INTEGRATED DESIGN REPORT AGATA KORZENIEWSKA
MANCHESTER SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE QED | SIOBHAN BARRY & MATT PILLING
PART A.
INVESTIGATION | THEORY | CONTEXT | PROGRAMME | GENERATION OF FORM
INTRODUCTION PART A. INTRODUCTION REFERENCES CONTEXTURAL ANALYSIS PROGRAMMATIC ANALYSIS GENERATION OF FORM
2 3-4 5 6 7-8
PART B. STATEMENT OF TECTONIC INTENSIONS STRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION ENVIRONMENTAL USE COST CONSIDERATIONS LEGISLATION
9 10 11 12-14 15 16
The path of an architect is long, complicated and full of unpredictable turns. It is the art that is learnt and perfected throughout the whole life. Constant challenges and ambitions that we expose ourselves to make us improve and only by pushing ourselves to the limits of our potential we can be the best version of ourselves. Those are my goals both as an architect and as a person in general and I feel that the design process is enabling me to be one step closer to achieving them. This year made me realize exactly how important is the role of an architect in a building project. As they told us on our site visit - if you don’t draw it, it won’t be built. Learning from nature, incorporating digital fabrication enhance the design process greatly but they are not enough without essential knowledge of structure, construction process, services requirements and proper contextualisation of the project. The study of different views that one might take when thinking about architecture allowed me to create my AGATA KORZENIEWSKA own opinion as a complicated mixture of those influences with a personal element to 13163415 it. Furthermore, this year taught me the importance of looking at things from different angle and therefore trying to understand a project from all possible perspectives. Not to mention technical analysis of structure and environment and presentation skills which I have immensely improved this year. An architect is someone who knows something about everything which proved to be very accurate this year.
PART C. REALISATION STATEMENT CONCLUSION
DRAWING PACK. LOCATION PLAN EXISTING SITE PLAN PROPOSED SITE PLAN BUILDING PLANS BUILDING ELEVATIONS BUILDING SECTIONS TECHNICAL DETAILS INTERNAL PERSPECTIVES AXONOMETRIC EXTERNAL PERSPECTIVE
1
17 18
19 20 21 22-23 24 25 26-28 29 29 30
The Flux therefore is a final outcome of my thoughts and experiments, trying to implement everything I have learnt, read and analysed. It changes like a chameleon while providing a stable framework for the mutation to occur, in all environmental, material and social level.
2
QED THINK!
REFERENCES The key readings chosen for qed atelier introduce different approach to design process suggesting letting nature, users and emergence have their say. Each of selected texts shows a different point of view and gives another angle to perceive architecture and design process. Personally, I found the Space Reader the most useful, with its text Heterogenous Space of Morpho-Ecologies which gave the basis for my approach to derive material systems on the basis of their observed capacities by using both the micro-structure of the material iteself and the meso-structure of a designed material assembly. That was the most important aspect describing our LAKA competition entry which further impacted my final design. Michael Hensel and Achim Menges encourage architecture based on the capacity of material to self-organise in response to an external stimulus where form is found as a state of equilibrium of internal resistances and external forces. This played a big role in my proposed design as the aim of the building is to use the internal and external forces to exhibit change. The initial idea proposed the building undergoing constant change in a short period of time in order to show the impact of people from the interior and environment from the outside on the structure. The other of the books, Emergence: Morphogenesis and the mathematics of emergence, underlines the role of mathematics and computer science in creating an efficiently working environment. It suggests that, just like all biological organisms and many nonliving systems, architecture can be monitored by the flow of energy. That was another vital point of view that I implemented in my design, introducing change of materials and hence environments within each room as a reaction to external stimulus. However, according to Plato, there is a primary importance of elementary geoetries behind the material world which is another reason for the form of my final proposal.
