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2.3 Built environment - character of space through building element
Creation of argument behind the designers intend and current use of the given built environment with the current social fabric. Every architectural element would have its purpose for the space provided in relation to the social environment. Identify key character of the space which governs the major relations of the environment and defining the strong narrative for developing the concept in the form of hypothesis. Areas of concerns are highlighted along with the intuitive ideas of design strategy, defining variables and parameter range in order to maintain the social acceptability in terms of scale, lighting quality, exposure, visual connectivity etc.
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Figure 2-4(a) shows importance of plaza size in reference to the street size and accessibility from surrounding dwellings. Student further defines the character of plaza space with reference to its size, orientation, number of occupancy ,time of engagement, seasonal use, specific element like standing balconies over the plaza by establishing relationship with the space.
Figure 2-4 Identification of building elements and social activities(Khushboo Makwana - 5thYear B.Arch) a) Image showing the open plaza b) Characteristics of Plaza c) Children playing in plaza The Clusterd) Gathering in plaza e) Daily activity in plaza during evening
80m
60m
Chosen cluster
a
Shared walls
House openings towards the internal streets.
Plaza
Street
Medium height
High height
Low height
b
Mostly shorter side of building is exposed to the sun. Height of the buildings around the plaza/wide to shade the plaza.
c d e
Example
Student : Saadiya Rawoot
The example is from the student work of extension to Bhau Daji Lad Museum, engaged in developing a strong character around pedestrian of museum. Regulating the pedestrian activity around the site to increase the museum’s inlet and increase visual connectivity from outside to inside. Following are design strategies for creating character of space through openings.
1. Identify the ideal pause points as per visibility. (a) 2. Identify the desired intensity of pedestrians at each of these pause points as it would affect the number of openings at each pause point. (b) 3. Use this system to identify the ideal location for the “planes of curiosity” (c)
EXPERIMENT 1 FOR DRIVERS c
Figure 2-5 Influence of museum on pedestrian activities (Saadiya Rawoot - 2nd year M.Arch) a) Identifying various pathways around museum b) Image shows Visual connectivity between museum and pathways c) Identification of pause points on pathways Proposal
Existing museum
a
1. MORPHOLOGICAL ASPECT- Minimize the extents of the building foot-print
2. SPATIAL ASPECT- Maximizing Field of View
b
a
1600 1400 1200 1000
800
Intensity of people every 5 minutes
600 400
200 0
STRETCH 1 (2 m) STRETCH 2 (4.5 m) STRETCH 3 (1.2 m) STRETCH 4 (2.5 m) STRETCH 5 (0 m )
Intensity of people every 5 minutes
DATA REVIEW
STRETCH 6 (1.8 m)
b
Figure 2-6 Detail study of pedestrian pathway (Saadiya Rawoot - 2nd year M.Arch) a) Collage showing Activities on Pathways b) Graph Showing intensity of people every 5 min. c) Illustrations showing the identified stretches based on its width.
Stretch 1 : 2 m Stretch 2 : 4.5 m Stretch 3 : 1.2 m
Stretch 4 : 2.5 m Stretch 5 : 3.2 m Stretch 6 : 1.8 m
c
Example
Student : Sampreet Dasgupta
The Example is a district of Barcelona between the old city and what were once surrounding small towns constructed in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Example is characterized by long straight streets, a strict GRID PATTERN crossed by wide avenues, and square blocks with CHAMFERED CORNERS. This was a visionary, pioneering design by Ildefons Cerdà, who considered traffic and transport along with sunlight and ventilation in coming up with his characteristic octagonal blocks A group of 9 blocks have been considered as one module. Modules from various parts of the city have been considered for determining key variables and domain for parameters.
TERMINOLOGY
MANZANA – Block
MANZANA DIVISION – Each manzana divided into 20 sub-divisions.
MANZANA PARTS – Each manzana has been divided into 4 parts
INTERIOR FACADE – Facades of the manzana facing the courtyard
SETBACK DISTANCE – The distance between the building boundary and plot boundary
MANZANA DEPTH – The depth of the perimeter block
CHAMFER DEPTH – The distance of the chamfer from the street
INTERWAY– Passage in between block in a C, L or a parallel shape
Figure 2-7 Identification of Architecture Variables (Sampreet Dasgupta - 4thYear B.Arch)
Interior Facade
Manzana Subdivision Setback Manzana Part Chamfer Depth
ARCHITECTURAL VARIABLES
MANZANA DEPTH & SETBACK DISTANCE
At the core of Cerda’s master plan was the creation of the manzana a city block structure that had been meticulously studied and detailed. Originally, each manzana was to be built up on only 2 or 3 sides, with a depth of 20 m and a height of 16 m. The length of each side would measure 113.3 m with a precise area of 12,370 sq.m. The set back distance varied from 1 to 2 m depending on street width The typical blocks initially with an open layout became closed, and the courtyards were built up rather than remaining as open space. Changing ordinances eventually allowed for buildings to grow in height and depth, considerably increasing the density of the plan. As a result, the EXPOSURE of the courtyard reduced considerably.
MANZANA HEIGHT
Cerda’s initial plan proposed that buildings should have an average height of 16m from the ground level. The maximum height allowed would be 20m(approximately 4-5 stories). However, during construction due to political and socioeconomic issues, buildings went up to 9 floors in height. Due to modified/increased height of the manzana, the sunlight reaching the floor surfaces and interior courtyards is very low. The FAR also changed drastically, in order to accommodate the increasing population. This reduction greatly affects the population especially during winter months when the sun angle is quite low and rays cannot penetrate certain facades as well as the streets.
