3.3 INFINITE PRESENT SIMULTANEUS REALITIES OBJECTIVE REALITY|GAP REALITY|PERCEIVED REALITY
INFINITE PRESENT CONNECTION WITH PAMPHLET
PLACE ACTING AS AN OBJECTIVE REALITY PLANE
THESIS: PLACE. CONVERGING REALITIES
PLACE
PLACE
PLACE
PLACE
PLACE
THE INTEREPRETATION OF THE CONCAVE FUNCTION
DIAGRAM OF THE LINEAR CIRCULATION ROUTE
The treatment of places and non-places according to the dialectic appproach of the agenda revealed the concave and convex function patterns which were then translated into spatial and conceptual studies. The chosen site thus emarged from the intepretation of converging points (anchoring points or focal points, according to the PLACE analysis) and diverging routes (fracture lines or 'gaps' according to the NON-PLACE study) and from the overlap of the three simultaneous reality planes which describe the entire project: objective reality, gap reality and perceived reality. All of the above create the premises for programmes which respond to the temporality or lack of temporality aspects: an amnesia research centre and an experiential centre .
NON-PLACE ACTING AS A GAP REALITY PLANE
ANTITHESIS: NON-PLACE. DIVERGING REALITIES
THE INTEREPRETATION OF THE CONVEX FUNCTION
PLACE
PLACE
NON-PLACE
PLACE
PLACE
NON-PLACE NON-PLACE
PLACE
PLACE
Viaducts as anchoring points
NON-PLACE
NON-PLACE ACTING AS A PERCEIVED REALITY PLANE
DIAGRAM OF THE DISCONTINUITY BETWEEN DIFFERENT POINTS ON A CIRCULATION ROUTE
INFINITE PRESENT SIMULTANEOUS REALITIES ‘In the future it will always be Monday’
THE VOID
METAPHYSICAL QUALITIES OF SPACES
Garcia Marquez Drawings inspired by Escher's Relativity, to explain the atmosphere conveyed by the experiential centre, as well as by the presence of bridges, bringing together .superimposed spaces
The four montages explore the metapgysical qualities of key spaces in my building and were are an essential tool in the development of the scheme, in terms of the experiences which needed to be recreated, in tune with the agenda and the atelier approach.
EXPERIENTIAL CENTRE
Drawing explaining the one of the types of circulation, the LINEAR one, based on a column grid, in order to create easy accsible spaces and to divide the main public/private areas
Drawing conveying the use of the deatil to support the brick viaduct, thus creating achange in levels and creating a type of processional entrance
The project consists in nursing homes and treatment facilities for amnesia pacients, based on the Maggie’s Centre model, while also providing an experiential centre for family and visitors. The purpose of this project is to raise awareness of the instantaneous world we’re leaving in, which can be described by a certain “loss of temporality”. It attempts to do so through a setup of spaces which instill a sense of familiarity and comfort, proceeding then to expose people to the coexisting realities of an infinite, hallucinatory present
NURSING HOMES
LANDSCAPE SCHEME
Drawing capturing the 'central void' in the building, which devides the main two types of circulation, with an emphasis on the LOOP circulation and the 'confusing' 'qualities created by the intersecting 'reality planes Drawing describing the landscape scheme, incorporating and developing around one of the columns of the viaducts, which runs along the proposed building
INFINITE PRESENT
The experiential rooms were designed according to the study of the detail.The diagram explores the experiential relationship between the three types of reality discussed (objective, gap and perceived) and analyze the way in which a visitor can circulate through them and relate to them, by replacing one with another throughout his/her trajectory.
KEY
DIAGRAMS OF THE HYBRID SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT
For example, between two objectively real spaces (two corridor walls), the inbetween space describes a type of 'gap' reality in which the environment had been distorted. At this point the typical A to B process is suspended, as the previous knowledge of such spaces cannot be applied, and is instead replaced with the perceived/imagined reality (a new reality plane in which we create another approach to the environment than the one we are used to).
EXPERIENTIAL CENTRE
ROOF COMPOSITION
CONNECTING SCALES
EXPERIENTIAL CENTRE
THE VOID
ANCHORING POINTS NURSING HOMES GRID
LANDSCAPE SCHEME
PALIMPSEST DETAIL
INFINITE PRESENT |LOCATION PEDESTRIAN ROUTES
BRICK VIADUCT
DISUSED VIADUCT
CASTLEFIELD TERRITORY MAP
INFINITE PRESENT |A SYNTEHSIS
CONVERGENCE/DIVERGENCE.EXPANSION/COMPRESSION. ‘IDENTIFICATION COMPOENT...’ (N. Schulz, ‘Genius loci’)
DIAGRAM OF THE VIADUCTS DIRECTING THE CIRCULATION FLOW
DIAGRAM OF THE SITE AS A CONVERGENCE POINT AND VIADUCTS ACTING AS BOUNDARIES
the building proposes cross-programming and a layered range of activities within, not only consisting in treatment facilities and nursing homes for amnesia pacients, but offering interactive experiential spaces for everyone. Questioning the relationship dwelling-built environment (Heidegger) has become a pressing issue in the modern instantaneous society, where one might easily lose sense of the tactile, spatial and temporal components. The project attempts to slow down the rush of everyday life and raise awareness of our behavior in relationship to spaces and places.
