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AN EXPOSITION AND REFUGE FOR TECHNOLOGY
MATTHEW GABE YEAR 4
UNIT
Y4 MG
THE HANSON ROBOTICS CENTRE
@unit14_ucl
All work produced by Unit 14 Cover design by Maggie Lan www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture Copyright 2018 The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher.
@unit14_ucl
MATTHEW GABE YEAR 4 mattgabe0@gmail.com @matt_g
T H E H A N S O N R O B OT I C S C E N T R E Robots Take Control Hong Kong
The rise of industrial robotics is a contentious issue, as robots are beginning to replace human workers leaving many out of jobs as the sector grows. This project speculates that in response to this loss of employment and to ensure the stability of their social and economic status, China enforces a nation wide ban on all robots, they become contraband. The special administrative region of Hong Kong still maintains a certain level of autonomy in their government and launches a successful countermovement to the robotics ban. This recent ‘relegalisation’ of robotics in Hong Kong has allowed the underground culture of robotics enthusiast to flourish and this, combined with the rise in public awareness and has created a high demand for a place to where robotics can be seen, exhibited and bought. The robotics centre is to be the home of robo-tourism in Hong Kong, a place which Hanson robotics imagines will grow as the industry continues to grow.
Central to the project is the relationship between humanity and robotics as the building will be inhabited by both. Recent advances in artificial intelligence raise questions speculated on by sci-fi authors regarding the treatment of self aware machines. The outward relationship of the design to robotics is one of discretion. The project aims to create a contained ecosystem that is a celebration of robotics within itself but not outwardly flamboyant about its presence towards the surrounding area and rest of Hong Kong. The internal relationship of the design to robotics changes in each zone. Robots are treated as an objectified commodity in the exposition and the robotic staff of the building as part of the servicing strategy. There is no consideration for how they experience space and they crawl within the walls, appearing where needed to serve the humans. The Bazaar is the new home for the smaller robotic industries of Hong Kong and here the humans and robots appear as equals, using the same circulation routes and visiting the same shops.
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he Hanson Robotics Centre is a new destination in Hong Kong, catering to the rise of the robotourist market. People from around the world are becoming more interested in robotics and as a technological centre in the region Hong Kong has some of the most advanced robots in the world.
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The design is divided into two main parts. The Exposition, a high end location and a place where the public and private buyers will be able to see and buy the latest robotics produced by Hanson Robotics. The second major section of the centre is the robotic Bazaar. This is where the smaller and second hand robots will be able to be bought and sold. A series of commercial units form the main market street, leased out by Hanson robotics and providing a safe haven for the new robotic commercial industries (sellers and services) of Hong Kong.
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ATRIUM AUDITORIUM OVERSIZE SHOWROOM MARINE LOADING VEHICLE LOADING WORKSHOP BAZAAR
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THE HANSON ROBOTICS CENTRE, HONG KONG Matthew Gabe Unit 14
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NARRATIVE
Rise of robots Chinese robot ban HK counter culture Hanson robotics centre
RESEARCH
Pearl river delta HK grey market - counter culture Robot/human differences Robotic sensory systems Robot/human interaction Types of robots
PROGRAM
Types of robots / classification Robotic systems Program diagram Sale of robots in the market Robotic needs Robotic tourism
SITE
Hong Kong location Kai Tak Airport site Planning developments Environmental factors Opportunities and constraints
DESIGN DRIVERS / TECTONICS Design drivers Paper model development 3d paper models Hidden robotics Dual Circulation routes Program on the site (growing to accommodate program) Relationship to robotics
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT Design genesis Sectional Development Overview Arrangement Structure Exploded axo Circulation robo/human Catering for robotic needs
DESIGN
GAXX - P - SITE PLAN GA00 - P - 00 GA01 - P - 01 GA02 - P - B1 GA03 - S - AA GA04 - S - BB GA05 - S - CC
FURTHER DESIGN
Construction sequence Structural Options System Applied Layout Framework Concrete Materiality Build-ups + breakdown Cladding Building Skin Zone 2 Road loading Marine loading/Charging Folding doors Loading/charging detail Zone 3 Roof Marketplace arrangement Environmental considerations
FINAL IMAGES Section Perspective Overview Elevation/entrance Entrance atrium Oversize showroom scene Bazaar
APPENDIX
Tectonic artefact Megastructures Timeline Megacities Modern MEGA UNESCO maps Megacities x UNESCO PRD growth industry Supply chain Macau - gambling tourism - vegas vs macau Robotic construction methods Types of robot machines Robotic parking
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INTRODUCTION
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ROBOT RISE Recent advances in robotic manufacturing technology means that factories are now adopting robots to replace their human workforce. This is happening in China more quickly than anywhere else in the world. If this trend continues millions of Chinese workers would be out of a job as robots replace them. The robotic counter-culture movement was born when the Chinese people saw that their way of life was in danger.
ROBOTIC INTELLIGENCE Not all robots are created equal. The intelligence level of its decision-making process is determined by the underlying technology. The highest level is selfaware, currently a benchmark set by the human mind. SELFAWARE
THEORY OF MIND
LIMITED MEMORY
PURELY REACTIVE
Characteristics
Technologies
These machines have a consciousness and are able to form representations of themselves. They are able to predict to feelings of others and learn from their past experiences.
Cognitive self learning Deep learning Unsupervised learning Machine Consciousness
This class has the ability to understand human emotions and intentions, as such it has the ability to interact socially. Characterised by an understanding of human behaviour
Reinforcement learning Machine Intelligence Neural networks
Has the ability to consider past information in its decision making process at a basic level. It has just enough memory to make informed decisions about the task at hand and nothing more.
Machine Learning Self driving vehicles Supervised learning
The most basic level of intelligence, acts only on what it sees. No ability to draw on past experiences or memories to influence its decision making process
User driver Big data models IBM DeepBlue - Chess playing robot AlphaGo
Robotic hierarchy of intelligence
EVOLUTION OF ROBOTS Physical evolution of the Honda humanoid robots series, ending with ASIMO, the well known Japanese humanoid.
1985
2000
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PROJECT NARRATIVE
Estimated robot population by country Made in China
2018 ROBOTS IN CHINA China is currently at the forefront of the global robotics market. As the robotics industry continues to grow China will be forced to make some decisions about the future of robots.
Sophia - the first robot to be granted citizenship (in Saudi Arabia), designed and built by Hanson Robotics in Hong Kong
Erica - the lifelike Japanese android destined to replace a human news anchor.
2022 CHINESE ROBOTICS BAN The Chinese economy relies heavily on its manufacturing industry and as robotics become more advanced, jobs in factories are being increasingly taken by robots leaving factory workers unemployed. The rising social pressure in China to inhibit this loss of jobs and ensure to continued employment of its workforce [100 million factory workers], the Chinese government takes the unprecedented step to implement a nationwide ban on robotics.
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2025 HONG KONG COUNTER CULTURE As a centre for technology and innovation in the region, the government and people of Hong Kong push back against the proposed Chinese robotics ban. This movement is successful and leads to the legalisation of robotics in Hong Kong and
the subsequent boom in both robotics research and robo-tourism. Hong Kong becomes a robotic destination and people travel from around the world to buy Chinese made robotics in Hong Kong.
HK
We want robots!
2028 HANSON ROBOTICS CENTRE Hanson Robotics is a Hong Kong based robotics company and the team behind the first robot to be granted citizenship. After the re-legalisation of robotics in Hong Kong Hanson Robotics see a chance to capitalise on this new industry of robo-tourism and propose a design for their Hong Kong based robotics centre, opening just after the ban has been lifted.
Robots being sold on the streets of Hong Kong
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111°40'0"E
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24°10'0"N
24°10'0
1980
24°5'0"N
24°0'0"N
13.5 23°55'0"N
PEARL RIVER DELTA
23°50'0"N
23°45'0"N
2015
Primary Industry
广州
24°0'0"
Secondary Industry
Services Finance
24°5'0"
Tertiary Industry
23°55'0
23°50'0
FOSHAN
佛山
Machinery Equipment
66.8
23°40'0"N
GUANGZHOU
2008
7.4
8.3
DONGGUAN
东莞
23°45'0
Manufacturing THE WORLD’S WORKSHOP 1980 labour intensive consumer goods 1985 industrial relocation of light industry to PRD 1990 High-tech, chemical products, autos
2015 Population [Millions]
23°35'0"N
23°40'0
23°35'0
Clustering industries gains competitive advantage by increased efficiency 23°30'0"N
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ZHAOQING
23°15'0"N
肇庆
Manufacturing
4.1
惠州
HUIZHOU
4.8
23°15'0
Petro-chemical
23°10'0"N
23°10'0
23°5'0"N
23°5'0"
23°0'0"N
23°0'0"
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CHINA
WEST BANK Focusing on household appliance products
22°50'0"N
EAST BANK Focusing on electronics and IT products
22°55'0
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JIANGMEN
22°35'0"N
江門
Advanced Manufacturing
22°30'0"N
SHENZEN
11.4
4.5
深圳
22°35'0
High-tech Manufacturing
22°30'0
22°25'0"N
22°25'0
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22°20'0
HONG KONG 22°15'0"N
22°15'0
MACAU
22°10'0"N
22°10'0
22°5'0"N
22°0'0"N
ZHONGSHANG
中山
Healthcare Fine Chemicals
21°55'0"N
3.2
7.4
HONG KONG
STATISTICS // 2015 4.3% of China's population US$1.2 trillion GDP 9.1% of China’s GDP 26.9% of China’s export trade Average growth of 12% per year US$25.6 billion, Foreign Direct Investment 30% of all foreign investment since 1978 1.5 million sedan cars produced
香港
Finance
21°50'0"N
Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge // 55km
21°45'0"N
High Speed Railway
[under construction]
Urban Areas
21°40'0"N
ZUHAI
21°35'0"N
珠海
Transport Hub
1.6
.6
MACAU Gambling
21°30'0"N
111°40'0"E
111°45'0"E
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114°0'0"E
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澳門
The Pearl River Delta Metropolitan Region Region and Economic Zone // 1:500,000
114°10'0"E 114°15'0"E 114°20'0"E 114°25'0"E 114°30'0"E 114°35'0"E 114°40'0"E 114°45'0"E 114°50'0"E 114°55'0"E
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BRIEF: THE HANSON ROBOTICS CENTRE
The centre itself will be divided into two main parts. The Exposition, a high end location and a place where the public and private buyers will be able to see and buy the latest robotics produced by Hanson Robotics. All sizes of robots will need to be catered for in the Exposistion.
