THE FLOW OF LINES - ARCHITECTURE STUDIO 1 | POLIMI 2021 by LE THE VIET HOANG

THE FLOW OF LINES Remedy From Nature

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 1 SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE | MCA & PA Professor: Barbara Coppett, Angela Poletti Tutors: arch. Raffaella Cavallaro, arch. Fabio Santonicola Students: Sara Gharibi, The Viet Hoang Le, Luidmila Sidorova

2021-2022

CONTENT

INTRODUCTION

ANALYSIS

GENERAL STRATEGY & URBAN SYSTEM

MASTER PLAN & URBAN PROFILES

MATERIAL & SNTOOLS

FOCUS ON PAVILION

FOCUS ON ARCHES

PHYSICAL MODELS

REFERENCES

INTRODUCTION Located between the consolidated urban center and recently developed fragmented areas of Milan, the study area is an interesting intersection. Milan outer ring road, long-time railways, the famous Navigli Canal and abandoned green areas are seen in this project area, which is facing main three problems: connection, pollution, and safety. Apart from the mentioned issues, in terms of potential opportunity, the site is going to be one part on Milan green corridor system. By gathering the history of the famous water characteristics and the positive future scenario, we decide to start from the natural healing ability of the area with a sponge park as a protection for the water and the natural soil. A composition of pedestrian and cyclist paths and open spaces, which are based on the fundamentals of a sponge system, is expected to allow the urban life to go past the arches and flow along the canal, cultivating contemporary identity and sense of place for the study area.

MILAN CITY OF WATER The wealth of the city, before being commercial or industrial, has been agricultural since the time of the Barbarossa. An economic machine built on a path of locks and canals, created by centuries of human work. Without forgetting the underground river of Milan. Born at the end of the 1920s as a port for seaplanes , the Idroscalo , once decommissioned, has rediscovered a vocation in terms of sport and tourism, a destination for water sports and fishing and bathing activities. In the 1960s huge crowds of Milanese flocked, of those who could not afford the sea. Milan has always been considered a “dry” city, compared to other large metropolises that have sprung up and developed on the great rivers. Yet, its richness arises precisely from the surface and underground, natural and artificial waters: from the aquifer to the springs, from the canals to the sewers.

WHY THIS SITE: This site was chosen because it has a high development potential KEYS FOR DEVELOPMENT: • The existing system of water channels provides opportunities for the development of a recreational zone • Within walking distance is the Museum of modern art - the opportunity to hold exhibitions in the open air • The close location of the university, whose students need space for meetings, work and recreation • Sustainability in aspects of environment and socio-culture

ANALYSIS With the purpose of seeking appropriate solutions for the study area, we conducted some research on different scales: macro scale, meso scale, and micro scale. The smaller scale the analysis goes to, the greater focus we give to community sustainability issues such as smart mobility, blue and green infrastructure.

THE HISTORICAL WALLS The location of the historical walls in milan now: The Inner Ring Road that was the Cerchia dei Bastioni following the old Spanish Walls and which now mostly defines the traffic congestion levy zone and before that, the Cerchia dei Navigli from the Circle of Canals that ringed the Medieval Walls of Milan.

BROWNFIELD AREAS The brownfields are widespread throughout Milan, with larger abandoned and derelict areas prevalent in the suburbs. Zone Description

Size(km2)

Popul ati on Popu l ati on/k m 2

# of Brownfields

# of Brownfields/km2

18.28

149.00

0.44

Barona, Lorenteggio

9.00

Note: One kilometer is equal to Approximately 0.62 miles. Source: Municipality of Milan

*Location of the areas subject to the reclamation procedure - update September 2018. (Source Reclamation Area - Urban Planning Department of the Municipality of Milan)

GRID The urban Grid system changes and varies among different parts of the city. Chaotic grids can be found in the historic core while Clear grids with retangular units and perpendicular patterns appear in the outer parts. However, despite the location in the new development area, the study area seems not to connect with the surrounding, represented by the discontinuity of the grid system.

