Sympathetic Waste Rehabilitation Centre | Genius in Nature

The Sympathetic Waste Rehabilitation Centre ----

Beverly Su ---Year 2 Semester 1

The Sympathetic Waste Rehabilitation Centre

Sitting next to Semakau Landfill, “The Sympathetic Waste Rehabilitation Centre� responds to the waste problem we encounter in Singapore.

With the gradual population of humans on earth, another by-product of human life has inadvertently been steadily increasing - the waste produced and rubbish discarded. With Semakau Landfill filling up fast, we desperately need a solution.

Instead of treating waste production and discarding as a one-way street, the sympathetic starfish sees an opportunity.

Why not take these unwanted goods, and turn them into useful products to sustain life? Humans produce waste, and the starfish consumes that, sorts it out, and breathes a new lease of life into it. Then it returns the recycled items back to the mainland for humans to use, driving on this succession, instead of just discarding trash as useless.

Initial studies into the starfish uncovered their general symmetry, abiility to regenerate body parts, and unique method of locomotion. These aspects were neatly incorporated into the design as further studies revealed three besic systems - the controlling mouth, leg joints, and grasping and sucking feet.

Next, the forms and systems were further studied for function.

Why, how, where, and when does a starfish have such a form in its design? These studies then guided me eventually into the programme.

The starfish has an important and active role in maintaining coral reef biodiversity and driving ecological succession. They are probably the most important predators in the shallow ecosystem, eating basically anything that they can come across.

Their feeding activities control the whole ecosystem.

The starfish is a selflessly selfish creature, which consumes all the waste on the sea floor to fulfill its basic needs. But as a result of all the consumption, the starfish returns to its surroundings a clean, livable and pollution - free habitat.

The starfish has an important and active role in maintaining coral reef biodiversity and driving ecological succession. They are probably the most important predators in the shallow ecosystem, eating basically anything that they can come across. Their feeding activities control the whole ecosystem.

The starfish is a selflessly selfish creature, which consumes all the waste on the sea floor to fulfill its basic needs. But as a result of all the consumption, the starfish returns to its surroundings a clean, livable and pollution - free habitat.

In that same way, the Sympathetic Waste Rehabilitation Centre takes all the waste from the landfill, biodegradable and non-biodegradable, sorts it, cleans it, and transforms it into sable products for humans, once again. By rehabilitating discards and damaged goods, the starfish revolutionizes our way of life, interjecting the trash we produce back into the cycle of life, leaving no extraneous heap of discards in its trail.

1.

OBSERVE AND IDENTIFY

Form The body form of the starfish is fundamentally the same across all species - a central disk and radiating arms, and symmetrical.

Classification: Starfish are also referred to as sea stars because of their star-shaped appearance. They are a part of the phylum Echinodermata and are related to sand dollars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers. Echinoderms are found in nearly all marine habitats and constitute a major proportion of the biomass. Starfish belong to the class Asteroidea, derived from the Greek words “aster” (a star) and “eidos“ (form, likeness, appearance). There are more than 1600 species of starfish alive today.

Function and Role in Nature The starfish has an important and active role in maintaining coral reef biodiversity and driving ecological succession.

They are probably the most important predator in the shallow ecosystem, eating basically anything that they can come across.

Their feeding activities control the whole ecosystem.

If the starfish species is endangered or affected, it is going to have a disproportionately greater effect on the whole ecosystem because it would be removing a key component in the community structure of the ocean floor.

Condition of Living Environment They live in tropical intertidal zones and on the seafloors of colder climates. Habitats range from tropical coral reefs, rocky shores, tidal pools, mud, and sand to kelp forests, seagrass meadows and the deep-sea floor down to at least 6,000 m (20,000 ft).

The greatest diversity of species occurs in coastal areas.

Anatomy Although the starfish is symmetrical on the outside, certain individual sections of its design is not.

2.

FORMATION AND DISSECTION

Starfish Movement On their ventral side, starfish contain thousands of tube-like feet that contain cells that are specialized for adhesion. In a process that some scientists describe as �rapid gluing and ungluing,� starfish can use these tube feet to move across a surface.

