Silk Weav ing As A Tool To Empower Gene ration Z A prop o s a l for a chi l d re n l e ar n i ng c e nt re i n B ang kok , T h ai l an d
As opposed to Gen Y who are labelled as rather selfish, extremely money-motivated and self-centred, Gen Z are more open-minded and see opportunity to learn from others. Gen Z are also more entrepreneurial than Gen Y. They want to play a hands-on role in changing what they don’t like about the world around them.
S T U DY I N G G E N E R AT I O N Z
+
Generation
Z
As they are surrounded by information, technologies and the fast-paced lifestyle, Gen Zs are often: - Too dependent on technology - Lack interpersonal skills - Suffer from health problem from sedentary lifestyle
I N T E R G E N E R AT I O NA L R E L AT I O N S H I P IS CRUCIAL
A L A C K O F Q UA L I T Y FA M I LY T I M E Families are busier than ever The survey was based on 2,000 families in the UK and was carried out for Virgin Holidays and Universal Orlando Resort Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2363193/No-time-family-You-Parents-children-spend-hour-day-modern-demands.html
2 hr20 min
36 minutes
T I M E SPEN T TO GETHER
8 hours
Weekends
Weekdays
Weekly
“Connections between generations are essential for the mental health and stability of the nation.� Margaret Mead
NUMBER OF TIME V I SI T I NG G R A N DPA R E N T S IN A YEAR
JAN
DEC 1
2
3
4
5
Margaret Mead was a respected American cultural anthropologist who was frequently a featured author and speaker in the mass media throughout the 1960s and 1970s. She was known for popularising the insights of anthropology into modern American and Western culture.
6
Benefits of intergeneration connection 2. We spend our evenings/ weekend keeping up with household chores REASONS FOR NOT GET TING ENOUGH QUA L IT Y FAMILY TIME
1. Myself or my partner work long hours 6. The children are often playing computer games 4. The children are often watching TV
W EEK END TO- D O L IST
Last thing:
Visiting Grandparents
- Kids feel more secure - They do better at school - They better sense of who they are and where they came from. - They have roots, history and sense of belonging.
T H A I L A N D
T HA I L A N D : T H E G E N E R AT I O N Z s
Kids with mobile phone
70% Thai children (Age 6 and above)
Kids with mobile phone
WHOLE COUNTRY 84% Total Population: 64 million Gen Z Poplation (0-18 years old): 16 million
Bangkok children (Age 6 and above)
Generation Z children in Thailand are very IT dependent Data from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health in 2013 shows that:
BANGKOK Total Population: 5.6 million
Kids addicted to online gaming nationwide
70% of Thail children nationwide owns a mobile phone. 84% of children in Bangkok owns a mobile phone. And over 3 million children in the whole country are addicted to online gaming. The Ministry of Public Health is concerned by the fact that children only interact to each other via their mobile phones.
Gen Z Population (0-14 years old): 955,334 3 million
Sources: http://www.manager.co.th/QOL/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9560000106111 http://www.thairath.co.th/content/376180
A L A C K O F L E A R N I N G A C T I V I T I E S F O R G E N E R AT I O N Z s
No plan on National Children’s Day
26.9%
37.1%
A Bangkok poll in 2012 on activities between parents and children on National Children’s Day indicated that 37.1% of parents in Bangkok will take their kids to shopping malls. Shopping, having meal and going to the cinema were the activities.
793 p arent s in Bang kok
73.1%
Parents with plans for children on National Chrildren’s Day Source: http://www.komchadluek.net/detail/20120114/120252/%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%9E%E0% B8%A5%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%8 0%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%99%E0% B8%B5%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%9E%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A 1%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%AB%E0 %B8%8D%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8% 81%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%AB%E0%B9%89%E0 %B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AF.html
Bangkok Kids Museum Bangkok Kids Museum was a museum with an area of 7,000 sqm. The museum featured exhibitions in areas such as science, geology, health education, etc. Up to January 2014, the museum had been shut down for more than 4 years. 22,915 people signed up a petition to the Mayor of Bangkok in January 2014 requesting the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority to re-open the museum as it is a useful learning centre for children from early ages to teens.
