A COMMUNITY HUB – Knowledge is power

By Robynn Louw

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CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Architectural Technology

STW and CTD

2nd Year 2012

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PRECEDENT - Functional

Hermingway’s Outdoor Office This design separates a communal space (at the top) from an individual space (at the bottom).

The space on the ground can be entered from all sides whereas the communal space has a ladder

linked to it from the ground that doesn’t interfere with the individual space circulation

The structure in the form of a Teepee, makes use of similar materials that would be used in my Hub

design

PONS + HUOT Office The Pons + Huot Office plays with levels in a unique way. On the surface it looks as if there are individual

workspaces incised into this oak core which is the case but beneath it are private rooms for conferencing and

lounging.

The oak unit was cleverly designed to be as creatively diverse as possible. The open office area above as shown in

the image acts as both floor and worktop.

The trees rising from out of the oak unit give this office environment an outside feel as if it were situated in the

middle of the forest.

DESIGN TIPS: I can separate individual and group areas by separating levels

DESIGN TIPS: When creating separate levels, be clever and make it diverse, also enabling each level to have more

than one function. A level could be a walkway to some and a worktop to others. I can create intimate spaces similar

to the spaces incised into the unit above as well as have spaces that are more public and social.

Islington Hub, London While researching, I stumbled across this form of seating found in London. I find it very

interesting as it is very different from a table and chair but works just as effectively, allowing the

person to get comfortable while working.

This is the type of idea that my crit involved; coming up with methods and spaces that work in

many different ways but still in essence, work for it’s function.

DESIGN TIPS: Become personal with the space. My concept can consist of different

seating methods like this one and also keeps the scale of the design smaller. This will make

my design creative and unique.

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PRECEDENT - Technological

PONS + HUOT Office

Pons + Huot Office has

provided me with the

main concept behind my

hub design . It is based

on levels paired with

corresponding

functionality. I drew up a

section of the interior

oak unit to see how the

floors are constructed

and attached together.

Part section and detail of Pons + Huot Office

This detail provides me with a

sufficient method of floor

construction

The same construction methods

will apply to my design but I will

be substituting gum poles in

place of timber beams

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Yackandandah Primary School Yackandandah Primary School solely caught my interests because of the V- shaped columns

that are splayed throughout the structure and that are such great forms of load bearing

components. It immediately brought me back to my design concept and gave me the idea to

use columns, shaped similarly to this to hold and support my overhead structure. It also would

be perfect to incorporate with the previous precedent example. The PONS + HUOT Office

consist of Ficus trees that are growing between the structure and overhead. In my design I

would like to substitute the trees with these V-shaped columns which would also,

technologically be holding up the overhead structure that I will have in my design.

By doing the relevant

research, I could

understand how the

joinery for such a

column could work,

therefore gaining insight

as to how I would have

to detail my own

columns

DESIGN PROCESS – Group concept 1

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Very first concept done in groups:

The main thing that stood out for me with the feedback above was to

look at the function and the space more closely. Not only could I create

spaces that catered to both individuals and groups but I could explore

more ways in which people could sit and work. There are limitless

ways that are far from conventional and still work well with the function

of homework.

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DESIGN PROCESS - Concept 2

Rough sketches:

Sketch made before I

researched precedent.

There are no clear

distinguishing between

levels or spatial

functions.

Sketch made after

researching precedent. A

clear level develops.

An overhead frame takes

shape, providing the

structure with shade

Stone plinths hold the above

structure above and create an

aesthetic appeal as seen in

Greenpoint park

Worktop used towards the centre

of the structure for individual users

That same worktop is

accessible for groups to sit on

around a low rising table and

work, cross-legged

Plan developed to figure

out a layout

N.T.S

Hub still centralized

Plan is symmetrical and

all 4 units are equal in

size.

Access point for

individuals. Spaces

appear to be incised into

the plan

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DESIGN PROCESS - Concept 3

Rough Sketches:

The overhead structure becomes

simpler and develops into a

pergola to block out over-

exposure to the sun

Stone plinths remain

As seen in my precedent,

these v-columns became

part of my structure

symbolising the outdoor

forest feel by depicting

tree-like structures that rise

beyond the platform and

create shade from above

The overlapping concept

remains. Here I am trying to

create a vision of how the

space might be used

Structural ideas such as

this started coming to

mind while still figuring

out the design of my

structure.

A massing

diagram helped

me figure out a

suitable

placement for the

plan of my hub

concept. It also

helped organise

my different

levels as this is

my key concept

and also allowed

me to map out

the area into a

space that works

from all angles

Circulation could

also be

determined from

this

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PLAN SECTION

SOUTH ELEVATION WEST ELEVATION EAST ELEVATION

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FINAL DESIGN – Concept 4

This community hub project started out with

the identifying of the function that the

structure will create.

I chose the function HOMEWORK.

For a homework area, people would have to

have a comfortable environment with which to

work individually or in groups. Each person

would require a seat as well as worktop.

From my precedent studies, I found many

ways that this could be achieved. I also found

relevant that spaces can be split to suit their

function.

My hub design combines functionality

throughout. The entire structure is based on

levelling for different functions. Different areas

in the structure creates different feelings. It

consists of spaces that are more suited to

single persons on the interior of the structure

and spaces on the ends that span outwards

create suitable group interactive spaces.

The structure is very open and the pergolas

above very simple, also fitting in with the

structure below. The pergolas starts off higher

on the south side and steps lower toward the

northern side: this is done to optimise and

control the light entering the structure as well

as increasing and decreasing scale of the

structure where necessary.

All in all this structure is self explanatory in its

design and there is no wrong or right way to

use it

PLAN

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SECTION AA Pergolas step down to reduce

the scale of the structure on the

north side where there is no

traffic on the top level

SECTION BB

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A custom made

steel plate is

designed to hold the

columns upright

SOUTH ELEVATION

NORTH ELEVATION

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WEST ELEVATION

EAST ELEVATION

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Front View

East View

Bird’s Eye View

Rear View

Perspective View

Perspective View

Model

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REFERENCES

• Hemingway’s Outdoor Office

Amy-Mae Elliot (2010). 10 Inspiring Non-Traditional Workspaces [PICS].Mashable Business.

http://mashable.com/2010/09/20/inspiring-offices-pics/#315215-Hemingways-Outdoor-Office (06/03/2012).

• PONS + HUOT Office

Dave (2011). PONS + HUOT Office by Christian Pottgiesser. Contemporist.

http://www.contemporist.com/2011/02/18/pons-huot-office-by-christian-pottgiesser (06/03/2012)

• Islington Hub, London

Hub Islington, London. http://islington.the-hub.net/public/spaces.html# (06/03/2012).

• Sydney Football Stadium

Harris, J.B and Pui-K Li, K. (1996). MASTED STRUCTURES in Architecture.Oxford: Butterworth Architecture.

Pg. 113- 114.