Ethics as a Journey within a Labyrinth

ARCHITECTS & TIME

ARCHITECTURE & TIME

Ethical Journal

Hofung & Kevin UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCE

COLLABORATION

CONTEXT

Undiscovered Rooms

3. Universal

2. Collaboration

1. Context

Undiscovered Rooms

Map of our Ethical

Ethics and morality

Ethics, seeks to ask why we have societal norms of what is morally right and/or wrong and how this system is to be determined. It is not a definite answer, rather a lens which we are encouraged to look through at the themes and topics of the world around us.

Why do we need to pursue Ethics? Is there an end goal?

In the Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle suggests that the ultimate purpose and end goal of human existence is ‘eudaimonia’ (happiness). We discovered is that this end-goal (happiness or any others), is significant not just as an outcome, but because it encourages us to seek the pursuit of it which leads us to learn more about the world around us.

Why Ethics and Architecture?

Through the Retroactive Continuity of the chosen hypothetical project, we seek to uncover the reasons why it is important for the constant dialogue between ethics and architecture through myriad topics such

as: First Nations, Culture, Politics, Accessibility, good design and place-making.

Our personal manifesto

Manifesto by definition and its etymology, refers to a ‘public declaration and a clear, and direct announcement of motives and forthcoming actions’. This is reinforced through examining past examples of manifestos that presents itself to the public through bold and definite statements. However, we discovered that a manifesto of ethics, is a personal one. The emphasis should not just be through bold statements, but through process and reflections.

Analogy of the Labyrinth

To extend this idea of ethics as a pursuit and journey, we drew a parallel of moving through a labyrinth.

Like the Plato’s Allegory of Cave, the Analogy of the Labyrinth is able to provide new ways to understand relationship of different elements and information and reflect upon the holistic pursuit that we all are undertaking.

The Labyrinth The labyrinth is infinite and omnipresent. It represents the complex network of the world which is filled with various entities and discoveries waiting to be made. Inside the maze, we are in pursuit of the unreachable endpoint; an ultimate goal that like ethics, is able to encourage us to constantly manoeuvre around the maze.

Discovery Rooms Within the maze are countless rooms, each with their own unique atmosphere within. The finding of a room represents a major milestone or discovery that you have made in the ethical journey. It is a place of slowing down and processing your thoughts before moving on back into the labyrinth.

Th Ho you up the

4. Architecture & Time

Experience

US 5. Architects & Time

Undiscovered Rooms

s

l Labyrinth

Explorer

he explorer represent a person (for our map, Kevin & ofung) that has begun a journey in the maze. The paths u take are influenced by Wyour personal history, cultural pbringing, and experiences. This means that everyone in e maze are each on their unique trail.

Meeting Others Within the labyrinth, you inevitably encounter other people.

They represent the lives and work of others. Encountering them allows us to discover new perspectives and values that may change yours, and as a result change how you manoeuvre around the maze.

Map & Journal

Tools

To map and track our trails and experiences encountered in the maze, it is important to carry and map and journal.

The map represents the holistic journey up to the present, and helps you perceive the progress. The journal allows us to represent in more detail and provides a drawing board to revisit and reflect upon the experiences and discoveries.

The tools that we carry around represent the topics of focus such as: First Nations, Accessibility, Culture and Politics and many others. It allows us to see the maze through an ethical lens, where we can use it for our encounters and experiences.

Reading Guide: Map & Toolkits The map refers to the document that reads with the journal. Refer to it and

Each tab refers to the 2-page structure which dissects and discusses a chosen principles and values. Each chapter here is represented in the map through the rooms.

start from here..

CHAPTER 1.

WHAT IS CONTEXT?

1. first nations cultural & politics good design place-making

CONTEXT

Reading Guide: Chapters

tool kit

SOUTH KOREA HONG KONG

AUSTRALIA

its respective room before and after you have read each chapter.

The toolkit are the topics that are most relevant to the chosen chapters.

Reading Guide: Our Stories This is a personal reflection

Our Stories: Kevin

Our Stories: Hofung

I am not originally from Sydney. Unlike the diversity here,

Spending my early years in New Zealand, I moved to

I grew up in Korea where the demographic was more

Hong Kong when I was 5. I found myself moving to

ethnically homogeneous. In Korea, just 3% of the population are foreign nationals and it’s almost impossible to learn

Sydney a few years ago. I have prepared myself for sudden changes in culture. Having lived in different settings meant

about other cultures and places without going overseas, or through the TV. But what I’ve discovered was common in both cultures is that there is a strong sense of belonging to a place; our context.

I was exposed to drastically different cultures where I find myself jammed in the chaos of inter-cultural identity crisis.

What I long for is a sense of belonging and a place that represents me.

based on our individual and collective experience.

It shows some of the influences that start to shape our perspectives.

Reading Guide: Hearing from others This is our reflection after hearing from the various speakers in our lecture module interviews.

These reinforce, challenge and mould our ethical perspectives.

