Ho Yu Ming PORTFOLIO: SOA Study and Cemetery Park

YU MING, HO\

CONTENTS (INTER)POSITIONING\ P1.1\

Sitting-Out Areas Survey 01

P1.2\

Type Transformations 08

A CEMETERY PARK IN-BETWEEN\ P2.1\ P2.2 & P2.3\

Case Study & Site Metrics 19 Schematic & Detailed Site Design 34

(INTER)POSITIONING\ SITTING-OUT AREAS SURVEY\

n To Kwu ine ng L

Kai Fuk Roa d

oad Kwun Tong R

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TAI YIP STREET SOAs MISFIT: A GREEN MIRAGE Tai Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon SIZE: 2367 SQM NO. SEATS: 24+20 This study covers two adjacent but separated SOAs: eastern side being Tai Yip Street Garden and western side being Tai Yip Street Sitting-Out Area.

Wa i

Yip

Both Tai Yip Street Garden and SOA are composed of extensive planting areas planted with shading trees, and seating as main facility, offering scarce SOA and greening to the industrial areas dominated Kwun Tong District.

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eet

Kwu n To ng Byp ass 0

LOCATION PLAN

50m

However, the spatial assemblage of the two parks and the surroundings make varies parts of them hard to reach, forming a green mirage.

Tai Yip Street

MISFIT: A GREEN MIRAGE Wai Yip Street

The arrow line in context plan shows my circulation path during my first visit.

It forms a close loop as I am not able to identify the entrance of Tai Yip Street SOA.

CONTEXT PLAN

The dashed arrow line shows the only path to the only entrance of the SOA. A detailed drawing was made to study the spatial assemblage of it.

TAI YIP STREET SOA

SITE SECTION

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40m

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10m

TAI YIP STREET GARDEN

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FOOTBRIDGE

WAI YIP STREET

TAI YIP STREET SOA

TAI YIP STREET GARDEN TO

TAI YIP ST

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YIP

STR

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URBAN CONTEXT ROAD KAI FUK

The two SOAs are surrounded by industrial buildings, highways and flyovers.

They offer scarce greening and SOA to that area.

KWUN TO

NG LINE

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SPATIAL ASSEMBLAGE TWO CONTINENTS Part of Tai Yip Street Garden is fenced off to make room for a pet garden. The two areas have different facilities, users and even the axis of pavement, making the two areas two continents.

The only person travel between the two areas is the park cleaner.

LITTER BIN DRINKING FOUNTAIN SINK DOG EXCRETA COLLECTION BIN

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TOP: The park cleaner is cleaning the pet garden side of Tai Yip Street Garden.

MIDDLE: Double layered fence is used to separate the two area.

BOTTOM: A dog on the other side is using the lawn area.

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TOP: The entrance of the only path connecting to Tai Yip Street SOA. BOTTOM LEFT: Many motorcycles are parked on the path.

BOTTOM RIGHT: The only user of the park is the park cleaner, he is resting after finished cleaning.

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85 M S YIP TAI TO E TR ET A SO UK IF KA AD RO

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SPATIAL ASSEMBLAGE PASSAGE TO MIRAGE CTI

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The entrance of Tai Yip Street SOA is underneath a flyover, right next to a outdoor car park and is parked with loads of motorbikes.

People (including me) are not able to spot this entrance, making this park a green mirage (a place where you can see but cannot reach).

TAI YIP E

N LA

The only person who uses this park is the park cleaner.

TYPE TRANSFORMATIONS\

4 TYPOLOGIES

4 typologies (spatial assemblage from other SOAs) was assigned to be the design elements of this project. Top left shows a footpath underneath a feature tree; top right shows a sitting area and protected plantation area underneath a feature tree; bottom left shows the entrance and edge of a park shaped by different planter shapes;

bottom right shows a sitting area and foot path shaped by different planter levels. These typologies are used to redesign the studied park to experiment how different landscape elements response to each other to composite new landscape designs.

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COLLAGE - ITERATION 1

In the first iteration, the main objective is to experiment how the borrowed typologies can be adapted to the design area as well as how different typologies cooperate together to form new typologies.

