Nnenna Itanyi_Y5 | Unit 14 | Bartlett School of Architecture

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NNENNA ITANYI YEAR 5

UNIT

Y5 NI

WOMBS IN THE DESERT

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All work produced by Unit 14 Cover design by Charlie Harris www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture Copyright 2021 The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL All rights reserved.

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NNENNA ITANYI YEAR 5 Y5 NI

tochiitanyi@gmail.com @tochi_itanyi

W O M B S I N T H E D E S E RT ACHIEVING AGENDA 2063 Timbuktu, Mali

T

his is year 2063. The project reimagines a desert site on the outskirts of Timbuktu, a city situated in a futuristic Mali.

Constructed and set up as an ingredient with the intent to achieve the aims of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the infrastructure will encompass an urban settlement bolstered by the presence of a High-Speed Network and the success of the Great Green Wall Scheme.

The resulting architecture will nestle itself within its environment borrowing from and echoing the materiality and characteristic building language of Malian mud architecture. Theoretically, it will expound the idea that modern sustainable construction must in fact be a revisit to age old and indigenous styles.

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INNER FORM DEVELOPING TECTONICS Chapter 1 details the exploration of the use of the double curved surface, a form found to be characteristic of African traditional architecture.

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WOMBS IN THE DESERT The project reimagines a desert site on the outskirts of Timbuktu, a city situated in a futuristic Mali. Constructed and set up as an ingredient with the intent to achieve the aims of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the infrastructure will encompass an urban settlement bolstered by the presence of a High Speed Network and the success of the Great Green Wall Scheme.

The resulting architecture will nestle itself within its environment borrowing from and echoing the materiality and characteristic building language of Malian mud architecture.

Theoretically, it will expound the idea that modern sustainable construction must in fact be a revisit to age old and indigenous styles.

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IDENTIFYING DOUBLE CURVED SURFACES

Musgum people of Cameroon

Zulu people of South Africa

Toposa people of South Sudan

Western Mali

Ksar Ouled Debbab, Tunisia

Sidama people of Ethiopia

It is interesting that irrespective of the huge differences between African traditions, the thatched and mud dome is ubiquitous to all of them. Because of its stability, this double curved surface proves most fitting to the context. https://www.dezeen.com/2018/11/02/zaha-hadid-architects-eth-zurich-3d-knitted-concrete-formwork-knitcreteknitcandela/

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MALIAN ARCHITECTURE: TWO DISTINCT STYLES

PERMANENT STATUS BUILDINGS

TEMPORARY SHELTERS

UBIQUITOUS MATERIALITY

BENEFITS OF CLAY

STRAW, HAY AND THATCH

CLOTH AND GEOMETRIC PATTERNS

TIMBER GRID SHELL

Malian architecture is divided into two distinct and divergent styles: that of temporary settlers is characterized by gridshells supporting hay and fabric facades; and permanent structures constructed from thick earth walls. All materials stand out because of their sustainability. https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/2.-the-environment/2.1-temperature,-relative-humidity,-light,and-air-quality-basic-guidelines-for-preservation https://www.lloydkahn.com/2013/02/eelgrass-insulation/ https://pp.bme.hu/ar/article/download/12/12/ http://www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/Knowledge-Base/Building-Regulations/Building-regulations---Kingspan-Insulation. aspx

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EARTH CONSTRUCTION IN THE DESERT MUD BLOCKS

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Mud blocks are formed by hand from a calcite-rich alluvial mixture, prestressed and used to lay thick mud walls. Though incredibly durable, these walls have to be remudded each year.

WATTLE AND DAUB

Wattle and daub is a composite building method used for making walls and buildings, in which a woven lattice of wooden strips called wattle is daubed with a sticky material usually made of some combination of wet soil, clay, sand, animal dung and straw.

A look at building processes highlights processes of earth construction: the use of mud blocks and wattle and daub.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-the-city-of-mud-stays-standing-meet-the-masons-ofdjenne-mali-224225/

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CASE STUDY 1: THE SOLIDNESS OF THE DJENNE MOSQUE, MALI

Circular blocks fabricated by hand were used in teh construction of the mosque. This shape added to the strength of the walls.

Horizontal sticks were cast into the mud walls to allow masons climb and remud the walls during periods of maintenance.

The famous century old Djenne mosque is constructed from almost one metre thick walls and embodies the idea of community: Its strength is an effect of its handcrafted cylindrical blocks and its horizontal palm frond projections visually represent the oneness and unity amongst the mosque users. Yearly, the building is ceremoniously “remudded” by the mosque goers.

https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/2.-the-environment/2.1-temperature,-relative-humidity,-light,-and-air-quality-basic-guidelines-forpreservation https://www.lloydkahn.com/2013/02/eelgrass-insulation/ https://pp.bme.hu/ar/article/download/12/12/ http://www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/Knowledge-Base/Building-Regulations/Building-regulations---Kingspan-Insulation.aspx

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CASE STUDY 2: THE VENTILATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE MUSGUM HUTS, Cameroon

The traditional dwellings of the Musgum tribe in Cameroun consisted of sun-dried mud huts of ra shell shape. Each domestic structure (also called “obus”, or “beehive type”) was 3 to 9m high, needed 6 months to be built out of mud, thatch, water and simple tools.

It is also ornamented by many inverted V’s or straight groove lines which provided foothold during construction and maintenance, structural buttress and facilitate the draining of rainwaters form the walls of the structure.

PRESENT DAY APPLICATION: SPRAYED MUD SHELLS

Mud Shell is a sturdy domed shelter constructed from bags of hay attached to a wooden lattice that is then sprayed with a mixture of clay and fibre using a drone.

The resulting structure can be constructed rapidly, in this case just four days, from cheap, lightweight and readily available materials. It combines the ancient building techniques of wattle and daub with cutting edge drone application technology.

The Musgum building is constructed by the Wattle and Daub process used for most double curves structures. Because of its prevalcence in West African building culture, an improved veriosn: sprayed mud shells, present a feasible mode of construction. https://www.dezeen.com/2018/10/02/stephanie-chaltiel-mud-shell-southbank-spraying-drones-emergency-homesarchitecture-ldf/ https://www.domusweb.it/en/architecture/2018/09/28/building-with-drones.htm http://socks-studio.com/2015/06/26/musgum-mud-huts/ l

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CASE STUDY 3: EMPHASIS ON ENCLOSED SPACE AND CENTRAL MEETING Space.

