GIVING EXPRESSION
TO THE POTENTIAL HARMONY OF MAN-NATURE:
a Habitable Space Designed with Nature
in the City of Boston, Massachusetts
by
Anthony Si-Lai Ho
A.B. in Arch, University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California
May, 1986
SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEGREE
MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE
AT THE
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
FEBRUARY 1989
Q
Anthony Si-Lai Ho, 1989. All rights reserved.
The author hereby grants to M.I.T. permission
to reproduce and to distribute copies
of this thesis document in whole or in part.
Signature of Author
nthony Si-Lai Ho
Department of Architecture
February 17, 1989
Certified by
Thomas Chastain
Lecturer
Thesis Supervisor
Accepted by
Imre Halasz
Chairman, Departmental Committee on Graduate Students
TECHN.OLOGY
tAA
017 1989
UBRARIMS
90
1
GIVING EXPRESSION
TO THE POTENTIAL HARMONY OF MAN-NATURE:
A Habitable Space Designed with Nature
in the City of Boston, Massachusetts
by
Anthony Si-Lai Ho
to the Department of Architecture
Submitted
on February 17, 1989
in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the Degree of
Master of Architecture
ABSTRACT
beings
Human
interrelated with nature.
are
They
ecosystem.
part of the
are
But in the past few generations,
for
fitness
intrinsic
lost its
environment has
the
the
to
due
partially
uses;
organisms, and land
ecosystems,
fact
place
that contemporary built forms have often
nature in their designs.
of
the
denied
human
the
Presently,
population at large is alienated from nature, their wellbeings are degraded, and they are living less meaningfully
than before.
thesis
This
principles
is
to
new
a
propose
design
of
set
recognize
in which built forms will once again
built
the
It is hoped that through
place of nature.
the
augmented.
be
will
man-nature
of
the harmony
environment,
other
document is not to merely reinforce what many
This
take
also
It
will
out.
brought
already
have
contemporaries
be
may
knowledge
the
how
to
demonstrate
example
concrete
a
applied
to
actual environment
an
--
because
generation needs is not a better view on
better working method.
There
are
a
introduction;
relationship
environment;
harmony
of
a
five
this
to
parts
discussion
of
and
nature,
man,
between
set of design principles to
built
but
document:
my personal view
man-nature through the
this
what
ecology,
on
a
an
the
built
the
augment the
environment;
a
design project applying those principles to an actual site;
and finally, a conclusion retrospecting to the thesis
process as well as envisioning the future.
Thesis Supervisor: Thomas Chastain
Title: Lecturer
2
I
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction
4
2. Discussion: the relationship between man, nature
and the built environment
8
to augment the harmony
Principles:
3. Design
man-nature through the built environment
Project:
4. Design
actual site
5. Conclusion
of
17
applying the principles to an
29
69
3
72(roaacfcr
4
Why is the harmony between man and nature so important
why do we like
to us? Maybe we should first ask ourselves:
to sit in the sun?
do
Why do we enjoy going to beaches?
Why
by
the
we love to see plants?
Why are we fascinated
And why do children like
beauty of mountains and caverns?
to play outside?
is
answer
The
nature,
love
all
We
clear.
And that is why the harmony between man and
instinctively.
nature is such an important issue.
What
is
Nature may be defined as
nature then?
consequence of the natural processes of air,
life and energy.
It
the
water, earth,
Nature is the context of the environment.
is the co-tenant of the human
the
habitat,
essential
partner in survival.
In a sense,
all
But
live in nature and associate with it.
associate with nature?
Evidence
have
been
instance,
are
hand
at
questions
the
Yes, we
everything around us is natural.
This is certain.
and
do
more
in daily life,
alienated
generations,
from
nature.
the
fresh air, and free space?
For
How
We seldom take
(or do we have it at all?) to enjoy
opportunity
we
we hardly take a look at the sky
and notice its importance for the general atmosphere.
about sunlight,
we
And how strong is this association?
shows that in the past few
more
"how"
rather:
them
nowadays, and most of us have ended up sustaining health by
indoor
exercises.
often
deliver
a
And the gardens around us?
simplistic
notion
of
They
nature:
too
they
concretize nature as an organic totality without addressing
5
environmental
--
pollution
Floods,
air
and
landslides,
health
all pose serious threats to our
most contemporary built forms
discrete
independent,
objects
imageability of towns,
the
of
satisfaction
in
one of our
most
be
to
tend
landscape,
the
landscape's continuity.
the
interrupting
damage
problems.
many
to
lead
have
Finally, looking at today's towns in general,
that
find
processes
they
and safety.
we
natural
for
disregard
our
Furthermore,
superficial.
becomes
nature
with
association
our
As a result,
underlying processes.
its
They
only
not
but deprive us of
fundamental
needs:
the
a
meaningful environment.
as a large portion of the human habitat
Just
suffers
from a schism between man and nature, there are exceptions.
In
landscapes like Norway,
"wild"
rocks,
among
conifers and streams,
dwellings are
Built forms
thus become an interaction between man and nature,
man
In
see nature as a friendly complement to his own
Far
the
location
and
wind
earth,
nature.
