Technical dissertation

Technical dissertation : Simulating social housing - urban to domestic scales

Pearl Sajan Samuel M.Arch Architecture & Urbanism

CONTENTS contents

INTRODUCTION

Domestic scale analysis:

Context

04

Aim, objective & methods

05

Concept development

06

Approach of research

07

Grasshopper simulation introduction

08

Urban scale analysis: 1.Site seggregation

10

2. Placement of blocks

11

3. Solar gain

12

4. Private and public areas

13

5. Way finding

14

Intermidiate scale analysis: 1.Zoning of circulation

15

2. Communal space organising

16

3. View to home: Indoor privacy

17

4. View to home:Security of communal area

18

1. Percentage of openings

20

2. Indoor radiation analysis

21

3. View from surrounding built

22

Conclusion: 1. Tabular analysis between scales

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2. Changes to design

24

3. Axo view of changes

25

4. Ground level view (urban scale)

26

5. Views of communal areas (intermidiate)

27

6. Interior Axo views (domestic scale)

28

7. Section

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INTRODUCTION

Context of the project Background : The home

Robinhood gardens was a symbol of development in terms of architectural boost and it represents the emergence of social housing in the 1970s. The destruction of the flats has been looked upon as a tragic loss in the architectural world. The monumental status that the RHG held was taken down for the further development of the area. There were efforts to save the building by listing it, however it was in vain. The site of the RHG currently has a set of new commercialised flats. The importance to social housing has been decreased with the new development. The pictures on the right showcase the destruction and the end of the RHG.

The people

As the world looks upon the loss of the building, the condition at which the people are left is often neglected. The destruction of RHG has left the tenants

INTRODUCTION

Aim, objectives and question The aim of the dissertation :

Explore social housing through three essential scales to optimise initial design decisions.

Enhance the overall user experience within social housing with the help of simulations.

The objectives :

To conduct a view analysis simulation through grasshopper at three different scales to assess the hierarchy of views, guiding the user through the site.

To assess solar energy absorption and performance to assess the effectiveness of site massing by using the incident radiation analysis.

To measure the amount of sunlight within the built design using sunlight hours analysis to segregate communal spaces and maximise the benefits of natural light.

The question :

How can grasshopper simulations enhance design decisions and user experience within social housing?

The method :

The method used in this dissertation is scalar. Three different scales of the project will be tested via simulations run on grasshopper.

The urban, intermediate and domestic scales are tested with different simulations such as the 1. View analysis 2. Radiation analysis 3. Annual sunlight hours This technique is used to identify the difference between using the same simulations in different contexts and scales, and the results are then compared. Based on the effectiveness of the results, the more evident ones are then applied as changes to the design.

The method is an attempt to the conservative approach to social housing where the user experience is least considered.

Limitations :

All of the simulations and tests are aimed at enhancing the user experience within social housing and does not take into account the materiality of the built structure or design.

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INTRODUCTION

Conceptual development 01 The modules for the individual homes are finalised and are then stacked based on design.

02 The blocks are placed in such a way it creates punctures within the elevation and these also act as the stairway space.

03 The blocks are split inorder to increase the use of transition space along with the stairway.

04 The addition of the stairwell in a uniform manner.

05 The gap between the two blocks extends upto 7m inorder to create more circulation as well.

06 The addition of the rooftop garden.

07 To break the monotonous facade created and also add shading by rearranging the blocks.

08 The stairways added back with the rearranged blocks of homes.

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INTRODUCTION

Approach of the dissertation

URBAN SCALE

INTERMIDIATE SCALE

DOMESTIC SCALE

The first area of exploration is at the urban scale. This defines the initial user experience at a general level and the treatment of the site in relation to intial massing and proposal of blocks.

The intermediate focuses the spaces and thresholds between public and private, zoning of accessability within the housing blocks and the interlinking of communal spaces.

The domestic scale is the individual home. This scale helps to explore glazing ratio, fenstration and visual segregation of communal areas.

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INTRODUCTION

Grasshopper simulation introduction The simulations used for the study are run on grasshopper with the ladybug and honeybee simulations.

