Thesis Research Publication: Building Skins

Tyler Giroux

ACTIVATING SOCIAL INTERACTION IN BUILDING SKINS

THESIS STATEMENT

The hustle and bustle of cities have led to the development of societies characterized by chaos and distraction, creating a hectic urban environment with a lack of interaction and acknowledgment between people and the built context they live in.

Many buildings today are designed with external skins that are banal and monotonous, thus leading to a lack of engagement among the public occupying both the exterior and interior spaces of buildings. There is a missed opportunity to design building skins that can become an integral part of the urban fabric and provide public, transitional spaces between the exterior and interior environments to engage people and promote social interactions.

THESIS CONDITIONS

QUESTIONS

Through what methods can building skins engage people and the public?

How can design attract people to interact and occupy transition spaces within a building skin?

How can architects provide social and public occurences with transitional spaces incorporated into the design of building skins?

What design techniques can be used to develop a conscious practice for creating interative building skins?

METHODS

- Research - Diagramming - Prototype Skin Design - Prototype Models - Detail Sections of Prototype Skins

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

Danish architect and urban planner, Jan Gehl, states that the most successful way to design for people is to first consider the life of the people in the area, then the space that they’ll be occupying, and lastly the building and built context. This philosophy is the basis for the research of this thesis.

1. Life

2. Space

3. Building

LIF

FE

HUMAN SKIN

Layers of the human skin and the functions they serve.

Subcutis

Dermis

Epidermis Epidermis

Barrier to the environment, produces skin pigment and controls water loss Layers:

1. Stratum Corneum - Barrier against trauma and infection

2. Granular - Retains water

3. Spinous - Binds cells together

4. Basal - Pogment production, UV protection and linked to immune system

Dermis

Flexible and tough structure containing blood vessels, nerves, sweat glands and hair folicles - Senses touch, pain, and pressure - Produces sweat from heat and stress to cool body - Wound healing and sacrring - Regulates body temperature Layers:

1. Papillary

2. Reticular

Subcutis

Fatty layer between skin and body structures that acts as an insulator, energy supply and cushion/protector for the skin

BUILDING SKIN

Layers and components that compose the skin of a building and their functions.

5

2

4

1

3

1. Cladding

Protective layer and finish that acts as barrier between interior and exterior environment against weather and air and water infiltration - “Wet” Zone: Section of exterior wall exposed to effects of rain and moisture Types:

1. Cavity Wall - control and resists bulk rainwater penetration with concealed air space and drainage plane

2. Barrier Wall - relies on weather tight integrity of outer most exterior wall surfaces and joints ot resist

water and moisture

3. Mass Wall - wall cavity with through wall flashing to collect and redirect rainwater to exterior

2. Air Barrier

Element(s) controling movement of air across exterior wall system - provide comfort through climate control - contributes to building’s energy efficiency - affects indoor air quality for public health and hygiene - moisture control

3. Drainage Plane

Line between “wet” and “dry” zone of external wall - “Dry” Zone: section of exterior wall not intended to be exposed by rain or moisture

3. Vapor Barrier

Element that controls and limits flow of water in vapor form across exterior wall system

4. Structure

Resists live and dead loads acting on building through effective distribution of laods - support system to hold up building

5. Insulation

Controls and regulates heat loss and gain for building across exterior wall system

SKIN CORRELATIONS

Correlating functions between human skin and building skin.

Monitor Environment

Barrier to Exterior Radiation Protection

Contribute to Quality of Life

Temperature Regulation

Human Skin Regulates Heat Loss

Retains Water

Repair Injuries Immunologic Reactor

Aging Resistance

Regulate Energy Consumption

Weather Barrier Regulate Light Transmittance

Provide Comfort

Insulator

Building Skin Control Heat Loss and Gain Control Air Transfer

Separate Interior and Exterior

Prevent Water and Moisture Infiltration

Structure Support

TERRITORIAL SPACES

Defined distances of space for people and communication.

Intimate

18”

Personal

4’

Social

12’

Public

12’+

SENSES & SCALES

Correlation between peoples senses and distances defined by Jan Gehl.

- All senses in full use - Genuine conversations - Emotions readable - One way conversations - Recognize individual person - Hear and understand shouts

20’

- Understand and see movements and body language - Social field of vision

75’ 110’ 200’

330’

- Recognize human figure

1000’

SPA

ACE

ENVIRONMENT QUALITY CRITERIA & ACTIVITY EFFECTS

Criteria for creating high quality public spaces that people will want to inhabit and the frequency of activity they can create, defined by Jan Gehl.

High Quality Environment Low Quality Environment

Necessary Activities - Going to work - Waiting for train - Delivering goods to customer

Optional Activities - Going for a walk - Standing to rest - Observing views

Social Activities - Meeting friends - Having lunch - Event/gatheirng

PLANNING PRINCIPLES

Diagrams depicting planning principles, discussed by Jan Gehl, architects should follow to create and allow for inviting spaces that will attract people to use and occupy them.

