ARCH 4075 DESIGN 7

CHAN KA HEI, BRIAN

ARCH 4075 DESIGN 7 P O R T F O L I O

3035482453 THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

Christian Lange YEAR 4 SEMESTER 2, 2020-21

01

SITE

ANALYSIS - CENTRAL

CENTRAL HABOUR TO THE PEAK

DIAGRAMS ON TYPOLOGY OF THE CENTRAL ESCALATOR

Our site of project is in Central, along the central escalator, to the Peak. Arrays of building types could be found on site, from office towers to commercial district, going onto Tong Lau residence and mid-level highrise.

The Escalator, 800m in length arid rising 135m above Central will provide a mechanised reversibIe one-way pedestrian link between Central and Mid-Levels .

Due to space constraints, the system is single-Ianed. During the morning rush hour, from 6am to 10 am, the escalator runs downhill. It then reverses direction, running uphill until the system shuts down at 10pm. Average travelling time is 19 minutes for uphill journeys and 8 minutes for downhill, a saving of about 11 and 7 minutes respectively. (Cheng, 1998)

SITE

ANALYSIS

-

CENTRAL

SITE PLAN & SECTION

1：750

0

15

30

45

N

01

02

FABRICATION METHOD

EXPLORATION

CNC FOAM HOTWIRE CUTTING

This project was based on a specific fabrication method, which is the foam hotwire cutting. By giving a certain depth to the material, and creating a sectional cutting path, volumes that is very 3-dimentional was produced during this 2-dimentional fabrication.

At the early stage of the project, we tried to test out the potential of different geometry and technique complying into the robotic arm, rethinking the conventional model-making procedure which heavily relies on lasercutting. The hotwire cutting altho not being efficient and accurate enough comparing to the laser tool, it allows us to explore more thinking process within the time of model making. Due to the unknown or uncontrollable factors in the hotwire, we are confronted with unexpected outcomes which leads a new way of design thinking.

The machine are provided in the HKU laboratory, but also could be using the household CNC machine to perform the same job. By double cutting the same piece, even more complicated geometry could be produced (see the next page). there we begin to think on our own design position.

HOUSEHOLD CNC MACHINE WITH HOTWIRE INSTALLED

DOUBLE CUTTING GEOMETRY

03

SITE

MODEL PRODUCTION

SITE MODEL / 1:750 /

CENTRAL HARBOUR TO THE PEAK

To produce the site model which spanned almost 2km, we took a section line cutting across the central esculator. For each 200-500m we took a key section profile and queue them up. An escalator diorama model is also being placed for better understanding of this model.

In a general picture, we can observe that the site is on a steep inclination. Most if not all architecture built on this line is being affected by the typography and came up with special type of adaptation. In this context, we are allowed to either respond to this specific site condition, or to respond to a more general, universal Hong Kong housing condition, to situate our own project.