Figure 2-8 Architecture Variables (Sampreet Dasgupta - 4thYear B.Arch) a) Manzana Depth and setback distance b) Building height map
master plan was the creation of the
structure that had been meticulously Originally, each manzana was to be built with a depth of 20 m and a height of 16 side would measure 113.3 m with a
m.
built-up sides a recreational green space
maximum amount of sunlight and ventilation
in the manzana while simultaneously the entire city in all cardinal directions.
initially with an open layout became closed, built up rather than remaining as open
ordinances eventually allowed for buildings to depth, considerably increasing the density of blocks today have varying building forms, evolution of ordinances over time.
113.3m
ARCHITECTURAL VARIABLES
20m
MANZANA DEPTH & SETBACK DISTANCE
At the core of Cerda’s master plan was the creation of the manzana –a city block structure that had been meticulously studied and detailed.
Originally, each manzana was to be built up on only 2 or 3 sides, with a depth of 20 m and a height of 16 m. The length of each side would measure 113.3 m with a precise area of 12,370 sq.m. The set back distance varied from 1 to 2 m depending on street width
The typical blocks initially with an open layout became closed, and the courtyards were built up rather than remaining as open space.
Changing ordinances eventually allowed for buildings to grow in height and depth, considerably increasing the density of the plan. As a result, the EXPOSURE of the courtyard reduced considerably.
MANZANA HEIGHT
Cerda’s initial plan proposed that buildings should have an average height of 16m from the ground level. The maximum height allowed would be 20m (approximately 4-5 stories).
However, during construction due to political and socio-economic issues, buildings went up to 9 floors in height.
Due to modified/increased height of the manzana, the sunlight reaching the floor surfaces and interior courtyards is very low. The FAR also changed drastically, in order to accommodate the increasing population.
This reduction greatly affects the population especially during winter months when the sun angle is quite low and rays cannot penetrate certain facades as well as the streets.
The image on the far right shows that, roofs receive maximum sunlight whereas it hardly penetrates into the courtyard
Three sided manzanas with central public green space as Cerda proposed
a
b
MANZANA ORIENTATION
The blocks have been arranged in NW-SE directions to maximize solar access and wind flow. The benefits reaped in the winter are more light for daily activities and insulation of buildings, which means energy savings. In the summer, shadows are cast into all the streets, cooling down the city. Glorious sunlight has a psychological benefits as well. If the orientation is modified in certain ways so as to further increase the sunlight received, it would greatly benefit the people senior citizens especially during the colder months.
THE 45 DEGREE CHAMFER DEPTH
Unique to Cerda’s manzana was the 45 degree chamfer of each corner of the city block. Cerda believed that the steam tram would come to dominate the future of transport in Barcelona, and as such the 45 degree chamfer was designed to accommodate for the tram’s turning radius. The chamfered corners create ample turning radius for vehicles and also provide space for parking or for development of a plaza
Figure 2-9 Architecture Variables (Sampreet Dasgupta - 4thYear B.Arch) a) Image show shadow cast on to the street b) 45 degree chamfer of Manzana
WINDOW PLACEMENT
The number of windows affects the total exposure of the manzana facade. Window area or window-to-wall ratio (WWR) is an important variable affecting energy performance in a building. Window area will have impacts on the building's heating, cooling, and lighting, as well as relating it to the natural environment in terms of access to daylight, ventilation and views. The example shows WWR of a group of 5 blocks. The average WWR is 31% Greater the WWR, greater is the solar exposure and natural light received by the building. By using number of windows and window size as a parameter, we can modify the amount of light received which is an important factor for social mindset especially during long cold winters.
ALTERNATE NICHES (Not existing)
An interesting idea to increase flexibility within the Manzana SUBDIVISIONS is to have alternate niches within them such that the conventional square block turns into a more interactive alternate facade. This change will allow for the courtyard area to be reduced. In other words, depth of the building can be increased while keeping Open Space Ratio constant.
Figure 2-10 Architecture Variables (Sampreet Dasgupta - 4thYear B.Arch) a) Elevation of selected block showing windows and fenestrations. b) Alternate niches break away from conventional square facade
manzana manzana ss anan oling,oling, nt nt inin
WWRWWR light window which cold light window which cold Elevation of selected blocks showing windows and fenestrations Elevation of selected blocks showing windows and fenestrations Manzana that the Manzana alternate that the alternate d. In epd.ingIn ping Alternate niches break away from the conventional square facade Alternate niches break away from the conventional square facade
UNIT PLAN ANALYSIS
The plans have been severely modified over the years. As a result of this modifications, Cerda’s initial inputs and presence of Gaudi’s monuments, several hybrid blocks already exist.
STAGGER PATTERN IN PLANS
The interior facade of the modified Eixample plan also shows a stagger pattern in the interior facade which faces the courtyard. Starting from the entrance, the subdivision length increases consecutively till the other side, from where it starts again. This creates a stagger in the interior façade creating a CLOCKWISE PATTERN.
SPACE ANALYSIS
As seen in the unit plan, the BLUE region depicts a 2BHK apartment for a family of 4 people. The entire unit consists of 4 such apartments making the total population within a unit to be 16.
The ORANGE region shows the central shaft in every unit used for services and also for allowing natural light to penetrate the building Vertical Circulation within the subdivision block is also centrally located. Provisions for lifts have been made in the more modern buildings.
OPENING ANALYSIS
The number of windows or openings on the facade usually falls within the limit of 3-6 windows. As such plans can be classified based on the number of windows, each unit has. The different types of units have been shown on the right
Figure 2-11 Architecture Variables (Sampreet Dasgupta - 4thYear B.Arch) a) Unit plan Analysis
Entrance
Façade Stagger
6 WINDOWS 5 WINDOWS 2BHK
CENTRAL SHAFT
4 WINDOWS 3 WINDOWS
