F_Hawkins_ ADR_CONCISE

Surface Matrix

Manipulating the Urban Surface How can programmatic and experiential diversity be created through the exploration of surface manipulation?

This research aims to explore the notion of landscape being an urban surface, a continuous ground plane. Not one that fills in the gaps between buildings and infrastructure, but one that is inclusive of these, thus forming a dynamic hybrid.

The goal is to explore and develop a landscape that is responsive to the diverse needs of an urban environment throughout various times of the day/week/year, insteadofaspacethatisonlybeneficialforonepurposeatspecifictimesoftheyear.

The research focus’ on how surface can be used to create programmatic and experiential diversity, through the use of a framework generated from contextual and circulation constraints. These constraints will be used to inform the design to achieve a design outcome that has programmatic and experiential diversity.

Fletcher Hawkins 3197260

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Research Question Evolution

Urban Versatility With a growing population and space becoming more valuable, the way in which we use and occupy space in our urban environment needs to be explored. How as Landscape Architects can we test the traditional views on what an urban environment is and blur the boundaries between Architecture, Urban Infrastructure and Landscapes?

Grey Space Using the method of surface manipulation how can we as landscape architects blur the boundaries between Landscape and Architecture?

Grey Space Through the exploration of Bernard Tschumi’s formula, Concept vs Context vs Content, how can we as Landscape Architects develop hybridised urban spaces/landscapes through the manipulation of constructed surfaces?

Surface Matrix How can we explore and develop formal outcomes through the manipulation of the urban surface through a design framework which considers the surrounding urban fabric?

Surface Matrix How can programmatic and experiential diversity be created through the exploration of surface manipulation?

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Introduction

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What? Why? Glossary of Terms

Programmatic Criteria

Concept -a general notion or Idea

Train Station Framework -a structural plan or basis of a project

Surface -a material layer constituting a boundary.

-any face of a body or thing: -extent or area of outer face

Retail

Manipulate -to manage or influence skilfully -to tamper with for personal gain

Green Space

Force -power to influence, affect, or control

Hybrid

Public Event Space

-anything composed of different elements to produce an outcome

Infrastructure -the basic, underlying framework or features of a system or organisation -the fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or area,

Car Park

Current Proposals These are current design proposals for the Jolmont rail yard site. The first is design

by LAB Architects and the second id by DCM. These examples are helpfull for my own design proposals to rub up againts. LAB’s proposal is more sucessfull because it engages a lot more with public space while DCM is just four rows of highrise with trees.

What? Why?

My research looks at the development of the Jolimont Rail Yard which is position in one of the best locations in Melbourne, yet it is completely underutilised and wasting the possible potentials the site possess. Space in the urban environment is highly sought after and should be developed with rigour and consideration. The urban environment should be seen as a larger urban fabric that different components sit within.

Projects like Yokohama Port Terminal by FOA and Slussen by BIG have had a large influence on my design research. These projects explore the concept of a surface that is manipulated by movement and circulation with the intent of blending into the urban fabric it is positioned in. The projects also develop a site that contained specific infrastructure like traffic or a port and proposed a landscape that is dynamic and much more than its initial program.

Design Criteria -Must bridge the gap between City and Waterfront -Must have a visual connection with river from street level -Must contain all Programmatic criteria -Good circulation, people need to be able to move through spaces freely -Proposal needs to take full advantage of Iconic Views -Consist of a variety of spatial qualities -Must consist of a varienty of circulation types

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Concept vs Context vs Content

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Indifference Bernard Tshumi-Concept vsTactical Context vs Content Tactical Tactical Indifference Indifference Tactical Indifference

Contextualising Co Contextualising Co Contextualising Contextualising Co Co

Tacticle Indiference When context is banal and uninteresting. This strategy focuses of the concept where the context plays little to no role.

Reciprocity and Conflict

Reciprocity Reciprocity and and Conflict Conflict Reciprocity Reciprocity and and Conflict Conflict

In this strategy the concept remains the primary force yet is made to interact with the context in calculated ways.

