Final Section- Cross Section at 1:50

Plan Showing Location of the New Section

Exemplar Sections- Foster & Partners

Foster & Partners
Chesa Futura Appartments
St Moritz, Switzerland

Why the building was chosen as an exemplar section relevant to my solution to the HSW:

Why the building was chosen (relevance)- The Chesa Futura apartments created an environmentally benign and sustainable form of building which is why it was chosen as number five of the exemplar sections. For my building I had modelled it off the Melbourne CH2 Building in terms of heat flow generated from the workings of a termite mound, thermal mass and green walls and roof to increase the sustainability of the building. The apartments used timber construction in a novel way as it is one of the most environmentally friendly and sustainable methods of building.  The overall form responds to the site, which was similar to HSW, in that it is set on a slope above the water. The curves of the building  allow unobstructed views down and up from the building as well as allowing for windows to circle the structure facilitating panoramic views of the water below.

Drawing techniques (how the buildings work and key aspects)- The sections show clear paths of movement through the two central cores of curving stairs coiled around lift cores. While the figures show the interactions between spaces and between the inhabitants and the artifacts. The textural qualities of the sloping site is also cleverly and simply illustrated in the landscape slopes, ground line and depth of materials.

What i hope to incorporate into my redrawn section- Clearer illustration of how my spaces are used through figures and artefects as well as how my structure fits into the context.

Exemplar Sections- Ityo Ito & Associates

Ityo Ito & Associates
Meiso No Mori Municipal Funeral Hall
Kakamigahara, Japan

Why the building was chosen as an exemplar section relevant to my solution to the HSW:

Why the building was chosen (relevance)- Toyo Ito's buildings create living spaces that go beyond the modern consumerism to impart emotions and rejecting or questioning  box-like buildings seen in our consumer societies. This building I chose not because of its physical similarities to my own work but the idea behind the architects works which were clearly communicated in the built form and sections. I wished to challenge the built forms of our city through a building designed for the very students who drive social and cultural changes by questioning what exists. I did not take this far enough, the Meiso No Mori Municipal Funeral Hall consisted of fluid spaces organic in nature which impart the dynamic forces of energy flow. Conductive to quiet and reflection the overall structure is very unobstructive allowing maximum light and eliminating the distinction between the exterior and interior opening out to the water. The natural curves of the roof challenge our notions of what a building should look like, something i wished to do as part of encouraging student to question and learn.

Drawing techniques (how the buildings work and key aspects)- The figures of the car and person clearly shown not only the scale but the interaction of the building with the surroundings. The artefact's of the cremation chamber, ventilation and interaction between where the last farewells take place and where the bodies are cremated was clearly shown in the section. Done using thin lines, shading and subtle illustration of materials it is easy to see the qualities of the space, be it the enclosed rooms of the service spaces or the open waiting areas.  

What i hope to incorporate into my redrawn section-  The use of figures to illustrate the use of my building and how it might feel to experience.

Exemplar Sections- Steven Holl Architects

Steven Holl Architects
Simmons Hall
MIT Cambridge USA

Why the building was chosen as an exemplar section relevant to my solution to the HSW:

Why the building was chosen (relevance)- Another alternative educational program, Simmons Hall, provided residential living for students. Inspirational spaces to live and study are created by a porous membrane of five different buildings in which materials, light and transparency are the key aspects. A matrix of square windows is part of the visual idea of the residential student apartments as being a slice of the city. My visual idea was a visual slice of Brisbane altered to question the suitability of fully glass facades in our subtropical climate. Similar to the idea of a porous membrane I created a permeable walk way between the walls of the structure and the outer green skin joined by wooden screens. Student control was also important in both the Simmons Hall and my own student center. The hall's dormitory rooms have nine operable windows that students can use to open or close the space depending on their desires for light, ventilation and privacy. So too my student center had areas of windows and doors which opened out to the permeable walkway for maximum control of light, ventilation and access.

Drawing techniques (how the buildings work and key aspects)- The sections of this building were drawn to illustrate the key aspects, that of light, the materials and transparency. The longitudinal section shows the "vertical cavities, it's lungs, which facilitates natural light and air circulating in key corridors, entrances, terraces and circulation areas". The Cross Sections clearly show the porous nature of the outermembrane.

