A Choreography of Decay – Stage 1: The Ultimate Retirement Home

Technical Studies_Year 3 Architectural Association A Choreography of Decay Stage 1: The Ultimate Retirement Home

Intermediate 5 Camille Bongard

Project Diagram

Death

Human Scale - Lifespan 81 Years - Decomposition Process 30 Years

Houses

Sandstone

Part I - Construction - Accumulation

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Cliff Retreat

Part III - Rebuild- Continuum of the Cycle

Part II - Designing for Decay

Brief

«Intermediate 5 will walk the 1851 Prime Meridian (0°’00’05.3101»), drive along the 1767 Mason-Dixon Line (39°’43’0»N, 75° 47’0»W) and set sail down the 1884 International Date Line (0°’0’0»N, 180°’0’0»W). This continues the unit explorations along a colinear slice through London that unveils the diversity of the city’s architectures, infrastructures, cultures and inhabitants at the local scale while expanding beyond the M25 towards the global scale.

With time as our guide these examinations will offer a series of social, technological, time-based and sometimes playfully random constraints as catalysts for generating the central aim of each unit project - a material architectural intervention to question the mechanisms that govern our existence.

Synthesising urban exploration and design, students will translate ideas through two- and three-dimensional drawing, writing and physical models that measure time. Focusing on current social and physical contexts and technological advances, Intermediate 5’s objective is to use the fourth dimension as a line of demarcation within the built environment, optimistically altering our perception of everyday life by splintering the status quo into oblivion.»

- Ryan Dillon

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Project Aim Cliffs are eroding Houses are falling People are ageing.

My project consists of building an ultimate retirement home for the ageing population of the South of England. Their life will end in the building and their corps will decompose together with their tomb.

In order to follow the decomposition timeframe of a human, the decaying process of the building has to be accelerated. The change is achieved through the design and the effect of the surrounding nature.

On site, the erosion of the cliff is taking the houses of the village in its fall.

Fairlight has been suffering from erosion and many houses have already been destroyed. The bulding is a Collection of parts of these fallen houses together with the Sandstone of the cliffs, creating a unity. After its first decay, a new building will be built on top of the remaining stones, creating a new cycle of life to decay. A building that will temporarely give a second life to the materials and that will be able to regenerate quickly due to its constant cycle of death and rebirth. Time can be read through the stages of the building according to its state of deterioration, the building acts as a living clock.

81 Years

77 Years

Technical Studies Aim

The project is being technically investigated through an analysis of materials, their timeframe and their decaying properties by using the environment, weathering and material reactions as active builders of structural decomposition. After analysing the foundation, the window, the wall and the roofs of buildings, I am re-designing each of those elements to emphasise their decay.

The overall aim of the technical studies is to accelerate the decomposition process of the building.

Table of Content

0. Project Introduction

Part I

Part II

I. Site

II.I Definitions I.I I.II I.III I.IV I.V I.VI

Prime Meridian Site Analysis Erosion Sandstone Analysis Fairlight Research Falling Houses

II.I.I II.I.II II.I.III II.I.IV II.I.V II.I.IV.II

5 Stages of Natural Decay Human Body Decomposition Population in East Sussex Material Timeframe Analysis of Decayed House Georges Perec - Life a User’s Manual

II.II Design to Decay I.II Case Study : Ise Shrine

II.II.I Concept and Lifespan

I.III Application to the Design II.II.I.I Reading the Building as a Clock II.II.I.II Material’s Lifespan Original- Altered II.II.I.III Building’s Decaying Life II.II.II Material Study II.II.I

Metal II.II.I.I How to Alter Metal II.II.I.II How to Control Metal Rust

II.II.II

Concrete II.II.II.I II.II.II.II II.II.II.III II.II.II.IV

Influence of Nature Efflorescence Sugar in Concrete Nature & Liquids

II.III Architectural Elements II.III.I II.III.II II.III.III II.III.IV II.III.V

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

General Overvue Foundations The Window The Wall The Roof

Part III III.I Case Studies III.I.I Carquero Architectura- Matrera Castle III.I.I Chipperfield - Neues Museum

III.II Project Drawings III.II.I Plan of the Decaying Building III.II.II Elevation of one House III.II.III Analysis of the Door III.II.IV Render: Walking towards Death III.II.V Render : Death creating Life III.II.VI Section III.II.VII Infinite Spiral of Decay

Conclusion

Part I Site

Acknowledgements

Celestrial body

Mirror

Horizon Telescope

shade

Index mirror

Arc

Horizon mirror

Measures up to 120°

Timeline

1753 Hadley quadrant / Octant.

1768-71

1735-1765

1772-5

1823 - 30

James Cook’s sextants (lunar distance) an d the Nautical Almanac.

John Harrison’s first pendulum clock, reduces friction, the H1

The sea watch H4

First chronometer

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

rst chronometer trial hronometers supplied to all oyal Navy vessel.

Site : Prime Meridian

Satellite Meridian 00°00 Longitude Line More accurate earth data , the earth has an irregular shape, therefore there is a shift of the 0 Line

+102.5m E

GPS 0°00'W

CALIPSO

There is a constellation of at least 24 GPS satellite in orbit around the earth. Each orbit takes 11 hours 58 minutes to complete and they are about 20200 km high.

12

5

1 16

9

21

2

18

22 8

11

19 17

4 24

3

14

10

7

20 13

6 23

15

Through a research in the history of the Prime Meridian, I’ve come to realise that through time, our measuring tools and devices are becoming more and more accurate, resulting in a constant shifting of the line by new calculations.

In 1984, a new, more accurate Prime Meridian was discovered with the creation of the GPS, the new official Meridian is situated 100 m East from the Greenwich Observatory official line.

From that Observation I’ve questionned the accuracy of the current Prime Meridian and assume that the prime Meridian will shift again towards the East. My Site, Hastings, located on the point 0°34’12’ East, might be a futur reference point for the Prime Meridian.

Shrinking UK

Prime Meridian

Hastings / Fairlight

Shoreline management policies 2010-2030 No Intervention Hold the line Managed retreat Advance the line

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Prime Meridian

Site

Hastings Hastings Hastings Latitude: +50.86 (50°51'36"N) Hastings Longitude: +0.57(50°51'36"N) (0°34'12"E) Latitude: +50.86

Latitude: +50.86 Longitude: +0.57(50°51'36"N) (0°34'12"E) Population : 90,254.

Longitude: +0.57 (0°34'12"E) Latitude: +50.86 (50°51'36"N) Population +0.57 : 90,254.

Longitude: (0°34'12"E) Population : 90,254.

Hastings is a town and borough in East Population : 90,254.

Sussex south coast of England.

Hastingsonisthe a town and borough in East Hastings a town and borough in East Sussex onisthe south coast of England.

Sussex south coast of As may on other coastal parts of England. theinUK, the Hastings isthe a town and borough East

region Hastings has beenof from Sussex thecoastal south coast England.

As mayofon other parts ofsuffering the UK, the Land erosion, floods and other natural factors As may coastal parts ofsuffering the UK, the region ofother Hastings has been from destroying their land and homes. region ofother Hastings has been from Land erosion, floods and other natural factors As may coastal parts ofsuffering the UK, the Land erosion, floods and other natural from factors destroying their land and homes. region of Hastings has been suffering destroying their land and and other homes.

Land erosion, floods natural factors destroying their land and homes.

0°34’12’’ E Prime Meridian Prime Prime Meridian Meridian Prime Meridian

Hastings

Fairlight Fairlight Latitude: +50.88 (50°52'39.4"N) Fairlight Longitude: +0.66(50°52'39.4"N) (0°39'29.5"E) Latitude: +50.88 Fairlight Latitude: +50.88 (50°52'39.4"N)

Longitude: +0.66 (0°39'29.5"E) Longitude: +0.66(50°52'39.4"N) (0°39'29.5"E) Latitude: +50.88 Population 1,670 Longitude: +0.66 (0°39'29.5"E) Population 1,670 The village suffered from coastal erosion Population 1,670 and landslip.

A number ofcoastal houseserosion are very The village suffered from Latitude: +50.86 (50°51'36"N) Population 1,670 close to thesuffered sea edge, and numerous The village from erosion and landslip.

A number ofcoastal houses are very Longitude: +0.57 (0°34'12"E) properties from and A number ofdemolition houses areand very closelandslip. to thesuffered sea edge, and numerous The village suffered from coastal erosion abandonment. close to thesuffered sea edge, and numerous properties from and landslip.

A number ofdemolition houses areand very Population : 90,254. properties from abandonment. close to thesuffered sea edge, anddemolition numerousand abandonment. properties suffered from demolition and abandonment.

Hastings

Hastings is a town and borough in East Sussex on the south coast of England.

As may other coastal parts of the UK, the region of Hastings has been suffering from Land erosion, floods and other natural factors destroying their land and homes.

Fairlight Latitude: +50.88 (50°52'39.4"N) Longitude: +0.66 (0°39'29.5"E) Population

1,670

The village suffered from coastal erosion and landslip. A number of houses are very close to the sea edge, and numerous properties suffered from demolition and abandonment.

