ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE PROGRAMME 2010-2011 DESIGN REPORT

AMBIGUOUS BOUNDAY: COMMUNAL SPACE FOR WORKING CLASS

WONG Chi Ming May 2011

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12

ntroduction Methodology An investigation on the need 〇

the working group —heory of ambiguity Case study -actors related to ambiguous 30undary Test Exploration of the unit type anc composition Site selection and site potential Site analysis and programme Building strategy Conclusion

〇 ntroduction- s〇aa issue

Ambiguous boundary communal space for working group

Within the high dense city centre like Central and Mongkok, working class is the majority of the population. This group of people has a specific activity pattern and lifestyle. They represent a flowing population of a district. They move in and out of the city from day to night. Being an archi-tectural student，I start to think about what kind of recreational space they need.

The interest and the need of this working group seem to be ignored by the government. The rec-reational space in Central or Mongkok is limited and lack of variety. The usage of the recreational facilities in city centre by the working group are relatively low. This reveals a problem that the current design of recreational space dose not fit the need of the working group.

What interested me is the ambiguous recreation-al space like back lane and plaza are favored by the working group. The word ‘ambiguous，

is being used because from my point of view, these space are ambiguous in terms of function, boundary, public and private etc. But this ambi-guity allows a large variety of activity to be hap-pened in the same place.

My thesis will focus on 2 issues. The need of the working group and the possible solution- ambigu-ous recreational space.

01 INTRODUCTION

〇 ntroduction- architectura issue

Definition of Ambiguity seg「egat〇n of space

As explained in the previous paragraph, the ambiguity of a space maybe is the key point to design a communal space for the working group. Ambiguity is a very conceptual terms to describe a space. The definition of ambiguity will be ex-plored. The architectural elements which contrib-ute to the establishment of ambiguous boundary will also be studied.

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Diagram a - the architectural interest is to explore how to segregate a space into a number of 'rooms'. On the other hand, the nature of fluid and continuity is main-tained.

Diagram b - example of a public space to demonstrate the unique spatial quality re-quired by a public space or a public building

Focus will be make on segregation of space, try to challenge the definition of room The aim of the study is to explore how to create a continuous space with strong sense of rooms.

As I believe that some programme like museum ，gallery, plaza or other public building do require a continuous and fluid space. On the other hand, the space will be subdivided into smaller division through ambiguous boundary. The ambiguous boundary between the 'rooms' allow different group of people to carry out different activities in the same public space. That is the common nature of a public space or a public building.

01 INTRODUCTION

02 methodolygy

The need of the working class in HK Architectural means to establish an ambiguous boundary

The exploration and investigation can be mainly divided into two parts: the need of the working group and the method of creating an ambigu-ous boundary through architectural means. The method of exploration is as follows.

The need of working group- Case study of Cen-tral market will be used to explore the need of working group. As proposed by the government, the Central market in Central will be conserved and turned into an ‘urban oasis'. The Central market will become a new communal space to serve the working class. The data and survey conducted by the government and other organi-zation will be used as a reference to understand the need of the working group.

Other than case study of the Central market, specific study on the need of the working group and their life style will be carried out after site selection for the design project.

The method of how to create an ambiguous boundary Theory from other architects like Kengo Kuma and Toyo Ito will be studied. The theories will be used as a reference to define the definition of ambiguity from different point of view. Case study of public building in foreign countries will be used to explore how to create an ambiguous boundary through architectural means.

0 3 METHODOLOGY

03 an investigation on the need of the working class

Dub ic space to ailows different activities to be happen

大公報 2009-10-30

街市的主要建築意義是它具 「時代的建築風格」、反映 「近代結構技術」發展過程 的代表性。正如市建局主席 指出，街市是簡約、以橫向 線條（流線）為主的建築風 格，是二戰前後流行的設計 趨向。

香港經濟日報2010-09-03

若該書店要落戶中環及銅鍵 灣區，樓面逾3萬平方卩尺，在 近年舖租升幅拾級而上的情 況，根本難在私人或發展商 持有物業落戶

「文化沙漠」，書店可成「 沙漠中的綠洲」，絕對配合 項目活化主題。

信報財經新聞2010-06-01

負責活化計劃的「城市綠洲」社 區諮詢委員會龍炳頓教授指出， 現在就中環街市活化計劃作全港 問卷調查，得出部分結果，同意 中環街市活化後不應太重商業味

香港商報 2010-06-01

超過七成人贊成改善建築物 外觀及內部間隔；超過九成 人贊成將天台改為綠化公共 空間；逾七成半人贊成取消 現時面向皇后大道中的公 廁，日後改建為休閒或綠化 空間；近九成受訪者期望建 築物將來提供無障礙通道、 種植樹木及透明上蓋等設 備。

