Project Matrix

June 29, 2019

Project Matrix

ARCHITECTURAL PRECEDENTS

1. Nakagin Capsule Tower (Designed by Kisho Kurokawa in Tokyo, Japan b. 1972)

:: Building's exterior exposed to the busy street of Ginza.

a) Key Concept

The technology developed by the architect allowing every capsule unit measuring 4x2.5m to be easily replaced and attached to the building’s central core which presents his idea of flexibility, This enables the building appearance evolved over time as he limited the capsule units consisted of a lifespan of 25 years. After that period, the architect would introduce new designs for the capsule modules to replace the old designs. However, these capsule modules still appear the same as in 1972 and still survives today. This 14-storey high-rise apartment proves to be a prime example of the Japanese Metabolism architecture movement, focusing on affordability, adaptability and flexibility of interchangeable building designs in the 1960’s World Design Conference. Furthermore, he tried to address the message of ‘moving city’ in his project by designing these modules to be all prefabricated off-site and transported to site and hoisted by a rooftop crane to fit into the position of attaching to the concrete central core with steel I-beams in-fill with bolts and interlocking techniques. Although the capsules were built to be replaceable, this building has not been maintained over 33 years and waterproofing issues start to resurface and many have lodged a complaint for building demolition. Architects from around the world are trying to collaborate to preserve the towers as it had created a significant conceptual movement in Japanese architectural history.

b) Selected Design Element

Experimenting the engineering support of connection details and the transfer of loads of these flexible capsules onto the central core and travel to the podium of the building. The model is designed in scale 1:50 with 5 stories high of a quarter portion of the section cut of the building showing 2 capsules per floor instead of 14 capsules per floor as the detailing method is in repetition manner. As this building is built in the earthquake prone country of Japan, these 140 precast concrete capsules are held in position with bolts and nuts to the concrete shear wall with steel I-beams infill connecting to the concrete central core and spiral stairs, leaving it hanging in the air. Therefore, the podium would play a significant role in withstanding the support and weight of the central lift core. Constructed with shear walls internally with pilotis externally shows a distinct contrasting effect when viewed from the outside of building thus giving a sense of lightness in this Brutalist design. These two storey high pilotis act prominently as legs to support the body of the building as the accumulated dead and live loads of the users, furniture, capsules and lift core transfer to the bottom levels and eventually distributing to the ground. This podium design is inspired by the Le Corbusier’s 5 Points of Architecture in Villa Savoye, interpreting the Brutalist design which corresponds to the Japanese Metabolist style and Archigram’s Plug-In City trend in the 1960s.

:: Floor plans and connection detail drawings.

c) How Can The Key Concept Reflect In Your Design Studio's Project?

This connection detail model reflects on my current final year graduation studio’s research question in housing studio on ‘How can modular construction provide flexible and affordable housing strategies to cater for the changing needs of home owners?’ Therefore, this model would be a good precedent for me to refer its construction idea and apply into my design. Through bolting, fixing and interlocking methods, these would lock the modules into its position in my steel structural scaffolding framing system. The modules in my studio project are built in steel framing instead of precast concrete similar to the capsule units in Nagakin Capsule Tower. This intention is to provide the sense of lightness to the primary structure, as well as providing minimal cost in housing properties for my target users consisting of single young professionals and low-income small families. In terms of prefabricated construction, the materials that are commonly used are either steel, concrete or timber. There is a restricted amount of heights for prefabricated concrete and timber constructions in order to maintain the structural stability and durability of the building. However, based on the Nakagin Capsule Tower’s construction, its massive successful engineering from Gengo Matsui and O.R.S. Office Tokyo would result in the ability to withstand the 14 stories high prefabricated concrete building in the earthquake prone country till today is very worth learning from.

:: Modular construction assembly using a drawer concept with sliding and interlocking techniques for my final year graduation design studio's housing project.

d) Geometrical Description of the Shape

Capsule: 3D printing with white filament to show the 4 capsule units without ceiling to show the interior and connections to the shear wall.