Assemble

Integrate

Invite

Open

Increase

Dispense

Segregrate

Repel

Closed

Reduce

No Walls

Short Distance

Low Speed

One Level

Face to Face

Walls

Great Distances

High Speed

Mulit-Level

Back to Back

MOVEMENT

Methods and techniques of how movement occurs with architecture and design, defined by architecture and digital technology Professor Jules Moloney.

Engaging Architecture Through Movement - Transformation through the event of occupation - Physical movement of the occupant - Sense of movement due to the optical effects of changes in light or the presence of moisture - The weathering of materials and effects of decay - Representation of movement through form and surfaces that appear dynamic - Design methods that use geometric transformations or other animation

Architectural Movement through Geometric Transformations Translation

Scaling

Rotation

Deformation

MOVEMENT THEORY

In Japanese culture, Oku is a theoretical concept used in architecture and design defined as a continous sequence of spatial layers that can be used within an urban fabric.

Concept of “Oku�

- Continuous Sequence of spatial layers - Layers defined by boundaries and limits - Limits are physical and perceptual - Define areas and emphasize continuity of space - Intermediate spaces and urban voids - Connective tissue for urban fabric

Layer 3

Layer 2

Layer 1

Sp ac

e

3 Sp ac

e

2 Sp

ac

e

1

BUILD

DING

FACADE TYPOLOGY

Jan Gehl identifies two types of facades, Active and Passive, which categorizes facades as those that provide usable space that attract people to it and those that prevent interaction and are undesired to be used.

Openings

Interactive

Complexity

Type A - Active

Attraction

Permeable Monotone

Plain

Uninviting

Type B - Passive

Idle

Boring

FACADE TYPOLOGY

Examples of Active and Passive facades in the city of Chicago.

Typologies in Context Type A - Active

Type B - Passive

TYPOLOGY BEHAVIORS

Behavioral and statistical data on people and pedesetrian interaction between Active and Passive facades, recorded by Jan Gehl.

Behavioral Effects Type A

- Absorb/interact with surrounding

- Attentive nervous system

- Pleasant state of mind

- Desire to occupy the space

- Increase activity and uses of space Type B

- Causes borredom

- Decrease interaction

- Cause unpleasant and aversive

mental state

- Lowers physiological arousal

- Generate stress

Pedstrian Behavior on Sidewalks

DESIGN FUNCTION TYPES

Types of facades that are influential on people and how they interact with them and the characteristics that define them.

Active

- Small units - Large variation in function - No blind units - Lots of character in facade relief - Mostly vertical facade articulation - Good details and materials

Friendly

- Relatively small units - Some variation in function - Few blind units - Facade relief - Many details

Mixture

- Large and small units - Modest variation in function - Some blind units - Modest facade relief - Few details

Boring

- Large units - Few doors - Almost no variation in function - Many blind units - Few or no details

Inactive

- Large units - Few or no doors - Blind units - Uniform facade with no details

EDGE CONDITIONS

Elemental characteristics of facades and examples of how they can be either positive or negative towards providing desired, usable public space.

Soft Edges

Hard Edges

Open

Closed

Interactive

Passive

Interesting

Boring

Varied

Uniform

Vertical

Horizontal

Transparency

Appeal to Senses

Texture and Details

Mixed Functions

Vertical Rhythms

STREET TO BUILDING THRESHOLDS

Significant threshold parameters for people when it comes to the connection between buildings and streets, defined by Jan Gehl.

STREET COMPOSITION

Characteristics of urban streetscapes that influence the engagement of people with buildings.

Engaging Urban Design

- Recessed Facades to create open space - Wide sidewalks - Public space between building and sidewalks - Less vehicular traffic

Passive Urban Design

- Tall, intrusive masses - Narrow sidewalks - Lack of leisure space - Heavy vehicular traffic flow

BUILDING SKIN CRITERIA

Classification of building skins through constructional criteria.

Building Skin

Load Bearing Non-Load Bearing

Single Shell Multi Shell

Single Layered Multi Layered

Transparent Translucent Opaque

DOUBLE SKIN TYPOLOGIES

Extract System

- Comprised of a second layer of glazing placed on the interior of a main faรงade

- Makes the air space between the two layers of glazing to become part of the HVAC system

- Heated used air between the glazed layers extracted through the cavity with the use of fans

- Tempers the inner layer of the glazing while the outer layer of insulating glass minimizes heat-transmission loss

Business Promotion Center. Duisburg, Germany. 1993. Foster+Partners

DOUBLE SKIN TYPOLOGIES

Twin Face System

- Consist of conventional curtain or thermal mass wall system inside a single glazed building skin

- Outer glass may be safety or laminated glass or insulating glass

- Has an opening for allowing natural ventilation

- Outer skin is used for protecting air cavity contents, whereas the internal skin provides insulation for minimizing heat loss

Felbermayr Office Building. Salzburg, Austria. 2006. Kleboth and Dollnig.

