Natalia Kowalska Part II Master of Architecture Portfolio Stage 4 / 5 Glasgow School of Art

PART I 2014-2017 UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE

PART II 2019 - 2021

GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART

ARCHITECTURE P O R T F O L I O

N a t a l i a K o w a l s k a

NATALIA KOWALSKA

EDUCATION

SEP 19’

DIPLO

First Cla

Glasgow

Glasgow

SEP 14’

BACHE

Part II Graduate nataliamanilow@gmail.com 0737 873 7787

with Dis

Univers

Dundee // placemaking + impact on local area

PRIZES

PROJEC

people shaping places

SEDA KJ

architecture as a background for activities

OVERA

Exhibite

form is a function /intangible/

“Only architecture that considers human scale and interaction is successful architecture.”

-Jan Gehl

‘THE BE

architecture shaping its surroundings

SHORT

shaping social importance of spaces translating nature to architecture

Exhibite

SKILLS

ILLUSTR SKETCH VRAY PHOTOS INDESIG AUTOCA VECTOR REVIT 3D MAX

LANGUAGES

Polish n English Spanish French b

- JUN 21’

OMA IN ARCHITECTURE

WORK EXPERIENCE

ARCHITECTURE PART I

ass Honours

w School of Art

w, UK

APR 20’ - JUL 20’

PART I ASSISTANT TONKIN LIU

- JUN 17’

ELOR OF ARTS IN ARCHITECTURE

stinction

sity of Dundee

e, UK

CT: ‘THE CULTURE HOUSE’

London, UK

NOV 18’ - AUG 19’

PART I ASSISTANT SQUARE FEET ARCHITECTS London, UK

AUG 17’ - MAR 18’

PART I ASSISTANT

J AWARD

SOUTHSTUDIO

ALL WINNER OF 2016

London, UK

ed in The Lighthouse in Glasgow

EST OF THE BEST’ EXHIBITION

INTERNSHIP

TLISTED: THE BEST 2ND YEAR PROJECT

London, UK

ARCHITECTS OF INVENTION

ed as a part of 2016 FESTIVAL OF ARCHITECTURE

RATOR HUP

SHOP GN AD RWORKS

native fluent h intermediete basic

MAY - AUG 15’

INTERNSHIP ATELIER-M Dundee, UK

GRAPHIC DESIGN

SEP 16’ - JUN 17’

VISUAL CONTENT DESIGNER STAR ITS Dundee, UK

PERSONAL SUMMARY

MAY - AUG 16’

01

CONTENTS PART II B.ARCH

01.

I.

STAGE 5:

YEAR 3:

DESIGN THESIS

THE PIAZZA

Urban Continuity

Life Between Buildings

02.

STAGE 4: URBAN HOUSING

II.

YEAR 2: THE CULTURE HOUSE Design for ‘Human Scale’

Restoring the communities

III.

YEAR 3: THE COURTYARD Home Away From Home

IV.

YEAR 2: IN BETWEEN BUILDINGS The Urban Scale

V.

YEAR 2: DESIGN FOR NATURE Ecological Design

02

VI.

LONDON YEAR OUT: WORK EXPERIENCE

2017 - 2020

STAGE 5./

01

STAGE 5./ FINAL THESIS: URBAN CONTINUITY

BETWEEN FORM AND LIFE. THE CONTINUITY OF URBAN PATTERNS AND THE CREATION OF LIVABLE CITIES. THE INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN URBANFORM AND THE PROCESS OF SHAPING SUSTAINABLE URBAN COMMUNITIES.

The thesis explores the interconnection between patterns of urban form and the creation of livable sustainable urban communities.

The second part of the thesis explores ways of integrating larger scale buildings within that established methodology.

The background for the investigation is the issues of post-industrial cities - failure of the modernist urban model as well as social isolation and rapid growth of urbanization.

The aim of the thesis is the explore ways in which the urban form can provide an environment that can adapt to the changing needs of a society where architecture is not a finished product but rather a continuous event.

In relation to Glasgow, the thesis addresses the issue of frequent cycles of radical changes in urban patterns and a very short cycle of buildings from newly built to demolition.

The first part of the exploration establishes the methodology for the creation of sustainable urban neighbourhoods. Special focus is put on the long-lasting continuity of urban form.

residential

civic

civic

residential postivie life cycle of a building

02

0.1./ introduction/background

“They were only supposed to last 40 years anyway,” - a resident, said to me - they had “served their time and purpose”.

