AN EXPLODED FIELD. Game Surface Urbanism. Vol 3.
Angus Bolland
An Exploded Field. Game Surface Urbanism.
Athens is a city embedded in Sporting History, the birthplace of the Modern Olympics. It has been a part of Greek Culture for centuries. Historic sporting venues form key locations across the city, they are preserved as monuments, precious objects held within the museum of the city. This treatment is contrasted by the cities contemporary sporting venues. Sporting culture in Greece and in particular Athens can be directly tied back to the social and economic prosperity of the country. In recent years, the city has had an influx of migrants seeking work and a safe place to live this has resulted in the cities resources becoming stretched and large debts suffocating governmental powers. The lack of support from the authorities has resulted in the deterioration of the city. This has caused sporting groups to become the outlets for many of the city’s residents to express their discontent. Climatically the city is situated in a volatile position, with global warming causing Athens’ Northern Suburbs to suffer from flash flooding annually in the winter months. This flooding is related to the cities geographical location alongside poor drainage and sanitation systems throughout the city. In recent years Greece’s Football culture has become increasingly violent and aggressive, with fighting occurring between fan groups and the authorities rather than focussing on rival fan groups. This thesis proposes a new Piece of Urban infrastructure in the city. Tasked with re-calibrating the neglected 2004 Olympic site, where the remnants of the games event structures sit as contemporary ruins in the park. The proposal “An Exploded Field.” reactivates this site using interrogation and reprogramming through mapping the Apostolos Stadium, home of the city’s most historic Football team, Panathinaikos. The thesis opens up new opportunities for activities and events to occur on the site through the urbanisation of a new dense patch on the site.
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The range of programme seeks to create a recreational environment for the Athens population as a collective linked through existing road and metro routes. The site is composed as a location for events and activity, bringing back the intensity of use which was felt during the 2004 games to a densely-occupied patch on the larger site. In order to perform different tasks for different events many of the components operate with a dualism where they serve not only their designed function but can be appropriated by the individual user to serve their own needs. The site programming can be broken down into 5 main themes to categorize the designed components: Flooding - The proposal deals with flooding on two levels, the flooding of people onto the site and the flooding of water. The arrival hall connects to existing transport links and creates a new entrance to the site. An on-site weather station records the climate in order to predict potential flooding of water. Many of the architectural components operate as detention basins (pitch raft, skate park etc) for floodwater channelled to the site, with the main water tank being held within the arrival hall. Spectating - Accommodating large groups of fans to gather and watch away matches as a collective is a key event for which the field is designed around. There are a number of auditoria spaces which vary in scale to create different atmospheres and suit varying types of fans. The Away match stand is the largest on the site and can be configured to face towards the hostel façade or towards the arrival hall. The clubhouse at the Eastern edge of the field provides a space for spectating the amateur matches that take place in the field.
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Playing - New areas for recreational sport and amenities for the existing site to be used. The field incorporates a number of playing surfaces at a range of scales allowing for different types of playing. Alongside these the associated program spaces (changing rooms lockers etc) are designed into the field allowing the larger site to be used for long distance running/cycling etc. Security - The on-site Fire station allows the field to serve the neighbouring areas utilizing the water collected on site. To ensure the safety of site users security posts are located around the site. These allow a light but strategic presence to be distributed on site. The security tower provides areas for large numbers of security personnel to be held in the event of potentially violent altercations (around match days) with the observation post giving an overview across the field. Raised walkways allow for travel across the site between components above the floods. Residing - In order to allow the site to draw visitor from further afield for the larger events accommodation blocks are located on site in the form of a Hostel and Hotel block. The on-site accommodation means that the new event space can be experienced by visitors from elsewhere in Greece or further afield.
1. Arrival Hall + Office Block 2. Pitch Raft 3. Pitch Stack 4. Away Match Stand 5. Hotel 6. Clubhouse 7. Hostel 8. Squash Courts 9. Security Centre 10. Fire Station 11. Changing Rooms 12. Sports Betting 13. Market Stalls 14. Filtration 15. Lockers 16. Security Post 17. Weather Station
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Field Layers. The Field can be broken down into a series of layers. The Architectural Components are the realised spaces, derived from the original mapping these create programatically defined areas which combine with each other in different ways to form the urban condition. Below this sits A Constellation of Architectural Types types drawn from the historic stadium and redistributed on the site. This mapping is not physically transferred, it acts as a guide for the components and provides markers for temporary structures like markings on a pitch. Component Defined Ground Strips , these areas are linear strips informed by the Program of the components, they provide a run off area of ground that allows activity to occur in a looser sense than in the prescribed area creating areas such as warm up space beside pitches. Historic Reading + Permeability, Ground condition of the exploded field in derived from a trace of the 2004 Olympic plan. This creates a juxtaposition of geometries between the concentric rings and the exploded field. Readings of the past architectural can therefore be gained through the ground. The materiality of this ground relates to its programmatic adjacencies, expected footfall and permeability.
Site Aerial View Neratziotissis Street - Day.
Site Aerial View Neratziotissis Street - Night.
The Game Board. The game board model creates a reading of the field where the architectural components are realised as “pieces�. The ground condition and original mapping drawing become etched of ply and acrylic allowing the shadow of the drawing to be read on the base. The pieces sit on positions etched onto the acrylic with temporary elements being able to be positioned dependant on the occurring event. The model becomes colourised dependant on the materiality within the field allowing the varying ground conditions to be read across the model. Pieces of ground infrastructure are coloured grey to read as extrusions of the plinth. Materiality of the pieces reflects the components weight, with solid hardwood representing the heaviest components in the field. The density of the elements builds up through their accumulation on the board capturing the essence of the exploded field.
Plan for Model.
Model in Plan.
Arrival Hall.
Pitch Raft.
Pitch Stack.
Away Match Stand.
Hotel.
The Main centre for arrival to the site the arrival hall connects to the existing metro station and road. The main stair down to the ground level can operate as a location for vendors to set up and sell goods to arriving fans along side creating informal seating. The concrete roof deck creates a large terrace suitable for hospitality events giving a view over the greater site. The roof folds back on itself to create a large water tank above the main stair to hold flood water, this volume compresses the interior space before opening up as fans move down and into the site. The office block sits adjacent to stairs utilising them as a circulation route.
Operating as a deflection basin for potential flooding the pitch raft configures a 7-a-side as a raft which is able to float to enable continued operation even with partial flooding. The concrete basin features a number of ribs which accept the buoys fixed to the base of the pitch. The basin element incorporates stairs and seating cast into its form, this allows for viewing of the recreational game with access tot he pitch during flood using the retractable walkway.
Through the stacking of a number of small scale pitches the pitch stack accommodates 4 playing surfaces (5-a-side). This complex is connected through a wrapping staircase on the western side. The stack pitches are flood-lit with recessed lighting fitted into the roof slab of the above pitch. The walkway around the pitches acts as gathering spaces for the next group of players but also as viewing space for watching athletics taking place on the adjacent track.
The away match stand sits as a land pier on the site with the seating bank arcing to provide views in two directions, towards the screen on the hostel facade and towards staging to the north when the standing area is used. In order to view the desired direction the seats are able to rotate on their axis. The bar and WC’s sit within the structural posts which support the stand with access stairs between these spaces. With the bar siphoning water from the arrival hall’s tank.
With 30 rooms the hotel block provides accommodation to sports teams and visitors to the city. The hotel is orientated to face the Olympic Stadium looking out of the field towards the wider site. The hotel is elevated from the ground through concrete posts this keeps the ground floor clear for potential flooding and allows movement under the hotel. The top floor contains a bar and restaurant taking advantage of its elevated position on the site.
Clubhouse.
Hostel.
Squash Courts.
Security Centre.
Fire Station.
Providing a central space for amateur sport on the site the clubhouse incorporates catering and bar space alongside a sunken auditorium for the screening of matches. This auditorium can also act as a flood deflection basin. The roof of the clubhouse is traversable allowing spectating of the adjacent pitch from an elevated position. Seating on the terrace can be positioned outside of the clubhouse to accommodate larger numbers.
The hostel sleeps 50 visitors with the rooms arranged in a similar way to a motel with rooms reached off of an external walkway. This walkway can be covered with an facade screen that can be unrolled from the roof to act as a projection screen for the away match stand. The roof space provides a raised communal space to allow residents to meet and relax.
The addition of squash courts to the Olympic site gives the sport exposure in the city. The sport is on a potential list of new sports for upcoming games. The form of the courts is informed by the on court markings allowing the court size to be read from the exterior. Each court has a glass roof and door which is covered with a fabric roof which can be drawn or opened depending on sun levels. These courts can act as holding cells in the event of on site altercations.
Taking up a central position in the field the security centre acts as staff quarters for security personnel. The security centre’s ground floor provides a space for riot officers to gather pre deployment with the upper floors used for office space. Providing an observation room over the whole site the security tower also enables broadcasting services between the on site security posts and external security services.
The fire station utilizes water stored in the tank and serves the sites adjacent northern suburbs. The station is comprised of a series of simple industrial structures holding the program of, water storage, vehicle garage, accommodation/office space, changing rooms and fire hose drying tower. Positioned on the western edge of the field allows for vehicular access on and off of the site.
Changing Room.
Sports Betting.
Weather Station.
Security Post.
Market Stall.
Connected to the pitch stack via an upper walkway the changing rooms provide changing areas for teams and individuals using the site. The building features two levels of changing rooms with changing areas sized to suit varying team numbers. The changing rooms are screened from external sight lines through the colonnade which is passed through upon entry.
Providing an area for sports betting on the site serves visitors. Individual booths allow different companies to operate on the site with a grid of monitors displaying live sports. The small scale structure sits under and within the upper walkway which shelters punters from the elements.
Acting as a safety device the weather station monitors climatic variations through weather balloons and on site inside the Stevenson screen. Then triggering a warning if an incoming flood is predicted. Accommodation for one meteorologist to reside in the station is found in the front section with the lab located to the rear along with the launch room for the weather balloons. The structure is held by a steel frame raising the equipment off of the ground to protect it from potential site flooding.