What i hope to incorporate into my redrawn section- A cleared illustration of how light permeates and  interacts with the individual spaces, more public areas and the corridors that connect them.

Exemplar Sections- Morphosis (Thom Mayn)

Morphosis (Thom Mayn)
Campus Recreation Center
University of Cincinnati, USA

Why the building was chosen as an exemplar section relevant to my solution to the HSW:

Why the building was chosen (relevance)- The New Recreation Center is another multi purpose facility with a strong program centered around students. With a sports complex , reading room, covered refreshment areas, canteen, dormitories and student accomidation. While my building did not deal with the overnight housing of students it shared many common programs with the Recreation Center.  The Recreation Centre forms a crossroad, connecting the surrounding buildings, serving as a focal point and epitomizing the university experience. One way it was acheived was through the variety of form and function and our interpretation of it.

Drawing techniques (how the buildings work and key apects)- The drawings clearly show the structural elements, the connection between floors, materials and the use of the spaces. The thickness of the floors, roof and walls are clearly shown to illustrate the structural systems and the acoustic and sensual feel of the spaces. The materials, the concrete, screens and glass are clearly shown in the y-y section and increase the understanding of how the structure, external skin and spaces intergrate together.

What i hope to encoropate into my redrawn section- The clear illustration of materials and the use of the spaces in relation to the key apects of the building

Exemplar Sections- OMA (Rem Koolhaas)

OMA (Rem Koolhaas)
Casa Da Musica
Porto, Portugal

Why the building was chosen as an exemplar section relevant to my solution to the HSW:

Why the building was chosen (relevance)- As a concert hall, Casa da Musica has a very similar program and context. Contextually both my program and that of the concert hall dealt with proximity to a city centre, proximity to what should be a public area, integration with older buildings and a purpose within the greater context which dealt with public, shared and private spacial segregation's. The concert hall contained an auditorium, teaching spaces, musical and multimedia areas, workshop spaces with supporting restaurants, bars and shops. In both buildings provisions are made for areas for the public to interact, view or be separated from the more individual spaces. For example the concert hall has areas for interactive exhibits, concert halls for viewing and smaller practise areas. In my student centre the public had access to the products produces by students and outdoor cafe and eatery area, lesser access through the building itself with access to the lecture halls, and controlled access to students in certain areas for example the metal working and laser cutting. The concert hall dealt with its older neighbours "by means of windows exposing functions across its boundaries" while my student center Incorporated the heritage buildings as display and sales areas for works produced in the center.

Drawing techniques (how the buildings work and key aspects)- The shading in both the sections clearly illustrated the heroic (more public feature areas) as well as the more humble service spaces.The overall shape of the building clearly demonstrated the scale of the building as a public draw card while communicating the modern contemporary character of the space. The journey through the building is also clearly illustrated as a journey, open and impressive.

What I hope to incorporate into my redrawn section- The clear illustration of the separate levels of use by the public, especially concerning the more public areas that give the building its character and wow factor.

A1

BUILDING ON SITE

VIEWS OF THE SPACE

CONTEXTURALISM

CULTURAL AND SOCIAL RELEVANCE

Form and Scale: Regular in shape and scale to integrate into the surrounding area. The number of floors and overall height of the building was chosen for several reasons. To create unity between the residential towers on the western boundary as well as connect the top of the cliff to the Howard Smith Wharves through the building. The top floor lines up with the existing pedestrian pathway cutting underneath bridge. This was important in connecting the surrounding community especially the school at the top of the cliff and the public transport of Fortitude Valley. The shape was deliberately chosen to challange stereotypes about appropriate material for multi level buildings. Challanging the glass facades considered ideal in cities. Is that really appropriate for our climate?

