Overview
Replace this text with your reflections on your design journey through class from a higher level and share your insights about the entire experience. What were:
Key / Essential / Unique Design Features:
Incorporating traditional Chinese Xuan paper elements into this design, the architecture aims to provide visitors with an experience reminiscent of this ancient craft. This architectural design is divided into three sections, each acting as an independent building block, connected by an outdoor courtyard pool that adds leisurely and communicative function to the open space. From the entrance, the structure unfolds horizontally and vertically, extending the sense of space until the final building block, providing visitors with an expansive visual experience and a sense of infinite possibility.
A distinctive feature is the design of the roof, which employs a staggered, sawtooth pattern, not only adds a dynamic aesthetic but also resembles the edges of neatly stacked paper, creating a rhythmic visual effect and introducing a layered play of light and shadow indoors. Additionally, the skylights facing south ingeniously utilize natural light, ensuring that sunlight penetrates deep into the building, which is both aesthetically pleasing and energy-efficient.
The design of the entrance is another highlight, incorporating geometric elements and symmetrical aesthetics. The entrance's geometric theme and the proportional reduction of layers from the edges to the center create a focus that might be seen as an abstraction of the intricate patterns often found on Xuan paper artworks.
Your Big Successes：
Cultural Integration: Successfully integrating traditional Chinese Xuan paper elements into the design, the building acts as a bridge between ancient art and modern architecture. This cultural layer adds depth and identity to the structure, offering a unique experience that differentiates it from conventional buildings. Spatial Experience: The architecture excels in creating a journey for the visitor, akin to the gradual reveal of a story on a scroll of Xuan paper. The space expands from the entrance to the last building, delivering a sense of discovery and grandeur that leaves a lasting impression. Aesthetic and Functional Roof Design: The sawtooth roof is not only visually striking but also functional. It creates interesting interior light patterns that mimic the translucent quality of Xuan paper and aids in natural ventilation, making it both a design statement and a sustainable feature. Sustainable goal: The design limits the glass ratio to 30%, reducing heating needs for Copenhagen's cold climate and optimizing heat retention by excluding curtain walls. Water pools with rainwater harvesting systems also enhance sustainability by decreasing water usage, leveraging the city’s abundant rainfall.
Your Big Challenges:
In my architectural design, the irregular sawtooth roof posed the greatest challenge. This complexity was evident not only during the initial roof design phase but also when drawing walls, as the varying heights necessitated individual adjustments for each room's wall height and manual selection of wall shapes for cross-sections. Additionally, during structural design, the positioning of columns and beams had to account for the roof's profile, requiring manual adjustments to each column's height and the beam's angles. In the HVAC design, the ductwork had to be tailored to the roof's height while minimally impacting the skylights. Lastly, in lighting design, the second floor, due to the roof's structure, couldn't use a standard ceiling, necessitating the installation of lighting on the irregular roof surfaces. Overall, the design of this irregular roof brought challenges and obstacles at every stage, from the beginning to the end. In hindsight, if I were to redesign, I might keep the roof elevation consistent within each individual building, allowing different height variations between buildings. This approach would achieve a staggered effect while greatly simplifying subsequent structural, HVAC, and lighting design challenges.
Lessons Learned:
For students embarking on architectural design courses, it's important to adopt a comprehensive approach from the beginning. Understand the significance of local geography and climate in your designs. Familiarize yourself with various aspects of building design, including structural, HVAC, lighting, and plumbing considerations, and the implications of level heights and pipe placements. Patience is key; some design elements may require more time and effort than anticipated. Ensure you allocate sufficient time for refining your designs. Architectural design is a complex and rewarding field that requires a blend of creativity, technical knowledge, and practical skills. Embrace the learning process and enjoy the journey!
Exterior View:
Isometric View:
Front View:
Back View:
Interior View:
First Floor, Building 1:
Second Floor, Building 1:
First Floor, Building 2:
Second Floor, Building 2:
Atrium, Building 3:
Patio Between Buildings:
