Developing the Concept for Iconic Realisation...Week 6

In the tutorial this week I began to think about how I could evolve my concept which was utilised for my folie design. Particularly, how it would develop in order to be useful in the design for a building of a large scale. Although it was commented that my folie concept was very strong I still believe it needs to be enhanced, as the concept was only relevant for a small installation. The concept was "A shelter is versatile. It is a place of protection, allowing people to escape their surroundings, whilst also allowing one to recapture past experiences."

I believe that there are elements to this concept which would be suitable for a large scale building design. Particularly I feel that the concept of "PROTECTION" is quite strong and relevant. This is derived from the feeling that the site offers closure and shelter for the occupant which allows them to feel safe within the environment - protection from external elements. It offers the user a place of comfort and relaxation.

As I have defined a concept which I can effectively work with, I now have to critically relate it to a building function which integrates this concept. The only immediate idea that I have been able to think of was a functional library, which offers a space for one to feel safe and comfortable. Over the next week hopefully this function can become clearer, and a more resolved idea will be formed.

Howard Smith Wharves - Digital Site Creation

Also, in the tutorial this week I finished modelling the Howard Wharves site entirely. I believed that by doing this, it will allow me to experiment with various building forms and shapes, so as to achieve a better understanding as to how it will function within the site, with regards to size and scale. I first used contour lines from ebimap to understand and construct the topography within the site. I used the 'Sanbox' tool in Sketch Up to formulate a representation of the cliffs surrounding the space. I then downloaded the Story Bridge model from Sketch up Library and modelled the buildings from a near map image. I have decided to make the surface materials all the same colour (white) so the site does not detract from the design of my proposed building.

Enhancing and Activating the Iconic Qualities of the Howard Smith Wharves

Before I begin to think about designing an iconic functional building for the space, it is important to understand what already exists within the Howard Smith Wharves site. Particularly, analysing and observing the heroic features of the site, which may help to develop and enhance the iconic status and appearance of the finalised design. It is important to know what already exists so as to form a greater relationship between structure and site context/surrounding environment.

From observations it established that the site is very much heroic in its existence. There are several large scale features within the site which will positively integrate with the building design. These include;

• The Story Bridge - this feature is already at iconic status locally for the Brisbane population. As a gigantic and structurally expressive structure it spans a great distance over the Brisbane River below. The bridge envelopes the Howard Smith Wharves in the process, establishing itself currently as a prominent and overwhelming feature of the site. In my design I must be wary as to not disturb and interrupt the natural beauty this structure already displays for both the site and Brisbane. Consequently, it seems that I must either create the building separate from the bridge so as to develop a distinct difference between the structures, or make the building grow neatly from the existing element.

• The Kangaroo Point Cliffs - The towering cliffs which enclose the site, act as a towering and overwhelming feature when coupled with the spanning Story Bridge. The cliffs offer themselves as the feature which is natural beautiful to the site, with the existence of vegetation upon them. Although very steep in its appearance they present themselves as a plane which can be experimented with. Unlike the Story Bridge, the cliffs can be interrupted in its natural form, to allow for the developed design to interact effectively within the site context.

• The large vacant space - it is clear that this is a very large space which engulfs the entire site, underneath the bridge. It is but a memory, standing still in time, ignored by the sprawling city which surrounds it. This site is unclear and undefined by any physical mass or architectural element, and therefore offers itself as a perfect canvas for an iconic structure installation. I feel this space needs to be activated successfully for the site to have a function and meaning of existence, and this belief will be enhanced through the relationship my proposed structure has with it.

International Iconic Buildings - advancing the knowledge of iconic design

After the tutorial this week, I began to research and investigate successful forms of iconic architecture from around the world. It was astonishing to notice just how many buildings of this nature there was, and also the impact in which they had on the city as a whole, as well as its immediate surrounding environment directly. This observation was beneficial because it allowed me to gain greater knowledge and insight into the thoughts and ideas of the architects, as to how and why they designed each of these particular buildings.

