Thesis Booklet_Design Research Studio D

A T hree-Ecologies Approach to Market Square Thesis Booklet

Studio name: STD0 Pivot the City. Design Research Studio D. Semester 1, 2021. Swinburne University of Technology Studio leader - Dr Ammon Beyerle Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu Master of Architecture and Urban Design Unit Convenor - Dr Ian Woodcock, Course Director Architecture and Urban Design

01

Introduction Thesis proposal

Thesis statement & questions for research / 5 Elaboration / 6-11

Finding patterns

Intro / 28-29 Hybrid building analysis / 30-37 Biophilic design analysis / 38-44 Conclusion / 45

02 Research

05 First design iteration

03 Site

06 Places of conf lict

Key topics

Hybrid buildings / 13 Biophilic design / 14 Relevance for Geelong / 15 Review of literature / 16-17

Geelong & Market Square Site analysis / 18-25 Market Square / 26-27

2

04 Precedents

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Proposal & critiques

Brief & programme / 46-47 Design principles / 48 First design iteration / 49-52 Reflections I / 53-57 Redefined proposition / 58-61

Shifting the focus

Reflections II / 63-65 My finding: Places of conflict / 66-67 Design approach / 68-71

07 Place of rebalance 1

10 Conclusion

08

11 Bibliography

Visitors & locals

Intro / 72-73 Mapping / 74-75 Enabling & Rebalancing / 76-77 Manifesting the three ecologies / 78-79

Place of rebalance 2 Locals. Temporal & permanent Intro / 80-81 Mapping / 82-83 Enabling & Rebalancing / 84 Manifesting the three ecologies / 85

& final thoughts

Conclusion / 100-101

& references

Bibliography / 102-103

09 Place of rebalance 3 Neighbours

Intro / 86-87 Mapping / 88-89 Enabling & Rebalancing / 90-97 Manifesting the three ecologies / 98-99

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

3

1 4

introduction

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

T hesis statement Félix Guattari states that an ecological harmony is achieved by the equilibrium of three dynamic forces: social, mental and environmental ecologies (Guattari, 2005). By applying this theory to an urban design and architectural perspective, it might be feasible to state that a co-existence between hybrid architecture, biophilic urbanism and a public realm as a social activator may represent these three ecologies that will shape the cities of tomorrow if we seek to live in equilibrium with the environment.

The present thesis seeks to put in check the business-as-usual approach by exploring a typology that approaches the three ecologies at the same time to achieve an ecological equilibrium and become the catalyst of a real transformation in Geelong. It will speculate how this precinct may provoke a contagious effect and inspire future developments to change the course and aspire for more sustainable, resilient, inclusive and creative cities that our future will demand.

Questions for Research 1. Are three-ecologies-buildings the most appropriate typology to face the challenges of the cities of tomorrow?

2. Should any ecology be dominant to reach the equilibrium?

What does it determine its condition? How might the site influence?

3. How feasible is that Three-Ecologies Market Square may be the catalyst of a (real) change and inspire future developments to be designed with a different approach?

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

5

Elaboration The City of Geelong in Victoria is envisioned as a smart regional city that will be fundamental for the future of the State’s economy and social sustainability (The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, 2016). One of its catalyst projects is the creation of a new civic hearth and the consolidation of its existing health and education precincts. Infill development led the Council’s urban strategy, which is no other than a business-as-usual approach.

The current city hearth is the result of a host of unfortunate decisions which had vehicles and a consumerist society as the main priority. The urban scene strongly characterised by car parks and shopping centres does not create a pleasant environment that contributes to the Council’s aspirations of attracting people to live and work in the area; contrary to that, it evokes a non-place constant feeling. Moving forward in that direction, the City of Geelong takes, once again, an ordinary position towards the future of the city rather than (re)capture the values of progress that Geelong used to have in the past. Boom-time reminisces that some of its architectural buildings still manifest. Another historical milestone that aids to contextualise this thesis is Geelong’s designation to be part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in 2017. Regrettably, a position that is not 6

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

making the most of since it does not seem to be testing how to become a “city of tomorrow”. (UNESCO Creative Cities Network, 2018).

Félix Guattari states that an ecological harmony is achieved by the equilibrium of three dynamic forces: social, mental and environmental ecologies (Guattari, 2005). By applying this theory to an urban design and architectural perspective, it might be feasible to state that a co-existence between hybrid architecture, biophilic urbanism and a public realm as a social activator may represent

these three ecologies that will shape the cities of tomorrow if we seek to live in a mutual connection with the environment.

The present thesis seeks to put in check the business-as-usual approach by exploring a typology that approaches the three ecologies at the same time to achieve an ecological equilibrium and become the catalyst of a real transformation in Geelong. It will speculate how this precinct may provoke a contagious effect and inspire future developments to change the course and aspire for more sustainable, resilient, inclusive and creative cities that our future will demand.

Three-Ecologies Market Square: The catalyst of the change

Design Intent A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

7

Contemporary cities demand new paradigms that imply a reinterpretation of the relationship between human beings, built and natural environments. In that sense, the challenge that we all have upfront is the understanding of the cities planning from an ecological perspective. It does not mean only the natural environment –that is only one of the components of one more complex system where all parts interact. From this broad approach and understanding a city as a system, this thesis will attempt to find the ecological equilibrium. It is essential to clarify that this thesis will be focused on the ecology of, rather than ecology in the city (Pickett S, 2013).

The first ecology that will be brought into the discussion is Mental Ecology which represents the basic response that cities have to respond to. The concrete function, and how cities respond to society’s real need.

Here is when the first difference with the business-as-usual approach is found. While the cities of tomorrow are conceived as living organisms, the cities of today give a single response to each requirement directly, like living, working, learning, etc.

8

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Mixed land uses seek to respond to that complex reality and encourage diversity by promoting “life between buildings” (Gehl J, 1987). However, the concept represents certain ambiguity (Rowley A, 1996) since it carries with too many expectations and not always ends up producing the desired results – which turns the urban reactivation through a mixed land use proposition into a utopia. Mixed land uses should not be the only possible solution to reactive an urban area. They are an essential tool to “the creation of attractive, livable and sustainable urban environments” (Rowley A, 1996) but sometimes they may lead to an addition of individual developments that nothing has to do with an ecological achievement, but only limited to market speculations. Diversity of uses is the outcome but it does not mean a real diversification of the urban fabric from peoples’ spatial experience. Today’s city form is unintentional but never accidental (Barnett J, 1982). So, the question is how can be done differently to change the course?

BUSINESS-AS-USUAL URBANISM

THREE-ECOLOGIES URBANISM

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

9

HYBRID ARCHITECTURE (Mental Ecology)

This change of paradigm may imply focusing the urban design first on the fine grain. To conceive a three-ecological building from the small scale by acknowledging the contagion effect it might trigger in the urban space, and so pivoting the future of Geelong. We are living in a moment of new and the most advanced technology, green urbanism started to become on today’s agenda and buildings are required to respond to more different functions that have never been required before. In that sense, why we cannot think that a single building may be the catalyst of a real 10

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

BIOPHILIC URBANISM (Environmental Ecology)

PUBLIC REALM (Social Ecology)

transformation that not only impact the way people would inhabit it but also inspire future developments to make it differently?

Understanding the current (and future) relationship between people and the built environment, as well as an evolved relationship with nature, take us to think about being dense and being green. However, if we deposit all our hopes of a better future only in this pair, we would make the same mistake have done so far and the cities will continue growing in a non-equilibrium condition because people are not part of the equation.

City diversity represents “accident and chaos” (Jacobs, 1961). This chaos -understood as a magnificent physical manifestation of one society- takes place in the public realm.

An inclusive city is not possible if the public realm is not conceived as the connective tissue that joins us all. This unique component of the cities has the power to bring people closer to each other or creating even more exclusion. In that sense, this thesis proposes it as a social activator and inclusion driver, the Third and final Ecology to achieve the desired equilibrium.

BIOPHILIC URBANISM (Environmental Ecology)

HYBRID ARCHITECTURE (Mental Ecology)

PUBLIC REALM (Social Ecology)

Design Research Process for a Three-Ecologies (in) Market Square

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

11

2 12

research

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Hybrid Buildings Hybrid buildings have “the gene of the mixed-use development in its code” (Fernandez Per, 2009), therefore besides creating urban density in the area would inject the diversity that is currently lacking. This a relatively new typology without many precedents, so we have the complete freedom for intervention (Holl S, 2014). The flexibility to shape a building according to Geelong’s profile with a future-looking perspective will make it goes beyond times. Freedom to juxtapose, creating programmatic relationships between multiple levels and incorporating biophilic design strategies – in other words, to imagine architecture from an ecological approach to inspire the change.