Disappearing Glasgow: documenting the demolition of a city's troubled past No European city embraced social housing towers as Glasgow did after the second world war. A quarter of Glasgow’s high-rises have been demolished in less than 10 years. Demolition is familiar to Glaswegians. In the previous round of mass demolition in the 1960s and 70s, tens of thousands of Glaswegians were decanted from slums into new schemes and high-rise flat developments. These represented a utopian vision for social housing – complete with kitchen and indoor bathroom, central heating and mixer taps, they were seen as a solution to some of the worst slum conditions in Europe at that time.

No one can argue with the fact that Glasgow needs regenerating, or that a “renaissance” could usher in positive change. But does this renaissance have an end-game, or is Glasgow poised for an endless cycle of demolition and new-builds? In 50 years, will we be witnessing the same dispersal of local communities and whole scale demolition of the houses we are building today?

By the turn of the 21st century, many of these high-rise flats were the solution that had become the problem. The simple ethos of “knock-em-down and build-em-back-up-again” remained the same.

“The skyline of Glasgow is set to be radically transformed, as swatches of high-rise tower blocks make way for thousands of new homes across the city. Glasgow is enjoying a real renaissance. We’re delivering on better housing and we have regained our sense of ambition. This is an announcement that looks to the future and we are determined we will not repeat the mistakes of the past” – Glasgow City Council (2006) Urban continuity of Broomielaw Quarter

03

Proposed masterplan for the New St. Inoch Quarter

Urban scales within the Broomielaw Quarter

04

05

0.2./ Thesis Formulating

Intention

It’s now been acknowledged that if the urbanity is to be successful it has to prioritize people moving closer, getting together, connecting to one another and to all aspects of life around them.

As a result of rapid urbanization, cities around the world are currently undergoing the process of densification, additionally, housing costs push people into smaller and smaller spaces. Balancing privacy and sociability has become more difficult, at the same time depression and loneliness have become a common phenomenon. What might be called an epidemic of poor health is related to people living their lives indoors, spending time in mechanically ventilated buildings with artificial lighting, and using cars as a main source of transportation? The aims of contemporary urbanism can be summarised as; Spending more time outdoors in the company of others, moving about, and experiencing ‘live between buildings’. In the context of the civilization emergency, these considerations became more important than at any point in the history of humanity.

The intention of the project is to rebuilt the ‘lost’ part og Broomielaw according to the principles of ‘humaine’ urabanity.

Principles of ‘humaine’ urbanity: Large scale > Small scale Open space > Enclosure Stacking > Layering Stand-alone > Joined-up Mono-functional > Multifunctional Spread out and drivable > concentrated and walkable

06

Programme

Working with a part of the city requires breaking down into smaller pieces and approaching each one individually. Altough the aims of the project are common each scale requires a different approach to achieve them. The starting point is identifying 5 scales: -

The city The quarter The urban block Individual Building The unit/appartment

The masterplan consists of separate quarters, where the focus is shifted to thinknig more in detail of public spaces and spaces between buildings. On that stage each building is decided wheter its a mix use or single use one.

That approach strenghten the continuity of urban form and reduces the risk of demolition, in favour of re-use.

The potential of the ground floor

07

08

As a result of rapid urbanization, cities around the world are currently undergoing the process of densification, additionally, housing costs push people into smaller and smaller spaces.

09

0.3./ Low-rise High-density

In the recent decades a new form of urbanist emerged in Denmark, the so called Dense-Low, and architectural approach balancing the individuality and shared needs. A Dense-Low is an alternative to post-industrial large-scale housing and a single-family homes.

The idea of Dense-Low housing it to reduce the scale, making space for village-like patterns, with the emphasis put on the distinction of individual homes. The identity of a home would be marked with their own front door and the garden.

Another important aspect was to create shared or common areas that could be identifiable by the neighbours and promote socialising. Dense-low promotes both the private and the common, which refers to the two seemingly contradictory sides of humanity: the need for individuality and the need for sociability.

The principles of the design build on the values of the Dense-Low movement, adjusting them to promote the reality of dense, mixed-use urban environments of the twenty-first century.

10

0.04./ AT strategy My design thesis is inspired by the notion of architecture seen as an interplay between form and life.

The investigation includes exploring the relationship between urban morphology and the processes of shaping sustainable urban communities.

My thesis looks critically at the modernist practices of architecture and urban planning. One of the cirticism is a more common practice of demolition, comparing to the pre-industrial times.