VA N I S H I N G C U L T U R A L H E R I T A G E I N B A N G K O K There are a number of old communities in Bangkok where residents practiced the same trades or crafts. However, these communities are quickly disappearing. Developers buy the land and turn it into shopping centre, high-rise residential, etc. Local authority claims back the possession of land from the community with ‘modernisation policy’ as a justification. Or some communities are simply disappearing because the current generation are moving away from homes, working in modern offices or other industry; they no longer continue the trades or crafts their parents or grandparents practiced. Apart from the vanishing nostalgic scenes, the knowledge of local crafts are vanishing too.
TE VACA O T ICE
NOT
Woeng Nakorn Kasem Musical instrument
LE PEOP G W E F IN ONLY PRACTIC STILL Ban Bat Buddhist monks’ bowls
TE VACA O T ICE
NOT
Mahakarn Fortress Community Traditional bird cages
LE PEOP G W E F IN ONLY PRACTIC STILL Ban Lao Thai and Laotian flute
CT ROJE P A MEG ERWAY UND Makkasan Community An old community living along Thailand’s historic railway lines.
LE PEOP G W E F IN ONLY PRACTIC STILL Ban Krua Thai silk community in central Bangkok
B A N K R UA : S I L K W E AV I N G C O M M U N I T Y
THE HOUSES
THE PEOPLE
Ban Krua Community is an old community right in the very centre of modern Bangkok. The community dates back to more than 200 years ago. Most of the residents used to practice silk weaving. Nowadays, however, only a few households continue the tradition. With its prime location, the community is right at the heart of the modernisation process.
BA N K RUA : T H E C O M M U N I T Y A N D A N A M E R I C A N S I L K M E R C HA N T
Jim Thompson was an American ex-architect, silk merchant and art collector who re-vitalised Thai silk in the 1950s-1960s. He constructed a traditional Thai house by Mahanak canal, just opposite to Ban Krua Community. In the past, Ban Krua production supplied the silk merchant’s company. After the disappearance of ‘Master Jim Thompson’ in 1967 while on a trip in Malaysia, the company started their own factory and stopped hiring Ban Krua residents. No more major buyer, gradually most residents left the silk weaving industry. Jim Thompson is a leading silk brand in Thailand with several stores across the country. The House opposite the Ban Krua community is now a museum showcasing his art collection and the company’s silk products.
River & canals
Bangkok Old Town
Ban Krua Community
Jim Thompson House
P R O G R A M M E S T R AT E G Y
M A NAG E M E N T PA N E L E M PLOY E E
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration: BMA
PUBLIC SECTOR
Thailand’s Ministry of Culture
P R I VAT E S E C T O R
Thai silk company
Thai silk company
BMA
employ
STAFF
MONEY
MANAGEMENT Ban Krua RESIDENTS
Thailand’s Ministry of Education
supervise
VISITOR
LENGTH OF VISIT Parents
Gen Z SUN
create artwork
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
Day visit
School vacation Day Camp purchase School vacation (with accommodation) Tourist
H O W T R A D I T I O NA L HA N D I C R A F T S B E N E F I T G E N E R AT I O N Z C H I L D R E N Research from eXtension Foundation suggests that arts and crafts activities could benefit children. eXtension Foundation is an interactive learning environment based in the USA. Their online resource offers research-based information on education provided from insitutes of higher education in America.
Increase their attention span Generation Z children have short attention span as a result of great exposure to technologies and the fast-moving world.
Muscle development, eye-hand co-ordination - skills which children need for writing later on.
Learn to share, and interact with others Generation Z children are addicted to their mobile phones and tablets, resulting in their lack of inter-personal skills.
Learn to be responsible for cleaning up, tidying up, and putting things away For example, putting their toys back into storage boxes at home once they finish playing.
