Re:imagining Gordon Wilson Flats - Design Journal by Gregory Wang

Gregory Wang

GREGORY WANG

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DECISION DECISION DECISION DECISION DECISION DECISION

DIARY DIARY DIARY DIARY DIARY GREGORY WANG

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Introduction

Week 01

Week 02

Week 03

Week 04

Week 05

Non-Teaching Period

Week 06 - Mid-Semester

Week 07

Week 08 - 12 - Project Development

GREGORY WANG

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01/03/2021

Introduction

This diary will contain the decisions and outcomes related to the work produced for Studio 42 - Re:imagine. Studio 42 - Re:imagine focuses on the adaptive reuse of under-used or vacant space within the Urban Environment of cities. The focus of this studio is on adapting these spaces into a design that will contribute to the community whilst revitalizing the area.

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GREGORY WANG

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01/03/2021

Introduction

01/03/2021

Opening Statement

Week 01

What excites you about architecture and what do you want to achieve this semester? What excites me about architecture is the importance of architecture in the environment humans live in. We rely on architecture and the built environment in the way we operate in the world I hope to achieve a different approach to design and the future outlook of the design of buildings.

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GREGORY WANG

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01/03/2021

Week 01

02/03/2021

Esquisse

Week 01

Esquisse

Task: Think of a site that you are familiar with which is vacant or underused and propose a project that would revitalize this area. Justify why it would work.

Gordon Wilson Flats Wellington, New Zealand

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GREGORY WANG

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02/03/2021

Week 01

02/03/2021

Esquisse

The site I decided to investigate for the esquisse is the Gordon Wilson Flats in my home town - Wellington, New Zealand. It has been a topic of discussion for a long time, and has been left vacant and unoccupied for around a decade due to the structural issues with the building. There is a lot of controversy surrounding the building which includes political and social issues. The building is currently owned by the University and has been categorised as a historic modernist building, being the only standing high-rise state housing from the 1950’s. I guess that’s the issue with NZ being a relatively young country - heritage buildings aren’t typically what you’d expect to see in other countries. Of course, the aesthetic appeal of the building as it is, is subjective. Personally I find no beauty in the building and there are a lot of uses for the central city site in the current situation the city is in now.

GREGORY WANG

Week 01

The intervention I propose is to divide the land and creating student accommodation and also creating an additional building for the university. After all the University did buy the property from the state to develop it into another university campus before plans were halted due to the categorisation of the building as being heritage. Accommodation for students is a massive problem at the moment with not enough properties in the city and the country which has resulted in inflated rental prices. Also getting from the main campus to the city currently requires taking a long route and connecting the site to the campus above would drastically improve walking times. An urban intervention like small shops, cafes and landscaping can bring life to the area too. There are plenty of houses surrounding this location and bringing these functions into the site will make the space quite desirable for students living close by.

Proposed Demolition -

Seismic / Structural issues Housing Crisis. More houses are needed Especially student accommodation Better use of spatial allocation Development of new University building which links to the existing main campus - Faster walking route between central city and campus

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GREGORY WANG

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02/03/2021

Week 01

03/03/2021

Esquisse

Week 01

Reflection - Esquisse

After doing this esquisse task, I really thought about my decisions for demolishing the current buildings present on site.

demolish the current building. I am very green conscious when it comes to lifestyle, consumptions, waste. When it comes to Architecture I let my selfish creative endeavors get the better of This is quite selfish on my behalf. The me, and perhaps it’s time for me to rebuilding is heritage for a reason. That evaluate my position in Architecture. reason being it was once a social housing unit for the State of New Architecture contributes to a Zealand and was socially significant significant amount of waste in the to many people. The building was also form of construction waste. If this is a designed by Architect Gordon Wilson. problem globally then we need to be more conscious of what we are doing. I let my distaste for the style cloud my decisions. Yes, I may not like the Through this act and task, I have made building, but I need to understand that myself aware of my weaknesses and it is a heritage building classified under selfishness. Architecture is about Heritage New Zealand for a reason. creativity - and this includes the creativity of revitalizing an ‘old’ underThe pedagogy of this Studio is also the used building. Architecture isn’t about revitalize under-used buildings and demolish and rebuild all the time. This not demolish buildings. I completely has marked the beginning and change ignored this fact. I have grown up in the of my Architectural approach to vacant mindset that all new buildings HAVE to and under-used buildings/space. be new - and that means to completely

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Univ

ersit

yC am

pus

Current Site

Curr

ent

Acc

omm

oda

Con nec ting + th Cam eC pus entr Buil al C ding ity s

Urb Cam

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Proposed Design GREGORY WANG

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GREGORY WANG

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04/03/2021

Week 01

04/03/2021

Precedent Study

Week 01

Precedent Study

The High Line New York, USA

Task: Present 2 projects that fit within the theme of the Studio

Inspire

The New York High Line has inspired other cities worldwide to develop obsolete public infrastructure into public spaces.

Tourism

The High Line has become a popular tourist destination in the city of New York, bringing in 8 million people in annually by 2019.