Positioned strategically across the site the network of security posts allow for an on site presence to be maintained without the need for large numbers of on site officers. The post is networked through the security tower allowing the individually manned posts to be in constant communication.
Market stalls are owned by the vendor. This sense of ownership brings a sense of responsibility to the vendors. These stalls are marked, allowing them to be located in their respective positions. The stalls act as a shop front but also as a storage locker allowing the merchandise to be kept on site ready for sale. These market stalls are stored within the arrival block when not in use or when flooding is expected.
Lockers
Filtration.
On site lockers allow for the field users to securely store their processions while participating in activities or events on site. The lockers have integrated seating positions to allow them to act as a quick change area for joggers.
The filtration centre is located to the north of the field. It pumps water onto the site with it passing through a series of screens of differing density to remove debris. This is an unmanned station operated remotely which allows the station to become completely submerged in times of flood.
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Elevation Study. Reading the field not only as a series of elements but a built up urban environment is important. Through breaking the plan up into a series of strips these elevations can be studied. The elevation of each strip is drawn up independantly before they can be merged and read as a single field elevation.
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East. East.
West. West.
East Elevation.
West Elevation.
Site Use. With the site being used for a number of of different events experiencing extrememes of crowds as the site is used. These studies pick a numnber of these event and consider how the site may be occupied and used. The notation used reffers to the original crowd diagram with the drawings capturing the totality of movemnt occuring over a duration of time. Here the duration is short (10 secs) to allow a large number of routes to be speculated.
Daily Use.
All components in use
Match at Stadium. through field,
Home and away fans attending match in Olympic stadium, fans filtered as they move
Flooding. Weather station signaling with route of floodwater being pumped to deflection basins and overflow
Trophy Procession. Fans gathering around market strip and on away match stand, players procession
from arrival hall
through arrival hall.
Away Match Screening. Away match being shown on multiple screens allowing fan groups to experience
Market. Market for local residents occuring on market strip.
the game together.
Combined Routes.
Daily Use.
Site Use.
Match at Stadium.
Flooding.
Adaptive Field. A study of the area at the eastern edge of the field analysing how the ground condition relates to the site use study and how it is affected by this site use. The area for study covers a variety of components and ground conditions including, squash courts, pitch raft, skatepark and clubhouse.
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Daily Use.
Away Match.
Flooding.
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Exploded Away Match Stand.
2 x 35000 lm Projectors stacked for daylight projection
Projector room, Clad in polycarbonate
Fold-able plastic seating x 300 seats
1100mm Toughened glass balustrade
1500mm Sheet steel balustrade
Folded sheet steel staircase
Timber board stand
Metal Stair
Steel “I� Posts
Concrete Ground Strip
Away Match Stand Bar + Stair.
Away Match Stand. Scale 1:250
Away Match Stand + Hotel.
Squash Courts + Weather Station.
Pitch Stack + Walkway.
Security Tower + Arrival Hall Roof.
Phasing Strategy. Animation study looking at the assemblage of the “pieces� on the game board board. The board is assembled in relation to the phasing strategy of the sites development. Larger Infrastructural Elements are constructed prior to the above ground components. The proposal is built up in programmatic strips from the West at the Arrival hall towards the Olympic Stadium.
Flooding Infrastructure + Arrival Hall.
Fire station Garage + Accommodation.
Training Tower.
Away Match Stand Seating.
Hostel + Weather Station.
Security Centre.
Pitch Stack.
Changing Rooms + Hotel.
Squash Courts.
Squash Courts.
Squash Courts.
Equipment Store.
Clubhouse.
Lockers.
Lockers.
Lockers.
Security Posts.
Security Posts.
Security Posts.
Market Stalls.
Market Stalls.
Phasing Strategy contd. Phasing Strategy studied from “aerial� view to read the relationship between the volumes of the components ad they are assembled on site.
Flooding Infrastructure + Arrival Hall.
Office Block.
Fire station Garage + Accommodation.
Training Tower + Away Match Stand Seating.
Hostel + Weather Station.
Security Centre + Pitch Stack.
Changing Rooms + Hotel + Squash Courts.
Clubhouse.
Security Posts.
Market Stalls.
Stage 3. The Game Board
[3D Print] [CNC Milling]
Stage 2. Test Board
[Hand Made]
Stage 1. Paper Test
[Cast]
Constructing the board was carried out across the course of the semester with numerous testing of techniques being required prior to final construction beginging. Stage 1. identified the scope of the model with the test aiding in determining the scale and extent to be modeled. Stage 2. looked at testing initial ideas and techniques for engraving on a croppped area of the planned final model. This allowed techniques to be tested on the proposed final model materials prior to their acquisitiion. Stage 3. was very much an iterative process with “completed� pieces being revised and refined to improve the overall reading of the model. Here the techniques tested in stage 2 were refined and scaled to the full model.
[Laser Cut/Engrave]
Constructing the Board.
Test Board. Scale 1:250
Lasered Materal. Intensity of detail. transferred through the scale. Allowing very dense drawings to be transferred from digital readings to physical engravings on the material.