DIAGRAM OF ENCLOSURE/ EXPOSURE IN/ABOUT THE BUILDING
The building, apart from being integrated in the social and cultural conditions of today, also shows careful treatment to the site, to the built environment, being embedded in the urban fabric of Castlefield, celebrating the viaducts as an anchoring element and as circulation guides. Although part of the environment, the building maintains its own identity, through its form and through its use of materials, appropriately selected according to each programme. Thus the project becomes a synthesis of contradictory elements, attempting to create a coherent image of the ‘simultaneous realities’ active on the site, through the integration of old and new, of physical and metaphysical components, of the experience of places and non-places, of local and wider social and cultural strands.
GROUND FLOOR PLAN 1:100 CIRCULATION DIAGRAM
AMNESIA RESEARCH CENTRE
THE CREATION OF PLACE|Nursing homes ‘ORIENTATION COMPOENT...’ (N. Schulz, ‘Genius loci’)
The ground floor plan responds to the layout of the site, being thus shaped by the direction of the two viaducts and the canal. The two viaducts are visually connected when approaching the building, as the the access is made from underneath the arches of the brick viaduct, suing the Las Arenas Detail. All the spaces on the level as well as the upper floors are organised around a central void/internal courtyard space, where all the elevators and starcases are placed, the space acting as a converging force , bringing all group user together and then creating divergent routes for each of these groups. Thus, the void becomes an 'anchoring point' in the circulation through the building. It also creates a dialogue between the two sides of the canal, the columns of the steel viaduct and a potential landscape scheme.
MAIN MEETING AREA The main meeting area proposes intimate, flexible spaces and a warm atmosphere, following the model of the Maggies's centre rooms, in order to create a confortable, FAMILIAR environment for the pacients. The space also explores the potential of the canal view and the calming north-west light.
THE ENTRANCE Integration of the palimpsest detail NORTH ELEVATION 1:100
1:50 UNERPINNING DETAIL
LAS ARENAS DETAIL
1:5 DETAIL OF LAS ARENAS CONNECTION
CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE DIAGRAMS The site is being excavated, the foundations of the brick walls are replaced with concrete blocks, the structure being suported through the steel beam and v columns.
THE ENTRANCE Integration of the palimpsest detail 1:50 Sequential Sections through the brick viaduct ENTRANCE
The entrance is announced by the Las Arenas detail, supporting the arches of the brick viaduct. The building is accessed from underneath the arches of the viaduct, thus visually connecting the two viaducts and creating sequential level changes.V-columns are maintained in a semi-outdoor, semi-indoor space leading to the main entrance, as an element of continuity and transition between the two spatial planes.
A SEMI-EXPOSED PRESENT
WEST ELEVATION 1:100
VIEW OF THE INTERNAL COURTYARD
The building proposes a semi-exposed structure, in order to ensure continuity between the outdoors and the indoors, thus creating 'inbetween', ambiguous spaces which seem to float under the ondulating canopy.
DIAGRAM OF THE PROCESS OF 'SOLIDIFICATION' OF THE VOID
THE CENTRAL VOID Interior courtyard SOUTH ELEVATION 1:100
The central void (inspired by the Maggie's Centres layout of internal courtyards) organises all the spaces in the building, and acts as an "anchoring point", a focal element, directing the circulation flow and the relationship between the different levels and functions. The void gradually becomes 'solid' though the arrangement of spaces, in a continuous process of expansion and subtraction.
LANDSCAPE SCHEME
EAST ELEVATION 1:100
LANDSCAPE VIEW
The building is shaped by the direction of the diused viaduct and consequentially, the entire structure 'wraps' itself around one of the columns, thus exploring the potential of creating a dialogue between the canal, the central void, a transitional 'landscape' space and again the canal. The landscape scheme was inspired by the Maggie's Centre precedent and its principles of creating natural, intimate environments for their pacients.