ESCALATOR DIORAMA MODEL ON SITE

ENGRAVED PLAN DETAILS ON BASE

MODEL DETAILS / TOP VIEW

MODEL DETAILS / SIDE VIEW

Hong Kong

2

38

74

.6

71

61

69-63

1

35

25

18

16

H

20

24

22

32

28

36

34

40

38

Podium

23

29

ET

27

33-

31

RE

16A

Podium

60

.1

5 3

28

2

30

1

22

3

32

18-14

2

32C-32A

4

34B

1

60-56

L

49

H

37

35

33

31

27

29

25

23

L

L

3

19

21

5

6

17

15

13

L L

.0 H L

8-6 11-9

7

4-2

5

48

.2

3

10

15

EW

TSUN WING LANE

39

H

50

46-

45-4

L

17

Shalom

41

eart

54

S T R E E T SHR

12

k

Bloc

2

ST

1

3

1

S T A U N T O N

GIN

2

1

2

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3

mpo

1

2

39

EL

1

Treasure View Soho

rary

S T REET

14

17A

2

1

3

45

2

4

2

13-9

16

Old Bailey Street Police Married Quarters

1

S HE L L E Y

2

1

3

1

1

Fat Le Man e sion

3

41-4

47B

47A

-47

1

1

S T REET

1

2

PEEL

20

2

2

64-62

The Hong Kong Swatow Christian Church

19

1

2

66

2

37-

49

5

č•øÁáü

4

Podium

1

1

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all

ions

1

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68

2

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-49C

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53-51

52

E

6

use ELGIN STREET CHILDREN PLAYGROUND

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Cameo Court

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51

55

T

1

68

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o ise H

3

S

1

70

I N

Badminton Court

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Podium

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72

L

1

Sunr 31-2

m

Podiu

te Con

4

74

3

2

83

Sacr

36-34

57

2

21

59

2

75

2

Podium

2

79-77

1

1

76

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our Po C

H

46

48 85.

50

1

1

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Tim

1

Honor Villa

1

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62-58

CENTRAL - STAUNTON STREET TO CAINE ROAD e

66

rcy 1:250 / UNIT DIVISION AMOUNG CENTRAL GHOUSING rame

Midland Court

.6

m

Podiu

73

SITE PLAN

70

.4

INDIVIDUAL SCOPE OF STUDY ELGIN STREET TO STAUNTON STREET 1:250 / 75m circular coverage

My scope of study along the central esculator is between the Elgin street and Staunton street where people commonly known as the Soho District featuring bars and fine dining.

The housing in this district is majorly 6-storey tonglau with occasional service apartment towers pretty different with the others.

From the plan of the scope, we can see that the footprint of each building is very small, majorly around 250 -350 sq. meter per building and as a result of that, very limited units and its following iteration could be provided. For most of the building, there are only 1-2 units per floor. From this finding, i think creating variety of spaces via plan view designing might not be very applicable to hong kong, while i see more potential to iterate the sectional space to build upward and provide different spacial experience.

SITE SECTIONAL MODEL 1:250 MIRRORED / LABMINATION OF SITE PROFILE / ESCALATOR & RESIDENCE

SECTION A-A’ ELGIN

STREET TO CAINE

ROAD

1:250

ICHANG HOUSE 6-storey TONG

LAU

ELGIN 49A 6 storey TONG LAU

SHELLEY 40 6 storey TONG

ELGIN

STREET

LAU

SITE SECTIONAL MODEL 1:250 / LEFT SIDE / 3 TONG LAUS

SITE SECTIONAL MODEL 1:250 / RIGHT SIDE / CHURCH + PENCIL TOWER + TONG LAU

04

PRECEDENT STUDY

1:250 / STUDY OF TRIGULAR COMPOSITION AND POTENTIAL STURCTURAL TYPE

1:250 / REGULAR 3-SPLIT TOWER

1:250 / MOCK FLAT IRON BUILING

1:250 / MOCK COMMERZBANK

METHOD OF FABRICATION TOP PROFILE OF CUTTING PIECE / REGULAR 3 SPLIT TOWER

Within the scope of study, I chose the only triangular plot in the area where it used be sitting a pencil tower with 1 unit per floor only. The reason behind the choice was much given by the unconventional geometry, of which i found it easier to start questioning on conventional towers. Plus the plot is also small enough for me to think about Hong Kong condition in relation to area and housing condition.

Under this specific fabrication method of design models, we have to come up with a way of cutting which could construct the building up. I tried to think in a unfolded sectional profile. By double cutting, firstly the xy axis elements (see the top figure), and then the z axis profile (see the bottom figure), I am able to roll up and create a building.

METHOD OF FABRICATION SIDE PROFILE OF CUTTING PIECE / REGULAR 3 SPLIT TOWER

This method also allows me to think in a horizontal manner, about the movement of human from one end to another end along the unfoled section. It drives my design on this triangular tower later.

