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KIMBERLYN BACCHUS Undergraduate Design Portfolio
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th n i fun is
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Design is not making beauty, beauty emerges from selection, affinities, integration, love.
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NAME: Kimberlyn Bacchus SCHOOL: The University of Technology, Jamaica, Caribbean School of Architecture ADDRESS: Lp 50 Parray Lane, El Socorro Ext. Rd. #1, San Juan TEL: 868-675-6252 (Home) 868-496-7857 (Cell) EMAIL: kimberlynbacchus@yahoo.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS CULTURAL CENTER FOR YOUTH AND SPORT 4th Year Final- Georgetown, Guyana THE KIOSK 4th Year- Tower Street, Kingston, Jamaica THE VILLAGE- URBAN HOUSING 3rd Year- Haining Rd., Kingston, Jamaica GOLDEN AGE COMMUNITY CENTER 4th Year, Vineyard Town, Kingston, Jamaica ST. JOHN’S PUBLIC LIBRARY 3rd Year Final- St. John’s, Antigua
INTRODUCTION
楽しい作りにあり “The fun is in the making.” My name is Kimberlyn Bacchus and I am honoured to have you look at my collection of undergraduate work. From a very young age I have been compelled to create. Whether it’s a poem, a story, a comic, a cartoon, a carnival costume, decorations, furniture or even a flyer- making things always made me happy. Hence my design philosophy and the title of this portfolio, “The fun is in the making.” This love for making has been applied to my design work. I often try different and unconventional ways of using materials or arranging spaces. I am usually engaged in researching new, state-of-the-art materials for use in designs. I also favour the use of traditional materials in unexpected ways. The projects herein cannot be described as ‘work’. They are the results of activities that were very entertaining pursuits. I invite you now to peruse this collection and learn more about my approach to architecture.
CENTER FOR CULTURE, YOUTH AND SPORT 4th Year Final Project
Location: Georgetown, Guyana
Design Principles: Context, Concept, Function, Materiality
‘One and the same, like flesh and skin’
GENERAL AREA OF PROJECT SITES
The Center for Culture, Youth and Sport is the result of a study tour conducted in Georgetown, Guyana and research into the literary culture of Guyana. This building is meant to serve as a hub for the annual Mashramani celebrations and a place of gathering and recreation for the residents of Georgetown and its immediate environs. It features a multipurpose court, rooftop gardens and pool and a courtyard water feature.
Design Principle 1: CONTEXT The 4th year Architecture class embarked on a 2 week study tour of Georgetown, the capital city of Guyana in 2013. This tour allowed the class to explore and learn about the city and its vernacular architecture where there was an abundance of timber-built traditional buildings, steep pitched roofs for quick runoff of the frequent heavy rains, louvers and blocks for ventilation, and covered walkways for shade. THE SITE The class was presented with a minor peculiarity where the final project site options were located outside the initial study area. However, the study tour still provided an in depth understanding of the people and cultural norms that would aid in generating designs well suited to the context. The sites were in close proximity to the Sea Wall and the National Park, two major landmarks. This location experienced constant sea breezes and an abundance of pleasant views.
STUDY ZONES
Map of Georgetown showing study zones and the area of the project sites Map of The National Park and Sea Wall, major landmarks in the vicinity of the project site.
Sea The
ll Wa PROJECT SITE
The National Park
Design Principle 2: CONCEPT “Lofty is the spirit that waves on high like a flag of wind that is flown awry; it is visible now to my naked eye, to my naked eye and my naked mind; the flag blows out and the wind blows in; they are one and the same like flesh and skin.” The excerpt above gave the conceptual framework for several aspects of the design, such as the floor plan and the cladding details. The poem was written by Guyanese author, Wilson Harris. The concept of ‘one and the same’ is shown in plan via the ring layout where visual interaction can occur throughout the center. This concept was also applied to the cladding, where the use of a custom system in place of walls enabled uninterrupted views of the surrounding landmarks and continuous access to the abundant sea breezes in this area.