MALIAN ARCHITECTURE

Enclosed space

Public Space

HAUSA ARCHITECTURE, NORTHERN NIGERIA

Surrounding Wall

Enclosed space

Public Space

The space syntax of Malian households also reveals prevalent characteristsics: There is an emphasis on a central public space, surrounded and even protected by the building.

https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/2.-the-environment/2.1-temperature,-relative-humidity,-light,-and-air-quality-basic-guidelines-forpreservation https://www.lloydkahn.com/2013/02/eelgrass-insulation/ https://pp.bme.hu/ar/article/download/12/12/ http://www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/Knowledge-Base/Building-Regulations/Building-regulations---Kingspan-Insulation.aspx

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ITERATION 1: DICHOTOMY BETWEEN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR

INTERIOR TIMBER STRUCTURE

EXTERIOR EARTH MASS

The first itireation points out the effe direct sunlight. Using the mass of e opening at the top of the building fo

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VENTILATION ORIFICE

PROTECTED GREENERY

ect of wind direction and heat from earth as an insulator, it allows an or the movement of hot air.

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ITERATION 2: CENTRAL GATHERING SPACE

The second iteration presents a d the idea of a central gathering spac

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detailed version of the first, adding ce protected from a harsh exterior.

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ITERATION 3: ESTABLISHING PRIMARY MATERIALS; EARTH AND TIMBER

ITERATION 3: ESTABLISHING PRIMARY MATERIALS; EARTH AND TIMBER

The third iteration includes the a constituting farmland for the village The gridshell form of the central gre for shrub and tree roots will allo beyond and aound it.

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The third iteration includes the addition of a constituting farmland for the village community.

addition of a possible green area e community. een area will provide partial shading owing the growth of tree branches

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ITERATION 4: HARSH TEXTURED EXTORIOR VERSUS SMOOTH INTERIOR

RECESSED BALCONY PROVIDING SHADE

A textured exterior reduces the movement of sand and will be characterised by indigenous relief patterns.

The thickness and solidity of the walls will help in maintaining temperature and humidity within the building.

Wattle and daub walls, in addition to having almost no environmental footprint, keep interior temperatures even through the year.

They have also proven to be earthquakeresistant, due to the straw’s strength and flexibility.

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SANDSTONE

SPRAYED WATTLE AND DAUB

Following the studies of Magnus Larsson on the Sahel, the interior will be clad in a smooth, maintainable sandstone made by the use of bacteria to solidify sand. This will then be polished to produce a smooth, stone like material.

On the interior, timber screen members will also be used to provide shading, a sense of demarcation between spaces, increased privacy and most importantly allow airflow.

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2

THE AFRICAN DREAM ESTABLISHING CONTEXT Chapter 2 includes a look at the Agenda 2063 initiatives and goals, imagining a futuristic context within which the Great green wall and transcontinental high speed rail have been achieved.

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CONNECTING AFRICA: THE AFRICAN UNION

“A UNITED AND STRONG AFRICA” The African Union (AU) is a continental union consisting of 55 member states located on the continent of Africa. It stemmed of the First Congress of Independence African States held in Ghana in 1958.

The intention of the AU was to replace the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), established in 1963 in Addis Ababa; the OAU was disbanded on 9 July 2002.

The most important underlying aim of the organization has focused on the unity of the African states and its route to the acievement of this goal has embodied peace and conflict resolution and the establishment of free trade and travel within the African continent.

The most important decisions of the AU are made by the Assembly of the African Union, a semi annual meeting.

“THE AFRICA WE WANT” AGENDA 2063 is Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. It is the continent’s strategic framework that aims to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete manifestation of the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity.

Started in 2013, this plan was set as a 50 year development strategy for the continent.

PAN-AFRICANISM

Founding conference of the OAU in May 1963.

INDEPENDENCE

“A high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all.”

“Healthy and well-nourished citizens.”

“Environmentally sustainable climate and resilient economies and communities.”

FLAGSHIP PROJECTS

FORMULATION OF AN AFRICAN COMMODITIES STRATEGY

POWER GENERATION

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AFRICAN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA

THE AFRICAN PASSPORT AND FREE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE

ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ANNUAL AFRICAN ECONOMIC FORUM

AFRICA OUTER SPACE STRATEGY

INTEGRATED HIGH SPEED TRAIN NETWORK

GREAT GREEN WALL

SILENCING THE GUNS BY 2020

THE PAN-AFRICAN E-NETWORK

AN AFRICAN VIRTUAL AND E-UNIVERSITY

Pinpointing three objectives, the project envisions a Sahel that is reclaimed and slowly turning to greenland, a former desert through which a speed rail runs and one which generates enough energy to power the whole of Africa. https://au.int/en/agenda2063/aspirations https://au.int/en/agenda2063/overview https://au.int/en/agenda2063/flagship-projects

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THE GREAT GREEN WALL

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THE SAHEL SLOWLY TURNING TO THE SAHARA

MAURITANIA

MALI

ERITREA SAHARA DESERT SAHEL

NIGER

SUDAN

The Sahelian zone is characterized by large, flat plains, riparian forests along rivers (e.g., the Senegal, the Niger), sand dunes, and outcrops of rocks or laterite.

BURKINA FASO

LITTLE ICE AGE DROUGHTS Surviving records reveal long periods of dryness and lack of rain implying the occurence of multicentury droughts.

CHAD

16TH TO 20TH CENTURY The first recorded drought in the Sahel occured in the 1640s.

Cycles of several wet decades followed by a drought were to be repeated. Records show that large scale emigration occured.

NIGERIA

21ST CENTURY Throughout June to August 2010, famine struck the Sahel. the highest temperature reaches was 49.6 C. That year 350,000 faced starvation.

SENEGAL

The Sahel is the climatic and geographic realm of transition in Africa between the Sahara to the north and the Sudanian savanna to the south. Its semi arid climate has progressively detoriated over the past few decades due to desertification.

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ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES AND ADVERSE EFFECTS

Cooler

ITZC shifts south

Monsoon circulation weakens Monsoon circulation walker Decrease in water input

Warmer Drier, less vegetation

It is apparent that the over manipulation of the Sahelian soil is not the main cause of desertification.

