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CAUP+DAAD Collab Studio Fall 2018
CAUP+DAAD Collab Studio Fall 2018
COLLAB
STUDIO
FALL
2018
Waqar Aziz
Head of Department, Department of Architecture and Design CUI, Lahore Campus
Tian Weijia
Director Assistant of Fundamental Architecture Program, CAUP, Tongji University
STUDIO FACULTY
Tian Weijia
Associate Professor
Talha Muftee
Visiting Lecturer
Waqar Aziz
Associate Professor
Asim Munir
Lecturer
Yasmin Cheema
Advisor
FEATURED WORKS
The collaborative project titled “Multi- parallel project with similar constraints to be
Dimensional Design (Student Activity conducted in Lahore. The primary reason for
Centre)” was initiated as a result of the faculty appropriating a project by CAUP was the fact
exchange program started by ARCASIA to CAUP semester time line preceded DAAD
promote cross-border learning and research semester by almost 3 weeks. Thus, by the
between architectural institutions of Asian time DAAD students finished their second
countries in October 2018. The participating design project (“The Stop - Transitory Space”),
institutions for the pilot program including CAUP students were underway their design
College of Architecture and Urban Planning, development stages of their third and final
Tongji University (Shanghai, China) and semester design project “Multi-Dimensional
Department of Architecture and Design, Design (Student Activity Centre)”. This
COMSATS University Islamabad (Lahore difference in time line also meant that live
Campus, Pakistan). collaboration or cross-studio crit were not
feasible logistically.
As per faculty exchange Professor Zhang
Jianlong (directing the first two years To tackle this shift in time lines, it was
of Bachelors program at CAUP) visited decided that students from both DAAD and
COMSATS University Islamabad to conduct CAUP would engage with their peers via
a design workshop while Talha Muftee online video conferencing and get feedback
(lecturer teaching 2nd year architecture on their design stages as both studios
studio at DAAD) visited CAUP for the Fall progressed with their respective schedule.
2018 semester to teach in the 2nd year
architecture design studio and deliver This compilation is thus a curation of
lectures related to architecture of Pakistan. some of the works produced by 2nd year
Architecture design students of both CAUP
During the exchange it was realized that in Shanghai, China and DAAD in Lahore,
while both CAUP and DAAD shared similar Pakistan under the exchange by ARCASIA.
visions and objectives, both studios could Along with studio curation this compilation
benefit from a more active exchange of also aims to highlight some of the objectives,
ideas in case of pedagogy and student challenges and possible modifications for
development. For this purpose the design future iterations in hope that CAUP and DAAD
project, while a part of the existing curriculum engage in further cross-border exchange,
of CAUP was appropriated by DAAD for a architectural and pedagogical discourse.
Figure 1: CAUP students sharing design process with students at DAAD during one of the online interactive sessions.
OBJECTIVES
Figure 2: DAAD participants of the collaborative studio presenting their projects to reviewers in CUI Lahore, Pakistan.
CHALLENGES
Figure 3: Visiting lecturer Talha Muftee presenting works of DAAD students for a feedback session to CAUP students at Tongji University,
Shanghai, China.
PROJECT BRIEF
Preamble
The practice of architecture is bound to context specific issues such as location, socio-
cultural environment and economics. globalization necessitates an investigation into
traditional definition of geo-centric contextuality. A shift from geo-centric definition of
context to issues of global connectivity, aligns architectural production to prevalent cultural
scenarios and emerging issues in build environment design.
Furthermore, the collaborative project allows for experimentation in studio pedagogy and
an opportunity for inter-departmental learning.
Collaboration Objectives
Site Location and Selection Criterion
Location
The site is located on the Siping Road Campus of Tongji University to the east of the cafeteria
and south of the main library. To one side is a water body and to the other a landscaped
grass slope. The site area measures 750 m2 (see map/ dwg).
Site
The red line limits the area for construction. The height of the building is limited to 24m. The
landscaped slope on the east and the water body to the west need to be considered in the
design but can be adapted. (I.e. the slope can be altered to accommodate an entrance area,
the shape of the shoreline of the river can be changed, etc.). Three of the larger existing
trees on site must be preserved.
Location
The Project site is located within the campus of COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore
campus adjacent to Students Cafeteria. The site is without any contours or slopes, accessible
from east side.
Site
The red line defines the build-able area. The maximum allowable height is 72 feet. Existing
trees on site are to be maintained.
