M Arch Thesis 2022_Part I

Managing complex, coevolving socialecological systems for sustainability requires the ability to cope with adapt to and shape change without losing options for future development It requires resilience - the capacity to bu self-organize learn and adapt

Urban growth boundaries

In contrast to greenbelts, urban growth boundaries are not intended to be permanent instead they are periodically evaluated and, if necessary , expanded Groundwater recharge Besides better management recharge zones the development recharge projects like recharge injection wells are proposed

RESILIENT WATERFRONT ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING TO CURB URBAN SPRAWL ON WATER BODIES

The Case of the Weija Reservoir

WEIJA RESEVOIR’S ECOLOGICAL CENTRE

Cornelius Kyei Boateng

The evidence of water storage dams can be traced back to about 3000BC from ruins from Egypt and Mesopotamia. The primary uses of dams from years past have been to regulate river flow, for irrigation and for water supply (Selge & Gunkel, 2013).

Studies have showed that reserved lands meant to protect water bodies continues to face the deterioration.

The task is to design a research centre to foster collaborations among parties involved in the development and management of the Weija waterfront.

Developing mixed used communities,higher density regional centres,protecting agricultural, watershed and wildlife,investing in quality pedestrian, bicycle and public transportation with shared connectivity and information.

Karlenzig, (2010)

To physically bring together all the stakeholders to promote sustainable waterfront management and development.

To help waterfront community understand best practices involved in water front development through education trainig and research

DESIGN OBJECTIVES USERS

Central, Ga Mashie Traditional Area and Makola Market area

In the direction of Mankessim, Cape Coast and subsequently Takoradi

In the direction of Accra, Tema and subsequently the GhanaTogo border at Aflao

N1

Old KASOA market

Kasoa - Amasaman Road

PRECEDENT STUDY

Wetland

// design apppraisal

Conference and Exhibition block

// project details

• Architects: Atelier Z+

• Area : 4092 m²

• Year : 2019

• Photographs :Hao Chen

Enlightened by the “shack with a double pitched roof” in Wang Meng’s painting, the architects turned the double-pitched roof over, made a “Y-shape” cantilever structure, juxtaposed these two “Y-shape” independent units, and created a new double Y shape space (YY) creating new spatial meanings.

site

The site is situated in a restored reed wetland in the northeast of the Nature Reserve, where the water and the sky merge in one colour, few people tread, flocks of birds perch.

// main blocks

Five buildings of different volumes including;

• a conference and exhibition,

• a canteen,

• a research,

• two dormitory

• zigzag trestle bridge.

// structure

Section - Conference and Exhibition space

Drawing Credits - Atelier Z+

Research block

shared

utility spaces;

// concept / ideas effecient

Limited circulation around Research space. Research block also positioned further away from other blocks.

"Wetland Research and Education Center Atelier Z+" 16 Dec 2021. ArchDaily. Accessed 12 Apr 2022. <https://www.archdaily.com/973638/wetland-research-and-education-center-atelier-z-plus> ISSN 07198884

Cornelius

Positioning of openings to maximize daylighting

Reinforced concrete is selected to build with the simplicity of tectonics. Building A, B, C were built by a Y-shaped cantilevered reinforced concrete bent frame structure with crisscross section and partial folded-plate. The exhibition hall was partly designed with steel mezzanine; buildings D and E were constructed with concrete folded-plate structure.

Blocks comprise rectangular and square shaped spaces characterised with minimum obstructions making it easier for users to freely navigate the spaces.

geometry & spatial organisation Circulation

Compartmentalisation of staircase area

Fire control room access positioned away from other spaces

Contextualisation

All the “valleys” bottom on the roof was covered with slightly undulating soil and low-maintenance planted miscanthus and shrubs.

For the purpose of environment integration and sustainable recycling in the future, all the pitched roofs trimmed with titanium-zinc sheets were covered with indigenous reed straw reaped and processed under the supervision of local experienced reed weavers.

