Balancing Cube

Balancing Cubes Kosuke Ino AIM 705 MArch 2 Studio 2 Simon Beames / Luke Engleback

Final Proposition architectural proposal in relation to forest and community Final images are illustrated to demonstrate how proposition alter the e x i s t i n g e n v i r o n m e n t . M o r e o v e r, t h e relationship with forest and community is proposed through key views and drawings.

Proposition as Landscape veiw from the existing route

Proposition as Landscape veiw from the existing route

1

2

3

4

1. accommodation 2. scientific research centre 3. food production 4. energy plant

N

Roof Plan

community settlement and measurement devices distribution

2.5m

5m

10m

20m

Section

the occupation of proposition

Threshold

semi-exterior space created by angled facade and existing tree

Threshold

entrance of accommodation

Scientific Tower

with measurement devices

Elevation

entrance and translucent facade

South Elevation

initial form of proposition with current occupation of trees

South Elevation

second form of proposition with exposed edge condition

South Elevation

third form of proposition with enclosed edge condition

Entrance

model photo of threshold space

Access and Void

model photo of void space

Plan View

model photo of plan for scientific lab and accommodation

Perspective View

model photo of plan for scientific lab and accommodation

Obscure Ambience

lighting quality created by structure and translucent facade

Introduction retro innovation The project is initiated with traditional J a p a n e s e p a g o d a i n w h i c h re c i p ro c a l relationship between nature and architecture is embedded. This led to the concept of flexibility in architecture. The investigation is developed through retro innovation: gyroscope and wood joint.

Design Manifesto: Nature constantly changes and transforms over the time, and it influences living environments for animals, plants, and humans. Additionally, people’s lifestyles also alter in response to natural changes. The conventional relationship between changing nature and architecture was not necessarily reciprocal. The structure provides rigidity against nature by having foundation under the ground and this basic structure will remain the same in spite of transient demands. Nevertheless, this relationship could be reinterpreted. In this sense, Japanese traditional architecture offers flexibility as opposed to rigidity. The five-storey pagoda in Kyoto consists of wooden structure which keeps its balance by itself, and this allows the building to stand without foundations.

This flexible structure adapts to natural forces of wind and earthquake. This led to the concept of flexibility in architecture as an intervention between nature and architecture. Therefore, the project develops through investigation of how architecture with flexible / non-rigid structure adapts and responds to changing natural conditions and community’s needs.

The project focuses on natural changes in the Ashdown Forest, particularly, the movement of the edges between woodland and heathland. This balance plays a significant role in ecosystem in the forest. The forest edge moves due to management of the forest and invasion of woods. As a result, the living environments in the same area will alter over the time, for instance, wind, ground, and lighting conditions. The site is located along the edge where drastic changes of natural conditions will be experienced over the time.

The scientist community will be settled in the Ashdown forest with the ambition of self-sufficient lifestyle in the forest. They aim to investigate natural changing condition of the site and utilise collected data in order to increase their self-sufficiency. Their lifestyles should change and adapt to different stages of the forest to optimise surrounding environments. The project challenges the adaptability of architecture into transient edge conditions and community’s lifestyle.

The architectural proposition has been developed through the exploration of primitive form of cube, which helps to understand irregularity of forest in relation to regular forms. The potential of balancing cube standing on the edge is investigated as flexible structure to establish reciprocal relationship between architecture and changing entities of nature and community.

