These are of my first design.
They then evolved into this, but I realised it was far too big.
Then this.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Sketch-up
Ok so these are my working sketch-up models.
These are of my first design.
They then evolved into this, but I realised it was far too big.
Then this.
These are of my first design.
They then evolved into this, but I realised it was far too big.
Then this.
progression
OK so these are some scans from my journal just showing my working process. The images are quite bland as they are workings only.
This image is of my first concept. A tower which the containers would hang from.
This image is me trying to figure out building movement and access.
This time thinking about how the building could open up to container, container shape and cooling principles, and dimensions.
These are the basic floor plans developed.
These are sections from the floor plans.
And finally a 3d.
This image is of my first concept. A tower which the containers would hang from.
This image is me trying to figure out building movement and access.
This time thinking about how the building could open up to container, container shape and cooling principles, and dimensions.
These are the basic floor plans developed.
These are sections from the floor plans.
And finally a 3d.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Project 2 Update
Ok so I finally presented a concept building to my tutor yesterday and it seem I'm heading in the right direction (FINALLY). What I'm aiming to do with my building is create a multipurpose/ use building which will be designed for market use but could easy be adaptable for things such as, art performance and shows, exhibition space, storage, and possibly even residential. The building concept has a lot of potential. So what is the concept I here you asking? Well what I want to do is create what I'm referring to as a dock building. My building will enable people to bring in their own shipping containers (fitted out as they see fit) to the site, from here they will be able to plug them in to the side of the building. The buildings geometry has been guided by the shape of the containers and has been made big enough to incorporate 20 individual containers over 4 levels.
This all sounds great but how does it react with your folie and the group theme brief I hear you ask? well the two concepts from the folie, minimal interruption to the thoroughfare elements of the site and a structure that offers users a different perspective of the site, have both been achieved. By setting the building back into the cliffs and by opening up much of the ground floor the building will not only minimise disruption to the thoroughfare elements of the site but will actually increase public space and creates spaces for slower moving traffic to go which is removed from the fast moving areas and also opens up new connections to the top of the cliffs ( aimly new farm and the valley). As for the different perspective of the site part of my brief, the building is designed to be constantly changing. the facade will differ depending on how heavily its used and by whom it is used. When not in use it will be a relatively standard yet complex eye catcher but when in use, the dynamics of the building will change immensely creating, not only a constantly changing perspective for site users but also a functional space that will draw people to the site.
Aspects of my group theme brief that have been addressed so far are the building typology and new technology. The building typology (multi-prepose market building) was chosen because it allows me to create a building that can be both heavily or lightly used. I didn't want a building that would be used intensively all the time because it would alter the culture of the site. Instead I wanted to create a building that could offer a different cultural perspective at times but at others would allow the site to be what it has always been ( a quite area that's open for interpretation). as for the new technology my building aims to be a relatively new building style/typology but to really reinforce the group theme I'm hoping to use new technology to enable the structure to be built. I want to use new construction materials to deal with mass weight issues of the building and to create a new aesthetic. I'm also hoping to be able to harvest energy of the building users. research is currently be conducted into using human movement to charge batteries. I want to take this research and apply it in a way that will see users energy being harvested and used to power the building.
I hope that my building will activate the site and one of the other concepts of the building will be to have the users activate it. as discussed, the ways the building is used by people (heavily or lightly) will dictate what the facade looks like but through the us of technology I hope to be able to harvest energy cased by people using the building which will in turn power the building. with this in mind I hope to achieve a fully user activated building both visually and mechanically.
This all sounds great but how does it react with your folie and the group theme brief I hear you ask? well the two concepts from the folie, minimal interruption to the thoroughfare elements of the site and a structure that offers users a different perspective of the site, have both been achieved. By setting the building back into the cliffs and by opening up much of the ground floor the building will not only minimise disruption to the thoroughfare elements of the site but will actually increase public space and creates spaces for slower moving traffic to go which is removed from the fast moving areas and also opens up new connections to the top of the cliffs ( aimly new farm and the valley). As for the different perspective of the site part of my brief, the building is designed to be constantly changing. the facade will differ depending on how heavily its used and by whom it is used. When not in use it will be a relatively standard yet complex eye catcher but when in use, the dynamics of the building will change immensely creating, not only a constantly changing perspective for site users but also a functional space that will draw people to the site.
