BA3 Technologies Part C

Technologies Positions

Architectural Design Position+ Technical Detail Study Purpose

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The fragment is part of a project that both accommodates the arches in the viaduct as well as proposes a structure that maintains a gap between itself and the viaduct.

One of the atelier’s positions important for the fragment is to trigger a state of change on the abandoned site that respects the already existing key features on the site.

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The aim is to test and compare different facades that will be attached to the glazing and act as louvres. The reason for the glazed panels is the viaduct standing next to the viaduct that covers the site, However, there is a risk of overlighting that may have negative results, e.g. excessive illuminance, or too high heat gain. This can lead to discomfort and health hazards for the occupants and overreliance on mechanical cooling, thus increasing the operational carbon. A sufficient louvre system is required to mitigate these effects.

Technological Response

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Technological Artefact Materials

Climate Change Natural Light

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Glazed roof panels with operable ventilation/fire safety shafts

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Gap for better petter penetration of light into the building

Sunlight

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Besides health-related benefits, natural light decreases overreliance on mechanical lighting which decreases operational carbon. Due to the viaduct shadowing most of the, the built structure was designed to expose surfaces to daylight.

The goal was to propose a structure that is spacious and provides access to light. The materials were chosen to construct durable element with characteristics friendlier to environment, e.g. recycleablity or negative embodied carbon (CLT), where possible.

Skin

Fragment

Most of the skin are glazed panels.

The priority of access to daylight and difficult site determine the amount of the glazed panels.

Structure

Primary beams

Sequestration

Wood, being used for producing CLT, absorbs and stores CO2 during the growth period, making CLT have negative embodied carbon. Using timber-based helps to mitigate CO2 emissions from the standpoint of the whole life cycle. That is one of the properties that makes CLT positively stand out .

Screed finish; DPM; CLT Roof Slab; Insulation; VPM; Plasterboard Ceiling

Secondary Beam

Primary beams

The stainless steel beams and columns were chosen, mostly because of their strength but also their high corrosion resistance. As CLT is a highly sustainable and, with proper care, durable material, I decided to choose it for floor materials (besides the ground floor) where the damping risk is lower. The assemble is complemented with an additional insulation layer, plasterboard ceilings and vapour- and damp-proof membranes

CO2 Absorbtion

Glazing Panels CO2 Emissions

Structural Columns

Timber based materials (CLT, Glulam) Production

Stores CO2 CO2 maintained in the material

Tools

Cicular Economy and Recyclability

Machinery

Using recyclable materials, e.g. steel, CLT, aluminum, glass, has twofold advantages for the environment: The project can reuse the elements and materials that are already in circulation, and at the end of the life cycle these elements can be released back to the economy for reuse or recycling. Both of the practices recuse carbon emissions.

Materials to reuse Lower Human-induced Land system changes

New Materials Higher CO2 emmissions

Higher Human-induced Land system changes through resource extraction anddegradation of ecosystems

Materials to recycle

I-type beams, Insulation, Covers

Aluminim Steel CLT Slabs

Some material have to be recycles, some can be reused straight away

Secondary Beam

Primary beams

Building process

Floor CLT Slab; Insulation; VPM; Plasterboard Ceiling

Human-related

Lower CO2 emmissions

Primary beams

Building and Life Safety 2. Besides the overall good performance of CLT and membrane securing floor 1. the CLT and Stainless Steel structures will be slabs, there is always a risk of damping. treated with a coating that decreases flammability The biggest danger lies in the internal damping. Thus, I opted for slimmer slabs, so any potential marks could manifest and be noticed faster. For thermal comfort, a layer of insulation is added.

3. Besides being a part of the ventilation system, The shaft at the top can be opened if the fire is ignited.

4. Stainless steel and aluminium was chosen because of their weathering resistance:

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Manifestations of internal damping Risk of internal damping

Constructability

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Sourcing

Simple and Standard Elements

All of the materials can be sourced from local sources, either for new or recycle/reused materials. This makes the construction process easy

The intention was to propose a project that could be constructed using already established standard solutions or simple elements, e.g.: Steel Universal Beams and Squared Hollow Columns in Structure; Modular window panels. The tested facade will be also out of simple aluminum sheets, making the artifact more constructible.