Economy

The City of New York invested $115 million USD and the High Line has stimulated over $5 billion USD in urban development and created 12,000 new jobs. Property surrounding the High Line has also increased as a result of the urban intervention.

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GREGORY WANG

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04/03/2021

Week 01

04/03/2021

Precedent Study

Abandoned Railway

Week 01

Precedent Study

Creating Green, Accessible, Leisure Space

Old Building

Hearst Tower

Retaining the Facade

Tower Edition

Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord

New York, USA

Duisburg-Meiderich, Germany

Re-use

History

The Hearst Tower re-uses the facade of the cast limestone facade of the Hearst Magazine Building. The building contrasts the ‘old’ with the ‘new’.

Retaining the industrial past of the site in the development and design of the park. It becomes a unique feature that tells a story.

History

W. R. Hearst was a successful magazine magnate in New York over the following three decades beginning in 1895. The site is where the headquaters for his publication was located.

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05/03/2021

Week 01

08/03/2021

Reflection - Precedent Study

Although a specific site for the ongoing project this semester has not been selected yet, this precedent study has given me an insight as to how buildings, or urban infrastructure can be re-used and re-imagined into an outcome that will benefit society and the surrounding neighbourhood. An ongoing theme is that remnants of the past are still present - but in different ways. It can be utilised in different ways and this includes keeping all aspects of the past or, keeping only certain aspects. In example, the Hearst Tower re-purposes only the facade of the previous building, whilst the Landschaftspark does not touch any of the previous infrastructure. What all the precedents have taught

GREGORY WANG

Week 02

me, is that the history and the appearance of place doesn’t need to necessarily be destroyed but rather, expressed and celebrated to retain the history and its significance - whether it be cultural, social or any type of significance. This task has further refreshed my architectural ambitions for this studio. Bringing a different way of approaching the past. There will be instances in my career where a decision has to be made on a redevelopment of a site, and this has taught me to not see past the treasures of what has been left.

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08/03/2021

Week 02

08/03/2021

Agenda

Week 03

My Position as an Architect... To me Architecture is about being the creator of an environment or building that serves the proposed intended use, while exhibiting design innovation. To me it is about creating a building that makes the client happy but also, a building that satisfies the design approach of myself. I am passionate about detail and materiality, and expressing ideas through the implementation of these components of design.

What interests me about this Studio? In every city there are under-used spaces which have the capacity to be significant social and cultural interventions to the people of the city. I want to challenge the way I look at space and how it can be transformed into a under-used to a highly used space.

What do I want achieve in this Studio? As a student of Architecture, I select Studios based on the criteria that I will enjoy it BUT, will challenge the way I approach design; Something that will benefit me in the long run. I think this Studio will challenge my design thinking and approach to design.

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15/03/2021

Week 03

15/03/2021

Study Area Mapping

Week 03

Study Area Mapping DANDENONG, EAST MELBOURNE G R E G , B E N I TA , D A N I E L

LEGEND

BUILDINGS GREEN SPACE WATER WAY BUS ROUTES HIGHWAYS TRAIN LINES BUS STOPS TRAIN STATION

Group Task: The intent of the Study Area Mapping is for you to look for capacities and spaces of opportunity around Melbourne. This mapping will help you locate potential sites to develop your projects later on.

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

DANDENONG, EAST MELBOURNE G R E G , B E N I TA , D A N I E L

LEGEND

R E TA I L SPECIAL PURPOSE/TOWN CENTRE E D U C AT I O N / L I B R A R I E S RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL

There are a few vacant lots between the station and the retail strip and market

C A R PA R K S 5

D I S U S E D G R E E N S PA C E S 5 INDUSTRIAL 1

VA C A N T L A N D 2

There are a few vacant lots between the station and the retail strip and market

Underused green space created by car infrastructure.

There are several working hour car parks near the station that could be activated during the evening.

Underused green space next to the train station.

Level crossing to be removed as part of the Cranbourne Line upgrade, context also includes underused green space.

Va c a n t s p a c e o p p o s i t e t h e t r a i n s t a t i o n .

Walk from train station to retail centre Market

Train Station

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GREGORY WANG

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0.4

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Week 03

15/03/2021

Study Area Mapping

Week 03

Study Area Mapping U N D E R PA S S S PA C E S

URBAN DEVELOPMENT OVER TIME IMAGES FROM NEARMAPS

2009

U N I Q U E C A PA C I T I E S O F D A N D E N O N G

2009

2012

2009

2012

2015

2018

2020

2015

2018

2020

The urban planning of Dandenong follows the natural topographical features - being the Dandenong Creek. Vehicular and pedestrian routes to get from one side to the other is required therefore, bridges are required. These spaces have the potential to be adapted / revitalised through urban interventions. The scale of these bridges vary in scale. This means the interventions will vary in scale and therefore, programs will vary.

In a group (with Benita and Daniel) we were tasked with doing an analysis on a suburb in East Melbourne. Being an online studio many of us are not situated in Melbourne and it made it very hard to experience the suburb. It also made it challenging to find vacant spaces which you would expect to see on a route you would take from public transport stops. From the grain size of the area, you can see the separation between industrial and residential zones. We used nearmaps to look at urban development overtime. We could only go back as early as 2009. There aren’t any significant changes in the central area but when you look at the outskirts a new residential suburb got built as well as the expansion of the industrial buildings.

RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL GROWTH R E S I D E N T I A L A N D I N D U S T R I A L Z O N E S A R E S E PA R AT E D B Y H I G H W AY S

2012

2015

2018

2020

SUBURBAN / RESIDENTIAL GROWTH

2009

Over time, Dandenong has developed more industrial and residential areas. Aerial imagery shows the separation of these zones as a result of car infrastructure. Highways have created a demarcation of precincts within the suburb. What the suburb lacks is a functional mix. Residential is separated from business districts and this is due to the segregation of precincts into different blocks. Large boxes create poor street activation.

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GREGORY WANG

Aerial imagery shows the separation of these zones as a result of car infrastructure. Highways have created a demarcation of precincts within the suburb. What the suburb lacks is a functional mix. Residential is separated from business districts and this is due to the segregation of precincts into different blocks. Large boxes create poor street activation. This task was useful personally as it helped me think about the different types of vacant areas a city has. But, spaces are unique and you really have to experience the location in person to feel the atmosphere surrounding the space which was impossible viewing the space digitally.

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22/03/2021

Week 04

Brief + Site Shortlist

Brief: The brief will set the goals of your project, who are the users, who could be the client, what type of building(s), etc. It will also be used to assess your response. Site Shortlist: A list of sites (3 min.) where your project could be located based on your brief. You will do a deeper site analysis on these.

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GREGORY WANG

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22/03/2021

Week 04

24/03/2021

Brief + Site Shortlist

Week 04

Brief + Site Shortlist

50 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, VIC

Building Typology

Community Centre

Housing

Mixed-use Building

To start off my brief, I decided to think about what sort of building I want to design (my personal agenda) and this will then influence other decisions like the client and who the building will serve, and the location etc.

422 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, VIC

Users

Community

Students

Families

As a result of defining the typology, clients and participants for the project were defined as well.

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GREGORY WANG

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24/03/2021

Week 04

24/03/2021

Brief + Site Shortlist

Week 04

Brief + Site Shortlist

235 Napier Street, Fitzroy, VIC

Outcome 2

Melbourne provides housing choice in locations close to jobs and services

I decided to locate my project in the suburb of Fitzroy, Melbourne and looked at real estate websites for potential vacant buildings which could be the location for my project. Finding a location was very challenging without being able to roam around the suburb and look for vacant spaces.

2.1 Manage the supply of new housing in the right locations to meet population growth and create a sustainable city 2.2 Deliver more housing closer to jobs and public transport

Melbourne’s 2050 Plan

2.3 Increase the supply of social and affordable housing 2.4 Facilitate decision-making processes for housing in the right locations

The next step for solidifying my brief was to look into the vision and outlook for Fitzroy which would then justify the compatibility of the proposed typology with Fitzroy. This needs to be done to ensure that my project has a clear reasoning behind it.

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2.5 Provide greater choice and diversity of housing

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24/03/2021

Week 04

24/03/2021

Brief + Site Shortlist

Outcome 4

Outcome 5

Melbourne is a distinctive and liveable city with quality design and amenity

Melbourne is a city with inclusive, vibrant and healthy neighbourhoods

4.1 Create more public places across Melbourne

5.1 Create a city of 20-minute neighbourhoods

4.3 Achieve and promote design excellence

5.2 Create neighbourhoods that support communities and healthy lifestyles

4.4 Respect Melbourne’s heritage as we build for the future

5.3 Deliver social inf rastructure to support strong communities

4.5 Strengthen community participation in the planning of our city

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Week 04

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24/03/2021

Week 04

24/03/2021

Brief + Site Shortlist

Week 04

Brief + Site Shortlist

Fitzroy Education Demographic

Victoria Education Demographic

(Those who answered)

Fitzroy as a Health and Education District

Fitzroy - Brunswick St as a Major Activity Centre

(Those who answered)

5.1%

Other

3.3%

Other

28.1%

University

17.8%

University

4.6%

Technical

5.7%

Technical

7.3%

Secondary

19.9%

Secondary

10.3%

Primary School

25.6%

Primary School

2.9 %

Preschool

5.2%

Preschool

- Community Education Facility - Community Exercise Facility - Community Arts Facility

Fitzroy Age Demographic

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Melbourne’s 2050 plan provided a list of outcomes for Fitzroy as a suburb and many of these outcomes were already checking the boxes as justifications for the typology of my project. Looking at data from the census results also solidified the demographic and sorts of people within the suburb. In comparison to Melbourne as a whole,

Victoria Age Demographic 1.4 %

85+ Years

2.2 %

85+ Years

1.3 %

80-84 Years

2.0 %

80-84 Years

4.1%

70-79 Years

6.5%

70-79 Years

7.4%

60-69 Years

10.3%

60-69 Years

10.8%

50-59 Years

12.4%

50-59 Years

13.0%

40-49 Years

13.6%

40-49 Years

25.6%

30-39 Years

14.4%

30-39 Years

24.4%

20-29 Years

14.4%

20-29 Years

5.5 %

10-19 Years

11.8 %

10-19 Years

8.9 %

0-9 years

12.5%

0-9 Years

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Fitzroy had a young age demographic with a lot of University Students. This is enough to support the creation of student housing in Fitzroy, accompanied by other functions and activities which would focus around the community and bringing students together.

