QUESTION 1: According to Paul Righini‟s book Thinking Architecturally‟: "Structure can be defined by the forces and loads it has to withstand. " However the properties of a material have an impact on the structure and need to be considered during the process of design. There are 3 dominant structural types: Solid Structure - The walls act as a support and enclosure. The loads are transferred through the walls and determined by the thickness and strengths of materials. Skeletal Structures - A skeleton or framework that supports all the loads or forces on the building usually an open space. Surface Structure - When the walls and roof act as both supporting and enclosure. Usually materials are curved, suspended or stretched over a certain span. The task given to us was to create a Hub using gum poles & marine plywood. In terms of my Hub design, it can be defined as a skeletal structure as it forms the framework of the structure, as the loads and forces that are present and transferred from one point to the other and it does not enclose the space. For the function of my design, I had chosen Creative performance („broadcasting‟), to create a structure that can be easily assembled and taken down to adapt to any location. The purpose of my structure was to provide a semi sheltered area which included a performing area as well area for an audience, which displayed the concept of “broadcasting”. The shape of a loud speaker and shell came to mind which displayed a sense of projection of sound. This shape could be displayed using a play of levels, heights and spaces that create a sense of elevation.
A loud speaker creates a triangle shape
Display of various planes
that displays a projection of sound from
that implies a sense of elevation.
the stage to the audience.
A sense of hierarchy and defining spaces using specific functions. e.g stage – suspended, audience – stepped for better acoustics
QUESTION 2: When exploring possible design ideas the properties of the materials needed to be considered. Namely the following things: Characteristic:
Material properties ( gum poles)
Material properties ( marine plywood)
Span
sizes vary making it versatile
limited to standard sizes therefore secure joints achieve greater spans
Thickness
diameters vary due to tree sizes, thickness is determined by the span to achieve maximum Strength.
limited to standard sizes ranging from 6mm - 32mm
Characteristic:
Material properties ( gum poles)
Material properties ( marine plywood)
Strength
is very strong when treated
is very strong when treated
Weight
it is fairly heavy but is suitable to carry for
it is fairly heavy but is suitable to carry for short distances
Short distances, e.g on site
e.g. on site.
when treated/burnt can be used outdoors.
Once treated can be used outdoors, often used for boats
Water allowance
as it has a resistance to shrinkage, cracking &warping. Transportability
Maintenance
needs to be transported using large vehicles.
Can be transported using smaller vehicles
e.g. Trucks, depending on span
e.g. Bakkie depending span.
very little maintenance
very little maintenance.
After considering all the above aspects, I could make informed design decisions. I needed to make sure that joints were strong to ensure that structure is secure and greater spans could be achieved. Below are ways the gum poles could be fixed
Using rope and creating a cross bracing
Cutting through the gum poles creating a
Using two rafters nailed or bolted to a post.
Timber joints can be joined to improve the bond and strengthen the timber using the following joints.
In conclusion as mentioned above according to Paul Righini‟s book Thinking Architecturally‟: "Structure can be defined by the forces and loads it has to withstand." However the properties of a material have an impact on the structure and need to be considered during the process of design. I based all my design decisions on the fact that I would like to create a framework that expresses a sense of broadcasting using the materials like gum poles to create height and elevation and marine plywood to create shelter and allowing these two materials to balance the forces and loads exerted on it using the correct joints and spans to increase the strength of the structure.
REFERENCES: 1. Righini Paul, 2000. “Thinking Architecturally: An introduction to the creation of form and place.” Cape Town: University of Cape Town Press and Paul Righini 2. Grobbelaar Andre, 2010, “Building Construction & Graphic Standards”, South Africa: Anglo- Rand Publications.
QUESTION 1: Creative Performance- Broadcasting
QUESTION 2: I explored the various definitions of the following words: Creativity: refers to the phenomenon whereby a person creates something new (a product, a solution, a work of art etc.) that has some sort of value e.g. arts & crafts, writing, painting & drawing Performance: perfrmance inn performing arts, generally comprises an event in which a group of people ( the performer or performers) behave in a particular way for another group of people (the audience). E.g. musicals & poetry Broadcasting: is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via radio, television, or other often digital transmission media. Receiving parties may include the general public or relatively large amount of people. Therefore my main architectural concept is : To broadcast and display yourself to the public through creative performance
QUESTION 3: Space is a defying element in my design and is closely dependant on the function or purpose of my hub. I needed to provide an open area that allows for free movement & light to be filtered in and create a place where you are able to project yourself as well as an area where the message can be received.
