Archikinesis by Robert James Hernandez

Archikinesis: Architecture as a diachronic homeomorphism by Robert James Hernandez III

Whats Where Part 1

Abstract

What is it??

Part 2

Pg #

Defining Criteria

Who would use this?

Program

Precedent

History

Site

Context

Part 3

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Next

Things to consider

Further Research

Schedule

Bibliography

Part 1:

Abstract “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood....”

- Daniel Burnham

What is it?

Archi

Architect Architectus - Latin

kinesis Kinetic “pertaining to motion.” - dictionary.com

“chief or master” - Arkhi “builder or crafter” - tekton “high-crafter” - heahcræftiga

“of or relating to the motion of material bodies and the forces and energy associated therewith.” - Merriam-Webster κίνηση (kinesis) - “movement, motion.”

Archikinesis “A term invented by Pedro I. B. Rodrigues in Aug 2008 (Portugal,Lisbon) , to define a particular kind of architecture , which is by itself a dynamic object , in spatial , diachronic\anachroniccontext and it’s relation throughout the fourth dimension. Its also known as a conceptual tool in the development of ( besides a theoretical and diagrammatic component ) space as a physical , human and natural matter.”

- http://archikinesis.blogspot.com/

My definition A building as a forth dimensional diachronic homeomorphism using a real - time surjective kinetic system in order to adjust the relationship of relative space and matter to cater towards the user’s current and future personal needs and desires.

Architecture has two schools of thought when beginning phenomenon. Buildings are usually built with an end a project. The starting approach can be location based

goal of a program that needed to be fulfilled. They are

design, which looks more towards integrating the

usually only used for that one specific purpose and is

building using the Genius Loci or the spirit of the place

rarely changed as time develops. An office building

as a technique to draw inspiration. This is a reactionary becomes an office building which could become a response and usually evokes a broader conception

production building and is later changed to a laboratory

of the project. Its antithesis disregards the context

but then returns back as another office building before

altogether and is focused on architecture as both an

it then becomes an outdated piece of technology and

object and idea that is usually experimental and of the

is torn down. With this example the building retains

zeitgeist. Both of these have their place in the practice

its universal open floor plan that Mies Van Der Rohe

of architecture. Both of these possess the power to

provided and is only infused with the values and ideals

produce great results and have the ability to create a

of its user. This comes with a cost as it starts to tread

piece that we call Architecture, Other times it results

the line between genius loci and zeitgeist but usually

in a building that falls below all expectations and this

is a disappointment due to other factors such as the

is highly dependent on how skilled the architect is as

zoning and budget conundrums which is another issue I

balancing the factors of reality with the design ideas.

will address in a later chapter. Buildings are seen solely

The question then becomes: is it possible to integrate

as profit machines with complete disregard to who uses

both into a project? Is there a combination of the two or it and the end result when the building is no longer a third option? The concept of a kinetic building starts

needed for any of the purposes it was meant to fulfill.

to simultaneously address these two nomenclatures in

What I am pioneering is the next step of open universal

an interesting way. Static architecture begins to solve

floor plans and having the ready availability to mold it

specific problems or ideas in a world full of cyclical

to an individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s liking without the added time, money,

dynamism and physical systems. We can predict based and effort. off of previous evidence that history repeats itself and the sun always rises in the East. Kinetic architecture

action

adds another dimension to design as it addresses the notion of time and the variations that occur during this

There was once a man named Tom who live and

Tom Don

worked in the heart of a metropolis. He was your

increase, he can have less of a barrier between he

average office manager who worked in the middle

and his constituents, and his environment would not

floor of a pedestrian steel frame curtain walled office

be constructed as a small box with no character or

building. His managing tactics were all but novel and

stimulating psychological impact. As he pondered this

he made certain his employees knew who was the

idea, he begin to realize that there are some of these

boss. His office was in the corner of the building and

sorts of architectural systems currently out on the

only had connection with the rest of his office if his

market. Movable, collapsible, or rotating walls. Two

door was left ajar. Soon, being that it was only an

spaces in one, one in two. But what if you were start to

average situation, the business had been bought out

push this idea further? The current systems only deal

by another company and the office space sold to a

with a single dimensional aspect and address only one

new and burgeon tech company. The floor manager,

to two spaces. What if the entire building started to

Don, was a far from average office manager. His traits

possess the ability to maneuver at your will in real time.

were to be a visionary thinker and relational leader.

