materiality - part 1

MATERALITY Architectural Design Department

Kallis, George

Fall2010

Departing from our closest environment and analyzing

the way we deal with it, the materiality class will

focus on the processes that emerge from, and mediate

between human-nature relationships. The class

emphasizes the artificial processes that become

autonomous self-regenerating mechanisms capable of

extending its contextual influence in the environment

throughout time. In order to evaluate those processes,

the acknowledgement of the local specificities and

resources in the overall action becomes paramount. In

so doing, we expect to develop a strategy of symbiotic

coexistence between human activities and natural

environment. The seminar depicts matter as a transitive

agent that both reshapes and builds the environment,

understanding the act of constructing (and its

corollary, emptying) as the inevitable result of human

habitation. Students will be prompted to adopt a

strategy —based on their knowledge and previous

experience—, that will be instrumental to interpret the

act of design using different materials.

Environment

Geometry

Matter

Technique

Activity and Use

Form

(SURVEY) can boixeres, example, 22@

AD.501_MATERIALITY I_PART01:ANALYSIS__GEORGE KALLISBIArch

T o : 2 2 @ b c n . c o m

R e : m a t e r i a l i t yThere's just so much going on.

A leap to the future one might say.

Hi-tech? Frightening? Trendy? It

might as well be. Walking past all these

new forms, watching at a variety of

experimentations with structure, materials,

construction methods… one keeps wondering

“what does this new place being born in the last few years wants to

show?” I guess it is the highly-accelerated evolution of digital

technology, translated into space, trying to fit in a rather

uncomfortable matrix deriving from a different era. An era which, just a couple of

kilometres to the west, has on its own been another symbol: that of the modern

industrial city. The grid: a powerful tool in the hands of the modern urbanist. Much more public

interaction I would say. Mostly ground floor with some pleasant exceptions here and there. A collage

of 20th century facades and some narrow passages leading to hidden areas of contemplation complete the picture. Of course there is always the retail. An indoor market that stretches along two parallel streets reminds me of the

country, where all this colourful alimentation comes from. But let's not go too far. A rather rural area, narrowed between a town and a

highway is full of adventure. Small plantations along a narrow stream, scattered throughout the almost wild landscape, surely refer to a more local

culture. Creativity in re-use of materials is common – but so are mosquitoes. All that having a reference of an old aqueduct, sign of another kind of

p r o g r e s s o f a m u c h o l d e r a g e . A n y w a y , n o w I c a n g o t o C a n B o i x e r e s m e t r o s t a t i o n a n d g e t b a c k t o t h e c i t y .

b.eixample

c:can boixeres


infastructure

communication

digital platform skin

surface

technology

artificial

skin

technology

innovation

traffic flow public space

contemplation

horizontalmodernity

interaction

introverted landscapemosquitoes production

a.22@

c b a


[email protected]

ENVIRONMENT 22@

AD.501_MATERIALITY I_PART02:ENVIRONMENT__GEORGE KALLISBIArch

the built environment at its best: a series

of artificially controlled environments.

using latest technology for precise climate

control. over-designed landscape:

everything must be perfect. new trends on

“green” architecture and landscape

design can be applied; here is a platform

for experimentation. the perfect nature =

human-controlled nature = artificial nature.

from the moat-like water pond of torre

agbar to the over-detailed metal

extravaganza of the diagonal-mar park: a

sample book of micro-environments

trying to offer the maximum comfort for

t h e c o n t e m p o r a r y c i t i z e n s .

shadows of the high-rises

public vegetation

articulated small spaces

a casual water-fountain

rambla de poble-nou

scattered benches

demolished buildings

empty plots

diagonal promenade

low traffic streets

between buildings


#dia

gonal

ave

nue

: tre

e s

had

ow

, car

nois

e, t

ram

mic

rocl

imat

e

#micro-environment package:

#restaurant near agbar

#rambla de poblenou microclimate:

#shadow, increased comfort parameters

#micro-environment package:

#diagonal-mar

#12

#07

#36

#57d

occasional exception?in-between space


• • air-conditioning •

• climate control • •

strong shell • •

ventilation • • HVAC •

• hot and cold water

supply• • planters • •

plastic trees • •

thermal insulation • •

acoustic insulation • •

blinds • • solar panels

• • anti-glare systems

• •

• • air-

conditioning

• • climate

control • •

strong shell

• •

ventilation •

• HVAC • •

hot and cold

water

supply• •

planters • •

plastic trees

• • thermal

insulation • • the in-between: possibilities for temporary comfort

AD.501_MATERIALITY I__PART02:ENVIRONMENT [SITE SELECTION]____GEORGE KALLISBIArch

public space under mediapro building

possibility of new in-between environment [between diagonal + mediapro buildings]

public interaction

free flows permeable boundariesin-between space

GEOMETRY can boixeres

AD.501_MATERIALITY I_PART03:GEOMETRY__GEORGE KALLISBIArch

geometry as a manmade response

soft

hard

to the existing

environmental [topographical, climatic] conditions

adapting to the topography

exploiting existing contours

minimal alterations

recycling of materials

environment as boundaries

soft ground manipulation

earth as material

topography as obstacle

overcoming existing contours

strong interventions

uniform structure

avoiding ground contact

the aquaduct: overcoming the altitude

difference, crossing two

sides of a stream

layered levels: creating horizontal

surfaces for planting

defining areas : using recycled

materials or

vegetation. Porous

borders

BIArch AD.501_MATERIALITY I_PART03:GEOMETRY__GEORGE KALLIS

s o f t d e f i n i n g

v e g e t a t i o n e n c l o s u r e

t o p o g r a p h y a d j u s t m e n t

p a r c e l l i n g

soft hardvs


recyclin

g o

f m

ate

rials

layere

d g

rou

nd

s

po

rou

s b

ou

nd

ari

es

veg

eta

tio

n e

nclo

sure

den

se v

eg

eta

tio

n b

ord

ers

path

way

hard

geo

metr

y: aq

uad

uct

soft hardhardvs


soft hardhardvs

AD.501_MATERIALITY I__PART03:GEOMETRY [SITE + GEOMETRY SELECTION]____GEORGE KALLISBIArch

softsoft hardhard+t e m p o r a r y h a b i t a t s i t e : “ u n d e r t h e b r i d g e ”

p r o p o s e d s o f t g e o m e t r y

e x i s t i n g h a r d g e o m e t r y

temporary habitat geometry:

existing enclosure [hard: under the

bridge + soft: between the two

river banks]

new texture [controlling porosity +

microperforation using similar local

techniques]

solar protection

wind protection

rain protection

visibility control

acoustic comfort

translucency

micro-perforation

subtle control of isolation-

integration

microclimatic control

creation of a semi-private

space

s u n di r e c

t i on

MATTER eixample

AD.501_MATERIALITY I_PART04:MATTER__GEORGE KALLISBIArch

FA

CA

DE

a. GROUND FLOOR

b. UPPER FLOORS

c. ATTIC

INT

ER

FA

CE

- L

EV

EL

S O

F IN

TE

RA

CT

ION

W

ITH

P

UB

LIC

S

PA

CE

earth materials

uniform building image

different facades / constitute one multi-facade

independent materials

almost detached image

multiple layers of materials: personally controlled

interface

separate texture: controlled through time + day

direct public interaction dependent on the

material texture and transparency

public space:variable SIZE, TEXTURE, ACCESSIBILITY,

PERCEPTION

dependent on 4 SURFACES constituting its

BOUNDARIES [paving, wall, trees, street

edge]

environmental conditions + geometry

dependent on SURFACE MATERIAL treatment

in out

in out + out surface

in out

VISUAL INTERACTION

VISUAL INTERACTION

TA C T I L E I N T E R A C T I O N

matter-energy-information exchange

BIArch AD.501_MATERIALITY I_PART04:MATTER__GEORGE KALLIS

PUBLIC SPACE EDGE CONDITIONS: isurface manipulation matters

generic condition:

paving - manipulated earth

special condition: path

less manipulated earth

playground: safety

selected earth

private property: differ

more manipulated earth

entrance: threshold

specially manipulated earth

planting: edges

earth vs. manipulated earth

street: accessibility

carefully manipulated earth

open space: enclosure

plant on manipulated earth

services: infrastructure

modules on manipulated earth

special feature: signage

inscriptions on manipulated earth

physical vs manipulated matter:


PUBLIC SPACE EDGE CONDITIONS: ii

threshold matters

condition: private entrance

light metallic barrier

condition: inviting

glass-transparency, wood

condition: controlled entry

strong metal - movable

condition: no access

strong metal, opaque stone

THRESHOLD 1: PUBLIC-PRIVATE

variable material - different properties

alteration of earth manipulation

[wood-stone-masonry-glass-metal]

