Limbe Medical Complex
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
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Limbe Medical Complex
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The Limbe Complex will serve as the new one stop shop for healthcare and wellness. The site bases its’ features on the surrounding contexts as the main palette with its extraction of ledgeston from the Kampala Mountains located to the Southeast of the current site in addition to gum pole columns that were harvested from the gum pole forrests to the Southeast. I have this intention for community self reflection through the use of materials in which they’ve been used to their whole life, just used in different ways and designed using different mindsets and techniques. When designing this clinic space, it is important not to overpower users with a foreign structure serving as a medical complex. It must remain a place of respect in addition to maintaining its’ programmatic hierarchy. The Limbe Complex shouldn’t be seen as strictly a medical only type phase. Educational opportuntiies are offered through the outdoor kitchen space in addition to indoor classrooms focusing on agriculture of the area to help maintain a strong bond between Malawians and their environment. With an elevated dry-stacked footing, seating and planting scenarios will open up to the public between structural bays to stay out of the shade and potential harsh weather.
THE LIMBE MEDICAL COMPLEX By: Christopher Lutz Projected presented to: The Faculty of the Department of Architecture College of Architecture and the Built Environment Philadelphia University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE Design IX Research and Design Faculty: Professor Chris Harnish Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
FOREWORD
Limbe Medical Complex Section
- Thesis Statement (Design Research)
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- Research Objectives - Investigative Methods - Design Objectives (Design Proposal)
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- Site Analysis and Documentation - Program Study - Process Documentation (Design Conclusion)
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- Final Design Documentation - Analysis of Completed Project - Bibliography
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
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Page # 4 6 7-9 10 11 16 18 20 28 29
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Limbe Medical Complex
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Thesis Statement:
To develop a dignified, human-centric medical complex that provides a node of health and cleanliness to the city of Limbe, in addition to its’ surrounding neighbors
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
Limbe Medical Complex
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1 Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN RESEARCH
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Research Objectives:
- Develop a better understanding of the materials used in the area and their properties - Create a holistic environment that welcomes local Malawians and nearby neighbors - Make use of locally sourced materials that may be of essence to the project - Understand the surrounding vernacular in order to help design a complex that adapts to its’ built environment
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN RESEARCH
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Investigative Methods:
The project site offers rich views towards the mountains located to the Southwest including some nice foliage of Gum Pole forests to the East. Between these two resources, what more can these pieces do for the site?
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
It appeared that Gum Pole trees are very common in construction over in Malawi due to how straight the trunks grow. The mountains on the other hand, offer a rich ledgestone that can be extracted from the cliffside. By using these two materials together, a style starts to develop
DESIGN RESEARCH
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Investigative Methods:
Children serve for a large part of the population of Malawi. With this in mind, a children friendly environment would be most beneficial. By developing community classrooms, children can potentially claim their own gardening patch to maintain the strong relationship between Malawian’s and their environment while also giving children a “piece of the land” Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN RESEARCH
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Investigative Methods: One of the most common materials used throughout Malawi is soil stabilised brick. By incorporating a special mixture of cement, the life span of the soil stabilised brick is increased significantly. This allows for some extra craft to occur to the brick
WA L L AVAILABILITY
SUN-DRIED MUD
BURNED CLAY
COMPRESSED STABILIZED BLOCK
CONCRETE BLOCK
INTERLOCKING STABILIZED BLOCK
Locally made available size 25 x 15 x 7 cm to 40 x 20 x 15 cm
Locally made available size 20 x 10 x 10 cm
Locally made available size 29 x 14 x 11.5 cm
Locally made available size 26.5 x 14 x 10 cm
Locally made available size 40 x 20 x 20 cm
- 30 year lifespan - low thermal insulation +sustainable production
- 50 year lifespan - utilizes natural resources in production - low thermal insulation
+70 plus year lifespan + medium to high thermal insulation +sustainable production
+ 70 plus year lifespan + medium to high thermal insulation +sustainable production
+ 70 plus year lifespan + high thermal insulation +sustainable production
weak +medium wet compressive strength
medium -low to high wet compressive strength
high +high wet compressive strength
high +high wet compressive strength
high + medium to high wet compressive strength
7.6 Malawian kwacha or 0.02 cents per block
23 Malawian Kwacha or 0.06 cents per block
61 Malawian Kwacha or 0.15 cents per block
54 Malawian Kwacha or 0.13 cents per block
456 Malawian Kwacha or 1.15 cents per block
lower
lower
middle
upper
upper
traditional rough and powdery finish
traditional rough and powdery finish
innovative vernacular smooth and flat finish
innovative vernacular smooth and flat finish
innovative vernacular coarse and flat finish
SUSTAINABILITY
DURABILITY
AFFORDABILITY
STATUS
EXPERIENCE
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN RESEARCH
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2 Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN PROPOSAL
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Conceptual Sketches:
Early conceptual sketches were made to help distinguish the transition of public to private. These spaces would be incorporated with gardens, level changes or seating arrangements.
