Report on Human Ecology | Space & Health in varied scales of Architecture and Urban design

Human Ecology | Space & Health Dr. Ruzica Bozovic Stamenovic, Associate Professor

Human Ecology | Space & Health Dr. Ruzica Bozovic Stamenovic, Associate Professor

Content

A Foreward from the realm of senses

Assignment 1.1 - Sensorial Architecture in Singapore

Assignment Brief Exercising the senses in cultural rich ‘Little India’+ Garden uplifting the Senses

Hort park garden designed for Singapore’s elderly Garden uplifting the Senses

Exercising the senses through a walk in culturally rich Little India.

6

9 10

11 13

Assignment 1.2 - Sensorial Realm of SDE4 Sensorial Cohesion

16

Introduction to Sensorial assessment of NUS SDE 4

17

Sensorial assessment of Sense of comfort through Sense of Touch

18

Sensorial assessment of Sense of comfort through Sense of Vision

19

Elements of design for Sensorial stimulation

21

Assessment of a particular spot - Out door landscape area

22

4

Translation to Architecture

Proposed scenario of SDE 4 Out door landscape area

24 25

Assignment 1.3 - Sensorial Manipulation of Studio Project

Assignment Brief

29

Enhancing the character of streets to create sense of place, belonging and empowerment.

Analysis and Selection of Site of Intervention

30

Concept of developing the streets:

32

Proposed scenario of Street A

34

Concept of developing the street B:

35

Dynamics in activities – stimulating the senses

37

Proposed scenario of Street B

39

31

5

A Foreward from the realm of senses Dear reader, the following works of spatial study and design are the result of a search for understanding how environments are processed in the human mind and how they affect us on an everyday basis.

Over the course of this module Dr. Ruzica Bozovic Stamenovic has led us, her students, through an introspective journey to acquire another dimension of perception and a novel way to look at spaces we thought we already knew.

For a novice in the matter the first shocking fact to notice is how all fields of study can converge in a sensorial outcome. The multidisciplinary jump involves history, philosophy, psychology, economy, ecology and, of course, architecture, thus, the lesson to learn is that as long as we apply an anthropological point of view, everything is susceptible to be translated into human impressions, a phenomenology of sorts.

In a world full of cheap headlines and buzzword terms, essential notions like accessibility, health and well-being run the risk of becoming just ticks on a checklist, always appearing on every designer’s manifesto but without a real intention behind it. On the other hand, non-mainstream concepts like genius loci, sense of self, sense of belonging or sense of dignity fall into oblivion or misuse. This remarks the importance of a cultivation on the matter showing that is far from trivial if we get raise the right questions, for instance, every time we enter a place all the information is collected by our senses and processed in our head, but what if we could decode it and use it as a tool to trigger a sensorial response? what if we could polish our designing skills to the point of breaking down the stimulus and applying them to achieve a concrete result like, let’s say, cure a person?.

Regardless of the reach of this approach and its impact on the overall resulting environment, it is undeniable that the adoption of these set of “perceptive” measures will render into beneficial atmospheres, spaces and experiences.

In conclusion, we could be witnessing the birth of a new sensorial movement since, past the craziness for mass construction, we have gained the conviction that is no longer necessary to build in order to provoke emotions with the surroundings, this added to the modern and upcoming technical advances give us hope imagining what the next big thing could amount to achieve.

You are more than welcome to explore the sensorial worlds we share here, if after all you feel somewhat better but don’t know why… well, that’s exactly what it’s all about.

6

Phases of Assignments

Week 1 - 2 Assignment 1.1 - Sensorial Architecture in Singapore Week 3 - 7 Assignment 1.2 - Sensorial Realm of SDE4 Week 7 - 9 Assignment 1.3 - Sensorial Manipulation of Studio Project

7

Sensorial Architecture in Singapore Assignment 1.1

8

Based on the book “Eyes of the skin” find min 2 examples of sensorial architecture in Singapore and explain in key statements + illustrate using the appropriate technique (audio, video, graphic, etc) of your choice to highlight the findings.

Outcome: Powerpoint with “exhibition-ready” quality

9

Exercising the senses in cultural rich ‘Little India’ + Garden uplifting the Senses Navya durga Thatiparthi

10

There is always a mid-body connection, things that mind see from the surrounding physical environment may ease or depress the mental condition which in return has impacts on the body functions, health, and well-being.

A walk through the park contributes to the sensorial experience. Elements were designed stimulating senses of touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste.

