Urban [UN]Seen Thesis Project by Kwok Sum Li (Sam)

U R B A N [ U N] S E E Kwok Sum Li, Sam

U R B A N [ U N] S E E A thesis project

Kwok Sum Li, Sam

Prologue This photo that I’ve taken during a whimsical conversation with artist Mary Wardle has recounted the framework of this project. With a five-minute tread down the steep slope near the unnoticed wooden gate fencing off the only access around Fairfield Street down to the River Medlock, I was able to capture this seemingly stagnant scene. The water flows so slow so that the surface reflects the surrounding perfectly. The stream brought along lost items and were disposed on the banks, for years and years. Even the sounds here have been dampened underneath the archway. The only thing that wavered were the early spring leaves, but then again they also felt like they’ve been forgotten in time, distant from above ground. I felt like a stranger who borrowed their time and took a glimpse into these forgotten items, lost stories that have never been told before. And I wanted to bring them back. Those places that we’ve overlooked, stories among a friend group from when they were young that got scattered, people that we’ve missed... Aren’t these all the essence that made up our collective memories? I resorted to an element that we’ve for too often missed when trying to answer these questions sounds.

Profile Introduction

A persistent learner seeking mentorship. Dedicated to creative work who works well both in a team and independently. Graduated from Manchester School of Architecture, acquired with institutional and commercial experiences in residential, small-scale projects and urban regeneration schemes. Highly interested in collaborative urbanism and speculative practices in regenerating urban space.

Urban (UN)Seen is a 2-part project ‘looking’ into the underlying issues of social segregation. The project began by questioning the meaning behind silence. Is it a static moment when all sounds are erased, or is it merely a break before the continuation of more music? If it is silent, how did we hear it? And how do we distinguish noise from sound? Urban (UN)Seen concentrates on retracing lost sounds and voices, proposing a retrofit for the norm where we can celebrate sound and noise as just what they are – decibels. The true meaning of sound is intangible. By taking users through a journey of sounds, the scheme of the building collects, displays, and transforms sounds to redefine its traditional preconception. Eventually, the building itself would also become a convergence of stories gathered by the people, a continuation of the narratives from the never-ending tales of the River Medlock and reiterating the idea of letting the human voice thrive. As such, the project intends to break off the social stigma of putting people with speech difficulties at brinks - everyone should be listeners, performers, and composers, of their own stories. The project first realises a series of temporary interventions including a sheltered children’s playground off the side of the Mancunian Way, a suspended talk venue under the archways, and a parasitic commuter’s lounge near Piccadilly Station. Urban (UN)Seen builds upon these interventions, where a speech clinic, a sound archive and a public counselling space unfold therein. The future of sound is unrevealed, but you and I could be the harbinger of the vast possibilities. The building establishes itself as a precedent of change, where sounds are made anew now but are reconstructed years after.

Part 1

“ [Three Temporary Interventions] Distorted Symphony We strive to counteract the inevitably sterile process of completely redesigning the Mayfield area and address the needs of the surrounding disconnected communities, allowing them to participate and affect changes in the site’s regeneration. Redefining the soundscape of the area, we will recentre marginalised groups and express a new chorus of human identity in the area.

static... break-off...static the sounds work in a different rhythm. no one sound is exactly the same as another beep... beep... blare click... click... thump! ...whirr... the lilting sounds are forgotten so we bring them back to the place where they were once found

”

[Sound Analysis]

2 Sample points

Source of annoyance

Site area

Source of embellishment

[Narration Route] The route was taken along Mancunian Way from Fairfield Street all the way to the Ring Road intersection.

Fairfield Street

[Collecting Sounds]

Manor Street

Hoyle Street

Chapelfield Road

We pre-editted 5 sound fragments each representing a key character that can be found in the area before or now. Static, industrial machine, nature, river and human voice. We then played these sounds in selected location where we wished to investigate and see which sound compliments or hinders one another. There are two locations where the human voice stands out the most among others, both are going through significant conditions of urban deterioration. After consideration, we decided to focus on these two sites and see potential in developing them into our fragments.

Ring Road

Ardwick Park

‘...both are going through significant conditions of urban deterioration.’

