1
Brief
7
The United Nations
8
Embracing Communities
9
Intent
10
The Big Apple
12
Manhattan’s Street Grid Plan The Character of the City The UN Headquarters Dag HammarskjÜld Library Tudor City
Topography and Vernacular
14
Site
16
Our Library
20
The Archive and the Community
24
Massing Development
25
Balance
26
Zoning
28
Development of Hexagrid Core Design
30
Loading
32
Materiality
33
Envelope and Shading
34
Facade Colours in Relation to Context
Ventilation, Heating and Cooling
36
Atrium Stack Ventilation Double Skin Facade Mixed Mode Ventilation MVHR and Fan Coils
Environmental Considerations Rainwater Collection PV and Solar Panels Battery Storage
38
Context Plan
40
Day in a Life Overview
Section A-A
42
Ventilation, Heating and Cooling
44
MVHR and FCUs Heat Pumps
Detailed Structural Strategy
64
Exhibition
66
Community and Children’s Reading Floors
68
Custom Made Furniture Community Reading Floor
Auditorium and Discussion Garden
72
Auditorium Auditorium Roof Detail Discussion Garden
46
Detailed Junctions
Archive and the Community:
Ground Floor
50
Office Layout
80
Sweet Terrace Umami and Spicy Terraces
Block 7
86
Market Terrace Community Kitchen Feast Hall
Tectonics Thermal Mass in the Archive Archive Fire Protection Detail Section
52
North Elevation
88
Experiencing the Columns and
54
West Elevation
90
Cantilevers
56
East Elevation
92
Facade Detail
94
Construction Sequence
96
Section B-B Section C-C
60
Across the East River
Site Management Transportation and Prefabrication
Entry: DH Tunnel Access
Material Sourcing
Flood Defence Strategy Entry on 42nd Street
99
1st Avenue at Night
103 These colours have been used throughout the report in the top right corner of each page/section to represent learning objectives
Demountable Facades Longevity Energy Storage Repeating Floor Plates Community
107 Final Crit Aisha Sue Vern Hania Jade 3
E X P LO R AT I O N
6
EXPLORATION
Brief
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the UN, our brief was to design a ‘Library for the World’ to house an archive for global literary treasures while also catering to the local New York communities. The Dag Hammarskjöld library collection would be relocated there, in addition to 200 offices and an exhibition. The building should live for at least 150 years (in a flood risk zone) and so should be designed to cater for changing technologies, uses and climate change.
7
The United Nations
The United Nations is an international organisation founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 Member States. Some of the UN’s aims include: achieving world peace, ending poverty, achieving equality, reducing the impacts of climate change and education.
UNESCO and Unicef are agencies run by the UN. The former promotes world peace and security through education, while the latter provides aid to children in need.
8
Embracing Communities
New York is a cosmopolitan city known for accepting everyone and a library should do the same thing. Unfortunately, the UN does not recognise the existence of many countries/communities. We would like to challenge this by creating a space that does not discriminate.
We will share some of the journeys as seen in the day of the life of these four people. We looked at how to attract them to our library and how to make them want to visit again.
Homeless Harvey
Little Bobby
Diplomat Dave
Single Mum and Librarian Linda
9
EXPLORATION
Intent
To un diverse commun global significance of fo that encourages com common
10
EXPLORATION
nify a nity, through the ood, by creating a space mmunication on this n interest
11
EXPLORATION
The Big Apple Manhattan’s Street Grid Plan Unlike cities like London and Paris, whose roads are planned in a spoke and wheel layout, New York’s streets and avenues are laid out in a grid pattern. Avenues run north-south and streets are east-west. The Manhattan grid has split opinon, being called both “a disaster” of urban planning and “the most courageous act of prediction in Western civilisation.” Either way, the grid continues to define daily life in the city. It creates the structural bones of Manhattan and is central to its workings as a living city. In fact, its strict design is commonly believed to have had a lasting and hugely beneficial impact on the success of New York.
The Character of the City New York is the most diverse, commercially driven, famously congested, and, to many, the most attractive city in the country. No other city has contributed more images to the collective consciousness of Americans. Where Wall Street means finance, Broadway is synonymous with theatre, Fifth Avenue is paired with shopping and Harlem evokes images of the Jazz Age, African American aspirations, and slums. Its symbol is the Statue of Liberty, but the metropolis is an icon in itself.
12
Map of famous food areas in Manhattan
EXPLORATION
The UN Headquarters Completed in 1952, the UN Secretariat building was the first skyscraper in the world with a unitised curtain wall enclosure. This was done to achieve the transparency intended by the original architects, Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer.
1
Although based in New York, the site itself is extraterretorial and so is owned by no one and everyone. In keeping with this public acceptance and transparency, the UN made their private gardens public in 1951 and is famous for its oudoor sculptures. Dag Hammarskjรถld Library Originally called the UN International Library it was named after the man who was instrumental in securing its funding. It is home to over 400,000 books and 9,800 newspapers and periodicals.
1
2
Tudor City
2
Constructed in a Tudor Revival, this apartment complex, was detailed with towers, gables and parapets to symbolise comfortable suburban living. This neighbourhood is elevated and only accessible via ramps and stairs to separate them from the whir of Midtown Manhattan. They also face in towards private gardens and courtyards, as historically on the East side, where the UN building is, used to be a gas station and slaughter houses which created unpleasant views.
