A Potato Centre - MArch (Master of Architecture) Thesis Design by Helen H. Wright-Zhang

A POTATO CENTRE Helen H. Wright-Zhang

CHAPTER TITLE 2

M.Arch Design Studio 6.2 University of Bath 2019-2020

UN CENTRO DE PAPA La Paz, Bolivia

Helen H. Wright-Zhang

CHAPTER TITLE 3

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I would like to express my gratitude to the University of Bathâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ACE Department for the outstanding architectural education they offered throughout my undergraduate and master degrees. In particular, I am grateful to my tutor Jayne Barlow for her insightful and inspiring weekly tutorials. I would also thank Andy Jarvis, Rupert Grierson, John Martin, Steve Fisher, for their guidance in environmental design, landscape, detailing, and structural design respectively. And I am also grateful to Professor Alexander Wright for running the year smoothly despite the changing situation with the Covid-19. Finally, I would like to offer my most sincere gratitude to my husband James WrightZhang, whom I met on the first day of the undergraduate course, and who has supported me unconditionally and accomanied me through my architecutral training since.

Contents Narrative and Site

Proposal

Tectonic

Sustainability

Regulatory Compliance

Research and Process

PREFACE

The humble potato plant entered the human world when it was first domesticated near the modern day La Paz city in Bolivia over 10,000 years ago. Over the centuries, it began to spread throughout the world, helping rapidly develop global civilization during the expansive industrial revolution. Despite the significant influence of the everyday crop, it has suffered at its place of origin, ravaged by a changing climate. This development is not just exacerbating social instability in the region, but threatening the very survival of its people. The project seeks to trace the potato back to its roots, and explore the indigenous agricultural practices and cultural beliefs of the Incan Empire to create a potato centre in the administrative capital of Bolivia, La Paz. This new international centre offers opportunities to research and combat the impact of climate change on potato yields, potato species preservation, and public engagement for training and awareness. In the pursuit of a rooted architecture, inspiration draws deeply from the local vernacular and native landscapes, generating an environment to help potatoes thrive for life above the clouds.

01 TITLE Subtitle

01 NARRATIVE AND SITE 10,000 years ago, the Andean people began cultivating a crop that became a key staple food in the development of global civilisation. ...the Potato

10,000 YEARS AGO

10,000 years ago, the indigenous residents of the Andean region in South America first started cultivating potatoes surrounding the modern day La Paz city, the administrative capital of Bolivia. This local plant proved to be well-suited to the high altitude climate, and remains the most grown crop around La Paz. This common plant also impacted global history. With the Spanish colonization in the 15th century, this humble plant soon spread across Europe and America. In part to the wide availability of inexpensive and nutritious potatoes, European working classes with greater food security were able to focus on industrial productivity, promoting the first industrial revolution.

NARRATIVE AND SITE 2

La Paz

NARRATIVE AND SITE 3

THE CHAKANA CROSS

Upper Realm (HANA PACHA)

Middle World (KAY PACHA)

Underworld (UCA PACHA)

The Bolivian indigenous Incan culture places significant influence in the local agricultural community. The Chakana cross, also known as the Inca Tree of Life, symbolises the ancient Incan belief of the bridge between the upper and lower worlds, with the middle world as the portal. The form of the Chakana cross also shares similarities with a potato plant: the potato canopy as the divine upper realm, the representation of wisdom; the potato stem is the where exchanges occur, standing as a bridge for the everyday middle world; the potato root is the underworld, where energy is stored and closest in touch with the Inca gold of earth, Pachamama. The Chakana cross, as other Inca beliefs, focus on the balance of forces. Just as the success of agriculture cultivation depends on the balance between human and natural activities, while gaining energy from the sky and the earth.

NARRATIVE AND SITE 4

L RA AX

NA TU

IS AX

Y SK AN M HU

TO N TA TIO PO VA I LT

ND LA

NARRATIVE AND SITE 5

CLIMATE CHANGE

Though climate change has been a global phenomenon with particular impacts on the agriculture production, it has particularly affected Bolivia: The average value of food production in Bolivia showed dramatic drop of 51% between 2013 and 2015, to around US$230 per capita, the lowest since 1999. Climate change threatens the ecological balance between human and nature, causing an existential threat to the local populaiton.

NARRATIVE AND SITE 6

Decrease

51%

Average value of food production Bolivia (Plurinational State of) constant 2004-2006 1$ per person, at 3-year average

400

300

250

0 -2

0 01 -2

NARRATIVE AND SITE 7

1 01 -2

10 20

2 01 -2

11 20

3 01 -2

12 20

4 01 -2

13 20

5 01 -2

14 20

6 01 -2

15 20

7 01 -2

200

1$ per person

350

CLIMATE REFUGEES

1960 - 1979

3,672 Ha

1980 - 1999

5,373 Ha

2000 - 2016

9,104 Ha

Climate change not only created potato food security in Bolivia, but also led to social instability in mass migration of “climate refugees“: farmers who are forced to abandon their homes in the fields and move to urban environment due to recent agriculture failure. La Paz’s population increased by 60% in the past 5 decades as a result. Some move permanently to the city and seek work in the informal sectors, some are still transient: they come to the city few months in a year to earn extra income for their families who still reside in the countryside. The city scape of La Paz has grown rapidly in the past decades with climate refugees. In La Paz’s twin city El Alto, 65% of residents still retain frequent engagements with their home villages, and 10% strongly connect to rural agriculture.

NARRATIVE AND SITE 8

NARRATIVE AND SITE 9

POTATOES IN THE FIELD

December

Jan ua ry

Ap ril

t gus Au

March

September

ary bru Fe

Oc tob er

ber m e v No

Jul y

y Ma

June Sowing

Growing

Harvesting

Irrigation Required

Potato, with its cold and drought resistance, is the most grown agriculture product for the high-altitude region around La Paz. While potato cultivation displays similar growing sequences globally, the Andean potatoes follows its unique growing calendar in response to the volatile Andean climate. The changeable local climate has also produced 10,000 varieties of potatoes in Bolivia, each displaying different appearances and nutritional requirements.

NARRATIVE AND SITE 10

Stage I Roots growth begin as spouts develop from the seed potatoes.

Stage II Leaves and branches develop as the spouts emerge above the ground, photosynthesis begins. Stolons starting to develop on the below-ground stem.

Stage III New tubers appear from the tip of the stem with shoots continue to grow above ground. CHAPTER TITLE 11

Stage IV Flowers are developed as tubers bulking occurs. Sufficient water and nutrient in the soil is crucial for increasing yield at this stage.

Stage V The plant canopy dies back as tubers mature with skin hardened and the sugars converts to starches.

A 5-PART POTATO CENTRE

Research

Urban Agriculture

Community

Training

Stock House

The proposed potato centre focuses on different aspects of potato cultivation: technology, application, community involvement and training, as well as potato preservation, aiming to re-balance the broken cycle. The placement of functions ties back to the Incan Chakana Cross, with research functions, representing wisdom, placed at the highest part of the architecture; human related functions, such as community engagement, training, and urban potato cultivation, at the middle; the stock house is placed at the bottom, closest to the earth, linking back to the function of potato roots.

NARRATIVE AND SITE 12

RESEARCH

URBAN AGRICULTURE

COMMUNITY

STOCK HOUSE

TRAINING

PROGRAMME RESEARCH A new research centre for technologies for potato plantation (including companion planting), storage, and potato food technology. The research will be more specific to the vulnerable Andean climate in midst of the changing climate. The research should focus on both urban and rural agriculture.

STOCK HOUSE Provide facilities for potato related preservation, both physically and culturally, The programme includes a gene bank, a potato storage hall and a ceremony hall. The concept derives from the community “stock house” from the Incan Empire, where a five-year supply with freeze dried potatoes (Chuño) are constantly stored.

COMMUNITY The space to invite the public to engage with potato cultivation. It should allow for informal gathering, exhibition, and community dinning. The space will be open to all public, residents, staff and tourists alike.

TRAINING Invest in human capital and tackle the root of poverty. The area provides facilities for public training and knowledge exchange. The participants include village representatives, new city migrants, and city-village commuters. The training function is planned in as a route throughout the building.

URBAN AGRICULTURE Urban agriculture responds to the current master plan for the district and use the planned allotments as testing ground for potato cultivation and practical education fields to provide training and employment to the new city migrants.

NARRATIVE AND SITE 14

RESEARCH Total Area: 818 m2 Laboratory

Office 10m2

10m2

Information Exchange

Service

12.5m2 10m2 18m2

Individual Offices

25m2

35m2

Meeting Rooms

Internal Potato Garden

Reception

200m2

125m2

100m2

150m2

30m2

20m2

40m2

Open Plan Laboratory

Clean Room

Open-Plan Office

Physical and Digital Library

Lecture Room

Equipment Room

Archive

COMMUNITY Total Area: 575 m2

Restaurant

Public Engagement

50m2

225m2

140m2

115m2

100m2

60m2

Bar

Dinning Hall

Kitchen

Water Courtyard

Exhibition

Indoor Potato Garden

STOCK HOUSE Total Area: 946.5m2 Ceremony

Potato Gene Bank

Sensory Lab

Loading Bay 25m2

25m2 25m

12.5m

Preparation Cryogenic Room Store

Storage

Preparation Room

25m2 Sterilisation Inspection Room Room

20m2 Meeting Room

160m2 Ceremony Hall

25m2

Cold Germination Storage Lab

20m2

55m2

15m2

Tasting Room

Loading Bay

Temporary Storage

TRAINING Indicated with: CHAPTER TITLE 15

Potato Dry Storage

Water Storage

CLIENT

Bolivia Ministry of Rural Development and Lands

International Potato Centre (CIP)

La Pazâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suitability for potato growth and research has attracted clients to set up a centre for potato research, community engagement, and potato preservation. The International Potato Centre (CIP) and the Bolivia Ministry of Rural Development and Lands will be joint clients for this new research centre. Founded in 1971, the CIP is a research-for-development organisation focussed on the studies of potatoes, sweet potatoes and Andean roots and tubers. The centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s research helps provide food security, nutrition, income, climate change resilience and gender equity for smallholders in the developing world. The centre is now head-quartered in Lima, Peru, with research presence in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The current Lima head quarters for CIP consists of research laboratories and a potato gene bank. The Bolivia Ministry of Rural Development and Lands (MDTyR) is a government body in charge of the definition and implementation of policies of the sustainable integral development of the agricultural, livestock, forestry and coca sectors.

