Kei Kappeler_Y4 | Unit 14 | Bartlett School of Architecture

All work produced by Unit 14

Cover design by Charlie Harris

www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture

Copyright 2021

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

kk@unitaarch.de

@keikappeler | @kk_archeng

THE BLACK FOREST HOUSE

MOUNTAIN BREWERY AND FOLK HALL

The building proposal for the black forest House aims at establishing and transforming the traditions and identity of the black forest in a single building. It is brewery, beer hall, festival center, farm, garden, and river stadium simultaneously. Most importantly the building strengthens the identity of the local black forest community by emphasizing and enhancing the culture and traditions of the region.

The black forest house follows in the footsteps of vernacular farmhouse architecture and has a large gable roof which is nested into the edge of the Dreisam valley, protected from wind and weather by the surrounding mountains while also being connected to the fertile flat valley land.

In addition, the building sits over the Dreisam river allowing for direct access to fresh water and enabling for seating with views over traditional

valley land are used for Hobs and barley fields. Farm equipment is stored in the building basement which also provides space for water filtration. The elevated green roof of the basement is where the entrance and garden of the building are located. The 1st floor houses a large beer brewery and seating area giving views over the river. The 2nd floor houses beer bars which serve the freshly brewed beer and a open festival hall covered by the wide spanning gable roof.

Above ground the building is a timber construction while below it is made of lightweight concrete. The Timber construction use hardwood European oak and softwood black forest fir to create tree like structures which support the floors and the wide spanning gable roof. Oscillating shingles allow for natural light to enter the building while still providing for weather protection.

Black Forest, Germany

The black forest (Schwarzwald) is a forested mountain region in the southwest of Germany. To the west and south it is bounded by the Rhine valley and borders to Switzerland and France. To the north it ends with the high Rhine region. The black forest is source of the Danube and Neckar rivers which historically play a crucial role for trade and thee economic well being of the region. The climate is harsh with cold winters and rainy summers. Therefore, population is scarce and the area has only been settled in the 10th century.

Schwarzwald (Black Forest)

Black Forest and European Rivers

Black Forest Houses

The Black Forest house (Schwarzwaldhaus) is a byre-dwelling that can be found across the region. It is characterised externally by a long hipped or half-hipped roof that descends to the height of the ground floor. This type of dwelling is suited to the conditions of the Black Forest: hillside locations, broad tracks, high levels of snowfall and heavy wind loading. Further the building achieves to be highly energy efficient by integrating animals and methods of production into the building tectonic.

Schwarzwaldhaus (Black Forest House)

This is an exploration in integrating the unique black forest roof geometry into it’s natural environment and also adapting the geometry to create a new architectural language. The roof is scaled in x-,y- and z- direction in order to create directional spaces with reference to its adjacent roof parts.

Roof Plan

Long Elevation

Short Elevation

Roof Integration

This study asks the question what a roof can be and how the geometry of black forest roofs can be used to establish a new architectural language. By changing the angle of the roof create floors, walls and structural support can be created. Structurally the new geometry works similar to flying buttresses of gothic cathedrals. Adding more iterations of rotation allows for more floor levels and increases the stiffness of the building.

Roof Study

The programme of the building is 3 parted. The building is a celebration of the traditions and identity of Black forest people. It weaves into the mountainous region surrounding the Dreisam Valley and allows the forest under the large gable roof. The building houses different festivities such as annual rafting events. Byproducts of the forestry industry are used for beer brewing to produce local drafts. Throughout the year visitors can experience the culture of the South German beer garden.

The black forest has a mesmerizing natural environment. The building utilizes this and is a minimal intervention into the landscape. In order to celebrate the rafting culture and timber industry the building is set over the Dreisam river.

Tradition

Cultural traditions in the black forest can be categorised into two groups. Social tradtions and economic traditions. Since the 18th century black forest Tracht for woman include distinctive red wollen pompons which have become an important part of local heritage. Festivals and seasonal celebrations are an important part of black forest life as they celebrate overcoming rough times. The most important industry of the black forest are timber exports. Until the late 19th century lumber wood was transported up the Rhine river to the Netherlands.

Identity

Historically, the black forest is known for forestry and the mining of ore deposits. Today tourism has become a primary industry, accounting for around 300,000 jobs. The streams and rivers of the region have played a vital role in supplying fresh water and providing a renewable energy source. Local beer breweries use by- products of the timber industry to produce flavoured beer such as pine beer. During festive seasons such as harvest celebrations the local brews are consumed.

The Dreisam Valley runs for a few kilometres east of Freiburg, where it widens into a broad, level valley floor, the Zarten Basin. Parts of the valley are designated as a landscape conservation area, from the eastern city limits of Freiburg to Buchenbach between the lower reaches of the Wagensteigbach stream and the lower reaches of the Rotbach brook. The valley therefore bridges a gap between the dense city of Freiburg with a population of 355 000 people and the scarcely populated mountains of the back forest.

