Non-Human Habitat | thom chiu

Non-Human
Habitat

M.Arch Advance Studio IV
Columbia University, GSAPP
New York
Spring 2020

Studio Coordinator
Ziad Jamaleddine

Section Critic
Phu Hoang

The Non-Human Habitat investigates the future of a low-density rural typology where vehicles and wildlife intertwine and outnumber human habitants.

Designed for the far future of wildlife habitat restoration and shared autonomous vehicle storage, the architecture is built for the mobilization of robotic arms that service both a shared autonomous vehicle fleet and a tree nursery. Understanding that this far future of machine-oriented autonomy is gradual yet inevitable, this project focus on the process of transformation in the near future where human fosters and inhabit the structure as a form of a learning center for autonomous vehicle and wildlife restoration.

Future of Mobility

Envisioned for a future of full adaptation of shared autonomous vehicles, the proposed building is a servicing station for a fleet of 480 autonomous vehicles that serve the 14,500 residents within the 10-mile radius of the site, including the City of Newburgh and Beacon.

The architectural design reflects the two primary axes (electricity corridor & interstate highway) by creating a perpendicular structure that stitches the existing separation. The two-axis is connected by a third “human” axis that joins the car and wildlife axis.

Sectional Stratergy

The continuous ribbon weaves between the machine and nature habitat and transforms in both section and plan to adapt to different scenarios. By elevating the ribbon, the building mitigates between the existing hilly landscape and the ground level movements. It also allows for efficient vehicle movement between the two typologies.

Line Typology

Utilizing the ribbon form allows for connections between the wildlife and vehicular landscape. The width of the ribbon varies throughout the stretch to house different programs for the three inhabitants of the structure. Perforations of the line allow courtyards or double story interior gathering spaces.

Dual Future

The adaptability of the building is best manifested in the future servicing station, which will act as an autonomous vehicle boarding area for visitors to get accustomed to the technology in the near future. In the far future, the area will become the primary servicing zone for robotic arms.