The concept is connected to the context in multiple ways with different relationship possibilities. It might blend in with the context or stand out. The Contents also can have particular relationship with context and concept for example the content being the primary force.

fig.01 Concept Context Content

What I took from Bernard Tschumi’s formula was how Concept, Context and Content can have particular relationships with one another in different circumstances. Fig.01 explores the hierarchical change between the relationships. A design could be either Concept driven, Context drive or Content driven. Although all these strategies are not possible to explore, this is because my research explores the one set of relationships, although my hierarchy can change between the three.

Conceptualising Context Conceptualising Context Bernard Conceptualising Context

Tshumi-Concept vs Context vs Content Conceptualizing Context This Strategy explores the notion of the context taking over. For example a site that has overriding complexities and constraints.

Context becoming Concept Context becoming Concept Context becoming Concept

Context becoming Concept This strategy explores the notion of the context being transformed into the projects concept.

Blending the concept into its surroundings.

Concepts becoming Contexts Concepts becoming Contexts Concepts becoming Contexts

Concepts becoming Contexts This strategy is the opposite to the previous one. This strategy is generally large scale and the concepts becomes its own context.

Contextualising Concept

Contextualizing Concept This strategy explores how concepts adapt to their environments. SO if a concept is placed in two differing contexts although they might appear similar they function differently.

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Site

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Site Context_Plan CBD - Waterfront Barrier There is a clear issue with this site being a barrier it between the CBD and the Yarra’s edge.

Federation square does create some form of connection but I feel because of the large buildings blocking the view it still creates a barrier. Therefore sight lines and views become an important aspect to design outcome.

Circulation

Main Connections This site is very unique and fortunate with its positioning in the broader context of Melbourne. It is centralised between Federation Square the CBD, he Sports precinct and the Yarra’s edge. This site has great potential in bridging the gap between these significant precincts

Public Transport

Site Context_Plan View Points

Current HUB Federation Square and Flinders street station is arguably the Current HUB of Melbourne.

It’s the main Station and Public Event space.

Proposed HUB This site presents itself as being the new HUB of Melbourne.

The diagram shows how it can connect and bleed out into its surroundings.

Proposed Circulation

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Contextual Forces Main Connections

Site Access Points

Site Boundaries

Contextual Forces Current Circulation

Trainlines

Site Surface

Contextual forces are important part to my design framework.

The concept it to use context as a force to manipulate the surface.

After reviewing the contextual information there are a few forces that I feel are most dynamic and interesting. These are Acess, Circulation and View points inparticular curculation. Thes are what I find most interesting when making design desicions. They way people enter, move through a space is what I give hierarchy to. The precedents I hace chosen explore these notions highly.

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Current Site Conditions_Section

Current Site Conditions_Section

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Site Images

The Views on site can be used as a design force to generate a formal and spatial outcome. Because of the location of the site there are many views which should be taken advantage of. The waterfront, MCG and Melbourne skyline are all iconic views in Melbourne and quite particular to this site to be able to see all three in the one space. I intend to use views as a force to make my design decisions, and factors of height sight lines come into consideration when manipulating the surface ground plane.

Site Views

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Federation Square Circulation & Entry Analysis

et e r t sS der

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Federation Square is quite a sucessful in the way it can be used for multiple programs and events. It could be argues that Federation quare has become the centre point of Melbourne.

However Federation Square can be seen to have turned its back on the waters edge an has little to no visual connection to the water.

This analysis shows how people move through the space as well as show the entry points into federation square. The Images show how there is not visual connection to the waterfront. With my site being next to Federation Square, my goal is to create a visual connection from Fliders street to the waterfront.

Comparing Sites_Scale Jolimont Railyard

Flagstaff Gardens

Federation Square

Olympic Sculpture Park

Slussen

Yokohama Port Terminal

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Surface Manipulation

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Follie_01

Follie_02

Follie_01

Follie_02

The Concept behind the first follie was to overlay multiple surfaces to create multiple spaces and levels.

I used a scoring and folding techniques to manipulate the surface. The different surfaces can be arranged to create different formal and spatial outcomes.

The second follie tried to explore similar concepts to the first yet using the technique of slicing rather than folding. Again the aim was to see what spatial qualities and formal outcomes could be achieved.

