The Folie

from Zhou Zhouzhou Architecture Portfolio 2023

by Zhou Zhouzhou

Media Soapbox

Topic Tutor Year Location

Density. Urbanism. Publicness. Bobby Wong

Autumn 2022

Singapore

The Folie proposes a high-rise urban farm in place of the existing Tanjong Pagar Food Market. From the site analysis, the market is found to be increasingly underutilised and soon to be an out-of-date urban artefact in terms of its utility and form. The market also breaks the Urban Corridor which stretches from Pearl’s Hill Park to Tanjong Pagar MRT. By reimagining the traditional folly, the project plans to pivot and extend the green corridor, to better connect Duxton to the existing green spaces and MRT station.

The project establishes a dialectic relationship with Oasia through imitation and juxtaposition. By emptying out the insides, leaving only the structure that is necessary for the building’s stability, the building looks like an empty shell which is only ornamental and has no purpose at all, just like a folly. Farming and vegetation are pushed to the periphery of the building, leaving a large central void which creates opportunities for public programmes. Through each harvest cycle, the Folie exposes its skeleton and drowns itself in the fecund nature.

Given Singapore’s 30 by 30 goal, which is to produce 30% of nutritional needs locally by 2030, The Folie attempts to incorporate the civrcular economy framework, whereby production, distribution, consumption and composting are all carried out within the same building. By focusing on the production of okra, the Folie has the potential to increase yield by 400% compared to traditional farming methods.

The key findings from the urban site analysis show that:

1. Gentrification has led to more high-end supermarkets which sell imported organic produces opening in the area

2. Existing food market obstructs the green corridor as well as the connection between Duxton and Tanjong Pagar MRT station

3. Pedestrian crossings are insufficient which led to high jaywalking rates

These findings set the path for the project, which is to establish a better connection from Pinnacle@ Duxton to the MRT for pedestrians.

Parti Concepts

1. Mimicking Oasia Hotel’s form

2. Reversing structural cores from the corners to

3. Repeating and rotating L-shaped programme Programme Relationship

The Folie proposes a circular framework which follows a seamless cycle comprising farm produces are efficiently distributed to the farmers’ market, cafe and cold room, the fresh and locally sourced food, promoting healthier farm-to-table lifestyles. rooms, completing the cycle. This closed-loop approach fosters a self-sustaining, addressing food security challenges

Concepts

form to create a smaller “replica”. to the centre to open up the building’s periphery. programme blocks to create dynamic public spaces.

Relationship

comprising four key stages: production, distribution, consumption and composting. The room, minimising transport-related carbon emissions. Businesses then consume lifestyles. Finally, organic waste is composted and returned to the farm’s composting self-sustaining, eco-friendly system, transforming the high-rise structure into a green oasis and challenges in urban environments.

Life cycle of the

Ruren

Topic Tutor Year Location

Form Follows Performance

Wu Huei Siang

Spring 2022

Singapore

Surging outdoor ambient temperatures and spontaneous weather in Singapore have made finding comfort in the outdoors difficult. The project explores the self-shaping behaviours of materials through controlling the degree of curling and thus the size of opening, in an attempt to achieve a 10oC heat mitigation of indoor temperature.

Drawing inspiration from the ingenious mechanisms within the human body, particularly how body hair regulates temperature through curling and straightening, and how blood vessels dilate with temperature increase, we sought to mimic and apply these natural principles to architectural design. By harnessing the unique properties of aluminium and veneer, which responds to heat and humidity respectively, we created an experimental facade that dynamically adapts itself to Singapore’s weather conditions.

The project also extends beyond mere functionality; it aims to serve as a facility for public education towards reusing and upcycling materials. Thus, the final design takes the form of a publilc recycling workshop strategically situated near Clementi Woods, where residential, commercial, and educational facilities seamlessly coexist.

The workshop itself features an elegant A-frame structure, thoughtfully shaped to resemble the Chinese characters 入and 人, symbolizing the integration of nature and humanity. This distinctive architectural expression not only establishes a strong cultural connection but also reflects our commitment to harmonizing with the environment.

Fascinated by the remarkable heat regulation capabilities of the human body, our project’s preliminary phase was dedicated to in-depth research on thermostasis, with a special focus on understanding the behavior of hair follicles and blood vessels. These intricate physiological processes have proven to be a rich source of inspiration for our work, guiding us in the exploration of innovative heat mitigation techniques.

The “follicle” prototype combines alumnium tape and wood veneer. With high temperature, it curls towards the metallic side, while with water, it curls towards the wooden side.

After various prototypes and discussions, the mechanism and form are simplified such that the facade follicles can be easily manufactured and installed for the second part of the project. The final prototype adopted an A-frame structure and achieved a heat mitigation of 7oC average with its breathing facade.

Click here to view more process and experiments.

It will redirect you to a YouTube video (fast forward to 2.00min for the final prototype).

The final building design took on a direct translation of the facade prototype. This decision was to the beauty of the live facade instead of the building form itself. The A-frame structure also crafting workshop. The West-facing taller side hence shades the interior from the blazing afternoon

On hot and sunny days, the follicles curl the most such that the metallic side reflects infrared aperture and stop rain from coming in. Natural ventilation and light are constantly brought in was made as we found the simple A-frame structure to be the best at bringing attention also allows the entire building to be naturally ventilated, which is critical for a recycling and afternoon Sun, as well as creates an overhang for ventilation during rain. infrared rays to lower indoor temperature. On rainy days, the follicles curl inward to close the in by the tinted glass louvres on the shorter sides of the building. used for corridors along the periphery. Air can thus flow in from the bottom of the build-

To better facilitate natural ventilation, the building is lifted up by 500mm and metal mesh is ing and rise up then escape through the top opening sheltered by the overhang.

Decoding Pollock

Topic Tutor

Year

Location

Seeing. Thinking. Making.

Ng San Son Autumn 2020

Singapore

“My paintings do not have a centre, but depending on

This project aims to explore the intricate patterns present nature. To investigate the hidden order and focal points

To begin the analysis, the painting is divided into layers axonometric grid. Within each grid section, the direction on the same amount of interest throughout.” -- Jackson Pollock present in Jackson Pollock’s artwork, particularly in Convergence, which is known for its seemingly random paint drips and abstract points within this abstract chaos, the project employs a systematic approach to analyse the painting. layers based on its predominant colours including yellow, red, blue, white, and black. Each of these layers is then overlaid with an direction of the paint drips is examined and recorded using triangular notations that offset in the corresponding direction. to uncover the underlying structure and intentional artistic choices that may have guided Jackson Pollock’s seemingly spontaneous elements of his artwork, this investigation seeks to reveal the intentional order and focal points that exist within the realm of corresponding direction of paint Refine zentangle with lines concentrating towards the corresponding direction within each triangular grid. Denser points are where the eyes concentrates more.

Through this methodical process, the project aims to and free-flowing paint application. By decoding the abstraction.