The building will be inhabited by both robots and humans, many of the building staff will be robots and the spaces will need to cater for them as such. The second major section of the centre is the robotic Bazaar. This is where the smaller and second hand robots will be able to be bought and sold. A series of commercial units form the main market street, leased out by Hanson robotics and providing a safe haven for the new robotic commercial industries (sellers and services) of Hong Kong.
350
2000
2000
The Hanson Robotics Centre is a new destination in Hong Kong, catering to the rise of the robo-tourist market. People from around the world are becoming more interested in robotics and as a technological centre in the region Hong Kong has some of the most advanced robots in the world. The recent ‘relegalisation’ of robotics in Hong Kong has allowed the underground culture of robotics enthusiast to flourish and this, combined with the rise in public awareness and demand has created a high demand for a place to where robotics can be seen, exhibited and bought. The robotics centre is to be the home of robotourism in Hong Kong, a place which Hanson robotics imagines will grow as the industry contiunes to grow.
Due to the political sensitivity of the relegalisation of robotics in Hong Kong discretion is advised in the design. Hanson robotics would like to create a contained ecosystem that is a celebration of robotics within itself but not outwardly flamboyant about its presence towards the surrounding area and rest of Hong Kong.
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HONG KONG: CULTURAL PRECEDENTS
Political resistance to China Umbrella Movement During the democracy protests of 2014, the umbrella become an icon for the passive resistance to Beijing enforcing a screening process for political candidates in Hong Kong.
Images of in Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong
Economic grey area iPhone ‘grey’ market By exploiting the price difference mainland China and Hong Kong, sellers have created a ‘grey’ market for smartphones.
Images of semi-legal phones being sold in Hong Kong
HK Street markets Hong Kong is famous for its street markets, which are often full of people at street level and neon signs above which crowd the skies.
Images of street markets in Hong Kong
Illegal co-existence Kowloon walled city 1898 - 1993 Established due to an historical accident in colonial Hong Kong, this high rise block was once the most densely populated place on earth. It had a arms length relationship with the law but despite its illegal status it lasted for more almost 100 years before being demolished.
people
50000
Images of the Kowloon walled city
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500
buildings
77
wells
14
storeys tall
1.92
people per m2
£3.5
per month rent
CONTROL SYSTEM BRAIN
CPU
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM NEURON NETWORK
LOGIC CIRCUIT MICRO-CONTROLLER
SENSORS 5 SENSES
SENSOR NETWORK
SIGHT SOUND TASTE SMELL TOUCH
CAMERAS INFRARED SENSORS MICROPHONES FORCE SENSORS ACCELERATION
POWER SUPPLY NUTRIENTS FROM FOOD/WATER
BATTERY ELECTRICAL POWER
GLUCOSE VITAMINS PROTEIN
RESPONSE SYSTEM MUSCLES SPEECH
MOTORS SPEAKERS
ROBOTS AND HUMANS Robots have been programmed to react to the world in a largely similar way to their human counterparts. As machines however, their needs are different. The program will cater for the needs of the robotic workforce of the building.
Isaac Asimov ‘s Three Laws of Robotics: 1
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2
A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.
Robot decision making process
Robots are beginning to compete calculations per second can be with humans in a variety at tasks used to determine the best course and are able to surpass human of action. ability where pure brute-force
TASK SPECIFICATION
Data collection
SENSORS
Interpretation & Evaluation
Behaviour Selection
Behaviour Execution
ROBOT OUTPUT
Artificial Intelligence in today’s world
Voice Recognition Machine Learning Virtual Personal Assistants Decision Support Systems
32% 24% 15% 8%
Analytic Applications
5%
Robotics
4% Cumulative amount of scientific research into artificial intelligence
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ROBOTIC VISION Robotic sensory systems currently attempt to emulate human senses. Vision is one of the most important systems for robots to perform independent navigational tasks. Current vision systems combine a stereographic camera with edge detection to create a composite image of the surrounding environment. Other layers such as colour and object/ facial recognition can also be applied to the vision systems.
Composite image of robotic vision methods
0
1
DEPTHMAP
EDGE DETECTION
COMBINED
Based on stereographic camera input
Derived from areas of contrast in camera input
Immediate surroundings used for navigation
HUMAN-ROBOT INTERACTIONS When humans and robots interact is it usually because the human requires something from the robot. The use of a feedback screen which shows a face has no benefit to the robot, only to the human and provides an immediate, understandable feedback on how the robots current task is going.
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From complex tool to social object
neutral
fear
anger
sorrow
delight
indifference
curiosity
shyness
self-reliance
confusion
TYPES OF ROBOTS The classification of robots can be broken down into 3 categories. The combination of these 3 categories defines the use of the robot and what (or who) it would be used for.
INTELLIGENCE LEVEL
MODE OF ACTION
FUNCTION
REACTIVE
FLYING
INDUSTRIAL
LIMITED MEMORY
SWARM
DOMESTIC
THEORY OF MIND
LEGGED
SERVICE
SELF-AWARE
WHEELED
ENTERTAINMENT
STATIONARY
ROBOT PROFILES ROOMBA Roomba is the vacuum robot which automatically cleans your home. REACTIVE
Weight Height Personality Movement speed
WHEELED
DOMESTIC
3.9kg 91mm N/A 0.5km/h
ASIMO ASIMO is the well known humanoid robot manufactured by Honda. LIMITED MEMORY
Weight Height Personality Movement speed
LEGGED
ENTERTAINMENT
50kg 1300mm Timid 9km/h
BAXTER Baxter is a production line robot developed to do repetitive tasks over and over. LIMITED MEMORY
Weight Height Personality Movement speed
STATIONARY
INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE
136kg 1600-2000mm (adjustable} Helpful N/A
WORKBOT 3000 The workbot line was developed by Hanson robotics in 2020 to assist with heavy industry related tasks. LIMITED MEMORY
Weight Height Personality Movement speed
LEGGED
INDUSTRIAL
1050kg 4500mm Timid 20kmph
coFAYE Part of first generation of the Starbucks worker replacement program, coFAYE is able to make the perfect cup of coffee and make you laugh. It can also work a 18 hour shift without charging. THEORY OF MIND
Weight Height Personality Movement speed
LEGGED
SERVICE
400kg 1800mm Charming 10kmph
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ROBOTIC NEEDS Robots have been programmed to react to the world in a largely similar way to their human counterparts. As machines however, their needs are different. The program will cater for the needs of the robotic workforce of the building.
Robot need:
Charging
Storage
Eating
Sleep
Washing
Power stations for multiple robots to charge. High energy produces lots of excess heat Robots must be able to charge themselves.
Storage space for many inactive robots. Accommodation for different types of robot. Low humidity to prevent water damage
Workshop space in which robots can be repaired. Access to new parts and robots. Well sealed due to delicacy of the electronic systems.
Human equivalent: Spatial requirements:
Maintenance
CPU - robot control and decision making system
Vision input sensor
ROBOTIC MAINTENANCE
Motor response system
External structure - holds robots parts together
001010 001201 Balance control system
Maintenance procedure
Human equivalent
Software debugging
Meditation/relaxation
Over time the complex functionality of a robots brain may accumulate errors which must be cleared for the robot to remain working properly. If errors are allowed to accumulate data loss within the robot may occur and its behaviour may become unpredictable. Preventative hardware maintenance
Washing, shaving & exercising
The most common form of a robot maintenance program is preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance is planned maintenance of equipment and parts, designed to eliminate unexpected breakdowns and increase the life span of the robot. This maintenance is critical for the performance of a robot to remain reliable. Critical hardware maintenance
Injury
Critical failure of parts that must be replaced for the continued use of the robot. Severity of failure is dependant on how essential the part is to the normal function of the robot. In most cases the art must be replaced and full diagnostic checks must be run.
!
