ENVS10012 Final Project 2016

PRINCES BRIDGE Quadrant Alexandra Gardens ENVS10012 SEMESTER ONE 2016

NICOLE WEI MIN REN 836139

PRINCES BRIDGE

by author

The Alexandra Greenway

The Alexandra Greenway intends to enhance the connection between technological advances and the natural system. In turn it will give rise to a multitude of inspirations, hopefully augmenting the necessity of sustainable design in our modern day built environment. The design aims to blur the boundaries of natural and constructed systems; merging both to create a green design, a sort of urban greenway where the element of nature is just as essential and crucial to the design as the technology and engineering of the structure. Ultimately, this design should provide a solution to various issues observed in the allocated quadrant of Alexandra Gardens.

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Moomba Fes val 2016

Map of exis ng network system

“You’re going to have to imagine what [the site] is going to be because of your project. Not just how your project ts in, but how does everything change because of your project.”

- Donald Bates, 2016 Moomba Fes val 2016

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Ini al site visit notes

Diagram of final design

Diagram of design plan

ABSTRACT

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TABLE OF CONTENTS SITE

Introduction Analysis (Four systems)

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RESEARCH

Boston’s Rose Kennedy Greenway (U.S.A) Park am Gleisdreieck (Germany) Magnus Larsson (Saharan Desert)

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DESIGN PROPOSAL

Group proposal Initial design Final design Future developments

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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SITE|ALEXANDRA GARDENS

INTRODUCTION & ANALYSIS

The bridge that the class is investigating is Princes Bridge. It is a rather well known and frequently used bridge that straddles the Yarra River. It connects the surrounding quadrants which contain prominent destinations of the CBD such as Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, Alexandra Gardens and Southbank Promenade. Each of these places are extremely popular and often relatively populated with locals and tourists alike.

The quadrant my group was assigned to was the Alexandra Gardens quadrant. This site is also where my nal design proposal is going to be located.

During Moomba it was clear from the huge bene ts of having large green lawns with(above) Notes taken during in Alexandra Gardens. It provided the perfect venue for large events and crowds the ini al site visit It seemed an enormous asset to the survival of the social system in Melbourne. However with an event such as Moomba, there comes a price and it was obvious that the sacri ce was the natural system. The grass was trampled and yellow whilst on the other side of Alexandra Avenue the grass of Queen Victoria Gardens is visibly greener and more luscious.

More research into the site indicated that Moomba is an annual event celebrating the visit of Queen Elizabeth II (Reason, 2009), yet referring back to state of the lawn it is hard to imagine such royalty in the scene. “Landing” (Girot, 1999) in Alexandra was exciting because of the amount of people there, however on a site re-visit I experienced the complete opposite. There was no excitement nor motivation to stay in the garden, after all the atmosphere is decided by the people who inhabit the space.

High angle view of Moomba (above) Capital City Trail from Princes Bridge (below) Moomba security and a ferris wheel (right) Carnival rides at Moomba (bo om right) Yellow grass and crowds (below)

The “grounding” (Girot, 1999) of Alexandra began on the drainage system of Alexandra Gardens. It is a form of hidden infrastructure that is often overlooked. However with a cultivated garden located near the Yarra River, the drainage system of excess storm water is incredibly important. In the simpli ed diagram below it can be seen how water ows from QV’s ponds pass through the Avenue and a bio lter located in Alexandra before collecting in a storage tank near the river (Stormwater Harvesting, n.d.). This storm water collection process captures, treats and stores 20 million litres of storm water that is suitable for irrigation, reducing drinking water consumption by the garden by 55 percent (Stormwater Harvesting, n.d.). It also protects the gardens ecosystem from the ever-changing climate and unpredictable weather of Melbourne, as the constructed storm water system means the garden is safe from drought or water restrictions. (le ) Map of Alexandra Gardens quadrant’s drainage system

(above) People using the skate park

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There was also limited infrastructure there and it only appealed to a certain range of people. For example the boathouses are private property and only members are allowed to use them. On the other hand, the skate park is more interactive built environment and is also a popular destination, but the users are usually young males skateboarders or BMX riders ranging from 8-23.