For example, a footpath shaded by trees can be transformed into 10

a footbridge covered by trees; a fenced planting area and a sitting area defined by planters can combine together to form a planting area fenced off by lower planters. These new transformed typologies area then put into the design area to create new designs.

COLLAGE - ITERATION 2

As the Tai Yip Street SOA is a place that is isolated and people could only look at it but not access to it, I decide to transform the area into a more naturalistic landscape for a better visual enjoyment as well as create habitat for wildlife to inhabit. The main objective is to create

a seamless connection to the adjoining roads which are in different levels. Different surfaces including vegetated area, water and sand are used to create a more diverse habitat. A part of the existing footbridge is changed to glass panels to create a better experience.

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COLLAGE - ITERATION 3 & 4

In the final iterations, a underground tunnel is proposed to connect the now separated parks. At the Tai Yip Street SOA side, the entrance and the tunnel is in a more naturalistic, organic shape, whilst at the 12

Tai Yip Street Garden side, the park as well as the entrance and tunnel are in a more formal shape to contrast the function of these two parks.

COMPOSITE DRAWING

On the left hand side, it is Tai Yip Street SOA and the Tai Yip Street Garden is on the right hand side. The two parks are separated by a main vehicle road. The once separated parks are now connected by a underground tunnel. The SOA has a much more naturalistic ap-

pearance than the Garden while the Garden provide shaded sitting areas for people to rest. The pet garden area is also kept to keep the function and role of Tai Yip Street Garden the same as before as it is one of the very few parks in this area.

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ANNOTATED PHOTOGRAPH An angle looking at Tai Yip Street Garden form Tai Yip Street. Pet garden and sitting area are kept in the new design.

The entrance of the underground tunnel, the pond on the SOA side and the new glass tunnel part of the existing footbridge can also be seen in this photo.

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SPATIAL ASSEMBLAGE RESTING TUNNEL The top left side is the Tai Yip Street Garden which has a more formal profile and the bottom right side is the Tai Yip Street SOA which has a more naturalistic profile.

A underground sitting area is proposed to act as a buffer between the two parks.

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MODEL This model shows the new design of the two parks together with adjoining paths, roads and buildings.

1: Overview of the model.

2: Overview from Tai Yip Street side.

3. Entrance of the underground tunnel on the Tai Yip Street Garden side.

4. Entrance of the underground tunnel on the Tai Yip Street SOA side.

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A CEMETERY PARK IN-BETWEEN\ CASE STUDY & SITE METRICS\

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METAMORPHOUS is a project provides a unique solution for bank retention as a sculptural form while extending its scope to enhance the foreshore and create a stronger sense of place.

Name: METAMORPHOUS Dates: 2012 Location: Vancouver, Canada Size: 6‘-12’×200‘ Design: Paul Shangha Vikas Tanwar (Project lead), Jazm in Cedeno Orozco, Lara Davis+Tina Lu (Design Team)

This project began with the King Tides, which struck the B.C. Coastline on 2012, carved out the entire bank and deck of a private Vancouver property. Paul Sangha Landscape Architecture was approached to provide a solution to the property.

Previous foreshore experience shoes that constructing oceanfront concrete walls results in foreshore erosion.

Instead of opting for this common choice, Sangha and his firm took this as an opportunity to create something unique and unlike any other waterfront property in Vancouver.The firm worked with oceanic engineers to develop a solution that would not only enhance the foreshore but also deal with the retention of the bank. Using corten steel Sangha drew inspiration from the abstraction of sandstone formations seen on Saturna Island here in British Columbia. This also became the formwork on to which concrete was shotcrete, and as a result, the corten wall became an artwork that was at the same time functional.

The abstracted shape of the corten, in conjunction with strategic boulder placement along the foreshore played an integral role in dissipating wave energy and ultimately, facilitating the deposition of sand to enhance foreshore and create habitat for flora and fauna.

