Research Station, Isle of Rum. Year 3, Semester 1

COASTAL TRACKING // A DISSIPATIVE LANDSCAPE

A PROJECT BY: ADAM KELLY + ADAM MCFALL

CONTENTS

01

PRELUDE

02

WATER DISPLACEMENT

03 06

DISPLACEMENT, ‘X’ DISPLACEMENT, ‘Y’

10

DISSIPATION

11 16 18 28

INSTRUMENT MEASURE MICROSECTIONS SURVEY DRAWING

32

INTERVENTION

34 38 52 59

MARINE INSTRUMENTS GESTURAL MODELS PROPOSAL DRAWINGS ‘EXPERIENCE’

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APPENDIX

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PRELUDE

PREFACE energy, by the very nature of our awareness of it as a concept, makes itself apparent through the manipulation of matter. some energetic processes are explosive visual spectacles, but many are far more subtle; requiring an aperture to frame it or instrument to record it. it is this scale which we are intrigued by. these fine movements and twitches, to track the erratic and uncontrolled we may never be able to understand or predict, but through exploration we can begin to intervene with and tune these energetic processes productively. perhaps architecture can be that intervention, and through the control of or exposure to the vast amount of energy produced by the natural environment, architectural space can develop a richer character.

02 /

WATER DISPLACEMENT

DISPLACEMENT if displacement can be defined as the movement of an object within a system due to an input of energy, what are the factors which alter the path of a displaced object? we set out to gain a richer understanding of the displacement of water under simulated environmental, meteorological conditions with the intent of drawing more detailed relationships between the many variables of an energetic system.

WATER DISPLACEMENT

\03 TANK

an armature for testing scaled samples of the ocean around rum. a device for the containment of fluid and energy.

INSERT planes of large scale ocean topology.

INDICATOR a physical marker for making the invisible, apparent.

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WATER DISPLACEMENT

an indicators usefulness comes both from its design and its perception. an indicator frozen in space shows nothing: only once you begin to track its path of motion can you make connections and understand the energetic processes. specifically, we wanted to use these tracks to draw a link between the morphology of the undersea topology, and the patterns of energy observed on the surface. the tank was fitted with ‘rockers’ allowing it to move laterally, simulating the tide. we built a point source wind generator to observe the effects of sudden gusts.

WATER DISPLACEMENT

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as we used the actual bathymetry for the marine area off the coast of rum, it was appropriate to recontextualise the ontological data onto the site it was modeled from. this particular area was one of intense seismic and volcanic activity, with a fault line incising the site at its center.

06 /

WATER DISPLACEMENT

in reevaluating our approach, we realised our interests were best explored in section, and we would need a device to facilitate this. a new set of deeper inserts and indicators were created to exploit the vertical axis; to collect richer and more accurate data. site specificity was discarded for ‘ideal’ topological conditions with the intent that we could define a set of generalisations or tendencies which we could explore further on site.

WATER DISPLACEMENT

INSERT 4/4

INSERT 3/4

INSERT 2/4

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WATER DISPLACEMENT

the vertical indicators allowed us to see the energetic system of the water sectionally with greater clarity. this section in particular suggested a strong relationship between the depth of the water and the energy of the corresponding column of water.

INSERT 1/4

WATER DISPLACEMENT

DISPLACEMENT STUDY

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DISPLACEMENT STUDY Topological variety

Steady slope

Total duration

20s

Waves incited

2

Max water depth

79mm

TOTAL ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT

1 688°

2 309°

3 128°

4 101°

5 74°

6 30°

by tracking the movement of the vertical indicator we saw that the shorter indicators in the shallower water had a much wider range of motion and overall higher total displacement compared to those in deeper water. we deduced that the density of energy in the shallower water was greater than that in the deeper water there were still unknown variables however: to what extent did the shape of the topology and its material inform the energetic exchange? this is a principal question we would take to rum

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DISSIPATION

DISSIPATION with the relationship identified between energy density and water depth in mind, we crafted a device which would measure those two variables: depth and ‘energy’, so that we could isolate exactly what were the conditions which alter and mediate the energy inputed into the coastal landscape. the input source of our model was provided by us, physically moving the tank, but the site was without a bounding edge: energy inputed would be continuous, only spreading further into the coast. this question of dissipation then queries how the coastal landscape mitigates or impedes the transfer of energy.

DISSIPATION

spring

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console our instrument was designed to measure from the very edge of the shore into the shallow surf. it is a device comprised of two parts: WING legs

driver

the ‘topology wing’ extends into the ocean and takes ground level measurements ever 100mm to a maximum extent of 1.6m.

BODY on the land side of the instrument, the body is the core of the energetic measurement system. we harnessed natural ‘indicators’ to suggest energetic exchanges, such as the movement of sediment by the tidal water, sand compaction and wind speed.

vice

wings

feet

12 /

DISSIPATION

1400mm

the compactor is hammered into the surf to measure how consolidated the sand is. along side this is a collection plate, a small, flat plate placed within the reach of a wave so that the water would wash over it and leave traces of sediment behind.

