EcoStructure

ECOSTRUCTURE

6

MF3A

Franz Bittenbinder Mattia Di CarloAlberto GiacopelliAndrea GoviAntonio La Marca

Project developed with Politecnico di Milano School of Architecture and SocietyM.Sc. Architecture Town Planning design WorkshopProf. Stefano Boeri / Prof. Michele Brunello

February 2015

contacts:MF3A architectureVia Pacini 48 / Milan / [email protected]

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Introduction

Concept

Path

Analysis

Structure

Biodiversity

Masterplan

Focus areas

Views

Installation

INDEX

8

10

12

22

24

30

34

36

42

44

8

In the history of our cities we can find a lot of different scenarios, which reveal the schizofrenic relationship of our built environment with nature: On the one hand cities are created to include nature employing the benefits of green spaces and using animals for our purposes, whereas on the other hand we need distance from it to be safe from its dangers and threats.

Important personalities of the 20th century devoted themselves to this ambiguious topic thinking about possible scenarios: The Florentine artist Giacomo Costa, for instance, is convinced that nature always wins out over the artiificial world conquering it ultimately. This is depicted in compositions like “Private Garden”.

The writer Italo Calvino on the other hand sees human kind able to choose about its ultimate fate: In his opinion we can choose to become a part of the surrounding hell we live in or to give more space to the things that we regard as worthy for ourselves.

The Ecostructure takes up this thought stating that biodiversity is one of these non-hell-things which needs to be fostered in our cities. By implementing a new superimposed structure to the city of Milan the project enriches the biodiversity serving both men and animals likewise.

INTRODUCTION “Architecture should have little to do with problem solving - rather it should create desiderable conditions and opportunities hitherto thought impossible.”

Cedric Price

right image - Giacomo Costa “Private Garden”

“L’inferno dei viventi non è qualcosa che sarà; se ce n’è uno, è quello che è già qui, l’inferno che abitiamo tutti i giorni, che formiamo stando insieme. Due modi ci

sono per non soffrirne. Il primo riesce facile a molti: accettare l’inferno e diventarne parte fino al punto di non vederlo più. Il secondo è rischioso ed esige attenzione

e apprendimento continui: cercare e saper riconoscere chi e cosa, in mezzo all’inferno, non è inferno,

e farlo durare, e dargli spazio.”

The hell of the living is not something that will be: if there is one, it is what is already here, the hell where we live every day, that we form by being together.

There are two ways to escape suffering it. The first is easy for many: accept the hell and become such a part of it that you can no longer see it. The second is risky and demands constant vigilance and learning: seek and be able to recognize who and

what, in the midst of the hell, are not hell, then make them endure, give them space.

Italo Calvino “The invisible cities”, 1972

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The proposal for the Ecostructure is based on the believe that coexistence of men and nature can be achieved by the balance act between expedient proximity and indispensable distance by means of the superposition principle: human activities on the lower levels and habitats for animals on the upper ones where both spheres fade into each other.

The Ecostructure growes along a predetermined axis through Milan adapting to the given circumstances in the urban fabric, which can result in detachment but also in direct physical connection with existing buildings and public places. For this reason we employed the metaphor of the parasite that conqueres the space providing niches for biodiversity and human interaction. The mentioned axis which presets the route of the Ecostructure is derived from the idea to create an opposing system to the existing axis of Sempione, which represents a series of spaces and buildings in Milan that are related to the political past and the cultural presence of the city.

Placing the Ecostructure perpendicularily to Semprione axis, the project urges, in contrast to the cultural axis, for a new idea of the city, which includes not only antropocentric considerations but also the aspect of biodiversity.

CONCEPT

Yona Friedman, Sketch of Superstructure

right image - Francois Roche “Parasite composition”

Different layers of the city

The proposal comprises apart from the general rules for the parasite structure a series of spatial solutions for significant “foci” f.e. Piazza Duomo, Torre Galfa, Viale Luciano Gioa etc. along the new axis, that connects two important ecosystems of Milan - the Naviglio della Martesana and Naviglio Grande.

