K 1 3 I D A | C W 01 - C W 05
CHLOE YUNSHU YE
CW 01
THE IDEA OF BUILDING initial concepts of the brief
THE ALCHEMICAL PROC
The al or to c on a m practic
During alchem approa society are per it is th this fo
Woolw caused New lu this pr genuin transfo apprec
The pr atmosp focus, dim lig garden well as ‘where being l
Stones enhanc minim and ro makin this wi
The Sacrificial Universe, David Chaim Smith
1 2 3 4
Bachelard, G. (2014). The poetics of space. Penguin Classics. Tanizaki, J. (2001). In Praise Of Shadows. Vintage Classics. Bachelard, G. (2014). The poetics of space. Penguin Classics. Pallasmaa, J. (2012). The Eyes of the Skin - Architecture and the Senses. 3rd ed. John Wiley & Sons.
The alchemical process has always been seen as a mystical practice to transmute base metal into gold, or to create the ‘elixir of life’ that grants immortality. However, this hermetic tradition had been taking on a more metaphorical meaning, and by the 20th century, it had started to influence and inform the practice of psychotherapy.
During the alchemical process of transmutation, the base material is transformed; and so is the alchemist. The practice of alchemy seems more like a ritual of purifying the soul rather than an approach to produce ‘better’ substances. Alchemy therefore provides a way for people in the modern society, whose minds are constantly preoccupied with the external world, and the technologies that are perpetually renewing, to find their inner peace again. Gaston Bachelard says ‘Our soul is an abode’, it is thus of great significance that we learn to ‘“abide” within ourselves’1. It is my intention to restore this focus on our inner world in my thesis project.
Woolwich has a very rich history that dates back to the Iron Age. However, after a period of decline caused by the closing of military establishments, the identity of the place seems to have been lost. New luxury housing schemes, railway connections, and cultural establishments all attempt to address this problem, but this methodology seems to be promoting rapid gentrification instead of seeking a genuine solution. Therefore, my proposition is to align the transformation of the individuals and the transformation of the collective identity of Woolwich by creating this institute, which acknowledges, appreciates and amplifies the ‘inner self ’, and renews Woolwich from its innermost core. The practice of alchemy has always been perceived as esoteric and almost magical. It is this mysterious atmosphere that I want to create in my scheme. The play of darkness and light will be a significant focus, as Junichiro Tanizaki explained: ‘No words can describe that sensation as one sits in the dim light, basking in the faint glow reflected from the shoji, lost in meditation or gazing out at the garden.’2 I would also like to explore the effect of sound, by creating spaces that welcome echoes, as well as spaces that could absorb all traces of sound. These subtle contrasts evoke this paradoxical state ‘where the function of unreality comes to charm or to disturb — always to awaken — the sleeping being lost in its automatisms.’3
Stones and concrete seem the ideal choice of material. Their heaviness ‘fortifies’ the architecture, enhancing this sense of seclusion and secrecy; their appearance accentuates the melted metal, minimising distractions, creating a focus on the alchemical process but nothing else; the smoothness and roughness of their surfaces also provides a way to control the acoustic and lighting conditions, making the spaces truly tactile. As Pallasmaa says: “all sensory experiences are related to tactility”4, this will be an architecture of senses, an architecture which reflects and transforms the human soul.
1 Bachelard, G. (2014). The poetics of space. Penguin Classics. 2 Tanizaki, J. (2001). In Praise Of Shadows. Vintage Classics. 3 Bachelard, G. (2014). The poetics of space. Penguin Classics. 4 Pallasmaa, J. (2012). The Eyes of the Skin - Architecture and the Senses. 3rd ed. John Wiley & Sons.
CW 02
ENVIRONMENTAL
STRATEGY
specific site conditions, initial massing and spatial programme
SITE CONSIDERATIONS
Noise from London City Airport
Summer Solstice
Equinox Winter Solstice
Prevailing Wind
Greater London
Newham
London City Airport
Average Temperature
Average Rainfall
Cloud and Sun Days
Coldest Month Average - January: 4 °C Hottest Month Average - August: 21 °C
Wettest Month Average - May: 70.1 mm Driest Month Average - October: 8.9 mm
Most Cloudy: February - 70% Cloud Most Sunny: August - 47% Cloud
Winter Solstice 10am
Winter Solstice 12pm
Winter Solstice 3pm
‘Journey’ Axis
N
SITE CONDITIONS
Ideal Street Axis
The Site
The proposed site for my thesis project is located in North Woolwich, and is approximately 600m south of London City Airport, and is in the immediate vicinity of Woolwich Ferry service, overlooking the River Thames to the south. The site borders a pumping station to its north, vacant sites to its east and west, and tidal defences (linear walls) along the River Thames embankment to the south. The key environmental constraints are: 1. The pumping station creates visual barrier and could risk being overshadowed by the proposed scheme, especially during the winter months 2. As the site is open to the south, solar gain is maximised, which may cause over-heating during the summer months 3. The site is exposed to the prevailing and unobstructed southwesterly wind, while it is relatively sheltered to the north by trees, industrial, commercial and residential buildings
S.W. Wind
4. The site is located in Flood Zone 3a 5. The site has a shallow ground water level, which could cause basement flooding and frost heaving during the winter months (freezing of topsoil) 6.London City Airport potentially limits building height and creates noises
WIND
London City Airport Windrose
To achieve best ventilation and to provide sufficient protection, a street axis that skews by 15-30 degrees from the prevailing wind direction is advised to be used as a guide to set out the building volumes. However, in connection with the project 2 waiting rooms, the ‘journey’ axis is set out to be almost perpendicular to the prominent wind direction, which blocks the wind and directs it upwards, causing poor ventilation within the building and the street side. Therefore, vegetations should be introduced as shelterbelts to reduce the wind speed in the winters.
