Component 2 Bleard Kaqiu

Design brief + Specification

• For this project, I will be developing a new, exciting unique activity centre. I will be designing a physical activity area incorporating many physical activities which are typically not easy to find and do locally, it will be a unique multiple activity to levitate boredom for the local community, to get people of social media and connect. Collier Row, Romford has a history of physical activities in the forest row- a place for the local community that hosts activities. It currently hosts danse, karate and football classes however it is near collier row and in a not ideal location. A location in the heart of collier row where many schools are nearby and cross through collier row to go home, is an ideal location for something new and fun. I will look to host events and contact schools that would hire us for school trips.

• Located in Collier Row, in the heart of it right next to the bus stop that takes you to my old secondary school. A building which has been there for a long time but has served no purpose, its not a shop nor a flat it is a building with no purpose. This area has felt disconnected for decades. I want to give it a purpose through the site redevelopment. My theme is simple & complex, this will give me the physical attribute for something new and exciting, given that there is no interesting architecture in collier row, this design should catch the attention of passer-by.

•Range of spaces that hold different events.

•Multiple toilets on every floor

•Range of fun physical activities, which change due to popularity

•App for parents to view their child ( optional) only 10 or below.

•Big venue so places can be rented by schools, birthday parties etc.

•Several entrances and therefore exits

•New and intriguing structure

•Vending machines with variety of snacks to food, gum ball machines.

•Air conditioning for temperature control

The location (marked with the red destination mark) I chose is collier row a suburban development north of Romford town which is in east London since it is easily accessible to me also the fact that I see a gap in which my site can fulfil. This is key since this Surburban are needs opposed to what it wants, growing up in collier row it would really appeal to me what my activity centre can provide it would relieve my boredom. I want to create a centre for others so I can make this dull area more engaging and social.

My main inspiration will be coming from Daniel Libeskind and his exploration in unique and unorthodox experimentation of geometric forms. His unique style has motivated me to create buildings which have out of the ordinary features. I want to create something people usually do not create My other source of inspiration will be a Pinterest page called Geometric architecture

Design brief

• The style of architecture I want to achieve is geometric architecture. Geometric design is thought to be a simple concept of using range of shapes to create a structure, this is easier said than done there are many existing structures that explore this but there are limitless possibilities in what structure may become. I specifically chose this design type as I feel like it goes hand in hand with the theme of simple & complex, its simple shapes rearranged to make something more complex when you started off with simple shapes. It signifies how far architecture has come and became the new modernness.

• Buildings such as The Kuggen Building Gothenburg, Sweden, Liege-Guillemins Station, Liège, Belgium, Beijing national stadium by Herzog & De Meuron, Basque Health Department Headquarters by Juan Coll- Barreu and Royal Ontario Museum by Daniel Libeskind design the crystal-like structure these are just a few examples that have explored geomertic shapes in different unique ways.

The Basque health department is a perfect example of a unique geometric structure that this clearly is a simple & complex structure. A bunch of shapes placed irregularly on the side of a building which is quite unique and gives the building character since only one corner is covered. I personally don’t like that only a part of the building is covered as it looks to odd, same with Daniel Libeskind museum I personally don’t like how the entire building is not completely covered with geometric structure. Creating an almost tower like structure at the very top of the building is interesting as it ensures that it is seen by passer-by.

Santiago Calatrava the Spanish architecture that designed the Belgian railway has used distinct curves and geometry. The modern elegance this structure provides is certainly admirable. The structure uses its lighting to the fullest extent due to domed masterpiece being made from steel, glass and white concrete embracing the light making it aesthetically pleasing no matter when. This incorporates unusual geometric form in which I would like to further develop and explore. This design is the polar opposite from the previous building the one before was hectic and unorthodox in contrast to this one being modern and elegant, this shows that there are many way geometric can be used in architecture showing limitless ideas can be formed, this is something I will be showing in my designs .

175- Dagenham 365-Havering Park

247- Barkingside 375- Passing ford bridge

252- Hornchurch 651- Local Secondary school

294- Noak Hill bus from Bower Park Academy

These are only some of the schools in this area, there are many schools around just further and require multiple buses as you can see above the buses that travel around the vicinity of the area.

• All these buses go Romford- the local town centre, where teenagers come back from school and socializes with classmates and potential make friends from other schools , this is great because there is a huge potential to reign in customers from different schools, instead of lingering around in groups they can have a place to go which is designed for socializing, as from Romford to collier row – the site- its only 30m bus ride, due to there being so much access to the site, due to the free public transport it makes it a great spot to go to because of its location.

• My site could potentially rent out to Schools around the area, e.g., Primary schools after finishing there sats, they could plan a day out to the site for a day full of activities, due to it being local they can reduce costs as they could use buses, instead of going to museums or zoo that would tire them out on the way and be a disappointment of a day.

