Sheila de Andrade ARCHITECTURAL DIARY - Architecture 5 - k1445224
INTRODUCTION This year will be a different year for me as I am starting a new Architecture course in a study abroad programme. I am sure this experience is going to be very precious to me as it is my first time living abroad and, alongside with the knowledge I will acquire at this University, the chance to get in touch with so many different cultures will surely play an important role in my personal and professional development. Architecture is nothing new for me as I have been studying it for three years and a half by now back in Brazil, my home country. The main concern I had learned about making architecture is keeping it coherent for the people who will use it. My intent to come to Kingston to improve my studies was based in its profile that seeks for a more human approach to the design of spaces. It is imperative that nowadays the architectural professional is charged with the duty to produce quality spaces, either public or private, but that can bring people together and provide better relationships between each other. That is what I came here after, to always keep learning and improving my architectural interpretations and then the practice of design of spaces. During the vertical project this year, my group and I had very inspiring discussions about space appropriation. We talked a lot about what should be an accidental space, considering constantly the people’s power to change the space around them, out of nowhere. How people have the important power of making changes in a space that would affect people around them, using this same space at the same time, or not, and how it influences the connection people have with a site, or not. All of this represents the human approach I was referring earlier, it is about making spaces people can relate to and own a site, psychologically. This year I intend to get closer to these matters and produce a coherent final project, that would sum up all the concerns expressed in this introduction and would resolve some of the issues I consider important to be solved in a project, because we are here building architecture for people, afterall. I will be open to new ways of learning, even though I will have to repeat some of the subjects I have already studied, but I am sure it will only improve even more my capabilities and abilities in the processes of designing.
CONTENTS VERTICAL PROJECT
01
GREENWICH RESEARCH 02 ATLAS 03 GREENWICH SITE RESEARCH 04 GREENWICH SITE MODEL 05 CORRIDOR RESEARCH 06 THE NAME OF THINGS 07 PRECEDENT DRAWING 08 DIAGRAMS 09 DRAWING IN THE STYLE OF 10 GREENWICH HOTEL 11 TRIP TO AMSTERDAM 12 HOTEL PRECEDENT STUDIES 13 AMSTERDAM SITE RESEARCH 14 SCHOOL ASSEMBLY 15 AMSTERDAM SITE MODEL 16 AMSTERDAM HOTEL 17
This project was developed by architecture and landscape students of all years, in order to create an act in some place of London. It was the first thing I had to do after enrolling at Kingston University and it helped me to get in touch with different students, different ways of thinking and getting through a good team job among other international students. It was the first challenge and was successful as it was discussed by the tutors at the presentation.
VERTICAL PROJECT
01
site map
It consisted in creating a lumière video of a determined theme, in this case an Accidental Space. For the location we chose a Thames River beach.
tidal changes
Accidental Space - A simple act
24. area that is ephemeral, appearing at times
and disappearing at others.
We decided to use materials that were found
on the site and that were there by accident, in
order to create a temporary space that would be as
organic as possible without the need to bring other materials in from outside. The Idea was to film the general public interacting with
the structure and sit on the bench as the tide came in, to the point where only the plank was visible above the water.
Our idea was unsuccessful as the force of the tide made our structure collapse. The act made us appreciate the
beauty of a temporary space as it was accidentally
washe d
away
like
a sa
ndc
astle by
the tid
.
e
activity description
Our simple act intervention took place at South Bank beach. It represents an
photography submission
0:05s
0:10s
0:35s
0:15s
0:45s
0:20s
0:30s
lumiĂŠere film frames
available at: http://vimeo.com/107864992
GREENWICH RESEARCH Studio 2.3
02
The Royal Observatory was firstly founded as a scientific institution for navigational research in 1675. It hosts the world’s Prime Meridianand the Greenwich Mean Time.
The 1616 Palladian Queen’s House is perfectly simetric and nowadays sets an art gallery from the National Maritime Museum’s collection that England has herited.
Royal Naval College
Greenwich Market
Greenwich Location
St. Alfege Church
notes
I was asked to select a specific theme, that would happen in Greenwich, to explore trhough the atlas. Said that, I’ve decided to choose window framing to expose and explore the relationships that happen between the inside and the outside through a simple window, how it can link two segregated spaces, or instead, divide what is public and what is private space and working as a see through wall.
