NUS Architecture Y2

ARCHI

PORTFOLIO TECTURE

SOH MING LUN NUS ARCHITECTURE YEAR 2

CONTENTS B A MB O O C E NT R E

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PAL I MPS E ST

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@ KA L L A NG R IVE R

@ DA I RY FA R M NATU R E PA R K

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BAMBOO CENTRE

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THE BRIEF for this project was to design a “C4”: Centre for Cities & Climate Change. The C4 aims to promote public understanding of the urban environment and climate change - both in terms of the environmental impact of cities and urban lives that contribute to climate change, and the impacts of climate instability on cities and urban lives - in order to facilitate collective action on climate change mitigation and a low carbon future.

and green elements into a singular entity. A pavilion onsite, consisting of dual elements of a man-made bench and a tree, was the initial inspiration for this project’s approach. This project thus examines the role of architecture in this symbiosis between man and nature, by studying the composition of man-made and natural elements, and the building’s interface with the green and blue elements on-site.

THE CONCEPT was inspired the symbiotic relationship between Man and Nature. The role of the architecture is imagined as a catalyst to engage man with the environment and unify the man-made, blue

THE PROGRAMME was thought to be a community hydroponics as the core function of the C4, which perfectly embodies the essence of the symbiotic relationship.

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TUTOR: LOOI CHEE KIN YEAR 2 SEMESTER 2

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THE SITE

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SOLAR ANALYSIS (JUN/DEC 8AM, 12PM, 4PM)

SOLAR ANALYSIS

FIGURE-GROUND

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The building is sited at the Kolam Ayer ABC Waterfront to take advantage of the existing spaces (i.e. waterfront pavilion, bridge, promenade, fishing deck) that already engage the residents with the river.

The mood collage captures the essence of the site: The key spaces of the ABC programme; the neighbouring residential and industrial buildings; the aquatic life (monitor lizards, heliconia, kingfishers, terrapins); as well as the existing kayaking centre with monthly paddling events. After a preliminary solar and wind analysis, the building is situated at a position, between the high-rise HDB flats, with optimal shading and wind conditions (north-south) and its south side facing a void in the urban setting. The building hugs the river bank and respects the huge void of the river, while engaging the green and blue elements.

DESIGN PROCESS

(Above) Sectional models as a matrix. These models were part of a preliminary study of how a building can interface with the river bank and the river surface, utilizing a basic, elemental representation of roof, wall and plane.

(Right) These diagrams synthesizes the design process. It begins with the concept of creating the 3 layers of experience - where the building is on the ground, on the water plane, and underwater.

The building then hugs a portion of the river and takes on a "C" form with the extension of the platform on the water plane, embracing the river to be part of the architecture as a water courtyard

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The underwater massing is then revised and replaced with a plane, due to practicality, costs and footprint incurred, with the massing shifted to the other programs to maintain the balance in composition.

The river bank is engaged as a potential space for the gallery, and the mass extends further onto the ground, interfacing with the existing trees,forming a more meaningful relationship between the building and site.

The entire massing is revised and broken up, punctured with voids to engage the inner edges with the blue element.

The result is a composition of an interweaving sequence of mass/void, creating interesting spaces.

PROCESS MODELS

Initial sectional parti model illustrating the concept of the three-layered spatial experience. The hydroponics farm programme is the essence of the three-way exchange between the human, green and blue element.

Development of massing of admin block and inclusion of a cafe/shop under the hydroponics farm. A fishing deck is also introduced around the center tree, creating a water courtyard space (swimming pool).

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Identifying bamboo as the primary material which can also be utilized for the hydroponics farm. Development of screen language for porosity and ventilation - and tectonic expression of bamboo.

HALVED BAMBOO CULM ROOFING WATERPROOF SEALANT 100Ø BAMBOO PURLIN GALVANISED WIRE BINDING 100Ø BAMBOO RAFTER SUPPORTED BY 100Ø COLUMN HALVED BAMBOO CULM ROOFING 300 OVERLAP NAILED TO PURLIN WITH BATTENS FLASHING WITH STEEL CAP LASHING TO SECURE PURLINS TO RAFTER 100Ø BAMBOO PURLIN @ 750 C-C 100Ø BAMBOO COLUMNS @ 1500 C-C

100Ø BAMBOO COLUMNS @ 1500 C-C SLIDING GLASS PANELS T = 12 FLATTENED BAMBOO CULM FLOORING L x W x T = 1500 x 500 x 20, WATERPROOF SLIDING GLASS PANELS SECURED TO BAMBOO WITH STEEL PLATE AND 60Ø BRACKETS 60Ø BAMBOO JOISTS @ 500 C-C

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100Ø BAMBOO COLUMNS @ 1500 C-C SECURED TO BEAM WITH LASHING FLATTENED BAMBOO CULM FLOORING WATERPROOF, L x W x T = 1500 x 500 x 20 FLOORING NAILED TO BAMBOO JOIST@ 240 C-C 60Ø BAMBOO JOIST@ 500 C-C GALVANISED WIRE BINDING 100Ø BAMBOO BEAM W/ CONCRETE INFILL SECURED W/ STEEL TIE BEAM

