Oblique by Kin (Gigi) Kwong by unit19bartlett

E U Q I L O B

A social-engineered HOUSING SYSTEM

GIGI KWONG U19 The Bartlett School of Architecture | 2018

OB L I Q UE GIGI KWONG

TUTORS MOLLIE CLAYPOOL JEROEN VAN AMEIJDE

U19 | 2018 UCL, THE BARTLETT SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE 1

OB L I Q UE Oblique is a housing system to replace the vertical/horizontal spatial qualities of living spaces, which the inclined surfaces will be used to (1)define interpersonal hierarchies as well as (2)how our bodies physically experience a space. The kit of parts will be the binding agent of space and human to arrange the (1)domesticity and (2)activity, integrating programme, circulation and structure as a whole in one continuous landscape. More importantly the kit of parts will become the social engineering tool to push the social agenda in housing onto something unique that the inclined surfaces can only give. Today our housing stock is often manipulated by the developers to generate the maximum profit out of the minimum space requirements. These profit model failed to cater an economical friendly housing market as well as the social relationship between the inhabitants. Politically it also raises the question of the ownership of spaces, questioning whose the houses for — developers or ours? As such, Oblique aims to disrupt the existing economical model of “rooms oriented housing” used by the developers, challenge the political view of ownership between private and shared spaces, and re-conceive the social environment for the inhabitants in a housing. In the most conventional Western cultures, the notion of a house have long been conceived as dwelling spaces contain rooms that have different functions, such as bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms bathrooms etc. These rooms can be found in excavations site on Santorini, Greece at Akrotiri, where clearly defined rooms are used by the early Aegean dwelling about 2200 BC. Today the similar typologies are still being used, which in the UK developers often divide typical urban dwellings into 1,2,3 bedroom apartments. However these typologies often failed to cater personal preference, as the size, orientation and the porosity of the rooms are always prescriptive. Historically many examples have been trying to get away from having rooms in the dwelling, in the 70s the Metabolists created individual living capsules and shared spaces bounded by the capsules in a megastructure system, as seen at the Takara Beautilion. Or from the recent built House NA by Sou Fujimoto, which by eliminating the walls and dividing the spaces into floor plates varied in heights to allow a free flow between spaces. However the threshold between spaces in these examples are not really well defined, such as the justification of having public internal floor plates next to the private capsules at the Takara Beautilion, or the privacy relationship between two floor plates at the house NA are unclear in terms of programme. Oblique rips off the notion of rooms by having different levels of space, and bridge the split levels using inclined surfaces to create a gradual transition from one space to another. In 1907 Adolf Loos first applied the principle of the Raumplan (spatial plan) at the Villa Mueller, which embodies the notion of interconnected spaces of different functions by organising a sequence of stepped areas and rooms differentiated in height. Other examples such as Endless House by Friedrick Kiesler and Mobius House by UN Studio have also taken a step forward, tried to connect different programmes that responds to the flow of the occupants’ working and family lives, while integrating the surrounding and natural landscape in a highly bespoke manner. Oblique improves the idea by having discrete flat pieces that is able to create endless possibilities of split levels, joined together by inclined pieces varied in angles, in order to achieve a smooth and gradual transition from one space to another. It allows visual connection among different areas while keeping the individuality of programmes in different levels. With the differentiation of angles in the parts, a diversity of privacy, density and porosity can be achieved to design a site & personal specific dwellings, creating a continuous landscape using discrete building elements.

Oblique: 1. Neither parallel nor at right angles to a specified or implied lines; slanting. 2. Not expressed or done in a direct way, implicit. 3

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CONTENTS

SIMPLE CONTINUITIES

HOUSE WITHOUT ROOMS

KIT OF PARTS

ASSEMBLY

_SMALL CLUSTERS

_LOW RISE SPRAWL

_TOWERS

S IM P LE C ON T I N U I T IES

1 ACTIVE COMMUNAL INVOLVEMENT Whatever kind of society we live in, it is important for the anarchist to push forward those approaches to personal and social needs which depend on popular initiatives and which postulate alternatives to dependency on capitalism and the state.

THE WASN’T A SINGLE COUNCIL HOUSE IN BRITAIN IN 2000S, PRIVATE LANDLORDS HAD COMPLETE MONOPOLY OF ALL RENTED DWELLINGS, LEAD THE GLASGOW RENT STRIKE IN 1915

IN 1921, A DETERMINED ACTION OF THE WORKERS THEMSELVES FORCED THE AUTHORITIES TO PROVIDE HOUSES, OUTSIDE THE RATHAUS IN VIENNA CARRYING BANNERS

VIENNA’S DIY COMMUNITIES WERE THE MOST WIDESPREAD EXAMPLE OF PHYSICAL SELF-HELP IN HOUSING IN THE 20TH CENTURY

NOWADAYS, FOR INSTANCE IN HONG KONG, THE HIGH RENT CONTROLLED BY THE DEVELOPERS HAS LEAD TO MANY WORKING CLASS CRAMMED INTO A DWELLING LIKE THE SIZE OF COFFINS.

BUREAUCRAT

Give us land, wood, and stone, and we will make bread out of it!

CITIZEN

SHIFTING OF INVOLVEMENT

2 THE SHIFT FROM CONSUMERS TO PROSUMERS Across the East & West, there is a increase of the needs of the experimental housing, this case studies will examine a series of experimental housing in different eras, especially in Japan and Germany, testing the idea of turning the personal needs of dwelling/spaces from being a pure consumers to prosumers.

