Women's Haven: Cultivating Moments of Paradise

URBAN HAVEN & WOMEN’S HAVEN: Cultivating Moments of Paradise DS4 Imagined Moments of Possibilities NORAISHAH BINTI MOHD MOKHTAR 12047319 2013/2014

Semester 1/Project 1: The Urban Concept of Cutting, Breathing and Designing Folly Brief Within DS4 studio, the aim was to explore a journey of observing, mapping, engaging, making and testing to create responsive architectural design proposal.

For Project 1, we were asked to worked in pairs and choose the suggested elements; Bird and Water, in this case we chose water, and then address the subject of resources, employment and identity of Palestinian occupied territories.

The project will be located specifically in the village of Beit Iksa, West Bank, Palestine and addressing their critical issues such as water scarcity, management or bird migration that will be done through series of design tools such as ‘cutting’, allowing the village to ‘breath’, and then ‘re-reading’ the landscape of the village.

PALESTINE: FRAGMENTS of LAND

BACKGROUND Conflict between Israel and Palestine has began since the early 19th century with wars taking place in 1947 and 1968. After World War II, the influx of 1.8 million Jewish settlers (1967-2008), eventually lead to the taking over of Palestinian land and the forming of the Israeli state.

Continual conflict over land ownership, water resources and security continues to this day. Throughout the years since 1947, Palestinian land has be divided under Israel control meaning only small areas of the original landscape deemed Palestinian land. The map opposite shows how land ownership has drastically changed over time.

CONTESTED LANDS After the 1967 war, land confiscation and people displacement were among the many tools used to control the Palestinian people.By 2003, 5.3 million Palestinians were living in exile.When Israel was created, approx. 880,000 Palestinians fled West Bank and Gaza to Jordan and nearby Arab countries to escape from Zionist control.

60% of land in West bank and Gaza were taken by Israel and imposing restrictions for any land owned by Palestinians.Too many Palestinian emigrants returning back to Palestine after the war yet not enough resources to accommodate their needs.

ISSUES FACED by THE PEOPLE After the 1967 war, people displacements were among the many tools used to control the Palestinian people. Local quarries closed creating shortages of building materials to build new homes to counter the housing deficit.

Permits required from centralized authorities are needed for any construction to take place. Many Palestinian banks closed meaning the people having difficulties to find funding rebuilding their lives.

PALESTINE in CONTEXT WATER

LAND

SEGREGATION ROAD

Since Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1967, Groundwater is the only possible water resource for Palestinians. But water supply of Palestinian has been restricted by Israeli and there is inequality of water supply.

Israeli imposes different kind of boundary, including military checkpoints, Israeli-only road and the Separation Wall, to separate themselves from Palestinians and fulfill their interests for getting more resources, such as land and water. The problematic seam zone is created by separation wall.

Israeli set up a segregation road system to further impose restriction of accessibility for Palestinians. This road system together with the separation wall help Israeli to limit the growth of Palestinians and slice the social, economic and cultural fabric of Palestinians between villages.

According to the WaSH Monitoring Programme, Israelis use 87% of the water available from the mountain aquifer in the West Bank. And Beit Iksa is provided with water by the West Bank Water Department through the public water network.

Even Israeli does not control directly for the water supply in Beit Iksa, They limit the water supply for Palestinian.

There are three zone within West Bank, including zone A, B and C. Zone A, only 18% of West Bank, is full civil and security control by Palestinian Authority. . Zone B, 21% of West Bank, is Palestinian civil control and Israeli security control. And Zone C, 61% of West Bank, is full Israeli civil and security control. So over 80% of West Bank is basically controled by Israeli.

BEIT IKSA: An Isolated Village

THE VILLAGE Beit Iksa (House of Clothes) is a palestinian village in close proximity Jerusalem separated by the valley landscape.Located at an altitude of 747m above sea level with a mean annual rainfall of 595mm (average annual rainfall in 2012 is 1158mm). The new proposed separation wall to be built by the Israeli’s will make 96% of village area inaccessible and further separating this village from others.The village suffers from a declining population, with a lack of job opportunities meaning people from the village commute to find job opportunities.

THE PALESTINIAN STRUGGLES LOSING LAND, LOSING HOMES By 2003, 5.3 million Palestinians were living in exile. Over 25,000 Palestinian homes have been destroyed since 1967 till present. When land was being taken over by Israeli government and forces, approximately 880,000 refugees resulted from this continual overtaking of land where Palestinians fled to Jordan and nearby Arab countries. To this day, many Palestinians are still homeless.

PRAYER BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER The majority of Palestinians who face inequalities and persecution are mostly Muslim (more than 90%). Regardless of the continual struggles they face daily or whether confronting dangerous situations, they always resort to praying as a way to seek help, comfort and peace. Praying allows them to be able to face all kinds of situations and brings untity to them.

