Tensegrity structures are found in both nature as well as human-made objects: in the human body, the bones are held in compression while the connective tissues are held in tension, and the same principles have been applied to furniture and architectural design and beyond.
The term was coined by Buckminster Fuller in the 1960s as a portmanteau of "tensional integrity".[2]
[1] Gómez-Jáuregui 2010, p. 19.
[2] Swanson, RL (2013). "Biotensegrity: a unifying theory of biological architecture with applications to osteopathic practice, education, and research-a review and analysis". The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 113 (1): 34–52. doi:10.7556/jaoa.2013.113.1.34. PMID 23329804.
Find more information please refer to the webpage: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensegrity
(research source from everyday architecture in context : public markets in Hong Kong (1842-1981) 香港街市: 日常建築裏的城市脈絡
By Prof TSUI, Chung Man Carmen 徐頌雯)
Red Block: Block B (Indoor Stadium)
Blue Block: Block C (Society Service and Library)
Green Block: Block D (Hospital and Health Care Centre)
To simplify the function block model, this study integrates different functions into four blocks, some of which are existing in the original prototype and some of which are newly added. By observing the size of the blocks, the study can obtain the information about the demand for certain functions in this Market Building in different years from the change of the blocks’ volume. This method enables the study to visualize the demands of the North Point Market Building through these diagrams.
This research relies on the evidence of the local residents’ age group, which is obtained from the Hong Kong government’s website. The function demands vary according to the different age group components. These function demands are then incorporated into the appropriate functional blocks. The purpose of this process is to establish a link between the residents’ age group and the building’s typology.
The large-scale model diagrams also illustrate the trend that can support the prediction of the typology change in the subsequent decades. Block A contains a street market and a cooked food centre. Block B features an indoor stadium. Block C offers social service facilities such as a library, an office, and a meeting room. Block D provides a health care centre for young children and senior citizens.
The diagrams show that the street market function for this Market Building grew steadily from 1976 to 1986, and stayed the same in recent decades. This suggests that the 1986 typology of this Market Building can meet the residents’ street market needs in later decades.
The situation of Block C- society service facilities is similar. It did not change much from 1996 to 2016, but it increased slightly in 2021. It is unclear if it will go up or down later.
The health care block had ups and downs from 1976 to 2011. Compared to its typology in 2016 and 2021, it is rising. After interviewing the council in Health Village area, it will have a lot of demand for senior citizen’s facilities. This can be a hot topic for this Market Building in the future.
There is no clear change pattern for Block B- indoor stadium. It is also a new block added to the prototype of this Market Building. It needs more research on whether this block is needed in this building and what sports it will have.
TOP