Bushes
Safe Haven
Proposed W.C. Installment at Gilman Barracks
Inspired by Le Corbusier’s take on Architectural Promenade, this proposed new toilet brings about the use of concealment to the atrium in addition to the toilet, where concealment is a necessity.
The name ‘Bushes’ takes reference from a colloquial term where we tell someone to ‘urinate in the bushes’ if they urgently need to use the washroom. Bushes, in a sense, provides concealment to the individual. Akin to this, this toilet provides a green concealed space between the bustling galleries
LOCK RD SITE MAP MALANRD N Proposed Site Existing Buildings All Drawings in 1:50 Scale unless stated 1
Study and Design by Jonathan Lau
Precedent Study: Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts
This entire visual experience of delayed gratification is known as ‘promenade architecturale’ or Architectural Promenade. Through the traversing of the architectural space, it can change our own perception of space and time through the experiences we face (Louw, 2016: 17)
The space in between takes inspiration from the Carpenter Center’s use of an Architectural Promenade to provide concealment. The Brise Soleil of the Carpenter Centre’s purpose served more than being a form of sun shading, performing the function of concealing the contents (in this case, the workshop) in the building as well, only revealing it after the individual walks up the ramp into the building (Kim, 2012: 70). Corbusier also utilised ramps as an architectural device to connect spaces (Kim, 2012, 72). By using ramps, this blurs the distinction of spaces, allowing people to transit from one space to another smoothly.
When designing the Capenter Center, Corbusier intended for 4 different levels of concealment: Concrete Walls (opaque), Brise Soleil (slightly translucent), Ondulatories (translucent) and Glass Aérateurs (transparent) (Kim, 2012, 70). By layering the different layers, Corbusier managed to create a building which calls people in by only
partially revealing it’s contents. By revealing the program of the building fully only after the individual walks in, this creates an illusion of transitioning into a different space.
To aid the transitioning of space, the use of the ramp to blur the lines between the two spaces, let people move from the open space into an enclosed area without feeling that the movement. The ramp, in this precedence, hence distorts the segmenting of space and perception by removing the distinction between two seperate spaces.
The floor plan on the right depicts the 3rd floor of the Carpenter Center, where the ramp passes through the building. The colours on top of each area denotes the type of space (enclosed, open, or in the middle). The red lines demarkate the type of wall used (Dotted lines represent brise soleil while red lines represent concrete walls). The walls with no lines represent glass aérateurs, which are fully transparent.
Brise Soleil
Human circulation through the building
Enclosed Space Open Space Blurred Space Exhibition Space Workshop Space Roof Garden Continuous Ramp
As individuals walk up the ramp, they are only exposed to a very small portion of the workshop space.
2
As they walk into the building, the area is exposed to them.
When people enter the ramp at the Quincy St entrance, the shaft for the service lift blocks the inside from the main road.
Concrete
Brise
Service Block
Wall
Soleil
Scale 1:200 All Drawings in 1:50 Scale unless stated
Site Context and Analysis
The proposed site is situated between Block 1 (FOST Gallery) and Block 5 in Gilman Barracks. The intended programme of the space was to be a W.C. (Water Closet or toilet).
The proposed toilet aims to use the hill in between Block 1 and Block 5 to connect the spaces together.
Bushes utilises the sun movement at the site to maximise the amount of natural light being used to minimuse the need for electricity. The panels, which allow for privacy, are also angled in the direction of the 2 different major winds in Singapore (Northeast and Southwest Monsoon) to maximise the amount of ventilation for a major part of the year.
All Drawings in 1:50 Scale unless stated
Sectional Cut (Female Toilet)
Section A-A
Section
a-a
b-b
Section
B-B Section c-c Section d-d LOCK RD EFFECT OF ELEMENTS MALANRD N Proposed Site Existing Buildings June Solstice December Solstice Equinox Northeast Monsoon Southwest Monsoon N A A B B a b c d To Block 5, 5A and Carpark To Block 1 BLK 5 3
Sectional Cut (Male Toilet) Section
Site Context and Analysis
In this part, we study the applications of the precedent into the main site.
Situated at the edge of a sharp incline, the Bushes makes use of the ramp as a form of concealment. By using the height of the incline to block information on the top of the incline, we are able to entice users to go up the ramp and see what is at the top of the small incline. This takes reference from Corbusier’s use of different materials to conceal and reveal.
By using a ramp (instead of stairs) to connect the spaces, we connect the spaces rather than segment them. Although the incline may cause the 2 spaces to be segmented, the ramp serves as a bridge of connection to allow users to transit between the two spaces.
The privacy panels take inspiration from Corbusier’s Brise Soleil. Instead of using walls to enclose spaces, these panels are angled in a way to allow full air ventilation during the 2 major monsoons in Singapore, while blocking off intimate areas in the toilet.
Finally, the architectural promenade of Bushes takes reference from the Carpenter Center. The idea of traversing through space (Kim, 2012: 68?) is brought over to Bushes where moving from Block 1 and 5 traverses through the area.
4 All Drawings in 1:50 Scale unless stated
Scale 1:100 5.5m incline BLK 5
MALE W.C.
FEMALE W.C.
BLK 1 Overhanging ivy Tree surrounded with a round bench High bushes
Toilet Connecting walkways Atrium Planters (Inaccessible) Panels Full Walls Green Barriers (Full Height bushes) Green Barriers (Shrubs) Scale 1:100
BLK 5, 5A, CARPARK
Small shrubs
