Boyan Hristov_Y4 |Unit 14 | Bartlett School of Architecture by UNIT 14

REVIVAL OF ROADSIDE TYPOLOGIES BROUGHT TO YOU BY AMAZON

BOYAN HRISTOV YEAR 4

UNIT

Y4 BH

THE ROYAL GORGE MOTEL

@unit14_ucl

All work produced by Unit 14 Cover design by Maggie Lan www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture Copyright 2018 The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher.

@unit14_ucl

BOYAN HRISTOV YEAR 4 boienhristov@gmail.com behance.net/boyanhristov @mrboien

T H E R OYA L G O R G E M OT E L Revival of roadside typologies brought to you by Amazon Royal Gorge, Colorado, USA

ver since its founding in 1994, Amazon Inc has been a pioneer in e-commerce and now dominates the global market. The company’s key expansion strategies include acquiring numerous other corporations and incorporating them into the Amazon franchise. In addition, the firm has constantly been involved in investing in cutting edge technologies (drone deliveries, robot warehouse workers, etc). Morevover, Amazon has recently been interested in establishing physical presence within the public realm, such as the Sphere near their headquarters in Seattle, WA, which comprises of three geodesic domes that host hundreds of plant species, providing a space for the public to use. Stemming from that, the project speculates that upcoming PR and marketing trends will heavily incorporate more engagement in establishing physical presence and taking part in civic regenerational projects. With fully autonomous cars becoming a fact in the next few years, the automobile industry will experience its biggest revolution in recent history. This will impact urban and national infrastructure as well as how people commute and travel. New possibilities will emerge from passengers having more free time on their hands and not needing to be alert. Autonomous vehicles are also thought to lead to an increase of road travel and therefore large infrastructure expansion within the US. More companies will start developing self-driving vehicles within their scope, and Amazon will be of no exception.

Greyhound Lines Inc. has had an iconic place in American culture for more than a century, being the nation’s top intercity coach service, romanticised by many film directors and musicians. Greyhound has a total of 230 stations in the US only, that operate on 123 different routes across the country, servicing more than 3000 destinations. Should Amazon acquire Greyhound, they will establish more physical presence. In addition, they could incorporate delivery together with transporting passengers, as well as promote the use of their services and products via autonomous hybrid vehicles. The potential upcoming road infrastructure expansion and upgrade, as well as increased mobility caused by autonomous vehicles could once again requre the need for roadside typologies. Therefore, one of the most epochal of such, the motel, which has been in decline in recent years, could be brought back into life again. Motels have been an important part of American identity and have been reflecting the spirit of their time. Having this said, Amazon will enhance their physical presense and expand their servies by providing a flagship motel that will be affordable and capturing the new emerging American identity. 1

10 7

10 11

C 5

D 9

9 2

8 6

F 6

General Key 1. External Terrace 2. Saloon Space 3. Bar/Diner 4.BoH 5.Kitchen

General Arrangement: Floor Plan of Saloon Space 6. Reception 7.Breakout Space 8. WCs 9. Lifts 10. Meeting Rooms

11. Event Rooms 12. Plant Room 13.Greyhound Lounge 14.Trail Path Entrance 15.External Promenade

Y4 BH

On the brink of the autonomous revolution it is highly probable that Amazon’s next step would be to target companies within the transport industry.

BOYAN HRISTOV

DESIGN PORTFOLIO Y4 UNIT 14

P 01

TECTONIC ARTEFACT

Fractality of Monumental Architecture

SHAPE GRAMMAR

shape grammar

embedding Embedding

recursion Recursion

urform

Urform

Pattern Design Permutations

Permutaion Triangle

Permutaion Square

Overview Intent The aim of the task was to explore the relationship between form-finding and structural logic as a design tool. This included exploring the concept of the monument as a structure comprised of an established tectonic language and geometrical rules. I have used this idea of a unifying language as a design generative tool. Going further, I researched into that and I discovered a system called Shape Grammar, which is a pattern generative language. I explored different permutations with different shapes and then I experimented with extrusion and the shear wall principle and used different thicknesses to establish a hierarchy between each of the layers. In addition, I used carving as a tool to explore the architectural qualities of the artefact. Then I added scale.

