Rob Goacher DS4 2018-19
AN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SPATIAL EMANCIPATION 04. Karposh’s: Tomorrow
Sun exposure
Rules of demarcation
Material Reuse Opportunity
Material Panel Evolution
Deck fabrication and erection process
Construction details
Structure
Environmental response to Karposh
Thermal strategy
Lighting strategy
Sustainability strategy
Structural strategy
Service routes
Defining construction type and maker
The Makers
20 years, Part of Karposh
The core themes of my project evolve around 4 ideas, firstly the utilisation of the makers economy, providing solutions to the issues of affordability, the interplay between family dynamics and the redefinition of space and politics within Karposh. My project acts as an toolbox, an exoskeleton to be constructed in Karposh to provide for great change, with the people of Karposh themselves deciding on the flesh to inhabit said skeleton. The following pages define the new typology, its dynamics, spatial reasoning, material decisions, time-lines and incrementality.
Family dynamics
TYPICAL
Single Parent Family One parent raising children, more common in today’s world with divorce more common or one parent working abroad. -
Childless Family An adult couple without children, for a variety of reasons, they may not want or be able to have children. Often doesn’t fit into the traditional idea of family.
Extended Family Two or more related adults and there corresponding relatives live together, prevalent in places lacking good pensions etc. and certain cultures, such as the Albanian society in North Macedonia.
Now
DYNAMICS
FAMILY
The new typology is embedded with an idea of family, the family unit is fundamental to the issues of housing in Karposh, and the relationships within the new typology of parent blocks, umbilical cords and child forms allow for new dynamic forms of family to be developed, which are adaptable, interchangeable and responsive: the capsules, panel choice and location in the mast structures represent these new family dynamics spatially.
Nuclear Family Traditional family structure in Europe including north Macedonia, 2 Adults, 2 Children
The situation in Karposh today Privatisation, immigration from eastern Macedonia, the elimination of rent control and lack of housing as well as high utilities prices have made housing unaffordable and inaccessible to many, especially younger low-wage or unemployed people as significant saving and higher than average wages are required to afford homes, therefore young people are forced to continue living with parents.
DYNAMICS
FAMILY
Future New Typology inhabitation Initially the young person from the related apartment in the existing building would move into the new capsule with cheap or available components. They would still have significant links to the parent block, possibly going to their parents often and sharing services.
Further New Typology evolution The capsule inhabitation evolves further as the one of the parents dies and his widow swaps her apartment for the capsule with her son and his now family takes over her apartment, they share services and help each other with childcare etc.
New Typology evolution The capsule inhabitation evolves as the inhabitant’s life evolves, i.e. his girlfriend moves in with him and he swaps out some panels as he can afford them to provide more space and a better environment to meet their needs.
DYNAMICS
FAMILY
The family dynamics will result in the spatial evolution of the parent and child form and the spaces in between.
Proposed 21.06
SUN EXPOSURE
The initial location for the first parentchild relationship, it’s interaction with shadows on the 21/06 are shown below, It is under considerable shadow in the morning and evening, but relatively unshaded at mid-day. The demarcation of masts allow for the existing apartments to retain light access.
21.06
21.06 Sunpath
21.06 Existing block light access retained
21.06 Composite image
21.06 07.00hrs
21.06 12.00hrs
21.06 15,00hrs
21.06 19,00hrs
21.12
Proposed 21.12
SUN EXPOSURE
The initial location for the first parentchild relationship, it’s interaction with shadows on the 21/12 are shown below, It is under considerable shadow in the morning, evening and afternoon but still relatively unshaded at mid-day, though some of the smaller buildings to the south have significant shadows. The demarcation of masts allow for the existing apartments to retain light access.
21.06
21.12 Sunpath
21.12 Existing block light access retained
21.12 Composite image
21.12 07.00hrs
21.12 12.00hrs
21.12 15,00hrs
21.12 19,00hrs
21.12
Possible SPATIAL RESULT
SUN EXPOSURE
Key 21.12
21.06 07:00hrs
12:00hrs
15:00hrs
15:00hrs
The shadows impact on the child form can lead to the resident’s determination of the position of cores, rooms and uses.
Possible PANEL RESULT
SUN EXPOSURE
Key 21.12
21.06 07:00hrs
12:00hrs
15:00hrs
15:00hrs
The shadows impact on the child form can lead to the resident’s determination of which panels are to be glazed or incorporate canopies to shade from the sun.
Of mast demarcation
RULES
01 Height -Determined to ensure light access to corresponding parent block -Determined to avoid obstruction -Determined to allow for their construction by Macedonian Pine trunks -Determined by height of corresponding parent block to ensure subservient hierarchy. 02 Parent Block -New masts must have a credible (pier) link to a parent block- cannot sit independently. -Must be linked by piers to parent blocks 03 Horizontal Limit -Determined to avoid obstruction -Determined by scale of corresponding parent block to ensure similar of subservient horizontal dimensions -Determined by landscaping features, such as roads and pathways
How the masts locations are decided is not random, the masts must be sufficient to provide for capsule attachment, they must be similar in dimension etc. to fit the modular capsule components and relate infrastructurally, organisationally and physically to corresponding parent blocks.