發現其保護層經已嚴重受 損，不少鋼筋甚至出現嚴重 生鏽，堅稱「原汁原味」的 保育方案是不可行。

香港經濟日報2010-06-01

6，019名市民，了解他們對中 環街市用途意見，經常與不 經常到訪中環的人各接近一 半，其餘為外地遊客。結果 顯示，82%人支持街市變身城 市綠洲，若以此為主題，依 次最多人想街市做休閒活動 場地、公共綠化及文化藝術 活動場地，支持率由50%至 62%不等，其他有30%想有餐 飲購物設施。

希望能夠與周圍環境協調， 內部亦應保留部分街市檔位 的特色。

The Central market will be turned into an urban oasis as proposed by the govern-ment. Survey is conducted to understand the need of the working class in Central and other shareholders. The result revealed that the majority of the interviewers need more green space in Central which allows people to carry out differ-ent activities over there. Other than turning the Central market into a public green space, the majority if the interviewer also expressed the space for cultural activities and cheap local res-taurant should also be included in the Urban Oasis.

METHODOLOGY ( M

neory OT amoigui

the beauty of simple and natural form - allows flexible usage Dailiciizing, emptiness, activities

Kengo Kuma

Kengo Kuma 's architecture theory on ambiguity is to ‘erase architecture. Architecture is be-ing erased by different strategies, so that different space are con-nect together and a building will become one with its surrounding. The strategies of erasing architec-ture developed by Kengo Kuma are as follows.

1) Use floor to subtly divides and connects space. Like the Atami guesthouse proj-ect, the water deck plays a lead-ing role to connect the people in-side with the surrounding. Floor is used as the key element to subtly divide the space. The walls are made of glass in order to erase the architecture.

2)Particlizing By breaking the materials into smaller particles, the boundary between space can be blurred and the nature can ring back into

the architecture. By particlizing the material, the thing like light wind and sound can pass through from one space to another space freely. Each materia丨 has its own way of being particlizing, it is important to choose the right material and cor-rect size of units when we design. The perception of the space relat-ed to the activity of the user, their distance from the particles and the speed of their activities

0 5 THEORY OF AMBIGUITY

Toyo Ito Ito believe that an ambigu-ous space is a natural base allows people to change the usage of the space continu-ously. ‘an ambiguous space with simply and natural form allows people to have multi-interpretation on it.’

Some people believe that Ito's keyword towards an am-biguous space is emptiness ‘Ito has created conditions that seem to make it possible for anything to happen, as if

on a stage without scenery, bare and therefore rich in po-tential. Ito challenges the old method by which strictly de-fined functions are assigned to the space. And when I saw the building finished, even before its inauguration, I noted a positive sense of emptiness, a sensation that was not just one of great flex-ibility but also one of waiting for something.'

All Mada-nipour Ali Madanipour believe that a sense of territory does not necessarily need to be es-tablished by wall or physical boundary. A continuous exei-tion of control over a particu-lar part of physical space by an individual or a group will create a sense of territory. And she believe that an am-biguous boundary will pro-

mote permeability and social interaction

05 THEORY OF AMBIGUITY

05.2 case study

Municipal Library and reading park landscape and materia

0 10 20 40m

Municipal library and Reading Park is used as a case study to explore the factors which contribute to establishment of ambiguous boundary through architectural means. Munici-pal library is located in Torre Pacheco which is completed in 2007. The 2 storeys high project includes more than 30 indoors and outdoors program

which allows different activities to be happened at the same time.

The simple but sophisticated space segregation method will be illustrated with models and diagram. The case study can be mainly divided into five parts: space organization, inclined angle of

the landscape，material, path and enhancement of spatial quality.

0 7 CASE STUDY

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1 night study room I 2 reading room area 丨 6 reception and service area

I 3 study room I 4 video and music library I 5 book shelf 7 classroom I 8 sport court I 9 children playground with

fountain I 10 dunes I 11 teen's playground I 12 adult's playground I 13 garden I 14 garden I 15 playground and viewpoint I 16 learn ing games maps 丨 17 skating track I 18 concerts' area I 19 forest 丨 20 ma in parking entrance I 21 reading park I 22 mosaic topography I 23 shading area 丨 24 art gallery entrance 丨 25 bicycle parking and winter garden 丨 26 reading court 丨 27 children reading court 丨 28 planter I 29 winter garden entrance

CASE STUDY 0 8

05.2 case study

organization of space break down re-organize the mass

The space organization is the first step to achieve ambiguous boundary and flexible layout. It is the first step to control the rela-tionship between different pro-grams. Through the organization of space, different level of inti-macy between programs can be achieved. The space organization strategies used in this case are as follows.