Exhibition Hall
Training Rooms
Media Room/Lounge
Mashramani Hall
Seminar/ Meeting Room
Reception/ Gift Shop
Library
Staff Lounge
Service Yard
Housekeeping/ Storage
Ground Floor Plan of the Center showing the ‘ring’ layout.
Utility Room
Power supply/ Equipment Battery Storage Room
2” ALUMINIUM FRAME
WALLABA CLADDING MEMBERS
The cladding makes use of the abundant timber resources, allows unrestricted views, and permits the entry of sea breezes but keeps the sun and rain at bay. This cladding is used in place of exterior walls, thus minimizing the visual separation of interior and exterior. The WirewallTM lining provides security from possible burglars.
ALUMINIUM BRACKETS FOR WALLABA CLADDING
WIREWALLTM FENCING
The concept ‘one and the same’ is also shown in elevation. The Eastern elevation (shown above) shows the use of berms and plant walls which make the building look like its a part of the land itself.
Cladding Detail showing its response to the tropical climate.
Design Principle 3: FUNCTION The design brief required an organisation of spaces based on level of privacy required or ease of public access. The level of privacy increses with each floor, so very private spaces, such as staff offices, are located on the uppermost floor. The center is also meant to house the Mashramani celebrations so a central courtyard and double height entryway allows for the largest costumes to enter and exit without damage. The elevated balconies surrounding the courtyard become informal viewing platforms for spectators’ use.
3D exploded model showing the levels of privacy where red is full public access, purple is some controlled access and blue is fully controlled access.
Design Principle 4: MATERIALITY The center makes use of Guyana’s abundant timber resources, namely Greenheart and Wallaba which resulted in a building that resembles the vernacular architecture. Steel framing and decking was used for quick construction that minimised any negative effects on the neighbouring National Park. This method was also used to eliminate the need for load bearing walls so the cladding and light partitions could be used throughout.
Aerial view of the center, the central courtyard is clearly visible.
THE FINAL PRODUCT
The courtyard with monument water feature
THE FINAL PRODUCT The multipurpose court.
View from the multipurpose court to interior balconies
The rooftop gardens and pool.
Final model
THE KIOSK 4th Year Project
Location: Tower Street, Kingston, Jamaica
Design Principles: Force Structure, Materials, Function
‘A focus on form and adaptive reuse.’ This project was a follow up to the generation of a master plan that was carded to rejuvenate downtown Kingston. The Kiosk was designed using a tension- based structure and utilised easily found objects. These common items were upcycled to produce a simple, elegant kiosk meant for housing information and advertisements.
Design Principle 1: FORCE STRUCTURE The kiosk used a very simple adaptation of a tension based structure, where tensile fabric attached to a frame was kept taut by ‘pulling’ it towards the base footings. The arrows show the direction of the forces keeping the structure in tension.
B
A
Section of the Kiosk showing the forces at work in the design.
C
D
CROSS SECTION
E
Design Principle 2: MATERIALS This project focused on adaptive reuse so all of the parts of the kiosk were ‘upcycled’ items that can be found easily. These items were reworked into parts that were easy to assemble and take apart. These items include: ~ Party tent roof material ~ Telescopic painting handles ~ Rope ~ Concrete feet ~ Steel brackets for connecting parts
Design Principle 3: FUNCTION The Kiosk was designed to be a portable information or advertising booth, with panels that could display text and graphics in all directions. The roof is large enough to give shelter from the sun or rain for a short pause which is all the time needed for the information that could fit on the panels.
THE FINAL PRODUCT
The Kiosk on location on Tower Street, Kingston.
The Final Model
Detail Model of the Kiosk’s ‘foot’.
