comprehensive design project /report domnica chisca
preface
Despite the awareness since the beginning of the 21st century that the population of Genova is growing older without a young generation taking over, the means of resolving the issue, like bringing in more young professionals and their families, could not change the fact that there have been generations that simply did not form families. e San Benigno elderly society, 40% of which are living single, have decided to set up a Memory Palace, where they can safely store and access their most precious mementos and keepsakes, and where they can share their life stories and interact with people with whom they wouldn’t come in contact with otherwise.
contents preface P.01
/concept masterplan P.06 site P.09 theory P.13 program P.15 brief P.15
/development Precedents P.18 journey narrative P.21 sketches P.22
/design circulation P.30 plans P.32 sections P.42 axonometric P.48 materiality P.50 Views P.51 Technology P.56 environment P.64 cost P.67 references P.68
concept masterplan P.06 site P.09 theory P.13 program P.15 brief P.15
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masterplan
The masterplan project proposed to reinstate the landscape with high-rise buildings incorporating a raised public realm connected with intertwining bridges that offer a choice of routes and experiences. The elevated public realm offers a contrast in experience to the realm
below, one being more formal, busy and high traffic while the other being more relatable to the pedestrians, is more intimate and enjoyable. In doing this we aim not only to connect the mountain top to the sea but also the people to the city.
The principles of the masterplan are carried through to the individual design by maintaining the idea of connecting the city and creating a varied range of opportunities and experiences.
site
amirah Tengku “The vertical city”
Ferry terminal
title title
Carl Elliott “The knowledge Gateway”
la lanterna
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title title
site
The site is located at the connection of the elevated route to the top edge of the cliff; a condition of threshold between old and new, which needed addressing in a considerate manner.
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as well; in fact the vertical circulation tower coincides with one of the streets of the urban design proposal, as well as linking to the upper public realm bridges. Additionally, the space of the main function of the building has the same There is a concrete retaining footprint as the footprint of wall on the site which a feature the masterplan towers. that is proposed to be retained and used as terraces along the At the top of the site, as well as on the face of the cliff and vertical circulation. the retaining wall there are The design follows the desire multiple views towards the for accessibility by having port as well as the city which incorporated a public route, are unique and a destination which will not only serve the that could be of interest for building but the community visitors.
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The site is facing S-E, with little to no obstructions which will provide daylight throughout the day. In addition the site has great links to public transport and multiple approach routes, both by vehicles and by pedestrians, and has access to multiple green areas. The typologies of the buildings in the area are mixed, by having slab residential blocks as well as point residential towers, with the addition of mixed use towers of the masterplan, allowing for the design to take a variety of forms. The social context of the area is also a important element for the development of the project.
The population of the area is increasingly growing in age with over 25% of the locals being over 65 years old, the age after which the risk of dementia for 1 in 3 elderly becomes most likely to be developed. In addition, almost 40% of the 75+ years old in the area are living alone. Despite a number of them being able to simply take care of themselves, there is an increasing number of people who are alone due to not having families. This highlights the importance of having a strong link with the community, which under the circumstances becomes a place-taker for relatives, when there is a need. For the delay of developing dementia it is important to keep stimulating the brain and for those who are already being affected it is important to maintain and safekeep mementos that will become part of the memory of the city after the owners are no longer and there is no one to reclaim them.
title title
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title title
For the development of the design, the 5 main senses + proprioception and somatosensation have been selected and used to create an inspiration board where precedents relevant to each are were pinned.
theory
“haptic and audible cues, and even taste, can serve as powerful engines, that raise memories from oblivion.” -esther da costa meyer
”we are what we remember.” -juhani pallasmaa
Juhani Pallasmaa makes a connection between the speed of the modern life, the quality of the contemporary architecture and our ability to hold onto our memories. Therefore, in aiming to create a ‘silent’ place where people can linger and reflect, the lighting, materials and acoustics become of utmost importance. In Space, Place, Memory, and Imagination: the Temporal Dimension of Existential Space, a 2009 essay by Pallasmaa, he refers to buildings as memory devices in three ways: they “materialise and preserve the course of time in visual ways”, “concretise remembrance by containing and projecting
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memories” and “stimulate and inspire us to reminisce and imagine”. He adds that even though his eyes might have forgotten something, his body still remembers, and every experience is perceived by multiple senses. For this reason good design has to stimulate and engage our senses. However the modern city with its amalgamation of noises, lights and its speed becomes an overload of stimuli which makes us not internalize all aspects of our the daily life, therefore forgetting. This concept becomes an important design aspect for the journey through the building, informing the formation and positioning of the spaces.