Radiation Rose Wind Rose

Dry Bulb Temperature

Dreisam Valley

Merzhausen

Dreisam River

Stegen

Dreisam

Dreisam Valley

Dreisam Valley

Dreisam Freiburg

Dreisam Valley

The culture in the Black Forest region of Germany is characterized by a deep connection to traditional customs, including craftsmanship, woodcarving, and elaborate folk costumes, as well as vibrant festivals celebrating local heritage and seasonal events. This area is also renowned for its hearty cuisine, featuring dishes like Black Forest ham and local beer brews, and its strong sense of community rooted in rural and forested landscapes.

The programme is three parted. It aims at celebrating black forest traditions and the strong identity, As such the building houses strong industrial branches of the forest such as beer brewing and woodworking while also making the processes involved visible to the visitors and community. The connection between private and public spaces should increase identification with industrial processes and the natural environment. In order to achieve high numbers of visitors it is important to provide appropriate infrastructure and services.

The industry in the Black Forest region is a mix of traditional craftsmanship and modern manufacturing. Renowned for its precision engineering, the area is home to numerous small and medium-sized enterprises specializing on timber exports and craftsmanship. Today, the Black Forest supports a robust tourism sector, driven by its scenic landscapes and cultural heritage, while also fostering innovative sectors like automotive components and renewable energy technologies.

The Black Forest, located in southwestern Germany, is characterized by dense, evergreen woodlands, rolling hills, and deep valleys, creating a picturesque and serene natural landscape. This region is also known for its diverse flora and fauna, extensive network of hiking and biking trails, and scenic features like waterfalls, lakes, and the famous highland moors.

Rafting Festival

Black Forest

Black Forest

Black Forest

Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market)

21.11.-23.12. 34 days Celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of advent

4 3 2 1

Erntedankfest (Harvest Festival)

29.9-2.10. 3 days Celebration of the end of harvest season at the end of autumn

Herbstfest (Autumn Festival)

Time:

26.8.-9.9. 14 days

Festival that celebrates the end of summer and the beginning of fall

Freiburger Mess (fair)

Duration: Celebration: Time: Duration: Celebration:

15.7.-25.7. 10 days

Traditional seasonal fair held in the city of Freiburg

Weinfest (Wine Festival)

Time:

Duration: Celebration:

6.7.-11.7 5 days Wine festivals celebrate the beginning of grape maturity

Frühlingsfest (Spring Celebration)

Time: Duration: Celebration:

20.4. - 4.5. 14 days Celebrating Spring and the beginning of summer

Joannisflossprozession (Rafting Celebration)

Time: Duration: Celebration:

20.5.-27.5. 7 days Celebration of traditional timber industry and long lasting rafting culture

Fastnacht (Carnival)

Time: Duration: Celebration:

7.2. -19.2 (starts on Wed. prior to Ash Wednesday) 12 days

Expulsion of the Demons of Wintertime and celebration of the beginning of spring

Tree Typologies

The black forest used to be a mixed forest with Oak (Eiche), Beech (Buche) and Ash (Esche) growing in the valleys and Spruce (Fichte), Fir (Tanne) and Pine (Kiefer) growing in the mountains. Since the late 19th century the forest has been a major wood supplier for Northern Europe. This has caused a continuous decline in tree diversity where now Fir, Pine and Spruce are the most dominant tree types.

Conifers are softwood cone-bearing seed plants such as pines, firs and spruces. They grow relatively quickly (370 mm/year) and are common in higher regions of the black forest. The wood of the black forest fir for example has a compressive strength of 33 MPa and a tensile strength of 78 MPa. As a reaction to wind-forces conifers grow compressive reaction wood which increases the compressive strength of the tree. At a cost of less than 8 £/m 100 x100 black forest fir structural wood is relatively cheap.

Sapwood Periderm

Hemicellulose

Vascular Cambium

Living Phloem

Cellulose

Heartwood

Microscopic Structure

Lignin

Vessels

Fibres

Scaffold

Medullary Ray

Conifers

Deciduous

Deciduous trees are hardwood plants which seasonally shed their leaves. They (on average) grow slower than conifers and are common in the lower regions of the black forest. European oak grows significantly slower than black forest fir at around 150 mm/year and is more expansive at 13 £/m 100 x100 structural wood. The compressive strength is 38 MPa while the tensile strength is 108 MPa. This makes oak perform a lot better in tension (140%) compared to the black forest fir than in compressions (115%).

