Architecture Portfolio_Alex Kirschstein

Portfolio Alex Kirschstein B.A. _mail alex.kirschstein@web.de _phone +49 178 111 5751 _address Nieuwenoord 189 3079 LH, Rotterdam Netherlands All texts, images, models and drawings in this document were entirely or mainly created by the author, if not stated otherwise.

Hôtel Industriel

01

_Kemeri Observation Tower

02

_L’hôtel industriel

b.m3.4 Baukonstruktion (Hülle) Hôtel Industriel - Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Martin Ebert - Alex Kirschstein, Moritz Wesseler SoSe2017

03

_Gartenpavillon

04

_Thesis: Empowering Informality

01_KEMERI PARK OBSERVATION TOWER SPRING/SUMMER 2018

01_Kemeri Observation Tower An Interface for the Great Kemeri Bog Kermeri National Park, Latvia Open Architecture Competition 6. Semester Spring/Summer 2018 Group of two [C. Berresheim, A. Kirschstein] Supervisor: Andreas Schüring teamschuering@fh-muenster.de

About this competition In my 3rd year of studying, instead of attending one of the project courses, a friend and I decided to earn our credits by taking part in an architecture competition. We found an open competition hosted by Bee Breeders and one of our teachers agreed to supervise us.

The competition‘s objective was to design an observation tower for the Kemeri National Park in Latvia.

Participants were asked to deliver design proposals for a buildable structure along the boardwalk system, that would allow visitors new ways to view and experience the Great Kemeri Bog. Proposals were supposed

to show sensitivity towards the natural environment and potentially provide the park with a new architectural landmark.

While there were no dimensional requirements or height limitations prescribed, the recommended budget for the project was 50.000 USD. Programmatic requirements included wheelchair accessibility, as well as the use of durable construction materials.

The competition also challenged submissions to rethink the current boardwalk infrastructure itself for its replacement by a modular, more accessible design.

What did I learn?

The brief gave us the chance to design in an unsusual environment and forced us to work at the crossroads between architecture and landscaping.

It was highly instructive to get acquainted with real competition formalities and to manage our project more independently than in a course.

Moreover, it was the first time for us to compete with students and professionals from around the globe.

Our proposal won an honarable mention and the project was published online by Bee Breeders and by our university in an article on their website.

Besides generally learning a lot in the process, I also gained lasting condfidence and motivation to participate in future competions.

Visualisation of path leading to viewing platform 3

eri Bog

Nature Experience Nature Experience with all senseswith all senses

(1980, W.L. Thumboldt)

zum Thema des Konzeptes" Themapassend des Konzeptes" "Zitat passend zum"Zitat

01_KEMERI PARK OBSERVATION TOWER SPRING/SUMMER 2018

W.L. Thumboldt) (1980, (1980, W.L. I must explain to you how all But Thumboldt)

this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system.

Concept & Context

ButtoIyou musthow explain to mistaken you how all this ideapleasure of denouncing pleasure and But I must explain all this idea ofmistaken denouncing and wasgive born and I will giveaccount you a complete account of the system. pain born and I will you a complete of the system. praising pain waspraising

Kemeri Bog Axial Analysis Kemeri Bog

Nature Silhoulette Kemeri’s Silhouette Nature Silhoulette Nature Silhoulette

The natural axis of the bog waters sets the direction for an intervention within the short board walk.

As a counterpart to the flat wetlands, the verticality of pine and birch trees demonstrates a clear and natural architecture.

Landscape Intervention

Landscape Intervention Landscape Intervention Landscape Intervention

Three points, each with a different focus, are placed along this axis to allow an engaging experience for visitors of the national park.

23 m a.s.l.

20 m a.s.l.

Kemeri National Park, Latvia

20 m a.s.l.

16 m a.s.l.

14 m a.s.l.

16 m a.s.l.

12 m a.s.l.

13 m a.s.l.

12 m a.s.l.

Map of existing board walk and new intevention (by C. Berresheim)

Visualisation of the view tower within its context 4

01_KEMERI PARK OBSERVATION TOWER SPRING/SUMMER 2018

Close-Up Fauna

Extended Views

Peaceful Waters

Our aim was to present a proposal that does not intend to compete with its surrounding landscape, yet conveys a bold architectural statement.

Instead of focusing on one main point of interest, the intervention spreads out horizontally along a section of the board walk.

A tall viewing tower is not particularly necessary, as the bog‘s landscape is flat and therefore allows broad views from relatively low heights. Instead, visitors encounter three different stations during their visit: Close-Up Fauna This area is laid out to decelerate and emphasize the present fauna.

When visitors explore the park through the board walk they are constantly surrounded by pine trees and colourful high grass.

Here visitors have an opportunity to take a seat and might be inspired to take a closer look at what they might have missed otherwise.