NARRATIVE AND SITE 16

Lima, Peru Current Headquarter for CIP

La Paz, Bolivia Opportunity for a new CIP regional office

Potential opportunity for a new CIP office Existing locations for CIP offices

THE LA PAZ CITY

El Alto City: Average Altitude

Site: Altitude approx.

approx. 4050m

3800m Forest Pura Pura

La Paz City: Average Altitude approx.

3600m

The chosen site is located at the administrative capital of Bolivia: La Paz, the highest administrative capital in the world, with average altitude of 3600m. This dense city sits within an Andean valley, with its city centre located at bottom. The site sits at the North-West corner of the city, 200m above the city centre. It holds a key gateway position between the city (human) and the forest Pura Pura (nature), and it is close to the El Alto city.

NARRATIVE AND SITE 18

Forest Pura Pura

The Site

The Masterplan

La Paz City Centre

El Alto City

NARRATIVE AND SITE 19

NATURAL ATMOSPHERE

The high altitude creates a diverse atmosphere for the city of La Paz, ranging from the misty morning, to sharp shadows during the day. At night, this valley city lights up and transforms into a sea of lights. La Pazâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Southern hemisphere location also results in the sun coming from the North most of the year, with Southern sun light during winter months.

NARRATIVE AND SITE 20

8:00 a.m.: Misty Morning

8:00 p.m.: Sea of Lights

1:00 p.m.: Informal Urban Lifestyle

3:00 p.m.: High Altitude Sun Casting Sharp Shadow

NARRATIVE AND SITE 21

THE MASTERPLAN

Survive

Stabilise

The master plan proposal envisages a future for La Paz, addressing existential water issues, severe topographical issues and minimised urban cultural expression, to produce a city that can Survive, Stabilise and Thrive. Strategies integrate cross-continental trade, down to critical decentralisation and human-scale interventions.

Thrive

blocks and Arteries facilitate re-orientation of key spaces to the human-scale, providing fast transport routes to link these together. Once integrated, a self-sufficient network of water, energy, waste and transport manifest while minimising local displacement and providing for citizens at a community level. Urban interventions re-invigorate community life. Water beacons become centres of local nodes and poly-centres, Key moves form into three comprehensive tool-kits: the Water while a community framework runs along the Artery, inspiring Network, Super-blocks and the Artery to provide a complete locals to build their own street-scape in a way that suits them. solution. Water becomes a cycle based on indigenous sustainability and reverence for Pachamama (Mother Earth) The 3 tool-kits help achieve balanced Water Cycles, making the city entirely self-sufficient from rainfall. Super- Topography Cycles, and Culture Cycles with the mother earth.

NARRATIVE AND SITE 22

CULTURAL INFLUENCE TO EL ALTO CITY

DISTRICT ENERGY GENERATION CYCLE

DISTRICT CULTURAL BALANCE

DISTRICT WASTE TREATMENT CYCLE

N IO

WATER S

DIS T

DISTRICT CHP POWER GENERATION

CO MMUNITY CULTURAL B A

DISTRICT WATER TREATMENT CENTRE

T FUNCT RIC I

DISTRICT WASTE PROCESSING

S EU SUPERBLOCK REPAIR AN D R

FILTRAT

SUPERBLOCK BATTERY S TO R

RAGE TO

Y SUPERBLOCK GREY WATE R C

CLEAN WATER SUPPLY

EL ALTO WATER TREATMENT CENTRE

L ANCE

EL ALTO & LA PAZ CITY CLEAN AND SEWAGE WATER CYCLE

CULTURAL INFLUENCE TO LA PAZ CITY

CLEAN WATER SUPPLY TO LOWER DISTRICTS

Water Cycle

Topography Cycle

The Site

NARRATIVE AND SITE 23

Cultural Cycle

THE SITE

The site within the masterplan proposal

Permanent Site Boundary

Temporary Landscape Boundary Existing Function

Residential

Commercial

Work

Community

Proposed Function in Master Plan Residential

Commercial

NARRATIVE AND SITE 24

Work

Community

C A

10m

20m

40m

NARRATIVE AND SITE 25

80m

The site is an abandoned river valley, located in a dense residential area. The surrounding area will become a new â&#x20AC;&#x153;Poly-centreâ&#x20AC;?, as the new centre for the district, under the masterplan. A small underground river surfaces at part of the site and remains underground for the rest. The site sees a 22m drop along the North-South Axis, and showing a valley-like dip along the East-West axis, with a 10m drop between either ends of the site. As masterplan dictates further densification for the area, the actual site boundary only takes up half of the river valley, leaving the other half for further development opportunities. However, as the river valley is currently deserted, the design for the current scheme will include temporary landscape design for the remaining valley.

NARRATIVE AND SITE 26

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STU

Underground River 22m

7.5m 15m

30m

Site Section AA

NARRATIVE AND SITE 27

Temporary Landscape Boundary

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

10m

7.5m 15m

30m

Site Section BB

NARRATIVE AND SITE 28

C NARRATIVE AND SITE 29

ACCESS

Vehicular Route

Bus Stop

Shared Route

Bike Lane

Pedestrian Route

Track System

Following the master plan, the site sits within several active - The rest of the streets surrounding the site will be access routes. According to the principles of the master turned into “shared zone”, where there is no distinguished plan, the design should allow for the following constrains: vehicles and pedestrians markings on the road surface, allowing the two to share the street experience equally. The - Space for a pedestrianised “artery” which vehicles will drive at an reduced speed within this area. consists of a cycle lane, a pedestrian path, and a single lane track route at the West side of the site; As the site includes dramatic height differences, considerations towards disabled access at changing levels are essential. - Space for a vehicular route at the North and East side.

NARRATIVE AND SITE 30

NARRATIVE AND SITE 31

INCA ARCHITECTURE

Tiwanaku Temple

Terrace and Stock House

Inca architecture exhibits solid masonry applications with intricate indigenous patterns. The Andean topography also results in many terraced landscapes.

NARRATIVE AND SITE 32

SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE

Quebrada de Palala Valley

Lunar Valley

There are several valleys near La Paz formed out of eroded mountains, leaving strong vertical cracks in the rock formations.

NARRATIVE AND SITE 33

02 PROPOSAL

GROWING FROM THE SITE

Root potato as an anchor

New leaves grown from root potato

A solid form connects to the adjacent context, forming a new gateway to the La Paz city. The solid form acts as the Uca Pacha, the underworld, where it is closest to the earth and as a place of storage.

CHAPTER TITLE 36

A lightweight form suspends above the solid, symbolising for the Hana Pacha, the upper realm, where knowledge and wisdom lies. The research function takes place here, as the brain of the potato centre.

Leaves supply energy generated by photosynthesis to the root, forming new potatoes

More potato plants grown from the new potatoes, establishing a network of potatoes

III

From the solid form, a series of cascading terraces grow from within, fed by the intellectual outcome from research function.

The negative space formed between the solid and the light becomes the community area, as the Kay Pacha, the middle world, where most of the human activities take place. The community activities connect all the functions together.

CHAPTER TITLE 37

AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PROD

0m 2.5m 5m 12.5m 25m

A GATEWAY TO LA PAZ

NA TU

CU POT LTI AT VAT O ION Potatoes, the most essential agricultural product for La Paz, are a result of the balance between human and natural activities. The proposed potato centre of La Paz establishes itself as a gateway, offering visual exchange between the buzzing city life of La Paz and the tranquil natural forest of Pura Pura. The central atrium linking all levels of the building connects the sky to the ground plane. The two axes meet at the core of the building, forming the ideal platform for public interaction.

PROPOSAL 42

LAN

Research

Community

Stock Hosue

Productive Potato Field

Wild Potato Biome

Human Activity

Agricultural Activity

Natural Activity

La Paz City

A Potato Centre

Forest Pura Pura

PROPOSAL 43

UPPER REALM, MIDDLE WORLD & UNDERWORLD The functions are placed in accordance to the order of the Chakana cross. The research function, representing the wisdom of the Upper Realm (Hana Pacha), is placed at the top; functions for active human activities: urban agriculture, community, and training, is placed at the middle, the Middle World (Kay Pacha); the stock house is placed at the bottom, corresponding to the location of the Underworld, Uca Pacha.

Upper Realm (HANA PACHA)

The level for knowledge and wisdom

Timber

Shaded Research

Middle World (KAY PACHA)

The level for human activities

Urban Agriculture

Light

Community

Glazing

Underworld (UCA PACHA)

Training

The level for preservation

Shadow

Stone Stock House

PROPOSAL 44

Research

Community

Training

Stock House

Urban Agriculture

CHAPTER TITLE 45

RESEARCH THE INCA TREE OF LIFE The research function is inspired by the Inca tale of â&#x20AC;&#x153;the tree of lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x153;, where knowledge is created at the upper realm of Hana Pacha. The design includes a calm material palette with a timber appearance, embracing the supposed harmony between human technology and natural woods. The timber structure of the research centre offers protection and shelter for the ancient potato cultivation techniques, while using modern technologies to harvest new theories.

Facade

Robinia veneer wrapped aluminum screen

CLT wall PROPOSAL 46

Structure

Floor

LVL columns and beams

Beige colour flow applied resin

PROPOSAL 47

FIRST FLOOR 2.5m

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

12.5m

25m

Archive Clean Room (Bio Safety Level 2) Preparation Room Open Plan Laboratory (Bio Safety Level 1) Physical Library Digital Library Toilet Storage Meeting Room

2. 2.

