CATEURA CATALYST THESIS BY: ALEXANDER SASHA PISCH New School of Architecture & Design Class of 2014
CATEURA CATALYST THESIS BY: ALEXANDER SASHA PISCH New School of Architecture and Design Class of 2014
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--------- Copy Right @ 2014 -------Alexander Pisch
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ABSTRACT
There are many ways an individual could interpret the purpose of architecture and its usefulness to our society, which is part of what this thesis consists of; a focus of various attributes of architecture to society that were studied in depth and are interpreted throughout this project. It is of interest to me to learn more of how architecture contributes to the built environment. This thesis explores how architecture can bring people together and generate flow through a stagnant place while responding to community needs, such as the lack of safe public space. While human interaction with space has been researched through experiments that lead to test ideas based on assumptions, the logical application to specific time and place came from the understanding of living and social condition in the informal community. Technological approach developed through understanding of limitations and opportunities of building on a landfill. This thesis will focus on turning the negative identity of the community into the shining light of the city. It will be the symbol of the Guarani peoples’ straggle, their history and pain, the strength of their hearts and the beauty they were able to create out of the detritus around them. An initial program will be infused to support the current goals of the community. However, the design will allow for flexibility and change as unpredictable circumstances arise. It will become the pathway for the residents of Cateura into the society surrounding them and for the residents of Asuncion into the community and the beautiful river behind it. Most importantly the resulting project will be able to maintain its identity as program changes will inevitably occur. The project adopts four strategies that have successfully worked in other informal communities around the world. First, it focuses on common interests between the community and the city around them. Second, it detoxifies the immediate environment on site. Next, the program will target specific user to bring on site to initiate mixing between people in the city and those in the community. Finally, the space is developed to support fluid motion throughout making the interaction more natural.
CATEURA CATALYST
A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE UNDERGRADUATE FACULTY OF THE NEWSCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
BY: ALEXANDER (SASHA) PISCH
APPROVED BY:
Undergraduate Chair:
Leonard Zegarski
Date
Studio Instructor:
Alan Rosenblum
Date
Advisor:
Leigh Ann Pfeiffer
Date
DEDICATION
There are many to who I can and should dedicate this book to. I have to start with my family for bringing me to this world and being there for me along this road. I have to say thank you for never going easy on me, but making sure I was still kicking and swinging to make my own way through this world. Also, I would like to dedicate this to all those who did not and perhaps still don’t have someone to help them up when they are down. There will be a time when we all have a hand stretched our way when it is needed. Keep fighting the good fight, everything else will come. Most of all I want to dedicate this thesis book to the group of people that inspired me and it is the Cateura community itself. Even though we have never met, your actions and will to help yourselves had been the biggest inspiration for me, and kept me pushing this entire year no matter how difficult it got.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to take the chance to thank everyone who has taken their time to help and inspire me this thesis year. Thank you Allan Rosenblum for the guidance and encouragement. Thank you to the group of student of studio 503 for being competitors and having patience to help. I’ve learned a lot from you. Thank you Luisa Shultz for seeing something in me in third year, you helped me see it too. Thank for the education, advise and support. A very special thank you to Leigh Ann and Casey Pfeiffer for coaching and educating. Thank you Erik Luhthala, Nicholas Laub and the rest of the materials lab crew for the education in fabrication, technical support and advice throughout this year. Thank you Ernesto Vega and the print center crew for helping put this on paper. Thank you to the NewSchool of Architecture and Design for building the right environment for each and every one of us to succeed. To my roommate for the past two years, Justin Shepard, a huge thank you for the BB-Q’s, spray paint parties, and an occasional advise. Last but not least, the guys at the department of architecture at Mt San Antonio College, Ignacio Iggy Sardinas, Hiro Kuroki, Robert Perkins, Evan Troxel and many others you inspired me to pursue architecture as a carrier, taught me to work hard, be on time and sometimes trust my gut. You helped plant the seed that grew into the passion I have today, called architecture. For that I am grateful. Thank you everyone for helping me get through this journey and complete a chapter.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION TO ESSAY CHAPTER 1
14
THESIS ESSAY CHAPTER 2
34
PROBLEM STATEMENT CRITICAL POSITION THESIS STATEMENT
17 23 29
RATIONAL OF STUDY FIRE & RIVER SLUM MUSIC PAVILION SCOPE OF STUDY
37 38 40 42 44 47
SUMMATION OF AR501 CASE STUDIES PYTHOREMEDIATION STUDY LEACHATE TREATMENT PROGRAMMING CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS 87
51 53 63 64 77 105
RESEARCH METHODS CHAPTER 3
48
RESULTS/DESIGN PROTOTYPE CHAPTER 4
114
CONCLUSION CHAPTER 5
190
SUMMATION OF AR502 DELINEATION GRAPHS WAX INTERPRETATIONS 3D MODELS OVERLAPS FEEDBACK / EVALUATIONS STATEMENT OF LEARNING - (re-assessment)
SUMMATION OF AR503 PROCESS STRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMATIC SEPARATIONS
117 119 135 155 171 187 189
193 195 196 203
FLUIDITY TEST OF SPACES FLOOR PLAN SECTIONAL PROGRESSION DETOXIFICATION PHASES SITE PLAN SECTION RENDERINGS FEEDBACK / EVALUATIONS STATEMENT OF LEARNING EXTRA
211 230 233 247 254 256 259 269 271 273
REVIEW OF LITERATURE INDEX
287 289
APPENDICES
284
INTRODUCTION TO ESSAY CHAPTER 1
Problem Statement Critical Position Thesis Statement
Introduction to Essay
PROBLEM STATEMENT
19
Introduction to Essay
Problem Background: As we enjoy the benefits of the Western life, it is easy to forget those who do not share our privileges. Those, who live away from our sight, people who have been driven away from society and do not have access to the same opportunities we perceive as basic human rights. Necessities such as access to fresh drinking water, food, shelter, hygiene, medicine, education to name a few, are a daily struggle for over a third of the population of our planet. Most wind up living in unsanitary conditions around dumping grounds and flood plains. For the purpose of this thesis the community of the Cateura landfill in Asuncion, Paraguay was chosen as part of the research focus, in order to generate a specific proposal to a problem that is universal but consists of local influences. Hence requiring a unique combination of factors within a framework to be addressed properly. This community was chosen because of the beautiful things they were able to do for themselves. They were able to find the positive in a very difficult situation. They organize to form programs to support each other and the community as a whole, they also found ways to beautify their community using the one available resource they had: the Cateura landfill. Out of picked trash local craftsmen built music instruments and together with a local musician put together a symphony: The Landfill Harmonics. This symphony have not only become a way to showcase the beauty of the people in the community, but also help keep the youth of the community away from a dark violent path that many end up taking in places ruled by poverty. It is a community of 45,000 people living on a landfill that has been recently closed. Despite their proximity to the center of the city of Asuncion, they remain disconnected from the city socially, politically, and economically. Now that the landfill has been shut down, their only way of income, which was recycling trash, is gone. Their lack of ability to move elsewhere forces them to live in a toxic environment created by the leaking landfill.
21
Introduction to Essay
Problem Statement: There’s no space in the city where people from the community can show themselves in positive light to the rest of the city; no place for them to interact with each other. Therefore, the community remains isolated.
