Design Thesis Journal by Bilal Hallak

POPULOUS

ACROPOLIS

Design Thesis Journal STUDIO 10: Architecture As Memory IV: Student Centre @ Fishermans Bend Campus Bilal Hallak 641720 Studio leader: Hans van Rijnberk

CONTENTS

Introduction

Hypothesis

Introduction Thesis Statement

07 Hypothesis Strategies/Outcome Precedents Research Principles Design Research Statement

Site

28 Site Selection Site Development Masterplan Site Program

Concept Design

Sketch Design

Massing Site Plan Facade Concept Sections View

Timeline Masterplan Growth Student Center EGrowth Flex Plots (Student) Flex Plots (Leisure) Sections Elevations Views

Final Design

73 Timeline Design Principles Site Plan Floor Plan Flex Plot 1.1 Flex Plot 1.2 Sections Elevations Views Model References 3

Introduction

Introduction In 2016, the Victorian Government purchased the General Motors Holden (GMH) factory in the heart of Fishermans Bend. The 37.7 Ha site has played an influential role in driving the economic success of Melbourne for many decades and the Victorian Government is committed to rejuvenate this unique landholding and to become Australia’s new home for design, engineering and technology. In December 2017 the University of Melbourne purchased approximately 7 hectares of the GMH site as part of the MSE 2025 Strategy for deep and sustainable engagement with industry and external stakeholders. This new Engineering campus will accomodate around a 1000 students and academics. The unique location will allow the university to undertake large scale research and innovation that can’t be accommodated on the Parkville campus, such as wind and water tunnels, and electric vehicle and engine propulsion testing. Envisioned as a ‘superincubator’, the new campus will also become a place that provides an environment for industry to innovate and grow through connection to research and education and an opportunity for students to access professional development. However to make a successful campus it is critical to include facilities that allow for social connections between students and offer spaces for working and relaxing during and outside regular hours. The Parkville campus has been able to provide a student life through the Union House, sports facilities, cafes and soon the New Student Precinct. It is essential for the new campus to create possibilities for students to take time out, use their time on campus efficiently and be able to cross paths with others especially regarding its isolated position in Fishermans Bend and Melbourne. STUDIO 10 OUTCOME The design task is focused on researching about, and then designing for how students make and use space in a new university campus environment (and its immediate surrounding area) in the form of a student facility. The planning and design is to adhere to adaptive re-use design principles, within a former industrial setting. Students will be expected to step out of the familiar urban setting (such as the Parkville Campus) and rethink the student facility as a type to establish appropriate forms and materiality. 5

Thesis Statement This thesis argues social isolation is a probable outcome for a the new Lemaire campus and for its students, unless the design of the student center is heavily considered and utilized to spark interest on the campus. As Fishermans Bend is situated in a remote part of Melbourne, the result of poor urban planning has left the area with very little access to public transport and a small number of amenities.Therefore the job of the student center is to improve social connectivity by activating the site through amenities that are targeted at dealing with loneliness or disconnect.

Hypothesis

Hypothesis The student center can be considered to be the heart of any university, with students being the core driver for a successful campus. However, given the location of Fishermans Bend, the campus faces the issues of being remote, leading to the feeling of isolation for students in early stages of development. With early stages of the new Lemaire campus predicted to house 1000+ students, it is important for the University to spark interest other than the educational facilities it will provide. Therefore, not only must the design of the new student center reflect input from its students on how it should perform, it should also be addressing the following question: How can the student center impact and/or challenge problems of isolation and remoteness on the site? To answer this, it is essential social connectivity is met for the students through two key strategies: Centrality and Activation. With these strategies working together in unison, the student center on the Lemaire Campus can become the heart of Fishermans Bend and help tackle the probable outcome of isolation.

Inspired by yin yang, the two key strategies work together as one for the inclined growth of the campus.

Strategies Centrality Combining a variety of elements, to make space more attractive and accessible on the urban fabric not only for the Lemaire Campus, but for the existing and future neighbouring context. Essentially creating a social hotspot/condenser that is characterised by the internal and external amenities.

Activation Creating more social engaging hotspots by activating key areas of the building by developing a desire line through the site. The desire line ensures people have a reason of interest to pass through the site with a variety of amenities.

Outcome

Social Connectivity Creating a sense of belongingness with the new urban spaces developed on campus. The center is there to improve social well-being between students, which is enforced by architecture that creates spontaneous interactions through the two key strategies.

