Tyler Giroux
ACTIVATING SOCIAL INTERACTION IN BUILDING SKINS
THESIS STATEMENT
The hustle and bustle of cities have led to the development of societies characterized by chaos and distraction, creating a hectic urban environment with a lack of interaction and acknowledgment between people and the built context they live in. Many buildings today are designed with external skins that are banal and monotonous, thus leading to a lack of engagement among the public occupying both the exterior and interior spaces of buildings. There is a missed opportunity to design building skins that can become an integral part of the urban fabric and provide public, transitional spaces between the exterior and interior environments to engage people and promote social interactions.
THESIS CONDITIONS
QUESTIONS
Through what methods can building skins engage people and the public?
How can design attract people to interact and occupy transition spaces within a building skin?
How can architects provide social and public occurences with transitional spaces incorporated into the design of building skins?
What design techniques can be used to develop a conscious practice for creating interative building skins?
METHODS
- Research - Diagramming - Prototype Skin Design - Prototype Models - Detail Sections of Prototype Skins
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Danish architect and urban planner, Jan Gehl, states that the most successful way to design for people is to first consider the life of the people in the area, then the space that they’ll be occupying, and lastly the building and built context. This philosophy is the basis for the research of this thesis.
1. Life
2. Space
3. Building
LIF
FE
HUMAN SKIN
Layers of the human skin and the functions they serve.
Subcutis
Dermis
Epidermis Epidermis
Barrier to the environment, produces skin pigment and controls water loss Layers: 1. Stratum Corneum - Barrier against trauma and infection 2. Granular - Retains water 3. Spinous - Binds cells together 4. Basal - Pogment production, UV protection and linked to immune system
Dermis
Flexible and tough structure containing blood vessels, nerves, sweat glands and hair folicles - Senses touch, pain, and pressure - Produces sweat from heat and stress to cool body - Wound healing and sacrring - Regulates body temperature Layers: 1. Papillary 2. Reticular
Subcutis
Fatty layer between skin and body structures that acts as an insulator, energy supply and cushion/protector for the skin
BUILDING SKIN
Layers and components that compose the skin of a building and their functions.
5
2
4
1
3
1. Cladding
Protective layer and finish that acts as barrier between interior and exterior environment against weather and air and water infiltration - “Wet” Zone: Section of exterior wall exposed to effects of rain and moisture Types: 1. Cavity Wall - control and resists bulk rainwater penetration with concealed air space and drainage plane 2. Barrier Wall - relies on weather tight integrity of outer most exterior wall surfaces and joints ot resist water and moisture 3. Mass Wall - wall cavity with through wall flashing to collect and redirect rainwater to exterior
2. Air Barrier
Element(s) controling movement of air across exterior wall system - provide comfort through climate control - contributes to building’s energy efficiency - affects indoor air quality for public health and hygiene - moisture control
3. Drainage Plane
Line between “wet” and “dry” zone of external wall - “Dry” Zone: section of exterior wall not intended to be exposed by rain or moisture
3. Vapor Barrier
Element that controls and limits flow of water in vapor form across exterior wall system
4. Structure
Resists live and dead loads acting on building through effective distribution of laods - support system to hold up building
5. Insulation
Controls and regulates heat loss and gain for building across exterior wall system
SKIN CORRELATIONS
Correlating functions between human skin and building skin.
Monitor Environment
Barrier to Exterior Radiation Protection
Contribute to Quality of Life
Temperature Regulation
Human Skin Regulates Heat Loss
Retains Water
Repair Injuries Immunologic Reactor
Aging Resistance
Regulate Energy Consumption
Weather Barrier Regulate Light Transmittance
Provide Comfort
Insulator
Building Skin Control Heat Loss and Gain Control Air Transfer
Separate Interior and Exterior
Prevent Water and Moisture Infiltration
Structure Support
TERRITORIAL SPACES
Defined distances of space for people and communication.
Intimate
18”
Personal
4’
Social
12’
Public
12’+
SENSES & SCALES
Correlation between peoples senses and distances defined by Jan Gehl.
- All senses in full use - Genuine conversations - Emotions readable - One way conversations - Recognize individual person - Hear and understand shouts
20’
- Understand and see movements and body language - Social field of vision
75’ 110’ 200’
330’
- Recognize human figure
1000’
SPA
ACE
ENVIRONMENT QUALITY CRITERIA & ACTIVITY EFFECTS
Criteria for creating high quality public spaces that people will want to inhabit and the frequency of activity they can create, defined by Jan Gehl.
High Quality Environment Low Quality Environment
Necessary Activities - Going to work - Waiting for train - Delivering goods to customer
Optional Activities - Going for a walk - Standing to rest - Observing views
Social Activities - Meeting friends - Having lunch - Event/gatheirng
PLANNING PRINCIPLES
Diagrams depicting planning principles, discussed by Jan Gehl, architects should follow to create and allow for inviting spaces that will attract people to use and occupy them.
