SKY HOUSE proposal for the HKU post-graduate hub

Transcription

1 SKY HOUSE proposal for the HKU post-graduate hub

2 PART 01 intro / overview

3 CONTENTS part 01 Overview Contents Vision / Mission Statements Design Statement Team Profiles part 02 Context / Analysis Program Analysis HKU Gathering Spaces Constellation Anatomy of the Hub Site Analysis part 03 Design Description Concepts Scope / Phasing Axonometrics Floor Plans Program Scenarios Section The Cloud Development Perspectives (Existing / Proposed)

4 Vision / Mission Statements Vision. The vision shaping the SKY HOUSE proposal promotes the creation of a unique space of exchange that offers a singular, powerful identity for HKU s Post-Graduate community, and enhances the well-being of the community by providing a broad range of flexible, useable spaces, derived from an understanding of human situations and programmatic needs. Values / Key Concepts. Our team s values seek a delicate balance between boldness and restraint, and we believe our proposal reflects these ideas by being simple yet flexible; poetic yet economical; powerful yet pragmatic. We like the concept of the House, because it is both an idea understood across all cultures, but also because it embodies a sense of core identity, while accommodating both casual and formal use, often in the same breath. A House is the center of one s world. It s essential, and is always a comfortable place that one can live in and understand the world through. Mission. Broadly, we achieve this mission through the concept of minimal intervention -- we make effort to reuse existing walls, mechanical systems, and the restaurant related infrastructure (which holds potential for the space). Our proposal puts a breath of fresh air into a space that now feels dark, static, and small. In contrast, the SKY HOUSE is a light filled, open atmosphere, that allows the space to breathe by activating the full width and depth of the structural bay, simultaneously making it possible to accommodate the larger gatherings and unique events that the competition brief asked for. - We believe that this proposal as described in the following pages meets the requirements in the competition brief. Our hope, though, is that the SKY HOUSE proposal goes beyond, in the goal of creating a unique identity space for the Post- Graduate community. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the proposal, and appreciate you taking the time to consider our ideas.

5 Design Statement / Acts of Architecture Act I. Subtraction. Specifically, our proposal s first act of intervention is of careful subtraction. First, we remove several infill walls to completely open up the space. Second, we remove the existing suspended ceiling (but keep the mechanical and lighting infrastructure) to activate the full depth of the space, increasing the ceiling height my over a meter. Thirdly, we make a modest but strategic cut into the slab floor of the former chiller room, creating a visual, spatial connection between the upper and lower floors, while maintaining usable floor space above. We propose two skylights and a bank of windows here to flood the space with natural light. The result of this process of subtraction is a raw, breathable, light filled space that feels much more gracious but also can accommodate large or small gatherings. Act II. Addition... of the Paper Cloud. The second act of our intervention is of addition, and is the creation of atmosphere. A paper cloud occupies the upper ceiling, and floating gently from the exposed structural slab above. This element, which is abstracts the topography of Hong Kong Island into an inverted paper landscape that undulates gently, feels heavy and dense but ultimately is feather-light and porous. Not only does it function as a kind of paper infrastructure (embedding and concealing the mechanical systems in the raw slab above, and working as an acoustic baffle and light diffuser), but above all, becoming a singular, powerful architectural element that gives the space a sense of scale as large as the aspirations of the PG Hub, and offering a unique identity to the space. We believe that the concept of concentrating the architecture into the ceiling is a logical and important decision for the following reasons: First, it opens the floor plan below to become much more flexible. Second, focusing the visual interest in the ceiling allows the rest of the space to be finished in simple, economical materials that, through contrast, complement and enhance the cloud above. Thirdly, the idea of embedding the infrastructure in the ceiling (concealed by or embedded within the cloud) makes sense functionally, aesthetically, and allows us to reuse the existing lighting and mechanical systems above. Finally, we recognize that the SKY HOUSE ceiling is what is most present -- both to its internal users, but also to views from the lobby to the South or from the exterior on the North. This is sense of the cloud becoming a beacon and identity are very important to us. Though the paper cloud is singular and aims to operate on the scale of the entire space, it contains three carved rooms within it, that introduce a complex spatial dynamic and create moments of intense focus. The carves allow views, light, and air to flow vertically. They reveal an inner edge and thus evoke a sense of thickness to the cloud. The create spaces within and define spaces below. The effectively organize the hierarchy of the three sub-spaces under the cloud, and even greatly reduce the amount of material needed to construct the cloud. It is made up of roughly 11,500 fire-retardant, folded paper tubes -- roughly one piece for each Post-Graduate student at HKU. Though the exact number of paper tubes is an arbitrary number, we are interested in the idea that one can somehow situate themselves within the larger landscape of the student population, especially in a visual, spatial manner. Given Hong Kong s rich political and cultural history of activism and the individual, we feel that this is an important concept. Although we suggest in this proposal one way in which we might materialize the Cloud concept, we offer an idea to the Competition Jury that might build on the idea of exchange: We propose that the cloud become the focus of a design-build project for an Architectural Design Studio at HKU. Students and faculty could together take on this challenge as an opportunity to build interaction between the community, provide real experience to students, and also alleviate the costs of outsourcing the design / materials / construction of the cloud to an outside entity. We believe it would be an enormous opportunity and a win-win situation for all involved. Act III. Programmatic Flexibility. We ve conceived the floor plan as a flexible, open space that can be subdivided into multiple different environments as desired, or organized as one large event space. The space can be divided into one or many different spaces, and the SKY HOUSE takes on the idea of the domestic house, using the following names for its many spaces: Living Room Washroom Kitchen Dining Room Family Room Living Room Porch Please see our Program Scenario Studies for our testing of the flexibility of the program...

