Project 1
Botanic Laboratory for Generation Z Introduction A key characteristic that define Generation Z is their fluency, or some may argue over dependence, on technology. These Digital Natives are very engaged with the world though social media and have a higher degree of social and environmental concerns as compared to previous generations. A consequence of a life in front of a screen is the lack of interaction with nature or the outdoors in general. From considering these characteristics, we can see there is a huge disparity between Generation Z’s concern for the natural environment and their knowledge of nature, especially in its tacit forms. To deal with the disparity between concern and knowledge of nature, it is first necessary to question what nature is. ‘Nature’ is a highly loaded term and vast in its scope and application. IT is first necessary to be specific in what aspect of nature to promote/exaggerate to help Generation Z members connect the disparity. The humble pot plant experiment commonly done in school primary school will be the basis of the project. The plant growing project has always been at the heart of modern day schooling. It is one of the most fundamental experiments/ experiences that attempt to engage children with nature in an academic setting. With Generation Z losing touch with nature, the importance of the pot plant growing experiment should be emphasized.
Program In essence, the main function of the project will be to develop a children centric botanic laboratory that exaggerates the plant growing process- creating an artificial nature to promote real nature. The idea is for the laboratory to be supported by the allotment holder in the neighbouring site, helping with the maintenance of the laboratory that cannot be done by the children, in turn gaining a new plot within the laboratory in addition to their existing plot. The grown produce will be sold during harvest season to generate profits to expand the scheme throughout its site.
Design Approach and Hypothesis An important aspect of the design of the Botanic Laboratory is its ability to be expanded as more produce is sold. To enable this functionality, the design will be developed through a series of components that can allow for maximum flexibility in its growth. The categories in which can be seen in the design development section. The project will investigate the best learning environment for Generation Z, taking into account successful teaching strategies and implementing them through spatial interventions. Since the project revolves around the plant life and aims to create an ‘artificial nature’, the different architectural components will be treated as such, drawing parallels to botanic taxonomy. It is through this approach the design seeks to emulate ‘nature’ and provide an intriguing solution that will appeal to Generation Z.
Tae-In ‘Timmy’ Yoon UNIT 22 year 4
Project 2
Regeneration of the Vauxhall Pleasure Garden Introduction The Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens was opened by the Tyer family in 1661 and reached the height of its popularity in the early 1800s with an account in 1826 with 20,000 visitors in one night. Its winning formula combining music, illuminated fountains, fireworks and light refreshments in an Eden like atmosphere. Towards its end of its heyday, it offered a wide range of exotic attractions such as lion tamers, tight rope walkers and most famously its balloon rides. Those days are long gone and the once vibrant pleasure garden is now a slightly derelict public park retaining very little of its former glory. This project is to rejuvenate the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens following its experimental routes as a part of the Nine Elms London Regeneration Scheme currently underway in Vauxhall.
Program and links to project one Vauxhall Pleasure Garden is situated adjacent to the Botanic Laboratory explored in project 1 and provides a platform in which the component based design could spread further. The adaptive trait of the Botanic Laboratory will be adopted but perhaps not its focus on plant produce. Instead it will ask what kind of heritage Generation Z is likely to leave and conspicuously suggest that we simply cannot be certain! It is likely Generation Z will have jobs that are currently not in existence today much like how jobs like digital marketing specialists and social media managers were not just 10 years ago. This kind of change is likely to occur not just in work but also recreation; this project will develop a highly adaptive architecture that could accommodate these unforeseen activities. That is not to say the functions of the park are completely speculative. Taking into account its curious context adjacent to the Vauxhall City Farm, the railway, Royal Vauxhall Tavern- ‘The Legendary gay nightclub’ and even the mysterious MI6 Support Office, the Park will have permanent elements that react to its surroundings and act as a base where deployable elements could be stored. Permanent elements of the Pleasure Garden: • • •
Culinary School- making use of the produce from the Botanic Laboratory and allotments Retail units- regeneration of under-utilized high street under the bridge Horse riding stables- Promoting the functions of the adjacent city farm.
Tae-In ‘Timmy’ Yoon UNIT 22 year 4
VAUXHALL PLEASURE GARDENS SITE ANALYSIS KEY: 1
Tennis court
2
Seating area
3
Horse pen (Riding lesson area)
4
Animal pen (Farm use)
Site
<A>
Entrance to site Under the rail tracks Animal pen
1:1000 BOTANIC
LABORATO
RY
<B>
1
4
<E>
3
<D>
2
<C>
<A>
<B>
<C>
<D>
<E>
Vauxhall gardens community centre
Shops under the bridge
Royal Vauxhall Tavern
MI6 Support Office
Vauxhall City Farm
Linking to the Botanic Laboratory, This is where the Current allotment holders would meet to discuss their gardening skills. It is also a place of fellowship for the whole community
An assortment of shops and F&B ranging from hardware to wine stores, there are even clubs underneath the train track bridge.
This old pub built in 1863 is also the oldest surviving gay venue.
Secretive building with frosted windows and a heavily secure entrance.
Vauxhall City Farm is houses a wide range of animals from chickens to donkeys. It already uses the Vauxhall Pleasure Garden for its horses and other animals that require a field to graze in.
VAUXHALL PLEASURE GARDENS DESIGN STRATEGY KEY: Permanent structure Tessilating landscape
1:1000
<A>
An extension of the functions of the Vauxhall garden community centre and the botanic laboratory,this area will be a dedicated refectory and kitchen that will be used the produce grown in the allotments and laboratory
<B>
To promote business in the shops underneath the bridge, a series of retail units facing the existing shops will be developed
<E>
<D> To help the functionings of the Vauxhall City Farm, The Pleasure Gardens will house a dedicated Riding stable and school. 2
<C>
An extension of the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, an outdoor platform area will be developed that leads onto the park