http://www.smh.com.au/travel/blogs/travellers-check/can-we-afford-a-fivestar-fast-train-20110808-1iifr.html
Can a fast train system be done competitively? Do the social “multipliers” justify the cost? Or is it just a great big white elephant?
Sunday 28 August 2011
Saturday 13 August 2011
Tuesday 9 August 2011
Distributed
Brainstorming distribution and its relevance to the architectural construction of a capital city, we came up with the idea of an Ant hill.
That is, that everything is networked and nodal centres form the hubs of activity. This isn't really anything new, but it does physically represent the bio mimicry that we have as a society when it comes to politics.
Diagrammatically, we outlined 3 different networks that could be applied theoretically to a political regime.
-Nodal Centres
-Mind Maps
-Poly Centric formations
We thought of distribution, not of physical influence by of cultural and social influence also. Distribution of ideas as opposed to resources and physical objects and buildings.
Influential arms of various speeds and mobility - an Octopus perhaps! Just because an arm is not physically touching an area, does it mean that it is out of influence? and what if this means that its distributed, as opposed to accessed?
The efficiency of a network is dependent on the distribution of the process. Such as a production line and the various different purposed that each centre plays in adding to an existing thing/object/idea. - A specific use to apply and respond to an individual need, and then to relinquish control and move on. Grasp, change and then let it go.
Within a distribution context, there are various levels and tiers, each one connected yet separated. That is to say the inter and intra connectivity within
-a room
-a building
-a campus
-a city
-a state
-a nation
-a world?
Distribution of architecture instead is more a representative pattern, a way of symbolising the extended influence of a group of people who occupy the architectural artifact that forms a node within a distribution network.
I don't really refer to a factory or a warehouse as such, but a building is what facilitated the modification and application of something, much like a production line. Parliament house for example would act as a node that filters ideas through a network of information and governance. It prescribes laws and values to society that it is effectively harness from society. It takes everything that society has said, or done, or is, and it regurgitates it back to society in some abstracted and instructive manner. Architecture is therefore used as a medium to convey this, with power and importance ensuring adherence to the 'distribution'.
That is, that everything is networked and nodal centres form the hubs of activity. This isn't really anything new, but it does physically represent the bio mimicry that we have as a society when it comes to politics.
Diagrammatically, we outlined 3 different networks that could be applied theoretically to a political regime.
-Nodal Centres
-Mind Maps
-Poly Centric formations
We thought of distribution, not of physical influence by of cultural and social influence also. Distribution of ideas as opposed to resources and physical objects and buildings.
Influential arms of various speeds and mobility - an Octopus perhaps! Just because an arm is not physically touching an area, does it mean that it is out of influence? and what if this means that its distributed, as opposed to accessed?
The efficiency of a network is dependent on the distribution of the process. Such as a production line and the various different purposed that each centre plays in adding to an existing thing/object/idea. - A specific use to apply and respond to an individual need, and then to relinquish control and move on. Grasp, change and then let it go.
Within a distribution context, there are various levels and tiers, each one connected yet separated. That is to say the inter and intra connectivity within
-a room
-a building
-a campus
-a city
-a state
-a nation
-a world?
Distribution of architecture instead is more a representative pattern, a way of symbolising the extended influence of a group of people who occupy the architectural artifact that forms a node within a distribution network.
I don't really refer to a factory or a warehouse as such, but a building is what facilitated the modification and application of something, much like a production line. Parliament house for example would act as a node that filters ideas through a network of information and governance. It prescribes laws and values to society that it is effectively harness from society. It takes everything that society has said, or done, or is, and it regurgitates it back to society in some abstracted and instructive manner. Architecture is therefore used as a medium to convey this, with power and importance ensuring adherence to the 'distribution'.
Friday 5 August 2011
MOBILE
What exactly constitutes a portable building? or Portable architecture?
To various places? - Does that mean that the building doesn't need to be mobile or portable, but the service that it houses?
Portable architecture is extending the atmoshpere and feeling of a thought, or a theory.
