Download case studies of RESIDENTAL OPEN BUILDING What is open

built
designs
case studies of
RESIDENTAL OPEN BUILDING
NEXT 21, Osaka, Japan, 1994
What is open
building?
Architect:
Yositika Utida, Shu-Koh-Sha Architectural and Urban Design Studio
Construction coordination:
Seiichi Fukao
Design system planning: Kazuo Tatsumi, Mitsuo Takada
Exterior façade system: Seiichi Fukao
Modular Coord.system:
Seiichi Fukao
Owner: Osaka Gas Corporation
Dwellings:
18
Support construction: Reinforced concrete skeleton; newly developed facade system
Infill provision: Experimental systems
Open Building is an approach to the design of buildings that is recognized internationally to represent a new wave in architecture, but a new wave with roots in the
way ordinary built environment grows and regenerates and achieves wholeness.
Those advocating an open building approach recognize something quite unremarkable but something that nevertheless needs to be made explicit: that both stability
and change are realities in contemporary built environment. Buildings - and the
neighborhoods they occupy - are not static artifacts even during the most stable
times, and during times of great social and technical upheaval are bound to need
adjustment in some measure to remain attractive, safe and useful.
NEXT21 is an experimental 18-unit housing project. It anticipates the more comfortable life urban households will characteristically enjoy in the 21st Century. The project was conceived by Osaka Gas Company
in collaboration with the NEXT 21 planning team. The NEXT 21 Construction Committee developed the
basic plan and design. Its objectives were:
• using resources more effectively through systematized construction
• creating a variety of residential units to accommodate varying households
• introducing substantial natural greenery throughout a high-rise structure
• creating a wildlife habitat within urban multi-family housing
• treating everyday waste and drainage onsite within the building
• minimizing the building's compound burden on the environment
• using energy efficiently by means including fuel cells
• making a more comfortable life possible without increasing energy consumption
Units were designed by 13 different architects. Each unit's interior and exterior layout was freely designed
within a system of coordinating rules for positioning various elements. The generous floor-to-floor height
allowed for the introduction of utility distribtuion space above ceilings and under raised floors; therefore,
ducts and piping can be be routed independently of structural elements. Main beams have reduced depth
midspan allowing ducts and piping to pass over the beams without use of "sleeves" to the main horizontal
utility zones under exterior corridors or "streets in the air".
We also recognize that designing and constructing buildings involves many people,
who, when reaching agreements, make distribution of responsibility a normal
characteristic of the culture of building. No one decides everything, and we usually
celebrate that fact while struggling to deal with the complexity it brings. And, since
no one party makes all decisions when a building is first constructed nor over the
course of time as the building adjusts to new needs and technical requirements, we
understand the importance of organizing decision making and construction in such
a way as to reduce excessive dependencies or entanglements among the parties
involved. This helps in the avoidance of conflict between people and the parts of
the whole they each control, and improves the chances of balancing common
interests and the more individual interests of those who inhabit space.
We all know that most ordinary buildings change in large and small ways to remain
useful. Many of us make a living at this, as architects, builders, bankers, regulators,
and manufacturers, suppliers and distributors. We also know that, in general, the
best buildings are those most able to provide capacity to changing functions,
standards of use and life-style, and improved parts over time.
The most important question that open building advocates seek to answer - by
their research and in their practice, is:
How do we design the built environment to support both stability – in respect to
long term community interests - and change - in respect to individual preferences?
How, in other words, do we plan and implement a regenerative built environment?
1. NEXT 21 in its urban context
The building frame (or "skeleton"), exterior cladding, interior finishes, and mechanical systems were designed as independent building subsystems, each with a different repair, upgrade and replacement cycle
following CHS principles. Design of the 18 units began after design of the building frame andcontinued
during skeleton construction. Dwellings and their mechanical systems were designed prior to design of the
base building's mechanical system. Subsequently, mechanical services at all levels were installed by a single
contractor.
NEXT21 was constructed as a whole, but designed in such a way that its various subsystems can be
adjusted with improved autonomy. To test this objective, one 5th-story unit has been substantially renovated. All work was accomplished from within the unit, without scaffolding, minimizing disruption to abutting
inhabitants. 90% of the materials removed were successfully redeployed. The project continues to explore
new methods for building urban housing, experimental infill systems, to accommodate varying lifestyles with
reduced energy consumption. The second phase of NEXT 21 includes renovating other units, introducing a
new group of inhabitants, and continued evaluation of the energy systems.
The principle tool used by those working in an open building way is the organization of the process of designing and building on environmental levels. The idea of
environmental levels is not new, but the clear formulation of the principle of levels is
rather new, having been framed most recently in The Structure of The Ordinary:
Form and Control in the Built Envirnoment (Habraken, MIT Press, 1998). The
design professions, for their part, have evolved naturally in correspondance to the
behavior of environmental levels: urban planners, urban designers, architects and
interior architects each operate according to a certain level of intervention.