Extended Views The station in the centre of the intervention provides an elevated platform in order to allow new perspectives of the national park for everybody - also those not able to climb stairs.

The platform is slightly higher than the average tree height and is therefore able to provide a superior view of the otherwise rather flat landscape and fantastic conditions for bird watching.

Together with the ramps leading up to it, it is situated in between the vertical poles, blurring structural elements and integrating the structure into the tree’s natural architecture.

The area beneath the platform shapes a sheltering space with a semi-interior atmosphere. At the other end of the structure a picnic-area serves as the ideal place for a lunch break.

Peaceful Waters The final platform leads right to one of the other key attractions of the park: the bog waters.

The seating invites visitors to sit down and take in the new scenery.

Just as the area within the trees, the proximity to water presents a different perspective and an experience of nature that is not given at any other time during the board walk.

5

01_KEMERI PARK OBSERVATION TOWER SPRING/SUMMER 2018

by C. Berresheim

Elevations

+3,17m

+3,17m +3,17m +2,70m

+2,70m +2,70m

+3,17m +3,17m +2,70m

+2,70m +2,70m

+0,00m +0,00m +0,35m

+0,35m +0,35m +0,82m

+0,82m +0,82m +1,29m

+0,00m +0,00m +0,35m

+0,35m +0,35m +0,82m

+0,82m +0,82m +1,29m

platform

platformplatform

platform

platformplatform

+0,00m

+0,00m

+3,17m

+2,23m

+2,23m

+1,29m +1,29m +1,76m

+1,76m +1,76m

+2,23m +2,23m +1,29m +1,29m +1,76m

+1,76m +1,76m

+2,23m +2,23m

Plans

Close-Up Fauna

Extended Views

Peaceful Waters

6

01_KEMERI PARK OBSERVATION TOWER SPRING/SUMMER 2018

by C. Berresheim

Structural Concept

Wall

Passage

Seating

Boardwalk Elements

Table

Vertical Modules Construction Process • all prefabricated modules can be carried to the construction site by hand • no heavy machinery is required • the path is made of standard steel frames that are anchored to the ground by helical piles • galvanized, perforated metal sheets are durable and easy to replace during maintenance • the platform is stiffened by the pedestals • formwork of the foundation is prefabricated and concreted on site • statically clamped supports carry the ramps • vertical modules can be assembled by hand • steel pipes are statically clamped beneath the surface and connected to the helical piles • perforated metal sheets are suspended at different heights between the pipes to generate useful areas

Visualisation of the main structural components

Ramp & Static Pedestral

7

02_L’HÔTEL INDUSTRIEL SPRING/SUMMER 2017

02_L’hôtel industriel Shared work spaces within the area of Münster’s train station Muenster, Germany Academic Project 4. Semester Spring/Summer 2017 Group of two [Moritz Wesseler, Alex Kirschstein] Supervisor: Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Martin Ebert teamebert@fh-muenster.de

About this project The task of this course was to design an usage-neutral office building that provides flexible spaces for freelancers and small to medium-sized companies.

A main focus was laid on learning about facade technolgies and skeleton construction types.

The building‘s typology embodies a direct response to its industrial surroundings - while large windows allow light-flooded rooms with all-round views, the buildings internal layout faces towards the atrium and the large open space on the ground floor.

As the site is located next to a busy road the volume is set back a few meters and thus forms a small square in front of its main entrance. Two cores connect all five floors with lifts, safety stairs and technical infrastructure.

The open floor plan with a structural grid of 4x5 meters allows various office designs from individual to large open-plan offices - different combinations are possible for different users.

Projects by David Chipperfield served as references in terms of architectural aesthetics and a coworking office by Fosbory & Sons in Antwerp influenced the interior planning.

What did I learn?

Besides practicing to work in plan with a grid system, I expanded and developed my knowledge of general static rules and skeleton construction typologies.

By working in scales as small as 1:2, this project showed me how much I enjoy working on precise details and refined my skills in the art of clean line drawings.

Studying office typologies, performing square meter calculations and stricly following fire safety regulations made me accustomed to work that faces the daily reality of architects.

Site plan of the railway station area in Münster (by M.Wesseler)

8

02_L’HÔTEL INDUSTRIEL SPRING/SUMMER 2017

by M.Wesseler

Ansicht Süd M 1|20 Ansicht Süd M 1|20

Ansicht Nord M 1|200 Ansicht Nord M 1|200

Grundriss 2. Obergeschoss M 1|200

east elevationAnsicht Süd M 1|20

Ansicht Nord M

south elevation

Ansicht Ost M 1|200 GSEducationalVersion

GSEducationalVersion

Grundriss Erdgeschoss M 1|200

section B - B

section A - A

B

Grundriss 3. Obergeschoss M 1|200

Ansicht West M 1|200 GSEducationalVersion

aa M 1|200 Schnitt aaSchnitt M 1|200

bb M 1|200 Schnitt bbSchnitt M 1|200

Schnitt aa M 1|200

A

A

Grundriss 2. Obergeschoss M 1|200

GSEducationalVersion

Isometric drawing of structural concept Ansicht Süd M 1|20

Grundriss Erdgeschoss M 1|200

B

GSEducationalVersion

lower level

Ansicht Nord M 1|200

GSEducationalVersion

ground floor

Grundriss 4. Obergeschoss M 1|200

GSEducationalVersion

office plan variations

Grundriss 1. Obergeschoss M 1|200

9

02_L’HÔTEL INDUSTRIEL SPRING/SUMMER 2017

Facade Section 1

Construction details listed from top to bottom:

2

3

1_ATTICA gravel roof sealing tapered insulation vapour barrier reinforced concrete slab 2_FACADE ELEMENT 3_FLOOR STRUCTURE polished floating screed PE film formwork element raised floor support reinforced concrete slab 4_EXTERIOR FLOORING natural stone slabs gravel 5_FOUNDATION waterproof concrete PE film perimeter insulation granular subbase capillary-breaking layer filter fleece vertical moisture barrier drainage pipe

4

exterior elevation

5

horizontal section

facade section

interior elevation

10

02_L’HÔTEL INDUSTRIEL SPRING/SUMMER 2017

Element Facade

vertical section_orig. 1:5

7102eSoS relesseW ztiroM ,nietshcsriK xelA - trebE nitraM .gnI-.lpiD .forP - leirtsudnI letôH )ellüH( noitkurtsnokuaB 4.3m.b

corner detail_orig. 1:5

horizontal section_orig. 1:5

11

Vertikalschnitt M 1|5

Vertikalschnitt M 1|5

Vertikalschnitt M 1|5

70

Horizontalschnitt M 1|5

It was particularly challenging to bring technological requirements into unity with attracrive proportions that match the building‘s dimensions. The experience of extensively working on small details in the context of an entire building changed my perception of planning in this scale and has since encrouraged me to bring the qualities of good detailing to the center of my projects.

A4

Horizontalschnitt M 1|5

The resulting element is largely made from anodized aluminum profiles and has vertical dimensions of around 4m x 1,2m. It provides two forms of sun protection and a manual ventilation flap beside the glasing.

leirtsudnI letôH

Eckdetail M 1|5

Eckdetail M 1|5

One of the key tasks of this course was to design a scalable facade. We decided to challenge ourselves by trying to invent a custom element facade.

To understand the logic and complexity of facade components, we begann by closely examining existing window details as produced by leading manufacturers such as Schüko or the Lindner Group.

While we also learned more about insulation, ventilation and shading technologies, we started to experiment with proportions suitable for the requirements of our proposal.

For reference, we also closely examined the facade details of Mies van der Rohe‘s Seagram Building in New York.

03_GARTENPAVILLION AUTUMN 2018 - SUMMER 2019

03_Gartenpavillon A public workshop pavilion for the campus garden in Münster Leonardo-Campus, Muenster Germany Self-Initiated Project Group of two [Alex Kirschstein, Marius Scherer] 7./8. Semester Autumn 2018 - Summer 2019 In cooperation with: Grünebeete E.V.

About this project It was a lucky coincidence that we came into contact with Grünebeete E.V., an urban gardening club that takes care of vegetable beds and multiple bee hives on my former university campus. The club was in need of a sheltered space, which would could also function as a location for workshop events. We analysed the site and developed concept presentations and models to communicate our plans to our „client“. Our goal was to constuct a new central structure that catches the eye but would still settle into its surrounding.

After completion we gave interviews and a professional video clip was produced by the university media.

In January this year I was invited to give a lecture about this project at the chair for sustainable construction at FAUP, the Porto School of Architecture.

What did I learn?

This was the first project in which I was able to translate my architectural design skills into a full scale building.

From conceptual approach to the final outcome we encountered all relevant aspects necessary that are part of a „real“ project. These included filing building permits, the management of finances, namely organisisng sponsorships by companies and monetary funding by multiple faculties, the student association and the vice-president of FH Muenster.

For the project management we used newly learned software such as microsoft projects.

It was a challenge to design every detail in a way that we could execute them ourselves as we were also responsible for all phases of construction. I gained valuable construction skills and in depths knowledge of building technologies such as rammed earth.