Changing temperatures of the ocean due to climate change have caused an inevitable reduction in rain and an increase in drought period lengths.

Higher albedo

33 million 4.2 million x2

suffering from

starvation

MALI:

displaced by 2050

19 million residents 250,000 refugees 120,000 IDPs

CAMEROUN: 24 miillion residents 353,700 refugees 2,216,000 IDPs NIGERIA:

190 million residents 353,700 refugees 2,216,000 IDPs

With an inevitable crises arising from climate change, and an unparalleled increase in population, the Sahel is plagued by starvation and displacement. https://www.nrc.no/shorthand/fr/sahel---the-worlds-most-neglected-and-conflict-ridden-region/index.html Drought in the Sahel Ning Zeng

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REGREENING THE SAHEL FLEUVE

TUNISIA BRICK ALGERIA LIBYA

EGYPT FLEUVE

MAURITANIA MALI

NIGER ERITREA

SENEGAL

BURKINA FASO

CHAD

SUDAN

ETHOPIA

NIGERIA

The organizations above were created specifically to combat desertification

SOMALIA

GHANA BENIN

CAMEROON

APROACH A: A GREEN WALL OF TREES The intial approach of the GGW was the conception of a continuous “green wall” of dense trees—a defense line inspired by the Great Wall of China. This shield of trees would cover 4,815 miles along the southern edge of the Sahel, hypothetically curving desertification.

Yet this approach was viewed as expensive and not as beneficial as it seemed at first.

Planting trees across the Sahel, the arid savanna on the south border of the Sahara Desert, had no chance to succeed.

There was little funding. THERE WAS NO SCIENCE SUGGESTING IT WOULD WORK. Moreover, the desert was not actually moving south; instead, overuse was denuding the land. Large chunks of the proposed “wall” were uninhabited, meaning no one would be there to care for the saplings.

“If all the trees that had been planted in the Sahara since the early 1980s had survived, it would look like Amazonia,”

CHRIS REIJ World Resources Institute

APROACH B: INTEGRATED LANDSCAPE

Assessment of key biotic data from in situ restoration plots, such as species survival rate and growth rate

Identification of suitable priority useful species which are adapted to the local conditions, to support sustainable economic activities

Development of guidance on sustainable land restoration models and management strategies

The new approach would entail a less glamorous but more efficient means; a slow yet steady rejuvenation of the Sahel through smaller and more nuanced farming processes specific to each village.

“We moved the vision of the Great Green Wall from one that was impractical to one that was practical. It is not necessarily a physical wall, but rather a mosaic of land use practices that ultimately will meet the expectations of a wall. It has been transformed into a metaphorical thing

MOHAMED BAKARR Global Environment Facility

Reforestation surrounding the town of Galma in Niger seen in this image comparing tree cover in 1975 with 2003.

Emerging in 2002, the Great Green Wall is a scheme devised by the African Union. Beginning with an oversimplified strategy of planting a line of trees, it has evolved into a collection of smaller and more fine tuned agricultural practices across the Sahel. https://oxfordre.com/climatescience/climatescience/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228620.001.0001/acrefore9780190228620-e-559 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/great-green-wall-stop-desertification-not-so-much-180960171/

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BOTTOM-UP APPROACHES: TAILORING STRATEGIES TO EACH COUNTRY

SENEGAL

MALI

BURKINA FASO

SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE AGRIBUSINESS PROJECT

NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN A CHANGING CLIMATE

THIRD COMMUNITY-BASED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

GEF: 6 million USD Co-financing: 80 million USD

GEF: 8.42 million USD Co-financing: 13 million USD

GEF: 7.4 million USD Co-financing: 97.3 million USD

1. Support to farmers‘ associations (training, applied research)

1. Intercommunal Plan

1. Strengthening of decentralized authorities

2. Community reforestation initiatives

2. Land conflict management

3. Participatory management plans for forests, agroforestry and to support SLM (soil conservation, reduced tillage, water storage, rotations)

3. Local investment plans

2. Community management plan of protected forests and natural reserves 3. Fight against salinization and wind erosion 4. Reforestation

NIGER THIRD COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM SUPPORT PROJECT

NIGERIA

SUDAN

EROSION & WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROJECT (NEWMAP)

SUSTAINABLE LAND AND WATER MANAGEMENT PROJECT

GEF: 4.51 million USD Co-financing: 43.6 million USD

GEF: 8.59 million USD Co-financing: 500 million USD

GEF: 7.73 million USD Co-financing: 25.6 million USD

1. Regional and intercommunal capacity building

1. Planning and watershed protection

1. Capitalization of traditional knowledge in agroforestry, agro-forestrypastoralism

2. Local Investment Fund

2. Conservation of soil and water (fight against erosion)

3. Climate smart agriculture

3. ncome-generation activities

4. Fight against erosion (small infrastructure)

4. Strengthening of institutions

These fine tuned agricultural practices include a more bottom top approach devised specifically by and to cater to different villages. The chances of the success of the Great Green Wall Scheme are high because of involvement, both financial and man power wise.

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4. Microprojects of land and forests restoration (lessons SILEM and CPP)

2. Reforestation, demarcation of forest reserves community water management.

3. Promoting alternative income and diversification.

ENVISIONING A GREENER SAHEL

NIGER AREA 1975

NIGER AREA 2003

Photgraphed from above after 30 years, it was apparent that the bottom up approaches were slow and steady ways to regreen the Sahel.

SAHEL AREA 2020

PROJECTED SAHEL AREA 2060

A slow process will lead to the desired Green wall, areas of reclaimed area that will stop the movement of the Sahara

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SAVING THE

SAHEL The first advert is descriptory, revealing a Sahel that is now regreened and is a clear acoomplishment of the African Union. Tying the whole of that region of Africa together, a new step towards connection and unity is established.

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INTEGRATED HIGH SPEED TRAIN NETWORK

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History of TRAIN NETWORKS AS TOOLS FOR OPPRESSION COLONIAL RAILROADS IN AFRICA Africa’s network of railways was started in 1852 in Alexandria, Egypt and continued until the 1960’s. Most of the main lines were completed by the 1920’s. They were hugely expensive to build, both in terms of lives lost and financial cost. Most of them were government owned and run.

