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AR C H 4074 D ES IGN 6 OTTE VAE R E , Ol i vi er SE MES TE R 1, 2020-21
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01 UNDRESSING - The Colonnade Condominiums /Project Details /Drawings /Physical Model 02 ADDRESSING - Slab Erasure /Massing /Diagram /Exploration 03 REDRESSING - Undo/Redo /Unit and Typical Floor Plan /Section /Physical Model
01 UNDRESSING The Colonnade Condominiums in collaboration with CHAN Ming Chun Edward (3035485819)
Project Details
Project name : Architect : Location : Year : Tenure : Height & floor : No. of Units :
The Colonnade Condominiums Paul Rudolph 82 Grange Road, District 10, Singapore 1980-1986 Freehold condominium (wholly owned by Pontiac Land) 112 m, 28 floors 90
The Colonnade Condominiums marks the start of Paul Rudolph’s career in Southeast Asia, where his commissions later on would be important symbols of growth and progress, in the rapidly developing skyline of post-colonial Southeast Asia. The region’s search to redefine its identity after independence made it quick for wealthy clients to embrace Rudolph’s brutalist postmodern style that echoed the monumental classicism, while his famous interplay of volumes and light responds aptly to the tropical climate. Precedented with Rudolph’s unbuilt vision in Manhattan’s Graphic Arts Centre, interaction of modules gave life to “a city within a city” narrative, carrying Rudolph’s relentless vision that modular units could transform the way cities are built. Though not so much a megastructure with complex functions, the large expanse of each condominium unit are compartmentalized to smaller modules acting as rooms as an attempt to humanize the condominiums through spatial re-scaling strategies. Characterized by what Rudolph dubbed as the “brick of the twentieth century,” the modular imagery of The Colonnade is actually achieved through conventional cast-in-situ concrete construction, due to the technological and financial constraints for pre-fabrication at that time. Yet, this serves to embellish Rudolph’s attitude on modularity which experiments with the formal, spatial, and aesthetic of pre-fabricated modular units - emphasizing more in how they connect more than their economical potential. In short, the variety of modular expression is achieved through combination of necessary standardized parts. It could be argued that the plug-in method commonly associated with modular units - such as seen in Nakagin Capsule Tower - would be too inconvenient to be carried out in reality and its isolated subdivisions becomes a sacrifice of well-being for economical flexibility.
Against discontinuity of the modules, Rudolph avoided typical large horizontal planes of constant elevation, instead opting to break down the mass into identical quadrants and introducing variations through mirroring and staggered floorplates. The repetition of alternate stacking between simplex units and the double-height space of the duplexes formed a strong language of solid and void characterizing its elevation. Within the building, it is important to note the 3-Bedroom Duplex has its main entrance on the lower floor while 2-Bedroom Duplex has it in the upper floor. Performatively, the shifting floorplates and alternating entrances create variants of thresholds, establishing privacy within this seemingly interconnected spaces. These gestures echo the spirit of Le Corbusier’s Pavilion de l’Esprit Nouveau with its double-height apartment planning, in which the stagger in both plan and section creates stunning oblique views that visually connects opposing balconies, modules, and other spaces in diagonal axis. Corbusian influence could also be seen from the pure form of mass standardization that would dictate the possible programme functions, to be shown as we delve into the careful correlation between the spatial configuration strengthened by formal strategies to highlight spatial experiences. Horizontal and vertical continuity are further curated through the careful interplay of three different systems of column, partition, and modules, thereby not focusing on the taxonomy of just a single system. Formally, this creates a continuous language of curvilinear walls and extending notation of interior and exterior. As one first enters the building, the grand entrance is between two rows of condensed 1.2 m large pilotis. All entrances leading to the unit, as well as vertical movement through elevator and stairs, are encased with a continuous smooth curved walls. Within the unit, curvilinear walls are formed through the meeting of rectilinear walls and columns. The varying placement of partitions that are either in centerline, edge as centerline, or tangent to the columns denote the formal presence of exterior and interior - of a room, in the unit - as a buffer to the vivid form of the deep facade, thus allowing continuity. The sheer amount of partitions would compartmentalize the different functional spaces, often separating service and main area, with enclosed boundaries creating modules which denotes a more private space. Spatially, especially in the double-height of the duplex units, these systems engage communication between modules as well as the negative space.