04 Frame Internal Dimensions -Determined to hold capsule structures -Determined to avoid obstructions -Determined by vertical and horizontal limit, -Within small variation of 5x5m grid to ensure pre-fabrication elements such as initial floor decks fit the frameworks. 05 Services -Determined by need of child and parent inhabitants -Use piers to connect parent and child blocks -Connect capsules within the form. 06 Fabrication -Fabricated by the community. Makers fabricate within the fabrication area. -Follow the panel dimensions and guidelines- i.e. use recycled waste material etc. -Connections self-made 07 Community control -All demarcation decisions and updated demarcation rules are controlled by the Karposh community cooperative and followed by all child form development in the area.
Karposh, Skopje
G b Ro
er ch oa
Introduction
Cataloguing waste materials Conclusion
The typology of addition evident in Karposh uses a range of materials, mostly found, cheap and available, I have previous catalogued these materials of addition. Concrete, render, timber, uPVC plastic, brick, metal spray-paint and fabric seem to be common materials of addition. Examples of waste material from these additions and from the wider change apparent in Karposh are littered throughout the area. I want to use this architectural language and choice of materials for the ‘makers’ to make the panels out of.
CATALOGUE OF WASTE MATERIALS
Karposh
Karposh is one of Skopje’s 10 municipalities, to the west of the city centre, It has a population of around 60,000; mostly resident in apartment buildings. Predominately inhabited by Macedonian Slavs. It acts as an typically inner city residential area of the apartment, not barrack or detached home typology. When I was in Karposh, I got interested in the language of additions- from exoskeletons and extensions to balcony enclosure. The developer typology is one of building exoskeletons enabling roof extensions, purely for profit, (roof extensions are chosen as they do not incur taxes which new buildings occur and due to the lack of available space in Karposh. Community typologies occur when residents of apartment blocks combine together create exoskeletons, larger additions or even just agreements, i.e. render colour agreements. Individual or domestic typologies are the most numerous, ranging in scale from large enclosure of balconies and terraces to plant, graffiti or hanging out washing.
STEEL CAR PANELS
Across Karposh there are several abandoned or semi-abandoned cars, mostly Yugoslavian in period. They are unused, indicated through a build-up of leaves, aged fading and flat tyres.
The new forms will enliven and take over public space, there will be less space for the cars as well as the opportunity to reuse the cars.
The cars could be taken apart and the aluminium panels reused as a cladding material for maker’s made panels.
Insulation
Many of the new additions such as the enclosure of terraces and balconies as well as the addition of insulation to existing apartment blocks are done by Insulated panels, there are often spare and abandoned panels around the area.
As the new typology takes over many public spaces in Karposh and enlivens the area, the insulated panels will need to be collected by the ‘makers’ economy within the area.
The panels could be used in the construction of the panels or for the insulation under the floor decks.
TIMBER
Many of the new additions such as the enclosure of terraces and balconies contain timber, waste timber is easy to find within Karposh, from it being abandoned in under-crofts or abandoned buildings or as old windows (replaced by uPVC), Most of the garages doors are timber as well, and the garages little used. As the new typology takes over many public spaces in Karposh and enlivens the area, the waste timber will need to be collected by the ‘makers’ economy within the area.
The timber windows and panels could be used to clad the panels and help with the construction of the capsules or connections. Timber will be a major material both cladding, panel and structure wise for the capsule components.
UPVC WINDOWS
Many of apartment blocks have endeavoured to replace there windows with uPVC ones, they are cheap and available and radically change the comfort quality of the apartment.
Some of these uPVC windows are spare or incompatible and have been dumped in under-croft areas, they could be reused as windows or cladding for the new external panels
The uPVC windows could be used as windows within the new maker’s made panels as cladding.
FABRIC
Fabric is currently hung throughout the area, to allow clothing to dry and also as a measure to increase privacy between exterior and internal apartments, I have also speculated the use of fabric within more radical additions.
Similar expectations of privacy will occur in the new child forms as well as fabric’s use as a more permanent material.
The Fabric could be used to construct curtains and temporary panel inserts or even to construct aspects of panels, i.e. folding components or screens.
METAL BOARDING/panelling
Currently used to board around construction sites or spare offcuts from roof construction and often left afterwards being dumped within the under-croft areas. It could be reused. Spare reinforcement mesh could also be used as it’s often dumped next to the boarding.
As the new typology takes over, public space will be taken over and in need of the removal of rubbish. The abandoned or future metallic boarding could be reused as a material for panel construction.
The metallic boarding can become the exterior skin of the interchangeable panels.
