BDES1020 'Continuous City' <Linda Nguyen>

Abstract

This topic introduces us to a city that has been composed by taking aspects of ten different traditional cities and joining them with a generic city. The generic city includes a land and water axis that has made this site more dynamic. Each person is given one sub-site from their designated site, and what follows is a process of transformation. My subsite was in Amsterdam and featured one of the most defining features of the city: its canal. I decided to make use of the numerous views offered by one building. The program for my building is a yoga lounge/dance studio which allows people to socialise and relax. It also coincides with the active lifestyle of those living in Amsterdam and would be a great social spot amongst the residential housing in its current area. Its primary feature is its fanned ceiling which allows the lounge to be used at all times of the year: weather is no issue. The glass ceiling allows the sunlight to filter through and reduces electrical costs. It also provides nice ambience for those who partake in the classes available at the yoga lounge. The ceiling was in fact inspired by the movements in yoga and the structure of the original site. The structure is made out of timber, but due to the large spans of the ceiling it is supported by steel trusses due to its strength and light weight. To mirror the organic nature of yoga, the building is also cladded in timber and is given a dark furnishing so that it would not contrast too heavily against the brick buildings around it. This place is one where people are encouraged to get to know their neighbours while enjoying a class of yoga/dance.