[Choreographic Object]

Sensation – Amplifying

Tension – View Framing

This device was inspired the tunnel itself which echoes and projects sounds. We connected found plastic bottles in the site and carved holes in it so that it would amplify sounds. Then we put a discarded traffic cone to one end which better collect sounds, forming a tube chamber. The intention was to embrace the natural state of the site with dripping water. Yet when we put such a dramatic device under the gutter, surprisingly we were only annoyed by the noise.

This installation is inspired by the idea of compression and tension. By using strings that tie the glass bottles found in the site area, instantly we turned trash into an instrument that emits sounds. The trash makes a loud statement that even the simplest object can make great differences. The entangled strings also create gaps which frame the views. It highlights on the forgotten past, bringing back the lost memory.

[Intervention Vignettes]

ROUTE OF DIRECT ACCESS GATHERING NODE SITE OF ATTRACTION POPULATION CLUSTER MIGRATION OF FUTURE FOOTFALL

FRAGMENT 1 - Whisper in the Loud Locating near the Piccadilly Station, we aim at using the site as a viewing platform. The secluded space provides a point-ofaccess catering to the commuters from the station. With the use of the low humbling noise from train track, dampened traffic noise and newly installed sound corridor, users can gather, rest and embed in newly crafted city ambient noises. The space would also act as a teaser to the overall scheme, with the use of light projection and noise-emitting installations.

FRAGMENT 2 - Memory of the Chamber Locating above the viaduct, the second fragment locates right beside the river. The temporary structure would be built inside the tunnel as a precedent to the future permanent scheme. We will create a venue space for talks and lectures. Sounds forgotten or neglected in the past will once again be remembered. We will also re-direct the river and bring about sonic experience associated with water, extending the crucial feature found at site - River Medlock.

FRAGMENT 3 - Laughter Behind the Wall Due south to the redevelopment area, the third fragment connects the rest of the two to the Ardwick area. By shielding the loud traffic noise pollution, we create a harboured children playground that allow families in the area to gather and have fun. The pavilion would partially act as a wall, and partly act as a corridor of sound experience.

Intervention 1 - Whisper in the Loud Commuter’s Lounge/ Observation Deck

Intervention 2 - Laughter Behind the Wall Children Playground and Interactive Sonic Pavilion

Intervention 3 - Memory of the Chamber Talk Venue/ Sound-isolating Chamber/ Observation Platform

Part 2

[Manifesto] Reverberate the human voice, and let it thrive But what about the sound of break-off silence? The indeterminacy of ‘sound’ and ‘noise’ is the fundamental basis of this project from which I propose the eventual blurring of the two. By continuing the narratives from the river, of the ever-ending stories of Medlock, I strive to gather all kinds of sounds and narratives from the people around the area and reiterate the idea of letting human voice thrive. From this I intend to break-off the social stigma of putting people with speech difficulties at brinks -- everyone should be listeners, performers, and composers, of their own stories. The future of sound, anchors from my site, where us, you and I, are the harbinger of what comes next. The building establish itself as a precedent of change, where the users are assertions to which sounds will be made now, but is reconstructed years after, on and on.

The Journey of Sounds Adapted from the famous musical piece – ‘But What About the Sound of Crumpling Paper?’ By renowned composer John Cage, I rewrote the definition of sound by asking what’s the true meaning of silence. By taking users through a journey of sound, the schemes of the building collect, display and transform sounds concurring to the traditional understanding of what sound is.

[OVERARCHING CONCEPTS]

UN see sounds? We live in a norm that privileges eyes in making decisions. Which is why to understand sounds we first need to (UN) see sounds. We always associate sounds with sensorial perception, but seldom perceived emotions. To unsee or, unheard sounds to be precise, the only way is to understand sounds from a more primitive perspective. This projects sees the idea of sound and noise as one, dives into ways from which we can UNite segregating communities or groups of people. In this case, particularly people with speech difficulties.