Fig 1 Aerial photo of Metamorphous taken from google earth Fig 2 Site photo before the construction of Metamorphous. Photo courtesy of Gooood Fig 3 Metamorphous. Photo courtesy of Paul Sangha Landscape Architecture Fig 4 Oblique aerial photo of Metamorphous taken from google earth Fig 5 Metamorphous. Photo courtesy of Paul Sangha Landscape Architecture Fig 6 Sketches of Metamorphous. Photo courtesy of Paul Sangha Landscape Architecture Fig 7 Computer model of Metamorphous. Photo courtesy of Gooood Fig 8 Physical model of Metamorphous. Photo courtesy of Paul Sangha Landscape Architecture Fig 9 Site photo of Metamorphous. Photo courtesy of Gooood

Relevance to the Studio Generic oceanfront concrete walls causes foreshore erosion, which makes the in-between space (English Bay beach) a unpleasent place. The concrete wall also sets a hard and cold edge between the public and private space.

METAMORPHOUS A case study on a flood wall project on Vancouver, Canada by Paul Sangha.

This project, however, enhances the in-between space by reinforcing the shoreline, providing sitting-out areas as well as visual attractions. The cortex steel seawall sculpture offers a soft transition between the private property and the public in-between space. As a result, this project has fostered a huge amount of public engagement on the beach, attracting kayakers, sunbathers, beachcombers and local residents.

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Metamorphous

TOP: Aerial map showing the project area.

Happy Valley Cemeteries

Tai Yip St. SOAs & Hiu Kwong St. RG SCALE 1:5000

BOTTOM: Scale comparison of the study area, SOAs and Happy Valley Cemeteries.

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PHOTOS TOP: Project area before the design, the flood wall was destroyed by the King Tides on 2012.

Bottom: Aerial map showing the project area after built.

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TOP & BOTTOM: Close up on the new flood wall and the boulder placed at the front. Together they form a much more attractive space than a ordinary flood wall design.

SCALE 1:500 24

BALACLAVA ST

ENGLISH BAY

VOLUNTEER PARK

SCALE 1:500

LOCATIONAL MAP & SECTIONS SCALE 1:100

The project sits at the shoreline of English Bay, it protects the private properties behind.

The sections show the two part defence system: the boulder placement and the actual flood wall.

ENGLISH BAY

SCALE 1:2000 25

ENGLISH BAY

POINT GREY RD

BAYSWATER ST

VOLUNTEER PARK

TATLOW PARK

W 2ND AVE

CONCEPTION SKETCH

COMPUTER MODEL

PHYSICAL MODEL

SITE PHOTO

CONTEXT MAP & CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT The concept of this project comes from the rock formation nearby. They adopted the shape of the rocks to create a more blended in design.

Computer model and physical model were made to aid the design process before the actual construction.

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CIRCULATION DIAGRAM SCALE 1:500

ENGLISH BAY

VOLUNTEER PARK

Walking route Shipping route

PARTITION DIAGRAM

Private Space:

Public Space:

SCALE 1:500

SEA

CIRCULATION & PARTITION

BEACH PARK

The circulation diagram shows the human circulation as well as the route of ships on the project area.

The partition diagram shows the public and private land on the project area.

PRIVATE GARDEN

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

BREAKWATER DIAGRAM SCALE 1:500

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ENGLISH BAY

VOLUNTEER PARK

ACTIVITY DIAGRAM SCALE 1:500

BEFORE CONSTRUCTION

BREAKWATER & ACTIVITY The breakwater diagram shows the difference in water movement from the tide on the project area and nearby areas.

AFTER CONSTRUCTION

CANOEING

WALK THE DOG

SUN BATH

CAMPING

The activity diagram shows the difference in human activities on the project area before and after construction.

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SPATIAL ASSEMBLAGE FLOOD ROCK A typical flood wall design channel all water to the same direction which is downward, craving the ground underneath, causing erosion problem.

In this design, water is channelled to different directions as the surface of the flood wall has multiple angles, this disperse the wave energy and prevent the erosion problem.

The sculptural design of the flood wall also attracts locals and visitors to hang around this area.

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SPATIAL ASSEMBLAGE BOULDER CHESS Boulders were sources from nearby and placed strategically according the instruction from engineers to create the fist barrier to reduce the wave energy before it hits the flood wall, lowering the damage.

These boulders also serve as sittings for the local people.

DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN HAPPY VALLEY

Drainage channels were categorized into three main types: U-shaped channels, Half-round channel and surface runoff. They were mapped with flow directions indicated on the map.