Break down and reorganize-inti-macy of spacx The project accommodates over 30 different function for different age groups. Through the process of breaking down and reorganiz-ing. A sense of intimacy is estab-lished between different space.

Indoor space as the principl line of spatial arrangement The indoor library space be-comes the principle line of the spatial arrangement. The arrangement of the outdoor space will change if the prin-ciple line change. The spatial arrangement established a great intimacy between indoor space and outdoor space.

area of exposure The linear arrangement of the indoor space increase the exposure area of the indoor space towards the outdoor space. By articulating the boundary between the space, different level of intimacy will be established.

The total build-ing area is about 20000 meter sq. The municipal library and read-ing park is further broken down into pieces to accom-modate different function for differ-ent age group

project consists, 'outdoor space. The tot of the outdoor space 1!|

18517 m(|

0 9 CASE STUDY

2 The building is mainly divided into two groups- indoor space and out door space

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The linear arrangement of the indoor space becomes the prin ciple line of the spatial arrange ment of the whole project

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B The indoor and out door space are closely packed together. Different space are intimate with each other

The indoor space includes 1) a night study room, 2) reading area 3) study room 4) video and music library 5) book shelf area 6) reception ad

The outdoor space is divided into 24 small pieces which accommodate different func-tion for different age group.

CASE STUDY 10

05.2 case study

space defining element ~'he space is subtly divided by landscape and material space is maintainec

The inclined angle established a sense of entrance and defined the boundary of the project.

O The inclined angle towards the surrounding increase the intimacy between the building and the sur-rounding

inclined angle The landscape play an impor-tant role as an space defining element in this project. Through a cutting and folding operation, different space is formed. The inclined angle of the floor plate established dif-ferent meaning in the project. Space are weakly defined by the inclined angle.

11 CASE STUDY

The inclined angle of each piece are slightly different from each other. Space are weakly defined by the inclined angle.

sense of continuity and fluic

material Materials with different colour and texture are used as the paving for the outdoor space. The space are subtly defined by the floor. The dif-ference in texture and color determine the in-timacy between space

continuous space on different level A path to indoor private space and the out-door public space are connected together to form a loop. The intimacy between public and private space is increased through the con-tinuous path

CASE STUDY 12

When the programme are closely packed together and subtly divided by ambiguous boundary, there are few ad-vantages can be enjoyed.

The first advantage of ambig-uous boundary is to achieve a flexible layout. By providing minimum facilities and putting different programmes which has similar spatial quality together, the usage of the public space can be changed overtime depends on the need of the end user. Diagram A

demonstrated how the us-age of each subdivision can be changed and merged with others. The usage and the size of each subdivision is re-defined by users overtime.

Another advantage of am-biguous boundary is the enhancement of spatial qual-ity. Refer to the case study. The intimacy of between the outdoor courtyard and the in-door library enhanced each other's spatial quality. People can enjoy the good view of

the green space in the library while inter-block shading is provided to the courtyard space.

13 CASE STUDY

05 enhancement of spatial quali

flexible layout enhancement of spatial quality

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05 summary of the case study

Municipal Library and read-ing Park demonstrated how an ambiguous boundary can be established through architectural means and the benefit of estab-lishing an ambiguous boundary. Through case study of Municipal Library and Reading Park, we can notice that there are few steps to establish an ambigu-ous boundary in a complicated project.

1) The first step is to esti-mate the floor area required by different programs. By under-stand the nature of the program and floor area required by the program, the potential of differ-ent space organization can be drawn out.

2) Space organization is the next step to achieve flexible layout and ambiguous bound-ary. The location and size of each sub-division determine the relationship and intimacy between different programs. A good space organization strat-egy provides a basic framework for establishment of ambiguous boundary.

3) Space can be subtly de-fined by landscape and material. Special attention should be paid to the meaning of the inclined angle. A subtle difference of the inclined angle can have huge influence to the project. The in-clined angle of the landscape can give people a sense of direction, a sense of 6门trance, a sense of focus point etc.

4) While the space is subtly divided by ambiguous boundary, there are few advantages can be enjoy. Refers to the case, a flex-ible layout can be achieved in the outdoor space.

CASE STUDY 14

05.2 case study

Chokkura Plaza and Shelter, Kengo Kuma The Chokkura Plaza and Shelter is located in Takanezawam, a small township north of Tokyo, designed by Kngo Kuma in 2007. The Chokkura Plaza and Shelter will be used as a case study to investigate the material selection criteria and the method of particlizing as proposed by Kengo Kuma. Other than this, the space organization of the project will also be studied.

15 CASE STUDY

Bring the surrounding nature into the building space organization and particiizing the material

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semi ourdoor =225 sq. m =56.4

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Space organization One of the design intension of the project is to bring the sur-rounding nature into the build-ing.

