3.0 Building Perfomance
Cyprus
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Acoustic Research upon Building Geometry Reference: Music hall by NKS Architects
The Influence of Geometry and Sound
Design Sound waves reflecting from convex and concave surfaces
The curved ceiling of this house in Japan by NKS Architects is designed to improve acoustics inside a living room that is also used for music practicing. At the centre of the house is a living area that acts as a music hall, with the ceiling divided into convex shapes designed to diffuse sound and enhance the acoustic properties of the space To further enhance the room’s suitability for recitals, holes were inserted into the surfaces of the concrete walls and A convex surface will disburse sound waves by reflecting them in opposite directions. filled with acoustically absorbent material. Sound-absorbing doors and curtains can also be used to control the acoustics.
Much like light waves, sound waves can be focused and concentrated. A concave surface will concentrate sound waves by reflecting them to a common point.
Low or little porosity
In terms of the thermal environment, the interior temperature was stabilized by completely enclosing the concrete – which functions as a heat storage body – with exterior wall insulation. On the east and west side another layer of concrete was added on top of the insulation in order to unify the design. To keep the interior from overheating in summer, we installed awnings over the large windows and doors, used low-emissivity glass in the skylights, and created pathways for heat to escape. In order to ensure acoustic performance, primarily for classical music, we focused convex surfaces of the concrete ceiling diffuse sound .To control reverberation time, numerous holes in the surface of the concrete and inserted acoustic absorbent material. The type of acoustic environment needed varies depending on the size of the audience and the types of instruments, among other factors, and here it can be changed to a certain degree by opening or closing the sound-absorbing doors and curtains in the room.
Convex Reflector
Concave Reflector
The aim of sound focusing in this project is important when music from one tower or one space needs to be collected elsewhere at a specific point. In auditorium spaces convex shapes help in diffusing sound.
Low or little porosity
Reflector Panels Adding natural voice reinforcement through the use of convex of shapes to direct sound to the audience.
Low or little porosity
Reverberation
Any reflected sound that arrives within 50 milliseconds of the direct sound will help to reinforce the speech. Reflections arriving later than 50 milliseconds might be heard as a distinct echo and will degrade intelligibility. 50 milliseconds is the time it takes sound to travel 17 meters, so reflective surfaces/panels should be designed so that the reflective sound has to travel no more than 17 meters further than the direct sound to reach the listener.
Sound within the Building
Inward Sound
Outward Sound
Sound Diagram to show path of sounds
Acoustic Research upon Building Material Perfomance. Reference: Shell-shaped shelter by Flanagan Lawrence built on Littlehampton seafront
Design The shells are built in Littlehampton and acts as a performance space and sheltered seating area by Flanagan Lawrence architects. The Acoustic Shells were designed by London studio Flanagan Lawrence to help community festivals and create a scenic resting spot on the edge of a sunken garden, between the town and a beach facing the English Channel. Another similar shell has been constructed behind it a which is intended as a shelter of retreat ,where people can sit and listen to the sound of waves reflecting from its inner surface, or as a site for buskers to perform to people passing by along the walkway
Construction The parabolic shapes of the structures were inspired by the undulating sand dunes found along the local coastline and were produced by spraying concrete directly onto a reinforced mesh framework. The idea of using curved shapes to direct sound was influenced by the concrete acoustic mirrors that were constructed during the Second World War at Dungeness, along the south coast from Littlehampton, as an experimental amplification system to help locate enemy planes.
