ANTISPACES

StAge 5 SeMeSter 2 2017/2018

locAtion: 16th diStrict, viennA, AUStriA

This project aimed to provide living accommodation for a group of people in need of physical or social care, with associated theraputical and/or educational facilities as a vehicle for their rehabilitation. Within the 16th District of Vienna, Ottakring, there are a series of urban blocks with a series of spaces defined in this project as ‘antiSpaces’. The site for this project will be located in an antiSpace and will have a positive relationship with the surrounding buildings.

INTRODUCTION

During Semester 2, I worked in the studio ‘antiSpaces,’ in which we explored pocket spaces within urban block located in the 16th district of Vienna, called Ottakring. These pocket spaces which we explored were lost, undesirable spaces in need of redesign were titled antispaces.

The first three weeks of the project involved each member of the studio choosing from a list of buildings, ‘ghosts’, and carrying out intensive research and analysis of the chosen ‘ghost’. The building chosen by myself was the Cité Manifeste, located in Mulhouse, France. The social housing scheme was designed and built by Lacaton and Vassal as part of a larger social housing development consisting of five architects altogether working on separate schemes on this development. By exploring the materials and structures of these ‘ghosts’ we were able to gain a better understanding of not only the building, but also how it was constructed. By placing these models of the ‘ghosts’ on the 1:200 site model produced. These tectonic artefacts would then be able to be used for site exploration and to influence the design of the project.

As previous mentioned, the site is located in Ottakring, the 16th district in Vienna, Austria, and neighbours the Gurtel road and Thaliastrasse U-Bahn station. This area of the city adjacent to the Gurtel was once known as the red light district, linked with crime and marginalisation, in addition to an abundance of undesirable ‘antispaces’. These antispaces are often located between dwellings and within the typical Viennese block with courtyard centre. These antispaces often link streets through the courtyards within the blocks and create interesting routes through the typical Viennese block.

The project aimed to provide living accommodation for someone in need of social or physical care and/or rehabilitation in addition to associated education and/or educational facilities as a vehicle for their rehabilitation. With the population increasing and people living longer, care facilities for the elderly are in constant need, and with a growing aging population the number who are being diagnosed with dementia are increasing significantly. With very few specialist facilities for dementia patients in Vienna, there is a need for appropriate accommodation and treatment centres. Studies suggest dementia patients are positively affected by both interaction with children, and reading books. The aim of this project is to combine these factors and create a centre where the book is the vehicle for rehabilitation, and where children can help dementia patients to engage in reading; a Centre for Intergenerational Care.

ANTISPACES

The studio ‘antiSpaces’ will focus on the value of antispaces and their process of decay and neglect. These antispaces are typically found between buildings, within the typical Viennese urban block.

‘Generally speaking, lost spaces are the undesirable urban areas that are in need of redesign — antispaces, making no positive contribution to the surroundings or users. They are ill-defined, without measurable boundaries, and fail to connect elements in a coherent way. On the other hand, they offer tremendous opportunities to the designer for urban redevelopment and creative infill and for rediscovering the many hidden resources in our cities.’ Extract from ‘What is Lost Space?’ in Trancik, R. (1986), Finding Lost Space: Theories of Urban Design

These antispaces have much to offer with some linking through the courtyard space found inside the typical Viennese urban block. The images on this page are site photos showing several antispaces in the district of Ottakring. Many are infills between buildings, however some are located on street corners or within the urban block itself.

[G]HOST

The Ghost building chosen my myself was the Cité Manifeste, located in Mulhouse, France, by architects Lacaton and Vassal. I was initially interested in the scheme due to the materials chosen and the space saving design of the 14 dwellings within the development.

There were 5 architects involved in the

development with 61 dwelling altogether, with Lacaton and Vassal designing this scheme for 14 of these. On the ground floor there is a post/beam structure in concrete supports and a platform at a height of 3m, upon which horticultural greenhouses are fixed. The frame is in galvanized steel, and the walls are transparent polycarbonate.

Part of the greenhouse is isolated and heated with the other part constituting winter gardens, largely ventilated via the roof and facade. A horizontal sunshade unfurls inside the greenhouse. The greenhouse principle, with its automated climate-control devices, has enabled solutions to the bioclimate to be developed.

Each apartment has been designed to save as much space as possible with 14 dwelling fitting into the small site. The materials were chosen due to the low budget however they work well with the concrete plinth and the polycarbonate above.

After choosing the ghost building, we then had to thoroughly research the scheme and produce 1:200 models of the chosen scheme. These were to show materiality and some exterior structure if possible at that scale. To show the materiality in the social housing scheme by Lacaton and Vassal I chosen to make the concrete plinth out of plaster with grey colouring and then used polycarbonate for the top half to mimic the existing building.