By organizing the indoor and semi-outdoor space in an linear and alternative way, not only all the room can enjoy

the beautiful nature, but also the intimacy between indoor and semi-outdoor space can be enhanced.

The biggest difference between indoor space and outdoor space is spatial quality, e.g. the lighting condition, view, openness

etc. By bringing the sur-rounding nature into the building, the boundary or difference between indoor and outdoor space is weak-en.

CASE STUDY 16

05.2 materia

〕articlizing materia Architectural meaning of the pattern

This project demonstrates how to use solid material to establish an ambiguous boundary. The main build-ing material of this project is Oya stone. Oya stone is a local ma-terial. Another reason of using Oya stone is to ‘ease’ architecture-make the building match with the surrounding nature. The unique texture of stone can evoke a sense of nature which cannot be replaced

by other material. The pattern of the wall is designed for the following reasons

Material and structure Oya stone is easily cut into any shape as it is a soft ma-terial. By taking this advan-tage, the oya stone is being cut into different shape with different inclined angle. On the other hand, as the oya stone is too soft to withstand the tensile force, steel frame is needed to support the brick wall

From old to new The nearby brick is being pre-served and converted to a cafe. The new building nearby is the extension of the cafe. The changing pattern of the brick represents the change from old to new.

Permeability The pattern of the brick wall makes the solid brick wall be-comes permeable. The perme-ability is controlled by the size of the hole and the translucent material.

17 CASE STUDY

05.2 summary of the case study

Chokkura Plaza and Shelter, Kengo Kuma Choice of materia

Selection of material Kengo Kuma

Although Kengo Kuma's ar-chitecture theory is' to erase architecture', the ambiguous boundary or partition is not necessary to be built by glass or acrylic. Kengo Kuma be-lieves that each material has it own unique characteristic which can evoke a strong sense of emotion. Each ma-terial has its own capability

of being broken down. By un-derstanding the nature of the material, we will find the way to erase the architecture and establish an ambiguous bound-ary.

The relationship between ma-terial, architecture and ambi-guity is further explained by Kengo Kuma 'When I arrived at this realiza-tion, I was released from a problem that had been bother-ing me for a long time: how

to reconcile the intention to make architecture disappear with the necessity of mak-ing it iconic. Now I recognize that architecture can also become an icon, when, in the process of trying to erase it from its environment, the architect undertakes the bold task of challenging the over-whelming presence of mate-rials. This is why architecture can become a presence to be remembered.’

In this project, the pattern of the material have significant architectural meaning towards the project. The architectural meaning are as follows

1) It represents the transfor-mation from old to new 2) The pattern is directly re-lated to the size of the whole. It is a means to control the in-timacy between rooms. 3) The pattern itself is part of the structural system. It is a

response to the softness of the stone

CASE STUDY 18

^_ :ors related to ambiguous boundary

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As a summary of the theory and the analysis from the case study, the above diagram, it states the relationship be-tween architectural elements, type of boundary, intimacy of the space and the potential

advantage of having an am-biguous boundary. There are four factors which contribute to establishment of ambigu-ous boundary. They are space organization, particlizing of material, lighting quality and

nature of the programme. The boundary can be divided into 2 categories. One is physical boundary, the other one is spatial boundary. Physical bound-ary means the real mate-

19 CASE STUDY

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the space

sense of cohesion

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Flexible layout

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enhance the spatial quality

rial boundary which you can touch and visible. The spatial boundary means the spatial difference (e.g. light quality) between two 'rooms' creates an immaterial edge for the space.

The above factors determine the ambiguity of the bound-ary and the intimacy between 'rooms'

CASE STUDY 2 0

07 tes"

A test to try out the potential of different architectura elements in creating an ambiguous boundary

3 5 6

Renovation of Central market 33 an experiment Central market will be used as a test to try out the potential of different architectural elements in creating an ambiguous boundary. The current usage and boundary type is being studied.

The boundary in the existing Central market are as follows 1) facade - boundary of the building

The function of the building facade is to define the bound-ary of the building. Other than this, it also act as the 'weather' boundary of the building which controls the wind and light en-ter the building also protect the building from weather. 2) Floor slab - boundary be-tween floor The floor slab become the boundary of between different levels 3) Column and beam - struc-

ture and space defining ele-ment The beams and column becomes the main structure of the building. The columns also act as the space defining element 4)material Different materials are being applied into different 'slot' in order to further differentiate the space.

21 TEST

path as the principle line - The current us-age of the central market can be mainly categorized into three parts-cultural space, path and shop.

facade - boundary of the building Floor slab - boundary between floor

Column and beam - struc-ture and space defining element

material

The usage pattern of the ex-isting Central market is stud-ied to reorganize the space. Diagram A shows that the usage of the shop will reach its peak during lunch time in weekdays. While the cultural space will reach its peak dur-ing afternoon in weekend.