Design Development

1. Extrusion

2. Carving

3. Reveal Architectural Opportunities

Perspective View

Plan View

Fractal Rule Application

P 02

ROYAL GORGE MOTEL by

Profile of

$48BN

Q REVENUE

The Ever Expanding Company Ever since its founding in 1994, Amazon Inc has been a pioneer in e-commerce and now dominates the global market. Throughout the years the company has been known for buying numerous other corporations and incorporating them into the Amazon franchise. In addition, the firm has constantly been involved in investing in cutting edge technologies (drone deliveries, robot warehouse workers, etc). This statement is supported by the 1:50 ratio between the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s revenue and net income as seen in the graph below.

1:50 RATIO

>$1BN NET INCOME

Towards Corporate Philantropy Amazon has recently opened up the Sphere near their headquarters in Seattle, WA, which comprises of three geodesic domes that host hundreds of plant species, providing a space for the public to use. Stemming from that, the project speculates that upcoming PR and marketing trends will heavily incorporate more engagement in establishing physical presence and taking part in civic regenerational projects.

Now getting physical for you! ;

Companies Releasing Fully Autonomous Vehicles Timeline

The Rise of Autonomous Vehicles With fully autonomous cars becoming a fact in the next few years, the automobile industry will experience its biggest revolution in recent history. This will impact urban and national infrastructure as well as how people commute and travel. New possibilities will emerge from passengers having more free time on their hands and not needing to be alert. Autonomous vehicles are also thought to lead to an increase of road travel and therefore large infrastructure expansion within the US. More companies will start developing self-driving vehicles within their scope, and Amazon will be of no exception.

Tesla

Uber 2018 Google

Toyota

BMW 2019

States Allowing Autonomous Vehicle On-road Testing

Volvo

Nissan

Ford

2020

General Motors

Daimler

Baidu

? 2020s

Tesla Semi Model purchased by Amazon

Evolution of Greyhound Buses

1960s

Greyhound PD-4501 Scenicruiser

1980s

Greyhound MC8 Americruiser Amazon Buys Greyhound

2000s

In the brink of the autonomous revolution it is highly probable that Amazon’s next step would be to target companies within the transport industry. Greyhound Lines Inc. has had an iconic place in American culture for more than a century, being the nation’s top intercity coach service, romanticised by many film directors and musicians. Greyhound has a total of 230 stations in the US only, that operate on 123 different routes across the country, servicing more than 3000 destinations. Should Amazon acquire Greyhound, they will establish more physical presence. In addition, they could incorporate delivery together with transporting passengers, as well as promote the use of their services and products via autonomous hybrid vehicles.

Greyhound Green Star G5 95

2020s 65% OF CAPACITY FOR PASSENGERS

PERSONAL ALEXA

SOLAR POWERED

FULLY AUTONOMOUS

35%

TESLA SEMI MODEL

OF CAPACITY FOR DELIVERIES

VEHICLE SUMMONING VIA MOBILE APP

Amazon’s Greyhound Tesla Shuttle

Boost in On-Road Typologies

US National Highway System: 259,032 km 160,955mi

Authentic Americana Motel Signage

The Revival of Motel Culture The potential upcoming road infrastructure expansion and upgrade, as well as increased mobility caused by autonomous vehicles could once again requre the need for roadside typologies. Therefore, one of the most epochal of such, the motel, which has been in decline in recent years, could be brought back into life again. Motels have been an important part of American identity and have been reflecting the spirit of their time. Having this said, Amazon will enhance their physical presense and expand their servies by providing a flagship motel that will be affordable and capturing the new emerging hi-tech American identity.