Aspects of my group theme brief that have been addressed so far are the building typology and new technology. The building typology (multi-prepose market building) was chosen because it allows me to create a building that can be both heavily or lightly used. I didn't want a building that would be used intensively all the time because it would alter the culture of the site. Instead I wanted to create a building that could offer a different cultural perspective at times but at others would allow the site to be what it has always been ( a quite area that's open for interpretation). as for the new technology my building aims to be a relatively new building style/typology but to really reinforce the group theme I'm hoping to use new technology to enable the structure to be built. I want to use new construction materials to deal with mass weight issues of the building and to create a new aesthetic. I'm also hoping to be able to harvest energy of the building users. research is currently be conducted into using human movement to charge batteries. I want to take this research and apply it in a way that will see users energy being harvested and used to power the building.
I hope that my building will activate the site and one of the other concepts of the building will be to have the users activate it. as discussed, the ways the building is used by people (heavily or lightly) will dictate what the facade looks like but through the us of technology I hope to be able to harvest energy cased by people using the building which will in turn power the building. with this in mind I hope to achieve a fully user activated building both visually and mechanically.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Ship Me a Building: Used Shipping Containers as Architecture
Shipping Container Home
Tough economic times, and a growing desire to be more “green” has led to a renaissance from creative architects looking to find cheaper, more creative ways to design spaces. Ports around the world are overflowing with used, empty shipping containers, but now they are being repurposed to create funky residential and commercial structures. Shipping containers aren’t for everybody, and their limited width and height do create some limitations, but with a bit of imagination you can do some pretty amazing things with these versatile boxes.
Puma City
Puma City Interior
Nomadic Museum Exterior
Nomadic Museum Interior
Shipping Container Office and Home
First, to use these as occupied buildings, you have to insulate them, heat and cool them, add electricity and add plumbing. All of those elements will encroach on the already cramped dimensions if you have to fit these elements within the exterior skin, but it can be done. The walls between units can also come out, and the ceilings and floors can be removed to create multiple volume spaces, but any more extensive demolition of the framing begins to break down the cost effectiveness of the system as well as the “green” benefits of reusing these containers.
Puma City is a traveling store that is touring the world, and will eventually be “parked” somewhere to become a showcase store for Puma. It is made up of 24 containers stacked and offset from each other with strategically removed walls and floors to create amazing interior spaces and cool exterior decks.
Obvious other uses for these containers are for classrooms and small living quarters, like hotels or apartments (see the picture of the infill office/house that is made of 4 stacked shipping containers squeezed between existing buildings on either side). Shipping containers do well in a stacked arrangement because the steel frames were originally designed to be stacked like Legos on board ships.
Due to the limitations mentioned previously regarding insulation, electrical, and mechanical systems, another cost-effective and creative use for these boxes is as an inexpensive “skin” to create a large interior volume like these pictures of the Nomadic Museum. The “walls” are stacked shipping containers that create a large interior gallery, and the whole museum is taken on tour to ports of call around the world. The containers themselves can store all the parts and exhibits during transit.
At Visioneering Studios we’re currently working on a church project incorporating shipping containers as interior spaces inside a pre-engineered metal building to create a funky, cost-conscious, and “green” youth facility. I hope to share pictures of that with you in the near future, once the design develops further.
Would you like to live, work, or worship in a shipping container? Keep your eyes open because they may be coming to a city near you!
Can kinetic energy solve
Energy is one of the global issues of the 21st century. As power supplies and power management ICs are designed to handle more wattage, the demand for more power will keep on increasing.
Alternative renewable energy sources such as solar, wind power, and wave energy are the most common developments heard of today.
Have you ever imagine producing your own energy just by walking around your house? Think about it. What happens to all that wasted kinetic energy each time your foot touches the ground? And what about that wasted valuable energy produced by millions of cars every day on the highway? Can this be a new solution to our energy crisis?
