THE
TO
Journey
Tranquility
| How architecture design can take you there
Designing for emotions. Designing for spirituality. Designing for philosophy. Designing for aesthetic. Designing for interactions. Designing for connections. – But most of all, Designing for Experience.
Nariman Shehata
Table of Content
Conclusion_14
1_Introduction 2_Site A
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1_Introduction
Prompt
Location Climate
Residential Complex 4 Levels | 4 Two Bedroom Units | 8 One Bedroom Units | 8 Studio Units Mare Island Warm-Summer Mediterranean Climate
Map & South View Point
The power of design lies within its ability to translate imaginative elements into architectural form, experience and beauty. The distinct purpose of this Residential Complex is to create a serene, safe and collected communal space—a space where elements, both physical and non-physical, become connected and intertwined. Although all are welcome, this complex invites those who believe in the power of energy, and the conceptual idea that atoms attract and repel each other. This complex is designed to allow our personal energy to embark on a journey to tranquility.
2_Site Analysis When you first arrive onto Mare Island, it is hard to deny the overwhelming sense of abandonment and decay that greets you. While many still call this small patch of artificial land home, decades of systematic neglect and economic shifts has rendered Mare Island desolate. Although declared a National Historic Landmark, the Naval shipyard that was once the heart of Mare Island’s prosperity is no longer in use—standing only now as a testament to societal changes. However, in recent years Mare Island has begun to transform itself through developing residential, educational and recreational projects. I approached the design of this housing project through first understanding the elements that envelop the site. The south-facing vantage is one that views the San Pablo Bay surrounded by a mountainous landscape. From this perspective, I chose the elements of air, water and earth as the defining thematic components to ensure coloration between the building and its surrounding environment.
2_Front View South Viewing
3_Air|Water|Earth Air, water, and earth are elements that constitute our daily lives. For this project, I translate the essence of these elements—both their physical and symbolic nature—into architectural forms and experience.
VOIDS
AIR
SOLID
EARTH
FLUIDITY
WATER
3_Earth|Air|Water The building harnesses the sensation of earth. Here, earth as an element is represented via its formidable nature as a solid. While the building is penetrated with water and light, both cannot exist D0*,3 EB$*EF0,"* without the solid forms that constituteC> their shape and path. Earth :3"';/$1@$&%'30*&"##"#',3"'#"&#0,$)&')('"0*,3-'`"*"7'"0*,3'0#'0&'"1"+"&,' thus acts as both a complement and architect to both water and air, amalgamating all three various elements into a harmoni$#'*".*"#"&,"@'J$0'$,#'()*+$@0;1"'&0,/*"'0#'0'#)1$@-' F3$1"',3"';/$1@$&%'$#' ous and composed environment. This is accomplished not just ."&",*0,"@'H$,3'H0,"*'0&@'1$%3,7';),3'40&&),'"Y$#,'H$,3)/,',3"'#)1$@' ()*+#',30,'4)&#,$,/,"',3"$*'#30."'0&@'.0,3-'D0*,3',3/#'04,#'0#';),3'0' through solid form, yet also through materiality. Raw materials 4)+.1"+"&,'0&@'0*43$,"4,',)';),3'H0,"*'0&@'0$*7'0+01%0+0,$&%'011',3*""' such as concrete, wood, rocks and soil all combine to form an J0*$)/#'"1"+"&,#'$&,)'0'30*+)&$)/#'0&@'4)+.)#"@'"&J$*)&+"&,-':3$#'$#' overarching aesthetic experience—in both architectural and 044)+.1$#3"@'&),'^/#,',3*)/%3'#)1$@'()*+7'2",'01#)',3*)/%3'+0,"*$01$,2-' experiential beauty. X0H'+0,"*$01#'#/43'0#'4)&4*","7'H))@7'*)4]#'0&@'#)$1'011'4)+;$&"',)'
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3_Earth|Air|Water Air is represented by the voids that penetrate the building. These voids allow light to pierce and traverse the building, while simultaneously creating viewing portals for various tenants. As the voids allow light and air to flow through the complex, an overall sense of lightness is created, initiating the gentle serenity of a summer breeze akin to the calmness of being home.
