Re-Grounding
reinterpretation of ground, datum and mass Thesis Report Calvin Chan
B
“Re-Grounding”
reinterpretation of ground, datum and mass Thesis Report Master of Architecture 2011- 2012 University of Hong Kong
The artificial ground has been “thickened” by means of shifting datum defined by building code. The ever-shifting datum continuously disengages itself from the idea of “ground”. Programs are interiorized. Open spaces are rendered as leftover spaces. Is it possible to imagine an alternate scenario: by reinterpreting datum, the “thickened ground” is also a device to induce intimate spatial relationship between ground and building mass?
i
ii
Content Photographic Research
1
Case Study
3
First Jury
8
Building Type
9
Thesis Statement
Thickened Ground
20
Scale Comparison
24
Site Selection
28
Urban Slope
30
Thickened Ground at site
32
Second Jury
36
Site Analysis
37
Unfolded Journey
50
Program
52
Multiple Ground
54
Multiple Ground Plan
56
Reshaped Urban Space
58
Alternate Future
60
Documentation
62
Third Jury
76
Final Jury
77
Acknowledgements
78
Bibliography
79
iii
Central
Mid Levels
Kwun Tong
Building Plinth on Slopes
A Research on Urban Slope High Rise Buildings How do high rise buildings reshape the ground to situate themselves on urban slopes? In some cases, the building plinth’s volume in itself is already equivalent to a building in the neighborhood. What is the driving factor behind this phenomenon? Is the plinth a genuine representation of what needs to be built?
13.2 m
55.4 m
1
Building Mass
Case Study
Axonometric studies aims to decode the ingredients of high rises on urban slopes.
Structure Existing Topography Program Space
2
Palm Court Year of Completion: Lcoation: Site Area: Ground Level Differeence:
1964 Mid-Levels 1,674 m2 18 m
3
Tai Hong Court Year of Completion: Lcoation: Site Area: Ground Level Differeence:
4
1965 Kwun Tong 2,469 m2 26 m
Eastland Heights Year of Completion: Lcoation: Site Area: Ground Level Differeence:
1976 Kowloon Tong 1,451 m2 15 m
5
Comfort Gardens Year of Completion: Lcoation: Site Area: Ground Level Differeence:
6
1974 North Point 2,084 m2 20 m
Leighton Hill Year of Completion: Lcoation: Site Area: Ground Level Differeence:
2002 Happy Valley 43,143 m2 30 m
7
First Jury Date: Panel Members:
1.
February 8th, 2012 Alan Smart, Koon Wee
Synopsis of Presentation
The need to develop on hilly topography is a recurring issue for Hong Kong. With the concern of over-reclamation, as well as a lack of flatland in urban areas, it is not difficult to find buildings sitting on a variety of artificial platforms on slopes. Axonometric case studies shown as examples In the above examples GROUND is considered a separate entity from the building MASS. While in these examples GROUND has a variety of spatial properties, meaning it is not a SURFACE but rather a VOLUME. GROUND is no longer simply a plane for the building to sit on. There exists other types where GROUND and MASS forms an inseparable relationship yet to be explored.
2.
Synopsis of Reviewers’ Comments
3.
Response
KW: Could document Archetypes worldwide with the color-coding of the diagrams and their relationship with the code. KW: Should understand how a slope is reshaped in engineering terms KW: Should revise the criteria in catergorizing types into terms more commonly understood
Need a critical understanding about influence of building code on building types. Need a way to revise the catalog to include more useful information. (e.g. level difference/ buidling code/ engineering technique)
Construction
cut and fill
build atop
Ground/ Access
Building Type
To understand the physical, circulatory and programmatic composition of the plinth, four criteria is set up to evaluate each case study.
single continuous
multiple continuous
single discontinuous
multiple discontinuous
In-between
structure
road
program
Program
carpark
recreation
9
Building Type vs Building Code For ease of implementing the code, there is always absolute reference regarded as the “Principal Datum” for any development in Hong Kong. What is the relationship between this “ground” with the accessible ground?