Y AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

CHAPTER TITLE 49

LABORATORY

Open Plan Laboratory

Clean Rooms

Clean Room 1

Bio-safety Level 1

Clean Room 2

Prep Room

Bio-safety Level 2

The potato research centre features 2 laboratory spaces: an open plan laboratory for general potato research, and clean rooms for handling samples with bacterial infections which may pose risks to the surrounding potato fields. At the clean rooms, separate ventilation system is included to provide negative pressure to the room, with the air not re-cycled; a preparation room with sterilisation cupboard is included for additional safety.

PROPOSAL 50

PROPOSAL 51

COMMUNITY A WINDOW TO LA PAZ The community space lies between the research centre and the stock house. As it is the negative space between the two, the space includes a material palette combining features of both. The negative links all floors of the building through atrium and openings. The community space welcomes all members of the public to enter, residents and tourists alike. The main platform space also offers generous views to La Paz.

PROPOSAL 52

Facade

Frame-less structural glass with fins

Surface Finish

Robinia and Cumaro veneer

Gray Comanche stone splitfaced and honed.

PROPOSAL 53

Floor

Sandblasted gray Comanche stone tiles

GROUND FLOOR 2.5m

12.5m

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

25m

Office Reception Bar Exhibition Area Indoor Potato Nursery Open-Plan Laboratory Open-Plan Office Equipment Room Storage Individual Offices

Y AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

CHAPTER TITLE 55

ENTRANCE SEQUENCE

Precedent: Chakana Cross

Precedent: The Gate Of The Sun, Tiwanaku Temple

The entrance design takes inspiration from an Inca ruin, Tiwanaku Temple, introducing solid stone gates to signal arrival. The design includes 3 gates, 2 along the main access route to frame a more intimate courtyard space, leading the pedestrians to the final gate forming the entrance to the building. The same gateway language is also repeated at the vehicle entrance.

PROPOSAL 56

PROPOSAL 57

BAR AND POTATO EXHIBITION

The potato-based beverage bar and the potato exhibition blend together, creating a more informal atmosphere for potato knowledge exchange as visitors enter the centre.

PROPOSAL 58

PROPOSAL 59

BASEMENT FLOOR ONE 2.5m

12.5m

1. 2. 3. 4.

25m

Plant Room Indoor Potato Nursery Open-Plan Dinning Hall Kitchen

Y AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

3. 4.

3. 2.

CHAPTER TITLE 61

WATER COURTYARD

SK ND

Precedent: waterhole

Water is not only the most important factor for potato yield, but it is also a natural gathering point for animals and humans alike. The water courtyard at the lowest level includes water from the re-surfaced underground river, linking to the sky through the central atrium.

PROPOSAL 64

PROPOSAL 65

STOCK HOUSE UNEARTHING THE STOCK HOUSE A stock house with up to 5 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; potato reserves in every town centre was a key to stable food supply for the Incan empire. This part of the design unearths the old tradition, and introduces other potato development and preservation elements, which requires stable temperatures provided by the high thermal mass of stone and concrete in the stock house.

Facade

Comanche stone panel with Inca patterns.

Split-faced gray Comanche stone with multiple gauged width.

Floor

Honed gray Comanche stone PROPOSAL 68

Sandblasted gray Comanche stone tiles

Structure

In-situ and pre-fab concrete structure with sandblasted surface.

1 Transport in or out potato produce or supplies Delivery Bay 5

Develop strengthened seed potatoes Research

Culinary application of potatoes Kitchen

9 7

Indoor seed potato sprouting Sprouting Atrium

Potato culinary application tested in laboratory setting Sensory Lab

7 5

Agricultural potato testing ground Urban Agriculture

Conduct traditional Inca ceremony to agricultural gods Ceremony Hall

Store up to 1 yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potato stock for the town centre Dry Storage

Potato species preservation

Gene Bank

PROPOSAL 69

BASEMENT FLOOR TWO 2.5m

12.5m

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

25m

Storage Cold Storage Germination Laboratory Cryogenic Store Preparation Room Ceremony/Reciprocity Hall Meeting Room Tasting Room Food Preparation Room Toilet Kitchen Pantry Managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office

1. 4. 3. 2.

Y AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

10.

12. 10.

9. 8. 7.

CHAPTER TITLE 71

11.

13.

CORRIDOR The corridor design draws inspiration from the landscape of the Lunar Valley in La Paz, with rock formations emerging through water erosion, as well as the sunken corridor design of the Coricancha Temple of the Sun. The design exhibits the stock house as â&#x20AC;&#x153;cracked rockâ&#x20AC;&#x153;, forming negative space as corridor circulation.

Precedent: Lunar Valley, La Paz

I A solid rock

Precedent: Coricancha, the Incan Temple of the Sun

II Water flowing through the rock

PROPOSAL 72

III Cracked rock

PROPOSAL 73

CEREMONY HALL

The ceremony hall is designed for the frequent agricultural related ceremonies throughout the year. The hall is divided into 3 chambers, each chamber is dedicated to 1 agricultural god: the god of sun (Inti), goddess of the moon (mama quilla), and goddess of earth (pachamama). The 3 gods are all children of viracocha, the creator of the universe and his wife, mama cocha, the goddess of the sea.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

Jul.

Aug.

Sep.

La Paz Carnaval Aymara New Year Festival of the great power Reading Coca Leaves Pachamama Ritual Inti Raymi Festival

Agricultural Related Festival

PROPOSAL 74

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

PROPOSAL 75

BASEMENT FLOOR THREE 2.5m

12.5m

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

25m

Water Storage Goods Lift Archive Sterilisation Room Treatment Room Delivery Bay

Y AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

CHAPTER TITLE 77

BASEMENT FLOOR FOUR 2.5m

12.5m

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

25m

Dry Storage Sprouting Atrium Water Courtyard Exhibition Area Goods Lift Plant Room Composting Plant

Y AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

CHAPTER TITLE 79

DRY STORAGE

Precedent: Inca stock house

Storage Capacity For Each Storage Box= 1.5 Tonnes Maximum Number Of Storage Boxes= 225 Dry Storage Capacity= 1.5 x 225 = 337.5 Tonnes Average Annual Potato Consumption In Bolivia= 60 kg/pp Estimated Population Of The Poly-Centre= 5,000 Annual Potato Consumption Of The Poly-Centre= 0.06 x 5000 = 300 Tonnes

This triple height space follows the Inca stock house tradition, providing the capacity of storing 1 yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potato consumption for the population of the poly-centre.

PROPOSAL 80

PROPOSAL 81

PROPOSAL 82

D BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PROD

0m 2.5m 5m 12.5m

PROPOSAL 83 25m

TRAINING TRAINING THROUGH OBSERVATION General guided tours and the subject specific training programme are available to farmers and residents. The general guided tour allows the participants to follow a specific route to observe various aspects of potato cycles, while the subject specific training programme grants the participants access to specific locations. The spatial arrangement of the potato centre allows controlled access for semi-public training purposes. The diagram below exhibits the training route in plan form, combining spaces of different floor levels in one drawing. Guided Tour Route

Visual Connection

3 1 2 4 5

Exhibition Area

Library

Laboratory

Lecture Rooms

Kitchen

Community

Research

PROPOSAL 84

Community

3 4

5 Access to Biome 6 7

7 6 Access to Allotments

Access to Allotments

Gene Bank

Sensory Lab

Dry Storage

Allotments

Stock House

Urban Agriculture

PROPOSAL 85

TRAINING ROUTE

The participants are able to gain an overview of the urban agriculture field while looking at the water courtyard and the potato sprouting tower from this part of the guided tour.

PROPOSAL 86

PROPOSAL 87

URBAN AGRICULTURE PRODUCTIVE BIOME

Could there be a balance between the productive and the natural? That is certainly the hope for sustainable potato agriculture. 10,000 years ago, wild potatoes were grown in equilibrium with the forest ecosystem, until it was later domesticated and grown in organised fields. The main landscape strategy responds to the potato transition, by allowing the architecture to stand above the meeting point of the productive potato field and the wild potato biome, with the two linked by the most important element for potato yield: water.

Floor

Asphalt with Comanche rubble stone as aggregate

Local Soil

Stipa ichu grassland

Retaining Wall

Comanche stone panel with Inca patterns.

Split-faced gray Comanche stone with multiple gauged width.

PROPOSAL 88

Honed gray Comanche stone

Wild potato biome

Water courtyard

Productive potato field

PROPOSAL 89

PRODUCTIVE POTATO ALLOTMENT

PROPOSAL 90

WILD POTATO BIOME

PROPOSAL 91

WILD POTATO BIOME

The wild potato biome garden aims to recreate a natural environment reflecting the growing conditions of potatoes in the wild. The vegetation selection includes the common plants that would normally endemic to the high-altitude Bolivian Andean forest, with the vegetation planted in an organic manner.

Canopy Layer

Understorey Layer

Undergrowth Layer S. Capsicibaccatum

S. ber-thaultii

S. brevicaule

Stipa ichu

Pinus radiata

Eucalyptus

Wild Potato

Grassland

Indigenous Tree

PROPOSAL 92

TODESK STUDENT VERSION

CHAPTER TITLE 93

1. 2. 0m

10m

25m

Productive Potato Allotment Wild Potato Biome 50m

PRODUCTIVE POTATO FIELD AQUEDUCTS

The Incan aqueduct system is re-introduced to the landscape, linking the potato biome, the architecture, and the potato field. To prevent rapid evaporation in the high altitude climate, the ducts are designed to be deep with small surface opening.

WIld Potato Biome

Water Courtyard

Water supplied through underfloor ducts within the building at night.

Productive Potato Field

PROPOSAL 94

POTATO ROTATION AND COMPANION PLANTING

The productive field also aims to test alternative cultivation techniques, especially that of potato rotation and companion planting, to increase potato production and reduce risks from a specific crop failure.

Mashua Potato Variety 1

Maca Potato Variety 2

Oca Potato Variety 3

Ulluco Potato Variety 4

Potato Rotation 4-year rotation of different varieties of potatoes

Companion Planting Alternative rows of potato planted with other types of crop, usually every row or every two rows. The companion plant should have complementary nutrition requirements to potatoes.

