IAD Component 1 Pharrell Canlas
Brief My client lives in East London and is a parent worried for their child's lack of attention and dedication to their studies. Additionally then run a nearby secondary school and has the best intentions for their student, they feel the need to have a new modern space dedicated to learning, a library, situated near a school so students can easily commute somewhere familiar and somewhere local. The client has asked for a free and opened theme, with lots of space for students to study in, meaning necessary resources likes books, computers, tables etc. In addition to this, the client has asked for an open green space for students to learn outside with fresh air. They are keen on having this fit with the surrounding area, but a modern, rejuvenated area would be ideal. The client would like the library to not be overwhelming but fit with the surrounding location. Importantly, the client would also like the library to have a contrast between organic structures and linear structures. This contrast may be explored through the park and structure.
Specifications The building should utilize a clear flow whilst walking through the library and emphasize open spaces with large tables and a high ceiling, so students don’t feel claustrophobic. In addition there should be a space for electronics. - Library - Spacious - Computers, Laptops and devices - Natural sunlight - Open Outdoors should be a fresh of breath air, attracting students to work outside and enjoy the sun, shade will also be important to give students the ability to work without the sun in their eyes - Outdoor - Benches and Tables - Large space - Greenery - Shaded Areas
Location - East London, Stratford, Honor Lea Ave Situated near the Olympic Park, Stratford is the central hub for east London for many people. This is an ideal location as the British government had funded around £9.3 Billion to rejuvenating the rundown part of east London, transforming it into the Olympic park. Moreover, Not far from the location of redevelopment is Westfields, a large shopping centre attracting many people and is the central hub of East London. There are many fastfood chains and restaurants for students to eat at.
Additionally, while funding the park, the government also funded public transport. With a bus-stop and a train station, accessibility to this location is at its peak. With busses, trains and even bikes it is ideal. Furthermore, the area is located on the other side of the road to Chobham academy, a well-funded secondary school.
Overall this is a great place to redevelop as the surroundings are modern, the transport is accessible, and the land is ready for something new.
Dalorna Media Library The building has a unique spatial characters connecting library, study spaces and media functions. The varying levels creates versatile studying environment. Unifying the floors and layers, the building flows with a spiral staircase leading people around the building to different study areas and sections.
Highlands Branch Library Highlands Branch Library is very simplistic yet effective. Overall being a box-like shape with slopes and slants to add interest. In combination with scattered, large windows. Highlands branch library shows by even making small adjustments to the structure of the building can have a large change on the overall appearance
Ceaser Chavez Library This building is well designed with rooms to accomidate for different activities, such as children, study areas and even staff offices. All kept within the short but long structure. The large, curved thick walls combined with the sloped roof feels modern. The curved exteriors contrast and curve with each other. In addition it is set along a lake, creating a calming atmosphere for anyone studying. Large glass walls make it feel more open
To the right I have experimented with similar curved walls with a random building. Curvature brings an interest in walls compared to something straight.
National Library of China Being the third largest library in the world. The interior of the library repeats the same square shape, descending lower and lower. This can inspire me to repeat the same shapes like the Dalorna Media Library in Sweden. Furthermore, there is a repeated theme of using the walls as bookshelves rather than having them placed in narrow hallways. This creates a more open feeling.
Sketchup Models of interior
Eero Saarinen Ingalls Rink The Ingalls Rink was created between 1953 and 58 and is often called the whale after the curved shape.
The curved structure of the roof gives a cave-like feeling inside.
Terminal 5
Eero Saarinen designed the TWA flight centre to make a statement. It is a concrete symbol of rapid technological advancements and transformations, Shaping the way people think of airline and aviation. It is more than just a functional terminal.
Experimenting with curved windows
Taking inspiration from Terminal 5’s structure, I drew different and random curves, connected them at random points with a line and create side profiles and elevations of possible structures. I filled the spaces between the curve and lines with a glass texture to make a window and in the end I ended up with many possible ideas for what my library could look like from different angles.
London Aquatic Centre Zaha Hadid
Moving Water
Zaha Hadid took inspiration for the London Aquatic Centre fittingly from water. A simple and easily accessible resource we use daily inspired a £269 million building. This shows how something so simple and innocent can be transformed into a unique and modern structure. The natural curvature can easily be linked back to this inspiration.