View of workbench area 12

03_GARTENPAVILLION AUTUMN 2018 - SUMMER 2019

Context Campusgarten / Grünebeete

Leonardo-Campus Münster, Germany

Community meet-up in the garden

Drone photo of the Campus Garden

Location of garden within the context of the Leonardo-Campus

Chosen site for pavilion 13

03_GARTENPAVILLION AUTUMN 2018 - SUMMER 2019

Design Phase Design Process

Conceptual Approach

rammed earth wall

abstract tree ramifications

minimizing borders between structure and the natural surrounding

initial studies of different approaches with basic models

imaginable ways of use, conceptual collage final model used for general communication

14

03_GARTENPAVILLION AUTUMN 2018 - SUMMER 2019

Technical Drawings Plan & Sections

Details

While not actualy enclosing space, the earth wall seperates the pavillion into two zones: The small „dirty“ side with a work surface to work with plants, change pots and earth; and the larger „clean“ area where the club can hold workshops and meet-ups or simply find shelter during a shower of rain.

plan

section B - B

section A - A

construction details of rammed earth wall / roof connections

15

03_GARTENPAVILLION AUTUMN 2018 - SUMMER 2019

Construction Foundations & Plinth After months of planning we were excited to finally begin construction. After the site was prepared we began by translating our plans onto the site. Holes for the foundations were excavated by hand. It was hard to calculate the correct size of foundations as we did not want to use more concrete than necessary. We searched for gravel and cobble stones in the proximity of our site. Our first work days on site turned out to be particularly stenous and everything was transported by wheelbarrow.

After the foundations were poured , constructiing the stonewalled base was our first milestone - we were really proud.

excavation for point foundation

locating gravel for foundations

large cobble stones from a nearby depot

creating two foundations

transfering the plans to surface

plinth for rammed earth wall

16

03_GARTENPAVILLION AUTUMN 2018 - SUMMER 2019

Construction Rammed Earth Wall Just as the stone plinth and the concrete foundations, building a rammed earth wall was something we both had never done. What set it apart from the previous steps was that nobody in our circle or acquaintances had any handson experience with this building material - so we needed to rely on theoretical knowledge from several books and the internet. Our goal was to bring an „real“ example to the campus and to inpire others.

After pitching our concept to the manager of a local builder‘s merchant, he agreed to sponsor

preparing the formwork

hand rammer as main compression tool

climbing formwork ready for use

first glance of rammed earth

6 tonnes of earth are delivered

horizontal moisture barrier above plinth

planning the formwork

the first few layers of rammed earth

last section completed

admiring the result

getting first public attention

parts of the six tonnes of earth we had calculated for the wall.

Building and planning the L-shaped formwork was a lot more complicated than expected but we managed eventually.

Luckily, we were able to motivate around a dozen fellow students to help us transport and compress the earth. Again we needed to arrange ourselves with manual tools - wheelbarrow and buckets for transportation and a hand rammer to compress the earth. Three layers of lime mortar with equal distance protect the wall from uncontrolled erosion.

17

03_GARTENPAVILLION AUTUMN 2018 - SUMMER 2019

Construction Wooden Grid The wooden grid structure simlutaneously functions as a wall and as structural element of the roof. Our idea was that it would compliment the earth wall in shaping the space beneath the roof but still allow transparency towards the natural surroundings.

We encouraged the users to add objects and climbing plants, so that its appearance would be shaped by the user over time and add a personal character.

The wooden laths have crosssectional dimensions of 38mm x 38mm. It was crucial that they would be straight enough to be used for the grid and but affordable for our tight budget - it took a while but we eventially found a supplier.

We misused flat steel concrete anchors as support feet for the grid. Not only were they signficantly cheaper but they also ensured a slim aesthetic.

It was particularly tricky to think of a smart way of connecting the roof trusses to the earth wall, not even specialist literature was able to give us an answer to this specific detail. In the end we used a thick layer of cement mortar on the earth wall, which worked out surprisingly well.

positioning first layer of the grid

wood chips as exterior flooring

mounting wall on concrete foundation

attaching the roof trusses to earth wall

pre assembling the wooden grid

curious crowds before completion

cross connection of roof trusses

18

03_GARTENPAVILLION AUTUMN 2018 - SUMMER 2019

Final Results We produced roofing panels from galvanized sheet metal that are precicely tailored to the width of the wooden grid. To ensure lasting stability we decided to subsequently add a galvanized pillar with the same cross-section as the wooden laths. It gave us the opportunity to attach a removable table top and to add matching stools that can be stored in the grid wall.

Photographs by M.Scherer, edited by the author 19

for informal settlements in Metro Manila

04_EMPOWERING INFORMALITY SPRING/SUMMER 2019

04_Empowering Informality Sustainable development strategies for informal settlements in Metro Manila Metro Manila, Philippines Bachelor Thesis Individual 8. Semester Spring/Summer 2019 Supervisor: Prof. Ulrich Blum, Dipl.-Ing. M.Arch ulrich.blum@fh-muenster.de

About my Thesis This thesis aims to present a conceptual approach on how building technologies, architecture and urban design can contribute to the sustainable development of informal settlements and therefore improve the lives of their residents.

The Baseco Compound, an informal settlement in Manila, was analysed and used as a representative case study.