Hastings Hastings Hastings Hastings

Land Erosion

Land Erosion Land Erosion Land Erosion Land Erosion

The Site : (Distance Between Hastings and Fairlight : 3 miles) Right between the two cities, The Building will eventually aslo be taken by the erosion Hastings of the rocks. It will therefore be planned for Hastings a relativelly short period of time, 50-100 years only.

Hastings It will allow to see the changes occuring rapidely in FairlightHastings as well as bringing back temporarely

Location : Hastings Park The Site :

Fairlight

(Distance The Site : Between Hastings and Fairlight : 3 miles) Right between the two cities,and Fairlight : 3 miles) The Site : Between (Distance Hastings The willthe eventually aslo taken :by the (Distance Hastings andbe Fairlight 3 miles) RightBuilding between two cities, The Site : Between erosion of thewill rocks.

It will therefore be planned Right between the two cities, The Building eventually aslo taken the for (Distance Between Hastings andbe Fairlight :by 3 miles) a relativelly short period of therefore time, 50-100 years only.

The Building will eventually aslo be taken by the erosion of the rocks.

It will be planned for Right between the two cities, It will allow to see theItchanges occuring rapidely in erosion of the rocks. will be planned for a relativelly short period of therefore time, 50-100 years only.

The Building will eventually aslo be taken by the Fairlight as to well asperiod bringing back temporarely a short of therefore time, 50-100 years only.

It relativelly will allow see the occuring rapidely in erosion of the rocks.

Itchanges will be planned for tourism to It will allow to see the changes occuring rapidely in Fairlight asHastings. well asperiod bringing back temporarely a relativelly short of time, 50-100 years only.

Fairlight as well as bringing back temporarely

Fairlight Fairlight Fairlight Fairlight

Site : Geology

HASTINGS

ECCLESBOURNE GLEN

EAST HILL

CE A

A

W CE A

W CE A A

200 m

Vertical Scale

A: Ashdown Beds CE: Cliff End Sandstone W: Wadhurst Clay

0 1 km Horizontal Scale

The coastline from Hastings eastward to Cliff End in Sussex is dominated by cliffsthat expose a significant proportion of the Ashdown Formation.

The cliffs from East Hill in Hastings to Pett Beach, some 7.5 km distant to the east-northeast, aredesignated as a Site of Special Scientific Importance for its geological interest.These cliffs expose the most complete succession of terrestrial Lower Cretaceous rocks in Europe.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

FAIRLIGHT GLEN

Site : Cliff Composition Sandstone Cliffs between Hastings and Fairlight

Calcareous dogger

Sandstone, silty

Ironstone

Sandstone, coarse-grained

Siltstone Mudstone

The cliffs between Hastings and Fairlight are mainly formed of Sandstone.

Cliff erosion

— Erosion surface — i Mudstone, silty with plant fragments and roots ii Siltstone (variably laminated or bioturbated) iii Sandstone, lignitic

one

oic Platform

Abrasion / Corrasion When waves approach the coastline they are carrying material such as sand, shingle, pebbles and boulders. Abrasion occurs when this material is hurled against cliffs as waves hit them, wearing the cliff away.

Hydraulic pressure Cliffs and rocks contain many lines of weakness in the form of joints and cracks. A parcel of air can become trapped/ compressed in these cracks when water is thrown against it.

The increase in pressure leads to a weakening/ cracking of the rock.

Corrosion/ Solution Seawater contains carbonic acid, which is capable of dissolving limestone. The evaporation of salts in Seawater produces crystals and their formation can lead to the disintegration of rocks.

Sub- aerial: Coastal erosional processes that are not linked to the action of the sea. Erosion occurs via rain, weathering by wind and frost. Its impact is often seen in soil creep, slumping and landslides.

Human activity Much building and recreation occurs at the coast, and this increases pressure on cliff tops, making them more liable to erosion and subsidence. The building of sea defences upsets the dynamic equilibrium of the coastline.

Embrayement formation

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Site and Assumption of Cliff Erosion

2100

2070

2040

10 m

As the cliff is eroding approximately by 10 meters every 20 years, the building will be gone in 80 years.

Sandstone

Class :

Sedimentary Rock

Formation:

Gradually over time in deposits from sheets of mine rals and sand. These elements compress and bind over time, forming sandstone pits.

Texture:

Clastic, Granular, Rough

Colour:

Beige, Black, Brown, Cream, Grey, Pink, White, Yellow, Orange.

Size:

1/16 mm - 2mm

Minerals:

Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Feldspar, Micas, Quartz

Content:

Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide

Heat Capacity: 0.92 KJ/ Kg K Properties:

Weather-resistant Rapid deterioration upon freezing, water damage.

Erosion:

Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion

Weathering: Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mecha nical Weathering

Formation of Sandstone: Water Source

Evaporation Sediments Water Lost

Compression

Sedimentation

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Cementing to Form Rock

Sandstone defect

Decay causes of Sandstone

1. The constituents of Sandstone as well as the Matrix that bonds them together varies greately in size and texture, making the geological beds sometimes unstable or more likely to decay.

2. Some Sandstone have a significant of clay which makes them weaker to resisting decay, erosion, salt crystallisation, wind abrasion.

Sandstone erodes in Layers

3. Vulnerability to staining by natural weathering and atmospheric pollution.

4. Harder beds brittle and consequently more vulnerable to mechanical damage or fracturing, often due to corrosion (rusting) of ferrous materials embedded within them.

5. When highly porous they are more vulnerable to oversaturation and subsequent frost damage.

6. Sandstone repairs carried out with cement based mortars can lead to accelerated decay. Cement by nature is a non-breathable, inflexible material and when used for repairing sandstone traps moisture and salts within the stone. This moisture is subjected to freezing and thawing conditions during winter months causing underlying damage to the sandstone. Eventually the cement repair will fail and the stone will be in a worse state than before.

Cement repair

Temperature, °C Jan: Feb: March: April: May: Jun: Jul: Aug Sept: Oct: Nov: Dec: Sunpath Diagrams

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

4.25 4.40 6.69 8.83 12.77 16.09 18.85 19.12 16.02 12.32 7.61 5.07

Erosion Speed & Falling Houses

Material Reuse- Falling Houses

20 20.1 m 18.3 m

15

14.4 m

11 m 10

9.1 m 2.4 m

0

Years Until Fall of Cliff

5

Fairlight’s falling houses are partly deconstructed and usable materials are taken away for the construction of the new building.

Sandstone Stage 1 : 0-5 Y

Stage 2: 5-10 Y

Stage 3 : 10-15 Y

Stage 4: 15-20 Y.

Stage 5: 20 + Y

Fairlight’s falling houses are partly deconstructed and their usable pieces and materials are taken and used for the construction of the new building.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Materials : Falling Houses

Wood

Metal

Stucco

Brick

Timber

Rosemary Tiles

Glass

Stone

Concrete

Case Study

Case study

ISE SHRINE Japanese Shrine Life time : 20 years

The Shrines form a duality between very old and very new.

Old as they originate from 685 A.D., and new as the shrines and all the structures within the shrine complex are dismantled and completely rebuilt every twenty years.

To ensure the exact replication of the shrines the new shrine construction is undertaken whilst the shrine soon to be dismantled stands, enabling the craftsmen to check dimensions and designs against the old shrine.

Site

For a short amount of time the two sites old and new stand side by side. The old shrine is then dismantled with the old material being distributed around the complex and to other Shinto shrines around Japan that are in need of material.

The site remains for 20 years Theempty site remains emptywith for j2 the centre marking the place the shrine pre the centre marking the place and yet also marking for a new and yetthe alsosite marking the con site This tradition of rebuilding the buildi This traditionkeeps of rebuilding ke ancient and original part the Shinto ancient andoforiginal partbelie of t renewal in nature. renewal in nature.

The raised floor kept insects and water away while the thatched roof weighted down by rainwater pressed heavily down on the walls effectively sealing the inside and keeping moisture away.

Case study

Part III

Reuse of materials / Reconfiguration of space

d very new. the shrines are dismant-

e new shrine n to be heck

Chapter III.1

d new stand with the old nd to other material.

Reuse of Materials Ise Shrine

Site waiting to be built on

Current Site

Recycled materials

20 years old Shrine

The site remains Theempty site remains for 20 years emptywith for just 20 years a small with hunt justina small hunt in the centre marking the place the shrine previously stood, the centre marking the place the shrine previously stood, and yetthe alsosite marking the construction. site for a new construction. and yet also marking for a new This traditionkeeps of rebuilding keepsboth the buildings both new, This tradition of rebuilding the buildings new, ancient andoforiginal partbelief of theinShinto belief in the death and ancient and original part the Shinto the death and renewal in nature. renewal in nature.

Sent to other Shrine in Japan

The raised floor kept insects and water away while the thatched roof weighted down by rainwater pressed heavily down on the walls effectively sealing the inside and keeping moisture away.

Source : Hourigan Rebecca, 2015 Ise grand shrine, Feb 1, 2016

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Inter 5_ Camille Bongard

Part III

Reuse of materials / Reconfiguration of space

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

New Shrine built New byShrine the next built generation by the next generation

Celebration of Cel the

very new. he shrines are dismant-

Case Study Ise Shrine

Case study Case study Case study

The site rem the centre m and yet also This traditio ancient and renewal in n

Process Celebration of Celebration the Wood of the Wood

new shrine n to be eck

new stand th the old nd to other material.

