site landscape

The panoramic  view below shows the landscape of the site and its context, including vegetation types and heights and also the dwellings around the site and their characteristics. The view pans from the West to the South in a clockwise direction and the topography of the site is such that it just slopes very gently from the North West to the South East. 

Landscape panorama of site.

EXPLORATION: Environmental

The second exploration was a combination of conceptual ideas for the structures of the columns and walls, the environmental strategy of not attaching the top of the walls to the roof in order to achieve cross ventilation especially in that climate and the use of these spaces which have multiple functions such as classrooms, meetings rooms etc. 

This material used to sculpt this model was clay, this was done in response to or as a follow up to the first exploration which, due to the big granules of clay and the rapid drying had serious cracks on them. The explorations will continue to perfect this earth construction system through appropriate research and inquiry.

Sketches and model for exploration

Documentary: Michael Reynolds 'Garbage warrior'

This documentary was very inspiring in terms of re-use of waste/unwanted materials for building construction. As a result, the projects were low cost but highly efficient. This is another example of the approach I intend to take towards the design thesis project. Again, very inspiring!

                                          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNYFlcV9R1w

DIGITAL DESIGN

AUGMENTED REALITY

Augmented reality in architecture can simply be referred to as the merge between virtual and real objects. The design thesis project will be the focus project for the Digital Architectural Design module. It consist of three options namely, virtual reality, parametric modelling and building information modelling. For my thesis, I have chosen the first option which is virtual reality because I think it would be the best medium of explaining the narrative behind my project.
The project will involve creating a storyboard in which there will be a mix of real time video recordings with the virtual model. One aspect of mixed reality that I have taken interest in is augmented reality where people can view a virtual model or object in real time. It is a fantastic opportunity I think for architects to inform their clients in an engaging way how they would experience their spaces in real time. Below's a video highlighting what aspects I might be exploring.

                                          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzD1g-mhRB8

FACADE EXPLORATION

The architectural approach of the thesis the strategic use of appropriate materials and technology in response to the regional attributes of the site. From the examples of the Plastic bottled walls in Kaduna state, Nigeria and the Clay pot casting in Gando, Burkina Faso, I  decided to make a prototype for a wall which makes use of the plastic bottles to create a solid external partition (filled with sand), allow passage of light (not filled) and air (sliced open at ends) and screen from the sandy winds. 

Construction procedure of sand-filled plastic bottle walls

 The materials used were sand (dry cat litter clay), water, empty plastic bottles (size depends on thickness of wall), funnel (folded sheet of paper), basin or board, mixing bowl and a sharp edge to slice bottles for the open ended sides.
This is the first exploration, however, the observation was that as the moist clay dries off, cracks appear due to the absorption of water. The challenge with regards to the explorations would be to figure out ways in which the cracks could be mitigated and completely avoided. Another challenge would be, the approach to the issue of heavy rainfall bearing in mind that this type of wall construction is an earth construction, therefore, there are high tendencies of washing-offs and settling.

Visual representation of plastic bottle wall idea