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25/03/2021

Week 04

Reflection - Turning Point After the analysis of Fitzroy as a suburb and the locating of vacant buildings, I realised that I wasn’t very passionate about the direction the project was heading. It was hard to engage with the project due to the little I know about the suburb and the location. This made it challenging for me engage and to push forward with the project. There are many vacant and under-used buildings in cities all around the world, it is not only in Melbourne. From my Week 1 Esquisse task, this particular vacant building (Gordon Wilson Flats) in Wellington, New Zealand (my home town) has been bothering myself and a lot of the local community for a long time. It is a project which I would be passionate about and really push the project further. Since I was a child, the building has been left unoccupied in a prime central location, whilst the city (and the country as a whole) is

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Week 05

experiencing a housing crisis. Being a student in Wellington for my undergraduate degree, I understand the struggles of students in this current crisis, with rental prices increasing year on year - only becoming unaffordable for students. This background knowledge and the ability to be present on site was enough to convince my tutor (Matthieu) to allow me to undertake the semester long project on a site in my home town. Personally for me, this project is far easier to begin my research due to the fact that it has had an impact to the space around me for a long period of my life. Being able to experience the site of a project is a must for me and I believe it is extremely hard to design without experiencing the space first hand. There are little details and occurrences that can only be studied by act of physical presence on site .

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Week 05

29/03/2021

Brief + Site Refinement

Week 05

Brief + Site Refinement

Housing Crisis

New Zealand is experiencing a historical housing crisis Gordon Wilson Flats, Wellington, New Zealand The Gordon Wilson Flats have been unoccupied since 2012 due to doubts about its structural integrity.

The Gordon Wilson Flats has been a topic of discussion for a long time as it is in a prime central location, and has been left unoccupied since 2012 due to concerns with its structural integrity.

New Zealand is prone to earthquakes and buildings need to accommodate for these uncertain loads. The Gordon Wilson flats housed around 130 people when it was operating as a social housing complex.

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Week 05

29/03/2021

Brief + Site Refinement

Week 05

Brief + Site Refinement

Heritage

Education

The Gordon Wilson Flats is protected due to its Historical Signif icance

The Gordon Wilson Flats was sold to Victoria University of Wellington

The Flats was design by F. Gordon Wilson, a prominent and influential architect in new Zealand between the 1930s to 1950s.

Victoria University of Wellington had plans to redevelop the site for a new campus. They also had plans to create a pedestrian link between the University and the Central City.

One of the last high rise social housing projects built by the state of New Zealand. In February 2021, the building has been listed as a category 1 historic place. “Category 1 historic places are of special or outstanding historical or cultural signif icance or value”.

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Week 05

29/03/2021

Brief + Site Refinement

Week 05

Brief + Site Refinement

What does it mean to be a Category 1 listed heritage building in New Zealand?

Wellington House Price to Income Multiple 10

Heritage New Zealand - “Category 1 historic places are of special or outstanding historical or cultural significance or value”... “Entry on the List is a recognition tool and does not in itself prevent places being altered or sold.” “What do I do if I want to modify a place on the List? Contact Heritage New Zealand. Change to the use and function of places can be appropriate, and we will help you look at ways this can be achieved with the minimum impact.”

8.62

Multiple (Price/Income)

4.51

2006

2013

5.26 4.45 4

Wellington Population Growth

250000

191,000

Year

179,500

Population

2018

200000

2021

0 202,700

150000

100000

$410

$370

$350

$400

$300 Jan 2011

Jan 2017

$300 Jan 2010

Jan 2018

$300 Jan 2009

$330

$295

$275

$250 Jan 2005

Jan 2008

$240 Jan 2004

Price in $ (NZD)

In the context of the city, population numbers are increasing with a lack of supply of housing to meet the demand of such growth. Consequently the affordability of houses is decreasing. On average in 2021 houses are 8 and half x the annual income of a household compared to 4 and a half in 2013. This has a consequent affect on rental affordability too. Rent prices have increased year on year, reaching almost $500 -on average - at the start of this year. This becomes increasingly difficult for students in particular who don’t have much time on their hands to earn a source of income.

300

$260

2018

200

100

Jan 2021

Jan 2020

Jan 2019

Jan 2016

Jan 2015

Jan 2014

Jan 2013

Jan 2012

Jan 2007

0 Jan 2006

2013

2006

Year

$320

400

$360

$440

50000

$450

$495

Median Annual Rent Price in Wellington (2 Bedroom) 500

Date

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Week 05

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Brief + Site Refinement

Week 05

Brief + Site Refinement

University Institution

Victoria University Pipitea (Law & Commerce)

Gordon Wilson Flats Dedicated Student Accommodation Residential Dwellings Commercial Buildings

UniLodge Student Housing

Weir House Student Housing

Everton Hall Student Housing

Katharine Jermyn Hall Student Housing

Boulcott Hall Student Housing

University Relative Floor Level

Victoria University of Wellington Kelburn Campus (Hilltop / Main)

+65m

Te Puni Village Student Housing

Victoria House Student Housing

Capital Hall Student Housing

222 Willis Student Housing Cumberland Hall Student Housing

Gordon Wilson Building height

Victoria University Te Aro Campus (Architecture & Design)

+40m

Ground Floor Level

Relative Street Level

The site of the Gordon Wilson has a challenging terrain. The back of the site is a hillside that slopes from a relative level of 0m to 65m where the ground level of the university is.