New Shrine built New byShrine the next built generation by the next generation

eept raised insects floorand kept water insects away and while water theaway while the atched ighted roof downweighted by rainwater downThe pressed by raised rainwater floorpressed kept insects and water away while the avily the walls downeffectively on the walls sealing effectively the inside sealing the inside thatched roof weighted down by rainwater pressed sture d keeping away. moisture away. heavily down on the walls effectively sealing the inside and keeping moisture away.

eb 1, 2016

Within the UK Within we are the currently lack of traditional UK weexperiencing are currentlyaexperiencing a lackcraftmanship of traditional craftmanship which is in turnwhich affecting our heritage.of our heritage. is in the turnconservation affecting theof conservation

Part III

Reuse of materials / Reconfiguration of space

New Shrine built New byShrine the next built generation by the New next generation Shrine built by the next generation

Sent to other Shrine in Japan

Recycled materials Recycled materials Recycled materials

Sent to other Shrine in Japan

20 years old Shrine

Sent to other Shrine in Japan

years old Shrine s old20Shrine

Shinto priests deliver a huge hinoki cypress into place—one of more than 10,000 used in the rebuild.

W Within the UK Within we are the currently UK weexperi are c w which is in turnwhich affecting is in the turnconserv affectin

n_ Inter 5_ Camille Bongard

The Shrines have a lifespan of 20 Years, but their material don’t. Although the building doesn’t have time to age, some of it’s materials are reused for the construction of the next Shrine. It is a cycle that will never end, transmited onto every new generation.

Recuperation of Elements from the Falling Houses

Parts of the falling houses are taken to be reused in the new building.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Recuperation of Sandstone from the Cliffs

Pieces of Sandstone that have fallen due to the cliff erosion are taken to be used as the main element of the new building.

Designing with Sandstone

Building Parts

Technical Technical Studies_ Studies_ Year Year 3_ Architectural 3_ Architectural Association_ Association_ Intermediate Intermediate 5_ Camille 5_ Camille Bongard Bongard

Sandstone Filling

The Sandstone is layed out to stitch the parts of the houses together. With this design method, many pieces can be inserted in the design.

The Sandstone is layed out to stitch the parts of the houses together. With this design method, many pieces can be inserted in the design.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Part II Lifespan - Decay

Definitions

Life Steps of a Body / Material

Life

Decomposition

Life

Life

Passing on

Decomposition

Life

Timeline

Life

Life

Decomposition

Life

Life

Passing on

Decomposition

Life

Decomposition

Timeline

Life

Life

Life

Decomposition

Life

Death: The end of life. The cessation of life.

The total and permanent cessation of all the vital functions of an organism.

Death: The end of life. The cessation of life.

total and permanent cessation of all the vital functions of an organism.

The start of a newThe cycle.

The start of a new cycle.

Decomposition : Decomposition is the process by which organic substances are

Decomposition : Decomposition is the process byis awhich organic substances broken down into simpler matter.

The process part of the nutrient cycle and is essen- are

broken down into simpler matter. The process is a part of the nutrient cycle and is essenliving organisms begin to decompose shortly after death. Animals, such as worms, also help decompose the organic materials. Organisms that do this are known as decompo-

sers. Although no two organisms decompose in the same way, they all undergo the same living organisms beginsequential to decompose shortly after death. Animals, such as worms, also stages of decomposition. The science which studies decomposition is generally referred to as taphonomyOrganisms from the Greek word meaning help decompose the organic materials. thattaphos, do this aretomb. known as decompometabolic breakdown of materials into simpler components by living organisms.» sers. Although no two«The organisms decompose in the same way, they all undergo the same sequential stages of decomposition. The science which studies decomposition is generalDecay: When something such asword a dead body, a deadmeaning plant, or a tooth decays, it is graly referred to as taphonomy from the Greek taphos, tomb. dually destroyed by a natural process. The action of deterioration and change «The metabolic breakdown of materials into simpler components by living organisms.» into another component, the beginning of a process that gives life to

other spieces.

Ruin: A building that has undergone a loss of function , at least with respect to its pre-

vious use. The state of the ruin lays between it’s completness and entire dissolu- tion. In Decay: When something such as a dead body, a of dead a tooth decays, a way, when a building enters the category ruin, it plant, managesor to avoid or delay its fate of it is grademolition. process.

«A ruin is a building stood against in time»1 dually destroyed by a natural Thethataction oftime deterioration and change into another component, the beginning of a process that gives life to Permanent: other spieces. remains in the same state for a long period of time.

: Study of human and animal remains in relatoin to the post-modern ( Ruin: A building thatTaphonomy has undergone a loss of infunction after death) transformations that occur burial sites. , at least with respect to its prethe processes that lead to fossilization, as well as theand satages of transformation vious use. The state ofStudy theofruin lays between it’s completness entire dissolu- tion. In of remains through the action of environmental factors. a way, when a building enters the category of ruin, it manages to avoid or delay its fate of demolition. «A ruin is a building that stood against time in time»1

Permanent:

remains in the same state for a long period of time.

Taphonomy : Study of human and animal remains in relatoin to the post-modern (

after death) transformations that occur in burial sites.

Study of the processes that lead to fossilization, as well as the satages of transformation of remains through the action of environmental factors.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Definitions

The 5 Stages of Natural Decay

Human Body Decomposition Life Expectancy in the UK: Woman: 83.1 Years Men: 79.4 Years

9,949,419

10,841,900

14,064,807

17.89 %

547,797

93,688

77,067

86,210

152,568

25.25%

93,551

14,080

11,542

11,862

26,619

31.48 %

92,236

17,606

15,347

16,446

25,329

19.35 %

0-20 Years

TIMELINE

50-80 Years

10,529,100

20-50 Years

55,268,068

Ageing - Dry and Rough Skin - Volume Loss - Age Spots - Fine Lines and Wrinkles - Visible Pores - Sagging Skin

Human ageing signs Volume Loss

Architectural Translation

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Age Spot

Sagging

Rough

Fresh

Bloat

Active Decay

The first stage of human decomposition is called autolysis and begins immediately after death. As soon as blood circulation and respiration stop, the body has no way of getting oxygen or removing wastes. Excess carbon dioxide causes an acidic environment, causing membranes in cells to rupture. The membranes release enzymes that begin eating the cells from the inside out.

Putrefaction : Internal bacterial decomposition due to intestinal bacteria entering the rest of the body produces gases that inflate the body.

The strong smells associated with the gases attract egg-laying flies, mostly blowflies.

Fluids released through orifices indicate the beginning of active decay. Organs, muscles, and skin become liquefied. When all of the body’s soft tissue decomposes, hair, bones, cartilage, and other byproducts of decay remain. The cadaver loses the most mass during this stage. Larval blowflies, flesh flies and house flies, all called maggots, are abundant in this stage due to the semiliquid environment.

4 Months

1 Month

1 Week

2 Days

2 Hours

DEATH Passing on / End of Life/ Decease

Advanced Decay / Dry Decay Most of the body's soft tissues have decomposed, leaving bones, hair, cartilage and an accumulation of wet, sticky material. Different insects are present: beetles, cheese flies and coffin flies, larval and adult beetles have chewing mouthparts that allow breakdown of drier, tougher tissue such as ligaments, cartilage and other dry tissues.

Skeletonization Because the skeleton has a decomposition rate based on the loss of organic (collagen) and inorganic components, there is no set timeframe when skeletonization occurs.

Life Expectancy

Population in East Sussex

Age Group All People

0-15

16-29

30-44

45-64

65+

Percentage 65+

England

55,268,068

10,529,100

9,949,419

10,841,900

14,064,807

9,882,841

17.89 %

East Sussex

547,797

93,688

77,067

86,210

152,568

138,264

25.25%

Rother

93,551

14,080

11,542

11,862

26,619

29,448

31.48 %

Hastings

92,236

17,606

15,347

16,446

25,329

17,852

19.35 %

The population in the East of the country is ageing. We can clearely see that the largest population is above 45 years old, and many of it and this number is growing.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Material Timeframe

Construction Material Lifespan

Years

13

Furniture

16

Carpet

17 27 28

Aluminium Window Suspended Ceiling Wooden Door (Interior)

30

Fiberglass Window

35

Wood Window

37

Plasterboard Walls

40

Wood Paneling

45 46 72 74

PVC Windows Aluminium Window Ceramic Tile Ceiling Reinforced Concrete Floor

80

Wrap Tape Insulation

82

Precast Concrete Floor Slab

92

Timber Pitch Roof

100

Wooden Door (Exterior)

100

Plastic Insulation

100

Foamboard Insulation

100

Fiberglass

100

Stone Masonry

105

Brick Masonry

110

Steel Frame

110

Timber Frame

125

Chimney

133

Brick & Stone Wall

133

Stucco

Analysis of a Decayed House Location: Riverton, Virginia- USA Date : 10.17

Abandoned House in Virginia

The house stands in an advanced decayed state. Holes and gaps in the wall, ceiling and furnitures are apparent, letting wind, rain and snow enter and further decay the house.

