HAWKERS COMMUNITY CENTER

w/ Norman Situ

Epic Metals Competition: 3rd Place

Hawker’s Community Center is a design proposal for the Epic Metal’s Competition held by Epic Metals Corporation. The prompt asks for a Temporary, Disaster Relief Library and Community Hub which is intended to support efforts to reestablish a sense of community in a time of tragedy.

Hawker’s community center takes inspiration from a hawker stall concept in how a hawker stall is capable of sliding its wall structure to create different spaces and environments. Hawker’s library consists of a children’s classroom with its own reading space and a general reading space as well as a global outreach office that aims to bring resources to disaster zones. The form of the library is generated from that of a hawker food stall, with slanted roof typologies providing shading as well as protection from various weather conditions. In addition, the concept is incorporated into unprecedented sliding perforated panels (EST4*) on the south facade to generate different lighting conditions as well as providing shading to both the interior and exterior spaces of the library, reimagining the possibilities of Epic Panels. The ceiling is constructed with TorisA* panel with acoustic absorption properties that allow for an appropriate environment in a library. The prefabricated footing structure allows flexibility under different terrain conditions; with the pyramid-form footing, it will increase stability and withstand different wind updrafts. The kit of parts assembly makes use of a wood based structural system, on which wall panels and floor panels can be attached, with ease of assembly in mind. The ceiling takes advantage of having its own water collection system which will enable the library to be operated both on grid and off, bringing the same experience to even the harshest conditions.