Weave + Thread by isabellaharris2851

WEAVE + THREAD DISRUPTING the norms of PUBLIC SPACE

CONTENTS ABSTRACT 2 THE DESIGN PROCESS 4 ANALYSIS Readings + Theory 5 COVID + Public Space 6 Site Analysis 7 First Nations and Colonial History 11 Survey Data 12 REFLECTION Survey Findings 13 Concept 14 Design Elements 15 ACTION Initial Design 16 Final Design 20 The Corridor 23 Further Considerations 28 The Beacon 30 Bibliography 43

ABSTRACT The term ‘public space’ conjures visualisations of human experiences, which connect all people and spaces; creating placemaking and community. Public space is and has been an integral part of our social and cultural histories. In ancient Greece, public space facilitated relationships, building wisdom and culture with and within space. Public space is for the common good; shared environments which are welcoming and inclusive regardless of age, wealth, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation. Spaces which draw on our common fundamental needs as living beings. Spaces of engagement, connection and nourishment. Our urban spaces are envisaged as hubs of ‘prospect and refuge.’ Spaces in which to flourish. During COVID-19, public spaces were an escape from the confined and eventually mundane, sometimes lonely spaces of our homes. These shared spaces facilitated health and well being through human engagement, passive and activated. As social restrictions continue to ease, there is a need to respect the value of such spaces, many of which still lack urban quality, character and facilities to host the changing demands of social interaction, in the face of pandemics and eventual endemics. Whilst many spaces and places lack diversity, engagement and relationship, COVID-19 has provided a clear vision for the value of public space and future needs of all people. During COVID-19, The University of Sydney rapidly transformed. Once bustling with thousands of students and staff, it morphed from an activated, engaged community precinct to a desolate, abandoned and isolated place. It seems that social opportunities beyond its academic purpose, its academic audience, are absent. Engagement beyond the academic community, a missed opportunity for relational community and environmental engagement, broader education and nourishment. This project presents an opportunity to reinvent, reinvigorate and reignite public space within the University of Sydney, for the communal common good, of all people within and beyond the university gates.

WEAVE + THREAD THE CORRIDOR + THE BEACON Weave + Thread activates relationships of and between people, space and place for our sustainable well being. Comprised of two elements, The Corridor and The Beacon, Weave + Thread brings the public space of Eastern Avenue to life beyond its anticipated use. The project integrates existing space with new design to facilitate diverse public space. The process of design is repeated and collaborative in order to reach the project design and elemental components of placemaking, wayfinding, shelter and diverse and sustainable use. Relational art and architecture are fused to achieve the project vision of an inclusive space to engage, connect and nourish.

scale 1:2500

SITE PLAN

THE DESIGN PROCESS ANALYSIS

ACTION

REFLECTION

The process of design is embedded in the repeated, collaborative cyclical sets of analysis, reflection and action. Analysis: to gain insight Reflection: to provide clarity Action: to achieve design intent

ANALYSIS - REFLECTION - ACTION Readings + Theory The experience of public space is at the core of the analysis for the design of this project. Public spaces are undervalued in holding a level of adaptive capacity, allowing certain freedoms and flexibility with less technical elements1 - a focus on experience over the architectural object. Jan Gehl’s text, The Human Dimension elicits the importance of fluid pedestrian flow through spaces provided for people to carry out activities, gatherings and interactions. Gehl argues that for cities to remain liveable, healthy and dynamic, architects must reinforce the pedestrianised city, with people being at the core. At eye level, the interstitial urban spaces and building fringes have the opportunity to become the most activated, sensory spaces.2 The sensory delights individuals encounter in public spaces foster belonging and built community, as described by Gehl in “Outdoor Space & Outdoor Activities,” and presuppose a vital shift from necessary to optional social engagement in outdoor space and activities. Gehl suggests there is a scale of contact intensity between people. Low intensity interactions, or passive engagement such as hearing and seeing other people in the public realm, are valuable in building more complex interactions.3 Weaving art into public space promotes a city space that is intricate, beautiful and attracts visitors to gather and ponder. It creates conversation and meaning to an otherwise plain space as discussed in Claire Bishop’s text, Art of the Encounter: Antagonism and Relational Aesthetics.4 Bishop acknowledges that public space “without people, [is] not art, it’s something else.”5 The discourse of James Russell’s article, “Building Public Places For A COVID World,”6 Bishops Art of the Encounter: Antagonism and Relational Aesthetics, alongside the extensive work of Gehl, is built on an intersection of the value of relationship between all matter, audience, designer and environment, living and non living as elemental to facilitating collective and individual experiences in public space. Inclusive design which invites and engages for the common good, for without relational experience to nourish, space is dead. It is the intention of this project to embed the work of such theorists and designers into authentic practice. 1 Stevens, Nicholas J, Silvia G Tavares, and Paul M Salmon. 2021. “The Adaptive Capacity of Public Space Under COVID-19: Exploring Urban Design Interventions through a Sociotechnical Systems Approach.” Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries 31 (4): 346. 2 Jan Gehl. “Cities for People”, Island Press, 2010. ProQuest Ebook Central 3 Jan Gehl, “Outdoor Space & Outdoor Activities,” in Sustainable Urban Development Reader, London: Taylor & Francis Group, 2014. Accessed February 2, 2022. ProQuest Ebook Central. 4 Claire Bishop, “Antagonism and Relational Aesthetics,” in October 110 (2004): 51–79, Accessed February 4 2020. http:// www.jstor.org/stable/3397557. 5 Bishop, “Antagonism and Relational Aesthetics,” 51–79 6 James S. Russell, “Building Public Places for a COVID World,” New York Times, Sep 11, 2020, Late Edition (East Coast). Accessed February 3 2020. ProQuest Ebook Central.

