Frank Otuo Gyimah portfolio

IS IT FOG Portfolio Selected works 2016 -2018

IS IT This portfolio is meant to help you understand and experience how IS IT questions help shape my holistic appraoch to design.

FR AN K OTUO GYI MAH _ _ _ 2016 -2018

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With each project I try to understand what can be done to improve on the usual using a holistic approach. By this am able to experiment and find solutions that combine the current Utopian ideas into one that has multidisciplinary solution.

Otuo Frank Gyimah Nationality: Ghanaian Birth: 19.05.1993

Language: English Italian Akan French

SPECIALIZED SKILLS Technical:

Sketching and conceptualization, Drafting, Oral and soft-copy Presentations, Architecture Modeling:

Autodesk Revit Rhino 3d Architecture Drafting:

Auto-CAD 2D Autodesk Revit Qgis Arch Viz Tools:

Unity game engine 3ds max + Vray Lumion Graphics and Documentation:

Adobe Photoshop Illustrator InDesign PowerPoint Building Simulation and Analysis:

Sefaira Trnsys Ladybug Parametric design:

Grasshopper Dynamo

ACTIVITIES/INTERESTS Augmented reality Mentoring specific skills, Badminton, Architecture practice

Contact

ARCHITECTURE EXPERIENCE

Intern Architect , PARK ASSOCIATI – Milano - Italy • • •

June 2019 – Present

Currently effecting changes to the BIM model of a student housing (Part new & remodeling construction) Design the disabled access of the courtyard of the student housing BIM model.

Prepared Multiple sections for the a Concert Hall competition.

Intern Architect , Urban solutions Grup – Nickseth Construction Company Limited May 2016 – August 2017 • • • • •

Optimized the work flow of the firm to decrease the project delivery times.

Prepared and designed a logo and letter head for the firm Initiated and innovated new façade designs for the firms existing template Implemented an updated and improved presentation (Graphically) system for the firm.

Coordinated and managed the activities six (6) junior interns during their 2 months period at the firm.

Intern Architect , Urban solutions Grup – Nickseth Construction Company Limited • •

May – August 2015

Conceptualized, presented and secured the design of a Water tank stand at a prime location.

Coordinated and managed the activities one (1) junior intern during her 2 months period at the firm.

EDUCATION

- Politechnico di Milano, School of Urbanistic Architecture and Construction Engineering

Master of Architecture Engineering

September 2017 – Present

Selected Coursework: Conservation, Building Materials, Sustainable Multidisciplinary Design Process (SMDP), Urban design

Thesis Project: SMART_Without_ Slum, the case of Quelimane, Mozambique.

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Urban study of the downtown area of Quelimane.

Selecting a local area to implement the micro-housing concept

- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), College of Arts and Built Environment September 2012 – July 2016 Bachelor of Science in Architecture, CWA: 66.40/100

Selected Coursework: Natural Lighting and applied Acoustics, Settlement Planning and design, Urban

design housing and Landscape, Conservation, Building Materials, Design Economics, Design of Special Buildings

RELEVANT ACADEMIC PROJECTS

Augmented and Virtual Reality Application development Workshop, Lecco Politecnico di Milano •

Created a Augmented reality app for Android devices.

Serio Heights, Architectural design , Politecnico di Milano

Campus -

February 2019 Winter 2018

• Led a design team of diverse cultures and disciplines to design and fully rethink models for shared student apartment.

• Managed two multi-disciplinary teams towards fusing the building optimization with architecture

design to create a sustainable and architectural sound design.

Porto di Mare Market Design Competition, SMDP , Politecnico di Milano • •

Collaborated with a team of 5 peers to design a master plan and a market for Porto di Mare.

Successfully gained notable mention (4th position out of 15 groups/entries)

Winter 2017

Landscapes and initiatives for Neighborhoods and community revival, Department of Architecture, KNUST April 2015 • • •

Co- managed a group of student architects from multi-nationalities and skill sets.

Developed a thematic set of innovative, upcycled , low cost and sustainable play grounds Led the presentation of the team’s final delivery.

Mail: LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE Fotuo77@gmail.com Structure Is More, Tutorials for Basic Structural calculations, Lecco campus - Frankgyimah.otuo@ Politecnico di Milano March - May 2019 • Co-tutored a group of 21 peers from the Architectural engineering course mail.polimi.it How to prepare and Deliver Formal Presentations in English, Lecco campus - Facebook: Politecnico di Milano March - May 2018

Otuo Gyimah Frank • Learned and practiced improved approaches to formal presentations in English.

FacebookPage: Tratech Exhibitor, Representing my Department at the University Exhibitions, KNUST

Tuo’s Catalogue

February 2015 LinkedIn: frank-otuo-97615483 • •

Facilitated and organized the projects for the exhibition Advertised the architecture products to fellow students at the exhibition.

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Porta Romana has been subject to new developments that have embraced a new approach to buildings. The morphologies of the structure here form the new character of this neighborhood. Our structure embraced this approach while being influenced by the very DNA of a Milanese block. Within this neighborhood, the Milanese approach of considering a courtyard is highly employed. Thus in order to create a structure that was new but respecting traditions, we began brainstorming around the site and the courtyard.

Using the courtyard, we achieved a form that potentially creates a oneness in function although two very distinct groups of people would exist here. The court now acts as a meeting point, a point of attraction, a communal ground. Today various sources of energy come in different levels of impact on the environment. The primary energy of the different energy sources affects how sustainable the building would be. To reduce the portions of non-renewable embodied in tapping from the grid, we considered adopting a roof form to a source of energy. By simulations, the best of roof angles to utilize the production of the highest quality renewable energy was achieved and built into the building form. By this solar energy was conceived as a part of the design and answering one of the IS IT questions. A seamless integration of solar power generation and form Space for Students and Families Serio Heights offers to the residents the choices of privacy complemented with the connections. To promote a sense of belonging and community around the private court space, we designed communal activities. Shaded gardens are adopted within the private court. Seatings are also oriented towards a central focal point to remind the occupants to interact with the residents even while they enjoy private times the pocket spaces. Although the canal may have sort to divide the two distinct functions, we sort to embrace this in a different way. Using the canal we were inspired to create a landscape that incorporated the sun pods on the opposite sides if the canal. Thus students and the Milanese families may meet, communicate and interact around the very object that sort to divide them. Now after the initial interaction over the canal, residents are further granted the opportunity to meet on the canal. The hovering outer seating that overflows from the restaurant space provide grounds for the interaction. The pathways integrated into the layout are designed to respect and the existing trees and provide as much options in connection. By respecting and thus maintain the trees they serve as a warm shelter from the climate for interaction over the canal. The Programs. The program Year_ 2017to functions. This though does not allude to irrationalities but of the Serio height offers a unique and rather entertaining approach Politechnico Di Milan respecting the conventional but innovation towards Institution a better_ and stronger sense of community. Public indoor spaces The ground Project Type_ Urban design floor of both buildings are to serve the public and offer another life to the buildings during the working day and when the residents are away. Share Spaces Within each of the separate facilities common and share, programs have been innovative integrated into the building, thus allowing more stronger interpersonal relation. Living Roof Unique to the Residential block is its roof garden. This space is a shared ground for the residents to interact and grow a better bod. It serves as a share living room for the occupants. It also serves as a thermal buffer between the roof space the apartments on the highest floor. Within the space the users can enjoy views of the growing Porta Romana neighborhood towards the north. Color levels The students residence takes on a rather colorful approach to the programing of the shared spaces. It adopts color codes that are sensitive to the functions of the space. Gym spcae.

The gym space was considered from the energetic point of view. Considering a Gym produces heat in larger amounts due to then high Metabolic rate, we positioned it away from other activities. The loft space was selected for the gym. In the loft space we took advantage of the views that were available towards the north. With these considerations we created a gym with an experience.

Porta Romana has been subject to new developments that have embraced a new approach to buildings. The morphologies of Bione the structure here form the new character of this neighborhood.

Our structure embraced this approach while being influenced by the Di very DNA of a Milanese block. Within this neighborhood, theNuovo Milanese approach of considering a courtyard is highly employed. Thus in order to create a structure that was but respecting traditions, we around the site and the courtyard.

