Portfolio: Architectural Projects by Froilan Palacio

ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS BY:

FROILAN JOHN PALACIO

PART TWO

PORT FOLIO

MY PROJECTS

PROJECT: [ENTER] CHANGE

[COMMUNITY]

URBAN SCALE PROJECT

MODULE: STUDIO 1 + STUDIO 2 + STUDIO 3

DATE: 6TH OCTOBER 2022 - 15TH MAY 2023

A shift towards urgent action on climate change is crucial. Our project focuses on addressing the climate emergency through city planning, targeting societal progress and environmental sustainability. Our site, Manchester Eastern Gateway, requires significant regeneration and growth. We have identified key areas for improvement, such as poorly connected urban neighborhoods, infrastructural congestion, high crime rates, and community segregation. These issues influence urban strategies, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions.

As a group of 4 we have developed computational tools integrating data analysis and design generation to create a comprehensive approach. By prioritizing community benefits and striving for NetZero Carbon futures, we aim to establish a dynamic equilibrium within the city. Our designs can influence stakeholders, users, and architects to reconsider their behaviours in the context of global warming.

This project has deepened my understanding of the built environment's impact on climate and the effectiveness of computational design. By optimizing various metrics, we progress towards a healthier climate and a more inclusive environment.

Overall, our project serves as a catalyst for sustainable urban development, inspiring others to make a positive and lasting impact on society and the environment through innovative computational tools and a commitment to a greener future.

[CONNECTIVITY] [NET-ZERO]

PROJECT: [ENTER] CHANGE

PROBLEM DEVELOPMENT + METHODOLOGY [COMMUNITY] [CONNECTIVITY] [NET ZERO]

SKILLS: GRASSHOPPER / RHINO / PHOTOSHOP / ILLUSTRATOR / INDESIGN / PREMIER PRO / UNITY

THESIS STATEMENT

Through the philosophical lens of the ‘Three Ecologies’, in conjunction with drivers identified through rigorous site analysis, the intent of this project is to provide an Inclusive Social Cohesion. This will be achieved by implementing better connectivity, infrastructural advancements, and creating an improved social network, influenced by innovative technologies and a Net-Zero Carbon strategic approach.

Our approach focuses on redesigning the urban realm through improvements to urban accessibility as a networked approach through an underlying understanding of urban patterns. We attempt to offset embodied and operational carbon at building scale through generative energy methods. Our design iterations are to be assessed for success towards our identified value criteria including using a computer simulation involving computational agents.

PROJECT: [ENTER] CHANGE

[COMMUNITY] [CONNECTIVITY] [NET ZERO]

ITERATIONS: REDESIGNING THE URBAN

SKILLS: GRASSHOPPER / RHINO / PHOTOSHOP / ILLUSTRATOR / INDESIGN / PREMIER PRO / UNITY

PARCELLATION

After retaining/removing elements from the site through research, the remainder of the site will serve as zones for development of the parcellation phase.

These zones will be used as the initial blocks, where the first stage of parcellation sub-divided these blocks.

This process will also allow for secondary and tertiary roads development. Then the plots will be formed within each of the blocks.

The different plot sizes will later allow us to distribute different land use types within each block as a means to enhance accessibility.

CALLULAR AUTOMATA

Using UK data published, the above categories typically has standards to meet in terms of the overall occupancy of the site. For each, we devised a percentage range, in which we could adjust in order to generate different types of iterations.

Residential 25% - 35%

Amenities : 8% - 15%

Commercial 8% - 15%

Services : 8% - 15%

Education : 5% - 10%

Business : 8% - 15%

Our tool develops further through the use of Cellular Automata. Here conditions and proximities are defined between each of the land-use. The total percentages of each land-use type are coded to set appropriate proximity relationships within our CA tool.