“A UNITED AND STRONG AFRICA” The African Union (AU) is a continental union consisting of 55 member states located on the continent of Africa. It stemmed of the First Congress of Independence African States held in Ghana in 1958.

The intention of the AU was to replace the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), established in 1963 in Addis Ababa; the OAU was disbanded on 9 July 2002.

The most important underlying aim of the organization has focused on the unity of the African states and its route to the acievement of this goal has embodied peace and conflict resolution and the establishment of free trade and travel within the African continent.

REASONS FOR RAILROAD CONSTRUCTION

MILITARY DOMINATION

PORT SUDAN DAKAR DJIBOUTI CONAKRY

The line was built to exercise ‘effective control’ in the Scramble for Africa, or to dispatch troops for better control of the native population;

LOME LAGOS ABIDJAN TEMA

PH DOULA

MINING The line was built into the interior to further European mining interests

MOMBASA PORTE NOIRE

DAR ES SALAAM

LUANDA

CASH CROPS This map clearly demonstrates that the intent for the colonial railways was the transporation of goods and not the connection of people. Rather than creating an interconnected network of cities, as modern railways often do, colonial rails simply connected resource-rich hinterlands to the coastline. The final destination along the port is where goods (and people) were ultimately shipped off to Europe and beyond.

BEIRA

WALVIS BAY

TOAMASINA

MAPUTO

The colonial power built the line to connect agriculturally rich areas. With limited budgets, colonisers expected the railroads to pay for themselves, hence they connected areas of high economic potential.

DURBAN CAPE TOWN

EAST LONDON PORT ELIZA

SUBSEQUENT URBANIZATION OF AREAS AROUND RAIL ROADS 1960

KENYA

30

2000

1932

2000

GHANA

https://voxeu.org/article/how-colonial-railroads-defined-africa-s-economic-geography https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-02/how-overlooked-colonial-railways-could-revolutionizetransportation-in-africa https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features/storyofafrica/11chapter12.shtml#:~:text=Africa’s%20network%20 of%20railways%20was,were%20government%20owned%20and%20run. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-02/how-overlooked-colonial-railways-could-revolutionizetransportation-in-africa

It is evident that unparalleled devolepment always follows the establishment of railroads. During the 19th century, sub-Saharan Africa was by far the least developed area in the world, with only about 50 cities of more than 10,000 inhabitants. In 2010, it was recorded that the number of cities had multiplied to almost 3,000.

Although this phenomena is generally regarded as a “chicken or egg” situation, it is apparent that the location of train lines led to the movement and localization of populations that eventually created thriving cities.

REPURPOSING TRAIN LINES INTO TOOLS OF CONNECTION: TRANS-AFRICAN TRANSPORT

Plans to link landlocked countries in the large continent of Africa have been proposed since the 19th century beginning the Rhodes Colussus envisioned during Imperial Rule.

Just as this project failed, there have been no entirely successful attempts to connect most of the countries of Africa.

Till date, the entire African railway network translates into a density of approximately 2.5 kilometers for per 1000 square kilometres which is far below standard.

Experts agree that this construction of this infrastructure will speed up the continent’s development.

CAIRO-CAPE TOWN (1890s) Unsuccessful The main aim of the project was to facilitate the movement of the precious minerals, as well as provide a land supply line. However, due to delays the railway construction failed, leaving some functional yet not fully linked railways.

DJIBOUTI-SUDAN-CAR-CAMEROON In progress A railway line is intented to stretch from Djibouti to Cameroon. Estimated to cost $US6 billion, the line will run through the Sudan and the Central Africa Republic. Neighbouring landlocked countries would all benefit from improved facilities for import.

BENGUELA AND TAZARA (2019) Successful The state-run China Railway Construction (CRCC) underwent the repair and restoration of two connected railways running from Angola to Tanzania increasing the transport of copper and other good.

1 1 4 2

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7 8

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9 1

CAIRO-DAKAR

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NJAMENA-DJIBOUTI

2

ALGER-LAGOS

7

DAKAR-LAGOS

3

TRIPOLI-WINDHOEK

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LAGOS-MOMBASSA

4

CAIRO-GABARONE

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BIERA-LOBITO

5

DAKAR-NJAMENA

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4

TRANS-AFRICAN HIGHWAY MISSING LINKS

This multimodal transboundary transport corridor was designed in the 1970s and was intneded to include a railway system that is only still at its infantile stages.

MARINE CORRIDOR

The Trans-African Highway network comprises of transcontinental road projects in Africa being developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Development Bank (ADB), and the African Union in conjunction with regional international communities. They aim to promote trade and alleviate poverty in Africa through highway infrastructure development and the management of road-based trade corridors. https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/ viewer?msa=0&mid=1nEU2oBFzSxabx3Z14nTyZP3KSzY&ll=2.228323455460594%2C22.72889580075367&z=4 https://lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com/2019/07/05/au-demands-african-integrated-high-speed-railway-network/ https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/9789264304505-5-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/9789264304505-5-en https://www.businessindaba.com/post/trans-african-railway-from-dakar-to-djibouti https://infomineo.com/an-introduction-to-trans-regional-railways-in-africa/ https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/China-aided-trans-Africa-railway-line-likely-to-transform-regional-trade https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TransAfricaRail#Djibouti-Sudan-CAR-Cameroon

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IDENTIFYING CONTEXTUAL FACTORS OF AREAS ACCOMODATING TRAIN NETWORK

INNER CITY (super developed region with minimal need for infrastucture)

MOUNTAINOUS AREA (rocky areas around which rail network is curved)

SAHEL RESERVES (protected forests consisting of government owned land.)

The main focus of the project become slowly dwindling because of the desert train network, new opportunities will be p and entrepreneurs will be attracted to the moving just to benefit themselves.

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UNDERPOPULATED TOWNS AND VILLAGES (minmally developed region to which populations will migrate with the establishment of the train line)

es areas near small towns and villages tification. With the establishment of the presented to everyone; the working class e prospect of business and so will families

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The main focus of the project becomes areas near small towns and villages slowly dwindling because of the desertification. With the establishment of the train network, new opportunities will be presented to everyone; the working class and entrepreneurs will be attracted to the prospect of business and so will families moving just to benefit themselves.