23
Introduction to Essay
CRITICAL POSITION
25
Cateura
Asuncion
Introduction to Essay
Critical Position Background: Cateura, Asuncion is a home to 30,000 individuals, mostly Paraguayan ethnic Guarani people that came to the city of Asuncion in search of work and a better life from those rural parts of the country. Instead, they found themselves being discriminated against on their own homeland. As a result of being pushed aside by society to the outskirts of the city, they now work as recyclers on the city’s landfill. As a result of earning $2 a day they lack the ability of escaping poverty. Many turn to drugs, alcohol and crime, turning the informal community into a bad place to reside. In recent years an initiative from within had sprang and been making changes in the community. They started building programs such as community outreach, child-care, community kitchens, and perhaps most noticed is the “Landfill Harmonics� orchestra; which is an entire orchestra made-up of recycled materials taken from the landfill.
27
Introduction to Essay
Critical Position: I will argue that it is rather the separation: “out of sight and out of mind� that makes it possible to forget that individuals that are not as fortunate as some may be are living on this planet under these conditions. It starts with a psychological and social separation which in turn causes lack of interaction. That lack of contact denies, from the start, the ability of those in need to participate in our societies and therefore economies, driving them further into poverty. Many times it happens due to distance. However, the biggest concentrations of these environments are right outside, or within, large cities. In fact, the largest community populations living in these conditions are by the largest cities in their areas. Those cities lack the places where people from impoverished communities can interact with their city neighbors in any inclusive or positive way. The only time people in the city ever see those who are unfortunate is when they dig through their trash or get drunk and sleep on the streets. As our society urbanized, globally, interactions between people shifted location from outdoor activity, further and further into the built environment. The way we interact originally developed in nature, and the architecture of that has not been perfectly designed for every situation. Architecture is the shaper of the built, in this situation, making it responsible for designing the type of spaces that would allow for and encourage natural mixing of people that otherwise would never interact. These cities need projects that build clean, green places where the communities can participate as equals. Projects that build on the common interests of the community and the larger city. They would consist of program that includes participants from both communities and of spaces designed to allow for many interaction opportunities. Through observation of people movement, as groups, through time and space we could hypothesize that it is similar to the behavior of liquids. Then perhaps a space that is optimal for a more natural flow of different liquids could be appropriated for human use, serving as a shell for a natural mix of different groups of people as they use the space.
29
Introduction to Essay
THESIS STATEMENT
31
Introduction to Essay
32
Introduction to Essay
Statement Background: Informal communities lack the accessibility and facilities that would be welcoming to the residents of the cities around them and enable them to participate, on equal conditions, with all of us. In order to do so they need perhaps a sort of architectural intervention that would be more familiar to the city dwellers around the. This thesis proposes a way to dissolve the social barriers that hold people in the communities from growing in our societies on one hand and allowing us to be blind about it on the other, through the combination of four architectural strategies: Cleaning the toxic environment of the communities, making them a safe and green place for residents and visitors. Using strategic programmatic targeting to design program that is responsive to community needs while bringing users from outside the community to a place where interaction can take place. Most importantly, through education, the program of the project is building on those skills people of the community already have to help them become an equal participant in the booming economy of Paraguay. Design a space that is open and available that would have an open plan and is transparent to encourage interaction and increase feeling of unity. Finally use the building to envelope the event generated by the previous three, turning it into a landmark and a destination. The Cateura community has no means of survival now that even its only resource, the landfill, has been shut down. Their only chance is full integration into the city of Asuncion. As a community they have come together and established a support systems to help each other. In different parts of the settlement residents started organizing support groups for alcohol drug and violence abuses, a makeshift school, and community kitchens. A local musician put together a youth music program in the community, where kids were able to learn music theory and play instruments made out of recycled trash instead of hanging out on streets full of drugs, alcohol and violence. They became so good that they are now youtube celebrities, and a movie about them is, at the moment, getting its final edits. Evidently they would like to stay. The community is swarming with motivation and when coupled with its prime location, being the buffer between the heart of the city and raw beautiful nature, it has great potential to become a beautiful park-neighborhood in the city of Asuncion. The city
33
Introduction to Essay
is in need of open green space and a new performance venue to match its recent economic growth and physical expansion. They also need a plan to stop the leachate leaking pollution from the landfill into the ground drinking water. The cross combination of the communities and cities needs makes up a very strong potential for funding of a project that addresses these issues, while also involving both target communities at the core of the project. The implementation of the four part system developed in this thesis would establish a closed loop of pythoremediation system to clean toxins out the landfill runoff, ultimately creating a beautifully landscaped park and a safer environment to live in. It would mix program from existing community support with greater city needs, to help expend outreach and bring in city dwellers into the mix. It addresses programmatic elements in such a combination so that to create a free flow and mixing of people through the spaces. This unique mixture makes up an “event� that is a significant moment in time, captured by architecture, of the transition of the Cateura residents from an informal community to an inseparable place in the city. By enveloping the generated fluidity of the event with response to topography, geographical location, and relativity to the city an intense architectural element is introduced to the city-scape. In such a way it would create a visual landmark reinforcing the notion of a destination. By cleaning the community, bringing its strengths to light, allowing for interaction and through showcasing it to the world the separation between general society and the community may begin to fade, allowing the community to integrate and evolve.
34
Introduction to Essay
Thesis Statement: By bringing all positive self-building actions of a community under one roof and letting people move and interact as free as a liquid volumes within it and then letting the shape and separations respond to the happening, the essence of a community becomes the shaper of the environment. If that structure is put in a visible place and magnified to grand scale it becomes a landmark and a symbol of that community. The architecture becomes a visible evidence to the power of the community to make changes on its own and the world can now watch it happening from a distance as well as participate.
THESIS ESSAY CHAPTER 2 Rational for Study Scope of Study Summery of Study
Thesis Essay
RATIONAL OF STUDY
As a student studying the dynamics of the way people interact with space I became curious about what it is that architecture is capable of in terms of effecting people. Perhaps it is the personal experience of living and playing amongst places such as the Cateura community as a child that left a deep mark inside me. I believe that this project steps into the idea of how people that come from less fortunate parts of this world could benefit from architecture that would increase their mobility and interaction with one another. That could lead to an increase in economical and health conditions.
39
40
Thesis Essay
FIRE & RIVER Torn by civil war, Paraguay had lost two thirds of its population. The heavy blow that was handed to its indigenous people resulted in a minority on their ancestors land. The river of Paraguay has been its main life source for generations. Today it gives the country its biggest hope for recovery. Washing the stains away it flows through the hearts of the people. It not only connects the landlocked country to the ocean but also supports its booming farming economy.
41
Thesis Essay
SLUM Cateura is an informal community or “Slum” built on and around major landfill in Asuncion. Not only that it receives the largest amount of trash from the area daily, it also supports the largest informal community in the country. These people are living in unsanitary and harmful conditions. There is no running water or sewage. The streets are filled with trash, but the landfill is the community’s main life-line. It need not be shut down. Its negative effects may be mitigated through simply systems of water channeling and introduction of water purifying vegetation.
