SHADOW / LIGHT STUDY
OVERLAPPING TRANSPARENCIES
Due to the climatic location of Cape Coral, shading devices are crucial in cooling, as well as transitioning between outdoor and indoor spaces. The below model experiments with overlapping materials with varying transparencies. This model was inspired by two readings: LINGUISTIC HISTORY: 1000-1700 A . D. and Inhabiting Shadows: Observations on the Tropics as Place. From these readings, the idea of overlaps becoming areas of shared language became a theme. The aim of the study is to look at the effect of layering transparencies, which could be used as a shading strategy in the project
FACADE DEVELOPMENT
UTILISING PRINCIPLES FROM SHADOW AND LIGHT STUDY
The facade model develops the overlapping conceptual model on the previous page into a facade system, which overlaps mesh and louvre to create a shaded outside area in front of the internal areas. This provides a buffer zone between the harsh outdoor sun and the internal areas. These spaces could be used as outdoor seating for the elderly ran cafe or outdoor studio spaces for the intergenerational art studios. The sketch version looks at the facade detail connecting to a saw tooth roof allowing North light into art studios.
INITIAL MASSING ITERATIONS AND REALISATION
SKETCHING MASSES
Initially, I looked at sketching options for the foundation to the West of the Bimini Square, which curved along the waterfront of the Bimini Basin, however, I quickly realised this wasn’t optimal due to the distance from the tram link, which is too far for the elderly, and the overly large scale of the sketched masses.
Instead, I began to focus to the West of the Basin where the Four Freedoms Park is located. A long mass, running North to South to minimise solar gain, connects the tram link to the Bimini Basin and Four Freedoms Park at a more appropriate scale.
INITIAL CONCEPT SKETCHES AND DESIGN ITERATIONS
DESIGN PROGRESS
This page shows the progress of my design from sketch to digital modelling. Many of the changes came from conversations with structural, environmental and fire specialists. This involved changing structural strategy from steel to concrete and oak, as well as altering forms.
STAGE 1: BEFORE THE HURRICANE
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BEFORE THE HURRICANE
Prioir to the hurricane, the foundation serves a community purpose. The elderly gather to socialise and collaborate with younger generations. The primary aim of this is to reduce loneliness for the elderly population of Cape Coral.
KEY EVENTS/ ACTIVITIES DURING ‘BEFORE’ STAGE
The key events at this stage involve the intergenerational cooking and art workshops, communal gardens and temporary accomodation allowing elderly members to stay at the foundation for a short stay. The users of the space can arrive via the tram system, which connects elderly villages across the city to the site.
PLACEMAKING BEFORE THE HURRICANE
PLACEMAKING THROUGH SOCIAL CONNECTION AND INTERGENERATIONAL COLLABORATION
As stated earlier in the portfolio, the purpose of the project is placemaking for the elderly at all stages of the hurricane cycle. To create the sense of place before a hurricane, the elderly can socialise in the larger communal atriums,
cafe and connected courtyards / verandas or work collaboratively in the intergenerational kitchen, art studio or exhibit space. Encouraging intergenerational connection is the primary importance of the foundation at this stage, due
to the benefits for both generations- the elderly are relieved of loneliness and the young can learn skills from the old. The elderly can stay in temporary accommodation for short stays at the foundation.
ELDERLY JOURNEY FROM LONELINESS TO CONNECTEDNESS
DISCONNECTED TO CONNECTED
The elderly are often isolated and lonely living alone or in extra care facilities. The transition to connectivity begins with the tram, where they can begin socialising on the way to the foundation. Once they arrive, communal seating areas, intergenerational workshops, outdoor courtyards and verandas allow a range of spaces for the elderly to socialise and relieve loneliness.
1ST FLOOR KEY SPACES AND SEQUENCE
INTERGENERATIONAL KITCHEN > ELDERLY RAN CAFE > SOCIAL ATRIUM AND COURTYARD SEQUENCE
The main function of this floor begins with the intergenerational kitchen, where the elderly teach the young how to cook and provide food to be sold at the elderly ran cafe. This cafe gives elderly people a casual job. The cafe atrium opens up to the shaded courtyard, utilising sliding partitions, to create a large open communal gathering space. This courtyard is overlooked by the temporary accommodations balconies, which allows the elderly staying at the foundation to connect with the social spaces.
2ND FLOOR KEY SPACES AND SEQUENCE
THE CREATIVE FLOOR
The main function and sequence of the 2nd floor is to allow the young and old to collaborate creatively. The intergenerational art studio is utilised for this and work is exhibited in the gallery to celebrate the collaboration. The studio and gallery open up to a shaded veranda to provide outdoor social space to the floor. This floor is also the entry level for the tram system.
FACADE DEVELOPMENT FROM ABSTRACT IDEA TO IMPLEMENTED ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY
FROM ABSTRACT MODEL TO FACADE IMPLEMENTATION
The facade design began with the abstract shading model, where I looked at overlapping varying transparencies of materials. This included meshes and solid panels. This inspires the next stage of development modelling, where louvres and meshes are overlapped to create controlled areas of shading variance.