PROPOSAL 95

04 TECTONIC

TECTONIC OVERVIEW

The tectonic strategy follows the architectural language outlined at different parts of the building. Tectonic details at the research centre focus on emphasising its weightlessness; the material application at the community hall brings out its open and connected nature, while the solidity of the stock house is expressed with solid stone components.

TECTONIC 98

Research Overhang light-shelf

Community Structural Glazing

Stock House Inca Pattern

BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PROD

2.5m

12.5m

TECTONIC 100

25m

TECTONIC 101

PASSIVE HOUSE DETAILING

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK

The drawing on the right provides an overview of the typical detailing principles implemented across the building. To achieve passive house standards, continuous insulation and air-tight layer (with infiltration rate at n50<0.6 ACH @50 Pa) is designed in the detailing. The external wall for stock house and research centre have U-values of 0.134 W/m2K and 0.129 W/m2K respectively, over-achieving the passive house requirement of 0.15 W/m2K for external walls.

External Stock House Wall U-Value Comanche stone thermal conductivity= Llama wool insulation thermal conductivity= Blockwork thermal conductivity= Comanche stone thermal resistance= Llama wool insulation thermal resistance= Blockwork thermal resistance= Total thermal resistance= U value=

3.5 (W/mK) 0.028 (W/mK) 0.7 (W/mK) 0.15 / 3.5 = 0.043 m2K/W 0.2 / 0.028 = 7.143 m2K/W 0.19 / 0.7 = 0.271 m2K/W 0.043 + 7.143 + 0.271 = 7.457 m2K/W 1 / 7.457 = 0.134 W/m2K

D BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

External Research Centre Wall U-Value CLT thermal conductivity= Llama wool insulation thermal conductivity= CLT thermal resistance= Llama wool insulation thermal resistance= Total thermal resistance= U value=

1.5m

7.5m

0.13 (W/mK) 0.028 (W/mK) 0.08 / 0.13 = 0.615 m2K/W 0.2 / 0.028 = 7.143 m2K/W 0.615 + 7.143 = 7.758 m2K/W 1 / 7.758 = 0.129 W/m2K

15m

TECTONIC 102

D BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PROD

2.5m

12.5m

TECTONIC 103

25m

RESEARCH TECTONIC PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION 1. 100% Recycled Growing Medium For Seedum Roof 100mm; Drainage Layer 10mm; Attenuation Layer 90% Recycled 50mm; Root Barrier Sheet 5mm; Load-Bearing Insulation 200mm; Membrane Protection Fibre Board 12mm; Air Tight Vapour Barrier Taped To Secure; Sound Insulation Board 20mm; LVL Panel 35mm.

2. 3.

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

2. Robinia Cladding 15mm; Horizontal Battens 50mm X 60mm; Vertical Batterns 50mm X 60mm; Breathale Membrane; Fiberboard 19mm; Llama Wool Fibre Insulation 200mm; Vapour Barrier; Robinia Loadbearing Clt Wall 80mm. 3. Thermal-Bridge-Free Facade Anchor.

4. Beige Colour Powder Coated Aluminium Ventilation Grill. 5. Raised Floor Access System With Beige Colour Flow Applied Resin 70mm; Steel Pedestal With Service Space 400mm; Acoustic Llama Wool Insulation 100mm; LVL Floor Boarding 35mm; 100X450mm Robinia LVL Beam. 6. Robinia Veneer Wrapped Aluminum Screen.

7. Double-Glazed Pivot Window With Low-E Coating And Thermally Broken Powder-Coated Aluminium Frame.

Scale: 1:30

TECTONIC 104

TECTONIC 105

TIMBER TECTONIC

Robinia Technical Data Bulk Density Tensile Strength Compressive Strength Flexural Strength Shear Strength

0.69 g/ccm 120-148 N/mm2 58-72 N/mm2 118-145 N/mm2 16-20 N/mm2

Bolivia is a leader in Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified timber production, contributing to local sustainable forest conservation while generating income for the indigenous farmers. The research centre would be constructed with engineered timber, with factories recently established in the reason: LVL for columns and beams, and CLT for the inner layer of the external walls. To achieve a lightweight and consistent appearance, the FSC certified local wood species, Robinia, will be selected as the key material for veneer and engineered timber. Robinia, a hardwood, is suitable to be made into engineered timber with its characters of easy to turn and glue, resembling similar properties as oak.

Robinina Veneer

TECTONIC 106

LVL columns and beams

LVL roof beam

LVL column

Dark blue colour powder coated steel dowels

Dark blue colour powder coated steel plate

TECTONIC 107

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Scale: 1:30

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

TECTONIC 108

COMMUNITY TECTONIC 1. Robinia Veneer Wrapped LVL Battens 30x80mm; Robinia Veneer Wrapped LVL Board hanged by Thermal-Bridge-Free Suspended Cladding Anchor 18mm; Breathable Membrane; Llama Wool Fiber Insulation Secured to the LVL Board 200mm; LVL Board 12mm; Air Tight Vapour Barrier Pre-Taped to LVL Board to Secure. 2. Clipper Hang From Ribbed Deck Securing The LVL Board 3. Sheet-Steel Fixing With Slotted Connections For Adjusting Glass Fins 10mm. 4. Double Glazed Curtain Wall System With Low-E Coating. 5. Pre-Carved Comanche Stone Panel With Inca Patterns 125mm; Breathable Membrane; Llama Wool Blown Applied Fibre Insulation 200mm; Air Tight Vapour Barrier Taped To The Top And Bottom Of The Block Work 100mm; Pre-Carved Comanche Stone Panel With Inca Patterns 75mm.

TECTONIC 109

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

2. 3.

Scale: 1:30 TECTONIC 110

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

STOCK HOUSE TECTONIC

1. Honed Gray Comanche Stone. 2. Split-Faced Gray Comanche Stone With Multiple Gauge Width And Concave Joint. 3. Stainless Steel Lintel. 4. Bolted Pre-Cast Reinforced Column 5. LED Stripe Light. 6. Sandblasted Gray Comanche Stone Tiles Supported By Raised Floor System 25mm; Breathable Membrane; Pre-Cast Cement Board With Incline To Drain 100mm; Load-Bearing Insulation 150mm; Air Tight Vapour Barrier Tape To Secure; In-Situ Waffle Slab.

TECTONIC 111

STONE TECTONIC

The use of stone as a construction material has been rooted in Bolivia since pre-Incan times. The stock house facade displays Comanche stone, a type of granite dimension stone, with various cutting methods, creating different appearances within the same stone. The Comanche stone is fine grained, equiangular, with medium-gray andesite. Mined from a stone quarry 70km outside the La Paz city, the Comanche stone was used to pave the streets of La Paz from the 1920s to 1930s. The respecification of this stone provides further historic links to the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past.

Comanche stone panel with Inca patterns.

Split-faced gray Comanche stone with multiple gauged width.

Honed gray Comanche stone

TECTONIC 112

Sandblasted gray Comanche stone tiles

TECTONIC 113

TECTONIC 114

ED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PROD

0m 2.5m 5m 12.5m

TECTONIC 115 25m

STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES Risk of Landslide Very high High Medium Low Very low

TECTONIC 116

The project addresses the following key structural challenges due to the siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural conditions and the architectural scale:

LANDSLIDE The mountainous landscape of La Paz results in city wide landslide risks. The site suffers from a medium landslide risk.

EARTH RETENTION The building sits within a river valley, presenting need for earth retention, as well as potential erosion problems caused by both the site steepness and the underground river.

STRUCTURAL CHANGE The 3-part architectural language requires different structural treatments for various parts of the building.

TECTONIC 117

STRUCTURAL OVERVIEW

RC Transfer Beam Waffle Slab and RC Column

LVL Floor Beam and Columns Load-Bearing Masonry Wall

The building includes 2 structural systems depending on spatial requirements and the material characters. The community and stock house follows similar concrete structure, with load bearing masonry as external wall and RC frame system. Some columns terminate at the community level. The research centre includes a mixture of a concrete ribbed deck resting on the transfer beams, with a timber based structure that is then allowed to continue with smaller span to best fit the timberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s material and structural characteristics.

TECTONIC 118

LVL Roof Beams

LVL Floor Beams LVL Columns

Research LVL Roof Beam In-situ 1-Way Span Ribbed Deck Pre-cast Concrete Transfer Beams

2-Way Span In-situ Waffle Slabs

Research Concrete Ribbed Deck

Pre-Cast Concrete Columns Load-Bearing Stone Masonry Wall

Secant Pile Foundation And Triple Pile Foundation

Stock House Concrete Waffle Slab Exploded Structure

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

900m Working Grid

Structural Grid

Shear Wall

The building is designed based on a 900mm x 900mm grid, with all structural grid-lines sitting at the multiples of 900mm. The gird of the community centre and the stock house are similar, only with simplified columns at the community level to allow clearer spatial framing. The research centre is supported by LVL columns resting on transfer beams, following a different grid in the NorthSouth direction, but the same grid at the East-West direction. PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Research

TECTONIC 120

PRODUCED BY ANSTUDENT AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK VERSION

STRUCTURAL GIRD

Community

TECTONIC 121

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Stock House

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED PRODUCED BY BY AN AN AUTODESK AUTODESK STUDENT STUDENT VERSION VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

SECANT PILE WALL

Primary Piles (5.5m deep)

Secondary Piles (11m deep)

A secant pile wall is used as the retaining wall for the building. The interlocked primary and secondary piles of the secant wall can form a water tight boundary. However, to prevent additional pressure to the retaining wall caused by trapped water, the primary pile will only be slightly deeper than the basement level to allow gap for underground water to flow through, while the secondary pile continues deeper. Point loads from pile retaining wall can increase land stability in this area with mid-level landslide risk. An earth retaining anchor will also be applied to the secant for additional strength. The application of anchor can significantly reducing the required secant pile thickness from 900mm to 450mm, drastically reducing the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s embodied carbon.