Surface channels, underground drainage piping, storm water man30

holes, underground drainage inlets, Happy Valley underground storm water tunnel and natural streams are also indicated on map to form a complete drainage network together with the mapped drainage channels.

RISK OF FLOODING IN HAPPY VALLEY

Micro-watersheds of each drainage channel were drawn according to the natural terrain and the surface runoff condition. As the types of drainage channels were identified, the maximum flow capacity of each channel can be known referring to the technical documents. Ground surface materials were identified to know the runoff

coefficient. By adopting the equation SURFACE RUNOFF = RUNOFF COEFFICIENT X RAINFALL INTENSITY X AREA OF CATCHMENT and comparing the result with the maximum flow capacity of the corresponding channel, we can know the risk of flooding in each micro-watersheds.

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16 DRAINAGE TYPOLOGIES There are many different drainage components exist in the three cemeteries.

They are classified into four categories: infrastructure, ramp, steps and retaining walls Most of the typologies were identified in the Hong Kong Cemetery and Muslim Cemetery whilst the St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery only process very few drainage components.

SCHEMATIC & DETAILED SITE DESIGN\

CONCEPTUAL MODELS - MODEL 1

Conceptual models are used as the first step to develop site design concepts. In this model, the profile of the in-between space of Hong Kong Cemetery and St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery is recreated to understand the spatial quality. The top left hand side being the

Hong Kong Cemetery side and the bottom right hand side being the St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery side. Pieces are then undergone extension, addition and subtraction to create a more naturalistic and accessible space.

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CONCEPTUAL MODELS MODEL 2 The rock formation in Tung Ping Chau - one of Hong Kong’s geopark is referenced to create a walk-able surface that can also allow water to flow along and to be stored. The idea is to create a functional and sculptural design that enhances the visual impact and the drainage issue.

1: Overview of the model.

2: Side view showing the changes in level from left to the right that allow water to flow along.

3. View from the back side.

4. Close-up to the modules, the tilted surface create water pockets to store water.

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CONCEPTUAL MODELS MODEL 3 During rain season, as the surface of the design is intended to control the water movement, some of the surface may transform into channels during rainy days.

In order not to stop circulation, multi-level of circulation is being tested.

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1 & 2: Two sides of the lower layer are shown in here. During sunny days, the underneath part will be a walking path whilst in rainy days it will become a water channel.

3 & 4: Overview of the model. Another layer of footpath is added as a overhanging structure.

5. Top view of the model.

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SITE CONTEXT ANALYSIS

The red line shows the existing metal wire fence separating the two cemeteries and the thick black line shows the existing retaining wall.

People tends to combine the red and black line as one line since they can access to the in-between space - the dotted area. After further site 40

visits, a natural vegetated slope is found there.

This project tries to recreate the historic topography on top and without affecting of the exist ground, as a critique to the use of engineered slope.

DESIGN COMPOSITION

Multi-level of design elements can be classified in the design. The middle layer being the recreated historical topography. On top of it is the circulation path and water channels. These two layers further shape the profile of the design to make the design functional and

accessible. Below the surface are the supporting elements and the existing ground. The entire existing ground is kept to avoid any disturbance and removal of graveyard. The water channels also serve as light windows for the lower layer.

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THE ARTIFICIAL NATURAL

The design extents the small piece of left over natural slope to recreate the historical topography by using modules developed in the conceptual model stage. As a result, the surface is walk-able, playable, hydrologically functional and sculptural. The shape of the design 42

tries to retain as much existing trees, graveyards and natural slope as possible and at the same time create connections to multiple points of the now separated two cemeteries. The design also tries to blend the hard and soft-scape by interlocking the two elements.

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DEVELOPMENT DIAGRAMS 1: The topography and the top level of the retaining walls are gathered as references to the historical topography.

2: The historical topography is drawn 3: Entrances, circulation paths and overlooking platforms are added according to point of interest like the existing wall trees.

4. Water circulations are added connecting to the existing drainage system.

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SECTIONAL MODELS 1: Overview of the model.

2: Side view of the model showing the sectional profile.

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SECTIONAL MODELS (CONT) 1: Overview of the model.

2: Close-up to the water detention pond created by scaling up the module.