WULFEN - MetaStadt, 1974 TOKYO - House NA, 2012 OSAKA - Takara Beautilion, 1970

MUNICH - m-ch, 2005

3 THE SHIFT FROM STANDARDISATION TO CUSTOMISATION Examples in this case study will also investigate shifts within the history of design and technology utilised in the manufacturing of building components and their assembly into building systems. Components and systems that were once mechanised, standardised, and discrete can now be more integrated, customised and adaptable.

from standardised components chosen from a catalogue to customised components generated from scratch. NOTATIONAL SYSTEMS

BUILDING COMPONENTS

from construction documents to file to factory, from interpretation & translation to instruction for assembly.

from mechanical stamped/moulded processes and technologies to computer numerically controlled process and technologies.

PARADIGM SHIFTS CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

from discrete analogical two dimensional drafting to computer aided 3D modelling.

FABRICATION PROCESS

from discrete phasing and back end approaches to integrated collaboration front end approaches.

DESIGN TOOLS

4 SYSTEM & HIERARCHY 4 different types of dwellings of different scales across Japan and Germany are analysed, they all share a similar system and hierarchy of building elements, however all of them are executed in different approaches to meet varies need.

1970

1980

1990

TAKARA BEAUTILION PAVILION OSAKA EXPO 70â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, JAPAN KISHO KURAKAWA

METASTADT WULFEN, GERMANY Richard J. Dietrich

MICRO COMPACT HOUSE MUNICH, GERMANY RICHARD HORDEN

2000

HOUSE NA TOKYO, JAPAN SOU FUJIMOTO

TAKARA BEAUTILION PAVILION The four-floor framework of the upper structure is composed of steel pipes, forming. It forms a tree structure stretching out in all directions. This structure is characterized with its potential to extend, or replicate horizontally and vertically depending on necessity.

1 A SYSTEM OF METABOLISM An investigation of structure, whether a structure can expand, shrink, or reduce depending on necessity, in other words, a search for architecture of Metabolism is suggested.

LIFT SHAFT

PRE-FAB STEEL COMPONENT

FLOOR PLATE

The upper structure was fully prefabricated and it took only 6 days to build, this picture shows the structure with bamboo scaffolding.

CAPSULE PART TYPE - B

CAPSULE PART TYPE - A STRUCTURAL GRID AGGREGATION

2 CUSTOMISED CAPSULE DEPTH Without the change of the internal floor plate size, personal space within the capsule, i.e. the capsule floor area can be doubled when it is needed, while the structural grid and communal space remain unchanged.

ARRANGEMENT USING CAPSULE PART TYPE - A+C

ARRANGEMENT USING CAPSULE PART TYPE - B

PERSONAL SPACE AREA: 4410m2

PERSONAL SPACE AREA: 7140m2

NARROW CORRIDOR

PLAN

THERE IS ALSO TYPE C (HALF CUBE) WHICH FORMED A SEMI PRIVATE SPACE WITH THE INTERNAL COURTYARD.

THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF CAPSULE UNIT, HERE IT SHOWS TYPE A AND B, WHICH TYPE B IS EXTENDED TO HAVE BIGGER PERSONAL SPACE.

INSIDE THE BEAUTILION VARIES CAPSULE HAS DIFFERENT PURPOSE, EACH INDIVIDUAL UNIT HAS ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OWN FUNCTION, IT FORMS A THE ACROSS EACH FLOOR.

3 VERTICAL HIERARCHY BETWEEN CAPSULES Due to the free movement of capsules inside the structural frame, by pushing the capsule unit inward, a hierarchy of “steps” can be created, allowing more external usable space within each unit, e.g. balcony.

REGULAR ARRANGEMENT

“STEP” ARRANGEMENT CREATING BALCONIES

IRREGULAR ARRANGEMENT BUMPS

“INVERTED STEP” ARRANGEMENT CREATING SHADES

ELEVATION

4 EXTENT OF METABOLISM Although in another project MetaStadt has a similar idea of metabolism on the building that can continue to expand or shrink, they have completely different approaches that lead to their end results.

TAKARA BEAUTILION

METASTADT EVEN IN THE MODEL SHOWN AT EXPO’70 OSAKA, THE TRANSPARENT STRUCTURE SUGGESTED A TEMPORARY SYSTEM THAT CAN BE CUSTOMISED OVER TIME. THE OPEN CONNECTION HINTED IT CAN BE ADDED ON MORE STRUCTURE AND CAPSULES AFTERWARDS.

OPEN ENDED STRUCTURE

THE STRUCTURE CAN BE EASILY MOUNT/DISMOUNT FROM THE OUTSIDE, SO IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CUSTOMISED VERY EFFECTIVELY, CAN FULLY ACHIEVE KUROKAWA’S IDEAL OF METABOLISM.

TEMPORARY CAPSULE

ALTHOUGH THE IDEA WAS VERY CRITICAL THAT THE STRUCTURE CAN EXPAND THROUGH STANDARDISED ELEMENTS, THE EXECUTION OF THE PROJECT IS NO DIFFERENT FROM TRADITIONAL STEEL FRAME CONSTRUCTION, LEAD TO IT’S FINAL FATE OF DESTRUCTION.

CLOSE ENDED STRUCTURE

COMPLETE ENCLOSED FACADE

HOWEVER THIS SYSTEMS IS COMPLETELY COVERED BY THE ENVELOPE, IT IS DIFFICULT TO MODIFY OR REPAIR FROM THE OUTSIDE, CREATE MAJOR PROBLEMS IN THE INTERIOR.

