WEEK 15 - PROJECT STATEMENT

Decentralisation  of the CBD has developed due to technological advancement that allows the city to no longer function as a generic business typology, as society for the first time has the opportunity to work at any given location at any time.  Stereotypical business typologies are now viewed as an unsustainable vision of past generations. As a result, decentralisation creates a desperate need for the introduction of adaptive residential schemes that enhance the quality of life through multiple scales of social interaction, complemented by interactive glass technology.

Decentralisation brings a revolution to quality of life within a city, promoting residential communities, social interaction, green space and work hubs, and commercial entertainment, with the proposition of giving time back to the people. The design is an exemplar of a sequence of buildings to be introduced to the city; offering a new means of residential status in the urban context with the integration of work, live, play within a singular architectural entity. 

Panel 1, 2 & 3.

WEEK 14 - SECTION AND ELEVATION DETAILS

Section B - exposes the functionality of the commercial sector incorporating a public rooftop garden that is linked with the Myer centre (for help with maintenance costs), Boutiques and public work hubs occupy the top levels, that filter down to cafes, bars and restaurants on the street level. The public cafe opens up onto a central courtyard that acts as a separation barrier from public and private entities. 

Section A - exposes the relationship between public and private residential sectors. The strategy of physically separating the functions allows for an overall sustainability approach, for in case of future expansion to either one of the sections, the other section will be left undisturbed whilst construction phases are being carried out. 

Elevation view from Elizabeth Street. 

Elevation view - exposes the view from behind existing developments on George Street. 

WEEK 14 -ELIZABETH STREET PROPOSAL

The exterior facade from the corner of George street and Elizabeth street in the CBD. Boutiques, cafe, Restaurant and bar activate the street corner. 

The courtyard acts as a meeting place within the centre of the building, surrounded by green walls that incorporate a glass bulbous technology that radiates sunlight and captures rain water, the facade is low maintenance as weeds are unable to invade the vertical surface. Annual pruning is only required. The courtyard is not of a traditional basic square, allowing people to activate nooks of the courtyard in a more comforting manor. Only a glimpse of the space can be viewed from the lane way off George street , encouraging the public to explore as well as creating a greater sense of privacy once within the space.  With sections of the public sector extruding into the courtyard it creates an visually interesting space as well as a refreshing juxtaposition to the surrounding urban setting.  The courtyard provides a clear separation between public and private sections of the building, which becomes a more private and quiet space late at night as the space can be closed off at the lane way. 

Interior perspective of the cafe space in the public sector. Work or relaxation lounge spaces equipped with interactive glass surfaces. The space opens up into the courtyard and consists of a voided interior creating a greater sense of scale. One level above provides direct access to the Myer centre, allowing the Myer centre occupants to access the cafes, boutiques, workspaces and rooftop garden without having to leave the centre complex first. 

The rooftop garden overlooks the city towards South Bank. The space can also be accessed via the Myer centre. With the space being shared amongst Myer centre users, the Myer centre owners will help deliver maintenance costs to for half yearly maintenance to these green spaces. 

Workspace perspective on the ground level of residential sector. Two levels consisting of private workspace pods and group workspace areas equip with interactive glass surfaces. The space overlooks the central courtyard. The darkened edges on the glass work pod represent a self tint mechanism incorporated in the glass, allowing the user to determine the amount of privacy needed. 

The residential sector incorporates a large variety of apartment layouts, this perspective portrays a loft style apartment with bedroom, bathroom and workspace located upstairs and kitchen, dining, living and greenspace downstairs. Incorporating voids within the apartments allow a greater perception of scale as well as physically separates work from living areas. Interactive glass screens are  incorporated in the walls and benchtops allowing residence to comfortably conduct work or social media interaction from within their own apartment and regardless of being in a living area or work area. 

WEEK 13 - PROGRAM

Step one - Starting with a block fill of the selected site (being the corner of Elizabeth and George st)

Step two - Rotate each level by 45 degrees to gain access to outdoor surfaces as well as creating juxtaposition from the surrounding context. 

Step three- Thresholds include the Myer centre, and shop fronts along George street in which limit the amount of light that exposed to the selected site. Sides of building need to by cut into to ensure maximum floor space can be utilised.

Step four- By using this 45 degree rotation method it is easier for light to filter to the base of the site, maximising natural light distribution.

Step five - Edges of levels are fitted with windows that frame appropriate views of the courtyard and city.