Every component is rusting or falling appart in some way.

Technical TechnicalStudies_ Studies_Year Year3_3_Architectural ArchitecturalAssociation_ Association_Intermediate Intermediate5_5_Camille CamilleBongard Bongard

The Ceiling is falling down and the material is dessintegrating

Openings allow plants, air, water etc. to enter and to further decay the house

Nature taking over the gaps in the wood

Material layers are dissapearing, making the wood structure naked and more likely to be attacked in time.

Roof Sagging

Furniture Timeframe Analysis

Through Georges Perec’s Chapter in Life a User’s Manual

Marguerite’s belongings

53

44

After Marguerite’s death, Gaspard Winckler stayed at the table where she used to work, holding in his hands, one by one, all the objects she had touched, she had looked at, she had loved. Then one day he threw away everything that was on the table, and burnt the table, leaving bedind a cold and deserted bedroom, with only future: decay, desolation and despair.

50

NOVEMBER 1943

1945

«The bedroom is toda dust and sadness, an faded wallpaper.»

t« She died in November 1943 whilst giving birth to a stillborn child. «...» Then one day he threw away everything that was on the table, and burnt the table.»

1940 « This quiet and heavy bedroom with its high, dark, wooden skirting board, its bed covered with a mauve quilted bedspread, ..., and in front of the window, the table where Marguerite used to work.»

013

004 002

001

001 003

010

012

VENETIAN BOX Size : 4 cm x 3 cm Material : Cardboard + Metal Age: 100 years Cause of decay: Fire Future: desintegration

After Marguerite’s death, the room was left empty and the furniture started to age and decay at their own rates. The rusting and the moss appearing on certain elements influenced the faster decay of the other pieces in the room.

Technical Studies_ Year Architectural Association_ Intermediate Camille Bongard Technical Studies_ Year 3_3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_5_ Camille Bongard

007

009

008

After Marguerite’s death, the room was left empty and the furnitures started to age and decay at their own rates. The rusting and the moss appearing on some elements accelerate the decay of others. When one element decays, it is hard to prevent the rest to follow.

007

006

005

Size : 10 cm x 10 cm Material : Wood Size : 10 cm x 10 cm Age: 12 years Material : Wood Cause of decay: Rotting Age: 12 years Future: desintegration Cause of decay: Rotting Future: desintegration

0 cm x 40 cm : Wood Size : 40 cm x 40 cm ears Material : Wood decay: Moss Age: in 6 years Plants growing set Cause of decay: Moss Future: Plants growing in set Size : 40 cm x 40 cm Material : Wood Age: 6 years Cause009 of decay: Moss Future: Plants growing in set

Size : 10 cm x 10 cm Material : Wood Age: 12 years Cause of decay: Rotting Future: desintegration 010

010

09

Size : 2 cm x 1 Material : Gold Age: 102 years Cause of decay: Future: Becomes

cm Size : 2 cm x 1 cm Material : Gold Age: 102 years Oxydation Cause of decay: Oxydation black Future: Becomes black BATHROOMSize : 2 cm x 1 cm

Material : Fabric Age: 3 years Cause of decay: Fire aFuture: room grey with Turn into ashes

Size : 20 cm x 10 cm X 4 cm Material : Paper + Leather Age: 54 years Cause of decay: Mold + Dust Future: 011 Fall into pieces

011

012

Size : 10 cm x 4 cm Material : Paper Size : 10 cm x 4 cm Age: 22 yearsMaterial : Paper Age:Water 22 years Cause of decay: PHOTOGRAPH Cause of decay: Water Future: Desintegration Future: Desintegration Size : 10 cm x 4 cm

Size : 15 cm x 5 cm Material : Glass Size : 15 cm x 5 cm Material : Glass Age: 1 year 1 year Cause of decay:Age: Funghi BOTTLE Cause of decay: Funghi Future: Breaking apart Future: Breaking apart Size : 15 cm x 5 cm

Material : Paper Age: 22 years Cause of decay: Water Future: Desintegration

Material : Glass Age: 1 year Cause of decay: Funghi Future: Breaking apart

«Onto the see a rust-stained, scale-incrusted sink on whose chipped rim a half-drunk bottle of orange pop hasspent the last two years going green.»

008

008

008

002

001

001

002

002

MAGNIFYING GLASS

SHELF-STACK

001

Size : 100 cm x 80 cm X 65 cm Material : Black Leather Age: 20 years Cause of decay: Plants 012 Future: Taken over by nature

012

Material : Gold Age: 102 years Cause of bathrom, decay: Oxydation broken-down you can Future: Becomes black

ay n empty, dirty room with

Size : 100 cm x 80 cm X 65 cm Material : Black Leather Age: 20 yearsSize : 100 cm x 80 cm X 65 cm Material Cause of decay: Plants: Black Leather Future: TakenAge: over20byyears nature Cause of decay: Plants LEATHER ARMCHAIR Future: Taken over by nature

Size : 20 cm x 10 cm X 4 cm Material : Paper + Leather Age: 54 years Size : 20 cm x 10 cm X 4 cm : Paper + Leather Cause of decay:Material Mold + Dust Age:pieces 54 years Future: Fall into Cause of decay: Mold + Dust BOOK Future: Fall into pieces

011

010

80 cm x 200 cm : Fabric Size : 180 cm x 200 cm Material : Fabric ears Age: 3 years decay: Fire Cause of decay: Fire Turn into ashes Future: Turn into ashes Size : 180 cm x 200 cm

007

006

005

04

007

006

005

004

: 12 cm x 5 cm 5 cm Size : 150 cm x 90 cm Size : 12 cm xSize Size : 150 cm x 90 cm Material : Glass + Metal Material : Glass + Metal Material : Wood Material : Wood Age: 2 years Age: 2 years Age: 44 years Age: 44 years Cause of decay: Extreme fluctuaCause of decay: Time, cracks Cause of decay: Extreme fluctuaCauseSize of : decay: Time, cracks Size : 12 cmtions x 5 cm 150 Future: cm x 90 Complete cm in temperature decaytions in temperature Future: Complete decay Material : Glass + Metal Material : Wood Future: Fall into pieces Future: Age: 2Fall yearsinto pieces Age: 44 years Cause of decay: Extreme fluctuaCause of decay: Time, cracks tions in temperature Future: Complete decay Future: Fall into pieces 003 013 003 013

013

005

003

006

Size : 4 cm x 3 cm Size : 4 cm x 3 cm Material : Cardboard + Metal Age: + 100 years Material : Cardboard Metal Cause Age: 100Size years : 4 cm x 3 of cm decay: Fire desintegration Cause ofMaterial decay: Fire :Future: Cardboard + Metal Future: Age: desintegration 100 years

WORKING TABLE

FRAME

Size : 4 cm x 3 cm Size : 106 cm x 100 cm x 60 cm Material : Wood+ Glass Size : 4 cm x 3 cm Material Size : 106 cm x 100 cm :x Wood 60 cm Age: 32 years Age: 20 years Material : Wood+ Glass Material : Wood Cause of decay: Cracks + Fire of decay: PlantAge: invasion Age: Size 32 years : 4 cmCause x 3 cm 20 years Size : 106 cm x 100 cm x 60 cm Future: Fragmentation Cause of decay: CracksDecomposition + Fire : Future: Wood+ CauseMaterial of decay: PlantGlass invasion Material : Wood Future: Decomposition Age:Fragmentation 32 years Age: 20 years Future: Cause of decay: Cracks + Fire Cause of decay: Plant invasion Future: Decomposition Future: Fragmentation

Cause of decay: Fire Future: desintegration

011

006

005

004

CHESS SET

HEMISHPHERICAL BOWL

Size : 40 cm x 40 cm Material : Wood Age: 6 years Cause of decay: Moss Future: Plants growing in set

Size : 10 cm x 10 cm Material : Wood Age: 12 years Cause of decay: Rotting Future: desintegration

009

Size : 20 cm x 10 cm X 4 cm Material : Paper + Leather Age: 54 years Cause of decay: Mold + Dust Future: Fall into pieces

011

010

QUILTED BEDSPREAD

SIGNET RING

Size : 180 cm x 200 cm Material : Fabric Age: 3 years Cause of decay: Fire Future: Turn into ashes

Size : 2 cm x 1 cm Material : Gold Age: 102 years Cause of decay: Oxydation Future: Becomes black

Size : 15 cm x 5 cm Material : Glass Age: 1 year Cause of decay: Funghi Future: Breaking apart

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

DESIGN to Decay I. Concept & Lifespan II. Material Tests III. Architectural Elements

DESIGN to Decay I. Concept & Lifespan

Reading the Building as a Clock

Time 0

Fourth Cycle Materials are decaying, Organisms use them to grow

-13 Years 34 Years

50

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

DESIGN to Decay I. Concept & Lifespan

First Cycle Human - Architecture

Human Death

81 Years 21 Years

Second Cycle Human Decomposition New Life ex: bacteria

Third Cycle Microorganism form on the Strucure

The building can be read as a clock in which the layers of the body as well as those of the building dissapear through the years in a designed order. According to the state of the building, one knows how old it is.