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN PROPOSAL
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Conceptual Sketches:
A more detailed section was then created which was forseen as the potential conference center space. Vignettes along the side were used to help distinguish specific design aspects. Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN PROPOSAL
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Conceptual Planning:
Parking Public Access Patient Waiting Area Patient Circulation (Accompanied by Doctor/Nurse)
Doctor path to office and workspace Public Path to Reflection Gardens
- Planning of the site were developed to consider adjacencies when users would travel from one program space to the next. However, a strong connection to the outdoor enviornment was still unresolved
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN PROPOSAL
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Conceptual Planning:
1.Chief Cashier & Vitals 2. Observation/Exam Rooms 3. Maternity Ward Storage 4. Linens 5. Nurses Station 6. Maternity Ward 7. Laboratory 8. Conference Center Space 9. Conference Center Storage 10. Sample Testing (Lab) 11. Vaccine Research 12. Recovery 13. Pharmacy 14. Pharmacy Storage 15. Sample Testing (Lab) 16. Administration Offices Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
1. Outdoor Kitchen 2. Kitchen Storage 3. Cooking Classroom 4. Restrooms 5. Sample Testing (Lab) 6. Administration Offices 7. Storage 8. Records 9. Fundraising Offices 10. Cafe 11. Cafe Storage
1. Research Lab 2. Bloodwork 3. Dental Services 4. Vision Services
DESIGN PROPOSAL
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Conceptual Rendering
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN PROPOSAL
Limbe Medical Complex Program Diagramming: Programmatic Services Offered to the Public
When researching Malawi, it was discovered that this site didn’t want some big structure with a big overdramatic roof set on top of it. Instead, by organizing programmatic needs, the main focuses on the site cater towards the front of the complex.
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
16 Programmatic Services Offered to the Public
With these organized pieces in mind, circulatory paths act as the slice between program spaces to remove the need for hallways. By removing hallways, a large percentage of diseases spreading is dispersed with aid from the constant airflow.
DESIGN PROPOSAL
Limbe Medical Complex Paths engaged to free up program space while maintaining a close relationship with the environment
Each program is 17 then assorted into villages, respecting
Program Diagramming:
As these programmatic areas were then sliced, it was decided that perhaps each bigger region could be broken down into smaller compact villages,.
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
The idea of programmatic villages helped sculpt the way from here on when organizing plan adjacencies and materiality change to express a hierarchy.
DESIGN PROPOSAL
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Structure Diagramming:
Structural cohesiveness with current wall schemes may seem efficient, but hinders the lifespan of ISSB blocks when resisting live and dead loads
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
By moving the structure to the outside, trusses are incorporated to rest upon the columns to allow natural light to flood the space in addition to providing long span, open spaced programming
As the bricks travel up towards the roof, perforations are penetrated through the wall to not only allow for extra natural light, but also allows for passive cooling in addition to resisting the potential breakout of diseases
The final step was to develop a powerful base in which ledgestone harvested from the nearby mountains will reinforce wall and column structural feasibility, in addition to offering unlimited seating scenarios
DESIGN PROPOSAL
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The figure to the left is an exploded axon of the scenarios of corrugated metal roof, to purlins that rest on top of the installed trusses that will have their web pieces slither through the brickwork perforations. The brick wall is rested within the ledgestone footer that then embrace the gum pole columns, creating seating or planting scenarios within the each structural bay.
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN PROPOSAL
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3 Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN CONCLUSION
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Site Plan
The slope of the site rises from the Southeast traveling North towards the Northwest. The higher positions on the hill were designed for the housing that will serve as the doctor’s housing and offices. The views from the houses and offices are oriented towards the mountains to the Southwest while also serving as a possible surveillance spot to watch over the complex grounds
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN CONCLUSION
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Construction Phasing:
Phase 3
Phase 2
Phas e
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Phase 1
Consists of the main medical programming aspects that will serve for as a one stop shop for most health needs
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
Phas e
Phase 2
Phas e
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Phase 2
Contains the educational and administration deparmtnets of the clinc. The grand pavilion is the complex’s public conference room that houses a large green courtyard stitched between the outdoor kitchen and classroom spaces
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Phase 3
Consists of the housing units and small offices shared between two doctors. The houses atop the hill range from double bedroom to single bedroom homes.
DESIGN CONCLUSION
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Phase 1 Plan:
As users enter the medical phase, users either wait outdoors under a trellis, or sit in the covered seating area by the vitals and exam room. Between those spaces lies the chief cashier buffer to maintain payments from all customers. The stairs in the plan raise up to the research center that focuses inward on the herbal garden. This garden would be used for extracting herbs that would be then be used to create vaccines, maintaining a steady upkeep.
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN CONCLUSION
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Phase 2 Plan:
Phase two is split up between three different parts. It is divided between a conference center space, outdoor kitchen and cafe along with adminstration offices and classrooms. All these spaces were seen as the most potentially active areas within the site, green pastures provide areas for kickball and future community events
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN CONCLUSION
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Renderings:
Looking towards the herbal garden in the medical phase Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN CONCLUSION
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Renderings:
Facing towards the outdoor pavilion space (conference center) Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN CONCLUSION
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Renderings:
Facing towards front entrance of the medical phase Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN CONCLUSION
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Self Critique:
I had an ecstatic experience in the Design IX Global Studio. While my final critique brought a lot of resolutions to questions I had pondering in my head, it gave me the idea to take another stab at the project over the upcoming break with design inspirations provided from the jurors. Initially in the year, I will admit it was a struggle to recollect myself because I never realized how frustrating it can be to design on a site without ever getting the chance to visit the site. Although, if I could do it all over again, I absolutely would. In regards to my structural conditions, I realize that increasing the building envelope is not the best alternative. With this in mind I’ve begun exploring other structural options which will help me achieve my light connection to the roof while also spanning over large spaces.
