DESIGN PHASE 1: INSPIRATION
The design phase begins with the search for inspiration, evoking of imagination and the formulation of architectural theory. This phase combined two sources of inspiration, an image and a news article to create keywords and a theory that will define my architecture.
INSPIRATIONAL IMAGE
This design concept is titled the Sea Tree by urban planning architecture firm Waterstudio.NL, this image if what i drew inspiration from to create 5 keywords which would go on to become forms that define the aesthetic and concept of my architecture.
KEYWORDS
From the image i came up with 6 keywords that describe the architecture in simple yet evocative terms.
- Taper
- Spread
- Skewed
- Stacked
- Levitation
- Reflection
INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLE
The chosen news article is titled What Can Architecture Learn From Nature. The article talks about the intricacies of organic structure and how architectural and aesthetic expression may be inspired by nature.
The Article may be accessed through this link: https://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2008/09/07/what-can-architecture-learn-nature
Holverstott. B. (2008) What Can Architecture Learn From Nature, https://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2008/09/07/what-can-architecture-learn-nature, accessed
ARCHITECTURAL PRECEDENT
My School of Architecture will be inspired by forms and structures of nature such that its students and staff may also by inspired in a similar way. Focus will be placed on open spaces and creation of a tranquil and serene atmosphere in which students may be connected to the intricate rhythms of nature. Places within the building will be suitable for both social interaction and quiet, private moments.
FOCUS OF THE ARCHITECTURE
- Returning to Natural Principles: The Architecture will aim to encapsulate natural structure which may inspire the imaginations of the students.
- Creation of Atmosphere, Serenity, Calm: The atmosphere of each space will be controlled so as to create a positive effect on the occupants of the space.
- Shifting Perspectives: Shifting the visual perspectives of the students and staff within the school will allow them to gain new insights on different views.
- Principle of Order: Each space should fit within the order of the grander architecture so as to reflect an ordered natural ecosystem.
- Natural Affinity: Primary spaces of the school being exposed and open will nature the inhabitants' natural affinity and facilitate an appreciation for nature.
DESIGN PHASE 2: DRAFTING
18 ONE POINT PERSPECTIVES
Using the Keywords from Phase 1, a set of 18 One Point Perspective sketches of forms that represent those keywords were drafted and more related keywords were generated. These forms were also modelled in Sketchup for visualisation purposes.
LEVITATE
SKEWED
SPREAD
STACKED
SYMMETRY
TAPER
SKETCHUP MODEL OF FORMS
DESIGN PHASE 3: EXPERIMENTATION
6 TWO POINT PERSPECTIVES
Experimentation was conducted on combinations of the drafted forms until two satisfactory combined forms were achieved. These two forms were documented in Two Point Perspective sketches and modelled in Sketchup. These models will go on to determine the flow of circulation through our school and also inspire the forms that the school with take.
GROW + LEVITATE
SKETCHUP MODEL
TWO POINT PERSPECTIVE SKETCH
SPREAD + SKEWED + LEVITATE
SKETCHUP MODEL
TWO POINT PERSPECTIVE SKETCH
PHASE 4: FORMULATION
FITTING INTO THE SITE
The two models were imported into a model of the site at UNSW Kensington Campus and further experimentation with orientation and fitting was conducted in order to fit the models into the site allowing it to act also as brige being based upon the Squarehouse and connect surrounding buildings together. The Sketchup Models were rendered with Lumion for visualisation purposes forming 2 draft Lumion environments.
SITE MODEL 1 - SKETCHUP
SITE MODEL 1 - LUMION
SITE MODEL 2 - SKETCHUP
SITE MODEL 2 - LUMION
DRAFT SPACE PLANNING
A creative process was undertaken to plan out the spaces within the school and fit them into the circulation models. A draft plan of function spaces was created for each of the site models.
REQUIRED SPACES
REQUIRED SPACES CATEGORISED
LINKED SPACES
SITE MODEL 1 DRAFT PLAN
SITE MODEL 2 DRAFT PLAN
36 CUSTOM TEXTURES
An exercise was undertaken to create six sets of six custom textures hand-drawn textures that respond to keywords that relate to an understanding of movement. The application of these textures to the final architecture will aid in facilitating a flow of circulation and enforcing our concept.
PHASE 5: FABRICATION
With the initial drafting, visualisation and planning out of the way it came time to refine concepts and guide them into reality.
FABRICATION THE FLOATING FUNCTION SPACES
Spaces with volume and scale were created and inspired by drawing from the initial forms that stemmed from our keywords. These spaces became the intial form of the floating function spaces that are seen within the final architecture.
FABRICATING THE MAIN OFFICE BUILDING
FITTING ONTO THE SITE MODEL
These functional and scaled volumes were imported into the site and fit onto our draft circulation model. Once everything was fit in, the basic skeleton of our school of Architecture was completed. This model was rendered in Lumion for visualisation purposes.
SKETCHUP VIEWS
LUMION VIEWS
REVISING THE DRAFT PLAN
The Draft plan from Phase 4 was revised under the same creative process in order to better fit into the evolution of the architecture and provide an intuitive guideline for me to follow while fabricating the building up the rest of the building.