6 Team Profiles SUN Xiaonuan PhD Candidate (HK University), MArch (Tsinghua University), BArch (NCUT, Beijing) Sun Xiaonuan received her M.Arch degree in Tsinghua University and now she is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong. She is a certified DGNB consultant (The Germany Green Building Council). She is also a GBL Manager of China Green Building Council (Hong Kong). She is good at Architecture design during her undergraduate study and does well in the Architecture Science during her study at Tsing hua University. Now her research topic at HKU is the comparative study of the China GBL and the US LEED green building rating system of Existing Buildings operation and maintenance. She also participates in the research on the low carbon city. She has attended many international/regional/local green building related conferences and published several papers in conferences and journals. QIN Hao PhD Candidate (HK University), MArch (Zhejiang University), BArch (Zhejiang University) Hao QIN received his Bachelor of Architecture (2007) and Master of Architecture (2010) from Zhejiang University, China. Currently, he is a PhD candidate in the Department of Architecture at the University of Hong Kong. He is interested in bridging the environmental technology and design of architectural form, especially in embracing wind environment with the help of CFD technology. His previous research experience includes morphological analysis of high-rise, high-density residential designs and their natural ventilation performance in Hong Kong. Currently, he is studying the influence of the form of super tall buildings on urban wind environment, and respective natural ventilation potentiality.

7 PART 02 context / analysis

8 Program : Scale / Space / Time / Capacity We noted that the given list of suggested programs included event and gathering spaces. We reorganized the program through scale of gatherings - from large to small - and attempted to understand not only what types of human situations would take place, but also what percentage of space and time these would acommodate and how many participants. From this study and the constellation of other spaces on campus, we learn more about the limits and possibilities of the Post- Graduate Hub. LARGE SCALE : MEDIUM SCALE : SMALL SCALE : FORUMS + SEMINARS : PARTICIPANTS PERFORMANCES : PARTICIPANTS TALKS + COURSES : PARTICIPANTS MOVIES : 2-25 PARTICIPANTS EXHIBITIONS : 1-20 PARTICIPANTS MEETINGS : 2-10 PARTICIPANTS INDIVIDUAL : 1 PARTICIPANT FORUMS + SEMINARS : SPACE HUB 456m2 PERFORMANCES : SPACE HUB 456m2 TALKS + COURSES : SPACE HUB 456m2 MOVIES : SPACE HUB 456m2 EXHIBITIONS : SPACE HUB 456m2 MEETINGS : SPACE HUB 456m2 INDIVIDUAL : SPACE HUB 456m2 FORUM 85% of space PERFORMANCES 75% of space TALKS + COURSES 30% of space MOVIES 20% of space EXHIBITIONS 10% of space MEETINGS 5% of space INDIVIDUAL 1% of space FORUM + SEMINARS : TIME PERFORMANCES : TIME TALKS + COURSES : TIME MOVIES : TIME EXHIBITIONS : TIME MEETINGS : TIME INDIVIDUAL : TIME HUB total time HUB total time HUB total time HUB total time HUB total time FORUM 5% of the time PERFORMANCES 5% of the time TALKS + COURSES 10% of the time MOVIES 20% of time EXHIBITIONS 95% of the time MEETINGS 50% of the time INDIVIDUAL 100% of the time NOTES : DISRUPTIVE OF OTHER EVENTS (SPACE, ACOUSTICS) NOTES : DISRUPTIVE OF OTHER EVENTS (SPACE, ACOUSTICS) NOTES : NOTES : NOTES : NOTES : NOTES :

9 Context : HKU Identity Spaces / Peers

10 Context : HKU Identity Spaces - Constellation We considered the constellation of existing HKU student gathering spaces, and where the Post-Graduate Hub would fall within this network. Closest to the forest / mountain, closest to the clouds. Global, but comfortable, like a house.

