This Document is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree: Master of Architecture (Professional) at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, in the year 2016.
U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E W I T WAT E R S R A N D S C H O O L O F A R C H I T E C T UR E A N D P L A N N I N G
ARPL 7003: Architectural Design & Discourse Studio 2016
Reverse Industrialization - An Architectural Transition Through Ecology NIGEL JAMES STUART DE VILLIERS / 908796
Acknowledgements To my parents and family, thank you for your endless support, encouragement, patience and love. To my fellow classmates , thank you for your support, your kindness and individual input. It has been a long journey so thank you for sharing this year with me. To my supervisor, Garret Gantner, thank you for your gentle guidance, wisdom and support throughout the year. To new friendships , Robert, Michael, Valerie, Sphe, Mokele, Chami, Steve, Ana, Irene, Lethabile and Kat, I have enjoyed learning architecture beside you the last two years.
I, Nigel James Stuart De Villiers, (Student Number: 908796) am a student registered for the course Master of Architecture (Professional) in the year 2016. I hereby declare the following: I am aware that plagiarism (i.e. the use of someone else’s work without permission and/or without acknowledging the original sources) is wrong. I confirm that the work submitted for assessment for the above course is my own unaided work except where I have stated explicitly otherwise. I have followed the required conventions in referencing thoughts, ideas, and visual materials of others. I understand that the University of the Witwatersrand may take disciplinary action against me if there is a belief that this is not my unaided work or that I have failed to acknowledge the source of the ideas or words in my own work. 17 February 2017
Abstract
This research report revolves around the topic of Reverse Industrialization, which is being thoroughly explored through an architectural typology that is often overlooked within our Johannesburg context. This typology is the use of Ecology and the integration of Biophilic design within an industrial environment. Reverse Industrialization is all about going back, rejuvenating, recycling, rebuilding, but more specifically it targets old and abandoned industrial buildings - peeling back the layers and integrating new program and form. In order to formally establish this new architectural typology, the concept engaged with a set of predetermined criteria. These ‘constraints’ aided in locating the most suitable site, choosing the most effective biophilic approach & informed the nature of the design. The first most significant criteria is an old and/or abandoned industrial building. The building that has been chosen is the former City of Johannesburg Engineering Foundry, located on Main Reef Road in Westgate Johannesburg. The richness for this building and its site is complimented by its strategic central location to the surrounding suburbs, namely Newtown to the north, Fordsburg to the West, Westgate to the South and Ferreirasdorp to the East. The next criteria which needed to be met is to understand the role of ecology in the design process & to use this knowledge to approach the design of the building in the most effective manner. There is a river which flows southward along the western edge of the site. The river is heavily polluted and serves as a storm sewer. The ecological & architectural intervention has engaged with the river and utilised a passive filtration system to not only cleanse the water to a level in which it can be effectively used to nourish an urban agricultural farm, but also is used as inspiration for the formation of the building design. This new river will provide a new source of cleaner water to those that are in the immediate area & to the south of the site. The architectural intervention placed within this industrial context has manifested itself in a new ecological centre, The Floating Gardens. This centre provides a fresh new outlook to an endemic problem with our city, the issue of industrial buildings outliving their function due to advancements in technology. The Floating Gardens gives strong precedent to the opportunities that Biophilic design can offer to old industrial structures, giving them new life & a rejuvenated purpose.
1. Introduc tion................................................................................................. Page 13 1.1 Proposed Site 1.2 Problem Statement 1.3 Research Questions 1.4 Brief
2 . Th e o r y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pa g e 2 9 2.1 Literature Review 2.2 Biophilic Design
3. Contex tual Analysis...................................................................................... Page 43 3.1 Regional Context 3.2 Site Context 3.3 Building of Interest
4. Mapping Analysis..........................................................................................Page 65 4.1 River Analysis 4.2 Figure Ground 4.3 Negative Space 4.4 Zoning 4 . 5 To p o g r a p h y 4.6 Sun Study 4.7 Green Infrastructure 4.8 Climate Analysis 4.9 Accessibility
5. Viability Repor t............................................................................................ Page 91 5.1 Location 5.2 Client 5.3 Access 5.4 Admin & Financial Strategy 5.5 Costs & Income Breakdown 5.6 Case Study - Regen Village - Skygreens - Shoreham Street
6. Design 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5
Development.................................................................................... Page 109 Abstract Exploration Charette Exploration Artistic Exploration Model Exploration Wa t e r Tr e a t m e n t
Contents 7. The Projec t: The Floating Gardens (Ecological Centre)................................. Page 129 7.1 Design Drawings 7.2 Programme Diagram 7 . 3 V e r t i c a l F a r m To w e r s 7 . 4 Wa t e r Fi l t r a t i o n Tr e a t m e n t 7.5 Accessibility 7.6 Photovoltaic Power Generation 7.7 Green Infrastructure 7.8 Exploded Axonometric 7.9 Water R eticulation System 7.10 Materials & Aesthetics 7.11 Design Details 7.12 Site Model 7.13 Final Model
8. Conclusion....................................................................................................Page 177
B i b l i o gr a p hy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pa g e 1 8 2
List of Figures.............................................................................................. Page 184
Industrialization of the building trade is a question of material. Hence the demand for a new building material is the first prerequisite. - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe -
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1 __________________________
Introduction
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The concept of reverse industrialization came to me when I thought about shifting trends in my home city of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Its industries started to close down, new opportunities began to emerge. Much of the local business demand had started to decline and it meant that change was essential for business survival. Lack of demand led to closure and forced some companies to move to the capital, Harare, where more work could be acquired. This led to many factories and warehouses to turn into moth balled shells which were later bought or rented by church organisations, because the space inside these buildings could hold large numbers of people. It also was far more affordable than compared to other venues. It was a complete shift in terms of building function and zoning classification. I believe that the architectural transition of programme and functionality observed in the industrial sector of Zimbabwe could be suitable towards the rejuvenation and reverse industrialization for Johannesburg. This process could provide a new opportunity for transition that could provide a valuable economic solution that assists growth and development in neglected urban areas. This transition is also looking at a holistic approach towards adaptive reuse - one that is not only about finding a proper programme for available space but weaves in historical preservation/adaptation, ecology, food security and water restoration. The ‘grand vision’ for the
transformation of dilapidated and disregarded areas of cities which suffer from the loss of industry is to find salvation under an ecological response to re-energize old industry with the new. This being provided by clean green technology such as vertical aquaponic farming, passive biochar water treatment and solar photovoltaic power generation. This research undertaking describes a proposed ecological centre. The surrounding urban areas are heavily populated by buildings of an industrial nature, many of which are disused or have fallen into disrepair. Although this excess of industrial space dominates the surrounding urban context, areas such as Fordsburg are densely occupied by permanent residents trying to make a living in the city. In these areas the main sources of income are heavily reliant on the established commercial sectors. Economic hubs such as the Oriental Plaza greatly contribute towards economic stability for this region, yet there are areas of urban sustainability that have yet to be explored. An untapped potential for a new sustainable urban typology exists within the numerous underutilized industrial structures that litter the urban landscape.
14 [1] Aerial photograph edited by author.
1 Introduction This project must contribute positively to all the neighbouring suburbs socially and economically. To enable a reverse industrialization process, an in-depth engagement with the industrial sector is required in order to seek out a strategic location to support the proposed project. The need to find a promising ecological commodity that can be utilized to provide a suitable intervention to transforming the site is paramount. The chosen location is a critical node between the neighbouring suburbs that is heavily underutilised. The Floating Gardens will provide a new green infrastructure network to an otherwise dead urban location, providing the surrounding community with access to a new economic urban activator. In the search of an appropriate ecological approach, it must be understood that the intervention must facilitate both a rejuvenation of space and a rejuvenation of the environmental context. The architecture must heal the land and transform a run-down site and dilapidated old industrial building into a contemporary design that stitches the old together with the new. It is essential to find sufficient suitable open space to allow for an extension of the urban context which is being targeted. How can environmental factors such as natural sunlight, running water & urban green space be considered to inspire the creation of a new integrated architecture and energy generator? These factors, in conjunction with the existing architecture of the site, are carefully balanced in The Floating Gardens.
15 [2] Aerial photograph edited by author.
1.2 Problem Statement
During times of economic change, where emerging technologies and advanced processes begin to overtake older industrial processes, some buildings are often considered to be irrelevant. Once these structures have been stripped of their inherent function, there is a strong possibility that they will end up abandoned - leading to the creation of dead space. These dead spaces come under threat of being hijacked and transformed into unsafe areas which criminals may take advantage of. An unused building in this context is an unsafe building. As the city expands and its urban fabric pushes outward, the demand for more places of industry begins to increase. The problem is, with new industry comes new structures whilst the older and unused industrial buildings are forgotten. In the context of Johannesburg, many industrial sectors are being developed in areas other than the city, whilst Johannesburg still retains a significant & underutilised industrial area. As an outcome, an exploration of how architecture can solve the city’s social and economic problems could provide answers to re-activating the numerous dead spaces on the periphery of our city. When a building programme no longer holds relative importance, what trends for industrial driven business can be adopted to rehabilitate the building’s soul?
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The river that runs along the western edge of the site is heavily polluted and serves as a stormwater drain. This is in great need for intervention especially as water scarcity in the city is reaching soaring new highs. The added benefit to treating the river at the chosen site by Main Reef Road is that south of the site has minimal industrial activity which suggests that the river will be less susceptible to pollution as it continues to flow southward. The transformation process for the site will enable the community to see the viable potential for reverse industrialisation that this intervention through ecology can have on an old industrial area. The surrounding suburbs have rich urban programmes in place, including shopping centres such as the Oriental Plaza in Fordsburg and Museum Africa in Newtown. There is a need to create an ecological centre that reverse industrializes, rejuvenates, recycles, and restores this urban environment and provides a new approach to what can be done in our city.
1.3 Research Questions
We investigate the following to develop the site, building and architectural intervention: _______________________________________________________________________________________ - How do we create lively spaces? - How can ecology be utilized on an industrial site to rejuvenate and reinvigorate its immediate environment? - What water treatment process can support both the building and the region as a whole? - Can vertical farming be more than just the process for cultivating food? - How can sustainable processes such as water filtration & urban agriculture respond architecturally? - What viable energy development strategy can this building have? - How can we connect to the surrounding suburbs? - Given that the existing building is utilized as a warehouse for processing, recycling and storage of refuse materials, how can we modify the process to give greater return?
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This project aims to: _______________________________________________________________________________________ 1. Create an ecological centre with educational elements which serve the public. This will highlight the potential that industrial areas have to once again contribute to an ever growing modern city. 2. Activate dead space, providing new and old programmatic industrial activities. 3. Create a variation of private and public space that defines the relationship between the site and the building. 4. Clean the polluted river to a level of safety to be used for agricultural needs and to be reintroduced back into the river cycle. 5. Develop a new building fabric utilizing the vertical farming system and merge it with the existing building to create exciting new spaces. 6. Find a means of energy production that is appropriate for this building, with the intention of creating a net-zero intervention.
18 [3 - Top] The reverse industrialization concept by author. [4 - Bottom] Industrial collage edited by author.
1.4 Brief 1. Create an ecological centre with educational elements which serve the public.
Access through the public realm will be living proof to how ecological features have transformed, transitioned and articulated industrial zones into something more. People visiting the centre will be able to observe all of the individual stages of the water treatment processes, while the river water travels through and underneath the building. This water can be admired and enjoyed once more. The public will also be exposed to new ideas of vertical urban farming & the biophilic benefits which an intervention of this nature can provide to a community. These immense structural farming modules may appear to be highly technologically advanced, yet they rely on rather simplistic methods in which to function. The troughs, which are filled with all kinds of fresh produce, slowly rotate with the aid of nothing more than gravity and water. This intervention serves to prove that the ecological process of reverse industrialisation doesn’t need to rely on advanced methodologies to be successful.
water treatment, solar energy generation and recycling will be available to the public. This will be shared in scholarly seminars, visitation tours and an online website for further details about how these building processes work. Scholarly seminars at the centre will be available to students for a nominal fee. By creating awareness, it begins to open up the mind and expose future possibilities for industry.
This new shared knowledge can benefit ambitious students and any potential members of the public which are looking for economical ways to reinvigorate abandoned structures. Information on the processes being used for vertical farming,
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2. Activate dead space, providing new and old programmatic industrial activities.
Dead space - what is it and is it potentially damaging to urban continuity? Simply put, dead space can be classified as a space that is the product of qualities such as abandonment, dilapidation and degradation. The space no longer serves its intended original function, which opens up the building to alternative uses. Negative impacts involve criminal activities such as illegal building hijacking. Positive impacts involve new business opportunities. I am particularly interested in finding the appropriate way to activate space in industrial areas. How can dead space be activated? Firstly, it is important to understand that the urban fabric which surrounds us exists in a time period which is very different to other things. Technology, products and processes advance at unprecedented rates whilst architecture often remains static. A building can exist in the same form, originally constructed for one singular purpose, for decades. Whilst other areas of industry excel and transform rapidly, architecture can often get left behind. The architecture we create needs to have the potential to be constantly reshaped, re-created and revolutionized to suit the ever changing needs of the people. Our innovation is like an imaginary mechanical gear interlocked with others, it rotates
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and our innovations move in sync. Industries that may have been important yesterday are not longer today. A phone book is an example of this phenomenon. Technology has replaced these once important objects with a diversification of information being delivered by new platforms such as search engines like Google. These search engines are easily accessible through smart phones, computers and tablets. Information is available far easier and quicker than ever before. Its updated with the click of a button now instead of going through a new issue of print. The industry for phone books has fallen away. This is a transition, a transition of the way we do things. However, what does that mean for an architectural transition? The antiquated, industrial building that is still rich in architecture - the old styled brick and mortar, raw iron and steel, timber trussed built form is left behind. How then would restoring or preserving this architecture benefit society? I am proposing an architectural transition for a reverseindustrialized architecture through ecology. ‘Reverse industrializing’ means that there must be an awareness of how spaces are being used in the present. By reversing, restoring and going back, it creates a new typology of architecture.