A large part of my thesis consists of theoretical research that builds up towards my conceptual approach and finally to my architectural proposal.

I identified four vital categories of interventions: The provision of

decentralized infrastructure, the establishment of public facilities, the introduction of locally produced building materials and the implementation of a revised street network.

This next pages contains more text than the previous projects the theoretical part of my thesis is a crucial component to communicate this complex project.

What did I learn?

During the work on this thesis I delved deep into the academic environment of interdisciplinary journal articles and specialist literature. I learned to work with publications of different UN departments and philippine national agencies and how to connect them to an architectural context.

I applied theory and interdisciplinary reseach to the architectural context in all imaginable scales - from the conceptual approach of viewing urban realm as a living ecosystem to practical eperimentation with adhesives made from biodegradable polymers. I also focused on learned about bamboo, its machanical properties and composite technologies.

Moreover, I learned how to use new digital tools such as Space Synthax, Rhino or satelite softwares and improved skills to communicate complex ideas graphically.

Visualisation of proposed intervention 20

04_EMPOWERING INFORMALITY SPRING/SUMMER 2019

Overall Integration

Street Hierarchies

Case Study Analysis Site.

The Baseco Compound, in the west of Manila City, is a dense informal settlement that has largely been built on reclaimed land. It is bordered by the Pasig river in the north, the Port of Manila in the east, and is surrounded

by Manila Bay in the south and west.

Only one road in the northeast physically connects the settlement to the remaining city.

The area has an overall size of 54 hectares and a total population of 51,060.

History.

Originally the area used to be a dumpsite next to the port area. The first illegal structures were built by rural-urban migrants in the late 1980s, who expanded the land area with waste infills incrementally.

As over the pasts two decades several devastating fires made hundreds of families homeless - different NGOs built large scale public housing Manila Bay schemes. Today the settlement is characterized by a mix of port warehouses, some public institutions, such as schools and churches, NGO housing blocks and a vast landscape of make-shift huts.

high

main roads

medium

secondary roads

low

small paths

Integration analysis of individual streets in the overall existing street network

Existing street network

Street Network & Overall Integration

Street Typologies

Street Typologies

Street Network & Overall Integration Building Typologies

Make-Shift Hut:

57.7% Manila Bay

Semi-Concrete:

39.9% Baseco Compound Area Analysis Informal

Overall Integration

Street Hierarchies

Formal

main roads

high

secondary roads

medium low

small paths

Integration analysis of individual streets in the overall existing street network

Existing street network

Concrete:

02.4% Satellite Image of Baseco

Typologies BuildingBuilding Typologies Street Typologies

Construction Materials Construction Materials Corrugated Sheet Metal • roofing • cladding • railings

Make-Shift Hut:

57.7%

Tarpaulin • roofing • cladding • sunshade

Semi-Concrete:

39.9% Baseco Compound

Bamboo • fencing • light walls • roof construction

Area Analysis

Wood • cladding • flooring • frame structures

Informal Formal

Concrete:

02.4% Satellite Image of Baseco

Concrete & Concrete Bricks • solid walls • foundations

Most common construction materials in Baseco

categories of analysis 21

cooking and drinking.

04_EMPOWERING INFORMALITY SPRING/SUMMER 2019

Providing Decentralized Infrastructure

g. er, produced by households during washing rainwater is collected in [2] greywater storage membrane filtration systems immediately turn 4] drinkable, potable water that can be used for g.

cycle

A key factor for improving living conditions in Baseco is the provision of infrastructure and basic services. Conventionally, infrastructural systems are planned top-down by the city administration and involve massive investments.

A shift from the centralized, linear and monofunctional approach to a more decentral, circular and dynamic system should be considered as a solution. Urban Domestic Domestic infrastructure, including the Wastewater Wastewater 11 management of water resources, waste recycling, energy generation and even food production, could be imagined as a synergistic ecosystem that effectively multiplies its functionality as a 22 whole.

In order to implement this strategy within the context of Baseco, solutions must be affordable, socially acceptable and rather low-tech, so that they can be understood and maintained by the community. The following concept considers an incremental addition of individual components at different stages and can be further extended as required.

Solid Waste Households are responsible for bringing their waste to the closest [1. waste collection facility]. There it is sorted into non-recyclables that are [2. collected] and Human waste.

11 outside the A [1. urine diversion toilet] separates feces and urine. [2. processed Feces] and recyclables are collected and stored in a small container that functions settlement as a [3.