Additional reading:
SD 25. NEXT 21, Kajima Institute Publishing CompanyTokyo, 1994
Next 21, Kenchiku Bunka, 567, January, 1994
Residental Open Building, Kendall & Teichen, Spon, 1999
Osaka Gas Experimental Housing: Next 21, Osaka Gas Co, LTD, (folio size report in English)
2. Exterior view
3. Exterior view
Each of these levels relates to the one below and above it according to certain
rules. For example, an urban street pattern, perhaps centuries old, defines plots of
land - territorial claims - of varying sizes on which individual buildings are constructed, demolished and new ones built over a time period during which the street
grid remains stable. Sometimes, several lots are acquired by one party and a larger
building is erected. In some places and times, economic forces, methods of
construction and changes in social patterns results in intensification of the use of
spaces between the streets, while in other situations, the opposite is true, and the
blocks become more vacant, or are subdivided.
The characteristic here is that the street grid - on a higher "public" level - remains
relatively stable, while the lots divide and aggregate and buildings come and go on a lower level - within the spatial and infrastructure capacity of the street level
pattern. Sometimes, the public space on the higher level is invaded by private
interests - either by agreement or by coersion - changing the balance of power but
not the structure of the levels.
If we look into the level of the individual building, we see the level of intervention
we call architecture. Here, a building offers space for occupancy, offering form,
services and safe passage for any of a variety of occupancies over time. The
building is a stable spatial and technical "offering", making available to a variety of
individual claims of space, enabling each territorial occupant their own decisions
within the constraints of the base architecture. The occupants can change, move in
and out, without disrupting or compromising the interests of the entirety. This is
most easily observed in multi-family residential buildings, office buildings, shopping
centers and other multi-tenant buildings, even medical facilities. Sometimes, the
entire facade of a building is removed and replaced, showing yet another technical
level. This kind of form and space behavior is less visible in buildings such as
museums, churches, and auditoria, yet there, too, parts change over time within
more stable enclosing forms and a supportive infrastructure of services. Similarly,
once an occupancy is determined, the furniture in the room, and the computers and
other equipment, can be changed without forcing the partitions of the room to be
altered.
These are familiar environmental levels, and there are more of them. The formal
recognition of these levels is a key characteristic of the open building approach.
4. Thermal Effect Of Greenery
5. Three-dimensional street
Thermal Effect of Greenery. Besides creating a comfortable environment, it is
also hoped that the green areas on the roof, on the terraces on each floor, and
on the ground floor of NEXT 21 will be useful in other ways, and will eliminate
latent heat caused by evaporating moisture.
A 3 dimensional street has been designed as a natural element linked with
the Ecological Garden, and as vital common space for allowing communications between dwellers in each of the houses. Each of the dwellers will be
able to enjoy the atmosphere of the regular street while maintaining privacy
in their different lifestyles.
Open Builiding, according to John Habraken, is the term used to indicate a number
of different, but related ideas about the making of environment.
These include:
The idea of distinct Levels of intervention in the built environment, such as those
represented by 'support' and 'infill', or by urban design and architecture.
The idea that users may make design decisions as well as professionals.
The idea that, more generally, designing is a process with multiple participants also
including different kinds of professionals.
The idea that the interface between technical systems allows the replacement of
one system with another performing the same function. (as with different fit-out
systems applied in a given base building.)
The idea that built environment is in constant transformation and change must be
recognized and understood.
The idea that built environment is the product of an ongoing, never ending, design
process in which environment transforms part by part.
Those who subscribe to the Open Building approach seek to formulate theories
about the built environment seen in this dynamic way and to develop methods of
design and building construction that are compatible with it.
______________
Formal entities focused on open building
In a number of countries like Japan, the Netherlands, Finland, the United Kingdom
and the US, groups interested in open building have grown up over the years.
They have found each other in recent years in an international organization. In
1996, Wim Bakens, Secretary General of CIB (International Council for Research
and Innovation in Building and Construction) encourage the constitution of an
international task group to study the topic. Seiji Sawada from Japan, Stephen
Kendall from the US and Karel Dekker from the Netherlands brought together an
international group of enthusiasts in Tokyo to kick off the Task Group. In 2000 the
task group was formally converted in a permanent Commission W104. The group
now has more than 40 members from 15 countries. Under the present leadership
of Stephen Kendall ([email protected]) USA, and Ulpu Tiuri ([email protected]),
Finland, the group meets once per year in an international conference and holds
intermediate meetings on occasion to address special local issues.
6. Systems building
“System building” refers to a building in which methods for adjusting the individual component systems of the building-such as the main structure, external
walls, and windows-are established. At NEXT 21, a highly flexible architectural
system is being put into practice. These component systems are divided into
four groups according to the required life of each component and production
path, and are then manufactured as separate systems and modules so that outer
walls, baths and toilets, and gardens can be moved.
