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This website showcases the author's personal, academic and professional work in the field of Architecture and the Arts.
This website showcases the author's personal, academic and professional work in the field of Architecture and the Arts.
Pleasing Perimeters : Secure and Welcoming Diplomatic Borders
ARC601 - Thesis 1 (Fall 2013)
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The ClaimThe redesigned form
and program
of the perimeter that incorporates engaging
spaces, within
the buffer zone, will result in a visually and physically welcoming experience
The Research PlanThe research plan concentrates on the possibilities of the perimeter barrier as a visual connector and secure separator for. Thus the claim Wall-Illusions investigates the ability of the US Embassy Perimeter aesthetic abilities. Its ability to disguise what is viewed as an impenetrable barrier into a less intimidating and possibly a more welcoming border thru manipulating its form and program but not its function. Given the fact that the existing walls are prescribed by the Department of State it is accepted that theses parameters should be adequate to protect the embassy. Although this research plan focuses more about the ways on how walls can be designed to be more attractive, it does not reject the fact that opportunities may arise to add more security intertwined with the interventions that make the barriers more welcoming.
The following Phases were conceptualized based from the Related Literature, Case Studies and Issues on Current affairs. Based from transitioning into three directions the phases are as follows; The Collapse will be the transition on a downward direction, The Cloak will tackle on the upward transition and The Expo will deal with it sideways. Each phase has been carefully analyzed so that the wall can be perceived in three different perspectives, three different uses and three different opportunities. This can equate possibly to more if the phases are combined. The investigation does not close itself the possibility that new Phases shall arise upon the execution of the plan in real time. The Trench concentrates on the ability of the wall to expand underground or below eye level and the walkable plane, thus transitioning on a downward direction. Cutting thru a section if a wall collapses it creates a crater, a ditch and debris which in plain form can be considered as impediments or simply a barrier. The Cloak investigates the ability of the building to hide the perimeter that borders its facade. In this phase the author experiments the ability of the buildings skin to wrap the wall thus appearing that the building and the boundary is the one holistic entity. The Expo investigates the ability of the wall to transition sideward. It brings the visitor to experience the wall horizontally as it proposes to connect the exterior, the wall and the interior perimeter via pavilions making the journey experience thru exhibitions. The ultimate goal of this phase is to bridge the wall thru culture and the arts. |
^Representational Models: The Initial Phases
^Phase Development 2: Diagrammatic Evolution of Phases
^Phase Development 3: Developing Section Sketches and Concepts
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The Swap Charette
At the end of the First Semester , we are asked to do a Swap Charette with an assigned partner. the purpose of this was to open our eyes to other solutions our colleagues are offering. In this experiment , Sharlita Green was my Charette partner. Her proposals concentrated on manipulating the form of the walls around the perimeter.
In return I created a large study model of the Exeter Building by Louis Kahn and provided different mediums to diffuse light. Her research concentrated on the role of light in creating the spirit place through manipulating the openings and light. This exercise had helped my research to dwell more on the form as an element to manipulate the perimeter. |
ARC601 - Thesis 1 Midterm and Finals Pinup (Fall 2013)
The Revised Phases (Spring Break)
As winter break passed thru, some modifications about the claim and title has occurred. Wall-illusions was misleading to the readers for it directs them that my claim is only about changing the perimeter wall , but apart from that I am proposing to modify the whole perimeter setback and its elements. The title has now changed to “Pleasing Perimeters: Secure and Welcoming Diplomatic Borders”. The title summarizes the refined claim stating that transforming the embassy perimeter buffer zone to an engaging active space rather than a passive separator will result to a welcoming secure experience. Having rethought and reworded my title and claim which is now easily understood by my peers, I proceeded with the phases initially proposed. Now these phases have been renamed to the following, The Canyon, The Cloak and The Wings.
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ARC602 - Thesis 2 - Research Through Design (Spring 2014)
Phase 1: The Canyon " A submerged Entry Art PavilionStarting
Phase 1: The Canyon will be a submerged Entry
art pavilion that takes visitors up down
and up thru walkable ramps adorned with local and American art. As people
journey thru the canyon , it will have security points that stealthy monitors
activities. Three iterations were tested on how the ramp works and the last
iteration was chosen as the longer ramps prove to be more engaging.
This model was then used to visualize the scale , mass and how engaging the perimeter becomes with people. Shown in the left is the proposed canyon and to its right is the regular perimeter set up. The canyon becomes an interactive space because of its ability to offer more vistas and recurring circulation. The Canyons form was then integrated to the trench. This will be made from blast proof concrete to protect people in queue. Security towers will be the bottlenecks and emergency exits incase of an attack. |
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Phase 2 : The Cloak " A Disguised Protective Skin"“The Cloak”. It is a second skin
that is reacts to protect if necessary. It also premises an effect of a
building with in a building to give an illusion that there is no perimeter
wall. Shown in the sketch is the idea of panels sliding down to close in case
of a severe attack. As panels stack a pattern is formed in this case the US
constitution.
