Academic Portfolio
ARC 3001 Newcastle University
Stage 3
Studio 01
Age Against the Machine 2023-24
Wing On Tse Brian 140442252
Projected from the North to the South, the existing warehouse radiates into a vibrant living quarter reaching towards the river.
In between the two structures is the Weighing House.
“Capital is an abstract parasite, an insatiable vampire and zombiemaker; but the living flesh it converts into dead labor is ours, and the zombies it makes are us. There is a sense in which it simply is the case that the political elite are our servants; the miserable service they provide from us is to launder our libidos, to obligingly re-present for us our disavowed desires as if they had nothing to do with us.” (Fisher, 2009)
Mark Fisher, Author of Capitalist Realism
The house just feels too much, you know?
Like a museum of memories that are collecting dust.
([Sighs])
Same bench, same pigeons, same me.
([Nods slowly])
I know what you mean, John. It gets lonely after a while, all these big houses with things but nobody to show them to.
These 4 arithmetic operations will be seen throughout this portfolio to showcase the applied concept into the design.
Digital literacy
Digital skills gap limits older adults’ access to online resources and connections, integrating a digital literacy programs can bridge the divide and empower them.
Digitisation of belongings
Possessions are like barnacles on sea turtles, clinging to older folks. Belongings along with their attached memories aggregate in one’s household over time. Digitsation could potentially be a way out.
Meeting people with same beliefs
“Empty nest” and social exclusion, hinders well-being. It is crucial to encourage movement, interaction, and foster a sense of community spirit.
Exhibition and Market
DIY projects allow for personalized additions to the living space, fostering a sense of ownership and creating a more comfortable and familiar environment.
Barnacles, known for their tenacious attachment to surfaces, inspired a sense of resilience and permanence in my design.
Peter Salter’s intricate and unique drawing style influenced the texture and complexity of my final work, adding a layer of intricacy and sense of being in the space.
Additionally, the industrial aesthetics of oil rigs sparked ideas around the structure and functionality, which creates elements in the drawing.
Functioning as a material exchange center and exhibition hall, it introduces a currency-free system, allowing residents to exchange household items based on their approximate weight. This circular economy enables older residents to contribute sentimental yet possessions that no longer in use, fostering a reflective process as they digitally document and share memories.
Digital mockups are made to further test on both the tone and perspectives. It is also helpful as visual guide for the steel sheet folding at the final drawing.
The artpiece is a mixed media artwork overlayed with yellow tracing paper, tinted with coffee grounds, and highlighted with aluminium foil. Hinting the transparency, repurposing and technology.
A Halfway House for Downsizing
I visited Leeds for the first time a year prior to our site visit and visited a kilo vintage store that is temporary occupying one of the vacant Victorian stores in the proximity of the Corn Exchange. As a pop-up store, only flood lights were and one or two halogen heaters were placed on the floor barely allowing the customers and staff to get by. But what interested me most is the business model of the shop. Charging by the weight instead of labeling each item by the value freed the consumer from comparing the price with their willingness to pay. It allowed customers to evaluate the pieces based on their valuation of the design, brand, or condition rather than that what the store suggests.
During the studio site visit this year at Leeds, the kilo sale is already gone and the store remains vacant. I have noticed another vintage store in the arcade of the Corn Exchange. It is nicely renovated with a heavy price tag for each item.
Calls by the River Aire in Leeds city centre, West Yorkshire, England.
In between the railway track and the River Aire in Leeds, the Calls is a historic strip lined with warehouses from the industrial age. They served as docks for canals, but later faced a decline as industries moved out of the city center. From the 1980-90s, the place underwent a major redevelopment that transformed old warehouses into a mix of different uses like hotels, offices, homes, and nightlife spots.
The typology of former warehouses and train tracks exhibits repetition and arches, reflecting both the industrial heritage and functional use of the past.
The narrow walk paths on Call Lane, in comparison to the width of the road, indicate a street hierarchy emphasizing pedestrian movement over vehicular traffic.
Upon the site visit, the River Aire emerged as a prominent focal point, gracefully weaving through the heart of Leeds. Its flow and scenic surroundings offer opportunities for recreation.
This urban plan shows the the potential of the site to attract visitors, with its convenient connectivity to popular landmarks like Kirkgate Market, Corn Exchange, Trinity Shopping Center, and transport links such as the national rail and bus station.