METASTADT It was designed by architects Richard J. Dietrich and Bernd Steigerwald in the 1960s, as a response to the urban sprawl of cities which appeared to be growing at an alarming rate. It was a modernist utopia, designed to be built over existing urban spaces, by incorporating highways, parking, and could bridge over existing highways.

1 META-CITY The system is located within a rigid modular grid 4.2m x 4.2m and 3.6m in height. Each module could be open and connected, or separated using moveable and interchangeable walls, ceilings, and façade systems, all of which could be altered to allow for maximum flexibility and future growth.

MODULAR STRUCTURAL GRID

The original scheme is a much bigger cluster of the unit. However due to budget concern only one part has been built.

PRE-FAB STEEL COMPONENT A (CENTRE)

PRE-FAB STEEL COMPONENT A’ (SIDE)

MODULAR FACADE SYSTEM

FLATTEN ELEVATION

2 MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY The load-bearing modular grid steel structure enables the V panels to be kept independent. So that the facade panels can be fully customised. It is based on a small set of interchangeable parts with a vertical and horizontal module of 0.3m, allowing maximum flexibility of porosity for the occupants.

WINDOW KITS

ALUMINIUM PANEL KITS

CUSTOMISABLE COMBINATIONS

3.3m x 3.3m FACADE MODULE

THE FACADE SYSTEM WAS HELD POSITIONS BY ‘PUSH BUTTONS’.

3 UNIT AGGREGATION The original unit aggregation forms a continuous enclosed envelope of a building, preventing it from metabolism, a variant of the original unit arrangement is proposed to allow a continuous growth of the system.

ORIGINAL AGGREGATION

PROPOSED AGGREGATION

UNIT

DUPLICATE

ARRAY

ARRAY WITH GAP

STACK

ENCLOSED SYSTEM

OPEN SYSTEM POSSIBLE TO GROW

4 SYSTEM/ENCLOSURE HIERARCHY Both the Metastadt and the micro compact house consists of the main “cubic” element, however their material and functional arrangement of the system and the enclosure are quite distinct from each other. METASTADT

MICRO COMPACT HOUSE

ENVELOPE

CONTAINED UNIT

HIDDEN GRID

EXPOSED STRUCTURE

FOR THE METASTADT, ONE CANNOT SEE THE GRID SYSTEM AS IT IS HIDDEN FROM THE CUBIC ENVELOPE. MAKING IT HARDER TO UNDERSTAND THE STRUCTURAL LOGIC BEHIND.

IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT FOR THE MICRO COMPACT HOUSE THE ‘CUBIC’ UNIT IS HELD BY A STEEL STRUCTURAL ELEMENT, WHICH SEEM TO BE VERY EASY TO BE MODIFIED INTO DIFFERENT USES FOR DIFFERENT TERRAINS.

MICRO COMPACT HOUSE The m-ch, combines techniques for high quality compact ‘living’ spaces deployed in aircraft, yachts, cars, and micro apartments. Its design has been informed by the classic scale and order of a Japanese tea house, combined with advanced concepts and technologies. Living in an m-ch means focusing on the essential - less is more.

1 COMPACT LIVING The micro compact home is a high quality compact dwelling for one or two people. Its neat dimensions of a 2.66m cube adapt it to a variety of sites and circumstances, and its functioning spaces of sleeping, working/dining, cooking and hygiene make it suitable for everyday use.

ALUMINIUM EXTERIOR

PVC INTERIOR INCLUDING: two compact double beds sitting area sliding table for work dinning table up to five shower toilet cubicle kitchen area fridge and freezer unit microwave tree-bin wase double induction hob sink and extending tap heating hot water air-conditioning two flat-screen tvs LED lighting shirt cupboard storage

The light weight module can fit at most 5 people at a time, it is also easy to transport the module using car or helicopter. ALUMINIUM EXTERIOR

OPEN-ABLE WINDOW WITH BLIND

SUPPORT SYSTEM TYPE A

2 CUSTOMISED USAGE OF MULTI-PURPOSE SPACE The interior has several smart furniture which users can customise the space to fit different needs. Such as a fold-able bed and sliding dining table, as well as sliding glass door to enclose a bigger toilet space.

ARRANGEMENT A: OPENED SLIDING DOOR UNFOLDED BED

ARRANGEMENT B: CLOSED SLIDING DOOR FOLDED BED

ENTRANCE HALL

KITCHEN

TOILET

FULL TOILET

UPPER BED

LOWER BED

FULL HEIGHT WORKING/ DINING SPACE

3 MULTIPLE SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES The module can be supported in a few examples of support system, each of them has it’s own unique advantages for different terrains.

TYPE - A SINGLE ENTRANCE

TYPE - A’ OPEN-ENDED ENTRANCE DOUBLE IN SIZE

TYPE - B SINGLE STORY HIERARCHY

TYPE - B’ MULTIPLE STORIES HIERARCHY UNOBSTRUCTED VIEWS

TYPE - C SINGLE DIRECTION OF ENTRANCES

TYPE - C’ MULTIPLE DIRECTION OF ENTRANCES CENTRAL COMMUNAL SPACE

4 FREE VERTICAL ARRANGEMENT OF UNITS/PLATES Similarly, both the tree village of micro compact house and house NA share a same characteristic that the unit/floor plate is designed to be freely insert from any vertical point from the structure. MICRO COMPACT HOUSE

HOUSE NA

THERE IS NO RULE OF WHERE THE UNIT CAN BE INSERTED IN THE STRUCTURE, AS LONG AS IT STAYS ON THE VERTICAL STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS.

