RESPONSIVE GEOMETRIES Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) Revival
2 0 1 2 . U n i v e r s i t y o f To r o n t o . M a s t e r o f A r c h i t e c t u r e . T h e s i s ‘Responsive Geometries’ aims to revisit advances in computation and fabrication as a cultural project within the context of Karachi, Pakistan; in an effort to produce formal and tectonic design logic that instill ‘civic memory’, therefore enhancing urban citizenship. It addresses the challenges of design and construction in the construction environments where skilled labor has become a rarity. The project suggests to utilize the surplus workforce of information technology sector into the construction industry. It would enable production of parametric architectural systems that could pay homage to Karachi’s architectural heritage as well as enable unskilled workforce to construct complex structures. This project proposes metro stations at three unique sites, while employing a single architectural system to create complex and performative architectural geometries with an ease of construction.
SALB Station Entrance
KARACHI
KCR + PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NETWORK KCR Track Current Public Transport Routes
TRACK TYPOLOGIES KCR has 3 different track typologies Intervention Sites KCR Stations Ground Ground Elevated Elevated Trench Trench Proposed AirportLine Connection Airport N Intervention Site KCR Station
Rail Line Typology
2 NNS | North Nazimabad Station
3 GEJ | Gulistan-e-Johar Station
1 SALB | Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai Station
8
KCR Station Ground Elevated 6,5
Design proposal for site 1 is produced in greater detail, while site 2 and 3 are quick design studies.
Intervention Site
12,3
Three different sites (KCR Stations) have been chosen due to their unique track typology. These typologies include an elevated track, a ground level track and an underground track. This difference in sites will test the flexibility of proposed building system.
6
5
Karachi Circular Railway + 3 Sites
Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) came under operation in1969 but was discontinued in 1999 due to administrative mis-management and government negligence. As of 2009 a plan to revive KCR was put forward. Responsive Geometries builds upon the 2009 KCR Revival Plan, using it as a framework for new architectural exploration. As part of a public infrastructure, KCR stations are the perfect site to conduct cultural and architectural design experiments.
Rail Typology Site 1:Line Elevated
BB
21,6
Trench
Site 2: Ground
Site SectionSite 3: Trench
Proposed Airport Connection 8
N
1:200
Building System
A
B
G
H
C
D
I
E
J
K
F
12m x 3m
l
6m x 3m
BUILDING COMPLEXITY IN UNSKILLED ENVIRONMENT Over the past three decades Karachi has seen poor economic development, scretarian violence and increase in crimes. This has led to flight of human capital to Arab and European countries. The shortage of skilled labour as well as trained design professionals has partly resulted into stagnation of architectural development.
A-C
Precast beams are stacked, rotated (on z-axis) and mirrored (on y-axis)
D-F
How does decline in skilled labour - due to lack of skill training and export of labour - effects architectural design practices
A cross shaped male/female plug allow the beams to snap in place for vertical stack. The female plug is rotated at a constant degree increment to create ruled surface. Rebar is added further to reinforce the beam stack.
G-J
How can advancement in digital computation and fabrication help address issues of architectural design, construction and urban citizenship?
A circular plug system allow the beams to be stacked and rotated at a variable degree increment which helps create hyperbolic geometry. A guide line can be etched on each beam for ease of construction.
K-L
The precast beams are transported to construction site, limiting the beam dimensions to standard truck bed size.
1. SALB | Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai Station
SITE CONTEXT
PROGRAM + SITE DESCRIPTION Currently a ground level track runs through the narrow railway corridor sandwiched between the industrial units. The 2009 KCR Revival Plan has proposed to elevate the track for road traffic mitigation. The current light and heavy industrial landuse is transitioning to light industrial and residential. Therefore the program and station design anticipates increase in local population and possible building-use demands. SALB Station is designed to have a market area on the ground floor that extends out into a linear park area. The upper floor holds the railway platform and mechanical rooms. Station entrance is located on either side of the street with various entrances/exits from the ground floor market.