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Insuff icient Lighting, Isolated Path

Path is shared with Vehicles

No Public Crossing

In the surrounding context there are numerous student halls as well as campuses that require connectivity as students travel to and from the university, as well as to the city centre. The main hilltop campus is where majority of the students travel to and from, therefore quality and good pedestrian access and infrastructure is required. These routes pose issues in their current state; issues such as environmental safety, paths being shared with vehicular access, and sidewalks with no pedestrian crossings on main roads. The site of the Gordon Wilson flats is a prime location to connect the city and the main campus directly

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Week 05

29/03/2021

Brief + Site Refinement

Week 05

Brief + Site Refinement

Goals

Provide Housing solutions for Students in today’s competitive Rental Market

Create an Urban intervention which links the Hilltop Victoria University Campus to the City

Enhance the Street interface of the Site

Create a Small Institutional Complex for the University

Create a Village which promotes Social and Functional Mix

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Connect

Inter-Campus Connect

dwellings to the south, and transitions to high rise apartments and ofﬁce buildings to the north. The site of the Gordon Wilson Flats will connect the hilltop suburb of Kelburn (where Victoria University of Wellington is located) to The Terrace via a thoroughfare, and therefore provide a faster pedestrian route to the city.

will save time for students who often walk between campuses and the Central Business District of Wellington

Preserve the Heritage of Gordon The Terrace is an arterial road to the city of Wellington. Creating a thoroughfare will provide better connectivity Wilson Flats The long stretch of The Terrace occupies residential between the three Victoria University Campuses. This

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Connect

Inter-Campus Connect

Community

The Terrace is an arterial road to the city of Wellington. The long stretch of The Terrace occupies residential dwellings to the south, and transitions to high rise apartments and ofﬁce buildings to the north. The site of the Gordon Wilson Flats will connect the hilltop suburb of Kelburn (where Victoria University of Wellington is located) to The Terrace via a thoroughfare, and therefore provide a faster pedestrian route to the city.

Creating a thoroughfare will provide better connectivity between the three Victoria University Campuses. This will save time for students who often walk between campuses and the Central Business District of Wellington

Situated within a resid primarily student suburb bring the community introduction of a mix of f study spaces, university the vicinity of the site is community, rather it is u to access activities in the

Community

Street Activation

Situated within a residential area - especially in a primarily student suburb, the site has the potential to bring the community into the space with the introduction of a mix of functions such as dining, cafés, study spaces, university community centre. Currently the vicinity of the site is not used in any way for the community, rather it is used only as a pedestrian route to access activities in the city and at the Hilltop Campus.

The current condition of the site exhibits a poor street interface and is perceived as a private, unoccupied space. Through street activation, the site can be made more inviting and open to the public.

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Non-Teaching Period

Landscape Intervention - Current site lacks excitement / poor - I also visited the site in person and street interface this led to me having a far greater understanding of what needs to be - Decided a landscape intervention is done with the terrain. required to resolve the sites terrain / slope change. Steps or Ramp. - This task in particular took about a day Both? Disability to be considered or two - primarily due to the complex - getting from street to site. Road terrain. Also trying to understand to be constructed? for services how the landscape, building and the / serviceability for the buildings people will work together. purpose - student accommodation will require some sort of vehicular - I did a analysis of the site and the road for furniture moving specialists. functions surrounding the site. How the site is used currently and studied - How will I decide how the landscaping the people who pass the site. This led will look? Precedents. Precedent to ideas as to what sort of landscape study will be the most beneficial for interventions would be required me as I am not from a landscape to make the site and building architecture background. Study how successful. sites with slopes from other projects have dealt with this issue. - I made diagrams of the precedents I studied and tried to implement what - Doing a paper on Urban Design the root ideas into my design. There Theory this semester has fascinated is not right answer for a diagram but me into how urban plazas operate in it is how I try to understand ideas. a social context. I will use this newly “Diagrams are Tools for thinking acquired knowledge in the design with“ and consideration of public spaces. - Things that influenced the design: - Looking at precedents led to the We were given only a short period most productive periods of work as of time to begin the designing of it helped me visualise what can be landscape and this led to minimal done with the site and the terrain in iterative processes. particular.

