Survival of Knowledge & Ideas by Esther Cheung

SURVIVAL OF KNOWLEDGE & IDEAS

PROJECT BOOK Vol. 1: Reseach & Brief

GEN ERAL P ROJECT B R IEF

ATELIER BRIEF

Library is the space where people meet, read, discuss and explore new ideas, especially to the 21st century where freespace is desire. The project aim to research and reflect on civic architecture & freespace with an emhasis on a mythical space of Knoweledge, Learning & Self- discovery. A Partner element should be included in the architectural programme. The individual project brief will be specified in the Design Thesis responding to the site visit in Venice, own concepts and precedent studies.

D ES IG N S TAT E M E N T To survive is to escape and exist under a dominant

Venice, advantaging in book publishing in the past

power that controls, confines and eliminates threats

made it a destination of book printing and crafting.

and dangers. It seeks to command knowledge

By having the studio for book printing and binding

through the acts of censorship and restriction.

apprenticeship, the library rescues not only the lost knowledge, but also the craftsmanship of books,

Survival of knowledge and ideas under dominant

sustaining the vanishing art of publication through

powers is determined through selection and

public recognition and education. Besides reading

choosing. Both activities draw the line of restriction,

and absorbing passively through texts and writing,

hence limiting the existence of opposition and

learning in this library can by means of the actual

resistance. Survival of knowledge and ideas,

practice of making.

therefore, is the evidence that reveals the silent truth of oppressive regimes, freeing unlimited knowledge,

The library celebrates the existing and historical

intelligence and imagination.

traces of the site by introducing and building the new. It draws attention on the structure that survive from

The library seeks to break the wall of historical

the history, bringing the past alive and binding it with

control and opening the door to suppressed

the present. Standing in the Arsenale area, a vibrant

knowledge, as well as retrieving forgotten knowledge

historical naval base in Venice, it is contained by walls

in order to expand the boundary of ideas and

that previously served for shipyard. The library strives

connect them with the city, the country and the

to break through the site boundary, freeing from

world.

spatial control and proclaiming its existence to the lagoon.

Surviving implies conserving found historical literature and the idea of saving and uncovering vanishing knowledge. Therefore, the library consists area that preserves books and incorporates the element of bookmaking. The programme of bookmaking starts from rediscovering lost literatures over the globe, then goes into reprinting binding process. The circulation is completed by feeding the freshly made book into the library collection. This programme gives opportunity to reveal undermined knowledge.

CHAPTER REVIEW Name: The Library at Night Author: Alberto Manguel Year of publication: 2008 Publisher: Yale University Press

THE LIBRARY AS SURVIVAL The project starts with the reading of a chapter from â&#x20AC;&#x153; The Library at nightâ&#x20AC;?. The chosen chapter is The library as Survival. It act as a simulator in engaging the beginning of this project. The author starts the chapter by describing how he collect a book from a German market but turn up realising it is a valuable lost book that censored by the Nazi at the war period. It then continue talks about the threats of books under totalitarianism, that throughout history, numerous of books were suppressed and even burnt.

However, at the same time, the power choose to keep some selections of banned books for their own record and interest, only not accessible by the public. Those are the books that survive under censorship. Survive from their action of choosing. At the same time, even though there are a lot of books illustrating the survived victims , as f reader we are always only an outsider of the story that receiving information by the mean of selection over text and truth.

B A C KG R O U N D READING

KEY INSPIRATION FROM TEXT The following are some notes and question I made

QUOTES

and raised on the chapter that motivate me to further investigate on the subject. •

Books liberate thoughts and became threats to authority who seek complete compliance

•

Nazi book burning in a square while appointing a person in charge of choosing the books to keep and destroy

•

Any other example of book censorship?: Chinese Qin dynasty? Other communist country?

•

Do they have a list of forbidden books in order to keep record and check on the items ?

•

Even though books and voice were suppressed, the intellectual life still continue

•

Books speak for all

•

The survived books experienced the process of symbolising horror/fear and hope

•

They are means to know the past, know how others think, but it is the individual responsibility to process and create own understanding as all information and sentences in the book are selective.

•

Revive the of control over knowledge

•

Is there complete freedom in gaining and understanding knowledge?

1. “ Each of my books holds the history of its survival, form fire, water, the passage of time, neglectful readers and the fear of the censor, each of my book has escaped to tell me its story. 2. Justice must not seek a private cause of satisfaction, but must publicly lend strength to society’s self healing repulse to learn. 3. “… the world will always exceed the margin of a page, all we can witness is the moment defined by a paragraph or a verse, “choosing” 4. “Books can sometimes help us phase our questions, but they do not necessarily enable us to decipher the answers.”

SITE ANALYSIS ARSENALE, VENICE

3.1

Initial response

This drawing is my initial feeling after the site visit, at the moment that in depth site analysis has not been done. however, I would like to use this as the beginning of this section as it shows what things I am interested in the site. The water from lagoon is very dominating in the experience of walking to the Arsenale area while in immediate contact with the tall perimeter wall. Water flows from the lagoon into the canal inside the Arsenale. Currently the site is in a mess with trash and hidden between layers of wall.

3.2

Location

The site is located in the centre of Venice, a coastal area in Italy. Venice is mainly divided into 7 sestieres: Cannaregio, Santa Croce, San Polo, San Marco, Castello, Dorsrdouro and Giudecca. The arsenale is located in Castello, the largest among them. The site is one of the spaces that left vacant in the area. The sea is immediate on the North behind the wall while its West facade faces the canal. Italy

Venice Cannaregio Santa Croce San Polo San Marco

Site

Castello Dorsrdouro Giudecca

3.3

History

The Arsenale, meaning a “place of production” was the heart of naval industry and production area. It was a shipyard of warship and commercial ships which claimed to be equipped with arms and able to be deployed immediately in case of war.

Jacopo de’ Barbari, 1500

Production of cord and weapons, like fireams, handgun, bombard and crossbows were also made there, but the major tasks were to produce parts for needed for a galley. Workers are well respected that they are named as “Arsenallotti”, as they were those being allowed to steer the huge parade ship of the Douge. It was claimed to be the largest industrial complex in Europe at that time. Jacopo’s map illustrated the developing Arsenale while from Maffiolerri’s plan, it shows the building’s interiors and their machinery in 1797, where industialization and machanisation were in full operation. The drawing below also picture the activities of ship building in that era.

Book: Element of Venice, Giulia Foscari

Historical developments Phase 1 (1104-1200)

Phase 6 (1569)

This series of images shows the development of Arsenale over time. It is a research carried out by Caterina Balletti, Alessandra Ferrighia and Elisabeth Narkin as part of the project, Visualising Venice. The research is based on historical cartographic findings. Phase 2 (1125-1304)

Phase 3 (1325)

Phase 4 (1473-1573)

Phase 7 (1810)

Phase 8 (1872-1915)

Phase 9 (1916)

It identified 10 phases of expansion and development in the Arsenale area from the 12th century to the first world war. From this historical event evidence, the existence of the site can be chased back to 1569 (Phase 6), in which the expansion was in the north of S. Maria della Celestia to create a safe space for storing gunpowder. Therefore, the original function of the site might be a gunpowder storage. The buildings structure survive and remain unchange while its surrounding changed constantly. However, from the picture of phase 10, it is evident that its roof was removed. It can be concluded that it was ereted betwen the 20th and 21st century as the building is no longer in use.

Entrance: Porta de Terra This is the entrance of the Arsenale from San Marco area. This architecture was considered the earliest example of renaissance architecture in Venice. It was design as an ancient triumphal arch. It was now famous for its lion statues as well as Dante’s sculpture on wall. One of the special design feature of it was the San Marco Lion with a closed book. Usually, it is depicted with an open book in time of peace, whereas a closed book symbolised a war period. This design is in reference to the war equipment that produced behind the gate.

“For as at Venice, in the Arsenal In winter-time, they boil the gummy pitch To cault such ships as need an overhaul, Now that they cannot sail - instead of which One builds him a new boat, one toils to plug Seams strained by marry a voyage, others stitch Canvas to patch a tattered jib or lug, Hammer at the prow, hammer at the stern, or twine Ropes, or shave oars , refit and make all snugSo, not by fire, but by the art divine, A thick pitch boiled down there, spattering the brink With viscous glue...”

View of the entrance to the Arsenal (1732), Canaletto

2010, Giulia Bettiol

It was also an area that facilitate knowledge related to marine and science. Since the 16th century, researchers and scholars study marine currents, sail design, production techniques. Even Galileo Galilei presented telescope that encourage discoveries on astronomy, which benefited the activity of sailing. Several expansions was happened to form the current Arsenale area.

Scientific importance: Armstrong Mitchell Hydraulic Arsenale became a naval fortress of huge strategic importance after the formation of the Kingdom of Italy (1866) at the same time metal hulls and steam engines replace vessels in production. The shipbuilders who were working on a large warship with a metal hull proposed to install hydraulic crane to help in lifting heavy weights. Thus, the crane was built by Armstrong, Mitchell & Co.and fully operated until 1950s. It was now the only remain example of its type and conserve by Venice in Peril Fund.

3.4

Landmarks

The most popular tourist spot is around San Marco where the San Marco Square and the Rialto Bridge is located with some churches built around which are visible when traveling through the Great Canal. The site is distant from those crowded tourist destinations, but located in an area that near art and cultural exhibition venues, where Art and Architecture Biennale are held alternatively. The Arsenale area is also famous for its bell tower and the entrance which was considered as the earliest Renaissance example in Venice. This contrast the quietness of the site as it is not an area that welcomes visitors nor to the Venetians, but its historical importance is not less significant then those of the landmarks.

3.5

Landuses

There are multiple functions of building and areas around the site. As stated before, the Arsenale was previously an industrial area, There is 40% of the area in the Arsenale is under military usage Some of the area is used for educational and The buildings along The area immediate around the site is left vacant, so as those near the water bus stop. Currently there are development projects happening on the edge of the area. There is limited residential housing in the Arsenale area, but they are located around the area.

Recreational Commercial Military Open space Residential Under development Landmarks

3.6

Activities Different activities happen in the Arsenale area as the buildings has different purposes. The area mainly support art and culture exhibitions and promote knowledge through museum and research labs. Some of the space are restricted for military use that activities happen secretly within the buildings.

Exhibitions

Visiting Museum

Driving boat

Military service

Outdoor Presentation

Holding Events

Scientific research

3.7

Characteristics

Architectures in the Arsenale area all possess similar characteristic. They are either Gable roof or Mansard roof with ceramic tiles. Structurally, they are all timber trussed roof. Their height are similar as well, with no more than 4m difference and all hide behind the perimeter wall. They possess a coherent colour tone from their appearance due to their core building material, timber, stone and brick. This gives a warm orange and brown colour.

All of them has arches in their facade, which mostly frame openings and composed by concentric brick lintel. Some even create columns in between. Their facade is a repetition of certain elements, which make gives a complete and united impression.

3.8

Access

The site is not easily accessible as due to its closure and location. Since the entrance of Arsenale restrict water transportations, only limited amount of private boat can enter the area and they are all private transportation for military and research offices. Although it appears that it is possible to walk from the San Marco area to the arseanle, public is restricted from the entrance . The only ways for pedestrian to reach the site is to walk along the wall of Arsenale or by drop off at the stop Arsenale Nord from the water bus. Then walk along a long pathway along the water. Instead of walking all around the buildings, there is a short cut providing for people who work there, through the research lab to the pathway.

Water bus route Private route Public route

In a smaller scope that around the site, there are possibility to open certain points for people to access the site in a more convenient way, both for the public and private, as well as access from water.

Boat access Public access Private access

These are only possibilities and ideas that need further exploration on how and why they will be opened up. Further discoveries on different aspects in the site analysis might support and help making decisions.

3.9

Parking

As there are different activities happened in the Arsenale area, there is a need of parking water transportation. Compare to other area of Venice, the space for parking is more spacious. However, it is not crowded with boats as how the centre of Venice normally looks. This is due to the fact that only certain private boats and ships of commercial, military and service industry are allowed within the wall. At the same time, there are no residential housing within the wall, which reduce the necessity of possessing a huge amount of water transport. Moreover, as the Arsenale is historically a site for shipyard, there are still some remaining structures that allow ships park under a sheltered area, this might give more protection to the properties.