13
EXPLORATION
Topography and Vernacular
1
2
3
4
14
EXPLORATION
1
2
3
4 Transportation and Utility Residential Green Space Mixed Residential and Commercial Commercial and Offices Public Facilities and Institutions
15
EXPLORATION
Site
Prevailing Wind
Bus Stop
Chrysler Building
Young trees surrounding site Private parks and courtyards
Tudor City buildings elevated and facing in (private)
16
Empire State Building
Pollution pumped out of ventilator
Queen’s Tunnel
EXPLORATION
Considerations
Sun Path
Pollution from Ventilator
Private Tunnel Connection to DH Library
Queen’s Tunnel Chamfers Site
Existing Site Entry
Nodal Site Entry
17
PROGRESSION
PROGRESSION
Our Library
The books offered in our lending library and archive are related to the historical and cultural significance of food; ranging from recipe books to agricultural texts and the histories of various cuisines
20
PROGRESSION
The exhibition will display historical treasures from around the world, related to this theme, in addition to interactive exhibits that teach visitors different skills related to making food
21
PROGRESSION
Uniting Communities
To give the New York public a sense of ownership over the library, some of the tiles that clad the archive will be etched with their donated family recipes
22
PROGRESSION
Feeding the homeless
Learning new skills
Supporting small local businesses
Integrating communities
Our library also offers public areas on the top block which celebrate food and bind the community. The community kitchen in particular, allows the public to give back to their community by taking part in feeding the homeless
23
PROGRESSION
The Archive and the Community The archive’s large volume is a prominent feature within our library and so from early on we decided to utilise its controlled nature by incorporating it into our structural core to support community spaces.
Archive supports the community spaces
The next step was to explore how community spaces interact with the archive and how we could highlight public areas. By having the archive central to our floor plans (to avoid light and have services around it) we found that community spaces essentially ‘pulled out’ from it. Initially we kept things symmetrical on either side of the core, but found that it created unnecessary extra space and hence cantilevering blocks were proposed.
24
PROGRESSION
Massing Development 1
The Egg The shape was supposed to help with wind and make internal spaces flow. It was later shown that this form was not ideal for vortex shedding. The circular archive also made the building unnecessarily tall.
2
A Tower of Books An orthogonal twisting tower was designed to break up wind loading and appear like a tower of books. However, the required spaces could not fit within the 45o rotated blocks.
3
Twists The twists were reduced to 15o and only used to highlight important public floors. However, the twists caused environmental problems and to achieve the best structural strategy, the twists needed to be more dramatic which would not fit within the site boundary.
4 Push and Pull To maintain the open entry achieved in ‘Twists’, and avoid building on the Queens Tunnel, a scheme that relied on the equilibrium achieved using several cantilevers was created. Its appearance also intentionally resembles a stack of books. In this scheme, spaces pull out from the archive. Thereby, connecting each space to the central structure. Moreover, this innovative form creates terraces which integrate the interior with its surroundings as well as creating a dynamic form befitting what should be an iconic landmark in New York. 25
PROGRESSION
Balance
There are two fundamental components which inform the rest of the design: the central archive core and the system of discrete building blocks. The archive requires controlled lighting and thermal conditions, which contrasts with the requirements of occupied spaces. So, by having it central to the building and the core, it can independently avoid solar gains from all sides and its walls can incorporate thermal mass for temperature and humidity control. The structure relies entirely on the central space for all support systems and a shell structure is used both for engineering efficiency and to create a unique visual design for building users to experience.
archive
Cantilevers provide solar shading on south and west sides
Floors taper up for better wind design
Non-essential east and west cantilevers removed from offices to highlight public/important blocks
counterbalance GF cantilever
te integra o t entry rior— d e z a l h inte g t i w pe y landsca lcoming entr we
Baker diagram showing structural response to having the Queens Midtown Tunnel 26
PROGRESSION
The building is split into 7 individual blocks. They serve a purpose in each discipline and are used to counterbalance the structure in each direction as well as permitting construction over the Queens-Midtown Tunnel. The blocks also allow for separate control systems to suit all the ventilation and heating requirements and thus create a more flexible and efficient structure.
Building in equilibrium with the centre of mass within the archive core
Each block has a truss floor which acts as the cantilever for the block. So, all the other floors hang off of them. This reduces the materials required to support each floor because they are not required to carry their load as independent units.