WATER: Wudu’, To Wash, To Clean

In Islam, before one perform a prayer, one should perform ‘wudu’ that is to clean or wash certain parts of the body like the face, hands, bits of hair, ears and feet with clean water. The act itself is such a delicate way of saying to purify onself before pray and connect spiritually with your God. By overlapping series of photos, we can clearly see the delicacy movement during the ablution, the water dripping from the face, hands and fingers. The consideration for the ergonometric of the person sitting down in a comfortable position, easy access to water sources, the lighting of the room are also important.

The DELICACY of PRAYER MOVEMENT

Prayer is such a delicate aspect to explore, in terms of spiritually and the movement itself. We decided to explore and analyse the movement of Islamic way of praying after the act of ablution using water as a theme. For this experiment, the setting and location for the prayer to take place was crucial for example the floor finish, the fabrics hanging as a roof and day lighting and white background to create a harmonious environment. The same method used by overlapping the photos to see the delicate transition from one movement to another.

MOVEMENT ANALYSIS Continuation exploration of the prayer movement photography series, we then start to explore it with hand sketch medium, configuring the pattern that relates to the movement. Having the figure geometricized, creating points and connecting it from one end to another resulting to an abstract pattern addressing the original figure. It also indicates the direction of the movement and type of space/ ambiance while an individual performing ‘wudu’ and pray.

KINETIC MECHANISM STUDY Taking our exploration to the next level, we started to analyze precedent studies that relates to our movement studies. Etienne-Jules Marey (1830-1904) a physiologist, doctor, biomechanics engineer and inventor in 1882 of chronophotography, a technique anticipating cinematography. His works on the movement of bird flight studies that inspired us to use photography as the medium to froze delicate movements so it could be analyse.Another precedent is from Dukno Yoon’s works on metal work kinetic jewellery that moves as a part of your body undergo movement. It’s the delicacy of each connections and material used that help us on understanding delicate kinetic mechanism that could help us portray the theme.

THE GREEN WINGS First mechanism study inspired by Dukno Yoon’s work that clearly portrays the delicacy of movement using jewelry as a medium. It was not a successful experiment due to lacking material and tools to make the mechanism in such detail to produce kinetic movement. It’s the delicate connections from one point to another that inspired us to continue with more protorypes.

THE FEATHERS From picking up feathers from the street, to detailing the connection of the kinetic mechanism based on last experiment. A simple pull and push action to create the kinetic movement resulted from delicate connections of the wires to the feathers.

THE COURTYARD

LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT SCENE Inspired by a scene where one of the main character Munis, her dead body laying down on the ground in the middle of a courtyard, her brother devastated after found his sister had comitted suicide, stressed after constantly bullied by her own brother for ignoring her demure womanly duties and not being able to join political movement happening in Iran that time. We then start to look more any scene that use courtyard as a space, throughout the whole film and realized that every scene having almost the same elements. It’s the idea of a space that holds different stories and emotions, the lush greenary and little hint of red flowers, that inspired us to design a safe haven for the local community in Beit Iksa.

CULTIVATING MOMENTS

The idea is that when the local community gathers together, they will create these series of moments in this urban haven. These moments are the smallest details from a girl reading a book, a woman walking underneath the hanging gardens surrounded by green walls in a way practicing the public streetscape.

Elements such as the hanging gardens, hanging fabrics, locals vegetation growing around the follies design just so that the locals can enjoy nature while sheltering themselves from hot summer sun.

FINAL PROPOSAL: URBAN HAVEN

CONCEPT BRIEF The inspiration came from a film titled Women Without Men (2009) that was based on a 1989 novel by Shahrnush Parsipur and weaves together the women’s lives in complex and enigmatic ways.

One particular scene from the film (Figure 1.0) portraying one of the main character Munis, her dead body laying in the middle of a beautiful courtyard, her brother looking sad and mortified after he discover his sister committed suicide after constantly being bullied by him for neglecting her demure womanly duties. Her best friend dressed in all black, staring at her best friend body speechless by the situation.

The idea of Safe Haven originating from this scene on how a space in this case, the courtyard as the main element that brings all these character together and sharing such emotion in one space. We were also inspired by the contrast between the green landscape and concrete wall how it harmonizing the scene. The name change to Urban Haven to portraying the space to be used as a communal space.

IMAGINING the POSSIBILITIES

CULTIVATING MOMENTS through FOLLIES DESIGN

SUGGESTED MOMENTS Based on the scenario imagined, we began to understand and develop the key moments in our urban follies. Each folly will be different in providing functions and quality of space so we started to experiment with different levels and heights or angle so it appropriate with the functions.