Each foot has two sets of secretory cells that secrete compounds that allow the foot to first attach then detach to a surface.

The first set of cells releases an adhesive material that bonds the fuzzy coat (the outermost layer of the tube foot) to the surface (ocean floor).

A different substance is released from a second type of secretory cells that enables the foot to release from the ocean floor or other surfaces.

Diagrammatic study of how the tube like feet brush across the sea floor

Side view of one ray of a walking starfish, with tube feet

The elastic elongation of movement

Time-lapse of Locomotion

Time-lapse of Eating

Stomach comes out of its shell

Stomach drawn back into its body

Time-lapse of Resting

Stomach drawn back into its body

Motion of Echinoderm Tube Leg

The under side of the sea star is a complex network

Extends to the end of the arm

Tubes, all connected to the middle

Water enters the individual tubes

In the middle is a singular hole

The water is stored in little muscular bulbs.

Sieve plate

Water is drawn into the sieve plate.

Water floods the five radial canals which run down the length of the arms.

Hydraulic system in the arms

When the bulb contracts, it forces water into the elastic tube.

The foot extends

The muscles in the foot swing it in the direction the sea star wants to move.

Swaying back and forth with the expansion and contraction.

Observing the Slight Movement of the Tiny Feet

Time - Lapse

Out of Water

Coordination of the thousands of tiny tube feet. Movement and change of form is graceful and dance-like.

Movement and Behaviour of the Mouth

Tube feet kick in the first, using hydraulic pressure to crack open any shell

Most unusual weapon, its stomach, which moves out of its body to digest its prey alive

Unusual Way of Eating A starfish feeds by first extending its stomach out of its mouth and over the digestible parts of its prey, such as mussels and clams. The prey tissue is partially digested externally before the soup-like "chowder" produced is drawn back into its 10 digestive glands.

00:00:01

00:05:40

Clam is near the starfish, ready to be eaten

Starfish begins to protrude its stomach

00:10:23

Inflating stomach

00:15:43

00:18:37

00:20:00

Whole body prepares to engulf

As stomach pushes out, the rest of the body caves

Clam being engulfed

00:22:31

Stomach succesfully sucks clam

00:29:18

Whole body becomes a ball as the clam is claimed

Starfish Skin Patterns

Reptition of the same form, and patterned close to each other, with small openings in between each one.

Textures of skins

3.

SYSTEMIZATION AND ABSTRACTION

Scan to see gifs for all the process models.

The internal system of the starfish Basic system breakdown: 1. Tube Leg Joints and Joining 2. Grasping / Sucking Feet 3. Controlling Mouth

System 1: Leg Formations

Closer look at the basic form of the leg Top view in diagram:

gap segment

feet I noticed that the movement of the starfish legs is not not just one giant flexible piece of matter, but rather many small segments joined in a row, with tiny gaps in between. So, I decided to do a study on the segment vs. gap ratio.

Ratio of number of segments to number of gaps (x: x-1), and its effect on the starfish’s movements All the basic up and down motion is pitched at 45 degrees.

The variation of the basic forms of each leg is the number of gaps in between, times 10. (eg. 2 gaps X10)

3:2

20 basic variations

4:3

30 basic variations

5:4

40 basic variations

Model of Joints

I found straws with a bendy joint.

So I cut out the joints.

Then I found wooden chopsticks

Next, I inserted one end of the short stick into the straw joint.

Straw simulates joints - rotates 360 degrees.

And I cut it into pieces of varying sizes.

And another stick into the other end, on and on.

Each end of the chopstick connects with another. until we form a long stick that can be bent into unique figures.

The different sizes of each segment contributes to the unique formations that are able to be contorted.

Here I combined all the sticks together to make a tube like structure.

Represents the joint that enables the transformation

System 2: Feet Sucking and Grasping

synchronous movement to the right

synchronous movement to the left

These horizontal tubes across the leg swing side to side to direct the legs of the starfish towards the center of its body, where its mouth is. This is how it brings the food to its mouth.

Diagrammatic Plan

Diagrammatic section

Diagrammatic Elevation

Fig. 01

Fig. 02

Entrance to the system opens up gradually as the tube extends

Resting position

Coral reef floor

Coral reef floor

Shovel - like scoops extend to scoop coral from reef

Fig. 04

Fig. 03

As the leg is retracted, the shovels close in and hook the food back up.