Stephanos Horinopoulos, an inventor, believes so. He presented his concept and design at a recent renewable energy seminar at the Stathakio Center in Astoria, Queens, NY.
Mr. Horinopoulos showed that it is possible to harvest kinetic energy from any moving object through a series of hydraulic pistons and convert it into electricity. For details and moving images on this approach, visit http://www.kinergypower.com
As clever as his design appears, I wonder if the government, utility companies, or other investors will support this invention within the next decade or two. I am wondering also if this can possibly be a cost-effective solution for even McDonald's to install speed bumps that harvest the kinetic energy from cars passing through their drive-in paths to produce energy to supply their own building. I wonder...
One thing for sure is that the era for easy electricity and oil is over and something needs to be done quickly.
-Christina Nickolas
Alternative renewable energy sources such as solar, wind power, and wave energy are the most common developments heard of today.
Have you ever imagine producing your own energy just by walking around your house? Think about it. What happens to all that wasted kinetic energy each time your foot touches the ground? And what about that wasted valuable energy produced by millions of cars every day on the highway? Can this be a new solution to our energy crisis?
Stephanos Horinopoulos, an inventor, believes so. He presented his concept and design at a recent renewable energy seminar at the Stathakio Center in Astoria, Queens, NY.
Mr. Horinopoulos showed that it is possible to harvest kinetic energy from any moving object through a series of hydraulic pistons and convert it into electricity. For details and moving images on this approach, visit http://www.kinergypower.com
As clever as his design appears, I wonder if the government, utility companies, or other investors will support this invention within the next decade or two. I am wondering also if this can possibly be a cost-effective solution for even McDonald's to install speed bumps that harvest the kinetic energy from cars passing through their drive-in paths to produce energy to supply their own building. I wonder...
One thing for sure is that the era for easy electricity and oil is over and something needs to be done quickly.
-Christina Nickolas
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Shipping container sizes
just found out that a shipping container is 6.05 L, 2.44 W, and 2.59 H. This means that if i make my building 24 H with 6 levels at 3.4 H each and the 7th ground floor at 3.6 H, and make it 36.6 W thn i should be able to fit 42 containers. 7 across and 6 up.
Nakagin Capsule Tower: Architecture of the Future
The Nakagin Capsule Tower, an exercise in Metabolist architecture.
Once you arrive in Tokyo’s busy commercial district of Shimbashi, a short walk from the station brings you to a noisy highway overpass, and beside that the futuristic Nakagin Capsule Tower. The tower’s stunning design may strike passersby as something straight out of a science-fiction movie, but it stands as a unique architectural beacon amongst the common apartment high-rises and office buildings of Ginza. Designed by the late Japanese architect Kurokawa Kisho, the 14-story tower is composed of 140 individual capsules that function as apartments and business offices. The tower has also served as a prototype of sorts for uniquely Japanese urban accommodations, such as business and capsule hotels.
Written by Blair McBride
But the future of the tower is uncertain. For various reasons, including maintenance concerns and a lack of local support for preservation, the building will be demolished in less than two years unless a substantial preservation plan can be formed and accepted. The possible demolition would be a disappointing loss for Japanese architecture, as few of Kurokawa’s Metabolist buildings remain in Japan.
Seen at an angle, the protruding capsules are clearly visible.
Nakagin Capsule Tower and Metabolism
Constructed in 1972, the tower is a prime example of Kisho’s Metabolism architecture movement that focused on adaptable, growing, and interchangeable building designs. Metabolism — the word suggesting organic growth that responds to its environment — influenced every step of the tower’s construction. The capsules were manufactured in a factory in Shiga Prefecture and transported to Tokyo by truck. They were then attached to the tower’s central beam. The capsules were designed to be removable and replaceable from the central beam. Even the seemingly small space inside the capsules can be modified — it can be increased by connecting capsules to other capsules. The tower’s simple, minimalist design was deliberate. As a Metabolist building, Kurokawa believed that the inherent beauty of materials like concrete and steel meant that they didn’t need any special modifications or decorations.
Looking up at the Nakagin Capsule Tower.