The scripts prepared help in annalysing areas based on the result anticipated.

The main three simulations that were used in this user experience enhancement study are : 1. View analysis study 2. Sunlight hour study 3. Radiation analysis study

View analysis : View analysis is run by having some test points and a test plane for the results to be graphically represented. The context must aslo be present to ensure the objects that obstruct the view potentially are taken into account.

Sunlight hour analysis :

Script for radiation analysis

This simulation is based on underatsnding the ammount of natural light that affects areas of a design and needs the local climatic details through an epw file. The context and the test surface are the other aspects that are needed for the test to run successfully.

Radiation analysis : The results from radiation analysis help understand the heat gain areas within a site and comments on which areas are changed overall during a year. It is similar to the sunlight hour analysis as it also uses the components as the context and local climatic details .

Script for View analysis

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URBAN SCALE

grasshopper ladybug simulations tested

Urban scale analysis: 1.Site seggregation 2. Placement of blocks 3. Solar gain 4. Private and public areas 5. Way finding

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URBAN SCALE

sunlight hours run on grasshopper 1. SITE The first area that is being tested is the site as it creates the base for the built structure. Analysis run on the test area denoted below produces the results which help indicate the areas with ample sunlight hours and helps seggregate areas for housing blocks and the others for the parks and green spaces.

Grasshopper script created to analyse the sunlight hours from the minimum to maximum. The test is done for the months of December to June. As the purpose of the test is to understand the shaded and areas with more sunlight it was used to determine areas for the park as well as the housing.

The image below shows the sunlight hours for the months from July to Novermber. The analysises are done for the timing of 4pm as it was calculated as a peak time for the regions in the surrounding.

Creating this helps making the maximum interaction within the site.

The overall annual daylight hours here shows the layered outcome of the ammount of sunlight over the testing area. The mixtures of shaded and bright area has been used for the parks that are to be incorporated within the area. The areas that are left out with ample mixtureof more hours of sunlight is assigned for the housing blocks.

Testing area

SITE SEGREGATION Based on analysis of the site and the sunlight hours analysis the area is seggregated for two areas : parks and housing blocks.

02

01 02

02

01 02 Housing blocks Park areas

01 02

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URBAN SCALE

radiation analysis run on grasshopper 2. PLACEMENT OF HOME BLOCKS (TYPE AA ) The finalised blocks of flats are stacked and spread across the site based on the sunlight hours done. With the help of radiation analysis on grasshopper the top most/ exposed surfaces of the flats are run under the simulation. The form of flats stacked in manner A are tested first to understand the effect of the radiation on the test areas.

The radiation analysis is simulated on the test surfaces with the rest of the objects set as the context for the radiation analysis run through ladybug simulations.

The results show posiive radiation results as it shows the test surfaces providing optimum results. The surface area is however limited for the density of flats.

The changed models are tested in the same simulation and background for the period of a year and simulate similar efficient results as the one above but also produce results on more surface area.

The results show posiive radiation results as it shows the test surfaces providing better than optimum results. The surface area is increased and hence becomes a more viable solution to surface more solar panels.

The built area in the surrounding is also taken into consideration while tasting the base.

Testing area

2BHK 1BHK

REARRANGEMENT OF HOME BLOCKS (TYPE AB ) The blocks are rearranged by shifting them to create more surface area exposed to the radiations. These create zones of shade and more spaces for addition of new areas.

Testing area

2BHK 1BHK

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URBAN SCALE

radiation analysis run on grasshopper 3. SOLAR PERCENTAGES The first area that is being tested is the site as it creates the base for the built structure. Analysis run on the test area denoted below produces the results which help indicate the areas with ample sunlight hours and helps seggregate areas for housing blocks and the others for the parks and green spaces.