44 biogas unit]. The generated [4. biogas] is stored safely and that can have be [3. value] and/or can be used for further [4. used for [5. cooking and energy generation]. production] to create new The separated [6. urine] is run through a [7. filtration system] that products. extracts a [8.33nutrient rich solution] that can be further used for Solid Solid Waste Waste

55

Domestic Domestic Wastewater Wastewater

Fig 57: Diagram of the greywater cycle

Greywater Recycling

6

Domestic wastewater, produced by households during washing and bathing, and [1] rainwater is1collected in [2] greywater storage tanks. Multiple [3] membrane fi ltration systems immediately turn the greywater into [4] drinkable, potable water that can2be used for cooking and 3 drinking .

22

110

Fig 58: Diagram of the waste management cycle

8

7

Organic Waste

Urine 111 6

2

Fig 59: Diagram of the human waste cycle

6

5

Fig 60: Diagram of the organic waste cycle

Organic waste.

Organic waste is brought to a [1. compostation unit] and is decomposed using [2. fly larvae]. The larvae is fed to [3. livestock] Organic Waste and [4. fish]. [5. Crops] are grown vertically in an aquaponic system Organic waste is brought using the nutrient rich solution gained from urine. Crops, livestock to a [1. compostation unit] 1 and food]. and fish can be used for [6. income generation

2

Human Waste 112

4

5

feces 3

Organic Waste 22

33

crop irrigation.

Solid waste management.

Households are responsible for bringing their waste to the closest [1. waste collection facility]. There it is sorted into non-recyclables that are [2. collected] and processed outside the settlement and recyclables that have [3. value] and/or can be used for further [4.

Human production] to create new products.

Waste 5 Human waste.

A [1. urine diversion toilet] separates feces and urine. [2. Feces] are collected and stored in a small container that functions as a [3. biogas unit]. The generated [4. biogas] is stored safely and can be used for [5. cooking and energy generation].

4 1 The separated [6. urine] is run through a [7. filtration system] that extracts a [8. nutrient rich solution] that can be further used for crop irrigation.

11

44

3

A [1.] urine diversion toilet separates feces and urine.

8 [2.] Feces are collected and stored in a small container that functions as a [3.] biogas unit. The generated [4.] biogas is Human stored safely and can be used for [5.] cooking Waste and energy generation. The separated [6.] urine is run through a [7.] fi ltration system that extracts a [8.] nutrient rich solution that can be further used for7 crop irrigation.

5

4

and is decomposed using [2. fl y larvae]. The larvae is fed to [3. livestock] and [4. fi sh]. [5. Crops] are grown vertically in an aquaponic system using the nutrient 113 rich solution gained from urine. Crops, livestock and fi sh can be used for [6. income generation and food].

Fig 60: Diagram of the organic waste cycle

4

1

Urine 6

feces 3 Fig 59: Diagram of the human waste cycle

2

Organic waste.

Organic waste is brought to a [1. compostation unit] and is Conceptual decomposed using [2. fly larvae]. The larvae is fed to [3. livestock] and [4. fish]. [5. Crops] are grown vertically in an aquaponic system using the nutrient rich solution gained from urine. Crops, livestock and fish can be used for [6. income generation and food].

illustrations of circular infrastructure

22

Establishing Public Facilities

Basic Services.

As identified during research, there is a strong sense of community within the informal settlements of Manila.

Adding this to the fact that many of Local Waste Baseco‘s households are incapable of Collection & Separation having their own basic amenities, the establishment of public facilities is of great importance and could largely benefit the community as a whole.

Facilities that provide basic services should be a priority and include public sanitation units, potable water stations, decentral waste collection centers, and 116 flood platforms to protect the residents Livestock Livestock Compostation Compostation Compostation in case of emergency.Livestock & Aquaculture & Aquaculture

& Aquaculture

Unit Unit

Compostation Unit

Livestock Temporary & Aquaculture Commercial Units

Shared Healthcare Kitchen Unit

LocalPotable Waste Potable WaterWater Collection & Separation Station Station

Unit

Enhancing Productivity.

Another research finding is that Manila‘s informal settlements are highly productive environments.

Both private and public spaces commonly have multiple fuctions at once and serve as spaces for income generation and social exchange SharedShared Shared Temporary Temporary Temporary simultaneously.

Kitchen Kitchen Kitchen Commercial Commercial Units UnitsCommercial Units Promoting urban productivity should consequently also play a key role in the concept.

Imaginable among others are facilities that provide space for microindustries, small-scale aquaculture and livestock, low-tech vertical farming units and additional space for commercial activities. Community kitchens and Healthcare Healthcare Healthcare Local Waste Localtool Waste Local also Waste shared sheds could prove Unit Unit Unit Collection Collection & Separation & Separation Collection & Separation to be highly beneficial for Baseco‘s residents.