1.4 Brief
My intentions for ecology involve water treatment, food creation and green infrastructure. Other intentions involve adaptive reuse, recycling refuse and education. The connection between the new and old architecture has greatly challenged the project as a whole. The merging of an old industrial building and an ecological centre has displayed a diversity of architectural difference, which has been balanced and controlled in order to appropriately merge the two typologies. One major influencing factor used to merge the architectural typologies into one was to merge them through the newly integrated river system. The city has been built over the existing river to the north, this being caused by years of urban expansion. It is heavily polluted, yet this neglect has not stopped the flow of the river. Given the location of the river in relation to this site, the proposal for water treatment here would greatly benefit the river as a whole. The treatment process which has been employed is based on the intention of using a low energy passive filtration system. To adopt a chlorination plant for this operation would be far too expensive, due to the small size of the river. By redirecting
the flow of the river through a canal system, the river can be expanded to provide more surface area to employ the passive filtration system, whilst still containing the river within the selected site. During its travel through a series of channels, it will individually be treated by a different passive filtration processes. The river will be controlled and regulated by a network of dams which govern the natural flow through each channel. The goal is to treat the water to a level of safety which will successfully allow the ecological centre to produce a high yield of urban agriculture. The ideal situation is for this treated river water to feed a vertical farming system. These farms will be objects of architecture: walls of movement; food creators; systematic regulators of light and water consumption; a living skin revolving and moving around a space. This greenhouse vision will be like walking into a floating garden. A new vision of an ecological architecture for an industrial Johannesburg.
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3. Create a variation of private and public space that defines the relationship between the site and the building.
What is public? Both the north and south sides of the site face onto busy streets. The northern street is Albertina Sisulu Road and the southern street is Main Reef Road. These two streets are the main access routes to and from the site. The intention of the architectural intervention is to create an avenue that will connect these two active pedestrian streets. The avenue will lead the pedestrian through a rejuvenated biophilic environment with new active economic program. This public thoroughfare will expose users to these new reverse industrialised processes, providing an educational tool for individuals that can benefit from this ecology centre. It would help create awareness of how industrial zones can potentially be transformed back into lively spaces. The visual experience alone will empower ambitious young minds to push the possibilities and this can be a solution to addressing the growing economy. What is Private? It is imperative that adequate management and serviceability be maintained for the important processes such as the water treatment process and growing of produce. A need to maintain an element of safety and management is imperative to the success of the centre. The growing of food,
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although part of the building fabric, is not to be accessed directly by the public but rather provide a visual experience to be enjoyed. It is also imperative that sensible security measures are put in place to prevent any pilfering of food produce as this will undermine the success of the public food market. The large aquaponic A-frames define the strength of the architecture and anchors the design to the site. The vertical approach for cultivation of food with space, redefines how the site and building is navigated and managed. The green walls are alive, moving and rotating through sunlight whilst enclosing spaces of new programme - the beauty of nature with the machine. The park-like effect will be appreciated by the buildings occupants. However, the engineering factors that ensures the buildings performance will be controlled under private management within the ecological facility.
1.4 Brief 4. Clean the polluted river to a level of safety to be used for agricultural needs and to be reintroduced back into the river cycle.
By taking what has become of the river through urban expansion and consumption over the years and redirecting it through a series of individual river channels, it becomes possible to effectively filter the water. The channels, meandering throughout the building as well the site, will aid in dictating the form and placement of the building. A necessary intervention that facilitates a filtration process for water rejuvenation. How is this achieved? Quite simply put, the landscape is carved and sculpted whilst retaining the similar runoff/flow of the river downstream to the south. An intricate network of specialized, dammed sections will be in place to allow for easier control and direction of the river into the different processes of filtration. Each interval will remain equally important as part of a cycle towards cleaner water.
Here, larger sediments are being restricted and removed by large gravel deposits. The second barrier for filtration is the slow, bio-sand filter. In this filter, finer material is being used to sieve through the smaller fragments contained within the water. The third and most important filtration process is the Charcoal (Biochar) filter. Here the properties of the Biochar layer extract out most of the toxins and pollutants through absorption. This will bring the water to an acceptable level of safety for urban agriculture. The fourth process is a repeat process known as the outflow gravel and roughing filter to further ensure filtration for the water before being stored in tanks to be used for the vertical farming systems. The excess filtered water will be reintroduced back into the water channel once again.
What passive filtration processes will be introduced? A total of 4 major filtration processes will be utilised. Each one is comprised of a different process. The first and initial filtration process will be an up-flow gravel and roughing filter.
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5. Develop a new building fabric utilizing the vertical farming system and merge it with the existing building to create exciting new spaces.
Turning a traditional greenhouse typology into an established architectural notion for large scale food production requires a new outlook towards the type of architecture one would normally associate with. This could explain how this new ecological approach could rejuvenate an exhausted industrial engine once again. Vertically stacked wall systems of cultivated plant-life promote new possibilities for an internal urban environment. Spaces now have perimeters and thresholds with new meaning, fuelling an emotionally powerful experience for the user, leading to new appreciations to their surroundings. The Floating Gardens represent a living body system which facilitates an output of food and beauty. Both the building and ecology are being integrated together, fused to create a definition of new architecture. The feasibility to stretch agricultural produce on a horizontal scale within a congested urban environment is unrealistic, however, the option to go vertical can be an option to consider, especially when a high output can be achieved to deliver adequate food sustainably. Vertical farming systems have also proven themselves to be incredibly efficient in both water & energy consumption.
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1.4 Brief 6. Find a means of energy production that is appropriate for this building, with the intention of creating a net-zero intervention.
South Africa has one of the best solar performance rates for solar energy generation. For much of the year we have reliable and consistent sunlight (Department of Energy, 2017). The approach should therefore consider this type of technology as a viable energy source. Photovoltaic technology has expanded over the years and the feeble argument that used to compel consumers away from solar panel use was that they are far too expensive, however this is no longer the case. In the last 5 years the cost for solar panels has dropped drastically by at least 80% due to technology advancements and market interests developing around the world (Catching the Sun, 2015). There is no excuse any longer; utilizing this technology in some way is a logical course of action towards the goal of a more sustainable urban environment. This project is not geared towards attaining large amounts of income. Therefore it makes it an even more crucial factor for the building to operate in a sustainable manner. To depend less on drawing energy from the nation’s grid would greatly benefit the economic sustainability of the building as well as the environment as a whole.
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Industrialization based on machinery, already referred to as a characteristic of our age, is but one aspect of the revolution that is being wrought by technology. - Emily Greene Balch -
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2 ____________ Theory
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2.1 Literature Review Can there be a relationship with architecture for the rehabilitation of economic dead space? Is there a relationship between urban renewal that can be formulated? Will there be a relationship with specific typologies of building programs that, when combined, create the perfect catalyst to formulating a healthy economic zone? This is not the main area in question; rather we are addressing the development for a design which responds to the space of an area. A space that has outlived its usefulness. Thus we delve into appropriating new usefulness relevant to today’s urban issues. Jane Jacobs argues in her book ‘The Death and Life of Great American Cities’ that the street edge was the foremost important part of urban life and urban preservation. She further emphasizes that taking away the street edges would destroy it’s connection between the building and the street. The outcome would have repercussions to creating dead space, unsafe territories and a loss of identity. (Jacobs, 1961) Oscar Newman claims that defensible space can be achieved when the right formula for the street and building connection are engaging with one another. Communities can develop ownership and through their interactive spaces on the building and street level can lead to achieving defensible space. This is created when a community is more involved with the places they occupy, and when that place symbolises a level of ownership for that person, they tend to look after it more. That space then becomes more prevalent with more people in those areas. (Newman, 1996) Through investigation, we find that industrial areas can be viewed as having a kind of shelf life where certain industries can arguably be only suitable for the time they are found to be valuable in terms of its need. While on our never ending technological and evolutionary change towards the future, it is inevitable to be of an impact on a global scale with architectural adaptation and change. In my opinion, industrial buildings must take on new forms; their architecture will be redeveloped to satisfy other needs, new processes and building programs. It is probably the only likely way to continue to succeed at rejuvenating dead spaces, however though complex and challenging, this may be the answer to an architectural demand for change. Kenneth Frampton in his book ‘Labour, Work and Architecture’, in his critical regionalism section under culture and civilization, touches on the notion that creating new urban form is considerably difficult within the city because it is scrutinized and protracted under the imposed diversified motorway networks. Its design is already predetermined and limited by the allowance of space available and the location it has been
given. (Frampton, 2002). This is absolutely right because road networks carve up large stretches of land, dividing buildings into sectored pieces and quadrants that are then subjected to their own constraints. This means that in order to successfully utilize the space for commercial services, it has become paramount that an adequate building design must be carefully articulated to maximize its possibilities within these existing constraints. Due to a scarcity of space, It makes sense to take on abandoned buildings which can be re-appropriated and rejuvenated into new typologies. By incorporating what already exists into a new approach towards a design, the new dynamic architecture can posess both the qualities of contemporary ideas mixed with a rich urban history and heritage. This diversified approach will provide the highest possible impact for a reverse industrialized intervention. A certain level of responsibility is needed in order to determine what industrial buildings both the ‘then and now’ have in terms of possible opportunities, both for its context and its inhabitants. Are architects able to control and manipulate the time-line for industrial processes with the architecture that is created or can we never really answer that question? Is it too far beyond our reach to maintain a never-ending evolving city? Instead of viewing architecture as mearly static objects in space, we can begin to try and understand it as more of a never ending social and economical process. I imagine that an architecture viewed from this perspective, could establish growth rather than diminish it. By creating an architectural intervention that has the ability to reshape and readdress urban issues as they evolve, it enables an ever shifting platform for change in our city. People want convenience in the way that they live, yet due to the speed in which society and technology develops, buildings can very quickly become ‘inconvenient’. We strive for what is better and what serves our needs best, yet these needs are often subject to change. THe architecture that is created needs to change with it. As I explore the concept of Reverse Industrialization through ecology, I find it critically important to understand what Lampugnani talks about in his book entitled ‘Architecture and City Planning in the Twentieth Century’. He posits that certain design & theoretical principles are needed in the city planning process in order to incorporate an organic architecture. It can be understood through the following six principles and properties:
31 [5] Vintage industrial interior steel and concrete structure, source the Vintaquarian.
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2.1 Literature Review Nature as Model: The inspiration for a building is derived by its design with nature and the learning outcome that comes from it. Individualism: The way that one thinks about what beautiful architecture is directly affects the perception that is given by the building. Nationalism: A connection being found amongst peoples of a country and its relationship to the international and rational perspective. (Lampugnani, 1980); The Building as a Natural Element: Building and landscape are elements that cannot be considered separate from each other. Naturally integrated architecture utilizes fewer artificial materials such as steel and glass while using more natural materials such as stone, wood and brick. Each material is exposed clearly in order to represent its individuality and form a stronger relationship to the landscape. The landscape can be viewed as a strong informant for the placement, design and function of the building. The Building as a Personalized Element: Steps for its design require program, functionality, location and client approval. We all aspire for things differently. We search for the importance of an emotional component, which naturally shifts away from standardization of form which comes from industrialization. The Building as a Traditional Element: The soul of a building is determined by its plans, its environment and the owner’s personality. (Lampugnani, 1980). The user will personalize the space to their workable need. The design will be a strong reflection of the owner but the building itself will also have a profound impact on the person as well. 71.3% of South Africans will be living in the city by 2030 (The Guardian, 2012). This would point to the necessity to further rehabilitate old neighbourhoods to take advantage of their proximity to existing active areas of our city. This process is already witnessed in areas such as the Maboneng Precinct. The need to feed these people, house them and provide them with areas of employment becomes strikingly apparent. This success can be achieved by a process of industrial urban renewal. Existing urban problems in Johannesburg cannot be solved with an old traditional frame of mind. Zoning areas can no longer be a simplistic map of designation. They need to be areas to accommodate the influx of people and with these areas they need to create new possibilities.
“Migration from rural to urban is largely by young adults, this puts a lot of pressure on the rural agriculture development.”
Southern parts of Johannesburg’s inner city have been found statistically to have lower education levels than those in the north of the greater Johannesburg region. (Greater Johannesburg, 2000). These decreased levels of education discredit the levels of employment which lead to lower levels of income. This is a vicious cycle that will determine the ability to afford food. (Tarboton, 2012). If our basic need for food is compromised then we have failed as a people. What should happen is we should find a way to provide food for cities by growing it within them. To import food from far away distances is not a feasible and sustainable long term practice as it contributes to an increased carbon footprint and increases the general price of the produce being transported. This process also undermines the potential to create employment opportunities within our city. Stephen Schneider explains that growth can equally be a means to an end as it is to salvation, where growth signifies a quality of life. However, the wrong kind of growth can negatively reduce the quality of life. (DiCaprio, 2007). Do we value the building, or do we value what those buildings do for people? Schneider is basically emphasizing the importance that a growing city needs to administer solutions from within in order to address the needs of its people. The migration of skills, especially regarding agriculture, from rural areas into the urban environment should be seen as an opportunity to use these skills within an urban context rather than lose them. By using these skills to develop agriculture in the cities in which we live, we can achieve a future which could provide food security. Mouths will be fed and those skills, in the hands of the knowledgeable, will be of great benefit to the urban environment. By providing food to the people by growing it in the very space in which they live and work, can lead to a more sustainable urban city. By implementing further sustainable processes to grow fresh produce within a building that can supply its own water & energy will further create an economically viable urban solution.
“The appetite of the city is insatiable - that if extended it will sprawl rapidly and gobble up good farmland.” (Self, 1957, p. 52).
