OCULUS
WILLIAM COWELL || REP 2018 | STRUCTURES OF LIGHT | LIGHT JOURNEY
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CONTENTS
Shadow Play: Sun Study
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The Maths Lawns: Site analysis and photographs
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Ambiance: Light and Shadow
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Mapping Connectivity
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LIGHT STUDY 01 LUMINOSITY
KENGO KUMA TRADITIONALLY MODERN LIGHTING
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STAGE 02 IDEA GENERATION
A Journey Through Light
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STAGE 01 PLACE STUDY
LIGHT STUDY 02 REFLECTION
Exploration 01 Axial View
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Exploration 02 Seven Sisters
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Exploration 03 Oculus
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KENGO KUMA REFLECTIONS OF OBSESSION
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2018
REPRESENTATION 02
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STAGE 03 FORM EXPLORATION & MATERIALITY
Oculus Pavilion: Light of the campus
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Curved Formality
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The Narrow Journey Site Plan Floor Plans Sketch Section
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Wrapped in Light The Forum The Lens The Enlightenment
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Layer Light Exploded Perspective
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LIGHT STUDY 03 OPACITY
KENGO KUMA OBSCURED DESIGN
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LIGHT STUDY 04 FILTRATION
KENGO KUMA SENSING SPACE
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01
STAGE 1 : PLACE STUDY
SHADOW PLAY
SHADE & SUN STUDY 01 SUMMER SOLSTICE 9AM.12PM.3PM
02 WINTER SOLSTICE 9AM.12PM.3PM
The shade and sun studies above illustrate the amount of shadow cast over the Adelaide University Maths Lawns by the surrounding structures. These diagrams depict three distinct times of day during the summer and winter solstices.
THE BRAGGS
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Left: Braggs stair and reflection Far Right: Braggs Promenade and light
Right: The Braggs sky contrast
STAGE 1 : PLACE STUDY
STAGE 1 : PLACE STUDY
AMBIANCE
LIGHT & SHADOW
Study 01: late Afternoon Sun The Braggs
Study 02: Ingkarni Wardli Sky towers
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STAGE 1 : PLACE STUDY
MAPPING CONNECTIVITY The Barr Smith Library has always been the focus of the Maths Lawn promenade. The surrounding buildings have come and gone, but a singular design vision to maintain the central axis in which the Barr Smith Library’s East elevation is presented to Frome street remains paramount. From observations taken on Monday the 1st October between the hours of 8:30am-9:30am, 12-30pm-1:00pm
and 3:30pm-5:00pm, the path of travel taken by the user is observant of the prominent axis. The majority of users adhere to the constructed closed paths. The outliers would dissect the axis. If a detraction from the closed path is made, it is the Maths Lawns themselves that are the destination.
Closed Paths
User’s Path of Travel
Building Boundary
SCALE & PROPORTION
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Scale & proportional study of The Braggs
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LUMINOSITY
LIGHT STUDY 01
KENGO KUMA TRADITIONALLY MODERN LIGHTING Light forms all that we see. It is the lamp that directs our path and makes our ways known. Light is the hand moulding the clay. It is the brush painting the colour. Light brings warth like the sun and cools like the moon. Light can spit lies and seek truth. It can embrace or expose. Light can defy the greatest odds and overwhelms all before it. Kengo Kuma is one of the most significant Japanese figures in architecture this century. His reinterpretation of traditional Japanese architectural elements has involved innovation in uses of natural materials, rethinking light and lightness and architecture that enhances rather than dominates. Kengo Kuma & Associates’ new lighting collection titled Yakisugi is a continuation of their ability to combine traditional methodology and modern technology to create something new and unexpected. This ability to master traditional art forms and translate them into modern architecture is what Kuma’s firm has become well known for, Yakisugi is Kuma’s philosophy in microcosm. It is an exploration into creating a luminary that reflects the artisan skills of Japanese shou sugi ban, where wood is charred to preserve its life, and remixed it with form and artificial lighting.
