Michael Huang_Y5 | Unit 14 | Bartlett School of Architecture

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MICHAEL HUANG YEAR 5

UNIT

Y5 MH

ARGONOMY STRATAS

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MICHAEL HUANG YEAR 5 Y5 MH

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A R G O N O MY S T R ATA S A DRONE FARMING FUTURE FOR VIETNAM Vietnam

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he project envisions a transformative landscape for Vietnam’s agricultural sector, incorporating advanced drone technology to nurture the land while supporting a vibrant village lifestyle above.

Agronomy Strata serves as a means to respond to existing indigenous Vietnamese communities facing climatic challenges within their environment. The building readapts vernacular methods of construction to build large-scale cantilevered floor plates that extend from the sloped context.

Located amidst the picturesque mountains of Sapa, Vietnam, the design prioritises sustainability and connection along the strata of the mountain terrains that connect back into a vibrant plaza.

The project aims to blur the lines between urban infrastructure and nature, harmonising land cultivation with rural life rhythms.

Inspired by the natural contours of the mountainous terrain, the architecture features dynamic floor plates that extend from the slopes, creating a seamless connection between the built environment and the surrounding landscape.

A footbridge spans between two mountain peaks, creating connectivity and unity within the community.

At the heart of the design is the integration of agritech, which revolutionises traditional farming practices and empowers local farmers with innovative tools for land management. By harnessing the power of automated systems to care for the land, a symbiotic relationship is created between nature and civilisation, where the bounty of the earth sustains and enriches

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AGRONOMY STRATAS CRAF TED HORIZONS

BARC0175_24 WEN HUA HUANG PG14_PORTFOLIO

PG14 | Crafting Horizons Bartlett School of Architecture BARC0175_24 Wen Hua Huang PG14_Portfolio DESIGN TUTORS:

Dirk Krolikowski Jakub Klaska

AGRONOMY STRATA A Drone Farming Future for Vietnam The project envisions a transformative landscape for Vietnam’s agricultural sector, incorporating advanced drone technology to nurture the land while supporting a vibrant village lifestyle above.

Agronomy Strata serves as a means to respond to existing indigenous Vietnamese communities facing climatic challenges within their environment. The building readapts vernacular methods of construction to build large-scale cantilevered floor plates that extend from the sloped context.

Located amidst the picturesque mountains of Sapa, Vietnam, the design prioritises sustainability and connection along the strata of the mountain terrains that connect back into a vibrant plaza. The project aims to blur the lines between urban infrastructure and nature, harmonising land cultivation with rural life rhythms.

Inspired by the natural contours of the mountainous terrain, the architecture features dynamic floor plates that extend from the slopes, creating a seamless connection between the built environment and the surrounding landscape. A footbridge spans between two mountain peaks, creating connectivity and unity within the community.

At the heart of the design is the integration of agritech, which revolutionises traditional farming practices and empowers local farmers with innovative tools for land management. By harnessing the power of automated systems to care for the land, a symbiotic relationship is created between nature and civilisation, where the bounty of the earth sustains and enriches the lives of Vietnamese folk living above.

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CONTENTS 01

Brief & Site

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02

Design Development

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03

Final Design

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04

Apendix

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BRIEF & SITE PA • C Ơ M T R

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HISTORICAL TIMELINE

1859-83

France slowly colonises Indochina

1945

Viet Minh seizes power. Ho Chi Minh proclaims independence.

Democratic Republic of Vietnam

1950

Democratic Republic of Vietnam recognized by China and Soviet Union

1954

Vietnam split into North and South at Geneva conference

1964

Vietnam war breaks out between two rival states for two decades.

The US supports South.

