architecture portfolio
Rachel Low Selected Works (2016 - 2018)
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contents 01
curriculum vitae 04 - 05
02 imagination 08 - 13
Option Studio 2 - The Palladio Studio
03 imagination (cont.)
14 - 19
Option Studio 2 - The Palladio Studio
04 perceptions 20 - 29
Option Studio 1 - Computable Atmospheres
05 intersections 30 - 39
Core Studio 3 - Urban Habitation
06 park@Bidadari 40 - 51
Capstone - Urban Metabolic Hub
07 crossing 52 - 57
Core Studio 2 - Orchard MoMA
08 medellin - informal paradigm
58 - 75
Elective - Paradigms of Adaptation
09 makerspace 76 - 87
SUTD Architecture Graduation Showcase
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enjoy the silence 88 - 93
Internship Takahashilim - Singaplural Exhibition 3
curriculum vitae personal information
full name Low Ming Hui, Rachel nationality Singaporean date of birth 15 April 1996 mobile +65 8112 4165 email 150496c@gmail.com
education & activities 2015 - 2018 Singapore
Singapore University of Technology and Design Bachelor of Science (Architecture and Sustainable Design)
SUTD Touch Rugby - Participated in Singapore University Games in 2015 SUTDio - Took part in outreach events to Junior College and Secondary School students SUTD Drama Society - Directed the performance A Thousand Cranes in 2016 May - Aug 2016 China
Zhejiang University
Asian Leadership Program Life with Bamboo - Designed a program to increase awareness of the use of bamboo in products
2013 - 2014 Singapore
Hwachong Institution
GCE ‘A’ Levels Majoring in Knowledge Inquiry, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics HCI Touch Rugby - Participated in National School Games in 2013 and 2014 HCI Dramafeste - Involved in the production as a part of the cast in 2013 and as director in 2014
2009 - 2012 Singapore
Nanyang Girls’ High School Integrated Program
Theatre Club Nanyang - President of the club in 2012 - Student director of NY95 musical performance - Won CCA Girl of the Year in 2012
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work experience Jul - Aug 2017 Singapore
Nanyang Girls’ High School Stage Manager
NY100 Sing! - Coordinated 200 student performers and set design - Managed a large scale dinner musical held at Marina Bay Sands Sep - Dec 2018 Singapore
Singapore University of Technology and Design Teaching Assistant
Introduction to Computational Design - Teaching Assistant to Dr. Jason Lim - Taught the use of Grasshopper and Python in computational design Jan - Mar 2019 Singapore
Takahashilim A+D Intern
Interior Design - Assisted in rendering and drawings of interior design sets Singaplural 2019 - Fabricated and helped in the design of the Singaplural exhibition piece - Project on showcase at National Design Centre for Singapore Design Week
languages & skills
English (Written & Spoken) Chinese (Written & Spoken) Graphic Design - Adobe Illustrator - Adobe InDesign - Adobe Photoshop CAD Modelling - Rhinoceros - Revit (BIM) - V-Ray - Maxwell
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Parametric Design - Grasshopper Simulations - DIVA - DesignBuilder Video Editting - Adobe After Effects - Adobe Premier Pro
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imagination
This project focuses on creating a library of the world that would occupy a space along the Singapore river. The library should have a unique appearance, and will need to be moved over to a new site in Venice. 100 books were selected surrounding a specific theme to be placed within the library. This theme was then used to design the overall appearance of the building itself. The theme selected was that of imagination. Fiction books are the pinnacle of the imagination, filled with wonderful stories and bizarre narratives, taking readers on a whirlwind of a journey with every page. The library of imagination thus aims to inspire imagination in a similar way, its form branching out from the surrounding buildings and imagining what a Singapore alleyway could become, while its interior spaces offered a fractured view of the city outside. With winding circulations, floor to ceiling bookshelves, and comfortable reading cubbyholes, any visitors to this library will find themselves not only taken away by the stories within the books, but also by the space within the building.
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Chosen Site The alleyway between buildings was selected as the site for the project. This is due to the winding streets being a similar space that can be found in Venice, allowing the building to be easily translated to its new location. Building Programs The ground floor hosts an open air cafe, similar to many of the restaurants that line the Singapore river. Level 2 is a public exhibition area, and levels 3-5 are the library spaces. Shelves and reading corners fill these floors, and create spaces for people to comfortably settle down with a book, while being able to look out over the city through the glass facade. Level 6 is the quiet reading room, with a large open plan that overlooks the entire river, providing a new view of the city that cannot be seen from the street. Ground Level Floor Plan
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Section Perspective
Sixth Level Floor Plan
Fifth Level Floor Plan
Second Level Floor Plan
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Perspective view from model
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Rendered perspective view from street
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imagination
(cont.)
As a continuation of the first imagination project, this project then brought the library of the world to Venice. Through a week-long visit to the site in Venice, a proposal for a library is presented to occupy any area within the given site. This specific design aims to re-imagine a Venetian street, expanding its circulation vertically, and designing a new experience for public spaces in Venice as destination points within the library through the use of Palladian proportions and values. Chosen books for display within the library of the world centers on themes of imagination, challenging readers to re-imagine the world around them while experiencing a new view of the Venetian cityscape. The facade of the building mimics those of the old cathedrals with their mosaic stained glass windows. The fractured appearance of the windows distorts the views looking towards the inside of the building, as well as the views from within the building looking out over the city. This view of the fragmented city inspires the imagination of users of the library as they enjoy the atmosphere and books.