Shear wall: 3D printing with clear filament for the shear wall and 3D printing with white filament for the steel I-beams with connection joints in between showing the strengths of the bolts and locks holding firmly in position to the shear wall with steel I-beams infill.

Connections: 5mm diameter of balsa wood dowell is hand cut to represent the bolts and locks for the capsules to attach onto the shear wall.

Central lift core and spiral stairs: 3D printing with white filament for the spiral stairs, whereas 3D printing with clear filament for the central lift core to show its solidness of concrete central support.

Podium: 3D printing the podium with 2mm acrylic clear laser cut for the windows.

Base: Laser cutting triple layers of 6mm thick poplar plywood to form an area of 200mm x 200mm with some holes to hold the structure.

:: Construction assembly of Nakagin Capsule Tower.

e) Proposed Scale, Material and Technique

Scale: 1: 50 for Construction Model; 1:10 for Detail Model

Materials used: PLA 3D white and clear filament, 5mm diameter of balsa wood dowell, 2mm acrylic clear.

Modelling Techniques: 3D printing for the capsules, shear walls, central core and podium; laser cutting for the windows and base.

f) Time Commitment and Budget

Time Commitment: Approximately 60 hours

Preparation for digital model: 20 hours; Fabrication duration: 30 hours; Assembly duration: 10 hours

Budget: $65

3D printing period: $30; Laser cutting materials: $15; Laser cutting period: $15; Miscellaneous: $5

g) References

Staib, Gerald, Andreas Dörrhöfer, and Markus Rosenthal. “Part C: Structural Systems – Nakagin Capsule Tower, Tokyo (J)” in Components and Systems: Modular Construction, Design, Structure, New Technologies. Basel: Birkhäuser, 2008. 192 – 193.

Syeiven, Megan. "AD Classics: Nakagin Capsule Tower / Kisho Kurokawa." ArchDaily. February 09, 2011. Accessed June 29, 2019. https://www.archdaily.com/110745/ad-classics-nakagin-capsule-tower-kisho-kurokawa.

2. Long Museum West Bund (Designed by Atelier Deshaus in Shanghai, China b. 2014)

:: A blend of new contemporary structure and existing historical element on site.

a) Key Concept

With its T-shaped reinforced concrete vault-umbrella structure concept, this develops the form, space and structural support of the museum building. The horizontal surface acts as the horizontal floor slab or roof, whereas the vertical surface acts as shear wall to transfer the horizontal loads to the ground. Constructed by precast concrete and glass panels, the architect explores the interplay of light and shadows in between the spaces and its hard arch surfaces by manipulating the orientations and scales to form different human experiences through the exhibition space. The site consists of the existing coal industrial past which in fact Atelier Deshaus has incorporated these fragments such as train tracks and a series of concrete coal-conveying platforms in its design. The new addition of rough concrete structures interprets the Brutalist idea that reminisces the old history of the site that once was a wharf for coal transportation in the 1950s. The museum building has 2 levels above and 2 levels underground as the new structural concept blends into the 8m high of 110m long with 10m wide existing coal-hopper unloading bridge that spanned across the center of the site. Rather than demolishing it, the architect took a resilient approach to incorporate the new contemporary architectural elements into the existing surrounding context.

b) Selected Design Element

Exploring the lighting and spatial experience of museum interiorly and exteriorly through section cut of certain portions of the building. As each arch forms the curved walls and ceilings together resulting in high barrel vaults or cantilevered overhangs separated by narrow skylights thus diffusing a soft natural lighting into the gallery. With the vertical shear wall, it creates a division between 2 rooms, whereas the curve leading up to the horizontal roof covers up these 2 rooms. By manipulating the size and orientation of these vault-umbrella structure, it creates some spaces in single or double height volume; dark or bright space; and open and closed rooms. Besides, the model will be covered by a box which holes to view inside the model to experience the space like in the reality through different perspective views. These panels are used to cover the side surfaces only; soft natural light will be diffused through the skylight penetrating the space which therefore no LED lighting is needed in this model.