In the end 5 follies were designed based on these suggested moments that are water, swing, sound, siesta and green follies. The sketches were initial exploration on the follies ideas that integrated all the moments into the design.

THE WALKWAY EXPLORATIONS

INTERGRATING WALKWAYS and FOLLIES The follies were integrated between this walkway and create pocket spaces of activities.

The walkway is located near the local mosque site which by subdividing the existing streetscape, we enhance the public usage of spaces, catering the needs of local people.

The idea is to create more formal and safer environment which interaction can happen.

WALKING through URBAN HAVEN Once the follies integrated with the walkway, it’ll create this green urban haven along the way enclosing the local mosque area. Series of hanging gardens grow onto the structure creating shelter for the people alongside the hanging fabrics acts as a roof for most of the follies. The green walls also acts as a cooling system during the hot summer day while during the night, water collection system can be done by wrapping the plants with plastics and the moist will be collected by day. The water collecting system for the green wall is the secondary device for water collection other than the water folly itself.

URBAN HAVEN in DETAIL

Secondary water collection method

Flower pots for green wall in detail

Hanging fabrics as a shading device

MOMENTS within URBAN HAVEN in DETAIL

Jou r

ney

to C yp r

u s. L

et’s begin!

Having a Malaysian passport, we knew we couldn’t join the studio field trip to Palestine as Malaysian passport has no diplomatic relation with Israel, thus high risk for us to landed in Tel Aviv.

Instead, we went to Cyprus located near Palestine, with having almost the same climate and context.

So our journey begins!

Cyprus, 2013

FROM ‘URBAN HAVEN’ to ‘REACHING OUT’

While my group in Palestine developing the Urban Haven project, I get to be involved with Group 2 (Alaxender, Arief and Eliayes) that was working with ‘Bird’ theme folly and help them to develop their project to the next stage. The group focuses on designing a bird folly to create awareness on the issue of Palestinian refugees and bird as a symbol of hope and freedom. Their research are mostly towards using kinetic architecture (inspired by bird movement studies) to collect water by using fogs and bird tower connected through series of kinetic steps that moves when a person walks on it.

The kinetic steps was designed in such a way to create awarness regarding a recent news on Palestinian refugees that trying to migrate to a new place but got shot down on a boat before they even reach their destinations. The steps represent how the refugees felt travelling on the sea feeling scared, not comfortable, worried about their fate. The aim was to create this awarness the struggle they had to go through on a daily basis while the tower leading up symbolise hope of a better life and fate.

This aim of this fieldwork is learning the possibilities from a very conceptual approach in design to making it real. Due to time limit, we decided to build an installation that has all the elements from the original folly design but in smaller scale.

The elements: 1.

The Moving Steps In original design, the steps supposed to have a spring structure underneath to make the floor moves when someone steps on it. In getting the same effect, springs are replaced with tires.

2.

The Angle Steps Series of timber will be cut piece by piece forming a pattern walkway with the length of 6m in total to represent the journey of the Palestinian refugees.

3.

Catching Fog Frame The original folly design has a big catching fog framing the whole walkway and has a water collection system underneath. For the installation, an angular frame covered with fabric mesh to represent the fog catching idea.

4.

The Bird Feeding Frame Addressing the bird theme, a frame covered with nylon strings to function as birds feeding place where bits pieces of foods will be attached to the string in order to attract birds to the folly.

FROM ‘URBAN HAVEN’ to ‘REACHING OUT’

FINDING MATERIALS With the never-ending help from Hussein, we managed to find all materials needed for the construction. We bought bundle of timbers with affordable price with the help of Cenan, one of the teaching staff at the university, negotiating for us with the local suppliers. We were lucky enough to get 10 used tires for free so we managed to cut the overall cost for the materials.

FROM PIECES TO A FOLLUY DESIGN

FROM CYPRUS, WITH LOVE If we could, we would brought all pieces of timber back to Oxford with us cause the words, quotes, sketch did by the students were so sincere and supportive. It’s good to see some awareness produce by building this installation and clearly some of the international students could relate to the issues we’re trying to deliver. The variety of language also made the installation successful in trying to engage people in interaction while they expressing their opinion on the installation. All in all, it was a good learning experience and environment with everyone made us feel welcome even changing contact so that we could keep in touch.

EXPLORING CYPRUS through CULTURE, FOOD, NATURE

FINDING CYPRUS & NICOSIA

Location of Cyprus

Location of Nicosia

INTRODUCTION Cyprus is an island country in the Estern Mediterranean sea, nortwest from Palestine. For the fieldtrip, we landed in Ercan airport, northern side of the island, half an hour away to Nicosia the capital city.