Growing up in Redfern

Hearing from others: Sascha Coles & Marni Reti

Listening to Sascha and Marni talk about their upbringings in Redfern was something that was completely different to our experience. Unlike our experience in Redfern through our university campus, Redfern to Sascha and Marni, is more then just a location or a suburb.

For Sascha, Redfern is like a diverse family, that encouraged him to express his diverse and open-minded way of thinking.

For Marni, her context reminded her of the values of First Nations cultures that lacked in the architectural education and practice. Her context was a source of power that allowed Marni to seek a more ethical and socially aware profession.

Reading Guide: Retcon project:

Analysing and critiquing our previous graduation studio with an ethical lens, provides a new perspective and new questions.

Remember, whenever a text is orange, t means it’s related to this retcon project!

Retcon project:

‘Uncovering Bangarra’ The project to be retcon’d (retroactive continued) was an university project that aimed to bring theatre and performance to the Gadigal Lands in the Eora Nation; on a site adjacent to the Domain

Sydney Harbour

Parks, Sydney.

What is the connection between the context of site, and performance?

Domain Park

The project site..

Hyde Park

GADIGAL

EORA

Ethical Concepts & Philosophies

context (n.) early 15c., “a composition, a chronicle, the entire text of a writing,” from Latin contextus “a joining together,” originally past participle of contexere “to weave together,” from assimilated form of com “with, together” (see con-) + texere “to weave, to make” (from PIE root *teks- “to weave,” also “to fabricate”).

“ RELATIONALISM ” “ SOVEREIGNTY “ “ Aboriginal Political ordering and philosophy is thoroughgoing attentiveness to relations. “ Hearing from others: Morgan Brigg, Mary Graham When we unpack the word ‘context’ we can discover that context is about this idea of weaving together. This is further emphasised in Brigg & Grahams’ articles regarding ‘Relationalism, not sovereignty’ where it describes the fundamental attitude of First Nations culture in being always connected, influenced and influencing others and other entities. Within this network, some relations pull harder than others. Relations such as family, kinship, place or Country are most salient.

Learning from case studies:

barrangal dyara (skin and bones) Jonathan Jones barrangal dyara (skin and bones) was a temporary art installation in the Royal Botanic Garden that addressed the forgotten First nations history and culture through the artefacts that were lost in the fire of the Garden Palace.

It is able to tell a powerful story because of its relationship with its site which was the location of the Palace before its downfall. By representing the original floor plan of the palace with a spread of recreated Indigenous shields, it expresses and reminds us of the stories we should not forget on a location that is deepy connected with its history.

Reading Guide: Learning from case studies

Through unpacking existing case-studies, we ensure that we don’t reinvent the wheel, but learn the lessons from others.

Reading Guide: Ethical Concepts & Philosophies Certain questions led us to research ethical concepts and philosophies. While we write our responses, please take into consideration that they are ‘our’ intepretations.

CONTEXT

start from here..

Corroboree, or Dance of the Natives of New South Wales, 1820 Walter Preston

Learning from case studies:

Dance Rites

Retcon project:

BANGARRA DANCE THEATRE

Sydney Opera House

The proposed theatre seeks to remember and showcase true traditional Australian performance, by providing and a theatre space for the Contemporary Indigenous: Bangarra Dance Theatre.

Reflecting the Corroboree which are the traditional performances of Dreamtime in the landscape, the theatre provides a space for the audience to watch the performers within the landscape.

Does designing for a specific performance group, limit the relationship of the theatre with the diversity of context?

Dance Rites is a First Nations dance competition hosted at the Sydney Opera House, which aims to inform and celebrate a diverse range of culture through language, dance, skin markings and instruments. It ensures a cultural continuity and provides a platform to encourage a diverse range of performers.

Mobs

Mobs

Building

PAMS Healthcare Hub, Newman Hearing from: Kaunitz Yeung

Mobs

Designed by Kaunitz Yeung, the PAMS healthcare hub is located, 1200km north of Perth. In its rural context, it is able to provide healthcare services for the local Martu and Niabali People. This building not only provides for all in the local communities, by accommodating for the needs of certain separation between the uses of the local mobs. It is like it listens and acts upon the diverse needs of the context.

The Domain

Potts Point Wharf Martin Place

The project site..

Art Gallery of NSW

Heritage Strip

The Domain

Woolloomooloo suburbs

Hyde Park

Learning from case studies:

Better Placed

Government Architect NSW

A series of documents developmed by the Governmnent Architects of New South Wales, provides and outlines ways for designers and architects to achieve good design. The ‘Better Placed’ document outlines 7 main objectives to guide designers. Of the 7, three focuses aiming for a healthy and interconnected relationship between the building and the diversity of context.

DISCOVERY 1.

CONTEXT IS RELATIONAL AND DIVERSE Context is not a singular sovereignty of an idea or character, but a network of relational elements that all contribute to its whole. Like Mary Graham suggested, there is an hierarchy of relations, however we must not forget to recognise that to better respond to context, we must acknowledge the diversity and map its relationships with each other.