Rosklilde Festival Folk Highschool Project: Architects: COBE & MVRDV Location: Roskilde, Denmark

- Utilsing existing abandoned concrete factories - Adaptive architecture - Addressing needs of students in regards to amenities and on site accommodation - Amenities compactly situated in one block for ease of accessibility - Student housing blocks all connected to centre student block - Educational rooms have intentionally been kept small and compact for a more closely tight classroom - More informal and comfortable for students rather than the formally large institutional rooms (e.g. large lecture halls) - Advocating for a stronger community amongst the students - Stacked modules over 4 stories with steel cladding to replicate and express the existing building materials and surroundings - Similar approach to be taken for Fishermans Bend factory setting (GMH) - Each storey comprises of sharing spaces (kitchen/dining) - Similar to a cohousing complex - Use of colour to make vibrant setting for students

Key Aspects: - Adaptive - Centrality - Vibrant "Why demolish a robust building that can get a second life if you renovate it and transform it into something new and useful for new generations?" said Stubbergaard.

https://www.dezeen.com/2019/02/27/roskilde-festival-folk-high-school-cobe-mvrdv/

UCD Student Centre Project: Architects: FKP Architects Location: Dublin, Ireland

- “New epicentre of sporting, social and academic life in UCD” - First building at the Belfield campus to be entirely funded by its students. - Wide range of amenities for students - 11000 square meters of student facilities 50 m pool Debating chamber 150-piece gym 3d cinema Spa & health suite Performance theatre Cafe Radio station - Although the amenities listed don’t necessarily meet the specific needs for educational purposes, they meet the needs of physical and mental well-being for the students. - Facilities also attract members of the public outside of campus. - Similar approach to be taken for fishermans bend Engineering students require specific educa tional rooms and spaces, but also require addi tional recreational rooms. - Use of local materials for the design - Ensuring the new public spaces unify and connect with existing facilities neighbouring the site. - Facade has a reference to the adjoining context of the site - Use of colour to make vibrant setting for students boldly expressed in each space Key Aspects: - Epicentre/Centrality - Amenities - Vibrant

“This is a complex, sophisticated building. We have worked hard to provide a fun, exciting space which contributes to the UCD student experience 24 hours a day, 365 days a year”

https://www.archdaily.com/409164/ucd-student-centre-fkp-architects

Student Activity Center Project: Architects: Overland Partners + WTW Architects Location: Austin, Texas, USA

- Student activity center (SAC) functions much like a micro-campus 5000sqm ballroom 500 seat auditorium Black box theatre 12 student conference/meeting room Student organization offices Student government chamber Dining areas Dance and theatre spaces Flexible meeting spaces - Majority of the spaces listed are student oriented, as there is a heavy emphasis on student engagement - Green space has also been provided for the comfort and leisure of students - Landscaped courtyards meet the need of the modern student by providing wireless internet and electric outlets for charging of their devices - As a majority of students worship their electronics, rather than having to spend their time indoors charging phones, they have the option to enjoy the outdoor spaces. - Adaptive architecture in the sense where the SAC has occupied and transformed part of the UT-Austins East mall for the campus-living room - Using the existing spaces for the sole purpose of addressing student needs.

Key Aspects: - Student Oriented - Student needs - Adaptive

https://www.archdaily.com/612641/student-activity-center-overland-partners-wtw-architects

Project: Deakin University Student Plaza Architects: Thomas Adsett Location: Burwood, VIC, Australia

- Refurbishment of student plaza - Transforming underutilised and dark space for hub of socialization - Informal learning destination with casual events spaces - Architects inspired by program of modern technology The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cloudâ&#x20AC;? - A technological means of gathering and storing information - Reference to apple products - Idea of cloud is to create the vibrant space for students to gather and exchange thoughts - Use of timber blades in openings helps creates moderated views and privacy - A student precinct that accommodates students from all disciplines rather than specifically focusing on a type of student. - It is here that students learn new ideas as part of a multi-disciplinary learning approach

Key Aspects: - Transformation - Activation - Connectivity

https://www.archdaily.com/884580/deakin-university-burwood-student-plaza-thomsonadsett

The Students House at Uni Paris Sud Project: Architects: AIR Location: Bures-sur-Yvette, France

- The student centre heavily inspired by the surrounding landscape - Context consideration - Free plan and free arrangement of trees inspired the design of spaces for facilities - Free arrangement allowed for the integration of all different programs on site for students to make use of - The use of timber is a reflection of the organic nature of the site - External and internal design has taken this into consideration - Canopy layout and soft timber inner work

Key Aspects: - Materiality - Vibrant - Free plan/Flexible

https://www.archdaily.com/884580/deakin-university-burwood-student-plaza-thomsonadsett

Student Survey “What would you like to have and see in a student centre at your university?” Business Student Graphics Design Student