Heydar Aliyev Centre This neo-futuristic building combines Eastern and Western architecture was designed by Zaha Hadid. Personally I am large fan of this buildings and the way it is structures, with very defined curves and folds that twist and turn
Organic structure In nature, many plants have unique and complex shapes that can easily inspire structures, interiors and forms for a building. For example, roses’ petals are moulded around the centre like a shell where as lavender is much more closely grown together. Some plants are much more simpler and can give simple shapes and forms. This is combination with a structure more linear can be eye catching. The juxtaposition and contrast between organic and linear, combined together is fresh and will stand out.
Research of Roses One of the most beautiful type of flower, the rose has a shell of layering petals surrounding its centre. The peals grow larger and larger around the edge of the flower. These petals grown larger than the inner petals and grow around the centre.
Organic and Linear structure
Other than flowers, vegetables, fruits and plants, many things in nature create organic structures such as insects. Even aquatic plants can have strange and unique structures. Insects such as spiders, wasps or bees create geometric organic structures. A prime example of these are honey combs or nests.
Many patterns and forms can be seen in nature, such as repeating hexagons, symmetry and order. Organic structures such as snowflakes, cobwebs and honeycomb can be used in repeating designs such as walls, floors or even ceilings.
The Gherkin
The gherkin is one of the stars of London. In a time where large, towering buildings were an eye sore. The Gherkin stood out from the rest and is unique to its surroundings. The commercial skyscraper’s structure and shape is inspired by an aquatic plant, the venus flower basket.
Venus flower basket sponge Inspiring the Gherkin in London, this aquatic plant is a glass skeleton, tough yet flexible. Its linear-organic structure shows form and sturdiness. The structure repeats shapes and laces through itself like a spiral.
Lotus Temple
The lotus temple in Dehli, India, is a place of worship. It is an amazing example of architecture inspired from nature, with walls shaped like lotus petals.
Lotus Flower The lotus flower is seen as a very symbolic plant. What it represents, How and where its grown. Different colours and meanings. The flower blooms in the most unlikely places. Blooming beautiful petals from murky, dirty waters.
Linear models
I created these models with small pieces of cardboards with randomly cut slots in them and 3 repeating cards. From here I could assemble them randomly and come up with different hand held structures within minutes. This may help me with ideas for structures or I can simplify the structure even further for a base/elevation or plan view of a structure. Alternatively I could develop one of the models further.
Sketches of small models
Sketching experimental Card models Using grey-board and coloured card, I cut slots into the cards and board and assembled them randomly to create forms, buildings and shapes that could become buildings
By placing pictures of the models onto an environment, I can see how it would be seen a building with trees, people and other objects in the foreground and background
Taking a closer in-depth study into one perspective of the model, I have simplified the overall form, removing many lines and simplifying by straightening many lines, making it more realistic and easier to construct.
Different elevations
Archways rather than windows Open design
Hollowed / Holes in the wall
Overhanging
Looking further into roses, I picked the petals and studied their shape. Turning it into a structure.
From my sketches I created small paper card models of the wall, making cuts and using tape to hold the structure together, Although it is rougher than the initial sketch ideas, I can further experiment with this and create structures with these walls.
Further developing the petal wall idea, I combined 6 of them, overlapped and stuck them together to create a curved building with a hollow top, which could be filled with glass for natural lighting. It is symmetrical along the middle as it is constructed from the same pieces.
Alternatively, instead of the previous idea I went back to the beginning and looked at the wall. rather than a slightly curved wall, I turned the structure on the ground and imagined it as a roof instead. This made me want to make the structure taller so it feels like an actual roof. Additionally, I made the gap curvier, creating an entrance/exit.
Combining components Mixing together the first structure with the second slimmer structure I explored alternative designs
Taking inspiration from a rose cut in half, I took an in depth study of the layers and simplified this form. Eventually I formed these repeating arced shapes with a flat bottom. In my mind I figured that these layers could be separate components.