ANALYSIS - REFLECTION - ACTION COVID + Public Space

Public space is and has been an integral part of our social and cultural histories. For our Aboriginal people, public space is Country-where belonging, wisdom and identity are born. Just as the First Nations people share Country with all of us, we are responsible to create spaces which are welcoming and inclusive regardless of age, wealth, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation. Spaces which draw on our common fundamental needs as living beings.

In many instances, prior to COVID-19 and in the face of urbanism, public space in our cities and communities had already begun to lose its sense of purpose and vibrance. With a focus on capitalist venture over community, cities became places of work and economic worth. Public space was claimed for development or left abandoned; its value forgotten. This has created a shift in the value of relationships between people, space and place. In 2020, COVID-19 came to remind us, all people, local and global, of our vulnerability. It created a change in the way we see and prioritise our living and has therefore created a shift in social interactions between people, space and place. Initially, as social restrictions were implemented, cities were drained of workers with a shift to ‘work from home’, tourists and consumer engagement (restricted beyond the bare essentials). A critical societal shift of health before wealth became a priority. With such a focus, there was an awakening to the value of relationships, with others and with the environment- spaces and places.

ANALYSIS - REFLECTION - ACTION

SITE ANALYSIS

The chosen site is Eastern Avenue, within the University of Sydney. This location was chosen as it currently acts as a popular route and ‘terminus’ for pedestrian and cycling circulation. There is a missed opportunity for relational community engagement, broader education and nourishment.

The terminus to the Quad

From the terminus to the cafe

From the cafe across Eastern Avenue

The terminus

Eastern Avenue to City Road

Eastern Avenue to the New Law Building

SITE ANALYSIS Although a high pedestrian route and artery of the University, Eastern Avenue currently lacks a sustainable diverse purpose, identity and life. With little shade, vegetation or gathering space, experiences to engage, connect and be nourished are limited. Integral to the vision of Weave + Thread was to create connections across and beyond the boundaries of the University, to local communities. The analysis of the site was formed through historical and scientific research, alongside observations of interactions within the space and conversations about the site.

Rainfall: 2010- Present Annual Average: 975.7mm Monthly Average: 102.7mm Daily Average: 3.4mm Wettest Day: 176mm

win

sun

ter

sun

The environmental site analysis indicates the impact of diverse weather patterns, as Eastern Avenue exposes its users to harsh summer sun and cold westerly winds. The expansive area forms an unusable wind tunnel.

westerly winter winds

a un p er s mm

Wind 5 Year Average: N, NNE, NE, ENE: 19.46% E, ESE, SE, SSE: 22.68% S, SSW, SW, WSW: 17.06% W, WNW, NW, NNW: 39.91% Gale: 0.0072% Near Gale: 0.07% Strong: 0.83% Fresh: 4.85% Moderate: 24.61% Gentle: 35.54% Light: 33.25% Calm: 0.9%