Not only can he open up his office space to connect

He disliked the space hiatus between the corner office

with the rest of his crew, but also start to furnish the

and the rest of the floor. He believed that it presented

office with the building. Saves having to pick and buy

a psychological superiority complex with his employees furniture that may not be dimensionally awkward or and would cause production to slow down and possible depreciate the overall aesthetic value and content. The

work conflicts unresolved. As he sat in his office he

possibilities would be seemingly endless as well. If a

begin to think about what would happen if the place

conference was to be held at short notice, a flat work

was able to kinetically adjust without the additional

surface and chairs could come from the walls and floor.

construction costs of remodeling. Productivity could

Depending on the design of the building and its layout,

the envelop could also start to become an operable

I begin to explore the idea of flexible spaces with an

aspect of the system allowing for openings to be placed art installation that has been apart of our research where needed at the time so that natural light and air

process. The installation was a series of basic

could start to add to the list of possibilities. When the

tectonic shapes that were free standing and made

task or meeting was concluded and the business moved of rudimentary materials, wood and chipboard. They to a larger floor area, what had been could all seem

had to be structural enough to stand but light enough

to dissipate into the structure leaving what is really an

to move. The gallery was a type of controlled lab

empty almost to the point of amorphous space that

environment and seem to deem a success as they were

was impregnated with personal potential. Don thought

moved numerous times before, during, and after the

of the next client that could move into the space and

showing. This was to show that a majority of us have a

all that they could shape it to be which could be totally

desire to make things our own given the correct tools

amiss what his ideology would be but able to work for

and techniques.

their particular needs.

Space exploration through rudimentary materials. Wood and Chipboard

I n sta l l at i o n A b st r a c t : W h a t â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s Yo u r S p a c e ? The idea of space and home varies from culture to culture based on tradition, t e c h n o l o g y, a n d a r c h i t e c t u r a l t y p o l o g y. T h e perception of dwelling however varies from person to person. The intention for this piece is to explore the notions of different signs that suggest affects of spacial dwelling and allowing any individual who views the piece to have the freedom of configuring it to their own spacial liking. This is to physically manifest the concept that we all impose our individuality towards what is around us and can begin to muse at how this influence can become architectural. The free standing architectonics can be moved at any given time and are constructed to form three different techniques: t h e l i n e , t h e c o r n e r, t h e a n g l e .

Installation Construction

Part 2:

Defining Criteria “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood....”

- Daniel Burnham

Client

masquerade as a wise choice. With this generation having technology as a second nature, perhaps this

In recent years there has been a cultural paradigm shift sort of architecture could become as open sourced of the American dream with the realization that it is

and shared. Housing configurations that some people

wasteful living and an unnecessary responsibility. The

would have never thought of unless they physically tried

client that I believe would have the most potential living it will emerge. Our world is much more complex than in an archikinetic home would be the young working

the rudimentary boxes we try to place people in and

class family or young professionals who possess the

we will need environments that are able to adapt to the

ability to readily learn and accept new technologies.

quick changes to come without sacrificing the quality of

The reasoning behind this is because of the disposition permanence. they provide in terms of social influence and values. As there seems to be a cultural shift from the suburban ideology, these people are realizing the cost and inefficiency of expected American life. There is however a misconception that young people stay in the city as some recent studies have shown as the toll of city life and the growth of families causes geographical relocation.1 As this generation becomes older, they start to move away from the center into metropolitan

Cost

areas. Other studies and census data have shown some other recent trends of young couples having less

The cost of this structure is something that is difficult to

children but larger homes. Having an architecture that

pinpoint because of the high level of attention to detail

is expected to become adaptable to certain rhythmic

it will demand and the absence of proper precedents

life situations would be a benefit to this particular

that start to come close towards this idea. As time

generation. Couples who own a 2200 square foot home progresses and technology advances towards a more 10

and only use it as a place to eat and sleep does not

streamlined production of quality products, the cost of a unit would drop dramatically. The closes product

that is currently on the market is my precedent study

a worthy investment in a city that is rated one of the

that you will have the chance to read in a few pages.

most expensive places to live in the United States.