We have buildings that are unused; it might be easier to clear land and construct something new but we should rather try to address what we have before opting for an easy way out and taking away good land for we have buildings that just need change to become anew.
(Rukini, 2011, p. 211)
33 [6] Market Street power plant, New Orleans. Photo by Cody Cobb.
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2.2 Biophilic Design Biophilia is the basis for which inherent human qualities are affiliated with nature. Biophilic Design on the other hand, is the principle of unity between materials, light, vegetation and the personal emotional experience found under the natural entity of things and its relationship with built world. Our growing expanse into the urban landscape increases the need for the improvement towards biophilic design. The rapid expansion of our metropolitan world begins to further remove us from the natural world with which we seek to connect. The importance to tackle stress related issues under the working environment is evident especially when the role of production is concerned. Studies explored in this essay reveal that, with a disconnection to the benefits of the natural environment, mental stress, physical fatigue and overall negative health in individuals is seen to increase. Without an improved cognitive creativity for the betterment of our individual well-being and overall health, the deficit on production will cost a fortune. Therefore, it is crucial for a biophilic design (a reconnection with nature) to be implemented in our daily living and working environments. Amidst the green building movement, a time during the early 1990s, evidence for worker productivity with the improved environmental quality found to be understood and connected. (Browning & Romm, 1994). Greater productivity can lead to improved financial growth, therefore it becomes fundamental to consider the attitude for a healthy working environment by considering biophilic spatial qualities. Under Ulrich’s study for the recovery of medical patients with the enhanced power of nature and its surroundings, showed higher recovery rates than that of patients who were severed from the connection with nature and a view to green infrastructure. (Ulrich, 1984). One of the first documented studies in the 1990s in which a manufacturing facility was strategically designed in a phylogenetic (Biophilic Design) system showed an increased output on a production level. (Heerwagen, 2001). Human dependence on this new metropolitan lifestyle which seeks to densify and continually expand, creates an inherent need for people retreat to open green spaces such as parks, suburban lawns and golf courses. Although these are successful interventions to reduce the negative impacts of rapid urban expansion, they are not enough to be a viable option for a truly biophilic environment. These expansive, manicured green spaces require large amounts of water and care in order to maintain its appearance. Yet we need to have such joys in the everyday life but these such examples are unsuitable and rather an architectural challenge for biophilia. (Browning, et al., 2014).
The trouble for people in today’s world with this new ideology on living, building and planning for the future is that they are unaware of their overall impact and are too concerned with only an individual perspective to life and not as a whole. Perhaps we are a selfish race and struggle for change and when change is forced or even threatened upon us, we are reluctant to follow through. A large portion of the problems we face today can be tied to human arrogance, ignorance and greed. (DeWitt, 2002). We already understand many of the known consequences which have been created in the wake of urban expansion and technological advancement and yet, in our deepest neglect by our individual arrogance, we fail to act on such in order to bring about change. We know that as a global concern we have to consider that our rewarding consumerisms have a price attached to them. We find ignorance when we commit acts without thought to its repercussions. We have greed when we consume the biosphere and transform our consumption of limited resources into corporate gain. People compare their acts to be of little to no importance because they are viewing each other individually and on a small scale. Despite the long pending outcome that will likely precede us by consequence we turn a blind eye. (DeWitt, 2002) It can no longer be about cutting down trees and clearing rich lands to pave way for an ever expanding urban machine, neither can we ignore the harm we cause by creating new construction materials and their impact on the environment. For now, as living humans we can no longer be inhumane to not just each other but to our would and our irreversible future. Perhaps we have to put harsher controls into place but honestly is that all we can do to save a dying world? We should invest into timeless study that directs our attention into what can be done instead of adopting the ‘what is done’ attitude. In addition, this perception of it ‘won’t happen in my lifetime‘ cannot stand anymore. Rather we need to reform, reverse industrialize and rebuild our way of living to accommodate a healthier world for if we follow the current course we will surely perish in the long term. Our survival depends on the survival of nature, a biophilic world. The human physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual sustenance and security are all conditions which are interconnected with the biophilic nature of things. Therefore it makes perfect sense that we must synchronize our design of buildings under a biophilic criteria.
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than one seeks.” — John Muir (Browning, et al., 2014, p. 4)
35 [7] Abandoned greenhouse ‘The Steampunk Greenhouse’. Photo by Tokyo-Bleep. Biophilia in chaos.
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2.2 Biophilic Design Drought, pollution, deforestation, extinction and soil erosion are some of our environmental problems. This unavoidable crisis may be ignored but ultimately this will not subside on its own. It will continue to worsen if we do not effect substantial change. Long discussions have been raised to conclude and find solutions. Various approaches of possible solutions have come from media, academic and religious institutions. The downfall to over stipulated problems is the more a discussion is held on the matter, the greater the chance becomes for that problem to be considered less of a problem. (Berry, 2002)
“We can’t hope to solve these problems without an increase in public awareness and concern.” — Wendell Berry (Berry, 2002, p. 199)
I tend to agree with the statement Wendell is positing. Awareness does in fact need to be constantly reiterated as a reminder to convey important information to people regarding our environment. People often go about their busy lives and get distracted from crucial issues such as our current environmental crisis. The problems that tend to recur the most is we think that someone else will fix the problems that we create. But that may be too late. How irresponsible would we be then if disaster worsened beyond repair? Of course if it reached that stage there would no longer be a point for our survival, it would not matter anymore. Perhaps we must delve deeper into our understanding of where we have come from to the point where we are now in order to glean a clearer understanding of the impacts that have been caused by man. What drastic changes led us to advance so quickly in only a matter of years, whilst still continuing to expand, consuming resources faster and without conscience? Many people do not realise that the lives they live are destructive and sustaining this lifestyle brings forth the question: ‘How much longer‘? (The End of Suburbia: Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream, 2004) In the movie ‘The End of Suburbia’ it talks about the realisation over how people are very dependent on cheap and affordable oil. Oil is fundamentally one of the most valuable resources in the entire world. Everything we make was in some way created with this finite resource. Even the machine being used to cut down trees into timber trusses uses some kind of oil to function. Motor vehicles require petroleum, which is a by-product that comes from oil. Cosmetics, plastics and even fertilizers all come from oil. The lives we live are far too dependent on this resource. In the last decade, our predication for consumerism has risen ten fold. (The End of Suburbia: Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream, 2004)
Taking the movie for example, they compare this movement for rapid consumerism to be the direct derivative cause from this notion and ideology of the American dream: building a life for yourself, having your own car, house and cell phone whilst creating your own family. In the past you would be privileged to own a television - excluding the thought of it being in colour. In other words you would be considered extremely wealthy but today, individual family members each have their own cellphone, tablet, TV and vehicle. We are consuming beyond the sustenance of 3 and a half planets. Imagining a life different from what we have now is unimaginable, but that reality is going to be a great awakening for everyone. (The End of Suburbia: Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream, 2004) A great environmental and economical collapse on a global scale is becoming a possible future reality. Does that not mean that it is of great concern that we start to live our lives better and more sustainably? We have to change and the world certainly will not wait for us once it is too late. This current way of living may have worked for us in the last decade but it is most certainly not going to work in the future. We have to accentuate our architecture, our lifestyle, and our well-being with biophilic ideologies in order to progress a sustainable existence. If what we have is failing us then surely this new approach will find a difference - a new meaning in the existence on this planet. Our architecture must always be challenged in the necessities for our future, green is the future, ecology is the way and biophilia is the realisation and possibly our salvation in the end.
“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” — Winston Churchill
In order to incorporate a rejuvenated, reverse industrialized design, the role of biophilic properties ties into this notion hand in hand. Kellert explains that there are two crucial concepts for effectively achieving a restorative state: 1. Prevent, curtail and mollify the impacts caused by construction on natural systems and health. 2. Development for a fruitful relationship between people and nature in the built environment. (Kellert, 2005, p. 123) Contemporary architecture has often unfortunately diminished the connection between nature and the built environment. A biophilic design is clearly separated yet it is these very problems which will result in people being
37 [8] Abandoned building, Europe, interior conservatory. Photo taken by Thomas Windisch. Biophilia in disarray.
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2.2 Biophilic Design subjected to ill physical and mental well-being. A neglect towards biophilic design is a failure in the formation of a functional green world. We may be able to condense expansion and prioritize our building construction with aggressive restorative design processes, but without careful philosophical attention towards design and architecture, biophilic interventions will only partially succeed.
“We will never achieve an ethical architecture that is beautiful and sustainable until nature is integral and at the core and at the substance and being of the architecture, not added on. If it ain’t beautiful, it can’t be sustainable. Buildings must shelter and inspire.” — Steve Kieran (Kellert, 2005, p. 123)
How do we emulate a conducive nature between humans and the built experience? We find order. Stephen Kellert surmised that there are up to 70 different elements to achieving the adequate biophilic urban experience. These elements have been categorized into 3 sections by co-authors in the book ‘14 patterns of biophilic design’ . These 3 sections are Nature in the Space, Natural Analogues and Nature of the Space. These are then further explored individually to make up 14 consecutive patterns to understand biophilic design. (Browning, et al., 2014) Nature in the Space: 1. Visual Connection with Nature The experience we gain from our natural surroundings through sight. 2. Non-Visual Connection with Nature A stimulated reaction from expression regarding a favourable dialogue to nature, its living capacity and non-influential natural concepts. 3. Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli Ephemeral connections between our sensory modalities and nature that may be analysed statistically, but cannot be predicted precisely. 4. Thermal & Airflow Variability Characteristic temperature conditions and factors that curtail to form the likeness of a natural environment. Such factors responsible are air temperature, relative humidity, airflow across skin and surface temperatures. 5. Presence of Water A water body which amplifies your surroundings being experienced through the natural sensory networks of man, seeing, hearing and touching. 6. Dynamic & Diffused Light As light is emitted over a duration of time, it will create a variety of scenarios within nature.
7. Connection with Natural Systems The human insight and understanding of a natural process introduced through seasonal and temporary conformity caused by the confines of a healthy space. Natural Analogues: 8. Biomorphic Forms & Patterns Elemental fabric that is structured and organized in nature with numeric consistencies or conditioned to be textured, patterned or contoured. 9. Material Connection with Nature By conforming to a limited amount of preparation and influence within the natural emphasis of geological and ecological materials, the sense of space is emulated to have a significant individual identity of place. 10. Complexity & Order Hierarchical spatial arrangements, concluded by a wealth of sensory factors, that follow a well segmented quality in nature. Nature of the Space: 11. Prospect An uninterrupted view of nature over a significant distance for surveillance and planning. 12. Refuge A form of confinement that surrounds the individual both behind and overhead. This form of protection is a retreat formulated in a space of environmental well-being and activity. 13. Mystery The promise of more information, achieved through partially obscured views or other sensory devices that entice the individual to travel deeper into the environment. 14. Risk/Peril A vulnerability which is definitive to a person and easily perceived under certain circumstances with the exception of an adequate defence. (Browning, et al., 2014, p. 5) These 14 patterns explained above are a substantial set of criteria for biophilic design. By addressing all of these principles in architecture, a building can be successfully transformed and connected to nature. This level of synchronization is the foundation for the optimum biophilic design experience. They interconnect with each other and further enrich the design and the context in which it is situated. Can these all be achieved together as one entire closed and tight niche? Its not easy but yet it can be done. It should be done. For the betterment of man requires it, our future depends on it and our children of tomorrow will remember it.
39 [9] Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore. Designed by CPG Consultants Pte Ltd. Biophilic Design in fruition.
Th e t rag e d y i s th at th ere i s so mu ch mo re i n ce nt i ve - mo n ey - to destroy th e e co l o g y t h an th ere i s to preser ve i t. - Paul Watson -
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3 ________________________ Contextual Analysis
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South Africa
Gauteng Region 44
3.1 Regional Context
Newtown/Westgate Area
City of Johannesburg 45 [10] Location maps created by author.
1. Mirzapore International: Supergo Agencies 2. Amanat Cha Supermarket 3. The JRA (Johannesburg Road Agency) 4. Bridge intersection on Main Reef Road
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5. City of Johannesburg Engineering Foundry 6. Dunlop Zone 7. No. 190 Main Reef Road. 8. Silver Unicorn
3.2 Site Context
9. Couch Factory 10. Lotus House Kwa Muti Wholesalers 11. Johannesburg Central Police Station Headquarters 12. Double Decker Highway
Further analysis on these buildings that surround the site is conducted in greater detail on the following pages.
47 [11] Site context graphic created by author.
Mirzapore International: Supergo Agencies is the company that is using the building currently, they are a distributor export and import company for wholesale goods. The registered owners for the property are Dafred Investments. The current market value for the property is R5 900 000.00 for a total area of 2352m². Zoning specification is industrial 1. Criteria Analysis: - Occupation: Yes - Age: ± 60 Years - Concrete, brick and mortar fill - Independent, privately owned - Classification: Administrative
Amanat Cha Supermarket is the company that houses this large warehouse characterized building. They provide a variety of food, grocery and supermarket sales. Serves as a wholesale market company. Criteria Analysis: - Occupation: Yes - Age: ± 60 Years - Concrete, brick and mortar fill - Independent, privately owned - Classification: Food, Grocery, Supermarket, Store
48 [12 - Top Row] Street photographs edited by author.
3.2 Site Context
This building is part of the JRA (Johannesburg Road Agency). This is one of the regional depots for Johannesburg. The picture analysed is the administrative section of the building accessible on Main Reef Road. The alternative access for their Fleet and Plant services is located on the corner of Park Lane and Albertina Sisulu Road.
Road intersection where the river passes under a bridge near the exit to site. What is unique about this is that there is special attention made for the pedestrian side bridge that sits adjacent to this vehicular bridge. This also plays a vital accessibility point to and from the site.
The JRA’s core competencies are the planning, design, construction, operation, control, rehabilitation and maintenance of the roads and storm water infrastructure in the City of Johannesburg. The main responsibilities include the construction and maintenance of bridges, culverts, traffic signals, traffic signal systems, foot ways, road sign-age and road markings.