‘Uncovering Bangarra’, sits as a confluence of many different environments, history and cultures. Each with different characters, requirements and constraints we need to consider this complex constellation of ideas that is the context.

Within this diversity, we discovered the need of a place of celebration of traditional First Nations performance through not only Bangarra Dance, but for a myriad of communities to celebrate First Nations performance and rituals.

Up next..

What is collaboration?

From learning that our context is relational and diverse, how can we make sure we cater to all? How can we collaborate with diversity?

Reading Guide: Up next..

This hints the following chapters and explains the flow between. Remember to revisit the map before moving on!

Reading Guide: Chapter Discovery After dissecting and analysing the respective chapter, we document the discovery through a vision statement. Unlike a traditional manifesto, this statement or discovery is not permanent and should be read only as a way of recording our thoughts.

start from here..

CONTEXT

CHAPTER 2.

COLLABORATION IN DESIGN

2.

Our Stories: Kevin

first nations cultural & politics good design place-making

COLLABORATION

Being brought up in Korea and living with my family, I have been accustomed to an inner-facing attitude when faced with an issue. I have always tried to solve and issue solely by myself before asking others, because I

tool kit

felt that other people with more experience was of a higher social status.

There is a dramatic change in culture here in Sydney, where you are encouraged to seek help to others whenever you have an issue. There is an open minded attitude towards collaboration and sharing of knowledge.

Ethical Concepts & Philosophies

ARISTOTLE'S NICOMACHEAN ETHICS “Happiness is the ultimate goal for all our actions” Aristotle examines the importance of finding virtue as not an extremity, but a balance & moderation between 2 opposite extremes. This ideology can be applied to collaboration in design as the practice of moderation stimulates the development of diverse ideas. In the end, success in designis measured by the satifaction of all members of society.

HOW CAN WE UTILISE THE DIVERSITY OF CONTEXT TO BENEFIT DESIGN?

Acknowledgement of diversity and myriad constellation of the context is just the initial step for ethical consideration.

Ethical Concepts & Philosophies:

CHAOSMOS

Deleuze & Guattari

Chaosmos is the blending of two contradicting phenomenon of cosmos and chaos; cosmos meaning order whilst chaos represents disorder; an abundance of forces which cannot be distinguished or differentiated from one another. Together, the term chaosmos exemplify the amalgamation of the polar opposite nature of order and disorder, where neither are completely separated from each other, but rather the boundaries of both realms become ambiguous and undefined.

Hearing from:

KAUNITZ YEUNG “MARRYING LOCAL VERNAULAR ARCHITECTURE WITH MODERN ENGINEER”

In the case of design, a chaosmos can be seen as the marrying of 2 different entities. A healthy collaboration of the two will form balance in the chaosmos; finding itself sustainable and long-lived. Whilst a lopsided relationship between two will result in conflict and imbalance.

Hearing from:

DANIEL BOYD& EDITION

COEXISTENCE OF ART& ARCHITECTURE

The concept of an autonomous regard can be looked at through the lense of architecture and its relation with art; In the case of Daniel Boyd and Edition studio, we’d learnt public art should not just be an addition to a building but given the creative licence to integrate deeply within the design.

Vanuatu School Kaunitz’s Vanuatu school is one example that stood out from the whole lecture series and one which exemplify the collaboration between client and architect.

Architects are advocates for client and need to listen and provide the best of interests for the clients and sustainable future.

Listening and understanding the capabilities and strengths of collaborators to better suit design. In the case of the Vanuatu School, Kaunitz considered ways to untilise local labour, materials and craftmanship to ensure accessible resources for future maintenance.

AUTONOMOUS REGARD Hearing from: Mary Graham

Autonomous regard is the philosophy of First Nations culture that “evokes the lawful relationship of the self with the world.”

“Autonomous regard is in this way a vehicle for the pursuit of relationalism,” Necessary to accommodate during both, the good and bad times during the relation Autonomous regard is not to put others down which is impractical and unhelpful, but to suggests ways forward collectively

BE TAKEN EASURES CAN RATION? M D N A RD A ABO RY BO WHAT ADVISO TE THE PRACTICE OF COLL A IT IL C FA : TO om case studies Learning fr rt t from the Hea Uluru Statemen

Learning from case studies: AIA First Nations Advisory Working Group and Cultural Reference Panel

In collaboration with diverse First Nations communities the Uluru Statement from the Heart suggests of the necessary steps to improve the relationship between First Nations Australians to Australians by embedding First Nation within A platform and congregation of diverse people of collective mindset

the constitution. To make changes by and for the First Nations people. It acknowledges that it is a coming together of both sides - Markarrata.

and recognising the importance of First Nations peoples and their ongoing connections to Country.

Recommend and collaborate in developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

PAMS Healthcare Hub, Newman Hearing from: Kaunitz Yeung

The PAMS healthcare hub involves collaboration with First Nations community in it’s design. An example of invovement with local communities are it’s custom gates which involve native work of art done by locals. The finishing touches give the building a sense of identity and is symbolic of collaboration between the architects and First Nations community.