What if it is only a portable social life - In terms of a political agenda, can you have a mobile political life? Obviously, as a member of parliament someone is meant to represent an entire region/ electorate. This is what makes parliament portable and mobile. It has representatives from everywhere to cover the scope of the Australia or the country/state/region in general.
But can you have a portable parliament without having the people as vehicles? Why does the parliament have to by physically mobile? Shouldn't it just be the access to the parliament is mobile.
Modern society is used to direct and instant access. We want everything now, and that include access to the people who run our country. We can send emails to our MP's, however does this really mean that its accessible to us?
I like the idea of Q+A on the ABC. They show the tweets from people who are watching the program with regards to topics that they discuss on the show. Is this true democracy? We should be able to scrutinize everything the people we elect do. Parliament should be open to this type of mobility and access - It makes parliament mobile by bringing it to you remotely. Albeit with the help of virtual technology.
One of the tutors in the studio asked us to think about the idea of the forum.
Historically, the forum was a market place, a discussion of judiciary affairs and an assembly for the people. Now, most forums that we interact with are internet forums, which still operate seemingly in a similar way, just over a cyber world. They happen virtually. Its a meeting place, often about certain topics to facilitate discussion and procurement and advancement of ideas and theories.
What if governments and their decisions were run by virtual forums? Why can't our MP's be dictated to by the general public through the use of internet forums? What if ballets and elections were a thing of the pass in terms of physically polling? It would essentially make our parliamentary process my efficient and altogether more mobile?
To various places? - Does that mean that the building doesn't need to be mobile or portable, but the service that it houses?
Portable architecture is extending the atmoshpere and feeling of a thought, or a theory.
What if it is only a portable social life - In terms of a political agenda, can you have a mobile political life? Obviously, as a member of parliament someone is meant to represent an entire region/ electorate. This is what makes parliament portable and mobile. It has representatives from everywhere to cover the scope of the Australia or the country/state/region in general.
But can you have a portable parliament without having the people as vehicles? Why does the parliament have to by physically mobile? Shouldn't it just be the access to the parliament is mobile.
Modern society is used to direct and instant access. We want everything now, and that include access to the people who run our country. We can send emails to our MP's, however does this really mean that its accessible to us?
I like the idea of Q+A on the ABC. They show the tweets from people who are watching the program with regards to topics that they discuss on the show. Is this true democracy? We should be able to scrutinize everything the people we elect do. Parliament should be open to this type of mobility and access - It makes parliament mobile by bringing it to you remotely. Albeit with the help of virtual technology.
One of the tutors in the studio asked us to think about the idea of the forum.
Historically, the forum was a market place, a discussion of judiciary affairs and an assembly for the people. Now, most forums that we interact with are internet forums, which still operate seemingly in a similar way, just over a cyber world. They happen virtually. Its a meeting place, often about certain topics to facilitate discussion and procurement and advancement of ideas and theories.
What if governments and their decisions were run by virtual forums? Why can't our MP's be dictated to by the general public through the use of internet forums? What if ballets and elections were a thing of the pass in terms of physically polling? It would essentially make our parliamentary process my efficient and altogether more mobile?
FLEXIBLE
Flexibility in terms of architectural form and built space? What does it mean? What makes a building flexible?
While flexibility is a big issue when it comes to building, is there anything that is truly flexible that is successful? Does flexible buildings mean a reduced useability? Does a flexible building mean flexible in purpose, meaning moving parts or easily modified to change the purpose?
WHAT IF FLEXIBILITY WAS ONLY CHANGING THE FEELING/ ATMOSPHERE OF THE SPACE?
Can you have a nightclub in a hospital ward? How do you change the feeling of the space to make it more flexible? Does that mean that it is more flexible if you can rapidly change the feeling of the space?
You can dance in a coffee shop, and you can dance in a clothing store, but is that really where you want to do it? you have some open space, isn't that enough? probably not. The feeling isn't right. The notion that you are in a coffee shop means that you are uncomfortable dancing chatting and whatever it is that you get up to.
It's the feeling of the space that changes. When you think about it, they aren't all that different in terms of what it is that you put in there. What is actually different is what people do, and the feeling of the space. Most rooms have 4 walls and a door. Maybe some windows etc. What elements contribute to making that space unique for one particular purpose? What can you change to make it more flexibile?