WATER
Site Located in Flood Zone 3a
The site is located within a defended Flood Zone 3a, which means that this area has a 1 in 100 or greater annual probability of river flooding. The groundwater is expected to be fairly shallow, which means that a flood-resilient strategy that prevents basement flooding must be in place.
SPATIAL PROGRAMME
ITERATIONS The preliminary explorations on the building form is largely based on the ‘journey’ axis, emphasising that the building is to be experienced as a linear process. However this could give rise to insufficient ventilation as the angle of the main volume is almost vertical to the prevailing wind direction, and that the two extruding volumes either obstruct the wind or create turbulence in between. Problems with daylighting also appeared, and as a solution the tall volume at the front is eliminated and incorporated into the main volume. Although improvements have been made, there is still a lack of contextual response to the natural conditions on site. The next iteration thus employs an ‘ideal street axis’, attempting to maximise ventilation and sunlight. (The massings have been simplified)
Iteration 1
Iteration 2
SUNLIGHT By varying the roof heights of the three indicated volumes by one or two stories and creating urban breaks, the amount of sunlight arriving at the top of the main atrium space is maximised. This will help maintain an adequate level of light level in the space for industrial tasks. The angle of the therapy centres enables both direct and diffused light to be utilised as light sources, depending on the specific atmosphere different rooms are trying to create. As the daylighting condition is satisfactory, green roofs could also be considered as it could improve the overall thermal performance and retain rainfall.
WIND The urban break which follows the ideal street axis encourages the wind to travel in an upward motion instead of being trapped and create turbulence. This also allows for better ventilation in these volumes. However, as the tallest volume is neighbouring an open area, it is likely to create turbulent wind at street level.
THE PROGRAMME The main spaces in the scheme are set out below. Since most of the spaces only require diffused sky light and no particular views, the therapy rooms are the most important instances in terms of their response to the external environment. Consequently, their arrangement follows the ideal street axis that maximises ventilation and solar gain, as shown on the diagrams to the left. The rest of the spaces are arranged according to the ‘journey’ axis and ‘ghost’ axis, with considerations towards environmental factors.
Access Level ‘Journey’ Axis
Ideal Street Axis
Central Atrium Therapy Centre
THE CENTRAL ATRIUM The atrium space will function as an event space where the glass bottle making and the alchemical operations takes place, which means that it has to be well lit for the production tasks, and especially good ventilation in order to draw out any dusts or gases created during the processes. The bottle making process involves in using recyclable glass, which reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills. It also lowers energy consumption as waste glass is simply remelted, in comparison to the raw material handling process.
Re-used Rainwater
Ground Level ‘Ghost’ Axis
As for the alchemical process, rainwater is collected, purified, and used as a key ingredient of the operation. This could reduce energy use as normal water treatment is more complex and requires more energy. Additionally, rainwater harvesting could help manage stormwater runoff, preventing flooding, erosion, and groundwater contamination.
THE ‘GHOST’ SPACES The ‘ghost’ spaces are structures that follow part of the historic building footprint on the site, accommodating service rooms and part of the glass recycling process. As the some of the spaces are directly underneath the atrium and others north-facing, skylights will be introduced to provide natural light as well as visual connection.
THE THERAPY CENTRE The therapy rooms needs to be generally well-lit, preferably by a diffused light source in order to create a peaceful atmosphere. They should also be able to have visual connection to the main events space, and in some cases pleasant views of the surroundings. It is a conditioned and well ventilated space.
Building Services Recyclable material Drop-off Glass Recycling Psychoanalysts’ Hub
THE PSYCHOANALYSTS’ HUB
Historic Footprint
The psychoanalysts’ meeting place will be hidden beneath the public access spaces, which means that there will not be a large amount of natural light in the space. Although it is a southfacing volume, the nature of the space calls for softer lighting instead of direct light (which may also over heat the space during summer months). Therefore, clerestory windows will be utilised to provide natural lighting.
SITE BOUNDARY Residential Area
Car Park & Bus Stops VEGETATION Trees will be planted on the highlighted areas indicated on the right. This is primarily to provide protection against prevailing wind, as well as to reduce noise produced by the bus stops and motor traffic leading to the ferry service.
Industrial Area
Woolwich Ferry
WIND As aforementioned, the tallest volume could increase wind-speed and create turbulence at street level. The addition of trees to the north-east could help buffer strong wind and reduce wind-speed.
Winter Wind Buffer: potentially reducing heating demand during winter moths
This strategy generates a much more pedestrianfriendly street and could potentially benefit any future developments on the open area to the north-east of the
Less turbulent wind in pedestrian streets
site.