1975

North troops invade South Vietnam, gaining control of the country

1976

Vietnam is reunified as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

2007

Vietnam joins the World Trade Organization

HA LONG BAY HAIPHONG

HANOI

DEMILITARILISED ZONE PARTITION LINE 1954

HUE

DA NANG

VIETNAMESE TOPOGRAPHY HOI AN

HANOI

HO CHI MINH (SAIGON)

DA NANG

ALTITUDES (m) 3100 - 2101 M 2100 - 1101 M 1100 - 601 M 600 - 101 M 100 - Sea Level

CAN THO

HO CHI MINH

VIETNAM OVERVIEW

8

Divided by the Demilitarised zone, Vietnam is distinctively known for its two Northern and Southern historical divide. Most of the countries ethics, culture and history still remain today in the varying regions. With high altitudes in the North, more people cluster in flat land in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

ROYAL HINTERLAND HANOI

METROPOLITAN SAIGON/HO CHI MINH

Southeast South Central Coast Red River Delta Central Highlands

Electronic production: Telecommunications equipment and Computer parts

Urban

Rural

Four Large Minerals: Binh Minh largest Coal mine

Northeners: Lower use of technology and prefers traditional lifestyle. Lowest spending on FMCG

TER WIN N I C TER 20° WIN 15– N I C R 27° ME UM 26– S R C IN ME 7.5° UM 2 S – 22 C IN 29° – 8 2

Red River Delta: Rice Paddy Fields in Red River Delta

ERO UBZ S E ES NC RIE TUR E A P R X PE SE TEM ON I E G G RE RA US AVE NO I D A T OUN UN RR MO A E Y ALL

Mekong River Delta: Produces more than half the total Rice production in Vietnam. Fruit farming and Commercially woods are raised

Textile Production: Found in Hue, Long An, Ho Chi Minh (15% of GDP)

South East: Saigon Free Trade Contributing nearly 50% of Vietnam’s GDP

METROPOLITAN AND HINTERLAND

Southeners: Develops high technology and prefers dynamic lifestyle. High commerce and night life

9

Vietnam is positioning itself in the fourth industrial revolution by investing in their tech sector.

“VIETNAM’S STEP INTO THE 4IR”

WHILST HCMC IS DEVELOPING IN THE E-COMMERCE SECTOR; HANOI IS GROWING IN THE TECH SECTOR.

“GOVERNMENTAL INNITIATIVES DEVELOPMENT OF A.I.” VIETNAM IS A YOUNG COUNTRY. EXPANSION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES ARE REVOLUTIONISING HOW VIETNAMESE INTERACT WITH TECHNOLOGY.

“At the heart of the transformation of Vietnam’s technological landscape are young and dynamic individuals.” .... “a silent revolution is taking shape.”

“U.S-VN PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OF TECH FORCE” Due to the countries competitive labor costs, it is attracting more foreign direct investment.

Cost-effective manufacturing with a skilled labour fource. This is not adding to Vietnam’s promotion of innvations and entrepreneurship.

VIETNAM WANTS FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT. U.S AND VIETNAM PLEDGE TO “CREATE FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS” THROUGH A SEMICONDUCTOR PARTNERSHIP. IS THIS THE ONLY FUTURE FOR VIETNAM?

ADVANCEMENT IN FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLTION: TECH SECTOR

10

In the latest revolution of the global economy, the dynamics of labour and technology are found in new ways as smart technological systems are built with machine learning and big data. This creates major challenges for Vietnam as production models shift and competitive labour no longer translates to advantages as it once did. Therefore, Vietnam positions itself for success through investment in the tech force.

“FICTIONAL CONCEPT COMBINING THE LIFESTYLE IN THE VIETNAM WAR WITH AI DYSTOPIAN TECH” THE CREATOR

NEW ASIA VIETNAM’S DEVELOPMENT IN AGRITECH In the fictional concept of a future with Artificial Intelligence, director Gareth Edwards depicts the relationship between village life and AI technology. Whilst the U.S has banned its use of AI, Asia continues to work with AI forging “New Asia”. AI is

XAG P100 ARGITECH

used in all areas of convenience, from tending to village concerns, leveraging agriculture production and providing comfort and protection to villagers.