NICOSIA, GOLDEN WALLED CITY

North Nicosia, Cyprus It was Sunday when we arrived in Nicosia starting our journey from the northern side. If it wasn’t because of this fieldtrip, I wouldn’t know that Cyprus is divided between the Turkish and Greek due to the war happened in 1974.

It’s also one of the oldest Walled City in the world. All this while when someone mention Cyprus, automatically I will imagine Greece culture and blue sea. Having to experience Nicosia in the northern side, rich with traditional culture from the Turkish Cypriot really amazed me.

Crossing the ‘No Man’s Land.”

North and South Nicosia is divided with a approximately 230 metres land now filled with ruins, leftovers from the war since 1974. Surrounded by barbed wires and one needs to go through an immigration checkpoint to cross the land. Tourist, locals filled the area waiting their turn to stamp their passport.

CROSSING TO SOUTH NICOSIA

South Nicosia, Cyprus.

As soon we crossed the border, everything changed.

The people, food, money currency, language, culture, fashion, shops and many more. It was like we were transported to a whole new place. The city heavy with tourist, such a high contrast from North where it was more relaxed environment. Wherever we go, people started to look at , especially the locals. In the end we finished exploring the city within just 5 hours.

SCALE 1:5000 The Buffer Zone Main road crossing from North to South

DEAR DIARY..

“I feel invisible on the other side of the city (South Nicosia).

Is it because of the scarf I’m wearing?”

th

rou gh the rui ns.

Se ar

haven. for a g in ch

k Wal

in

g

pl

ac

e to

feel like

you bel on g

i

n

Is th

ere

a

? n ruins olde g se the

WOMEN’S HAVEN : CULTIVATING MOMENTS OF PARADISE Women’s Haven is a place of safety or refuge for women coming to Cyprus. A haven for women who feel insecure, judged or misunderstood by the society or purely just want to be with others who understand and accept you for who you are no matter where you came from or what your status is. Series of moments of Paradise will be cultivated among yourself, helping, learning from each other, finding your own moment without being judge by others in fact it could be shared to create beautiful memories.

JOURNEY TO HAVEN, SITE LOCATION

Women Without Men (2009) film screenshot

Women Without Men (2009) film screenshot

Walking through Nicosia ruins

Access to site by walking Site location within ruins

Solid & Void diagram

CELEBRATING the GOLDEN RUINS

The proposed site located 10 minutes walk from the main road leading you through series of ruins before reaching to the site.

Nicosia, one of the oldest walled city, seperated by a golden ruins in the middle creating sort of like a whimsical journey along the area. Holding thousands of memories from the past, ruins emerged from a sad episode for Cyprus, now could be use for something poetic and beautiful instead, cultivating hopes and dreams.

The site, half enclosed by two ruins left and right creates moments of possibilities to celebrate the ruins while designing a haven for the women.

Movement flow diagram

Solid & Void diagram

Design within ruins

TRAVEL, BE INSPIRED

I love travelling. I’ve been travelling ever since I started studying in Oxford last year. I tried to find any cheap ticket deals, pack my bag and start exploring.

What I love to do while travelling is to capture series of moments in a poetic way, with certain body language, on a specific background. When I went to Morocco, I started to photographed women in particular, with the help of my friend, sometimes acting to be one of a character for my project.

Photography by Aishah Mokhtar

HAVEN through HER EYES

I understand that every woman is unique to one another, different in every aspect - from opinions to fashion sense, from hair colour selections to religious beliefs, from personalities to physical sizes - yet, deep down, we are all still human beings with overlapping stories. A individual with a more complex mix of feelings and intelligence, compared to our male counterpart.

My secret haven would be a flexible place where I can rest my thoughts and find inner peace. I am somewhat impulsive and act on my mood, especially if I am in own space. There are times when I am sociable and would love to speak to a friend or two by inviting them over to this space of mine. We’d have a meaningful conversation over light food and drinks together in comfortable yet funky lounge chairs arranged closely, facing a courtyard or a small indoor garden - a natural view. On days when the weather is good, and entire wall could open up to the outdoor garden, a shared park and it would be possible to relax under the cool shade of natural trees. There are also times where I would love to be confined in my own solitary space and let introversion take over. A pure space would be lovely as I would love decorating a plain space and even after decorating it, I would redecorate it time after time. It is a therapeutic experience after all. Furniture would be crucial in such a pure space as any added element to my sanctuary would have to be picked carefully, like arranging the personal art pieces for an exhibition. An entire wall would also be covered with books from floor to ceiling, with their covers facing outwards - this would make more room, for they are thinner bookshelves and a visual feast. A hanging swing nearby would be the comfy seating needed for a morning/evening read under the natural light that leaks from the skylight above. I wouldn’t want anything lavish or fancy with heavy patterns to fill the space, but simply a light arrangement of modern decor. It may seem impersonal as the space only comes alive when people with colourful personalities and a kaleidoscope of perspectives come in and utilise the space.

