Grey Space [Pre-thesis Research]

GREY SPACE

Alison Huo

THESIS RESEARCH

TABLE OF CONTENTS

06

TYPOLOGY

08

THESIS STATEMENT

09

THESIS DIAGRAM

10

THESIS INTENTION

12

PROGRAMMATIC DIAGRAM

TYPOLOGY RESEARCH

14

INNER COURTYARD CANTONESE HOUSE

20

CONCEPTUAL BUILDING ENVELOP BLUR BUILDING

24

ELEVATED PATHWAY NEW YORK HIGH LINE PARK

29

PROGRAMMATIC RESEARCH

36

CONTEXT

RESEARCH SUMMARY

48

MEMORIES

50

JUNKSPACE

PRECEDENT STUDIES

52

FUJI KINDERGARTEN TEZUKA ARCHITECTS

60

NEW YORK HIGH LINE PARK DILLER SCOFIDIO + RENFRO

64

CANADA’S NATIONAL HOLOCAUST MONUMENT COMPETITION PROPOSAL

68

MIND MAP

70

VISUAL ESSAY

74

GLOSSARY

White Exterior

Grey In between

Black Interior

Grey space is an architecture concept that was first developed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, which is a transitional space between exterior and interior.

Typology | 06

In landscape, the “black space” refers to a kind of enclosed spaces with clear boundary; while the “white space” is considered as a non-enclosed open space in a large scale without borders. Between the black space and the white space, the grey space is a type of pace not fully enclosed, within unclear spatial scale.1

Typology | 07

THESIS STATEMENT Grey space is a new typology that reassembles all the fragments of architecture, urban city and landscape.

It associates the past and the present relinking the segregation between human, architecture and city landscape.

The human scale acts as the medium framing the grey space. This typology reconnects the limited space (architecture) and infinite spatial scale (urban city landscape). The relationship unifies and imperative to understanding of the human condition and one’s connection to each other, history and the land.

Thesis Statement | 08

+ HUMAN

= PAPER

+

HUMAN

=

TABLE

+

HUMAN

=

WALL

+

HUMAN

=

TREE

+

HUMAN

=

BUILDING

THESIS INTENTION The focal point of grey space is human. Through different ways of performance of city, such as public and private, openness and enclosure. How does human behave and perform to the land? Because of human is the fundamental elements of architecture and urban that is the creator of the city. Therefore, this thesis will concentrate on grey spaces that have not been aware of or left over, collect and re-assemble them. At the same time, re-identify the identity and re- programs of the space.

Thesis Intention | 10

The thesis considers the relationship and paradox between the man and the land. It questions the definition of architecture and urban city landscape: - Wall defines a building or a space, what if the wall is being destroyed, does that building or space still define as architecture?

- Can it be defined as landscape?

- Or it becomes an element between the definition of architecture and landscape.

- Can architecture and urban landscape be an object or a site, not two separate elements?

- Can architecture be everything, not a mere building?

- How does architecture capture memory?

- What is the relationship, then between the actual built site and architecture we imagine or recollect?

Thesis Intention | 11

PROGRAMMATIC DIAGRAM Urban Open Space

ELEVATED PEDESTRIAN SIDEWALK

BICYCLE PATH

Programmatic Diagram | 12

EXPOSED AREA

SHELTERED AREA

Programmatic Diagram | 13

Typology Condition 1 Inner Courtyard Condition

CANTONESE RESIDENTIAL HOUSE Inner Courtyard Condition

Xiguan Mansion is a traditional architecture of ancient style from Cantonese culture, which is symmetrical.

The most significant feature is inner courtyard with skylight without shelterinsg.

Typology Research | 14

Typology Research | 15

3 Living Room

6 Room

Typology Research | 16

Open to below at the back

Inner exposed space

Inner exposed space

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

Typology Research | 17

The layout of the space divides into linear voids, two at the side are private spaces such as bedroom or study room. The centre void is the public space that access to private area. One assumes that the black space is the room area with clear border, the white space is the circulation, then rest of the space, which is grey space, can be see as different level of Grey space as lighter Grey has more transparent barrier with exterior, darker Grey as the inner space are open that has double celling high, but with shelter.

Typology Research | 18

Typology Research | 19

Typology Condition 2 Conceptual Building Envelop

BLUR BUILDING Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Blur building is a Swiss pavilion in EXPO 2002 designed by landscape firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro featuring an UFO shape structure floating on water with vapour as building envelop.

