Site Analysis
The ship was named Joseph H Scammel stucked in the reef near point danger. The ship broke up in the heavy seas. The Anchors of the ship are on display at theTorquay beachfront
Torquay was inhabited by sub-group of the Wathaurong Aboriginal people.
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Major roads Intermediate streets Pedestrian streets
\\URBAN
DESIGN
STUDIO
Nodes
Lynchian Analysis - Landmarks
The figure ground analysis clearly shows the massive amount of space consumed by the parking areas near the commercial malls. Shops, banks and cafes on Gilbert street aligned to the street with no setbacks between each other and no offsets from the street. Gilbert Street opens up to the Esplanade and the Torquay beach. This space can be utilised to merge the street and the beach waterfront and enhance the imagibility.
The commercial malls like the Woolworths, Supa IGR, Torquay centre are the landmarks in the study area. In addition to this the Taylor park and most important ‘The Torquay Beach is the landmark in itself in the study area.
Construction of the bridge on the spring creek connected the town to Anglesea. Primary school was opened in the newly Presbyterian church. The launching of the first post office in the town. The town was named after Torquay the seaside town in England.
The oldest & the largest club of victoria ‘The surf life saving club’ was formed in the town.
Natural landmarks Manmade landmarks
No. of people migrating to the town started increasing, which resulted in the development of the area.
The northern side of the town started developing.
Axial Contact - Connecting The Landmarks
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Outdoor game facilities like bowling green, tennis courts and a golf course were opened for public.
History - Timeline (1980-Present)
Gilbert street serial
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Lynchian Analysis - Nodes
Lynchian Analysis - Paths
Figured ground analysis
Bass Strait, 21 km. south of Gelong and is the gateway to the Great Ocean Road. It is bordered on the west by Spring Creek and its coastal features include Point Danger and Zeally Bay. The Torquay area is famous for its surf beaches, with jan juc and the world famous Bells Beach located on the town’s southwest outskirts. Many of the world’s most famous surf companies have their home in Tourquay, including Rip Curl, Piping Hot and Quiksilver- all of which make up part of the Surf Coast Plaza, which provides shopping and eating, as well as the Surf World Museum.
Increase in the no. of people migrating from Geelong towards the town.
History - Timeline (1860-1890)
Torquay is a township in Victoria, Australia, which faces
History - Timeline (1890-1920)
The area was settled as spring creek visited by fishermen, campers & picnickers from the city of Geelong which is 21 km away.
The axial contact of the site is the path connectiing the major landmarks in the study area
Natural landmarks Manmade landmarks Axial contact
5. Unique shopping environment & street ourished with shops, cafes & bars
More pedestrians seen on the street than the vehicles just after the parking lots. Also to create a shopping environment the shops and cafes are extended on the adjacent pathways 3. Beach road near the parking lots
1. After turn from the highway to the beach road Parking lots
Highway
Beach road Vehicular access upto parking lots only
Calangute Baga road
Goa is one of the biggest tourist destination in India, where millions of national as well as international tourist visit Goa every year. Calangute beach in Goa as become the most tourists attracting beach since the pedestrianization of the beach road.
Parking lots
Highway
Beach road
Calangute Baga road
New shops are built considering the local architecture
Shop entrances
6. The Calangute Beach Merging of the street into the beach
2. Midway on Beach road from highway to Calangute - Baga road Parking lots
Highway
Beach road Vehicular access upto parking lots only
Calangute Baga road Shops for local handicrafts
There is a gap between the car parks at the beachfront. If the gaps are explored then people may get attracted to walk through these links and reach the beachfront.
Existing Car Parks
Material - pavings
4. Pedestrianized beach road L street
Pedestrians are mainly seen on the Gilbert Street and Woolworths.
Vernacular facadesSense of place
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Medium
Integration of facades and pathways
Low
Public Transport
Edges The Zeally Bay road and the Esplande forms the majors edge to the project site.