Project Manifesto

the comparison between conventional building and flexible structure

Japanese Pagoda

self-balancing structure against wind and earthquake standing on the stone

vertical foces gravity live load (occupation, people) dead load (self weight of structure)

F1 additional weight that restrains the tip floor acting as a counterweight

horizontal forces

supporting point of the pendulum

earthquake wind

F2

F3

weight of central column that provides additional stabilisation against wind

F3

roof at 5th floor = F3 a

b

c

a

b

4th floor = F4

C1

C1

C1

C1

C1

C2

C2

C1

C1

C2

C2

C1

central column (pendulm)

d

e

f

d

e

C1

wind

3rd floor = F5 g

h

i

C1

C1

C1

The load of the building is supported by outer 12 columns (C1) and inner 4 columns(C2)

g

h

F1 + F2 F3

2nd floor = F6 weights of upper floors

j

k

l

k

a

j

weights of tiles and eaves

1st floor m

n

supporting point

o

n

m

= F7

C1

b

C2

c

C1 (5th) =

F3(a²+4ab+b²) 24b

C2 (5th) =

F3(a²+b²+ab) + 8b

C2

b

C1

F1 + F2

4

a

+

F3(a+b+c/2) 2

*other calculations will be in appendix pendulum shake

structure on the stone

F8

F9

earthquake

Initial Balancing Model

the balancing principle from Japanese Pagoda

Wood Joint Investigation

connections and locking system in different forms

The Relationship between Japanese Traditional Architecture and Nature the joint of structure and connection to the ground

Gyroscope and Gyroscopic Balancing Cube potential self-balance device

the axis is parallel to gravity without external forces gyroscope procession

angular momentum

angular momentum

spinning object creates force (angular momentum)

angular momentum

this force helps the structure to stay oriented if the axis is parallel to the gravity

gravity

the direction of angular momentum depends on rotational direction of spinning wheel (upper direction with anti-clockwise spinnings, vice versa)

the force increases as spinning speed increases, which means the structure becomes more stable.

gravity

gravity

gravity

angular momentum

gyroscope procession caused by external forces gyroscope procession

angular momentum

angular momentum

the torque created by external force tips the structure

F

angular momentum

the resultant vector of angular momentum and torque result in gyroscope procession

the structure trys to rotate due to the gravity this creates anoter torque the force is created when external force is applied to structure.

torque

gravity

gravity

the direction of torque would be orthogonal to that of external force

gravity

torque

gyroscopic balancing system

F

three spinning wheels create angular momentum in different directions the speed of spinning wheels is adjusted to create resultant force perpendicular to the ground

One of wheel spins faster than the others to compensate external force

angular momentum 2

The increased angular momentum is equal to applied external force

sensor

angular momentum 3

angular momentum 1 resultant angular momentum

If force is applied to the cube, sensor measures the angular velocity of the structure, which coordinates the spinning wheels.

increased angular momentum angular momentum

The Mechanism of Balancing Structure the gyroscopic support in cube

resultant angular momentum

Retro Innovation of Balancing Cube

the combination of traditional skill of Japanese joint and modern technology of gyroscopic system

wind

ground condition

10

10

14

12

12

14

16

10

12

14

16

16 18

8

18

8

18

8

16 16

light

10

16

14

10 10

14 12

14 12

Environmental Impact of Structure

influences on surroundings from cubes in different positions

12

Installation of Cubes in the Forest performing adaptability to wind in the forest

Totem with Joint System connection in different material

Totem in the site

leading people to shelter space from wind

Site Investigation forest edge movement Site Investigation focuses on natural changing conditions resulted from forest edge movement in the Ashdown forest.

Research is conducted to different stages of the forest over the time as well a s c u r re n t e n v i ro n m e n t s . T h i s a i m s t o specify natural changes in the site for architectural proposition to adapt.