Typology Research | 20

Floor plan of Blur Building

Typology Research | 22

Different greyscale of grey space, darker colour refers to the floor area of the pavilion, the lighter represents the vapour facade as the conceptual building envelop.

Typology Research | 23

Typology Condition 3 Elevated Pathway

HIGH LINE PARK Diller Scofidio + Renfro

New York high line is a lift-up park that transfers from railway, which becomes a walking experience in Chelsea neighbourhood in Manhattan.

Typology Research | 24

SITE PLAN

Typology Research | 26

HIGH LINE

PHASE II

HIGH LINE PHASE III

Typology Research | 27

PROGRAMMATIC RESEARCH

ITERATION The combination Grey space between landscape and architecture, which it does not merely talk about the transparency of the wall, but it also comes with scale of the spatial experience. It redefines the relationship between human, architecture and urban/environment that the translucency between human, architecture and urban/environment. Questioning the enclosure of a space.

Programmatic Research | 29

CANTONESE RESIDENTIAL HOUSE The cantonese house layout contains architecture concept of Grey space. The sections reveal different approaches to represent how is the connection between interior and exterior. Lightest grey condition will be the inner space connects with outer space. If interior has two conditions, which are inner outdoor and inner indoor, then the middle grey condition will be the inner outdoor space.

This type of house which the grey space goes toward courtyard space in side the house rather than towards the exterior such as public space.

Programmatic Research | 30

Programmatic Research | 31

BLUR BUILDING The condition of Blur Building is the combination between the concept of Grey space of landscape and architecture. Pavilion is a lift-up space sitting on the water, without celling, but a small sheltered area in the middle. It has clear floor space, but the vapour effect creates the unclear spatial scale by perception.

Programmatic Research | 32

, Programmatic Research | 33

PHASE II

Programmatic Research | 34

PHASE III

NEW YORK HIGH LINE PARK High Line Park contains Grey space concept of landscape. The suspended railway bridge does not belong to either the white or black space. Instead, it goes through the black space (buildings) to create voids that forms a Grey space. Various conditions of Grey spaces create different experiences while people are experiencing high line. It re-connects back the sensors of human body with urban land.

Programmatic Research | 35

CONTEXT Optimum Site / Context Condition

Context | 36

Context | 37

Context | 38

CANTONESE RESIDENTIAL HOUSE: Space with shelter + Without shelter

Context | 39

Context | 40

BLUR BUILDING: Elevated space + Undefined/conceptual building envelop

Context | 41

Context | 42

NEW YORK HIGH LINE PARK: City population + Elevated pathway

Context | 43

PEDESTRIAN WALK WAY ON THE GROUND LEVEL

ELEVATED PEDESTRIAN SIDEWALK

INFORMATION SHELTER AREA CAFE & RESTAURANT

Context | 44

CONTEXT: Grey Space that collects from urban site where it is located in city property. At the same time, it contains its own history and habitant, such as Toronto ravine system or lands that have potential to recycle.

UNDER GROUND LEVEL PATHWAY

STREET WITH RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL AREA

Context | 45

RESEARCH SUMMARY Definition of Grey

MEMORIES & JUNKSPACE

Research Summary | 47

MEMORIES

The idea that a conversation about architecture is not exclusively about formal, isolated buildings, but instead must be deepened and broadened as spatialize visualization and experiences of place. For even as it appears to be solid and permanent, architecture is really only a fragile shell - an illusion of protection against destruction within which we live and build out memories.2 ——— Losing Site

Research Summary | 48

If the black space represents architecture, wall defines a limited space, and urban city landscape as the white space that fully open with infinitely spatial scale, then what if the wall has been destroyed, is it still an architecture, or because of the walls are gone, it turns into landscape. For example, Colosseum in Rome, Italy, the structure of the architecture was destroyed by earthquakes and robber-stones, part of walls is gone. The fundamental element of architecture is ruined, is it still called an architecture? Or it becomes part of the landscape, since the inner space is exposed. People call it, a historical site, it is a monument. Even thought the original visual perception is gone, but the memories remain in every single element, material and experience of Colosseum, they merge deeply into the land. Thus, Colosseum becomes a grey space that through human memories to recycle the space and re-identify the identity and program. This is more a conceptual definition of greyspace, which is memories as the medium through time to associate human, architecture and urban landscape.

Research Summary | 49

JUNKSPACE

If space-junk is the human debris that litters the universe, Junk-Space is the residue mankind leaves on the planet.3 ——— Junkspace

Research Summary | 50

The physically definition of grey space will be Junk space. Junk space is an architectural theory that developed by Rem Koolhaas, Junkspace happens spontaneously through natural corporate exuberance, all of junkspace’s prototypes are urban.3 Junkspace is formless and intangible, but it is actually existed but have not been awared by human.