Assemble
Integrate
Invite
Open
Increase
Dispense
Segregrate
Repel
Closed
Reduce
No Walls
Short Distance
Low Speed
One Level
Face to Face
Walls
Great Distances
High Speed
Mulit-Level
Back to Back
MOVEMENT
Methods and techniques of how movement occurs with architecture and design, defined by architecture and digital technology Professor Jules Moloney.
Engaging Architecture Through Movement - Transformation through the event of occupation - Physical movement of the occupant - Sense of movement due to the optical effects of changes in light or the presence of moisture - The weathering of materials and effects of decay - Representation of movement through form and surfaces that appear dynamic - Design methods that use geometric transformations or other animation
Architectural Movement through Geometric Transformations Translation
Scaling
Rotation
Deformation
MOVEMENT THEORY
In Japanese culture, Oku is a theoretical concept used in architecture and design defined as a continous sequence of spatial layers that can be used within an urban fabric.
Concept of “Oku� - Continuous Sequence of spatial layers - Layers defined by boundaries and limits - Limits are physical and perceptual - Define areas and emphasize continuity of space - Intermediate spaces and urban voids - Connective tissue for urban fabric
Layer 3
Layer 2
Layer 1
Sp ac
e
3 Sp ac
e
2 Sp
ac
e
1
BUILD
DING
FACADE TYPOLOGY
Jan Gehl identifies two types of facades, Active and Passive, which categorizes facades as those that provide usable space that attract people to it and those that prevent interaction and are undesired to be used.
Openings
Interactive
Complexity
Type A - Active
Attraction
Permeable Monotone
Plain
Uninviting
Type B - Passive
Idle
Boring
FACADE TYPOLOGY
Examples of Active and Passive facades in the city of Chicago.
Typologies in Context Type A - Active
Type B - Passive
TYPOLOGY BEHAVIORS
Behavioral and statistical data on people and pedesetrian interaction between Active and Passive facades, recorded by Jan Gehl.
Behavioral Effects Type A - Absorb/interact with surrounding - Attentive nervous system - Pleasant state of mind - Desire to occupy the space - Increase activity and uses of space Type B - Causes borredom - Decrease interaction - Cause unpleasant and aversive mental state - Lowers physiological arousal - Generate stress
Pedstrian Behavior on Sidewalks
DESIGN FUNCTION TYPES
Types of facades that are influential on people and how they interact with them and the characteristics that define them.
Active
- Small units - Large variation in function - No blind units - Lots of character in facade relief - Mostly vertical facade articulation - Good details and materials
Friendly
- Relatively small units - Some variation in function - Few blind units - Facade relief - Many details
Mixture
- Large and small units - Modest variation in function - Some blind units - Modest facade relief - Few details
Boring
- Large units - Few doors - Almost no variation in function - Many blind units - Few or no details
Inactive
- Large units - Few or no doors - Blind units - Uniform facade with no details
EDGE CONDITIONS
Elemental characteristics of facades and examples of how they can be either positive or negative towards providing desired, usable public space.
Soft Edges
Hard Edges
Open
Closed
Interactive
Passive
Interesting
Boring
Varied
Uniform
Vertical
Horizontal
Transparency
Appeal to Senses
Texture and Details
Mixed Functions
Vertical Rhythms
STREET TO BUILDING THRESHOLDS
Significant threshold parameters for people when it comes to the connection between buildings and streets, defined by Jan Gehl.
STREET COMPOSITION
Characteristics of urban streetscapes that influence the engagement of people with buildings.
Engaging Urban Design
- Recessed Facades to create open space - Wide sidewalks - Public space between building and sidewalks - Less vehicular traffic
Passive Urban Design
- Tall, intrusive masses - Narrow sidewalks - Lack of leisure space - Heavy vehicular traffic flow
BUILDING SKIN CRITERIA
Classification of building skins through constructional criteria.
Building Skin
Load Bearing Non-Load Bearing
Single Shell Multi Shell
Single Layered Multi Layered
Transparent Translucent Opaque
DOUBLE SKIN TYPOLOGIES
Extract System
- Comprised of a second layer of glazing placed on the interior of a main faรงade
- Makes the air space between the two layers of glazing to become part of the HVAC system
- Heated used air between the glazed layers extracted through the cavity with the use of fans
- Tempers the inner layer of the glazing while the outer layer of insulating glass minimizes heat-transmission loss
Business Promotion Center. Duisburg, Germany. 1993. Foster+Partners
DOUBLE SKIN TYPOLOGIES
Twin Face System
- Consist of conventional curtain or thermal mass wall system inside a single glazed building skin
- Outer glass may be safety or laminated glass or insulating glass
- Has an opening for allowing natural ventilation
- Outer skin is used for protecting air cavity contents, whereas the internal skin provides insulation for minimizing heat loss
Felbermayr Office Building. Salzburg, Austria. 2006. Kleboth and Dollnig.