Learn names of colours and shapes
Gain observational skills for science - through examining trees, feeling its bark, and drawing picture of it to record
Inventive skills, creativity, and imagination
Raise their self-esteem- when their creativity is valused, children feel valued people, as part of the society
C H A R T I N G S PA C E S O F I N T E R A C T I O N S PA C E S B E T W E E N G E N E R AT I O N Z A N D O T H E R G E N E R AT I O N S
Name of space/ Function
The Instructor and the Receiver may be interchangeable
Parties involved
Silks Making Process: colour-dyeing
The Instructor*
a
Pigment storagea
A, B
Colour dyeing Room and equipment storage
A, B
Space for drying the dyed silk
A, B, D, F
Transfer of dyed thread to cone
A, B
Transfer from cone to spindle
A, B
Prepare the warpc
A, B
Shuttles and spindles storage
Finished products and improvements
Pattern Design Studio
Additional spaces
e
C, D, E, F, I
Playing with scrap thread or fabricf
C, D, E, F, I
Muscle development, eye-hand co-ordination - skills which children need for writing later on.
D
Learn to share, interact with others
E
Learn to be responsible for cleaning up, tidying up, putting things away (e.g. learn to put their toys back into storage boxes at home)
F
Learn names of colours and shapes
G
Improve observational skills for science - through activities such as examine trees, feel its bark, and draw picture of it)
H
Raise their self-esteem - when their creativity is valused, children feel valued people, as part of the society
I
Improve inventive skills, creativity, and imagination. e.g. a boy wonders what happen if he were to paint with three paintbrushes
G A
Story-telling corner A, D Children’s works display space H The House
C
Garden ‘The Nostalgic Walk’
f
Increase their attention span (Short attention span as a result of exposure to technologies)
A, B, D, E, F
Playing with pigmente
Staff
B
A, B, D, I, F
A, B, C
Parents
Learn to appreciate local heritage, the traditional handicrafts
Souvenirs shop
Weaving classroom
Ban Krua Resident
A
A, B
Fabric storage
Workshop/ activity aread
d
The Receiver**
Gen Z
Weaving room
c
Benefits to Gen Z
Raw thread storage
b
Silks Making Process: preparation and weaving
b
*The Instructor - instructor, demostrator, the party who pass on the knowledge. **The Receiver - knowledge receiver, observer, participant etc.
Food preparation area and The Kitchen
A
Accommodation
A
http://www.extension.org/pages/25680/creative-art-helps-children-develop-across-many-domains#.VK1MOiusV8E
S PA C E T O P R O M O T E I N T E R A C T I O N S : G E N E R AT I O N Z M E M B E R S & T H E A D U L T S
Earlier model studying possible interaction moments between Generation Z members and adults. The model was developed with an aim to create space where children learn to talk to other (since they are said to lack interpersonal skills as a result of addicting to their mobile phones); to learn to ask for help, to learn from and help others etc. Top left | Gen Z member watching an adult cooking Top right | A see-saw table which only works when two people sit together Bottom left and centre | A Gen Z member operates a lift for an elderly Bottom right | A Gen Z member asks for help from an adult to pick up a toy for him
S T RU C T U R A L I N V E S T I G AT I O N : B I C YC L E W H E E L R O O F
Following the Structural Workshop where we were encouraged to investigate the structural system of a bicycle wheel, an umbrella, or a tripod as a starting point. I chose to look at the bicycle wheel.
T
T
T
T
Com pr es s
T T
T
nR io
T
T T
ing
T T T
T T
T
T
T
W Upper half
T
T
T
T
T T
nR io
Study how the bicycle wheel works
Com pr es s
T T
T T
ing
T T T
T T
T
W
T
T
Lower half
T
T Section
T
T W
Bicycle wheel roof is a structural system which is capable of spanning a large distance. Precedent: Ifema Building, Madrid by Andres Perea
The system consists of radial elements in tension, and the ring in compression. T represents Tension; support the weight W of the central core ot her wise it would just fall down on its own weight. All these forces are pulled towards the ring, whichi s then in compression. Bicycle wheel roof is used where long span is needed. For example, exhibition halls.
