A TROPICAL SNOW CALEB BENSEMANN
PROJECT DESCRIPTION The Linwood shopping mall is quickly becoming obsolete. The Eastgate mall is struggling to survive in a low socioeconomic community. Housing derelict shops and deserted food courts, the mall provides little economic opportunity. This project attempts to reinvent the Linwood shopping mall to assist in the growth of the community and support the central business district. As part of an overall masterplan for the wider rejuvenation of central Linwood, I have chosen a large site that corners two very busy arterial roads. Not only does this project attempt to respond to the parameters of the pedestrian users but also enhance the experience of the passing vehicles. The architecture seen within this project sees a series of elevated extruded shapes atop a succession of pilotis, housing ground floor retail and upper floor offices. The concept behind this idea originates from the ideals of the famous Le Corbusier. As one of his five main architectural principles he attempts to lift his architecture off the ground in order to return the ground floor back to nature, and often results in the ground floor being dominated by the pedestrian and car. My architecture explores this idea and emphasizes the common horizontal separation between the upper and ground floors seen in roadside architecture. The design ultimately results in a piece of architecture that enhances the road users experience while supporting small businesses but most importantly creates a vibrant hub for shopping, eating and working within central Christchurch.
BUILDING ENVELOPE
RETAIL
RETAIL
OFFICE / RETAIL
RETAIL
RESIDENTIAL / RETAIL
CIVIC
OFFICE / RETAIL EDUCATION OFFICE / RETAIL
RESIDENTIAL
RESIDENTIAL / RETAIL
RESIDENTIAL / RETAIL
NOT TO SCALE
INITIAL MASTERPLAN The initial masterplan and framework was developed by group members Kara Schoch, Marcus Musson and Rosie Evans. In attempt to rejuvenate central Linwood, a plan was devised that interpreted the desires and requirements of local residents. Areas and programs were formed to create a masterplan that would be further developed by each group member. My area included the intersection of Christchurch’s two main arterial roads. This site provided a plethora of challenges but an equal amount of opportunities. With thousands of cars passing everyday, techniques were required to slow traffic down for safety reasons while retaining a steady flow of traffic. The northernmost corner was chosen as the part of the site that would be developed in most detail. This site provided many challenges that included sunlight issues and the close proximity of the residential neighbours. My building envelope will ultimately be dominated by retail but will also house offices and have the potential to be supported with the inclusion of residential apartments.
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FINAL MASTERPLAN NOT TO SCALE
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FINAL SITE PLAN NOT TO SCALE
As earlier mentioned, the area chosen to explore in more detail was the northernmost part of my given building envelope. The issue of the close neighbours was easily resolved, however, while the northern landscaped areas were always going to receive copious amounts of sunlight, the southern roadside areas would be left dark and cold if an orthodox building were to be designed. Therefore the use of various small buildings became the obvious solution. This would allow sunlight to penetrate between the buildings, reaching the southern areas of the site. The size of the buildings also provided the opportunity to house small and growing businesses. The different shapes and volumes of the buildings also allows for companies of different sizes to lease the buildings, whether they lease one, two or three floors. The masterplan shows the close proximity of the neighbours as well as the two main roads. While the main area of the envelope is the developed shopping and office area, the three other buildings and corners would play an integral part in supporting the success of this development. Having more shops and commercial areas would help densify the area and the northern part of the site would become the hub for the activity. A small amount of car parking has been provided behind the small buildings for convenience but this is supported not only by roadside parking but over 100 car parks available behind the southern and western buildings. The landscaped area, seen best in the site plan, consists of a series of rounded rectangular shapes of different purposes. The shape, derived from the core of the buildings, allows one to easily walk through the landscape, choosing their own path. Different activities from a sandpit to a food truck and swing set have been provided. The use of planting creates a visual barrier between the outdoor area and the car parking as well as the neighboring properties.
BUCKLEYS ROAD
LINWOOD AVENUE
GROUND FLOOR PLAN SCALE 1:200 @ A2
TYPICAL UPPER FLOOR PLAN SCALE 1:200 @ A2
BUILDING AXONOMETRIC The previous two pages of floor plans outlined a potential fit out of the buildings. One of the most obvious elements seen in the plan view is the curved shape of the core. In an ideal world the ground floor would remain empty of any structure to emphasize the upper and ground floor separation, however, in reality the building needs services and structure. The core houses the majority of this. In attempt to hide the large shape of the core at ground floor the corners have been curved. This is a technique that Corbusier uses to keep the structure hidden and more mysterious. The relationship between outside and inside on the ground floor is intended to be almost seamless. With the use of the same paving material within the ground floor interior, the only element separating them is the glass curtain wall. The clear wall creates a very intimate relationship between the interior and exterior but also is used as a technique to again hide the core with it’s reflective characteristics.
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VIEW DOWN BUCKLEYS ROAD This Page:
EXPLODED AXONOMETIC Next Page:
VIEW FROM BUCKLEYS ROAD
As previously mentioned, the core houses the majority of the structure and services before being distributed throughout the ceilings and roof. The most compact core possible was designed to ensure that it was as hidden as possible at ground floor. Atop the roof sits the plant room where the HVAC extract vents sit. These will not only be hidden by the parapet roof but will be painted their respective building colours. An important element of the building is the pilotis. These are the only real relationship between the upper and lower floor and are necessary for gravitational loads. However, rather than hide them, I have emphasized them and sat them beyond the line of the curtain wall. This is simply an aesthetic element that adds to the overall appearance of the buildings but also disguises that there is anything on the ground floor from afar.
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SOUTH ELEVATION NOT TO SCALE
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WEST ELEVATION NOT TO SCALE
These elevations best explain the relationship between each of the buildings. The shapes of the buildings were primarily formed on their elevation before being extruded to form framed spaces around the site. While each building appears quite separate, they are in fact a part of a family of shapes that not only relate to but are sympathetic to the roadside. With a four meter gap between each building, there is sufficient space for light to penetrate and for main circulation routes.
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WEST ELEVATION SCALE 1:200 @ A2
Right:
WEST ELEVATION SCALE 1:200 @ A2
While some buildings maintain a very horizontal separation between floors, some house a relationship between levels. Half floors that are sympathetic to the angles of the building allow for a more interesting interior experience. An element obvious in section is the interior to exterior relationship at ground floor. The top of the curtain wall has been hidden for the sake of the transition of ceiling colours from the orange or white exterior claddings to the more appropriate white ceiling inside.
OFFICE OFFICE
OFFICE OFFICE RETAIL
CAR
PEDESTRIAN CAR
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VIEW FROM BEHIND BUILDINGS This Page:
SPATIAL ORGANISATION NOT TO SCALE
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INTERIOR VIEW TO BUCKLEYS ROAD In elevation, the spatial relationship is simply an upper floor office focus space while the ground floor is entirely for retail and commercial with the exception of a few lobbies that relate to the upper floors. In plan the areas that aren’t devoted to the buildings are spilt between pedestrian focused and car focused. The majority of the site is pedestrian space, especially circulation for pedestrians. Between all buildings there is appropriate circulation with two main paths that have determined much of the landscape. While the street side houses much of the circulation, these two main paths have been provided for pedestrians to access all parts of the site including the carpark area.