Accessible Ground -17.9 m
10
-17.9 m
Principal Datum (from the lower access)
cut and fill
single continuous
structure
carpark
Hillview Garden
Site Boundary
1963 7.7 m -17.9 m
Site Boundary
Year of Completion: Ground Elevation: Principal Datum:
Accessible Ground
Principal Datum -17.9 m (from the lower access)
-17.9 m
11
build atop
single continuous
structure
carpark
Tai Hong Court Year of Completion: Ground Elevation: Principal Datum:
-17.6 m
12
1969 8.0 m -17.6 m
-17.6 m
build atop
single continuous
road
carpark
Palm Court Year of Completion: Ground Elevation: Principal Datum:
1964 13.2 m 0.0 m
0.0 m
0.0 m
13
build atop
single discontinuous
road
carpark
Broadview Terrace Year of Completion: Ground Elevation: Principal Datum:
1977 8.3 m 0.0 m
0.0 m
14
0.0 m
cut and fill
single discontinuous
program
recreation
Hilltop Gardens Year of Completion: Ground Elevation: Principal Datum:
1990 24.7 m +7.0 m
+7.0 m
+7.0 m
15m non-domestic podium
...for the non-domestic part of a composite building,on a class A, B or C site may, whatever the height of the building, exceed the permitted percentage site coverage to a height not exceeding 15 m above ground level.
Building (Planning)Regulations section20(3)
15
build atop
multiple discontinuous
Leighton Hill Year of Completion: Ground Elevation: Principal Datum:
+27.2 m
16
2000 49.8 m +27.2 m
road
recreation
+27.2 m
17
build atop
multiple discontinuous
The Belcher’s Year of Completion: Ground Elevation: Principal Datum:
+35.4 m
18
2002 55.4 m +35.4 m
program
recreation
+35.4 m
Datum Shift
The datum shift is resulted from dividing the development into two; the bottom is dedicated to a shopping mall of commercial purpose while the top is dedicated to residential purpose. The plinth/podium as such is composed of the shopping mall for commerical purpose and a clubhouse for residential purpose. The plinth is equivalent to a 20 storey building in itself, which elevates the apartements above a normal building since 70’s in its neighborhood. 19
1977 Broadview Terrace
1963 Hillview Gardens
-17.9 m
0.0 m
1990 Hilltop Gardens
0.0 m
8.3 m +7.0 m
24.7 m
Buil 1955 ding Setb Ordinan ack Line ce Buil 1 1 P.D. ding Pla 980 Bui 9 6 6 Plot ldin n +15 m n ning R Rat g Or on d e io a d ome gulation nd S inance stic ite C pod s over ium age Sino 1 Lim British 984 it la J nd s oint D ec ales < 50 laratio Ha/ n year
20
1997 L i repla st ces a Policy nnu al la n
2002 The Belcher’s
A Critique: Ground Thickening as an economic agenda Thickened Ground Over the time the artificial ground has been “thickened” by means of code and injecting optional program. There is a shift from applying building code for practical concern to manipulation to achieve a building mass which shows more economic greed than architectural concern. The ever-shifting datum continuously disengages itself from the idea of “ground”. Programs are interiorized. Open spaces are rendered as leftover spaces.
A thickened ground has proven to have economic value in current manifestation. Yet is it possible to re-imagine an alternate scenario: where datum is also a device to induce intimate spatial relationship between ground and building mass? +35.4 m
Princip a +56.4 m
l Datum
nd s
ales
“Thickened Ground” // Datum Shift // Building Code 21
1955
1966
Building Ordinance Setback line
Hillview Garden
cut and fill
Broadview Terrace
single continuous
structure
carpark
Tai Hong Court
build atop
Building Ordinance Plot Ratio & Site Coverage
build atop
single discontinuous
road
carpark
single continuous
road
carpark
multiple discontinuous
program
carpark
Palm Court
single continuous
structure
carpark
build atop
Comfort Gardens
cut and fill
stage 1 tower on slope
stage 2 transition
new ground plane
ground plane ‘thickening’
Stage 1 Tower on slope Ease of Access/ Construction
Stage 2 Transition Program Necessity
Stage 3 Typical Podium Towers “15m Non-Domestic Podium”
New Ground Plane
Ground Plane ‘Thickening’
Artificial Ground Mass
15m p.d.