Forest Edge

Edge movement in the Ashdown Forest

N

0

500

1000

pale

2000m

tree/scrub clearance

main roads site boundary

Ashdown Forest Boundary scale 1:30000

Ashdown forest boundary

woodland heathland

168m 168m

N

1ha

0

100

200

500

1000m Woodland

Site Boundary

the edge of woodland scale 1:10000

Heathland

1870

1890

1910

history map

boundary changes between woodland and heathland

expanded boundary woodland boundary boundary of previous year

increase and decrease of woodland

woodland increased woodland decreased woodland

Transformation of Forest Edge from 1870 to 2016

1960

2016

Silver Birch

Scots Pine

5 years

10 years

15 years

0m

15

20 years

3 years

10 years

15 5m

15 5m

3 years

0m

16

5m

30 years

40 years

0m

0m

16

5m

16

16

16

20 years

15 5m

0m

15

5m

m 170

170

m

170

m

16

site

site

175m

175m

175m

site

Site Occupation

Silver Birches and Scots Pine

Scots Pine

195m

Gorse

Birch

190m

Bracken

185m

current site occupation

180m

195m

190m

185m

180m

195m

190m

185m

180m

site occupation when birches are coppiced / die out

site occupation when birches invade the Heathland

185m 180m 175m

185m 180m 175m

185m 180m 175m

0

Topography and Ground Condition section in different stages of forest

10

20

50m

wood occupation when Birches are managed, coppiced, or died out

wood occupation in the current term

wind analysis when Birches are managed, coppiced, or died out

wind analysis in the current term

Change of Environmental Conditions wood occupation and wind

wood occupation when birches are invaded into Heath land

wind analysis when birches are invaded into Heath land

shadows in summer time when Birches are managed, coppiced, or died out

shadows in summer time in the current term

shadows in winter time when Birches are managed, coppiced, or died out

shadows in winter time in the current term

Change of Environmental Conditions light and shadow in summer and winter

shadows in summer time when birches are invaded into Heath land

shadows in winter time when birches are invaded into Heath land

Community scientific forest research and self-sufficient lifestyle S e l f s u ff i c i e n t s c i e n t i s t s c o m m u n i t y i s settled in the Ashdown forest. Their l i f e s t y l e w o u l d d e v e l o p a c c o rd i n g t o surrounding environments and data of the forest they collect. Their measurement methods and functional needs for transient lifestyle are investigated.

tori 6000 m² the proposal

lammas eco village tori for use science base 2248 m²

4526 m²

3000 m² for 22 people

sleeping module

sleeping module

5119 m²

command module

2248 m²

living module

generators and plant module

service link

generators and plant module

science module

science module 0

642m²

1115m²

321m²

642m²

accommodation

social core

office

science

80m²

107m² 214m²

558m²

recreation

social communication

reception

meeting

for 30 people

for 16 people

for 30 people

321m²

research data collection

eating food preparation

Programme: Self-Sufficient Community floor areas compared with precedent

5

10

1115m²

food production

20m

321m²

storage

642m²

engergy plant

107m²

wastes materialsequipments

2.5m Gird System in the site Forest Investigation Method

5m

10m

20m

N

anemometer

thermometer hygrometer

rain gauge

albedometer

sunphotometer

35m

5m

Sonic anemometer

10m

10m

10m

Scientific Tower

Forest Investigation Devices

20m

Design Development primitive form: cube

Cube is explored as a primitive form in relation to irregularity of the forest. Forms with regularity helps to understand and measure changing entities of the forest.

Design of proposition is developed based on hypothesis: the systems through regularity allow architecture to have flexibility and adaptability to irregularity.

1 2 3 4 5

1

axonometric

plan

elevation (front)

elevation (left)

Cube Investigation

varieties of floor areas in different levels

2

3

4

5

main space

core space

sub space

irregular space

sub space surplus space

Cube Investigation

application of Diamond House by John Hajduk into cubes

grey space

Cube Investigation options for scale of cubes

N

Initial Master Plan

scientific tower, accommodation, and energy plant

2.5m

5m

10m

20m

3 1 4 2

1. accessible entrance from footpath 2. semi exterior space under the tree and facade

5

3. gyroscopes are visible from the public

4. windows facing down to the public space, interaction with reception and outside

5

6

7

5. windows for natural light on facing up facades

8

6. large meeting and presentation space in maximum floor area in the cube

7. windows facing down to the public space, interaction with reception and outside