But why construct a capsule building in the first place? Kurokawa observed that throughout Japanese history, frequent natural disasters — and also the destruction caused by World War 2 — meant that Japanese cities built from natural materials had temporary, even unpredictable lifespans. Kurokawa therefore wanted to continue that tradition of temporality in building design by constructing modern but changeable buildings.
The Nakagin Capsule Tower, not long after its construction. © Kisho Kurokawa Architect & Associates. Photo: Tomio Ohashi.
The Metabolist ideas found in the Nakagin Capsule Tower were born in 1960 at the “World Design Conference” held in Tokyo. Most Metabolist buildings were constructed in the 1960s and 70s. Other than Nakagin, some notable Metabolist works of Kurokawa that use capsules include The Karuizawa Capsule House in Nagano and the Sony Tower in Osaka. Unfortunately, the Sony Tower was demolished in 2006. Also noteworthy is the gently curving, cellular-inspired Yamagata Hawaii Dreamland Resort in Yamagata Prefecture. An important Western building influenced by the Metabolist Movement is Habitat 67 in Montreal, Canada, designed by Moshe Safdie.
A closer look at the capsules, when the building was still new. © Kisho Kurokawa Architect & Associates. Photo: Tomio Ohashi.
The work of Kamakura-based architect Jin Hidaka is heavily influenced by Metabolism. Hidaka operates the Slowmedia Japanese architecture forum. He will present a talk entitled “Reconsideration of the ‘Metabolism Model’” at the upcoming Design 2050 Union of International Architects (UIA) congress, to be held in Tokyo in 2011. As Hidaka states, the Metabolist ideas of the 1960s “were very new, they saw cities as ‘moving’ and dynamic, that concept is real. Metabolism wanted to collaborate with engineers, they invited scientists, designers, and industrial designers. They wanted trans-cultural collaborations. It’s still relevant because of the ‘dynamic city’ and trans-cultural aspects. I want these collaborations to continue.”
A look at the interior of one of the capsules. © Kisho Kurokawa Architect & Associates. Photo: Tomio Ohashi.
But Metabolist buildings such as Nakagin and the Sony Tower haven’t proven as resilient as their ideas. “Metabolism wanted to create a new system of architecture,” Hidaka explains. “For example, product design where you can change different parts of it after finishing. [But] Metabolism has limits.”
Those limits are seen in the Nakagin Tower. Hidaka says that Nakagin “is a complicated building and a complicated situation.” Despite the tower’s importance as a major Metabolist project, Hidaka admits that there were faults in design. “The tower had a design period of only four months — shorter than usual, and it was rushed. The designing went on even after construction had already started.”
Another capsule interior. © Kisho Kurokawa Architect & Associates. Photo: Tomio Ohashi.
The capsules around the central beam were intended to be replaceable, in line with the Metabolist philosophy of interchangeability. But the capsules haven’t been replaced, and Hidaka points to the design to explain why. “The capsules can be taken apart from the center beam, but only from the top, not the bottom — a simple design problem because taking them apart from the bottom would be easier.”
The Nakagin Capsule Tower, at an angle.
Way forward
The complicated nature of the tower is evident in the mixed levels of support seen for the preservation of the building. As Mr. Tanaka of Kurokawa Kisho Architects explains, there is support for repairing the building, “but then due to budgetary concerns from a small group of people, it was decided after the votes [were collected] from the residents that it is to be demolished,” making way for a new building.
A raised highway passes in front of the Nakagin Capsule Tower (left). A closer look at the capsules.
On the other hand, international support for preserving the building is enormous and articulate. In a survey by London-based World Architecture News, over 10,000 architects in 100 countries were polled on their thoughts on preserving the tower. The survey results were as follows: 75% for replacing the capsules, 20% for leaving it as is, and 5% for demolition. Even if the tower is demolished, international interest remains high. According to Hidaka, “the 2010 Pompidou exhibition will showcase Japanese architecture, and they want a capsule to exhibit if it is demolished.”
A closer look at the exterior windows of the tower.
Despite the unfortunate possibility of demolition, there are other options for the future of the tower. One is to buy the capsules from the owners one-by-one. That could be an expensive option, but for Hidaka, “it’s worth the cost of buying the capsules if the building can be preserved.” Other possibilities include opening a competition for new interior designs and replacing the current capsules with new ones. If the capsules are replaced, another option is to use the tower as a hotel. But according to Hidaka, Kurokawa tried to do just that and found the situation “difficult.”
