SYSTEMS IN NATURE AND URBANISM DESIGN DISSERTATION
SAPNA ROHRA BALWANT SETH SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE 2016
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who supported and helped me to complete the course. I would like to thank my mentor, Dipal Chhaya, for her support and guidance during the Thesis period. I would also like to thank the Dean, professor Trilochan Chhaya whose inputs and recommendations have encouraged me throughout the course. I would like to thank all my teachers who have believed in me and encouraged me throughout my educational career. They have directed me through various situations, allowing me to reach this accomplishment. I thank the students of BSSA and entire working staff of the school who have been there through all days and various nights. Finally, a great thanks to my parents, family and friends with whose co-operation and support I could pass these 5 years.
INDEX 1
SYSTEMS
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4
INTRODUCTION AND TYPES SELF ORGANISATION ADAPTATION AUTOPOIESIS
2
CASE STUDIES
3
SITE STUDY
3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6
DADAR MARKET GIRGAON-KHETWADI-BHULESHWAR ARCADES OF FLORA FOUNTAIN WALKESHWAR-MALABAR HILL-SLUMS VILLAGES OF BANDRA CHOR BAZAAR
4
SITE ANALYSIS AND DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
5
PROPOSAL
5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4
PLANS SECTIONS VIEWS MODEL PICTURES
6
CONCLUSION
1 SYSTEMS 1.1 INTRODUCTION AND TYPES OF SYSTEMS A system is a set of interacting or interdependent components forming an integrated whole. The study of complex systems represents a new approach to science that investigates how relationships between parts give rise to the collective behaviors of a system and how the system interacts and forms relationships with its environment. Systems theory views the world as a complex system of interconnected parts. We scope a system by defining its boundary; this means choosing which entities are inside the system and which are outside – part of the environment. We then make simplified representations (models) of the system in order to understand it and to predict or impact its future behavior. These models may define the structure and/or the behavior of the system. CHARACTERISTICS STRUCTURE- it contains parts (or components) that are directly or indirectly related to each other BEHAVIOUR- it exhibits processes that fulfill its function or purpose INTERCONNECTIVITY- the parts and processes are connected by structural and/or behavioral relationships BOUNDARIES- Every system is delineated by its spatial and temporal boundaries ENVIRONMENT- A system is surrounded and influenced by its environment ELEMENTS OF A SYSTEM Input, Output, Processor, Control, Feedback, Boundary and interface, Environment
1.2 SELF ORGANISATION A process where some form of overall order or coordination arises out of the local interactions between the components of an initially disordered system. - A spontaneous process - triggered by random fluctuations - amplified by positive feedback - controlled by any agent inside or outside of the system - resulting organization is wholly decentralized or distributed over all the components EXAMPLES 1. spontaneous magnetization, crystallization, percolation, astrophysics and cosmology (star formation), reaction-diffusion systems, heat transfer, diffusion, surface tension, viscosity 2. molecular self-assembly, autocatalytic networks, liquid crystals, self-assembled monolayers, separation of block copolymers, Langmuir-Blodgett films, convection cells 3. folding of proteins, homeostasis, pattern formation, morphogenesis, flocking behaviour, autocatalytic networks, immune system, the regeneration of cells, human brain behaviour, embryo nervous system, lichen growth, skin pigmentation
SPONTANEOUS MAGNETIZATION
Alignment of each spin in a potentially magnetic material in a particular orientation (direction of magnetic field).
PROPERTIES OF ATTRACTION AND REPULSION BRIDGEING THE GAP BETWEEN OPPOSITE POLES/ ALIGNMENT OF SPINS IN A DIRECTION
SPONTANEOUS MAGNETIZATION
Alignment of each spin in a potentially magnetic material in a particular orientation (direction of magnetic field).
CENTRAL NODE BEING SOURCE OF FORMATION, THE ENVIRONMENT TRIGGERING THE PROCESS, FEEDBACK LOOP CREATED WITHIN THE PROCESS
IMMUNE SYSTEM
IMPURITY BEING REJECTED BY PERFECT SOLUTION/ RESTORE INITIAL BALANCE
CRYSTALLIZATION
Process of formation of solid crystals of solute molecules of same kind from a liquid solution for removal of impurity
REMOVAL OF IMPURITIES BY CHANGE IN CONDITION/ FORMATION OF CLUSTERS IN COMPONENTS OF SIMILAR KIND/ ORDERED ARRANGEMENT OF FUNCTIONS
CONVECTION
Self-organisation of the cells of a heated liquid into hexagonal cells or a series of parallel rolls with an upward flow on one side and downward flow on the other.
