ALXSOKY 2016 | selected works
/ ALEXIS KENG YEE OH alxsoky@gmail.com +(60)183565098
DRAFT
AL SECTION N.T.S
PERSPEC
TIVE
BIOFUEL MICROFACTORY A WASTE-TO-ENERGY CONVERSION INITIATIVE
The site is located in a highly commercial town, a place where ‘sustainability’ alludes to profit margins instead of the environment. (1) When business is the main priority, how do we convince the community to get involved with the act of ‘upcycling’? (2) Is it possible to create awareness in a place where apathy is the biggest culprit? (3) How does a waste-to-energy programme change the behaviour of the people? BIOFUEL MICROFACTORY
SITE LOCATION SS2 TOWN, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA A small, concentrated commercial hub surrounded by residential units. It acts as the central gathering zone for neighbouring towns as it has a variety of commercial services
SITE ANALYSIS
Site is located in SS2 adjacent to the BHP Petrol Station
Existing green parcels can be linked to site’s programme
Highly accessible site is a main stop-by point for neighbouring towns
Proposed programme will benefit both commercial and residential zones
USER ENGAGEMENT STUDY
07:00 - 11:00
11:00 - 15:00
15:00 - 19:00
19:00 - 00:00
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highest recording of activity is around wet market area in the morning
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activities concentrate at selected areas during the night
BIOFUEL MICROFACTORY
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SITE ANALYSIS | SERIAL VISION
SERIAL VISION 1 VISUAL DIMENSION
(A) BRIDAL STREET PHENOMENON
// C O N T R A S T // Converted units
Between a building built for a specific purpose and one that has adapted to a new purpose.
Commercial shoplots
Conversion of residential to commercial resulted in a distinct difference in architectural style and human density. (B) SHIFT TO COMMERCIAL
Converted units
Adapted Use Residential > Commercial
Start of commercial zone
Increase in visual cues
The residential elements disappear at the turn, revealing a completely different scene.
Intended Use Commercial
Visual cues become more dense as more information becomes available.
SERIAL VISION 2 TEMPORAL DIMENSION
The serial vision shows that human density ( A ) is determined by the type of activity. // T R A N S I T I O N //
Both wet market and public park act as nodes that ( B ) pull pedestrians in whereas people are more scattered in the commercial zone.
Study on how open spaces affect human behaviour
(C)
Open spaces act as magnets
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ALXSOKY | 2016 PORTFOLIO
90 degree turn documents the transition point of the serial vision as it ends with sight of the commercial zone.
SITE ANALYSIS | CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
SERIAL VISION 3 SOCIAL DIMENSION
// D I S C O N N E C T I V I T Y // At what point do people become desensitized towards seminology?
Signages are saturated on these streets, causing an overload of sensory information. As a result, people is desensitized and disengage from their surroundings.
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT MAIN GOALS
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create awareness
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involve community
set precedence
The ultimate goal is to set this ‘Biofuel Microfactory’ as precedence; to make it such that its programme becomes a prerequisite in town planning, much like a school or hospital.
Large silos as classrooms/ workshops Membrane storing biofuel gases Smaller silos houses composting toilets/ composting unit
Intermediate corridors act as main connection spine
Ramp doubles as pedestrian throughway as well as collection point
Preliminary sketch of microfactory envisioned as a playground
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BIOFUEL MICROFACTORY
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CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
MODIFIED ELEMENTS WHAT + A Biofuel Microfactory that will take in the waste produced in the vicinity and convert it into energy
+ BOXES IN THE AIR
Initial idea was to have a hive of living quarters grafted onto the walls. This has been modified to capsule pods suspended on the ribs instead.,
WHY + As iterated, the three main goals are awareness, community & precedence
HOW
+ 3 PARTS OF A WHOLE
Initially, everything was segregated, composting in one space, workshops in another. Only later were all the spaces merged into one huge biopark that soanned the entire site!
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UPCYCLING! Composting is a noninvasive way to ‘upcycle’ waste into energy.