NOISE The site is in the immediate vicinity of roads and bus stops, and the London City Airport is only 600m to the north, making noise control one of the key site considerations. Although trees are not acoustic barriers on their own, it helps the occupants to perceive the noise differently.
SOLAR GAINS The site is relatively open to the south, and therefore risks overheating during the summer months. By planting trees on the periphery of the building, spaces that utilises direct light as the main light source could benefit from the shading and have less risk to overheat. Trees and green roofs would also help reduce the overall temperature of the building envelope.
Vegetation close to the sound source: 5-10dB reduction= perceived as halving the noise
Provides shading in the summer, making the direct light source softer and reducing solar gains
Green roof reflects sunlight and reduces surface temperatures; also provides cooling in the summer through evaporation
VENTILATION The ventilation system in the scheme utilises stack ventilation for double-height spaces, cross ventilation for the therapy spaces, and a heat recovery (VHR) system which utilises exhausted hot air from the industrial processes. The VHR system also supplies fresh air into the main atrium space, facilitating the cross ventilation in the neighbouring spaces, and making sure that the desired comfort level for the occupants are being met.
Incoming Cold Air
Plate Heat Exchanger
Cooled Exhaust Air Fans
Exhaust Hot Air
Pre-warmed Supply Air
DAYLIGHT As many spaces in the scheme require diffused light to create certain spatial qualities, the primary sources of natural light employed in the scheme are reflected light from a direct light source (depending on the materials used, the reflected light usually tend to be softer), and northern diffused light.
SPATIAL STRATEGY
Central Atrium 4
3 Psychoanalysts’ Hub
Glass Recycling
2
1 RAINWATER SYSTEM: 1. Rainwater is collected through a pipe and is stored in a tank 2. The water is filtered and the impurities are removed 3. The clean water is sent to a supply tank that provide water for the alchemical and bottle making processes 4. The used water is directed back to the storage tank to start a new cycle
GREEN ROOF As mentioned in the ‘Spatial Programme’, a rainwater system could be beneficial to the sustainability aspect of the scheme. This system could be facilitated by the addition of a green roof, which could help increase the total volume of the collected rainwater and therefore expand the use of rainwater to toilet flushing, watering plants etc.
GLASS RECYCLING One of the industrial operations in the scheme is alchemy, during which process rainwater is harvested, cleaned and recycled — running in parallel, the bottle making process should also be sustainable. Glass is typically made from sand (70-72%), soda (14%), and limestone (10%). These materials need be weighed, mixed, and heated to a hight temperature (1550 °C) in order to get molten glass. If this method was used, a relatively small portion (comparing to industrial scale productions) of these base materials will have to be transported to the site, giving rise to a high level of energy consumption and CO2 emission, while an insignificant amount of glass is being produced. Alternatively, as most glass containers are 100% recyclable, they should be used as a substitute for raw materials.
FLOOD RESISTANCE As aforementioned, the site is situated in flood zone 3a and therefore needs to be generally ‘wet-proofed’. Water-resilient materials will be used for external as well as internal finishes, and the main event spaces will be situated on the first floor level (5m above ground level), which should be adequately above risk level. A SuDS system will also be installed to release water slowly back into the ground. Soft landscaping will be used on the periphery of the building, together with the vegetation on the green roof, maximises surface water run-off by providing permeable surfaces.
Glass Bottle SOLAR
Re-produce
Recycle
ENERGY
The site is open to the south, which means that solar gains are maximise and could potentially be utilised. PV panels could be installed on the tallest volume as it is relatively hidden and would not affect the architectural quality significantly.
Collection at the side
Pitched Roof + Gutter
RAINWATER
Collection in the middle
Lightwell Iteration 01 - channelled light
Lightwell Iteration 02 -diffused light
Lightwell Iteration 03 - focused light
Rainwater Collector Iteration 01
Rainwater Collector Iteration 02
Rainwater Collector Iteration 03
HARVESTING
LIGHTWELL & RAINWATER COLLECTOR
The common method of rainwater harvesting utilises pitched roofs and gutters. Since a typical double pitched roof collects
To develop a suitable shape for the rainwater collector which corresponds to the geometry of the lightwells, iterations were
water at the sides, it is deemed more suitable for the pitches to slope inwards towards the central axis as it joins the rainwater in the middle. This way, as the rainwater flows down into the collection pond, an architectural feature will be created which could be used to enhance the spatial qualities of the scheme.
made to explore the effects of different shapes.
Starting with the lightwells, iteration 03 was selected as it could produce relatively more bright, focused beams of light appropriate for industrial tasks that take place directly below these structures. This geometry was then taken further as a possible form for the rainwater collector.