US Consumer Habits

Annual Household Income

The Most Desired Christmas Present in the US, 1910-2010

ipad

ipod to uch chip AI pet furby

wii

rubickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cube

radio flyer

$30,000

s Po

rocking horse

War II

I War

0.6%

1910

0.2%

1920

0.6% 0.8%

$2 25

nW ar

14% 11%

0.1%

0.5%

1940

0.2%

0.5%

1950

1960

0.8%

0.5%

1970

Average number of children in a household

Initial price

2% 1%

1.5%

1980

1990

2000

2010

24% Percentage of gift price from monthly household income

Consumer Trends throughout the Years

GROCERIES HOME FASHION

DRY-CLEANER KIDS CORNER DINING

LEARNING CINEMA ICE-SKATING

PRODUCT

SERVICE

EXPERIENCE

INET OF THINGS SOCIAL MEDIA APPS AUTONOMOUS CARS TECHNOLOGY EMOTIONAL CONNECTION

EMPATHY INDIVIDUALITY ENGAGEMENT

1950s

r ia

24%

r Wa

1930

Recession Period

Wa r Ira q

$1 90

Great Depression

$10,000

0.6% 0.1%

e Kor

t-W

Wor ld

$20,000 ld Wor

$5 00

$3 5 $1 5

Wa r $5

Vie

tn a

army men

yo-yo

Stock Market Crash

Crisis

nuts

1970s Oil

Great Recession

.com Stock Boom & Bust

$2 5

lego

teddy bear

$40,000

$1 8

er yd

dr re

transformers

n gu $1 0

$50,000

$2 00

talking joe

barbie

tama gochi

game boy

star wars figures

$3 00

$60,000

1980s

2000s

2020s

10%

Disappearance of Car Ownership Car sharing and driving services companies using mobile applications are transforming the way people commute. Near future speculations state that autonomous vehicles will be incorporated into the app-commuting industry and will lead to the disappearance of car ownership, a crucial part of the American Dream and mentality.

Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure h ig h w

er al

Fe d

$200BN $1.5TN

US Go vt

at e

80/20

az on Design

Tea

fa g s h

The US Infrastructure Deficit The World Economic Forum ranked the United States 10th internationally in quality of overall infrastructure in 2017. In response, President Donald J. Trump has emphasized that the Nation’s infrastructure deficit needs to be permanently fixed by introducing the ambitios plan “Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure“ that aims to repair, improve and expand nationwide highways, bridges and dams in order to stregthten economic competitiveness and improve people’s quality of life.

Trump is TouTing ‘biggesT and boldesT’ infrasTrucTure plan in 50 years

Amazon-Funded Civic Project What distinguishes the plan from any of its precedors is that the federal government would supply 20% of funding to chosen projects across the country, with states, cities and private investors providing the remaining 80%, instead of the opposite proportion. This gives Amazon a legal and legislative path to materialise its flagship motel typology and boost Greyhound use, while simultaneously contribute for improving the nation’s road infrastructure.

Scope of Amazon’s intervention

ADVERTISE

WIDEN HIGHWAY

REPAIR HIGHWAY

ESTABLISH A CIVIC FLAGSHIP

BOOST INTERCITY TRAVEL 18

Wider Site Context

DENVER

BUENA VISTA

COLODRADO SPRINGS

PUEBLO SALIDA ALBUQUERQUE, Nm

CANYON CITY Existing Roads Upgraded Road 70 Royal Gorge Railway

Site Plan 1:50,000

Existing Greyhound Stations Existing Steel Factories Active Coal Mines Active Scrap Yards

The Royal Gorge Canyon, Colorado The region is situated 200km from Denver in the Colorado mountains and is comprised of many mid-size towns that rely on intercity travel economy. Main industries remain to be coal and steel production, howerver, the region has been in decline for the last couple of decades. This makes is a desirable site choice as Amazon will provide public and infrastructure redevelopment within the community as part of its corporate philanthropy agenda. The area is also appropriate because it is a home to highly valued by US citiezens canyon terrain with rich vistas and wildlife.

Wider Context with Existing Greyhound Network

Site Conditions & Opportunities

3 4 5

Interstate 70 is a transcontinental Highway in the United States, stretching from Cove Fort, Utah, to Baltimore, Maryland. In Colorado, it is an important gateway route connecting many rural communities.

