THESIS PROJECT ABSTRACT
ARC 8060
THE BIG HERE AND THE LONG NOW MATERIAL DRIVEN DESIGN APPROACH This studio introduce architecture in relation to time. The concept of thinking ‘now’ as a seed for the future instead of simply viewing something that exist for a brief moment since anything we consume and develop now has the power to affect many years down the road. However, as the world begin to proceed at a quicker speed, the less time people are willing to slow down and think about the future. The word ‘now’ is becoming considerably shorter, whereas these decisions has a significantly larger impact than before which we will soon receive repercussions from all irresponsible act we did previously, not necessarily impacting us within our lifetime but surely our next generations will have to deal with what we leave behind. Similar to the situation we are currently in. Bamboo is chosen as the material for investigation. Further developing from stage 5’s investigation in terms of sustainability, this year I have joined BHLN studio to approach architecture from a material’s perspective. This project begins with researching bamboo’s current material flow paired with its carbon footprint. It clearly shows the importance of using local material. Simply by reducing the transportation distance, the amount of carbon produce is greatly decreased. This project challenges the idea of using bamboo directly as a material directly from where it’s grown without harvesting. Since bamboo is already a zero waste material, the main investigation is not about closing the loop in the cradleto-cradle process. Bamboo is great at carbon capture and could be decomposed naturally after its end of life. Generally speaking it is a sustainable material. Despite it having that much environmental benefit, the material has fallen out of favour in the building industry for many tangible and intangible reasons, mainly technical difficulties and people’s preconception about bamboo. The first problem to tackle with bamboo is to change the negative connotations it had. I begin studying different material’s transition period, notably plastic and timber. Although these materials have a significantly different background and design obstacles, they both exhibited similar vigorous exploration process before the material gained its current position. Past examples have proofed that with appropriate design and application, the material’s best traits are presented. It has the power of shifting people’s impression of the material from negative to generally positive. Therefore I believe bamboo should be approached differently and viewed as if it’s a new, independent material. Through material driven design, a new building method is developed to suit living bamboo and a system that could not be replaced by any other material. In doing so, there will not be any direct comparison to conventional building materials that would immediately put bamboo to a disadvantage. The project does not begin with a fixed program and massing but rather to fit a building function afterwards so that there is less hindrance in exploring purely from a material’s perspective and to see what it wants to be. Each material deserves its own design, tailored to its unique properties accordingly so that resources are allocated efficiently. Therefore, my approach in reintroducing this traditional material is by changing people’s perception through offering a new tactile experience demonstrated with the stool design. Bamboo strips are bent to create a bouncy seat as oppose to traditional bamboo furniture that looks chunky and primitive. This project proposed a series of installation, intervention and structure that is grown and used according to the overall natural growth cycle of bamboo. Since they are all time specific, the few independent proposals is completed as one project. There is a clear overall time line and sequence of event at the beginning. This document is a 20 page thesis project abstract concluding stage 6 design work.
Janet Tam / stage 6
1
CURRICULUM VITAE
JANET TAM CONTACTS janettam930@gmail.com (+44) 7526501104 (+852) 93309284
EDUCATION / ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT Newcastle University
2019-2021 Master of architecture (TBD) 2015-2018 BA Architecture First honour RIBA northeast and yorkshire student award 2014-15 Outstanding achievement award (Architecture foundation)
St. Paul’s Convent School
2009-2013 Soverign art foundation school prize SPCS academic scholarship
WORK EXPERIENCE 2019
ThomsonAdsett (Hospital extension)
2017 summer internship
Leigh and orange ltd (Repurpose abandoned school into artist studio units)
2016 summer internship
Ho & partners architects (refurbishment works)
COMPETITION 2021
FAB Prize illustration entry / TBD
2020
FAB Prize illustration entry & Wraptious illustation entry / participate
2019
MTR design competition / Winner Asia illustration fair / Work exhibited in Shanghai Powerlong museum
2018
48 Hour design competition organised by Faulkner Brown architects / participate (group entry)
2017
Reprogram 24 organised by RIBA northeast / participate (group entry)
2013
Work exhibited in Hong Kong Convention and exhibtion Center / Finalist
Master and degree full portfolio: https://issuu.com/janettwy
References are available upon request.
