NEOTÉKTON
University Project: 10/2018 - 02/2019
Drafting a concept for living situations of the future in metropolises with a focus on private space and the mesocosm of the neighbourhood: how can design generate new social structures in the context of a metropolis?
Design Theory // Concept Design // Urban Design
10/2018 – 02/2019
University Project
Role: Research, Ideation, Concept, Design, Modelling, Model Making
Cooperation: HfG Offenbach, Design Institute of Technology Offenbach (DIT), Prof. Frank Georg Zebner
Project Overview
Population density is constantly increasing and can be anticipated. Metropolises are getting bigger and bigger, the population density in metropolitan regions is growing and the need for sustainable living situations is becoming more present. However, people are currently expanding their living space horizontally, which is a selfish solution to the problem: Vertical building is therefore a sustainable alternative that is already being used in metropolises. Another problem, however, is the current state of architecture. Many designs concentrate on the representative aesthetics of the buildings, so that each building is a cosmos in itself and forms its own egocentric and autonomous unit. This attitude of current architecture is therefore in some respects a step backwards, and by no means progress towards a sustainable future.
Considerations
A city of the future must therefore ensure that buildings interact with each other, with people and with their surroundings and natural context. Neotékton is intended to represent a conceptual proposal for future urban development, in which urban architecture should function heteroreferentially rather than autoreferentially. The design thus arises from a variety of factors, such as sustainable energy generation, infrastructure, floristic and faunistic aspects, social interaction, individual living situations of the residents and self-sufficiency.
Technologies and Concept
The aim is to implement technologies such as protein membrane filters, quantum dot glass discs and findings in wind energy generation through the Venturi effect, as well as the use of OLEDs and robotic farming, which contribute to improving the quality of life.The vertical placement of the architecture is intended to promote the development of flora and fauna on the ground level. As a result of this step, a multi-faceted infrastructure is possible that expands the connectivity options within the city.
Project Goals
The project focusses on the individual residential unit (flat). In order to create a heterogeneous overall situation, the floor plan of one floor had to generate several room sizes. Furthermore, the floor plan had to reinterpret the social aspect of living together in a multi-party apartment block and bring together different living conditions on one floor for diverse and open communication and interaction. This was to result in an equally multifaceted infrastructure in the macrocosm of the city. The self-sufficiency of the city encompasses the socio-political context and defines the resulting metropolis as sustainable.
Living Units
Considering the reflective façade surface, a geometry was developed for the floor plan based on curves. This acts as an infrastructure for the sun's rays so that each building can generate solar energy.
Furthermore, the amorphous floor plan allows the residential units to be subdivided and generates living spaces ranging from 31 square metres to 135 square metres. This means that several residential parties from different situations can interact and exchange ideas on one floor. The grid for the interior design was generated by aligning the given exterior lines, creating a logical connection between the individual residential units and the overall floor plan. The grid for the interior design was generated by aligning the given exterior lines, creating a logical connection between the individual residential units and the overall floor plan.
The centre of social interaction is a green space on the inside of each floor, which is intended to be used both for interpersonal interaction and for growing food using robotic farming. The façade consists of reflective quantum dot glass panels that organise themselves according to the position of the sun in order to optimally absorb and reflect the light. Based on the floor plan, connecting platforms were designed for infrastructural purposes to ensure networking between the individual buildings. These vary in shape and size, as the planning and arrangement of the buildings determine the shape of the platforms. The vertical placement of the platforms allows for a multiple arrangement of the various transport options. In addition, the newly generated spaces can be used as public squares and commercial areas.