Enquiry Site Area

Conflux

Directed

Dispersed

[In and Out of Mayfield] The triangulation composition of the interventions is a strategy to direct, attract and disperse the user groups within the area of Mayfield. To attract a dynamic user groups we studied the major demographics and compared them to the activities that we observed in Mayfield. Through this we drafted a scheme that can be as inclusive as possible, choosing the site near Chapelfield Street Archway as a flagship and conflux of the rest of the sites.

[Narrative - An Unheard Story] HER: she saw the shadows, the scrawny shadows stretched under the street lights in Temperance Street. Light, arrowhead pointing towards somewhere, is it where everything goes after the dark? She has seen the gala somewhere, or heard perhaps, and she follows. THE CITY: she’s not alone, rain splashing on the umbrella is echoing with the fluttering leaves. Train track slightly rumbles in far distance, the bricks on the viaduct are dancing. Her footsteps quickens as she reaches the street light. She never thought the city is more alive in the dark, yet she doesn’t feel belonged, who can understand her? Listen to her? HE AND HER: the shadow unveils itself, here, north of the viaduct is where everyone and everything goes. She sees it now, everybody embodies a story, a sound from within, and all we need is just to find a place for them where they will be remembered. The shadow just needs a source of light and that’s all.

3 2

1 // (Public) Podium that connects to the temporary intervention 2 // (Public) A ramp that connects from the podium down to ground floor where the main lobby locates. From this route the public can have a glimpse into the building activities 3 // (Semi-public) The lobby provides area for gathering both for the clinic users and the general public 4 // (Semi-private) The two-sided ramp directs the major footfall from two entrances to the first floor clinic area 5 // (Private) Area where the therapist rests and recharge

[Building Exploded Axonometric] The landscape strategies are inspired by the site’s natural topography, where areas lacking management were opened up, areas where noise where overwhelming is enclosed. With the response to the natural harbouring effect of the spiral, a sound labyrinth is created.

[1:200 Ground Floor Plan] Speech clinic complex 1/ Main entrance 2/ Feature staircase 3/ Cafe sitting area, indoor and outdoor 4/ North entrance to the cafe on the left 5/ Service core (Life, lift shaft, riser, staircase) 6/ Unisex toilets 7/ Waiting area/ lounge for the sound archive visitors 8/ Unisex toilets 9/ Ticket-selling booth 10/ South entrance to the lift on the right Sound archive 11/ Outdoor service stairs 12/ Playground (supporting columns for the sound archive forms a complex maze-like structure for children) 13/ South access to ‘the Spiral‘ 14/ Storage room and riser for the sound archive

5 6

Sound chamber 15/ The chamber garden sitting area, and structural installations 16/ Pool (part of the therapies to release emotions) 17/ Viewing walkway

8 13 9 10 11

[1:200 First Floor Plan] Speech clinic complex 1/ Feature staircase 2/ Reception area 3/ Arrival entrances to the first floor 4/ Cafe and Outdoor sitting area 5/ Service core (Life, lift shaft, riser, staircase) 6/ Unisex toilets 7/ Counselling area, for visitors who are in need of service 8/ Ramps and stairs 9/ Story-telling area 10/ Walk-out area and viewing podium 11/ Unisex toilets 12/ Vending machines

1 2 3

Sound archive 13/ Main entrance to the archive 14/ Walkway connecting to the temporary convention 15/ Gently sloped installation exhibition walkway 16/ Break-off sound insulated enclosure for special exhibitions 17/ Built in sitting area, overlooking the river through the curved glass 18/ Souvenir shop

12 17

15 16

13 14

[1:200 Third Floor Plan] Speech clinic complex 1/ Feature staircase 2/ Reception area 3/ Void (Third floor is the mezzanine) 4/ Indoor vegetations 5/ Service core (Life, lift shaft, riser, staircase) 6/ Unisex toilets 7/ Waiting area 8/ Rotating doors enclosed storage area 9/ Therapists’ lounge 10/ Sliding doors and pocket balcony 11/ Light box (transparent enclosed room for storage) 12/ Main counselling area 13/ Long bench 14/ Reading lounge or playground area 15/ Unisex toilet 16/ Lift 17/ Activity room, for group gatherings and activities

7 9

1 2

10 11 3

Sound archive 18/ Roof light

Sound chamber 19/ Opening for the waterfall

17 18

[Elevations]

The building maneuvers the topography traits to shelter, enclose or open up the programmes depending on the user groups.