Temperature: 2010-Present Average Low: 14.9 degrees celsius Average: 18.5 degrees celsius Average High: 23.7 degrees celsius

northeasterly summer breeze

Gle

tR d

Parrama tta

Parramatta Rd Parrama

tta Rd

Macleay Building

Uni versity

Prin

c es

Ave

16: 54

Oval No.2 Manning

Fisher Rd

Victoria Park Anderson Stuary Building Eastern Ave

School of Chemistry Oval No.1

New Law Building Annex Clevela

Physics Rd

nd St

Carslaw Building

Ci School of Geosciences

Rd Seymour Centre

Wilkinson Building

Admin Building

Mechanical Engineering

Wentworth Building

St Paul’s Oval

Carillon Ave

sunr ise: 05: 40

5 20:0 set: sun

nse t:

Fisher Library

9 6:5 e: 0 ris sun

Uni versity

University of Sydney Quadrangle

Hw y

Chau Chak Wing Museum

SITE ANALYSIS 1:2500 southerly summer winds

Buildings

Vegetation

Nolli maps articulate micro and macro details of the site spatially and through context and use. Observations of the site included: high traffic use with little engagement, confusion navigating the avenue, disorientation at the termination point, minimal signage, gathering at the edges near shelter and vegetation, due to the lack of refuge on the site.

Paths

Circulation

Density

ANALYSIS - REFLECTION - ACTION

FIRST NATIONS + COLONIAL HISTORY: HISTORICAL ANALYSIS

The site of The University of Sydney, is built upon the land of the traditional owners, the Cadigal People. The freshwater source and swamps surrounding the university grounds, west and east of the Petersham Ridge (the site of The Great Hall), were sites of Aboriginal occupation. Across the site were many traditional ceremonial places of business and gathering. The corner of what we now know as City and Parramatta Roads, was a sit down spot for ‘womens business’. The area toward Missenden Road, was a known gathering space for Elders. The University is built on Wianamatta shales, a clay soil base used to make tools. This Country was a Turpentine Iron Bark Forest, providing nourishment to the First Nations People and an abundance of fauna. About eighteen months after colonisation of Sydney by European in 1788, part of this ‘Kanguroo Ground’ near the present day junction of Parramatta and City Roads was developed into sites for Crown, churches and school purposes, as well as pasturage of stock. Eastern Avenue’s history has a curious colonial narrative of purpose-a route to move cadavers, a motorway and a parking lot. It was imagined as a parklike boulevard by the first Professor of Architecture, Leslie Wilkinson but most significantly, overtime the surrounding built environment has erased Aboriginal Culture, as outlined in the Wingara Mura Design Principles. The richness and value of this living culture is of significance to our site and the design at hand.

ANALYSIS - REFLECTION - ACTION

SURVEY

Through evidence based research, gathering authentic data via survey and conversations was undertaken. This data was used alongside research into social and cultural dynamics of public space in the current context of COVID-19 to anticipate user needs for sustainable design. The data indicated a multidisciplinary use of public space, value of vegetation and light and opportunities for sensory stimulation. Link to survey data here

FINDINGS To fully understand the use of public space prior and during COVID-19 and the transition from pandemic to endemic, participants answered a series of SU URYRVVO PUnot IC questions relating to public space use and purpose. “Public was S U RSV E EEspace” Y NY O PON UN BPL IUC BBLLI C EAAA IS defined for the purpose of this research in order toAhave the authentic SP SCSPEPAA A CCN Emost LY NN ASALY I LY S SSI S responses to the perception and identification of public space.

HEW ONWODF OI T FETYN EOND YU O UU S UES E H O W OH FT O D U IDD UI D SYEO UALBC AR O RT O TO P U B L I CP U SPPB ILCEI CSPPS RAP IO C EC ET PO RP IROI R C O V I D 1 9 ? C O V I D -C1 9 O?V I D - 1 9 ?

DYSO YEU OO U FRU P UU EOLF O PB U LBILCI C D I D YOD U ID RDI U R S ES B I CFP U AI E CE D U N CV O IVDI -D1-91 9 S P A C E SDPSUAPRC N GD U CR OIR VNII G DG -C1 9 O I N C R E A S E O R D E C R E I N C R E AI N S EC ROERA D S E CORRE A D SE EC?R E A SAES?E ?