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Analysis of the Il Redentore by Palladio
Palladio Analysis A study was conducted of Palladio’s famous works, from his Basilicas to his Villas. His building elevations and floorplans were analyzed to better understand Palladian proportions and how they can be applied to our designs. The analysis of the buildings are then applied to the design of the building. The proportions of the front elevation are used to design the elevations of the library. The understanding of the proportions help to inspire the design of a beautiful space.
Applying proportions to the building elevation
Translating the proportions along the west elevation
Site and Figure Ground The chosen site in Venice is the Arsennale, near to the location where the Venice Biennale 2018 was held. The site I picked for the library was in a small Venetian street between traditional houses. The library snakes its way through the cobblestone pathways and stands out as a unique icon in the otherwise traditional landscape. Figure ground of site
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Glass window facade
Facade truss frame
Ramps and furniture
Street landscaping
The final design for the building expands the street vertically, creating a series of ramps that leads from one program to the next. Programs not only occupy the horizontal landings, but also fill up the spaces along the ramps. The facade truss system acts as the support system, with its facade broken up into smaller
parts that are similar to the modular system of the first imagination project. The ground level has landscaping the reflects the facade design and also transforms the street below into an extension of the building. A ground level cafe is an echo of the popular street-level cafe that populate most of the streets in Venice.
Rooftop Open garden Library Exhibition space Museum
Original Venice street
Re-imagining the street vertically
Circulation within the building
Programmatic allocation
Section Perspective
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Section AA’
Section BB’
Section CC’
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Ground Floor Plan - Street Level Cafe
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Fifth Floor Plan - Outdoor Viewing Platform
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perceptions
The theme of the studio was computable atmospheres. This involved the study and examination of a phenomenon involving light that creates a specific atmosphere in a space. Through the study of an existing atmospheric work, the principles are then applied to an existing building to adapt an old space into a new one through the use of atmosphere. Through the study of James Turrell’s work, my research narrowed down specifically to his Ganzfeld works, where small rooms are lit and built to look like large, infinite spaces. By understanding how Turrell views light - as an object instead of simply a means of illumination - and through the study of how Turrell constructs his Ganzfeld pieces, this idea of making light the subject of a space is then applied to a vertical space in an existing building. The main focus of the project was to make viewers aware of the limits of perceptions, and how what we perceive may be easily manipulated. The goal is to filter out exterior visual noise, as James Turrell does, to focus the viewers’ minds on the attribute of light that is being exemplified in the work: in this case, the ability of light to appear like a solid, endless void.
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Adapted Building Section
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Image Analysis The Ganzfeld is caused by an unstructured, uniformed stimulation field. Turrell was inspired by his time as a pilot, and the moments in the cockpit when the airplane flew through complete whiteouts, causing him to lose all sense of direction and perceptual cues in the fog. Keeping this in mind, the diagrams on the left studies the way the lights ensures a unified field of color in the space. The colors of the light plays an important role as well. By observing the images, it is clear to see that the goal is to remove the edges of the room.
Construction Analysis Through the viewing of a time-lapse construction of the Bridget’s Bardo, a series of sections and floor plans could be constructed of the final project. To remove the edges of the room, curved walls are constructed around the corners to remove the shadows that would be created as a result of the light in the room.
Analysis of Bridget’s Bardo by James Turrell
The Ganzfeld is also split into two different regions: the viewing space and the sensing space. The sensing space is the area in which the individual can stand within, and the viewing space is the area in which the individual looks into. The viewing space feels larger than the sensing space, and appears to be infinite from where the individual observes the phenomenon.
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Location of Building in Ubi
Elevation and Floorplans of Chosen Building
Site Analysis The final building is selected and studied in detail to better understand how to adapt the building with the ideas analyzed from the study of Turrell’s Ganzfeld. Through observation of the floorplans, elements of the building were selected for adaptation. The selected building has a long stairway that will be adapted to make it appear infinite and create a phenomena. 23
Stairwell The stairwell circulation space reimagines the stairwell into something of a Turrell piece. A chance to sit in a quiet, meditative space the inspires discussion and contemplation even between strangers. The stairwell allows circulation in a single direction to prevent congestion. The design of the space in general is similar to that of Turrell’s Ganzfeld pieces and changes the perception of that space, making it feel like the ceiling is close enough to touch and yet infinitely far away.
Translucent layer
LED emitters on wall
Lights along stairs
Stair edges rounded off Elements of Building for Adaptation
Program Allocation The main access is the stairwell. The proposed theatre space occupies the top five floors, which viewers need to travel through the stairwell to get to. This creates an atmosphere before entering the theatre space.
Stair core
Adaptation of Stairwell
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Theatre space Main audience access Performer access Stairwell access to level 8
Reception and ticketing area
Lift access to level 3 Main entrance Connection to main road Overall Circulation Plan
Circulation Plan The circulation will, like a Turrell piece, pave out a specific route. The theatre program is the destination that can only be accessed through the stairwell, which is also split into private and public accessibility to make the experience unique and different. Theatre Program The program focuses on giving directors and artists space to design the viewing space instead of having fixed seating. The central area of the initial floor plan is cleared out so that a large open central space is available to work with. The aim is to frame certain views within the stage so that the performance can be enjoyed at specific angles and from specific views.
