Folio by Alex McRae

ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO ALEXANDRA MCRAE UNIVERISITY OF MELBOURNE BACHELOR OF ENVIRONMENTS 2015-2017

STUDIO FIRE

The subject is the capstone subject for the Architecture major in the Bachelor of Environments. The project will engage with historical, theoretical, structural, and environmental ideas relevant to the specific project through the lectures and various set design exercises.

STUDIO AIR

A variety of exploratory and analytic thinking methods, from concept mapping such as charting, will be introduced alongside a range of three-dimensional media, from digital modelling to physical modelling. Linking these investigations will be the theme of air, which may be explored conceptually, metaphorically, structurally, or technologically â&#x20AC;&#x201C; e.g. atmosphere, acoustics (auditoria), music, inflatables, air flow and air quality, ventilation and cooling, wind turbines and wind forces.

CONSTRUCTION ANALYSIS

This subject explores the idea of construction as a process linking specific principles, materials, elements, systems and techniques strategically. Using a set of individual buildings as case studies, Construction Analysis will review and explain the physical anatomy of given technological types, emphasizing their latitude for change within accepted mechanical performance frameworks.

LBC BUILDING

PARKVILLE

SITE

university high

SPATIAL CONTEXT Melbourne as a city is expanding rapidly with both increased population growth and surburban circumfrential growth. Outer, low

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

density estates demonstrate unsustainable practices in terms of low density design; they lack suburb autonomy which increases the necessity of travel for their occupents

- thereby iincreasing conges-

HOSPITAL COMPLEX

tion and car usage rates.

In the context of the immediate site (Melbourne University and the hospital complex - centres of research and innovation) I wanted to design a building that is both innovative in terms of sustainability and usable as an educational tool

- for not only students but also

THE LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE

the wider community.

GREEN ROOF: SOME ZONES ENGINEERED TO BE INTENSIVE FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE

the design of the building is to be governed by the paramters of the living building challenge; a rigourous sustainability performance standard with the aim of creating a regenerative building that ‘gives more than it takes’.

MECHANICALLY OPERATED GLASS PANELS TO ALLOW FOR CONTROLLED CROSS VENTILATION.

LOW - E GLASS WITH CURTAIN WALLS PREDOMINANTLY ORIENTATED TO THE NORTH

IMPLEMENTATION OF PASSIVE DESIGN TO CREATE A NET ZERO ENERGY AND WATER FOOTPRINT. VINE STRUCTURE TO ALLOW FOR VERTICAL VEGETATION; FUNC-

7 PETALS : PLACE // WATER // ENEGRY // SITE // HEALTH // MATERIALS // BEAUTY // EQUITY

TIONS TO COOL AIR AS IT CROSSES THROUGH THE FENESTRATIONS INTO THE BUILDING.

STRUCTURE: PRE-STRESSED HOLLOW CORE PLANKS AND PRECAST BEAMS. HOLLOWCORE PLANK // REINFORCED AND PRECAMBERED.

PRECAST CONCRETE CORBEL // MINIMUM 50MM BEARING OF HOLLOWCORE PLANK.

SCREED IN SITU

INTERNAL BEAM // REINFORCED AND PRE-STRESSED.

EDGE BEAM // REINFORCED AND PRE-STRESSED.

CONCRETE USED FOR THERMAL MASS AND INTERNAL TEMPERATURE REGULATION. MECHANICAL VENTILATION SYSTEM AND CONCRETE USED IN CONJUNCTION FOR NIGHT PURGING.

COLUMN TO INTERNAL BEAM CONNECTION.

SECTION: GENERAL LEARNING AREA

SECTION: RENAISSANCE CENTER

LOWER GROUND - RENAISSANCE CENTER ‘SUNKEN’ TO REGULATE AND STABALISE INTERNAL CLIMATE - SUPERFICIALLY THOUGH, TO STILL ALLOW FOR LIGHT AND TO NOT INTERFERE WITH UNDERGROUND CARPARK.

GENERAL LEARNING AREA AND RECEPTION

RENAISSANCE CENTER

CAFE

SPORT CENTER

GROUND FLOOR PLAN: 1:200

LEVEL ONE PLAN: 1:200

HOLLOW CORE PLANKS ARE SET ON BEARING PADS ON PRECAST INTERNAL BEAMS. THIS SYSTEM IS STANDARDISED TO ALLOW FOR MAXIMUM TIME, COST AND LABOUR EFFICIENCY.

SCREED OVER

HOLLOWCORE PLANKS

INTERNAL BEAM

STEEL REINFORCING BARS ARE INSERTED INTO THE SLAB KEYWAYS TO SPAN THE CHAMFERED COLUMN

JOINT. THE JOINT IS GROUTED SOLID

DOUBLE SKIN FACADE THAT DRAWS IN AIR BETWEEN THE PANES AT THE BOT-

WITH SCREED.

