Desitecture @ Vertical Cities Conference - Hong Kong

We were invited earlier this year to participate and present at a Marcus Evans event called Vertical Cities. The Vertical Cities conference that took place from the 5th - 7th of March 2012 in InterContinental Grand Stanford, Hong Kong. Vertical Cities was specifically designed to meet all building industry practitioners' demands to secure and guarantee their investments.

Prof. Layton Reid took with him a presentation for the conference regarding our own experience in designing a Vertical City and also gave an illustrated explanation on how we envisage future living.


















"Today’s world is soaring and rising high with Vertical Cities boasting of cutting-new edge ‘urban architecture’ i.e. new buildings and preserving the heritage buildings recognisable around the world. The epitome of Vertical Cities is an integration of buildings within a city life with important sociocultural implications. Vertical Cities is a collaboration of typical high-rise forms which includes retail malls and multi-use towers that stack and mix commercial, retail, and residential functions.

In a congested city, the main concerns are designing of sustainable high density built environments where the problems of urban sprawl, traffic congestion and pollution have threatened the prospects of biodiversity, greenery, livability and general well-being of the inhabitants. The solution to cope with high density cities is to build upwards. In the past, many countries have deployed tall buildings as a way to solve urban problems, while at the same time creating national identity for the country through a powerful skyline. Vertical cities are now a sought-after urban habitat in upcoming cities. Vertical cities are seen as the only solution to achieving economies of scale and to address issues pertaining to space, high land prices and density challenges."

This event provided insights on the state-of-the-art techniques that can be drawn upon from the vast experience of our global speaker line-up through practical case studies and panel on its importance to the building sector be it upcoming or existing buildings; will have to adopt green initiatives and energy efficiency to remain competitive and at the same time sustainable.

The three days agenda included a choice of three streams over two days and two streams on the third day - GreenBuild: Towards Eco Sustainability. The streams for the first two days of conference were Masterplanning and Typology, Engineering and Structural Design and Sustainability and Revitalisation and the third day were Innovative Technologies and Smart & Sustainable Materials.

Speakers at the Vertical Cities event were:
- Ir. Conrad T. C. Wong Chairman of Hong Kong Green Building Council
- Dr. Ken Yeang Chairman and Director of Design of Llewelyn Davies Yeang, UK
- Marshall Strabala Founder and Design Partner of 2DEFINE Architecture
- Julien De Smedt Founder & Director of Julien De Smedt Architects, Brussels & Copenhagen
- Silas Chiow Director of Skidmore Owings & Merrill, China
- Layton Reid, Founder of Desitecture, UK
- Robert Forest Founding Partner, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
- Cathy Yang Vice President of Taipei Financial Center Corp, Taiwan
- Ian Milne Design Director of Atkins, Hong Kong
- Agnes Ng Chairman of BEAM Society Limited
- Dr. Benny Chow Director of Sustainability of Aedas Ltd., Hong Kong
- Ar. Rajendra Kumar Principal Architect, Architect Rajendra Kumar, India


Do check the links:
http://en.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/8862/key-building-and-architecture-experts-to-present-at-the-vertical-cities-in-hong-kong

http://www.verticalcities-lse.com/

Visions of the Future, Architecture for the 21st Century - Publication

Earlier this year Desitecture had two projects published within "Visions of the Future, Architecture for the 21st Century" by Loft publications, Barcelona.

We are very pleased with the outcome and the work looks great, sat alongside other brilliant architects like MVRDV, Will Alsop, Mitchell Joachim etc. It is a privilege to be associate with such esteem company.

The book highlights the alternatives envisaged by international experts about how we will live within a few decades: inevitable high-rise cities due to urban crowding or eco-friendly and self-sufficient metropolises are some of the prevailing trends seen in the seventy-plus projects included in the book. Via photos, plans, architectural illustrations, sketches, diagrams, texts and captions, this volume offers readers a clear image of the types of housing and cities to expect in a possible, and not so distant, future.

Science Museum - New Galleries Pitch

A space where experience is science.

