Studio 4 - Finalising Design

Concept/Theme of my design is 'communication and sympathy'. The design was inspired by the diagram of people talking and their conversation bubbles overlap each other creating common thoughts/interests. Then this diagram was further developed into postcard which has overlapping circles with colour transparency. Two different colours (thoughts) are merged together and create new colours (learning). Also, the 2D diagrams (thoughts) become 3D model (action). 

2D (thoughts) became 3D (action) = ‘learning’

Carlo Ratti water pavilion senses the movement of people and stops watering when people try to enter the space. Combining that idea with the idea of colour transparency from the postcard, so the colours of the buildings will change as people walk pass the building through the pathway.

These are mass modelling and renders in sketchup. 

Studio 3 - Conceptual Plan

The place where the extension of design school is finalised. The hatched circle between the heritage buildings are the place. The reason is that the space under the bridge was too dark whereas design studios are needed to be bright enough for drafting. 

Started planning on conceptual plan. 

The circle spaces (thoughts) are overlapping and created common spaces (sympathy). 2D circles (thoughts) have transformed into sphere (3D/action) (in other words, thoughts became action). Pathways going through the spaces and under the spaces (circulation spaces). 

The spaces are divided into two parts; private (right) and public (left) and also it is constructed in four levels (left to right - lower to higher). Public space includes foyer, reception, toilet and office whereas private space is basically design studios and toilets. Exhibition space is neutral space where both visitors and students can access. The blue line indicates pathway for visitors which goes under and between the buildings whereas the red line, pathway for students, goes through the spaces. So even the pathways are used in private and public purposes. The spaces between the circles are either 'garden' and connecting spaces. 

This is the ideal relaxation space in bottom level of exhibition. 

The picture above shows 3D section of exhibition space. The spiral steel represents 4m wide spiral floor going bottom to top of exhibition space. As it was explained in previous picture, the centre of the exhibition space would be empty and have relaxation space in bottom (like doughnut shape).

Good exemple is The Guggenheim Museum by Frank Lloyd Wright (picture below).

This is the ideal space for 'garden' between the circles. It is more like relaxation space than actual garden. 

Tried to create the building with sketchup. 

Example of how the design school would construct (where two circles are intersect).

Exemplar of materiality. 

Studio 2 - Spatial Diagram and Mass

Those two circles are the proposed site. The site between the two heritage buildings has nice enclosed/protective feeling. However, it might create 'too enclosed' feeling caused by the cliff, the bridge and the bridge column and heritage buildings. It also might be disturbing to capture the views. 

The other proposed site is very open which allows visitors to enjoy scenery. Also, the area allows larger space than any other space in the site which helps to liberate from the feeling of enclosure. 

I've started with some spatial diagrams which are most likely focused on the view and privacy. 

Spatial Diagram 1

Spatial Diagram 1

I had two ideas on extension of design school. They are both based on the idea of how people learn from talking to each other and the idea was expressed with venn diagram, explaining the common thoughts people have. So the main ideas that the design should focus on are generative design, transparency (movement) and 'communication and sympathy' (this would be the 'theme' of the design). 

Idea 1. 

 This idea is another expression of venn diagram. Each box is represented as human thought. When the thoughts are come together (crossing each other), it will create a solid feature (architecture). 

I've tried to model it up in Sketchup.

Idea 2. 

This design was inspired by the idea of how people start communicate with handshake; people introduce themselves to each other with handshake. It is sign of 'get to know each other'.  

So I've thought of simple version of handshake.

For the design space for the students will be designed like the diagram above. 

Studio 1 - Generative Art Postcard

I had few ideas on generative art postcard.

Idea 1. Circles with line going through them.

There would be change of colours when the circles are intersect. Also, there would be another change in colours where 'neutral' zone is (when the line is going through the circles). The colours would be pale.

 Idea 2. Lines and Squares

Squares would be created when the lines are intersecting. Also there would be thicker and thiner lines. 

Idea 3. Circles

Similar to idea 1 but without the line going through the circles. Changes in colours where number of circles are touching. 

Idea 4. Colour Changing

Starting with cooler colours and end up with warmer colours. Intersecting number of circles create different colours. This postcard was inspired by the diagram I did for folie design.

This diagram explains how people can 'learn' from talking to other people. The venn diagram expresses the idea of common thoughts people have.

'Transparency'

 These two postcards are the final ones. 

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.