MANCHESTER’S EASTERN GATEWAY

MANCHESTER’S EASTERN GATEWAY

Residential 25% - 35%

Amenities : 8% - 15%

Commercial : 8% - 15%

Services 8% - 15%

Education : 5% - 10%

Business : 8% - 15%

LAND USE ALLOCATION + PLOT GENERATION

Starting Point

POI’s Residential Commercial Service

Amenities Education

Business Green Space

ITERATION GENERATION

Create Amenity Accessibility Closer Neighbourhoods Wide Range Housing Integrated Community Network

https://www.projectenterchange.com/greenaccess

PERFORMANCE METRIX

Most Optimum - Iteration 14

Tested prior to generating iterations, the existing site benchmarked a walkabilty score of 23%, through the result of our Agent Based Model. This was determined by assigning agents to points of origin and their typical destination and being able to get to it within a 15-minute walk.

After generating the 16 iterations, there were significant improvements to the benchmarked score, with the lowest value achieved at 51% and the highest at 92%, iteration 10. The smaller block configuration of 140 to 190m implied more blocks were allocated on the site and thus the total plot count was much higher in comparison to larger block configurations. Therefore when the percentage of residential to amenities to commercial to green spaces implied a better balance when distributing the land use types.

Also with more blocks the number of roads were much greater, therefore there would be quicker and more direct access to and from destinations.

In order to achieve a more connected and accessible site, we must assess its current state of accessibility concerning agents reaching their daily destinations. Our definition of ‘Walkability’ or a ‘Walkable neighborhood’ entails a person being able to reach their point of interest within 15 minutes.

Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) is a bottom-up approach used to model complex processes through simulation models, aiming to provide a descriptive and predictive understanding of agent behaviors in real-world situations.

In this case, we will utilize ABM to simulate and analyze the current state of the site by observing the behavior of agents and how they move around the site’s points of interest within a specific time frame. This simulation will serve as an explanatory model and a basis for comparison when creating iterations for our project.

To benchmark and assess the current site conditions, an Agent-Based Modeling test will be conducted to determine the site’s accessibility and walkability within a 15-minute / 1000m distance. We will employ diurnal activities of selected agents, assigning TRUE/FALSE values to the distance traveled in order to calculate the walkability percentage. This data will serve as a foundation for further improvement using our computational tool

Average Walking Speed: 1.2m/s

Average Distance: 1080m Time: 900s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggDiqKuen6A

MANCHESTER’S EASTERN GATEWAY

SKILLS: GRASSHOPPER / RHINO / PHOTOSHOP / ILLUSTRATOR / INDESIGN / PREMIER PRO / UNITY

As part of our project, we designed parametric typologies for our land use types. Each land-use type consist of varying architectural block types: High-rise, Midrise, Low-rise, Mid-rise with Courtyard (w/CY), Low-rise w/CY, Perimeter block.

Our design approach for each typology takes into account the specific architectural block type, while incorporating spaces that foster community engagement and encourage social interaction.

Moreover, the flexibility of these typologies allows for easy adjustments in terms of height, width, and plot size, catering to the unique requirements of each assigned typology

LOWRISEPERIMETER

HIGHRISEw/CY

MIDRISE

COMMERCIAL HIGHRISE MIDRISE EDUCATION LOWRISE

BUSINESS+ SERVICES MIDRISE

INDUSTRIALMIDRISE

HIGHRISE LOWRISE

PROJECT: [ENTER] CHANGE VISUALISATION OF ITERATIONS

SKILLS: GRASSHOPPER / RHINO / PHOTOSHOP / ILLUSTRATOR / INDESIGN / PREMIER PRO / UNITY

The application we have developed facilitates maximum stakeholder contribution, serving as a user-friendly platform to visualize outputs effectively. Users can easily compare and optimize results based on their individual requirements and priorities, aligning with the specified performance criteria we have outlined.

To explore the application further, you can use the links provided on this page to access the viewer demonstration video and the game build.

Please pick the PC or Mac version depending on your machine.

For Windows: https://stummuac-my.sharepoint.com/:u:/g/personal/17103818_ stu_mmu_ac_uk/Ea9XWWV8_URKnbjkXyF5-XABfzW-xfNASRx3_ koRQKK2jg?e=MI3o37

For Mac: https://stummuac-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/17103818_stu_ mmu_ac_uk/

**Note: You will have to give security permissions for the Mac version, also, app takes longer to load on the Mac version. We recommend using the windows version.

