Site Tectonics Journal

SITE TECTONICS

Meyvin Puspita 388293Tutor’s Name: Nano Langenheim & David Harrap

ABPL20047Folio

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Table of ContentsAssessment One

Esquisse One

Esquisse Two

Esquisse Three

Esquisse Four

Esquisse Five

Assessment Two

Final Design Intervention

Page 03

Page 11

Page 17

Page 23

Page 29

Page 33

Assessment One

03

ESQUISSE One

Precedent 1: Snail House

Snail House by Atelier D. is an example of a structure built on a slope that is neither cut nor filled. The rooms inside the house are supported by the slope, with half sto-ries that follow the slope of the land.

Snail Househttp://www.archdaily.com/128238/snail-house-atelier-d-org/

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Precedent 2: Villa Castela by Anastasia Architects in Nova Lima, Brazil

This residential villa is another example of a structure built on natural and untouched sloped land. The original slope of the land is 30 degrees and it has been left unfilled and uncut in order to avoid interfering with the natural condition of the land too much. Instead, the house is supported by several concrete beams that are dramatically cantilevered from the supporting columns. This cantilevering is also done to emphasize the extremity of its location.

Villa Castela http://www.contemporist.com/2011/10/03/vila-castela-residence-by-anastasia-architects/

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ESQUISSE One

Precedent 3: City Walls of Luca in Italy (from Lecture 2)

In the City Walls of Luca, the tops of the ancient walls that once protected the city are turned into bicycle paths lined with trees. This is an example of landform manipulation (fill) that took place in order to allow the land itself to become usable (protected the city before, and now, as paths). Without fill, the buildings that are built on top of sloped lands would have to be supported by massive beams and columns.

City Walls of Lucahttp://www.bikeraceinfo.com/images-all/travel-images/italy05-images/Lucca-wall.jpg

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Site Plan 1:1000

Existing Section 1:1000

Design Intentions

The pavilion is located in between the upper and lower paths and is facing the river, so to provide views of the river to the occupants and the visi-tors of the pavilion. The position of the pavilion also allows for the pedestrians walking on both the upper and lower paths to easily take notice of the pavilion.

The existing topography to the back of the pavilion remains unchanged so that the natural condition of the land is not largely disrupted.

By stretching the current contour lines forward, a flatter platform where the pavilion can sit is created. This reduces the need for large support-ing structures, and therefore, the design inten-tions of the Fansworth House can remain intact.

ESQUISSE One

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Proposed Section 1:1000

Photo of Model 01 - Eye-Level View from the Lower Path

08Photo of Model 02 - Bird’s-Eye View of the Pavilion

ESQUISSE One

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Reflection

In sloped lands, the use of fill allows for the creation of a flatter platform on which the

house can sit. Without fill, the building’s supporting structures would need to be large

enough to be able to support the weight of the building itself. This can be seen in Villa

Castela, where the beams and the columns are large enough so that they are able to

support the weight of the house. This is acceptable if the design intention is to expose

the supporting structures, however, the use of large structures means a reduction in the

internal usable areas of the house. In many cases, this is undesired. In addition, a flat

platform where the house can sit on allows for easier planning of the internal spaces.

The materials of the fill have to be chosen carefully to suit the natural soil. Additionally,

the footings of the house cannot be supported by the fill, since most fill materials are

not stable enough to support the heavy weight of the building. Therefore, the house’s

footings have to be extended up to the level of the natural supporting strata.

10Photo of Model 03 - View of the Pavilion from the Lower Path

ESQUISSE Two

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Precedent : Khyber Ridge by Studio NminusOne

The Khyber Ridge house is positioned along a steeply sloped site, with the design of the house taking into consideration the surrounding rocky mountain and the views the mountain offers.

The house is made up of five levels, with the guest house (at the lowest level) embedded in rock for maximum privacy. The mid-level living room is cantilevered and enclosed by glass, while the upper-level bedrooms are retreated back along the contours of the mountain. Its green roofs also blend in with the surrounding landscape.