43
Thesis Essay
MUSIC Hope is not in the horizon people find ways to survive as they have done in Cateura. Positive influences a scarce and the people of the slum found their own way, instead of looking for a change to come from outside. They found their refuge in music. In architecture we work with form. What if it was possible to turn their music into a form so that people could not only hear it but also see it and feel it with more of their sensory system? Would that amplify the effect of their creations?
45
Thesis Essay
PAVILION Performance drives the people of Cateura, how do I enhance the lives of the performers and community members through architecture and its applications. Can I get attention? Can I effect people? Is it possible to bring change by making a change?
47
Thesis Essay
SCOPE OF STUDY
To better understand the dynamics of informal communities beyond my personal experience, I have done research into the political, social, and economic conditions as a general rule that applies to the informal community regardless of its location. To further my understanding of Cateura’s condition, I have looked into the unique personal story of the community as applied to the previously stated categories. Beyond the human aspect, it was important to understand the type of environment I was working in. So a study into the effects of a landfill on its surroundings was conducted. Also, since the effects are major and destructive various ways to detoxify the environmental conditions were examined. The landfill itself became the construction site of the project. Therefore, a study into building on landfills was conducted as well. Through a series of experiments, I tested the dynamics of volumetric interactions between different liquids to assess the possibility of applying it to special conditions pertaining to interaction between different crowds assuming that they move as liquid volumes.
Political + Social + Economic
Pythoremediation Building on landfill Liquid volume flow
49
RESEARCH METHODS CHAPTER 3 Summation of AR501 Case Studies Programming Contextual Analysis
Research Methods
SUMMATION OF AR501
This chapter contains the studies conducted in detail to explain the method behind thesis. It contains related case studies that helped shape the programmatic response to the specific conditions of the community, including Santa Marta in Rio Dejanero, Brazil and Medelline in Columbia. It explains in detail the reasoning behind the programmatic choices. Finally, this chapter breaks down the contextual analysis which lead to final interventions choice of place and typology.
53
Research Methods
CASE STUDIES
Santa Marta, Brazil Pythoremediation
These case studies, were instrumental in choosing the right strategy of approach in the development of the thesis proposition.
55
Location and height make it a highly visible landmark.
Santa Marta Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Favela Santa Marta
Wall
Wall
Research Methods
tion
gra o Inte
N
Santa Marta Rio, Brazil 8000 500 2000 4 3 2 1 3 1
residents wooden houses brick houses kindergartens bakeries sports fields block of samba school military units market
59
Grid condition
Research Methods
Informal, spontaneous or non-existent grid.
Santa Marta Grid
The city grid is very different. It is set, simple and unifying.
Rio De Janero Grid 61
Grid condition
Research Methods Public Space Increase
Remove hazardous buildings Decrease density Create a safe path Make room for public space Add stations of interaction
63
Research Methods
PYTHOREMEDIATION STUDY
An in depth study conducted to ensure the right choice of treatment of the toxic environment created by the presence of an open landfill in the area for over fifty years.
65
LEACHATE TREATMENT
This proposal deals with researching ways to capture, clean and reuse runoff water from landfills. The purpose of this research is to prevent contamination of the surrounding areas of the landfill and groundwater, as well as capturing a vital life resource (water) and bringing it back to the community of Cateura in Asuncion Paraguay. Most importantly, I will use this research for finding ways to improve the living and working conditions of the dwellers of the landfill community of Cateura, Asuncion in Paraguay. According to epa.gov (http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/ municipal/index.htm) Landfills are the most common way for us to be collecting and disposing of our garbage in the United States. It is estimated that 57% of our waste is landfilled. And according to NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23026003) In some places around the world, specifically in Asuncion Paraguay, whole communities of informal settlements live off of the garbage recycling business on those dumps. They collect, sort then sell what they can. Some serve as formal and others, who constitute the majority of the population, as informal recyclers. Formal recyclers, hence paid position working for the city, have better working conditions and pay. However they only constitute a small percentage of the work force. Informal recyclers are those who are however affected by unsanitary conditions and contamination caused through direct exposure to hazardous waste such as medical waste and toxic waste also through injuries such as cuts which cause infections the most. Working around broken glass and syringes increases those risks. Most workers lack protective equipment. 13% of the informal recyclers are minors under the age of eighteen; their inexperience increases the chances of getting hurt and worst. Spending long hours at the landfill also increases the cases of respiratory conditions and bronchitis, and pneumonia NCBI (2012). Their risk of exposure is not over with the work day. Their communities are built on land that also used to be part of the landfill or is in dangerous proximity to it. They are also effected by runoff of leachate from the landfill into the groundwater and during rainy seasons into surface water and their streets as well. Rain season lasts about ten months out of the year. This type of contamination may persist for over a hundred years even after the landfill becomes non-operational,
66
METHANE BUILD-UP
GARBAGE FLOWS THROUGH WATERWAYS AND STREETS
LEACHATE SIPS THROUGH TO UNDERGROUND WATER SOURCES.
Research Methods
Kjeldsen, (2010). My research will focus on taking existing systems and adopting them to the conditions particular in Cateura. Perhaps through applying my research it would be possible to convert the Cateura community from a trash collecting community to an urban farming one. I want to find a way to turn the vast amounts of leachate present deep within the landfill from toxic waste into a usable fertilizer. All will be done through inexpensive and natural processes I am also interested in understanding the necessary scope of the project, as in how large of an area would be needed in order to keep up with the contamination rate at that location. It will also be important through the research to find the best materials and ways of implementation of the collection systems, as budget is a major issue at the chosen location. Leachate collection systems are an existing way of stopping the leachate from penetrating into the ground water. It consists of natural or synthetic liner laid at the bottom of the landfill. However in most cases it is used in combination with another system. For example a leachate transfer system would be responsible for transferring the leachate from underneath the landfill to recycling or sewage treatment facility nearby for further treatment. Seems like an inexpensive solution since the treatment plant is already in place and chemicals present in the leachate would actually benefit the sewage treatment process such as nitrogen and phosphorus. However the process would usually involve pumps and tubing. The pumps are expensive to operate and maintain. Also, the presence of other certain substances, such as heavy metals that sewage treatment facilities are not capable of treating, makes the method questionable. At a typical facility the leachate could undergo several processes. They would be chemical or physical in nature. A chemical process would be the oxidation/precipitation of the matter to separate the toxins. Physical processes are coagulation and flocculation and sedimentation. Both of these types of treatment require a whole facility to run and very costly to operate Renou et al. (2008). Instead, I would like to focus my research on another method that can be
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COMBINATION
CHEMICAL
PHYSICAL
COLLECTION
OXIDATION
COAGULATION
REDIRECTION
SOLIDIFICATION
PRECIPITATION
SEWAGE COMBINATION
Presence of heavy metals may disrupt normal operations of sewage treatment without special treatment
Not completely waste-less and still requires dumping
69
combined with Leachate collection and it is Pythoremediation, which is a biological, organic process of cleaning leachate from its toxins, with the use of lagoons and wetlands. In the lagoon a partial reduction of biodegradable particles is achieved, while also biologically oxidizing the ammonium nitrogen present in the leachate Renou et al. (2008). It is done through the “use of the potential of the natural or actively managed soil-plant system to detoxify, degrade and deactivate potentially toxic elements present in the leachate.� Jones et al., (2006). This method uses living plants to filter out the contaminants, than use them as fertilizer. In order to understand if it is possible to use leachate as fertilizer we have to understand how it is formed what it is made out of, what are the basic components, and see if there are any successful experiments of using it as fertilizer. First it is important to understand how leachate is formed. It is a bi-product of burying waste. As waste gets buried and compacted it undergoes a series of biological and chemical reactions. It goes through a series of phases: an aerobic phase, anaerobic acid phase, initial methanogenic and stable methanogenic phases. All other phases are speculative because landfills have not been around long enough to confirm assumptions, Kjeldsen, (2010). The first phase is very fast, perhaps only a few days long. During this time Oxygen in the voids is consumed at a very fast pace, resulting in a high production of CO2 and increasing temperatures. During the second phase waste is not at field capacity, and most the leachate is released through compaction of waste. Once the oxygen is depleted the anaerobic phase sets in. During this phase Cellulose and Hemicellulose take up 45 to 60% of the MSW dry weight and are the main biodegradable matter. Then the biological matter is broken down by bacteria and converted into methane, Barzal et all. (1989). Other bio compounds are also present in the mix but we will stick to these for the purpose of this research. We simply need to understand the basic processes and that biodegradable matter is present in the mix. According to M. Z. Justin and M. Zupancic (2009), there are also high concentrations of important nutrients for plant growth present in leachate. N, K, Mg, Ca, Zn, and B are all present in high numbers. All of which are great nutrients for promoting plant growth. This matter if collected
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PYTHOREMEDIATION
AFTER
Only requires an initial cost. Operation is largely free. No waste left in the process.