Criteria Analysis: - Occupation: N/A - Age: ± 70 Years - Concrete, mortar fill - Ownership N/A Infrastructure Element - Classification: Road Access Bridge
Criteria Analysis: - Occupation: Yes - Age: ± 60 Years - Concrete, brick and mortar fill - Government owned - Classification: Infrastructure Agency
49 [13 - Bottom Row] Key maps created by author.
This is an old building which used to be the City of Johannesburg Engineering Foundry, used primarily for manufacture of various steel products. The land which the building occupies is owned by the City of Johannesburg, which means that the products manufactured here used to serve the purposes of the city such as storm drains, manhole covers and general infrastructure needs. 2 Years ago, after being abandoned for several years, the building was subsequently hijacked by squatters. Currently the tenant has a 10 year lease for the building use and land use from the city of Johannesburg. It is being used as storage facility for recycling refuse. Criteria Analysis: - Occupied: Partial - Age: Âą 70 years - Concrete portal frame with brick and mortar fill - Municipality owned - Classification: Storage and processing
Dunlop Zone, a fitment and tyre service centre, provides a multi-branded tyre for sale, they offer a wide range of ancillary services such as balancing, alignment, brakes, batteries, shock absorbers, exhausts and tow bars (depending on the individual dealership). Alternative services provided include wheel alignment and balancing, shocks, exhaust repairs and fitments, batteries and tow-bar fitments. Criteria Analysis: - Occupied: Yes - Age: Âą 10-15 years - Steel frame structure with clad with IBR Sheeting - Independent, privately owned - Classification: Public service provider
50 [14 - Top Row] Street photographs edited by author.
3.2 Site Context
This building is also being used by the same tenant who is using building no. 5 the old city of Johannesburg Engineering Foundry. The ground floor is used for all the administrative activities for all of the Pick-It-Up recycling program in this area. Every week, the Pick-It-Up Group drops off refuse for processing at this location so that different material types can be separated and then sent to the relevant recycling agents. Pick-It-Up is an organisation set up by the City of Johannesburg to clean up the city by cleaning up rubbish from refuse, processing the products in everyday rubbish and sending that off for recycling. The ultimate goal is to clean the city and help create jobs doing it, recycling also helps decrease demand on extracting new raw materials.
According to the analysis this building it houses the company name, Silver Unicorn. The registered owners for the property are Galadriel Investments. The current market value for the property is R930 000.00 for total area of 818m². Zoning specification is general. Criteria Analysis: - Occupation: Yes - Age: ± 10-15 Years - Steel frame structure clad with IBR Sheeting - Independent, privately owned - Classification: Warehouse, Storage
Criteria Analysis: - Occupation: Yes - Age: ± 70 Years - Concrete, brick and mortar fill - Municipality owned - Classification: Administrative
51 [15 - Bottom Row] Key maps created by author.
This building appears to have been recently occupied by a company called Couch Factory. This establishment sells furniture (Couches and Beds). The Property is owned by Mebrett Property Investments. Due to the new tenant occupation, this building appears to be recently renovated. There is freshly painted walls and new signage. Criteria Analysis: - Occupied: Yes - Age: Âą 40 Years - Concrete brick and mortar simple structure - Independent, privately owned - Classification: Wholesale Retail Outlet
The property is owned by Gasemavin Investments. This is where Lotus House Kwa Muti Wholesalers are. They are manufacturers of all leading African and Indian herbal remedies and muti products. They are a health and medicine manufacturer. Criteria Analysis: - Occupied: Yes - Age: Âą 40 Years - Concrete brick and mortar simple structure - Independent, privately owned - Classification: Wholesale Retail Outlet
52 [16 - Top Row] Street photographs edited by author.
3.2 Site Context
The property is owned by the National Government of the Republic of South Africa. This building is the Headquarters for the Johannesburg Central Police Station. Until 1997 the building was originally known as the John Vorster Square, named after Balthazar Johannes Vorster, who served as the prime minister of South Africa between 1966-1978. It was used as a building for interrogation, torture and abuse for apartheid resistant fighters by the South African security police. Criteria Analysis: - Occupation: Yes - Age: 48 Years - Concrete, brick and mortar fill - Government owned - Classification: Administrative
This iconic infrastructural road network, known as the double decker highway is an achievement for road engineers with the necessity to provide vehicular access for Johannesburg. The motorway is divided as follows: De Villiers Graaff North on the very top, the second level is the De Villiers Graaff South and the road underneath at ground level is Henry Nxumalo Street. Criteria Analysis: - Occupation: N/A - Age: 49 Years - Reinforced Concrete and Tar - Ownership N/A Infrastructure Element - Classification: Motorway
53 [17 - Bottom Row] Key maps created by author.
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3.3 Building of Interest The site context analysis presented before has helped further solidify this building as the best candidate for reverse industrialization, especially due to its current use. This building is being used for recycling refuse, which connects very well to the direction that this thesis is undertaking. The structure is also one of the oldest buildings in the immediate area. The current condition of the building is very appealing because of its significantly old and depreciating facade and structure. There is a raw richness to the street facing architecture but there exists a necessity for a much needed revival. In addition, out of all the buildings that were investigated in this area, this one was the only building that was highly underutilized in terms of its full potential and possibilities.
The existing program of the building also ties in seamlessly to the intentions of the new architectural intervention. The other advantage to this building is its shared proximity with the polluted river, which makes it much easier to engage with architecturally. During the design process the river greatly influenced the nature and placement of spaces within the ecological centre. This building had the best opportunities for developing the site into an ecological centre, mainly because it is close to a reliable water source and has a balanced amount of underutilized land suitable for expansion. Water is a vital component to the buildings new programme to facilitate the growing of food with vertical farming systems inside the ecological centre.
City of Johannesburg Engineering Foundr y
55 [18] Photographs by author.
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3.3 Building of Interest
First Floor
Ground Floor
57 [19] Drawings created by author.
The interior core is composed of a series of reinforced concrete portal frames. This was designed to allow for a raised floorto-ceiling height with no internal columns to facilitate the moveability of heavy duty industrial pulley systems that ran along a steel track within the structure. The pulley system has long since been removed yet the remnants of its existence are still seen with the extended lips still prevalent on the structural columns. This was useful for the handling of heavy machinery and materials. The extended height is complimented by lighting created by its surrounding windows on the upper level. These allow direct sunlight to penetrate into the space, providing adequate lighting for its internal environment. The presence of the portal frames are a defining element of this buildings architecture and structural importance. Visually, they represent the ribs of the building and possibly provide an insight into a structural system that could be employed in the new architectural intervention. However, many of the brick walls that enclose this building can be altered or removed, provided structural integrity for the portal frames is maintained. By removing portions of the external walls and replacing them with a more transparent material, the structure can be further highlighted and the internal recycling processes can be exposed to the public.
This section inside the building is a pile of various carbonated empty cans. They are yet to be properly processed, counted and bagged for transport. According to the tenant and operations manager, after sieving through refuse material and separating aluminium cans they can be valued at R11/ kg. Aluminium cans such as those from carbonated drinks like coca-cola are far more profitable than standard steel cans (tin-coated) such as a Heinz baked beans can. These will normally only earn about R1/kg. As seen in the photograph above, there is a particular disorder and haphazard placement of these aluminium cans. Given that these common refuse commodities are valuable as a resource for profit, the means with which they are extracted and stored would should be reevaluated. Questions like how can we extract multiple cans successfully from individual refuse bags at any given time and what kind of storage and/or packaging system would greatly assist in maximizing profit gains.
58 [20 - Top Row] Photographs taken & edited by author.
3.3 Building of Interest
Differential piles of materials disseminate a range of plastic items. Many of these have been bunched together closer to the entrance, packaged in bags and ready for pick up. Shown on the left are large bale-like bags. Inside the bags are materials such as recycled paper, newspapers and magazines. The recycled paper storage could be better packaged for storage and transport if the paper was shredded and compacted into smaller pieces. This would maximise the volume of the bag by reducing items of irregular shapes and sizes. In addition, the crumpling of paper will fill the bag unequally. If each bag was guaranteed to hold an equal proportion then the management and valuations for this material would be easily calculable. The plastic bottles are a difficult material to distribute for recycling normally because each plastic found can be of a different grade and quality. The problem for this comes about when working out values per plastic load. It would be beneficial if the grade of plastic could be classified more effectively and sorted and bagged per grade.
A large pile of aluminium cans rest in the background. Given the quantity, I would suggest that inclusion of an aluminium can compactor would be beneficial. It would assist in reducing the storage capacity necessary for the cans. This would make bagging the aluminium cans in modular cubes, which are far more easier to handle and store, much more efficient. The other two piles shown above (to the bottom right and left) are a mixture of plastics, polyurethane and polystyrene. Through this analysis, it can be seen that the space that is made available within this building and the space required for the current operation of processed refuse is disproportionate. Smart and organized planning is necessary to maximize output and efficiency. The inclusion of a network utilizing a conveyor belt system and skip buckets could enable the workers to control the process more effectively and work faster. Large skips can hold the waste materials of each individual component. This would also clean up the work space, both enhancing accessibility and worker conditions.
59 [21 - Bottom Row] Key maps created by author.
Windows located along the building facade facing the street are relatively small and linear. There are window panels consisting of six by two panel panes and eight by two panel panes. This is prominent along the ground floor level arrangement. Above on the second level there is a new set of window configurations. There are two by five panel panes and three by five panel panes. The possible reason that this building’s window arrangements were designed in this manner was to allow for a greater level of privacy and security on a street level, whilst enabling more natural light to enter the building on a higher level. This arrangement hints to an architectural style that is more horizontally dominant on the lower levels, whilst prioritizing a more vertical arrangement on the upper levels - championing elements such as natural light and a pleasant working environment. This architectural ideology is something that will play a vital role in the integration and assembly of the new design.
Judging by the remaining duct chute that is still visible inside the building, there is evidence that this is the area where metals were smelted and poured down in liquid form through the chutes into a mould for casting. This would make sense as the original function of the building was an engineering and steel foundry. The most likely materials used in the foundry would have been aluminium and cast iron. The duct chute design houses four consecutive chutes of equal shape and size. There are large openings on the second level concrete platform where large wall openings on the ground level can be seen. These large apertures were likely the funnels that fed out the smelted metals for casting. I would hypothesize that the nature of this facility and the type of casting that was conducted, coupled by the fact that it was run by the City of Johannesburg, possibly points towards this facility being used for the casting of general infrastructural items such as manhole covers, cast iron storm drains and pipes as well as metal plaques.
60 [22 - Top Row] Photographs taken & edited by author.
3.3 Building of Interest
Access to the second level platform is gained by using this ladder. This is unfortunately the only means of access to the second level. Learnt outcomes highlighted that in order to provide viable accessibility to the second level, it is necessary to create new means of connectivity such as stairwells, ramps and/or lifts so that the space surrounding the roof can be accessed and utilised as further active spaces. This also promotes the connection of street to building and for existing buildings with alternative and new architecture typologies.
Uncovered in some of the old plans showing the construction of another building on the same plot of land was dated in the 1950s. The building has since been degraded but the new tenant, who has been in the building for two years, has made attempts at restoring the building to a respectable status. He has fixed most of the building’s windows that had broken panes and has also repaired the street facing parapet wall that collapsed due to degradation, likely caused by a combination of poor waterproofing and a lack of maintenance. This building was a worthy investigation, compared with all the other building studies over this site in terms of a reverse industrialization candidate. This building also holds the most potential for a design intervention. The building is in degradation, poorly maintained, inadequately used and in need of repair, yet it provides precious insight into a possible architectural approach to The Floating Gardens.
61 [23 - Bottom Row] Key maps created by author.
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Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness. - Frank Gehr y -
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4 ______________________ Mapping Analysis
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66
4.1 River Analysis The river analysis highlighted in the adjacent map is part of the Braamfontein Spruit which is Johannesburg’s longest stream. It originates from the Jukskei River to the North. The extent of the river that has been mapped shows the reintegration into the urban landscape. Much of the river in this part of the city has been buried and swallowed by urban expansion over the years. The river at present serves more as a storm water drain. Unfortunately this has made the river susceptible to heavy pollution. The river mapped shows just how far the river travels to the south of the site. It is affected less by industry to the south and of course the pollution that comes from it. Consequently this is an ideal location for an intervention because it is right at the mouth of the river’s emergence from underground travel and a means to clean the river for the benefit of those towards the south.
67 [24] River map created by author.
Visual analysis of the river on the northern section shows to be of a brownish colour, the thick greenery surrounding the water source helps to provide a deterrent for filtering out the surface run-off that is caused during peak rainfall. The flow of the water here is also less restricted by rubbish and pollutants. This could also be because this section of the river is not readily available to access by pedestrians. The flow of the river also could transport most of the rubbish to the other section underneath the access bridge. This would explain the build up. Learnt outcomes indicate that despite torrential rainfall there still is seepage of pollutants from industries in this region. This river section has been resistant to some degree though. The vegetation has been acting as a filter, and the plants have managed to grow wildly. This would question the authenticity on whether plants would be successful when growing plants for food given due to the toxicity of the water would that be possible? This water is not suitable for human consumption in its current state.
Analysis of the river channel bed at this section of the site shows a width expansion of approximately 7 metres. The river bank has a height of approximately 4.5 metres. The breadth length of the river at this section from Main Reef Road to Albertina Sisulu Road is 156 metres. This would imply a rough volume estimate of about 4914mÂł. Therefore this section of the river would have a capacity to hold 4 914 000 litres of water before the wall levies overflow and fail. This will be a limitation when considering dam spillways along the river. The depth of each dam will need to accommodate a minimum of 4 914 000 litres in order for it to be successful.
68 [25 - Top Row] Photographs taken & edited by author.