Covered parking area Ships/ boats

3.10 Journey 1 One of the visual journey to the site is through the walkway attached along the wall. The dominating view is from the sea. There is a possibility that Sunset and sunrise can be observed there. The journey turns to a narrow alley way which hugely contrast with the openness that people can experience previously from the wall walkway.

2 Approaching the site is an array of buildings along the water. The straight walking approach turns when the warehouse at the end of it. It is then stopped by the metal fence barrier. The site is behind the wall and is able to peek from the void of the arches and another canal is exposed to the view.

3.11

Restricted areas

Restriction is mainly control by the presence of tall walls that enclose the Aresnale area and the absence of man-made features over water.

Presence Not only the wall draw the boundary, the landmark of its entrance Porta de Terra also marks the area. East part of the area is currently under development and refurbishment that it set up barriers and notices to regulate accessibility.

Absence There are remarkably some spaces that allow public access within the wall, such as the area of holding the Biennale and the array of warehouses, but with limited spatial accessibility. This is intellectually controlled by the absence of multiple accesses and bridges over water. It makes use of its contextual characteristic to limit ways of approach so people are not able to cross the water freely. Although at the same time it suggests inconvenience, it balance its private and public character well without overpowering one over another. The contrast gives opportunity for having various functions and activities in the area.

Restricted areas Tall walls Entrance

3.12

Existing Layers

Existing walls frame the site and creates its boundary, as well as the built elements around the site. In the North, there are 2 layers to the sea, the perimeter wall and the wall of the site which has openings on it. there is a gap between 2 walls that the void is currently inaccessible. There are 3 layers to the South, where 2 of them belongs to another vacant site and its own wall. If access is made through them, it is essential to think of how people walk across this another unoccupied site. There is only one layer on each remaining faces. However, the wall facing East is stick to the warehouses behind that it is not possible to break through while not affecting the existing function of the house. The side facing the canal is on the other hand a better option for access, as the openings still remain on its wall, but the concern is the narrow passage lying near water that poses danger of falling to the pedestrian.

3.13 Current Conditions This is the main method going reaching to the site. It does not appear welcoming as most of the elements are not in good condition. It is possible that the area does not have regular cleaning and supervising as not many people approach the site.

Signage is attached on metal fences to restrict public further enter the area

Bushes in voids and block potential views from the site

Puddle of water stays after tide or raining due to the inconsistent ground level

Stain on concrete and stone, as well as having moss grown on their faces

Bushes growing around the edges of buildings but affect the visual impact of the building negatively

There are quite a few building wastes and scrap vegetations left in the site, as well as scald folding and building materials. It is possible that certain development was left unfinished around the site. As it is currently left vacant, vegetations grow along the roof and wall that affect the aesthetic of the building. The walls of the site and are preserved well without huge damages, bricks and arches are still in its position. Some of the voids are even strengthened by tempoary wooden panels. From the external wall facing the sea, the steel frame window were a bit rusty. There are also some moss grown on the face of lintels. This is due to the constant exposure to moist and damp.

4 1

3.14

Potential views in

They are some views of the site envelope with in the Arsenale area as well as some potential views to the site, even though it is not possible to enter the site currently.

1. View from the Biennale venue, opposite shore of the site, can briefly see the walls 2. Main access to the site that is currently blocked with ramp on the left 3. Views from the ramp that is on a higher level, which close the distant to details on walls 4. Possible view from the ship shelter that look into the facade of the site as well as the connection to the sea 5. View externally from the water bus to the Arsenale area, framing and revealing the entrance from far distance.

4 3

3.15 Potential views out As it is not possible to access the site, these are the potential views that are possible to see in each side of the site boundaries. 1. There is potential view to the Biennale venue and crane when the view is not blocked by the surrounding buildings. 2. The ramp and military display and bases are exposed on the SW wall. 3. Overlooking the canal and ship shelter and a bridge connection 4. If creating voids on the wall, it might be scenery of the sea and the mountains.

June

December

8.00am

12.00noon

6.00pm

4.00pm

3.16 Light & Shade The existing walls and the neighbour buildings cast shadows to the site. During the morning, the amount of sunlight the site enjoys in June in much more than that in winter, that the sun has not rise high enough and only casts shadows to the site. Both in Summer and Winter, the site has a great amount of sunlight as the buildings around the arsenale area are in similar heights that the sun is high enough to allow light penetrate in. The site still receive sufficient amount of sunlight even until the afternoon when the sun almost set. Even the buildings on its west are tall, the canal create space to moderate the shadow, making natural light can reach the site. Although there is a tall wall along the outer edge of the site, it has minimal effect on light and shadow as it is located North to the site , which the Sun hardly reach. Its only influence is in Summer morning.

3.17 Wind The general prevailing wind distribution in Venice is from the NE and SE. The spring and summer, which is from March to August, has wind dominantly coming from the Southeast while the Northeast wind comes between September and February, the winter time of Venice. However, it is notable that during March and September, the transition month of season change, there is a high possibility of experiencing wind from both direction. Micro climate happens in the site due to the distribution of surrounding built elements and the nature of water. As the tall wall surround the Arsenale area, it blocks the NE wind and thus follow the wall to the West, unless the wind is higher than the wall. SE wind will not enter the site as there are other buildings stick to the site and block the wind away. Small amount of wind might be channelled from the guiding by the buildings along the canal and might possibly reach the site. As the site is currently walled in all direction, the wind can hardly reach the site due to those barriers.

CONCLUSIVE DRAWING

This drawing conclude some of the essential findings that I would like to make use to further develop into the site strategy. The site is highlighted by colour and hits of shade to indicate mainly the Southeast part of the site does not get a lot of direct sunlight. The site is in the middle between 2 water bus stops that require walking for some more minutes to enter. Access from boat or ship is limited to private own. Pedestrian access is mainly the walkway along the wall until it connects to the Arsenale Nord bus stop and become a straight pathway to the site. However, the site is now restricted for public access. The darkest part represent the inaccessible areas of public that classified as military use. Despite those private spaces, part of the land in the Arsenale are used as public exhibition.

ITE COMPOSITE & STRATEGY

By making use of the dynamic and intriguing journey of walking along the attached walkway of wall, it might be possible to break through part of the wall to open an access to the site. This also lower the difficulty in accessing the site from a rather long and singular journey. Penetration on wall can also create views to the lagoon. However sight from outside to the internal might not be desirable, this need a careful iteration on creating openings on wall in the future. Space to store books can possibly locates in the shaded area to keep direct light away from harming the fragile books. The water access between the lagoon and the canal can possible be the way how delivery and logistic happens for the program of the library. Therefore, it might need to open another access to accommodate this activity, and it should open for private only. The immediate surrounding buildings are currently used for event venue and the one on Southwest is left vacant same as that of the site. It can be open and use as the existing walls on both buildings indicates connections by possessing openings.

Experiencing walking and accessing the site

I NIT IAL R ESPO NSE TO VENICE T RIP

This section is about my immediate response to things that I have experienced and encountered during the trip in Venice. This records my person view and thinking of different elements of the trip and generally link to the theme of previous reading, attempting to come up with some ideas and concept afterwards.

ILLUSION OF FREEDOM Sometimes, I find alley ways in Venice interesting, as they are always appear unexpectedly and the experience in walking in each of them are very different. They possess different light and shade condition which can give huge contrast between their atmosphere. To me, the alley on the left poses fear and horror while the right gives and sense of hope.

FIGHTS ON BRIDGE This is an interesting drawing picturing a war over a bridge of an historical event in Venice. People are fighting and falling down of it and the crowdedness disturb people who were not involving the fight and even to the residence. What I find intriguing is even this is a painting long time ago, this situation seems still happening, not that people are fighting on a bridge. The behaviours of visitors, such as taking pictures, is actually similar in creating the same influence. It seems like a â&#x20AC;&#x153;modernâ&#x20AC;? interpretation of what this painting has illustrated.

CREATIVITY FROM UNKNOWN This picture interestingly illustrate the lagoon as a flat surface that people are able to walk on. At first I thought the artist was inverting the characteristics of water and presenting various activities can be held there. However, later I then realise it was picturing a true historical event that the whole lagoon freeze to ice in a cold winter from searching the translation of its title. It is totally different from what I had interpreted that the lack understanding might sometimes led to creativity.

ILLUSION OF FREEDOM Although this is not the curators intention, to me, this piece suggests an illusion of freedom. Hole between a wall full of cross section of timber makes people want to peek through and break the repetitive pattern that the wall simulate. It should bring a moment of relief, freeing to see other things. This is my first impression to this wall. Surprisingly, or disappointingly, the holes are not what I have expected. Through the holes, is another wall with same composition that it is not possible to get rid of the repetitive patterns. Although it initially seems giving opportunity that you can enjoy a freedom of vision by not forcing you to look at a wall full of timber, it actually controls what you are looking at revealing the truth that the existence of hole are only a mean to a momentary sense of freedom. This lead to the question of does a complete freedom exist? If not, to what extend it should consider as free?

LIFE OF LIVING IN HONG KONG They are some of the work from the exhibition space of Hong Kong and Tai Wan in the biennial. As raising in Hong Kong, these models revealed the helpless situation of Hong Kong housing problem in an ironic and sculptural way. Most of the buildings in Hong Kong are high rise, even for residential. Although projects and buildings are non- stop undergoing, they never satisfy the local demand due to high population and increasing prices. People fight for a space to live and having endless conflicts over housing issues while at the same time people who get a space as home is actually living in a cage, with insufficient space and lack privacy. It is not a symbolic way in describing the space limitation, but some of them only own a bed and a small cabinet with fences and cages drawing the boundary of their own space, but sharing the room with strangers. These picture the lives in space in an honest way.

THE SPEAKING WALL

I find this wall very intriguing, as it becomes a canvas of expressing people’s view and it is the which create seperation between the Hong Kong and Macau exhibition space as well as guiding people to other exhibition. It question the organisation of the event that spaces are allocate according to country, this requirement limit the opportunity for non- state entering the exhibition which to a certain extent depict the truth of the world’s politics. And on the left of the wall illustrating a life jacket under “future?” seem expressing that we ought to think about saving the uncertain future, otherwise, “future ” might not exist?

SELECTION

Based on the walking experience in Venice, I observed that there is a huge contrast between different areas. Tourist spots are full of visitors and commercial shops and restaurants while many of the residential units was left vacant and lost its neighbourhood. Tourist choose the place they want to go in the city attempting to experience and learn about the city but ironically does not truly see the situation of the locals. At the same time as living in the city of Venice is increasingly unaffordable, the locals choose to leave their home and empting the building. Selection leads to ignorance.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT? There are quite a lot of alley ways and canals looks similar to this drawing that triggered me to capture. As a visitor, the scenery of Venice is truly fascinating and the drive to stop and look at this kind of views: sky and waters framing by buildings and bridges. This is how a visitor see in the Venice. But, what are people living there actually looking at? The high density of housing with windows facing directly opposite each other on different buildings force them look into other peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home. At the same time being conscious that visitors may also see them. They might seek a higher sense of privacy that a home should always provide. Sadly, I considered it rather rare in Venice that the publicity and privacy issue always appears.

I NIT IAL CONC EPT S

KEY IDEAS DIAGRAM

Based on the trip to Venice, rereading the chapter from “The Library at Night”, and doing a few research on the question raised from the reflection, some key ideas and are formed as the beginning of creating a concept for the project. To clarify and communicate the key ideas effectively for further development, I start a mind map to find connections between those them.

Power

Knowledge

Truth

Do we have? Choice/ Options

Memory

Authority

Environment/ Nature

Time

CHOOSING/ Choosing/ SELECTION Selection

Determining factors

Horror VS Hope

SURVIVAL

Existence

Life & Death

Luck? Freedom

Political ideology

Control

Cencorship

Threats & Danger

Restriction

Forbidden/ Prohibited

Forgotten

Limitation

Unknown

Suppression

THINKING PROCESS

• Restriction implies an authority’s

DECISION

•

censorship that want to have control over the opposition.

• Horror and hope are not juxtaposition but exist at the same time on the state survival.

•

Escape from Threat and dangers leads to freedom

•

Choosing, is an action that happen in everyday life, we choose according to our habit, according to our preference. 1. Does the nature choose as well? 2. Does choosing implies democracy and freedom? 3. We choose in the environment? Or it’s the architecture and the environment force us to choose? The environment provides options, we are merely choosing from the options •

What if there are no other options other the choosing to survive?