The soft part of the feet sucks in water and holds it in as it squeezes the leg together.

Coral reef floor

Ends of the feet are soft and take the shape of whatever terrain they land on

Back to original position

Finally because of the pressure at the smaller end the rapid contracting of the foot, the food is stored in the shell and the water enters the system

Coral reef floor

Model of Grasping Feet

I made a small ring from straws and masking taped it tight. Then I found cable ties to create the “grasping” and “blooming” feet.

I cable-tied it facing outwards, around the round ring.

This simulation can be closed and straight, but also opened and spread out.

I took a transparent piece of pvc, rolled it into a tube and cable tie and stapled it to fasten.

This is the “House� for the foot of the starfish. it is closed while in the tube. and will expand as it is pushed out.

Model of Flexible and Adapting Underfoot

I took a circle of translucent tracing paper and inserted the spikes into its edges.

sucks in and up

lets go outward and down

The void enclosed in the middle of this net is capable of holding all the sucked food from the corals.

Model #1 of leg with foot travelling down the tube and opening at the end

Model #2 of feet’s expansion as it travels down the tube.

1.

2.

1.

3.

2.

4.

3.

4.

System 3: Controlling Mouth

Plan View

normal, at rest

enlarging as food comes in

after taking a bite , collapses its walls to suck in food.

moving mouth ends

The brown strings are the membrane that holds the parts together and yet allow for expanding.

1 3 Systems Identified:

2

Joint Leg system

Foot system

3 Mouth system

Extra systems discovered (construction details derived from here) zooming in close, i realized the fluid movement is made up of millions of tiny joinings with tiny gaps in between.

many tiny parts, all connected by the skin

Sieve Plate Details The sieve plate is made of a porous, translucent material which filters every thing that passes through it.

Big size variation

Medium, Regular size

Small, regular size

Tiny, irregular

ridges form

all holes merge, surface forms

4.

ORDERING AND TRANSFORMATION

Joint Leg System

1

Modifying and Improving the Tube Leg

Diameter of end is larger than diameter of start.

Torso action. Twisting enabled.

Foot System

2

Modifying and Improving the Sucking Feet

Section

Suction Cups

Pliable, changes shape to cling to surface

Plan

Section of individual tiny feet

sucks up to pipe

extended in all directions from the middle

Plan of individual tiny feet

Mouth system

3

Modifying and Improving the Mouth

The mouth system is progressively enlarging as it runs down the core. As the mouth is the central controlling power in the starfish, so does this gradual expansion exert the control.

I made holes in between each semi-circle curve and ran bamboo sticks down the holes, all corresponding as they stack. The top layer is the smallest in diameter, gradually in creasing in size as it goes down, much like the way the starfish expands as it controls.

Progression of the Leg: Model #1: I made a single joint part by connecting straw parts to chopsticks.

Model #2: Next I combined 6 such bendy sticks into a tube, able to be distorted and played around with.

Model #3: The diameter of the tube leg is not the same the whole way through. So I made the end of the tube significantly larger than its opening next.

Model #4: To expand on the variation, I changed the diameter of the tube leg all the way through, adding gradually larger circles to make the tube expand gradually as it progresses.

Progression of the Foot: #1

#2

First model: to show the basic movement of the foot. just a bi-directional swinging movement.

I attached a paper round to the bottom of the foot. (The pocket of space created, where the food goes when sucked into the system.

#3

Next, I made a series of models to demonstrate the range of movement.

#4

For the fourth model set, I added suction cups to the ends of the feet. The suctions are the “feeling” and “planting” part of the foot.

Making model #5

I decided to look into interesting and joinings that would work appropriately.

I got these terminal blocks to help with the connecting.

At first I tried to connect them all in a round. But it was ineffective and did not bend well, and also did not give the extra side-to-side motion I was looking to create.

So I decided to put insert an individual part into each block. And then join that segment to the other segments to create a round.

Next I inserted the longer sticks into the blocks, 2 side by side per terminal block.