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PINPOINTING TOWNS ALONG PROPOSED HIGH SPEED TRAIN NETWORK

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DAKAR, SENEGAL

TIMBUKTU, MALI

ZINDER, NIGER

TILFIT, SUDAN

A well known city, Dakar will constitute the start of the railway line. Flanked by the ocean, its climate is currently unaffected by the harsh desert.

A well known city, Dakar will constitute the start of the railway line. Flanked by the ocean, its climate is currently unaffected by the harsh desert.

A well known city, Dakar will constitute the start of the railway line. Flanked by the ocean, its climate is currently unaffected by the harsh desert.

A well known city, Dakar will constitute the start of the railway line. Flanked by the ocean, its climate is currently unaffected by the harsh desert.

The project focuses on Tiumbuktu, an area a thriving city, known for its trade and agricu population becuase of the land’s inability to

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KAÉDI, MAURITANIA

MENAKA, MALI

WADI FIRA, CHAD

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

A well known city, Dakar will constitute the start of the railway line. Flanked by the ocean, its climate is currently unaffected by the harsh desert.

A well known city, Dakar will constitute the start of the railway line. Flanked by the ocean, its climate is currently unaffected by the harsh desert.

A well known city, Dakar will constitute the start of the railway line. Flanked by the ocean, its climate is currently unaffected by the harsh desert.

A well known city, Dakar will constitute the start of the railway line. Flanked by the ocean, its climate is currently unaffected by the harsh desert.

a meaning “well of buktu”. Initially, it was ulture. Today, it is slowly waning, losing o sustain.

35

The second advert is aimed at attracting travellers to the quicker and more affordable mode of transport, showing Africa’s approach towards a better financial and economic future.

36

NEW WELLS OF BUKTU SPECIFYING SITE

Borrowing from the meaning of Timbuktu as “wells of Buktu” the project takes the role of a new paradise, a womb along the high speed rail to which the population of the neighbouring city will slowly yet steadily migrate.

37

TIMBUKTU, MALI

Located in the center of Mali, Timbuktu is a town of 32,000 people.

The Niger River regularly flooded the plains between Timbuktu and Segu to the southwest, which provided fertile land for agriculture, beginning at least 3,500 years ago. In particular, red-skinned African rice, along with other indigenous cereals and foodstuffs, was grown, and local deposits of copper exploited.

Now, most people are herders of cattle and make a living by having small farms. migration out of the area is common, though.

https://www.worldhistory.org/Timbuktu/

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MALI CULTURAL SCENE

In Timbuktu, earth as a material is quite prevalent in their architceture and culture.

Alongside its environmental advantages and applications, this aesthetic creates architecture that blends into the surrounding climate, projecting the idea of unity and solace.

39

GROWTH AND INTEGRATION OF PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE With Old TOWNS

NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

TRAIN NETWORK

ROAD NETWORK

TIMBUKTU

As the new city grows, the regreening of the Sahel is reinforced. its developing infrastructure will merge with the pre-existing buildings of old cities, absorbing them and weaving between them.

40

3

MASTERPLANNING REPLACING THE GRIDIRON Chapter 3 details the revision of the rectangular gridiron, a masterplan principles used during colonialism to subdue communities and replaces it with the more characteristic curvilinear and circular patterns and forms.

41

QUESTIOnNING THE GRIDIRON

400 BC

900

1882

1924

The Vertical City

Round City of Baghdad Grid plan of Miletus,

1898

2007

1910

1302

Plan of Elburg in The Netherlands

Arturo Soria’s Linear City

The Garden City

Ciudad Lineal

Aqua Tower

1807 In the aeriel photograph of the Mossi city, Ouagadougou taken in 1932 shows the demarcation of a naturally organic community’s urban plan.

The City of New York

Gare

1862

Assemblies Commercial Centre General Mosque

In this plan of Segou city, like in those of those western communities, the public spaces are centred, and surrounded by orthogonal streets.

Master Plan Dakar

It is apparent that modern urban planning in colonial times was never the benign, objective and value neutral tool for promoting the functioning of the built environment that it professes to be.

Rather, it served as an essential instrument for realizing and subjugating “unruly” Africans to the cultural imperialistic goals of Westerners. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grid_plan https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/26004243.pdf?refreqid=excelsior%3A09c8c21d41c33bd7786b8ed1933dc999 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.3130/jaabe.5.285

42

CASE STUDIES: IDENTIFYING THE PRESENT ORGANIC FORMS OF FORMER GRIDIRON PLANS

SENEGAL

MALI

DAKAR, CITY CENTRE

SEGOU, CITY CENTRE

KAMBA

SEGOUKORA

Social-class formation and an authoritarian top-down hierarchy which is revealed in the square and rectangular forms of spaces in the Western traditional culture are decidedly non-African in origin and pose several challenges regarding their applicability and adaptability in Africa. Thus, the present day versions of these plasns how breakaways and a return to organic forms. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.3130/jaabe.5.285 https://dspace.nwu.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10394/5325/No_39%281996%29_Amankwah-Ayeh_K. pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

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The african traditional significance of the circle

The story of African Tradition Principles began with the Circle in Symbolism (a mode of expression) containing the Symbolic (applications of a “state of mind”). Both were based upon the Circle (or disk) being deemed as an emblem of the Sun (standing for “Heaven” and Perfection)–and indisputably so when surrounded by Rays.

By having no beginning and no end and by the Circle representing the immortal and eternal part (absolute reality), Very Ancient Africans considered the Circle to represent God. Hence, they concluded, that whatever Emanated (natural extensions) from it to be an associate of it was natural and thus God-made.

Symbol of peace and pacification

Symbol of wisdom and knowledge

STRATIFICATION The pronciple of circularit is divided into specific tiers and strata signifying either importance or the demarcation of programmes.

Exemplified by ancient Zulu tradition, this variation of the circle has a designated boundary from the outside introducting definition.

Dingaan’s Royal Elliptical Kraal Composed of up to 2000 huts, this elliptical form characterized the Zulu.

CENTRALIZATION Here the circle has a centre that draws all inhabitants in.

Connections flow between satellite programmes and the main centre of the community.

With the ease of location of social programmes comes an increase in social interaction, and hybridisation.

Dingaan’s Royal Elliptical Kraal Composed of up to 2000 huts, this elliptical form characterized the Zulu.

