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P O R T F O L I O ALESSANDRO POLI
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
01 THE URBAN CANOPY
HAVANA’S NEW CULTURAL CENTRE
LOCATION:
Havana, Cuba
TIME:
20/01/2018 - 10/05/2018
CATEGORY:
Academic design project
TUTORS:
Karl Rosevigne Kjelstrup-Johnson, Nick Mcough
The project explores the potentials of using data in the design process. The possibility of mapping how people perceive the urban environment has led to an alternative design method. This design process uses visual data that I personally mapped and analysed through an head-mounted eye tracking which I built during the first part of the course. The new proposed scheme, located in Havana, has the aim to act as a catalyst for the future socio and economic development of the entire surrounding area, which is now in deplorable urban and economic condition. The main objective is to create a place which will be able to attract the growing international tourism influx and subsequently has the potential to maximise its economical contribution throughout the local community so as to ensure social equity between the inhabitant.
Moreover a pedestrian bridge has been designed to support easy and safe pedestrian movements between the waterfront and the site, which is now completely disconnected from the rest of the area. The elevated pedestrian connection is directly connected with the new building through a curved walkable roof, the “urban terrace”, that gently accompanies the pedestrian path up to the ground level. In response to the cuban hot climate, a wood canopy has been designed to provide shade, shelter and comfort to the pedestrian area placed below.
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On the other hand the eye tracking data mapped around the selected site has been used to generate the shape of the new scheme, in particular to enhance the visual connection and interaction between the new development and the surrounding building environment at the ground level, and to minimize visual barriers between the new scheme and the existing urban context.
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SMAF
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SENSE My interest on how people perceive the urban environment has led to focus my attention on one of the most important of all the senses: the sight.
Sense
Formulate
Map
Analyse
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M
MAP The issue of mapping the sight has been resolved through an eye tracking kit which I personally built. After several trials I was able to define the perfect mapping method.
ANALYSE The analysing process has allowed to directly connect the data mapped and the design process. The use of these data to create a visual attention model of the selected site in Havana has been carefully developed to ensure that this method can be adapted in different situations and locations.
FORMULATE All the previous steps have been done to allow me to formulate a design proposal based on the data collected and analysed. My urban agenda and the design concept have been changed several times to ensure a strong connection between the mapping and analysing stages and the design process.
i Head-mounted eye tracker
A head-mounted eye tracker consists of two cameras, one for capturing the eye image (eye camera) and the other one for capturing the user’s field of view (scene camera). The eye tracking system has been developed to track the user‘s field of view and the pupil position and diameter by using two different cameras. A 100 degree no distortion camera used as the scene camera, and an infrared IR webcam combined with a 2.8-12mm varifocal used as the eye tracking camera so as to have a high quality infrared imaged of the eye, with also the possibility of zooming and changing the lens focus.
Haytham, the software used for the mapping process, it’s an open source gaze tracker suited for head-mounted or remote setup. It provides realtime gaze estimation in the user’s field of view or in a computer display by analysing eye movement. Haytham offers gaze-based interaction with computer screens in fully mobile situations.
It was fundamental to map properly map the pupil movements having a clear IR image of the eye because Haytham (the eye tracking software) works based on the dark pupil method. A plastic sunglasses frame has been used as the head support system while the two cameras have been connected to it with an aluminium wire which is strong but flexible enough to create a curved and malleable support. ELP FULL HD 1080P WEBCAM
ELP WEBCAM USB 1080P
ELP 1080P AR0330
SCENE CAMERA
EYE CAMERA
ALUMINIUM WIRE
HEAT SHRINK TUBING SHRINKABLE TUBE
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Urban Condition
From the visual data mapped on the site it has been possible not only to define 2D visual attention modelbased on the projection of the gaze points on the building facade but also to create 3D visual attention diagram, from the projections of the eye tracking points on the three dimensional environment. The four diagrams on the right side of this page graphically explain how the 3D visual attention model of the selected site has been created. By calculating the viewer positions and by connecting these points with the eye tracking data mapped during the mapping stage, it has been possible to represent in three dimensions the viewer sight navigating trough the urban environment. The new scheme for the site has been designed based on this 3D visual attention model so as to enhance the visual connection and permeability between the new development and the surrounding building environment.
