HOUSE-SCAPES
ECOLOGIES OF DWELLING joanna chow | wsa_2_term1
CONTENTS
1 | FORM-FINDING _physical models _testing _digital models 2| SITE ANALYSIS _location _north of site _south of site _climate and circulation _topography 3| MASTERPLAN _porosity _model 4| HOUSING UNIT
1| FORM-FINDING
The study of atta vollenweideri ant nests as an ecological system became inspiration for the housing scheme design. Ant nests extend deep into the underground with turrets at ground level. Tunnels branch out into “pods” which act as living spaces for the ants. The turrets serve as part of the ant hill’s natural ventilation system. The stacking of the sand particles creates a porous structure that filters wind deep into the large underground structure.
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1 | a t t a v o l l e n we i d e r i 2 | p o rou s t u r r e t s 3 | a n t ne s t s t r u c t u r e
_physical models The photo opposite shows a selection of the first attempts of making physical models exploring the internal structure of the ant hills through different size “tunnels� and openings.
For the second attempt, the tunnels were drilled through wood blocks following a variety of routes. These were tested to see which routes were more effective in channeling wind.
Below: Plan views of the routes that were drilled through wood blocks.
Right: Stills from video Below: Experiment in process s
_testing
The wood blocks were tested using incense that represented wind. By observation it is able to deduce which of the routes were the most effective in channeling wind.
2| SITE ANALYSIS
_location
In relation to UK | In relation to Wales | In relation to Cardiff city centre
SITE ANALYSIS RESIDENTIAL HOUSING
VUE CINEMA
RIVER TAFF
SOPHIA ZAHARUDIN JOANNA CHOW CARYS JONES FONG HEI CHA MILLENIUM STADIUM
ANG
OFFICE BLOCKS
SITE
_north of site CITY CENTRE
SITE BUS STATION
CITY CENTRE
CARDIFF CENTRAL TRAIN STATION
RIVER TAFF
EXISTING RAMP UP TO PUBLIC CARPARK
_south of site RESIDENTIAL HOUSING
sun path
prevailing winds: SW and NW
_climate and circulation main circulation routes
_topography
upper level car park
using the soil excavated for underground carparking to join site and public carpark.
riverside
creating an inhabitable space by adding steps down to river so people can approach the river.
3| MASTERPLAN
GALLARATESE, ALDO ROSSI
GIFU KITAGATA HOUSING, SANAA
SHARED CIRCULATION
FOLDED STAIR, KEVIN LOW
SPACESPOROSITY
ALDO GAUTRAND ROSSI LILLE MUSEUM OFGALLARATESE, MODERN ART, MANUALLE
_porosity
DISTANCE OF FOG HOUSE, STUDIO GREEN BLUE
precedents
OUT OF THE BOX, CADENCE GIFU KITAGATA HOUSING, SANAA
folding stair, kevin low | lille museum of modern art, manuelle gautrand | gifu kitagata housing, sanaa
SHARED CIRCULATION SPACES
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"PODS" OF ACTIVITY IN ANT HILLS
"PODS" OF ACTIVITY IN ANT HILLS
media: photoshop, adobe illustrator
MAIN ROUTES THROUGH SITE
Abiotic and biotic flows (e.g. people, wind, views) that flow along 2 axis, SE-NW and SW-NE.
I
IVITY IN ANT HILLS
MAIN ROUTES THROUGH SITE
Abiotic and biotic flows (e.g. people, wind, views) that flow along 2 axis, SE-NW and SW-NE.
"PODS" OF OUTDOOR PUBLIC SPACE Informed by main routes
"PODS"PUBLIC OF OUTDOOR IL: OPENINGS TO PUBLIC SPACES "PODS" OF OUTDOOR SPACE PUBLIC SPACE
Reiterating public spaces and allowing direct sunlight to reach most of the outdoor public spaces
BUILDING'S MASS WINDS AROUND "PODS"
Informed by main routes
"PODS" OF OUTDOOR PUBLIC SPACE N ROUTES WITHIN BUILDING
and residential
RETAIL: OPENINGS TO PUBLIC SPACES
Informed by the main routes creating a porous ground floor
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BUILDING'S MASS WINDS AROUND "PODS"
Reiterating public spaces and allowing direct sunlight to reach most of the outdoor public spaces
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C 1 0 0 5 7 3 1
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C H O W
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J O A N N A
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CTIVITY IN ANT HILLS
Informed by main routes ed by the main routes creating a porous Informed by main routes ground floor
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MAIN ROUTES THROUGH SITE
Abiotic and biotic flows (e.g. people, wind, views) that flow along 2 axis, SE-NW and SW-NE.
"PODS" OF ACTIVITY IN ANT HILLS
"PODS" OF ACTIVITY IN"PODS" ANT HILLS OF OUTDOOR PUBLIC SPACE Informed by main routes
Connects retailmost and of residential the outdoor public spaces
BUILDING'S MASS WINDS AROUND CIRCULATION ROUTES WITHIN Reiterating public spaces andBUILDING allowing direct su BUILDING
RETAIL: OPENINGS TO PUBLIC SPACES
Informed by the main routes creating a porous ground floor
J O A N N A
C H O W
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C 1 0 0 5 7 3 1
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MAIN ROUTES THROUGH SITE
Abiotic and biotic flows (e.g. people, wind, views) that flow along 2 axis, SE-NW and SW-NE.
Informed by the main routes creating a porous ground floor
RETAIL: OPENINGS TO PUBLIC SPACES
CIRCULATION ROUTESBUILDING'S WITHIN BUILDING MASS WINDS AROUND "PODS"
Connects retail and residential Reiterating public spaces and allowing direct sunlight to reach most of the outdoor public spaces
J O A N N A
B S c 2 ( 1 1 - 1 2 )
RETAIL: OPENINGS TO PUBLIC SPACES
Informed by the main routes creating a porous ground floor
C H O W
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C 1 0 0 5 7 3 1
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B S c 2 ( 1 1 - 1 2 )
Above: scheme and landscape
Long-section of scheme: showing idea of varying screening levels in flats creating a facade of different levels of porosity betweeen private and public; the enclosure of the gardens. Media: autocad, photoshop.
_masterplan model media: autocad, lasercutter
Facade: demonstrates the varying levels of porosity in the scheme with the retail units on ground floor very permeable to the screens in residential units which create a more private environment.
Landscape: an underground “pod� with skylights - a shelter from rain, social space, meeting place.
Circulation lobbies with openings dotted across facade for ventilation, views out and lighting effects.
Scheme in context
4| HOUSING UNIT
DISTANCE DISTANCE OF FOG OF FOG HOUSE, HOUSE, STUDIO STUDIO GREEN GREEN BLUE BLUE precendents : distance of fog house,
studio green blue | beirut tower, lan architecture
ground floor plan
first floor plan
Entrance: door is set back from corridor to create a private place in a communal circulation space.
Upper floor rooms have built-in shelving| cupboards into walls that are thicker than average so that sliding screens can retreat into walls.
Ground floor living space: open plan with sliding screens that partition the space as required. “Floating� stairs interrupt space as little as possible.
END