Building is most visible form main road and the backroad which is used by staff for parking

Bower Park Academy – secondary school

Surrounding area

Tesco's bus stop – includes a range of buses that go to and from my site

Collier row roundabout – crossroad that leads 4 different direction

Collier row library

Collier row – local town centre

Large residential areas

Clockhouse primary school

Aldi's car park

Collier row gospel church

Collier row recreation ground – local park

Lawn's park

Around the site of the library there are mostly small shops, fast food stores barbers' coffee shops and essential supermarkets e.g., co-op, Tesco and Aldi. There are also day-care or an area for little kids to go, it has the essential need for the local community that are situated here, there are also many residential homes surrounding the area. My site lies on the collier row rd- the road named after the area, collier row, the road that leads to the main roundabout which is quite aesthetically pleasing there are trees in the middle during holidays Christmas lights are displaced and looks quite nice. The building which I have picked out is currently 1 store and is hidden by the trees in front of the entrance, I dislike the architecture aspect of my building as I have stated that the road seems to be slanted and it only being 1 store it is hidden and outshined by other building surrounding it. I would like to make a building which is at least 2 stores high but make it feel welcoming by advertising and making websites displaying interior and holding special events as I feel like it will entice people to come and potentially become customers.

Design research

All the pictures here are taken from Pinterest geometric architecture design page these buildings are going to be my main source of inspiration when it comes to geometric architecture due to the fact, they all explore the geometric theme differently, they all have interesting ideas. The top right photo- twister, shows that just because it is geometric doesn’t mean that it should have a rectangular form it has uneven floors which has an aesthetic Vue and intrigues passer-by, it has such because of this it has a different structure that I really like compared to the rest. The Belgium station in which I have previously talked about uses the most interesting geometrical attributes it will spark ideas since that the architect uses modern, exquisite and elegance, the key word elegance is what want to create. The entire building uses unique geometric features, the layers give it detail the pure scale is phenomenal. The number of different lines going through the entire building give it detail and create new depth for the building design. This shoes me that geometry is more than a range of odd shapes, it can be something a lot simpler like lines, then progress on form there by adding more lines in different shapes and sizes all scattered and that can create designs. The building uses unique shapes and use of lines to create depth the unique structures are stacked on top of each other, I would rather say they are slotted inside and have led to an elegant building.

Liege-Guillemins Station, Liège, Belgium by Santiago

Calatrava

Twister, denmark?

Beijing national stadium by Herzog & De Meuron

Basque Health Department

Headquarters by Juan CollBarreu

Royal Ontario Museum by Daniel Libeskind design the crystal-like structure

The Kuggen Building, Gothenburg, Sweden

Design research sketch ideas

The main idea here is to explore the usage of shapes and analyse the form. I want to gain a further understanding on experimentation with interesting and unique structures which already exist and use them as inspiration for my own.

The Kuggen Building

I love how the Kuggen building is made up of unusual shapes and structures, it is unique, yet simple. It gives it a wow factor that you don’t get to experience with most buildings. What I deduce from this building bright and unnatural is interesting, the more outrages and use of couloirs it incorporates the further it stands out. Another thing about this structure is how tourists from around the world will be attracted to this and is probably already a tourist attraction, it has become a tourist attraction due to its simplistic whilst unique structure due to its bold use of colours it is very photograph worthy and makes you stand out when taking one. It helps bring society together and help people connect. The layout is something I may want to explore in my project towards the outcome of my physical facility centre.

Contour Lines

Thiis feature could either be a part of the entire structure itself, or it could be specific rooms in my structure e.g., Rock climbing room. The unusual layout of it could make it harder and therefore interesting for experienced customers. It could potentially be wall patterns of the exterior or even in the interior due to the elegance. I have seen this structure being used in wall paintings as well as being an inspiration for new ideas as shown in the bottom right. I too will also be using this structure as a start to generating ideas, I could do this by creating multiple models exploring the structure and concluding what I have found through detailed drawings.

Contour lines building idea

Now that I have explored an out of contour lines and the real-life application when I would use them, I will try and create this as a model and illustrate how it would look like.

I started by using a sine wave, a sine wave and ¼, as you can see in the previous slide. In SketchUp I have started off with a sine wave and transformed it by using adding more waves and making it 3d I did this by twisting and turning a rectangle and using a tool which folded the structure in unusual ways. Then I tried making the structure on a block of wood using drill, staplers and even a hammer to make durable base, I then used fabric and stretched it too the maximum it could stretch and stapled it, giving me my finished model. It did not come out the way I wanted at all; however, it did give me a structure I can work on later this project.