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Existing columns and beams of building Stage spaces
Backstage (below stage)
Viewing area
Stair core
Adapted floorplan
Theatre Program Adaptation
Transparency Transparency offset
Viewing and sensing space overlap
Lighting the edges of the room
Different gap spaces between translucency
Curved walls (Viewing space)
Individual LED screens
Experiments were carried out to better understand the Ganzfeld. Through the use of rendering, the creation of the phenomena is examined. The experiment focuses on examining the various elements, and how it removes the edges of the room, creating the effect.
experiments
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A series of progressive renders were carried out in order to design the stairwell and the various adaptations that will need to be applied to it. These adaptations are based on the experiments. The following details the process of creating the final stairwell design.
stairwell design
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Translucent inner layer
LED screens
Upper level windows are closed off
Stair edges are rounded off to create seamless finish
Lower level windows are kept open
Stairs are lit from behind the stair railing
Private area that is only accessible by program users
Viewing space for the public Axonometric of Adapted Stairwell
Floorplans of Stairwell
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Section of Theatre Space
Visualization of Theatre Space
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intersections
The project explores our understanding of communal living in Singapore. Given a site currently under construction in Jalan Besar, near the newly opened Downtown Line MRT Station, the project brief instructed us to imagine the future of the housing typology in Singapore and what it could mean for our ever-expanding population. The main driving force of the design examines where and how people tend to gather in existing HDB flats. Through the observations of people gathering in places that are naturally ventilated, the building is designed to have more pockets of naturally ventilated spaces, both in larger common areas like corridors and in the ground level shopping center, but aiming to also create naturally ventilated spaces in the individual homes as well. Elements of passive design are used to enhance the experience of living in a home that focuses on natural ventilation. Through studies of wind towers and analysis of wind movement in the region, the final design of the proposed housing building creates livable homes that are naturally ventilated.
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BUILDING PROGRAMS
DENSITY OF PEOPLE DENSEST LEAST DENSE AGE RANGE OLDEST YOUNGEST STORAGE OF PERSONAL ITEMS
BUSINESSES SPORTS AND RECREATION CIVIC AND COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL HOTELS PARKS AND OPEN SPACES EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS HEALTH AND MEDICAL PLACES OF WORSHIP SITE
Site Analysis of overall Jalan Besar Area
SHOPPING
GATHERING TO EAT
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Environmental Analysis Site Location
June Wind-flow
Site Radiance
Building Heights
December Wind-flow
Sun Path
The series of diagrams details the environmental analysis that goes into determining the slope of the overall roof of the structure, as well as the orientation of the building in the site. Creating the Form The overall roof is lifted towards the June and December wind, before placing windtowers according to where people should gather in the building. The lower roof for the shopping center opens towards the main pedestrian paths.
Wind-tower Analysis Using the program, COOLVENT, a study was conducted to the optimal number and length of windtowers to ensure maximum ventilation in the building. The building was simplified, and through multiple tests, a consistent observation is that middle levels show low wind velocity and poor natural ventilation. Thus, to combat this, the building’s middle floor, level 10, has no units and opens to a sky garden, allowing for better natural ventilation on that floor.
TRADITIONAL USES
RELAXING ALONG THE WALKWAYS
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MEETING WITH FRIENDS
EXTERNAL FOYER
COMMERCIAL
Ground Floor Plan
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Level 06 Floor Plan
Level 05 Floor Plan
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Section
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Wind
Main Corridor
Double-Volume in Unit
Unit Agglomerations
Unit Agglomeration
Wind-tower to Window Iteration
Wind-tower to Wind-tower Iteration
Wind-tower to Wall Iteration
Each unit is ensured to intersect at least one wind-tower, and the above diagram explores the ways these windtowers are placed within each unit, and the approximate wind flow that would take place within each unit. The elements within the unit that facilitates windflow are the windtowers, open-able windows, and double volume spaces within the units. The diagrams on the left examine the different interactions between these elements. The different programs within the homes are then allocated accordingly. More highly ventilated spaces are allocated to spaces in the home for gathering like the living and dining rooms; mid-ventilation spaces are given to private spaces like bedrooms and study rooms; while spaces with little to no ventilation are allocated to utility rooms like storage spaces, stairs and wet kitchen areas. The floor plans show examples of how units can be laid out.
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Unit Plans The above plans explore three main unit types. Based on the principles established, the units are laid out accordingly. Each unit consists of two separate apartments, with the first accessible direct from the corridor, and the second from a set of stairs at the entrance. Experiments were also done on various wind-tower facades that would allow light to enter the building naturally through the tower itself.
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park@bidadari
As a final year project, a two-semester group project brings together students from different areas of study to collaborate in designing solutions to modern problems. In conjunction with the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint’s vision to build a vibrant and sustainable city, this project aims to create a design for an integrated urban metabolic hub that focuses on the three flows going into and out of the chosen site, Bidadari Park, namely (i) water, (ii) waste and (iii) energy. Currently, in eco-districts such as Hammarby, Buiksloterham and Hannover, there are measures to promote circular flows. However, these projects exist in different climatic and built conditions as compared to Singapore, having substantial land area to implement interventions of varying scales. Therefore, this project aims to create an integrated solution with a focus on circular flows. Through the design, the team highlights the identity and sustainability of Bidadari, keeping its distinct heritage and becoming an iconic, sustainable, metabolic hub that could be a precedent for future projects.