Mobile acoustic performance platform by BFLS The structure of the platform is aluminium and has been acoustically tuned to improve sound projection past the conductor. The inflatable outer skin is weather proof whilst active acoustic reflectors on the inside enhance the degree of ensemble between different sections of an orchestra or band. The building is white in its basic form, providing a good backdrop for projections or coloured lights to enhance the performance spectacle. Stage 1: The first part of the acoustic shell to be erected is the stage. This will be a modular scaffold flooring system composed of vertical steel legs, horizontal aluminium members and faced plywood platform, which will all tie together. Attached to the aluminium members will be steel self-stacking tanks, filled with water to provide ballast against strong wind loads. Stage 2: Next is a steel truss system which will be pinned together to form the structural frame. Stage 3: Plywood cladding is decided upon for the cladding mainly because it is robust, easy to source and replace. Significantly, says Ian Knowles, ‘timber is a material musicians play with and therefore they feel comfortable with a timber-clad environment.’ Fibre-reinforced plastic was also another choice. Stage 4: The final stage of the shell’s assembly will include cladding the frame with a skin, in this case it will probably be a PVC material. The material will be fitted using a luff track, which is an aluminium extrusion.
Stage 1
rEF: http://www.dezeen.com/2014/07/22/flanagan-lawrence-acoustic-shells-shelter-stage-littlehampton/
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
In terms of the thermal environment, we stabilized the interior temperature by completely enclosing the concrete Ă˘â‚Źâ€œ which functions as a heat storage body
Concrete 60 Polystirine 50 Waterproof Membrane 10 Concrete 150
Low-Emissivity Glass
AEP plus concrete
Low-Emissivity Glass
To keep the interior from overheating in summer, awnings are installed over the large windows and doors, low-emissivity glass is used in the skylights, and pathways are created for heat to escape.
In order to ensure acoustic performance, primarily for classical music, convex surfaces of the concrete ceiling diffuse sound properly. To control reverberation time, we opened numerous holes in the surface of the concrete and inserted acoustic absorbent material. The type of acoustic environment needed varies depending on the size of the audience and the types of instruments, among other factors, and here it can be adjusted to a certain degree by opening or closing the sound-absorbing doors and curtains in the room.
Sound source directed towards a convex surface and sound is dispersed
Low emissivity glass Ventilating Fan
Adjustable louvre system to help in cross ventilation and to control sound levels.
Cross Ventilation
Natural ventilation, fresh air intake during mid-season periods
Natural ventilation, fresh air intake during mid-season periods
Natural ventilation, fresh air intake during mid-season periods
Natural ventilation, fresh air intake during mid-season periods
Cross Ventilation
Mid season cross ventilation within activity spaces. Operable windows to the exterior wall. Night ventilation during the summer pre coold exposed concrete thermal mass giving it capacity to absorb heat gains suring the day This offsets the need for mechanical ventilation.
Mid season cross ventilation within activity spaces. Operable windows to the exterior wall. Night ventilation during the summer pre coold exposed concrete thermal mass giving it capacity to absorb heat gains suring the day This offsets the need for mechanical ventilation.
Passive Cooling-Cross Ventilation
Passive Cooling-Cross Ventilation
Passive Cooling -Stack ventilation
Cool air allowed into the spaces
Prevailing wind direction to assist in stacking effect
Ventilation outlets for air to pass through for the stacking effect
The sound collectors not only focus sound but also focus light. The canopy area heats up and create a stacking effect where the coll air is sucked upwards, ventilating the building throughout
Mechanical Appliances
Mechanical window louvre system
Solar enegy used to power AC Units
Solar enegy used to power the mechanical louvre systems of the building
Solar enegy used to power LED lights
Solar panels (photovoltaic ) installed in the area of focus
Solar energy used to translate into electrical
Server Room
Mechanical ventilation during peak summer hours and winter months
Mechanical window louvre system
Mechanical ventilation during peak summer hours and winter months
Mechanical window louvre system
Solar Gain
The porous building shape provides good daylighting to atrium and spaces. The sound funnels allow light into the building and also shaded by the window louvres when needed,
Winter Day
Summer Day
Summer Night
Winter Night
Low winter sun angles, allow sunlight to penetrate into th building Maximum sunlight is used to warm up the spaces in the winter. Thermal mass absorbs and stores heat from the sun
Cool night air flows through operable windows. Thermal mass absorbs the cool air
Thermal mass greatly reduces temperature extremes Wall thickness and overhangs prevent direct solar gain from summer steep solar angles.
