URBAN PARK

Urban Park

BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE

A MINI THESIS REPORT SUBMITTED BY

RIMSHA AKRAM
2017-ARCH-31

UNDER THESUPERVISION OF
AR. ABDULLAH

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING

UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY LAHORE
SESSION 2017-22

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Acknowledgement

First of all, thanks to one above all of us, the ALLAH, for answering my prayers and for giving
me strength to complete this mini thesis project. I owe my earnest gratitude to AR. Abdullah
for his guidance and input in all aspects of the study. I would like to show gratitude to all my
friends who have assisted me complete this thesis, both directly and indirectly for their
continual assistance and support, without which this project was not possible. Last but not the
least; it’s a pleasure to thank my family members: my father, my mother and my siblings for
their encouragement, profound understanding and especially their prayers. Thank you so much
everyone!

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ABSTRACT:

The project deals with the conceptual derivation and application of

Keywords: biomimicry in parametric architecture. The main purpose of my project
Biomimicry was to interpret and morph the elements of Fibonacci series of sunflower
Parametric head, in urban park. Studies show that well-designed hospital
Architecture environments can reduce patients' anxiety and stress, accelerate recovery,
shorten hospitalizations, reduce medication use, lessen pain, and promote
a sense of well-being. the selected domain for the design of the building
was Parametric Architectural style, so a module, building form, and
master plan is developed through the concept, digital software like Para
Abstract:
cloud gem Rhino-grasshopper, Sketchup, AutoCAD, Lumion and
reb Photoshop are used, surveys were carried out of the selected area and
already written research about the Fibonacci sequence in sunflower is
consulted, this paper covers all the research and development process of
the designed space.

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Table of Contents
1. Project Organization ............................................................................................................... 6
2. Introduction: ........................................................................................................................... 7
2.1. Literature Review ............................................................................................................... 7
2.2. Identification of problem..................................................................................................... 7
2.3. Main idea of the project ...................................................................................................... 7
2.4. What is urban park? ............................................................................................................ 9
2.5. Importance ......................................................................................................................... 9
2.6. Why it is needed................................................................................................................. 9
2.7. Approach to the project ....................................................................................................... 9
2.8. Aims and Objectives........................................................................................................... 9
3. Research ............................................................................................................................... 11
4. Case studies............................................................................................................................ 12
4.1. Local case study Jilani Park............................................................................................... 12
4.2. South Park San Francisco .................................................................................................. 12
4.3. Urban entertainment center Noida ..................................................................................... 13
5. Site Selection ......................................................................................................................... 13
5.1. Site Selection criteria ........................................................................................................ 13
5.2. Site location ..................................................................................................................... 13
5.3. Site area ........................................................................................................................... 13
5.4. Macro site analysis on space syntax ................................................................................... 13
5.5. Figure ground relation ...................................................................................................... 14
5.6. Road network ................................................................................................................... 14
5.7. Sun Path .......................................................................................................................... 14
5.8. Ladybug Analysis............................................................................................................. 15
5.9. Site analysis ..................................................................................................................... 15
6. Design Strategies ................................................................................................................... 15
7. Mind Mapping ...................................................................................................................... 17
8. Module Derivation ................................................................................................................ 17
8.1 Module Populations ........................................................................................................... 17
9. Master plan development process .......................................................................................... 19
9.1. Master planning & its Requirements .................................................................................. 20

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10. Conclusion........................................................................................................................... 22
11. Bibliography ....................................................................................................................... 23

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The process is illustrated in the funnel diagram describing the diverging and convergent process
of the project. The research phase is not ending at a specific point, but the outcome of the initial
research gives the spark for the concept development. Once the concept has achieve a complete
level, the development of the product starts. The end point of the process is the final form of
the product. Although the design of the service behind the product is essential part of the
process and runs almost parallel with the development of the product, it is not included in the
diagram since it is not part of this report. The design of the service can be found in the product
report.