BRICK and Block Rubble
Currently hollow terracotta blocks and a variety of types of brick are used to infill balconies or terraces to create larger apartments etc. Many offcuts and spare bricks litter the area around apartment buildings and in under-crofts throughout the area.
As the new typology takes over many public spaces in Karposh and enlivens the area, the rubble will need to be collected by the ‘makers’ economy within the area.
The brick and terracotta block fragments can be gathered up and ground and mixed to form tiles or panels.
SCAFFOLDING POLES
Currently used to support the construction of exoskeletons within the defined developer typology. It could be speculated that the scaffolding poles could prop up future more radical additions.
As the new typology reduces the developer’s role in the community, Scaffolding poles are left redundant and could be reused as a material for panel construction.
The scaffolding props could be used to enable folding out panels to fold out or gathered together to form panel facade elevations.
EXPLORATION ON A CAPSULE
I have taken the new material language of found and unused materials around Karposh to reuse it in the new capsule and connection construction, such as the capsule opposite.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Karposh contains a variety of waste or unused materials which can be a vital opportunity to be reused as material for new cladding panels, insulation or structure. The materials contain a variety , from timber to metal and in general are fairly well-known and easy to use. They provide a opportunity for low-income residents to purchase panels and fit well into the narrative of local makers and community control.
CATALOGUE OF WASTE MATERIALS
PANEL EVOLUTION
Material
The use of reused waste material, for example old steel car panels to form bespoke cladding for the panels will mimic the progression of the typology and maker’s economy. Initially the unskilled makers will only be able to simply bolt the intact panels to battens on the panels. As their experience and level of skills increase, more manufactured cladding could be produced i.e. by borrowing metal pressers to press the car panels in shingles.
Steel car panels, Just placed onto semi-modular panels as bespoke cladding
Unskilled, inexperienced makers
Pressed shingles (borrow local industry’s metal press) from car panels to become base for bespoke cladding fixed to semi-modular panels
Panel evolution
SKILL AND EXPERIENCE GAINED
Skilled, experienced makers
FABRICATION AND ERECTION PROCESS
DECK
The deck will be made in the fabrication area for efficiency and ease, Makers will utilise the spare undercarriage from the old cars, (whose panels have already provided cladding materials) to create moving apparatus to transport the decks and then a crane will place them into the child form, and then will be attached etc.
Build up How is the capsule constructed?
DECK
4
3
2m Prefabricated Deck Build-up 1:20 1. 25x25mm holes, galvanised steel mesh to hang lights, peppers or plans under the capsule 2. 18mm Plywood board 3. 2mm waterproof breather membrane 4. 100x450x2600mm timber members with 50x50 battens nailed on top to support tile placement 5. 350x80mm modular aluminium panel-deck attachment 6.150mm bespoke insulation 7. 100x500x4000-6000mm (6000 members support the deck on the masts) timber members 8. 681x2600x60 ground recycled brick/block reinforced with fibre (possibly created from waste plastic) floor tiles 1:20
1m
2
1
8
7
6
5
EXPANSION AND CONNECTION How is the capsule constructed?
DECK
0.5m
1:10
1m
5
6 10
8 4
9 7 3 1 2
Deck expansion and connection 1:10 1. 18mm Plywood board 2. 2mm waterproof breather membrane 3. 100x450x2600mm timber members with 50x50 battens nailed on top to support tile placement 4. 350x80mm modular aluminium panel-deck attachment 5.150mm bespoke insulation 6. 100x500x4000-6000mm (6000 members support the deck on the masts) timber members 7. 100x500x1000mm Timber expansion member (example) 8. 540x20mm Modular metal expansion attachment connection 9. Correspondingly sized steel bolts and washers 10. 326x150x150mm timber joist connection
CONNECTION How ARE the Panels Connected?
Panel
0.5m
1:10
1m
3
9
7 6 10
8
5
4
1 2
Panel connection 1:10 1. 18mm Plywood board 2. 2mm waterproof breather membrane 3. 100x450x2600mm timber members with 50x50 battens nailed on top to support tile placement 4. 350x80mm modular insulated aluminium panel-deck attachment 5.150mm bespoke insulation 6. 100x500x4000-6000mm (6000 members support the deck on the masts) timber members 7. Panel (see Panel detail) 8. Corresponding modular metal built-in panel insert 9. Correspondingly sized steel bolts and washers 10. 326x150x150mm timber joist connection
Foundation
MAST
1
2
4
3
10
5 The masts will have to take considerable loads, therefore will require pile foundations, which will have to have structural engineer input for each child form to evaluate the necessary requirements. The timber mast and ground should not come into contact therefore a damp proof membrane and steel plate are placed between it and the concrete pad. The concrete steel plate acts as a steel maker-friendly attachment device.