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Overall Site Plan of Proposed Bidadari Park
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DESIGN PROCESS Site Mapping A study of the site context of Bidadari to better understand the identity of the community and the programs of the surrounding buildings. The design of the park thus responds to the unique identity of Bidadari.
Program Allocation Different programs are allocated in the site in response to its context. Programs are: bird watching area, open park, F&Bs, Metabolic Hub, and water activities. This caters to the needs of the community.
Overall Circulation Circulation of the site considers nearby bust stops and MRT stations. Programs are connected through agent based modeling, obtaining a shortest-walk-route, obtaining a main circulation spine.
Generating Contour The site contour is generated to optimize water runoff. Low and high areas are selected based on access and programs, with the sinks on the site designed to be water collection points. The final contour responds to the programs on site while ensuring existing programs are accessible. Water Run-Off Agent-based modeling was used again to simulate water run-off across the site. This optimizes the design of the site to complement the technology of the metabolic hub. The diagram on the left shows the points at which water congregates, informing us on the best placement of the metabolic hub. 43
BUILDING AXONOMETRIC Roof The shell that acts as the roof of the metabolic hub is optimized for natural lighting and ventilation. This helps to reduce the energy footprint of the hub. This ensures that the building is more sustainable in the long run due to its low consumption of water and energy. Columns The column structure and placement is optimized to support the roof, reducing clustering. The branch-like form mimics the trees around the hub, creating its own forest in the building. The porosity of the shell is visible due to the branching structure, allowing for light to enter naturally. Circulation Routes The five routes shown are F&B, Sports and Recreation, Heritage, Retail and Education. The routes are allocated according to the program allocation and indicates the amount of space each program occupies. Mezzanine This level has fewer programs, leaving space for open areas and to facilitate airflow along the higher floors of the hub. Floor Plan Undulating floor plates creates varying perspectives in the building, with spaces that are refined based on the intensity of the circulation, as well as based on the different circulation routes identified. 44
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Visualization of Final Design The render of the final design shows the open concept of the final proposed urban metabolic hub. The goal of the building is to utilize elements of passive design in creating a community space that would be accessible and commonly used by the citizens living in Bidadari. The open floorplan of the metabolic hub encourages natural ventilation. The MNR facilities that deal with wastewater are placed in a public area that might provide education and insight on how wastewater is treated, encouraging citizens to reduce the wastage of water. 46
INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY Energy Playground Dynamos are installed in various playground equipment like the merry-goround and the swings , as well as in various exercise equipment. This allows users of the playgrounds to help in generating electricity to power items like street lamps in the park itself, reducing energy consumption of the park as a whole.
Solar Systems Solar panels are installed in all buildings and shelters in the park. Various flat surfaces on the roofs of rest areas in the park are optimized to allow for maximum installation of solar panels. This generates and stores energy for use in the park, reducing the park’s overall energy consumption.
Piezoelectric Walkways These can be installed under any surface where walking, running, or jumping takes place. This converts the kinetic energy generated from doing these activities into electrical energy that can be used in the park.
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Section cut diagonally across the site showing the metabolic hub and the surrounding park scape
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crossing
The project brief required the conception and design of a Museum of Modern Art to be located along Orchard Road. The program within the building includes a public MoMA, a cafe, and private offices. The overall design concept considers the placement of existing artworks along the pedestrian walkways and aims to create a sculptural building that becomes an art piece in its own way. Each finger of the building is a hexagonal cylinder that is slightly transformed and rotated to varying angles, creating a cohesive building that converges at a single point. The slope of the individual fingers creates a natural slope that allows visitors of the museum to move from one floor to another seamlessly. The orientation of the building on site ensures that the entrance to the public museum faces the major pedestrian routes, while the private offices are angled towards the back of the site which is quieter and more secluded. The unique geometry of the building also adds to the experience of being within the museum, creating unique spaces and leaving a lasting impression on anyone that might visit it.
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01 Control Points on the Face
Linear transformation: extrusion to intrusion
03 Sitting Inside the Site
02 Rotation Around the Z-Axis
Systematic rotation of individual ďŹ ngers
Central intersection of individual structures
Form-Finding
Angling of volumes into the ground Separation of one ďŹ nger from the overall structure
The images on the left detail the four steps taken to generate the form, with a focus on intersecting the individual forms to create a unique space that would be the focal point of the internal circulation of the building.
Site Analysis Through the creation of
Building at street view, and its location relative to the artwork placed along the pedestrian walkways
the form, consideration of the site and street circulation was taken into account in orienting and allocating programs within the building.
Pedestrian density along Orchard Road
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01 - Cafe
02 - Private Offices
03 - Museum
04 - Lecture Theatre
Axonometric Different programs are allocated to different fingers within the building. The programs correspond to the location of each finger within the site: more private programs are placed nearer the back of the building, while more public programs are facing the main street. Access to each program is limited based on privacy, with the quieter offices being harder to access than the more public museum.
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05 - Library
Section AA’ - Entry to main museum program
Section BB’ - Intersection with museum, library, and lecture theatre
Section CC’ - Intersection with offices, lecture theatre, museum, and cafe
Section DD’ - Intersection with offices, cafe, and underground connection
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D C B A
Level 02 D’ C’ B’ A’
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Level 01 D’ C’ B’ A’ Floor Plan
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medellin informal paradigm The Medellin Metropolitan Green Belt was conceived by her mayor, AnĂbal Gavriria Correa (Mayor from 2012- 2015), and will be built along the slopes of the AburrĂĄ Valley, with the project being overseen by the Urban Development Company (EDU). It will be built at an altitude of 1.8km and its total length will be around 75km long. The goal of the project, of which the Circumvent Garden is a part of, is to consolidate and balance out the equitable territory between the urban and rural zones of the city, and is a long-term transformation that is a part of the 2011 to 2014 Development Plan.
