Architecture Design Studio 2015 Spring

IIMT 3624 Architectual Studio II Unit Staff: Eve Siu-Tracy, Joseph P H Chan

visualization of

transparency Project Portfolio 2015 Spring HWANG, Hsing-Chi 2012549864

how do you view transparency? colorless? vanishing? or is it even visible? in my point of view, transparency is how an object merges with the environment. when you speak loudly within the noisy crowd, when you move rapidly in this fast-forward city, or when you stand still in a piece of tranquil woods, when you keep the peace of mind in front of a quiet sea. when we blend in the surroundings, we become transparency; we do not disappear, but we breathe in the same pace as the air, we voice in the same frequency as the wave, and we visualize ourselves in the way same as the presence of the world we exist in.

1.0 measurement and scale

04

2.0 design of chair

14

3.0 embrace, embraced: renovation of victoria recreation club

38

1.0 Measurement and scale 1.1 Measurement of Human Movement 1.2 A Drawing of Chair

1.1

measurement of human movements

1.1.1 getting ready: sketch out what to measure 1.1.2 measurement and observation of human movements and activities 1.1.3 drawings of human movement

B

A

C

D

E

A. lengths of different movemnet with one's arms (in the front view and in the bird view) B. length of a normal and maximum step forward C. length of a normal and a maximum step upward D. reachable distance while stretching one's arm out horizontally and while moving forward a step E. the furthest reachable distance when kneeling doen on the ground F. minimum height when squating on the ground G. maximum reachable height when standing still (with and without standing on one's tips); maximum reachable distance when stretching out one's arm; minimum reachable height when standing still (without bending on one's back)

F

H. length between elbows while writing in fornt of a desk I. the furthest reachable distance when reaching forward from the edge of a desk J. the furthest reachable distance when reaching backward from the edge of a desk K. hieght between from the desk surface and one's hand stretching horizontally; distance between one's trunk and a laptop screen while sitting in front of a desk; angle of vision between viewing from the screen and horizontally

G

H

H

J

K

1.2

d r a w i n g of a chair

A

B

C

D

1.2.1 observation: phots of chair in different angles 1.2.2 sketches and measurement 1.2.3 drawings of the chair diagram of relation between drawings

demonstration of relation between drawings A. plan B. section C. front elevation D. side elevation

front elevation

1.2.3 drawings of the chair elevation, plan and section in 1:10 scale

side elevation

section

plan

2.0 Design of Chair 2.1 Site Visit and Analysis 2.2 Design Ideation 2.3 Design Development 2.4 Design Execution 2.5 Design Review 2.6 Design Improvement

2.1

Site Visit and Analysis

Features observed at the JCCAC building: 1. long aisles 2. great lighting due to the atrium in the middle 3. square-/rectangular shaped pattern 4. color tone: lemon green, grey, white

2.1.1 site visit: understanding the surroundings 2.1.2 site analysis: features of the building

2.2

d e s i g n ideation Concept 1: balcony

2.2.1 first stage ideation: initiate design concept

Concept 2: oasis

Concept 3: transparency

Concept 4: obstacle

balcony:

transparency:

oasis:

obstacle:

portable:

relaxing deck chair lie down half-open

invisible light

desert green water relaxing

(non-executable)

take it with you

extension weather air and wind afternoon tea time

minimal color-less see through clarity

tranquil quiet hope

mobility movable light weight not too huge compact convenient handy

ditachable foldable

2.2.2 second stage ideation: extension of concept and its meanings

2.3

d e s i g n development

model 1.1

the basketball

(based on concept of portability)

2.3.1 experimental models: developed under each design concept

model

1.2

deck

chair

(based on concept of balcoby)

To apply the concept of Transparency, every element of the chair is kept to the minimum, such as the least use of material, the least of weight and even the least in terms of visibility, which is the reason why strings, instead of cushion, is employed for the seat.

Also, considering to be placed in the JCCAC building, which serves the meaning as an Oasis for the restless city and also for people who are interested in art in the city, a colorless tone, especially white, is choosen t o c r e a t e a s e n s e o f t r a n q u i l i t y.

m o d e l

1 . 3

m i n i m a l i s m

(based on concept of transparency and oasis)

2.3.1 experimental models: developed under each design concept

2.3.2 second stage models: combination of design concepts

In the second stage of experimenting with models, all four design concpets are applied. Inspired by the portable iPad case, the idea of making a fold-able chair is first prompted, but is however facing difficulty with choosing an appropriate material.