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gordon wilson flats - Google Maps

gordon wilson ats

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Non-Teaching Period

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Victoria University of Wellington 4.3 (252) University Hilltop campus established in 1897

Website

Directions

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Imagery ©2021 Google, TerraMetrics, Data SIO, NOAA, U.S. Navy, NGA, GEBCO, Landsat / Copernicus, Maxar Technologies, Imagery ©2021 CNES / Airbus, Maxar Technologies, Planet.com, Wellington City Council, Map data ©2021

20 m

Kyushu Sangyo University DESIGN NETWORK ASSOCIATES

Universitätsterrassen, Ulm Koeber Landschaftsarchitektur

The site Kyushu Sangyo University Landscape design by Design Network Associates in Fukuoka, Japan, deals with terrain slope change by terracing the landscape. In doing so, the terraces become areas where affordances can occur. Paved walkways are also integrated into the terracing to provide pedestrian access through and to the space. This strategy can be integrated into the landscaping of my selected site as the terrain slop change is one of the challenging features of the site.

Similarly to the Kyushu Sangyo University Landscape design, the Universitätsterrassen terraces the landscape to create spaces where the public can sit. The Universitätsterrassen connects the main entrance of the building on the top, to the bottom public pedestrian route. The terracing becomes an urban intervention, where the steps become the seating area to the urban drama of the public road below.

GREGORY WANG

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GREGORY WANG

PLAZA

STEPS

PUBLIC SIDEWALK / ROAD

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After looking at precedents I went on Google Maps and streetview to look at the site in 3d and in Plan. I quickly drew ideas as to what I was envisioning for the site and the context

Additional sketches of thoughts regarding the landscape design of the site. Sketchbook Drawing on 08/04/2021

Sketchbook Drawing on 08/04/2021

GREGORY WANG

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GREGORY WANG

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13/04/2021

Week 06

Week 06 - Mid-Semester

Requirements: Present Brief + Site Preliminary Design Phase (Massing)

GREGORY WANG

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GREGORY WANG

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13/04/2021

Week 06

Existing Floor Plan.

5 3 4 1

10m

1. Typical Room 2. Elevator Lobby 3. Communal Shower / Toilets 4. Shared Common Room 5. Fire Egress Stairs

Proposed Typical Floor Plan

The modularity of the existing plans is retained. Communal space are created on each floor to the right of the building which allows visual permeability to the back of the site where the stairs to the university above are situated.

Site Plan of Design Proposal. Mid-Semester Outcome 13/04/2021

GREGORY WANG

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GREGORY WANG

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13/04/2021

Week 06

Existing Mass

Public Level

Communal Space

Rooftop Space

Access

The existing building is designed in a modernist aesthetic and one of New Zealand’s most historic buildings in this style.

The orange masses exhibit the existing circulation routes. These will be retained. The Ground Level is to be made into a mixed use level with the student housings reception as well as the addition of cafe / study zones for public use.

The Eastern side of the building will adopt a new facade where the location of shared communal spaces for each ﬂoor will be placed. This also creates visual permeability f rom the stairs to the University campus above.

The current building has an accessible rooftop where laundry services are located. The rooftop will be still be accessible. The top mass is reduced to accommodate for an outdoor rooftop space and shared activity spaces will be placed in the top mass.

Subtracting mass f rom the Ground Floor Level will create permeability and an intuitive direction towards the stairs to the University Campus. This will also separate the reception f rom the public cafe and study zones.

With the current building, I have made the ground floor a public level -in blue- where cafes or dining will be located and the reception for the housing. I have also retained the existing circulation for the building - in orange. The right hand side of the building in purple will be communal spaces on each floor for the students living in the building. And the rooftop - in red- will be accessible for residents and will have social spaces where they can socialise. Majority of the original buildings aesthetic and design is retained - in grey this is to acknowledge the historical significance of the buildings design.

GREGORY WANG

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GREGORY WANG

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13/04/2021

Week 06

19/04/2021

Week 07

GREGORY WANG

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GREGORY WANG

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19/04/2021

Week 07

Critical Reflection for Mid-Semester How did it go, How did I feel the Mid- Summarize 3 actions you will take to Semester presentation went? clarify your project I feel like the Mid-Semester 1) Talk more about the Structure of presentation went well. I presented the the building - how it has to be intent of brief and the direction of the strengthened and how this will project well - I knew this because the affect the architectural proposition Jury understood the story that I was 2) How heritage will be preserved trying to tell. Treating the presentation 3) Talk a little bit more about the site as a story with a flow really helped me and what consists of the current site. communicate my ideas and project. Summarize 3 suggestions you received Summarize 3 changes you will make to after your presentation clarify your presentation 1) Look at the back of the site and the 1) Think about what information is sloping terrain. How will I deal with needed and remove unnecessary this. adjustment 2) Because the project is in Wellington, 2) Make a storyboard so I know there NZ, and one of the Jury members will be a rhythm and sequence to is actually from NZ, she asked how the presentation of my work I will design outdoor spaces to be 3) Practice! Time it. Do it in front of suitable for the weather conditions friends, family, dog. Present to in Wellington (wind). someone who knows nothing about 3) Think about the different scenarios architecture so that you know if it and use cases for the building. makes sense to them, it will make sense to the Jury. Do you agree with the suggestions Summarize 3 actions you will take to above? Why or Why not? develop your project 1) Yes I agree, the back of the site is 1) Do more spatial refinement in terms challenging - being a hillside. Things of the buildings, the programs, I would consider is how will i connect what’s needed for a student the top of the hill to the bottom of accommodation - think back of the site? There is currently trees that house / front of house have been there since the beginning 2) Look at the second building on of life so how can the circulation the site. Start working on it. How work to preserve the ecology of the it will serve as a small building for hillside. the university and how what will 2) Yes I agree, putting myself in the the dialogue between the student context of the user I agree that it housing and this institutional would not be a pleasurable space building be. if there isn’t some sort of shading, 3) Look at the back of the site and don’t weather protection device for the neglect what is behind. How can my occupants of the space. design be more considerate of the 3) Yes I agree, future planning is always terrain. important in all builds. How the building will be used in the future or in different scenarios.