[Longitudinal Section]

[South Section]

[The Spiral] /Taking people for a walk/ The ‘spiral‘ is a wooden bridge inspired by the anatomy and function of cochlea. It encloses the building complex to create a central tranquil area, isolating itself from the busy traffic, and disconnected perimeter. Yet it also serves as a major circulation device connecting the ground and first floor, where it is essentially linked back to temporary convention in Part 1 towards Mayfield. It takes people out ‘for a walk‘, simultaneously blending the building’s interior and exterior with River Medlock.

[1:20 Sectional Detail] Of the bridge, A2 sized to A4 Bridge: 20 mm birch wood sheet 80 mm adjustable pedestal 30 mm Plywood floor board Metal zest network on drainage 250 mm T-shaped glulam joist fixed to, Aluminium plate 250 mm glulam column

Foundation: 300 mm Steel plated column 20 mm Birch wood sheet 50 mm Plywood and underfloor heating 100 mm Light weight concrete 80 mm Foam board insulation Vapour control Layer 280 mm In situ Poured-in concrete base Damp proof membrane 60 mm Soil sub-layers stabiliser and pebbles

[Sound Archive] /Exhibit/ Share/ Learn/ The sound archive is a haven for stories. Sounds and dialogues from the past are captured and retold to the people in a fun interactive gallery. People can then learn and reflect on those stories from which they can either past them on, or contribute by simply sharing their own stories with each other.

[1:50 and 1:5 Envelope Detail] Of the Sound Archive, A2;A1 sized to A4

Curved glass wall: 15 mm Viroc sheet board Water-proofing membrane 50 mm glass wool insulation enclosing aluminium brackets 250 mm foam board insulation of the connective metal framework 250 mm pre-fab concrete panels 45 mm glass wool insulation Vapour control layer Adjustable pedestal (100 mm) 20 mm sheet of ash wood Air tight sealant 30 mm specailised curved glass with 5 mm air gap

[Public Counselling Space]

[Speech Clinics]

/Share/ Communicate/ Service/ Two open floor plans provide an ample of public gathering space within the building complex. The undulating ceiling heights throughout the first floor creates tension and drama, where people can come together and share their stories with each other.

/Counsel/ Play/ Service/ The double height clinic provides a total of 10 individual clinic rooms and 4 lounge specialised in speech and hearing services.

The open plan also connects to the Part 1 Intervention on the first floor where people can have break-off chamber rooms to surround themselves with just the sound of water.

A small playground and reading area is also designed for both the children and elderly users. Stretched and spatious corridor provides ample of social area where all generations are gathered.

[1:20 Envelope Detail] Of the Speech Clinics, A2 sized to A4

Wall: Various sized Viroc panel pre-fab in according sizes 20 mm air gap with U-shaped metal trough bracket 15 mm sawn silver fir 55 mm air gap with vertical and horizontal battens water-proofing membrane 20 mm softwood sheeting 145 mm sheepwool insulation Vapour control membrane 15 mm rubber insulation 50 mm glasswool insulation with battens 20 + 20 mm Viroc finishing Floor: 15 mm ash wood floor board 40 mm underfloor heating pipework 20 mm plywood board 145 in fill pouring concrete on corrugated iron 250 hollowed steel 20 + 20 mm Viroc finishing

[Rhythm, Spatial, Sounds] The staggered form is to create more breathable space in between the clinic rooms, acting as a buffer. The asymmetrical arrangements on the other hand increases visual dynamics, respond well to the natrual curvature of the site, while also make the use of space more efficient.

Stutters, pauses and ends make up a complete sentence. The pattern of using dashes of various length and thickness to mimic the speech is created to further iterate for the design of acoustic baffles. The void and compactness were created to foster the patients to open up as they help the delivery of speeches.

