EMMA WOODWARD Portfolio
( Ye ar sofe x pe r i e nc e )
17AHank e yS t .We l l i ngt on
Ihav eas t r ongi nt e r e s ti nbi ophi l i cde s i gnandhow wec anus es pat i alde s i gnt obe ne f i tpe opl e ’ sdai l y l i v e sand we l l be i ng.Ihav es pe ntt he pas ty e ar wor k i ngonmyt he s i se x pl or i ngt he s et opi c si nt he c ont e x tofpr i mar ys c hooll e ar ni ng e nv i r onme nt s , andhow wec anus et he mt or e i ns e r tnat ur easa c ons i s t e nt par t of c hi l dr e n’ sl i v e s whi l e al s o i mpr ov i ng t he i rl e ar ni ng and we l l be i ng. T hi s r e s e ar c hhasgi v e nmeani nde pt hunde r s t andi ng ofbi ophi l i cde s i gn,whi c hi sa gr owi ng f i e l d of de s i gne x pl or i nghowoure x pos ur eandc onne c t i on t onat ur ewi t hi nbui l ts pac e sc ani mpr ov ehuman we l l be i ng. Ihav er e al l ye nj oy e dr e s e ar c hi ngi nt ot he s et opi c s , e x pl or i ng t he s ubc ons c i ous e f f e c t s our bui l t e nv i r onme ntc an hav e on us ,al ong wi t ht he f unc t i onal i t yofoure v ol v i ngl e ar ni ngs pac e s .
RECONNECTING CHILDREN WITH NATURE Using biophilic design in junior level learning environments to encourage children to interact with and experience nature. This research looked at how biophilic design, which is designing to create a sense of connection to nature within built space, can be used in learning environments to reinsert nature as a consistent part of children’s lives. And by doing this, benefiting children’s wellbeing and cognitive performance, and encouraging a personal connection to, and value for nature that children will carry with them into their adult lives. A study in 2002 found that 80% of New Zealanders time is now spent indoors, meaning we are spending less time outside or in spaces that can be considered nature. This ‘nature deficit’ has been shown in international quantitative and qualitative research to negatively impact human wellbeing in several key ways. For example, stress levels, blood pressure and depression may increase, while concentration, and productivity may decrease. This ‘nature deficit’ also impacts the development of personal bonds with nature which relates to learning to value and protect nature, and particularly affects young children. The formation of a personal bond between child and nature is vital so that when children grow up to become the citizens and leaders of tomorrow, they still value and strive to protect the
natural world. This is an issue because if no one values nature, then no one will fight to protect it, and the spaces we live in will continue to disconnect people from nature and negatively impact human wellbeing. In response to this, the research looked at creating a three layered design to create a constant experience of being in nature. Which is particularly relevant for places with climates that make outdoor spaces uncomfortable to occupy or nonfunctional workspaces for the majority of the year e.g. Wellington NZ (due to high wind and rain). The 3 layered design consists of an outside, in-between space, and inside. The in-between space is intended to feel like an outside space, while also having the functionality and comfort of being an enclosed space. The outer structure for this is a semitransparent to allow for a seamless connection between inside and outside. The in-between space houses shared learning spaces, along with classrooms which provide enclosed inside space for focused learning tasks. These classrooms have been designed using biophilic design methods and responds to the preference and findings from the conducted workshop and survey. The key findings from this research was developing a way to make ‘outside’ space comfortable to use year round. How biophilic design could be incorporated without taking away from the functionality of a learning space. And how to conduct user research (teacher survey and children workshop) and incorporate findings from these to develop a design the directly responds to user needs and preferences. MARCH-NOVEMBER 2017.