“The Analytic Triptych” serves as the inspiration for this site plan. It is informed by the layering of information present in the drawing by OMA and documented by James Corner. Within this drawing, details such as sun paths, perspective views, and reflections are layered and interwoven. This approach allows for a comprehensive summary of the site charateristics.
Gradient penetrating the site / Noise arising from the train and traffic to mitigate
Bulging out as if they are ready to overflow to the site / Accumulation of people as potential visitors
Bulge ready to overflow to the site / River showing the risk of flooding
The Northern front elevation of the existing warehouse becomes the representative frontage featuring a decorative facade adorned with an array of brick and stone patterns. These patterns can be interpreted both horizontally and vertically, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing facade that serves as the focal point for the main traffic flow.
Facade Rhythm based on the column arrangement
The pulling from the existing warehouse inspired the south-river-facing facade form
Bay window is one of the common elements of Victorian housing. Downsizing is hard and I would like to providing a feature such as these bays that is reminiscent to their previous homes.
They also create a sense of spaciousness and offer ample natural light. This amplification of space is needed, especially for this halfway housing programme which hopes to accomoated as much residents as possible. Psychologically, they also uplift moods and promote energy efficiency.
Inspired by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, a contiuous ramp forms the atrium serving as the material exchange. The centralised ramp ensure easy access for both residents and visitors, fostering a dynamic and inclusive environment.
The architectural design of this interim housing embraces the principles of a circular economy, emphasizing waste minimization. As part of this initiative, belongings from individuals downsizing are collected, stored on-site, and undergo refurbishment and cleaning as needed. These items are then displayed at a central material exchange accessible to both residents and the public. This exchange acts as a focal point for sustainable consumption and reuse, promoting community engagement and participation in circular practices.
The logic behind the receeding South facade
Building up the masses with Lego
^3D massing diagram showing solid and void
VERTICAL CIRCULATION
TRANSPARENT
Section
Digestive Machine
Digestion act as a metaphor for the downsizing program this interim housing offers, where it serves as a conduit for the gradual assimilation of residents’ possessions. Temporary storage bridges are strategically placed across the site, acting as digestive organs that absorb and process belongings, allowing residents to transition smoothly as they downsize their homes.
The Four-Step Downsizing Process
Digestive Tract Inspired Downsizing Programme Committee Room Loading Bay
Move everything from old homes to the Weighing House
Moving everything at once when downsizing provides financial benefits by quickly freeing up capital from old homes. The Weighing House’s accessible sorting facilities streamline the process, making it easier to organize belongings efficiently.
To slow down and alleviate the hardship of downsizing, a process is proposed to both document the items and to decide if the resident wants to sell or keep them. The 4 arithmetic operations seen in the following pages represents the overarching themes of punk and later living.
New residents will be greeted by other residents at the committee room and discuss the apartment and storage requirements.
Just move everything in
Moving company unloads the belongings at the loading bay then bringing them up to second floor.
Ample storage for items from old homes
A 3-year halfway housing programme is offered for the recently retired who need assistant on downsizing to a more managable new home. Throughout the time, they could benefit from the different facilities and fuctions that this complex provide such as physical well-being services.
One or two bedroom apartments with the essentials are provided during their stay.
During their stay, they have the luxury of time and space to slowing process their belongings. A sorted storage room and a secured one are provided also at the second floor, same as where the initial storage room is located.
At the lower ground floor, physical wellbeing services including an exercise room are provided.
Below the apartments is a hydrotherapy pool for targeted exercises and recovery, which is also opened to public.
Halfway House
The interim housing offering comprises 15 apartments evenly spread across three levels, including 12 one-bedroom units and 3 two-bedroom units.
1-bedroom apartment
2 person
2 displaying shelves
1 hidden shelf
The collector
1-bedroom apartment
1 person
2 displaying shelves
0 hidden shelf
1-bedroom apartment
1 person
2 displaying shelves
1 hidden shelf
3-bedroom apartment
3 person
1 displaying shelf
3 hidden shelves
1-bedroom apartment
1 person
1 displaying shelf
0 hidden shelf
At the foyer behind each resident’s front door, wall-mounted shelves are provided to act as a mini-exhibition. These shelves serve as versatile display areas, showcasing their treasured items. With their modular design, residents can easily customize the shelves to accommodate items of various sizes.
Privacy is also concerned by limiting the view of the window next to the front door to only a portion of the apartment with the help of a partition wall.