11 Concepts : Anatomy of the Hub

12 Concepts : Organizational Structure

13 SITE : Exterior Views

14 SITE : ACCESS & Campus Location

15 PART 03 design description

16 Concepts : HK Landscape Iconography

17 Design Scope : Existing Main Level Service Space Served Space The existing restaurant, with clear delineation between light and dark, public and private, service and served, leaves only a small space for gathering. N

18 Design Scope : PHASe 01 Subtraction Main Level Service Served Space Service Service By demolishing unnessary walls, our first act of architecture is of subtraction, and immediately the full width of the structural bay is opened up. N

19 Design Scope : PHASe 02 Addition Main Level Office Carve Kitchen Carve The carve over the kitchen celebrates the space of cuisine and also accomodates the spiral stair that leads to the Family Room on the upper level. Living Room Carve The carve over the Living Room / Stage Area allows views, air, and natural light to flow through, and celebrates the central space in the SKY HOUSE. N

20 View 2 Floor Plan N Main Level Porch Wash Room Living Room Nook Yard The floor plan is intentionally simple. It invests in a straightforward, open plan that offers the full sense of the space (i.e. one can see straight across it) and maximum programmatic flexibility. The service program (the elevator, bathrooms, and fire stair) are seen as poche / dark volumes that anchor the overall space and allow ones experience to be directed out the North and East windows. Although several existing walls have been removed, two walls adjacent to the entry have been kept so as to provide a strong threshold for one to enter the space. Upon entry, the two walls seem like a solid room, but once turning the corner it s revealed that the space is quite open. View 1 The dashed lines on the plan denote the suspended ceiling track above (carefully inserted into gaps in the cloud) so that access to the ceiling infrastructure is maintained at all times. This allows projection screens, privacy curtains, projectors, or even installation art projects and exhibits to be installed in the ceiling track very easily. Kitchen Office The plan aims to utilize the existing restaurant kitchen (at least part of it), but locating the new kitchen on the west wall by the staircase. We re proposing that the existing stair be replaced with a spiral stair, so as to make the kitchen space more usable, and allow the possibility of connecting it to the central space if events demand it. Entry Section A

21 Floor Plan N Upper Level (Chiller Room) Family Room The Upper Level space (that formerly was the chiller room) is conceived of as an informal space that s carved out of the cloud, that can accomodate functions that would otherwise be conflicting with the spaces below. Post-Graduate Offices, or Administration, for instance, might be located here. Movies, get-togethers with friends, private meetings, or even naps might occur in this space. We designed the cut in the floor to be of a size that creates a connection to the space below if desired (i.e. balcony views of events taking place below), but that it s not hindering the function of the floorplate. Structurally and economically, we think that the smaller opening in the floor is also a good decision, as it gives the sense of there being an above and below without any significant structural operations or retrofits. The Upper Level space is lit with skylight cut into the roof above, and could also have windows on the North Wall if so desired. Section A

22 Program Scenarios N Main Level 01 : Typical WeekDay, various Informal situations 10:40am, APRIL The SKY HOUSE is abuzz with the din of conversation. Frank and Nicole meet here to play a game of cards before going to a meeting. Professor Lau and one of his students meet over tea and discuss the work plan for the coming months. Feifei bumps into a friend and is introduced to a new colleague. Simultaneously, meeting notes are taken in one of the conference rooms, while a powerpoint presentation is being given in the other. Passers-by wander into the lobby to look at beautiful black and white photographs hanging as part of a student exhibition. 02 : 3-4 Simultaneous Events, 4:31pm, SEPTEMBER Andres, a Mathematics student, is planning on taking an interesting culinary class in the SKY HOUSE, but he s late by over 10 minutes so he sneaks in the side entrance so as not to disturb anyone. He passes an extracurricular group, led by Jade, who are also interested in Culinary Education but are watching an episode of Hell s Kitchen in the meeting space. In the Living Room, a large group of students visiting from the United States are exchanging gifts with their hosts at HKU. Lasting friendships are forged.