Question: could this be the future for Vietnam’s development?

65% OF PEOPLES DAILY CALORIES LEADING RICE PRODUCING COUNTRY

SELF SUFFICIENT PESTERCIDE 44.0 M TONS RICE PRODUCTION THAT REDUCES C02 EMISSIONS

39.4% LAND USE

17.9 M TONS SUGAR CANE

VEGETABLE LOW YEILD

INCREASING CROP CULTIVATION

14.8 TONS VEGETABLES LARGEST COFFEE CULTIVATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 1.6 M TONS COFFEE

CONTROLLED BY ONE

AGRICULTURE

1,409 Ha

PADDY PLANNED AREA

4.

5%

8%

LOWERING CONTRIBUTIONS TO GDP

1,955 Ha

3.

2022

HOMEGROWN AGRITECH

4.

2%

1.8 %

12.56% GDP

PRODUCTION

2704.8 Thousand Tons

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

FISHERY PRODUCTION

CULTIVATION: CALL FOR HOMEGROWN AGRITECH

The use of homegrown agritech is necessary for the development of Vietnam.

A land flowing with rich resources has been in the development of increasing its resources through Agritech. The use of XAG has revolutionised agriculture across Asia amidst challenges posed by climate change.

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STREET LIGHTS IN HANOI ARE BEING TURNED ON 30 MINUTES LATER AND TURNED OFF 30 MINUTES EARLIER THAN USUAL IN AN EFFORT TO CONSERVE POWER. The rapidly growing population and expanding industrial sector. vietnam faces an increasing energy demand. Cities in Vietnam are cutting the use of public lighting to save energy as unusually hot temperatures threaten to stretch the country’s power supplies.

27% FINAL

CONSUMPTION

Share of renewable energy in the total finaly energy consumption.

HYDROELECTRICITY

WIND POWER

SOLAR POWER

BIOMASS

BIOENERGY PRODUCTION 1

PRE TREATMENT 1

4

Feedstocks Agricultural and forest residues, energy crops, waste

2

Drying

3

Torrefaction Thermochemical process that aims to decrease the water and volatiles.

2 1 2

2

3

GASSIFICATION 4

Gasification

5

H2 / CO modification

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Final purification

7

Stored biogas / biofuel

OUTLET CHAMBER 8

3

1

3

T PRE

NT

TME REA

GAS SIF ICA TIO N

8

ER

AMB H C ET

L OUT

5

ORGANIC MANURE Natural Fertilizer Digestate

Slurry extracted

The major biomass sources include wood residues (7.5 M Tons).

Rice husk, rice straw, bagasse, can trash, maize trash, cassava stem, peanut shell, coffee husk, coconut shell (74.5 M Tons) Live stock manure (10 B m3/ Year of methane)

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BIOENERGY Stored Biogas Power Steam Turbine Green energy Powering the grid Purified Biomethane

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VIETNAMESE ENERGY CRISIS

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As of May 2020, Vietnam had 10 bio-energy plants with an installed capacity of 377.6MW, but only 202MW was connected to the grid. The village could produce intrinsic value to biomass plants in reformed agricultural land.

PROMENADES

VILLAGE GATEWAYS

HIGH STREETS

FOLK DANCE

FOLK MUSIC AND CULTURE

RIVER TRANSPORT

STOOLS - MARKET PLACE

VILLAGE LIFE IN AGRICULTURAL LAND

CULTURAL EXPRESSION - VILLAGE LIFE Life in the villages incorporated many forms of folk culture, from day-to-day outdoor market stools to large villages that splayed out from a central house.