1. Project Organization

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2. Introduction:

Main idea of the project proposal was to create a healthy activity place for the residents of
concrete settlements around the site, the project proceeded in negation of concrete structure,
and natural sustainable materials (like bamboos, wood etc.) were destined to be used to develop
a healthy and natural settlement, the idea was to vanish the boundary between inside and
outside by merging inside with outside or by developing strong connection between the built
environment and nature. Urban Park hold a specific importance. Seemingly, urban parks can
be either effective shelter space, or imaginative eye-catching wonders for users. As major
surrounding of the site occupied by residential areas so my project will majorly focus on the
siting, studying and eating and physical activities spaces. For designing a parametric park, I
have defined the importance for a urban park and implemented it in project, which can cast a
huge purpose on the matter. For this I have done the site analysis, site distance studies and case
studies of different parametric urban parks at national and international level.
2.1. Literature Review

The Fibonacci sequence is the oldest example of an aperiodic chain of numbers. It was
developed by Leonardo de Pisa (whose nickname was Fibonacci, which means son of Bonacci)
in 1202 as a result of his investigation on the growth of a population of rabbits. The successive
Fibonacci numbers are generated by adding together the two previous numbers in the sequence,
this sequence can be observed in nature such as in the array of sunflower seeds and many other
plants and even in the shapes of galaxies. There exists a connection between sunflower and
mathematics. When you look at the edge of sunflower head you will see two spirals one running
clockwise and other running in anticlockwise direction. This sequence in sunflower was first
recognized by Alan Turing. He launched a project called Turing's sunflower in 2012. It invited
a lot of people to grow their own sunflowers and count the spirals. This project engaged people,
science and mathematics and this result in the largest sunflower study ever...
2.2. Identification of problem
As it is quite visible form site analysis that site is surrounded by residential area, highly
populated area that they seems like a concrete jungle. There are no green areas around the
site.as people are busy in their social media they found no time to interact with the people
having no time to indulge themselves in any physical activity . Children are doing the same as
elders do. Even now a days the entertainment spaces are also designing in an enclosed space
quite visible in shopping malls.
2.3. Main idea of the project
Main idea of the project is to create a healthy activity space for the residents of concrete
settlements around the site.the project would be proceeded in negation of concrete structures.
The idea is to vanish the boundary between inside and outside by merging inside with outside
or by developing strong connection between the built environment and nature.

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2.4. What is urban park?

A park got to have lots of different features, it can't just be swings. The first thing a park
needs is facilities and amenities. Kids also like water features. Make sure there is something
in the park people can come and see.
2.5. Importance
According to one study, every dollar spent on creating and maintaining park trails saves
nearly 3 dollar in health care expenses. Parks are proven to improve water quality protect
groundwater, improve air quality and provide a place for children and families to connect
with nature and recreate outdoors.
2.6. Why it is needed
• Physically inactive and overweight reduce their risk for disease wit regular physical
activity.
• Older adults who are physically active can reduce their risk for falls and improve
daily activities.
2.7. Approach to the project
i. Understanding the importance of nature.
ii. Studying the nomenclature, history, land and people of the selected site.
iii. An overview of the existing use of the site and other unhygienic areas near the site.
2.8. Aims and Objectives
The project focuses on:
i. Understandable approach towards importance of student communal spaces.
ii. Making value out of the usage.

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3. Research
Fibonacci sequence in sunflower, there is quite bit more nice math's to all this and there is nice
connection with the golden ratio. There is 21 spirals going in one direction and 34 spirals and
going on in the opposite direction and so on and if we focus on the middle there is 13 and of
course all Fibonacci numbers. These different numbers are visible in different parts of the
flower. These opposite spirals overlap at a certain region. The plants that exhibit these spirals
all have something in common they all grow from a central point so there is more and more of
these buds being pushed here in the middle and as they appear in the middle they push
everything out to the boundary and that gives a really nice homogeneous flower head. Seeds
and buds are growing as they are being pushed out so all this together establish a very nice
pattern very quickly that leads to is basically every seed or bud playing the same role inside
the flower head. When the two opposite spirals overlap if forms diamonds and they form
diagonals cutting through those diamonds so it is called the diamond spirals. So we found that
the addition of the two opposite spirals equal to the third diagonal spiral which follows the
Fibonacciseries.