3_Earth|Air|Water Water thus becomes the fluidity of the building, representing its circulation. The journey from the moment one parks his or her car to the moment he or she arrives at the foot of their door becomes both an architectural and existential EB$*Eand F0,"*symbolic experience. To accomplish this, water is used in both in C> its D0*,3 physical forms. Throughout the building, small pools create a boundary between the F0,"*',3/#';"4)+"#',3"'(1/$@$,2')(',3"';/$1@$&%7'*".*"#"&,$&%'$,#'4$*4/10,$)&-' corridors and the apartments. However, water is used here not just as a physical :3"'^)/*&"2'(*)+',3"'+)+"&,')&"'.0*]#'3$#')*'3"*'40*',)',3"'+)+"&,'3"')*' element of separation but also in creating a sense of tranquility one feels while #3"'0**$J"#'0,',3"'()),')(',3"$*'@))*';"4)+"#';),3'0&'0*43$,"4,/*01'0&@' traversing the complex. When light and air infiltrate the building, the pools’ water "Y$#,"&,$01'"Y."*$"&4"-' :)'044)+.1$#3',3$#7'H0,"*'$#'/#"@'$&';),3'$&'$,#'.32#$401' ripples and reflects light—scattering it from apartment to apartment, simultane0&@'#2+;)1$4'()*+#-' :3*)/%3)/,',3"';/$1@$&%7'#+011'.))1#'4*"0,"'0';)/&@0*2' ously separating;",H""&',3"'4)**$@)*#'0&@',3"'0.0*,+"&,#-'`)H"J"*7'H0,"*'$#'/#"@'3"*"'&),' and connecting tenants through the shared experience of their ^/#,'0#'0'.32#$401'"1"+"&,')('#".0*0,$)&';/,'01#)'$&'4*"0,$&%'0'#"&#"')(',*0&_/$1 P surrounding elements.
$,2',30,')&"'(""1#'H3$1"',*0J"*#$&%',3"'4)+.1"Y-'F3"&'1$%3,'0&@'0$*'$&($1,*0,"' ,3"';/$1@$&%7',3"'.))1#a'H0,"*'*$..1"#'0&@'*"(1"4,#'1$%3,\#40,,"*$&%'$,'(*)+' 0.0*,+"&,',)'0.0*,+"&,7'#$+/1,0&")/#12'#".0*0,$&%'0&@'4)&&"4,$&%',"&0&,#' ,3*)/%3',3"'#30*"@'"Y."*$"&4"')(',3"$*'#/**)/&@$&%'"1"+"&,#-'
b1)H')('4$*4/10,$)& Flow of circulation
93011)H'.))1 Shallow pool
4_Intro 2-Bedroom
The two-bedroom apartment is design with very special components—all of which were designed to showcase very specific architectural elements and moments. Altogether, the two-bedroom apartment is an amalgamation of: the bordering pool of water that wraps around the exterior, the circulation of the apartment, the voids and combined light-wells, the various materials used, the glass curtain walls, the indoor patio, as well as both the Zen garden in tandem with the personal outdoor green garden space. These unique architectural pieces come together in a cohesive manner to create a very holistic environment that enhances the overall living and health of the dweller. When these elements combine, a tranquil aura is established that enhances the connection between the dweller and their surrounding environment—between occupant, home and nature.
4_Intro 2-Bedroom
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Bathroom Light well Bedroom Green Garden Living Room Dining Room Zen Garden Kitchen Guest Bathroom Outdoor Patio Shallow Pool
1’ = 1/8”
5_Division of Space
The apartment’s programmatic division is constituted not only through physical elements but experiential components as well. As you approach the apartment you noticed that a shallow pool of water surrounds it. Adjacent, you also see a small open patio that faces the corridor albeit separated by the shallow pool, forbidding passage. Upon entering the apartment, the space is divided into two parts: the private section where it is completely enclosed by walls, and the public section wherein the space is totally exposed and open. To the left of the apartment, you can see a floor-to-ceiling glass light-well that acts as a element of separation between the bathroom and the two bedrooms. This light-well not only brings in an impressive amount of light that floods the apartment, but it also acts as an architectural buffer between the entrance, the bedroom, and the living/dining space. To the right of the entrance is the living room, dining room, Zen garden, kitchen, a small bathroom as well as an outdoor patio. This section is the public section of the apartment, and is visible to all surrounding elements: air, water and earth. The living room, dining room and kitchen are all separated by the enclosed floor-to-ceiling Zen garden. These elements are all designed to separate the apartment subtly, so to ensure an overall sense of cohesion and tranquility.
6_Shallow Pool 1’ = 1/32” 4
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6 7 2 1
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Although this is one large multi-unit building, I thought it was important to allow each apartment of feel individualized and unique while still having an overall sense of community. The various pools of water that I designed help to establish that. Each apartment within this complex is guarded by a surrounding pool of water that is 3’ wide and 0.5’ deep. While shallow, these pools play a vital role in constituting the architectural design of the entire building. Being an element that interacts with our senses, water affects the way in which we perceive the complex and each individual apartment. For example, it acts as a very physical but also visual barrier that separates apartment from adjacent apartment. Yet, these barriers not only act as a division between public and private space but also as corridors and means of circulation throughout the complex. Moreover, the water—as it ripples—affects the water we perceive the light that floods the building. If we stand along its edge, our reflection also becomes visible, establishing a connection between nature and ourselves. Furthermore, the soothing sound of running water creates a calming environment that welcomes the residents home. Overall, the sensation of connection to nature is established through various forms of architectural language.