2
1 2
3
Site: CUI Lahore Campus (Near Cafeteria), Raiwind Road, Lahore, Pakistan
N
1 2
3
FEATURED WORKS
“Converging Drops”
Supatcha Ninratsuwan
Student union is a complex space that students will gather in together. The major features to
create a good circulation inside the building is the transection and connection between each
room. The design was using an organic shape to build outstanding from surrounding green
space and becoming one of the monumental and sculptural designs. With curving and circular
corridors that go along the glass facade not only create a nice panoramic view for the visitor
but also bringing a natural light into the whole space. The design also has a massive elliptical
core as a main structural system that contains the elevator and staircase to separate the used
space and staircase+elevator space more clearly. With small columns and glass wall, inside and
outside create nice layers from outside view.
“Fawlty Towers”
Jordan Thompson
The concept was derived from creating a building with a purpose that focused on function
and productivity, and incorporating more leisure and recreational spaces. The spaces have
been divided per stories on either tower, with its on take on a comfortable and residential
atmosphere. The idea is to separate itself from the pre-existing studios and functional spaces
that already exist within the university campus.
Two towers are created to separate all working spaces on each story of the tower. The building
density is defused and opened up as seen with the central courtyard where the protected
trees are located. This is important as the first two floors are opened to the natural space as
much possible, and the balconies of the higher stories are all situated and directed towards the
centre. This is all in attempt to incorporate the natural aspects of the site as much as possible.
“The Plaza”
Joyce Chen
The Plaza is a student hub which - while being a center for student activity - provides an
opportunity for on-campus open space. By utilising existing features of the site, the design
separates the university activity center into two masses, providing an open public space in the
void between. This semi-covered space is an interesting addition to Tongji University, as it can
be used as a venue for club activities, fund-raisers, university tours while simultaneously being
a place of recreation.
Below the extension of the existing slope is an underground space which looks out into the
canal, which houses most of the student union rooms and the cade, while the elevated body
consists of more open, free interior spaces of the exhibition gallery and multifunctional hall. At
night, light from within the building spills out, illuminating its surroundings and solidifying what
is sure to be an iconic feature of the university campus.
“The Common”
Pearce Cohen
Student activity centres are defined by their diverse facilities and an ability to enable friendly
interaction between users. In this vein, this design connects a wide variety of functions through
common circulation, encouraging students and staff to mingle within a comfortable and familiar
environment.
Here, shear walls frame the river-front view and two zones of circulation guide the user through
pockets of various massing and heights. A ground floor cafe spills onto the refurbished river-
front promenade which stretches the length of the site. Large public steps to the south invite
those passing by to ascend into the Centre or to merely sit and relax there or on the existing
grass slope.
As depicted by the facade, the building and its functions are clearly organized, making this an
appealing and easily understood space for students and staff to experience.
“Biophilia”
Owais Akhtar
After site analysis it was apparent that there are some specific natural elements which are
existing on and around the site interacting with users of the cafeteria and nearby buildings.
Within which the student activity centre will be situated.
Thus it was decided to make a design which can promote the relationship between nature
and humans. Because as a designer we can bring awareness to people through our designs
regarding which they might have limited understanding. As humans cannot survive without
nature and nature cannot survive without humans. For example humans produce CO2 which is
much important for plants and plants produce Oxygen which is very important for any human
for live a life on this planet.
As we see people are harming nature and their focus is only on using nature as an aesthetic or
decorative element, they are ignoring how senses interact with nature.
The student activity centre then becomes a space which brings people closer to nature, making
it more noticeable and apparent.
“Synergy”
Orooba Tanvir
The idea is to develop a space to unite the crowd into a mass. So that while experiencing
the architecture, people will feel integrated into one body. Hence the whole building is than
the sum of its parts. This is acquired by providing open spaces in the form of terraces which
provide visual access to all parts of the building.
DESIGN PROCESS
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
SECTION
“Opacity and Transparency”
Dania Ahmed
The idea was to arrange the six given functional units while playing with the views, lights,
shadows, blockages , opacity and transparency . It took its initial start from the idea of being
connected, as there are six student union rooms to arrange, the student connectivity and reach
appealed to me which led to not only circulatory connectivity but also visual and emotive. The
layers of glass, viewing one from another, creating different colours and textures, spreading
different emotions while creating a contrast with divisions of solid half walls with the rise and
fall of shadows. During the day, the form can put on a show on the inside while during the
evening it can itself be a show for the outside.