1. Cafe 2. Main entrance 3. Entrance hall 4. Lavatory 5. Rest 6. Multi-purpose hall 7. Foyer 8. Exhibition 9. Fire control room 10. Storage 11. Reference room 12. Courtyard 13. Equipment 3

Image credit - Hao Chen

View from Dining block

Roof valley Image credit - Hao Chen

Minimum influence on site through pedestrianization

PRECEDENT STUDY

// Site layout

// project details

Location: Baraboo, Wisconsin

Architect/engineer: The Kubala Washakto Architects

Project type: New Construction

Project size: 109,000 SF

// concept / ideas

// Notable description

World’s first carbon-neutral building and becoming the first building in Wisconsin to achieve LEED – Platinum status.

There are few people who can claim such a legacy as the one Aldo Leopold has left in the environmental movement. The Aldo Leopold Legacy Center was designed to encapsulate and preserve that legacy, sharing his love for the outdoors with visitors for generations. The center comprises a cluster of buildings totaling an area just shy of 12,000 SF, located near Leopold’s trademark shack.

The ALF campus is a 12,000 sq.ft. complex of three buildings. The 10,000 sq.ft. main building contains office space, meeting rooms, exhibit space and a document archive. The other two buildings contain a seed sorting facility, workshops, a garage, and a lecture hall. Only the main building is fully condition e d and even there, many of the occasional-use spa c es are minimally conditioned by traditional means. Surrounding the center is a network of 2.5 miles of trails through oak, savanna, wetlands and dry prairie remnant, overlooking the Wisconsin River Valley.

// Architectural design strategies

• Bioclimatic design

• Natural ventilation in all occupied zones

• Double code insulation levels

• Passive solar heating

• Shade windows during summer Passive Cooling

• Daylight all occupied zones

// Lessons learnt

• sustainable design and construction,

• carbon-neutral building

• zero net energy building that produces its energy needs.

Ariel view showing photovoltaic panels on roof

Use of local materials in construction

An aqueduct conveys stormwater from the roof to a raingarden

Cornelius Kyei Boateng Master of Architecture

Fr. Dr. Victor Quagraine Arc. Adu-Nyarko

Supervisors:

PRECEDENT STUDY

RIO NUEVO MASTER PLAN

The plan approaches the project from an economic, cultural, and environmental sustainability perspective by healing and restoring the natural systems and cultural heritage of the disrupted areas.

The vision begins with restoring the river and reweaving the eastern and western neighborhoods together.

Reconstructed islands, sandbars, and natural terraces slow the water to a more even and natural pace, providing resting places for fish, birds, and other wildlife.

Design of weirs contribute to water retention and habitat reclamation, accelerating the process of healing the river.

Banks and restored terraces support new plantings of indigenous riparian trees and shrubs.

BELLE GLADE

The Belle Glade plan was developed by integrating environmental science with urban and regional design principles

This design connected water-pollution abatement with smart-growth patterns while restoring healthy, naturalsystem functions and civic amenities.

The conceptual base for this project included the regional hydrological patterns and historic flows of surface water in Everglades National Park. this knowledge generated a plan that included protection of the natural system and provision for a new agricultural economy based on seasonal hydration and rebuild- ing of depleted soils.

Belle Glade, inextricably connected to Lake Okeechobee, the regional lake system.

Long-established communities have a pattern based on the natural energies and resources that exist in the locale. Reconnecting with that pattern starts with an analysis of the past integrated into the desires of the future.

New Belle Glade visually reconnects with Lake Okeechobee, while the lake’s hydrological system rebuilds the soils and creates an opportunity for ecotourism.

New Belle Glade visually reconnects with Lake Okeechobee, while the lake’s hydrological system rebuilds the soils and creates an opportunity for ecotourism.

Conceptual reconnection of east and west communities for socially, economically, and environmentally benefits.

Connecting the new town to the historic town with urban canals and a celebration of the agricultural heritage

Belle Glade - Florida -USA (2022)

Cornelius Kyei Boateng

SPECIAL AND TECHNICAL STUDY

AND TECHNICAL STUDIES

// Storm water management (Permeable pavement)

Permeable pavements help reestablish a more natural hydrologic balance and reduce runoff volume by trapping and slowly releasing precipitation into the ground instead of allowing it to flow into storm drains and out to receiving waters as effluent

// Micro solar farm (Alternate power source)

Solar PV plants with a capacity of <75 kWn are classified as microgeneration

Due to their size, microgeneration plants require simple permitting procedures, don't impact the grid and are easy to connect, are modular, and are easily scalable.

