Reinterpreting Docklands by Heike Rahmann

BOLTE BRIDGE SITE DESIGN REINTERPRETING DOCKLANDS by Jonathon Chan 576287

CONTENTS

Site Location

18 Precedents

Mangrove Regeneration

Terrain Vague

Design Process

Constructed Wetland

Void Intervention

Proposed Site Plan

39 Conclusion

14 Positioning

Site Sections

Native Grassland

Design Questions

References 1

SITE LOCATION

DOCKLANDS, MELBOURNE The site is located at the end of the Docklands Drive under the Bolte Bridge. It extends to where the Moonie Ponds Creek connects to the Yarra River

TERRAIN VAGUE

CONCEPTUALISING TERRAIN VAGUE Located on the periphery of the new Docklands urban growth area, it is one of the last remaining pockets of undeveloped land in Melbourneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s municipality. At present, the site is a dumping ground for the cities construction waste. It is also a place of fringe social activity. Its very nature is that of terrain vague â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a site of the undefined, void and absence, and extensive possibilities.1 The site exhibits a plethora of colours and textures that one is confronted with when entering. The chaotic materiality potentially mutes other more subtle qualities of the site. Landform is another strong quality of this terrain vague, the mounds of earth and rubble contribute to the many complex layers of the site.

VOID INTERVENTION HOW DOES THE MANIPULATION OF MATERIALITY AFFECT THE NOTION OF SITE? How does transforming one characteristic of a site – in particular the materiality – affect the experience of the site as a whole?

BEFORE

AFTER

REVEALING

VOID INTERVENTION REVEALING HIDDEN QUALITIES OF THE SITE With a section of the site covered in white material the landform took on a life of its own. The changing weather elements were projected onto the landform. The prevailing wind danced with the new materiality, demonstrating its powerful presence at the site. The rippling effect created a contextual link to the nearby water. The light of the overcast afternoon interplayed with the wind and landform creating dramatic shadows. As the chaotic materiality of the site was muted the context of the site became much more apparent, emphasising the powerful architectonic form of the bridge overhead, the graffiti on the column and the city in the background. The site is made up of a web of complex interrelated layers. The role of the designer is to gently manipulate these relationships to create a place of both experiential and ecological value.

POSITIONING INTERPRETING CONTEXT In a world where culture has become global, cities such as Melbourne are a melting pot of ethnic, social and creative diversity. As a new part of Melbourne yet to establish an identity of its own, Docklandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is open to interpretation by people of varying demographic backgrounds. With the aim to gain an insight into the multiple interpretations of the sites context, an explorative mapping exercise was created. Language, culture and gender are just some of the differences that existed between the group members. Similar to the Surrealist deambulation, the Lettrist drifting, and the playfulness of a Situationist game; uncertainties such as communication difficulties and conflicting values can provide interesting and inspiring outcomes. The mapping exercise aimed to embrace the groups varying interpretations of the world rather than force a common viewpoint. 14

THE GAME From a single starting point each group member explored the Docklands site inspired by the same 10 randomly chosen words. Their interpretations of each word were documented and their journey mapped. Individually, this exercise has allowed the group to navigate and interact with Docklands through a different way of seeing. Collaboratively the group gained valuable insight into the subjectiveness of site and the socially diverse uses that must be considered when designing the Bolte Bridge site.

CAN PEOPLE BECOME AN ACTIVE PART OF THE ECOLOGY OF THE SITE?

HOW CAN THE INHERENT QUALITIES OF THE TERRAIN VAGUE BE PRESERVED?

HOW CAN THE SITE DESIGN ENCOURAGE INSTINCTIVE AND EXPLORATIVE USE, MEANWHILE SUPPORT THE REGENERATION OF FRAGILE ECOSYSTEMS?

DESIGN PRECEDENTS THE RED RIBBON, TANG HE RIVER PARK, QINHUANGDAO – BY TURENSCAPE The Red Ribbon project has many similarities to the Bolte Bridge site. Located on the peripheral of a beach side city, Tang He River Park was a dumping ground for local residence. Through a powerful but minimal intervention, the Red Ribbon project aimed to both create a recreational area and protect the ecology of the site.2 By giving people the opportunity to immerse themselves in the ‘natural world’ a new societal value can be fostered that protects the ecosystems rather than taking them for granted.