EMBODIED CARBON OPERATIONAL CARBON

GALLERY OF KNOWLEDGE

ADAPTIVE REUSE OF MMU’s RIGHTON BUILDING

ADAPTIVE REUSE PROJECT

MODULE: PROFESSIONAL STUDIES 1

DATE: 11TH JANUARY 2021 - 8TH APRIL 2021

The focus of this project was the adaptive reuse of Manchester Metropolitan University’s Righton Building. Home to the fashion and design department, it is a Grade II listed building located in the heart of the city campus.

A zero-carbon approach was the theme of this project, where the design scheme aimed to develop a technologically and culturally rich building. This was a response to the climate emergence.

Through various design iterations and opportunities a defined spatial strategy was conducted to explore the layout of the spaces to determine a successful programme. These iterations was supported through the use of computational tools including grasshopper, and Rhino 3D.

By engaging with MMU Estates as our client we were able to come up with our unique site brief to develop a hybrid space of learning commons and maker spaces connected through social threshold spaces.

This was accomplished through knowledge-based design and a thorough analysis into different precedent studies, of which their focus was adaptive reuse. Dafna Fisher-Gewirtzman’s Adaptive Reuse Architecture tools were used as a basis of analysis as well a development of our design scheme.

VIEW FROM CAFE OF THE MULTI- LEVEL WORKSPACE

SKILLS: HAND DRAWING / V-RAY / PHOTOSHOP / ILLUSTRATOR / INDESIGN / SKETCHUP / RHINO / GRASSHOPPER

Our developed brief comprises three main components that focus on enhancing the user’s experience of university life, emphasizing the benefits of knowledge exchange, cross-discipline collaboration, and research.

To achieve this vision, we propose a reimagining of the traditional teaching process, introducing spaces that foster innovative ways of learning.

Currently located in the heart of the MMU All Saints Campus, Righton serves as a disconnected facility for the student population. The existing building houses University staff offices, Postgraduate offices, and minimal workspaces. This exciting location is surrounded by prominent structures, including the SODA building, Benzie/Chatham building, and is directly connected to the Cavendish building, all falling under the faculty of Arts and Humanities.

GALLERY OF KNOWLEDGE

ADAPTIVE REUSE OF MMU’s RIGHTON BUILDING

KEY INTERVENTIONS

SKILLS: HAND DRAWING / V-RAY / PHOTOSHOP / ILLUSTRATOR / INDESIGN / SKETCHUP / RHINO / GRASSHOPPER

SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT

Using Rhino 3D and Grasshopper, computational methods can be applied within the scope of the project to aid the design process. We developed an algorithm focussing on the initial composition of a possible section, based on our relationships between spaces and relationship of the clusters, determined from the initial massing strategy and programme.

Exploded Massing Axo Cluster Assembly

VIEW FROM ENTRANCE OF MULTI-LEVEL WORKSPACES

MULTI-LEVEL STUDIO SPACE

TEXTILE WORKSHOP MAKER SPACE

GALLERY OF KNOWLEDGE

ADAPTIVE REUSE OF MMU’s RIGHTON BUILDING

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

SKILLS: HAND DRAWING / V-RAY / PHOTOSHOP / ILLUSTRATOR / INDESIGN / SKETCHUP / RHINO / GRASSHOPPER

FRONT ELEVATION EMPHASISING THE OLD AND THE NEW SECTION SHOWING THE VARIOUS MAKER + WORK SPACES

GLOBAL LOUNGE OF KNOWLEDGE

MMU STUDENT LIVING

MODULE: PROFESSIONAL

DATE: 13TH SEPTEMBER 2021 - 17TH DECEMBER 2021

The Brief outlined for PS1 puts focus on student housing and will question current practice methods. With an introduction to the Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), standardization and off-site construction.

