readings

Thoughts from ‘The Architecture of a well-tempered environment’ Banham, Reyner.

(G)

Us, as humans, are sturdy adaptable beings built to survive in most environments. However, due to modern advancements/technology, we have built a culture that is heavily focused and reliant on modernistic elements to claim comfort in our day-to-day, without understanding the multi-faceted ramifications in our society (physical, social, economic etc.)

In modern built-environment, building ‘massive’ structures with advanced systems; creating controlled environments is a staple. The book refers to us being detached to the idea of long-term building ie classical architecture with heavy structural elements (less likely to collapse in the event of an earthquake). That our current society’s mindset (revenue based) does not help as we are only specifying for architectural elements that are good for the client’s comfort, which does not leave a long-lasting effect. It talks about how traditional construction is inclusive and thinks about geographical and climatic considerations.

‘Thermal delight in Architecture’ Heschong, Lisa (H)

This book tackles the sensorial aspects of people. The author talks about our experiences in feeling ie warm cup of coffee, a smell that relates to a memory, the delight that one gets when under the sun etc. It also delves into thermal sense and its direct communication with our bodies. This is due to our nerve endings having heat flow sensors ; telling if heat is entering or exiting our system.

Adaptation is another part that the book focuses on. We can adapt to subtle environmental changes and make that our new norm, becoming oblivious to the changes in temperature, smell, taste, feel etc. Another great example is how we can got to work, in an air-conditioned environment, go to our car after work (also air-conditioned), go to a restaurant and to a movie theatre after (all air-conditioned) but the sudden inconvenience of a hot air can be felt almost immediately once experienced.

Building Services.” In Introduction to Architectural Technology. London: Laurence King, (I)

This book glosses over general concepts of building services, elaborating on the following architectural elements: Benefits of daylight and different methods to achieve it (and it’s effects). Acoustic control and insulation; how to improve sound absorption, isolate sound and/or redirect sound. It elaborates on the use of mass in decreasing rating in sound reduction index by increasing air gap in wall cavity and adding glass fibre insulation, improving a wall system’s sound absorbent qualities. It also touched on the meaning of acoustic isolation (preventing sound transmission from one space to another). How it can be achieved by using floating room within a room (space separated from main structure) and that openings are closed using rubber or neoprene gaskets. Different types of building heating are also covered such as direct heating (from appliances), indirect heating (solar, furnace), hydronic heating (radiator system), indirect warm air heating (fan over heated surface) and under floor heating (through loops of waterpipes via electrical heating).

listenings.

Majority of internal spaces that we inhabit these days have certain amount of lighting (mostly artificial lighting), nominated and regulated through standard industry guidelines. They provide constant light source for the users throughout the day, with little to no variations when it comes to the intensity. However, as humans, we tend to respond differently when spaces are provided with natural lighting (light source from the sun). Sun light that comes through our windows, doors and skylights present interesting effects to our perception of a space due to the variations of intensity given, including the sun’s dynamism (Sun’s light waves/colour).

The shadows lighting intensity within a space changes and so as the perception of what is outside the building. Natural lighting that changes space perception (ambient luminescence) can regulate the mood of the users that may suggest feelings such as comfort or relaxation in certain scenarios. Due to the variant levels of light, or one could put it - the balance between darkness and light, gives a play in space which is much more pleasant and engaging to the users. Living beings (humans and animals) have certain levels of spectral beings, and can benefit from (whether physiologically, mentally, or even sustainability-wise) experiencing the natural balance between lightness and darkness. (K) The Sound of Objects, Space & Form by Zackery Belanger

Unlike light transmissions, the distance and speed of the sound is dependent on its medium. And depending on the space where the sound is transmitting, the sound can reflect and decay (reverberation) in prolonged or shortened for periods of time. Surfaces (mediums) of surrounding elements have effects to the transmission of sounds as well.

The surface areas materiality has a great impact on sound absorption/reflection. Although sound waves are still difficult to mitigate and control, sound absorbing elements are still beneficial in regulating sound transmissions in a particular space. Along with the form of the space and the materiality of the surfaces within, the suited sound levels for that building or room can be designed and regulated for its use. Elements such as ornaments, furniture, fabrics, and users have significant effects on how sound bounces off or reduces within a room depending on the molecular structure of those elements (lose molecules equals to greater absorption, tight/binded molecules equals to greater reverberation).

The Next Acoustic Architecture by Zackery Belanger (L)

Geometry of a surface or a contained space is a big driver of how sound transmission can be studied and designed. Sound transmission from the source is usually represented in a spherical format which can travel in an ongoing fashion in open space (dissipating from the source). As per Zackery’s first example, he uses a circular room to show how sound travels, starting from the centre of the room, throughout the space. Once it hits the perimeter, the sound wave reflects and gets distributed within the circular room in a slow manner. A square space, as per Zackery’s second example, showed a better (slightly faster) distribution of sound waves. As the form of the room changes, becoming more abstract (bumpy/woven), sound diffusion is improved (faster). And as the form gets radical (tightly woven, filament-like pattern), The sound gets absorbed by the complex form of the boundary, which can be compared in an open space scenario (sound dissipating as it travels away from the source). Both compared results are of zero reverberation (complex geometric enclosure) and infinite reverberation (open space). Prior to the application of diffusers, absorbers, transmitters etc. to control sound, the geometry of space is to be considered in the design stages of creating an acoustic space.

