Urban Design Portfolio Ishani Gunasekara Master of Urban Design University of Melbourne
Résumé
Education Master of Urban Design, University of Melbourne 2015-2017
Experience
• Completed with distinction.
Planning and Design Graduate, Monash University Feb 2017 - present
• Awarded merit scholarship to
Part of the Campus Design, Quality
conduct a muti-diciplinary design
and Planning team overseeing
studio in Indonesia.
masterplanning and public realm of
• In addition to urban design, the course also focused on urban planning theory and practice.
four campuses. • Preparing university-wide landscape, interior design and FF&E guidelines and controls.
Bachelor of Environments, • Engaging with contractors and University of Melbourne (Major suppliers to procure products and in Architecture) services for university public realm. 2011-2014 • Assessing and proposing sites for • Multi-disciplinary course including landscape architecture and urban planning subjects.
public realm interventions. • Preparing presentations for department leads and university council.
Contact Ishani Gunasekara ishani214@yahoo.com Ph: 0411 871 095 02
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Ishani Gunasekara - Urban Design Portfolio
VCE, Sacred Heart Girls’ College, Oakleigh 2010 • ATAR: 94.9 • College Band Leader
• Assist with reviewing materplans and design proposals.
for architecture and interior design • Given responsibility for a residential interior design project that involved liaising with clients and collaborating with external architect and builders.
Marketing Intern, World Vision Australia Jun - Sep 2016 • Worked in a team to prepare a marketing pitch (including logo, presentation and report for upscaling a remote online training platform run by World Vision Australia.
Freelance and volunteering • 99 Designs - freelancing graphic design • Centre for Contemporary Photography - front desk • Highway Art Gallery - front desk • Melbourne Microfinance Initiative design officer
Architecture Intern, MICD Associates Sri Lanka Aug 2014 - Feb 2015
• Open House Melbourne
• Preparing architectural drawings
• UN Habitat - Urban Thinkers
and concept design presentations
Volunteering in events: • Conservation Volunteers Campus Conference
Skills Design skills and software: • Rhino 3D (including Grasshopper plug-in) • Sketchup • AutoCad • Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
• Sketching and drawing Other: • Working knowledge of design and procurement processes (small to large scale) • Understanding and representing high-level design thinking • Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines and prioritise tasks • Confident in collaborating with clients, professionals and consultants
Interests • Visual art: drawing, painting, visiting art exhibitions and galleries • Philosophical studies and readings • Gardening and learning about native planting and environments • Documentaries • Inclusive design and public realm for social encounter
Portfolio The following pages summarise three design studio projects undertaken as coursework for the Master of Urban Design,
Contents The Superbock: Re-imagining the Royal Melbourne Hospital Precinct Page 04
References Jocelyn Chiew Manager, Campus Design, Quality and Planning Monash University jocelyn.chiew@monash.edu
Maribyrnong Mainland: A residential masterplan for the former Maribyrnong Defence Site Page 10
The Carlton Courtyard: Urban design guidelines for the Carlton Social Housing Precinct Page 14
David Mah Urban Design Thesis Studio Leader University of Melbourne david.mah@unimelb.edu.au Ishani Gunasekara - Urban Design Portfolio
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The Superblock Reimagining Royal Melbourne Hospital Thesis Studio (2017)
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Ishani Gunasekara - Urban Design Portfolio
Just like in cities, public spaces in hospitals provide a platform for vital social engagement and human encounter. 15th century
Private, monastic hospitals with cloister form courtyards
Monastic Hospital Ospedale Maggiore, Milan 18th century
Civic hospitals, with larger but still semi-private plaza
Waiting areas
The Pavilion Hospital The Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwhich 20th century
Buildings situated in space, with the small courtyards for recuperation and natural ventilation
Open Space Machines for healing The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne 21st century
Common Areas
Healing gardens Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne
Large, functional postwar buildings with little public space.
A building set in space with open public gardens and private ‘healing’ gardens
The hospital is reorientated as the centre of an urban precinct, designed to engender a health lifestyle. No longer an isolated tower, it will be enmeshed within the urban fabric as an integral community facility. To establish the hospital as a communal space, the hospital must facilitate a diversity of patients and visitors. The range of services provided will facilitate co-location of spaces and enable the wide-range of experience in hospitals to co-exist.
Design Approach The changing role of the hospital calls for a re-imagining of its urban form and place within the city’s urban fabric. This studio has sought to re-imagine the role of the hospital in society and test possible urban typologies that may result from this. Delivered in collaboration with the Victorian Department of Health, the project focuses on the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) that is set within the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct. This project capitalizes on the unique opportunity for the redevelopment of a large city block owned by the Department of Health and Human Services, exploring potential outcomes through the ‘Superblock’. Within the gridded and partitioned layout of the City of Melbourne, the RMH Superblock has potential to change its urban fabric and offer a unique and generous public space to the city.