•

Survival happened under a censorship of a power that see threats and seek controlling over the others. This led to the question of who has the control in selecting what they want? And what can be survived and saved? As a civic society, we all have a choice, but what does the action of choosing means to us?

•

Does having a choice means we have the control? The action of choosing suggests there are options behind and what determine the options? Do we have control over options? Or are we merely choosing from what we have provided? Survival exist under the situation of choosing and choosing implies the existence of options. : Time chooses. The environment chooses. What is left are options. Then, we choose. What happen next? What does choosing mean to us?

•

Books are composed by phases, sentences and paraphs of what the author chosen to allow us to know.

•

Does it implies it form restriction on our knowledge?

According to the thinking, I decided to conclude in 4 concepts and further developing using drawings and models. They are:

CHOOSING FEAR & HOPE CONTROLLED FREEDOM FORGOTTEN

1/CHOOSING KEY INSPIRATION The authority decide what to keep and what to destory in a the book burning process. This is an action of choosing what is considered as valuable. Authors choose what to put into a book as there are too much to include all in a book. It is an activity of selection.

Choose what to experience and see in Venice

This also appliy on our own behavior. The choice is based on the preferences that we consider in more valuable and beneficial.

“… the world will always exceed the margin of a page, all we can witness is the moment defined by a paragraph or a verse, “choosing” (Manguel, 2008)

Neglected squares?

06 CONC EP T S

DEVE LOP MENT

The St. Marco Square?

DRAWING PROCESS I have tried different approaches to find out a way that illustrate the idea of selection, or choosing. The main technique is to differentiate the selected object from the others that it becomes the focal point of what is being chosen and suggests the chosen option is selected for its uniqueness. Moreover, it is the only or a few among the rest that looks identical. As I would like to link it to the idea of book, I then picture most of them in rectangular form and thinking of using perspective and three dimensional effect to bring it forward to the eyes to suggest it is picked up differently from the crowd.

Choosing is an activity of selecting the option in a person’s best interest. This also implies that it involves sacrifices of the less valuable. It needs serious and thoughtful process as what is chosen should be things that consider important and unlike the rest, it is unique and scarce. Choosing of books reveals the value that ones treasure.

“

CHOOSING

“

2/ FEAR & HOPE KEY INSPIRATION The situation of surviving through the hardship might imply there is hope with in the daunting situation that support them going through. Even though the situation itself is a horror or imposing fear over feeling, hope still exist. Walking along the walkway attached on the wall of Arsenale is an act that involve courage, as people can easily see the lagoon below the walkway and the walkway itself is narrow, people might fear they will fall to the water beneath them. However, the destination is always visible on every point of the walkway that brings hope to the experience and the relief of finishing it is fascinating.

DRAWING PROCESS Fear & Hope is a contrasting concept therefore I imagine there is a huge contrast in the way of illustrating them as a single piece. Darkness suggest horror and the emotion of fear while white can symbolize positivity. Hope exist when there is a relief in something undesirable as a result I tried to bring in some brightness in a completely shaded area. By adding straight line pointing to the centre and using a dot to suggest a person, it poses threat and danger to that individual and causes fear. The contrasting white line then become a way to exit the situation, which give direction of hope.

FEAR & HOPE

Fear and hope despite of their contrasting characteristics, exist in the same situation, a situation that consists of threats and dangers. Its the way of seeing that makes the difference. Books can create both fear and hope, fear of the spread of unwanted knowledge and the hope of acquiring freedom in intelligence.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

3/ CONTROLLED FREEDOM KEY INSPIRATION Even though we living under the control of a totalitarian or communist authority, and being democratic that can enjoy freedom of speech and knowledge, it is arguable that there are still rules and control over what is able to access publicly and what is not. Restrictions are necessary for forming a society. There is nothings as a complete freedom. The Arsenale itself is a space for art exhibition and sometimes event venue, but at the same time imposing in different ways to control how and where people can access the area.

Restricted access

Public space in Biennale

DRAWING PROCESS At the beginning, the concept is about control and freedom, therefore the initial sketches depict some elements escape from the a bold container while some of them still stay inside, being controlled. Then the concept grow to a controlled freedom, which is suggest that the freedom an individual believe is enjoying is only an illusion that he/ she unconsciously is still under a control, only less severe. Therefore,I tried to draw the escape from control is actually gathering in the centre which means another way of containing activity. But the result is not desirable. I then draw a second layer of container which tells the escape form the first layer does not mean a complete freedom but under the control of the second layer.

CONTROLLED FREEDOM

As a democratic and civic society, we always desire freedom, the personal will of doing what we want. However, we can never enjoy a complete freedom. It is always under control, only the extend of strictness differentiate them. Control and freedom are not fully opposing, but work together in the real life. They shape the society and our lives.

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4/RETRIEVING THE FORGOTTEN KEY INSPIRATION We forget things in the long past and need things to stimulate our thinking and remind of their importance. The Unbuilding Wall project curated in the German Pavilion, brings back the its historical separation, the Berlin wall. Revealing the stories after the fall of wall and reminding the existing barrier that might not happen around us immediately, but still exist. It might be forgotten as I am not directly experiencing, but they have impact on others value and their lives which also shape the world.

Unbuilding Wall

Wall of opinion: interviews of people live near the borders

DRAWING PROCESS The first thing I think of the forgotten is its hidden characteristic, so initially I use layers of line and shade to mask it. But then I started to use dotted lines to represent the forgotten, as they actually still exist, still occupy a space, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only the person who do not recall the memory or not aware of its existence. I picture them as something missing. Retrieve is however an attempt of bring back and trancing something in the past. Therefore, I want to find a way to bring the forgotten, the emptiness, as the attention of the drawing. By this I tried to use one point perspective to draw the sight in and out. I then illustrated it as a gradual change of line to bring the forgotten part alive for the final drawing.

RETRIEVING THE FORGOTTEN

When knowledge or a certain thing being banned and bury for a long time or even not existing any more, they might be forgotten by people. However they are considerably an important part of understanding the whole picture. Bringing them alive once again liberate and give opportunity of comprehensive learning.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

DESIG N TH ES IS

KEY THINKINGS BEFORE DEVELOPING CONCEPTS Containing things that looks different within the box suggests things are under controlled to be identical in which the different should be suppressed. The different break through the border and spread out. This implies a release and freedom of the suppressed.

Other opinion from tutorial: • All the rectangles are the form of books

• The rectangles at the back with only

outlines suggest an absence of books

• Spreading books to fill into the emptiness

Rectangular banned books with different sizes are contained in the corner due to their unusual appearance from those outside the innermost border, the library . Those books tried to break through both border that suggests the free of banned books can even spread to place that outside the city, or even the country.

REFLECTIONS • The idea of freeing some banned

•

books good, but practically how does it function in spreading banned books? As those books are banned for some reason, is spreading them out of the library the correct choice? Will it better being contain? Then what can be the specialized function of this library that still deal with censored or rare books?

KEY THINKINGS AFTER DEVELOPING CONCEPTS After developing 4 concepts and idea of the project, I tried to combine them into a single piece pf composite drawing incorporating with a narrative as the design thesis. I would like to bring elements of those 4 pieces and combine them in a careful and meaningful way to conclude a conceptual drawing.

CHOOSING

CONTROLLED FREEDOM

FEAR & HOPE

RETRIEVE THE FORGOTTEN

Keeping the rigid and identical idea of representing the norms, the organized. Things that contain within the border are represented in dotted lines to identify their characteristic of being forgotten and absent. However colouring in shade to bring the absent back to live and even spreading outside the border to show the public their existence.

This is a sketch of the final composite which modified the drawing above, adding more elements of the concept. A layer of shade goes around the outer edge of border, suggesting an impression of hard to approach and even fear. Lines are added diagonally to show the connection between the books within the building (box) and outside The shaded books appear as coming to the sight by using perspective technique. This indicates selecting books to bring alive and republish in spreading externally.

INITIAL DESIGN THESIS To Survive is to escape and exist under a dominant power that controls, confines and eliminates threats and dangers. It seeks to command knowledge through the acts of censorship and restriction. Survival of knowledge and ideas under dominant powers is determined through selection and choosing. Both of these activities draw the line of restriction, hence limiting the existence of opposition and resistance. Survival of knowledge and ideas, therefore, is the evidence that reveals the silent truth of oppressive regimes, freeing unlimited knowledge, intelligence and imagination. The library seeks to break the wall of historical control and opening the door to suppressed knowledge, as well as retrieving forgotten knowledge in order to expand the boundary of ideas and connect them with the city, the country and the world. The library rescues not only the lost knowledge, but also the craftsmanship of books, sustaining the vanishing art of publication through public recognition and education.

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SURVIVAL OF KNOWLEDGE & IDEAS

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

CONC EPT UAL MODELS THINKING

I have drafted out some of the idea on how I can turn the concept into models and tell the concept of survival o any one of the 4 main idea in 3D. I would like to use concrete as the base material and some transparent plastic sheets to contrast the solidity between materials to illustrates the idea that those materials can might able to interact with each other and create something unexpected. I would also like to be playful with other different materials and try to make the model without any solid plan to get some inspiration by touching to the three dimensional.

THE REAPPEARANCE

This model is made from transparent plastic and wooden rods. Square voids are carved from the plastic and stuck underneath the layer. This suggest missing and lost books from the history that they are buried deep in mind and become forgotten objects. The semi translucent sheet standing on top is the suggestion of something in process of reappearing as it is not fully solid, it is in a stage that actions have been done to save the â&#x20AC;&#x153;bookâ&#x20AC;&#x153; and reissuing their importance.

THE UNEXPECTED

This model is made from semitranslucent plastic sheet which allow traces of the form of other objects. The property of this material is it cannot be fully seal as it cannot be stuck properly. I make use of this property and create an unfinished box that contain a metal wire. It purges out through the gap of box. Looking into the box is quite interesting as it reveal unexpected form inside. From an exterior point of view. People may realize something is inside the box by the blurred trace. However, peeking into the box has a different feeling as it might be nit what expected to see. The library might include similar idea that host what is important and provide the unexpected spaces.

HEAVY & LIGHT

This model tried to contrast the light weight material and the heavy weight. This suggest the heavy weight wall in the site and how lightweight construction and for might incorporate to the design and create unique combination of both materials, contrasting roughness and fineness, the raw and the designed.

CHOOSING

Ts block is carved with little voids in different side to represent incompleteness and the idea of â&#x20AC;&#x153;choosingâ&#x20AC;&#x153;. There is no fine and complete surface this concrete block as not only the rectangular voids suggests the disappearance of certain objects, but the concrete surface itself is raw and full of air bubble voids. It is not a perfect form even after sanding. This unexpected effect portrait the existence of choosing as I have chosen part of the block to be in void by inserting smaller forms before molding but the concrete itself make voids on its surfaces, which has a contrasting results.

VISITOR FACILITIES

STUDY ROOM MEDIA SPACE

TOILET

READING ROOM

MEETING SPACE CONTROL DESK

CLOAKROOM

ENTRANCE RECEPTION

STORAGE BOOK COLLECTION

ARCHIVE PARKING/ LOADING RESEARCH DEPARTMENT

OFFICES

MEETING ROOM RESTING SPACE

TOILET

PRINTING OFFICE

BOOK PUBLISHING OFFICE

KITCHEN

PARTNER ELEMENT

DISTRIBUTION STATION

STAFF FACILITIES

IN ITI AL ID EA OF PRO G RAMME

PARTNER ELEMENT: REPUBLISHING OF LOST KNOWLEDGE The key partner element of this library is to research and retrieve lost literature by tracing from the survived and republishing them to the public to liberate the freedom of knowledge. At the same time keeping those survived and banned documentation as archives which are highly controlled under the programme of the library to give limited access to scholars who seek reading them. The programme is illustrated as spaces proposed to include in the design as well as organising them with a brief separation between the public and the staff. Spaces hierarchy is illustrated according to the size of the quadrilateral framing them

https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/beinecke-rare-book-manuscript-library

PRECEDENT STUDY 1 BEINECKE RARE BOOK & MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY

General information Location: Yale University, New Haven, USA Year of completion: 1963 Architect: Gordon Bunshaft (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill) Total area: 11637m2 The library was built in an urban context that situated at the centre of the Yale University campus. It was built to replace the rare books room in the Sterling Memorial Library as the room has insufficient space to store the growing collections of rare volumes and manuscripts grew over years. Currently it is holding more than 50 thousand volumes and several million manuscripts. It is considered one of the largest facilities in the world specifically dedicated in housing rare books.