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION TECTONIC 122

1. Reinforced Concrete Guide Wall 2. Secant Pile Retaining Wall 450mm; Flowable Fill 150mm; Drainage Composite Panel 50mm; Damp Proof Membrane; Closed Cell Insulation 200mm; Vapour Barrier; Pre-Cast Concrete Wall With Sandblasting Surface Treatment. 3. Raised Floor Access System With Sandblasted Gray Comanche Stone Tile 70mm; Steel Pedestal With Service Space 400mm; Reinforced Concrete Thermal Ventilation Labyrinth 200mm + 700mm; Air Tight Vapour Barrier Taped To Secure; In-Situ Concrete Slab 200mm; Concrete Form work 18mm; Rigid Insulation 150mm; Damp Proof Membrane; Binding 300mm; Hardcore.

4. Load-Bearing Insulation Block 200mm.

4. Scale: 1:30 TECTONIC 123

03 SUSTAINABILITY

SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES

The building is designed based on the Passive House 1. Enhance the building life cycle’s carbon performance with principles and with its sustainable criteria guided by the reduced embedded carbon through design considerations, BREEAM 2016 guidelines through the following sections: and reduced energy consumption through the building lifetime. Health and Wellbeing, Water, Materials, Energy and Waste. 2. Predominately use natural and passive BE strategies. The key environmental strategies were inspired by a typical potato plant, exchanging nutrition between 3. When passive strategies are not applicable, use its leaves and roots through the stems. The potato active conditioning technologies as supplement, such centre also sees the central atrium as the “lung of the as MVHR. To ensure the efficiency of the MVHR (as building”, providing similar function to a potato stem. required by the Passive House Institute), the building is detailed with continuous insulation and an airtight The following principles apply as key sustainable strategies: barrier following the outer fabric of the building.

CHAPTER TITLE 126

Health and Wellbeing

Water

Shaded, light, and shadow

Water harvesting and purification

> 0 10

R km

a d iu s

Health and Wellbeing

Materials

Natural ventilation during the day and MVHR at night

Locally sourced material and modular system

Energy

Energy generation through organic waste CHAPTER TITLE 127

Thermal Mass

INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND THERMAL COMFORT Health & Wellbeing

La Paz has relatively stable temperatures through out the year (with average yearly temperature differences smaller than 5 oC), but sees dramatic diurnal temperature differences of around 15 oC. Thus, a combination of natural ventilation and MVHR assisted mechanical ventilation is proposed depending on the external temperature. With the average day time temperature around 14 o C, heat emissions from occupants, appliances, as well as thermal mass of the building can maintain the internal temperature around to a level suitable for the functions, allowing the building to be naturally ventilated without dedicated heating. As the temperature drops at nightfall, following the passive house principles, all windows would be electronically shut, creating an air-tight building envelope to initiate the MVHR system. The desirable temperature for the research and community function is mapped as a thick band, allowing greater daily fluctuation to reflect the external temperature variations and peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s corresponding outfits. The desirable temperature for potato dry storage remains constant throughout.

SUSTAINABILITY 128

Temperature 25°C

20°C

15°C

10°C

5°C

0°C

-5°C

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

Jun.

Jul.

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Average Day Time Tempreature

Desirable Stock House (Potato Storage) Temperature: 10-12°C

Average Night Time Temperature

Desirable Research Function Temperature: 19-23°C

Daily Temperature Range

Desirable Community Function And Other Stock House Temperature: 15-27°C

SUSTAINABILITY 129

NATURAL VENTILATION Health & Wellbeing

Air shaft behind the core acting as labyrinth

Natural ventilation is applied during the day, allowing the building to be passively ventilated. The key strategy surrounds the central atrium acting as the lung of the building, providing stack ventilation, with air drawn through air well and under floor labyrinth behind the core for temperature moderation. To achieve the desired temperature for potato storage (10-12 oC), air would run through the underground river as part of the passive cooling strategy. Other rooms, which would remain closed and can not benefit from stack ventilation, have room widths smaller than 7m and are companied by pivot windows, providing 1-sided ventilation.

Room Depth: 6.3m

1-sided ventilation for small sized rooms

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

SUSTAINABILITY 130

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Prevailing wind coming from the North-East drawn in. Built-in labyrinth at the air shaft and underground using thermal mass to balance the temperature. Air supplied to the potato dry storage drawn through underground river channel cooled by convection and evaporation. Indoor air heated through radiation from human and appliances, creating constant heat flux. Glazed solar atrium heated by sun light, promoting stack effect. Strong up-flow generated from the buoyancy difference between different parts of the building.

5. 6.

Research Centre 20-23 째C

Dinning Hall 4.

17-20 째C 1.

Potato Storage 10-12 째C

Water Courtyard 15-17 째C

SUSTAINABILITY 131

MVHR SYSTEM Health & Wellbeing At night, when the outdoor temperature is too low to maintain the desirable indoor temperature without additional heating, all natural ventilation openings will be mechanically shut to create an air-tight envelope to initiate the MVHR system; heat is provided via the combined heat and power system, but tempered additionally with the built-in labyrinth. The building includes 3 MVHR units due to the large internal floor area and differences in functional requirements. The MVHR distribution strategy is outlined on the diagram at the right. The research and community function is ventilated by the MVHR unit at plant room 1 at basement level 1, while the stock house is supplied by the plant room 2 at the basement level 4. The clean room will include its individual air exchange unit to prevent cross contamination (reflecting HEA03 guideline for lab safety). The MVHR ducts will run within the 400mm deep suspended floor system, allowing sufficient space for the air exchange ductwork. The key duct route runs below the corridor, then branches out to each space. The cool and clean air would be released from the window to the side of the building, with the heated and polluted air picked up by the extraction system in the ceiling, connecting to the ductwork from the floor above.

nt pla t e h t ea r to e h s sfe or th roces n Tra om f ge p ro han exc

Fresh Air Outlet Polluted Air Intake A typical MVHR supply and extract plan SUSTAINABILITY 132

Clean Room

A typical ventilation outlet size requirement Room occupancy when in use for sensory lab = Air demand (assume 10 L/sec/person) = Assumed air velocity = Designed air outlet grille width = Length requirement for air outlet grille = The ventilation outlet size for a typical room (seonsory lab) is =

10 10 x 10 = 100 L/s = 0.1 m3/s 0.5 m/s 0.2 m 0.1 / 0.5 / 0.2 = 1 m 1m x 0.2m

Hot and polluted air intake at the ceiling at the door end of the room

Plant Room 1

Cool and clean air outlet from the ground duct at the window end of the room,

Air supplied from PR 1 Plant Room 2 Air supplied from PR 2 Locally ventilated with independent MVHR

Buoyancy assisted mechanically ventilated air cycle across the room SUSTAINABILITY 133

Combined Heat And Power Generator

VISUAL COMFORT Health & Wellbeing

Shaded

18:09 Light

10° 20° 30° 40° 50° 60° 70° 80°

07:00

Shadow

05:58

19:05

The high altitude, Southern hemisphere location of La Paz results in all year round strong sunlight, and Northern sunlight for most of the year. However, southern sunlight does occur between October and February, meaning shading from these directions were also necessary to prevent excess heat gain.

SUSTAINABILITY 134

NATURAL LIGHT - RESEARCH

The research space requires even and indirect lighting at 400 Lux at work surface. The design incorporates a series of screens and timber beams, both with “woven“ appearance, wrapped around the research centre, generating diffused light for the research space. The external facade screen also blocks sufficient heat from entering the building envelope. Roof

Facade

Structural LVL beam

Robinia veneer wrapped aluminum screen

SUSTAINABILITY 135

NATURAL LIGHT - COMMUNITY & STOCK HOUSE

Community space and stock house require very different lighting based on their functions. To maximise views but minimise unnecessary thermal gain from the sun, community space enjoys full height structural glazing with shading provided by the overhanging research space above. In contrast, most of the stock house space requires little to no natural light. Thus, long slit of windows or sky lights are provided, with the small glazing size and glazing set back to minimise heat gain. The natural lighting decisions are made based on the BREEAM Health and Wellbeing documentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Visual Comfort section (HEA01). Design considerations have been specially implemented for the stock house area, with each room no wider than 7m for visual comfort, allowing the room width to height ratio to be between 2-3.

SUSTAINABILITY 136

ARTIFICIAL LIGHT

The artificial lighting strategy at night mimics the lighting condition during the day. The research centre will include strips of lighting hanging following the position of the LVL roof structure, with smaller points of lighting such as desk lamps to supplement, creating an evenly lit working environment. The community hall sees the strongest lighting for the whole building, illuminating the fully glazed space as the beacon of the neighborhood, providing safe illumination needed for the surrounding neighbourhood. Lighting will follow the ribbed deck structure, enhancing the linear nature of the space. The stock house will include square lighting following the waffle slab structure. Gentle up-lights will be provided for the water courtyard.

SUSTAINABILITY 137

ACOUSTIC Health & Wellbeing

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

SUSTAINABILITY 138

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Acoustic insulation and absorption materials are both applied throughout the building in detailing. Acoustic insulation layers will be placed above each floor slab, as part of the raised floor system. Sound absorption materials are placed as surface treatment for the timber walling, diminishing noise for the large and open community hall and research centre. Small sound absorption panels of 750x750mm can be suspended from the indent of the waffle slab for the stock house area.

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

ACCESSIBILITY AND SECURITY Health & Wellbeing

Circulation to the research centre requiring key card access Reception and entrance to the research centre

Bar and entrance to the community hall

As the site sits in an area with the highest crime rate in La Paz, the design allows 1 public access to both the research centre, and the public community hall. The entrance would be monitored by the research centre reception and the bar respectively. All circulation which would provide access to any private area, research center and stock house alike, requires key card access. These security measurements are also in line with the HEA 06 Accessibility section.

SUSTAINABILITY 139

WATER CYCLE Water

Precipitation Wet Season

Dry Season

Wet Season

150mm 125mm 100mm 75mm Apr. 26 10mm

50mm

Jun. 25 2.5mm

Sep. 14 10mm

25mm 0mm

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

Jun.

