Core02 kaushik, sally, sharon, zaqi

CORE STUDIO II | CITY SYSTEMS

AA|Emergent Technologies & Design|2015-16 Kaushik Sardesai |Sally Al-Badry|Sharon Ann Philip|Zaqi Fathis

“ It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.�

-Charles Darwin

ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATION SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE GRADUATE SCHOOL PROGRAMMES COVERSHEET FOR SUBMISSION 2015-­16

PROGRAMME: Emergent Technologies & Design 2016 TERM: 2

STUDENT NAME(S): KAUSHIK SARDESAI, SALLY AL-­BADRY, SHARON ANN PHILIP, ZAQI FATHIS

SUBMISSION TITLE: CORE STUDIO 2 DOCUMENTATION

COURSE TITLE: CORE STUDIO 2: CITY SYSTEMS COURSE TUTOR: MICHAEL WEINSTOCK (Director), EVAN GREENBERG (Studio Master)

SUBMISSION DATE: 05/ 05/ 2016

DECLARATION:

“I certify that this piece of work is entirely my/our own and that any quotation or paraphrase from the published or unpubl Signature of Student(s):

Date:

EmTech Staff Michael Weinstock

Director

George Jeronimidis

Director

Evan Greenberg

Studio Master [AA]

Elif Erdine

Studio Tutor [AA]

Ulysses Sengupta

Collaborator [CPU]

Deljana Iossifova

Collaborator [CPU]

Axel Korner

Collaborator

Acknowledgements We are extremely grateful to Michael Weinstock and the entire EmTech+CPU staff for their valuable insight and support in completing this research project. We would like to convey our sincere regards for all the encouragement and inspiration that we received throughout this project.

Secondly, we would like to express our gratitude to all our colleagues at EmTech and CPU for their inputs and support at various stages of work and thank all others who have contributed directly or indirectly to this project.

Core Studio II | City Systems 7 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ABSTRACT CHAPTER III : Design Experiments & Implementation

INTRODUCTION CHAPTER I : Data Mining - Historical Development - Evolution of Building Morphology - Building Morphology - Land Use - Building Heights - Site Sections - Building Typology - Comparison of City Tissues - Urban Organization - Conclusion

CHAPTER II : Design Strategy - Design Ambition - Design Strategy - Pseudocode - River Medlock - Flood Analysis - Topographical Analysis - Design Measures - Flood Prone Zones - River Branching - Density Distribution - Body Plan - Gene Pool - Fitness Criteria

16 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 28 29

- Design Experiments - Nodes, Connections, Networks - Urban Morphology - Network Analysis - Density Distribution - Flooding Scenarios - Program Distribution - Visibility Analysis - Sections - Site Sections - Street View - Aerial View - Further Development

48 49 50 51 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 63

30 31 32 33 34 35 36 38 39 40 43 44 45 46

Appendix

64

Conclusion

68

Personal Reflection

70

References

76

Core Studio II | City Systems 9 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

Abstract

Abstract This report is the product of experimentation and research based on the tools and

The morphology shows variation based on specific environmental criteria

techniques acquired in the “Emergence”seminar at the Architectural Association [AA]

like flooding of the river and design considerations like built to open ratio,

in early 2016.

building orientation and the location of the building from point attractors

The primary aim of the design approach is to investigate and analyse an urban patch

within the site.

in East Manchester and propose a high-density urban system that is integrated with

The variation in building morphology is realised as an output of an evolu-

the rest of the city and can produce a differentiated result within the same system for

tionary algorithm which further generates different clusters as “cells” within

different environmental scenarios.

the patch.

The system is an amalgamation of top-down and bottom-up approach for design. The

The intelligence of the system is based on the efficiency of system logic

bottom-up approach is applied specifically to the morphological evolution of building

and design strategy and is further informed by the building geometry and

blocks and development of different network systems while the top-down approach

generated networks.The report concludes with a detailed design proposal

focuses mainly on the design objectives and strategy adopted for the site.

of one cluster which is integrated with the rest of the system within the pa-

The logics of the system proposed as an urban model are in coherence with the cur-

rameters of demographics, networks, connectivity and spatial organisation.

rent pressures sustained by the tissue. The entire study aims to accommodate the growing need for densification and is based on a set of associative rules specific to the morphology and density gradients, relative to the system.

Core Studio II | City Systems 11 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

Fig 1. Location of Manchester showing Beswick

Core Studio II | City Systems 13 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

Introduction

Introduction Almost all major cities in the world today, are facing immense complications in sustaining the constant demographic pressures, environmental hazards and large scale urbanization. Architecturally, it is no longer viable to integrate built and open spaces or generate usable spaces within the dense urban fabric of the city. These factors have a pernicious impact on the existing infrastructure as it fails inevitably to meet the basic requirements of livability.

The city of Manchester in England, lies within the United Kingdom’s second most populous urban area and has a population of around 2.50 million people. Beswick, in East Manchester is taken as a test site for further study and analysis.

Fig 2. Map of Manchester showing Beswick [site of study] Source:Re-drawn from (http://manchester-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/cspo/core_strategy_proposed_option?pointId=1246781217687, 2016)

Core Studio II | City Systems 15 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

CHAPTER I: Data Mining

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD The study commenced with an initial extraction and collation of data on site, which DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD was compared to other urban systems based on certain parameters like “density, DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD demographics, environment, transportation and social networks. Other analytical DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD techniques of data mapping and Space Syntax were adopted as a part of this study.

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDD

Data Mining

2015

This chapter documents the the variation in building types and morphology of Bradford

(East Manchester), in comparison with other tissue samples from Tokyo and New York city. The study takes into cognizance certain parameters common to that of East Manchester and provides basic guidelines to formulate a design strategy for a city system.

Fig3. Map of Bradford in East Manchester showing built footprint Image Source: Re-drawn from (Digimap.edina.ac.uk, 2016)

Core Studio II | City Systems 17 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT 2000

Fig 4. Map of Bradford in the year 2000.

Source: Redrawn from satellite images (Earth)

2015

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD 2015 in building DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD In order to understand the growth and change types and morDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD phology, an annual change of satellite images from the year 2000 to 2015 is DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD recorded and analysed.

