NEGOTIATED GROUNDS: GENERATIVE PROTOTYPES ARCH7081 DESIGN 11 JOSHUA BOLCHOVER + DONN HOLOHAN + JERSEY POON + KENT MUNDLE SEMESTER 1, 2021-22
LO CHUN YIN KELVIN
THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
STUDIO WORK COLLAB WITH ZHANG HAOWEI, HOWIE
3035894096
INTRODUCTION
This is my portfolio for semester one, Master of Architecture Year 1. In this semester I joined studio 5C, led by tutors Joshua Bolchover, Donn Holohan, Jersey Poon, and Kent Mundle. Studio 5C consists of three phases. During Phase 1, we started with an experiment and we need to record the transformations within and turn them into drawings. This phase is very refreshing for me, as during the process no one knows what the outcome will be like, each like was discovering something new. As for Phase 2, Howie and I collab together to work as a group. We start from a wood stick and concrete model, exploring the tectonics and the properties of wood, as well as how a structure and spaces can be formed within, like a spatial generator. We then bring the model from phase 2 and further develop it into a design for phase 3. Our design site is located in Kathmandu, Nepal. The location previously had an earthquake that destroyed some of the unstable housings, we then need to explore what kind of program and spatial arrangements for Kathmandu, transforming the city by the design. I have learned so much in this studio, please enjoy the portfolio. More to come next semester!
Lo Chun Yin Kelvin
PHASE 1
PHASE 2
PHASE 3
00
INTRODUCTION
01
WORD AND PROTOTYPE
02
THE SEGMENTATION DEVICE
03
SPATIAL GENERATOR
04
THE SUSPENSION STRUCTURE
05
THE SITE
06
THE PROGRAM
07
DEVELOPMENT 01
08
DEVELOPMENT 02
09
DEVELOPMENT 03
10
FINAL SCHEME AND DRAWINGS
11
MODEL PHOTOS
12
FURTHER REFLECTIONS
01
WORD AND PROTOTYPE
Segmentation (n.) /ˌseɡmənˈteɪʃ(ə)n/ Definition: The process of dividing something into segments, or of being divided into segments & A single volume of object being interferred by an external object/ force, seperating the volume into more quantities with increased surface area.
HOW TO EXPERIMENT?
Experimenting with spray paint with a segmenting media, the perforated sheet. The paint droplets will be segmented when passing through the sheet.
Perforated Sheets with hole sizes from 2mm, 1mm, 0.6mm, 0.2mm
The recorder, location for placing a piece of paper to record the spray droplets position.
Measuring Base, with distances marking of 100mm to 500mm.
Spray Paint Canister Position Marker
These components will form the prototype device for the segmentation experiment.
DIFFERENT DISTANCES OF THE EXPERIMENT
The distance between the spray canister and the perforated sheet will be Distance A. The distance between the perforated sheet and the recorder will be Distance B.
RESULTS OF THE EXPERIMENT
100
200
300
400
500
400
300
200
100
0
0
500
B
A
Distance A
Distance B
From the observation of the experiment, I found out when Distance B is 0, after the paint droplets were segmentated from the spray canister, the paint droplets will be stick onto the perforated sheet and the second segmentation occurs. Which I found this quite interesting.
02
THE SEGMENTATION DEVICE
THE SPRAY DROPLETS
The part where droplets stick to the perforated sheet is one of the main recording paraimeters of this device. The device should also include fixed positions for a camera, with the aid of distance grids behind.
It’s amazing how photography can capture just a split second of something exquisite - Kiera Cass
DIGITAL MODELLING AND DESIGNING
After the prototype, I want to create a more permanent device which has higher precisions. The device was designed in Rhino and the components were laser cutted with precision. The structure frame of the device was made with stainless steel screw rods.
THE SEGMENTATION DEVICE
DETAILS OF THE DEVICE
PAINTINGS FROM DEVICE T2
T3
T4
Distance: 350mm 1.2mm hole
Distance: 250mm 1.2mm hole
Distance: 150mm 1.2mm hole
PAINTINGS FROM DEVICE T5
T6
T7
Distance: 350mm 2.0mm hole
Distance: 250mm 2.0mm hole
Distance: 150mm 2.0mm hole
DRAWING TRANSFORMATIONS
DRAWING V1
DRAWING V2
DRAWING TRANSFORMATIONS
DRAWING V3
DRAWING V4
03
SPATIAL GENERATOR
SITE BACKGROUND
Kathmandu Site - Two Side Stagger 27.618435, 85.551435
The site features two side stagger, with a connection to the central courtyard space.
SITE MODEL MAKING Preparation Work
Went to the wood store and ordered some 17mm wood plates.
Allocation of the 17mm wood plates for the kathmandu groups
Workshop time!! Many people waiting to processs the wood.
Site Model
Site model, two tall walls interrupting the passage way into the inner courtyard, while the front facing two sides can be easily accessed.
Textures of wood. The chaotic ground textures.
TECTONICS AND STRUCTURE
Formation and Tectonic We then explore the relationship of the site formation shape and the tectonic of the structure.
MODEL EXPLORATION
Connection back to the courtyard is the key to form community. - Kathmandu Residents
MODEL EXPLORATION - SUSPENSION SYSTEM
3 Major Load Bearing Columns We decided to insert three load bearing columns, connected to structure frame and transfer loads to ground with minimum interaction area, allowing ground have other activities.
Structure Frame and Suspension System By suspending the programs from top, the structure frame will need to strong enough to withstand the gravity force, pulling down the entire system.
We build too many wall and not enough bridges - Issac Newton
MATERIAL PROPERTIES
Casting Concrete and Casting Procedure In order to test how much weight of concrete which the wooden sticks can support/pulled, we made a concrete block. It allow us to pre-test the casting procedure and explore the material properties.