ORGANISATION OF COMPONENTS WHICH WERE DISORDERED, DUE TO AN EXTERNAL TRIGGER/ DEVELOPMENT DUE TO A TRIGGER/ACTIVITY/ FUNCTION
1.3 ADAPTATION A current functional role in the life history of an organism that is maintained and evolved by means of natural selection. They increase the fitness of an organism [in a given environment]. They are adaptive traits that got selected for and remained. TYPES OF ADAPTATIONS Structural adaptations- physical features of an organism Behavioural adaptations- iTnherited behaviour and ability to learn Physiological adaptations- features that permit the organism to perform special functions ANTI-PREDATOR MECHANISMS Mechanisms developed through evoultion that assisst prey organisms in their constant struggle against predators. 1. avoiding detection- camouflage, living underground 2. ward off attack- aposematism, mimicking, distraction, defensive structures, alarm calls 3. fighting back- with chemicals, through communal defence, defensive regurgitation 4. escape- fight, autonomy
1.4 AUTOPOIESIS A system capable of reproducing and maintaining itself to interact with the world. The process by which living systems form and maintain their boundaries in the face of an everchanging environment. An autopoietic system is a network of transformation and destruction processes. The circular organization of living organisms constitutes a homeostatic system whose function is to maintain this very same circular organization. CHARACTERISTICS - It continually produces itself. - Living systems are units of interaction. They only exist in an environment. They cannot be understood independently of their environment. - A living system operates as an inductive system, in a predictive manner, its organization reflects regularities in the environment. - Intelligent behaviour originates in extremely simple processes EXAMPLES Cell, Earth, Nervous system
2 CASE STUDIES 2.1 SLIME MOULD AS NETWORK OF ROADS The mould’s abilities are a wonder of self-optimisation. It has no sense of forward-planning, no overhead maps or intelligence to guide its moves. It creates an efficient network by laying down plasmodia indiscriminately, strengthening whatever works and cutting back on whatever doesn’t. Problems in the system such as a road crash or flooding can be simulated by simply adding salt at the relevant point on the map. Salt is toxic to the plasmodium and the organism will retract from it, strengthening other lines and opening new routes across the network, which can thus provide information for traffic planning contingencies. Cities in Belgium, Canada and China had existing transport networks most similar to the slime model, and thus were most efficient.
2.2 TERMITE MOUNDS Taking the behavioural principles of termite mounds, it is situated in the growing field of swarm intelligence. It will be applied to the problem of the urban heat island, the fact that a city tends to be warmer than the surrounding countryside. A quick exploration will be made into how the resulting volumes of the neighbourhood could be developed on an architectural scale.
2.3 SEA SPONGES Structures that have a springy feel, but are a made from a single material. A cushioned design was manufactured from a single type of plastic. The chair’s structure, padding, ventilation, and upholstery are all manufactured as a single piece.
2.4 EMERGENCE AND DESIGN The experiment displays two forms of emergence which are development of a single cell, the phenotype and the evolution of phenotypes by mutation and natural selection. In the project, the primitive cell is determined as a pyramid. Through the rules set determined at the beginning, the emergence of further population is occurred. Different weighted fitness criteria will help to link evolutionary computation to evolutionary developmental biology.
2.5 SAND DOLLAR RESEARCH The behavioural relationships of sand dollars between one to another based on a few main parameters, mainly its form and its relational distance is utilised to generate a microclimate between two components when exposed to the environmental condition of wind.
2.6 THE WATER CUBE Mathematics of foam geometry are used to produce the structural array ensuring a rational optimised and buildable structural geometry. The structure cells contain pneumatic cushioning made of ETFE , hence the Water Cube acts as a greenhouse naturally heating the pools and interior spaces.
2.7 THE EASTGATE CENTRE The building has no conventional air-conditioning or heating, yet stays regulated year round with less energy consumption using design methods inspired by the self-cooling mounds of termites. Termites build gigantic mounds inside which they farm a fungus, a primary food source. The fungus must be kept at exactly 87 degrees F. With a system of carefully adjusted convection currents, air is sucked in at the lower part of the mound, down into enclosures with muddy walls, and up through a channel to the peak of the termite mound. The industrious termites constantly dig new vents and plug up old ones in order to regulate the temperature. The Eastgate Centre, largely made of concrete, has a ventilation system which operates in a similar way.