4.1 River Analysis
This is the river seen towards the south after the access bridge on Main Reef Road. Vegetation growth found is more sparse and wild, this could be an indication of a poor soil quality. Smaller, sparse vegetation thrives here more easily. The river is also less sheltered by trees overhead so this would mean that the water would have a higher evaporation rate. The colour of the water is a darker brown pigment. Visually you can find more rubbish and pollutants settling and collecting along the river bed. Learnt outcomes gathered that should we treat the water before it enters into the south section, would greatly assist in maintaining clean water under a reasonable measure of safety. Filtering rubbish sediments out before entering this section of river will prevent blockages, further pollution and contamination.
Analysis of the river channel south of the access bridge show a nominal width capacity of approximately 8 metres. The river bank height is approximately 3 metres. The breadth length of the river at this section from the access bridge on Main Reef Road to the next access bridge on Anderson Street is 97 metres. Therefore, the volume of water for this section would hold a capacity theoretically of about 2328mÂł (2 328 000 litres). The gradient of the ground is significantly lower in this section. It also means that this river has a 23.8% smaller capacity for water compared to the other section of the river over a similar length of 97 metres. This has been a beneficial analysis as it has further reinforced the placement for a water treatment and/or filtration system. This is due to the fact that the portion of the river that runs parallel to the site has a significantly higher depth of water storage capacity compared to the other areas of the river.
69 [26 - Bottom Row] Key maps created by author.
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4.2 Figure Ground The Figure Ground map study has helped to analyse the built and unbuilt space in and around the proposed site. The study has helped to classify the planning network for the city in this area. The design and building forms are also easily represented in the diagram. In addition this reflects the architectural characteristics involved with city planning. This is an alternative visual tool used to filter out unnecessary information that consolidates and focuses a more intensive built form.
71 [27] Figure ground map created by author.
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4.3 Negative Space The negative space map is representing the negative and positive space in terms of built form. The data illustrates negative space to elaborate objects more definitively. This is best described as the space which surrounds objects. This is most suitable when establishing an idea of boundaries using what is positive and negative space in the city. After the study was conducted, it was identified that a location with suitable open space, which could also be influential for design development of new urban construction, was found. These are highlighted by circular green rings (seen left). As you can see the proposed site is surrounded by different pockets of open spaces which could potentially be areas to connect to in the future.
73 [28] Negative space map created by author.
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4.4 Zoning
This map demonstrates the relationship for area specification in terms of the zoning regulations. Criteria is taken further with an analysis of building typology identities being expressed as various building models. Other significant informative data sets highlight major roads and open local municipal land. The area of focus is the City of Johannesburg on a macro scale. Data Source GCRO, Mapzen. The map demonstrates that among the chosen site, the great majority indicates that this is an industrial zone. Commercial sectors are found primarily to the east. This study also aids the comprehensive understanding of city planning strategies in the area.
75 [29] Zoning map created by author.
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4 . 5 To p o g r a p h y The topography study helps to gain an understanding for the complexity of the ground level and its parameters for this site. These will influence any new foundations being constructed. New building concepts will also influence the river channel that I have planned to design for the water treatment process. This of course will be instrumental in maintaining the natural river flow southward. According to the topography map it can be understood that the lowest point for ground level falls at the north-west area of the site. The contours demonstrate the steady decline in level through irregular linear sections. The density of contours are mostly fluid in nature but more condensed and busy towards the southern most section of the study area.
77 [30] Topography map created by author.
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4 . 5 To p o g r a p h y To further understand the topography I explored a series of diagrammatic sections through the site. This undertaking has revealed that through this section, building heights were relatively limited to roughly 10 metres in height within the study area, both in the immediate foreground and background. The suggested guideline for building heights within this area would be to maintain the same approximate building height in order to connect better to the existing urban context. The section also expresses that the site is situated at the lowest point of this area, therefore careful consideration needs to be undertaken when encountering storm water runoff during the high rainy seasons.
79 [31 - Left] Section Diagrams created by author. [32 - Bottom Right] Key map created by author.
June 21st Winter Solstice
The winter solstice on June 21st shows a representation for the lowest position of the sun relative to the earth’s surface. Each sun study will determine the variance of sun exposure that will be expected when designing the building in terms of its orientation, shading devices, solar panel positioning and also most importantly the exposure necessary for adequate plant growth. The analysis found that sunlight exposure levels had great results during the morning through to the changeover at 12pm. This started to decline marginally to the west of the site however the greater majority of the site in the north stayed relatively exposed to sunlight the entire day. It would be noted that most of the building roof tops on my site had healthy sun exposure throughout the day, this would be due to building density remaining relatively low surrounding the site. This means that a building with a height of 6 metres (2 levels) or more would be suitable for effective solar panel installation.
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4.6 Sun Study December 21st Summer Solstice
The summer solstice on December 21st is during the time of the absolute highest position of the sun in the sky relative to the earth’s surface. This analysis showed that this period is the most lucrative for solar exposure. Both plants and energy generators requiring sunlight will benefit sufficiently across the entire site. There is a strip of shade cover that covers the river to the west approximately 1/10th of the site is affected. Nevertheless, this abundance of sunlight exposure would also indicate that adequate shading technology will be essential for the building to adequately manage exposure into the building and to also control temperature conditions inside. In the extreme hot seasons it is likely that water consumption will be greater.
81 [33] Shadow diagrams created by author.
March 20th Equinox
During the 20th of March Equinox (during Fall/Autumn) is the time when both day and night share the same length of exposure each equally 12 hours long. This study for the March Equinox showed that during the evenings the majority of the site will be susceptible to shade cover so considerations will need to be carefully explored as this will likely affect the efficiency of energy generation for solar panels. The site alongside the river is also affected by shadow fall both during the morning and evening on the southern part of the site. This indicates that during this period there would be poor solar exposure for energy and also for adequate plant growth. The possible solution during this period could be a series of weather resistant crops to counter the poor sunlight exposure. Energy generators dependent on the sun could be assisted if the height of the building supersedes the shadow fall cast by the neighbouring buildings.
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4.6 Sun Study September 21st Equinox
The 21st of September Equinox (during Spring) is the counterpart to the March Equinox which is also the time when both day and night share the same length of exposure each equally 12 hours long. The main difference between the two equinoxes being the height of the sun relative to the earth’s surface. This study showed that the north-east of the site has a significant solar presence throughout the day. This would suggest that availability for solar exposure is more consistent in this region during this period. This is suitable for solar panel deployment. This area also promotes healthy plant growth. The benefit gathered here will aid in deployment of certain types of plants such as those which depend more on sunlight and others which can grow effectively with less.
83 [34] Shadow diagrams created by author.
4.7 Green Infrastructure
Green Space Above shows the green infrastructure in and around the site highlighted in green circular points on the map. This will determine the available green space. During the course of development for this site into a new architecture, there is need to be sensitive with the available green space because this site alone holds the majority of the green space in the entire suburb. Thicker greenery is reflected on the west of the site due to the water source from the river.
The data (Right) is used to support the study for the different climatic conditions for Johannesburg annually. The information gathered will aid in determining what plants can be most suitable for growth during different months of the year. This data determines which kinds of plants would be the most viable for the site. It is also evident that there is a possibility to expect greater river levels during the summer period due to heavy rainfall, therefore the passive filtration system must be able to accommodate this.
84 [35] Green space map created by author.
4.8 Climate Analysis Weather Conditions Classification
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
July
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
o
26
25
24
22
19
17
17
20
23
25
25
26
o
Ave. Min Temp. ( C)
15
14
13
10
6
4
4
6
9
12
13
14
Ave. Precipitation (mm)
125
94
90
54
13
9
4
6
27
7
11
103
No. Wet Days/Month
15
12
12
7
4
1
2
2
4
9
13
15
Ave. Max Temp. ( C)
Ave. Daylight Hours/Day
13h33’ 13h01’ 12h17’ 11h30’ 10h50’ 10h31’ 10h39’ 11h13’ 11h58’ 12h46’ 13h25’ 13h44’
% of Daylight Hours
61%
st
o
Solar Noon Alt. (21 Day)
83.2
60% o
74
61% o
63.5
73% o
52
84%
87%
86%
87%
78%
69%
o
o
o
o
o
o
43.7
40.4
43.4
51.8
63.2
74.2
Average Annual Wind Direction
Average Annual Rainfall ( War m S eason)
Average Annual Rainfall (Cold Season) 85
[36] Climate data & diagrams created by author.
68% o
83
66% o
87.2
Pedestrian movement is demonstrated in this map, displaying paths of travel based on a visual analysis around the site. Routes of movement with least restricted access is demonstrated by dotted red lines. The outcome demonstrates evidence that the majority of the site is heavily secluded and cut off from the strongly established pedestrian routes that flank the northern and southern edges. It would be more beneficial for the site to include some means of a connection both with the north and the south main pedestrian routes for the site.
Pedestrian Access
86 [37] Pedestrian access map created by author.
4.9 Accessibility
Vehicular movement is demonstrated in strongly highlighted areas of space. A substantial network is necessary in order to allow for vehicular movement as evident in the map developed. The analysis shows that the major road networks are dominant both on the northern and southern edges of the site. Not all areas had adequate parking which meant that vehicles would likely have to travel long distances during high peak traffic times. Given the lengthy northern stretch of the highway to the north of the site, it could be beneficial to provide adequate street parking for the public along the side of the road to activate the space and enabling the community to be granted greater access to this beautiful site. By creating a vehicular access line from north to south, traffic congestion around the area could be greatly reduced. [38] Vehicular map created by author.
Vehicular Access
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Th e f i rs t l aw o f eco l o gy i s th at eve r y t h in g i s rel ated to ever y th i n g el se. - Barry Commoner -
90
5 ____________________ Viability Report
91
What is viability and what makes this project viable?
92 [39] Contextual Map and perspective by author.
5.1 Location
This report talks about the viability for a proposed Ecological Centre. Its location supports all the surrounding suburbs, these are, Marshall Town, Fordsburg, Westgate, Ferreirasdorp and Newtown. To achieve viability my project must strategically contribute positively within these three regions socially and economically. Our approach is to reverse industrialize the urban fabric to perform a rejuvenation of architecture. This approach highlights the issues behind economic collapse within communities in industrial zones and the need to bring about new ideas which are suitable for South Africa in its
attempt to support its community. Above is a site plan which highlights the proposed area of interrogation that will be the basis for this viability report. This site falls under the Westgate Township category in Johannesburg, South Africa. This location will examine a program based upon an ecological and biophilic nature. Notable ecological interventions that are being tackled will be the cleaning of a polluted river which may have been a natural water source in the past has now been transformed into a storm drain. The River runs adjacent to the site to the west.
93 [40] Site plan drawing above by the author.
5.2 Client I would suggest that in order to make this project viable it would need to have a client who is represented as a government organisation such as the Department of Environmental Affairs and a well funded NPO (Non Profit Organisation) such as the Green Building Council. Property owners/investors that have been contributing to building green have been Growthpoint Properties, Hyprop Investments, Old Mutual Property, Pareto Limited, SA Corporate Real Estate Fund, Delta Property Fund, Vukile Property Fund Limited, Emira Property Fund Limited, Attacq Limited and the Liberty Property Portfolio (See Logo Diagram Below). According to the Green Building Council the desire for green buildings are becoming more and more appealing to investors. Statistically IPD South Africa’s Annual Green Indicators showed and analysed that top-quartile energy and water efficiency buildings produced 12.1% efficiency while less efficient buildings produced a return of only 9.4%. Which therefore, proved that Green Buildings outperformed their conventional counterparts by almost 30%. (Green Building Council, 2016)
Buildings now need to contribute more, they need to be a generation for wealth. Within the Site to what appears to be derelict and abandoned is an old building with title deed dated at 1926 found at the south east corner of the site. The Building used to be the City Engineers Foundry for the City of Johannesburg. Its plans have since been misplaced/lost but the building is still quite unique. I find this building to be an instrumental piece for this intervention. I like this site as it would serve as a good example for the Green Building Council. It will create awareness and it desperately needs an intervention to address the poorly managed natural water source from the river to the west. What we know is when the economy suffers, industries that are not frequently in use will close and then the resultant leads to higher unemployment rates. This proposed centre will grow agricultural produce, create its own electricity through photovoltaic solar generation and it will be a model that treats water to a level of safety.
[41] Above illustrates the association between the Green Building Council and all the major property investors who have started to incorporate more green technology in their property developments. Illustration by author.
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5.3 Access
This site has access to both sides of the street are on Main Reef Road and on Albertina Sisulu Road. There are two large Taxi Ranks, JR439 and JR053, just east of the site that provide public transport. This invites the possibility for an intersecting mode of transport which cuts though the site to give access
directly with Main Reef Road and Albertina Sisulu Road. This integration will enhance the accessibility through the site. Going west on Albertina Sisulu Road from the site will take you to The Oriental Plaza in Fordsburg, which has a multitude of shops within walking distance from this site.
95 [42] Site plan drawing above created by author.
5.4 Admin & Financial Strategy My targeted client for this project of the Ecological Centre is the Department of Environmental Affairs because they aim as an organization to ensure the regulation and management of all biodiversity, heritage and conservation matters in a manner that facilitates sustainable economic growth and development. The Department of Environmental Affairs continue to endeavour for the full realisation of the right to an environment that is not harmful to the health and well-being of South Africans and all those who live in our country. They
are appropriate for the ecological intervention being made for the polluted river water source on the site. This project can also serve as an awareness model but also as an economic stimulator. It is hoped that if successful such similar project will be adopted in similar areas with similar conditions. I would employ the Green Building Council to work in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Affairs with developing a viable sustainable project design.
Financial Inputs that help support the Department of Environmental Affairs are as follows: (Department of Environmental Affairs, 2016) Local Investment: 1. The Green Fund: The Government of South Africa through the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has set up a Green Fund to support the transition to a low carbon, resource efficient and climate resilient development path delivering high impact economic, environmental and social benefits.