Research of Typological History The role of the hospital has long been reflected through its urban typology and configuration of open space. Hospital architecture has evolved from the monastic courtyards of the middle ages and public and health oriented facilities from the 18th century. In the 20th century they became post war machines for healing, and more recently, are conceived as evidence-based architecture within progressive research environments. The private courtyard of the monastic period evolved to smaller open courtyards as the function and identity of hospitals changed. The post-war modernist hospital buildings offered little public space as, huge influxes of patients made the functional and fortified hospital a symbol of strength and institutionalism. The modern interpretation of the hospital is changing from being a place to ‘house the sick’, into a centre for wellbeing. Hospital designs now integrate large and diverse public spaces from healing gardens to community playgrounds. Open and public spaces are becoming defining aspects of how the hospital is perceived by patients, staff and wider society. As they become part of larger collaborative research facilities and are being redefined as precedents for healthy living, how could its urban typology also evolve? Ishani Gunasekara - Urban Design Portfolio
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Superblock Approach
Megaform as Public Project
‘A collective aspiration’
The Superblock is achieved through the amalgamation of the VCCC site, the general RMH block and smaller adjacent blocks. The proposal highlights the unique opportunity for the redevelopment of a large urban block under unified ownership in the established city precinct. It is inspired by the ‘Superilles’ approach adopted in Barcelona in response to the city’s issues of traffic congestion and car pollution.
Megaform developments have been used to create vibrant and place-defining public spaces around the world. It has often been utilised for government-scale ambitions in providing physical and social infrastructure. Kevin Murray, in his analysis of Robson Square as a megaform highlights its use as a mechanism to explore a larger culture.
Steven Holl describes that megastructure project in its built forms “express a collective aspiration...” Distinctive and purposeful megaform can be utilized to establish a new identity for the RMH.
3 Prototypes of Hospital Typology The urban forms explored above guided our approach to re-imagining the hospital as three very public urban typologies: the plaza, the spine (based on a network of pocket parks) and the platform (inspired by iconic urban centres). These typologies are explored in varied reconfigurations of the site as a ‘Superblock’. The three concepts are tested through illustrations focussed on social space at various scales. 3D printing of each typology further helps to discern the quality of public space that could be achieved within each urban form. These typologies question ‘what if’... What if the hospital was like Plaza Mayor? What if the hospital was also a network of pocket parks? What if the hospital developed like the Rockefeller Centre? 06
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Open Space Typologies
Built form rules and guidelines Following an evaluation of the three prototypes, we sought to further develop the built form within the urban typologies. The aim was to determine a proposal in which public space was integrated through he precinct laterally and vertically, while the buildings remained flexible to accommodate new and unprecedented functions.
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Vertical Interstitial Space
Large open space
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Vertical open space
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Lateral interstitial space
Sky bridges
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CLEAR MOVEMENTBUILDING TYPOLOGY RULES
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Vertical interstitial space
Pocket park
MIX OF FLOOR PLATES
01. Mix of floor plates
CLEAR MOVEMENT
C SPACE INCREASES
CLINIC
BUILDING TYPOLOGY RULES
LATERAL SLABS (FOR OPEN FLOOR PLANS
Possible uses of interstitial floors: MEDICAL IMAGING PRIVATE CLINIC
CLINIC PUBLIC SPACE INCREASES
10-YEAR RESEARCH PROGRAM
CLINIC
02. Lateral growth
MIX OF FLOOR PLATES
RESEARCH
RESEARCH Collaborative working space
OPEN-PLAN COLLABORATIVE SPACE
Vertical open space
LECTURE
LECTURE
CLEAR MOVEMENT
Collaborative space
INPATIENT
LOUNGE
STUDENT LOUNGE
INPATIENT
SPA
STAFF LOUNGE
Temporary infill and decanting
INPATIENT
OUTDOOR CAFE
RESTAURANT
RESEARCH Private rental
RESEARCH
Example of use: NEW DIAGNOSIS MACHINE
03. Clear orientation
CLEAR MOVEMENT
TECHNICAL LAB
EXERGENCY LATERAL SLABS (FOR OPEN FLOOR PLANS
PUBLIC SPACE INCREASES
EMERGENCY Vertical courtyard
PUBLIC SPACE INCREASES
04. Integrating public space vertically
DECANTING EMERGENCY UNIT FOR FACILTIY UPGRADES
EMERGENCY
EXTENSION OF RESEARCH FACILITY
RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH
SHARED ACCESSWAY
“The reconfiguration of the da Vinci Surgical System to accommodate emergency diagnostics has been a landmark medical solution. The new facility will be located adjacent to the emergency trauma center with easy access to the maintenance and tech lab as CAFEwell as the diagnostic TERRACE research team. Decanting of old facilities will occur while the new systems is being rolled out”.