TEST 2 2

07 :es"

A test to try out the potential of different architectura elements in creating an ambiguous boundary

The first model is a trial of us-ing level change of roof and floor to differentiate the space. Wall or any vertical element is eliminated to maintain the con-tinuity of the space. By chang-ing the material of the roof, the space underneath is further differentiated with different light intensity(spatial boundary).

Review on the first model: As there is no vertical element

to block the view , people can view the whole space at a time. There are too much layer for the people to per-ceive. It may be good to have some vertical element to limit the depth of the space.

The second model is a trial to use surface to segregate the continuous space. The sur-face is a combination of roof and wall. The ‘pocket，space acts as vertical wall to block the view at certain point. This

can limit the depth of the space. The pocket space is further differentiated from others by different light intensity

Review on the second model: The pocket like element is a good way to limit the depth of the space. Unlike the conventional vertical element e.g. wall. The smooth surface can main-tain the sense of fluid and

continuity. The third model is a trial on defining the space through the curved vertical element. The 'wall' is being broken down into louvers to maintain the continu-ity of the space. Space is fur-ther differentiate with each oth-ers by different light intensity.

Review on the third model: The vertical element is too much which make the space lost the sense of continuity. Although the vertical wall is curved, the

sense of fluidity is weak when compares to the second model.

Conclusion : As a summary of the three model, surface is a good way to segregate space. The depth of the space can be limited and the sense of fluidity can be maintain.

The third model revealed that the geometry and the compo-sition of the ‘room，may affect the continuity and fluidity of a space.

2 3 TEST

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TEST 2 4

08 exploration of the unit type and composition

Different boundary condition in differnet unit type and different composition

R1 unit type arrangement

R2

R3

how you experience the boundary

path place of ambiguity type of boundary

experience the boundary between room

ambiguity between room

wall

the extend of ambiguity

merge

can totally merge become one

\幾幾幾 experience the ambiguity between wall and the void cannot merge boundary between room and void become one

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shape of the space invisible boundary

still can read the shape of each unit

Investigation Base on the geometry explo-ration, it is interesting to find out that by using the same basic unit, the path, place of ambiguity, boundary type and level of continuity will change with the change of unit arrangement. Another interesting finding is that we can still perceive the com-plete profile of the unit even we erase the overlapped part

(row 3) In order to understand the per-ception of the missing profile. We should first understand how we perceive an object.,

According to the book percep-tion of space, the perception of a shape is based on three features, they are the profile of the object, the surface fig-ure of the object and its back-ground.

And the law of continuity stat-ed that a broken line will tend to hold together as a com-plete line when the length of the missing profile is shorter than the length of the broken line. And their is a difference between straight line and a curve. A straight line will con-tinue in an apparent straight direction while a curve will continue in the direction of a curve.

2 3 EXPLORATION OF THE UNIT TYPE AND COMPOSITION

R4 〇

R5 〇

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R7

R8

experience the boundary between room and void

the scale of the space defferentiate with x)tl=»efs ^ ^

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the big space has more contact point

wall and the void

wall and the void

shape of the space invisible boundary

断 O o o ^ wail and the void

shape of the space invisible boundary

EXPLORATION OF THE UNIT TYPE AND COMPOSITION 2 4

08 exploration of the unit type and composition

Different boundary condition in differnet unit type and different composition

R10

R11

R12

R13

R14

R15

unit type arrangement path place of ambiguity type of boundary

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floor and ceiling spatial boundary

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wall and the void

spatial boundary spac

wall and the void spatial boundary

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curve wall

R7 to R19 is the further explo-ration on the composition of different geometry with differ-ent shape and scale. R7 to R9 shows that the 'room' can be differentiated with each oth-ers by different scale. R10 to

R12 show than if the unit is curved, a continuous space with rhythm will be created when they are joined together. And the curved surface can help us to read the composi-tion of a continuous space. For

example, in R15, the curve surface of the cone allow us to read the composition of a continuous space easily.

2 5 EXPLORATION OF THE UNIT TYPE AND COMPOSITION

The geometry is not only a means to segregate space, it is also a means to connect different space together. For example, in R19, The cone can be further divided into smaller units by the floor slab. The profile of the cone

connects the space on different level, people will perceive that is one continuous space even it is further divided into 3 levels.