AE RE OU O DO AW TO A R E Y OAUR M O YO RYE U DMRM OAR W ERNED T R ARW N NT O UALBC A EC.E. . . . . P U B L I CP U SPPB ILCEI C . S. . PSAPC

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The data indicated that the majority of participants used public space “often” prior to the pandemic. Almost a third stated that public space was used “sometimes”. Less than 2% of participants not using public space at all.

During COVID-19, the majority of participants indicated that their use of public space decreased due to: pandemic restrictions (eg: lockdowns and density limits), general social hesitancy and limitations to indoor public spaces. Contrastingly, increased use of public space was influenced by the pandemic also. Increased use was identified for improved mental health, access to fresh air, exercise and engagement with environment.

As anticipated the majority of people were drawn to public spaces within their community or within close proximity. Although this could potentially be due to pandemic restrictions, convenience seemed to play a significant role. Almost equal percentages of respondents indicated that they would travel beyond their local areas to access public space. This may be due to the lack of public amenity within their immediate communities, to navigate new spaces and the desire for new experiences particularly after COVID-19 lockdowns.

The data indicated the majority of people used public space with “friends,” followed closely by “themselves” and then “with family”. The qualitative data highlights the most common use of public space was for: socialising, exercising, quality personal time and to engage with the environment. Respondents acknowledged use of spaces over different times throughout the week. With multiple selections indicated, activities mostly took place in the evenings on weekdays (56.1%) and during the day on weekends (62.2%).

"Light , air flow, connection to the environment and community"

0 By yourself

Family

Friends

Colleagues

Respondents were questioned about what constituted “safe public space”. Overwhelmingly, the qualitative data reflected a focus on space” spaces which are: clean, open, green, visible, well lit and had semi private/public areas to congregate (prospect and refuge). The survey elicited perceptions of successful and unsuccessful public space. Responses identified collective ideals of public space amongst the respondents. These were categorised into three domains when describing “successful” public space: 1) structures and design, 2) facilities and use and 3) connection.

“Common meeting point, as a place to have a conversation”

Successful public space was defined most commonly as: accessible, clean, light, providing prospect and refuge, diverse use such as social interactions, exercise, sport, a moment of solitude and places which have a balance between natural and man-made components. Emphasis on a “variety of materials, soft and hard,” was repeated throughout the responses. Ample vegetation, landmarks for wayfinding and connection to public transport and communities was also valued. Unsuccessful public spaces were described as: lacking creative design, dirty, dark, unwelcoming, inaccessible and unconnected with little to no amenity. Reference to claustrophobic spaces, unaccommodating areas for a range of demographics, no shelter or moments to rest, bland and flat design formulated participants perceptions of “unsuccessful public space.”

“I use public space for transport purposes, exercise, social interactions such a picnics or coffee with friends, or as a way to study”

To gain insight into inclusive and accessible design of public spaces, respondents were asked to describe “good public space” in relation to their sensory experiences. Although “good” is a subjective term, in this context it was pursued in an architectural essence to recount sensory engagements; sight, touch, sound and smell. The most common responses relating to this were: Sight- “green, light, open, sheltered and inviting spots, easily identifiable paths, lively, diverse activity” Touch- “solid, natural, earthy, tactile and surface diversity, interactive” Sound- “nature, fauna, chatter, laughter, pets, peaceful, not too noisy” Smell- “fresh, clean, nature, gentle aromas of fragrant planting” Participants were encouraged to elaborate on their experiences of public space outside of their sensory experience. There was a clear expression for the need of public space to be inclusive, accessible and diverse in function. The purpose of public space was defined as the respondents as a place for people to connect, relax, gather, exercise, benefit the individual and the collective, a safe environment and act as a “social equilizer”. This data was integral to the design and execution of Weave + Thread, to create a successful public space for the individual and collective, through inclusive and multisensory design to allow for diverse use and experiences.

ANALYSIS - REFLECTION - ACTION CONCEPTS Intertwining of histories and cultures of the site with existing forms, provides opportunities to develop relationships to engage, to connect and to nourish. These three elements formulate the concepts for Weave + Thread. To engage all living species, with eachother and within the macro and micro communities of Country. To connect all living species, place and space. To nourish physically, emotionally and intellectually through relationships, nature and spirit. The concepts were drawn from the research undertaken and the cultural values of the custodians of the land, the Cadigal people, the knowledge keepers- engagement and experience, ensure a connection to Country and each other, which provides nourishment. The project triangulates art, science and service, service, derived from architectural thinking, evidence-based research and iterative design.

