PARAHELIX SITE PLAN ParaHelix rises gradually out of the site to form a dynamic steel helix, using the familiarity of a steel truss system in an unconventional and unique model of technological ability based on experiential design, rather than objectified art, and establishes the entrance to Wyndham City in spectacularly dramatic fashion. Though highways are an inescapable aspect of the urban form, they are largely negative spaces, undesirable and unusable. In the loss of ‘usable’ space, this concept informed the development of the design to alter the perception of this negative space though an unexpected and positive approach, focused on the movement of the driver. Moving through the site, the structure folds over the driver and gradually dissapears again, with the momentum of traffic driving the dynamics of the structure. At the speed of traffic, the rotation of the structure stimulates the twisting motion over the highway, and the intermittent spacing of the framing providing a continously shifting perspective of the environment. The idea is combined with the dynamism of the bars moving in response to the traffic to create a continuosly changing structure driven by its context on the highway and the patterns of road use, and also exposed to the effects of the natural environments. It is intended at night that the structure is highlighted by selected spotlights to accent the transparency of the structure of the structure and the intricacy of the shadows produced by the rotating elements. Though minimal, lighting from traffic travelling through the site produces an opportunity to showcase the structure through dynamic lighting only possible through its constant usage as a through way, further demonstrating the intention of it becoming dynamically driven through its site and context.
TUNNEL - In order to effectively let the drivers experience the structure rather than just pass by it, we decided to have a tunnel instead of having just a sculpture that people could not experience.
GAPS BETWEEN PANELS - The gaps between the bars frame the view of the natural landscape at the side of the highway. In this way, the drivers could receive enough sunlight eventhough being ‘enclosed’ within a ‘tunnel’.
Location: Princes Highway Span : Height :
BANQ RESTAURANT CASE STUDY - We use back our earlier case study in order to achieve this project. We acquire the technique of having multiple planes arranged with gaps in between, so that the view of the landscape at the side of the highway is not blocked.
HELIX - Apart from our interest on experience and views, we were also very interested in dynamicity and geometry. Therefore, in order to adopt these in our design, we decide to have a structure with helix geometry because helix best represent the idea of dynamicity and movement compared to other geometry.
HANGING RODS - These hanging rods are meant to be made out of opaque and also transparent materials. These different transparency enable different amount of sunlight to be reflected and thus, gives beautiful shiny effect at the tip of the rods. It also increase the experential impact to the drivers.
WIRE MESH - Hanging rods will be hanged through the wire mesh installed together with the truss bars. Not only that, it also emphasise the shape of the helix structure. Meanwhile, truss panels were used instead of solid panels to ensure the structure to be lightweight.
SUPPORTING ARCH - The supporting arch connects and supports all the panles together, preventing it from rotating and also to further emphasise the helix shape of the structure.
PHYSICAL MODEL 1:100