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Software failure A software systems failure in a robot can be caused by lack of maintenance, faulty or old components, or a virus. It can cause the robot to act irrationally or stop working entirely. The robots memory and firmware must be wiped and reset. Data is occasionally recoverable.
Dementia, brain disease
HIDDEN ROBOTIC BUILDING SERVICES Robotic car parking systems can achieve double the capacity of conventional multilevel car parks. Computer controlled platforms transport cars to and from the bays.
A
B
C
A
Vehicle delivery
B
Transfer device system
C
Robotic trolleys
A
D B
A
Transport rails
B
Robotic delivery system
C
Walkway
D
Robot storage shelves C
ROBOTIC NEED: STORAGE Automated storage facilities are able to achieve a much high level of efficiency both in quantities stored and access times. Robots waiting to be sold are stored in the robot storage facility, an automated system that retrieves the robots are brings them to the workshop or the auction room.
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INITIAL DESIGN
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THE SALE OF ROBOTICS IN THE ROBOTICS CENTRE A variety of spaces will accommodate the exhibition and sale of various different scales and types of robots. The Exposition The newest models from Hanson robotics and other high priced items are sold in the exposition. Robots are displayed in a car showroom-like fashion and sold both in the showroom for their ticket price or at auction for the limited edition models. The Hangar The larger robots that do not fit in the normal showrooms can be displayed in the hangar, which is loaded directly from the road. Primarily heavy duty and industrial robots will be seen in this space.
SMALL ROBOTS Bazaar Small robots and spare parts General Public Size: 0.1-1m
The Bazaar Independent commercial vendors and repairs shops are based in the bazaar, along with service industry shops.
HUMANOID ROBOTS Exposition New domestic/service robots Wealthy public and companies Size: 1-3m
LARGE ROBOTS Hangar Large industrial robots Wholesalers and industry Size: 3m+
Robots being sold at auction
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PROGRAM SPATIAL HIERARCHY Spaces have been categorised by their user and use adding a robotic layer ontop of the usual public-private spatial classification
ROBOT
HUMAN Private
Public
The public face of the scheme covers the announcement, buying and exhibition of new robots. Whereas second hand and robot parts are sold in the bazaar.
Lobby Atrium Theatre Showrooms Cafe/Bar Oversize Viewing Market
The program of the building engages with the movement and needs of the robots, creating a secret network of corridors that they can move around in unseen, to appear where needed.
Private
Road Loading Marine Loading Hangar Oversize Showroom Goods Coridoor
Storage Charging Workshop Robot corridor
SPATIAL ADJACENCIES The on site arrangement is divided into 3 primary sections which serve the different purposes of the program.
Theatre
Showrooms
Lobby
Atrium
Oversize Viewing
EXPOSITION
Public entrance Pedestrian + Road
Oversize Showroom
Cafe/Bar
LOADING
Robotic storage/charging
Public Walkway
Marine Loading
Hangar
Robot workshop
Goods Corridor
Public marine entrance
Market Stalls
BAZAAR
Market Stalls
Along Seafront
Humans Robots
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Loading
Public Amenities
KAI TAK DEVELOPMENT
KOWLOON
KOWLOON BAY
VI
A RI CT O
BOUR HAR
HONG KONG ISLAND
CENTRAL HONG KONG
CENTRAL HONG KONG
SITE AREA + PLANNING The site for the robotics centre is within the Kai Tak airport development site, which lies to the East of central Hong Kong along the west side of
Masterplan includes: 86,000 people 30,000 residential units 13,000 public houses (included) 320 hectare site 110 hectares open space 100 Billion HKD
Kowloon Bay. There is access to the busy Hong Kong harbour by boat and good vehicular access to the main roads of Hong Kong.
Kai Tak Development Site The site sits within the Kai Tak Development (KTD) site which has been proposed by the Hong Kong government and encompasses the site of the old Kai Tak Airport. The KTD is a major development proposal and masterplanning
MTR station Sports facilities Public space Ferry terminal Heritage park Arts and performance facilities
scheme covering 382 hectares of land. Uses include residential, commercial, infrastructure, a multi purpose sports complex and parks. The planned population is 86,000 people and the cost of the scheme is $100 billion HKD.
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
STATION SQUARE
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE
HERITAGE PARK PUBLIC SPORTS GROUND
KAI TAK SPORTS PARK
MAIN STADIUM
SITE
KEY Primary activity node KOWLOON CITY FERRY PIER
Secondary activity node KOWLOON BAY
Open space network
KAI TAK MASTERPLAN
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HANSON ROBOTICS CENTRE
KAI TAK DEVELOPMENT AREA
SURROUNDING AREA The site for the robotics centre is within the Kai Tak airport development site, which lies to the East of central Hong Kong along the west side of Kowloon Bay. There is access to the busy Hong Kong harbour by boat and good vehicular access to the main roads of Hong Kong. The site for the project sits within the Kai Tak Development (KTD) site which has been proposed by the Hong
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Kong government and encompasses the site of the old Kai Tak Airport. The KTD is a major development proposal and masterplanning scheme covering 382 hectares of land. Uses include residential, commercial, infrastructure, a multi purpose sports complex and parks. The planned population is 86,000 people and the cost of the scheme is $100 billion HKD.
N
NEW MRT STATION
VIEWS TO HONG KONG ISLAND
BREAKWATER BARRIER
SITE AREA PLAN
SITE AREA PLAN
Key
SITE OPPORTUNITIES/CONSTRAINTS In contrast to much of central Hong Kong, the site is not surrounded by high rise buildings and is in an exposed location on the waterfront. It sits at the end of the old runway of the airport on the corner of Kowloon bay. The site is easily accessible
Marine access Pedestrian access
by foot car and boat. A new MRT station to the north will be the closes public transport station and the To Kwa Wan typhoon shelter provides relief from the tidal effect of the sea.
Public vehicle access Views out to HK island
LAN
Planned buildings Edge of Kai Tak development
Site area shadow study
2
3
1 4
1
Public route along the waterfront
A public route along the sea has great views towards Hong Kong island and the possibility to arrive and leave by boat.
2
Structure opens towards the sea
The sea front becomes a hub of robotic activity shielded from its surroundings by the form of the building
3
Roofs rise out of the ground
The elegant form of the roofs rise from the ground, its back facing inland but discreet about its inner function.
4
Integration with the surrounding landscape
The form of the building folds upwards from the ground plane, informing the external and internal organisational logic.
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ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY The overall environmental strategy looks at the different conditions needed by the robots and humans, the qualities of the spaces that they inhabit and strategies for dealing with these differences. Three different combinations of these uses exist; human spaces, robot spaces and shared human-robot spaces.
W
Environmental factors Temperature The climate of Hong Kong is ‘sub-tropical’. meaning warm to hot temperatures all year round, with strong sun from directly above (during summer). Night/ Day temperature variance is low and the season difference in temperature is low. Typhoon seasons bring rain and storms from June to October. Average high temp Average low temp
30ºC 10ºC
Humidity The proximity of Hong Kong to the sea and its warm climate means that the relative humidity is high maintaining a value of approximately 20% through most of the year. A high humidity means that the bodies mechanisms for cooling are less effective and high temperatures feels even hotter. Wind The prevailing wind is from the East with little variance. The seafront site and relatively open surroundings mean there is nothing to block the wind path locally, however the natural relief of Hong Kong and its sheltered harbour location provide some relief .
Site plan showing environmental conditions
IDEAL CONDITIONS
Ideal robotic conditions based on electronic limits
Humidity High humidity can have an adverse effect on the lifespan of electronic products as the water from the air condenses on their metal parts causing rust and degradation. Effects if this become more prominent above 60% humidity.
The spaces of the program can be classified in terms of who is going to be using them. A set of ideal conditions can then be proposed for each space.
Dry temp. Wet temp.
20 10 0
90
J
Robot
Key spaces
Theatre Showrooms Public amenity spaces External walkways
Charging stations Circulation corridors Maintenance workshop
Challenges
Protection from sub-tropical climate
Disposal of excess heat from robotic charging and electronic activity.
Allowing light while controlling temperature.
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
20 10 0 J
Human
M
30
30
40 60 80 100 Relative humidity (%)
Classification
F
Relative humidity
60
Temperature - 0-75oC Humidity - 60% or lower Light - 50+ Lux Noise - 90dB
Spatial classification
Daily temperature 30
120 Rust amount (mg)
Light Robotic vision sensors work in extremely low light conditions However quick changes in light levels may temporarily blind robotic sensors as they currently do not have the same dynamic range as the human eye.
Acoustics Noise limit are based purely on functional properties, reaching a limit when the ambient noise is so loud that it drowns out any other noise the robot may need to hear.
Temperature (oC)
Temperature While human comfort level is in the 2025 oC range , the temperature needed for robotics to operate efficiently is anywhere between 0-125 oC. Military grade robotics operates up to 125 oC as higher quality components are used. Batteries are known to begin to loose their charge very quickly at sub-zero temperatures although this will not be an issue in the Hong Kong climate. Much like humans, robots heat up due to high levels of physical activity - robots also emit heat when they are thinking hard and processing a lot of information.
Temperature - 23oC Humidity - 40% Light - 200+ Lux Noise - 40dB
Relative humidity (%)
Ideal human condition based on comfort
F
M
A
Human-robot
Atrium Loading areas Market
Ventilation of highly active bazaar area Smaller narrower space the may not be able to be cross ventilated.