13

EMBRACING RURALITY Unity in the urban and rural living

UCE D O PR S E AS

LIFE ST Y LE INC RE

VILLAGE LIVING

AG RO NO MY

AUTONOMOUS VILLAGE

EC ON OM Y

HYPER AGRICULTU RE AN D Supplying green infrastructure

ALED PSC LE U ST Y IFE EL

CULTURE

AGR I

TE

CH

HU B

PR IN ODU CR C EA TIO SE N

AGRICULTURE

VIL LA G

HOMEGROWN TECH

T EC

H IN

CR E A SES AWARE

NESS FOR PR

IVATE

ME FAR

RS

Innovation and revolutionising village cultural tech

CLOUD COMPUTING

AI / AR

0.3 0.2 0.1

COMPUTING / INTERNET Autonomated factory Electronics

0.4

ADVANCED HUMAN INTERFACE

Cyber Physical Systems What does this look like in a village?

ASSEMBLY LINE Mass production Electrical sources

STEAM ENGINE Mechanisation of steam power

BRIEF: VIETNAMESE TECH VILLAGE

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SENSORY TECH

As the brief focuses on the three spheres in wider Vietnam - Culture, Agronomy and Economy - I propose a Vietnamese tech village that utilises drone technology to farm the hinterland whilst an urban lifestyle could prosper above.

AGRICULTURAL HUB

FOOD SECURITY

FOOD COURT MARKET

WASTE & RESIDUE PROCESSING

CONTROL & MONITORING

FOLK LIFESTYLE

BUYING & SELLING

PUBLIC FARMING

SHARED FARMING

AGRITECH RESEARCH LAB

VILLAGE PLAZA

AUCTION ROOMS SEPERATED

GREEN CORRIDORS

CONFERENCE

R&D ZONES

OFFICES COWORKING

TECH INCUBATOR

PROGRAMME: VIETNAMESE TECH VALLEY In essence, the Vietnamese tech village would be a dynamic yet culturally rich space where innovation thrives amidst the beauty of tradition. The programme bubbles denote how the spaces coincide yet function separately.

15

Vĩnh Phúc

3

Thái Nguyên Bắc Giang

4

5

Bắc Ninh HANOI

2

Hòa Bình

6

Hải Dương

1 Hưng8 Yên 7 9 Hà Nam

HANOI

LEARNING FROM THE FIELDS

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The villages found in North Vietnam act in unity with resilience against natural conditions. They exist as clusters at the bottom of mountains and rice paddy fields.

DUONG LAM ANCIENT VILLAGE

DUONG LAM, SON TAY, HANOI Rice paddies and farms in Northern Vietnam are seen as disorientated patches of land. The proposal aims to showcase drone technology that revolutionises the conditions of farming.

17

TOPOGRAPHICAL TERRAIN

ELEVATION The site has been chosen to challenge the existing condition of a village and whether one could exist in such a sloped terrain. Analysis of the site show elevations reaching to 150m where rice paddies are abundant.

0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

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100

200

300

400

SITE: SAPA, VIETNAM

0

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200

300

400

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

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DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PA • C Ơ M T R

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TECH AND PROGRAMS

STORAGE AND MOVEMENT INFRASTRUCTURE

PLAZA

VILLAGE RESIDENTIAL

TRAINS CONNECTION

F&B

SECTIONAL STUDY

STRATAS

OVERALL MASSING TYPE 3 The massing shows an intriguing plaza that is a bridge between two mountain peaks. The plates mimic tectonic plates that shift from the natural contours which form the strata.

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DESIGN FRAGMEN1 1 The axis of the lines creates sharp angles that don’t have great connection points. This was found by examining the structural placement both in the plan and model. Using principles in Vietnamese vernacular, the raking columns offset and cantilever.

BRIDGE CONNECTION

VILLAGE AFFAIRS

SUMMER / WINTER GARDEN

UNDERGROUND DRONE STORAGE

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AGRICULTURAL TRANSPORTATION

VILLAGE HUB

VILLAGE ENTRANCE

INFRASTRUCTURE LEVEL

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DESIGN FRAGMENT 2 This fragment focuses on three aspects of the design which include an alignment of structure, the structure of the bridge which uses vierendeel structure and wings of the building that extend beyond the plaza.