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Kengo Kuma’s Yakisugi Collection
Traditional Japanese architecture heroes rhythm and light, but an insistance on using natural materials conventionally has been limiting. With Yakisugi, Kuma has again taken materials like wood and using them as though they were glass, using the texture and warmth to form the vesel. While Kuma has worked with glassenclosed buildings before, Yakisugi has a language that introduces a fragmented interpretation of a hanging glass volume. The nature of the luminare is organic, The combination of its rippling and splitting surfaces, means the façades convey a very vibrant and unique diffusions of light. Every luminare is unique due to the timber molds being burnt and destroyed in the pouring of the liquid glass. This further emphasises the subtle differences between the diffusion light in each pendant. A unique lightness.
KENGO KUMA : YAKISUGI
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STAGE 2 . IDEA GENERATION
A JOURNEY THROUGH LIGHT As wood ages and the grain begins to subtle over time, so to does light as it curves and moves further from its source. These proposals focus on the gradient of light as opposed to high contrast pattern making capacity of light.
Dappled light is a calming source that seems to exaggerate all the other senses. The indulgence of afternoon light splintering through the leaves of trees or highlighting ever perfect imperfection of a stone wall.
A JOURNEY THROUGH LIGHT
Shadow lines, curved wall, sloping roof and artificial light
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EXPLORATION 01
AXIAL VIE W The Math’s Lawn has always been in part, a journey and a destination. A transitional space, the Math Lawn has a visual amenity and practicality that make it vital to the campus. This design proposal will enhance these necessary qualities. The axial view of The Barr Smith Library is a key visual marker for the campus, akin to Bonython Hall’s impact on the intersection of Pultney Street and North Terrace. Maintaining this connection is key condition in any proposal. The existing Maths Lawns provide valuable green and exhibition spaces as well as carrying high levels of foot traffic between The Barr Smith Lawns, Horace Lamb, Ingkarni Wardli and The Braggs. This proposal maintains hardscaped, clear and simple paths of travel. The use of an undercover walkway between The Braggs/ Molecular Life Science and Inkarni Wardli/Santos Building would increase overall functionality of the space. A seamless sloping entry to a subterranean space with access via East and West ends of the Frome Street Plaza. Increased Northern aspect to the newly created subterranean space.
EXPLORATION 02
The idea of ‘Journey’ is universal. It is a prevalent theme in Egyptian, Greek and Roman mythology.
SEVEN SISTERS First National Australians have multiple references to journey in the Dreamtime stories and songlines. This design uses the idea of songlines and the way they are used to map a persons journey across this nation. One of the most widely distributed ancient stories amongst Aboriginal Australia is the Seven Sisters. The songline covers over half the continent, from deep in the Central Desert out to the west coast. The songline journey through many different language groups. It gives individual recognition as well as binding these peoples together in a mutual understanding of the journey and where peoples lives crossover. This proposal uses the Seven Sisters songline as the basis. seven feature spaces: light-wells, fountains & planters. The walkway combines a mix of light, sound and feel.
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EXPLORATION 03
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The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is clear then journey through life without fear. The existing Maths Lawns provides a combination of light, air and green to the surrounding buildings. It carries high levels of foot traffic between The Barr Smith Lawns, Horace Lamb, Ingkarni Wardli and The Braggs. This proposal focuses on enhancing paths travel and the becoming a beacon for this important plaza. The plan provides direct visual references to diagrams of the eye. At the heart of each journey is the lens of enlightenment. The use of an undercover walkway between The Braggs/Molecular Life Science and Inkarni Wardli/Santos Building would increase overall functionality of the space.
OCULUS
PERSPECTIVE STUDIES
POINT OF ENTRY A seamless sloping entry to a subterranean space with access via East and West ends of the Frome Street Plaza. Increased Northern aspect to the newly created subterranean space.
MOMENT OF ENLIGHTENMENT A curved sloping curtain of glass contains the external courtyard with feature tree, dappled light tones and bending colour spectrum. This space aims to leave the user in awe but not overwhelm with clean detailing and subdued colour tonal range.
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REFLECTION
LIGHT STUDY 02
KENGO KUMA REFLECTIONS OF OBSESSION Reflection of self and reflection of time. Serious and considered thought. The bending of light and throwing of form to see something back. Multiple frames of the same view from different aspects and alternate plains.
Kengo Kuma & Associates’ Water / Glass is a experiment in duplicity of landscape. The villa builds upon the ideas of Bruno Taut, the German modernist architect, who’s Hyuga pavilion (his only built work in Japan) key principle is nature blending into architecture. Water / Glass uses a sleek combination of curtain walls of glass and pools of water blurring the threshold between internal and external. The connection of both architecture and nature to each other through the medium of horizontal surfaces such as engawa and eaves, rather than glazed boundaries.