The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. It generally flows to the east and southeast as it traverses the U.S. states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

4 1

Red granite rock provides stable ground for foundations. In addition, its solidity provides constant all-year temperature which can be used for passive heating and cooling purposes. The excess material from excavating could be reused as a building material.

The abutments were constructed by filling trenches in the rock with concrete produced using crushed granite from the cable anchor trenches.

The Royal Gorge is an already established tourist destination with many hiking routes around the canyon. In addition, there is an existing small-scale visitor centre which means the site is connected to the electricity and water grid.

Density: 2.75 g/cm3 Compressive Strength: 200 MPa+ Viscosity: 6.1019 PaÂˇs

Building a New Bridge A report from 2015 concludes that the existing Royal Gorge Bridge has aged which has resulted in the decline of its structural stability, leaving it with a lifespan of maximum 15 years. Although repairing the existing bridge would require less time and cost, the benefits of its replacement outweigh the former. The new habitable bridge will act as an Amazon flagship motel and offer an unprecedented user experience. In addition, it will provide employment not only during its construction phase but for post-completion as well.

86m

The tension in the wind cables had been lost, and some sections were slack. This resulted in large movements of the otherwise unstiffened deck during high wind conditions.

Severe rusting and local failure of several wires just next to one of the main cable anchors was found. Later it was found that water had run down the inside of the cable, causing corrosion and loss of up to 40% of their original strength.

The failure of the wind cable system also resulted in compressive forces being applied to the hangers during high winds. The pin connected steel rods were not designed to take these forces and so this had resulted in buckling failures and fatigue cracks in many of the rods.

NEW HYBRID BRIDGE/MOTEL/ COACH STATION

REPAIR EXISTING BRIDGE

Wider Cultural Context Midwest Social Spaces: The Saloon

US Modernismâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Relationship with Nature

Saloons produced a particular type of public sphere in early America and were once the heart of social life. They were situated either in the town or along roads to accommodate travellers. They could be compared to the coffeehouse in London or Paris, but those were bourgeois meeting-places. In saloons people could mix together, regardless of social class. In addition, the consumption of alcohol changed the way everyone relates to each other resulting in accelerated relationshipsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and occasionally cantankerous ones. Throughout time the saloon typology branched off to provide various types of entertainment and culture. However, in recent decades it has seen a steady decline.

The Prairie School was a late 19th- and early 20th-century architectural style, most common to the Midwestern United States. The style is usually marked by horizontal lines, flat or hipped roofs with broad overhanging eaves, windows grouped in horizontal bands, integration with the landscape, solid construction, craftsmanship, and discipline in the use of ornament. Horizontal lines were thought to evoke and relate to the native prairie landscape.

Interlocking perpendicular plates

Cantilevering balconies

Interface with nature Fallingwater by Frank LLoyd Wright, 1939, Pennsylvania

Stylised geometric panels Wide horizontal overhanging eaves

Clean stucco slabs

Horizontal banding

Boynton House by Frank LLoyd Wright, 1908, Rochester, NY

THR PRAIRIE IN MID-WEST CULTURE 21

US Consumerist Culture in Spatial Production

Shopping Malls Node Structure

Northbrook Court Yorkdale

Scarborough Town Centre

Northpark

Sherway Gardens Belle Epine

Creteil Soleil

The Mall in Columbia

Santa Anita Fashion Park

Eastridge

The Neo Public Space

Due to rapid development after WW2, the US suburban urban planning lacked integration between residential, commercial and public places. The mall represented an enclosed public space that the residents were in need of. It became a landmark within the suburban environment and acted as a central space of social importance.

In its need to provide adequate public sapce, the suburban mall gradually evolved and developed a node structure pattern, similar to a pedestrian city. Venice is compared.

Massing Strategy

3 3

1 3

1 2

Massing Diagram

Key Spaces

Greyhound Terminal

Infinity Canyon Pool

Saloon

Key Spaces: waiting area, pick up/drop off point

Key Spaces: swimming pool, changing rooms, WCs, canyon lounge

Key Spaces: bar, restaurant, diner

Hiking Trail Entrance

Motel A: Royal Gorge Mostel

Motel B: Royal Gorge Premium

Key Spaces: viewing platform, info point

Key Spaces: basic rooms, dorms, communual rooms

Key Spaces: high-end rooms & lofts, spa, gym

Access and Escape

<50m

indicative

Highway Circulation and Turning In close proximity to the scheme turning shoulders will be introduced for vehicles to change direction. Buidling external turning is a cheaper solution to creating complex vehicle circulatin inside the bridge.

