Methods

In order to get to the final design, we used the following methods:

  1. Analyzed the OMEV proposals, the foundation for our design, developed by the SDRC. Through analysis we incorporated the concepts that pertained to the layout and design of different characteristics in the village. These concepts include a live and work model, ecological sustainability, and direct calculations for building footprint.
  2. Interviewed OMEV stakeholders to get a cross-section of the current tenants and their views about the future development of Oude Molen.
  3. Visited several different local enterprises with our sponsor to take note of key elements of what Oude Molen hopes to include in future developments. Characteristics we found aesthetically and functionally viable influenced the designs that we wanted to consider in future plans such the courtyard area from The Old Biscuit Mill, the integration of parking from Montebello and the commercial arrangement of De Noordhoek. We wanted form to follow function; meaning that very early in our brainstorming process, sustainable design was integrated into our overall model.
  4. Analyzed design options by systematically considering design elements we had researched, ranging from parking scenarios that blend seamlessly into the land, to roofing designs that not only provide continuity between current and future buildings, but are also optimised for the photovoltaic conversion of solar radiation into electricity. Sketches were produced to explore a variety of design options and shared with project sponsor Hudson McComb, advisors and others. The advantages and disadvantages of the different designs were identified before including them in our model. Various sustainability options were then integrated into the designs to comply with the principles of an eco-village.
  5. Input designs into Revit. We constructed our designs and data into Building Information Modelling (BIM) software called Autodesk Revit Architecture.  We first used a CAD drawing of the property lines and current building location to create a topographic surface.  On this topographic surface we replicated the current buildings on the property, to give an accurate representation of what currently exists.  From this it was determined which buildings would remain original, which would be renovated, and which buildings would be demolished.  Basic conceptual masses were then created to generate the optimum special layout for the Oude Molen property.  Once, the spatial layout was finalized, the new buildings’ designs were addressed.  This presented a new challenge of creating a cohesive design, which integrates the existing and new buildings.  Our group achieved this through the use of a common design element which we have integrated into every building, the roofs.  By choosing a common roofing design we were not only able to capitalize on underutilized space in existing buildings, but also optimizing the entire village for renewable energy. Once all of the main aspects of the village were inputted, details such as trees and streetlights were added to achieve a very life-like feel.  From this finalized model we were able to accurately represent each building footprint to calculate the needed rentable space for future commercial and residential areas. The model was then rendered; rendering is the process of translating a virtual wire frame model into a detailed image. Over the course of seventy-two hours, six computers were utilized to complete all the final images in order to demonstrate various aspects of the model. The software allowed us to create an accurate three dimensional visualisation of the village.