STANDARD PLAN OF HONG KONG HOUSING 1:250 / HARMONY TOWER OPTION 1-3 STANDARDIZED DIVISION OF SPACE FROM HOUSING AUTHORITY

STUDY OF ADOLF LOOS’S RAUM PLAN 1:100 / PLANS & SECTION / VILLA MÜLLER CUSTOMIZED DIVISION OF SPACE

SECTION LONGITUDINAL

1/F PLAN

3/F PLAN

2/F PLAN

4/F PLAN

KANCHANJUNGA APARTMENT ILLUSTRATION (CHARLES CORREA, 1983)

Hong Kong housings are often very structured by partition. In the Housing Authority, a list of standardized building plan has been put up to provide an efficient construction designing routine. However the spaces are often very generic and provide merely any spacial hierachy except the area. In the raum plan of adolf loos, spaces are considered in a 3 dimentional context, with variation of headroom and jaxtaposition of volumes.

In Charles Correa ‘s Kanchanjunga apartment, floors and ceilings are continuously stepped to better define interior space. And this might be a possibility to change regarding the standardize planning of hong kong housing.

The small footprint of Hong Kong housing is very tight and cramped for a living environment, while it is further worsen by the standardized partitioning which chop up the space into even smaller volumes, with very obstructed view and sense of space. Therefore i want to propose a partition-free housing, liberating a continuous unobsturcted use of space.

While i could further define the spacial thresold by introducing various sublevels, resulting in a tower which spiral up and downs.

05

DESIGN MASSING

1:250 / SPLIT-LEVEL HOUSING

UNFOLED SECTION / UNIT / FACINGS / 1:100

C

B

A

W

1. SIMPLE INCLINING BATHROOM

+

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

42 m2

D

SE

SW

35 m2

BALCONY 15 m2

E

NE

KITCHEN

N

LIVING ROOM

+

FOYER

68.5 m2

13.5 m2

F

NW

LOBBY 35 m2

4m 3.3 m 2.7 m 1.8 m 0.9 m 0m

6 4 2

5 3 1

2. TWO-WAY INCLINING BALCONY KITCHEN

+

LIVING ROOM 42 m2

BEDROOM

15 m2

BEDROOM

18.5 m2

35 m2

LIVING ROOM

+ KITCHEN

50 m2

FOYER

FOYER 13.5 m2

12 m2

LOBBY 35 m2

1.8 m 0.9 m 0m

2

3 1

3. INTERLOCKING 01 / VARYING HEADROOM

FOYER 13.5 m2

LIVING ROOM 42 m

BEDROOM 35 m

2

2

BALCONY

KITCHEN

+

68.5 m

15 m2

BEDROOM (ATTIC) 11.5 m2

LIVING ROOM

LOBBY 35 m2

2

4m 3.3 m 2.7 m 1.8 m 0.9 m 0m

FOYER

6 4 2

13.5 m2

5 3 1

4. INTERLOCKING 02 / VARING HEADROOM BALCONY 15 m2

BEDROOM 18.5 m2

KITCHEN

+ LIVING 68.5 m2

ROOM

FOYER 13.5 m2

4m 3.3 m 2.7 m 1.8 m 0.9 m 0m

A

B

C

D

E

F

6 4 2

5 3 1

FLOOR PLAN / 1:100

UNFOLDED SECTION/ FULL BUILDING / 1:500 A

B

C

D

E

F

A

B

C

D

E

F

A

B

C

D

E

F

In the first attempt, i tried to design the belt of space in a unfolded section, with alternating height of each spaces. Each of the household program sits on a particular height rather than being bounded with partition walls.

Iterations could be carried out via the number of level that it crossed, types of and level of inclination and family sizes. this could create a tower that is continuously stacking and climbing up. Spaces are more horizontally opened and continuous. Area that subdivides household program are more connected visually and physically, which allow interaction be more frequently carried out. Small footprint of the construction area does not matter as much as it was since spaces are more joint . Feeling of cramped enviroment was slightly alleviated.

