AIR
ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO
PART B: EOI II DESIGN APPROACH SHENG YING ANG 517920 ISHANI GUNASEKARA 542396 The concept for the Wyndham City Gateway is to create an installation through the engagement in commercial architecture. We think that Wyndham deserves more than just roadside billboards and poster advertisements - hardcore selling has long passed its days of glory. Instead we would like to propose for Caltex to commission the installation as part of a marketing exercise. Sited right next to the gateway entrance, the Caltex petrol shed can play a much more significant role than just what it is at the moment. We aim to make use of its strategic position for commercial architecture. This would be a win-win situation for both Caltex and Wyndham City Council as one benefits from subtle advertising, the latter from the hype generated.
As Wyndham is a fast-growing city undergoing rapid environmental change, the installation would reflect on the issue of consumerism and waste in the context of a giant petrol company like Caltex. The installation would mirror current environmental situations and portray that to the public. On another level, this would provide great spillover effects for Wyndham as the controversy from the installation and issue behind would not only make people take notice of Caltex but also Wyndham as a whole.
PARAMETRIC ITERA-
TIONS
To create the dynamic form, we adopted 3D modelling program Rhino, using Grasshopper and Kangaroo as plug-in tools. This allowed us to vary the input parameters and create multiple series of design iterations. We were able to explore with different forms, tessellations and assess them under different physical forces through Kangaroo. Using digitisation tools, There are many examples of successful we were able to create multiple modelled collaborations of commercial advertising and prototypes with digital fabrication techniques. public art. The adaptation of the freeway project The use of parametric tools expanded the as a subtle advertisement for the Caltex petrol potential of creating a design that is more than staion as well as a unique architectural pavilion just a gateway. will generate a certain hype that often follows such unconventional installations. While the design itself is an intriguing and unique display, the globalised popularity of the Caltex brand will be able to further push such an installation into the public eye, transforming it into a notable place-marker.
PROPOSED SITE
CALTEX PETROL STATION
SYNTHESIS DESIGN + ARCHITECTURE
ARTICULATED TENSIONS @ UNIV. OF CALGARY
ASIF KHAN AND PERNILLA OHRSTEDT
COCA-COLA BEATBOX, LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC PARK
AIR
ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO
PART B: EOI II DESIGN APPROACH SHENG YING ANG 517920 ISHANI GUNASEKARA 542396 Drawing inspiration from some of the examples, we have decided on tensile structure focusing on a tessellated material system for the installation. The tensile form, wrapped around the petrol shed and lounge area expresses the need to accommodate a growing urban precinct and the social and environmental tensions that need to be addressed in the process. The tessellation is adopted from the abstraction process of the Caltex logo as a move of advertising subtlety to spark public interest. At first glance, the installation is intended to look like a heavy metallic structure, but by experiencing the space, users realise that each tessellation is actually made of aluminium cans. This provides a unique experience for the growing population of Wyndham to engage as a community in terms of providing resources or even assembling the installation. The structure is always growing and changing depending on what the community does. This reflects the notion that architecture spans across a broad discipline; not merely structure and materiality, but also a representation of deeper social issues. Our approach for the Wyndham Gateway may be an unconventional on many levels. We think that Wyndham is in need of something refreshing - and the novelty of commercial architecture is definitely fitting.