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Kengo Kuma’s Water / Glass
Kuma’s use of reflection and faceted surfaces satisfy his obsession with drowning architecture in the landscape. A layer of water gently covers the edges of the building, while a stainless steel louver casts the shadow of the roof onto the water. The water stretches further out to unite the pool and the ocean into the one vista. The pavilion itself floats atop a mirror further breaking up and reflecting the rays of the sun inside and outside. The project becomes “a total environment in which everything dissolves, where there is no dis articulation of space, where boundaries dissolve, finally submerged in the water, the ocean and the sky.
KENGO KUMA : WATER / GLASS
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The Pavilion Auditorium, Concrete ceiling curves that form the planter boxes for the trees above.
FORM EXPLORATION & MATERIALITY
OCULUS The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is clear then journey through life without fear. Oculus is a sweeping, curving sub terrainean pavilion that focuses bending light. As wood ages and the grain begins to subtle over time, so to does light as it curves and moves further from its source. Oculus is soaked in light and finds form in what is considered to be the window to the soul.
A JOURNEY THROUGH LIGHT
Curved formality, maintaining the axis, complimenting by contrast. Aerial view looking towards Frome Street
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OCULUS
THE NARROW JOURNEY Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to light, and only a few find it. Seek Light. A seamless sloping entry to a subterranean space with access via East and West ends of the Frome Street Plaza. Increased Northern aspect to the newly created subterranean space. Maintaining the all important connection between Frome Street and The Barr Smith Library. An unbroken line of sight is paramount to Oculus’ success.
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OCULUS SITE PLAN 1. The Barr Smith Entry 2. The Forum (place of enlightenment) 3. Central Park (raised lawn wrapped by a circular concrete seat) 4. The Optic (outdoor exhbition space) 5. The Frome Street Entry
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SCALE 1:1000
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EXPLORATION 02
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FORM EXPLORATION & MATERIALITY
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THE NARROW JOURNEY 9
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OCULUS LOWER GROUND PLAN
SCALE 1:1000
1. Meditation Chambers 2. Lecture Theatre 3. Amenities 4. The Forum (place of enlightenment) 5. Open Theatre
6. Public Open Space 7. The Optic (outdoor exhbition space) 8. Ingkarni Wardli 9. The Braggs
OCULUS SKETCH SECTION SCALE 1:500
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A JOURNEY THROUGH LIGHT
OCULUS EXPLODED AXON NTS
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Birdseye view of the Frome Street entry
FORM EXPLORATION & MATERIALITY
A JOURNEY THROUGH LIGHT
Birdseye view of the Barr Smith Entry
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EXPLORATION 03
WRAPPED IN LIGHT A curved sloping curtain of glass contains the external courtyard with feature tree, dappled light tones and bending colour spectrum. This space aims to leave the user in awe but not overwhelm with clean detailing and subdued colour tonal range.
THE FORUM. THE LENS OF LIGHT. A rammed earth forum stair making reference to the sand and limestone buildings situated around the campus. The forum forms the lens of the design. With is circular form, it naturally focuses people inwards to face the maple tree at the pupil of the courtyard.
Aerial view of the forum stair
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The main entry from Frome Street
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EXPLORATION 03
Right: Curved sloping concrete and rammed earth forming the walls and ceiling to the theatre.
Far Right: The Barr Smith Plaza. Planting and curved balustrades blurring formality.
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Right: Exploded Perspective Below Right: The Lens Forum,
PERSPECTIVE
LAYERED LIGHT Layer upon layer of organic curving forms blended together to create a cohesive statement. The curved walkways, garden beds and balustrades serve to blur the formality of the existing avenue of trees. It subdues the off axis form of the The Santos and Engineering buildings and give the Molecular Sciences building some valuable context. The gentle sloping entry points allow for ease of access for pedestrians as well as vehicle/emergency services. Curtain glazing following the gentle slope further blurs what is internal and external by bringing landscape to the heart of the pavilion and serving as points of focus. Concrete ceilings and column structures have duplicity of form and function providing a root space for the plantings above as well as the theatre for the light and shadow to play.