Sapwood Periderm

Hemicellulose

Vascular Cambium

Living Phloem

Cellulose

Heartwood

Lignin

Vessels

Fibres

Medullary Ray Tree Section Microscopic Structure

Scaffold

Glulam

Glue-laminated timber

Laminated Veneer Panels and Lumber

Laminated Stand Panels and Lumber

LSL

Sawing Variations

Crown Cut

Cut to Maximise Radial Faces

Plain Sawn

Quarter Sawn

True Radial Cut

Timber Beam Types

to Larger Components

to Larger Components

Joining

Joining

Glulam Boards Planed

Strength Grading

Laminating

Pressing and Curing

Boards Pressured

Wood Sawed into Boards

Glued laminated timber, Glulam, is a type of structural engineered wood product constituted by layers of dimensional lumber bonded together with durable, moisture-resistant structural adhesives so that all of the grain runs parallel to the longitudinal axis. It is manufactured in a ten step process. Glulam beams are more durable and stronger than solid timber beams as they Glulam Process

Compression)

Structural Properties

(Mostly Compression)

To utilize the soft and hardwood available in the black forest in the most optimal way a new beam typology is proposed. For a uniformly distributed load the moment diagram is a parabola. This determines the optimal geometry of the beam. Below the neutral axis hardwood from local Oaks can be used this has better tensile qualities than the softwood of the black forest fir. Above the neutral axis softwood is used. This timber is more affordable and has good compressive qualities.

Softwood

Hardwood (Tension &

Hardwood (Tension & Compression)

Section Diagrams

Soft and Hardwood Beam

Structural Articulation

The structural articulation aims at showing the distribution of loads within the building clearly while also creating a clear visual differentiation between lighter soft wood and darker hard

Hardwood

Hardwood Hardwood

Branch 1

Branch 2

wood.

Structural Utilization of Timber Elements

Structural Deflection

Tree Fragment

Tension Hardwood

Compression Softwood

Deformation x10

ection

Span/250(BS 5950-1: by a factor of 10 increased Deformation

Roof cantilever with factor 10 increased deformation.

Joinary Options

Connection Details

Timber connection details can be categorized into two groups. Splices allow for length extensions of beams, columns and rafters. Other joinary connect different structural components and allow for a load transfer between them. The most commonly used connection details are the undersquinted stop splayed splice for the rafter extension and the half-lap and angled tenon for beam to beam and beam to rafter connections.

Dove Tail Half-Lap

Speculative Programme Distribution

The tree structure can be enclosed on different levels allowing for a programmatic use of these spaces. The concrete basement level can be used as BOH storage, garage and water filtration zone. The ground floor connects the surrounding environment to the river and rafting events. The first floor can be enclosed and used for the brewerey which directly connects to the beer bar above. The

large second floor allows for a spacious beer hall.

Softwood

Softwood Battens (Secondary

Softwood

Soft-& Hardwood Rafters (Primary

Soft-&

Soft-& Hardwood and Glass Balustrade

Timber Roof Rafters and Battens

Secondary Timber Frame

Primary Structure

Concrete Basement Structure

Daylight

Daylight

Lighting

Rebar

50mm Pebbles (Moisture Reten-

Green Roof Detail

Rebar

50mm

(Moisture Retention

Roof Garden Basement

Brewery

Beer Garden

Barley

Grosser Wiesenknopf Lupins

Stauden Knoetterich

Rasenbinse

Scheidiges Wollgrass Hops

Schneegloeckchen

Construction Sequence

Construction starts with excavating the site and preparing the paths which lead to the building. Then the foundation piles can be driven into the ground and the concrete slabs are poured. After, the off site pre-cast concrete structure is assembled followed by the primary timber structure. It is important to construct the roof after so the timber is weather protected. Finally, the interiors constructed.

Primary Timber Structure Roof

Concrete Structure

Fit Out

Landscape

Long Section

The Black Forest House is fully integrated into its natural environment. Towards the low lying fields in the West the large gable roof drops while it is raised towards the hills and mountains in the East.

Towards the North and South of the Black Forest House there are Barley and Hobs fields. These are harvested for the beer brewery on the 1st floor of the building. Water from the Dreisam river is filtered in the basement and pumped into the brewery. On the 2nd floor the freshly brewed beer is served and can be enjoyed in the large festival and beer hall.

Short Section

The Black Forest House aims at combining the identity and different traditions of the region in a single building. It is brewery, beer bar, festival hall, farm, garden and river simultaneously. It also uses vernacular building technology to create a new typology which can be understood as a development to the traditional timber houses of the black forest. Similar to the vernacular architecture the building is nested into the edge of the valley protected by the surrounding mountains while also allowing for utilizing the flat and fertile land of the valleys.

Traditional Rafting Stadium

Beer Hall and Brewery

Programmatic Section

This peal away section shows the different programmatic components of the building. These range from seating areas with views over the river to the beer brewery on the first floor and the festival hall on the second floor.

