'UP' - tower transformation by we-designs.org
all images courtesy we-designs.org


the team at we-designs.org have sent in images of the second design phase of their 'UP' project.
'UP' is a multilayered investigative study of an urban tower condition, operated
under the logics of the hexagon. through a process of developmental delineation
studies formed and translated from two-dimensional studies, that entered into
a three-dimensional rationale, and then developed into an accentuated folded landscape.



'UP' tower


the folding landscapes of the public space and residential tower offer a bold and playful character
of extending the groundplan into a multi-storey tower, and integrated within an urban context
as a park within the sky. this folding landscape is achieved by a systematically articulated folding
system that is structurally economic thereby increasing useable floor area, overcoming traditional
tectonic and structural hierarchies.



the bottom section of the tower


the folding landscape of the public space offers a lively place for social activity and interaction,
while bringing nature closer to the user and within each level of space. the dips and dives of
the multi-level open public space allows for various public and community programs, while
the geometries continually develop spaces of openness and privacy that humanizes the scale of
the project. the manner in which the public space and tower folds and intertwines into and out
of itself and through site, poetically mimics the rolling landscape of the seaside, while integrating
natural greenery into the urban spectrum.





in essence, the multifaceted façade of the tower offers beautiful views for the residences,
while discreetly processes, collects, and recycles natural rain through the roof and piping
system that is integrated within the design of the folding slabs as an effective social generator.



detail



the tower at night


within the folding system is an integrated piping system that processes, collects, and recycles
the rainwater, grey water within the building, and reuses the water for heating and non-potent
water use. this discreet sustainable and self-generating system allows the building to maintain
itself without a secondary water supplier, thus can effectively maintain social awareness without
being outwardly ‘green’.

the use of bio-glass as a material and the form of the window curvature is designed in a dualistic
approach to maximum the thermal absorbance of sun light and balances the performance between
reflectivity and materiality. in effect neutralizes the heat in the summer and maximizes the warmth
for the winters.



typologies of the tower











section view












modules of connection


modules of connection


section view of window



section view of glass panel


the window and structural frame of the building is intended to be constructed with bio-luminum frames
and bio-glass window panels. the bio-luminum tiles are made from salvaged parts from retired airplanes
and are an excellent long-lasting and high-strength material. bio-glass is engineered from recycled glass
with no additives or colorants. both materials will contribute towards leed certification.

while the overall structural construction of the building is constructed with fibrous concrete, the networks
or matrices of fibers and fibrils intertwine and cling together with the power of the hydrogen bond mixture
of 60% portland cement 40% recycled synthetic-fiber (nylon, glass, steel or polypropylene) reinforcement.
the technical development of synthetic-fiber reinforcement avoids the increased labor costs and difficulty in placement that are associated with welded-wire fabric (WWF).

synthetic-fiber reinforcement prevents cracks in concrete, which controls crack width - cracks actually
need to occur before the WWF goes to work. small-diameter recycled synthetic fibers (nylon, glass, steel
or polypropylene) added to concrete reduces shrinkage cracking by more than 80% according to independent lab tests. reducing cracks improves concrete impermeability, increases its toughness and long-term weatherability, and can reduce callbacks in concrete slab floors, decks, driveways, and walks. according
to fiber manufacturers, the placement, curing, or finish characteristics of the concrete are not affected
by the addition of fibrous reinforcement.



bio - luminum

tiles are made from salvaged parts from retired airplanes and are an excellent long lasting
and high strength material.
recycled content : 90%



bio glass

is a future friendly material made of 100% recycled and recyclable glass with no colorants
or additives. recycled content: 100%


fibrous concrete

networks or matrices of fiber and fibrils intertwine and cling together with the power of
the hydrogen bond mixture of 60% portland cement 40% recycled synthetic fiber (nylon, glass,
steel or polypropylene) reinforcement. the technical development of synthetic fiber reinforcement
avoids the increased labor costs and difficulty in placement that are associated with welded
wire fabric.



schematic model



schematic model



schematic model



schematic model



schematic model






project credits:
design team:
kadri kerge, wendy w fok

project team:
jenny chow, sue y biolsi

assistants:
vasilis raptis, viktorie senešová

project date:
phase i: january 2010
phase ii: may 2010