EXPLORATION OF THE UNIT TYPE AND COMPOSITION 2 6

unit type arrangement place of amblgurty type of boundary

R16

R17

R18

form as connection

unit type arrangement

the connectivity affect the potential of ambiguity

and surfece of the volumn wall spatial boundary void as spatial and physical boundary

only the rooms which is physical connected can merge become

place of ambiguity type of boundary

R

08 exploration of the unit type and composition

Different boundary condition in ciiffernet unit type and different composition

Base on the Graphical study of unit composition, physical mod-el is used a means to test the idea and experience the spatial quality. The aim of the explora-tion through model is to explore the relationship between mate-rial, unit type and composition.

A series of model is developed base on the 'overlapped' com-position of the geometry.

Model 1 is composed by 5 simple blocks, each block is rotated and joint together to create a continuous space. The rotation of the blocks give each block a unique sense of orientation. Mesh is used as

the modelling material, the permeability of the mesh maintain the sense of continuity and allows us to read the profile of each unit clearly.

Model 2 and model 3 is the further exploration on the composition of the mesh blocks

Model 4 and 5 are explora-tions of different geometry composition with solid material. By using the solid material, the sense of room will be stronger, But the sense of continuity and fluidity will be lost.

Another interesting finding is that when solid material is used as the modelling material, these geometry composition will lost the sense of direction. As the size and shape of each unit is similar, and there does not have a clear path. People will get lost in such space.

One of the possible solution is too use solid material and transparent material together as shown in model. The solid part of the wall reveals the pro-file of the unit. The transparent part gives people a sense of di-rection as the view within each unit is different.

2 7 EXPLORATION OF THE UNIT TYPE AND COMPOSITION

6 6. EXPLORATION OF THE UNIT TYPE AND COMPOSITION 28

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09 Site se ecti〇门 and site potentia

transitional hub to connect surrounding unban content

Harcourt garden in Admiralty is being selected as the site of the design project. The site is located in a complicated site content. It is surrounded by of-fice, shopping mall, arts school and residential block in Wan Chai.

There are a number of prob-lems in the surrounding urban content. The problem are as follows. 1) There are not enough res-taurants and sitting places for the working class during lunch

time. 2) the nearby art school do not have enough exhibition space for the student to exhibit their works. 3) In the old residential district in Wanchai, there is not enough big public plaza and green space for the residence.

Site potentia! The existing park acts as an centre of the high dense urban area. It can be de-signed as a transitional hub

to connect the surrounding urban content. By providing the need of the shareholders, people will be wiling to stay in the park and enjoy the green-ery.

The common need of the shareholders is the provision of public indoor and outdoor space which allows them to carry out different activities at different time. The working class need public space for sitting during lunch time. The students from the arts school

2 9 SITE SELECTION AND SITE POTENTIAL

,r

lack of functional programme to at-tract the people

no enough space for student to dis-play their work

insufficient food store and sitting area during rush hour office

government

1 art school

government

no enough out-door communal

commercial

residential

not enough com munal space in the old district

not enough sit-ting area for the people

need public space to exhibit their works. The residence need public space and green space for leisure and holding event in certain oc-casion

The idea of ambiguous boundary can be applied to

project. The subtle division of the space and the emptiness of the project allow people to have multiple reading on the layout. The sense of continuity and fluidity can be maintained by ambiguous boundary in order to promote flexible layout and social

integration. The boundary of the project, the boundary between in door and outdoor and the bound-ary of each subdivision will be challenge through ambiguous boundary.

30 SITE SELECTION AND SITE POTENTIAL

〇 site analysis and proposed programme

Dub ic space multiple reading on the layout

site analysis- human flow

programme as a mean to attract

culture space leisure area

/ /

The site is mainly connected by bridges to the surround-ing urban contents. In order to enhance the connectivity to the surrounding, it will be good if the landscape like build-ing has a strong connection to the bridges and acts as an transitional hub. Programme need by the shareholders will be included to attract people to visit the building and enjoy the facilities. Fast food shop and cafe will be included in the building provided with indoor and outdoor sitting area. Small gallery which is about 6m x

6m be provided for the students to exhibit their works. Plaza with different size and green space will be provided for the nearby residence to hold event oc-casionally.

A high level of intimacy between gallery, cafe, sit-ting area ad plaza can be achieved through spatial organization and establish-ment of ambiguous bound-ary in the landscape like building.

