An Earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the earth's crust that creates seismic waves. These waves can be translated into land movements and even water displacements such as tital waves. Earthquakes are a natural way of releasing tension beneath the earth's crust and are often too small to be detected. The severity of the quake corresponded directly to the force of the movement and may not be dangerous at all. However larger quakes can be quite devastating to the affected areas as well as neighbouring coastal areas if the quake comes from under the ocean.
Living in Earthquake Affected Areas
Typically, the conditions for living within areas devastated by such phenomena are often quite hazardous as many deaths are caused by people moving through buildings and facilities collecting and searching for survivors that are structurally compromised from the disaster. These buildings may collapse and should not be used as a means for emergency house. Building practices can make all the difference in earthquakes, even a moderate rupture beneath a city with structures unprepared for shaking can produce tens of thousands of casualties.
Christ Church
A major earthquake hit Christchurch on 22 February. Much of the city was destroyed, including about one-third of the Central Business District with a total of 200 deaths. The quake has caused massive damage, estimated at somewhere between $10 to $20 billion. Possibly 10,000 houses need to be destroyed and 100,000 need to be repaired.
Video taken from earthquake
Emergency response
In the immediate moments following the quake, ordinary citizens and those emergency services on duty responded and initiated rescues. Christchurch Police were, alongside regular duties, provided security cordons, organised evacuations, supported search and rescue teams, missing persons and family liaison, and organised media briefings and tours of the affected areas. Humanitarian support and welfare were provided by various agencies, in particular the New Zealand Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Welfare Centres and support networks were established throughout the city establishing contact with as many people as possible and provided grants and assistance. Many church and community-led projects also became established. The scale of the disaster meant many people went some days without official contact, so neighbourhoods and streets were encouraged to attend to those around them.
Rescue workers on the collapsed Pyne Gould Guiness Building in central Christchurchl searching for trapped women. Picture: Mark Mitchell, New Zealand Herald Source: Supplied
Emergency forces fencing off disaster affected buildings to minimise further injury and
Sections of buildings and rooms within are exposed to the elements. Balconies and other overhanging elements of the structure are all but rubble.
Family members reunited after earthquake disaster.
Case study 1
Shipping Container Architecture
The idea of “stacking” components using shipping containers allows more flexabiliy within the design. This allows rooms to span multiple containers in comparison to one room per container or even fixing every room within one container. In this way, community areas can be established and the level of comfortability may be improved.
The Bayside Marina Hotel, Yasutaka Yoshimura Architects, Yokohama Bay, Japan.
http://news.domain.com.au/domain/real-estate-news/shipping-container-housing-for-japans-homeless-20110428-1dy60.htm
Case Study 2
Platoon Kunsthalle / Platoon + Graft Architects
Platoon Kunsthalle, Graft Architects, Seoul, South Korea.
www.graftlab.com
Great use of space and lighting. Community areas are an integral aspect within the design concepts. The Original shipping container shape is quite apparent, the original texture is kept. Individuality on the other hand is all but non-existent within the space and the idea of “homely” spaces isnt a concern within the space. The use of concrete, sharp industrial colours and shapes makes the building appear this way.
Comparative study
Comparing the fold out ability of case Study 1 in comparison to the permanence of case study 2 is interesting. The target user reflects immediately the design aspects of the two cases. Case study 1 implicates directly to house a single family situation where as case study 2 refers more to a communal area for a larger number of people. the different purposes reflect the design aspects of the shipping container architecture and what the architecture needs to achieve.
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Case 1
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Case 2
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Feature
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* compact
* quick assembly
* utilises natural light and setting
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* large open spaces
* industrial
* utilises man made lighting
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Design approach
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* more in keeping with a ‘single’ family situation
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* larger spaces, more freedom with design
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Similarities
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*houses people and other amenities
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*
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Differences
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* houses single families
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* houses many people
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My Brief/ Design parameters and design features.
My Design will assist a number of families to live in a comfortable environment for a period of 6 months during the rehabilitation of the city of Christchurch in New Zealand. Features to include within the design space:
* Kitchen and cooking/cafeteria areas
* Bathing/shower and toilet amenities
* A community space/ emergency assembly area (these may be combined).
A community space not only helps build mural but sanctifies different groups and allows an emergency assembly area.
* Dorm or bedding situations for different families or single peoples.
* The design must keep occupants warm, secure and protect from the elements or any aftermath earthquakes or shocks or potential burglary or assault.
Contextual Research
Climate
Christchurch has a temperate climate with moderate rainfall. It has mean daily maximum air temperatures of 22.5 °C (73 °F) in January and 11.3 °C (52 °F) in July. Christchurch has an oceanic climate. The summer climate is mild and is often moderated by a sea breeze from the Northeast, but a record temperature of 41.6 °C was reached in February 1973.
A notable feature of the weather is the nor'wester, a hot föhn wind that occasionally reaches storm force, causing widespread minor damage to property. Christchurch experiences the urban heat island phenomenon, similar to cities such as Tokyo and New York City, making temperatures feel warmer than they actually are within the inner city regions.
In winter it is common for the temperature to fall below 0 °C at night. There are on average 99 days of ground frost per year. Snowfalls occur on average three times per year, although some years no snowfall is recorded. The coldest temperature recorded was −7.1 °C (19 °F) on 18 July 1945.
On cold winter nights, the surrounding hills, clear skies, and frosty calm conditions often combine to form a stable inversion layer above the city that traps vehicle exhausts and smoke from domestic fires to cause smog.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christchurch#Climate
Restrictions
While not as bad as smog in Los Angeles or Mexico City, Christchurch smog has often exceeded World Health Organisation recommendations for air pollution.To limit air pollution, the regional council banned the use of open fires in the city in 2006, and in 2008, prohibited the use of woodburners more than 15 years old, while making funding available to upgrade domestic home heating systems.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christchurch#Climate
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