ÂŠEzra Stoller, Esto

The form of the library follows the grid characteristics of the region, resulting a rigid form.

Context

From a smaller scope of context, the library is closely located with other libraries in the University. This makes logistics more convenient between them.

School of Mathematics

School of Psychology

Grove Street Cemetery

Grove Street University Dining Hall

Lillian Goldman Law Library

Woolsey Hall

Law School

Bass Library Sterling Memorial Library

Yale School of Music

Sea�ng Area

75 m2

Function

Book Tower

237.8 m2 Service Core

The mezzanine provide spaces for the library to display both permanent and temporary exhibitions. It also incorporates furniture for seating.

Book Storage

Reading room and study rooms are situated in the lower level. Cloak room is provided for visitors as the reading and studying space is supervised under the programme. The control desk is therefore Search Room situated to make sure visitor following the rules and safeguard the restricted Book tower. Book storages designed around the edges of Service the lowest level. Core

Exhibi�on area

45.5 m2

Sea�ng Area

75 m2

Mezzanine

Oﬃce Mezzanine

Scupture Court

Reading Room

Transi�on area

Control Desk

Reading Room

Book Tower Exhibition Area Cloakroom

Mee�ng room

Book Storage

Plaza

Lobby Study Room

Exhibition Area

Reading Room

Sculpture Courtyard

Office

Book Storage

Section

Book Tower

237.8 m2

Rescep�on Reception

Service Core

45.5 m

5m2 Entrance Lobby

Scupture Court

Sea�ng Area Entrance Lobby 875 m2 Book Tower Transition space

Ground level

Service Core

Exhibi�on area

Book Storage

2160 m2

Sea�ng Area

Oﬃce

525m2

Search Room

280m2 Service Core

Reading Room

390m2

42.5m2 Control Desk

70m2

Sculpture Courtyard Scupture Court 600m2

Transi�on area

1570m2

Reading Room

253.75m2 Cloakroom

Mee�ng room

100m2

Book Storage

775.5m2

80m2

Level -1

Mezzanine

Access

The design of the library incorporates 4 access points, one for each side of the glazing curtain wall. However, only the one facing to the plaza opens to the public in normal operation. The remaining 3 entrances are either for the convenience of staff access and books transition or open in case of emergency.

The idea is to separate the route of public accesses and books transportation as the both activities affects each others.

Public & Private One of the key characteristics of the library is its arrangement between private and public.

Mezzanine

The plaza, spaces outside the building can be categorised as public spaces as the library have no control of the activities of people. Spaces become semi-private after entering the building as the reception control certain amount of people entering the space and the operation of library has control over certain activities and areas. The degree of privacy increase once people enter the reading room or studying room as those spaces are more strictly regulated by the library.

Plan level -1 | S 1:500

Plan level 0 | S 1:500

Ground level Plan level 0 | S 1:500

The areas where the staff works and administrate are considered as private, as they are completely restricted from the public. Public

Pivate

Level -1 Plan level -1 | S 1:500

Internal Access The internal access of the library is greatly related to the degree of privateness of spaces. Therefore, its organization suggests different routes between visitors and staffs in library. Visitors encounter the service reception after entering the revolting entrance door. They can either walk up the stairs to the public exhibition mezzanine or down to the reading room for collections study and searching. The service core that centred in the book tower runs through all the levels of the library which allows the staff to have easy access and transport of books. It is restricted to staff only and controlled by the control desk in the below ground level. Staffs can also access to book storage areas and their offices in the same level.

Mezzanine

Plan level -1 | S 1:500

Plan level 0 | S 1:500

Ground level Plan level 0 | S 1:500

Visitors (Public) Staffs (Private)

Level -1 Plan level -1 | S 1:500

Light Condition The activity of reading requires a suitable amount of light and preferably natural light, but at the same time too much sunlight will deteriorate the quality of paper and text on fragile historical books. For this reason the design of the library has light control over the space for working and reading. As the important collections and manuscripts are located in the central book tower, it is completely block out from sunlight in all levels.

Mezzanine

Plan level -1 | S 1:500

The mezzanine enjoy a few amount of natural lights from the ground level as well as the marble panel wall. By locating an external courtyard below the ground level and framed with glazing, the space provide natural light to the offices of library staff and to the visitors who study the collection in the reading room.

Plan level 0 | S 1:500

Ground level Plan level 0 | S 1:500

Dark

Level -1 Plan level -1 | S 1:500

Materiality: External Envelope The building is mainly composed by 5 materials, which appear in all the faĂ§ades: Marble, Granite, Concrete, Steel & Glass.

Exterior

While concrete and steel are the structural element of the design, the translucent marble panels and the its granite frame are the most distinct visual features of the facade. They are the substitution of windows and glazing that transmit light from the outside to the inside. Functionally the panels filter the amount of sunlight penetrating into the library as sufficient ambient lighting is needed to allow the building to serve as a place of study and reading, but exposure to sunlight lead to higher possibility of damaging preserved text of books, especially the collections it holds are very fragile. Aesthetically, it presents a juxtaposition of the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exterior and the interior visual impression as the grey-veined white marble looks cold and impenetrable externally but transfer into a subtle golden amber glow to the interior. This show the choice of material not only effectively affect the aesthetic of the building, but also help tackling the lighting issue in relation to books at the same time suggesting surprising element in architectural experience.

Interior

Solution to threats Due to the scarce and valuable characteristic of the library, it faces certain threats that pose its vulnerability. The design and programme of the building make adjustment accordingly to minimize the risks.

Stealing As the library discovered certain visitor attempt to cut historically valuable maps from books to make a fortune, the library now in a Close stack system that limits retrieval of books to professional and there are strict security rule that carefully control access to material under video surveillance.

Fire As books are mainly composed by paper, they are easily flammable and if there is a fire. The 6 storey central stacks is therefore enclosed by glass and can be flooded with a mix of fire suppression gas to protect the books and control the fire when the fire detectors are triggered.

Paper-eating pests In the past, death watch beetles, a specie that consume paper, was discovered in the library and the immediate response from the library administrative was pioneering a non-toxic method to freeze the books and documents at -36 degree Celsius for 3 days. This is now a common pest control solution in special collection libraries.

Logistics The service core include lifts and stairs that the staff can carry and move books between floors and help visitor searching for books.

Mezzanine

There is also an internal controlled access route in level -1 that connects to the Sterling Memorial Library. It facilitates transportation of books between libraries and give access to storage areas. The logistic of books is therefore considered horizontally on levels below ground, but linked vertically across 6 levels within the Plan level -1 | S 1:500 Book tower. Lift

Plan level -1 | S 1:500 Ground level

Vertical

Plan level -1 | S 1:500

Horizontal

Section

Programme : Restriction As the library contain valuable and rare literatures, visitors are not allow to read freely. Request of collections material need to be made online for at least 2 business days. Moreover, the library strictly control the activities happen in the building.

Control Desk

The following are some of the Reading books policies the works in corporation with the building design:

Reading Room

“Visitors are required to deposit coats, hats , brief cases and other personal property not essential to their work.” “Rare books and manuscripts (including born-digital materials) may be consulted only in the Reading Room, and no material may be removed from the building.”

Plan level -1 | S 1:500

Cloakroom

Level -1

“All material must be returned to the desk attendant when the reader leaves the building. Material to be used in the immediate future may be reserved at the desk.” Therefore the design has the Reading Room, Cloak Room and the control desk located next to each other which facilitate visitor’s movement between spaces at the same time keep check on the situation.

Reading Room (Yale University Library, n.d.)

Layers

2 3

3 2

Plan level 0 | S 1:500 Plan level 0 | S 1:500

The library is designed in several layers that generally increase its level of privacy. Different layers also has its own function in relation to each other. It can be said that the library is composited by several attempts of box-in-box.

Ground Level

Plaza

Marble Facade

Glass Facade

The plaza is partly submerged and walled that frame the boundary separating the street and the area the library sits. 2

It includes the glass layer and the layer of physical bookshelves that are only visually accessible

Prominent facade that has dominant visual effects that strongly distinguish inside and outside 3

Facade that create an effect of floatation of the massive volume

Book Tower

Service Core

Service core hidden circulation platform that give routes within the tower. It is not visible to the visitors.

Patio

This additional layer is partially visible from the public space, but can only fully viewed from the basement of the library. It incorporates the idea of being a civic space but private in its usage as well.

ONCLUSION

The key design idea is to organize the circulation of private and public by the design of several layers. The outer layers visually filter people access, while there are more layers internally to restrict or supervise certain activities. The centre and innermost part of the library is the storey book tower that only allow the access of staff. Space underground is partly accessible to the public with request on studying the libraryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection and a courtyard that gives the space more light. It is noticeable that most of the space in the underground are used for storing archives and secretly connected to the Sterling Memorial Library for transporting books between them.

PRECEDENT STUDY 2 THE ARCHIVE HOUSE

General information Location: Stavanger, Norway Year of completion: 2017 Architect: Lund+Slaatto Architects Total area: 14700m2 (Archive not included, same amount of space is for archive)

The building covers an extensive collection of archives underground and contains house state- of- the- art office space, meeting areas, cafeteria, and an exhibition area above floor level, connected by staircases and bridges. Locating in the centre of the park, the design acts as a welcoming spots for resting. The design also achieves good performance in sustainability

ÂŠEzra Stoller, Esto

Circulation The circulation of the building is by the design of inserting bridges and a central staircase. The glass staircase, locating at the centre, is the main device that links all the levels and spaces. It is possible that it even connected to the underground level where archive collections are stored. The lift is another device that assist disable access and heavy logistic between floors. The horizontal flow between spaces is achieved by the use of bridges which mainly connect offices in the upper level. Service

Reading Room The reading room is located near the entrance which benefit from the abundant collection of daylight of its transparent facade, supplying the space with sufficient light for reading. There are also big windows in facing the park that allow people to peek into the scenery rest is needed. Interior lighting assist the function of space in the evening. The size of the reading room is about 240m2 that it is holding only a small collection of documents on shelves within the space it has.

Interior

Access

Spatial Relationship The ground level of the building has a rather open plan for public access. The cafeteria sitting area and exhibition area are merged within the entrance lobby under the atrium. The service core also sit in the centre of the atrium that facilitate access to other spaces.

Reading room Sanitary

reception Atrium

Service

The public space mainly runs through the middle part of the plan in ground level while keeping the private office working area on both side and upper level.

Exhibition area

Cafeteria

The open plan create a spacious area that allow visitor to use the space of the building while not affect the activities of the staffs of the building.

Service

Cafeteria

Exhibition area Reception Reading room

Atrium The atrium is the public civic space in this building that it make use of the properties of its building material, glass, to provide light for workspace and meeting space and create a sense of openness and publicity. The building make use of the floor- toceiling glazing in the entrance to light up the space and welcome visitors to come by. The transparency of the building create a connection between in and out as well as maximising the amount of sunlight it can get in daytime, making the building consumes less energy, achieving a high quality performance in sustainability.

PRECEDENT STUDY 3

OAXACAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HISTORICAL ARCHIVE BUILDING

General information Location: Oaxaca, Mexico Year of completion: 2016 Architect: Mendaro Arquitectos Total area: 11815m2 The archive building is built to preserve and protect the documentary collection and therefore, the process of safe file keeping is the main idea of its architectural design. By adding research spaces, it also encourage students to study. The building is take huge respond to its context. As the building is located in a park, the design also incorporates with the rising slope of its topographic and merged with the nature.

ARCHELLO

Spatial Relationship The building is composed by connecting by indoor corridors and out door spaces It is interesting that the archive is not but several rooms that circulated by a corridor with a courtyard the centre. It is also distinguish from the public accessible area which only allow access for staff. The library and research area are the other spaces that contain book collections for public reading and searching. They are both near the entrances that located at different levels.