Does flexible mean able to change the building fabric, rather than the uses? or the other way around?
Flexibility:
-moving parts?
-non-specific uses?
-easy to modify?
-can be used simultaneously?
-rapidly changing?
-what do we call each space?
Do spaces we create need to be for a specific function? We have houses with dinning rooms, but I personally only occassionally eat in a dinning room. The kitchen, the living, the bedroom?
Why don't we have rooms that are designed around feelings?
the exciting room, the calm room? the adventurous room?
Perhaps these are not the best examples, and clearly there are issues to this, including the addition of furniture and utilities, that may not be 'flexible' by nature and unable to move. But does it make sense to instill a space with a quality that we can pick and choose?
While flexibility is a big issue when it comes to building, is there anything that is truly flexible that is successful? Does flexible buildings mean a reduced useability? Does a flexible building mean flexible in purpose, meaning moving parts or easily modified to change the purpose?
WHAT IF FLEXIBILITY WAS ONLY CHANGING THE FEELING/ ATMOSPHERE OF THE SPACE?
Can you have a nightclub in a hospital ward? How do you change the feeling of the space to make it more flexible? Does that mean that it is more flexible if you can rapidly change the feeling of the space?
You can dance in a coffee shop, and you can dance in a clothing store, but is that really where you want to do it? you have some open space, isn't that enough? probably not. The feeling isn't right. The notion that you are in a coffee shop means that you are uncomfortable dancing chatting and whatever it is that you get up to.
It's the feeling of the space that changes. When you think about it, they aren't all that different in terms of what it is that you put in there. What is actually different is what people do, and the feeling of the space. Most rooms have 4 walls and a door. Maybe some windows etc. What elements contribute to making that space unique for one particular purpose? What can you change to make it more flexibile?
Does flexible mean able to change the building fabric, rather than the uses? or the other way around?
Flexibility:
-moving parts?
-non-specific uses?
-easy to modify?
-can be used simultaneously?
-rapidly changing?
-what do we call each space?
Do spaces we create need to be for a specific function? We have houses with dinning rooms, but I personally only occassionally eat in a dinning room. The kitchen, the living, the bedroom?
Why don't we have rooms that are designed around feelings?
the exciting room, the calm room? the adventurous room?
Perhaps these are not the best examples, and clearly there are issues to this, including the addition of furniture and utilities, that may not be 'flexible' by nature and unable to move. But does it make sense to instill a space with a quality that we can pick and choose?
VIRTUAL
Virutal; being such in power, force, or effect, though not actually or expressly such.
What does it mean to be virtual? is it just someone imagining something else? what if something exists only in your minds eye, does it mean that it doesn't exist at all? Can architecture be an implied footprint into someones mind and have the same impact? or is this no longer architecture?
From the group discussion, we focused on technology, and how that can help create and shape space from a blank canvas. -- How technology can make someone believe something is, when it actually isn't.
-Example, technology can imply a separation of spaces or the creation of it, without physically separating them. This can be done simply by the use of
-water
-laser and lights
-sensors and movements
-interactive built forms and kinetic architecture
What does it mean to occupy virtual space?
Do you have to physically experience the space? or is it enough to connect with it remotely? via uploading and downloading data from a device?
What if merely thinking about it meant that you are connected to it, and that it is real? ---> Of course, if you think about it, than it is real to you, but is it real to someone else?
What if in the future, movie sets weren't actually defined by the director of the produces or anything like that. How many times have we read a book, and then seen the move adaption only to be disappointed in the set design, or be surprised, because someone else had a different interpretation of a virtual or imagined world than you.
Books are so magical because they allure to a space, but then your own imagination gets to take over and essentially complete the design. You become you own designer as you read, filling in the gaps and stitiching together a world that to you is (depending on how emotionally you attached you are to the book/story) every bit as real and physical as your own.
That is to say, what does it mean to be a 'real' space?
IS your minds eye any less important because what it sees and imagines is less physical? does it mean that it is any less real? Can you die in a virtual world and remain unharmed, both physically and mentally in your realistic state?