Security: Due to both the 24 hour nature of the site and the close proximity to the Fortitude and CBD night districts security was an important consideration. The two reception points acts as security points at both access points. User are required to register to be able to use the structure by establishing identity and agreeing to the terms and conditions of use of the facilities. Casual users are giver guest passes enabling access to the top cinema/lecture hall and short term use of the other facilities. Areas such as the workshop, safety labs and staff rooms are designed for long term users only due to security, safety and privacy issues. Short term and long term key cards are designed to allow for a secure facility, 24 hour access and establishing respect from users. By signing a contract and paying a small fee for the key card itself it’s hoped that users will respect other users and the facilities. It also gives free access to a late night bus that runs between the building and Roma Street Station after dark.

Physical Permeability: Open café and welcoming reception area on the ground floor allow for both casual users and easy introduction to the program. Tickets to movies or lectures, short term and long term passes can be brought at the reception desks placed at opposite ends of the structure. Designed to be free the building has to deal with security issues outline above.

Social and Cultural Permeability: Access for community to interact with the structure on a casual basis as well as on a more involved level. The ground floor of the enclosed structure was deliberately restricted to a small footprint while integrating the bike path and the existing heritage structures. The bike path cuts through the new and the old developments allowing for permeability through the site. The heritage buildings are used for display of users work, advertising for the programs of the site and selling of scraps in a program modelled after Reverse Garbage at West End

BIOMIMICRY AND SUSTAINABILITY

Rather than slap on a conceptual biomimicry analogy I'm using sustainable systems that have been influenced strongly by biomimicry. These systems will be used to provide a space that uses sustainable energy,
maximises resources and minimised waste all in a cost effective manor which would allow the community to be as self sustaining as possible much like processes in nature.

The CH2 in Melbourne had some really excellent images to explain many of the processes to be used in Brisbane including, solar power, mining of sewage for cooling and much more. http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/Environment/CH2/Pages/CH2Ourgreenbuilding.aspx

BIOMIMICRY

The Biomimicry presidents behind my building had a hug influence over the tectonic requirements of my building. Initially I had focused on biological systems like caves and other sensitive ecosystem as they are incredibly sustainable which was something I believed vital to keep down costs in a community project which would most likely be funded by taxpayers. I developed this further, finding Biomimicry examples which could be used to reduce energy consumption and reduce wastes. The layers of skin (dermis and epidermis), leaf structure, osmosis, roots and bark all impacted the tectonic aspects of my design.

Epidermis & Leaf Structure: in nature the epidermis forms a protective outer layer while the structure of a leaf regulates the quality of air, dissipates heat and collects energy. The outer skin in this building is formed by the vertical green walls modelled of the CH2 Melbourne building. The thickness necessary to support the planter boxes shades the external corridor within the skin. While the plant increase the quality of the air as well as aesthetically integrating the structure with the Cliffside and parklands.

Dermis and Bark: the inner layers of skin or the space between layers of bark create a sub layer between the external skin and the structure which is inhabitable and passively allows regulation of the space. Demonstrated in the external corridors which create an intermediate zone between the inner glass rooms dominated by glass facades and the outer skin.


Termite mounds: Thermal mass created by Brick veneer walls with steel frames provide thermal mass, keeping the inside cool during the hottest hours of the day and warm at night.

Roots and Osmosis: Connection to the soil, water and the society at large. Osmosis is part of the process used to recycle liquid from the sewer mains into useable water for cooling a building using convection currents as apposed to energy intense radiation which in Brisbane translates to air conditioning units

ELABORATED PROGRAM

PUBLICATION: Reverse garbage style outfit, display areas and function space
Services: Reception, card production, it services, lab technicians staff rooms, outdoor eatery, disabled and staff parking as well as provision for bike security.
Basement with provisions for recycling water from sewer mains for control of buildings temperature

• Reception, eatery and display rooms in existing building

RECONSOLIDATION: computer lab, printing services, workshop spaces and Lab help IT AND CARD PRODUCTION, LIFT, STAIRWELL, LAB STAFF ROOM, LAZER CUTTING ROOM, METAL WORKING ROOM, SPRAY ROOM AND OPEN WORKSHOP, & PRINTING SERVICES

TESTING & DEBATE: wet room, dry room, meeting rooms, lecture room/ debate hall/ projector wall tagging system WET ROOM, DRY ROOM, TUTORING ROOMS, MEETING ROOMS, LECTURE HALL/ DEBATE HALL