However, the attractiveness of this typology is that is not limited to the programme diversity, but the human experience is one important factor as well. Urban porosity is one of the main parameters of this typology and enables it to create pedestrian-oriented spaces (Holl S, 2014), which makes it relevant for Social Ecology as well.

In addition, hybrid buildings achieve the three of the four conditions that Jacobs states as the ‘indispensable’ ‘to generate exuberant diversity’ (Jacobs J, 1961) and will certainly ‘produce Diversity, Vitality, and general Sense of Community’. The programme diver-

sity offers ‘more than one primary function’ that will attract visitors to come and then generate a ‘dense concentration of people’.

While porosity, as a design concept, would break the site into smaller parts and make the entire project to ‘be short’ and promote casual encounters. More specifically talking about Market Square, due to its existing conditions that will be explained further in the next chapters, would ‘mingle buildings’ and the outcome will ‘vary in age and condition’.

In the book This is Hybrid, Fernandez Per analyses about 50 hybrid buildings to find common patterns between them, and understand their impact on the architecture itself and the urban context. These findings are compiled by Wiesner and Gringhuis who organise them into one matrix. These parameters will be used in the analysis of precedents and finally applied to the design of the project.

Steven Holl Architects. Linked Hybrid. China. 2009.

Source: Steven Holl Architects© A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

13

Biophilic Design Sustainability is one of the major challenges that cities will have to face the next decades. As one of its roots, biophilic urbanism has emerged to inject nature into the cities –externally in urban infrastructure, and internally within buildings. This deep connection between people and nature, not only brings mental and physical benefits but also gives a response to environmental challenges (Cabanek et al. 2020) which undoubtedly will play a significant role in the next few decades.

Even though the relationship has evolved over the history, there is a belief that humans have an innate connection with nature. For this reason, biophilic design is essential for people’s well-being since its principles enable designers to provide them opportunities to live and work in healthy places.

In one of the books that I used as my literature, William Browning identifies 14 patterns of biophilic design that will be used for the analysis of precedents and in the design process later.

WOHA. Parkroyal on Pickering. Singapore. 2013.

Source: WOHA© 14

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Relevance for Geelong Clearly, both elements have several benefits that might trigger a change in Market Square. On one hand, hybrid buildings would inject the diversity that is currently lacking in Central Geelong and not attractive as a locational choice parameter. At this point, the first question to be answered ahead is about how ‘diverse’ that ‘diversity’ should be? Maybe it is not only about creating a random ‘interesting’ variety of programme to be placed on the site but to think about what connections and implications the programme will have on Market Square. Should it be completely different and boost a ‘new image’ for the site or should it complement it? This is something that I should be aware of during my explorations. While the first option might be understood as an impostation -more than a real understanding of the context-, the second one questions if a new programme is the catalyst of the change.

tain point, the connection with nature but it is limited only to green open spaces, like the Green Spine in Central Geelong. However, during my research, I discovered that it is even more valuable for that connection with nature to be permanent, every moment of our days. So, how to achieve a typology that enables people living, working or visiting Market Square to be in permanent contact with nature? Is it only through greening as much as possible or are there any other strategies to achieve that?

Secondly, thinking urban design from a Biophilic design perspective is different from the business-as-usual approach already applied in Geelong. Planning aspires, at a cer-

Aerial view of Geelong. Source: Victoria State Government.

Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

15

Review of Literature

Urban Design Ecologies. Introduction Author: Brian McGrath

Ecology of the City. A Perspective from Science Author: Steward TA Pickett

Mixed-use Development: ambiguous concept, simplistic analysis and wishful thinking?

Author: Alan Rowley

Hybrid Buildings Author: Steven Holl

McGrath claims that there a misconception nowadays when the term urban as space is set apart from nature, as well as when the urban design is separated from design ecologies. Looking from Guattari’s Three Ecologies’ perspective, he argues that human society cannot respond to the current environmental degradation of the planet without addressing the loss of social relations that have been facing. Another interesting idea that he introduces is that urban designers should see the world in a more complex way that goes beyond patterns and forms in space but integrates organisms, energy flows and the environment.

Pickett states that there is a fundamental difference between understanding ecology ‘of’ rather than ‘in’ the city.

While the former has a metabolic focus and address the complexity of the current urban environments; the latter is only limited to urban green patches.

His main point is the cities are equally biological, social, built and geophysical.

Also, he points out that ecology is a commonly used term metaphorically in design, but it might be misleading sometimes, therefore there should be clarity about the core technical definition, values implied by the metaphor and concepts applied to the material world.

The author claims that mixed land use is essential for the creation of liveable and sustainable urban environments, but he also points out that the objectives should be set from the start since the concept might be a bit ambiguous and carry too many expectations. He breaks down the concept into some basic questions like what it is, how it does and why; and relates it with the main principles and visions that Kevin Lynch, Jane Jacobs and Jan Gehl had for the city decades ago. Another main idea is his criticism of the short-termism tendency that property developers have, which leads to the negative aspects of the city of today.

One of the main ideas that the author argues is that as a society, we are transiting the best possible time to give us some freedom to explore unprecedented architectural types - being that the main potential of hybrid buildings. He believes that urban porosity is a key element in these buildings, therefore they should aim to be pedestrian-focused. Another interesting idea he mentioned is that the vertical spatial experience is the new challenge that cities in the future will have to give a response. In that sense, the question that arises is how these building may go beyond the planimetric projection to have a real presence in the urbanscape.

16

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

The Dense and Green Paradigm.

Author: Thomas Schröpfer

Green Urbanism. Models of a Dense and Green Urban Context Author: Kees Christiaanse

This is Hybrid. An analysis of mixeduse buildings Author: Per A, Mozas J, Arpa J

14 Patterns of Biophilic Design Author: William Browning

The author argues in this article that cities of tomorrow will have to face new challenges: reinterpreting human density separated from the concept of massiveness, and shifting of thinking our relationship with nature. He presents an overview of the evolution of the concept over history, and how it was manifested in concrete projects.

In that sense, he claims that there is a need -spiritual and material- to be in contact with nature. Another main concept he discusses is the understanding of the city as a living organism, where green buildings will replace our dominion over nature and enable us to bring nature back to our world.

The author introduces the concept of green urbanism and its change over history; how it evolved from the simple incorporation of green areas and corridors to a holistic integration in the cities through strategies that involve water management and climate and biodiversity impact on a micro-urban level. He questions where are we going as a society since the urbanised landscape and compact city models are not the ideals they used to be anymore, and do not respond to a sustainable future. He also argues that permeability is a key move for green urbanism and the creation of soft transitions between public and private spaces.

After the analyses of 20 hybrid buildings, the authors argue that there are some common parameters between them in regards to the building programme and urban integration, which will be used in this thesis for the precedents analysis. They also mention the concept of topographic hybrid as the origin of the typology in the 60s when it was too radical and not well-received.

Another main idea is the differentiation between hybrid buildings and social condensers. The authors also emphasise the importance of verticality in hybrid buildings and outline a guideline of paraments that should be applied to the design.

This book looks at the relationship between nature, humans and the built environment, as well as the multiple benefits that biophilia has for health and well-being. The first two chapters introduce biophilic design in architecture and give some framework for design considerations. The chapter that I focused more on was ‘The Patterns’, where the author presents a kit of tools that can be used while designing, as well as some strategies and explanation of how to use them. Browning presents fourteen patterns divided into three groups (nature in space, analogues and of the space), that helped me to define my design principles.