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OPACITY
LIGHT STUDY 03
KENGO KUMA OBSCURED DESIGN The impenetrability of light. The transfer and scattering of the light. Dappled and obsured. Light as an enigma. Can we see clearly anymore, is there no transparency?
Kengo Kuma & Associates’ have developed great structures that redefine traditional thinking about light and boundaries of internal and external. Kuma’s designs resonate in both the scarcity of night and brightness of day. They function not to withdraw from it surrounds but to bed itself into the site. This blurring and obscuring of boundaries and thresholds is what makes Kuma’s works so inviting. Kuma’s Inverted House explores protection and exposure. Seeking to reverse the theme where traditionally, architecture was created with a strong division between inside and outside,
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Kengo Kuma’s Inverted House
blocking the cold out and preserving the warmth within. Inverted House challenges this idea by bringing the ‘harshness’ of the external environment into the house itself. By minimizing heating to the internal spaces and shaping sheltered exterior spaces, the building draws upon the traditional Sukiya-zukuri coupled with the frugality Scandinavian design. Tactile walls emulate the harsh landscape. This is contrasted by the precise articulated wooden roofs and floors which obscure direct light seeking to protect the user from glare and maintaining snow in the garden room.
KENGO KUMA : INVERTED HOUSE
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The Garden Room The Outside Room Entry Door Bench Seat & Rafters Detail
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FILTRATION
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Kengo Kuma’s Ginzan Onsen Private Bathing Room
Left: Middle: Right:
The Tea Room
KENGO KUMA : GINZAN ONSEN FUJIYA
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LIGHT STUDY 04
KENGO KUMA SENSING SPACE
The diffused light. A blade of light. Cut and cast. Long and short. Harsh and soft. Light as a screen. Can we bend and break light? Break it down to the singularity of colour and variation.
A completely wooden four story Onsen hotel stands at the base of a snowy mountain. A renovated 100 year old hotel up-cycled into a temple of relaxation and respite. Timber screens made from the recycled structure of the original hotel filters light into the central atrium. The delicate screens are made from 4mm wide slits of bamboo (Sumushiko). Implementation of a traditional semitransparent glass that dates back to the middle ages fits into the openings to the exterior spaces. The bamboo screens, neither opaque nor transparent, provide filtered light and shade to the interior
promoting an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. The in combination with the effect of bathing in the Onsen works a filter for the world. A sacred space to recenter once self. The delicate bamboo spaces are concerned with the capacity of even the most fragile forms to delimit space and elicit a subconscious response that stands in contrast to physical reality. By delimiting empty space, the bamboo structures give the void an imaginary solid quality that influences visitors’ instinctive movements and emotional reactions. There is sensory reaction to the materials that is at odds with physical reality.
REFERENCES BOOKS
WEB
Material Immaterial: The New Work of Kengo Kuma Botond Bognar - Princeton Architectural Press - 2009.11.04
https://inside-ldn.com/2014/02/03/sensing-spaces-architecturereimagined-at-the-royal-academy/
Studies in Organic: Kengo Kuma & Associates TOTO Publishing - 2009.10.15
https://www.archdaily.com/542503/light-matters-whiteness-innordic-countries
Towards A New Architecture: Le Corbusier Dover Architecture - 1985.02.01
https://www.archdaily.com/792872/inverted-house-the-osloschool-of-architecture-and-design-plus-kengo-kuma-and-associates http://kkaa.co.jp/works/architecture/ginzan-onsen-fujiya/ http://www.mgsarchitecture.in/projects/512-water-glass-guesthouse-japan.html https://divisare.com/projects/326306-kengo-kuma-and-associateserieta-attali-water-glass https://www.world-architects.com/de/kengo-kuma-and-associatestokyo/project/water-glass-1 https://www.archdaily.com/251370/asakusa-culture-and-tourismcenter-kengo-kuma-associates/ https://www.archdaily.com/796974/veiled-in-brilliance-howreflective-facades-have-changed-modern-architecture https://www.archdaily.com/805504/zaha-hadid-architectsreleases-images-of-leeza-soho-tower-with-the-worlds-tallest-atrium https://www.archdaily.com/785760/ad-classics-vitra-fire-stationzaha-hadid-weil-am-rhein-germany