THESIS PROJECT ABSTRACT
ARC 8060
NEGATIVE CONNOTATIONS
UNRECOGNISABLE AS BAMBOO
USE AS FINISHING
Short-lived, disposable, cheap material ‘a poor man’s timber’
Plastic-like final product that is made with bamboo fibre intended to appeal to the public as the substitute or alternative choice to plastic cutlery. Over processing bamboo to imitate other conventional material
Could be replace with any other material, doesn’t necessarily needs to be bamboo
COMBINED WITH CONVENTIONAL MATERIAL Practical for mass production. The complicated form can be made in bulk by machines
POINTLESS
SAYA OKIHARA
Material quality of both steel and bamboo is not demonstrated. The inspiration is taken too literally to the point that feels gimmicky.
This design demonstrates different textures of bamboo by using its entire cross section. The difference in composition of fibre is visible on the tip. The handle is divided by the node. Skin is kept for a smooth finish. Designing specifically for a material could change public’s perception.
39
PUBLIC ENCOUNTER
ENGINEERED BAMBOO
BAMBOO CLAD
BAMBOO POLE AS STRUCTURE
HAVING NO REAL VALUE
Bamboo is widely used in Hong Kong is as scaffold. Its application further accentuate the idea of the material being temporary.
The problem with developing bamboo as timber equivalent products such as bambooply, CLT, glulam products will eventually end up with the same pitfall of bamboo being a cheap version of mass timber.
Simple solution. Applicable for many other material as well. Suitable for biomaterial field to test new materials in small panel size.
3x3 column grid (as a general rule of thumb) is quite restricting. Also, many more material options available to the market that is better and stronger. Therefore, bamboo architecture slowly falls out of favour. This project explores the potential of using living plants as load bearing structure.
Triple layered bronze stainless steel tube that resembles bamboo moves up and down while rotating around a 4-storey building housing the foundation that promotes Chinese arts and craft.
DESIGN APPROACH MATERIAL DRIVEN DESIGN
This design project is intend to explore new possibilities of bamboo and to use it according to the material’s unique properties with a contemporary design to reintroduce and re-establish the century-old material in the current context.
2
THESIS ABSTRACT PRECEDENT STUDY
SEM 1 RECAP
NEW MATERIAL OLD BUILDING METHOD The role of architect in the biomaterial field is not simply to replace conventional material with new material or to fit a piece of hightech device within a building. Instead to create a material driven design which could suggest a new construction method that specifically reflects the quality of the material itself without falling into the pitfall of using new material in old construction method. Just like you won’t use traditional timber frame construction with CLT. The development of bamboo as a material shouldn’t be focused on creating substitutes. Different material should have their own construction method so that resources are allocated effectively. Similarly with bamboo, by exploring what bamboo is and what it is able to do informs a new construction method and a new building form without getting back into the pitfall of Shigeru Ban’s project discussed on page 17. Similarly, I’ve identified the same problem with the emerging biomaterial field discussed in the page 16.