This following essay examines how the Circumvent Gardens, tackles the various social issues faced by the people living in the city of MedellĂn, and evaluates its success in achieving its goals. As a large part of the project is still underway, with only 3 of a total of 20 master plans actually built, much of the analysis will be speculative in nature, based on the goals of the administration, as well as the attitudes of the citizens to the formal structures put in place by the government in tackling the issues of the informal settlement.
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With Medellin’s history of violence and the rapid expansion of the informal settlements in the city, there has been an uncontrolled growth of the slums towards the mountainous terrain at the edges of the city. The slums have began to move upwards, settling into dangerous territory and uprooting wildlife in order to make way for individual homes and for continued development of the people living on the outskirts of the city as the population continues to grow. However, this led to a plethora of problems, namely with conservation of the wildlife, degradation of land and water resources, and with safety issues in having informallyconstructed homes so high up in the mountain side. Furthermore, the
degradation of the landscape has led to landslides frequently occurring in the area, and has endangered the lives of many citizens. The Belt will include three types of transportation routes: a pedestrian path, a cycling path, and a path for public and electric transport. It will include light equipment in order to illuminate high-risk areas of the slopes, and also so that “at night from any part of the city you can see the conformation of the light belt, just as New York illuminates its buildings, the idea is to light the natural structures that we have in the metropolitan area,” as explained by Aníbal Gaviria Correa, the mayor of Medellín from 2012 to 2015 and also the project’s founder.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
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The project will be a chain of green spaces (trees and forests), public spaces, and facilities for recreation, education, sports, and communal gathering. The final goal is to involve the community in its construction, and help them to know the need for control of the urban growth in the steep hillside neighborhoods. The benefits and scope of the project are as stated on their official web-page: control expansion with an integral vision of development; decent, safe, sustainable and accessible housing; inclusive public space and structuring of territory; integral sustainability of the territory; connecting the territory with quality. All these while providing new jobs for citizens and better homes for anyone who may be displaced by the project.
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CERRO PAN DE AZÚCAR The diagram on the right shows the existing Greenbelt and the future planned development of the Greenbelt. With current development existing towards the North of the city and future development planned for South of the city. The white highlighted area is a hill known as Cerro Pan de Azúcar. The Cerro Pan de Azúcar, or Sugar Loaf hill, is a small segment of the overall Metropolitan Greenbelt, and is located in Antioquia in Medellín, along the northern slope of the Santa Elena gorge, on the hills east of Medellín. Often described as a small rock formation, and is bordered on the North and East by the Chorrohondo and La Castro stream respectively. The stretch of the Greenbelt that is paved along the hill is called the Camino de La Vida (Path of Life). It is an 11km long walking trail, completely paved, and surrounded by the natural greenery of the hill. The route is intended for hikers, families, and tourists to the area, providing a unique view of the informal settlement, Commune 8, Villa Hermosa, as seen by the image below. As a pilot project of the Metropolitan Greenbelt, the Camino De La Vida specifically aims to reduce the number of landslides in the area by creating additional trees and flat areas, discourage living in the dangerous mountain sides by using the pathway as a border and building homes vertically instead, creating a sustainable source of food, encourage economic and job growth via construction, and providing new homes for families who have been displaced.
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On an urban scale, the main aspects of the cerro Pan de AzĂşcar are (i) the terrain, (ii) the connection between urban elements and the rural outskirts of the city, and (iii) the pedestrian and cyclist routes that are a part of the Circumvent Garden. The Terrain With the sloping topography of the hill, this affects the way the pedestrian and cyclist pathways are built. Each flat segment of both the cyclist and pedestrian routes are connected by a series of stairs and ramps. More dangerous segments of the topography - areas that are steeper - are now leveled out and reduces the danger that those areas pose. Connecting the Urban and Rural The disparity between the urban and rural is obvious from the road layouts: the urban regions are more structured and organized, while the rural areas are more disorganized with roads being paved according to the terrain. In connecting the urban and rural, the route through the cerro Pan de AzĂşcar connects to multiple Metro and Metro Cable stations, allowing access to the route through public transport. The route is also lined with various interventions, either places of interest or public attractions, drawing people from the urban parts of the city to the more rural areas. This connects the urban and rural elements of the town. Pedestrian and Cyclist Routes The two routes run parallel to each other and intersect at moments where there are rest stops or specific architectural interventions like gardens. The routes are made up of straight segments and a series of ramps and stairs that conforms to the overall terrain of the site. The routes are a distance away from the informal settlements in order to cap and prevent the continual growth of the slums into dangerous and unsafe territory. The routes also connect to the main roads in order to make them accessible from the habitable areas.
URBAN ANALYSIS 64
Rivers, Metro and Metro Cable stations, pedestrian and cyclist routes
Overall roads and layout of nearby Commune
Overall topography of the cerro Pan de AzĂşcar
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Cyclist and pedestrian route with surrounding trees
Topography of the cerro Pan de AzĂşcar
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(Image above): View of Commune 8, Villa Hermosa, and the cerro Pan de AzĂşcar in the background.