INDEPENDENCE Here the circulairty is emphasized buy the shape of the individial and echoed by the curvilinear nature of the programmes’ connections.

Here distance and independence and individuality are key and important factors created by green area and open spaces.

Igbo people, Nigeria.

Families live in clustered plan seprated by green area and open spaces.

The principles of the layout of pre-colonial African cities can best be explained by the circularity in the pattern of dwellings, roads/passages, walls, plazas and settlement patterns. The study of pre-colonial African urban forms reveals that the curvilinear pattern of dwellings, roads or passages, walls and plazas is arguably the most distinctive element of vernacular architecture in the pre-colonial city. https://dspace.nwu.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10394/5325/No_39%281996%29_Amankwah-Ayeh_K. pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y https://theievoice.com/african-cosmic-mewe-circle-of-wholism/#:~:text=By%20having%20no%20beginning%20 and,natural%20and%20thus%20God%2Dmade.

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Symbol of greatness; the chief of all

25 0m

INTRODUCING A PEDESTRIAN QUALITY

The Qaurter City reduces the use of cars as a commuting medium, improving health by eliminating pollution, improving health by promoting mobility, increasing local consumption. This will also lead to a friendlier city with more quality time for its citizens.

0m 25

m

250

Borrowed from the newly established policy by Anne Hidalgo in Paris, The Quarter city envisions a commune that situates all services necessary for well being within 15 minutes commute by bike from each residential block. This centralization of the idea of the neighbourhood around cycling and walking creates an ample platform for the greening of the city’s environment and an increse in sustainability by decentralizing goods and services and refocusing on the importance of public space.

250m

THE QUARTER HOUR AND FIVE MINUTE CITY

250

m

The above sketches picture a commune within which all needed facilities can be walked and cycled to. Echoing african traditional urban design, pedestrian hubs are connected by interweaving road systems connecting them to the main train network and neighbouring towns.

45

MASTERPLAN CONFIGURATION

1. ESTABLISHING BRANCHED TRANSPORT NETWORK AND CIRCULAR NEIGHBOURHOODS Follwing the Igbo style of Southern Nigeria, hubs are established as independent communities equipped with residential, retail and commerical areas.

2. INCREASING SOLAR SHADING Responding to harsh light and heat conditions, the surface area of the roof s of the hubs are increased to provide shade and increase pedestrian comfort on the ground floor.

46

3. ARTICULATING THE GROUND PLANE The new design responds to the surrounding areas, heights of regions of hubs relating to density and role of area.

4. INCLUDING CENTRALIZED SOCIAL SPACES Centralized social spaces help to reduce floor area, include a communual and protected region and allow light and airflow within the hubs.

47

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: SAND STORMS

The Sahel and Sahara are plagued by dust storms that cause damage and dieseas. Divided into various types, the storms can reach up to 25m/s and several kilometers in elevation.

Most of the dust in the Sahel is carried by Harmattan winds coming from the north and north-eastern direction of the Sahara.

The vast expanses of sand provide plentiful material for dust storms. The Sahara’s scorching temperatures make the air near the ground unstable, increasing the likelihood that even light winds will loft dust particles into the atmosphere.

WIND DIRECTION OF SEASONAL DUST STORMS

NORMAL WIND DIRECTION

The diagrams above show a seasonal duststorm called a haboob. Raising sand particles more than 1km in the air, these storms usually have a constant wind direction and can have their damage reduced by CFD testing and design. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303569507_Mineral_dust_aerosols_over_the_Sahara_Meteorological_controls_ on_emission_and_transport_and_implications_for_modeling https://www.scisnack.com/2016/04/28/how-wind-brings-death-to-west-africa/ https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/bamako_mali_2460596

48

CFD TESTING

ITERATION 1 A large atrium shows reduced windflow within the hub and reduced wind speed on the ground level outside.

The large atrium allows the settling of sand within the hubs and is thus disadvantageous.

ITERATION 2 Reducing the atrium removes the problem of settling sand, but the tapered facade on the exterior removes shading on the ground level.

ITERATION 3 Reducing the atrium removes the problem of settling sand, but the tapered facade on the exterior removes shading on the ground level.

ITERATION 4 Reducing the rear of the model allows for easier air flow and reduced sand settlement.

ITERATION 5 The last model proves most successful, exploring the idea of air movement within the model.

An added surface increases pedestrian comfort and will be represented by flora and an internal structure.

49

PLANNING STRATEGIES

THE PEDETRIAN HUB Establishing a paradigm that can be replicated.

Each hub is characterised by this central green space surrounded by a mix of residential and retail programs.

200m

RESPONDING TO WIND CONDITIONS Rotation of the hub towards the proposed sand storm direction and lowering or the rear end to increase sand flow over building

DIVISION OF PROGRAM RESIDENTIAL QUARTERS RETAIL QUARTERS

50

The hub is divided into two distict programs and to reduce floor area.

Designated entrances direct traffic flow and lead into the central space.

Lower height of the central retail building is protected by the higher residential building from oncoming sand storms.

SOLAR SHADING PRINCIPLES

The last model reveals a cuved interior facade protected by a protruding roof.

Solar tests show that at all times fo the day, most of the interior is shaded from extreme sunlight and heat.

51

MASTERPLAN STRATEGY DIAGRAM

TRAIN STATION

ROAD NETWORK

HOSPITAL AND INSTITUTE

CENTREAL DISTRICT

LIVING QUARTERS

COMMERCIAL QUARTERS

MITIGATION AND PONDS

SPORT FACILITIES

RETAIL

PESESTRIAN PATHS

The master plan reveals each hub as a pedestrian mini city, revovling round a central heart with a learning facility, hospital and sports centre. Cars are constrained to the main roads, each network leading to the main trainstation.

52

HIGH SPEED RAIL NETWORK

53

54

N 55

56

4

HUB STUDY DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

57

CONCEPT OF HEAVINESS VERSUS LIGHTNESS

SOLIDITY AND MASS The notion of heaviness will characterise the residential quarters.

58

LIGHTNESS AND AIRINESS The notion of lightness will characterise the retail building allowing for movement into the central green space.

SOLAR SHADING PRINCIPLES EXTRUSION AND RELIEF PATTERNS

The idea of reliefs used in the design of furniture and timber art show raised plaforms that are alike yet individual, unique with special characteristics yet joined together to form a unified lanscape.