DESIGN to Decay I. Concept & Lifespan

Material’s Lifespan

Original- Desinged

48 y.

25 y.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

30 y.

40 y.

55 y.

58 y.

60 y.

DESIGN to Decay I. Concept & Lifespan

76 y.

84 y.

85 y.

97 y.

143 y.

150+ y.

200+ y.

200+ y.

Through the design process, the aim is to accelerate the decaying process of materials to shorten their lifespan. As well as to create a clear distinction between the Stone and Metal lifespan and the other materials.

DESIGN to Decay I. Concept & Lifespan

Altered Material Lifespan

Roof Tiles

Concrete Wood

Stone 1

Timber Wood Glass

0 Years Drawing 1:

Stone

Timeline Years

0

50

Drawing 2: 25 Years

Drawing 3: 50 Years

2

3

The concrete walls have decayed and only bricks, steel and stone remain, creating an opened space still covered by the roof and still standing.

After 25 Years, the external shell, mostly made of wood strarts to dissapear, revealing the concrete, metal and stone structure underneath.

Material Decline

Insulation Glass Wood Stucco Timber

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Concrete

Brick

DESIGN to Decay I. Concept & Lifespan

Stewart Brand’s Diagram: «Pace Layers» in «The clock of the long now»

Stuff : 1 Day - 1 Month Space Plan : 3 - 30 Years Services : 7 - 15 Years Structure : 30 - 300 Years Skin : 20 Years Site : Eternal

100

150

Drawing 5: 115 Years

Drawing 4: 80 Years

5

4

After 80 Years, only rusted steel and stone are left, showing the structure of the building.

The building is a ruin, only the stone remain, bringing up the memory and the form of the old structure.

The stone is ready to accomodate a new structure and to start again.

Stone

Metal

The building is decaying in layers, making the reading of time possible trhough the stages of decay. The stone ruin is the last stage of this building before starting a new life cycle .

DESIGN to Decay II. Material Decaying Tests

II. Material Decaying Tests How to alter Metal?

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

DESIGN to Decay II. Material Decaying Tests

Steel Rust

Why/ How Does Steel Rust?

Steel contains Iron and any material made with iron that is exposed to both oxygen and water will rust. After the element Helium, elements like having 8 electrons in their outer shell, and will borrow electrons from other elements to achieve that level. Water, for example is made of an oxygen atom with 6 outer electrons and 2 hydrogen atoms that have 1 electron each. Through the borrowing and sharing of electrons in a reduction reaction, FeO(OH) (the most common form of rust) is created.

1

26

8

H

Fe

O

1,00794

55,845

15,9994

What is the effect on Steel in Saltwater?

Steel rusts faster in saltwater than it does in freshwater. The presence of salt acts as a catalyst, accelerating the corrosion chemical reaction process. Salt is an electrolyte, and it contributes ions into water.

Rusting steel results in a weakening of the structure as well as a change in texture and colour, but doesn’t formally change it’s shape.

DESIGN to Decay Sacrificial Anode / Galvanic Anode II. Material Decaying Tests

How to Control Metal Rust ?

Sacrificial Anode / Galvanic Anode A sacrificial metal is a metal used as a sacrificial anode in cathodic protection that corrodes to prevent a primary metal from corrosion, galvanization or rusting.

Sacrificial anodes are easily corroded materials deliberately installed in a pipe or tank to be sacrificed to corrosion, leaving the rest of the system relatively corrosion free.

Example : Magnesium - Iron Moist Soil

e-

e-

Mg2+

02

Mg2+ Soil (-)

2H2O

Soil (+)

Fe (+)

Mg (-)

Sacrificial anodes are used to protect: Hulls of ships, Water heaters, Pipelines, Distribution systems, Above-ground tanks, Underground tanks, Refineries

Sacrificial Anode Oxidation Mg -Âť Mg2+ (aq) + 2e-

12

Mg

24,3050

Cathode Reduction O2 (g) + 4H+ (aq) + 4e- -Âť 2H2O

26

Fe

55,845

30

Zn

65,38

Zinc anode encased in special mortar Since zinc is pre-packaged in a specially formulated mortar that maintains the surface reactivity of zinc, electrons released from zinc will be readily transferred to the neighboring steel rebar network.

The Galvashield anodes are used to provide corrosion protection to both concrete repair and new concrete construction. Anode units are alkali-activated to keep the zinc active over the life of the anode while being non-corrosive to reinforcing steel.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

DESIGN to Decay

Corrosion Test on Steel

II. Material Decaying Tests

With and Without Anode

Corrosion Test on Steel With and Without Anode

Corrosion of steel reinforcement is both an electrical and a chemical process, which is greatly enhanced when the concrete is under attack from chlorides.

This process involves negatively charged areas of steel being formed called anodes.

It is this point that the corrosion occurs while the remaining positively charged areas of steel (cathodes) remain free from corrosion. By reversing the flow of ions between the two points the same chemical reaction that encourages the corrosion to occur can be used to stop further degradation.

Timeframe 9 Months

Steel bar cast in 4% chloride doped concrete 9 Months of evaluation State: Badly Corroded

Steel bar cast in 4% chloride doped concrete with anode switched on 3 weeks after casting 9 Months of evaluation State: Slight Corrosion

Steel bar cast in 4% chloride doped concrete with anode connected at start 9 Months of evaluation State: No Corrosion

Sacrificial Anodes allow a control over what rusts when and where? With this technique, the decay of the structure can be better controled.

DESIGN to Decay II. Material Decaying Tests

How to alter Concrete?

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

DESIGN to Decay II. Material Decaying Tests

Nature effect on Concrete

I.

-

The grape is casted inside the concrete

As the grape decays, space starts to form and water starts to alter the concrete’s consitution

Water and tempera ture are cracking the concrete cast

Space is created

The concrete structure starts to dessintegrate greatly.

The concrete cast is decayed.

II.

-

Straw formwork

The Straw decayes faster than the sandstone, creating voids

All the straw is gone, a hallow space is left

Space is created

The Sandstone structure dessintegrates .

The Sandstone cast is decayed.

III.

-

Plants growing

Plants are taking space in the material and creating holes

Plants are taking over

Space is created

The material is desintegrating

A landscape

Accelerate Concrete’s Decay is one of the most successful experiment as concrete easily allows iterations. - Explored in the following section.

Concrete Experiment 2

DESIGN to Decay II. Material Decaying Tests

Testing Concrete through Weathering Effects

Salt Efflorescence

Memory of Shape Imprint

Sugar cracks

Plants and nature incrustation

Concrete is an easy material to test due to the fact that it is casted and only solidifies once in contact with water and aggregate. It also has a memory of form and attaches well to other materials like for example, wood.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Inter 5_ Camille Bongard

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Concrete

DESIGN to Decay II. Material Decaying Tests

Concrete & Salt - & Fibre

Part

Decaying Objects + Ma

The salt integrated into the concrete mix has gone out during the drying process and has a new layer at the top of the block- Efflorescence

Salt does not chemically react with hardened concrete. It does however lower the freezing point of water, attract moisture and increase opressure of frozen water.

Concrete Mix 1

Test 3: Fiberglass

The Layer of fibre glass separates the two mixes during the casting process, allowing the concrete to remember the shape and form of the concrete while still separating them.

Concrete Mix 2

Concrete allows for a wide exploration. With these tests, I’ve come to realise that salt reacts in concrete and that Fiberglass can be used to separate two pieces of concrete as it blocks and weakens the connections.

DESIGN to Decay II. Material Decaying Tests

Efflorescence

Efflorescence

T= 0 Day

T= 10 Days

T= 20 Days

T= 30 Days

T= 40 Days

T= 70 Days

T= 100 Days

T= 150 Days

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

DESIGN to Decay II. Material Decaying Tests

Efflorescence

Cement a component of concrete, always contains gypsum (calcium sulfate) and alkali sulfates, both of which are salts. Building materials can also be infiltrated by salt from the environment, such as through mineralised ground water close to the surface, which permeates porous building materials through capillary force, or via the atmospheric pollutant sulfur dioxide.

With time, Salt will create efflorescence on concrete which weakens the material and makes it more likely to be damaged by frost and air.

DESIGN to Decay II. Material Decaying Tests

Cracking the Concrete with Sugar

Part II Chapter 2 Decaying Objects + Material Analysis Concrete

Test e

Part II Chapter 2 Decaying Objects + Material Analysis Concrete

Sugar crust Severe cracks Solid concrete

The material cracks in contact to air, once the first layer is removed, a second layer of crack gets formed.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

DESIGN to Decay II. Material Decaying Tests

Sugar on Concrete

Crack in the Concrete caused

by Sugar.

State - 60 Days after Cast

Sugar can be used to quickly crack the concrete surface as it slows down the dying process of the concrete. It then allows humidity infiltration which will further cracks the entire concrete piece.