DOUBLE SKIN TYPOLOGIES

Twin Face System

- Consist of conventional curtain or thermal mass wall system inside a single glazed building skin

- Outer glass may be safety or laminated glass or insulating glass

- Has an opening for allowing natural ventilation

- Outer skin is used for protecting air cavity contents, whereas the internal skin provides insulation for minimizing heat loss

Debis, Headquarters. Berlin, Germany. 1997. Renzo Piano Building Workshop.

SUSTAINABLE SKIN FEATURES

Sustainable methods that can be incorporated into the design of a building skin.

Sun Control

Day Lighting

Natural Ventilation

Connection to Outdoors

Thermal Insulation

Structural Efficiency

Moisture Control

Energy Generation

SUSTAINABLE SKIN PARAMETERS

Environmental factors as parameters for the design of building skins.

User Requirements

Indoor Air Temperature

Energy Consumption In Buildings

Building Skin

Climatic Parameters

Outdoor Air Temperature

Surface Temperatures

Heating Energy

Air Movement

Air Change

Cooling Energy

Relative Outdoor Air Humidity

Relative Indoor Air Humidity

Artificial Lighting

Solar Radiation

Luminance

Lighting Intensity

Building Services

TRANSITION CONDITIONAL METHODS

Classifying interactive, transition spaces that can be incorporated into the design of a building skin through conditional methods. An attached transition space is one that is an independent component on the exterior of a building skin.

Attach

Precedent 235 W. Van Buren Perkins+Will Chicago, IL 2009

TRANSITION CONDITIONAL METHODS

Classifying interactive, transition spaces that can be incorporated into the design of a building skin through conditional methods. An extended transition space is one that is a continuation from the interior to the exterior.

Extend

Precedent Aqua Tower Studio Gang Chicago, IL 2009

TRANSITION CONDITIONAL METHODS

Classifying interactive, transition spaces that can be incorporated into the design of a building skin through conditional methods. An interlocked transition space is one that blends from the interior into the exterior.

Interlock

Precedent W57 BIG New York, NY 2016

TRANSITION CONDITIONAL METHODS

Classifying interactive, transition spaces that can be incorporated into the design of a building skin through conditional methods. An embeded transition space is set into the barrier plane of the building skin.

Embed

Precedent Liverpool Insurgentes Rojkind Architects Mexico City, Mexico 2010

SOURCES

Brownell, Blaine Erickson,eds. Transmaterial: A Catalog Of Materials That Redefine Our Physical

Environment. New York : Princeton Architectural Press, 2006. Print.

Brownell, Blaine Erickson,eds. Transmaterial 2: A Catalog Of Materials That Redefine Our Physical

Environment. New York : Princeton Architectural Press, 2008. Print.

Brownell, Blaine Erickson,eds. Transmaterial 3: A Catalog Of Materials That Redefine Our Physical

Environment. New York, N.Y. : Princeton Architectural Press, 2010. Print.

Buzney, Elizabeth. “Basic Science of the Skin: Structure and Function.” November 2014, 1-57.

Accessed October 1, 2017. aad.org.

Ellard, Colin. Places of the Heart: The Psychogeography of Everyday Life. Bellevue Literary Press, 2015.

Gehl, Jan, Lotte Johansen Kaefer, and Solvejg Reigstad. “Close Encounters with Buildings.”

URBAN DESIGN International 11, no. 1 (2006): 29-47. https://thecityateyelevel.files. wordpress.com/2016/03/3-close-encounters-with-buildings.pdf.

Gehl, Jan. Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space. 6 edition. Washington, DC: Island Press, 2011.

Gehl, Jan; Gemzoe, Lars; Kirknaes, Sia; Sondergaard, Britt Sternhagen. New City Life. Copenhagen:

The Danish Architectural Press, 2006.

Gehl, Jan, and Lord Richard Rogers. Cities for People. 1 edition. Washington, DC: Island Press, 2010.

Kuma, Kengo. Patterns and Layering: Japanese Spatial Culture. Edited by Salvator-John Liotta and

Matteo Belfiore. Berlin: Gestalten, 2012.

Lemieux, Daniel, and Paul Totten. “Wall Systems.” WBDG Building Envelope Design Guide, May 10,

2016. https://www.wbdg.org/guides-specifications/building-envelope-design-guide/ wall-systems.

Moloney, Jules. Designing Kinetics for Architectural Facades: State Change. Abingdon, Oxon; New

York: Routledge, 2011.

Musa, Bilyaminu Tijjani, and Halil Z. Alibaba. “Evaluating the Use of Double Skin Facade Systems for

Sustainable Development.” International Journal of Recent Research in Civil and

Mechanical Engineering 2, no. 2 (2015-2016): 151-59. Accessed December 17, 2017. http://

www.paper publications.org/journalss/IJRRCME/Issue-2-October-2015-March-2016/0.

Schittich, Christian. In Detail: Building Skins. New Enlarged Edition ed. Vol. 2. Birkhauser, 2006.

Speck, Larry. “Sustainable Building Skin Design.” Lecture, Austin, Texas, September 22, 2008.