BLURRED BOUNDARIES Chiquita Hart
BLURRED BOUNDARIES A thesis exploring the concept of ‘non-place’ Chiquita Hart
CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE
AN UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE Character location 03 Runaway chase scene 05 Character located 07 The discovery 09 Character in West Elevation 11 Character in South Elevation13 Where to go next? 15 Exploring the community buildings 17 The activity room 19 The pop-up café 21 The reading room 23 The post room 25
CHAPTER TWO
THE ART DISCOVERY Character explores the art workshop 29 Art workshop layout 31 Characters discoveries 32 The thought behind the workshop 33 The mezzanine 35 Exploring the mezzanine 37
CHAPTER THREE WHAT IF?
Character explores the residential block (East Elevation) 47 Environmental strategy of residential block 49 Character explores the residential block (North Elevation) 51 Ground floor plan of the residential block 53 First floor 55 Second floor 57 Third floor 59 Fourth floor 61 Character observing canopy details (West elevation) 63 Character journey through residential block 65 Wall detail of residential block 67 Where are you? scene 69 Kai's choice and future begins 71
BONUS CHAPTER A DAY IN THE LIFE
The art class 83 Study session 85 Movie night 87 Pizza Parlour 89 Evening Exhibition 91
Introduction
T
he first part of my exploration involved the concept of diffusion through the mapping of enclosed spaces within Digbeth. Inspired by Jun’ichiro Tanizaki, I created a matrix which resulted in a field diagram, a tool in which rules and hierarchies may be applied to help bring outside forces into the site, essentially helping me develop form. Following from this, with my first element being art galleries and Digbeth being the home of the arts, I felt compelled to manipulate the community centre halls into a flexible art workshop for young adult ex-cons, specifically BAME. Furthermore, as I began exploring my thesis I was heavily influenced by the idea of this changing phase within these young adults’ lives. Arnold Van Gennepe’s, ‘Les Rites De Passages’ discusses the phases which are present in our lives, however the ‘liminal’ phase was one which created intrigue. The users, being ex-cons and young adults are faced with the challenge of re-integrating into an existing community and society, where their pasts become attached to them and their identities. Using this philosophical idea, I approached the matter architecturally using readings from Subha Mukherjil to explore what can be described as this intangible “blurred boundary” where the user, activity or space is not explicitly confronted or defined. Through my thesis I aim to study these “blurred boundaries” through lighting and creating a canopy which inhabits blurred boundaries and spaces.
CHAPTER ONE AN UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE On what Kai thought would be the usual day of tresspassing and graffiting, his day takes an unexpected turn, perhaps for the best?
Character location: Birmingham, Digbeth, B9 4AA 14 Floodgate st. at 1:5000.
Site location at 1:2000
P. 03
Site location at 1:1000
RUNAWAY CHASE SCENE
P. 05
9
8
1 5
7
6
6 2 10
3
4
Site plan at 1:200 1. Activity room 2. Pop-up cafe 3. Outdoor cafe area 4. Reading room 5. Post room 6. Outdoor exhibition area 7. Toilets 8. Services 9. Waste area
10. The arts workshop 11. Mentor office area 12. Staff kitchen 13. Mentor one to one meeting rooms 14. Residents social area 15. Outdoor social area (decking) 16. Toilets
13 11
12
13
14
16
MAST
15
P. 07
THE DISCOVERY
P. 09
WEST ELEVATION Scale 1:200
Key site plan )
P. 11
Key site plan
SOUTH ELEVATION Scale 1:200
P. 13
9
8 5
7
6
3
2
Ground Floor plan showing community buildings at 1:100 scale
1. Activity room 2. Pop-up cafe 3. Outdoor cafe area 4. Reading room 5. Post room 6. Outdoor exhibition area 7. Toilets 8. Services 9. Waste area
1
Key site plan
WHere shall i go next...?
4
P. 15
Key site plan
A.1
E.1
SECTION A.1 Scale 1:200
SECTION E.1 Scale 1:200
Reading room
Pop-up cafe
Post room
Activity room
My adventure begins... Kai’ first exploration begins at the community buildings...