EXCHANGE & COMMUNICATION: tutoring rooms, group rooms, computer lab and reading room TOILETS, KITCHEN GROUP ROOMS, READING AREA, COMPUTER LABS BOTH SMALLER ROOMS FOR GROUPS OR TUTORS AND A LARGER COLLABORATIVE LAB

INFORMATION ABSORBING: Reception desk, Library, Lecture hall which also acts as a cinema for the wider public LECTURE/ CINEMA, LIBRARY AND RECEPTION

• GREEN ROOF FOR THERMAL VALUES, CONTROBUTION T AIR QUALITY OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD AND OUT DOOR AREA FOR USERS
• Section showing the density of the building as well as the layers of skin.

THE NEW PROGRAM: COMMUNITY LAB

CONCEPT
Initially I was inspired by the difficulty residents and users of a space have in influencing the zoning and development of land owned by council. The Howard Smith Wharves was set aside as public parklands but recent council zoning changes and development proposals did not honour this. Involvement in protesting developments is often see outside government buildings such us Parliament House but no where in the city is there a place for the community to gather to submit there opinions, discuss their thoughts and lodge petitions without being in the public eye. My follie was an adaptive, interactive monument to this process of free speak without judgement or commitment.
Further development into a more informal and intermediate method of interactions between government and the public lead to the creation of a space that allowed for easy broadcasting of ideas, with lecture theatres adaptive to community programs, display areas and a lounge with a tag wall and wi-fi access. At this stage the issues of the suitability for this political program became obvious the surrounding area had no roots in government and without a close connection to the physical symbols of our government the program would be less successful than the protests outside Parliament House.
My research had illustrated the value in a less formal program for the community to learn about developments being embarked upon as well as the need for free speak and exposure to new influences. A large proportion of involvement in community drives for social and cultural change was made up by students, university students in particular. From this I crafted a program providing free access to services usually reserved for tertiary students.

ANALYTICAL MAPS

DAY USE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
NIGHT USE OF EDCUCATIONA PROGRAMS
COST RELATED TO THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OF BRISBANE

These are some of the analysis maps I constructed to demonstrate both the services and character of the surrounding suburbs and the lack of free services that are available 24/7.

THE DISCONNECTION OF CONNECTION CAVE

During the our second presentation all my research continually lead me back to the fact that providing an intermediate space for the public to communicate, discuss and organise protests at the Howard Smith Wharves was just not as successful a program as the impromptu gatherings in front of Parliament House.

I had unsuccessfully attempted to go ahead with the program anyway but it was difficult to create a contextual understanding of the site in relation to the surrounds that was appropriate given the distance between the parliamentary buildings and the HSW site.

The activities in my project were understood but by the time for the second presentation i had realised just how inappropriate the direction I was taking was for the potential users of the site. The likelihood of the public utilising the site strongly for discussion over changes in policy, land use and other public initiatives was not likely. The site under an intermediary protest space program would more likely to have been underused and utilised for the secondary programs, free Internet access and public flexible space.

The social and cultural relevance was lacking there was no connection to the specific communities local to the site. The HSW are surrounded by schools, clubs, shops and residential units not Parliament and Government buildings. Society in general would only have been benefited if there was a large media circus to bring attention to the site, a cost that could be avoided with the right program.

Biomimicry was hard to match, the cave image was the best i could come up with but it was something that could be applied to any design, seemed slapstick and did not have many benefits except as an analogy of the process.

My communication is something i struggle with especially when i don't believe in what i'm saying .so i did not do the few merits of my program and all my hard work justice.

During my many diagrams, analysis mapping exercises and banging my head against a brick wall I'd started to be draw into the strong correlation between protest against government as well as changes in social and cultural ideologies which was the presence of students especially university students.

A program honoring the process of learning and exposure to new idea that drives students to organise and participate in protests would be both highly suitable for the local area around the HSW but greatly help the larger community immediately and in the future.

CONNECTION CAVE

Exploration of the connection, freedom and expression of Brisbane’s HSW