WALLED, THEREFORE VOID EXISTS?

Forest of Columns

Project “Forest of Columns” challenges the assumption that walls are necessary components that form void and spaces. Instead, arranging columns with different intensity and porosity redefines the way how void is formed traditionally.

By questioning the very nature of void and what defines spaces, a series of form finding experiments were carried out, and a proposed frame system was chosen. This project constructs inhabitable spaces through the articulation of this proposed frame system, capturing void abstractly with minimal walls as partitions. The form-finding process constructs a new architectural syntax through the analysis of rhythm and tempo. Functional spaces are then designed specifically according to the residents’ requirements, deriving spaces from the generated frame system (Micro Void & Mini Void). There are 2 modules used in this aggregation. The first module is a residence and the second module is a communal module for leisure purpose. An aggregation of these 2 modules is then built up collectively based on the circulation, aggregation logic and site context.

On the macro aggregation level, this project looks into the sound analysis of the site. In the study of the surrounding sound, the noise level from the environment is considerably high as the site is a popular town area and a high level of traffic could be observed. If we categorize the recorded sound into “manmade” sound such as noise from car engines and passerby, and “nature” sound such as sound of the wind and birds, the manmade sound significantly overwhelms the natural sound. Hence, on a larger scale, this project also aims to bring the equilibrium between man and nature back to this highly gentrified area. Through the use of materiality and greenery, the structure becomes a livable forest for residents.