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD The studied area covers a total of 2.6 sq.km., and it is clearly evident that DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD the most significant change in this tissue is the construction of the Etihad DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD stadium and residential buildings in Bradford that has densified the area inDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD crementally over the past decade.The Piccadilly Station in the south west and DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD University buildings in the vicinity have increased the influx of people, mainly DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD students and professionals; in this particular patch of Manchester.

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD The buildings marked in red, (ref. Fig. 1) are the only buildings that have DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD undergone demolition or reconstruction. Almost all the buildings that have DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD similar typology have the same morphology which thereby reduces the posDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD sibility of densification to a great extent.

DDDDD To develop any part of an urban tissue, it is important to understand the differentiation in typology with respect to the user type and need, floating or permanent. The stagnancy of morphological evolution in this part of Manchester is mainly due to the growing pressures of demography and economic

Fig 5. Map of Bradford in the year 2000.

Source: Redrawn from satellite images (Earth) Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

imbalance that drive the qualitative aspect of architecture today.

EVOLUTION OF BUILDING MORPHOLOGY Residential Communities | Bradford , Manchester

EVOLUTION OF BUILDING MORPHOLOGY Residential Communities | Bradford , Manchester After getting an overview of the developC

B

A

B

A

SingleScullery Cell/ cottage

C

Block Scullery

D C

F E D Rows of six cottages (1820-60) Source: www.bradfordhistorical.org.uk

Block of four cells (Early 1800’s)

Rows of six cottages (1820-60)

Source: www.bradfordhistorical.org.uk

Source: www.bradfordhistorical.org.uk

House

B B

A

F

Block

D

Source: www.bradfordhistorical.org.uk

C

E

D

Block of four cells (Early 1800’s)

A

C

B

A

B

A

D

C D House-body concept (Early 1872-73) Source: www.bradfordhistorical.org.uk

Fig 6House-body - Back to Backconcept housing (Early concept1872-73) Source : www.bradfordhistorical.org.uk Source: www.bradfordhistorical.org.uk

House Kitchen Parlour Kitchen Parlour

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD more in depthDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD study into the planning of the DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD housing units was made as a part of the DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD data mining stage.

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD In the 19th century a phenomenon of BackDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD to-back houses were largely of the north DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD and midlands asDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD they provided a high denDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD sity of occupation.

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD The pre-industrial cottages of the Bradford DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD area tended DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD inDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD different variations: sinDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD gle-celled, two storey, or two-celled, single DDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD storey, either of which provided two rooms, DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD one a house body, the other a chamber used DDDDD ment of Bradford over the past decade, a

Single Cell/ cottage

B

A

C

A

D

B Lobby

C

D

as a bedroom and also for storage. Back-toback houses lacked light and air, had poor

Block of four cells (Early 1892-94)Lobby Source: www.bradfordhistorical.org.uk

drainage and bad sanitation.

Block of four cells (Early 1892-94) Source: www.bradfordhistorical.org.uk

Core Studio II | City Systems 19 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

LAND USE

BUILDING MORPHOLOGY BUILDING MORPHOLOGY The variation in the building morphology is documented and analysed in order to gain an understanding of the programmatic distribution on site. It is observed that the morphology has evolved and developed in clusters that show signs of similar typology.

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

Most of the morphology pertains to that of attached single/multi-family dwelling stating that the maximum land use is for residential purposes. Towers and bar buildings form only 3% of the total built mass within the tissue, which contradicts high densification. Almost 15% of the total built form are warehouses that need greater ground coverage and provide lesser opportunities

LAND USE USE LAND

for accommodating population growth.

By mapping the land use, it is possible to understand the quantitative aspect DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

and percentage of the built footprint and programmatic distribution within the tissue. It is observed that the residential zone is almost 30% of the total site as compared to the parks and open spaces that are only 15%. Industrial and

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

commercial zones are at the site periphery, closer to the Piccadilly station and city centre.

A major portion of the tissue is dedicated to the Etihad Stadium and campus which restricts the scope of linear expansion of buildings in the North-east

Fig 7. Overall morphology Fig 8. Overall Land use Source: Re-drawn from (Digimap.edina.ac.uk, 2016) Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

corner of the site.

BUILDING MORPHOLOGY

LAND USE

LAND USE

DDDDD DDDD Fig 9. Building morphology Fig 10. Land use DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDD DDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDD DDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDD DDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDD DDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

Core Studio II | City Systems 21 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

BUILDING HEIGHTS

BUILDING HEIGHTS BUILDING HEIGHTS

BUILDING HEIGHTS

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD The building heights are documented to understand the verticalDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD and horizontal expansion of the building morphology to DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD calculate the number of occupants in the building. It is seen that almost 50% of the buildings are below 4 floors, which DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD show signs of a relatively low density of people in each building.

The buildings that are greater than 4 floors have a similar programmatic distribution and are mainly of mixed use. This study led to the establishment of the fact that Bradford has relatively low population density with respect to the pace DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD of infrastructural setup and expansion.

Fig 11. Building Heights DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD Source: Re-drawn from (Digimap.edina.ac.uk, 2016)

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD Architectural Association School of Architecture DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

URBAN PROFILES

SECTIONAL ELEVATIONS

SECTION A-A B A

A

SECTION B-B

B

Fig 12. Site Sections Source: Generated from (Digimap.edina.ac.uk, 2016) Core Studio II | City Systems 23 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

BUILDING TYPOLOGY BUILDING TYPOLOGY BUILDING TYPOLOGY A-Attached A-Attached Program: Program: HousesHouses Intensity of development: Intensity of development: Low Low User: multifamily User: multifamily BuildingBuilding Depth: Depth: 9m 9m of Floors: 2 NumberNumber of Floors: 2

6.5 m

6.5 m

26 m

5m

5m

9m

9m

7m

7m

26 m

E- Detached E- Detached Program: Program: House House Intensity of development: Intensity of development: Low Low User: Single User: Single family family BuildingBuilding Depth: Depth: 12.5 m12.5 m of Floors: 2 NumberNumber of Floors: 2

11 m

3m

3m

12.5 m

12.5 m

5m

5m

11 m

F- Semi-Detached F- Semi-Detached Program: Program: House House Intensity of development: Intensity of development: Low Low User: Multifamily User: Multifamily BuildingBuilding Depth: Depth: 28 m 28 m of Floors: 2 NumberNumber of Floors: 2