CLINIC
RESEARCH
GYM
Ishani Gunasekara - Urban Design Portfolio GP
HOSPITAL GIFT SHOP
SPECIALIST CLINIC CAFE
RESEARCH
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Diagram of vertical interstitial floors W HOS OMEN’S PITAL
PHY SIOT HER APY CL
REH AB R O
R M OYAL HOS ELBOUR PITAL NE
INIC
OM
juic e ba r TEC H LA B
LEC
TUR E TH EAT RE
ROYAL WOMEN’S HOSPTAL
ROYAL MELBOURNE HOSPTAL
RESEARCH
Prototype 01: Plaza
RECREATIONAL/ LIFESTYLE
RECREATIONAL/ LIFESTYLE
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INPATIENT WARDS
RESEARCH
VCCC RESEARCH
ENTERTAINMENT /RETAIL
Ishani Gunasekara - Urban Design Portfolio
ROYAL WOMEN’S HOSPITAL RECREATIONAL/ LIFESTYLE
Prototype 02: Spine
INPATIENT
RESEARCH
ROYAL MELBOURNE HOSPTAL
VCCC RESEARCH
ENTERTAINMENT /RETAIL
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Bosch Maribyrnong Mainland
Our consolidation
A Masterplan for the Maribyrnong Defence Site Studio A (2016)
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Ishani Gunasekara - Urban Design Portfolio
Recreation (bouldering)
‘The Island’
Sporting Facilities
Botanical Garden
16 6 9
Playgrounds
4 7 3
16
3
3 7
Amphitheatre
7
6
4 3
2. Apartment towers 4
3. Courtyard Housing apartment 4. Residential amenities
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5. Ornamental Lake
15
3
16
1. Tram stops
6
2
4
Key Amenities
3
6. Park 7. Retail/hospitality strip
4
8. Offices
3 6
Boathouse
9. Entertainment precinct 10. Sports centre
14 13
12
11
9
6 8 1
7
10 2
5
11. Community/school hall 4
4
12. Primary School
3 7
2 1
13. Secondary school 14. Library 15. Heritage hospitality precinct 16. Waterfront recreation
The urban renewal project in Maribyrnong aims to revive the area in a sustainable, future-proof manner. The proposed plan sets a precedent for social integration, flexibility, and environmental adaptation. Neighbourhoods within the site will hold a character unique to their particular heritage or natural context to encourage development of identity. Links introduced throughout the site will strengthen the connectivity with the surrounding suburbs.
Design Approach It was important to understand the fastgrowing nature of the urban environment and the complexities associated with building a suburb and importantly a community from very few pre-existing conditions. The site challenged me to explore how urban design can facilitate a sense of place and identity without there being an existing social framework to build on. Furthermore, there is a desire to design something different to the surrounding homogeneous suburban landscape while maintaining a suburban character (as opposed to an inner-city one). The notion of ‘democratic space’ is important in designing the urban environment. In creating public spaces for people to encounter their neighbours and other cultures, the designer can create a platform for community-building and the generation of ‘place’. Ishani Gunasekara - Urban Design Portfolio
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Step 4: precincts Plan view Defining MasterCommunities Plan
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Bird’s Eye Perspective
We identified the opportunity to engender six unique communities within the site. These precincts will have unique points of attraction which will encourage intercommunity activity and engagement while providing a point of identity and character within each neighbourhood.
Bosch island
Waterfront leisure & sports
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200 m
Elevation I
Waterfront Remount Hill
The programming of these community ‘zones’ will allow for a vibrant interplay of community activity and amenity making each space a destination within the suburb and the greater Melbourne area.
Neighbourhoods Neighbourhoods Neighbourhoods
Downtown
Remount Hill residential community
Teaching & Learning
Waterfront residential
The Hub
Regional commercial centreRemount Valley
High density core
Design Development
Remount Hill C
The design of the masterplan was strongly influenced by existing topography and the adjacency of the Maribyrnong River. These physical features influenced the landuse, both enabling and restricting potential development. These general precincts were furtherDspecified into core uses (such as housing precincts) and attraction points (such as the waterfront plaza). Lower density developments (such as row housing) and activity areas of less physical permanence (such as picnic grounds, and sporting fields) have been implemented to activate the river front areas. Medium to high density development is design for the inner areas of the site, with the hill region maintaining an overall high above most of the surrounding development.