store plant room kitchen utilities
galleries
title title restaurant
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tactile + visual + audible
olfactive + taste + audible
in
te
ra ct iv e ns or y
se
e
tiv ac er
offices
int
archive tactile + visual
viewing room
ry e so tiv ac r e int
n se
memory
se
ns or y
gardens
visual + olfactive + audible
program
The program has been developed with the focus around sensorial and interactive ways of stimulating memories, therefore creating a complex of: - galleries (for photography) - archive (with the storage of the photographs exhibited, the mementos of the locals and the attached story videos) - restaurant - gardens - offices (for the management of the building)
brief Based on the social context of the increasingly elderly and single population and in combination with the theory of Juhani Pallasmaa of buildings as memory devices, the center is designed to bring awareness and fight dementia through the stimulation of sense. This can happen through the creation of a journey through the building whose functions help stimulate various senses, such as, having gallery spaces where the views and the sounds that are present are carefully thought out, and photographs of the demolished buildings of Genova become a starting point for recollection of the past (the importance of buildings for people is not measured through the architectural
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quality of the construction, but by the experiences and the memories they have in relation to the structure); spaces for interaction and leisure, such as a restaurant with a garden where the smell and the taste are stimulated, from where people can overlook the city and they can interact with people with whom they wouldn’t come in contact otherwise. This will integrate better the local elders in the community, strengthen social acceptance by sharing memories and create a destination for visitors, in addition to creating a circulation link between the lower ground level and the top of the cliff.
development Precedents P.18 journey narrative P.21 sketches P.22
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Precedent Peter Zumthor
Peter Zumthor’s architectural style creates spaces that not only rich in haptic elements, but also transformative, raising awareness and offering the opportunity to reflect, internalize the stimuli and make associations, through the use of materials and light. In projects like The Therme Vals, the layout of spaces is of utmost importance and the temperature and sound of spaces are also playing an important role in creating a strong awareness of the architectural environment.
Precedent Daniel Libeskind
The design of the Jewish Museum in Berlin by Daniel Libeskind, aims to influence the mental state of the visitors and to keep the memory of a particular event alive in the collective memory of Berlin. This is realized by the superimposition of various themes and ideas in the creation of routes through the building, some of which are the continuous path of history, the star of David, the exile and immigration of the Jewish people.
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precedent Pionen White mountain
The Pionen White Mountain by Albert France-Lanord Architects is actually a renovation project which transforms an existing atomicshelter into office space and housing for the servers of an internet provider. The location allows for the company to extend their space as they need due to their location underground. The juxtaposition of the exposed rock and the modern materials creates a contrast that raises awareness of the space highlighting the qualities of each.
Journey Narrative the sky, the light and the other natural phenomena that come through the opening. In case of rain, the water is collected in a drain at the centre of the gallery which is connected with the second gallery, the The influence of the functions lightwell gallery, where the means that the offices and water is left to pour over the restaurant are placed at the exposed rock, bringing the top of the cliff, allowing awareness of the situation the users to enjoy the natural within the rock, after which the daylight and make the most visitors are taken to a balcony of the unobstructed views. from where they become These functions are within a aware of no longer being on separated loop of circulation a ground level. As the journey which stems in the building develops the visitors reach a double height gallery where private lobby. larger size photography can Further, from the same be exhibited; here the visual starting point, there is a connection with the exterior secondary route connecting ceases only allowing the the galleries, the first of which, sound of the city and a small the oculus gallery focuses on amount of daylight to come The placement of the chambers both above and within the rock has been carefully considered depending on the needs of each of the space’s functions as well as to create a narrative.