Book collection (Public) Archive (Private) Private Circulation Public entrance

LOWER LEVEL 1. Public Access 2. Auditorium 3. Seminar rooms 4. Library 5. Exhibition area 6. Public sanitary 7. Archive 8. Private access

FIRST FLOOR 1. Main access 2. Lobby 3. Offices 4. Cafeteria 5. Library 6. Translation room 7. Archive 8. Book recovery office 9. Bridge

C C

UPPER LEVEL 1. Director office 2. Research space 3. Offices 4. Classroom 5. Sanitary 6. Offices 7. Archive 8. Dress room 9. Book classification area 10. Archive 11. Bridge

Books Privat working area Public Access Private Access SECTION AA

Research space

Office

Archive Sanitary

Exhibition Area

Private Access

SECTION BB

Office

Classroom Library

Public Access

As the building has complex arrangement of rooms and spaces on each level, sections might show how indoor and outdoor spaces are articulate within the design as well as the relationship between private and public. The library is positioned near the public access that allow visitors to access the space easily, while keeping some of the space on upper as private working area for staff.

The research space is one of its intriguing space in the building that in corporate shelves all around the walls and letting lights come in through roof windows. It is located near another public entrance that incorporates tall and spacious atrium. The spatial idea continues to the arrangement of research space, giving a sense of publicity and freedom.

Classroom

Research space

Library

Exhibition Area

Offices

Public Access

The building also make use of the advantage of natural light through roof windows. This allow the building lit up sustainably even though its building material is solid and heavy concrete. It also creates interesting geometry on walls and floor of the space.

Spatial Relationship The design incorporates abundant open space within the building as the transition between different space. It not only suggest a civic and public impression, it also aesthetically add character to the building and connect itself to its context. Visitor can observe greens and enjoy an open space every time when they leave a room. The indoor space connects the outdoor so as the outdoor join the indoor space together.

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

COURTYARD

10 REL E VA N T

RES E A R C H

INSTALLATION PROJECT:

THE PARTHENON OF BOOKS LOCATION: Friedrichsplatz, Kassel, Germany Curator: Marta Minujín

Pierre Bal-Blanc Documenta 14

The main idea of the project is to pose as a symbol of opposition to the banning of writings and the persecution of their authors. The project starts with collecting books from public donation. They are books that have now been published anew after having been banned for years as well as those that are distributed legally in some countries but not in others. The installation tries to look similar with Parthenon as it historically symbolizes the aesthetic and political ideals of the world’s first democracy and choosing to locate in the place where books were burnt and destroyed historically.

©Roman Maerz

The installation ended in the activity of redistributing banned books. People can go and remove books.

RELEVANCE • • •

Response on the opinion toward book censorship Book distribution? Artistic and conceptual approach

•

Engaging the public © Mathias Volzke

CITY OF PRINT

15-16TH CENTURY VENICE

In Rome, Pope Paul II had closed the Academy of Pomponio Leto on charge of conspiracy and irreligiosity , leading to the Reformist humanists fled to Venice. They encourage the freedom of press. Political neutrality allow Venice continue the activity of printing in the 16th century while wars in other parts of Italy were affected, therefore it is less pricey to edit in Venice than in Rome. In addition to its centuries-old, well-established trade routes, Venetian printers and publishers found easy distribution channels to the newly emerging booksellers across Europe. Its pre-eminence in international trade, and its place as a centre for knowledge exchange and artisanship made the Venetian Republic a natural setting for large-scale bookmaking to take root.

Bookbinding studios, or legatorie, and bookmakers enjoyed esteemed social status, such as Aldus Manutius and Nicholas Jenson Book production was a natural art for Venetians, who were already skilled at working with leather, pigments, and gold leaf. Knowledge of paper-making made its way from Asia to Europe during the Middle Ages. Nearly 200 printing presses were operating in Venice towards the end of the 15th Century (1488).

The publishing also stimulated printers to experiment. Therefore, the authors not only see Venice as the chance for publishing, but also as having the facilities needed to accommodate them and discuss individual experiences

First printing office of Aldus Manutius

Venice has numerous outlet throughout Europe and roughly 15% of all printing of the 15th century came form Venice alone, which dominated in producing Latin Books for the world of learning, especially producing editions of the classics and the work of theology and law that successfully attracts buyers from Europe that There are little work produced in Italian though.

Jacopo de Barbariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s map was printed in 16th century

1 2 3

SKILLS & BUYERS

CAPITALS

PROMOTE

CONSERVATION WORK

DESPATCHES OF FRANCESCO MOROSINI The 14 Morosini volumes were considered badly damaged by rainwater in the 19th century. They are as a consequence particularly fragile and stained and in danger of falling apart. Venice in Peril undergo conservation work, including cleaning treatments and deacidifcation as well as binding where it needed, restoring the it as a better condition for archival documentation.

1. Library of Constantinople 12 April 1204, the library was allegedly destroyed by the Franks and Venetians of the Forth Crusade 3 fires that ravaged the city lost some manuscripts as is no indication of the continued existence of a formal imperial library at the time 2. Sibylline Books • Original burned in 83 BC, replacement were destroyed by a 5th century Roman general who feared that invading Visigoth would use them • history-180967495/ 3. Chinese ancient text • Classic of Music 樂經, lost in Han dynasty, destroyed during the burning of books and burying of scholars 4. Biblical text 5. Reasons: • Literature work produced some time in the past of which no surviving copies are known to exist • May accidentally found by archaeologists or anyone • Survived when they were reused as bookbinding materials • When they were quoted or included in other works, or as palimpsests (documents made of materials that originally had one work written on them, but which were then cleaned and reused): Cicero’s De re publica • Many of the missing works are described by works that survive, such as De Architectura by Vitruvius • Destruction of libraries, especially of the ancients ones (Alexandria), resulted in the loss of numerous works, that some remain unknown

CRAFT

ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS 1/ PAPYRUS The majority of extant manuscripts are form the Middle Ages and Renaissance, mostly in religious nature, dating from 13th century. Some were created as codices (binded books) on Vellum or parchment, following by paper in the late Middle Ages. However, the introduction of printing led to the decline of illumination. they were produced in a small number, only to the very wealthy in 16th century, The technique was complex and costly, therefore, only reserved for special books: an alter Bible, book of hours (devotional book) Text was written before the manuscripts were illuminated and sheets of parchment or vellum were cut down to the appropriate size before the work start.

The Pabenham-Clifford Hours, 14th century (Lucia Cosma, DensityDesign Research Lab)

PAPER

PAPER TYPES 1/ PAPYRUS An ancient paper making from the Egyptian, precisely at the Nile Dalta, providing writing surface that similar to thick paper nowadays Made from pith of the papyrus plant It can also refers to a early form of books, which sheets of papyrus rolled up into scroll , a standard scroll included 20 sheets. Making process: 1. The inside of the triangular stalk was cut or peeled into long strips. 2. These strips were then laid out in two layers, one horizontal and one vertical, and pressed and dried to form a papyrus sheet. 3. Beat the layers gently to bound the fibers 4. Joined end to end to form a roll, only using natural gum of the sheets

Fairytales on the Papyrus Westca 4th BC

2/ VELLUM AND PARCHMENT Both vellum and parchment are the writing material that made from animals skin, mostly calf, goat or sheep skin. They are in the same category with vellum slightly finer as it was made of young animals. As they were difficult to distinguish, recently they are identified as animal membrane, to avoid distinguishing between them For important documents, such as religious text, public laws, indentures, and land records, in replace of paper as they are strong and stable material. They can either bind as books, or make as rolls to keep the writing. Making Procedure: 1. Skin is removed from the animal and any hair or flesh is cleaned away 2. Stretched on a wooden frame 3. Scrapes the surface of the skin with a special curved knife 4. Moisturized and dried the skin to create tension and bring to the right thickness and tautness 5. Rub the surface with powdered pumice as an abrasive followed by chalk in order to prepare the surface of the skin to accept ink

Text From The Eighth Sunday After Trinity, 1100

Vellum bound books, 17th century

William Cowleysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parchment making

PRINTING

MOVEABLE TYPE PRINTING PRESS

Vertical wood screw lowered or raised when turned Horizontal lever turned screw Wood platen pressed paper against type Paper holder folded over type form

Leather balls stuffed with hair or wool were used to ink type

Type form was slid under raised platen

Paper to be printed was put in paper holder

PRINTING

PRINTING PROCESS 1

c c c cc

dd d dd d

a Choose suitable wooden types frombthe collection d a a

Arrange and align types on the type form

d d dd d

e v om

Over types with ink by using leather ball

Insert paper on the holder and fixes it with its cover

c c c cc

a a a a

bb b b b

e v om

bbb b b b

a a a a a a

Stack up and arrange the paper holder accordingly

Place it under the wooden platen lower it to press the paper against the types

Release and platen and get the paper out off the holder

Leave it to dry for a few minutes

BOOKBINDING

BINDING PROCEDURES 1

Fold all the paper wishing to use into half

Place the text block in between end paper on each side

Apply glue on the book ridge with brush

Use weight to hold the block while sticking the backing material to the ridge

Press the block and make sure the whole stack of paper pile properly

Used thread stitch paper together

Cut suitable size of card and other covering materials and wrap the card with material

Stick the cover and the end paper together

BOOKBINDING

BOOK COMPONENTS

Covering Case Spine Head-band End paper Signatures (Book block)

End paper

Tail-band

Case Binding

Perfect Binding

Saddle S�ch

Rind Binding

Stab Binding

Post Binding Sandpaper

Cover

Case

Spine Backing Material Book mark Headband

Text Block

Square

End Paper Ruler

Raised band

Awl

Glue Brush

Scissors

Glue

Leather Knife

Hammer Compass

Bone Folder

KniefNeddle

Thread

Cu�ng Mat

ACTIVITIES REQUIREMENT

FORMING A BOOK

Framework for hanging

Drying Wet paper ** Sunlight!

Digitalizing?

Wetting paper in process ** Water

Storing raw materials: Plans/ skin

Machine for recovery

Computer

Storage for paper: • Cabinet (sheets/ blocks) • Buckets (rolls) • Shelves

Paper Making

How many?

Storage for tools: • Knives • Fabric/leather • Brush • Glue • Scissors

Working table (Long tables)

Number of Workers?

Book Binding

Printing

Handmade: Movable printing type & Illuminate technique

Paper Cutting Machine

Storing Finished Books

Movable Printing Type Press

Text analysing & research office

Plotter/ Printers?

Materials: • Brushes • Paints • Wood block

WORKSHOP & STUDIO RESEARCH

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF BOOKBINDING INSTITUTION Location: Colorado, USA It is a school that provide learning ranging from short term summer courses to diploma degree to support all kind of skills. It offers comprehensive diploma granting programs in the study of bookbinding and book preservation by artists and conservators. It has 24 hour access for all students as they might stay till late. It is a stone building that originally used as a office. The space within is mainly studio working space that occupies 130m2.

All photos from: American Academy of Bookbinding https://www.bookbindingacademy.org/

Shelves on walls Circulation stairs Lounge area with sofas

Working desk with table lamps Littleb bins near work stations

Based on the photograph,the number of people can work at the same time in the worshop is less than 15. As it is in a solid stone structure which blocks most of the natural sunlight, the space is light up by mainly artificial light, but incorporate large windows to allow more light come into, as well as suggesting a welcoming gesture.