Another point is the contribution of modernist architectural strategies to the break of urban community patterns.

The background for this exploration is currently significantlly run-down area of Broomielaw, Merchant City in Glasgow. Since the XVIII century, the area has undergone a frequent redevelopment and is recently partly occupied by a large scale shopping center and partly turned into a carpark.

11

04

13

14

part II stage 04 project 1: reinventing community urbanism in the industrial era

part II

city: a tool for exchange cité [site] 1. (=ville) city 2. (=quarter residentiel) estate une cité résidentielle - a housing estate j’habite dans une cité - i live on an estate.

step 01: urban response: a civic cité the project begins with a view that cities are places where a heterogeneous mixture of people are concentrated in clusters of meaningful size to maximize the opportunities for production and exchange of goods, services and ideas. the word ‘civilization’ refers to the culture of cities and urbanity is the quality of civilized society, which provides opportunities for choice, exchange, and interaction. restoring the historical urban patterns aims to restore pre-industrial qualities of urban community focusing especially on community interactions. the project introduces an idea of a civic cité which acts as a platform for exchange and invite social interactions formerly related to the act of attending a performance.

“cities are civilization. the word ‘civilization’, related to latin ‘civilitas, civis, civitas’ - refers to the culture of cities, places where a heterogenous mixture of people are concentrated in clusters of meaningful size to exchange - good services and ideas.”

a1

stage 04 p3 urban housing

the potential for urbanity in communities of widely different sizes suggest the clear possibility of reshaping the postindustrial settlements in physical form settings that maximize opportunities for exchange and choice

repetitive elements are the true urban form givers, sheltering the community’s activities and expressing its way of life and culture. Unique elements are the expression of either a very specialized activity or, more likely, the apex and more symbolic layers of the community hierarchy. a2

stage 4 | urban housing | structure natalia kowalska

overall structural strategy 01: superstructure the project represents the interface between two basic structural strategies: stereotomic and tectonic. the stereotomic heavy masonry symbolizes the permanent character of private spaces while tectonic lightweight steel structures reflects the temporary character and changeability of public spaces.

01:superstructure - tectonic [category: inside-outside/public] market square - main performance market square fills in an in-between space creating structurally individual lightweight connection between solid buildings. the square - while enclosed and heated - becomes a venue to host a range of civic activities: performance, theatre, film projection, conference or religious events. the canopy being a permanent element is a steel skeleton with zinc cladding and roof windows on the side of each pitched section. to minimize the need for columns, the canopy is supported by a 1000mm truss to reach a 24000mm span.

01:superstructure - stereotomic beams at 6000mm centres

[category: inside/private] the office and service buildings the stereotomic superstructure system reflects the historic precedent of heavy-weight character of traditional tenemets. the buildings which are part of the perimeter block are primarily made of masonry load bearing walls and concrete decking of 400mm deep. external walls of each of the individual units are 500mm deep. the dimensions of buildings has been established according to the grid 2500mm x 3000mm. the standard depth of the buildings has been established to be 12000mm and the width of each vary depending on the purpose of each building although still following the grid of 2500mm width. the dimensions of spanning of the beams has been established according to the grid and equals 2 x 2500mm = 5000mm. beams at 5000mm centres

4

3000mm

2500mm

BOX OFFICE

3

scenario 01: daily use market place / public square non-heated public pass by space

4000m 4000mm 6000mm

exchange centre

CULTURE MARKET

BOX OFFICE

standardized measurements: prefabrication according to 5000mm grid

ground floor - 6000mm upper floors - 4000mm typical depth of floor slab - 400mm

tectonic

beams: at 5000mm centres

typical floor heights: stereotomic

typical span: 4x3000mm [=12000mm]

scenario 02: event use performance/civic activity heated enclosed semi-private space

tectonic

main structural issues the main structural difficulty is x - a span above the performance space? water drainage from the canopy the superstructure is stereotomic - masonry walls, and tectonic - steel beam sections the substructure is - concrete basement and foundation (which type) an architectural expression resembling the complex patterns of the city within a block perimeter is created by complex arrangements of simple forms of clear typology. the simplicity aims to facilitate the construction and minimize the costs.