Theme: Zero Carbon

Responding and addressing the climate emergence at the hand of investigating mass timber construction and technological aspects to develop through the DfMA.

CPU Methodology

Design of a student housing project on the MMU campus whilst engaging with MMU estates as a stakeholder in the project to understand current and future ambitions for the campus

Task

Identify the user: the students

Proposal: accommodation building and design an accommodation block suited for the identified user

Should be in line with current mass timber DfMA limitations in the UK (currently maximum 8 storeys high)

Your accommodation block should have 40-60 units as a baseline, depending on your response to the brief and design ambition.

VIEW OF ACCOMMODATION FROM THE BIRLEY CAMPUS

SKILLS: HAND DRAWING / SKETCHUP / RHINO / AUTOCAD / PHOTOSHOP / ILLUSTRATOR / INDESIGN

CURRENT ACCESS ROUTES FROM SITE TO UNIVERSITY ACCESS

The focus of this year’s PS1 Brief centers around Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA). Our designated site is strategically located between MMU’s Birley Campus and All Saints Campus. With this new intervention, our aim is to bridge the gap between students, teachers, and professionals by incorporating adaptable social and networking event spaces. Additionally, we seek to foster cultural diversity and inclusivity, encouraging international students to step out of their comfort zones and utilize these spaces for meaningful cultural exchanges.

Beyond its immediate impact, our project holds the potential to unify and create a cohesive network between both MMU campuses. We envision the establishment of a new student corridor along Bonsall Street, ensuring a safer route for students and local residents alike.

Surrounded by PBSA developments within MMU estates, our project endeavors to forge stronger relationships between the local residents and the student community. By incentivizing interactions between these groups, we hope to promote mutual understanding and support, thereby benefiting both the students and the local economy.

Birley Campus Entrance

REDIRECTING STUDENTS AWAY FROM RESIDENTAL STREETS

All Saints Campus Entrance

GLOBAL LOUNGE OF KNOWLEDGE

NEW SUSTAINABLE MMU STUDENT LIVING

DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURE + ASSEMBLY

SKILLS: HAND DRAWING / SKETCHUP / RHINO / AUTOCAD / PHOTOSHOP / ILLUSTRATOR / INDESIGN

DFMA METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

Volumetric

Modern Methods of Construction Type 1

Modules with different space typologies are created and manufactured, with finished walls, floors and ceilings. The fittings and services are also embedded within these modules.

KIT OF PARTS

Manufactured

Modern Methods of Construction Type 2

Unlike a completed module, flat panels are produced in factories which are then assembled on site to create the structure.

Pod Assembly

Modern Methods of Construction Type 3

High serviced areas e.g. bathrooms and kitchens are designed in the form of volumetric pods, which makes up a larger module. (not load bearing)

GLOBAL LOUNGE OF KNOWLEDGE

NEW SUSTAINABLE MMU STUDENT LIVING

TECHNICAL METHODS

SKILLS: HAND DRAWING / SKETCHUP / RHINO / AUTOCAD / PHOTOSHOP / ILLUSTRATOR / INDESIGN

3D CONSTRUCTION ISOMETRIC

CONSTRUCTION PHASES

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Ground to Foundation Detail @ 1:20 Subterranean Build- Up

LIVING TYPOLOGY KIT OF PARTS

AIREAL VIEW OF THE NEW PBSA FOR MMU

VISUALISATION OF THE GROUND FLOOR MULTI-LEVEL WORKSPACES

VISUALISATION OF THE LECTURE SPACE

SOCIAL IMPACT PROJECT IN ZAMBIA SHIYALA KINDERGARTEN

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

DATE: JULY 2022 - AUGUST 2022

Embarking on a transformative journey during the summer break of 2022, I found myself in the privileged position of working with CAUKIN Studio and the close-knit community of Shiyala in Zambia.

The purpose of our endeavor was to construct the Shiyala Kindergarten, an experience that would leave an indelible mark on my life. As I immersed myself in this enriching project, I discovered a world of vernacular materials, traditional construction methods, and the vibrant way of life that defines this beautiful country.