Access to outdoor Covered unwanted window

Teaching & learning

Tool box Open individual working space

Artificial lighting Floor to ground windows Cabinet Drawers shallows for sheet materials Height adjustable chair Table wide enough to put other mobile equipments

WORKSHOP & STUDIO RESEARCH

DON TAYLOR BOOKBINDER PERSONAL STUDIO Location: Toronto This is the studio of a bookbinder artisan, Don Tayor. His works include book restoration, design bindings, portfolio making and corporate and edition binding for design firms and private customers. He sometimes also teaches in institution. He work alone in the studio and the video from Sigma Artisan illustrates his working space and his passsion in bindery. It extensively show the equipment and crafting of bindery. There is a video showcasing the daily work of the artist: Don Taylor - Book Binder - SIGMA ARTisans Series https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_ continue=40&v=H9JinvD80_M

All photos from : Sigma Artisans & Don Taylor

Storage: Shelves & boxes

Emergency exit

Racks: Fabric & Leather rolls

Wall shelves Storage: Shelves & boxes

Long desk

Storing under table

L-shape table

Desk lamp

Elect

trical Driller

Hanging tools on wall

Shelves

Long rulers

Shallow Drawers

Desk lamp

Electrical Fan

Wide desk

WORKSHOP & STUDIO RESEARCH

ST. BRIDE FOUNDATION, THE PRINT WORKSHOP WORKSHOP Location: London, UK Set up originally to serve the print and publishing trade of nearby street, but not as a place where designer, typographers, printmakers and the public can enjoy regular programme of design events and workshops. The building has books collection of printing, typography, newspaper design and paper-making in its library that opens twice a month or on special bookings. It also include an archive of metal types and casting matrices. There are also spaces for meetings and workshop available for holding classes and book for events . A year round programme of courses holding mostly on weekends that requires booking and tours within the building and about the history pf printing are some of the service to the public

Archive

Library

Ventilation for drying work Private access/ emergency access Type collections Printing press Sheet material storage Working table

According to the official information, maximum 8 people for a workshop, while 20 people for a tour and talk The space houses a number of historic printing presses, wood letter, and equipment used by compositors to typeset print Courses include: Wood engraving, book binding, Hand composition and letterpress On the lower ground floor, the workshop is accessible by a few steps from the street or one flight of stairs from the main reception

Small class teaching

Different kind of old printing press

All photos from: St. Bride Foundation

SPATIAL & ACTIVITY RELATION

4 DEPARTMENTS

1 2 3 4

Book Finding Department

Book Printing Department

Book Binding Department

Library

Find lost and survived literature all over the world and draft the

Reprint the literature in either digital format or by traditional movable printing types press

Bind the loose printed material together to a book, give the work a decent aesthetic

Join the collection of library, allowing visitors to read the republished survived work

SPATIAL REQUIREMENT 1

BOOK FINDING DEPARTMENT

Staff Resting Space Area: 50m Number of people: 10 staffs Activity: Rest and socializing Requirement: Possible to incorporate with the social space in library space 2

Offices Area: 200m2 Number of people: 10 staffs Activity: Work on finding books all over the world Requirement: Computers, Digital analyse machine, scanners, phones, working desks

Private Toilets

Meeting Room

Area: 10m Activity: Sanitary Requirement: include disable toilet, access to water

Area: 50m2 Number of people: 10 staffs Activity: Discuss issue and make decisions Requirement: Projector, long table and computer

Decisions make for next stage: Book Printing

SPATIAL REQUIREMENT 2

BOOK PRINTING DEPARTMENT

Movable Type Printing Area Area: 300m2 Number of people: 1 Master + 5 Students Activity: Printing, choosing and arranging types Requirement: 2 Movable Printing Press and Press types storage

Storage 1 Area: 10m2 Activity: Storing different kind of paper & inks Requirement: Fit in shelves, buckets or boxes

Digital Printing Area Area: 200m2 Number of people: 4 Activity: Printing from digital documents Requirement: Computer, Large format printer, Inkjet printer

Wood Engraving Area Area: 30m Activity: Engraving types on wood for printing Requirement: Knifes, wood blocks, Cutting mat, table 2

Cleaning Spot Area: 20m2 Activity: Wash and clean the inked types and machine components Requirement: Ventilation for drying, Accessible to water

Drying Space Area: 30m2 Activity: Allow ink on printed work leave for drying Requirement: Good Ventilation, Tables and hangers

Quality Checking Station Area: 20m Number of people: 2-3 Activity: Checking the quality of work produced in accordance to the requirement Requirement: Sufficient light, Table, computer, paper cutting device 2

Base material For next stage: Book Binding

Storage 2 Area: 10m2 Activity: Storing finalized work for next stage (Binding) Requirement: Shelves and boxes, accessible for Binding Department

SPATIAL REQUIREMENT 3

BOOK BINDING DEPARTMENT Working space Area: 300m2 Number of people: 1 master + 5 Students Activity: Stitching, gluing, combining pages into books Requirement: Sufficient light, assisting machine and tools, working tables

Storage 1 Area: 10m2 Activity: Storing tools an materials: leather, cards, staples, threads Requirement: Shelves, wall hangers, boxes *Can merge with previous stage

Storage 2 Area: 10m2 Activity: Storing finished books, wait for joining the library collection Requirement: limited sunlight, shelves

Book for Libraryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collections: Archive / Display

Staff Resting Space Area: 40m2 Number of people: 10 staffs Activity: Rest and socializing Requirement: Semi- public, shared space with Printing department

SPATIAL REQUIREMENT 4

LIBRARY

Control Desk Area: 50m2 Activity: Check and regulate items allow in specific area Requirement: Desk and space to store restricted items of visitors temporary

Reading Room Area: 750m2 Activity: Enable people to study the collection Requirement: Desks and chairs, sufficient light

Lobby & Reception Area: 100m2 Activity: Control the amount of visitors, give directions & free flow indoor space Requirement: Welcoming, control entrance

Social space Displaying book collection Area: 500m2 Activity: Book collection that enable the public to search and read conveniently Requirement: Book shelves

Area: 200m2 Number of people: 50 Activity: Socializing, resting and gather to share knowledge Requirement: comfortable, sofas, seats, tea tables

Open space Archive Area: 1000m2 Activity: Store books collection (not displaying to the pubic currently) Requirement: closure, limited sunlight, secure, movable bookshelves

Area: 500m2 Activity: Free activity for public Requirement: Hard landscape, greens, outdoor seating, can possibly be courtyard or cantilever

Director Office Cloakroom Area: 50m2 Activity: Store properties of visitors temporary Requirement: Lockers

Area: 30m2 Activity: Working space for the director Requirement: Near other administrative offices and meeting rooms, private

Administrative Offices Public Toilet Area: 100m2 Activity: Sanitary Requirement: include disable toilet, access to water

Services Area: 50m2 Activity: Room for power, water boilers, ect. Requirement: Hidden

Area: 300m2 Number of people: 15 staffs Activity: Work on organizing & regulating the operation of library Requirement: Computers, phones, working desks

Meeting Room Area: 50m2 Number of people: 15 staffs + director Activity: Discuss issue and make decisions Requirement: Projector, long table and computer

SPATIAL RELATIONSHIP

DIAGRAM

Japan

• Translate • Call different offices overseas • Travel or ship books/ manuscripts/other materials

Binding books from Printing

Book Binding Department

• Studio Workshop • Hand crafting • Learning skills (Apprenticeship system) Supply the collections

• Store books • Revive lost literature for public reading • Social knowledge sharing

China

Book Finding Department

CIVI

CS PA CE IN

Italy

Rare books/ lost liteature from local and overseas

Send information digitally/ hand written

Book Printing Department • StudioWorkshop • Hand crafting • Learning skills (Apprenticeship system)

Library

a/ b/

Archive (Private)

Display (Public)

a/ b/

Traditional: Movable Type Printing Press

Modern: Digital Laser/ Inkjet Printing

SURVIVAL OF KNOWLEDGE & IDEAS

PROJECT BOOK Vol. 2: Design

DE S I GN STATEM ENT To survive is to escape and exist under a dominant

Venice, advantaging in book publishing in the past

power that controls, confines and eliminates threats

made it a destination of book printing and crafting.

and dangers. It seeks to command knowledge

By having the studio for book printing and binding

through the acts of censorship and restriction.

apprenticeship, the library rescues not only the lost knowledge, but also the craftsmanship of books,

Survival of knowledge and ideas under dominant

sustaining the vanishing art of publication through

powers is determined through selection and

public recognition and education. Besides reading

choosing. Both activities draw the line of restriction,

and absorbing passively through texts and writing,

hence limiting the existence of opposition and

learning in this library can by means of the actual

resistance. Survival of knowledge and ideas,

practice of making.

therefore, is the evidence that reveals the silent truth of oppressive regimes, freeing unlimited knowledge,

The library celebrates the existing and historical

intelligence and imagination.

traces of the site by introducing and building the new. It draws attention on the structure that survive from

The library seeks to break the wall of historical

the history, bringing the past alive and binding it with

control and opening the door to suppressed

the present. Standing in the Arsenale area, a vibrant

knowledge, as well as retrieving forgotten knowledge

historical naval base in Venice, it is contained by walls

in order to expand the boundary of ideas and

that previously served for shipyard. The library strives

connect them with the city, the country and the

to break through the site boundary, freeing from

world.

spatial control and proclaiming its existence to the lagoon.

INI T I A L D E S I G N P RO C E S S

DESIGN APPROACH

MASSING EXPLORATION MASSING 1 As I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have idea what to do for the building massing, I tired to creates any some form and work on how they can relates to the concept. I was thinking a central library space for this massing, while 2 side can possibly be the partner elements that serve the library and based on the site strategy, the entrance will be along the lagoon.

MASSING 2 This model tried to cantilever out to the lagoon and match with the concept of suggesting something different to the site. A small opening is created on the wall to suggest the way coming in, instead of fully opening up the wall as the previous one show. The catelivered part can be the reading room that allows people to stay for a longer time and ave good views to the lagoon

MASSING 3 This model started to punch through the wall by having a tall entrance tower that intervene the walkway. Other parts of the building leads the journey to the larger library space. I think it is a good try to break through the wall be imposing part of the building to the lagoon, it seems like the building tries to squeeze between gaps and strive for come out from the contained wall perimeter.

MASSING 4 As I was quite satisfied with the result of part of the building punching through the wall, this iteration incorporate the same idea and added the cantilever idea to further bring the building out of its boundary. In this model I tied to explore the form of roof . Initially match the buildings with pitched roof that reference the surrounding historical buildings.

MASSING 5 This model tried to match the roof property further by sloping in different directions. It cantilevers at both the north and south side. However, the form of the building is not very ideal seems a bit bulky and heavy. The form of roof is not consistent.

MASSING 6 This is the massing model for Review 3, but progresses to changing the design afterward for a better option. It tries to keep the roof consistent and reference that from the site. It is not

MASSING 7 This model has a huge difference from the previous as it tries to create void between spaces to and lead to a formation of potential courtyard. The appearance of courtyard give idea on how the design cam gather people in an external space that within a building. This time, the roofs of other part of the building as are matched and consistently angle in the same gradient.

MASSING 8 By acknowledging the potential of courtyards, this model tries to open up a larger courtyard area. However, it still seem rather dark and need further adjustments to arrange the space along with their idea floor height to see whether a lowering the levels helps the situation.

MASSING MODEL

SUMMARIZED PROCESS

Throughout the model making process, I have tested a lot of different massing option to express the concept as well as responding to the site. I choose to take a plan view of the models in order to show how they attempt to break through the perimeter wall.

The final 2 models are similar to what I would like to go for in the design process as they consist a courtyard that serves as external opening space within the building .

MASSING TO IDEAS From the massing models, it leads to the potential of transforming them into spaces. It is first split into different zones/ areas according to the massing model. Then the potential accesses are identified and creates the axis for the building. Then it comes into giving functions to each space and tried to link them together to form the whole scheme of the library. Potentially, the building might looks as the diagram shows in North Elevation. This is a brainstorm stage of how the space can incorporate and work with the massing, it needs further progression to more detailed design.

BRAINSTORMED IDEA The dotted lines area interpret the idea of looking into the studio/ workshop in a transition corridor on section This is the initial idea created based on the reading and spatial interpretation of the massing model. There are different ways coming into the building, different from land and from water. Walking up the steps reveals the internal courtyard and the library space. The section are however not in the correct scale that the courtyard should be much more narrow and even the courtyard is created, it does not captures a lot of sunlight because of the height of surrounding mass. Therefore it might be better to lower the height of the massing on South, to allow more lights coming into the site.

all s+ W e v l e Sh

Book collection

IDEA Incorporating shelves with wall as furniture As explored in massing model, the top level can potentially hang on top of the exiting wall and by having a fully glazed facade, it allows overlooking to the lagoon. It extend the experience of the attached walkway outside the wall perimeter as it makes people aware of their own existence by introducing experience that The workshop can incorporate glazed wall as well to allow people to look into the work.

idg e

However, it should maintain a certain extend of privacy as it is a working space for the master and students that they need to focus on their work without disturb from the public.

Workshop

Glazed reading room

existing

wall

layers

As indicated in the site analysis and strategy, the existing wall is one of the main focus of the project on how the past and the present can be connected. Therefore, details of the wall layer is further explored. By calulating in terms of the ratios of their openings and key elements and patterns of on their surface, the dimension and features of the wall are drew to give a further aid the design process as they indicates the potential of creating or reestablishing opening The elevation and 3D diagram above is the inital idea on the Sourth facade. It incorporates with the wall patitern as well as its existing openings on the ground level. This suggest a break through of restrictions which relates back to the concept.

VIEWS The corridor can offer different views to both the courtyard and the interior studio space. It also shelter the lower level shade the access of both working space as well making it a transition space between the outdoor and the private.