In
East
where
geomancy
often
Japan,
only
as
being.
determines
the
to
man pays homage to the forces
of
in
built forms are often integrated with
gardens that recreate scenes from the natural
Dwellers
helping
relation
orientation of built forms
and water,
up
engaging with the sky
anchoring solidly to the earth below.
above,
set
environment.
within such microcosms thus regard themselves not
an integral part of the garden,
but also
as
an
integral part of the greater natural world.
The above models reveal to me that it is actually
6
possible
associate man with nature through
to
I
environment.
will
further
investigate
the
built
into
this
possibility in the following chapters, in order to find out
a
set
of
design principles that will
environment
man
of
the human habitat in general to
with nature.
concrete,
economical
the
existential
built
associate
This thesis will try to understand
relationship between man,
in
guide
the
nature and the built environment
terms.
and social problems,
It
because
will
not
treat
socio-economical
conditions do not really determine the existential meanings
of life.
They only offer a "space" for life to take place.
7
2.
ct
8
To let one understand
Nature is a complex phenomenon.
environment,
a
accordingly:
the concrete properties,
few
built
and with the
its relationship with man,
thoroughly
terms must be introduced.
They
are,
the basic elements,
and landscapes.
The
concrete properties of nature may be seen as
"essence"
of
everywhere,
nature.
within
They
and
are present
beyond
Furthermore, they do not transform.
space,
the
human
They are
Among
them,
space
is
the one
associated with man through the built
term
"space" does not
dimensions.
dimension
times,
habitat.
"things" like
denote
"there",
one
understand
precise,
be
Here,
mathematical
should
between
It is immeasurable, such as that
Although the sky is always
not take it for granted.
its relation to the earth,
He has
and exploit such
to
a
The sky has cosmic implications, while the earth
is concrete and accessible.
variant
can
environment.
which comprises the basic relationships
between the earth and the sky.
relation.
that
Rather, it denotes an existential dimension, a
man and his environment.
light
all
time, universal gravitational force and action-and-
reaction.
the
at
the
Moreover, whereas the sky is a
natural phenomenon (with its ever-changing
condition and characteristic clouds),
color,
the earth
is
comparatively constant. The earth and the sky are different
in
many
aspects,
but
this
is what
makes
experience richer. Thus, one wants them both --
time,
one's
daily
at the same
in the same habitat. While normally, every component
that makes up one's habitat does work together as a
whole,
9
They should be in
the earth and the sky are no exceptions.
equilibrium.
harmonious
right between the two,
located
The built environment,
accomplish
them
may help
Built spaces can possibly be the meeting place where
this.
the
But how?
earth and the sky "unite".
one
place,
go
"realities"
that
existence
more
his
It is to make
existence.
his
elements
the "essence" of nature is to
sensation of the
immediate
the
beyond
two
these
then understand how
Understanding
interact.
carry
may
Dwelling in such a meeting
meaningful.
earth,
life
properties,
and
energy.
Different
the
basic
elements
transformations,
which
are
from
the
do
go
referred
water,
air,
are:
five basic elements of nature
The
to
concrete
through
as
natural
processes.
Air is the most diffusive of all. It exists within and
around one's body.
is
It affects his health and comfort,
and
air adds to
the
necessary for survival.
Furthermore,
For instance,
richness of one's living experience.
deliver smell and moisture to remind him of an
summer thunderstorm;
sea
it can
approaching
or it can transmit the white noise of
waves to reduce his stress and anxiety.
Understanding
air's basic properties can help one discover its true value
in the human habitat.
three-fourths
The same is for water.
of the Earth's
surface.
Water covers
Although not
every
man has had the chance to live by water, each certainly has
had
fetus
the experience of living in it -before
birth.
In a sense,
all
when he was still
men
have
a
already
10
acquainted themselves with water way before birth. They are
born with an instinct to love water.
to
Water is so appealing
if one does
It is also because it can transform:
with it.
or play
use it,
man not only because he can drink it,
then maybe he likes it in
not like it in the form of rain,
the form of snow; and if not in the form cf a cascade, then
the form of a lake.
in
maybe
with man through the built environment.
as
associated
been
Water was depicted
of
element
life-spending
romantic,
a
landscape
of
history
that water had often
indicated
painting
The
primary
constituting "ideal" landscapes
characterizing importance,
The presence of water, whether in paintings or in
for man.
real life,
gives identity to landscapes. It adds a certain
micro-scale to landscapes whose relief lack this dimension,
or
to the mystery of
adds
it
Water,
possess the micro level.
landscapes
which
already
thus, is a valuable asset
to landscapes.
There
is an element that interacts with water to form
distinctive natural places such as points,
and fiords.
form
places:
(a natural process).
relief
its
surface
One is thus offered a
variety
by simply varying
of dwelling conditions and experiences.
in a gorge,
For instance, down
one feels like living in an "under-world".
He
to have gained access to the "inside" of the ground.
seems
Whereas
up
complement
What
bays,
or ground. Ground alone can also
It is earth,
distinctive
islands,
on
the
ridge
to a gorge,
of
a
the
spatial
"reaching"
heaven.
mountain,
he feels like
his experiences tell him is that:
his everyday life11
activities take place.
and
activities
and
feelings
character,
of
both
human
life
Only a coexistence
make a
will
a
he needs
To dwell meaningfully,
gets his feelings "out".
daily
his
environment that exploits its geological
built
whereas
existence,
"stage" where
ground is only the
concrete
feelings.
as
such
ones
"content" of his
are the actual
Feelings
the
intangible
more
the
also
but
phenomena,
indeed consists of not only the concrete
world
truly
possible.
extended
It is the
is familiar with the ground.