A secret haven is not suppose to be home, but rather a weekend house. A place to escape to when reality starts to drag us down; a quiet place to recharge the mental spirit and rekindle the heart before stepping back into the real world.

Huda bt. Nejim Al-Asedi, 22

For me my own haven is a actually a number if things. It’s a cafe full of people. And i’m all alone, having coffee at a table. It’s reading a book at a park, under the shade of a tree. It’s a drive with beautiful scenery outside the window, me and my company in comfortable silence. That car becomes my sanctuary. It’s a warm shower, when i need time to think, and some time alone. It’s when i’m at the top of a mountain after a long hike and i’m sitting on a rock with a bottle of water, surrounded by the trees, listening to the sound of birds. Sometimes, my definition of haven is also just lying on the grass, guessing which animal the shape of the clouds look like. Sometimes it’s lying on a bench at night, and looking at the stars.

Nadhirah ‘Afiah- 24

Haven To travel through time at free will, as an observer not always a particpator .... to relive times of safety,times of happiness and of those moments that perhaps weren’t appreciated for their sheer beauty at that time.

Including ...

The sky: “It’s always darkest before the dawn” - sunset, sunrise.To see the constellations, to give perspective of the impossibility of our lives, and the amazing network of situations and interconnections of humanity.

Nature: To be outdoors, and free ... summer scents.

When asked about my ‘safe-haven’, my immediate thoughts conjure up a picnic set under a playground structure. Laid on the picnic spread are scattered tea-sets and a small bag of story books. Beyond, is a figure of my mother gardening her bougainvilleas. That was 16 years ago but now, a safe-haven often take place in a quite lonely university café. A novel or a sketchbook comes handy. Now, those picnic and tea sets have changed to comfy sofas and a cup of coffee instead. Add soft jazz music in the background.Now if I could add up more to this ready-made haven, there would be space, space and more space where rollings of mountain can be with a blue lake as wide as the eye can see. There, a view of a shimmering, lake within a walking distance where my barefeet can touch across the pebbled floor. Where smell of wild flowers and dewed forest can greet me when I’m awake, accompanied by a palette of purple,pink, yellow and orange sky.

Overall ... A haven of the mind!

A small haven that could be carried away like a car. I can imagine parking amidst a forest clearing, where chattering of owls and other night creatures could accompany my night reading. A pot of coffee will always be ready on a stove. And from where I sit, the kitchen is a handspan away where I can see rows of spices that hangs by the window, my mother’s flower vases and china pots littered over DIY creation I made with my own hands. To see a space where my creation could take place like a studio would be a slice of heaven (or haven?) on earth. Out yonder by the window, I would place the view of God’s garden. It is where nature sets place and I could fill the empty days with painting, reading or just staring at His creation all day.

I always wonder why is it that women can relate better in the kitchen or the garden? Now, now, I am not being a sexist but female figures around me seem to do so too. These spaces always conjure up a nurturing and peaceful feeling in me. With garden there is growth, flowers, fruits and vegetables that shoots from the Earth. And in the kitchen is where this food will be cook up for loved ones. Honestly, with the talk of nature and nurture, is it why we have ‘Mother Nature’?

Maybe it is not the talk of where but a matter of who is safe-haven. If I was asked that instead, I will answer without much hesitant, “my mother”.

Ellie Collins- 25

Balqis Tajalli - 24

Sea: Coastlines, looking to the vastness of the ocean. Stormy, and calm - whichever suited the mood.

City: In contradiction to nature perhaps, but a haven where the bustle of all life, and the many events of the city allow an occupation of the mind, to stop uneasy thoughts to creep in. This also includes a place of learning to keep the mind active and inspired.

Company: To always have friends, family and companionship in the haven.

Photography by Aishah Mokhtar

WOMEN WITHOUT MEN

WOMEN WITHOUT MEN (2009) FILM SCREENSHOTS

Watching movie is one of my hobby ever since I was a small kid. Growing up, I started to appreciate movies in terms of certain scene, with the right character in one image. I used to save screencaps from movies that I like and finally when I watched Women Without Men, a movie directed by Shirin Neshat, I couldn’t help myself but to screenshot every moments that I find breathtaking beautiful and use it as inspiration for this project.

FINDING MOMENTS through FILM SCENES

CYPRUS WOMEN ISSUES and TARGET GROUP

Greek Cypriot Women From my visit to South Nicosia, looking at the lifestyle it seems that most Greek Cypriot women are very modern and this can be seen the way they dressed, where they eat at fancy restaurant and a lot of them can be seen shopping around Nicosia centre. Little did we know, there are issues facing by them for example gender discrimination especially when it comes to job sallary in the working scene.