As it is said in Righini‟s book: „Not merely a functional object, it reflects a spatial attitude – that of articulating separate special components – informed by an attempt to classify functions differently‟.
1st idea – enclosed space
2nd idea – support in space
3rd idea- joining elements
4th idea- separate elements
Sound waves are like rings as indicated in this diagram to your left they project sound. I wanted to create a space that projected the sound and showed through various levels and heights and mediums how someone is able to broadcast themselves. I used the shell as another shape to help me to create a space that was sheltered yet displayed projection with the use of material, heights, lengths and levels. Therefore I believe space to be important factor in my hub design and it can be defined by its function and technology. The various area‟s namely, stage, Wi-Fi, seating & staircase/access steps formed individual spaces yet flowed together using the technology namely the gum poles and marine plywood.
QUESTION 4: The Form a shell inspired shape that forms an auditorium area ,the Function is to provide a space to broadcast yourself through music, dance & poetry. These two aspects are integrated by using height to create the open space and freedom to move while incorporating a shell form that creates a flowing space that is accessible and inviting to the whole community. I believe that form follows function in my hub design, as the main concept/fuction of broadcasting was displayed using the shape of a shell, the play on heights and the properties of materials to influence the form.
A shell inspired form.
QUESTION 5: As stated with form and function, technology is equally important therefore I donâ€&#x;t believe that only one aspect can be considered during the complete design process. The technology that was given to use in our hub project were gum poles & marine plywood. When researching more of the properties of these materials you are able to make decisions that will impact the form of your design. Gum poles when using different lengths can create a sense of height and elevation, the gum poles can be used to as well as attractive area to perform, mostly a support or framework to the entire structure. The marine plywood by using various joints it can provide a strong structure a space for shelter against weather conditions allowing an for shelter audience to view the performances.
QUESTION 6: A skeletal structure framework made from gum poles covered by marine-plywood, which forms the roof in an auditorium layout. As most parts of the hub is open air natural light is filtered throughout the entire area but covered areaâ€&#x;s like the stage provide an enclosure for performers. As the stage and seating area is separate the space between them allows easy access for user to move about in. The overall composition of the building is in the shape of a shell using various levels to display a sense of hierarchy , the performer being “elevatedâ€? on the stage. Elements like gum poles and marine plywood used at various lengths create as asymmetrical area that seems to be abstract in nature. However there is a flow as the shape of the pergola shell creates a balance between the audience area and stage. The WI-FI tower is lockable and all other areas are open and the stage accessible using the staircase. The roof is high and not completely covered to provide natural light onto stage & seating area. The ground plane is created where the audience is seated and able to view the performances which is elevated on another level. As there are only are no walls the relationship between the outside & inside area seems to be transparent however spaces are defined by function.
A SPACE ENCLOSING SYSTEM:
A SPACE DEFINING SYSTEM:
- Spaces are enclosed
- Spaces are free flowing
- Outside & inside area's are separated
- Outside & inside area's are linked
- Has limits to space and area's
- Defines space
- Limited to specific style or design
- Seems to be abstract
- Visible front, back & side
- Visible from all angels & viewpoints
- Components and elements are joined
- Components and elements are separate
- Fixed sources of fenestration
- Various sources of fenestration
- Changing surface space
- Continuous surface space
My hub design is a space defining system Possible positions of gum poles This diagram shows that the structure is not only defined by one space. The change in levels and materials add to the abstract feel of the design. The space is not limited by walls and portioning but a framework is used to display the space as a whole.
THE DESIGN PROCESS: Project Brief: To design a community Hub, that has a WI-FI tower as the core masonry structure and incorporate an element ( from list given ) that provides enrichment for the community.
Brainstorming & Design: The design workshop, we got into groups and chose Creative Performance - with the main idea being broadcasting to the community. We built concept models and formulated the basis for which our concept which
we
would
have
to
develop
individually.
Concept Model: I then built some concept models to explore the possibilities of my design. The technology played an important role in the design as specific measurements and sizes of materials had to be considered.
Drawings: A series of concept drawings were done to explore the idea of broadcasting and display the ideas of space, materials used and focal elements of the hub. Then technical drawings like the plans, sections & elevations had to be drawn up to further display the process
The shell was an important aspect in my design as it helped me to to created the form And express the concept of my idea.
Crit Sessions: This included discussions over skype with lecturers to explain idea's and problems facing the design and imput from peers as to new design elements that could be explored.