Total area exposed: 150m2

Total area exposed: 191m2

Total area exposed for total number of 30 block of flats: 4500m2

Total area exposed for total number of 30 block of flats: 5730m2

Increase in area percentage by :

Potential SOLAR ENERGY GENERATION Potential annual benefit £426 Potential CO2 saving 603 kg / year Potential fuel bill saving £373 / year Potential payments from SEG (at 4.1 p/kWh) £53 year

Potential lifetime benefit £10,317 Potential lifetime CO2 saving 14,164 kg Potential lifetime fuel bill saving £9,124 Potential lifetime payments from SEG (at 4.1 p/kWh) £1,193 Estimated installation costs £5,419 Estimated lifetime maintenance costs £1,450 Potential lifetime net benefit £3,447 Size of the system 4 kWp Energy generated by the panels 2,608 kWh / year

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URBAN SCALE

view analysis run on grasshopper 4. PUBLIC & PRIVATE AREAS This visibility study demonstrates views from building on to the site. It shows 2 key areas of design intent these are: 1. Views within the cluster of buildings are confined which suggest a good level of privacy.

entrance & exit

2. Views from building to the site are vast and they converge in the main public spaces of movement and gathering with a high of 30 %

Testing area

- 30 % of all flats can see the public areas.

- The rest are facing the parks that are situated in the 4 sides of the site The views are contained in the center of the site, this stretches across the center of the site, making the proposal a more unique and creates vistas.

entrance & exit

The views stretch to the 4 corners that connect to the contextual buildings around. The exits and entrances of the site have visual disruptions as low as 12% as seen in the simulated result on the right.

entrance & exit

5. WAY FINDING There are ample views from the west side of the proposal to the buildings on the east, this allows for a visual connection within the site and helps the individuals identify themselves within the context. This phenomenon is often described as way finding.

The concept of way finding is used in an urban context as it helps in ensuring that the context is visually connected through.

Testing area

The three view points used in the test are at a height of 1.6m (average eye level). These are the test points. The testing area are set as the planar surfaces of the buildings on the east.

Based on the visibility test run on grasshopper we can see the results being a minimum of 30 % visibility from the test points, creating a connection.

View points

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INTERMIDIATE SCALE

analysis run on grasshopper

Intermidiate scale analysis: 1. Zoning of circulation 2. Communal space organising 3. Indoor privacy 4. Security of communal spaces

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INTERMIDIATE SCALE

sunlight hours analysis run on grasshopper 1. ZONING OF CIRCULATION The test aims to identify areas within the space between the flats that are ideal for stairways and modes of vertical transport within the building.

Sunlight analysis on the connecting floor depicts the central region to be an evenly lit area naturally considering all the context and the shade provided them. Results below are for the months of Dec to June for the warmest time of the day 2 pm.

The image below identifies the context of the test zone and also depicts a possible area for the common stairways. A similar analysis in the warmer months would help finalise the area that is appropriate.

Sunlight analysis on the connecting floor depicts the central region to be an evenly lit area naturally considering all the context and the shade provided them. Results below are for the months of July to November for the warmest time of the day 2 pm.

The image below depicts a similar result as the winter months and this helps us finalise an annual result for the possible zone for the stairways.

The sunlight hour analysis test run on grasshopper helps identify the areas with maximum natural light and sun hours. An examination of this format would ideally lead you to a well-lit and bright place for a stairway, as the design intent for the project needs the stairway to be in a non-secluded space.

The test zone is the floor that connects all the flats and the rest of the form is the context that is used to run the analysis.

Context

Positive probable stairway location Testing area

15

INTERMIDIATE SCALE

radiation hours analysis run on grasshopper 2. COMMUNAL SPACE ORGANISING

The test aims to understand the best areas within the assigned communal zone based on environmental factors. As these spaces are on the exterior, it becomes essential to identify the radiation results through the summer and winter months.

Radiation analysis for the months of July to November results in a uneven zoning for areas with more radiation within the central zone.

Radiation analysis for the months of July to November

Most probable location for the communal area based on the analysis of the summer months.

Communal area

Radiation analysis for the months of December to June results in a uneven zoning for areas with more radiation within the southern side mostly.

The region highlighted in the figure below notifies the area that has ample heat radiation throughout the years which makes it an ideal location for the communal area. Also this region is away from entrances to flats, making this a complete public zone.