Daniel Libeskind Geometric shapes inspiration

• Luneburg University's is arguably Daniels best work out there. The interesting use of unique geometric shapes and structures is something I would like to incorporate to my own work,

• The structure itself is something I want to incorporate because of its unique shape. The fact that it's never been done before to this standard Daniel has found ways to make unusual structure a part of modern society. All over his building he has incorporated different shapes and structure throughout successfully.

• The geometric shape is truly inspiring, it has natural organic feel to it making it fit with its surroundings almost like its meant to be there, it incorporates shapes and a range of structures and forms a completed project.

• Whilst I like the geometry of the building, I believe the addition of sinusoidal waves structure being incorporated into the design it can evolve it further.

Exploring mathematical trigonometric

functions to produce new geometric shapes

Using complex mathematical equations allows me to expand my horizons to allow me produce some unique shapes. Using this I feel like I can add features to my geometric structure elevating it further. I can use my prior mathematical skills to produce interesting structures. This is important as I want to elevate my structure by adding organic components. I can always explore mathematical formulae and graphs which would allow me to create complex 3d structures like wave patterns as shown.

What I have done on the left is using the basic trigonometry to produce a solution for a building and have shown this by drawing them on 2d graph and showing how I have sued them as a pattern on the actual building itself. This has allowed me to create a façade of a building which can further allow me to create more interesting 3d structures. Whilst doing this I experimented with different wave patterns, whilst doing this I have really liked the outcome of the bottom left drawing as I think it looks smooth and elegant., I have lightly experimented with waves, and I would like to progress in future slides.

Oscillation ideas

The idea here is using the rippling effect of water. When it diffract constructively through the gap it forms a circular structure, I would like to develop a building structure from this phenomenon.

Oscillation Building

The idea on the left came from visualizing half a sin wave due to my recent research on trigonometric equations. In my previous slide I have experimented with oscillations and created buildings from them. I have been inspired by oscillations and simple thought what if I rotated an oscillation 180 degrees, therefore producing a new structure. It's simple but effective.

When I started to visualize the building in 3 dimensions, I realized I don’t want to intertwine the buildings but rather produce a façade, when in reality separating the buildings. This does not change the buildings shape in the elevation plane, but it will in the three-dimensional plane.

The structure on the right was inspired by my favourite oscillation I created on the previous slide, but it's just a representation of how such a structure could be created in a model. The structure on the left is also an oscillation inspired from the previous slide but is just a visual representation of how such a structure could be created in a handheld model, when making it you had to produce a lot of support on the lower ends as that is what holds it in place, the model came out wonky due to all the weight accumulating at the bottom of the structure in the future I need to make it with better material and not paper. The procedure I took was cut stripes of paper and wrap it around my finger, layer after layer increase the size until 5 stripes have been produced.

Sinusoidal waves

As I am using all sorts of mathematical properties, I decided to use a simple and easy to use sin wave which I've altered. I bent out a sin wave from a strip of aluminium and I used pliers to alter changes and kept using the pliers until I transformed the wire into something desirable. The simplest and most effective method for wave structures was using fabric. I layered the fabric over the metal frame and starched it over, until it was stretched enough to not bend the aluminium, but good enough to see the features, with part was quite challenging as doing this with one arm due the other arm having to hold the wooden square and the other stretching as well as putting enough pressure on the stapler gun to be able to stable together was quite challenging.

The inspiration I gathered from this idea was a not the actual final model but rather the process, what if I add the aluminium wave to an already existing building elevating it. This has given me a fresh perspective in the designing world, as this opens many possibilities to be creative. I'm trying to illustrate how a curved structure could be used as a design feature for the exterior of a building.

Pen Spring ideas- Primary source

To expand my understanding on waves and other sinusoidal structures, I had the brilliant idea to use the spring inside my pen. I dismantled my pen and opened it inside was the spring that has the function that allows you to click your pen, I removed it and placed it in a blank canvas and proceeded to take images. I tried stretching the spring to look at it in different angles possibly giving new ideas put I need to place something like a place holder on either side and stretch it to take images.

The SketchUp model was created from the combination of the image on the bottom right as well as the spring and previous research linking everything together

The set of drawings shows a series of events that led me to my design. I drew the building on the bottom left during the drawing I discovered the entrance to this building was unique it had Mutiple entrances all around and when people entered the building, they had 6 different ways they could go once inside the entrance almost like a maze, also the stairs were intertwined making it very complicated just like a maze, easy to get in but hard to get out. From this I developed my idea of making the interior simpler.