View from the Mid-Level Living Room http://www.archdaily.com/20190/khyber-ridge-studio-nminusone/

Khyber Ridge Househttp://www.trendir.com/house-design/khyber-ridge-residence-15.jpg

12Longitudinal Section through the Househttp://www.archdaily.com/20190/khyber-ridge-studio-nminusone/

Entrance to the Househttp://www.archdaily.com/20190/khyber-ridge-studio-nminusone/

Site Plan 1:1000


ESQUISSE Two

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Design Intentions

In this scheme, the pavilion is situated on a higher elevation relative to the lower path. Ramps to the pavilion are made quite flat in order to allow for easy access.

The pavilion faces north east to receive plenty of natural light. In addition, the patio is also positioned facing the same direction, so that both the occupants and the visitors may enjoy the sun and engage in outdoor activi-ties during sunny days. Both the pavilion and the patio also have views toward the Maryby-rnong River.

Columns of the patio are extended to reach the natural soil. On the northwest side of the house, retaining walls will be erected in order to prevent the soil from slipping.

Planting will be done on the 1:3 cut slope that is located southwest to the pavilion.

14Bird’s-Eye View of the Pavilion

ESQUISSE Two

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View of the Pavilion from the Lower Path

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Reflection

Similar to fill, cut also allows for the creation of

a flatter surface on which a building can sit on.

However, cut is generally adopted where it is

harder to fill. Cost-wise, cut is also much more

expensive, especially in rocky areas. In prac-

tice, both of these methods (cut and fill) are

usually used together.

When the land is cut, a retaining wall is often

required in order to stop the soil from slipping.

Cutting and retaining the land would generally

create a more dramatic effect to the areas sur-

rounding the building, while filling the land will

create smoother and gentler slopes, therefore

giving a softer feel to the surrounding land-

scape.

ESQUISSE Three

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Precedent 1: House in Kisami The house in Kisami is seamlessly inte-grated into its surrounding landscape using the cut-and-fill method. With the original slope of the land being 30-degree steep, cut-and-fill successfully created a flatter surface for the house to sit on.

House in Kisami by Florian Busch Architectshttp://www.archdaily.com/263167/a-house-in-kisami-florian-busch-architects/

Longitudinal Section

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Precedent 2: House in ComanoThe house in Comano by David Macullo Architects acts as a boundary that separates the hill and the newer urbanised area. Similar to the house in Kisami, the house sits on a flat surface through using the cut-and-fill method. The house is designed to explore the continuation of the indoor spaces out into the landscape, while still providing privacy for the occupants.

House in Comano by David Macullo Architectshttp://www.architravel.com/architravel/building/house-in-comano

ESQUISSE Three

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Site Plan 1:1000


Design Intentions

In line with the precedents, our aim here is to seamlessly integrate the pavilion with the sur-rounding landscape. In the final renders on pages 21 and 22, the pavilion appears to be tucked into the landscape, and this is done through cutting parts of the existing sloped land. Using fill, a plat-form that elevates the house is created, and this-gives a sense of monumentality to the pavilion.

Unlike the house in Kisami, however, no part of the pavilion is cantilevered and this is done in order to keep to original design intentions of the Fansworth house intact.

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Design Intentions

The longitudinal side of the house is facing north in order to receive the maximum amount of sunlight.

The patio also faces north so that oc-cupants and visitors are able to enjoy the sun and engage in outdoor activities during sunny days.

Snapshot from Studio 03

Snapshot from Studio 01 Snapshot from Studio 02

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ESQUISSE Three

Reflection

Using cut and fill, the aim in this esquisse has been successfully achieved. Cut and fill allow for the house to appear fully and seamlessly in-

tegrated with its surrounding landscape. In addition, cut and fill also reduce the construction cost, since the residuals from cutting parts of

the land can be used to fill the land as well. Similar to cut on its own and fill on its own, cut and fill also create a flat platform for the house

to sit on, however, the platform created through cut and fill somehow seems to be more balanced and gradual.

