▶II HYDRO POWER
PLAY
CONTEMPORARY ENERGY PRODUCING CENTRE & LEISURE FACILITIES • VIVIANA FULFUC JUNE • 2017
ABSTARCT TThis time, the reflectivity is to be generated by large water surfaces. The water provides shape, materiality and texture, adding exquisite light and space quality. The dynamism of the motorway is to be complemented by the stillness of water. In addition, the proposed design is to include the reservoir and the canals around the site. This project will consist of an experiential architecture generated from inside out by aquatic qualities. To a greater extent, the water is to be used as power-generator, informing the building development. My project explore a scheme for a hybrid Hydro-Power facility that exploits different water qualities, by means of function and design. On the other hand, the architecture will be developed through an experiential approach, looking to provide a complementing stillness to the hectic motorway area. The scale of the building is exclusively informed by the idea of water, light, transparency and reflection. Visually, the proposed design is to enhance and naturally animate the highway area by proposing a massive water bridge that interconnects with the road and physically links the new scheme to the reservoir. The proposed Hydro-Power-Play will comprise an extensive range opportunities within the area of Spaghetti Junction. Despite being developed as a bespoke deign, it will nevertheless add great value to the North Birmingham area and beyond. The technology of a pumped storage mechanism within a hydro-power system comes as a
response to infrastructure limitations and climate change, encouraging the exploration of renewable energy resources. Although regarded small in scale capacity, the building feature I am proposing can produce up to 35KW/yearly power output, , equivalent with the yearly necessary for 35 'average' UK homes. The performance of the proposed scheme will be increased due to the lowelectricity mechanisms employed.. This is due to the use of architectural decisions that requires little power to run the system, such as: • Top-floor water storage tanks to ensure a natural flow of water distribution within the building • Use of siphons system to elevate the water • Water stored at different levels of the buildings to ensure low water pressure and ease the vertical overall distribution • Archimedes Screw Turbines choice for the hydro-electricity generator as an low maintenance installation • Development of the scheme in the vicinity of water sources • The opportunity of Aston Reservoir as water supply and storage outlet
Water works map 1910
1930
Vacant Sites
1910
Sport Grounds
Football Pitches
1880
HISTORICAL CONTEXT The area occupied now by Spaghetti Junction was heavily industrialised before the 1970. It was partly hold by The General Electric Co Ltd Witton Works to the north and Aston Reservoir Pumping station to the south. Build in the seventies, the junction linked three main elements of the National Motorway Network - M1, M5, M6 as well as incorporating the A38(M) Aston Expressway. The reservoir, also known as Salford Lake, is situated in Salford Park, at the south of the Tame River, being part of the Nechells Ward of Birmingham, built and owned in the 19th century by Birmingham Waterworks Co.
Proposed Hydro-Power Play
A38(M)
Railway
Birmingham & Fazeley Canal
River tame
Aston Reservoir
M6
Grand Union Canal
Tyburn Road
A5127
Birmingham Bio Power Biomass Gasification Plant
Industrial/ Works
Residential
Recreational/Public Realm
Road Transport
Water Transport
SITE CONTEXT The proposed site is located between A38(M) Aston Expressway and M6, at Junction 6, known as Spaghetti Junction. The site is part of the brutalist mega-structure at Gravelly Hill Interchange. Although regarded as the most complex interchange on the British Road System and the biggest motorway interchange in Europe, Spaghetti junction is notoriously known for the massive housing demolition and community severance. The area is regarded as a key gateway into Birmingham, having first-class transport links. The area around Junction 6 covers a mix of land uses, counting industrial, commercial, leisure and residential.
3
2
7 5 7 Flood zone 3
1
Flood zone 2
Flood zone 1
4
3 4
6
1. Aston Reservoir 2. Industrial/ works
3. Residential sector 4. River Tame
5. Navigable Canal 6. Recreational/Public Realm 7. Park
SITE ASSESSMENT
Cable Bridge
The proposed development situates in a floodplain, in the vicinity of river Tame and the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. My proposal is to include a flood-control strategy, responding to the site vulnerability through a water-compatible strategy. The opportunities offered by the new development is to diminish the risks and make the area less vulnerable to flooding. Aerial of the Spaghetti Junction, indicating the leveled road structure (left).
STRENGTHS Large vacant areas 1. Important transportation links. 2. Aston Reservoir. 3. Rivers and canals network. 4. Industrial, residential and recreational establishments in the vicinity of the area. 5. Rich waterworks industry. 6. 1 million vehicles a week pass through this area 7. High-rise structure and different height levels access to the area.
WEAKNESSES
OPPORTUNITIES
THREATS 1.