ENGAGE

ENGAGE ENGAGE ENGAGE

CONNECT

CONNECT CONNECT CONNECT

NOURISH

NOURISH NOURISH NOURISH

ANALYSIS - REFLECTION - ACTION DESIGN ELEMENTS

PLACEMAKING To provide a place of identity and meeting.

SHELTER To provide prospect & refuge through structure and vegetation.

WAYFINDING To provide inclusive, purposeful access across, through and beyond the campus.

DIVERSE + SUSTAINABLE USE To provide spaces that reflect stewardship of Country and are multi-functional for use by the micro and macro communities.

ANALYSIS - REFLECTION - ACTION

ENGAGE

INITIAL DESIGN THINKING

NOURISH

CONNECT Action is anchored in the process from concept to design. It is a collaborative phase, built on analysis and reflection of theory and research to ensure project vision and intent is paramount. Inclusive design is central and achieved through the principles of engage, connect and nourish. The design process is embedded in the relationship between designers, users and environment, realised in the human experience of people, place and space.

ANALYSIS - REFLECTION - ACTION AXIS, EDGE, PINCH The initial form making was focused on understanding the axis, sub axis, the edges of existing architecture, solid and void. Initial massing was manipulated and morphed through the pinching or pushing points of the sub axis. Attention to the absence of organic forms across the immediate site ensued an opportunity to create complimentary and juxtaposing geometry. The eventual flowing conceptual form acted as a base for the final design of Weave + Thread; part to whole, The Corridor and The Beacon.

AXIS

SUB AXIS

EDGES

FORM- FROM EDGES

FORM- SOFTENED CORNERS

SOLID + VOID

SUB-AXIS + PINCH

INITIAL FORM MAKING

ANALYSIS - REFLECTION - ACTION INITIAL DESIGN The initial sketches of the design played with form, edge, transition and elevation to develop a design which would sit sympathetically with and within the environment, whilst providing facilitation to a rather empty public space. Sketches dictate organic forms juxtaposing and complimenting existing and proposed angular architecture and surrounding context. A tectonic approach, diverse topographical movement is evident in sunken elements and undulating landscapes. The idea of ‘the human scale,’ (Gehl) was implemented in order to conceptualise spaces which were comfortable and welcoming, for all. Ample vegetation and the schematic design of landscaped areas, can be seen to evolve in the initial design phase.

ANALYSIS - REFLECTION - ACTION

FINAL DESIGN

Weave + Thread incorporates two design components, situated in form and context: The Corridor and The Beacon. Functioning collectively and independently, these components create opportunities and experiences which engage the immediate and broader community, connect people, place and space and nourish through collective and individual experiences. Sensory design components of the project focus on place making, wayfinding, shelter and diverse and sustainable use; use building unity through engagement and human experience. The Wingara Mura Aboriginal Design Principles of narrative, culture and values are represented through relationship of all design elements to ensure an inclusive and welcoming space.

WINGARA MURA DESIGN PRINCIPLES The Wingara Mura Design Principles inform the design of Weave + Thread, from the development of the project brief through to the final design. The concepts of engage, connect and nourish, are realised through The Wingara Mura Design Principles alongside the design elements of placemaking, shelter, wayfinding, diverse + sustainable use. This ‘woven’ approach ‘threads’ historical and cultural fragments of what is known to create a design, which from part to whole, has strength of identity, now and into the future.

‘When I do weaving and gathering of the materials it connects me and I feel connected to the land. I’m preserving the knowledge of our old people.’ - Flora Warria, Aboriginal Elder

EE 1.1 Imagine a uniquely Australian university

Weave + Thread design elements representing this principle: -climatically and culturally responsive design -inclusive of all users -The Corridor gives back to Country whilst maintaining its function in a contemporary context -sits sympathetically within the architectural urban landscape -The Corridor is relational to journeying across and beyond the site

EE 1.2 Explore and advance ‘Storylines’ as design narratives

Weave + Thread design elements representing this principle: -organic form speaks to the original waterways of place -The Beacon provides a sit down space of gathering -flora provides connections to place -The Corridor’s form speaks to the original land -diverse spaces to explore relationships with Country and community -private and semi public spaces speak to nooks of contemplation