One of the examples from Rem Koolhaas’s journal is office space. He mentioned since now everybody can work from home, why office space is needed. Because it encourages the interaction between human and the city, which make it becomes an urban home.

One of the most successful cases of Junk space will be High line in New York City. High Line reuses the old railway path and renovates into a park. It creates a new identity of the leftover space. Through the interactions and performances between human and actually site itself, it re-links human, and the Chelsea neighbourhood (city) together. Recycle of Junk space activates a space, simulates city and gathering people to become an urban leisure area, but it stays in its own context which is the city.

Research Summary | 51

PRECEDENT STUDY 1

Fuji Kindergarten Tezuka Architects 2007

Fuji Kindergarten is located in Tokyo, Japan. The intention of the architect was to create kids heaven, the nature of kids is play and have fun outdoor, not suppose to stay indoor or lock into a space. The initial idea was given by the principal of this kindergarten said, “No I don't want a handrail.“ But Takaharu Tezuka, one of the founders of Tezuka Architects said, “It’s impossible.“ The principal insisted “How about having a net sticking out from the edge of the roof ?”

Generally, the kindergarten is in the shape of a oval with a perimeter of 183 meters that is made for 500 children. It is conceived as a single village. The interior is an integrated space softly partitioned with furniture.

Projecting through the roof deck are three preserved zelkova trees 25m in height.

Precedent Study | 53

While designing the project, the architect specifically focused on kids. The building is completely open from inside to outside, between the classrooms and hallway as well. The roof is an enclosed-loop that can be described as an open playground. The height of roof top is as low as possible to get the vision from ground level as security issue. Due to the government annocement, the building has to have handrails, so the no handrails idea only keep for trees, which will have net to prevent kids from falling down.

Precedent Study | 54

In addition, Tezuka Architects thought the noise issue was very important as well. In fact, they found that kids sleep better in a noisy environment, which should make the entire surround more alive and active. He said human beings are not supposed to be in silence.

Tezuka’s primary point is let the kids stay outside, and don't control them. He said, "we can go skiing in -20 degrees in winter. In summer you go swimming. The sand is 50 degrees. And also, you should know that you are waterproof. You never melt in rain. So, children are supposed to be outside. So that is how we should treat them.

Precedent Study | 57

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/496521927649032172/

PRECEDENT STUDY 2

New York High Line Diller Scofidio + Renfro

A Walking Experience

Precedent Study | 60

High Line in New York City a landscape development transfers from rail line to a green-way and rails-to-trails park.

High Line is a reconnection between old and new, human being and urban city. From the environmental and social aspects, the idea of reuse the old and elevated rail line are very sustainable. At the same time, it reduces the time for deconstruction.

Precedent Study | 61

Metropolis Population is growing up in the city because of the migration from suburbs and other citys. The density is getting higher within a limited area of land, buildings lean toward vertical shape to adapt the development.

Surrounded by buildings every day in a high amount of density, the feeling of lose, confusion and disconnection between environment and human that discourages interactions.

High Line Park is located in Manhattan. It goes through Chelsea Neighbourhood, which contains the sound of traffic and engines, noises from the street and smells of food and drinks in the morning from the city, It contrasts with the peaceful and comfortable vide within the High Line. Entire sensors of human body are triggered to sense the lively city. The feeling of looking at the vista of busy and active street, while sitting still on a beach, it connects both mental and physical reconnect to the city,

Precedent Study | 62

PRECEDENT STUDY 3

Canada's National Holocaust Monument Competition Proposal David Adjaye & Ron Arad

Solid & Void

Precedent Study | 64

This is a design competition for proposing a monument design for Canada's National Holocaust that located in Ottawa, Canada. The design places a series of wrinkled concrete walls that form 22 narrow passageways, which is 14 meters high and 20 meters wide.

"Our proposal does pose a central, unavoidable theme – the voyage the visitor makes through these foils is one each must take alone," said the team in a statement.

Precedent Study | 65

Memories What is the relationship, then between the actual built site and architecture we imagine or recollect? Architecture, whether in natural, manufactured, or imagined materials - that demarcates space. In this way, architecture its the mapping of space - physical, mental or emotional.4 ——— Losing Site

Precedent Study | 67

MIND MAP

Historical Aspect

Royal Crescent (Building Landscape)

Colosseum

Mind Map | 68

St. Peter Square (Building Landscape)

Pantheon

Contemporary Architecture & Landscape

ARCHITECTURE

LANDSCAPE

OCAD University Sharp Centre

Simcoe Wave Deck

IN BETWEEN ?