HEADROOM & HUMAN ERGONOMY / FLUIDITY OF SPACE

PROTOTYPE MODEL 1:250 / SPLIT LEVEL HOUSING

FRONT VIEW / CORE STRUCTURE

BACK VIEW / CIRCULATION

LEFT SIDE VIEW / UNITS

RIGHT SIDE VIEW / UNITS

RELATED TESTING MODELS

RELATED TESTING MODELS

1:250 / SPLIT LEVEL HOUSING NEGATIVE

1:250 / SPLIT LEVEL HOUSING NEGATIVE

RELATED TESTING MODELS 1:250 / FOLDING MECHANISM & CENTRAL VOID

RELATED TESTING MODELS 1:250 / FOLDING MECHANISM & CENTRAL VOID

RELATED TESTING MODELS 1:250 / UNFOLDED SECTION MODEL NEGATIVE

CONCEPT MODEL

MASSING / DOUBLE LOOPING / TWO POINT PERSPECTIVE

1:250 / HELIX CONFIGURATION PRIMARY LOOP (OUTER)

HELIX

SECONDARY LOOP (INNER)

HIGHER EXPOSURE DEEPER SUBLEVELING LARGER AREA

LOWER EXPOSURE SHALLOWER SUBLEVELING SMALLER AREA

+

OPPOSITION & CONTRAST DUALITY

=

PLAN / DOUBLE LOOPING / 4/F / 5/F / 1:100

PLAN / 4/F

EMERGENCY ESCAPE

By further looking at the production model negatives and concept trial models, i tried to refine my design in terms of clearer concept and geometry.

1. I further removed the partition in a house, opening up bedrooms and kitchens, leaving the toilet the last space with necessary partition.

2.Later on, i tried to integrate a secondary loop to contain more intimate program such as resting space and bathrooms. The secondary loop would acquire shallower height differences compare to the main deck which allows more stationery activity to take place.

PLAN / 5/F

3. I tried to include the corner of the triangle as a outdoor space to provide enough exterior exposure to each unit, and the outdoor area woulkd as well appear as a continous space to the rest of the residence.

ACCESS SERVICES

UNIT / ATTIC

06

FINAL DESIGN

1:250 / SPLIT-LEVEL HOUSING

1:100 / CIRCULATION MODEL

STANDARD UNIT PLAN 1:100 / 1/F MAIN DECK 2.0

1.9

1.1

3.4

0.9

4.1

1.1

2.3

OUTDOOR GL -0.17

4.9

2.1

1:100 / UNIT MODEL / SIDE

3.5

1.4 6.4 1.8

GATHERING GL +0.51

SERVICE UNIT SERVICE UNIT

LANDING GL+3.0

1.5 1.2

LIFT LOBBY GL +0

3.4

1.5 1.2

DINING GL + 0.68

1.9

COOKING GL + 1.19

1.9

3.0

SERVICE UNIT 5.0

1.1

LEISURE GL + 0.51

1.2

2.0

4.1

1.0

COOKING GL +1.53

DINING GL +1.02

LANDING GL+6.0

SERVICE UNIT

1.2 3.5

2.2

GATHERING GL + 0.17

0.9 2.4 1.5

34.

