ABPL20027: Architecture Design Studio: Earth Earth Book Semester 01, 2017 Dev Golding | 588 142 Tutor: Toby Dean, Studio 14, Wednesday MSD449
Contents 1.0 Three Relationships Point/ Line/ Plane Mass Frame & Infill
2.0 Herring Island. Something Like a Pavilion. A Place to Keep Secrets
Site Analysis Conceptacle Design Development & Precedents Concept & Sketch Design Final Design Model Final Design Drawings
3.0 Reflection
4.0 Bibliography
1.0 Three Relationships Point/ Line/ Plane Mass Frame & Infill
Precedent - Point/ Line/ Plane Precedent John Wardle Architects Queenscliff Residence The tectonic explores the progression of points to lines, lines to 2D planes, and the way in which these elements are the basis for creating architectural form. John Wardle’s Timber façade on the Queenscliff residence presents and juxtaposes a series of planes that when cantilevered transcend the spatial setting and become representative of lines. These devices delineate the buildings form and create a fractal pattern that implies transition and motion.
Point/ Line/ Plane – Final Model “Coincidences” The final model resides on the idea of coincidences and builds upon the themes that were explored within the research of JWA’s Queenscliff residence. Using exaggerated proportions in the model’s form, I aimed to emphasize the transition of a point to a line and push this relationship to the edge of what can physically be built using long cantilevers. Planes were extruded to contrast against the lightweight frame to anchor the model in its spatial setting and tie the adjacent elements together as a single composition. Originally being built with the intention of being constructed as a pavilion, the structure was flipped to interact with the ground plane and build upon the notion of coincidences
Precedent – Mass Precedent Eduardo Chillida Zabaldu Simple geometries and a rare ability to transcend scale are what define Chillida’s work. This is a beauty that Chillida demonstrated throughout his career and in many of his pieces. Whether it be smaller sketches that build on the figure-ground relationship, sculptures that demonstrate emotive form, or structures that hold monolithic beauty through scale and fenestration of light, Chillada truly demonstrates that mass can be used to reveal and alter spatial relationships in a special way
Mass – Final Drawing
Building upon the research of Eduardo Chillida, the exploration of mass lead to an examination of scale. Elements of subtraction were explored with occupation and inhabitation also being touched upon. The design aimed to incorporate the simple, yet irregular geometries -similar to that of Chillida’s sculptural work - and combine that with tactility through the use of varying mediums. Matte black paper was precisely cut to emphasize the subtractive elements and this was juxtaposed against the tactility of the ground plane that was ripped and laid against a pearlescent back drop to create a clear figureground relationship. These explorations ultimately were used in conjunction with the concepts of occupation and punishment to develop the piece. The subtractions were deliberately made harshly into the earth with the deep cut aimed to bring with it a sense of imposition and encasement. Lighting would also become an emotive factor within the space as the ascending pieces of earth within the cut were developed to deliberately block the suns path
Frame & Infill Concept – Night & Day
Frame & Infill Concept - Night & Day Precedent Sean Godsell Architects RMIT Design Hub The plan of the RMIT Design Hub presents an ordered and geometric proposition where linear shapes are extruded to create the buildings form. Godsell complimented this by arranging the faรงade in a static grid. However, it is the translucence and temporal nature of the building envelope the provides the structure with a striking duality. It was this duality that inspired the conceptual exploration between night and day for the Frame & Infill model.
Frame & Infill – Final Model The final model for Frame and Infill was developed building largely upon the concept of night and day Building upon this concept, I sought to demonstrate the stark difference between the working hours of a city’s CBD and the temporal and unforgiving nature of the night life. The piece aimed to demonstrate, by ways of a sculptural gesture, that the rigid and cyclic framing represent the structured routine that is working life. Geometric and ordered forms represented this and were used to symbolically exhibit the ongoing cycle whilst deliberately having elements subtracted from the framework represented the void that is often borne through work life. The frame was contrasted by the wire mesh infill that was deliberately manipulated to exemplify the distortion the once formal grid. This brought focus to the fragmented and chaotic form that represented the city’s night scene.
2.0 Herring Island. Something Like a Pavilion. A Place to Keep Secrets Site Analysis Conceptacle Design Development & Precedents Concept & Sketch Design Final Design Drawings Final Design Model
Site Analysis
Pavilion Location
Noise
Vegetation
Walkways
Topography
Analysis Located only 4km from the CDB of Melbourne, Herring island is unique in its blend of exposure to urban density and spatial tranquillity. This beguiling island sits in juxtaposition to the incarnation of Melbourne’s urban sprawl – the M1 freeway. The power of Herring islands experience is created by the physical and emotional immersion into nature whereby the visitor is transiently withdrawn from the urban environment. The site has areas of dense vegetation, clear spaces and well-defined walking tracks that allow the patrons to experience the full tactility of nature whilst taking in the sculptural pieces that are scattered across the park There are many promising spaces on the island, each with its own unique characteristics. Ultimately, I have chosen to position my site upon the far edge of the recreational space away from the walking tracks. This location was chosen in order to conceal the pavilion. Concealing the pavilion is a deliberate decision to juxtapose and embody the way in which Herring island is overlooked or unnoticed by the thousands of motorists that pass it daily when using the Monash Freeway.