Heat stored from the dat radiates into the spaces
Rainwater Collection
The rainwater is stored in a buried retention tank and redistributed for greywater use. Greywater used for toilet facilities
Primary Users- Children (Age 6-18) Older users are invited to teach and exchange knowledge
Primary Users- The Elders
11.30-12.00am-Sound Projection Towards the City Informal Practice area where the older generation shares the art of the 'Tsiatisto' -a poetic dueling song form of play-sound is received and projected
6.00pm-6.30pm-Sound Projection Time Towards the City Informal practice sound activities let out and used as improvisation skills to communicate with othe towers
3.00pm After Lunch
After School Music Communication Classes Children gather after school to practice their musical instrument-in this tower it would be a string instrument.There would also be informal dancing-sirto classes where the sound of the body movement acts as a communication tool towards other towers.
Near Noon Hours 11.30-12.00
Morning-Sunrise -6.35am April
During School Hours A space of 'negotiaton ' and 'gathering'of the older generation where musical knowledge, debates and news are shared
6:00pm-6.30pm Sunset Hours
5.07am
Christmas Festivities
WeddingFestivities
Funeral Festivities
Easter Festivities
Daily afternoon church bell ringing
Greek Orthodox Church Schedule Nicosia Cyprus
Isha-After the disappearance of the twilight until midnight.
Maghrib -Soon after the sunset until the disappearance of the twilight
5.00pm-6.00pm depending on seasonal change
8.29
7.08
Asr-Immediately after the last time4:25 limit of Dhuhr until (just before) the sunset
Dhuhr-Between the declining of 12.51 the sun & Asr (when the shadow of something is twice its own length)
6.34 am Shurooq- is the time of sunrise,the timewhen the upper limb of the sun just starts to appear above the horizon.
Fajr-Between the very beginning of dawn and sunrise
Islamic Praying Schedule Nicosia Cyprus
Sound projection hours are organised depending on the existing soundscape of Nicosia(Mosque and Church) to avoid overlap. The new sounds which would inhabit the city would introduce an informal level of play in a site of tension.
String Instruments and Greek Dancing-Sirto-a common ritual between the two communities of this neighbourhood
Proposed Timetable for Tower 1
Tower Timetable The Urban Orchestra operates at special concert dates, introducing festival celebrations in the city.
Vocal perfomances from people on existing balconies of Nicosia's urban fabric.
Prevailing Wind
Tower 6 Follows up with an ensemble of drum perfomances End Point
Tower 2 Follows up with solo saxophone perfomance
Whole piece heard best at this point because of the wind directiongeneral seating area at this point
Tower 4 Follows up with an ensemble of clarinet perfomances
Tower 5 Follows up with an ensemble of flute perfomances 5.00pm-6.00pm depending on seasonal change
Starting Point Vocal perfomances from people on existing balconies of Nicosia's urban fabric.
Tower 3 Follows up with an ensemble of violin perfomances
Tower 1 Commences with solo cello perfomance The urban walker picks up on individual compositions until he reaches the end point.
Proposed Composition for Urban Orchestra- Ode to Joy (Inspired by Flash Mob-Nicosia Youth Symphony Orchestra) Faneromeni Square- May16-8.15pm
Screen which shows the conductor
Daily activities occur throughout the day within the towers, however there are certain times in the day where sound interplay/conversation/improvisation occurs between the towers which are in close proximity to each other,
Times of Informal Sound Interplay Projected into the City:
6:00pm-6.30pm Sunset Hours
11.30-12.00 Near Noon Hours Prevailing Wind
An individual type of instrument is applied to every tower to increase the intersest in communication and various types of sounds/notes. The application of the instrument can be interchanged between towers.