[1:5 Envelope Detail] Of the Speech Clinics, A1 sized to A4

Balcony: Aluminium flashing on, 60 mm Plywood boards Fiber glass insulated bronze metal frame Aluminium handle and railing 80 mm silver fir wood sliding door Air sealant

[1:5 Detail Section] Of the translucent benches, A2 sized to A4

10 + 10 mm polycarbonate sheets anchored on aluminium caps 15 mm MDF sheet 20 mm Viroc top plate attached to, 1200 x 150 mm side profile of aluminium 30 mm plywood batten Led lights on 400 mm intervals 25 mm plywood battens 10 mm polycarbonate

[1:20 Detail Section] Of the translucent benches

Floor: 15 mm ash wood floor board 40 mm underfloor heating pipework 20 mm plywood board 145 in fill pouring concrete on corrugated iron 250 hollowed steel 20 + 20 mm Viroc finishing

Wall: Various sized Viroc panel pre-fab in according sizes 20 mm air gap with U-shaped metal trough bracket 15 mm sawn silver fir 55 mm air gap with vertical and horizontal battens Water-proofing membrane 20 mm softwood sheeting 145 mm sheepwool insulation Vapour control membrane 15 mm rubber insulation 50 mm glasswool insulation with battens 20 + 20 mm Viroc finishing

[Sound Chamber] /Release emotions/ Play/ Energy/ Clinic users and the public can use this space to release their emotions and channel them to the flowing water. As part of the therapy, venting properly can help reduce the stress of the patients from time to time. It is also quite a safe space where children can play around with each other. Another key trait in this space is the water collecting devices used to direct rainwater into the central waterfall. Water is extensively recycled and reused in several ways from here.

[1:20 Envelope Section - Foundation to Roof] Roof: 250 mm aluminium pod topped with pebbles Water-proofing membrane 20 mm plywood sheet 80 mm glasswool insulation Vapour-control membrane Light refracting roofing paint 30 mm plywood boards on, 150 mm light weight concrete Vapour-control membrane 60 mm glasswool insulation inbetween wooden joists 270 mm deep silver fir fins (Partly) 20 + 20 mm Viroc finishings

Floor: 15 mm ash wood floor board 40 mm underfloor heating pipework 20 mm plywood board 145 in fill pouring concrete on corrugated iron 250 hollowed steel 20 + 20 mm Viroc finishing

Bridge: 20 mm birch wood sheet 80 mm adjustable pedestal 30 mm Plywood floor board Metal zest network on drainage 250 mm T-shaped glulam joist fixed to, Aluminium plate 250 mm glulam column

The ‘Evanescent’ Between the constructed future and the euphonic reality, we first need a place where voices were heard, stories were told and make believing what’s been lost and now truly found - our own voice.

The ‘Night Parade’ When the dusk falls, it’s when we were left alone by the everchanging world, perhaps, just perhaps, time moves slower at night times. Afterall, we are not alone anymore when our voice were found.

The ‘Watching from Afar’ The rain brings moisture to the mountains and to the lands. The droplets found their companions as they descend down for miles and miles until they finally meet at the conflux. The confluence at Mayfield.

A story begins when another ends. HER: She took the steps into the pouring rain, let the rain soaked through every inch of her skins. As she walks confidently away, she makes way to start anew, to continue her own narratives - the journey of sounds.

The ‘Weeping Willow’

Epilogue Growing up around rapidly growing cities has made me always been aware of how ‘changing’ is a double-sided sword. Wield it in the wrong way not only would it hinder the growth of the city, it would also wipe out what’s been already established in the community. Joining Atelier FLUX for the last year of my bachelor’s degree has been a delightful and insightful year where I explored ways that can regenerate the stagnant state of a city. Throughout the whole year, from live site visits to preliminary studies of Mayfield to comprehensive building programme drafts, my understanding of Mayfield has been accumulated slowly, but surely. This reiterates my believe that to understand a place the only way is to start from the people, which is why in my project the idea of enhancing user experiences by alternative sensorial ways is crucial to let human control, navigate and effect changes to the surroundings. Just remember; listen, and you will find.

U R B A N [ U N] S E E

Kwok Sum Li, Sam

E-mail kwoksumlks@gmail.com Mobile Number + 44 7366947500 + 852 5499 8922

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Urban [UN]Seen Thesis Project

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Urban [UN]Seen Thesis Project

Urban [UN]Seen Thesis Project