Jul.

Aug.

La Paz experiences annual wet and dry seasons, with precipitation levels as low as 2.5mm at the peak of the dry season. The key water strategy is to create a rainwater collection system from the surface of the permanent site during the wet season, purifying the water using natural UV rays at the intervals of rain at the roof top, and storing the water for secondary use (e.g. potato irrigation and toilet flushing) for the dry season. The water storage room can store a total of 508m3 of water at one time, equivalent of 100% of 1.5 months’ water consumption, or 50% of 3 months’ water consumption.

Water intensity needed for large building per year= Required water for a whole year= Each water tank’s water storage capacity= Total water storage capacity= Water storage capacity to annual water consumption=

SUSTAINABILITY 140

977 L/m2 977 x 4005 = 3,912,885 L = 3,912 m3 1.5m x 1.5m x 3.14 x 4 = 28.26 m3 28.26m3 x 18 = 508.68 m3 508 / 3912 = 12%

Sep.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

1. Wet Season: Rain water collection during rainy season UV

ra al ys tit fro ud m e su hig n h

ed ct

ifie

er at w in

r Pu

er at W

lle

2. Wet Season: Rain water purification during sunny episodes.

3.Dry Season: Use stored water to offset demands. Yearly cycle of water collection, water purification, and water storage

2,250m2 of rainwater collection area SUSTAINABILITY 141

ENERGY LIFE CYCLE Materials

Aluminum Screen 116 Units

Window Frame 36 Units

Corridor Door frame 120 Units

To reduce the building energy life cycle, following strategies have been in place: 1. All major virgin construction materials are sourced from within a 100km radius of the site to reduce carbon emission from transportation. 2. The design uses mostly modular components which can be mass manufactured off site. The diagram above provides examples of some common elements in the building. The required modular components manufacturing can provide additional employment opportunities for the community. 3. All pre-made components are smaller than 2.9x12m in size, making transportation manageable. Other building parts, such as the waffleslab, which is too large to transport, will be cast in-situ on site. 4. 50% GGBS as substitution to Portland cement to reduce embodied carbon. 5. Energy efficient appliances such as LEDs and CHP system would be used in the building to further reduce operational energy requirements. SUSTAINABILITY 142

Glazing Panel 961 Units

100km

50km

Llama Wool Sourced From The Bolivian Herders

Llama Fiber Manufacturer Altifibers

Comanche Stone Quarry

La Paz

Cement Manufacturer Sociedad Boliviana de Cemento S.A.

SUSTAINABILITY 143

FSC Certified Timber Source

Timber Manufacturer Laminados del Beni

WASTE AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT Energy And Waste

In response to the BREEAM guidance for energy and waste, a CHP (Combined Heat and Power) system is introduced as the key heat and electricity generation strategy. The CHP system can not only re-cycle the on-site excess organic waste from the potato allotments, but maximise the heat generated from the usual electricity generation process, reducing carbon emissions by 30%. To achieve the CHPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potential, the building operation of the potato centre, the allotments, and the composting plant forms a 3-part relationship: the potato centre and allotments feed the composting plant with organic waste, and later benefit from the fertiliser, electricity and heat generated through the anaerobic process.

SUSTAINABILITY 144

Estimated building electricity and heating demand Maximum electricity demand for a typical passive house = 60W/m2/yr Annual estimated electricity demand = 60 x 4005 = 240,300 W/yr Annual estimated heating demand = 144,000 W/yr Based on the above estimations, the CHP suggestions provided by the https://chptools.decc.gov.uk/ calculator are as followed: CHP Capacity = Electricity Generated = Useful heat Recovered = CHP Capital Costs = Annual Cost Savings = Payback Period = CO2 Saving against all fossil fuels =

25 kWe 94 MWh / yr 144 MWh / yr ÂŁ45,000 ÂŁ8,000 (based on the UK energy price) 5.5 yrs 26 Tonne CO2 / Yr 12%

The date above provides a positive indication for the effectiveness of CHP for this project

Potato Field increase in yield with organic fertiliser

Food within the building operation

Building Operation

Organic Waste from building operation and allotments

Organic Waste Combined Heat And Power Plant

Gas and Fertiliser generated through anaerobic process in the composting plant ga

ste Wa c ni

Heat and Electricity

Urban Agriculture

from building operation and allotments

SUSTAINABILITY 145

Composting Plant er

lis

rti Fe

Heat and Electricty

SITE SELECTION Land Use and Ecology

In keeping with the LE 01 Site Selection guidance, an abandoned site with high contamination risk was chosen. The proposed design to regenerate the site would provide additional social and economic benefits to the surrounding community.

SUSTAINABILITY 146

PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND CYCLIST AMENITIES Transport

Bike Storage

Cycle Lane

Tram Stop

Bus Stop

The building sits within close proximity to the public transport stops (43m from the public entrance to a tram stop and 155m to a bus stop), reducing transportrelated pollution and congestion. The design also follows the master plan design principles of encouraging an alternative travel method: cycling. The building entrance sits next to the cycling lane, with a indoor bike storage providing a 48 bike storage capacity. The provision follows the TRA 01 and TRA 03 guidance.

SUSTAINABILITY 147

05 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

OVERVIEW LOCAL AND UK REGULATIONS

Though Bolivia have its own building regulations, known as "Reglamento Boliviano De La Construccion"; to ensure higher design standards, and Health and Safety of the construction workers and building users, the UK Approved Documents series would be used as the main guidance for design. Among the UK Approved Documents, the following would be particularly relevant to the project. Structure: Approved Document A To ensure structural integrity in area at risk of landslides, particular design attention is placed in foundation strategy. Fire safety: Approved Document B Considerations regarding fire warning, the prevention of internal and external spread (B1, B2 and B3) are in place. Site preparation and resistance to contaminates and moisture: Approved Document C As the site includes a small river running across with continuous rubbish dumped on site, decontamination and moisture treatment is to be carried out. Ventilation: Approved Document F Regulations regarding ventilation methods for mixed use buildings is implemented to provide appropriate natural and mechanical strategies. Protection from falling, collision and impact: Approved Document K The site includes dramatic height differences and a large drop towards the river, thus, safety measures would be required. Access to and use of buildings: Approved Document M The site height difference and the potential need for the building to contain multiple stories would require accessibility applications. Combustion appliances: Approved Document J Specialist consultant is to be employed to ensure the safety for the combined heat and power system.

TITULO PRIMERO DISPOSICIONES GENERALES CAPÍTULO I OBJETIVO Artículo 1.- El Reglamento Boliviano de Construcciones tiene el objetivo fundamental de normar todo principio, método, sistema de valoración, forma de apreciación y requisitos mínimos para la construcción o mejoramiento de edificaciones públicas o privadas, estableciendo responsabilidades y obligaciones de todas las entidades participantes en el proceso. Este Reglamento es de interés social y de cumplimiento obligatorio en todo el territorio Nacional. Los Gobiernos Departamentales y Municipales en toda la República, en el ámbito de su competencia, serán los encargados de su implementación y observancia de las disposiciones técnicas, legales y otras reglamentarias aplicables en materia de construcción, instalación, modificación, ampliación, reparación y demolición, así como el uso de las edificaciones en los predios del territorio nacional. Se permitirá a los Gobiernos Departamentales y Municipales la elaboración de normativas complementarias, tomando en cuenta la disponibilidad de materiales de construcción, las características geográficas, ambientales, climáticas, culturales y costumbres de la zona y/o región. CAPÍTULO II ÁMBITO DE APLICACIÓN Artículo 2.- Este Reglamento se aplica para la construcción de toda clase de edificación, considerando los materiales constitutivos, la metodología constructiva, la diversidad de usos y para el ámbito público o la iniciativa del sector privado, regula la ejecución de todas las construcciones nuevas, ampliación, modificación, instalación, reparación o rehabilitación que alteren, parcial o totalmente, la configuración arquitectónica de las edificaciones o que produzcan una variación esencial en el conjunto del sistema estructural, o tengan por objetivo cambiar los usos característicos de la edificación. Así también a las obras que tengan el carácter de intervención total o parcial en edificaciones catalogadas de patrimonio histórico o que dispongan de algún tipo de protección de carácter ambiental o artístico. Clasificación de las Edificaciones (Cuadro Referencial) – Propuesta VMVU GENERO DE EDIFICACION

CARACTERÍSTICAS

Unifamiliar

Multifamiliar Condominios Oficinas Oficinas de la Administración Pública Bancos Oficinas del Sector Privado Almacenamiento y Abasto Tiendas de Barrio Farmacias Tiendas de Especialidades Tiendas de Autoservicio Centros Comerciales Mercados Talleres – Ferreterías Tiendas de Servicio Baños Públicos – Salones de Belleza - Talleres de

26 m2 mínimo para vivienda económica o de interés social. 36 a 54 m2 para vivienda progresiva social. 63 a 100 m2 vivienda muy buena y más m2 vivienda residencial. De 4 niveles hasta 10 niveles Más de 10 viviendas De 30 m2 hasta 100 m2. De 100 m2 hasta 1.000 m2. De 1.000 m2 hasta 10.000 m2 De 1.000 m2 hasta 5.000 m2 Hasta 250 m2 De 250 m2 hasta 5.000 m2 De 250 m2 hasta 5.000 m2 Hasta 4 niveles 2