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

17

3 18

site

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Geelong Context map

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

19

Existing Site Conditions

1. Moorabool Street

3 2

2. Malop Street

4 1

3. Yarra Street

4. Little Malop Street 20

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Transport & Mobility

Bike network Train station Rail lines Bus routes Bus stops A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

21

Land Uses

Residential Commercial Public parks & Recreation Education Healthcare Culture Religion Council 22

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Key Features & Programmes Educational 1. Deakin University Key courses: Creative Arts | Architecture and Design | Psychology | Nursing Healthcare 2. The University Hospital Geelong Key specialities: Paediatric | Oncology | Cardiology

2

9

1

3. St John of God Geelong Hospital Key community and youth services: Perinatal Mental Health | Accommodation for vulnerable young people

4

Cultural 4. Geelong Gaol Museum 5. Geelong Library & Heritage Centre 6. Geelong Art Gallery 7. Geelong Performing Arts Centre 8. Back to Back Theatre 9. National Wool Museum Key programme: Itinerant Exhibitions | Performances | Workshops & Courses | Collections

5

6

8 7 3

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

23

Natural Environment

5

7

4 3

Flood Extent Green Open Spaces 1. Johnstone Park

2

6

2. Steampacket Gardens 3. Eastern Gardens 4. Austin Park 5. Pevensey Park Proposed Green Spine

11

Birdlife Presence Spot 6. Geelong Foreshore 10

7. Eastern Beach 8. St Marys Hall

8

Trees species in surroundings streets:

1

12

9

9. Cottom Palm | Moorabool St 10. Cyprian Plane | Little Malop St 11. Weeping Lilly Pilly | Malop Street 12. Ficus | Ryrie St 24

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Heritage

1. S Murray & S Wool Warehouse

3

2. Dennys Lascelles Wool Store

1 2

4

3. Wool Stores on Corio Bay

4. Trustees Chambers & ANZ Bank Heritage Inventory Heritage Register A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

25

Market Square

Market Square in Geelong occupies 2.9ha – half a city block in the city centre– a city enacting change and embracing design, and a costal home to 270,000, Australia’s second-fastest growing city, a series of places in the midst of becoming something else. Market Squre is right amongst it. The City of Greater Geelong is embarking upon a masterplan for Market Square. It will be a strategic site for urban regeneration, catalysed by the introdcution of affordable housing and other new uses. (Extract from STD0 handout Assignment 4) 26

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Little Malop Street / Focus area Placemaking elements [Artwork, trees boulevard, textures, water, street furniture, shade] Issues [underutilised laneways, non-activated interfaces] Opportunities & uniqueness [carpark structure, historical facades, soft spaces]

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

27

4 28

precedents

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Hybrid Buildings

Timmerhuis OMA | Rotterdam, The Netherlands (2015)

Toni-Areal EM2N | Zurich, Switzerland (2014)

Low2no REX | Helsinki, Finland (2009)

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Visitor Cente Weiss/Manfredi Architects | New York, United States (2012)

One Central Park Ateliers Jean Nouvel | Sydney, Australia (2014)

Biophilic Design

Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen Vilhelm Lauritzen + Mikkelsen Architects | Copenhagen, Denmark (2016)

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

29

1. Project Scale

Timmerhuis OMA | Rotterdam, The Netherlands | 2015

Toni-Areal EM2N | Zurich, Switzerland | 2014

Low2no REX | Helsinki, Finland | 2009

Area: 45,000 sqm | Despite the total sqm, the project is not too large. However, the narrow streets that surround it, emphasise its presence within the urban fabric from a human perspective. The building maintains the same height as its context and densifies towards the centre, as a strategic move to look more permeable from the street.

Area: 125,000 sqm | Due to the multiple requirements of the brief and the total sqm, the building itself looks extremely massive. The materials selection also strengthen the volumetric composition. However, the urban context complements this project adequately by having other buildings with similar characteristics located at a significant distance apart.

Area: 35,000 sqm | From a human perspective, the building does not seem massive because it keeps the same height as the surrounding buildings and, strategically, the density is injected through two svelte residential towers opposite from each other that constitute landmarks within the urbanscape. A large open space in the middle makes it even more permeable.

30

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

2&3. Urban Density and Relevance

Timmerhuis OMA | Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Toni-Areal EM2N | Zurich, Switzerland.

Low2no REX | Helsinki, Finland

Timmerhuis is located in the CBD of Rotterdam, so there is a large presence of commercial activity and a high density of residents in permanent interaction with the project. Also, the role of public actors is significant as well since apart from the museum that the hybrid building contains, there are other cultural, educational and governmental facilities in the area.

The building hosts a museum and a university, therefore rather than being fed by its immediate context, it is the reason for the synergy in the area. The surrounding buildings are mainly big commercial facilities and warehouses, which makes the context fully private-owned.

The project is responsible to inject some mixture (public access) into the urban fabric.

The project is located in the middle of two attractor points. In the southeast, there is a commercial zone with several types of retails and cafes; and on the opposite side, there is a large green area. Within a walkable distance, some other facilities are dispersed (a hospital, schools and a cultural centre) which also work as active agents that energise the neighbourhood.

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

31

4. Urban Connectivity

Timmerhuis OMA | Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Toni-Areal EM2N | Zurich, Switzerland.

Low2no REX | Helsinki, Finland

Timmerhuis is located in the middle of two main roads, that apart from vehicles, contain public transport routes.

The closest tram line is 150m from the main entrance.

On the other side, a bike network runs along the facade from North to South. There is a metro station very close.

The building is located between two major roads, and next to an elevated railway that runs North to South.

There is a big amount of railways only at 300m distance, however, there is not any train station nearby. The connection of the building with the public transport network is through a tram line that runs along its South facade.

The project is located on one main road, that has large vehicular traffic; y close to other major arteries of the same hierarchy. The building is also directly connected to the public transport network since a tram line runs along the main street. The tram stops are not in the front of the building, which encourage flow of people. Also, it is in the middle of a well-connected bike network.

32

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

5. Integrated Public Realm

Timmerhuis OMA | Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Toni-Areal EM2N | Zurich, Switzerland.

Low2no REX | Helsinki, Finland

The biggest contribution from the project to the public domain is a passage -almost in the middle of the lotfrom one street to the other. Even though it does not represent too many sqm, somehow invites the person to ‘be part of’ and connect with the life contained within the building. The strategy seems to be showing only a small part that triggers curiosity to discover more.

At the moment of readapting the original building, the architects decided to keep the original ramp and give that major infrastructure to the public domain. Even though its aesthetic might not be very pleasant since its materiality looks a bit rough, the interesting thing is the concept: it leads people right into the core of the cultural and entertainment spaces on the sixth level.

Two elements constitute the major contribution to the public realm, making this project the best example of an extension of the city horizontally and vertically. On one hand, the main plaza in the middle of the block that, fed by a rich programme, creates a vibrant and active space.

On the other hand, the volume in the middle of which programme is fully community-focused.

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

33

6&7. Programme Diversity and Scale

Car park

Offices

Living

Shopping

Education

Culture

Sportive

Other

Timmerhuis OMA | Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Toni-Areal EM2N | Zurich, Switzerland.

Low2no REX | Helsinki, Finland

There is a clear separation of public/private uses. The common pair -residential and offices- is located on the highest levels, whereas the programme more related to the community is designated in the lower levels. The passage between streets articulates all the different packages of uses and, spatially, invites the visitor to discover more about the building.

Differently from most of the hybrid buildings, where living areas have the major protagonism, Education is the key component of the project since it hosts a university and other learning spaces. The way it opens up to the community is through the culture (an auditorium, a museum and a small library) while the living and work areas are put in a second plane.

There are two main groups equally balanced in regards to their significance for the project: the residential towers and the duality conformed by educational and coworking spaces (for startups in the community). The rest of the uses, even small in terms of sqm, have great importance to make the core of the block into an active and vibrant public realm.

34

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

PRIVATE

8. Programme Relationship

Car park

PRIVATE

PUBLIC

PRIVATE PUBLIC

Offices

Living

PUBLIC

Shopping

Education

Culture

Sportive

Other

Timmerhuis OMA | Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Toni-Areal EM2N | Zurich, Switzerland.

Low2no REX | Helsinki, Finland

The connection between the programme in the three lower levels of the buildings is physical and horizontally since the public has access to almost all spaces. The higher levels, which contain a more private use, create a visual connection with the passage (public realm) through two large structural voids that run-up.

The vertical connection between learning and cultural spaces is essential in this project. Large staircases expressed with brilliant colours are the protagonist of the space. They shrink and expand in different parts to create different types of spaces, like big halls or areas for an encounter.

Differently from other examples, education and workspaces are more related to the public domain rather than the private due to their access to the community.

That is what makes this project unique and constitute its social character. At the same time, this block is a soft transition between a very active base and the residential towers (more privacy).

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

35

9. F lexibility

Source: Archdaily, OMA ©

Source: Archdaily, EM2N ©

Source: REX ©

Timmerhuis OMA | Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Toni-Areal EM2N | Zurich, Switzerland.

