Elena Cucchi Architectural Technologist
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Elena Cucchi Architectural Technologist
elenacucchi95@gmail.com +45 91 78 38 50
CONTENT 01
BACHELOR PROJECT SKOLE OG BARNEHAGE
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REFURBISHMENT FOLKEHUSET ABSALON
GYMNASIUM
THE CUBE
ROW HOUSES
BATH HOUSE
THE SWIRL
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03
INVESTIGATION
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COMMERCIAL
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RESIDENTIAL
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PUBLISCAPES
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ART GALLERY
The last semester of the Bachelor differentiates from the previous ones in a way that the entire development and production is carried out individually. After selecting a Concept from a company, the task is to align the design with the current Danish Building Regulation, then to produce drawings, analysis, documents, budgets, and time frames for the preliminary and technical stages.
1 DEVELOPMENT and ANALYSIS OF THE GIVEN CONCEPT After having studied the concept, I decided what in my opinion was to be implemented in the building for a greater sustainable approach and a more climate-responsible project. My vision for an alignment with the SDG Goals:
Flexible study space and rooms layout for improved teaching experience Community in mind as the core engaging in the every-day life Seamless connection between the outdoor and the indoor spaces Nature as the fundamental design element and material choice Modular structure with dry connections designed to be disassembled Regenerative design (energy consumption, thermal efficiency, resources) Rainwater collection, filtration, and reuse into the vertical farming system Renewable energy from solar panels to achieve a semi off-grid output
This led to major changes in the design concept // The envelop and structure (except for the basement) – previously in concrete, were redesigned using prefabricated CLT, GLT, and LVL elements, together with EcoCocon straw panels. Implementation of water management for reuse of rainwater. Renewable solar energy as primary source for operation of the building.
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Semester Description
Using the research that I have gathered for the Bachelor Thesis, one of my ambitions for the project was set to extensively use biobased materials aiming to offset down the CO2 footprint and energy consumption of the building.
ELABORATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ORIGINAL CONCEPT - 100% natural, no toxic ingredients or VOCs - Recyclable, compostable, re-useable - Absorb toxins, odours and acoustics - Passively regulates temperature - Regulates relative humidity - Allows buildings to breathe
- 98% natural renewable materials (10% timber and 89% straw) - The entire system is breathable – it allows the excess humidity to escape - Excellent thermal performance combined with exceptional energy efficiency - Exceptional indoor air quality with no harmful substances emitted - Consistent and certified quality – Cradle to Cradle and Passivhaus - Custom-made to fit any design - Carbon-storing construction
CLT wall panels - Treated with BurnBlock, a natural fire retardant solutions that allows the structural wood to be left exposed complying with the building regulation
ECOCOCON Wall panels
CLAY Plaster
Wood absorbs carbon dioxide as it grows and acts as carbon storage throughout its life cycle – Strong yet lightweight wood material requires less transport, further reducing the environmental impact of construction – Prefabricated and ready-toinstall wood elements reduce the amount of waste generated on the construction site
Mixed with minerals and naturally pigmented colours, clay plasters offer a range of extraordinary and unconventional textures that provide sensorial and educational experiences recreating the bond between human and Earth.
- Absorbs sunlight by 40-50% and reflects 25-30% reducing the Urban Heat Island Effect - 1m2 converts via photosynthesis 2.3kg of CO2/year and produces 1.7 kg of oxygen - Collects rainwater that is recycled for the irrigation system
- Heat treated and dimensionally stable - 100% free of chemicals Resin-free and non-toxic - Carries the Nordic Swan Ecolable and FSC, PEFC labels - Positive CO2 accounting
GLT columns and beams from the structural skeleton are left exposed LIGNOTREND CLT rib slabs
THERMOWOD Cladding
LIVING WALL Façade integration
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- Dry connections to ease disassembling for reuse/recycle - Integrated hemp insulation - Fire-resistant with integrated wooden soffit for acoustic
ENERGY FRAME CALCULATION & Be MODEL
VENTILATION PLANS &CALCULATIONS
FIRE PLANS & USAGE CATEGORY STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS ANALYSIS
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Using Renewable Energy
Designing an Airtight Envelope
Calculating Efficient Ventilation To design an efficient ventilation system with low electricity consumption, it was for me fundamental to run accurate airflow calculations for dimensioning criteria and pressure loss calculations for precise duct size using the “worst case scenario” methodology. By doing so I succeeded obtaining a figure for electricity consumption that leaves up to the BR20 as well as a Be18 model where the Energy frame Buildings 2020 was achieved.
