abstracted verticalities
Undergraduate thesis
2018-2019
Looking into a speculative future, the issues of mass heat and solar radiation through the process of multiple absorption are said to increase temperatures in the downtown core's of cities- exponentially.
If we are to examine our future through the lens of temperature extremes, how can we deconstruct the thresholds of buildings into heat-based experiments — abstracting the verticality of our cities, while allowing for the creation of "a space in commons"[1] and socio-spatial experiences.
This project explores the application of textiles in architecture, focusing on three fibres, which each have an ability to respond to heat through natural characteristics of the textiles themselves.
The proposed site of this project is Commerce Court 3, a new development by Hariri Pontarini Architects, in Toronto Ontario.
Reports acquired from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) regarding temperature anomalies in the Northern Hemisphere.
Reports acquired from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Examining the City of Toronto specifically within the next 50 years with regards to precipitation, temperature changes, and snowfall.
site and surrounding buildings representing the verticality of the city.
When looking at heat in cities, there is an enormous correlation between glass and temperature, through the process known as multiple absorption. By examining the theory of a threshold- both past and present, we can begin to deconstruct and dissolve them into a dynamic point of interaction between the interior and exterior environments.
Examining new materiality based on past applications in the built environment, This thesis responds and experiments with work being done in the Soft Lab[2] at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in the field of material research centred around the application of heat responsive textiles in architecture. As well, it references experiments being conducted with Photovoltaic material[3], being carried out by Sheila Kennedy at MIT. Experiments with both these textiles were being tried for their potential function in interior environments.
This thesis experiments with several textiles in exterior environments, in regards to rising temperatures in cities due to current building materials. As well this thesis critically examines 'pubic' space, and the opportunity for 'common space's' to erupt and influence architecture and urban micro-environment's.
Through sun studies of the site, I began to piece together where and when sun hits the current and proposed buildings, examining their height and material as influences to the 'space as commons' on the ground level. Also overlayed, are potential and observed paths of travel, and means of egress.
Examining and experimenting with the layering of the three textiles became an intricate dance between energy harvesting, and light control.
GRILLON VLT is a fibrous textile which when heated, expands its fibres, creating apertures for light to pass through.
PEMOTEX, when heated, expands the width of its fibres to create a denser surface, similar to the ways in which insulation retains and captures heat to cool.
PHOTOVOLTAIC TEXTILES are the final layer to the abstracted threshold installation, used to harvest solar rays as usable energy.
On a macro-scale, these fibres navigate the speculation of heat extremes within the city. On a micro-scale, your movements through the courtyard activate the suspended fibres, creating a dynamic space in commons.
These fibres are suspended with cables- through joints and anchors, extrapolated from Frei Otto's work with suspension and woven textiles.
These plans depict the figure-ground relation. As the eye moves closer to grade, the woven fabrics begin to appear and disappear- depending on their relation to the ground.