Final Folie Design

Final Folie Design

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 consciously 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 folie built at the centre 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 conversation will begin. from conversation comes debate, from debate comes new insights and thus the act of learning takes place. 

The form of the primitive gathering node symbolises the pre historic nature of the function within. It acts as a reminder that i may disappear like other things that existed in that pre historic era. The use of artificial light is employed to replicated fire; a traditional gathering point. 

 Posters

       

Folie Design - 3

IDEA 2 - Gathering Place

People normally communicate digitally these days. So this folie could be a gather place where people can talk, laugh and learn each other. Again with the idea of the site being the centre of number of suburbs, different suburbs are expressed in variety of shapes of solid material such as concrete or stone. Some can be carved down to the ground and some can be higher than the others and provide shades. Even the ground can be angled so when it rains, it will travel down between those folies and reminds of Brisbane River. 

IDEA 3 - Remember what we are

We learn everyday, mostly from the history of our culture. We should remember that the site, Howard Smith Wharves took a part in development of Queensland, and not ignore it. Folie is very simple installation of head of a ship; located between the space of Story Bridge's leg. Reason for it is to imagine how would it feel like to travel under the bridge if Howard Smith Wharves was still in business. 

Inside of the folie would look like this. Enclosed against the cliff and open towards the river for the views.  

Folie Design - 2

IDEA 1 - Observing the surroundings.

'Learning' can be anything, we can learn from books, internet, talking to people and so on. For me, learning is observing what's surrounded; get inspired. Therefore I wanted the site to be a place where people can get inspired by the surroundings as the site is quiet and peaceful. 

Howard Smith Wharves was the main commercial port for Brisbane for many years. It is physical, economic and cultural example of development in Queensland and also it shows history of Brisbane (shows how the expansion of the city has moved port activities further downstream). After the Story Bridge constructed, big ships couldn't get through it and the port was no longer used. It is now barren and lifeless. 

As it is shown in the photo above, the site is the centre of number of suburbs. The folie design was inspired by this idea of 'central' and led to the image of a tree.

A tree represents antiquity, strength and lifespring. Those roots could represent number of suburbs around the site (body = Howard Smith Wharves and roots = suburbs). In other words, this tree (folie design) will bring life back to the site. 

This ball of vines is the idea of what the folie could look like. 

Folie Design - 1

Basic Concept

- A space that tries to draw connections between healthy body and healthy environment.

- Building for people to exercise in and  do yoga or gym classes in.

- Have solar panels that light the space at night and act as shading during the day.

- Healthy building (solar shading or other ideas) for improving one's health in (exercise, yoga).

- Create a town hall type space that reacts to the location and how it is a center point for 4 or 5 different suburbs.

Site Visit - Howard Smith Wharves

The site has very quiet and peaceful compared to the city. It has city as a background which brings the idea of contrast; busy/compression and idle/tension.  

The cliff behind the site gives a sense of protection; looks like it has its arms around the site, acting as a shield or shelter.

Movement:
- Joggers
- People relaxing
- Not many students around
- Cars

Good
- Great view of river and the city
- Peaceful and quiet
- Privacy and calmness

Bad
- Remote (Isolated)
- Can't guarantee safety
- No features that would bring young people to the site
- Not many accessible entries