1:20
0.4m
7
1m
Mast’s pile foundation 1:20 1. Macedonian pine tree trunk mast (≈300mm diameter) 2. 25mm diameter steel bolt 3. 25mm steel plate cast into concrete pad 4. 2mm damp proof membrane 5. Reinforced concrete pad foundation (dimensions based on structural engineer’s calculations, dependent on location, height and perceived load of mast). 6. Poured reinforced concrete foundation pile (depth and diameter based on structural engineer’s calculations, dependent on location, height and perceived load of mast as well as sil type and depth etc.). 7. Former location of pile excavation 8. Low bearing capacity soil 9. High bearing capacity soil 10. Ground line
6
8
9
Construction
PANEL
0.25m
1:10 0.25m
1:10
0.125m
1:5
0.5m
1m
Preceden t Recover y Insulatio n’s recycled cotton’s inno-the rm
0.25m
0.5m
8
9
2
10 1
1 3
6
3 4 1 6 3
4
6 57 8 9
3
2 1 Caulking between panels 1:5 1. Adjoining Panels 2. Caulking fibre- oakum (≈10mm rad) 3. Pitch sealant The panel joints will be closed via caulking- similar to boat caulking, another scenario based on timber-timber connections, the caulking fibre can be made using recycled rope or from hemp fibre, treated with pine tar (from pine sap- i.e. the Macedonian pine). Caulking then uses pitch to seal the joints.
4
57 8 9
2
2 5 7
1
Bespoke Insulation Panel Build-up 1:10 1. 12.5mm Plywood board 2. 12.5mm Oriented strand board 3. 2mm Vapour barrier 4. ≈100mmx100 mm timber stud-work (C16 sawn) frame infilled with bespoke insulation 5. 18mm Oriented strand board 6. 2mm Waterproof Breather membrane 7. 25x25mm tanalised timber battens 8. 25x25mm tanalised timber counterbattens 9. ≈20mm Bespoke waste material (spare zinc roofing sheets) cladding Waste Clothing from Karposh could be used to form insulation. Initially as makers lack skills and equipment- clothing could simply infill the timber stud-work along with some recycled waste polystyrene insulation from around Karposh. In the future, the clothing could be formed into a more efficient manufactured product made with plastic fibre by the now more experienced makers.
Interchangeable Panel Build-up 1:10 1. 12.5mm Plywood board 2. 12.5mm Oriented strand board 3. 2mm Vapour barrier 4. ≈100mmx100 mm timber stud-work (C16 sawn) frame infilled with bespoke insulation 5. 15x100mm Plywood end piece 6. 18mm Oriented strand board 7. 2mm Waterproof Breather membrane 8. 25x25mm tanalised timber battens 9. 25x25mm tanalised timber counterbattens 10. ≈20mm Bespoke waste material (spare zinc roofing sheets) cladding
Precedents/ Materials
Structure
Structural cores Interchangeable structural core-rooms provide pre-fabricated spaces such as kitchens or bathrooms (which residents may find hard to create themselves) as well as acting as structural components to support the frames which hold the panels in place, they are simple timber constructions. |They will have thick solid timber walls to take the weight and loads. Precedents Furniture House 1, Yamanashi, Japan, 1995 Shigeru Ban This house uses large prefabricated built-in furniture pieces as walls and structural components. It reduces materials, cost and time, simple timber blocks are used.
Decks The structural decks will be constructed with timber, as it is easily workable with fairly inexpensive tools as well as being relatively available and affordable compared to other materials such as steel. The timber type may be dependent on the makers and/or resident- Glue laminated timber may be used during the construction of some decks- if the residents can afford it, If not normal sawn timber will be used, the decks are over-engineered to allow for the use of a number of types of timber- i.e. what is available for the makers. Why timber? -Renewable and nature (ensure sourced from sustainable forest, acts as a carbon sink and has low embodied carbon -High strength to weight ratio and low density compared to other structural materials -Durable species available- i.e.
Why Glulam? -Specific dimensions and sizes available, little waste. -Can be very strong -Versatile use -Large spans -Good fire resistance
Precedent Precedent Whitetail Woods Regional Park Camper Yardhouse, London Cabins, Minnesota Assemble 2012 HGA Architects, 2014 Yardhouse was built with a timber Hovering over trees, supported by frame- simply by relatively unskilled concrete columns, sits theses cabin’s non-professionals and raised without decks made of a red cedar glulam, above significant cranes or machinery. sits cedar and pine framing with red cedar cladding. This project was built on a site with significant constraints (trees) and built by local vocational college students, highlighting the ease of timber construction.
Better Days House, 1956 Jean Prouvé An exemplar project for Prouvé‘s mass-produced housing ideas this project aimed to be long lasting, light, economical and comfortable. The pre-fabricated steel core housed the kitchen, bathroom, and toilet and supports a steel beam and therefore the building’s substructure.