DESIGN to Decay II. Material Decaying Tests

Nature Creating Space

Plant

Layers of time

0

1

2

The growing plant is decaying the stone

Plants take over buildings when not properly maintained. They insert themselves in any gaps or holes and with their growth comes the faster decay of the surface of the material.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

DESIGN to Decay Decay II. Material Decaying Tests

Creating Space

Grapes

Grape inserted in the concrete cast.

The grape is casted inside the concrete

As the grape decays, space starts to form and water starts to alter the concrete’s consitution

Water and temperature are cracking the concrete cast

Space is created

Grapes: Like most liquid aliments

The concrete structure starts to dessintegrate greatly.

The concrete cast is decayed.

In time, spaces are created through the decay of the liquid component, leaving a mark, a memory of what has dissapeared.

Grapes, as every aliment, dessintegrates quicker than concrete. It is therefore a good way to create space within the cast.

In addition, grapes contain water and when decaying, the water is released from the grape’s skin and enters the concrete around, bringing moisture and accelerating the formation of cracks and frost.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

DESIGN to Decay III. Architectural Elements

II. Architectural Elements How to Accelerate the Decay With the Design ?

Chapters Summary

II.

IV.

Designed Landscape

I.

Soil Water Plants

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Chapters Summary

Sea Salt Wind Snow Rain Dust Water

III.

Chapters I. Foundations II. Window III. Wall VI. Ceiling

I.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Design _ Foundations

Foundation Role

Foundation Role Transfer Loads: 1. To transfer the live and dead loads of the building to the soil over a large enough area so that neither the soil nor the building will move.

2. In areas where frost occurs, to prevent frost from moving the building.

Wind

Dead Load

Live load

Dead Load Weight of the building materials and the soil surrounding the foundations

Live Load

Weight of people, furniture, snow, rain, and wind.

A live load may also be exerted by water in the soil around the foundations. Wet soil exerts much more force than dry soil. Frozen soil exerts much more force than wet soil.

Load

Wind can be in any direction, as mentioned earlier. The soil exerts forces in all directions, but foundations usually see the horizontal thrust of the soil on the outside of the foundation wall. The forces of frost are also in all directions.

Horizontal Load

Most frost failures in buildings include horizontal movement (foundation walls cracking, bowing, or collapsing inward) and frost heaving (upward movement of the building as the soil under the building expands due to frost).

Foundation Materials

Rubble Rubble

Brick Brick

Poured Concrete

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Rubble

Brick

Poured Poured Concrete Concrete

Concrete Concrete Block Block

The material of the foundation depends on the type of soil, the softer the soil, the stronger, the stronger the foundatons need to be.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

ural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Concrete Block

Types foundations Types of of Foundation

Strip Foundation Suitable for most subsail and light structural loadings such as those encountered in low to medium rise domestic dwellings where mass concrete can be used Reinforced concrete is usually required.

Pad Foundation Suitable for most subsail except loose sands, loose gravels and filles areas. Pas foundations are usually constructed of reinforced concrete and usually square in plan.

Raft Foundation These are used to spread the load of the superstructure overall large base to reduce the load per unit area being imposed on the ground and this is particularly useful where low bearing capacity soils are encountered and where single column loads are heavy.

Pilled Foundation This is the type of foundation used at the site. The reason why this foundation is chosen is because the site is located near to sea where the soil condition is loose. So a series of columns are inserted into the ground to transmit the load(s) of the structure to a stable load bearing subsail.

Cross Section of Foundation Weathering

Wall Framing Floor Framing

Topsoil

Backfill Foundation Wall

Drainage Tile Gravel Footing

Dry soil excerts a force against the foundation.

I. Rain / Water

Floor Framing

Water Level

Wall Failure

Wet soil exerts an even greater force against the foundation.

II. Snow/ Frost

Floor Framing

Wall Failure

Frozen soil exerts the highest force against the wall due to the soil volume expansion.

Water and Frost exert a high force against the foundation which will eventually result in a failure of the wall.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Foundation Failure

1.

General Shear Dense soils, Rock, NC clays Fast & Defined failure

2.

Local Shear Intermediate case +/- gradual failure

3.

Punching Loose sands / weak clays Gradual failure

1.General Shear Failure Under this type, the footing moves downward slightly and thus forms completely plastic zones and a sudden failure occurs with a significant bulging of the ground surface alongside the footing It is based on clear-cut failure pattern, that comprised of a wedge and slip surface and bulging of soil surface alongside the footing Sudden collapse happens, together with tilting of the footing This type of failure happens provided that dense sand or stiff cohesive soil support the footing Failure load is apparent The load-settlement diagram is equivalent to stress-strain for solid sand or over-consolidated clay The ultimate load is apparent on this curve.

2. Local Shear Failure: Failure pattern comprises of wedge and slip surface but is transparent only under the footing. Slight bulging of soil surface takes place. Tilting of footing is not necessary.

In this mode a large deformation takes place under the footing prior to the formation of failure zones, i.e. large vertical settlement occurs prior to slight bulging of the ground surface Tilting of footing is not necessary Ultimate load is not clear It occurs in moderately compressible soils or loose sand i.e occurs in soil of high compactness Yielding occurs adjacent to the lower edges of the footing Various yield developments may happen together with settlement in a series of jerks The bearing pressure at which the first yield occurs is assigned as the first-failure pressure or first failure load

Concrete Foundation Foundation Material Detail

Cavity Wall with Beam and Block Floor

Superstructure

Ground Level

Substructrure

Foundation

1. Facing Brickwork

9. Cavity Wall Insulation

2. Partial Fill Cavity Insulation

10. Concrete Block Slab

3. Blockwork internal leaf

11. Aircrete Block

4. Plasterboard

12. Precast Floor Beams

5. Cut Blocks

13. Damp Proof Membrane

6. Wall Insulation

14. Floor Insulation

7.Rubble Foundation Brickwork 8. Cut Blocks

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Brick

15. Floor Slab Poured Concrete

Concrete Block

How to Iterate the Foundation?

Rain Snow Dust

B

F

C A

D

E Water

A: The landscape it changed to accentuate the accumulation of water / frost / dust / leaves B: The Brickwork is altered to welcome water within its boundaries C: Water is then collected and stagnant in a container before attacking the neighbouring materials.

D: The Concrete block slab is porous to facilitate water flow E: The Foundations are composed of walls to influence the capilary action of water within the building F: Parts of the floor is composed of wood, facilitating water absorbtion.

Requirement

Iteration

-Structural Stability

-Structural Instability

-No impairing function of the building

-Impairing function of the building

-Durability

-Temporality

The iterations are made to facilitate the entry of water / dust / snow / frost within the building in order to decay it faster.

Waterproofing

Waterproofing Strucutre below ground subject to penetration of ground water 1. Waterproof Membranes 2. Drainage

Factors Soil type and ground water table condition.

Structural requirements and foundations.

Construction requirements.

Site condition and environmental factor.

Backfill

Basement Wall

Crushed Stone Drainage Mat Floor Slab Crushed Stone Perforated Drain Pipe 1.

2.

Materials Liquid or Sheet (Plastic, Asphaltic, Synthetic Rubber Coatings) Cementitious Plaster & Admixtures Betonite Clay

Waterproofing is of major importance in foundations as the soil stays humid and will decay the foundation quickly if not correctly proofed.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Iteration Perforated Concrete Foundation_ Model

How to make water come in ?

Perforation in the Concrete Slab

Concrete can be casted and manipulated easily. An aerated and porous concrete slab would make water infiltrate within the building through capillary action.

Perforated Concrete Foundation

Perforations

Soil

Water

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

By inserting holes in the design of the floor and foundation, water and soil are likely to infiltrate and with time, to create cracks.

Designed Landscape

Used methods

Perpendicular to the building

Land going away from the building

Iteration Rain

Designed Landscape

Accumulation of Water + Frost emphasised

I.

Soil Water Plants

The landscape is designed to facilitate the entrance of water within the building as well as it stagnant state. The pressure of water and/or frost will eventually crack the foundation.

II.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Design _ The Window

Window in Decayed State Location : Maugansville, Maryland, USA Date: 10.17

Window Material Timeframe Before change 15 35 46 97 84 110

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Insulation Wood Frame Aluminium Frame Concrete Glass Steel Frame

Window Design

How to Design a Window to accelerate the building’s decay ?

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

How to Iterate a Window?

«If left undisturbed at room temperature, glass really doesn’t change no matter how old it is.»1 The main factors that affect the extent and type of deterioration of glass and glass-like materials are its composition and environmental factors.

Opening in concrete to recolt dust & water

Sponge Water slope Wood

28

28.17

18.17

18

5

29.83

30

Soft wood

22.63

23

41.47

42

3.61

7.99

8 65 64.53

191.20

192

From the analysis of a window, I’ve iterated the design to emphasise the absorption of water, dust as well as the cracking and decay of it by adding holes, slopes and absorbant materials.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Analysis of a Window to understand it in order to better iterate it.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Window iteration to accelerate decay

1-2

Glass

Metal joints Porous Wood

3

Water and dust reservoir

Concrete

4

Insulation

1_

2_

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Dust accumulation

1. Due to water, the glass gets moist 2. Dust accumulates on the surface of the glass 3. Brown or black staining appear

3_

Wood

4_

Concrete

1. When moist, funghi start to grow, it rots 2. Microorganism start to grow on the glass 3. Wood sockes up water which unstabilizes the glass as well as the concrete.