GOAL
VERTICAL/HORIZONTAL LOADS ANALYSIS
ACHIEVED
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Within the building envelope, 1200 m2 of EcoCocon wall panels have been used for the exterior walls. According to the manufacturer data and my calculation, this results in more then 117 tons of CO2 sequestered.
REGULATORY PACKAGE – KEY POINTS FOR SUSTAINABILITY
My interest and knowledge about BIM allowed me to successfully integrate the 5D process for costing and budgeting meaning: •
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CONSTRUCTION TIME FRAME – GANCHART FROM MS PROJECT
PROJECT TIME FRAME
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Use of 5D type coding in Revit creating a live link between the 3Dmodel and the 5D budget in Sigma = save time and reduce the risk of mistakes because the budget update automatically if the model changes and vice versus + eliminates the need of a manual QTO. Precise data transfer between Sigma and MS Project for a detailed construction time frame including tasks, resources, milestones, predecessor, and overlaps. The QTO with Navisworks by element and by level was used only for simulation.
NAVISWORKS QTO & SIMULATION
5D
NAVISWORKS QTO & SIMULATION
In regards of project and construction management, I was required to apply the knowledge for costing and planning in order to produce packages for each project stages and updated them after each phase. Other deliverables were procurement strategy, tender package – RFP, DB contract, Power of Attorney, and ICT spec. – A113 and A114 Agreements, Work Spec., Project Spec, H&S Plan, and Construction Site Layout.
SIGMA ELEMENTAL COST PLAN USING 5D TYPE CODING INTEGRATION IN REVIT
PROJECT AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT FROM CONCEPT TO DELIVERY
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TECHNICAL SECTION + SOLVED ENVELOPE CONNECTION DETAILS
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TECHNICAL DRAWINGS + COMPLEX KEY JUNCTION SOLVED
The semester consists of an interdisciplinary project, where we worked with the planning and design of a renovation. With focus on various energy-optimising refurbishments, we had to propose new functions to repurpose some or all the spaces. The final product was a full tender package including registration of the existing conditions, demolition studies, and design of new built.
7 KEY POINTS and LEARNING ACHIEVEMENTS With this refurbishment project a whole new chunk of technical knowledge was revealed; differently from previous semesters where the design was sort of flexible, now we were to work with and within something already built. With the project I broaden my knowledge and gained a all new set of skills:
Registration of current building conditions with attention to the details Improving thermal performance by adding insulation from the interior Logistic during demolition by using temporary supports and structures Phasing in Revit to work simultaneously with exiting/demolition/new built Design Options in Revit to show different solutions within the same model Type coding 5D integration Revit-Sigma for optimized/accurate costing
It was interesting to research and apply new building technologies that improve the performance of the building yet preserving the original construction. Our focus was to create a dynamic space for the community promoting integration and diversity. Through different social activities targeted to any age, gender, and religion, the place also reintroduce the concept of social dining and food sharing. This being a public space that welcomes everyone, for my individual part I have decided to focus on working with accessibility to and through the building.
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Semester Description
SCRUTINY and IMPROVEMENT OF THE EXISTING BUILDING WITH NEW CONCEPTS
SITE PLAN
LOCATION PLAN
Stuff changing room, bathrooms Basement storage, mechanical and technical rooms Main entrance, secondary entrance with ramp Main hall gathering space, communal dinner Stage, performances, recreational space Balcony over main hall, study tables Relaxation corners, reading spot Stairs Reception room, meeting point, transition Multifunctional room, yoga class, art and craft Open kitchen workshop, bathrooms Zen relaxation, meditation, chill space Bell tower, swings, climbing net, relax and rewind
IMPROVED THERMAL ENEVELOPE
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STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS AND LOADS ANALYSIS
Roof 0.17 W/(m2K) 0.11 W/(m2K) External walls 0.80 W/(m2K) 0.40 W/(m2K) Basement Walls 0.97 W/(m2K) 0.40 W/(m2K)
The original structure was kept entirely including the roof wooden beams and rafters
Total energy savings per year 212 399 kWh – 124 909 kWh = 87 490 kWh Cost per kWh = 2.4 DKK Total savings per year = 209 976 DKK
IMPROVED ENERGY CONSUMPTION AFTER RENOVATION
FUNCTIONAL DIAGRAM – REPURPOSED
EXISTING
DEMOLITION
NEW
PLANS HEATING SYSTEM DESIGN SECTIONS
VENTILATION SYSTEM DESIGN
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ELEVATIONS
FULL DRAWING PACKAGE FOR DEMOLITION AND RENOVATION
DEMOLITION and NEW-BUILT PROCESS TO IMPLEMENT AN ELEVATOR SHAFT
Demolition Phase
To live up to the Accessibility requirements from BR18, I analysed the anatomy of the building and accurately plan and draw the entire implementation of a three floor elevator shaft
New Built Phase
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TECHNICAL DRAWINGS PACKAGE FOR NEW BUILT
REGISTRATION CARDS FROM BUILDING SITE – CURRENT CONDITION
As part of the fourth semester, we were invited to chose a 6-weeks elective course from DC, CM, or FM. I choose Design Consultancy (DC) with a case study of an architecturally significant building in Copenhagen. The aim was to develop skills in researching and analysing technical solutions through collection and investigation of the available sources on the assigned project.