THE GERMAN-CHINESE HOUSE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
PVC roof Tubular steel roof Bamboo laminated flooring Steel staircase Laminated bamboo beam EFTE facade panel Laminated frame for facade panel Column supporting roof structure
1 2 3 4 5
Node Bamboo Hollow culm Concrete filling 50cm Steel connector
3
TESTING LIVE BAMBOO
PHYLLOSTACHYS VIVAX
COMBINE WITH PREFAB FLOOR SLABS
PHYLLOSTACHYS BISSETII
LIVING BAMBOO AS STRUCTURE
LIVING BAMBOO PLANT
THESIS ABSTRACT PRESENTATION SLIDES
SEM 1 RECAP
V1
V2
V3
400 cm
500 cm
4 cm r=2
BENDING QUALITY ORGANIC FORM + SHELL FACADE TENT STRUCTURE
5 cm r = 2.5
CALCULATION
Trail 4 bamboo’s volume: πr2h = 1.6kg v1 - v2 = v3 π x 1.52 x 300 - π x (1.5-0.3)2 x 300 = 763.4 cm3 763.4 / 1.6 = 477cm3 / 1kg PRE-ESTABLISHED 5m
10m
π x 2.52 x 500 - π (2.5 - 0.5)2 x 500 = 3534.3 cm3 Ans / 477 = 7.41 kg
π x 52 x 1000 - π (5 - 1)2 x 1000 = 28274.3 cm3 Ans / 477 = 59.3 kg
ESTABLISHED
BUILDING ON SLOPES
USES ITS TENSILE STRENGTH JUNCTION THAT ACCOMODATES MOVEMENTS
20m
21m
π x 52 x 2000 - π (5 - 1)2 x 2000 = 56548.7 cm3 Ans / 477 = 118.6 kg
π x 52 x 2100 - π (5 - 1)2 x 2100 = 59376.1 cm3 Ans / 477 = 124.4 kg
*Assuming the thickness of wall is the same throughout the entire length *Node is included in the hollow tube’s volume *Data collected is from the same family but not the exact species *Sample size is not large enough *Quality of plants varies greatly with external condition
4
SEM 2 THESIS PROJECT
PROPOSAL
PRE + ESTABLISHED
B
WHAT IS UNIQUE TO LIVING BAMBOO
Bamboo can be shaped into complex tight curves three dimensionally that is otherwise difficult to do with air dried poles. 5
OVERALL VIEW
A
TEMPORARY GROWING FABRIC INTERVENTION
PORTFOLIO P.39
SEM 2 THESIS PROJECT
ADJUST LENGTH OF CABLE (FORCE OF FABRIC) ANCHOR FABRIC 0
PROPAGATE SEED
1
2
3
* 5
4
* 6
* 7
*
SHOOTS FROM YEAR 0
PHASE 1
B
*
* 10
ESTABLISHED PLANTATION
FURNITURE INTERVENTION BAMBOO IS MATURED IN 3-5 YEARS TIME (EARLIEST BY YEAR 11)
PRE-ESTABLISH
Scaffold mold is removed and relocated. Bamboo can be used structurally while attached to the ground.
MATERIAL DRIVEN DESIGN APPROACH
BAMBOO HAS REACHED ITS END OF LIFE BY AGE 10
REFLECTION A: In year 8, the fabric act as a mold that passively mold/forces the bamboos to curve. However it does not predetermine how and what shape it needs to be in. Arguably a bottom up approach, allowing bamboos to find its form within a fixed ceiling height.
* 5
0
PROPAGATE SEED
*
*
* 8
SHOOTS FROM YEAR 0
B: Bamboo is shaped to desired curve with a mold. The permanent living structure questions the idea of permanence. Since its parts are being constantly replaced and is technically there forever — the system is designed to be self sustainable. It breaks the preconception of bamboo representing a transitory period that people associates with scaffold, where bamboo only appear for the time being.
C
*
* * * * 10 11 12 13
ESTABLISHED PLANTATION
*
TEMPORARY LIVING PAVILION
* 5
0
* 6
* 7
* 9
* 8
SHOOTS FROM YEAR 0
* 10
*
◦ 15
◦
◦
◦ 18
◦
◦ 20
MATURED FULL SIZE BAMBOO
PERMANENT TYPICAL CONSTRUCTION Start building with bamboos harvested from site 1 in site 2
Cut down bamboos to make way for the pavilion earth filled ground (Site 1) + Mold shapes needed for site 2 in year 10
C: Opening up new production method of curved bamboos. It is no longer restricted to one dimension bend, potentially suggesting more organic form in typical air-dried bamboo construction method. All these proposals are time specific. For example, the fabric proposal can still be executed after the plantation has established, however its initial years best demonstrate the concept and dynamics of its unique growth cycle.