OUTDOOR GL - 0.51

0.9

4.8

0

8.0

1.4 4.2

STANDARD UNIT PLAN

STANDARD UNIT PLAN

1:200 / 1/F SUB-DECK

1:200 / 2/F SUB-DECK 5.5

3.5

1.4 6.4

9.9 0.9

4.3

1.8

1.2

1.9

1.5

3.4

1.1

1.9

1.9

3.0

2.1

2.1

2.2

1.4

1.8

1.4

6.0

1.5

3.0

4.3

3.2

ENTRANCE GL +3.74

LIFT LOBBY GL +0

1.2

1.9

RESTING GL +3.74

3.7 0.9

RESTING GL +4.25

2.4

RESTING GL +4.25

1.5

34.0

34.0

4.8

5.6

10.0

4.1

1.0

1.5

2.0 2.0

3.3

4.9

4.9 1.2

LANDING GL+3.0

1.2

1.2

1.0

1.2

ENTRANCE GL +3.74

LIFT LOBBY GL +0

3.4

1.1

2.9

1.5

2.0

RESTING GL +4.93

LANDING GL+6.0

RESTING GL +4.25

LANDING GL+3.0

2.1

1.7

3.3

LANDING GL+6.0

2.0

1.9

1.1

3.4 RESTING GL +4.93

1.2

4.1

1.1

2.0

1.9

1.6

1.1

3.4 2.1

0.7

2.9

0.4

8.0

1.4

7.4

4.2

UNIT SUBDIVISION

STANDARD UNIT PLAN

1:200 / 4-SIDE DIVISION

1:200 / 3/F SUB-DECK

6.4

7.8 0.7

2.9

3.0

2.0

1.9

1.1

3.4

4.1

1.1

1.8

2.3

OUTDOOR GL -0.17

2.1 GATHERING GL +0.51

4.3

1.1

1.9

COOKING GL + 1.19

1.9 1.2

1.6

GATHERING GL + 0.17

3.5 4.3

2.2

3.0

2.1

4.1

1.5

DINING GL + 0.68

1.2

1.2

1.9

LEISURE GL + 0.51

1.2

3.4

1.5

2.0

3.4

LIFT LOBBY GL +0

5.0

1.9

RESTING GL +3.74

0.9 0.4 3.5

34.0

1.5

OUTDOOR GL - 0.51

0.9

4.8

34.0

2.4

RESTING GL +4.25

7.0

1.1

1.5

2.0

1.2

2.0

LANDING GL+3.0

1.2

1.2

ENTRANCE GL +3.74

LIFT LOBBY GL +0

1.0

RESTING GL +4.25

1.7

1.5

COOKING GL +1.53

DINING GL +1.02

LANDING GL+6.0

1.6

LANDING GL+6.0 LANDING GL+3.0

1.3

1.8

RESTING GL +4.93

3.0

2.1

1.0

2.0

1.9

0.9

4.9

0.4

4.2

1.1

3.4

3.5

1.4

3.5

8.0

8.0

1.4 5.6

4.2

1:100 / UNIT MODEL / TOP

DESIGN CONCEPT

1/F FLOOR PLAN / 1:200

SERVE AND SERVANT SPACE / SECTIONAL EXPERIENCE LANDING GL+3.0

1.2

1.5

LIFT LOBBY GL +0

LEISURE GL + 0.51

1.2

SERVANT SPACES ARE GROUPED IN CORE

1.5 1.2

DINING GL + 0.68

COOKING GL + 1.19

5.0

SECTION PROFILE VARIATION

OUTDOOR GL -0.17 GATHERING GL +0.51 COOKING GL +1.53

DINING GL +1.02

LANDING GL+6.0

1.0

THE PARTITIONLESS HOUSE

OUTDOOR SUBLEVEL AT TURNING CORNER

GATHERING GL + 0.17

OUTDOOR GL - 0.51

A

0.9

1/F SUB-DECK FLOOR PLAN / 1:200

B RESTING GL +4.93

1.8

3.3

LANDING GL+6.0 LANDING GL+3.0

1.5

ENTRANCE GL +3.74

LIFT LOBBY GL +0

1.2

1.9 1.5

3.2

3.3

1.2 RESTING GL +3.74

1.2

D

RESTING GL +4.25

2.9

C

1.8

A

RESTING GL +4.25

B C

UNIT SUBDIVISION

D A

OUTDOOR GL -0.17 GATHERING GL +0.51

DINING GL +1.02

LANDING GL+6.0

B

COOKING GL +1.53

LANDING GL+3.0

1.2

1.5

LIFT LOBBY GL +0

C

FROM INTERIOR TO INDOOR TO EXTERIOR

LEISURE GL + 0.51

1.2

1.5

COOKING GL + 1.19

5.0

1.2

DINING GL + 0.68

GATHERING GL + 0.17

REFUGE

AREA

A’

OUTDOOR GL - 0.51

0.9

1 LOOP - 8 SERVICE UNITS

B’ C’ COOKING GL +1.53

LANDING GL+3.0

1.2

1.5

A’

LIFT LOBBY GL +0

LEISURE GL + 0.51

1.2

1.5

B’