As an exercise these models were then placed on the 1:200 group site model of the site in Ottakring. We were then able to start visualising and understanding the antispaces and their sizes. The images above show this exercise and show the site I became interested in using a grey model. I looked at using this site because of how it linked two streets. I was also interested in bridging across the street using another antispace site. The image to the left is the 1:200 model of Cite Manifeste produced by myself.

A 1:50 sectional model of Cite Manifeste was then produced by myself showing best the structure within the roof. I was able to show the concrete based using grey board, and show the post beam structure.

These three weeks working on the ghost building culminated in the ‘Catalyst’. The Catalyst was an opportunity to present our work and findings to others and also discuss how this project could influence my own.

Images from left to right show 1:50 Sectional Model of Cite Manifeste and the Catalyst presentation.

CENTRE FOR INTERGENERATIONAL CARE

‘130.000 PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA, 104.000 (80%) LIVE AT HOME, 20-35% HAVE A MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS’ Statistics from the First Austrian Dementia Report

With an ever increasing population, and people living longer, care facilities for the elderly are starting to reach full capacity. Dementia is starting to become a common diagnosis with approximately 10.5 million Europeans living with dementia and an estimated 2.5 million new cases arise each year. Patients with dementia require more care than most elderly patients found within a residential home and so many dementia patients end up living out their final years in hospital to receive the round the clock, constant care required.

As the number of dementia patients has grown rapidly, the number of people with the condition is expected to almost double every 20 years, and experts are now calling for a renewed and concerted effort to address the “dementia epidemic”.

‘WE WOULD LOVE FOR INTERGENERATIONAL CENTRES TO BE SET UP.’ as said by, Dr Nia Williams, Child Psychologist from Bangor University, on Victoria Derbyshire. (2018). BBC TWO Television, 23rd May.

Research suggests that although there is no definitive treatment for dementia, reading is one factor that can positively impact patients. Reading can improve memory, entertain, and overall engage dementia patients. Therefore, the book will be the vehicle within this project to help the dementia patients have a better quality of life and prolong the effects and symptoms of dementia for the patients.

New research also suggests that the interaction with children positively affects elderly patients with dementia. ‘The Toddlers that took on Dementia,’ as shown on BBC Wales 23rd May, shows an uplifting study of children visiting dementia patients. They found that this study worked so well because people lose confidence with dementia and the children were honest, not judgemental, individuals able to be themselves; something opened up in the residents, like a light shone. The study found that the study had a significantly positive impact on the dementia patients.

SITE

The site is located in Ottakring, the 16th district in Vienna, Austria. It is located adjacent to the Gurtel road and is a series of urban blocks with several businesses, church and a school within the site boundary. I have decided to work on the upper middler block of the six due to the abundance of street linking antispaces within its block.

The images on these pages show antispaces within the 6 block site area in the district of Ottakring.

CHOSEN ANTISPACE SITE

Within this urban block there is a church and several residential dwellings. There is also a kindergarten opposite the block. One key feature which stood out for me is that the antispaces are mostly disguised from the road with decorated boarding or gates, so to not see into the courtyard of the typical Viennese block.

The specific site chosen within this block is situated along Hippgasse and links to Koppstrasse. Initial thoughts were to link two blocks over the road, however due to the protagonist being elderly dementia patients this would seem to exposing and noisy for their care requirements and so this idea was discounted.

The images on these pages show the chosen antispace site with each relating to the numbers shown on the plan to the right. Images from left to right: 1. Taken from Hippgasse 2. Taken from gate on Koppstrasse 3. Taken from Koppstrasse 4. Taken from gate on Koppstrasse.

INITIAL MASSING EXPLORATION

The images of this page from top left to bottom right show the design development from initial massing ideas, to starting to bring in the idea of the balconies and terraces, to then exploring how the bedroom units would be situated throughout the building.

FURTHER MASSING EXPLORATION

Images on left from top to bottom show massing exploration of bedroom units and sketch of how these bedroom units could work in plan. Images above show massing exploration using plaster of different colours to show the ‘plinth’ idea influence by my analysis of Cite Manifeste taking shape.

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INTERNAL LAYOUT AND SKE

INTERNAL LAYOUT AND SKET

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

The sketches to the left show the design development of the bedroom units within the building. The book is the vehicle of rehabilitation and so having a bookcase as structure through the building shows how integral the book is for the patients and the building.

The book is core to the building and have these different spaces to read are essential for the patients. Private spaces within the bedroom for private readings, communal balconies and pocket spaces throughout the building are for residents to read together. Then the library space is where residents can not only read together, but also with people from all ages, mostly children, which has been shown to positively impact dementia patients.