BEFORE
Research Methods
and channeled may be used as fertilizer material for landscaping. So we know that leachate contains useful nutrients, however it is also filled with toxic ones that do damage to plants rather than help them grow. High levels of toxicity eventually kill plant life as demonstrated by M Devare and M Bahadir (1993). They were able to isolate the chemicals that make leachate unusable in its original form. All their results point to high conductivity of original samples due to metals dissolved in mix, such as Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Nickel and Zinc. All of which are toxic and in combination with other toxic chemicals present, kill plants at a fast rate. Instead of using expensive chemical separation methods the one I am interested in is a passive system that only bares a high initial cost. But its operation and maintenance are inexpensive as they require almost no need for specialized skills to operate Renou et al. (2008). Channeling leachate through lagoons dilutes the high concentrations of toxic materials present in the mixture and helps make it usable for fertilizing purposes. Tests have shown significant difference in the effect on plant growth rate between treated and untreated leachate by dilution through aerated lagoons M Devare and M Bahadir (1993). In many cases up to 70% reduction of N,P, an Fe (which are all toxic) had been observed. Orupold et all. (2000). In the fasinity of the Cateura landfill there already are existing lagoons that are larger in area than the landfill itself. With minor digging for the creation of channels the ground leachate under the landfill can be redirected into the lagoons. However lagooning alone does not clear the leachate completely Renou et al. (2008) Perhaps through a combination of systems it is possible to achieve a better level of filtration. Here is the point where wetlands can come in handy. The lagoon can hold the leachate and mix it with fresh water or dilute it, than put it through oxidizing processes through interaction with bacteria. A next step would be channeling that same, leachate filled water through wetlands that contain specific types of plants that are optimal for leachate purification. A wetland has a unique structure that allows for optimal water flow while providing a strong enough medium to hold plants instead of letting them run off with the water. An example of a constructed wetland
72
73
Bedrock
Ground water
Leachate
Area 137
Capping
Baseline
Leachate
Leachate generation
Aluvial Sediments
Waste
LEACHATE FORMATION
Peculation
Rain fall
would be made up of a support medium on which the plants would grow, that is fine gravel with earth on top that is all held together by coarse gravel for structural stability. In the wetland the leachate passes through substrate and is purified by the bacteria attached to the gravel, roots and soil UNEP, (2003). In such a combination many mechanism come in play in the purification process: Sedimentation, precipitation, chemical transformation, adsorption, ionic exchange in plant, substrate and detritus, death because of predators, natural death of microbiote, break, transformation and assimilation of nutrients and contaminants by plants and microorganisms Vymazal, (2005). After making the Leachate usable for fertilization and channeling it into a wetland all that is left to do is find plants that are most compatible with the type of mixture we are working with. Short rotation willow coppice is one plant that has been tested and responded well with leachate fertilizer in many parts of Europe. This is just one plant that responded M. Z. Justin and M. Zupanc (2009). But it is what makes it compatible that is what important for this research. There are certain characteristics that make a plant a perfect candidate. One that is most important is its ability to survive in highly toxic environment due to the elevated levels of toxic metals in the leachate. Therefore it is important that the plants would have the ability to hyperaccumulate which gives them the physiological ability to tolerate and assimilate toxic substances, they would have great growing rates, have optimal root depth, and the ability to bio-accumulate and degrade toxins with their root system, branches, or leaves (Salt et al. (1998), Barcelo J. and Poschenrieder C. (2003), Llugany M. et al. (2007)), A few species that are first class candidates would be: “Arabidopsis halleri, Thlaspi caurulescens, Thalspi rotundifolium, Minuarta verna, Thlaspi goesigense, Allysum bertholoni, Berkhey codii, Psycothria, Miconia ltescens, Melastoma malabathricum.� (Barcelo J. and Poschenrieder C., (2003)). Not all of these are necessarily optimal for use in the Cateura area. Arabidopsis (V. Bert etc, 2000), Thlaspi (Claudia Cosio etc, 2004), Minuarta, Allysum, and Berkhey are beautiful flowering plants that are ideal for heavy metal contaminated areas. However they are native to Europe (M.N. Prasad, Kazimierz Strzalka, 2002). Further exploration, perhaps physical experimentation
74
Research Methods
COMPOSITION
N K Mg + Ca Zn
75
Organic Matter
would be necessary to see if the plants would be capable of adapting to the sub-tropical climate of Asuncion, Paraguay. If they adapt, these plants would be great for landscaping and beautifying the area, which is a much needed attribute in a community built on a landfill. Perhaps more interesting are the Psycothria and Melastoma plants. They both are fruit bearing and are naturally accruing in tropical climates. Psycotheria is a wild coffe plant that could help detoxify the landfill environment while also producing a fruit that could potentially bring revenue to the community (Richard Lyons 2013). Melastoma malabathricum is also a tropic plant, even though it is native to Asia. It would be easily adaptable to a similar environment in the Paraguayan climate. It is a shrub about six meters tall, it flowers and bears fruit. Besides being a beautiful plant it has many uses. Parts of the plant are used as mouth wash for toothaches. Plant extract can be used as cure for wounds and against stomach problems. Also its fruits are edible Asianplant.net (2013). This plant as well would be a potential source of revenue to the changing community that would be switching from garbage collectors back to their origins of working the land.