1.2

DINING GL + 0.68

COOKING GL + 1.19

5.0

D’

OUTDOOR GL -0.17 GATHERING GL +0.51

DINING GL +1.02

LANDING GL+6.0

GATHERING GL + 0.17

C’ D’

OUTDOOR GL - 0.51

0.9

1/2 LOOP - 4 SERVICE UNITS

A’ B’

C’

COOKING GL +1.53

LANDING GL+3.0

1.5

LIFT LOBBY GL +0

LEISURE GL + 0.51

1.2

1.5 1.2

DINING GL + 0.68

COOKING GL + 1.19

5.0

D’ A’ B’

1.2

C’

OUTDOOR GL -0.17 GATHERING GL +0.51

DINING GL +1.02

LANDING GL+6.0

GATHERING GL + 0.17

OUTDOOR GL - 0.51

1/4 LOOP - 2 SERVICE UNITS

0.9

In the final stage, i clean up the servant spaces which are the bathroom and toilets and integrate them with the service core at the center. These servant spaces are designed to be relatively tight, to give more freedom to the served living environment.

And such that major area of the housing is partition-free and continuous.The rest of the residential area appear as a loop of space adhereing the service core barrier-free.

One apartment’s stepped ceiling is the next appartment’s stepped floor. The travel experience of one family as well affect the headroom of the below floor in spacial quality. Spaces are more efficiently used in terms of how much each of the space needs, but not standardized partitioning.

This tower appear to be obviously taller than regular 30 floors since the design requires vertical span instead of horizontal span. This feature would cost more money to be constructured while seems more of a future trend to design in Hong Kong.

The facade has not been strictly issued, while i proposed that frosted glass could be applied to reserved privacy while maintaining 100% area of illuminance. Since the service core was responsible for all load bearing, the facade could be independently standing and be mostly comprised of glass panels.

UNFOLDED SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE 1:50 / PARTIAL / HUMAN ACTIVITY / SUBLEVELING

1:100 / UNFOLDED SECTION COMPONENTS

1:100 / UNFOLDED SECTION COMPONENTS

1:100 / UNFOLDED SECTION COMPONENTS DETAILS

1:100 / UNFOLDED SECTION COMPONENTS

FINAL MODEL 1:50 / UNIT COMPOSTION & ACTIVITY

FINAL MODEL / 1:250 / LEFT SIDE VIEW

FINAL MODEL / 1:250 / RIGHT SIDE VIEW

FINAL MODEL / 1:250 / LEFT SIDE VIEW

FINAL MODEL / 1:250 / MATERIAL CLADDED

FINAL MODEL DETAILS 1:50 / HUMAN ACTIVITIES & LEVELS

FINAL MODEL DETAILS 1:50 / HUMAN ACTIVITIES & LEVELS

1:250 / FULL UNFOLDED SECTION MODEL

1:250 / FULL UNFOLDED SECTION MODEL

1:250 / FULL UNFOLDED SECTION MODEL DETAIL

Since at the beginning stage of the project, i have used unfolded section to drive and guide me the way to progressively develop my thesis. In this final stage, I did this full section model to again recall the importance of thinking in unfolded sectional space in my project, and to evaluate whether i have did enough to foster a better residence.

In reflection, I noticed my project has not been fully aware of the specificity of designing a split level housing, or partitionless housing, which more flavourable to design in a limited area of residence. It is easy to achieve reasonable split leveling in a moderately big house, while the effect of split level designing would be the most obvious in a nano-flat, of which it is the case now in Hong Kong. Furthermore, the potential of split level masses has not been fully exploited. The steps appear in the flat could further integrate with interior furniture, such as cabinets, shelves, cupboards, tables, chairs... In such case spaces could be more efficiently designed and used. Lastly, the inclination extent or direction were not given enough meaning in relation to human movement and how people sense the space.They should be more carefully manupulated in terms of orientation and programs.

Lastly, I want to thank all tutors, critics , friends and my family in assisting me to finish this project.