ARCHITECTURAL ANALYSIS Looking specifically at a small segment of the Circumvent Gardens, the above ground networks are not the only aspect of the gardens that have been developed by the Urban Development Company. The underground aqueduct and sewerage networks were likewise developed to service the neighborhood of Commune 8, Villa Hermosa, providing better basic services and improving the living conditions of the community. With the garden being built and developed in the area, not only are the sloping terrains made safer for the residents, but their living conditions are made better by various improvements to the surrounding areas, and also through the involvement of the residents in the planning and construction of the various architectural interventions located along the route. This further enhances the premise of Social Urbanism in strengthening the bonds 67
between the community and government. The architectural elements that contribute to its influence are (i) the use of the natural canopy in the area, (ii) the use of the natural terrain in creating rest stops, and (iii) the use of the circulation of both pedestrian and cyclist pathways in creating stopping measures for the continued growth of the informal settlements. The Use of The Natural Canopy The cerro Pan de AzĂşcar has a variety of trees that naturally grow in the area, with the predominant species being pine. Large segments of the path are thus paved in highly shaded areas, as seen by the diagram on the left. The use of the natural landscape preserves the wildlife in the area, and reduces the risk of landslides and soil erosion that could result if trees that are native to the area are uprooted.
Additional trees that were native to the region were planted during the construction of the pathways as well, aiming to restore ecosystems. According to Cities100, “70,000 native trees have been planted as part of the project”. Besides these trees, organic orchids add to the wildlife of the area and are added to the garden route in order to create new ecobusinesses, as well as preserving the region’s long-held farming traditions. This has allowed for around 300 families to cultivate their own food in the mountainside, while starting their own businesses. 150 new leaders have also been trained under this same initiative to manage their own territories that are living in the hillside. This ultimately restores native species, protects the region from any further environmental degradation as a result of urban development, while providing new business opportunities for the communities in the rural areas. Using Natural Terrain to Create Rest Stops In creating rest stops along the garden route, the aim of these stops are to create not just areas for people who are using the pathways to take a break, but also to frame views of the city. Higher up along the routes, the terrain turns steep and very dangerous, making it almost impossible to pave with walkways or cycling paths. Instead, making use of the naturally rocky topography of the peaks, seating areas are created for anyone who would stop by these spaces. There is also enough land to create iconic statues on these peaks. All these statues allow for iconic photographs to be taken of these stops, while giving hikers a goal to work towards when walking along the routes. While creating iconic rest stops, these areas also frame the city below in breath-taking ways. The view of the city below from these rest stops also act as an incentive for others to reach these areas. This is a sign of rebirth, a view from above where the streets can be seen and all the homes are exposed to the viewer’s eye. This bird’s eye view is also a sign of rebirth, of a city that has been razed to the ground and has been reborn from the ashes. The result of the city’s clean-up since Pablo Escobar’s reign of violence, the views framed by these rest stops exposes the streets below to anyone’s view.
Furthermore, the view from these peaks creates a sense of belonging and ownership for any citizens that might be looking at the city down below. One of the issues that was mentioned by Laura Isaza, is that the people living on the edges of the city “didn’t feel like they were part of the city”. These views inspire a kind of responsibility in any citizens who might look down on the city of Medellín from these peaks. Pedestrian and Cycling Pathway Circulations The circulation created by the two main pathways are looping in nature due to the need to conform to the terrain of the hill. The series of ramps and stairs along the hill-y terrain of the cerro Pan de Azúcar, creates looping pathways that act like stop guards along the hill. These well-made pathways act as preventive measures, reducing the likelihood of the informal settlement’s continued growth upwards into the mountainside. Secondly, the spaces between both routes act as a kind of bracket: the area between the routes are untouchable areas, and the land beyond the routes are labeled as nature reserves, preventing them from being used by citizens to continue their development of the informal settlements. The different combination of the different elements along the routes create different kinds of brackets, with varying qualities of the spaces in-between. The different combinations are examined on a more detailed scale later on in this essay.
(Image above): Morning view from the peak of the hill. 68
Route segments (from left to right): rest stops, pedestrian walkways, cyclist routes
Cyclist and pedestrian routes with native trees along pathways
(Image above): Creating views from the ground with recognizable statues along the highest peaks of the terrain. 69
On a detail scale, the project can be analyzed based on the combination of the various segments of the routes. With the three main combinations of routes analyzed, each iteration highlights another means through which the project aims to achieve its goals. The different combinations show how, intentionally or not, the Circumvent Gardens tackle the social issues faced by the citizens of Commune 8. The aspects of each iteration that will be analyzed in detail are the influence of the native trees on the routes, the use of the natural terrain, and the program allocated to that stretch as a result of both elements. All these aspects influence the effectiveness of the project in solving the social issues faced by the citizens of MedellĂn.
By solving smaller specific issues, like creating jobs or preventing additional environmental degradation, the project aims to deal with the social issues from the ground up, tackling what it thinks is the heart of the issue instead of just inserting temporary solutions to these problems. By tackling these issues on a detail level, the project also promises to be sustainable, as interventions need not be applied by a larger administration. These interventions can easily be initiated by people in the society, giving them a sense of ownership and responsibility to each intervention inserted along the garden route. The following analysis explains in detail how three specific variations cater to different people and solves various social issues.