This introduction marks the beginning of a remarkable chapter that taught me invaluable lessons and opened my eyes to the true essence of cultural collaboration and sustainable development.

SHIYALA SCHOOL KIDS PLAYING AROUND THE COMPLETED KINDERGARTEN

MY EXPERIENCE

SKILLS: ON SITE EXPERIENCE- LOCAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROCESSES OF ZAMBIA

During the summer break of 2022, I had the incredible opportunity to work with CAUKIN Studio and the local community of Shiyala to construct the Shiyala Kindergarten in Zambia. It was a transformative experience that taught me valuable lessons about vernacular materials, traditional construction methods, and the way of life in this beautiful country.

Working alongside skilled craftsmen, I learned the artistry and resourcefulness involved in building with locally sourced materials. Despite the challenges of a remote location without modern machinery, the Zambian local team showcased their expertise, leaving a profound impression on me.

Beyond the construction aspect, immersing myself in the local community exposed me to Zambia’s rich culture and strong sense of unity. The breathtaking landscape served as a constant source of inspiration. Building meaningful connections with the team and fellow volunteers made this journey even more rewarding.

In the end, this experience deepened my appreciation for cultural diversity and instilled a passion for sustainable development. I will forever cherish the memories and carry the lessons learned from this unforgettable summer in Zambia.

It is great to see that the building of this project was completed, and that the children of Shiyala have a new space to encourage education and foster their dreams for a brighter future. The Shiyala Kindergarten stands not only as a testament to the collective efforts of CAUKIN Studio, the local community, and myself, but also as a symbol of hope, empowerment, and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead for these young minds. I feel deeply privileged to have been part of this transformative journey, knowing that the impact of this endeavour will ripple through generations to come, leaving a lasting legacy of positive change and opportunity in this extraordinary corner of Zambia.

DETAILS OF THE FACADE USING TRADITIONAL BRICK LAYING, STRAW AND METAL TECHNIQUES

WITHIN THE COURTYARD SPACE OF THE KINDERGARTEN BRICKLAYING FOUNDATION PREPERATIONS

STAGES OF BRICKLAYING

PART 1 PRACTICE WORK

SELECTION OF WORK FROM PRACTICE

05 PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

DATE: JUNE 2021 - SEPTEMBER 2021

As a Part 1 Architectural Assistant for Supervene, I had the privilege of being part of some very interesting projects and witnessing their evolution from the very early stages.

My primary focus has been on Master-planning projects, involving large developments. With invaluable guidance and instruction from my Mentor, I have gained the confidence to approach the initial stages of Master-planning with competence and clarity.

Working for an architectural practice that specialises in master-planning, I have been exposed to large developments and gained a deeper understanding of the dynamics within the design team. This experience has undoubtedly bolstered my confidence in pursuing projects on a significant scale as I progress in my professional journey.

During my time as a Part 1 Architectural Assistant, I actively utilized my SketchUp skills for initial design modeling, 3D printing, and iterative processes. As I transitioned into my Part 2 Studies, I further expanded my software proficiency by working with Revit and Rhino.

Moreover, witnessing the progression of the projects I have been involved in through the early stages of the RIBA Plan of Works has been immensely valuable. It has given me insights into effective communication with clients, external consultants, and planning officers. Observing my mentor’s approach to dealing with challenges, setbacks, and navigating through subsequent design stages has been incredibly instructive for my own professional development.

Each project I have been a part of has left a profound impact, inspiring my personal growth and dedication to the field. As continue to gain practical experience, I eagerly anticipate witnessing the continued progress of these projects through the later stages of the Plan of Works. It is my hope that these experiences will shape me into a more accomplished architect, ready to take on even more ambitious and meaningful endeavors in the future.

BLACKBOYS, EAST SUSSEX, UK

LEEDS,

SKILLS: HAND DRAWING / SKETCHUP / REVIT / RHINO / PHOTOSHOP / ILLUSTRATOR / INDESIGN / 3D PRINTING