Blur: Integrated Elegance by ALEX ALAIMO

DESIGN VI NYIT SPRING 2012

blur: integrated elegance

Alex Alaimo

cco contents: contents ontents ts: kydojo facade fac facade de stucture stu re building din ssystems environmental environm onm strategy precedent sstudy precede chipper chipperfi hi p rfi fie eld ld alabos an and herreros the stARCHup stARC tA CH economy

Kyudojo: Indoor Swimming Pool and Wellness Center

This project and semester was an integration of multiple layers. Within the design studio the project integrated metaphor, structure, enclosure and building systems passive and active. The slow motions of the art of Kyudo the Japanese Zen archery combined with rapid prototyping process gave the project a rigor of which created the Kyudojo project. Intergrated design is a blur, where elements blur together as one comprehensive thought. Can blur expaand into a professional context? Integrated deesign is structured around the collaborattion of experts. With the introduction of specialization, ization, ation, architects rarely have control ontrol ntrol ro over an entire project. Will the archittect move into the role l off coordinator between all the engineers. Has the architectuural field been commoditized? Is architecturee relevant? Can the archittect embrace blur of the profession? Can an he manage the blur ur andd strategically exploit it? The future of the professionn is at a critical mass, if the architect can blur his role.

POOL AND WELLNESS CENTER

STREET PERSPECTIVE

It was important to have the building to fit within the context and respond urbanistically. The studies below dealt with the Parti wall of the UPS building behind and attempted to resolve the Washington St and West St pedestrian access. The neighborhood does not have many community needs as it is a very wealthy and hip area, the building dealt more with becoming sculptural in this role to fit the areas desires.

SITE PLAN

truck traffic

vie vview iew to to h hudson ud

preva iling wind s

noise

te wes

xp rn e

osu

vie j to ey

ers

shadow zone

cit y

southern sun foot traffic EAR INN

Diagram of proper hand position when firing Kyudo and its relationship to the buildings siting and environmental factors on the site

POOL AND WELLNESS CENTER

ELEVATIONS

POOLL AND WELLNESS CENTER CE ENTER

The elevations express the elegance of the structural system. At grade the pool is invisible and the only the roof is seen. On West Street the lower structural ribs sink into the site to create a landscaped park.

PROCESS MODELS

Laser cut sectional prototypes was the preferred process for exploring form and structure. This method allowed many different strategies to be explored quickly to resolve the form to move on to the next stages of development.

SKETCHES

Hand drawn structural diagrams and inked perspectives were a tool to help develop the interior spaces allowing for a fluidity and to help better connect to the Kyudo, tension and movement metaphors.

STRUCTURAL BAY SYSTEM

The structural bay system evolved with the project. The upper chords began parallel then were angled to meet at the top of the arch creating a kind of semi vault. The bottom chord is composite steel and tension rod which place web members between in compression. The front and rear roods are then cantilevered off the bottom chord and supported by columns at either end. The changes economized the number of piers in half and steel chords by 1/3.

PLANS

POOL AND

The plans attempt to minimize circulation by activated the wedges on the sides of the pool. Classrooms were places adjacent to fit in a long narrow space. The Kyudo range and gallery also fit nicely into a long narrow space. The offices located to the East allow for habitation of the double roof structure and connect the entry to the Kyudo range.

SECTIONAL AXONMETRIC

The axonmetric was useful in exploring the double roof and detail elements and systems within. 1/8â&#x20AC;? model on right.

POOL PERSPECTIVE

The pool and deck were conceived of a more meditative relaxing space sunken below grade. Concrete wall around reinforced the minimal sunken feel. Contrasting the heaviness of the concrete is the lightness of the roof structure above. The tension composite section minimized the member thickness to maximize light. Also when the shutters of the lower roof shut the natures of the space changes dramatically.

DETAIL FRONT LOBBY

The angle of the pool allowed for dynamism of the plan that activated and programmed the long corridors adjacent to the pool. It also created a forced perspective walking down the ramp to the pool creating a processional sequence. HVAC systems were integrated in the roof system, the supply under the ramp and direct vent in the roof adjacent to the glazing.

CROSS SECTION

DRY

GROUND EX EX

WET

CIS

LO CK ER S

ER CIS E

STAIR

KY UD

ICE

BA R

B LO

STRATEGY CLASSROOMS/ADMIN

DRY EXCERCISE

ENTRY/ LOBBY/ BAR/ SHOP LOCKERS

WET POOL

WET

‘BUFFER’

MORE CONDITIONED

DRY LESS CONDITIONED

In the cross section the order which the structural strategy become evident. It acts on multiple levels creating buffered climate zones around the pool and to organize program in relation to the pool.

