SITE SELECTION

Site Selection Criteria

As per the verb – to isolate, and the agency - IAEA, the site should possess the following characteristics

• Isolation on site – IAEA would have to be in a relatively deserted space for any tests that could impact the site and its surroundings

• Low clutter – low development – less damage

• Low population – less people accessing site regularly - similarly, the lack of people on site would ensure safety in case of accidental errors

• Low diversity monotony in surrounding buildings – repetition of function and form – optimistic isolation as discussed in manifesto.

Intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

FUNCTIONS

- to ensure maximum contribution of nuclear technology to society

- verifying peaceful usage of nuclear technology

- build and strengthen international nuclear safety regime.

The area of intervention is held by two axes on either side that contains the private shipyards and ware house, marine supply stores.

The line of control that defines the point of tapout of NoL cards at the end of the metro journey, is the point from where the behaviour and movement of the users can be intervened.

Warehouses, maintaining the existing barricaded isolation

It is observed that since the beginning of development of the Creek Metro station on the site, it has become less isolated.

HISTORICAL PROGRESSION OF CREEK

Isolation On Site

The selection of Creek Metro as the site was primarily driven by the highly underdeveloped nature of the site, and the play in landforms including the developed land towards the main roads, the metro area, and the Creek waterfront.

Considering that the site is already isolated, the challenge now shifts to how the project can serve as a MAGNET that draws in more visitors into the site to experience isolation and what it can offer.

SHIPYARD MASSES

LEVEL DIFFERENCES

BARRICADES

BUILT MASS

CYCLE TRACK

SHADED BUGGY TRACK

VEHICULAR ROUTES

FUNCTIONAL ISOLATION - INCLUSIVE AND EXCLUSIVE

The site is surrounded by private shipyards and a cricket academy on the north, and many marine replated supply stores and warehouses to its south.

Having such specific functions, it is important to note the exclusivity of certain zones on site.

The Jaddaf warehouse area is barricaded and has a high surveillance on any visitor.

However, the Creek metro station and water taxi station at the waterfront is inclusive in the sense that it is open to be accessed by any passer-by.

Visual And Movement Isolation

Being highly barricaded, the site is surrounded by green netted boundaries, and opaque barricades. Although it seems minor, these elements heavily interfere with the movement of a user on site.

The tall ships parked in the shipyard also have an impact in visual isolation on site.

The lack of surrounding buildings on site causes a lack of shading elements, or buildings to cast shadows on the site in-turn causing a passive cooling. Hence, the barren land is exposed to high heat especially during the summer months.

However, during the winter, as the temperatures reduce, people from nearby areas are more likely to visit. Prominent incoming winds from Western and North-Western areas on site.

SCALE 1:1000

Existing buildings in the vicinity - warehouses, marine supply stores are low-rise. Overall lack of shade, Metro is the primary development on area of intervention site.

Dynamic variety of landforms - the Creek and its waterfront, the rocky surface where it meets the land, and the more developed side towards the Metro and main road.

On exiting the Creek metro, the silence and visual inactivity gives off an isolated feeling of being separated from the heart of the city.

The skyline of the Creek harbour beyond the Creek gives a sense of belonging, a hope to look forward to.

CONTINUITY AND DISCONTINUITY THROUGH ISOLATION

The linearity of the site divides / isolates it from the on-site elements, thereby reducing interaction.

THE IMPACT OF TARGET VIEWLINES

At the shore of th Creek, lies many remians including plastic tins of food, rusted metal, etc.

This collection of trash emits the feeling of the end of a happening time.

The skyline beyond the Creek here seems like a glimpse of continuity to look forward to.

The contrast of the busy roads and Jaddaf skyline against the linearity of the narrow corridor defined by the Metro stations makes the space seem less isolated.

NARROW - LINEAR ISOLATION

The various landscapes within the site interact better with each other.

REDUCED ON - SITE ISOLATION

SETTING THE CREEK INWARD

Quick Creek access from the Metro exit

Viewlines to DFC and other harbour projects

60° ROTATION OF WATERFRONT

Comparatively least isolated from the Creek waterfront side. However, this extension adds to the length of the existing linearity of the site.