Masts The masts are made from Macedonian pine tree trunks as they can be large even, high enough and are easily accessible within Skopje (See Mast pages in Nascent book for more information) Why Pine? -Accessible -Easy workable -Straightforward connections -One of the strongest soft woods in the world
Response to Karposh
Environmental
Please see pages in relation to 20 years drawing for response to wind, noise etc. Sun exposure pages highlight the response to the sun, as well as site catalogue for earthquake risk and tree/green cover in Karposh,
Spatial configuration Timber thermal mass 28.8
31.4 31.5 26.5
24.4
19.8
19.1 Temperature (oC)
14.0
13.7
8.3
5.4
38
40
29
11.6
10.0
Average High 4.5 Average High -3.8 -2.3 1.6 Average 30 Precipitation (mm)
15.8 15.7 11.5 7.2
5.5 1.8
43
54
38
36
34
49
45
Daily mean
-1.8 48
Thermal response The temperature in Karposh is fairly warm in the summer getting to 30+oC, an fairly cold in the winter just below freezing. Tough the temperatures are nothing extremely hostile. Therefore the spatial configuration of the capsules, their room choice and panel choice configuration are paramount to thermal response, with windows placed on southern elevations to heat up the space in the winter, as well as the insertion of canopies to shade the same elevations in Sewage the summer (see sun exposure pages for further information). The capsule is well-insulated so heating will not be too much of an issue, but gas heating will be established as it’s simple, easy and accessible. The timber frame will provide a level of thermal mass to keep the thermal quality comfortable, other cooling can be achieved through passive cross and stack ventilation to achieve a fresh atmosphere.
Pollution response Pollution: Skopje has many issues with air pollution: It even gained the title of most polluted city in the world in January 2019 with PM 2.5, a measure linked to premature death and respiratory issues It is polluted due to it location in a valley, which traps the pollution which is caused by significant use of coal and wood burning in heating (42%) and industry. Other forms of heating is too expensive and old vehicles are common, A lack of insulation also increases the need for heating and therefore pollution. To ensure the capsules are insulated from pollution they shall be completely en-closable, the use of waste materials, solar panels and low-tech construction techniques should not increase the pollution within the area, as well as not using firewood or coal for heating and being well-insulated,
Gas
Heating
Heating and hot water will be provided by a simple gas combiboiler, affordable and compact, in a similar way mobile homes are heatedthough the compact well insulated capsules shouldn’t need that much heating. Initially the boilers will use commercially available gas canisters and then enlarged to a district heating network in the future. The gas could be attained trough the placing he sewage into an area-wide bio-digester to create gas to use for heating- though this would be costly and would happen well into the future.
STRATEGY
THERMAL
What do I want to achieve? The capsules must be thermally comfortable, sustainable and affordable. I want them to be warm, through well-insulated panel construction and minimal sustainable accessible heating. A cool and fresh environment is desirable through panel/spatial choice enabling cross and stack ventilation via opening windows in the side and roof panels. Cooling will be enhanced by the timbers thermal mass and canopies.
Gas
Cooling and ventilation Cooler air, shaded from below travel across the building through windows in panels (through panel location-best practice), Hot air rises though stair aperture and out of opening roof panel. The spatial choice of location of certain rooms i.e. the bedroom into more overshadowed spaces (see sun exposure pages) help cool the room. Canopies can be inserted above windows to provide extra shading and therefore cooling. The thermal mass of the timber construction will help retain heat as well as cooling down the capsule in the summer.
As the air warms it rises to exit the building by roof windows or vented placed in panels by residents within the roof.
Heating
Sewage
Opening Roof Window Heating and hot water will be provided by a simple gas combiboiler, affordable and compact, in a similar way mobile homes are heated- though the compact well insulated capsules shouldn’t need that much heating. Initially the boilers will use commercially available gas canisters and then enlarged to a district heating network in the future. The gas could be attained through the placing of sewage into an area-wide biodigester to create gas to use for heatingthough this would be costly and would happen well into the future. Waste Clothing from Karposh could be used to form insulation. Initially as makers lack skills and equipment- clothing could simply infill the timber stud-work along with some recycled waste polystyrene insulation from around Karposh. In the future, the clothing could be formed into a more efficient manufactured product made with plastic fibre by the now more experienced makers.
Canopies, shade and cooling
Opening Window
Warmer air
Opening Window
Prefabricated service routes made by the service route maker, embed within each deckcarry services Cooler air fresh) for sleeping
Opening Roof Window
STRATEGY
LIGHTING
ive location in the child form
N
In the capsules, lighting will be at direction of the inhabitant, the capsule provided as a shell with service routes, therefore lighting can be easily attached, panel choice is also at the resident’s discretion, therefore the natural light coming into the capsules is also at their discretion.
The new hearth space and newly established routes will have to be light, as currently they’re not light whatever- providingSpatial unused, dark exposure and expansion of relationships Components of the new forms and unsafe space. Therefore so the routes can be established and the hearth spaces used at night, I’ll insert light. These lights will be made by the makers economy and maintained by the cooperative, they will be battery powered- so Carpenter/Bookworm they don’t have to be connected expensively to the service Sewer/Planter routes. Old glass bottles or jars are use to form the encasement of the light. Attachment (Fixer) maker makes components to cap the light, allowing the glass to screw into it and allowing it to hang with cord/ string. The battery and fitting for the bulb can also be fixed within the attachment.
w
Lights defining the hearth space and new routes
Simple and easily available and easy to use/maintain light bulb, fixed into the attachment.