Isolation of theatre from heat/light/noise.
Solutions
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Solar shading and over hangs to create sheltered areas.
Well ventilated charging stations.
Use of thick insulation where isolation is required.
Programmatic separation of highly active robotic areas from public program.
An open market floor from which heat can rise and be removes. Commercial units to be provided with mechanical ventilation.
DESIGN DRIVERS The series of design drivers which have developed out of the initial investigations have been a tool used to define the design approach moving forward, carried through into the detail design of the building.
Surface testing As continuation of the paper model series, the process of lifting and folding the ground plane has developed into a structural principle in the building. It has informed the design logic of how the building touches the ground and blends into the landscape, as well as the internal logic of the folded structural walls. The elegant continuous form of the building is punctuated only by 2 horizontal datums which create a geometric separation of the form and allow for light and balconies to be created.
Discretion Although Hong Kong is a strong supporter of robotics and robo-tourism, the issue a contentious one. As such, the scheme holds Hong Kong at an arm’s length, fully aware of the narrow line that it treads. By opening up towards the water and facing its back to the City of Hong Kong, the proposal defines a set boundary for the robotic tourists and does not spill out into the wider city.
Rising out the ground By shutting out Hong Kong on its north side, the robotics centre creates a hub of activity along the waterfront and this duality informs the programmatic organisation on the site. The primary public route follows the water’s edge and passes over the marine loading bay before descending into the bazaar.
Robotic movement As part of the daily operations of the building, there will be a group of robots that inhabit the space, they will act to serve the needs of the building and the public who visit it . Their needs are very different to the humans and the architectural response of the program and space will be different as a result. As an extension of the staff and service system of the building the team of robots will need to have ways to travel around the site unseen. In response to this, robotic circulation corridors will allow movement between the various programmatic zones.
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RELIEF MODELS Initial tectonic investigations were conducted using paper models, exploring the how the programmatic forms could fold out of the ground, informing the landscape around the site and creating an area of intense activity at the waterfront. The series of tests resulted in the development of a set of design principles which are informed by the site, program and aesthetic response. The second study breaks the linearity of the forms from study 1 to create a more dynamic spatial arrangement and adds complexity to the spatial relationships. The design is based on a more focal layout, enclosing a waterside space at the centre of the site.
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HIDDEN ROBOTICS Due to the legality of robots in Hong Kong and the proximity to China, Hong Kong becomes a place for robotic tourism, where the rich and wealthy come to see the new technology and release their robotic desires. The legal sensitivity of the issue creates a semi-underground community of robotic enthusiasts, which sits at the edge of the law.
ROBOT CIRCULATION When designing for a human audience there are many factors that must be considered beyond the function of the space. When designing spaces to be solely inhabited by robots, many of these human experience factors become a futile exercise and a waste of design and resources.
Things robots do not yet care about: Quality of space Crawling Dark spaces Pipes Claustrophobia
The robotic circulation spaces within the robotics centre hold no human function other than maintenance meaning that they can be designed based on pure efficiency of function.
Section showing increase in efficiency from robots crawling
The ‘crawl’ space
Robotic crawl space vertical movement strategy
Circulation corridors can double in efficiency if the robots have to crawl inside, allowing movement in both directions within each corridor.
Inter-floor movement Gaps in the floor plates and intermediate levels allow the robots to clamber between floors. the width of the inner cavity it 2000mm, leaving room for 2 robots to pass by each other. A network of these voids will allow the robots to move through the whole building.
Service cavity The robotic corridor acts as a service core to the building, carrying the varous pipework around the building. The pipes punctuate through the outer wall and into the ceiling service zones to serve the space.
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DESIGN OVERVIEW The spatial organisation strategy is driven by the zoning set out in the program. The public walkway along the waterfront creates a route along which the functional spaces can open up towards. The
loading area in the middle of the plan means it is easy to access for both the exposition and the bazaar while maintaining a separation between these two distinctly different characters of space.
Bar Showrooms
Over-size showrooms
Auditorium
Marine/road loading
Market
EXPOSITION
HANGAR
BAZAAR
The exposition functions as the public frontage of the building and contains the most programmatic elements. Here humans can view and buy robots and the robots are only there to serve the human visitors.
The central hangar contains the large showrooms and loading areas which serve both the Exposition and Bazaar. The robotic circulation corridors allow the robots to move between their storage/maintenance area and at times the corridors become wide enough to contain program (eg. robot charging).
The Bazaar contains commercial space within which independent robotic industries can be contained. The market place becomes a community in itself providing a safe haven for roboshops, away from the political instability which can hit these smaller shops hard.
Exposition
Public waterfront route
Sloping waters edge
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Marine Loading
Loading hangar
Bazaar
BUILDING GENESIS
EXISTING SITE
ALTERED BOUNDARY Allowing road access and both marine and vehicular loading
PUBLIC ROUTE EXPOSITION
LOADING
BAZAAR
SITE ZONING STRATEGY
LIFTING OUT THE GROUND
Pedestrian promenade along the waterfront, programmatic zones arranged a long the waters edge.
The tectonic form opens up towards the sea, getting taller at the hub of the public functions.
ROBOTIC
HUMAN
HUMAN-ROBOTIC SITE CIRCULATION
PROGRAM
Dual circulation routes around the site for both humans and robots.
Programmatic elements arranged within the building’s skin according to the site zoning strategy. Spaces stack towards the top of the showroom zone, giving views across the harbour.
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DESIGN
30
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The rear face of the building is clad in an aluminium composite panel, which will provide an elegant, continuous facade, punctuated only by the two levels which divide the form and allow light inside. This distinctive form, does not geometrically open itself towards the surrounding city, instead, it opens towards the sea.
This creates a contained area where robotics can be interacted with and is not obnoxious about its inner program. The discretion of robotics has been a driving force in the design of the building - informing all levels of the design and providing a conceptual grounding for the spatial relationships to technology.
Inner robotics
The internal relationship of the design to robotics changes in each zone. Robots are treated as a commodity to be bought and sold in the exposition, whereas in the market the humans and robots appear as equals, using the same circulation routes and visiting the same shops.
The outward relationship of the design to robotics is one of discretion. The political uncertainty has meant that a flamboyant display of robots would be looked upon harshly by the Chinese and could create problems in the future.
The central hangar contains the large showrooms and loading areas which serve both the Exposition and Bazaar. The large, folding hangar doors lift up to allow deliveries into the loading areas.
The Bazaar contains commercial space within which independent robotic industries can be contained. The market place becomes a community in itself providing a safe haven for robo-shops, away from the political instability which can hit these smaller shops hard.
The waterfront route continues past the market and along the sea, leading to the other areas being developed as part of the masterplan. These areas are fairly isolated due their position on the old runway and will not be accessed as frequently as more connected parts of the city.
NORTH ELEVATION
Hangar
Bazaar
Waterfront
The exposition functions as the public frontage of the building and contains the most programmatic elements. Here humans can view and buy robots and the robots are only there to serve the human visitors.
Exposition
The primary public entrance is from the proposed square to the East of the site. From here the public can access the waterfront, the walkway and the internal spaces.
Public Entrance
1
2
3
4
5
1
2 3
STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS AND PROGRAMMATIC ZONING
SPATIAL-STRUCTURAL RELATIONSHIP Large scale buildings systems are broken down and separated according to their place within the structural hierarchy. The programmatic zones determine the use of the space and the design of each component responds to the program of
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the space within each distinct zone. The structural system has been designed to accommodate the movement of robotics within the building.
ZONE 1
ZONE 2
ZONE 3
Exposition Public frontage to the scheme requiring multiple levels, a atrium and large spans at the ground floor level
Loading Private loading areas dealing with the arrival of robotics both by road and by sea
Bazaar The spaces in the robotic bazaar are more intimate, smaller commercial spaces where used parts can be sold
1 Building skin
2 Secondary structural elements
3 Curved concrete ‘backbone’
4 Structural columns
5 Foundations and groundwork
Consists of a rainscreen facade cladding system which gives the building an elegant appearance, appearing to rise out of the ground
The secondary elements are concrete, to be cast in situ and operate to support the building skin.
This large piece of curved concrete sits on the columns and give lateral support structurally, while also providing a cavity large enough for both the services and the robots to circulate within. The two walls of this cavity become large enough to hold parts of the robotic program.
The columns at the base of the structure support the curved concrete circulation route. They are arranged on a structural grid, their shape defined by the use class of the space that they contain.
The basement floor level goes to a maximum depth of 6 meters below ground creating a large auditorium below ground..
The geometry of the proposal opens towards the sea - turning its back on Hong Kong. The waterfront area then becomes an active public zone around which the proposal stretches itself. The raised walkway gives visitors a view of the a latest models being sold in the
THE SEAFRONT
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showrooms as they enter the site from the public square to the west. Opening towards the sea give the balcony spaces on the upper floor spectacular view to Hong Kong island, only interrupted by the robotic adverts dancing on the shore below.
Latest models advertised beside walkway
View into atrium and entrance space with theatre behind
Robotics circulation revealed
The neon signs of the bazaar light the street
MATERIALITY
Nervi, Turin exhibition Hall.