31 SITE ANALYSIS AND PROPOSED PROGRAMME

Dui ding strateg

composition of different geometry Continuity of space

the boundary of the room is created by per-ception- extension of the profile

to subdivide the one big single space into smaller one

maintain the strong sense of continuity and sense of 'room'

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The continuity and fluidity of the indoor space will be one of the key design issue for the project. One of the potential design strategies of the building is to com-pose a continuous space with different geometries. Special attention should be pay to the sense of direc-tion in the design stage. As if the building is composed by similar geometry, one is the problem is it lacks of sense of direction. Possible solutions can be refers to section07 and section 08. By limiting the depth of space, transparency of ma-terial, form of the geometry, view, a sense of direction can be created.

lack of sense of direction too depth to perceive the layer

building strategy 32

�

3 3 summar/ of the report , - •

Summary of the report The interest of the thesis is to explore the how an ambiguous boundary can be estab-lished through architectural means. There are a number of way to subtly define a space. After a series of exploration, com-position of different geometry is selected as the main strategy to develop the project. A site surrounded by complicated urban content is being selected to demonstrate the idea of ambiguous boundary. The proposed landscape like building and the establishment of ambiguous boundary will challenge and demonstrate few ideas.

-to act as a transitional hub to connect the surrounding urban content -to challenge the boundary of the building by merging the building into the landscape, -to challenge the indoor and outdoor boundary by bring the nature into the build-ing -to subdivided the continuous space into smaller one and maintain the sense of con-tinuity and fluidity -to design a simple building which allows people to have multiple reading of the lay-out - t o enhance the spatial quality through space organization and established of am-biguous boundary

summary of the repoit 34

part two : design ambiguous boundary a new skin of public space

门dex

00 desgin statement and design strategy

01 a skin response to site 02 detail of the skin - axo and sec-

tion 03 ambiguous boundary strategy 04 a skin response programme 05 a skin response structure 06 mode丨 photo

〇〇 design statement and desgin strategy

ambiguous boundary a new skin of pubiic space

weaken and blur the definition between the subdivision

•川丨丨丨丨丨丨丨丨……川“丨丨“丨！丨丨！丨丨丨丨丨丨丨丨丨⑴丨•"“丨丨川丨丨…丨丨…丨丨丨川"丨"丨…丨丨"丨丨丨丨丨"•丨""… 11|11川丨�⑴丨丨丨⑴丨川丨川丨⑴丨丨⑴⑴出丨川丨1�丨丨丨丨丨丨丨丨丨丨丨丨丨丨丨川丨丨丨丨丨丨川丨丨丨丨丨丨丨丨丨川

2 • 3 4

undefined boundary

lack of a sense of pla sense of room

I of the boundary / shape of

obvious boundary

lack of a sense of continuity

physical boundary spatial [boundary

vertical wall level change ceiling light quality path experience

basic architecture element

• • • perception of space -extension of building profile

design statement segregation of space VS . continuity

Different programs require different spatial quality. Public space or public building like plaza or museum normally require some fluid and continuous space, when dealing with such program, ar-chitect use different method to subtly segregate space in order to maintain the continuity and fluidity. 'Ambiguous boundary' is being applied in such case. The interest of this study is to explore how to segregate a continuous space on the other hand the sense of place is be-ing maintain.

This study is going to challenge the defi-nition of 'room', 'room' is a place which defined by different architectural element which normally has a strong sense of place, it makes people want to stay and allow different human activities to hap-pen. When this language is being trans-formed to plaza or other public space, it becomes a challenge to the architect -what can architecture do to subtly sug-gest the boundary for certain activities, on the other hand, the sense of place

design strategy A curvy skin is used as an architectual language to test the idea of ambiguous boundary.

Due to the geometrical uniqueness, curved slab is being chosen as the archi-tectural language to test the idea. First of all, each curve has a centre which can easily create a focal point (which is relat-ed to the sense of place ). Secondly, Due to the perception of human, the broken curve will be continue which can subtly suggest the boundary for certain area.

The design will demonstrate how to ma-nipulate the curved skin in order to subtly segregate the continuous space. More-over, the design will demonstrate how a curved skin response to site, programme and structure.

37 design statement and design strategy

〇 a skin response to site

si te - poor response to the of nearby sha reho lde r

boundary A new sk in to T h e n e w s k i n wIM on.^

connec t ion to the main path T h e s k i n is b e i n g se t b a c k to c r e a t e a m a i n 丨

l u n c h t i m © a n d n i g h t Time.

i E V

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connec t ion to the ex is t ing pedes t r i an br idge and undergound carpark T h e s k i n is b e i n g p u s h e d to c o n n e c t I he e x i s t i n g p e d e s -

To enhance the connec t i on to th surrounchng-To m o d i f y t he f o r m of I h e s k i n by "cut a n d push" .

To enhance the connec t i on to the su r round ing .

t n d o o r s t ruc tu re

\ . ^ / V '

To enhance the connec t i on indoor space and roo f top

To enhi indoor t c o n t i n u o u s p a t h b r e s t e d by • c u U “ i g

connec t i on Indoor space P a r t o f t he ij-kin is et

Structure 丨 l a y e r s to c r e a t e he w h o l e p r o i e c f .