While refining the shape of design, the model on the right-lower row is developed and choosen as the final model, which a ditachable feature is applied instead to achieve the portable function.

m o d e l

2 . 1

t h e

i p a d

c a s e

(combination of all design concepts)

2.3.3 study of structure: joints and study models

2.4

d e s i g n execution

2.4.1 getting ready: preparing the material 2.4.2 drawings of design: relations between drawings

Originally, wood is choosen for the completion of the model.

However, due to its weight, which reduce the value of being a protable project, the material is abandoned. Later on, to match the colorless/white color tone with low weight, a 3mm white cardboard is finally choosen for the project.

2.4.2 drawings of design: plan, elevation and section in 1:10 scale

1.

2.

3. & 4.

2.4.3 design execution: the complete chair

The final piece is completed and applied with all four design concept, including: Balcony: the outward-stretching arms are designed with the key of "extending from the interior to the exterior".

Portable: the whole piece is structured by joints and is therefore ditachable.

Also, material of white card board is chosen meant to reduce the burden while carrying with.

Transparency & Oasis: the color-tone is to blend in the environment of JCCAC building, added with light weight altogether presenting the idea of "light" as minimalism in terms of mass and visibility.

2.5

d e s i g n r e v i e w As the project is stabalized solely by joints, the inevitable gaps in between, due to the inconsistent thinckness of cardboard and the execution process, weaken the overall stucture.

Also, due to the material as such, thickness of the stands and seats should be increased to improve the afordability of weight. On the other hand, the direction of how the cardboard layers are placed should be vertical instead of horizontal in order to enhance the strength.

2.5.1 problem diagnosis 2.5.2 design improvement: design set no.2

The new piece of design will be made from 6mm MDF board, if by hand, or half-transparent polyethylene plastic, if by manufacture. The slidein joint of the seat and the arms is revised and its height is also changed from 450 mm to 350 mm to better suit Asian users. The thickness of structure (in each dimension) is extended from 36 mm to 50 mm to make the piece for solid and stable.

The future project is expected to be made and completed as shown in the photo on the right in gray scale.

3.0 Embrace, embraced renovation of victoria recreation club, sai kung 3.1 ideation and inspiration 3.2 case study: elqui domos 3.3 site visit and analysis 3.4 design concept 3.5 ambiance atmosphere 3.6 site content 3.7 design essentials and problem solving 3.8 study of form 3.9 final work

3.1

i n i t i a l ideation

andersen o'gorman / barclay & crousse / bohlin cywinski jackson / will bruder / eastern design / masaki endoh and masahiro ikeda / sean godsell / grose bradley / zaha hadid / steven holl

3.1.1 books/research for inspiration: 100 contemporary architecture design art and place moving image

3.2

case study: elqui domos learnings from casre study: 1. the value of a purposed built architecture: what is the very reason that attract people to come and visit victoria recreation club?

2. site content: how to make use of the surrounding environment? how does it add value to the architecture as such?

standing on the barren hill of elqui domos valley, elqui domos relies heavily on the value of natural environment, which people visit the site year after year for the breathtaking scenery of starry night. just as people all over the world gather at this small valley for star gazing, how can the vistoria recreation club -- by certain selling point -- leads customers to walk out from the concrete jungle into the woods, the greens, and finally, the vast expanse of sea?

3. creation of a complete experience: apart from its visual and functional value, what else can the renovation project bring to its user?

(for the full case study, see Appendix 1)

3.3

site visit and a n a l y s i s

(for the full group report, see Appendix 2)

3.3.1 photos of site visit 3.3.2 group report: site analysis

3.4

d e s i g n c o n c e p t 0%

hk city center

sai kung pier

reception

5-acre of VRC

maze

woods

underground

land (embraced) ground level

above ground level

100% sea/non-land (embrace)

3.4.1 diagrams of design concept: an experience of "embrace, embraced" 3.4.2 sketches of idea: site plan for the 5-acre area

100%

roof top

0%

the renovation project presents the complete experience starting from customers' residence, which is likely to be somewhere in the city center of hong kong, to sai kung, to the 5-acre area of VRC and finally to the renovated building -- from the most enclosed, condensed area to the most natural, open space, and this sense will be take into consideration when designing the new construction as well as planning the surroundings and ambiance atmosphere for the entire project. in addition, instead of combining all the function and hotel rooms as a whole, I decide to separate them into different buildings, since escaping from the clamor of city and seeking for a tranquil state is an important share of the project, customers who visit the club are likely to look for a private and quiet space.

as for how to apply the design concept on the site, instead of merely focusing on the sea shore, I decide to make use of both the sea and the land side, which audiance are surrounded by the environment on the land side and at the same time embracing the sea view. after arriving at the 5-acre area of VRC, customers will first enter the reception area, which staffs will guide them through dense green area (consist of bamboo forest and woodlands) to the either event house, the hotel room or the VRC building. all of the new constructions will locate on the edge of the hill, and will be halfly rooted in the slope to be embraced by the landside, while embracing the best scene of the marine.