:: Interior views of the museum building, showing dark and bright spaces.

c) How Can The Key Concept Reflect In Your Design Studio's Project?

The new concept of T-shaped vault umbrella structure inspires me to develop this idea of creating the arch profile in my design studio project. Instead of using concrete material, I will steel and brick in my design studio project which will act as a structural support and interior decoration. This idea can apply onto my podium of my apartment design consisting of public programs like retail outlet, cafes, local bookstore and an existing Police Citizen Youth Club (PCYC) community center consisting of meeting rooms, martial art rooms, exhibition space and indoor basketball court. It creates different framing views and spatial experience for the users to create a public-private division within the space. Furthermore, these arch fenestrations recall back to the late Victorian Italianate style in the late 19^th century used in the surrounding old public buildings in my design studio site in Redfern. Therefore, with the selection of steel and bricks, these also create a sense of belonging in this suburb. Besides, it provides maximum support for the accumulated loads from the 300 modular apartment units from upper levels and eventually distributing them to the ground. Instead of using the T-shaped vault-umbrella profile, a barrel vault structural support is applied to my design. However, it produces similar interior experiences that corresponds to the lighting effect on hard masonry material.

:: Current design studio's proposal scheme - work in progress.

d) Geometrical Description of the Shape

Structure: 3D printing the shaped mould in two sizes, big and small T-shaped structures for casting purposes. The structural forms will be casted using a mixture of gypsum cement and water with a ratio of 100 to 38. Before filling the mixture into the mould, the mould is spread with Vaseline for the ease of cast removal after the form is set to dry. Vacuum suction method is applied to remove the bubbles in the cast while waiting it set to dry.

Skylight and Curtain Wall: 2mm thick acrylic clear is laser cut with some light scores and glued to the structural model.

Base: Laser cutting triple layers of 6mm thick basswood plywood to form an area of 200mm x 200mm with some holes to hold the structure.

Box: 2mm thick white screenboard is laser cut forming 4 side surfaces and some holes to view into the space when the model is covered. These faces are stick together with finger joint.

:: Model assembly and manufacturing process.

e) Proposed Scale, Material and Technique

Scale: 1: 100

Materials used: Gypsum cement and water, 6mm thick basswood plywood, 2mm thick acrylic clear, 2mm white screenboard

Modelling Techniques: Casting for the structures; laser cutting for the skylight, base and box

f) Time Commitment and Budget

Time Commitment: Approximately 60 hours

Preparation for digital model: 10 hours; Fabrication duration: 30 hours; Assembly duration: 20 hours

Budget: $70

3D printing period: $12; Laser cutting materials: $15; Laser cutting period: $30; Miscellaneous: $13

g) References

Aguilar, Cristian. "Long Museum West Bund / Atelier Deshaus." ArchDaily. October 08, 2014. Accessed June 28, 2019.

https://www.archdaily.com/554661/long-museum-west-bund-atelier-deshaus.

"Atelier Deshaus | - Long Museum West Bund EN | The Plan." Long Museum West Bund. Accessed June 29, 2019. https://www.theplan.it/ eng/webzine/international-architecture/en-long-museum-west-bund.

Hubertus Adam. “Long Museum in Shanghai.” Detail Online (November 2014): 1162 – 1164. https://www.detail-online.com/article/complex-structure-long-museum-in-shanghai-27431/.

"Vaulted Concrete Forms Shape Long Museum West Bund by Atelier Deshaus." Designboom. October 26, 2016. Accessed June 29, 2019. https://www.designboom.com/architecture/atelier-deshaus-long-museum-west-bund-10-10-2014/.

