CASE STUDY - Multifunctional Space - Aki Hamada Architects

Aki Hamada Architects, Kanegawa

Multifunctional Space

CS3 0.4 mm profiled zinc decking

Translucent fabric 150/150 mm timber column 150/300 mm timber beam

Design Intention

Theory - Strategy

The main objective to be achieved by Aki Hamada Architects was to offer a contrasting design to the surroundings of the building. As it is located in an industrial zone of Kanagawa and being itself an extension to a factory, the building through its surrounding curtain walls and flexible interior open space achieves performance.

The Multifunctional Space is mainly characterised by the high flexibility of the components, both the interior and exterior being able to change form and instances. While the overall form was designed to profit from the ambiental gains, systems of protection were included as well. The building has a secondary skin consisting of perforated steel panels that move on rails along the perimeter of the project, being able to protect the interior from high solar incidence, assure privacy and security when it is unattended.

The site is situated in the Southern part of tokyo, Kanagawa, in the warm temperate climate. The climate is characterised mainly by hot humid summers and mild winters. Another important characteristic is the presence of a rainy season that prolonges from May until October. Therefore, varying in temperature from 3 °C in January to 29 °C in July, it can be assumed that the building does not require high amounts of insulation and protective measures agaist extreme temperatures.

Natural lighting gain

V-shaped Timber bracing elements

1:500 Axonometric Study

Japan paper/pine frame walls

2.1/1.2 m Double glazed curtain wall Ductwork HVAC, Electricity

Japanese traditional architecture

In relation to the site and climatic conditions, the construction takes advantage of the passive gains in natural lighting and heating as it is closely surrounded by buildings with similar heights.

The programmatic functions of the building are achieved by having a two storey high building with an open plan on the interior. Its flexibility to accommodate different events is achieved through slidable interior walls organised on a grid of 3.6m x 3.6m.

Using slidable walls, the building allows clear circulation within it, enhancing programmatic possibilities, the walls sliding in two directions allowing a multitude of combinations.

Multifunctional Space section

The design celebrates Japanese vernacular architecture using both the geometry and the materials that shape the design. The main characteristics are the combination of Japanese wood and Japanese paper in slidable elements that change the levels of interactibility with the interior.

Moreover, environmental performance and user comfort are enhanced through the use of overhangs and open balconies in the structure.

Windows surround the building in the attempt to maximise natural lighting of the interior and at the same time provide low tech measures for natural ventilation.

Services

Electricity integration

HVAC system

Plumbing

Drainage

The power outlets and electricity cords are placed along the upper structure of ground floor, making use of the modular grid to provide electricity to ground floor through the structure and upper floor through the floor.

The HVAC system encased in aluminium ducts is located in between the structural pyramids of ground floor while the upper floor is free of it to provide a contrast between traditional and industrial architecture.

Because of the mixed programme of the building, the plumbing system is located in the SE side of the structure where the kitchen is located with connection to the local drainage infrastructure.

The building protects itself from frequent precipitations by making use of the sloped roof and overhangs, chanelling the rainwater to drainage pipes located along the perimeter of the building.

Environmental Analysis and Comfort

Heating/Ventilation To achieve a low tech perfomance the design makes use of the curtain wall that allows cross-ventilation through the building while both floors accommodate spaces for heating systems.

Summer sunlight comfort

Winter sunlight comfort

During summer season, the building benefits from natural solar gains mainly from N (passive) and W (active).

The slope of the roof begins from the W facade, increasing the chance of solar gain in the afternoon.

In the winter, because of a lower angle of incidence in the sunlight the building is provided with more passive and active solar gains throughout the day, making use of the reflective overhangs as well, reducing the need of artificial lighting.

Overhangs with 0.4mm zinc sheet 2.1/3.6 m wooden walls Perforated galvanised steel panel brise soleil on rails Reinforced concrete strip foundation

Live loads / Wind Dead loads

Natural crossventilation

Circulation

Grid

Orientation

Solar gains

Ground floor

Successes and Drawbacks

Successes: 1. The mobile steel panels surrounding the building provide both adaptive capacities to the climate and Timber frame assure privacy/security.

2. The design is effective in the use of the grid and prefabricated modular elements that reduce both the time and costs of assembly/fabrication.

Bracing 3.Flexible curtain walling around the building that allow natural cross ventilation of the interior.

Internal walls 4. The design succeeds in providing a contemporary celebration of the vernacular architecture.

Load path diagram

Sunlight diagram

Energy use

Drawbacks: 1. Use of timber and double glazing that provide low thermal mass. Possible weak point in the wall thermal line due to limited insulation use. During low temperatures such as during winter time this could mean loss of heat gains and low temperature infiltration.

2. Low level of insulation could be the cause of low sound proofing performance.

3. Even though the building provides an open interactable plan, because of the site limitations in size, the building might be lacking flexibility in the multitude of programmes it accommodates.

Analysis with enclosed perimeter by steel panels

Walls organisation on Privacy assured by steel panels grid

Thermal line breach

Analysis with the perimeter Soundproofing performance

the wooden walls that block solar radiation.

Ground floor

Secondary Primary

Lighting

Conclusion:

Foundation Curtain wall frame

The Sefaira analysis in the case of the building being shaded by the steel panels resulted in mainly well lit spaces of the interior while the SE corner is underlit because of the neighbouring buildings and

2040 energy Chalenge

Typical bay load path

The structure achieves both structural and aestethic successes through the use of a timber space frame that frees the floor level of any columns. Therefore, the programmatic functions of the building can be diversified without impediments in the user control.