10 9 11

8. semi interior void space 9. initmate scale meeting floor 10. windows crop the view of tree line

11. void for lighting and circulation of people Initial plan

floor plans of cube in different levels

12

12. access to upper floor

N

2.5m

Threshold

initial proposal of threshold between forest and proposition

5m

Initial section of scientific tower

form which optimise balancing gyroscopic system

double single

south elevation

east elevation

the structure shares one side of cube

unlike south and north sides, the structure still relies on gyroscope for structure to be stable

it creates triangular structure which resist horizontal force it reduces electricity for gyroscope south elevation

east elevation

dead load

the balance of structure completely relies on gyroscope

the balance of structure is completely rely on gyroscope

it requires great amount of electricity

it requires great amount of electricity

monocoque structure takes loads from the structure above

wind

output amplified electricity measure angular velocity

dead load

mpletely rely

monocoque structure takes loads from the structure above

live load the structure tries to rotate when live loads from wind and people are applied

ectricity

live load

dead load the sensor measures angular velocity of structure, and it outputs amplified electricity to each wheels. This compensates the force

the structure takes loads individually

the wheels spin same as the single cube

the triangular structure reinforces the strength

but it needs less energy due to structural support of two cubes

tput amplified electricity

sor measures angular velocity of structure, and ts amplified electricity to each wheels. This sates the force

south and east elevations In both sides, the structure of each cube supports each other by having triangular form

with this form, the gyroscopes do not need to spin due to structural support except live loads are applied

plan

plan

the structure become stable with four connecting points on the ground

Form Development

load distribution and structural support in multuple cubes

elevation 1 more structural supports as the structure is extended

elevation 2

Spatial and Structural Extension additional structure over the time

plan

elevation

perspective

The Range of Extensions

potential spatial and structural development

plan multiple cubes

access structural support

Technical Research light weight timber structure

Technical research is conducted to help t o d e f i n e f o r m s o f p ro p o s i t i o n . L i g h t weight timber structure is investigated in addition to gyroscopic system. This aims to address technical issues for specific forms of proposal, additionally, t o m i n i m i s e e n v i ro n m e n t a l i m p a c t o n surroundings.

1

2

5

4

3

6

7

9

8

10

11

weight of structure (kg)

light 2

5

11

7

9

8

3

10

6

4

1

stress (MPa)

strong 3

11

4

6

1

8

6

3

7

9

5

2

5

9

8

10

7

1

2

the range of displacement (cm)

minimam 11

10

4

Investigation on monocoque structure

structural patterns and evaluation of own weigh, stress, and displacement

heavy

weak

maximum

1 2 3 (break)

1 2 3 4 5 6 (break)

snap1 snap2

deform

snap4

snap3

deform

snap1 snap2

snap snap

support

snap

1 3

snap

1 3 1 3

snap

snap snap

support snap snap

support snap

1 3

snap

1 3 1 3

snap 1 3

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8+

1 3

6 (break)

snap

snap

1 3

1,2,3,4,5

snap

snap

snap

snap

more density

snap snap

7

support

snap 1 3

snap1

snap snap2 snap

1 3

snap3

1 3

snap

snap snap

snap

6mm snap

more density

snap

snap

snap

6mm

snap

2mm

snap

snap snap

Pressure Test

6mm

defining essential members to support the structure

snap

snap

snap

10000

d

5

e

a

4

b c

3

e

1

f

9

h

f

4

d

3

i

g

g 7

2 5

9

1

6

200mm thickness

ⅱ

6

2

7

j

ⅰ

8

300mm thickness ⅰ

h

9

ⅱ ⅲ ⅳ

i

j

ⅲ

ⅳ

Construction Method CNC pre-cut and Joint System

3000

c

b

100mm thickness

a

8

joint: stone + timber shock absorber: D30 epoxy grovt

800 1200

steel pile cap

1200

16000

steel screw pile

650 1200

Foundation

minimising impact on surroundings from foundation