Source: www.asla.org

DESIGN PRECEDENTS DRAWING PEOPLE THROUGH THE SITE If people are to become an active part of the ecology then they must be encouraged to explore and interact with the site. If the regeneration of a stable ecology is a priority, fragile areas must have restricted access whilst other parts ought to encourage people to enter. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org

ANDRÉ LE NÔTRE 17th century landscape designer, André Le Nôtre used anamorphic principles to make parterres appear to stand up before its owner. He also progressively widened spaces leading towards the horizon to give the illusion of a shorter distance.

Source: haks.rutgers.edu

Source: www.varini.org

THE AMES ROOM

FELICE VARINI

First designed by American ophthalmologist Adelbert Ames, Jr, the Ames Room uses slope and angles to give the illusion of a space being cubic. From single vantage point the viewer perceives that the space is regular and the people in the space are irregularly sized.3

Swiss born abstract painter Felice Varini breaks with the usual perception of space by tracing the projections of two dimensional imagery onto a three dimensional space. From a certain vantage point his geometric paintings appear to defy perspective.4

DESIGN PROCESS PERSPECTIVE MANIPULATION To be able to encourage people to explore parts of the site, the effects of spatial manipulation were tested in the 3D software. Lessons from these explorations are utilised albeit subtle in the final site design. These examples are just a few of the perspective iterations carried out. By widening or enlarging objects, the perceived distance and scale can be manipulated.

OPENING AND CLOSING SPACE These iterations demonstrate how various shaped forms can welcome or restrict access.

Organic form testing ground

Architectonic testing ground

Larger forms in background

Closed / Hidden

Open / Caution

Larger forms in foreground

Open / Danger

Open / Safe

Gabion wall used as steps from boardwalk

Low tide

CHALLENGES Total restriction may not be necessary to protect the fragile areas of the site from over use. The physical ability and desire of users will determine where they venture within the site. Challenges, such as having to step down off the raised boardwalk, will reduce the number of people entering into the more fragile areas.

Medium tide

TEMPORAL PROTECTION In addition to using landform and structures to welcome or restrict entry into areas of the site, the tide will be used to limit access to the mangrove regeneration area.

High tide

View the waterfront towards the hill

Zigzag walls added to intersect the mounds

MINOR PATHWAYS In much the same way that people create desire lines, this design encourages its users to form the minor pathways of the site. Necessary for accessibility, the single boardwalk of the design follows the edge of the Moonee Ponds Creek and connects with the existing track. It does not allow access to all areas of the site. Users will need to stray from the path by necessity. Providing opportunities rather than explicitly directing will actively involve people in the ecology of the site. It also offers the opportunity, through signage, to teach people the importance of having a minimal ecological impact on the environment. Rough trails will form linkages to the most desirable features of the site. These trails constantly evolve; the may be permanent through heavy use or temporal with light infrequent use. 26

Expansive view from the hill over the native grassland

Birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye of the grassland mounds and zigzag wall pattern

Desire-line at Royal Park Native Grassland

PROPOSED SITE PLAN

New Quay entrance

F ut u re N

Existing path entrance

Q ew

Docklands Dr entrance

uay pro ade

Existing pathway

men

se hou own t re t men Futu evelop d

ive

tscray

s Dr

d klan

Doc

To Fo o

Native grassland

Moonee Ponds Creek

Softened edge Existing saltmarsh

Constructed wetland Mangrove

Boardwalk

Bolte

Bridg

Jetty entrance

Port Riparian Regen.

Yarra River

Large mound Creek-side regen.

Small mounds

Source: www.nearmap.com Rock edge Storm water outlet

CURRENT SITE

B A

38 m

SITE SECTIONS

210 m

NATIVE GRASSLAND The undulating native grassland reinterprets the current mounds and are informed by the preliminary perspectival explorations. Similarly to the site intervention, the grass will show the interplay between the landforms and the relentless winds. An existing large mound has been extended into a 4m high hill in the centre of the grassland. Surrounding smaller mounds gradually reduce in size as they approach the harbour. Architectonic gabions walls zigzag through the mounds. The zigzags are spaced closer leading towards the waterfront giving and impression of expansiveness from the hilltop. When viewed from the waterfront the hill appears closer.

