THE AGE OF US
BY RACHEL TAN
The atelier’s premise is to hypothesize, design the interior strategies of a proto capsule, a self-sustainable facility that to orientate around several objects of curation emphasizing the principles of Biophilic-design and generate over a period of 5, 10 and 50 years. The intended outcome should question the role of the society as the participant and observer, its implications towards nature and resources, perception and transcendence of knowledge and work towards developing responsive interiors and their desistance.
The structure is designed similar to Water Hyacinths which are propagating in the waters of lower seletar reservoir. It floats on water to collect and filter water for the reservoir. The module incorporates self sustainable systems that recreates an ideal environment for plants and humans to nurture and research. It is an open concept, self sustainable facility which uses wood, glass and epoxy paint
The facility was inspired by the shape and function of a Water Hyacinth. It floats freely on water, is able to filter water and can propagate
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Based on the floating dome in Amsterdam, Polystyrene is used to help it float on water
Following up with the propagation of the Water Hycinth, the form of the facility was adjusted such that the pieces could be connected just like Puzzle Cells.
The previous form was too bulky and did not have an organic form. Also, it did not facilitate the water system and solar panels properly. Thus, rather than a dome, the facility would have a flat roof, columns and glass walls, aimed to be an open concept.
Material Board
First Storey Plan
Vertical Garden & Water system
Capsule Rooms
Research Area
Harvest Area
Capsule Detail
The Capsule rooms can slide along the sliding tracks when propagating to have more flexibility to create new spaces
Second Storey Plan
Seed Bank is used to preserve seeds that would be used for the vertical garden
Seed Bank
Physical Model (Research & Seed Bank)
Roof Plan
Interactive
Photochromic Glass Walls to provide shade when the sun is too bright
- Changes optical properties when exposed to sunlight and heat
- The more sunlight, the darker the glass becomes and the less heat penetrates the room
- The photochromism effect is reversible (Glass returns to its original state when sun is not as bright)
Solar Panels positioned at the edges to absorb the most sunlight at all times
Hex curtain works together with photochromic glass. While the glass turns to a darker shade, the hex curtains opens, allowing light to go through the columns
Physical Model (Interactive)
Elevation 1
Elevation 2
Section
Sectional Perspective
Animation
Virtual Reality Panorama Tour