THE ROAD SYSTEM of Milan is based on a net of beltways, circonvallazioni and radiating roads, bastioni The three beltways are • La Cerchia dei Navigli which takes its name from the now covered over canals and surround the medieval part of town • La Circonvallazione interna also called Cerchia dei Bastioni or Cerchia delle Mura Spagnole running where the spanish walls were positioned • La Circonvallazione esterna also called Circonvallazione filoviaria which coincide with the ring established in 1884 by the first masterplan for the city, Il piano Beruto This line more or less remained the outer border of the city up to the second world war

MILAN’S TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM has been developed from the ancient radial system. Radial roads and ring roads oriented by the ancient walls significantly formed Milan morphology. The inter-regional railways reach the vicinity of the outer ring road, establishing a border between the outer and inner parts of the city, especially in our study area.

GREEN SPACES Concentrated mainly on the periphery of Milan. WATER SYSTEM On the outskirts of the city there are quite a lot of point open reservoirs. However, in the central part of Milan, open water is practically absent.

LEZ is a limited traffic area with no access and circulation for the most polluting vehicles in addition to those with a length exceeding 12 meters that transport goods. It covers most of the territory of the Milan centre. The city has a fairly well-developed network of pedestrian routes. The most frequently used transits pass around the main attractions of Milan, such as La Scala, Milan Cathedral, Castello Sforzesco, etc.

SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

High tourism potential

Attraction potential

Socio-cultural discontinuity in some parts

Decrease of public Activities

Less water maintained

Possibility of

Population's ages

Green space

Investment Fragmented green area

Possibility of planning

Less neighborhood green spaces

Water pollution

Expand the network of water connections

Disappear agriculture activities

Discontinues ecological corridors

Agricultural heritage

Air pollution

Safety

Opportunity to implement smart mobility

Infrastructure as a visual barrier

Heritage values

Water system great help for irrigation

Network bicycle line

Developed transportation system

GENERAL STRATEGY The biggest problem that is existed on the site is water pollution. A Sponge Park is designed to absorb and manage excess surface water runoff in order to make the water’s edge a healthier place for supporting active public engagement with the canal ecosystem. The most unique feature of the park is its character as a working landscape: its ability to improve the environment of the canal over time while simultaneously supporting active public engagement with the canal ecosystem.

DETAILS OF REFERENCE PROJECT: Project name: Gowanus Canal Sponge Park Masterplan Location: Brooklyn , N.Y. Architect: DLANDstudio Client: Gowanus Canal Conservancy Project types: Community Project Scope: Preservation/ Restoration Awards: 2017 AIA New York Design Award

The Sponge ParkTM design grants equal value to the aesthetic, programmatic, and productive importance of treating contaminated water entering the Gowanus Canal. The Gowanus receives many millions of gallons of combined sewage ef uent every year. The park is designed as a working landscape that improves the health of the canal over time. This innovative plan proposes strategies to divert stormwater run-off for use in the public park along the canal, reducing the input of stormwater into the sewer system. The Sponge ParkTM Pilot, completed in 2016, manages nearly 2,000,000 gallons of stormwater per annum.

STRATEGY - MEDIUM SCALE Realizing the connection and safety problems for the community, especially pedestrians, we propose an urban network of pedestrian corridors which has the capability of connecting all the surrounding green areas. All of these green spaces are within a distance of 400 meters or less so that the maximum amount of time spent approaching a green space for any pedestrian is no more than 5 minutes.

STRATEGY - SMALL SCALE In order to solve the connection problem in the focused study area, we believe that it is necessary to have a public realm as an entry open space to welcome people as well as facilitate smart mobibity (cycling, walking to public transportation stops). It should be next to the intersection point, between the arches, the canal and the streets. This will bring higher safety for all the space users. The to-be-proposed public realm should be impressive in terms of visual design to attract people’s attention.

SPACE ORGANIZING DIAGRAM

LOCAL SUN DIAGRAM

In this area, the sun path is closer to the south in most days of the year. Using the solar diagram, we make some calculations in the section design of the pavilion and arches so that they can benefit from sunlight in the winter and be isolated with solar radiation in the summer.

URBAN SYSTEM

The whole system of the master plan is formed based on the strategy of the sponge park and also shaped by the grids that arches give us.

MASTER PLAN & URBAN PROFILE The Masterplan proposes a strategy of green stitching with the flowing line, connecting the green spaces in the site area and connect them as a identical green coridor alongside to the canal to create a continuous esplanade with recreational spaces running the length of the canal. Existing Arches would serve as entry-parks providing access to the esplanade and the water and they provide for community-oriented programs such as children public library and public street art exposition. Two of the last arches are provided the types of equipment related to water treatments. Stairs are located at every street, creating further connective stitching between land and water, and one circle platform is made in order to make the best view from the middle of the park to the arches and pavilions.