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Gammel Hellerup Gymnasium lacked a large multi-functional space for physical activities, graduation ceremonies and social gatherings. In response, BIG designed a 1100 m2 multi-purpose hall for the physical education and social development for students, drawing its signature curve from the physics of a handball being thrown. Placed 5 meters below ground in the schools courtyard, the hall is passively temperature controlled and does not impose on its context. Above ground, the hall’s softly curved roof is an informal meeting place. The edge of the roof is designed as a long social bench, perforated with small windows to provide natural daylight below. During the construction of the multi-purpose hall, the school planned a new building, located between the school’s multi-purpose hall and adjacent football fields. This new arts building seeks to connect sports areas with the gymnasium’s existing educational facilities in one continuous flow. By placing parts of the new building beneath the football fields, the students are able to walk through sunken sports hall at the centre of the school’s courtyard, to the classrooms, cafeteria, and out to the main entrance at the street level. Additionally, the new facilities situated underground form the roof of the new arts building, extending the football fields into a green carpet for informal activity and to serve as informal seating overlooking future sporting events.
Different from any of the previous projects, with this case study we had the chance to engage with the building studying its form and anatomy, understanding the expression, and applying the knowledge and skills gained to make accurate assumption of the structural system and different building components. We developed the build-up of the project’s superstructure, standard constructions and key junctions in coherence with the architectural expression and carried our investigations and solutions through technical drawings and visualisations.
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Semester Description
INVESTIGATING THE ARCHITECTURAL EXPRESSION TRHOUGH VISUALIZATIONS
1 2 Below are some references of the energy diagram, the structure and physic of the roof curvature. This last one was particularly useful when we mash-modelled the parametric beams of the roof of Revit
STANDARD CONSTRUCTION AND U-VALUE CALCULATIONS STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS ANALYSIS AND DIAGRAM
TECHNICAL DRAWINGS + STRUCTURAL and THERMAL TRANSMITTANCE CALCULATION
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FULL DEVELOPMENT OF KEY JUNCTIONS CONNECTING ENVELOPE WITH INTERNAL STRUCTURES
This semester focuses on theories and methods within the construction of a complex multi-story commercial building, in relation to work-environment legislation, climatic control design, efficient daylighting, Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCC), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and sustainable building technologies.
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The architectural goal was to create an attractive and sustainable operating center, that brands supply and service significantly and positively towards customers, employees and external partners. The construction is meant to promote synergy and interdisciplinary cooperation between the professional groups in the complex and customers. At the same time the building should tell the story of sustainable supply technologies from energy, drinking water, waste water treatment and waste handling. The building design and technologies in itself constitutes an essential part of this tale. The cubical building shape is in architectural dialogue with the adjacent power plant’s sculptural geometric figure. The cube forms a spatial frame around a living and light world, which unites the customer and learning functions with room for synergy and cooperation between the employees. The simple and clean shape, gave us the opportunity to elaborate more on a strong and exposed structure where we decided to implement the CLT and GLT technologies. The modular facade composed of wooden cassette gave us the freedom of designing and envelope that both gives character to the building and reaches the sustainable goals. The cube and its neighboring buildings form an ensemble of clear and simple architectural statements - as a cube, a frame and a point.
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Semester Description
The three main pillar of the learning experience were MEP, structure, and comparative analysis. MEP design (integrated with the development of a Dynamo script) was crucial in regard of indoor climate and energy consumption calculations. Furthermore creating a 3D structural analytical model we were able to analyze, check and compare different structural solutions and results from software’s calculations. Last, using the software LCAbyg, we compared the performance of three different facade systems (double skin vs. wooden cassettes vs. curtain wall) assessing the results in terms of CO2 footprint, life cycle cost over 30 years, investment cost, erection time, and weight.
