[QIANQIAN (FORIS), CHEN]
ECOSPHERE.
ECOSPHERE
QIANQIAN(FORIS) CHEN
Ecophere is a project about an intention of keeping various experiences indoors. Docklands, as it is widely known, one of the windiest area in Melbourne. And the Harbor Town was one of the projects that people planned for activating the street, but the effect was little. So the purpose of project Ecosphere was to explore ways to enrich the interior experience, and ways to activate the area in other aspects. The distribution on enriching the interior experience is divided into different parts. Firstly, as a school campus, the building provides study areas in different levels of enclosure and publicness: the main public area – the atrium; the free learning areas in different sizes and locations; workshop spaces and meeting rooms. They are aiming to response to different requirements on learning environments of different students. The main public space is located in the centre of the building, in front of the foyer. It also works as a transition between the exterior – the actual “public” and the interior. During the time when people travel further into the building, they will gradually experience and get used to the changes on the enclosure and publicness. It will soften the impact when people entering new areas. The second main aspect is the natural lighting in the interior. Light speed is seen as the fastest natural travel speed for the moment, therefore human eye is sensitive to the change on lighting environment. In the building, many areas are able to be affected by natural lights. By the change or the movement of natural light people will find clues for how the time has passed, like how ancient people judge the time by the movement of the sun. Except the sun, the different levels of exposure to the exterior environment can also create different experience under the change of weather, which ties the interior and the exterior together as well as makes them overlay to each other by blurring the boundaries between.
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Project Introduction
About activating the area, one of the ways that had been explored in this project, is by building relationships to the CBD instead of only the surrounding area, because information and messages always spread faster than footsteps. In this project, the reflections and connections are specifically to the city campus of RMIT. The approaches started from the use of colors that were bright and strong in contrast onto the materials, then extracting elements from RMIT buildings, digital precedents or forms, and other relative themes or projects. No matter what and how these elements will exactly reminds people with, the action of having the thoughts already is a piece of connection.
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Street View across the road. The first view from the students travelling on trams. The logo of the university and the bright color will be the strongest impression, which makes the building easily recognisable.
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Aarial View from the south-east The bright, contrast colors and the pixel-like components are considered as the identity of the campus.
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ECHOSPHERE
QIANQIAN (FORIS) CHEN
Street View from Pearl River Rd Presenting the rhythm of the form, the facade and a small public area on the back of the building.
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Project Images
Another Street View across the road Presenting the groups of pattern on the facade facing the south, where need to be kept from the setting sun without blocking the visual connection to the exterior. They are also reflections of picels and the Capitol Theatre.
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ECOSPHERE
Views of the Atrium.
QIANQIAN (FORIS), CHEN
The atrium is the centre of the building as a public space for students and staff. It provides a relatively open area for gathering,
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Project Images
studying or events. The hollow pattern on the ceiling helps control the amount of sunlight. The movement of light can enrich the interior experience.
Image Top: A corner of the free learning space for STEAM Hub on Lv3. Mainly for people in groups. The sunlight only goes through the gap of the facade during sunset as a remider of time.
Image Bottom: Another corner of the free learninf space for STEAM Hub, mainly for people who work alone or in smaller groups.
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ECOSPHERE
QIANQIAN (FORIS), CHEN
CONCEPT &ELEMENTS [REFERENCES & ANALYSIS]
In the previous stage of the developments. Cathedrals had taken an important part in the building elements. Therefore in further developments, the precedent needed to be strong in impact, and recognizable like cathedrals. Considering the relationship to the city campus, the main precedent was then decided to be the Capitol Theatre. The key words in this projects are generally: “campus“, “media“ “learning environment“. So some the relative objects and projects were selected as suggesting elements.
Although the main idea of this project is to keep people indoor, a simple outdoor space was provided at the back of the building in order to satisfy the requirements for outdoor aactivities. Inspired by the sandbox game Minecraft, the space contains numbers of cubes covered with artificial grass in a size of 500 x 500 x 500 mm. People can freely use them as seats, tables or for any creative purpose.
