Architectural Design IV: Albis Arena (Emerson)

Abstract

We shall design an arena, a public building for performing and watching sport. With origins as landscape structures in ancient times, arenas are typically defined by ground; dug in, cut and sculpted earth and stone. Then they rose out of the ground as pure-structure never fully enclosed.

Objective

ANALYSIS Undertake several types of research simultaneously including: -Qualitative site/building analysis (photographic, drawing) -Basic topographic surveying including making tools and/or devices for horizontal and vertical measurement -Systematic analysis (inventory of uses, material history, social history, etc…) -Technical analysis (geology, climate, ecology) -Interpret and synthesise information above into a concise and ongoing knowledge base for the design of a project. -Assimilate small, fragmentary observations into broad understanding of place, building, etc… ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN -Prepare 2D and 3D line drawing of built fabric and landscape structures under observation -Formulate a spatial concept for a project, demonstrating an understanding of conceptual, spatial and programmatic decisions -Demonstrate an ability to design interior and exterior spaces, as well as the space around a building -Consider and understand the relationship and impact of a design on a wider landscape. -Develop an integrated and relevant structural, constructional and environmental concept for the project -Demonstrate understanding of the environmental performance of a project -Demonstrate a good understanding of professional regulation and ethical responsibilities of the architect -Demonstrate that all proposed designs are fully accessible -Develop designs with reference to historical, political, cultural and other creative and technical fields -Demonstrate, through design work, a growing knowledge of contemporary and historical architectural discourse -Demonstrate, through design work, a critical understanding of climate change and the ethical responsibilities of the architect REPRESENTATION -Develop a critical eye in photographic recording of both place and design work with reference to broad photographic traditions -Develop ability to make fast sketch models and complex presentation models with precise conceptual purpose -Develop high level of skill in 2D and 3D line drawings -Develop an understanding of the status and purpose of different kinds of representation, and deploy them effectively -Use detailed drawings and models to illustrate the constructional concept of a project -Demonstrate high technical and critical proficiency in 2D and 3D CAD drafting and modelling -Demonstrate high technical and critical proficiency in image making and collage COMMUNICATION -Demonstrate ability to work, learn and communicate as a whole studio, in small groups and individually. -Develop ability to assimilate a broad range of working practices. -Be able to clearly and concisely describe a concept, working practice, and outcome. EVALUATION The semester work will be graded as a whole after the final crit. The grade will reflect the project presented in the final crit and overall progress during the semester. The final grade will include individual project work and contribution to group work and seminars. Grades are given to individuals and not to pairs or groups. There will be no arithmetic breakdown to the final grade. You will be given feedback on progress during the interim crits and in tutorials. Questions regarding individual progress can be raised in tutorials. Written warning will be sent to students at risk of failing (however the absence of such letter is not a guarantee of a pass). Each student is responsible for recording feedback during crits and you are encouraged to ask a colleague to take notes during for you.

Content

“Ecological awareness is just another name for context explosion.” "we simply can’t be on the outside looking in" Being Ecological, 2018, Timothy Morton Far from being banal, mono-functional spaces away from the richness of metropolitan culture, the edge of cities are vital and multi-layered territories where work, leisure and sport are integrated in productive and ecological landscapes that have a great deal to offer contemporary life. The diversity of architectural types and landscapes documented in the Friesenberg Atlas could be seen as attempt to describe the nature of place. The design for Vereins made last semester have also demonstrated how small community organisations live together, interconnected with infrastructures, diverse topographies and ecologies to create a natural territory. And how even the smallest interventions can transform an ecosystem. Adjustments to walking patterns, to enclosures and openings on the surface change everything below or besides. Reimagining former architectures can create new things from the ends of others. It is a big space and a small space. Like the Eames’ The Powers of Ten, it is logarithmic, oscillating between the miniscule and the epic. Drawing the Atlas led the way with lines that literally describe the walk through the city, the blade of grass points to the lie of the land. Most of all, the Atlas and Verein have shown, far from being amorphous spaces, powerful spatial structures can bring beauty, biodiversity and human action into what can be seen as The Great Interior. This semester, we shall explore how larger structures bring another social, material and spatial disciplines to these edge spaces. We shall design an arena, a public building for performing and watching sport (and perhaps more). With origins as landscape structures in ancient times, arenas are typically defined by ground; dug in, cut and sculpted earth and stone. Then they rose out of the ground as pure-structure never fully enclosed. We will look for how structure and materiality can be the conceptual and technical engine of architectural design. We shall frame the design process in terms of the complex and very much contested field of energy. What is embodied energy? It concerns the body of course, the athlete and the human physicality the arena celebrates. But it also concerns the urgent field weighing and measuring our resources as we attempt to recast our use of resources. It concerns design. The body may be analogous to our material world; fragile, weak, requiring extreme care to ensure its health, wellbeing and happiness. But also strong, inventive, resourceful and capable of extraordinary good just as it can inflict untold violences. How are these measured and calculated and what value does it have as our culture runs blindly towards catastrophic climate change? How do we design another great interior?

Resources