Man
plane on which he stands. But in the existential sense, the
mean a lot more.
can
ground
phenomenon
natural
Earth's
entire
surface (of course,
in fact,
the ground is,
the
one has to count
the
be
to
And
it
So, to recognize oneself as part of
to belong to Earth.
Earth means to be an integral part of the
tiny.
To belong to
cosmos,
a part of the cosmos is to
permanent natural order.
continuous
covers
Earth:
pervading the
ocean floors as well).
a
The ground is
however
in
live
a
This is necessary, for any man to
Every man feels the need for something permanent in
exist.
his environment,
just as he feels the need for a permanent
home, or a permanent identity for himself. Thus, permanence
is a fundamental human urge.
be
part
ground.
an order which is more lasting
his individual existence transcend.
letting
this,
of
To satisfy such urge, one can
he
must
The
first
recognize himself as
built environment,
thus,
than
he
begin
But to
part
should not
is,
of
the
simply
"sit" on the ground. It should integrate with the ground in
12
such a way that whenever one dwells in a house, he knows he
is inhabiting the world.
The
Plants
category comprises all living creatures and plants.
in
This
life.
is
element of nature
basic
fourth
In
man.
general have a very special relationship with
the economical sense, man loves plants because they produce
fresh air and delightful scenes. They filter dusts and damp
noise. They are amenities to man. In the existential sense,
man is interested in their concrete manifestation of living
reality:
tell him how nature "lives".
they
of
process
constancy in
the
demonstrates
very
the
re-enacts
tree
creation.
It
in
the
Thirdly,
nature.
a
Every year
spatial sense, trees "unite" man with the sky. Trees belong
to
the
yet they rise towards
earth,
and the sky looks more and more "tangible".
contours
constitute
in
the
air,
Besides, trees
and
"contracting"
The environment thus becomes "dynamic".
"expanding" space.
From
they
As
sky.
"unity" gets stronger and stronger,
the
to grow,
continue
the
the economical,
existential and spatial standpoints,
They
one should believe that plants are no embellishments.
are,
The
essential forces that affect his daily life.
rather,
association
limited
to
between
man and
should
plants
occur only in gardens and forests.
not
should
It
occur in the everyday living environment as well.
be
In doing
so, the built environment however has to recognize the fact
that
is
life
an intrinsic variable
intrinsic
function
of
climate,
geology,
--
it
resources and land
physiology
varies
uses
and physiography.
as
such
a
as
In other
13
They are alive and they
inside the built world.
fragments
static
as
treated
no means should be
by
plants
words,
should pervade, naturally.
through
built
the
an
as
experienced
environment.
integral
instinctively
attracted by light:
manifestation
of spirit.
some
cases determine,
reality.
of
part
by its warmth
human
is
Man
its
and
and in
Light conditions affect,
the patterns of
been
always
has
Light
man
with
of those that can be associated
one
is
energy
Light
energy.
The last of the five basic elements is
activities.
They also alter the appearance of places over hours,
days,
and seasons. Light, thus, is immediately connected with the
rhythms
of nature.
rhythm
temporal
of man's life,
and of plants' lives.
Some
other
desert,
also
in these infinite environmental rhythms.
What
such as the camels in the
living creatures,
participate
the
These rhythms are indeed
they are all experiencing in common is time, a dimension of
change
and
constancy
(which is a
concrete
of
property
nature). Recognizing his position in time, one sees himself
as
part
of
meaningful.
history.
Therefore,
designed with time.
This
his
his
makes
existence
more
living environment should
be
To design with time, one has to design
with light, and eventually with the sky, because the sky is
the
comprehensive
"stage" for the
continuously
changing
quality of light.
Landscape
is a comprehensive natural phenomenon.
is a concrete manifestation of nature,
in.
There
is a distinctive quality
It
a context man lives
about
landscapes
in
14
extension.
their
common:
continuous,
depending
on the landscape's surface
These
particular
character
them,
he
his being-in-a-place.
landscape.
is
lives
meanings.
with a place.
a mere collection of
It
things.
a
he
embodies
thus, is more than a
Dwelling in the landscape,
matter of refuge.
It is also a process of understanding
a
from
places,
environment as a system of meaningful
given
behind
One has to realize that the landscape where
not
a
With
it.
to
him to get adjusted
part of the underlying meaning
is
is
orientation
he can then become "friend"
enough of both,
"Friendship"
Without
Whereas identification is the basis for
enables
that
place
therein.
orientation
of attachment to a place,
sense
a
of
of
will be "nowhere".
function
and
the
determine
and orientation are the primary aspects
one's existence,
one's
man-made
determine the degree
which in turn,
identification
Identification
also
and spatial properties
within the landscape;
human
can
conditions
elements.
of
relief,
as well as the "behavior" of the
its vegetation,
less
may be more or
Extension
the macro down to the micro level, comprehensively. One can
say
"I
identify
he
dwell"
when
he can
himself
orient
himself with an environment --
experiences
the environment as
environment is meaningful,
within
when
or in short,
When
meaningful.
and
the
And being
he feels "at home".