To enhance the connec t i on be-tween indoor space and roo f top

A t

To enhance the connec t i on be tween indoor space and roo f top 、 c o n t i n u o u s p a t h bet ' .veen indoc r e s t e d by c u t t i n g a n d p u s h i n g ’

To enh; indoor

the connec t i on bet e and g round f loor

r -c inuous i ted by

To enhance the connec t i on be tween over ran fo rm of the sk in indoor space and g round f loor a s e r i e s o? - ” g a n d p u s h i n g oper?

！ s t r u c u t u r e .

A cont inuous space fo rm roo f top to in between the sk in and under the sk in A c o n t i n u o u s s p a c e a n d p a t h is b e i n g c r e a t e d by a s e r i -ous of c u t t i n g a n d p u s h i n g o p e r a t i o n

To modi fy the l andscape Permeab i l i t y of the skin ' h e s'z . ；he o p e n i n g on t he sk !n -0 ' s u n l i g h t a n d t he v i s u a l ‘

is b e i n g s t u d i e d

a skin response to site 38

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ambiguous boundary

curvature and permeability of the skin

boundary type The word 'boundary' can be applied to differ-ent situation. In order to have a clear design consideration, the boundary type should be clearly defined. In this design exercise, there are four types of boundaries which will be challenged or blurred. They are 'the boundary between indoor and outdoor space', 'bound-ary between transitional space and the main space', 'boundary between main space' and 'boundary within the main space'.

After defining the boundary type, the next step is to blur the boundary or subtly define the boundary with the curved slab. One thing should be bare in mind is that the curved slab is just an architectural language used to express the idea. It is the basic architectural elements establishing the differentiation be-tween zones

design strategy - a skin dealing with basic archi-tectural element

For example, refer to the first column "bound-ary between indoor and outdoor space'. Path is the first architectural element being considered to blur the indoor-outdoor bound-ary'. Creating a continuous path is the first step to blur the indoor-outdoor boundary, so that people can move from indoor space to outdoor space smoothly or vise versa. Creat-ing a continuous path becomes the goal of the design and manipulating the skin becomes a means or an architectural language to achieve this goal. By splitting or merging the two lay-ers of skin, indoor and out door space are be-ing created. People can simply go from indoor space to outdoor space smoothly by following the curvature of the skin.

In a conclusion, the relationship between path - continuous path - merging and splitting the skin is like path is the basic architectural issue we need to deal with. In order to blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor space, we would like to establish a continuous path, that is the goal of the design. And the ma-nipulation of the skin(merging and splitting the skin) is the means or architectural language to

express the idea.

Refers to the diagram, when we talk about the ambiguous boundary strategy, it is about how to manipulate the curvature and the perme-ability of the skin. But actually it is about how the design of the skin response to the basic architectural element like view, scale, enclo-sure, lighting etc. in order to subtly suggest the boundary or the differentiation between different zone.

Key design issue This design exercise demonstrated how a curved skin dealing with basic architectural issue like path, scale, lighting, view etc. It is observed that 'graduate change' seems is one of the key design issue of blurring the boundary between different zones. Graduate change is a way to make thing change from one situation to another smoothly, that is the idea of ambiguity. For example, refers to the diagram - 'graduate change of light quality of entrance 1'’ the difference of brightness be-tween 2 space can create a sense of bound-ary. Graduate change of light quality from

outdoor to indoor door can blur the indoor and outdoor boundary, in order to achieve the graduate change of brightness, different size of holes are being punched onto the skin. The high permeability of the skin makes the indoor space as bright as the outdoor one and allows the change undergoes graduate. The indoor -outdoor boundary is being blurred.

46 ambiguous boundary strategy

a skin response to programme

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4 7 a skin response to programme

change of atmosphere

•"rom light to dark from big to small from open to enclose

a skin to shape the space No fixed programme is being suggested. The function of the skin is to shape the space with different spatial quality and scale, so that people can choose the right place for their own activities. When people are walking through the building, it is like a searching process for them to find the right place for their own activities. The four main space are located at different parts of the building with their own spatial qual-ity. The characteristics of each main space are as follows. Location A - a large, bright and open space. Location B - a small, bright and open space. Location C - medium size, dim and enclosed space. Location D - small, dark and enclosed space. The four space provide a large variety of spatial qual-ity. Together with different size and type of platform on the skin surface, people can choose the right place for their own activities.

48 a skin response to programme

05 a skin resDonse to structure

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Summary of the report This design exercise demonstrate how to carefully work with the basic architectural elements in order to subtly suggest the dif-ferentiation and boundary between differ-ent zones. The curved slab is the common architectural language used throughout the project to express the idea. Other than being a means to achieve the ambiguity of the boundary, the skin also response to site content, programme need and structure. The manipulation of the skin is a compre-hensive design consideration.

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