Design Development: Learning through Adaptation

Translating Concept into Form:

Our next group meeting started the first of many hours in the design development process, translating concept design to physical design, and eventually, a Folie. As a team we starting with brainstorming in relation to our concept 'Learning through Adaptation,' with a strong idea being that we wanted to challenge conventional ideas of the built environment.

Seen in the diagram, words such as repetition and, motion, amplification, transform and evolve were used. Our first idea was formed; we wanted to create a folie that involved a series of platforms and levels which would challenge the user by prompting them to question the space that they were in. Further development of the idea involved a semi-recessed structure in which the user would enter the structure at ground level, and once in the structure would have to nagivate and adapt to a series of different height and sized spaces, with limited chosen framed views of the outside at certain points to reconnect them to the outside elements (such as the cliffs and Story Bridge).  The arrangement of spaces was also intended to meld floors, walls and ceilings into one continuous surface, in order to challenge (adapt) the user. This idea resulted in concept models such as this:




Whilst this idea was thoroughly developed, it was eventually discarded. As the proposed idea was the be recessed and enclosed, it raised issues of safety and flooding hazards which were felt could not be overlooked or positively addressed by the design. A new avenue was explored by the group. Yasu, in his second week lecture, had discussed learning spaces not always being a destination. Brainstorming  again, we linked this idea with that of the 'path.' This was then connected to our original thoughts about the riverside pathways surrounding Brisbane CBD, and whilst these were definitely considered an object of identity, they were in no way a destination.

We now knew we wanted to take 'path' and combine it with the concept 'Learning through Adaptation.' How could we change what is usually understood as a path to encourage the user to adapt and learn from it? What if the path was changed to look like something different, but was still essentially a path? And how could it be changed. The idea of two intersecting paths 'colliding,' to form 'shards' that rose out of the ground to form a structure was realised. Concept models for this idea looked like this:

So the idea was developed that we would take an object of 'recognition' and distort it to create an object of 'encounter,' one that would make people see (think) differently about their surroundings (the built environment). Now that concept had been developed into a design, we thought as a group it was necessary to disccuss site selection before the Folie design eventuated any further. 

Site selection:

As a group, the site was chosen after a views analysis diagram surrounding the site had been completed. Views highlighted strong contextual features surrounding HSW such as Kangaroo Point, the Story Bridge, the cliffs, Brett's Wharf, and down the river towards New Farm.

It was discussed that from the chosen Folie site, there were to be links to the strong surrounding contextual features, so that persons visiting those areas would be intrigued by the Folie, creating curiosity from a distance. Whilst the storage sheds were also a strong feature of the site, we did not want them to interfere with Folie design, so placement behind the sheds was undesired. The Folie was also not to disrupt but rather exist in harmony with the proposed path which would extend through the HSW.  These considerations resulted in the placement of the Folie site between two of the storage sheds, close to the river, as to exist in continuation with the pathways, accentuating views to and from the site.