Finalising: Folie Design

This week saw the intensification of group work as the due date for the final Folie design proposal drew closer.  Many obstacles were observed and overcome, results seen not always a result of good team work but rather from the overwhelming urgency to complete tasks felt by all members. However, on completion of the project, the prevailing opinion of the team was that the final Folie design was successful in addressing the brief. The final posters looked like this:



The final folie design was developed from the second group concept idea (see blog entry: 'Design Development: Learning through Adaptation,). As explained within the design statement, an architectural experience (Folie) was formed by the insertion of wooden 'shards' onto a pathway that was to extend through the HSW site. The shards were formed with the use of concept models and strategically placed to arise from a 'broken' footprint created by two converging pathways, similar to how bricks are lifted and broken from growing tree roots below.

The materials used to form these shards were to mimic those used in the HSW sheds; wood and steel. This was to educate those visiting the site of the construction methods used prior to the 1940's, respecting cultural and historical significance. It was felt that the design would not have connected to with site and context if alternative materials had been used.

Where the shards rose from the pathway, recessed areas of the exact shape and size were formed in the ground. These 'cutouts' were included in the design to give the Folie a functional aspect. They were intentionally detailed as a bright colour (orange) in oder to create curiosity from afar, in line with overall design intentions, but allow 'nooks' for people to sit and experience certain views.  The shards were intentionally oriented to rise from certain directions so that those within the nooks were directed to strong contextual elements surrounding the site, such as the Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point and the cliffs.