Foreign Donor Funds Include: 2. The Global Environment Facility (GEF): is the largest independent financial organization in the environment sector that provides assistance or grants to both government and non-government entities for the implementation of projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. 3. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): was formed in 1992 as a result of a global commitment by countries to cooperatively find solutions to limit global average temperature increased. 4. Environmental cooperation programme between South Africa and Germany: Through the environmental cooperation agreement signed in 1998 by the two countries, German support has been instrumental in promoting development through the strategic support of key environmental initiatives particularly in the climate change focal area. 5. Environmental cooperation programme between South Africa and Norway: Started in 1997. This cooperation is based on the mutual commitment by both nations to enhance development through implementation of international environmental conventions, with an emphasis on biodiversity, air pollution, and other pertinent focal areas.
The site and building project construction purchase will be implemented by the department of environmental affairs. An allocation of approximately 40% of the project costs will be made available by the Green Fund, also to be included is a portion of about 20% as a down payment will go towards the purchasing of the site. The remaining 20% will be allocated for construction. Of the remaining 60%, up to 40% will be sourced
96
from the 4 foreign donor funds listed above. A bank loan with a suitable repayment plan will be used to pay for the final 20% of the total amounting costs for the entire project.
5.5 Costs & Income Breakdown Project financial viability is essential. To understand and we need to know what the costs incurred for the purchased piece of land, the construction of the building/buildings on site, the annual maintenance cost for running the building after completion against what is provisionally proposed as the income generated by the building. The goal is not to produce a building with a high income return but to build a highly efficient building that serves the community and is cheap at doing it. Treating the water might only be treated to a level
of safety not harmful to plants or people but undrinkable. Likewise the energy generated may very well only be enough to run a portion of the building while still requiring to draw from the grid. However, the ideal condition that would be desired is for a building to be able to generate enough income to enable it to conduct and maintain the building appropriately.
Estimated Valuation of Land ERF
Township
Area (m2)
17
City West
3763m2
R372.00/m2
R1 400 000.00
81
Westgate Ext. 3
2854m2
R403.00/m2
R1 150 000.00
Westgate Ext. 3
1963m2
R448.00/m2
R880 000.00
Ferreiras Dorp
643m2
R607.00/m2
R390 000.00
Fordsburg
248m2
R968.00/m2
R240 000.00
Newtown
11 519m2
R207.00/m2
R2 390 000.00
Total
20990m2
R3 005.00/m2
R6 450 000.00
82 219 424 1/556
Rand/m2
Cost (ZAR)
The estimate calculated from the table above enables us to calculate the average cost per m2. The unit cost then equates to R500.80/m2. The valuations used are obtained from the City of Johannesburg website e-services. (http://eservices.joburg.org.za). These are only estimates and before the project would move forward we would request a professional independent property valuation expert who deals with vacant land in the area.
Site Area Valuation ERF
Township
Area (m2)
41
Westgate
610m2
R500.80/m2
R305 488.00
199/96-IR
Turrfontein 96-IR
2076m2
R500.80/m2
R1 039 660.80
Newtown
11 519m2
R500.80/m2
R5 768 715.20
Total
14 205m2
R1 502.40/m2
Approx R7 113 864.00
1/556
Average Rand/m2
Cost (ZAR)
Bond Repayments Initial Deposit (20% Down Payment)
R1 422 772.80
Remaining Amount
R5 691 091.20
Bond Repayment (30 Years) with an interest rate of 9.46%* Approximately monthly bond repayment
R49 943.50
Based on current market rates for government bonds
The table on the next page illustrates the building costs used to measure whether or not this building will be financially viable. The building costs estimated in this table do not reflect the true costs for the building. Professional fees have not been calculated and an allowance of 30% of the total building cost should provide a rough estimate. Further more other costs that will also need to be taken into account are council fees, utility bill fees and building permits.
97 [43] Tables created by the author.
Building Project Costs Programme
Quantity Area (m2)
Total
Cost Per m2
Total Cost
Administration
Section Cost R4 408 000.00
Executive Office
3
40
120
R12 500.00
R1 500 000.00
Open Plan Office
1
74
74
R11 000.00
R814 000.00
Meeting Room
1
74
74
R12 000.00
R888 000.00
Security Office
2
36
72
R10 500.00
R756 000.00
Reception/P.A. Office
3
60
180
R2 500.00
R450 000.00
Resource Centre
R2 633 000.00
Auditorium
1
137
137
R12 000.00
R1 644 000.00
Workshop
1
86
86
R11 500.00
R989 000.00
Coffee Shop/Internet Cafe
1
210
210
R12 500.00
R2 625 000.00
Vegetable & Fruit Market
1
74
74
R2 500.00
R185 000.00
Retail
R2 810 000.00
Ecological Facilities
R27 095 000.00
Cultivation Station
2
74
148
R2 500.00
R370 000.00
Fruit Garden
2
165
330
R5 000.00
R1 650 000.00
Plant Labs
3
36
108
R2 500.00
R270 000.00
Plant Waste Management
1
74
74
R2 500.00
R185 000.00
Vertical Farm Network
1
900
900
R13 000.00
R11 700 000.00
Water Filtration System
1
1360
1360
R9 500.00
R12 920 000.00
Building Services
R3 081 000.00
HT Room
1
60
60
R2 000.00
R120 000.00
LT Room
1
60
60
R2 000.00
R120 000.00
Generator Room
2
60
120
R2 000.00
R240 000.00
HVAC Room
1
60
60
R3 000.00
R180 000.00
Fire Control Room
1
16
16
R2 000.00
R32 000.00
Food Packing Zone
1
74
74
R2 000.00
R148 000.00
Server Room
1
60
60
R2 500.00
R150 000.00
Photovoltiac Battery Room
1
16
16
R3 500.00
R56 000.00
Water Storage & Pump Room
1
325
325
R3 000.00
R975 000.00
Loading/Off Loading Zone
1
30
30
R2 000.00
R60 000.00
Ablutions
4
100
400
R2 500.00
R1 000 000.00
Public Amenities
R3 100 000.00
Entrance Foyer
1
200
200
R15 500.00
R3 100 000.00
Outdoor & Parking
R9 100 000.00
Landscaping
1
2000
2000
R3 800.00
R7 600 000.00
Surface Parking
1
500
500
R3 000.00
R1 500 000.00 Total Cost
* Values taken from AECOM Africa Property & Construction Handbook 2013 adjusted by 10% to account for inflation.
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R52 227 000.00
5.6 Costs & Income Breakdown Approximate Building Income Programme
Monthly Income (ZAR)
Annual Income (ZAR)
Administration Rental of excess office space (146m2)
R10 000.00
R120 000.00
Auditorium hired approximately 5 times per month
R5 000.00
R60 000.00
Rental of excess workshop space (50m2)
R2 500.00
R30 000.00
Coffee Shop/Internet Cafe
R30 000.00
R360 000.00
Vegetable & Fruit Market
R50 000.00
R600 000.00
R70 000.00
R840 000.00
R84 000.00
R1 008 000.00
R251 500.00
R3 018 000.00
Resource Centre
Retail
Ecological Facility Vertical Aquaponic Farm (3 months gives 42 000kg output at R5.00/kg) Secure Parking Parking Facilities @ R10.00/car Approximate Total Building Income The current total building cost is sitting at R52 227 000.00. If a repayment plan of 20% by the bank equates to a total of R10 444 540.00 and given the current estimates for this buildings yearly income that is likely to take between 7-10 years to pay back the money owed to the bank. This means that the financial plan set in place is viable. There will be electricity generated for the building by means of Solar photovoltaic
panels once installed. The excess electricity can be sold off to the grid for an added income for the building. The other added benefit will be from both the rain water harvesting process and the water filtration system that will clean water for use inside the building, for watering and powering the vertical farms. These two major steps will contribute greatly to the reduction in costs for electricity and water consumption.
Building Expenses vs Building Income Expenses
Monthly Cost (ZAR)
Annual Cost (ZAR)
Property Bond Repayments
R49 943.50
R600 000.00
General Building Maintenance
R15 000.00
R180 000.00
Security
R20 000.00
R240 000.00
Rates & Taxes
R60 000.00
R720 000.00
Post Occupancy Building energy Analysis
R15 000.00
R180 000.00
Landscape Maintenance
R15 000.00
R180 000.00
Total Building Expenses
R174 943.50
R2 100 000.00
Income
Monthly Income (ZAR)
Annual Income (ZAR)
Building Income (See Table Above)
R251 500.00
R3 018 000.00
Total Building Income
R251 500.00
R3 018 000.00
R76 556.50
R918 000.00
Company Tax (30%)
R22 966.95
R275 400.00
Total Net Profit
R53 589.55
R642 600.00
Yield*
* The net profit margin is somewhat small, however we have not yet calculated the income generated from electricity generation that this building will incorporate also. We have not calculated these incomes because they are subject to finance available to the sizeable number of energy generation units for this building to become viable when there is enough income. Other factors which may be subject to change is the exact number of people utilizing all the facilities available on a monthly basis and the changes in pricing due to inflation.
99 [44] Tables created by the author.
5.7 Case Study - ReGen Village
The ReGen Village Project Name:
ReGen Villages
Typology:
Master Plan, Residential, Agriculture
Location:
Almere, The Netherlands
Year:
2016
Status:
Ongoing
Size:
15 500m2
Client:
ReGen Villages Holding B.V.
Collaborators:
James Ehrlich
Design Team:
Tue Hesselberg Foged, Sinus Lynge, Kasper Reimer, Esbjen Jensen, Toni Rubio Soler, Christoffer Gotfredsen, Laura Gobbi, Yulia Kozlova, Lavinia Andreea Marcu, Evgeny Markachev, Weronika Marek, Rikke Aaskov
100
ReGen Villages are an off-grid project that can power and selffeed the people who occupy them. The Concepts involved are energy positive homes, renewable energy, energy storage, high-yield organic food production, vertical farming aquaponics, water management and waste-to-resource systems. This architectural approach has the potential to change some of the ideas about how to address growing populations, increasing urbanization, scarcity of resources, the growing global food crisis as well as the need to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. Reducing municipal and government dependence is a method approach to changing economies of the future. ReGen Villages are made possible through applied technologies. Technologies integrated are providing, clean energy, water and food. The architecture contributes both environmentally, financially and socially amongst growing families. This develops the community by reconnecting them with nature and their roles with consumption. These will be among the first 100 homes in Almere, The Netherlands to be available in 2016.
101 [45] Case Study images all sources from (http://www.effekt.dk/work#/regenvillages/)
5.7 Case Study - Sky Greens
Sky Greens Company Name:
Sky Greens
Typology:
Urban Agriculture
Location:
Kranji, Singapore
Year:
2012
Status:
Ongoing
Size:
2 200m2
Inventor:
Jack Ng
Collaborators:
Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA)
102
Sky Greens is an innovative and adaptive corporation that provides the means to growing agriculture through vertical farming. These low carbon, hydraulic driven devices provide the answer to producing qualitative fresh vegetable foods that utilize the least amount of space, nutrition and energy. It was originally set up by founder Jack Ng of DJ Engineering. He started the company to commercialize vegetable produce and help food to be more locally accessible in Singapore instead of having the need to import from neighbouring countries. Daily shipments of vegetables from Malaysia, Indonesia, China, US and countries in Europe are brought into Singapore. Currently, Singapore only produces a total of 7% of leafy vegetables locally, the rest are imported. The government there is striving to raise that percentage to 10% in the coming years. Local produce with new inventive measures such as that presented by Sky Greens and vertical farms brings hope to maximising the limited land space suitable for food production. The added reward being closer in proximity is cheaper transport constraints. The advantage to greater local produce helps to tackle food shortages during difficulties with foreign food supply. (Permaculture Research Institute, 2016) Sky Greens produces a wide variety of tropical leafy vegetables such as Nai Bai, Cai Xin, Xiao Bai Cai, Chinese Cabbage, Mao
Bai, Lettuce, Bayam, Kai Lan, Kang Kong and Spinach. (Sky Greens, 2014). Currently Sky Greens has over 120 vertical farm towers with the goal to reach over 2000. (Permaculture Research Institute, 2016). In the event of expansion other interesting vegetables will be grown to enrich the variety of foods being sold here. Inside these compact greenhouse structures, Sky Greens is able to grow, harvest, pack and transport all of its food produce under one roof. These vegetables are unaffected by the monsoon season because they are protected inside its controlled green house. The extracted vegetables are kept fresh because they are stored in vacuum cooled cold trucks. They use these mobile cold room trucks because they can control the internal temperatures during dispatch for sale, this helps preserve the food for longer. (Sky Greens, 2014) According to Sky Greens, these 9 metre, 38 tier growing trough vertical systems produce 10 times more yield per unit land area. Its controlled environment and their conditions which these vegetables are grown under maintain a high quality level of food supply. This technology performs on a low energy and maintenance system. (Sky Greens, 2014).
103 [46] Case Study images all sources from (https://www.skygreens.com/)
5.7 Case Study - Shoreham Street Shoreham Street Architects:
Project Orange
Typology:
Victorian industrial brick, Heritage building
Location:
Shoreham, England
Year:
2012
Status:
Completed
Structural Engineer:
Project Design Associates
Project Manager:
J P Mooney Ltd
A building restored with a twist, its initial state rendered this building redundant but thanks to architectural firm Project Orange, the rehabilitation of this building commemorates its industrial richness into a contrasting new context. Its mixeduse functionalism of a double height restaurant cum bar within the building’s original shell on the bottom and above there are duplex studio offices.
This architecture tries to communicate a relationship with what was once an old architecture with what is yet to come in the future. Its proposal for a rehabilitation sets this building into being a noticeable landmark despite this building being considered as less locally recognized or significant. This building is found at the edge of the Cultural Industrial Quarters Conservation Area of Sheffield.
