BDES1020 Continuous City <Yuk Wai Yeung>

Abstract

Architecture Studio Semester 2 (2010) The site provided is the intersection of Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue, the whole block is the footprint of one of the landmark architectures of New York, The St Patrick's cathedral. This particular cathedral was built in 1878, given its massive dimension it can accommodate up to 2,200 people. Situated opposite to the Rockefeller centre, the cathedral is surrounded by massive skyscrapers and despite its twin spires rising up to 100m tall, the structure stands apart from the rest of the site. In order to preserve the function and the symbolic value of the cathedral, the objective is to design with minimal disturbance to the site. The idea is to build beyond the limit of the site, and since the adjacent space is a large surface of water, the structure aims to reach out for water while having an appropriate connection to the cathedral itself. A greenhouse at this particular location has numerous benefits; the glass structure is orientated to receive maximum sunlight exposure (absence of the shadows casted by the skyscrapers); its proximity to a large body of water raises the humidity and encourages research in desalination... The greenhouse is open for public exposition and has a restaurant at sea level, there is also an entire level for research and control. A greenhouse requires a relatively large amount of sunlight exposure, it is important that the design of the structural frame has a light weight secondary structure fixing the translucent cladding material and creating the flexibility in the interior space. This secondary frame is supported by the main structure which consists of a series of shifting platforms supported by two main columns and a load bearing wall at the back. The idea is to hide the load bearing wall which is aesthetically ‘heavy’ in comparison to a delicate transparent structure which explains the relative position between the cathedral and the greenhouse. The transparency of the design is also complemented by its proximity of the water. The material is an essential part of the design; the glass component should be able to allow sunlight to penetrate but also keeping the heat within the structure. The glass which was chosen is partly translucent and the secondary frame is made of light weight steel, together forming a transparent crystalline structure taking the form of the wave. The enclosed area of the frame could be further developed into solar panels, an alternate power source for the greenhouse.