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Follie_03

Follie_03 Unlike the first two follies, Follie 3 didn’t aim to achieve a formal outcome. The concept was to explore the relationship between two differing materials. How two subjects can come together to create one?

The techniques of weaving and layering were prominent in the making of this follie.

Some questions were asked about the relationships between the two materials and weather there is a strong one or not.

If you take away the string, the tape doesn’t change.

If you take away the tape, the string slightly changes.

What came out of this follie was how it looked like a Rhino surface with a framework around it. This concept had influence on follie 4.

Follie_04

Follie_04 Like Follie 3 the aim wasn’t to achieve a spatial and formal outcome but it was the concept behind it that was more important and interesting. The concept was to be able to change and manipulate the sheet with an outside force. String is threaded through the surface and is able to be pulled thus affecting the surface.

This Follie was the first iteration of my research on outside forces used to generate an outcome. What was good about this follie where the questions that came out of it.

What are the forces?

Is there a hierarchy to the forces?

Why are the points of the surface where they are?

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Surface Manipulation Glossary Fold

Warp/Gridshell

Minimal Surface

Extrude & Subtract

Slice

Exploring the Folded Surface

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The Folded/Warped Surfcae

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Folding Surface Through Circulation

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Yokohama Port Terminal_FOA

“Our proposal for the project start by declaring the site as an open public space and proposes to have the roof of the building as an open plaza, continuous with the surface of Yamashita Park as well as Akaranega Park.�

“Rather than a topological defined building with discrete enclosure an limits, the design provides a field that creases and warps that allows for alternate uses and needs.”

Yokohama Port Terminal_FOA

Foreign Office Architects’ Yokohama Port Terminal is a project I have admired for a while. I have been able to use Yokohama in my research to been able to explore and understand what it is that I am interest in. Yokohama is a good example of Architecture and Landscape working as one entity. Instead of approaching the project as Architecture FOA defined the project as an open public space. The aim of the design was to create a multi-directional space thus moving away from the traditional linear characteristics of a Pier. Yokohama Port creates a continuous surface with two distinct spatial qualitie, achieved through the folding of the surface. This creates continuity between the exterior and the interior spaces and the multiple levels. The design was generated from a circulation diagram with the aim to produce an extension of the urban surface rather than having it as a separate structure on the pier. FOA transform the lines of the circulation diagram into a “folded and bifurcated (splitting) surface.” These folds produce a range of spaces and surfaces where different programs can be hosted. The continual folded surface also serves a distinct purpose for passengers using the port terminal as it is the required program. FOA wanted passengers to be able to be dropped off with luggage and easily move through the space without the interruption of stairs. An interesting aspect of the folded surface is its structural integrity in relation to the context of Japans Seismic movements. The structural folds distribute the loads through the surfaces to the ground thus coping with the movements that affect the Japanese topography.

I also considered Bernard Tschumis Concept vs Context vs Content in relation to FOA’s design. It can be said the concept of using circulation as the generative force for the design hold heiarchy. Yet it could also be said that the programmatic function is most influential with the circulation diagram servicing it. There is also a contextual aspect with FOA wanting it to be a continuous surface with the surrounding parks.

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Slussen_BIG & NOD Fig. 01

Slussen is a project collaboration between BIG Architects and NOD Landscape Architects, which creates urban infrastructure for public life rather than being an infrastructural network for car traffic. Slussen consists of some similar characteristics to Jolimont rail yard, like being a site that is uninhabitable and a boundary to the water’s edge. The design proposal is very particular to my interests in the hybridisation of Landscape, Architecture and Infrastructure. The merging of Infrastructure circulation and pedestrian circulation seems to be a key driving force (as seen in Fig.01).

Slussen consists of multiple levels interweaved together using ramps which allow people to move freely between the different spaces. BIG use a dynamic animation to portray their design concept (Fig.02). What is quite relatable to my own research is the process of overlaying a surface the using the circulation of traffic and pedestrians to make manipulations to the surface. The animation shows a slicing technique to break up the surface to create the layers and levels. BIG also use the dispersion of light and views to generate the design outcome.