27
PROGRESSION
Zoning
Block 7 extends south to for lots of lighting during the day and great views for community spaces
Block 6 extends north and east to connect the community market terrace to the UN and their sustainability goals
Block 5 extends south for a variation in light and views
Block 4 pulls out to the north to allow offices to have all day uniform light and connects them visually to the UN as well as views of the river
Block 3 cantilevers south for more lighting during mid day due to it being used for offices and the researcher’s reading floor
Block 2 is the community block and so it projects out on all the major facades to attract attention and create larger open plan spaces
Raised public spaces and garden in response to elevated and private Tudor City Block 1 is heavily shaded so spaces in need of controlled lighting are zoned there with minimal glazing (exhibition and rare reading room)
28
PROGRESSION
The community kitchen and market in this block require light from early morning so by being on top they get east light. The feast hall can be used at anytime due to the versatility in lighting
The DH library and CEO are based in this block to offer them similar views to the top block and uniform lighting for allday use. By facing north, they are also linked to the UN
Office blocks connect in a fun way with slides to link them to ground floor playground Block 7 The sweet terrace gets plenty of south light for a comforting environment
DH Library The spicy terrace is more vibrant in appearance and atmosphere. So, having it on the main façade attracts attention and links the office blocks in a unique way Researcher’s Reading Room
It connects to block 2 to encourage discussion between academics in the researcher’s reading floor above, and the community
Office Block
We zoned the umami terrace on block 3 to get more sunlight for greenery and herbs planted there
It gets more light throughout the day which suits its purpose of being used from opening time to closing
Discussion Garden
The enclosed winter garden terrace, facing the UN, connects the community to the organisation and links to their sustainability goals
Due to having a smaller bottom block to avoid the tunnel, a sculptural playground could be landscaped to attract the public. It consists of dips and hills which work as retention basins (SUDS)
Block 1
29
PROGRESSION
Development of Hexagrid Core Design 1
Diagrids are the most traditional form of a shell structure. However, creating openings that line up within a diagrid is more difficult
2 3
Biomimicry based on honeycomb A vertically rotated hexagrid poses the same issue with openings as a diagrid
4
70o incl
30
By rotating the hexagrid horizontally, the structure can be aligned with the floors and so openings can line up, for a more symmetrical and simple design
Steel i the he when c steel
PROGRESSION
5
6
Hexagrid acts as an exoskeleton with a structural archive core at the centre
Hexagrid moved internally to avoid temperature fluctuations in the steel members as the temperature stresses generated would require excess material to counteract
lination
in the floor prevents exagon from dilating compressed, utilising l tension properties
31
PROGRESSION
Loading
Force is distributed into a hexagrid structure in two ways: for lateral loads, such as winds, and for gravity loads. Every hexagrid member is always under compression from the connected members.
Restraint against hexagrid dilation provided by adjacent orthogonal elevations
T
M
Our building sits on a raft foundation because piling is not neccessary. Overturning due to wind is resisted by an area load from the foundations. T is the building dead weight and M is the overturning moment. Our building does not tip over because T is significantly larger than M.
32
PROGRESSION
Materiality
Timber, steel and concrete were all considered for the main structure.
Timber
Concrete
Steel
Timber was excluded due to the 150 year life span of the building as it negatively impacted the freedom and flexibility of our design.
The concrete proposal was visually bulkier and consequently disrupted wall build-ups. It also dramatically altered the atmosphere and tectonics of the building and lacked flexibility with regards to future uses.
In comparison to concrete, a steel core design represents a reduced embodied carbon value for the total structure and appears lighter and is more flexible for future adaptations.
33
PROGRESSION
Envelope and Shading
To satisfy the horizontal and vertical shading requirements for our rotated site, we reflected our internal shell structure externally as perforated hexagonal shades. Hexagonal shading also acts as a prism (in connection to internal hexagrid) to reflect more light into block 7 (where the hexagrid is exposed) when needed, and can be reduced separately using our kinetic facade shading strategy.
Hexagrid shading showing prism effect above
The library is clad in various colours of TRESPA panels with windows shaded using a climate-responsive kinetic facade made from aluminium as it can be made from 70% recycled material.
Shading Precedent Study: Syddansk Universitet Communications and Design Building
Kinetic facade panel
34
Sensors monitor heat and light levels around the building, allowing the facade panels to shift from open to half-open to fully open. Even when fully closed, a controlled amount of natural light is able to shine through a custom pattern of hexagonal holes.
PROGRESSION
Facade Colours in Relation to Context Facing Tudor City, the tiles transition from a deep red to a lighter orange and then white, while the facades facing the East River and UN are whiter to reflect their surroundings.
2
1
2
1
35
PROGRESSION
Ventilation, Heating and Cooling Both natural and mixed mode ventilation strategies were considered and dismissed because the internal buoyancy pressures could neither overcome the wind pressures forcing air back into the building, nor the air resistance through filters.
Atrium stack ventilation
Double Skin Facade
Mixed Mode Ventilation
36
As a result, mechanical ventilation was the simplest and most efficient method to ensure a good supply of clean air as well as enable heat recovery.
PROGRESSION
Air source heat pumps located on the roof provide supplimentary heating and cooling
The archive is serviced by a low power HVAC system that is separate to the main heating and ventilation scheme. This is because it is more efficient to control its constant environment independently from the changing conditions surrounding it
Each block is serviced seperately to reduce the travel distance for air to circulate though the system and efficiently meet the requirements of similar spaces because they have all been grouped together
Water source heat pumps draw water in from the East river and extract or discharge heat into it
MVHR and Fan Coils 37
PROGRESSION
Environmental Considerations
Rainwater collection was dismissed due to its lack of reliability. It would end up expending more energy than saving
38
PROGRESSION
PV glass and solar panels were also rejected as an energy source as they do not harness enough energy to be energy efficient and putting lots of solar panels on the roof would be ‘green washing’ our proposal
Battery storage was a solution we thought would be of even more use in the future as our building is 100% electrical. As the grid relies more heavily on renewable sources of energy, the power may be less reliable. So, by storing electricity we can ensure that the controlled conditions within the archive are always maintained
39
5
50
100m
P R O P O S A L
Context Plan
PROPOSAL
Section A-A Block 2
Discussion Garden
Auditorium
1 2
Children’s Reading Room
5
Block 1
Exhibition Level 2
Exhibition Level 1
Ground Floor Entry
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 42
Dag Hammarskjöld Library Office Suite (CEO) Sweet Terrace Researcher’s Reading Floor Spicy Terrace Umami Terrace
5
10m 1:100
5
10
20
50m 1:500
PROPOSAL
3
4
6
43
PROPOSAL
Ventilation, Heating and Cooling
Air Source Heat Pump (on roof)
A system for mechanically extracting air was chosen as it allows some conditioned air to be recirculated into the building, using MVHR, rather than losing excess preheated/cooled air to the outside.
