As IAAC’s Valldaura Labs and Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings & Biocities (MAEBB) class of 2022/23 we have the opportunity to intervene in a natural setting at the edge of the city and act as a bridging element between the city and forest. Thus, the vision is to facilitate rejuvenation and giving the site of Font del Gos, where an infamous, almost mythical fountain existed, a new identity.
The basic idea behind opting for rammed earth as a medium to intervene on site was to respond to and hence blend in the natural topography. Initially, the design saw a free flowing form as an expression of continuity of the contours. As architects, we aimed at introducing a definite geometry that follows the same approach and so was an exploration with the fractals. More the complexity in the form, less was the blend with the topography. In order to simplify, a uniform angle & shape was incorporated in order to see a balance between the topography & the geometry inspired by the same.
Fractals & Topography
Uniformly using fractals in order to apply the geometry across the design was achieved by a grasshopper script. A scope of playing with changing variables helped the design evolve through complexity to simplifications. An on-site measurement exercise along with the usage of digital tools helped the design to respond to the topography in a defined scale.
Formwork
A clearer idea of the formwork to be installed adds to an efficient & faster on-site process while ramming the earth. Considering the angled design, a precise dimensioning of all the wood members was a necessity to avoid gaps at the junctions. A digital model of the same provides us with all this information along with the quantities of wood & screws required. After the design of the topography was finalized, the construction began on the framework for the 3 layers. These were done in a kit of parts which was transported to the site where it was later assembled.
The digital tools were purely used to aid the design in order to achieve complex forms, and for translating the design idea and precision with respect to the quantities and positions, and to visualize the project.