// Mechanical control rooms

Mechanical room is a space that houses mechanical equipment and its associated electrical equipment, as opposed to rooms intended for human occupancy or storage.

Underneath this filter layer is a uniformly-graded gravel course to store water, which ultimately penetrates into the ground.

// Grey water recycling system

Greywater is created from the potable water received from the utility provider but after being used in showering or bathroom uses then contains heavy surfactants and other contaminants which give it a ‘grey’ colour.

Mechanical room typically houses air handlers,boilers,chillers,boilers,heat exchange, water pumpss,electrical power back up, elevator machinery among others.

Importance

Demand on conventional water supplies and pressure on sewage treatment systems is reduced by the use of greywater. Re-using greywater also reduces the volume of sewage effluent entering watercourses which can be ecologically beneficial. In times of drought, especially in urban areas, greywater use in gardens or toilet systems helps to achieve some of the goals of ecologically sustainable development.

The daylight harvesting system employs light sensors, also known as photocell sensors, to detect the prevailing light level in the environment. It then sends the intensity of light received to a controller, which is connected to the lighting control system. The control system in turn adjusts the electric lights automatically according to the measured light level.

Basements are susceptible to the ingress of moisture and contaminants from the ground. For this reason, a waterproofing system will usually be required.

key notes to consider in water tank design

-Continuous linking of water proofing below ground and damp roof.

-Good construction joints

-Simplicity of design

-The use of vertical service penetrations

-Quality construction material

-Free lime control

Cornelius Kyei Boateng

3d section of porous pavment profile

2d section of porous pavment profile

Parts grey water recycling machine

Typical grey water recycling machine and operation flow

// Daylight harvesting

3d illustration of permeable pavment

Typical solar panels with dimensions

Solar power generation diagram

Illustration of a daylight harvester used in basement

Illustration of the principle on how daylight sensor works

Typical layout of mechanical room

// Basement Water tank damp proofing

NB:

Detail of watertank damp proofing

Detail of watertank damp proofing

Cornelius Kyei Boateng

Dr. Victor Quagraine

PHILOSOPHY AND CONCEPTS

PHILOSOPHY AND CONCEPTS

// CONTEXTUALISM

Contextual architecture refers to architecture that reflects the forms, details, and regional qualities of a building’s surrounding landscape. It means relying on that setting to create a home that fits into its environment, not building something that contrasts

Contextual architecture is usually divided into three categories: vernacular architecture, regional architecture, and critical regionalism all of which also inform the complementary architecture movement

Features of Contextualism

- Climate

- Topography

- Simplicity of design

- Urban texture

- History

- Culture

-Material

// Venicular Architecture

Vernacular architecture is a style of building that is specific to a region and period. It relies on the use of local materials and knowledge to construct buildings.

Features of venicular Architecture

-Provides bioclimatic characteristics

- Use of local materials

- Represents local culture

// TROPICAL MODERNISM

Tropical Modernism is an architectural style of wide open spaces connected to sprawling outdoors that is unique to the Indian Ocean island of Sri Lanka. At its core is a focus on local resources and knowledge of indigenous builders.

The style differs greatly from the more widely known and contemporary International Style, which embraces minimalism and takes a methodical approach to buildings through a logical use of new materials and asymmetrical compositions where form shapes function.

Features of tropical modernism

- Light

- Shade

- Simplicity of design

- Ventilation and views

- Seamless space

Notable Tropical modersim buildings

Falling waters design depicting contextualism

Dano Secondary school in Burkina Faso by Kere Architecture

Senegal elementary school (Use of venecular Architecture) The use of Venicular architecture in design

Luxury waterfront kome in Miami (Tropical modernism use in design)

Kwame Nkrumah residential tower in Accra, Ghana

Sri lanka Parliament building

JN house in Brasil (Tropical modernism use in design)

Cornelius Kyei Boateng Master of

BRIEF DEVELOPMENT

DESIGN COMPOSITION

MAIN SPACES

GENERAL BRIEF

MAIN FACILITY SUPPORTING FACILITIES

• Entrance

• Receptionist

• Offices

• Laboratories

• Multipurpose hall (training and education)

• Exhibition

• Conference rooms

• Workshop

• Lounge/breakroom

• Washrooms

• Storage

• Mechanical room

• Kitchen

• Cafeteria

ACCOMMODATION SCHEDULE

LABORATORY 1(Light lab) has a work space of 16sqm, one storage and two study cells: a total floor area of 58sqm.