C40 new Reinventing Cities competition wasbegan aimedbrainstorming at redeveloping Il progetto Serio Heightsinnasce all’interno del bando internazionale Using the courtyard, we achieved a form that potentially creates a oneness function although two very distinct groups of the underutilized site in cities aroundCities”, the finalizzato world while “C40 Reiventing ad avviare una rigenerazione urpeople would exist here. The courtaddressing now acts as a meeting point, a point of attraction, a communal ground.

Today various sources resilienteefficiency, e a zero emissioni in 15 citta’ sparse per il globo, fra cui the components bana of energy sustainable la citta’ diprimary Milano. L’obiettivo e’of quindi quello di realizzare un edificio of energy come in different levels building of impact materials on the environment.

The energy the different energy sources affects how and other carbon-free development. ad uso abitativo ad alta efficienza energetica in contesto urbano, per sustainable the building would be.Porta To reduce the portions of non-renewable embodied in tapping from the grid, we considered utenza mista residenziale studentesca. proRomana, in Milan Italy,un’was selected since itehas been L’idea alla base del getto e’ of quella di una corte to che,utilize richiamando la costruzione of tradizioadopting a roof form to a source ofundergoing energy. Byan simulations, the best roof angles the production the highest quality urban regeneration.

Via Serio offered for le risorse del sito. nale del tessuto milanese, sfruttiaalsite massimo renewable energy was achieved and built into the building form.

By this solar energy was conceived as a part of the design and Il tema del tettoFor a falde la massa dell’edificio which this design studio could conceive. thisplasma site apotentemente mixedstesso, seguendo la domanda, puo’ una geometria tradizionale essere and Families answering one of the IS IT questions.

A seamless integration of solar power generation and form Space for Students use residential building targeting the students of the contemporanea e rispondere alleBocconi esigenze attuali di sostenibilita’?

Serio Heights offers to the residents the choices of privacy complemented with the connections.

To promote a sense of University and the Milanese.

While this project was guided by belonging and community around the private court space, we designed communal activities.

Shaded gardens are adopted within the C40 competition, major IS IT questions across; the private court. Seatings are also oriented towards a central focal point to remind the occupants to interact with the residents -Is it that solar power generation should always be an even while they enjoy private times the pocket spaces. Although the canal mayPorta have sortFSto divide the two distinct functions, we Romana Fondazione Prada addwe onwere or afterthought? sort to embrace this in a different way. Using the canal inspired to create a landscape that incorporated the sun pods on it possible use design tomay connect and provideand interact around the very object the opposite sides if the canal. Thus-Is students and thetoMilanese families meet, communicate university students and theareMilanese that sort to divide them. Now afterprivacy the initialfor interaction over the canal, residents further granted the opportunity to meet on families? the canal. The hovering outer seating that overflows from the restaurant spaceSito provide grounds for the interaction. The pathways integrated into the layout are designed to respect and the existing trees and provide as much options in connection. By respecting and thus maintain the trees they serve as a warm shelter from the climate for interaction over the canal. The Programs. The program of the Serio height offers a unique and rather entertaining approach to functions. This though does not allude to irrationalities but respecting the conventional but innovation towards a better and stronger sense of community. Public indoor spaces The ground floor of both buildings are to serve the public and offer another life to the buildings during the working day and when the residents are away. Share Spaces Within each of the separate facilities common and share, programs have been innovative integrated into the building, thus allowing more stronger interpersonal relation. Living Roof Unique to the Residential block is its roof garden. This space is a shared ground for the residents to interact and grow a better bod. di It serves as a via share livingMilano room for the occupants. It La zona progetto: Serio, also serves as a thermal buffer between the roof space the apartments on the highest floor. Within the space the users can enjoy views of the growing Porta Romana neighborhood towards the north. Color levels The students residence takes on a rather colorful approach to the programing of the shared spaces. It adopts color codes that are sensitive to the functions of the space. Gym space.

1 Considering a Gym produces 2 The gym space was considered from the energetic point of view. heat in larger amounts due to then high Metabolic rate, we positioned it away from other activities. The loft space was selected for the gym. In the loft space we took advantage of the views that were available towards the north. With these considerations we created a gym with an experience.

Porta Romana has been subject to new developments that have embraced a new approach to buildings. The morphologies of the structure here form the new character of this neighborhood. Our structure embraced this approach while being influenced by the Edificio a corte secondo la struttura urbana La massa viene tagliata per creare accessi milanese approach of considering e viste al contesto circostante very DNA of a Milanese block. Within this neighborhood, the Milanese arispetto courtyard S E R I Ois Hhighly E I G H T S employed.

7 IS IT Thus 3 4 around the site and the courtyard. in order to create a structure that was new but respecting traditions, we began brainstorming

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Fondazione Prada

Porta Romana FS

Symbiosis Project Site

Porta Romana has been subject to new developments that have embraced a new approach to buildings. The morphologies of the structure here form the new character of this neighborhood. Our structure embraced this approach while being influenced by the very DNA of a Milanese block. Within this neighborhood, the Milanese approach of considering a courtyard is highly employed. Thus in order to create a structure that was new but respecting traditions, we began brainstorming around the site and the courtyard.

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The Milanese Court which makes up the typical urban structure

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Cutting the roof at 33o south to optimize irradiation

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The mass is cut to create accesses and views with respect to the surrounding context

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Other cuts to 60o to the north to reduce the shadow on the building itself and to respect the buildings surrounding

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Opening the south court to take advantage of the maximum sun exposure

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In the final form the southern flaps are equipped with solar panels, the northern slopes allow the passage of diffused light

Using the courtyard, we achieved a form that potentially creates a oneness in function although two very distinct groups of people would exist here. The court now acts as a meeting point, a point of attraction, a communal ground. Today various sources of energy come in different levels of impact on the environment. The primary energy of the different energy sources affects how sustainable the building would be. To reduce the portions of non-renewable embodied in tapping from the grid, we considered adopting a roof form to a source of energy. By simulations, the best of roof angles to utilize the production of the highest quality renewable energy was achieved and built into the building form. By this solar energy was conceived as a part of the design and answering one of the IS IT questions.

A seamless integration of solar power generation and form

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Space for Students and Families Serio Heights offers to the residents the choices of privacy complemented with the connections. To promote a sense of belonging and community around the private court space, we designed communal activities. Shaded gardens are adopted within the private court. Seatings are also oriented towards a central focal point to remind the occupants to interact with the residents even while they enjoy private times the pocket spaces. Although the canal may have sort to divide the two distinct functions, we sort to embrace this in a different way.

Using the canal we were inspired to create a landscape that incorporated the sun-pods on the opposite sides if the canal. Thus students and the Milanese families may meet, communicate and interact around the very object that sort to divide them. Now after the initial interaction over the canal, residents are further granted the opportunity to meet on the canal. The hovering outer seating that overflows from the restaurant space provide grounds for the interaction. The pathways integrated into the layout are designed to respect and the existing trees and provide as much options in connection. By respecting and thus maintain the trees they serve as a warm shelter from the climate for interaction over the canal.

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The Programs

The program of the Serio height offers a unique and rather entertaining approach to functions. This though does not allude to irrationalities but respecting the conventional but innovation towards a better and stronger sense of community.

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Public indoor spaces

The ground floor of both buildings are to serve the public and offer another life to the buildings during the working day and when the residents are away.

Share Spaces

Public services: laundry, restaurant, reception

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Social Zone

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Within each of the separate facilities common and share, programs have been innovative integrated into the building, thus allowing more stronger interpersonal relation.

Living Roof

Unique to the Residential block is its roof garden. This space is a shared ground for the residents to interact and grow a better bod. It serves as a share living room for the occupants. It also serves as a thermal buffer between the roof space the apartments on the highest floor. Within the space the users can enjoy views of the growing Porta Romana neighborhood towards the north.

Game Zone

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Group study Area

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Color levels

The students residence takes on a rather colorful approach to the programing of the shared spaces. It adopts color codes that are sensitive to the functions of the space.

Private Study Zone

Lux Zone

Gym space

The gym space was considered from the energetic point of view. Considering a Gym produces heat in larger amounts due to then high Metabolic rate, we positioned it away from other activities. The loft space was selected for the gym. In the loft space we took advantage of the views that were available towards the north. With these considerations we created a gym with an experience.

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Apartments and shared rooms

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Gym and the Roof garden

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The Shared apartments.