It looses its structural integrity over time and commonly consider old by the 10th year. Either cut it or leave it to naturally disintegrate
CONSTRUCT SCAFFOLD MOLD ONCE NEW THICKER SHOOT IS SEEN GROWING
*
*
ESTABLISHED PLANTATION
*
◦ 15
◦
◦
◦
MATURED FULL SIZE BAMBOO Reach its full height and diameter in 60 days, meaning the ‘walls’ forms quickly,
PHASE 2 ESTABLISHED PLANTATION
B
PERMANENT LIVING WORKSHOP Mold new shoot annually from year 10 onwards Weave in newly matured bamboo into roof structure annually from year 15 onwards Construct suspended floor structure + Mold shoots to support roof by year 15
0
* 5
SHOOTS FROM YEAR 0
* 6
* 7
* 8
* 9
* 10
*
ESTABLISHED PLANTATION
*
*
Weave into roof structure
*
◦ 15
◦
MATURED FULL SIZE BAMBOO
◦
◦
Weave matured bamboo from year 15 + remove aged bamboo from year 10 ◦
◦ 20
30
40
50
60
FLOWERS EVERY 50 YEARS SPORADICALLY
Synchronous flowering every 60- 120 year is not the case for moso bamboo. Bamboo produce seeds during the flowering process and spreads to the surrounding soil. Seed germinates and the cycle repeats. Healthy mother plant usually survives this process whereas other species will all die after the energy intensive process.
6
PROPOSAL CONCEPT P.27
ESTABLISHED
SEM 2 THESIS PROJECT
PETER GYSI
DANIEL SVAHN / ARTIST INTENT
Imagine the clamps are now the scaffold, and the timber pieces are the bamboos. While the timber pieces are still wet, glued with adhesive, it already formed a space underneath that can already be used. Overlapping multiple process (material production, construction and use). This is what fast growing plant is capable of doing and the solution proposed is unique to living bamboo.
Wood fell from storms is collected and reused. The artist creates a second life(value and function) for what is considered waste by the timber industry. The planks are cut out into standardised dimension to make the conceptual furniture.
AS STRUCTURE
MY INTERPRETATION When the timber planks are delivered for building applications in a construction site, the pile can temporarily take up another function as a street furniture while waiting for its intend purpose. It is a step more than reusing waste, but to fundamentally not increase material consumption. The picnic table and chair disappears when the timber is used. Similar to what is being proposed, it’s thinking about the transitional period. Before the bamboos are ready as structural elements, it is already being used as non-load bearing partitions.
B
Mold new shoot annually from year 10 onwards
AS PARTITION
C
Weave in newly matured bamboo into roof structure annually from year 15 onwards Construct suspended floor structure + Mold shoots to support roof by year 15
0
* 5
SHOOTS FROM YEAR 0
* 6
* 7
* 8
* 9
* 10
*
*
*
Weave into roof structure
*
◦ 15
◦
◦
◦
Cut down bamboos to make way for the pavilion earth filled ground (Site 1) + Mold shapes needed for site 2 in year 10
Weave matured bamboo from year 15 + remove aged bamboo from year 10 ◦
◦ 20
0
* 5
SHOOTS FROM YEAR 0 ESTABLISHED PLANTATION
MATURED FULL SIZE BAMBOO
* 6
* 7
* 8
* 9
* 10
*
ESTABLISHED PLANTATION
*
Start building with bamboos harvested from site 1 in site 2
*
*
◦ 15
◦
◦
◦
MATURED FULL SIZE BAMBOO Reach its full height and diameter in 60 days, meaning the ‘walls’ forms quickly,
7
A PROPOSAL
FABRIC A 15 x 7.5 m B 4x4m
A
PORTFOLIO P. 15
PRE - ESTABLISHED
SEM 2 THESIS PROJECT
B YEAR 0
YEAR 1
HEIGHT 30cm DIAMETER 3mm
HEIGHT 60cm DIAMETER 6mm
YEAR 3
YEAR 4
HEIGHT 170cm DIAMETER 1.7cm
HEIGHT 210cm DIAMETER 2.1 cm
YEAR 2
HEIGHT 120cm DIAMETER 1.2cm
YEAR 5
HEIGHT 250cm DIAMETER 2.5cm
NATURAL FORM FINDING Sheer fabric is loosely attached at four corners in year 0. As the plants grow over time, it pushes the fabric up changing the form every year. There isn’t any specific function in the initial 5 years because of its strength, height and its spacing. However people can still explore the space under and view on top of the fabric through the openings as an informal playground. When the plant is tall enough it forms a partially sheltered space underneath.
