CPUT 2nd year 2011..............................
A COMMUNITY HUB consolidated brief
subjects: STW & CTD
________________________________________________________________ [Refer to http://www.2ndyearclassof2011.blogspot.com, fb group & Hub design exercise brief of 22 January ]
“We require of any building that it acts well, and do the things it was intended to do in the best way, that it speaks well and says the things it was intended to say in the best words; that it looks well, and pleasures by its presence, whatever it has to do or say.” John Ruskin
Introduction The first project for the year involves “out of the box” thinking with regards to providing shelter. You are required to design a small, low tech, low cost, sustainable, multi-functional and easily assembled structure that will act as the prototype for a public landmark facility. This landmark may be repeated in a variety of community locations. These “community hubs” will provide sheltered places and landmarks that will offer the relevant communities access to information as well as opportunities for learning, communication and social interaction. Site information Assume that the site is flat. However, you need to design for a generic and not a specific site, since the structure will be repeated in a variety of community locations. Functional requirements A masonry service core of 1m² and 5m high must be lockable after hours. Its main function is the provision of a wi-fi spot. In addition to this function, you may select ONE of the following functions – consider the relevant anthropometrics: homework creative performance play meeting shelter
Technological requirements The basic structure must be a lockable masonry core of 1m² and 5m high with an access panel. The remainder of the structure must contain gum poles and marine ply as the main materials – these are provided for free. The technology must allow for a flexible structure to suit various locations and climatic conditions. It must allow simple assembly with unsophisticated equipment. Pay attention to the junctions between various elements. Foundation conditions will be confirmed by your lecturers. Project outcomes: STW
To foster an understanding of TECHNOLOGY and FUNCTION and the influence that technology and function can have on the form of the final design and detail resolution To develop an understanding of design generators To develop awareness of architectural language and formulation of the architectural idea To develop research and information gathering techniques To develop graphic and model building communication techniques
Project outcomes: CTD
To foster an understanding of TECHNOLOGY and FUNCTION and the influence that technology and function can have on the form of the final design and detail resolution To understand the properties of the building materials, and putting them together To understand how to formulate a technological solution, in line with the architectural design idea To develop research and information gathering techniques To develop graphic and model building communication techniques
References
Ching, Francis D.K. Form, Space and Order, Van Nostrand Reinhold (1996) Righini, Paul. Thinking Architecturally, UCT Press (2000): chapter 5 and p143-147 Alexander, Christopher. A Pattern Language, Oxford University Press (1977) Unwin, Simon. Analysing Architecture, Routledge London (2009) case study pp 231-234 Loyd Kahn (Ed.) Shelter ISBN-10: 0-936070-11-0, ISBN-13: 978-0-936070-11-7 Look on the internet at the “Hole in the Wall” project in India and what it achieved.
Assessment weightings Final assessment on 08.08 combined poster pin up presentation with models STW_ 20% of total year mark CTD_20% of total year mark Your interim submissions must be on time. Feedback will be provided on these, but assessment only happens in August, based on the combined pin up submission.
Project programme 04.03
Submit Hub Function and Technology investigation and precedent analysis online: post to your student blog. Integrate into poster submission for 08.08
18.03
Hub idea development, model 1: post photo and sketches to your blog/ online portfolio of work
01.04
Hub idea development, model 2: post photo and sketches to your blog/ online portfolio of work
15.04
Hub idea development, model 3, analysis, description of your design process: post photo and sketches to your blog/ online portfolio of work
08.08
Pin up completed hub project: models 1-3, integrating technology and function analysis and precedent, analysis and description of your design process
24.10
Last date for resubmissions
Interim submissions & requirements ____________________________________________________________________________ 04.03
Submit Hub Function and Technology investigation and precedent analysis online:
post to your student blog by noon, 04.03, then integrate into poster submission for 08.08 The Hub Function and Technology investigation and precedent submission follows on the group work done during block 1. However, this time you will do INDIVIDUAL work. Clearly indicate your name and the number of your original group. At this stage you do not need any Block 1 Hub group work/ drawings. Please complete the functional and technology analyses and precedents individually, and not using any material generated in your groups. 