In this design scheme we took the opportunity to explore a new alternative to shared apartments. First we sort to increase the sense of being within a family while enjoying privacy. This is no easily achievable on a single level. To achieve this we introduced a share level for common activities. On this level the kitchenette and the washroom spaces were located.

Normal Mode - Typical mode for study and

sleeping

Social Mode - When friends visit and you are just in the Game mode.

Vacation Mode - Space can be rented for extra income when students are away.

Maximizing Space with Flexible furniture

A common problem with student residences has been the fact that they tend to be ghost buildings when students are on their vacation periods. To tackle this problem we design a furniture system that allowed for flexibility during the vacation. This flexibility allows the space to be easily readjusted to suit the new functions.

Study Table The study table folderable. This allow the user to clear the space for other activities.

Wooden Stair Mid zone used to connect the two mezzanine floors.

Washroom The washrooms spaces are sealed of by a central lobby for the wash hand basin.

Lobby

Retracting bed Stair

A single lobby links the various modules .

The bed stair although crucial is not always used.

To make better use of the space, a retractable bedside stair was designed.

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Entrance Void

The void entrance faced the direction to which the students predominantly entered the facility. The entrance was conceived as a space that allowed visual interaction from both the vertical and horizontal planes. The sloping ends were design to be parallel at some points to the external fabric. This however posed major concerns as to how to solve the detailing of these major joints and connections.

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Optimization of the Transparent roof

The transparent roof cladding is expected to influence the lighting and the comfort of the occupants on the top floor. Using the existing the Italian base line as a starting point for comparison between the various alternatives to improve the quality of space, a series of simulations were run.

The simulations were carried in two major approaches geared towards improving the space quality. The first considers the options of using shading devices while the second set of analysis was considering using materials of better U-values, SHGC and VLT. These properties were considered since they affect the ASE,SDA and DF.

Due to the limitation placed by the Sefaira app on the window material types, an assumption was made considering the ratio of polycarbonate to glass and put into Sefaira as a uniform material with

the combined properties.

The table below shows the segregated material properties of in terms of the proposed proportions.

Daylight analysis

Although the daylight is important analysis was carried to ensure that materials and spaces would have Daylight Factors, ASE and SDA within acceptable ranges

Optimization

The building was optimized at every stage of design. From the form evolution down to the glazing optimization. This was crucial as this way the building’s performance is improved through very step of the design. All of the optimizations were guided by the active house standard.

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By respecting the existing trees, Serio Heights is able to sit like a rock in the grass land thus blending in with ease.

Click here to get a walk-through this project

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G R A D U AT E S C H O O L

The Businesses school of KNUST over the years has hosted simultaneously the its graduate and undergraduate courses within the same facility. Their move to the current site was a big milestone towards addressing the issue of learning spaces. However the school’s current building hosts mainly the students of undergraduate and a number of administrative offices. Furthermore the current intake of students in the undergraduate is beginning to overwhelm the existing facility. The neighboring Main graduate school building, also new, houses two conference rooms and administrative spaces for the Graduate school of KNUST. It conference spaces are also used as spill over classrooms during the weekend sessions. The businesses school and the Graduate school tasked the department of architecture KNUST to design a faculty that would address their current need. The school has a very specialized scheduled design to suit the working class. These make up the majority of the Graduate students. Typically the graduate school was in session during the evenings and on weekends. Designing a building for this class of students requires innovative allocation of spaces to avoid having an empty and less useful building in the day. To tackle this major concern, a sundry of functions such as the cafeteria, library and single tier classroom spaces and offices for lectures were integrated into the scheme. During the day the classrooms on the ground level serve the undergraduate spillage. The cafeteria would function all day to serve both the day and night users of the facility. The lectures offices on the other hand function during the day and seldom at night. The building becomes a strong new addition that communicates the future of the upcoming undergraduates of the Business school. Its larger volumes, the lecture block, is about twice the height of the existing undergraduate block. This increase in height reminds the very students of the undergraduate of a prominent future twice as better as the current. The perforating facade although functional, silently cautions the very wounds and pains one would however suffer moving undergrad to post grad and work. The new internal court provided in the facility is wrapped by the shared spaces that are fully accessible to the undergrads. Thus they would be able to feel the warmth of big brother. Concrete makes up one of the most commonly used materials in Ghana. Using the idea of an egg which transmits its loads from the surfaces down to the other points. From the load transfer lines the typical egg the main form of the facade was developed. Dividing it into half reduces the weight of the units for 2016 construction. This modular facade also provides the opportunity Year_ to ventilate the building naturally by the integration of the louver windows. module is staggered on the facade according to their Institution _ Kwame Nkrumah University ofThe Science and Technology function as either fixed or operable. In alternatingProject layersType_ theseArchitectural per-formed design units form the very honey comb facade that elegantly communicates the struggles ahead for the undergrads.

The Businesses school of KNUST over the years has hosted simultaneously Location _ Kumasi -Ghana the its graduate and undergraduate courses within the same facility. Their move to the current site was a big milestone towards addressing the issue of learning spaces. However the school’s current building hosts mainly the students of undergraduate and a number of administrative offices. Furthermore the current intake of students in the undergraduate is beginning to overwhelm the existing facility. The neighboring Main graduate school building, also new, houses two conference rooms and administrative spaces for the Graduate school of KNUST. It conference spaces are also used as spill over classrooms during the weekend sessions. The businesses school and the Graduate school tasked the department of architecture KNUST to design a faculty that would address their current need. The school has a very specialized scheduled design to suit the working class. These make up the majority of the Graduate students. Typically the graduate school was in session during the evenings and on weekends. Designing a building for this class of students requires innovative allocation of spaces to avoid having an empty and less useful building in the day. To tackle this major concern, a sundry of functions such as the cafeteria, library and single tier classroom spaces and offices for lectures were integrated into the scheme. During the day the classrooms on the ground level serve the undergraduate spillage. The cafeteria would function all day to serve both the day and night users of the facility. The lectures offices on the other hand function during the day and seldom at night. The building becomes a strong new addition that communicates the future of the upcoming undergraduates of the Business school. Its larger volumes, the lecture block, is about twice the height of the existing undergraduate block. This increase in height reminds the very students of the undergraduate of a prominent future twice as better as the current.

The perforating facade although functional, silently cautions the very wounds and pains one would however suffer moving undergrad to post grad and work. The new internal court provided in the facility is wrapped by the shared spaces that are fully accessible to the undergrads. Thus they would be able to feel the warmth of big brother. Concrete makes up one of the most commonly used materials in Ghana. Using the idea of an egg which transmits its loads from the surfaces down to the other points. From the load The Independence of thewas business graduate school has half beenreduces the weight of the units for transfer lines the typical egg the main form of the facade developed.

Dividing it into The school boast of very high profile construction. This modular facade long also due. provides the opportunity to ventilate thestudents. buildingVarying naturally by the integration of the louver high ranking bankers to totheir administrators. requirements windows. The module is staggeredfrom on the facade according function asThe either fixed or operable. In alternating layers these of the comb school facade is to be that one exhibiting independencethe of struggles its very ahead for the undergrads. The per-formed units form the very honey elegantly the communicates students.

But these left me with important IS It questions; Businesses school of KNUST over the years has hosted simultaneously the its graduate and undergraduate courses within the same facility. Their move to the current site was a big milestone towards addressing the issue of learning spaces. However the school’s -Is it that now withoffices. its current building hosts mainly the students of Independence undergraduatewould and amean number of interaction administrative Furthermore the current intake undergraduate school ? The neighboring Main graduate school building, also of students in the undergraduate is beginning to overwhelm the existing facility. it thinkable that an egg, symbolic of the undergraduate couldIt conference spaces are also used new, houses two conference rooms-Isand administrative spaces for the Graduate school of KNUST. inform the school design? as spill over classrooms during the weekend sessions.

