And just like that, we’re nearly at the end of the first year of the Master’s programme. We have our final crit of the year today, followed by two weeks to polish and finalise our portfolios prior to submission.
As is usually the case, I am content with certain elements of the project I’ve developed; embarrassed by others and frustrated with a few more. I got hung up on the idea of a ritualistic gathering centred around an auditorium like space, integrating the element of the midday sun. The second thing I got hung up on was the use of ‘softbox’ like diffuser fabric which would hang below both this element and other atria to reduce the intensity of solar thermal gains as well as glare. The third was a bespoke solar shading system based upon modular panels affixed to a tension wire grid, allowing for easy interchange of parts, which itself is an evolution of an idea I had all the way back in the first year of undergrad.
Then we get to the knowledge failings - and that falls squarely into the m+e category and ventilation strategy. Now, we’re taught ventilation strategies in undergrad, so to an extent this is my own fuck up. I’m also limiting this particular critique to the project space/office complex, as both the hydroponics + assembly hall have proper natural ventilation strategies in place. My concern comes from the limited natural ventilation strategy worked out for the PS/OC which focuses on large internal volume, heating and air circulation, but you still need some damn vents or openings! Maybe I could handwave it away with integrating vents into the aluminium coping capping the curtain wall system, would that be enough? I fundamentally do not know at this particular juncture.
Next we come back to the use of natural light. Forming a ritual around the midday sun is all well and good, when that is the only time that particular space is used. However, from a practicality point of view, if you’re using that space at any other point, you’ll be more dependant on artificial light, regardless of the time of year. The response to this would be simple, and that is replace the directional oculus with a glass dome, ala Foster’s Reichstag Dome or similar (and far smaller scale in any case). Alternatively, you could scratch the dome entirely and go back to one of the earlier iterations and have simply a bespoke large diameter rooflight. Coupled with a diffuser of some description slung underneath, that would still provide the soft lighting that I was after, but all day round.
Ideally another element of detailing I would like to figure out, or at least find a precedent of (I know there are examples out there, but yet to find the detailing thereof) where a vegetative roof meets existing vegetation, and provides visually seamless transition between the two. This element would be ideal, almost critical, for this particular project to really all the whole concept of emergence from the terrain to become apparent. As it is, I’ve been cautious and adopted a coping element that runs the perimeter of the roof, including where it meets the existing terrain. This does get in the way a little bit of the ultimately desired aesthetic.
Rethinking the architectural ‘softbox’: my original intention by having overlapping coloured fabrics was to provide both ample coverage as well as a nod to the various rainbow and kindred flags that have developed over the years. However, upon realising this would become a cats cradle of guide wires, I feel that simplifying the concept is in order, perhaps following the existing geometry of the beams.
I’m almost certain that I can find more an more critiques in here. I’m also uncertain as to the precise dimensions required for the timber superstructure, especially the columns if I’m either plugging or passing tensioned wires through them.