The urban walker hears individual musical notes which communicate amongst the towers. Improvisation and practice become a perfomance
Improvisation Delivers Conversation/Dialogue/Communication
There is no start and end point, the sounds at this point are an informal composition of communicating musical notes
4.0 Building Delivery
Cyprus
Lack of Communication and Hope
Social Tension/ Racism
A Divided Island
Political Current Situation
Greece and Cyprus Economic Crisis
Constraints and Challenges
Lack of knowledgeopiniated through angry parents
Riots by Young People
Lots of buildings are near collapse
Land belongs to unknown users who have not claimed their property
Buffer Zone-Historical and No Acces Zone
Families have no money to buy instruments
Political Corruption
Gap in the History of Cyprus Education System
Opposing Opinions
Opposing Opinions
If the UN or EU would be funding the project, they would possibly give a tight deadline for building delivery as they would want to make sure that the money they gave to municiplalities actually goes forward only for the project.
Lack of funding for the project would be a problem-but that is why bigger organisations such as the EU or UN could be a source of help as they would be giving a hand in the reconciliation of the island through this project Timescale
On 25 March 2013, a €10 billion international bailout by the Eurogroup, European Commission (EC), European Central Bank (ECB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) was announced, in return for Cyprus agreeing to close the country's second-largest bank, the Cyprus Popular Bank (also known as Laiki Bank), imposing a one-time bank deposit levy on all uninsured deposits there, and possibly around 48% of uninsured deposits in the Bank of Cyprus
The Cypriot financial crisis is an economic crisis in the Republic of Cyprus that involves the exposure of Cypriot banks to overleveraged local property companies, the Greek government-debt crisis, the downgrading of the Cypriot government's bond credit rating to junk status by international credit rating agencies, the consequential inability to refund its state expenses from the international markets.
Financial Crisis
Critical peace scholars suggest that a solution to the Cyprus conflict can only be found by including society on a broad base, as political elites started to abuse the conflict as a source of power and resources.
A number of observers increasingly suggest partition is the best solution. An international panel of legal experts proposed the "creation of a Constitutional Convention under European Union auspices and on the basis of the 1960 Cyprus Constitution to bring together the parties directly concerned in order to reach a settlement in conformity with the Fundamental Principles.â€
Optional Solutions
The main challenge would then be to convince people to go forward with the project
As a result of the two communities and the guarantor countries committing themselves to finding a peaceful solution to the dispute, the United Nations maintain a buffer zone (the"Green Line")to avoid any further intercommunal tensions and hostilities. This zone separates the Greek Cypriot-controlled south from the Turkish Cypriot-controlled north. Recent years have seen warming of relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, with officially renewed reunification talks beginning in early 2014.
The Cyprus dispute is an ongoing conflict on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus between the population of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, as well as between their respective states, the (internationally recognised) Greek Cypriot-controlled Republic of Cyprus and the (recognised only by Turkey) Turkish Cypriot-controlled Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Political Situation and Tension
NIcosia Municiplaities
Reconciliation Organisations
Ministry of Education (Cyprus)
They are seen as tourist attractionsmore tourists come into the country and help in its development
Cartoon showing buffer zone connection
Images of peace making/CY
The idea for the 'Urban Orchestra' project is put down mainly by the Ministry of Education, which is backed up by a few reconciliation organisations and the municipality.
Who thought of the idea?
IDEA
Project Benefits
Ramallah Concert Idea
Ramallah Concert Idea
"Barenboim is always saying his project is not political. But one of the really great things is that this is a political statement by both sides. It is more important not for people like myself, but for people to see that it is possible to sit down with Arab people and play. The orchestra is a human laboratory that can express to the whole world how to cope with the other.'
One of the young musicians of the orchestra reinforced this point:
"The Divan is not a love story, and it is not a peace story. It has very flatteringly been described as a project for peace. It isn't. It's not going to bring peace, whether you play well or not so well. The Divan was conceived as a project against ignorance. A project against the fact that it is absolutely essential for people to get to know the other, to understand what the other thinks and feels, without necessarily agreeing with it. I'm not trying to convert the Arab members of the Divan to the Israeli point of view, and I'm not trying to convince the Israelis to the Arab point of view. But I want to – and unfortunately I am alone in this now that Edward died a few years ago – ...create a platform where the two sides can disagree and not resort to knives."