View of the Pavilion from the Lower Path

Design IntentionsWalking on the lower path towards the pavilion offers the pedestrians a journey and an experience of looking up and observing the house before finally arriving there.

22View when Walking towards the Pavilion

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ESQUISSE Four

Precedent 1: Robson Square Law Courts by Cornelia Oberlander The design of these staircases incorporates wheelchair-accessible ramps, and therefore, not isolating the disabled. The slope of the staircases is 26.5 degrees, however, the ramps are built on flatter gradients. Not only does the design enhance acces-sibility, it also creates spaces for resting as well as for formal and informal gathering.

Robson Square Law Courts http://www.shirbosandblasting.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_large/public/gallery/_MG_0734.jpg

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Precedent 2: Pio-neer Courthouse Square

Located in Portland, Oregon, the Pioneer Courtyard House is an example of a govern-ment building that incorporates acces-sible ramps within the design of the staircases. As depicted on the photograph to the left, the spaces created by the blending of the stairs and the ramps are turned into usable formal and informal gathering areas for the general public.

Pioneer Courthouse Squarehttp://bettercities.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/full-content-width/MedResDownload_Pioneer%20Courthouse%20Square-011.jpg

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ESQUISSE Four

Proposed Site Plan 1:1000

26Proposed Section 1:1000


Design Intentions The wheelchair-accessible ramps are built at 1:20 to roughly follow the fall of the natural topography as well as to allow for ease of access for wheelchairs and prams.

Similar to the precedents mentioned previously, staircases are also incorporated within the design, since staircases are more practical for most people. The staircases also prevent the pedestrians from walking longer distances along the zigzag paths. Ramps, however, are embedded in the design so to not isolate the disabled.

ESQUISSE Four

Proposed Usage Diagram N.T.S.27

Reflection

In this particular esquisse, we explored the posibility of incorporating ramps within the design of staircases, which turned out rather

interesting. Both staircases and ramps provide ease of access to places that are elevated in different heights. However, while staircases

are suitable for most people, we also need to cater for the disabled and parents with prams. Incorporating both into one cohesive design

allows for the disabled to not feel isolated, while keeping the design interesting and creative. In places that are often visited and crowded,

combined staircases and ramps also create spaces that offer a great flexibility. These spaces can be used for resting, gathering and even

public events. Ranked as the world’s fourth-best public square, the Pioneer Courthouse Square hosts more than 300 public events per year

and is visited by approximately 26,000 people everyday.

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Design Intentions Land usage diagram, as shown on the previous page, demonstrates the suitability of the adjacent flat land to be used as picnic areas, play grounds and sitting and resting areas. Restrooms, drinking fountains and benches would also be incorporated in this area.

ESQUISSE Five

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Precedent 1: Fort Worth Water Garden by Phillip Johnson and John BurgeeLocated in Texas, next to the Fort Worth Convention Centre, the Fort Worth water garden invites people to experience a variety of water features as they wander through this “cooling oasis in the concrete jungle”. The main attraction in this water garden is the active pool that has water cascading 11 metres down the terraced steps into the central pool at the very bot-tom. The pool is designed for people to be able to actively engage and play with water that is tumbling around them.

Fort Worth Water Gardenhttp://www.fortwortharchitecture.com/water1.jpg

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Precedent 2: Royal Palace Water Garden

The Royal Palace water garden is located in Tulamben, Bali, and was built in 1948 by the King of Karangasem. The garden also features tiered fountains and stone sculptures. Stone steps can also be seen throughout the water pond and there-fore also invites the visitors to experience walking on top of the water body. This type of water garden is typical of the Balinese and Chinese styles.

Royal Palace Water Gardenhttp://kellionsaipan.blogspot.com.au/2008/03/bali-2-water-gardens.html

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ESQUISSE Five

Site Plan 1:1000

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Section 1:500

View from Lower Path

Design IntentionsThe design inten-tion here is to create several water reten-tion ponds at the lowest level of the land to hold rainwa-ter during rainy days. There will be a total of five ponds, which will fill up consecutively. These water ponds are positioned right next to the altered lower path, before the river. It is positioned there in order to attract the pedestrians walking on the lower path and invite them to actively interact with the water body. Each pond con-tains several strips of stones that people can walk on and jump from one to another.