This principle is echoed in the Malian Dogon Architecture, a style that has multiple huts situated along the sides of mountains.

ROTATING AXES The slanted angle of the Dogon style is turned into a vertical profile with individual pods creating a textured lanscape.

DICHOTOMY BETWEEN TEXTURES The outward facade remains a monolitic solid mass while the interior becomes variegated and more intricate connoting the idea of protection.

59

DENOTING THE STRUCTURAL FORM

TIMBER COLUMNS CIRCULAR GRID Both buildings will share a circular grid constructed from timber.

60

EARTH FOUNDATION

COMPRESSED EARTH BRICK

TIMBER BEAMS

MAHOGANY CLT FLOOR BOARDS

SCREEDED AND MOULDED MUD

STEEL MESH

MAHOGANY GLULAM COLUMNS

WATERPROOFING

ACACIA RAFTERS

ROOF RAFTERS SUPPORTING EARTH

61

ITERATION 1: EXPLORING VARIEGATED TYPOLOGIES UNIT TYPOLOGIES

MUD RELIEF PATTERNS

COMPRESSED EARTH BLOCK

TIMBER COLUMN

GREEN ROOF

INDIVIDUAL CANTILEVERED BALCONY

The idea of variation produces a template facade of the residential quarters. Each u screen doors, allowing ventilation of the i

62

e for creating timber units on the internal unit will have a balcony accessed through interior and enjoyment of the exterior.

63

64

ITERATION 2: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF TIMBER 20 METRES

15 METRES

10 METRES

5 METRES

ADANSONIA (BAOBAB TREE) ACACIA MANGIUM

AFZELIA AFRICANA

(AFRICAN MAHOGANY)

It is believed that kings and elders would hold meetings under the Baobab tree, with the belief that the tree’s spirits would guide them in decisionmaking. In more modern times, the Baobab tree is commonly used as a venue for community meetings or even as a classroom.

FRUIT

FASTER GROWTH RATE

WORKABILITY:

HUMIDITY: This species has excellent stability. There is little susceptibility to variations in humidity.

COMMUNITY

SHADE

MUSICAL CONNECTION: It has been know to be the “Djembe” traditional wood.

SUSCEPTIBLE TO BENDING

https://parquet-parquet.co.uk/afzelia/

65

PROGRESSION OF MATERIALS

TIMBER MEMBERS

EARTH WALLS

A progression from earth on the exterior and ground floor to timber on the top floors and interior proesents a harmony between them.

66

67

68

ITERATION 3: SPACE AND STRUCTURAL REVISION

EARTH WALLS

TIMBER MEMBERS

69

70

71

ITERATION 4

In the fourth iteration, the structure of the interior facade is designed in alt to allow for privacy.

In the fourth iteration, the structure of the interior facade is designed in alternatives to allow for privacy.

72

e structure of the interior facade is designed in alternatives

73

VIEW OF RESIDENTIAL BALCONIES

74

75

RETAIL KAND COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE: THE LIGHTNESS OF THE INTERIOR

The retail and commercial structure takes on the character of the lighter timber infrastructure of Malian architecture. Employing the use of timber and thatch, and open spaces, the building will connote a lightness in contrast to the heaviness and mass of the residential building.

Protected by the earth structure around it, it will represent a softer part of the building, having a more contolled and pleasant environment.

76

MAHOGANY COLUMNS

THATCH

PATHWAYS TO CENTRAL PUBLIC SPACE

RENTABLE RETAIL SPACE

77

INTERNAL VIEW: RETAIL BLOCK

78

79

LONGITUDINAL SECTION: PROGRESSION OF MATERIALITY

Relief Patterns on a Monolithic Wattle and Daub Earth Wall

BEDROOMS

80

Timber Structural and Internal Cladding Elements

COMMUNUAL SPA AND SWIMMING POOLS

Timber Structural and Cladding Elements

PUBLIC PERGOLA

Thatch Roof

COMMUNUAL PARK

RETAIL SPACE

OFFICES

81

RETAIL BLOCK

environmental page

82

83

RESIDENTIAL QUARTERS

Section 1

84

85

ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES

NATURAL VENTILATION

South westerly winds are allowed to flow through the building allowing ventialation. Mechanical screens provide demarcation between rooms but allow the flow of air.

SUNLIGHT

Overhangs and cantilevered roofs shade the buildings facades from the harsh afternoon light allowing only sunlight in the evening. The addition of a light well allows natural light in the centre of the residential quarters.

Landscape is designed to allow the flo ventilation and reduce the effect of nort sand at high speeds.

86

HUB ORIENTATION

Hubs are orientated so that the highest parts of the earth structures face the directions of seasonal haboobs to reduce the impact of these sandstorms.

Their orientation also allows the inflow of wind from the south west to allow for ventilation

SEASONAL NORTH EASTERLY HABOOBS

NORMAL WIND DIRECTION

ow of south westerly winds to allow for th easterly seasonal haboobs that cary

87

AERIAL VIEW

88

89

SHADING FROM THE HUBS

90

91

ENTRANCE VIEW

92

93

PUBLIC GATHERING SPACE

94

95

POWER GENERATION

96

We Could Power The Entire World

By Harnessing Solar Energy From 1% Of The Sahara

There is no future in other energy forms.

In twenty to thirty years solar will replace everything.

Large-scale wind and solar power ‘could green the Sahara’ Installing huge numbers of solar panels and wind turbines in the Sahara desert would have a major impact on rainfall, vegetation and temperatures, researchers say.

SATISYING AFRICA’S ENERGY DEMAND Mtoe

0

100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1200 1300 1400 1500

2018 2040 stated policies 2040 Africa’s case

10%

OF THE WORLD’S ENERGY DEMAND

Africa’s total enery need according to AGENDA 2063 (i.e 2040 Africa’s case): 1450 Mtoe The conversion factor used by the IEA for electricity is: 1 TWh = 0.086 Mtoe Thus, Africa’s total enery need according to AGENDA 2063: 16,511

16,511 TWh/ 8760 = 1.88TW

5000 solar panels = 1MW 516,151 solar panels = 1sqkm Thus, to produce 1.88 TW,

TWh

0.6% OF THE SAHAEL’S AREA

18,070 sqkm will be needed

Sahara wind desert frams: A learning curve to scale up.