<50m

canyon

Fire Escape Strategy and Internal Circulation 210m

Symetrical and open plan corridors will provide easy to find and straightforward fire escape route in case of an emergency.

Private Road Entry/ Exit. Personal Data Toll

canyon

As Amazon will become more and more powerful and user data becomes highly valuable, there will be an option for highway users to pay using the road by agreeing to the terms and conditions that allow for Amazon to use personal data for commerce purposes.

Passenger Drop Off, Pick Up and Deliveries Each side of the building will have an entrance/exit point that will accommodate both passengers and deliveries. Multiple bays on each side will allow for quick and easy drop off/pick up. From there passengers will descend onto the main entrance through one of the grand motel lobbies, while the goods carried by Kiva robots will take the goods lift and transport it to where delivery is needed. Due to advancement in automation and IoT, large warehouse spaces will not required, since goods and deliveries will be acquired ondemand.

indicative

Motel Variations

room a: minimal

room b: high-end

30m2

60m2

Circulation and Security

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Variety of Choice to Suit Your Needsâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

The scheme will comprise of two separate motels that differ in what they can offer in terms of luxury, room space, vistas and ammenities. This way they can suit the needs for any lodger, ranging from trendy generation Zs to luxury loving businessmen.

Wayfinding in the motel is optimised in a closed loop circulation that has numerous breakout routes towards the main saloon and anchor upper area. A solid floor divides the busy public spaces from the quiet motel rooms. In additon, safety and security is a priority within the scheme, therefore all entrances leading to motel space and individual rooms will be equipped with personal locks that work with smartphones that only users will have access to.

Motel Rooms Staff/Private Entry [Maintenance] Communal Spaces/Lounges Circulation Routes

Building Genesis I

Highway Outline

Considering Orientation

The bridge structure serves mainly as a highway connecting both sides of the canyon. Hence the form-finding is dictated by the minimum width required for a standard US highway 2+1 lane route (15m).

Positioning the building accorss the canyon means it is perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction and to the direct sun exposure. Creating openings on both sides along the legth of the structure would utilise sufficient but not excessive sunlight, as well as potential for natural ventilation during Summer.

Establishing Structural Grid

Optimising Structural Performance

Setting up a cross section grid would provide structural support and important moments within the bridge.

Slicing and carving parts of the megastrucutre, thus making it lighter and creating internal complexity according to programmatic requirements.

Integrating Structure and Programme I

Integrating Structure and Programme II

Placing motel rooms at bottom where a more ridgid interlocking is needed to support the bridge structure

Placing open-plan spaces on top, supported only on the edges. The middle part of the bridge should accommodate the lightest weight in terms of structural materials and programme.

Building Genesis II

Integrating Structure and Programme III

Establishing Anchors

Heavier programme and plantroom is situated on both sides of the canyon.

The approximate length of the building is around 200m, similar to the classic formula created by Victor Gruen for the shopping mall. Having anchors on both sides of the scheme will make sure there is high flow of people and a steady circulation within.

Pick Up/Drop Off Points

Circulation and Vertical Transport

Setting up two separate entrances for each motel in order to ease traffic and avoid congestion, as well as for the comfort of the schemeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visitors.

Creating symmetrical circultion route allows for easy orientation for user as well as clear and safe fire exit routes.

Capturing Vistas

External Environment Protection

Capturing Vistas

External Environment Protection

Opening up the facade to harvest views of the canyon according to the programme, as well as provide sufficient amount of daylight.

External cantilever balconies create external space and provide protection from the Sun and rain. In addition, the architectural language refers to the prairy style and connection with nature.