1. Reduction in property values 2. Visual degradation 3. Severance 4. Noise 5. Vibration 6. Lights 7. Atmospheric pollution
“Leisure centre designed around water relaxation activities,,
1. Structural degradation. 2. Abandoned areas. 3. Increased risk of long-term exposure intoxication with nitrogen dioxide 4. Lower life expectancy 5. Decreasing environmental quality of neighborhoods
Advantageous socio-economic location. 2. No need of demolition. 3. Large volume of traffic passing by in both directions. 4. The possibility of joining forces with the Biomass Power Station to turn Birmingham into an entirely renewable energy powered city. 5. Wind, light and water resources for the production of energy. 6. The possibility to target a wide range of users outside the community due to the numerous road users.
“3 x 1.63 diameter (m) screw turbines for 35-52 KW/year power generation,,
SWAT ANALYSIS The concept was developed by considering the existing conditions of the site. A site and SWAT analysis have been carried out to help inform the nature of the building.
DESIGN STRATEGY - WATER IN To optimise the energy consumption in the tower, the water is to be gradually lifted using of a siphons system.An impeller pump will be responsible with elevating the water dragged from the reservoir up to the first level storage tank.From that point,the atmospheric pressure force will enable the water volume to rise.The liquid will then make its way up by means of several storage tanks,strategically set at different levels in the building .This strategy will maintain a constant pressure and will reduce the necessary power of pumping water to high levels.
178m3
DESIGN STRATEGY - WATER OUT The water is to be released through the vertical facade, as a waterfall, feeding the canals containing the turbines. The water stream will enable the turbine's rotation for producing hydro-energy . This will be eventually transformed into power through a generator placed at the superior head of the turbine, run from the Control Room floor level. The water will consequently be released into the inter-lanes pool, returning to the reservoir.
KEY 1. Main entrance 2. Water terrace 3. Proposed access road 4. Car park 5. Water rill 6. Stepped seating 7. Light bridge 8. Ramp stairs 9. Water pool bridge 10. Water outlet 11. Aston Reservoir 12. Tame river 13. Pond 14. Aston Expressway
SITE PLAN IN CONTEXT1:500 Indication of the key areas of the building, illustrating the connection between the proposed development and its immediate context.
CROSS SECTION SCALE 1:200
SECTIONAL OUTLOOK Emphasize of the water as the design element for defining the space, also used for creating a seamless flow between indoors and outdoors.
KEY 1. Slanted building access 2. Tree planters 3. Stepped seating 4. Stepped walkway 5. Water wall 6. Retaining wall 7. Flooded steps 8. Water rill 9. Perimeter drainage 10. Reception atrium 11. Elevated Cafe 12. Kitchenette 13. Water Tank 14. Siphon Plant Room 15. Office 16. Washroom 17. Lift 18. Staircase 19. Water terrace access 20. Water terrace 21. Car park
GROUND FLOOR PLAN IN CONTEXT The ground floor plan embraces the site levels, creating a multi height space entrance atrium. This dynamic gesture enabled the water to flow along the natural slope of the site.
TOP VIEW Scene of the building use on a daytime.Tranquility in the middle of the chaos.
KEY 1. Lift 2. Staircase 3. Snug area 4. Landing 5. Washroom/Changing 6. Mechanical Plant 7. Water collector tank 8. Access to water tank 9. Turbine generator 10. Archimedean screw turbine 11. Transfer chamber (Lighting bridge
TURBINE CONTROL ROOM PLAN 1: 100 Main command point for the hydro-power generators .
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12
KEY 1. Lift 2. Staircase 3. Water tank 4. Plant Room 5. Duct room 6. Hotel Room 7. Staircase to sleeping area 8. Indoor waterfall wall 9. Top sleeping area 10. Bathroom 11. Storage 12. Landing and lounge area 13. 20% light allowance PV Colour Glazing
TYPICAL HOTEL ROOM PLAN 1: 100 The PV glazing darkens the room, enhancing the waterfall effect.
KEY 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Lift Staircase Landing View deck Stepped seating External waterfall wall Handrail
OPEN DECK PLAN 1: 100 Mid-height watching deck. Sightseeing floor and terrace.
KEY 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Lift Staircase Landing Water tank Changing/Washroom Loggia heated pool Pool Plant Room
LOGGIA POOL FLOOR PLAN 1: 100 The open pool enclosure enhances the concept of personal space.
KEY 1. Lift 2. Staircase 3. Landing 4. Sun deck 5. Indoor pool 6. Changing/ Washroom 7. Handrail 8. Semi-covered pool 9. Pool Plant Room 10. Staircase to rooftop level 11. Slanted translucent wall.
MEDIUM POOL FLOOR PLAN 1: 100 Semi-covered pool and sun-deck bathed in natural lighting effects.
KEY 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Landing Rainwater collector Water leveled deck Rooftop pool Water transfer chamber
ROOFTOP PLAN 1: 100 The rainwater collector is glazed, allowing the users to see it filling up.
VIEW FROM ACROSSTHE RESERVOIR
WEST OF M6 PROSPECT
A(38) M APPROACH
NORTH OF M6 GLIMPSE
DETAILS OF THE WATERFALL FACADE AND SIPHONS SYSTEM
HOTEL ROOM AND WATCHING DECK SECTION DETAIL Space division and circulation inside the building.