The Nakagin Capsule Tower in detail.
No one can be sure as to what will happen to Nakagin. But the building and the ideas behind it have represented unique and appreciated contributions to architecture. Jin Hidaka is optimistic that Metabolism can still contribute to architecture and culture. Metabolism can’t be done “the same way anymore, but if we can change the direction we can do it. Because now we have the technology that they didn’t have back then.”
The Nakagin Capsule Tower certainly faces a troubled future, so if you’d like to check it out for yourself, do it as soon as possible!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Folie
This is just a JPG of my folie to show where I was at and where im heading............ ok so it wont upload atm ill try again later
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wes Jones
I'm also looking into Wes Jones and other exposed structure architects as a form of inspiration for this project, mainly because of the complexity he manages to generate and control in his designs and also because of his use with simple objects such as shipping containers.
Perspctive
So after a few weeks of battling ideas I have finally managed to figure out what direction my design is heading in. I want to create a building for markets. My concept is to have a building that is constantly changing depending on how the users manipulate it. To do this I plan on using shipping containers, or the likes of, that can be connected to my built structure. The in which they connect will change the perspective of the site (folie theme) and also create the buildings aesthetic. as for placement, I want to excavate the structure into the cliffs under the bridge to allow for un-interrupted movement through the site (folie theme). As for new technology (theme group) I think the building itself will become a new machine typology but to further this I want try and integrate forms of kinetic energy harvesting cases by people within the building. this will then power the building, giving a true sense of user activation. Just ideas so far.
Friday, April 1, 2011
My Brief....
Brief
1. The goal.
The goal of this project is to create a building that allows for minimum disruption to the sites traffic flows and to provide/create a new perspective of the site for users. An advantage of this project could be to attract outside attention, bring new users to the site.
2. The idea.
The (art gallery, market building, arcade) will allow people to move freely through the site and/or building while possibly attempting to create new paths of travel (ie, to the top of the cliffs/hill). The building will create new ways for users to look at the site, it will enable users to obtain a different perspective of the site without making them stop for it. The building will also have its foundations built on new technologies which will inspire the design but will also stay true to the functionalist nature of the original folie design. The building will also aim to capture the essences of functionalist and fascist classical architecture in a modern sense that incorporates technologies associated with the new machine them group.
The Building will maintain the treads of the folie to develop a typology, then new technology ideas will be integrated to formulate the building.
3. The problem.
The site at present is lacking in activation. It has been identified as a strong thoroughfare and it shows a particular character yet it lacks any form of user/site relationship. The sites thoroughfare nature needs to be maintained while new methods of getting a moving user to engage with the site without stopping is needed. People must have the opportunity to both move freely and stop in the site. The building type should encourage minimal interruption to the users but at the same time it should encourage users to look at the site in a different way.
4. The audience.
This design will be focused at the current users of the Howard Smith Wharves being, cyclists, pedestrians, tourists, and possible building staff. Users will change throughout the day but the design will be adaptable, catering for all times, seasons, and users types. The building will be solid enough to support all uses.
5. The approach.
The project will be completed over the next 4 weeks and will address the following:
1. Design Concept: design concept and narrative of your Folie project is further investigated and successfully applied to your initial design proposal with your own unique design method.
Outcome: A series of diagrams and/or models (or equivalent *).
2. Design Context: contextual understanding of site in relation to surrounding areas (CBD, New Farm, Kangaroo Point, Fortitude Valley) is clearly evident and can be traced back to issues you dealt with during Folie project.
Outcome: 1:5000 area plan, diagrams, and/or models describing relationships (or equivalent *).
3. Design Tectonic: structural and tectonic aspects of your initial proposal are well and creatively investigated, and it clearly demonstrate that features developed in Folie project is investigated further and strong advancement/improvement is made.
Outcome: diagrams, drawings and/or models (or equivalent *).
4. Design Function: range of user activities relevant to your group theme is well understood and presented, and relationship to what was investigated in Folie project is evident.