The Akhfennir wind farm is located in southern Morocco.With over 380 GWh generated per year, the very favorable Atlantic trade winds enable this wind farm to achieve a significant productivity.

Climate model shows large-scale wind farms in the Sahara increase rain and vegetation Wind and solar farms offer a major pathway to clean, renewable energies. However, these farms would significantly change land surface properties, and, if sufficiently large, the farms may lead to unintended climate consequences.

126m

SATISYING AFRICA’S ENERGY DEMAND

To produce 1.88 TW,

1,125,749 turbines will be needed

200m

Thus, to produce 1.88 TW,

14,432 sqkm will be needed

² 68m

12,6

1 wind turbine = 1.67 x 10-6 TW 78 turbines = 1sqkm

0.5% OF THE SAHAEL’S AREA

https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts/total-primary-energy-demand-in-africa-by-scenario-2018-2040 https://www.vaisala.com/en/lp/free-wind-and-solar-resource-maps#WindAndSolarMapsForm https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2016/09/22/we-could-power-the-entire-world-by-harnessing-solar-energy-from-1-of-thesahara/?sh=6a0e084dd440

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PRIMARY ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF SAHELIAN COUNTRIES in TWh 500 TWh

TOTAL: 767 TWh

507 TWh

Nigeria

767 TWh/ 8760 = 0.088TW 400 TWh

To produce 0.088 TW,

845.82sqkm will be needed 300 TWh

Assuming that 20% of total power consumption will

200 TWh

come from 10 cities:

100 TWh

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2016

each city will have

89 TWh 81 TWh 34 TWh 17 TWh 14 TWh 11 TWh 10 TWh 3 TWh 1 TWh

16.9sqkm dedicated to solar and wind farms.

I

RI

F

IF AR

AK

SU

M

QA AL

TIL

FIT

DA

W AD

R DE ZIN

BO

UZ

A

KA NA ME

I ED KA

TA M

BA

CO

UN

DA

0 TWh

Sudan Ethiopia Senegal Mali Burkina Faso Mauritania Niger Eritrea Chad

98

GROUND WATER Groundwater has remained the foremost source of irrigation for farms in desert arund the world.

The Sahel sits atop some of the largest aquifers on the continent. Recent research estimates that the volume of continental groundwater storage is in the order of 0.66 million km3, which is approximately 100 times the volume of annual renewable freshwater resources on the continent.

Unfortunately, there are real risks of the unsustainable deeper aquifers which are either fossil groundwater, or aquifers with such a long replenishment rate that they are effectively nonrenewable.

Irrigated Crop Circles, Saudi Arabia

American Crop Circles, Nevada

Desert Vineyards, South Africa

CHANELLING WATER

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/aquifers/ https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/brief/enhancing-knowledge-of-groundwater-usage-in-the-sahel

99

WATER HARVESTING

100

FOG COLLECTION Approximately 3,100 cubic miles of water is in the atmosphere at any said time, 98% in the form of vapor, 2% in clouds. About 280 cubic miles of water evaporate or transpire into the atmosphere each day.

The organized collection of dew or condensation through natural or assisted processes is an ancient practice, from the small-scale drinking of pools of condensation collected in plant stems (still practised today by survivalists), to large-scale natural irrigation without rain falling, such as in the Atacama and Namib desert.

Fog collection in Alto Patache, Atacama Desert, Chile.

Desert Vineyards, South Africa

achille knapen air well

http://www.rexresearch.com/airwells/airwells.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fog_collection

101

A symbol of great longevity, the baobab is a sacred and magic tree in the Dogon country. Each family owns their own from which they extract the fibre. This explains the presence of vertical rings all over the trunks.

All around the country and beyond the Malian borders, the multiple uses for the baobab tree delight both the locals and tourists in search of unknown tastes.

The tree’s edible fruit is called monkey bread, also known as the Imodium of Africa.

Tasting the inside provides a bowl of vitamins and can help against gastric problems. It can be eaten in sugar form, the latter being the base of the drink ‘bouye,’ often associated with ginger.

102

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

103

104

105

106

107

108

109

2. INCREASING SURFACE MASS The circular form is stretched to increase area and to follow the curve of the proposed rail and road system.

110

3 CENTRALIZATION A centre for meeting spaces and green area

111

1

2

3

5

1. High end office space 2. Low level office space 3. Extended balconies 4. Entrance level 5. Circulation core

4

112

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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.

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UNIT @unit14_ucl

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I N N E R F O R M 2 0 2 1

P

G14 is a test bed for architectural exploration and innovation. Our students examine the role of the architect in an environment of continuous change. As a unit, we are in search of new leveraging technologies, workflows and modes of production seen in disciplines outside our own. We test ideas systematically by means of digital and physical drawings, models and prototypes. Our work evolves around technological speculation and design research, generating momentum through astute synthesis. Our propositions are ultimately made through the design of buildings and the in-depth consideration of structural formation and tectonic constituents.

This, coupled with a strong research ethos, generates new, unprecedented, viable and spectacular proposals.

IAt the centre of this year’s academic exploration was Buckminster Fuller’s ideal of the ‘The Comprehensive Designer’: a master-builder who follows Renaissance principles and a holistic approach. Fuller referred to this ideal as somebody who is able to realise and coordinate the commonwealth potentials of his or her discoveries without disappearing into a career of expertise. Like Fuller, PG14 students are opportunists in search of new ideas and architectural synthesis. They explored the concept of ‘Inner Form’, referring to the underlying and invisible but existing logic of formalisation, which is only accessible to those who understand the whole system and its constituents and the relationships between.

This year’s projects explored the places where culture and technology interrelate to generate constructional systems. Societal, technological, cultural, economic and political developments propelled our investigations and enabled us to project near-future scenarios, for which we designed comprehensive visions. Our methodology employed both bottom-up and top-down strategies in order to build sophisticated architectural systems. Pivotal to this process was practical experimentation and intense exploration using both digital and physical models to assess system performance and application in architectural space.

Thanks to: DaeWha Kang Design, DKFS Architects, Expedition Engineering, Hassel, Knippers Helbig, RSHP, Seth Stein Architects, University of Stuttgart/ ITKE and Zaha Hadid Architects.

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.

UNIT 14 @unit14_ucl