A journey across the vanishing landscape 14/15

A Journey Across the Vanishing Landscape: Cultivating seeds of possibilities Qatrun Nadhrah Samat Yahya 13088583 14/15 DS 4

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Contents Acknowledgement Introduction DS4 Project 1 Project 2 Bibliography

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Acknowledgement Upmost thank you to my tutors, Nasser and Yara who have shared their knowledge in making my year memorable with great projects.

Thank you to my friends that have been there for me through my ups and downs being in a foreign land, Thank you for my parents and family for their support in the things I pursue.

Thank you for the memories and knowledge I gain throughout the year.

To all, to peace.

Last but not least, I thank Allah for giving me a chance of a lifetime to be in the architecture family.

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Across the vanishing landscape

A journey across the vanishing landscape. Cultivating seeds of possibilities.

DS4 aims to go through a journey across a vanishing landscape where time and mobility have become irrelevant. Within a fragmented map the non-places have become over time into real spaces, the informal become formal.

This calls for an urgent need for an alternative discourse and critical form of architectural practice that engage with spatial and social realities; one, that can nourish a space of imagination to stitch, heal and empower.

In all cases, both projects aim to raise questions, and break boundaries on the physical space as well as the space of imagination.

It involves 2 projects, a group work for the first four weeks and an individual work. Given a set of narratives, we were to form groups of twos, or three to go on with our first project.

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Project 1 Never Part: A Device For A Digital Garden

Never Part was a 4 weeks project in collaboration with the Palestine Museum. ‘Never Part’, an inaugural event when artists and architects from different parts of the world will come together to explore the notions of ‘displacement and identity’. The project seeks to question and open up geographical baundaries using objects/possessions of people and narratives of the individual and collective.

We were to design and make devices inspired from the real ‘objects and narratives’ collected from a diaspora community. These devices are to document and share the narratives. During the field trip to Palestine, we presented the devices to the museum and a selection may be exhibited at the inaugration of the museum this year.

In all cases, both projects aim to raise questions, and break boundaries on the physical space as well as the space of imagination.

Project 1 team Timothy Leung - Sustainable Building: Performance and Design (SBPD) Cherng Yu Chen - Urban Design (UD) Qatrun Nadhrah - Development, Emergency and Practice (DEP)

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Never Part: That Never Was

We were given narratives, chose the airport together with timothy and cherngyu, we worked on the Yasser Arafat International Airport as our object. for the digital garden.

Salman Abu Halib was a pilot, president of Civil Aviation Authority and formet president of Yasser Arafat International Airport.

Yasser Arafat Airport was a symbol of hope for the Palestinians.

Source: Getty Images

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Palestine The Palestine - Israel conflict is nothing new. 1947 was the start of Jewish Settlements in Palestine. It continue to grow till today, which lead to issues involving mutual recognition, borders, security, water, control of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements, Palestinian freedom of movement & resolving Palestinian claims of a right of return for their refugees.

The movement of Palestinian people has been blocked and the map have been fragmented, which lead to creative ways for the Palestinian people to get to other villages and continue with everyday life.

Source: ifamericansknew.org

Palestine lost of land 1947 - Present

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photo by: Ezz Zanoun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

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1 The narrative of Suleiman Abu Halib 2 Gaza map 3 Palestinians sift through the rubble during a 12-hour ceasefire in Beit Hanoun, Gaza after an Israeli strike.

4 Nelson Mandela’s visit 5 Gaza airport at present.

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Gazans rip apart airport tarmac, with construction materials in short supply, people are digging up tarmac for stones.

(2010)

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1993

Oslo Agreement An attempt ro set up a framework that would lead to the resolution of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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Palestinian Airline Established on 1 Jan 1995

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Started operations June 1997

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Opening of the Yasser Arafat International Airport Palestinian Spirits Soar At Debut of Eagerly Awaited Gaza Airport - Nov 25, 1998 by New York Times

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Gaza’s International Airport - A Short Lived Source of Hope - closed in 2001 after the radio station and control tower were bombarded by Israeli forces. Bulldozers teared the runway apart.

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Grounded in Gaza, but hoping to fly again in 2005, 400 Palestinian show up for work daily at non functioning airport for 5 years.

It may look like a little airport to you, but to us, it’s bigger than John F. Kennedy” - Nabil Shurafa, a travel agent in Gaza City.

It has languished since, a symbol of lapsed potential - the potential of peace, of progress, and of statehood.

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Amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas, Gaza’s dream of its own International Airport is sinking even further away.