8m

8m

28 m

5m

Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

5m

28 m

BUILDING TYPOLOGY TYPOLOGY BUILDING TYPOLOGY D- Tower D- Tower Intensity of development: Medium Intensity development: Medium User:ofMulti user User: Multi user Building Depth: 20 m Building Depth: 20 m 19 Number of Floors: Number of Floors: 19

20 m

20 m

33 m

33 m

E- Block Building E- Block Building Program: Appartment Intensity of development: Medium Program: Appartment User: Multi user Intensity of development: Medium Building Depth: User: Multi user 42 m Number of Floors: Building Depth: 42 m 5 Number of Floors: 5

42 m

42 m

60 m

60 m

F- Warehouse

F- Warehouse

Program: Commercial Intensity of development: Low Program: User: Commercial Multi user Intensity of development: Building Depth: 65 m Low User: Multi user Number of Floors: 2 Building Depth: 65 m Number of Floors: 2

57 m

57 m

65 m

65 m

Core Studio II | City Systems 25 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

COMPARISON OF OF CITY CITYTISSUES TISSUES COMPARISON Japan | United States of America | United Kingdom

Tokyo Dome, Bunkyo

Density: 19,290 people/sq.km.

Coverage:

data.worldbank.org

Mixed Typology _Dense Fabric Source: www.mimoa.eu Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

Yankee Stadium, Bronx NYC Density: 13,220 people/sq.km.

Coverage:

data.worldbank.org

(Dimensions: 30-45m)

Source: www.upload.wikimedia.org

Etihad Stadium, Manchester Density: 4,350 people/ sq.km.

Coverage:

data.worldbank.org

Low Rise_Sparsely Dense Settlement Source: www.mcfc.co.uk

(Dimensions: 6-12m)

SPATIAL CONFIGURATION & DENSITY COMPARISON OF CITY TISSUES Japan | United States of America | United Kingdom Built Form

Built Form

Built Form

Building Use

Building Use

Building Use

Open Space

Open Space

Open Space

Internal connection of street networks.

Linear hierarchy of widths.

Internal alleys and wide footpaths.

Avenues along N/S & streets along E/W axis.

Private open spaces widely connected by pedestrian and vehicular network.

Grid Division: 30-35m Mixed

Road Width: 6-7m Bldg - Bldg: 8-10m

Modular : 40-55m

Uniform : 6-8m

Mixed

Residential

Road Width: 6-8m Bldg - Bldg: 15-18m

Road Width: 5-7m Bldg - Bldg: 10-20m

Bunkyo-Tokyo

Bronx-New York City

Bradford- Manchester

- Canals and transport networks form the main axis of building orientation.

- High density area with maximum plot coverage.

- Comparatively lower density with optimum plot coverage.

- Variation in the population density due to mixed building typology.

by regular urban fabric.

- Nuclear planning strategy with concept of local communities.

- Irregular planning with variation in building heights.

- Green pockets and squares at main intersections .

- Built to open ratio is standardized due to maximum residential land use.

-Developed from the neighbourhood concept.

-Integrated grid planning in the borough.

.Developed from the villag

e concept -

Core Studio II | City Systems 27 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

URBAN ORGANISATION URBAN ORGANISATION Morphological Variation Morphological Variation

Fig 14. Morphological Variation Source: Generated from (Google Earth) Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

Conclusion The entire process of data mining and analysis set the basis for generating a set of design rules and principles for further experimentation. The comparison of the selected tissue with other urban cities created an understanding of how buildings, networks and population densities function at various scales in different scenarios.

The primary inference from this section of data mining is that the connections and differences between the words typology and morphology in relation to the context of the site play a very important role in designing a high-density city system.

The environmental study from data mining is adopted as the main driver of design as it is interesting to investigate the aspect of river flooding and integrate it with the built and open spaces within the test site. The initial idea that came out of the study was to design a high-density patch that would be qualitative in its spatial envelope, both built and open to being able to integrate with the concept of river water flooding situation.

Core Studio II | City Systems 29 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

CHAPTER II: Design Strategy

Design Ambition “To design a high-density urban tissue with maximum pedestrian mobility and minimum risk of river floods.�

After the collaborative effort of data mapping and analysis, a patch of 1 sq.km. was selected from the site extent as a test site for experimentation. From the environmental data, it was evident that the River Medlock is prone to high risk of flooding, which passed through the centre of the selected patch.

The main focus of this chapter is to study and analyse the site topography and target the issue of flooding to minimise the impact and accommodate higher gradient of density. Since the density distribution is in coherence with the building morphology, a Fig 15. Map of Bradford showing selected patch (grey), Etihad Stadium and Piccadilly Station (black) and River Medlock (blue) Image Source: Re-drawn from (Digimap.edina.ac.uk, 2016)

set of generative rules based on the body plan and fitness criteria of the building block form the basis of experimentation and development of design.

Core Studio II | City Systems 31 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

DESIGN STRATEGY Site Land

Site Water Land

Site Water Land

Water

Minimum

Minimum

Minimum

GN DRIVERS DESIGN DRIVERS

Average Site Topography Volume of water Average Average Site TopographySite Topography Volume of waterVolume of water Low Low Maximum Low Maximum Maximum Slope Analysis Flood risk Zones Slope Analysis Slope Analysis Flood risk Zones Flood risk Zones Medium Medium Vertical Medium Vertical Rise in Volume Rise in Volume Rise in Volume High Horizontal Water Diversion Tributary High High Horizontal Water Diversion Water Diversion Tributary Tributary

PERIMENT EXPERIMENT

Adaptable Adaptable Open Spaces Reprofiling Topography Open Spaces Open Spaces Reprofiling Topography Reprofiling Topography

DATA

YNTHESIS

MULATION

ALUATION

RITERIA

DATA

SYNTHESIS

SIMULATION

Secondary Internal Networks Dynamic Landscapes Secondary Networks Networks Dynamic Landscapes Dynamic Landscapes Built

EVALUATION Low Block

CRITERIA

Density Medium Low

Built

Open

Density

Internal Secondary

Target Pedestrian

Target Pedestrian

Internal

Fig 16. Design strategy flow chart

Medium High

High

Courtyard Tower Courtyard Courtyard Block Tower Block

Tower

Environment Environment

Pedestrian

Horizontal

Green Corridor Social Interaction Green Corridor Green Corridor Social InteractionSocial Interaction Open Primary Primary

Primary Open Built Density

High Medium Low

Target Adaptable

Vertical

Environment

Critical Review The scope of design strategy during its formulation seemed quite broad for investigation experiment within the specified time scale. The progression from initial synthesis to the simulation stage was observed to be very regular and could have been an iterative process

Solar Exposure distance from the river Ground exposure toriver generate variation and experiments.