The average price for that home is about $110,000 and is designed with todays best standards of precision. Perhaps this will be a target price as the development of archikinetics grows from its infancy. By the time any refinement is reached the technology would also have become more precisely refined and readily available for use. The bottom line price then comes down to about $200 a square foot for a 500 sq. ft. home. This would still beat the average rent cost in San Francisco. A one bedroom apartment costs about $2873 a month.2 The return on investment for an archikinetic home would be

Approximate average US home size: 2200 sq. ft.

Approximate average apartment size: 500 sq. ft.

Average tiny home movement size: 100 sq. ft.

Guest

Exercise

Hobby

Work

Excessive

Lounge

Entertainment

TIER III

TIER II

Store

Cook

Relax

Wash

Eat

Sleep

TIER I

Home Activities Essentials

Additional

•

Bedroom

≈ 140 sq ft

•

Dining room or nook ≈ 40 sq ft

•

Bathroom

≈ 40 sq ft

•

Storage space

•

Kitchen

≈ 100 sq ft

•

Place to sit and relax ≈ 130 sq ft

• Additional Bedroom(s) • Study • Library

• Studio • etc

• Home Theater • Sitting Room • Workout Room

• Sun room • etc

≈ 50 sq ft

The loft3 is a pre-manufactured home that can be

can keep track of all your utilities, appointments, and

shipped and located just about anywhere. It is about

operable portions of the house such as the blinds,

420 sq. ft. in area and takes approximately 5 - 7 days

temperature and lighting. The average cost for this

to construct. With its cube shape it is more ideal for

particular pre-manufactured home is about $110,000

flatter surfaces. It weighs about 9 tons and the shell

and can be shipped just about anywhere.

material is constructed from the same fiberglass that is used for yachts. This guarantees more durability against the natural elements and aids in keeping the interior portion dry. The current model allows for 360 degree views as there are floor to ceiling window panels used for walls. These have both frosted glass and clear glass for added privacy as well as additional louvers that can be used along all the windows. All of this is controlled by a central computer system which

an Francisc Quick Facts:

Founded in 1776

Incorporated in 1850

Density: 17,867 pp sq/mi Population: 837,442 Area: 46.9 mi2

Median Household Income: $75,604 2nd densest city in America History

rebuilding begin, the surviving areas shifted more towards the wealthy since they were able to afford

Founded in June 1776 by Spanish explorer Don

what had not been annihilated. Finally something

Gaspar de Portolรก de Rovira of Spain San Francisco

in the favor of San Francisco happened when the

is a city that has seen almost everything except war.

stock market crash of 1929 hit. Not a single bank

It was named after Saint Francis of Assisi who had a

failed. The city was reborn as the new standing

mission built and dedicated to him in San Francisco

financial capital of the United States. After the

the same founding year. As it begin to slowly grow,

Second World War, the urban development between

the event of the California gold rush accounted

the 1950s-1960s boomed and it soon destroyed the

for the major boom in the population growth by

small trading piers of the city. Industry moved out

1849. The next major event that happened was the

to Oakland until it was put to a halt by protesting

San Francisco plague of 1901-1904 which killed

citizens. Banks however started to make this

113 people.3 Disaster struck again in 1906 with an

peninsula their head quarters and by the 1970s

earthquake magnitude between 7.7 and 7.9 struck

manhattanization swept across the city. The infamous

the city and started a great fire that a majority of

Transamerican Pyramid was completed in 1972 and

the city.4 Roughly 3000 people were killed and over

Bank of America completed their head quarters

a quarter million were without homes. The western

three years earlier. Another earthquake struck again

neighborhoods were untouched however, and as the

in 1989 but was less devastating as buildings were

now designed to withstand the seismic forces. Since

distance of what could be the starting location of

then, San Francisco has now become the tech center

this prototype transportation system. If the politics

of the world. With the .com boom of the 1990s and

work out and the project is followed through, the

the development of Google in the nearby silicon

development of multiple Hyperloops to connect major

valley, this city is home to some of the leading edge

cities will most likely start to take an effect.

technological developments that have impacted the world.