22
1980
Building (Planning) Regulation P.D. +15m non-domestic podium
1984
Sino British Joint Declaration Limit land sales < 50 Ha /year
1997
Hilltop Gardens
cut and fill
List Policy replaces annual land sales
The Belcherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
single discontinuous
program
recreation
Flora Garden
build atop
multiple discontinuous
program
recreation
multiple discontinuous
road
recreation
multiple discontinuous
road
recreation
Leighton Hill
cut and fill
single discontinuous
program
recreation
build atop
The Legend
build atop
Thickened Ground as the only building mass
The plinth has developed stage 3 from a ground plane to a building in itself with stage 4 typical podium towers increasing mass and program content. While the building mass on top has mega podium been inert to the15m ground condition. Is it possible to imagine a scenario where GFA concession shifting datum + extra concession the building as a whole is the plinth that reshape the ground and the space for habitation? (20m) 15m 15m p.d. p.d. Stage 4 Mega Podium Shifting Datum + Extra Concession
Stage 5 Ground Mass Artificial Re-shaping Ground
Artificial Ground Mass becomes Building
Ground as the only Mass
(20m) 15m p.d.
23
Hillview Garden, 1963
Broadview Terrace, 1977
Hilltop Gardens, 1990 24
The Belcher’s, 2000
Scale Comparison “Thickened Ground” Models @ 1: 500 25
Hillview Gardens
Tai Hong Court
Year of Completion: Site Area: Site Coverage:
Year of Completion: Site Area: Site Coverage:
1963 3,800m2 60%
1969 2,21 88%
Palm Court
9 10m2 %
Year of Completion: Site Area: Site Coverage:
26
1964 1,590m2 96%
Broadview Terrace
Comfort Gardens
Year of Completion: Site Area: Site Coverage:
Year of Completion: Site Area: Site Coverage:
1977 3,060m2 87%
1974 1,960m2 85%
Hilltop Gardens Year of Completion: Site Area: Site Coverage:
Leighton Hill 1990 5,540m2 92%
Year of Completion: Site Area: Site Coverage:
2000 42,763m2 33%
27
The Belcherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Year of Completion: Site Area: Site Coverage:
2002 31,890m2 68%
30.9 m
17.4 m
S
Ho Man Tin Hill Road, Ho Man Tin
+/- 13.5 m
18.9 m
26.5 m
93.9 m
L 28
Tin Hau Temple Road, North Point
+/- 75.0 m
5.8 m
20.4 m
35.1 m
53.3 m
62.2 m
M
Hopewell Center Second Phase, North Point
+/- 56.4 m
Site
Hopewell Center Second Phase is a Thickened Ground Phenomenon; a generic datum with huge level difference within the site 13.9 m
32.1 m
24.5 m
18.0 m 21.3 m 8.2 m
L
Hong Kong Observatory, Tsim Sha Tsui
+/- 23.9 m
29
30
Urban Slope
The site is located on a urban slope with secondary schools in its neighborhood. Frequent movement happens from the urban fabric to upon the slope. The site could act as a mediator in-between.
Natural Slope MTR Sportsground Swimming Pool Site School Schools and Sports Facilities 1:4000 31
Thickening Device: Footbridge + 6.5 m
Hopewell Centre
To Kennedy Road
To Kennedy Road
+6.5 m
To Kennedy Road +4.5 m Wu Chung House
ue Q
ad Ro s â&#x20AC;&#x2122; en
0
32
10 m
st
Ea
QRE Plaza
Thickening Device: Landfill + 11.7 m
+11.7 m
Nan Koo Terrace
p Shi eet Str
0
10 m
33
Thickening Device: Express Lift + 48.5 m
Hopewell Centre
dy nne
ad Ro
Ke
3/F to 17/F + 42 m
d Roa enâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
+6.5 m
0
34
10 m
e Qu
t
Eas
Thickening Device: Driveway Ramp + 30.0 m
Camelot Height
+30.0 m
0
10 m
35
Second Jury Date: Panel Members:
1.