EE 1.3 Deliver cultural experiences that are physically and visually tangible

Weave + Thread design elements representing this principle: -diverse intercultural spaces, including experiences of relational art, gathering and immersion in nature -provision of shelter and immersive journeying -as markers in the landscape, the design provides placemaking and connection with and beyond the site

EE1.4 Create an environment that supports and clearly reflects core Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander values

Weave + Thread design elements representing this principle: -the design facilitates community and social interaction -stewardship of environment and social responsibility through an immersive and diverse ecosystem -sustainable design and materiality for use now and into the future -porosity of elements within the site through form and material -emphasis on gathering and relational experience

ANALYSIS - REFLECTION - ACTION

THE CORRIDOR

The Corridor creates a biophilic effect through a sustainable design connection, between humans and nature across and beyond the site. It highlights the need to introduce natural systems, to give back to Country in the design of public spaces.

The Corridor; the nature artery of the University of Sydney, connects people, places and spaces across the campus and surrounding communities of Camperdown, Glebe, Newtown and Darlington, fostering engagement. Ebbing and flowing, the corridor transcends Eastern Avenue and transforms the topography into an undulating elevated landscape of diverse use, use with clear and interconnected wayfinding wayfinding. Meandering across Country, The Corridor captures pedestrian movement from the extremities of the site, increasing accessibility to campus facilities. Cohabitation of people, native flora and fauna provides a living, sustainable ecology of inclusivity. All living species coexist in a harmonious, nourishing relationship with an within an urban context. The Corridor’s biodiverse environment echoes it’s fundamental past of relationship, connection and nourishment to Country and each other.

SHORT SECTION C 1:100

Amiptheatre stairs connect The Corridor to the newly vegetated law lawns, inviting individuals to transcend the designed topography or gather on the landscaped edges. A space which provides diverse experiences socialising, engaging or exercising. The stairs act as a transitional edge between The Corridor and lower plane of Eastern Avenue. Native trees blossom through void spaces within The Corridor, providing shelter, shade and greenery to the additional, elevated landscape. Grassed areas and soft, layered planting shape and frame the edges of The Corridor, providing a clear pathway and wayfinding across and through the design. Level changes and curvature of The Corridor juxtapose existing architecture, forming a unprecedented parallel to the surrounds; a identifiable marker of placemaking in the urban landscape. Such level use changes and undulations create undercroft areas for diverse use.

Through subtle undulation and topographical manipulation, undercroft areas provide shelter, gathering, socialising, outdoor learning and recreation spaces for nourishment. Relieving people from the exposure of harsh sun well-being and nourishment and winter winds, these areas provide refuge and security from the extremes of the Sydney climate. Moments of solitude are captured through informal seating and shade opportunities. The underside of The Corridor is composed of recycled concrete and tiles; a well considered space of stewardship, which is well lit during the evenings. Contrast in material, light and colour engage multisensory experiences and create an inviting ‘underground’.

Relationship and connection to site and Country is further enhanced through the use of Indigenous flora and a layered, sustainable planting approach. Hardy grasses, trees and plants provide suitable landscaping options for Sydney’s macro climate and the University’s micro environment. Variety in planting attracts multiple species to the site and broader community, developing a diverse, connected, interdependent ecosystem. Varied leafy and grass textures, edible plants as well as subtle aromas from the planting, add to the sensory experience of Weave + Thread as a whole and The Corridor in part. Building an interdependent relationship and a balanced ecology with greater diversity across the campus, The Corridor encourages connection and relationship between people, place, space, flora and fauna and mostly importantly, gives back to the ground and environment of Country. Further considerations for The Corridor are: 1) to enhance the connection and wayfinding, wayfinding which would focus on multiple extensions of circulation across and beyond the campus and 2) research and explore appropriate Indigenous signage of place as engagement with the Wingara Mura Design Principle EE 1.5 ‘Create an environment that deeply resonates with the narratives of the University’s Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities — to create a living language of the land and its peoples.’