Allysum bertholoni
http://www.tankerenemy.com/2011/10/piante-che-assorbono-metalli-pesanti.html#.UqBOlNKTZ8F
Melastoma malabathricum
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eddingrid/8475314754/
Psychotria Punctata
Arabidopsis halleri
http://luirig.altervista.org/flora/taxa/index1.php?scientific-name=arabidopsis+halleri
Minuarta verna
http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Minuartia+verna
Thlaspi goesigense
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Berkhey codii
http://www.demorgenzon.co.za/flora.html
Miconia ltescens
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/ Starr_Miconia_calvescens0.jpg
Short rotating willow
77
Adapted from UNLP (2003)
Coarse gravel
Leachate
Fine gravel
Main features of sub-surface constructed wetland (SSCW)
CONSTRUCTED WETLAND
Impermeable membrane
Earth
Clean Water
Research Methods
Research Methods
PROGRAMMING
Informal communities have to be welcomed in the cities around them to be able to participate, on equal conditions, with everyone. In order to do so they need to be accepted socially. This thesis proposes a way to dissolve the social barriers that hold people in the communities from growing in our societies through architectural intervention. A combination of four architectural strategies: First cleaning the toxic environment of the communities, making them a safe and green place for residents and visitors. Second, using strategic programmatic targeting to design program that is responsive to community needs while bringing users from outside the community to a place where interaction can take place. Third, design a space that is open and available that would have an open plan and is transparent to encourage interaction and increase feeling of unity. Finally use the building to envelope the event generated by the previous three, turning it into a landmark and a destination.
79
First it is important to identify all the positive programs already existing in the community, so that the ones that support the projects goal could be brought into the mix.
80
Research Methods
Community Kitchens
Craftsmanship
Agriculture
Recycling
School
81
PROGRAM
Center service agencies SocialSocial service agencies Social service agencies Head Head start agencies start agencies Socialagencies service agencies Employment Head start agencies Employment agencies Administration Head start agencies
Employment Social service agencies agencies Administration Employment agencies Administration Head start agencies Community kitchen Community kitchen Administration Community kitchen Employment agencies Cooking classes Cooking classes Community kitchen Cooking classes Administration Music program Cooking classes Social agencies Community kitchen Music service program Community College Head start agencies Social agencies Cooking classes Music service program Community College Job Training Community college Employment agencies Head start agencies Community College Job Training Music program Daycare Job training Administration Employment agencies Job Training Daycare Daycare Community College Senior Programs Community kitchen SeniorAdministration programsPrograms Daycare Senior Job Training Access to resources Access to resources Cooking Senior Community kitchen Access toclasses resources DaycarePrograms Access to resources Multi generational Cooking classes Music Programs program Senior Multi generational Multi generational groups Addiction support Community Collegepro Access to resources Music program Addiction support groups Multi generational Addiction support pro Election Day Training SingleJob parent groups Community Collegepro Addiction support Election Day Multi generational Money raising events Daycare Job Training Election raising Day Money events Addiction support pro Healthfair education Senior Programs Daycare Money raising events Healthfair education Election Day Artdayshow Access to resources Election Senior Programs Healthfair education Art show Money raising events Money raising events Access to resources Health-fair education Art show Rehersal Multi generational Healthfair education Art show Rehersal Music class Addiction support pro Multi generational Art show School events Rehersal Music class School performance Election Day Addiction support pro Music performance class School Rehersal Money raising Election Day events School performance Music classeducation Healthfair Money raising events Amphitheater School performance Art show Healthfair education Art show Rehearsal Rehersal Music class class SchoolMusic performance Rehersal School performance Music class School performance Orchestra Bands Talent shows Ballet Theater Stand-up comedy
82
Chosen program is tested against code to find optimal square footage for the accommodation of the volume of people expected to participate in each activity depending on the time of day.
Number of people at amphitheater
200
4am
Time
2am
5000
800
Number of people in facility
40
6 AM
84
Research Methods
Morning hours are slow. They are low in activity that is very spread out.
85
8 AM
86
Research Methods
During breakfast time many people, from inside and outside the community, join for a good meal to start the day.
87
10 AM
88
Research Methods
As breakfast is over, school activity picks up. While people who are not part of an educational program, slowly, start leaving the area.
89
12 PM
90
Research Methods
Closer to lunch school activity starts gravitating towards the food court center, where the vendors are located.
91
2 PM
92
Research Methods
During lunch there is an explosion of activity all around the food court area and close spaces in proximity.
93
4 PM
94
Research Methods
There is no set time for dinner, but after lunch the eating area maintains activity for as long as it is there. Intensity depending on levels of activity that day.
95
6 PM
96
Research Methods
Slowly the eating area and adjacent spaces begin transforming the type of activity from eating to all sorts of events. The events depend on the planned and the incidental activity that day. It begins with an explosion of activity.
97
8 PM
98
Research Methods
As the eating area clears up it makes way for more organized activities, such as classes and planned events.
99
10 PM
100
Research Methods
Slowly the last of the eating people are either pushed away or join the occurring events.
101
12 AM
102
Research Methods
At night, the last of activities start clearing up and only people left around are just wondering about, enjoying their time.
103
2 AM
104
Research Methods
By closing most have already left and the last ones are on their way out.
105
Research Methods
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS
Contextual analysis helped define the scope of the project. By taking into account local needs of the city and community it was possible to determine a programmatic solution that would benefit both. Furthermore, by examining site definition, the unique formation of the local communities footprint, and condition of the unused land within the area contributed to the final choice of proposition
107
CITY Parks
River/City Separating Zone
Wilson Tower
Harbor
Icono Tower
Proximity & Size
Cultural Center Municipal Theater
Most densely populated part of the city is separated from the river.
Industrial Zone
Downtown
No major parks in densely populated areas Small parks are scattered through city
Not very developed Culturally. Small cultural center inside town council building. 700 people municipal theater that hosts everything from musicals to ballet and orchestras. No architecturally significant buildings
Francia Favela
City Parks
Zoo
Air Port
1 Mile
Downtown
45,000 200,000 POPULATION
1 MILE
540,000
2,000,000
Research Methods
The city of Asuncion grew much faster than it was planned in a wake of an economic boom. It had outgrown its borders and exploded in population to reach 2,000,000 residents. While that is great recovery from a civil war that devastated the country it has also produced many problems that now cripple the city. From a small city a few tens of thousands of people it had grown into the giant that it is today. Urban planning policies, however, did not account for the aftermath of the growth and only dealt with need. As a result the city paid a heavy price. Its river access was cut off by an industrial zone, which realize on access to the river for commerce and unfortunately toxic waste spill. The basic grid had simply been extended east to fit as many people as possible. No major urban parks were planned. Even entertainment is lacking, when the only performance space in the city is in a tiny theater able to fit only 700 people at a time.
LANDFILL 45,000 200,000
On & Adj. Walk away
540,000
City
2,000,000
Metro Area
1,500 Tons of solid waste a day Originally an unmanaged landfill Toxic runoff of leachate into environment 30,000 People community
Of the 45,000
72% former farmers
90% recyclers 75% informal recyclers
SITE DEFINITION
GU
A PAR R IVE
R AY 110
Research Methods
The site is in a prime location, locked between the city of Asuncion and a beautiful river. It has a great potential of becoming a destination for not only the people of Asuncion but also tourists that come to visit Paraguay.