Step six - Building shell is tweaked in accordance to functionality purposes.

Step seven - Additional public sector is added to the front of the sites boundary in a style that corresponds with the residential sector. 

        

 Step eight -  The architecture is now divided up within 3 sections being public, semi public and             private. 

Step nine - exterior horizontal surfaces are utilised for green space, to create a more homely community feel to an otherwise chaotic surrounding. This will help distinguish the architecture within the CBD and create an appropriate space that comfortable balances work, live and play.

Step 10 - Function detailing.

WEEK 13 - MATERIALS

A hollow concret core slab is intended to be used for floor and ceiling construction as it serves as a load bearing. All central functions are to be constructed with the same materials, which includes stair wells, elevator shafts and exterior walls. By doing this all interior walls will not have to have load bearing capacities, allowing residential interior fit outs to be altered to suit needs of future residence at an efficient and low cost.

All materials will be re-cycled to lower energy consumption of producing materials from scratch. All selected materials can be sourced locally to Brisbane, as a result lowing transportation costs, fuel consumption and overall carbon footprint.

WEEK 13 - PROGRAM AND SITE

Direct access to and within the site have been utilised by two existing laneways that lead from George street. By introducing three sectors split by a central courtyard will deliver greater accessibility within the architecture and to the street. In terms of sustainability the architecture has the opportunity to expand with future needs and extrude to the boundary of Queen street mall highlighted in a lighter blue on the diagram above. 

It is proposed that the future will lead to more accessible and environmentally friendly transportation within the CBD, eliminating the use of vehicles and replacing them with a modern tram system.

Concept montage of development within site context 

WEEK 12 - SCRIPT

'A NEW LIVE/WORK ALTERNATIVE - GIVING TIME BACK TO THE PEOPLE'

WEEK 12 - SCRIPT

Due to the current financial situation, strain has been placed on many suburban areas in relation to employment. The CBD currently has the lowest risk of job loss than any other area, which is why thousands of vehicles travel to and from the city each business working day. Commuting is a necessity as housing prices are to expensive in close proximity to the CBD, which includes a lack of affordable and variable apartments to reside in within the CBD itself.
This problem is creating extreme issues of traffic congestion in which millions of dollars are being poured into infrastructure to help with the expected population growth by 2051.
The question is- what would be the result if working from home was an option, and how could this be done?

The diagram above portrays the distances people are commuting from each day. A closer look into the reasons why people must commute have lead me to the solution for assignment two. Technology has not yet advanced to a point in which technology is a more reliable, expectable and efficient solution to to conducting business than the traditional means; however this technology is only years away and it will completely change the way in which we work and live our lives. Commuting will no longer be a necessity as you will be just as well connected from any other possible place as you would your traditional office. With the introduction of interactive glass screens what can be implemented on any type of surface, will bring new meanings to the way in which we communicating and share information and ideas. 

The result - is a decentralised community. Therefore my assignment proposal will incorporate community within the CBD in which live, work and play is one in the architecture. 

WEEK 11 - 3D REPRESENTATION PROGRESS

This depicts a 3D representation of the progress made for the project. The diagram above shows how the building has been split between public and private sectors as a sustainability strategy. The angular form promotes light to filter to lower levels of the development, as well as framing views of the surrounding context the form draws attention to the architecture as it is a juxtaposition between its linear surroundings. Mass formation demonstrates the sites thresholds, whilst the courtyard promotes greater accessability to the site through the use of two laneways off George street and defines the separation between the public sector and residential sector.
The public sector consists of three levels, with the roof space being considered for rooftop garden space that will be linked with the Myer center to split maintance costs or maintaining the space whilst ensuring a constant use by the public. The rooftop garden has clear views of the Brisbane river which is an asset to the site.

WEEK 11 - PROGRAMMING A COMBINATION OF WORK AND LIVING

Based on research in the previous weeks (outlined in my blog), I have continued expanding my origional concepts outlined in the massing experimentation.
In conjuction with most recent research about how to best distribute functions of work, play, living within a singular apartment dwelling, I have begun to distribute space for apartments across multiple levels, based on this idea of vertical separation of functions.
Therefore within the design, no one apartment is identical to another.

Apartments vary from:

•  1, 2 and 3 bedroom
• Most with additional work spaces
• Loft apartment styles
• Open plan styles
• All with private outdoor greenspaces

FOURTH LEVEL FLOOR PLAN IN CONTEXT

The accommodation sector provides a gym, pool and function area, as well as individual study pods and public work lounge area that opens up onto the central courtyard that acts a a aesthetic separation between residential and commercial functions.