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN CONCLUSION
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Bibliography:
Joseph, Anjali, Ph.D. “The Impact of Light on Outcomes in Healthcare Settings.” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2 (August 2006): 1-14. Accessed September 4, 2014. Joseph, Anjali, Ph.D. “The Impact of Light on Outcomes in Healthcare Settings.” 26 ”Daylighting | Sustainability Workshop.” Daylighting | Sustainability Workshop. Accessed September 04, 2014. http://sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com/buildings/daylighting. 27 ”Daylighting | Sustainability Workshop.” Daylighting | 28 Revit 2015 Energy Analysis 29 Revit 2015 Energy Analysis 30 ”Natural Ventilation | Sustainability Workshop.” Natural Ventilation | Sustainability Workshop. Accessed September 04, 2014. http://sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com/buildings/natural-ventilation. 31 ”Butaro Hospital / MASS Design Group.” ArchDaily. Accessed September 04, 2014. http://www.archdaily.com/165892/butaro-hospital-mass-design-group/ 32 ”BEDZED: Beddington Zero Energy Development in London.” Inhabitat Sustainable Design Innovation Eco Architecture Green Building BEDZED Beddington Zero Energy Development in London Comments. Accessed September 04, 2014. http://inhabitat.com/bedzed-beddington-zero-energy-development-london/ 33 Brown, G. Z., and Mark DeKay. Sun, Wind & Light: Architectural Design Strategies. New York: Wiley, 2001. 34 “Old San Francisco Mint to Become a Gorgeous Green Museum.” Inhabitat Sustainable Design Innovation Eco Architecture Green Building Old San Francisco Mint to Become a Gorgeous Green Museum Comments. Accessed September 04, 2014. http://inhabitat.com/old-san-francisco-mint-to-become-a-gorgeous-green-museum/ 35 ”Blantyre Climate & Temperature.” Blantyre Climate Blantyre Temperature. Accessed September 04, 2014. http://www.malawi.climatemps.com/ 36 ”Malawi Meteorological Services.” Malawi Meteorological Services. Accessed September 04, 2014. http://www.metmalawi.com/climate/climate.php. 37 ”Malawi Meteorological Services.” 38 “Stacking Green House Covered in Plants by Vo Trong Nghia - Dezeen.” Dezeen Stacking Green Br by Vo Trong Nghia Comments. Accessed September 04, 2014. http://www.dezeen.com/2012/07/09/stacking-greenby-vo-trong-nghia/. 39 “Stacking Green House Covered in Plants by Vo Trong Nghia - Dezeen.” 40 “Pearl Academy of Fashion / Morphogenesis.” ArchDaily. Accessed September 04, 2014. http://www.archdaily.com/40716/pearl-academy-of-fashion-morphogenesis/. 41 “Pearl Academy of Fashion / Morphogenesis.” 42 The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Kuroshio (oceanic Current, Pacific Ocean).” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Accessed September 04, 2014. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/325346/Kuroshio. 43 ”Blantyre Climate & Temperature.” Blantyre Climate Blantyre Temperature. Accessed September 04, 2014. http://www.malawi.climatemps.com/ 44 ”Advantages and Disadvantages of Rainwater Harvesting - Conserve Energy Future.” ConserveEnergyFuture. Accessed September 04, 2014. http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Advantages_Disadvantages_Rainwater_Harvesting.php. 45 “How Rain Catchment Systems Works.” The Water Project. Accessed September 04, 2014. http://thewaterproject.org/rain_catchment. Bohlin Cywinski Jackson: The Nature of Circumstance. New York: Rizzoli, 2010. Print. Cutler, James, Beth Wheeler, Tom Schworer, and Art Grice. Searching for True: Cutler Anderson Architects. New York: Rizzoli, 2009. Print. Fluckinger, Don, and Ray Don. Tilley. Lake/Flato. Rockport, MA: Rockport, 1996. Print. Ojeda, Oscar Riera, and Thomas Fisher. Bohlin Cywinski Jackson: 12 Houses. Stockholm: Byggförlaget, 2005. Print. Ojeda, Oscar Riera, Glenn Murcutt, and Thomas Fisher. Lake / Flato Buildings & Landscapes. Gloucester (Mass.): Rockport, 2005. Print. Piano, Renzo, Yukio Futagawa, and Kenneth Frampton. Renzo Piano: Building Workshop. Tokyo: A.D.A. Edita, 1997. Print. 24 25
Design IX: Professor Harnish Client: Jason Blanchard Location: Limbe, Malawi Project: Medical Complex
DESIGN CONCLUSION