I have now submitted my Design Studio Integrated Technology B (DSIT B) report. This is the first of two technology modules which make up the second year Technology module.
"The aim of this component is the contextualisation of the work of your Design Studio 03 work, within a technological/ environmental focus. It will provide a framework, methodology and checklist for your studio design. This will allow you to develop a sophisticated solution to technical issues, addressing sustainability and production."
This report is broken down into five main sections, along with an introduction and conclusion:
Introduction
Contextual analysis
Precedent analysis
Environmental strategies
Structural strategies
Material strategies
Conclusion
Contextual analysis
After outlining the brief and philosophy of my project in the introductory section, I then provided further context of the site and the programme in this chapter.
I highlighted key features on the site, such as all of the ways that nature is manifesting itself, the remainders of its industrial past which can be found in places, and the indicators of human presence. I then analysed the public transport infrastructure, concluding that Cornbrook Metrolink was the most useful transport hub. Environmental analysis of sun, shading, wind, precipitation and temperature were then laid out, along with geological information. Finally, I illustrated how the programme may take over the site, although this matter is currently still a work in progress for me.
Transport map
Precedent analysis
In this chapter, I introduced three precedents which give legitimacy to some of the different aspects of my project.
One With The Birds, by Penda, is a good structural and material precedent, as it shows the versatility and strength of using bamboo in a modular system. The work of C.A.S.T. is another good material precedent, showing the viability of using fabric formwork for casting concrete. The last precedent was the Bazaar of Tabriz – far away from from the UK and not a contemporary project, but one which has a similar programme typology and demonstrates and proves the worth and effectiveness of passive, natural environmental stratagies.
Analysis of the incremental development possibilities of One With The Birds
Environmental strategies
Here I set out the possible environmental strategies, analysing the many different options for each, and then choosing and justifying which ones my project would implement.
For ventilation, I have selected natural cross ventilation, with mechanical ventilation only being required in restaurant kitchen areas. For heating, ground source heat pumps have been selected as the primary strategy, using heating pipes embedded in the concrete walls to redistribute the heat when required. Direct solar gain and the thermal mass of the concrete will also be used as secondary strategies. For lighting, diffused natural toplighting and lightshelves will be used during the daytime, with artificial diffused lighting, and direct task lighting where required, being used at night. In this chapter, I also highlighted that rainwater harvesting should occur, and speculated that bamboo could potentially be used as biomass for heating and energy production as well.
Some passive environmental strategy options: solar heating; stack ventilation; lighshelf
Structural strategies
This section dealt with loads, foundations, and then possible different superstructure strategies and construction methods.
First, I introduced the different loads types which my building will be subjected to. Then, I provided an overview of foundation types and concluded that, for geological reasons, end-bearing piles will be necessary. After this, I laid out my investigations into bamboo geodesic structures and casting upon them. Then I turned to some precedents to look at how the bending properties of bamboo can be effectively used within architecture. In the last parts of this chapter, I set-out my proposal to use living, growing bamboo as my scaffolding to cast onto. I demonstrated how this could be done with rigid formwork, before introducing that idea of fabric formwork; something which I am just beginning to explore and test for the first time.
Diagrams showing the flexible and rigid structural member option with bamboo
Material strategies
For my material studies, I looked at bamboo, concrete and green roofs.
The initial observations were in the aesethetic opportunities which bamboo and concrete offer separately, and then then more unique looks which can be achieved when the two are used together, such as casting concrete against bamboo. I then moved into testing and proving the viability of bamboo as a material to grown on site and use for construction, comparing it to timber in both of these regards. Then it was concrete's turn to be analysed, setting out the basic principles of the mix, admixtures, slump, and addressing its environmental issues. Reinforcement strategies and application methods were then compared, with the conclusion that textile reinforcement and shotcrete/spray application could work well with fabric formwork. This chapter closed by outlining my plans to then grow a second layer of ecology onto the cast structures.
Green roof build-up exploded axonometric
Reflection
Through creating this report, I have increased my knowledge of many technological and environmental issues in the field of architecture, and looked at my site and my project through a lens that I wouldn't have otherwise. I particularly learnt a lot about different environmental strategies, both passive and active. The material and structural aspects are ones which have been a focus of my design studio work, so I enjoyed these sections particularly, and felt that my project had a good amount of depth in these areas.
In a few weeks time we will begin work on the second Technology component, where we will choose one technological aspect of the project to study in detail. Based on this report, I think that I would like to study the process and variables of casting in fabric formwork on bamboo, as this is an idea just in its infancy within my project, but one which seems to have exciting and unique potential.
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