PV Panels
Main spaces lifted above ground level Water-resilient structures to offer protection against flooding
Green Roof
CW 03
STRUCTURAL
STRATEGY
responding to context, programme, mass, scale and materiality
SITE CONSIDERATIONS
Bus R oute
Facto r
y Roa
d
Store Road Double Yellow Lines on the eastern kerbside Uncontrolled parking to the western kerbside
Pier Road
The Waiting Room
VEHICLE ACCESS The site is bounded by an industrial area to the west and the Woolwich Ferry waiting area to the south and east, suggesting that vehicle traffic is highly likely, especially lorry traffic. As there are Double Yellow Lines on Store Road and Double Red Lines along Pier Road (both one-way roads), it will be difficult to access the site from the south and east. Therefore, if the delivery of building materials during the construction phase is to be implemented in a relatively controlled manner, the vehicle should approach the site from Factory Road (7.3m in width), and enter the site from the north-west corner.
Double Yellow Lines
Double Red Lines
Pier Road 3-Way Junction - Potential Congestion
North-west Corner of the Site
Store Road One-way Traffic
PEDESTRIAN ACCESS The site is easily accessible for pedestrians as walkways are provided on Store Road and Pier Road. It is also in the immediate vicinity of bus stops, Woolwich Foot Tunnel, and the Woolwich Ferry Service. Additionally, the DLR station is situated approximately 6 minutes away on foot. However, as the scheme attempts to establish a connection with the Project 2 waiting rooms, it will be preferable to have a direct route that leads from the waiting room to the scheme.
The Proposed Scheme (initial massing from cw02)
Superficial Deposits
Superficial
Clay and Silt (River Deposits)
Bedrock
White Chalk (Lewes Nodular Chalk Formation)
SUPERFICIAL DEPOSITS
Tidal River or Creek Deposits - Clay and Silt
Head - Clay, Silt, Sand and Gravel
Kempton Park Gravel Member - Sand and Gravel Bedrock
The superficial deposits on the site consist of clay and silt, both classify as fine grained soils that are likely to be affected by moisture and therefore are subjected to expansion and shrinkage. Due to their ability to retain water, clay and silt are also more susceptible to freezing, and could cause substantial problems (such as ground heave) as the water table tidally influences and therefore relatively shallow on the site. Since the load bearing capacity of the subsoil near the surface is generally low and inconsistent, and that the soil is of heterogeneous composition, pile foundations should be employed to provide adequate support for the structures.
BEDROCK
London Clay Formation - Clay, Silt and Sand
Thanet Formation - Sand
Lambeth Group - Clay, Silt and Sand
Chalk Formation - Chalk
Harwich Formation - Sand and Gravel
White chalk is identified as the type of bedrock beneath the site. As a form of limestone, chalk generally has a high load bearing capacity, but is also prone to erosion. Therefore, if end bearing piles (which are fixed onto the bedrock) were employed as the foundation system instead of friction piles, effort must be made towards avoiding hollows and caves in the bedrock layer.
SITE PREPARAT ION The site has a gentle sloping terrain, imposing potential problems on drainage and excavation. Drainage channels must be taken into consideration when excavating the site so that surface water run-off is controlled; and decisions need to be made on whether topsoils will be cut and filled, or if stilts will be utilised to avoid extensive excavations.
INFRASTRUCTURE The existing infrastructure which currently connects the waiting room to the site is a ramp that wraps around the flood defence walls. This means that direct access to the site is obstructed by the ramp and its adjacent street (the ferry waiting area for vehicles). Since the exit level of the waiting room is already raised above ground by 1.7m, a footbridge is proposed to provide direct connection between the two buildings. In order to accommodate lorry traffic, stairs and lifts will be added to elevate the footbridge by 3.3m.
Level Change
The Waiting Room
The Ferry Terminal
MATERIALITY + STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS B R I C K — historic material of the site
REINFORCED CONCRETE
Resistance to Moisture Protection is usually offered by rainscreens or cladding systems. A cavity layer would also help to ventilate any moisture within the wall build-up. However, it is still possible for moisture to penetrate through mortar joints and wall ties.
Resistance to Moisture Concrete is naturally water resilient and therefore could offer protection against flooding, and act as a barrier to moisture when used in building foundations.
Structural Performance Bricks have good compressive strength, however the overall strength of the wall also depends on the mortar bond and quality.
Structural Performance Concrete is strong in compression, but significantly weaker in tensile stress. In-situ concrete is plastic and therefore flexible to manipulate. It could span long or short distances with when combined with steel reinforcements.
Weight Brick is a heavy material, and a reduction in weight could potentially improve energy efficiency in the production as well as construction phases.
Weight Generally weighs more than steel-framed systems, imposing heavier load on the foundation system.
Sustainability Bricks are made from naturally abundant materials, and are reusable and recyclable, which helps to reduce the embodied energy. They are also durable and require minimum maintenance.
Sustainability Concrete has low embodied energy and is highly durable. Its thermal mass also helps to absorb and retain heat, potentially reducing the heating and cooling demands.
Aesthetic The factory that used to sit on the site is made of brick and had a strong sense of heaviness and industrial aesthetic. The chosen structural system should resonate with these qualities as it is the historic materiality of the site.
Aesthetic The monumentality of concrete structures resonates with the spatial qualities of the brief. Additionally, the smoothness and roughness of the concrete surfaces could be easily controlled to create different light and shadow conditions for different spaces.