TheGraduate businesses school and the Graduate school tasked the department of architecture KNUST to design a faculty that would address their current need. The school has a very specialized scheduled design to suit the working class. These make up the majority of the Graduate students. Typically the graduate school was in session during the evenings and on weekends. Designing a building for this class of students requires innovative allocation of spaces to avoid having an empty and less useful building in the day. To tackle this major concern, a sundry of functions such as the cafeteria, library and single tier classroom spaces and offices for lectures were integrated into the scheme. During the day the classrooms on the ground level serve the undergraduate spillage. The cafeteria would function all day to serve both the day and night users of the facility. The lectures offices on the other hand function during the day and seldom at night. The building becomes a strong new addition that communicates the future of the upcoming undergraduates of the Business school. Its larger volumes, the lecture block, is about twice the height of the existing undergraduate block. This increase in height reminds the very students of the undergraduate of a prominent future twice as better as the current. The perforating facade although functional, silently cautions the very wounds and pains one would however suffer moving undergrad to post grad and work. The new internal court provided in the facility is wrapped by the shared spaces that are fully accessible to the undergrads. Thus they would be able to feel the warmth of big brother.

Concrete makes up one of the most commonly used materials in Ghana. Using the idea of an egg which transmits its loads from the surfaces down to the other points. From the load transfer lines the typical egg the main form of the facade was developed. Dividing it into half reduces the weight of the units for construction. This modular facade also provides the opportunity to ventilate the building naturally by the integration of the louver windows. The module is staggered on the facade according G R A D U AT E S C H O O Lto their 23 function IS IT as her fixed or operable. In alternating layers these per-formed units form the very honey comb facade that elegantly communicates

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The Setting The Businesses school of KNUST over the years has hosted simultaneously the its graduate and undergraduate courses within the same facility. Their move to the current site was a big milestone towards addressing the issue of learning spaces.

However the school’s current building hosts mainly the students of undergraduate and a number of administrative offices. Furthermore the current intake of students in the undergraduate is beginning to overwhelm the existing facility.

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The neighboring Main graduate school building, also new, houses two conference rooms and administrative spaces for the Graduate school of KNUST. It conference spaces are also used as spill over classrooms during the weekend sessions.

The businesses school and the Graduate school tasked the department of architecture KNUST to design a faculty that would address their current need.

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Proposed Graduate School

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Connection to undergraduate block and Staff parking

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Existing Undergraduate Block

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Existing Main graduate school block

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Undergraduate Auditorium

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Student Parking

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Towards the Main University

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Research center G R A D U AT E S C H O O L

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Ground Floor

Diverse schedules - Sundry of Functions The school has a very specialized scheduled design to suit the working class. These make up the majority of the Graduate students. Typically the graduate school was in session during the evenings and on weekends.

Designing a building for this class of students requires innovative allocation of spaces to avoid having an empty and less useful building in the day.

To tackle this major concern, a sundry of functions such as the cafeteria, library and single tier classroom spaces and offices for lectures were integrated into the scheme.

During the day the classrooms on the ground level serve the undergraduate spillage. The cafeteria would function all day to serve both the day and night users of the facility. The lectures offices on the other hand function during the day and seldom at night.

The warmth of a Big brother The building becomes a strong new addition that communicates the future of the upcoming undergraduates of the Business school. Its larger volumes, the lecture block, is about twice the height of the existing undergraduate block. This increase in height reminds the very students of the undergraduate of a prominent future twice as better as the current.

The perforating facade although functional, silently cautions the very wounds and pains one would however suffer moving undergrad to post grad and work. The new internal court provided in the facility is wrapped by the shared spaces that are fully accessible to the undergrads. Thus they would be able to feel the warmth of big brother.

Legend

1

Classrooms

6

Restaurant

2

Washrooms

7

Main Courtyard

3

Lecture theatre

8

Entrance Foyer

4

Library

9

Offices

5

Computer Laboratory

10

Escape stairs

Office Block

Lecture theaters

The Office block houses the various departments

The Lecture halls to accommodate the various lectures for the different classes of the Graduate School

Vertical Connections Major stair wells for emergency exit and access as well as the lift wells

Connections to Business school

Public Zone The public zone serves as a space for lessons that involve the night time lessons and a support facility for the Undergraduate business School

G R A D U AT E S C H O O L

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G R A D U AT E S C H O O L

Reinforcement ancho

Post tension reinforc the precast section 150mm wide sandcrete block work

300mm x 50mm pre Jamb spanning 5m

250mm x 150mm thick Metal plate cover

250mm x 150mm Concrete Cast-insitu Lintel

300mm x 50mm precast Head Jamb spanning 5m 20mm diameter hollow steel handle 25mm x 200mm Chipboards

200mm x 50mm Precast virtical fram section

25mm x 100mm U folded 2mm plate to hold boards

Lower level Bespoke Window details

Detial

50 46

50 46

0 10

0 10

50

50

70 7

50

50 0 10

70 7

0 10

0 10

0 10

100x 100x 50mm 50mm Continuous Continuous Dove Dove tail Keyways @ 100m to lock tail Keyways @ 100m cc to cc lock sections into place sections into place

50

50

1 16

1 16

50 6512 00

120 55

510 46

46 10 0

50

10 0

10 0

50

10 0

50

50

10 0

50

50 16 1

16 1

cast in-place bolts bolts cast in-place

10 0

7

7

over lower section over lower section

50

70

70

Bituminous Bituminous coating coating

precast precast section section is mounted is mounted first synthetic rubber rubber sets fixed sets fixed over over 1 Upper 1 Upper 2 first 2 synthetic

440

55

Bituminous coated Bituminous coated surface surface 10mm10mm deep deep drain drain grovegrove

50

12 00 65

510

55 12 0

55

5mm 5mm thick thick GlassGlass pane pane

50

Naco Naco bladeblade system system

1000

1000

8mm 8mm Reinforcement Reinforcement bars cast bars cast in-place section in-place section

Method Method of Assembly of Assembly

440

Precast Precast UpperUpper section section

View View of Precast of Precast honeycomb honeycomb from from Exterior Exterior View View of Precast of Precast honeycomb honeycomb from from Interior Interior 175

17 255

25

25mm25mm recession recession in theinprecast the precast section section

Bolt in-place cast in-place precast section 10mm10mm Bolt cast precast section diameter 10mm10mm diameter Nut Nut diameter reinforcement cast in-place 8mm 8mm diameter reinforcement cast in-place as as burgular burgular proofproof

onto Synthetic 4 panespanes fixed fixed onto Synthetic 3 Glass 3 Glass rubber rubber

Washers and Nuts and fastened Nuts fastened over over 4Washers

Naco Naco Louver Louver system system boltedbolted to mullions to mullions

GlassGlass panespanes

Stopper Stopper 100mm x 25mm hardwood mulliion 100mm x 25mm hardwood mulliion Bitminoues coated surface Bitminoues coated surface bolts bolts cast in-place cast in-place into the intolower the lower section section

nutwasher and washer over synthetic rubber 10mm10mm nut and over synthetic rubber 5mm 5mm thick thick GlassGlass pane pane

are fixed are fixed onto cast onto incast in5 Mullions 5 Mullions placeplace nuts nuts

5

Naco Naco louverlouver system system fitted fitted onto onto 5 mullions mullions

Blow Blow up up of honey of honey comb comb from from Interior Interior

10mm10mm deep deep drain drain grovegrove with Bitminoues with Bitminoues coated coated surface surface x 50mm Continous tail Keyways 100 x100 50mm Continous dove dove tail Keyways 100m100m cc cc

Is it possible to learn from the structural integrity of the egg ?

- - - Concrete Unitized Facade Design - - Concrete makes up one of the most commonly used materials in Ghana. Using the idea of an egg which transmits its loads from the surfaces down to the other points. From the load transfer lines the typical egg the main form of the facade was developed. Dividing it into half reduces the weight of the units for construction. This modular facade also provides the opportunity to ventilate the building naturally by the integration of the louver windows. The module is staggered on the facade according to their function as either fixed or operable. In alternating layers these per-formed units form the very honey comb facade that elegantly communicates the struggles ahead for the undergrads.