During Moomba an international BMX competition was held there as well, indicating the vast possibilities of occasion and international events that occur in Alexandra Gardens.

SITE|ALEXANDRA GARDENS

INTRODUCTION & ANALYSIS

During the site re-visit it was surprising to see how little people actually used the green lawns of Alexandra if there are no events going on. There is clearly a lack in ef cient usage of the gardens if no one is using them on a daily basis. There is little interaction with the natural and social system now, whilst previously it was an overabundance of social system that the natural system could not cope with. Now the grass has regrown and just as green, however there is no one around to appreciate it. It was then that the group realized that people were only where infrastructure was found. Although originally thinking the Gardens was where people go to be with nature, we were proven wrong. Yet we found more people relaxing on the bank of the Yarra watching rowers and the people on Federation Square side, indicating that the lawns are just uninteresting pieces of land hence the reluctant use of them on an average day. Over on QV Gardens side, there were more people in the grass and interacting with nature. This suggested that perhaps Alexandra’s lawns were more inaccessible relating back to the issue of networking as QV Gardens is just opposite the NGV, a popular destination for locals and tourists.

The network system in the gardens is crucial to why people use it. Alexandra is often the route people take to get to places like the Melbourne Cricket Grounds. On a normal day the paths are still being used for strolls or biking or exercising, and its network system is rather satisfactory, but the divided gardens is still an issue. For during Moomba the busy highway and lack of crossings meant people were stuck on the Moomba side and were not able to ow through the space to alleviate the situation hence a clear difference in the amount of people on each side.

Within our initial analysis of the site during Moomba festival, we had identi ed a clear issue in the maintenance of the site and the high traf c congestion during large events. This situation could not be alleviated because of the lack of safe crossing points and people are forced to walk out of their way to get somewhere quieter. Then on the site-revisit we noticed the general steer towards infrastructure and the disinterest in the plain green lawns of Alexandra Gardens.

(above) Map of Alexandra Gardens quadrant’s network system.

Thicker lines indicate a dense traffic system. It can be noted that the center of Alexandra Gardens is largely avoided.

(below) Map of the interac on of the four system in Queen Victoria and Alexandra Gardens

(above) Notes taken during the site re-visit (le ) Capital City Trail s ll has a lot of user on a normal day. (right) the skate park is full of skaters and family.

(below) Rowing training on the Yarra

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RESEARCH|PRECEDENCE

BOSTON’S ROSE KENNEDY GREENWAY

In order to further the design process, precedent case studies of existing structures or concepts have been examined. The case studies were speci c to a type of ‘green design’ regarding sustainability as a part of the design idea. Nature and the construction has therefore become inseparable elements, where each is needed for the concept to survive. They have been designed to concurrently bene t the landscape and the urban environment, producing a new and stimulating experience of the city for us to enjoy.

This urban addition originally intended to improve the network system of Boston by alleviating vtraf c conditions and providing easier transportation of goods in and out of Boston. It was an incredibly destructive project that saw the loss of at least 1,000 buildings and hence the displacement of more than 20,000 residents ("Beyond The Big Dig", n.d.). After a four-year long construction of the Central Artery it was inef cient and unattractive; and so the network became a tunnelling system and the highway was transformed into an urban greenway.

Also known as the “Big Dig”, it was one of the most complex, large scale and technologically challenging highway constructions in the United States ("The Big Dig - Highway Division", n.d.).

Presently it is a 25 acre linear park stretching a mile long consisting of several different components such as cultivated gardens, fountains, art and special lighting systems through out (Campbell, 2002). It is a vast network system that links six large parks together for citizens and visitors to use and to navigate. Apart from improving the natural ow of people through the mile long space of open parks and the traf c congestion in the tunnel below, the park now applies an integration of natural and social systems that interact with each other throughout the entire strip.