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CONCEPTUAL DIAGRAM
THE CAPITOL
RMIT NAS
CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL
ORIGINAL EXPLORATIONS:
THE CAPITOL
OPTICAL GLASS HOUSE
PIXELS RMIT INFO CORNER
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ECOSPHERE
QIANQIAN (FORIS), CHEN
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
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1. Flexible Space 1 (for events/galleries/learning - 253m2 2. Canpus Store & Coffee Shop - 77m2 & 85m2 3. Physical Effect Workshop 1 - 66m2 4. Object Preparation & Preservation Space - 73m2 5. Equipment Storage Space - 79m2 6. Equipment Loans & Stprage Space - 70m2 7. Server Room 1 - 30m2 8. Server Room 2 - 15m2 9. Public Space 10. Foyer
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ECOSPHERE
QIANQIAN (FORIS), CHEN
1ST FLOOR PLAN
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1. Green Screen Studio 1 - 166m2 2. Green Screen Studio 2 - 57m2 3. Green Screen Studio 3 - 57m2 4. Control Room 1 - 42m2 5. Control Room 2 - 30m2 6. Control Room 3 - 40m2 7. Production House - 46m2 8. STEAM Schools Hub 9. Public Space
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ECOSPHERE
QIANQIAN (FORIS), CHEN
2ND FLOOR PLAN
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1. Flexible Workshop Space - 117m2 2. Office - 166m2 3. Editing Suite 1 - 57m2 4. Editing Suite 2 - 40m2 5. Flexible Workshop Space - 46m2 6. Physical Effect Workshop 2 - 87m2 7. Meeting Room - 30m2 8 & 9. Free Learning Space
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ECOSPHERE
QIANQIAN (FORIS), CHEN
3RD FLOOR PLAN
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1. Flexible Space 2 (for events/galleries/learning) - 166m2 2. Flexible Space for STEAM School Hub - 177m2 3. Free Learning Space for STEAM Hub 4. Meeting Room
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ECOSHPERE
QIANQIAN (FORIS), CHEN
CROSS SECTION
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1. Foyer 2. Flexible Workshop Space 3. Free Learning Space for STEAM Hub 4. Public Space - Atrium 5. Retail - Coffee Shop
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ECOSPHERE
QIANQIAN (FORIS), CHEN
LONG SECTION
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1. Foyer 2. Flexible Space for events 3. STEAM Schoo Hub 4. Flexible Workshop Space 5. Free Learning Space 6. Free Learning Space for STEAM Hub 7. Bathroom 8. Free Learning Space for STEAM Hub 9. Flexible Space for STEAM Hub 10. Physical Effect Workshop 11. Green Screen Studio 2 12. Server Room 1 13. Public Space
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QIANQIAN (FORIS), CHEN
Procedural Explorations. Appendix.
[ECOSPHERE]
APPENDIX [SECOND STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT]
In the design outcome on Mid-semester, the elements were basically extracted from the previous explorations, which resulted in a lack of relationships to the identity of the university and the local contents. Therefore in the following weeks one of the purpose of the development was to tranform this outcome from “a building“ to “a RMIT building“, also with considerations based on the early site studies.
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The form was changed as a reflection to pixel and the elements in the Capitol Theatre
The part of the building was rotated to the south to allow more sunlight into the northern part of the building
Changes were applied onto the plain surface to create variaty and more sunlight for the interior which was shining from the northern east.
Openings with glass glazing were applied mainly on the northern side of the building, and parts of the southern side which facing east.
A group of hollow pattern was applied onto parts of the facade. They mainly located on the southern side as a shade from the setting sun without blocking the visual connection to the exterior. The pattern was also used on the ceiling in the atrium to prevent overheat.
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ECOSPHERE
QIANQIAN (FORIS), CHEN
Procedural Explorations. Appendix.