1. Aerated and porous, allows wind flow 2. Wind flow accelarates the decay process

Window Elements

Material Timeframe WINDOWS YEARS Aluminum/Aluminum-Clad 15 to 20 Double-Pane 8 to 20 Skylights 10 to 20 Window Glazing 10+ Vinyl/Fiberglass Windows 20 to 40 Wood 30+

215 mm

30

0

mm

120 mm

0

20 mm

Every Element is designed to emphasize the accumulation of dust/ water as well as friction and movement within the whole.

Every element is designed to emphasize the accumulation of dust/ water as well as friction and movement within the whole.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Model

Scale 1: 350

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Iteration 1

1_ Water and Dust infiltrate 2_ The timber soaks up the water 3_ After saturation, the water lays in the central part of the window, starting to infiltrate the concrete.

4_The Concrete eventually cracks 5_The Structure isn’t stable anymore

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Iteration 2

Corrosion

The metal and the wood emphasize the accumulation of dust, leaves and the formation of microorganism and mosses.

The wood will soak up the water, making the structure weak and eventually collapse.

Designed Outcome Hypothesis

Water infiltration

Dust accumulation

Water comes in from different entry points.

The side holes are connected to the central void in which stand another opening for water as well as other materials designed to facilitate the breaking of the glass.

Due to water, the glass gets moist , therefore, dust sticks to the surface of the glass and accumulates. Brown or black staining appear through time, weakening the glass.

External influence

Microorganisms

Wind and vibrations will also affect the structure. As the model is very aerated, it leaves space for windflow and therefore allows movement within the entire structure.

The glass will eventually result in breaking due to friction as well as unstability.

Eventually, microorganisms and plants will insert themselves in cracks and gaps and start to create a new environment within the frame of the window.Lichens, mosses, algae, fungi and bacteria grow on glass and help decaying it.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Expected Outcome

Metal 1. Metal rusts, influencing the breaking of the concrete as well as the accumulation of dust and organisms.

Wood 1. When moist, funghi starts to grow and make it rot.

2. Microorganisms grow on the glass from the wood.

Glass 1. Natural breaking of the glass. Due to dulling, the glass beco mes less transparent.

Microorganisms 1. Lichens, moss, algae, funghi and bacteria grow on the glass which provokes its decay.

2. They promote deterioration by trapping moisture on the surface.

3. Co2 released from the lichen into the water also helps to promote the chemical atack of the glass.

Concrete 1. Aerated and porous, allows wind flow and water entry.

2. The concrete itself cracks due to corrosion with metal as well as sugar and aggregates within its composition.

How to make the Window Weaker?

Size of the Glass

The bigger the glass surface, the more fragile and weak it becomes.

Wind Loads

Window Wind Load

A glass window will be subject to wind loads acting perpendicular to its plane. For a glass pane which is simply supported along its edges this will create bending stresses and membrane stresses.

For small deformations, less than the thickness of the glass plate, bending stresses will dominate. For larger deformations membrane stresses will increase in importance.

Material of the Frame

The material and strenght of the frame will influence the glass. If it is not held properly, the glass will shake and eventually crack.

Thickness of the glass

The size of the glass alters its strengh and its capacity to resist to external forces but thicker glasses are less tolerant to thermal stress.

4 mm

5.7 mm

3.2 mm 4.7 mm 9.5 mm

Thermal Stress

Crack

Hot Cold

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Double glazing

11 mm 19 mm

Thermal Stress is created when one area of a glass pane gets hotter than an adjacent area. If the stress is too great then the glass will crack.

Window VS. Wall

Forces

Wall Without Window

Wall With Window

The Window momentarily compromises the structural continuity of the wall.

The wall is designed to support the house and has to be made as solid as possible, the window, built to illuminate the house, destroy the strengh of the wall.

Window VS. Wall

The wall is affected by the decay of the window.

Decay of the Window: -Water infiltration -Rust -Dust -Plant / Moss

Small Scale Decay- Influences the bigger picture.

When the window starts to decay by absorbing water, rusting and plants growing onto it, it affects the wall next to it that will then decay as well.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

III.

Design _ The Wall

The Four Eras of the Wall

Before 19th C.

Great Mass Era:

From early civilisation until 19th or earyl 20th century, very thick stone, brick, logs, adobe and concrete walls provided the primary defense against heat, cold, wind, earthquakes, and intruders, as well as primary structural support in buildings.

19th C.

Curtain Wall Era:

Upon the emergence of Iron, Steel and concrete structural systems in the late 19th century, and increasing specialization in building design and construction, the exterior wall shed its load-bearing role and existed primarily to enclose interior space.

20th C.

Insulation Era:

The invention of fiberglass insulation in 1938 allowed a four-inch wall to provide protection against heat and cold similar to a 2-foot-thick masonry or adobe wall. But as we added more insulation to buildings and sealed them more thightly against the elements, they often developed problems with condensation and air quality.

21st C.

Specialized Layers Era:

The state-of-the-art building envelope today has four differentiated layers that perform as an integrated system: water barrier ( a cladding and/or membrane that protects against precipitation and ground water), air barrier ( a membrane that minimizes seepage of exterior air into the building), insulation barrier ( thermally separates interior and exterior), and vapor barrier (a membrane that prevents movement of moist indoor air into wall or ceiling cavity). Each layer is ideally continuous around a building.

Interior Finish Vapor Barrier Insulation Barrier / Studs Wall Sheating Insulation Barrier Air Barrier Drainage Cavity Water Barrier Exterior

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Interior

Typologies of Wall

10 8

9

1

2 3

4 5

6 7

13

1

Sandstone Veneer on Concrete Masonry 11 12

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Typologies of Wall

LAYER 1 : Wood LAYER 2 : Reversed Tiles

LAYER 3 : Sandstone

Water Reservoir

Wall

Roof - Wall Layers of the Roof

Steel Structure

Wool Year 10 Glass

Sandstone

Year 20

Creation of Space through Decay

Internal Structure

When anaylsing the wall, its relation to the roof, the window, the door and the foundations also need to be taken into consideration.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Forces

When a force acts on an object, three things can happen.

An object that receives a force will remain stationary, move or change shape.

Mechanical engineering generally seeks to exploit movement, while structural engineering seeks to prevent ot minimize it. Nearly all engineering disciplines aim to minimize changes in the shape of the design object.

Object remains static

Translation (Sliding)

Rotation

Change of Shape

Shear

Fracture

Compression

Deflection

Racking

Deformation

Bernard Khoury Project: Restaurant Centrale Location: Beirut, Lebanon Built Area: 136,00 m2 Built: 2001

The Centrale project is housed in the recuperated ruin of a 1920’s residential structure placed under historical protection. In the process of voiding out the interior of the existing structure, the outer envelope of the house had to be reinforced by placing horizontal beams that embrace the skin from the outer perimeter of the façade. The steel beams used in the temporary reinforcement process are preserved. They now imply a new reading of the non-restored façade. Furthermore, the damaged facade wasn’t re-plastered, as it would have been the case in a traditional rehabilitation; and instead, it is covered with a metallic mesh behind which the plaster finishing of the old façade remains in a state of decomposition. The mesh now enhances the poetic dimension of decay.

Khoury’s Project Drawing

Iteration to my Design

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Case Study

Old Faรงade Remains State: Decomposition Steel Beams Reinforcement

Metallic Mesh

Metal mesh holds the facade in place while allowing decay to occure

The frame works as barrier as well as reinforcement

The Steel Frame might corrode andin time, influence the faster decay of the stone wall

The Steel frame and metal mesh are used as a reinforcement for the building together with a barrier that allows the wall to decay and dessintegrate while still being enclosed.

Using Steel as Reinforcement Joining Steel & Sandstone Joining Sandstone with Building Materials

The erosion of the Steel will emphasize the crackig of the Sandstone which will then have more moisture entering and therefore decay quicker.

Steel Beams

Sandstone

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Metal Mesh covering the internal strucure

Model Scale 1:3 & Drawing

The metal mesh held by the steel beams will allow moisture / dust / rusting to enter the internal structure while still holding the whole in place.

Inspired by Bernard Khoury, The design contains steel, metal mesh and sandstone.

All the material are touching and at the same time free standing, they are influencing each other into the decay process. It allows for change while still holding it together.

Model Materials

Sandstone and metal

The rust of the steel will eventually affect the sandstone that will then decay.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Interior view

Interior View

Holes in the Foundations allow water to infiltrate from the earth underneath.

The steel works as a reinforcement as well as an open sky shelter.

Material Lifetime Differences in the Wall

Timeframe

Years 0

25 Years

Sandstone Concrete Wood Structure

133+ Years

20

Wood

40

The space where the wood was becomes hallow, making wind flow within the building and therefore weakening the structure.

60

Stone

+

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

As Stone and Wood don’t have the same lifespan, the wood will decay and leave holes where it use to be. Those holes will leave space for water infiltration and wind flow which will affect the stability and strengh of the stone structure.

