1.500_site_context_map_colour_coded.pdf | |
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In order to understand the safety of the area in respect to the design of the building, it was important to research recent crime rates and figures. The figure to the left explores the different types of crime; anti-social behaviour, violent crime and shoplifting were the most common in the Digbeth area. [1] I was also able to find secondary data associated with the number of crimes in the wider context of the site. This provides details in regards to the 35 crimes of all types reported in September 2018 to the Police.[2]
This research tells us that crime is relatively commonplace within Digbeth, yet this is also due to the nature of the area as it is heavily industrialised and in some parts buildings have been abandoned for some time. [1] https://www.streetcheck.co.uk/crime/b56dy, [accessed 14/11/2018]
[2] https://www.police.uk/west-midlands/BWAA/crime/+BnD2eZ/, [accessed 14/11/2018] |
It was important to understand how the path of the sun and wind direction impacted the site at different times of the day and different times of the year.
I researched into sun path diagrams and over lay a chart onto a map of the site within the context of its surrounding area. From this sun path diagram, I was able to understand how the sun during the Summer Solstice (21st June 2018, 12:00pm) had an altitude of 72° and an azimuth of 178°; during the Winter Solstice (21st December 2018, 12:00pm) the sun had an altitude of 15° and an azimuth of 178°. These values express how the height of the sun in relation to the site changes as a result of the Earth's orbit in conjunction with the relevant season- during the Winter, the sun is much lower than in the Summer and the number of daylight hours is greatly reduced. These values were important in order to recognise how much direct sunlight from the southerly side would impact any design proposals during the development process. Understanding the direction of the prevailing wind that the location of the site was exposed to is also important as it can be used to aid unassisted ventilation to increase air flow and remove exhaust air. Wind producing a force as it acts on the building will produce a difference in pressure and therefore will enable ventilation to become somewhat dependent on the net movement of air molecules as a product of the pressures acting on different sides of the building as shown in the image/ diagram below: |