LOBBY PERSPECTIVE

The goggle store and juice bar are both located in the front lobby space. This space was conceived as a transient buffer zone for the pool. The overhang of the roof allowed shading in the summer and allowed for sunlight to heat it in the winter. Also it is an example of the activation of a long corridor space.

KYUDO RANGE

The Kyudo range is runs along the parti wall. The repetition of the skylights and reverse perspective aim to help the archers focus on their target. It is meant to be a meditative space where the Zen of Kyudo can be experienced. A viewing gallery is separated by the back columns of the structure.

CONFERENCE ROOM

The conference room is the area of the structure which the user experiences the sandwich of the double roof. It overhangs and has a view to the pool. Floors are pulled up expressing the unique form.

DETAIL ROOF

The double roof system became the major element of passive design. Summer operation (above) is designed to become a huge wind funneling system, where cooling tubes on the web trusses would collect the humidity and fresh air accelerated by the Venturi effect would evaporate the condensation. The lower roof would be closed in the winder acting like a greenhouse. The warm air would be able to heat the liquid in the same tubes to feed the radial heating system, like a huge evacuated tube.

ENVIRONMENTAL DIAGRAMS

The above diagrams illustrate how the building operate with both passive and active systems in the winter, mid season and summer. They all are based on the wind tunnel/evacuated tube of the double roof and the radial heating and cooling system.

PRECEDENT ANALYSIS River and Rowing Museum

David Chipperfield

Henly-on- Thames, UK

Gymnasium

Abalos and Herreros

Madrid, ESP

David Chipperfield

What was inspiring about the project is that it used a repeated structural bay throughout the building within a metaphor of the hull of a ship.

Abalos and Herreros

The projects structure was the inspiration for the experimentation with a tension composite structure. To span a long distance with then members in an elegant manner.

PRECEDENT COMPARISON

concepts upside down boat

action

tennis court

‘lift’

‘sink’

mass

light GALLERY ROOMS

COURT GYM

progam

nature

Models, with the Gymnasium truss actually modeled with rubber bands as tension chords.

The stARCHup: Opportunity of a profession Architecture is a synergy between function, building systems, safety and a myriad of other factors. Architects more than other professionals can see simple patterns out of complex problems. In today’s ever more layered world perhaps this is a valuable asset. Furthermore, creativity is becoming the most valuable thing in our serviced based economy. How can architects utilize their unique training to add more value outside of planning buildings? Building has become more of a science and the value of relevant architecture is diminishing. New applications and services of an architect need to be explored. Can the architect of the future make a jump from communicating the resurrection of the physical. Can an architect have a role in the construction of relationships? Their is opportunity in this dark flux. Architects need to reinvent their profession to remain relevant. As the tradition firm structure becomes less relevant with a highly trained underclass and traditionally trained architects at the top, smaller lighter firms able to adapt and find clients might find success. The entire economy is becoming a company of one type, where collaborations on a per project basis, never being employed long term may become normal. This environment is different more uncertain and more economical. This last semester uncovered many of these realities to myself. There is a feeling of crises in the field, especially as a student nearing graduation. The proportion of talent to jobs seems unbalanced. Construction firms not architecture firms are the most common place to find entry level jobs. How can schools and students influence the next generation of architects, to me studying spacial relationships is no longer valid exercise for architecture students. Architecture needs to be taught in an exploratory open fashion where design is fundamental but can be applied to more than ‘space’ but to relationships, between systems and people. If the value of perspective of the architect can be exploited certainly opportunity for the profession will be broadened. The the next generation of architects can accomplish this. Give the architect a new role and job description, an expanded one the future can remain bright. Only architects are trained to bring visions to life. Individual startup companies can be the vehicle to explore these models. If architects can make the jump from building models to business models adds new value to design thinking, the profession can evolve sustainably. I hear this “future potential” stuff alot.. as practicing applicators not theorists architects of the future need to make it happen.

9:30 AM

fast 10 AM e breaker uce purpose of day/ rence ‘design a business’ Team 1 ecture based competition

Team 2

Team 3

Team 4

on i 11AM ti-track

workshop

working

team room

roundtable

“entrepreneurs ” “strategic planning” “discussion topic”