Retcon project:

‘Uncovering Bangarra’ The Uncovering Bangarra is a project that is exclusively designed for the Bangarra dance without any consultation with external groups such as the other performance art communities.

Learning from case studies:

AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torress Strait Islander Research

The purpose of the document is to promote ethical and respectful practice in research relating to First Nations. It also promotes the involvements and leadership from First Nations people to be able to control and contribute to the process of research. It revolves around the cycle of 4 fundamental principles with a set of responsibilities that outline how you should conduct the research.

How can the throughts of the bangarra dance theatre, and many other performance be integrated deeply within the design process to better the outcome?

How can the thoughts and suggestions of the context be moderated to a collective development of the project?

start from here..

Ethical Concepts & Philosophies:

CONTEXT

‘ARCHITECT’ When we look at the origins of the word Architect, it connotes to the idea that architects are the sole designer; as people with mastery and expertise that allowed them to design buildings for others.

There is a transitioning of the meaning and profession of architects throughout history, where architects

COLLABORATION

now have become more diverse and a more collaborative process between multi-disciplines.

Due to the broadening of the field of architects,

COLLABORATION WITHIN OUR PRACTICE

becomes more important than ever!

IDEAS

EXPERTISE

Hearing from:

PAUL STROLLER

Hearing from:

Atelier Ten

Learning from Paul Stroller, He believes the best product or process comes when collaboration is trusting and expertise and knowledge is shared from an early point in design.

Architects shouldn’t be a sole designer but collaborators that trust experts on their specialist information and the diversity of ideas that comes through. The sharing of expertise will create an outcome which celebrates the amalgamation of ideas, skill and experience.

SKILLS

COLLABORATION THROUGH LEGISLATION Learning from case studies:

EmBeCe

EmBeCe emphasizes the importance of a good team.

A good team brings not only diversity and different characteristics, but needs to share a common and collective goal.

Diversity is not just race and gender, but a network of personal experience and culture.

Learning from case studies:

CITY OF SYDNEY ADVISORY PAN EL

uct from the AIA The Code of Professional Cond ce an ethical and is a list of codes which enfor een architect and client. collaborative relationship betw shared by both parties is on mati infor Ensuring that all n. desig in cy to allow for transparen

A Healthy Workplace

Hearing from others: Paul Stoller & EmBeCe The interviews with Paul Stroller and EmBeCe have led us to realise the importance of a healthy work environment; one which values the virtues of autonomous regard.

A healthy workplace should allow growth of diverse ideas, and value diverse abilities and contribution of all members of the team. A team should always endorse collaboration without prescription and being as open as possible.

A true collaborative workplace should repect each others strengths and weaknesses and encourage confidence in being vulnerable and not knowing. This kind of autonomous regard benefits all ; allowing people to trust and rely on each other which can result to a healthy environment for collaboration.

The City of Sydney advisory panel consists of governing bodies to congregate a diverse range of people to collectively share and develop ideas. The panel aims to ensure all concerns are identified and considered. Aiming to achieve a panel which embodies the people it serves.

Learning from case studies:

Quay Quarter Residential Block Contrary to common practices, building blocks are normally developed by one sole designer. The Quay Quarter Restidential Block is a collaboration of 4 different architecture firms. A neighbourhood is designed by 4 separate architects: SJB, Studio Bright, Silver Fuller and Carter Williamson.

The result of this collaboration consist of a beautiful composition of diversity of character and expression. As a whole, the Quay Quarter works collaboratively and collectively for the better. It is an example that showcases qualities of utilising diversity as a positive means.

COLLABORATION THROUGH INCLUSION OF DIVERSE ACTIVITIES

Retcon project: Currently, Uncovering Bangarra is designed solely for the use of the Bangarra Dance theatre.. This excludes the possibility of other cultural performances from inhabiting the space to showcase and promote the diversity of cultures that make up the demographics of the context.

To elevate the current design, Better considerations to utilise the over ground and undergrand is needed to involve collaborations of cultural activities and people to make up a performance space for all.

DISCOVERY 2.

CLIENT

Retcon project:

BEGIN WITH DIVERSITY, END AS COLLECTIVE

CONSULTANT

ARCHITECT

COMMUNITY

COUNCIL CLIENTS

COUNCIL CONSULTANT

COMMUNITY

Up next..

ARCHITECT

There is transitioning of the role of an architect from being a sole centre of a design (the various stakeholders and collaborators come back to them as a centre) to a more uniformly distributed network. The issue of collaboration is process driven rather than product, and hence a transformation of the relationships between the different collaborators needs to be given the platform share their knowledge and expertise freely.

We discovered that by ensuring that this process starts early, with a collective mindset, the design is able to develop while maintaining the diversity.

How does diversity influence the balance of universal experience with

function & program?

Moving on from how to deal with diversity in the design and construction process, what are the implications with a diversity of users?

first nations culture & politics good design placemaking

3.

