Architectural Apprentice Joanna Koning summarises her dissertation which explores how the architect can use a doughnut econmic model as a framework to design for inclusion within Argent’s Kings Cross masterplan.
My research originates from mapping the types of bins found within the Kings Cross Masterplan, recently developed by Argent. The bins created a visual expression of a boundary with the new masterplan development and its fringe with the surrounding boroughs and communities.Sparkling clean new recycle bins are found within the masterplan, meanwhile overflowing general waste bins, with a homeless person nearby are found only the street across. This gives the appearance that there remains a lack of integration for certain elements of the wider community. How can this juxtaposition and its nature be challenged?
The Doughnut Economic Model by Kate Raworth, an economist, questions the economic models of the 20th century which only consider economic growth, instead she focuses on creating a balance. Carrying out extensive research Kate Raworth has developed this new model to meet the challenges of the 21st century, named the Doughnut Economic Model.
The doughnut model creates a ‘safe space’ with an inner ring of social foundation and outer ring of an ecological ceiling. Any overshoots or shortfalls in meeting these boundaries causes an imbalance. The principles are outlined in her book Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st Century Economist.
My research investigates how the architect can use a doughnut economic model as a framework to design for inclusion within Argent’s kings cross masterplan.
The objective was to do this using data led design and collaborative techniques to propose an intervention which enables inclusion and aims to contribute to a thriving community for all at Kings Cross. The aim is to create a pathway to opportunities for the most underprivileged and vulnerable.
Data (Context) - Doughnut (Inclusive framework) - Design (Typology)
The architectural typologies are based on an intervention to be placed within a recently redeveloped area of London with already highly urbanised character. The strategy was based on fitting into the existing urban grain. Focused to contribute but not take away from the existing uses of Kings Cross’s urban landscape. This uses intensification, identifying underused or temporary use sites.
Creating a portrait of needs through data and verifying decisions can enable a more collaborative process with other members of the team, for example in gaining client support for transformative design ideas and innovations to tackle the needs. Other sources and consultants input can be referred to prove data and decisions through the later stages results in a continuing data driven design process which is a consultative design process. The Data Driven Design process for this research will consider and incorporate three aspects of data:
Data and Design: The datasets are applied at various stages of the process: from the early stage considering census demographic information and carbon emissions through to microclimate and circular economy related issues for waste predictions data and buildability considerations at the detailed design stage.
In particular, attention should be paid to feedback data and evaluating the project subsequent to completion.
“Architects do little to obtain feedback on the outcomes of their work and are shockingly ignorant of the impact they have on communities. As a result, it is virtually impossible to predict or explain the positive societal impact of their contribution to buildings, homes and places.” (Social Value Toolkit for Architecture, 2020, p3).
Data and Inclusion: Specific data sets used are social and economic reports on the Kings Cross area and adjacent borough,alongside site analysis, census data, employment statistics and commentaries from stakeholders in the design process. A portrait of the community is established from this data as these examples illustrate:
Socio-economic benefits are collected from the area’s census data: 57.8% of the working population (aged 16-74) are economically active with 59.3% of children achieving GCSEs 5+ A*-C grades (including Maths and English) and low crime rate at 90 crimes per 1000 people (Camden Neighbourhood Profile- Kings Cross, 2015).
Data and Collaboration: Collaboration is important to testing hypotheses and variables within research and the data driven design process. However, this can be an inefficient process if individuals or each member of a multi disciplinary team adds their own variables in turn or uses restricted data sets, leading possibly to incomplete testing or evaluation and corrected options several times over.
Data categories of Kings cross census and site data:
Social - Thriving:
Social - Not Thriving:
Ecological - Thriving:
Ecological - Not Thriving:
The approach and methodology of the research results in a proposal for an intervention.
The Intervention: The Vision Connectivity and Carbon are the driving force for the intervention. The vision includes:
The typologies and their forms are to act to attract the inquisitive nature of people. For this reason the Upskil lcentre is embedded into the public realm, with the skills centre located in Lewis Cubitt park. The intention to incorporate the connectivity and carbon aims by retaining and improving the park and making more accessible - so in balance the essence and activity of the park life within the accessibility of the centre and its programme of spaces. Retaining and enhancing the biodiversity.
Located in a semi-permanent way, taking up underused space, adding to buildings etc. In this way the skill connectors will act as ‘beacons’ both within the site and outside Kings Cross to provide visible form and advertisement to those in neighbouring boroughs. This is to provide visual connectivity.
The rationale follows from the aspects identified in the carbon and connectivity doughnut. These determined a portrait of the issues related to the site; responding to the ‘overshoots’ and ‘shortfalls’ found.
This follows from the imbalances shown in carbon connectivity doughnut to establish the brief and its programme requirements. These address shortfalls found in the Carbon connectivity model.
A – LOCAL - SOCIAL: PROGRAMME TARGETS
B – LOCAL - ECOLOGICAL: PROGRAMME TARGETS
C – GLOBAL - SOCIAL: PROGRAMME TARGETS
D – GLOBAL - ECOLOGICAL: PROGRAMME TARGETS
In assessing the contribution of architects to the ‘inclusive agenda’, this can be seen through the three elements - Data Driven Design of Process, Collaboration and Engagement where architects play a role. In all of these three elements social and ecological values are bound together to contribute to the Inclusive agenda, instead of solely social values.
However the architect needs to create a vision from these elements that incorporate other objectives such as thinking long term, creating shared value and behavioural change. These objectives relate to the fourth element required - Viability - which has emerged from the evaluation of the Data Driven Design Process by the developer, architects, and is essential to the development appraisals of investors and clients and businesses.The findings from the interview with Argent show that if investment in and appreciation of the long term value of buildings and the environment are held as important objectives, developments can be made to work both in societal terms and in the financial viability to clients. What is required is willingness to look at benefits other than financial. This seems to support the framework to design for inclusivity established around the principles of the Doughnut Economy.
Various ideas were proposed to be incorporated, in particular data related to the building as it continues its life following construction.
You're looking for exceptional architecture. We're looking for exceptional projects. Let's start a conversation
Enquire