8. Interior Urbanism
Issey Fang
Based in Beijing and Tokyo, Issey Fang has studied art and design for more than 10 years. She received a Bachelor degree in Environmental Design from Tsinghua University before joining the RCA. Throughout her career, she has practised and worked on interdisciplinary projects through art, design and architecture. The concentration and obsession in her works are tied to the moving and changing elements in space, and playful experiments in public living.
High street, covered arcade, elevated walkway, skywalk corridor… All represent streets in different formats. Facing the growth in high-rise living and, the global competition to build taller, human beings will break and expand the active public boundary to a new height. Consequently, the street will no longer be a traditional ground-level pathway.
The continuous public realm from outdoor ground-level to elevated interior space is a new concept but is still lacking in metropolises around the world. My work has investigated and documented behaviours in all kinds of public spaces, observing not just the relationship between space and users, but also the importance of the journey in this outdoor-indoor transition, especially after witnessing the empty public spaces under the pandemic. The crisis makes street life more precious than ever and forces us to re-evaluate its role in urban living. A street is not simply a mere linear zone that connects public spots as a unique public space in itself.
This project introduces the street experience into high-rise living. A ‘spiral pavement’ brings commercial influence, financial benefits and attraction for visitors. Most importantly, it delivers the daily routine and urban connection from the horizontal street to the concrete blocks, and initiates a fresh category of moving public space.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Vicky Richardson, for her continuous encouragement and advice; Karen Cook, for the challenging and inspirational conversations. I could not have survived this process without the constant support from Pengpeng, my mother. And this project would not exist without Boyuan Sun, my husband, who gives me endless help and patience on anything and everything.
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Background:
This system can be used by a skyscraper designer to introduce urban street life into a high-rise living or work environment. It is recommended for buildings over 20 floors, and is suitable for residents and workers of all ages.
Research and Analysis:
Despite a new generation of high-rise buildings and elevated public spaces appearing in cities, vertical transportation continues to be restricted to elevators and staircases. The Vertical Street-001 aims to save occupiers from queuing and spending time in suffocating lift cabs and monotonous staircases. The system provides a lively street experience at the same time as the functions of transportation and vertical commercial and community life. It takes the horizontal urban public realm into the vertical.
Components:
Amenity Unit
Spiral Pavements
Setbacks, Piazzas and Alleys
H-Train
Light Shaft Core
Functions and Capabilities:
1. Powered by electricity, the system is a non-stop conveyer that transports all kinds of public amenities, such as shops, bars, church and gallery through the building. Moving at a speed of 4 centimetres per second, a complete loop takes 24 hours. Users can step in and out amenity units from a spiral ramp, the Pavement. The units can be rented and renovated, and combined for a larger continuous space.
2. Twin spiral pavements surround the units and connect all the floors from the ground to the top of the high-rise.
3. An outer layer of set-backs is a transition between public and private space — a leisure zone for residents to watch life on the street, or break-out from the private office or residential space.
4. The H-Train hangs beneath the pavement providing residents with a faster route up the tower.
5. A Light Shaft distributes natural light through the core of the spiral.