Desolate: Gaza’s International Airport was meant to be a powerful symbol of the Palestinian state that never was Gazans rip apart airport tarmac - with construction materials in short supply, people are digging up tarmac for stones. - Aug 15, 2010 by Al Jazeera

2014

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Dashed dreams: How Gaza’s short-lived airport never took off - Once a major symbol of Palestinian national aspiration, the Gaza International Airport sits in ruins today - July 2014 by Al Jazeera

From the narrative that we have chosen, we have figured out a timeline of events that occured involving the airport.

“We’re trying to keep things safe and ready for whenever the airport reopens,” - Abu Ali

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Trapped Progress + regress Caught in an infinity loop That never was That never took off Taking flight Flying mechanism Redefining priorities Baggage Necessities Long / short term Empowerment Everyday object Self asssembly

Some of the keywords that sparked the idea and kept us going with the project

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Sketches and conversations that leads to the idea of hope

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1 a concrete covered paperplane, hanging on an invisible line 2 a concrete airplane made from the mould, brittle on the thin sides 3 plaster paper plane made by squeezing plaster between two hard plastic sheets 4concrete used to make a concrete shaped paper plane

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Hope

Conflict

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Material testing using concrete, from the idea of taking rubbles on site to mould into airplanes The idea of the hope, from the hanging plane that does not fall but is somehow in mid air, floating Secret hope messages inside concrete paper plane, made to crash.

Hope is like the balloon, it can be freed or being tied to the ground. The conflict acts as the stone tying hope to the ground. Hope can’t take off.

In one of our proposal, we came up with the idea of crashing hope.

The opression is like an invisible wall caught in a box Leads to an idea where people will try to fly their plane but it will crash in a transparent room, transparent walls showing that there is a wall separating them and hope.

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We decided to use concrete as a representtaion of the rubble from the site. Using small mould, we pour in comcrete and plaster and put in different materials inside to make and test the material strength. We also made a drop test.

Some of the planes that were broken, except for 1 & 2.

1 is made of paper plane and put concrete over it, while 2 was made using paper mould from the template cutout.

Hanging paper planes, showing the motion of paper planes flying.

The paper plane template that forms a 3D concrete/plaster plane The plane cannot stand on its own so the structural support for the plane has to be made as well. Same as te function of cladding on site, we made it for the planes as well, to let the concrete cure completely.

The template laid out for laser cutting.

After taking into account the use of real plane will be too direct, we used the paper plane shape to make our object. In order to make a 3D paper plan, we first had to make cast for it.

Development & models 27

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Sketches and a precedent study of Cai Guo Qiang work, ‘Head On’

Our exhibition involves casted concrete paper plane, hanged on different strings which are connected from the ceiling to the ground. the trail of planes on strings will become a wall to guide people towards the other end, where paper planes that are unfixed to the ground which indicates that the hope always roam free. The floor is designed to make rough sounds when stepped on.

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Final Model, made to be reassambled in Palestine

Final model

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Torchlights forms a different dimension for the exhibition, makes the still planes, ‘move’.

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Snapshots of the video walkthrough of the final scaled model for the exhibition in Palestine Museum. it is designed in a modular form where it can be disassembled and displayed un another exhibition when necessary. The flashlight will create shadows on the wall and adds an unexpected effect to the exhibition space.

Stills from video walkthrough

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The installation consists of walking through the audio timeline, while walking on rubbles that makes sound effects of cracks and the planes guide them to the end of the joourney. The plane forms a path and also wall for th einstallation. They will be given a torch light to light up the dark space to see the effect of shadows from the plane that gives another experience of paper planes that only the shadows fly.

Diaries of Palestinian Workers

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Drawings - plans

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Drawings - Section

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Drawings - Section

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Roof construction -30 mm Galvanized Steel Deck to specialist detail to Arch appv -70x30mm Metal C-Channels to manufacturer detail -210x150mm Structural steel I beam to engineer detail -15mm Stainless Steel suspended ceiling grating to specialist detail Skylight construction (Outdoor) -3mm low e laminated glass roof to specialist detail -210x150mm Structural steel I beam engineer detail Roof construction (Indoor) -210x150mm Structural steel I beam to engineer detail -50mm 40W LED to warm white colour to Arch apprv -6mm Translucent glass to manufacturer detail -15mm Stainless Steel glass suspended ceiling grating to specialist detail Wall construction -30 mm Gypsum Plasterboard to matte white painted finish to Arch appv -210x150mm Structural steel I beam to engineer detail -Breather membrane fixed to sheathing -10mm Fibre cement cladding fixed to battens and counter battens to Arch appv Floor construction -30 mm Galvanized Steel Deck to specialist detail to Arch appv -210x100mm Structural steel hollow beam to engineer detail -150x210mm Structural steel I beam to engineer detail -Concrete pad foundation to be approved by structural engineer

Drawings - Isometric

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Suspended metal grating

Audio Speaker

Suspended planes on metal line

Metal grating floor

Floor lights

Rbbles

Substructure

Structure frame

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A proper cut out of a paper airplane

The panels will be assembled one by one and it will be easier to be installed and uninstalled.