Map
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Analyze - Visual Attention Model
Formulate - Design Stages
01. Stage One_ Defining viewer position and walking speed
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Massing and active edges
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Defining the ground floor shape following t he 3D visual attention model
Stage Two_Analysing and locating gaze points position
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Defining outdoor spaces/green areas and
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Connecting the waterfront with the site through an elevated pedestrian connection
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Designing a continuous walkable connection and redefining the building shape
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Designing the bridge structure and the solar canopy
03. Stage Three _Connecting the gaze points with the corresponding position of the viewer
04. Stage Four _Creating the 3D visual attention model of the site
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ROOFTOP AGRICULTURE SOLAR CANOPY
THE “URBAN TERRACE”
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
BAR AND RESTAURANT ART GALLERY
ART GALLERY-CULTURAL HUB
MARKET
BAR AND RESTAURANT
A D M I N I S T R AT I O N OFFICE AND TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE
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04 03 02 01 G
Ground floor plan
First floor plan
Third floor plan
Cultural hub and local market The build program aims to enhance the social and cultural interaction between local people and tourists. Moreover, the purpose is also to maximise the economical contribution of the growing tourism influx to Havana. By designing a building that allocate a cultural hub, two bar-restaurant and a local market, the aim is to ensure that the new scheme will contribute to the local economical prosperity by seeking a widespread and fair distribution of the economic and social benefits from the international tourism throughout the community.
Urban Terrace and pedestrian bridge
directly connected to the pedestrian bridge, forms an artificial topography with a gentle descent to draw people towards the ground level. This curved open public space offers a relaxed natural atmosphere where people could experience well-being and nature along its green sloped.
Solar canopy and roof agriculture The solar canopy has been designed to provide shade and comfort to the pedestrian public spaced below. In fact, in response to the Cuban hot climate, the canopy will offer solar protection and natural cooling so as to ensure climate comfort and a relaxed atmosphere.
The curved walkable green roof, which is 9
URBAN TERRACE
MARKET CULTURAL HUB PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
Social and cultural development
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Economic development
Social equity
Site walkability
Promote social interaction
Biodiversity, natural atmosphere
SOLAR CANOPY
ROOF AGRICULTURE
Sun protection
Natural cooling and shade
Environmental sustainability
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Canopy foundation axonometry
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Canopy foundation detail 01
150x300 mm Glue Laminated Curved Colum
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Shear Studs Ø150 Centres (30 Top/30 Bottom) each end of box section
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50x300 mm Box Section Steel Shoe
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Factory Welded 2-30 PL G300 Stiffeners
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Ø 204 Hole-EX 625X325 PL G690
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Ø 200 Pin G690
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25 mm Plate G300 Full Strength
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2- Ø 200 Hole-EX 625X70 PL G690
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Removable Steel Capping to Service
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Paving to Square Asphalt Bonded Mineral Granules
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50 mm Screed
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Polythene Sheeting
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350 mm Precast Reinforced Concrete Foundation
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Precast Concrete Footing
Curtain wall and floor detail
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Triple glass panel low E, with argon break
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Extruded aluminium mulion
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Rigid isolation
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Vapor barrier
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Perimenter raradiation units
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Electric data cable trace housing
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Platform floor + support
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Interior glare reducing shading
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Suspended GWB ceiling + hangers
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Structural concrete slab
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Fire detection + suppression system
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Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
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Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
West Elevation
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Canopy footing exploded axonometry
Curtain wall and floor detail
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03
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02 01
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02 VENETIAN HANGING GARDENS SANTA MARTA MASTERPLAN
LOCATION:
Venice, Italy
TIME:
01/03/2017 - 10/05/2017
CATEGORY:
Academic design project
TUTORS:
Georgia Butina Watson
The masterplan of Santa Marta redevelop and reinterpret the area of Santa Marta in Venice. The intention is to restore the waterfront, after years of deterioration, which has now a lack of pedestrian connections, green and public spaces with a new scheme that will incorporate public and private functions. The buildings have been designed to create a large urban garden acting as a liaison between the land and the water. In fact the buildings is stepped with green terraces which are directly connected with the ground floor through curved pedestrian routes that gently descending from the elevated urban park to the waterfront facing the Giudecca canal.
The new development can be interpreted as an hybrid between a building and an urban park that empts along the roof and the facade of the building offering a continuous and elevated pedestrian connection immersed in nature that can provide also a shelter against the high water.