DOUBLE SKIN TYPOLOGIES
Twin Face System
- Consist of conventional curtain or thermal mass wall system inside a single glazed building skin
- Outer glass may be safety or laminated glass or insulating glass
- Has an opening for allowing natural ventilation
- Outer skin is used for protecting air cavity contents, whereas the internal skin provides insulation for minimizing heat loss
Debis, Headquarters. Berlin, Germany. 1997. Renzo Piano Building Workshop.
SUSTAINABLE SKIN FEATURES
Sustainable methods that can be incorporated into the design of a building skin.
Sun Control
Day Lighting
Natural Ventilation
Connection to Outdoors
Thermal Insulation
Structural Efficiency
Moisture Control
Energy Generation
SUSTAINABLE SKIN PARAMETERS
Environmental factors as parameters for the design of building skins.
User Requirements
Indoor Air Temperature
Energy Consumption In Buildings
Building Skin
Climatic Parameters
Outdoor Air Temperature
Surface Temperatures
Heating Energy
Air Movement
Air Change
Cooling Energy
Relative Outdoor Air Humidity
Relative Indoor Air Humidity
Artificial Lighting
Solar Radiation
Luminance
Lighting Intensity
Building Services
TRANSITION CONDITIONAL METHODS
Classifying interactive, transition spaces that can be incorporated into the design of a building skin through conditional methods. An attached transition space is one that is an independent component on the exterior of a building skin.
Attach
Precedent 235 W. Van Buren Perkins+Will Chicago, IL 2009
TRANSITION CONDITIONAL METHODS
Classifying interactive, transition spaces that can be incorporated into the design of a building skin through conditional methods. An extended transition space is one that is a continuation from the interior to the exterior.
Extend
Precedent Aqua Tower Studio Gang Chicago, IL 2009
TRANSITION CONDITIONAL METHODS
Classifying interactive, transition spaces that can be incorporated into the design of a building skin through conditional methods. An interlocked transition space is one that blends from the interior into the exterior.
Interlock
Precedent W57 BIG New York, NY 2016
TRANSITION CONDITIONAL METHODS
Classifying interactive, transition spaces that can be incorporated into the design of a building skin through conditional methods. An embeded transition space is set into the barrier plane of the building skin.
Embed
Precedent Liverpool Insurgentes Rojkind Architects Mexico City, Mexico 2010
SOURCES
Brownell, Blaine Erickson,eds. Transmaterial: A Catalog Of Materials That Redefine Our Physical Environment. New York : Princeton Architectural Press, 2006. Print. Brownell, Blaine Erickson,eds. Transmaterial 2: A Catalog Of Materials That Redefine Our Physical Environment. New York : Princeton Architectural Press, 2008. Print. Brownell, Blaine Erickson,eds. Transmaterial 3: A Catalog Of Materials That Redefine Our Physical Environment. New York, N.Y. : Princeton Architectural Press, 2010. Print. Buzney, Elizabeth. “Basic Science of the Skin: Structure and Function.” November 2014, 1-57. Accessed October 1, 2017. aad.org. Ellard, Colin. Places of the Heart: The Psychogeography of Everyday Life. Bellevue Literary Press, 2015. Gehl, Jan, Lotte Johansen Kaefer, and Solvejg Reigstad. “Close Encounters with Buildings.” URBAN DESIGN International 11, no. 1 (2006): 29-47. https://thecityateyelevel.files. wordpress.com/2016/03/3-close-encounters-with-buildings.pdf. Gehl, Jan. Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space. 6 edition. Washington, DC: Island Press, 2011. Gehl, Jan; Gemzoe, Lars; Kirknaes, Sia; Sondergaard, Britt Sternhagen. New City Life. Copenhagen: The Danish Architectural Press, 2006. Gehl, Jan, and Lord Richard Rogers. Cities for People. 1 edition. Washington, DC: Island Press, 2010. Kuma, Kengo. Patterns and Layering: Japanese Spatial Culture. Edited by Salvator-John Liotta and Matteo Belfiore. Berlin: Gestalten, 2012. Lemieux, Daniel, and Paul Totten. “Wall Systems.” WBDG Building Envelope Design Guide, May 10, 2016. https://www.wbdg.org/guides-specifications/building-envelope-design-guide/ wall-systems. Moloney, Jules. Designing Kinetics for Architectural Facades: State Change. Abingdon, Oxon; New York: Routledge, 2011. Musa, Bilyaminu Tijjani, and Halil Z. Alibaba. “Evaluating the Use of Double Skin Facade Systems for Sustainable Development.” International Journal of Recent Research in Civil and Mechanical Engineering 2, no. 2 (2015-2016): 151-59. Accessed December 17, 2017. http:// www.paper publications.org/journalss/IJRRCME/Issue-2-October-2015-March-2016/0. Schittich, Christian. In Detail: Building Skins. New Enlarged Edition ed. Vol. 2. Birkhauser, 2006. Speck, Larry. “Sustainable Building Skin Design.” Lecture, Austin, Texas, September 22, 2008.