Modern architectural building provides innovative solution in providing comfort to the users. However, old building principles and standards that were established since medieval times are starting to fade with this on-going pursuit for new design approaches. Buildings that were more geared towards thermal mass (minimal openings to reduce heat gain) have now been commonly replaced by shear walls of glass and steel structures (movement pioneered by Mies Van De Rohe). But as any innovation, awareness of ecology of building design planning also progresses. Heavily glazed buildings tend to consume more energy as its insulation capability is much lower in comparison to a building with wall and smaller openings. Natural light access provided by glazed curtain walls has always provided physiological and mental improvement for the users of a building. However, high energy consumption in regulating the temperature for such buildings is the consequence. This is not environmental nor economical in the long run.

Buildings Like Trees, Cities Like Forests (N)

As population grow, the need for new buildings are increased. Most of the newly constructed building in this era are highly driven by economic gain (profit). In doing so, as an attempt to maximise profit margins, corners are cut in the construction. Materials used may have long lifespans but have poor renewable capabilities. The value and the meaning of what a ‘building’ is diminishing and qualities/characteristics are lowered. This can be compared to the idea of fast food; it may taste good, but it’s not necessarily good for you.

Buildings can be imagined as living organisms. As mentioned a few times in the lectures, It can even be compared to the human body. The materials attached to the façade acts as a protective ‘skin’, the vents acts as the ‘pores’ (vent) and other similar characteristics. Buildings also consume. It consumes energy to ensure our well-being is maintained. Apart from the consumption of fossil fuel, what if buildings work with it’s surroundings? What if buildings tap into natural and local energy flows (sun, wind, water etc)? What if the building works with surrounding elements such as the topography, trees and natural landscapes, and gather renewable energy that may potentially create a circular lifespan; to be used and adapted for the following generations? These changes are slowly being integrated to our society and the more we shift our ways towards this perspective, the longer we can enjoy the ingenuity of natural living.

Energy Change (O)

We consume energy. It is essential for our day to day. Whether we are using fire to cook or turning on the air conditioning to control indoor climate. Everything we use and need for survival takes some sort of energy. Most the energy used everyday come from fossil fuel-based resources, oil, natural gas, coal, uranium etc. However, these mentioned elements are finite. The use of fossil fuel impacts the environment in that it creates massive interference with tonic consequences, which begins with the extraction, which then leads to contamination or pollution of natural elements (land, water, air and atmosphere). To take matters further, the use of these non-renewable energies are usually backed by energy politicians and advisors that are accustomed by the sponsors who have economical interest to pursue non-renewable sources as a commodity. Companies and politicians ignore renewable sources such as using Solar panels and or wind turbine, that are not only easily extracted from the sources, but also require little to no processing for consumption.

Eyes Sunk, Lips Dark Blue (P)

Our population is rapidly growing in a daily basis. A projection by the Australian bureau of statistics based on an estimated resident population conducted in 21 March 2020, that there is one birth every one minute and forty-three seconds. They also stated that there is an overall increase of one person every four minute and thirty-eight seconds. As people migrate, the common approach is to move to a main/established city first. All sorts of establishments are placed in most major cities; administrative district, retail, hospitality etc. are situated as it is the main conductor of a nations economy. Housing is another element that defines a city. High-rise buildings are the usual choice of building typology used in major cities; accommodating the immediate workers and contributors to the city. With businesses, entertainment, retail, food etc. circulating within the city; services for these establishment ( The water supplies, heating /cooling/ and other elements that would improve comfortable living) shall be considered.

Designing Green Buildings (Q)

As time progresses, innovative methodologies are established to make our lives somewhat easier/comfortable. In regards to designing ‘green’ buildings, considerable growth was found over the past decade. Most buildings nowadays have to meet a certain environmental sustainability design standard suited to a particular zone or suburb. However, it is still can be quite difficult to access the efficacy of these standards. Life Cycle Assessment is a method of estimating the environmental impacts and associated financial implications of the product and materials used in construction. There are a few evaluation points that the LCA adhere to:

- Environmental impacts of the manufacture and transport of construction materials and products. - Upkeep and maintenance of the building through its lifetime. - Operation of the building, including energy and other impacts. - End of life of the building and its construction products.

LCA is an environmental tool and has three advantages as an assessment tool:

- It brings a long time-frame into the equation, allowing impacts to be readily comprehended from cradle to grave. - It allows energy, ecological and environmental impacts tobe analysed and set in the context of social and economic benefit. - It is a holistic tool that bridges design, construction and building maintenance.