The building will allocate the new extension of the IUAV university and the San Basilio boat terminal so as to incorporate different public and private functions into an unique scheme.
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Urban Context
Educational buildings
Historical and religious buildings
Context analysis The project area is located in Santa Marta in Venice at a limit point of the urban morphology, whereas the Venetian character, made of alleys, small squares, channels, small courtyards and gardens enclosed within walls becomes extremely various, meeting with the specificity of an on land city, crossed by cars and connected to the water through the seaports of large ships. In fact, this particular place emphasize the distinction between the part of the “slow city� and the one characterized by contemporaneity instead. The Santa Marta area, in the Dorsoduro quarter, occupies the South-western part of the city. Original settlements in this area are of very ancient formation and have been almost completely replaced by neighborhoods and buildings at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
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The area is characterized by the presence of significant buildings in terms of industrial archaeology and great effect in the Venetian context: from gasometers and aqueducts, to the large buildings of the former cotton mill in Santa Marta and the former Ligabue warehouses.
Residential buildings
Port area
Shape Generation
01. Massing
02. The gate_The mass has been split up to create the main entrance to the waterfront.
02. The walkable roof_By lowering one side of each building an walkable elevated green park has been designed to directly connect each building.
04. Site permeability_ To ensure a direct connection and a proper site walkability between the surrounding area and the waterfront, eight entrances through the building at the ground level have been designed
04. The green terraces_ From the buildings side facing the sea, the top surface has been modulated to create pedestrian connections that, from the ground floor to the elevated park, ensure continues walkable pedestrian routes.
04. The urban garden_ The abundance of green spaces and plants in the scheme allows to create an pleasure and liveable environment that can improve the experience of the waterfront for pedestrians.
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Site plan, elevation, 3D diagrams
A
The urban renewal of the Santa Marta area allowed for a comparison with a complex city, where the complexity of its spatial development of its building environment has always been challenge for even the most famous architects in the history. The continuous transformation of its “body” and of the surrounding lagoon, has made possible to try to experiment new urban and architectural solution, to connection this historical and fascinating city with the future, event just as a project exercise. 18
01
THE GREEN TERRACES Section A-A’
B’
B
C’
C
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THE GATE AND THE DOCK Section B-B’
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THE ELEVATED PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIONS Section C-C’
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03 THE COURTSCAPER
HAVANA’S NEW CULTURAL CENTRE
LOCATION:
New York, United States Of America
TIME:
01/03/2017 - 15/05/2017
CATEGORY:
Academic design project
TUTORS:
Laura Azevedo, Regina Mapua
The new development is located in the South Street District in New York, a part where the typical high rise buildings meet the historical urban fabric of the city. In this transit zone between history and modernity , the building designed act as a bridge between this two part
The project mediates between the European perimeter block and a traditional Manhattan high rises, an hybrid which combine the advantages of both: the compactness and efficiency of a courtyard building with the airiness and expansive views of a skyscraper. By rising two corners of the building, the courtyard opens views towards the East river and the adjacent Seaport historical district and it allows the sunlight penetrate the courtyard. The “courtscaper” rises a set of pixels extruded from the ground level and subsequently rotate of 45 degrees so as to follow the sun path from east to west and to open-up the views from the building to the surrounding. Moreover these pixels have been designed to create a game between empty and occupied volumes where they have been allocated green terraces which follow this undulating facade. This abundance of green spaces, trees and small plants contribute to more liveable external space while capture small dust particles, reduce acoustic pollution and produce oxygen so as to contribute fight climate changes.
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Urban Context
United States of America
Manhattan
The South Street Seaport is a historic area in the New York City borough of Manhattan, centered where Fulton Street meets the East River, and adjacent to the Financial District. The Seaport is a designated historic district, and is distinct from the neighbouring Financial District. It is part of Manhattan Community Board in Lower Manhattan, and is bounded by the Financial District to the west, southwest, and north; the East River to the southeast; and Two Bridges to the northeast. 22
Lower Manhattan
It features some of the oldest architecture in downtown Manhattan, and includes the largest concentration of restored early 19th-century commercial buildings in the city. This includes renovated original mercantile buildings, renovated sailing ships, the former Fulton Fish Market, and modern tourist malls featuring food, shopping, and nightlife.