THE VILLAGE: URBAN HOUSING 3rd Year Project
Location: Haining Road, Kingston, Jamaica
Design Principles: Context, User access, Sustainability
‘It takes a village...’ The Village is a high density housing community project along Haining Road in New Kingston, Kingston, Jamaica. This project required organization of housing units based on accessibility levels and life stages of the users. The housing community features a courtyard garden, parking for all residents, outdoor lounge area, laundromat and commercial spaces.
Design Principle 1: CONTEXT
Map of New Kingston showing the project site.
The class was given sites in the New Kingston area for use as micro housing developments in an urban area. The targeted users of these developments are young, single professionals, new and expanding families and mature families that work or go to school in and around New Kingston.
COMMERCIAL
THE SITE The project site is located in the middle of Haining Road. This road has an interesting feature, where it moves from a highly commercial character to a highly residential character from north to south. This change is quite peculiar along a single roadway and was, strangely, not sudden. This change in character was used in designing the housing community where the northern half of the site was given a more commercial appearance and the southern half a more residential appearance.
PROJECT SITE
Map showing the changing character of the project site.
RESIDENTIAL
Design Principle 2: USER ACCESS This principle was a major issue for this design as units were placed according to the physical abilities of the intended users.
YOUNG EXPANDING FAMILIES These users are a little older but still physically fit enough to climb staircases. There would most likely be children present but there should be no problem once the staircases follow safety requirements. MATURE FAMILIES These users are much older, possibly in their fiftys or older. There is an increased possibility of these older users being unable to climb staircases so the housing units for these users were all placed on the ground floor. Ground floor plan of the housing community showing the mature family units.
HAINING ROAD
TRANSIENT USERS These users are adolescents who are, usually, physically fit. Since this is the case, the housing units for these residents are almost all on the upper floors since the users will be capable of climbing staircases to get to their homes.
Design Principle 3: SUSTAINABILITY SOLAR PANELS- WATER IS PUMPED THROUGH PANELS TO PREVENT OVERHEATING AND IS WARMED FOR USE
OVERFLOW SPOUT
EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE SANDWICHED CEMENT BOARD
PUMP ROOFTOP WATER STORAGE Roof Detail
STEEL TUBING
CONCRETE PLATFORM
Wall Section
Sustainability was a major consideration for this project. The choice of construction method and materials reflected this consideration. Steel tubing and composite decking was used for framing with expanded polystyrene sandwiched (EPS) cement board used for infill. This constuction method reduces the impact on the surrounding area and construction time while the EPS board provide an insulating quality which reduces the need for air conditioning. Another sustainable feature is the roof. Each roof is covered with solar panels which provide an alternative power source for the housing unit and also warms the water in the rooftop storage. The water in turn cools the solar panels and prevent overheating. Overheated solar panels operate at a lower efficiency so this arrangement help the solar panels gather more energy for the house while providing warm water for use.
THE FINAL PRODUCT
Vignette of the courtyard garden. East elevation of the Village Housing Community.
Vignette of the mature unit interior. The final model.
GOLDEN AGE COMMUNITY CENTER 4th Year Project
Location: Vineyard Town, Kingston, Jamaica
Design Principles: User Access, Function
‘Where the community comes together.’ The Golden Age Community center project involved designing a center with something for everyone that will eventually become a nexus for community gatherings. The site is adjacent to a home for the elderly and so contains medical facilities that will aid those residents and the community at large. Educational and recreational facilities have also been included which makes the center a site for community health, learning, togetherness and general advancement.
CHAPEL GIFT SHOP INFO DESK
COTTAGES
LOUNGE MULTI-USE HALL MEETING/SEMINAR ROOM EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
RECRECATION HALL
RESTROOMS
CAFE CLINIC
COUNSELING MEDICAL STAFF
Design Principle 1: User Access
GYM
THERAPY ROOMS
LOCKER ROOMS
The site selected for this project is quite large so the Community Center design could be laid out completely on the ground with no need for upper floors. This results in a center where all users can access all areas despite their physical fitness levels. The groundcover chosen for the exterior spaces were also chosen based on user accessibility. GrasspaveTM and GravelpaveTM were ultimately selected. These groundcover systems are permeable yet sturdy enough to alllow movement in a wheelchair or with a cane without getting stuck. These groundcover systems are used all over the the center grounds, thus giving users unrestricted movement through the site.