Desitecture took part in a speculative proposal for new galleries at the science museum london, in collaboration with a group of graphic, interactive, experience, exhibition and creative designers and artists. The seamless form evokes an undulating valley with a stream of circulation populated by flowers of information and climates of visual experiences. The proposal intends to house and narrate the treasures of the science museum as they relate to time, communication and the inclusive world.






























The gallery is an immersive environment with visitors free to stay, rest, sit or even recline on the surfaces, a veritable alternative, yet tangible virtual world; a place of play. The developed form takes the visitor on a journey through a landscape of experiences which reveal the interconnectedness of cultures and scientific endeavour.

Children have a special role in the continued development of the relevance of the gallery through their continued participation in a programme of lunchtime activities ending in the creation of a lunch box of ideas fro the future which is constantly updated and exhibited in the space.

'Terra Brug' - AC-CA Amsterdam Bridge Competition

We have recently entered our scheme 'Terra Brug' into the AC-CA [AMSTERDAM] Iconic Pedestrian Bridge Competiton:

COMPETITION BRIEF/INTRODUCTION:
The bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle.

It is designed for pedestrians and cyclists, rather than vehicular traffic. Footbridges complement the landscape and can be used decoratively to visually link two distinct areas or to signal a transaction.
Footbridges can be both functional and beautiful works of art and sculpture in there own right as seen in some of the most visited countries around world.

DESIGN ETHOS:
The bridge over the ...canal aims to unite both sides of the Amstel Canal. The new icon of the city is not defined by structures but by the care and consideration it pays to its inhabitants, and its concern for, and integration with the environment.
Breathing space in the city is a precious commodity, and the bridge has always been, not only a device for crossing but also a meeting point, and a place to stop and from which to absorb the wonder of the city.

Evolo Skyscraper Competiton - 'Airhive'

Following the success of last years 'Vertical City' we have again entered the Evolo Skyscraper competition with 'Airhive' - Our proposal for the favelas of Rio De Janeiro.

AIRHIVE



ETHOS
Inspired by the construction on steep hillsides as the favelas struggle to find space in Rio De Janeiro, and the stilt leg construction, where it becomes vertiginous, the project is constructed over the existing favela like a hive in the air all except for the core and the legs to to the outer frame. The tower is positioned over a commercial centre, creating less upheaval for the residents but responding to the potential afforded by requirements of the tower itself in terms of support facilities etc.

SITE
The tower sits over existing buildings in a form of air rights development, through a partnership with local inhabitants, its form has been considered to minimize impact and access of amenity to light, air etc.







NIGHT
At night the light cores of the tower have the possibility to radiate light within what it is hoped will be a vibrant local district of perpetual day.

NATURE
Nature is a source of inspiration for the project the hive symbolic of the plight of the common bee that pollinates our world and its place in our eco system. It is hoped that the a series of natural habitats will be created in the aerial park areas of the scheme to support this initiative.







CONSTRUCTION
The programme supports a staged construction with the first third of the towers built and inhabited for the Olympic event and the subsequent stages built as a response to need and commercial speculation a new and interesting partnership with capital.






CHANGE
It seems nothing else could accelerate change in these areas other than a massive masterplan and direct investment. The buildings will therefore contain flats for the Olympians which later get converted into social housing and a 5 star hotel from which the hillside jungle adventures are run and in between high spec apartments, so similar to the Hancock Towers amenities, but in this case bringing in a large amount of social provision. Car parking will be in a new submerged basement 10ms under the existing favelas.

STRUCTURE
The main structure comprises of a concrete honeycomb core linked to a diamond lattice steel construction to which the outer skin is attached.

SKIN /SAIL
The outer skin is a permeable solar sail embedded with photovoltaics, it is attached to the diamond frame similar in form to a shaped mesh set in a frame on dampers attached to the main structural elements.

WATER
The outer skin also serves as water collecting membrane via the louvred elements

ENERGY
Energy is produced as the air movement presses on the flexible skin then the energy is transferred through the dampers on the main framework creating electricity.

VERTICAL WIND FARM
Horizontally positioned wind turbines exist within the sealed twin walled core elements of the buildings circular atriums, these provide local energy needs, lighting small power.