Solar Exposure Solar Exposure distance frommore the river distance from the Ground exposureGround exposure Architectural Association School of Architecture Critical Analysis Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16 Critical

Analysis Critical Analysis hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-

PSEUDOCODE The design process can be expressed as a simple logic diagram. It describes the parameters

SITE

considered and various stages of the design process. Existing site conditions are studied and issues are tackled. An urban patch is developed using generative algorithms and anaLOWEST POINTS

lyzed using advanced computational tools to arrive at optimal solutions.

EXISTING DATA

RIVER BRANCHING

SITE PLOTS SUBDIVISION

NETWORKS BUILDING TYPOLOGY

BLOCK : BODYPLAN

ANALYSIS BUILDING SCALE INTERNAL ROAD OFFSET

GROUND EXPOSURE

MAXIMUM VOLUME

NUMBER OF FLOOR

BUILDING EXPOSURE

BUILDING HIGH DISTRIBUTION

OUTPUT

Fig 17. Pseudocode - Flow Chart Core Studio II | City Systems 33 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

RIVER MEDLOCK The River Medlock is one of the three important rivers in Manchester namely Irk, Irwell and Medlock. These rivers pass through the centre of Manchester, with Irwell being the largest of the three while Medlock is the smallest. These rivers shape Manchester and the city’s development.

River Medlock rises in the hills of Strinsdale near Oldham and runs for 12.85 miles before the final mile flows into River Irwell at the southwest extreme of Manchester City Centre. The river is highly prone to flooding and displaces large volume of water on the land due to less depth of the river basin and low gradient of slope.

The land around the river is primarily a wetland with insignificantly planned open space for public interaction or social activities. The population density around

River Irwell

this area is also low, thereby demanding the need of

River Medlock 1. SOURCE OF MEDLOCK

2. STRINESDALE RESERVOIR

3. CLAYTON VALE

Fig 18. Course of River Medlock from the source to the mouth Source: Redrawn from Digimap.edina.ac.uk, 2016

Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

4. TUNNEL UNDER UMIST

5. MEDLOCK FLOWS INTO IRWELL

integrating both built and unbuilt spaces to address the issue of densification.

FLOOD ANALYSIS Low Risk

Less than 300mm

Medium Risk

300 - 900mm

High Risk

Over 900mm

RISK OF FLOODING FROM RIVERS AND SEAS Flood Warning Area

FLOOD WARNING AREAS ON SITE

REGULAR SCENARIO

FLOODING SCENARIO

Minimum Volume: 10,557.31m3

Flooding Initiated: 54,326.16m3

Maximum Volume: 42,889.08m3

Highest Recorded: 63,475.83m3

Average Volume: 30,022.36m3

Target Volume: 100,000m3

RISK OF FLOODING FROM SURFACE WATER Flood Alert Area

FLOOD ALERT AREAS ON SITE

Calculations:

Flood Scenario:

Total length of the river (in site): 2199.44 metres Width of the river (Range): 08 to 18 metres (mean width = 13 metres) Depth of the river(Range)[d1]: 0.6 to 1.5metres (average depth = 1.05 metres) Min-Max volumetric capacity of water= 10,557.31m3 to 42,889.08m3 Average Volume of water= 30,022.36m3

Chances of flooding: Water Level increase by 0.4m [d2] Maximum volume of water: length x breadth x (d1+d2)= 54,326.16m3 Highest Recorded Flooding: Water Level increase by 1.72m[d3] Highest recorded volume of water: length x breadth x (d1+d3)= 63,475.83m3 Fig 19. Flooding Maps, Fig 20. Flooding Scenario Source: Redrawn from www.guagemaps.co.uk Core Studio II | City Systems 35 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

TOPOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS To better understand the flooding scenarios and the various levels of flooding,a detailed site analysis aiming to understand the geographical and topological aspects of the selected piece of land is carried out.

Site sections - front

Traditional methods are adopted. Horizontal sections at 20-meter intervals are plotted and the topological profile of the site at each section is recorded. This process provides an accurate 3-dimensional reproduction of the site.

Each section on the site and its attributes such as minimum, maximum and average slopes including elevation gain and loss are catalogued. The maximum and minimum values in each category are identified. This provides information regarding critical sections of the site that are most prone to flooding. This process proved to be acutely efficient as the data acquired from this technique aided the design process to a large extent, identifying zones that required mindfulness.

Site sections - VIEW

Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

Fig 21. Site sections, Fig 22. Site Sections

TOPOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS The site has nearly a uniform terrain with slight undu-

MAXIMUM SLOPE

lations. It is observed that the river bed is narrow but the width of the sectional depth is relatively high. It has a highly sinusoidal path with both small and large

MINIMUM SLOPE

meanders. This results in flooding at lower regions of the site during rains and accelerated river flow. Owing to this scenario the whole area may be treated as a wetland.

Site sections - PLAN

AVERAGE SLOPE

Refer to Appendix 1/2 and 2/2 for catalogued values and section profiles

ELEVATION LOSS

ELEVATION GAIN

Maximum Slope SLOpe comparison graph

Minimum Slope

Average Slope

ELEVATION GAIN-LOSS COMAPRISON

Fig 23. Site sections - plan Graphs generated from values obtained Core Studio II | City Systems 37 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

DESIGN MEASURES Design strategies must be adopted to address the vertical

REGULAR SCENARIO

FLOODING SCENARIO

fluctuation of water levels along the river banks. This issue can be tackled by introducing a river bank that can adapt to various flood conditions by tolerating rising levels of flood water. The assorted number of design strategies as shown in the figure deals with various water dynamics. The elements in the bank are shaped such that it even when submerged it

Minimum Volume: 10,557.31m3

Flooding Initiated: 54,326.16m3

does not affect property or the daily life of residents along the river. This functions as muti-use spaces, adapting to both dry and flood conditions without suffering damage.