Needed to produce various elements, e.g. the test facade of the structural elements.

Compactors needed for finishing the roof.

Hand Tools

Power Tools

Safety Equipment

Scaffolding

Basic Tools e.g. screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, clamps, spanners, or wrenches, are needed for workers.

Electrically powered tools, e.g. nail guns, saws, and drills are useful to have on the construction site.

Equipment, e.g. gloves, helmets, goggles, earplugs, vests, or special boots are essential for workers to cunduct safe construction.

Used for workers to climb and have access to th higehr levels during the constructio process.

Lighting system

Electric motor

HVAC

Electrical Wiring

Smoke Sensor

A lighting system will be essential for the site to have.

The motor is needed to operate the shaft at the top of the gap.

The HVAC system is needed to assist the passive solutions.

The wiring is needed for operating all of the mechanical and electric systems in the building and this part as well.

In case of fire, the smoke detector can turn on the alarm but also open the shaft at the top.

Renovation & Alteration

Dismantling

Using common elements allows for quicker and low-cost repair replacing external elements or alteration.

1. Excavation of the soil

2. Casting foundations: Concrete pads as suport steel columns and the foundations slabs.

4. Placing Isulation and ceiling

5. Mounting the internal barrier/Desk onto the floor slabs

Recycleble Materials

All of the materials used for the elements are strong and durable materials: Thanks to its strength steel is widely used as the structural material; Aluminium is a lightweight and durable material for finishes and complementary elements; CLT is adurable material for floor slabs.

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3. Placing the Steel Skeletal structure, floors and roof

6. Placing Glazed panels and facade

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Availability

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Producers from outside the local market

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Pool of Recycled Materials

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Manufacturing: Produced in C&D Recycling Facilities or Production Plants

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Steel, aluminum, glass, and recyclable materials are recyclable. It means the set of possible sources of materials is larger, not being limited to the newly made resources. It also means that these materials can circulate further in the economy after the end of the project’s life cycle

Durability

The types of elements and the materials they are made from are widely available and commonly used in the construction industry. There is small amount of elements that are bespoke for the project, enabling to choose to contract producers and constructors from wider pool, making conctruction process possibly cheaper.

Needed to hold and place the elements on the higher floors.

Processes

Reno vat io n

Spraying with coating

CNC Machine

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Systems

The structure presents itself with risks regarding structural and fire safety. To mitigate that:

Crane

Further Use

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New Projects

Transport Pool of New Materials

Local Producers

Pool of producers

Manufacturing Pool of Specialised Producers

The metal-based elements are manufactured in production plants. CLT is produced in CLT sourcing from local forestry. As mentioned above, The recyclable alternatives can be repurposed in C&D Recycling Facilities.

Transport

The elements need to be transported by either box trucks, flat bed trucks, or small trucks for smaller elements.

Mixers are used for concrete to be transported and laid down.

Further Use

As the majority of materials in the project are recyclable and the elements that compose them are often used in other structures, there is a potential for most of the materials to reuse them instead of disposing of them.

Prototyping

Iterative Testing / Record of Process Glazed Panels in the Fragment

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I opted for these days and times to test if in summer the space is shaded, and if in equinox the sunlight is blocked during the midday. I did not investigate December since for most of the day it is dark and, in the case of horizontal strips that I decided to test, if during March the sun can go through the louvres, it can in winter as well.

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March 20

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a + x → b + tan(d)x

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The parameter I chose to iterate was a. The reasons are that: a change in a is followed by a change in b and a change in the number of strips N; it was easier to construct a grasshopper algorithm where the control parameter is a. Iterations shows that the longer the number of the strips is smaller, so visibility and the relations above are maintained

d b

My initial thought was that the vertical louvres have the advantage of shading the area and not restricting visibility. That, however, is not true, as seen on the left side where the view is quite limited.

tan(d)x

Length of a

Iteration 1

12:00

So whenever a distance x is added to a, b has to change as well. Specifically:

Overview Variables: a = 100mm → b = ~363mm

Decision: Iteration 3

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Glazed Surface 55° 36° 12°

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Glazed Surface

The illuminance analysis above shows promising improvements. However, vertical strips are most appropriate for the west and east.