ALTHOUGH THE FLOOR PLATES OF HOUSE NA IS FIXED DURING A CERTAIN HEIGHT, IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO AGGREGATE THE FLOOR PLATE IN THE VERTICAL DIRECTION LIMITLESSLY.

HOUSE NA The NA House, designed by Sou Fujimoto , is located on a small side street in a very lively, “hip” part of the city. Fujimoto’s NA House appears to be the most fully realised example along his obsessive path of trying to create an entirely inhabitable contoured environment.

1 DYNAMIC LIVING The building is based on a thin, split-level steel frame and represents a fully realised version of a home without stairs. As a result, every horizontal plane becomes a generic surface. Without a specifically defined function, they can be used as a desk, shelf, bed, chair, etc., extolling the Japanese custom of sitting and sleeping on the floor in a manner that is so pervasive.

STEEL COLUMN

In the context of Japan’s extremely dense capital, verticality means above all extremely close, the transparent facade is a radical means to collect the maximum sunlight.

There is still a group of steps, which has been treated as a piece of “furniture” that can be moved about and repositioned elsewhere, effectively creating the illusion of multiple interior pathways.

STANDARDISED FLOOR PLATES

BACK SERVICE CORE

MOVABLE FURNITURE

2 FLOOR PLATE CODES The design might look confusing because of the fragmented floor plate, however they are actually divided into a few different arrangement of standardised items, while customised differently to create a sense of illusion.

x3 x2

x2 x2

x3 x3

3 CUSTOMISED VERTICAL|HORIZONTAL ELONGATION Although the original building is a family house, it also has the potential to grow in both vertical and horizontal direction. Due to the nature of the fragmented floor plates, the building unit is not just simply “stacked” on top of the other, but can also be customised into different levels of spaces. ORIGINAL HOUSE NA

VERTICAL ELONGATION APARTMENT

4850 x 7400 mm 2 STORIES NEIGHBOUR

HORIZONTAL+ VERTICAL ELONGATION MIX-USE

4850 x 7400 mm

9700 x 7400 mm

(1.5x2) 3 STORIES NEIGHBOUR

(2.5x2) 5 STORIES NEIGHBOUR

4 CUSTOMISED TRANSPARENCY/ TEMPORARY SPACE Both House NA and Takara Beautilion have measures of controlling the transparency of the system. Their purpose is slightly different according to their needs.

HOUSE NA

TAKARA BEAUTILION

CURTAINS ARE ADDED ALONG THE GRID THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE, APART FROM CONTROLLING THE TRANSPARENCY, IT CAN ALSO USED AD DIVIDING TEMPORARY SPACE IN THE HOUSE.

FILLED PANEL IS USED TO BLOCK EMPTY HOLE OF THE SYSTEM, ENCLOSING THE INNER COMMUNAL SPACE.

DELINEATING SPACE BY HEIGHT & WIDTH From the case studies, conclusions are drawn based on questioning the notion of a grid, whether is restraining or liberating. It is clear that in Micro compact house and House NA, they are far more radical than Takara Pavilion and Metestadt, as the system is beyond the restrain of the grid.

1 GRID IS NO LONGER RESTRAINING In the tree village, the grid allows freedom to the occupants, user can choose to readjust the module according to their needs. You can pull up, rotate or even detach the unit. As long as the module is attached to the vertical structure, there will be no “floor” needed to define the vertical hierarchy.

STRUCTURAL GRID

READJUST HEIGHT NO MORE VERTICAL HIERARCHY

READJUST ANGLE

DETATCH

2 A LIBERATING GRID For House NA, the grid is a tool to liberate the user and their environment. It plays with the game of psychology or transparency. The grid only serves as a system to contain the axis x,y and z. Solid elements only appear in x and y direction.

X-AXIS

NO WALL ON XZ-PLANE NO MORE HORIZONTAL HIERARCHY

Y-AXIS

STRUCTURAL GRID

FLOOR PLATE XY-PLANE

Z-AXIS

REFERENCE POINT

TIME & PROXIMITY OF A GRID A grid is a structure made up of a series of intersecting straight (vertical, horizontal and angular) or curved guide lines used to structure content and elements. From the case study the grid will be thought beyond it’s 2 and 3 dimensional nature.

1 FROM 2D GRID TO 3D GRID Often a 2D grid is restrained by certain parameters, i.e. the boundary of a blank space, by adding one more axis to the system and turn to 3D, it’s finite boundary will become infinite.

XY-AXIS

FINITE 2D GRID

XYZ-AXIS

ADDING ONE MORE AXIS

INFINITE 3D GRID

2 BEYOND 3 DIMENSIONS A 4-dimensional grid can be created by adding one more axis to the 3-dimensional system. Here this axis is denoted as w, represents the variable of time. The grid from this system can be adapted to a change of time.

