project 2.1
white water
Contents 02
Introduction
03 Site Analysis 07 Concept Development 08 Concept Proposition 09 Design Development 10 Proposition 14 Drawings 18 Sustainability 19 Circulation 20 Details 23 Material/Immaterial 24
Model at 1:100
25 Video 26 Bibliography 27
Reflection
28 Closing Image
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site
introduction
the city and the river
Graz treads a fine balance between past and present; between tradition and new ideas. Progressive and radical architectures punctuate the Medieval city centre, and characterise new districts. Infrastructure is updated as technology changes to accommodate modern lifestyles. This city-in-flux leaves parts of the urban fabric neglected, or even forgotten the tarnished remnants of a scheme or development that became irrelevant decades ago. The city’s relationship with its river has been lost in the wake of its progress. An outdated and aged underpass encloses the river, which is otherwise only viewed from city level. The natural element of the city seems forgotten and distanced. Our site falls into both worlds - the rich city and the forgotten waterfront. Close to the heart of Graz’s cultural district, the site has the potential to address the relationship between the city and the river, and reconnect the man-made with the natural.
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the city and the river
displacement The site’s underpass creates a feeling of disassociation from the rest of the city. The established urban order is broken down and subverted, becoming a refuge for counter culture - a venue for ideas that don’t cohere with Graz’s established social structure. It is difficult to relate to one plane of graz when on the other, due to their spacially diametric opposition. The mode below places the observer on an intermediary plane, caught between the conflict of Graz’s split personalities.
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tram pedestrians motorway bicycles
the city and the river
a sense of energy There is a strong sense of movement on both levels - a flow of energy that reflects the pace of urban life and the power of the river. The movement of people and bikes, and more importantly, the motorway, trams and the river, all generate a kinetic and acoustic haze. Yet, comparatively, the site feels devoid of energy. The urban/natural display is woven around the site, but rarely enters it, as few people pass through the space. The layered conceptual model to show this shows how one’s perception of the energy changes as one circulates vertically, moving from the river-dominated underpass to the tram-dominated urban level.
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the city and the river
uncomfortable
The discomfort felt on the site resulted from the long distances between access/exits to and from the underpass . Due to the turbulence of the river there is no quick means of escape from underpass. The conceptual model represents this with the use of mirrors; if one were to stand between the mirrors, the corridor would become infinately long, exemplifying the feeling of being trapped on all 6 sides.
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summer
winter
sunshine hours per day
summer solstice - morning
summer solstice - midday
summer solstice - evening
throughout the year
temperature throughout the year
With a cool/temperate climate, the building will need to be able to regulate temperature efficiently. Sunlight exposure during the middle hours of the day means that glare and solar gain will be an issue.
site use throughout the year
winter solstice - morning
winter solstice - midday
winter solstice - evening
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concept development
concept studies
DISPLACEMENT
UNCOMFORTABLE
The concept for displacement puts the majority of the building’s function betwen the two diametric worlds, with the idea of creating a place from the non place, that acts as a connection point between Graz’s two personalities.
The concept for discomfort breaks the 4 metaphysical walls of the underpass, placing the building over the river, in view of the city and the underpass. It is accessible from the bridge as well as the immediate site.
A SENSE OF ENERGY The concept for energy places the social function above the city’s display of energy, allowing for greater observation. Underneath the social area, public space could attract visitors to the site, connecting the site with its surroundings.
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bridging the divide
The idea of dispacement forms the basis of this scheme. The space betwen the two worlds could be used as a bridge - to put one within tangible reach of both at once. An intermediary plane will act as a meeting ground between the urban plane and the river/underpass, that can soften the transition from one plane to the other. The mutually exclusive worlds of established-Graz and counter-Graz could begin to overlap, and enter into a positive dialogue. As users are able to observe the city and river at once from the scheme, the relationship between city and river, and thus urban and natural could be addressed.
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precedent Scalinata della TrinitĂ dei Monti - Rome Connected to the Piazza di Spagna, this staircase functions as circulation, seating and an informal amphitheater. The space relates heavily to the adjoining piazza. TED Building, Bjarke Ingels BIG uses the exterior structure of the building to circulate users in a rooftop park. Therefore (quasi) public space and internal space exits as as negatives of each other, on the other side of the envelope/ Scala Towerer, Bjarke Ingels Similar to the TED project, this building explores the idea of vertical public space starting at ground level. The exterior face of the builing functions as a fully public envelope. Gallery Yeh, Unsangdong Architects An interesting project that uses a fractured concrete facade to allow visual penetration into the building, and imply depth.
design development drawing people to the site at night
generation of plane
development of staircases
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proposition
connecting river and city 10
connecting the river and the city
an extension of public space The majority of the scheme consists of public space, with the functional elements being largely tucked underneath the existing underpass.. The upper level exists as a public square, which tapers towards the river, drawing people towards the middle level. Voids are cut through the building, over which vertical circulation spans. As one moves across the voids, they are encouraged to look up or downwards, connecting with the opposite part of the site before entering it. The effect of this is the building acting as a gentle gradient between the upper and lower parts of the site
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
connecting the river and the city Both the interior and exterior elements are intended to provide an experience that connects the user to the city and to the river.
daytime
For all users, the building acts as a multi level public space that makes the river and city as a backdrop to one another. As a kayaking centre, it faces the river and is articulated to bring spectators closer to the competition area. The sport can take pride of place in Graz’s river culture. The race office, which is fixed to the underside of the bridge, is positioned directly over the main competition area. Public seating draws people to spend time between the river and the bridge.