3.4.3 sketches of ideas: applying design concept on the event house

among all the buildings, the event house is considered to be the focal point of the renovation program. at this stage, functions and usesage of each level are briefly planned. and, to achieve the intent to embrace the seascape and to be embraced by the hill, I started to brainstorm with the outline of the plan.

secondly, I thought about the vertical dimension-- if part of the building is raised higher, this creates spaces that obtain better scenery. finally, I kept on brainstorming for the external form that provides a more interesting appearance on the surface.

3.5

ambiance atmosphere

hotel room 1

event house

hotel room 2 & 3

reception

reception

3.5.1 movie scenes and ambiance atmosphere 3.5.2 imaginary sketchs on photos and scenes you see from the buildings

at this stage, I started to think about what the audiance will see when they walk through the whole area of VRC. on the left hand side are sketches of scenes that customers will experience when they take the path from the reception to each building, which they will go through the thick bamboo forest to the sparse woodland.

event house

hotel room 1

on the right hand side are imaginary sketches of how the site will look in the future when these new buildings are placed. in the last row are photos taken on each spot where the new buildings will be constructed, and these are the scenes one can enjoy at the reception, event house and hotel rooms respectively.

hotel room 2 & 3

event house floor plan site plan

3.5.3 Embrace, Embraced, Design Set 01: site plan, circulation, floor plan

site plan with landscaping

reception plan

site plan with circulation design set A

LG1: swimming pool

GF: gym room

1/F: multi-media room 2/F: meditation room

design set B

LG1: swimming pool

GF: gym room

1/F: multi-media room 2/F: meditation room

3.6

s i t e c o n t e n t

3.6.1 site plan on map with contour line: location, simplified plan and section

to take site content into consideration for the design of site plan, I started with identifying concave slopes on the map, which enable the new buildings to be halfly rooted on the hill side while obtaining satisfying field of vision to enjoy the sea view. and these are the location while will be selected to construct the new buildings.

the second step is to consider the section design to align with the landscape. I started with sketching out the section of landscape on location for construction. sections are then designed in accordance and plans are slightly revised based on each section design.

3.7

d e s i g n essentials to complete the design in more details, I list down the "service blueprint" of the renovation program, which is a tool often used in service marketing, by listing down every step customers take while they experience the serivce offerings to examine what venue needs to be created, what materials need to be prepared and how many staffs are needed and where they should be placed to provide services. I apply this tool to decide what are essential functions, rooms and equipemtns for each building.

LG: pool, changing room, storage enter entrance

changing changing room

place belongings locker counter

warm up a spare space near the pool

wet faucet

swim pool

rest shore arm chairs

swim pool

changing changing room

pick up belongings locker counter

leave exit

go to other floors stairs

Ground Entrance

2/F: Multi-media function room

enter entrance

find a movie desktop

get food and drinks food bar

find a seat seats

enjoy the movie water fountain drinks & food

find a book service counter

get food & drinks ladders

find a seat gym room

reading water fountain spare space

1/F: gym room, staff office, service counter, changing room enter entrance

changing changing room

place belongings locker counter

warm up a spare space near gym facilities

3/F: yoga and meditation room 3.7.1 planning the sotryline: customer services blueprint

get out of the pool ladders

enter entrance

changing changing room

place belongings locker counter

work out gym room

yoga meditation s p a r e space

rest water fountain drinks & food

rest water fountain drinks & food

(go to service counter) service counter

yoga meditation s p a r e space

leave exit

go to other floors stairs

ask for special athletic equipment ladders

changing changing room

leave exit

work out gym room

cool down water fountain spare space

go to other floors stairs

changing changing room

leave exit

go to other floors stairs

Q 0. design essentials of the entire project after understanding the what to be placed and what functions are required in the building, I then move on to figuring out the essential design elements of the building, to fit and combined all the rooms and functions in the building. the decision making is split into two parts, which starts with listing out the features and selling points of architecture, then comes up with what design elements should be apply to achieve these features. and the following are several sets of problem and solution developed through the design process.