Downtown
High density residential
The Waterfront
Educational
Transport and amenities hub
Neighbourhoods Neighbourhoods Neighbourhoods
Learning and Teaching
The Hub
Remount Valley
Sections Elevation II
Zoning
Design breakdown Design breakdown Street hierarchy
ESSENDON WEST
ESSENDON WEST
School - riverfront ABERFELDIE
ABERFELDIE
AVONDALE HEIGHTS
AVONDALE HEIGHTS
A MARIBYRNONG
B
Larger blocks and higher density along Cordite Avenue allow for a greater commercial presence along the major road.
Educational Commercial Entertainment Residential
MARIBYRNONG
Primary road Major bicycle routes Major bicycle routes
Elevation I - north-south Maribyrnong River
Remount Hill
The Island
Elevation - east-west 12 | II Ishani Gunasekara - Urban Design Portfolio
52.5 m
Cordite Avenue
Detail
Neighbourhoods
Plaza waterfront
The Hub (left)
retail 432 m2
Setting the cultural centre for the new community, ‘The Hub’ integrates commercial and retail activity with a tram and bus interchanges. This is set within the redevelopment of heritage buildings that set a unique visual character for the precinct. This ‘community’ acts as the gateway the new precinct and links to essential precincts including ‘Learning and Teaching’ which incorporates a new school as well as informal learning opportunities through native botanical gardens and public recreation and play areas.
retail 328 m2
retail retail 318 m2
retail 575 m2
retail
Sections
175 m2
restaurant
790 m2
The Waterfront (right)
Theatre - concert mode Normal day
Event
retail 175 m2
retail 175 m2
restaurant 1015 m2
The waterfront plaza and amphitheatre act as a unique selling point, with flexible uses from retail and hospitality to public space that embraces the natural beauty of the riverside.
RIVER
retail
Sections
Theatre - everyday mode
The island is reminiscent of the past isolation and lack of access to the site. Separated by a narrow ephemeral stream, users will be able to cross the water RIVER barrier during low-tide and use bridges on the outer areas during high-tide. This creates a sense of connection to the natural systems of the site. It will be heavily re-vegetated with native plants which were heavily damaged and depleted by the previous land use of the defence site.
382 m2
960 m2
retail 325 m2
BIKE/PED TRAIL
WATER FEATURE
THEATRE
BIKE/PED TRAIL
WATER FEATURE
THEATRE
Mainland The Island Access through naturally steep area on site Crossing through ephemeral stream
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The Carlton Courtyard
Urban Design Guidelines for the Carlton Social Housing Precinct Land Use and Urban Design (2015)
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1.2 Extend the Colgan 2.4 Tranquil Street Garden area in access-way space between to Lygon student Street to housing and improve the retirement permeability apartments of the site.
3.5 Construct a 4.6 Transform 3.3 Rejuvenate the community the building existing primary plaza on the under-crofts school precinct: undeveloped into an with a local 4.6 Incorporate site on attractive sports oval, and sustainable Colgan semi-private after-school features such Street, with seating hours facilities as green underground areas for all ages. roofs and parking infrastructure
2.5 Terrace areas with cafĂŠ-style seating along Colgan Street and Palmerston Street.
1.7 Introduce a tram line from Melbourne University along Elgin Street to Kew Junction.
1. Providing diverse uses and options through six key activity zones 2. Better pedestrian accessibility and improve methods of non-car transport 3. Provide high quality spaces and activities for community development and engagement 4. Offer a range of amenities and organised community events 5. Implement environmentally sustainable design
Improve connection to Carlton Baths through Colgan Street accessway 1.6 Create bike 1.1 The extension of lanes along Drummond Street Lygon Street and as a central greenPrincess Street. boulevard.
3.2 Retrofit the existing childcare centre to a multi-level Pre-school and family centre.
4.3 Semi-Private gardens for residential buildings, slightly raised, with direct access from residential buildings.
4.1 Amphitheatre 4.2 Lawn area space for holding adjacent to community events amphitheatre, such as dance, off Lygon Street film and theatrical (will attract users events. To be used and be a spillas skateboarding/ space for larger recreational space events held in the when not being amphitheatre used for events.
6. Establish a positive urban image and enhance attractiveness and experience of the site
A vibrant courtyard for residents of the surrounding apartments and people from around Carlton to interact in and enjoy. It is an escape from the noise and growing congestion in the innercity area. The diversity of activity offered in the Carlton Courtyard Precinct draws in users and creates a safe and welcoming atmosphere.