Low2no REX | Helsinki, Finland

Two large rectangular volumes are the clear manifestation of the flexibility of the building. Currently, they enable the building to vent and have natural light. However, and due to its structural skeleton, it can add more sqm in the future if needed.

This parameter was incorporated into the design considering the present time, no a future-looking perspective. This building used to be a milk factory, therefore its adaptation to the current needs of a new social and structural network was the response for today, which limits its capacity to be re-adapted again in the future.

This project incorporates flexibility in two points. First, the modular structure of the residential towers’ facades by giving the user the option to open or close panels.

Secondly, the capacity to place this hybrid building anywhere. The uses at the ground level can be adapted to the context where it is inserted.

36

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Key points of Hybrid Buildings

1

4

2

5

Project Scale • Extremely condensed urban block • Increases city’s density • Horizontally & vertically • Relation mass & permeability

3

Urban Density • Fed by density of the context • Density & congestion in the area • Needs interaction with surrounding buildings’ functions

Urban Relevance • Goes beyond a single building • Scale is a key driver of its existence • Relevant to overall context

6

Urban Connectivity • Socially open building • Connection with city is crucial • Network of infrastructure & public transport • Proximity to hotpots to suceed

Integrated Public Realm • Extends the city public domain horizontally & vertically • Links public domain inside<>outside • Social<>Private interwine well

Programme Diversity • Unnexpected mix of functions (not only usual) • Looks at how each function individually contributes to the overall synergy

7 8 9

Programme Scale • Not only diversity of programmes, should be dense.

• Wide range & variety of scale

Programme Relationship • Not side-by-side. Must be integrated • Visual and/or physical connections • Transition Public<>Private

Flexibility • Ability to change according to situations • Not an end point • Structural & social framework adapted

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

37

Nature in Space

Natural Analogues

Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen Vilhelm Lauritzen + Mikkelsen Architects Copenhagen, Denmark (2016)

38

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Nature of Space

Project Performance (Design concept & Human experience):

Nature in Space 1. Visual connection w/nature 2. Connection w/nat. systems

Natural Analogues 3. Biophilic forms & patterns 4. Material connection w/nat.

Nature of space 5. Prospect 6. Mistery

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

39

Nature in Space

Natural Analogues

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Visitor Centre Weiss/Manfredi Architects New York, United States (2012)

40

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Nature of Space

Project Performance (Design concept & Human experience):

Nature in Space 1. Visual connection w/nature 2. Connection w/nat. systems

Natural Analogues 3. Biophilic forms & patterns 4. Material connection w/nat.

Nature of space 5. Prospect 6. Mistery

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

41

Nature in Space

Natural Analogues

One Central Park Ateliers Jean Nouvel Sydney, Australia (2014)

42

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Nature of Space

Project Performance (Design concept & Human experience):

Nature in Space 1. Visual connection w/nature 2. Connection w/nat. systems

Natural Analogues 3. Biophilic forms & patterns 4. Material connection w/nat.

Nature of space 5. Prospect 6. Mistery

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

43

Key points of Biophilic Design

a

Nature in Space

b

Natural Analogues

c

Nature of Space

List of 7 patterns cut down to the 2 most visible in the architectural design:

List of 3 patterns cut down to the 2 most visible in the architectural design:

List of 4 patterns cut down to the 2 most visible in the architectural design:

1. Visual connection with nature 2. Connection with natural systems

3. Biophilic forms and patterns 4. Material connection with nature

5. Prospect 6. Mistery

Key points:

Key points:

Key points:

1. Visual connection with nature • when seated or standing • internal gardens > promote intrigue • desire to emerge oneself in nature • diversity of native plants in the area

3. Biophilic forms and patterns • incorporate biomorphic form in the structure of the building • 2 or 3 patterns in the interior • golden ratio proportion

2. Connection with natural systems • use local seasonal plants • framed views to the outside • interactive garden opportunities (learning, comm gardens, cooking, etc) • make people more aware of the ecology

4. Material connection with nature • locally sourced natural materials • natural colour pallete • no syntethic materials

5. Prospect • environments like “african savanna” • higher spaces (when possible) • different focal lengths • vertical circulation (multiple prospect points)

44

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

6. Mistery • guide people, corridors (not obvious) • multiple heights/depth • breakout spaces for exploration

Conclusions & takeaways

To finalise this chapter, I conclude with some of my key learnings. The precedent analysis was an important part of my research since it allowed me to find patterns and parameters that could be applied to Market Square during the design process. Those key points defined my design principles later on.

In regards to hybrid buildings (Mental Ecology), I found it interesting that the three precedents had the massive scale as a common quality. That made me think about the impact that a typology like this might cause in Market Square. Even though authors like Fernandez Per and Holl ensure that community backlash is highly expected and must happen, I wonder whether it is not necessary an intermediate scale that may act as a transition in contexts more local like Geelong - contrary to large cities like the precedents, which perhaps are more open to radical changes. Rather than understanding the typology as a ‘machine’, I should be more sensitive to human interactions (Social Ecology). This point made me think about the concept of landmark, and how I imagine a landmark for Geelong should be.

The idea of Porosity, which is a constant in the three precedents, also captured my interest and I thought that it was worth it to be explored further since undoubtedly would be related to Environmental Ecology. Learning that hybrid buildings not only have a diverse programme but also had to be related to their context was also key since respond to one of my research question about this topic. The answer is no, they do not have to be impost they must understand the context. Somehow, this approach that value the site, place this typology closer to Social Ecology, whereas the impact that the scale produces, mentioned in the previous paragraph, moves them away.

In regards to the precedents analysed for Biophilic design (Environmental Ecology), I took two main learnings. Before starting my research, and being a neophyte in the topic, the visual and physical connection with nature (Nature in Space) was for me the only one possible, which of course was the most evident and obvious. In that sense, One Central Park by considering only this parameter, it is safe to say that gave a response quite superficial - perhaps limited to the ‘marketing’ it

can be done about biophilic design since this parameter is the most evident for those who do not know the topic in-depth?. Contrary, the other two precedents go beyond the obvious and incorporate the contact with Nature through other elements (Natural Analogues).

For example, form in the Botanic Garden and materiality in the Steno Diabetes Centre.

This was one of my major learning, that certainly made a difference in my final design.

Another point that I found interesting and is shown in the Steno Diabetes Centre is the connection with natural systems. I believed it worth further explorations about how the building may offer programmes that encourage people to get engaged with the place. In that aspect, I might be addressing both ecologies, the Environmental and the Social. How through learning and cultural programmes, I might ‘plant a seed’ in the occupants’ soul; being this a very valuable strategy to make the building transcend, create memories within the community, create a place.

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

45

5 46

fiteration irst &design critiques

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Brief & Programme

public open space

The brief comes from the site analysis, particularly Land uses around Market Square. Although is a diverse programme, it has three main pillars to create a significant connection with the site and define its essence: Health, Education and Residential. The other three packages, even though their percentage is smaller, have a fundamental role to link the main programmes.

The key features were used to define sub-programmes to complement them and create synergy and inject life into the site.

10%

healthcare

Three-Ecologies Market Square culture & community commercial

& perform.

open space

semi-privatep

library

community workshops market

10%

20%

learning

healthcare

semi-public

commercial & retail

20%

living

public

green space

35%

ateliers

arts

age integrated daycare centre

mental health centre

culture & community

5%

commercial

rivate

private

housing

space classrooms green space

shared

recovery care centre

student housing

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

47

Design principles Applied in Market Square

1. Project Scale

5. Integrated Public Realm 48

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

2-3. Urban Relevance & Scale

6-7. Programme Diversity & Scale

4. Urban Connectivity

8. Programme Relationship

9. Flexibility

A. Nature in Space

B. Natural Analogues

C. Nature of Space

rectly related to existing facilities and amenities close to the site: university, hospitals, museums, galleries, among others. Market Square will include part of their programme, as well as other complementary mentioned in the brief. The gradient of publicness will be one of the most important aspects to be explored further in the next stages. A preliminary design criterion is to concentrate health, education and retail in the first two levels, a community-focused social condenser in the third level, and finally, placing offices and residences only in the tower.

terraces, massing subtraction and greening which will enable the project to include nature in space. Natural materials and colour palette will be prioritised, as well as biomorphic forms, especially in the landscape design (natural analogues). About the nature of space, the project will seek to create ‘mysterious’ spaces along the journey for a person who experiences it.