The aim of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra is to promote understanding between Israelis and Palestinians and pave the way for a peaceful and fair solution of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Barenboim himself has spoken of the ensemble as follows:
The final message of peace was brought not with speeches but with music, with, as an encore, Nimrod from Elgar's Enigma Variations.
Finally, an emotional Barenboim stepped onto the platform. "It is our belief that the destinies of these two peoples, Israel and Palestine, are inextricably linked ... either we all kill each other or we share what there is to share. It is this message that we have come here to bring."
REF:
Increased awareness/communication between people
Towers become landmarks
REF:
Reference-The Ramallah Concert
An area(Buffer Zone) that lays forgotten will come back to life
Children Socialisingseens as the hope for reconnection
IDEA
NIcosia Municiplaities
Reconciliation Organisations
Ministry of Education (Cyprus)
European Union
Funds
NIcosia Municiplaities
Both sides of the government have agreed that the project would bring more positives to the country rather than negatives. The European Union decides to give funds to the municipality of Nicosia and the project is allowed to move forward within a given timescale.
Project Funding
by
by
Europian Union
Government of Southern Cyprus-Greek
Government of Northern Cyprus-Turkish
Brief created to inform architects and designers about the project
ng
Fu nd i
Funding by
F
g
in
d un
United Nations
International
Competition
Local
This gives the project more of a participatory design quality where peope create a connection with what will be built.
All architects and designers , local and international are asked to submit their ideas and a public exhibition occurs where the government bodies, the UN, the EU and the local peope become judges to agree upon the most suitable and inspiring design.
The municipality which now holds the funds from the EU have decided to go upon a competition once they have created the project brief.
Profit?
Future Implications
Benefits?
Profit?
Future Implications
Public Exhibition
Most challenging phase of the project
Government of Southern Cyprus-Greek
Political Debate
Government of Northern Cyprus-Turkish
Benefits?
Building contract is signed
Appraisal
A contractor who offers a quality service and fits within the clients fees is chosen by the architect.
A number of contractors are contacted who look at the tender documents with the bill of quantities
Contractors
Go out to Tender
Architect
Municipality
Client
Key Relationships And Activities in Building Delivery Process
Consultants
Detailed Drawings Created
Site Survey
Environmental Consultant
Planning Consultants
Fire Consultants
Health and Safety Consultant
Acoustic Engineers
Access Consultants
Structural Engineers
Service Engineers
Design drawings have been previously created in the competition stage.
Max Fordham
Flanagan Lawrence
Roberto Marin
Key Relationships And Activities in Building Delivery Process
-The main consultants for this project for Stages A-C will be a Structural, Acoustic and Environmental Engineer, -Structural Engineer: Will ensure that the design follows valid structural concepts and will work throughout -Acoustic Engineer: This consultant will work very closely with the architect so that he could advise upon the relevant geometries and materials for the towers to meet their design concept of delivering sound. -Enviromental Engineer: To work on delivering a building which follows heating and cooling strategies,(saving costs and energy), water attenuation, environmental design/sustainability
The architect will need to appoint the consultants who will advise him within the design process. The client will be aware of who is appointed and the consultant fees are kept to the required budget.
Consultants
-To create an inspirational design which meets the client's brief and desires. -To deal with local authorities and understand and deal with building regulations and codes. -To overlook and inspect the whole design process, coordinating the whole team. -To produce detail drawings which will be coordinated with the engineer and then communicated to the contractor
The main role of the architect is
All architects and engineers of Cyprus must be registered with ETEK.
