The ground floor of Xchange holds a majority of the primary functional space. The ground floor is dedicated to the processes required by the logistics industry. These can be assorted into: Foyer Entrance; Lockers; Palette Staging: Unloading and Loading Bays; Stowing Holes; Mechanical and Electrical Services; Atrium; Utilities; Paper Recycling and packaging.
The first floor shows a more laid back approach to function, in contrast to the ground floor. Here we have multiple functions linked via the glass atrium. Both leisure and working environments can be found here, with the refuge of the roof terrace.
Following on from spatial relations and mass modelling I organised the different functions into their hierarchy. I felt that the storefront/ Interface showed the highest priority. My proposed building will act as a sorting and processing facility for parcels, but also as a collection point. This could potentially be incorporated within the interface as an automat, with the foyer acting almost like a shop. The harvesting/ gathering and processing areas closely follow this.
The atrium acts as the central form of circulation throughout the building, which helps to expose and create a series of exchanges throughout the different functions and users. When reaching the top of the stairs from the ground floor, you have direct access to the terrace. This is also accessible from the offices and activity workshops, and will be sitting above the warehouse. Before the addition of the atrium, the warehouse struggled with natural lighting and ventilation. This has since been significantly improved with the introduction of the atrium, however there is an imbalance in daylighting within the warehouse.
The atrium acts as an assembly line within Xchange, with all other functions being related to, or relying on this. The above image shows how it not only connects spaces horizontally, but also vertically. Every individual function has to pass through the atrium, with one strong link between all. This exposing of exchanges is what makes Xchange unique to other logistical warehouses.
This exploded axonometric demonstrates how the stowing holes are constructed and placed into the wall. The stowing holes themselves are created as a unit using 50 x 75mm Timber Modules and layers of 9mm Plywood. To this triple glazing has been added on the exterior. Once added into the wall a waterproof membrane and drip is also added for water resistance. The wall structure shows the same details as the previous panels, with the introduction of timber columns every 8m.
1- Strip Concrete Foundations 2- 330mm Sheep’s Wool Insulation 3- 215 x 102.5 x 65mm Engineering Bricks 4- Drip and Waterproof Membrane 5- Certified Cumaru KD Cladding 150mm in width 6- 20 x 20mm Timber Cladding Frame 7- 9mm Marine Plywood 8- 15mm Void and Waterproof Membrane 9- 150mm Rigid Insulation 10- 200mm CLT 11- 50mm Service Void, 25 x 50mm Battons 12- 135 x 450 Glulam Beam 13- 100mm Hidden Drain 14- 250mm CLT 15- 50mm Insulation and 9mm Plywood Finish 16- 10mm Regupol Resilient Acoustic Layer 17- 2 x 20mm + 1 x 10mm Fermacell Layer 18- 25mm Grooved Insulation with Timoleon Underfloor Heating 19- Breather Membrane 20- 20mm Wooden Floor Finish 21- 20mm Timber Window Board 22- 40mm Triple Glazed Window Panel 23- Roof Tiling Spacer Tray 24- Roof Tiles 25- Red Brick Cladding 26- Ancon TFMT7 Wall Tie at 300mm vertical centres 27-WaterProof Membrane 28- 10mm Continuous Air Gap 29- Stainless Steel Lintel to support brickwork over window
Here you can see Xchanges relation to the canal and nature reserve. The woodland surrounding the canal has been made denser, in order to mitigate any potential noise from the loading and unloading bays. Internally the use of CLT will naturally act as an acoustic absorber. From this perspective an element of the previously existing structure on site can also be seen, in the form of the new public house. This has been clad in the same bricks used to construct the previous structure.
The model was created as a sectional model, split directly down the side of the atrium. It was also constructed in layers, this then also helped to create an atmosphere for the internal spaces. Here we can see a section through the atrium into the largest portion of the warehouse. Within the atrium all floor surfaces will be made out of perforated metal. This then allows for daylight to pass through the floor surface. The stairs in contrast will be constructed out of timber to minimise noise, whilst creating a visual difference. These will be constructed on a frame, also allowing light to travel through the steps as shown in the image.

Ground Floor Plan -

First Floor Plan -

Concept Work -

Circulation Concept -

The Atrium as a Connection -

Facade Detail - Stowing Holes

Wall Section -

1:200 Model -

Exterior Perspective -

Sectional Perspective -

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