CENTRAL PARK LIBRARY NYC

Park Line proposes a 21st-century ‘library in a park’ typology that incorporates all forms of information, new and old into one building, with an emphasis on movement, social engagement and quality of space. The library strives to become an important landmark and zone in the park where people could gather, share and exchange knowledge on a daily basis.

Central Park is one of the most known and visited parks in the world and is located in the heart of New York City. With auditoriums, lecture halls, coffee shops and reading areas that could institute book fairs, reading festivals and literary galas. The architecture activates the node that is Sheep Meadow into a hub of knowledge and interaction.

Designing a fast-moving building along juxtaposing lines, complemented with slow-moving lanes that promote interaction and pause. Mimicking the gesture of a quick ‘leaf through’ a book, pausing the page at an instant to only continue the adventure of the next page. With various lines and paths each telling a different story, these various walkways that flow underneath and above one another can be seen as a datum line. Various reading areas contribute to a sense of spatial identity, paying respect to the context and the surrounding environment of Central Park.

MOZAMBIQUE PRE-SCHOOL

FLOR DA MANHÃ – MOZAMBIQUE PRE SCHOOL Xai-Xai District (Gaza Province, Mozambique). The villages surrounding the proposed school historically struggled to make a living in a land that can be as harsh, as it is beautiful. The design offers a sustainable alternative to schools development in remote areas, with a concept that will simplify the construction process.

The remoteness of the site poses a particular construction challenge, which we addressed by using small upcycled containers that can be transported to site and assembled by local labour. The design principle is to then create a comforting space by combining indigenous structures with the assembled containers. The concept revolves around phasing the construction process (the logistics), whereby containers loaded with building material will be transported and delivered to site and unpacked. The “box concept” can then be used during the initial stages of the project as storage, site office, temporary sleeping arrangements, making it a very flexible element during construction and eventually utilized as the final assembly of a classroom. This will speed up construction time and assist with the difficult task of place-making in rural areas.

The containers are elevated on a secure footing, so that floodwater can pass underneath the structures thereby adding another advantage of using the “box” concept by preventing damage to school material or threaten the safety of the children and staff during possible flooding. The arrangement of the structures creates an enclosed central courtyard space for the kids to play and learn in a safe and interactive environment. On the perimeter, the structures flare open into the landscape, giving nature opportunity to grow (or flow) into the spaces. The traditional wooden pole structures are constructed on-site as screens and patio coverings, using local tree branches for the roof, which assist with heat gain.

The free-standing roof canopy above the structure, allows natural airflow to contribute to a sustainable cooling system. The wooden pole roof structure over the main entrance also doubles as an elevated play area for the kids and adds more square meters to a site that is limited to its available space. The internal courtyard, filled with trees and structural canopies creates a more comfortable micro-climate. Adobe bricks and rammed earth construction are used to build walls and enclosures that are well-insulated against the heat and most humid climate. These structures are used to house rooms that are sensitive to the harsh climate conditions, such as the kitchen, pantry and food preparation areas. All classrooms open up into the courtyard, with a visual connection to the outside on the opposite end of the room, blurring the boundary between internal spaces and the vast African surroundings, allowing the kids a great educational environment.

The school must be self-sustainable with regards to electricity, water supply and sewage. To achieve this, solar panels are housed on the roof structures to supply electricity, water is sourced from boreholes as well as greywater treatment and a septic tank system are installed for wastewater treatment. A large roof over the amphitheatre, dining area & multi-purpose space will harvest rainwater that can be used for drinking water, cleaning and cooking. With 5 x 5 500l water storage tanks, the capacity will be able to store a total of 27 500l of water on site.

FERME DE VIE – URBAN FARMING

Ferme de Vie urban farming centre is a world-class urban farming and research facility nestled in the heart of the Winelands of South Africa. The purpose of the development is to transform an existing dilapidated structure into a multifunctional building that includes, exhibition space, hydroponic farming and research. The aim of the project is to involve and educate local, unskilled labourers from the surrounding communities.

The urban farming component makes out the bulk of the project that consists of 28 upcycled containers for hydroponic usage. The fresh crops are grown and sold to the local community. The project’s gentrification will contribute to the estate to host events that fuse technology, data gathering, farming and social interaction during markets and functions.

TUKSBOPHELONG PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

The new pedestrian bridge located on the Prinshof campus of the University of Pretoria. The University of Pretoria (UP), Faculty of Health Sciences identified the need for a secure pedestrian bridge link between the campus and two residences with its own security precinct at the top of a hill.

Challenges of the site:

A 10+ meter level difference from the residences down to the main campus.

The bridge had to cross a road with public access between the two security precincts.

A solid rock escarpment, which according to the geotechnical report could only accommodate foundations by blasting which was not an option due to the close proximity of the Steve Biko Hospital.

According to UP policy, any trees had to be retained at all costs.

Material Selection:

The Structure:

The two-storey concrete stair structure on the campus side acts as a shear wall and main anchor to the bridge and was constructed on-site.

The bridge component was manufactured off-site in two components and was a huge advantage in the programming of the project. The road was closed off to traffic for two days only for the placing in position.

The Design

The decision to provide stairs on the bridge at the edge of the road/escarpment, not only had the advantage of reducing the main stair to only two storeys to climb in one structure and thereby also reducing construction time, but it also provided a kink in the bridge where it approaches the escarpment, thereby visually latching onto the hill between the trees, before coming to rest on the existing walkway.

TUKSSPORT HIGH SCHOOL

The new TuksSport High School and Residence

The TuksSport High School campus is situated on the boundary between the UP Sport Campus and the Proefplaas. It is an academic institution combined with specialist sports training, where school learners, some from distant rural areas, could safely be educated and live on a University Campus: A home-away-from-home.

The school campus consists of separate buildings, influenced by the various functions, and incorporates a sense of openness to the landscaping as well as echoing the adjacent experimental farm. A very valuable and historical Arboretum collection also had to be accommodated. Robust red face bricks were used throughout to acknowledge the farm structures. Off-shutter concrete to all soffits, columns and walkways to be robust and maintenance free. Plastered walls were painted bright colors.

The late Prof. Karel Bakker was consulted regarding the heritage value of the site and it was decided to maintain the animal drinking trough as a water feature as well as paving lines in the landscape, which mimics the foundation walls of the animal pens, since demolished.

Environmental concerns were important in the design. The façade design of the residence ensures critical sun control. The hot water is generated by a heat pump with a water storage vessel. All sanitary ware was specified and supplied as water-saving elements.

The ideal solution to the level difference between the classroom buildings and the residence was to produce an amphitheater for the school assembly space. Subtle red paving bricks combined with concrete pavers, imitating athletics tracks, guides the visitor into the atrium between the school hall and administration building which creates an open air Foyer space.

The structural steel design covering the open space is a continuation of the main school hall enclosure profile. The school logo built into the steel design casts a shadow on the paving floor throughout the day.

This open air foyer space is the focal point of the school campus as one can easily observe the rest of the buildings and being naturally guided through visual links and walkways.