"A dynamic three-dimensional urban space on multiple levels shaped by the flow of cars, trains and buses. We propose to turn Slussen inside out, by wrapping all the vehicular infrastructure in multiple layers of public programs and urban spaces."

Slussen_BIG & NOD

“On top of all this (Infrastructure) we add a virgin site for the people of Stockholm to finally reach the water. We crop it to fit the site and slice it up to let air and views inside."

Fig. 02

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The Oblique Surface

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The Oblique Function_ Claude Parent and Paul Virilio

The Oblique Surface_Section

The Oblique Function is the concept to tilt the ground in order to challenge the typical vertical wall. When a vertical wall is inclined, the wall becomes experiencable. The oblique is fundamentally interested in how a people physically experience a space. The slope implies an effort to climb up and a speed to climb down. This achieves a space which has multiple surfaces that can be used instead of the usual single surface when walls a vertical.

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The Extruded Surface

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Rathaus Terraces Weilburg_ACME Fig.01

Rathaus Terraces Weilburg_ACME Fig.02

Fig.03

ACME’s terrace design for Weilburg, Germany like Yokohama and Slussen explores the notion of blending Landscape and Architecture. The site is an existing car park waiting to be demolished. Much like Jolimont rail yard the site is seen as an eyesore to locals and blocks views of the river and city. The proposal consists of large retail, Housing and parking with green and public space on the rooftops. The design draws inspiration from the Baroque terraced-landscape building typology in the surrounding context with a contemporary twist. Other similarities to Jolimont rail yard are the need to overcome the grade between the water’s edge and the city streets. ACME approached this issue by extruding the surface and using subtraction to create vertical routes at specific moments to provide “connective visual sight lines and public routes between the city centre and river.”(fig.01) This is a good example of how the context of the surroundings generates design decision. Obviously connection to the river from the streets was an important aspect of the brief. The design uses horizontal layers which vary in thickness, spacing and positioning to create a variety of spaces. ACME’s proposal uses the surrounding context to generate a hybridised structure consisting of multiple programs while creating a stronger connection between the urban environment and the river’s edge.

The representation of the design proposal is quite strong and evocative. The Plan and Sections (fig.02 & 03) are very successful in providing a clear understanding of the site and design proposal and are a good examples of how to possibly represent my future design proposals.

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Train Specifications

2m approx.

2m approx.

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METRO

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METRO

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Level 02

3m approx.

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3m approx.

Level 01

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Road Height

Underground Train Connection

Road Height

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Level 02 Level 01

Road Height METRO METRO

7m approx.

Underground Train Connection METRO

Train Platform

Train Platform

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7m approx.

METRO METRO

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METRO

Train Platform

Since the beginning of semester the decision to have an underground train station was made. The reasoning behind this design decision was that putting a new train station produces a number of possibilities for the site. The site has the ability to become the new METRO METRO main Hub of Melbourne with people arriving to the city at this train station. This creates Trainthe Platform constraints and considerations when manipulating surface above. Along with Circulation and Viewpoints, The train station becomes a design force. I made the decision to have two extra levels above the train station; the first level is required to service the platforms.

As with the other contextual forces the train station can have variables which can thus affect the outcome of the surface. I have explored five possible platform configurations. I used extrusion to give the train station a simple mass to show the maximum and minimum possible heights for the surface plane as shown in the sections. Where the train lines are the minimum height of the surface is street level. Where the entrances to the train station the surface is a maximum height of 10m above the street level. These constraints of these configurations become apart my larger design framework for manipulating the surface.

I then explored what might happen if you overlay the circulation force with the Viewpoints and then overlay them on top of the five Train platform Configurations. Using a similar method to ACME I extruded the viewpoints and used the circulation diagram as subtraction.

I am left with 5 scenarios showing the simple mass of the space. These then become framework which has overlayed Circulation, Views and the Train Configurations. These mass diagrams are not a formal outcome but a framework that enables me to understand what the minimum and maximum height possibilities for the surface are. I can then give hierarchy to the forces which will affect the formal outcome and how the space might operate.

