SOFT PARTITION
Aiden Cui University of Melbourne Faculty of Architecture and urban planning Tutor: Lyle Talbot Designing Environments (ENCS10004_2015_SM1)
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UNION HOUSE FORECOURT DIVIDING SYSTEM
3D solid perspective
North section(1:100)
East section(1:100)
South elevation(1:50)
3D X-rayed perspective
3D X-rayed perspective
Agenda of Design:
#Soft partition:
Design a dividing system to clarity different functions of site and encourage users in function areas to spend time on interacting with each others and with surrounding environment.
Using un-rough technique to divide a larger area into several smaller correlative ones, to clarity the division of function, Maximise site’s potential for using, Minimise distraction from design for users…
“Sometimes people need fall apa#, to real$e how much %ey mean to each o%er.” ~Unkno&
Evolution
Boundary
Form evaluation
Tradition wall can divide spaces.
Shelter Shifted top area of tradition wall.
Half-closed shelter Shifted side of tradition shelter. Provide protect and gives users a feeling of safety.
Horizontal connect Shifted width of tradition half-closed shelter. Connect width of covering area for dividing.
Vertical connect Shifter height of tradition half-closed shelter. Connect hight of covering area for dividing.
Pathway & sharp curve Inward interior surface & reduce the heaviness feeling of round edge. Provide protection.
Guiding The final evaluation of boundary have an exterior of arrow which impact on users psychology.
High reflecting material:
A feeling of heaviness and solid, A feeling of stiffness that is hard to meet psychology disposition for variety group of users.
A feeling of lightness that will not be impact by it’s interior material.
Steel (glossy): A feeling of heaviness, fluid and malleable;
A feeling of fluid, which indicate it’s good performance on flexibility in an environment with intense conflicting elements. A feeling malleable, much easier to be accepted by users on psychology.
Material evaluation
Concrete:
considering the element of wind on bad weather, layout of boundaries evaluated to guide wind and protect users in function areas
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Evaluation in detail
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0.5m
The protruding portion at the connecting area of two boundaries provides platform for a lighter to adjust low light by providing extra light source.
2.3m
The hight and width of open space on boundaries are designed to meet users’ need of passing and air flowing.
1.2m
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Using incomplete segmentation, divide site into several correlative parts, the boundaries are not entirely dividing space into two isolated parts but leaving an open space that cut though the structure of boundaries as a door or a window differ by the need of passing and observing.
Cut
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Connect spaces by using forming connection and visual connection. The visual connection is able to let users know situation surround without direct viewing and give them time to consider what to do next.
Connect
'vide lar( into several small correlative ones and give %em 'erent characte*+ics
<cutting>
Resting area Resting area Passage (open-air) (Half-closed)
Observation deck
Site Plan: Site is divided into 4 correlative function areas: Passage Provide flat ground for users to get across. Passage connect neighbouring function areas together and do not affect function areas identity. Resting area (open-air) Provide open view for large open space, Resting area (half-closed) Create small, private space for usersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; activities that need protection from wind, strong strong light and noise. Observation deck A special function area that has only one available function for users: observe site. It takes time to reach the deck from the building. There will be lease users on the deck. The users on the deck are able to see the whole site, in the mean time, they are also able to be seen by the users in site.
1:200
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Site Plan: 1:50
Rest
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Site Plan: 1:50
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Resting area (open-air)
Resting area (half-closed)
basic walk path
Site Plan: 1:100
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Build connection for 'ďŹ&#x20AC;erent function areas on v$ual$ing and s,nd, put an enc,raging element into design
<connecting>
#The buildings around site are high-rise that all the buildings are higher than 4 meters: The buildings at northern side of site is much more higher that is the highest one is higher than 15 meters; Raymond building at eastern side of site is higher than 20 meters; The north part of Old Quad at the southern side of site is higher than 5 meters.
Practicality
The location of the site, University of Melbourne, is located in the high latitude area of earth. The angle of sun light is low.