Thus, checking other types is necessary.

Perforated System

a tan(d) = b

b

The degree d is determined by the altitude value of the given place. I opted for the altitude of the march equinox which is 36°; thus d = 36°. I treat the March equinox as a barrier between the colder period (i.e. with lower altitude) when the sun can go through the louvres and the warmer period (i.e. with higher altitude) that needs to be blocked.

Su n

It is important to consider important variables in this louvre type: for the louvre system to work, a and b have to maintain specific lengths that are determined by d.

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Expose d to

16:00

July 21

12:00

Each of the iterations showed an improvement.

However, the 3rd iteration provided the best shading and maintain visibility of the outside. Other reasons are stated in the Constructability and the Life&Building Safetry reflections.

Sunlight Angle

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N of strips: 11

16:00

July 21

Outcomes

March 20

The red regions show where illuminance was higher in the reference pictures, showing a immediate improvement. The results are also better in comparison with the initial sleection tests.

In the 20th March 2:00, 4:00, 5:00 yellow regions show the, as predicted.

The overview turned out to quite satisfactory where most of the outside is visible.

March 20

Vertical System

Sh ad e

Prototyping

July 21

Initial Selection

Level Mostly Affected

Firstly I conducted a quick survey of the types of facades I was interested in. 3 types were selected: vertical strips, horizontal strips, and perforated panels (Initial Selections). The intention was to do a quick test and determine which type provides visibility and shading. After testing them I selected one type as the topic of prototyping and conducted specific tests appropriate to the chosen type (Prototyping). I tried to analyse important properties and relations in the chosen type and iterate by changing one specific parameter.

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July 21

The graphics on the right side show the interior spaces. That view was chosen since the sunlight coming from the raments reaches the floor below. This is a reference for the outputs from testing the prototypes. The goal was to reduce the spaces that are coloured red and orange as they represent the excessive illuminance that is not desired. One constraint was programmatic - the visitors have to have the possibilty to see the outside. It was a significant reference during all the stages of testing represented by the overview graphic.

12:00

March 20

Experiments

Although the site is covered by the viaduct a lot of light could go through the upper levels The goal is to find a specific facade that limits the illumination, as it can result in excessive heat gain during sunny and warmer days. Taking into account the future rise of temperatures and that most energy is spent on mechanical cooling, a louvre system is needed. It will decrease operational Carbon and long-term economic costs of running the building.

10:00

Overview

Perforated surfaces can provide an aesthetically interesting pattern that can lower the illuminance quite evenly along the whole floor. However, it does not allow residents to see the outside (the overview on the left side) and for the variants with more perforations, the shading effect disappears.

Iteration 2

Overview Variables: a = 300mm → b = ~218mm

July 21

The illuminance analysis shows, however, that my initial intuitions were wrong. The illumination is similar to the vertical facade.

N of strips: 18

As above the pictures show a massive improvement to the top reference pictures. The shorted and placed more closely strips provide the same improvements and on the 20th March 2:00, 4:00, and 5:00 the regions show more green, indicating a better outcome

16:00

March 20

July 21

The overview turned shows that the visibility turned out to be similary satisfactory.

Iteration 3

Overview Variables: a = 100mm → b = ~72.7mm N of strips: 50

Contrary to my intuition, the horizontal strips turned out to provide the highest degree of visibility.

Outcomes

As in the previous examples pictures on the right show improved outcomes. The regions on the 20th March at 4:00, and 5:00 seem to have a similar amount of green and yellow spaces as the iteration above; the 20th March at 2:00 gives indicates and difference with the iteration above with more green.

Decision: Horizontal System

I opted for the horizontal louvre system. There are theoretical reasons, i.e. the southward orientation, and experimanetal reasons i.e. the illuminance analysis, and the visibility factor, that point to this type as the most appropriate option.