A Three-Ecologies Market Square The first proposition of a Three-Ecologies Market Square will address the Project Scale parameter by designing a condense tower on the corner of Yarra and Little Malop St which seeks to add density and creating landmark for the urbanscape. The other buildings will maintain the same height as the surrounding to minimise the visual impact that a dense building may represent. The main strategy for the block attack was to extend the existing laneways to integrate the site with the urban context, and at the same time to create a more permeable ground level to be given to the public realm. In regards to the programme diversity, the project will incorporate uses di-

The biophilic design will be achieved through

Finally, concerning the public realm, the green core will be infilled with a programme that creates active edges, as well as it will be explored transparencies/opacity to enable/ constrain relationships within spaces.

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

49

50

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

51

52

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Ref lections I

Critics and thoughts about of my first iteration

1. Tower pertinence to the site

2. Public space, no public realm

3. Untapped opportunities for adaptive re-use

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

53

1. Tower pertinence The first reflection about my first iteration of the project is the tower pertinence since it ends up being the BAS approach for a residential building. In my intent to achieve a hybrid and dense building that meets all the parameters, in some way I put aside the key element of this thesis that is the relationship people with themselves, others and the environment.

Shadow Studies. Scenario 1: Vertical density

One questionable aspect is the visual and environmental impact that a tower might represent on the site. To test this, it has been done a shadows analysis confirmed the negative impact that a tall tower will have for the immediate context across the year.

Another arguable aspect is its architectural contribution to the city. This kind of buildings is the response that cities today are giving to densification. If we speculate about an ideal future, maybe the relationship between people and the city should be on a more domestic scale. In that sense, a tower is not enabling that type of environment. If it is only about nature, a tall tower that provides views to the water and vegetation in balconies or facades would supply this point, however, it would annul the other two ecologies that Guattari proposes as necessary for living in harmony.

Having said that, it has been tested a second iteration which allows densification and obtains a significant project scale and relevance, but which does not dismiss the relationship between people. Besides, it has been incorporated through parametric design the concept of porosity that may boost the introduction of nature into the interior space. This second iteration aims to develop an architectural space that shifts the way dense buildings are conceived nowadays: rather than tall towers which are associated with out of reach elements, these types of horizontal and porous towers might be merged as part of the urban scenery.

54

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Summer

Autumn

Winter

Spring 9am

12pm

3pm

1.

Shadow Studies. Scenario 2: Horizontal density + Porosity

Reviewing first iteration 2.

Summer

Autumn

Winter

Spring

Shifting densification strategy 3.

Increasing urban porosity

9am

12pm

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

3pm

55

2. Public realm?

Another questionable aspect of the first iteration is the public realm strategy. Even though the idea of openings to the central core to create a permeable public space seem to be an appropriate first movement, the programme selection and the fact that it is separated into two levels had to be revised.

The mix of programs did not create an active public realm across a wide time frame range. Programs related to health and education at a ground level would imply that the circulation of people would be restricted to certain periods. Furthermore, despite the central green void was accessible, it did not mean people would use it or engage with the place.

1.

2.

On the other hand, the location of the community-focused program on the third level did not make this social activator to be truly inclusive. It was meant to be for public access, but the architecture did not create an environment that invites everyone to be part of it. In other words, the place was public but not necessarily designed for the public realm.

As a response to these findings, the next iteration will place the social condenser on the ground level and will include only small areas for health and education to show the tip of the iceberg. Most of the programme will be dedicated to culture, community and retail.

56

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Potential problem

>

Another alternative

3. Adaptive re-use In the first iteration, the only elements that were retained were the historical building on Malop St and Little Malop St façade, as well as the two corners on Moorabool St. This design approach is arguable in two aspects.

First of all, the only use that the proposition made from them was limited to language. Even though there was a clear intention to preserve them, they were not integrated into the external language of the buildings. Secondly, it was wasting some valuable possibilities, especially structural, for adaptive reuse that other buildings like the car park building or the one on Moorabool St were giving.

A business-as-usual approach would intent to maximise profits rather than celebrating the past. If we can speculate about the future, an ecological approach would definitely be more aware of the context. On one hand, by trying to make the most of existing structures and proposing an integral architectural design that starts from that milestone. Secondly, it would avoid as much as possible to keep contributing to the damage that construction waste does to the planet. Architects and urban designers will be more engaged with the natural environment in the future.

Last but not least, by incorporating existing elements as a way to celebrate the past and manifest it in the building language.

1.

2.

Reviewing underutilised buildings

>

Reassessing conservation strategy

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

57

Redef ined Proposition 1_Recovery Care Centre (former car park building) provide a place for cancer patients who are under treatment in The University Hospital Geelong can have a place to recover. A place that makes them feel like home, rather than a hospital. Through biophilic design, the architecture aspires to create a homey atmosphere and supportive environment with others going through the same difficulties.

2_Voids created in the existing structure to inject nature inside, as well as provide habitable conditions for lighting and ventilation. The rooftop has an important role to make nature more accessible and part of the experience of the recovery centre since it creates spaces to support activities like walks, gardening and bird watching that patients can do.

3_The Southern facade of the former car park seeks to reinterpret the main elements of the historical facade through green walls - by having one central element to hierarchy the access, and the other two emphasising the corners.

4_A building that opens to the city. Provide indoor and outdoor spaces that support itinerant events run by the Geelong Performing Arts Centre and the Faculty of Creative Arts (Deakin University). These activities include exhibitions, performances, workshops and courses.

5_An extension of the existing laneways connects the building with the city and makes this block more permeable and enhance the urban connectivity of the masterplan. The housing bar at the top acts also as a big entry arc to the core of the site by emulating, on a larger scale, the heritage.

58

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

6_Inspired by vertical elements that unify the language of heritage buildings in the surroundings (especially the Wool Stores), the facade of the Library proposes a reinterpreted facade that respects the base vertical module and integrates the corner tower.

7_The existing roof structure from the building on Moorabool St was preserved as a footprint to make people aware of what was there.

In the project, emphasise and hierarchy the entrance to the green core, while protecting (translucent roof) the Medical Vegetable Garden below.

8_Extension of the Faculty of Psychology and Nursing (Deakin University) for students to have their practices working at the Age Integrated Care on the ground level. These groups make use of the Medical Vegetable Garden which enhance nature as a therapeutic way to recover and wellbeing.

9_A building that opens to the green core. The ground level creates spaces that support cultural itinerant events and exhibitions provided by the Back to Back Theatre and Geelong Gaol Museum. This interstitial space links the building with the big plaza.

10_Green terraces encourage exchange and networking between students who live in the housing, those who study at the Faculty of Design Annex and workers from the Offices.

2 1

3

10

8

9

7 4

5 6

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

59

60

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

< View from the corner of Moorabool and Little Malop St [Focus area that will be developed further in the next Chapters] A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

61

6 62

Places of conf lict shifting the focus

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

But wait...

BIOPHILIC URBANISM (Environmental Ecology)

HYBRID ARCHITECTURE (Mental Ecology)

PUBLIC REALM (Social Ecology)

Should the three ecologies be in ‘equilibrium’?

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

63

Ref lections II

Shifting the focus of the Design Research Process

Importance of the Social Ecology If the original goal that my thesis proposal was to create a new typology that brings the three components together to achieve the ‘equilibrium’, it is possible to say that the Masterplan does. The current proposition includes hybridity of programmes, while introduces the biophilic design and gives the public realm a significant protagonism within the site. In that sense, this iteration meets the first aspirations defined in my thesis statement looking at a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive Geelong.

However, at this point, I realised that the design process had given a response resulting from a lineal process - like a ‘recipe’ that includes the three components in identical parts. The problem is that approaching the site from an urban design scale and putting the focus on the hybrid building (Mental ecology) was not enabling me to achieve the complexity and mixture of ecologies that Guattari refers to.

64

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

In relation to one of my initial questions of research whether any ecology should be dominant, I realised that maybe the ‘equilibrium’ is not the best response to the cities of tomorrow since we would be losing the richness of the three ecologies co-existing in different ways and proportions. Hybrid building themselves approach the relation between humans to the built environment, which seems to be correct for urban design, but do not contemplate human interactions (Social ecology) at all, which indeed are the ones that creates a more complex ecosophy.

In that sense, should not the Social Ecology lead the design process of spatial design on the architectural scale?