Models from rose cut in half - Development Turning the elevation drawing of the rose, I decided to look at it as a plan view instead, turning it into a flat and long model made of multiple components, from my sketches. I can develop this further into a structure by manipulating components (cutting, enlarging or changing the position)
I used the general shape of a rose petal and experimented by simplifying the shape. After experimentation with the large flat foam board petals, I cut them in half and scored the surface to allow them to bend ( as shown on the right )
I sketched a version of the model but the components were spaced out evenly vertically, leaving gaps
Further developing this idea, I flipped the structure and mirrored it to create a symmetrical building. From there I could further manipulate the structure and order
Models from rose cut in half - Development
Experimental structure and Idea development
Initial interior design of library
To design the interior, I have to fit it into the scale of the whole building. Firstly the initial design, having only two floors, is too small and cannot have all the facilities that a library needs. These facilities include, bathrooms, staff rooms, storage, photography, photocopying, printers, computers, study rooms and much more to satisfy the needs of the user.
Side elevations and front elevations give a rough scale of the size the of the building, In this case it is only possible to fit 2-3 floors in this structure, comparing it to the trees, which is on average 2.5m-3m. The library in this drawing is above double that, roughly 6.5m.
To create an interior that suits these requirements, it will need double the space of the previous design and have few more floors to give a full range of facilities. Each floor with serve a different purpose and will have different facilities such as study rooms or a computer space.
Developing and designing interior of structure
Using my research of previous libraries, I am using a spiral flow where users must go around and around the building to get from floor to floor. There will be an elevator for people to use and allows disabled people to use the libraries full facilities
The spiral flow of the library will ensure that there is minimal traffic, enforcing a one way system up the library and a one way system down the library
Floor 2 will be a quiet space, allowing users to study in silence, in isolated groups or by themselves. There will be many study rooms and tables for students to use to study and learn. As well as a wide range of books along shelves.
Floor 1 will be a neutral space for users. This means users can work their freely or use it as an area to chill. Additionally, This will be a space for staff to use frequently with storage, a reception, a staff room and an area to eat
A library needs to have four spaces - Social Space - Creative Space - Quiet Space - Neutral Space
Floor 3 will focus on creativity and technology. Users will be able to access computers, cameras, printers and photocopiers to assist them with any work they need. There will be many computers spread across the floor as well as tables to allow anyone with laptops or portable devices, a place to study.
Floor 4 will feel like a classic library with many books along the interior walls. There will be different categories in different rows and on different shelves with places to sit down.
Floor 5 will be at the highest at split into two rooms due to the shape of the roof. This will be the main area for students to sit down and focus on their studies. There will be many more tables and places to work than shown in the diagram of the interior Furthermore, the second room will be used to for more seating and storage for even more books that floor 4 could not fit. The entire walls will be covered in bookshelves filled with different kinds of books. Connecting all these floors are elevators, shown on the right side of the elevation below.
Although rough, here are sketch up models of what the building would look like. A problem with this design would be the lack of windows.
OUTSIDE
PARK AREA
Zen Gardens / Traditional Japanese Gardens There are various versions of these Japanese gardens. Some are for walking through and others are made for experiencing and viewing for aesthetic purposes. Here are different types of gardens
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Dry Landscaped Gardens : using rocks and gravels to imitate water. Various stones are placed to create a feel of an island.
- Walking Gardens : Usually centered around a large pond, walking gardens are usually made to be viewed whilst walking around the garden. - Lake/Pond and Island Gardens : Island Gardens wont fit for my park as they are centered around an island, surrounded by a lake or pond and is usually a sacred place for worship.
- Courtyard Gardens : Confined in small areas. Courtyard gardens can fit into restricted spaces and can be found in back gardens or middle of temples. - Tea Gardens : Essentially are decorated pathways that lead to a Tea house, in this case it may lead to another building or multiple places.
Understanding Zen Gardens
The Japanese rock garden or "dry landscape" garden, or a zen garden, creates a miniature stylized landscape through carefully placed arrangements of rocks, water additions, moss, bushes, pruned trees and sometimes raked gravel or sand to portray flowing water. A zen garden will have these identifiable features that will be seen in many other dry landscapes. Zen gardens appeal to those who like a controlled area. Rocks are carefully placed and are the base of a zen garden. In japan, rocks are identified differently from one another. classified as either tall vertical, low vertical, arching, reclining, or flat. For my park, the settings of the rocks will not have an as important role but understanding them may help me with the design.