Against my expectations of the worst visibility, the outcome is comparable to the previous iterations.

Reflections on Constructability Iteration 1

July 21

Horizontal louvres have is one of the typical approaches. They are especially beneficial when mounted onto the southern side of the building. The renders on the right side show how the illuminance. In comparison to the types above there are more green regions, which indicates the desired outcome.

Iteration 2

Iteration 3

March 20

12:00

March 20

Outcomes

Horizontal System

Reflections on Life and Building Safety Light Load Thanks to aluminum as the material of choice, the structure itself is lighter and does not affect one heavily. However, the 3rd iteration also is advantageous in this regard: the lower total area mentioned in the Constructability section indicates a lower total weight than the previous iterations; The effects of wind on the longer is that they can wobble, causing small but still real damages to the structure;

Costs Iteration 3 is cheaper because of the smallest area: The total area of all the strips (A = alN, where l - length, which is the same for each iteration) is the lowest for the 3rd iteration for a = 500, A = 500l * 11 = 5500l; for a = 300, A = 300l * 18 = 5400l; for a = 100, A = 100l * 50 = 5000l;

Manufacturing

Modularity

Maintainability

Removeability

Resistance to Corrosion

Improved Indoor Air Quality

With a CNC machine, the strips for the louvre system can be easily manufactured from a simple aluminum plate without wasting any parts.

The facade can be designed modularly as not only the fragment is planned to receive the facade. this makes the assembly of the facade faster.

The small width of the strip allows for the facade cleaners to hang safely and clean the surfaces. The strips also can serve as an additional support for them.

The frame has cutouts where the strips are inserted and then screwed. The simplicity of construction allows for a simple and cheap renovation and removal of a damaged piece.

Aluminum is naturally resistant to weathering. It develops a natural oxide coating when exposed to the weather, which protects the degradation of the material and other layers of the building.

The facade not only blocks excessive sunlight without restricting visibility but also without blocking potential ventilation. The upper part of the glazed panels could be opened for the fresh air to flow into the space and ventilate it, improving the air condition inside the space

Moisture, Wind

Passive Cooling Natural Coating

A frame with insulated infills is attached to the structure between the glazed panels. The frame is mounted onto the structure with L-type brackets on both sides. each iteration uses different sizes of brackets, respectively to its size.

Iteration 1

Moisture, Wind

On warmer days, cooling is important for not only thermal comfort but also health. The shading provided by the facade helps to provide that with reducing reliance on the mechanical solutions.

Iteration 2

Fresh Air

Iteration 3

Air Outlet

Technical Detail

Integrative Systems / Design Conclusions Ventilation/Fire Safety Shaft

Skin The floor slabs retained the CLT slab. As stated on page 1, the aim was to use environmentally beneficial materials where possible. The CLT slabs and wooden covers are the results.

6 3 Screed roof 4 finish 2 5 4 8

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Facade

The final lovre system is iteration 1 with 100mm wide strips. To install these facade segments, a frame is inserted in between the window panels, so they are attached to the structure directly. the strips are partially inserted into the small cutouts in the vertical parts of the frame and partially screwed with the help of L-brackets. Thus the stability of the whole system is accomplished.

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7 8 Gutter 2 5 4 10 9

8 7 Inserting the frame and attaching it to the structure

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Inserting strips into the frame

Annotation

Structure: • 1 - Steel Universal Beams • 2 - Steel SHS Column Floor/Skin Buildup: • 3 - CLT Slab • 4 - Insulation • 5 - Wooden Covers • 6 - Plasterboad Ceiling • 7 - Double-glazed Panels • 8 - Glazed Panels Aluminium Frame • 9 - Aluminium Louvre System Strips • 10 - Alumium Frame Holding Frame • 11 - L-Brackets • 12 - Indoor glazing

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- VPM - DPM

Reflections on the Technologies Position

Design Insights RIBA Outcomes

Climate Change

As mentioned on the 1st page, the fragment responds to climate change via the choice of recyclable materials, using materials with low carbon footprint, e.g. CLT, where it is possible, and giving access to natural light On the 2nd page, the iterations had strong connections to the climate response: In summer the energy costs are the highest for cooling, and with the prospect of the future warmer mean temperature a proper louvre system was needed to limit illuminance that, when considering a glazed and exposed to sun fragment, can lead to the excessive heat gain that can lead overreliance on mechanical solutions that increase operational carbon.