The modernized volume for the upward extension is emulated with an original roof pitch typology. The extension harbours into the original building, encroaching new design elements into the old structure such as windows which appear as if they are carved into the Victorian brick work. The roof also formulates an abstract comparison to what used to govern roof typologies in this industrial area, replacing it with an understated form.
Architecturally this building is quite beautiful in the light that old and new approaches can be merged into something dynamic which symbolises design into something different, strange, but equally significant. A touch of revival which is a way for old structures like those abandoned to be once again reunited with meaning. (Project Orange, 2013)
104 [47] Case Study images all sources from (http://www.projectorange.com/projects/view/shoreham-street)
105
The first rule of sustainability is to align with natural forces, or at least not try to defy them. - Paul Hawken -
108
6 _________________________ Design Development
109
Sketch shows area of focus, this dictates the boundary limitations for the design. Each proportion must be determined from within these constrains. You could say that this best depicts a perimeter for exploration.
Sketch shows modular material components square and rectangular in nature being put together to drive form. This is an initial step to finding connection with the existing building of interest with the new building. Negative space left over after exploration swallows the design seen shaded.
Sketch represents smaller portable components in a sequential arrangement that runs clockwise. The placement follows the shape of the site where available open space become available.
110
6.1 Abstract Exploration Sketch is exploring an organic approach, the conceptual drawing shows pockets of space in multiple sections of the site. Curves shape new form.
Sketch shows a grid-like system to which the building is subjected. Each building component falls within a unique grid that originates from the existing building, the old City of Johannesburg Engineering Foundry. Linear, elongated and lateral form.
Sketch shows a revised networks of individualistic building characteristics. Each having a different level of importance and contribution. Notable explorations created from a water treatment plant shown on the river. To the east is an idea for turning the run down pool into some kind of Algae Harvesting circuit, used to generate electricity. Squared hatching atop of all the buildings are representations of solar panels installed on all the roofs.
111 [48] Series of exploration sketches done by author.
Small charette exercise to stimulate the mind for design. Much of the industrial buildings especially the factories that I had seen exploring Johannesburg has the saw tooth like roof feature so I started with folding origami paper models. The first model was playing with symmetry.
With this paper model I tried to rotate the folds to create an organic shape. I took the two corners diagonal to each other one for each end and pulled them together to finish off the form.
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6.2 Charette Exploration
This was quite similar to the first paper model here I used a different sized paper. I had a odd number of folds and this resulted in a different finish at one end of the paper.
113 [49] Photographs & diagrams by author.
My interest in industrial architecture comes from my home town Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. When I was very little I used to work on weekends and during the holidays at my father’s company to try earn extra pocket money. I used to operate a machine press that made injector pipes. The factory work life is what I grew up to understand. It’s usually a dirty work environment because most sales spares are full of dark black oil. To clean your hands we used to use petroleum jelly which helps bond to the oil during washing, its far better than general soap, then after you can rinse and apply normal soap to make a thorough clean. We never anticipated the economic meltdown that started from the year 2000, it led to many people migrating overseas, and industry started to decline in Bulawayo. Many companies closed down, others relocated to Harare the capital. What was left though was a large range of unoccupied industrial buildings moth balled. Today, religious groups have hired, rented and bought these massive structures for the conversion into church worship spaces. These buildings can occupy large groups of people and they compare to a fraction of the cost of building a completely new building. I was reminded of this when I walked the streets of Johannesburg in search of a suitable site for the academic year. I came across old and abandoned industrial buildings. I walked, I observed and I sketched features I liked about industrial buildings and felt I wanted to find new purpose for these buildings architecturally like what I had seen happen in Zimbabwe.
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6.3 Artistic Exploration
I began my artistic exploration by asking myself what would come to mind when imagining what an industrial building looks like. The first thing that came to mind was a steel frame structure clad with IBR Sheeting. Many factories tend to adopt a portal frame structure because they can span wide areas without the need for structural columns inside the centre core. I have been involved in the design for one or two steel portal framed structures when I used to work back home in Zimbabwe. This stimulated my first drawing (Top left) a simplistic variation of a portal frame. During my walks around Johannesburg I saw trends of saw-tooth (Top) like roof structures on factory buildings so I sketched an interpretation of one. I understood that most of the factories required sufficient natural light both from a council requirement for plan approval and also for the aid of suitable work conditions for operating machinery. This makes sense for utilizing natural light, these large structures would cost a fortune to rely on electrical lighting for operational status. The simplistic box frame factory structures are architecturally boring but functional non the less (Left). The last building (Right) emphasises on craftsmanship of build form, carefully detailed mortar ridges and specialized brick laying, this resembles an Edwardian architecture.
115 [50] Artistic sketches created by author.
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Technology learned from (http://permaculturenews. org/2014/07/25/vertical-farming-singaporessolution-feed-local-urban-population/).
6.4 Model Exploration My studies for a reverse industrialization process had a slight twist. Unlike buildings in Newtown and Maboneng which have been renovated and transformed, I wanted to explore that using ecology in some way. My direction took flight when I learned of entrepreneur Jack Ng and his work in Singapore. He has developed a vertical farming system to tackle shortages of food, a system that produces 5-10 times crop output than those produced from regular growing farms. They require less space to operate and use less water. The entire system is powered by an old technology - gravity. Water feeds through a network and the gravity compression forces a water pulley to rotate and moves all the trays simultaneously. This is essential because in order for the plants to grow they require a minimum of 2-6 hours of sunlight per day in order
to photosynthesise effectively. This inspired me greatly. I questioned whether this technology could become a building or part of one. I started with drawing up a diagram of how this system works to better understand it. After gaining some reasonable understanding on how the process works I started to imagine how beautiful it would be to have a board room meeting inside. Was this possible? A live moving structure of green plants, the smell distinctive, light penetration between the individual racks. I built a model replica and drew spatial arrangements. This was actually plausible. It just needed a suitable water source, reliable sunlight and a suitable portion of open space. This made the site I explored an even more crucial location. It had the water source, the open space and adequate sunlight.
117 [51] Photographs, sketches and diagrams created by author.
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6.4 Model Exploration Initial studies into vertical farming showed development for an A-Frame shaped module. New explorations were tested to see whether an alternative design could perform similar spatial arrangements more effectively. This design showed to lose the compact like space arrangement, rather the module encloses its spaces when repeated in a sequential order, paired with multiple duplicates. This essentially created a blanket wall, that decreased the light penetration through the module because of the angle of each tray in the circuit. This impacts the internal space negatively.
119 [52] Photographs & sketches created by author.
This model explores an array of a vertical farming modules, all aligned to facilitate the spiral access being created underneath the set. Dual sets are positioned in a mirrored position defining a centric courtyard of space. These all of which are brought together with a network of bridges. The division of space is not just an obstacle of space but an opportunity for new interactions. The meandering path presents a solution for accessibility and movement.
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6.4 Model Exploration
121 [53] Photographs & sketches created by author.
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6.4 Model Exploration
Spatial arrangement is stretched and realigned to create a greater linear form. Space is formed with new meaning. Instead of expansion occupying a centric void, a slender more compact division is formed. Movement and access is far more exciting, a path of mystery for the observer. You would enter an enclave surrounded by towering vertical farms of green space. The model shown expresses the shifting possibility for a new desirable form.
123 [54] Photographs & sketches created by author.
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6 . 5 W a t e r Tr e a t m e n t Water scarcity is a real threat. In Johannesburg water has to be pumped in externally as the city does not have adequate amounts of water to sustain the population. It saddened me when I came across the river between Main Reef Road and Albertina Sisulu Street. The colour of the water a distinctive dark brown, flowing amongst discarded rubbish cans, plastic bags and beer bottles southward. This river was suffocating from the city’s abuse, something I felt was in great need of help. I started investigating in ways to clean water with minimal expenditure and with the least amount of energy. I was particularly excited with using a Biochar filtration process. (Rand Water, 2016). The way I have incorporated this process into the site is by redirecting the river through a network channel. As the river flows longitudinally it passes through the different levels of filtration. Each filtration process, that the river water encounters is through a set of dam spillway chutes which regulates the flow of water. The water is captured into a storm-well chamber that allows the water to reach a certain capacity before being discharged through another dam spillway chute and into the next filtration process. Each time the water filters through the different sediments more and more particles are removed and cleansed from the water. During the Biochar filtration process, pollutants and toxins are absorbed and removed by the charcoal sediments and the water becomes treated to a measure of safety. It is lastly sent through a second roughing and gavel filter before being reintroduced back into the existing river bed channel to flow southward once more. The nature of this technological process and the path it has carved into the site has influenced the placement and planning of the architecture intervention I wish to create.
125 [55] Drawing & key map created by author.
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Good buildings come from good people, and all problems are solved by good design. - Stephen Gardiner -
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7 ______________________ The Project : The Floating Gardens ( Ecological Centre )
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131 [56] Realistic render showing the north entrance into the Ecological Centre created by author.
132 [57] Drawing created by author.
7.1 Design Drawings
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[58] Drawings created by author.
135 [53] Drawings created by author.
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[59] Drawings created by author.
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139 [60] Realistic render showing the south entrance into the Ecological Centre created by author.
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141 [61] Section drawings created by author.
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143 [62] Elevation drawings created by author.
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145 [63] Realistic render of the harvesting platform looking down on Level 3 First Floor, created by author.
7.2 Programme Diagram Vertical A-frame farm towers are being used to grow a variety of plants. By regulating the speed to which the A-frame towers rotate, it is possible to expose all plants from anywhere between 2-6 hours of direct sunlight. This provides the perfect environment to grow the following types of vegetables: a) Medium Shade Vegetables (4-6 hours Direct Sunlight): Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Coriander, Leek, Onions, Pea, Radish, Rutabaga and Turnips. b) Light Shade Vegetables (2-4 hours Direct Sunlight): Arugula, Brussels sprouts, Endive, Kale, Leaf lettuce, Mustard greens, Spinach and Swiss chard. (Gardening Channel, 2017) Plant labs are used to carry out regular tests for both the plants and also to check water filtration quality. Cultivation Stations are there to grow seedlings as well as for the experimentation for new plants to be grown before large scale production is implemented. This helps to test whether or not any new plants are productive and viable using this technology. Water Filtration (Biochar-Charcoal) Polluted river water is treated to a level of safety through filtration. This water is then stored in storage tanks in the sub level and used to power the water gravity-fed devices to rotate the A-frame troughs on the vertical farms. This water is also used to irrigate the plants being grown. All other water is reintroduced as clean treated water back into the river system. Packing Room is there to package fully grown vegetable and fruit products into boxes which are then sold at the on-site vegetable market and dispatched in refrigerated trucks to other retailers. Fruit Gardens & Green Roof on the first floor are being used to grow fruits from trees. These are plants which depend on high levels of direct sun exposure during the day. This also provides a beautiful open green space in which to enjoy. Auditorium has been incorporated into the design to be used for educational seminars for children, students and young adults. The aim is to raise awareness for the potential for abandoned industrial buildings. These educational events help to teach others about a biophilic architectural approach as well as to expose people to the abundant technology processes being used throughout the building. Refuse Recycling Process Area (The old existing engineering foundry on Main Reef Road) This is a somewhat private program that runs concurrently next to the ecology centre. This is to occupy Bathopele Recycling who have recently occupied this building. Its interior spaces have been modified to increase efficiency. Glass curtain panels on the west side of the building raise public awareness as you enter the centre.
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Plant Waste Management is where composting silos in a self contained room between two A-frame towers are stored. [64] Programme diagram created by author.
7 . 3 V e r t i c a l F a r m To w e r s
147 [65] Vertical farm A-frames diagram showing all 10 towers in the building, created by author.
7 . 4 W a t e r F i l t r a t i o n Tr e a t m e n t
148 [66] New river channel path diagram created by author.
7.5 Accessibility
149 [67] Accessibility matrix throughout the building, created by author.
7.6 Photovoltaic Power Generation
150 [68] PV power generation diagram, created by author.
7.7 Green Infrastructure
151 [69] New green infrastructure diagram, created by author.
7.8 Exploded Axonometric
- Green House Enclosure
- Ver tical Farming Towers
- Existing Recycling Facility - Ecology Facility & Offices - Main Structural Components
- River Filtration System - Maintenance Sub Level
152 [70] Exploded axonometric showing the entire building, created by author.
7 . 9 Wate r R e t i c u l at i o n Sy s te m Treated water is collected into the storage tanks found on the sub level. This water is then mechanically pumped into the reservoir on the top of each vertical farm tower. The water is used to irrigate the plants on the troughs and is also used to drive the system for rotating clockwise. The water discharged is then sent back to the storage tanks and recycled back into the network. All flat roof surfaces are used to collect rain water and the roof design used for the greenhouse roof structure is also designed to allow for the redirection and capture into the individual reservoirs on top all A-frames. Any excess water is then used to water plants, gardening services and ablution systems. As a back up system in the event that the main pump on the sub level becomes non-operational, there are 10 smaller backup pumps located on the sub level underneath each vertical farming system which will ensure the farms do not cease production.
153 [71] Water reticulation system that shows water transfer around the building, created by author.