Tying a knot through concrete paper plane Fishing line inserted before casting of concrete paper plane

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Divided into panels and the coordination are put in the table below.

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Installation of wire string to mesh ceiling

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Re-tie the wire to the ground

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preparing fishing line / wire / string (depends on scale)

Install the planes in the correct grid, with pre embedded string inside the plane

30mm Galvanized Steel Deck Rubbles 0.3W White Outdoor LED 210x150mm Structural Steel I beam

Sequence of assembling / installation

210x100mm Structural Steel hollow beam

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Hope, it has lived and die, that never was...

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It’s time for a site visit!

I really want go to Palestine, the holy land.

Some even say the land of the Prophets.

but wait! I forgot...I have a malaysian passport. which clearly states ‘This passport is valid for all countries except Israel’. We were advised not to go, so we went to Cyprus.

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to have your passport stamped just because of the border, is it worth it? this makes the people wanting not to have a bicomunal state anymore.

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We went to Cyprus

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First time entering the walled city, we had to make sure if the arrows in the map existed. turns out our apartment was close to one.

We thought we could get to South Cyprus through a border crossing in Famagusta. After we called a taxi and get access from the Turkish authority there, we didn’t get through because we were suppose to cross through the old city.

Photos by Nani Khalid

“no photos please.” the only one we took at the border

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Photos by Nani Khalid

I wonder what is the story of this city...

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Photo by Qatrun

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Photos by Nani Khalid

far left View from Shacolas Tower second Kyrenia harbour third with Sahaf who was kind enogh to help us right with Dr Mehmet Adil from Girne American University who helped us with setting up the presentation

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Project 2 Cultivating Seeds of possibilities.

The aim of the second project is to heal, empower, stitch the landscape & fragmented community The concept and the brief for the main project will emerge out of the journeys across the landscape that the students will take during the field trip could be a combination between a virtual and, or a physical space of contemplation, social engagement and/or cultivation of memories and sharing stories.

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My father says Love your Homeland My homeland Is divided into two Which part should I love?

Tin patrida na agapas.

Etsi lei kai o pateras mou sichna.

I diki mou i patrida exi mirasti sta dio Pio apo ta dio kommatia prepi na agapw.

Yurdunu Sevmeliymis insan Oyle diyor babam Benim yurdum Ikiye bolunmus ortasindan Hangi yarisini Sevmeli insan - Love your homeland by Nese Yasin, in English, Greek and Turkish

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source: http://issuu.com/lefkos/docs/nicosia-transition

The famous walled city of Nicosia

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Cyprus timeline

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walled city old map photos

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Separated by sea, Cyprus is situated 245 miles from Palestine.

Nicosia

It has a complex situation and conflict. It is similar where this border are there to create a barrier between two different communities, even though initially, it was there to provide ceasefire between two fighting parti. People were forced to get out from their houses when the dispute arose. Many people just left their houses and when Cyprus became north and south Cyprus, some even have to live in some random house as a start.

This has lead to a feeling where mainly, Greek and Turkish Cypriots are not keen to travel to the other side of the map.

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35.15째N, 33.27째E @17km/h

The diagram shows the total of sun hours and temperature of the capital, Nicosia. We have chosen Nicosia as our site. The issues that revolves around Nicosia is about the border, missing person in war, abandoned buffer zone buildings and water. It seem that some the North Cyprus and South Cyprus people does not like each other because of what happened around 40 years ago.

The buffer zone, is where things and moments freeze, as things were left untouched for 40 years.One of the biggest building in the buffer zone, is the Nicosia Airport. Relating to my first project, that never was.

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Nicosia, a walled city

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Following my first project regarding the Airport, I chose the Nicosia International Airport, within the buffer zone as my study to design a new Airport, not for planes but for an ideal city one that introduces functions that relate to a new Nicosia as a unified city . Bringing in the early ideas of the device to reflect present and relate to the past.

Think of the airport as space to be together, no boundaries, a freedom space, an International neutral zone, a place to drop politics at the door and also reappropriating airspace.