[category: inside/semi-public] the shed - secondary performance space the secondary performance space is a structurally individual conditioned space designated for the use of smaller civic events as well as every day markets. the portal frame structure spans 12000mm with the trusses located 5000mm centres. cross bracing provides secondary means of support

the overlap of forms and the duality of inside/outside characters can lead to challenges of managing the junctions between individual forms as well as temperature adjustment of the inside/outside space appropriate to a specific purpose. providing the flexible character of the market space the minimum use of columns and maximum space is encouraged which can lead to structural difficulties.

the structure aims to be possibly simple to facilitate prefabrication in order to minimize the construction cost.

1

1

2

3 6

6 4

5

the shed: transfering fo the loads

trusses at 5000 mm centres

span: 12000mm

3

the shed & the adjacent outside space secondary performance space prefabricated portal frame structure

1

zinc roof cladding

4

cross bracing

2

purlins: secondary roof structure

5

secondary structure supporting portal frame

3

portal frame: primary structure

6

zinc skin

principle loadpaths & strategies for lateral stability the loads in the masonry buildings are transfered from the roof onto the concrete slab and then down into the concrete substructure and foundations. in the steel structures the load is transported from the truss onto the steel columns and then down to the ground and pile foundation. the seondarystructure of tension cables that supports the steel beams provides the lateral stablity. equality the masonry structure of the building prevents racking. window openings create an additional source of lateral support. steel trusses acts as a primary structure components with tension cables being a secondary means of support. masonry concrete walls would provide a primary means of support with concrete floor slabs providing shear support. the secondary beams laid perpendicularly create an additional mean of support.

substructure the substructure supporting steel structures: pile foundation foundation supporting masonry walls: strip foundation for equal load transfering

stage 4 | urban housing | construction natalia kowalska

tectonic market square - open air or enclosed main performance area

main construction technologies and assemblies

the canopy over the market square is an individual steel structure supported on columns (universal column 305 x 305mm). the canopy itself is a steel structure non-symmetrical roof elements to allow for light penetration through windows built-in on the side of the pitched roof. although the space is open and non-heated during daily use - serving as a public square - the canopy requires insulation to provide air tightness while the space is used for enclosed events and actitvities that require mechanical heating/cooling. for the purposes of water drainage the roof is slightly pitched in the middle to facilitate water circulation out from the canopy. the canopy itself is clad with zinc skin with a gutter placed in the junction between the roof slopes therefore the water drainage system is not visible in the front of the structure.

stereotomic perimeter block the primary construction system of the buildings forming a parimeter block is a loadbearing masonry with a concrete decking and substructure. each of the buildings is structurally individual therefore the minimal size allows for the use of traditional load bearing masonry skin. all the floors are constructed in the same manner until the top floor which is a mansard roof structure cladded in zinc. the buildings which enclose the parimeter block are based on one dimensional grid and all follow the same typology while keeping their own identity. the unity in terms of dimensions and materials allow for prefabrication and reduction of cost, without compromising on aesthetics of the design.

masonry structure and skin

zinc cladding structural grid 5000mm

BOX OFFICE

insulation gutter roof vent steel structure

individual building of the parimiter block: transfering of the loads

sec on

da

ary iet

e tur

uc

str

tr

primary structure

tectonic

stereotomic

typical detail of strip foundation supporting the masonry buildings around the perimeter block

typical connection details 1:50

ry

str

uc

tur e

the shed - secondary enclosed performance space the shed is a freestanding secondary performance space building and its primary structure is portal frame. the building is prefabricated with elements multiplied throughout the design. the steel frame of the primary structure is covered with 200mm insulation and zinc cladding with flushed gutter detail.

200mm insulation portal frame structure

flushed gutter

zinc cladding

the shed: detail of the skin and entrance doors 1:50

sequence of assembly and construction for both stereotomic and tectonic structures the sequence of construction - for both masonry and steel structures - start with the foundation. the heavyweight structures require strip foundation while the steel columns would be supported with pile foundation. in both cases the foundation would be cast in concrete while the basement slab would be in-situ concrete. in masonry building the works would cover each floor moving upwards - the masonry wall would be build and then the slab would be cast on top of it. the tectonic structures would be prefabricated and assembled on site. the insulation and waterproof membranes would be installed after the structure is standing. when the outer layer is fixed - masonry skin or zinc cladding - the next step is ensuring air-tightness. fitting of the details would complete the construction.