Shown in the right is a photo study that looks at panels sizes and the shadows they cast inside while looking at the exterior panel formation outside. Upon doing this it has also opened the possibility of incorporating this protective panels on the actual curtain wall. The results of 3d Modelling proves that this will be an immense structure. The interior shadows cast inside do change the experience but I can’t evaluate if it was for the better. Upon realizing that my phases are very overpowering. I proceeded with phase 3 which was more of a conservative approach. |
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Phase 3: The Wings "Revolving canopies"Starting
with a glass wall , bollards disguised as benches and a canopy a top that
rotates. Phase 3 the wings started to take form.
The Idea is simple, It makes the existing glass perimeter wall secure and higher when the canopies rotate to a vertical position. Also this offers a designer to incorporate patterns depending on the context that blends well with the building. Shown below is a study model incorporating different patterns and opacities. Ending my research , I believe that the concepts have generated a lot possibilities and also a lot failures . Phase one is limiting due to the fact that it is a major dig and not all sites have a decent setback. Phase 2 might be applicable to towering embassies but not on embassy compounds because it fails to blend in if all the buildings are not cladded in the same material. Phase 3 was the most successful cause it can fit in a lot of context , not too overpowering and also changes the role of a roof to wall. Investigations still need to be furthered with phase 3 on issues like how long does it close, how to clear people away from being impinged when it closes or the blast proof materiality. But as for now it’s the idea that makes it successful. |
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ARC602 - Thesis 2 - Final Pinup (Spring 2014)
Architectural Theory : Case Studies
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The Bishop Edward King ChapelThe Bishop King Edward Chapel is a new building in the Rippon College Campus in Oxfordshire , United Kingdom. It is a free standing structure on a relatively flat to rolling terrain meadow that is adjacent to the sisters and contemplate residences.
The building is stripped out to a pure elliptical geometry which is evidently partitioned into three parts as viewed from the out side. A 10 foot base is stone cladded with a light travertine like treatment. It is followed by a thirty foot brick wall with an interesting pattern as it protrudes 45 degrees out in alternating intervals. The third layer is a clerestory with wood louvers. As you enter the building , what is simple outside becomes a complex play of shadows created through a magnificent structure of intertwining timber. Situated in the elliptical plan is the main chapel bathed by light thru the clerestory. What is most significant with the project is the way the timber is interconnected thru hidden joints so everything looks seamless. The floor plan is also unique as it opposes the typical row seat arrange to a radial plan which directs worshipers in social contact. Edward Said National Conservatoy of MusicThe site is on elevated about 3 feet from the ground then leveled; it lies in a series of undulating street slopes that has limited car parking. The building footprint is U-shaped geometry that opens encloses a central patio. The Central patio is a public space that is used for concerts, presentations and recitals for the students. It also serves to let in light on the interior spaces as a courtyard thus also helping to regulate the microclimate of the site. It is inspired by the “hosh” a traditional organization of houses around an open space of Palestinian Architecture.
The entire building is concrete in-situ and is cladded by Sour Ma’in Stone which is the predominant stone clad in the region which is installed almost seamlessly by local craftsmen. The fenestrations are curtain walls shaded with slated brise soleil that shades interior spaces from the afternoon sun. This sun screen is inspired from the traditional “Mashrabiya” of the Arab Architecture. The screen system acts as thermal barrier from the scorching sun. Garland 77 Galligan AvenueThe challenge with the existing buildings in Galigan Avenue was the boxy and dull facades that had no character no identity but mere structures. Also being oriented in the west where the hot afternoon sun penetrates the long side of the building, the architects were faced with shading and thermal issues. According to Collins and Turner Architects the main concept was to “turn a Sydney building of apartments into an apartment building” by cladding the block in a single, unifying cloak of perforated, pressed metal screens, in varying shades of gold.
The designers opt to clad the buildings which are a series of 4 in aluminum perforated screens that vary in shades of bronze , copper and silver. They are held together by a series of aluminum frames that braces all the way down to the ground. The concept is applied both functionally and aesthetically. When function is concerned the it shades the building facade from the afternoon sun as it acts like a screen. The space created in between the framing and the screen promotes a stack effect that helps thermally. When aesthetics is concerned it acts as a cloak for the four buildings that unite them into one appearing to be one whole development. |