Train Tracks Location: Maugansville, Maryland, USA

Wood

Stone

IV.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Design _ The Roof

Roof Typologies

Typology of Roofs

Vertical Load: Rain / Snow

Vented Air Space

Plaster Finish Thermal Insulation

Window

Flat roofs need to be strong enough to resist vertical loads, they also need some evacuation to avoid over loading when it snows or rains.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Typology of Roofs

Breathable roof membrane

Fire Stop Insulation Under Rafters Brick Work

Celcon Block Inner Leaf Full Fill Cavity Wall Insulation

Original

Iteration

Tilted Roof top

Water collector Reservoir with closure/ opening

Wall iteration

The roof is the first contact to rain and snow and therefore is the best water collector. By making iterations in the roof to collect this rain, it will emphasize the decay of the entire building.

Design Iteration of the Roof

Snow

Water Dust Accumulation within the roof

Elderly need a lot of Light as their sight lowers, therefore a good lightning method is important.

On top of that heat is transmited through windows into the room.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Design Iteration of the Roof

Water

Collection of Water

The design of the roof can strongly influence the way the building deals with water. Its lifespan somehow depends on the waterproofing and design of the roof.

Typology of Roof

Water Dust Leaves Snow

Roof Tiles

Proprietary Ventilator between rafters Ceiling Insulation between and over roof trusses

Celcon Block Inner Leaf Fire Stop

Brick Work Full Fill Cavity Wall Insulation

The angled roof, the roof tiles and the water evacuation tubes are designed to keep the water out of the house. They are bringing everything outside of the house boundaries.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Roof Iteration

Water Dust Leaves Snow

By inverting the roof tiles, the water is collected and forced to enter the building.

The wall insulation will slowly absorb the water, dust that is collected and will decay faster due to the stagnation of those elements. After reaching the saturation point of the insulation, water will start to decay the neighbouring materials, the brick, the inner leaf etc.

The water collectors are reshaped to push water and every other elements such as snow, leaves, dust, to go to the facade of the building.

To accelerate decay, water is a great way.

By making water integrate the walls of the house, the moisture will affect all the materials and decompose them quicker. If it is cold, the water might freeze and crack the inner parts of the walls and roof.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Part III Application onto the Project I.Case Studies

Carquero Arquitectura Project: Intervention on Matrera Castle Location: Villamartín (Cádiz), Spain.

Built Area: 136,00 m2 Date of project: 2011-15

After the partial collapse that this medieval tower suffered, it´s projected the consolidation of this landscape icon that lost part of its imposing volume, leaving at risk the stability of the rest popup, removing with it not only part from the architectural element, but also the landscape reference of a landmark very linked with the iconography and culture of the region.

The essence of the project is not intended to be, therefore, an image of the future, but rather a reflection of its own past, its own origin.

The project tries to approach the work in recognition of the “monumentum” (memory) in its physical consistency and its dual polarity, aesthetic and historical, in order to transmit to the future, and allows reading of the architecturally recessed unit.

This intervention sought to achieve three basic objectives: 1. To structurally consolidate the elements that were at risk 2. To differentiate the additions from the original structure 3. To recover the volume, texture and tonality that the tower originally had.

2010

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

2015

Case Study- Old/ New / reuse

Addition/ Restoration Ruins

The same limestone was re-used which had collapsed in the exterior stonework.

In its exterior face, the flesh was removed and in that the original white covering was retained in its interior face as well as an fresco painting of a boat in tonality ochre.

Lime Mortar (As consolidation of the Stonework)

Limestone

The restoration of the medieval construction is undertaken by means of a continuous cladding of lime mortar. “Which clogs the existing gap and enables the readability of the architectural whole. In the same way, the upper casing determines the constructive phases, enhancing the original battlements, which were hidden by their stratigraphic superpositionÂť The restoration of the ruin was made by filling and reinforcing the building with the same material as the original construction as well as lime mortar to keep all of it in place.

This move creates an overall unity together with a local contrast to the building.

David Chipperfield Architects & Julian Harrap Project: Neues Museum Location: Berlin, Germany.

Built Area: 20500 m2 Date of project: 2009 Located on Museum Island, the museum was originally completed in 1849 but was bombed during the Second World War and has lain derelict since.

Main Staircase 1936 - 2009 Formed from the same concrete elements, the new main staircase repeats the original without replicating it, and sits within a majestic hall that is preserved only as a brick volume, devoid of its original ornamentation.

The restoration concept and restoration works similarely to those of a broken vase in which the gaps are filled to make its shape complete again.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

«Given this evocative yet inaccessible space, the restoration of the Neues Museum follows a principle of conservation rather than reconstruction,»

The columns, instead of being demolished and built new, are reinforced by steel beams that will hold the structure in place and avoid any damages or collapses.

Brick wall

Pre-fabricated concrete

The new exhibition rooms are built of large format pre-fabricated concrete elements consisting of white cement mixed with Saxonian marble chips.

The Neues Museum, ‘Soft’ Restoration Blueprint

The restoration and repair of the existing is driven by the idea that the original structure should be emphasized in its spatial context and original materiality - the new reflects the lost without imitating it.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Project Impact

The Ultimate retirement home Stage 1

Semi Covered Pathway

Rooftop View

Scale 1: 300

The Elderly each have their own house while still being within a community. The choreography of decay will ocure according to the materiality of the houses.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Plan

Scale 1: 300

Timeframe

Section

5 years after construction

Ground Floor Plan

30 years after construction Ground Floor Plan

Elevation of a Retirement House

Elderly: Age: Disabilities:

Building: Age: Addtitions:

Decay:

70 Years Vision Cognitive impairment Feet problems

5 Year Sagging door adaptation Lighting Help railing Sagging door Walls decay Steel rusting

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Scale 1:30

After five years, the building is still complete and standing, the materials start to have an impact on one another and some adaptation have to be made for the elderly. Slowly, the house is starting its downfall.

Ageing : Design Details The Door

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

With age comes disabilities. Vision and stability are fading, the architecture for the elderly therefore needs to adapt to their need by increasing colour and helping railings.

The Door- Ageing

Elderly: Age: Disabilities:

Building: Age: Addtitions: Decay:

65 Years Fatigue Arthritis Heart problems

1 Year -

Elderly: Age: Disabilities:

Building: Age: Addtitions:

Decay:

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

70 Years Vision Cognitive impairment Feet problems

5 Year Sagging door adaptation Lighting Help railing Sagging door Walls decay Steel rusting

The Door- Ageing

Elderly: Age: Disabilities:

Building: Age: Addtitions:

Decay:

75 Years Vision Reduction in Muscle Reduction of ventilatory capacity Increased risk of falling

10 Years Ramp Windows More lighting More railings Front roof Plants invasion Further decay of the wall Further sagging of the door Steel rusting

Elderly: Age: Disabilities:

Building: Age: Addtitions:

Decay:

80+ Years Vision - hard to see colours Heart failure Hearing impairment Stability

15 Year Strong introduction of colours More railings More lighting Dog entrance Bigger Window Shelf Bigger front roof More cracks in walls More plants Steel rusting Wood desintegrating

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Walking towards Death Stage 1 : Retirement Home Slight Decay of the Building 10 Years

Remaining Materials: Stone Metal

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Death creating Life Stage 2 : Graveyard Decay of the Building 80 Years Plants invasion

Section - Timeline Scale 1: 200

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Section of the ultimate retirement home. All these houses will decay at a specific time, according to their design and materiality, it will create a choreography of decay.

Constant rebirth

Remaining Ruin

Stone

Decay of Metal Metal

Ruin

115 Years

Decay of

80 Years Decay of

Decay of Brick

50 Years

Brick

Decay of Stucco Glass Concrete Rosemary Tiles

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Infinite Spiral of Decay

Addition

Concrete

Insulation

Glass

Stone

Wood

Metal

Rebuild

Decay of

25 Years

Decay of Wood Timber Insulation

Wood

Timber

Insulation

The Building is temporal, only the site and the soul remain constant. The buildings come and go, reshaping and transforming constantly with new materials coming from the falling houses, new buildings can always be built.

Stucco

Glass

Concrete

Rosemary Tiles

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard

Conclusion

A Building that changes over time is also a building that can stand in time.

Overall my technical Study research have been very helpful to understand the properties of materials as well as the technicality of building’s element. By inverting the concept of maintenace into a decaying project, I have been looking at many aspects of conservation and existing built projects as well as new materials and their history.

The Study has also been the drive of my project, showing me what is possible and what isn’t and bringing new ideas and forms to it.

Working with time and ageing has also been a challenge as well as a strong help into the unerstanding of the elderly and the lifespan of things, both organic and inorganic. The next step will be to further explore the potential of a choreographed cycle with a constant flow of decay and rebirth.

Acknowledgements

I wish to express my sincere thanks to my intermediate 5 Tutors, Ryan Dillon for his help and enthusiasm throughout the project.

As well as to Technical Studies tutors: Kenneth Fraser, Simon Beames, Wolfgang Frese, Pablo Gugel and Alistair Lenczner, that have helped me throughout this process.

Technical Studies_ Year 3_ Architectural Association_ Intermediate 5_ Camille Bongard