A Gentle Walkway
Workshop with Chiang Mai students Thailand Fieldtrip 2013
FIELD TRIP TO THAILAND 2013 From London to Chiang Mai
HEATHROW
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W ha t
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and ariving to Chiang Mai
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Stopping at Abu Dhabi
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Meeting the Thai students and discovering Chiang Mai From the University of Chiang Mai Faculty of Architecture, to a rice barn and vernacular housing
Bartlett UCL, UK and University of Chiang Mai, Thailand Bamboo Workshop
Conveyor Belt systems
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Ventilation and Shadows Modular Walls
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Before meeting the students in Chiang Mai, Hisham and I decided to include some elements of our designs together in order to fit in a bamboo frame and in the site described to us.
GROUP 3: CARPET
Result: Crossing the stream thanks to a bridge composed by a conveyor belt and a shading system
And Meanwhile in Chiang Mai University...
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NOT BEING ABLE TO ENJOY GREEN SPACES SUCH AS PUBLIC GARDENS MADE THE STUDENTS IN CHIANG MAI PROPOSE AN ARTEFACT THAT WOULD ALLO PEOPLE TO WALK OVER THE GRASS WITHOUT DAMAGING IT.
SITE
Design Process We had an idea in mind of movility over ground from both sides, both London team and Chiang Mai. After discussing and fully understanding eachothers ideas, both teams fused into one and work started.
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Dsign
Transforming the idea into a more scaleable project to be achieved in less than one week. Organization was a key factor as one of our main priorities was to have a fully functionining prototype by the end of the week. Taking the idea Thai students had in mind of respecting the gardens and ecosystems surounding us but still using and enjoying them, and making it into a bigger scale So I decided to propose a new way of movement looking at the work that had been produced so far by the group members, Rotating platforms as a way of bridging without shadowing large portions of land below it.
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A place to enjoy a pic-nic, lie under the sun and at the same time enjoying fresh air from the shaded area below the platform cool the seating area.
Ideas were proposed, such as a rotating walking cilinder over a set structucture, would take the passenger across the fields as it spreads seeds for new vegetation to grow
2
Structure
After refining the design, we consulted it to Pi Lee (workshop in charged) seeking for more technical advice about bamboo construction and gave us the green light to proceed with our ambitious 4 day design. Bamboo diametres were set for the different components of the design. More structural pieces will be about (nothing exact about bamboo construction) 100mm diametre and linking ore more dense areas to use more slender bamboo.
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Correction
After a first tutorial we were encouraged to think of a solution so that the structures would not damage the ground at all and so it actually softly touches the ground. And thats what we did, we improved the leg design for extra strength and balance, as well as adding coconut fibre as footing so that the contact with the ground is soft and ecologically friendly, growing vegetation with time.
Using a set of moveable structures as rotating bases, the two platforms pivot one at a time building ones path In a beggining the idea was to make a strong structure by digging it to the ground by 60com
Building the Protoype
Tools
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Construction
The material provided to us. Bamboo
The goal
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Cutting the pieces
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And for the two platforms:
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The first step was to start the structure, a minimum of 3 for the prototype to fullt function. In total, the pieces required for this were:
Platform nr1
Platform nr2
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Bamboo Techniques
Cutting the upper bamboo ends at 45 degrees so a rounded section is created thanks to the bamboo qualities of being empty inside. This circular section at the top will allow to slot another slommer bamboo stick perpendicular to it
500mm
Testing how well the bamboo pieces were slotting into eachother
Hole nr1 for connecting below bamboo
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Supporting Legs
Hole nr2 for base support and ballance.