ION NC ASU 111
COMMUNITY LAYOUT
112
Research Methods
The unique layout of the communities settlement was formed as people were choosing the easiest way to adopted to the local conditions. It is a much more natural and efficient way to organize the built environment than the city grid. This unique organizational approach will be carried throughout the project to provide a place where people could take a break from the limiting city grid.
113
LAND POTENTIAL
114
Research Methods
The un-inhabited part of the site is a natural wetland created by the river. It is at par in size with some of the greatest urban parks in the United States. With very low initial cost and only changes to the type of vegetation, this land can become accessible to the rest of the public while serving as a natural filter to the toxins leaking from the now closed landfill.
FRESH KILLS
4423 acres
CATEURA
2280 acres
BALBOA PARK
1425 acres
GOLDEN STATE PARK
1316 acres
115
RESULTS/DESIGN PROTOTYPE CHAPTER 4 Summation of AR502 Delineation Graphs WAX Interpretations 3D Models Feedback / Evaluations Statement of learning - Re-assessment
Results/Design Prototype
SUMMATION OF AR502
This chapter deals with extracting, breaking down and applying the information obtained from the case studies, research and experimentation in previous chapter. It contains the line graphs, wax translation models, and volumetric study models that turn the two dimensional flow experimentations into the three dimensional realm. It also contains the next and final step which was the appropriation of the flows and volumes to the site specific conditions and location.
119
Results/Design Prototype
DELINEATION GRAPHS
Fluids mix quickly and inconsistently throughout borders between different masses, making it difficult to tell between different types of liquids. Perhaps this is why the interaction of liquid volumes was chosen for this thesis. A series of delineation graphs was developed to approximate the broad definitions of the liquid volumes.
121
6 AM
122
Results/Design Prototype
At breakfast time there is not much variation in activity hence a large inclusive space is optimal.
123
8 AM
124
Results/Design Prototype
As more people join, parts of the activity group into smaller circles to keep comfort while others remain in a large wholesome state.
125
10 AM
126
Results/Design Prototype
People rearrange into smaller groups, size depending on type of activity. Some are still leaving the site after breakfast.
127
12 PM
128
Results/Design Prototype
As activity starts shifting its focus towards the food court again, groups reorganize as they gravitate towards the center of activity, the food court.
129
2 PM
130
Results/Design Prototype
During this time there is an activity boom and groups may very in size and space need.
131
4 PM
132
Results/Design Prototype
Here, the only difference is through the unpredictable change in social dynamics of the activity that day that moment. Space needs may vary slightly to accommodate the people shifts throughout time.
133
6 PM
134
Results/Design Prototype
As the day progresses more people leave the site. However the possibility of any type of event exists.
135
136
Results/Design Prototype
WAX INTERPRETATIONS
Initial testing was performed with food coloring, which lacks volumetric attributes visible to the naked eye. This condition makes it difficult to extract volumetric data for generation of space needed for specific numbers of people. Therefore, a second experiment was conducted involving a more viscous material: WAX. Wax is a much slower moving liquid than water and it keeps its volume against gravity as it cools and solidifies, making it perfect for measuring data locked within the two dimensional experiment.
137
6 AM
138
Results/Design Prototype
Small vs large area need: does not necessarily require an extreme height difference.
139
8 AM
140
Results/Design Prototype
As groups change activity volume transition should not be drastic.
141
10 AM
142
Results/Design Prototype
Large areas require tall roof height.
143
12 PM
144
Results/Design Prototype
Allow for outdoor transitions \ No Space.
145
2 PM
146
Results/Design Prototype
Type of activity may change within the same volume.
147
4 PM
148
Results/Design Prototype
Even within the same volume there may be differences in space definition.
149
6 PM
150
Results/Design Prototype
Volumes change in shape as activities transition.
151
8 PM
152
Results/Design Prototype
Surrounding the main space smaller ones allow for gradual egress.
153
10 PM
154
Results/Design Prototype
All of the entirety of the roofed area should be able to transform into one space.
155
156
Results/Design Prototype
3D MODELS
To transform the volumetric data into architectural terms with code suggestions for space use, a series of architectural models was developed using cross combination of data from the line drawings and wax models . These models made it possible to evaluate spacial requirements for the different types of activities in the space.
157
6 AM
158
Results/Design Prototype
A large volume and a small one, connected by a mid height roof.
159
8 AM
160
Results/Design Prototype
Large volume with mid height roof and a group of small volumes under a lower roof.
161
10 AM
162
Results/Design Prototype
A combination of three types of groupings: Large volume mid height roof. Group of small volumes under low roof. A group consisting of a mid size volume and two small ones all with no roof.
163
12 PM
164
Results/Design Prototype
Another combination of three types of groupings: Large volume tall roof. Group of small volumes under low roof. A group consisting of a mid size volume and two small ones all with no roof.
165
2 PM
166
Results/Design Prototype
A combination of three types of groupings: Large volume mid height roof. Group of small volumes under low roof. A group consisting of a mis size volume and two small ones all with no roof.
167
4 PM
168
Results/Design Prototype
A combination of three types of groupings: Large volume mid height roof. Group consisting of a mid volume and small volumes under a low roof. A group consisting of a mid size volume and two small ones all with no roof.
169
6 PM
170
Results/Design Prototype
A combination of three types of groupings: Large volume tall roof. Group of small volumes and a mid volume under low roof. A mid size volume roof.
171
Results/Design Prototype
OVERLAPS
Now that there is architectural data of a specific program depicted in a three dimensional, measurable realm it becomes possible to apply it to site context and measure overlaps of conditions required by each change in program. The site is specific and has a very unique orientation in the city. The three dimensional information is placed within a computer and overlaps tests are conducted to find the most efficient and pleasing solution out of the possible combinations. On one side combinations are tested to attempt and use as little square footage as possible. On the other, out of the possible combinations one that is beautiful.
173
174
Results/Design Prototype
When only taking into account the volumetric needs of space it became clear that more restrictions would be necessary to extract a favorable arrangement. Because the data produced was border line limitless in possibility. Second, an aesthetically pleasing organization of space was impossible narrow down.
175
176
Results/Design Prototype
Beautiful flowing forms allowed for fluidity in use and were easier adjusting to changing conditions. They instantly became a favorable result.
177
178
Results/Design Prototype
Some simple solutions were almost perfect but could not allow for the necessary complexity of possibilities.
179
180
Results/Design Prototype
There were tests that produced complex solutions within a simple arrangement. However they became to complex without the spacial qualities.
181
182
Results/Design Prototype
Other combinations were of comfortable size, easy to construct while allowing for most program combinations.
183
184
Results/Design Prototype
Some Combinations allowed for complex use within very small areas
185
186
Results/Design Prototype
It was decided to locate the project at the most exposed location to the city while requiring the change to site to achieve that. Meaning: take advantage of the opportunities in place put there by the previous use of the site. Such as an already existing road or an eroded corner to place the amphitheater at. A simple flowing layout was chosen for ease of constructibility and best spacial response to programmatic needs.