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Building & Life Safety

As stated on the 1st page, the fragments tackle the dilemma of building and life safety by choosing materials and elements, e.g. steel and CLT for structural reasons, and coating elements to decrease flammability. To tackle fire safety specifically, a shaft at the top of the gap was proposed that can be opened when smoke is detected

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The louvre system itself enhances safety, especially life safety, by preventing excessive heat gains that can lead to thermal discomfort and even in extreme situations health risks.

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Constructability

The fragment, like the rest of the project, is intended to be constructed out of the commonly known and available in the economy. In the best possible option, they can be sourced locally from the C&D Recycling Facilities, thus lowering the costs and energy needed in the spheres of transport and production.

The louvre system was also intended to follow these strategies. The system is also easier to renovate, thanks to its simplicity. Additionally, Iterertion 3 has also an explicit cost advantage.

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Net Zero Operational Carbon Fine tune internal environment with efficient mechanical systems: An operable shaft automatically opens when smoke is detected. The operable panels can and, due to the gaps between them and the floor, have to be remotely operable.

Provide responsive local controls: As mentioned above, smoke detectors open the shaft when smoke is detected. there is a possibility to install a system regulated by a thermostat or a more advanced system to regulate the air inflow through the operable panels.

Net Zero Embodied Carbon Prioritise ethical and responsible sourcing of all materials: materials can be sourced locally, which can result in a better understanding of the potential providers and if they produce their products ethically.

Minimise materials with high embodied energy impacts: The project was designed can be constructed fro the materials from providers so fo recyclable and reusable materials and elements.

Design building for disassembly and the circular economy: The assembly can be done with repurposed materials and elements as well as after disassembly the elements can be released back into the economy for future projects Good Heath & Wellbeing Provide spaces with strong visual connection to outside: The constraint of maintaining the outside visible was determined by the desire to expose the viaduct and the space above the viaduct to the people inside.

Provide responsive local controls eg. opening windows, or local control: The fragment provides operable windows and the shaft that can be used for ventilation and in case of fire.

Design spaces with good indoor air quality: The operable panels provide fresh air when needed.

Design spaces to adaptive thermal comfort standards: The operable panels provide fresh air when needed louvre system and operable panels help in regulating thermal comfort.

Design spaces with good acoustic comfort: Aluminium as the material of choice for the facade louvre system is good in decreasing noise.

Iterations

Before testing, I was most inclined towards the vertical option, and after choosing the horizontal system my intuition was leading me rather towards iteration 1. Iterating these prototypes allowed me to confront my mistaken perception of these options and by focusing on one specific parameter I could test and compare the iterations clearly and implications were varied, ranging from climate change, constructability, and building&life safty.

Further Developments

If there was more time, I would model a series of physical prototypes. More parameter could be tested to, e.g. the angle of the strips, the material they are made from. other types of facades, e,g, the vertical, could be tested rigorously. All of that could be explored in a potential further prototyping.

Programme

The state of change was important throughout the whole process: At the beginning, the fragment was designed in a way that promotes a circular economy and simple elements that can accelerate a state of change. The respect for the architectural artifacts on the side evinced through the visibility aspect. I tried to propose both a fragment on page 1 and a louver system on page 2 that provides visibility and acts as an architectural promenade.

Critique

Athough the fragemnt and ptrototyping has, in my opinion, succeded in the goal that put forward for myself, there a aspects of the fragment that could be critiqued: The choice of materials, ampunf glazing, the shape itself. The iterations as well could be criticised: The choice of louvre system, choice of the parameter a for testing, or the idea of glazing being covered by a louvre sytem could have some better alternative.