G R A D U AT E S C H O O L

29

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G R A D U AT E S C H O O L

Roofing Sheet

Roof gutter an 75mm x 75mm channel steel section@ 900mm cc

Truss system

75mmx 75mm box steel section Wall plate

50mm wide Roof vents

Roof Gutter

10mm Thick chipboard ceiling

100mmx 50mm hardwood joist

75mmx 75mm channel steel section hangers @ 1800mm cc 50mmx 50mm hardwood ceiling joist

Roof Assembly blow up

Roof gutter an

150mm x 75mm Top chord 300mm X 25 mm Facial Board

75mm X 75mm Steel channel section purlins at 900m centres 100mmx 75mm steel box section wall plate 75mmx 75mm channel steel section hangers @ 1800mm cc

Roofing Sheet

Roof gutter and truss ancorage

x 75mm channel ction@ 900mm cc Corougated IDL roofing Sheets Truss system

Metal gutter

Roof Gutter

300mm X 25 mm Facial Board

300mm x 300mm angle plate bolted to beam

Truss Anhcorage

10mm Thick chipboard ceiling

150mm x 75mm Top chord

75mmx 75mm channel steel section hangers @ 1800mm cc

ardwood joist

150mm x 75mm Hardwood Bottom chord

nel steel section rs @ 1800mm cc

50mmx 50mm hardwood ceiling joist

dwood ceiling joist

w up

5mm thick gaset plate

75mm X 75mm Steel channel section purlins at 900m centres

5mmx 75mm box section Wall plate

50mm wide Roof vents

50mmx 50mm hardwood ceiling joist

Roof gutter and truss ancorage

10mm thick chipboard ceilling

G R A D U AT E S C H O O L

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32

G R A D U AT E S C H O O L

G R A D U AT E S C H O O L

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34

THE ART SCHOOL

Upon entering the faculty of Arts, ones’ eyes are set into an endless swirling motion following the inclined seems inbetween the intersection of the alucubond cladding of the art shop. The motion continues with the form of the structure in its very twirl around its narrow midsection. This inviting and intriguing sight calls for the initial mind-boggling question as to whether it is a sculpture or Exhibit or? This initial interaction breaks away from the current monotonous and linear structures that make up the art faculty.

This building invokes the utopic idea of the new art. Art not just being a painting or piece rather that which touches your emotions.

The structure is set into the gently sloping site. To engage as many people as possible from the main building(art school building), terraced stairs wrap around the art art-shop. They sweep around the swiveling footprint on the extreme ends of the main glazing and entrance. Through the main entrance on the west facade, a central axis acts as a fulcrum of the art shop.

As one transition from the entrance into the exhibition space, you experience a diminishing of the space in volume. This impounding feeling on the very entry is greatly contrasted by the sudden bright well lit voluminous space of the exhibition space.

The Form starts with a tight space which then opens into the larger and grander exhibition space of exhibition. The contrast between these two spaces allows the guests to experience the exhibition space in its grandness.. The surprise of that comes with the contrast is well received by the heart as the clerestories difuse into the space north daylight. The displayed art pieces are well lit while avoiding direct sunlight. Through the interior, the exposed ribs of the structure tend to form a new part of the space.

This bears witness to that which keeps the form standing. Although functional the structure forms an art piece that continues to change from every angle. the ribs are painted in swatches that gradually usher the viewer through the exhibition space through the central fulcrum onto the elevated platform of the east end. Here the interaction between the artist and the viewer is encouraged by the seating. Longer interactions are expected as this section of the structure is shielded from direct sunlight most of the day.

Upon entering the faculty of Arts, ones’ eyes are set into an endless swirling motion following the inclined seems inbetween the intersection of the alucubond cladding of the art shop. The motion continues with the form of the structure in its very twirl around 2016initial mind-boggling question as to whether it is a sculpture its narrow midsection. This inviting and intriguing sight callsYear_ for the Institution _ Kwame Nkrumah University of Science andlinear Technology or Exhibit or? This initial interaction breaks away from the current monotonous and structures that make up the art faculty.

Project Type_ designor piece rather that which touches your emotions.

This building invokes the utopic idea of the new art.

Art not justArchitectural being a painting Location Kumasi -Ghana The structure is set into the gently sloping site. To engage as _many people as possible from the main building(art school building), terraced stairs wrap around the art art-shop. They sweep around the swiveling footprint on the extreme ends of the main glazing and entrance. Through the main entrance on the west facade, a central axis acts as a fulcrum of the art shop.

As one transition from the entrance into the exhibition space, you experience a diminishing of the space in volume. This impounding feeling on the very entry is greatly contrasted by the sudden bright well lit voluminous space of the exhibition space.

The Form starts with a tight space which then opens into the larger and grander exhibition space of exhibition. The contrast between these two spaces allows the guests to experience the exhibition space in its grandness.. The surprise of that comes with the contrast is well received by the heart as the clerestories difuse into the space north daylight. The displayed art pieces are well lit while avoiding direct sunlight. Through the interior, the exposed ribs of the structure tend to form a new part of the space.

This bears witness to that which keeps the form standing. Although functional the structure forms an art piece that continues to change from every angle. the ribs are painted in swatches that gradually usher the viewer through the exhibition space through the central fulcrum onto the elevated platform of the east end. Here the interaction between the artist and the viewer is encouraged by the seating. Longer interactions are expected as this section of the structure is shielded from direct sunlight most of the day.

Upon entering the faculty of Arts, ones’ eyes are set into an endless swirling motion following the inclined seems inbetween the intersection of the alucubond cladding of the art shop. The motion continues with the form of the structure in its very twirl around school ofsight KNUST prides itselfinitial as the most prestigious in its narrow midsection. This invitingThe andartintriguing calls for the mind-boggling question as to whether it is a sculpture Itsbreaks field in away Ghana.from Theythe cancurrent boast ofmonotonous very illustrious and successful or Exhibit or? This initial interaction and linear structures that make up the art faculty. artist likenew Ablade Glover older generation and Ibrahim This building invokes the utopic idea of the art. Art not of justthe being a painting or piece rather that which touches your emotions. of the generation.

To thisas department, art the has main building(art school building), The structure is set into the gentlyMahama sloping site.

To newer engage as many people possible from evolved from objects of display emotionfootprint and space.on the extreme ends of the main glazing terraced stairs wrap around the art art-shop.

They sweep around the to swiveling The development art ina this department although great and entrance. Through the main entrance on the westoffacade, central axis acts as a fulcrum of the art shop. and outstanding not manifested in their facilities.a Until the As one transition from the entrance into the has exhibition space, you experience diminishing of the space in volume. This inception of this task, art shops had been anbright extension to impounding feeling on the very entry is greatly contrasted by the sudden well or lit space voluminous space of the exhibition space. exhibit andthen sell goods.

IT question struck space of exhibition. The contrast The Form starts with a tight space which opens Not intosurprisingly the largersome and IS grander exhibition my exhibition mind; between these two spaces allows the guests to experience the space in its grandness.. The surprise of that comes with the contrast is well received by the heart as the clerestories difuse into the space north daylight. The displayed art pieces are -Is itThrough possible that the building become a part of the exhibition? well lit while avoiding direct sunlight. the interior, the can exposed ribs of the structure tend to form a new part of the space.

This bears witness to that which keeps the form standing. Although functional the structure forms an art piece that continues to -Is itpainted that the landscaping never form partviewer of thethrough main the exhibition space through the change from every angle. the ribs are in swatches thatcan gradually ushera the design? central fulcrum onto the elevated platform of the east end. Here the interaction between the artist and the viewer is encouraged by the seating. Longer interactions are expected as this section of the structure is shielded from direct sunlight most of the day.

Upon entering the faculty of Arts, ones’ eyes are set into an endless swirling motion following the inclined seems inbetween the intersection of the alucubond cladding of the art shop. The motion continues with the form of the structure in its very twirl around its narrow midsection. This inviting and intriguing sight calls for the initial mind-boggling question as to whether it is a sculpture or Exhibit or? This initial interaction breaks away from the current monotonous and linear structures that make up the art faculty.

This building invokes the utopic idea of the new art. Art not just being a painting or piece rather that which touches your emotions.

The structure is set into the gently sloping site. To engage as many people as possible from the main building(art school building), terraced stairs wrap around the art art-shop. They sweep around the swiveling footprint on the extreme ends of the main glazing and entrance. Through the main entrance on the west facade, a central axis acts as a fulcrum of the art shop.

As one transition from the entrance into the exhibition space, you experience a diminishing of the space in volume. This impounding feeling on the very entry is greatly contrasted by the sudden bright well lit voluminous space of the exhibition space.