Map of Golden Age Community Center grounds.
GRASSPAVE GRID MAT
Provides support that makes grass wheelchair accessible and secures topsoil layer.
GRAVEL SUBSTRATE
Enables quick percolation of water and provides support for Grasspave grid.
PERFORATED DRAINAGE PIPE
Helps to remove excess water from Grasspave system
COMPACTED FILL
Provides firm, level surface for Grasspave installation
SUB SOIL
GRASSPAVE DETAIL (C) 1:10 Detail of GrasspaveTM system used for groundcover.
POOL AREA
Design Principle 2: FUNCTION Particular attention was paid to the separation of private, semi-private and public zones so the elderly would be able to access the healthcare they need without being disturbed by the other activities taking place at the community center.
PRIVATE
RESIDENTIAL COTTAGES
The anticipated circulation of visitors from the elderly home, the cottages and the surrounding community also played a major role in choosing the location of various services and activities.
PUBLIC
COMMUNITY CENTRE
SEMI-PRIVATE CLINIC & THERAPY
Map of Golden Age Community Center grounds showing different levels of privacy required for each area.
CIRCULATION Map of Golden Age Community Center grounds showing Circulation paths.
THE FINAL PRODUCT
View to Community Center entrance
View of Healing Garden
View of clinic courtyard
ST. JOHN’S PUBLIC LIBRARY 3rd Year Final Project
Location: St. John’s, Antigua
Design Principles: Context, FEM Activity, Function, Materiality
LIONEL THOMAS CRES
‘To encourage and nurture a quest for knowledge.’
HIL
LR
D.
LIONEL THOMAS CRES
ST. GEORGE STREET
WILKINSO NS
IA RS FR
AGARTGE R E GOO DWIN
BANK ALLEY
. ST
POPESHEAD STREET
TE A
G
NEWGATE ST.
P’S
NORTH STREET
HO BIS
The St. John’s Public Library is a project also based on the research gathered whilst on a study tour, this time conducted in St. John’s, Antigua. This project stems from a class observation that the city of St. John’s lacked a library that could sufficiently cater to the needs of its residents. The library features seperate libraries for children, teens and adults, a lecture hall, an art display area, staff offices, a bridge and an internal street linking two major roadways.
WAPPING LNAE
STREET
ST. JOHNS STREET
BISHOP’S GATE
INDEPENDENCE AVE.
CORONATION AVE.
MARKET ST.
CROSS ST.
AVE.
CORN ALLEY
ST. MARY’S ST.
TEMPLE ST.
NEVIS ST.
INDEPENDEN CE
THAMES ST.
ST. MARY’S ST.
NEVIS ST.
TANNER ST. TANNER ST. SOUTH ST.
NEW ST
ST. JOHNS STREET N RD
LIONEL HURST
ST
NELSON ST ON ST NELLIE ROBINS
ON ST
ANDY ROBER
G TE A .
ST
AGARTG ER
S
BANK ALLEY
P’ O
POPESHEAD STREET
SH
THE SITE
S ST
HRD VIV RICA
BI
NORTH STREET
E GOODW
TS ST
BISHOP’S GATE
IN
NELLIE ROBINS
CAMACHO AVE
VALLEY RD
BAY MAI
NELSON ST
PERRY
E WAPPING LNA
NEWGATE ST.
IND
NEWGATE ST.
N
CHURCH
CH URC HL
LONG ST.
LON HIGH ST.
HIGH ST
REDCLIFFE ST.
CROSS ST.
ST. MARY’S ST.
CORN ALLEY
THAMES ST.
CUTTER LN.
CHURCH ST.
Map showing the project site in relation to St. John’s Cathedral.
MARKET ST.
STREET
FACTORY RD.