When you walk along the pathways in the therapeutic garden in Hort park, there is an enriched sensorial experience of wind breezes touch, while you hear the water dribble in the fountain and sweet smells of garden pass through freshening the soul, the shaded gazebos protect from the harsh sun creating a sense of comfort. It is proven that Horticulture therapy can calm the senses.

This method was used by designing the landscapes with a variety of plants with a range of form, color, texture, and smell which helps in sensory stimulation.

The smell from plants can evoke memories in the age, as a sense of smell is the last sense to fade. This setup helped a lot of dementia patients, helping them improve cognition and ease depression with good social interactions. It was recorded that Horticulture therapy contributed to memory. Activity zones were facilitated elderly friendly as they need support to walk and shelter from the sun. special care was taken designing the furniture, benches were equipped with wheels and the tables were designed height-adjustable for the wheelchair users potting trees. Green areas give a sense of place as they were associated with greens in their communities throughout their life.

Hort park garden designed for Singapore’s elderly Garden uplifting the Senses

Characteristics stimulating the sensorial experience:

A. Coherence: Spaces are organised orderly, for easy understanding and creating a ‘sense of place’

B. Complexity:

D. Visual communication and signage, directional marker:

Bird attracting Fragrant plant plant

To serve different kind of users in the park such as dementia patients, signages were designed to enable ‘sense of Independence’.

Wide range of activities such as paths to walk and places to sit and rich landscape around Supports for ‘sensory engagement’.

Nectare plant

C. Sense of control:

Various entries were designed to enter garden from different ways with proper path widths.

Tree

Bonsai

Climber& creeper

E. Positive natural distraction:

There is a diversity in the natural set up such as plants, water, wildlife and so on contributing to physical movement and exercise.

Elements through the walk in the therapeutic garden stimulating the Senses:

Water dribble

Bio-diversity in nature

Shaded seating

Aroma from garden

Wind breezes

11

Sensorial walk in the therapeutic gardens of Hort park Visual treat in Butterfly garden.

Aroma of Balinese garden.

Water dribbling sound near water feature

12

Wind breezes in Community gardens

Sheltered space in Hort Lawn

Face to face interaction -communal bonding

Involving one’s self in a space

Space for multi-generations

Nature is the Hero

If someone wants to excite their senses, they must visit Little India. Walk through Little India takes you through the rich culture and traditions. It is a unique experience walking through Little India, you are totally disconnected with the world of Singapore and a mood is created by evoking all the senses that make you feel that you are in India but not in Little India.

For instance, I would like to quote an example how behavioural change happens in few minutes you the enter the place. There are no rules of pedestrian crossing followed in most of the streets, there is no limitation of the sound intensity level that one can play outside their historical shophouses to attract the customers, does these things happen in any other streets of Singapore, yet it is the same crowd walking around in Little India and other parts of the city.

This behavioural change is because of the feeling of ‘Sense of Place’. The things that are experienced during the walk has a huge impact in evoking the senses which make you feel comfortable and behave the way you behave in the old town streets of ‘Madras’ which is now called as ‘Chennai’. As you walk through a busy street, loud sound speaker welcomes you high beat Tamil song which makes you feel nostalgic, a feast of delicious aromas of spices and fresh vegetables creates saliva in mouth, and you further down there is a graffiti that is so rich and powerful in culture and tradition, walk further down the street, you are thrown into a world of fragrances and delightful colours of flower, as this place is in proximity to temple, the sidewalks are filled with colourful bangles, flowers and soft silk sarees hanging touch your face while you pass by and when once you near the temple, the sound of temple bells gives a sense of serenity.

This transition of vibrant atmosphere to a peaceful atmosphere shows the dynamics involved in the street life. There is lot more to experience in Little India, the strong smells of Tekka market and the authentic food served all along the streets and the souvenirs giving a sense of culture so on and so forth.

Exercising the senses through a walk in culturally rich Little India.

13

Sensorial Realm of SDE4 Assignment 1.2

14

Re-visit SDE 4 and make the “first impression sensorial assessment� based on individual table formed around major senses important for wellbeing in SDE4 (students individually set the assessment method and content) Outcome: Graph(s) summing up the results Choose a particular spot you want to assess further (add new method of assessment like shadowing, interview, measuring, etc.)

Outcome: Summary of results, Transcripts, etc.

Suggest the change in the sensorial status of the selected spot by improving design.

Outcome: Present witn the following process - Design idea, Probing, Adjustment of the design (plans, axonometric, etc.), Final image before and after.

15

Sensorial Cohesion

Navya durga thatiparthi

16

Introduction about NUS SDE 4

The reason for assessing SDE4 out of a number of buildings at the National University of Singapore is that SDE4 is awarded gold level certification by International WELL Building Institute.

