Modeling Technology

Modeling Technology conceptualising structuring layering (components and elements) detailing (connections)

Authors: UCT BAS2 Tech Sem I

Compiled by: Tom Sanya

Students 2010

Introductory Word This booklet shows selected projects by 2nd year University of Cape Town Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) students in 2010. The projects were undertaken as part of the technology course. Students worked in teams of three to build technological models of parts of selected buildings. The exercise was based on an approach this year which is encompassed in the idea that a heirarchical relationship can be discerned in a building comprised of the following aspects respectively: conceptualisingstructuring-layering-detailing - which are actualised with building materials. This approach, summarised in the diagram below (with the additional proviso that the building as such is located within a wider natural and human environment), underpins teaching and hopefully learning of technology in BAS2 2010.

at multiple scales

The booklet is considered a resource for BAS2 students this year and in the coming years.

Magney House built by Nicola Smith, Marika Strauss and Gustaf van Wyk Bingie Point, New South Wales, Australia Architect: Glenn Murcutt

The project was built 1982-1984 with a client brief asking for a ‘holiday lifestyle’ on the 33 hectare site where they used to camp for many years. The site is situated in an open landscape.With this house the architect explores the ‘poetics’ of the sskeletal frame like a tent with no formal entry, minimal structure and lots of light. The long thin design caters for two sets of accommodation beneath the same ‘gull shaped winged roof’ and is separated by a north facing veranda. The rooms are placed on either side of the circulation axis and cross linked to form structural bays, 5,6m in width. The design was carefully considered in terms of its height; as a double storey might have been more in scale with the site it would also have been more exposed to the tough weather. The architect then integrated the lacking height into the incredible roof form. This form on the north front is directional to the views and natural light. The lower Southern end acts as buffer against prevailing winds with its enclosed masonry wall, 2,1m in height, which is insulated and cladded with corrugated iron. Above the wall runs a fixed patent glazing strip which is used as a privacy screen for the various spaces it lights.

The interior brick walls rise to the height of the aluminium framed sliding doors. This also accommodates the downward movement of the roof’s form and the gutter running the length of the circulation route. The ceilings are visible from the different rooms as glazed clearstory partitions provide visibility and gives a sense of belonging to the overall space. The steel tube column elements, 114mm in diameter, acts as structural framing. On the North side swept rafters consisting out of three curved lengths of tube supports the roof structure. The roof is windbraced by struts of galvanised steel tubing. The design uses galvanised corrugated iron roof covering concealed by a curved plasterboard ceiling moulded to the roof’s form. The North side consists of glazed sliding doors which provide access from each bay to the exterior. Shade is provided by retractable external slatted aluminium blinds, in this instance better suited than louvers. The overhang of 1,2m was exactly calculated to allow sunlight in winter time and to provide shadow in summer time. The house has a foundation of a concrete slab acting as thermal mass with tiles as floor finish. The basements houses small rainwater storage tanks which receive water from the roof gutter via downpipes at each end of the house.

Regarding relevance to South Africa we can identify with a very similar landscapes and climate. Taking note and incorporating the structural systems into our own context. The detail of his structural systems gives his design great merit in its simplicity. The structure is light, inviting the surroundings and yet durable enough to withstand weathering elements. We can definitely use these elements when designing sustainable buildings. References:

Glenn Murcutt, buildings and projects 1962,Thames and Hudson 2003 Glenn Murcutt, A singular architectural practice, Haig Beck and Jackie Cooper www.aboutbuildings.com

Ball – Eastaway House By Glenn Murcutt Group Members: Tasneem Mohamed, Christina Philotheou, Leon Bekker

The house was built in 1980 and it is in Glenorie, New South Wales, Sydney. Its is a low cost house built in a hot dry climate that usually gets heavy rainfalls after a drought. The house is protected from bush fires by a sprinkler system- the water for this sprinkler system is from collected rainwater. The house is built on stilts to minimise the ground impact and to not disturb the natural drainage and vegetation. The building was designed to ‘touch the earth lightly’. The main structure consists of 16, 102mm diameter steel columns which are piled into the earth, which in essence provide the main structural support for the entire structure. Onto these, steel I-Beams are fixed to provide a platform for the rest of the building as well as structural support to counter bending forces. Wooden floor joists are fixed onto these at 450mm intervals. The roof framework of purlins and steel I-Beams are fixed directly on top of the main structural columns.