QED atelier is known for its enforcement on widening the horizons in terms of architectural understanding and a strong collaboration between 3rd, 5th and 6th year. One of the outcomes of this partnership was qed think! series which was a set of seminars during which we discussed the texts grouped into categories such as Ecologies, Spaces, Territorries, Natures, Machines and Futures. During those series we rethought those topics in context of readings. Those discussions led to considering architecture as an always changing process, rethinking what is space and what isn’t, what do we consider boundaries, who establishes them and how. This made me realise that the perception of the boundary also changes depending on our position what was highly influenced by the text of Sean Lally, The Shape of Energy, who gave an example of a bonfire and different borderlines that it sets such like visual, audible or redolent. Similarly, architecture can be considered an open system informed by its environment as architectural shape is always in feedback loop between the existing conditions and itself. All of those reflections changed my perception of architecture. Thinking of it in a more abstract manner allowed me to reconsider my previous assumptions and rationalise it in the end to produce a sensible design proposal.
3
The Eyes of the Skin by Juhani Pallasmaa is another book that highly influenced my design. His suggestions to look at space through different senses can significantly improve the experience of architecture. That led me further on into looking how environmental psychology looks at architecture and how I could implement that into design process. The building is then a response to the combined needs of the environment and future users.
QED think! is the series of seminars where we discussed different ideas. It was a part of collaboration project with 5th and 6th year students. Thanks to vivid conversation and theoretical back up, those seminars put a different light not only on our projects put also on our general intellectual perception of architecture. It definitely made the design process more interesting and varied as we thought about it from many constracting views.
BIOMIMICRY WORKSHOPS Biomimicry workshops took part in the first week of December and was part of the collaboration programme with the students from University of Nicosia. Lectures given by Michael Pavlyn and Yaniv Peer made us reconsider our approach to design process, encouraging the shift from biomorphism to bimimetism maximising the efficiency of the sustainability potential of the building.
MILAN STUDY TRIP The key point of Milan study trip was Milan EXPO. However, personally, I found a lot of other interesting details within the city as Milan appeared to me as a study of thresholds and fluid transitions between old and new. That inspired my project in terms of the concept itself but also the link between static frame for dynamic action and the flowing conversion of the two.
LAKA COMPETITION LAKA competition made us realise how interactive architecture can be applied in everyday life highlighting not necessarilly the high tech solutions but very often using material conditions. This, combined with the biomimicry aspect, established my approach towards usage of smart materials while minimising the energy output of the project.
PERFORMANCE PAVILLION Pavillion design prolonged the application and usage of interactive architecture however rationalised in terms of the conditions of the site and context it is situated in. My design proposed a changing performance space, which maximised the flexibility of the space as the actual exhibition depended purely on the users. The design was made of interactive textile which transferred the sound of the performance onto the outer skin.
To sum up,all activities undertaken throughout the year combined with articles, journals, books and weekly critic led to the design of the rather flexible space which maintained the character of the site while bringing in the change in an almost literal way. All of those tasks made me highly improve my understanding of various principles guiding the design process and directed the focus of my interests towards adaptive interactive architecture which uses smart materials in the most efficient way possible. 4
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS
PROGRAMME ANALYSIS The proposal is situated in the current location of train station in Manchester Airport. I chose this part of the site as it is the biggest node which connects all travellers, whichever terminal they fly from and whichever mean of transport they are using. I believe that as this exhibition space is supposed to show change and impact of an individual on the spatial qualities of the place there is no better location for this project on the given site.
“The human senses respond only to change.”
M. Addington, Architecture of Contingency
“Flexibility lies in its accomodation of changing relationships between events, context and the use of the space.” E. De Gory in B. Hill, From the reactive user to the creative user
In order to meet the expectations of all types of users I analysed the circulation and flow of people in existing train station. This was the development of group site analysis (the rest of which can be found at: http://atelierqed8. wix.com/airportcity1) adapted to the particular needs of my proposal which is based on the circulation attempting to provide the most interesting and efficient way of moving through the space.