"at home" is the value of his existence. But "home" in this
case
is
"Home"
himself
not denoting only
the
enclosed,
built
is also the natural spaces that one has
with,
such
spaces.
acquainted
as a particular ground he has
always
15
walked on,
by.
or a particular sky he has always been embraced
"Home",
therefore,
comprises both natural
and
built
spaces. In a concrete sense, this means both the inside and
the
outside
of a built environment are
should somehow relate.
himself
right
And man,
"homes".
as dweller,
in the harmonious "middle",
The
should
where
he
two
find
may
reach "out" as well as "in".
16
3. ,D'z
17
U
1. CONTINUITY OF LANDSCAPE
a.
The
built form may be a transformation of the land
or
The built form will assert its
the natural objects around.
presence while remain subservient to the landscape.
b. The built form may preserve the landscape's meaning as a
comprehensive
by
extension
continuity of edges or urban "walls",
of
collective spaces,
interrupt
trying not to
the
damage the coherence
or destroy the identity
of
nodes,
paths and districts.
c.
The
built
form
may
be settled
"insides" constituted by the landscape.
may
within
the
natural
A natural "inside"
be as large as the chasm of a canyon,
or as small
as
the space between rocks and trees.
18
d.
The
materials
the
built form may integrate with
earth.
Ground
New "grounds" will
may be displaced vertically.
then be established, letting one understand that to move up
a built space is to go out of the earth.
a'a
e.
The built space may engage with the sky. The built form
can break away from its confinement and let the sky
become
its "ceiling".
2. RECIPROCITY BETWEEN BUILT AND NATURAL
U
a.
Built and natural spaces are structually similar as far
as
directions
ceiling
and boundaries are
ground-horizon-sky.
is similar to
distinction
between
concerned:
up
and down is
valid;
floor-wall-
In
so
both,
the
are
the
concepts of extension and enclosure.
sky
ceiling
wall
ground
horizon
19
b.
The
such
built form and the landscape may be integrated
in
a way that spatial overlaps and territorial exchanges
will take place. The built form and the landscape will then
help each other in defining edges,
forming enclosures
and
performing certain functions.
II
c.
The
built.
that
landscape's vocabulary may be translated into
The
are
built
form may be constructed with
the
materials
related to the landscape materials in
terms
of
scale, shape, texture, color and usage.
f
a
g
d
e
k
h
d.
The
distinction
between
indoor and
outdoor
may
be
minimized. Materials from the landscape may be continued or
displaced
into the built space.
The boundary between
the
two domains may need to be more subtle.
U.M
U...II
IU
I
20
e. The concept of enclosure may be treated in a less strict
form.
boundary
such
enclosure may indeed be defined by a
An
continuous
present,
that is inferred rather than positively
as a dense cluster of elements,
or a mere change
in
the texture of the ground.
3.
INTENSIFICATION OF LANDSCAPE
U
a. The built form's openness to the sky may be increased so
that
the sky's clouds,
color and light can perform
characterizing functions:
their
to constitute the atmosphere for
the built space.
b.
Tall
trees
may
be grown to "expand"
and
"contract"
space, as well as to bring the sky "closer" to earth.
c.
Certain phenomena within the landscape may be
to
reoccur
condition
movement,
with
and
similar
appearance
behavior
--
similar
a
function,
one's
throughout
sight and/or hearing.
how nature pervades.
--
arranged
path
of
This helps him understand
G
b
d
a'
b
al
d
C,
C
b
a
d~
21
d.
The
many
different
phenomena
occurring
landscape may work together to form patterns of
contrast.
and
the
continuous
This helps to maintain the high level of mystery
expectation
spirit
within
of
all throughout,
exploration.
public/private,
thereby keeping up one's
Some
basic
contrasts
are:
exposed/enclosed, spacious/tight, unbuilt/
built, light/dark and loud/quiet.
a
e.
may
Appropriate
help
b
-a
-b
C
-c
choice of materials and spatial properties
reinforce the visual and audio
effects
of
the
natural processes taking place within the landscape.
f.
The
be
exploited;
building
characterizing functions of the basic elements may
up
especially
in
providing
air
settings.
amenities
and
energy
Qxneg
life
earth
water
22
4. HUMAN IDENTIFICATION AND ORIENTATION WITHIN A PLACE
a.
are
E
Human identification may be strengthened if built forms
common
clusters or communities that
in
arranged
form of life,
express
to
or a common way of relating
a
the
earth, or to the sky, or the like.
a
ON
an
U mu E
-U
-Ua
a"
a,f MEN
inmmgu
b.
is
Orientation
through feelings,
relationships
a function that
with
associates
not scientific data.
Therefore,
man
spatial
within a place may have to be based on human
experience rather than pure mathematical calculations.
s-x
-
-
x
-
23
c.
fundamental values of "home" --
The
and protection --
intimacy,
may be present outside the private domain
a built form to increase one's sense
of
comfort
of
A
belonging.
greater, shared habitable environment will be defined.
home
b
3
a
.
a+b+c+d
b
=
1
]c
d
d.
encourage
sizes,
human
interactions,
that
facilities
design may provide the appropriate
The
at
especially
collective
to help one acquaint himself with other users of the
place.
U
e.
The
predominant
with
its
place
designed
may
have
to
human behavior if it were to
users
without
requiring
respond
become
much
work
to
the
"friend"
of human
adaptation.