TOM. HOT AIR RISES AND ESCAPES THROUGH THE TOP. THIS FORM OF VENTILATION CAN BE CONTROLLED AND MINIMISES THE AMOUNT OF HEAT THAT ENTERS THROUGH THE BUILDING. CAFE

LOWER GROUND, RENAISSANCE CENTER

B.2. CASE STUDY 1.0 SEROUSSI PAVILION

The most successful iterations to have come out of my algorithm manipulations would have to be the later ones that include the spin force command. This component essentially creates a form that is reminiscent of microscopic cellular activity. The introduction of the arc polar command then generated a floral-type design through simply copying the original form multiple times in a radial fashion.

Manipulation of the Seroussi pavilion algorithm proved to provide inspiration for my fina`l design in that I liked the idea of using such detailed line-work with polar relationships as a surface. The nodes or points in my iterations could be offset and studded inward in a concave manner if such a form was to be manipulated into a fashion garment.

C.1. DESIGN CONCEPT DESIGN DEFINITION

We started the algorithm by creating a base cape, or rather a lofted surface. This was referenced into grasshopper as geometry. We divided the surface into points which were then treated with a cull pattern. We divided the algorithm into two seperate parts that contained two different sets of points. These points were each populated with a sphere (see figure one) that are scaled using a point field. The spheres were then faceted (see figure two).

Figure 1

Finally we trimmed the faceted spheres on their undersides so that the side that sits on the body is flat. The process of creating the algorithm became complicated in the sense that trimming made the file crash. We envisaged adding surface design to the larger facets. When we projected it onto the garment however the file again crashed and as we were close to the deadline of submission we omitted it from our design.

Figure 2

C.1. DESIGN CONCEPT

C.1. DESIGN CONCEPT SURFACE DESIGN

In order to add more detail to the design we looked at incorperating surface design onto the bigger spheres. We downloaded an islamic patterning file which consisted of a geometric pattern that transitioned into differing polygon patterns as it progressed in the x-direction.

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

This would have been etched into the the facets to provide extra detail. This would have worked well considering our material choice of perspex. In order to embedd the surface design into the faces we projected the two dimensional pattern onto the brep (the garment).

The definition below and to the left represents how we unrolled the 3D model in rhino in order for it to be sent to the fablab for laser cutting. The above flow chart represents our construction process. We each had a group of spheres to construct and when this was completed they were assembled together.

Each sphere consists of faces that, although all unique, fit together. Connected by cable ties that are cut at the base.

2mm thick transperant perspex laser cut pieces. Offset connection holes with min distance of 2mm.

The inside of the garment is trimmed so that it sits flush on the wearer. Rigid geometric form acheived through tight cable tie connections

Spheres are connected together again using cable ties. These joiners act in tension and compression allowing the garment to hold its three dimensional extruded form.

C.2. TECTONIC ELEMENTS & PROTOTYPES FACETED SPHERES

For our construction prototype we chose three spheres from the garment. This was acheived by baking the brep and moving three of the trimmed surfaces. We referenced them back into grasshopper and unrolled the brep into a plane of each face. We labelled these and sent them to the fab lab.

For construction we struggled with the thin offset holes for joints. The perspex kept snapping meaning there was no way to connect the faces together. Ther fore we used alot of sticky tape for the prototype. This mistake ensured that we altered our design to created thicker edges around each face in the final design.

STAGE ONE: DEMOLITION, SITE PREPERATION,SERVICES.

Leveling out of ground soil

In Situ concrete is poured after reinforcement is set into the ground

Natural Ground Level

Water Proof membrane Compacted sand

Deep foundations transfer the building load to a more appropriate bearing stratum of soil

STAGE TWO: GROUND FLOOR, RETAINING WALLS

SECTION OF TYPICAL RETAINING WALL BC: Bearing Capacity W: Composite weight of the wall Lateral load

The retaining wall must be designed and constructed to resist the lateral pressure of the soil being retained.

The concrete cover is ensured by the use of chairs. They hold steel reinforcement up off the ground when in situ concrete is being poured.

Water Proof membrane Compacted sand

STAGE THREE: STEEL AND TIMBER STRUCTURAL FRAMING

Bolts and plate

Example of corrosion affecting the structural integrity of a column; hence demonstrating the importance of a zinc coating or galvanization.

Connection detail from typical SHS to slab

Internal Steel columns are coated wit zinc rich epoxy primer to a dry film thickness of 75mm before dispatch to site. This is to prevent corrosion especially in the a coastal region

` Predominant use of steel square hollow sections. Hot rolled material results in good buckling resistance and at the same time, an economy of material.

STAGE SIX: ROOF FRAMING