These unique interplay of architectural systems is enabled by The Colonnade robust column system that hold the promise of free-plan. Large pilotis liberating the ground floor focus on emphasizing entrance and the need to open for driveway, having deep beam and slab as transfer structure to the different residential column arrangement above it. The oversized 0.7 m diameter columns act together with one shear wall in each quadrant and the core as primary vertical structure, while slab and beams forms the primary horizontal structure. Flexibly-placed partitions and oversized handrails may play a miniscule role in stiffening the primary structures against torsion, yet, mostly incorporated for their spatial, formal, and aesthetic qualities. The solid and void interaction within the Colonnade is perhaps can be seen strongest in the terraces. Deep shading preventing the harsh tropical sunlight are causatively formed through protrusions, effectively enabling incorporation of ceiling height glass that would allow constant examination of relationships between modules - either inside, outside, or even both, while having airy and well-lit interiors. There might be no direct ventilation strategies, but terraces would form 90 degree angle within a unit to allow some air circulation. The abundant boundaries both interior and between terraces of other units might not have been as successful in achieving direct visual continuity. However, one could develop it to a more poetic spatial progression, or spatial connections, through redefining shared functions within this highly privatized residential living. Yet, one’s constant encounter with the resulting volumes and niches made the Colonnade highly successful as a spatially operational space.
Building Massing Development Variation/Rationalization
Short Section Placement/Interaction/Continuity
112.00 m WATER TANK & SERVICES
27/F
26/F
DIVIDE
4 quadrants Core / Unit
D IVID E 4 q u a d ra n t C o re /U n it
23/F
REGULAR UNIT CLUSTER
LIFT UP + DIVIDE 28 floors Ground / Storey
LIFT U P + D IVID E 2 8 flo o rs Gro u n d / Sto re y
2 Bedroom Duplex R E P E AT
3 unit type H o r i z o n t a l / Ve r t i c a l
R EPEAT 3 u n it ty p e H o riz o n ta l /3Ve rtic a l Bedroom
Duplex
3 Bedroom Simplex
9/F 8/F
7/F
6/F 5/F
S TA G G E R
Shift by 1 floor Up / Down
STA GGER Sh ift b y 1 flo o r Up / Down
A’
4/F
16.00 m
3/F
12.00 m
2 Bedroom Duplex LOBBY & FACILITIES
3 Bedroom Duplex 3 Bedroom Simplex
A
G/F 1:100 0
1m
2m
4m
Building Elevation Sunlight/Module/Outdoor Living
N
N
6/21 7AM 6/21 7AM
E
E
6/21 10AM6/21 10AM
S
S
6/21 1PM 6/21 1PM
Building Building Elevation Elevation Sunlight Sunlight / Module / Module / Outdoor / Outdoor LivingLiving
W
W
6/21 4PM 6/21 4PM
Typical Plan Circulation/Arrangement/Privacy
Typical Floor Plan 1 1:200 7/F, 10/F, 13/F, 16/F, 19/F, 22/F
Typical Floor Plan 1 1:200 7/F, 10/F, 13/F, 16/F, 19/F, 22/F
Typical Floor Plan 2 1:200 8/F, 11/F, 14/F, 17/F, 20/F, 23/F
Typical Floor Plan 2 1:200 8/F, 11/F, 14/F, 17/F, 20/F, 23/F
Typical Floor Plan 3 1:200 9/F, 12/F, 15/F, 18/F, 21/F, 24/F
Typical Floor Plan 3 1:200
Site Plan Circulation/Continuity/Threshold
9/F, 12/F, 15/F, 18/F, 21/F, 24/F
1:500 0
Ground Site Plan 1:500
5m
10m
20m
patial patial Continuity Continuity Spatial Continuity
ntinuity / /Structure Spatial Continuity ntinuity/ /Modularity Modularity Continuity Structure / Modularity / Structure Continuity/Modularity/Structure
Building Building
Building
Unit Unit
Unit
Room Room
Room
Systems Interaction Axonometric 1:100 Column x Module x Partition
System Axonometric SystemInteractions InteractionsSystem Axonometric Interactions Axonometric 1:100 1:100 Column ColumnxxModule Module 1:100xxPartition Partition Column x Module x Partition
divide divide
divide
subtract subtract Module Module++Partition Partition
subtract multiply multiply Module + Partition
release release
release
compress compress Module Module++Column Column
connect compress connect Module + Column
solid solid
solid
transition transition Column Column++Partition Partition
void transition void Column + Partition
multiply
connect
void
Unit Plan and Analysis Sequence/Hierarchy/Programme
1
Columns 1:100 / Grid
2
Cores 1:100 / Function
Simplex Structural Plan 1:50
3A
Modules 1:100 / Solid-Void / Privacy
3B
Partition 1:100 / Transitions / Continuity
4A
Modules 1:100 / Solid-Void / Privacy
Simplex Plan 1:50
3 Bedroom Duplex
2 Bedroom Duplex
Simplex Plan 1:50
3 Bedroom Duplex
2 Bedroom Duplex 4A
Modules 1:100 / Solid-Void / Privacy
4B
Partition 1:100 / Transitions / Continuity
5A
Modules 1:100 / Solid-Void / Privacy
5B
Partition 1:100 / Transitions / Continuity
Duplex Upper Level Plan 1:50
Duplex Lower Level Plan 1:50
1:50 0
0.5m
1m
2m
Unit Axonometric Space/Relationship/Structure
Bedroom Module / Upper floor Bedroom Module / Lower floor Service Module
3 Bedroom Duplex 362 sqm 2 x Bedrooms 1 x Terrace 1 x Living Room
2 Bedroom Duplex 260 sqm 1 x Bedroom 1 x Living Room
3 Bedroom Simplex massing 1:500 3 Bedroom Simplex 334 sqm 3 x Bedrooms 1 x Terrace 1 x Living Room 1 x Laundry Room
3 Bedroom Duplex massing 1:500
2 Bedroom Duplex massing 1:500
3 Bedroom Simplex massing 1:500
Lower floor: 1 x Bedrooms 1 x Terrace 1 x Living Room 1 x Laundry Room
Bedroom Module / Upper floor Bedroom Module / Lower floor Service Module
Lower floor: 1 x Bedrooms 1 x Terrace 1 x Living Room 1 x Laundry Room
June 21
June 21
5:00 pm
4:00 pm
3:00 pm
4:00 pm
5:00 pm
3:00 pm
Service Entrance Private floor
3-bedroom Duplex
Main Entrance Public floor
3-bedroom Simplex
Main Entrance Public floor
June 21
3 Bedroom Duplex + Simplex Unit Section 1:100 Climate / Privacy / Thresholds
Light implies publicness. By having double floorheight terrace and bedroom unit protrusion, we have a sunlit communal floor and a deeply shaded private floor.
Main Entrance Public floor
2-bedroom Duplex
Service Entrance Private floor
3-bedroom Simplex
Main Entrance Public floor
2 Bedroom Duplex + Simplex Unit Section 1:50 Climate / Privacy / Thresholds Light implies privacy. By swapping entrances and rotating bedroom unit, we have a shaded communal floor and sunlit private spaces.
3:00 pm
4:00 pm
5:00 pm
Close-up of Transfer Structure from 1:100 Model Load transfer/Relation to ground/Free-plan
Close-up of Units from 1:100 Model Detail/Volumes/Experience
1:100 Decompositional Model Structural elements/Hierarchy/Tectonics
02 ADDRESSING Slab Erasure Column-beam-slab system Vertical expansion Diagonal carving Tropical environment Terrace/Canopy
MASSING EXPLORATION
Vertical expansion through slab variations Cluster/Transformation/Modular Lateral Stepped Terraces Creating void // Offset / Push-pull
Massing Variations
OFFSET Gradual Shading Solid/Void
FLIP Approximate East/West
OFFSET Protrude Emerge/Flat
PLUG Dialogue Old/New
Garden Activating space // Inside/Outside
1:400 Massing
Solid/Void Massing Variations of solid/void spaces within each cluster
ITERATION 1
Diagonal Language: Slab Rotation Potential from exploration
1:400 Massing Model
3:2
Courtyard Occupying void // Diagonal / Rotate / Stagger 30°
Would there be limitations towards grid-based modules? This scheme is an attempt to push the limitations of non-perpedicular slabs. The Colonnade boast modularity design possibilities through conventional construction. Complexity is added by varying rotations of the units, creating residual spaces as terraces, and conjoined spaces as communals. Partitions on sharp corners may be altered - resulting in more curvilinear interior.