Current Discourse

One major idea that has captured the audience of many is the proposed Hyperloop developed from Elon Muskâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s companies: Space X and Tesla Motors. This is a revolutionary transportation system that would connect central California with its southern parts. The Image: SpaceX & Tesla Motors Hyperloop capsule sketch

proposed loop would originate from San Francisco and end in Los Angeles and reach speeds of over 700 mph. It would make the commute time between

Hyperloop system throughout the US could be in the

the two cities only 35 minutes instead of the normal

near future.

6.5 hour drive. The paper released by Tesla Motors discusses the overall route and technical ideas and calculations that have been used to start making this a reality. The total cost would be about $6 billion dollars and it is estimated to transport over 3 million people a year.5 The entry into San Francisco would follow the I-80 along the bay bridge into the west side of the city. This puts my project within walking

Image: Proposed Hyperloop route

Presidio Heights

Seacliff Richmond

Haight Ashbury

Golden Gate Inner Sunset Sunset

Russian Hill

Pacific Heights

Nob Hill

Western Addition

Forest Hill

Financial District I - 80 Bay Bridge

Civic Center South of Market

Hayes Valley Upper Market Mission

Twin Peaks Parkside

North Beach Chinatown

Presidio

Marina

Diamond Heights Sunnyside

Potrero Hill

Castro

Bernal Heights

Bayview Hunters Point

I - 80 Bay Bridge

San Francisco wind patterns 12

Axis Title

0 40

-2

Average Temperature

25’

50’ 30’

SUMMARY OF STANDARDS FOR THE C-36 (DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL) DISTRICTS Planning Code Sec. 210.3: C-3 (DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL) DISTRICTS

215: DWELLING UNIT DENSITY -- 1 dwelling unit for

-- Downtown San Francisco, a center for city, regional,

each 125 square feet of lot area is a permitted use.

national and international commerce, is composed of

A greater density, limited by the discretion of the

four separate districts, as follows: C-3-0 (Downtown

Planning Commission, is a conditional use. Top

Office); C-3-R (Downtown Retail); C-3-G (Downtown General Commercial); C-3-S (Downtown Support).

320: HOUSING REQUIREMENTS -- The Office

The C-3-0 district has a subdistrict for special

Affordable Housing Production Program, requires

development called the C-3-0(SD) district.

housing to be constructed or a housing development fee paid for new office buildings or conversion of

124: FLOOR AREA RATIO LIMIT -- 9:1 for C-3-0; 6:1 for

more than 50,000 gross square feet.

C-3-R; 6:1 for C-3-G and 5:1 for C-3-S. 270, 271: HEIGHT CONTROLS -- See Height and Bulk 124, 127 and Art. 11: TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT

District Zoning Maps and Bulk Limits in Section 270.

RIGHTS (TDR) -- Owners of buildings requiredto

Excessive bulk may be authorized as a conditional

be preserved by Article 11, per their assigned

use.

preservation rating may sell unused development potential to owners of other lots in the same district

607: SIGN CONTROLS -- See Article 6 of the Planning

or to a lot in the C-3-0(SD) District. Lots may have

Code. Height limited to 100 feet (free standing limited

their FAR increased by the above means up to 18:1 in

to 40 feet), projection limited to 75% of sidewalk

the C-3-0 and the C-3-0(SD) district and 1 1/2 times

width up to a maximum of 12 feet. Special sign

the base FAR in other C-3 districts.

districts modify these controls.

161(c) & 151; OFF STREET PARKING -- Not required for

134: REAR YARD -- 25% of lot depth required for levels

nonresidential uses; 1 space for each 4 dwelling units.

occupied by residential uses. No front setbacks or

side yards required.