XYZW-AXIS TIME VARIABLE 4D GRID

SAME ELEMENT BUT APPEARS/ FUNCTIONS DIFFERENTLY IN TIME

US E

TH O WI

O RO

Sales Price of Housing in Greater London

AVERAGE SALES PRICE (£PSF) 1 BEDROOM FLATS >£1,000 £900-£1,000 £800-£900 £700-£800 £600-£700 £500-£600 £400-£500 £300-£400 £200-£300 <£200

Housing Price Index

Housing Price Along Central Line

950 6

170

4 5

760 PRICE PER WTEEK (£)

HOUSE PRICE INDEX

150

190

570

380

110 190

PRIVATE RENTAL INDEX, LONDON

HOUSE PRICE INDEX, GB

HOUSE PRICE INDEX, LONDON

DEBDEN

LOUGHTON

WOODFORD

BUCKHURST HILL

LEYTON

SPUTH WOODFORD

STRATFORD

LEYTONSTONE

SNARESBROOK

BANK

MILE END

ST. PAULS

BETHNAL GREEN

LIVERPOOL STREET

HOLBORN

CHANCERY LANE

OCFORD CIRCUS

QUEENSWAY

BOND STREET

MARBLE ARCH

LANCASTER GATE

NOTTING HILL GATE

HOLLAND PARK

WHITE CITY

The main goal of the scheme is to provide an affordable housing to young adults living in London, especially to reclaim zone 1 for them to disrupt the existing developer’s driven housing stock.

CHEPHERD’S BUSH

PERIVALE

EAST ACTON

NORTH ACTON

GREENFORD

WEST RUISLIP

NORTHHOLT

WEST RUISLIP

SOUTH RUISLIP

RUISLIP GARDEN

2017

Extreme Housing Rate in Zone 1

TPTTENHAM COURT ROAD

PRIVATE RENTAL INDEX, GB

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Voxalise the site Overshadowed

Connection Voxel

Hybrid Grid

Green View

Noise

Light

Parameter Voxel

Access point

Vista

Approaching good parameter

Path-ďŹ nding

Plug in the pieces

Avoiding bad parameter

Simplified System of Production The system responds to the site criteria to create the main circulation, after that the pre-assembled dwelling unit is plugged into the circulation acts as a sub assembly space.

A Co-housing for Young Entrepreneurs A future housing scheme to gather the passionate and innovate peeps to create a local start-up ecosystem to encourage exchanging ideas.

Play Fun work environmenr to stimulate team development & team spirit & encourage creativity

Work Inspiring workspaces that ďŹ&#x201A;ex to changing needs to enable collaboration & creation

Live Smart living areas that act as community hub to circulate and test ideas around the corner

A House without walls...? How to create a house without walls to encourage ideas exchanging among young entrepreneurs by co-living, working and playing?

Introduce “Oblique” to create...

Fluidity in Circulation

Shared Spaces around Trafﬁc

Connect multiple spaces with different hierarchies , enables seamless movements from private space to public space in order to encourage social interaction.

Integrate co-working, living and playing spaces into circulation, where inhabitants can join with the others in the spaces along the path.

Multiple Programmes Introduce discrete programmes in a single continuous landscape using the same syntax of inclined surface, with multiple angles to differentiate their functions.

Le Corbuiser Freeplan

House 2017 - Room Oriented

Adolf Loos

Gigi 2018 - Split Level

Raumplan

Oblique

Freeplan & Raumplan The free plan & Raumplan are two completely ideas on space design, one is driving from the column while the other is driving from the space. By taking both advantages, Oblique seeks to disrupt the â&#x20AC;&#x153;room oriented housingâ&#x20AC;? to the split level housing 26

The Function of Oblique Claude Parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Oblique function is the starting point to push the social agenda using inclined surfaces. The Oblique will further develop this idea to differentiate interpersonal hierarchy as well as activities using the kit of parts with multiple angles. 27

The Threshold Between Flats The flats are designed as unclosed so that they can interact with the surroundings, blurring the boundary between me and you, or create internal community within a few flats. 28

A System of Creating Social Surveillance & A Continuous Landscape Using different arrangements of the chunks. spaces like inward facing flats might be benefits for certain types of typology. A continuous space can also be created by arranging the chunks as a slope. 29

PA RT

Form Exploration via Diagonal Relationship In order to break through a traditional cartesian cubic grid, a diagonal is introduced within the cube to create a tetrahedron. Then the geometrical form is dissected to create a variety of forms. 34

1st Generation of Parts Dissected from a Tetrahedron

Elongation

Same Faces

Male & Female

Attaching

faces connected through a single direction

Different chunks can be connected using a same face

Chunks can be connected through a male & female joint

Small chunks can be overlying on a bigger chunk through the

Direction Changing

Multiplying

Nesting

Stepping

Using an angle chunk to change the direction of the component

Using similar chunks to create a flat surface

A chunk designed to be nested within another chunk.

Chunk is designed to create multiple levels.

Iteration 1

Iteration 2

Stepped Roof

Continuous Staircase

X27

Iteration 3

Internal Dwelling

X66

Volumetric Exploration of the Parts Different arrangements and aggregation of the parts are tested in different scenarios, such as roof, circulation and floor, to explore the spatial characteristics of different forms.

A PART

B PART

C PART

D PART

Interchangeable Parts for Individual Needs Small-size chunk is used for personal little moments, each space is dedicated for a specific type of activity, such as reading, working, brushing, eating, etc. Component within each chunk is replaceable to fit individual requirements. 39

folded plastic envelope

poured concrete for extra stability

folded plastic pin joint

Fabrication Concept 40

Folded plastic sheet | Poured concrete

creates void to look up

creates void to look down

continuous landscape

multiple directions of growth

Beijing Tea House, Kengo Kuma

Water Branch House, Kengo Kuma

Polyethylene structure , Polycarbonate Sheet

PET, Water

Translucent materiality to Blur the Threshold The initial response to the case studies is to blur the boundary between the residents by introducing new kind of materiality to them. The use of translucent material can enhance the interaction within the community while providing sufficient privacy to individual.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about Internal The oblique creates internal space with different levels, giving residents a new spatial arrangements of territory to provide a variation of spaces.

