DESIGN IDEAS

Rainwater collection inspired by the Thorny Devil and The Namib Desert Beetle. (refer previous post)

HISTORICAL IMAGES

(Photo: State Library of Queensland and John Oxley Library; #167693)

INSPIRING EXEMPLARS

Metropol Parasil: The world's Largest Wooden Structure, Seville

• Very interesting project, images and more information avalable online at: http://inhabitat.com/metropol-parasol-the-worlds-largest-wooden-structure-open-in-serville

Ecological Children Activity and Education Centre:

This structure is very similar to the feel I was trying to achieve in my folie design in particular the first interior image, which if compared to my initial model you can instanly see similarities.

More information and images available online at: http://www.archdaily.com/34946

WEEK 7

Architectural Proposal:

Brisbane Historical Precinct

The proposal is to provide a flexible building with a primary function of educating people about the history of Brisbane in a relaxed laid back Queensland environment.

The Challenge:

Formal Education into Informal Relaxed, how do we break down the barries between education and enjoyment:

Who:



What:

When:

Why:

WEEK 6

My Biomimicry Inspiration:

Water Capture: Human survival is dependent on clean drinking water and yet we are very ineffiecient at obtaining it, using large quantities of natural resources to store or treat it ready for consumption. The Thorny Devil, a lizard from the desert of Australia has the ability to capture water via capillary action and convey it to its mouth.

More information available online at: http://www.asknature.org/strategy/3f47ec0d4343c94f82e19e103ac20c34

Water Vapor Harvesting: The Namib Desert Beetle is able to gather water from the air with its wing covers that are covered with nanoscale bumps. The beetle aims itself into the oncoming fog and water dropplets form on its wing covers that is then transported via channels to its mouth.

More information available online at:
http://www.asknature.org/strategy/dc2127c6d0008a6c7748e4e4474e7aa1

Structure: Coccoolithophores are a group of plankton that create these amazing designs.

WEEK 5

Architects:

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  Santiago Calatrava:

Calatrava is very interesting to me as he originally came from an engineering background (like me) and moved into architecture as his career progressed, many of his designs come from studies of nature and the human body. His works often incorporate moving parts that completely transform the feeling of the structure.

Images available online at: http://www.calatrava.com/

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  Glenn Murcutt:

The style of Glenn Murcutt is truly Australian and this is at the core why I like is architecture. He specialises in simple vernacular architecture that is truly respectful to its surrounds. He designs to the site conditions and pays particular attention to passive heating and cooling.

Image available online at: http://www.theage.com.au/news/house-home/murcutt-the-heavyweight/2006/12/05/1165080945902.html?page=fullpage

• Zaha Hadid:

I like Zaha Hadid's architecture as I believe it is truly unique and although many of the amazing works are conceptual no one has successfully emulated her works. Here creativity is only limited by the construction technologies available.

Images Available online at: http://desmena.com/?p=387

Site Analysis

Views: The best position for views have been highlighted above, The area on the western side of the bridge has the best potential for visually connecting the design to the CBD.

Site Movements: This figure outlines that there is large amounts of vehicular movement all around the site, but very little within it. The only existing users of the site are people exercising or commuting to work via foot or Bicycle.

Site Section: This diagram is describing the influence of noise to the site, with the majority of noise produced from above through the traffic on the Story Bridge. Secondary Noise is generated from the river movement and also the traffic (boats) on it.

 

The Site:

The site can be divided into four destinct categouries.

• Steep Area: This area is situated to the north of the site and is made up of a steep cliff face that rises up approx. 20 to 25 metres.
• Flat Area: This is the area at the base of the cliffs and is a flat area approx. 40m wide that is currently used as a thoroughfare for people commuting to and from work.
• Heritage Area: Is the location of the Howard Smith Wharves, this area is to remain in its original state and cannot be altered. The Wharves are historically significant to Brisbane and do posses an architectural beauty. The challenge is to create something that is sympathetic to these structures and feeds from the history.
• River: The river section is an area that could be utilised in an interesting and innovative way. The river seems like the most efficient way to provide access to the wider community.

Access:

• The existing site access is limited, which poses some logistical issues in relation to providing sufficient facilities for people to visit the the site via public modes of transport. The site although within the city is relatively disconnected from it inner city location. Currently the only way to visit the site is by your own means of transport be it Walking, Riding or Running. 

Location:

• The site is located in an area that is predominantly fringed by residential dwellings and apartment buildings. It is an underutilised space within the city, that with careful planning can activate the city rather than detract from it and provide a key area for social interaction within the greater Brisbane community.

Final Folie Pannel

Folie Design

Intentions of my Folie Design

• Action, Reation, Interaction and Memory.
• My folie proposal was to form part of the proposed Historical Precienct for Howard Smith Warves. The area is to educate the wider public and tourists about the history of brisbane while providing a large public space to be utalised by the community.
• The Historical significance of the Howard Smith Warves make this site perfect for reflection on the past but also looking foward to the future and imbracing the progression of the modern brisbane. It is to be simpothetic to the past while embracing the new.

• Feelings The users feeling in the space should be one of relation and reflection through the creation of a truly Queensland feeling space utalising natural light and open plan to capitalise on our climate.

• The Form: Given the theme of the area is the History of Brisbane I started to investigate significant events in Brisbanes past and the most pivetal point in our history would have to be Expo 88 and everything did for the development of the city. Upon further investigation of the site, I was interested by the sculpture in the picture below and found out it was from expo. This lead me on a journey of research where by I found that many of the displays and sculptures from expo are actually spread throughout the city.

The copper shell sculpture from Expo is located in the Roma Street Parklands and is the inspiration for my Folies final form. This was chosen as I wanted a modern for that still linked dirrectly into Brisbanes past.



Model

Below is a series of my model as it developed through the design.