Joined both sticks tip to tip, then added on the suction end on each of the 9 legs.

Flipped it around, and ended up with a ring of suctions, and a movable 3-way joint.

Progression of the Mouth: #1

First model: the “moving mouth� with layers separate: in the unique curved pattern of the starfish mouth.

I wanted to make the layers inside the mouth, as it is an essential part of the dynamics of the controlling mouth system.

#2

I tried creating the layers of the insides with twine. weaving it in and out of the sides.

Lorem ipsum

I combined both ideas into a layered spring which combineds the entity of the round mouth together with the layers created. The dynamic of a mouth enlarging to control the rest of the body is captured in this model, where all the bamboo reaches outward.

Mouth model #2

Attempting to create layers within the mouth by weaving string in the base frame previously made.

However, this string is not structurally sturdy enough to hold its shape tautly.

It would be much more effective to use a more solid material.

Created interesting layers.

But could have more integrity with better suited materials.

Mouth model #3

The first layer, the smallest part, the tip. Creating the stoppers for the sticks to freely move without falling off.

Adding in the second layer, which moves freely in between the top and bottom most layers. Important free-movement, no stoppers.

Finally, the last and largest layer. Wide=spreading, creates the bending of the sticks. Open-spreading dynamic. It causes the mouth to open to its largest possible diameter.

Joinery

Segment to Segment Joint

Segment to Segment Joint

Normal (at rest)

Curving and flexing as the segment moves down

Expansion of the joint as the segment raises

Joint goes along with the movement

Contraction of the joint as the segment lowers and equalizes

Almost 360° rotation

Joinery

Segment to Feeler Joining Holes to insert poles

Curved and round base so it can “Roll”

Section view

Horizontal Extension

Up and down movement to accomodate different diameters of poles

Section view

Vertical Extension

Side to side movement to accomodate different diameters of poles

Section view

5.

REVELATION OF A NEW SPACE

Making of the Final Model 1. The Central Core

2. The Surrounding Tube Limbs

3. The Internal Suction

4. The Sucking Feet Extensions

Joinery #1 Attachment (Hanging) of Tube Limb to the Central Core

#2 Attachment of Sucking Cup to the Feet

Clamp for the Suction

360 ° rotation

Details

d.

f.

b. g.

e.

c. a.

b. flexible joints

a. central core structure

c. suction attachments

f. central suction form

d. limb attachments

e. scalloped form layering

g. surrounding connection structure

6.

APPROPRIATING FORM INTO FUNCTION

Central Command Centre

Land Resources

Sky Resources

Sea Resources

Interconnection

Underground Reach

Preliminary Schedule of Accomodation: The central command centre core for all the residents dictates all activites that take place.

Grasping ducts that sucks resources from sky, land, sea and even underground.

Hard-working recycling areas that recycle treasure stolen by the grasping ducts.

Re-distribution centre to the outside world.

Pro-active plant that will convert waste and human trash (from factories, malls, etc.) to renewable energy.

Renewable energy power station specially for the architecture itself, and occasionally for mainland.

Diagrammatic programme

Plan renewable energy plant

Gathering resources from anywhere and everywhere, above ground, underwater and underground, surroundings.

redistribution of treasure to outside

grasping ducts to suck trash from outside Residential Area Control tower

up dictator core center side

Recycling branch

Many ducts in all directions around the core sucking duct

down

under

Central Suction to Carry All Resources Up

Duct way to transport stolen goods

Habitation for Recyclers

Central Command Centre, Recycler’s Habitation

Sea Resources

Command Centre

Duct way to factories

Connection between ducts

Suctions to grip on to any terrain

Grasping to Land and any Surface

Channel to Distribute to Mainland

Land Resources

Command Centre

Connection between ducts

Wind turbine at high altitudes

Connection between Limbs

Sky Resources - Wind

7.

SITE

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Semakau Island

Pulau Semakau, left of landfill Scale 1:1000 PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Waste - carrying ships routes from Singapore’s islands to Semakau Landfill

Access of cargo loads from the landfill to the Centre

Routes from the Centre back to Singapore’s mainland

Sun Path Analysis from 6am to 11pm on a Regular Sunny Day

Sun Path with Wind Speed Analysis from 6am to 11pm on a Regular Sunny Day

Sun Path with Wind Speed and Relative Humidity Analysis from 6am to 11pm on a Regular Sunny Day

The illuminance of this site is pretty constant all year round. During the day times, the lighting is extremely bright, the architecture is very exposed to direct sunlight, out at sea.

