The Hothouse
Cave Urban Dark MOFO, June 2015
Preface Cave Urban is a research based design practice. We investigate vernacular lightweight structures and test our findings through the creation of experimental structures and connection systems. We take our inspiration from forms found in nature where structure is not an isolated object, but an organic process informed by the surrounding environment. Site analysis is crucial to our design process as it provides us with all the necessary tools to design a structure that belongs to that particular space. Our works look to engage and activate the local community. We want to educate and share the knowledge we’ve acquired during our four years of research on bamboo and lightweight structures. The bamboo used was all Australian harvested from different farms in Queensland, not imported from overseas. The connection method employed is based on a rope lashing technique that can be dismantled and reused. The concrete blocks that secured the columns were rented and thus reused. 61 recycled pallets were used as the base of the pods and the central platform. Nici Long Cave Urban iii
Contents
Preface iii Context Site 1 Brief 3 Design Concept 4 Development & prototyping 5 Build Columns Bundle arches Weaving roof Pods and furniture
6 7 8 9
Operation
Clemenger Hothouse Dark MOFO Winterfeast
10 11
Thank you 12
Context Site
The site is nestled between the historic Salamanca Place and the Hobart waterfront. Running parrallel to PW1, the site is a long strip of grass flanked by large trees. These trees defined the volume in which a structure could be created. The design was drawn from the existing landscape, amplifying the notion of a forest and a return to nature. The successs of Dark MOFO in 2014 led to an expansion of the site and so the PW1 precinct grew to include the area that our structure inhabits. The resulting design was a balance against the industrial form of the PW1 building that created a new facade for Dark MOFO addressing the heritage buildings of Salamanca Place. Existing activities such as the Salamanca markets would also influence how the building could be designed, built and operated.
1
Brief
The brief required a waterproof structure made by student labour built in a 3 week period that would allow for intimate discussions as well as the space to hold hundreds of people eating and drinking a week later. Clemenger- Wanted a space to host their 72 hour hothouse event, providing intimate spaces for small teams to work in and a larger discussion space for exchange and public exhibition. Dark Mofo/MONA- Required the flexibility for the structure to then play host to tables for 300400 people to eat protected from the elements during winterfeast.
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Precedents Vo Trong Nghia, Kontum, Vietnam
Gothic fan vault structure
Frank Lloyd Wright, Johnson Wax Building
Vernacular greenhouse architecture
Concept tree structure
arches form roof
undulating roof
weaves between trees
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Development & prototyping
column footing and arch prototyping
pod design
hothouse plan
hothouse elevation 7
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