04_EMPOWERING INFORMALITY Micro 2019 SPRING/SUMMER

Livestock Temporary & Aquaculture Commercial Units

Shared Kitchen

Industries

Flood-Safe Spaces

Potable Water Station

Shared Healthcare Public Public Sanitation Sanitation Public Sanitation Unit Kitchen Unit Unit Unit

Micro Industries

Local Waste Vertical Vertical Vertical Collection Farming Farming Unit& Separation Unit Farming Unit

116

Micro Micro Industries Industries

116

Flood-Safe Flood-Safe Spaces Spaces

Flood-Safe Spaces

SharedShared Tool Sheds Tool Sheds

Shared Tool Sheds

Fig 62: Basic Fig 62: concept Basic of concept public of facilities public Fig 62:facilities Basic concept of public facilities

Conceptual illustrations of proposed public facilities

23

C

agram

04_EMPOWERING INFORMALITY SPRING/SUMMER 2019

Supporting Local Construction Woven Bamboo Beams

As made evident by the material anaylsis, structures in Baseco are largely made from low-value materials.

When applied in an unprocessed state (bamboo splits, untreated timber, unfinished steel etc.), these materials have a short lifespan, show weak 2 mechanical properties and can present serious fire hazards.

Local Production.

A fundamental part of the overall concept is to introduce building materials that can be produced in small and low-tech production facilities 4 within the settlement. While making use of locally available resources and skills, this will generate income within the settlement, make more types of building materials affordable to the community and can, ideally, lead the construction sector in Baseco to a more sustainable future and make it less dependent on imported materials such as concrete or steel.

Process.

The following graphics present two exemplary production cycles that are conceivable within the context of Baseco. The first one shows how structural beams can be fabricated from bamboo strips, otherwise solely used for non-structural applications, such as fencing and facade cladding.

The second production cycle presents how interlocking bricks can be made from plastic waste that currently pollutes the environment of Baseco.

Fig 65: Comparison of raw bamboo splits and woven bamboo fibre before lamination

1. culms are split 2. the area of the strip containing most fibre bundles is mechanically extracted with a circular saw 3. strips are woven together and soaked in resin 4. multiple layers are pressed together at around 70 °C 5. beams are cut into shape and reinforced with metal sheets for durability

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Woven Bamboo Beams.

(1) Culms are split; (2) the area of the strip containing most fibre bundles is mechanically extracted with a circular saw; (3) strips are woven together and soaked in resin; (4) multiple layers are pressed together at around 70 °C; (5) beams are cut into shape and reinforced with metal sheets for durability

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1

5 Fig 66: Recycled plastic brick production diagram

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Plastic Building Blocks

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Fig 67: Comparison of plastic waste and the recycled brick

Fig 64: Laminated bamboo production diagram

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1. Unsorted plastic waste is collected and shredded 2. shredded plastic particles are washed and dried Woven Bamboo Beams.

3. plastic particles are intothe a brick mold (1) Culms arelayed split; (2) area of the strip containing most fibre bundles is mechanically 4. placed into an ovenextracted with a circular saw; (3) strips are woven at around 100 °C together and soaked in resin; (4)5.multiple layersstackable are pressed together the product, at around 70plastic °C; (5)bricks, beamscan are be cutused into shape and reinforced with sheets for durability formetal construction immediately

Fig 65: Comparison of raw bamboo splits and woven bamboo fibre before lamination

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Plastic Building Blocks.

(1) Unsorted, collected plastic is shredded; (2) shredded plastic particles are washed and dried; (3) plastic particles are layed into a brick mold; (4) and put into an oven at around 100 °C; (5) stackable

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04_EMPOWERING INFORMALITY SPRING/SUMMER 2019

Bamboo Beam Prototype For my final presentation I focused on developing the bamboo beam as one of the two theoretical production proposals highlighted on the previous page.

It was important to me that I would be able create this prototype with simple tools, as it would also need to be done that way in Baseco. main production steps from raw bamboo splits to final product

structural bamboo beam

woven bamboo & concrete composite

production steps: [1] bamboo splits, [2] mechanical fibre extraction, [3] woven fibre, adhered and compressed woven bamboo

The first step was to remove the mechanically less relevant inner layers by using a simple planer.

The exterior skin was also removed in order to ensure constant adhesive properties.

I used a chisel and hammer to adjust the width of each strip (15mm - 20mm).

With the help of screw clamps the strips were then woven into eight sheets with dimenstions of rougly 25cm x 180cm. In a following step a polyurethane adhesive was used to bind the layers in a press.

Finally, I cut the edges with a circular saw for a clean rectangular shape.

During this experimental production I also created a bamboo-concrete composite, that could possibly to be used for load bearing slab or facade elements.

Altough the mechanical properties have not yet been tested the prototypes are would likely show promising stability.

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Improvement of Connectivity

First street intervention: Connecting dead ends

04_EMPOWERING INFORMALITY Improvement of Connectivity SPRING/SUMMER 2019

Improving Street Conditions In order to provide a basis for larger interventions within Baseco, finding a holistic solution to improve the settlement‘s inefsufficient street network was identified as a crucial first step.

