Week 5: Project 2

Learning from Nature

This week we were divided into our theme specific tutorial groups in order to start Project 2, my theme being Learning from Nature. In approaching Project 2, we are to keep the same site, but start from fresh, beginning with site analysis. As per Yasu's instructions, this is not to include traditional site analysis but rather to approach the task in a way that analyses the 'character' of the site.

Yasu has elaborated on the type of site-analysis to be conducted for Project 2 in the project description. We are to revisit contextual, geographical and social issues of the site, examine users, surrounding areas, social and cultural contexts in order to conduct research to informed a design proposal focussed particularly on our group theme. As this can include a broad range of information, we are to define self-imposed parameters to focus attention to several specific issues to form the core of our design proposal. These parameters are to be set so that the site-specific issues to be explored will require unique research which will identify issues beyond what everyone else can see as obvious facts.

In addition to this, the group was provided with a more detailed scope of works by our tutor, Yvonne, specific to the theme 'Learning from Nature.' This specifies the task of looking to nature for metaphors that will inform sustainable outcomes. We are to observe nature to learn about form, structure, systems, managements, materiality and process. This learning will eventually form a design which will be a sustainable learning centre for the natural environment.  From my understanding so far, the task of Project 2 entails conducting a site analysis in order to identify few select site-specific issues within the HSW site and use nature as a model, mentor and measure to solve these issues, inspiring a sustainable architectural design.

During tutorial, Yvonne advised the group that the best way to start this process is to look broadly at all issues affecting site, and the focus on one at a time. It may be that some issues are more relevant to the site than others and may not need an in-depth analysis. In order to conduct the type of site analysis described by Yasu, Yvonne suggested beginning to understand the site as having both physical and personality attributes. This could possibly include analysis such as; contours (height differences), area, traffic, legibility, accessibility, textures, social and cultural impacts, biological attributes, surrounding programmes, users, connectivity, speed and noise.

During tutorial we were also asked to list 5 key words that were representative of our folie design which we would want to carry through our design proposal. My words were:

1. Adapt/ability
2. Challenge (user's ways of thinking, conventional ideas)
3. Evolve
4. (Object of) Encounter
5. Scale (manipulation)

I think that these are all words that i will be able to translate into the next part of design development. Part of my focus in the Folie design proposal was wanting to challenge the public's conventional idea's of the built environment. Though the folie design was intended to be simple, deeper analysis existed behind the concept, with personal justification of the design extending from the idea that while we have existed on the planet for a relatively short period of time, we have managed to shape the built environment to cater directly to us.

Many thousands of years ago, people lived in harmony with the environment, finding food and shelter without any of the technologies present today. Yet today, whilst living in the modern world can be rather convenient, we are confronted with the very real and threatening issue of climate change. It is quite clear to me that a link exists here - whilst people many thousands of years ago existed in harmony with nature, issues of climate change, pollution and global warming were not present. However, with advances stemming from the Industrial Revolution, our technological potential has increased, as have environmental concerns. While the damage has been done, in order to create a world which is sustainable not only for the short, but long term future, we need to look to the environment to inspire design solutions.

While there have been many advances in recent years regarding sustainable design, a large part of the problem exists in a lack of public awareness. Therefore, I am hoping to developing the next part of my design in a way that will educate and make people more aware of the threats of climate change and how using nature as a model can harness great potential for sustainable design solutions.

For next week's tutorial site analysis is to be conducted. I have brainstormed several site issues to be explored:

- Demographic of and surrounding site
- Green areas surrounding site
- Programmes surrounding site e.g. Educational (formal/informal learning spaces)
- Noise sources and impacts. Quiten, isolate or amplify?
- Site access. Current, potential?
- Accessibility
- Biological features - marine life, plant life
- Textures - rock, fencing, soil, sand, water
- Importance of water to site
- Scale surrounding site - Story Bridge (large)