Victoria Savage

Catching the Light

DPM II Digital Portfolio

formfindingconcept

digital imageprecedents

praxistectonics

design work

Contentspage

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Researching methods of maximising solar exposure within the natural world, we looked at everything from sea sponges and

flowering plants to insect eyes and honeycombs

Formfinding

Early testing [ physical modelling]; experimenting with mathematic properties of hexagon to maximise solar exposure

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We focussed on the compound eyes of insects and their process of light transmittance through natural structures which act as light tubes in addition to the

use of geometric shapes to enhance exposure to light

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Digital modelling of natural system using 3ds Max software

a

Precedents whose systems respond to the sun and maximise

sunlight entering the internal spaces

a. Jean Nouvel's World Arab Institute

b. Decker Yeadon's homeostatic facade

b

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Physical modelling of natural system [left] and digital modelling with software Ecotect to explore properties of various geometries [above]

Hexagon most successful geometry

Digital variation modelling

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ConceptInspired by light falling through trees, I wanted to use this same

effect for light entering a space, for both public and private areas and to maximise the sunlight captured within. This would be at all levels, from the site through the entire proposed structure and each

individual dwelling unit itself

To maximise exposure and access to sunlight, I proposed external circulation spaces and various apertures between the levels to allow

greater transmittance of light as well as central roof lights within each dwelling to create light and airy living spaces

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Digital ImageEvocation of filtered sunlight and other influences layered

with section showing light paths in my early design

a. b.

Precedentsa. NL Architects, Funen Blok K, Amsterdam (2009)

Roof form is a direct result of residential floor plans- undulation

accommodates changing dwelling volumes according to position along corridor. Architects concept was to maximise

access to natural light and the outdoors for each dwelling

b. Carmody Groarke Architects, Osnaburgh street Pavilion, Regent's Place, London (2010)

Civic pavilion with contrasting day/ night dynamic; sunlight filters through during the day and LED base lights illuminate the

stainless steel columns at night

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PraxisThe starting point for further progression

of my design was to analysis my site in Cardiff- focussing on solar analysis but also taking into consideration effects of

wind, traffic flow, noise pollution and circulation

Thus a stepped design for the residential quarter responds to maximise catching the light on site

Almost double height retail spaces raise up whole residential floorplate to help catch the sunlight in each dwelling

1 storey for 1 bed dwelling2 storey for 2 bed dwelling3 storey for 3 bed dwelling

Hierarchial manifestation of project concept

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1:50 concept stair model

[far left]

1:200 light model [left]

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TectonicsLaser cut 1:500 plug-in model produced by sectioning a digital

model; basic shapes convey mass and hierarchy as well as language of retail/ residential

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The language of the semi-circular lightwells in the retail sector is continued through all subsequent storeys within the private dwellings in plan. I also wanted to increase the green space available to residents, so by allowing roof access from each dwelling, private roof terraces provide the equivalent of a front garden. This also creates a roof light thus maximising

natural light within the dwelling

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I wanted to get a sense of the inhabited atmosphere of the ground floor retail quarter, so used digital layering on top of photographs of my 1:100 model to create some internal perspectives

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/5642949787_af7c6ae717.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Drosera_spatulata_KansaiHabit.jpg

http://www.art.co.uk/products/p964181656-sa-i4082697/posters.htm

http://5osa.tistory.com/entry/Carmody-Groarke-Regent%E2%80%99s-Place-Pavilion

http://www.nlarchitects.nl/

http://www.archdaily.com/101578/moving-homeostatic-facade-preventing-solar-heat-gain/screen-shot-2011-01-05-at-4-39-58-pm/

http://spacecollective.org/kbug/718/Architecture-The-Arab-World-Institute

http://triggerpit.com/2011/01/02/bug-close-up-beautiful-spider-photos-by-shahan/

Research paper Insect Eyes inspire improved Solar Cells by Francesco Chiadini & colleagues (Optics and Photonics News; vol 22, issue 4, pg 39; April 2011)

http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/C/CompoundEye

http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/humans-share-70-of-our-dna-with-sea-sponges.html

References