FORM FINDING Rotating the slab Geometrical/Visualization
R O TAT E 30 degrees Te r r a c e / C o u r t y a r d
MOVE UP S h i f t b y 1 fl o o r Ladder/Continuity
R O TAT E 60 degrees Te r r a c e / D i v i s i o n
R O TAT E -30 degrees Residual/Variety
S O U T H FA C A D E
W E S T FA C A D E
N O R T H FA C A D E
E A S T FA C A D E
activated in winter months
low sun angle, less exposure wanted
activated in summer months
Long side face
Short&sharp corners Less openings on lower additions
Long side face
low sun angle, moderate exposure in morning Short&sharp corners Distributed openings
EXTRUDE Across quadrants Access gallery/ Communal
COPY+FLIP Of the access gallery Intersection/ Communal cluster
RING - ENLARGED F r o m fi r s t v a r i a t i o n (rotate 30) Connect/Hanging/Shade
Unit graduation strategy Shade/diagonal Conforming current unit geometry
ITERATION 2
Reparametrizing Diagonal: Slab Erasure Orthogonal boundary // Optimizing slab erasure
Carved corner column & slab interface
Release
Compress
2.1 Erasure Visualization Volumetric to Horizontal Reading
2.2 Establishing Horizontality Column/Slab/Balustrade Interface
2.3 From the Existing: Slab Carving Language Establishing Boundaries/Double-height/Interior-Exterior
Stepped Terrace Double-height/Communal space/Gradation Enunciating the carved corner condition found in the original slab - where column shoots up in double-height exterior spaces, the iteration of stepped terraces lifted the heavy bearing of the thick columns. The residual spaces formed gardens or communal spaces, establishing oblique links between units across floor, thus bringing back the gardens and open space from the ground to the vertical expansion. However, due to Singapore’s tropical climate, uncovered terrace spaces are unfavourable due to the heat, rendering the terraces unusable.
North-East
North Elevation
West Elevation
South-East
South Elevation
East Elevation
ITERATION 3
Optimizing Slab Erasure: Terrace & Canopy Tropical Environment/Shade/Gradation
Diagonal Break from orthogonal/ Void space
Intermediary Terrace Shared Terrace/Clustering/ Unit to Unit Interaction
Maximizing Terrace Double-aspect Terrace/ Shaded Interior
Maximizing Shade Carving Void/ Deep Shade
Terrace Activating garden
Continuous oblique views // Breaking out private
Canopy Climatic appropriation Coverage // Reintroducing private
Exploration Shade/Canopy // East/West // Void
3
4
5
North
5
4
3
South
Finding Rhythm within the communal void space
Finding Connection across quadrants
4
3
3
4
39/F
5 transition
6 transition 3
4 transition
5 transition
35/F 3
3
4
4
31/F
3
North
South
South
North
Balancing Rhythm and Connection transitional voids
Intermediate Terrace
Cluster C
Cluster D
From private loggia to shared terrace Meeting point of units // Exploiting the external - Humanizing the internal
Cluster A
Cluster B
Horizontal Rhythm Clustering // Unit to unit interface / Causative interaction
Cluster A Cluster A Cluster C
Cluster A
Vertical Rhythm Staggering slab // SIze of voids 1. Global Cluster to cluster interface / Degrees of activation Quiet - Noise
2: Cluster Unit to unit interface / Causative interaction In and out of columns
North Elevation
Cluster Type: Unit to Unit Sheltered Shared/Private Terrace // Indoor/Outdoor // Double-height
East Elevation
South Elevation
West Elevation
Previous Cluster Connection Duplex Small Duplex Large Simplex
Open
Enclosed
Duplex A (3-1)
Simplex B (1)
Simplex B (2)
Simplex A (4)
Duplex B (2-3)
Duplex C (4-3)
Duplex B (2-3)
Duplex B (2-3)
Simplex A (4)
Cluster A
Cluster B
Cluster C
Cluster D
Maximizing Terrace Double Aspect Terrace/Shaded Interior West Quadrant Massing Strategy
Terrace and canopy language are further integrated by having a slab that performs both functions. By carving from both the east and west directions, slabs that performs as a canopy can also have multi-height terrace. This maximizes the intrusion of external environment from both sides, allowing both air movement and variation of daylight. However, looking at the figure below, creating a deep shade on one direction would minimize the unfavoured direct sunlight from the west, while still having similar floor area. Thus, the next iteration focuses on capitalizing the void space instead of just the terraces.