Additional elements of culture and art help to appeal to a greater demographic and encourages a greater sense of a shared social community within Boston.

The Boston Greenway was based around creating a sustainable environment, utilising an organic and sustainable landscape management program to maintain the park ("About Us", n.d.). ‘Organic’ refers to the low water consumption rate and the lack of toxic chemicals within its ecosystem. This creates stronger, healthier and more resilient vegetation meaning people and pets are able to freely play in the park without the fear of harmful pesticides. ("About Us", n.d.)

Before and a er depic on of the Central Artery.

Before: when it was being used as a highway. (le ) A er: the Boston Rose Kennedy Greenway (right)

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(le ) The Boston Greenway being used to host a medium scale event.

Floor plan of the Boston Rose Kennedy Greenway

Changing the Central Artery from a highway into a tunnel vastly improved the cities network and transport system. The barrier of an expressway disappears and the city is able to reconnect with its harbour. It is of great timing as well, as waterfront projects were becoming increasingly popular and hence the Boston Greenway is a bene cial site for recreation. Despite previous proposals claiming the ef ciency of the Central Artery, a tunnelling system also prevented the notoriously dangerous lane changes on the Artery and improved the ow of traf c (Campbell, 2002). All of this would also in ate the value of downtown properties, therefore the constructed aids in not only the network, natural and social systems of Boston but also its economy too (Campbell, 2002).

(below) An aerial view of the Boston Rose Kennedy Greenway

RESEARCH|PRECEDENCE

PARK AM GLEISDREIECK & MAGNUS LARSSON

This park in the Western area of Berlin used to be an industrial railway site that was largely unused since the Second World War and a rich diversity of plants species had inconspicuously developed here ("Berlin", n.d.). So a group of citizens wishing to ensure the permanence of the ora and fauna were successful in redesigning it into a ‘triangle of green space’ that linked three urban sides together (Byrne, 2014).

This is yet another sustainable conscious park, where they place an emphasis on boosting the life of the ecosystem and improving the signi cance of the natural system in the area. Park am Gleisdreieck also intends to maintain a healthy social inclusivity within its sites by crossing the social and natural systems, and aim to provide “new urban quarters with qualitatively valuable housing spaces, cross-generational and eco-friendly living areas with zero carbon environmental impact” ("Gleisdreieck Park / Atelier LOIDL", 2015).

Park Gleisdreieck clearly shows an interaction between all four systems, where both the natural and constructed help to augment the social aspect of the project. It is also a vast green triangle networking system that further enhances the connectivity of the social system. (below) Floor plan of Park am Gleisdreieck

(below) Aerial view of Park am Gleisdreieck

(below) A small ball court in the park; one of many facili es sca ered around Park am Gleisdreieck.

(right) Collages showing the structure as a habitable space.

(below) The development form over me due to winds constantly blowing sand across the desert.

Thinking about my design for this project and the problems such as improving the ow of people across the site, accommodating a habitable space for people and providing a bridging avenue over the highway, I was inspired by a sand dune architecture by Swedish architect Magnus Larsson.

Larsson proposed a 6,000 kilometre-long inhabitable sandstone wall as a solution to the problems that arise from deserti cation. It is a conceptual design that requires a particular kind of bacillus pasteurii that is able to convert sand into solid sandstone which would become the sole material of which the wall would be made of. Its form is therefore determined by the bacteria itself, creating a ‘ brous porous structure’ where its cavities are able to act as a suitable shelter from the sun in the desert for thousands of refugees ("magnus larsson sculpts the saharan desert with bacteria", 2013).

(below) The old railway tracks are now a feature in the urban park.

