Welcome to my first blog for Archi 3b, looking forward to an exciting semester, from the first week one term seems to encompass what we well be exploring- RARE (Renewable, Adaptive, Relocatable and Environmental) Architecture is an exciting ideal which we as the next generation have influence on bringing into the world.
i hope you enjoy the blog, i hope it is able make some sense of my thought process over the 3 projects.
p.s. ive set it up so that the blog reads from start to end lika a book, enjoy
WEEK 1
And so it begins, another semester of architecture, and another semester of long hours and late nights working on design projects, but we do it because we enjoy it.
As i mentioned in my first post, we are aiming to understand and respond to the idea of RARE architecture, and in our first task we explored the A and R, adaptable and relocatable design.
Our task was to within 3 hours demonstrate an easily adaptable and relocatable object.
the first idea that came to mind amongst the Group was origami, a traditional Japanese art/technique of folding paper into decorative shapes. the idea sounds simple enough, logical thinking and application of geometry mixed with controlled folds and cuts to create a space, and that's exactly what we attempted.
similar to the idea of a pop-up book, mixed with the ideals of geometry we decided to attempt to create an object that can be folded in the most basic of forms (square) but open into a space.
The Shell
basically a circle on an A3 piece of paper sliced into strips with inward and outward folds, placed back to back creating-
Our next attempt doesn't exactly have a title, but follows the same principles as above, this time working on the idea of symmetry.
Stay tuned for the next post which should hopefully detail our groups thought process for Project 1.
Marcel
As i mentioned in my first post, we are aiming to understand and respond to the idea of RARE architecture, and in our first task we explored the A and R, adaptable and relocatable design.
Our task was to within 3 hours demonstrate an easily adaptable and relocatable object.
the first idea that came to mind amongst the Group was origami, a traditional Japanese art/technique of folding paper into decorative shapes. the idea sounds simple enough, logical thinking and application of geometry mixed with controlled folds and cuts to create a space, and that's exactly what we attempted.
similar to the idea of a pop-up book, mixed with the ideals of geometry we decided to attempt to create an object that can be folded in the most basic of forms (square) but open into a space.
The Shell
basically a circle on an A3 piece of paper sliced into strips with inward and outward folds, placed back to back creating-
Our next attempt doesn't exactly have a title, but follows the same principles as above, this time working on the idea of symmetry.
Stay tuned for the next post which should hopefully detail our groups thought process for Project 1.
Marcel
Redefining the Brief
Developing the idea of Origamic Architecture from the esquisse with the hope of transferring it along to a portable classroom, research began into what is required of a classroom.
Speaking to teachers at Lalor Primary School a number of elements were common with all teachers no matter the year level they taught: the need for display areas was crucial, the flexibility to increase room sizes or rearrange rooms to cater for greater private work areas, a transparency between classrooms to promote the idea of an open classroom where everybody is welcome, natural lighting, and of course accessible storage space. Teachers also mentioned the want for a classroom to act as a resource for their teaching, either through the use of colours based on teaching theories such as De Bonos thinking hats (http://www.kurwongbss.eq.edu.au/thinking/Hats/hats.htm) or through general decoration that could inspire students.
Taking these ideas on board, we set out to design the most suited classroom to our new brief.
Speaking to teachers at Lalor Primary School a number of elements were common with all teachers no matter the year level they taught: the need for display areas was crucial, the flexibility to increase room sizes or rearrange rooms to cater for greater private work areas, a transparency between classrooms to promote the idea of an open classroom where everybody is welcome, natural lighting, and of course accessible storage space. Teachers also mentioned the want for a classroom to act as a resource for their teaching, either through the use of colours based on teaching theories such as De Bonos thinking hats (http://www.kurwongbss.eq.edu.au/thinking/Hats/hats.htm) or through general decoration that could inspire students.
Taking these ideas on board, we set out to design the most suited classroom to our new brief.
Development
Our idea of orgamic architecture began to seem difficult, the idea of moving parts was never going to allow for a portable classroom with minimal labour or additional parts, therefore the idea was then altered to be used a potential feature areas, as maybe a glorious entry or even at a smaller scale foldable elements that could provide natural lighting.
With folding elements included, an actual framing system was required.