This was then implemented in the building design, where varying transparencies of louvre, mesh, hanging moss, glazing and fibre cement cladding are utilised.
CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE
CONSTRUCTION OF PILES, STILTS, ELEVATED SLAB, STEEL FRAME, FIBRE CEMENT CLADDING AND KINETIC LOUVRES
The below sequence shows the key phases of construction. The sequence begins with excavating foundation trenches and then looks at constructing the concrete stilts and elevated slab. It then shows the construction of the
lighter structure above.
STAGE 2: DURING THE HURRICANE
THE SHELTER FOUNDATION DURING THE HURRICANE
During the hurricane, the foundation serves a shelter purpose with the facade system closing into hurricane mode. The vulnerable elderly shelter in the foundation in the accommodation spaces provided. The primary aim of this is to provide safety for some of the elderly population of Cape Coral during the hurricane.
KEY EVENTS/ ACTIVITIES DURING’ STAGE
The key events at this stage involve the accommodation, which provides a safe space for the elderly to stay during the hurricane. Those staying at the foundation can access food and water at the cafe in the communal dining atrium. This means the elderly aren’t staying at home alone, in danger during the hurricane
PLACEMAKING DURING THE HURRICANE
PLACEMAKING THROUGH SHELTER AND RESOURCE AVAILABILITY
The placemaking purpose during the hurricane is to provide shelter and resource availability for the elderly who could be endangered by the hurricane. During the hurricane, the facade system enters ‘lockdown mode’ (See next page)
and the accomodation, kitchen and cafe space become the key spaces at this time. The foundation allows the elderly to shelter, whilst still having access to communal eating areas meaning they do not become isolated or lonely.
HURRICANE LOCKDOWN MODE
KINETIC FACADE AND PRESSURE EQUALISATION
The louvres of the facade utilise a kinetic rotation device to enter lock down mode when a hurricane warning is given. The louvres rotate 80 degrees to overlap creating a barrier to reduce wind impacts on the inner layers of the facade. The louvres oliptical shape redirect wind sideways and create a pressure equalisation behind them.
STAGE 3: AFTER THE HURRICANE
THE ELDERLY AFTER CARE HUB
Following the hurricane, the foundation becomes an after care facility for the elderly providing comfort groups. At the same time, the foundations dock is utilised to distribute resources to the elderly around the city via the canal loop.
KEY EVENTS/ ACTIVITIES DURING ‘AFTER’ STAGE
The key events at this stage involve providing space for communal gathering to discuss any issues / problems that the elderly may have. This takes place in the main atrium, courtyards and verandas. The external dock is utilised to deliver needed resources to the elderly who may be experiencing shortages.
PLACEMAKING AFTER THE HURRICANE
PLACEMAKING THROUGH AFTER CARE AND RESOURCE DISTRIBUTION
During the period after the hurricane, placemaking occurs by offering after care groups and social spaces for the elderly to gather after the hurricane. These groups allow the elderly to discuss any issues they may be facing. At the
same time, the docking area is utilised to distribute food and water from the kitchen directly to the elderly villages and houses across Cape Coral.
ADRESSING THE ELDERLY FOOD SHORTAGE POST HURRICANE
NORMAL LIFE, DESTRUCTION, REBUILD, NORMAL LIFE, DESTRUCTION, REBUILD...
The imminent effects of climate change will almost certainly cause increasing frequency of hurricanes in the city. The repeating cycle will carry on into the future with the elderly foundation becoming an important infrastructure for the city and the elderly population in living with extreme weather events. The future of the city must utilise extreme measures to attend to the climate emergency and future proofing strategies must be at the forefront of design.
THE COMMUNAL BIMINI DOCK
DELIVERING RESOURCES DIRECTLY TO ELDERLY VILLAGES AND HOMES THROUGH THE PROPOSED CANAL LOOP
Following the hurricane, the foundation is used to distribute resources directly to the elderly through the canal route (Bottom Left) outlined in Chapter 6. This is achieved through the canal dock that the building faces onto. This allows resources from the kitchen to loaded onto boats via pulley systems from the raised floor as well as at ground level. This dock can also allow the local community to bring resources to be distributed to the elderly. The canal dock opens up to the Bimini Basin, which is connected to large areas of the city.
THE CYCLE REPEATS
NORMAL LIFE, DESTRUCTION, REBUILD, NORMAL LIFE, DESTRUCTION, REBUILD...
The imminent effects of climate change will almost certainly cause increasing frequency of hurricanes in the city. The repeating cycle will carry on into the future with the elderly foundation becoming an important infrastructure for the city and the elderly population in living with extreme weather events. The future of the city must utilise extreme measures to attend to the climate emergency and future proofing strategies must be at the forefront of design.