Architectural engineering: production & parts

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PRODUCTION & PARTSPT. 2: THE DESIGN OF A TEMPORARY EXTENSION

TO THE MODEL WORKSHOP IN VERTIGO

PRODUCTION & PARTST.J. HENRY

IR. J.P.A. SCHEVERS

07/2012

T.J. Henry, Temporary Extension workshop VertigoProduction & Parts, July 2012Tutor: Ir. J.P.A. ScheversMaster course Architecture, Building and Planning, Eindhoven University of Technology

Contents:Preface 2Introduction 3Design 4Façade concept 12Acknowledgements 16Bibliography 17

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This is the report regarding the masters course Production & Parts, part of the master Architecture, Building and Planning from the Eindhoven University of Technology. It regards the second part of the course, designing an extension to the model workshop in Vertigo, the first part being an investigation of an architectural detail. During the design process and the editing of this booklet, with fellow students around me working on the same assignment, this project was a pleasure to work on. From the start my focus was on the model, trying to make the model in the same way the true building would be formed, in a 1:33 scale. Another focus was on the material wood, a material that still has endless roads to discover. This assignment was done in Eindhoven.

Preface

T.J. Henry - Production & Parts pt. 2The design of a temporary extension to the model workshop in Vertigo

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The brief of this assignment was to design a temporary extension to the model workshop in Vertigo. This can be interpreted in various ways. Extending this brief personally, the focus of the temporary structure would also be on flexibility (in function). A workshop is a space which can be filled in in complete different ways. For instance, you can go to a workshop to create a little birds house, scale 1:1, or on the other hand, to create a model for the course Production & Parts, scale 1:1. In this matter flexibility already shows its face, but in the way of using space. The workshop to be therefore has to be flexible, as well as in use of space as in function. Hereby comes the temporality, laying a focus on simplicity, trying to create demountable, simple connections for a quick set up and disassembly. These are some of the most important points for the design to take into account. With the help of some design concepts and most of all trying to keep the design simple, the design process led to a flexible structure, free for use in different ways, on different times and different places.

Introduction


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Flexibility and modularityWhen creating a workshop (extension), it is actually the case of creating flexible space, as models can have all sorts of sizes and the need for space varies from time to time. Thus, flexibility is an extra item accompanying the other items from the design brief like the necessity for a demountable construction and a quick setup or disassembly. For avoiding that the design only is appropriate for a model workshop, the aim is to create a void space, making it possible to use it extensively for other purposes as well. With this in mind, it would be a big plus to have the possibility to extend this extra space as much as needed, being not so much or maybe very much. Then, depending on the intended function (workshop, exposition, theater play, info stand, presentations, etc.), the design would be able to suit almost every (temporary) situation. To reach this, modularity has been given a great role in the design. Creating one module with the idea of linking multiple for creating a bigger space, various compositions can be made, fitting the asked circumstances. Coming from the basic idea of a simple construction with wooden beams arranged according to a constructive grid, one unit consists of two wooden trusses hanging in between the four columns, one on every corner. In order to create the desired modularity, there had to be paid attention to the detailing at the points the modules come together as it has to be possible to set just one unit up, or multiple linked to one another (fig. 03 + 04). The wooden truss is made according to a basic construction method, making a relatively large span possible with no difficult joints between the beams. The beams can be disassembled for they are connected with steel bolts, but in this case one span can be prefabricated as well for they will always be part of the design and there will be no need for them to disassemble after they have been set up. So, one truss is just one demountable element in the construction principle.

Pt. 1The first part of the course Production & Parts consisted of the investigation of an architectural detail from an architectural project of personal choice. For this, my partner and me chose a project from the Belgian B-architects, named ‘Anyplace’, in Antwerp. It concerned an old industrial building which had to be renovated and renewed, both in function as in space. Apartments were created and B-architects themselves settled in the old building. A new building rose next to the old building, though adapting the old style, for example to be seen in the characteristic use of brickwork. The chosen detail was the top corner of a window which was repeated frequently in the façade of the old building. Like said before, this building had to be renovated, as well as these windows, making it an interesting meeting between an old and new life of the building. For this, B-architects preserved the old construction and brickwork, leaving it clearly in sight. The windows had to be renewed, and therefore new wooden windowframes were placed. These weren’t normal windowframes, though. B-architects chose for pivot hung windows, allowing the window to rotate around its axis in the middle of the windowframe. This fact showed the contrast between the old and the new the best, as modest as the interventions were. Making the link to part two of the course, the detail from pt. 1 contradicts the brief for the second assignment vastly. Because the design for the extension of Vertigos workshop has to be temporary, and therefore flexible and demountable, rough brickwork didn’t seem to be the best solution in this case. Picking out the new element in the renewed detail from Anyplace - the wooden windowframe - wood will be the main material for the design for the workshop extension, being a very suitable material to build light, flexible and temporary. Hereby, extra elements like the strong repetition in the façade and the pivot hung window principle were sources of inspiration for the temporary extension design.