FCU
MVHR Unit (in plant room) FCU
Supply Vent
Exhaust Vent
FCU
FCU
FCU
Water Source Heat Pump
Heating and ventilation schematic for a typical block
Air is supplied to each space via a series of vents on the west elevation, where pollution is less severe, due to its distance from the ventilator. Ductwork is used to redirect some of this air to the centre of the room, or to individual office spaces, to avoid stagnant zones. The path travelled by the air is minimised by applying the same principles as natural cross-ventilation, to reduce the load on the ventilation system.
Each block has its own ventilation system. By grouping spaces with similar ventilation and thermal requirements, the travel distance for air to circulate through the system is reduced. The environmental blocks and the structural blocks are normally the same, but an exception has been made for the first floor of block 3, which will be ventilated and attenuated as part of block 2 due to the presence of the adjacent terrace. 44
MVHR
Fan Coil Unit
Vent
PROPOSAL
Air intake
Heat is supplied directly to the occupied spaces using a series of fan coil units distributed throughout each floor. Heat, or coolth, is provided by water source and air source heat pumps. To reduce building heat losses due to ventilation and thus lower running embodied carbon, a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system has been employed to recover up to 80% of the sensible heat.
Heated (or cooled) air supply Fan
Coil (heated/cooled by uid connected to heat pumps)
Fan coil unit schematic. System is reversed for cooling operation
Cool fresh air Cool polluted/ damp air
Warm fresh air
Sensible Heat Exchanger (assumed to be 90% eďŹƒcient)
Warm polluted/ damp air
MVHR unit schematic. System is reversed for cooling operation
Heat Pumps Water source heat pumps located on the first floor (to avoid flood risk zone) draw water in from the East River and extract or discharge heat into it. This, coupled with air source heat pumps located on the roof provides heating and cooling. The building has two heat pumps because it cannot rely purely on one, as the mass flow rate of water required for summer cooling using water source is unfeasibly high, and air source heat pumps cannot provide enough heat for the whole building during peak loads.
Water source heat pump schematic
45
PROPOSAL
Detailed Structural Strategy
The truss regions back span through the hexagrid into the core, allowing for the creation of a beam system with no bending moment introduced into the hexagrid sides. They are extended to also account for the additional weight of the terraces without loading it into the cantilever below— as these are concrete floors with increased loading. The typical floors in a block (usually 5) are supported by a second shell at the edge. This end load is transferred down to the truss at the bottom of the structure. Longer, non-cantilevered spans are provided by castellated beams. This allows the entire floor buildup to be used for beams, while reducing weight, and allowing services to pass through the voids. Steelwork in Section 46
PROPOSAL
ded elsewhere, using a single ng the archive inside the core be�er incorporate the lateral archive and bracing between m, or many bracing members
A Geometric shell of prefabricated steel hexagonal elements surrounds the archive and li�s, and transfers both lateral and ver�cal loads to the founda�ons. The truss regions back span through the hexagrid into the core, allowing for the crea�on of a beam system with no bending moment introduced into the hexagrid sides.
al design, in which the archive ocated somewhere within the teral support system and the pace and create an open form
The Truss regions are extended to also account for the addi�onal weight of the terraces without loading it into the can�lever below— as these are concrete oors with increased loading.
ne. The use of a single unied proposed, but was ul�mately ere temperature uctua�ons, nteract.
The typical oors in a block (usually 5) are simply supported by a second shell at the edge. This end load is transferred down to the truss at the bo�om of the structure.
e
4
Longer, non‐can�levered spans are provided by castellated beams. This allows the en�re oor buildup to be used for Axonometric of a typical truss floor structure beams while reducing weight and allowing services to pass through the voids. Structural Steel Layout in Sec�on
. n
Hexagrid Shell Members Trusses Steel UB Sec�ons Secondary Hexashell at Building Edge
,
Castellated Beam Sec�ons Composite Deck Span Timber Joist Span
Typical Steelwork Plans. Le�: Floor 15, Block 4’s Transfer Floor. Right: Floor 16, Typical Floor for Block 4.
47
PROPOSAL
Detailed Junctions
Truss to Hexagrid Connection
Truss rests on hexagrid connection node
48
PROPOSAL
Hexagrid Shell Nodal Connection
Universal beams tied to hexagrid using a fin plate connection
49
PROPOSAL
Archive and the Community: Tectonics The floor for the core consists of a concrete composite deck while steel and timber floors project out from it. The floor of the archive is covered in hexagonal tiles, continuing from the tiles on the archive walls, to visually connect the stability of the core with its centre of mass - the archive. The timber floor boards in the community spaces span perpendicular to the core to emphasise the direction of the floor pulling out and to guide visitors’ eyes towards the views. This also provides them with a sense of place within the scale of the tower.
Archive W 110mm 100mm 100mm wool insula 12mm H tiles
Thermal Mass in the Archive The unfired brick in the walls and composite concrete decks have thermal mass properties which can dampen and delay variations in temperature, and the hygroscopic layer of hemp lime in the wall smooths out fluctuations in humidity. These properties help reduce the load on the HVAC system during the most extreme conditions (e.g. winter nights), by conditioning the air to slightly above or below the required temperature and humidity, and thereby cut down on the energy required to maintain archive conditions. Though this is a small energy saving, when considering the 150 year lifespan of the building and the need for constant archive conditioning the energy saved is notable.