STRUCTURAL LOADS
ENVIRONMENTAL LOADS & EFFECTS
The chosen structural system needs to accommodate for the live and dead loads listed below:
The site is relatively exposed, and it is in the immediate vicinity of River Thames, therefore there are several environmental forces to be considered:
Live Loads • • • • • • •
Movements of 12 psychoanalysts and their patients (12 per hour; approximately 72 per day) Movements of 3 alchemists and their equipments Movements of 4 glass bottle makers and their equipments Hanging bottles (filled with finished alchemical solutions) Rainwater collection tanks Temporary storage Furnitures
Dead Loads • • •
Fixed storage units for alchemical stages and finished glass bottles Fixed equipments (furnaces) The weight of building materials
Wind Load The prevailing south-easterly wind could impose significant lateral load to the structure, especially in taller areas where light-weight steel structures are used. Therefore, structural bracing will be used to provide resistance in these instances. Uplift Pressure Uplift pressure from groundwater tend to affect fine grained soils such as silts and clay as they have low permeability and poor drainage, causing potential foundation failures. Earth Pressure Soil exerts pressure against lateral forces on the underground walls, and the absorbent nature of expansive soils could also increase the swelling pressure incident on the underground structures.
STEEL
C O N C R E T E + S T E E L — hybrid system
Resistance to Moisture Steel is likely to erode without protections coatings. However, with special coatings, steel can be water or fire resistant.
A hybrid system comprising of concrete and steel structures is chosen for the scheme because it increases the efficiency and flexibility of the overall structural system, and responds to the historic material qualities of the site.
Structural Performance Steel has high strength and ductility. It is capable of spanning long distances effectively, and reducing the amount of columns required.
Concrete structures will follow part of the historic footprint on the site to create the ‘ghost’ structures, producing a solid base for the light-weight structures on the upper stories. While steel structures will be used to provide separation between spaces and support for the roof.
Weight Significantly lighter than concrete systems, imposing lighter load on the foundation system.
Masonry structure has not been employed because the intention is not to recreate the ‘ghost’ structures as it had been, but to capture the characteristics it used to possess. The rustic and industrial appearance of steel and the ‘rawness’ and monolithic nature of the concrete compliment each other, reawakening the qualities of a factory.
Sustainability Steel has high embodied energy but is infinitely recyclable, and the material never ‘down-grades’ after each recycling cycle. Steel structures also offer long-term durability.
The main challenges are: 1. The use of stilts in order to keep the ground floor levelled(caused by the sloping terrain and the level of the footbridge access which is 5m above ground level).
Aesthetic The appearance of steel is often associated with an industrial aesthetic, especially when the structure is grid-like and exposed. It works well when used in conjunction with existing buildings or historical sites, as the structural clarity of steel structures could serve to enhance particular qualities of its context.
FOUNDATION To provide sufficient support for the building structures and transfer load to the bearing ground, friction piles made from steel and concrete will be used. This means that the pile foundations will transfer load to the soil, but not tied to the bedrock chalk layer 14m below ground level. However the foundation needs to be deeper than the frost line in order to protect the structure for ground heaving, and until they reach reasonable bearing stratum (likely in the sandy gravel layer as they have significantly better bearing and drainage capacity). Pile caps will be used to increase the shear strength of the foundation system. Due to the cohesive nature of the soils, driven piles may prove problematic as the water in the soils could result in a shallower ‘point of refusal’ and therefore compromise the bearing capacity. Consequently, bored piles will be the chosen method.
0.00
2. The likelihood of cantilever structures resulted from the rotational nature of the structures (the building responds to 3 different axis intersected at a central point)
Clay + Silt
Made Ground
8.70
Sandy Gravel
14.00
Firm Chalk
Driven piles are cast off site and hammered into the ground until they could not be driven any further into the soil. For bored piles thin steel tubes will be driven into the ground, all earth inside the tube will then be removed and the casting concrete will be poured into the tube filled with reinforcements.
CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS Initial Plans
The Psychoanalysts’ Hub
The Ceremonial Chamber
The Alchemists’ Hub
Therapy Rooms
The Cathedral of Bottles
The Rainwater Pond
The Sleeping Chambers
The Bottle Making Workshops
Ground Level (the ‘ghost - unconscious’ realm)
Access Level (the ‘created - conscious’ realm)
TECTONIC LANGUAGE The development plans are the starting point to the exploration of a structural vocabulary through clarifying the building programme and identifying the key spaces. The key spaces highlighted above connects the structures representing the ‘historic’ and the ‘new’ vertically, helping the steel and concrete structures to develop a tectonic language as they penetrate and interweave both realms. Horizontally, the structural system on each level will be reasonably consistent, and as the level rises, the cross section of the walls will decrease in size and weight, increasing the structural stability and efficiency.
Composite Floor
Pile Foundation Arrangement Grid
Cantilever Structures
GROUND LEVEL
ACCESS LEVEL
Piled Raft Foundation
Primary Structure:
Primary Structure:
In addition to the concrete columns arranged through a gridded layout, the key spaces will also have a piled raft foundation system that responds to their circular geometry, greater self-load from the structure (as they are tall structures with heavy walls), and increased imposed load (due to the structures being multi-storey or that heavy equipments are being utilised). This means that extra columns and beams will be added to these areas, transferring the building load onto a raft before the load gets carried down to the soil by piles.