I really do like the multiple entrance's that is something I want to expand on later this project, however for this drawing I want to go simple spiral stairs, simple but effective. Whilst researching how to make spiral stairs, I discovered a unique stairs which piqued my curiosity I decided to design it on SketchUp, and it came out perfect. The widows were all different shapes producing unique organic windows, the vessel ( bottom right image) had no safety, just a terrace this makes it more appealing but not safe. Safety is important I decided that my design will include windows for safety breach as well as designing the building for all seasons as with windows we cand keep or release heat e.g., air conditioning in the summer or warm radiators in the winter. Also, this building will be taller than the vessel making it more aesthetically pleasing and better. In conclusion I found positives and drawbacks from the vessel, implemented the positives and found solutions for the drawbacks.

Bowl ideas  - Primary source

To expand my understanding on waves and other sinusoidal structures, I had the brilliant idea to use bowls. I got 2 bowls of different circumferences and placed the on each other, I used a bit of tape and my finger to take photos of the structure I desired. It was a success but it took quite a bit of time to get the structure I wanted and using my phone to take pictures of different angles This SketchUp model was an idea I designed from research I've accumulated it is a sine wave

The set of drawings on the top left are an idea in which I don’t particularly like but one I can expand on. Whilst looking at my SketchUp and Zaha Hadid’s structure I decided to incorporate to ideas, as you can see on the SketchUp the lines are parallel and Zaha Hadid's are vertical I decides to incorporate them together to form a Criss cross structure that almost resembles a honeycomb. As the whole structure is circular, to maintain a symmetrical look the walls would have to be pointing towards the centre of the building

Car Tyre wheel shape –Primary source

Extended from the bowl idea. I had the idea to use a wheel from my garage as inspiration. To utilize the wheel so I can boost my imagination I decided to take pictures from various angles so that it may help me produce ideas, nevertheless it still proved hard to make a model idea out of these images. I really struggled to produce model idea however I feel as if I have made a good attempt.

To show the structures parametric shape I have used various materials and produced a model…..

Exploring Double helix structure

Whilst doing my science related a level alongside architecture, I noticed the interesting form in my classroom photos which led me to use DNA structure, double helix structure. This is really good for ideas. Currently im thinking of making a spiral structure all around my building, which I need to expand on this idea later on the project.

Parametric Model design- fan model

I will be using card to form a eye structure sort of shape, however it is not related to the eye shape at all. I will get white card cut even strips use tapes at one end and create a almost like fan structure, but model. simple but effective

Further developing toothpick model, adding more parts.

Final Model

This is what the final model is. It is a complex form with a sine base as the complex geometry piles on making a spectacle. I am very pleased on how it turned out, I used contour layers to make my structure stand out others, it give it hight and makes it look towering. I have added people and trees to show the grand scale of the building. On the bright there are a series of elevations of the building, I gave different angles to show different views, even the back of my building, which looks like a completely different structure. To make the model I used a lot of simple mathematics, the contour lines you see were cut by hand, by scissors each one I had to measure constantly to make sure they were the right dimension , every layer there is 1cm less causing me to cut with caution. I used a metal rod to form a sine wave as the base and used stapler gun when slotting it down, I had to use a pin hammer to fully slot the staples to the floor, however I dint anticipate it to go through the next layer of the building making the contour lines asymmetrical. I used fake grass and toothpicks to illustrate the pavement, this part was challenging, painful and time costing, I used a glue gun because the alternative was pva glue which would have left white strain all over my structure, another alternative was glue spray however I decided not to as I already made my structure, and it would have been difficult t get into the crevasse with a big can of spray. The longest part of the entire model were the pathway as I had to cut each toothpick manually as scissors were not working and it was the best method I could think of, each and every time I placed a toothpick it would not fit and I would have to alter it, so I tried to prematurely cut them in multiple sixed so I could use them wherever needed, it sort of worked but not as well as I had hoped, the glue gun was very hot, and using it for the toothpicks was painful I got burned each time I layered them, causing some of them to be slanted. One thing I noticed was that every time I used the glue gun there were small layers of flue which would go only building as I moved the hot glue away, I would then have to hurry and wrap my hand with the glue, so it doesn’t stick to my building leaving unnecessary stain. Through all of that I am very pleased with the outcome of the model.

A simple plan for each floor, my project is about activity centres with lots of exits and providing large open space for uncommon activities such as rock-climbing, illustrate this is simple just a bunch of odd shaped rocks in a wall with lots of space around it , first or second floor. A rope room for games of tug of war a rope climbing. A room labelled acrobatics- new classes room. Show a bunch of toilets on every floor and exits, labelled fire exits. The first room should at least have an office at the entrance, tile floors. Trees ouside. Second and third floor should have something fun and new, artificial snow, everyone would love it, have snow weapons. Other side of the room would be paintballing will have a juxtaposition of hot and cold. Staff rooms would be located at reception downstairs and the second floor, due to accidents will happen, need people to watch surveillance.