24
U
5. MAN'S ASSOCIATION WITH NATURE
a.
Human activities within the built space may be designed
in
relation
stars.
to
to the course of the sun,
the moon
This will help one understand the Earth's
sun,
the
and
relation
as well as
his position in the cosmos,
the
the
pm
temporal rhythm of nature.
am
am
Opm
b.
Certain
natural processes may be designed to occur
places which one uses frequently,
of
routine experience.
his
at
so that they become part
Nature will then "live"
with
exchange
with
him.
c.
Built
earth,
forms
may increase
territorial
water and plants, so that one will have more access
to them. If possible. built forms may even be located right
at the interface between two elements.
L-------------
ab
25
d.
The
design
life.
interactions with other forms of
have
where
provide places
may
man
can
have
Those places should
the optimal environmental conditions that permit
the
organisms' procreational success.
6.
U
IMPROVEMENT OF MAN'S WELL-BEINGS
a. Flood damage may be minimized:
--
accurately designed rooftops, plazas and ponds may store
floodwater and stormwater runoff with minimal inconvenience
to pedestrians, but with maximal visual elegance.
--
built
forms
may
work
the
with
overflows and floodplain dynamics.
may
be
occupying
built.
If
possible,
floodplains
at all
frequency
of
river
Flood-control structure
built
forms
should
so that there will
be
avoid
more
surface for containing floodwater.
26
b. Air pollution may be minimized:
--
the
to
correct locally inverted temperature stratification,
proportion of building height to street width
adjusted
to
may
be
ensure that sunlight can reach the street
by
midmorning.
coo\ air
warm air
noon
am
--
to
ventilation
increase
built
pollutants,
materials
may
be
forms,
for
spaces
open
oriented to block
removing
or
diluting
landscape
and
winds
and
prevent
the
unwanted
to funnel desired breezes.
--
to
reduce
exposure
to pollutants and to
formation of stagnant air pockets,
maintain a
built forms may try
to
setback from streets.
y,9
9
ft
- 6
buffer zone
27
c.
Landslide
damage may be minimized by growing plants to
absorb stormwater runoff and to stabilize erodable soils.
28
De
r/5recf
29
A.
intention is to design built forms in a way to improve
The
well-beings,
man's
and
U
INTENTION
increase his association with
make his life more meaningful.
as
"principles"
the
project,
scales
possible
design
comprehensively
Therefore,
many
To illustrate as
in
will have to cover a wide
of built forms.
nature,
a
single
range
of
it is decided that the
design will include small private residential units, medium
size office/commercial buildings, as well as a large public
park.
B. PROGRAM
U
1.HOUSING:
A.
Private
--
apartment units for permanent residency
--
vacation rooms with direct access to boats
B.
Communal
--
small library with reading lounges
--
exercise rooms,
--
neighborhood conference rooms
--
indoor/outdoor swimming pool
--
elevated courtyard gardens
--
trellised outdoor relaxation area
--
greenhouses
--
rooftop viewing/gathering decks
--
indoor exhibition gallery
--
housing administration office
--
laundry room and storage
sauna, hot tub, steam room
30
2.COMMERCIAL:
3.PUBLIC PARK:
A.
offices
B.
retail stores with mezzanines
C.
food services
--
cafe with indoor/outdoor dining area
--
fast food stands with outdoor eating area
--
kitchen, servery, dishwashing, loading
D.
sailing club (relocated)
--
gathering/displaying hall
--
small office
--
outdoor swimming pool
--
lawns
A. visitor's information stand
B.
floating docks with moorings
C.
amphitheater with movie screen
D.
recreational amenities
--
ponds, streams, waterfalls
--
rocky sitting edges, on land and in water
--
waterfront courtyard with steps to water
--
arboretum
--
lawns,
--
vegetated atrium
--
cave structures, for birds and for man
--
floating pavilion
E.
sidewalk parking
sloped at places
F. public toilets
31
C.
SITE
N
1.
Selection
For the purpose of experimentation, the project should
be
located in a place where the harmony of
the least apparent.
One such place is found to be the City
condition
demonstrating
project's impact -India
Wharf
to
best serves as a counterpoint
theme of this thesis -in
is
Massachusetts. Within this city, the site whose
of Boston,
existing
man-nature
the
the
and thus will be the most effective
differences before
and
after
the
area
of
is found to be India Wharf.
has
a
total
buildable
approximately 6.25 acres, with an F.A.R. of 3.0. Presently,
there
are
two forty-story apartment towers and
seven-
a
story parking garage on it. To the north is the New England
Aquarium
and
to the south is Rowes Wharf Hotel.
West
is
Atlantic Avenue. Boston Inner Harbor is on the east.
Inentional
IszZ
VSPECTACLE
ISLAAND
32
()
9
1
V
s7
I
10,6,9
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4-)
2Vo58
A\
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CI
R."