Post-tensioned Solid Concrete Slab, 200mm arranged in approximately 6m grids
Reinforced Concrete walls, 150mm
Reinforced Concrete Columns and Beams
Post-tensioned Solid Concrete Slab,150mm
Reinforced Concrete walls, 200mm
Composite Floor Construction
arranged according to the foundation grid square columns will be used for structural efficiency
Secondary Structure: Steel Columns (which penetrate different levels)
used for the floor areas that overlap with the ground floor geometry and most of the cantilever areas
used for the area highlighted above, where steel columns act as stilts in a two-way frame system.
Secondary Structure: Steel Columns
Initial Section
The Cathedral of Bottles
The Alchemists’ Hub
The Ceremonial Chamber
To create a space that is reminiscent of the site’s history, the concrete structure will be ‘extruded’ from the ground level, acting as the main structural system for this space. As a semi-conditioned space, only the outer layer which neighbours conditioned spaces will be insulated.
The alchemical processes commence here, which involves in calcining substances into ashes. The use of furnaces creates a parallel with the industrial glass making processes and therefore calls for a structure predominantly made of steel, with concrete walls at lower stories to create enclosure.
This ceremonial space celebrates the end products of both alchemy and bottle making, bridging the two realms. Hence, the structure will have visible features of both steel and concrete, creating an integral system.
Additionally, hollow steel columns will be used around the rainwater collection pond, some acting as down pipes while other support the hanging bottles.
The vertical columns will be rectangular sections as they can accommodate a twoway steel frame.
Exposed steel columns will rise up from the concrete columns from the level below, with pre-cast concrete panels on both the external and internal sides.
In-situ Concrete Flat Plates Considering that the building will be sitting on stilts, an in-situ concrete flat plate system is deemed the appropriate horizontal spanning system. Because the addition of beams will enable longer spans, increase the load-bearing capacity, and eliminate the need for regularly spaced walls, a two-way slab and beam construction will be employed for the lower level. The supporting columns will be spaced approximately 6m apart and should be 50-100mm more than the typical size for the spanning distance in order to provide sufficient support for the structural walls that sit on the slab. The upper levels will then be primarily supported by the lower level bearing walls, with additional support from steel columns in some instances.
Two-way Steel Frame To create a two-way system, the vertical steel members will be rectangular hollow sections which allow same connection options on all sides. Horizontally, I beams will be used for its efficiency in carrying bending and shear loads. This could then enable a horizontally braced circular frame in this space which naturally resists lateral forces effectively without additional vertical elements, generating more permeable spaces around the furnaces and establishing a central event and circulation space.
Steel to Concrete Column Joints To fix the steel columns to concrete columns, different methods of jointing have been looked at, including pinned-base and fixed-base systems. A fixed base is stiff and therefore will apply horizontal, vertical and movement loads to the concrete column, and requires a larger area for the fixings than the more discrete pinned base. Since the load bearing capacity of a concrete column is not comparable to that of a foundation, a steel frame with pinned-base columns and additional horizontal bracing will be preferable as it puts less strain on the concrete columns below.
CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS
CONCLUSIONS The three axonometric views show the development of a structural strategy for the three key spaces in the scheme. The shaded structures represent load bearing steel, and the rest will be concrete structures. A piled raft foundation is also shown below, and the pile depth is only indicative. The main issues/potential improvements which arose from the developing structural system are: 1. Cold bridges caused by the steel columns penetrating through the ground level floor plates and coming into contact with the soil. This could be improved by adding insulation to the steel columns between the ground floor level and the raft level, providing another heat transfer path that increases the overall U-value of the cross section area. 2. Due to the long spanning floors and a lack of shear walls in the concrete flat plate system, it is crucial that a sufficient amount of bracing is provided to resist lateral forces. Therefore, the columns at the slab edges may need to be thickened. And for the two-way steel frame system with composite floors, the floor slabs should span different directions from bay to bay. 3. The jointing methods between steel and concrete should be researched in more detail, and the difference in joints between in-situ and pre-cast concrete should also be discussed.
CW 04
MATERIAL
STRATEGY
exploring materiality in site and human scale
SITE SCALE North Woolwich Waiting Room Woolwich Waiting Room
The Site
‘Pilg
rima
ge’ J
ourn
ey
Wider Site Context
Site Context to the East
SITE MATERIALITY
|
Site Context to the North
Site Context to the West
MACRO
In terms of the urban fabric, North Woolwich is characterised by a series of industrial warehouses to the west, and primarily houses and residential developments to the north and east. Historically, the most prominent materiality is brick, and it remains the main material choice for new developments, apart from the industrial factories. As proposed in P2, concrete will be the main materiality of the waiting rooms for the Woolwich ferry, responding to the disused concrete ferry terminals adjacent to the site. Since the proposed building is a continuation of the waiting rooms and the end destination of the ferry journey, it is also to be made out of concrete to make the journey more distinctive in the urban landscape.
SITE MATERIALITY
|
MICRO
The site boundary is marked out by a series of brick walls with different brick types and bonds. The juxtapositions of the different boundary walls suggest that the concrete structure of the proposed building should also have slightly different finishes to recreate the material richness of the site. This way, the material arrangement of the building will be able to resonate with the essence of the site boundary.