The images below show the final massing model on site. The image to the bottom right shows the indent into the facade which is predominately for shading for the residents but also to stand out and show the direction of the main entrance way through to the library.

INTERNAL LAYOUT AND SKETCHES

FORM DEVELOPMENT DIAGRAMS

The diagrams on these pages show the development of the building mass throughout the design process. Site footprint mass

Light access provided by form decreasing in height

Courtyard space created and terraces and balconies formed

Courtyard expanded by removing one link allowing external space to be utilised

Facade pushed back providing shade and street presence, and access from street provided through courtyard

Balconies repositioned to orientate towards sun to maximise solar gain

DEMENTIA CARE ROOMS

The dementia care room design was largely designed around the movement of a wheelchair and ensuring there was adequate space for a person of limited mobility to move around.

I used different materials on the facade to test which material would be more suitable for the dementia care unit.

Further design development of the dementia care rooms were designed with the intention for the exterior to be clad in timber with exposed concrete bookcase inside each room. Two rooms would then share a balcony allowing for interaction between neighbouring residents, combating loneliness in the elderly.

SITE PLAN

SCALE 1:1000

The site plan shows the final design located within the antispace site. The building shown in grey to the left of the final design is the kindergarten. This shows the close proximity of the Centre for Intergenerational Care and the kindergarten, allowing easy access for the children to visit the library facilities and interact with the dementia patients regularly.

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

SCALE 1:200

The ground floor plan shows the layout of the key spaces within the Centre for Intergenerational Care. The core of this building is the library and this is the heart of the space, and brings lift to not only the residents but the young visitors.

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

SCALE 1:300

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

SCALE 1:400

THIRD FLOOR PLAN

SCALE 1:400

FOURTH FLOOR PLAN

SCALE 1:400

FACADE ELEVATIONS

Image to right: Elevation A, showing entrance way into courtyard.

Image to left: Elevation B, showing the dementia care unit.

INTEGRATED SECTION A

SCALE 1:125

originAllY Shown At 1:50

INTEGRATED SECTION A

SCALE 1:50

INTEGRATED SECTION A

SCALE 1:50

This section shows the lighting, environmental and acoustic strategies used within the design.

Key:

1. Lighting and Atmosphere: The lighting and atmosphere is clearly shown for each room. Each space must be well lit for the care requirements of the dementia patients.

2. Natural Ventilation: All rooms allow for natural ventilation. Where cross ventilation is not possible, there will be both a window and door on one side allowing air to pass through one, circulate the room and out through the other.

3. Acoustics: Acoustic panels are seen hanging from the ceilings in the larger ground floor rooms where acoustics may become an issue if a large group of people were to be in the space at once. These are free hanging acoustic panels made of sound absorbing foam, which can also have light fittings within.

4. Wintergardens: The wintergardens allow for a balcony with a difference. IF the resident chooses they can open it up and be exposed to the elements, or close it and allow it to act like a conservatory.

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SECTION A SCALE 1:20

1. ROOF CONSTRUCTION: - 40MM LAYER OF GRAVEL - TWO-LAYER POLYMER-BITUMEN ROOF SEAL - POLYPROPYLENE WATERPROOF MAT - 180MM THERMAL INSULATION - VAPOUR BARRIER - 325MM REINFORCED CONCRETE ROOF - 15MM PLASTER CEILING

2. POWDER-COATED SHEET METAL CLADDING TO ROOF PARAPET

3. INTERNAL FLOOR CONSTRUCTION: - NON-SLIP RHINOFLOOR SUPERGRIP WOOD-EFFECT FLOORING

SECTION A SCALE 1:80

originAllY Shown

At 1:20

- 60MM CONCRETE SCREED WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING PIPES - SEPARATING LAYER - 20MM ACOUSTIC INSULATION - 225MM REINFORCED CONCRETE - (75MM THERMAL INSULATION ABOVE WINTER GARDEN BALCONIES) - 15MM PLASTER CEILING

4. VERTICAL SUNBLIND

5.TWO-PART SLIDING WINDOW: - 5MM LOW E TOUGHENED GLASS + 18MM CAVITY + 5MM TOUGHENED GLASS IN ALUM. FRAME

6. FIREBREAK

7.WALL CONSTRUCTION: - 30MM CEDAR CLADDING - TIMBER BATTONS - 140MM THERMAL INSULATION - 16MM AIR GAP - 135MM INSULATION - 15MM PLASTER

8.WINTERGARDEN FLOOR CONSTRUCTION: - HARDWOOD TIMBER DECKING - 40MM CONCRETE SCREED - SEPARATING LAYER - 40MM ACOUSTIC INSULATION - 225MM REINFORCED CONCRETE - 75MM THERMAL INSULATION - 15MM PLASTER CEILING