Testing area

Ideal location for community gathering activity space.

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INTERMIDIATE SCALE

view analysis run on grasshopper 3. VIEW TO HOMES : INDOOR PRIVACY

The test aims to understand the limitaions and usefulness of the high sill level adopted in the windows facing the communal area which aims at creating more indoor privacy.

The test aims to understand the limitaions and usefulness of the high sill level adopted in the windows facing the communal area which aims at creating more indoor privacy.

The test with the higher sill level has most of the areas not viewable from the exterior and there is one area within the blocks which gives a 75 to 83.33 % view towards the interior which is not the best view to the flat.

The image below depicts that there is a possibility to consider the lower sill level as it doesnot create a completely viewable indoor space.

The conclusion for the test is finalised in the next section which details on the second aspect that is considered while lowering the sill level.

The test is from two different view points as seen in the diagram.

The results of the simulations will decide the viability of these changed levels of sill heights within this area.

Higher sill level

With the lower sill level there is a 36.36 % view inward and is not more than 50 % view overall. This test helps to understand the usefulness of a higher and a lower sill but is concluded in the next step of the test ( view from home )

Lower sill level

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INTERMIDIATE SCALE

view analysis run on grasshopper 3. VIEW FROM HOMES : SECURE COMMUNAL SPACES

Social housing has been a target of anti social activities taking place within the housing estates. This is one of the factors that need to be considered while designing communal spaces as they have a potential to be missused.

The below image depicts the percentage of views from the indoor spaces to the communal region. There is a minimum percentage of 0% to a maximum of 17%.

The higher sill level blocks the views from the homes to the communal space making the communal region an isolated area. A change of sill level will be tested to gain better results.

The below image depicts the increased percentage of views from the indoor spaces to the communal region. There is a minimum percentage of 34% to a maximum of 52%.

This analysis proves that the lower sill level benefits the design in comparison to the higher one as it helps in viewing the activities and keeps the communal spaces connected to the user.

Testing area - communal region

The lower sill levels help in creating a semi public region between the homes and the communal region. This helps the visual connectivity between the communal region and the home.

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DOMESTIC SCALE

analysis run on grasshopper

Intermidiate scale analysis: 1.Communal space organising 2. Solar gain 3. Indoor privacy 4. Security of communal spaces

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DOMESTIC SCALE

sunlight hours analysis run on grasshopper 1. PERCENTAGE OF OPENING

The individual homes are tested within the simulation of view analysis inorder to create graphical data that suggests the views from the flats surrounding one individual home. The picture below highlights the test zones and the test points.

The change between the two are minimal but the number of sunlight hours have increased.

These demonstrate the direct sun hours year round of an example domestic space. The uniform natural light spread across is a positive result. There is a high of 2807.40 hours within the level 1.

Level 1 Higher sill level - 1.6m

Level 0

The level 0 has areas with higher sunlight hours within the bedroom on the northside however the rest of the level 0 has less than 885 hours of sunlight annually.

The observable changes are the now brighter spots in the lower floor plan on the right side of the floor plan. There is a high of 1930 hours on the level 0 which makes it a more warmer and comfortable place annually.

Level 1 Lower sill level - 1.6m

The effect of radition versus lighting is not the same. therefore it is effective that the graphical analysis demonstrates a reasonably uniform lighting condition to the interior space. It also comments on the better interior comfort.

Level 0

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DOMESTIC SCALE

radiation analysis run on grasshopper 2. INDOOR RADIATION ANALYSIS - Higher sill level

INDOOR RADIATION ANALYSIS - Lower sill level

The radiation analysis is tested on the two different types of windows for the home design. The first simulation is done for the higher sill which indicates that the spaces in the floors above and below donot receive enough radiation as the majority of the spaces are not heated naturally.

The level 1 has the living dining and kitchen space ( semi private area) and the level 0 has the bedrooms and washroom ( private).

Based on the analysis it is seen that the larger windows with the lower sill level help heat the indoor spaces with ample ammount of heat. It is also quite evenly heated in this setting.