EXPERIENTIAL NARRATIVE AND
PROCESS
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
SECTION A-A’
Adnan Sultan
The concept of this project is to explore the relationship of spaces through the addition and
subtraction of voids within a cube. Through conceptual diagrams and development of design
through a cube, the focus was to add layers of complexity within the interior of the cubical
volume.
In this manner the inside of the cube can be explored and force the audience to observe the
inside as well as the outside at the same time. When volumes are developed in this manner, it is
apparent that experiencing architecture is not simply about looking at the facade of a building
visually and in order to understand architecture, the spaces inside must be explored.
SITE ANALYSIS
IDEATION
ITERATIVE PROCESS
PLANS
SECTION
“Defying Gravity”
In this project of designing a student activity center which considers creation of space and
shape, integration of program and functionality is vital. In our context, all the built structures
(academic blocks) of university existing, all have some traditional architectural building materials
with red bricks and they don’t have heightened volumes.
In order to create a contrasting building there would be more levels with unique spaces which
would give a feeling of experiencing a different atmosphere in the campus compared to other
academic buildings. Since the whole structure is for student, it would have to stand out in the
context. The concept initially starts from gravity defying structures which are not connected
with each other directly but hanging with levitated floors (providing views), altering visual weight
with materiality.
The structure will have a central supporting component with hanging floors from it with several
floors made up of steel framed structures incorporating the trusses. Like giving a sense of
falling, it shows stability similar to a trunk of tree with branches connected to it. By maintaining
several functional areas within a particular site, enhancing all the surrounding available views,
vegetation and building its own existence.
DESIGN PROCESS
STRUCTURAL STUDY
BASEMENT PLAN GROUND FLOOR PLAN
SECTIONAL ELEVATION
OBSERVATIONS
With the conclusion of the studio projects, of activity and circulation patterns around
differing site conditions and their influence site. Hence, DAAD students, more conscious
on perception and design logic was more of the cafeteria as a prominent part of the
apparent. Although there was a deliberate context were gravitating towards possibilities
effort to align the DAAD site with the CAUP of the student activity centre as a future
site in terms of prominent features and extension of the cafeteria. On the other
limitations. hand, CAUP students were more focused on
the student activity centre as an independent
ACCESS POSSIBILITIES and self-contained architecture. Some CAUP
students however did design access keeping
One major feature which was present at the the cafeteria traffic in mind.
Tongji University and could not be replicated
at CUI Lahore Campus was the presence of LOCAL CASE STUDIES
hard and soft landscape features. This led
the CAUP students to imagine their site as During the research stages, CAUP students
having an inherent orientation. Whereas the belonging to diverse cultures and regions
students at DAAD were given a site which had an innate understanding of the student
was equally accessible on all sides without activity centre as a typology drawing from
any obstructions. Hence, it was seen that examples they saw themselves or at Tongji
students were visualizing design possibilities University. DAAD students mostly belonging
in terms of access and orientation in a much to Pakistan, were not entirely familiar as
more diverse manner. campuses in Pakistan rarely comprise of a
student activity centre (social spaces in CUI
CAFETERIA IN CONTEXT Lahore for example, are situated individually
in various parts of the campus). This could be
Both sites have within close proximity a seen as both an advantage or a disadvantage
campus cafeteria. While the scale and visual for either groups. Innate familiarity with a
presence of both cafeterias is similar the key typology may result in a deeper understanding
difference lies in the fact that the CUI Lahore of functionality but a typology being alien
Cafeteria is a recent addition to the campus would help avoiding preconceived notions in
(completed in 2018). The recent introduction the design process, perhaps in some cases
of the cafeteria abruptly changed the levels even question the conventional typologies.
Figure 4: DAAD participants of the collaborative studio with faulty members Professors Iris and Tian along with visiting DAAD lecturer Talha.
FUTURE COLLABORATION
Considering all the limitations and challenges the same level of stability and fidelity as a
of two studios working on similar problems purpose-built teleconferencing platform.
and learning from one another, the exercise
was productive in many ways as students REPLICATION OF SITE AND CONDITIONS
got to engage actively with studios beyond
reach and learn through feedback. This As highlighted in the observations and
document aims to be a guideline and record challenges, the only manner this collaboration
so that future collaborations between can start becoming a comparative and
College of Architecture and Urban Planning, analytical exercise for the students is when
Tongji University, Shanghai and Department physical limitations and properties can
of Architecture and Design, COMSATS be replicated to highest degree possible
University, Lahore of this nature can be even between Lahore and Shanghai. Only then will
more productive. the exercise for the students start to address
the question of non-physical contextual cues
PRE PLANNING influencing the design logic.