final decisions:

there you go, another final decisions.. wish the design can still be improved here and there, but that won't happen, will it? i have selected some of my favourite images from my portfolio booklet, although bits and bobs are not perfect. 

i would like to thank my tutor Chantelle Niblock for the tireless support, all contributors from the very beginning ( Nicole Porter, Owen South, Martin Knight, Ho Yin, Darren Robinson, John Chilton and Sean Lu) and my studio peer group.

intermezzo: the 'b'

integrated timber lattices

testing out the integrated timber lattices system with various arrangements of social space.. the developed structural system was not factored in, and yet to be confirmed (very soon!). note: supposedly, #4 is a green cage. creepers will be planted soon :)

quick try on new overall perspective views

density study 3: physical models

after i tested them out in Rhino, i moved on to physical models to give me more ideas about opening quality, atmosphere and scale. models were made in 1:50 scale, and there was a slight scale error due to materials limitation. and option (1) is still my choice

 

density study 2: partial

started with 2 different configurations, further study using physical models for different schemes will be explored.

density study 1: overall density scheme

graphic illustration of the overall density scheme, with regards to: function, social study and environmental issue

partial physical model study: sitting area

idea: 'see through' balustrade: Ravensbourne College London

pictures are taken during a short visit to Ravensbourne College London, December 2011.

sectional study

 

more study about details are needed especially the joints between timber + concrete deck. the lattices need to satisfy these aspects: structural stability, functional purpose, smooth and continous look.

intermezzo: sequential bridges along River Thames

(image source: map from Google Earth, with compiled information about the bridges from various sources)

so, how about my bridge?

unresolved timber structure

i have been struggling for quite sometime pertaining the main structural issue. there are comprimises to make between aesthetic versus structurally well functioned elements. well, time to move on and do more research, really.

the tiny model

thank you to Soni, our classmate, who was keenly help us with the useful site models :)

the interim review before Easter Break:

this is what i call 'a freezing moment', a moment when we focus more about getting the design message across and learn how to present what the architecture could contribute to human being and environment. 

refinement:

further development: with a favor of digital tool

as design is always evolving, and taking the same principle with previous scheme, i tried to develop a more fluid and closer-to-nature architectural form. i explored possibilities of forms using Rhino, and generated the basic form.

one day workshop: perspex

further down from previous social study, i extracted seven type of various frames based from a singular frame. it varies in terms of opening, paralel with social needs. i had an opportunity to use laser cut machine during the one day workshop, and explored perspex.

series of engaging activities

after discussions with Martin Knight (Knight Architects) and Ho-Yin Ng (Amanda Levete Architects), i did a quick social study for this bridge project. it is kind of a personal reflection and self imagination with what i want to do as an admirer of Oxford's beautiful and breathtaking River Thames.

After a couple of alternatives, I have documented the chosen one.

Summer Eights 2010.

An annual event in River Thames.. the main event of inter-college rowing races

three initial concepts: MOVEMENT

A  bridge contains series of movement:

the changeability of users’, its surrounding’s (nature) and the bridge’s itself (from design ideas until construction stage). 

According to ‘The poetics of movement in architecture’ by Michael Schumacher, there are four parts related with movement:

movement + speed

movement + form

movement + mass

movement + sound

IDEAS OF MOVEMENT as a common idea for three schemes

the study of the phenomenon of development of organisms centres in three constructive processes:

source: Tzonis, A and Lefaivre, L. (1995) Movement, Structure and the Work of Santiago Calatrava. Basel: Birkhauser

1. growth

2. morphogenesis 

3. differentation