ATLAS Studio 2.3
03
The activity consisted in visiting the site, collecting information of the neighbourhood of our future project and drawing an elevation of a determined building. The studio was divided in groups, and my group took care of drawing the elevation of the other side of the street.
GREENWICH SITE RESEARCH Studio 2.3
04
To start, I took pictures of the buildings to construct a photogrametry of that side of the street. It was not an easy job due to the curved shape of that street. Later on I worked on the drawing but it was very difficult to make it flat, so that the first elevation drawing was very tridimensional.
Then, I started working on a CAD drawing so I could have the flat shape an elevation needs.
As it was a team work, after we finished our drawings we put them together and this was the final result:
After doing a research on the site and the buildings we were able to actually build the site model. Each group was responsible of some building.
GREENWICH SITE MODEL Studio 2.3
05
notes
notes
Out of a list, given in the brief for this activity, we chose a corridor to study and go deep absorbing its features and spaciality. Home for Senior Citizens Chur, Graub端nden Switzerland by Peter Zumthor
CORRIDOR RESEARCH Studio 2.3
06
source: < http://www.galinsky.com/buildings/elderly/>
source: < http://www.archdaily.com/85656/multiplicity-and-memory-talking-about-architecture-with-peter-zumthor/residential-home-for-the-elderly-in-masans-floor-plan/>
Unfolded elevations and plan
This was the very first time we made a MDF model, we learned a lot of modelling skills and techniques.
The first model we made had some failures, as the walls not very solid and not very well finished. But, still, we did some tests with the camera, testing angles, frames and lights on it:
First model photographs
Rebuilding process
After rebuilding some parts of the model, the final result was a solid piece of work:
The development of this work started with a site research to measure all of the things we needed in order to produce the sections and detailing. The group was given the Section 2, so we went to the Sutdio 9 area to measure all up.
THE NAME OF THINGS Making Architecture
07
photographic research
The group then divided the work, and I was responsible for two drawings (an elevation and a gerneral section).
Early on the group visited the site and took some pictures and made some measurements and generally undestood the building in its whole. After that the group decided to first of all draw in CAD the skeleton of the drawing, so everybody would have the same measurements and proportions to each drawing.
PRECEDENT DRAWING Representing Architecture
08
Site research, building photographs.
Site research.
building faรงade and CAD drawing
the process of pencil drawing
finished A1 drawing
The diagrams should be of the building we are currently stuying for the Precedent Measured Drawing. We could get the floor plan of the building and then were able to develope this assignment.
DIAGRAMS
Representing Architecture
09
I chose to work with the kind of representation that Caruso St. John used in one particular project, working with very diagramatic elevations and highlighting the geometric composition of the form. Elevations Scale 1/100
Sheila de Andrade Drawing in the Stryle of: Caruso St John
DRAWING IN THE STYLE OF Representing Architecture
10
Rainham Marshes RSPB Centre - Caruso St. John Arhitects
Elevations Scale 1/100
Sheila de Andrade Drawing in the Stryle of: Caruso St John
Design an hotel in a worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heritage site, in a corridor-like site and with relatively not plenty of time to develope the project.
HOTEL IN GREENWICH Studio 2.3
11
notes
Bayside_Marina_Yasutaka Yoshimura Architects
Bayside_Marina_Yasutaka Yoshimura Archi-
Hotel Pupp
What I want to develop: highlight the views (relate to atlas’ “frames”), preserve the pre-existent gardens and court yards, respect street dress code, respect the neighbouring buildings’ heights.
With this second model I was able to test the heights, spaciality and relation with the project with the area around it.
Final Model (construction):
Final Model (construction):
notes
A research trip aiming to recognise the site of the second semester project and to gather information about hotel tipologies. Also featured a trip to Almere, a near city, where we could visit a SAANA project and some other famous architects buildings. The precedent studies took place there, as well.
TRIP TO AMSTERDAM Studio 2.3
12
AMSTERDAM
AMSTERDAM SITE
ALMERE VISIT
ALMERE VISIT SAANA building
ALMERE VISIT SAANA building
hotel precedent studies visit Lloyd Hotel Amsterdam
A study on the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s organisation and spaciality, functions and funcionality. A work developed alongside with my colleague Mayara Bet.