FIRST FLOOR PLAN 1:100
AMNESIA RESEARCH CENTRE
THE CREATION OF PLACE|NURSING HOMES ‘ORIENTATION COMPOENT...’ (N. Schulz, ‘Genius loci’)
objective reality
‘gap’ reality
objective reality
The first floor plan continues the linear circulation approach, in order to create a clear navigation route for the amnsia pacients accessing the nursing rooms. Here, he emphasis is places in creating further intimate, common use spaces, indoor as well as outdoor (all the nursing rooms have access to balconies/ terrace). The terrace acts as an elevated garden area, where trees create a natural barrier from the view and noise of the metrolink, on the brick viaduct.
SECOND FLOOR PLAN 1:100
EXPERIENTIAL CENTRE| THE CREATION OF NON-PLACES objective reality ‘gap’ reality
perceived reality
The last floors represent the experiential centre and describe the second type of circulation, the LOOP one. They act as 'satelite' spaces, graviting around the central void, alowing the building to develop as a pyramid on its y axis. These spaces are superimposed on the lower floor (the common nursing homes areas), thus creating a simultaneity of views and experiences, and stressing the conflict between the familar and the unfamiliar, in the spirit of the agenda. The experiential centre focuses on creating circulation routes, which test one's ability to re-construct one's memories. Also, at all points throughout this journey, elements such as gaps in walls allow one to see what is happening beyond the place they are in. However, each route designed is a unique one, and intersection points are not always placed in expected spots. Each route provides experiences of light and mirror installations, which distort one's image of the self and of the surrounding environment.
THIRD FLOOR PLAN 1:100
EXPERIENTIAL CENTRE| THE CREATION OF NON-PLACES ‘The Library is unlimited, but periodic.’ J.L.Borges, ‘The library of Babel’
objective reality
‘gap’ reality
perceived reality
The third floor plan conveys labyrinthian routes, accompanied 'infinite reflection' effects caused by facing mirrors. The experiential rooms are thus designed so that the ceiling appear to be missing, on order to allow views of simultaneous activity on the floors below.
THE INFINITE REFLECTION
1:20 detail of thrid floor
The upper leves propose an antithesis to the first two, both in terms of materiality, experience and circulation, contrast which is revealed by the treatment of the cross-section.
Diagram of disnconitnuous circulation on upper floors
1:100 SECTION BB
A SHIFT IN SCALE
VIADUCT INTERVENTION CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE
TERRACE/ VIADUCT LEVEL
The viaduct intervention uses a temporary structure to support the beams, while the deck and a part of the lattice grid are removed. The lattice grid acts as a truss for the viaduct, thus it it requires to be replace with another structural component, to ensure the continuity of load distribution. While the new deck is installed, two types of truss are required in order to stiffen structure, running perpendiculary on the new deck, and spanning inbetween the top beams of the viaduct.
1:50 VIADUCT INTERVENTION: TRUSS SYSTEM
1:5 details of rivetted connections
VIEW FROM THE VIADUCT
ELEVATED WALKWAY
1:50 VIADUCT INTERVENTION
1:50 VIADUCT INTERVENTION
VIEW FROM ABOVE THE VIADUCT
expansion joints precast concrete paving planks sleeper beams concrete slab steel frame
The canopy seems to float above the site, growing from underneath the arches and extending above the disused viaduct, thus creating an enclosed space.
THE FLOATING CANOPY
The structure of the roof follows a similar technology as the Stonehnge Visitor centre case study. The roof is conceived as a grid of RHS steel beams (100x200mm), prefabricated in ladder sections, forming a rectangular lattice grid. The frame is stiffened by timber joints running perpedniculary, while also helping with the attachement of the play sheets, to the zinc panels (2mm thick)underfinish and the light grey non-reflective membrane for exterior are fixed.
GLAZING CONNECTION TO FRAME
ZINC PANELS
PLYWOOD SHEETS
RHS PRECAST STEEL FRMAE
TIMBER STRUTS
ROOF MEMBRANE
DIAGRAM OF ROOF CONTINUITY
1:50 longitudinal section
The longitudinal section reveals the canopy connecting the two viaducts, while the central void organizes the spaces, often superimposing one one another, blurring the boundaries between outdoor and indoor.
CONNECTING THE VIADUCTS CIRCULATION DIAGRAM
ENVELOPE DIAGRAM
ZONING DIAGRAM
CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE
The concrete columns and slabs are built, followed by the installation of the roof steel grid in order to reduce the time frame of construction. In order to prevent the roof drom swaying a webb of 3d beams is provided in order further stiffen the structure
ROOF STRUCTURE LAYERING ADDITIONAL TRUSS SYSTEM IN REPONSE TO LATERAL STABILITY
ALUMINIUM MEMBRANE PLYWOOD STANDARD SHEETS TIMBER STRUTS STEEL FRAME
PLYWOOD STANDARD SHEETS ZINC PANELS
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