Concluding this first part of the thesis, I can reflect that in terms of urban design, the focus on the Mental Ecology given by hybrid buildings has been right, however, it should be shifted into the Social Ecology once the architectural scale is being considered.

Having said that, Social Ecology will be the focus to approach the second part of my thesis, since so far has demonstrated being the most challenging in terms of spatial design and humans (and no-humans) interactions.

From here, the starting point is one of my major findings resulting from the mixture of uses and users in hybrid buildings: the places of conflict.

...maybe not?

Urban design

Equilibrium

>

<

Architectural design

(dis)Equilibrium

Social Ecology dominant

Design Research Process for Part II Three-Ecologies (in) Market Square

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

65

My f inding: Places of conf lict Cities in general and architecture in particular -especially when it comes to hybrid buildings- generates points of contact between people likely different. Those interactions might trigger what I consider “places of conflict”.

The word conflict comes from Latin ‘confligere’ that means ‘to come together for a battle’.

In architecture, those places of conflict may occur either for a different way of space appropriation (the diversity of programme can be one of the reasons) or, basically, clashing ideas between different people.

A Business-as-usual approach would respond by avoiding conflicts at all costs, either through a clear separation of the programme or the creation of fully independent spaces that do not rely on interactions. Contrary, a Three-ecologies approach would bring people together for a ‘battle’ by generating points of contact to discover what is different, debating ideas and enriching from the diversity. These aims respond to the Social Ecology but also the Mental Ecology by 66

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

looking at the interaction of humans with the built environment and their relationship with nature, the Environmental Ecology. A Three-ecologies approach would rebalance the built environment by placing the Social Ecology as the core of the design decisions, aspiring to create spaces that enable as many interactions as possible to relate to others and ourselves.

Taking this approach to a concrete design process, it is feasible to apply a problem-solving method by setting the following steps: 1. Mapping the (possible) conflict 2. Enabling points of contact while rebalancing the space 3. Letting the ‘conflict’ begins to manifest the three ecologies This process has been applied to three case studies identified as possible points of conflict in my project.

Three-ecologies design approach:

1.1 2.1 3.1

Mapping the possible conflict

Enabling & Rebalancing points of contact

Letting the ‘chaos’ exist and manifest the three ecologies

Mix of users + uses

Places of Conf lict

>

>

Business-as-usual approach

Three-ecologies approach

Separating

Bringing together,

to avoid conflicts at all costs

creating conflict & rebalancing

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

67

1. Mapping the conf lict A first approximation regarding possible points of conflict are the following: 1. Visitors & locals (ground level) This layer integrates those who live in the housing block, students of the Creative Arts Faculty, people who make use of the medical services and those who visit Market Square for the first time. The complexity of the design of this level consists in achieving a clear separation of the public and private use but, at the same time, that aspires to an integration between those users.

To avoid conflicts, the business-as-usual logic behind would be approaching the design of each building independently and relying the integration on the public realm – like the public space itself could patch the voids of an individualistic urban space. Rather than looking for buildings fully ‘closed’ to the city, which architecture is the centre of themselves, should not a Three-ecologies approach be generating architecture that ‘opens to’ and embrace the city?

2. Locals. Temporal (who work/study) <> Permanent (who live) The third level is the filter between those 68

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

who make use of the building during an extended period of time and those who live there permanently. It is a key to the project since unifies times and permanency. If a business-as-usual approach would design each building to respond to a specific need, should not a Three-ecologies approach generate spaces of encounter that aspires to a co-existence, co-learning and co-living, being a place that enables mutual learning from each other?

3. Locals. Neighbour <> Neighbour Finally, this process of mapping possible conflicts takes this research to the intimacy of the daily life and shelter of life, the housing building. People, individually, carry their own values, beliefs, needs and priorities. With this diverse package, from a design perspective, can be taken two positions. First, which applies in most of the cases, is to conceive spaces from an individualistic perspective – where space responds only to the concrete need of inhabiting and the user adapts it accordingly. The second position, contrary, encourages places for exchange and learning.

That is the aspiration of a Three-ecologies approach, the creation of places that enable encounters, connections with others, ourselves and nature.

Potential points of conflict & Case studies for Design:

1.1 2.1 3.1

Visitors & Locals at ground level

Local. Temporal & Permanent who work/study <> who live

Local. Domestic neighbour <> neighbour

1.

Visitors & locals (Ground level)

2.

Locals. Temporal (who work/study) & Permanent (who live)

3.

Locals. Neighbour & Neighbour

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

69

2. Enabling & Rebalancing points of contact

A Three-ecologies approach would rebalance the built environment by placing the Social Ecology as the core of the design decisions, aspiring to create spaces that enable as many interactions as possible to relate to others and ourselves. This approach is translated into concrete architectural gestures to the creation of spaces that bring people together.

Design Drivers 1. Visitors & locals (ground level)

Starting from that base, there were thought three different strategies for each possible conflict, which will be explained in more detail in the following chapters.

70

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Sewing

Showing the tip of the iceberg

2. Locals. Temporal (who work/study) <> Permanent (who live)

Bridging

Intertwining people

3. Locals. Neighbour <> Neighbour

Joining

Triggering interactions

Step 03. Letting the chaos exist 1. Visitors & locals > Sewing

2. Locals. Who study/work & live > Bridging

3. Locals. Neighbours > Joining

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

71

7 72

(re)balance

Point of Conf lict 1 visitors & locals

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Point of Conflict 1: Visitors & locals (ground level) Design Driver: Sewing. ‘Showing the tip of the iceberg’.

1. Mapping the conflict

2. Enabling & Rebalancing

The points that have been identified as points of conflict are the accesses – either to the site or vertical circulations that lead to the housing block- and the edges that connect the building to Little Malop St and the green area in the core of the site.

The strategy applied was to create a ribbon that ties all the points previously mentioned.

This tangled mess acts like a root, which organic shape connect people and them with key spaces. Inspired by Jacobs’ idea of “eyes on the street”, the idea was to design spaces that show partially what is happening in the building -the ‘tip of the iceberg’-; to invite people (visitors & locals) to be part of.

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

73

1. Mapping

15 8 3

4

2

4

7

6

2

2

1 5

7

9 4

8

Ground floor plan | N.T.S. 0

74

2.5

5

10

15

20

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

25

1 Geelong Library Annex

3 Therapeutic vegetable garden

5 Cafe

2 Hall / Foyer

4 Retail

6 Communal space

2 12

12

12

12

12

14

13 12

11

8

8

11

8

12

14

14 7 10

12

5

11

11

13

12

11 14

2 2

4

12

4

11

11

11

2

7 Flexible space

9 Flexible exhibition space

11 Meeting room

13 Media room

8 Outdoor expansion

10 Breakout

12 Consulting room

14 Office

12

12

15 Main path & courtyard

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

75

2. Enabling & Rebalancing

Community board E

Therapeutic vegetable garden

M

E

S

M S

These diagrams show some key elements that were incorporated in the design to enhance the relation between people and each ecology – the mental, environmental and social. Each of them enables or constrains in different levels, but overall the spaces that enhance Social ecology are dominant.

76

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Reading area

Green arc wall

E

E

M

M

S

S

Suspended tech-ceiling

Community workshops

Movable panels

Takeaway cafe

Catching up stairs

E

E

E

E

E

M

M

M

M

M

S

S

S

S

S

Pivoting wall

Stall bench

Spying window

Suspended exhibition support

Movable panels

Spying benches & window

E

E

E

E

E

E

M

M

M

M

M

M

S

S

S

S

S

S

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

77

3. Manifesting the Three Ecologies Finally, the collage is a synthesis of an imaginary about how this space might be. It captures the atmosphere and shows how the building opens itself to the public space. In the scene, it is shown a workshop run by students from the Creative Arts Faculty to the community. While some people prefer to work independently on their blank canvas, others have fun co-creating and painting in the pivoting wall. Besides, it shows the large foyer that crosses the building to the green core. This space exhibits artwork created by students for the community of Geelong to see what it is being done at Deakin University. A large translucent plane between the foyer and the Dance Studio, enable people who walk through to see what is going on – and, hopefully, be willing to take classes one day. Finally, another space that deserves to be highlighted is the reinterpretation of the main arc and roof overhang that used to be part of the former shopping centre. By having a new function and materiality, these elements have been adapted to a new context.