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W

BRIDGE CONNECTION

WINTER/SUMMER GARDEN

WATER WELL

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DESIGN FR

Larger storage unit for system of ground floor. This creates an exp fly from harvest on the wings a the storage units. The radial plan spatial or

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RAGMENT 3

f drones that open out on the lower pressive opening for the drones that and are automatically controlled to divides the continuous ring making rganisation

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ROUNDED OPTION

FOLLOWING STRUCTURE

PLAZA OPENING 1

PLAZA OPENING 2

Verandas Plaza Extended Plaza Circulation

SPATIAL LAYOUTS

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Initially, my take on the public plaza was that the centre was the voided nuclei. After disconnecting the triangle to create and open the extended plaza, the circulation of the spaces no longer exists as a continuous loop. This gives the overall layout an openness to incorporate an outlook of nature into the design.

VIERENDEEL TRUSS

140.00 10.00 5.00

10.00 10.00

140.00 140.00

5.00 5.00

WARREN TRUSS 140.00 10.00 5.00

BRIDGE ADAPTATION There are advantages to using both the Vierendeel trust and the Warren trust. In the first option, the vierendeel trust becomes part of the supporting structure and connects to the core, whereas the warren trust spans the bridge.

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SPATIAL FRAGMENT The corners of the building naturally give moments for circulation. Then the programme exists between the three corners. The roof opens up in the centre to provide subtle light.

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SPATIAL FRAGMENT Verandas give a clear edge condition to the floor plates and the structure division between rooms. This leaves an open atrium in the centre. Given this, the atrium still is enclosed and needs connection to the surrounding views.

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D - 600 L - 520

D - 600 L - 1100

D - 400 L - 1100

D - 600 L - 750

D - 600 L - 550

D - 300 L - 1100

D - 400 L - 750

D - 400 L - 550

D - 400 L - 850

D - 300 L - 550

D - 500 L - 450

D - 500 L - 1100 D - 400 L - 420

D - 500 L - 450

INCORPORATING VERNACULAR SYSTEMS

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In northern Vietnam the harvest of timber is high and there is sufficient timber to create large structural frames. Utilising earlier systems of the Vietnamese vernacular frame, the timber is stacked and offset to create a frame that is sufficient for the creation of large buildings.

Raking columns Rafters Primary beam Support beams with incisions

Site: Sapa/ Lào Cai

Local Forestry / Craftsmen Warehouse

Lodging Forestry

STRUCTURAL FRAGMENT The structural fragment shows different pieces that join together to create the structrual frame. All building components will be fabricated off-site in a local factory in the northern region that can easily be transported to the site on land. This allows for local sourcing of sustainably farmed ironwoods.

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BRIDGE IN TENSION The carbon fibre strip runs through the Vierendeel columns creating tension along the bridge which it is then tied along the wings. The strip can harness downward forces exerted in the centre, mitigating loads along the bridge.

NORTH ENTRACE

MARKET AND DOCK

AUTOMATED DRONES

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PLAZA

FOLK PRACTICE

FOOTB

BRIDGE ENTRANCE

TECH PLAZA

FOOTBRIDGE ENTRANCE

DRONE STRATA

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ROOF FRAGMENT

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The final iteration of the fragments display the hut condition that was previously explored in the artefacts. Here the roof is used as a means to provide connection to the ground but also to form a continous flow into the bridge. Storage system for the crops are connected to the wings of the roof.

The roof steps up on the wings to allow height for programme.

ENGAGING THE HARVESTING PROCESS This fragment captures the process of each floor regulating the harvest intake as the drones bring in new crops into the silos where the urban level’s also exist.

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ROOF STRUCTURE - UNCOVERING THE PLAZA

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The urban plaza utilise three corners to concentrate movement around the perimeters. The stratas build momentum for the agritech that enters the building. This image highlights the stratas that emerge from the building which fade exploring where green space is and where dry land is.