100Ø BAMBOO COLUMN EMBEDDED 400 in R.C.C. FOUNDATION 80Ø RING @150 C-C 360 x 360 R.C.C. M20 PRECASE PILE 340Ø RING @150 C-C WALL TO REINFORCE T = 150 BRICK. SOLING T = 100

R E V I S E D I T E R AT I O N

The revised iteration forms a deeper connection to site as well as the blue and green elements. Upon entry, the existing trees pierces through the roof and the columns penetrates the floors into the river bank. With a hint of the river bank gallery, the user is subsequently directed into the lobby/reception. The sequence of spatial experience is as follows: hydroponics farm, deck/cafe, pool, gallery.

The office spaces sit on the highest floor, separated from the main circulation.

It is then crucial to revise the screen strategy, for the porosity it offers suffers a disadvantage against strong winds and directional rain. Adjustable sliding glass panels are introduced in the office spaces to regulate the ventilation thus mitigating this problem with minimal disruption to the facade. The ramp connecting the lobby to the lower levels becomes an additional layer that protects the reception area from directional rain.

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SECTIONAL MODEL

The structure for the main building block anchored to the bank, highlighting the office, entry, reception lobby and river bank gallery spaces.

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FINAL MODEL

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PALIMPSEST

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THE BRIEF for this project was to design an EcoLodge for glamping, across 3 rustic and natural locales: Mandai Forest, Pulau Ubin and Dairy Farm.

The site that my studio worked on was the Dairy Farm Nature Reserve. The project’s focus was for us to study the physical, environmental and ecological conditions of the site and create a sensitive and appropriate architecture through rigorous site planning, with emphasis on anchoring the building onto the site.

THE CONCEPT was generated after judicious site studies and careful observations made during site visits. The architecture serves to be a ‘palimpsest’ to highlight the beauty and significance of the rustic ruins of Dairy Farm (originally a kampong/cow farm). By outlining them and building along the perimeter of the exposed ruins, the architecture embraces the artefacts as though transofrming it into a landscape embedded with meaningful and precious memories of the land.

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T U T O R : Y O N G S Y LY N G YEAR 2 SEMESTER 1

THE SITE

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The Eco-Lodge sits in the dairy farm nature park, in front of the Wallace Education Center. It outlines the ruins of the past in an attempt to engage the users in a contemplative experience, while providing opportunities for communal gathering and moments in solitude.

Through an intricate reading of the site, the essence of the place is derived from the intersections between the ‘artificial’ and nature. At these intersections lie an ambiguous boundary, blurred by the overlapping of the two: with the growth of grass matter over concrete terrain and banyan trees growing into and over the walls of an abandoned concrete hut.

These intersections reveal a deeper reading of the site, as they occur only at the remains of the past dairy farm buildings. These ruins are neglected and unused, and the wallace education centre failed to engage the ruins to provide a more meaningful educational experience for the park-goers.

The architectural intervention here sees the untapped potential of the ruins as a medium for an enriching experience, to engage users in appreciating the beauty of the ruins, relics and artefacts, of what were once here.

SITE HISTORY

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The ruins and artefacts of the site originated from multiple layers of history, dating all the way back to the 19th century when the kampong settlements were found.

The dairy farm building was then constructed, with foundations in a grid of 3 x 3 metres. These buildings, one of which was a cow shed, were of a steel frame structure with a corrugated metal roof.

DESIGN PROCESS

3-metre corridor massing running along the outline of the ruins. Walls developed and massing organized to have first level openings face only inwards, while second level openings face only outwards. This gesture is based upon the idea of the first level being an ‘extension’ of the ruins and the second level being a new layer added to the site.

Linear circulation is revised into a loop that embraces the ruins and forms a more meaningful circulatory path.

The eco-lodge dwelling units are created as an extrusion from the outline on the second level, with views directed outwards framing the surrounding trees.

The enclosed ruins now become a communal courtyard space, and a meditative corridor circumambulates the enclosed ruins (the concrete abandoned hut).

The result is an inward facing corridor on the first level and outward facing dwelling units on the second level.

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R E V I S E D I T E R AT I O N

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Taking inspiration from Peter Zumthor’s Serpentine Pavilion, the mono-pitched roof structure is adopted which formally gives emphasis to the courtyard spaces i.e. the artefacts and ruins. The structure also allows the upper level to extend outwards for the dwelling spaces.

The overall structure would be that of a steel frame with screens that split the corridors from the enclosed ruins spatially, while maintaining visual access.

The screens widen at deliberate locations to frame a specific view of the artefacts, visually enhancing the experience.

The play of light and shadow here piques users’ interest to move towards the openings where more light penetrates into the corridor, engaging the sense of wonder.

REVISED MODEL

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Plan PLANS

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SECTION Section

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C

Construct

CONSTRUCT

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SOH MING LUN NUS ARCHITECTURE YEAR 2