develoPinG a ProGraM

develoPinG a ProGraM

develoPinG a ProGraM

The amalgamation of the data so far has led to three key points; the notion of an earthly paradise, environmental nostalgia and spatial exploration due to intricacy. Thus, by using these key points I have attempted to develop a program which rekindles the primordial and ubiquitous relation of man and nature. The goal is to develop an architectural discourse which elucidates the hybridity with nature and the realm of man, the approach will seek to reconcile the deleterious relationship that man has with the natural environment, whilst inspiring compatibility and co-dependency. The project should allegorically represent man’s reconciliation with nature.

Paradise

The Sumerians thought that one was closer to God inside the garden, and that the gods themselves resided in the garden117. As such, it played an important role in the psychological archetype of the garden. Hence, this aspect of the program should focus on espousing the genius loci of the natural world. It must represent a state of absolute tranquillity and reverence. It should be adequately forested. As depicted in most early depictions of the Garden of Eden or the Garden of the Gods, there must be the presence of water.

environMental nostalGia:

The program must explore the wellbeing aspect of nature. It must combine the primordial intrinsic necessity of nature, with its utilitarian necessity. All spaces should be connected to a greenspace, natural light, natural air and visibility of the sun. Bright daylight can help support circadian rhythm, improve mood, thus improving productivity.

Subsequently, these following points were made in order to appease the essence of our primal instincts:

• Lighting or space design that mimics Heraclitean motion could be incorporated into building design to create calm

• Environments resembling various eco-systems may also be an interesting testing ground for people who may react better to particular vegetation.

• There should be clear visibility of the sun, or sky where possible to help align the body’s natural clock

• Exposure to a biodiverse selection of flora and fauna

sPatial exPloration:

Spatial exploration focuses on spatial intricacy. This must be achieved by the use of architectural and natural elements working synchronously. By doing so, an environment suitable for boosting creativity, work ethic, and productivity whilst encouraging the occupant’s natural curiosity, will be achieved. The spaces should encourage interesting shadows and forms, with layers transparencies and spatial depths.

117 (Delumeau 2000)

a new tyPoloGy

The office, in the eyes of many has always had a strictly utilitarian purpose, that is, we go to work, we earn money, and we go home. This example illustrates the typical day for a person of the 21st century. If one were to take a stroll down any metropolitan city, he would see scores of people melancholily making their way to work every morning, and back home every evening. This has become a flavourless cycle within our everyday lives.

Many countries still have exhausting work hours where people are locked up within clustered and sterile offices for hours on end. The United States of America has an average working week of 40 hours, whilst its European comparisons, United Kingdom, Germany and France, favour a 35-hour week shift. This data results show that North Americans spends approximately 25 percent of their 7 day week, within the office whilst its European comparisons spend approximately 20 percent. This data does not take into consideration the time spent in commuting to and from work, which is an added time taken from each individual’s day.

Research shows that we spend accumulatively an approximation of 90 percent of our day within a building118. Most of this time, we come in contact with very little of the natural environment, and we get very little opportunities to sit back, appreciate and explore the world we have around us. Our biophilic proclivity implores us to interact with the biosphere, and by so doing, my research has persistently elucidated the fact that this will without a doubt, improve our mental and physical health by reducing the toxicity of the urban stimulus.

Consequent to studies, as well as the utilitarian approach people have towards the office, it appears as the most suited place to begin this intervention. The aim is therefore to combine the utility of the office structure with the spirituality and immateriality of the natural environment. The question now is how one can use these theories to develop an architecture language which will effectually reconcile man with the biosphere, whilst improving the overall quality of life within the urban environ.

118 (OVERSHINER 2013)

tHe ProPosal

This proposal must utilise the park space of the site efficaciously; so that nothing is taken away from the community. Hence, the building must give back, equivalently what it has taken. It must metamorphose the existing green-park into an architype of a more sophisticated social and aesthetic value. This project takes the physical and virtual connection to the outdoor environment and translates it into every publicly usable space and floor within the edifice, resultantly reconciling itself with what it has taken from the public.