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4. Case studies
4.1. Local case study Jilani Park
This park covers 88 acres and 6 canals containing two cricket grounds, 5 canteens, gym and
fitness centers, a study hall, a beautiful lake, an artificial water fall, small open areas, walking
and jogging tracks and a lot of trees, flowers and shrubs. The length of paved walkway of hard
tiles is 5.5 km while jogging track is completely made up of clay and its length is approximately
2.75 km and it is one of the larger jogging tracks which is made up of pure mud and clay. This
park also houses health and fitness facilities, separate gymnasium for ladies and gents, which
is fully equipped with the fitness and exercising machines, figure 24 shows plans, artificial
water fall, and study hall in the park.

International case study:

4.2. South Park San Francisco
1.2acre site, project completed in 2017 .
The initial design for the park was developed through an iterative analog diagramming and
design process. The design team then used cutting edge parametric design software in the
production of working 3d models. This allowed the team to iterate multiple routing solutions,
which could be documented and lead to the digital modelling.using a single, zigzag pathway
to link public plazas a custom play structure with the surrounding neighborhood.

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4.3. Urban entertainment center Noida

Purpose:
The purpose of the project is to create a social gathering space for the society where all the
different class and ages can interact and have an interactive time This will also provide a
platform for a local people to show some of their talent and enhance the level of local talent in
the city ..
Concept:
Fusion of indoor and outdoor spaces:
The idea was to generate built form in the orientation of wind flow. The inner open spaces
achieved allow outer environment to merge with the ambiance created for the site.

5. Site Selection
Referring the project brief, the context of site is to be studied thoroughly. Macro, meso, and
micro level studies of the site are to be projected into the program.
5.1. Site Selection criteria

• Site needs to have low noise level.

• Away from rush or main markets.
• Easily accessible for public.
• Less noise pollution.
• Close to residential zone.
• Away from industrial zone

5.2. Site location

Selected site for the project is More khunda baloki road which is connected to jaranwala road.

5.3. Site area

The area of the site is 88.75 acres which equals to 710 kanals.

5.4. Macro site analysis on space syntax

Space syntax is the digital software through which we can find out the most feasible site from
a selected area. This software shows the choice, connectivity, integration, and visibility of all
the places in selected area through color coding.

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Connectivity Integration Visibility

Figure shows the connectivity of Integration shows the most Visibility is usually high of the
different areas. The only empty integrated and most segregated areas which are empty, or which
space in the most connective spaces, integration of selected have empty land around them.
areas of selected urban site is high because the main road Visibility of selected site is highest
environment is around the site is integrating it strongly with its because there are relatively
this is because site is situated neighborhood the spaces which fewer or no other empty areas.
near to the major access route. are far away from main road are Figure shows the visibility graph
segregated. of concerned area.

5.5. Figure ground relation

The figure and ground relationship around the site shows that the surrounding area is quite
dense.
5.6. Road network
Primary road baloki road that is connected to secondary road where site is located.
5.7. Sun Path
The site is oriented along the North-West axis and the sun follows the path from East to West
being slightly bent towards South.

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5.8. Ladybug Analysis

5.9. Site analysis

All the above factors make the site most feasible for the design proposal. Also I intended to
design it such that keeping all the landscape a part of it. These days we are just constructing up
concrete jungle by building such huge structures that do not consider that context. But all I
want to do is to make such a structure that merges into its context and looks like a part of it.

6. Design Strategies

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7. Mind Mapping

From the above research analysis,

I have created a mind mapping
which is the summary of my whole
topic in some abstract words. From
these abstract words, I would be
creating my conceptual module
and form development.

8. Module Derivation
FromFrom the above
the research analysis,
I have
research created
on a mind mapping
which isseries
Fibonacci the summary of my whole
in topic in some abstract words. From
sunflower
head andabstract
these its words, I would be
creating my
process, the conceptual module
and has
module formbeen
development.
derived from the
steps involved in
it like
overlapping,
intersection etc.
and from mind
mapping as it is
mentioned step
by step in the
above figure.