CIRCULATION WITHIN THE TRAIN STATION
ELEVATOR
5
As human beings, we not only perceive through change but we also bring in the potential for that change. Airport, being a transit space, is a place where that variation is expressed the most- that is where people arrive and where they depart. My design proposal suggests a different approach to exhibition space in a transit situation. Through the display of smart interactive materials, my aim is to show the feeling of change itself. The proposed exhibition space combines static and dynamic forces, providing a static framework for dynamic exhibition which is slowly incorporated into the building itself however can be changed and adapted according to the needs of the client. Each of the rooms displays different material that reacts either to people themselves or the environmental conditions that are also affected by the users. The interactive elements are shown also on the outside reacting to the environmental conditions of the site - that includes facade reflecting the soundscape and entrance homeostatic facade system controlling the amount and quality of daylight in the building. This proposal aims to show both micro and macro changes, micro being different materials in the exhibition rooms which trigger the extensive use of different senses and macro as reacting to the environmental conditions of the site. 6
SECTION WEST - EAST
GENERATION OF FORM “The performative envelope is a highly engineered facade construction that, at its most basic level, is optimized for a variety of performance criteria relating to heat and light transmission.� M. Addington, Architecture of Contingency
The initial proposal was a dynamic piece of architecture that displayed change by the extruding facade made of an electro active polymer. In this idea the vibrations produced by people walking on the skylink were transformed into current flow which ignited the movement of the facade. The aim of it was to very explicitly show the direct impact of the user on the space and make them feel and see how they are bringing in the change through changing facade.
PERSPECTIVE - AERIAL VIEW
INITIAL CONCEPT SKETCHES
The algorythmic design was found as the resultant of average current transmission through the polymer which was calculated taking in to account the average amount of people in the airport during different times of the day. Various extrusions visually show that variable. That idea emphasised the importance of the flexibility of design which is crucial for an exhibition space and airport site.
OPERATION PRINCIPLE - FACADE EXTRUSION ANALYSIS
PLAN - FINAL FORM
The initial idea was inspired by creating the visual and circulatory division between spaces of different environmental needs. It proposed a ramp underlining a journey through the exhibition space and a vertical circulation core in the middle that would take the businessman into the office space at the top. The primary sketches where inspired by the utopian ideas of Archigram.
The final proposal was based on site analysis - its spatial qualities and programmatic character as a circulatory space. It also maintained the concept of exhibiting the feeling of change through the display of smart materials which react to the external forces. Therefore the final proposal is situated on a ramp that runs through the entire building introducing the user into the interactive journey which he affects himself.
PERSPECTIVE - AERIAL VIEW
PEAK HOURS
OFF - PEAK HOURS
UNPOPULAR AND LATE HOURS
7
8
PART B.
STRUCTURE
STATEMENT OF TECTONIC INTENTIONS | DEVELOPMENT & EVALUATION
STATEMENT OF TECTONIC INTENTIONS Within the qed atelier we try to approach the design process using simulation as a point of departure. Attempting to rethink the ecological qualities of architecture, we looked into the behaviour of plants and animals in order to learn from them and apply those patterns into our design proposals. This biomimetic approach is fundamentally different to biomorphic therefore it is more likely to be visible in the working strategy of the building rather than its form. The incorporation of digital fabrication and smart materials as another big topic of the atelier agenda allowed us to implement what we learnt from nature into more efficient and environmentally strategic proposals. My personal approach to design process was highly influenced by the atelier agenda as well as the contextual and conceptual analysis. I began from looking at the airport as a place - non-place which undergoes constant change and adaptation whilst still maintaining its transitional character. It is also affected by the feeling of flying as the rather controversial experience for some but definitely a major change of conditions for all. Those were the main constraints that I set for myself when desiging the Flux.
The structure of the building is divided into zones that follow the programmatic and environmental needs. Therefore, the lower part of the building, which is much heavier, is based on the primary concrete structure, while the top floor, with its significantly lighter character, is based on a steel frame. The key element defining the structure was the ramp, which was primarily calculated following building regulations. Even though the building is not tall on the whole, its various levels constituted a structural challenge. The proposed biodynamic concrete is one of the most sustainable versions of that material as it helps to maintain the closed waterproof structure. It also provides useful thermal mass and rather neutral base for the other components. On the other hand, steel frame is much lighter hence using it on the top floor reduced the load imposed on the rest of the building.
SECONDARY STRUCTURE PRIMARY STRUCTURE
Following engineers advice, the building is balanced on concrete loadbearing columns spaced out with maximum 11m distance between each. It is further supported by the beam system.