THRESHOLD 2: STREET PROTECTION

vegetation as material

modules of greenery defining space

[safety-visual comfort]

l e v e l s o f m a t t e r m a n i p u l a t i o n – a c c e s s i b i l i t y + u s e c o n t r o l


PUBLIC SPACE EDGE CONDITIONS: iii

enclosure matters

ground side

topside

physical state matter

as enclosure

manipulated matter

as enclosure

AD.501_MATERIALITY I__PART04:MATTER [SITE + GEOMETRY + MATERIAL]____GEORGE KALLISBIArch

C A R R E R D E A R A G Ó : L A C K O F N AT U R A L M AT T E R L A C K O F E N C L O S E D P U B L I C S PA C E

INVERTED BALCONIES : TEMPORARY PARASITE HABITAT[S ]

lack of nature as material no enclosed public space new enclosed public space

lifted green habitat

public-private interface:

low-tech

non-opaque

veg

eta

tio

nw

icker

fab

ric

recycle

d s

cra

p

osb

bam

bo

o

recycle

d p

last

ic

sun control

visibility control

TECHNIQUE eixample

ATEV AI CR CP G EN SIR SET L E -H S P- RNO OIT VCU IR DTS IN NOC G

D I VL ISO US A - L AE ND DA C AA CF OL UA SN TR IE C

T COX ME F- O R TE -C LIA MF ITIR NGU AS C CET SSN -E IND N DEPE

S E- PSS AECO RCA AM R L O - TE A NU IE F S OR V I EU XT TC ERU IR O

T RS AR NET D - IH NLI TG N ERIO OI RT

CU

RTS INN NEO R FC A CYE A LF DR EAM N I - A Min

terior

to

exterior

conditio

ns

outer

to

inner

facade

AD.501_MATERIALITY I_PART05:TECHNIQUE__GEORGE KALLISBIArch

inner

tech

niq

ue[s]

oute

r te

chniq

ue[s]

inte

riorize

d

tech

niq

ue[s]

techniq

ue[s] o

f separa

tion +

connectio

n

BIArch AD.501_MATERIALITY I_PART05:TECHNIQUE__GEORGE KALLIS

solid/perforated

solid+image

solid/articulated

filigree/controlledopened-up/ornamented

INNER FACADE

OUTER FACADE

space between


FROMTO TO

TOTOFROM

FROM

FROM

control

methods

between

inside

and

outside

technique[s]

of inner facade

technique[s]

of outer facadeinteraction?


separation area: between facades

ACTIVITY AND USE

eixample

AD.501_MATERIALITY I_PART06:ACTIVITY / USE__GEORGE KALLISBIArch

activity / use

infrastructure

accessibility

mechanisms allowing for “activation”

transparency--opacity

exposed--hiddenfree--restricted

internal

(private)

external

(public)

how can the area of transition between the interior and the

exterior space of the ”eixample manzanas” be manipulated to

allow for public activation of the interior?

open--closed

pre-requisites for activity

transition networks

urban furniture

supply networks

regulations

going to / coming from


space of transition

BIArch AD.501_MATERIALITY I_PART06:ACTIVITY / USE__GEORGE KALLIS

infrastructure: urban furniture

infrastructure: supply networks-water

regulations: pedestrian crossing

accessibility: transparent/exposed

infrastructure-accessibility:

light post

accessibility: open/inviting

infrastructure: playground


public activity public activity extension private activity extension private activity

underground parking

bar/café passage - public courtyard

arcade

shop

inter twining: extension of public activity into private space


FROM PRIVATE TO PUBLIC ACTIVITY

FROM PUBLIC TO PRIVATE ACTIVITY

AD.501_MATERIALITY I__PART06:ACTIVITY / USE [SITE: EIXAMPLE]____GEORGE KALLISBIArch

from horizontal ground-level public activity to multi-level public + private interactivity

infrastructure

accessibility

regulations

public activators

inserted across private space

new public space

= transition space between street + inner courtyard

= temporary habitat for temporary activities

FORM eixample

how can the area of transitionbetween the street and the

courtyard of eixample allow for public activation?