Composite Deck: 75mm Screed A393 Reinforcing mesh 190mm C32 concrete 80mm Trapezoidal steel deck 12.5mm Plasterboard ceiling finish
warmer air in the afternoon - heat stored colder air in at night to reduce HVAC heating
heat released
Steel truss behind, encased in 100mm of mineral wool insulation and 12.5mm Plasterboard (fire board) wall finish
Archive Fire Protection The wall build up provides the required 240 minute fire resistance and although in America the preferred protection method is a sprinkler system, to protect the books in the archive a gaseous fire protection system will be used (FM200 and gas).
1
2m 1:20
50
PROPOSAL
Wall: Unfired brick Hemp lime SFS with mineral ation infill Hexagonal ceramic
Exposed steel hexagrid member
12mm Hexagonal ceramic tiles on 15mm plywood deck
140mm x 140mm Steel square section
Typical Internal Floor: 12mm Laminated timber floor finish 15mm Plywood deck 60mm x 300mm Timber joists with cellulose insulation infill 12.5mm Plasterboard Steel truss Suspension wires Gypsum ceiling tiles sitting on 1200mm cross tees
51
PROPOSAL
Experiencing the Columns and Cantilevers
North entry close up
From a distance, a visitor will first wonder how this building defies gravity and appears to be resting on a small building footprint while projecting out into its surroundings. However, upon entry they get their first glimpse of the structure: the hexagrid. The columns are slanted, the steel is painted red and the ground floor is an undulating rubber tarmac playground. The space feels playful and the ‘wonky’ hexagrid columns emphasise this escape from the uniformity of New York architecture. As the visitor travels up the building, they will still get a sense of the stable archive core with the ceramic tile floors that contrast with the lighter timber floors that project from it. There are mezzanines, voids and slides to change up spaces and give each floor an identity and a sense of place.
52
PROPOSAL
Precedent Study: Ontario College of Art & Design and Peckham Library, Toronto by Will Alsop
This structure illustrates the playful atmosphere that the angled hexagrid columns evoke. The building looks unreal with how it lightly touches the ground while projecting out to the sky. It contrasts with the uniformity of its surroundings, to create a landmark, which is what we aimed to achieve with our cantilevering blocks.
53
PROPOSAL
Section B-B
Block 2
Children’s Reading Floor
Community Reading Floor
5
10m 1:100
54
PROPOSAL
5
10
20
50m
1:500 55
PROPOSAL
Section C-C UN Secretariat Building
Block 7
154m
Feast Hall Our Library 139m
Community Kitchen
Market Terrace
Prospect Tower, Tudor City Place 73m
Ventilation Tower 30m Dag Hammarskjรถld Library 22m
Ground level of site
5
10
20m 1:200
56
PROPOSAL
5
10
20
50m 1:500 57
PROPOSAL
Across the East River
58
PROPOSAL
59
PROPOSAL
Entry: DH Tunnel Access
A tunnel connects the library with the DH library to provide private and secure access for UN diplomats like Dave
Dave
5
10
20m 1:200
60
PROPOSAL
Flood Defence Strategy
As a flood defense strategy we are proposing a self-closing flood barrier (SCFB)
Entry: Realising the Forgotten Playground In their original planning proposal, the UN had included a playground. However, the playground was never built. To create a vibrant and welcoming entry befitting the vibe of our library we wanted to pay homage to Isamu Noguchi by creating a sculptural and interactive landscape. We also decided that the playground should not be confined to the ground floor, but should be continued throughout the building to energise internal spaces.
UN playground proposal by Isamu Noguchi
Removal of surrounding walls on GF to integrate with playground Sculptural ground where it rises and dips to create a more dynamic space
Development of entry
61
PROPOSAL
62
Entry on 42nd Street
PROPOSAL
PROPOSAL
Ground Floor
Little Bobby begins his journey by first enjoying the playground
Harvey
Zoning Key Archive Private Spaces Servicing (ventilation and plant rooms) Circulation (colour includes hexagon tiles in core)
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
64
Lobby and reception Mezzanine seating area Plant room Servicing Lift Cubicle WCs Disabled WC Janitor’s Room Temporary storage and loading bay, with bins storage
PROPOSAL
8
4 5
2
Bobby
1
6
7
5
Linda
3
5
10
20m 65
PROPOSAL
Exhibition (Block 1, Levels 1-3)
1
1. 2. 3. 4.
Pant room with water source heat pumps Rare reading room Conservation room Server room
Level 1: Interactive Exhibition 66
Level 2: C
PROPOSAL
Exhibition Lighting To preserve items in the rare reading room and exhibition spaces, artificial lighting is used. Low flux LEDs will be used due to their high efficiency, long life, and a lack of emittance of IR or UV light that could damage the exhibits.
The exhibiton is free and on lower floors so more people can access it. It is a place for learning about food and its history
Fig. 42. Exhibition lumiere arrangement.
Exhibition lumiere arrangement
Bobby
2
Dave Harvey
Controlled Exhibition
3 4
A slide and stairs link all of the exhibition floors in a playful and engaging way
The archive is in controlled conditions which require low oxygen levels, so books are organised and retrieved using an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS)
5
10
20m
Level 3: Exhibition Linking to Archive 67
PROPOSAL
Community and Children’s Reading Floors (Block 2, Levels 7 and 8) Linda
Bobby
Harvey
Harvey
PVertical circulation between library floors
To emphasise our theme of balance and the illusion of our building defying gravity, we designed angled furniture to match the hexagrid members. There are three variations depending on ceiling height: a set for 2.5m, 3m and 4m.