Acoustic Strategy Acoustically the capsules should be well enough insulated to provide a comfortable space. Yet the Karposh area is not full of any significant industry or noise-making activities, rather residential properties. Therefore acoustic insulation is not a significant issue and the insulation within the panels should be enough to contain any unwanted noise pollution. Insulation provides acoustic barrier
Work with changing needs and want
Utopia Expanded living
Light/environmental quality addition typology Community tightness and resilience enabling a diverse, rich and multi-generational society.
Retain
Now
Ensure Capacity and resilience to take advantage of new opportunities and cope with possible problems
Future
EU/NATO membership
Loss? Parking spaces Permanance
Resilience increased
Better Economy
Expanded opportunities
Better Jobs
Better ability to build
Social Sustainability The new typology allows family dynamics to flow through the area, emancipating the space outside of the apartment block, increasing capacity and resilience and building stronger more resilient communities by increasing their cooperative through interaction within the hearth space and working together through the cooperative as well as allowing natural multi-generational living and reducing the possibilities of ‘grey’ islands of elderly inhabitants only. (See relationships and new typology within the regime change booklet for more information)
Dystopia
Population Increased Resilience/expansion. Capacity will help Temporary and Provide Post-Earthquake resilience transitional nature and accomodation/ rebuild. 1963 of modern society. internaitonal relief unlikely today Provide services internally such as electric and water from the New self-sufficient child forms combating the communities unaffordability of housing, increasing resilience. In the long run, as jobs become rarer and inequality increases, there is an EU brain drain, jobs become automated, and climate change Break down of government makes housing in the frame more Community controlled parent-child groupings take over, accessible, as it’ll be resilient, new fairer resilient democratic form of government. affordable and adaptable.
STRATEGY
Sustainability
Sustainability Strategy The project is inherently environmentally and socially sustainable in a number of ways including the use of sustainable timber construction. The reuse of waste materials from around Karposh into new construction components especially as cladding. The use of solar panels for electric and the use of gas (cleaner than widely used firewood or coal) for heating provide the basis of sustainability within the service system. The low-machinery and local basis of the maker’s economy also plays into the sustainability of the project. The ‘other’ space’s allocation as a wild unmaintained parkland taken over; will allow an increase in biodiversity of plants and animals, as humans leave space for new habitats to grow (see biodiversity page in 20 years pages). The communities which will be formed will also increase the social sustainability of the area, with the new child forms providing increased capacity and resilience for each parent block community as well as the hearth spaces providing community spaces for increased interactions and events providing increased social resilience.
Location of Macedonian Pines Accessible Areas around Skopje Mixed Forest Coniferous Forest Sustainable Timber Macedonian pine for the masts can be sourced easily around Skopje. Timber is a renewable and natural material (ensure sourced from sustainable forest) and acts as a carbon sink and has low embodied carbon. Solar Panels Electricity provided through solar panels in child form (each capsule roughly 1500W capacity needed (4 small panels (1700x1016x40mm) will provide environmentally sustainable electric production, within an entire family service endeavour.
Gas
Heating
Sewage
Using gas As previously mentioned gas will be used for minimal heating it is easily available in Karposh and significantly better than coal and firewood burning, especially coal. The eventual investment in a bio-digester to create methane from the sewage within the district and then use it for heating will allow even more sustainable development.
Makers Economy The makers use of waste materials is obvious as a sustainable technique to embed the project in the community, to ensure it is cheap, affordable and accessible. Individual resident or specialist makers will reuse this material to create new bespoke cladding for example, Metal cladding is dumped across Karposh, It’s currently used to board around construction sites or spare offcuts from roof construction and often left afterwards being dumped within the under-croft areas. It could be reused. Spare reinforcement mesh could also be used as it’s often dumped next to the boarding for example on the capsule’s decks undersides to hang plants or lights on. The low machinery techniques and fabrication of the makers also is better for the environment than imported, industrious goods.
STRATEGY
STRUCTURAL
The structure of the capsule will be simple, made from accessible and available materials and simple enough for the unprofessional makers to construct; especially during the initiation period.
