A STUDY OF URBAN BLOCK
Future Mongkok Rhapsody
By LO Kui Chuen (Louie)
A booklet submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Architecture at Chu Hai College of Higher Education June 2022
Declaration Firstly, I would like to thank my thesis advisor Prof. Chu Hoi Shan Paul of the Department of Architecture at Chu Hai College of Higher Education for the proper guidance and direction to my thesis development in the past year. His advice and attitude has led me through all the stages of thinking and developing my project. I would also like to thank the experts who contributed to my research and data collection, these include A. Prof. Charles Kwan of CHC., Dr. Ruffina Thilakaratne of CHC. Without their passionate participation and input, the validation survey could never be successfully conducted. I would also like to acknowledge the studio critics including Chair Professor Prof. Lung Ping Yee David, Dr. WU, Edwin, Prof. and Dr. JAILLON, Lara. I am gratefully indebted to his/her for his/ her very valuable comments on the thesis development. Finally, I must express my very profound gratitude to my parents and wife for providing me unfailing support and continuous encouragement throughout my years of study to-date. This accomplishment would not have been possible without them. Thank you very much!
Declaration I declare that this booklet represents my own work, except where due acknowledgement is made, and that it has not been previously included in a thesis, dissertation or report submitted to this College or to any other institution for a degree, diploma or other qualifications.
Signed
Student’s name: LO Kui Chuen
Thesis Statement To rethink urban development in high density decayed cities through urban Grid and Block, the study area is located in Mongkok, from Argyle Street to Dundas Street, in between Nathan Road and Ferry Street. The 100 feet x 40 feet x 18 feet height urban block was designed in the 1910’s by laying the 20 -30 feet width grid and 3 feet width sub grid to provide the quality environment for dwelling and urban needs. Within this Grid and Block, the inhabitants had occupied different voids for their living life. As per Margaret Crawford “ the oppression of daily life, each discovered its potential as a site of creative resistance and laboratory power.” By population and economic scale increase, the highest urban block had been developed into 255 meters height within the same urban Grid. The Block has been redeveloped piece by piece as private and separated. It massively increases the loading and changes the built environment of Grid. It formed the death of Voids. With the higher density, how should the Grid and Block be designed for the future in this urban area? And how should this new Grid And Block contain and design the quality voids for daily life to sustain the Mongkok? Therefore, this thesis proposed an environmental-based Super Block that combines the 4 existing Blocks and releases the height limit permission to 250m. This Super Block shall release the environment as a resource to the publicness and quality voids within the new Urban Grid inside. The position of architecture would be the structure of the urban body. The Super Block shall follow the enhancement of the surrounding environment and its own for the dwelling and productivities in the urban area.
Thesis Framework Problems Identified The current Urban blocks design lacks environmental control , urban loading and sensitivity to local self occupied culture within the existing urban grid which was laid in the 1900's.
Research The methodology adopted included literature review, on-site observation on stakeholders, environmental simulation testing and experiment so as to collect sufficient data to inform design decisions.
Thesis Statement The design of urban blocks can enhance the quality of the environment around them and themselves. The block can also be designed for inhabitants to occupy by forming intentional and unintentional spaces.
Design Proposals The proposed Urban Block scale is similar to the biggest current block and releases the height limit to 250mPD to the whole block. This block is tailor made for the existing built environment and releases the publicness from ground to the whole Block. The planning of function and form should follow the environment and existing fabric.
Conclusions By incorporating architectural and urban design thinking, the position of architecture is the structure of the urban body. It is not just to construct the urban functions but also the urban ecology and a body that can be occupied and defined by the inhabitants themselves.
Problems Identified Urban blocks are not suitable for high-density cities. It forms extreme loads on the existing urban grid, such as traffic load, pedestrian load, and dwelling density. At the same time, the built environment is resulting in poor air quality, urban heating and changing consumption patterns. Those issues caused the death of urban space. Firstly, by reviewing the existing urban spaces, the mixeduse lifestyle of existing urban fabric and the environment that facilitate the urban space can be occupied are the key of the planning of future urban blocks. Secondly, with the discussion of urbanism, the urban environment is no longer designed for humans, but also the ecology system in urban areas. And the architecture should not construct a better environment only for consumption. This architecture will contrast good and bad architecture that divide the community. Therefore, this urban block can be designed to enhance or resolve the existing urban environment and share the whole block for publicness and allow the re-definition and occupation between the inhabitants and publicness there.
Research
The existing urban are formed by different types of urban block with mixed pattern. And this urban is lead behind from urbanism discussion.
Timeline of Urban Block evolution
Research
Those inhabitants defineded the potential of the site by mixed function and environmental quality of site.
The Urban Block mechanisms
Research
The proposed block is located to the on-going URA's projects. By combine those blocks to release more development potential and air right to the Super block.
Site and Programs
Research
This Super Block is constructed by multi urban levels to acommenda the built environment control and public use at the same time.
Parameters and Principles research
Design Proposals
With the porosity control and voronoi system, the parametric simulation constructs an erosion mass for the existing environment. The result of environmental quality is also formed by the planning reference of the inner grid of the block.
Building development process
Design Proposals
The Super Block is a greenery block in the existing urban grid. And construct a comfort environment for different urban connectivity.
Urban setting and connectivities
Design Proposals
The Super Block allows low angle sunlight pass through the surround and its inner levels.
Urban Elevation
Design Proposals
The Super Block is blocking the high angle sunlight passing through during the heat gain period. The urban ventilation will cool down the heat absorbed parts of the structure.
Urban Section
Design Proposals
The Super Block is connected to the existing urban fabric with elevated walkway to resolve the loading on ground and connect the upper levels with 7 cores.
Axonometric - Urban planning
Design Proposals
Each tower is designed to maximise the MOE distancing and based on different area-function mix of cluster.
Cluster design
Design Proposals
The architecture is formed as a self-sustain block with Solar panels, Wind turbine, Water catcher and Greenery coverage.
The position of architecture
Design Proposals
The Super Block is mainly divided into 3 major urban levels for productivities, recreateion and ecology ues.
Super Urban grid
Design Proposals
Within the Voronoi dwelling structure, there are potential with environmental quality for inhabitants occupying and re-defining.
Super dwelling block
Design Proposals 1 to 800 Urban design model
1 to 75 partial model on a cluster
1 to 800 model is showing the urban environment. The 1 to 75 model is showing the major level and occupied space.
Final models
Appendix 1: Source of reference Books: 1. Corbusier, Le.(1929). The City of Tomorrow, MIT press., Boston, USA. 2. Rowe, Colin, and Fred Koetter. (1984). Collage city. MIT press., Boston, USA. 3. Jacobs, Allan B. (1993). Great streets, University of California Transportation Center, California, USA. 4. Governor of Hong Kong. (1903). Public health and buildings ordinance, Hong Kong, China. 5. Governor of Hong Kong. (1959). Building (planning) regulations, G.N.A. 83 of 1959, Hong Kong, China. 6. Planning, Environment and Lands Branch, Governor of Hong Kong. (1991). Comprehensive Review of the Town Planning Ordinance: Consultative Document, Hong Kong, China. 7. Governor of Hong Kong. (1911). Building Ordinance, Amended 51 of 1911, Hong Kong, China. 8. Buildings Department, HKSAR. (2016) PNAP APP 152, Hong Kong, China. 9. Lai, Lawrence WC, and Mark Hansley Chua. (2018). The history of planning for Kowloon City. Planning Perspectives, Hong Kong, China. 10. URA. (2021). District Study for Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok, Hong Kong, China. 11. M.S. Wong, J. Nichol, Edard Ng. (2011). A study of the “wall effect” caused by proliferation of high-rise buildings using GIS techniques, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. 12. R. Zhu, X. Dong, M.S. Wong. (2016). Estimation of the Urban Heat Island Effect in a Reformed Urban District: A Scenario-Based Study in Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. 13. Environment Bureau, HKSAR. (2021). Government announces Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong 2035, Hong Kong, China. 14. Bow-Wow, Atelier, and Sunil Bald. (2001) Made in Tokyo: Guide Book, Kajima Institute, Japan 15. Planning Department, HKSAR. (2002). Metroplan Strategic Planning Policies, Hong Kong, China. Journals: 1. HKIP. (2010) Journal of the Hong Kong Institute of Planners, Vol. 25, Hong Kong, China. 2. Rokicki, Wiesław, and Ewelina Gawell. (2016). Voronoi diagrams–architectural and structural rod structure research model optimization, MAZOWSZE Studia Regionalne, Warsaw University of Technology, Poland 3. L. Lignarolo1, C. Lelieveld1, P. Teuffel1. (2011) Shape morphing wind responsive façade systems realised with smart materials, Eindhoven University of Technology, Holand Internet Resources: 1. Gwulo.com, Gwulo: Old Hong Kong, https://gwulo.com/atom/18782, asses on 20th 2. A plan for Tokyo 1960 / Kenzo Tange" in ArchEyes, January 26, 2016, https://archeyes.com/plantokyo-1960-kenzo-tange/. asses on 20th Oct, 2021
Appendix 2: Design Process 1 (Statement, Site and Programme)
To understand the urban fabric, reason of block evolution and purpose of urnism wIth the Timeline and block age model.
Urban Block research
the currently block design is not suitable of our high density urban, then
the currently block design is not suitable of our high density urban, then
? Based on the summary of block types, the similar block type could not resolve the environment and publicness.
Urban Block Summary
Appendix 2: Design Process 2 (Design Development)
The massing studies was using subtraction and adding within the block.
Massing development
Then, there is three type of clusters is developed for multiblock scale and using.
Structural and environment research
Appendix 2: Design Process 3 (Mock-up Final Presentations)
Mock up Panel
Mock up presentation