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SECTION KEY PLAN

LONG SECTION

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45

SECTION KEY PLAN

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PLAZA SECTION

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48

DRONE DEVELOPMENT SECTION

SECTION KEY PLAN

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A NEED FOR CONNECTION.

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A connection between the mountains is formed highlighting the abundance of grain below. The plazas create a moment that connects the wings to the bridge as the building pivots towards a moment for connection. The building is constantly viewed as an object in the landscape that corresponds to the context above and below.

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EMERGING THREE POINTS FROM PLAZA The shingled roof meets the ground at the peak of the mountains and adopts the hut shape from vernacular forms. As the roof steps up the space is opened and enlarged at the wings of the building.

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HARVEST IS FULL

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The harvest is full as the drones take care of the land beneath. This moment encapsulates the building that is divided into thirds on the urban levels. The underside of the building reflects that of the rice paddies below.

55

CIVILISATION FREE FROM LABOUR OF THE LAND The connection of the bridge is necessary for inhabitation and life at the peak of the mountains. It bridges the lengthy stepped gap of the rice paddies below so that villages can connect above.

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PEELED ENTRANCE AND CONSTANT OUTLOOOK TO BRIDGE

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The roof becomes a prominent feature in the overall design. Its hut condition slopes towards the ground at the peak and moments where the roof is peeled display an unexpected bridge, visually guiding its users. The shingles and timber create a blend of inside and out depicting enclosure upon entry.

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DRONE HARVEST DOCKING THROUGH NORTH WING

60

At the wings of the strata, the drones are automated on a hanging conveyor belt which brings harvested crops into the silo storages. At the docking points the roof is experienced where there is constant visual connection the what’s happening on floors above.

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HIGHLANDS INTERROGATED BY THE HUT As the roof staggers and steps to open the roof for space at the wings, the entrances are formed creating a bustling market life. The huts are occupied by food halls and crop markets.

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General Arrangement - Ground Plan 1:1500 @A2 0

5m

10m

20m

50m

65

01

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B 08 C D 09

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F G

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H I 12 J

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K 2

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P Q

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Key

1 - Drone Conveyor Belt Entrance 2 - Silo Dropoff 3 - Agriculture crop selection 4 - Platform 5 - Agriculture store 6 - Informal Folk Plaza 7 - Folk teaching

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27

25

26

27

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V

0

5m

10m

20m

Agricultural Plaza General Arrangement - Lower Ground Floor 1:500 @A3

02 1

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04 02

05 03

06 04

07 05

08 06

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D E F

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P Q

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Key

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1 - Docking Station 2 - Data Collection 3 - Drone / Machine Storage 4 - Data Distribution 5 - Departure Station 6 - Drone Display 7 - Classrooms

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10m

20m

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Drone Store General Arrangement - Lower Ground Floor 1:500 @A3

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APPENDIX: ARTEFACT STRUCTURAL & SPATIAL RESEARCH

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ĐÌNH BẢNG Vietnamese folk house construction is predominantly found in North Vietnam and serves as a significant locus for religious and leisure activities, where the emphasis lies in achieving a state of equilibrium in the structure. At first glance, the structural framework of the houses seems to adhere to the conventional truss language commonly associated with gable roofs. However, the true distinction lies in the intricate methods employed in beam stacking.

70

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1:150

-3m

0

3m

6m

b

a

9m

a

NHÀ THỜ HỌ

b

a

b

c

a

NHÀ RUONG

3

: 1 b

c

d

c

b

b

a

a

ĐÌNH LÀNG 1822

a

b

c

ĐÌNH BẢNG, BẮC NINH 1700-1736 ARTEFACT STUDY: VIETNAMESE FOLK HOUSE CONSTRUCTION Dating back to the fourteenth century, the quintessential Vietnamese structural system replaced the Chinese truss and has since undergone a change in style and form. The roof holds a 2:3 roof and 1:3 body ratio, which has a strong impression of a heavy roof to provide shelter in extreme conditions.