CHAPTER 3.

HOW DO WE PROVIDE A UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCE?

tool kit

Now we have identified the importance of collaborative design process. How does diversity influence the balance of universal experience with function and program?

Our Stories: Hofung Growing up in a foreign country, my first language is not English. When it came to keeping up with the latest Covid-19 updates, it was difficult to fully grasp what was happening in the mainstream media which isn’t broadcasted in the language I’m most comfortable with. Hence I was thankful when broadcasting stations have foreign language announcements and news which are accessible to people who have

UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCE

COLLABORATION

CONTEXT

start from here..

HOW DO WE PROVIDE A CATERED EXPERIENCE FOR ALL?

struggles which English.

Retcon project:

EXPERIENCE OF UNCOVERING BANGARRA Public who are unable to access the theatre may only be able to experience the theatre performance from above which does not allow them to have the full experience of the performances.

Main circulation relies on a single staircase which limits Bangarra audiences to those who don’t have limitations in mobility.

Secluded interior which focuses on acoustics and lighting. However lack inclusive accessible routes for all to have a universal experience.

PARALLEL EXPERIENCE FOR ALL Ethical Concepts & Philosophies:

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a theory of motivation which states that five categories of human needs dictate an individual behavior. The model ranks the human needs to identify the order of significance.

The Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs can be applied in design to identify and prioritize a universal experience. Although the model was formulated based on human behaviors, the model can be translated and reconfigured to fit each design brief. Values and concerns defer from brief to brief, the hierarchy of needs imposes a system which ranks priorities in significance and relation to the context.

REGENERATIVE DESIGN

ECONOMICS AND CAPITALISM

CULTURE AND POLITICS MENTAL HEALTH/ WELL BEING

ACCESSIBILITY

Learning from case studies:

HAZELWOOD SCHOOL, GLASGOW

Learning from case studies:

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE’S ACCESSIBILITY ACTION PLAN (AAP)

Glasgow’s Hazelwood School was designed to provide blind and deaf students with the same educational resources as their peers.

Alan Dunlop came up with an ingenious design: a cork-clad trail rail wall, which provides signifiers and tactile cues to guide students around the school. Weaving throughout the school, the sensory wall helps students master their mobility and orientation skills. This school is an example of a facility which is designed for a catered experience.

Hearing from: Mary Graham

PROPORTIONALISM

The Sydney Opera House accessibility action plan is a plan to improve on the Sydney Opera House’s outdated accessibility standards; prolonging the longervity of the Sydney and consolidating it’d future as one of the world’s busiest performing arts centre.

The plan considers major accessibility upgrades, training staff on disability awareness disciplines and more; broading the experience people of diverse needs.

Proportionalising is the theory of identifying and regulating the machanics of a matrix.

The world is chaotic and incoherent, proportionalising is a system which allows us to measure reality.

Through propotionalising, we can then reconfigure the mechanics of each function by proportionalising how we fit things with others and create a harmonious amalgamation of coexistence.

Learning from case studies:

Guggenheim New York

The Guggenheim, NYC features a continuous spiral ramp which combines circulation with exhibition space. The unparalleled experience designed by Frank Loyd Wright have many questioning if an accessible design was part of the intent of the design or was it merely a coincidence which bounded it’s experience with function.

Learning from case studies:

Government Architects Glossary

A universal experience is not just about provding inclusive modes for mobility for buildings.

It’s about acknowledging everyone needs and traslating them into parralleled experiences for all.

CONTEXT

start from here..

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING Hearing from: KERWIN DATU’S EXPERIENCE

COLLABORATION

After listening to Kervin Datu’s talk about the importants of a inclusive and open workplace and design.

UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCE

Good architecture designs for indiscriminate usage to give all users their place and consideration.

Enquire with the people you are working closely with and share your experiences and limitations which will increase acknowledgement of mental health and well being in the practices.

Psychological and neurological satisfaction in architecture. How do we quantify the functionality of a building and combine it with mental health neuro diversity.

This brings us back to

AUTONOMOUS REGARD Autonomous regard isn’t solely about the lawful relationship of the self with the world.

It is also the process of actively considering, weighing, and scaling one’s relations with others.

An autonomous regard in the working enviornment and practiceis the mutual respect and consideration for the interactions of human relations with diverse beings, entities, and forces that constitute the cosmos.

WHAT ARE THE MOVEMENTS TO PROMOTE PRACTICE OF INCLUSIVITY?

Learning from case studies:

UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS AND DISABILITY A Guide by the UN which focusses on inclusion of different kinds disabilities by introducing a set of measures and guidelines for different nations to follow. The convention aims to eliminate discimination against human of different socio-groups and people of disability.

PERSONALISED EXPERIENCE Hearing from:

Daniel Boyd & Edition Office How can you allow people from different backgorunds have and equal experience.

People are going to have varied experience, hence architecture which allow people to have their own personalised interpretation of the space instead of forcing an experience.