pri

ma

ry

da

on sec ure uct

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the shed: typical connection details 1:50

the shed: mezzanine floor plate section 1:50

ry

str

uc

tur e

at4 04 energy & environement natalia kowalska PV panels

rainwater collection into gutter

BOX OFFICE

thermal environement a

thermal environement b

thermal environement a

strategy for passive system: maximiznig natural means of servicing

active servicing: support for passive means

design as a tool in manipulating the energy consumption

hvac mechanical system

the civic cite consists of various conditioned buildings of tenemental character, a conditioned secondary performance space and the main square covered with insulated canopy. while daily staying open for passage and unconditioned when enclosed - for performing activities such as performance - becoming an internal space. the strategy for hybridity of the programme reduces the heating and cooling amount to minimum and maximizes the flexibility of spaces.

the general strategy for the building is to maximize the use of natural means of servicing. short spans and number of openings in the roof aims to facilitate cross ventilation. however the building includes a range of mechanical services to support the natural means. hvac mechanical system ensure the fresh air in all the occupied spaces. simple arrangement of vertical circulation system helps straight forward location of the ducts that come from the basement and circulate fresh air throughout the building.

as a part of the block each of the buildings performs a different function providing heterogeneous environment. that ensures the conditioning of spaces is controlled individually within each unit and the usage of energy is adequate. that reduces the unnecessary energy loss of operating the technical systems in underused areas.

the electrical system is positioned along the ducting of hvac system to facilitate access and servicing. the electrical cabling is covered behind the false ceiling while electric boxes are accessible from the floor. rainwater collection and reuse

minimized size of individual spaces is a strategy to reduce the need for mechanical servicing and facilitate the usage of natural means including cross ventilation.

shape of the pitched roof above the market square facilitates the collection of water that naturally gather in the bays where gutters are placed. water is then transported down to the rainwater collector through ducting placed in the inside of the steel columns supporting the roof. water is then recycled and circulated back up to the building to be reused.

concrete: thermal mass heavy masonry construction contributes to thermal mass effect helping to balance heating and cooling at the same time preventing quick gains or loses of heat.thick concrete decking helps to radiate the heat with the possibility of thermal labirinth under the ground.

ductwork and related components

steel: quick thermal response

fresh air outlets

the main performance space is being conditioned only during the time of the activity. that means the operation of heating, cooling and ventilation services have to be very responsive to conditions required. quick thermal response of the steel structure over the performance space allows for prompt change of environment between heated and non-heated. used air circulates through the opening in the canopy

ground line [possible use of thermal mass for cooling]

CULTURE MARKET

BOX OFFICE

thermal mass: cooling

rainwater collection into gutter

CULTURE MARKET

BOX OFFICE

thermal mass: heating

air handling unit

minimized spans allow for natural cross ventilation

hvac ventilation model conditioned spaces possibility of conditioned spaces

natural supply of fresh air through openings and vents

outlets for used warm air

natural ventilation model: cooling warm air cold air thermal environement c

strategies for horizontal and vertical distribution of mechanical and electrical installations throughout building mechanical heating and cooling has been compartmentalized in order to help efficiency and service only the spaces which are currently in use. the zoning is resulting in creation of a thermal environmnet a,b,c where b is only heated temporarily.

thermal environement a

public and private vertical circulation systems the circulation system has been designed according to the compartmentation of individual units in a perimeter block. each unit creates a separate and unique microclimate and therefore requires a separate mean of vertical circulation. in general public access leads to galleries and studios located on upper floors. private and semi-private access can be controlled individually by each unit and the degree of privacy can be adjusted depending on the current occupation of the individual unit.

thermal zone b

thermal zone c

thermal zone a

hvac horizontal ventilation model conditioned spaces possibility of conditioned spaces

private/semi-private access public access

private residential development canary wharf - london front elevation

VI.

package of drawings for planning application

2017 - 2019 | WORK EXPERIENCE LONDON PART I ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT

2018 | 2019

2017 | 2018

SQUARE FEET ARCHITECTS

SOUTHSTUDIO

preparing planning application drawings

working on small scale residential and educational projects

developing plans to suit the development conditions

preparing planning permission applications

working along fire escape & engeneerging strategies

preparing 3D models

attending site, client and contractor meetings

working on material schedules

preparing 3D site model and project models

WORK EXPERIENCE 18

typical floor plan arrangements

responsibilities: preparing the design and set of drawings for planning permission

existing conditions: new built residential development

WORK EXPERIENCE

proposed ground floor and street condition plan

19

1:50 rear elevation & cross section

WORK EXPERIENCE 20

1:20 proposed front elevation