De 250 m hasta 10.000 m2 De 100 m2 hasta 500 m2

Servicio Clínicas y Centros de Salud Hospitales

Asilos - Orfanatos - Casas Cuna Asistencia Animal Educación Primaria Educación Secundaria Educación Superior Botánicos – Zoológicos Centros de Información Bibliotecas - Hemerotecas Instalaciones Religiosas Templos Sitios Históricos Teatros, Cines, Salas Concierto, Ferias, Circos Salones de Baile - Club Golf - Club Campestre Deportes y Recreación – Estadios - Hipódromos Velódromos - Campos de Tiro Hoteles Moteles Casas de Huéspedes Albergues - Hostales Policía - Garitas Estaciones - Bomberos Reclusorios Reformatorios Emergencias - Puestos de socorro - Puestos de Ambulancia Cementerios Mausoleo - Crematorios Transportes terrestres Terminales - Estaciones Estacionamientos Transportes Aéreos Comunicaciones: Agencias de Correos, Telégrafos, Teléfonos, Correos, Estaciones de Radio Industria Pesada, Mediana y Ligera Plazas - Explanadas Jardines - Parques Plantas, estaciones y subestaciones de servicio Torres, antenas, mástiles y chimeneas Depósitos, Almacenes, Bombas y Basureros *Este cuadro esta

Hasta 10 camas o consultorios Más de 10 camas o consultorios – Desde 250 m2 - de 4 niveles hasta 20 niveles Más de 10 niveles – hasta 250 ocupantes Hasta 300 m2 Mas de 100 concurrentes Mas de 100 concurrentes Mas de 500 concurrentes De 1.000 m2 hasta 50.000 m2 Hasta 500 m2 de 4 niveles y más de 500 m2. más de 4 niveles Mas de 250 concurrentes Cualquier magnitud Mas de 250 concurrentes Mas de 250 usuarios De 1000 m2 y más de 5.000 m2 - De 250 concurrentes hasta 50.000 concurrentes Mas de 100 camas Hasta 50 camas De 25 ocupantes hasta 100 ocupantes De cualquier magnitud De cualquier magnitud

Desde 1.000 fosas Desde 300 m2 Hasta y más de 1,000 m² cubiertos Hasta y más de 250 parqueos y 4 niveles Cualquier magnitud Cualquier magnitud

Hasta y más de 50 trabajadores Hasta 1.000 m2 y más de 10.000 m2 De 1 Ha. hasta y más de 50 Has. Cualquier magnitud Hasta 8 m. y más de 30 m. de altura Cualquier magnitud sujeto a modificaciones.

Clasificación de las Edificaciones (Cuadro Referencial) – Propuesta GMLP TIPO DE EDIFICACION VIVIENDA Unifamiliar

CARACTERÍSTICAS 45 a 60 m2 para vivienda mínima progresiva de interés social. 63 a 100 m2 vivienda de interés medio.120 a 180 m2 vivienda muy buena y más m2

VICEMINISTERIO DE VIVIENDA Y URBANISMO REGLAMENTO BOLIVIANO DE CONSTRUCCIONES VER. 1.00

A page from "Reglamento Boliviano De La Construccion"

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 150

STRUCTURE APPROVED DOCUMENT A Due to the complexity of the structural systems and the local landslide risk, particular attention should be paid to A1 (Loading), and A2 (Ground Movement). Particular attention is paid into the varying dead load at the stock house portion of the building, especially that of the potato storage (holding up to 300 tonnes of potatoes at one time) and water storage, to prevent disproportional collapse. To best understand the serious risk of landslides, a detailed survey is to be conducted to investigate the risk of ground movement cased by natural weight, erosion, and temperature change caused soil swelling and shrinkage.

CONTAMINATION AND MOISTURE APPROVED DOCUMENT C

Both section C1 (Site preparation and resistance to contaminants) and C2 (Resistance to moisture) are crucial to the building design. Prior to construction, a clearance process should be conducted to remove all dumped rubbish on site. Further ground treatment may be required to reduce contamination caused hazards during construction and when the building is in use. Subsoil drainage systems also need to be introduced by a specialist engineer to redirect the underground river to run beneath the building, preventing moisture accumulating behind the secant retaining wall, causing structural damage.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 151

FIRE SAFETY APPROVED DOCUMENT B

Compartmentation of Stock House

The design follows the UK Approved Document B Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2019 edition. With buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mixed functions, the building falls into group 3 (Office), group 4 (Shop and Commercial), and 7(a) (Storage), with most of the space s connected through multiple atria, the building needs to comply to all guidance of the groups throughout. The design takes into consideration the following sections: B1 : Means Of Warning And Escape - Automatic fire detection and alarm (audio and visual) system will be applied through out the building, considering risks of fire break out from an unoccupied area, complying with BS 5839-1. - Manual call points will be reserved next to exit doors. - Means of horizontal escape are provided on all levels of the building, complying with the maximum escape distance, with access to at least 2 stairs on each level (considering the estimated occupancy to be above 60 but below 600). The maximum escape distance depending on user groups are as follows. Purpose Group

One Direction (m)

More Than One Direction (m)

3 (Office)

4 (Shop and Commercial)

7 (Storage) Normal Hazard

2-7 (Plant Room) a. distance within the room b. escape route not in open air

9 18

35 45

- In the rare case of inner rooms, e.g. clean rooms and gene bank, no more than 10 occupants are allowed in each inner room at one time. At least 2 exits are presented at each inner room to prevent the needs for special provision. - Protected stairways are designed to be separated from any circulation route to prevent disruptions. Self-closing fire doors will be fitted with an automatic release mechanism.

- All escape routes and exits are designed to be over 1050mm to provide excess capacity with the building occupancy. - Final exit to unenclosed outdoor environment are provided for levels except Level 1, allowing increased escape routes and decreased escape distance. - Corridor providing alternative escape means are divided by self-closing fire doors mid way down the corridor, with escape direction clearly illuminated. - Refuge points are designed into each protected staircase. B2 and B3: Internal Fire Spread - The concrete structure performs well under fire to ensure building stability. The LVL and CLT structure displays better fire resistance performance than normal timber structure, allowing up to 60 minutes fire rating. - The stock house is compartmenlised for fire safety The outer wall of a compartmenlised area will include insulating core panels for additional fire resistance ability. - Thermoplastic materials are placed in accordance to the guidelines to reduce the speed of fire spread. - Sprinkles systems are installed and checked throughout the building as an automatic fire suppression method. - All escape route linings include 60 minutes fire rating. - Cavity barriers are installed throughout the floor cavity. B4: External Fire Spread - The material specified for the external walls comply with section 12 of Approved Document B4, requiring materials that falls under Class B-s3, d2(2) or better. - The building maintains at least 1.5m distance from any surrounding existing buildings to prevent the spread of fire. B5: Access And Facilities For The Fire Service - Fire engine access routes wider than 3.7m are provided at the East and West side of the building. Wet risers are included near the fire service access point, supplied by stored water within the building. - Basement floors are specified with mechanical smoke extract.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 152

Wet Riser

Protected Stairway (60mins)

Disabled Refuge

Fire Doorsets

Final Exit

Exit Route

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 153

Fire Engine Access Route

VENTILATION APPROVED DOCUMENT F As the design intents to use MVHR during night time, the fixed ventilation system is to be tested within 5 days after the work is completed, by specialist personnel, to test the effectiveness of the mechanical ventilation, as well as the air-tightness of the building. Test information is to be recorded and exchange with principle designer and clients, and any necessary improvements on the ventilation equipment to be made.

COMBUSTION APPLIANCES APPROVED DOCUMENT J A specialist consultant is to be appointed to design the air supply, bio-gas storage, and small prevention for the combined heat and power system. As the burning of self-generated gas may pose increased risk for fire safety, the composting plant for combined heat and power will be placed in a separate part of the building, with no direct opening to other internal parts but connected to the plant room through pipework. While the products of combustion will be used as fertiliser for the allotment, additional treatment is to be applied to the discharged product, to ensure bio-safety for plants.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 154

PROTECTION FROM FALLING APPROVED DOCUMENT K

1.1m

2.2m 1.1m

K1: Stairs and ladders - All internal stairs within the building are designed with the riser height at 150mm, and going at 250mm, complying with the table 1.1. The RC stairs are to be pre-cast as one solid module (as all escape stairs are identical throughout the building), allowing no opening at the riser to prevent tripping hazard. - The escape stairs are designed with 3 flights per floor, allowing minimum 2200mm headroom at any part of the stairs. - Width of stairs are kept at 1200mm, with the distance between handrails at 1100mm. The landing width is 1550mm, allowing space for the disabled refuges.

K3: Vehicle barriers and loading bays - The vehicle loading bays are designed as a separate room (acting as vehicle barrier) to prevent potential harm to building users while the vehicle is maneuvering. - The vehicle loading bay is designed with direct exit point facing the bay, at the centre of the rear wall. K4: Protection against impact with glazing - Toughened double glazing is specified throughout the building to prevent shattered glass causing harm.

K5: Protection from collision with open windows K2: Protection from falling - All operable windows are designed to be pivoted from the - 1100mm tall handrails are provided throughout the middle, with small opening within 100mm. building when there is a height difference greater than 380mm. The handrail at flights are kept at 900mm.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 155

ACCESS TO AND USE OF BUILDINGS APPROVED DOCUMENT M

Access to allotments

The building follows the guidance of Approved Document Part M: Access to and use of buildings (2015 edition) Volume 2. The design aims to provide equal experience to the users, complying with the Equality Act 2010. M1&M2 - Approach: La Paz is known for its valley like cityscape: the main access route to the building is at an overall 5% incline. As this is the natural street scape throughout the city, it would be assumed that all users can access through the existing route with no alternation necessary. - Access: The building provides leveled approach from its public entrance with automated door of 1800mm width. All the viewing platform to the landscape allotments and biome can be accessed from the building. Other allotment levels are designed to be used by local residents, and can be accessed from existing streets. The building is designed to allow public access to a portion of the building, where the

public can enter from the main entrance, and access other public areas through public stairs and lift. Other semi-public (access through guided tour) and private area are separated by key card access, with the private area buffered by semipublic areas to prevent accidental intrusion by the public. - Circulation: Each level catered with at least 2 lifts for disabled access. In the rare 2 occurrence mezzanine levels, the space is designed as a potato garden, requiring occasional maintenance by specialised personnels, and thus do not need to apply with Part M. Horizontal circulation is designed at minimum 1500mm, with minimum 900mm for doors. M3: Sanitary conveniences Public toilets are available at basement level 1 (accessible by lift), including 2 disabled toilets. Toilets for staff are located at level 1 and basement level 4. All is disabled toilets are designed with minimum size of 1500mm x 2200mm.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 156