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ENCLOSURE - STACKING

WORSHIP - OPEN STACKING

2.0

2.8

3.0

2.8

2.0

1.5

INNER SANCTUM

1.5

2.0

2.6

2.0

1.5

1.5

MILITARY GUARD PORCH

SPACE AND STRUCTURE

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4

5

6

1 7

2 8 9 3

10

11

12 14

1. Thượng Lương - Heart beam 2. Xà tử thượng - Upper Beam 3. Cột cái - Primary Column 4. Con lợn - The pig (Roof Beam) 5. Rường - Boxed Rafters 6. Dép Hoành - Horizontal Sandals 7. Rui - Rails / Purlins 8. Báng Giong - Rafters 9. Hoành - Diaphragm 10. Xà lòng - Forward Beam

15

13 16

11. Kẻ - Stripes (Curved Support Beam) 12. Xà hạ - Lower Beam 13. Cột quân - Military Column 14. Porch Beam 15. Cột hiên- Porch Column 16. Balustrade 17. Tầng - Floor Plynth

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STRUCTURAL COMPONENT SPECIFICATION

MAIN COLUMN - REST & WORSHIP

MILITARY MODULE - WAR

BOX RAFTERS - DEAD BEAM LOAD

CENTRAL HEART BEAM - LIFE

STIMULATING SPIRITUALITY, LIFE AND CULTURE

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Stripes Beams Upper / Lower Beams Dead Beams Heart Beams

HEART BEAM MODULE

FORWARD COLUMN MODULE B

Military Column

Porch Column

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The distribution of structural loads in Vietnamese folk houses is notable for the placement of dead beams and heart beams at both ends of the structure. These beams are thoughtfully stacked to establish an enclosure and are joined at the columns. This interconnection at the columns has the potential for further enhancement through a technique akin to grafting.

C

Main Column

OUTER GUARD

A

A

B

C

Stripes Beams Upper / Lower Beams Primary Coloumn Rafters

MILITARY COLUMN MODULE

MAIN COLUMN MODULE

Main Column

Military Column

Porch Column

B

A

C

INNER SANCTUM The column specifications are crucial within the inner sanctum. Mortise and tenon connections are used, but with a twist: instead of simple tenon joints at the column’s tip, clusters of timber beams are stacked. these curved beams and rafters created openness for spiritual meditation.

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Centre pieces

Main pieces

Intermediate pieces

STRUCTURAL SYSTEM: KIT OF PARTS

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This deliberate orientation ensures that when vertical loads, such as those exerted by the roof, are applied, the bundling of timber pieces functions similarly to a glue-laminated timber piece, effectively resisting compression parallel to the grain.

Column stacks

Xà lòng - Forward Beam

Hoành - Diaphragm

Báng Giong - Rafters

Rường - Boxed Rafters

Thượng Lương - Heart beam Xà lòng - Forward Beam

Kẻ - Stripes Beams

Dép Hoành - Brackets 1

Dép Hoành - Brackets 2

CLASSIFICATION AND BREAKDOWN The systematic analysis of timber frame configurations and joinery techniques offers valuable insights into the adaptive nature of traditional Vietnamese architecture. By examining the intricate interplay between timber elements and their arrangement within the framework, a deeper understanding of structural dynamics and design flexibility is attained.

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Roof loads are through the slope.

transferred Clusters loads.

embrace

horizontal

Finally, loads are transferred through the columns and into the foundations.

LOAD DISTRIBUTION

1. Columns are installed (First, second and porch columns) on a plinth.

2. Beams and box rafters are installed on top of the columns creating the main frame.

3. Horizontal purlins are installed connecting the main frames.

4. Brackets (sandals) and horizontal rafters are installed to create flying eaves shape.

5. Support pieces for the roof are placed ontop of horizontal rafters.

6. Roof tiles installed on top of roof structure.

ASSEMBLY AND CONSTRUCTION

80

The Dinh Banh inspires a novel assembly method where splicing plays a key role in order and the premise of structural stability. I aim to use the principles of splicing to create novel structural assemblies.