Functional investigation & precedent
Clearly indicate your chosen Hub function, other than the wifi tower. On A3 pages (as many as you need) show your understanding of the functional requirements of your selected Hub function. Use diagrams and text to explain, and reference any sources. Refer to ergonomics, the experience (use verbs!) etc. Now find at least one FUNCTIONAL PRECEDENT. That is, a structure/ building similar in function. This precedent must be good published work (local or international), appropriate and useful. Contact your lecturer if you are not sure. Use diagrams and text to explain how this chosen precedent(s) is/are relevant to your given problem (Hub). Explain how this chosen precedent(s) is/are relevant to your given problem (Hub). 
Technological investigation & precedent
Now you move on to the technological requirements. On A3 pages (as many as you need) show your understanding of the functional requirements of this project. You must investigate the given materials, i.e. gumpoles and marine ply. Research the sizes, material properties etc. Illustrate this with diagrams and text. Reference all sources. Now find at least one TECHNOLOGICAL PRECEDENT. That is, a structure/ building using similar (framed) technology/ materials. It may have a different function.This precedent must be good published work (local or international), appropriate and useful. Contact your lecturer if you are not sure. Use diagrams and text to explain how this chosen precedent(s) is/are relevant to your given problem (Hub). This analysis will provide you with the necessary clues/ design informants to continue with the design process.
____________________________________________________________________________ 18.03
Hub idea development, model 1:
post photo and sketches to your blog/ online portfolio of work, then integrate into poster submission for 08.08 Once you submitted the functional and technological analyses online, you will get feedback on the Hub group project (architectural idea formulation), by means of a podcast (audio) per group. We will also forward to you the architectural idea on which to base your individual design work. Now, based on the ARCHITECTURAL IDEA formulated during Block 1, you will start preparing individual designs. You will not be using any group work other than the joint architectural idea, as a point of departure. Prepare a working model and sketches. Refer to the architectural idea and the discoveries made in the functional and technological investigation. Approach your employer, peers and lecturer for crits. Watch the fb group and blog for online crit arrangements. Use your weekly blog posts to explain your progress and learning. ____________________________________________________________________________ 01.04
Hub idea development, model 2:
post photo and sketches to your blog/ online portfolio of work, then integrate into poster submission for 08.08 Develop your ideas by building another working model and more sketches. Always refer to the architectural idea and the discoveries made in the functional and technological investigation, as well as crit feedback. Approach your employer, peers and lecturer for crits. Watch the fb group and blog for online crit arrangements. Use your weekly blog posts to explain your progress and learning. By this stage you must have plans, sections and elevations, and start to look at construction details. ____________________________________________________________________________ 15.04
Hub idea development, model 3:
post photo and sketches to your blog/ online portfolio of work, then integrate into poster submission for 08.08 Develop your ideas by building another working model and more sketches. Always refer to the architectural idea and the discoveries made in the functional and technological investigation, as well as crit feedback. Approach your employer, peers and lecturer for crits. Watch the fb group and blog for online crit arrangements. Use your weekly blog posts to explain your progress and learning. By this stage you must have plans, sections and elevations, and resolved the key construction details. ____________________________________________________________________________ 08.08
Hub idea final poster submission, integrating all the interim work submitted, with all models
Integrate all work (investigations, precedent studies, models, sketches, drawings. Explain your design process, with key decisions made. Illustrate the influence of the most prominent design informants. Now also analyse your design proposal, using architectural concepts e.g. circulation, hierarchy, composition, organisation (Ching), space-defining elements (Righini) etc.
THIS BRIEF IS PROVISIONAL AND MAY CHANGE AT ANY TIME – ALWAYS REFER TO THE LATEST VERSION. This is the version dated 28 February 2011.