Retcon project:

WELCOME MULTI-FACETED EXPERIENCES THAT REFLECTS THE MYRIAD COMMUNITIES

Vieiwing opportunities from different perspectives

Inclusion of people with all concerns and challenges.

Introduce different models of movement

DISCOVERY 3.

IT IS OKAY FOR DIFFERENT PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE DIFFERENTLY Instead of focusing on how a design can provide equal and identitcal experience for myriad communities which may sometimes lead to compromising and loss of original design. We’d like to shift the focus, instead of providing a universal exerience for all, we celebrate the diversity by creating unique and multi-facaded experience catered for each individual.

In this way, we explore and maximise the full potential of interpretation with expereiences specifically cater for one’s differences.

Up next..

“How can we design for the unprecedented social, economic, and ecological changes?”

Moving on, we look into the relationship and conflict of buildings and the changing times.

start from here..

CONTEXT

4.

OBSTACLE 4 .

ARCHITECTURE & TIME

first nations regenerative design econmics & capitalism cultural & politics good design

COLLABORATION

ARCHITECTURE THAT EXHIBIT AND REPRESENT THE CULTURE OF ITS TIME..

tool kit

ARCHITECTURE & TIME

UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCE

Retcon project:

a building that represents First Nations Culture

Learning from case studies:

Pillar of Shame, Hong Kong Jens Galschiot

Our Stories: Hofung

The Pillar of Shame is a series of sculptures by Danish artist Jens Galschiot.

One of which was erected as a public artwork in the University of Hong Kong 8 years after the events of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protest and massacre in China. The sculpture became a symbol of resistance and remembrance of the people and who fought for democratic reforms and social freedom.

I grew up in Hong Kong and with values which did no align with the new era of suppression and surveillance. It is extremely disheartening to witness the removal of a public art installation that holds great cultural significance as it is no longer withstanding the testament of its political climate..

In the recent events of the changing political climate, the university has been pressured to remove the pillar of shame as of 13th of October 2021.

The chosen project is designed as a symbol that represents the culture of First Nations performance through the performance landscape hidden underneath the Domain.

However Its exterior where the building is constructed with heavy and rigid materiality..

Inspired by the forms of monoliths and monuments, these blocks were an ironic take in creating a place of remembrance.

Water Falls, Sydney Park

Shifting Grounds

Giving tangibility to nature through art installations.

How can culture and architecture do something similar?

Objects of Representation Hearing from: turpin crawford studio The works of turpin crawford studio extends the connection of art and nature in a relationship of representation. Her works have a common theme in showcasing and representing the works of nature that was otherwise hidden and intangible. By utilising the movement and rhythm of water, they are able to create engaging installations that brings the public closer to nature.

Tied to Tide, Pyrmont

‘CULTURAL’ ARCHITECTURE AND ITS CONFLICT WITH TIME.

Learning from case studies:

Anzac Hall

The Anzac Hall has lost its fight with time and is now in demolition. To be replaced by the large expansion of the War Memorial, the Anzac Hall and its demolition represents an example of a building of culture making way for a new growth of culture.

Learning from case studies:

Nakagin Capsule Tower Designed and built during the time of Japanese Metabolism, the Nakagin Capsule Tower is a representation of the cultural climate of Japan during its PostWar period. Its modulated proposal that was aimed to allow for flexibility was never utilised and failed live up to its design intent.

Rather its concrete modules fail into its eventual disrepair and now awaiting demolition.

Learning from case studies:

Sirus Building

The Sirus building was designed and built to accommodate the evacuated public housing tenants in 1979. It is a building that was born out of a change in cultural and social climate at its time.

Now, due to another shift in culture and society, the building was unable to adapt to change and as a result became unused. However, the Sirus Building is now proposed to be renovated and redeveloped to adapt to the changing times.

Although its demolition, its modules are proposed to be distributed around the world to be exhibited and given new cultural life.

Proposed Redevelopment

TO WHAT EXTENT IS CHANGING OR ADAPTING ARCHITECTURE FROM ITS ORIGINAL INTENT JUSTIFIABLE?

Retcon project: Can a building representing a culture of a specific time, withstand unprecedented social, economic, and ecological changes?

Buildings are only temporal

Hearing from: Edition Office & Jennifer Turpin An idea that is common from both Edition Office & Jennifer Turpin, is the temporal life of buildings and the permanence of nature. Hence, it suggests that we need to view architecture not as singular isolated elements, but a small part within a wider narrative of the world.

CONTEXT

start from here..

Learning from case studies:

A way forward

Biophillic design - Sydney Olympic Park

Recreational Spaces Native Flora & Fauna Wetlands

UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCE

COLLABORATION

Green Open space

In the broader narrative of the world, it is essential for the built infrastructure to have a ‘biophillic’ approach. Meaning to have a connection with nature, it encourages both social and environmental health and sustainability. An example of this typology, is the Sydney Olympic Park, where a network of ‘green’ spaces and native landscapes have been reintroduced through native wetlands.

Sustainability is not just about fixing.