HOTEL PRECEDENTS STUDIES Studio 2.3
13
The hotel precedent studies of my group took place at the Lloyd Hotel Amsterdam, in eastern Amsterdam, formerly a hotel for imigrants in the 20â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s which suffered a serious of changes throughout the years becoming a Jewish refugees spot and also a prision. Since 1989 the place has held cultural events and has hosted cultural associations as well. The hotel has an large and terrace on the South, a large restaurant, a bar, 117 hotel rooms ranging from one to five stars and fitted out by a plethora of Dutch artists and designers, four mezzanine platforms used for exhibitions, meetings and events, a library, two main banqueting rooms and 10 smaller meeting rooms. The Lloyd Hotel & Cultural Embassy in Amsterdam is the first one-to-five star design hotel in the world. More than 50 designers and artists participate in the hotel, together with MVRDV. The Cultural Embassy presents ongoing exhibitions, talks and events every month, available to all guests. As the hotel had multiple typologies of rooms, from 1 to 5 stars, we decided to survey the common area (the sequence of spaces, its vertical circulation and its niches, and some of the views, and for the rooms we picked up two of them to survey. Basically we studied the plans, the relation between the spaces and how they managed to adapt that space that has been there for over a century.
Amsterdam Map
Site entrance Situation Plan
4
7
6
5
1
2
3
LIBRARY
ARTS
LIVING
LIBRARY
RESTAURANT/RECEPTION
STAY BAR SALOON KITCHEN
HALL
RECEPTION
HALL
Each group was given a part of the amsterdam site and had to represent its faรงades and sections, when applicable, so that the studio could have a whole research of the site in hands, as it would be easier to have the right informations when we would be back from the trip, if needed.
AMSTERDAM SITE RESEARCH Studio 2.3
14
This was the section me and Mayara had to research.
Street Flooring.
Street Flooring scale 1/50
Frontal Elevation
Isometric View with the canal
Here I bring the full presentation organised by the students to show the scolar community what has been developed so far by them, and to discuss the future actions in the studio. I was responsible to organise the amsterdam research, alongside with two other colleagues.
SCHOOL ASSEMBLY Studio 2.3
15
To the development of the site model for amsterdam, the studio was divided and each student was responsible for a building or a part of it. In my case, it was the base for the model that had to be constructed. For that I worked alongside with two other colleagues.
AMSTERDAM SITE MODEL Studio 2.3
16
Construction Sketches
AMSTERDAM HOTEL Studio 2.3
17
This semester design project takes place at Amsterdam, a city with many particularities. The first challenge is to revitalise the area which is placed in a very central location with many tourists and, inevitably, red windows. One of the intentions of this project is to change the atmosphere of that site, allowing art and culture to act as a catalyzer of this renewing process. Another challenge is to get sun light and ventilation in a very dense site and with historical buildings to be considered. We are also working in a World Heritage Site, in the buffer zone, so every alteration must be well thought. This is an attempt to attract to that area a more cultural atmosphere and allow people to use a space in the city that was not appropriate before.
Site from east
Site from north Site from south
Site from west
PROGRAM: - Single Rooms - Double Rooms - Collaborative Studio - Library - Hall - Gallery - Solarium - Staff Rooms - Vertical Circulation - Housekeeping - Plant Room
CONCEPTS: - Temporary accommodation - Affordable prices - Cultural activities - Street plaza - Maximize public space - Visual interactions - Light - Art - Surprise effect - Path
keywords: CONTRAST SEQUENCE LIGHT MODULATION GRID
The first idea was to create a vacant space in the middle of the site so that people could use that as a path, referencing materials which could be found in the neighbour buildings. This configuration created the sequence of forms and the light playing I was seeking, although did not deal with the modulation or contrast I intended.
Further on the development of the initial concept, I started thinking about it as a light in the middle of the dense site, that would bring security to the area.
Then I started thinking about how to get light in the rooms and to create an element surprise for my project playing with the forms. I really got into the idea of having two separate towers, that would held the cultural and public activites, meanwhile the suspended part of the hotel would be the actual rooms.
At this stage of the process I developed the circulation aspects of my proposal, defining what would be the best choices for an entrance, vertical circulation and the spaces located in the ground floor.
Here I thought about what the guest would see from their rooms, what would be the visual relation to the neighbour buildings.