Structural Strategy

Overview of Load Path: Masonry Arch Principle

compression forces span:200m

Design Development

A â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Low-Techâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Solution In the spirit of large-scale American infrastructure projects the structural solution for the scheme is sought to be one of simple principles that could be easiliy applied and assembled in a quick period of time. Inspiration was taken from vernacular traditional bridge structures, such as the one in the image above (Donkey Bridge, Nepal) where horizontal beams gradually cantilever until they meet at the top. The structure uses compression forces and at its core acts as a masonry arch, meaning that forces transfer down at each side into the base. This structural principle provides stability and an optimised amount of material.

1.Analysing cantilever beam bridge structure.

Reinforced Concrete Shear Walls Stemming from that, when it comes to scaling the principle in the context and size of the scheme (acting as a 200m single span highway) materiality needed to be considered. The structural material of choice is two-sided reinforced concrete shear walls and slabs that interlock each other, thus creating ridgid connections that act against shear forces. In addition, the walls transfer the dead load of the structure through the concrete slabs using the cantilever (donkey bridge) principle onto the existing rock. Moreover, the interocking of walls and slabs creates a lot of spatial opportunities inside, as well as the edge condition of the bridge, giving it habitable qualities. 2.Translating principle into ridgid concrete waffle structure.

3.Optimising by cutting out elements in favour of programmatic relationship. Introducing transfer elements (in blue) where initial cuts were made.

Structural Hierarchy

Foundations: Steel Rods Due to the compression forces within the structure, as well as the extreme stiffness of the existing red granite rock, foundations will only act as anchors and to create waterproof barrier. The type of foundation will be a steel rod that is placed in the direction where the compressive forces transfer into the rock.

Primary Structure: Backbone The backbone of the scheme acts as a megastructure that spans from one side to the other and provides stability. The primary structure is optimised and at the bottom comprises of two separate branches that meet in the middle and support the rest of the structure.

Secondary Structure The backbone is then additionally strengthened by another set of interlocking walls and slabs. This way spatial complexity is created while structural stability is maintained. In addition, the secondary structure allows for the backbone to be broken down and this way allow for large open-plan spaces.

Creating Openings Using the same principle, the backbone is broken down in order to create openings within the scheme. This way sufficient amount of daylight and wind is provided for natural lighting and ventilation strategies.

Structural Overview

200m 1 4 2

30m 4

1. Interface with Rock

3. Backbone Branching

The connection between the scheme and existing granite rock is stepped to increase interlocking surface area and create a slot that is constantly pressed by the self-weight of the bridge.

The primary structure is optimised and at the bottom comprises of two separate branches that meet in the middle and support the rest of the structure.

2. Cantilevering the Structure

4. Transfer Walls

The maximum span of the middle section needs to be 30m. The way it is supported is through two horizontal slabs that are reinforced with vertical walls on the edges.

Transfer walls are positioned at the edge of each horizontal cantilever and extend until the top of the structure. This provides additonal stability.

Site Excavation and Propping Set Up

Installing Scaffold and Build Edges

After the appropriate surveying has been done excavation work can start. On site facilites are erected and new road provides access to the main highway. All the excavated rock will be stored on-site and later crushed into the concrete mixture. Temporary propping is installed using compression forces and steel rods that are bolted to the canyon.

Once the propping is complete the foundations are laid in and steel rods are inserted into the rock. Following that temporary scaffolding is installed and construction takes place. Formworks are assembled on site and concrete is mixed and sprayed into the formwork. At this stage the propping provides horizontal support for the edges.

Extend Edges

Connect Bridge Structure

Both sides of the bridge keep progressing in construction, in particular extending on the side of the canyon. This way the edges are becoming stronger and are ready to hold the central segment.

Once both edges are completed, the central segment is constructred. This task takes a lot of precision and structural tolerance should have been taken into account. At this point the bridge is self-supported and does not require propping structurally.

Finalise Brdige Structure and Install Highway Road Once the bridge is completed the highway on top is built. At this stage the highway can be open to vehicles and the demolition of the old bridge can begin.

Install Glazing and Fit Out Final stages of construction include adding curtain wall facade and fitting out motels, anchors and saloon. Once completed, the propping and on-site facilities are carefully disassembled.