REGULAR SCENARIO Total Area of Site: 0.77km2

Maximum Volume: 42,889.08m3

Highest Recorded: 63,475.83m3

Flood Risk Area: 0.116km2 Volume of Water: 58,901.00m3 FLOODING SCENARIO Total Area of Site: 0.77km2 Target Volume: 100,000m3 Flood Risk Area: 0.196km2 Fig 24. Design Measures Source : Redrawn from River.Space.Design�. Issuu. N.p., 2013. Web. 8 May 2016.

Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

Average Volume: 30,022.36m3

Target Volume: 100,000m3

FLOOD PRONE ZONES 39m

40m

41m

42m

43m

44m

45m

46m

47m

48m

49m

50m

51m

52m

53m

54m

55m

56m

57m

58m

Fig 25. Flood prone zones Drawn from values obatined Core Studio II | City Systems 39 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

RIVER BRANCHING

B1

R1=86.55

t1=21.30 R2=31.34

t3=40.000

P1= 169 ft

B2

R3=15.86 t2=28.2

P2= 162 ft

530 28'N 20 12' W

530 28'N 20 13' W

0

B1-1

R4=43.68 R5=56.00 t4=27.90 t5=39.20

R6=20.86

R7=15.97 t6=41.2

P5= 137 ft t7=75.90

0

R9=71.75 t10=51.40

530 28'N 20 13' W

t8=53.20

P4= 143 ft

530 28'N 20 12' 14"

530 28'N 20 12' 37" B2-1

P6= 148 ft P7= 132 ft

B2-2

530 28'N 20 13'54”W

530 28'N 20 12'50”W

R8=46.76

t9=33.90

R11=40.73

B1-2

P3= 159 ft

P8= 129 ft

530 28'N 20 13'11”W

R10=18.00

R12=13.60

t11=36.70

R - Radii of meanders in the watercourse of the River t - Angle between River and Tangents

Flow of river

P - Lowest Points on Site

B - Branching of River

Lowest Points on site

Branching technique

To distribute the fluctuating water levels during floods, the river branching technique is adopted. The course of the River Medlock is analyzed. The radii of the meanders and the direction of the tangential flow at various points are recorded to find the optimum direction and curvature with which the river may be branched. The lowest points on site are established and mapped to create the branches. This helps to direct the water flow using mere gravitational force and helps the water level itself by distributing volume.

Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

RIVER BRANCHING The branching of the course of the river helps distribute the volume flood water evenly across the site. This method ensures that river bank can adopt to various flood conditions. Each branch contributes to level the rising flood waters. These tributaries are mainly composed within the flood prone zones. 4 tributaries are mapped out using the lowest points on site to tackle a Target Volume of 100,000m3 of flood water.

COurse of river

Lowest points on site

Branching technique - STEP 01

The remaining parcels of land are used for the construction of buildings and the river banks are used as pedestrianized green corridors which can adapt to different flood conditions.

Maximum Recorded Flood Volume : 58,901.00m3 Target Volume : 100,00m3 Flood Volume Tackled using one tributary : 36,355.00m3 Flood Volume Tackled using two tributaries : 52,657.83m3 Flood Volume Tackled using three tributaries : 76,356.50m3 Branching technique - STEP 02

Branching technique - STEP 03

Branching technique - STEP 04

Flood Volume Tackled using four tributaries : 97,560.00m3

Core Studio II | City Systems 41 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

RIVER BRANCHING

Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

DENSITY DISTRIBUTION

Density distribution along River Density distribution along river

Density distribution along Ring Road Density distribution along Ring road

Combined Density distribution along River, River branches and Ring Road combined density distribution along river, river branches and ring road

Density is distributed across the site combining two strategies. The first strategy involves increasing the density with increased distance from the river. The second strategy involves increasing the density along the Ring Road. Combining the two we see in the above figure that higher density is distributed along the ring road and lower towards the river branches. This increases the open spaces around the river, providing increased green spaces and increased connectivity to the surroundings.

Core Studio II | City Systems 43 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

BODY PLAN As part of the experiments, the design strategy phase also emphasizes on testing the evolution of an urban Tower

tissue composing various building typologies. Each typology is allocated a function and is evaluated using fitness criteria. These fitness criteria are based on environmental pressures and also includes criteria that

Bar

are explicit to the physical and architectural realm.

The building typologies that compose the urban fabric are namely; the Tower typology, the Courtyard type, the bar building and the Block. Each typology has specific

Block Building typology (away from the river)

programs assigned to them and in some cases multiple programs.

The footprint of each typology is treated as an initial blueprint of the body plan.The tower, courtyard and bar

Courtyard

typologies have a regular body plan whereas the block is divided into 6 segments, the linear divisions allowing for various densities. The body plan is relatively uncomplicated. The tower typology is reserved for

Bar

buildings away from the river whereas the courtyard adjacent to the river.

Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

Block Building typology (adjacent to the river)

GENE POOL Building typology

Tower

Courtyard

Modifiers/Genes

Building Height + Scale

Building Height + Scale

Building typology

Building typology

(Away from the river ) :

( Adjacent to the river ) :

Floor Domain:

Floor Domain:

Tower: 25 - 40

Couryard: 10 - 20 Floors

Floors Bar: 7 - 13 Floors

Bar: 7 - 13 Floors

Block: 5 - 7 Floors

Block: 5 - 7 Floors

Pathway distances:

Pathway distances:

- Internal pathway: 2 - 4 m

- Internal pathway: 2 - 4 m

- External pathway: 4 - 6 m

- External pathway: 4 - 6m

The gene pool is devised in coherence with the structure of the body plan and the fitness criteria. Each typology has a specific set of instructions that contribute to the gene pool. A specific domain Bar

Building Offset + Building Height + Scale

and gene count is assigned to each gene pool and a strategy to act at different body parts in each typology. The common set of instructions include building height and scale which are altered in accordance to its position from the river. The bar and block

Block

Building Offset + Building Height + Scale

typology also adhere to building offsets. In the urban tissue, each modifier embraces architectural relevance.