This concept begins to incorporate several systems together. Firstly it produces an extremely long wall that works as an effective network system for people to navigate, as it is a continuous stretch of landscape. The building and process is also purely organic, from the tools of construction to the form that it eventually takes. It encourages the natural system, taking into account the natural processes that occur in the desert and using it to further the design development of the structure (Larsson, 2009). The open formation also enhances the social system of the construction, where a porous structure makes it suitable for effective circulation.

From the precedence designs and developments a strong motif of sustainability and green design is evident. The Boston Rose Kennedy Greenway exempli es a space that truly encaptures the way the built environment is able to enhance the interaction between people and nature, by creating an interactive greenway that appeals to a large demographic of Boston’s community.

Park am Gleisdreick is a ne example of a park that focuses on the ner details embroidered into the landscape, the sensual materials and vegetation that collectively aims to convey a stimulating and contemplative experience. Lastly, an interesting concept of using nature to shape itself is explored in Larsson’s project. It gives rise to a consistently unique and fascinating form that does not deter function but rather precedes it.

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DESIGN|GROUP PROPOSAL

GROUP C - BRIDGING THE GAP

Mission statement: To improve ow within, and utilisation of, the gardens with a view to increasing social inclusivity

My group project began to tackle the initial problems observed and analysed through the four systems. We focused on the issues that we thought were most important (the social, network and constructed systems); this included the separation and inconvenient access of Alexandra Gardens from Queen Victoria, the inef cient use of the large green lawns and the lack of shelter when it’s hot or raining. Our design included elements we believed were helpful in creating a better experience of the gardens such as a bridge, cultural themes and more built infrastructure.

A proposed idea (below) to enhance the large green lawns is the feature of a mechanical platform that is able to rise and lower according to the needs of the event. This could also create more space as it utilises the empty vertical space above the park.

The constructed system therefore increases the ow of people and provides greater opportunities for various events to occur at the same time in the same location.

The right depicts a sh tank with a model of the Wurundjeri people living on the Yarra in the center of the bridge atop a spiral staircase suspended above the highway. Like Melbourne’s Sea Life Aquarium, it turns the bridge into an interactive and educational site where people can learn about shes and the history of the place. This kind of attraction appeals to a wide range of demographics and people are also able to stop and relax on the platform instead of just passing through.

The nal outcome of the group design was a bridge in the form of a turtle where the head subtly encouraged users to ‘head’ in the direction of Alexandra Gardens from QV Gardens. The clarity of the walls also meant people were given a vantage point, useful when trying to get their bearings or to appreciate the view. The bridge is vital in order for people to move from one site to another, so during festivals and events an excessive use of Alexandra Gardens, where people are unable to move on, it does not feel that trapped and congested.

As seen below, the turtle’s head is able to move up and down allowing access to the raised mechanical platform or to the ground.

This group project therefore is able to improve the network system through creating an overhead bridge and multiple access points along the length of Alexandra Avenue for people to safe cross over. Having a convenient bridge also solves the issue of congestion and inaccessible crossing points. Whilst the installation of the sh tank promotes awareness of the environment and it can also be a part of the storm water drainage system in the gardens. The dome provides a sort of safe haven shelter for those rainy days or a place to get away from the heat, or even in large events the quiet and calm, yet the clear glass allows light in so people can still see and socialise at night.

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DESIGN|MY PROPOSAL

INITAL IDEAS AND FINAL DESIGN The initial designs attempted to incorporate multiple access points across Alexandra Avenue to prevent dangerous crossings. The zigzag is also reminiscent of the snake bridge in Melbourne’s Docklands, so a theme of nature is included in this design. The zigzags are also linked with a smaller bridge that allows for convenience and ef ciency when people are using the bridge.

The bridge was not designed as a solid piece of construction covering the highway, but rather had holes incorporated in to created help provide some sunlight to the street below. The zigzag like feature also allowed people to navigate down the bridge, without getting off, to their location.

In terms of sustainability the main materials that would be used for the bridge would be recycled or reclaimed wood. This would tie the entire project together with a natural ‘park’ theme. The dark wood would also be a good contrast against the bright green grass.