Therapy Stage 03 — facing the old railway, Woolwich tunnel rotunda, the royal gardens Priority: establish visual connection with the surroundings while maintaining privacy Therapy Stage 01 — facing River Thames Priority: controlling the amount of light entering into the therapy space
Therapy Stage 02 — facing the west boundary wall Priority: creating a gradual change of lighting conditions
MASSING IN DEVELOPMENT Here the three therapy spaces are identified as the most important element in the brief that influences the building facade. As shown above, each therapy stage has a distinct spatial priority, which will inform the material decisions in each space respectively. However, before exploring the specifics, experimental studies will be carried out first to gain understanding towards the chosen materials: concrete and brass.
Chandigarh Secretariat Building / Le Corbusier
The Brion Cemetery / Carlo Scarpa
IN SITU CONCRETE
GOLD / BRASS
Concrete is a highly durable material which requires minimal maintenance, and its versatility allows it to be used for structures of different complexity, ranging from residential and commercial buildings to bridges. It is also a highly efficient material, since the high thermal mass in exposed concrete help to absorb heat during summer months and retain heat during winter months, reducing the overall energy demand and cost.
The appearance of brass usually resembles gold, and therefore it is widely used for decorations. Brass is a kind of copper - zinc alloy with combined properties from its constituent material, including high malleability, strength, ductility, resistance to corrosion, and a relatively low melting point.
Aesthetically, heavy concrete structures often have a kind of monumentality which emphasises their standing in the surrounding landscape and allows them to become ‘landmarks’. This particular quality resonates with the idea that the proposed building will be a ‘landmark’ constantly visible to the travellers on their pilgrimage journey.
With alchemy being a key theme of the brief, a gold-like material would help to accentuate the whimsical aspect of the brief and enhance the therapy process which happens in correspondence with the alchemical operations. Since copper was employed as a key material in the waiting rooms, the change from copper to ‘gold’ also suggest a progression in physicality and mentality.
HUMAN SCALE GRADATION
| THE OLD & THE NEW
One of the key concepts of the scheme is to recreate the ‘ghost’ footprint of the historic building and to also create a new realm that contrasts with the old. Therefore, a ‘gradation’ of material finishes will be explored, providing subtle changes at a human scale to help the building users distinguish and navigate between the old and the new. The Alchemists’ Hub
Rough
Texture:
rough, matt, visible timber grains Concrete Form Work: rough sawn timber
Access Level (the ‘created - conscious’ realm)
Texture:
rough, matt, visible timber grains Concrete Form Work: planed timber
Texture:
relatively smooth, fine grains
Direction of Gradation
Concrete Form Work: planed timber
Smooth
Texture:
smooth, medium gloss Concrete Form Work: BRP
Direction of Gradation Walls tracing over the historic building footprint
Ground Level (the ‘ghost - unconscious’ realm)
Light
S U R F A C E T E X T U R E (left side) | TACTILITY
To create this gradation of material texture and colour, individual sample studies have been conducted. Taking the walls tracing over the historic building footprint on the site as a starting point, a rough surface is deemed suitable for the boundary walls as they evoke a sense of tactility and thus encourage the travellers to walk along them.
Colour: light grey Effects on Brass:
As these walls lead the travellers towards the alchemists’ hub, the texture of the concrete walls will gradually become smoother, suggesting that the space is the main focus of the scheme.
compliments and emphasises the golden appearance of brass
S U R F A C E C O L O U R (right side) | CLARITY
In addition to the texture studies, colour studies have been carried out, investigating the combined effect of brass and concrete.
Colour: medium grey
Through this study, it is established that the lighter the concrete, the more prominent the golden appearance of the brass. Therefore, the concrete will gradually change from a darker shade at the boundaries, to a lighter shade towards the centre, as it is here that the alchemical operations take place and the idea of ‘pursuing gold’ manifests itself the most.
Effects on Brass:
accentuates the golden colour to
Furthermore, as the colour of concrete lightens and brass becomes more visible, the metallic appearance of the brass elements will naturally attract the attention of the travellers and guide them to the centre of the building.
Colour: dark grey Effects on Brass:
M A T E R I A L D E T A I L (below)
Direction of Gradation
some extent
brass is still a visible element but
| VARIATIONS
is not as predominant
JUXTAPOSING
JOINTING
EMBELLISHING
In response to the juxtaposing materials at the site boundary, this material sample experiments with how an in-situ concrete wall could be made by having multiple pours of concrete mix, with each time the shade of the concrete differs slightly to create contrast. This is the most natural way to create the gradation.
Developing from the juxtapositions of different finishes on a continuous wall, this sample explores the possibility to partially embed brass rods in the concrete walls to create separation between the finishes and therefore be used as a way to provide clarity and legibility for the building users (as it could help to identify the points of change).
In continuation of the previous concept about way-finding, the idea of utilising brass panels as a signifier of the central space is being tested. The golden appearance of brass naturally attracts, and its reflectivity allows light to radiate from the centre of the building outwards, inducing people to always move towards this space.