Core Studio II | City Systems 45 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

FITNESS CRITERIA Using Octopus as a Genetic Algorithm for the computational process, several

the sun vector. This is achieved by randomizing the values of 6 gene pools. The

contradicting fitness criteria are introduced for desired optimization. Fitness

genes for the scale are values ranging between 0.6 - 0.85 while the road widths

criteria are adopted for multi-objective optimization and are established to create

compose 110 numerical values (genes) within its gene pool.

a relation between the built form and external environmental aspects. The fitness criteria are clearly defined, relevant and measurable. Limitations are introduced

FITNESS CRITERION 02 :

in terms of footprint and height. The urban tissue is developed using four criteria.

Maximum Ground Exposure The second fitness criterion is to maximize ground exposure. This is a contradiction

1. Maximum Solar Exposure

to the first criterion which aims at maximizing the solar exposure. The aim of this

2.Maximum Ground Exposure

criterion is to maximize the area and number of open spaces within the densely

3.Maximum Volume

packed urban tissue by increasing the number of courtyards and increase the

and

4.Increased height with distance from the river

space between buildings in a patch. The size of the building in relation to its patch is of much importance in this process. The modifiers (genes) that are actively

A domain is introduced for each building typology which determines the range of

used in this process are scale and height . The results for this criterion is also

the number of floors of a building and its scale.

achieved by randomizing the values of 6 gene pools, similar to fitness criterion 01. The internal courtyard spaces are governed by 86 genes while the scale of the

FITNESS CRITERION 01 :

building typologies ranges with values between 0.6 - 0.85 in its gene pool.

Maximum Solar Exposure The first fitness criterion is to maximize the solar exposure of the buildings. The

FITNESS CRITERION 03:

sun vector is limited to one point to achieve uniformity in comparing results.

Maximum Volume

Results are calculated based on the cumulative area of the exposed surfaces to

The third fitness criterion is to maximize the volume. This is in contradiction to the

Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

FITNESS CRITERIA second fitness criteria but works together with fitness criterion 01. This aims at achieving maximum volume by increasing building footprint and by increasing the number of floors in

Maximum Solar

each building typology. This probes the relationship between

Exposure

the built mass and the internal open spaces. The values of scale yet again similar to values in fitness criteria 01 and 02.

The heights of each building are set within a specific domain for each building typology and contains 86, 58, 144 and 144

Maximum Ground

genes for courtyard, tower, block and bar typology respectively.

Exposure

The main modifiers in this process are scale, building height and building offset. This includes both vertical and horizontal

Building Block

expansion with respect to the patch.

Maximum Volume FITNESS CRITERION 04:

Number of floors

Increased height with distance from river The aim of this fitness criterion is to increase views towards the river by gradually increasing building heights with respect to distance of the building from the river. This is achieved by using attractor

Increased height with distance from river

points along the course of the river which

determines the height of the buildings.

Core Studio II | City Systems 47 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

CHAPTER III: Design Experiments & Implementation

Design Experiments & Implementation “To design a high-density urban tissue with maximum pedestrian mobility and minimum risk of river floods.�

Using the information gathered and the design strategies, this chapter focuses on conducting design experiments. Design experiments are conducted for varying population and density gradients using predetermined factors. Generative algorithms are used to produce iterations of the urban patch aiming at an optimal solution focusing on specific fitness criteria.

Networks and connections are analyzed to understand the social processes using various graph measures.The potential of the generated urban patch is tested for variFig 1. Fittest individual ( urban patch) generated by GA for a population of !50,000 persons.

ous conditions forming the basis for design implementation.

Core Studio II | City Systems 49 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

NODES, CONNECTIONS, NETWORKS The river branches form the primary subdivision of the site 2

into manageable plot sizes. The green pockets in each plot are identified. These form the main attractors. The secondary 1

nodal points are then identified on the existing ring road. The nodes are connected to form the primary network using a logic 4

that maintains both physical and visual contact with the green

3

nodes. Using generative algorithms and density gradients ,higher densities are achieved closer to the roads and lower densities towards the river. This ensures usable and adaptable green spaces along the river bank.

Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

River branches

Main Attractors ( green pockets )

Nodal points on ring Road

Connections

URBAN MORPHOLOGY Fitness Criteria Maximum ground exposure (G.E) Maximum building exposure (S.E)

Target Population : 50,000 persons Gen 20.02

Gen 20.01

Target Population: 50,000p Building typology | Domain Tower 10-25 Block 2-6 Bar 4-8 Courtyard 7-20

G.e : 722468m s.e : 370284M2

G.e : 721357m s.e : 391308M2

2

2

Gen 20.03

Gen 20.04

G.e : 723895m s.e : 348389M2

G.e : 723895m s.e : 356752M2

2

Gen 20.05 2

G.e : 722632m2 s.e : 405019M2

Fittest

Internal Offset :

0.5-0.6

Target Population : 100,000 persons Gen 20.01

Target Population: 100,000p Building typology | Domain Tower 15-30 Block 5-10 Bar 9-11 Courtyard 15-25 Internal Offset :

0.5-0.6

Target Population: 150,000p Building typology | Domain Tower 24-40 Block 7-12 Bar 10-15 Courtyard 20-30 Internal Offset :

0.5-0.6

Gen 20.02

Gen 20.03

Gen 20.04

G.e : 723536m2 s.e : 406644M2

G.e : 723536m2 s.e : 403120M2

G.e : 723445m2 s.e : 378388M2

Gen 20.05

Target Population : 150,000 persons Gen 20.01 Gen 20.02

Gen 20.03

Gen 20.04

Gen 20.05

G.e : 743845m2 s.e : 427489M2

G.e : 742483m2 s.e : 398786M2

G.e : 723445m2 s.e : 378305M2

G.e : 722632m2 s.e : 452802M2

Fittest

G.e : 720850m2 s.e : 433417M2

G.e : 743845m2 s.e : 422589M2 G.e : 743833m2 s.e : 442169M2

Fittest

Core Studio II | City Systems 51 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

URBAN MOPHOLOGY Target population : 50,000 persons Gen 20.05

G.e : 722632m2 s.e : 405019M2

Target population : 100,000 persons Gen 20.01

Fittest individual

Octopus analysis are carried out for three population densities. The

G.e : 722632m2 s.e : 452802M2

Fittest individual

Target population : 150,000 persons Gen 20.03

fitness criteria aim for maximum volume,maximum ground and surface exposure.