Women are almost absent from political offices but the number increasing in other workplace.

In general they are employed in jobs of lesser status than men, undertake both role of working outside the house while still retaining their responsibilities at home, resulting double burden.

Sometimes, the women hired immigrants workers to take over the domestic responsibilities.

Turkish Cypriot Women Contrast lifestyle to Greek Cypriot women, the Turkish Cypriot are more traditional and seems more relaxed. This especially shows when I visited Buyuk Han a place where the locals (mostly women) selling their own hand made crafts, spices, books, clothing and art piece. You’ll see them sitting with their girl friends, chatting away while making her embroidery with a cup of tea at their side.

Shockingly, they are some serious issues that some of these women are facing and that is sexual assault and domestic violence. They are expected to be housewives when they grow up and some of them needs to forget about their dream to work in a professional practice because of this expectations.

Immigrant & Refugees Resulting from Greek Cypriot women finding solution to lessen their burden in domestic responsibilities, they ofter hired immigrants worker mainly from Sri Lanka, Thailand and Philipines to work.

Research shows that Cyprus is one of the place that involves in trafficking in women for sexual exploitation. To put it at worse state, Cyprus has no services for survivors and has the lowest conviction rates for sexual offences in Europe. Immigrant workers often been taking advantage of same goes to refugees who came to Cyprus to find an assylum, but often judge and not accepted by the locals due to language barrier and sees as an outsider.

Cyprus Women Organisation There are several organisations that fight for the Cypriot women but not many people aware of this.

For example The Cyprus Women’s Lobby (CWL) was formed in 2008 to amplify the voices of advocates for women’s right and gender equality. Its major focus of operation is around migration, sexual and trafficking.

The only thing missing is that they don’t have like an official place to meet/gathering, often they result in a public space where they need to book in advance or a place where not so easily access by the public hence less awarness created among the locals.

CONCEPT DIAGRAM

EXPLORING NICOSIA CITY PATTERNS

EXTRACTING NICOSIA PATTERN

1:5000 on A3 size model, photocopied

Looking Nicosia city townscape from above, I started to celebrating the existing building and ruins patterns. Once extracting series of patterns from the masterplan, exploration of pattern were used to developed the architectural language for the plan.

SOLID & VOID EXPLORATION

DEVELOPMENT of ARCHITECTURAL LANGUAGE

DEVELOPMENT of SPACES

Ophelia B

ath

Women’s Haven Program: 1. Hawa Garden For they who loves gardening and nature

PUBLIC/CRAFT WORKSHOP

2. Ophelia Bath For they who find comforts while having bath 3. Cooking Room For they who loves to cook 4. Reading Room For they who use reading for imaginations

den

es

ri Se

COOKING AREA

d

gar

SPICE GARDEN

ies

oll

f en

ng ngi

of

Ha

nce

ra Ent

Fab r

ics

Hid

5. Tea Room For they who loves tea and find it’s very delicate 6. Women Gathering Area Platform to share ideas and stories 7. Personal Living Pod To rest and rejuvenate 8. Craft/Studio Platform to express through artistic skills and to learn new skills

CONCEPTUAL SECTION NARRATIVE

“W e’d hav e a me

to inks nd dr a d foo light aningful conversation over

lou ng ec h

sha e h t r reading a b e ook at a park, und

le ye tf un ky

“ i t’s

ee.” r t fa o e d

in er h t ge

tab or f m co

From series of women’s haven description by the public, I see some clear pattern between their imagination of their haven. It’s either reading a book under the trees, having cup of tea when it’s raining outside, looking at the sky, all description were dreamy and sort of they’re looking for an escape from reality.

I proposed to design a haven that combines both functional and daydreaming moments space for them. Using ruins and the landscape as part of the main elements to construct the moments.

d nge rra a s air

ng aci f , sely clo

or a tyard r u a co

door garden - a natural view.” small in

SECTION NARRATIVE EXPLORATION 1

EXPLORATIONS of MOMENTS Part I

Imagining the garden. Sitting facing a new friend, cup of tea or coffee in front of them just chatting away about anything.

Imagining the Tea Room.

Hanging table and chairs giving the room a whimsicle effect with series of tea making tools/apparatues (sugar cubes, tea pot, pattern tea cups) all within reach.

Imagining a space for women who loves to cook.

Spice garden hanging on the wall, a window overlooking a garden outside filled with flowers, cooking utensils hanging on the wall while chatting with a new friend, sitting on the floor admiring her cooking skills.

EXPLORATIONS OF MOMENTS Part II

“The beds are slightly lifted from the ground giving the illusion of the beds hanging in the air. Big window overlooking the Hawa Garden, a swing outside perfect for reading time.”

“She saw colourfuls hanging fabrics, direct sunlight filtered by series of hanging structure, inviting her to the haven.”