As a result, the proposed building underlines and maintains the circulatory character of the site allowing people to travel through it quickly and efficiently while attempting to preserve the feeling of flying for a little longer or rather its transition onto visualising the impact of the user on the characteristics of the space. Like a chameleon, the exhibition of the building transforms whenever people go through it, stimulating different senses of them incorporating displays focusing on touch, sound and vision. The Flux has been organised around a ramp which leads every visitor through the space smoothly and efficiently while still engaging him into the show. This approach has been inspired by the set of reflections after the reading of Morphologies qed think! text series, especially the text by B. Hill From reactive to creative user. PRIMARY CONCRETE BEAMS SECONDARY CONCRETE BEAMS
PRIMARY CONCRETE COLUMNS AND RETAINING WALL
Loads are therefore carried by the primary structure, putting most of it on the concrete frame. Thanks to pile footing they are being equally distributed into the ground and provide a stable environment for the proposed building.
LOADS ANALYSIS
Flexibility lies in accomodation of changing relationships between events, context and the use of space.
E. De Gory in B. Hill, From reactive to creative user
9
DEAD LOADS
LIVE LOADS
LOAD CARRIED BY FOUNDATION AND DISTRIBUTED TO THE SOIL
ENVIRONMENTAL LOADS
10
CONSTRUCTION
ENVIRONMENT - ACOUSTICS NOTES TAKEN DURING A MEETING WITH AN ENGINEER
PHASE 1
DEMOLITION OF EXISTING TRAIN STATION
CASTING CONCRETE PILE FOUNDATION
PHASE 2
CONSTRUCTING CONCRETE FRAME AND WALLS
The Flux proposes also an alternative, improved usage of sound diffuser panels on the outside of the building. The panels, made of electro active polymer, create a bump whenever a soundscape of the site changes maintaining the most optimal acoustic environment within the proposal.
PHASE 3
CONSTRUCTING A RAMP AND HIGHER FLOORS ACOUSTIC CEILING
PHASE 4
LAYING OUT THE ROOF
PHASE 5
CONSTRUCTING THE STEEL FRAME ON THE TOP FLOOR
PHASE 6
PUTTING UP CURTAIN AND CONCRETE WALLS
THE FACADE REFLECTS THE PATH OF THE PLANE
The model demonstrates the behaviour of those panels using arduino and appropriate frames it shows how each panel changes whenever the plane passes by or any other major acoustic variation occurs.
PHYSICAL MODEL DEMONSTRATING THE MECHANISM BEHIND MOVABLE FACADE PANELS
PHASE 7
LAYING OUT THE GREEN ROOF AND PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS
Nowadays the sustainability of the construction process is one of the most important ones alongside shifting the energy strategies into more renewable ones. The proposed building is mostly a concrete construction with steel frame on the top floor as it becomes lighter. This allows the construction to be low carbon and extremely durable. Concrete provides thermal mass and fire resistance, improves acoustic qualities of the building and has the considerable ability to future changes while maintaining the most neutral base for the exhibition space. 11
Following the consultations with engineers from Arup, the Flux embeds 3m tall sound barriers as well as acoustic ceilings between each floor. This allows to block the sound of 10 - 15dB which is the most we can achieve in such a loud site.
12
ENVIRONMENT - DAYLIGHTING The Flux can be divided into daylighting zones which follow its programmatic functions. This is directly linked with different environmental requirements for those two types of spaces. Natural daylighting provides a positive and warm working environment which is why it is perfect for the offices. However, exhibition space requires more control in terms of lighting as it is used to underline the exhibited technology. Therefore, the exhibition space is mostly artificially lit.
natural lighting zone artificial lighting zone
The proposed building incorporates a net - zero water system. It is equipped with rainwater harvesting system, green roof covered with horsetail which cleans the water which is later on brought to the ground and the Flowstow system designed by Arup which reuses rainwater to flush the toilets.
DAYLIGHTING ZONES
The main fully glazed entrance to the building is South - West facing to provide maximum daylight. It is also the location of homeostatic facade panel which controls the amount of daylight in the room and blocks it out when there is too much of it whilst providing intricate shadow. The panel is made of electroactive polymer components with light sensors that ignite the current and thus make the facade elements expand or shrink. The main conference rooms on the top floor are also located to the South - West in order to provide maximum and best quality sunlight. It also looks out directly onto the runway which underlines the character of the site.