GREGORY WANG

Mid-Semester feedback from Jury Mid-Semester 19/04/2021

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GREGORY WANG

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26/04/2021

Week 08 - 12

Stairs to University

5 3 4 1

10m

1. Typical Room 2. Elevator Lobby 3. Communal Shower / Toilets 4. Shared Common Room 5. Fire Egress Stairs

Proposed Typical Floor Plan from Mid-Semester

- Rooms were excessively big for single student accommodation rooms. - Floor plate efficiency is very poor. - The existing lift shaft and the existing fire egress masses are inefficient and provide poor permeability to the north of the building - where the stair to the university above will be located. - A core for the location of service need to be considered for the project to develop into something more realistic. - Creating a core will also allow for future adaptability of the building if the function is the change in the future. - Create more sociable spaces for the students of the building.

GREGORY WANG

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GREGORY WANG

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SCENARIO 1.0

Retain Retaining the existing conditions of the site with changes to the programmatic arrangements to the interior space will be the most cost effective solution. This will also be the best solution regarding the preservation of heritage.

SCENARIO 2.0

Alter Subtracting volume f rom the North of the building will create a visual permeability for the stairs/connection to the University on to of the bank. The connection will be more visually connected to the road below

Site Conditions

Existing Mass

The site of the Gordon Wilson Flats is situated on a sloping site, with a large bank to the rear of the building. At the top of the bank, the University is situated. In f ront of the Flats, is an open space with an interface with the street.

The existing building is designed in a modernist aesthetic and one of New Zealand’s most historic buildings in this style.

GREGORY WANG

SCENARIO 3.0

Rebuild It is arguable that the building is not ﬁt for purpose due to it’s structural concerns. There have been proposed plans to completely redevelop the site entirely but this is not in the spirit of retaining heritage.

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GREGORY WANG

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SCENARIO 1.0

SCENARIO 2.0

SCENARIO 3.0

Retain

Alter

Rebuild

SCENARIO 1.0

SCENARIO 1.1

SCENARIO 1.2

SCENARIO 1.3

HYBRID 1.0 + 2.0

Existing Mass

Public Level

Communal Space

Rooftop Space

Off-centre Mass

Centre Mass

It is arguable that the building is not ﬁt for purpose due to it’s structural concerns. There have been proposed plans to completely redevelop the site entirely but this is not in the spirit of retaining heritage.

The Ground Level is to be made into a mixed-use level with the student housings reception as well as the addition of cafe / study zones for public use. The Ground level will be double height creating, a more open Ground level interface.

The Northern side of the building will adopt a new facade where the location of shared communal spaces for each ﬂoor will be placed. The idea is to place communal spaces close to the stairs to the University to act as ‘eyes on the street’ and create visual permeability.

Adding an additional mass to the existing building conditions to allow for more rooms, and communal spaces. The current

It would be more beneﬁcial to place and additional mass to the centre of the existing building - especially with the addition of the building core, a centralised core will allow for better future adaptability into an ofﬁce space.

Remove Mass

More Communal

Connecting Floors

Structure

Access

Rooftop Mass

Removing small masses that were to the sides of the existing building due to their obstruction to the ﬂow to the back of the site.

Adding more communal spaces that will face the rear of the building towards the planned creation of the stairs to the University above.

Making communal spaces double height will create a student environment that promotes more social interaction between ﬂoors.

The current building was closed due to its structural insufﬁciency. Columns and beams will be added to reinforce the existing building.

Subtracting mass f rom the Ground Floor Level will create permeability and an intuitive direction towards the stairs to the University Campus.

Reducing the mass on the top ﬂoor to allow outdoor roof top access. This will be done to the North of the building to reduce the mass height and an attempt to restore views into the city f rom the stairs.

HYBRID 1.0 + 2.0 + 3.0

GREGORY WANG

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GREGORY WANG

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Mid-Semester Outcome

Developed Outcome

Stair Location Student Housing

University

University Building

- Connecting every second floor to create a connection between students from different floors. This makes for a more sociable space. - This also allows for greater visual permeability to the back of the site where the stairs to the main university campus is located. - Structural strengthening is mandatory for the build as it is closed mainly because of concerns regarding the current structural integrity. - Addition of mass will allow for more rooms per floor as well as the inclusion of a service core. - To the north of the building on the ground floor, mass is removed to create an intuitive flow to the back of the site for pedestrians using the site to access the university. - Having social spaces facing the stairs will provide safety through the concept of eyes on the street. Social space will also always be lit 24 hours a day and therefore will act as additional lighting to the stairs in low light conditions.