It is REGENERATIVE. Hearing from: Caroline Pidcock, Paul Stoller A common theme in both Caroline and Paul’s interviews is their passion for enforcing sustainability in the built environment. As shown through the Architects Declare, the issues are not just about the buildings, but about a shift in the architect’s thinking and ethos towards a more regenerative and sustainable approach.

We also discovered that sustainability in buildings is not just about minimising its footprint, but more about providing a positive change to the environment. It through this, that allows the building to continue to contribute to a sustainable future of the environment.

Learning from case studies:

Sustainability is not just about ‘Greening’ up the building ARCHITECTURE & TIME

We discovered that unlike the Sydney Olympic Park, where the biophillic approach was successful because of its scale and appropriate context, there is an issue with ‘greening’ buildings that does not necessarily equate to sustainability.

The Forest Gardens, while embodying the ‘green’ look is inappropriate given its context of living, where the abundance of plants led to the infestation of insects.

The National Singapore University’s SDE4 building, does not look like a typical ‘green building’. However through the use of renewable energy, and passive design inspired from vernacular principles, it is able to commit to net-zero consumption.

This example shows that sustainability is not just in appearance, but systemic.

Qiyi City Forest Gardens

Economy vs. Sustainability Hearing from: Paul Stoller

The circular diagram above shows the interconnectivity of ecology, society, economy and enterprise. It shows how while Ecology is omnipotent that houses the rest, it also suggests that they all need to be considered as a whole relational system.

This leads us to question situations where for the social and economic benefit, environmental sustainability has been compromised.

When a client cannot afford to build and design a complex sustainable building, do you not?

National Singapore University SDE4

Retcon project:

Thinking just hypothetically..

What might happen in 100 years time?

Introduction of natural flora Given the appearance of a landscape and with the abundance of water, the landscape below might become an ecosystem of natural flora and fauna.

Starting as a landscape for cultural history, it might evolve back into a landscape for nature.

What happens to the materials?

The main building material, sandstone is a natural material that is local to Sydney and Australia. Hence in the chance it has become demolished, the sandstone is able to be easily recycled and re-used.

As a retention basin?

It may be that the future, there is a demand for retention basins in Australia, as population and living density increases. Hence hypothetically, this theatre space may become a retention basin that is able to store the city’s water..

DISCOVERY 4 .

ARCHITECTURE IS PART OF A BROADER NARRATIVE ARCHITECTURE SHOULD NOT CONSTRAIN, BUT CONSIDER THE FUTURE We discovered that it is inevitable for any architecture to withstand the trial of time, and that we must accept that all buildings are temporal relative to the environment it erects upon. Hence, Architecture is not an isolated entity of its own. It is a small temporal part that is integrated into a broader narrative of our ecology, culture, society and time.

Secondly, we learnt that Architecture should not predict the unprecedented future. Because we truly will never know.

Instead Architecture needs to acknowledge the uncertainty, not act upon it. While we speculate what our building might become in the future, we need to consider the inevitability of change it will endure due to passing of time.

Up next..

Architects & Time.

If architecture is a part of this broader narrative, what are the architect’s role?

CONTEXT

Hearing from: Caroline Pidcock

Caroline Pidcock in her introduction, utilises a matrix of her professional journeys as a framework to reflect and share the stories and values that she had learnt over her ongoing journey. In this way she was able to portray her individual experiences as a part of a collective journey that is still ongoing.

5. profession culture and politics mental health wellbeing

COLLABORATION

Mapping your professional journey

Start of architecture school Hofung, 2018

tool kit

Start of architecture school Kevin, 2017

Freswind, Vanuatu July, 2019

Where is this retcon in proportion to our personal & professional journey?

Retcon project: ‘Graduation Project’ Nov, 2019 Profession..

TBC..

UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCE

start from here..

OBSTACLE 5 .

Ethical Retcon (now) 2021

ARCHITECTS & TIME Ethical Concepts & Philosophies:

ARCHITECTURE & TIME

Plato’s Allegory of the cave

Often when we feel lost, we feel that Platos Allegory of the cave help redirect our personal journey. It teaches us about the vulnerability of new experiences, and the courage of pursuit. It also reminds us that our personal journey must be self-driven and initiated by our own passions.

Ethical Concepts & Philosophies:

3. One who leaves the cave, will be enlightened by what’s outside.

ACTIONS VS. VIRTUES

ARCHITECTS & TIME

Virtue ethics - Aristotle

Aristotle’s model of Ethics through virtues, is a way to understand how good personal characterstics or ‘virtues’ or vices influence the morality of the choices or actions that we make. Reflecting on this framework, we can start to see how it might affect our personal journey. It is not just about mapping and recording our actions but our changing and evolution virtues and characterstics.