OUT
ER ST
RUC
TURE
INNER STRUCTURE
INSIDE
OUTSIDE
TRANSITION
Outside covered space
IN BETWEEN
Controlled classroom learning Enclosed sheltered nature space for shared learning and play space
OUTSIDE
BIOPHILIC CLASSROOM
REFUGE
RISK
SUNKEN MAT AREA
FLEXIBILITY
CLEAR GLASS FOR MAXIMUM TRANSPARENCY
STAINED GREEN GLASS
UV BLOCKING POLYCARBONATE
CLIMBING ‘TREE’
OPEN SPACE
INTERACTIVE WATER
SEMI-COVERED SPACE
SAND PIT
TREE ROOT BENCH + SEATS
MULTIUSE STAGE
TREE ROOT BENCH + SEAT
REVERTING THE URBAN GRAIN Increasing density and restoring a sense of heritage The aim of this design has been to increase density in Central Wellington whilst respecting and responding to the rich heritage of the Cuba Street site. Based on the corner of Left Bank and Cuba Street, the site includes the heritage listed facade of 104 Cuba Street, which is valued for its bay window, and contribution to the Cuba Street Heritage precinct with its tall narrow form. The heritage value of the facade is only valued from above the height of the verandah, a space that is distanced from the public and often goes unnoticed from beneath the verandah. This can similarly be seen in most Cuba Street buildings; where the public are mostly offered a ground level experience of the multistory heritage buildings. Countering this, the design
REMOVE OVER-POWERING MASSES
allows public to closely interact with the heritage facade of 104 Cuba Street by making the verandah an occupiable public space. This new height space, along with several occupiable rooftops of the additions, also gives the public a new view point to the heritage buildings surrounding the site. This tall narrow form used to dominate Cuba Street and created a fast paced and fun urban grain. To restore these fun qualities, the large overpowering masses currently on site have been removed and replaced with a tall narrow form reflecting old Cuba Street, and positively contributing to the wider Cuba Street heritage precinct and its fun, fast paced environment. Additions to the site have been designed in a neutral manner so not to distract from the surrounding heritage buildings and instead help them stand out. Subtle depth and interest has been created in the additions by using voids, stacking and negative space in the form. This ensures the additions are not merely a blank face. OCTOBER 2016.
REPLICATE FORM
INDIVIDUALIZE
FLEXIBLE SOCIAL HOUSING
with a home that can grow as their family does. This need for expansion is also important to all people, as demands for housing change over time.
Housing that can expand when needed
This design allows for a lower cost construction as all units do not have to be built up at once. Instead, initially providing a minimum of nine one bedroom units, which NZ Housing can then expand as their needs and budget allows.
Social housing is used by a wide range of people whose needs and numbers change over time. It is currently inflexible in terms of growth within its existing solutions and clouded by a social stigma that they are places to avoid. By providing housing that is expandable, and usable for all, flexibility will be given to social housing. This idea has largely spawned from refugee expansion. Commonly once a refugee is settled into NZ their family members are also later brought over. Being able to provide homes that can expand when refugee extended families are reconnected, provides them
BASE
JUNE 2016
ENCOURAGE SOCIAL INTERACTION
ABILITY TO GROW
EXISTING STRUCTURE
To deconstruct negative social assumptions surrounding social housing places for social interaction between tenants and guests, along with privacy for tenants, shall be provided and completed with a high quality finish. This creates a comfortable and positive environment, encouraging social interaction and making a place tenants and neighbours can be proud of.
DETACH FINISHES
BASE + 1
BUILD NEW STRUCTURE
BASE + 3
PROVIDE PRIVACY
(RE)ATTACH FINISHES
BASE + 4
BASE
BASE + 1
BASE + 2
BASE + 3 COMPLETE
URBAN DESIGN FOR SOCIAL HOUSING Creating connectivity between places and people The vision for this project was to create a social and vibrant environment for the various user groups of the immediate site while allowing for connections to be made with the wider neighbourhood.
Based in Epuni, Lower Hutt, the site is intended for social housing, with special attention given to the housing of single parents, refugees, and ex-convicts. The aims of the design were to connect the new residents on site with their neighbouring communities, create an economic and socially sustainable design that would provide a long term solution, and create a neighbourhood that feels safe and secure. Note, this was a group project with Anne Isaac and Lara Vance. APRIL 2016
CONNECTIVITY
SITE HEIGHTS AND USE
Linking together site and context to encourage interactions and decrease sense of isolation. While also providing a sense of privacy and safety for those living on site
URBAN CREMATORIUM Housing that can expand when needed For the crematorium design the experience of grief and death in our society was explored and found to be radically different to some other cultures. From this, it was decided to create an urban crematorium based in Wellington City, that encourages the acceptance of death by attempting to normalize it and its part of life by placing it in the public eye. To achieve this, the crematorium has been designed to allow for interaction and acknowledgement between users of the space (the mourners) and the general public passing by. Opening up the experience of mourning to the public, while still providing privacy for the mourners.
The crematorium has been designed for Te Aro Park, in the middle of central Wellington City. Te Aro park provides a very public and exposed site with high amounts of foot traffic constantly passing by and crossing over the site to enhance the public exposure to the building and the idea of death. To inform the form of the design and allow for maximum interaction between people the pathways of foot traffic on and around the site were analysed and adapted to reflect the desired pathways of site users. This created a geometry of passages of life and activity through the site, while also reflecting the passages of life outside of the immediate site. JUNE 2015
CONSTRUCTION DETAILS Detail from various project from 2016 and 2015 GREEN ROOF WITH PARAPET GUTTER AND HANDRAIL DETAIL
FACADE HANGING LOUVRE SYSTEM
LOUVRE SYSTEM EXPLODED