7. Two-step housing
system
8. Flexible piping
system
The “two step housing system” is a
system that divides building elements into two groups: long-life
elements with high degree of
communal utility such as columns,
beams and floors, and short-life
elements in private areas such as
partition walls, building facilities and
equipment. After grouping building
elements in this way, planning,
construction, and supply proceed.
The major advantage of this system
is that the needs of the inhabitant
can be reflected while maintaining
social worth as a cityscape and as a
building. By incorporating this twostep supply system at NEXT 21,
designers were attempting a new
design system for housing that is
capable of addressing individual
needs.
Flexible piping system. In buildings, the life of piping is much
shorter than that of the main
concrete structure. Also, kitchen
and sanitary facilities that are
limited to pipe shaft areas also limit
the degree of freedom in designing
the building. At NEXT 21, a
flexible piping system is being put
to effective use. Short-life piping
facilities are installed separate from
the main structure and can easily
be updated. Building space above
the ceiling and in the floors of each
household is effectively utilized.
And use of wastewater pumps
allows kitchens, baths, and toilets
to be located anywhere in the
building.
built
designs
case studies of
RESIDENTAL OPEN BUILDING
environment / energy
plans
Garbage crushing / transporting device
Garbage crushing/transporting device. Statistics shows that about 40% of
the waste produced in households is garbage. At NEXT 21, this garbage
is collected in a special receptacle located in the kitchen sinks of each
household, and is sent to an adjustment tank in the basement by a garbage crushing/transporting device located under the kitchen.
Kitchen-bath-toilet, etc. wastewater treatment system. Wastewater is
collected and treated by a contact aerating biological treatment system.
First floor
Fourth floor
Second floor
Fifth floor
Third floor
Sixth floor
Electric Power System
Electric Power System. Electricity at NEXT 21 is supplied by a “selfcontained power supply system” comprising 100kW Fuel Cells, 7.5kW
Solar Cells, and 1000Ah storage batteries. When DC power from these
power supplies in converted in AC by an inverter, an energy loss results.
At NEXT 21, the three DC power supplies directly provide DC power
to electrical equipment such as common lighting, elevators, and pumps
that can be run on DC power, thus increasing the efficiency of power
supply facilities.
experimental adjustments: before / after
Thermal energy systems
Thermal Energy Systems. The core of the Total Energy System is the Fuel
Cells. From this Fuel Cell co-generation system, two types of thermal
energy can be extracted: 160°C high-temperature steam, and 55°C lowtemperature hot water. The high-temperature steam is for making the
chilled and heated water for use in air-conditioning. This is achieved by a
steam-driven dual-effect absorption chiller-heater.
High- and low-temperature hot water storage tanks are provided in the
hot water supply system. The low-temperature waste heat of the Fuel Cell
and heat recovered from the garbage treatments system is stored mainly in
the low-temperature hot water storage tank for preheating hot water.
High-temperature waste can be stored in the high-temperature hot water
storage tank little load is placed on the air-conditioning system or during
intermediate periods.
1. Dwelling unit conversion
2. Facade transformation of converted dwelling unit
4. Interior views of converted dwelling
Experimental Adjustments: Before and After
Beginning in 1998, a series of planned adjustments have been implemented to evaluate the
project management principles incorporated into the design and construction of NEXT 21.
Total energy control system
Total Energy Control System. All of the energy systems at NEXT 21 are
controlled by the energy system controller (ESC) in order to achieve
maximum operative efficiency. The ESC forecasts the loads placed on the
electrical and thermal systems, and automatically controls the entire
energy system so that the energy consumption is kept to a minimum.
To be more precise, the ESC forecast the heating and cooling loads, and
the amount of the electrical power produced by the solar cells. It then
creates an optimum operating schedule, determinates the operating
capacities of the Fuel Cells and other facilities, and issues the required
control signals. Also, in order to increase control accuracy, control
instructions are executed every 15 minutes while compensating for control
errors.
Figure 1 shows the complete reconfiguration of a dwelling unit including alteration of its
façade, shown in Figure 2. In this experiment, all the work of modifying the façade was
done from the inside of the unit, thus avoiding danger of falling equipment and materials
and minimizing disruption of immediately adjacent dwelling units.
Figures 3 and 4 show the subdivision of one large dwelling unit into two smaller units. This
adjustment included the reconfiguration of spatial layout and technical equipment. These
experiments continue. (source: Professor Mitsuo Takada, Kyoto University Department of
Architecture)
3. Dwelling #404 subdivided into two separate units
CASE STUDIES IN OPEN BUILDING is a continuing project of the Building Futures Institute (BFI). BFI is a research unit in the College of Architecture and Planning, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana. For
information about our research and programs, contact Dr. Stephen Kendall, BFI Director, at [email protected]. Our web site is www.bsu.edu/cap/bfi.