9.FIRST FLOOR INTERNAL FLOOR CONSTRUCTION: - NON-SLIP RHINOFLOOR SUPERGRIP WOOD-EFFECT FLOORING - 60MM CONCRETE SCREED WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING PIPES - SEPARATING LAYER - 20MM ACOUSTIC INSULATION - 225MM REINFORCED CONCRETE - 75MM THERMAL INSULATION - SUSPENDED CEILING WITH 410MM AIR GAP

10.GROUND FLOOR WALL CONSTRUCTION: - 100MM PRE-CAST CONCRETE PANELS - 95MM INSULATION - 15MM AIR GAP - 135MM THERMAL INSULATION - 15MM PLASTER

11. GROUND FLOOR CONSTRUCTION: - NON-SLIP RHINOFLOOR SUPERGRIP WOOD-EFFECT FLOORING - 80MM CONCRETE SCREED - 100MM THERMAL INSULATION - 5MM DAMP PROOF MEMBRANE - 250MM REINFORCED CONCRETE - 5MM DAMP PROOF MEMBRANE - 50MM SAND BINDING - HARDCORE

12. REINFORCED CONCRETE RAFT FOUNDATION

CONSTRUCTION METHOD

Tunnel formwork construction would be used for this design. Due to the layout of the rooms, this construction produces and strong and stable structure of cast in situ concrete. The images to the right depict other buildings where this construction method has been used. The diagram below explains how this construction process works.

Pre fabricated formwork placed

Tunnels bolted together and ties added, then concrete poured

Heaters placed to strengthen concrete overnight Tunnel formwork removed New smaller tunnel formwork used for upper levels Process repeated for new level

Tunnel formwork complete for building structure

LIBRARY CONCRETE THERMAL MASS NATURAL VENTILATION

ENVIRONMENT AND STRATEGIES

The materiality choice of concrete for the structure of the entire building, and exposing this concrete within the library is a deliberate way of using concretes thermal mass qualities to heat the space without having to rely too great on mechanical elements. The concrete on the library spaces would be exposed however the dementia units would be clad in sustainable timber cladding. The dementia care room units would be natural ventilat-

ed. By having a window to the top and window or door below allows the room to ventilate efficiently. The balconies are orientated towards the direction of

the sun path. This ensures the balconies receive the maximum amount of sunlight and ensures they receive the warmer afternoon sun also.

TUNNEL FORMWORK STRUCTURAL WALLS

BALCONY ORIENTATION TOWARDS SUN

DEMENTIA CARE ROOM UNITS

The dementia care room units are mostly all identical with the layout of the rooms changing on each floor. Although every other room in this drawing to the right have been pushed back, allowing for a balcony in front, the corridors and spaces are still quite linear as this is important for navigation for dementia care patients.

Key:

1. Cast in situ concrete bookcase - exposed concrete bookcase in most dementia care rooms as the book is integral throughout the building including the structure.

2. Wintergarden balconies - These spaces, influence by Cite Manifeste, are able to be opened up to the elements, or closed and treated like a conservatory, ensuring maximum comfort for the residents.

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EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC

This drawing shows the core structure of the concrete tunnel formwork and how the facades attach onto the outside of this structure. The balconies, made offsite, would then be attached. The balconies could not be formed during the tunnel formwork construction process as this would create cold bridging and so this is the reason the balconies would be constructed off-site and attached on later in the construction process.

VISUAL A

Visual of balconies to the rear of the Dementia Care Unit, facing the courtyard. Balconies orientated to face sun, allowing residents to enjoy outdoors from the confinements of the care unit.

VISUAL B

Residents are able to enjoy the library facilities with children from neighbouring kindergarten. Reading books and interacting with children has a positive impact on the dementia patients.

FINAL PRESENTATION

REFLECTIVE CONCLUSION

The challenge for this project was to work at different scales of enquiry from the start. The design process started by analysing the ‘ghost’ building, Cite Manifeste. Producing a 1:200 model of the exterior of the scheme and also a 1:50 sectional model aided my understanding of the building and how the structure worked. This then influenced my final design and allowed me to design the building and think about the structure in tandem.

At first, using a site which you have not visited in person seemed quite challenging however after intensive research and taking part in producing a group site model at 1:200, allowed for a much greater understanding of the antispaces within the site boundary, as well as learning where the businesses, school and religious facilities were on site. This site model then allowed us to explore designs in 3D model form first before we started looking on plan.

The design process consisted of looking at both the 1:200 scale of the entire building in tandem with looking at a bedroom unit at 1:50. This ensured the accommodation spaces were not an afterthought and were carefully thought about, which I found to be a productive way of working.

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