SITE TECTONICS Folio ABPL20047
Meyvin Puspita 388293 Tutor’s Name: Nano Langenheim & David Harrap
Table of Contents Assessment One
Esquisse One
Page 03
Esquisse Two
Page 11
Esquisse Three
Page 17
Esquisse Four
Page 23
Esquisse Five
Page 29
Assessment Two
01
Final Design Intervention
Page 33
Assessment One
Structures without Fill
ESQUISSE One
Snail House
http://www.archdaily.com/128238/snail-house-atelier-d-org/
Precedent 1: Snail House
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Snail House by Atelier D. is an example of a structure built on a slope that is neither cut nor filled. The rooms inside the house are supported by the slope, with half stories that follow the slope of the land.
Villa Castela
http://www.contemporist.com/2011/10/03/vila-castela-residence-by-anastasia-architects/
Precedent 2: Villa Castela by Anastasia Architects in Nova Lima, Brazil This residential villa is another example of a structure built on natural and untouched sloped land. The original slope of the land is 30 degrees and it has been left unfilled and uncut in order to avoid interfering with the natural condition of the land too much. Instead, the house is supported by several concrete beams that are dramatically cantilevered from the supporting columns. This cantilevering is also done to emphasize the extremity of its location.
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ESQUISSE One
City Walls of Luca
http://www.bikeraceinfo.com/images-all/travel-images/italy05-images/Lucca-wall.jpg
Precedent 3: City Walls of Luca in Italy (from Lecture 2)
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In the City Walls of Luca, the tops of the ancient walls that once protected the city are turned into bicycle paths lined with trees. This is an example of landform manipulation (fill) that took place in order to allow the land itself to become usable (protected the city before, and now, as paths). Without fill, the buildings that are built on top of sloped lands would have to be supported by massive beams and columns.
Design Intentions The pavilion is located in between the upper and lower paths and is facing the river, so to provide views of the river to the occupants and the visitors of the pavilion. The position of the pavilion also allows for the pedestrians walking on both the upper and lower paths to easily take notice of the pavilion. The existing topography to the back of the pavilion remains unchanged so that the natural condition of the land is not largely disrupted.
Site Plan 1:1000
Existing Section 1:1000
By stretching the current contour lines forward, a flatter platform where the pavilion can sit is created. This reduces the need for large supporting structures, and therefore, the design intentions of the Fansworth House can remain intact.
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ESQUISSE One
Proposed Section 1:1000
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Photo of Model 01 - Eye-Level View from the Lower Path
Photo of Model 02 - Bird’s-Eye View of the Pavilion
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ESQUISSE One Reflection In sloped lands, the use of fill allows for the creation of a flatter platform on which the house can sit. Without fill, the building’s supporting structures would need to be large enough to be able to support the weight of the building itself. This can be seen in Villa Castela, where the beams and the columns are large enough so that they are able to support the weight of the house. This is acceptable if the design intention is to expose the supporting structures, however, the use of large structures means a reduction in the internal usable areas of the house. In many cases, this is undesired. In addition, a flat platform where the house can sit on allows for easier planning of the internal spaces. The materials of the fill have to be chosen carefully to suit the natural soil. Additionally, the footings of the house cannot be supported by the fill, since most fill materials are not stable enough to support the heavy weight of the building. Therefore, the house’s footings have to be extended up to the level of the natural supporting strata.
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Photo of Model 03 - View of the Pavilion from the Lower Path
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ESQUISSE Two Precedent : Khyber Ridge by Studio NminusOne The Khyber Ridge house is positioned along a steeply sloped site, with the design of the house taking into consideration the surrounding rocky mountain and the views the mountain offers. The house is made up of five levels, with the guest house (at the lowest level) embedded in rock for maximum privacy. The mid-level living room is cantilevered and enclosed by glass, while the upper-level bedrooms are retreated back along the contours of the mountain. Its green roofs also blend in with the surrounding landscape.