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.'q r~.v
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~4-4
gr-I
CO)
2. Current problems
--
the artery nearby causes serious air pollution
--
the
tall twin towers block much of the desired
breezes
from funneling into the city
--
as
--
city
the towers decrease the visibility of water in the
the
to
well as public access to it
site fails to connect pedestrians from Rowes
the
Aquarium,
visitors
a
day.
a
popular spot
Moreover,
with
Wharf
thousands
of
as
an
it fails to serve
integral link in the waterfront promenade
--
the
site
is yet to exploit its distinctive
character, the
geological
proximity to water, for recreational and
scenic purposes
--
One of the towers casts huge afternoon shadows into
waterfront
the
courtyard. Originally a valuable spot to the
public, the courtyard is now left unused
--
the
design of the courtyard has not well
Boston's climate.
from sun,
--
vehicular
wind,
It has not
responded
to
offered enough protection
rain or snow
traffic
inside the courtyard creates
noise,
destroying the romantic setting of the place
35
D. APPLICATION OF THE PRINCIPLES TO AN ACTUAL SITE
U
'I*I% .tI~
.4
design process
4
p-~ ~
36
I
Rua
0
37
West
east
south
38
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
1.
j.
k.
1.
m.
n.
0.
p.
q.
r.
s.
t.
u.
v.
w.
neighborhood conference rooms
swimming pool
greenhouse
amphitheater & movie screen
small library
exercise, sauna, steam rooms
loading dock
kitchen, storage, dishwashing
fastfood stands & eating
outdoor eating
pond & waterfall
retail & storage
atrium
trellised courtyard
arboretum
rushing stream
retail
visitors information
pond
sailing club display hall
cave
vacation rooms
lawn
LjI
jit,
I-
sl
F-
utMdfleer pigs
39
N O R T H
0 510
O U T H
20
30
50
L-
>mmm9mm
I
7 if
6rm7mm1
I
E
A
S
T
-
W
E S
T
0 5 10
20
30
50
40
1. CONTINUITY OF LANDSCAPE
U
l.a i) To assert their presence,
yet remain subservient to
the built forms at the waterfront continue
the
landscape,
the
"finger" configuration of the Boston
coastline.
They
also resemble the form of the nearby rocks.
la
41
l.a
Profile of the site,
ii)
read from the city
to
the
water, shows that roof line falls gradually to meet the sea
Mass disintegrates;
level.
established
a
smooth
density drops. Built forms have
built
transition from the
to
the
unbuilt.
+-
WATER
CITY
1a-
1.b
To
preserve
the
extension, the site has:
waterfront
promenade;
iii)increased
urban
whole
as
a
comprehensive
i)acted as an integral link in the
ii)continued
the
urban
"wall";
the visibility of water in the city as
well
as public access to it.
42
i
the promenade
urban "wal
ii
43
iii
1b
1.c
Dense trees have constituted a natural "inside" where
a built form can settle.
The water paths nearby have
also
helped to define this "inside".
trees
trees
1
C
44
Soil is displaced onto the upper levels of the
1.d
Besides,
form.
reference levels rise from under-water to
As a result, when one moves up
top-of-water to open space.
the
built
he feels
built space and discovers the new "grounds",
like going out of the earth.
E A
S T
0
V E S T
5 10
20
30
50
id
i.e
To engage with the sky,
lets
the
"fine",
light,
Besides,
the built space opens up
sky become its "ceiling".
weather
When the
since
and
clouds
glitters
reflected into the space,
give
the
space
a
is
The sky's
the "ceiling" is an all-embracing dome.
color
and
character.
from the water surface are
also
the dwelling becomes the meeting
place where the sky and the water "come" together.
45
L-4 -1
NORTH
0 5 10
SOUTH
.&
20
30
50
le
RECIPROCITY BETWEEN BUILT AND NATURAL
2.
i)The built forms and the open spaces have maintained
2.a
a
U
Yin-Yang exchange across the site,
the
of
taking advantage
fact that the concept of extension is valid
for
both
built and natural space.
i
1siisisisnis".*****i*.salll~ee.............!....EREERN~iaR
2a
46
2.a
ii)Demonstrating the fact that the distinction between
the
up and down is valid for both built and natural space,
the
with
club has its internal space flow up and down
sailing
slope of the hill.
occupant
The goal is to remind
the
indoor
of his relative outdoor position: his position on
the hill.
2a
2.b
built
As
forms.
territorial
above
the
Between them,
exchanges happen:
soil,
the
lots of spatial overlaps
and
built
forms
help
to
so
sometimes a built
sometimes the reverse.
plants embrace a built form,
The
are
the courtyards terrace up the soil,
At some
yet at others,
define
the
the
edges
form
is
places,
reverse.
for
the
courtyards, while the courtyards also do the reverse.
47
2
2.c
built,
To
translate
the landscape's
vocabulary
into
the sailing club employs the hill's retaining
the
wall
material, stone, as its interior structural member.
stone
walls
2C
48
areas have demonstrated how to minimize
Certain
2.d
the
distinction between indoor and outdoor:
glass panels in the corridor are removable,
i)
the summertime,
so that in
the corridor can be opened up to become an
arcade.
ii)
reflect
the
thus minimizing
the
in the open promenade are continued into
the
trelliswork above the open promenade extends into
the
glass
large
side
panels on the shaded
distant landscapes standing in light,
appearance of vertical barriers.
plants
iii)
atrium.
iv)
semi-enclosed courtyard.
v)
piers
and stone pavings extend into
the
built
space
under glass sliding doors.
T
L
-4
2d
2
d
M_
IIL
49
the waterfront housing block,
In
2.e
water-community
is
defined by dense
for
enclosure
clusters
of
the
walls,
projected balconies and floating docks. This subtle
piles,
enclosure
helps the built and the natural space become one
unit.