STILLS FROM THE FINAL FILM The film explores the water duality in relation to space. Here, the water duplicity is transposed into the iniside-out space, blurring the boundaries created by geoemtrical enclosures. The design for the Hydro-Power-Play celebrates the poetics around the water abilities to reflect life and material, being build around the inside-out aquatic experiences. Please play DS20_2017_[VIVIANA_FULFUC]_PROJECT 2_FILM_[HYDRO-POWER-PLAY].mp4 in the attached file with the same name, Semester II.
â–¶II DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN ITERATION-MODEL TESTING+FILM
Testing and experimenting with the scale model footage. Please play SSpaghetti_ Design_Proposal_Iteration_02.mp4 in SEMESTER 1 file attached.
DESIGN ITERATION-MODEL TESTING I have built this model to test the proportion of a sleek tower in the middle of the road network.
phi (0.618) x 60째
phi (0.618) x 30째
phi (0.618) x 45째
phi (0.618) x 90째
DESIGN ITERATION-CONCEPT The early geometry stemmed from a gradual plan rotation, seeking to capture the surrounding views of the motorway.
DESIGN ITERATION A series of design iteration to come closer to the final shape. The water flow concept was developed along with the overall geometry.
REFLECTION AS WATER QUALITY The tree line and water forms an enclosure that creates a desirable path towards the entrance.
DESIGN ITERATION-HIGH TOWER Scenes from the first film when the building was taller and the water transfer bridge was unrefined.
DESIGN ITERATION-HIGH TOWER COLOUR This film hinted to the aquatic qualities of the tower. The still shots above suggest an approach to the experiential water qualities in the proposed deign.
DESIGN ITERATION-TURBINE SIMULATION Coordinating the main waterfall with the turbine simulation.Testing and synchronizing movement to add realism to the scene.
DESIGN ITERATION-WATER SIMULATION Controlling the water flow in the building was among the most challenging task, so a lot of testing has taken place.
DESIGN ITERATION-WATER MAPPING Looking at 'Color and Light in Nature' by David. K. Lynch, I tested my model towards obtaining the right light qualities of the water reflection
DESIGN ITERATION-WATER AS LIGHT PARTICLES The geometry merges with the water, complementing each other, the shape looking as sculpted by the flow..
DESIGN ITERATION-WATER SIMULATION Controlling the water flow in the building was among the most challenging task, so a lot of testing has taken place.
â–¶II PRECEDENT STUDIES
Lauttasaari water tower, Helsinki http://heinisaari.com/thesis
Hidroelectric power station by Becker Architects http://inhabitat.com/
Chateau d'Eau water tower by V+ https://www.dezeen.com/2015/12/21/v-plus-chateau-d-eau-water-tower-ghlin-badour-belgiumconcrete/
WATER AS HYDRO-POWER Selection of hydro-power designs. The water tower are used to release the high-stored water to produce electricity. The large reservoirs may facilitate the flood control of the area.
Brooklyn Bridge, New York http://inhabitat.com/ http://olafureliasson.net/archive/artwork/WEK100345/the-new-york-city-waterfalls
Waterfall rockefeller center, New York https://mariesquix.wordpress.com/2016/12/
Casa Brutale, concept cliff home http://www.cnbc.com/2015/07/09/casa-brutale-concept-home-would-be-built-into-cliff.html
Water Stops, flood control concept by Jongsun Lee http://waterarc.ced.berkeley.edu/?portfolio=water-stops
Sayamaike Historical Museum Tadao Ando, Japan http://www.arcspace.com/features/tadao-ando/sayamaike-historical-museum/
The Spherical Sun Power Generator rawlemon.com
WATER - EXPERIENTIAL QUALITY Architectural projects that use water as an experiential feature for the design. The aquatic features are engaged within the design to enhance the architectural experience, by creating natural light, space and texture.
Benesse House Oval by Tadao Ando, Japan https://tracygan.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/naoshima-benesse-house-oval/
Water Temple by Tadao Ando, Japan httpss-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.comoriginals282c87282c871c6cf45de009681fd18e58db0d.jpg
Museum of art byTadao Ando, Japan http://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5038/27f9/28ba/0d59/9b00/1151/large_jpg/stringio.jpg?1414200141
Benesse House Oval by Tadao Ando, Japan https://tracygan.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/naoshima-benesse-house-oval/
The Blur Building by Diller + Scofidio + Renfro, Switzerland http://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5038/27f9/28ba/0d59/9b00/1151/large_jpg/stringio.jpg?1414200141
Casa Gilardi by Luis Barragan https://www.dezeen.com/2016/10/13/movie-luis-barragan-colourful-casa-gilardi-architecture-mexico-city/
WATER AS SPACE GENERATOR Architectural projects that use water as a key feature for the design. The water is therefore used in several ways to enhance the design, such as mist, reflection of light and material and as space generator.