SUMMER SUN
NET - ZERO WATER
ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING
Some materials shown in the Flux react to environmental impact, some to the people. The temperature reactive material is thus exhibited in the naturally lit space to enhance the effect it creates.
DAYLIGHTING ZONES
ENVIRONMENT - WATER
natural lighting zone artificial lighting zone
RAINWATER HARVESTING PHASE 1 minimum sunlight
to groundwater
GREEN WATER PHASE 2 medium sunlight
PHASE 3 maximum sunlight
Due to the climate in Manchester, rainwater harvesting system proves to be very successful in providing sustainable alternative to mechanical systems. Water is being collected in the large water tank and used to heat up the building and flush the toilets through Flowstow system.
evapotransportation
green roof
ground infiltration
Green water is being pomped up to the green roof where it’s being cleaned by horsetail to be eventually taken back to the ground and its natural ecosystem.
ENVIRONMENT - VENTILATION Flux is a building that incorporates mixed mode ventilation that can be divided into different zones. The lower part, structurally heavier exhibition space, is being mechanically ventilated using HVAC system to provide maximum control of the air to maintain the exhibition. However, the lighter steel frame office floor at the top of the building is fully naturally ventilated. As the air can penetrate the building 6m deep, the large rooflight above the internal atrium allows to fully naturally ventilate the space. It is also permitted by the programme as office space requires different environmental conditions than a gallery.
VENTILATION ZONES
ZONE 1
NATURAL VENTILATION
ZONE 2
MECHANICAL VENTILATION
HEAT STRATIFICATION AND VENTILATION
WINTER SUN RADIANT HEATING - DAY
13
RADIANT HEATING - NIGHT
14
USE
COST CONSIDERATIONS
SERVICES
The proposal incorporates major use of new technologies and sustainable solutions. It suggests the use of rainwater harvesting system in order to minimise the cost of water and electricity supply, as rainwater is being used to radiantly heat the building as well. The homeostatic facade panel, even though rather expensive at the start, allows for maximum use and control of daylight minimising the costs of artificial lighting. Photovoltaic panels also produce a significant part of needed energy. The materiality of the proposal also shows high cost awareness as the main component of the structure is biodynamic concrete which is rather cheap and efficient whilst at the same time providing maximum thermal mass and lowering the cost of insulation and heating. During the design process I paid attention not only to the financial cost but also environmental which is why about 60% of buildings energy is produced by sustainable solutions.
Flux is a building situated in the heart of Manchester Airport which is a circulatory space. For that reason circulation is one of the most important design factors that had to be considered.
CIRCULATION VISITORS EXPERIENCE
NEW TECHNOLOGY
COST EFFICIENCY
SUSTAINABILITY
LEGISLATION
TRAVELLERS EXPERIENCE
Services strategy proposed for the building has been carefully designed with consultations with the engineers. 5.5m tall plant room has been situated as partly underground, occupating the space underneath 2 exhibition rooms and the ramp. The building is mostly heated by underfloor heating which is a result of radiant heating system. Drainage has been implemented around all edges of the building directing the rainwater into the water tank for further use. The space is vastly lit however in open spaces it uses maximum possible daylight by implementing rooflights and curtain walls.
The proposed building takes into consideration all major legislations established by the British government. Therefore it is designed, constructed and altered to be safe and robust (Part A), it creates a comfortable acoustic environment (Part D), it is fully ventilated to provide most optimal environment (Part E). During design process I paid particular attention to documents B (fire safety), K (protection from falling) and M (access to and use of buildings) which I thus describe in more detail below. DISABLED ACCESS AND TOILETS
The building has been designed to address the needs of all types of user. Considering the needs of the site and its circulatory character I have proposed different routes simplifying the journey for all, gallery visitors, travellers, bussinessman and staff.
BUSSINESSMAN EXPERIENCE
Following this concept I specified different types of rooms to make the journey through the building the most comfortable. The building also has been equipped with the locker system which allows the visitors to leave their luggage on one level and pick it up on the other and at the same time allowing them to walk around the gallery without unnecessary burden.
ROOM TYPOLOGY
RAMP SPECIFICATION
Both female and male toilets have been equipped with the disabled facility.