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ESQUISSE Five

Reflection

Water retention ponds are important in maintaining the natural conditions of the land, and they have different purposes in comparison to rainwater tanks. Water retention ponds located right next to a house may enhance the appearance of the landscaping around the house, and if desired, they can also be designed so that the occupants are able to interact with these water ponds. During rainy seasons and flooding events, water retention ponds help in retaining as much excess rainwater as possible and let it naturally evaporate. They should also be fitted with overflow pipes to channel the excess water to stormwater mains. When water retention ponds are designed care-fully, they can serve well during flooding events, as well as encouraging people to interact and play.

View from Walking Path (towards the Pavilion)

Assessment Two

Design Intervention

Based on the previously-mentioned precedents (mainly the Robson Square Law Courts and the Pioneer Courthouse Square) and esquisses three and four, the final project is largely designed to integrate the Fansworth pavilion into the surrounding landscape, as well as providing equal access for all the occupants and visitors of the pavilion.

The location of the pavilion will be as it is in esquisse three, with the longitudinal side of the pavilion facing northeast in order to receive the maximum amount of sunlight. The patio will also be facing the same direction so that the occupants and the visitors of the pavilion are able to enjoy the sun during sunny days and engage in outdoor activities in the patio. Accessibility is considered from both the upper and lower paths and access to the pavilion is designed so that visitors do not have to walk great distances or in circles in order to get to a destination point. Views towards the river are also considered from both the pavilion and the patio. This can be seen in the Site diagram that is on page 35.

Final DESIGN INTERVENTION

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Robson Square Law Courts http://www.shirbosandblasting.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_large/public/gallery/_MG_0734.jpg

Pioneer Courthouse Squarehttp://bettercities.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/full-content-width/MedResDownload_Pioneer%20Courthouse%20Square-011.jpg

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New York High Line

Besides looking at the prior precedents, we also looked at the staircases and ramps designed for the New York High Line. In this example, the stair-cases are detached from the ramps and are placed at the ends of the ramps. The landings then become shared landings. This creates sitting and resting spaces in between the straight ramps, which is more desirable since the spaces created previ-ously by the steep corner angles were idle and could not be utilised.

New York High Line http://betterymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Steps-at-High-Line-Park-cc-Joe-Vare-1.jpg


37 Site Diagram N.T.S.


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Site Plan N.T.S. 38Site Diagram N.T.S.


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39 Fine Grading Plan 1:400


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Design Intervention - The Pavilion and the PlatformsThe pavilion sits on platform 01, and is surrounded by two other platforms that are of different heights. Upon ar-riving at platform 01 from either the staircases or the ramps, the visitors are led straight into the patio and then to the pavilion itself. Visitors are also encouraged to explore the areas around the pavilion, and therefore these areas surrounding the pavilion are all accessible. From platforms 02 and 03, the visitors are able to look out towards the river and a series of glass ballustrades will ensure that visitors will be safe at all time. To the north of the pavilion, a tall retaining wall stops the soil from slipping. To the east and the west, stepped walls are erected to retain the

soil, while not blocking the visitors’ views of the river.

Design Intervention - The Staircases and the RampsSimilar to the design of the staircases and the ramps in New York High Line, in this final design, the staircases are detached from the ramps

and are located west to the ramps. The spaces created in between the ramps then become areas for sitting and resting, as well as for

planter boxes.

Section A-A 1:200


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Section C-C (through Platform 01) 1:400


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Section B-B 1:100

42Bird’s-Eye View of the Pavilion


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Detail 03: Stair to Landing Section 1:40

Detail 01: Planter Box and Water Source 1:40

Detail 02: Retaining Wall Foundation Section 1:40

44View of Walking Through the Ramps towards the Pavilion

Documents

Site Tectonics Journal