2e
F;
3.
3.c
U
INTENSIFICATION OF LANDSCAPE
To
help
one understand
following phenomena,
reoccur
hearing.
how
pervades,
the
among the many, have been arranged to
throughout one's path of
Each
nature
movement,
sight
and/or
reoccurrence may have a little variation in
function, condition or appearance.
50
Water:
a--ripples
b--fast waterfall
c--slow waterfall
d--quiet stream
e--rushing stream
f--small current through stones
g--giant ocean waves
3C
12
Lm
:I 4
g
LiL
LJI
...
LET
...
p...
'IM
........
........
...............
..........................
.......
..
L
-,
S~Pmid
NoerOin
51
Pier:
a--site entry
b--outdoor eating
c--sunrise viewing
d--amphitheater, movie viewing
3c
e--quiet exploration
f--harbor viewing
g--housing entry
-I
Li
-
I
I
L
7f
L:'
7
I
Li
LET
gre
aser
pla
52
Rocks and stones:
a--generating splashes
b--for seating
c--afternoon cooling
d--producing small waves
e--for stepping
f--softening white noise of sea waves
-3C
hill
Fi
I
I
27:1.
* 7
L
L
Li:
_4L
F
__
rwmftif
0:
53
3.d
Patterns of contrasting phenomena throughout the
site
help to maintain the high level of expectation and mystery.
light/dark
loud/quiet
L1E
U.
3d
54
helped
Certain materials and spatial properties have
3.e
occurring
processes
the effects of the natural
reinforce
around:
i)
walls
concrete
reflect water
designated
into
sound
areas, enhancing one's intimacy with water.
stepping
ii)
water
to
the
beneath
his
stones allow one to walk real close
to feel the movement of water
surface
feet.
I
L~
i
I~-~
rj
7
YT~-§.LETII~
*FFT
I
-
T'
jW
-
ii
LI
1
i.
- - -
L-
J
LJ~
--
3e
I
55
3.f
Two
areas
characterizing
have
similarly
demonstrated
how
the
functions of water and air can be exploited
to build up settings.
In both,
the reflecting surface
of
the pond has a dematerializing effect which counteracts the
stable topographical structure. Moreover, both let in fresh
sea breezes,
so that the moisture and the ocean-smell will
further give the place a "soft" character.
....I
-I3
/
Ff
56
4. HUMAN IDENTIFICATION AND ORIENTATION WITHIN A PLACE
4.a
built
Human
identification
forms
extending
in
from
is strengthened
clusters that express a
land
to water;
by
common
engaging
with
N
arranging
way
the
of:
sky;
forming collective spaces and receiving the sun.
G7r
huan.LLIELLL
4.b
Spatial
human
E~
______4a
relationships within the site are
experience
rather
than
pure
based
on
mathematical
calculations. Here, the concept of partial view corridor is
employed.
Since
perceived
at
any
the
entire layout of the site cannot
fixed position,
the
visitor
will
be
be
constantly searching for the unknown.
57
L
deth
4b
58
4.c
In the waterfront housing block, the feeling of "home"
(intimacy,
private
Since
even
comfort
and protection) is extended beyond the
individual units,
all the way down to the
this new "home" is extremely
the
boats
spatially
continuous,
parked between the walls and
become the "tenants".
water.
piles
have
As this shared habitable environment
gets bigger, one's sense of belonging is also increased.
iilI
O R T H
-S
O U T H
4C
4.d
place,
been
To help one acquaint himself with other users of
appropriate
provided
to
facilities and collective spaces
draw
people
together
to
the
have
increase
interactions.
59
7
TTT
7<Fm
7I-::I.a
Ma
-T
il
IREM
-i
8
4d
4.e
In order to help the Bostonians become "friends"
this place,
their
with
the design has responded to their behavior and
culture.
Appropriate
facilities are
provided
for
their favorite activities to take place. They are:
60
a. chatting, eating lunch, reading newspaper
b. napping, reading poetry, contemplating
c. watching sunrise/sunset, picnicking
d. strolling with pets, taking babies out
e. riding skate-boards, viewing outdoor-movies
f. watching snowfall
b
b
c
b
b
--
d
L
Ib
T
b
F
d
I
C
Lii
d
I4e
61
C'
(P
5. MAN'S ASSOCIATION WITH NATURE
5.a
forms
U
i)Two buildings on the site show that their
are generated from the concern for
activities
are
designed
to occur mostly
physical
sunlight.
on
the
Human
south,
whereas the north remains relatively "quiet".
r/
/--At~
5a
63
5.a
of
ii)To encourage one to see himself as an integral part
the
the site has provided places for
cosmos,
him
to
watch sunrise, sunset and the stars.
il
ccourse
\of
ri
sun
I LL
r1
-
-
r
\
-
FO
-- 7
I
>1
Lk
5.-J
64
5.b
Certain
natural processes are designed to
places which one uses frequently,
occur
at
become
so that they can
part of his routine experience:
i) grass and wood pave the area for watching sunrise.
They
emit the desired warmth every early morning.
ii)
stone
watching
fixtures
seating
sunset.
They
give
are used
in
one the cool
the
area
feeling
for
every
summer afternoon.