YEAR 6
HEIGHT 430cm DIAMETER 4.3cm
YEAR 7
HEIGHT 700cm DIAMETER 7cm
8
A
PORTFOLIO P. 19
PROPOSAL
PRE - ESTABLISHED
SEM 2 THESIS PROJECT
YEAR 6
HEIGHT 430cm DIAMETER 4.3cm
In year 5 design A (p.18 left hand side), it shows that only new taller bamboos is holding the fabric roof. If one additional fabric is stretched over earlier grown (shorter and now matured) bamboo. The two fabrics can connect to each other at some point to create more interesting spaces.
9
A
PORTFOLIO P. 21
PRE - ESTABLISHED
PROPOSAL
SEM 2 THESIS PROJECT
MAX AT 8m (YEAR 7-8)
1 DIAMETER 75mm 2 DIAMETER 80mm 75mm
3
4
1:5 RING ATTACHEMENT
60mm
ONLY APPLICABLE AT TOP SECTION DIAMETER 100mm
500mm
A steel ring connection is inserted when the shoot is still growing upwards. It rises with the pole and will not slide down as it is thicker below until it reaches its average of 100mm diameter. Nothing is attached to the ring until the pole is matured earliest in year 3, otherwise in year 5. NODE DISTANCE 500mm BAMBOO SHOWN IN SCALE 1:50
1:5 ANCHOR DETAIL 1 — Sheer textile membrane 2 — Cable 3 — Steel connector to fabric 4 — Ground fitting
150mm
Locally sourced membrane material equivalent to: Verseidag B18909 GFM 4000-42 in white used in North Rhine-Westphalia Textile Academy, Germany 0
50mm
10
B PROPOSAL
SCAFFOLD MOLD
PORTFOLIO P. 25
The scaffold mold also functions as a bench while the young shoot is growing in the background. This can be applied earliest in the 8th year considering both the length and load it can carry after the scaffold is removed. The same concept is applied in year 9 in a larger scale (p.26)
1.3m
11m
PRE + ESTABLISHED
SEM 2 THESIS PROJECT
0 90 DAYS
SCAFFOLD STAYS FOR 3-5 YEARS
1m
GROW INTO THE MOLD
BAMBOO IS MATURED IN 3-5 YEARS TIME (EARLIEST BY YEAR 11)
Scaffold mold is removed and relocated. Bamboo can be used structurally while attached to the ground. BAMBOO HAS REACHED ITS END OF LIFE BY AGE 10
It looses its structural integrity over time and commonly consider old by the 10th year. Either cut it or leave it to naturally disintegrate
CONSTRUCT SCAFFOLD MOLD ONCE NEW THICKER SHOOT IS SEEN GROWING
PROPAGATE SEED
* 5
0
SHOOTS FROM YEAR 0
YEAR 3 ... YEAR 7 YEAR 8
1.7m 7m 11m
*
*
* 8
*
* * * * 10 11 12 13
ESTABLISHED PLANTATION
*
◦ 15
◦
◦
◦ 18
◦
◦ 20
MATURED FULL SIZE BAMBOO
7m
8m
π x 3.52 x 700 - π (3.5 - 0.7)2 x 700 = 9698.1cm3 Ans / 477 = 20.3 kg — 113 / 20.3 = 6 Poles (round up)
π x 42 x 800 - π (4 - 0.8)2 x 800 = 14476.5 cm3 Ans / 477 = 30.3 kg — 113 / 30.3 = 4 Poles (round up)
9m
10m
π x 4.52 x 900 - π (4.5 - 0.9)2 x 900 = 20612.0 cm3 Ans / 477 = 43.2 kg — 113 / 20.3 = 3 Poles (round up)
π x 52 x 1000 - π (5 - 1)2 x 1000 = 28274.3 cm3 Ans / 477 = 59.3 kg — 113 / 20.3 = 2 Poles (round up) Two 10m pole can carry 118.6 kg.