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connecting the river and the city
night time
At night, the scheme addresses the river and the city through a light installation . On the Urban level, a light grid, triggered by piezoelectric generators emulates the movement of the water. When one steps into the square, LED lights embedded into the floor react to their presence, as if stepping into a pool of water.
The lower installation reacts to human triggers from the upper part of the site. Red LEDs will react to trams, cars and even people passing by. The two installations are intended to mirror their opposite parts of the urban/natural infrastructure
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First Floor Plan
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Meeting Room Store Room WC Kitchen Bar Fire Escape with refuge area. Lift Shaft Multifunctional Social Space Public Plane Race Office (fixed to bridge underside)
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Ground Floor Plan
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Female Changing (with showers/ WC) Male Changing (with showers/ WC) Disabled WC Kayak storage/service area Fire Escape/secondary staircase Lift Shaft Public Underpass (with seating along building)
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Section at 1:200
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west elevation at 1:100
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6mm Diffused Glass
LED Light Array
Aluminium Cable/LED Trough
60mm Precast Concrete Blockwork/ piezoelectric grid housing (underside depends on position)
1:1 Cable Trough Detail
National Grid
Vibration from movement
Viabrates piezoelectric disk, inducing electric current
expressing sustainability The River/City installation responds to the energy surrounding and passing through the site. The vibrational energy created by passing trams, the underpass and even pedestrians is harnessed by th e piezoelectric energy system that also triggers the light installation. Vibrational energy causes small mechanical stresses on the piezoelectric plates, inducing an electronic current. During the day, the installation will be switched off. The energy harvested will instead be fed into the city’s electrical grid. At night, when the installation is on, it will draw energy from the city.
Powers LED Grid at Night
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circulation
fire stairs with refuge
lift shaft
upper stairs
lower stairs
circulation through site
points of interest
seating/rest
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10mm Profiled Steel Step (welded to frame)
30mm Steel Frame
1:50 Detail of Upper Staircase Assembly
Central Section of Staircase Frame 1:50
FIxture to Concrete Plane 1:50
the scheme in detail 300mm Reinforced Concrete
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
Precast Reinforced Concrete Stair (100mm)
Rebar Mesh
UCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
Model showing buildup of lower stair assembly
1:10 Test Model
Section of Stair assembly (1:50)
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1: 50 Technical section
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1. 2. 3. 4.
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Triple glazed window. 40mm polished concrete screed. 60mm insulation board. 350mm reinforced concrete slab. 700mm wide precast concrete column (with meshing rebar) Precast support block sits in front of underpass. Existing underpass slab.
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1: 20 Details 1. 2. 3.
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60mm Piezoelectric light grid assembly. 40mm insulation board 350mm reinforced concrete floor slab. 10mm reclaimed wood cladding. 100mm insulation with VPL. DPM. Existing Retaining Wall.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
40mm polished concrete screed. 60mm insulation board. 350mm reinforced concrete slab. 300mm load reinforced concrete wall. 50mm insulation with venting cavity. 50mm in situ concrete face (with gap to vent to behind cavity). In situ stainless steel bridges.
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1. 2.
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
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Timber Strip Textured Concrete The concrete walls provide the spacial framework for the scheme. They provide a solidity that grounds the building in the site, and juxtaposes open areas
Painted Stainless Steel The lightly painted stainless steel railings, with a matte finish, provide penetration into and out of the public areas. They are intended. to evoke a sense of depth and interest
translucency
In Situ Concrete Deck Used as the means to articulate the vertical voids, the deck juxtaposes solidity with the intangible, in parts evoking a sense of lightness and in parts asserting its mass.
Glass Experientially, the glass gives depth to the social space from outside. From within, it draws one to other parts of the scheme. Windows are specifically placed to create a dialogue between the city and the Kayak Centre
material/immaterial
Light Light is perhaps the most important contributor to the building’s experience. The materials have been chosen to be bright, and relatively neutral in colour. They are able to take on the hue and character of the environment and sink into the site. During the night , light can become a material; used as an interactive installation that dynamically helps define the character of the space.
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1:100
model
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video
construct/explore the fourth dimension
construction
completion
please copy into web browser:
http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=NEw6jwZt0Bs
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bibliography Precedent sources: ‘ Yes is More - An Archicomis on Architectural Evolution’ - Bjarke Ingels Group Gallery Yeh - Explanation of Scheme - http://www.archdaily.com/66324/ Spanish Steps - http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Piazza_di_Spagna.html
Theory Readings ‘An Introduction to Architectural Theory - Debating a Discipline’ - Korydon Smith ‘Cities for a Small Planet’k - Richard Rogers ‘ Yes is More - An Archicomis on Architectural Evolution’ - Bjarke Ingels Group
Periodicals: Architectural Journal Architectural Review Architecure + Urbanism - Japan Detail Magazine Other: Building Construction Illustrated Constructing Architecture: Materials, Processes, Structures; a Handbook The Architects’ Handbook Evolo.us Arch Daily Inhabitat World of Architecture The Creators Project
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reflection
The White Water project was my first chance to engage with a site outside of Manchester; a space of two opposing characters, representative of two different worlds in the same city.
My aproach to this project forced me to push my theoretical and technical understanding, and emphasized the different scales of architecture that need to be addressed in a building. I look forward to taking this knowledge with me to future projects.
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