The concept behind a new HSW
Underneath the Story Bridge at Howard Smith Wharves was once a central part of Brisbane. Heritage buildings, world war two shelters and a decaying dock are what remain of a once busy area. Recently damaged by the floods the council’s development proposals for redevelopment are going ahead. There is controversy surrounding the rezoning of the area with many residents upset that council will now allow commercial interest and further development on the site.
Controversy surrounding development proposals is nothing new but there is no one place in Brisbane to go where people, both residents and international visitors, can go to air their thoughts, protest against council proposals.
The Speakers Shelter is a follie for people to gather around, debate, protest and reflect. The follie is designed to promote honesty, community spirit and the sharing of ideas.
The different sides of the follie all facilitate the concept of democracy, freedom of speech and community action in different ways. The eastern side is a threshold for speaking to large crowds, the west a more sheltered area housing a deposit box for submissions and petitions. The southernmost side houses a table and chairs to enable private discussion, as well as a flat surface for filling out forms. The north side is dominated by a feature wall of Light-Transmitting Concrete which gives the sheltered area of the follie its feel. During the day the sunlight is filtered through minimising glare while at night an interior spotlight throws a shadow of the tree against the wall as seen in the image to the right.
This comfortable space is honest and open but not exposed. The forms of the concrete structure are softened by sustainable Australian hardwood and pine blinds held in place by tension. The majority of the structure is poured, reinforced concrete in compression. This heavy solid element is prevented by being oppressive through the open void centred around the presence of a native Australian tree.
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