The Form starts with a tight space which then opens into the larger and grander exhibition space of exhibition. The contrast between these two spaces allows the guests to experience the exhibition space in its grandness.. The surprise of that comes with the contrast is well received by the heart as the clerestories difuse into the space north daylight. The displayed art pieces are well lit while avoiding direct sunlight. Through the interior, the exposed ribs of the structure tend to form a new part of the space. This bears witness to that which keeps the form standing. Although functional the structure forms an art piece to T H E A Rthat T S C Hcontinues O O L 35 IS change IT from every angle. the ribs are painted in swatches that gradually usher the viewer through the exhibition space through the

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36

THE ART SCHOOL

1 3

6 5

1

3

2

2

4

4

Upon entering the faculty of Arts, ones’ eyes are set into an endless swirling motion following the inclined seems in-between the intersection of the alucubond cladding of the art shop. The motion continues with the form of the structure in its very twirl around its narrow midsection. This inviting and intriguing sight calls for the initial mind-boggling question as to whether it is a sculpture or Exhibit or? This initial interaction breaks away from the current monotonous and linear structures that make up the art faculty. This building invokes the utopian idea of the new art. Art not just being a painting or piece rather that which touches your emotions.

Legend 1

Main entrance

4

Outdoor seating

2

Exhibition area

5

Reception

3

Storage

6

The Squeeze

The structure is set into the gently sloping site. To engage as many people as possible from the main building(art school building), terraced stairs wrap around the art art-shop.

They sweep around the swiveling footprint on the extreme ends of the main glazing and entrance. Through the main entrance on the west facade, a central axis acts as a fulcrum of the art shop.

As one transition from the entrance into the exhibition space, you experience a diminishing of the space in volume. This impounding feeling on the very entry is greatly contrasted by the sudden bright well lit voluminous space of the exhibition space. The Form starts with a tight space which then opens into the larger and grander exhibition space of exhibition.

The contrast between these two spaces allows the guests to experience the exhibition space in its grandness

Legend 1

Main entrance

2

Exhibition area

3

Storage

4

Outdoor seating

THE ART SCHOOL

37

IS IT

IS IT

38

THE ART SCHOOL

. The surprise of that comes with the contrast is well received by the heart as the clerestories diffuse into the space north daylight. The displayed art pieces are well lit while avoiding direct sunlight. Through the interior, the exposed ribs of the structure tend to form a new part of the space. This bears witness to that which keeps the form standing. Although functional the structure forms an art piece that continues to change from every angle. The ribs are painted in swatches that gradually usher the viewer through the exhibition space through the central fulcrum onto the elevated platform of the east end. Here the interaction between the artist and the viewer is encouraged by the seating. Longer interactions are expected as this section of the structure is shielded from direct sunlight most of the day.

THE ART SCHOOL

39

IS IT

IS IT 40

FA I N I F R E E S PA C E FA C T O R Y

The Businesses school of KNUST over the years has hosted simultaneously the its graduate and undergraduate courses within the same facility. Their move to the current site was a big milestone towards addressing the issue of learning spaces. However the school’s current building hosts mainly the students of undergraduate and a number of administrative offices. Furthermore the current intake of students in the undergraduate is beginning to overwhelm the existing facility. The neighboring Main graduate school building, also new, houses two conference rooms and administrative spaces for the Graduate school of KNUST. It conference spaces are also used as spill over classrooms during the weekend sessions. The businesses school and the Graduate school tasked the department of architecture KNUST to design a faculty that would address their current need. The school has a very specialized scheduled design to suit the working class. These make up the majority of the Graduate students. Typically the graduate school was in session during the evenings and on weekends. Designing a building for this class of students requires innovative allocation of spaces to avoid having an empty and less useful building in the day. To tackle this major concern, a sundry of functions such as the cafeteria, library and single tier classroom spaces and offices for lectures were integrated into the scheme. During the day the classrooms on the ground level serve the undergraduate spillage. The cafeteria would function all day to serve both the day and night users of the facility. The lectures offices on the other hand function during the day and seldom at night. The building becomes a strong new addition that communicates the future of the upcoming undergraduates of the Business school. its larger volumes, the lecture block, is about twice the height of the existing undergraduate block. This increase in height reminds the very students of the undergraduate of a prominent future twice as better as the current. The perforating facade although functional, silently cautions the very wounds and pains one would however suffer moving undergrad to post grad and work. The new internal court provided in the facility is wrapped by the shared spaces that are fully accessible to the undergrads. Thus they would be able to feel the warmth of big brother. Concrete makes up one of the most commonly used materials in Ghana. Using the idea of an egg which transmits its loads from the surfaces down to the other points. From the load transfer lines the typical egg the main form of the facade was developed. Dividing it into half reduces the weight of the units for 2017 construction. This modular facade also provides the opportunity Year_ to ventilate the building naturally by the integrationInstitution of the louver windows.

The module is staggered on the facade according to their _ Politechnico Di Milan function as either fixed or operable. In alternating layers these per-formed units the very honey comb facade that elegantly Project Type_ Conservation and Architecturalform design communicates the struggles ahead for the undergrads. Location_ The Businesses school of KNUST over the years has hosted simultaneously Lecco -Italy the its graduate and undergraduate courses within the same facility. Their move to the current site was a big milestone towards addressing the issue of learning spaces. However the school’s current building hosts mainly the students of undergraduate and a number of administrative offices. Furthermore the current intake of students in the undergraduate is beginning to overwhelm the existing facility. The neighboring Main graduate school building, also new, houses two conference rooms and administrative spaces for the Graduate school of KNUST. It conference spaces are also used as spill over classrooms during the weekend sessions. The businesses school and the Graduate school tasked the department of architecture KNUST to design a faculty that would address their current need. The school has a very specialized scheduled design to suit the working class. These make up the majority of the Graduate students. Typically the graduate school was in session during the evenings and on weekends. Designing a building for this class of students requires innovative allocation of spaces to avoid having an empty and less useful building in the day. To tackle this major concern, a sundry of functions such as the cafeteria, library and single tier classroom spaces and offices for lectures were integrated into the scheme. During the day the classrooms on the ground level serve the undergraduate spillage. The cafeteria would function all day to serve both the day and night users of the facility. The lectures offices on the other hand function during the day and seldom at night. The building becomes a strong new addition that communicates the future of the upcoming undergraduates of the Business school. its larger volumes, the lecture block, is about twice the height of the existing undergraduate block. This increase in height reminds the very students of the undergraduate of a prominent future twice as better as the current.

The perforating facade although functional, silently cautions the very wounds and pains one would however suffer moving undergrad Faini Free Space Factoryin is athe conservation project undertaken close spaces that are fully accessible to to post grad and work. The new internal court provided facility is wrapped by the shared to the Lecco.

The site of was thebrother. abandoned Faini Factory.

It one of the most commonly used the undergrads. Thus they would be ablecenter to feel the warmth big Concrete makes up as a which metallurgy factoryitsinloads its prime 1920’sdown until to the other points. From the load materials in Ghana. Using the ideaserved of an egg transmits fromdays the until surfaces 1960’s.

Thisofproject served to developed. deepen my Dividing understanding thereduces the weight of the units for transfer lines the typical egg the main form the facade was it into inhalf methodsthe used to survey a historical sitethe andbuilding how to conduct construction. This modular facade various also provides opportunity to ventilate naturally by the integration of the louver restoration andaccording renovation. project windows. The module is staggeredaon the facade toWhile their working functionon asthis either fixedtwo or IS operable. In alternating layers these IT question struck communicates my mind; per-formed units form the very honey comb facade that elegantly the struggles ahead for the undergrads. The Businesses school of KNUST over the years has hosted simultaneously the its graduate and undergraduate courses within the same -Is itwas not atime buildings areaddressing made a part the existing facility. Their move to the current site big historic milestone towards theofissue of learning spaces. However the school’s current building hosts mainly the students of undergraduate city andfabric? a number of administrative offices. Furthermore the current intake of students in the undergraduate is beginning to overwhelm the existing facility. The neighboring Main graduate school building, also it administrative a street or space, a fixed or Graduate temporal school addition canIt conference spaces are also used new, houses two conference rooms-Isand spaces for the of that KNUST. highlight the inclusion of the new Fainiand Factory? as spill over classrooms during the weekend sessions.

