278_Settawut Leenavong: Prasiolite State
Settawut Leenavong from Thailand/Bangkok: “Settawut Leenavong was born on April 6, 1995, Bangkok, Thailand. He studied high school at Satitpatumwan Demonstration School and graduated from International Program in Design and Architecture at Chulalongkorn University. At a young age, he loves drawing and very passionate about art. Even though he’s weak with numbers and the intangible materials, he later discovered that he's very interested in logical and three-dimensional thinking ability especially in video games which makes him obsessed with solving problems such as puzzle and riddles. As a result of his obsessions, it inspired him to think out of the box and begin the journey in Architecture.
Fortunately, he met with many great instructors who introduced him to computational design materials which allowed him to fully explored architecture and design with no boundaries. It enabled him to integrate his creativity and passion into working which in turn, create a mindset to combine art, science, and architecture to seek new unconventional ways of thinking. Proceeding in producing new ideas, he enjoyed playing and contesting with multiple scales from painting, art on canvas, toys, jewelry, furniture design, installation, pavilion, museum, house, facade to building design and Architecture. As a result of this opportunity, it inspired him to continue to explore and re-think art, science and architecture altogether successively to challenge and design with innovation in aesthetic and harmony with one of the many purposes of bringing art to the new height and pushing Architecture beyond its conventional boundaries.”
University: Chulalongkorn University
Professor(s): Patrick Donbeck
Name of Project: Prasiolite State
Project Description: Prasiolite State, or a "Green Crystals of Bangkok" is an experiential, experimental and ecological architecture project done by Chulalongkorn university undergraduate, Settawut Leenavong. The project explores the characteristic of crystal formation, polygons and various connection of molecular joints. Prasiolite takes the inspiration from the name of green crystals which form inside the gas cavity of lavas. The exterior hard shells were able to protect the enclosed interior from the intervention of physical environment. However, the intangible forces called heat was able to penetrate through the rock and create a reaction which forms the magnificent colored crystals that are all unique across the crystal-bearing rocks. The project aims to explore the environment readings in numbers to assist in finding the disparity in design experience which may have an essential value on the future of architecture. As well as to implement and utilize technology in design and construction like capturing sensor value, integrate computer-aided design technique and using digital fabrication in manufacturing production. All of which assists one another to create a fresh and smart design system in modern Architecture.
Prasiolite State is a semi-modular outdoor architecture construction. The architecture itself is vegetation bearing shells which offer a variety of functions in relative to the intensive forces that surround its site. These forces include the Carbon Monoxide intensity, ambient noises, heat radiation, temperature, humidity level, and wind intensity. They are the factors that affect the formation of architectural construction. The parametric design enclosure has features which react diversely to various forces to create a space that’s sensitive and optimal to the site they occupy. The structure was able to perform better and better through time as nature gradually overtaking architecture and undergo the Prasiolite State.
The project starts by capturing values. The data readings like carbon monoxide emission from vehicles and all the others were collected through sensors by the Arduino software and online sources. The data then transferred into a spreadsheet and taken into 3D software which then further can be compiled, analyzed and use in the further design process.
The depicted site for the project is vacant land in the bottleneck part of Bangkok. Space is an undeveloped site under the Skytrain track between Saphan Taksin station and Krung Thonburi station. It's a long and narrow space which situated between two sides of the busy and opposite running roads.
The base of the structure is to create an array of similar module polygon that packed the space from the two terminal. These long line of identical units reacts dissimilarly to the captured data value along the streets. These vary readings combine with the set of rules, shape up the programs inside the space and overall form of the structure.
The programs aim to utilize the vast space under the Skytrain track as a public space where people are free to come to exercise, relax and join in with the community. It'll act as a structural park in which the program inside the space was specifically designed to optimize in accordance to the area they occupy.
The zoning of programs inside the space was positioned under regulation accordingly. For example, the region that has the lowest exposure to city ambient noise and carbon monoxide emission from vehicles was the area that's most suitable for younger individuals such as a playground and performance space. On the other hand, the region with higher sunlight exposure will be more demanding for plantation.
The ecological aspect of the Architecture plays with the construction skin that has varying perforation size on each construction panel which is a grafting tool for the vegetation to latch on. The region with denser perforations is the area with higher exposure to sound and carbon monoxide reading. As time progresses, nature will overtake these perforations which in turn, will help absorb and reflect these high ambient noises as well as filtering certain level of Carbon Monoxide and Dioxide as well as many more undesirable gases.
As part of the main structure, materials consist of aluminum, timber, red leather covered and bioluminescence panels. Each different material pieces plays a different role in the construction. Aluminum helps stabilize the structure, timber insulates the space as well as offering texture and pleasure to the atmosphere. The leather-covered panels diminish sharp corners with a softer touch. The bioluminescence panels will absorb the energy during daytime and brighten up space after the sundown. All of the construction panels has the material assigned to them as to where they should be to generate optimal design experiences.
The objective of Prasiolite State is achieved by experimentation on reactive architecture. To challenge innovation in design and construction as well as to push boundaries in solving design solutions whether in an aesthetic or functional approach. Conclusively, to search for a fresh, organic and smart new design system that can push a leap in defining Architecture today.
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