The proposals must use biophilic design principles to create a work environment that improves the work output of its occupants while reducing the effects of the everyday psychological stressors. There must also be 24/7 permeability of the public spaces available in the edifice.

ProGraMMatic Brief

Building aReas

1.0 Green Park area (The garden)

Physical connection Visual connection

Immaterial relationship It is the entry and physical buffer of the building and the city.

• The park must be quiet place, buffered from the noises of the city.

• Must have pockets of respite to relax, and observe the biosphere. It must offer the user the ability to observe the nature happening in front of him.

• It must deliberately offer the opportunity to observe the intricacy of shadows.

• Must have seating.

• Must offer unrestricted 24/7 access.

• Must have variety of flora and fauna.

• Must contain a water body.

• Must have view of sky.

• It must have different areas vegetated to resemble different forests archetypes, e.g. Savanna and Amazonian forests

Entry foyer, day care, offices, to the street Offices, communal, gathering areas

The garden should be the intermediary space between the city and the intervention. It comprises the safety of the city with the tranquillity of nature. The garden should evoke the feeling of god’s presence within it. It should show man his interconnectivity with the natural realm.

It Should

It May Be vegetated, not have walls separating it from the public, should offer 24/7 access, have a water body, Have sculptures, play area for children

2.0 Work stations A collection of areas for employees to work

• There must be clear view of the horizon

• The office should be a reflection of the hybridity of the working environment and the natural environment.

• There must be opportunities to view the sunset and sunrise.

• Must have dynamic shadow casting.

• It must provide an engaging space in which to work by the use of natural elements.

• Within close proximity (approximately 5 m), there must be a communal shared greenspace.

• The office must allow the elements within the space e.g. rain, sunshine, snow.

• When possible, the offices must allow the natural ventilation throughout the spaces, allowing the users to feel the hot and the cold, the aridity and humidity.

• The office space must involve heraclitean motion to restore a calm and healthy mind.

• The office must provide a visual continuation of the garden space.

• There must be a view of the sky from each work station

• Must be quiet, from the noises of the city Physical connection Green park area, communal area Visual connection Green park area, outside Immaterial relationship It Should Connected to vegetated communal area.

It May 2.1 Open offices, existing of many people 2.2 Private offices with 8 people 2.3 Private offices with 6 people 2.4 Private offices with 4 people 2.5 Private offices with 2 people 2.6 Private offices with 1 person

Office typologies Be connected physically to the garden Combination of hot desk and independent desks

Combination of hot desk and independent desks

Independent desks

Independent desks

Independent desks

Independent desk

• The edifice should offer a variety of different office formats such as Private office, independent desks and hot desks workstations. Private offices and open floor or hot desk office should be interwoven into the program to lessen the issue of hierarchy in the office and create a more dynamic forward-looking environment.

Consequently, members of varying occupational hierarchy will be forced to share the same communal spaces, regardless of pay check or position.

• Single occupant private offices: must be connected to a shared space which links it to another workstation, of any typology. No single occupant private office should be set apart from the rest, regardless of hierarchy. Not applicable to offices only comprising 1 office

• Private offices with 2-6 people: must be linked to a shared public space and another workstation.

• Offices with 8 or more people: offices with 8 or more people must be connected to a communal green space, or have that communal greenspace be integrated into its organisational structure. These offices will be a combination of independent desk and hot desk arrangements.

Business Format

dedicated FlooR Rentals The building will offer different enterprise possibilities such as, office rentals, floor rentals or building rentals. As such, it gives partners flexibility in terms of choosing an arrangement which is best for them based on the size of their company.

Office Rentals: Organisations are able to rent single or multiple offices to build their organisation as they see fit. Partners are therefore able to rent a private meeting area, or have access to the meeting room based on reservation and necessity.

Dedicated Floor Rentals: With this package, organisations can have fully private floors in which to build and develop their headquarters. This package will be personalised for organisation with specific needs.