11
B
PERMANENT LIVING WORKSHOP
PROPOSAL
11x11m
YEAR 15 1 Concrete basin with tap and drain acid 2 Manual pulley system lift with counterweight
PORTFOLIO P. 32
ESTABLISHED
SEM 2 THESIS PROJECT
1:100 FIRST FLOOR
0
1m
0
1m
4.9 X 5.0m 11x11m
1
2
1:100 WEST ELEVATION
0
1m
1:100 SUSPENDED GROUND FLOOR STRUCTURE 8.9 X 9.4m
1:50 CONNECTION DETAIL
0
1m
12
B
CONCRETE FOOTING
PROPOSAL
In year 10,all existing bamboos grown within the building perimeter is cut down to support the ground floor structure. The raised platform is intend not to disturb the ground condition. Initially I’ve considering filling the ground with earth. However it involved mixing cement to stabilize the ground, which mean that at the end of life of the building, it could not return to a fertile ground for future plantation. Therefore if the floor is raised, the plants can still grow underneath. Meanwhile the young bamboo grown within the workshop can be molded into furniture otherwise it can be cut away. The floor structure is the same as the image on the left but the final design eliminates the use of concrete footing. Existing bamboo is cut to the height required instead.
PORTFOLIO P. 33
ESTABLISHED
SEM 2 THESIS PROJECT
BAMBOO SCRIMBER
PLANED BAMBOO STRIP SCAFFOLD MOLD
CUT EXISTING BAMBOO TO REQUIRED HEIGHT AS COLUMNS
1:50 SUSPENDED GROUND FLOOR STRUCTURE
0
1m
13
B PROPOSAL
ATTACH FLOOR STRUCTURE
NORTH ELEVATION
PORTFOLIO P. 15
ESTABLISHED
SEM 2 THESIS PROJECT
EAST ELEVATION
1 WASH
3
2
4
ACID TREATMENT
PENDING ZONE
DRYING ZONE
INHABITATION First, lichens and mosses present on the skin is washed off and dried in the pending area in the upright position for 4 weeks. Since parenchyma cells does not die immediately after the bamboo is cut, it will continue to digest the leftover starch within the pole. Naturally lowering starch level overtime. It is then treated on the other side of the workshop from the first floor working platform.
14
B
PORTFOLIO P. 35
PROPOSAL
ESTABLISHED
SEM 2 THESIS PROJECT
1.1m
8m 0.6m
3 ACID TREATMENT
1:100 SECTION
2 PENDING ZONE
0
1m
Borax and boric acid is pumped into one end and sap is drained into the concrete basin. By treating it vertically, less electricity is needed as gravity will do most of the work. Improvement of current design will be to move the platform even higher so that the top of the pole leans at the floor level of the platform. The tube attached to the tank of acid is connected at the bottom as well so that liquid naturally flows out, so that the process completely relies on gravity. The use of electric pumping motor is eliminated. However it meant squatting down at ground level while attaching the tubes.
15
B
APRIL-JUNE
JANUARY 12AM - 6AM
APRIL-JUNE
SITE PREP FOR YEAR 10
YEAR 10
YEAR 11
Elevations of cut on page 34
Tensile roof is temporarily attached to the scaffold mold
Move year 10 scaffold from position 1 to 2
APRIL-JUNE
PORTFOLIO P. 36
PROPOSAL
ESTABLISHED
SEM 2 THESIS PROJECT
YEAR 15
HARVEST MONTH
HARVEST TIMING
Although starch level is lowest in pole during rainy season, the sudden drastic decrease in moisture content after harvesting might induce cracks and splits. Therefore, it is recommended to harvest during January to February where starch level is relatively low in pole as nutrient is concentrated at the roots to develop new shoots underground. Poles harvested tends to be harder and drier hence better quality.