NARRATIVE DEVELOPMENT
MAIN SPINE: THE STREET END-TO-END MOVEMENT
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Vertical circulation is situated on both ends to encourage people to move from one end of the space to the other 4
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Using composting silos to create a constellation of attraction points
FUNCTIONAL AS FOLLEYS WALLS BECOME DOORS
Selected portions of the wall open up to allow for multiple entrances into the ‘street’
ALXSOKY | 2016 PORTFOLIO
Suspending hostels above the ‘street’; free up space and mimic treepods that hang onto the curve structure
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Creating a ‘street’ within the plot to redirect pedestrian traffic into the site.
PODS GRAFTED ON WALLS FREE MOVEMENT
The placement of folleys allow for a meandering movement and unique experiences
P.E.S.T.L.E STUDY
(P) O L I T I C S
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MBPJ have in the past held campaigns and activities to promote SS2 as a green zone and PJ as a zero carbon city. This shows that the local council is no stranger to sustainable efforts and will be willing to develop it further. There is currently a WASTE TO WEALTH programme that involves wet waste conversion into energy but efforts have stopped due to the economic downturn.
(E) C O N O M I C
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Biogas has the potential to replace conventional diesel in fueling transportation. If used correctly, it can also replace cooking gas and power generators. The beauty of wet waste upcycling is that all products and by-products are usable and can benefit the economy. This project can attract entrepreneurs, investors and stakeholders as it is an untapped industry with strong potential for growth.
(S) O C I A L
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The sense of community on site has been neglected in favour of business and profit. This project could involve and bring together the community through team activities as well as educate them on the potential and importance of alternative fuels. A long term benefit of this project is that the town of SS2 becomes self-sustainable and the locals are well versed in the methods of wet waste conversion.
+ (T) E C H N O L O G I C A L The advancement in science and technology made the conversion of wet waste into energy possible. With further development in this sector, who knows what possibilities lie ahead? WIth that in mind, this project could involve surrounding education sectors as well as innovators in the field to come up with interesting and unique ways of applying the methods and products of upcycling.
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(L) E G A L
With a project that involves power and electricity, approval might be needed from relevant authorities. There is an existing framework regarding alternative fuel and clean energy set in place by the authorities. In fact, TNB has come up with a pay back system for patrons who can supply their own clean energy.
+(E) N V I R O N M E N T A L Existing efforts by MBPJ in promoting the sustainable lifestyle have been in full swing and the people of SS2 are slowly warming up to it. With the improvement in lifestyle, people are more willing to be involved in sustainable efforts and there is a change in mindset, particularly amongst the younger generation. This interest could be tapped into by involving the community in efforts to promote innovation in the clean energy sector
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BIOFUEL MICROFACTORY
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KEY FEATURES
LOWER GROUND FLOOR PLAN N.T.S
FIRST FLOOR PLAN N.T.S
+ CAPSULE PODS The living quarters are suspended in between the curved ribs and are a temporary home for volunteers and workers on site. +
BIOGAS PARK The semi-covered outdoor area is a park with silos of varying sizes as sculptures. Some silos are composting units and are closed to the public, some are rentable spaces for workshops. The park is meant to be explored.
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COMPOSTING TOILETS The entire facility embodies the wasteto-energy motto as even the toilets are composters.
+ THE ‘STREET’ The ramp acts as a pedestrian link and connects both ends of the site.