1 1

BRIDGE Pedestrian bridge leading to kayak club

PAVILION & KIOSK Open steel structure with undergound kiosk

WATER TREATMENT Use of filtration layers to purify the water from the beginning point of pollution

ROAD TRANSFORMATION FOR SMART MOBILITY Change of vehicle road and materials to facilitate smart mobility

Open Space with Library Open platform flowing in-between trees next to public libary for children in the first 2 arches

PLAYGROUND Next to the residential area

OPENPLATFORM For a better view and connection to the area

ARTKADEMY Use of movable wall and doors to organize events

HIDDEN GARDEN The only natural part of the area Minimum intervention with just some walking path in-between the existing trees

EXHIBITION Open space for art installation and exhibition for Artkademy

9 8 10

11 PLAY

GROUND Next to the residential area and far from the main roads to achieve safety

MASTER PLAN WITH ROOF

WALKING & CYCLING PATH Change of materials to create a new convenient way for pedestrians and cyclists along the canal

GREEN AREA FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN Protection of the existing trees and improvement of relavant plants to create natural atmosphere for school children

SECTION 3

THE LIGHTING could be a challenging part of the lighting design of the arches because it needs to make the lighting strong and flexible enough for any future events and be able to showcase whatever art appears in the future. The color of the lighting can also be changed to complement the surrounding walls.

SECTION 4

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

LONDON’S FAMOUS GRAFFITI TUNNEL has been given a new lease of life as part of a regeneration project around the South Bank area. The tunnel is part of the Leake Street Arches and is London’s largest legal street art area. It’s been showcasing incredible creations for years, including some original work by Banksy, and has long been somewhat of a hidden gem to explore. Now it will be protected as the artistic centrepiece of an entirely new street full of bars, restaurants, cafes and creative centres.

Photo by James French

ROOF PLAN - SHADOW AT 14.00 - SUMMER SOLSTICE

SECTION 5

We have identified the best plant species for the different types of contaminants and defined the microorganism/plant combinations with the highest yield.

SECTION 2

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

Phytoextraction represents a valid alternative to physical and thermal treatments thanks to the great biodiversity in the plant kingdom and the numerous species capable of taking up and storing heavy metals, even in contaminated soil. These are the main ones that we are working on. PLANTS FOR PHYTOREMEDIATION

SALIX NIGRA ZWARTE WILG

SCHIZACHYRIUM SCOPARIUM LITTLE BLUESTEM

SALIX NIGRA ZWARTE WILG

PANICUM VIRGATUM SWITCH GRASS

OSMUNDA CINNAMOMEA CINNAMON FERN

AGROSTIS CAPILLARIS STRUISGRAS

DIGITALIS PURPUREA VINGERHOEDSKRUID

ASTER DIVARICATUS WHITE WOOD ASTER

TYPHA LATIFOLIA GROTE LISDODDE

EUPATORIUM MACULATUM JOE PYE WEED

SECTION 1

ROOF PLAN - SHADOW AT 14.00 - SUMMER SOLSTICE

MATERIAL & SNTOOLS Use Sand, Wooden chips, Levocell and Wood as main material In order to create a sustainable project as much as possible.

We use Sand and Wooden chips for the floor to make a safer place for children to play, with the inspiration by the project in Moscow Playground “SALUTE”. PROJECT DETAILS:

Short office name: AFA Role of the office in the project: design and construction Website: afa-group.ru Location: Gorky Park, Moscow, Russia Design year: 2015 — 2018 Year of construction: 2018 Area: 18 000 m2

Wood chips have a degree of shock absorbency. A 9-inch layer of wood chips will allow a child to safely land from a 10-foot fall, according to American Standard Testing Methods (ASTM), the institution that sets industry safety standards such as this critical fall height requirement.

Sand is deemed an appropriate surface for playgrounds by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) if you have enough depth. How deep does the sand need to be? It really comes down to fall height requirements and the thickness of the sand. CPSC says that sand should be 9 inches deep for a fall height of 4 feet. With safety in mind, manufacturers of playground sand submit the sand to various measures to protect children’s welfare. First, they wash the playground sand to remove unwanted debris, bacteria, or other minerals. The sand is also water pressurized to round out and smoothen any larger, sharp particles. Then it’s submitted to a sieve analysis to evaluate and assess particle size distribution. Sand doesn’t easily support microbial growth, making one less thing to worry about.