References: Sliding House - DRMM
References: Kew House - Piercy & Co
South side
North side
Ground floor
First floor
Second floor
Section
Section
Sequence of transversal sections
First Sketch Model in site
First Sketch Model in site
Section showing the context
Studying tectonics
Development hand sketches
Thinking how to build the model
Studies of Form and Tectonics through sketch model
Thinking presentations
Testing Graphics
Section AAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Scale 1/50
Testing Graphics
Section AAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Scale 1/50
Testing Graphics
Section DDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Scale 1/50
Testing Graphics
Elevation Scale 1/100
Isometric exploded view
Exploded form diagrams
Concrete texture
Brick textures
Corten Steel texture
1:20 model
1:20 model
1:50 final model
Diagram in context of the windows
Structural Diagram
Formal Diagrams
Enclousure Diagrams
Walls and Roof Diagrams
Axonometric Diagram
Load Bearing Elements Diagram
dead loads: weight of the construction, structure
Dead loads diagram scale 1/200
snow
people
wind
funiture
live loads: people, furniture, snow, wind...
Live loads diagram scale 1/200
Ventilation diagram scale 1/200
Services distribution diagram scale 1/200
basement ďŹ&#x201A;oor - plant room location scale 1/100
Sustainable Design Statement Social/community engagement The hotel theme is already a very interesting and open one, but it needs to find a way to relate to the local community so the building would not only be inhabited by tourists or temporary guests and would really be integrated in the local reality and daily life. Currently the Red Light District area, where the site is located, is going through a rearrangement, as there is a civic consensus and a political decision to realocate the â&#x20AC;&#x153;window prostitutesâ&#x20AC;? to elsewhere, giving the opportunity to the development of other kinds of tourism more amenable to its historic aspects. This project is called 1012, and the design projects will have to deal with this concerning providing a cultural space in the program. This hotel building needed to feature some sort of ambiance that would bring local people to it and, most importantly, keep those people coming back and using the building. Therefore, the program of this hotel features a collaborative studio which outsiders can visit. It has temporary expositions of art made in that very site and the visitor can also make its own art in workshops and other activities organised by the Studio. The ground floor plan has its most noble spaces, nearer to the busiest streets of the site, completely directed to this uses and even opens up to the community during the day so that they can rest inside the building while contemplating the exposition placed there.
Sustainable Design Statement Materials We can list several things that are considered architectural, but none of them is so intimately and so deeply a part of architecture than the materiality of it. The choice and the use of the material is a crucial consideration in architecture. It defines the character of the building, its interactions with the neighbouring buildings and rules how we perceive the building itself. The materials used in this project were chosen in a way that they would emphasize the initial concept, prioritising a solid and heavy structure to contrast with an adaptable and lighter volume that are intersected one into another, as in the function of these spaces that are distinctly private and semi-public ones. For that matter the choice for this heavy volume was reinforced concrete, working as a shell shape in order to embrace the other volume and create this relation between the two. The durability and robustness were considered making this choice. There are two of these volumes in the project, and each of them feature double height spaces, in an attempt to provide contemplation to the void and consequently the materiality of it, celebrating this material at its roughest form. The intention was to leave both these volumes very rough and show the heavy aspect of them to the users and to the transients in the street, dealing with the contrast of a very light and open steel frame volume, which is the core of the private activities of the hotel. The steel frame is supporting the pre-cast concrete slabs of the floor and the glass curtain walls that open the rooms to the outside so they get natural lightning and ventilation. The roof truss is visible in the second floor and reveals to the guests this structural feature, highlighted by a roof window that alights the truss from the top. It also supports the corten steel cladding of the exterior walls, which gives the volume a very distinct aspect of the concrete ones. Its warm color and time changing character are another aspects that were considered in this choice. It was important that the intersection of these two volumes could be visible from the outside, and in order to achieve that the concrete walls are carved to show the steel frame and the glass in the inner part of the building, giving to it a sense of depth in the faรงade.
Sustainable Design Statement Future Proof The buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flexibility is ensured by the open plan in the ground floor, as well as in the upper floors of the middle volume. The walls are not strongly bounded to the pre-cast concrete floor, and that opens the possibility for them to change location if in the future they need to be moved. In the concrete volumes the double height spaces and large floor to ceiling heights allow the building to be used for some other purpose. The whole corten steel cladding could be replaced with some other material, if necessary. As well as the walls, in case of climate changes for example. The building use can change as well, as it follows a modular structuring it could become a shared apartment living for students, an office building, and could even be used independently on each of its floors. The materials used have a long life use and can be found in the local area if replace is needed.