[TYPOLOGICAL PROCEDURAL EXPLORATIONS 1]
SPATIAL BLOSSOMS FORM , TYPE & PROCESS
"These afford a variety of spatial experience that supports the adaption of teaching methods to suit varied learning and teaching needs." "...; they share a direct visual relationship, connecting intellectual and manual subjects" - Prue Chiles, From Ideas of Learning to Architectural Form
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GENERAL OPERATIVE DIAGRAM: - Main Components in auditorium projects
Ceilling Installations Seats Arrangements Auditorium/seats Stage Supporting Programs (Foyer, Storage, Toilects, etc)
SYSTEM & PROCESS In this exploration, the outcome was generated by a generic type of auditorium with a rotation system abstracted from flower blossoms.
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Rotations, bendings and duplications; The expectation of the exploration was to create a building with stronger spatial connections and relationships with a series of centralized operations.
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ECOSPHERE
QIANQIAN (FORIS), CHEN
Procedural Explorations. Appendix.
[TYPOLOGICAL PROCEDURAL EXPLORATIONS 2]
VEINS TO BONES TERRAFORMER & FORMING ABSENCE
In this exploration we were looking at the potential of the spatial structure in airports.
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GENERAL OPERATIVE DIAGRAM: - Circulations in airports
The interesting points in airport circulations are: the circulation is passively guided by the spatial structure, with clear purpose from the entry to the exit/ terminals and secondary guidance to retails and amenities Main Route Secondary Routes - Retail Secondary Routes - Toilets
SYSTEM & PROCESS *inwards
Application Of Transformation Area Force Direction
*Outwards &Downwards
*Outwards
Fig.1
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Fig.9
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18% inwards
46% Inwards & outwards
79% Inwards & outwards
95% outwards
100% outwards
200% outwards
470% outwards
560% Outwards & downwards (gravity)
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
But can the circulation become the spatial structure itself? The purpose of the exploration was to test the potential of circulation forms.
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ECOSPHERE
QIANQIAN (FORIS), CHEN
Procedural Explorations. Appendix.
[TYPOLOGICAL PROCEDURAL EXPLORATIONS 3]
MAZE RUNNER ASSIMILATED LANDSCAPE & THE PULIC INSTITUTION
A general museum doesn't have a completely clear sense of guidance in its space arrangements. Since the exhibits in different galleries/ exhibition halls are not much related, the circulation area doesn’t contain much intention for order and specific destination. Instead, it lets the visitors to plan their own visit and make their own routes. The only things the circulation area offers are choices.
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GENERAL OPERATIVE DIAGRAM:
Circulation Areas
- Circulations in Museums
Exhibition Halls & Other Functions
A general museum doesn't have a completely clear sense of guidance in its space arrangements. Since the exhibits in different galleries/ exhibition halls are not much related, the circulation area doesn’t contain much intention for order and specific destination. Instead, it lets the visitors to plan their own visit and make their own routes. The only things the circulation area offers are choices.
SYSTEM & PROCESS (Tide height on the tip - average tide height 0.46) x 10 Number of the hours
- Chart for Movements of Sections from T ide -
Number of the minute x 0.1
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-1 SW 5.7
-1.6 NW 1
-2.2 NW 0.5
-2.8 NW 5.3
-3.3 N 3.8
-3.6 NE 2.1
-3.8 NE 0.4
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2.1 E 5.8
2.6 SE 0.5
3.1 W 0.3
3.5 S 5.5
3.7 SW 4.4
3.8 SW 3.2
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-3.5 NW 3.6
-3.3 NW 3.1
-3.1 S 1.9
-2.7 NE 0.3
-2.2 NE 4.5
-1.6 NE 2.5
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2.3 SE 0.4
2.6 SE 4.6
3 N 2.5
3.3 SW 0.2
3.6 SW 3.9
3.7 SW 1.6
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U n i t: Me te rs
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What if the students can freely plan their activities and journey of a day in a building? The exploration was to find the potential pattern in spatial conditions starting from breaking down the components.
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The outcome revealed possibilities for outdoor and self-directing study spaces.
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ECOSPHERE
QIANQIAN (FORIS), CHEN
Procedural Explorations. Appendix.