The work stations will be of a vibrant interior design scheme, equipt with interactive glass screens installed in all walls and desk surfaces to allow for sharing of information on large and small scales.
This technology will allow people to be connected to one another anywhere any time, as data is transferable between any device in which this glass is installed. For example - desk surfaces, walls, phones, fridge panels, mirros, glass doors, kitchen benchtops, car windows etc.
Technology determins the future, as it directly affects the way in which we live our lives. In this instance it will affect our lives based on time. Time will be given back the the people as such, for we will not longer need to be within a specific space to communicate with a specific person at a specific time or with a certain device.
It makes sense that with the advancement of 'smart' technology comes 'smart' living.

My design encaptulates this idea of 'smart' living, a design that allows us to live how we chose.
It allows us to experience the now, instead of working for the later.
I allows us to be smart, to create, to be heard, to deliver all within our own time and space.

WEEK 10 - FUNCTIONALITY

 



 

Raw brick, steel and concrete are the dominant materials used within the loft design.

Voids are used within the centre of the design enhancing the perception of scale, whilst effectively dividing functions both vertically and horizontally. This allows spaces of high use for example study areas and dining areas to aborb the most natural sunlight and views. This loft example is a vital representation of how 'live,work,play' has been distributed throughout a singular dwelling. Desipite research generated from assignment one, stating that 'home' is a prefereable place to conduct work (among a series of other environments) in order for these two functions of work and living to be combined, they altimately need to be separated within the home.

 

 

This house in Fukawa, origionally sourced by Jacqueline Fick - is a similar method of vertically separating house hold functions yet enhancing the perception of scale with the use of voids.

The effect of chipboard against pure white walls creates a very earthy atmosphere that is not only a sustainable practice by cost effective.

 

The Fukawa design, loft design and the residential example by BIG architects, are all examples of a growing 'open building concept' in which commonly a column beam frame system is used that has a load bearing function, in which a hallow core floor slab is then assembled on top of these beams. This results in the non load bearing walls within the interior to be stand alone components that can be easily and affordable to change to the users desire.

 

Parts that are associated to infill are excpected to change once every 20 years. Infill typically comprises all components specific to the dwelling unit. Technical production is therefore designed and installed for optimal freedom of independent layout, construction and eventually replacement. Common systems shared by all occupants are left undisturbed. Although this system is extremely sustainable and open to adaptation, it would need to be altered slightly considering the angular formation of my building for assignment 2, which was necessary for natural sunlight to filter throughout the site and to allow for personal outdoor green spaces for residents.  

 

The use of loft apartment designs will mean that there will be a greater variation in apartment design throughout the development, resulting in ultimately catering for a wider range of peoples needs now and in the future.

 

WEEK 10 - STORYBOARD AND PROGRAM

Above is a basis guide to the presentation of assignment 2.

WEEK 10 - URBAN LIVING COMMUNITIES

BedZed - Green Urban Living Community.

Bill Dunster is an English architect who works on urban developments integrating all the concepts of sustainable development. 

The clip below explains these integrated concepts. 

In this scheme, the Dunster's architecture firm also called the "Zed factory" has taken the principles of an NGO called "Bioregional" which combines local resources including materials and jobs, maximizing the link between urban and rural areas and minimizing motorised transport. 
The project focused on 3-storey buildings, with work spaces located in the South and gardens on the roofs, which enables all apartments to have an area of greenery outside.

Similar to my own future vision in which live, work, play is a combined entity within an architecture as a result of decentralisation occurring; it is evident that these three functions must be physically separated within the spacial planning for successful functionality. 

WEEK 10 - ENHANCING QUALITY OF SPACE

"I'm lost in Paris" by R&Sie(n) architects, constructed in 2008, completed the design of a private laboratory, which was built with twelve hundred hydroponic ferns and three hundred glass blown pods.  Assembled on a flexible structure away from the facade, the fern/pod system is designed so that each of these plants collects rainwater through a drip system. The glass blown pods also reflect natural light into the interior spaces of the building. 

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral solutions. It does not require soil.

This is a sustainable solution for not only collecting water but also natural light generation. If a similar method was implemented within the courtyard design for my project two, it would not only create a more aesthetic natural atmosphere amongst a contrasting built environment, but would generate a better quality of life as people are more positively stimulated within naturally lit spaces.