The example of Calangute, Goa is considered for comparative analysis. The map shows the stretch of beach road which is about 1.25 km from the highway to the beach. The road was fully pedestrianized by the local municipal council in 2008 from parking lots till Calangute beach.
Pedestrian Spill Over
Shadow Effects 5 pm
Comparative Analysis - Calangute, Goa
Shadow Effects 12 pm
Shadow Study of Proposed Shop top residential developments (shown in yellow, setback gradually from lower level and up to 3 levels) along Gilbert Street.
Shadow Effects 9 am
Section Across Gilbert Street facing East 29
Major Car Parks
Lynchian Analysis - Edges
Shadow effects of proposal to increase density along Gilbert street
Section of South Side of Gilbert Street facing North
Bus route No. 74
Existing Bus Stop
SWOT Analysis
Urban Beach - Torquay - Design Option 1
Weakness Ÿ Streets losing its character due to increase of private mall ownerships. Ÿ Streets not properly linked to the natural landmark - ‘The Torquay Beach’. Ÿ Lack of public transport facilities. Ÿ No proper signage at crucial spots.
New three story parking
Green alleyway Urban Beach boulevard
Pool
OPPORTUNITIES Ÿ Linking landmarks and the beach through pedestrainised streets for an effective tourist circuit. Ÿ Developing the waterfront & clubs at the waterfront. Ÿ Pedestrianising the area will enhance the quality of life. Proposed bus route
Proposed bus stops
Wavechair
Threats Ÿ Pedestrianising the axial links may create traffic issues. Ÿ The node of the Esplanade & Gilbert street may become a major barrier for the pedestrians.
Existing section - Gilbert Street
Location of the new two storey parking hall
Improved pedestrian conditions
Site
Proposed section - Gilbert Street
Future Proposals After analysing the collected data and present conditions the research team has prepared following strategies and vision for the areas development. Ÿ Torquay town centre is majorly used by the local community for shopping and recreation. Bell street and Price street are more famous amongst the tourist visiting Torquay. This is mainly because these streets have direct access to the Torquay Beach. So, our first strategy is: To connect the town centre to the beach by pedestrianising the Gilbert Street. To improve the facades and create a feeling of vernacular australian shopping street. Ÿ The whole axial link cannot be pedestrianised as it will lead to traffic issues in the area. The pedestrian paths in the remaining axial link will be enhanced By using different materials, and making the remaining paths more green. Ÿ Torquay town centre do not have a sufficient public transport facility. Hence, our strategy is: To improve the bus route and increase the number of bus stops near the town centre. Ÿ Parking area has been an issue as it uses massive amount of space for parking, but its provision is very much important to keep the area in function. So. our strategy is: To beautify the parking area by using permeable paver blocks, attractive landscaping, adding free standing walls with social messaged wherever possible. Ÿ Meditation Resort at the beach front to attract more tourist. Ÿ Surfing Club, Skater board Park with all amenities at the beachfront. Ÿ To keep the area active in the winter months by arranging different social activities.
Urban Beach - Torquay - Design Option 2
Proposed Design For Gilbert Street
Proposed Bus Route
Strength Ÿ Has more potential to be developed as renowned tourist destination. Ÿ Views & Vistas. Ÿ Oldest & Largest club in Victoria for surfing. Ÿ Mixed land use.
View form Gilbert street towards the beach
View form Gilbort street towards the beach (near the beach) Concept of form: Beach Ÿ Textures and materials: Rocks, Grass, Wave chair Ÿ Create a pedestrian friendly environment, new two-storey parking hall, improve the connection in between beach and the town centre, create a landmark to mark the centre, create a unique design that will serve all previously mentioned purposes. Ÿ Two storey parking. Ÿ More pedestrian walking space. Ÿ New landmark to mark Gilbert street Ÿ Unique design to connect the beach and the town centre.
View form Gilbert street towards the beach