Much like the idea of Symmetry and Geometry in origamic Architecture, we began looking at the idea of tessellation where the removal of something from one side of the shape is moved to the other, allowing the final shape to fit inside it. This idea brought to the light how one object can be the same yet fit inside itself.
A symmetrical structure allowed for a 2 shaft system, allowing for one part to fit into the next. this system meant that the entire structure was complete and required nothing more then moving shafts into place and securing them.
these 2 shafts fit neatly inside one an other, where then including 2 folding balconies to increase floor space.
We then focused on providing a flexible space, and potential for learning outdoors, so in addition to the folding balconies we wanted to be able to remove or open walls for the space to be continuous.
all these ideas, even though they seem basic, fulfilled the needs of the teachers and the brief, and with further development a final design was able to be produced.
With folding elements included, an actual framing system was required.Much like the idea of Symmetry and Geometry in origamic Architecture, we began looking at the idea of tessellation where the removal of something from one side of the shape is moved to the other, allowing the final shape to fit inside it. This idea brought to the light how one object can be the same yet fit inside itself.
A symmetrical structure allowed for a 2 shaft system, allowing for one part to fit into the next. this system meant that the entire structure was complete and required nothing more then moving shafts into place and securing them.
these 2 shafts fit neatly inside one an other, where then including 2 folding balconies to increase floor space.
We then focused on providing a flexible space, and potential for learning outdoors, so in addition to the folding balconies we wanted to be able to remove or open walls for the space to be continuous.
all these ideas, even though they seem basic, fulfilled the needs of the teachers and the brief, and with further development a final design was able to be produced.
Final Design
Unfortunately, in our tired and exhausted state after model making, we submitted our draft video which didn't fully explain our design, as a group we have uploaded the actual video and hope that it explains the design better, enjoy,
Masterplan
After the modular classroom, we adapted our school related research and thinking to a greater level, and older age group.
Torquay is a coastal town with a continuously growing population without however a senior school forcing locals to travel out of town to geelong. Torquay college, our client, is first and foremost a primary school which is as of next year expanding to include years 7-9, a move the community needed, but the question stands, what happens to the students in years 10 to 12, the years of transition, are they the expected to be traveling an hour a day in their senior years, hence our task to design a potential year 10-12 campus of torquay college.
Group 12, which has now recruited the services of Anthony 'ART' Timms (http://srd364arti.blogspot.com[please refer to this blog for a wonderfully detailed And articulated description of the groups interaction and developmental work]) aimed to answer those questions.
looking at our site, the current council offices, the shear size of the space and potential which it holds lets our imaginations run wild (something that an architect should never be allowed to do) .
before designing the school however there were a number of thing that needed to be considered and incorporated:
- the large expansive space, with strong winds (strong south-easterly winds in the winter, and north easterly winds in the summer) protection of spaces was required,
- traffic build up on grossmans road
- a community link
-the sustainability of the project
- and one that we felt was particularly important: the word TRANSITION
The word transition means 'movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept' and perfectly applicable to the yr 10-12 campus- the initial transition from middle school to senior school and the transition beyond school to higher education or work, A key stage in a persons life.
applying that our aim was to create a campus that was sustainable and provided strong pathways for students, leading us to the idea of a city plan 'a self sustained well planned arrangement of buildings with clear paths'
the design shown below is a fanning radial plan, with wings for different faculties/purposes- administration/communal, humanities, arts, math and science, utilising the ideas of strong paths, separation and ownership for student, a university campus feel promoting higher education.
Sustainable school
with that masterplan complete, and our group direction sorted, each individual group member has branched off to design a complete building, mine being the Administration/communal/library wing of our design.
Environmetal considerations
sustainablity being the key backgourd theme in this design project careful consideration on the building interaction with nature and its self sustainability is required, and what i have aimed to fulfil.
