Exploring Site: Howard Smith Wharves

The site for the Folie design project is located at Howard Smith Wharves, opposite Kangaroo Point, underneath the Story Bridge in Brisbane City.

Currently, there are several ways view the site, however physically, the area remains inaccessible. An analysis of not only the direct site, but also the journey to it, observing the surrounds and what might form the existence of the site was therefor crucial to understanding and developing an appropriate contextual response to the brief.

Before visiting the area, researching the historical and cultural significance surrounding the site was helpful in understanding why such a prime riverfront location in Brisbane CBD remains underdeveloped. It was discovered that the existing sheds were constructed in the 1930's, in conjunction the Story Bridge as part of a Public Works Program to aid the community in time of the Great Depression. The three sheds that remain today were constructed as part of the Port of Brisbane which eventually came to be known as the Howard Smith Wharves until they were vacated 1960, and have remained so ever since.  The sheds are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register and are an example of pre-WWII construction in Brisbane, alike the Story Bridge.

Following the infamous Brisbane flood's of January 2011, the area, much alike most of that surrounding Brisbane CBD is well known to be prone to extensive flooding, existing as one of the most controversial arguments impeding site development, with many developments being rejected by Brisbane City Council due to flood hazards.

Whilst flood hazards presents a potentially devastating outcome for the area, it still amazes one that a site so heavily surrounded by such high density, prime residential areas can remain in such a state. While many recent project development applications have been submitted in the last few years, it can be seen that there is also a large amount of community opposition to development. Demonstrated by one local group, the Brisbane CBD Bicycle User Group (http://www.cbdbug.org.au/projects/howard-smith-wharves/) argues that the site is an important link between New Farm and the CBD and any redevelopments that may disrupt this link will see an impact on use by foot and bike pedestrians.

After completing this research, it was time to decide which journey to the site would be most advantageous. From the completed research, consideration of access to and movement around the site had already begun.

It was already known that walking from the direction of the Riverside Centre resulted in a limited view from the west of the site, under the Story Bridge through a large, locked fence. Likewise, from the south-east, it is possible to view the site from above the cliffs on Moray Street in New Farm, however this is rather far and elevated, resulting in a remote and unclear portrayal. There was also the possibility of experiencing the site from the River Cat Ferry, however this would only allow a very 'short and sweet' viewing.

My journey to the site was therefore chosen on what i thought would be the greatest opportunity for viewing the site up close in order to hopefully gain the most observations. I travelled from the city over the Story Bridge to Kangaroo Point, where I was then able to get onto the sandy riverbed directly below the bridge and look directly across the river to the HSW site, viewing the sheds and cliff in entirety.

Visiting the site made me aware of how dominating the bridge and surrounding cliffs are. Whether a person understood the heritage and cultural significance of the HSW sheds or not, they appear to be rundown metal sheds, with the surrounding grounds in just as much despair.