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Khyber Ridge House
http://www.trendir.com/house-design/khyber-ridge-residence-15.jpg
View from the Mid-Level Living Room
http://www.archdaily.com/20190/khyber-ridge-studio-nminusone/
Longitudinal Section through the House
http://www.archdaily.com/20190/khyber-ridge-studio-nminusone/
Entrance to the House
http://www.archdaily.com/20190/khyberridge-studio-nminusone/
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ESQUISSE Two Design Intentions In this scheme, the pavilion is situated on a higher elevation relative to the lower path. Ramps to the pavilion are made quite flat in order to allow for easy access. The pavilion faces north east to receive plenty of natural light. In addition, the patio is also positioned facing the same direction, so that both the occupants and the visitors may enjoy the sun and engage in outdoor activities during sunny days. Both the pavilion and the patio also have views toward the Marybyrnong River. Columns of the patio are extended to reach the natural soil. On the northwest side of the house, retaining walls will be erected in order to prevent the soil from slipping.
Site Plan 1:1000
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Proposed Section 1:1000
Planting will be done on the 1:3 cut slope that is located southwest to the pavilion.
Bird’s-Eye View of the Pavilion
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ESQUISSE Two View of the Pavilion from the Lower Path
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Reflection Similar to fill, cut also allows for the creation of a flatter surface on which a building can sit on. However, cut is generally adopted where it is harder to fill. Cost-wise, cut is also much more expensive, especially in rocky areas. In practice, both of these methods (cut and fill) are usually used together.
When the land is cut, a retaining wall is often required in order to stop the soil from slipping. Cutting and retaining the land would generally create a more dramatic effect to the areas surrounding the building, while filling the land will create smoother and gentler slopes, therefore giving a softer feel to the surrounding landscape.
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ESQUISSE Three
House in Kisami by Florian Busch Architects
http://www.archdaily.com/263167/a-house-in-kisami-florian-busch-architects/
Precedent 1: House in Kisami
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The house in Kisami is seamlessly integrated into its surrounding landscape using the cut-and-fill method. With the original slope of the land being 30-degree steep, cut-and-fill successfully created a flatter surface for the house to sit on.
Longitudinal Section
House in Comano by David Macullo Architects
http://www.architravel.com/architravel/building/house-in-comano
Precedent 2: House in Comano The house in Comano by David Macullo Architects acts as a boundary that separates the hill and the newer urbanised area. Similar to the house in Kisami, the house sits on a flat surface through using the cutand-fill method. The house is designed to explore the continuation of the indoor spaces out into the landscape, while still providing privacy for the occupants.
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ESQUISSE Three Design Intentions In line with the precedents, our aim here is to seamlessly integrate the pavilion with the surrounding landscape. In the final renders on pages 21 and 22, the pavilion appears to be tucked into the landscape, and this is done through cutting parts of the existing sloped land. Using fill, a platform that elevates the house is created, and thisgives a sense of monumentality to the pavilion. Unlike the house in Kisami, however, no part of the pavilion is cantilevered and this is done in order to keep to original design intentions of the Fansworth house intact.
Site Plan 1:1000
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Proposed Section 1:1000
Snapshot from Studio 01
Snapshot from Studio 02 Design Intentions The longitudinal side of the house is facing north in order to receive the maximum amount of sunlight. The patio also faces north so that occupants and visitors are able to enjoy the sun and engage in outdoor activities during sunny days.
Snapshot from Studio 03
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ESQUISSE Three Design Intentions Walking on the lower path towards the pavilion offers the pedestrians a journey and an experience of looking up and observing the house before finally arriving there.
Reflection Using cut and fill, the aim in this esquisse has been successfully achieved. Cut and fill allow for the house to appear fully and seamlessly integrated with its surrounding landscape. In addition, cut and fill also reduce the construction cost, since the residuals from cutting parts of the land can be used to fill the land as well. Similar to cut on its own and fill on its own, cut and fill also create a flat platform for the house to sit on, however, the platform created through cut and fill somehow seems to be more balanced and gradual.