Each generation composes a specific domain ,gene pool and gene count.The fittest of each generation are identified by reparamatrizing the values obtained from each fitness criterion. The resulting urban patches are further analyzed for network connectivity, density distribution and flooding scenarios.

Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

G.e : 743833m2 s.e : 442169M2

Fittest individual

NETWORK ANALYSIS Depth MapX is used here to analyze the spatial network and to understand the social processes within the built environment. An axial map layout for various iterations are generated and analyzed using various graph measures. Integration and connectivity is largely analyzed in this case as the design requires the interconnectivity of pockets of land and intergration of adaptable open spaces .

Connectivity (the number of lines each line intersects with) both in terms of Axial Connectivity and Angular Connectivity are analyzed. This analysis shows that the networks well connected to each other creating

integration average : 0.614

most connected points maximum weight : 1.9

connectivity average : 5.450

integration average : 0.505

important nodes.

The normalized integration value obtained from depth map analysis is 0.505 and is satisfactory and correlates well with pedestrian movement.

Core Studio II | City Systems 53 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

DENSITY DISTRIBUTION target population : 50,000 persons

target population : 100,000 persons

target population : 150,000 persons

Plan

Plan

Plan

View

View

View

Building typology | Number of floors Courtyard 10 Tower 25 Block 04 Bar 07

Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

Building typology | Number of floors Courtyard 15 Tower 32 Block 06 Bar 11

Building typology | Number of floors Courtyard 20 Tower 40 Block 08 Bar 14

FLOODING SCENARIOS VOLUME OF WATER : 36,355.00m3

VOLUME OF WATER : 52,657.83m3

VOLUME OF WATER : 97,560.00m3

January 2016

November 2016

FUTURE

Plan

Plan

Plan

View

View

View

Using the predetermined fitness criteria of having maximum solar exposure,

Various flooding scenarios are also simulated for different time periods. The effect

maximum ground exposure and maximum volume, generative algorithms are used

of the branches can be clearly identified with the vertical fluctuation of water levels

in the computation process ( Octopus). Generations are run for varying densities;

during different months of the year, accommodating high volumes of water when

50,000, 100,000 and 150,000 persons, arriving at optimal solutions.

required.

Core Studio II | City Systems 55 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION

Multi-Use

Commercial

Building program (away from the river) residential residential

Leisure Residential

Commercial

Residential

Residential

Commercial

residential

Commercial Building program (adjacent to the river)

TOWER typology 27%

courtyard typology

bar typology

36%

14%

block typology 23%

Various programmatic functions are distributed across the building typologies each contributing to the necessities of the population. The tower block is assigned commercial spaces at the lower levels and residential units above. Sky gardens compose the top most floors of the tower. The courtyard and block typology compose residential units whereas the bar typology is composed of commercial units.

Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

VISIBILTY ANALYSIS Visibility High

Medium

Low A

d

Visibility Analysis

a. HIGH Visibility

B.Low Visibility

c.Good Visibility

d.average Visibility

b c

Visibility analysis is conducted for the generated patch using Depth MapX constructing visually integrated locations. The colour gradient from Red to Blue represents the degree of visibility. Visibility is analyzed both locally and globally. The generated patch shows a hierarchy of visibility. High visibility is achieved along the banks of the river, while lower visibility is achived toward the ring road and within the courtyard typology. This analysis proves to be agreeable with the goals sets during the design strategy phase.

Core Studio II | City Systems 57 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

SECTIONS

Section A - Detail of pedestrian zones

Section b - Detail of river bank

Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

SITE SECTIONS

x’ x

Section xx’ y’

y

Section yy’

Core Studio II | City Systems 59 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

STREET VIEW

Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

aerial view

Core Studio II | City Systems 61 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS

Further development of the project will focus on iterating smaller parcels of land to obtain better solutions at a local scale. Experiments will also focus of integrating more programmatic features into the building typologies. As the programs are predetermined it limits the solutions produced by the Generative Algorithm, future explorations will attempt at distributing programs using GA. Furthermore, as the building morphologies remain unexplored, investigations to integrate the building morphology with open spaces and fluctuating flooding scenarios will be executed. Even though the urban patch is well connected it lacks hierarchy, therefore developing a hierarchical network sytem would be beneficial.

Core Studio II | City Systems 63 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

Appendix

appendix 1/2 Table showing the catalogued values of the site sections

Critical sections

Core Studio II | City Systems 65 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

appendix 2/2 Site section profiles

Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

appendix 2/2 Site section profiles

Core Studio II | City Systems 67 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

Conclusion

This project was one of the most challenging exploration of designing an

the morphology remained unexplored and offers increased scope for further

intellectual city system as it was a concrete amalgamation of design strategies

development. The optimization of buildings and networks through an evaluation

and experimentation through evolutionary computation techniques. The ambition

system rather than an evaluation criterion in relation to the environmental

of integrating disaster management with pedestrian network systems and high-

parameters would produce a more qualitative feedback as compared to the one

density urban living was achieved to a certain extent, however, lacked qualitative

achieved.

outcome. The top-down approach for river floods and bottom-up approach for urban morphogenesis proved to be quite monotonous and deterministic under

The entire process was highly educational in terms of developing evolutionary

different scales of experiments in the system.

computation techniques on a greater scale and critical synthesis of an argument based on evidence. The growth from the Emergence Seminar to Core Studio II, of

The generation of network systems was explored through a series of various

knowledge and skills of analysis, strategy and multi-parameter optimization was

algorithms like circle packing, Delaunay, Voronoi and shortest path logic, but

highly beneficial in setting the foundations of a radical approach to the current

lacked substantial hierarchy which led to only subdivision of plots but not the

issues faced by most urban tissues today.

building morphology. The creation of a generative super block which can inform the networks based on multiple parameters proved to be a more logical approach in this case, rather than a catalogue of differentiated buildings which were difficult to integrate with the networks and typology.

The resultant output could have been more interesting and comprehensive if the building morphology and network systems were informed by the topography and river flooding scenarios. The possibility of integrating the open spaces with

Core Studio II | City Systems 69 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

Personal Reflections

PERSONAL REFLECTION 01 Student : Kaushik Ajay Sardesai Word count : 301 words

spaces, environmental criteria and building morphology, all pertain to specific population densities at various scales.