LONG ST.
HIGH ST.
Design Principle 1: CONTEXT SONS
V
CH URCH
LONG ST. HIGH ST.
Map of St. Johns showing the project site.ST. GEORGE STREET
WILKIN
RD.
CHURCH ST.
LN
CUTTER LN.
CHURCH ST.
LONG ST.
REDCLIFFE ST.
The site selected was a narrow strip which could be used to link the streets to the north and south. Multistorey buildings surrounded the site, allowing no pleasant external views. This site was due south, southwest of St. John’s most notable landmark, the St. John’s Cathedral. This narrow site presented many challenges but also offered some unexpected advantages such as the ability to create a ‘shortcut’ between streets which would draw potential users to the proposed library.
AM
PARH
NEWGATE ST.
REDCLIFFE ST.
The 3rd year Architecture class visited and studied the capital city of St. John’s in Antigua in 2012. Here the class learned about the Antiguan vernacular ‘triple gable’ roofs and noted a prevalence of timber in the construction of buildings both old and new.
OLD
ST. M
Design Principle 2: FEM ACTIVITY An analysis of the Forces, Edges and Memory (FEM) and their effects on the experience of the site was used to generate the library’s form. FORCES The densely packed, tall buildings surrounding the site imposed ‘forces’ on the site that made it feel even narrrower. The form generated by these forces was long, narrow and ‘pushed’ up to a comparable height with the surrounding buildings. EDGES The edges were the physical and visual limits to the site. The form generated was also long and narrow. Also, the visual edges were almost all limited to the boundaries of the site showing that there were limited external views so internal ones were needed. MEMORY The memory used for generating a form was the relation of the site to St. John’s Cathedral, the most notable and the most visable landmark in St. John’s. This simply made a form that lay diagonally across the site.
FORCES
EDGES
MEMORY
This is a skeletal model of the refined form that resulted from the FEM activity. The building’s form is long and narrow, 3 floors at its highest point and has a bridge that runs diagonally across the site. There is also room left for an internal ‘street’ which will provide interior views. Skeletal model of the library form showing the internal ‘street’ in blue.
MEMORY CONTINUED... Another aspect of the Memory exercise used in generating the library’s form is the use of the triple gable, a feature that is specific to Antiguan vernacular architecture. However, the triple gable is given a modern spin as the gables are now a trio of segmented roofs.
Render of the library showing one of the segmented ‘gable’ roofs.
Design Principle 3: FUNCTION There are several mandatory functions that take place in a library. These functions require an organization of spaces that would allow any necessay interaction with or seclusion from the public. As a result of these needs, this library has been designed with 3 public library spaces- for children, teenagers, and adults. Each library has been fitted out with shelving and furniture most suited to their specific needs. The location of the spaces are based on their function as well, with the children’s library on the ground floor for easy access and observation; the teen library above so they could have a space to call their own and the adult library at the highest point where mature readers can read and/or research in peace and quiet. There are also spaces for the storage of books that are new, damaged, awaiting repair, or for special collections. Floor plans showing the organization of spaces in the library. The red arrows indicate the points of entry with the solid red arrow pointing to the building’s main entrance.
ST, JOHN’S CATHEDRAL
CHILDREN’S LIBRARY
SOUVENIR SHOP
INTERNET CAFE
CAFE
GROUND FLOOR
BOOK STORAGE
TEEN LIBRARY
LECTURE HALL
STAFF OFFICES AND LOUNGE
FIRST FLOOR
ADULT LIBRARY
SECOND FLOOR
Design Principle 4: MATERIALITY The library was built entirely of timber as an ode to the traditional architecture of Antigua. Timber was also selected so the library could serve as an example of what modern Caribbean buildings could be and that modern does not necessarily mean the use of glass and concrete.
THE FINAL PRODUCT
Far left: Teen Library Top left: Children’s Library Middle left: Building Entrance Bottom left: South entrance to internal street Top right: Final Model