Native grassland at Royal Park

The gabion walls further direct people to interact with the tops of the mounds leaving the valley for plants to enjoy the wetter areas of the landscape.

NATIVE GRASSLAND FROM WATERFRONT

NATIVE GRASSLAND FROM HILL

MANGROVE REGENERATION The design widens the Moonee Ponds Creek forming an estuary. This is reminiscent of the Port Phillip Bay region prior to European settlement. The widening will disperse the flow of the creek and the curving edge will create low-flow pockets allowing for the establishment of indigenous mangrove species Avicennia marina subsp australasica. Gabions will provide further protection from currents and allow the pooling of rich alluvial sediment that will increase fertility of the mangrove environment. They will also direct people away from sensitive zones. The saltmarsh riparian zone upstream will be extended to meet the mangrove estuary. Planting of salt tolerant native and indigenous trees, shrubs and ground-covers will aid the site in becoming a valuable wildlife corridor for Docklands. Gabion steps from boardwalk

Bird’s eye view

MANGROVE FROM PIER

CONSTRUCTED WETLAND The constructed wetland train is located where stormwater (presumably from the bridge) pools before entering the creek. The design provides fluctuating depths and width from inlet to outlet adhering to Melbourne Waters Constructed Wetlands Systems, Design Guidelines for Developers. Stone gabions perforated with subsurface piping divide the ponds, dispersing flow and providing habitat. It will treate stormwater from the future townhouse subdivision on the eastern edge of the site, Docklands Drive parking area and by stormwater from the bridge.

Gabion wall

Deep marsh vegetation

Shallow marsh vegetation

OUTLET

INLET

FLOW

CONSTRUCTED WETLAND SECTION 38

CONSTRUCTED WETLAND

CONCLUSION THE BOLTE BRIDGE

CONCLUSION

The bridge does not directly inform the site design. It is already an unavoidable key feature of the site. The bridge provides a powerful division to the space – spanning the length of the site casting dramatic shadows over the landform and framing views. It is not necessary to have the landform further highlight the bridges already dominant form.

In the design of the Bolte Bridge site people actively participate in the ecology of the site. Features of the design aim to provide users with opportunities rather than explicit directions. People are encouraged to explore and interact with the site.

THE HARBOURS EDGE The site’s edge to the Yarra has been left unchanged. The regular dredging of the harbour area means softening this constructed edge would be impractical to the functioning of the Docklands marina. The steel and cement structure at the end of the Moonie Ponds Creek is designed to divert the flow of the creek west rather than straight out into the Yarra River. The removal of this would be hazardous to boats entering or exiting Docklands. In addition this structure may protect the mangrove area from the wake of passing boats.

Inherent qualities of the current terrain vague have been respectfully distilled in the design. Mounds inspired by the current site provide an environment for people and plants to co-exist. The insertion of gabion walls acts to open and close spaces, and offer an array of options for exploration. To mitigate damage that people may cause to the site’s ecology – in particular the mangroves – the landform and structures act with the tide to restrict not prohibit access to these fragile areas. The Bolte Bridge site will become a fundamental part of Docklands identity. It will provide important wildlife habitat and valuable green space for diverse local and visitor populations. The participatory nature of the design will generate awareness and respect for the environment in which we live; and through the active engagement within the ecology people will learn to tread lightly in the world that they live

REFERENCES 1. Sola-Morales Rubio, “Terrain Vague”, in Anyplace, ed. C. Davidson, (n.p.: MIT, 1995), 118-23. 2. ASLA 2007 Professional Awards: General Design Honor Award, American Society of Landscape Architects, accessed 2 November 2012, http://www.asla.org/ awards/2007/07winners/056_tbtd.html 3. Ames Room, Illusion Works, accessed 2 November 2012, http://psylux.psych.tudresden.de/i1/kaw/diverses%20Material/www.illusionworks.com/html/ames_room. html 4. Squares with four circles, Site Projects, accessed 2 November 2012, http://www. siteprojects.org/varini/

JONATHON CHAN 576287 41