78

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

79

8 80

(re)balance

Point of Conf lict 2

locals. temporal & permanent

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Point of Conflict 2: Locals. Temporal (who work/study) <> Permanent (who live) Design Driver: Bridging. ‘Intertwining people’ 1. Mapping the conflict

3. Manifesting the 3 ecologies

Even though there are not natural conflict on this level, the initial idea was to create encounter points between the three buildings: the common areas of the housing block, the Creative Arts Faculty and the Transitional Housing of St John of God Geelong Hospital.

The collage illustrates how that space might be. A group of students having an informal lesson outdoors with the views to the green core as a background, and one person who lives in the housing block joins the class casually after looking at the photography class assignment exhibited this week.

2. Enabling & rebalancing The design gesture to approach this level were two bridges that link the three buildings. By having learning spaces at the core, the relationship with the former seeks to design spaces for debates and feedback, while the latter aims to create spaces that support to skill up people who are living in the Transitional housing through education and giving them training and employment opportunities. Inspired by the aboriginal culture of talking circles, the shape also embraces nature and open up to the views in the background.

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

81

1. Mapping

1 6 4 7

7

9

7

7

7

9

7

16 5

3

16 2

4 6

8

Level 3 floor plan | N.T.S. 0

82

2.5

5

10

15

20

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

25

1 Common dining area

3 Laundry

5 Passage bridge

2 Lounge

4 Pin-up space

6 Debating circles

11

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

11

15

15 14

14

14

14

11

11

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

11

13

6

7

7

15 5

10

16

16

16

16

4 11

12

11

11

11

12

11

11

8

7 Classroom

9 Meeting pod

11 Office

13 Transitional living unit

15 Meeting room

8 Lobby / Breakout area

10 Co-creation space

12 Media room

14 Vegetable garden

16 Storage

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

83

2. Enabling & Rebalancing / 3. Manifesting the Three Ecologies

84

Openable classrooms

Breakout stairs

Debating circle #2

Pin-up circle #2

E

E

E

E

M

M

M

M

S

S

S

S

Breakout benches

Debating circle #1

Passage gallery

Pin-up circle #1

E

E

E

E

M

M

M

M

S

S

S

S

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

85

9 86

(re)balance

Point of Conf lict 3 neighbours

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

87

1. Mapping Form-finding This case study has been analysed in more depth concerning the design. Going back to what has been explained some chapters ago, the form-finding process began with some explorations using parametric design to generate porosity in the building massing. Taking this concept for a concretion, the dwelling typologies were designed in further detail and, by relating it with the second part of this thesis, the outdoor spaces were not only designed to bring nature indoor but also to add more complexity to the layout by being conceived as points of interactions between neighbours to rebalance any possible conflict.

Level 4. ±23.70 26 dwellings / 17 pl. of conf.

Level 3. ±20.70 27 dwellings / 20 pl. of conf.

Level 2. ±17.70 29 dwellings / 9 pl. of conf.

Level 1. ±14.70 30 dwellings / 32 pl. of conf.

88

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Level 4. ± 23.70m

Level 3. ± 20.70m

Level 2. ± 17.70m

Level 1. ± 14.70m Access

Outdoor space

0 2.5 5

10

15

25m

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

89

2. Enabling Dwelling types & occupancy It is worth mentioning the logic behind and the complexity of the concretion of this concept since the placement and shape of each unit was designed manually, like a puzzle, trying to assemble pieces that can share a common entry hall, while attempting to avoid overshadowing between outdoor spaces.

Carefully, each unit was designed first, to meet the minimum standards of illumination and ventilation, which was facilitated by the base module of 4m by 5m; and secondly, to maximise the possibility of creating outdoor terraces that bring Nature in Space. Most of the units have at least two outdoor expansions, creating this relationship indoor/ outdoor with the living area and the master bedroom.

Studio 23 dwellings 1-Bedroom 42 dwellings 2-Bedroom 39 dwellings 3-Bedroom 8 dwellings

90

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Level 4. ± 23.70m

Level 3. ± 20.70m

Level 2. ± 17.70m

Level 1. ± 14.70m Living

Kitchen&Dining

Living&Bedroom

Bedroom

Bathroom

0 2.5 5

10

15

25m

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

91

2. Enabling Occupancy mix.

Personas neighbouring Another criteria that define the design driver was the mixture of different dwelling types. The idea was to generate vicinity between different groups of people. This section shows the layout of 6 dwellings that respond to 6 different household types. The idea was to enhance these points of encounter and create even more rich and diverse points of exchange. We can see Paula & Marian’s apartment, which is neighbouring Gabi (a student), who at the same time is neighbouring with Mindy, a pensioner who lives by herself. Mindy also shares a terrace with Marinis, an accountant who sometimes has work meetings at home. When it’s not working, Marinis has a more private terrace that shares with Juana and Marcelo, who is neighbouring with Christian, Lucca and Lupe on the other side... This is how the concept of joining and neighbouring works.

92

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Paula & Marian. 32/35 yo Chemical & IT Engineers

Gabi. 20 yo Student at Deakin Univesity

Christian, Lucca & Lupe 43/37/5 yo Designers & Kinder student

Mindy. 68 yo Pensioner

Marinis. 52 yo Accountant

Juana & Marcelo. 67/74 yo NPO volunteers

1 Hall & Breakout area 2 Kitchen & living area 3 Main bedroom 4 Spare bedroom 5 Storage 6 Flexible office space 7 Pantry / Storage 8 Reading nook 9 Universal bathroom 10 Consulting room 11 Semi-shared terrace 12 Catch-up bench 13 Private terrace

4

3

11

3

12

4

4

13

5

2

2

13

2 12

12

11

11

1

5 10

5

5 3

2 2

6

3

2

12 8

11 3

8

11

12

12 6

9 3

11

Level 4 floor plan | N.T.S. 0

1

2

3

4

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

5

93

2. ...and Rebalancing Even though in the housing block there is not hybridity of diverse programmes like the previous case studies, the Mental Ecology is manifested through the logic of placement of social and private spaces of the house. The layout seeks integration of the work and living spaces, and maximise the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces. The last one also related to the Environmental Ecology. Through biophilic principles detailed in previous chapters, it is met the visual connection with nature and systems (Nature in Space), while the materials and colour palette utilised in the project and the biomorphic shapes of the terraces landscape constitute the Natural Analogues. For the Social Ecology, benches have been designed to be a physical separation between neighbours but rather that eject, attract them. They constitute the base of the space of interaction and exchange.

Complementary to this physical limit, there have been designed subtle tensors.

94

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Passage workstation

Dividing shelves

Windows planters

Core island

Dividing cables

E

E

E

E

E

M

M

M

M

M

S

S

S

S

S

Terrace garden

Green wall

Flexible passage

Catching up bench

Meditation corner

Large sized openings

E

E

E

E

E

E

M

M

M

M

M

M

S

S

S

S

S

S

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

95

2. Enabling

Structural system & elements

Primary structure Horizontal element Roof Type B: Cross-laminated timber (Detail 4)

Secondary structure Vertical element Non-bearing Wall Type B (Detail 3)

Primary structure Vertical element Steel beam (Detail 5)

96

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Primary structure Horizontal element Roof Type A: Composite timber (dowel lam) & concrete slab (Detail 2)

Primary structure Vertical element Wall Type A: Dowel laminated timber panels (Detail 1) Primary structure Horizontal element Steel beam (Detail 5)

1 Dowel laminated timber wall 140 mm

1

Plaster board 18 mm, vapour barrier

2

Thermal insulation, composite system with plaster mineral 110 mm Gypsum fibreboard 2x 18 mm 2 Flooring, parquet 16 mm Heating screed and plumbing 74 mm Impact sound insulation 30 mm Concrete topping, reinforced 120 mm

3

Dowel laminated timber ceiling with fire-retardant 140 mm 3 Weatherboard 16 mm 2X 120X50 stud @ 600 mm crs Plaster board 18 mm, vapour barrier Thermal insulation, composite system with plaster mineral 110 mm

block:YSIZE block:XSIZE

Gypsum fibreboard 2x 18 mm 4 Vegetation TBC Roof substrate 135 mm

5

Filter layer. Drainage layer Root barrier 40 mm

4

Waterproof membrane Insulation 65 mm. Vapour barrier

2

block:XSIZE block:YSIZE

Cross laminated timber ceiling 140 mm 5 Steel beams and columns HEB 220 Plasterboard (fire prev. cladding) 25 mm Gypsum fibreboard 15 mm

Detail Section Typ. N.T.S. A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu 1

97

3. Manifesting the Three Ecologies

One last render, where I’m illustrating a typical Sunday morning scene. This is the terrace that Gabi & Mindy share. Mindy’s grandson is having a friendly but heated discussion with Gabi’s dad about AFL. “Shouldn’t The Cats have won the match?!” her dad said. We can also see Mindy who’s jumping in & out of the discussion while cutting some herbs to use in the sauce she’s cooking. Someone from the level on top seems to have something to say. Even the non-human beings, at some point, are participating in the debate...