SILK ROOF-SCAPE
Silk Roof-scape After raw threads are dyed, they are hung to dry in sheltered area for a day, creating this fascinating silk landscape above. Photo source: http://www.pixpros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=61688
S T RU C T U R A L I N V E S T I G AT I O N : B I C YC L E W H E E L S T RU C T U R E & T H E S I L K R O O F - S C A P E
T
T
T
T
F w
w
w
w
w
T
T
T
w
w
w
Hanging silk upsets the structural system of the bicycle wheel roof
W
Inspired by the structural system of the bicycle wheel roof. I would like to create the central space of the building where kids interact with the elderly. Generation Z member peers through gaps in the facade to see the elderly working. They will then need to walk underneath the intriguing ceiling of hanging silk in order to see closer what the elderly is working on. The space provokes curiosity of the Gen Z. (Sketch- top image) However, putting silk on the tensile elements of the bicycle wheel roof would upset the balance of the structure. The structure then needs to be altered slightly to accommodate this and create the desired atmosphere.
w
w w
T
F
W
T
T
T
T
f
f
F
F
W w
w
w
w
w
w w
w
w
w
w
Possible solutions: adding supporting element branching out from the columns which support the compression ring in order to create a more rigid structure
W H O L E S I T E S T R AT E G Y
The site is a triangular plot across the canal from the existing Ban Krua community. It it flanked by a canal, a historic bridge and a small street.
E X I S T I N BA N K RUA C O M M U N I T Y The proposal will comprise a series of buildings with bicycle wheel roof system. Each houses different functions.
l
a b
h
m k
Term 1 Model Scale 1:6
j c
i
KEYS
f e g
a b
c d e f g h
d
i j k l m
Garden growing plants for natural dye Workshop/ activity area Other crafts apart from silk weaving may be demostrated here. Story-telling corner Souvenirs shop/ office Pattern design studio Shuttles and spindles storage Fabric storage Ban Krua residents’ workspace / Drying area for colour-dyed silk Colour-dying room Pigment storage Kids play area: with scrap thread and fabric Walk across the canal for ‘The Nostalgic Walk’ Arrival by long-tailed boat
Term 1 Final Model Scale 1:6 The model is a fragment of a larger building which will be developed further in the next terms. The model captures the moment where Generation Z members could look through gaps in the facade, opens a hatch door in the floor, climb underneath the seats and so on, to spy on the elderly working on one of the processes of silk weaving. In order to get closer to the elderly and see what they are doing, the kids would walk underneath the intriguing ceiling of hanging silk. The space is spanned over by a bicycle wheel roof. The structure of the typical bicycle wheel roof system has been altered to accommodate for the hanging silk.
Term 1 Final Model Scale 1:6 Top right | The structure supporting the roof, the terrace and the seats are designed in a way that there are gaps for kids to spy on the elderly. The obscurity provokes their curiosity. Bottom right | Facade is a pattern of Thai silk overlayed on fabric. The translucent quality means kids can look through the facade, but they need to get closer to see what the elderly is doing.
Term 1 Final Model Scale 1:6 Left | Bicycle wheel roof with hanging silk which has been dyed in various colours + tags indicating name and code of colour Above left | Close-up detail of the central core of the roof Above right | Close-up detail where the tension element joins with the compression ring.
B I C YC L E W H E E L S T RU C T U R E & T H E S I L K R O O F - S C A P E AT M O S P H E R E
M O M E N T O F I N T E R AC T I O N B E T W E E N T WO G E N E R AT I O N S
Moment of interaction #2 The architectural language is intended to play with gaps and opaque material to provoke children’s curiosity and interest. Generation Z members could look through gaps in the facade, opens a hatch door in the floor and climb underneath the seats to spy on the elderly working on one of the processes of silk weaving.
M O M E N T O F I N T E R AC T I O N B E T W E E N T WO G E N E R AT I O N S
Moment of interaction #3 The architectural language is intended to play with gaps and opaque material to provoke children’s curiosity and interest. Pigmet storage room can only be opened by the Ban Krua residents who practice silk weaving. Generation Z members could look through transparent polycarbonate tubes in the facade. Seeing a range of colour pigment on the shelves would interest them. When the door is unlocked by the elderly, it would be a ‘wow’ moment for the children.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR NEXT TERM
Space could become like a machine itself. Elements can move up and down to aid children’s interaction with the elderly. The space becomes an interactive space.