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A2VL A2VT A5 A3 A1

VL = Vatiation in Thickness

VH = Vatiation in Height A2

A5VW

A3VW A5VH

A1VW

A1VH

A4VW

A3VH A2VW

A5VHT A4VH

A3VHT A1VHT

A2VH

A4VHT A2VHT

VW = Vatiation in Width

A5VTW

A3VHW

A VHW 1

A5VHW

A3VTW

A4VHW A1VTW

A4VTW

A2VHW A2VTW

A1: 16.56o

sA ep St tre ea

le ng sA tep

le ng Ap

tS en r tm

A2: 31.62o t yS iar

sA ep

le ng

xil Au

Kit of Parts 46

Variation in parameters

A3: 44.49o g An re

clin Re

A4: 52.26

tu os gP

in lax

os gP

eA tur

le ng

A5: 64.35o

7.6%

187%

87.3%

50.6%

15.4%

23.5%

15.4%

50.6%

87.3%

187%

7.6%

Base Parts

Variations - Basic Human Ergonomics

0%+187%

Variations - Privacy of Spaces

187%+0% Privacy level : 4 0%+187%+0%+0%

0%+87.3%

87.3%+0%

Privacy level : 3 0%+0%+187%+0% 0%+50.6%

50.6%+0%

Orientations

Orientations 0%+23.5%

Privacy level : 2 0%+23.5%+0%+0%

0%+15.4%

Privacy level : 1 0%+0%+23.5%+0%

0%+7.6%

Base Parts

Variations - Interpersonal Activities

Variations - Space Porosity

Live+work 23.5%+187% Porosity to normal : 50% Horizontal Porosity : 30% 23.5% / 23.5% Live+work 87.3%+187%

Orientations

Circulation+Quiet 50.6%+187%

Porosity to normal : 70% Horizontal Porosity : 70%

Orientations

23.5% / -23.5%

Auditorium 23.5%+187%

Meet 50.6%+50.6%

Porosity to normal : 60% Horizontal Porosity : 50% Contemplate 187%+50.6%

187% x 2+(-87.3%) / -87.3%+187%

Quiet 187%+23.5%

Porosity to normal : 70%/50% Horizontal Porosity : 70%/30% -87.3%+187%/ 187% Long Circulation 506%+50.6%

Work+work 187%+187%

Variation in Architectural Condition Using multiple angles the kit of parts can create a range of architectural condition as a tool to drive the design of a space for a certain condition of social agendas, giving different interpersonal hierarchies and activities to a specific condition of requirement.

S LU

R TE

Micro Home Plan 1:500

The Flat for Life Plan 1:500

A 1 A 3

A 2

C 1

B 2

A 4

1 A 1

B 4

C 2

B 5

B 3

C 3

C 4

B 1

B 3

C 2

3 B 2

B 1 B 2

C 2

C 5

C 1

C 2

B 4

B 5

B 2

14 D 3

D 4

D 5

17 TYPE-A 1 PROPORTION LEVELS VISUAL ENCLOSURE PRIVACY CONNECTIVITY

Building Manual The idea is to provide a easy to read manual to the residents to cut down the labour cost for the builders. Ideally the scheme will be built using robotic technology while this manual will provide an easy understanding on how the flat is assembled. 52

TYPE-B 1

TYPE-C 1

STUDY SPACE SLEEPING SPACE

ENTRANCE LIVING SPACE DINING SPACE

PROPORTION

LEVELS

VISUAL

ENCLOSURE

PRIVACY

LIVING SPACE

ENTRANCE

PRIVACY

CONNECTIVITY

DINGINS SPACE

CONNECTIVITY

KITCHEN

STUDY SPACE SLEEPING SPACE TOILET

TYPE-B 2

TYPE-B 3

TYPE-B 4

TYPE-C 2

TYPE-C 3

TYPE-C 4

PROPORTION

LEVELS

VISUAL

ENCLOSURE

PRIVACY

CONNECTIVITY

TYPE-D 1

KITCHEN SPACE SLEEPING SPACE DINING SPACE

TYPE-E 1

LIVING SPACE OPEN KITCHEN

PROPORTION

STUDY SPACE

LEVELS

PROPORTION LEVELS

VISUAL

ENCLOSURE

ENTRANCE

PRIVACY

SLEEP SPACE

PRIVACY

LIVING SPACE

CONNECTIVITY

STUDY SPACE

CONNECTIVITY

STUDY SPACE

TOILET

TYPE-D 2

TYPE-D 3

TYPE-D 4

TYPE-E 2

TYPE-E 3

TYPE-E 4

PROPORTION

LEVELS

VISUAL

ENCLOSURE

PRIVACY

CONNECTIVITY

Internal Spatial Exploration Different types of space are tested with different arrangements of chunks to give a variety of spatial quality. For examples some of the space are raised/sheltered/dropped to suggest a variety of privacy options. 54

working TYPE A

sleeping TYPE A workspace index | 3 interact index | 3

comfotable index | 5 privacy index | 2

sleeping TYPE B

workspace index | 2 interact index | 4

comfotable index | 4 privacy index | 3

working TYPE B

sleeping TYPE C

working TYPE C

comfotable index | 2 privacy index | 5

workspace index | 2 interact index | 5

Privacy through Levels The privacy for each space is solved through levels but not walls. There will be literally no wall in the scheme. Some space can see the others but some cannot. Disrupting the concept of visibility = privacy.