Hidden Shelf
Displaying Shelf
As individuals grow older, the practice of selfreflection is sometimes neglected. By dedicating time to introspection, older individuals can gain clarity on their beliefs and motivations, especially during this pivital moment of downsizing. This process helps to ensure that they understand their core values. Furthermore, self-reflection can alleviate cognitive dissonance, the discomfort experienced when behavior conflicts with values. Ultimately, this habit promotes greater alignment between thoughts, actions, and values, thereby enhancing overall well-being.
A 3-year halfway housing programme is offered for the recently retired who need assistant on downsizing to a more managable new home. Throughout the time, they could benefit from the different facilities and fuctions that this complex provide such as physical well-being services.
Above the loading bay, a mezzanine is served as a workshop for refurbishment and cleaning before recording and donating the items.
This includes washing machines, sewing machines and basic cleaning and wood working tools.
Before the items from residents and visitors are donated, the items are scanned to create 3D models, and people can share stories about them. Then, QR codes are generated to link the digital models and recordings.
The recorded and scanned items from both the residents and visitors are displayed at the suspended screens above the atrium acting as a digital archive with QR codes for the 3D scan and recording of the owners.
Sorting through the belongings of a life time is an exhaustive process both in time and energy. The Weighing House, along with the encouragement of the resident committee, offer a less stressful experience on top of other painful experiences during the downsizing process.
First, one has to be separated from all the beloingings to understand what is essential. Then, slowly, prioritize items based on daily use, sentimental value, and necessity.
Daily Essentials Giving Away
Start with an empty flat Keep them safe Take what is needed Scan them goodbye
Meanwhile each stages encourages reflection and chance interaction.
a.“Letting go is easier when you actually don’t”
The value of an item sometime is about the memory that it holds. Through technology, a digital twin could be born, making it easier to let go.
By prompting individuals to think about the significance and history of an isolated object instead of being in a clutter, they are encouraged to reminisce about the moments and emotions associated with the it.
This process not only preserves memories but also fosters a deeper understanding of one’s personal narrative and connections to the past.
To put this to the test, I have made a scan on the scale model that I made with my phone. The video shows how the scanning and AR technology work hand in hand to create a belivable 3D model. This eases my stress of both transporting my work and the possiblilty of getting rid of it. TECHNICAL
Just look up, It will always be on the “cloud”.
Embrace release, discover freedom.
Situated at the first floor, the office is equipped with meeting rooms for privacy.
Using weight as a form of currency, the material exchange is a ramp with scaffolding shelves holding the items ready to be exchanged. Visitors bringing their donation in will use the weighing scale at the start of the ramp to check in, then with the trolleys for browsing and weigh again to check out.
I had the opportunity to attend a captivating discussion led by Stephen Parnell and his Stage 6 “Linked Research” students, Vincent Woehlbier and Arthur Belime, on the utilization of Generative AI in architecture. During the event, they shared their work the AI magazine, giving us first hand experience on the intricacies while working with this technology.
This made me think deeply about the balance between human creativity and computational processes. I realized the importance of approaching AI in architecture, meanwhile, with ethical considerations and a focus on preserving human-centered design principles.
4 March 2024
After that, I conducted a test to see how AI interprets my designs out of curiosity. This experiment helped me understand the capabilities but at the same time limitations of AI algorithms in design. I see it as just another tool to inform my architectural design. I see there still irreplacable value of human intuition and personal insights built atop of experiences, at least for now.
18 November 2023
Spending a full day solo at the Jewish Museum Berlin, designed by Daniel Libeskind, was a deeply moving experience that might reshape my understanding of architecture. Instead of focusing on practicality, Libeskind’s design aims to evoke emotions tied to Jewish Holocaust.
The titanium facade and sharp, zigzagging windows that obscured view inside symbolized the erasure of Jewish culture during the Holocaust, prompting me to reflect the loss and resilience of the people.
Inside, the disorienting layout and sparse lighting intensified my sense of confusion and isolation, mirroring the experiences of those affected by the Holocaust.
The museum serves as a powerful architectural metaphor, encouraging personal reflection and dialogue about history and human experiences. This visit taught me that architecture can go beyond functionality to convey profound emotions and provoke meaningful thought. “I always thought: We’ll start a dialogue, and then the others will understand that we are people too.” (Moritz Gerlach, 2023)
Stefanie Szczupak