SECTION ANALYSIS
(Image above): Bird’s eye view of part of the construction of the Circumvent Gardens, connecting a plantation with a nearby soccer field, demonstrating how the routes link the major programs along its circulation. 70
(Image above): A view of the surrounding landscape from the peak of the cerro Pan de AzĂşcar.
For segments with both rest stops and pedestrian pathways, these are located in areas near the peak of hills or highest points in the terrain to create views or iconic moments when looking up at the gardens, and likewise framing the city below in a beautiful way from these viewpoints. Additionally the pathways and rest stops have little to no trees in the area due to the rough terrain, that is largely barren and unsuitable for growing plants. Instead, the areas away from the peaks have more trees, lower down along the hill, and act as barriers against soil erosion during stormy weather. Finally, the use of the terrain creates natural seating area and allows for tiered viewing of the city down below, letting people look down into MedellĂn as though viewing the town at an amphitheater, while also creating a natural resting area for tired hikers and cyclists to regroup before continuing along the garden route. These segments largely behave as tourist destinations, creating a specific location that people can set as goals to work towards as they are traveling along the routes.
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These moments also draw tourists into the area, creating opportunities for revenue. In a similar manner, this draws people from the urban into the rural, connecting the two disparate segments of the city together. Instead of how the Metro and Metro Cable aim to bring the people from the rural into the urban by reducing traveling times, this instead aims to create a destination for those living in the urban to come to the rural for, while simultaneously creating an iconic skyline to look upwards towards, beautifying the aspects of the city that is originally treated as unsightly and to be hidden.
PEDESTRIAN PATH - REST STOP
(Image above): Two people spending time together along a part of the Camino de La Vida.
For segments with both cyclists and pedestrian routes, these are located on relatively easy terrain, gently sloping in nature, so that a manmade pathway can be paved for both cyclists and pedestrians. The route has a considerable amount of native trees, with many pines lining both routes and creating shady, sheltered areas that allow for comfortable walking and traveling along the routes. These are the segments of the hill that are the most sheltered, with the most trees congregated in these areas, with a good mix of already existing trees and newly planted trees. The general program of these routes are just adjoining segments between the more prominent locations, but are the most commonly found types of segments in the gardens. These make up about 75-80% of the garden pathways. The difference in scale and material of both the pavements differentiates them from each other. The two pavements bracket an area of heavily forested terrain. These segments not only use these highly dense areas for shelter, but also keeps these areas protected.
By labeling these stretches of forests in-between as nature reserves, this prevents any human interventions from degrading the natural environment of the hill. Beyond that, the development and building of these paths are largely done by the people living in the nearby slums. These give the pavements a special significance to the people in the Commune, as well as a feeling of ownership and the want for them to keep up the appearances and maintain the routes. This sense of responsibility ensures that the maintenance of the routes do not fall to the administration, but instead becomes the pride of the citizens.
CYCLIST PEDESTRIAN PATH
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(Image above): Embedding the pathways amongst the forested hillside.
For segments of the garden with both pedestrian pathways and forest, the general terrain is on steeper stretches of the hill. The trees in this area are the densest of any part on the hill, and most of the trees are natural, with few implants in the area. The forest areas have a high density of pine trees, which also indicates that there is fertile soil in the area. As a result, the trees are still kept in the area, but the steep terrain makes the area ideal for planting and maintaining a sustainable food source. The general program of these segments are thus plantations, and the plants in these areas are used to reduce soil erosion, and prevent landslides.
PEDESTRIAN PATH FOREST
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These segments are largely left under the care of the citizens who would choose these areas to start their businesses and develop a sustainable source of food either for their own families or as part of a business, maintaining the tradition of farming in the region. The combination of forest and pedestrian paths are primarily for the use of the citizens, especially for people who have businesses in these areas. As seen by the image above, the citizens are involved in the maintenance and care-taking of these heavily forested areas. Additionally, by turning these areas into plantations, and by creating more uses for these areas with fertile land, the culture of the land is preserved, and the heritage of the people are kept. Although the central urban areas of the city are developing with modern sensibilities, developing the rural areas with acknowledgment of the city’s heritage provides jobs for the people living in the rural areas. While the younger generations are moving towards the urban city, the older generations can continue to work in these areas.
The Circumvent Gardens is a project with lofty goals, from tackling environmental issues of degradation, to more fundamental problems like educating the locals, and even in providing additional jobs for the citizens living in the rural slums, these goals are tackled on multiple scales to varying degrees of success. The project is still young, from its conception in 2012, to its first three pilot master plans being implemented by the end of 2014, a lot of its impact has yet to be seen, and some of its goals cannot be evaluated. Instead, the success of this project will be evaluated based on the reports of various articles. Firstly, most articles speak about the involvement of the citizens of Commune 8 in building the networks of paths and steps that are a part of the Greenbelt. The recorded responses of citizens have generally been incredibly positive, with citizens being proud to be a part of the project, and finding that this “gives them a job�. This is incredibly crucial, as various organized crime groups still hold sway over the rural slums, but initiatives and jobs like these provided for the locals by the government help to win them over. This is especially important to show that these regions are no longer being neglected by the government. Additionally, crime rates in the streets have fallen; some, although few, have been displaced as a result of these pathways, but the government has moved them to safer homes; the danger of landslides have been reduced; the slums have been transformed from blood soaked streets to a tourist destination. However, is the intervention truly a sustainable one? It is hard to say. As an initial intervention, its goals and current means of implementation seems to be sufficient in tackling more prominent social issues like unemployment and security in the neighborhood, while also handling problems of land and water degradation by planting more native trees.