Precedent Selections
Project: Jln Angin Laut | Architect: Hyla Architects | Location: Singapore
Precedent Selections
Precedent Selections
Project: Sense House | Architect: Kazutoshi Imanaga | Location : Japan
7_Circulation of the Apartment
The elements that divide the space, also guide the individuals as how they walk around the space. The circulation of this complex was inspired by the fluidity of water—I wanted to make walking through the complex as effortless and calming as a flowing stream. The light-well within the private section of the apartment acts as an element of separation between the bedroom and bathroom. This allows individuals to feel that their bedrooms have a simple yet defiant barrier from the rest of the apartment. However, a tenant can easily walk around the light-well to arrive at a small corridor that separates the two bedrooms from the rest of the apartment. Adjacent to this light-well is the private bathroom that is meant to be used by the residents. Towards the right of the apartment—in the more public section—the Zen garden separates the remaining portion of the apartment. Because its material is glass, it not only separates but also connects the rest of the apartment. An individual must maneuver around the Zen garden in the same manner that water will flow around a boulder. While separating the dining room, living room, and kitchen, the Zen garden creates a constant flow of circulation around each separate domain.
7_Circulation of the Apartment The residents can also get to the dining room from the kitchen that has two openings—one frovm the entrance and one from the dining space. The Zen garden plays a role in circulation by dividing and providing an additional moment. The living room space has a wide opening space that is only separated by the cut outs of the plan and the Zen garden from the dining space. These architectural elements are designed to create a separation without actually using any interior walls or doors. Lastly, both the bedrooms and the living room have sliding door that access the green garden at the back of the apartment. This architectural element allows access to the garden from both public and private sections of the apartment, intentionally creating a unifying corridor, bringing in all the different elements together and uniting them as a whole.
8_Voids and Light well 1’ = 1/32”
The voids and light-wells have a special role in the apartments. Aside from the obvious architectural separation they create, both elements allow for light to flood not only the apartments but the entire complex as well. The light that traverses the building is not only natural daylight but as well as the soft ambient light from within apartments at night. The unique feature of the building is that the type of daylight can vary depending on the time of day and climate outside—creating a building as ever-changing as nature itself. For example, during a nice sunny day the apartments and the complex are lit with all the joy and relaxation of a warm summer day. And on a rainy day—a type of climate condition one may deem as gloomy—the building comes alive with running water that races down the voids and light-wells, truly connecting each architectural element to the surrounding environment. Through these carefully designed architectural features, an entire different experience is created for each resident to witness—allowing them to hear and see the water drip into their interior, and observing the lighting as reflects and refracts like a rainbow through the mist. This design feature—in which I create an architectural duality from function to aesthetic irrespective of the climate—is what makes this design so unique.
Precedent Selections
Project: Twin Courtyard House | Architect: Charged Voids - ar Aman Aggarwal |Location: Chandigarh, India
Precedent Selections
Project: Belimbing Avenu | Architect: Hyla Architects | Location: Singapore
Precedent Selections
9_Material Selections The overall color scheme of the apartments is a gray scale. Both the interior and the exterior boast beautiful tones of gray. While the interior has gray-planked wood floors and smooth white stucco walls, the exterior is comprised of gray-tiled smooth bricks. I specifically chose these gray tones for the subtle beauty I find in their simplicity and neutrality. A gray scale is both elegant and conservative, bold and yet somehow calming. The variation of grays combined with the simplicity of white creates a blank canvas upon which an individual can transform a home how he or she sees fit. But in truth, these colors were inspired by my observations in nature. I find these colors to be the most soothing found in nature, and thus saw it as a natural color scheme for my complex. As for the exterior of the apartment, smooth gray-tiled brick wall is used. This is another natural material that expresses its own unique personality. However, the specific reason I designed the exterior with brick—rather than wood or stucco—is because I believe in the power of its appeal as a formidable material. The exterior is meant to enclose and protect the home, and the material I chose expresses that need. Its strength and earthiness grounds the apartment, completing the balance of materials between air, water and earth.