Shared Floor Rentals: This typology targets organisations that want work environments with high specificity, but don’t have the corporate size to occupy and entire floor. These shared arrangements will come in variety of mixtures (Shared floor + office rentals, Shared floor + Shared floor)

shaRed FlooR Rentals oFFice Rentals

3.0 Formal Gathering areas Purpose of hosting meetings and gatherings.

• It must have constant linkage to the garden space.

• It must have natural sunlight throughout the space with openings connecting to the outside garden space.

• There should be clear view of the horizon and the view of the sunset and sunrise.

• Clear visibility to appreciate the elements should be integrated into the architecture. These spaces should allow the natural elements to come into the building.

• Must provide good sound insulation from outside

• Must have comfortable seating

Physical connection Communal area Visual connection The garden space, Atrium

Immaterial relationship

It Should

It May 3.1

3.2

3.3

Sensory engagement The meeting should exhibit all the elements of the research, that is, use of light, spatial exploration and the use of shadows to help engage the participants of the meeting.

Should provide the feeling openness, open up to the garden area

Temporary meeting area Large meeting room Small meeting room

Must incorporate natural textures of varying and types, and smells from the flora within this area

4.0 Biophilic resuscitative area Space in which the elements are allowed to come into the building for staff viewing and interaction.

Physical connection Visual connection

Immaterial relationship

It Should It May Sensory engagement • Must have flora and fauna, and interaction

• Must be a central space that people share

• Spaces provided for resting and recuperating from the stressful work environment.

• The space must provide pods of quiet.

• This must be a space for reflection and relaxation.

• Moving water must be an integral part of this space.

• There must be varying flora; must have lush flora and diversity, and a space with sparse vegetation

• There must be natural sunlight present in these space

• There must be a clear view of the sun, the sky and the clouds

• Must have seating that can be used for lounging

• Area for the elements to come in and interact with people; they must be able to feel the temperature, humidity, and precipitation

• Must incorporate elements that trigger the senses, e.g. touch, and smell. It must engage the user with different smells and textures

Offices Green space, offices, the sky, horizon

The garden should be the intermediary space between the city and the intervention. ; it comprises the safety of the city with the tranquillity of nature.

Be vegetated, be a quiet space Have sculptures, seating, be designated or not Must incorporate natural textures of varying and types, and smells from the flora within this area

5.0 Communal Areas-Offices

Physical connection Visual connection

Immaterial relationship

It Should

It May Provides rest areas for staff close to the workstations

• It must provide quick access to respite areas for those working and who may need a quick break from their activities.

• It must provide seating/ furnishing

• Must have clear and uninterrupted view of the sky

• The communal space must incorporate natural elements within the edifice.

• It must be located in close proximity to each workstation (approximately 5 metres)

• This space must be naturally lit during the day

• This space must incorporate interesting shadows for spatial intricacy and exploration.

• Satellite communal spaces, must be interconnected with each other.

• Spaces for eating and talking

Must have direct connection to the within 5m Office spaces Office spaces must be able to see inside the working space.

These pockets will act as easily accessible respite areas for the users. It will engage him with the elements, he will have the opportunity to see things grow, live and die, by being witness to these actions, he too can become a part of the process and be granted that commodity which is not as common within our vast artificial world, as such, he will be granted the same commodities as his ancestors.

Vary in textures, be connected to every space, have natural light Be connected to a larger communal area

Sensory engagement Must incorporate smells from flora, and intrigue visual stimulation through the use of interesting shadows and sun position

6.0 Retail • Must incorporate businesses that open 24/7 business

• Must have restaurants and bars

• Must provide seating

• Must be provide visual linkages to main garden

Physical connection Garden space Visual connection Garden space Immaterial relationship It Should Involve 24/7 businesses, be within the garden space

It May

7.0 Recreational Area Area for engaging in sports and leisure activities

• Must be open to air

• Must be in close proximity to water

• Should incorporate areas for interesting shadow casting Must have seating

• Must have changing rooms

• Must have shower

• Formal court must be oriented adjacent to sun path (in accordance to regulations set by building code)

• Must have fountain with drinkable water.