[TYPOLOGICAL PROCEDURAL EXPLORATIONS 4]
UPON& UNDER THE STAGE HYBRID DISPOSITIONS
In this exploration we started with breaking down the interior space of theatres into different zones. The space in the theatre can be seperated into different parts by a gradation of their publicness. How these areas can be analysed and their arrangement in a building was the points we were interested in.
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GENERAL OPERATIVE DIAGRAM: - Theatre Volumes Stage Private Circulation Auditorium Public Circulation Dressing Rooms VIP Dressing Mechanical
SYSTEM & PROCESS
(Lowest Latitude ~ Highest Latitude)
Public Circulation (0 ~ 35) VIP Dressing (20 ~ 40) Dressing Rooms (40 ~ 50) Green Rooms (45 ~ 60) Box (55 ~ 70) Private Circulation (65 ~ 85) Auditorium (75 ~ 90) Stage (70 ~ 90) Mechanical (80 ~ 85) Way of applying system: Divide different componenets in half - rotate each half in degrees as the related latitude
The blue component in the exploration became a main corridorlike space that curated other spatial components together, with some potential voids/atriums. The context and the building, the different spaces in a building; their relationship can be consider as the actor and the audience: They are presenting to and for each other
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ECOSPHERE
QIANQIAN (FORIS), CHEN
Procedural Explorations. Appendix.
[TYPOLOGICAL PROCEDURAL EXPLORATIONS 5]
ANATOMY TECTONICS & IDENTITY
What will we find if we take a cathedral apart? What if we consider parts as just parts? The exploration this week we tried to destruct cathdrals in 3 layers: the facade, the spatial volume, and the structure. Started from then, if parts working individually, there must be some spatial potentials within them.
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GENERAL OPERATIVE DIAGRAM: - Romanesque Cathedrals (exploded) Nave Dome Aisle
- Facade Layer
Transpet Narthex Apse
- Spatial Volume Layer
- Structure Layer *Rotation center: component center point *Relovution center: GOD center point
SYSTEM & PROCESS Application Area Rotation Speed –degree/hr Rotation Time –hr (density x10 of the first 6 planets/star ) Revolution Speed – degree/30days
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Revolution Time – X*30day(s (density x10 of the last 6 planets )
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Planet for Speed Reference
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Facade
Volume
Structure
14°/hr
15°/hr
0.25°/hr
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360° - 687 days = 16°/ 30 days 18
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Mars
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360° - 365 days = 29°/ 30 days 13
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Earth
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360° - 88 days = 122°/ 30 days 13
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Mercury
Building elements contain spatial value, so they have potential to be the space itself instead of parts of it. The level of hollowness in the different layers present different spatial conditions which have potential to be developed into learning spaces requiring different levels of enclosure.
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ECOSPHERE
QIANQIAN (FORIS), CHEN
Procedural Explorations. Appendix.
[TYPOLOGICAL ECOLOGIES - CONCEPT DEVELOPMENTS]
“MULTIVERSE“ EXTERIOR INSIDE INTERIOR
CONCEPTS AND CONSIDERATIONS
1. Levels of Enclosure - Visual Connection between different space - Connection and expericence of exterior / weather without being exterior.
Solid / Enclosed Hollow In between
- gradience of publicness
2. Spatial Arrangements - Flexible circulation - Spatial relationship and stoty that can be explored differently - Multi-purposed Areas that bring spaces together
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GOD in Exploration 3
3. Voids and Atriums - Natural lights: a sensible time lapse
Gibraltar University / Ayaltointegral
Erasmus University Rotterdam / Paul de Ruiter Architects
4. About the Site - Obvious difference of wind direction in different seasons It provides another guidance on the requirements of orienation and ventlation to suit different seasons.
Moderate 19.8-28.8 km/h Fresh 28.8-38.9 km/h data from WillyWeather & Melbourne weather station at Olympic Park
Sun Path
The sun path shows that the sunlight mainly came from the north side, which suggests the location of the atrium.
Local Contexts
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