It has been designed with sustainable building features that are not only energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, but also compliment to comfort the occupants and improve wellness. Certification is done based on the categories of building performance like air, water, light, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, and community, and movement.

The building is designed with technological advancements like the hybrid cooling system. Built spaces were fragmented to allowing natural light into them. Architectural details were taken care of to enhance the indoor environment. For instance, large windows were arranged to allow natural light to come in and provide views towards the outdoor natural green setup. Vertical movements in the building are designed using both means, staircases, and lifts. The design of the physical environment around the staircases promotes physical movements. For instance, locating the staircase in proximity to nature and straight flight staircases encourages the use of the staircase. In the site plan level, design features such as landscaping, water features, and provision of outdoor and semi-outdoor spaces as integrated to the building enhance the physical environment contributing to health and wellness.

Introduction to Sensorial assessment of NUS SDE 4 Knowing the fact that SDE4 is ranked for supporting human health and wellness, a visit to SDE4 would help in understanding the elements that contribute to stimulating senses having a positive impact on the physical and mental performance of the occupants. There was a conscious effort of sensing all the senses during the walk in and around the building. Spaces were observed, touched, felt, smelled, and heard, and most importantly thought of. Comfort levels in different spaces were understood in relation to senses.

First Sensorial impression of NUS SDE 4 Sense of sight Initial sight gave an impression of curves crawling upon the rigid surfaces.

Sense of touch Natural variations in the stone texture gives a sense of biophilic design.

Sense of sight

Sense of touch Sense of hearing

Noise free environment Noise cut down due to the vegetation to some extent High noise level near traffic road

17

Sensorial assessment of

Sense of comfort through Sense of Touch

Amount of shade

Natural light reflected Large overhanging roof shade built space from the sun’s heat and provide a cooler interior.

Double facades on the East and West of the building reduce the sun’s heat and provide a cooler interior.

Porous layout allows for cross-breezes

18

Sensorial assessment of

Sense of comfort through Sense of Vision

wider scale

views to the outdoors Natural views refresh the brain, relieving stress and anxiety

Natural light reflected Natural light gives a sense of safety and also helps the body keep harmony with the day-night cycle.

19

Element - Air

sense - sense of Comfort Elevated Ceiling fan circulating the Cold air

Elevated Ceiling fan circulating the Cold air

Element - Light

sense - sense of Sight Fragmenting the building spaces to get natural light from all sides possible

Element - Movement

sense - sense of Place Staircases encourages collaborative nature of design education.

20

Fragmenting the building spaces to get natural light from all sides possible

Elements of design for Sensorial stimulation

Element - Movement

sense - sense of Place Staircases encourages collaborative nature of design education.

Element - Mind

sense - sense of Community

landscape in close proximity to interior spaces relieving stress and anxiety

21

Assessment of a particular spot - Out door landscape area

22

23

Translation to Architecture SDE 4 has been designed integrating the landscapes into the built space, but these green spaces have not been used as a reason for noise from the proximity road. There is one more reason for not accessing the green space is that there is no physical connection bridging the classrooms and labs to the beautiful outdoor green area. There is no provision of the seating area as well.

Noise level 62.1 dB(A)

What can be done?

Self-resonating acoustic devices help cutting down the noises from traffic. Once the noise hits the device, it changes the noise to pleasing an audible note. This device can also be designed in the form of fancy furniture to accommodate people and provide shelter from sun and rain.

Solutions for all the problems

Self resonating acoustic devices

24

Existing scenario of SDE 4 Out door landscape area

Proposed scenario of SDE 4 Out door landscape area

Elements enhancing the sensorial aura

Green buffer for acoustics

Green bridge connecting corridor to the greens

Pedestrian bridge connecting corridor to the greens

Painted blue in Self resonating Rain water harvest- acoustic devices ing pit for Sense of Deceive

25

Proposed scenario of SDE 4 Out door landscape area

Existing scenario of SDE 4 Out door landscape area

26

Proposed scenario of SDE 4 Out door landscape area

Existing scenario of SDE 4 Out door landscape area

27

Sensorial Manipulation of Studio Project Assignment 1.3

28

Analyse you project and select the part/ section that can be improved by sensory manipulation (it can be one spot or several spots (corner, area, faรงade, public area, inside or outside, etc.).

Choose carefully after investigating several options to select the best spot for sensorial manipulation. Document the selection process.

Outcome: Present witn the following process - Design idea, Probing, Adjustment of the design (plans, axonometric, etc.), Final design.