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View of the Pavilion from the Lower Path
View when Walking towards the Pavilion
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ESQUISSE Four
Robson Square Law Courts
http://www.shirbosandblasting.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_large/public/gallery/_MG_0734.jpg
Precedent 1: Robson Square Law Courts by Cornelia Oberlander
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The design of these staircases incorporates wheelchair-accessible ramps, and therefore, not isolating the disabled. The slope of the staircases is 26.5 degrees, however, the ramps are built on flatter gradients. Not only does the design enhance accessibility, it also creates spaces for resting as well as for formal and informal gathering.
Precedent 2: Pioneer Courthouse Square Located in Portland, Oregon, the Pioneer Courtyard House is an example of a government building that incorporates accessible ramps within the design of the staircases. As depicted on the photograph to the left, the spaces created by the blending of the stairs and the ramps are turned into usable formal and informal gathering areas for the general public.
Pioneer Courthouse Square
http://bettercities.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/full-content-width/MedResDownload_Pioneer%20Courthouse%20 Square-011.jpg
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ESQUISSE Four
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Proposed Site Plan 1:1000
Design Intentions The wheelchair-accessible ramps are built at 1:20 to roughly follow the fall of the natural topography as well as to allow for ease of access for wheelchairs and prams. Similar to the precedents mentioned previously, staircases are also incorporated within the design, since staircases are more practical for most people. The staircases also prevent the pedestrians from walking longer distances along the zigzag paths. Ramps, however, are embedded in the design so to not isolate the disabled.
Proposed Section 1:200
Proposed Section 1:1000
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ESQUISSE Four
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Proposed Usage Diagram N.T.S.
Design Intentions Land usage diagram, as shown on the previous page, demonstrates the suitability of the adjacent flat land to be used as picnic areas, play grounds and sitting and resting areas. Restrooms, drinking fountains and benches would also be incorporated in this area.
Reflection In this particular esquisse, we explored the posibility of incorporating ramps within the design of staircases, which turned out rather interesting. Both staircases and ramps provide ease of access to places that are elevated in different heights. However, while staircases are suitable for most people, we also need to cater for the disabled and parents with prams. Incorporating both into one cohesive design allows for the disabled to not feel isolated, while keeping the design interesting and creative. In places that are often visited and crowded, combined staircases and ramps also create spaces that offer a great flexibility. These spaces can be used for resting, gathering and even public events. Ranked as the world’s fourth-best public square, the Pioneer Courthouse Square hosts more than 300 public events per year and is visited by approximately 26,000 people everyday.
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ESQUISSE Five
Fort Worth Water Garden
http://www.fortwortharchitecture.com/water1.jpg
Precedent 1: Fort Worth Water Garden by Phillip Johnson and John Burgee
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Located in Texas, next to the Fort Worth Convention Centre, the Fort Worth water garden invites people to experience a variety of water features as they wander through this “cooling oasis in the concrete jungle�. The main attraction in this water garden is the active pool that has water cascading 11 metres down the terraced steps into the central pool at the very bottom. The pool is designed for people to be able to actively engage and play with water that is tumbling around them.
Royal Palace Water Garden
http://kellionsaipan.blogspot.com.au/2008/03/bali-2-water-gardens.html
Precedent 2: Royal Palace Water Garden The Royal Palace water garden is located in Tulamben, Bali, and was built in 1948 by the King of Karangasem. The garden also features tiered fountains and stone sculptures. Stone steps can also be seen throughout the water pond and therefore also invites the visitors to experience walking on top of the water body. This type of water garden is typical of the Balinese and Chinese styles.
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ESQUISSE Five
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Site Plan 1:1000
Design Intentions
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
View from Lower Path
Section 1:500
The design intention here is to create several water retention ponds at the lowest level of the land to hold rainwater during rainy days. There will be a total of five ponds, which will fill up consecutively. These water ponds are positioned right next to the altered lower path, before the river. It is positioned there in order to attract the pedestrians walking on the lower path and invite them to actively interact with the water body. Each pond contains several strips of stones that people can walk on and jump from one to another.