RECLAIMED INDUSTRIAL BRICK One of my major criteria, toward finding site discovery was finding an old, abandoned and/or dilapidated industrial building. Many old industrial buildings were built using rustic red bricks in the Victorian architecture style. I felt it crucial that one of the elemental materials used in the new design would need to be of the same existing type so as to create a flow of the same language and a form of continuity. A blending of materiality stitching the old and the new together. Brick manufacture is highly intensive and leaves behind a significant carbon footprint. Therefore, by utilizing reclaimed bricks instead of newly manufactured ones, the construction would reduce this problem. The other advantage to this is it would be easier to match the type and quality of the old styled red bricks if they were salvaged from a building of similar year, age and weathered state. Independent Traders SA reclaim bricks. TRANSPARENT PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PANELS As a green house structure, one of the many troubles is the distribution of heat and temperature control. These BIPV transparent solar panels, a Wismon Technology, are designed with the solar cells located centrally within two sheets of clear glass. Each solar cell is arranged with small gaps in between in order to allow some sunlight to permeate through. This system affords the ability to generate energy whilst not depriving the fresh growing produce of natural sunlight. The panel array helps in blocking much of the intense heat from entering the building. The total number of 440 transparent solar panels have been installed on some of the green house roof, giving a total area of 644m² of energy generation and heat resistance across the entire ecological centre. Using the detailed PV calculator program by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, A system of this size would generate an approximate total of 171,452kWh per year. A total of 120 regular PV solar panels are located across the roof of the existing building, using the same method as described above, this system has the potential to produce approximately 41,616kWh per year to run the refuse recycling process inside the existing building. (Alliance for Sustainable Energy, 2017) VERTICAL SHADED GLASS FINS This concept for vertical glass shading fins was found from studying a public housing project for the Department of Human Services in Australia, designed by Rothelowman Architects. This installation of glass translucent vertical fins is used on both the west and east exterior perimeter of the ecological centre along the glass walls of the greenhouse building. This is also where the majority of the glass structure skin is being exposed to direct sun light. These new structural elements will serve as a second skin that regulates and reflects heat away from the building all while allowing for a large amount of natural sunlight to penetrate into the building for the plants being grown on all of the vertical towers.
154 [72 - Top Left - Down] a) Reclaimed Bricks, b) Transparent PV Solar Panels, c) Glass Shading Fins, Source in List of Figures.
7.10 Materials & Aesthetics INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURAL STEEL - GREENHOUSE The new form that is being merged into the existing brick continuity that represents the modern emblem is beautiful steel and glass, formulated together to transform the old language into something equally beautiful. This modern conversion is somewhat resembling the standard portal frame industrial warehouse-type architecture but it is being morphed into something new in shape, form and style. Given that the location is deep within industrial territory the need for protection for certain foods is necessary from acid rain and pollution. The enclosed greenhouse space is adapted to house ten, 9 metre high vertical farm towers. The roof structure of the greenhouse is designed in such a way that certain areas are able to open in order to release any excess heat from the building.
HORIZONTAL TIMBER SLATS New material involving wood timber slats help to break away the various materials of the building giving it variation to the structure’s look and feel. These are located to the very exterior and are fitted inside the concrete A-frame of each vertical tower. This provides an additional amount of shading to the habitable spaces within each A-frame. The horizontal nature of these slats complement well with the vertical glass fins along the exoskeleton of the building leaving a clear definition between lateral and longitudinal lines, each of a unique texture to the building. This orientation of materiality reinforces the verticality of the farming towers.
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE Beautiful green infrastructure composed of green roofs, fruit trees and cascading plant boxes accentuate the flat concrete roofs on top of the building. The added green infrastructure enlightens the ecology, the ‘biophilic’ connection. Nature and human interaction strengthens the design for a healthier environment. Working occupants benefit from the refreshing green spaces that The Floating Gardens provide. People venturing into the ecological centre are exposed to pure potential to a much needed biophilic designed South Africa. This centre grows food but also enhances the environment through its green program.
155 [73 - Top Right - Down] a) Green house steel structure, b) Timber Slats c) Green Infrastructure, Source in List of Figures.
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157 [74] Realistic render inside one A-frame vertical farm tower by author.
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7.11 Design Details
159 [75] Drawings details created by author.
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7.11 Design Details
161 [76] Drawings details created by author.
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7.11 Design Details
163 [77] Drawings details created by author.
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165 [78] Realistic render showing a perspective view of the entire Ecological Centre created by author.
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7.12 Site Model
167 [79] In the spirit of the project, all off-cuts produced from laser cutting were used in the structure of the base. Nothing went to waste. Photographs by author.
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7.12 Site Model
169 [80] Site Model alone, photograph by author.
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7.12 Site Model
171 [81] Site model with final design model, photograph by author.
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7.13 Final Model
173 [82] Photographs by author.
Sustainability is no longer about doing less harm. It’s about doing more good. - Jochen Zeitz -
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8 _____________ Conclusion
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8 Conclusion This year has been a most enjoyable journey with architecture. The knowledge gained and experiences made led me to a place where I feel more confident in the built environment. This design has revolutionized my way of thinking into building a ‘biophilic architecture’ ideology. So what is reverse industrialisation? It is the reincarnation of a rejuvenated industrial world into a biophilic one, adapting existing materials with contemporary ideas and with nature. It is a rejuvenation of dead space, abandoned old dilapidated buildings are restored back into something with potential once more. Buildings are being explored into a typology that transforms the environment into the very fundamentally new landscape through integration. The Floating Gardens connects people by using ecology, with its beautiful green environment, creating a place that is will be remembered by all who visit the space. How does one facilitate the creation of lively spaces? When we restore the connection between the built environment and with nature, we enable a biophilic design to form the basis for which the program is to follow. Growing food is the life-blood for the sustainability of society. Plants are the very essence of our well-being and greatly contribute to the world in which we live. What water treatment can support a project such as The Floating gardens? The passive Biochar (Charcoal) filtration system utilizes a unique mineral with components and capabilities that help absorb and remove unwanted toxins and pollutants from the water. The added benefits to combining this method into a filtration system is to improve the overall treatment of the water quality to a reasonably safe level for urban agriculture. Can Vertical farming be more than just a mere cultivation machine? The answer is yes. We can combine spaces to surround pockets of program to create not just a functional skin of admirable beauty but a skin that contributes to the production of actual nutritious produce. What viable energy responses can this building acquire? Technology utilizing gravity and water contribute to powering the large A-frame vertical towers. Transparent solar panels help condense the direct sunlight along roof tops and regulate the light and heat into the building whilst also generating sufficient amounts of electrical energy at the same time.
How can we connect to the surrounding suburbs? We latch onto existing buildings first and, like a parasite, we transform the spaces and its environment from the outside in. We merge and design to accommodate biophilic interventions. Surrounding suburbs will benefit from the potential that these new programmes develop and create. The existing building now has been formulated more effectively to address the recycling of refuse waste. It is no longer a foundry from the past, nor is it a dumping space. It is a controlled, efficient and working unit. All of which being made possible through a reorganisation of spatial arrangement, adequate storage spaces and with the necessary machine tools to engage the entire system. This project lays a strong foundation towards a future where old and abandoned industrial buildings are given purpose once more. It formulates the idea on conceptual principles involving the treatment of polluted water, the cultivation of agriculture in a dense urban environment and connecting nature to an otherwise nature-less place. The floating gardens takes advantage of South Africa’s climate on a multiple of scales to introduce a new architectural typology within Johannesburg’s urban context. The generation of sustainable power by means of photovoltaic panels and using its strategic position to effectively provide for the building are conducted all year round. Recycling contributes to the ideology of a cleaner, more sustainable world both of materials from the built environment as well as the biophilic environment. After evaluating what has been achieved by this project in terms of an architectural and theoretical intervention, ‘reverse industrialization through ecology’ is in my opinion a major contributing factor to finding the potential for saving dead spaces within Johannesburg. It is with this notion that, given the chance for this kind of new language with architecture to flourish, a new hope for the way that we live and engage in our cities can be explored. Old and forgotten structures can become productive and beautiful once again. In my opinion this is the answer for a restored and nourished Johannesburg. This is where abandoned industrial buildings are in their transition into the future - all being made possible through ecology.
179 [83] Realistic render, central courtyard view by author.
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Oral Exam Day - The End
181 [84] The calm before the storm, photograph by Robert Dos Santos.
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List of Figures [1] Aerial photograph edited by author (Original image from Google Earth) [2] Aerial photograph edited by author. (Original image from Google Earth)
from Google Earth) [17] Key maps created by author. [18] Photographs by author.
[3] The reverse industrialization concept by author
[19] Drawings created by author.
[4] Industrial collage edited by author.
[20] Photographs taken & edited by author.
[5] Vintage industrial interior steel and concrete structure, source the Vintaquarian. (http://68.media.tumblr.com/20c54cac4fc4feba5bacb37ae5f071e1/tumblr_mft8vyqruG1qfzxa7o1_500.jpg)
[21] Key maps created by author.
[6] Market Street power plant, New Orleans. Photo by Cody Cobb. (https://cdn-finspi.com/image/00229/467/27583ccb3/market-street-power-plant-new-orleans-photo-by-c.jpg) [7] Abandoned greenhouse ‘The Steampunk Greenhouse’. Photo by Tokyo-Bleep. Biophilia in chaos. ( h t t p s : / / 6 8 . m e d i a . t u m b l r. c o m / 8 e 7 c 2 c e 4 3 e c 2 3 d 6f78757455f3e7614d/tumblr_mt4g0oN2Xt1qc8le9o1_500. jpg) [8] Abandoned building, Europe, interior conservatory. Photo taken by Thomas Windisch. Biophilia in disarray. (https://dsx. weather.com//util/image/w/1_caters_overgrown_nature_02. jpg?v=ap&w=980&h=551&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0) [9] Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore. Designed by CPG Consultants Pte Ltd. Biophilic Design in fruition. (http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/19615_2_enCourtyard_1000.jpg) [10] Location maps created by author. [11] Site context graphic created by author. [12] Street photographs edited by author. (Original images from Google Earth) [13] Key maps created by author. [14] Street photographs taken & edited by author. [15] Key maps created by author. [16] Street photographs edited by author. (Original images
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[22] Photographs taken & edited by author. [23] Key maps created by author. [24] River map edited by author. (Original images from Google Earth) [25] Photographs taken & edited by author. [26] Key maps created by author. [27] Figure ground map edited by author. (Original images from Google Earth) [28] Negative space map edited by author. (Original images from Google Earth) [29] Zoning map created by author. [30] Topography map created by author. [31] Section Diagrams created by author. [32] Key map created by author. [33] Shadow diagrams created by author. [34] Shadow diagrams created by author. [35] Green space map created by author. [36] Climate data & diagrams created by author. (http://www. johannesburg.climatemps.com/) [37] Pedestrian access map created by author. [38] Vehicular map created by author. [39] Contextual Map and perspective by author. (Original images from Google Earth)
[40] Site plan drawing above by the author. [41] Above illustrates the association between the Green Building Council and all the major property investors who have started to incorporate more green technology in their property developments. Illustration by author. (https://www. gbcsa.org.za/news_post/business-case-to-invest-in-greenbuildings-becoming-more-compelling-as-green-property-index-highlights-higher-returns/)
[60] Realistic render showing the south entrance into the Ecological Centre created by author. [61] Section drawings created by author. [62] Elevation drawings created by author. [63] Realistic render of the harvesting platform looking down on Level 3 First Floor, created by author.
[42] Site plan drawing above created by author.
[64] Programme diagram created by author.
[43] Tables created by the author.
[65] Vertical farm A-frames diagram showing all 10 towers in the building, created by author.
[44] Tables created by the author. [45] Case Study images all sources from (http://www.effekt. dk/work#/regenvillages/) [46] Case Study images all sources from (https://www. skygreens.com/) [47] Case Study images all sources from (http://www.projectorange.com/projects/view/shoreham-street) [48] Series of exploration sketches done by author. [49] Photographs & diagrams by author. [50] Artistic sketches created by author. [51] Photographs, sketches and diagrams created by author. [52] Photographs & sketches created by author. [53] Photographs & sketches created by author. [54] Photographs & sketches created by author. [55] Drawing & key map created by author. (http://www.waterwise.co.za/site/water/purification/) [56] Realistic render showing the north entrance into the Ecological Centre created by author. [57] Drawing created by author. [58] Drawings created by author. [59] Drawings created by author.
[66] New river channel path diagram created by author. [67] Accessibility matrix throughout the building, created by author. [68] PV power generation diagram, created by author. [69] New green infrastructure diagram, created by author. [70] Exploded axonometric showing the entire building, created by author. [71] Water reticulation system that shows water transfer around the building, created by author. [72 - Top Left - Down] a) Reclaimed Bricks, Terracotta and cork, interior space. (https://i1.wp.com/blog.huisjetuintjeboompje.be/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/terracotta.jpg) b) Transparent PV Solar Panels, BIPV Transparent Solar Panel, Wismon Technology Co.,Limited, (http://image.e-cantonfair.com/group1/M00/55/10/CqgBUVPw73-ATx1GAAHTaZTGlX4203.jpg) c) Glass Shading Fins, St John’s Place, Design by Rothelowman architects. (http://www.rothelowman.com.au/admin-resources/image-tools.php?h=500&q=95&src=/Projects/Images/St-Johns/ St-Johns-Ext-10.jpg) [73 - Top Right - Down] a) Green house steel structure, Photo by Robert Clay ( h t t p : / / w w w. b o u w - m a r k t . c o m / w p - c o n t e n t / u p loads/2016/03/1.jpg)
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List of Figures - Continued b) Timber Slats, Photo and design by architect Dan Rockhill, a modern Midwest haven. ( h t t p s : / / s - m e d i a - c a c h e - a k 0 . p i n i m g. c o m / 5 6 4 x / 5 3 / b7/15/53b7150cc64992ac5255972a2c125cb2.jpg) c) Green Infrastructure, green roof, Germany photo by Tyler Fyfe. ( h t t p : / / w w w. t h e p l a i d z e b r a . c o m / w p - c o n t e n t / u p loads/2015/03/31.jpg) [74] Realistic render inside one A-frame vertical farm tower by author. [75] Drawings details created by author. [76] Drawings details created by author. [77] Drawings details created by author. [78] Realistic render showing a perspective view of the entire Ecological Centre created by author. [79] In the spirit of the project, all off-cuts produced from laser cutting were used in the structure of the base. Nothing went to waste. Photographs by author. [80] Site Model alone, photograph by author. [81] Site model with final design model, photograph by author. [82] Photographs by author. [83] Realistic render, central courtyard view by author. [84] The calm before the Storm, Photograph by Robert Dos Santos.
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