GREGORY WANG

- The public realm / street interface is enhanced by the addition of a mass to the proposed university building. The ground floor of the building will host functions such as dining and study space. It will be an open double height atrium space. - Ramps allow both building to be accessible for individuals with disabilities. - Spaces are design to be fairly open to allow for affordances and events to be help within the plazas. - Ramps also combat the challenging sloping terrain of the site and provide natural means of water egress to the road.

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GREGORY WANG

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5 3 4 1

10m

1. Typical Room 2. Elevator Lobby 3. Communal Shower / Toilets 4. Shared Common Room 5. Fire Egress Stairs

Floor Plan from Mid-Semester - Looking at the plan from mid semester there had to be a lot of reshuffling especially with the addition of a mass to the west. - A centralised core would benefit the future adaptability of the building therefore it was justified to remove the existing lift shaft. - The Northern egress stairs were also able to be removed and refit into a new core design as the distance to the egress is compliant with building code.

- The stairs to at the back of the site was a challenging task especially with the required height gain to reach the street above. - I test different ways of achieving connection with the idea to include ramps. - Ramps were no justified due to the height gain it would have to be incredibly long to meet the code requirements for the slope of a ramp. - Steps to the right hand side was the most logical place to locate the stairs. - This allows for space to the left of the site for future development.

GREGORY WANG

Floor Plan Testing 01 - Bathrooms are unresolved, open directly to the corridor. - Not in the spirit of social spaces - segregated living and social - Corridors vary in width too much

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GREGORY WANG

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Stair Location

Poor Link

Floor Plan Testing 02 - Corridors still vary in size - Bathrooms layout is better however as it has it’s own corridor - In the top right creating more social space the create a visual link to the stairs. - Top right social space too big? - Poor linking between two social spaces. - Removing the two rooms on the left would improve this flow - Perhaps a separate space for washing basins as all showers may be occupied at peak hours in the morning.

Floor Plan Testing 03 - Wash basin room needs to be closed off from the corridor to separate wet areas from dry. - Toilets are too small - Bathrooms are too big.

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RUBBISH CHUTE

COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

HVAC RISER

ACCESSIBLE

STAIRCASE PRESSURISATION FIRE RISER

WET SERVICES RISER

BATHROOMS

SMALL KITCHENETTE

LIFT LOBBY

LIFT SHAFT

WASH ROOM

ELECTRICAL CUPBOARD

DATA RISER

ACCESSIBLE

KITCHENETTE

COMMON AREA

10m

Typical Floor Plan 1 - Student Housing

- Social Spaces are more unified and link better with the lift lobby. - Addition of accessible bedrooms which can also double as a twin room if there are no tenants with disabilities. - Central core allows future adaptability of the building into other functions such as an office or a university building.

GREGORY WANG

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GREGORY WANG

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RUBBISH CHUTE

COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

HVAC RISER

GREGORY WANG

ACCESSIBLE

10m

STAIRCASE PRESSURISATION FIRE RISER

WET SERVICES RISER

BATHROOMS

SMALL KITCHENETTE

LIFT LOBBY

LIFT SHAFT

WASH ROOM

ELECTRICAL CUPBOARD

DATA RISER

COMMON AREA

ACCESSIBLE

Typical Floor Plan 2 - Student Housing

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GREGORY WANG

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UP STAIRS TO UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS

CLEANER’S ROOM RECEPTION OFFICE RECEPTION OFFICE

BASKETBALL COURT

CLEANER’S STORAGE RUBBISH CHUTE

COVERED OUTDOOR BBQ / DINING

COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

HVAC RISER

STAIRCASE PRESSURISATION

STORAGE

FIRE RISER

WET SERVICES RISER

LIFT SHAFT

ELECTRICAL CUPBOARD

DATA RISER

FRIDGE / FREEZER

COMMUNAL KITCHEN

10m

Ground Floor - Student Housing

- Communal cooking facilities promote social interactions between residents. - Removal of mass to the north of the building creates a more permeable passage toward the back of the building where the stairs to the university are located.

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GREGORY WANG

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LAUNDRY ROOM

RUBBISH CHUTE

KITCHENETTE

COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

HVAC RISER

LIFT LOBBY

STAIRCASE PRESSURISATION

STORAGE

FIRE RISER

WET SERVICES RISER

LIFT SHAFT

ELECTRICAL CUPBOARD

DATA RISER

COMMON AREA

BBQ AREA

ROOFTOP GARDEN

GREGORY WANG

10m

Rooftop Plan - Student Housing

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GREGORY WANG

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Render showing the visual link between social space / lift lobby and the stairs leading up to the university main campus to the rear of the building.

Illustration showing the improved street activation of the site. The interface has been revitalised and more visually connected.

Render showing the top floor social space with rooftop garden.

Cafe that provides functional mix to the location, bringing in a social mix to the space.

GREGORY WANG

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GREGORY WANG

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Thank You

Gregory Wang GREGORY WANG

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GREGORY WANG

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