Holes to be at an angle to easily introduce the supporting legs at 45 degrees so ineer bamboo wall to be shaved with a hand drill
Cutting the support secondary legs to 45 degrees at both ends
Introducing the legs into the main structure 38cm away at the bottom
Not yet fixed but testing heights, sized and balance of first structure
Making sure the structure is streight and securing them with metal neils
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Connections and Joints
Cutting thin pieces of bamboo for tying rope around bamboo joints and connections
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e learnt from n i qu the h c te Th g ai in s st s o ud cr e s nt
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Rope connections
Addition of bamboo piece on the bottom part of teh structure for strenth and balance
Making the smooth bamboo surfathe rough with a machete so that the rope doesn’t slide
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Platform
Testing the platform size
An importanf factor of the design was creating a light platform so it was easy to rotate by hand and at the same time to be strong to support the weight of at least to people
In order for the platform to rotate smoothly, they need to be rounded at both ends so cutting a semi-circle pattern was the easiest way to shape the elements at the right lengths Platform connection half-bamboo joint
Rope system for rotation mechanism installed
Final platform iteration
Platforms to be composed of eight bamboo pueces, connected to eachother by six half bamboo pieces placed at the platform bottom side. The pieces to be connected by rope crossed individually resulting in a strong yet light component of the design
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Pivots on Structure
For the platforms to rotate there must be a pivoting system in the supporting structures. A small Bamboo piece srewed to the horizontal bamboo element where the platforms lay on
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Shading element
Coloured Traditional Thai woven leaf on wood sticks normally used on roofs
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Coconut Footing
The coconut fibre footing will not only help the structures not to damage the gran over which they are resting, but also it will increase the vegetation density by growing the seeds incoorporated inside the coconut fibre footing bags.
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Moving the prototype to the site and final rope bracing
Strengthening rope in crossed tension
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Creating Shade under the Platforms
The idea was to create a prototype of modular platforms bridging between structures allowing for the user to create his/her way. The project was designed to be comfortable for a person to lay per platform, allowing the users to enjoy the outside space and greenery without touching or damaging the grass. For the stay to be comfortable under the sun heat, the design is provided with a shading unit and a set of hanging bamboo bits coloured like flowers together with bells making the prototype a melodic structure. This hanging elements will increase the shading below the lying area making it a cooler air that rises through the platforms cooling, this way, the user.
COOLER AIR RISING
Last Day; Last Touches
Hanging elements for shading
The design purpose is that people all ages can enjoy it
Presentation Day Showing the prototype mechanism. Building you own bridge by rotating the platforms around the pivots on the structures
Detail showing the hanging bells and sleigh bells together with the bamboo pieces acting both as musical instruments operated by wind and when moving the platforms as well as creating shade to reproduce a cooler atmosphere below the seating/lying area that raises and cools, this way, the user seating above
All Thailand Fieldtrip prototypes
Group 5. Courtain
Group 2. Cannopy
Group 1. Umbrella
Group 4. Louver
Platform movement through rotation
GROUP 3. Carpet The Gentle Walkway
SEMESTER 2
‘House of Wind’
House of Wind Orientation, Ventilation, movement and organization A new modular typology in which its elements move freely to adjust to the inhabitants needs and the perfect ventilation through its vertical courtyards
A project in which all elements have a take on ventilation. The Shape, the Volumes and the Structure Open spaces, Courtyards, Vegetation and a mix of materials make the design a complex and efficient project. All elements taking part in the inner spaces ventilation, leading to a system of vertical courtyards.
18째C 1.1500 kg/m3
27 째C 1.1839 kg/m3
20 째C 1.2041 kg/m3
20 째C 1.2041 kg/m3
A new Housing Typology for the Future 2030-2050
In the future it is predicted that the ever growing population in murcia will take over the city, over crowding it by increasing the built area and decreasing the amout of green spaces. For this reason, building new structures over already existing buildings will be a feasable solution.
The house of the future to be: + A vertical construction over already existing architecture + Not just housing but also Services; from commercial establishments to House for the elderly or Activity spaces for the building community + Productive. Thanks to the optimal weather all year round, users to have their own gardens for vegetables and fruis growing + Green in its energy sourcing as well as its output, using devices such as biodigester toilets + A connection link, not jus an isolated volume, but a transit space in the city. Bringing the orchards back to the concrete and expanding it from the city core + An active vertical element for the city to enjoy and take part on it. Vertical markets, gol courts, jogging paths etc Organized and supplied by the building owners
The idea is to produce a modular design which can be altered by its users in order to create larger or smaller spaces within the building to satisfy their needs. The project plays with solid and voids within the vertical construction, creating an equal ratio between air and built volume. Sub divisions within the building are equaly important to the design. Having a 70% living area there is a remaining 30% of built volume that can be used for elderly care centre, child care centre, vertical markets and vertical sports as a new concept for crowded cities in the future.
