Day 1 - First Meeting

Day 2 - Presentations

This morning we each presented our findings on different heating and insulation solutions for the project that we had found on Monday - these mainly focused on short-term solutions. We reviewed these as a group and discussed the benefits and downfalls of each one, helping us to decide which ideas were feasible and could potentially be put into place as phases 1, 2 or 3 of the plan of the retrofit.

We then thought it may be useful to look into heating solutions used by other theatres to see what kind of sustainable heating solutions they had put in place as well as how they approached funding these options. The client had mentioned they would like to see some precedents that they could potentially visit and ask about how they went about this.
So, we split into 2 groups where sustainable heating methods in both new and old theatres were researched. This way, we got a better idea of how these solutions could be applied to a theatre space. This research was particularly useful for finding long-term solutions and larger systems which could be installed.

Day 2 - Site Visit

In the afternoon, we visited the site and took measurements, photos and sketches of a suitable room that we could stage with different insulation ideas, as well as taking a tour around the entire place.

Day 3 - Conceptualisations

After the visit to the site yesterday, the students found multiple issues in the building and why the client needed to have heating solutions. In the morning, we then tasked the students with the concept of 'BIG INTERVENTIONS ON A SMALL SCALE'.

The idea was that we would produce short term solutions showcased in one room in the theatre. We would present to the client short term solutions they can replicate throughout the building. So we asked the students to create interventions in concept visuals and then we would discuss each student's concept. Shortly after, we decided on the number of interventions that would be present in the showroom.

Day 4 - Research and Design 1

The students were tasked with further developing their chosen intervention from yesterday. They were to produce drawings, costings and material sourcing. Drawings - in how the intervention would be constructed and final measurements. Costings - how much it would cost to procure the necessary material. Sourcing - where the materials will come from.

Day 4 - Research and Design 1.2

Day 5 - Research and Design 2 + End of Week 1

This continued from day 4 in further research and design into heating instalments. First, we inducted the BA students into the fashion/textiles workshop so they can be able to use the sewing machines available for the necessary tasks. During that, we also procured some recycled deadstock fabric from the Fashion Department Bins.

Secondly, we had specially made a trip to Hulme Garden (next door to our client) in scouting and procure the necessary material for our green wall installation. There was a success in securing the frame for the green wall but the necessary green material ie plants and vegetation proved elusive