A
I
R
S K E T C H B O O K ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO 2015 SEMESTER ONE
CONTENTS WEEK one two three four five
1
W
E
E
K
o
n
e
ALGORITHMIC EXERCISE
[
Create in Grasshopper, primatily using lofting, a community-focused design intervention for Merri Creek.
]
The
Merri Creek location was a site of heavy industrial activity throughout the 20th century. The land has been damaged by waste runoffs from neighboring factories, and used as landfills. As such, the ecosystem has suffered tremendously, only recently in the process of reviving through efforts made by community groups and organizations. Much native vegetation has since regenerated, resulting in an abundance of edible plants for those who are able to identify it. However, poison hemlock has also been found in certain areas. And although Melbourne Water has since improved the quality of water, it is still insufficient in allowing the repopulation of platypuses that once resided in the site, as the toxicants from the industrial activity have reduced macroinvertabrate productivity, resulting in insufficient food to feed a population of platypus.
After exploring the possibilities of lofting in Grasshopper, I have decided to create a platform for users to learn more about the plants in Merri Creek so they are able to interact with the site, and also to learn of its history and the detrimental impacts humans have imposed on the site. By using a series of curves that evolves in its irregularity from the bottom of the design, users are able to see the rectangular glass plane after reaching the top with inscriptions of the history of the site, representing how on the surface Merri Creek is seen to be revived, but those who look into it can see the irreversible impacts of our actions. Beneath the structure lies a space where plants and their information can be displayed, providing users insight into the ecosystem in Merri Creek. This also can educate users on the edible plants so that they are also able to interact with the site.
TOP VIEW
SIDE VIEW
SIDE VIEW
W
E
E
K
ALGORITHMIC EXERCISE
t
w
o
W
E
E
K
ALGORITHMIC EXERCISE
t h r e e
WEEK FOUR