50mm

each area of measure refers to a different element of the coastal landscape.

DISSIPATION

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DISSIPATION

the instrument is backed up by a series of auxiliary tools such as a digital audio recorder to capture wave loudness and a logbook for the analogue recording of observations.

COMPARATOR

METRICS

DISSIPATION

TOPOGRAPHY WING

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AUXILIARY TOOLS

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DISSIPATION

to measure the widest area of coast in the shortest time, we took readings whenever we felt there was a general change in condition, characterised by ground and water edge condition. in a stretch of coast which traces the inner side of the bay, we identified ten discreet conditions, each with its own set of experiential qualities. to further define these conditions and explore the elements which comprise them was our next step. to bring meaning to the disparate collections of photos and tables of data; to collate, explore and understand.

DISSIPATION

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overlayed microsections

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DISSIPATION

1:20 PLATE

01

DAY 1 11.30AM

‘PORES’

DISSIPATION

1:20 PLATE

02

DAY 1 1:04PM

‘CALICO’

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DISSIPATION

1:20 PLATE

03

DAY 1 2:57PM

‘OPPOSE’

DISSIPATION

1:20 PLATE

04

DAY 1 3:23PM

‘RELENT’

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DISSIPATION

1:20 PLATE

05

DAY 1 4.12PM

‘FILTER’

DISSIPATION

1:20 PLATE

06

DAY 1 4:48PM

‘VALVE’

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DISSIPATION

1:20 PLATE

07

DAY 1 5:27PM

‘INTEMPERATE’

DISSIPATION

1:20 PLATE

08

DAY 2 9:38AM

‘TURBID’

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DISSIPATION

1:20 PLATE

09

DAY 2 9:50AM

‘BOULDER’

DISSIPATION

1:20 PLATE

10

DAY 2 10:04AM

‘CHASM’

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DISSIPATION

on reviewing the data, we gave a single word label to each of the zones of condition. the term was intended to act as a preview for the rich body of information collected for each region. the terms were to be simple, evoking a specific idea. in charting these areas and applying the labels, we found there was a distinct gap between the resistance of certain areas. using the data, we could interpret the dissipative tendency for a location, and use the planometric photographs to identify the core dissipative elements. we felt that because each zone was different, they could be mapped onto a ‘scale’, with each zone as a gradation on it.

DISSIPATION

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DISSIPATION

1:1000

DISSIPATION

PLATE

05 FILTER

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INTERVENTION

INTERVENTION moving into the architectural realm, we retained the idea of a dissipative ‘scale’, and that this scale expresses the qualities of the very materials which make up the coast. a number of questions could be posed: could a building conform to a point, or a number of points on the dissipative scale and, if so, would it become part of the coastal landscape? our aim was to create an architectural intervention of low ecological but high experiential pressure. in terms of programme and spatial arrangement, we looked back to our field research for cues.

INTERVENTION

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INTERVENTION

we wanted a research program which was familiar to the style of work we conducted on site. in measuring the edge of the waterline throughout the day on rum, we were effectively tracing the coast. therefore our building would be a coastal tracker, recording and analysing the coastal landscape using a variety of oceanographic instruments which would be stored and calibrated within our building. the first step in realising this proposal was to look into the types of marine research instruments which are used, to understand their scale, mode of operation and specific requirements.

ACOUSTIC DOPPLER CURRENT PROFILER

CONDUCTIVITY, TEMPERATURE, DEPTH SENSOR

RAFOS FLOAT

INTERVENTION

SEDIMENT TRAP

(LONG TERM) OCEAN BOTTOM SEISMOMETER

VIDEO PLANKTON RECORDER

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INTERVENTION

knowing that our building would require a number of complex spaces, we began to calibrate the space needed and the basic forms of some of these spaces. using the instruments as a base, we could map out the activity path of the building’s user. this started in the lab and workshop where the instruments were likely to be stored and worked on. other rooms such as the bedroom and living room although were just as ritualistic, required a different, less rigid, mode of thinking. the dissipation scale was important in assigning each of these projected spaces a distinct degree of control and exposure.

ACOUSTIC VIDEO DOPPLER SEDIMENT PLANKTON CTD ROSETTE CURRENT TRAP RECORDER PROFILER

INTERVENTION

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INSTRUMENT HOUSING

STUDY BEDROOM SHAFT

LIVING

-

WORKSHOP VESSEL DOCK

following on from our work on the dissipation scale, we took the labels we gave each field of condition and began to abstract it physically using the medium of casting. the idea was to create a dynamic mould - one which could be moved and morphed after the plaster had been poured. by creating a physical hand ‘gesture’ and generating a solid object, we could look closely at its intricacies and explore the physical implications of each term. in doing this we wished to clarify what it was that made an entity ‘dissipative’, or not.

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INTERVENTION

PLATE

03 OPPOSE INSTRUMENT HOUSING hard edge encloses fragile and highly tuned meeting points.

INTERVENTION

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each layer on the dissipation scale was mapped exclusively to one room or group of similar rooms.