LEVOFLOOR is a combination of products to obtain exposed gravel architectural floors which, thanks to the use of native natural aggregates, allow the work to be inserted into the context without any environmental impact, combining simplicity with practicality. The system is installed like a concrete, made workable by a pre-mixed product specially designed to facilitate installation and subsequently deactivated by pressure washing to obtain the visible gravel effect. The use of a correct setting retarder allows to obtain uniformity in the degree of exposure, combined with important mechanical characteristics.

Results for performance assessment of Via Malaga neighbourhood in Milan

Results .

SNTool B Scoring File

Min

03Dec20

A Context and Vulnerabilities 5 4.5

G: Social

B: Built Urban Systems

3.5 3 2.5

The number available criteria is:

2 1.5

The number of active mandatory criteria with a score of less than 3 is:

1 0.5 0

Issue C:

D: Energy

E: Nonrenewable

Scoring Results Assessed

Active Weights

The number active criteria is:

Active mandatory criteria:

Weighted Weighted Scores v. Target Assessed Targets scores scores

4.33

3.05

0.70

15.0%

0.98

3.21

3.28

C Economy

1.7%

3.33

4.20

1.26

D Energy

8.9%

3.00

4.59

1.53

E Non-Renewable Resources

10.6%

3.00

4.50

1.50

F Environment

56.9%

3.00

3.99

1.33

3.6%

2.54

4.62

1.82

100%

2.88

4.02

1.40

Target

Value

Unit of measure

20%

27%

G Social Aspects

0 = Acceptable Practice; 3 = Good Practice; 5 = Best Practice

Weighted total score

KPIs Urban Scale B1.8

3.3%

A Context and vulnerabilities B Built Urban Systems

Targets

Conservation of Land

C3.3

Operating energy costs for public buildings.

23.9

Euro / m2/ year

D1.1

Final electrical energy consumption for operation of all buildings.

kWh/m2/yr

D2.1

Share of renewable energy generated on-site, relative to total final energy consumption for operation of all buildings.

64%

87%

percent

D2.4

Share of renewable energy generated on-site, relative to total primary energy consumption for operation of all buildings.

64%

48%

percent

D2.7

Share of renewable energy generated in the local area, relative to the total final electric energy consumption.

62%

75%

percent

F4.2

Aggregate GHG Emissions from primary energy used in building operations

kg CO2 eq /m2/yr

E1.5

Consumption of potable water by residential households

m3 / household / yr

E1.6

N.A. Consumption of water for building systems

m3 / m2 /year

E2.3

N.A. Solid waste from construction and demolition projects retained in the area for re-use or recycling.

68%

72%

percent volume

E3.2

N.A. Efficient use of materials for construction of infrastructure.

108

100

Tonnes/1 000 m2

F2.3

N.A. Recharge of groundwater through permeable paving or landscaping.

68%

70%

percent

F3.2

N.A. Concentration of particulates <2.5 mu (PM2.5) over a one-week period.

11.5

days/year

G2.1

Access to a public transport service.

72%

100%

percent

G2.4

Quality of pedestrian and bicycle network.

136.6

m/100 inhabitabt s

G4.3

Availability and proximity of key local public services

80%

100%

percent

G6.3

N.A. Community involvement in urban planning activities

text scale score

With the focus on smart mobility, water management and construction materials, we get an excellent assessment result with SN Tool. Smart mobility with the green corridor is going to facilitate sustainable community in the area, while the collection and management of water are expected to solve the pollution problem. In addition, by using reused and recyclable materials, with more than 60% of the total amount, the project can contribute to the reduction in GHG.

FOCUS ON PAVILION Make a povilion for visiters and also residents to enjoy the place more and also have a apportunity to gather

METRO PARASOL

Jurgen Mayer H. Architects

“Metropol Parasol”, the Redevelopment of the Plaza de la Encarnacíon in Seville, designed by J. MAYER H., became already the new icon for Seville, - a place of identification and to articulate Seville s role as one of the world’s most fascinating cultural destinations. We’ve been following this amazing design since its planning phase, and now the fantastic project is finally complete! Located at Plaza de la Encarnacion, the beautiful series of undulating parasols comprise the world’s largest wooden structure. Metropol’s interlocking honeycomb of wooden panels rise from concrete bases, which are positioned to form canopies and walkways below the parasols.