The large eave of the building nearly drops to the ground. This allows for a seamless transition between the natural environment and the building intervention. Due to the open shingles the space under the eave is bright allowing for local flowers such as the Huflattich, Fingerhut or Buschwindroesschen to flourish. Eave Condition and Entrance

The festival and beer hall is located on the 2nd floor of the Black Forest House. It provides for a large open space which be used for performances of traditional dance and seasonal celebrations. The space is naturally lit by the openings in the shingles.

Festival and Beer Hall

The brewery is not open to the public. Mezzanine level bridges are needed for control the fermenters and other machinery (mashing, lautering, mixing. cooling and conditioning). The soft and hardwood timber branches give maximum support to the floor level and are spaced in between all the euqipment.

Brewery

There are external walkways which span around the entire building on both floors. These allow for easy circulation but also give opportunity for visitors to catch glimpses into the industrial beer brewery.

External Walkway

While the primary building material above ground is timber (soft and hardwood) below ground the building uses concrete and steel. The basement is not open to the public but is used for storage, water filtration and farming euqipment.

Water Filtration and Basement

Eave Design

The eave of a black forest house has multiple functions for the performance of the building. As it reaches relatively low (at some points only cm above the ground) it makes the building more aerodynamic and reduces the stress caused by extreme strong winds which are very common. Further, it helps trap heat in the building while also allowing for some degree of ventilation. Finally, it provides shelter from rain for logs, machinery and live stock.

Eave of Reed Roof

Primary Tie Beams

Roof Support Beam

Rafter

Primary Beam

Support Beam

Stone Foundation

Open Eave:

Allows for more light exposure while also exposing the building to window loads and rough weather conditions. Requires additional structural support.

Half Opened Eave:

Allows for some light exposure also protects the building from water and wind. Requires additional structural support.

Closed Roof:

Gives full weather protection to building but does not allow for sunlight to enter. Reduces wind loads on building. Can have problems with waterproofing.

Battens

Black Forest House

Roof Surface Analysis

The pitched roof of black forest houses are adapted to the rough conditions of the mountainous region. Large snow loads and strong wind loads must be considered. Too flat, or too high roofs could not maintain structural stability. By layering different pitched surfaces into one structure high and wide structures can be achieved which simultaneously are structurally viable.

Momen Deflection for Wind Load

HIgher PItched Roof

Flatter Roof

Roof that connects into the ground

2 Layered Roof 3 Layered Roof Moment Deflection for Snow Load

Momen Deflection for Wind Load Moment

for Snow Load Moment

for Snow Load

for Snow Load

Momen

for Wind Load

Momen

for Wind Load

Momen

for Wind Load

Momen

One-Directional Array and Scale

Multi-Directional Array and Vertical Scale

Roof Studies

The roof of a black forest house has a unique geometry. It shields the interior from wind and sun light while also allowing for natural ventilation with it’s ‘breathing’ thatched roof. These studies illustrate different ways the traditional black forest roof can be changed for a contemporary application.

Long Elevation

Non-Linear Array

Circular Array

One-Directional Array and Vertical Scale

Flying buttress (arc-boutant, arch buttress) are buttresses composed as archs that extends from the upper portion of a wall to a pier of great mass, in order to convey to the ground the lateral forces that push a wall outwards, which are forces that arise from vaulted ceilings of stone and from wind-loading on roofs. Gothic churches such as Notre-Dame in Paris use this building technology to create high vaulted ceilings in the centre isles.

Flying Buttresses of Notre-Dame

Connection (Tying

Roof)

All work produced by Unit 14 Unit book design by Charlie Harriswww.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture

Copyright 2021 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.

CRAFTED HORIZONS 2024

At the center 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. This, coupled with a strong research ethos, will generate new and unprecedented, one day viable and spectacular proposals. They will be beautiful because of their intelligence - extraordinary findings and the artful integration of those into architecture.

The focus of this year’s work evolves around the notion of ‘Crafted Horizons’. The term aims to highlight the architect’s fundamental agency and core competency of the profession to anticipate the future as the result of the highest degree of synthesis of the observed underlying principles. Constructional logic, spatial innovation, typological organisation, environmental and structural performance are all negotiated in a highly iterative process driven by intense architectural investigation. Through the deep understanding of constructional principles, we will generate highly developed architectural systems of unencountered intensity where spatial organisation arises as a result of sets of mutual interactions. Observation as well as re-examination of past and contemporary civilisatory developments will enable us to project near future scenarios and position ourselves as avant-garde in the process of designing a comprehensive vision for the forthcoming. The projects will take shape as research based, imaginative architectural visions driven by speculation.

Thanks to: ALA, Boele Architects, Daab Design, DaeWha Kang Design DKFS, Heatherwick, Knippershelbig, NK3, RSHP, Seth Stein Architects, ZHA, Expedition Engineering.