187
188
Results/Design Prototype
FEEDBACK / EVALUATIONS
The experimentations Started bringing an overall form but did not get specific and were lacking spacial qualities. The definition of space itself was still undefined. Separations between different spaces and activities are present in the information, but still not defined in architectural terms. What is the difference between indoors and out doors? Are there different levels of progression from the outdoor in? No materiality and structure discussed. (Sasha) Comments Presentation continues to meddle with research and intuition, and downplays the actual architecture. No plans or sections, no clue to the architecture yet. Incipient suggestion of tectonics. Project continues to be abstract and blurry. How is it built, do you have retaining walls, what is their logic? How is the landforms modified? Where do you put foundations? How do you make decision of form? Address the landscape, it will help you organize the variety of hard and soft programs. See the work of CHORA, beyond their diagrams, to inform your programming strategy combining landscape and architecture. No architectural drawings were presented, no plans, sections, etc. Next step is resolving tectonics and retaining the relationship between program and enclosures. This is a project rich in beautiful potential, but it requires your focus and commitment. Go back to work! (Alan Rosenblum)
189
190
Results/Design Prototype
STATEMENT OF LEARNING - (re-assessment)
Through these series of experiments and feedback it became possible to find the most desirable solution to the programmatic mix on the specific site. It had set the stage for the next step which will be dividing up the interior of the generated overall form. as well as finding an optimal structural solution
191
CONCLUSION CHAPTER 5 Summation of AR503 Process Feedback / Evaluations Statement of learning - Re-assessment
Conclusion
SUMMATION OF AR503
After research, experimentation, and careful evaluation of results a chosen strategy for spacial organization was developed in the previous chapter. This part of the book will focus on turning the developed strategy into a final architectural piece. Here, structural development will be examined. As well as space breakdown and relations will be determined. The projects interaction with site conditions will also be developed throughout this chapter. This chapter contains a bonus section explaining the process of building the representational model for this project.
195
Conclusion
PROCESS
Process consists of developing most efficient structural grid for the given layout, defining different spaces and use, creating space separations to allow for the complex programmatic need, and finally generating an architectural envelope which embeds all spacial needs defined in this book.
197
STRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
198
Conclusion
First a grid is developed to geometrically connect the relationship between each shape and the focal points of activity within.
199
200
Conclusion
Next, the grid is simplified to obtain a more reasonable collection of possible solutions
201
STRUCTURAL SOLUTION
202
Conclusion
Finally, by examining constructibility and stability of the structural solution possibilities, the most reasonable solution is chosen.
203
Conclusion
PROGRAMMATIC SEPARATIONS
The main spaces that can support unrelated and related activities. Laid out in such a way that they are submerged within each-other while having the proper separations to ensure non interrupted function of spaces. In such manner, the space can host one big event or many smaller activities, bringing people together as they unsuspectingly interact with space. The different separations have various levels of breaking up the flow though the spaces. However while they do make adjustments to the dynamics of flow through and between the spaces, non of them restrict flow so that it would keep occurring naturally. Many of the separations are movable to allow for changes in the dynamics of use of the same space depending on current needs.
205
PROGRAMMATIC NEEDS
206
Conclusion
Amphitheater
Flexible Space Food Stands
School Nursery
Water Reservoir
Garden
207
DIVISION OF SPACE BY CATEGORIES
208
Conclusion
Performance Flexible use
Public “in-between space”.
Educational
209
TYPES OF SEPARATIONS
210
Conclusion
Cafe tables
Shaders
Food Stands Rolling Doors Stairs
Room Divisions Grow stands
211
Conclusion
FLUIDITY TEST OF SPACES
Here the generated solution is tested against the originally generated flows to ensure success of organization and separation placement. Main objective is to ensure that the spacial outcome allows for the initial spacial flow input. The relationship is tested through a simple overlay of the flows, to scale, over the floor plan. Then it is evaluated.
213
6 AM
214
Conclusion
During this time mostly preparations for the day take place around the office area and the food vendors.
215
8 AM
216
Conclusion
While some classes start, much of the activity is concentrated around the food area.
217
10 AM
218
Conclusion
Educational activity picks up, moving towards classrooms and spilling into the larger open space.
219
12 PM
220
Conclusion
Closer to lunch school activity starts gravitating towards the food court center, where the vendors are located.
221
2 PM
222
Conclusion
While most the activity is around the food court. It is visible how it effects the areas around it.
223
4 PM
224
Conclusion
Night school keeps the educational area occupied while visitors are still enjoying the food court.
225
6 PM
226
Conclusion
School activity spills to the outdoors at temperature cools down to comfortable levels.
227
8 PM
228
Conclusion
What visitors staid, were integrated into the school crowd.
229
10 PM
230
Conclusion
Some may end-up in a class.
231
Conclusion
FLOOR PLAN The unique combination conditions and responses to best accommodate had generated a floor plan that is a direct result of the site and community needs.
232
233
MAIN SECTION
Conclusion
SECTIONAL PROGRESSION
A series of sections follows the visitors path as they interact with the project from the moment of arrival at the site, as they progress through spaces. All to show the spacial quality differentiation as it applies to the needs of use.
235
A
1/64”=1’
236
Conclusion
As people arrive they are exposed to a very small space with only a sneak view of what is ahead.
237
B
1/64”=1’
238
Conclusion
Once they enter the main space the entire volume is reveled to generate a response from the visitor. It also makes all parts of the program visible to make the decision making for the visitor easy as to where to proceed next.
239
C
1/64”=1’
240
Conclusion
Every space, big or small has an adjacent supporting space which makes it possible to expand or contract based on program needs.
241
D
1/64”=1’
242
Conclusion
While there is the possibility of expanding, each space is capable of functioning independently of its surrounding.
243
D
1/64”=1’
244
Conclusion
The large open space in the center also doubles as the connector of all the separate elements of the project.
245
E
1/64”=1’
246
Conclusion
At back end of the structure is the educational space. It is a much smaller in scale space making for a cozy environment.
247
Conclusion
DETOXIFICATION PHASES
To make sure the site is usable and habitable in a time-frame that would support the needs of the community, the detoxification of the landfill is broken into phases that would help ensure the projects success in real world conditions.
249
PHASE I
2015
250
Conclusion
Install methane wells to collect the gas and make electricity. Redirect runoff toxic water back onto the landfill.
251
PHASE II
2020
252
Conclusion
After the system cleared its most toxic stage pythoremediation landscaping is introduced to begin prepping site for use.
253
PHASE III
2035
254
Conclusion
Once toxin levels are safe the architecture is erected and people start visiting the site and the rest of the park. In turn contributing to the growth and transformation of the community simply through their presence.
255
SITE PLAN
256
Detoxifying plants
MAIN SECTION
UPPER CLASS
WORKING CLASS INFORMAL COMMUNITY
Conclusion
The resulting section shows the elevation of the project to a level visible to any of the city dwellers in Asuncion.
Conclusion
RENDERINGS
Renderings depict specific conditions and interactions made possible through the unique arrangement of, fixed and movable, architectural elements in the project.
261
MAIN SPACE This space is the main connector between the different types of activities throughout the project. It allows for any spontaneous spark of activity or combination of them to occur. While also maintaining a visual of all other activities on site.
INTERIOR TO DECK AND BEYOND
264
Conclusion
This space highlights the slow transition from the inside to the outdoors and the involuntary mix of unsuspecting users of unrelated programs. Such as tourists hanging out on the deck while a music class is taking place across the glass.