Civil Engineering Student

- Places to sit (Not enough seating for large volume of students) - Comfortable seats - Lounges that don’t get dirty - Dark colours - Warm lighting - Non-fixed furniture - Power points for laptops and phone chargers Chargers built into the desk - Bean bags - Small chill rooms For recreational purposes - Booking required - A place to unwind with friends - Keeping with modern times - Function over form - Computers - Lightboxes - Wayfinding Signs to made easy to read Difficult to find lecture and building num bers Monumental features for people to use as a way to identify themselves over phone - Food stalls - Branded shops - Sleeping pods Can be booked for certain amount time

- Building models - See how things are built Interactive learning displays Show how things are made and built - Own workspace Model spaces E.g. drainage systems - Games room De-stress - Video games - Recreation room Pool table Ping pong

The performance of the student centre bases itself of a students needs and wants. *Based off precedents and surveya

Supporting Text Kim Samuel (2015), Building for Belonging, Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness. https://www.socialconnectedness.org/building-for-belonging/

“a growing sense of isolation and disconnection” – the sense that an increasingly individualistic way of life was undermining community caring and engagement. Ralph Erskine once said, that “the job of buildings is to improve human relations: architecture must ease them, not make them worse.” Our goal must be to build for belonging, with urban places, spaces and systems that enable the “miraculous moments” of interpersonal interaction - Walkable neighbourhoods - Encourage bike use + bike lanes The article focuses primarily on mobility as a means of connecting people and creating spontaneous interactions. The idea of creating mixed-use environments allowed for an integration between business and pleasure, which helps create a sense of belongingness. With this in mind, introducing a mixed-use zone on campus may help invigorate the prospects of connection.

Davey-Mallo, Jessie Renee (2011), An Architecture of Connection, Boston, Roger Williams University. https://docs.rwu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1073&context=archthese

Addresses architecture and the constructed environment as more than just a means of shelter. The higher level understanding is Architecture housing the need for social connections between people and the natural/constructed environment. The thesis looks at Architecture meeting more than just the basic needs of providing shelter, but to also address social, individual, emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual needs. The idea of interconnectedness between the natural and built environment. Too often Architecture primarily focuses on the visual aesthetic of the building, and is given top priority in the design phases. However, the thesis points out the need to focus on the other senses in order to create this connection between people and architecture. Through mixed-use spaces and design, it is possible to achieve this level of interconnectedness, and in the case of Fishermans Bend, it is imperative that students are involved from the beginning of the design stage to influence the landscape and amenities best suited for this cause.

Emma Harries (2017), Social Isolation and its relationship to the Urban Environment, Montreal, McGill University. http://www.socialconnectedness.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Emma-Harries-Social-Isolation-and-its-Relationship-to-the-Urban-Environment-1.pdf

Social isolation as a result of urban planning in cities, and as a result, have designed around the car at the expense of social hotspots such as parks, plazas and common spaces. The effect of this and profoundly lead to an increase in mental health issues due to increased stress and reduced social connectivity. With a lack of consideration for the social aspect of planning, urbanization in cities doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t promote social congregation, even though cities are regarded as hubs for cultural diversity and the mixing of different people. The paper primarily focuses on the effects of this planning on elderly people, who are considered vulnerable to the effects of loneliness. However, it is also considered that students are amongst this demographic and suffer loneliness and depression through a lack of social support. By making a city, or in the case of Fishermans Bend, more inclusive through common social spaces, it is possible to challenge the growing problem of social isolation in large cities.

Forming Principles Aesthetics The design of the exterior and interior must adhere to modern times and be visually pleasing for the student. Materials and colours must resonate a sense of belonging and warmth for students. Functionality The student centre must operate and work not only to serve the purpose of the general student, but must also serve the purpose of meeting the specific needs/wants of the engineering student Availability The availability of facilities must be made with a system in place that can ensure a majority of students have access to student centre facilities. MSD example. Not enough study space for students No control with who can use study spaces Connectivity Creating a sense of belongingness with the new urban spaces developed on campus. The center is there to improve social well-being between students, which is enforced by architecture that creates spontaneous interactions through mixeduse environments. 25

Informality Make the Student Centre feel less institutionalised and promote learning not only inside the classroom, but outside. Making the student centre feel like a second home. Adaptive Taking on board re-adaptive design and utilising existing skins on site. Also reflecting the existing social hub which may play a role in designing the student centre. Activation Creating more social engaging hotspots by activating key areas of the building, but also ensuring certain spaces remain unactivated for the sake of quiet study. Centrality Combining a variety of elements, to make space more attractive and accessible on the urban fabric. Essentially creating a social hotspot/condenser that is characterised by the internal and external amenities.

