Construction, Technology, and Environment: Royal Court Theatre - Case Study Example

Name Professor Course Date of submission Соnstruсtiоn, Тесhnоlоgy, and Еnvirоnmеnt: Royal Соurt Тhеаtrе Саsе Introduction Globally, all industrial sectors are shifting to products that have little impact on the environmental degradation. Besides, the architects and interior designers are also keen while giving recommendations on the type of products to purchase, with much focus on upholding the quality of the environment. For many years, the architects have been creating inspiring innovative paradigms for the construction of the houses, museums, hospitals, and court systems (Pourny and Renzi 78). However, most of these activities have been able to undergo corresponding institutional diversification and mutation. For the court theatres, the case is different since they involve special cases considering the physical prerequisites occurring between the performing and the witnessing bodies. With the focus on the Royal Court Theatre’s banquette seating, the seats are made of leather materials reflecting their quality and importance of having such seats in the courts. Although the materials used in making the seats are expensive, their durability and quality offer the best behind their utilisation within the court. Since time in memorial, people valued leather products with consideration to its advantageous features that no other materials could provide. Moreover, the earliest and simple seats were made from the animal skins since they were warm and comfortable for sitting and resting while doing some research. Some of these advantages remained the same until 21st with institutions like the Royal Court finding leather materials necessary. Today, most organisations still consider leather products popular and desire its features. Although there are several fabrics and synthetic materials in the global markets, leather remains the choice of most valued material in the construction of seats. Critical Evaluation of Leather Properties Leather has several uses with most of them attributed to an array of mechanical characteristics that it presents, raw materials used during manufacturing, and ability to process itself. However, the stiff sole leather tends to contrast such behaviour while fine gloving leather exemplifies the point. At ambient temperatures and humidity, leather shows elastic behaviour. Nonetheless, delayed effects of elasticity might give plasticity semblance. The relaxation time from the stress becomes discontinuous upon the elapse of sufficient time. In addition, the stress-strain relation associated with leather extension strips is often non-linear at even low strains. The two-dimensional leather extension has been analysed by the instrument that allow independent extension in two perpendicular sides. Concerning other materials that have biological derivation, the mechanical behaviour of the leather tends to vary from place to place within the skin. Furthermore, several physical features make leather unique and valuable material from manufacturing the seats and other types of furniture. These features include high tensile strength that allows it accommodate many people in a seat especially in the courts that accommodate several people at a go. In comparison to other materials used in the manufacturing of furniture, leather materials are less resistant to wear and tear unless the lifespan is over or subject to high physical strength that exceeds the expansion limit. Court proceeding often takes long duration per session, which makes leather an ideal material for manufacturing the seats. The attribute mainly considers the material ability as good heat insulation faces. Sitting for a long time often generate heat on the seats; however, with leather as materials used in manufacturing, there is accommodation of a great deal of air that is a poor heat conductor (Lee, 102). Such feature is of significant comfort worth considering while selecting the court seats. Additionally, regarding permeability to water vapour, leather seats made of fibres can hold large quantities of water vapour, which normally accumulates when people sit for a long duration. In theatre courts, people sit for long hours; hence, this property enables the leather seats used to absorb perspirations which after some time is dissipated (Wilson 181). Such feature offers great comfort within the court environment. The thermostatic property also makes the use of leather seats unique. Since the seats are warm during winter and cool in summer, they are most suited for the ever-busy environments like the Royal Court since they offer all season comfort irrespective of the weather conditions. Leather seats are cost effective since they are resistant to wear and dry abrasions triggered by rough clothes worn. However, with resistance to heat and flame, leather seats have extended a level of excellence. Most leather seats are currently made to withstand chemical attack. Besides, the atmosphere of most cities receives pollution from combustion of carbon fuels and sulphur dioxide gas, which could accelerate the deterioration of the leather materials. However, modern leathers undergo tanning processes to resist attack from these harmful chemicals likely to result from accidental spillages. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the leather seats The major advantage associated with using leather in the Royal Court is its durability, which makes it cost effective and economically friendly. As a state and a busy institution, the legal procedures followed to decide on the type materials to be often purchased take long especially in cases where the involved stakeholders have different interests. Therefore, purchasing durable products like leather seats assist in ensuring minimal time wastage to find the most appropriate material that fits the institution. The Royal Court uses superior quality leather seats that could last for more than 15 years. Moreover, it is difficult to rip and tear leather made materials making it ideal for places receiving different types of people whose motives are clearly not known. It is easy to maintain leather seats, which makes it cost effective especially while considering having casual labourers to clean them on a daily basis. Additionally, Royal Court receives people with different problems including health related (Knaack, Chung-Klatte, and Hasselbach 127). Since leather seats do not hold specks of dust or pollen materials, by using such materials in the court, the administration considers even those suffering from allergy. Leather materials do not fray which makes it conform to the body impressions that makes people feel comfortable and reshapes efficiently. The Royal Court also uses high-quality aniline dyed leather that do not fade due to exposure from the sun of intense heating from the users. New leather seats are durable, however, with time they soften with intensification and deepening of the texture and colour respectively. Maintaining cleanliness of most leather materials is easy with all that is required being a regular vacuum and a damp cloth. Besides, several specialist leather cleaning products would assist in protecting and prolonging the lifespan of the seats. Even with such merits, there are several demerits associated with using leather seats in the Royal Court. The leather seats mimic the room temperature, which to some extent might accelerate the rate at which they wear out. In addition, the seats are warm to touch during summer, while cold in winter seasons. This feature makes leather seats unideal during summer seasons. People with exposed skins tend to have their skins stick on the leather seats. With such contamination, it is easy to contact contagious diseases especially from those whose skin have contact with the leather seats. Removing stains from the seats require keenness since it could damage the leather dye. It is important to note that leather seat prices tend to differ with quality. Therefore, selection of the seats requires people with proficiency to prevent the purchase of fabrics. Leather seats scratch easily, which makes it easy for sharp objects to scratch their surfaces. In comparison to fabric materials, the colour palette for the leather seats are few. While selecting an ergonomic leather seat, it is crucial to avoid purchasing those that are incredibly cheap since the deal might turn out to be too good to be true. Furthermore, smooth leather seats have sliding surfaces and might cause one to move inadvertently about on the seat consequently. These types of selected seats for the court also have a tendency to put a shine on the clothing, therefore, if one wears expensive outfits, then it is crucial to have to increase the clothing budget to accommodate the increasing wearing out rate. With limited air conditioning systems within the Royal Court’s Theatre, people are prone to perspiration or sweating. The appropriateness of the leather material Library banquette seating place of the Royal Court receives many people in a day that requires quality seats that can withstand harsh conditions presented by different people. Therefore, using leather seats offers an ideal comfort required by these people. With regard to the appearance of the leather seats, it gives the seating place an elegance look. Initially, the leather products remained exclusively to wealthy people and state institutions. However, as the leather materials continue to be affordable, the connotation that leather remains a high-end material continues. In addition, people sitting in the library banquette-seating place sit for long hours, which requires seats that can absorb moisture like those made of leather materials. Leather seat presents with it comfort as required with the banquette seating place of the Royal Court. Since leather in itself is a natural fabric, it can adjust to changes in temperatures from the outside weather. As a result, it is an ideal material for making the library seats, considering that the seating place is ever busy and receives people from different places (Sankar 215). It is crucial that people are comfortable while visiting the place. Fabric materials can breathe a property that allow them to cool during summer and warm in winter seasons which allows operations to continue normally without fearing changing conditions of the seats. The seats also absorb the natural oils from the skin, which to some extent could lead to the spread of skin diseases. With the ability to stretch, leather seats can adjust to fit the shape of anyone’s body to make him/her more comfortable. Seats made from leather are durable which might help to reduce expenses like the cost of purchasing new ones. With such durability, leather materials can withstand harsh treatment like accidental chemical spillages. Besides, seating place is ever busy. As a result, it is crucial that it has seats that are easy to clean with a wet cloth to remove dirt. Leather seats can also withstand physical trauma that is likely to scratch a fabric material due to its strength. With much concern for the green economy and eco-friendly materials, leather fulfils both the needs as it emanates from a renewable source and stand out as a natural fabric. The whole process from conception to production of leather Trimming and cleaning The commonly used hides to make leather for the seats come from antelopes, lambskin, cowhide, and buckskin. Upon the removal of the skin from the animal at the meat processing companies, there is refrigeration, salting, and packing in