Co-w ork i

ster Clu

TOILET

CO-WORKING SPACE

SHARED SLEEPING SPACE

It is put at the top most

Working space shared

Bunkbed styled sleep-

area

among

and

furtherd

others,

ing space for 4. Located

the

which connected to the

at nect to the co-work-

pushed

from

the

space,

biggest sleeping space

ing space for casual

blocking the sightline

for quicker access for

meeting as well.

from

the people sleep there.

wo-working the

public

circulations.

Comm un al

e cap ds n a

COMMUNAL KITCHEN

LIVING SPACE

RELAX SPACE

Shared diningg space

The

surface

Individual living space

that is connected to the

that can accommodate

has a multi-purpose

that is sunken in a

communal kitchen to

quick or slow eating

landscape

level, designed for the

encourage

the

preference by having

informal

stay

multiple heights coun-

adjacent

together these activi-

ter

entrance to as the ďŹ rst

entrance,

ties,.

dinning island.

meeting

limited sight line from

living

occupants

top

kitchen

inclined

PRIVATE LIVING SPACE

space

Shared

allow

meeting, to point

the for

residents.

10 x

interovert quick

have

access

from

also

have

the public.

16 x

5 1

Semi-Private Space

Private Space

ace Sp

Mult ipu rp

Break -o ut

2 Shared Space

DOUBLED SLEEPING SPACE

BREAKY-OUT SPACE

Shared sleep space for

Break-out space locat-

extroverts, meet your

ed one level lower than

best

here!

the co-working space

Located next to break

buddy

for a little time-out.

out space to initiate

Equipped with balcony

conversation.

for fresh air!

pace eS s o

CASUAL HOT DESKING

MIX-USED WORKSHOP

Calsual meeting space

Mixed-use space for

for people who refer a

multipurpose

lquiter space to meet.

ties. Flexible for work-

Ideal to talk to your

shop, yoga space etc.

crush here!

Exposed to the second-

activi-

ary circulation ideal for shared activities.

4 5

Semi -P riv

ce Spa e at

KIDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S AREA

SHARED SLEEPING SPACE

Semi private space for

Sleeping

the kids so that care

couple who needs extra

can be taken to look

privacy as the space is

after

screened

them.

Access

space

from

for

the

from communal Kitch-

semi-private spaces as

en to allow quick access

well as stairs.

for everybody in case of emergency.

L OW

R I SE

S PR

AW L

micro-community embeded staircases

E closed face towards street

inward-facing openings

double height public space

I multiple accesses

ld chi

fo r

le up co

ce pa

Organisational Strategies of the Mega Chunk The building chunk is organised through a series of intellectual strategy to place the bestfit chunk to a position so that a systematic approach of design can be achieved through some basic principles. 64

1-Bed roo m

Comm un al

Public caf ef

ple peo 10 or

le up

Studio for a

ily fam all sm

fo r

pet

2-Bed roo m

le + up co

1-Bed roo m

Duple x fo ra

Doupl ex for a

e pl ou

n rso pe le

fo r

Studio for sin g

Private Public

TALLER UNIT

CONNECTED ROOF

INTERNAL LANDSCAPE

DOUBLE HEIGHT UNIT

EXTRA UNIT

GROUND FLOOR AXIS

C 1

C 2

C 3

C 4

C 5

C 6

C 7

C 4

C 1

C 2

C 6

C 8

C 3

C 6

The Ship Plan

B C

DENSE CLUSTER A small plot

close to main street & light less porous & tighter

C C

C OPEN CLUSTER B medium plot

overshaowed less dense & open views

MIXED CLUSTER C big plot

medium light and views mixed in between open and dense

Organisational Strategy The organisation of the cluster responds to the access of the site, including routes from the tube and bus station. The access divide the site into different areas with individual programmes.

The Neighbourhood Plan

Dense Cluster TYPE A

Dense Cluster TYPE B

Bigger Space towards Long view

Variation in Clusters Deck for long view

Each cluster has it’s own variation on the space to respond to the external and internal force to create a transformation around the field, fulfilling different parameters as a method of generating design driven by the occupants.

Smaller space away from ground ﬂoor noise Mixed Cluster TYPE A

Bigger social area towards light

Smaller space away from ground ﬂoor noise Bigger space towards lower level for social interaction

Mixed Cluster TYPE B

Priave area has limited visual connection

Bigger Space towords distance view

Less steeped slope for intimate interactions Mixed Cluster TYPE C

View lines from neighbouthood

Best view for internal courtyard

Bigger Ground ﬂoor Space near Access

Extra privae space towards the top

Upper ﬂoor has bigger space for privacy 1

Dense Cluster TYPE B

OpenCluster TYPE B

Bigger living space for lights

Deck for long view Bigger Private Space at the top Bigger Outdoor Covered Space

Bigger Space for bettwe sun light 2

Open Cluster TYPE A

Mixed Cluster TYPE F

Bigger working area for daylight

Bigger Private space screened from trafﬁc

Priave area has limited visual connection

Mixed Cluster TYPE D

Mixed Cluster TYPE G

Low level requires bigger spcae for light Bigger space for view on top

owords

Bigger social area towards light

away ﬂoor noise

Landscape varied from open to close

Shared Cluster

Extra privae space towards the top

Semi-Private Cluster Mixed Cluster TYPE E

m d

d ﬂoor cess

Private Cluster

6 5

1 3 8 2 Varied to have extra sunlight for balcony

Parts arranged by residents

Architect planned Infrastructure

Structural pieces

Concrete/Water

Plastic pieces

Floor Pieces

Concrete/Water

Concrete

Pouring

Foundation

Strnegthen

Steel tie Column

Column

Insulation Groundwork

Building Assembly The role of the architect is to determine the infrastructure due to the reason of resolving conflict of interest between residents, while the residents themselves can configure their dwelling independently along the infrastructure. 74