GROUND FLOOR PLAN N.T.S
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SECOND FLOOR PLAN N.T.S
BUILDING TECHNOLOGY | WALL SECTION
BLOW UP DETAIL ‘X‘ N.T.S
BLOW UP DETAIL ‘Y‘ N.T.S
BLOW UP DETAIL ‘Z‘ N.T.S
DETAILED WALL SECTION N.T.S
SOUTH-EAST ELEVATION N.T.S
NORTH-EAST ELEVATION N.T.S
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BIOFUEL MICROFACTORY
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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY | DETAILS
GLASS LOUVRE DETAIL N.T.S
BLOW UP DETAIL ‘Q‘ N.T.S
NORTH-EAST ELEVATION N.T.S 8
ALXSOKY | 2016 PORTFOLIO
ALUMINIUM LOUVRE DETAIL N.T.S
BLOW UP DETAIL ‘P‘ N.T.S
SOUTH-WEST ELEVATION N.T.S
“The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honoured guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family.” - Balti Proverb
TEA FOR TWO TO THREAD LIGHTLY ON THE EARTH The site is located in the lush green hills of Cameron Highlands in the midst of a tea plantation. The brief was to design a tea house based on a previous design of a tea pavilion. To guide our designs, the Pakistani tea culture is assigned as a subtheme. How can we translate the build up of the proverb into architecture? Is there a way to thread lightly on the site? TEA FOR TWO
BINDING CONCEPT Circle of relationship development based on Balti Proverb
SITE PLAN TO SECTION TOPOGRAPHY STUDY
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TEA FOR TWO
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PART I: TEA PAVILION FOR TWO
BASED ON BALTI PROVERB SEQUENCE The first part of the project was to design a pavilion for two people with the Pakistani tea culture as a source of inspiration.
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There is a proverb that perfectly sums up the Pakistani tea drinking culture, and it serves as the main concept for the pavilion.
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ERGONOMICS & CULTURE Dimensions were adjusted to fit two. The pavilion does not have any loose furniture, all surfaces double as seating as the people there are often seen sitting crossed legged, either on the floor or a bench.
SOUTH ELEVATION N.T.S 10
ALXSOKY | 2016 PORTFOLIO
WEST ELEVATION N.T.S
PART II: TEA HOUSE FOR TWO
STUDY MODELS Based on the previous pavilion design, the tea house has one main corridor that connects all the spaces, with the idea of a linear journey that eventually coils into a circle. It depicts the cycle of relationship, building up from stranger when you first enter, to friend and finally family. The movement is pure, a full circle. The Tea House ‘hugs’ the site and provides a 360 degree view of the lush rolling hills of the tea plantation.
PROGRAMME
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TIME BASED ACTIVITY
BREAKDOWN
PURITY IN MOVEMENT
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GRAFTED SPACES
Spaces are used in a clockwise sequence, starting with the foyer which enjoys the morning sun.
TEA ROOM FOYER
WEST
EAST
BEDROOM KITCHEN BATHROOM
The day ends at the tea room, with the setting sun casting a warm glow over the space.
NORTH ELEVATION N.T.S
GROUND FLOOR PLAN N.T.S
ROOF PLAN N.T.S
EAST ELEVATION N.T.S
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TEA FOR TWO
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BUILDING CONSTRUCTION | DETAILS
SECTION B-B N.T.S
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ALXSOKY | 2016 PORTFOLIO
PARALLEL CITY A CITY FOR THE HOMELESS
The streets of KL have been experiencing growth spurts, resulting in an awkward imbalance both in the built environment and social dynamics. There exists a group of people suspended in limbo, people without homes. They roam the streets almost invisible, simply drifting. The project proposes a parallel city, a platform for the homeless to rehabilitate themselves back into society. We view them not as social plague, PARALLEL CITY
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PARALLEL CITY
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PARALLEL CITY
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DESIGN FEATURES
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DESIGN FEATURES
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PARALLEL CITY
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URBAN INFILL
BOOKMARKET
A QUIET REPRIEVE FROM THE CITY The design aims to revive the sense of community by using books as a catalyst for social gatherings. The site is located at the intersection of Jalan Gereja and Jalan Tun H.S. Lee. With a large number of institutions and offices in the immediate proximity, a knowledge based programme seemed to be the obvious choice. This book market is a safe haven, an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. FIGURE GROUND STUDY 1895 vs 2014
INFILL BOOKMARKET
Many ‘landmark’ buildings were set in the 1960s and featured monumental, heavy set, brutalist buildings. This book market challenges the notion of what a ‘book space’ should be. The building’s grounds are raised in a series of steps and platform, an ode to the quirky ways bookies read. The steps double as seating and platforms, reinterpreting the conventional idea
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ALXSOKY | 2016 PORTFOLIO
of transition spaces. The stalls are arranged in a seemingly random manner, a nod towards the ingenuity of older book markets around. The market connects the main road with the back alley, maintaining the connection on the previous site.