The businesses school the Graduate school tasked the department of architecture KNUST to design a faculty that would address their current need. The school has a very specialized scheduled design to suit the working class. These make up the majority of the Graduate students. Typically the graduate school was in session during the evenings and on weekends. Designing a building for this class of students requires innovative allocation of spaces to avoid having an empty and less useful building in the day. To tackle this major concern, a sundry of functions such as the cafeteria, library and single tier classroom spaces and offices for lectures were integrated into the scheme. During the day the classrooms on the ground level serve the undergraduate spillage. The cafeteria would function all day to serve both the day and night users of the facility. The lectures offices on the other hand function during the day and seldom at night. The building becomes a strong new addition that communicates the future of the upcoming undergraduates of the Business school. its larger volumes, the lecture block, is about twice the height of the existing undergraduate block. This increase in height reminds the very students of the undergraduate of a prominent future twice as better as the current. The perforating facade although functional, silently cautions the very wounds and pains one would however suffer moving undergrad to post grad and work. The new internal court provided in the facility is wrapped by the shared spaces that are fully accessible to the undergrads. Thus they would be able to feel the warmth of big brother.

Concrete makes up one of the most commonly used materials in Ghana. Using the idea of an egg which transmits its loads from the surfaces down to the other points. From the load transfer lines the typical egg the main form of the facade was developed. Dividing it into half reduces the weight of the units for construction. This modular facade also provides the opportunity to ventilate the building naturally by the integration of the louver windows. The module is staggered on the toR Ytheir FA Ifacade N I F R E E according S PA C E FA C T O 41 function IS IT as her fixed or operable. In alternating layers these per-formed units form the very honey comb facade that elegantly communicates

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FA I N I F R E E S PA C E FA C T O R Y

Saint Nicolai Church

Old Faini Factory

Faini Factory was a once acliamed bicycle factory of Lecco. Its shares the grounds with the famous Saint Nicolo Church. The factory has been abandoned over the years since its loss of function

1

2

3

4

5

6

1

2

The areas marked red are the points of survey for the conservation assignment. These sections were measured and analyzed to allow for restoration techniques to be applied

3

4

1

Presence of Vegetation

1

Rm : Recent Mortar

2

Differential Erosion

2

St A : Serpentine

3

Corrosion

3

St B : Ardesia

4

Ex-foliation

4

Br : Brick

5

Presence of Humidity

5

Ct 1 : Cast Iron

6

Chromatic alteration

6

St D : Calcarinite

5

6

Existing Wall.

Using Cameras and Photometric tools the image was scaled and proportioned to give the most realistic representation of the original

Surveyed wall

Thermal imagery revealing the wall has the no humidity problems

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FA I N I F R E E S PA C E FA C T O R Y

The Faini Free- Space Factory The Faini Free- Space Factory project expresses its willingness to part of a context with great potential and which acts as an attraction for the city of Lecco. The preliminary analysis conducted, together with the indications obtained by the PGT for the area in question, led to opening to the urban panorama of the city.

Integrating the square in front of the old Faini Factory with the pedestrian system of the squarer of Lecco, and the green system. This would make the require a much greater value, especially if commensurate with its accessibility. The train station is only 3 minutes away from the lot.

The Green Spine of Lecco Lecco’s main center is connected by a set of green spaces. These spaces link up into each other. However the green space close to the train station lacks a direct link to the edge and lake.

Creating a visual and physical connection between the theater and the bell tower to inform the theater users of the this historic feature. The introduction of this connection also serves to improve on the use of the transition space as a live zone for activities. This would inevitably make the new Faini free space factory an integral part of the location and the green space

Lecco Downtown

Lake

Commercial Plaza

San Nicolo Tower

4

1

8

5 2

3

7 9

Legend 1

Faini Free space factory

2

The open green park

3

The bicycle free zone

4

Vegetable garden

5

Existing Bell tower

6

Casa Di Cura Ambrosiana Spa

7

Saint Nicolo Church

8

Sala Ticozzi Theatre

9

Scuola Materna

Faini Factory

6

Conservation by Reuse In other to maintenance the historical importance of the formal faini factory, we incorporated it into the green network of lecco. Lecco’s lake edge has a system of parks and open spaces that are marked by historic and cultural significance. Thus this action to incorporate the conserved building as a part of this network was very appropriate.

The Vegetable garden Introducing the vegetable garden was aimed directly at the home for

the aged which exists on the grounds.

A space of this nature is to provide the older ones a space to relax and interact with nature in a hands on approach to improve their health.

The Bicycle Free zone This area is designed to allow bicycle users test and try out new skills in this zone. Within this zone new bicycle riding skills and showmanship may be exhibited to the publics display.

Railway

Sala Ticozzi Theatre

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FA I N I F R E E S PA C E FA C T O R Y

The Programs Regarding the functions and intervention on the building, we first decided to reduce the impact on the building and preserve to the highest level possible the original feel of the building. With this in mind, we considered intervention and functions directly correlated to the history of the building.

This was achieved by included functions as a museum dedicated to bicycles (the former factory produced components for bikes and umbrellas), a hands-on bike repair shop and open areas that interweave green solutions.

Filling the first section of the building where the aforementioned programs.

The section comprised functions that would generate the main source of revenue for the building. A hub for co-working spaces to host small commercial start-up and businesses.

This decision was very appropriate due to the concentration of free parking areas close to the site. The proximity of the train station was another added reason.

In particular, the usability of the area is favored while its momentarily hampered by pre-existing buildings and other elements.

The desire to open the area to the outside has led to a solution which consists of emptying a block of the old factory. This action favors slow mobility in the transverse direction and also opens a window towards Sala Tricozzi.

Exhibition RepairShop

Store house

Exhibition

Shops RepairShop

Store house

Co-working Shops Co-working

The Endless Link The connection to Sala Ticozzi was one we considered highly important and crucial to the project. The window of a connection was crucial in creating an aligned connection between the Bell tower of San Nicolo and the Via G. Ongania. However, due to the height difference of about 1.8m between the site and street, a stair intervention was required. Now the aim was to find an innovative approach to add a stair that was highly non-invasive, reversible and had little effect on the existing structure. Inspired by the Endless Stair by DRRM Architects we created a combination of a stair and ramp for disabled. The design allows for little intrusion into the structure.

1

Legend 1

Bike Exhibition

2

Self-Repair shop

3

Store house

4

Tower Lobby

5

Shops

6

Co-working

2

3

4

5

6

Spaces The Spaces were juxtaposed based on the use and size.

The Faini free space factory is within 3-5 mins walk from the train station. This close proximity to the station and the parking lots allows for the introduction of the co-working space.

Store house The store house was a required since the church currently used one of the spaces as storage.

The Endless Link FA I N I F R E E S PA C E FA C T O R Y

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The Businesses school of KNUST over the years has hosted simultaneously the its graduate and undergraduate courses within the same facility. Their move to the current site was a big milestone towards addressing the issue of learning spaces. However the school’s current building hosts mainly the students of undergraduate and a number of administrative offices. Furthermore the current intake of students in the undergraduate is beginning to overwhelm the existing facility. The neighboring Main graduate school building, also new, houses two conference rooms and administrative spaces for the Graduate school of KNUST. It conference spaces are also used as spill over classrooms during the weekend sessions. The businesses school and the Graduate school tasked the department of architecture KNUST to design a faculty that would address their current need. The school has a very specialized scheduled design to suit the working class. These make up the majority of the Graduate students. Typically the graduate school was in session during the evenings and on weekends. Designing a building for this class of students requires innovative allocation of spaces to avoid having an empty and less useful building in the day. To tackle this major concern, a sundry of functions such as the cafeteria, library and single tier classroom spaces and offices for lectures were integrated into the scheme. During the day the classrooms on the ground level serve the undergraduate spillage. The cafeteria would function all day to serve both the day and night users of the facility. The lectures offices on the other hand function during the day and seldom at night. The building becomes a strong new addition that communicates the future of the upcoming undergraduates of the Business school. its larger volumes, the lecture block, is about twice the height of the existing undergraduate block. This increase in height reminds the very students of the undergraduate of a prominent future twice as better as the current. The perforating facade although functional, silently cautions the very wounds and pains one would however suffer moving undergrad to post grad and work. The new internal court provided in the facility is wrapped by the shared spaces that are fully accessible to the undergrads. Thus they would be able to feel the warmth of big brother. Concrete makes up one of the most commonly used materials in Ghana. Using the idea of an egg which transmits its loads from the surfaces down to the other points. From the load transfer lines the typical egg the main form of the facade was developed. Dividing it into half reduces the weight of the units for 2017 construction. This modular facade also provides the opportunity Year_ to ventilate the building naturally by the integrationInstitution of the louver windows.