Roof and silk-hanging landscape rotates about its pivot to aid the elderly or Gen Z in the process of silk drying
Platform moves up and down Seats rotate about the pivot
F I E L D T R I P T O C O S TA R I C A Four-day Workshop in San JosĂŠ
B ar t l e tt & Un ive rs i d a d Ve r it as
THE TEAM BA R T L E T T & V E R I TA S
Team Compression ring & Middle core
Karla
Teto
Daniela
Jennifer
Gaston
Team Tripod Legs
Nawan
Cesar
Han
Narah
Shuo
Xiaoying
Team Fabric/ Hammock
Fabian
Ana
Caro
Lily
Juliana
WORKSHOP S TA R T I N G P O I N T STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
T
T
T
T W
C U LT U R A L I N P I R AT I O N
The starting point of the workshop was my structural investigation on the bicycle wheel roof system and the fact that the structure has to be modified so that the desired atmosphere of hanging silk ceiling-scape can be achieved. This coupled with the request from Veritas students that they would like to have a space where they can relax/ hang around between classes, as well as inspiration from traditional Costa Rican hammock, we combined the two and created a chill space right by their cafeteria.
R E SU LT
LOAD ITINER ARY
1
The middle core Made from recycle bicycle wheels and some rectangular steel section we found in the skip
Crucial point #1 Reinforced bars to the bicycle wheel
Crucial point #2 Reinforced bars connect to hexagonal compression ring
Crucial point #3 Round columns of tripod legs which provide resting platforms for hexagon ring T T
T
T
T
T
T
T T
T T
T
2
Tension bars
T
T
T
Made from 12mm reinforced bars bent into hooks at either end in order to hook to holes and steel brackets at the middle core and the compression ring respectively. The crossing of the bars echoes the pattern of the bicycle spokes.
T
T T
T T
T
T
T
T
W
WStructure + Hammock + People WStructure + Hammock + People
5
The Hammocks Fabric + knitted ropes. Hung from an S-shaped hook which in turns hung from the main structure
4
WStructure + Hammock + People Crucial point #4 Base to ground
3
Compression ring Each section is made from three pieces of 2� x 4� reclaimed timber bolted together. The double hexagon echoes the pattern of bicycle wheel spokes as well as give the structure a more rigid frame since it will be supporting the load from the hammocks and people sitting on them.
Legs
Steel colummns formed a tripod shape. The base of the legs which tie the vertical elements together are three steel columns flat-hammered at both ends. The hexagonal compression ring rests on the tripod legs. The base is then bolted to the ground for added stability.
1
THE MIDDLE CORE
Rectangular steel sections are welded diagonally to brace the two bicycle wheels together. The most challenging part is to connect the reinforced bars to the middle core. The photo shows how we tested bending the reinforced bar and hooking it to the holes drilled into the bicycle wheels. The end of the rectangular sections had to be sawn out for safety reasons.
3
COMPRESSION RING
The hexagonal compression ring comprises two rings (as shown in yellow and orange) Each side of the hexagon is formed from three pieces of timber bolted together.
4
TRIPOD LEGS
Top left | two steel sections are welded together to form one set. Three sets of these provide a platform on which the hexagonal ring rests on. The vertical eleents of the legs are welded to the steel plate, which were then bolted to the ground.
5
THE HAMMO CKS
Fabric + knitted ropes Hung from an S-shaped hook which in turns hung from the main structure The fabric was spray painted with a Costa Rican wheel pattern.
1
CRUCIAL POINT #1
The reinforced bar - the middle core (recycled bicycle wheels)
4
We devised a system of hooks: bending the end of the re-bars and drilling the bicycle wheels.
2
CRUCIAL POINT #2
The reinforced bar - the hexagonal compression ring
CRUCIAL POINT #3 Reinforced bar bent into an S-shape
The hammock - the middle core
The hammock - the hexagonal compression ring
Reinforced bar bent into an S-shape
5
CRUCIAL POINT #5
The hexagonal compression ring - the tripod legs
The design of the tripod provides a platform on which the compression ring rests on.
The same hook system but with steel brackets screwed to the compression ring.
3
CRUCIAL POINT #4
6
CRUCIAL POINT #6 Bolted to the ground
The tripod legs - the ground
ASSEMBLING THE TENSILE ELEMENTS
2
The tensile elements hold the hexagon ring up that it was floating off the supports. The whole thing was supportedoonly in the centre.
ASSEMBLING THE TRIPOD LEGS
4
The assembling method was that most of us lifted the hexagon ring up to the height which was high enough for the rest of us to slot the tripod legs underneath.
T H E R E SU LT BA R T L E T T & V E R I TA S