DIAGRAMS IN ARCHITECTURAL

DESIGN
Contemporary Processes in Architecture (AR6014)
Elective IV & V
CASE-STUDY

PROJECTS-
1.SEATTLE LIBRARY,OMA,REEM KOOLAAS.
2. YOKOHAMA PORT TERMINAL,FOA, FARSHID MOUSSAVI AND ALEJANDRO ZAERA-POLO

K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch
Asst,proff.
K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
The project begins with research focusing on the expansion of media
types and Social functions of modem libraries.

The flexibility of generic floors common in library design is observed

as a shortcoming of the building type, as the expanding collection
encroaches on the public space of the library.

To counter this, a strategy of spatial and functional

compartmentalisation is proposed, eliminating the threat
of one function encroaching on others.

This organizing principle is expressed using conceptual diagrams.

K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
1.The proposed library programme was visualised and consolidated
into various functional groupings, illustrating the proportions of
floor area occupied by each function [Figure 3.40].
This visualisation communicates essentially the same information as
a pie chart, however its vertical stratified organisation creates
associations with the form and organisation of office high rises,
providing the notion of a formal correlation for the diagram.

K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
III.
The next diagrams show the mechanistic translation of the programmatic
diagram.
Each of the ‘stable’ compartments is scaled according to programmatic
requirements and site constraints and stacked on top of one another [Figure
3.42].

the previous abstract diagrammatic operation of offsetting the compartments

has been adapted in this diagram, whose seemingly arbitrary offsets of the
programmatic compartments are justified by the logic of the programme
(Gargiani, 2008).

Figure 3.43 shows the residual spaces between the stacked ‘stable’
compartments which are used to organise the interface between the
compartments and house the more informal, social functions of the library.
An abstract indication of circulation appears in this diagram.

K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
IV. The specific offsets of the different compartments are
influenced by shade and sunlight requirements and the desire
to maximise specific views from the library, as well as the
urban requirements of the streets surrounding the building.

Diagrams illustrate some of the forces influencing the offsets

of the compartments [Figure 3.44, Figure 3.45].

K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
 YOKOHAMA PORT TERMINAL

Foreign office architects

Yokohama’s Osanbashi Pier has been a fixture on the Tokyo Bay since 1894, connecting with the Pacific Ocean and
providing Japan with a marine gateway to the world.
DESIGN FEATURES
• The steel frame structure was designed with the beautiful
scenery of the port in mind. It is a three level facility of a
gentle curved form.
• The occupiable roof curves back in to form the ceiling of the
level below and then again to form the floor.
• The inside space is barrier free without columns or beams
and the vertical circulation is accomplished through ramps
and elevators

K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
SITE AND GENERAL

• The major pier possesses the ability to harbour vessels of varying sizing
including the largest passenger ships.
• The port has both pedestrian and vehicular connection to the mainland.
• The seamless transition presents an “inherent dichotomy* between
global system of transport.”

* Dichotomy- Bifurcation something with seemingly contradictory

qualities

K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
 The project seeks to explore the possibility of transport infrastructure as a field of movements rather than a ‘gate,’
challenging the strongly oriented linear space typical of the existing typology. The project centres around the
possibility of generating organisation from a circulation pattern.

I. A circulation diagram structured around a series of interlaced loops that

allow for multiple return paths and avoid circulatory ‘dead-ends’ was
created - the ‘no-return’ diagram. This diagram provides the building with
a particular spatial performance.

II. A surface was associated with every line segment of the no-return Site massing was determined, based on
the maximum allowable footprint to
diagram, and a surface bifurcation to every bifurcation of the line.
keep the building as low as possible,
and the requirement for straight
III. Each surface applied to the segments of the no-return diagram was boarding decks 15m from the edge of
allocated a size in square metres, which, divided by the width of the pier the pier
provided the length of every surface between bifurcations.