265
OUTDOORS\ INDOORS
266
Conclusion
The educational space highlights the need, benefit, and later response to it, of light and fresh air in a school environment.
267
INCLUSIVE SPACE
268
Conclusion
This is the extent to which the project is capable of hosting large volumes of people.
269
270
Conclusion
FEEDBACK / EVALUATIONS
Structural Analysis: Structure is suppose to be minimize to its purpose, only. Art tries to express something. Your project looks like a sculpture, not a building based on use. Based on need. I am not pushing you toward straight lines and boxes. Another thought. If the soil system cannot support the man-made system above, then the design does not meet one of the primary needs, and that is to be supported. I have been told that this is being built on an old waste dump. How good is that soil system at supported large overburden stresses from point loads. Is there native soil down deep? How deep? Structure supports the design of the architect. Architecture is meant to fulfill a need. Does you building cause more difficulty, then it solves? Maybe. Natural systems are our best teachers. Does your building respect the proportions establish by nature. Trees are a good example, as they are the kings of nature. Trees don’t support much load, except their own weight and wind forces. The structure tapers out and cantilevers quite well. But the cantilever willingly bends as needed. It also has a wind filtration system, that allows for stress release in the form of letting wind pass through. Humans who want shelter do not like when their shelter moves like a tree. So the system needs to be the part of the tree the does not move much, like the trunk or the major branches, which do not extend to far from the main support. Your building looks like the base of a mangrove tree. Which is cool, but why would you stop that support system and cantilever out 70 ft? It is irrational. How does it support itself, magically? Aluminum is light weight, it is also low strength, and highly flexible, is that what you want? Have you looked at a sail boat? How do those work? A large unenclosed flat surface is a sail. Masts and sails are tied down to the boat. Maybe that is a solution. But still, what is the reason for the cantilever. What need does it solve?
271
Conclusion
STATEMENT OF LEARNING
After carefully analyzing the input both from the engineer and also my studio instructor I was able to work in the structural changes to the project. Structure was rearranged to better fit need based use. And the representational drawings were adjusted to reflect the project. Main structure was minimized to contain only weight carrying essential walls and arches. It was made out of fly ash concrete to take advantage of a readily available byproduct material. A lighter material, polycarbonate, was chosen as the main transparent material used in constriction for its long term durability ratings, low price, and high performance. It is perfect for roofing and separations, being a water tight and sound absorbing material. Structure holding up the overhang roof made out of aluminum to cut cost and bring elegance to the way it meets the ground. Pillars holding up the main structure are driven all the way down to bedrock to make sure of stability and also to pin-down the hill in a close proximity area to a flowing river.
273
274
Conclusion
EXTRA
Base model Physical model
275
BASE MODEL
276
Conclusion
Base model is made of layers different types of re-purposed wood type materials. Each layer is stacked, glued and milled to produce an even mass. Some air pockets are allowed.
277
Material was arranged in such away as to vary in areas of great detail for emphasis
278
Conclusion
279
PHYSICAL MODEL
280
Conclusion
90% is made of reclaimed materials. Materials used: Acrylic, MDF, plywood, wood dowels.
281
282
Conclusion
283
284
Conclusion
285
APPENDICES
Review of Literature Index
Appendices
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
ARCHILAB 2004 OREANS - The lanaked villecity a nu Editor: Bart Lootsma FIELDWORK - Landscape Architecture Europe. Editor: the Landscape Architecture Europe Foundation (LAE) INVISIBLE GARDENS - The search for modernism in the american landscape. By: Peter Walker and Melanie Simo. PLANETARY GARDENS - The landscape architecture of Gilles Clement Editor: Alessandro Rocca. LANDSCAPE ALCHEMY - the work of Hargreaves Associates / contributions by George Hargreaves NAKED CITIES - Struggle in the global slums. Published by MUTE. Editor: Josephine Berry Slater. ROBERTP BURLE MARX - the modernity of landscape. Editor: Lauro Cavalcanti, FĂ res El-Dahdah, Francis Rambert THE GARDENS OF ROBERTO BURLE MARX / SIMA ELIOVSON; photographs by Nick Hales ; foreword by Roberto Burle Marx. THE OFFICE OF JAMES BURNETT - landscape architecture.
289
Appendices
INDEX
Symbols 3D MODELS 6 AM 8 AM 10 AM 12 PM 2 PM 4 PM 6 PM
155 156 158 160 162 164 166 168
C
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS CMMUNITY LAYOUT LAND POTENTIAL Proximity & Size SITE DEFINITION
105 110 112 106 108
D DELIGNIATION GRAPHS 6 AM 8 AM 10 AM 12 PM 2 PM 4 PM 6 PM DETOXIFICATION PHASES PHASE I PHASE II PHASE III DETOXIFYING PLANTS DIVISION OF SPACE BY CATEGORIES
291
101 102 104 106 108 110 112 114 247 248 250 252 74,255 206
Appendices
F FIRE & RIVER painting FLOOR PLAN FLUIDITY TEST OF SPACES 6 AM 8 AM 8 PM 10 AM 10 PM 12 PM 2 PM 4 PM 6 PM
38 230 211 212 214 216 218 220 222 224 226 228
M MUSIC painting
42
O OVERLAPS chosen comfortable size complex solutions complex use flowing forms simple solutions volumetric needs
171 184 180 178 182 174 176 172
P PAVILION painting PROGRAMMATIC NEEDS 204 PROGRAM graph
44 81
292
Appendices
6 AM 8 AM 8 PM 10 AM 12PM 2PM 4 PM 6 PM 10 PM 12 AM 2 AM
82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 100 102
PYTHOREMEDIATION STUDY
63
R RENDERINGS INCLUSIVE SPACE INTERIOR TO DECK AND BEYOND MAIN SPACE OUTDOORS\ INDOORS SECTION SITE PLAN
259 266 262 260 264 256 254
S Santa Marta case study SECTIONAL PROGRESSION A B C D E F SLUM painting
293
54 233 234 236 238 240 242 244 21
Appendices
STRUCTURAL SOLUTION
200
T TYPES OF SEPARATIONS
208
W WAX INTERPRETATIONS 6 AM 8 AM 10 AM 12 PM 2 PM 4 PM 6 PM 8 PM 10 PM
135 136 138 140 142 144 148 150 152 154
EXTRA BUILT BASE MODEL PHYSICAL MODEL
274 278
294
THANK YOU
Born in the capital city of Belarus, where Eastern and Western European cultures and architecture merge to give birth to the beautiful, green city of Minsk, I grew up in Israel playing and exploring among ruins of ancient empires and holly religious sites, I am currently pursuing my passion for architecture in the sunny city of San Diego, where I am exposed to the technological advances of the modern world and their influences on architecture. Here, given the opportunity to apply the knowledge picked up through being exposed to the unique combination of experiences, I am able to combine environmental consciousness, gravity of antiquity represented in the architecture of the ancient world, and the social and technological advances of modern society around us.
This document contains the collection of research and documented work conducted through a year of architectural thesis. The findings and applications aim to suggest a realistic architectural intervention in Cateura, Asuncion that holds the potential to serve as a gate and a mitigator between the grided city and the informal community. Alexander (Sasha) Pisch
298