Therefore, excessive shading and glass glazing had to be taken into consideration.

The temperature of this site remains on the constant high throughout the year, as expected and evidenced in this graph. It especially peaks in June and October, as we experience the tropical heat waves.

Relative humidity likewise is on the high side.

Being surrounded by seawater and also tropical nature, the humidity is inevitably high. Because of this, ventilation openings are designed for the many windows and openings of the architecture.

Wind Speed Analysis in m/s North-South directions experience more wind, therefore the room which require most ventilation due to the recycling processes involved are situated with that facing.

Dew-Point Temperature (C)

Relative Humidity (%)

Dew-point temperature and relative humidity have similar patterns, mostly. The temperature out at sea reaches a low of 23C, while simultaneously the relative humidity’s lowest is 65.8%. The hotter it gets, the more humid it appears to be. Because of that, again, proper ventilation will need to be ensured, especially in the NS facings.

Low land, very exposed, no natual shading and blocking from the island

Apparently the most heat received is overhead, therefore the shading from the sun is extremely vital to human comfort. As the architecture has no surrounding buildings are environment to shelter it, as it stands out in the sea, thorough overhead shading and overhang is appropriate.

N

N

N

Solar Analysis: With no surrounding buildings to offer shade, the architecture is out in the open, with ample sunlight during the day.

N

N N

N

Tide Analysis for a Day As the high tides comes in , the rubbish floats to the surface of the landfill, making it easy to transfer the rubbish from the landfill to the sorting and decomposing centre. During the low tides, the platforms cease drifting and it signifies rest time for workers too.

These platforms are actively drifting to collect trash during the 2 high tides of the day, and it serves as a recreational outpost for the tired workers during the 2 low tides.

Much like the guru, who is most active when there is rushing water, as it expedites its movement.

8.

PROGRAMME

Final Programme: The Sympathetic Waste Rehabilitation Centre A waste sorting, recycling and distribution centre for Singapore. Turning man’s trash back into treasure.

Consists of 1 main fixed structure with 4 slightly drifting side structures. Workers on the main structure in the centre work to sort and recycle the non-biodegradable waste that comes to it. Plastic, glass, metal and chemicals are the 4 main departments. On each level there are compartmentalized rooms with the purpose of recycling, and a pathway for the humans to move about on. The products running through the tubes have their own separate pathway, which never collides with the humans. On the east and west sides are shady rest areas which over good views and resting areas during a long day.

The main structure is branching out as unique spaces are created for the different materials that will be processed from “trash” to useful items. It is mostly open, with designated shades and coverings depending on the material’s needs. Workers zip around the strcture with ease as each nook is connected. One overriding characteristic of a singular starfish is its unmistakably symmetrical form. However, when you come across a multitude of starfish working together, it is organized chaos. This main structure does the work of multiple starfish. The asymmetrical and seemingly unruly spaces each have a unique purpose and all the trash that has been sucessfully recycled into new products such as fabric, new cans, fiberglass, etc, all travel down their own tube pathways. The workers have their own pathways which will never collide with the products, but they have the satisfaction of watching their hard work being transported down and carried to mainland by cargo boats.

The surrounding 4 floating stations are where the passive biodegradable trash is slowly being decomposed and a habitat for special creatures that have made their home in Semakau Island. The bottom level is a paper factory, next is a composting deck where workers with a view deck on top, where weary workers can enjoy a panoramic view of the sea and Singapore and forget their worries for a while. Proceeding up is the “farm” where natural waste is planted into a little farm where creatures can reside and thrive. Surrounding it are the recreation spots for the end of a day. It is for eating, relaxing, recreational activities and the toilets, directly connected to the “farm”. The highest level is the where the workers can finally go when all trash has been recycled - the sleeping place. Above it is a signal light, that shines brightly, broadcasting to all when a worthy work has been completed.