Grey Wood Floor
Grey Wood Fence Grey Marble Tiles
9_Material Selections
Stucco Interior Wall
Glass Wall
Grey Brick Wall
Green Garden
Sand & Stones
Grey Marble Tiles
10_Curtain Wall 1’ = 1/32�
The curtain-wall system in the apartment is a unique architectural element, in both its aesthetic and function. In every apartment, they serve as a barrier to the outside and also as an element that brings in a large amount of light. The curtain-walls are comprised of lightweight glass with aluminum mullions. They are beautiful and yet highly functional, allowing daylight to penetrate each apartment and aiding in thermal control. The curtain-wall makes the interior space look bigger and airier—connecting each resident to their outside environment so to ensure a sense of tranquility.
Precedent Selections
Project: Vertical Court | Architect: Hyla Architect | Location: Singapore
Precedent Selections
Project: Black White Residence | Architect: David Jameson | Location: Maryland USA
11_Indoor Patio 1’ = 1/32�
Another interesting element that defines each apartment is the indoor - but also outdoor patio. This private deck faces the shallow pool of water that acts as its defining border. While this patio is visible to other apartments via the main corridor of circulation, it is only accessible from within the apartment itself. This creates an architectural moment of public and private duality, as each deck is public in terms of its visibility but private in terms of its accessibility. Its physical isolation is secured by the pool of water that separates it from the main corridor, creating a special island to be use privately by each resident. I thought it would be a nice addition to each apartment, allowing an individualized private outdoor space that aids in connecting each resident to his or her surrounding environment.
Precedent Selections
Project: The Slim Singapore House| Architect: Hyla Architects | Location: Singapore
Precedent Selections
Project: Faber Avenue| Architect: Hyla Architects | Location: Singapore
12_Zen Garden 1’ = 1/32”
The Zen garden—as it exists in its pure and traditional form—consists only of small sandy pebbles with carefully and artfully placed larger rocks. Its function, beyond its physical beauty, is simple: relaxation and tranquility. Imagine coming home after a stressful day of work, approaching the glass curtain-wall in your apartment, peering down into it and seeing such a lovely designed and simple garden. Traditionally, Zen gardens were designed as sacred places of meditation, and research has shown that these gardens have a very real effect in calming one’s brain and reducing neural activity. Simple tranquility. The existence of the Zen Garden in this complex is to create an intimate place for one or two people in it. It is the ability to interact with nature and the surrounding earth elements in a private manner. The Zen garden in the two-bedroom apartment does not have a roof, yet rather is completely open and visible through the curtain-wall system. In fact, the Zen garden is visible through every floor of the complex. This architectural moment allows light to travel down and by each apartment onto the ground floor where the Zen garden exists.
Precedent Selections
Project: Marin County Residence| Architect: Dirk Denison| Location: Marin County
Precedent Selections
Project: K2YT's Indoor Garden House| Architect: Jeanne Rostaing| Location: Tokyo
Precedent Selections
Project: Cottage House | Architect: Studio Aiko | Location: Japan
Precedent Selections
Project: J House Yamaguchi|Architect: Keiko Maita Archicet Office| Location: Japan
13_Green Garden 1’ = 1/32”
The green garden is a typical garden consisting of various natural elements such as grass, flowers and even trees should the resident desire them. Unlike the Zen garden that consists of the basic elements of rocks and sand—which do not require much physical care and attention—the green garden provides the opportunity for each resident to explore his or her “green thumb.” This is a very public display of each resident’s individuality—as some green gardens may be simple wile others may overflow with flowers and brush. The green garden is also a space to allow individuals to interact with each other openly, run around, enjoy the sunlight and be able to spread their positive active energy with one another.
Precedent Selections
Precedent Selections
Project: Cottage House | Architect: Studio Aiko | Location: Japan
13_Why Both The primary reason for having both a Zen garden and a greenery garden is to allow the residence to have both public and private interaction with landscape. Each garden serves a different function—while the green garden is visibly open and public, the Zen garden more private and intimate, almost sacred as a place of solitary relaxation. The beauty of having both is not limit the residents from the experiences they ought to have with the earth.
Precedent Selections
Designer: William Dalzell
14_Conclusion
Architecture isn’t just about functionality or aesthetic—rather, it’s about the way in which we live our everyday lives. Many people sometimes forget the power that our surroundings can have over our consciousness and emotions. Spaces that are poorly designed can force individuals to feel cluttered or claustrophobic, or even anxious or worried. To counter these negative emotions, I was led to design a space with the specific purpose of making individuals feel calm, composed, and serene. I wanted to create a space that allowed people to connect to their environment through simple yet fundamental elements of nature. And, on a deeper and more important note, this space—wherein one can reach clarity and tranquility—was designed so that through nature a person can establish a deeper connection to his or her own self.