These foci are the result of an extensive analysis which was conducted using indicators for antropocentric and biodiversity aspects in order to determine the qualities and deficits as well as the urge of intervention along the Ecostructure.

12

PATH

22

ANALYSISThe mentioned analysis is based on an parametric approach in order to take into account as many signifant features of the context as possible. The outcome is used subsequently as a guideline, but by no means as an unquestioned modell of the development of the Ecostructure. It rather helps to understand the necessities and the level of urge along the given axis for intervention.

The idea is to define parameters for antropocentric and biodiversity matters that can be recorded in a quantitative way. Drawn along the axis these parameters serve the design process to define the key aspect of the parasite behavior: horizontal spread, vertical elevation, number of levels and degree of connectivity.

Horizontal spread

Weighted values (e.g. a1x 5) Weighted values (e.g. a1x 5) Weighted values (e.g. a1x 5) Weighted values (e.g. a1x 5)

indiCators alonGe X

DIM

ENSI

ON

OF

INTE

RVEN

TIO

NA

NA

LYSI

S IN

DICA

TORS

VertiCal eleVation nUMBer oF leVels deGree oF ConneCtiVitY

A ANTROPOCENTRIC INDICATORS B BIODIVERSITY INDICATORS A1. TRAFFIC A2. PUBLIC ACTIVITIES A3. BUILDING HEIGHTS A4. INTERSPACE A5. POINTS OF REFERENCE A6. UNDERGROUND LEVELS A7. EXISTING PARKING SPACE A8. EXISTING PEDESTRIAN AREA A9. EXISTING BICYCLE LANES

B1. GREEN SPACES B2. TREES SIZE B3. PRESENCE OF WATER B4. FLORA DIVERSITY B5. PRESENCE OF MAMMALS B6. PRESENCE OF INSECTS B7. PRESENCE OF BIRDS

a1 B1a7 B7a4 B4a2 B2a8a5 B5a3 B3a9a6 B6 a1 B1a7 B7a4 B4a2 B2a8a5 B5a3 B3a9a6 B6 a1 B1a7 B7a4 B4a2 B2a8a5 B5a3 B3a9a6 B6 a1 B1a7 B7a4 B4a2 B2a8a5 B5a3 B3a9a6 B6