A further generalised understanding was reached, with the noting that the form of the architecture needs to have an individual and unique character to it, which allows it to be recognised immediately and easily within its environment. Coupled with this, is the large scale in which each particular design evokes. With such a strong, overpowering presence this architecture has the ability to act as a beacon, attracting users to the site, whilst at the same time establsihing a memorable experience for the user.

The three major buildings in which this inference has been derived from, exist in all different parts of the world, resonating different cultural and society values within each of their particular cities. They have been designed in various ways as to establish this iconic prominence. The buildings are;

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  The Taj Mahal


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  Sydney Opera House


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  Burj Al Arab Hotel

TAJ MAHAL

The Taj Mahal is a monumental iconic structure which evokes great power and strength in its design. This design is notably derived from its primary function, operating as a palace. As one of the most recognised structures throughout the world for its architecture and presence, the building envelopes the city of Agra, India, as it exists as the beating heart of the city. Its design and existence attracts tourists globally, due to its aesthetics and ability to provide a experience of significant memorable proportions.

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

The Sydney Opera House operates as a major iconic structure for Sydney and also Australia on the global scene. Its large scale accompanied with its individuality in design and uniqueness in innovation allows it to function successfully within its harbour site. It does not smoothly interact with its environment, in fact it establishes the building as a new and exiting site for itself, which conseqently draws the attention of users when passing by. Its aesthetics and function also adds a strong presence to the Sydney Harbour, generating it as sight which cannot be missed within the Sydney experience.

BURG AL ARAB HOTEL

The Burg Al Arab Hotel presents itself as a forefront in iconic building design, in todays modern world. With it being the worlds second tallest building (scale), it defines itself a structure of great significance and power. Its function and presence has placed Dubai on the world stage and its uniqueness in design has lead to its influence to iconic design internationally. It sits on its own island offset from the main coastline of Dubai further establishing itself as an individual structure. Its beacon of attraction, directs users to its existence successfully, allowing one to create an unique visual experience and interaction with it.

Therefore, if I am to develop a brief, concept and design I must incorporate these features which define the buildings researched above, as to achieve a greater and more resolved idea and thought process of iconic design.

PERSONAL REFLECTION OF ICONIC ARCHITECTURE....

Whilst selecting theme groups for this subject, I was captured by the intent of the Icon...

Introduction to Iconic Architecture

This week we initiated work on the second stage of our project - advancing and intensifying our folie concept to a greater scale. It was our first tutorial for our theme group "Icon" which was taught by Davor. He introduced to us a personal style, perception and understanding of iconic architecture and its role and usablity within today's society. He emphasised that is was a form of architecture which concentrated on scale at a large level. Particularly this play with scale allows users to be attracted to the building aswell as the site, via visual stimulance and functionality. Particularly, he envisioned that our response to a new development for the Howard Smith Wharves would be iconic in this manner, although it was clear that it was to be influenced by our own interpretation.

I am very interested in this type and form of architecture, as I believe that it is the most upfront style at capturing the eye and therefore drawing the attention of the user to the site of the building. I find that my understandings and beliefs coincide with the relevance and importance of this architecture, which Davor introduced to the group. Through my study of architecture I have found that many buidling designs are characterless, due to the lack of a bold sense of quality and function. One can only assume that architects are sometimes disregarding of uniqueness and individuality which creates this lack of character.

We discussed as a tutorial class as to how this project was going to develop throughout the next couple of weeks. Davor made it clear that this project would be self motivated and established from the beginning, as we were to intiate all schedules, briefs, parameters, etc for the development of our building on our own doing. Consequently, we began to individually plan a draft brief, that would allow us to develop our concept and conceptual designs.

I began to form a very open brief of a building, which entailed;

• Must be approxiamately 1000m2 in sizing


• Large scaled structure


• Must interact with the site context


• Functionally sound


• Draw the user to the site in such a way, different to what it is now


• Occupy the space in an interesting manner....

