WEEK 7

Mass model with central rotini's.

Continuing our holiday work into the second half of the semester, I worked on massing out our library spaces with the central rotini structure.

Note: See "some group work over the break" for further explanation of rotini and scheme.

Gathering from what we had on our stone site massing during the holidays, we discussed that the library will extend beyond the current Elam B and Commerce A footprint. It will occupy three separate volumes on site. The digital library is split into two levels with varying heights. The idea is to blur the ground level condition of the public space amongst the open digital library space, thus drawing the public in between the open learning, exhibition spaces. Therefore the digital library changes the existing site from a transitorial space to a central learning hub. The digital library is located at the heart of sector 100, and effectively turns sector 100 into a central social hub.

Notes that discussed the contents within the digital library. Aside from the rotini, (which is the central service/ orientative device/ ebook-shelf/etc.) the digital library would include exhibitionist learning environments such as the conchigilioni, as well as group study environments. Group study environments can involve projected reality devices for an immersive learning environment. Other stuff we noted were makerspaces which involve the act of making using digital fabrication such as lasercutting, 3d printer (like UOA's unleash space). We also included the more generic stuff like cafes, or convenience stores and gardens.

We briefly touched on singular study spaces, stating that isolated study is not encouraged in our library and in doing so, might be more beneficial to go to the general library instead. In addressing that, however, we will include bar styled study spaces or benches around corridors and residual spaces to offer people the option for singular study, but discourage the act of isolated study through the open environment.

Mapping the volumes on site.

The image above shows three large central squares that represents the rotini, the other rectangles that are organised around the squares represents different functional spaces. The large circle in between the three volume depicts the central public square that is resulted from the volume organisation.

After a conceptual massing, I did a vague bubble diagram to begin suggesting where the programs might go. I reduced the collision between the three separate structures to create a distinction between them. In doing so, opened up a plaza/breather space that people can gather to.

Section of rotini and rotini render by Noah.F

I've never actually got to see these drawings until quite recently (2/10/19), partly because while working through the rotini idea (when Noah was working on it), it was scrapped quite abruptly and never got to see it develop. But, it was nice to see Noah modeling the ideas that we were talking about. The librarian receptionist at the bottom with a private stairwell on the inside to access the digital tablets to restock them. However, The rotini has a bit more levels than I originally anticipated... But, great drawings in general, credits to Noah.F. He's done a few more perspectives of the rotini, might be best to find it on his blog on Medium.

When working with the digital model, I felt that the scale of the library was too big and unnecessary. Although the idea of a rotini was such a fantastic idea due to its multifunctional purpose, it didn't make sense to have two levels since we didn't need that amount of space. Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to the rotini idea and reduce our library to a single level. While working with Noah, I proposed to build up another level because we stuck to the original unitary plan which limited the amount of space we could use. However, by breaking the unitary plan and increasing our territory, the need for space became irrelevant and hence the need for a second level.

Volume Massing on site.

Note: Volumes are not to scale, but to test how the building volume sits and engage with the site.

After a long discussion of how the roof plane should house the digital exhibitionist volumes, (there were a lot of sketches in the previous pages, perhaps visit E.C's blogs to see them) we decided on a simple gesture that highlights our digital library volumes. Essentially the three volumes will have a roof pitched towards the central plaza, suggesting the congregation point (center of the building). The roof will house the rest of the volumes a bit SANAA-esque and a bit louvre-like. The roof would be constructed out of ETFE that's along the lines of selgascano's works.

Selgascano, Plasencia Conference Centre, Interior - Photographed by Author

The coloured ETFE roof can provide an interesting exploration with colour as well as provide an engaging and aesthetical space.

However, beneath that larger umbrella of a roof, we would have a lowered ceiling/roof which territorialise(is that a word?) the space beneath that suggests how far, i.e the makerspace is occupying. Within the different functional spaces, the ceilings/roofs will be lowered according to accommodate for the particular activity. I.e Study groups spaces would have a much lower ceiling (2m) to create an intimate learning environment for the people. In our adventure around learning facilities around UOA, we found that a lowered ceiling is quite effective and empowers the group learning environment.

The exhibition spaces would be open and connected to the ETFE roof and the estimated height would be around 5m. The exhibition space would be arranged in a stake like format, see (planar catalogue for more details).

After working with the rough massing model on site (digitally), I modeled up a scale version of what would be one of our digital libraries. This is the SSW(south south west) wing (closest to the vegan lunch/ old choral hall area) of the digital library and the model tests how the roof would be designed.

The roof form plays with different gestures of uplifting and folding (much like a piece of paper) with the main uplifting gesture towards the central plaza zone.

After testing different folds of the roof model, I made the rest of the library buildings and tested the roof structure for those too.

This concludes the exploration of the roof model with different folds.

While working simultaneously with the roof form, I worked on generating a plan from the previous planar component study I did previously. I picked out the more successful components and started to insert it into the rough bubble diagram i did previously. However, the central rotini core is now replaced by a central exhibition space. The idea behind each digital library building includes: one large makerspace zone, one large classroom space zone and a zone for public amenities. Within these zones, the planes will intersect and break up the larger spaces into smaller zones specific to their functions. The residual spaces in the rest of the library will be filled by individual or group study spaces.

Top image presents the bubble diagram for all three library buildings.

E.C did an iteration of this design principal, see E.C's blog for his take on the digital library with planes.

In our experimentation with the planar idea, we found too many problems that would occur within our design. I.e how do we distinguish a function space from the other, in some perspective, makerspace will look like a group study space, classroom space is a group study space etc. The whole idea of removing walls to create a seamless flexible space becomes quite challenging when trying to group and turn specific spaces into different functions. Essentially, the act of removing walls turned the whole library into one unifying space with smaller "individual spaces" that react differently to the rest.

Aside from the programmatic error, realistic concerns also complicated the design. Since UOA's semesters are largely performed during the colder parts of the year, and our design essentially has zero walls. This library would be a very cold library to visit, (In our tech lecture, Paola Boarin, our lecturer noted that the general library is a huge thermal bridge. Basically our library would be that minus the heating that they can afford on the inside)

There were other challenges that came up when trying to cement this concept, at this time, Anthony proposed a reading called the city of bits by William J. Mitchell. Whereby the author speculates, twenty years ago, what the future is like or would be like based on the current technology we had back then.

Important notes to gather from the reading was that through engaging with laptops and digital devices, we have limited our spatial senses. Architectural promenade shifts from the physical to a digital surfing of webpages. Since we are confined to a desk when accessing the computer, spatial concerns becomes dematerialised and compressed. Mitchell also talked about the fragmentation of time and space, whereby persona's on the net are spread, left and accessed at different times and space.

Main ideas that we gathered was the need of space when space has been compressed to a single digital realm. Although i argue that since his publishing, we have developed the technology to move beyond sitting in front of a screen. Emerging technology such as Virtual, Augmented and Immersive realities, digital technology now affects the three dimensional realm.

In terms of flexibility, back then we could buy different digital games and play on the despatialised computers without worrying about how it will affect our rooms or homes. Now, with the introduction of HTC Vive (commercial VR headset for games), we have to shift our living rooms and accommodate space in order to move around in the digital realm. Before, the concern to design around the digital realm might be irrelevant, but in today's world, it might be a prominent factor.