the the needs of 

the people. An architect is a master builder capable of creating cities 

but first, he is human. 

On structure: 

The system of construction using prefabricated materials has been 

set as a part of the project from the very beginning. This restrict us 

in some way but this worked well with the fact that the project is in 

a massive scale. Prefabrication is preferable for projects that might 

take a long time as this lessens the time frame of on-site building 

because most of the materials are made off-site. This is also preferable 

for a very restrictive site such as this as only minimum site 

storage is needed. Minimising both the site disruption and construction 

timeline are valid arguments for planning application in 

this type of project. This minimises the inconvenience it brings to 

the existing residents. 

Meanwhile, integrating the services to the structure by making the 

services fit to the actual purpose of the building makes it easier for 

both the authorities and residents. Applying the building regulation 

requirements also affects the design in way and creates some 

regularity on the structure. These restrictions makes it easier to 

finalise design decisions during the iteration process. It also makes 

it easier id the building’s function changes in the future. 

In terms of building strategy in the domestic scale, through my iterations 

and choosing design decisions and solutions, i found that 

premeditating a concept of free flowing walls around the structural 

framework will benefit the theme of agency to a certain degree 

for the owners but restricts the design to be able to do more. That 

is why the sample flat plans are done in a way to touch the skeletal 

framework to create much more regularity and hence make it 

more flexible in terms of changes.

Project 7: "Agency"

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