Open space

Corridor

workshop

Section

Open space

Corridor

workshop Plan

THE IN BETWEEN This is an idea of how the workshop/ studio can spatially relates to the courtyard, which is a connection between the public and the private. As illustrates, there is a corridor between the courtyard and the workspace. The studio are glazed to give visual connection between in and out, while the corridor acts as a buffer transition zone to moderate the between public and private.

VERTICAL CONNECTION The sketch illustrates the idea of how the archive and the upper levers can be connected. As the archive area is designed to sit in the lower ground level, it is not easily notice. Therefore vertical relation is important in allow peo0le to glimpse into the archive. However, it is necessary to pay attention to the direct light to the area as the archive area does not desire light with huge variables, it rather prefer indirect light to keep the area under control.

ENTRANCE This sketch portraits the idea of the experience after entering through the north entrance. Walking up the steps that hints the internal courtyard by huge glazing. It has the effect of and give a sense of relieve that the user is exposed to a much more generous space than that have been experienced. This is also the space where the old meet the new as it has direct contact with the existing wall. Therefore, it not only influences the experience but also relates to technical issues. The entrance space might be an important focus area in terms of cognitive experience and physical construction.

STUDIO & LIBRARY SPACE This is a sketch that portrait the idea how the binding studio can interact with the general public space as well as having private area for resting and relaxing in between works. The wall that connects to the library can be bookshelves as well as incorporating doors and windows so that people are able to look into the space where books are binded as well as creating a route for moving books from the bindery workshop to the main library hall, aiding the program of book republishing cycle that the books can be filled into the library collection easily.

4/F Only the library hall is continue to this level, other spaces like the office stops at the privious level.

2/F

3/F

The second level private space for the people who works in the studio to rest in a grater privacy, as well as providing space for them to social with each others. The library continue in this level.

Offices are located on top of the studio and connect back to the library hall through a corridor. The space that stands on top are

IDEA As previously was not working together with a structural grid, the design was not consistent and lack support from the ground level. Therefore, this iteration attempts to merge the design with the structural plan.

The columns are not only frame the rooms in the archive area but also supports space of the upper level. The creation of the structural grids helps formulating the space above as the columns are the support of the other space. I should alway think of how the stands while designing and how the structural and the design parts works together to complete a better design.

9 11

11 2

LEVEL -1 Level -1 is where the rare books store and give restricted access to the public for obtaining information and provide an indoor secure reading space for the collection. It is partly underground but linked to the ground level by ramps in the south entrance. It needs further developments on the south entrance for a landscape plan, as that space would be a space that welcomes and prepares people to enter the library. The design is based on this massing model that suggest 3 near the south of the building, while th north tries to break the boundary. by cantilevering out and physically protruding the wall. The from of the roof top tries to match with that of the surrounding. It is however not a very satisfying solution after making the model, as it looks bulky in terms of massing and weight. It lost the essence of having open civic space. Other issue relates to the underground archive which will be discussed further after the brief explanation in plans and section at this stage.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

Main Library Hall Archive Printing Studio Binding Studio Book finding office General administrative offices Reception Entrance hall Reading space Courtyard Security check point Storage Toilets M&E supply room

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

Level 1 is where people coming from by boat or the walkway along the wall. They will then walk into a entrance hall where security access is applied. Further into the space is the central library hall and a long stairs to along the wall of the studios, which allows people to peek into the working space without disturbing their work.

A lot f space in the second level is empty to create double height space for the first floor and the atrium space. There are internal staircases for the studio spaces to have some privacy for resting, as the long staircase in the library allow public to look into the space, making their working environment stay more public than private.

There is also a balcony in between walls to let people walk near the windows on and view to the sea.

LEVEL 3

LEVEL 4

Above the Studios are the offices for general library administration and book finding and since they are private working areas, the corridor the links to the stair on previous level leads the public back to the library space. There are also individual reading rooms that offers privacy for reading while having the opportunity to overlook th lagoon through windows

There are more voids on the floor level to ensure more lights going into the lower levels. Also, the reading room houses the wall for a group reading. The space will potentially enjoys lights from the North, which is diffuse light that suitable for reading. However its performance in real situation might need to test under stimulated softwares. The analysis will be included in the Tech Project Book.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

Main Library Hall Archive Printing Studio Binding Studio Book finding office General administrative offices Reception Entrance hall Reading space Courtyard Cloark room Storage Toilets M&E supply room

SECTION AA

SECTION BB

The section demonstrates how the roof are angles and house different functions and activities, the library, the bindery studio an the printing studio, with the offices above. This iteration tried to make the partner elements relates to each others spatially to aid the circulation of book publishing.

This section tries to explain the stairs along the wall of the studio which allow people to look into the space, it is a long, narrow corridor incorporating steps that might not ideal to facilitate circulation. This implies other consideration on how to have a similar effect of looking into the space.

Also, the studio and office space seem to be more spacious then it planned to be, might need to refer back to the spatial requirement to adjust and moderate the sizes

A B

North

South

LEVEL CC The section show how vertically the space are engaged with each other, especially on the North side where 2 layers of the historical walls are presence. Currently the form of the building is quite rigid and contained within the wall layer on the south. According to concept of survival, the design could be more playful with beraking through different layers, not only interiorly in which the North portrait but also externally, forming a conversation with its surrounding

FIRE ESCAPE STAIRCASE ISSUES It affects the design and form of building, please refer to the tech project book

Lift Reading Room

ARCHIVE Archive 2

ISSUES The current solution of the archive has issue on its spatial relation to reading room and storage area. The storage is designed to locate near the west to maintain its connection to the lagoon for logistic convenience, while having access to the lift. This creates a corridor that separates 2 archive areas. The reading room is located outside the archive area means the documentation and books might be exposed to during transportation from a secure area to another. It might be a better alternative to join the archive and the reading space in to a single area that the environment and access can be unified and keep under control.

Storage Archive 1

VATICAN SECRET ARCHIVE https://www.dw.com/en/vatican-toopen-archives-of-wwii-pope-pius-xii-in2020/a-47763633

PRECEDENT & IDEAS

To get a brief idea of how an archive can incorporate with reading area, I researched on some relevant archival with similar spatial arrangement.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;ANGELS & DEMONSâ&#x20AC;? ARCHIVE SET (Luke Freeborn)

http://www.lukefreeborn.com/angels-and-demons/ gnikl91kc7po1kh6bwzdx6vs68jdud

The Vatican secret archive has restricted access. Books are stored along the edges of the space while the center space has tables and chairs to allow people sit and read within the area as they are not allowed to get the books out of the archive. Using the central area as reading space also aid the supervision on the reading activities to avoid unwanted action within the area as they are more exposed. The movie Angle & Demons also has a set of the archive surrounding an reading space. Although it is only a movie set, it shows how archives and reading can spatially related to allow both human activity and storage.

Arrange in U-shape so that people are allow to see every archives. When walking on the stairs, the starts or end of visual impression of the ground level will be the archive collection. To keep the archive secure and protected, only one access will be applied in the area, which implies walking to another end might takes long time and causes inconvenience.

Arrange in a 4 x 3 layout with tartan grid as structure support to the level above. In this way, some of the corridor will not be necessary and can potentially turns into space for M & E work as the archive area needs a separate system of ventilation and structural foundation.

SOLUTION PROCESS The brief precedents research gives inspirations and ideas on how to arrange the archive area spatially .

Further progression on archive arrangement please refer to page or Technology Project book

Modify the dimension of the space to allow a corridor to the storage area. Other rooms are arranged along the other side of the atrium hall. Possibly use glazing as the wall that allows people to look into and look out from the archive. Rows of shelves are put in individual archive rooms along with a desk and chairs in the center to allow studying inside the space.

IMAGINED SPATIAL EXPERIENCE MAIN LIBRARY HALL This visual is produced and presented in the 3rd review to give a sense of how the space looks like in the library, especially the space of the main library area. The atrium provides source of daylight to the library while large windows provide views to the lagoon. This space is an interactive and social space that gather people to read. It has clue to the existing wall, but in an not very obvious way that it hide behind the stairs in this visual. It could be further improved when progress to more detailed design solution. Although the design of the building is not finalized and this gives the concept of spatial experiences and the relation to the wall interiorly.

NORTH ELEVATION This is another visual that show the relationship of the proposed library to the lagoon and the existing wall. The proposed building punched through the existing wall while which imposed a break the consistent and linear line of Arsenaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perimeter wall.

View point 1

View point 2

LANDSCAPE COURTYARD There are 2 main area need the design of landscaping, the internal courtyard is one of them. The sketch shows the setting up of some walls within the area along with different pavements to guide the movement of people. The walls are continues the concept and that allows breaking through and walking in between. Therefore from different point of view certain views will be blocked by the walls and through walking users will exposed to different views.

View point 2

However one of the main purposes of creating the courtyard is to capture sunlight but putting in walls might go against with this initial aim. Testing need to be done to prove it is reasonable to do. Otherwise, it needs other landscaping plan.

10m ramp leading to the South entrance in order to maintain 1.20 gradient for accessibility.

SOUTH ENTRANCE Another spot for landscape development is the South entrance which leads people from external ground level to the lower level of the building which is about 0.5km below ground. The scheme is to play with level and water, that brings water into the land by arranging land in different level so the can water come from higher level to lower level. The landscape will be in geometric that matches with the space format of the library. Along another layer of the existing wall, are some external seatings for groups, so as to have direct contact with the wall as well as providing space for them to relax and social.

REVIEW 4

STOP AND EVALUATE UP

PLANS

ISSUES

UP UP

8 00

GROUND LEVEL Issue: The walls for the archive area seem thins that is not convinced in protecting the rare and fragile documentations and the rooms are quite contained.

LEVEL 1 Possibility: Thicken the wall and think of in how the wall layers can act as protection to the books. Combine some of the rooms to create more space.

Issue: In gerneral, the drawings does not show the real situation of the existing wall as they are as thin as the proposed one. It is a serious mistake as the depth of wall could affects the amount of usable space. They can also be playful architecturally.

Possibility: Review and site analysis and photos to estimate the dimension of wall and make amendments accordingly. Then think of how to incorporate the wall more into the design, technically or functionally.

Overall Reflections: This is not satisfied at this stage as there are still some unresolved design issues and the level of details and care on drawings are not up to presentation standard. This is caused by not managing time properly and rushing to produce the products at the end. Therefore, as there is very limited time progressing to the final presentation, these design issues should be tackled and I need to be more self- disciplined within the time constraint. UP

LEVEL 4

UP UP

DN DN

LEVEL 3

LEVEL 2 Issue: Plans are not completed as there are lack indication of voids and levels above. More time and consideration should be taken into account as the design is playful with the space in different levels

Possibility: Draw plans properly with care and be mindful of different indications to allow people read the map easily,

Issue: Some spaces are left empty and not annotated that creates confusion of what is the functionality and activities within the space.

Possibility: Fill in spaces with furniture and name the space to show a larger extend of graphical clarity.

SECTIONS ISSUES These sections are produced for the 3rd Review. There are quite some problems identified:

SECTION

1. The difference between new walls and existing walls are not clear.

2. Both images looks flat, which does 3. 4.

not match with the project concept and aim. The irregular roof is a bit problematic as they angled in different ways The archive might has potential danger because if there is flooding, water might have chance to get into.

SECTION

NORTH ELEVATION COMPARISON VISUAL IN REVIEW 3

The image below is produced for Review 4 as the design has been updated throughout. However, due to the due to an unwell planned time, the image was not as realistic as last review and the design was not rendered in proper materials, which does not make the design convincing through visual. Therefore, if further perusing for this external view, more editing work should be done, as this interaction with the perimeter wall and the lagoon is crucial in this project. Identified Technical issue

â&#x20AC;˘ How does the projected boxes structurally supported?

â&#x20AC;˘ How does the extruded tower stands on water? Please refer to Technology Project Book Structure Section

VISUAL IN REVIEW 4

REFERENCING THE EXISTING The openings on the north elevation tries to matches with those along the lagoon in terms of sizes spacings. This is to reference the existing features of the site.

Although I am not familiar with the ,modeling software, it helps imagining the space and stimulating the view from reality.

I tried to create similar layout in Revit models and work out how do they affect their external visual and interior function.

I should also think of how all these affects not only the aesthetics of the building, but also the surrounding.