At the end of each work cycle, when no more trash is to be had, the workers move from the main structure to the surrounding drifting stations. Aboard their “cruise ships” they can play their free time away.

Production Level

Recycling Level

DUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION Sorting Level

Loading/ Unloading Level

0

1

2

3

4m

1:100

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK S

Section A-A

The Sympathetic Waste Rehabilitation Centre - for non-biodegradable materials

Pathways for Descending Products

Pathway for Ascending Products

The Sympathetic Waste Rehabilitation Centre - for biodegradable materials and habitation for workers

Sleeping Pod

Recreational Rooms

Viewing Deck

Paper Factory

Natural Waste Farm

Composting Bin

Gathers Marine Waste

Level 3 - Production Product Transportation Level 2 - Recycling Product Transportation Level 1 - Sorting

Dock

Suction Footing

First Level

Second Level

Third Level

West Rest Area

Glass Room

Chemical Lab

Plastic Room

East Rest Area

Store Room

Metal Room

9.

FINAL DRAWINGS

10.

TECHNICAL DRAWINGS

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

1:100 P

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Second Level

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

O

PARTNO DIM-1 DIM-2 DIM-3 STKORIGIN ROOM OPTION

CATN PARTNO DIM-1 DIM-2 N DIM-3 STKORIGIN ROOM OPTION DESCRIPTIO

O CATN

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

1:100

P

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION First Level

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

1:100 P

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION 1:100

P

O

Third Level

PARTNO DIM-1 DIM-2 DIM-3 STKORIGIN ROOM OPTION

CATN PARTNO DIM-1 DIM-2 N DIM-3 STKORIGIN ROOM OPTION DESCRIPTIO

O CATN

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Section A

P

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

P

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Section B

Section C

P

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Section D

P

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

P

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Section E

N

PRODUCED BY

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VER

UDENT VERSION

11.

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

2150

Columns Reinforcement Stirrups (Ties)

Reinforced concrete column Main reinforcement bars

Reinforced concrete column bottom floor starters

Slab 1550

Column

SRFC Column to Floor Detail 1:10 200mm

0

200mm

400mm

2150

Columns Reinforcement Stirrups (Ties)

Reinforced concrete column Main reinforcement bars

Slab

Reinforced concrete column bottom floor starters 1550

Column

SRFC Column to Floor Detail Scale 1:50 0

1

2

3

4

5

10

600mm

800mm

1000mm

Durable non-slip decking suitable for 3KPo UDL

Edge trim 200 x 40 all round

205 L floats secured with 9 mm dia. galv. u-bolts carried up through bearers

Floating Deck Detail Scale 1:50 0

1

2

3

4

5

100 x 40 Battiens in pairs, spaced approx. 300m apart, as locating stops for drums 10

450

Deck

38374,3

Variable ballast (seawater)

Production riser buoyancy cans

61331,21

8000

40286,82

147311,31

Water Surface

Spar Hull

Production riser

s2 - s2'

Seawater fills centre well

800

Sea Star Legs Details 1:20 400mm

0

400mm

800mm

1200mm

1600mm

2000mm

The study of the starfish’s water-filled tube feet led me to the discovery of this “Sea Star Leg” flotation device, typically used in oil rig construction.

In the starfish, water fills its fluid feet, enabling it to lift and paddle.

In the architecture, the sea star legs for the side structure enables it to float in the shallow waters. It is a hollow core made from concrete. Concrete can be made to float if it is shapped with a hollow. A hollow object will displace a volume of water greater than the actual volume of solid material in the object.

Underwater “suction� with pneumatics and hydraulics to cleave to uneven underground surfaces and unusual terrain.

Decentralized system, to even out the load amongst all members.

Atmospheric pressure acts on the exterior of evacuated cup generates lifting force.

Locating cups uniformly around load's center of gravity balances lifting force.

Clay Roof Cladding

4000

450 350

Louvre Window

Wood Dock 300

Steel Reinforced Concrete Columns 8000

Double Glazed Windows

3500

3500

Rubbish tube

Hydraulic Leg System

Close Up Level Detail SCALE BAR 1:50 0

1

2

3

4

5

10