Conceptacle
With the aim to create an architectural piece that embodies the qualities that define herring island, I aimed to make the conceptacle a sculptural piece that is a deliberate play on perception. As identified within the site analysis, the presence of the freeway direct next to Herring Island defines herring island provides a unique setting that defines the island. It is this juxtaposition between the built and natural world that gives Herring Island its character. The presence of the island that is passed by so many, yet discovered by so few, is one of the features that gives Herring Island such beauty and it is this charm that would be developed further in the final piece. The conceptacle built on this and was deliberately displayed upright. The piece was designed to be the archetype for what would eventually become the cantilevered platform, but it is the deliberate play to conceal the design feature from plain sight that would mould the future development of the piece.
Precedents Denton Corker Marshall Phillip Island House The Phillip island house by Denton Corker Marshall demonstrates monumentality and restraint in the buildings sculptural form. The bunker creates a buried and camouflaged architecture the seamlessly makes an understated footprint within the natural landscape. When viewed from a afar the buildings presence is seamless and discrete within the landscape which generates a reciprocal dialogue between the built and natural environment This form of reciprocal communication between building form and nature is one that I want to pursue further as I feel it is symbolic of Herring Islands history and character. Having the unique mantle of being a man-made island, yet a separate presence within suburbia, Herring Island provides a platform for discovery and exploration of the natural environment without announcing itself to the outside world. This is a strong symbology that wants to be carried through into the final piece
Sketch Design Collage of explorations used to develop geometries. Chillida’s work was used as inspiration to generate form
Design Development & Concepts Concepts: Embodiment of Herring Island Natures Platform Camouflage Architecture
Final Design Drawings - Plans
Final Design Drawings – Elevation
Final Design Model
The final pavilion is an architectural piece that is the embodiment of Herring Island. Contextually focusing on the ideas of the coincidences, hidden links and punishment, the design aimed to create a public plateau that connects the open space of the park with the native flora but does so in an understated and easily overseen manner Built over two levels, with the main floor is sunken into the earth and the pavilion is easily overlooked much like Herring Island is to the thousands of commuters that pass it daily on the Monash freeway. This juxtaposition implies that ignorance is a form of punishment and that the discovery of the secret is the true beauty of the architecture. The intimate below ground space encourages circulation with the semi enclosed area providing shelter and a space for art galleries to present intimate pieces which will ultimately strengthen the islands cultural appeal. Design elements such as the truss on ground level and seating on level 01 that were derived from the cantilevered platform, provide an insight into the pairing of relationships and how the linkages, whether they be obvious or obscured, can force the viewer into an alternative perception upon a space.
Reflection The exploration of tectonics has allowed me to synthesize and develop new ideas within my designs. As designers, it is critical that we are able to explore different spatial techniques and give careful consideration to concepts that may not necessarily be an apparent solution. The Tectonics, used collectively with precedent studies, have informed me of the ways in which architects and other designers use design strategies to effectively generate and develop a concept and translate it into a 3D form. I have also developed written, communication, and presentation skills through the weekly exercises/design tasks that assist in cultivating an architectural vocabulary and skill base. Importantly, one of the fundamental rewards of the unit is the appreciation that comes with understanding that everyone involved in the studio work helped develop and refine my individual pieces through weekly critiques and advice. Ultimately, the studio work has provided a basis for future exploration and taught me formal strategies that I look forward to using in forthcoming studios
Bibliography Eduardo Chillida, Zabaldu (accessed 03/04/2017) https://www.lempertz.com/de/kataloge/lot/971-1/349-eduardo-chillida.html Google Earth – Herring Island (Accessed 25/04/2017) https://www.google.com.au/maps?q=herring+island&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj1mO_KnqTUAhWlNpoKHWswAfYQ_AUICigB Nearmap (accessed 25/04/2017) http://maps.au.nearmap.com/?_ga=1.175074919.414255176.1489272718 Phillip Island House (Accessed 17/05/2017) http://architectureau.com/articles/phillip-island-house-by-denton-corker-marshall/ Queenscliff residence (accessed 25/05/2017) https://www.johnwardlearchitects.com/projects/project/54-queenscliff-residence RMIT Design Hub – Night (accessed 06/05/2017) https://www.rmit.edu.au/about/our-locations-and-facilities/facilities/exhibition-spaces/design-hub RMI Design Hub – Day (accessed 06/05/2017) http://www.watpac.com.au/project/rmit-design-hub/