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through. The route then leads to the furthest gallery from the exterior through a series of ramps; here all the stimuli of the city are taken away, leaving only a silent place with light washed rock walls and with exhibition cases which are like lanterns along the route. Further yet, the city begins to be reintroduced to the visitor through a corridor gallery which allows light and sound to come from underneath stimulating the sense of proprioception and hearing. After which there is the city views gallery, where the visitor has to come up close to the cliff wall and peer through specially cut slots at the city. Lastly, the visitors are taken to a lower balcony and then they are released on the ground.
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Sketches
The journey through the building has been explored through an initial series of sketches which look at each of the spaces along the routes. The sketches look at the conditions of lighting and materiality that these spaces could offer, the circulation routes and the access points. The developmental sections and elevations have also been drawn by hand in a different colour over the site, showing the level of intervention and interaction with the face of the cliff.
title title
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title title
title title
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design circulation P.30 plans P.32 sections P.42 axonometric P.48 Materiality P.50 Views P.51 Technology P.56 environment P.64 cost P.67
circulation
[the way people experienc this reason there are pro visitor]
top ground level access
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Circulation
lower ground level access
public circulation
The circulation node is marked by the two vertical concrete fins, which are an extension of the grid of the cliff retaining wall. Thee public route is more direct and faster; the private circulation while more winding and longer has a connections to the public route for emergencies.
circulation [the way people experience the design is through the routes it offers, for this reason there are proposed two journeys depending on the needs of the visitor]
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top ground level access
top ground level access
gallery
Offices gallery restaurant and garden
gallery gallery
archive
gallery
balcony
lower ground level access
lower ground level access
public circulation
private circulation
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plans
+28m
level 8
+62m
level 7
+57m
level 6
+45.5m
level 5
+34.8m
level 4
+30.5m
level 3
+18.5m
level 2
+8.5m
level 1
+5.5m
+12m
+0m
level 0
+1m
circulation section
archive section
galleries section
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Sections Galleries
The experiential journey through the building leads the visitor through all of the galleries, slowly removing the city stimuli, such as the view and sound, and even bring awareness of proprioception as the route twists further
inside the rock. Once the most remote gallery has been reached, the visitor is slowly reintroduced to the exterior noise, natural light and views of the city before being returned to the ground.
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Sections Archive
Memories that are precious can also be linked to certain items that may not be of any objective value to others, for this reason a so called ‘archive’ is proposed were the lone elders of the community can safekeep their mementos. These would be accompanied by a recording telling the story of the item, which will become
accessible to the public in time, allowing the owners to become part of the memory of the city. In addition to this, the design proposes to facilitate interaction between people, locals and visitors, young and the elderly, who can sit together in the cafĂŠ or garden and share memories while overlooking Genoa.
title title
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Sections circulation
Stemming from the masterplan, the connection of the top and bottom ground levels is a primary concern; therefore the building becomes a node of 3-dimensional circulation, linking the two ground levels as well as to the elevated public realm. In addition to
this the complex includes two routes, a direct vertical public route that would be permanently accessible and a winding secondary route, which will link the galleries and would be accessible only during the building operation time.
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axonometric
The axonometric on the left shows the relation of the spaces and the enclosure of the circulation routes, while allowing the staircases to be seen, as well as showing the arches in the archive. The large size axo however has the added layer of the cliff, the landscape, the context, the public realms at the top and bottom of the cliff as well as the relation of the building with the masterplan footprint. This image also shows where the complex protrudes through the rock face.
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Materiality
concrete
brass
rock
glass
The materials of the complex are a combination of utility as well as poetical value; concrete is meant to provide structural resistance and match thelong lasting strength of the rock, the brass is meant to show the usage of the building, reason for which it will be used for handrails, handles and ventilation and drainage grills. The rock itself is left exposed as a monument of geological passage of time, which is paired with the timeless and delicate glass, to create a similar condition of contrast as the Pionen White Mountain precedent.
views
The top ground level lobby is where the nexus for both the private and the public circulation. The port and the masterplan buildings can be seen through the high concrete arches.