A temporary extension to the model workshop in Vertigo. This short brief for this design assignment already contains some demands which have to be taken into consideration for the design. Temporary meaning the design has to function for a specific amount of time and therefore has to be easy in its setup and its disassembly. An extension indicating the necessity for an extra space or an expansion of the original space. The model workshop in Vertigo hereby being the given location for this assignment.

Design

01. 02.

Figures:

01. project ‘Anyplace’, Antwerp, B-architects

02. chosen detail from pt. 1

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Like said before, for the detailing there had to be paid attention to the linking factor between different units/modules. The colums play a major role here. For making various compositions possible, and to make all units the same, a column has to have the possibility to function as a façade column as well as an inside center column or a corner column. Each of these having connections with two or more beams/trusses. So it’s not possible to connect a truss on top of a column, like normally, when constructing a random composition. For this, the trusses are hung in between the columns, creating the freedom to attach a truss to one side or both sides of the column (fig. 05). All of these connections have to be temporary, therefore steel plates are connected onto the columns that need connection elements in the chosen composition. Then the connection with the truss or beam can be made by hanging the beam over the steel plate, fastening them with steel bolts. In theory, endless compositions can be made with this principle, but in practice there only will be a certain amount of elements to be put together, thinking about façade elements which are needed more and more when it is decided to set up only single units, which leads to a bigger outline of the structure and thus a greater façade surface. The example set up shown in this report is a realistic and efficient composition, being the principle of the first composition in figure 03.03.

04. Figures:

03. possible compositions

04. expanding and linking concept

05. sketch: connection principle truss/column, making it possible to link units to one another

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In figure 06 the truss-column principle is clearly visible as both the façade and a center column are shown. Further on, what strikes the most are the square sections of the beams connecting the columns and trusses. These are fitting the dimensions of the column so that also these beams can be positioned as a façade element or an inside element. The beams part of the trusses are beams of a corresponding height (160 mm) and put together, they also have a corresponding width (160 mm). The two beams enclosing the central beam - making the angle - are both 50 mm wide as where the central beam has a width of 60 mm. The beams being cut off in the section in figure 06 are small beams, having a length of 1.5 m, so that they correspond with the flexible column-truss principle. 1.5 m also being the width of a single façade unit, a measurement coming back throughout the design. The foundation consists of concrete blocks, being put into the soil for their lower half. The columns are set up on these blocks, after which the connecting beams and trusses follow.

vertical section façade 1:20

3 mm aluminum sheet160/160 mm lam. construction beam, 1.5 m long4 mm corrugated synthetic sheet, translucent, onframework of 44/80 mm pine battensØ 8 mm steel wind bracing40 mm lam. cross boarded sheeting60 mm EPS insulationvapour barrier18 mm plywood underlayment, in between60/120 floor beams4 mm corrugated synthetic sheet, translucent, on60/160 mm construction beam (truss)50/160 mm construction beam (truss, 2x)

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08.

09.

10.

section aa

aa

b

b

front view

section bb

side view

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Figures:

06. vertical section façade 1:20

07. photo model 1:33

08. ground floor plan 1:100

09. sections aa + bb 1:100

10. front view + side view 1:100

11. situation - campus TU/e 1:2000


In the plan, sections and views of the example set up of the design, the modularity of the design can be seen in the arrangement of columns and unity in the façade elements in between the columns. One unit as to be seen on the plan has a rectengular shape of 1.5 m wide and 6 m long. In section bb extra elements are placed onto the standard trusses on the edges of the design to provide the necessary protection from wind and rain. This is not solved in the truss design itself, where the trusses also had to have the possibility to function as inside trusses and thus can be left open.