INSTRUMENT HOUSING

LAB // OPPOSE

1:50

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INTERVENTION

PLATE

09 BOULDER STUDY

the line which encloses is rich in detail: a hard edge can have many delicate facets.

INTERVENTION

STUDY

STUDY // BOULDER

1:20

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INTERVENTION

PLATE

10 CHASM BEDROOM

although the depth and intricacy of the chasm goes unnoticed in plan, the extent of its character is revealed in section.

INTERVENTION

BEDROOM

CHASM // BEDROOM

1:20

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INTERVENTION

PLATE

06 VALVE SHAFT

free passage

staunch denial

INTERVENTION

SHAFT/KITCHEN STORAGE

VALVE // SHAFT

1:20

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INTERVENTION

PLATE

05 FILTER LIVING

true isolation of an element is impossible: associations between them are implicit.

INTERVENTION

LIVING KITCHEN

FILTER // KITCHEN

DINING

FILTER // DINING

FILTER // LIVING

1:20

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INTERVENTION

PLATE

07 INTEMPERATE WORKSHOP

how is an edge defined?

INTERVENTION

WETROOM

INTEMPERATE // WETROOM

WORKSHOP

INTEMPERATE // WORKSHOP

1:20

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INTERVENTION

PLATE

04 RELENT DOCK

a point of fracture can be defined by the intact, joined elements on each side.

INTERVENTION

RELENT // VESSEL DOCK

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INTERVENTION

by modeling the bay we were able to simulate the action of waves on the shore. as a practical issue we were interested in which point adjacent to the pier was the least turbulent for the research vessel to dock correctly. it was also a key factor in deciding the length and position of the building within the existing pier. we found that the further you extend out into the ocean, the calmer the water becomes on one side. having realised this, we thought it only logical to make our building an extension of the pier rather than building into or on top of it.

INTERVENTION

RELENT VESSEL DOCK

‘SEA’ FLOOR

1:100

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INTERVENTION

INTEMPERATE ‘‘ VALVE FILTER ‘‘ ‘‘

WET ROOM WORKSHOP SHAFT KITCHEN DINING ROOM LIVING ROOM

FIRST FLOOR

1:100

INTERVENTION

OPPOSE BOULDER VALVE BOULDER CHASM ‘‘

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LAB STUDY SHAFT BATTERY STORAGE BATHROOM BEDROOM

SECOND FLOOR

1:100

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INTERVENTION

the section shows the internal mechanics of the space. shafts are carved into the building fabric to allow the instruments to pass through the varying degrees of porosity.

INTERVENTION

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1:100

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INTERVENTION

OPPOSE LAB BOULDER STUDY VALVE SHAFT CHASM BATHROOM ‘ ’ BEDROOM

INTEMPERATE WORKSHOP VALVE SHAFT FILTER KITCHEN ‘ ’ DINING ‘ ’ LIVING

RELENT VESSEL DOCK

EXISTING PIER

1:500

INTERVENTION

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to explore the range of environmental exposure we chose to use two materials exclusively, varying their intensity and rhythm as appropriate. concrete and delicate metal mesh are the principal boundary conditions. on occasion the edge will yield entirely, resulting in moments of absolute exposure to the interior.

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INTERVENTION

VESSEL DOCK RELENT PLATE 04

DOCK

INTERVENTION

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WORKSHOP INTEMPERATE PLATE 07

WORKSHOP

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INTERVENTION

KITCHEN FILTER PLATE 05

INTERVENTION

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DINING FILTER PLATE 05

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INTERVENTION

LIVING FILTER PLATE 05

LIVING

INTERVENTION

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INTERVENTION

SHAFT VALVE PLATE 06

SHAFT/KITCHEN STORAGE

INTERVENTION

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BEDROOM CHASM PLATE 10

BEDROOM

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INTERVENTION

INTERVENTION

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STUDY BOULDER PLATE 09

STUDY

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INTERVENTION

INSTRUMENT HOUSING OPPOSE PLATE 03

INSTRUMENT HOUSING

INTERVENTION

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INTERVENTION

INTERVENTION

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APPENDIX

APPENDIX

APPENDIX

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APPENDIX

A RENEWABLE LANDSCAPE

required power for station: 450kWh per week batteries: 4 x 4500L batteries 18000L = 480kWh

winter (oct – feb): wind power 2 stations, one for prevailing wind (slow charge), one for highest wind direction (fast charge): west outpost 1x 5kW bergey excel turbine, 15m average wind speed: 9.5m/s average weekly yield: 564.2kWh south outpost 1x 5kW bergey excel turbine, 15m average wind speed: 8.4m/s average weekly yield: 504kWh

summer (mar – sept): solar power south outpost 90x 17kWp cdte solar panels, 135m2 average weekly irradiation 30kWh/m2 average weekly yield: 463.25kWh

W outpost wind

APPENDIX

SMALL ISLES MARINE PROTECTED AREA vulnerable marine activities: black guillemots mud communities fan mussel aggregations horse mussel beds northern feather stars northern sea fans white cluster anemones

STATION

S outpost wind solar

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