In comparison with the higher sill level it is evident that the lower level sill windows are preffered as there is more even radiation through out the year.

Level 1

Level 1

Level 1

Level 1

Level 0

Level 0

Level 0

Level 0

Design 01 Higher sill level - 1.6m

January at 1pm

Design 02 Lower sill level - 1.6m

July at 1pm

January at 1pm

July at 1pm

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DOMESTIC SCALE

view analysis run on grasshopper The level 0 is tested using the test points in the opposite floors which result in 7.14 % visibility which helps understand that there is little to no view from floors above inside which is a positive factor.

3. VIEW FROM SURROUNDING HOMES

The individual homes are tested within the simulation of view analysis inorder to create graphical data that suggests the views from the flats surrounding one individual home. The picture below highlights the test zones and the test points.

Level 1

Level 1 The level 1 is testing from the points across the same floor and there is a 40 % visibility rate in 50 % of the area that is tested. This makes the visibility percentage within the same floor to be controlled by external factors and not the sill level of the windows.

The image below details the areas within the flats that are based on the analysis previously done for the domestic scale.

Level 0

Level 0

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CONCLUSION

Analysis comparison table

Urban scale

Intermidiate scale

Domestic scale

Has it affected the design ?

View Analysis

Sunlight hours

Radiation analysis

Urban scale

: No

Intermidiate scale

: Yes

Domestic scale

: No

Urban scale

: Yes

Intermidiate scale

: Yes

Domestic scale

: Yes

Urban scale

: Yes

Intermidiate scale

: Yes

Domestic scale

: No

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CONCLUSION

Effect of simulations The image below highlights the areas that will use solar panels within a single block.

The highlighted surfaces show the communal areas and circulation zones that help in creating a more human centric and secure home.

Simulating three scales to identify which creates a better user experience : The view annalysis helped understand the effects of level of visibility from and to the home within the communal area. Design changes were seen as a result of this simulation in the intermidiate scale more than the urban and the domestic scale. View analysis helps to understand aspects like security within communal areas and indoor privacy in the social housing spectrum. The urban scale helped in establishing factors such as way finding which helps the residents connect to their immidiate surroundings.

Radiaition analysis was useful to determine the surfaces that help increase the heat gain for the solar panel design on the roof tops and ledges were created to incorporate more by the shifting of blocks in the urban level. The analysis was also helpful in the intermidiate scale as it helped decide areas for better and comfortable communal gather spaces. The domestic scale was analysed and produced positive results but did not result in any design changes. This could be a technique that can be adopted for most housing options as not to waste spaces while planning communal areas.

The window sizes of the highlighted zones shown below have changed over the process of using the different simulations.

The windows facing outward are increased and create view points aiming towards the surrounding creating a visual connection.

The sunlight hour analysis help in the reestablishment of having the stairways within a well lit region that was graphically proven through the results. This suggests that the intermidiate scale was effective and helped in the design decision. The urban scale helped in identifying the areas for the blocks to be designed and the parks to be seggregated as well. The tests run in the domestic scale help decide between different sill levels for the individual homes. The sunlight hour analysis helps analyse social housing i all the different scales as it helps improve the users experience within different aspects.

The different simulations in the varied scales do help the designer understand the limitations and positives of the design through different stages. Simulations can be used to analyse the design and create changes if needed or they can be used to highlight the positives in the design. This can be a useful technique to help design homes that cater to the tenants in social housing specially as most social housing schemes often are built to accomodate the population and not to accomodate them comfortably for a long period of time.

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CONCLUSION

Before and after the simulation result

The housing block BEFORE the results and analysis of simulations.

The housing block AFTER the results and analysis of simulations.

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Axometric view of domestic scale Flat types

The interior view of the domestic scale designed.

01

02

01

TYPE A 4 person (+1) flat

TYPE B 2 person (+1) flat

02

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Rendered view

Block of flats with the park The intermidiate scale of the designed block.

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Floor Plans Not to Scale

The intermidiate scale of the designed block.

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Conceptual diagrams Interior Axo

The urban scale of the designed block.

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Transition Space Social Connection

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