Nicosia International Airport, a space where no one can enter, in the buffer zone, a free space, an opportunity.

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Everyone is welcomed to an airport

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The airport, built in 1968, was the scene of some of the heaviest fighting during the invasion and signs of fighting are still visible—barbed wire enclosures, old bunkers and bullet holes. - doublewhirler

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Process

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The Nicosia International Airport has been closed for 40 years, since 1974 A family of 4, parents and children pays a visit to the Airport.

How the parents recollect memories through the journey.

How the hope of a better future for the children, loving, nurturing, realisation of a tough life.

Check in

How the children having a good time and excited. imagining that they would one day become a pilot and soar high in the sky. Giving them an experience where they don’t have it everyday.

Shopping

Usual Airport Activities Viewing deck Arrivals

Cafe

Reimagine space - plan can change from the original airport Draw and redraw again on current spaces - retrofit Remember that if I can’t give them what they need, then don’t give.

Don’t add damage to the current negative issue. Give for the sake of humanity and spreading good. For the ommunity.

Process

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The past haunts and at the same time, filled with good memories. How do I keep the good memories present?

Greed, intolerance and how did the war happen? Everyone wants something. Something good for everyone. When will the wait be over? Is there a future to the sorrows of the past? Will sorrow overkill the present happiness?

The Ermou market was once a street that has various vendors, who engaged as they trade, Now, Ermou street is within the buffer zone and lost its original function. It was important because people were connected by the buy and sell.

Market functions as an activity to connect both north and south. Adding these activity as a mean of hope in blurring the borderline.

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clockwise from top Enrique Miralles, Bartlett Architecture, Enrique Miralles

Precedents

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Brown Innovations - Sound dome. made to experience a precise focused audio solution.

Because I want to make the user experience being in the spaces without using headphones. There are however, places where it is specified to use headphones and visualiser to experience a personal virtual journey.

Precedents

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Early sketches

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Early idea

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Sketches exploring different plans and sections / plans progression

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Key: 1 entrance/ start 2 welcome centre 3 kiosk / small shops 4 ramp 5 stair case 6 lift 7 natural lighting 8 lounge area / exhibition area 9 hanging elements 10 walkway around airplane 11 strings of hanging elements as walkway

Inital Section narrative Section sketch and development.

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development sketch there is a certain language that came out of the plans. to evaluate whch one is not suitable, design and structural wiise.

first floor plan

ground floor plan

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sketch sectional elevation

first floor plan

key 1 entrance 2 relic cliff 3 aerorium

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ground floor plan

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north - south facing section

west - east facing section

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Section development

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1 entrance 2 hanging relics 3 aerorium 4 ruin pocket 5 viewing deck

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The section contains a series of development which invovles the building

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Key 1 entrance 2 relics cliff 3 aerorium 4 ruin pocket 5 viewing deck

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Key 1 entrance 2 cliff hanger 3 aerorium 4 ruin pocket 5 park / landscape 6 market / remembering ermu street 7 snacks & tea shop 8 fruit / plant shop 9 lost & found

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1 entrance 2 relics cliff 3 aerorium 4 ruin pocket 5 viewing deck

final plans

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1 entrance 2 relics cliff 3 aerorium 4 ruin pocket 5 viewing deck

final plans

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Roof plan First floor plan Ground floor plan

Plans

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Elevations

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Sketch over study models photos

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Sectional narrative

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Section

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Section

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Section

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Drawing

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exploded Isometric

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resistance to forces

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scale 1:20

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1 Plaster board 2 3 Insulation 4 Structure window detail 5 I beam 6 Ceiling plaster 7 Suspended Ceiling

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scale 1:10

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1 roof plant box 2 Planting medium 3 filter fabric 4 moisture retention layer 5 root barrier 6 thermal insulation 7 waterproofing membrane 8 structural roof deck 9 POP false ceiling

scale 1:10

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1 Corten steel 2 Z channel 3 I beam 4 louvres mm wide 5 aluminium sliding windows 6 concrete wall mm thk

scale 1:10

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Winter ventilation strategy is focused on heat recycling with limited (to around 20% of overall air cycle) incoming fresh air. Rain water collection is possible, and for keeping, the water are stored in underground.

Winter strategy

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Summer ventilation strategy is focused on cross ventilation.

Pressure differences encourages cross ventilation which also cools the building down. operable louvres - for summer sun and and over fixed window panel for ventilation openable for light sliding walls as door and opening for the building

Summer strategy

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In the end, wherever you may be, the people surrounding you keeps you going.

-QHD 2015

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