March 26th, 2012 Debra Cheung, Tao Zhu
Synopsis of Presentation
Building Plinth Analysis showing the physical, circulatory and programmatic composition A Chronological Study of Building Types together with development of building code was done. By shifting the principal datum with multiple developments in one site and nondomestic podium GFA exemption, the building plinth gains volume. Ground Thickening phenomenon is discovered. Several Sites of various scale has been chosen for the Project to test out the idea that “Thickened Ground” as the Building Mass
2.
Synopsis of Reviewers’ Comments
3.
Response
TZ: The current thickened ground separates the building mass and the ground program. Consider the alternative where the ground is dicided into fragments. How the notion of ground can still be conveyed. DC: The datum is where the project reference to. AL: A site like the Belcher’s should not be defined by one single datum but rather multiple datum. Since the datum is the underlying factor, if the datum definition is different the project should end up with a different massing. If the site is chopped off into lots they could have different datum but still remain as one site.
The method used to analyze the case study should be tested out on the site. How the ground is defined instead of having one generic datum has to be developed. Go on to look st how a site can be chopped off.
36
Site Analysis
Operations to transform the generic datum to a site specific multiple datum subdivision
37
B.L.
B.L.
m 60 P.D. 40
Datum Shift!
20
0
“Specified Street”
Building (Planning) Regulation s23(1) The mean level of the street or streets on which it fronts or abuts being a specified street or specified streets not less than 4.5m wide, or where the building abuts on specified streets not less than 4.5m wide having different levels, from the mean level of the lower or lowest of such streets, to the mean height of the roof over usable floor space in the building.
“The mean level of the street or streets on which it fronts or abuts being a specified street... ” a.k.a. Principal Datum
Datum Shift? “Principal Datum” - Building Code definition
38
Single Datum results in one gigantic building mass and disconnected topography. Program spaces are interiorized and disconnected from the GROUND. Datum is a device to “elevate” the building
B.L.
B.L.
“underground”
“Thickened Ground” Generic Datum
39
m 60
40
20
0
Site Subdivision New Datums for Individual Lots 40
Internal street becomes specified street
Consider the site divided into INDIVIDUAL LOTS for multiple developments, NEW DATUMS MUST SET UP for each development. The size of the site could be equivalent to 6 individual developments. Internal streets now become â&#x20AC;&#x153;specified streetsâ&#x20AC;? in determining the new datums.
41
â&#x20AC;&#x153; a reference point, surface, or axis on an object for the measurement of heights and depths.â&#x20AC;? -Oxford Dictionary There are EXISTING GROUNDS where people perceive as absolute reference for existing/demolished buildings. Open grounds of public access prove itself a DATUM for reference
Remaining Plinth of Pre WWII houses
Existing Path as Continuous Datum (leading to Nam Koo Terrace)
+43.0 m
+25.0 m
Existing Grounds as Datums Preserved Topography
42
To preserve the historic footprint, the datum shifts to conform the existing topography
Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Road East Ship Street
Kennedy Road Secondary School Sau Wa Fong
New Datum shifted New Datum Lot Boundary Pedestrian (Existing) Pedestrian (Proposed)
Conforming Topography Datum Shift
Vehicular (Existing) Vehicular (Proposed)
43
Kennedy Road Hopewell Centre Shopping Mall
Kennedy Road Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Road East Ship Street
Kennedy Road Secondary School Sau Wa Fong
Pedestrian (Existing) Pedestrian (Proposed)
Existing/Possible access to Site Basis for New Ground
44
Vehicular (Existing) Vehicular (Proposed)
The Datum shifts to the level where access is provided
Kennedy Road Hopewell Centre Shopping Mall
Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Road East Ship Street
Kennedy Road Secondary School
New Datum shifted New Datum Lot Boundary Pedestrian (Existing) Pedestrian (Proposed)
Conforming Access Datum Shift
Vehicular (Existing) Vehicular (Proposed)
45
Kennedy Road Hopewell Centre Shopping Mall
Kennedy Road Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Road East Ship Street
Kennedy Road Secondary School Sau Wa Fong
New Datum Preserved Topography Lot Boundary Pedestrian (Existing) Pedestrian (Proposed)
Superimposition Forming the NEW GROUND
46
Vehicular (Existing) Vehicular (Proposed)
Building Mass Negotiating Level Differences Building Mass as Thickened Ground
B.L.