Iteration nr.1 Testing a site right in the middle of the city Subdividing the space in different areas for farming, exercising, selling, etc and expanding the typology in a geometrical way
General Population Growth in the Future It is now a fact that the general pupulation is growing which has a direct impact on cities, as construction contivues expanding the citie’s borders into sub-urban areas, damaging the more natural and green spaces. Below, Demographic Pyramids show the population growth in Spain up until 2050, year in which this project is based.
Popilation in Spain in 2005 +85 80-84
Circle diagram showing the increase of grey built area over the existing green area over time
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Popilation in Spain in 2050
Popilation in Spain in 2030 +85
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Men 2000000 1500000 1000000 500000
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A Solution for the evr growing cities would be to grow vertically instead of horizontally. New architecture to be built ove already existing buildings.
hypothesis montage showing the increase in height of streets in murcia when adding vertical structures to the already existing architecture
Building a project inside out Its Vertical Courtyard to be the heart of the design Testing the initial Archetype The flexibility of the building is key for the design mechanism, being the vertical courtyard addaptable in its shape, it will allow the building to have a perfect ventilation throughout the year
Plan view
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The Site Options and Idea development Orientation of the units is one of the key factors for a perfect ventilation throughout the year, for this reason the initial design failes. Being of circular shape on plan, the project fails to provide the best orientation for all elements, for this reason, the building developed to a grid shaped plan, still adding the same freedon to the units that compose the building, but all enjoying the best orientation for the mechanisms to work
A change in site will be appropiate since the design changed from a circular plan shape to a rectangular one due to orientation reasons. In 2030-2050 Over crowding cities are a problem, mostly because the city centre becomes saturated and the only free space to build is in the outskirts, expanding cities more and more. This project looks at the problem of over expansion in cities by building over already existing built areas. Another reason for chainging this new site is because it has an existing use as a public sports centre and existing low architecture that can be integrated to the design as an extension of its activities vertically. The idea is to preserve this existing architecture and build over it.
New site to be a sports centre in central Murcia The image show a plan view of the possibilities this site could offer. New architecture to be built over the sports centre, taking advantage of its facilities and use and integrating it into the design.
A Flexible Typology The typology consists of a series of moveable elements and spaces set at the same time in a grid which alternates its shape depending on the provailing wind and the daily temperature. The purpose of this movement is to mantain the enclosed spaces at a perfect temperature through natural ventilation all year round without the need of air conditioning. The freedom that the living spaces have to moove within the building, allow the useres to design the spaces according to their needs, familly gathering, comunal party, social interaction, house for the elderly.. All these programs are integrated in the users every-day life and encourages everyone to take part on them.
Closed Typology
Open Typology
Building movement of spaces
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option of volume movement
Similar to the mechanism of the popular squares game, the spaces will be moveable to comfort the user’s needs, being a ble to group the different volumes or divide them leaving a void beteen eachother.
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A building managed by everyone for everyone to enjoy Interactive Facade Because of the decrease of green spaces in an ever growing city, vertical functions in building facades will be a necessary innovation. In this design, the facade garden elements are to have a secondary function of being rented by the building cominity to the public through a new government scheme. these spaces will have the option to be used as Markets, Street food, Sports centre extension such as jogging paths and a new vertical golf course.
Changing the shape of a Vertical Courtyard Altering the vertical courtyard shape will change the flow of air through the building, ventilating and cooling the spaces according to the volume of hot air accumulated at the top of this solar chimney-like mechanism, addapting this way to the climatic conditions and spare of air conditioning
Closed Position. Built volume structures arranged vertically
Vertical Courtyard shape Built volume
Already existing building
Open Position. Built volume structures at a 20째 angle
Already existing building
Spaces altering the Vertical Courtyard shape
Already existing building