Page 112 - Built Expressions - Online Construction Magazine - November 2014 Issue
P. 112
International Projects archdaily.net The application of visual elements such as the acoustic banners rather than the architectural frame. also serves to reduce aberrance while maintaining high clarity in Three long rectangular blocks have a secured point of access are visually all confgurations and room formats. connected from all the circulation spaces to the public areas below. This environment is simple, practical, of large conserved trees. The sectional relationship between gathering spaces on bright, and airy and is designed for different levels allows for easy ventilation and a comfortable microclimate with maximum fexibility and sustainability. barrier free access incorporated throughout the building. The academic blocks Its single room thick design allows are designed for natural ventilation with breezeways in-between the blocks. cross ventilation to every classroom Gardens on the top of decks cut out heat gain, absorb carbon, and provide shady it can function with or without air- outdoor break-out spaces and play areas, while green facades cut out glare and conditioning. The building facade is dust, keep classrooms cool and dampen traffc noise. These seamless indoor- also lined with walls of green capers to outdoor spaces with comfortable microclimates allow different sized groups to help cut out glare, dust, and dampen interact and relax without leaving the secure environment of the school. traffc noise to keep the rooms cool. On the roof of SOTA is a large recreation Pre-Planned Design park in the sky that also has a 400m The design strategy for the inner city school creates two visually connected running track. horizontal strategies; a space for public communication below and a space for safety. The strategy solved the twin objectives of porosity and communication WOHA’s Words with the public and wider arts community on the one hand and a secure safe To incorporate a school and arts venue learning environment on the other. The two parts were called the ‘Backdrop and two functions of extremely different the Blank Canvas’. design and construction complexity. While the Blank Canvas is a simple and fexible space allows for student WOHA Architect Pte Ltd, a Singapore activities and their works to take centre stage. The Backdrop is envisioned as based architect frm took a “club a performance venue creates a sense of freedom from our regular world of sandwich” approach to its design geometry. This was inspired by Michelangelo’s sculpture, Captive Slave series on the very tight site. Two visually and his quote: “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” The connected horizontal levels demarcate Blank Canvas is the secured school area and is a simple and fexible space. The the building’s different functions. The metaphor suggests the open possibilities and focus on the educational content six storey’s of academic blocks are a PG 112 Built Expressions Vol: 3 Issue: 11 November 2014