LAU ENCI JONATHAN Y1S2 INTERIM SUBMISSION

Bushes Safe Haven

Proposed W.C. Installment at Gilman Barracks Study and Design by Jonathan Lau

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.

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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

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SITE MAP Existing Buildings Proposed Site

All Drawings in 1:50 Scale unless stated

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Precedent Study: Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts All Drawings in 1:50 Scale unless stated

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.

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.

Continuous Ramp

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 Exhibition Space Service Block

Workshop Space When people enter the ramp at the Quincy St entrance, the shaft for the service lift blocks the inside from the main road.

Roof Garden

Brise Soleil

Scale 1:200

As they walk into the building, the area is exposed to them.

Enclosed Space Blurred Space Open Space Human circulation through the building Concrete Wall As individuals walk up the ramp, they are only exposed to a very small portion of the workshop space.

Brise Soleil

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Site Context and Analysis All Drawings in 1:50 Scale unless stated

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.

Northeast Monsoon

To Block 5, 5A and Carpark June Solstice

Sectional Cut (Female Toilet)

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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.

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Equinox

December Solstice MA

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EFFECT OF ELEMENTS

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Existing Buildings

Southwest Monsoon

Proposed Site

Sectional Cut (Male Toilet) a

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Section A-A

Section B-B

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To Block 1

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Section b-b

Section c-c

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Site Context and Analysis All Drawings in 1:50 Scale unless stated

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.

BLK 5, 5A, CARPARK

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.

Small shrubs

FEMALE W.C.

Toilet Atrium Connecting walkways Planters (Inaccessible)

Scale 1:100

Panels Full Walls Green Barriers (Full Height bushes) Green Barriers (Shrubs)

MALE W.C.

Tree surrounded with a round bench

BLK 5 High bushes

Overhanging ivy

5.5m incline BLK 1 Scale 1:100

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