Common practice shows that bamboo should be harvest during 12am to 6am before sunrise when starch level is the lowest. Mid-day is the worst timing to harvest as starch is at its peak level because photosynthesis is taking place. It is believed that moon phase has an effect on the starch content as well but it is not scientifically proven. Third quarter and waning crescent is the best period to harvest as observed by experience from untreated poles. The dates varies every year. It can be checked in the Chinese traditional calender. Harvesting in the right timing will decrease the chances of it being attacked by insects, lighter to carry and tends to dry faster consequently speeding up the treatment process.
16
B
NO. OF POLES REQUIRED BAMBOO SCRIMBER: 1160 kg/m3 SINGLE SKIN PTFE TENSILE FABRIC: 1.5kg/m2
APRIL-JUNE
APRIL-JUNE
PORTFOLIO P. 37
PROPOSAL
ESTABLISHED
SEM 2 THESIS PROJECT
FLOOR 1/F floor frame: 0.206m3 + 0.825m3 = 1.031m3 1/F handle: 0.16128m3 +0.3388m3 = 0.5 m3 (1.031+0.5) x 1160 = 1776.0 kg MANUAL PULLEY LIFT Roof: 0.29 m3 4 sides: 0.1 x 3 + 0.01(door) = 0.31m3 Floor: 0.132m3 Weight of lift only: 0.73m3 x 1160 = 846.8 kg Counterweight: 846.8kg + 150kg(1 person) = 996.8kg Total round up to 1850kg TENSILE ROOF 1.5kg x 57.6m2= 86.4kg TOTAL DEAD LOAD 1776 + 1850 + 86.4= 3712.4 kg 20m
π x 52 x 2000 - π (5 - 1)2 x 2000 = 56548.7 cm3 Ans / 477 = 118.6 kg
3712.4 / 118.6 = 31.3 Round up to 32 poles
NO. OF POLES DEAD + LIVE LOAD The load calculation assumed the entire length has the same in diameter. However bamboo tapers at the top. Therefore to be safe, for a 25m pole, we do not include the top 5m length, so that data of 20m pole is taken. 32 poles will be required to hold the dead load. Live load of a deck including furniture and people is approximately 40 pounds/sq foot (195.3 kg/m2). Floor area 25m2 = 4882.5 kg 4882.5 / 118.6kg = 41.2 Round up to 42 poles Total: 32 + 42 = 74 MINIMUM 74 POLES HOLDING THE STRUCTURE AT THE SAME TIME 74 / 2 = 37 pole on each side Excess poles will be molded to take potential pole failure (earlier than its expected lifetime) into account. In unlikely situation where there is not enough bamboos growing in the molding area, scaffold is constructed temporarily to hold the floor and roof as a backup plan.
YEAR 20
YEAR 40
FUTURE EXPANSION In year 40, the original molding area becomes saturated with leftover stumps, leaving no space for new bamboo shoots to grow. Floor structure can extend outwards, 1.5m on each side. Molding area is shifted correspondingly. If 1/F is expanded, number of poles will need to be recalculated.
17
This project is situated within the West Kowloon district where it aims to develop as ‘an internationalgrade arts and culture hub’. It takes up the main entry route leading to the new district on the left. The site is only accessible from the underground tunnel or from the same side from the south. The four ‘islands’ are divided by heavy traffic without crossings. Since the road leads to the exit of a cross harbour tunnel and a highway further away. For this reason, it is more private at the edge which is exactly opposite to most site where the corners are usually the main entrance. Pedestrian flow is directed to cut through the plantation creating a smoother connection for people who is not necessarily visiting but passing through the site. More details and justification of site on page 83.