5m
FIRE ESCAPE ROUTES AND ZONES
STAFF EXPERIENCE
The Flux is a gallery organised around the ramp. It aims to facilitate the journey through the airport while exhibiting interactive materials which show the impact of an individual on them. Therefore the accessibility for all was a crucial part of the design process and the shape of the building was found through thorough calculations of the necessary length of the ramp. As the building is a part of purely circulatory site, it maintains this character which is why there are 2 sets of lifts for travellers who do not wish to go the long way. The ramp taking the travellers from train platforms has been kept as it can be reused for the purposes of the proposal.
415mm
All ramps have been calculated at the ratio of 1:12, therefore rising for 415mm with 5m long run in between the landings which take the visitor to exhibition rooms.
The proposal contains 2 sets of fire stairs however there are 6 different fire exits. Each of them lies within a zone of 9m radius. This solution has been consulted with the MEP engineer from Arup.
The occupation of the building is directly linked with the yearly and monthly passenger flow achieving its peak in the summer (June - August) and around major holidays such as Easter and Christmas. FIRE EXIT
15
YEARLY BUILDING OCCUPATION VARIABLE
FIRE SEALANT
FIRE STAIRS
ESCAPE ZONE
FURTHEST ESCAPE POINTS
CONCLUSION
PART C.
REALISATION STATEMENT | CONCLUSION
As the year passed by, the concept of the Flux, its structural and technical qualities as well as programmatic experiences, has been developing further and further. Starting as a fully interactive building with movable outer skin, its scale shrunk down to compress all necessary functions in the most appropriate location on the Manchester Airport site - the main transit node, train station. The exhibition showing change and the impact of the user on the design eventually addressed all senses of the visitor, displaying mutations depending on different variable. People only perceive through change, said Michelle Addington, but even this process needs to be grounded and provided with solid framework. For that reason, the Flux accomodates concrete structural frame which is the perfect base to show every single transition that occurs within additional smart materials. The building therefore reacts to both its users and environmental conditions of the site visualising macro and micro changes pulled by different triggers. However, as it is still a major transit node, it not only provides powerful exhibition space but also quick and efficient path to both terminals, bus station and car park. People can peek into different spaces from the skytrack while still rushing for their plane, they can rest in one of the cafes or simply enjoy the exhibition at its whole. Not only does it shift the commercial focus of the airport from the airside to the landside, but also establishes more interesting welcome to Manchester making users realise how big is their impact on the place they visit.
Looking back at this year, I realised how much I have actually learnt, how many skills I have improved and how long is still there to go. Through various mistakes, uncountable allnighters, lots of tears and mixed emotions I understood that to be an architect, and preferably a good one, you have to be really devoted to it and give it all your heart and soul. Working on my building this year, I was at times terrified at how much is there to know and surprised at how much I actually already do know. As we were told on our site visit to Spire Manchester Hospital - if it has not been drawn, it will not be built. I believe that this sentence rather effectively sums up the role of an architect in the design process, the importance of his attention to detail and making sure everything is where it is supposed to be. Architect is not only a person who comes up with an idea for a building. It is also a person who is with it until it sees the daylight, somebody who supervises the whole process. Even if sometimes it is more about communication between builders and engineers, that still would not happen without an architect. However hard it was, however exhausting and soul-consuming, I have to admit I still enjoyed it. After all, if you do what you love, it is worth fighting for it until the last drop of blood. I believe that that is what I have done this year - fought until the last day to make sure at the end of the day I can look back at what I have done and be proud of it. I think now I can say that even though, were I to do it again, there are many bits and bobs that I might do differently, eventually the Flux is still a piece of architecture that nobody should be ashamed of.
DRAWING PACK LOCATION PLAN
EXISTING SITE PLAN
1:500 @ A0 0
25
50m
PROPOSED SITE PLAN
ROOF PLAN
EAST ELEVATION
EST ELEVATION
SOUTH ELEVATION
EAST ELEVATION
WEST ELEVATION
SOUTH ELEVATION
SECTION
SECTION
SECTION
ENTRANCE
EXHIBITION SPACE 2
EXHIBITION SPACE 4
EXHIBITION SPACE 1
EXHIBITION SPACE 3
EXHIBITION SPACE 5
AXONOMETRIC
EXTERNAL PERSPECTIVE