3: Sectional profiles of the middle part of the model.

4: Close-up to the sittings created by scaling down the module.

5: Close-up to the supporting column underneath.

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LONGITUDINAL SECTION

Existing trees and graveyards are kept in the new design as the new design is a second landscape layer overhanging on the existing layer and the design intention is to bring minimal disturbance to the original landscape. The design take advantage of the three existing giant 48

wall trees to create resting areas underneath can create an unique experience of having a tree grown up from a lower level. The design also provide many light wells to the lower existing level by using transparent materials in varies locations.

PERSPECTIVE VIEW - WONG NAI CHUNG GAP FLYOVER

This perspective angle shows the view of how most people will look at the project as most of the people passing by the project area are passengers on Wong Nai Chung Gap Flyover. Thus the project create a sculptural like surface to look at, to offer visual enjoyment to 50

the passengers on their boring road. The shape of the surface reveals the historical topography of the area, establishing a critique to the way how developments and the use of engineered slopes destroyed the natural landforms.

ODDS AGAINST THE PEASANTS

circulation path circulation path circulation path circulation path 5 degrees 5 degrees 5 degrees 5 degrees

base module base module base module base module

s 10 degree s 10 degree s ee gr 10 de s

10 degree

water channel water channel water channel water channel

The base modules are used in the design to serve different function.

The original module is has a 2m x 2m surface area with a 5 degree angle tile, its composites most of the surface of the design. The second module evolves from the original module that has the same

surface area but do not have a tile, it serve as circulation paths. The third module also has the same surface area but with a 10 degree angle tilt, it composites the drainage channels to facilitate water flow and creates larger water pockets than the original module.

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SITE MODEL 1: Overview of the model with surrounding context, the left hand side being Hong Kong Cemetery and the other side being St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery.

2: Overview of the site from the Muslim Cemetery side.

3: View from Wong Nai Chung Gap Flyover.

4: View of the west side (top part in photo 1) of the model showing connections to multiple points to the surround.

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SITE MODEL - CLOSE-UPs 1: Footpaths, stairs and columns on the west side.

2: Underneath space of the existing wall trees in the new design.

3: Side view showing the top and bottom conditions, and the supporting elements.

4: Close-up to the viewing platform and the new columbaria.

5: Close-up to the connection of the existing site and the new design. Seating are transformed from the base module.

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SPATIAL ASSEMBLAGE MID-LEVEL Existing wall trees are retained by creating pockets for the tree trucks. The resulting space creates a unique experience to the users to have a view of the trees from a different perspective: mid-level.

1: Overview of the model.

2: View showing the above and below conditions.

3: Close-up to the sitting out area.

4: View showing the sitting and stairs.

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SPATIAL ASSEMBLAGE STAIRCOLUMN Columns are needed to support the structure of the design but they do not exist as ordinary columns.

Some of the columns have top part transformed into stairs for the connection of the above and below level.

1: Top view of the model.

2: View showing the above and below conditions.

3: Close-up to the staircase.

4: View showing the staircolumn and the path of columbaria.

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SPATIAL ASSEMBLAGE COLUMN-BARIA Some columns are transformed into columbarias and poking through the design surface to offer new spaces to storage niches.

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PERSPECTIVE VIEWS TOP: Aerial view showing the viewing platform, columbarias and drainage channel.

BOTTOM: Eye-level view showing the column-baria.

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PERSPECTIVE VIEWS (CONT) TOP: Aerial view showing the columbaria.

MIDDLE: Aerial view showing the connections of old and new and the seating.

BOTTOM: View showing the staircolumn

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PERSPECTIVE VIEWS (CONT) TOP: view showing the column-baria on the west side.

MIDDLE: Aerial view showing the light windows and footpath on the west side.

BOTTOM: Eye-level view from St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery showing the lower level condition and the staircolumn that connects to the upper level.

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8 SECTIONS A series of cross sections from the Wong Nai Chung Road side to the Stubbs Road side. The left hand side being the Hong Kong Cemetery and the right hand side being St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery.

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Different design elements can be seen across these 8 sections including: retained trees, staircolumn, water detention pond, column-baria, columbaria, viewing platform, light wells and drainage channels.