Architect
Client- Nicosia Municipality which has been funded by the EU
-Specialist supplier for greek mosaic and construction of sound collectors
Concrete Contarctor -Concrete mix -Reinforcement Steeel Contractor - Beams -Columns -Tensile Cables Timber Contractor - Planks -Beams, Joists - Roof Beams - Posts -Batter - Formwork -Panels - Stud -Veneers Tile Contractor -Sandsone -Limestone -Greek Mosaic
Suppliers will be the responsibility of the specialist sub Consultants, agreed with the architects and engineers. A contract requirement will be that some of the supplies are sourced locally -such as sandsone-granite-limestone to reduce environmental impact and to keep with the traditional materials of the area. Several main structural systems requiring different materials will be sourced from different suppliers.
Supliers
The Subcontractor is appointed by the Main Contractor and is responsible for different phases of the design and construction. -Concrete Contractor: To carry out the concrete pilings and the reinforced concrete shell structures. -Steel Contractor: To provide for the steel bars of the outer frame structure. -Timber Contractor: A large part of the building is finished with timber. These finishes will be done with local artisans using vernacular techniques. -Tiling Contractor- A contractor will be employed to produce and install tiles. It will be a requirement of the contract that local unemployed people will be employed by the contractor to produce the tiles. -Greek mosaic tiles and sandstone carvings -Fiberglass Mould Contractors-Ensuring that the moulds for the concrete structures are made to be delivered to site and cast in situ.
Sub Contractor
Employed directly by the Municipality the contractor isin charge of delivering constructing the building project on site .He may appoint his own consultants. Subconsultants will be employed by the Main Contractor to carry out specialist services-in this case the construction of the sound collectors.
Main Contractor
Injury from Falling Objects
Equipment Failure
Injury from Scaffolding or Formwork
Injury from slipping during rainy days
Excavation
Size and weight of materials
Toxic and other Hazardous materials
Risk from M&E Systems during maintenance
Contractor
Contractor
Contractor
Contractor
Contractor
Contractor
Contractor
Contractor
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Injury from Falling
Contractor
2
Dust, noise and Vibrations (during onsite construction)
Description of Hazard and Risk Exposure
Annoying Public
Person at Risk
1
Construction Risks
Risk No
Risk Management and Health and Safety
Maintainance of the water pipes, water tanks, electrical generator, should only be carried out by a fully certified M&E engineer. • All M&E related plant spaces must be locked at all times and labelled clearly with the appropriate warning symbols.
• Survey to ascertain existing services & close liaison with estates during planning of methodology • Paint, Surface Treatment, adhesive etc are toxic materials. When dealing with them, suitable clothing should be worn
• Depending on their size and weight it will assumed that all heavy objects will be lifted to its proper floor by crane. A unitized system is being considered for the building in order to minimize working at height.
• A survey will be carried out prior to excavation to ensure no gas pipes or water piper are to be hit during excavation. • The excavation area will be fenced off using buoyant construction cones • Only workers with the correct level of training will be allowed to operate excavation machinery.
• All trapped pooled water must be drained asap. • Water resistant canopies will be erected to shelter floor from rain.
• All steel scaffolding will be checked for signs of rusts and bamboo scaffolding and timber formwork checked for signs of insect infestation or damage before use and treated regularly with protective coatings. • All scaffolding poles will be carried by 2 workers who have been trained. • Hard hats to be worm at all times. • Protective, water resistant canopies will be erected to protect scaffolding. • Ladders will be located at several points to allow quick escape should the excavation supports fail.
• All equipment should be checked before use to ensure it is safe and fit for purpose. • All equipment should have regular maintainance checks of which record should be available on request.
• All workers to wear hard hats at all times on site. • Nets to be erected to catch falling objects when there is a risk of workers below being injured by falling objects
• Mitigation measures being considered by the team include the use of prefabrication and the use of the top floor as a lay down area for assembly of larger components before lifting into position. • Safety harness must be worn at all times. • All restricted access for only or workers or inspectors
• Extent of demolition and drilling minimised as much as possible in the base design. • Further mitigation measures to be considered include the use of diamond drilling and other methods to minimise the amount of dust and vibration. • Noisy Equiptment will be limited to certain hours of the day.
Mitigation of Risk (Potential or Achieved)