Thesis Design

The objective of the thesis is as such:

1. To conceive a building that is an accumulation mass.

2. To utilize the concept of Pasar Malam as a program for a building.

3. The design has to form a resistance against modernist hygienic practice.

4. The design is always in a temporal state just as termporary existence of Pasar Malam.

First of all, the notion that form should follow function is contested against by instead of allowing programmatic requirements to give birth to form, all program is housed in a similar massing. This is not meant to simplify matters nor is it for sake of convenience, but rather its aim is to homogenize. All form is erased and read as nothing else but a series of squares. This is beneficial for two reasons, firstly, it removes identity, for one mass is no longer discernible from the other. Secondly, this results in an absence of hierarchy that is prevalent in modernist methodology.

The second step would be to accumulate all that mass into one singular building, as oppose to distancing one from the other. This mass is then determined only by its limits. As to what is governing the limits, for this we turn to two hygienic practices namely: direct daylight and ventilation, which will be discussed in the following paragraphs.

Lastly, the internal organization of the mass is self-regulated by the application of certain rules. (Illustration 13)

Site Information

Site Area: 18166 sqm

Plot Ratio: 6

Max allowable GFA: 108996sqm

Design Information

Total GFA: 108864 sqm

Basement GFA : 13104 sqm

Stores GFA : 95760 sqm

No. of Stores: 2296

As the mass accumulated on a rectangular site would naturally, form a rectangular massing. However, because this mass is to be built in Singapore, that is, in the tropics it has to adapt climatically to the physically conditions of the site namely: heat and ventilation. Hence, there are two hygienic practices that it has to adhere to.

The first is to reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the building envelope. In order to do this, the massing has to minimize the amount of direct lighting on the mass. This is achieved by incorporating the Singapore sun path diagram into the design. Effectively, every mass that is within the sun path from 9 am to 5 pm is carved away. This results in a form with the appearance of an inverted prism with a rectangular base. (Illustration 14) However, it should be noted that the site is 44 degrees tilted from the east. This results in a massing shown in the third diagram of illustration 14. This process also means that the ground plane will always be exposed to direct sunlight, and thus always in a state of hygiene. While the remaining mass has minimize its contact with direct sunlight, and thus lesser gain in heat.

Next, the massing has to be able to “breath”, in other words, it has to be naturally ventilated, as opposed to the hygienic and sterile environment created by airconditioning. This is achieved by subtracting a single block of vertical mass from every three units of massing, in other words, for every two units, one unit would be a ventilation shaft. In addition, the top of the shaft is fitted with a solar chimney, this is to facilitate air movement by means of the stack effect. The solar chimney is heated by the sun, creating a high pressure within the chimney. This heated air would then naturally, escape from the chimney. Thus, an upward pressure, or rising effect is created within ventilation shaft, which then, in turn draws air from its neighboring masses. On days that there is overcast, the solar chimneys are outfitted with mechanical fans to aid in the stack effect. (Illustration 15)

The above processes delimit the boundary of maximum growth that the building is allowed to take on. The next step determines how the building form interacts formally with the site.

The topological terrain of the site is use as a diagram that has some implication on the form of the building. This is achieved by applying a rule stating that the higher the terrain, the closer the building is to the ground plane. The rational for this move is to allow for differing topology to have affect on the form of the massing. (Illustration 16)

By combining these three process, (Illustration 17) two of which are a form of hygienic practice, and one diagrammatic patterning, the final form is then subdivided base on the number of stalls it consist. A lift core is then installed in the middle of each of the subdivision. This gives an average of about 140 units to one lift core. (Illustration 18)

The initial stage of the building consists of the 16 cores and roof plane of stalls, however, as the building starts to accumulates, additional massing are added onto the building. The additions are to be determined by the buyers, thus they are allowed to purchase any store as long as it falls within the boundaries determined previously.

The following is a possible scenario of what could happen: new units are added to the next to the core. This is a logical possibility because of the need for the units to be connected vertically by means of the lift core. Next, the addition would be the stalls beside the areas marked out for ventilation shaft. This is advantageous to the owner as the air in their unit will always be drawn out and expelled by the chimney. Subsequently, the next nearest units to lift core are purchased. This is also a logical possibility because the closer the units are to the lift core, the greater the possibility of encountering customers. After which, other units next to the ventilation shaft and units at the perimeter are taken up. Although the perimeter units are the furthest away from the lift core, they still have other economical value, such as the ability to advertise their goods directly to passersby. Lastly, the rest of the units are then occupied.

(Illustration 19a,b,c)

I would like to highlight again that this is a possibly scenario and it is not meant to determine how each units are to be purchased. In addition, although there is an end state delimited by the thesis, there is no reason why the building must arrive at the end state. In other words, if there is a lack in market demand for these stalls the building will become stagnant after the earlier stages. This is advantageous as it necessarily means that there will be no vacant stalls, thus all building materials are put to use.