Trees, shrubs and bushes
Thoughtfully placed rocks
Body of water
Raked gravel
An important part of the dry landscape is the raked gravel, preferred over sand because of how easily disturbed it is. Raking the gravel mimics the ripples and waves of water and is an important aesthetic to the zen garden. Due to zen gardens being a controlled area. It would make for an ideal work environment for students. It would be calming, cared for and clean.
Primary Research of Kyoto Gardens
Hyde park's Kyoto gardens is a small walking garden that takes the user around a small pond that has a water fall and koi ponds. Theres a large amount of rocks, bushes and trees emphasising nature.
One of the smaller details that I enjoyed was the rocks along the side of the pond. Giving the pond more depth and a different feeling, rather than only grass.
Banaue Rice Terraces, Philippines Taken even more inspiration of Eastern-Asian landscapes. Rice terraces have multiple elevations and are mesmerising to look at. The different levels where rice grows could influence my park and its shape and how it may guide users through different areas.
I Can use sketch up models to create curves and path-ways for a park area.
Park development Influenced by the rice terraces that I researched, I want the terrain to have different elevations for seating and aesthetic purposes.
Model development I followed a rough elevation sketch, from above, of where I wanted grass, trees and additional models. After measuring out grass carefully, I stuck it onto the surface of the grey board leaving a small border around the edges for where I would place rocks for a different texture. I also left the path-way to the library clear and the surface which the model would lay on clear too. Moreover, I used black card and made a border around the whole model to hide the sides of the terrain. This black card would also act as the barrier around the model so people would not fall off the side of the edges.
To start with my model, I began forming the elevated terrain using grey-board whilst leaving a flat surface on which the building would lay on.
Here are multiple views of the model in combination with the terrain. It fits perfectly onto the space that I made. From these points of view, it shows the large size of the library as it is meant to have 5 floors. Although the model does not have a roof here, there is meant to be a roof with a hollow middle allowing for natural light. However, placing the model here for now allows me to make adjustments to the building if I need.
Since most of the main aspects have been made, its important to add details to the model such as objects and people to show the scale
Model development
Small details such as trees and rock will give an atmosphere to the model and make it realistic. This ambience took inspiration from the kyoto garden that I researched.
Main Model Adding Details
Around the edges of the terrain I used a white tac to create small rocks and pebbles, as well as adding trees around the terrain, although they are too big for the whole model, it adds a lot of detail to the model.
Adding Additional Park
Sketchup Model Left side Elevation
Right Side Elevation
Front Side Elevation
Back Side Elevation
Top Elevation
Evaluation Taking my first step into this project, I had no clear idea of how to design the main library exterior or interior. This would be my biggest obstacle to overcome. However, through research and experimenting with other models, I was able to design a building that I was content with. On the other hand, I had a vague idea of how I wanted to design the park area, immediately wanting to research Asian themes such as zen gardens and rice terraces. I believe it was important to take aspects from my own culture and ethnic background to put myself and my own personality into the creation of the park and library. Hence, nature from different researches (Flowers, landscape and man made) With all of this in mind, I planned to build the park around my library and ensure that the park was not overlooked by the library too. Much inspiration for the project was from nature and Asia, such as the park and a library I researched. Experimenting with nature and organic structures would be an important factor in creating a final design. The main building is heavily inspired from a rose as well as the interior, with many layers and floors. The themes I utilised to create the park were successful and the inspiration from rice terraces can be easily identified. On the other hand, the inspiration from zen gardens is not apparent with few aspects of them incorporated into the design. Aspects such as rocks and a body of water are there however, that is not enough to give the park a zen garden feel. However, the main aspect I wanted to use was the elevation of the rice terraces which the outcome I was happy with. Overall, I am happy with the outcome of the project as a whole although there are many things that I would change and do differently given the chance. One of the main things I am satisfied with is the utilisation of my themes and incorporation of nature through out the design process. On the other hand, addressing things that I would like to change is the design of the main library, specifically the exterior design. Adding many sources of natural lighting would beneficial to the exterior and benefit the users. Additionally, the design of the interior was rushed and I would have liked to redesign it. Moreover, like previously mentioned, I would like to make the theme of a zen garden more apparent in the park area. All the changes aside, I am pleased with my final project.