Monday 30 April 2012

WEEK 9

I have been working on the drawings to suit my aims for the design, and this is what I've achieved so far, to my surprise it is actually getting to what I've imagined exactly in my head. Below I've attached my drawings with the changes made to them :)

Due to myself, Tonje and Ivana agreeing on designated spaces on the design, we decided to do the masterplan together, however last minute changes caused alot of misunderstandings therefore we sort of integrated our masterplans... Its complicated!


Master plan, drawn originally at 1:1000
Pathways

BBQ & seating

Stall installation
 Roof structure
Contours & section

Section through site

Colour structures (columns) discussed in week 7 will be looked at in detail within the next week as this is still a concept proposal, ferry stop/terminal design will also be examined in more detail within the next week or so. However, the design would reflect the roofs as if the terminal would be coming out of the water and introducing the user to a new experience/life journey, it is also essential as there aren't any current ferry stops on the site, this way bringing more users and ease of access to the site nomatter what part of Central Brisbane one is located.

Friday 27 April 2012

FOLIE TO DESIGN PROPOSAL

If one were looking at my design for the first time with a fresh set of eyes, they may or may not understand its relation to the folie, therefore just in case - here's a simple way of putting how my mind translated one into the other :)


FOLIE
DESIGN PROPOSAL
1. Coming out of the water - birth
Shading structures emersing from the ground, sometimes going back into the ground and in others not
2. Life experiences and goals
Seeing the high mushroom structure and aiming to get there through the multiple paths
3. Multiple choices, multiple access/exits

Reflected in paths with multiple directions, multiple access/exit
4. Height differences in columns (city buildings)
Use of contours and landscape
5. Some columns (city buildings) more crowded than others
Use of stalls and strategic placement of trees
6. To be seen from everywhere (on and off site)
Mushroom roof attracting and being seen by everyone no matter whether in/out of the site



1.

5.
2, 3, 4, 6.


The reason as to why I decided to use outdoor spaces and landscapes is due to the fact that I personally find them more beautiful especially being an international student in a foreign country away from everything I know, the places that make me feel more at home are green spaces - parks, nature in general. It does not judge or influence, I can be who I really am without feeling uncomfortable, and it isnt made to be used in a certain way - its natural, you have the freedom to use it as you please - whether you sit on it, crawl under it or climb it's sides. It makes you feel connected, relaxed and acts as a home away from home, and deep inside - that's a way of inter-culturalism.

Wednesday 25 April 2012

WEEK 8

This week I played around with shapes of platforms as I want my design to allow the community to engage and enjoy outdoor spaces, therefore I decided not to include enclosed spaces but instead work with outdoor covered areas that will allow:
  1. Views throughout the entire site
  2. Ease of movement and direction
  3. Cross Ventilation
  4. Easy on the eye
  5. Greenery and nature (undisrubted)
I started off with circles and played around with space arrangements together with locations on the site which would suit my proposal best. After lots of tracing papers and configurations, I decided for better results I need a space approximately halfway through the site which had a big width from the water to the cliff giving me more room to play around with and am currently at a stage where my design looks like big bubbles on a page.

However Davor kindly took some time off his own personal schedule to come in, and look at our work, which was greatly appreciated by everyone especially myself. His comments and feedbacks helped so much where I put myself in someone else's shoes and imagine walking into the space that I've design. Below is a scanned image of my current design.


Lots came to mind when I took my mind out of my designer's shoes and into a user/explorer's shoes, some of the changes needed were:
  1. The circular spaces are too symetrical and will be designed based on ease of movement and stall locations, for a more "flowy" shape.
  2. Vegetation placed more strategically allowing one to take a grass path instead of proposed path, allowing views throughout the whole site especially in and out of spaces inteneded for certain uses, as well as blocking the harsh summer sun.
  3. Stone seating originally designed for the theatre space (reflecting cliff edge and natural ground) can be grass instead, for comfort and aesthetics, as well as multi-functionality - allowing it not only to be used as seating, but anything you desire to make of it.
  4. Stage not flush with cliff, instead dug into the cliff for better aesthetics and celebration of the beauty of the cliff together with its durability.
  5. Water feature added on or behind stage for daily use which can be turned off when not needed (i.e. functions) otherwise adds to the aesthetic effect of the seating and cliff.
  6. Instead of individual roofing structures on every element, I will add a structure that connects the different roofs together, although I have no specific inspiration at the moment, however I will look back at the folie for more ideas.
Stage dug into cliff instead of flush finish

Stage, seating and water feature


Friday 20 April 2012

WEEK 7 - Part 2

In order to create the spaces I want, I needed to research into the types of structures and spaces that I want to include into my folie. Not only is it crutial for space arrangement but also in terms of sizing and scaling, I can then determine how many people can use the space at any given time and design to cater for that need.

Firstly, I looked at stalls to get a brief idea of what Ill be working with in the next couple of weeks. Due to the stalls being movable, they had to flexible and easy to put up and take down, as well as storage for them when not in use needs to be provided. Below I've attached sketches and images of stalls in consideration. I can get a brief idea of the amount of space I would need in and around the stalls for ease of movement and comfort:




Secondly, I looked into performance stages. I dont want an average stage, but something that will suit every culture, yet however celebrate the Howard Smith Wharves and respect the land that we stand on that allows us to have the freedom that we do in order to celebrate our culture(s). Below are brief sketches and ideas looked at in initial stages:

Thirdly, each culture, tradition, background or simply ethnicity has its own ways of life, their own interpretation to the use of space, colour, smell, touch and taste. For a good outcome touching atleast one base in the ones mentioned above, I have looked into different patterns, designs, colours, textures and much more to determine the type of space that will welcome and be a base tone/texture/etc to any culture wanting to use the space. Some of the key ideas are shown below together with images:



Example column, with multiple bright and vibrant colours



Tuesday 17 April 2012

WEEK 7

This week, the group and myself met up with davor and discussed our work together with how we will set our designs on the same masterplan. We discussed briefly our designs and what spaces each individual would need for their design, however did not resolve the issue greatly.