P. 17
Comic book
The activity room
The activity room is a place of fun and games. It features a projector screen for movie nights, block seating which can be rearranged in several ways to accommodate the number of people within the space.
The activity room
Activity Building: Elevations
Perspective plan
North
East
South
West
North East Isometric 1:100
P. 19
Comic book
The pop-up café
The pop-up café is inspired by the Digbeth Dining Club where different street food is offered under the viaduct arches, through the use of food trucks. The opening on the Southern elevation of the building shows the influence of the food truck and the street food aesthetic.
The pop-up café
is open to the public and allows outdoor seating overlooking River Rea.
Cafe Elevations
Perspective plan
North
East
South
West
North East Isometric 1:100
Digbeth Dining Club Precedent analysis of food tent/truck interaction.
P. 21
Rea
Comic book
The Reading room
The reading room is a place for the community, may 1:100 be used North Eastthough Isometric more so by the residents of the Digbeth Arts Programme. Its East facing glazing allows you to glimpse at the River Rea and offers a place of study and quiet.
The Reading room
ading Building: Elevations
Perspective plan
North
East
South
West
P. 23
The Post room
The post room or office is where parcels or mail from the residents can be collected.
THE ROOM ThePOST activity room
Post room: Elevations
Perspective plan
North
East
South
West
North East Isometric 1:100
P. 25
CHAPTER TWO THE ART DISCOVERY In this chapter our lead protagonist explores more of the buildings and therefore moves on to the art workshop below the viaduct.
SECTION C.1 Scale 1:200
Key site plan
C.1
P. 29
Ground Floor plan showing the arts workshop at a 1:100 scale Key site plan
WOW
MAST
P. 31
Kai proceeds on his journey to discover the art workshop beneath the viaduct.
He realises that the art workshop consists of three sets of rice paper doors (Shoji) are used to slide and divide the room to create these ‘pods’.
Kai discovers three of these flexible ‘pods’ where two are being used for still life painting classes and the other for pottery classes.
Perspective plan with its shoji sliding doors=Flexible space Scale 1:100
PAINTING WORKSHOP
PAINTING WORKSHOP
Pottery WORKSHOP
JUNICHIRO TANIZAKI IN PRAISE OF SHADOWS
1993
Shojis are known in Japan for being used as either a window, door or room divider which can slide depending on its use. The shojis in the art workshop blur the line between private and public with its translucency.
P. 33
Tanizaki much like the first phase of the project acknowledges the ‘warm glow’ which is created from the Shoji paper in Japanese architecture.
P. 35
P. 37
First floor of the arts workshop at a 1:100 scale Key site plan
WOW
MAST
P. 39
Key site plan
B.1
SECTION B.1 Scale 1:100
Isometric (South West) Cut of the viaduct showing the art wokrshop with its mezzanine on top. Scale 1:100
P. 41
Kai travels upstairs to the mezzanine above the art workshop and feels small under the arch of the viaduct.
P. 43
CHAPTER THREE WHAT IF? As Kai approaches the residential blocks, he is faced with the choice of using his art for crime, or the chance at a new beginning. Will he be able to leave his old past behind?
Key site plan
EAST ELEVATION Scale 1:200
P. 47
CROSS VENTILATION STRATEGY
ETFE SOLAR GAIN REDUCTION
ATMO
GROUND SOURCE WATER HEAT PUMP
2
5
3 1
6
4
Key site plan
Key 1. WInter solstice (13:00 GMT) 2. Summer solstice (13:00 GMT) ) 3. DIagram illustrating effectiveness of ETFE cushions in reducing solar gain promoting comfort for occupants. 4. Passive ventilation illustrated in community building (Reading room) 5. Cross ventilation through grills in viaduct glazing system and in residential building 6. Lighting strategy 7. Ground source water heat pump strategy
Diagram Key Ground source heat pump 8. Ground source heat pump 9. River looped connector 10.Water is pumped from River to heat pump 11.The pump compresses the fluid and releases it at a higher temperature using electricity. 12. Hot water can be stored in the hot water cylinder (Buffer tank) for shower, baths and taps.