In terms of architecture and real life situations, I think about Distance education. You are all connected to a 'virtual' classroom and learning environment, while you are in the comfort and familiar surroundings of your own home. But how can you imply a learning environment? There is something more empowering ad engaging by sitting in a classroom with out students, being able to see peoples expressions and faces and here the tones in their voices.
--> what if you can completely surround someones mind and imply a learning environment, while they are still remotely engaged?
Of course there is email and text and webcams and all of that, but what if you can completely dissolve any sense of isolation? (I feel like I am touching on social networking here! what if facebook created a virtual coffee shop where you can have virtual coffee with all of your friends? you can all interact with each other, but you don't see a screen in front of you, and .... infinite. No one will ever see anyone else ever again?)
Virtual: is it just a symbol, that you can induce behavior and attitude? And can a virutal world exist if no one designed it or planned it?
All in all, this is a pretty philosophical topic, and one that you can't really ever arrive at an answer. Virtual architecture? Although it does actually have a definition, what does it really mean? and how can virtual architecture actually become relevant to a greater society?
What does it mean to be virtual? is it just someone imagining something else? what if something exists only in your minds eye, does it mean that it doesn't exist at all? Can architecture be an implied footprint into someones mind and have the same impact? or is this no longer architecture?
From the group discussion, we focused on technology, and how that can help create and shape space from a blank canvas. -- How technology can make someone believe something is, when it actually isn't.
-Example, technology can imply a separation of spaces or the creation of it, without physically separating them. This can be done simply by the use of
-water
-laser and lights
-sensors and movements
-interactive built forms and kinetic architecture
What does it mean to occupy virtual space?
Do you have to physically experience the space? or is it enough to connect with it remotely? via uploading and downloading data from a device?
What if merely thinking about it meant that you are connected to it, and that it is real? ---> Of course, if you think about it, than it is real to you, but is it real to someone else?
What if in the future, movie sets weren't actually defined by the director of the produces or anything like that. How many times have we read a book, and then seen the move adaption only to be disappointed in the set design, or be surprised, because someone else had a different interpretation of a virtual or imagined world than you.
Books are so magical because they allure to a space, but then your own imagination gets to take over and essentially complete the design. You become you own designer as you read, filling in the gaps and stitiching together a world that to you is (depending on how emotionally you attached you are to the book/story) every bit as real and physical as your own.
That is to say, what does it mean to be a 'real' space?
IS your minds eye any less important because what it sees and imagines is less physical? does it mean that it is any less real? Can you die in a virtual world and remain unharmed, both physically and mentally in your realistic state?
In terms of architecture and real life situations, I think about Distance education. You are all connected to a 'virtual' classroom and learning environment, while you are in the comfort and familiar surroundings of your own home. But how can you imply a learning environment? There is something more empowering ad engaging by sitting in a classroom with out students, being able to see peoples expressions and faces and here the tones in their voices.
--> what if you can completely surround someones mind and imply a learning environment, while they are still remotely engaged?
Of course there is email and text and webcams and all of that, but what if you can completely dissolve any sense of isolation? (I feel like I am touching on social networking here! what if facebook created a virtual coffee shop where you can have virtual coffee with all of your friends? you can all interact with each other, but you don't see a screen in front of you, and .... infinite. No one will ever see anyone else ever again?)
Virtual: is it just a symbol, that you can induce behavior and attitude? And can a virutal world exist if no one designed it or planned it?
All in all, this is a pretty philosophical topic, and one that you can't really ever arrive at an answer. Virtual architecture? Although it does actually have a definition, what does it really mean? and how can virtual architecture actually become relevant to a greater society?
Thursday 4 August 2011
Introduction to pre-fab
Hello!
I shall use this blog space as a vehicle to promote my process and ideas during DAB810 - Architectural Design 8.
Hopefully I will remember to post the all important details/decisions!!
Cya
I shall use this blog space as a vehicle to promote my process and ideas during DAB810 - Architectural Design 8.
Hopefully I will remember to post the all important details/decisions!!
Cya
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