The walls, which are all non load-bearing and consist of a galvanised steel framework enclosed by 12mm Plasterboard, are fixed directly onto the floor joists. On top of these floor joists timber floorboards are fixed to provide adequate flooring. For this project we learnt the order of this type of building construction and the relationship between structural and non- structural systems. Due to the nature of this house, we learn more about layering and joints. We were exposed to how design and tectonics are closely linked. We also developed a deeper appreciation for Glen Murcutt’s work and his peculiar attention to detail.

Technology 2 –Tut 1 Kgatshe,Mphoentle Leaf,Jade Sibisi, Baliwe

The Hout Bay Public Library is obviously situated in Hout Bay-a small fishing village on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Penninsula. There is a series of public spaces (movement spaces-not roads- and public squares) to create a general structure.The library forms one part of this public sequence of events and is made to be permeable both physically and visually. Structure The architectural language of the library emphasises the roof structure and articulates the structural and constructional principles of a monopitch roof and the fan timber truss. The structural post is an abstraction of structural function of a wall in its transference of axial loads from the roof. Materials Architecture and use of materials is largely in response to the local context, budget and available skills.Simple materials are used due to carefully considered construction and assembly which were in response to a strict budget. The building is a concrete frame building with bagged brick infill walls with natural timber fan structure and corrugated iron roofs- familiar domestic materials,. The exterior brick with red quarry tile trim, reflects some of the finishes used in surrounding buildings. Different grades of timber are used selectively in different parts of the building. The Roof Each rafter of the monopitch roof in the main area is support by a truss of the timber fan structure which then transfers the load into the concrete column. The timber frames in which the fibre glass is fixed stabilizes the cantilevered end of the roof by means of lateral bracing. The purlins stiffen and reinforce the overall structure. The Walls Concrete columns act as the primary structure of the building and infill cavity wall provide lateral bracing and environmental control. On the east elevation, structural posts are fixed onto the low walls and act as supports for the roof. Light Control East sun is controlled by means of deep overhangs and the west sun is controlled by narrow slit windows, the cantilevered slab and the planted pergola. Light enters the junction between the roof and wall through translucent fibreglass sheeting and is reflected by the sloping ceiling into the sloping areas. The main space is flooded with diffused and reflected light from the clerestory roof light through the timber fan structure. Deep roof overhangs provide shaded light to areas. What we Learnt The technology of a building and its design go hand in hand as the tectonics of the building determines its success functionally. Even in model-making it is important to build from the foundation up, as the elements of a structure are all reliant on each other. Accuracy is important to ensure that all the parts of the building are in place and in proportion to each other.

Imai Hospital Daycare Centre Location: Odate, Akita, Japan Architect: Shigeru Ban Structural Engineers: TIS & Partners

Shigeru Ban, famous for discovering a way to make paper function structurally, found a method to use thin sheets of LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) to span a large area. In the daycare centre, he requires less wood than that of a typical design of a similar size, while creating a warm, womb-like environment for children. Ban’s daycare centre works as a dual roof system. The inner roof is a woven, netlike structure that acts as a compressive member. The engineered LVL was too thick to weave. Ban decided to use a craft technique called magewappa, traditionally used for steaming baskets, creating a tunnel structure spanning 14m, with a width of 5.2m. The exterior roof is a wooden frame structure, which is clad with fibreglass and folded steel plates. The roof has a pitch of 45°, to allow for snow to slide off. Translucent polycarbonate panels filter in sunlight, providing natural light in the centre. The air pocket between the two roofs acts as insulation, creating a comfortable internal environment. A configuration of thin steel rods, reinforce the LVL roof. These rods act as compressive members, pushing onto the LVL tunnel, creating a structurally sound, compacted unit. The simple construction and economy of materials, makes for a viable solution to low cost buildings which is relevant in South Africa. The materials used in the construction allow for a comfortable environment, which is able to be assembled in a short period of time.

Catherine Moronell, Chris Mulder, Ted Saczek

The End