MAD Architects, Harbin Opera House.
ZHA, Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
1
2
3
Exposed concrete
Full height glazing
Aluminium rain-screen facade
The interior spaces and water-side exterior spaces are a combination of exposed concrete and white painted plaster board finish where partitions have been installed. A high quality of finish will be obtained for the exposed internal surfaces.
Full height glazing is used in the spaces between the faces of aluminium cladding. It is frameless and non-strucutal, placed in line with the internal form, creating a balcony outside. This creates a continuous layer of separation between the geometric forms of the building and is in line with the elegant form of the building.
The aluminium cladding is applied only to the faces of the building which face in-land. The seafront areas are not clad in aluminium. The aluminium panels provide a sleek outer shell to the robotics centre which is discreet on the approach and activates towards the waters edge.
By exposed the concrete structure it allows for a high level of structural expression. The structural columns which grown from the surface of the floor plates can be seen and easily read. The details of the concrete structure and how the forces that are acting on it are read in its form are a form of structural optimisation and lead to a greater efficiency of material use.
2
1
3
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1
1
Roof ACP Panels Facade fixing system Air moisture membrane Insulation Steel joists Lightweight concrete slab Internal finishes
2
External balcony Screed floor Resilient layer Air moisture membrane Insulation Exposed concrete slab
3
External envelope ACP Panels Facade fixing system Air moisture membrane Insulation Steel joists Concrete primary structure Steel joists Internal finishes
4
Internal Floors [exposed] Screed floor Resilient layer Exposed concrete slab
5
Internal Floors [serviced] Screed floor Resilient layer Concrete slab Service zone Suspended ceiling Internal finishes
6
Theatre roof [floor build up internal/external] + Extra insulation Large suspended service zone
2
5 3
4
6
BUILDING SKIN
Aluminium rain-screen cladding
Screed flooring
External envelope
Internal floors
Aluminium composite rainscreen cladding panels Rain-screen panel support system Air and moisture barrier
30mm screed flooring 5mm resilient layer Cast in situ concrete floor (min 300mm)
Insulation 200mm Steel C section secondary structure Primary concrete structure
Cast in situ concrete primary structure (variable thickness) @ 15m centres Service zone 200mm Suspended ceiling
Interior finishes
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BAZAAR Robotic and human circulation routes merge in the Bazaar. A central street is flanked by two service walls from which the robots emerge.
HANGAR The robotic circulation routes expand to contain the program elements which serve robots. The human circulation routes follow the waterfront and through the showrooms to the rear.
EXPOSITION The large service walls in the Exposition provide a discreet route for the robotics staff to move around the building. The human routes travel through the atrium internally and along a raised waterfront walkway externally.
PRIMARY CIRCULATION ROUTES
DUAL CIRCULATION ROUTES The servicing strategy for the building highlights the distinctly different relationships between humans and robotics. The interplay between the two types of circulation space, for the robots and humans, was an important consideration as they each require different types of space. The internal human route opens into an atrium and the external route is a scenic waterfront walkway. In comparison the robotic spaces are small dark corridors to allow
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them to move around the plan discreetly. In the exposition the robots are forced to crawl within the service cavities, moving around the building unseen and unheard. The geometrical arrangement of the bazaar is formed from the walls of the robotic service corridors and this is the point where the relationship between humans and robots changes. The human and robotic programs merge, and each is treated as an equal.
ROBOT
HUMAN
STRUCTURAL OPTIONS Several structural options have been compared to find the best support system. Varying loads for the different spaces have been considered along the with the support reactions. The integration of the robotic circulation spaces was an important aspect to consider, with these corridors forming a backbone for the structural system giving a back supported wall to cantilever the floor plates off and providing lateral stability in the transverse direction.
Deomnstrating the advantages of back-supporting a cantilever as has been applied for the structural corridors.
DEAD LOAD IMPOSED LOAD 10 kN/m2 CAFE/BAR
6 kN/m2 2 kN/m2
Loading
WALKWAY
EXHIBITION ATRIUM
Standard live loads Lobbies Fixed seat theatre External balconies Corridors Exhibition space Cafe/restaurant Walkways Storage warehouse Roofs (non accessible)
10 kN/m2 6 kN/m2 10 kN/m2 10 kN/m2 10 kN/m2 10 kN/m2 6 kN/m2 13/20 kN/m2 [light/heavy] 2 kN/m2
THEATRE
Structural Options Tension member supports leaning column 1. Tension frame Primary loads picked up by an angled column, supported laterally by a tension member anchored to the ground.
Angled columns create a horizontal reaction from the ground on the right 2. Supported plinth A structurally stable plinth at the first floor level provides a base for the floors to be supported from
Self supporting A frame allows for lighter lateral reaction from the ground
3. Buttressed ‘A’ frame Central frame around the atrium provides core strength
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APPLIED STRUCTURAL SYSTEM The chosen structural system combines elements from systems 1 and 2 making use of angled columns at the base, and thus requiring a horizontal support from the ground on the right. The robotic circulation corridors support the floor plates and form the lateral support system acting as a large shear wall when vertical, becoming a diaphragm as column folds into beam.
Simply supported on the right ensures structural stability of the entire system
Structural section AA
The structural components of this system can be broken down into a series of columns and (horizontal and vertical) slabs The two large cavity walls in the centre give stability to the system as a whole and are able to span between the columns. 3
5
6
3
Structural frames
4
2
Concrete plates
1
Section AA - showing structural systems
B
C
A
Structural plan
The concrete walls which form the support backbone span along the water, following the geometric form of the structure. At the points where they intersect and get wider there are opportunities for different program functions to interact with them
B
C A
Structural layour plan
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1
Seafront
2
External walkway
3
Robotic circulation corridor
4
Entrance atrium
5
Robot showroom
6
Auditorium
STRUCTURAL FRAMEWORK RESPONSE The structural system set out on the previous pages responds to the needs of the program as it progresses along the waterfront.
In order for the structure to be able to change it must remain stable within each section ensuring an overall stability of the building.
ZONE 1 Exposition Frametype A 5 Floors
Cafe/Bar
3
1
Thick frame to allow for large span to be created in the auditorium space.
2
External Walkway
2
Showroom
Atrium
Floors fold up to become walls of the atrium.
3 Thick robotic circulation walls provide a strong structural backbone.
1 Auditorium
Section AA contains the functions of the exposition and is the largest section of the scheme, thus carrying the largest loads and requiring the most services. Structural section AA
Structural frames Structural planes
ZONE 2 Loading Frametype C 2 Floors
2 External Walkway
1 Thick frame to allow for large span to be created in the loading area.
Robot Charging
Viewing Deck
1
Marine Loading
Loading
2 Robotic charging stations located within an expanded robot circulation corridor giving, strong structural form and strong vertical support.
Section BB contains less floors than section AA and serves the large showrooms and loading functions of the building. The
public access has been raised to create a large, flat ground plane for goods.
Structural section BB
Structural frames Structural planes
ZONE 3 Bazaar Frametype F 2 Floors
1
1
Walkway cantilevered from structural backbone giving back support.
2 Market Floor
Commercial Unit
Goods Corridor
2 Lightweight roof structure and curved concrete frame give support to the roof span. Structural section CC
Section CC contain the bazaar functions, which is a much narrower space with an open market floor running down the centre. a cantilevered roof allows for ventilation of the space.
Structural frames Structural planes
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APPLIED STRUCTURAL PRINCIPLES Primary concrete frames The concrete frames provide a base from which the rest of the structure is supported. They are arranged on the structural grid and are to be cast in situ with the floor slabs and curved concrete walls. They all serve as a base for the curved concrete slabs which act to provide lateral stability. The structural frames are to be cast as one with the slabs giving a unified appearance and a legibility to the structural form, with the columns becoming thick in areas where there are high forces.
Cantilever optimisation
Frames ‘growing’ from the floor slabs as an example of structural legibility
Applied load
Stability of frame and curved plate system
Bending
Resultant
Tapering structural members
Curved concrete wall/floor
The curve which can be seen on the structural frames is to employ a more optimised shape - increasing the material efficiency by moving material to where it is working hardest to counteract the bending and normal forces. This allows the members to be thinner where the bending force is lowest and to seamlessly grow out of the floor slabs .
Acting similar to a folded plate, the curved concrete wall runs through centre of the site. It is supported underneath by the columns and provides lateral stability as a
Structural frame typologies The structural frametypes detailed A-G have been designed as a coherent system which is able to adapt to the use class of the space. The geometry of the structural system responds to the change in program within each of the different programmatic zones within the building resulting in a series of different configurations of this base framework.
D A
E B
G C
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F
shear wall when it is vertical and behaves as a structural diaphragm where it becomes horizontal to transfer the lateral loads back to the supporting foundations
CAST IN SITU CONCRETE Curved concrete backbone The curved concrete backbone is a essential part of the design used to form the interior spaces and as a primary structural element. As seen in section, two of these extra wide cavity walls used in the entrance space. The layout of these walls changes as the system reacts to the program creating different spatial conditions. The market at the bottom of the site is created inside of a cavity wall has become wide enough to contain human activity and this is the point where the human and robot activity is programmatically merged.