In this second initial design, a similar sort of design is created and also from the same material. This time tables and places to actually sit at were included. With these clear markers, people would be able to sit and enjoy the vantage point from being so high up. A hexagonal shape provides a greater circulation route than the zigzag, where the formation was more linear and straight forward.

This bridge can also be converted into a barbeque bridge, where barbequing is one of the most popular activities in the gardens. It also provides more facilities and encourages people to use the bridge for more than just a tool to cross the road.

In my nal design I began to consider an exaggeration of sustainability an idea highly emphasised in my case studies. Merely using recycled material is not enough, but perhaps to have the entire structure created from nature like Larsson’s sand dune architecture.

As modern technology and built infrastructure is becoming more and more of an essential part of our daily lives nature is put aside. Just through observation itself, it is obvious the exponential increase in emphasis put on building skyscrapers and developing a city environment. However sustainability is starting to become a concern for most environmentalist, and hence architects are beginning to consider it as a crucial element to be integrated into future designs.

So my aim is to improve the current social and network systems by linking the two systems together through providing greater access and mobility through the sites of Alexandra Gardens and Queen Victoria Gardens. As well as to incoporate sustainability as a main theme into my design proposal. My nal design therefore combines the idea of an urban greenway, but instead of a linear and at typology it begins to create a more 3-dimensional form that is able to facilitate and adapt to current and future needs of the users of the space.

Above depicts the bridge in use. It is suspended above Alexandra Avenue with different sizes and shaped holes. This is to create a similarly porous structure that allows in light and ventilation. The grassy surface also absorbs sunlight and the heat creating a cooler space below for those who want to enjoy the shade, but streams of sunlight still get through because of it’s porous structure give the underside a unqiue light show. Overtime, brambles are able to grow across the holes creating a more impermeable shelter, making it a cozier environment in the winter, or a more sheltered one in the summer.

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DESIGN|FINAL DESIGN

THE ALEXANDRA GREENWAY

The design of the bridge is also able to appeal to a wide range of demographics. Young children are able to play on the slopes, or move through the tunnels and excavations created like a maze.

Adults are also able to sit and relax in the sun or underneath the shade whilst still having a view to look out from. The porous design of the bridge gives it a sense of lightness despite the dense structure of packed soil and dirt. The design is also aimed at maximizing the ow of people from Queen Victoria Gardens into Alexandra Gardens, hence the asymmetrical plan form of the bridge where the larger head of the bridge is in Alexandra, encouraging movement across to it.

(above) A diagram showing the experience of the structure during rain and sun; people are cha ng and temporary stalls can be set up (below) The view of the outside from inside the shelter

(above) Where the bridge meets the grass; people enjoying the shade underneath, some like the spotlight.

The form of the nal structure is essentially maze-like, where a permeable structure by which its geometry allows for multiple movement passage ways throughout the site. The maze creates these cave like hollows which provide shelter for rainy or very sunny days. The holes create an incredibly convenient source of light for those in the dwellings. It is the hope that greenways will become incorporated into the everyday infrastructure and is considered just as important as roads and utilities.

After the nal and initial structure is created the design is able to be developed and new sections can be added on to create more habitable spaces within the gardens. The form can essentially branch out further and traverse through the gardens (Queen Victoria into the Royal Botanical Gardens) connecting them all together in one long strip of inhabitable nature.

Individual cavities can also become a place for vegetation to thrive, as there is potential for small farming patches to occur within these spaces. This also means a potential for the Alexandra Greenway to begin to house multiple facilities such as small stalls or services along the highway and within the park area. It’s an organic and natural shelter that can be altered with minimal and organic waste. (le to right) Diagrams showing the incremental increase of the greenway’s form over me.

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The project therefore begins with an architectural sense to solve an issue.