INFRASTRUCTURE
At lower levels of this steeply angled site underground car park and water storage /site drainage, further serve to support the existing substrata with controlled drainage and water management systems , recycled on site

VENTILATION
Through ventilation is provided through ducts between the circular sealed atria and the open voids at the rear of the accommodation.

BRIDGES AND VERTICAL FARMS
The bridges to the rear of the building link into the hills at the back of the site, these it is proposed, will become a nature reserve with recreational, pursuit, enclave and vertical farm supplying food to the local community.

Post WAF 2011

So we didnt win an award at WAF this year.....however still enjoyed our time being part of such a brilliant event, meeting lots of interesting people and possible collaborators! Here are a few pics.

WAF 2011 is only round the corner!

The Desitects are very much looking forward to WAF 2011 in Barcelona, less than a few weeks to go!

We have a group of 15 designers going, that includes a small following of Ravensbourne Architecture & IDEA students.

Not give to much away regarding the presentation of our Shortlisted Entry but below is our final vision: Stadi-City

"The notion of the stadium as a suburban icon is re invented as an in continuous use resort in constant use as a destination and port of call for ocean liners. The stadium is designed to make use of suitable off shore sites where land based stadia could not be supported."

Shelter from the Storm

Many homeless people carry with them their valuables, as they do not have a secure places to keep them. With this design we have provided bags, which are located beneath the mattress, giving the homeless person the option to store the valuables within.

Not only designed for homeless people, this concept has a much wider appeal. For example, a Businessmen could begin to use as a sleeping bed as it’s easy transportable it can be transported to work set up any ware.

The design is a simple X frame structure, that houses 4 bags within each gap within the frame to provide storage for the homeless. However the bags will first come with an air mattress and an inflatable outer skin for the bed, this is optional. Meaning that this design is easy to set up and can be flat packed as well as light weight making it easy to carry away to another destination.

Desitecture Shortlisted For World Architecture Festival 2011

For the 2nd year in a row we have been shortlisted for WAF in Barcelona. This year we have been shortlisted for the Future Projects, Masterplanning category!

Published in the Summer edition of de/design exchange magazine

We are currently featured in the summer edition of de/design exchange magazine for our Vertical City concept.

Domus - Project Hercules

200 ideas, designs and proposals received following Project Heracles, Domus's call for ideas for an imaginary infrastructure connecting Africa and Europe.

Bridge? Tunnel? Cablecar? Dam? Metropolis? Market? Power plant? Museum? Icon? Prison? Park? Airport? Send us a postcard with your ideas for a connection between Africa and Europe across the Strait of Gibraltar.

In response to recent events in North Africa, Domus is calling on architects, designers, artists, urbanists, theorists and readers to reexamine the relationship between two geographically adjacent yet politically and socially distant continents. Can infrastructure be used as a medium to articulate the complexity of the present spatial condition? Should Africa be definitively severed from—or newly reconnected to—Europe?

This was our response that recently featured on Wallpaper's Blog:

http://www.wallpaper.com/gallery/art/postcards-from-the-heracles-project-at-the-gopher-hole-london/17052573/48416

A Living Bridge

The Heracles project is not a bridge it is a living entity spanning the continents a borderless zone. Inspired by African woven material and termite construction but using current steel and lightweight concrete technology.

The application of form driven parametric mimics bone in the construction of the structure of the new terra. Heracles is a kente strip cloth inspired woven form, stiffened to create a three dimensional form supported on floating pontoons which pivot at the bridge form in response to tidal ebb and flow; rising and falling independently in support of the superstructure.

The central portion of Hercales is supported by the undersea mountain which sits midway between the continents, whilst naval traffic is regulated and used as a loading point for cargo and pleasure craft in the Mediterranean .

Over time the coral like structure will disappear under llichen and moss, seamlessly linked to the gardens and forest growing on the upper levels of the structure. We envisage a resort of hotels entertainment, businesses, fueling the interchange between the continents of Euarafrica. The sustainable nature of the endeavour is further enhanced by its ability to produce its own and surplus energy, through wave generated power which it then exports to either continent. Balancing on the tip of an underwater mountain range this new terra is at the fulcrum of a new miscegenation, and a long hoped for future.