Overall Structural Strategy

1 3

2 4

8 12

11 9

Key 1. Thermoplastic road marking paint 2. Asphalt coating 200mm 3. Reinforced concrete safety barrier 4. Drainage channel, concrete 5. Reinforced concrete waffle slab roof 6. Shear load connector 7. Post tension steel cables 8. Two side reinforced concrete shear wall 9. Post tensioned concrete slab 10. Seamless curtain wall glazing system 11. Sliding door 12. Frame glass balustrade 13. Horizontal skylight 14. Timber Floor

load path

Load Distribution

Vertical Load Transfer This diagram shows the load path of a slice of the building. It can be seen that apart from the transfer walls (backbone), the load is distributed through the floor slabs (in outline) , resulting in a non-linear load path. The walls are reinforced in a certain way to withstand lateral forces (seen in the image on the right). The boundary elements are reinforced according to the rules that apply to columns. The wall body is reinforced by two parallel grates one at each face. These are called curtains and they are held together with the use of an ‘S’shaped vertical bar.

‘S’-shaped bar

Shear Wall Reinforcement

Material Sourcing

Bioasphalt

Glazing System

Timber Flooring

Bioasphalt is an asphalt alternative made from nonpetroleum based renewable resources. These sources include sugar, molasses and rice, corn and potato starches, natural tree and gum resins, natural latex rubber and vegetable oils, lignin, cellulose, palm oil waste, coconut waste, peanut oil waste, canola oil waste, dried sewerage effluent and so on.

The curtain wall glazing system should be of very high performance to mitigate heat loss as much as possible during Winter. A highly performative double glazed sliding door system could be purchased from a manufacutor in Colorado and transported into site. Due to the vehicle size limitation the transportation should be made via Tesla Semi trucks, similar to the rest of the materials.

Parts of the interior will use locally sourced timber, as Colorado is well-known for its logging industry. Unlike other resources whose supply is finite or whose life-cycle is measured in tens of thousands or in millions of years, forests are a renewable resource with a relatively short growth cycle. As such, they have the potential to continue yielding their products and services indefinitely.

Recycled Steel Rebars The large number of steel factories and scrap yards nearby means that steel can be reused and utilised for the creation of rebars for the reinforced concrete elements within the building. Recycled steel does not differ in properties of performance from regular steel since it is melted and processed again.

Fly Ash Cement Replacement 2

Fly ash is a by product from the mining industry (prevalent in Colorado). This material reduces green house gas emission, through reduction of energy consumptions (energy required to produce cement) and prevent the depletion of natural resources. Historically, Hoover Dam was built using fly ash concrete.

Granite Rock Aggregate Excavation works from the building site results in the removal or existing red granite rock, which can be stored, crushed and used as aggregate in the concrete mixture. Such practice will mitigate environmental impact by not needing to source aggregate from another location and waste the excavated rock.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Greenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Likes In alignment with the increasing social pressure on large companies as well as awareness for environmental preservation within the US, Amazon will prioritise material selection that mitigates environmental impact as much as possible. Concrete makes up more than 95% of the building material, hence, it needs to be sourced locally and made of alternative replacement materials used within the mixture.

Recycled Plastic Particles As a company, Amazon is responsible for large use of plastic in their deliveries. A potential campaign can be launched where customers can choose to not use a plastic package in favour of it being used for the creation of the flagship motel can additionally improve the reputation of Amazon and easily source lighter concrete.

Reinforced Concrete

Seasonal Environmental Strategy

Summer Strategy

solar collector

hot water tank

cold water tank heat exchanger auxiliary boiler heat pump

33째C 11째C

Winter Strategy

solar collector

hot water tank

cold water tank heat exchanger auxiliary boiler heat pump

-14째C 11째C

Water Management

Electricity

Heating/Cooling

Water supply comes from the existing water pipeline. The scheme has high water demand. Strategies for saving water would be collecting rainwater in a tank, and recycling grey water.