The space I decided to cater for when it came to intercultural communities is a space that:
  • Brings people together
  • Celebrates every culture
  • Celebrates the Storey Bridge
  • Food, music, dance, relaxing - all in one place
  • Freedom - to move in and around places as you feel comfortable
The main elements that I have retrieved from the folie are:
  • Baby steps - taking one step at a time and learning from your experiences
  • Crowded and empty spaces, old and new materials - showing texture and durability
  • Multiple directions and paths, numerous routes to take in around and through
  • Coming out of the water - how one comes out from a womb and takes one step at a time in their journey of life and learning
The proposed design will integrate both the folie concept together with a new design proposal due to the greater use of space available (500sqm) and the project theme in order to cater to those needs.

I have decided to design a performance stage which can be used for all kind of events such as new years, chinese new years, indian divali, or so on. There will also be an outdoor space available which can be converted into stalls during events, which otherwise can be used as a park with seating and barbeque areas for other daily use.

Wednesday 11 April 2012

INTER-CULTURAL COMMUNITY

Intercultural community. What is it? Before I design, I need to know who I'm designing for and why? My initial interpretation of inter-cultural community is a community of multiple cultures that respect and learn from one another's cultural background and morals. It is not a doing, but a way of being. Until we learn to respect and love our differences, I dont think we can live together in peace and happiness.
I decided to research about Brisbane, and the places around HSW, what do the people have in common? And what are their differences? Who is going to use my proposed design for HSW and how can I make it n experience they can learn from and welcome the inter-cultural community.


HSW is surrounded and can be accessed easily by private/public transport by suburbs which include Brisbane city, New Farm, Kangaroo Point, Spring Hill, West End, Fortitude Valley and Southbank.

Brisbane City
Queen street is the heart of Brisbane and has always been the most important place yet, with a colorful mixture of heritage and modern facades. Wide numbers of events have been taken here, making it a place for both shopping/outing and commercial use with a large number of users being professionals. It is home to around 7,600 people.1. Image 3.



Fortitude Valley
Australia's first dedicated entertainment district made up of sounds of people and music. It includes China Town Mall which offers traditional chinese food and markets. The Valley is also home to numerous multi-cultural dining options, all located on same streets. It is a vibrantly colorful place, which is home to around 5,100 people.1. Image 4.




West End
Home to a lively mixture of cultures with vintage shops, restaurants, cozy bars, coffee shops and weekendmarkets. It is a multi cultural suburb with pround migrants. The weekend markets serve items such as fish, fruits and clothing to name a few.1. Image 5.



Kangaroo Point
The main elements easily identifyable with KP are the ancient cliffs, river, city views and mountains. It includes parklands, bikeways, playgrounds and picnic spots with lots of other activities such as mountain climbing available too to the public.1. Image 6





Spring Hill
This suburb is known for its oldest residential neighborhoods, with accommodation ranging from bed-and-breakfast to luxurios hotels.1. Image 7.





New Farm
Also known as Brisbane's "Little Italy" due to its Italian community. Its renowned rose park is a must-see together with their famous farmers' market which accommodates for fresh food.1. Image 8.







Southbank

Out of all the suburbs in Brisbane, Southbank has the most culturally friendly and diverse community especially with the places existing in this suburb. Spaces range from food, drinks to markets and shops. It however is also a commercial and education district. The iconic Brisbane Wheel is located in this multi-cultural suburb together with residential areas.1. Image 9.


Brisane in General
The population of Brisbane is 1.8million people, and the multicultural populaton has 21.7% of residents born overseas and 16% speaking another language other than english at home. The median age in brisbane is 34.7 years old which is expected to increase by 2031 to 40.2 years old. This will obviously have to be taken into consideration for the users of my design proposal. The average houshold size is believed to be 2.5 persons per private dwelling.2


References:
1. Sourced from: http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/
2. Sourced from: http://www.studybrisbane.com.au/
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Sunday 8 April 2012

WEEK 6

Unfortunately Davor was away this week, I therefore focused in more detail about the concept I want to use and how I will make this space functional for everyone. I looked at the site again (since project 1) and dotted a few notes on the site plan indicating key issues and possibilities for the site in regards to this particular design concept. HSW is not exactly a designer's dream site, however there are always ways of making something better than it actually is.

The main issues seemed to be:
·         Access to and from the site
·         Solar penetration (winter)
·         Flooding
·         Existing structures



The main positives however were:
· Views to and from the site
· Location
· Materials (Wood, Steel, Corrugated iron, Greenery& trees, Water)

I am going to look at a few key things about the site within the next week to analyse how my space will function efficiently. This includes water movement, pollution, sun, shade, noise, rain, topography, access, vegetation, surrounding elements, views and materials (water, concrete, stone, rusted steel etc)

My project design will focus on a flexible movable space, with elements such as movable walls. The space should be able to be booked at different times of the day/month/year for different functions, also known as "a place of celebration". One can see/hear/smell the different functions whether they're on the Citycat, on the Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point, it doesn't matter, the space should be welcoming and inviting to everyone, where every culture celebrates their way of life, and people from the Brisbane community are free to join the celebration and learn/respect different cultures. This not only celebrates inter-culturalism, but celebrates the geographic location it is in as well.