I personally feel that the inter-relationship between these layers and their symbiosis lead to the formation of interesting spaces and need excessive speculation. The

The following paper is the author’s insight to an urban intervention in Manchester, under the concept of designing emergent city systems. The biggest challenge to this intervention in terms of developing strategies of design and emergence,

palette of projects and variation in ideas from radical to factual, faced similar problems towards the end and this similarity resulted in quantitative results that were quite accurate but somehow lacked qualitative appraisal.

was the fact that the entire site could be cleared to a clean slate with very few influential parameters or drivers of design.

There is no fixed rule to whether any strategy is right or wrong, but the intricate quality of spaces that can be developed from these strategies and further integrated

The dogmatic shift from relying on primarily computation techniques to generating a coherent system logic strongly based on a definite architectural ambition became extremely evident and apparent in this project.

or embedded in the overall design is something worth exploring and discussing.

I firmly believe that the exploration of the symbiotic relationship is something that can change the perception of developing a well resolved city system in the urban fabric of any city.

The ambition though definite, was to be construed with immense flexibility and reasoning while conducting any set of design experiments. The critical thinking involved behind each experiment gained prime importance than the amount of computational skill or statistical analysis. The project is integrated into several layers that need to work together into an efficient and functional urban system.

These layers comprise of a hierarchical relationship between networks, open Core Studio II | City Systems 71 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

PERSONAL REFLECTION 03 Student : Sharon Ann Philip Word count : 462 words

The city is in constant transformation. Designing a city for an unforeseeable future may seem impossible. Strategic modeling with continual exchange of information with mutable and immutable conditions has become an alternative to conventional urban planning approaches and techniques. This process aims at designing a city that can endure time and change.

The ambition was to plan and design an adaptive urban tissue, an amalgamation of multiple parts working together, a coherent system which could respond to various flooding scenarios. The solution arrived at was to distribute the flood water by branching the river having adaptable river banks that would also serve as public and recreational areas. The site was mapped and rigorously studied for topological and environmental conditions that could influence the location of the branching with the least intervention. Simulations of water flow also aided the process. These simulations were computationally heavy and very time consuming.

Various revisions of the project produced an urban patch that had disconnected parcels of land which performed independently of each other. Networks were generated within every patch and the blocks were placed within the subdivided parcel of land. This essentially turned out to be a top-down process which is contrary to the bottom-up character of emergence. Although shortest path and

minimum spanning tree algorithms were used to generate networks within the separate parcels of land it lacked hierarchy and overall connectivity. The influence of the networks on the building morphology was very minimal as the various morphologies and their placement within each patch were predetermined.

Predefined parameters such as density, building heights, typology and their spacing influenced the overall working and performance of the generated city.

Complexities of blocks were lost as programs and functions were not assigned to them. This deterministic approach with the sequence of actions resulted in monotonous and homogenous solutions.

The resulting urban patch also fails to integrate the river and its branches with the built form. Exploration of innovative relationships between the built form and water collection areas could have enhanced the interest and the complexity of the project. Analysis of the results produced suggests that the urban solutions and the architectural solutions are loosely connected leading to a less integrated approach.

If this project were to be done again, a different strategy would be adopted.

Different tools and strategies would be adopted to simulate topological changes as the previous simulations proved to be computationally heavy, time consuming and inaccurate. Generating boundaries and land masses in relation to the river bank. Planning strategies and computational design in which parts of the system are not separately developed but as an integrated process in which parts are develop together will be explored. This would involve the formation of hierarchical networks systems and blocks being highly interconnected determining the programs and functions of the blocks.

Core Studio II | City Systems 73 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

PERSONAL REFLECTION 04 Student : Zaqi Fathis Word count : 279 words

network system, we decided to use a simple rectangular grid to be applied in our buildable area and used those lines as a primary network for pedestrian and cycles.

This network, on the one hand give us a short path within the area, but on the

The overall project has been deeply analysed and evaluated, and it shows that there are three main aspects, which are topography manipulation, generating network system, and distribution of building morphology, that have similar problems when generating a whole system. Those problems are basically located in the lack of determining fitness criteria as well as in the linear process in every aspect. Also, because of all of the parts were treated in a separate sequence by their own logic and criteria, so eventually the relation of whole system become so limited.

Since it was our ambition to makea river branches as a driver to generate our system, manipulating the topography become our first attempt to build an area for branching the river as well as for defining green corridors, by evaluating the lowest points in our patch. But due to the minimum criteria and no fixed variables, this process looks too random. Thus, the branching systems did not have a specific condition such as its size and the angle.

Furthermore, instead of utilize our main attractor, the river branches, to grow our Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

other hand there is no hierarchy and adaptation on the patches. Learning from smart city, I came to the conclusion that the hierarchy of the network and how the network adapt to the different scenario is very important to predict the growth of the city and cannot be separated from other components.

Core Studio II | City Systems 75 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis

REFERENCES BOOKS 1. Weinstock, M. (2010). The architecture of emergence. Chichester, U.K.: Wiley.

2. Weinstock, M., Hensel, M. and Menges, A. (2010). Emergent technologies and design : towards a biological paradigm for architecture. Oxon: Routledge.

3. Burry, M. (2011). Scripting cultures. Chichester, UK: Wiley.

4. Verebes, T (2013) : Masterplanning the Adaptive City: Computational Urbanism in the Twenty-First Century 5. Derix, C., and Izaki, A., eds., Architectural Design Special Issue Empathic Space: The Computation of Human-Centric Architecture. Hillier, B., “The Generic City and its Origins,� Routledge 6. Marshall, Stephen. Cities, Design and Evolution. Routledge, 2008.

7. Marshall, Stephen. Streets and Networks. Spon Press, 2005.

ARTICLES 8. Makki, M., Navarro, D. and Farzaneh, A. (2015). The Evolutionary Adaptation of Urban Tissues

through Computational Analysis. Education and Research in

Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, 2, pp.563-571.

9. Makki, M. (2015). An Evolutionary Model for Urban Development. International Seminar on Urban Form: New Visions for Urban Life.

Architectural Association School of Architecture Emergent Technologies and Design 2015-16

Core Studio II | City Systems 77 Kaushik Sardesai | Sally Al-Badry | Sharon Ann Philip | Zaqi Fathis