3 SITE STUDY The properties of the systems studied were observed in the way various sites of Mumbai function.
3.1 DADAR MARKET The networks in Dadar Market were observed to have similar properties like the convection currrents when under an external trigger. The external trigger for the site is considered to be the railway station which caused the market to be formed.
LAND USE OF DADAR MARKET
CONNECTION OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF DADAR MARKET
CONNECTION OF DADAR TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF INDIA
NETWORK OF VEGETABLE, FISH AND FLOWER MARKET IN DADAR AND OTHER MARKETS OF MUMBAI
THE NETWORKS FORMED IN DADAR MARKET BETWEEN DIFFERENT AGENTS AND URBAN FARIC
RELATION BETWEEN THE AGENTS AND URBAN FABRIC OF DADAR MARKET
FUNCTIONING TIME OF AGENTS OF FISH, UTILITIES, CLOTH AND VEGETABLE/FLOWERS MARKET
CIRCULATION NETWORK IN DADAR DEPARTMENTAL STORE
CIRCULATION NETWORK IN VEGETABLE MARKET
CIRCULATION NETWORK IN CLOTH MARKET
CIRCULATION NETWORK IN FLOWER MARKET
FUSION OF CIRCULATION NETWORK OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF DADAR MARKET
SITE SECTIONS
3.2 GIRGAON-KHETWADI-BHULESHWAR The buildings of the area, been considered as individual elements, are considered to be attracted, repelled and interact in a way which changes as you move from Girgaon to Pydhonie. This behavior shows similar properties like that of spontaneous magnetization.
3.3 ARCADES OF FLORA FOUNTAIN The dynamic street and the static activities of the inside of the building are bridged by arcades that acts as a transition space for both the spaces. This is similar to the magnetic field that bridges the north and south pole of the magnet.
3.4 WALKESHWAR (BANGANGA)- MALABAR HILL The three areas, Walkeshwar- the frozen in time old community settlement and Malabar Hillthe new fast growing luxury apartments and the slums; are connected through threads of streets just like the bridge of magnetic field between north and south pole. Banganga, as a community settlement can also be observed as crystallization in the way how the settlements and other structures are formed as clusters of particular programs.
3.5 VILLAGES OF BANDRA Each of the villages of Bandra show similar characteristic of occupation, religion and other factors amongst its settlers, hence, acting like crystals that start forming around a nuclei, a church in this case.
3.6 CHOR BAZAAR The temporary dynamic market of Chor Bazaar clusters around the permanent urban fabric due to similar functions like a crystal of pure solid from an impure substance.
4 SITE ANALYSIS AND DESIGN DEVELOPMENT Studying and comparing the site studies done with respect to the systems convection, crystallization and magnetization; the site with more glitches in the functioning and more scope for for changing was selected. Dadar Market showed major issues like disharmony between the urban fabric and agents of the market, unsuitable infrastructure for small scale agents like hawkers and future proposals for the area being a threat to the current agents of the market. Hence, Dadar Market as a site was selected. Various convection systems of different scales were studied to understand the different triggers to the activities. Pressure points on the site were understood to find areas where it is more likely to find a break or glitch in the system or chaos. Therefore the design proposes a direct connection of these nodes of pressure points and adds sectional quality to the street and the route at the first level for a better functioning as a market space for the people. The massing changes according to the pressure points as well, it gets denser and spaces become more open at high pressure zones and less dense at low pressure zones. The important nodes become plazas with a basic roof structure to provide a needed infrastructure for encroachment of hawkers. Some structures have a steel framework of columns and beams to emphasize an open plan for free movement of people (buyers and sellers).
SCALES OF CONVECTION SYSTEMS ON SITE
CONVECTION SYSTEM 1
CONVECTION SYSTEM 2
CONVECTION SYSTEM 3
CONVECTION SYSTEM 4
CONVECTION SYSTEM 5
DENSITY AND MOVEMENT WHEN MARKET IS SHUT
DENSITY AND MOVEMENT WHEN MARKET IS OPEN
PACE OF PEOPLE AND VEHICLES
PRESSURE POINTS
ASSUMED SCENARIOEXTRNAL TRIGGERS
CONNECTION OF NODES
SECTIONAL INSERTS IN THE DESIGN AND FORMATION OF ROUTES BASED ON NODES
SECOND LEVEL PLAN
FIRST LEVEL PLAN
5 PROPOSAL 5.1 PLANS
GROUND LEVEL PLAN
5.2 SECTIONS
SECTION AA’
SECTION BB’
5.3 VIEWS
5.4 MODEL PICTURES