e1 e7e4 e10 e11 e12 e13 e14 e15 e16 e17 e18 e19e20 e21 e22e2 e8e5e3 e9e6

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

5

10

2

- 3 - 3

5

3

54

0

5

- 4

3

1

3 3

- 2

5

0

- 5

0

3

10 0

1

3

-2- 1

-3

4

2

- 2

- 5- 5 1

- 3

0

- 3

3

- 2

00

- 4

23

- 2

0

- 5

0 00 0 0 0 0

- 3

01

- 5

2

- 5

23

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

TRAF

FIC

PUBL

IC A

CTIV

ITIE

S

BUIL

DING

HEI

GHT

INTE

RSPA

CE

POIN

TS O

F RE

FERE

NCE

UNDE

RGRO

UND

LVS

EX P

ARKI

NG

EX P

EDES

TRIA

N AR

EA

EX B

YCIC

LE L

ANE

URGE

INT

ERVE

NTIO

N

GREE

N SP

ACES

TREE

S SI

ZE

PRES

ENCE

OF

WAT

ER

FLOR

A DI

VERS

ITY

PRES

ENCE

MAM

MAL

S

PRES

ENCE

INSE

CTS

PRES

ENCE

BIR

DS

BIOD

IVER

SITY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

TRAF

FIC

PUBL

IC A

CTIV

ITIE

S

BUIL

DING

HEI

GHT

INTE

RSPA

CE

POIN

TS O

F RE

FERE

NCE

UNDE

RGRO

UND

LVS

EX P

ARKI

NG

EX P

EDES

TRIA

N AR

EA

EX B

YCIC

LE L

ANE

URGE

INT

ERVE

NTIO

N

GREE

N SP

ACES

TREE

S SI

ZE

PRES

ENCE

OF

WAT

ER

FLOR

A DI

VERS

ITY

PRES

ENCE

MAM

MAL

S

PRES

ENCE

INSE

CTS

PRES

ENCE

BIR

DS

BIOD

IVER

SITY

TORINO

SANTA MARGHERITA

DUOMO

SCALA

TICINESE

XXIV MAGGIO

GENOVA

NAVIGLIO MARTESANA

GIOIA 1

MONTECATINI / TURATI

GALILEO

DUCA D’AOSTA

COLONNE

VIGEVANO

NAVIGLIO GRANDE 1

NAVIGLIO GRANDE 2

MANZONI

APPIANII

VIA PISANI

GALVANI

GIOIA 2

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STRUCTUREThe structure is based on one of the inherent systems of nature which although not ultimately explored serves as essence of natural growth - the fractale behavior.

To be found in many organism on our planet a fractale is an object whose parts, at infinitely many levels of magnification, appear geometrically similar to the whole.To give an example the connection between fractals and leaves, for instance, is currently being used to determine how much carbon is contained in trees.

Employing this principle of nature the Ecostructure is based on a repetitive system of steel frames and rigid nodes that follows the analogy of a tree to produce a system that dissolves skywards with branches that split according to the specific ratio of the Fibonacci series.

In terms of featured functions the ecostructure hosts a broad range of activities serving animals, as well as men by means of four spatial modules, that are embedded into the general construction described above. These modules are: horizontal boards providing a ground to move, rest, sit etc.; shells to collect and contain water and soil; boxes giving shelter and protecting from the weather and finally the tube as a formal variant of the box allowing a better surface-volume ratio.

Paul Klee Fractal Behavior Piet Mondrian “Trees Paintings”

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View from below the structure

SUM

MER

ACT

IVIT

IES

Walk area

Bike Lane

Sport activies

Indoor Sports

Relax

Urban Agricolture

Bird watching

Open air cinema

Party / Disco

Theatre

Dog area

Art workshop

Art exposition

Workshops

Co-working

0 12 246 18

WIN

TER

ACTI

VITI

ES

Walk area

Bike Lane

Sport activies

Indoor Sports

Ice skating

Snow activities

Bird watching

Christmas market

Dog area

Art workshop

Art exposition

Workshops

Co-working

0 12 246 18

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POLLUTIONTREES WITH AIR POLLUTION ADSORBING CAPACITY

HIGHFraxinus excelsior

Fraxinus mandschurica

Acer platanoides

Acer rubrum

Acer saccharum

Betula pendula

MEDIUMMalus sp.

Prunus sp.

Ulmus macrocarpa

Tilia spp

Alnus incana

LOWAcer pseudoplatanus

Sorbus commixta

Sorbus aria

Quercus robur

Quercus rubra

Populus beroline

Populus simoniii

HOXYGEN

PURE AIR

LEAVES ADSORBS POLLUTION

CO2AIR POLLUTION

direct pollution absorption

Green acustic screen

Undirect pollution deviation

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CO2

SMOG

PM10

30

Acer platanoides

Acer campestre

Pinus silvestris

Betula verrucosa

Carpinus betulus

Populus tremula

Fraxinus excelsior

Prunus avium

Ligistrium lucidum

Salix alba

Fagus silvatica

Juniperus communis

Juniperus communis

LE

VE

L 1

H >

18

M

LEVE

L 2

12 >

H >

18

MLE

VEL

3H

< 1

2 M

Quercus robur

Picea abies

Taxus baccata

Malva sylvestris Prunus padus

Sorbus aucuparia

BIODIVERSITYAs an important feature of the project there is of course the aspect of biodiversity, which marks the coming together of plants, animals and humans.

