Initial designs moving along

28 October 2013: We hoped that Jason Pomeroy would spend the day with us, but the entire rail network from London to East Midlands was cancelled for the day with over 200 trees down on rail and electric lines following the weekend's wind storm. The MArch students had done new models, but it was a good exercise because they were able to show them to DNC, Phil and Yuri.

	Harsh and Kushboo (HK) have a new model for Singapore, it's closer to the real scale, but still seems small for a triple tower - there is a real effort to engage with the ground plane.   They have two other models, but this seems to be the favourite - offers more opportunities for mixed use and free flowing ventilation, although the footprints of each mini tower need to be enlarged.
	The ZCC group are still working as individuals and showed us three models for Singapore. This one by Jay is a single small tower on a broad podium above the MRT station.
	This model by Chao of ZCC is a triangular plan, with some interesting ideas about facade shading, ventilation and core positioning. Very promising. There is a strong precedent for triangular tall buildings, and most of them have a void in the centre with cores at the corners or in an attached block.       Zhaochen also showed his model from last week of the one with a large LED screen.
	Hemant and Sanjiv (HS) showed use last week's model, but we are far more interested in their new one, which seems a lot more advanced in thinking. It fills the site well, and is not a single tall building, but more of a complex of connected structures of varying heights. It has a variety of daylight wells and air holes through the structure, and this idea could be developed to fill more of the site.
	The Rotterdam group (ELS) have redesigned since last week, and come up with something very powerful. There's a detailed physical model, plus a Sketchup model to back it up with. Above all, this demonstrates the benefits of creative physical modelling. This idea couldn't have been thought up by mere plan drawing, or by trying to CAD model it first. Foamboard, clingfilm, kebab sticks and straws allow for real creativity.
	The Rotterdam design is not a single building - it is a 3D mesh of linked high rise structures offering great opportunity for varied uses, for public access high up into the building, for vertical greening and for phasing of the development. It includes an idea for building over the existing low rise housing on the site. The vertical farming component must be positioned to get best sunlight.