Tegan's follie- The Journey of Design

Urban Ecological Subversion: The Art of Guerilla Gardening in Public Spaces

http://weburbanist.com/2007/08/21/urban-ecological-subversion-the-art-of-guerilla-gardening-in-public-spaces/

Have you ever wondered why so much public space seems to go to waste? Even apparently ‘natural’ green areas are carefully cultivated, requiring time, energy and water. However, these only produce a return if people are sitting, interacting, or playing on them. A great deal of urban green space is never used for these purposes. However, such spaces can be (and many are) subverted through guerilla gardening: the act of seeding useful plants in public spaces.

This is all to true, overly structure "green spaces" seen in so many cities around the world seem cold and transpartently unnatural. The goverment has consistantly compromised space put aside for parklands

Possible Design Ideas

Floating viewing platform as seemingly unattainable as a a Brisbane propritising spaces for people over profit.

Above: Peaceful Plateform

A plateform for viewing the surrounding river and built environment. Filter of light and a natural hub for peaceful contemplation. In reaction  to the peacefullness of the site. The cliff face, bridge and river form a cosy enclosed environment.

The problems with this idea were threefold. The lighting for natural growth of plants is minimal underneath the bridge, the concept of peaceful thoughts and soul searching seemed to match an physical environment filtering light which would not suit the placement under the bridge. The last main issue was moving this structure to a sunnier spot would make it less of a viewing plateform, i feel this brief and the character of the site calls for a strong purpose or function.

Above: A peaceful protest

A follie allowing the people to speak, debate, share and contemplate.

The lecturer suggested exploring an alternative canopy that was less oppressive.

I also explored the idea of a bus stop but i had no strong concept to back it up.

I briefly simplified the structure by deleting the canopy to investigate the merits of a conopy for the space and what forms it could take.

I chose this shape as it's open edges envoked the feeling of security and free speach, offering various possibilities for work and play. The variation of solid concrete panels and adaptable blinds opens up the space, ensuring it doesn't feel dark or heavy.