barrels containing brine. Leather preparation begins with trimming and cleaning. At this stage, skins are trimmed and sorted depending on their sizes, weight, and thickness. It is crucial that the hides are free from any protein that might facilitate the growth of bacteria. As a result, plants often soak the skins in drums full of water, bactericides, and detergents. The hair from the skins are removed using chemicals while the scudding scraps any excess hair. De-liming involves the removal of chemicals before soaking and bating in an acidic solution. Besides, enzyme treatment allows the removal of collagens before pickling the hides with salt and sulphuric acid. Tanning There are three types of tanning. Vegetable tanning requires much time since it involves soaking the hides in a progressively stronger tannic acid. For soft leathers, this process takes shorter duration. Mineral tanning takes place fast; however, it could change the skin colour. Therefore, for this method, it is crucial to place the skins in an alum salt-filed solution with paddles for the provision of continuous agitation motion. The oil-tanning methods resemble the oldest method with the distinct feature in the method being spraying the oil onto the skin. Washing and Drying After tanning, the hides are washed and seriously wrung out, passed through a band knife that cut them to some uniform thickness, and placed on conveyor belts that transport them to the drying tunnels. Nonetheless, there is stretching of the hides on the frames to prevent shrinkages. Drying hides often produce stiffness which to combat, it is crucial to spray them using water and soap (Koon 76). After conditioning them, hides are placed on the machines meant to rhythmically manipulate the leather to loosen the fibres further and make them flexible. The final drying period involves hanging the hides in a vacuum drying cabinet. After serious drying, there is buffing using revolving steel cylinders that have abrasive papers. By passing the hides through a high-speed emery wheels, there is production of suede finishes. After application of glazers and lacquers, the hides are ready to go to the factories. Cutting At this stage, tanned leather is placed spreaders. Even though the currently used technology allows cutting off several layers simultaneously, leather is often cut one layer at a time. The pattern is placed on the leather, which is achievable in different ways. Specific aspects of sustainable environments, processes and assembly and building construction principles Leather seats are important to institutions that require minimal disturbances associated with replacement or renovation of the seats like the Royal Courts. Thus, with its durability, seats made from leather are suitable for utilisation in these areas (Weintraub 211). However, the processes involved in the processing of the hides poses several dangers on the people and environment. The major environmental concern associated with leather is dumping of its solid and liquid wastes containing leftover chromium and other hazardous materials used during processing (Neuhart and Neuhart 189). As a result, there are stick measures that control environmental standards. Even with the modern and carefully managed machines, it is almost impossible to reclaim all the hazardous compounds generated during the tanning process. Chromium is a hazardous metal. After utilisation of leather seats over a long duration, there are chances that it might begin to produce chromium especially if there is contamination with water. When inhaled, chromium could act as irritant considering its carcinogenic properties. As a result, it affects the upper respiratory tract and obstruction of airways, which increases the chances of developing lung cancer (Khan 116). Most research connects chromium to increased asthma, pharyngitis, and bronchitis rates. After wearing out, disposing of the leather seats is quite challenging since the skin takes a longer duration to biodegrade. Through combustion options, leather produces a great proportion of carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas. However, with the adherence to the construction principles while designing the Library banquette-seating place, the constructed ensured adequate flow of air within the room to reduce the level of exposure should such incidents occur (Pearson Higher Education 7). Building construction is often a complex, crucial, and the most rewarding process since it commences with an idea and grows into a structure that might serve the users for decades. Therefore, building any construction requires careful selection and assemblage of the materials. Works Cited Khan, Shah R. Trade and Environment: The Difficult Interface and Policy Choices. London: Zed, 2002. Print. Knaack, Ulrich, Sharon Chung-Klatte, and Reinhard Hasselbach. Prefabricated Systems: Principles of Construction. Basel: Birkhäuser, 2012. Print. Koon, Larry. Roycroft Furniture & Collectibles: Identification & Value Guide. Paducah: Collector Books, 2004. Print. Lee, Kari. Gorgeous Leather Crafts: 30 Projects to Stamp, Stencil, Weave & Tool. New York: Lark Books, 2002. Print. Neuhart, Marilyn, and John Neuhart. The Story of Eames Furniture. Berlin: Gestalten, 2010. Print. Pearson Higher Education. "Principles of Construction." Higher Education | Pearson. Pearson Higher Education, n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2016. . Pourny, Christophe, and Jen Renzi. The Furniture Bible. N.p., 2014. Print. Sankar, U. Trade and Environment: A Study of India's Leather Exports. New Delhi: Oxford UP, 2007. Print. Weintraub, Linda. To Life!: Eco Art in Pursuit of a Sustainable Planet. N.p., 2012. Print. Wilson, Robert. Caring for Your Leather Furniture Made Eaz-Y. KB Design, 2011. Print. Read More