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Galleries [The
journey around the
sketches]
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title title
The entrance towards the galleries is through the private lobby and it shows a preview of what lies ahead through the exposed rock wall that gets washed in light from above and where the poster of the exhibition is. This space is visible from the public circulation node as well as on the way to the restaurant, making the passers and the visitors aware of it.
title title
The archive shows a juxtaposition of all the materials, with the concrete arches going into the rock, the glass balustrades and the brass balustrade posts. The lighting is meant to wash the rock wall as well as the arches, highlighting the texture and the shape of the objects.
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Masterplan
[the main aim and concept establish a connection or
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title title
This view shows the complex from the masterplan; it is a paired view with the initial concept; the vertical circulation can be seen through the rock by means of the protrusion of the lift at the top and the bridges that lead to the building. The vertical fins, which mark the circulation node as well as their relation to the retaining wall grid are also visible. The carvings in the rock face are hinting at inhabitation behind the cliff facade. The buildings of the masterplan The principles of the masterplan are carried through to the maintaining are ghosted toindividual showdesign th byextent the idea of connecting the city and creating a of thevaried retaining wall and the range of opportunities and experiences. cliff, however the real view The site is located at the connection of the to the focused top edge of the on cliff; a wouldelevated be route more condition of threshold between old and new, the building entrance the which needed addressing inand a considerate manner. verticality of the masterplan and the Thecirculation. design follows the desire for accessibility by
coincides with design proposa public realm br the main functi footprint as th towers.
The upper leve aimed at crea which would ha surrounding ar the design pro having incorporated a public route, which will which would o not only serve the building but the community as well a the ne as well; in fact the vertical circulation tower links.
Technology
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The complex will be built using a mix of construction methods depending on the placement and the size of the spaces, traditional raft foundation, excavation with precast concrete and excavation with in situ concrete.
the construction time and homogenize the spaces. For this reason, the use of precast pieces becomes more efficient and it can allow the services to be hidden within these components as shown in the section detail.
One of the most important developments for the project has been the decision to use micro- tunneling equipment for the carved out spaces, which is going to shorten
This technical decision has therefore informed changes in the environmental strategy, such as the supply of air to the spaces and heating which were the main discussed topics.
traditional raft foundations with in situ concrete
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Technology Construction
The project will employ two types of underground construction, for the smaller spaces there will be precast components creating the at surfaces, while for the large spaces, such as the archive and the atrium, the excavations will be followed by rock anchors and then an in situ concrete structure. The galleries will be constructed by using micro tunneling to create and link the spaces inside the cliff, which if left exposed will use rock anchors to stabilize them. These will also use precast concrete pieces to create a leveled floor through which the services will run. Lighting for these areas will be done
using upward LED spotlights t on the side of the precast component, which will light wash the walls highlighting the texture of the rock. The exhibits will be presented in sealed cases which will have individual environments controlled through a micro HVAC system as well as separate LED lighting. For the archive the concrete arches that will provide support for the carved out ceiling will be cast in situ, using letterbox shuttering concrete and the exposed rock walls will be stabilized with resin anchored rock bolts set out in a starting pattern of 1.5m x 1.5m (Bawden, 1993) assuming that the rock is stable.
rock Excavation with precast concrete
rock excavation with in situ concrete
Technology details
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slab tu
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s
m
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Roof Thermal Break and build up Detail Scale 1:20 1 - 300 mm in situ reinforced concrete slab 2 - 60 mm polyurethane foam for in situ concrete thermal break 3 - screed to falls 4 - vapour control membrane 5 - 150 mm rigid insulation 6 - waterproofing membrane 7 - drainage layer 8 - root barrier
9 - 30 mm paver setting bed 10 - 600 mm x 600 mm roof pavers 11 - double glazed full height windows with aluminium-clad FSC temperate softwood frames 16 12 - emulsion paint finish on 12.5 mm plasterboard fixed onto 20 mm x 30 mm wooden battens 13 - soft insulation infill 14 - drain 15 - sheet metal parapet cap sloped to drain roof side
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te slab itu
ws
mm
to
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precast piece section and exhibition case detail Scale 1:20
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16 - 12 mm flint glass 17 - 18 mm laminated safety glass (6mm + 12mm flint glass) 18 - LED strip lights 19 - brass angle covering light wiring 20 - brass plate 21 - stainless steel T section 22 - stainless steel 5mm x 50 mm (different lengths depending on case size) 23 - silica gel balls for humidity control 24 - precast concrete piece with hollowed core for services and ventilation 25 - uplights light washing the rock wall 26 - Perforated drainage pipe 27 - gravel fill
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tion
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mm +
g
ferent
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trol lowed
wall
26 27
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g
ferent
trol lowed
wall
zation, rn
ons ed by
with
ced mns
C
tiles
precast piece section and exhibition case detail Scale 1:20
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16 - 12 mm flint glass 17 - 18 mm laminated safety glass (6mm + 12mm flint glass) 18 - LED strip lights 19 - brass angle covering light wiring 20 - brass plate 21 - stainless steel T section 22 - stainless steel 5mm x 50 mm (different lengths depending on case size) 23 - silica gel balls for humidity control 24 - precast concrete piece with hollowed core for services and ventilation 25 - uplights light washing the rock wall 26 - Perforated drainage pipe 27 - gravel fill
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environment
The building at the top of the cliff will have a mixed ventilation strategy with both cross ventilation and the support of a HVAC system.