Custom made furniture for hexagrid members 68
Community Reading Floor
PROPOSAL
Children’s Reading Floor
Bobby Harvey
1
2 Linda
1
1. Reception 2. Day care
5
10
20m 1:200 69
PROPOSAL
Community Reading Floor
70
PROPOSAL
71
PROPOSAL
Auditorium and Discussion Garden (Blocks 2 and 3, Levels 9 and 10)
To encourage strangers to communicate and debate, we created the discussion garden which both connects the public visually to the UN and links to their sustainability goals. It also includes a podium for hosting debates and forums as well as public speeches. We envisage this enclosed terrace being loud and full of chatter while the lower discussion space could be used for smaller group discussions/ book clubs etc.
Harvey
Bobby
Linda
Bobby
Vertical connection between auditorium and discussion garden
72
Auditorium
PROPOSAL
Discussion Garden
Linda
1
Harvey
2
Bobby
Bobby
3
1. Reception 2. Changing room 3. Smaller discussion space
5
10
20m 1:200 73
PROPOSAL
Auditorium
74
PROPOSAL
75
PROPOSAL
Auditorium Roof Detail Section
Double glazing in timber frame
Gutter Parapet Detail: Lead flashing Damp proof membrane Tapered insulation in timber casing 150 x 150mm Square steel beam
Fire stop Timber block
External Walls: 10mm Trespa Meteon non-ventilated rainscreen Breather membrane 100mm Cellulose insulation 20mm Sheathing board 150mm SFS with cellulose insulation infill, bolted to secondary hexagrid universal columns Vapour barrier 25mm Plasterboard double layer
76
150mm x 356mm Steel universal beam
Auditorium Ceiling/Discussion Terrace Deck: 50mm Timber decking 100mm Cellulose insulation Breather membrane 15mm Plywood deck 65mm x 250mm C26 Timber JJI joists Vapour barrier 12.5mm Plasterboard ceiling finish Steel truss Hexagonal acoustic absorbers suspended on suspension wires
PROPOSAL
1
2m 1:20 77
PROPOSAL
Discussion Garden
78
PROPOSAL
79
PROPOSAL
Office Layout with Sweet Terrace (Top of Block 5, Level 26)
Office slides to connect the floors
80
PROPOSAL
2
Dave
Linda
1 Linda
3
1. Office 2. Meeting room 3. Sweet terrace 5
10
20m 1:200 81
PROPOSAL
Sweet Terrace Terrace themes are based on flavours in order to embrace and be celebrated by all cultures and encourage integration between foreign librarians.
Located on the south side for warm and bright light 82
PROPOSAL
Vibrant colours to reference sweet foods from different cultures
Softer textures and materials 83
PROPOSAL
Umami Terrace Umami is described as a pleasant brothy taste, a savoury richness that deepens flavour. The Umami Terrace has earthy-tones to exude a sense of tranquility. Direct natural light from the south and focused artificial light provide an intensity to the space. Although it is a less vibrant terrace, its underlying energy is equally powerful.
84
Spicy Terrace
PROPOSAL
The Spicy Terrace refers to a diverse range of flavours found around the world. There is vibrancy and intensity in the colour palette to make it warmer and more welcoming. Hanging Moroccan lamps and paper lanters provide diffused light for a casual space to converse.
85
PROPOSAL
Market Terrace, Community Kitchen and Feast Hall (Block 7) The community kitchen hosts cooking and food clubs in addition to a programme for feeding the homeless. It allows the public to nurture their community and work with each other for the greater good.
Dave Harvey
Market Terrace 86
Community Kitchen
PROPOSAL
The feast hall is the celebratory space for the community to gather and experience different feasting traditions and occasions. It is also where food from the community kitchen is served.