Lighting:
a school predominantly being used between 8am and 4pm daylighting is a viable option for the comple lighting within the space.
from the images above i researched and looked at numerous options, but ones that seem to stand out are a celestory roof, atriums and light ducts. with the incorporation of this and prismatic glazing (glazing made from triangular prisms designed to spread the light as it travels through) and low e double glasing systems, any harsh direct light can be softened and daylighting becomes a logical solution
Heating and Cooling:
with split system air conditioning unit and heaters completely out of the quesition, i looked at utilising the strong winds on the site(as mentioned in previous posts) whilst also looking into a radient heat and cooling system.
a radient tube system, is a series of tubes that can run within walls and floors and have either hot water (serviced from a central boiler system) or cool water (refrigerator coolent added) running through, having a similar effect that either a fridge or oven has where when the boundries of a space are at a temperature thet subsequant space within it changes.
http://advancedhydronics.com/technical.htm#Radiant%20Floor%20Heating
Electrics:
with the continuous reliance on technology and students becoming more and more technilogically savvy, schools must reflect this and be able to provide students with the services to cater for this, and subsequantly need electricity to run such services.
numerous electric options can be used, firstly and most obviously- photvoltaics which can be utilised as a cladding or typical solar panels, while then there are newer options:
- steam generated turbines, which can be connected to our radient heating central boiler
and
- peizo electrics: a generally simple concept, and reasonably new it aims at utilising the kinetic energy people generate in their day to day activities, such as walking. it is a spring based system which as compressed (by people walking in the above surface) generates electricity and stores it a batery for useage much like solar energy.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article4087518.ece
the article above notes the features of the system and its use in 'Spinnaker Tower' portmouth and its potential for greater development, yes it definatly has its flaws but is something that with greater interest and research can become a fantastic sustainable electricity option for commerical buildings.
Lighting:
a school predominantly being used between 8am and 4pm daylighting is a viable option for the comple lighting within the space.
from the images above i researched and looked at numerous options, but ones that seem to stand out are a celestory roof, atriums and light ducts. with the incorporation of this and prismatic glazing (glazing made from triangular prisms designed to spread the light as it travels through) and low e double glasing systems, any harsh direct light can be softened and daylighting becomes a logical solution
Heating and Cooling:
with split system air conditioning unit and heaters completely out of the quesition, i looked at utilising the strong winds on the site(as mentioned in previous posts) whilst also looking into a radient heat and cooling system.
a radient tube system, is a series of tubes that can run within walls and floors and have either hot water (serviced from a central boiler system) or cool water (refrigerator coolent added) running through, having a similar effect that either a fridge or oven has where when the boundries of a space are at a temperature thet subsequant space within it changes.
http://advancedhydronics.com/technical.htm#Radiant%20Floor%20Heating
Electrics:with the continuous reliance on technology and students becoming more and more technilogically savvy, schools must reflect this and be able to provide students with the services to cater for this, and subsequantly need electricity to run such services.
numerous electric options can be used, firstly and most obviously- photvoltaics which can be utilised as a cladding or typical solar panels, while then there are newer options:
- steam generated turbines, which can be connected to our radient heating central boiler
and
- peizo electrics: a generally simple concept, and reasonably new it aims at utilising the kinetic energy people generate in their day to day activities, such as walking. it is a spring based system which as compressed (by people walking in the above surface) generates electricity and stores it a batery for useage much like solar energy.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article4087518.ece
the article above notes the features of the system and its use in 'Spinnaker Tower' portmouth and its potential for greater development, yes it definatly has its flaws but is something that with greater interest and research can become a fantastic sustainable electricity option for commerical buildings.
Development images
precedent:
http://architecture.rmit.edu.au/About/Images/campus%20bldgs/RMIT_01_0004.jpg
http://architecture.rmit.edu.au/About/Images/campus%20bldgs/RMIT_01_0001.jpg
http://architecture.rmit.edu.au/About/Images/campus%20bldgs/RMIT_01_0002.jpg
The Mess
perspective sketches:
http://architecture.rmit.edu.au/About/Images/campus%20bldgs/RMIT_01_0004.jpg
http://architecture.rmit.edu.au/About/Images/campus%20bldgs/RMIT_01_0001.jpg
http://architecture.rmit.edu.au/About/Images/campus%20bldgs/RMIT_01_0002.jpg
The Mess
perspective sketches:
final design
here we are at the end of the tunnel, a full semester of work which although busy and tiring somewhat enjoyable and fulfilling.
after amny sleepless nights and many weeks of development, at the end of it all i have what i hope is a reasonable attempt at a logical architectural scheme that fulfills the requirements of the project.
the site model
the building model
the poster
after amny sleepless nights and many weeks of development, at the end of it all i have what i hope is a reasonable attempt at a logical architectural scheme that fulfills the requirements of the project.
the site model
the building model
the poster
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