Concept Developement

Initial model development

The model developement shown above depicts how through the use of 3Ds Max how the design concepts came into a physical representation. The location of the student accomodation was carefully considered to take into account the sun positions and how the sunlight enteres the building.

The main entry, off the pathway of the Story Bridge, allows access into the main foyer with a large atrium. spanning the complete length of the building. Additionally the top, canterleavering above the Story Bridge, and the bottom floor, with complete views of the site of Howard Smith Wharves, provide a unique viewing platform of the context of the Story Bridge and the greater surounds of Brisbane.

The Story Bridge also became an important component of the design - the building embraces the bridge with the large structural K component of the bridge being showcased, the struts provide a internal link to the outside supporting structure of the bridge. The building clings to and encomases the bridge, the two becoming one.

Project 2 Sketch concept

section showing levels

Sketch up representation minus bridge

Glass facades allow for indirect sunlight into the building with the light being emphasised by the large atrium allowing for a bright and comfortable atmosphere within the student accommodation. The top and bottom floors both having glass floors, provide users of the main shared spaces a unique experience of the city. Views on to the valley, the storey bridge - cars swiftly passing below, and the level of Howard smith wharves provide a connection with the three levels of the site and that of the wider context of Brisbane city providing a birds eye view of every day life, reinforcing the continuation of the concept of the folie stretching the boundaries of reality. 

3Ds MAX - model experiments

Through the use of 3Ds MAX i have been experimenting with the scatter modifier to try and create a building with parasitic features - clinging to the bridge the main C shaped building held and suspended by cables begins to grow and change extruding out and over growing melding the building and the bridge like a parasitic fungal infection of the building.

Continuation of the concept - abstraction and growth

Art can be an insight into the mind – Kandinsky with his modernist, expressionist art work provides a deep insight into the human psyche providing a visual representation of the dysfunction, delusion and ciaos of the human mind.

Kandinsky once said “colour is the keyboard, the eyes are the harmonies, the soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand that plays, touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul.”

  

Wassily Kandinsky

The eccentricity of the expressionist art, they take reality and they distort it, twisting reality and defining the undefinable insanity of us all. These paintings amazingly revealing and telling as they are have been heavily analysed revealing a healing capacity, with art as a form of therapy for all sorts of ailments from the simplest rehabilitation of everyday stress to people suffering from something as concerning as psychiatric illness.

Recently I spoke to a practicing architect and he told me of the numerous elements of design that can be inspired or informed by art work, the remedial properties of such art work and how the form an composition are more than a ‘pretty picture’.

The concept of healing art work is most certainly not a new idea, explored since the time art came into fruition. The continuation of the concept of my folie, the embodiment of delusion and insanity, is being carried into the next phase of the design through the conceptualization and interpretation of Kandinsky’s work.

Architecture informed by the expressionist art work will be explored to combat modern day insanity.

The modern office

The work place, some would argue is a place that leaves you with a delusional state of mind. It is blank with walls in every direction, endless cubicles, no natural light, segregation of staff and mind numbingly dysfunctional spaces. People are left empty inside after enduring these spaces for eight to ten hours a day!

My design will, through the translation of Kandinsky’s art (a representation of the insanity and delusion of the mind), provide a place for students to escape these everyday examples of insanity. The design will embody the delusional elements of Kandinsky’s art and translate this into an experiential healing of modern life, it will provide spaces for people to let go of inhibitions and to explore ones-self, it will be a space that allows the delusion of the mind to clam and create a space of function and beauty.

Architectural Observations

Continuation of the concept - abstraction and growth

Delusion

AND

Insanity

EQUALS

Yes thats right - you guessed it! Its the modern office and the morern life we lead.

The office and how is can become a place of insanity, delusion and just complete maddness.

Modified Spacial Planning

Spacial Planning

Space Planning - student accomodation

Spaces	Area (m2)	Number of People
Bedroom	240	40
Living	250
Kitchen	250
Study	160
Bathroom	100

Project 2 Breif - Parasite

Contextual and spatial parameters: Folies to buildings

-                      Revisit contextual, geographical and social issues you investigated in project 1 again, identify key issues relevant to your theme (parasite) and investigate further. He folie itself may cease to exist in your main project but the CONCEPT needs to be utilised.

-                      You are expected to gain a very good understanding of your group theme, site, users, relationships to surrounding areas and Brisbane as a whole as a subtropical city. This project will serve as a research and initial design proposal phase of your project.

-                      Define contextual parameters you will use to evaluate the conceptual relevance of your investigations. Parameters provide a means to identify your core interests and help you to focus your attention to specific issues you are to investigate. By identifying several good parameters with specific interests, you can begin to identify a clear goal of your project.  Limit the scope of what you are going to deal with for the rest of this semester.

-                      This phase is not for you to produce a set of generic site analysis. You are expected instead to engage with your own unique research method to identify issues beyond what everyone can see as obvious facts. Investigate with the method you invent to provide your own unique outcomes, which will eventually become the core inspiration and concept for your building project for the rest of this semester.

Additional theme group parameters – Parasite

-          Not a group project but each design will become part of one organism.

-          I will be in the housing division designing for students.

-          Design could be located any where

-          Create a strong idea with a definite vision so everyone just knows.

-          Presentation is part of your design.