Public Access

Semi-Public Access

Private Acess

Toilets

Accessible Toilets

Entrance

Access to Biome

Access to Allotments

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 157

Passenger Lift

CDM REGULATIONS

The building is to comply with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), ensuring a sufficient management of health, safety and welfare during the construction process. Pre Construction It is assumed that architects will act as principle designer to plan and manage health and safety arrangements during the pre construction stage. It is important that prior planning is in place to prevent and eliminate foreseeable risks and other designers clearly appointed with defined duties. Prior to construction activities, a detailed survey should be conducted in regards to the ground conditions, contamination, and bearing capacity. The information can than be used to generate informed risk assessments outlining the location for site office, material storage, security line, crane locations, and hoarding position. The principle designer and other designers have the duty to alter design accordingly to ensure safety of building integrity and construction. When risks cannot be avoided, measures should be in place to control them at source. A construction phase plan is to be drawn up at this stage too (See the drawings to follow). Should the clients decide to appoint more than one contractors, a Health and Safety File should also be prepared by the principle designer.

principle designer still remains in the role of complete design knowledge hand-over and actively liasing with principle contractor and clients. Due to the size of the project, 2 cranes with will be placed at both sides of the site, each with a boom length of 40m, to assist lifting heavy elements such as the pre-cast RC columns. As most of the building elements (apart from masonry wall and waffle slabs) will be pre-made, the presence of cranes can drastically reduce construction time and thus reduce cost. All personnel are to receive health and safety training and be provided with suitable personal protective equipment (PPE). Welfare facilities such as WCs, changing rooms, kitchenette, meeting rooms are to be provided with the site office. To ensure safety of the passerby and the safety of the equipments (the surrounding site area suffers from the highest crime rate of La Paz), hoarding will be set up during the construction process, with some of the public access road to temperately restrict access.

Maintenance and Use As the building suffers from landslides and earthquake, regular checks should be in place when the building is in use to ensure structural integrity. As all windows are designed as pivoted, they can all be cleaned internally. The curtain wall would require external cleaning, which can be achieved from ground level and balcony as the curtain wall is no more than 2 Construction stories tall from the closest accessible platform. The aluminum During the construction stage, the duty to plan and manage and stone facade will be assumed to be self-cleaning. risks will be handed over to principles contractors, while the

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 158

Site Office

Materials Storage

Temporary Restricted Access

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 159

Crane Location

Hoarding

CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE

Pre-Construction

Phase I

Phase II

Detailed survey towards the land stability and contamination extent is to be carried out.

Installation of secant pile retaining wall.

After the land is secured with secant pile retaining wall, excavation can start to take out unwanted soil. The extra soil will be re-located to form the landscape terraces. Triple pile foundations and basement floor can be constructed.

CHAPTER TITLE 160

Phase III

Phase IV

Phase V

Construction of the stock house and the transfer beams of the research centre is to be carried out. The masonry retaining walls for the terraced allotments can also start.

The construction of the building fabric of the research centre, excluding the research centre’s facade and air-tight layer.

Install the research centre’s facade and the community hall’s curtain wall simultaneously, to ensure a continuous insulation and air-tight layer.

CHAPTER TITLE 161

06 PROCESS

REFLECTION THE NEVER ENDING DESIGN JOURNEY

I was completely fascinated by La Paz when I first arrived: the high-altitude glaring sun, the buzzing markets with thousands of potato species on sale, the earthy smell from the adobe and stone buildings, and the pride the locals exhibited in both their indigenous beliefs of “Pachamama“ (the mother earth) and their colonial culture. I particularly, through visits to local museums, found the agricultural society in the Inca Empire an almost Utopian world, a reminder to me of the fictional “Hobbiton“ in The Lord Of The Rings trilogy. While the Incan society has moved on, with the modern Bolivia transformed for the better and for the worse, the Inca belief remains strongly rooted in the culture. This makes La Paz a city of marvel, standing out strongly from other capital cities in the world that are becoming increasingly identical. That visit to La Paz made me determined to preserve such regional uniqueness, to create a harmonious image I had in my mind since day one: potatoes in the sky. The design journey for me was meandering, with countless instances of stepping back and numerous redirections. As design judgment is subjective and never finite, I constantly view my own work through a critical lens. Most of the time, the challenge for me is to learn to move on, trying to accept areas that I am not fully satisfied with. Fortunately, I have learned that surprise solutions usually arise when the design is further developed. I particularly enjoyed the path to push for exciting and yet appropriate spatial experiences, and continuously worked on clarifying the architectural narrative. However, I wished I spent more time investigating more innovative structural solutions (I found the research process more difficult not having the access to a physical library during the Covid-19 lock-down). I have been interested in the potential applications of Artificial Intelligence in the architectural design process, but unfortunately I was not able to explore it for this project. While it is easy to identify doubt in the never ending design journey, I am overall pleased with the progress, knowing that I have pushed myself out of my design comfort zone at times, and this project is a distinct step forward in my architectural understanding when compared to my previous years.

PROCESS 164

PROCESS 165

INITIAL IDEAS

Idea 1: Atomic Descent

Idea 2: Sprouting Valley

I began my design with a design exercise of “asking, looking, playing, making“, an exercise we practiced during our 5th year’s study, to come up with words through observation which represent the quality of the site and the character, and combine one of each to form a phrase as the theme for an idea. The initial ideas include Atomic Descent, where the building flows down the site in a spiral manner; Sprouting Valley, with the design descending down the site like terraces; and Woven Gateway, where the building takes form of a dam, lining across the site, with its functions interlocked and engaged with one another. I found the Gateway idea had the most potential, as it best respond to the site conditions and its gateway location. I then tested multiple forms with this idea.

PROCESS 166

Idea 3: Woven Gateway

CHAPTER TITLE 167

DEVELOPMENTS PHASE I As I dived in with the gateway form, I tried multiple related architectural languages, with the initial one seeing a tower suspending on the solid. The idea I moved on to involves 2 linear forms, with the lightweight form suspended above the heavy, and the 2 forming a in-between space. At this point I also tried to introduce complex and separate circulation routes for private and public. However, this move seemed to over complicate the design.

n of ctio Dire tery Ar Natural Activities

1. Anchor

an Hum ties vi Acti

of ion ne t c i e Dir en Sp e Gr

2. Absorb

PROCESS 168

3. Associate

PROCESS 169

PROCESS 170

PROCESS 171

PHASE II At this point I decided to take a step back and re-establish the spatial quality I wanted for the design. I made several collages for most of the functions. However, some of the collages have too many focuses and lack clarity.

Community

Stock House

Research

Training PROCESS 172

PHASE III Significant change was introduced at this stage. The building is made more linear, with increased connections to the existing streetscapes. The programme was rearranged for further clarity. The building material choice than was rammed earth at this stage, but soon changed for its lack of water resistant qualities.

PROCESS 173

PHASE IV The building form was further explored through sketches, and drafted digitally to explore detailed resolutions. To establish the Incan terrace like appearance, the main building material was changed from rammed earth to stone. However, the building still suffered from over-complicated spatial arrangements, causing confusion for the tutors during review. Thus, further work was undertaken to clarify the building narrative.

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

B4 PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

RESEARCH

lic Pub Main ccess A

CONSUMPTION

TRAINING

Staff and Service Access

B3 STORAGE

Secondary Public Access

URBAN AGRICULTURE

APE

DSC

LAN

PROCESS 175

PROCESS 176

PHASE V While significant changes were made in the research portion by dividing the previously continuous form into several smaller compartments, the rest of the building remains similar. Detail design was then developed to strengthen the building tectonics. A 900mm x 900mm working grid was introduced throughout the building. The narrative was also reviewed and simplified, aiming to create stronger impact with more concise information.

PROCESS 177

THE NORMAL REVIEWS THE OUTLINE REVIEW

Reviewers have raised some valuable concerns during this review. While the building’s overall “gateway“ form was acknowledged to be suitable for the context, the design execution was questioned to be over complicated and the building size too large. The comments prompted me to take a step back and re-examine the essence of the narrative, leading to a relatively drastic change to the design.

PROCESS 178

THE SCHEME REVIEW

The scheme was better received this time. The overall spatial arrangements (with the public in the middle and the private at the top and the bottom) were recognised to be logical, and my research into the indigenous potato cultivation techniques was praised. However, at points the reviewers where struggling to understand the building layout, requiring the further production of explanatory information.

PROCESS 179

COVID-19

I was extremely grateful for the studio environment during the first half of the project. It was inspiring, collaborative, fun and yet competitive. The team atmosphere formed a strong part of my support system and definitely encouraged my design for community focused space. Later, when the pandemic eventually hit the UK and our dinning table at home became our new 2-man/woman work station, a new working dynamic for both arrived. It is a paradoxical experience, designing space for physical gathering and exchange, while the designers ourselves sit in isolation. At the same time, with the inability to make physical models, design process turned 100% to the 2-dimensional media, paper and computer screens alike. Rather fitting I would

say, given all the virtual communication we make these days anyway. However, designing 3-dimensional space with 2-dimensional media brings another paradox to the architectural education experience of this time. The questions I kept asking myself are: Would the “new normal“, virtual communications and experience, have impacts on designers’, especially students’, ability to invent physical space for interaction? Will the line between the spatial experience of reality and virtual becomes more and more blurred with this societal change and technological trend?

PROCESS 180

THE FINAL REVIEW

With everyone in lock-down, the final review was carried out virtually through Whatsapp. I certainly found this modern way of review fun and less formal. I was pleased with how the scheme was received by the reviewers, The project was praised to embed cultural significance and the presentation to be clear and concise. There are suggestions on minor aspects of the design, such as furniture design and the material expression at points of the design. I agreed with almost all of the suggestions and implemented most of them. Some suggestions, such as potentially simplifying the structural strategy, though I fully agree with, was unable to adapt due to the high opportunity cost.

PROCESS 181