98

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

99

10 100

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

conclusion & f inal thoughts

I will conclude this book with one of my major learnings from this thesis.

At first, when I aimed to design for the cities of the future, I looked at precedents that provoked radical changes in their context.

But maybe, the catalyst of change does not rely on innovative typologies but that synergy can be inside every neighbour from Market Square if we, designers, create the conditions to enable them ‘to be’ by shifting the design thinking from the Mental Ecology (what’s meant to be) to the Social Ecology.

So maybe, that Ecological Harmony is not (and shouldn’t be!) perfectly balanced. It’s the (dis)equilibrium, the (im)perfection... the conflicts & chaos that rise up from human (and non-human) interactions are the ones that enrich the space and, hopefully, shape many dis-balanced cities in our future.

? =

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

101

11 References Readings

Awan, N., Schneider, T. and Till, J., 2011. Spatial agency. Abingdon: Routledge, pp.29-34.

Boston Public Market Association, 2013. Business Plan Executive Summary.

Boston Public Market Association, 2014. Boston Public Market. BRA Community Meeting.

Christiaanse, K., 2016. Green Urbanism. Models of a Dense and Green Urban Context. In: T. Schröpfer, H. Chan and K. Christiaanse, ed., Dense + green. Basel: Birkhäuser.

City of Greater Geelong, 2017. Greater Geelong. A Clever and Creative Future.

City of Greater Geelong, 2020. The City of Greater Geelong. Settlement Strategy.

City of Greater Geelong and Victoria State Government, 2017. Arts and Cultural Precinct Masterplan. Revitalising Central Geelong.

Fernandez Per, A., Mozas, J., Arpa, J., 2016. This is Hybrid. A+T Architecture: Vitoria Gasteiz.

Gringhuis, R., Wiesner, T. 2014. An Exploration into the Qualities of a True Hybrid Building. Msc3 Fall, Graduation Studio. Faculty of Architecture. Technical University Delft.

Holl, S., 2014. Hybrid Buildings. In: Oz, Vol. 36 Hoskyns, T., 2005. City/democracy: retrieving citizenship. In: P. Blundell Jones, D. Petrescu and J. Till, ed., Architecture and Participation. London: Spon Press, pp.117-123.

Kaufmann, H., Krötsch, S. and Winter, S., 2018. Manual of multistorey timber construction.. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter & Co. Kossak, F., Schneider, T., Tyszczuk, R. and Walker, S., 2010. Agency: working with uncertain architectures. London: Routledge, pp.16-18.

McGrath, B., 2013. Introduction. In: B. McGrath, ed., Urban Design Ecologies. Chichester: J. Wiley, pp.8-15.

Oliver, T., 2020. The Self Delusion. Ch 17. How a network identity leads to global responsibility.

Pérez-Gómez, A., 2009. Architecture and Public Space. In: M. Kingwell, ed., Rites of Way : The Politics and Poetics of Public Space. Wilfrid Laurier University Press.

Pickett, S., 2013. Ecology of the City. A Perspective from Science. In: B. McGrath, ed., Urban Design Ecologies. Chichester: J. Wiley, pp.162-171.

Rowley, A., 1996. Mixed-use Development: Ambiguous concept, simplistic analysis and wishful thinking?. In: Planning, Practice & Research, 11:1, 85-98, DOI, pp.85-98 Schröpfer, T., 2016. The Dense and Green Paradigm. In: T. Schröpfer, H. Chan and K. Christiaanse, ed., Dense + green. Basel: Birkhäuser.

Victoria State Government, 2016. Revitalising Central Geelong Plan.

Weiss, M., 2016. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Visitor Center. In: T. Schröpfer, H. Chan and K. Christiaanse, ed., Dense + green. Basel: Birkhäuser.

Films, recordings and presentations 2021. Designing Geelong webinar series: What urban design can learn from Country?

2021. Hidden rails – History and heritage in the Civic Precinct.

2021. Hidden Geelong.

2021. Urban design and our Civic Precinct: Creating active community spaces.

102

STD0 Pivot the City | Design Research Studio D

Cloud Atlas. 2012. [film].

Misleading Innocence (tracing what a bridge can do). 2016. [film] Urbanized. 2011. [film] Haskell, D., 2019. A love letter to the forests of the world. [BBC Radio 4. Forest 404] Available at: <https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p074m5xx> [Accessed 3 March 2021].

Websites ArchDaily. n.d. 25 Green / Luciano Pia. [online] Available at: <https://www.archdaily.com/609260/25-green-luciano-pia?fbclid=IwAR12CK850dozwwqpKSQFaUKNdZofR8tEZmjFwrWrbVCZnY2AaXYYz5jj9Ho> [Accessed 15 March 2021].

ArchDaily. n.d. Amanda Levete’s MPavilion Inspired by Forest Canopy. [online] Available at: <https://www.archdaily.com/770077/amanda-levetes-mpavilion-inspired-by-forest-canopy?ad_medium=widget&ad_name=recommendation> [Accessed 5 March 2021].

ArchDaily. n.d. Boston Public Market / Architerra. [online] Available at: <https://www.archdaily.com/789434/boston-public-market-architerra-inc> [Accessed 15 March 2021].

ArchDaily. n.d. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Visitor Center / Weiss/Manfredi. [online] Available at: <https://www.archdaily.com/235079/brooklyn-botanic-garden-visitor-center-opens-to-the-public> [Accessed 1 April 2021].

ArchDaily. n.d. This Copenhagen Diabetes Center Connects Patients to Nature. [online] Available at: <https://www.archdaily.com/803283/this-copenhagen-diabetes-center-connects-patients-to-nature> [Accessed 1 April 2021].

ArchDaily. n.d. Timmerhuis / OMA. [online] Available at: <https://www.archdaily.com/778654/timmerhuis-oma> [Accessed 30 March 2021].

ArchDaily. n.d. Toni-Areal / EM2N. [online] Available at: <https://www.archdaily.com/562959/toni-areal-em2n> [Accessed 30 March 2021].

Designboom. n.d. DS+R, Gustafson Porter + Bowman, and B720. Plan Renazca Public Space for Madrid. [online] Available at: <https://www.designboom.com/architecture/dsr-gustafsonporter-bowman-b720-renazca-park-madrid-02-02-2021/> [Accessed 15 March 2021].

Designboom. n.d. Jean Nouvel: One Central Park. [online] Available at: <https://www.designboom.com/architecture/jean-nouvel-one-central-park/> [Accessed 1 April 2021].

Designboom. n.d. MVRDV designs rennes residential complex with façades that reference rock formations. [online] Available at: <https://www.designboom.com/architecture/mvrdv-rennesresidential-complex-ilot-de-loctroi-france-10-21-2016/> [Accessed 15 March 2021].

Er, K., 2018. Growing a Biophilic City in a Garden. [online] Civil Service College Singapore. Available at: <https://www.csc.gov.sg/articles/growing-a-biophilic-city-in-a-garden> [Accessed 15 April 2021].

REX. n.d. Low2No. [online] Available at: <https://rex-ny.com/project/low2no/> [Accessed 30 March 2021].

St John of God. n.d. Horizon House. [online] Available at: <https://www.sjog.org.au/our-services/community-and-youth-services/st-john-of-god-horizon-house> [Accessed 1 May 2021].

Testado, J., 2017. MVRDV’s terraced mixed-use “Valley” in Amsterdam breaks ground. [online] Bustler. Available at: <https://bustler.net/news/5924/mvrdv-s-terraced-mixed-use-valley-in-amsterdam-breaks-ground?fbclid=IwAR0lEfq_-a-QdpGFfEsVCiz6N5Z46snrjsk5uF8lLWatu5sKBMeHFS_68js> [Accessed 15 March 2021].

A Three-Ecologies Approach to Market Square | Sandra Anahi Mansilla Hsyu

103