SECTION D.1 (Environmental strategy) Scale 1:200
OSPHERIC LIGHTING STRATEGY
5
12
9
11
7
Riv e
rR ea
8
10
P. 49
Key site plan
NORTH ELEVATION Scale 1:200
P. 51
Ground floor plan of the residential block.
1. Entrance 2. Mentor office area 3. Staff kitchen 4. Mentor one to one meeting rooms 5. Residents social area 6. Outdoor social area (decking) 7. Toilets 8. Storage 9. Services Key site plan
3 2
7 5
MAST
6
4
1
4 9
8
P. 53
Residential Block: First Floor Key site plan
MAST
P. 55
Residential Block: Second Floor at 1:100 scale Key site plan
P. 57
Residential Block: Third floor at 1:100 scale Key site plan
P. 59
Residential Block: Fourth Floor at 1:100 scale Key site plan
P. 61
WEST ELEVATION Scale 1:200
11
10 11
12
14
17 13
16 15
Structure to ground connection (1:50) 13. Concrete foundation 14. Steel members 15. Bolts 16. Steel cap 17. Welded steel conectors
Section Key
9
7
8
6
Key site plan )
1
5
Tree column detail (1:100) 6. Roof detail 7. Concrete foundation 8. Steel plate 9. Steel connectors bolted to steel plate 10. Steel node with welded members and aluminum extrusion for foil cushion 11.ETFE cushion 12. Tree column supporting node
2 3
1
2 3 4
P. 63
Structure to viaduct connection (1:50) 1. Viaduct 2. Recessed steel channel 3. Steel node withwelded members with aluminum extrusion 4. ETFE cushion 5.Plan view of connection
The following part of Kai’s journey resides in the residential block where he is approached and welcomed by the mentors for a short tour of their office and facilities.
He explores the social space for the current residents...
...He then gets the chance to look at the en-suite bedrooms in the block of student rooms learning that he can become an art mentor himself and stay for the foreseeable future in the fourth and third floor flats which are dedicated to the staff.
Section F.1 at 1:100 showing the residential blocks with character in-situ
Key site plan
F.1
P. 65
8
1. Concrete floor deck 2. Precast concrete panel 3. WIndow 4. Vertical joint (typically a baffle between panels) 5.Horizontal joint (typically a lap) between panels 6. Drywall lining 7. Thermal insulation 8. Roof construction 9. Wall detail 3D model perspective 10. Elevation Bay
Section Key
7
2
3
FFL 6200mm Second Floor 1
5
Wall construction
6
Perspective render
4
A closer look at the wall detail in Section F.1 at 1:25
9 10
P. 67
Elevation Bay 1:25
Where are you? SCENE
WHERE R U?
14:35
KAI MEET @ 14:30 ON GIBB ST Delivered Yesterday
WHERE R U? Delivered 12:05
14:35 Friday 20th June
14: Frid
ay 20
35
th Ju
ne
Ja
yM ME ess E age ST T @ 14:3 d 0O NG IBB WH
ER
ER
Jay Messaged
U?
BUZZ
BUZZ
MEET @ 14:30 ON GIBB ST WHERE R U?
N IO BT TH I H 20 EX Y ! T DA E AR RI JUN F
SPRAY PAINT
... P. 69
Kai leaves his past behind him and uses the Digbeth Arts Programme and community centre to create a better future for himself.
P. 71
He begins by using his spray painting techniques and attending still life painting classes
P. 73
He soon becomes a part of the art gang.
P. 75
P. 77
Eventually Kai begins to master the arts, using different mediums and taking part in all the classes offered at the workshop.
P. 79
BONUS CHAPTER A DAY IN THE LIFE Follow Kai on a day in the life of an art student at the Digbeth Art’s Programme...
His day starts off in his morning art class.
P. 83
After class Kai studies in the reading room.
P. 85
Movie night begins after a hard day of work.
P. 87
Kai and his friends venture to the pop-up CafĂŠ for a bite to eat.
P. 89
They end their night with a quick viewing of the temporary art sculpture exhibition celebrating black art.
P. 91
THE END...