Structure

The Architects were highly concerned with the positioning of the kiosk, as they wanted to move away from the robust and corporate architecture found around the site. They had to find a way to transfer between the glass, steel and limestone elements in their surroundings. Their solution was to find an arrangement, materiality and shape that would link the modern structures and the natural sceneries of the park.

Timber was the architects’ first choice as it one of the most common materials used for park structures. It is a material that can be easily manipulated and transformed.  The hardest part was to come up with a technique in order to burn such a large building. After much experimentation, DSDHA architects had learnt that wood, if burnt, is very irrepressible and sturdy. Carbon is also very robust and if charred, wood will not be able to burn again. If wood is heated, it can build a stronger resistant against bug infestation and decay. The wood had to go through a heat treatment process and later had to be both water blasted and abraded.

The Parkside Kiosk is enveloped by 19mm-thick by 94mm wide charred cladding. The panels are secret-fixed to the boards and joist set in the kiosk’s steel frame that forms the skeletal structure of the building. A large canopy cantilevers out 9m at the entrance of the kiosk and provides shelter for those entering the café or sitting outside. The inner space doesn’t have any columns supporting the structure to allow better circulation within the space. But we do find two large and irregular columns right outside the entrance. The columns look very similar to naturally formed stalactites falling from the canopy. They are built out of 94 by 94mm-thick timber pieces. Even though the entire kiosk is charred black, it appears to be gently lying on the park.  

http://www.propertyweek.com/buildings/technical/charred-timber-at-dsdha%E2%80%99s-parkside-kiosk-near-london%E2%80%99s-city-hall-links-the-area%E2%80%99s-past-and-present/3091943.article

The colour of the timber is observed darker with irregular patterns of water marks on the garage door compared to the side where it is more exposed to the Sun light. From the picture above, there are obvious marks on the pavement caused by the movement of the garage door.

Aesthetically wise, the presence of the metal barriers cause visual distraction even though its purpose is for the safety of the public when operating the window cleaning crane.

The metal joints of the door to the wall, damages the cladding of the adjacent timber when the door opens. Constant use of the door worsens the cracks on the side wall and the base of the door.

This picture was taken in the morning after it has rained and followed by sunny weather. It is clear that the right side of the building is almost dried whereas the other side remains damped. It shows how the weather has an impact on the building. This was observed at noon thus the position of the Sun shone from above and as the structure of the garage is in an angle,  it perceives less light than the East side where the glazed cafe windows are lit. Also the overhanging roof on the left creates shadowing effect resulting of the timber beneath to dry slowly.