The site thus becomes more isolated from the other side towards Jaddaf.

DISCONNECTED

INTERACTIVE

SETTING THE WATERFRONT OUTWARD

ON - SITE TESTING THROUGH INTERVENTIONS

The poetics of culture has long lost its relation to the built-form after modernization and the marathon behind flashy cities that have proven to be successful elsewhere. With the success of the skyscrapers and consecutive towers of New York, the entire world started to set that as a benchmark to surpass. In this haste of over-achieving with the sole purpose of competing against one another, we lose a sense of identity – the very charm that ISOLATES - distinguishes and sets a body of work apart from a crowd.

The imitation of architectural design dialect across countries results in a highly homogenous and soulless history being left behind for generations to come. When cultural philosophies and practices are scrapped off the way we perceive built form and space as users before designers, it feels almost as if a region has been robbed of its possibilities of preserving individuality.

The satisfaction of our experience of space is only completely realized when it is capable of leaving a lasting impression for years to come. This is only achieved when there are tales behind the ideation that has given birth to an architectural piece. To appreciate this vividly, we need to decipher the philosophies that follow optimistic isolation. Isolation through extraction is known to set a distinguished element apart from a monotonous crowd that lacks character. It is almost comparable to handpicking the most exceptional silk from a pile of dull, lifeless trims of cotton. Although the motive behind this selection could vary, it is the intrigue behind uniqueness that makes it desirable.

The monotony and repetition in today’s cities feels almost fatiguing to experience every day. The character that runs along these blocks of concrete and glass physically isolates the volumes contained within these rigid enclosures compared to external fluidity and allows no sort of interaction between the two. The current cityscape that appears forced and grid-like has a restrictive feeling that it imposes on its users. This invisible barrier that bounds these spaces, repels certain groups of the society, hence isolating them unintentionally.

At the crudest understanding, what causes isolation? What elements of built space have the power to influence the levels of spatial isolation experienced? We intentionally isolate spaces in architecture through windows, doors, corridors and facades. On an urban scale, transport networks and accessways segregate and isolate regions. What would occur if we reimagine the way these architectural and urban elements interact with space? If we rethink our spatial elements, to synchronize its rhythms with regional culture influences, will we achieve our vision of bringing diversity to our cities?

If we continue to disregard the rich narratives in design history that have been treasured across generations and handed down, we will end up in a bland, colourless world where everything seems like repeated imitations. Imagine touring across the globe and experiencing a diverse plethora of history and traditions through the architecture at each stop. The unique materials, textures, colours and ornament preserved, will keep transforming at each place. Allowing those characteristics that proudly sing the glories of a region, to influence and isolate our thinking and rational, will help us design a world of undulations that leave strong impressions to its viewer.

Crustaceans found in plenty near waterbodies. They attach themselves onto hard substrates.

They live in INTER-TIDAL space; they must thus be capable of living both on land and water.

Facade Exploration

Isolation to create a controlled condition

Barnacles - Crustaceans that form a shell to adapt and protect themsleves from high tides.

Isolates itself within its shell to create a controlled conditions that prevents itself from drying out. Opens up to capture food particles suspended in water.

ISOLATION BETWEEN SPACES In between functions

LOW - TIDE

LIVING ON LAND

Closes itself to maintain a controlled condition, that prevents it from drying out in the heat.

HIGH - TIDE LIVING ON UNDERWATER

Occasionally opens its shell to capture food particles that are suspended in the water.

Identifying Types Of Functional Isolation

INDOOR - OUTDOOR RELATIONSHIP Isolation at building skin reflective

Productive

CORRIDORS

CAFE

EXHIBITIONS

BOOKSHOP

LIBRARY

SPACES OF ISOLATION Corridors, spaces of encounter, spaces of reflection

6 X OFFICES

RESEARCH ROOMS

NETWORKING

LECTURE HALLS

Healing

Ideative Liberation

LABORATORIES

EXPERIMENT TEST SPACES

MEETING SPACES

PRESENTATION ROOMS