Shape Generation
South Street Seaport Historic District
01 Massing
02. Courtyard _The courtyard creates a sanctuary for the resident in the heart of the block.
03. Rotation_The courtyard has been divided following a grid which has been subsequently rotated 45 degrees so as to increase sunlight exposure
04. Densification_The edges of the building has been raised up to reach the near Manhattan density and to open up views to sourrunding urban fabrik
05. Outdoor living_Each residential unit has direct access to outdoor space. The terraces offers enough outdoor spaces where to plant hundreds of trees and small plant so as to produce oxygen and fighting climate change
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A
Fourth Floor Plan
Section AA’
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A’
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04 DIAM ARCH / KERRIA PROJECT KERRIA TOWN CENTRE
LOCATION:
Dakar, Senegal
TIME:
01/05/2016 - 01/09/2016
CATEGORY:
Academic design project
STUDIO:
Volume Three Architects
The project for the Kerria’s Masterplan, located in Dakar (Senegal), has the aim to improve the density of the area and to enhance the differentiation of the land use. The purpose is to deliver dense, high performance environments that appeal to a large swath of innovative companies and individuals, to produce a vibrant, varied series of neighbourhoods. The masterplan has been designed to include the new governmental office and the research hospital. These buildings will increase the influx of medical research institutions and innovative businesses, forming a dynamic and knowledge-intensive neighbourhood.
During the period I worked as an Architectural Assistant at Volume Three Architects, I had the opportunity to develop and design five blocks of the masterplan (number 1, 3, 22, 23, 29). Through the development of a permeable street network with an efficient block structure and emphasizing the identity of the area for it to become a place to live and a destination to visit, the blocks has been developed to create a place that is attractive for residents, professionals and investors , and one that is viable and sustainable.
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Second floor plans
Stacking Diagrams
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05 A COURTYARD HOUSE IN THE HILLS ARCHITECT PRIVATE VILLAS
LOCATION:
Carrè, Vicenza, Italy
TIME:
03.2014 - 07.2014
CATEGORY:
Academic Design Project
TUTORS:
Arch. Martino Doimo, Arch. Giovanni Tubaro, Arch. Antonella Indrigo
Architecture as a scaffold for living the landscape. The design idea of this courtyard house was based on creating connections between the natural environment and the human one, making the distinction between the inside and the outside very fragile. The presence of some guide walls, which channel and define the space, alters the perception of this spatial boundary, thus ensuring the architectural drawing extension beyond the perimeter of the buildings itself.
The project is located in Carrè, province of Vicenza. This area, which borders the Venetian Pre Alps and the Po valley. The designed courtyard complex spreads over three buildings : an architect’s private residence, an architectural studio and a guest house. The above mentioned units, although independent from each other, are linked, because they grow in reference to an inner courtyard, bordered by some guide walls,which go outside of the volumes of the buildings.
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Shape generation
1
3
2
1 Guest house 2 Architect house 3 Architectural studio
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Ground floor Plan
First floor Plan
Section A-A
Section B-B
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Floor plans and sections
Exploded axonometry
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Construction details
Internal plaster Poroton 30 cm Expanded polyurethane thermal insulation Air space
Hollow bricks 8 cm External plaster
Interior paving
Exterior stone paving slabs Screed
Plastometric waterproofing membrane Concrete plinth
Expanded plyurethane thermal insulation Floor heating system Vapor barrier Concrete
Recycled polypropylene modular formwork for crawl space Lean concrete
Lean concrete
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06 INFORMATIVE ARCHETYPES BIM WORKSHOP
LOCATION:
Sofia, Bulgaria
TIME:
16/07/2019 - 21/07/2019
CATEGORY:
Workshop
TUTORS:
Arek Keshishian, Andrei Padure
The informative archetypes workshop focused on the interoperability between BIM and computational design.
The workshop started from defining the design intent, controlling and optimizing geometrical challenges in Rhino/Grasshopper and proceeded to making self-aware BIM families in Revit/Dynamo using intelligent parameters and slide all the way through integrating them as element for the final geometry. As final result we have asked to conceptualize a small installation in the City Garden Park in Sofia so as to practice the workflow explained above.
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A’
A
Section AA’
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Site plan
Component placing: analysis based on height
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