Monday, 31 October 2011

Architecture Photography: Sports Center Stopiče / Jereb in Budja arhitekti - Sports Center Stopiče / Jereb in Budja arhitekti (32) (179400) - ArchDaily

I think this building is quite good in expressing 'streamlined rhythm'.

As the site for my project is positioned between the Hume FWY and the main Albury town, the scale of the Transit and Political Forum needs to engage with people driving past, as well as the residence of the town - It needs to be engaging at various levels of proximity, and at various speeds. Different details need to be apparent instantly from a large distance, yet still needs to show interest and detail up close.

Friday, 28 October 2011

Railway Character

Previous posts have related the contrast between a project that has presence, identity - is venerable Vs the need for a space that is motivational, uplifting and engaging.
As a political forum, there is a dire need for people in themselves to feel respected and valued - giving power to their own opinions and valuing them for their political input. How can the building facilitate this change and value of idea?

Taking a note from the context of the railway, I think that the scale needs to be adjusted to feel like a community space. Great in scale, but not grand. Modern and optimistic, yet understanding where you have come from, and where you going. As such, I think a more industrial and mechanized aesthetic is appropriate for the site. As a predominantly manufacturing town, there is a large number of factories and warehouses within the city itself. I feel the new architectural installation should reference this in its site contextual relations.

Railway Infrastructure

As way of ensuring that the local people of Albury feel comfortable with the political forum - so they engage with it and exploit its function, I have researched the idea of using recycled materials and pallette that is representative of the old site, and of the city infrastructure form itself.

This would, I assume create less of a culture shock - in the sense that a high tech installation of glass and white concrete (zaha hadid) would be inappropriate and alien within the context.
Referencing the need for balance of scale/ venerability and community engagement, particular aesthetic qualities have been assessed to provide a better integration of the architectural element into the city fabric.

Travel Patterns of Albury Residents

I have just uploaded a few of the Maps that I have analysed - in particular the travel and demographic patterns of Albury.
It is shown that alot of people in the inner city wither use public transport or active transport - walking and cycling. However in contrast, a majority of people in the out suburban areas, over 1km from the main street, use cars as their main transport.

Therefore: As a general Idea feel that given it's density and travel patterns, I think that providing a number of parking spaces within the development would be beneficial and appropriate. In addition however, a bicycle centre would also be included, as a substantial portion of people ride to employment also - With the introduction of HSR within the city, and the expected commute to employment in the capital cities, it would be expected that these trends would continue to grow..

Thursday, 27 October 2011

Miguel Rio Branco Gallery / Arquitetos Associados | ArchDaily

Flashback: Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) / Wood/Marsh | ArchDaily

Flashback: Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) / Wood/Marsh

Architects: Wood/Marsh PTY LTD Architecture
Location: Victoria, Australia
Project Year: 2002
Photographs: Gollings Photography, Derek Swalwell, Peter Bennetts

Completed in 2002, the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) is a multi-use facility built for the Victorian State Government in Melbourne, Australia. The project combines the existing infrastructure of three organisations, ACCA, Chunky Move and Playbox, to create a unified major presence in the Arts precinct surrounding the existing Malthouse Theatre, which is located on the adjacent site.

The building is designed to make reference to its primary function; it is a sculpture in which to show art. The bold form and materiality of the façade is intended to create a strong presence and express with optimism, and in a frugal sense, a robust laboratory for experimentation. Those using the building are meant to feel comfortably challenged.

Floor Plan

Referencing the past industrial occupation of the site (warehouses and foundries), the predominant vocabulary of the architecture is that of the shed; steel frame and taut metal skin. Coupled with the single dominant cladding material (large insulated trays of Corten steel) the sculptural form simultaneously alludes to the industrial age and natural landforms.

Programmatically, ACCA has four gallery spaces off an entry foyer/function pace with service areas and office space. Chunky Move comprises two rehearsal studios and administration space, Playbox has a large set construction facility.

Openings in the external fabric are kept to a minimum to support a broad array of installations, ephemeral and digitally projected work. Pragmatically, the combined wall structure achieves the necessary thermal performance to protect art works in the event that the mechanical equipment fails.

Sunday, 23 October 2011

Circulation

Just a quick little note; Having issues sorting out the circulation of the building.
After taking the advice from my tutor, I am stripping it back to the basic functional elements of the political forum/ exchange HSR hub. As a result of shedding the excess baggage, I am intent on making this as efficient as possible with regards to circulation and the spatial planning and arrangement. This post is a little boring, I have no pictures to upload just yet, but that is because there are tons of sketch diagrams and bubbles diagrams and everything. Nothing to the point.

Just a note of where I am heading at this point.

Thursday, 13 October 2011

In Progress: Giant Group Campus / Morphosis | ArchDaily

In Progress: Giant Group Campus / Morphosis | ArchDaily

I won't post the entire thing because there are so many pictures to show/ choose from.

This is a massive scale project, but I love the angular twists and turns. It is lifted off the ground, which i think could be turned into a large scale public forum/ space which is open, yet sheltered.
It reminds me of a maze, that looks like you can go exploring in it/ througout it, yet at the materials and the scale of it still make it feel imposing and humbling.

Engaging yet iconic - large scale, yet rapid in the feeling of movement?

pre-fab? architecture