The constructed element eventually branches out to accommodate that of nature and merges into landscaping in order to maintain the idea of sustainability, and to explore further diversi cation of land use within its site and environment. With possible alterations to the physical structure of the greenway, this project also begins to move into the realm of urban planning as it will hopefully become a larger part of Melbourne’s CBD networking system and a main feature in it’s natural system. After all, its construction is aimed at improving the current social system as well as adapting to the constant changing needs of Melbourne’s citizens.

About Us. Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy. Retrieved from http://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/about-us/ Bates, D. (2016). Site Sight Cite. Lecture, University of Melbourne.

Berlin - Park at Gleisdreieck - visitBerlin.de EN. Visitberlin.de. Retrieved from http://www.visitberlin.de/en/spot/park-at-gleisdreieck Beyond The Big Dig. Archive.boston.com. Retrieved from http://archive.boston.com/beyond_bigdig/ Byrne, J. (2014). 10 Urban Greenways | Future Cities. Ubmfuturecities.com. Retrieved from http://www.ubmfuturecities.com/author.asp?doc_id=526870&image_number=2 Campbell, R. (2002). After the Big Dig, the big question: Where's the vision?. Globe Correspondent. Retrieved from http://archive. boston.com/beyond_bigdig/news/artery_052602.htm Girot, C. (1999) The Four Trace Concepts. Retrieved from http://corygansthesis.blogspot.com.au/2010/04/trace-concepts.html Gleisdreieck Park / Atelier LOIDL. (2015). ArchDaily. Retrieved from http://www.archdaily.com/592245/gleisdreieck-park-atelier-loidl Larsson, M. (2009). Turning dunes into architecture. Presentation, TEDGLOBAL 2009. magnus larsson sculpts the saharan desert with bacteria. (2013). designboom | architecture & design magazine. Retrieved from http://www.designboom.com/architecture/magnus-larsson-sculpts-the-saharan-desert-with-bacteria/ Reason, M. (2009) Moomba Festival in Museum Victoria Collections. Retrieved from http://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/ articles/28 Stormwater Harvesting at Queen Victoria and Alexandra Gardens (1st ed.). Melbourne. Retrieved from http://urbanwater.melbourne.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Urban-Water_Stormwater-Harvesting-at-Queen-Victoria-and-Alexandra-Gardens_ Tour.pdf The Big Dig - Highway Division. Massdot.state.ma.us. Retrieved from http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/TheBigDig.aspx

Images

Aerial view of Park am Gleisdreieck. Retrieved from http://www.atelier-loidl.de/atelier/projekte/?lang=en An aerial view of the Boston Rose Kennedy Greenway. Retrieved from http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/getattachment/b1fbbdf9-feda-4909-98c4-958f1165a5de A small ball court in the park; one of many facilities scattered around Park am Gleisdreieck.. Retrieved from http://www.archdaily. com/592245/gleisdreieck-park-atelier-loidl Before and after depiction of the Central Artery.. Retrieved from http://www.landscapeonline.com/research/lasn/2011/07/ img/21302/21302-5.jpg Collages showing the structure as a habitable space.. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.designboom.com/architecture/magnus-larsson-sculpts-the-saharan-desert-with-bacteria/ Floor plan of the Boston Rose Kennedy Greenway. Retrieved from http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/TheBigDig.aspx Floor plan of Park am Gleisdreieck. Retrieved from http://www.atelier-loidl.de/atelier/projekte/?lang=en The Boston Greenway being used to host a medium scale event. Retrieved from http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gfdtWLCLmHU/UNc3hScY7jI/ AAAAAAAABn8/E1YKCF1yFZ0/s1600/IMG_7376.jpg The development form over time due to winds constantly blowing sand across the desert.. (2016). Retrieved from http://www. designboom.com/architecture/magnus-larsson-sculpts-the-saharan-desert-with-bacteria/ The old railway tracks are now a feature in the urban park.. Retrieved from http://www.archdaily.com/592245/gleisdreieck-park-atelier-loidl

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