Poured Concrete Architect planned Infrastructure

Empty Plastic/ Poured Concrete Water Floor Parts arranged by residents

Multiple Porosity Column Parts arranged by residents

Empty Plastic/ Poured Concrete Water Structural Parts arranged by residents

TO W ER

PRIVATE SHARED SPACE

SEMI-PRIVAE SHARED SPACE

PUBLIC SPACE

Tower mk.I Section

Sleep

Sleep & Toilet Intermediate Supporting frame

PU insulation

Work & Play Pipe work

Entrance

Live & Eat

Structural Steel Tube

Dwelling Test The plastic parts are moulded to create a hollow cavity so that structure and services can run inside them. Concrete is poured into the column to stabilise the building.

ily

tS ta

Ho st

Fa m

Sh ar ed

Sh or

E Sh ar ed

D Fl at

C Fl at

B Pe nt Ho u

Fa m

St ud i

ily

Fl at

A L- Site

M- Site

S- Site

Private Flat

Social Flat

C C

B E

D D

D C D

B A D A F

A F

D F

Tower mk.II Another iteration of tower based on the previous dwelling test, to test the vertical landscape assembled with discrete parts

Circulations

Social Cascade

Dwelling Units

Plug in System

Tower mk.III & IV These two iterations based on having a circulation core, attached with various flats. The circulation also acts as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;social cascadeâ&#x20AC;? to share activities between residents, while the living units have local variations. 82

LIVE-WORK UNIT

CO-WORK UNIT

Non-disturbed

space

Sharing

single

with

work

for

person Located main

designated. away circulation

from to

work

limited

HOT-DESKING

space privacy

between users.Space is

Space

when

occupied

and

INFORMAL MEETING SPACE

MEETING SPACE

Area that is free to use whoever

passes by and shared

that

can

COMMUNAL KITCHEN

Noisy working area for

Access point for the

used to hold informal

among the others in

the

building. In this live

personal to hold meet-

meeting for any users.

the building. A mixing

carryout heavy duty

inhabitants

work

mode

theen-

designated for multi

among all within the

ings.

away

Located next to main

space

both

work. Also it is an area

trance is shared among

personal.

building. Located at the

from main circulation

circulation for easier

work & play mode.

to procude product &

the inhabitants prefer

Social

area.

to attain higher privacy

spot

Located at the heart of

generate income for

to live in a shared

Space is comparatively

and low noise level.

Light requirement low

the Social Cascade or

the community. Light

working environment.

Located

avoid the trafďŹ c. Light

the working custer or

and privacy require-

pocket

Light

ment high.

requirement

light requirement low.

space.

cascade

for

everyone.

between

shared

ENTRANCE

Pocket area that can be

Usually

kitchen

WORKSHOP

multi

medium

bigger than the others

the other shared space.

requirement

while privacy require-

with high ceiling. Light

Light

Located away from the

ment low.

requirement medium.

medium.

Privacy

requirement

low.

requirement

low.

living cluster but close to

the

access

for

ght

Sun Li

LIVE-WORK QUARTER

w No Vie View

WORKSHOP QUARTER

Live-work mode 84

STUDIO UNIT

FAMILY UNIT

Living unit for inhabit-

Living unit fo couple or

Unit

ants prefer to live alon

family with space such

sharing

Small foot print with

as living and dining as

perople. Equipped with

simple

enclose.

Required high privacy.

SHARED UNIT designed up

CAFE for 4

COMMUNAL KITCHEN

RELAX SPACE

ENTRANCE

Small cafe area for

Pocket area that can be

SPace which is multi

Access point for the

inhabitants

meet

used to hold informal

among the others in

purpose

building. In this live

and

Scattered

meeting for any users.

the building. A mixing

different leisure activi-

relax.

LOUNGE SPACE

kitchen

shared

provide

work

mode

theen-

Located next to main

space

ties for the inhabitants.

trance is shared among

space with small living

circulation for easier

work & play mode.

Space

requirement

the inhabitants prefer

comparatively small to

area. Inhabitants are

spot

Located at the heart of

vaied but usually open

to live in a shared

encourge

encouraged to use the

Light requirement low

the Social Cascade or

to the main circulation

working environment.

well as sleeping. While

living

the

living

use

Cascade.

space

inhabitants the

sna

sleeping

around Cascade.

the

Social

for

everyone.

between

both

Social

communal kitchen at

the other shared space.

Privacy

the Social Cascade. Low

Light

privacy.

medium.

requirement medium.

ght Sun Li

requirement

LIVE QUARTER

View

SOCIAL CASCADE

View

SCREENING SPACE

Live-play mode 85

Final Iteration - Tower mk. V & VI The final iteration is a vertical assembled landscape, consists of a concrete filled plastic core , acting as a stem for the dwellings to grow. Each dwelling cluster is designed for residents to choose to live. For example Introvert prefer close space while extrovert might choose living in open space. They all differ from porosity & privacy to give a mix of living condition.

Variation in Social Organisation Different clusters are arranges and placed in response to the site criteria such as the views and lights. They are differentiated into different porosity to give different openness to push the social agenda within the residents.

“I can see you.”

“But you can’t see me.”

Tower mk.V & VI In a post-digital Age

GIGI (KIN KEUNG) KWONG E | gigikwong319@gmail.com T | + (44) 7759442169 / +(852) 93461807 96