Spatial organisation 03

The plan organisation is developed into a chromosome layout, maintaining the outer building line, while implementing two atria spaces. This improve visual communication between floors and visitor orientation. By splitting the plan into two connecting strings is thermal buoyancy enabled through the atria space and cross ventilation is improved through the floor depth of max 12m. Daylight have furthermore improved conditions through a depth to height ratio on each floor on 1:2. An aesthetical and lighter plan solution thus derive through sustainable strategies. Restrictions to floor depth and position can then inform the parametric design model for optimisation of lux levels and shading controls in both global and local systems. (Note that all plans shown below are with south orientation upward)  

The building is connected to the ground in two locations containing depository, located next to street (east side of building) for deliveries of materials and an entrance/exhibition area (west side of building) connected to the Pl. Gardunya and the space located between the library and the existing building to the south. A direct connection between Pl. Gardunya and the garden behind the building is thus possible, making the library more part of the square and the square more part of the building as it stretch underneath it.  

A possible plan layout with view-points, open study, book shelves and interior logistics weaving through the building.

A plan layout with combined enclosed studios, bookshelves, open study and atria.

Possible movement layout through building along the atria spaces.

Structural spatiality [differentiated zones]

Structural differentiation (gradient alteration as illustrated in the plan sketch) through local expansion of truss members into a spatial organisation. This allow another optimisation of the structural concept, following the visual expression and introducing thermal buffer zones in the centre of the building. The spatial structure is thus providing thermal advantages along with the improved structural performance. It further enables a natural implementation of the Trombe Wall concept as illustrated in the drawing through encapsulating solar energy in the zone created from the spatial truss grid.  

Structural weaving [differentiated]

Differentiating through an increase in weaving members towards the centre, strengthen the building frame where it lifts from the ground. Load is distributed to both sides of the building and into the ground. An optimised structural concept leads thus to a minimised use of material through improvement of organisation and form. A third possible iteration could differentiate individual member strength through difference in diameter/lenght ratio.  

Structural weaving

A structural frame is constructed from weaving concepts, to optimise the performative morphology and to follow the premises of the local environmental systems. The structural system must, as the environmental, seek to differentiate to optimise the design further. It is not incorporated in this stage, but will be implemented in later iterations along with the form evolution. Material and structural references can be found in Material links: Lookout Tower and Monster Bridge. 

Structural frame from weaving. 

East and west facades are 'removed' to open the public building and to emphasise the performing structure framing the library. This reference to the flow of the streets, while the remaining envelope adapts to weather conditions and spatial programme.

The frame is seen as the main carrier of loads in all directions.

Indicating scale in a digital environment.

Surface Expansion [Local I/Local II]

The use of thermal pockets make it possible to advance the absorption of solar energy through solar thin films. The local systems increase the surface area to which an increase in energy production can be achieved. This parameter can be implemented in the parametric model, creating even larger surface areas towards solar paths towards optimisation of the performative system.

Global I + Local II

The local system II is populated onto the global system, creating a 3-dimensional surface aggregation of thermal pockets, with the sustainable strategies implemented. The strategy offers besides the use solar and wind energy a panelised envelope, programmable with a variety of different properties as colouration, transparencies and openings. 

Model with local system II facing north and south directions. 

Model with local system II facing east and west directions.

Local system II [parametric organisation]

The parametric organisation is constructed through duplication of opposing circles with diversity in radii and position, which creates different pocket sizes within the same base distance - pocket length. Applied and multiplied with a dislocation of half a pocket unit provides the gap described in the conceptual diagramme for sustainable strategies in both linear and curvilinear solutions. The radii constructed from the circle expands also the surface area of the facade, compared to a flat design, which enables a larger area of energy capturing surface if solar cells are implemented. This is a concept used in plant life through among others the water lily (ref.)    

Local system II [conceptual diagramme]

The local system II has been created as the prior with the concept of thermal differentiated pockets. The system operates through corporation between a dislocated repetition of one pocket line to the next. By doing so, are surfaces facing north and south created, which can be use as openings for solar and wind energies. The system has the benefit of dual-directional aiming, which enables an intake and outlet of ventilation air in both south and north direction.

Global I + Local I [1/50 section model]

The model investigates the proportional relation between human scale, size of the thermal pockets and the overall building shape. The flexible geometrical construct enables the global frame to be formed in different positions as is possible in the digital associative model. 

Local System I [envelope division]

To optimise the differentiation of the local system a division of component locations have been made. This guides the population of the global surface to perform better according to ventilation and solar strategies. This scheme will later be extended with implementation of colour and material properties in a further reach for improvement. Creation of local environments through differentiation in component use was investigated in experiment 3. 

Local system I [parametric organisation]

The parametric organisation relies on a circular geometry. Two computational concepts can create the wanted system by either a change in circle diameter and a dislocation in relation to neighbouring circle or simplify keeping the diameter of the circle static and only dislocate the position. The latter is chosen to simply the parametric system. To the right is the local system applied in two scenarios, a linear and curvilinear aggregation, showing the flexibility of the component and its local adaptable behaviour in the global system as investigated through the experiments.    

Spatial organisation 02

The building is divided into 3 main spaces/zones. 1) entrance area 2) core, containing materials and studios and 3) shell, framing open study areas, social spaces and view points. Zone 3 is distributed according to spatial programme and the developed global geometry. The sketch show  a possible plan layout with 3 core units, with vertical and horizontal visitor movement on its sides and 4 shell spaces enabling view and space towards the square to the north and the garden to the south. 

Global system I [ecotect daylight analysis]

The daylight simulation illustrate daylight factor levels from 30 to 60, between the developed global geometry and the neighbouring building. This concludes that the southern wall receives high amounts of light for thermal storage, exterior and interior light conditions and possibility of energy production through solar cells.   

Global system I [environmental strategies]

The global system is developed from 4 strategies enabling variations of design solutions according to simulation feedback and spatial organisation alterations. 

Global system I + Local system I [context]

Global system I + Local system I

A global system, based on topology and sustainable strategies have been populated with three orientations of the same local system to perform analytical iterations focused on solar and wind strategies.   

Local system 01 orientation north.

Local system 01 orientation south

Local system 01 orientation west

Local system I [solar and wind strategies]

The local system take use of the prevailing wind from the north and variations of solar radiation through reflector curvature, material and orientation.    

Local system I [conceptual diagramme]

The local system is created as thermal pockets, with differentiated volumes to reflect different thermal demands in different zones and towards different orientations. It enables a series of environmental concepts through solar reflection, absorption, insulation and wind catching.

   

Topology to Parametrics II

The illustrations show a series of developments from base topology as a point cloud, creating curvatures, envelope and space. All joint in an associative/parametric constellation, which can be fed by information based on climate and topography.

Topology to Parametrics

Contouring the chosen topology (or a series of topologies) as base geometry into a series of parametric controlled curvatures enable a connection from topology studies into a global performative system. Differentiation within curve densities are investigated according to programme and formation need.

Design path

Topology study

16 different topologies are created within 4 groups; touching, vertical, pockets and square to explore site relations, composition, solar/shade effects to create a base geometry for an adaptive 'pre-solution'. 

Barcelona