IV. A three-dimensional version of the no-return diagram emerged,

resembling a ‘lasagne’ of warped surfaces .. The diagram absorbed
certain ergonomic requirements such as ceiling heights, to give an
approximation of the final form .
K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
V. A structural strategy for the resulting form was created Folded surfaces
were used, blending circulation and structure together in a metamorphic
manner.
VI. Secondary programme was deployed as though it were furniture placed
onto the building’s warped surface, and was located based on desired
relationships with the various circulation flows of people

Building plans showing design evolution from

January 1996 (far left) to January 2000 (far right).

K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
 GREEN BELT

K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
 To break the conventional linear path in a transportation building where usually a transportation building works as

an input-output device. With very clear orientation: departures and arrivals.

 To explore the possibility of a transportation infrastructure that could Operate less as a gate as a limit

CONCEPT
 And more as a field of movements with no structural orientation.

K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
 CONCEPT
POTENTIAL CIRCULATION PATHS OF DIFFERENT USER GROUPS

K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
 To extend the fluid circulation
into the context, the
Building is designed to
disappear from the skyline.
To be consistent with the idea
of not making a gate on a
Semantic level.
The building has three levels
and is designed to be flat, and
therefore it looks like an
Extension of landscape.

To spread the building mass as thin as possible they occupied the maximum area possible within the site. This
is also why the building has a rectangular footprint.

This extension connects with the context almost seamlessly especially because the roof deck is a public open
space.

K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
 The connection between
the circulation paths was
always set as a bifurcation.
So that rather than setting
the programs as a series of
adjacent spaces with more
or less determined limits.

They articulated the users

in the continuity of a
branched sequence along
the circulatory system.

To further enhance these

circulation loops.
The form is made
symmetrical. Some major
functions of the building is
also mirrored across.
K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
 FOA has pursued an extremely
reductive palate of materials in the
project.
• In order to preserves the detailing
of the Project was the prevalence
of horizontal surfaces as spatial
enclosure. Versus the vertical
enclosure which was ideally non-
existent.
• This automatically split the
materials into two: steel and
wood for each face of the
horizontal surfaces. Which were
supposed to se very intensively
crated 1h geometry and texture.
And glass and railings. Which
were part of the vertical surfaces
and that should tend to vanish.

K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
 The plaza can host festivals for every season The differentiated topographical
conditions Will provide a variety of possibilities to host
Different events. The organisation of the Available space for a festival depends on
the Character of the festival.

There are two organising logics:

1. Fragmented festival — when the activity of The festival is scattered along
the roof, Creating several event focuses.

2. Compact festival — the activity is located And concentrated on a specific place

Both logics uses different area so the roof.
A Careful planning of these activities can activate the plaza with large amount of
people over Different seasons. Constituting a major attraction for yokohama
citizens.

Sports — several sports can benefit from the geometry of

the roof plaza. A specially Designed flat surface will allow
the practice Of different sports.

K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
 CONVENTIONS — The terminal main hall the terminal
main hall can house different activities other than
departure and arrival of passengers.

A CONVENTION IS SUITABLE FOR VARIOUS REASONS:

1. The terminal main hall has 5215 square Meters for

exhibitor’s stands
2. 793 square meters for conference area in the salon
of civic exchange
3. All related infrastructure is existing
4. 6008 square meters for convention
5. 4215 square meters for leisure

K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
DIAGRAM METHODOLOGY
The Yokohama International Port Terminal, a project which explored the possibility of generating architecture
from circulation.
I. Develop Circulation diagram
II. Associate surfaces with circulation diagram
III. Scale the associated surfaces according to programmatic requirements
IV. Manipulate the diagram in three dimensions, relating different surfaces to one another
V. Identify structural strategy for resultant form
VI. Further develop the distribution of programme within the resultant form

 The distinct duality between built form and open space. Relationship to Urban Design Principle
 Buildings provide definition and enclosure to urban public space and possess a clear distinction between public
and private areas.
 The distinct duality between built form and open space these conventions by breaking down the
distinctions between the typically private built form, public open space, and the landscape in which the building
stands.
 The undulating, warped surfaces of the roof provide visitors with an artificial landscape protruding into the
bay, creating a public space rich in aesthetic interest and topographic variety, whilst also helping to structure the
K.KEDHEESWARAN,M.Arch Asst,prof
building.