Diagraming

-- Folie conceptual process -- "growth" -- organic form -- inspired by cliff face at HSW --

-- From Folie to Building form -- organic modular form -- inspiration --

Diagraming -- site context -- form relating to its site -- side view/profile --

Diagraming -- site context -- form relating to its site -- front view --

FUNCTION

Bubble Diagram illustrating my concept for the function of the science centre. Like I said earlier, I want the building to function as a "journey" of travelling from one module (exhibit) to the next module (exhibit). The highlighted red sections act as open (transitional) space or otherwise used for larger exhibits.

MODULAR FORM

Looking at my previous blog entry. My first conceptual attempt at a design is verging on the organic, 'fluid-like' elements of architecture. An issue that Ryan brought up during my feedback in week 8 is "how do you make this modular?" Architecture that moves rather than static.

Developing design in 3 parts

1. FRAMING SYSTEM (steel) - fixed to site

2. MODULES (slot in/slot out) - prefab module shipped to site - slot into steel frame system

3. MESH FACADE (attached/detached) - attach to steel frame system

An illusion of growth

The concept that I've continued to develop througout this design process is the idea of "growth" - architecture thats somewhat parasitic in its form and essentially gives the "illusion" of growing from the ground. - (FORM)


Additionally, I've developed on the idea of the "individual journey" - architecture that takes the user of an interactive journey - (and in particular with a Science Center - the transitioning of one space to the next) - (FUNCTION)


EXPLORATION:

FORM
(A basic Idea of a form I want to develop) something that gives the appearance of growing from the ground - ie. Roots of a tree and modules act as leaves)

FUNCTION
(I want the user to transition from one module to the next, like climbing up a tree). Further I want to explore the concepts of transitioning indoor/outdoor - the journey from one experience to the next)

A modular Science Centre

Tutorial week 6

After sharing my idea for a building brief with the group. It was discussed the my building would be more suited as a science exhibition centre - as my folie was centred around the concept of the "individual expereince" and an "interactive journey" - we thought a building like this would definitely explore these elements.

Here is some examples interesting science centre's (some projects, some existing) I've come across that explore an "organic" "growth" in its form which I'm hoping to achieve.

Belgrade Science centre

National Science Center Dehli

Hamburg Science Centre (project) 

What I've noticed about most science centers (especially in the Hamburg science center above) is that they often revolve around the concept of the "interactive journey" the "transitioning" of one experience to the next experience (from one space to the next). This is a concept that I would like to develop further in my design.

User group:

 - Families and children

(Placing a science center on the site would definitely activate the site - drawing in families and hence creating a "family-safe" vision for the site of Howard Smith Wharves)

Given that the user group would be families and children, my mission is to design a space that draws in children, is interactive, fun and plays on the concept of a journey.

Function of the building is key. This will determine the overall "experiential journey" for the user.

Haptic Architecture

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uugjeDl_tPc

RE: Mitchell Joachim: Don't build your home, grow it! | Video on TED.com

http://www.ted.com/talks/mitchell_joachim_don_t_build_your_home_grow_it.html

Interesting Video posted up by tutor, that looks at the concept of "growing" a home. The speaker described his design as a "meat house" a house in which has living cells... Wierd concept I know! To think a building has livings cells makes me question -- wouldn't it eventually decay?? --- and how do they avoid this? Was a short video so it leaves me with many questions. But to keep to keep it short, although the concept is really fascinating, Its not exactly clear as to how one can build a house out of living tissue -- is it truly realistic?? Do they take inspiration form the functioning of a human body?

A brief idea of a BRIEF

Howdy People, it's that time again --time to post up my progress! So WHAT have I done, you may ask?? Well, I've taken the analysis of the site (as seen throughout my blog), and in combination with my folie concept of "over-growth", and the theme of "modular architecture", I have tried creating a masterpiece of a brief for project 2. ( wow that sounded like a mouthful didn't it??) Below are a few notes on my findings.....

Modular Architecture Theatre:

- Respond to the changing situations in use, operation, location

- Architecture that adapts

- Architecture that transforms

- Moving rather than static

- Interacts rather than inhabits

Modular: the building should establish different identities when opened/closed

- internal/external

- ability to change depending on nature of the activity taking place

Project 2: INSPIRATION

Just some amazing architectural designs/forms that I came across in my researching - there not exactly "modular" but they are definitely different from the usual -- and definitely post worthy!

Uh, can you say WOW! I found this design and fell in love with the form (partly because I found similarities with my folie) - Its called the Pixie Skyscraper - a building hailed as "My dream, our Vision" - Like?? Can read more on here: http://www.thedesignblog.org/entry/pixel-skyscraper-gives-wings-to-your-dreams/ 

Eco-pod design

Wind, Noise, Movement Patterns

So, I've already formed a basic analysis of the site HSW (Howard Smith Wharves) for project 1 (posted earlier in the blog). But, for Project 2 I've decided to take that analysis even further by studying the Wind, Noise and Movement patterns -- facets in which could effect the design of my architectural installment.

Whilst I'm here, it is also beneficial to take the 'smell' of the site into the equation, as this plays a major factor in the overall experience of the site.

- Forest like aroma

- Smell of salt water

- smell of freshness in the air due to vegetation

Additionally, 'noise' levels of the site plays a dominant factor in the site experience.

- loud noise from story bridge above

- Birds

- People moving though site

- noise from passing boats (and city cats) on Brisbane River

MODULES FOR CONSUMERS

So I've begun to research what exactly my architectural theme entails and basically "modular architecture" is a systematic design that is composed of seperate components that be connected together. The beauty of modular architecture is that you can replace or add any one component (or "module") without affecting the rest of the system --- pretty cool huh??? The opposite of modular architecture is integrated architecture, in which has no clear divisions that exist between its components. 

Here's some amazing architectural projects I put together in a panel on photoshop that implement the concept of 'modules for consumers".

WEEK 5 TUTORIAL

So the tutorials have begun! And for this semester I have chosen to enroll in the theme class of  'MODULES FOR THE CONSUMERS'. Looks like an interesting topic -- I can't wait to see what the semester brings!

During the Tutorial we were given a brief introduction into what exactly 'Modules for the consumers' meant. And essentially (from what I was told) modules for consumers comes from the theory of a "plug-in city" a city in which is "continuously changing". Another theory it was derived from was WASTE = FOOD (food for something), in other words architecture that can be broken down/re-used for something/someone else when its no longer needed.

-- It's an interesting topic -- Don' you think?? I should delve into it a bit more and put some research up!

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Now, during the TUT we split into groups of 6 and in reference to our next project (project 2) we were to discuss the site (Howard Smith Wharves) and analyse what would be the

"WORSE THING FOR THE SITE"

- Not re-connect the site to New Farm and the surrounding city - context

- Not consider the elements of the site (Cliff face - Heritage Buildings - Brisbane River - Story Bridge)
- Knocking down the heritage buildings (ignoring historical significance)
- Not creating multiple access points (without over-doing it)
- Not making the site a 'Node' point ( A 'destination' - a place of 'intersection')
- Placing aesthetically displeasing buildings on the site
- Not considering Q500 (flood levels)
- Building in Brisbane River and disrupting the river flow
- Not designing to, accommodate for/acknowledge, existing users of the site
- Not 'Activating' the space
- Not considering sustainability (recycle/re-use material, etc)
- Not designing architecture for the future