REQUIRED SPACES WITH INDICATIVE AREA
SPACES SCALED TO AREA AND LINKED
PERSPECTIVE - BUILDING AND SITE PLAN
SECTION - MAIN OFFICE BUILDING PLAN
PLAN - FUNCTION SPACE PLAN
BUILDING PROCESS
FABRICATING CUSTOM PARTS
Due to the irregularity of my function and office spaces, various forms of custom furniature and structures were fabricated to fit into the form and aesthetic of my final building.
FINAL SKETCHUP MODEL
The model was progressed to a high level of completion in SketchUP including materiality.
LUMION BUILD PROGRESS
Then the model was imported into Lumion and progressed further.
PHASE 6: DOMCUMENTATION
The Completed architecture will be documented through SketchUp diagrams and Lumion Image Captures
AXONOMETRIC DOCUMENTATION
FINAL SKETCHUP MODEL
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| The SkyTree bridges the Squarehouse to the UNSW Fitness and Aquatic Centre. |
EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC DOCUMENTATION
MOVING ELEMENTS
MOVING ELEMENT 1 - RETRACTABLE WINDOW WALLS
I intend for the walls of my functional spaces to be able to retract into the ground so that on sunny days the function spaces can be opened up and students may enjoy the sunlight and natural tranquility of the surrounding space.
MOVING ELEMENT 2 - ROTATING OFFICE SPACES
I intend for the office and faculty spaces in the main office building to rotate slowly so that staff may experience different perspectives and views throughout the day.
PAYING HOMAGE TO INSPIRATIONAL IMAGE
WATERSTUDIO.NL - SEA TREE
CHRISTOPHER LI - SKY TREE
RE-CONSOLIDATION OF ARCHITECTURAL PRECEDENT AND FOCUS
1. RETURNING TO NATURAL PRINCIPLE
The main outline of the building takes on the abstract shape of a forest canopy hence it is aptly named Skytree. The floor and ceiling planes represent leaf-like amalgamations, the main office building forms the central 'trunk' while the supporting columns are also in the same form.
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| Floating Function Spaces represent a forest canopy |
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| Supporting 'trunk' column |
2. CREATION OF ATMOSPHERE, SERENITY, CALM
The floating floor/ceiling planes are partly filled with lawn, trees and plants and transformed into parks high up in the sky. Benches and hammocks line these parks or gardens to create spaces in which students can interact, relax, study or gain some privacy within alcoves and under overhangs.
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| Spaces for public interaction |
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| Spaces for privacy |
3. SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES
As students and staff traverse to the different function spaces they will find themselves moving up and down the floating floor/ceiling planes and gaining different outlooks to the scenery below and around them thus gaining new perspectives. The view from above and below each plane in relation to each other is also constantly changing.
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| View from above to lower plane |
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| View from below to upper plane |
4. PRINCIPLE OF ORDER
The layout of spaces within the grander architecture form a natural and intuitive hierarchy in many ways ranging from importance to function to space requirements. In nature the trunk of the tree forms the basis that supports its growth and canopy. In SkyTree the institutional and faculty spaces are also within the 'trunk' of the building, forming a strong base that supports the education and learnings of the students above.
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| Tiered function spaces supported by central faculty office building |
5. NATURAL AFFINITY
To reinforce the theme of natural affinity, not only does my school contain plants along the outside spaces but the inside spaces have custom walls that incorporate nature and brings students into close proximity with nature.
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| Rooftop Park |
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| Custom Plant-topped Bookshelf |
LUMION IMAGE CAPTURE DOCUMENTATION
APPLIED TEXTURES
TEXTURE 1
The first custom texture is applied to the exterior walkways, the linear tessellation of the square dots help to guide people along the walkways.
TEXTURE 2
The second custom texture is applied to the interior floor of the function spaces, its rhythmic qualities and intersecting lines encourage class activity and productivity.
TEXTURE 3
The third custom texture is applied to the floor of the office space within the central office building. Its rotational pattern is coherent with the circular nature of the main building.
EXTERIOR VIEWS
ROOFTOP GARDENS
SUPPORTING COLUMN
FLOATING STAIRCASE
ELEVATORS
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| Elevator to UNSW SquareHouse |
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| Elevator to UNSW Fitness and Aquatic Centre |
CAFE
COMPUTER LAB
LECTURE HALL
LEARNING STUDIO
WORKSHOP
LIBRARY
EXHIBITION GALLERY
ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
RESEARCH SPACE
RESEARCH STUDIO
STUDENT AND STAFF MEETING ROOMS
ENDNOTES
3D WAREHOUSE
My Model has been uploaded to the SketchUp 3D Warehouse under the Title "UNSW SkyTree - Christopher Li" .
It can be Accessed through this link: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/1bb80a24-3bc7-4986-aa31-328760b6bc99/UNSW-SkyTree-Christopher-Li
I have used two components from the 3D Warehouse in my model. These components are as listed, i give full credit to the respective creators of these components and DO NOT claim to have created them myself.
Fountain by jkseason@yahoo.gr. The component can be accessed through this link: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/d225dbaafaddf9cf36b15541f16275a5/Fountain
Grazie by Edge Lighting. The component can be accessed through this link: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/u8bc2ecc8-0b02-4e46-91f9-299ca2b029c9/Grazie
LUMION SCENE/SAVE FILE
I have uploaded my Lumion scene and save file to my dropbox, they can be accessed through this link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nhpjv71a03fnqkv/AABfBfr71mCCCWdeJn2hxGj8a?dl=0