29

Enhancing the character of streets to create sense of place, belonging and empowerment.

Navya durga Thatiparthi

30

Analysis and Selection of Site of Intervention The proposed project site falls under two different municipalities called Saint Andria and Badalona in the Barcelona Metropolitan scale. The project site is well located integrating the historical THREE CHIMNEYS into the project area and fronting the coastline which has no character. The lack of character is due to many reasons. For instance, the layout of the entire site area is of mono-functional use which is industrial. There is no urban life or for that matter, there is no social life involved in the physical environment. Wide streets in the site which were designed for easy circulation of the goods carrier were so deserted that you can hardly find people walking on the roads. The sidewalks were filled with parking spaces. There is no basic infrastructure in most of the streets. There is no shade, vegetation, furniture. This kind of physical environment never encourages people to come down to watch the THREE CHIMNEYS or to take a sunbath at the beach. The fact that the sea supports for industrial exports and imports, it does not mean that the area in proximity to the sea should be mono-functional. The development of the site area is also crucial because of the fact that it the only area in coastal lines that left for development. Thus, this area has to be designed as a showcase to which can balance live-work-play. Due to the amount of air pollution and its effects on the environment, Barcelona is declared to be under a low carbon emission zone.

Thus, my group took the challenge of designing the community to be a negative carbon emission zone, which is very ambitious, but the transition is aimed at 2050. To achieve this, the main design strategy focus was on systems rather than rebuilding the entire project site area. Streets played a vital role in developing the system strategy. The roads were transformed into streets that changed their phase of car-centric to human-centric. The underground area of the streets was used to deal with all sorts of mechanisms that deal with metabolism. These measures of widening the streets, landscaping the streets, providing underground infrastructure to support the community, and re-developing the buildings to perform mix-use started giving some character to the area. As we are re-designing the character of the entire place to have a mixed-use environment, I understood that there needs to be design elements or strategies that could help in enhancing the sense of place, sense of belonging, and sense of empowerment. To not let go of this sense of place, the streets were re looked to integrate spaces that are flexible to exhibit the goods from the adjoining shops during weekends, extend the inside activities of the building to the streets so that street users become a part of the activities. A street can be used as a fashion walk ramp. Improving the street infrastructure to provide socializing space. There is an inter-generational connection. To conclude with the streets are complex systems, not just underground serving climate purposes but also complex on the ground with vertical layers of street enhancing the community bonding which contributes to a healthy and wealthy society, most importantly a happy society.

Description Green fingers in the concept plan are the indicators of spaces where the system strategies are incorporated. Magenta and grey colour indications in the plan show the mix of old and new developments.

31

Concept of developing the streets: Streets are designed for complexities which have provision for spaces with Dynamics of senses and as well the green systems supporting the environment.

streets as systems underground system

community link (sense of placeTT)

streets as systems + community life underground system

Specific Site of Intervention Two vital streets of the project are selected for sensory manipulation.

Street ‘A’ being a cultural spine connecting different nodes has a huge scope for the interchange of dynamics in senses. street B being the huge central spine has to be balanced of the negative carbon emission systems and the community link.

Street A Street B

32

Existing scenario of Street A

Side walks Sparse vegetation Car centric streets

underground system

Proposed scenario of Street A

Socializing

Water harvesting system

Landscape as shading devices

underground system Activity promoting sense of place

33

Proposed scenario of Street A Vertical layers in street

vegetation

socialize

emphasis the original Character of the site on street (sense of place, sense of belonging and sense of empowerment) Existing scenario of Street A

Side walks

34

Car centric streets

Sparse vegetation

Concept of developing the street B: Balance of biodiversity

streets as systems

Balance of biodiversity

Concept of developing the street B: Designing of negative carbon emission systems

cleansing

delay and storge recycling

sepage Designing of negative carbon emission systems

35

Concept of developing the street B: Dynamics in activities

Vibrant

Relax

Informative

Socialize

36

Dynamics in activities – stimulating the senses

space - Park space Dynamics in activities - Relax Sense - Sense of self

space - Sports space Dynamics in activities - Vibrant Sense - Sense of Pleasure

space - Exhibition space Dynamics in activities - Socialize Sense - Sense of belonging

37

Exhibition space (Sense of belonging)

Park space (Sense of self)

FINAL IMAGE SPREAD

1. Put image into both bounding boxes (1 per page) 2. Nudge photo (not the bounding box) 5mm away from the middle

underground system

38

Proposed scenario of Street B

Sports space (Sense of Pleasure)

underground system

39

40

MAUD, Year 2020 Department of Architecture School of Design and Environment