Alphitonia excelsa - Red Ash Soap Tree

Syzygium australe

- Lilly Pilly Winter Nights

Syzygium australe

- Lilly Pilly Winter Nights

Pennisetum alopecuroides - Lomandra Tanika

Lomandra longifolia -Tanika Mat Rush

Viola hederacea -Native Violet

Microlaena stipoides -Weeping Grass

THE CORRIDOR DETAIL AXO

ANALYSIS - REFLECTION - ACTION

THE BEACON

“In the learning borne of Country is the light that nourishes the world.” - Ambelin Kwaymullina, Aboriginal lawyer

The Beacon Nestled in the arm of The Corridor, The Beacon acts as an organic marker in the landscape. It facilitates shelter, connection and engagement through a materialisation of collective spirit and diverse use, socially and culturally. Circular in form, the Beacon as part, juxtaposes the existing architecture and landscaping, creating a conversation with the surrounding context. Its generous northern and southern openings to the campus provide clear wayfinding and views through the pavilion at all times. Placemaking is realised as the Beacon acts as an identifier and meeting place for people in an ‘unmarkable’ space. Within The Beacon, multisensory experiences of nourishment, are enhanced through relational art + architecture and social interactions; collective and individual.

THE BEACON PLAN 1:200

Light in material and structure, The Beacon transcends inside and outside, combining to form one entity; blurring the boundary of edges. Translucent and perforated walls create an atmospheric experience where users are always visible, therefore secure and showered in dappled light. Nourished within the space, users are provided a quiet environment; a serene experience. A ringed ceiling and roof provides contrast between material and texture. Solid and void, the centre of the roof blocks direct sunlight and provides an anchor for evening lighting and luminance, engaging participants with and beyond the site. As a sustainable approach, the ‘Ubiquitous’ solar glass streamlines high sunlight from the roof, through the structure to subtly illuminate the transitional edges and slender columns. The solar glass stores energy to power the artificial lighting and digital applications of relational art in the evening. A brass roof trim caps and frames the upper plane of The Beacon, creating a solid contrasting edge to the lower translucent partitions. The materiality of the brass mimics the environment, forever changing and adapting; a reflection of context, experience and time. These complimentary, yet juxtaposing materials create a dynamic relationship with and within the space and its context.

ELEVATION 1:50

MULTISENSORY EXPERIENCES

Smell

inhaled stimuli primary odours natural + made

Sound

stereophonic sensations volume + pitch localisation

Multisensory design creates an inclusive experience for participants to receive information, perceive the world through engagement with all matter regardless of individual sensory abilities. Multisensory design focuses on collective and individual experiences with and within public spaces and enhances social, cognitive and emotional development; nourishing all.

Sketches adapted from The Senses: Design Beyond Vision- see bibliography

Tas

landsc edible g

ste

caping gardens

Touch

active touch surface temperature + texture contour + vibration passive touch air movement + temperature

Sight

binocular sensations shape + size colour space motion + shadow

Through materiality, contrast, density and digital technologies, the sensory opportunities within The Beacon attempt to create an atmospheric condition and experience where sight is not the only sense engaged. Historically, architectural design is focused on the object and visual experience in the first instance, excluding sight impaired individuals from the outset. Inclusive design underpins the foundation of Weave + Thread and is integral to the concept, process and execution of the design. Emphasis on multisensory experiences within The Beacon, is emulated visually through contrast in colour, illumination, light and shadow, through materiality. Dense groupings of tactiles are placed near edges and obstacles to subtly inform individuals of their journey through passive touch and engagement. These tactiles contrasting in colour depth, disperse across the floor as the objects and edges fade into the distance. Their function creates a visual and physical connection, promoting clear wayfinding and an inclusive space for all. Juxtaposing elements of materiality, soft and hard, rough and smooth, ensure collective and individual experiences. Varied materials, polycarbonate translucent sheeting and perforated aluminium, shower the Beacon with dappled, warm, diffused sunlight; decorating and dancing on the floor. Users can steal a moment of solitude in soft, warm light as breezes flow through the walls, openings of structure. Nourishment is provided through visual and/or haptic engagement and connection.

PolyCarbonate

Perforated Aluminimum

Copper roof detailing

Timber decking

Recycled tiles

Recycled concrete

In the evenings, The Beacon is illuminated as a marker of placemaking and projections of aspiring artist’s works are displayed. The relational experience of art is enhanced through the addition of sound, taste, smell and touch, to produce an immersive and inclusive experience for all users. Engaging with art through the stimulation of senses, connects experience, memory and imagination, nourishing participants. Whether you transverse the space on your own or with others, the opportunity for engagement is diverse. As a bluetooth hub, The Beacon encourages users to connect and engage with musical scores and artist conversation in relation to the works. It facilitates a multisensory experience beyond the visual as aromas, mists and diffused air (varied temperatures) are expelled from ceiling and floor ducts. These engage the additional senses of sound, smell, taste and touch, enhancing the atmospheric condition. These diverse and sustainable experiences are coordinated through digital and innovative technologies.