west wall/west terrace terrace less protected
west wall/east terrace no view
North
east wall/west terrace heated west wall
Maximize Terrace
west terrace/east wall all terrace; varying shade
East Quadrant Massing Strategy
east wall/east terrace morning sun
South
Maximize Shade
Overall Isometric Terrace/Canopy/Void
South-West Isometric
North-East Isometric
03 REDRESSING Undo-Redo Terrace/Canopy Unobstructed oblique visual connection Gradation of unit sizes Void variations
Overall Elevation Rhythm/Variation
South
East
North
West
Void Strategy Terrace/Canopy/Void
Beam for lateral stability of columns
1:100 Semi-Decompositional Sectional Model Structural/Hierarchy/Tectonics
1:100 Semi-Decompositional Sectional Model Spatial/Connection/Evolution
Close-up - Terrace Interior/Beam/Atmosphere
Overall Section Outdoor/Indoor/Entrance Spatial quality of thresholds
Typical Plan Circulation/Arrangement/Privacy
Terrace condition, 33/F
Canopy condition, 37/F
1:200 0 1m 2m
4m
6m
10m
Typical Plan Diagram Gradation of Erasure
+1/F
All Original
24/F
28/F
32/F
36/F
All Original
25/F
29/F
33/F
37/F
30/F
34/F
38/F
31/F
35/F
39/F
+1/F
26/F
+1/F
+1/F
27/F
Designated terrace (uncovered space)
Unit Plan Gradation/Terrace/Enclosure/Organize Covered
Terrace
Covered
Living room access 1 bedroom access, 2 rooms view No terrace
1 bedroom access
1BR
56m2
2
M
Terrace
Usable 100%
Unit Type A Slab Type (-3)
2BR
147m2
3
M+
Terrace
Covered
Living room access
Living room access
Bedroom access, Living room view
2 bedroom access
Bedroom access
1 bedroom access
1BR
95m2
2
M+
Usable 60%
Unit Type B Slab Type (-2)
Usable 65%
Unit Type C Slab Type (-1)
Covered
2BR
221m2
3-4
L+
Usable 67%
Unit Type D Slab Type (1)
Oblique partition walls and continuous glass panels on the opposite side dictates the organization of rooms in terms of enclosure. Continuous balustrade connects the columns thus reinforcing the horizontality of the slab.
Terrace
Covered
Terrace
Living room access
Living room access
2 bedroom access
2 bedroom access
1 bedroom access
1 bedroom access
3BR
271m2
4
L+
Terrace
Usable 82%
Unit Type E Slab Type (2)
Covered
3BR
360m2
5-6
XL+
Covered
Usable 87%
Unit Type G Slab Type (4)
Covered
Living room access 2 bedroom access
Living room access
1 bedroom access, 2 rooms view
2 bedroom access; shared private terrace
3BR
323m2
5
L+
Usable 84%
Unit Type F
Slab Type (3)
3BR
375m2
5-6
XL+
Usable 83%
Unit Type H
Slab Type (5)
Unit Plan; further variations Canopy/Centered organization/Communal terrace
4BR
221m2
7
M
Usable 95% Canopy (No Terrace)
Unit Type I Slab Type (1)
Centered Organization By pushing bedroom to the rear - with clerestory instead of full height windows, one could get more bedroom per unit, and the living room/dining room/kitchen become the central space of the unit, thus creating a more intimate and connected living condition.
2BR
217m2
Usable 77%
3
L+
Communal Terrace
Unit Type J Slab Type (4)
Communal Terrace Borrowing the original strategy of dividing the quadrant by utilizing the shear wall, units could be iterated on either side, while concentrating the terrace spaces into one big communal area. A possiblity of access to other floors or duplex could further be explored.
Reflection Future possibility/New ways of access/Communal spaces
Further exploration on this project promises the possibility of communal spaces, in form of vertical garden by reallocating the terrace spaces into a communal circulation. Though not present in the final iteration of this project, the possibilities are apparent within the massing development, especially the “Intermediary Terrace” and “Maximizing Terrace” iteration. A vertical expansion that is far from the ground, a shared garden could mimic the public space present in the ground condition. Thus, serving as a meeting points between the residents of the higher floors, bringing up the faraway ground.