“Colourful carpets and cushions on the floor while she pour hot tea into cups. Travellers passing by the room which you can see from the tall window within the gathering room giving sense of unity in space.”

Morocco, 2013

SECTION NARRATIVE EXPLORATION 2

SECTION NARRATIVE EXPLORATION 3

SECTION NARRATIVE EXPLORATION 3

DEVELOPMENT of SOUTH WEST ELEVATION

SECTION NARRATIVE EXPLORATION 4

X

1 Y

4

7

2

3 8

5 X

9

Y 1. Main Entrance 2. Reading Area 3. Cooling pool 4. Women Gathering Area 5. Education Space 6. Cooking Area 7. Craft Workshop 8. Hawa Garden 9. Spice Garden 10. Hanging Fabrics

FINAL PROPOSAL: GROUND FLOOR PLAN SCALE 1:300

10

6

13 11

12

FIRST FLOOR PLAN SCALE 1:300

11. Ophelia Bath 12. Personal Living Pod 13. Craft Workshop

ROOF PLAN SCALE 1:300

DETAIL PLAN SCALE 1:75

X

X

FINAL PROPOSAL: SECTION X-X SCALE 1:200

FINAL PROPOSAL: EAST ELEVATION SCALE 1:200

DEVELOPMENT of MAIN FACADE

THE VEIL: IMAGINING the FACADE

NARRATIVE MODELS

KINETIC RINGS BY DUKNO YOON

CONSTRUCTING MOMENTS through 3D COLLAGES

MODEL ELEMENTS

CONSTRUCTING MOMENTS 1

The approach was rather conceptual modelling technique and using series of delicate paper combine with other mixed media to produce series of Moments of Paradise within the haven.

CONSTRUCTING MOMENTS 2

TECHNOLOGY EXPLORATION

SITE ENVIRONMENT N

SUNSET

SUNRISE

W

E

ANNUAL SUN PATH VARIATION

WIND DIRECTION: DECEMBER

WIND DIRECTION: AUGUST

SUN PATH: JUNE

WIND DIRECTION: DECEMBER

S

SUMMER ENVIRONMENTAL STRATERGY

SUMMER ENVIRONMENTAL STRATERGY: 1. Rainwater collected. the pool act as a natural cooling system bring cool air inside the building through nearest opening. The fabric act as the control system keeping the area cooler not letting the cool air evaporates through hot summer sun.

2. Cool air starts to turn warm inside the building. Again the interior fabric will keep the space cooler.

3. Hot air release through openings. User needs to manually open series of windows opening to let the hot air out. Natural cross ventilation system will be use.

6 4

4. The facade fabric acts as the main sun shading for the building, filtering the sun heat during summer days.

5. Cool air from Hawa Garden helps in reducing the heat during summer season.

2

4

6. Series of shading device and hanging fabrics filtering the sun from coming directly into the building.

5 3

3 2

1 1 N

WINTER ENVIRONMENTAL STRATERGY

WINTER ENVIRONMENTAL STRATERGY: 1.Underfloor heating used to directly heat spaces where people are socialising.

2. During winter season, the fabric could be pulled then the mechanical arm will be folded, folding the fabric together. This will allow the sun to enter the building without any filter.

3. Rain water collected through series of pipes then stored in the pool.

3

4. Rainwater collection to be used for servicing.

5. All openings will be closed during winter season to maintain the heat inside the building.

2 2

5

4

1

N

5

EXPLORATION of MATERIALITY

MATERIAL PALLETE STUDY 1. The idea is to make the building blends in with the ruins, another approach used to celebrate the ruins.

2. Copper panel used for the roof finishing. As time goes by the roof will turn to green as the copper will oxidise leaving texture and ruins effect.

1

3. Render panel used for the wall finish to give the facade rough texture almost the same with the ruins as most of the ruins used Adobe for wall.

4. Timber finishes used at certain part of the building for aesthatic purpose.

2

3

MINIMIZE COLD BRINGE STRATERGY

4

APPLYING MATERIAL PALETTE TO WALL AND ROOF PANEL

EXPLORATION of MATERIALITY: FABRIC

FABRIC FACADE PRECEDENT STUDIES

CANVAS SUN SHADING FABRIC

RECYCLED MATERIALS TURN TO FABRIC

POLYETHYLENE SUN SHADING FABRIC

1:75 @A1 SECTION DETAIL

Note: Kindly refer to A1 drawing for full scale.