• Parking space

• Service area

• Garden

SUPPORTING FACILITIES

A minimum of 15sqm per car for vehicular parking lots. 5sqm for mortocycles 2sqm for

OFFICE TYPOLOGIES

Type 1(single office)

Descrption: For Institutional representitives; 9sqm per person.

Type 2 (workstations)

Descrption: Workstations for 2-3 trainees, 8sqm per person.

Office module 1 - 60sqm

Office type 1 (2x)

Office type 2

Recepton desk

Conference room

Office module 2 -80sqm

Office type 1

Office type 2(2x)

Recepton desk

Conference space

LABORATORIES

• Cleaning

• Work space

• Storage

• Lobby

• Study cells

• Changing room

Office module 3 - 120sqm

Office type 1

Office type 2(3x)

Recepton desk Conference room

*Additional consideration for storage, printing and plotting devices.

Forest Resource Commmision

Water Resource commision

Hydrological Department

Material Engineering

Planning department

Architectural department

Research

Departmental Offices

Research, Exhibition

Laboratory, Storage, Mechanical

Arrangement of spaces to be based on degree of activities and equipments involved. More heavy equipment on the lower levels.

Departmental Offices

Manufacturing and laboratories contract printing and research facilities 1 space per 1000sqf = 93sqm 2000 sqm . 15 percent circulation.

Natural Resource Management Building and development research Community Involvement

SITE OVERVIEW

LOCATION

Tomefa is predominantly filled with the Ada tribe. The Ada people first migrated from Sudan, then to Nigeria in a town called Ile-Ife, through Benin among the Fon People then to Togo, and finally to Big Ada in the Greater Accra Region (present day Ghana).

The highest relative humidity ranges from 89 to 93 percent, while the minimum ranges from 41 to 72 percent

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS SITE A SITE B

Cooling Design Conditions

Hottest month: March

Hottest week: 3/29 - 4/ 4

Typical summer week: 5/17 - 5/23

Annual CDD for 10 °C is: 6,353

Design temperature 99.6%: 33.5 °C

It is hottest in March/April (320C) and in August temperatures are cool at about 230C.

Sites were selected taking into consideration degree of sprawling to the Weija reservoir’s buffer.

Heating Design Conditions

Coldest month: August

Coldest week: 9/ 1 - 9/ 7

Typical winter week: 10/ 6 - 10/12

Annual HDD for 18 °C is: 0

Design temperature 0.04%: 23 °C

The area is low lying and undulating with isolated ridges. The Weija Reservoir is 14 km long, 2.2 km wide and has total surface area of 38 km2 with mean depth of 5 m.

The area is low lying and undulating with isolated ridges. The Weija Reservoir is 14 km long, 2.2 km wide and has total surface area of 38 km2 with mean depth of 5 m.

https://c8.alamy.com/comp/G30HP5/actual-vintage-political-map-of-africa-with-flags-G30HP5.jpg

Although housing at tomefa is informal, there is an implicit “urban structure” that gives an hierarchy to the entire system. It’s clear how everything is based on a main axis, which connects the community to the reservoir front.

Guess what happens when it rains?

Actions of the inhabitants has led to the reduction in water quality and high cost for treatment.

• The main road to the community is a two way untarred street ending at an open field.

• There is very low traffic on the street with about two vehicles pasing every 15 - 20 minutes.

• First view to the site is from the untarred road

Having settled in their present location for about 50 years, the character of the builidings in Tomefa ranges from mud houses and block house with every other building material in-between.

primary ecconomic activity of the people of Tomefa and other riparian towns is fishing. Fishing communities are a mix up of inhabitant and temporal workers from Winneba and Tema.

The vegetative cover of the Weija reservoir amidst the economic activities sees reduction.

Loss of grass and shrubs has increased run offs into the reservoir.