3.7.2 design essential and problem solving: sketches and drawings

what features am I looking for in the buildings?

what elements should I apply to present these features?

1. g r e e n i n t h e b u i l d i n g t o blend in with the nature

1. c e n t e r c o u r t y a r d / a t r i u m

2. transparency to gain good view 3. h a l f - o p e n / o p e n s p a c e t o create ample, spacious feeling in limited area 4. g o o d

l i g h t i n g

5. r e d u c e t h e u s e o f w a l l s to create spacious sense

2. glass as material/french windows 3. b a l c o n y a n d t e r r a c e 4. deconstruction: break apart the building so each space becomes an individual instead of being packed together 5. make use of levels to reduce walls

Q 1. mezzanine design for ground entrance how do you encourage people to go down to LG defore going up to 1/f? attract people by the view (make the seascape enjoyable at the entrance)

Q 2. half-open/open space how do you create halfopen/open space, but not to be restricted by the shape of center court yard? apply terrace and balcony to puch space "outwards"

Q 4. good lighting how do you allow more lighting in the building?

(1) by applying transparent material, e.g. glass, and the usage of french windows sketch:

3.7.2 design essential and problem solving: sketches and drawings 3.7.3 Embrace, Embraced, Design Set 02: sketches, drawings and model

(2) by employing the concept of deconstruction: instead of building a huge chunk, break the structure apart. drawings:

model:

Q 3. green area and center court yard how do you place green area in the building? by placing a center court yard

sketch:

model:

floor plan:

LG

2/F

3.7.4 Embrace, Embraced, Design Set 03: sketches, drawings and model

GF

1/F

3/F

variation:

Q 5. spacious sense how do you improve the spacious sense of the interior? by stacking levels to minimize the use of walls

sketch:

3.7.5 Embrace, Embraced, Design Set 04: sketches, drawings and model

drawing:

model:

3.8

study of f o r m

3.8.1 study of Japanese contemporary architecture: inspiration, sketches and model

before I started to work on the form of the project, I was asked to look up the concept of "anti-object" by Kengo Kuma. while doing research on his doctrine I took a look at his and other japanese architects' works as well. surprisingly, I found the japanese architectural style, with its simple, tranquil characteristics and a combination of the "zen" philosophy,

echoes well with the entire atmosphere and concept of the project. in addition, the style encourages me to think more about the "melody" or the fluency of the form. with these works as inspiration I started to sketch out a new set of design with the concerns of design essentials mentioned in the previous chapter.

3.8.2 Embrace, Embraced, Design Set 05: sketches, drawings and model

3.8.3 Embrace, Embraced, Design Set 06: drawings and model

LG

GF entrance

1/F

2/F

relation between each level

3.8.3 Embrace, Embraced, Design Set 06: Review refinement and finalization for the final work

after several times of re-design and modification, the project has reached the stage to finalize the eventual design. to solve both the problem that the form is restricted by the center courtyard and that each unit of space is too packed and stacked over one another, I came up with the solution to make the green area into a winding path instead of a complete shape

in the center each level. to align with the winding path and the curved roof top, which is to create the sense of "fluency" echoing waves of the marine, the entire exterior is embellished with a streamline form design.

3.9

embrace, embraced: final work

3.9.1 Embrace, Embraced, Final Design: parti and drawings

bamboo forest woods woodland

car park path taken from reception to each building path connecting each building

3.9

embrace, embraced: the final work

11.

9.

7.

1.

5.

10.

2.

2.

6.

3.

3.9.1 Embrace, Embraced, Final Design: parti and plan in 1:200 scale of event house

8.

12.

4.

Swimming Pool 1.

Changing Room and Bathroom 2.

Plant Room 3.

Storage 4.

Multi-Media Functions Room 5.

Food Bard 6.

Indoor Gym 7.

Outdoor Gym 8.

Dinning Zone 9.

Spa and Massage 10.

Meditation Room 11.

Sky Walk 12.

D

A

c A

C

D

E

E

E B

F B

3.9.2 Embrace, Embraced, Final Design: section and elevation of event house

3.9.3 Embrace, Embraced, Final Design: 1:100 model of event house 3.9.4 Embrace, Embraced, Final Design: 1:200 drawings and 1:100 models of reception and hotel room

1.

2.

4. 5.

6.

1.

3.

7.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

3.9.5 Embrace, Embraced, Final Design: models on the site in 1:100 scale

1. entrance 2. the path to hotel room 1 3. the path to hotel room 2 or 3 4. the path to event house 5. the path back to reception 6. the skywalk 7. the path to VRC