ANALYSIS - REFLECTION - ACTION WEAVE + THREAD: bringing part to whole

Weave + Thread gives back to Country through placemaking, shelter, wayfinding, diverse + sustainable use. An empathetic marker in the urban landscape, it beckons users with and beyond the campus. Weave + Thread nourishes and connects people with and within the public space of Eastern Avenue. The design improves the urban quality of The University of Sydney’s public space through inviting relational art and architecture. The project fosters a sense of community through experiences of inclusivity and multisensory design experiences.

LONG SECTION A 1:500

LONG SECTION B 1:100

Inclusive design should not be a consideration of built objects based on our differences, but rather design based on our common fundamental needs to flourish. Relationships with others, our environment, all matter, which inturn provides experiences of nourishment. Such architecture must provide opportunities to disrupt societal, environmental and design norms, in order to achieve the three design principles of relational engagement, connection and nourishment. nourishment Through the composition of design elements in Weave + Thread, part to whole, existing to new, each ‘woven’ together a dynamic and fluid form is forged.

ENGAGE - CONNECT NOURISH

BIBLIOGRAPHY Anne Mikoleit and Moritz Purckhauer, Urban Code: 100 Lessons for Understanding the City, (MIT: Massachusetts, 2011) Elizabeth Farrelly, Killing Sydney: The Fight For a City’s Soul, (Sydney: Picador by Pac Macmillian, 2021) Ellen Lupton & Andrea Lipps, The Senses: Design Beyond Vision, (Hudson NY, Princeton Architectural Press, 2018) Claire Bishop, “Antagonism and Relational Aesthetics,” in October 110 (2004): 51–79, Accessed February 4 2020. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3397557. Harry Francis Mallgrave, From Object to Experience: The New Culture of Architectural Design (Bloomsbury: 2018), Kobo Books Henri Neuendorf, “Tate Britain Wants to Change the Way We Experience Art,” Artnet News, August 7, 2015, https://news.artnet.com/art-world/tate-britain-sensorium-exhibition-323283 Jan Gehl, “Outdoor Space & Outdoor Activities, ” in Sustainable Urban Development Reader, London: Taylor & Francis Group, 2014. . ProQuest Ebook Central. Jan Gehl, “The Human Dimension,” Cities for People, Washington DC: Island Press, 2010. ProQuest Ebook Central. James S. Russell, “Building Public Places for a COVID World,” New York Times, Sep 11, 2020, Late Edition (East Coast). Accessed February 3 2020. ProQuest Ebook Central. Jane Jacobds, “The uses of neighbourhood parks,” The Death and Life of Great American Cities, (New York: Modern Library, 1993) 99-121. Jane Rendell, Art and Architecture: A Place Between, (London: I.B.Tauris, 2006) Joshua Gans, Economics in the Age of COVID, (Cambridge, Massachusetts: MITPress First Reads, 2020) ProQuest Ebook Central Laura Beshears, “Experience and the Object: Experiments in Relational Art & Architecture,” Pepherial Review, May 2021, https://peripheralreview.com/2021/05/27/experience-and-the-object-experiments-inrelational-art-architecture/ The University of Sydney Grounds Conservation Plan, Appendix A, 2002 The Universirty of Sydney, Wingara Mura Design Principles, April 2016, https://www.sydney.edu.au/ documents/about/working-with-us/wingara-mura-design-principles.pdf Artworks in evening Beacon renders: Natalie Jade, My Grandmothers country II, canvas print, https://nataliejade.com.au/collections/all-art/products/ my-great-grandmothers-country-ii Natalie Jade, The Sun and Seven Sisters, canvas print, https://nataliejade.com.au/collections/all-art/products/ the-sun-and-the-seven-sisters Natalie Jade, Cosmic Consciousness, print on canvas, https://nataliejade.com.au/collections/all-art/products/ limited-edition-print-1

WEAVE + THREAD Team 10 Isabella Harris Jade Grayson Olivia Ickeringill Link to presentation film

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Weave + Thread

Articles inside

Bibliography

The Beacon

The Corridor

Survey Data

First Nations and Colonial History

Final Design

Design Elements

Concept

COVID + Public Space

ABSTRACT

Readings + Theory