Design Research Statement This thesis has been developed through a series of precedent studies, supporting texts, and personal experience on social isolation. The precedents primarily focus on key design principles of the architecture for student centers, such as connectivity, activation, centrality, student needs, informality, adaptive re-use, functionality and aesthetics. The thesis project has developed with these design principles acting as core driver, however, over the course of the semester, the project has paid more focus to two key principles to achieve a greater outcome. By focusing on centrality and activation as key strategies, the project aims to achieve social connectivity on the site. As precedents have helped identify key strategies for the project, suggested supporting texts over the semester have also enforced the idea of how social connectivity can be met through architecture. A higher level of thinking must be considered when designing architecture that entails social connectivity, as the building acts more than just a shelter for students. The texts covered have helped to be specific with the type of program the students need in order to feel less isolated, with the option of the student center program to be changed based on the needs of the students. This has been done with the idea of flexible/interchangeable floor plans, where the building can manipulate itself to fit a specific type of amenity.

Site

PLANT 5

PLANT 4

PLANT 5

SOCIAL CENTRE

PLANT 3 TECH CENTRE

Site Selection

Grimshaw (2019), Campus Development Framework, Volume 1 Executive Summary, Melbourne, University of Melbourne.

Proposed Grimshaw masterplan for new Lemaire Campus.

Site Development

TRANSPORT PLAZA

PLANT 5

SOCIAL CENTER

Desire line to cut site into two.

Inner circulation.

soften corners.

Apply greenspace to corner.

Stage Development Over the course of a decade, the student center will be built in stages with the growth of the Lemaire campus. The following illustrates the growth of student and leisure amenities across the desire line.

Stage 1 - 2023

STUDENT AMENITIES RETAIL/LEISURE

Stage 2 - 2028

STUDENT AMENITIES RETAIL/LEISURE

Stage 3 - 2032

STUDENT AMENITIES RETAIL/LEISURE

Site Program STUDENT AMENITIES

RETAIL/LEISURE

- Designated student studio space - Computer Lab - Coworking Space - Model making space - Bike parking/repair station - Communal kitchen - Tailor/Drycleaning - Library - Interactive learning displays - Rentable office space - Hot desks - Student admin/reception - Help desks - Shared learning space with students

- Campus Store - Lounge - Bar - Theatre/Cinema - Games Room - Napping Pods - Cafes - Restaurant/Fast Food - Gym - Radio Station - Designer Stores

- Super Market - Stationery Store - Concert Space - Exhibition Space - Pharmacy - Day care facility - Landscaped courtyards - Food truck yard - Festival ground

STUDENT CENTER AMENITIES

RETAIL/LEISURE AMENITIES

Student Center - Plot 5 Stage 3 - 2032 1:500 0

10m

50m

Concept Design

Massing

SOCIAL CENTER

TRANSPORT PLAZA

PARK Massing Student Center 0

20m

40m

80m

SOCIAL CENTER

TRANSPORT PLAZA

PARK Massing Student Center 0

20m

40m

80m

SOCIAL CENTER

TRANSPORT PLAZA

PARK Massing Student Center 0

20m

40m

80m

Site Plan

B A

Site Plan Student Center 0

20m

40m

80m

East Facade- Plot 5 1:100 @ A3

Facade Concept - East Facade

10m

Princeton Embodied Computation Lab

Facade Concept

East Facade- Plot 5 1:100 @ A3

UAH Library

10m

Facade Concept - East Facade

East Section A-A Student Center

12m

20m

Sections

West Section B-B Student Center

12m

20m

Desire line concept

Sketch Design

GMH move off site Stage 2 Begin Stage 3 Begin

2021 Stage 1 Open

2023

2021

LEMAIRE CAMPUS

Stage 1 Begin

2019

Stage 1 Open 2025

Stage 2 Begin

Stage 2 Open

2028

Stage 2 Open

2030

Stage 3 Begin

The student center is expected to grow in stages alongside the Lemaire campus as number of occupants on site increase.