The

Fishing point

point

Area : 2.8 acres

All contour lines are heights from sea level obtained from GPS visualiser

Need to develop attractive entrance Good view to the Weija reservoir

B B Site Area : 2.8 acres SUN PATH

Provide shade against Hot afternoon sun Typify buffer region and plant types suitable for the buffer region Relocaton of affected houses Lowest portion of the site. Potential for rainwater run off collection and treatment for use by facility and the community 80° 70° 60° 30° 10° 10 14 15 Accra-Kotoka.Intl.AP Sep 12:00 N NE SE S SW W NW

• Introduction of transport terminals to facilitate pedestrianization witin community

Connect community to resevoir front. Reservoir has tourism potential

• Located fishing points could be combined to minimize impact of economic activities hence enhancing vegetation growth at the Weija waterfront.

• Obsere buffer and still connect to reservoir

Reolocate

STRENGTH

• Presence of vegetation on site (trees, shrubs).

• Views into the site from the main access route.

• Site has access to electricity.

• Proximity of site to majority of the community.

OPPORTUNITY THREAT Legend

• Reservoir can be treated for use for the facility and community.

• Site has tourism potential at the reservoir front which can be use as a source of revenue for the community

• Absence of potable drinking water from GWCL to the community.

• Lack of drainage systems close to the site to aid in the drainage of liquid waste.

• Presence of animals that may pose threat to community and tourists as biodiversity of the waterfront is improved.

“As the mixture of uses in a community declines, travel time and distance for those who live or work there increase.”

There are attempts to minimize this characteristic of sprawl.

In creating mixed-use development, building blocks function best when located in close poximity to road. Parking spaces and green spots serve as transition spaces between the road and the blocks.

The difference sets in when development is close to the reservoir’s buffer. The need for filtering run-off, sewage positioning and accessibility to the waterfront arises. Option 1 above has parking & recreational spaces close to the road.

Option 2 moves blocks relatively closer to the road with the parking and recreational areas sandwiched between two blocks.

In both cases (B1,B2), development close to the reservoir has tourism potential and should have connection from the community to the reservoir’s front.

At the community scale, there is an attempt to collect run-off water from buildings, roads and pavers to the site to be treated for use by the centre and the community at large.

PARKING

Locating general parking space and service parking close to each other reduces amount of vehicular circulation and hence hard impervious surfaces.

Options A and C provide ample distance (minimum distance should be 15m) between waste collected from the facility and the run-off water collection zone.

RAINWATER GARDEN - TRAPPING RUNOFF WATER

A rain garden is located at lowest point of the site and is to be designed to catch, slow, and store runoff. The garden includes soil layers, mulch, and plants, to filter rainwater collected from the community.

With the parking and the facility positioned, the service area and the run-off water collection area is studied.

TYPICAL USER-SPACE CORRELATION

CONCEPTUALS

CONNECTIVITY

Inspired by the coexistence of natural elements . The idea of the centre aims at serving as a condusive place for education, research and community empowerment for successful human-nature mutual coexistense.

There is the attempt to represent rparian vegetation as the basics to the survival of ecosystems depicted as what supports the structure. A strenght often ignored by humans

Cornelius Kyei Boateng Master

In ensuring the continuous use of the Weija reservoir, research showed the need for collaboration among stakeholders. Making known the relevance of riparian ecology becomes a necessity

in fostering sustainable development and reserve management around the reservoir. Questions that drive the design then includes the hows of creating awarenes and fostering collaboration among stakeholders responsible for the existence of the reservoir’s ecology.

The form(s) takes cues from the basic unit material used for construction and the nearest vegetation close to the reservoir.

Cornelius Kyei Boateng Master of Architecture

MASTER PLAN

Managing complex coevolving socialecological systems for sustainability requires the ability to cope with adapt to and shape change without losing options for future development It requires resilience - the capacity to bu self-organize learn and adapt

Urban growth boundaries

In contrast to greenbelts urban growth boundaries are not intended to be permanent; instead they are periodically evaluated and if necessary expanded

Groundwater recharge

Buildable Besides better management of natural recharge zones the development of arti recharge projects like recharge pounds and injection wells are proposed

BLOCK PLAN

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

Cornelius Kyei Boateng Master of Architecture

Cornelius Kyei Boateng Master of Architecture

Cornelius Kyei Boateng Master of Architecture