Natasha Marks_Y5 |Unit 14 | Bartlett School of Architecture

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KOREAN REUNIFICATION

NATASHA MARKS YEAR 5

UNIT

Y5 NM

THE UNITED PENINSULA

@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

NATASHA MARKS YEAR 5 natashalouisemarks@gmail.com @unit14_ucl

THE UNITED PENINSULA Korean Reunification

Y5 NM

Seoul, South Korea

C

entral Seoul has a very high population density. Increasingly dense layering of neon signage shows the growing retail competition. The existing situation is that the signage is a layer that is becoming occupied for living due to the expanding population.

The project takes the scenario of a future reunited Korea. Events this year show that this could not be too far away. Peace talks are in progress and leaders of both sides have vowed to end the Korean war.

Depthmap, a spatial analysis tool created by UCL, is used as a tool through my portfolio and thesis. The software aids an understanding of the integration and connectivity of Seoul’s existing street networks at a global and urban scale. The thesis learnings have been used to inform my design proposal and to assess the connectivity, accessibility and daylight levels of the created spaces.

The proposal aims to increase the population density of the area but also brings to the site increased public space, and greenery.

The project assumes mass migration from North to South Korea, causing a population surge in Seoul.

To house this expanding population, the proposal is an alternative solution to building high rises.

Canyon-like forms are carved out below existing street level to create residential pockets. The canyons make use of the low-use negative space between buildings in the city centre. Daylight reaching existing buildings is not obstructed, the highway is sunken and the ground level is pedestrianised.

By building into the earth, there are more opportuniies for horizontal connectivity to the underground transit system and links to other undergound spaces. A multi-layered temple, pagoda park and market thread are accessible on multiple levels.

Integration V High

The space below ground level has not traditionally been associated with living. This is mainly due to low daylight levels. The living canyons step down so that each residential unit receives natural light.

Throughout the project, daylight analysis has been carried out to ensure this standard. Retail zones are created in the areas of low daylight levels.

Integration Analysis of the Sit R= 5000 metres (Influence Z

Integration Valu High L

Integration Analysis of the surrounding context R= 5000 metres (Influence

Plan South Canyon, Myeongdong District Seoul

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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.

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UNIT @unit14_ucl

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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.