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.