CONCLUSION
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The issue of displacement is not dealt with however. Despite the pavements attempting to control the sprawl of the informal settlements, it does not deal with the root of the issue: expensive housing, and rapid displacement of the people in the urban areas to the mountainous regions. These are problems that can only be solved with government initiated housing, and more resources being poured into making the slums a safer place for the people of MedellĂn to live in. The project has the right heart and a bright future, but this can only be realized if the full length of the belt is seen to fruition. Its influence and success wait to be seen in the future.
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makerspace
The 4th SUTD Architecture Graduation Show involved the designing and planning of an exhibition around the theme of MAKERSPACE. Named after an existing location in the school, the exhibition aims to showcase the unique pedagogy of the SUTD Architecture education. The Graduation Show featured over a hundred student works from the third M.Arch graduates and fourth B.Sc. undergraduates, with the entire exhibition being designed, planned, curated, and executed by students from the graduating batches. Held at the URA, the showcase ran over the course of 11 days, and saw over 700 visitors.
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SINGAPORE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN P R E S E N T S TO YO U
O U R FOURT H B. S C A N D M . A R C H G R A D UAT I O N S H OW
04
M A K E RS PAC E 7-17 NOV 2018 09:00- 17:00 OPEN DAILY
U R A E X H I B I T I O N S PAC E 45 MAXWELL ROAD
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N , H E A D T O O U R W E B S I T E A N D F O L L O W O U R U P D AT E S H E R E
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In designing the 4th SUTD Architecture Graduation Show, the core team designed an exhibition that embodies the unique pedagogy of the SUTD THE ASD GRADUATION Architecture and SHOWCASE Sustainable WILL PRESENT THE WORKS OF THE Design (ASD) education. The THIRD COHORT OF M.ARCH GRADUATES, AND THE FOURTH B. SC. three ideas that are emphasized UNDERGRADUATES AT SUTD TO THE INDUSTRY AND PUBLIC. THIS are community, creativity and EXHIBITION ALSO AIMS TO RAISE diversity. ON THE SUTD ASD AWARENESS
By keeping the materials in their original forms, this ensured that the materials could be reused for future projects.
a few aspects of the final design. First, the choice of materials. In planning the final layout and design of the exhibition, we ensured that as much raw materials were used as possible.
and videos. This variety of projects showcases the diversity and exploratory nature of the ASD curriculum, where students are encouraged to use different means in sharing their ideas.
Second, the curation of materials.
THE ASD GRADUATION SHOWCASE ThePRESENT team curated over aOF hundred WILL THE WORKS THE THIRD COHORT OF M.ARCH projects to be showcased at GRADUATES, AND THE FOURTH B. SC. UNDERGRADUATES SUTD TO THE the exhibition, ATwith projects INDUSTRY AND PUBLIC. THIS ranging ALSO in different mediums EXHIBITION AIMS TO RAISE AWARENESS ON THE SUTD ASD of representation: paper for PROGRAM THROUGH INDUSTRY AND PROGRAM THROUGH INDUSTRY AND PUBLIC OUTREACH. These OUTREACH. ideas are shown through PUBLIC drawings, physical modeling,
COMMUNITY
CREATIVITY
DIVERSITY
PAPER
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DESIGN BY COLLABORATION
TECHNICAL, COMPREHENSIVE AND DIVERSE SKILL SET
PURSUING A DIVERSITY OF INTERESTS
WOOD
SCREENS
Working in Plan Due to the restrictive nature of the URA exhibition area, designing and planning the overall layout of the showcase took place primarily in the plan. Through the use of a grid across the entire site that intersected all the major elements of the space (pillars, planters, entrances and exits), the team was then able to
work out the best locations for the exhibition tables and boards, taking into consideration how visitors might move around the exhibit. Furthermore, the plan helped to work out the specifics of the physical setup, optimizing the materials used. For example, the copper rods for the structure were optimized to full 6m lengths to reduce wastage. 82
Physical Setup The entire setup of the exhibition was designed and carried out by the students. All exhibition tables were made out of 4ft by 8ft plywood stacked on each other with shorter wood pieces keeping the planks apart. Wood spacers connected each table to
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the copper rods and added stability to the overall structure. The copper rods were held together by 3D printed joints. The exact location of the joints were planned to ensure that wastage is reduced and that the overall grid is still able to maintain its shape.
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enjoy the silence
Done under Takahashilim A+D, in collaboration with AntiCAD, Enjoy the Silence explores the intimate link between form and sound. It is a sculptural acoustic installation that melds complex geometry and sound absorbing material to create an unnatural quiet zone within a crowded space. The completed project was showcased as part of Singaplural, the opening of the Singapore Design Week, and was on display at the National Design Centre. The acoustic sculpture is generated using mathematical principles underlying natural forms. Enjoy the Silence is based on hyperbolic geometry and grows exponentially outwards, creating excessive folds to increase surface area for sound absorption. An earth-friendly and sustainable acoustic substrate is inserted between colorful fabric - from the Fabrix paneling system - that skins the sculpture. The result is an experimental collaborative art work that marries striking design, acoustic performance, and innovation.
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contact me email: 150496c@gmail.com phone: (+65) 8112 4165
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