Beauty of Failing We have decided to test the limit of how much weight wooden sticks can support, until the point they breaks and have structure failure.
CONCRETE CASTING
Casting Procedure We have made three molds, each with a different shape of the concrete. We secure the mold with clamps to prevent the molds from breaking.
Each piece of concrete is made for representing spatial arrangments, for the next upcoming phase three design. The total weight of the three pieces of concrete is 12kg. Wooden stick slots have been created for later adding suspension wood sticks and connect back to the suspension structure plate.
They swore by concrete. They built for eternity. - Gunter Grass
04
THE SUSPENSION STRUCTURE
The ground floor spaces were free up by the structure. A suspension structure also creates unlimited possibilities for the hanging spaces.
05
THE SITE
KATHMANDU’S SITE CONDITIONS
EARTHQUAKE OF 2015
POOR CONDITION OF HOUSES.
NEED OF HOUSING SUPPLY
TEMPORARILY HOUSING? REINFORCEMENT TO EXISTING?
SHRINE AND RELIGION
COMMUNITY FORMATION? NEED OF COMMUNAL SPACES?
06
THE PROGRAM Shrine (n.) /ʃraɪn/
Housing (n.) /ˈhaʊzɪŋ/
Definition:
Definition:
A religious place built to remember a particular holy person or event
Buildings for people to live in, to satisfy basic living needs.
&
&
A place for community gathering
A place for people to build a community
WHAT KIND OF SHRINE?
WHAT KIND OF HOUSING?
Hinduism, the word “Mandir” means shrine.
With Stability, Earthquake proof.
Shrine is a gathering place for the residents in Kathmandu.
Designed with Communal spaces.
Communal spaces are important for residents in Kathmandu.
Expandable housing.
HOW THE PROGRAMS WILL BE ALLOCATED?
The Housing apartments will be suspended down by suspension cables and joints.
The Shrine should be on top of everything and leave out air spaces for respecting the religion gods.
A Communal Kitchen floor for enhancing the community.
The main entrance should be positioned at the intersection corner of two major circulation streets.
HOW CAN THE STRUCTURE BENEFITS?
Reinforcement of the nearby structures.
Minimizing obstruction at ground floor. Non-Program Ground Spaces.
Extra Shrine Location for the nearby residents.
Within the Structure Shear walls, Utility programs can be inserted for maximizing spatial efficiency.
The Structure at top forms the unique ceiling for the shrine.
07
DEVELOPMENT 01
2021 / 11 / 05 DEVELOPMENT 01 A prototype of the suspension structure. In between the housing and shrine floor, a resting platform was added for the possibility of extending shrine spaces, also giving visitors a place for resting. The two structure shear walls at the side of the site will act as a supporting structure for the damaged buildings. Due to the level differences between the inner courtyard and the ground floor of the design, we have decided to put the staircase in the courtyard, opening up an opportunity for access, while also connecting up to the shrine level, creating a space-efficient design and leaving more spaces for the apartments.
SECTION A - A’
SECTION B - B’
SHRINE FLOOR PLAN
TYPICAL HOUSING FLOOR PLAN
08
DEVELOPMENT 02
EXPLORATION OF THE FLEXIBILE HOUSING LAYOUT
The design will be flexible and allow the user to freely assemble removable wall partitions, creating a layout by themselves.
The option of rotatable partitions have been explored.
EXPLORATION OF THE PROGRAM ZONINGS
EXPLORATION OF THE PERSPECTIVE REPRESENTATION STYLE
2021 / 11 / 19 DEVELOPMENT 02
We are looking for the optimal and most interesting communal kitchen and staircase layout and trying to figure out what kind of spaces we can obtain from the suspension structure. We also explored how the layout of the apartment looks like, perhaps made of prefabricated panels which can be inserted into the slots on the floor plates, allowing the user to freely design their apartment. Meanwhile, we also explored how to connect our structure and design to the nearby surroundings, so that the residents nearby can also access the shrine. The top structure of the shrine is also working in progress, trying to figure out how visitors can pass through the structure while maintaining the structural integrity to suspend the loads below.
09
DEVELOPMENT 03
CHANGE OF THE MAIN STRUCTURE
After a research of the wood sizes, our previous design wood sizes were too thick and will be expensive to produce in places like Kathmandu Therefore, We increased the number of wood structure components, while using smaller wood component sizes.
By changing the sizes of wood, we also have to redesign the entire suspension structure on the top. We decided to increase the thickness of the wood components vertically, forming a deep beam to suspend the loads. We also added bracing to the entire structure, resisting higher lateral loads.
2021 / 11 / 26 DEVELOPMENT 03
Besides changing the entire main structure, we were also exploring the drawing graphic styles, which we have decided to mainly focus on line drawings, adding the details to the cut section. A shadow showcasing the depths of the design and levels will be added to the back as well.
10
FINAL SCHEME & DRAWINGS
11
MODEL PHOTOS
12
FURTHER REFLECTIONS
2021 / 12 / 09 FEEDBACKS FROM THE FINAL CRIT
From the final presentation, critics suggested changing the narrative of our design proposal, allowing for more discussions. One of the common suggestions is to parasite our prototype structure back to the community. For instance, expanding our prototype through a connecting tunnel and allowed the nearby damaged housing residents to expand their living areas into our design. Then the damaged structure will be slowly replaced by our structures, parasiting and transforming into a stable structure. Later on, the damaged structure can be removed and the new structure frame will be remained, allowing new housing to be built. And the process will keep repeating until all the damaged houses will be replaced with our prototype.
LO CHUN YIN KELVIN 3035894096
STUDIO WORK COLLAB WITH ZHANG HAOWEI, HOWIE