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ESQUISSE Five Reflection Water retention ponds are important in maintaining the natural conditions of the land, and they have different purposes in comparison to rainwater tanks. Water retention ponds located right next to a house may enhance the appearance of the landscaping around the house, and if desired, they can also be designed so that the occupants are able to interact with these water ponds. During rainy seasons and flooding events, water retention ponds help in retaining as much excess rainwater as possible and let it naturally evaporate. They should also be fitted with overflow pipes to channel the excess water to stormwater mains. When water retention ponds are designed carefully, they can serve well during flooding events, as well as encouraging people to interact and play.
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View from Walking Path (towards the Pavilion)
Assessment Two
Final DESIGN INTERVENTION
Robson Square Law Courts
http://www.shirbosandblasting.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_large/public/ gallery/_MG_0734.jpg
Pioneer Courthouse Square
http://bettercities.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/fullcontent-width/MedResDownload_Pioneer%20Courthouse%20 Square-011.jpg
Design Intervention Based on the previously-mentioned precedents (mainly the Robson Square Law Courts and the Pioneer Courthouse Square) and esquisses three and four, the final project is largely designed to integrate the Fansworth pavilion into the surrounding landscape, as well as providing equal access for all the occupants and visitors of the pavilion. The location of the pavilion will be as it is in esquisse three, with the longitudinal side of the pavilion facing northeast in order to receive the maximum amount of sunlight. The patio will also be facing the same direction so that the occupants and the visitors of the pavilion are able to enjoy the sun during sunny days and engage in outdoor activities in the patio. Accessibility is considered from both the upper and lower paths and access to the pavilion is designed so that visitors do not have to walk great distances or in circles in order to get to a destination point. Views towards the river are also considered from both the pavilion and the patio. This can be seen in the Site diagram that is on page 35.
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New York High Line
New York High Line
http://betterymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Steps-at-High-Line-Park-cc-Joe-Vare-1.jpg
Besides looking at the prior precedents, we also looked at the staircases and ramps designed for the New York High Line. In this example, the staircases are detached from the ramps and are placed at the ends of the ramps. The landings then become shared landings. This creates sitting and resting spaces in between the straight ramps, which is more desirable since the spaces created previously by the steep corner angles were idle and could not be utilised.
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Final DESIGN INTERVENTION
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Site Diagram N.T.S.
Site Plan N.T.S.
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Final DESIGN INTERVENTION
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Fine Grading Plan 1:400
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
Design Intervention - The Pavilion and the Platforms The pavilion sits platformEDUCATIONAL 01, and is surrounded by two other platforms that are of different heights. Upon arPRODUCED BY on AN AUTODESK PRODUCT riving at platform 01 from either the staircases or the ramps, the visitors are led straight into the patio and then to the pavilion itself. Visitors are also encouraged to explore the areas around the pavilion, and therefore these areas surrounding the pavilion are all accessible. From platforms 02 and 03, the visitors are able to look out towards the river and a series of glass ballustrades will ensure that visitors will be safe at all time. To the north of the pavilion, a tall retaining wall stops the soil from slipping. To the east and the west, stepped walls are erected to retain the soil, while not blocking the visitors’ views of the river.
Design Intervention - The Staircases and the Ramps
Similar to the design of the staircases and the ramps in New York High Line, in this final design, the staircases are detached from the ramps and are located west to the ramps. The spaces created in between the ramps then become areas for sitting and resting, as well as for planter boxes.
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL P
Section A-A 1:200
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Final DESIGN INTERVENTION
Section C-C (through Platform 01) 1:400
Section B-B 1:100 PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
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Bird’s-Eye View of the Pavilion
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Detail 01: Planter Box and Water Source 1:40
Detail 02: Retaining Wall Foundation Section 1:40
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
Detail 03: Stair to Landing Section 1:40
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
Final DESIGN INTERVENTION
View of Walking Through the Ramps towards the Pavilion
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