INVESTIGATING THE ARCHITECTURAL EXPRESSION OF THE FACADE and THE STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
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DETAILED PART SECTION and DESIGN OF KEY JUNCTIONS
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PRODUCTION DRAWINGS and PANELS LAYOUT + MEP MODEL and PRESSURE LOSS CALCULATION
The semester was project driven, conducted in groups in Problem-Based Learning (PBL). The aim was to investigate the complexity of terraced row houses given a Concept Design and to produce the relative set of drawings at the Technical Stage for the tendering process. The basis for the work was to use DARK & FRI’s Plan of Work 2012.
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“The classically built houses, known as the Kartoffelrækkerne and Humlebyen in Copenhagen, feature quite obvious qualities: the built-in flexibility of the houses, the spacious contexts and their human proportions. They are closeknit and have a low density, which creates community spirit and a sense of settlement. “ This semester challenged us with a concept that develops on an alternate multilevel scheme with a parking space integrated under the dwelling and the yard. This solution creates direct access from the basement to the home being both convenient and allowing a street without parking. The main focus throughout the project was on sustainability and the different ways of implementing it on a residential construction. This gave us the chance to learn and operate new technology such as green roof and CLT structures that we decided to implement on the staircase box creating a light weight construction that does not add excessive load to the load bearing part. As individual part for the final exam I decided to investigate and technically develop the construction of the different types of roof present in the project. My main focus was on the green roof and I used a modular system which is quick to assemble and easy to maintain. This gave me the possibility to also create a Revit parametric family for such an element and implement it on the BIM model.
What differentiate this semester from the previous is the dwelling’s typology which in this case is a multistory residential complex with several one-family units. To achieve the best outcome in regards of BIM workflow, we had to develop a strategy for a smooth modelling experience. We worked with smaller files divided by typology and then we linked them in a central file with the topography. Also due to the repetition of the house unit we used array as a strategic way to make changes happen fast working less but working smarter.
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Semester Description
STRUCTURAL REPRESENTATION and LOAD ANALYSIS + ANNOTATED ELEVATIONS
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TECHNICAL SECTION and STANDARD CONSTRUCTION + DRAINAGE KEY JUNCTION
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KEY JUNCTIONS ITERATION SOLVING THE COLD BRIDGE and LOD300 MODEL REPRESENTATION
As part of my education I choose to take the third semester as an exchange abroad. I enrolled at Deakin University in Australia where I was able to select a design studio where I fully embraced the creative process and design thinking applying different methodology to produce a full site analysis and report which supported my choice of concept.
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In architecture we often operate and design within complex existing contexts, and this equires to consider the realm of specific physical, environmental and social conditions. The aim is to explore and speculate about these urban conditions alongside the informed development of a specific building program that engages in the gradient of public to private interactions. Through this unit we engaged with one of architectures most evident and important roles; operating in the public realm. Here the public realm operates not only around spaces but through them. It extends beyond the boundary of a site, and is where the diversity of people and their values interact. This design studio required us to engage and explore this complex relationship between architecture and the urban context. It also required us to expand on conceptual, physical and perceived information, toward the generation and development of a specific architectural response. Public spaces, by their very nature, must constantly engage with their surroundings as well as fulfil their own internal ambitions. They also frame our experience and influence behaviour. They embed themselves in our awareness and reaffirm who we are, and who we are as a community.
Through this proposal I explored and expanded on a range of specific attributes associated with public buildings, and the act of bathing including physical, reflective, dynamic, and collective activities. All areas required consideration for the publicprivate relationship of each space. There were also a number of specific external and internal requirements that must be considered and evident in the final design proposal.
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Semester Description
The brief for this unit is to design a public bath house in the existing urban context along the Barwon River in Geelong, Australia.
PRESENTING THE ARCHITECTURAL EXPRESSION TRHOUGH SKETCHES, CONCEPTUAL DRAWINGS, VISUALIZATIONS, and A FULL MODEL 1:500
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The key was to work in open formats securing that collaboration and knowledge sharing are a central part of every building project. The teams were not only evaluated for the final BIM project, the judges also focused on how well we worked together between disciplines including the best techniques from the professions we represent, and also how well e integrated various software and platforms in the process using IFCs.
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In the course of 48 hours interdisciplinary teams competed against each other trying to create the best building project designed in openBIM.
Elena Cucchi Architectural Technologist
elenacucchi95@gmail.com +45 91 78 38 50