05/07/2024 12:50
Para-Site Room
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[Operation Video]
“Para” as a prefix is a prefix describing relationships, something external and unusual...
The project uses parasitic structures to ask how external things could possibly change and control the space, a drawing room of a designer/architect, and how people respond. It explores the connections and interactions between the human, space, and the environment that it is situated in.
The concept stems from the phenomenon of how external factors, like social media, trends, politics, etc., influence the way of living of humans. They could be invasive, like the parasitic structure in this project, modifying the boundaries established by the built structure while people reshape and adapt.
Taking it as a starting point, the project developed a series of analogue mechanisms installed in a drawing room, altering the working patterns and design process of the user. The parasites are driven by the weather in the surroundings. They change the configuration and condition of the space and create a dynamic and interactive environment where users might be confronted with unexpected and potentially disruptive changes.
The drawing room contains interaction, collaboration, and conflicts. It aims at exploring an unconventional control and symbiosis relationship, showing a different interpretation of a space.
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Process
//Process & Methodology
The methodology of the project is iterating through rigorous modeling and testing on parasitic structures and mechanisms. It includes substantial drawings and sketches ideating various options to optimize the operation of the mechanisms.
All the process, study, and miscellaneous options are packaged into a process book for exhibition in HK PolyU School of Design Annual Show 2024, showing the full exploration of the project.
The video shows the operations of the mechanisms with the 1:10 final model as a materialization of the project concept.
//Interactive Space as a Reflection
The interactive space concept is a reflection on relationships between humans, spaces, and the bigger environment. The thinking focuses on what actually drives the living conditions and the habits of humans. The actuators outside the space can be symbolized as different things affecting us, like social media, trends, algorithms, and other factors like politics.
This is a detailed development drawing of the space and the parasitic mechanisms, including multiple sets of exploration on actuators, mechanisms, and interactions. It also includes miscellaneous studies that have not been adopted for later stages.
//Built Structures + Attachments
These are sculpture, model, sketch, and drawing, considering the transformations of parasitic structures and how it could possibly attach to a highway and different contexts (volumetrically) in the early stage of the project. The study drawing shows the movable parameters and side elevations of the concept model, further exploring the relationship between a built structure.
This project develops with an intensive drawing-physical modeling process, back and forth. Overlaying the model and site image with drawing is the main methodology to progress the project. Ideas sketched on top of the model image could be tested on the model very quickly.
//Intervention of “Parasites”
These are part of the work in the schematic stage, including collage, further development on the model, and drawings. This stage focuses on thinking of the possible interactions with the sites. The parasitic structure, also considered a spatial intervention to the existing space, could be both positive and negative. What the structure actually does is undefined at this stage.
//Mechanisms Development
Detailed development is carried out to decide the exact thing that the structures and mechanisms can do to demonstrate the concept. The whole trial and error process lasts for around 2 months before the production of the final operation model. The process includes testing on material, structural strength, tolerance, weight of different parts, forces required to extend and contract, etc.
Actuators (input), system, and reaction (output) are the framework of setting up the interactive devices. There is nothing special but a tremendous effort on iteration and making due to the complexity and difficulty of making movable, analogue, and well-engineered devices.
//Analogue Mechanisms
A fully functional model demonstrating the designs and operations of “parasites” is developed. This model includes a series of analogue mechanisms driven by wind and liquid (pressure) that are able to change the configurations in the room (host). The design includes a system inspired by Bernoulli’s Principle and pneumatics, which transports and transforms the energy captured into the room in different directions by connecting two syringes with plastic pipes. Although it could be achieved by electro-mechanical actuation using micro-controllers and sensors, it remained as an analogue design for personal preference and interest in learning on this topic.
//Socialization
Society gives us a bigger environment to live in, shaping the places and how we live. Socialization influences almost everyone. We adapt and internalize the ideologies to fit in while we are also more or less driving the society with collaboration.
The Para-site Room project materialized the interaction, reflecting it in a personal space. Wider environmental (weather) changes affect the configuration of the space. Meanwhile, the user adapts to the influences by modifying his/her working pattern.
//Boundaries
Additional and parasitic structures are typical and prevalent in Hong Kong. The interesting visuals and relationships between the new and the existing inspire my reflection. Why do people love adding things? Does it relate to their behavior behind the façade? More importantly, what are the impacts?
Additional and parasitic structures could be invasive. People build new things connected to existing structures to occupy more space and facilitate different programs, like selling, resting, and installing facilities. They are extending or modifying the boundaries of the built environment, like urban sprawl on a smaller scale. It gives me an idea that, building boundaries might not be static in their whole lifespan. Sometimes, their edges are vague.
//Connections
Buildings sometimes are altered by users. Boundaries are tweaked. For a longer time and on a bigger scale, streets, communities, and districts could be reshaped with persistent sprawl of parasitic structure, e.g., squatters in Shek Kip Mei, HK. 1940s, burnt down in 1953.
The connection between humans, space, and the environment might be highly interactive. They are associated while constantly influencing each other, from urban morphology to a person’s living pattern in a room. This is the connection that this project explores with a interactive room.
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Award & Exhibition
Architecture MasterPrize 2024
Student Architectural Design Award, Small Architecture
Architecture MasterPrize 2024
Student Interior Design Award, Rooms and Zones
IDA 2024 (Non-Professional)
Bronze, Architecture Project Development, Mixed Use
IDA 2024 (Non-Professional)
Honorable Mention, Commercial Interior Design/Workspace Design
School of Design - Design Annual Show
Best of Show, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
The Art of Sketching - Architectural Narratives 2024 Exhibition
RIBA Hong Kong Chapter
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