3. Redfern Suburb Urban Design Analysis

:: Site location in Redfern suburb.

a) Key Concept

Understanding the urban planning and site context of the Redfern suburb correlates to my design studio site. This suburb is listed under The Redfern Estate Heritage Conservation Area and is historically significant as an early Victorian structured subdivision granted to William Redfern with 100 acres of land in 1817 by the Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie. Situated adjacent to Waterloo and Eveleigh, this estate development reflects on the establishment of the railway and factories from the 1840s to 1890s during the period of mass migration of the working-class residents to this suburb. Moreover, Redfern became the first electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales, created in 1880 have economically boost up the job opportunities and building developments such as Commercial Centre, the fine Civic buildings, the Redfern Park, the Redfern Oval and the prestige terrace housing on the primary streets. These are all listed under heritage items by local and State government agencies. The population of the suburb spans a broad range of socioeconomic characteristics influenced by its geography which is long, narrow and centrally situated in Sydney. Therefore, it had attracted multicultural residents to reside and work in this suburb especially the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the late 19^th Century. This resulted in large residential subdivision and development in Redfern since then. With the new masterplan of delivering holistic urban renewal outcomes by UrbanGrowth NSW Development Corporation in 2010, they aim to provide 5-10% new social and affordable housing apartments with the opening of new Waterloo metro station and promoting local arts, heritage and cultures; improving the living standards of Redfern residents.

b) Selected Design Element

4 layers of trays showing the street, public spaces and current and future railways lines of the site model in scale 1:5000 in 300mm x 300mm size.

Overall Map: Showing all cadastral lines, street lines, public and private subdivision lots, railway lines of Redfern suburb.

Street: 4mm wide for main streets whereas 1mm wide for alleys.

Public Spaces: Commercial centres, fine Civic buildings, Redfern Park, Redfern Oval and Railway Stations are engraved to differentiate with the negative off-cuts private residential area.

Current and Future Railway Lines: Showing the busy transport links of Redfern to other suburbs ease the travel convenience of residents. With the future railway proposal nearby, this shows major development and better future in this suburb. However, gentrification issue has resurfaced due to housing stress nowadays.

c) How Can The Key Concept Reflect In Your Design Studio's Project?

Corresponding to my final year graduation studio’s site for housing studio in Redfern, this model shows my better understanding of site context in terms of street planning, private and public spaces and transportation in this suburb. Situated in between the public Redfern Oval and private residential area, this site consists an existing Police Citizen Youth Club (PCYC) community center at the south facing the main Elizabeth and Philip Street. It draws a connection between public-private connection into the site as it is situated within 0.5km radius from the Redfern town area. In order to promote public interaction in the site, public programs like retail outlets, café, local bookstores and fashion stores are introduced at the podium of my apartment building. In addtion, 300 prefabricated housing modules will be installed above the podium to cater the new residents in site. As the site is located 3.5km away from Sydney CBD, its close proximity to their workplace has attracted new working-class residents to stay closer to work which in fact will enhance their work productivity; strongly proven from the history of Redfern during the Industrial Revolution and mass housing production era dated back in the late 19^th Century. According to the 2016 Census QuickStats from Australian Bureau of Statistics, the population of Redfern residents is expected to increase from 13,213 to 19665 residents in 20 years time. Currently it consists of 63.40% young single professionals living in Redfern and 61.7% renting private dwellings. This shows that the housing prices in Redfern is highly valuable and the State Government’s future proposal in Redfern would effectively cater a better living and affordability standards for the millennials.

d) Geometrical Description of the Shape

Trays: Laser cutting the 2.5mm thick jarrah boards with the designated template showing the street, public spaces and current and future railway lines. These trays will act like drawers sliding out to showcase each prescribed drawing. Together, they form a map of Redfern suburb and those negative off-cuts represent the building footprints in figure-ground plan.

Box: Laser cutting the 6mm thick acrylic clear with finger joints to form a clean connection between the edges. Top surface is engraved with light score lines on 2mm thick acrylic clear board showing the overall urban planning of Redfern suburb. These boards will be connected with 5mm diameter balsa wood dowell.