WEEK 3

This week we looked at answering all the questions we had remaining from last week's meetings, which led to a simpler  Folie design and a whole new approach. Due to the assignment being due next week, this wasn't a great idea but a necessary one as a group of four designers with different approaches made it hard to come to a simple agreement. Anna, a group member, left the unit and course altogether, therefore we were left with three members as opposed to other group members of four, this however didn't slow us down.

We decided to change our approach and focus on the different levels in heights. That would relate back to the cliff face, but what the user would learn was not clear. We therefore decided to change the heights of the columns so that they relate to both the location and history of HSW, this meant taking into account everything that the site has to offer.

Image of my group playing around with pens to explain our ideas to one another

Image of sticks being placed randomly to play with heights, light/shadow, solid/void

After closely examining the site, we decided to duplicate the site plan of the city and HSW but interpret it in forms of columns. Middle (thick) columns form the bridge, and columns on either side reflect the buildings surrounding the bridge. In order for the user to understand this at a glance and be attracted to the space, we decided to change the materials of the columns for a clear understanding. The middle (bridge) columns are steel capped whereas the columns towards the city side are made of modern timber and are placed very close together whereas on the other side are old timber columns showing the historical buildings that existed and were used before the bridge was built, they however are placed further apart from one another.

Last week I researched about learning and how one takes one step at a time in life, how our brain evolves and we grow with time and experiences if put in simple. We decided that our space could have the same concept, we therefore placed it close to the water so that the first few columns come out of the water and the rest are on land. This followed the concept of learning and growing and the water acts as a starting point. The reflexology paths looked at last week were also implemented in the design, however pebbles were used instead for a more user-friendly approach.

Image of a drawing I made to explain paths through and around the Folie