The present network was analyzed with the support of Space Synthax, a software that visually interprets the spatial relationships between all streets within a system. The following concept is based on a combination of the analysis results and the presently existing local circumstances in Baseco.

First street intervention: Connecting dead ends

Integration analysis after first street intervention

First street intervention: Connecting dead ends

Street Hierarchies

Integration analysis after first street intervention

Overall Integration Street Hierarchies

main roads secondary roads

high

medium

secondary roads

small paths

Overall Integration

high

main roads Street Hierarchies

low

small paths

main roads

high

secondary roads

medium

small paths

Second street intervention: Clustering and widening First streetcommunity intervention:blocks Connecting dead ends existing alleyways

low

low

Integration after firstIntegration street intervention analysis after second street intervention Second street intervention: Clustering community blocks and widening analysis existing alleyways Second street intervention: Clustering community blocks and widening existing alleyways

First street intervention

Street Hierarchies

main roads

Second street intervention

secondary roads

Integration analysis after second street intervention

Overall Integration high

medium

small paths

Integration analysis

Hierarchy of Streets.

low

Hierarchy of Stre

Small paths

Hierarchy of Streets.

Second street intervention: Clustering community blocks and widening existing alleyways

The second step towards the final upgrading scheme was to identify hierarchies of street typologies, including main streets, secondary streets and narrow paths. The main streets are envisioned to function as the network‘s ‚arteries‘ allowing larger verhicles, such as trucks supplying construction related goods and include basic drainagege systems for the managemant of storm water and aim to decrease the risk of stagnant water after the event of flooding.

medium

Overall Integration

Integration analysis after second street intervention

2m - 3m

Hierarchy of Streets.

Small paths

Small paths

Small paths

2m - 3m

Secondary roads

4m - 6m

2m - 3m

Secondary roads

4m - 6m

Street Hierarchies

Main roads

main roads secondary roads small paths

8m - 10m

Sections of proposed streets

Hierarchy of the new street network

Street Hierarchies

secondary roads small paths

Secondary roads

Main roads

main roads

Secondary roads

8m - 10m

Sections of proposed streets

Hierarchy of the new street network

4m - 6m

Street Hierarchies

Overall Integration

main roads

high

secondary roads

medium Street Hierarchies

small paths

low

Main roads

main roads

Street Hierarchies

Second street intervention: Clustering community blocks and widening existing alleyways

main roads secondary roads

Integration analysis after second street intervention

secondary roads

Main roads

small paths

Hierarchy of the new street network

Hierarchy of Streets.

small paths

8m - 10m paths network theSmall new street Hierarchy of theHierarchy new ofstreet network

Sections of proposed streets

Sections of proposed streets 2m - 3m

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04_EMPOWERING INFORMALITY SPRING/SUMMER 2019

Fourth floor Fourth Floor (Scale 1:100)

Second Floor (Scale 1:100)

Second floor

First floor First Floor (Scale 1:100)

Structural Section (Scale 1:30)

Ground floor plan Ground Floor (Scale 1:100)

Section of exemplary structure and its possibilities of use (orig. 1:20) 28

04_EMPOWERING INFORMALITY SPRING/SUMMER 2019

Thesis Presentation & Model Photos

View from above

an impression of the final presentation with my supervisor Prof. Blum and guest critic Prof. Gardemann

Stree perspective

Side view of proposal in its context informally built structures

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05_SKREI ARCHITECTURE SPRING/SUMMER 2020

_Professional Work @SKREI Internship Porto, Portugal Spring 2020 - Summer 2020

What did I work on?

At SKREI, an office that closely links professionals from multiple disciplines, such as architects, engineers, blacksmiths, artists and carpenters, I conducted material research on seaweed, beeswax, hempcrete, recycled plasters and clay. I also worked on residential and mediumsized commercial projects, predominantly using detailed models to inform the design process.

Model using the real construction materials (scale 1:20)

Material Research: Experimental plasters and terrazzo-like floorings from recycled matereials from an existing building 30

05_SKREI ARCHITECTURE SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Kelp Dissection & Experiments

Dissection of Kelp

Protection layer of pine resin & bees wax

Lamp shade prototype

Experimental Kelp Products

Transparent wall element 31

06_PAULO MOREIRA ARCHITECTURES AUTUMN 2019 - SPRING 2020

_Professional Work @PMA Internship Porto, Portugal Autumn 2019 - Spring 2020

What did I work on?

During my internship at Paulo Moreira Architectures, I designed multiple exhibitions, planned lectures and organized artistic workshops, one of them with Assembe from London.

In close cooperation with an Angolan artist, I also participated in a competition for a sculpture on the New York High Line.

Exhebition Design of Through Our Eyes, Nov 2019

Outcome of Love and Garbage workshop with Assemble Studio and Madelon Vriesendorp, Dec 2019 32