8.1 Module Populations

From
For populating thethemodule on the form, I have done some experiments with the module
research on
population and module formation too.
Fibonacci series
in 1. Sketchup:
sunflower
head and its
Each of the module in Sketchup was copied and then it was pasted with the similar module
process, the
such that their corners touch each other. This was repeated in both axis i-e. X-axis and y-
module has been
axis so as to formulate a complete mesh for each module.
derived from the
steps involved in
it like
overlapping,
intersection etc.
and from mind 17
mapping as it is
mentioned step
by step in the
 URBAN PARK

Rhino Grasshopper:
Populating the module on this software is also tricky, what you have to do is to follow a number
of steps. First you make a mesh and then load the component, then by giving several commands
and following a system you can morph your module on the surface.
Grasshopper system has also been shown.

Paracloud Gem:
Population of modules is different in Paracloud. For this purpose, you have to load everything
(component and the mesh) in the software. The mesh is then divided into grid and given an
offset to load the 3D component on it. Providing the offset is a hit and trial method as it varies
depending upon different modules. Once the mesh is ready the component is populated on it.
Providing the offset is a hit and trial method as it varies depending upon different modules.
Once the mesh is ready the component is populated on it. Paracloud also provides you with
populating the module in different kinds of mesh surfaces that are already present in it. All just
you need to do is to populate the component on it. You can play with trying different meshes.
The purpose of doing all this is that you can experiment your modules’ flexibility. In this way
you will be able to know that the module is perfect enough as it can be modified on any surface.
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9. Master plan development process

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Master plan is developed step by step as discusssed in one of my case study by following the
steps mentioned in it.

9.1. Master planning & its Requirements

i. Main Entrance
ii. Parking
iii. Service road
iv. Green spaces
v. Pavilion
vi. Main building
vii. Waterbody
viii. Jogging tracks
ix. Cyclic tracks
x. walkways

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Renders:

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10. Conclusion
In today’s world of information and technology, people are so busy with electronic devices
like mobiles and internet, video games etc. which has decreased the physical activity and small
children are following their elders, they also prefer indoor games over outdoor activities, this
condition becomes worse for the people living in such congested settlements as of old urban
areas of Lahore, where there is no connection of man and nature which is very crucial for a
healthy body and mind. This project which includes Gym, yoga areas, jogging, cycling tracks,
outdoor, indoor sports areas, lakes, swimming pools, children play areas, steam, sauna rooms,
massage rooms, café and an artificial hill was destined to be a interactive place for the people
of old urban areas of Lahore where they could come and do healthy activities and to restore the
nature for the people of these concrete jungles through planting urban forests. The purpose of
the designed space was to build a space where there would be strong connection of nature with
the built environment, the inspiration taken from sunflower head helped a lot in making creative
building form, master plan composition and digital software like rhino grasshopper made it
easy to execute the 23 ideas into practical form. The project would be a soothing addition to
the context.

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11. Bibliography
Woudstra, Jan and Ken Fieldhouse (Ed.). (2000) the Regeneration of Public Parks. London: E & FN Spon.

Simpson, Jeffrey. (1982). Art of the Olmsted landscape: his works in New York City. New York: New
York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Rowe, Colin and Fred Koetter. (1983). Collage City. Cambridge: MIT Press. Tate, Alan. (2001). Great
City Parks. London: Spon Press.

Norman, D. 1988 - “The design of everyday things”, Doubleday Currency, New York

Lerdahl, E. 2001 - “Staging for collaboration in design teams”, Department of Product design
engineering, Trondheim, Norway

J. Van Schick, S.C. Van Der Spek 2007, “Urbanism on track” TU Delft University

Rowe, Colin and Fred Koetter. (1983). Collage City. Cambridge: MIT Press. Tate, Alan. (2001). Great
City Parks. London: Spon Press.

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