In terms of plants the idea is to use exclusively endemic plants that can generate an authentic environment for the arriving animals. Furthermore this approach is implemented to foster the conscience of humans towards their surroundings in Lombardy region.

The various levels and scales allow animals to choose among a big range of different habitats according to their size and prefered environment. Humans on the other hand have by nature a necessity for larger spaces and more elaborate accesses to ensure security etc. Latter are placed therefore more on the lower levels of the structure which are connected with stairs, elevators and ramps to the street level. Since nature determines the functions and activities in the project it is designed to offer sufficient possibilities in the warm as well in the cold seasons.

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TREE SPECIES

Acer campestre

Berberis vulgaris

Fraxinus excelsiurs

Juniperus communis

Sambucus nigra

Acer platanoides

Cornonilla emenus

Fraxinus ornus

Ligustrum vulgarae

Viburnum opulus

Acer pseudoplatanus

Cornus mas

Ilex aquifolium

Lonicera caprifolium

Alnus glutionosa

Cornus sanguinea

Ostrja carpinifolia

Prunus padus

Castanea sativa

Daphne mezereum

Populus tremula

Rubus idaeus

Betula alba

Corylus avellana

Populus alba

Prunus spinoza

Celtis australis

Hedera helix

Prunus avium

Salix caprea

Carpinus betulus

Crataegus monogyna

Populus canescen

Phamnus catharticus

Fagus silvatica

Hippophaë rhamnoides

Prunus padus

Salix cinerea

SHRUB SPECIES

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Ardea cinerea

Pelophylax sinklepton

Turdus merula

Canis familiaris

Apis mellifera

Carduelis carduelis

Natrix natrix

Passer italiae

Felis catus

Coccinella septempunct

Cygnus olor

Hierophis viridiflavus

Erithacus rubecula

Eptesicus serotinus

Musca domestica

Columba palumbus

Cornus sanguinea Podarcis muralis

Columba livia

Pipistrellus strellus

Monomorium pharaonis

Gallinula chloropus

Microtus arvalis

Blatta orientalis

Corvus cornix

Hirundo rustica

Vulpes vulpes

Papilio machaon

Anas platyrhynchos

Apodemus sylvaticus

Hyla intermedia

Fulica atra

Apus apus Falco tinnunculus

Rattus norvegicus

Bufo viridis

BIRDS

AMPHIBIA

REPTILES

MAMMALS

INSECTS

34

MASTERPLAN

36

GIOIA

38

DUOMO

40

APPIANI

41

GALFA

42

HUMAN’S VIEW

43

BIRD’S VIEW

44

INSTALLATIONIn the installation for the exhibition at the Museum of Natural History we decided to focus on one of the most important finding in the course of the design process of the Ecostructure: There are not only a big diversity of dimensions to be found in the project but also different perceptions of one and the same element. All depends on the point of view: wheather it is an insect, a bird or a human - the same element can represent a 1:1, a 1:20 or a 1:200 scale.

To show that in the given installation we created a system of frames that imply the general idea of the Ecostructure, how it grows similar to a parasite according to the surrounding context. In the structure you find a variety of images and objects which demonstrate the transition between the scales. Finally the object employs the spatial situation of the staircase, where you first see the 1:1 scale with birds in the cantilevering structure when you go up the stairs. Getting closer and seeing it from the other side of the balustrade you realize the variety of embedded scales to be discovered by moving around the object and looking at it from different heights and angles.

CORRIDOR

MASTERPLAN

ANIMALS‘ SCALESUPERPOSITION

MODEL SCALE

AXIS VIDEO

RENDERINGS

INSIDE

PIAZZA DUOMOPLAN

SECTIONRENDERING

BIRDS

BIRDSTOPVIEW

STAIRCASE

CORRIDOR STRUCTUREMODULES

HUMAN SCALEHABITAT

MEN‘S PERSPECTIVE

EcoStructure

Documents

Transcript of EcoStructure