N All these elements makes Union House Forecourt a low-light area, which makes the plan of using large area of reflection possible. data collected from Google Earth and field visits.
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Two spherical mirrors n
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are designed to create visual connection by giving usersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; an opportunity to observe scenery of the whole site and find each other.
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The upper spherical mirror is further developed into an observation deck. Optical lines of sight
Reflection paths
upward view
Visual connectingUsers in different function areas are able to build visual connection by using the reflecting surface of boundaries. The boundaries and the spherical mirror assist each other to gain a wider view on visual connecting. However, not all parts of designed function areas are able to be viewed by using this visual connecting. Some boundaries are designed with a particular hight that is able to protect privacy that users do not want to be disturbed.
Spherical mirror This design provides an indirectly between users in different function areas .
overhead view
overhead view
Observation deck A caky platform with a mirror base that is able to reflect scene from itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surrounding environment.
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Encouraging When passing across passage areas, users are able to observe others that they are going to pass by in opposite direction by looking at reflections instead of using direct-view (shaded by boundaries). Users may mutual accommodate or get crashed. In either case, users gain an opportunity to get familiar with each other. After being familiar with design and others, users slow down before getting across site.
upward view
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Half-closed and arrow-shape boundaries with inward interior and glossy exterior are designed to create sound connection by giving usersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; an opportunity to hear sound of other function areas. Arrow-shape shelter and breach are designed to guide sounds. Basic sound path
Never lose focus, it tells y, where to go. ≈52.606°
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A pyramid is designed to clear users’ feel of being lost
Also, it can be seen as a beacon by users
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when large area of reflection appears in users’ sight. contrast with boundaries and spherical mirrors (on feeling): solid - fluid angular - round archaic - morden steady - active
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First person view
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First person view
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First person view
material:
Black glass
3
“Breakdo&s can create break%r,ghs. -ings fall apa# so %ings can fall to(%er.” ~Unkno&
Passage
<Final model> â&#x20AC;&#x153;I realise I fall in love with him, since the last time I saw his face appears in reflection.â&#x20AC;?
Resting area (Half-closed)
<Final model> “He is my best friend. He was left to another city, no photo, no phone number, no connect…how do I hope to see him again. Or at least, take a selfie with him before he is leaving”
Boundaries & Observation deck
<Final model>
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Its me, I have finished the project. Can we meet in front of union house? Then maybe we can take some pizzas, find a place to sit and have a short talk about our plan of holiday. Still can not find me? Oh, young man. Buy a ticket and get on to the ob-deck!â&#x20AC;?
<Final Resting area (open-air)
model>
By Yadong Cui (Aiden)
Appropriately sharpened edge guide users
Shifted length in one direction (vertical) connect important surrounding elements
Shifted length in one direction (horizontal) connect important surrounding elements
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Shifted coping & one side face sheltering users
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Shifted coping protect users
curve gives wall an opportunity of containing
flow gifts shape a power of continuable Appropriately ground edge reduce psychology pressure given by wall
Traditional Wall divides spaces
Before
After
evolution is a self-refining in adapting
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Winding path Temperature rising speed
Melbourne University-Union House Forecourt-Evolution-Shifting, Containing, Continuing
By Yadong Cui (Aiden)
dish shape reduce weight and space occupation
ball shape increase view angle of reflection
1.8m
3m 160ยบ view combined two units to gain a maximum performance of visual connecting
12m
located at the central position on the ground of designing boundary
180ยบ reflective view
3.2m squareness base
Melbourne University-Union House Forecourt-Visual connection
symmetrically faces with particular bevel angle top points to sky
By Yadong Cui (Aiden)
Position (Global) latitude: high latitude area climate: temperate maritime climate sunlight: low stability of weather: low plate: central of indian ocean plate earthquake occurrence rate: ~ 0
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Position (Micro) topography: old alluvial plain, stable gradient of ground: micro drainage pattern: infiltration, air drying
! Melbourne University-Union House Forecourt-Context in Mapping
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By Yadong Cui (Aiden)