THE LEGO CITY_NUS YEAR 2 SEM 1_NICHOLAS TAN LI WAI

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UNIT 1: CUBOID EXPOSITIONS AR2101 ARCHITECTURE DESIGN 3 AGGREGATION, SPACE, STRUCTURE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE AY2023/24_YEAR 2_DESIGN 3_ SEMESTER 1

NICHOLAS TAN LI WAI PRESENTS STUDIO | YANG HAN

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OVERVIEW OF PROPOSAL Working with the common theme of Collective Dwelling housing spaces for inhabitation, we are tasked to aggregate through spaces and structures is underscored by the cuboid as an instrumental form The interrogation of an interiority composed through a configuration of solids and voids, within an exteriority defined as a cube or cuboidal form, will form the basis of the Unit’s explorations. The work of the Unit will involve a continued exploration of the aggregative qualities of found solid and void arrangements using cuboid forms in rethinking new possibilities for aggregation as a tool for building a collective formal language, and in doing so deliberate on its impact to the city.

OVERVIEW: 1. Probes : Interrogating self-referential forms as Solids and Voids 2. Analogues : Making Operated Cubes 3. Aggregations : Collective Projection 4. Resolution and Proposal 5. Mode of Working

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CUBIC SCULPTURES BY DAVID UMEMOTO FOR PROBES 01 AND 02

CUBIC GEOMETRY SIX-23

CUBIC GEOMETRY IX-I

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PROBES 01 AND 02: CUBIC SCULPTURES We are tasked to study the forms and solid/void compositions of our given 2X CUBIC SCULPTURES We are also tasked to focus on the SOLID AND VOIDS used in the composition of the building elements and in particular note and descibe how they affect one of the GENERIC QUALITIES OF SPACES. 1. Open & Closed spaces 2. Seen & Unseen Spaces 3. Big & Small Spaces 4. Accessible & Inaccesible Spaces

QUESTIONS TO PONDER: 1. Is there an extracted ORDER to be found? or if there can be an implied order that can be created 2. Can the found / created ORDER be used to organise any of the 4 QUALITIES mentioned above?

Find POTENTIAL for habitation in the cubic sculptures through a suggestion of possible manipulations 1. How could we turn them into spaces of inhabitation?

2. What will be the quality of such a space?

Recognise the FORMAL AND TECTONIC QUALITIES presented as opportunities to learn from inhabiting the forms

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PROBE 01 STUDIES

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PROBE 02 STUDIES

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PROBES ANALYSIS DIAGRAMS

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OPERATED CUBES 01 AND 02 We are tasked to use the matrix that was given to us individually to manifest the MATRIX INTERACTIONS and develop OPERATED CUBES The matrix that was assigned to me is: 1. DIFFERENTIATED & OPEN / CLOSED 2. REPEATED & BIG / SMALL

DEFINITIONS: DIFFERENTIATED This effect describes the articulations of solids and voids that are seemingly different yet remain largely coherent OPEN / CLOSED This parameter controls light, ventilation, views, relationship of inside/outside, as well as the feeling of spaciousness, airyness or cosntriction in a space REPEATED This effect is evident in solids and void elements that are largely seen to be repeated across, following some sense of order BIG / SMALL This parameter describes the internal space configuration in terms of size, height, volumne etc. and any other parameter deemed relevant to describe spatial variety

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OPERATED CUBE 01

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OPERATED CUBE 02

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CONCEPTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DIAGRAMS

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CONCEPTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DIAGRAMS

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COMBINED CUBES AND AGGREGATED CUBES (DWELLING ANALOGUE) We are tasked to form 2 COMBINED CUBES and further combine them into 3 or 4 cubes by a geometrical means OPERATIONS: 1. Stack/mirror/rotate (with or without symmetry)/ intersecting, positional increments/differentiated increment/along any axis vertically, horizontally or obliquely 2. Resolve the interfaces between 3 or 4 cubes, all cubes to have at least one connecting point to adjacent cube

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COMBINED CUBE 01

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COMBINE CUBE 02

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CONCEPTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DIAGRAMS

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DWELLING ANALOGUE 01

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DWELLING ANALOGUE 02

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DWELLING ANALOGUE 03

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DWELLING ANALOGUE PHYSICAL MODEL

TOP ELEVATIONAL VIEW

BEST ANGLED VIEW

SIDE VIEW 1

SIDE VIEW 2

SIDE VIEW 3

SIDE VIEW 4

CLOSE UP VIEW 1

CLOSE UP VIEW 2

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SITE MAPPING

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SITE ANALYSIS

OPENESS VS PUBLICITY

SURROUNDING BUIDING HEIGHT

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CONDITION & ENGAGEMENT STUDIES

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CONDITION & ENGAGEMENT STUDIES

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AGGREGATION CONTSTRAINTS

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ITERATION STUDY 01

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ITERATION STUDY 02

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ITERATION STUDY 03

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1:50 SECTIONAL PART COLLECTIVE MODEL 01

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FINAL PROPOSAL In this design scheme, the Operated Cubes, Combined Cubes, and Analogues that were previously designed exhibit remarkable flexibility. I can seamlessly aggregate them to generate various iterations. However, this aggregation is subject to constraints, such as a 4x4m grid with a 1m gap in between. Reminiscent of LEGO’s fixed 1x1, 1x2, and so forth base. Despite these limitations, the possibilities for the end result of the building are extensive, akin to the creativity unleashed in constructing a LEGO CITY. Post-Interim 2, in the aggregation iteration 4, the final proposal focuses on delivering specific spatial qualities: 1. CIRCUMFERENCE AGGREGATION: This involves aggregating on the external sides of the site within the grid, maintaining a 1m gap in between. This creates a striking contrast of openness and closure on the exterior and interior of the collective. The 1m gap allows the public to catch glimpses of the interior spaces, ensuring more privacy for the residents. Additionally, it enhances circulation and establishes a central void/courtyard in the central area.

2. INTERNAL & EXTERNAL CIRCULATION: Resulting from the circumference aggregation, residents can now circulate around units via longer routes, affording more views and promoting interactions among them.

3. CENTRAL VOID & COURTYARD: This space is designed to provide residents with a place for relief and recess, creating a contrast between solidity on the external and void in the center. The sunken courtyard, situated on a different platform level, minimizes direct contact from both the public and residents, offering a moment of respite.

4. PROXIMATE SPACES BETWEEN UNITS: To differentiate the spatial experience of the public and private when walking between units. This design takes inspiration from the staircase feature of the Operated Cube, where a staircase gap forms when the cubes are joined together side by side.

5. ROOF GARDEN & OBSERVATION RING: Leveraging the feature of Operated Cube 1, the loop on the highest level serves as a circulation path for observing and interacting with residents on lower levels. The central part of the observation ring is left empty, allowing the public to peer into the roof garden on the bottom level.

6. CIRCULATION TO UNITS: Capitalizing on the Analogues’ feature, the observation ring on the highest level functions as public circulation. Consequently, the collective is designed to enable residents to access their units via the observation ring, roof garden, and finally, their respective units

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SITE PLAN AND 1ST STOREY PLAN

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MID LEVEL FLOOR PLAN

ROOF PLAN

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1:50 SECTIONAL PART COLLECTIVE MODEL 02

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COMBINATION OF COLLECTIVE MODELS 01 & 02

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TO BE CONTINUE ...

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