METRO

Train Platform

Train Platform Configuration Configuratuion_01

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Train Platform Configuration_Section Configuratuion_01

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Train Platform Configuration_Section Configuratuion_04

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Layering the Forces Configuratuion_01

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Design Constraints

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Site Constraints Train Line

Street-Water View Line

Main Connections

Existing Surfaces

Contextual View Lines

I have created design constraints as criteria to help me with decisions and reflection on design concepts. These constraints are based on contextual information as well as what I want to Achieve with the space. The site must have view lines and strong connection to the waterfront and the MCG from Flinders street. Along with this the design also needs to have views through out the site of the Melbourne skyline, the water and the sporting precinct.

There is also the constraint of the existing surface edges of Flinders Street, Batman Ave, Russell St and the waters edge. These constraints give me criteria to test the success of my design outcomes as well as help with decision making throughout the process.

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View Line Constraint -Design must have visual sight lines from street level to River

Train Line Sections

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View Line Section

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Exploring the Gradient

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Gradient Matrix

Train Line Sections

Intense

Labouring

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With ties to the Oblique function concept I have explored how gradient can be used as a way to test and generate surface. Paths and surfaces have guidelines and restrictions on how steep the gradient can be. I wanted to explore how a path/surface at specific gradients can create different experience when moving though a space. For example if a person wanted to take a leisurely walk though the site what path is suitable compared to a person who might just want to get from A to B in the fastest way possible. Also like in the Oblique function the slope implies an effort to climb up and a speed to climb down.There are also guidelines in how long a person can travel on a certain gradient.

These guidelines become a framework to produce formal and spatial outcomes.

Restaurant/Retail

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Gradient though Program

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Fashion Show

Live Music

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1:3 5% 33% 1:20 1:8 12% 33% 1:3

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Art Exhibition

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Leisure

8% 20% 67% 7% 20% 8% 67% 67% 7% 16% 50% 5% 16% 7% 50% 50% 5% 33% 12%

Length Length OfLength Gradient Of Gradient Of (m) Gradient (m) (m)

Cycling

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Length Of Gradient Of Gradient (m) (m)

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1:8 Gradient 1:10Diagram1:12 Street1:5 Level - River

Street Level - River Gradient Diagram 1:5 1:5

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Where to Next?

Street Level - River Gradient Diagram 1:5

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Train Line Constraint

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MCG Cut

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MCG Waterfront Overlay

ZigZag MCG Overlay

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MCG Thickened Cut

Waterfront Thickened Cut

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Where to Next?

For the remaining time of the semester I plan to test how these gradient scenarios work when program gets places onto site. I want to see how and where different programs start to occur in relation to the program framework I have created. Along with this I see how circulation starts to work on site. Where do paths start to occur and what type of experience these paths have. Where are the easy paths, where are the tougher paths, the open paths closed paths ect. I will also test these scenarios to the constraint criteria I have created and wether it is sucessfull or not and what problems have come up. For example on one of the scenarios a cut into the surface exposes the trainlines, this will need to be resolved.

From this I will start to explore what spatial qualities have been achieved. In my abstract i state that I want to achieve a diverse spatial experience on site. This is a key aspect into the sucess of my design. So the aspects of spatial quality/experience, circulation experience and programatic placement are the next steps in my design.

Aims: -Continues to Develop Gradient framework -Explore Circulation and experiential journey thought the space -Test how programs begin to apply to the surface and site -Explore the material possibilities of a surface and how that can affect the outcome

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Bibliography

TSCHUMI, Bernard, Event-Cities 3: Concept vs Context vs Content 1994, MIT Press, Cambridge,Massachusetts, London,England, p13-15

Yokohama Port Terminal http://www.arcspace.com/architects/foreign_office/yokohama/yokohama_index.html

Slussen http://dudye.com/big-turn-slussen-inside-out http://davidreport.com/200811/slussen-in-stockholm-by-big-and-nod/

Weilburg Terraces http://www.archdaily.com/38146/weilburg-terraces-acme/

Dongdaemun Design Plaza http://www.zaha-hadid.com/architecture/dongdaemun-design-park-plaza/

Olympic Sculture Park http://www.archdaily.com/101836/olympic-sculpture-park-weissmanfredi/

Pleingehelen Duinbergen http://www.west8.nl/projects/all/pleingehelen_duinbergen/

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