GENERAL SITE ACCESS
WEST KOWLOON CULTURAL DISTRICT ENTRANCE
SEM 2 THESIS PROJECT
People entering from either side will be lead to the same main entrance pathway into the visitor pavilion. The workshop is located at the center of all other interventions as it is the core for the program. Smaller bench interventions can be scattered around the site.
D
C
C
B C
Future extension will be towards the left which is currently occupied by a project site office for the west kowloon train terminus across the street. A
A
POTENTIAL EXTENSION
ENTRY BY FOOT (UNDERGROUND TUNNEL) SITE BOUNDARY
BUS STATION
0
50m MTR EXIT
18
PHASE 1 Location and size of intervention should be adjusted according to site and plant condition. Since bamboo shoots originates from the same mother plant is essentially linked together underground even if it appears 100m apart on ground level. Energy from photosynthesis is shared in the root system. Thus, concerns about bamboos under the fabric (sheer or not) intervention is not getting enough energy to survive should not be an issue. Detail design and position of the next living structure totally depends on where bamboo grows.
INFORMAL PLAYGROUND TEMPORARY MOLDING FABRIC Tent fabric is anchored on the ground since matured bamboo from year 3-5 is rather short. The same fabric is reused in year 30 flipped upside down and hanged from the steel rings on the bamboo.
YEAR 8 ALL PROPOSALS
PRE-ESTABLISHED
SEM 2 THESIS PROJECT
A
B BENCH FURNITURE INTERVENTION Earthed floor will be paved leading to each bench if it is not situated near any main intervention.
FABRIC INTERVENTION TEMPORARY MOLDING FABRIC
A
EARTH FLOOR UNTREATED GROUND WHERE PLANTS CAN GROW FREELY. USUALLY COVERED WITH FALLEN BAMBOO LEAVES IN A BROWNISH SHADE
19
PHASE 2
LEADING TO INFORMAL HANGING NET PLAYGROUND
The workshop acts as the core of the program since any normal application of dried bamboo poles requires protective treatment pre application to strengthen its durability. Untreated poles are prone to fungal and insect attacks. If it’s left on its natural state, it can only last for a maximum of 2 years. If it is protected from both rain and sun it may last for 4-7 years or more. Properly harvest, treated, design and maintained bamboo structure could last for a century. Therefore, the workshop is prioritized as the first permanent structure constructed on site. The program focused on offering craft making workshops as a medium to pass on traditions and culture that is embedded in bamboo. Initially it begins with a small 100m2 workshop handling harvested bamboos for constructions on site. The scale of program slowly expands with the plantation over time (p.14). The overall site is an experimental testing ground for exploring potential forms and showcases what bamboo is capable of doing. In conclusion, these proposals work independently to each other and some exists in parallel time frame. All proposed construction schedule matches with nature’s time line. This is an open-ended project that is going to take years to realise. There isn’t a final form planned out but a space that is constantly changing, growing, building and adapting along the way.
TEMPORARY MOLDING FABRIC FUTURE WORKSHOP EXTENSION HOUSING MACHINERIES PERMANENT AIR DRIED CONSTRUCTION
A
Tent fabric is stretched over structure to form a semi enclosed space. Tectonics described on page 68.
C
YEAR 30 ALL PROPOSALS
ESTABLISHED
SEM 2 THESIS PROJECT
D PERMANENT TYPICAL CONSTRUCTION TOILET
A TEMPORARY MOLDING FABRIC
B
Application of fabric is altered to fit full sized bamboos. The concept is the same as proposal A.
PERMANENT LIVING STRUCTURE
PAVILION FOR PUBLIC TALKS
MAIN WORKSHOP
C C
PERMANENT AIR DRIED CONSTRUCTION
TEMPORARY LIVING PAVILION
Curved bamboo supply is from the living pavilion on the left same with the circular pavilion on top. Designs varies in form and scale depending on how the curved bamboo is positioned and combinations of different sets of curves..
CRAFT WORKSHOP
VISITOR PAVILION
MAIN ENTRY EARTH FLOOR UNTREATED GROUND
20