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Linking to Vertigo, or flexibility?For creating a workshop extension of 200 m2, the design has to consist of ca. 24 units. When these are linked to eachother, the most efficient use of space is reached. This set up is to be seen in the situation drawing with de Zwarte Doos and Vertigo, figure 14. But the design, designed to be flexible and temporary, can also be used for many other purposes, and should, in my opinion. During Production & Parts the structure can be used as an extension and/or exhibition space for the scale models, but Vertigo can use this design as an extension in more ways. Exhibitions, presentations, info stands, and so on. In the situation drawing the structure is placed just next to the door leading to the workshop in Vertigo. Students can use this door during Production & Parts to go the the extended workshop where they can store their models and work on them inside or outside of the structure. The only disadvantage is that the passage to the workshop extension is an exterior one, so in case of rain the students are advised to wait and stay inside with their models. This is a small price to pay though, for obtaining a flexible design that can be used in other ways and on other places as well, not strictly attached to Vertigo.

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Figures:


14. situation - Zwarte Doos / Vertigo 1:500

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Free façadeBecause of the structure is already determined according to a chosen composition, the space in between the columns is free for interpretation. One unit has the dimensions of 1.5 m wide and 6 m long - which means 1.5 m wide and 4 x 1.5 m long. This way one similar dimension is to be found all over the entire façade, and only one; 1.5 m x the height, being from floor to construction beam: 2.5 m. In these dimensions there is an absolute freedom in choosing its destiny. There only has to be paid attention to making the structure wind and water proof, that is, if desired! In this design 4 options are developed. The first one being ‘nothing’. The façade does not serve a structural purpose and therefore can be left entirely open. Ideal for a barbeque in summer, celebrating someones graduation. When the design has to stand for a longer time, the structure has to be made wind and water proof. The entire façade needs filling and with this, an entrance has to be made. The second option therefore is a simple door element, of course with the dimensions fitting the structure. This door is the only element which can be opened from the outside, having its hinges attached vertically to a random column, just as a normal door. The two most interesting elements are at first the most simple ones: open and closed. Some places in the structure need to have wind braces in the façade, keeping the structure from collapsing. This is the closed element, fixed onto the enclosing columns. When openness is desired, for fresh air, more light or just an exit, an element which can rotate around a horizontal axis is created. It can be seen as a horizontal pivot hung windowframe, now fitting the structure of this temporary design. This element only can be opened from the inside by pulling the cord and fastening it down on the accompanying columns, leaving the element horizontal and high enough to pass under it. The horizontal rotation has its advantage comparing to normal vertical hinges, being not occupying space when opening the element.


With a flexible structure comes a flexible façade. Or, making the design even more flexible by leaving the façade free for interpretation, fitting the façade to the wishes for a certain temporary function. Choose where the entrance comes, open one side towards a beautiful view or make a playful mix between open and closed.

Façade concept

Figures:

15. sketch: identical façade elements

16. sketch: extra truss element + one of the construction principles


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In figure 18 and 19 it is shown how these two façade elements are detailed. A wooden frame, fitting exactly within the main structure is attached to the structure, or, in case of the open element, attached by means of a horizontal axis. On this frame - for both principles - a corrugated synthetic sheet is attached, also fitting within the main structure. The lanes in this sheet are orientated vertically, being a part of the water drainage. All sheets are translucent, letting enough light into the design - also through the roof (same principle) - as well as providing privacy or shelter for the outside world.

rotation axis/steel boltlocking elementfixing bolt (for rope)

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Figures:

18. façade ‘closed’ / wind bracing element

19. façade ‘open’

20. photo model 1:33 (night)18. 19.

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This report is the result of the second assignment of the architectural course Production & Parts (architectural engineering), part of the master Architecture, Building and Planning from the Eindhoven University of Technology. The freedom in this design assignment allowed me to explore my personal interests and to apply them on a design. The key words in this design - flexibility, temporality and the material wood - were always part of my interests and so it was a pleasure working on this assignment. My gratitude goes to my fellow students, inspiring and helping me throughout this design process. Also my gratitude goes to ir. J.P.A. Schevers for his or his guests lectures from which some of them made me see things from another point of view.


Acknowledgements

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Literature:

Detail 10 – 2010 p. 1004-1006

Detail 10 – 2010 p. 1028-1031

Detail 1/2 – 2012 p. 28 - 31

Centrum Hout, Almere, Houtwijzer: Naaldhout in de bouw© Centrum Hout 2005

Notes:

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Figures:

01. - 02. Thomas Henry, March 2011

03. - 20. Thomas Henry, April 2012 - July 2012

Inspired by:

TYIN tegnestue architects, boat house, Aure, Norway

Dorte Mandrup architects , Garden Pavilion, Asserbo, Denmark

Local architects, temporary St. Loup Chapel, Pompaples, Switzerland

Cover:

Thomas Henry, model Production & Parts, 2012

Bibliography


Documents

Architectural engineering: production & parts