2. Once outside, they need time to the light, and see the truth of t

4. Returning back to the cave to guide others inside, they refuse and take threat.

1. In the cave, only the imitation of the truth is shown by the fire and its shadows.

Finding your personal passion & ethos Hearing from: Sascha Cole & Paul Stoller Learning from Sascha and Paul, we learnt that it is possible to record the evolution of your personal virtues and passions through ethos statements or principles. It is a record that grounds your perspectives which upon revisit and review can be a place to recognise a need for change - as shown by the markup nature of Aspect studio’s ethos statement. In a way, this visual journal and the obstacles encountered and the discoveries made, we are able to keep a flexible record of our ethical journey. Maybe one day we will be able to visit this document and sketch over.

Commercial

Pro-bono

Architect

Public Architecture - The 1+

Pursuing your passion for society

Hearing from: Callantha Brigham & Kaunitz Yeung Like all professionals, architects and designers have a question whether it is an professional obligation to provide pro-bono work. An example given by Callantha, the 1+ (previously known as 1%) shows how as a collective, we are able to benefit the society by providing services who are not able to afford it. Similarly, the Kaunitz Yeung studio, allows for a hybrid of both social and commercial work to better balance and diversify their work. It allows them to utilise the benefits of both, allowing them to be more aware of a diversity of issues.

Not only does providing pro-bono work help those in need, but it allows you to experience and learn from a diversity of experiences.

to adjust the world.

Freswind School, Vanuatu School for remote communities Our Stories: Kevin I was lucky enough to be a part in the Freswind project in Vanuatu through the University of Sydney in 2019 (before my grad studio). With a group of my colleagues, and teaching staff, we were able to travel to Port Villa, and start the foundation works on site. I recall the surprise when I first arrived on site, because it was nothing like what I had imagined in Sydney. The experience moulded my perspectives of the need in representing and celebrating culture through architecture. Upon reflection, it is interesting to see how this experience might have shaped my pursuit to uncover traditional Indigenous performance & culture.

CONTEXT

start from here..

Education to Profession Our Stories: Hofung & Kevin

COLLABORATION

As students closing in on our final years of architectural education, we often feel pressured by this overwhelming next chapter of being a full-time profession. Not onlyl do we have questions about the obligations, regulation and responsibilities of architects, but wonder what our passion is within architecture, and what kind of practioner we really want to be.

Own Practice Registration Graduation

Is it ok to feel overwhelmed and unsure about our future? Is this common to all, or is it just us?

Learning from others Our Stories: Hofung

ARCHITECTURE & TIME

UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCE

From listening to all the working professionals, a value that really stood out for me was Kaunitz Yeung’s attention to social and cultural responsibilities of architecture and architects. I admired their perspective that architects are fundamentally advocates for clients and the society, hence it is our job to cater for others. This out-reaching attitude is something I learnt and now aspire to have when starting to work in practice.

ARCHITECTS AS A PROFESSION Hearing from: Kirsten Orr

ARCHITECTS & TIME

Hearing from Kirsten Orr, we were able to understand complex relationship of governing bodies and the range of regulations such as the professional code of conduct. We discovered that within the profession, only a small portion of our work is in design and that there are a strict guidelines in how to be a ‘good’ architect.

Learning from case studies:

With the increase of regulations and restrictions of architects and the code o conduct, is the future becoming too restricted for a creative profession?

Membership bodies with a sense of community There are alot of membership bodies that help students and emerging professionals transition into the profession. by networking and connecting us to resources, people and information. It is also a platform for building self-determination, and leadership opportunities.

Should architectural education better prepare for our profession?

Or is that limit the creative lens we develop?

1. We started by choosing our project and dissecting, critiquing and assessing it in the lens of ethics..

Architect Topics Topics Topics

Topics Topics

3. We learnt that ethics in architecture is not static and definite., rather it is the constant moulding via topics of focus that we

Buildings

view architecture with.

2. We discovered that ethics in architecture, is the dialogue between topics, buildings and the architect.

4. Ethics of architecture molds with time, hence architecture can begin to depict and remember the ethical knowledge of past, present and future.

5. Ethics is progressive. It is like a journey where we find obstacles and new discoveries.

of

DISCOVERY 5 .

ETHICS IS THE JOURNEY OF REFLECTION & DISCOVERY When we started this journey of pursuit of ethics through this elective, we were not sure of what ethics was and what it meant to our profession. It did not define for us what ethics in architecture was, rather it suggested a reflective lens to look at the world around us. We discovered we needed to acknowledge that the pursuit of ethics is not for an end-goal, rather the pursuit encourages us to face obstacles and questions that lead to new discoveries and knowledge.

This journal and map is a record of the obstacles and discoveries that were made in our retroactive continuity of ‘Uncovering Bangarra’. It maps a vignette of our personal journey forming the beginning of a long journey ahead.

Up next..

At this point in time, this continuous journey of discovery is what we think ethics in architecture is..

What are the next obstacles and discoveries for us?

When we revisit this journal in the future, what will we cross out and change?

We encourage all who read the journal, to think about this idea of recording your thoughts and perspectives. We look forward to revisiting this document in the future , or perhaps use this structure for a future project.. Til then see you!

Reading Guide: Where to next?