For next week Davor insisted that we begin to think very conceptually about our ideas, concepts and briefs. To understand and grasp the sense of iconic architecture he emphasised that we research and gain knowledge as to how current iconic buildings are formed and designed.

Project 2: Contextual and Spatial Parameters: Folies to Buildings

Understanding Thresholds - Contextual and Spatial Parameters

Now that you have developed your concept, narrative and formalised them into a folie, you should have a good starting point to begin the next phase of this project. Revisit contextual, geographical and social issues you investigated in Project 1 again, identify key issues relevant to your theme and investigate further. The folie itself may cease to exist in your main project but the concept needs to be utilised.

During this stage, you are expected to gain a very good understanding of your group theme, site, users, relationships to surrounding areas and Brisbane as a whole as a subtropical city. This project will serve as a research and initial design proposal phase of your project. Please note, from now on, that your theme leader will provide specific requirements.

The aim of this stage is for you to define contextual parameters you will use to evaluate the conceptual relevance of your investigations. Parameters provide a means to identify your core interests and help you to focus your attention to specific issues you are to investigate. For example, your parameter can be set to work with shadows. Specific parameters relevant to shadows can be intensity, darkness, tone, temperature, etc. Or, it can be something more abstract such as connectivity. Parameters for this would be public transportation access level, wireless connectivity level, walk-abileity and cycle-ability level, etc. By identifying several good parameters with specific interests, you can begin to identify a clear goal of your project. In other words, they are something you will identify to limit the scope of what you are going to deal with for the rest of this semester. "Limit" in a sense that it will allow you to stop dealing with too many issues and get on with your own very specific interest. This has to be executed with rigour or it will simply limit your possibilities and outcome.

Please also remember that this phase is not for you to produce a set of generic site analysis - we know you can produce a standard set of site analysis and we do not need to see them. You are expected instead to engage with your own unique research method to identify issues beyond what everyone can see as obvious facts. For example, we do not want to see any sun-path diagram unless it is related to and presented as your specific interest directly relevant to your project, an arrow diagram to vaguely describe traffic directions which are very obvious and does not identify any interesting issue to deal with, endless pictures of exemplar projects without any clear description of why you are referring to them, etc. In other words, we want you to investigate with the method you invent and want to see your own unique outcomes, which eventually become the core inspiration and concept for your building project for the rest of this semester.

SITE ANALYSIS...

To better understand the dynamics of the site an analysis was understaken. This

VEHICULAR TRAFFIC

The main site is not impacted directly from vehicular traffic interference. The only witnessed vehicle interference occurs above, on the story bridge. Some noise levels are created.

NOISE DIAGRAM

The site experiences various levels of sounds throughout the duration of the day. Major noise levels are produced and descend on the site from the vehicles accessing the story bridge above.

SUN DIAGRAM

After an analysis of the sun angles throughout the duration of the day, it is found that the site is mostly subject to direct sunlight. There are a few hours (approx midday) where mist if the site is shaded. This behaviour of light and dark will fit for an interesting play with the folie design.

VIEWS DIAGRAM

When you stand in the middle of the site the user is instantly overwhelmed by the views. One's attention is suddenly drawn to the gigantic story bridge that runs overhead, coupled with the vertical cliffs which enclose the space. Access to all views is maximised from this site. Capturing these views will be the important in the folie design.

WIND DIAGRAM

The site as a whole records a strong breeze regularly throughout the duration of the day. This activity is a result of the adjacent river, which allows a cool breeze to enter. Inspite of what is observed in the above wind roses, the site welcomes most wind from the river. This has a large impact on the temperature of the site.

PEDESTRIAN ACCESS

At the current time the site is closed due to construction. Although it is noted that previously and for future reference that people will use this site regularly as a pathway, linking the Riverside to Eagle Farm.