Helps visualizing the internal courtyard facade and think of different alternatives in placing openings

TIME ISSUES I have been working through Revit to creates models and plan, as it is quite handy to consist all the information. However, although I am keen on working out my design on the BIM software, I am not a fast learner in softwares which influence my working pace, especially when time is crucial. The software helps me thinks and work on specific areas like elevations in design process, but when it comes to finalizing drawings and visuals, due to my inexperience, the result is not as good as I aimed to be. Therefore, I for high end visuals I go back to what I the softwares I have used before to ensure I catch back the pace. I might learn the software when time is allowed

Helps imagining the atrium space but the rendering is not ideal.

ENTRANCE

Refer more structural details in tech Project Book,

2500

2760 2400

ARCHIVE The spatial arrangement of the archive has been modified in order to fit in the structural plan to allow the archive floats on water no matter how it the water level might change. This is ti adapt to the danger of flooding, as they are endangered and precious books, they need to be more secure. The current solution consist of different wall thickness of wall layers and structurally separated from other areas. A detail structural solution is included in the Technology Project Book.

PROCESS

MODEL TESTING WHY As it is difficult to imagine how to penetrate the wall and exaggerate the form of the roof , a test model is made to work along with the design and force myself to think consider different aspects of the building scheme and play do further adjustments on the design. As it is a draft model, I used grey card to do the, as it can be cut easily just different adjustments. The angle of the roof is exaggerated to show the idea of spreading and extending the line of roof top and suggesting a contrast of different form. From the model I also work out the space 3rd floor viewing platform and the private space for studio as well as the entrances in the south elevation in a more detailed design. They will be further explained in the following sections.

Viewing platform

Entrance

Studio Private space

SECTION These 2 sketches are done in process of the model making so as to relate the interior space and exterior space, and make possible design changes.

Portraits how the levels works together, especially in the space between 2 thick walls. What might possible happen there: First & second floor: double height space for gathering Third floor: viewing platflorm looking to the lagoon Forth floor: Reading room that allows view to the lagoon as well as the floor below

ELEVATION This is the elevation of the main library hall from the courtyard, in which openings plays a huge role in displaying the internal space as well as revealing the view of courtyard to the interior. The position of windows are not finalized in this sketch, but it give ways to work out where to locate them . It is possible to size them huge, similar to the openings to the lagoon to reveal floor between levels to animate the facade with different view of activities.

View to the lagoon and exposed to more lights and experience a rogression towards the brightness from a darker environment.

PLAN VIEW (3/F)

Relates to the idea of survival, in which people can experience a sense of relief.

SECTION VIEW

PLAN VIEW

VIEWING PLATFORM

Continuing the suspended ceiling in timber battens that their linear pattern direct people to the view to the lagoon unconsciously, creating visual impacts to physical experience.

A viewing platform is added to the design on level 3 to further portrait the idea of breaking through restrictions as well as creating the experience relates to the concept, survival. The initial idea is in a trapezium form that further open up towards the lagoon, similarly the views will be further open when toward the direction of the lagoon.

The are plays with the gap between 2 existing walls, it penetrates through 2 solid walls and creates an interesting space vertically, as in between the lower part of the wall, is the gathering space and small study rooms on the first and second floor. Part of the viewing platform is connected to the top level by a void. This creates visual connection between 2 floors, at the same some supply the enclosed space with more natural lights

The cantilevered viewing platform also creates a dynamic interaction exteriorly, as the viewing platform shaded the pathway along the wall which offers a new experience to the people who are walking on the pathway. Their focus becomes not only to the water, the perimeter wall or the views, but also to the building that shelter part of the pathway. Therefore the form and the length of the viewing platform is important to consider in the design scheme as it would have an effect on how people feels.

PLAN VIEW

Standing position of view

VIEW FROM THE MAIN LIBRARY HALL

COURTYARD

The landscape scheme for the courtyard has been revised due to simplified the previous attempt. It mainly consisted benches and greenery that layout in a form that directs people to a point and discover something new. The destination of the reveals a box that allows people to peek into the level below. This make possible connection to the archive by sight. This draws the importance of the archive and might possibly attract people to visit the archive.

This also relates to program that the first department, the book finding office is to discover and find potential books around the world to republish. The direction of how the pavements are laid out can also possibly has an impact on how materials and spatial layout leads user to the space and discover interesting point.

PROGRAM & SPATIAL DIAGRAM HAND DRAWING This diagram tells the program and the spatial relationship between each space. It consists : Books Finding, Printing, Binding, the Library and the archive. Although they are not drawn in scale, they keep the ratio in height that the library is the main and largest space while the others stays in the same level, except the archive locating below central courtyard. It suggests a cycle of the whole book republishing route. It was presented in the final review but it is not understood easily. Therefore, I might need to find a more simple way to tell the program visually.

Partly hide and reveal the wall patterns

Separate entrance for the fire exit, can be clad in the same material as the wall does to hide its appearance, focusing on the main entrance

SOUTH ELEVATION

Elevations are quite important to the design scheme as a huge part of the project is to engage with the existing wall. Therefore the interior will relates to the exterior visual on the presence of wall. The South elevation displays the private space of the studios and the on land entrance. As mentioned and explored previously, there are different brick patterns and colours on the wall as well as openings. The position dimension of the spaces incorporates with the wall and displayed as a united composition of the new and old.

COLLAGE

The play of timber cladding and glazing which different sizes make the wally layer more interesting.

This image is presented in the Final Review to showcase the decision on wall and the whole design scheme.

The above is the photo collage done by using rendered white model in Sketchup and different materials textures. The of another wall layer is added in front of the collaged wall to give a sense of progression toward the layer that contain building sits in. Colours are adjusted to make the building elevation stands out from the other layers .

For the final degree show presentation, this can be considered as one of the display option.

NORTH ELEVATION

The north elevation has been changing every time when the design evolves as it reflects the interior space in external form. Windows are placed in the size that reference back to the characteristic of surrounding buildings in the Arsenale area. The viewing platform from 3/F break the consistent line of wall height and profile. It also visually interlocked with the top level where the reading room is located at. This is the effect frim a void linking both levels ineriorly,

COLLAGE

The shadow is offers a hint of the cantilevered rooms although the image is rather flat. This effectively demonstrates how the space from the building try to penetrate and break through the boundary and stands out from the view from the lagoon. As large transparent glazings are used in both the third and the top level, this creates a huge contrast between the solidity of wall layer and the translucent new facade. Although the visual created above manage the show the contrast between the new and the old, it does not show the transparency of the material,

only as a colour that stand out. The image could be further enhanced through editing This image is presented in the Final Review to showcase the decision of the space and wall relationship, as well as with the wall.

DRAFT SECTION DIAGRAMS

CONCEPT & MASS PROPOSAL COMPOSITE DRAWING + PHYSICAL MODEL Based on the site response and the concept that bind all the ideas together in the design, they interacts with each others. Therefore, I tried to the collage the composite concept drawing with the physical model. The drawing overlays on the photograph to show how it can breaks through restriction, which is the wall, in the case of the site. By adjusting colours to bring attention to the central region, it focus on the potential design of the building. It suggests the break through could lead to a distribution and spread of the books, the knowledge and ideas. I think this image is quite strong to illustrates the design concepts and approach to the site.

PROCESS OF CREATING A VISUAL

Draft visual for Review 4:

A rush result created by revit without further render, simply exporting from the model as I did not manage well with time at that time and not familiar with the modeling program. There is lack materials and people.

Rendered image:

This visual is created in Sketchup and rendered through V-ray. I tried to show how the lights comes to the interior from the glazing facing the courtyard. However, the image is rather dark and gloomy, which is not the ideal spatial character.

Edited image:

As the rendered image is not satisfying, I bring the visual into Photoshop for further editing. By adjusting different layers, further applying materials and focused on the expression of brightness contrast, the visual expresses more about the space and materials.

Final image:

The previous stage of the visual is presented in the Review and was suggested to populate the image to show the activities and spatial relation of to people. Therefore, it is finalized by adding peoples with different activities and adjusting them to fit in the condition and style of the image.

NORTH ENTRANCE COMPUTER RENDERING This is the view after entering the north entrance and walking towards to the interior space. The glazing windows along reveals the external courtyard which allow people to sits and read and gather. As the entrance is a tall, people from the second and the third level can over look into the entrance space which make an interactive internal space. Another notable focus is on it material and structure. White steel columns are placed alongside to support the building which makes it free from the existing brick wall as it is not adding loads on it. The ceiling is clad with timber strips that matches the colours of the brick wall.

Draft and sketch version: Thinking how to present all in one image instead of diagrams

PROJECT KEY SPATIAL IDEAS COMPUTER EDITED HAND DRAWING This image combines the key scenes of the space in the building. Form the mesh pathway to the entrance, the relationship between the courtyard and the archive, as well as the workshop alongside. It also shows the cantilevered reading space as well as the atrium of the library. This image is created before any proper visuals are created, therefore it is drawing at while thinking about the overall spatial relation and key interesting space of the design. it guides and suggests some of the idea for digital visualization in a later time. To enhance its relation to the water, it is put into computer and collaged with water texture, so as adding some colours to balance the whole composition. For me, this sketch helps me celebrate and think of the appealing aspects of the building, make me focusing on certain areas and bring me back on track.

PROCESS OF CREATING A VISUAL

1st attempt:

This render is to test the effectiveness of the model to the image in order to make use of time to detail part of the model instead of the whole as only certain parts will appear in the frame.

Other attempts:

When it comes to setting up the frame and view of the image, I tried different approaches to see which angle are more intriguing. This angle interestingly focuses the view to the roof window. However, the stairs also become the focus point and might overpower the effect of the roof light. This scene was not chosen at the end.

Rendered image:

After chosen the right angle, it is rendered by controlling the time and shadow to show how lights is penetrates from the roof window. However, the space appears overlit by it. This could be modified by controlling the brightness of the entire image.

Edited image:

The image is bring into further adjustment and editing. not only colours and light conditions are modified, but the stair and railings along the void is added in texture. The sky is also inserted to become more realistic. At this stage, the image is presented in the Review.

Final image:

Same the previous visual, it was suggested to be populated and therefore activities and people where added. The entire picture was further edited to keep consistency between the scene and people.

ATRIUM DIGITAL RENDERING The atrium is linked to a roof window at the top and continue the ceiling constriction from the entrance as timber battens and steel structure. The columns that goes from the ground to the ceiling are visible along with the solid balustrades that surround the void. They gives surface for the marking of light and shadow, This make the atrium more dynamic, inviting lights to play a role in the building along with other human activities. It also creates a sense of relieve as users will exposed to a generous vertical space after walking, searching and reading books from shelves.

PROCESS OF CREATING A VISUAL

Idea:

As this is the last rendering visual for the degree show, I have make a plan for the degree show set up, therefore the image needs to be set in the same dimension or ratio as the plan. Setting up the scene and photo frame in accordance and test for the best one.

Rendered image:

After adding materials and furniture, the image is rendered through V-ray as well. As it does not it has issue with showing things in the studio space, it needs further adjustment in correctly placing objects.

Final render:

The image is rendered once again to ensure everything is in position and adjusting some brightness and colour corrections in the defaults software to get ready for final editing in Photoshop.

Edited & Final image:

People are added in Photoshop as well as some stationary and books to create a dynamic space of crafting. Light conditions are further adjusted as well as creating some reflections on the glazing to turn it more realistic. Ceiling and window frame are corrected as well.

VIEW TO STUDIOS DIGITAL RENDERING On the second level, there is a room along the corridor that allows people to look down to the studio space of both printing and binding. This image is illustrating the printing studio as shown by the movable type printer at the edge. It facilitates interactions between the privately working and learning students and the public visitors, at the same time maintaining privacy beyond the space after passing through the wall openings. This also portraits how activities and constructions happens within the walls, as they comes into direct contact and even inhabits their daily work.

PLANS

212

Cloak room

Toilets

Storage

Archive M&E room

SOUTH ENTRANCE

213

CLOAK ROOM

ENTRANCE HALL

OFFICES

PRINTING STUDIO

214

BINDING STUDIO

GATHERING SPACE LIBRARY HALL

PRIVATE STUDY ROOMS

OFFICES

BALCONY VIEWING

MAIN LIBRARY HALL

215

VIEWING PLATFORM

MAIN LIBRARY HALL

216

TOILETS

READING ROOM

MAIN LIBRARY HALL

217

SECTIONS HAND DRAWING