PAVILION CONCEPT

STEP 1 LIMIT THE VOLUME Based on the existing buildings and elements in the study area, we define the setback from the street. The height of the pavilion should be similar to some 2-floor buildings on the other side of the arches and the bridge so that all the existing and proposed elements can be in a harmony.

STEP 2 EXTRACT THE VOLUME We decided to reduce the volume right above the soil to create a direct view from the street, through the arches, to the other side with new green area, known as the sponge park. The amount of the height reduced is equal to the height of the arches.

STEP 3 ADD STRUCTURE, FORM THE SPACE Structural elements are added to necessary positions in cylinder forms. This also creates visual entrances from the street and the arches. The structural elements can define the inside open space relatively so that people are able to feel the familiarity and warmness of the space.

STEP 4 TRANSFORM ORGANICALLY In order to observe the similarity between the pavilion and the sponge park, the original shape is transform to an organic one. This makes the pavilion look artistic, which attracts people’s attention and encourages them to use the spaces.

STEP 5 FINALIZE WITH MATERIALS Recyclable wood is used for the main structure of the pavilion. Learning from the reference, we use a square grid to make it more stable in structural aspect. The grid is in a parallel direction to the streets so that the pavilion can greatly go with the urban context.

ELEVATION FROM VIALE CASSALA

PAVILION GROUND FLOOR PLAN

PAVILION ROOF PLAN

The minor structure of the pavilion, acting as a kiosk for F&B services, is covered with a glass roof to gain diffused sunlight and rainwater. The collected water can be stored in an underground tank for watering the trees or flushing the toilets.

SECTION A - A

The main structure of the pavilion is similar to a wooden gird shell one to transfer the loads from top down. The organic shape creates a similarity with the sponge park, while the height of the void respects the existing appearance of the arches.

ELEVATION FROM NAVIGLIO

FOCUS ON ARCHES Use the space of arches for public library for kids and also use them for the local artists to have a public exhibition to show their arts...

ARCHES NUMBER 1-2 Public library for children

Due the the movement of the topography in the study area, the first two arches cannot be accessed by pedestrians from Viale Cassala. Therefore, we are going to close them from the street. Then a public library for kids is proposed for the first 2 arches. The library is going to be connected with an open playground with filtration sand with a transparent skin in the southwestern direction. Then this facade is shaded by an wooden shelter which is in similar pattern and structure to the pavilion. This shelter design is based on the annual movement of the sun so that we can take advantage from sunlight in the winter as well as prevent harmful solar radiation in the summer.

SECTION B-B

11 9

ARCHES NUMBER 3-12 Corridors with art exhibition

SECTION C-C

ARCHES ELEVATION

PHYSICAL MODELS

REFERENCES: ANALYSIS REFERENCES: https://urbanmobilityindex.here.com/city/milan/ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.22300/1949-8276.11.1.60 https://urbanaccessregulations.eu/countries-mainmenu-147/italy-mainmenu-81/milano-lez-area-b https://appliednetsci.springeropen.com/articles/10.1007/s41109-019-0245-x https://geoportale.comune.milano.it/sit/ https://www.landsrl.com/portfolio-land/green-rays https://bnews.unimib.it/blog/dai-navigli-allidroscalo-loro-di-milano/ https://dati.comune.milano.it/ STRATEGY REFERENCES: Source: dlandstudio.com/Gowanus-Canal-Sponge-Park- Masterplan https://www.ingenio-web.it/25347-farini-e-san-cristoforo-la-rinascita-verde-degli-ex-scali-ferroviari-di-milano https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/gowanus-canal-sponge-park-masterplan_o URBAN PROFILE AND MASTER PLAN REFERENCES: https://www.eni.com/en-IT/scientific-research/plants-protect-environment.html MATERIAL REFERENCES: https://landezine.com/salute-playground-by-afa/ https://www.ingenio-web.it/31261-pavimentazioni-architettoniche-drenanti-e-sostenibili-le-soluzioni-chryso-per-la-mobilita-lenta https://www.chryso.it/p/8842/5/5806/it POVILION REFERENCES: https://www.archdaily.com/201961/metropol-parasol-j-mayer-h-arup https://miesarch.com/work/2777

PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS

Sara Gharibi

The Viet Hoang Le

Luidmila Sidorova

2021-2022