The module is staggered on the facade according to their _ Politechnico Di Milan function as either fixed or operable. In alternating layers these per-formed units form the very honey comb facade that elegantly Project Type_ Architectural design Competitions communicates the struggles ahead for the undergrads.

The Businesses school of KNUST over the years has hosted simultaneously Location_ Pharping -Nepal the its graduate and undergraduate courses within the same facility. Their move to the current site was a big milestone towards addressing the issue of learning spaces. However the school’s current building hosts mainly the students of undergraduate and a number of administrative offices. Furthermore the current intake of students in the undergraduate is beginning to overwhelm the existing facility. The neighboring Main graduate school building, also new, houses two conference rooms and administrative spaces for the Graduate school of KNUST. It conference spaces are also used as spill over classrooms during the weekend sessions. The businesses school and the Graduate school tasked the department of architecture KNUST to design a faculty that would address their current need. The school has a very specialized scheduled design to suit the working class. These make up the majority of the Graduate students. Typically the graduate school was in session during the evenings and on weekends. Designing a building for this class of students requires innovative allocation of spaces to avoid having an empty and less useful building in the day. To tackle this major concern, a sundry of functions such as the cafeteria, library and single tier classroom spaces and offices for lectures were integrated into the scheme. During the day the classrooms on the ground level serve the undergraduate spillage. The cafeteria would function all day to serve both the day and night users of the facility. The lectures offices on the other hand function during the day and seldom at night. The building becomes a strong new addition that communicates the future of the upcoming undergraduates of the Business school. its larger volumes, the lecture block, is about twice the height of the existing undergraduate block. This increase in height reminds the very students of the undergraduate of a prominent future twice as better as the current.

The perforating facade although functional, silently cautions the very wounds and pains one would however suffer moving undergrad to post grad and work. The new internal court provided in the facility is wrapped by the shared spaces that are fully accessible to Theable community center design initiated Concrete

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The businesses school and the Graduate school tasked the department of architecture KNUST to design a faculty that would address their current need. The school has a very specialized scheduled design to suit the working class. These make up the majority of the Graduate students. Typically the graduate school was in session during the evenings and on weekends. Designing a building for this class of students requires innovative allocation of spaces to avoid having an empty and less useful building in the day. To tackle this major concern, a sundry of functions such as the cafeteria, library and single tier classroom spaces and offices for lectures were integrated into the scheme. During the day the classrooms on the ground level serve the undergraduate spillage. The cafeteria would function all day to serve both the day and night users of the facility. The lectures offices on the other hand function during the day and seldom at night. The building becomes a strong new addition that communicates the future of the upcoming undergraduates of the Business school. its larger volumes, the lecture block, is about twice the height of the existing undergraduate block. This increase in height reminds the very students of the undergraduate of a prominent future twice as better as the current. The perforating facade although functional, silently cautions the very wounds and pains one would however suffer moving undergrad to post grad and work. The new internal court provided in the facility is wrapped by the shared spaces that are fully accessible to the undergrads. Thus they would be able to feel the warmth of big brother.

Concrete makes up one of the most commonly used materials in Ghana. Using the idea of an egg which transmits its loads from the surfaces down to the other points. From the load transfer lines the typical egg the main form of the facade was developed. Dividing it into half reduces the weight of the units for construction. This modular facade also provides the opportunity to ventilate the building naturally by the integration of the louver windows. The module is staggered on the toR Ytheir FA Ifacade N I F R E E according S PA C E FA C T O 49 function IS IT as her fixed or operable. In alternating layers these per-formed units form the very honey comb facade that elegantly communicates

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The design stems from three major considerations. The first was the Vastu spatial planning concept, then using the building form as a means of earthquake resistance and finally rethinking the iconic Nepali gable roof.

Designig with Vastu mind Over 80% Hindu

If the Community Center considered as a Home

The Situation

Home = Community Center

Media/culture

Study

Living Room

Atelier

Community room

Use of vasthu for spatial planning as we approached the community center as a house Concept Evolution forthe community. The community room becomes a living room, an atelier and cultural centerbecome the study.

25sqm of cubes about 150sqm total

Remove Cube to maintatin the exsiting tree

North east winds

Extend the east axis to catch the Position Kitchen on south east north east winds according to Vastu

Community center as a Home The Vasthu spatial planning was found appropriate since over 80% of Nepali are Buddhists. Thus creating a community home that reflect the important belief systems of the people was going help solidify its relevance and importance to the them.

Architecture in response to earthquake zones The vernacular style of constructing the Nepali pagoda is a series of square plans which is very effective in resisting earthquakes. We have used 5x5 meter squares for spatial orientation. The use of light weight materials to lower the resultant forces on the structure, thus reducing the damage. Separating the masonry and the roof system so that they negate each other’s movements and neutralize the effect at the time of an earthquake. Thus with an independent roof structure the roof may be modeled to capture as match rain water or solar Roof Evolution radiance.

Site Interventions – In order to address the terrain while reducing the risk of collapse during earthquakes, the site was cut and filled. The Extend posts to ground Elevate roof for ventilation Existing Roof type excavated soil is rescued in the construction of rammed earth (Wall dependent) Now independent of wall walls. We have retained the existing greens within the site there by safeguarding the ecology of the site. The Greens are rather used as a system of buffers to slow down rain rushing downhill. The building has been oriented in north-east directionto catch as much wind as possible.

Community related activities – The concept of a shared garden to bring in people from nearby areas together to perform agricultural activities. This community garden would also serve a learning grounds for new farming methods. The community hall is envisioned as a space that allows for further subdivisions by a system of folding walls. This thus increases the diversity of uses that can be accommodated in the center. And in order to support the governments initiative to promote awareness in Dandi Biyo as an important community sport, it was incorporated a sports field in the landscape design. This would ensure that the life is maintained on either side of the center always

Legend 1

Community room

2

Atelier Room

3

Kitchen

4

Media/cultural room

5

Tiolets and showers

6

Dandi BIyo(traditional sport)

7

Vegetable garden

8

Maize garden

9

Water tank

10

Parking

11

Pedestrain entry

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The slope of the site is integrated into a system of self sustaining strategies that allows the building to be more self sufficient than its neighbors. the roofs have larger areas to allow for more power generation by solar. The bare parts of the site from the higher lands are used for planting cereal family plants that would slow done rushing rain towards the building. The water is stored and reused on site. Collection of organic waste and animal excreta to generate natural biogas for the site.

Roof Evolution

Existing Roof type (Wall dependent)

Extend posts to ground

Elevate roof for ventilation Now independent of wall

Combine the two standard modules to gain wider space

Independent roof structure. supports offer seating to scenery around.

Roof form allows for soloar pannels

Form of the roof - The standard roof form in Nepal is gable in section with inclined supports attached to the wall. Taking the traditional concept to the next level by in corpora ting the earthquake innovation improve on the rigidity of the roof structure. With the structure of the roof separated from the building form, roof cooling can be introduced. This innovation allowed for attic-ventilation, increasing the surface area of the roof in order to harness solar power and increase the rainwater catchment area.

Living Room

Community room

Concept Evolution

25sqm of cubes about 150sqm total

Remove Cube to maintatin the exsiting tree

North east winds

Extend the east axis to catch the Position Kitchen on south east north east winds according to Vastu

Split the east cube to accomo- Position a viewing Platform on date the Washrroms according the south to take advantage of to the Vastu. the views

Adjust cubes to slope of the site Position roof with soping ends while reducing the chances of towards the south to capture infilling solar energy

Give the kitchen a home character to soothin the nature of the community centre

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A community center for all rooted in the local construction methods yet exploring the possibilities of evolution. Providing space for group play and community sustenance farming through the shared gardens

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done?

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FR AN K OTUO GYIMAH _ 2016 -2018 F O T U O 7 7@ G M A I L . C O M FA C E B O O K PA G E : T U O ’ S C ATA L O G U E LINKEDIN: F R A N K- O T U O - 9 7 6 1 5 4 8 3