First floor

open to solar radiation

First floor

In the case of unmoderated exposure to the solar radiaton by the shading panels the analysis resulted in mainly overlit spaces with exception to the center zone and SE Corner which on the ground floor is underlit.

Based on the results, the building lacks efficiency because of a considerable amount of energy being used on heating which could be caused by the low thermal mass assured from the wooden structure and double glazed panels.

Construction Design Process

Foundation: Concrete is cast in-situ along the steel rods and wooden moulds that hold the concrete in shape.

Load bearing structure:

The primary load bearing space timber frame is assembled on site with prefabricated components.

Floors and roof assembly: Both the exterior and the interior structure of the floors and roof are fixed in place.

Roof and overhangs cover: The roof and overhangs are covered in profiled metal decking to insulate the structure.

Surrounding walls: The curtain wall and walls facing SE are installed protecting further construction of the interior.

Brise soleil system: Prefabricated steel panels are mounted on the edge of the building along railing systems.

Interior walls: Interior walls are fixed on the railing system sustained both by the beams and floor delimitations.

Translucent fabric: The fabric is fixed to the structural pyramids, having the role to diffuse the sunlight entering.

HVAC + Interior fittings: Mechanical systems are installed in the upper structure of the ground floor.

Interior atmosphere and lighting visuals Environmental comfort is influenced by the atmosphere As shown in the visuals, the interior space of the building can result in areas of overlit spaces that can created in the internal layout, the design being successful in this way by using wood as a primary material, giving the be moderated by the use of the railed steel panels. feeling of a more natural environment.

The results provided by the Sefaira analysis are approximate and could read higher values as the buildings overshading the construction were not included in the analysis.

Integrated Detail Envelope Study

Double glazed sliding curtain wall element

Fixed double glazing in aluminium frame 0.4 mm zinc sheeting Heating outlet

0.4 mm zinc sheeting on profiled aluminium battens

Primary Structure: 150/300 Timber beam

milled pine profile

Sealing membrane 12 mm pine profile 45mm XPS thermal insulation Primary Structure: 120/150 mm Timber column

Aluminium enclosed HVAC ducts Solar radiation filtering through the steel panels

Primary Structure: 150/150 mm Timber column Sliding double glazed panel in wood frame

150/300 Timber beam

15 birch parquet 28mm plywood sheet

Secondary structure: 120/120 mm Timber element

Timber beam on flexible seismic system

Primary Structure: 150/150 mm Timber column Sealing membrane

Seismic joint

Cladding bay to be analysed

Perforated galvanised sliding steel panel

15 birch parquet 28mm plywood sheet

60mm XPS thermal insulation

Timber battens on mobile seismic system 60mm XPS thermal insulation

Galvanised steel panel on rails Void for heating/power servicing Reinforced concrete strip foundation

Seismic joint system diagram Because of the predisposition to earthquakes, the building uses a seismic joint system that, through pistons underneath the floor and elastic joints between the edge of the floor and the pavement, it can move vertically and horizontally when under vibration movement.

Detail Theory

1:50 Structural bay detail

The purpose of the envelope in the design process of the Multifunctional Space was to achieve both environmental performance and at the same time aestethic importance.

Because of frequent rain in the warm temperate climate, the building needs protective measures against water infiltration. Therefore, the first layer covering the cladding was chosen to be zinc sheeting, assuring that the direct impact of rainwater would be repelled. Using the grid on which the building is designed, this assures the prefabrication possibility of the metal sheeting, reducing costs on production and assembly.

The use of operable steel panels affects the way the building functions and interacts with its environment. From an outside perspective, these panels can change the perception from a completely open building to the exterior through the use of curtain walling, to an introvert structure when all panels are dispersed along the perimeter of the building.

Cavity for heating/ power services Reinforced concrete strip foundation

1:20 Cladding detail

Aki Hamada Architects had the intention to use this strategy to emphasise the adaptability of the building, both in aestethic and programmatic functions. On an environmental performance level, the second skin of the building, the steel panels provide low-tech means of controlling the intake of solar gains, the occupants being able to control the interior comfort of the building.

The contrast of materials used in the cladding, overhangs having zinc sheeting on wooden structure suggest a comparison between Japanese vernacular architecture and the industrial aestethic of the zone in which the building is located.

Impermeable skin

Reflectivity of Flexible steel panels envelope

Atmosphere and Materiality

Improvements

Even though the building presents itslef as being quite low-tech by making use of both natural resources, solar gains and cross-ventilation to moderate the interior climate, the Multifunctional space lacks in sustainable heating performance.

Because the climate is not characterised by extreme temperatures, with a low of 3 degrees Celsius, the building could improve energy consumption methods by using a photovoltaic system to accummulate the energy needed in balancing the interior temperature.

Another measure that could be taken into consideration is collecting and filtering rainwater and redistribute it to toilets and servicing purposes. The climate in Kanagawa has a abundance of rain, being characterised by a rainy season, therefore providing sufficient water collection to make use of in the building.

Using as an example the visuals presented on the left, it is possible to state that the building succeedes in achieving aesthetic comfort through a series of methods and concepts.

First of all, the use of perforated steel panels enhance the use of daylighting and create a play of light and shadow, typical to japanese architecture. These are able to filter light creating an uniform pattern of light stripes while the top window bay, unobstructed from the brise soleil panels provides a contour of light.

Photovoltaic panels

Secondly, the use of different materials accentuates the comfort inside. The prevalent use of wood, traditional in Japanese architecture, assures comfort are a closer resemblance to natural environment. The mechanical systems encased in aluminium contrasts to the vernacular reference, providing an allusion to the industrial context in which the building is placed.

Rainwater collection

Introvert space

Extrovert space

Rendered visuals of the interior space