Week 15: Final Presentation Project 3

Week 15 concluded DAB510. My Final Summary Board is below:

My presentation is located at the Prezi website: http://prezi.com/udzmoncojldl/the-mangrove-metaphor/

I felt that as part of my presentation due to time constraints i was unable to explain my mangrove metaphor as much as i would have liked. Our guest tutor at the end of my presentation gave feedback, she believed that my mangrove concept was represented in the 2D (seen in diagramming) but wasn't successful in 3D.

I'm not sure i agree with this. I believe reasons this may not have been understood by the tutor is that i was unable to describe the space planning exercises i under took earlier in the design process. The three dimensional root structure was considered when planning each of the floors and spaces.

I also believe i was not able to portray in my presentation the link between the purpose of the building and mangroves informing structure. As mangroves were identified as a plant unique to the subtropical climate and one which has adapted to the constant flux of seawater (flooding) i found it particularly appropriate as part of the theme learning from nature.

Adaption was part of the concept of my original folie design, mangroves adapt and survive in flood waters, that which lives in a subtropical climate, such as Brisbane. The roots were used to lift the building from the ground, lessening the affects of potential flooding and the root structure also used to segregate space. You can see on the 3D images that the angle and direction of the concrete 'roots' was used to separate glass and concrete on the outside of the building.

Another issue addressed by our guest tutor in the presentation was site selection. I was questioned why my building was to be where it was opposed to any other site. I believe reasons for site placement were:
-similar location to folie site which had been chosen to accentuate views of Kangaroo Point, the city and story Bridge. I also wanted to keep a link between my site and the mangrove trees on the opposite side of the River. This is so people in the building would understand the inspiration.
- I had considered placing the building closer to the water or perhaps with some roots going into the water. When discussing this with my tutor Yvonne, it was decided not to keep the building very close to the water as the ground floor of the building was intended to be a public gathering place and placing this so close to the water could have been hazardous. However, i could have explored the addition of platforms into the water.
- The other reason for site placement was a need for there to be a strong link to the city and the architectural establishments identified as part of site analysis. Seen in the master plan is a large stair case that links the building to Bowen Terrace.

Week 14: Preparing Presentation

Building form has been finalised and renders have been finished, currently images to be used in the presentation will be:

Ground axonometric

First Floor axonometric

Second Floor Axonometric

Third floor axonometric

The materials used in my design are limited to wood, concrete and glass to have a more neutral palette, and I think i have been able to achieve this, especially noticeable in the interior images. I think this works well with the learning from nature theme and i will continue the neutral palette within my presentation. 

I believe the interior of my design is just as important as the exterior to continue the intended palette mentioned above. This is why i will used axonometric floor plans in my presentation. 

Week 13c: Presentation Outline

Currently design development looks like this:

As the design development is coming along, i thought i should consider my presentation and what images i will be needing so i can focus on that. So far, this is an outline of images I believe I will need for my final presentation.

Slide 1: Titles
Slide 2: folie design images

Slide 3: site analysis – determining site issues diagram

Slide 4: typology of users surrounding site – nolli residential vs. Commercial diagram

Slide 5: architeactural community relative to site diagram

Slide 6: Introduce theme

                ‘Nature as model, mentor, measure’

Slide 7: Mangrove metaphor images

Slide 8: Solution: HSW Design Proposal (developing brief)

                ‘Nature as mdel.. mangroves,

                Nature as mentor... flooding,

                Nature as measure... sustainability.’

Slide 9: Brisbane City Sustainable Learning Centre – Masterplan. Explain access to site for intended users

Slide 10: Exterior shots – inviting users to space

Slide 11: Entering building – interior image of appraoch to stairs on ground level

Slide 12: Axonometric ground floor + overlay circulation

Slide 13: Axonometric level 1 plan + overlay circulation

Slide 14: Internal perspective level 1

Slide 15: Axonometric level 2 plan + overlay circulation

Slide 16: Internal perspetive level 2

Slide 17: Axonometric level 3 plan + overlay circulation

Slide 18: Internal perspective level 3

Slide 19: Material/tectonic  - section

Week 13b: Design Development

During Week 13 Tutorials, the main concern of my Tutor, Yvonne, was that the mangrove metaphor wasn't 'strong' enough. After showing her sketch designs such as this [Wk 12 elevation sketch] it was obvious that i haven't transformed the strong structural features of the mangrove branches into the design. Therefor, I need to work on my facade design more so that i accentuate the branches as a strong structural feature. Yvonne recommended looking at Toyo Ito's Tod building for inspiration...

Toyo Ito Tod's Building. Accessed from http://www.busyboo.com/2009/01/25/toyo-ito-tods/ June 1, 2012. In the next phase of design development I will have to work on the facade so it possesses more of a strong structural building.

The Yellow Treehouse by Pacific Environment Architects.  http://cubeme.com/blog/2009/06/10/yellow-tree-house-new-zealand-by-pacific-environment-architects/ accessed June 1, 2012.

Whilst researching I also found this image. I feel like these buildings well describe the intimate learning spaces I am trying to create with the softer curves within the interior of my building. Yvonne also did suggest bringing the curve language to the outside of the building, but I feel like i want to keep a contrast between the strong structural column elements on the outside of the building, and the soft curved panels forming smaller intimate spaces within the building separate elements. This is why I have also begun the curved language from underneath the building, surrounding the stairs which invite people into the middle of the building. From afar, they are confronted with the strong straight structural columns, and as they enter underneath the building, the curved panels create curiosity before they enter into the first level where the smaller spaces are contrasted.

Though I will explore using the same curved language around the site, perhaps in flat panels that cascade outwards at different heights to creating seating areas.This is partly because we also need to consider our masterplan, site and site access.

During the next week, our tutor would like us to develop our Masterplans and diagrams to be used in the final presentation.

 Development of the root structure on the outside of the building currently looks like this...

 I am already feeling that this is more reminiscent of a mangrove root structure. The 'roots' are made of curved concrete panels which are approximately between 200mm and 1000mm wide. I plan on further developing the roots and adding smaller ones that will break up the many faces of the building, which then can be used as 'frames' for either concrete or glass panels, depending on views to be either shown or not. This part of the process will need to involve the site.