Design Approach The regeneration of the social housing precinct in Carlton responds the lack of community amenity and underutilisation of existing facilities in the precinct. Through a range of site analyses including site visits, desktop studies and resident interviews, the need for more community support and opportunity for enjoyment has been identified. A sense of unease and discomfort was sensed through the interview process and a general lack of opportunity for community participation was observed. This can be attributes to the lack of people and activity in the area and a physical environment that dominates and is in contrast to the human scale. Six design guidelines were developed, seeking to encourage community engagement to establish a sense of neighbourliness among the residents and activate the space to make it an attractive and safe place for users. The ‘Carlton Courtyard’ will be a place for community gathering, drawing in users through its various activities and culturally rich atmosphere. Ishani Gunasekara - Urban Design Portfolio
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GUIDELINE 02: Better pedestrian accessibility and improve methods of non-car transport
2.1 The extension of Drummond Street as a central green-boulevard (with no car access), which creates a link with other open spaces.
2.2 Extend the Colgan Street access-way 2.3 Add new crossing and change existing to Lygon Street as a pedestrian/ ones as indicated on map cycle only walkway to improve the permeability of the site. 2.4 Provide bike rental facilities for 1.5 residents and students
2.3 2.5
A bicycle sharing station in Swanston Street, Melbourne
Boulevard in Odessa, Ukraine
2.7
2.4
Laneway intervention, San Francisco
2.2 2.3
Refurbished Terrace Buildings as cafes and retail offering
2.4
2.3
2.5 2.8 Terrace areas with cafĂŠ-style seating along Colgan Street and Palmerston Street. Pavement edge Parking Pavement extended for cafe seating
1.6 2.5 Create bike lanes along Lygon Street and Princess Street to create a better connectivity of bicycle lanes and generate a better pedestrian environment.
One-way traffic
2.1 2.5
Reimagining Palmerston Street
1m
N
2.7
50m 16
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2.6
2.7 1.8
Provide accessible tram stop platforms at selected sites to provide more equitable access to services and a safer environment for pedestrians
St. Vincent’s Private Hospital Kew Junction
2.7
Victoria Park Station
2.3
Yarra River Reserves/ open spaces
2.8
Abbotsford Convent
2.3
UoM Early Learning Centre
1.7 2.6 Introduce a tram line from Melbourne University along Elgin Street to interconnecting tram lines at Kew Junction, creating a better East-West connection and providing better access to surrounding amenities, Victoria Park Station and other open spaces such as Abbotsford Convent and reserves along Yarra River.
1m
Yarra Trams, tram route along Elgin Street to Kew Junction, with accessible stops at significant locations
Yarra Trams, Accessible Tram Stop
GUIDELINE 05: Implement environmentally sustainable design
5.1 Water sensitive urban design - with swales along main paths and run-off treatment to naturally filter runoff
GUIDELINE 06: Establish a positive urban image and enhance attractiveness and experience of the site
5.2 Rain gardens and water catchment features to filter run-off and alleviate effects of high rainfall
6.1 Change the façades of social housing buildings to be more colourful/interesting
6.2 Introduce art installations and sculptures that are interesting/ interactive into key areas of the site. This could be generated through community participation or competitions.
Greenwich Millennium Village, Social Housing refurbishment
Intriguing art installation by Patrick Dougherty, Arkansas
6.3 Incorporate interesting textures and paving along Colgan Street and Palmerston Street to distinguish it as a café terrace area and use ground cover to differentiate between activities on site to improve legibility
6.4 Change the fencing around the primary school so that it is visually attractive and functional
Sidewalk in Brazil
Musical Fence The DeCordova Museum in Lincoln
5.4
A swale along street in New York
5.3 Green roofs to be retrofitted on existing buildings
A rain garden in Geelong
5.2
5.4 Canopy cover along the main boulevard and roads to alleviate urban heat island effect.
5.1
6.2
5.2
5.2
Green Roof in City Hall, Chicago
5.5 Enhance biodiversity of vegetation and plant trees that attract native birds
Urban heat island mitigation, New Jersey
5.1 5.1
5.6 Use rainwater captured from nearby buildings to irrigate community gardens (next to the Primary Schools and Children’s Centre
5.3
6.4
6.5 Create an interesting ‘gateway’ at the site’s northern entrance by putting up an artistic/interactive sound barrier
N Eucalyptus leucoxylon - a native tree known to attract parrots
Native Gum tree
Site Barriers with Beautiful Living Green Walls, Yanko Design Ishani Gunasekara - Urban Design Portfolio
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