B.L.
Existing Plinth Access at boundary
Thickened Ground Otherwise Multiple Datum
47
48
Method Site Subdivision From One Generic Datum to Multiple Specific Datum Models @ 1:500 49
B.L.
Hopewell Centre Shopping Mall
B.L.
Kennedy Road
Commercial Shopping
B.L.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Commerical Condominium Art and Culture 50
B.L.
B.L.
Ship Street
Art and Culture Sports
Art and Culture
51
B.L.
ip eet
Sau Wa Fong
Unfolded Journey 0
10
20
Park Hotel 50 m
Car Park
Commercial
Site Coverage 50.6 %
Hotel
Total 101,667 m2 +
Park
Outdoor Programme 52
oor amme
Car Park
Car Park
Sports
Gym Swimming pool Commercial
Art & Culture Auditorium Studio Commercial Office Retail Dining
Site Coverage 50.6 %
Site Coverage Residential Condominium Serviced Apartment Hotel
Hotel
Backpacker Hostel Boutique Hotel
Total 101,667 m2 +
Total +
Basketball X Game Hiking Trail Rock Climbing
Park
Amphitheatre Street Market
Outdoor Programme
Outdoor Programme 53
“Re-G r Mult ounding” iple D atum
Origina l Prop Single D osal atum 220 m
105
Sta Sing tus Quo le D atum
Hopewell Office
0
Ho Shopp pewell ing M all
Mu Interv ltip ent le D ion atu m
+13.0 m
Exi st
L ing ot 02 Plin th
Sho p
pin
g M Lo all t 01 Acc ess Ken n
Lo edy t 03 Roa d
54
Exis t
L ing ot 04 Plin th
” m
+105.0 m
Kennedy Road +56.0 m
+43.0 m
+20.4 m +25.0 m
Sau Wa Fong +10.4 m
Lot 05 Nei Histo r ghb orho ic od
Lot 06 Lo borh cal ood
Nei gh
Site Subdivision Multiple Ground
Qu ee
n’s Ro ad
Eas
t 55
plan upper lines.pdf 1 31/5/2012 15:00:08
+55.2
+54.8
+54.3
11
56
+43.0 9
+56.0
10
+43.0 8 7
15
16
+56.0
+51.5 14
+47.5
14 14
+46.0
+25.0
12
+42.0 13
+42.0
13
13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
+42.0 13
0
10
20
Queen’s Road Dropoff Auditorium Carparl Shopping Mall Hostel Lobby Street Market Plaza Cafe Amphitheatre Office Lobby Roof Garden Sky Bridge Backpacker’s Hostel Gallery Deck Basketball Court Upper Dropoff Kennedy Road Entrance
50 m
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
Study Model @ 1: 500
Case Study Model @ 1: 500 66
Massing Model
Sectional Model @ 1: 200
l @ 1: 500
Final Jury Presentation 67
68
Sectional Model @ 1:200 69
Juxtaposition: Vehicular Ramp/ Shopping Mall Roof @ 1:200 70
Multiple Ground @ 1:200
Amphitheatre +43.0m @ 1:200 71
Current Proposal @ 1:500
Thickened Ground @ 1:500
72
Existing Topography @ 1:500
73
Major Circulation @ 1:500
74
75
Third Jury Date: Panel Members:
1.