Royal Ontario Museum

Christie Pits Park

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ?

TD Centre

Trinity Bellwoods Park

Mind Map | 69

VISUAL ESSAY

STÄDEL MUSEUM EXTENSION

STÄDEL MUSEUM EXTENSION Interior

Visual Essay | 70

High Line in New York City

Sou Fujimoto, 2013 Serpentine Gallery

Visual Essay | 71

Toronto Ravine 1

Toronto Ravine 2

Visual Essay | 72

Toronto Ravine 3

Toronto Ravine 4

Visual Essay | 73

GLOSSARY

Grey Space Grey space is an architecture concept that was priorly developed by famous Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, which is a transitional space between exterior and interior.

In landscape, the “black“ space” refers to a kind of enclosed spaces with clear boundary; while the “white space“ is considered as a non-enclosed open space in a large scale without borders. Between the black space and the white space, the grey space is a type of space not fully enclosed, within unclear spatial scale.5

Junk Space The office is the next frontier of junkspace. Now that you can work at home, the office aspires to the domestic; because you still need a life, it simulates the city. Junkspace features the office as the urban home, a meeting boudoir: desks become sculptures, the workfloor is lit by intimate down lights.6

Architecture The idea that a conversation about architecture is not exclusively about formal, isolated buildings, but instead must be deepened and broadened as spatialize visualization and experiences of place.7

Glossary | 74

Humanism Humanism has become identical with human superiority and logos-centrism. This human superiority of the age of the machine is counterproductive in the age of life, with its emphasis on the environment and ecology.8

Belonging The notion of belonging, which physically and mentally approve an object, a space or a location that can be identified by tradition and culture.

Experience Physical and mental memories accumulates by amount of times that spend on a space. The memories record down by sounds, visions, smells, tastes and touches, which recalls the moment, movement and action that has been involved.

Space A space which measure not only by length and width, also height. What if the length and width are limited, and height is infinite? What if it is the opposite situation? How about they are all infinite or limited? Walls consider as basic element as boundary to define a limited space. Does space only define by walls? How about human beings? Human as the fundamental element in the world, what role that human are playing in a building or an open space.

Glossary | 75

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Chen, Yichao. “Urban Design Blog.” Urban Design. N.p., 24 May 2014. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.

2. Hornstein, Shelley. “Introduction.” Introduction. Losing Site: Architecture, Memory and Place. Farnham, Surrey, England: Ashgate, 2011. 2. Print.

3. Koolhaas, Rem. “Junkspace”. October 100 (2002): 175–190. Web...

4. Hornstein, Shelley. “Introduction.” Introduction. Losing Site: Architecture, Memory and Place. Farnham, Surrey, England: Ashgate, 2011. 3. Print.

5. Chen, Yichao. “Urban Design Blog.” Urban Design. N.p., 24 May 2014. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.

6. Koolhaas, Rem. “Junkspace”. October 100 (2002): 175–190. Web...

7. Hornstein, Shelley. “Introduction.” Introduction. Losing Site: Architecture, Memory and Place. Farnham, Surrey, England: Ashgate, 2011. 1. Print.

8. Kurokawa, Kishō. “Chapter 1 The Twentieth Century as the Age of Machine.” Each One a Hero: The Philosophy of Symbiosis. Toky: Kodansha International, 1997. N. pag. Kisho Kurokawa Architect & Associates. Web.

Pictures: http://www.blogto.com/upload/2015/11/20151113-ravine2.jpg http://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Screen-shot-2015-12-18-at-2.27.56-PM-640x438.png https://nowtoronto.com/downloads/47416/download/news-ravines1-0926.jpg?cb=5a24feb1fc34ae91ef87c304ba1c2318 http://i.vimeocdn.com/video/522479413_1280x720.jpg http://feel-planet.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Black-Sand-Beaches-of-Vik-Iceland.jpg http://citycomfortsblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/sharp_500x333.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Simcoe_wave_deck_nearing_completion_(2). jpg/800px-Simcoe_wave_deck_nearing_completion_(2).jpg http://static.bharchitects.com/images/231_1379096281/project.jpg?1379096281 http://libeskind.com/wp-content/uploads/rom-2280x1564.jpg

Bibliography | 76

A L I SON F O K . FO R M A T . C O M