On a smaller scale, there are several rules for each unit. The nominal dimension for each unit is 6000mm by 6000mm by 5000mm. (length by width by height) Firstly, as each unit has to built on demand, the design is such that the unit is broken up into modules that allows for quick and easy assembling. It should also be noted that the units are constructed from top to down. In other words, one unit can only be constructed if and only if the unit directly above is constructed. (Illustration 20)

The second rule concerns the facade treatment for each unit. For all facade surface, there is a requirement to have a 600mm from bottom up set aside for ventilation purposes. As described earlier, the building is to be naturally ventilated, therefore this rule allows for the unit to draw air from the external environment. Therefore it is largely dependant on the owner as to what kind of facade he/she requires. There is a lot of flexibility on the unit to adapt to the needs of the owner, for example, if needed a full glass facade with the said 600mm ventilation screen can be installed, or the owner can decide to have a louvered screen for its facade. (Illustration 21)

Thirdly, the facade or the corners of the unit can extend beyond 6000mm by 6000mm boundary. This leeching outwardly effect is created when signboards are installed at the corners for advertisement. On the other hand, an overlaying effect is created when cantilevered balconies or inclined facade installed, when viewed from below, covers the facade of the unit above from view. In other words, advertisements displayed above are overlaid by the advertisements below. There are no restrictions as how far these additional installation can extend to, as long as they do extend out of the site boundary. The owners should also be mindful that once the unit beside them is occupied, they would have to give up that additional installation if it comes in the way of the new unit. The new owner of the neighboring unit can also choose to purchase the facade and the additional installations from his/her neighbor. (Illustration 22)

The fourth rule determines the internal circulation of the building. Each stall is allowed to take up no more than 49 squares. Therefore, 32 squares out of the total 81 squares are to be kept for circulation. The rational behind this is to ensure that all four sides for the unit are connected. However, there are certain circumstances that allow this rule to be broken. For instance, if the unit is abutting the area marked out for ventilation, this means that there are only 3 sides to connect to. For cases like this as long as 3 sides are connected, a further gain from 49 squares to 63 squares for the stall is possible.

Thus, it is possible for units to be further subdivided into smaller stalls, if the owner decides that it is more economically viable. As he can rent out the other stalls while keeping one for himself. Also, it is possible to connect up to 4 units, in other words, the largest stall possible is 4 units worth of stalls, that is 196 squares. (Illustration 22)

To conclude there are basically 4 rules:

1. Unit can be constructed if and only if the above unit is constructed.

2. All external facing surfaces are to be completed with a 600mm ventilation screen.

3. Additional installation are allowed so long as they do not extend beyond the site boundary.

4. Internal circulation is self regulated, a unit must connect to all its neighboring unit.

These rules allows for a high degree of flexibility for owners. It is basically a plan for an unplanned scenario, as there is no knowing the building would evolved into and each stage is always temporal.

Conclusion

Architecture is always a form of control, ordering and system. The notion of filth seems to suggest a kind of haphazardness, randomness and unpredictability. Therefore the thesis has to reconcile this two intrinsic differences. This is achieved by creating an architecture that is envisioned as a growth, one that accumulates over time, one that is not predetermined, but operates by rules and limits. This is a plan for the unplanned. As each massing is regarded homogeneously, there is no question of legibility nor hierarchy between the massing. Modernist methods of classification, ordering, form and distancing are rejected.

More importantly, the architecture of filth cannot escape entirely from hygienic practices. This is especially so if the consequence are related to filth disease. Thus in order to keep the architecture of filth hygienically acceptable, there is a need to reduce the heat absorbed by the envelope, at the same time, there must be constant air intake into the building.

What kind of vision do we have for this kind of an architecture? To a large extent, I envision that the occupants are highly opportunistic, that is to say, they will take every chance they have to gain economical returns. In other words, they may lease out their facade for advertising, or use every possible means such as the signboards to attract customers. Also, they have to self-regulate and have to follow 49 square rule. Thus internal circulation is never predictable, inevitably, it will turn into a labyrinth that is dictated by economical forces, or the owner’s preference.

As architecture of filth is a plan for the unplanned, most decision are made by the owner, this results in the haphazardness, randomness and unpredictability envisioned. However, these descriptions are not derogative, just as architectural filth is good and legitimate. For the thesis, this massive accumulation, congestion and unpredictability is desirable.

Unlike modernist architecture which is highly utopian in nature, the promise of architectural filth is a vow towards vitality and life. It is centred upon the needs of the owners, which then is directed to accommodate the needs of the customers. Architectural filth is a vision for tomorrow when people are “sick” from the highly sterile and hygienic architecture that have come into existence from the modernist period until now. -End-

A. Longitudinal section

B. Cross Section

C. Plan and Diagrammatic Plans