Surface Design Awards – Complete

• INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE YEAR - NEW
  This is a new category that recognises wall, floor, ceiling and surface design products, including decorative, creative and inventive surfaces for the interior of buildings including both commercial and residential properties.
• HOUSING - INTERIOR 
  Buildings such as houses, flats and apartments that are used for sheltering people. These could be either part of the private or public sector and could be individual dwellings or multi-dwelling developments. Social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing, provided to specified eligible households whose needs are not met by the market are included.

Dragon Flat represents a refurbishment of a flat situated within a 1950s council block. Originally constructed in a then-decrepit area of London to accommodate low-income households post-war, the vicinity has since metamorphosed into one of London's most affluent quarters. The block's enduring concrete structure and the flat's low floor-to-ceiling height, slightly under 2.4m, posed unique challenges that demanded innovative solutions.

In many London flats, the dichotomy between the ownership of the flats and their structural integrity often complicates design interventions. This was no exception. The flat's inherent dual aspect was a latent advantage, obscured by the subdivided kitchen, dining, living, and stairwell areas. Our intervention sought to unveil this concealed potential. By diligently removing non-load-bearing partitions, informed by thorough structural surveys, we transformed the lower level, liberating it from its post-war austerity blueprint. The result is a space bathed in varying intensities of natural light throughout the day.

A prominent engraving of the River Thames, spanning wall-to-wall and reaching full height, serves a dual purpose. It not only diverts attention from the constrained ceiling height but also harmoniously integrates with the corner sofa and its embedded projector screen. By embedding utilities such as the kitchen, storage, seating, and toilet into the perimeter walls, we ensured the central space remained unobstructed. This allowed for the introduction of a floating perforated timber stair, positioned reminiscently of the original 1950s stairway.

Upstairs, we eschewed conventional design wisdom that champions higher ceilings. Instead, we deliberately lowered the ceiling. The tatami bedroom, elevated on a storage platform, now boasts a floor-to-ceiling height of approximately 2m, crafting a uniquely intimate ambience within the confines of the original council flat dimensions.

Our design approach also extended to the surfaces. Oriented Strand Board (OSB), a nod to the flat's modest origins, was innovatively employed as wallpaper, accentuated with brass clips and engravings. Contrary to the Arts and Crafts movement's aversion to burgeoning technology, we harnessed contemporary tools at our disposal. The engraved peony flowers adorning the walls, for instance, were conceived from AI-driven suggestions. These artificial creations serenely coexist with the organic peace lily, offering a juxtaposition of the natural and the technologically crafted.

On the lower floor, we juxtaposed the commonplace OSB with opulent Carara marble slabs in the toilet. **The primary motivation behind all our efforts was to enrich the lives of the occupants.**

The choice of the Thames River engraving is not merely aesthetic. It is intended to spark dialogue between occupants and their guests, infusing their daily interactions with depth and intrigue.

Regarding the cost of the project, it remains confidential at the client's discretion.

Completion Date: March 2022.

For the Dragon Flat refurbishment, we primarily employed conventional sheet and board materials: plywood, pine boards, OSB boards, and marble tiles. Despite their ubiquity in standard building projects, we approached these materials in a slightly unconventional manner due to structural constraints.

Our focus on surfaces emerged from the limitations imposed by the existing structure. With minimal flexibility to alter wall positions or ceiling heights, we delved deep into the surface design to imbue the space with richness and meaning. A notable example is our use of OSB board, a commonplace building product often relegated to the background. We brought it to the forefront, making it the visible finish in the main bedroom. This was further enhanced by engraving peony flowers, designed using an AI image generative tool and executed via CNC routing, a nod to human craftsmanship.

Historically, movements like Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau championed surface ornamentation to enrich occupants' lives, emphasizing human craft as a counter to rapid technological advancements. In contrast, we embraced contemporary digital tools to transform these everyday building materials. A striking experiment juxtaposed OSB with marble, contrasting one of the least expensive materials with a premium one. This exploration showcased the potential of common building products when approached with innovative design thinking.

In essence, our material choices and their application, rooted in both history and modern technology, make a compelling case for the Surface Design Award.