Structural Hierarchy The capsule’s primary structure is made incrementally from the masts, then the lower deck, lower core (utility and structure), upper deck (if applicable), upper core and roof deck. The interchangeable elevation and roof panels compose the secondary structure. 1:100
Key
5m
2m
Primary structure Decks, Cores and masts
Secondary structure Interchangeable Panels
Structural types The individual capsule components contain different construction types, they are easy to construct by the underskilled makers, with simple accessible materials and easy maintained, expanded and adapted. 1:100
2m
5m
Semi-modular timber stud-work insulated interchangeable panel with bespoke cladding Macedonian pine tree trunk masts Solid glulam timber adaptable structural cores Solid glulam timber grid deck
Structural types Forces act upon the building, with loads travelling down through the cores and across the decks before travelling to the ground through the masts. Tension exists within the deck and compression between them 1:100
2m Structural loads (l-r, live/dead, tension, compression)
5m
Routes
Service
Prefabricated service routes made by the service route maker, embed within each deckcarry services
Heating and hot water will be provided by a simple gas combi- boiler, affordable and compact, in a similar way mobile homes are heatedthough the compact well insulated capsules shouldn’t need that much heating. Initially the boilers will use commercially available gas canisters and then enlarged to a district heating network in the future.
1m 5m 1:50 Service Section Services enter the capsule through service routes which penetrate through each deck, they are in-filled with insulation at each end to decrease cold bridging. In general it will be up to the residents and/or makers within the maker’s economy to connect to the service routes to provide adaptability and allow for personal spatial configuration.
1:200
4m
10m
Service Plan This plan of part of a child form shows how the services are combined into the service routes within the decks, they use the pier as an infrastructural connection to a new service centre in the underused stairwell cupboard to connect to the building and wider networks.
Key Water Sewage Electric Heating
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CONSTRUCTION TYPE AND MAKER
DEFINING
The capsule is constructed through the maker’s economy, though a complex interplay of makers. Some of the capsule’s components are modular- to allow for efficiency, prefabrication and a maker’s production line- the idea of individual makers for each component will allow for makers to become more skilled and experienced- producing better quality components and utilising makers with specific skills or material burdens.
Modular Prefabricated Same for each Capsule Made by deck and service route makers.
Semi-Modular Prefabricated Different options or configurations available.
Semi-Bespoke On site construction Same material and design used, but changed due to site constraints
Made by panel, core makers and tilers.
Made by mast, pier and service route makers.
Bespoke On site construction Resident/maker choice of material and design, in line with what’s available/wanted. Made by resident makers and specialist skill makers.
Maker
DECK
Modular Prefabricated Same for each Capsule
Who: The deck maker Make: The deck makers make the timber structures which form the decks of the capsules, including the joists which attach the deck to the masts, they infill the structures with insulation and line the underside of the lowest deck with waterproof membrane and plywood board. Skills: The deck makers will have some of the most developed construction skills out of all of the makers- they will make timber working skills to construct the decks- tough the form and structure is not to complicated and doesn’t require extremely skilled construction skills. Where: The decks will be prefabricated in the area-wide fabrication site to the north-east, to allow for easier construction (not on the masts) and to allow for economies of scale.
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Maker
PANEL
Semi-Modular Prefabricated Different options or configurations available.
Who: The Panel maker Make: The panel makers make the timber stud structures which form the panels of the capsules, they infill the panels with insulation and line them with waterproof membrane and plywood boards. Skills: The panel makers will have some of the most developed construction skills out of all of the makers- they will have timber working skills to construct the decks- tough the form and structure is not to complicated and doesn’t require extremely skilled construction skills, they may also be deck makers and more than likely have existing woodworking skills. Where: The panels will be prefabricated in the area-wide fabrication site to the north-east, to allow for easier construction (not on the masts) and to allow for economies of scale.
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Maker
CORE
Semi-Modular Prefabricated Different options or configurations available.
Who: The Core maker Make: The Core makers make the timber structural core/rooms structures which form the structural core of the capsules and provide services such as kitchens and bathrooms, they will work together with different skills such as plumbing and woodwork to build the entire core. Skills: The core makers will have some of the most developed construction skills out of all of the makers- Some will have timber working skills to construct the structure tough the form and structure is not to complicated and doesn’t require extremely skilled construction skills, other core-makers will have over skills, probably having a level of construction knowledge or experience. Where: The cores will be prefabricated in the area-wide fabrication site to the north-east, to allow for easier construction (not on the masts) and to allow for economies of scale, and a production-line style interchange of makers.
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Til
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Who: The Tile maker Make: The Tile makers make the tiles which sit in different configurations on top of the timber decks, they are constructed from the ground-up waste bricks and blocks around Karposh, the brick and blocks used in each tile, will give them a unique dimension, though they are mass produced. Skills: The tile makers will require little skill post the initial learning curve, some though might have existing ceramic or pottery skill-sets. Where: The tile manufacture requires processes and space and therefore will be prefabricated in the area-wide fabrication site to the north-east and taken to site to sit upon the decks.
Fa Ar br ea ica t
Maker
TILE
Semi-Modular Prefabricated Different options or configurations available.