STRUCTURE ELEMENTS

7

UNDERSTANDING PORTAL FRAME

6

1. Main 250mm timber structure 2. Timber joist run across interior floor 3. Secondary timber support element 4. Additional timber customized shaped panel 5. Steel C-channel purlins 6. Skylight 7. Copper panel roof finishing

5 3 PIN POINT BASIC DIAGRAM

1 8 2 APPLYING PORTAL FRAME CONCEPT TO STRUCTURE

3 3 1 2

IDENTIFYING MAIN AND SECONDARY STRUCTURE

4

1:20 @ A1 SECTION DETAIL 1. WALL CONSTRUCTION 20 mm Render panel finishing, Mesh 18 mm timber backing Water proof membrane 50 mm rigid insulation 50mm gap 150mm insulation C- steel channel purlins runs across 250mm main timber structure Foil backed to act as water vapour 18mm timber backing Interior finishing

5

2. FLOOR CONSTRUCTION 22mm timber planks, sanded and oiled, 100mm sound insulation between floor joist, timber planks

4 1

3. PULLEY SYSTEM 4. MECHANICAL ARM FACADE 5. RAINWATER COLLECTION 6. COOLING WATER FEATURE 7. PIPE CHANELLING RAINWATER 8. THE INTERIOR

8

3 2

7 9

6

Note: Kindly refer to A1 drawing for full scale.

1:20@A1 SECTION DETAIL: Pulley System

The pulley system act as a device to fold the mechanical arm. Pulley reduce the load when a force applied to it, making the mechanical arm bend, folding the fabric all together as well. During winter season, the mechanical arm facade can be pulled to receive more heat from the sun. More pulleys meaning less work, thus at each curve of the facade, a pulley will be installed.

MODEL SUDIES

PULLEY SUSTEM DIAGRAM: HOW IT WORKS

1:10 @A3 SECTION DETAIL: Mechanical Arm MECHANICAL ARM FACADE in DETAIL 1. Movable steel arm 1 2. Movable steel arm 2 3. Spring connectiong steel arm 2 and fixed steel arm 4. Main pulley

4

3

2

1

KINETIC SHADING DEVICE MODEL STUDIES

1:10 @ A3 SECTION DETAIL: Water Feature

1. WATER FEATURE CONSTRUCTION Tiling as finishes Water proof membrane Render cement concrete 150mm insulation surrouding conceret foundation Damp proof membrane

2

2. Top hung window to allow cool air from water feature to enter 3. Built in timber panel chair 4. Main foundation pinning the main structure

2

3 3

4 1

1:10 @ A3 SECTION DETAIL: Balcony Window

1. SLOPPING ELEMENT- Top hung window 2. VERTICAL ELEMENT- Balcony

1

1

2 1

Balcony window combining both sloping and vertical elements together creating a small balcony where user can just enjoy the view when one opens a window. Imagining the women looking at series of hanging fabrics at a closer look while enjoying the view in front of her.

2

For Women Who Loves to Cook

Imagining the cooking area where women coming from many backgrounds sat together, having tea, sharing stories cultivating moments of paradise between them. Hanging spices nearby, big opening overlooking spice garden outside easily accessable whenever in need of spices, vegetables.

Ophelia Bath

Some women find peace or to feel relax while having a bath.

Ophelia Bath is a space where they can use the space for daydreaming or an escape. She saw sunlight through series of hanging fabrics, filtering the sun, hanging plant and the blue sky as she lays down the bath tub. Steam from the shower filling up the space blurry her vision combining with spectrum of colours.

Craft Workshops/ Shops (Open to Public) Workshop/crafting gallery opens to public whenever the women decide to open the space.

If public sees series of hanging colourful fabrics were pulled down, meaning the shop will be open to public, giving full control of the space to the women. This is where they can sell and share their skills with the public as well contributing to Cyprus economy.

DS4 STUDIO I’ve always been interested in methodologies used by the tutors in the studio ever since I studies undergrad in Malaysia. I like to observe and experiment with different types of methods use when it comes to teaching and designing. Last year Advanced Architectural Design (AAD) taught me how to look at things in different perspectives from the simplest thing and how to transform it to an abstract design someone can appreciate.

DS4 takes me to the next level. It goes perfectly with what I’ve learned in AAD and this time taking it where people can more appreciate in terms of narrative and design.

Having inspiring studio friends, all came up with such beautiful narrative, each unique on their own, producing amazing works, to be able to observe the whole process was very helpful for me to develop the project.

Dear Family, My source of inspiration both in Architecture and life.

Dear Yara and Nasser, Not many tutors believe in me, my works, my ideas. But you encourage, guide and inspired me till the end. Finally I’ve found myself as an architect, designer, artist and person. For that I’m forever grateful to have you both as my tutor.

Dear Friends, You know who you are. Always keep me inspired with your amazing works and to learn a lot of things from you guys.

Dear Allah, My guide, The One who I turned to, The One who keep me calm.

Alhamdulillah.

It’s not the end. It’s just the beginning of a story.

Women’s Haven, 2014