M3: QUEEN VICTORIA GARDEN PAVILION
In this third module, we were asked to parametrically design a 5x5x5m pavilion in the Queen Victoria Garden which is able to facilitate an evening quartet concert for an audience of 30 people and lunchtime seminar with 15 guests + 1 presenter.
precedent study
When we were given the task to create a pavilion, there were 2 things that I wanted to include in the design of my pavilion: timber and curvilinear forms. With this in mind, I did a precedent study of a timber gridshell structure.
On the left is an image of the Portalen pavilion located in Sweden. The structure is a lightweight timber canopy with curved edges and supported on corners. The timber gridshell pavilion is covered by a transparent sheet of polycarbonate to provide shelter but still allow sun access.
design process
In the beginning of this module, we were introduced to several grasshopper plugins, such as Pufferfish, Kangaroo, Wasp and Zebra, that would help us design a pavilion parametrically.
As mentioned previously, I wanted to explore the concept of curvilinear forms. Along with that, I wanted to create interesting light and shadow effects in the pavilion, while still maximising sunlight penetration through the pavilion and visual connections between the interior and exterior of the pavilion. Through the design of a curvy timber gridshell, I was able to explore all these ideas.
As seen in the matrix above and script above, I started the design process by finding the basic form for my pavilion, and this was done through the Kangaroo Physics plugin. I laid out the basic 5 x 5m fabric and used a set of 'goals' and a solver to manipulate the basic fabric. After I finally found the basic fabric, I used grasshopper to create the timber battens, the diagonal bracing elements, and also the roof structure to form the actual pavilion.
construction
Glulam (glue-laminated timber) beams are going to be used as the main structural component forming the pavilion. Glulam is a flexible material that can be formed into any practical shape, which makes glulam a very popular material for construction. Timber in general is a lightweight material and with relatively high spans, which means that they do not need as much support. Thus, timber is a popular material in the construction of gridshell structures. The timber beams can be placed in a pattern to create a grid, which has alternating voids that can allow sunlight penetration, and can also create interesting shadows.
To provide structural support, the timber beams are cross braced using steel members, and the corners of the timber gridshell are anchored to the ground using footings.
The structure itself is then covered with polycarbonate sheeting. The sheet is transparent to maintain that visual connection from the inside out, while still providing an overhead shelter. Furthermore, the use of polycarbonate sheeting helps keep the sounds maintained within the pavilion, thus maximizing the acoustic performance of the pavilion.
circulation diagram
Based on research, I found that the 2 most popular paths taken to the M Pavilion, which is the existing pavilion in the Queen Victoria Garden, were from the north (primary), and from the National Gallery of Victoria. In terms of circulation, I wanted the pavilion to have 2 entrance points: one primary entrance from the north, and one secondary entrance from the National Gallery of Victoria.
SUNLIGHT CIRCULATION
The use of large floor to ceiling windows implied that sunlight penetration was a key factor that affected how people use the space. This diagram was made to show how much sunlight each area receives and relating that to how people utilize the spaces. As seen in the diagram, all of the areas receive light, but it is significant in the northern side of the pavilion (where the largest opening faces), and this is where the density of people is highest.
AREAS OF PAUSE
The typical activities that would be done in the pavilion would be sitting and standing. This part of the circulation diagram explores the most common areas people use for sitting and standing. The location of standing is closely related to the size of the opening (i.e. people spend more time standing in areas with larger openings). This is also a result of the placement of the pavilion on the podium. There is minimal space between the back of the pavilion and the south side of the podium. This was done intentionally so that during the quartet performance, people would not stand behind the performer. (However, it is still possible for the audience to look from behind, as the pavilion features that sense of visual porosity).
MAIN CIRCULATION
This circulation diagrams indicate main areas of movement in and out of the pavilion, along with how the podium, on which the pavilion sits on, affects the circulation through the pavilion.
threshold diagram
VISUAL THRESHOLD
The visual threshold diagram explores views through the pavilion. As seen in the diagram, most of the views are clear or obscured, and it's very rare for the views to be 100% blocked. This sense of visual porosity aligns with the sense of visual connection / porosity that I wanted to create in my pavilion.
SHADOW THRESHOLD
The shadow threshold was created based on a sunlight analysis that was done using the Ladybug plugin in Grasshopper. Because the pavilion is covered by a transparent polycarbonate sheet, most of the areas in the pavilion remains bright, even during winter. Thus, circulation is not dictated by shadow. No particular area in the pavilion is significantly shaded. As seen in the circulation diagram, the pavilion remains crowded in winter because of desirable sun access. There is very minimal dark or shadowy area in the pavilion and shadow is only created by the timber battens. Furthermore, the placement of the timber battens allows sunlight to be filtered and creates interesting shadows and visual effects.
'FOCUS' THRESHOLD
The pavilion I created is a public pavilion, thus open to the public. However, I still wanted to establish a sense of intimacy in the pavilion, and establish areas that will act as focal points in the pavilion. As seen in the diagram, the pavilion becomes increasingly more intimate and 'closed off' as a person moves inside the pavilion. This is a point in the pavilion acts as the 'focus' because this is where the performers would stand during a performance; thus everyone would look towards this area during the performance. Furthermore, intimacy within the pavilion is emphasized by how sound travels in the pavilion. As seen in the acoustic analysis, the sound 'stays' inside of the pavilion because of the polycarbonate roof sheeting. Thus, attention will be drawn towards the most intimate area during a performance.