May 16th, 2012 Beisi Jia, Eunice Seng
Synopsis of Presentation
Over the time the artificial ground has been “thickened” by means of code and injecting optional program. There is a shift from applying building code for practical concern to manipulation to achieve a building mass which shows more economic greed than architectural concern. The ever-shifting datum continuously disengages itself from the idea of “ground”. The interpretation (manipulation) of building code is vital in defining the relationship between ground and building mass. This project aims to methodically interpret datum as physical manifestation. Given its size and its hilly topography the site should not be treated with one generic datum. A research of existing conditions in defining datums and ways to reinterpret them systematically has to be done.
2.
Synopsis of Reviewers’ Comments
3.
Response
ES: The method of subdividing the site has to be highlight in the presentation. ES: Representation of a comparison of the existing proposal is missing. BSJ: Site analysis is missing. Massing relationship is not visible AL: 1:200 physical model is helpful for critics to understand how the ground is redefined by the datum subdivision.
The benefit of subdividing the site has to be shown through a comparative analysis. Original proposal has to be shown but not too dominant. Site Analysis has to be clearer.
76
Final Jury Date: Panel Members:
1.
June 6th, 2012 Beisi Jia, Eunice Seng, Aaron Tan , Juan Du
Synopsis of Presentation
Over the time the artificial ground has been “thickened” by means of code and injecting optional program. There is a shift from applying building code for practical concern to manipulation to achieve a building mass which shows more economic greed than architectural concern. The ever-shifting datum continuously disengages itself from the idea of “ground”. The interpretation (manipulation) of building code is vital in defining the relationship between ground and building mass. The site is divided into 6 lots with its datum defined according to the existing datums, access points to the site. If this attempt of Thickened Ground set up an example, it is anticipated that the future development on urban slopes will include even larger sites, but broken down into small lots of individual datums.
2.
Synopsis of Reviewers’ Comments
3.
Response
AT: Value the way to use the slope differently. The shortcoming of the current proposal is the traffic load it brings. The thesis project seeks a compromise which the current proposal is looking for. It creates more public space with the same density. ES: The economic value needs to be addressed as a counter argument to the status quo. The architectural aspect has to be addressed for this new typology. JD: The government, the developer and the user. What each of these party is getting. While more public space is provided, the elongated main circulation is creating more business opportunities. BSJ: Wonder the value of leaning the tower AL: Construction cost-wise the project is defnitely more expensive than the current proposal, while the profit it returns may overcome the current.
It is important to present the conflicts for the original development of the status quo to reinforce my project as an alternative.
77
Acknowledgements
Ken Fung Iris Lau Denise Lau
Tommy Gunawan
KinKin Cheung
Chan Wang Fung
Jeffrey Lam
Ian Chan
Ronald Kam
Chen Lok Yan ARCHOI
Howell Tsang
This Thesis Project could not be done without the help of: Chen Lok Yan Lam Pok Yin Jeffrey Chan Wang Fung Amanda Ho I would like to give thanks to Professor Anderson Lee, my thesis advisor, for given me persistent support and clear guidance along the way. I owe my greatest thanks to my parents who have given me freedom and support to strive for my goals.
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Bibliogrpahy Willis, Carol. Form Follows Finance. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 1995 Vassigh, Shahin. Building systems integration for enhanced environmental performance. FL: J.Ross Publication, 2011 Gauld, Bryan J.B.. Structures for architects. Harlow, Essex: Longamn Scientific & Technical, 1995 Leatherbarrow, David. Uncommon groundL architecture, technology and topography. MIT Press, 2000 The function of the oblique: the architecture of Claude Parent and Paul Virilio, 1963-1969. LondonL AA Publications, 1996 Allen, Stan and McQuade, Marc. Landfrom building: architectureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new terrain. Princeton University School of Architecture, 2011 Poon, Alice. Land and the ruling class i Hong Kong. Richmond, BC: A.Poon, 2005
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