Outcome: diagrams, story boards, video, animation, models and/or equivalent ( *).
5. Design Contribution: social and cultural relevance of project direction (how it contributes to specific communities and society in general) is clear and well considered.
Outcome: diagrams, drawings, photographs and/or models ( *).
6. Design Issue: your own interpretation of theme-specific architectural issue is strongly evident in your design.
Outcome: please discuss this with your theme leader ( *).
7. Design Communication 1: project development is communicated effectively.
Outcome: Regular update of your Blog ( *).
8. Design Communication 2: intal project proposal is communicated effectively.
Outcome: Design Presentation.
The design will be communicated through a series of computer generated diagrams on a A1 portrait piece of media?
Building types:
Storage silo
Prison
Gallery
Market
Arcade
New Machine:
Body Implants
Machine argument cognition
3d Display
Hibernation
1. The goal.
The goal of this project is to create a building that allows for minimum disruption to the sites traffic flows and to provide/create a new perspective of the site for users. An advantage of this project could be to attract outside attention, bring new users to the site.
2. The idea.
The (art gallery, market building, arcade) will allow people to move freely through the site and/or building while possibly attempting to create new paths of travel (ie, to the top of the cliffs/hill). The building will create new ways for users to look at the site, it will enable users to obtain a different perspective of the site without making them stop for it. The building will also have its foundations built on new technologies which will inspire the design but will also stay true to the functionalist nature of the original folie design. The building will also aim to capture the essences of functionalist and fascist classical architecture in a modern sense that incorporates technologies associated with the new machine them group.
The Building will maintain the treads of the folie to develop a typology, then new technology ideas will be integrated to formulate the building.
3. The problem.
The site at present is lacking in activation. It has been identified as a strong thoroughfare and it shows a particular character yet it lacks any form of user/site relationship. The sites thoroughfare nature needs to be maintained while new methods of getting a moving user to engage with the site without stopping is needed. People must have the opportunity to both move freely and stop in the site. The building type should encourage minimal interruption to the users but at the same time it should encourage users to look at the site in a different way.
4. The audience.
This design will be focused at the current users of the Howard Smith Wharves being, cyclists, pedestrians, tourists, and possible building staff. Users will change throughout the day but the design will be adaptable, catering for all times, seasons, and users types. The building will be solid enough to support all uses.
5. The approach.
The project will be completed over the next 4 weeks and will address the following:
1. Design Concept: design concept and narrative of your Folie project is further investigated and successfully applied to your initial design proposal with your own unique design method.
Outcome: A series of diagrams and/or models (or equivalent *).
2. Design Context: contextual understanding of site in relation to surrounding areas (CBD, New Farm, Kangaroo Point, Fortitude Valley) is clearly evident and can be traced back to issues you dealt with during Folie project.
Outcome: 1:5000 area plan, diagrams, and/or models describing relationships (or equivalent *).
3. Design Tectonic: structural and tectonic aspects of your initial proposal are well and creatively investigated, and it clearly demonstrate that features developed in Folie project is investigated further and strong advancement/improvement is made.
Outcome: diagrams, drawings and/or models (or equivalent *).
4. Design Function: range of user activities relevant to your group theme is well understood and presented, and relationship to what was investigated in Folie project is evident.
Outcome: diagrams, story boards, video, animation, models and/or equivalent ( *).
5. Design Contribution: social and cultural relevance of project direction (how it contributes to specific communities and society in general) is clear and well considered.
Outcome: diagrams, drawings, photographs and/or models ( *).
6. Design Issue: your own interpretation of theme-specific architectural issue is strongly evident in your design.
Outcome: please discuss this with your theme leader ( *).
7. Design Communication 1: project development is communicated effectively.
Outcome: Regular update of your Blog ( *).
8. Design Communication 2: intal project proposal is communicated effectively.
Outcome: Design Presentation.
The design will be communicated through a series of computer generated diagrams on a A1 portrait piece of media?
Building types:
Storage silo
Prison
Gallery
Market
Arcade
New Machine:
Body Implants
Machine argument cognition
3d Display
Hibernation
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