Structural wall Structural floor STRUCTURAL BACKBONE LAYOUT
Casting the curve The curve where the concrete slab becomes structural wall is an essential element to the design of the building, containing the services, robotic circulation and providing a structural backbone to the building. To ensure a continuity of form between the surfaces, the curved element will be cast in one piece so that the cast line is not visible on the exposed faces. This is a break from the from the column slab sequence used for the rest of the concrete structure, applied only where the geometry requires a smooth continuous surface finish. Concrete curve and column connection
Casting process steps
-Columns cast below, with connections remaining exposed
re-bar
-Area for casting inspected, re-measured and laid out according to the concrete geometry -The scaffolding is constructed below the area to be cast, to the engineer’s specification . -The base layer of formwork is laid out -The re-bar is laid out on top of the formwork -A top layer of formwork is necessary due to the pressure from the vertical concrete. -The concrete is poured -The formwork is removed -Large spans and cantilevers to remain propped unit construction is completed.
Concrete casting sequence The concrete casting sequence shown builds up the layers floor by floor, first casting the columns/walls and then the slab. The two sides of the building join at the ground floor level and at the 4th floor, which would require a large amount of support scaffolding to be constructed in the atrium.
9
9
8
8
7 6
7 6 5
5
4
4 3 2 1
3 2 1
Concrete casting sequence
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GOOD MORNING, DAVE. WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU TODAY
ENTRANCE ATRIUM This space is the entrance hall to the building. The curved concrete walls form the sides of a triple storey atrium through which light cascades down. To the left is the robotic auction theatre and the hangar is accessed from the back of the atrium. A staircase leads up, through the concrete
Location plan of hangar showrooms.
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wall, to the high end showrooms and then bar above. Walkways from the bar to the balcony can be seen from the bottom of the atrium. The robotic reception desk sits in the space to help visitors navigate around the site.
CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCING
Construction Access + Modified Sea Edge The sea edge is modified to accommodate the marine loading bay and a construction road is cleared. This will allow for construction deliveries from the sea where necessary.
Sea Retaining Wall Initial foundations of a retaining sea wall are constructed
Earthworks Excavation of the sub ground level areas and levelling of the ground in preparation for the foundation raft. Retaining walls are cast where necessary.
Piles The site is on reclaimed land in the harbour so piling is necessary to increase the carrying capacity of the ground.
Foundation Raft The raft foundations are cast from the B2 level upwards, floor by floor.
Cast In Situ Structure - Level 0 The primary concrete structure and floors are cast in situ, floor by floor. Cantilevers to remain propped until the entire structure is complete
Cast In Situ Structure - Level 1
Cast In Situ Structure - Level 2
Cast In Situ Structure - Level 3
Cast In Situ Structure - Level 4
Building skin The skin of the building is constructed onto the concrete structure. Internal, non structural walls are also put in.
Watertight The remaining elements of the envelope are constructed to ensure the building is watertight.
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THE EXPOSITION The Exposition is the first zone that the public enter from the new public square at the corner of Kowloon bay. In this zone the program epitomises man’s objectification of robotics treating them purely as objects to be bought by the highest bidder. Visitors have the latest models flashed before them as they walk along the waterfront. They are able to see
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the latest models in the showroom and bid on them in the auction theatre below. The robots themselves become nothing more than a part of the servicing strategy - there to serve the needs of humans. They move through the service cavities on their hands and knees, appearing where needed before disappearing back into the walls.
Robots being sold at auction
Shopping for a n
new house-robot
Robots crawling in the service cavities
Advertising the latest models on display
Advertising at night
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Folding door opening mechanisms Different examples of large hangar door modes of action. The specified door is an origami style double-hinged door.
Door hinge location (inside) Folding door elevation
piston detail Folding door locations
LOADING THE SHOWROOMS The loading hangar functions as a delivery room and a showroom for the largest items on display at the robotics centre. Deliveries from the back arrive through the hangar doors while the public pass through above. As a future centre for robotics many robots will be produced in Hong Kong
and arrive by road. Hong Kong has a very close proximity to the Pearl River Delta industrial region where much of the world’s electronics are made. Even when robotics are made illegal the devices made here could still be sold in the market (and later become parts of robots).
Folding hangar doors
upwards and back in on them selves in an origami-like fashion. The folding mechanism uses two hydraulic pistons per door to operate, hinging twice and allowing the doors to completely fold upwards - allowing for a maximum opening area.
The folding hangar door to the east face of the building provide access for robots to be delivered by road to the robotics centre. The mechanism allows the facade to form a continuous surface when they are not in use. the doors fold
Closed door
Open door
1 5
2 Robot arriving by truck
3
4
Section showing loading in the oversize showroom
1 Robotic circulation route Takes the robots from the showrooms in the Exposition to the workshop.
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2 Public walkway Gives access from the Exposition zone to the market, over looking the hangar on the way.
3 Hangar floor Generally guided access for those who are wishing to inspect the large robots before placing an order.
4 Loading floor Lowers into the ground to allow for greater headroom
5 Folding hangar doors Large folding doors allow for big deliveries
I’LL TAKE FIVE
我会有五个
THIS ONE...
这个...
THE HANGAR SHOWROOMS Larger robots are displayed in the hangar showrooms. The larger display spaces cater for the industrial-sized robots, attracting wealthy private buyers and company representatives, who would have
the funds and capacity to purchase these machine. These showrooms are loaded from the back by the folding doors and allow the robot to be displayed on a variable height bed for optimal viewing. Location plan of hangar showrooms.
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MARINE LOADING AREA As Hong Kong is part of a major international shipping channel and its proximity to the Peral River Delta industrial region, marine deliveries straight from the factories would be common. The marine loading bay is situated under the public walkway and has access straight into the
hangar, It is wide and deep enough for a small cargo vessel, roughly 4 shipping containers from wall to wall. The robotic circulation route and charging station are positioned above - held in place by the structural frame.
SITE AREA PLAN
Location plan of marine loading bay
Robotic charging sequence For charging, the robots insert themselves into a charging ring which acts as an adaptor that all robots can fit inside of. As the robot charges the ring rotates, showing how much charge the robot has.
These rings are displayed along the side of the public walkway above the marine loading area as a spectacle and for the public to get a gimpse into the robotic side of the building.
3
1
4
2
Section showing marine loading area and robot charging station
1 Public waterfront walkway External route from the entrance, over the marine loading, descending to the market.
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2 Marine loading bay Private space where goods can be unloaded from boats.
3 Robot charging station These self charging rings for robots rotate as the robot charges. They are visible, through the window, from the public walkway.
4 Robot circulation corridor The robot circulation route continues below the charging rings.
ZONE 3: ROBOTIC BAZAAR
The robotics bazaar sits towards the southern end of the site and forms the final zone of the building. The bazaar is a hub of activity, both human and robot. The commercial units provide a home for the robotic industries of Hong Kong. The busy neon signage of the market place echoes the hustle-andbustle of Hong Kong’s street markets, animating the street-scape and lighting the space. An open market floor with folding stalls built into the walls allows smaller sellers to set up shops
Here humans enter the robot’s world. The bazaar is a space that both human and robot can inhabit, with shops providing services for both. In contrast to the Exposition, the relationship between humanity and robotics is on a more equal ground in the marketplace - humans and robots use the same shops and eat at the same places (although not the same food).
2
5 1 4
3
1 Public seafront route leads to open areas being developed to the sotuh.
2 Internal raised walkway providing access.
3 Market floor for street merchants.
4 Commercial spaces accessed from main market street.
5 Goods corridor connects to the loading bay in the hangar.
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THE ROBOTIC BAZAAR Humans and robots inhabit the same space
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GENERAL ARRANGEMENT DRAWINGS
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010
53
SITE PLAN
1:2000
SITE AREA PLAN
0
20
40
60
80
100m
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B
E
D
G
F
H
09
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
C
GA 020
08
A
1:500
10
2
SITE AREA PLAN
11
12
1
B
3
4
13
A
08
C 0
14
B 4
09
8
5
12
A
E D
G F
H
A
16
15
20m
10
B
6
18
17
SITE AREA PLAN
16
11
12
19 20
7
21
C
C 13
22
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
23
15
4
8
12
16
20m
ATRIUM AUDITORIUM OVERSIZE SHOWROOM MARINE LOADING VEHICLE LOADING WORKSHOP BAZAAR
14
16
B
E
D
G
F
H
BASEMENT PLAN
C
GA 022
08
A
09
1:500
10
2
SITE AREA PLAN
11
12
1
B
3
13
A
08
C 0
14
B 4
09
8
12
A
E D
G F
H
A
55
16
20m
15 0 1
B
18
17
SITE AREA PLAN
16
11
12
19 20
4
21
5
13
C
C
22
0
1 2 3 4 5
23
15
4
8
12
16
20m
THEATRE LOBBY AUDITORIUM OVERSIZE SHOWROOM GOODS CORRIDOR BAZAAR
14
16
56
GA 030
1:200
B
A
SECTION AA
B
A
C
C
D
D
E
E
A
A
3
F
F
G
5
G
B
2
B
C
C
1
D
D
H
H
E
E
6
4
F
F
G
G
0
H
H
1 2 3 4 5 6
2
4
6
8
10m
BAR ATRIUM WATERFRONT WALKWAY SHOWROOM LOWER THEATRE LOBBY AUDITORIUM
57
GA 031
1:200
B
A
SECTION BB
B
A
A
A
C
4
3
C
D
D
2
E
E
B
B
C
C
F
F
D
D
1
G
G
E
E
5
F
F
H
6
H
G
G
H
H
0
1 2 3 4 5 6
2
4
6
8
10m
BALCONY (BAR ACCESS) ROBOT CHARGING AREA WATERFRONT WALKWAY MARINE LOADING PUBLIC VIEWING ROBOT DISPLAY
0
58
GA 032
1:200
B
A
SECTION CC
B
A
A
C
C
D
D
E
E
B
1
C
F
F
D
G
G
2
E
4
F
H
H
5
3
G
6
H
0
1 2 3 4 5 6
2
4
6
8
WATERFRONT WALKWAY COMMERCIAL SPACE MARKET FLOOR COMMERCIAL SPACE AUDITORIUM
10m
APPENDIX
59
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS The sub tropical climate of Hong Kong can be very hot in the summer when the bun is strongest. As such the solar considerations have focused around getting light into the necessary spaces
while providing adequate solar shading to external areas and minimising solar gain to the glazing on the south side, on the north the glazing will get no direct sunlight.