Stage 1 Begin

STUDENT CENTER

Stage 3 Open

2032

Stage 3 Open

Timeline

100m

STAGE 1 | MASTERPLAN

2023

Masterplan Growth

100m

STAGE 2 | MASTERPLAN

2028

100m

STAGE 3 | MASTERPLAN

2032

Student Center Growth

2023

Program: - Collaborative learning space - Library - Grocery Store - Gym - Food Trucks - Social Support Center - Cultural Center 57

2028

Program: - Restaurant/Bar - Flex Plots (e.g.) - Woodwork - Games Arcade - Individual Student studio - Napping pods - Interactive Exhibition (Courtyard) - New Retail

2032

Program: - Additional Flex Plots - Flex plots interchange

20m

STAGE 3 | GROUND FLOOR

2032

PLAN 1.1

PLAN 1.2

Flex Plots 1.1 (Student) Version 1

Program: 1. Rented out office space 2. Pop-up workshop 3. Additional Library

2032 STAGE 3 | GROUND FLOOR 0

20m 61

Version 2

Program: 1. Additional Collaboration Space 2. Additional Exhibiton Space 3. Cafe

2032 STAGE 3 | GROUND FLOOR 0

20m 62

Version 3

3 1

Program: 1. Designated Student studio space 2. Napping Pods 3. Games Room

2032 STAGE 3 | GROUND FLOOR 0

20m 63

Flex Plots 1.2 (Leisure) Version 1

Program: 1. Wood Workshop 2. Assembly Space 3. Pop-Up lab space

2032 STAGE 3 | GROUND FLOOR 0

20m

Version 2

2 1 3

Program: 1. Masseuse 2. Yoga 3. Quiet Room

2032 STAGE 3 | GROUND FLOOR 0

20m

Version 3

1 2

Program: 1. Games Arcade 2. Pop-Up kiosk

2032 STAGE 3 | GROUND FLOOR 0

20m

SECTION A-A | WEST

20m

Sections

SECTION B-B | WEST

20m

ELEVATION | EAST

20m

Elevation

ELEVATION | WEST

20m

AXONOMETRIC | SOUTH-WEST VIEW 40m

Final Design

POPULOUS

ACROPOLIS

Populous Acropolis is a project that prides itself on becoming the heart of the new Lemaire Campus in Fishermans Bend. The intention behind the project name is to express the idea of the student center being the center of a new precinct, much like the center of a city (acropolis). As part of the project is to inspire activity and activation on the site, the idea is to create a new popular destination for students and members of the community, hence the name Populous Acropolis.

“A popular destination in the heart of a new campus. It’s a Populous Acropolis.”

- Bilal Hallak, 2019

Stage 1 Begin

Stage 1 Open

Stage 1 Begin

GMH move off site Stage 2 Begin Stage 3 Begin

202

Stage 2 Begin

202

Stage 2 Open

202

Stage 3 Begin

0 203

The timelines illustrates the growth of the proposed Lemaire Campus and the new Student Center proposal.

201

Stage 3 Open

2 203

Timeline

Design Principles Desire Line

Lyons, (2019). New Student Precinct, Melbourne, University of Melbourne.

Inactive Edges

Active Outer

Active Inner

Lintott, Cameron. 2016. Inward-facing Iranian home lets light filter in through a facade of wooden slats. Dezeen. https://www.dezeen.com/2016/06/27/bagh-janat-house-bracket-design-studio-isfahan-iran-wooden-slat-facade/

Timber slats (North View)

Program (Student)

OUTDOOR COURTYARD

CULTURAL CENTER

FLEX PLOTS

SOCIAL SUPPORT

INTERACTIVE EXHIBITION

CAFE

COLLABORATIVE LEARNING STUDENT HUB LIBRARY

Flex plot options: - Designated student studio space - Computer Lab - Coworking Space - Model making space - Library - Interactive learning displays - Rentable office space - Hot desks - Help desks - Shared learning space with students - Cafe - Conference suites - Start Up space - Recreational gaming - Additional Exhibiton space

Program (Leisure)

OUTDOOR FLEX FLEX PLOTS RETAIL

GROCERY STORE GYM

RESTAURANT

Flex plot options: - Campus Store - Lounge - Bar - Games Room - Napping Pods - Cafes - Restaurant - Gym - Radio Station - Concert Space - Exhibition Space - Landscaped courtyards - Food truck yard - Festival ground - Multi-use court - Function Room - Massage Parlour - Outdoor Cinema

Flexible Plan

Multiple Iterations

1. Additional Collaboration Space 2. Additional Exhibiton Space 3. Cafe

1. Rented out office space 2. Pop-up workshop 3. Additional Library

1. Designated Student studio space 2. Games Room 3. Napping Pods

Re-Adaptive (Roof)

EXISTING

PROPOSED

100m 50 20 0

STAGE 3 | SITE PLAN

The red lines indicate the flex plots being applied on an urban scale, with potential for additional activities across the campus.

2032

Site Plan

20m

STAGE 3 | GROUND FLOOR

2032

PLAN 1.1

Floorplan

B B

PLAN 1.2

Flex Plot 1.1

Program: 1. Rented out office space 2. Collaboration space 3. Recreation space