Bobby
Harvey
5
West mezzanine on feast floor reveals the full exposed hexagrid
10
20m
Feast Hall 87
PROPOSAL
North
5
10
20
50m 1:500
88
PROPOSAL
89
PROPOSAL
West
5
10
20
50m 1:500
90
PROPOSAL
91
PROPOSAL
East
5
10
20
50m 1:500
92
PROPOSAL
93
PROPOSAL
Facade Detail
1:10 Plan A
A
F B D
B C D E F
C E
1:10 Section
D E C F
B A
D
F
C
A B J
E G H
K L
Build-up: TRESPA Meteon non-ventilated rainscreen Cavity UV resistant breather membrane Cellulose insulation Sheathing board SFS with cellulose insulation infill Vapour barrier Plasterboard double layer Key: A. Thermal isolator B. Wall bracket C. Aluminium rivet D. Vertical profile E. Aluminium panel rivet F. Wall anchor G. Louvre frame head H. Louvre frame reveal J. Recessed wall stainless steel louvre vents K. Z-shaped solid louvre blades L. Rear duct connection M. Large slot stainless steel mesh N. Perforated kinetic shading panels P. Rainscreen-clad external wall
M
1 94
2m
1:10
PROPOSAL
TRESPA Meteon Rainscreen Choices
Passion Red
Salmon
Red Orange
White
1:10 Elevation
P
N J
95
PROPOSAL
Construction Sequence
Site levelling and preparation of piling mat. Existing playground is broken out, trees are relocated for reuse in landscaping where possible
Non-cantilevered structure in Block 1 is constructed. This is done first to prevent overturning under temporary loading
The process used for blocks 2 and 3 is repeated for 4 and 5, and 6 and 7, always constructing in pairs to remain balanced 96
Raft for the hexagrid is poured alongside foundations for other columns
The hexagrid for blocks 2 and 3 is constructed. This is done in advance to provide lateral stability during construction
Trusses for block are installed to fo cantilevers. Each tru out in tandem equilibriu
As each floor is constructed, SFS walls are installed to form fire partitions
PROPOSAL
Assembly of hexagrid for block 1. Temporary stability provided by beams within core acting as props
ks 2 and 3 orm base of uss is launched to maintain um
Timber joists are installed on cantilever floors to complete rigid diaphragm
External faรงade panels are fabricated as units and lifted into place to avoid assembly at height
Composite slabs are poured for Block 1, fully forming rigid diaphragms
Blocks 2 and 3 are built up concurrently floor-by-floor, keeping loading on each side balanced
Installation of finishes and MEP plant
97
PROPOSAL
Site Management We considered two options for the crane: locating it on the site boundary, and locating it within the building footprint. The site is too small to suit a solution with two separate tower cranes, so a larger crane servicing the site from the side works best. Placing the crane in the middle and infilling the voids once it is removed would add an extra concrete works package that would likely offset the cost savings. Transportation and Prefabrication The river can be used to sustainably transport components before bringing them across to the site itself. Hexagrid cells are transported in a mix of preconstructed cells and individual members to reduce onsite construction time
42.
5m
98
PROPOSAL
Material Sourcing To reduce carbon emissions during the construction phase and to support the local economy, we made sure that all of our materials could be both responsibly and locally sourced.
Responsibly sourced timber
Cellulose is a naturally abundant organic material. Cellulose insulation is mostly made up of recycled material and uses less energy to manufacture than other types of insulation
Hemp lime is a sustainable building material because the hemp plant absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than virtually any plant, which is then locked up for the building’s entire life-time
Unfired brick provides the same thermal properties as fired brick, but with a significantly lower embodied energy due to the lack of firing in the production process
2 4 1
5
3 9 10
8
7
6
11
Windows have aluminium frames, which is a largely recycled material
Concrete manufacturer injects carbon dioxide into wet concrete mix, improving the concrete’s performance while elimnating the CO2 Steel is an easily and largely recycled material
1. Levolux: San Mateo, California (2930 miles): Perforated aluminium shading panels (static and kinetic) 2. Americhanvre: Pennsylvania (203 miles): Hemp lime 3. Weyerhaeuser: Easton, Pennsylvania (79 miles): Floor timber joists 4. Complete Tile Collection: New York City, New York (2 miles): Archive ceramic tiles 5. Brampton Brick: New York City, New York (2 miles): Unfired brick 6. Ikon Windows: New York City, New York (12 miles): Windows 7. Wood Flooring USA: New York City, New York (17 miles): Laminated timber floor finish 8. OEG: Old Bridge, New Jersey (38 miles): Corrugated steel decks for composite floors 9. Trespa: Middlesex, New Jersey (43 miles): Rainscreens 10. CarbonCure Technologies: Trenton, New Jersey (71 miles): Ready mix concrete for composite floors 11. ArcelorMittal: Conshohocken, Pennsylvania (103 miles): Structural steel 12. CarbonCure Technologies: Trenton, New Jersey (71 miles): Ready mix concrete for composite floors 13. ArcelorMittal: Conshohocken, Pennsylvania (103 miles): Structural steel
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1st Avenue at Night
100
101
F U T U R E
FUTURE
Although our library has been designed specifically for its purpose rather than a neutral building ready for future adaptation, we incorporated elements into our design to ensure that it can be either altered or removed with minimal impact on the environment. Socially, our library should help integrate the communities more and offer aid to those in need such as the homeless and small businesses. Hopefully this impacts the future of the area and aids in creating a more sustainable community.
demountable facades
materials that do not need to be replaced as frequently
104
FUTURE
battery storage for energy storage (especially less reliable renewable energy in the future)
repeating floor plates that can be adapted in the future
105
Explore manual shading strategy
Reconsider flood defence strategy
Improve core design and fire protection strategy
Final Crit Our scheme was very well recieved, with comments such as “I like the energy and joy in your project” and “I am seduced by the imagery of the space”. The engineering critics also congratulated us on our innovative structural response to the site constraints. However, from a constructive point of view, if the project had been longer we would have liked to improve our fire escape and core design and perhaps reconsidered our flood defence stratgey as it was based on the assumption that we know the maximum flood water level.