SALB Station KCR Stations KCR Line Bus Stops Car Route
200m
SALB Station Bird’s-eye View
SITE PHOTOS
Record
Temperature
One & 1/2 Bay
22.2 Average
SALB Beam Design
30
0
Solar Orientation
N
Roof Beams
Roof Beams
a The 600mm beams are shaped to help articulate sunlight; protect from heat and attenuate noise.
Platform
Platform
Track Beams
Track Beams
b The outside face of the beam is cut away to better modulate light, this allows for the interior to get brighter without direct sunlight.
Structural Arches - Built using variable rotation method
Track Beams
Structural Wall - Built using constant rotation method
Structural Wall
c The Inside face of the beam is shaped to help attenuate excessive interior noise.
SALB Platform
Plans & Sections
Section A 1:200
SALB metro station bridges over a major street while connecting both ends of the railway corridor. The building is configured to have station entrances from the street and market entrances from the sides. The market opens into a proposed linear park strategy that covers the length of the railway corridor. Section C Short Sections
Section B
Elevation
Long Section
A 1:200
2nd Floor Mechanical Room
Mechanical Room
Mechanical Room
Mechanical Room
First Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
1st Floor
Kiosks
Concession Stand
Tickets
Concession Stand
Tickets
Kiosks
Office
Office
Office Office
Service
Office Tickets
Office
Market
Service
Storage Market
A
Storage
Storage Market
Kiosks
Office
Office Service
Kiosks Tickets
A
Storage
Concession Stand
Service
Concession Stand
B
C
B
C
Market
SALB Entrance
Section Model
Section Model
2. NNS | North Nazimabad Station
SITE CONTEXT
PROGRAM + SITE DESCRIPTION This site is located in mid-town Karachi, where a ground level track runs through the railway corridor. The land-use consists of residential bungalows with high density residential towers along the major arterial roads. These towers also include commercial units on the ground floor. This site is also adjacent to pockets of high-density un-planned housing. Since North Nazimabad station is designed to be a quick study, no additional building program has been included.
SALB Station KCR Stations KCR Line Bus Stops Car Route
100m
NNS Entrance
32
33
am
NNS Beam Design
Beam Aggregation 5
4
3
2
1
RECURSIVE GEOMETRY + PERFORMANCE NNS station contains five types of beam that are designed to have triangular openings. These openings sub-divide themselves into finer triangles as the beam type progresses towards the top. These five different beams are aggregated to have a gradient from top to bottom - going finer to coarser grain respectively. The finer grain of openings at the top allow for the structure to act as a rain screen and give shelter from hot sun. The coarser/larger openings at the bottom allow for daylight to come through during the morning and evening, as well as enables better ventilation. Inside the waffled structure acts to attenuate excessive noise from the trains.
NNS Platform
Plans & Sections
Short Sections
Long Section
Elevation
a Roof Plan
c
b
Section Model
3. GEJ | Gulistan-e-Johar Station
SITE CONTEXT
PROGRAM + SITE DESCRIPTION This site is located in on the periphery of Karachi, where a subterranean track runs through Gulistan-e-Johar providing access to 3 stations. The land-use consists of residential bungalows with high density residential towers along the major arterial roads. These towers also include commercial units on the ground floor. Since Gulistan-e-Johar station is designed to be a quick study, no additional building program has been included.
SALB Station KCR Stations KCR Line Bus Stops Car Route
GEJ Platform
GEJ Exterior
Site 3 Beam
GEJ Beam Design
GEOMETRY + PERFORMANCE A single beam design has been used that is carved on the inside and it remains bare on the outside. The beams are stacked with an offset position on every other beam. This helps attenuate excessive noise inside the station. The lack of exterior openings helps avoid automobile pollution from adjacent streets that otherwise would settle down in the trench.
Plans & Sections
Short Section
Long Section
Roof Plan
Section Model
Other Explorations
Steel Cables
Concrete Frame
Concrete Structure
Structural Strategy
Light Modulator Noise Baffle Rain Screen
Panel Layers
Structural Frame
Panels
Panel Strategy