SI TE
MA ST
Who: The Mast maker Make: The Mast makers make the masts which form the child forms, they are constructed from Macedonian pine tree trunks from the forests around Skopje, therefore though categorised and cut to size they will all be unique. Skills: The mast makers will require some carpentry skills, though not a significant amount and often brute manpower will be more significant to skill, Where: The mast maker will work on site, as the masts will have to be configured to the site context, i.e. there height being defined by the sun access for the existing parent blocks.
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MAST
Maker
Semi-Bespoke On site construction Same material and design used, but changed due to site constraints
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Pie
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Who: The Pier maker Make: The Pier makers make the piers which connect the parent blocks and the child forms, they are constructed from concrete and steel, cheaply acquired by the cooperative in a large quantity to be used. Skills: The Pier makers will require some concreting and steel work skills as the cantilevers, heights and lengths may be larger- though, as the piers are similar in construction the experience and skill gain will not have as significant an effect some of the other makers, i.e. the cladding makers., Where: The Pier maker will work on site, as the piers will have to be configured to the site context, i.e. there height being defined by the stairwell floor heights of the existing parent blocks.
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Maker
PIER
Semi-Bespoke On site construction Same material and design used, but changed due to site constraints
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Who: The Service Route maker Make: The service route makers make the metal tubular service route connections which hold the service pipes which connect the parent blocks and the capsules within the child forms, bridging between the forms and parent block through the piers, the routes will have to be adaptable and built in line with the different heights and positions of the capsules. Skills: The Service route makers will require some metal work skills, though once these are learnt they should quickly gain experience and skills to easily construct the routes Where: The maker will work on site, as the routes will have to be configured to the site context, i.e. there height being defined by the capsule location.
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Maker
Service route
Semi-Bespoke On site construction Same material and design used, but changed due to site and child form constraints
Co n Or nec cl tion ad din s g
Who: The Resident maker Make: The Resident makers make there own interventions for there own capsules, including the connections between capsule and pier for access or personal cladding expressions, from materials they have salvaged or acquired or are skilled in. Skills: The Resident makers will require little skill in timber construction to make new connections between pier and capsule. The skills in regard to cladding are varied and expansive, as they’re personal skills forming the personal expressions. Where: The timber construction for the connections will be built on site, as they will be unique to the unique spaces, sizes and requires between capsule and pier or ground. The cladding may be built by the resident on site or in the fabrication area.
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Maker
RESIDENT
Bespoke On site construction Bespoke material and design used, what is available/ accessible
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Who: The Specialist maker Make: The Specialist makers have specialist skills or specific access to certain materials, they therefore make specific cladding, i.e. a woodworking specialist may produce ornate wooden cladding Skills: The Specialist makers will all be highly skilled in the certain specialisms they require for the cladding etc. they produce. Where: The specialists may be more inclined to construct classing etc. on site, as they will be unique to the unique spaces, The cladding though may also be built by the specialist in the fabrication area.
ON FA SITE BR ICA OR TIO NA
Maker
Specialist
Bespoke On site construction Bespoke material and design used, what is available/ accessible
Maker
COMMUNITY
Semi-Bespoke On site construction Same material and design used, but changed due to site constraints
Who: The Community maker Make: The community maker will make the components that inhabit the hearth spaces and the new routes, most notably the lights and hearth fire-pits, as well as the defining ground cover (gravel). Skills: There may be some specialist community makers who have more specialist skills such as the makers of the lights, who may be more electrically skilled. Most of the other makers will not require significant skills as the construction etc. is not that complicated. Where: The makers will work in the fabrication area (i.e. making the lights) or will work on site such as fixing the lights or casting the hearth fire-pits or the gravel as they have to be configured to the site context.
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CA UL
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Who: The Caulk maker (Caulker) Make: The Caulk makers seal the joints between the panels with oakum and then pitch. Skills: Tough the caulking process is relatively simple, it can become fairly skilled, therefore once the makers become more experienced and skilled, a new more skilled caulking team, producing better work more effectively will appear. Where: The maker will work on site, as the caulking process occurs between the joints between the panels.
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CAULK
Maker
Semi-Bespoke On site construction Same material and design used, but changed due to site constraints
Maker
Service route and gutter
Modular Prefabricated Same for each Capsule
Who: The Service route and gutter (inside capsule) maker Make: These makers make the metal service routes and gutters which attach to the decks/ roof decks of the capsules. Skills: These makers will have some of the most developed construction skills out of all of the makers- they will have metal working skills to construct the service routes and gutters- once they get more skills and experience they will produce better service routes and gutters. Where: The routes and gutters will be prefabricated in the area-wide fabrication site to the north-east, to allow for easier construction (not on the masts) and to allow for economies of scale.
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FIXER
The Fixer does not make, they fix, though they work within the maker’s economy
Who: The Fixer Make: The fixer fixes the components into the child form etc. They use the cranes and transport the components on old car undercarriages from the fabrication area to site. Skills: The fixers have to have certain skills, though not highly skilled from experience they will learn to fix things correctly, for example by using the modular metal attachments to affix the panels onto. Where: The panels and other components will be attached on site.
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