BIArch __AD.501_MATERIALITY I___FALL 2010_____GEORGE KALLIS

internal external



SPACE OF TRANSITIONEXTERIOR 1

PUBLIC

TRAFFIC

CITY SCALE

EXTERIOR 2

PRIVATE [PUBLIC]

CONTEMPLATION

BLOCK SCALE

PASSAGE

PUBLICCOURTYARD

GARDEN

MARKET

BUILDING +PARK

“CROSSING” EIXAMPLE BLOCKSTHE TRANSITION AREA BETWEEN STREET AND COURTYARD:ALLOWING FOR PUBLIC ACTIVATION

pass

atge

de

la C

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asbibliote

ca d

e sa

nt a

nton

i

THE GENERIC PLAN:CERDA’S BLOCK TYPOLOGIES VISION (1859)

ALTERATION OF THE GENERAL BLOCK TYPOLOGY: FROM MASS ON VOID

BETWEEN VEGETATION TO VOID IN MASS.

CLEAR DISTINCTION AND SEPARATION BETWEEN INNER AND OUTER ENVIRONMENT

OF THE BLOCK

PRIVATE

P U B L I C

PRIVATE

PRIVATE

PRIVATE

SEMIPRIVATE

PRIVATE

PRIVATE

P U B L I C

P U B L I C

HOW IS “ACTIVE CROSSING” ACHIEVED?

EXCEPTIONS OF THE GRID - PUBLIC ACTIVITY CROSSING PRIVATE AND ENTERING

THE COURTYARD

PRIVATE SPACE (APARTMENT, OFFICE)

“PASSIVE CROSSING”

ARCADES


1. “CAR CROSSING”: PARKING AREAS

2. “FUNCTIONAL CROSSING”: BUILDINGS + OPEN PUBLIC SPACES

2. “CROSSING MECHANISMS”: PUBLIC ACCESSIBILITY INFRASTRUCTURE

STREETTYPOLOGES

EXCEPTION:PLAZA CREATION

PLAYGROUNDFACILITIES

PUBLICFACILITIES

PASSAGE

RAMPACCESS

MARKET

CHURCH ANDPUBLIC BUILDING

SHOP ARCADE

SHOP ARCADE

TYPOLOGYEXCEPTION


FROM PASSIVE (PRIVATE) TO ACTIVE (PUBLIC) TRANSITION: “FORMS OF CROSSING”

COURTYARD

STREET

STREET

FROMTO

FROM

TO

CONTEMPLATION

MICRO-COURTYARD

FROM

TO

STREET

SHOPCOURTYARD(S)

COURTYARD

STREET

FROM

TO

TO FROM

RELIGIOUSBUILDING

COURTYARD

S I G N A G E - I N F O

SIGNAGE

P

STREET

STREET

STREET

P U B L I CACTIVITYP U B L I C

COURTYARD

FROMTO

FROMTO

COURTYARD(PUBLIC)

STREET

PUBLICFACILITY

PRIVATE

COURTYARD(PUBLIC)

STREET

CHURCH

PRIVATE

PATIO

STREET

PARKING(UNDER COURTYARD)

PRIVATE

STREET

PRIVATE

STREET

COURTYARD(SEMI-PUBLIC)

STREET

STREET

PATIO

PATIO

PRIVATE

UNDERGROUND PARKING - UNDER COURTYARD

OVER-GROUND PARKING - ON COURTYARD

STREET

STREET

STREET STREET

SHOP

COURTYARD(COVERED)

SHOP

COURTYARD

STREET

FROMTO

FROM

TO

COURTYARD(PUBLIC)

STREET

PRIVATE

PRIVATE

ARCADE CROSSING - COURTYARD ON TOP

OVERLAPPING OF CROSSINGS:BUILDING / ARCADE / PARKINGGEOMETRY DERIVING FROM PROPERTY

PUBLIC CROSSING THROUGH ALL THE BLOCK

FUNDACIÓTAPIÉS P

SHOP

SHOP

SHOP

SHOP

SHOP

SHOP

SHOP

SHOP

PRIVATE

PRIVATE

PRIVATE

PASSAGE CROSSINGCOURTYARD BECOMES PUBLICDIFFERENT PROXIMITY WITH PRIVATE

A

B

C

D

E

F

materiality - part 1

Documents

t i o n

e t r o s t

n g o t o c

t o t h e c i t y

c o mr e

n b o i x e r e s

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