89o - summer solstice 44o winter solstice
Site area shadow study Overhanging roof detail
Solar Analysis The site sits in a open area and as the solar analysis shows there are no issues relating to over shadowing from the surrounding buildings. The seafront area is well lit the whole year round.
Solar Shading The design of the south facing glass faรงades takes into account the effects of solar gain, providing a large overhang which protects from the sun in the hottest parts of the year.
7
6
1
2 3 9 8 10
4 11
5
weather threshold line
1 Rear balconies protected from all except the sun. No direct solar gain to the exhibition and showroom spaces behind the glazing, due to the protection from it being set back from the building line.
60
4 Shaded area created beneath the external overhangs and walkways to give protection from the harsh summer sun. In zone 2, the marine loading area is given a shaded areas beneath the walkway to allow for more comfortable manual work on hot days.
2 Atrium space lit by the large windows at the top of the space. The internal and floor finishes to be selected to allow maximum light to reflect down into the space while minimising solar radiation.
5 Auditorium is sunk into the ground as no sunlight is required inside. Buffered entrances from the atrium provide protection from light leaks..
3 Little to no lighting required in robotic use spaces. Solar gain mitigated by not allowing any light in.
6 Rising heat in the atrium is allowed to escape at the top through open-able windows within the glass facade.
7 Non-structural glass doors able to fully open, extending the cafe/bar area on to the balcony and allowing full ventilation within the space. 8 All spaces to be air conditioned from robotic circulation corridors. 9 Thermal mass of the exposed concrete surfaces will provide passive cooling during the day 10 Buffered entrances prevent cool air escaping
11 Cool air to travel through the ground floor plate from the basement through voids.
1 2 3 4 5
1
Cafe/bar Balcony Robot showroom/exhibition Theatre Theatre backstage
1:20
BUILDING SKIN
Section AA
61
3
Detail 01
4
5
3
2
1
4
5
6
7
8
7 8
1 2 3 4 5 6
1:20
Ground Floor
First Floor
Second Floor
Third Floor
+0mm
+5500mm
9500mm
13500mm
Aluminium rainscreen cladding panels Lightweight concrete roof slab Full height glazing to 3rd floor Screed finish external floor building Concrete balustrade detail Cladding panels extend above structure to balustrade level Concrete slab Primary concrete structure at 15m centres
Detail 01
CLADDING DESIGN 4mm panel with 0.5mm aluminium coil thickness
The aluminium composite panels used on the facade can be a source of thermal performance as the metal can be treated to reflect the sunlight. Panels can be designed to reflect up to 95% of solar energy which will help to mitigate heat build up within. This is only true if the panels are clean so to ensure maximum solar performance the panels will need to be regularly cleaned. Panel to be chosen to reflect maximum solar energy without becoming a mirror finish.
RAINSCREEN PANELLING ARRANGEMENT
Faces of building to have facade applied Roof plan showing facade placement
Total facade area: 9308 sqm Aluminium composite rain-screen panels are to be used on the external, north and east sides of the building. Arranged in a tessellated formation to fit with the building geometry, this system will provide the image of a continuous elegant form which rises up out of the landscape. Faces of building to have facade applied
Panel arrangement and rail placement
Fixing placement and orientation
2.5m (max)
Panel connection The cladding support system runs at a scewed vertical up the face of the building, and is supported below by horizontal steel sections which then attach to the secondary concrete frame. The aluminium composite panels use a clip on system to attach to the rails, this allows them to be put on from both the top and bottom, increasing the efficiency of construction. The panels can be unclipped for servicing and for replacement.
62
Panels clip into place
Cladding attachment process
11
10 9 8
7
6 1
First floor
2
3
4
5
Public Walkway
+5500mm
Ground floor
Marine Loading Area
+5500mm
LOADING ZONE DETAIL Detail Section 02
1:50
Showing marine loading, robotic charging station and public seafront promenade. The public route takes advantage of the view across the harbour towards Hong Kong Island, raising above the loading area and then descending into the robotic bazaar
Key 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Marine loading dock Concrete balustrade Public walkway level Sheltered marine loading area Curved concrete walkway edge Concrete structural frame type C Robot movement zone Window into charging station Robotic charging station Ventilation to charging area Service zone
63
Robotic arm - degrees of freedom
working diameter
90o
m
ed
ian
robo
re
ac
h
tic ra
dius
range
Types and typical ranges of robotic assembly devices
Cartesian
Cylindrical
Polar
Robotics in construction
Robotic facade construction
ROBOTIC BUILDING PROCESSES
64
Concrete delivery system
Automated screed polishing machine
Memory of the world
Memory of the world
UNESCO MEMORY OF THE WORLD
Mapping the entries for UNESCO’s Memory of the world register and the megacities of the world to find relationships between the two. Darker colours indicate more entries within that country.
1
16
Memory of the world
UNESCO INTANGIBLE HERITAGE
Mapping the entries for UNESCO’s list of intangible world heritage and the megacities of the world to find relationships between the two. Darker colours indicate more entries within that country.
1
16
65
THE MODERN MEGACITY // UNESCO HERITAGE SITES 501 UNESO World heritage sites 6 Mega Cities
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184 21
UNESCO World Heritage Sites Megacities
BUCKMISTER FULLER RE-INVENTING THE ‘STANDARD MODERN FUTURE’
In 1960 Buckminster fuller proposed to encase part of Manhattan island in a giant geodesic dome. The purpose of this dome was to regulate weather and air pollution. It was 1 mile [1.6km] high and 1.8 miles [2.9km] wide. The cost of the dome would be recouped from the money saved removing snow from the streets which he stated would be paid for in 10 years. Dymaxion map. Diagram showing the creation of Buckminster Fuller’s dymaxion map. Although not presented in the conventional layout the map shows the countries in relation to each other with a maximum of 2% distortion, compared to the standard Mercator projection this is a greatly decreased distortion level.
“Somewhere in the 1950s, possibly earlier, but for the general public, the future became quite easy to recognise because it had monorails in it.” -Reyney Banhan
AN AGE OF HYPER-ENGINEERING
Post-WW2 hyper-engineering The Space Race The Northern River Reversal Brasilia Interstate Highway System Nuclear Energy Manhattan Project 12
MEGASTRUCTURES TIMELINE 1955-1971
7
13
8
14
Megastructures as defined by Rayner Banhan, organised by date of project. These projects are all theoretical projects and mapping in accordance with date shows the height of the megastructural era was in the early 60s.
1
1955
1956 1 Brasilia, Costa
2
1957
1958
3
5
10
16
19
4
6
11
17
20
1963
1959
1960
1961
1962
2 Boston Harbour, Tange
3 Spatial City, Friedman
5 Agricultural City, Kurakawa
7 Sin Centre, Web
4 Tokyo Bay, Tange
6 Helicoids, Kurakawa
12 Montreal Entertainment Tower, Archi8 Shinjuku, Maki gram 9 15 + Otaka 13 Neo-babylon, 9 City Under the Nieuwenhuys Siene, Maymont 14 Floating 10 Fun Palace, Island, Maymont Price 15 City 11 Ocean City, Interchange, Kikutaku Archigram
24
1964
1965
18 Babelnoah Arcology, Soleri 19 Air Craft 18 Carrier, Hollein
21
22
23
25
26
1966 21 Space City, Isozaki
1967
1968
1969
1970
22 New York City (Harlem), Cornell Team
23 Oasis, Herron 24 Graz-Ragnitz, 26 Lower ManDomenig + Huth hattan Expressway, Rudolph 25 Comprehensive City, Mitchell + Boutwell
20 English Channel Bridge, Friedman
1971
16 Plug-in City, Archigram 17 Walking City, Archigram
Paul Rudolph. Lower Manhattan Expressway. This unrealised scheme for New York City uses a similar A frame design to Tange’s Boston Harbour project, with the transport links (including a monorail) contained within.