Dark
MATERIAL EXPLORATION Key Space 03 Key Space 02 — The Alchemists’ Hub Key Space 01
Therapy Stage 03
First Floor Level
Therapy Stage 01
Access Level
Therapy Stage 02
Ground Level
T H E R A P Y S T A G E 0 3 | Rubedo In response to the spatial priorities outlined previously, it has been decided that brass mesh is to be used to obstruct views to the desired extent in order to provide privacy. The precedent study looks at Nottingham Contemporary, where the brass mullions are ‘extended’ upwards to contrast with the concrete. Here the perforated brass screen is joined to the mullions, creating a seamless look from the outside. As the fixing detail to the right suggests, the brass mesh used in this space will be directly fixed onto the mullions with screws. mesh to mullion fixing detail
Nottingham Contemporary | Caruso St John Architects
double concrete wall detail
Fundació Joan Miró | Barcelona Moment
Pivot concrete door detail
Xavier Corberó Residence in Barcelona | Xavier Corberó
T H E R A P Y S T A G E 0 1 | Nigredo To moderate the degree of brightness and darkness in this space, a curved form is considered not only because it creates an almost ‘gradient’ effect, but also it helps to channel light effectively for a long distance. This effect is most evident in Fundació Joan Miró, where a series of barrel vaults was employed to create a play of light and shadows using diffused light. To achieve this, both the external and the internal finish will need to be concrete. Thus, a double in situ concrete wall will be constructed, separated by a layer of thermal insulation, and will be linked by steel ties.
T H E R A P Y S T A G E 0 2 | Albedo The sloping terrain of the site causes most of the ground floor area to be sitting on stilts but not in contact with the ground. However, since this space is directly connected to the landscape, the addition of doors instead of windows seem appropriate as they can provide physical to the outside while allowing light to filter in gradually. The relationship between the proposed building and the landscape is similar to the that of the Xavier Corberó Residence: some archways are part of the building facade while some blends and disappear into the landscape. An arched pivot door is a mixture of both, and therefore will be used to in this space.
APPLICATION
&
ARTICULATION
01
02
T H E R A P Y S T A G E 0 1 | Nigredo
T H E R A P Y S T A G E 0 2 | Albedo
Since the stage of Nigredo encourages the revelation of a darker side of the patients’ inner selves, the corresponding internal spaces will need to be relatively dimmed and darkened in order to focus all the attention on the patients’ mind.
The stage of Albedo involves in a more sensual approach for the patients to explore their senses and thoughts. The idea of ‘change’ is important in this space as it allows the patients to gradually build up a sense of connection with their inner selves, the surroundings, and eventually to the landscape outside of the room.
As a result, this particular roof form was employed to provide diffused light to the back of the room, where the therapy sessions take place in an intimate setting. To facilitate this atmosphere even further, the internal finish will be a textured and dark concrete surface. This would also help to create a tactile space, inviting the patients to adapt to the therapeutic experience. Brass will be used as a subtle element here, tracing over the underside of the arches as mullions to highlight the distinct geometry.
The concrete surfaces in this space will become more refined compared to the previous room, bringing about a more calm and tranquil atmosphere. Brass will be used to clad the external side of the pivot doors, distinguishing between the internal and the external. As the door opens, the movement of brass will be able to indicate the blurring of the inside and the outside.
THERAPY STAGE 01 | INTERNAL FINISH
Due to the dark colour and roughness of this finish, the value of light reflectance in the room will be relatively low, and any light reflected will tend to diffused when bounced off the textured surfaces. Therefore, the diffused light entering through the barrelled roofs will almost form ‘beams’ of light without lightening up the whole room. FACADE
| EXTERNAL FINISH
Concrete is chosen to also be the external finish to create a sense of monumentality, as if the structure is a piece of sculpture ‘carved out’ from the ‘ghost’ of the historic structure. And as aforementioned, it also responds to the ferry terminals, making it a ‘landmark’ which guides the travellers through their ‘pilgrimage’ journeys. THERAPY STAGE 02 | INTERNAL FINISH
As the surface becomes lighter and smoother, its ability to reflect light is increased. This allows any light entering the room to be ‘softened’ as it reflects, blends, and slowly increases the background luminance of the room. This would help to provide a gradual change of light level for the patients as the doors are being opened and closed.
| INTERNAL FINISH
The material finish is now at its most refined, with the concrete being light and glossy. Coupled with the increased glazing areas, this room is to be bright, open and airy, allowing the patients to achieve a state of spiritual elevation.
03
Direction of Progression
THERAPY STAGE 03
T H E R A P Y S T A G E 0 3 | Rubedo As the final step, the stage of Rubedo guides the patients to come up with a solution to their problems, and reconnect with the external world again. Consequently, visual connection to the outside is particularly important to this space as it slowly brings the patients back to reality.
03 02 01
The internal finish will be even smoother and polished here — almost as if the concrete surfaces are reflecting the progression of the patients’ inner selves, from rough and darkened from the outset, to calm and purified at the end. Although it is key to provide views out into the urban landscape, it is still necessary for the space to have a sense of exclusivity. Brass mesh is therefore utilised as a perforated screen, acting both as a visual barrier and a visual filter.
Access Floor (5m above ground level)
Ground Floor
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CW02:
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