PRESENTATION

Title Block: Naming of the design was kept simple, basic explanation, the logo is simplistic representation of fire with small circles representing people gathering around.

CONCEPT(extract from poster):

IN MANY WAYS TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT IN THE 21ST CENTURY HAS MEANT POSITIVE CHANGE THE WORLD OVER. BUT WITH THIS RADICAL CHANGE TO LIFESTYLE THERE ARE CERTAIN VALUES OF OUR PAST THAT WILL BE LEFT BEHIND IF WE DON’T ALLOW OURSELVES TO BECOME AWARE OF THEM AND CONCIOUSLY TRY TO UPHOLD THEM.

ONE SUCH VALUE IS THE ACT OF GATHERING. SINCE THE DAYS OF THE CAVEMAN WHEN PEOPLE WOULD GATHER AROUND THE FIRE, THROUGH TO MODERN TIMES THIS ACT HAS HAD A POSITIVE PRESENCE IN OUR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES. HOWEVER, THE EASE AT WHICH INFORMATION CAN NOW BE EXCHANGED DIGITALLY HAS PUT THIS RITUAL IN DANGER.

WITH THE UNIQUE LOCATION OF THE HOWARD STREET WHARVES WE SAW AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUBVERT THE THREAT OF TECHNOLOGY. AS THE SITE IS CENTRAL TO SEVERAL DISTINCT COMMUNITIES, THE FOLLIE BUILT AT THE CENTER POINT IS INTENDED TO BECOME A PLACE OF GATHERING THAT ONE AND ALL OF THESE COMMUNITIES CAN USE AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

THROUGH THIS GATHERING SPACE WE INTEND TO CREATE A PLACE OF PASSIVE LEARNING. WHEN TWO (OR MORE) PEOPLE GATHER, NATURALLY A CONVOSATION WILL BEGIN. FROM CONVOSATION COMES DEBATE, FROM DEBATE COMES NEW INSIGHTS AND THUS THE ACT OF LEARNING TAKES PLACE.

THE FORM OF THE PRIMITIVE GATHERING NODE SYMBOLIZES THE PRE HISTORIC NATURE OF THE FUNCTION WITHIN. IT ACTS AS A REMINDER THAT IT MAY DISAPPEAR LIKE OTHER THINGS THAT EXISTED IN THAT PRE HISTORIC ERA. THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT IS EMPLOYED TO REPLICATE FIRE: A TRADITIONAL GATHERING POINT. 

PANELS:

We wanted the panels to be clear and concise. The drawings and images speak for themselves, layout follows timeline from concept phase, through design development and implementation. 

UNUSED RENDERS:

IMPLEMENTATION

MODEL:

Model was built to study the illumination of the buildings at night.

 The model easily captured the original form of the design on paper.

Technical Drawings:

We decided hand drawn Plans, Sections and Elevations would be most appropriate. Shading and texture from pencil evokes rustic, primitive feel.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT:

After group discussion, concept developed around the following notions:

• Unique location of Howard St Wharves at the centre of several communities, perceive the site as a community space/gathering space/town hall space
• A space for discusion/debate/physical exchange of information. Convosation -> Debate -> Insights/Critical Review -> Learning
• Form takes inspiration from primitive gathering space such as campfires, simplistic prehistoric materials (wood+stone)

 DEVELOPMENT OF FORM:

Diagram above shows development of form through step by step process. Primitive shapes and simplistic construction/joinery techniques inform the design. Sight emulates a primitive campfire, optimizes vista upriver (towards city) and down river. Arrangement of seating is focused around center with peripheral benches to create multiple circles of convosation within the space.

RESEARCH

Individual Preparation for Collaboration:

Research on small projects, my initial interest was in solar panels and how they might be effectively used in the small scale of a folie. Solar panels could be easily attached to the LEARNING aspect of the brief, through the sustainability aspect.

The project below is a conceptual work by Michael Janntzen. The form is 'a representation of the micro energetic interaction between photons of sunlight and the release of electrons with photovoltaic cells'. The black rectangles are in fact solar panels that would generate energy for the surrounding community.

(Photo courtesy of michaeljantzen.com)

I was also interested in more general, more pragmatic spaces that primarily function as a learning space. The project below by Burd Haward Architects, is a outdoor classroom. The outdoor classroom is interesting as it allows users to maintain a strong connection with nature. I also like the simple functional form, and the minimalist use of materials. Construction is also simple, once the pieces are pre-cut in a factory, on-site construction time is extremely quick.

(Photos courtesy of http://www.burdhaward.com/content/projects/proto/outcls.htm)

Below is South Pond Pavilion by Studio Gang. It is also an outdoor classroom space with a specific emphasis Yoga. The form of the building and the wooden members are simple in themselves, however the intersection of the wooden beams creates a complex membrane form, that lights up brilliantly at night.

(photos courtesy of archdaily.com)

SITE ANALYSIS

Site is long and narrow. Dominated by the story bridge and the cliffs.

Currently, access to the public is restricted due to flood damage. Assuming access will eventually return to pre-flood conditions access will be located at either end of the narrow site (see red circles)

City Pattern map showing site details.  Existing structures on the site or shaded in navy, these structures are heritage listed and can not be altered.

SECTION A-A

SECTION B-B

Two quick sections to highlight variation in existing form through site. Contrast shows dominance of existing buildings and strong boundary created by the cliff face.

SITE AT NIGHT
Visit by night. No lighting on site, only illumination comes from bridge and city.

INTRODUCING THE HOWARD STREET WHARVES

The site is the Howard Street Wharves.

It is currently un-used and access to the site is extremely difficult (public access restricted)

Its river frontage and location make it a unique piece of undeveloped land

At a glance:

Opportunities -
River frontage
Views towards city
Harsh daylight is blocked by Story Bridge and cliffs
Heritage listed buildings on site

Restraints -
Prone to flooding
Lack of access
Heritage listed buildings on site