The motel is connected to the local grid and uses power from a locally sourced energy plant. The scheme could save on electricity by providing sufficient lighting thoroughly. This is achieved by introducing continuous glazing facade as well as horizontal lightwells in the middle.

The fluctuating climate of the site requires sufficient cooling in Summer and heating during Winter. The stiff rock allows for the incorporation of seasonal heat storage which uses water as an energy carrier between two energy sources (one cold and one hot) that are situated deep into the ground.

Pueblo

View from Highway 70 by

South Park

Denver

External Daytime Perspective by

12 1

General Key 1. Greyhound Terminal 2. Greyhound Lounge 3. External Promenade 4. Trail Path Entrance 5. Main Entrance 40

6. Grand Lobby 7. Loft Motel Room 8. Double Deluxe Room 9. Motel Corridor 10. Panorama Lounge

11. Saloon 12. External Terrace 13. Infinity Pool

1 2

3 6

9 7

Cut Away Axonometric View

B 7

C 8

D 9

2 3

F 6

General Key 1. External Terrace 2. Saloon Space 3. Bar/Diner 4.BoH 5.Kitchen

6. Reception 7.Breakout Space 8. WCs 9. Lifts 10. Meeting Rooms

11. Event Rooms 12. Plant Room 13.Greyhound Lounge 14.Trail Path Entrance 15.External Promenade

10 11

C 5

8 6 8

F 7 13

General Arrangement: Floor Plan of Saloon Space

8 4

General Key 1. Hostel Room 2. Premium Room 3. Panorama Lounge 4.Amenities Zone 5.Breakout Space

6. WCs 7.Plant Room 8. Lifts

D 7 4

General Arrangement: Floor Plan of Motels Scale 1:1000 @ A1

Short Sectional Perspective through Saloon by

Pool View from Royal Gorge Motel Premium by

View from the Saloon by 50

Dusk View from the Trail Path by

All work produced by Unit 14 Unit book design by Maggie Lan www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture Copyright 2018 The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmited in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retreival system without permission in writing from the publisher.

UNIT @unit14_ucl

P I O N E E R I N G S E N T I M E N T

2018

At the centre of Unit 14’s academic exploration lies Buckminster Fuller’s ideal of the ‘The Comprehensive Designer’, a master-builder that follows Renaissance principles and a holistic approach. Fuller referred to this ideal of the designer as somebody who is capable of comprehending the ‘integrateable significance’ of specialised findings and is able to realise and coordinate the commonwealth potentials of these discoveries while not disappearing into a career of expertise. Like Fuller, we are opportunists in search of new ideas and their benefits via architectural synthesis. As such Unit 14 is a test bed for exploration and innovation, examining the role of the architect in an environment of continuous change. We are in search of the new, leveraging technologies, workflows and modes of production seen in disciplines outside our own. We test ideas systematically by means of digital as well as physical drawings, models and prototypes. Our work evolves around technological speculation with a research-driven core, generating momentum through astute synthesis. Our propositions are ultimately made through the design of buildings and through the in-depth consideration of structural formation and tectonic constituents. This, coupled with a strong research ethos, generates new and unprecedented, viable and spectacular proposals. They are beautiful because of their intelligence - extraordinary findings and the artful integration of those into architecture. This year’s UNIT 14 focus shifts onto examining moments of pioneering sentiment. We find out about how human endeavor, deep desire and visionary thought interrelate and advance cultural as well as technological means while driving civilisation as highly developed organisation. Supported by competent research we search for the depicted pioneering sentiment and amplify found nuclei into imaginative tales with architectural visions fuelled by speculation. The underlying principle and observation of our investigations is that futurist speculation inspires and ultimately brings about significant change. A prominent thinker is the Californian Syd Mead who envisages and has scripted a holistic vision of the future with his designs and paintings. As universal as our commitment and thoughts is our testbed and territory for our investigations and proposals. Possible sites are as such global or specific to our visits, as much as the individual investigations suggest and opportunities arrive. Unit 14 is supported by a working relationship with innovators across design. We engage specialists, but remain generalists, synthesising knowledge towards novel ways of thinking, making and communicating architecture.

UNIT 14 @unit14_ucl