23 Program Scenarios N Main Level 03 : 2 Simultaneous Events 6:19pm, MAY In the south side of SKY HOUSE, a large seminar is being taught a Visiting Professor from Japan on the Urban Engineering strategies taking place in the Post-Disaster context. Next door in the Living Room, a large crowd has assembled to see an acapella vocal performance by several music students. Interacting with theater design students, the performance is also utilizing LED lights embedded in the Cloud to create a spectacular event of light and sound. Shades are pulled down to black out the windows from sunlight. Curious onlookers study at their tables in the East Nook, while an amateur photographer takes photos and watches from the balcony above. 04 : 1 Major Event, 9:24am, JANUARY On a cold winter day, a storm outside makes those attending the Forum on Global Politics feel very pleasant, as they listen to the speaker engage each other in conversation. Audience members listen very intently, as the distinguished speakers have come from 6 continents to be here.

24 Section Cut North / South, Looking East Section A Family Room Living Room Stage Porch

25 The cloud Conceptual / Material Precedents We were interested in simple, affordable solutions that employ everyday materials for the construction of the cloud ceiling. The examples below include a wide range of examples of various relevant projects around the world, in order to expand the range of possibility and the imagination as far as what a ceiling could be. 01: Cotton 02: Fabric 03: Light Bulbs 04: High Density Foam 05: Plastic Bags 06: Paper Cups

26 The cloud Conceptual Development & Form Generation Step 01: HK Topography step 02: Grid / Module Overlay Step 03: Abstracting Topography Step 04: Deployment of Paper Tubes Step 05: Carving Voids to define major zones

27 The cloud Figural Axonometric - Looking up from the street next to the James Hsioung Science Building. The Cloud is constructed of simple sheets of fire-retardant paper. Sheets are folder and stapled, and are suspended from a steel track that hangs bolted to the slab above. The track grid serves to also suspend projection screens, projectors, and lighting from the ceiling. The Cloud would be visible not only from within the SKY HOUSE, but from the street below, along with the lobby of the adjacent graduate house.

28 View 01 - Entry Existing Restaurant - View From Entry PROS : Existing Mechanical / Lighting Infrastructure can be incorporated Existing Kitchen can be incorporated ACcess to Diffuse, North Light CONS : Low-Ceiling works for restaurant but fails as a multi-use gathering space Limited access to Natural Light Feels cramped and tight spatially No sense of the Whole Space, as back of house space is cellular and closed off

29 View 01 - Entry Existing raw Space - View from Entry PROS : CONS : Existing Mechanical / Lighting Infrastructure can be incorporated Existing Kitchen can be incorporated ACcess to Diffuse, North Light Low-Ceiling works for restaurant but fails as a multi-use gathering space Limited access to Natural Light Feels cramped and tight spatially No sense of the Whole Space, as back of house space is cellular and closed off

30 View 01 - Entry Proposed - View from Entry Upon entry, one immediately sees the raised access floor along the North and East facades. In the typical format, this element hosts table seating for meetings and individual study. In this view, during an event, a woman sings solo while a crowd of onlookers watches intently. The campus can be seen beyond, but in the event that dark space is desired, pull-shades can be used to black out the space.

31 View 02 - Stage Existing Restaurant, looking towards Entry PROS : Existing Mechanical / Lighting Infrastructure can be incorporated Existing Kitchen can be incorporated ACcess to Diffuse, North Light CONS : Low-Ceiling works for restaurant but fails as a multi-use gathering space Limited access to Natural Light Feels cramped and tight spatially No sense of the Whole Space, as back of house space is cellular and closed off

32 View 02 - Stage Existing Raw Space, looking towards Entry PROS : Existing Mechanical / Lighting Infrastructure can be incorporated Existing Kitchen can be incorporated ACcess to Diffuse, North Light CONS : Low-Ceiling works for restaurant but fails as a multi-use gathering space Limited access to Natural Light Feels cramped and tight spatially No sense of the Whole Space, as back of house space is cellular and closed off

33 View 02 - Stage Proposed, looking towards Entry PROS : Existing Mechanical / Lighting Infrastructure can be incorporated Existing Kitchen can be incorporated ACcess to Diffuse, North Light CONS : Low-Ceiling works for restaurant but fails as a multi-use gathering space Limited access to Natural Light Feels cramped and tight spatially No sense of the Whole Space, as back of house space is cellular and closed off

34 SKY HOUSE proposal for the HKU post-graduate hub THANK YOU.