Physical connection Day care, Retail Visual connection Garden

Immaterial relationship

It Should It May 7.1 designated sport area

7.2 non-designated sport area Recreation among a green or vegetated environment can greatly reduce depression and anxiety in participants. Combining this with a work environment can reduce the overall stress load of the employees. It should have areas engaging specific sport activities, as well as areas which are more nonspecific for participants to choose their kind of leisure activities

Be outdoor

Have a pool Multipurpose court. Basketball, volleyball, football

Areas open to play or picnics or any leisure activities, opportunity for seating and ‘ gazebos’

8.0 Day care The day care will function as a place for the employees of the office leave their children.

• It must have passes which engage children in sensory play (Natural environments, or a mixture between natural and manmade)

• Must involve a biodiverse range of plants and fauna.

• Must provide constant visual into the garden

• Must provide view of the horizon and cloud movement

• Must have clear view of sunset and sunrise

• Must have sleep area

• Must have shower area

• Must engage children into the natural world

• Must have facades which open up, whether physically or visually to a vegetated area.

• Must be connected to a play area

Physical connection Garden spaces, play area Visual connection sky

Immaterial relationship Within the studies of children, sensory play within natural environments has been proven to reduce ADHD, improve focus and also improve cognition. The day care will give children the opportunity to experiment with their creativity as they come in contact with a variety of natural elements and flora.

It Should It May 8.1 Infant area Be outdoor have an outdoor area

N/A

8.2 Two year old area N/A 8.3 Three year old area N/A 8.4 Sensory play areas Spaces which help children get in touch with their senses and experience different kinds of sensory stimulus

8.5 Calm rooms Explore the relationship of green spaces and lowering children tantrums. Should be vegetated or connected to a vegetated area.

9.0 Public space-Integratred These spaces will give an opportunity for the edifices to open itself to the public realm.

• It must integrate the unrestricted openness of the park within the architecture.

• It must illustrate the seamless weaving of the public and the private realm into a cohesive multi-serving entity.

• It must return the space the building has taken from the public.

• Must provide 24/7 access

• Through this implementation, the edifice will seek to relinquish its exclusivity and instead adopt a more inclusive paradigm.

Physical connection Visual connection

Immaterial relationship

It Should

It May Office spaces, foyer, garden Office spaces

This aspect will serve to relieve the tension usually found within the office environment and give it a holistically healthier atmosphere.

Vary in textures, be connected to every space, have natural light, transparent, offer unrestricted access. Be done by roof access

10.0 Openings • An opening should be situated in close proximity of every workstation

• Openings should be operable so to allow for the extension of the extension of the indoors to the outdoors.

• Openings should be large enough to allow for unbroken viewing of the surrounding green area.

• Openings should be low enough that they allow for viewing of the sun on the horizon while seated

Physical connection Nature Visual connection Green space Immaterial relationship

It Should Window size can help add natural lighting into the edifice, thus, improving circadian motion and aiding in the uninterrupted viewing of the natural context Transparent

It May Be full wall height.

10.1 Sun shading The windows should emphasize the openness of the architecture, maximizing light without too much heat gain;, heat gain can be reduced by artificial means or by strategically placing fauna in advantageous positions to block sun. Any sun shading used should not be obtrusive in way to inhibit viewing from the work environment.

10.2 Natural ventilation

11.0 Auxiliary Functions

Visual connection

11.1 Printing Room

11.2 Audio Visual Room 11.3 Phone booths

12.0 Flooring Immaterial relationship It Should

13.0 Energy

It May use at least one The windows should be operable in order to allow natural air and smells to enter the environment. Sensory involvement can help engages staff into a more work friendly mood

These are the functions within the edifice are necessary to support the functions of the office

Nature

Green space

Flooring must reflect colours found in nature. Must offer easy visual interest for attention restoration. Use natural tones or earthy tones or textures.

This aspect refers to reducing the buildings carbon footprint. The building must make proper and clean usage of the available natural resources.

Wind energy Hydroelectricity : From the available water way Solar energy