URBAN-SYMBIOSIS AND ELYSIUM

Semester 1: Urban-Symbiosis is a parasitic structure as an inhabitable interface in Piccadilly Circus: inhabitation for humans, inhabitation for farming and produce, and inhabitation for nature-based technology, which promotes a positive microbiome and tackles climate change consequences. Urban-Symbiosis relies on passive environmental strategies and experimental technology such as loofah and moss to absorb airborne particles and reduce noise pollution. Semester 2: Elysium is the Marylebone Halls (London) retrofit for the 2080 RCP 8.5 climate change scenario. Elysium is an interpretation of enlightenment, creating a paradise-like centre for the future youth, as a youth cultural centre. Through NZEB retrofitting, the proposal looks at keeping the original building structure; columns, beams and floor slabs to reduce embodied carbon. To maintain low operational carbon, the design strategy is to focus on combining passive environmental methods for user comfort. Triple glazing the windows allows for diffused light and insulation of the building, combined with a double skin. Stack ventilation through the tower by creating an atrium, using advanced technologies such as bio-voltaic moss for energy production and 3D printing to achieve a desired design. Finally, using DWM as an approach generates energy from waste.