67
The Modern MEGA structure city culture data society
The Classical Megastructure
The Japanese Metabolists
1960 1970
Archigram
Yona Friedman
Paul Rudolph
Large Scale Range of scales
Architects (amoung others)
Combined Usage
Residential
Megastructure
Combined Usage
Commercial
Integration with the city
Infrastructure
Site specific
Utopia
Italian Hill Towns Extensibility
Group Form
Inspiration
Themes
Urban Planning
Mesa Verde Cliff Palace
Adaptability Ponte Vecchino
Fumihiko Maki, Metabolist Manifesto, 1960. Group Form develops a more flexible urban plan that could accomodate the fast pace of change in the modern city.
Relations of infrastructure to architecture
CLIFF PALACE, MESA VERDE COLORADO
The native American Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde, Colorado is the largest of its kind in the world. It dates from approximately 1200 AD and was probably abandoned in around 1300. The settlement is built into a sandstone cave using rudimentary traditional building techniques of the time. The cave acts as a form of shelter and defence. The Cliff Palace is cited by Fuhmiko Maki as early inspiration for the megastructures of the 60s. In this case the cave acts as the megastructure upon which the settlement grows. Compared to an Italian hill town except with a more visible ‘megastructure’.
Elevation of the Cliff Palace showing the village sitting within the surrounding cliff face.
Old Quater
Plaza Quater
Tower Quater
Northern Quater
N
Section through Cliff Palace and surrounding mountain. Showing buildings sitting within the rock-face. Cliff Palace Photograph showing the remains of the native American civilisation.
68
Plan through Cliff Palace and surrounding mountain. Different sections of the settlement and layouts shown.
1
2
LOCATION OF THE THEORISED MEGASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
3
4
5
Number of megastructure projects per country 1960-1970
This map shows the location of 20 theoretical megastructures proposed between 1960 and 1970, all of which were never realised. The highest concentration of megastructure projects are in America and Japan; specifically New York and Tokyo. This cold be because rising populations in cities was becoming a problem and the megastructures were proposed as a way to deal with increases in population and high traffic though radical solutions. In this way, the densest urban areas generated the most radical solutions.
London
Tokyo
New York
MEGACITIES 19502017 A megacity is classed as a city with more than 10 million people. Today there are more than 40 megacities around the world spread across 5 continents. In 1950 there were 2 megacities; Tokyo and New York City. Mass urbanisation in the 20th and 21st century had led to an boom in urban populations and huge increase in megacities. China and India have seen the greatest rise in population as they industrialise and the boom in population along with the increasing numbers of people moving to cities has led to the growth of huge urban areas.
500 400 300 200 100 1800
1900
2000
Dymaxion world map. Showing location of 40 megacities.
Total Urban Area Worldwide [1000 km2]
1950 Megacities Toyko New York
Current Megacities Tokyo Jakarta Seoul Karachi Shanghai Manila New York City Mumbai Mexico City Delhi
Beijing SĂŁo Paulo Lagos Wuhan Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe Guangzhou Chongqing Cairo Los Angeles Chengdu
Dhaka Moscow Tianjin Bangkok Istanbul Kolkata Rio de Janeiro London Buenos Aires Tehran
Kinshasa Paris Bangalore Shenzhen Harbin Rhine-Ruhr Lima BogotĂĄ Lahore Chennai
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THE MODERN MEGA©
MEGA© A multi-level connectedness of a building to its city and surrounding networks. Concieved as an adaptation of the 1960s megastructures movement, MEGA© rejects the idea that megastructures must be large scale and instead become MEGA© through their extensibility and integration within the urban fabric, present and future.
60s Megastructures
Modern MEGA©
Booming population in modern cities Space became a more valuable commodity Designed by one person/entity Megastructures as a reaction to the socio-political climate of the time
MEGASTRUCTURES Infrastructure
Residential
Compositional Form
Commercial
The unbuilt nature of the idea was even more powerful than the built form would have been.
MEGA© IN POPULAR CULTURE MEGA CITY ONE Judge Dredd 1977
Mega City One of the comic book and later movie adaptation, Judge Dredd, is a sprawling metropolis covering the east coast of the North American continent. It features endless urban landscapes of intertwined skyscrapers and super highways (both in the air and on the ground).
ROUGE CITY AI 2001
Akin to a Mecha-Vegas, the near future, neon soaked madness of Rouge City in Steven Speilberg's AI is as much a utopic projection of human fantasy as it is a schizophrenic dystopic dreamscape.
2019 LA Blade Runner 1982
Imagined by Syd Mead, the dystopic metropolis of Los Angeles set in 2019. A world of eternal night and rain lit by the neon signs and mega billboards hug from the towering skyscrapers and artificial animals hint to a past of environmental catastrophe at the hands of the industrial machine. It heeds as a warning to humanities future relationship with the planet.
70
Mega City One
Booming population in modern cities Space continues to become a more valuable commodity Not necessarily MEGA in size Organic growth of multiple parts Fumihiko Maki - Group Form
Megaform
Group Form
CITY GROWTH 1984 - 2014 Newly developed areas marked in red 14
The Pearl River Delta region is one of the most densley populatied urban areas in the world. The Special Economic Zone includes the surrounding Chinese cities but omits Hong Kong and Macau. The area has seen tremendous growth in the last 30 years.
12
Guangzhou
Shenzen
Zhuhai
Dongmen
Foshan
Zhongshan
Jiangmen
Huizhou
Zhaoqing
10 8 6 4 2 0 1979
ZHONGSHANG 中山
SHENZEN 深圳
1989
1999
2009
HONG KONG
香港
GUANGZHOU 广州
1984
1984
1984
1984
1994
1994
1994
1994
2004
2004
2004
2004
2014
2014
2014
2014
Growth
Growth
Growth
Growth
71
FISCAL LANDSCAPE
HONG KONG
Hong Kong is situated in the Pearl River Delta and is a Special Administrative Region of China. An ex-British colony, it has a political separation from mainland China. Its location in the Pearl River Delta makes it a hub of industry and technology and one of the busiest ports in the world.
14 12
Guangzhou
Shenzen
Zhuhai
Dongmen
Foshan
Zhongshan
Jiangmen
Huizhou
Zhaoqing
10 8 6 4 2 0
1979
1989
1999
2009
PROPERTY RENTAL PRICING
Map showing reclaimed land in Hong Kong bay
MICROPROCESSOR SUPPLY CHAIN
Microprocessor Supply Chain Final laptop assembly in Shenzen, China Final laptop assembly in Shenzen, China
Raw Material Lithium
Raw Material Silicon
Raw Material Silicon
Raw Material Silicon Processing Silicon Purification Raw Material Cobalt Niobium
Raw Material Processed Material Component
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Raw Material Silicon
Processing Laptop Assembly Processing Chip Assembly
Processing Wafer Fabrication Battery Silicon Processing Raw Material Cadmium
TECTONIC ARTEFACT / 1 73
TECTONIC ARTEFACT / 2
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All work produced by Unit 14 Unit book design by Maggie Lan www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture Copyright 2018 The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmited in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retreival system without permission in writing from the publisher.
76
UNIT @unit14_ucl
77
P I O N E E R I N G S E N T I M E N T
2018
At the centre of Unit 14’s academic exploration lies Buckminster Fuller’s ideal of the ‘The Comprehensive Designer’, a master-builder that follows Renaissance principles and a holistic approach. Fuller referred to this ideal of the designer as somebody who is capable of comprehending the ‘integrateable significance’ of specialised findings and is able to realise and coordinate the commonwealth potentials of these discoveries while not disappearing into a career of expertise. Like Fuller, we are opportunists in search of new ideas and their benefits via architectural synthesis. As such Unit 14 is a test bed for exploration and innovation, examining the role of the architect in an environment of continuous change. We are in search of the new, leveraging technologies, workflows and modes of production seen in disciplines outside our own. We test ideas systematically by means of digital as well as physical drawings, models and prototypes. Our work evolves around technological speculation with a research-driven core, generating momentum through astute synthesis. Our propositions are ultimately made through the design of buildings and through the in-depth consideration of structural formation and tectonic constituents. This, coupled with a strong research ethos, generates new and unprecedented, viable and spectacular proposals. They are beautiful because of their intelligence - extraordinary findings and the artful integration of those into architecture. This year’s UNIT 14 focus shifts onto examining moments of pioneering sentiment. We find out about how human endeavor, deep desire and visionary thought interrelate and advance cultural as well as technological means while driving civilisation as highly developed organisation. Supported by competent research we search for the depicted pioneering sentiment and amplify found nuclei into imaginative tales with architectural visions fuelled by speculation. The underlying principle and observation of our investigations is that futurist speculation inspires and ultimately brings about significant change. A prominent thinker is the Californian Syd Mead who envisages and has scripted a holistic vision of the future with his designs and paintings. As universal as our commitment and thoughts is our testbed and territory for our investigations and proposals. Possible sites are as such global or specific to our visits, as much as the individual investigations suggest and opportunities arrive. Unit 14 is supported by a working relationship with innovators across design. We engage specialists, but remain generalists, synthesising knowledge towards novel ways of thinking, making and communicating architecture.
UNIT 14 @unit14_ucl
All work produced by Unit 14 Unit book design by Maggie Lan www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture Copyright 2018 The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmited in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retreival system without permission in writing from the publisher.