K:
rz4
___
wood
grass
stone
&W
5.c
5b
The earth and the water have demonstrated a high level
This exchange
of territorial exchange throughout the site.
not
only generates more edges where one can experience the
movement
of water,
allowing
one
but offers more forms of
to associate with water
in
containment,
many
different
modes.
65
5.d To increase man's interaction with birds,
the site has
provided special caves where man and birds can "meet".
5d
6. IMPROVEMENT OF MAN'S WELL-BEINGS
6.a
The pond on the edge of Atlantic Avenue is capable of
receiving floodwater and stormwater runoff,
possible
flood damage.
thus
reducing
The water will then be directed to
Boston Harbor through a series of streams. This process has
minimal
inconvenience to pedestrians,
but maximal
visual
elegance to everyone.
66
Igigigi
'' , 9.1
i--F-
I
r
L.
.1-Ill
F
I
-4
-~4JLt~iJ
6a
6.b Air pollution is minimized:
i) The street edge of the site has kept enough openings, so
that
sunlight can penetrate into the street by
midmorning
to correct locally inverted temperature stratification.
W6
4'
6
b
67
ii) Built forms,
open spaces and landscape materials on the
site are oriented to block unwanted winter gust,
and
funnel
desired summer breezes.
summer
winter
6b
68
5
rz
UzOrz
69
A.
THE THESIS
IN RETROSPECT M
Nature is a difficult thesis topic to me. It is so not
because nature is broad,
only
but because its
definition
varies from culture to culture. I grew up in Hong Kong, and
I was attached to an Oriental culture for the first fifteen
of my life.
years
I had developed my own set of
about nature long before I moved to the States.
am
trying to design for a culture
in Boston,
beliefs
But here I
to
foreign
mine. Although my thesis advisor, who is a native American,
already
had
helped me a great deal in
"ingredients"
understanding
I still had hard
of the "Bostonian nature",
times throughout my design process.
the
This is because I
was
too "controlled" by my previous culture. The design finally
but disappointingly,
came out,
as
some portions of it looked
if they were done for the Orientals rather than for the
Bostonians.
Throughout my readings, I was particularly inspired by
two writers. They were Ian McHarg and Anne Spirn. They gave
me excellent ideas about nature.
said
built
However, none of them had
anything about how one could design with nature in
environment.
So
I
told myself
to
take
on
a
this
challenge to see what I could possibly come up with. At the
same time, I regarded this challenge as a learning process.
After a great many hours of intense work, I still could not
satisfactory solution. But at this
arrive at any concrete,
point,
conclude
I
feel
that:
that
I
have earned
talking and doing,
my
opportunity
especially on
such
to
a
70
topic,
are
totally different things.
And doing is a
lot
harder. Many great ideas, theories and concepts are easy to
say on papers, but indeed extremely difficult to be carried
out
in
the
of
amount
real world.
There are just
an
overwhelming
that many
limitations and constraints
writers
might not have expected.
To
the
me,
complicated
be
to
time.
semester's
address
design issues in this
solved
Although
most of them,
sketchy way.
kept
on a very abstract
aside.
and
As
a
caricature,
occasions,
These
result,
to
many
such
basis.
one
best
Moreover,
project
people.
a
or
project's
the
might
to
in
over-generalized,
closeness to reality had
the
too
within
tried my very
I had
Some were either
its
person
they were only touched upon
very
practicality
one
by
were
thesis
been
look
put
like
a
This could be seen in a few
as in the placement of trees
and
lawns.
items were only meant to be symbolic in the
design.
How
they would really survive under the existing
climatic
and
geological
studied.
Assumptions
conditions
were
also
had not
been
made on water.
fully
The way
it
would
interact with the earth in the real situation was not taken
into account.
So
and
far,
Neither were the microclimates on the
site.
only two out of the six buildings had used
light
microclimate to determine its form and the location of
human activities.
The other four had not responded much to
the climatic difference between north and
south.
the public-private relationship remained unsolved.
it
Finally,
By law,
was actually impossible to use any water surface of the
71
Boston
Harbor
waterfront
for
private
residential
purposes.
blocks
Thus,
were
yet
the
two
another
big
assumption.
U
B. VISIONS OF THE FUTURE
The
from
schism between man and nature is a problem which,
its necessary relation to the larger problem
future
growth
responsibility
Although
this
of
a city,
should be made
of a very definite and generous
thesis
has
proposed
principles to deal with the problem,
stone.
Full-scale
requires
study
a
urban
a
set
of
the
subject
of
character.
of
design
it is only a stepping
ecological
balance
actually
thorough analyses conducted by myriad experts who
and
shape the
institutions,
scientists,
city
design
--
public
professionals,
officials,
natural
private
and
social
humanists and all citizens. It is hoped that a
single coordinating agency can eventually be established to
advocate
the
solution,
resolution
as
well
of multiple
problems
with
one
as to provide effective management
of
resources.
If the principles were one day applied to a
in the real world,
and
the
landscape
limitations
to
situation
it is hoped that the building designers
architects would not
their
creativity,
but as
regard
them
as
guidelines
to
produce meaningful buildings and places for the people. The
principles
are also expected to help them work with
clients towards a common goal,
their
so that the social value of
72
nature will be recognized rather than resisted.
With the combined efforts of all man,
man-nature
will
be
no utopian fantasy.
the harmony
It
will
be
of
an
achievable reality.
73
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