WESTERN GATEWAY DESIGN PROJECT

A design proposal to create a Gateway into Wyndham for city bound traf�c into Princes Freeway. The compelling proposed Gateway is highly eye-catching to those entering the urban precinct of the municipality and to those travelling along the freeway.

EOIIn the Expression of Interest stage, we as a group had developed 3 major ideas to form a design proposal. They are lighting (cut/diffused technique), cellular skin (voronoi/layering) and ecology (rooting system).

CONCEPTIndication of distance travelled.

THE 10-SECOND EXPERIENCE

CHENG, YOKE YEE 345573CHUNG, SZE MAN 538128KWAN, WEI KUAN 524163

DESIGN IDEAS

VORONOI & LIGHTINGThe tunnel is made up of 2 layers of voronoi pattern, forming a structural skin. Using an inter-val of every 50m, an attractor point is applied while constructing the voronoi pattern. This results in a big contrast between the cell sizes.

Extrusions - diffuse re�ection and diffusersSince it is a dual layer design, larger cells are then extruded unevenly by joining the 2 layers, and these extrusions then become the main support for the whole structure. Besides, they provide spaces for diffuse re�ection, as light will bounce within the volume, hence creating diffused lighting, a technique to allow penetration of diffused, scattered or unfocused light. More, coloured semi-transparent glass is used as diffusers to create scattered coloured lighting in the desired areas.

Smaller cells are not extruded to provide ventilation and acts as a cut light technique. Cut technique is achieved through the pattern for light penetration. The scale of the gaps becomes a major issue in controlling the desired amount of light for penetration.

By using voronoi pattern and applying different lighting techniques, the tunnel is now a 10 second experience (100km/hr), rather than a structure.

3 4

5

1

2

1 perspective 12 plan view3 perspective 24 side elevation5 perspective 3

FABRICATION

CONCRETE PAD FOOTINGConcrete pad footings are used because they are suitable for point loads. The two ends of the arch are joined to the concrete pad footing using rubber sealant ball socket to allow slight movement due to expansion and contraction.

CARBON FIBERThe tunnel spans 300m length and has the height of 4m(lowest) to 8m(highest), without any column. The tunnel itself cannot afford to be made of heavyweight material. Carbon �ber is a very strong and light �ber-reinforced polymer, which is also corrosion-resistant. It is a common material for automotive and civil engineering. A way of fabricating it is by molding. It is by layering sheets of carbon �ber into a mold in the shape of a temporary steel skeleton. After �lling epoxy into the mold, it is then heated and air-cured. After the carbon �ber has become solid enough, the temporary skeleton is then removed.

VORONOI STRUCTURESThe intercepting elements of the voronoi structures also act as support to the whole tunnel as load is transferred along them. The extrusion between the two layers at the diffused lighting part can act as supports to hold the two layers together. Rainwater can escape from the sides of the semi-transparent glass as they are not completely sealed.

1 2

3

4

5

6 7

1&2 1:150 experimental model3 a series of �nal model-making progress4 stop motion of lighting around the 1:50 physical model’s surface5 stop motion of lighting within the 1:50 model6 diffused coloured lighting within the 1:50 model7 close-up cut light technique and double-layer8 construction detail - joint9 construction technique

8

9