HIP BEAM

Supporting the roof load, and transferring the loads downward

DRAGON BRACE

The brace transfers the load to the plates offering a dramatic joinery

DRAGON BEAM

Acts as a tie beam, delivering the outward thrust of the hip to the dragon brace.

DRAGON BRACING - PROMINENT USED IN BRITAIN

The corner joint is strengthened by the dragon brace assemble because it resists the outward thrust that the hip puts into it. Majority of the displacement of loads are carried in the dragon brace and beam.

TOP

FRONT

SIDE

CORNERED DIRECTIONALITY The flying eaves on the other hand apply similar principles to the dragon brace but to create an expressive corner,

81

FLYING EAVES Subject to building materials, pan asian architecture primarily consists of wood. There must be a huge roof to prevent rain from eroding building walls and columns. The development of the roof resulted in a dim interior, so the wood craftsmen created the flying eaves as a way to maximise the amount of sunlight entering the interior. The cross-section also allows snow to slide off the sloped roof of the building; following the curve cycloid.

DRAGON BRACING The bracing found in the eaves detail here supports the outward thrust but does not directly support the hip beam that showcases the expressive flying eaves.

LINEAR PARABOLA CYCLOID

0.1

CIRCLE

0.2 0.3

0.4 0.5

0.6 0.7

0.8

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

CYCLOID CURVATURE

82

0.8

1.0

FLYING EAVES TWO WAYS

BRACING TO GIVE SUPPORT TO EAVES

TIE BEAM TO BRACE CONNECTION

The fragment has the potential to create multiple layers of shading. In the context of Asia, these eaves provide overall shading but additionally layers.

Bracing is utilised similarly to the traditional eaves. In this instance, the joinery braces the branch but also allows for the extension of the fly beam.

The connection to the core helps to strengthen the span of the fly beam. This allows for larger-span eaves.

FRAGMENT STUDY - FLYING EAVES In the development of this fragment, the eaves focus on the on creating sharp shading on the different levels. I intended on exporing how this branch can join and align multiple different branches to create different arrangement of eaves.

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All work produced by Unit 14 Unit book design by Charlie Harris www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture Copyright 2021 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.

UNIT @unit14_ucl

C R A F T E D H O R I ZO N S

2024

A

t the center 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. This, coupled with a strong research ethos, will generate new and unprecedented, one day viable and spectacular proposals. They will be beautiful because of their intelligence - extraordinary findings and the artful integration of those into architecture.

The focus of this year’s work evolves around the notion of ‘Crafted Horizons’.

The term aims to highlight the architect’s fundamental agency and core competency of the profession to anticipate the future as the result of the highest degree of synthesis of the observed underlying principles. Constructional logic, spatial innovation, typological organisation, environmental and structural performance are all negotiated in a highly iterative process driven by intense architectural investigation. Through the deep understanding of constructional principles, we will generate highly developed architectural systems of unencountered intensity where spatial organisation arises as a result of sets of mutual interactions. Observation as well as re-examination of past and contemporary civilisatory developments will enable us to project near future scenarios and position ourselves as avant-garde in the process of designing a comprehensive vision for the forthcoming. The projects will take shape as research based, imaginative architectural visions driven by speculation.

Thanks to: ALA, Boele Architects, Daab Design, DaeWha Kang Design DKFS, Heatherwick, Knippershelbig, NK3, RSHP, Seth Stein Architects, ZHA, Expedition Engineering.

UNIT 14 @unit14_ucl

All work produced by Unit 14 Unit book design by Charlie Harris www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture Copyright 2021 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 retreival system without permission in writing from the publisher.