spotlights, light washing the walls to highlight the texture of the rock for most of the time. The restaurant and offices will have sufficient daylight during the day, and there are lightwells added for the kitchen to make a connection to the outside. Overhangs created by the balcony roof and the existing retaining wall will minimize the levels of direct For this reason there will sunlight which could cause be installed sealed cases overheating and glare. All which will have separate electrical lighting for these environments (humidity and spaces will be done with LED with separate LED lighting as lights when required. well) as required by the items exhibited
The roof space, as it is South facing, inaccessible to the public, and as previously
In the carved spaces there will have electrical lighting in the shape of be upwards LED
In the spaces that have the possibility, the circulation of air will be aided by a ceiling piece that will be connected to the outside. However it was recommended that a low power fan should be added to aid the supply of fresh air for the periods when the wind power or direction will not be appropriate to provide sufficient ventilation by natural means.
calculated, the area of the roof is sufficient to generate more than the necessary power for the building, therefore it can be used for a mix of PVs and Solar Thermal Water Heating,; these will backed up by a biomass boiler in the plant room (Fig. 4); the water will then heat up the spaces through under floor pipes.
summer sun declination 68o
winter sun declination 23o
prevailing wind direction
prevailing wind direction
solar thermal water panels
stack ventilation shaft
water supply mains
water supply mains plant room top up biomass boiler
pellet supply
heating strategy
plant room low power fan
fresh air supply
Natural ventilation strategy
Cost
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Due to the unusual method of construction attempts at assessing the cost of construction seem futile, however it is possible to outline the factors that will impact the costing. It is important for the project that there are preliminary surveys undertaken to assess the stability and quality of the rock for the feasibility of the complex. The preparation of construction drawings and fees for architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, charges for planning and building regulation will add up to pre-construction costs. The excavation works will most likely be the most expensive component due to the risks it involves (increasing the price of insurance) and the amount of ancillary works it requires (labour cost, stabilization of cliff, retaining walls, geological surveys, removal and disposal of excess material, equipment, and infrastructure). Further, the construction costs are added, foundations, structure, off site manufacturing, ironmongery, windows, interior finishes, transport and installation costs.
References Page 13: pallasmaa. J. (2009). Space, Place, memory, and imagination: the temporal dimension of existential space. In: Treib M. ed. Spatial Recall: Memory in architecture and landscape. pp 16-41. [Essay] Page 18 Image: Architizer. (2013). Kolumba Museum. [Online Image] Available at: https://architizer.com/blog/peter-versus-peter/ Page 19 Image: Studio Libeskind. (1999). Holocaust Tower. [Online Image] Available at: http://libeskind.com/work/jewish-museum-berlin/ Page 20 Image: Ake E:son Lindman. (2008). Pionen-White Mountain. [Online Image] Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/9257/pionen-%25e2%2580%2593-white-mountain-albert-france-lanord-architects/ Page 56: Bawden W.F. (1993) The Use Of Rock Mechanics Principles In Canadian Underground Hard Rock Mining. Comprehensive Rock Engineering. Volume 5. Pergamon Press: Oxford. p. 251.
7009MARCH Comprehensive design project report