Dragon Flat's refurbishment prioritised sustainability by predominantly utilising low-embodied carbon materials. The project's essence lies in its adaptive reuse, transforming a space initially designed for low-income households to cater to an affluent demographic, mirroring the area's evolution. This approach not only preserved the existing structure but also minimised the need for extensive new construction, thus reducing the environmental impact.

Material Carbon Footprint (A1-A3):
- Substructure Material:
- Stud work: 0.8 m^3, 650.0 Kg/M^3, 0.3 Kg CO2/Kg, 504.6 Kg, 132.7 Kg CO2
- OSB board: 1.1 m^3, 650.0 Kg/m^3, 0.5 Kg CO2/Kg, 690.7 Kg, 314.3 Kg CO2
- Acoustic Insulation: 1.0 m^3, 10.0 Kg/m^3, 1.2 Kg CO2/Kg, 10.3 Kg, 12.3 Kg CO2
- PIR Insulation: 0.5 m^3, 32.0 Kg/m^3, 1.9 Kg CO2/Kg, 14.7 Kg, 27.3 Kg CO2
- Plasterboard: 2.0 m^3, 900.0 Kg/m^2, 0.39 Kg CO2/Kg, 1,813.9 Kg, 707.4 Kg CO2
- Marble: 0.8 m^3, 2,500.0 Kg/m^3, 0.12 Kg CO2/Kg, 2,100.0 Kg, 243.6 Kg CO2
- Engineered floor board: 1.2 m^3, 625.0 Kg/m^3, 0.68 Kg CO2/Kg, 760.5 Kg, 518.3 Kg CO2

Fitting, Furnishing, and Equipment:
- Plywood: 3.2 m^3, 650.0 Kg/m^3, 0.7 Kg CO2/Kg, 2,080.0 Kg, 1,414.4 Kg CO2
- Knotless pine: 2.7 m^3, 500.0 Kg/m^3, 0.3 Kg CO2/Kg, 1,355.0 Kg, 356.4 Kg CO2
- OSB board: 0.8 m^2, 650.0 Kg/m^2, 0.5 Kg CO2/Kg, 520.0 Kg, 236.6 Kg CO2
- Steel: 0.0050 m^3, 7,850.0 Kg/m^3, 2.7 Kg CO2/Kg, 39.3 Kg, 106.4 Kg CO2

Transportation Carbon Footprint (A4):
- Plasterboard: 1,813.9 Kg, 86.9 Km, 0.00011 KgCO2e/kg/km, 16.8 Kg CO2
- Plywood and stud: 4,555.8 Kg, 85.3 Km, 0.00011 KgCO2e/kg/km, 41.4 Kg CO2
- Knotless pine: 1,355.0 Kg, 7840 Km, 0.00002 KgCO2e/kg/km, 171.5 Kg CO2
- Marble: 2,100.0 Kg, 1368 Km, 0.00011 KgCO2e/kg/km, 171.5 Kg CO2

Construction Carbon Footprint (A5):
- A5w (waste): Plasterboard: 1,813.9 Kg, 22.5%, 0.29032, 0.018, 9.5 Kg CO2
- A5a (site activity): £269,230.00 x700kg Co2/£100000 = 1884.8 kg CO2

From the provided data, the total embodied carbon for the project is 7,152 kg CO2, which translates to 86.87 kg CO2e/m^2 for a space of 82.33 m^2. This calculation, combined with the use of sustainable materials and the project's adaptive reuse approach, showcases Dragon Flat's commitment to environmental responsibility.

One of the primary challenges we encountered pertained to the engraving of OSB. Given the material's inconsistent and porous nature, achieving precision with CNC cutting was demanding. The spindle's rotation speed and the blade's width required meticulous calibration to ensure the engraving was both smooth and visually appealing.

We opted for a wider blade, which not only facilitated a smoother engraving process but also enhanced the graphic's aesthetics. Another challenge was striking the right balance in the engraving's contrast. It was crucial to ensure the design was discernible without being overly pronounced or too subtle.

The digital realm offers a plethora of options, but the final decision rests in human hands. To this end, our contractor produced several samples with varying finishes. This iterative process allowed us to visualize the outcomes and select the one that best aligned with our vision. The endeavor underscored the importance of collaboration and the fusion of technology with human judgment in achieving the desired result.

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