REFLECTIONS
REFLECTIONS
To begin with, I was apprehensive at the thought of a group project counting towards such a large percentage of my final degree, especially during a pandemic, when most meetings would have to be conducted online. It initially took us some time to define our interpretation of the brief, as we were very critical of every design we produced (and its implications), leading to long and frequent Teams calls that went in circles. It was a struggle to grasp the scale of building we were working with, especially spaces such as the archive. We spent the first 4 weeks with a different design each week, but they always fell short in one aspect or another. The architectural ideas were always there, we simply needed our engineers’ bravery to step up to the challenge to allow all three elements of the design to integrate together and express themselves. When your structural engineer suggests cantilevers as far as 10m, with a strong justification, seemingly resolving almost all of your design issues, you realise that no idea is silly. The mind then comprehends the concept of ‘the sky is the limit’, bringing forth ideas such as slides in between office floors and a floor archaically named ‘The Feast Hall’. At one point, a ‘McTerrace’ was considered, though we decided against using a fast food giant to sponsor a UN terrace in New York City. My main substantial contribution to the project was in producing most of the CAD drawings throughout the weeks, including the final technical details. However, I believe that my true contribution was in taking ‘joke’ ideas suggested by other group members seriously, and pushing for them, including the idea to revolve the project around food. I was surprised at how much I learned, from ways of working efficiently to a plethora of engineering concepts, such as the complexity of thermal mass and the structural implications of cantilevers. This is thanks to my teammates for always being open to explaining things to me. Watching the project come to fruition over the past few weeks has been incredibly rewarding. As each visual was produced, tears of joy were brought to my eyes. I will genuinely miss working with this group, especially the lengthy, wildly irrelevant tangents our conversations diverted to.
108
Aisha
REFELCTIONS
Time flew by, working on this project. It might have been the fact that I was in GMT +8, so I was living in 2 time zones in my head, add lockdown to that = what is time? Or it could have been like a roller coaster ride- a lot happens but it was actually only 20 seconds, or in this case, a very fruitful 10 weeks. I remember all of us joining our first Teams group call, all shy and awkward, because we were strangers or strangers with a familiar face. And in the first few weeks, where we called almost every day, we made big design moves- just experimenting and finding our balance, figuring out each other, how to work together, and how to design a tower for the UN in New York. It was sort of like pushing and pulling each other in/away from certain directions. And because we are all so different, we were pushing and pulling from our individual structural, environmental, and architectural perspectives. We just had a lot to say. Which was hard, and fun? But hard. Looking back I can say it was what made working in this group interesting. We managed to find a rhythm of calling and doing work and even making the 8 hour time difference work for us. I would wake up to about 300 notifications from the group chat, 60% project related, and start my morning routine of reviewing work the group uploaded while I was asleep. I started off this project really experimenting with concept, form and sections. We had internal reviews, and after we decided on cantilevers I worked on the faรงade design (elevations) and detailing the model and the interior of plans with custom furniture, terrace vibes, etc. The final weeks for me were about producing interior visuals, sketches, and sections drawings.
Sue Vern
I am very thankful for our differences, I think that is what pushed and pulled our design to what it is now. Shoutout to our engineers for being open to the w i l d e s t ideas. There are always things to improve, but the building we designed in the last 10 weeks, it does speak of our group.
109
REFLECTIONS
I was initially apprehensive about doing the TED project during Covid-19, especially given that we would have to work both remotely and in different time zones. However, the situation created an urgent need for clear presentation and good communication, which pushed us to improve in these areas, and so was extremely rewarding overall. As a group, we were very opinionated and would critically evaluate each design iteration in order to reach the most logical proposal. From early on we explored the idea of community spaces project out from the archive core and were stuck for several weeks on how to achieve this. It was not until after our interim crit, that our engineers went back on their ‘no cantilevers rule’ and proposed a 10m cantilever over the Queens Midtown Tunnel. From then on the design process was relatively smooth sailing, with many ideas being thrown around to further amplify the playfulness of our scheme. Admittedly, many of my joke ideas were taken seriously, such as to theme our building around the significance of food and the incorporation of slides to link floors in a fun manner. This made group discussions very entertaining as it opened a gateway for a plethora of silly ideas. In the first few weeks, I worked on AutoCAD to create plans and sections. However, my main role was to organise the report and design diary which subsequently led to me assigning roles within our group and creating most of the diagrams and the 3D plans to explain our scheme. I think the nature and vibrancy of our proposal reflects how much fun we had as a group. I learnt a lot from our engineers, who were always happy to explain the whys and the hows in great detail, as well as the architects, who introduced me to new design perspectives which I hope to develop and incorporate in my future work. This has been the longest and most enjoyable project at Bath so far, and has allowed me to witness and appreciate my growth in confidence and knowledge and to take pride in my work.
110
Hania
REFELCTIONS
During our early design stages, we came up with a different scheme each week. From a stack of books to the ‘egg’, we went through everything we can think of for a tower. Fast forward to our interim crit, we realised there were many flaws with our design, feeling dejected we went back to square one. That’s when Sam exclaimed, ‘How about cantilevering blocks?’ And that’s when the real fun of the project started. We had to really balance and rationalise every aspect of our scheme in order to make our final design cohesive architecturally, structurally and environmentally. Multiple group calls were scheduled each week to share and critique each others works to ensure we can answer almost every question there is about our design, while not forgetting to include a bit of fun wherever we could. From slides in the office floors, to having a ‘spicy’ terrace. I really enjoyed that part of working together as I really learned to see and think about things in different perspectives, as well as learning how the engineering could be integrated into the architecture to achieve a well balanced scheme.
Jade
My role in the project started off with a little bit of everything, I worked on initial CAD work as well as producing sketches, but my main role later in the project was producing the final visuals. I did not have a lot of confidence in visualisation admittedly, and was worried the work I did would be lacking. But through communicating ideas with my groupmates and looking up visualisation precedents, I became more confident and was satisfied with the work that I produced throughout. Ultimately, this was the most fun among all the projects I had done in Bath, and I do think that our final design really reflected how well we worked together as a team of architects and engineers. This project had brought me so much joy and I am happy and thankful to have done it together with my groupmates and friends.
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