The Postcards were on display at The Gopher Hole gallery in London.

WAF 2011 Entries

We recently submitted our entries for this years World Architecture Festival. 2 Projects were entered; Linearpolis, a housing/masterplan concept for the Heliopolis Favela in Sao Paulo (Brazil) and the other Stadi_City; the notion of the stadium as a suburban icon, re invented as a continuous use resort, in constant use as a destination and port of call for ocean liners, a destination city that is formed by creating an artificial island and tidal marina.

Designed for the Qatar world cup and subsequent potential Olympics, the stadium resort has a life an community of its own and will continue to be a destination after hosting major sporting and entertainment events. The stadium resort could also be sited off the coast of a developing nation whose infrastructure would not normally be expected to support such a project , the boost to the local economy and the influx of a new tourist trade would open up a number of countries as contemporary destinations for international sporting events and activities. In respect of the Kente cloth concept it is proposed that the second site for the project would be off the coast of Accra.

Ethos
The notion of the stadium as a suburban icon is re invented as an in continuous use resort in constant use as a destination and port of call for ocean liners. The stadium is designed to make use of suitable offshore sites where land based stadia could not be supported. Its secondary use as a port and entertainment centre affords a sustainable proposition and the project itself could be sited in a multitude of sites which would otherwise not be able to economically support such a construct.

The stadium is a self contained mini city, with all the amenities which are necessary for constant inhabitation,including retail and restaurant offers, the visiting yachts and ocean liners regularly replenish it with visitors, the secure location being a welcome respite from European winters


Construction
The stadium resort comprises an Olympic sized stadium, with integrated hotels, apartments and event spaces. The construction is based on the weave of Kente cloth a traditional Ghanaian fabric woven of strips of tightly woven cloth , the most frequent pattern being a diamond shape .The strips are then sown together to form a continuous fabric sheet, if sewn together intermittently the fabric when stiffened forms a structure not unlike that of muscle tissue.

The project utilises much of the technology used in the Palms Dubai project, creating an artificial island and tidal marina. Coral frame. The resulting structural frame is redolent of coral , a permeable exoskeletal structure inspired by Brunel’s Taymar bridge.


Transport
The main connecting bridge house maglev shuttles, and service road, for visitors and spectators, its form resembles a tube at its centre but is in reality the same ribbon wall that stabilises the stadium and provides the terraced meandering park which on two sides of the stadium take you up to the aerial park. Permanent residents living in the apartments make use of electric cars to navigate the site.

Sustainability
Each tier of the two structural skins which create the bridges and envelope the stadium contains a roadway to the apartment level and meandering park which finally reaches the roof level of the stadium, the heavily shaded garden areas adjacent to the apartments provide the light to this inner world . At the roof level of the aerial park the landscape is divided by an elliptical photovoltaic sun farm and a continuous roof-light which illuminates the curving cathedral space below which lies between the stadium and its encircling apartments, hotels and retail offer. This space offers a controlled environment, for leisure and events, whilst the stadium itself , in line with many new stadia can be transformed into everything from race track to urban park, dependant on the activity programme envisaged.

Users and local benefit
The residents of the development will comprise high income individuals and those wanting an exclusive vacation with access to world class sport and entertainment.

The Stadium resort will provide employment and training at the highest level, in hospitality and event management to the local community. The new skills provided would further help to develop the local market, and it is expected that this in turn would lead to further economic development as the economy grew in response to the needs of its new

Desalination Plant, the development is supported by its own desalination plant which will produce a surplus for use on the mainland. The resulting procedure will assist in the creation of micro climatic production.

Pulished in Mexico - ACTUALIDAD AD

We recently featured in a article in Actualidad AD (Architectural Digest) published in Mexico. It was an honor not only to feature in the magazine but to also be published in the same spread as Grimshaw Architects.

www.architecturaldigest.com.mx