SITE ANALYSIS
ENGAGEMENT STUDIES
FACADE STUDIES
NEEDS VS DESIRES
PATTERN & RHYTHMS
BUILDING HEIGHT BUILDING RHYTHM
S.W.O.T ANALYSIS ISSUES & INSPIRATIONS
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INFILL BOOKMARKET
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SEC TIO NAL N.T .S PER S
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INFILL BOOKMARKET
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DESIGN FEATURES
GROUND FLOOR
PLAN N.T.S
MEZZANINE FLOOR
PLAN N.T.S
FACADE DEVELOPMENT
FIRST POINT OF ENTRY Acts as a collection point before projecting people into the three main spaces of the building.
HIERARCHY IN SCALE Size of frames and openings decreases going up the facade.
RANDOMIZING Contrasts the conventionally orderly arrangement of eggcrate facades of the 1960s.
Similarly, the spaces are arranged from public to private as you move up the building.
Reveals only selected views to the onlooker. Also conceals actual floor levels, a little optical illusion.
FRONT ELEVATION N.T.S 22
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DESIGN FEATURES
FIRST FLOOR
PLAN N.T.S
SECOND FLOOR
PLAN N.T.S
FACADE DEVELOPMENT
VISUAL LAYERING Beyond the first floor, facade is pushed outwards creating a perception of depth. The standard five-foot walkway is continued albeit widened slightly.
VIEWS INTO & OUT The glass on the windows are tinted to reflect the street.
LIGHT & VENTILATION Metal louvres are used in the upper floors in place of glass panels.
The various openings with different sizes offer a myriad of frames from the inside.
These louvres are operable to control amount of daylighting.
BACK ELEVATION N.T.S
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INFILL BOOKMARKET
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SPATIAL STUDY // TRANSITION POINT //
// INTERLEVEL CONNECTION //
Shift in axis creates contrast with the regularity of the site’s plot. It also further emphasizes the transition from the street into the book market, creating a clear distinction between the publicly accessible spaces and the service areas.
The central atrium is defined by the central void that not only provides fill visuals into the core exhibition space, but also allows light to penetrate the spaces. The void allows for visual connectivity between the levels and different spaces. These glimpses serve to tease and attract users to the upper parts of the building.
SPATIAL STUDY CONNECTIVITY LEGEND 1 OPEN PUBLIC SPACE 2 LIBRARY CAFE 3 MAIN ENTRANCE 4 BACK ENTRANCE 5 MAIN EXHIBITION SPACE 6 BOOK MARKET PT 1 7 UNISEX TOILET 1 8 ‘RARE BOOKS’ ZONE 9 BOOK MARKET PT 2 10 READING BOOK 11 FREE READING ZONE 12 OUTDOOR TERRACE 1 13 READING LOUNGE 14 WORKSHOPS/ CLASSROOMS 15 OUTDOOR TERRACE 2 16 UNISEX TOILET 2
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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY | FACADE DETAILS //
FRAMING MOMENTS //
// RETAINING DESIGN LANGUAGE // While the front facade was about framing the views, the back facade focuses on permeability of light and ventilation.
Scale of openings decrease as spaces become more private and intimate in the upper floors.
The size of openings are reduced, using ventblocks for uniformity and their similarity to the building’s design language.
The framing occurs both ways: street views framed from inside, and interior views framed from outside.
FACADE
DETAILS
BUILDING TECHNOLOGY
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INFILL BOOKMARKET
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Fin. ALXSOKY 2016 PORTFOLIO