215 & ff: USES -- Office, retail, residential, entertainment and institutional uses are permitted. Wholesale and some light manufacturing uses are permitted in some C-3 districts. Hotels are a conditional use.

Art. 2: SPECIAL USE DISTRICTS -- May be more or less restrictive than certain standards in C-3 districts.

Image: Lower portion of the site

Image: Parasitic attachment wall

Image: Aerial perspective of site

Image: Opposite building across the alley

Part 3:

Whats Next “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood....”

- Daniel Burnham

Things

Consider

I need to research during the coming semester studio and act as a developmental guide to further push the

Other subjects that I must consider during this project

archikinetic system..

are: •

Psychology of moving environments

•

Social commentary of who can control this type of architectural system and whether it is computer driven or physically moved.

•

Equation methods of design

This starter list should assist in the influence of where

P r i n c i p l es o f k i n et i c m o v e m e nt •

Swivel

•

Gather

•

Slide

•

Flap

•

Contract

•

Expand

•

Rotate

•

Pneumatic

•

Fold

Further Research

How far in the future will it be before this starts to

During the break between this manual and the next

become an actual product and how would the world

semester studio some areas of research that I need to

look?

continue to develop are:

•

Current manufacturing techniques

•

Current and theorized mechanical systems

•

Length of construction process

•

Building and working from nano to micro scale

Exterior Shell

Some of my first design ideas I’ve discussed through the semester. Creating a two part entity - an outer skin that can be customized during the manufacturing phase in order for a more appropriate finish material based off of climactic demands and environmental site specifics, and in interior universal system that is the core of the project and what I am exploring. Design questions that I have already started to ponder are as follows:

How does the exterior and interior start to relate? Interior archikinetic system

What types of techniques will I be using or discovering in order to achieve this architecture?

How can these start to form a greater whole and 26

become a network of possibilities?

ARCH 556 Schedule *Subject to change Week

Tasks

Completion

Site analysis review and development

Program relationship and rough formalistic concept models

Structural systems for parasitic attachment

Review

Interior systems analysis, prototyping and development

Program analysis and development based from feedback from review. Start integrating learned systems from previous week

Review

Refine presentational conceptual ideas

Start first draft of final documents and develop presentation techniques

Continue interior systems development and detail design

Mid Review

Review comments and refine building details

Create working scale model prototype & overall scale model

Continue model refinement

Review

Review and refine final presentation document list. Make final adjustments from feedback. Continue final drawings and renderings

Continue final drawings and renderings

Final Review

Refine Design project manual and add project

Competition submittal

Bibliography 1. Kotkin, Joel. “The Geography Of Aging: Why Millennials Are Headed To The Suburbs.” Forbes. December 9, 2013. Accessed September 15, 2014. http://www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2013/12/09/thegeography-of-aging-why-millenials-are-headed-to-the-suburbs/.

2. “Rent Trend Data in San Francisco, California.” Average Rent In San Francisco, San Francisco Rent Trends and Rental Comps. http:// www.rentjungle.com/average-rent-in-san-francisco-rent-trends.

3. Echenberg, Myron J. Plague Ports: The Global Urban Impact of Bubonic Plague,1894-1901. New York: New York University Press, 2007. 231.

4. “Earthquake FAQ.” FAQ. Accessed December 16, 2014. http:// seismo.berkeley.edu/outreach/faq.html.

5. “Hyperloop Alpha.” Tesla Motors. August 12, 2013. http://www. teslamotors.com/sites/default/files/blog_attachments/hyperloop_ alpha3.pdf.

6. “C-3 District Summary.” San Francisco Planning Department: http:// www.sf-planning.org/index.aspx?page=1583. 28

Images 1. Pg. 12: http://www.marketingcharts.com/wp-content/ uploads/2012/11/CensusBureau-Average-US-Household-SizeNov2012.png

2. Pg 17: “Hyperloop Alpha.” Tesla Motors. August 12, 2013. http:// www.teslamotors.com/sites/default/files/blog_attachments/ hyperloop_alpha3.pdf.

3. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/San_ Francisco_%28Evening%29.jpg

4. Pgs. 22 - 23: http://www.sf-planning.org/?page=1569