Project Senso- Architecture Studio Folio PT1

SENSO

ARC30001, Sem 1, 2020, Swinburne University

Nicole Farnell: 102102092

Unit Convenor: Dr Mehrnoush Latifi

Studio Leaders: Dr Mehrnoush Latifi and Dr Sascha Bohnenberger - Fehr

Contents

About Me

My Projects

Inspiration

Collaborators

Form Finding to Form Making

A1: Form Finding/ Form Making micro System

A2: Iterations and Possible Variations

A3: Ideation and Speculative Design

A4: Reflection

Waterfront Development

B1: Victoria Harbour

B2: Precedent Studies

B3: Reflection

B4: Design Proposal

From Form Finding to Form Making

C0: Project Insights

C1: Project Proposals

Precedent Studies

C2: Development of Physical Language & Gesture

C3: Final Design & Conclusion

Detailed Design

D1: Detailed Design-Roof

Bibliography

Acknowledgments

Appendix

About Me

I was interested in Architecture from a young age growing up in a family of builders and engineers. I am forever told to make things practical and build able which is what I would like to pursue in my future of designing. I also have an interest in communication design, designing logos and product packaging for companies. I have worked with Wellwood Walnuts, Pentland Calisthenics College and The Tasty Lyks to create their branding.

My skills consist of practicality of design, technical drawing and detailed aspects of projects. I have an interest in Sustainability and the way we need to design for our future.

I have experience in Rhino, Grasshopper, Revit, Adobe and CAD programs. This experience has been conducted through my High School and University studies being pushed further with every project and idea.

My Projects

Logo Design for Western Districts Solo Competition in collaboration with Pentland Calisthenics. 2017

Mycamode for Wonderfruit Expo. In collaboration with Swinburne Summer School. 2019

Indian Slum Housing Project in collaboration with Swinburne Students. 2019

Rosa Pouzinii, in collaboration with Swinburne Students. 2019

Inspiration

I don’t have a favourite architect however I do have a few inspirational architects and buildings.

Firstly Southern Cross Station by Jackson Architecture. A documentary about the design and construction of this building is what first caught my attention many years ago. After commuting to and from this station daily and looking into the details such as its natural ventilation tactics is why it has become one of my favourite buildings.

Diébédo Francis Kéré is an inspirational architect who works with locally sourced materials and building techniques. This interests me through sustainability aspects and how a large impact can be made with little money.

(Kéré Architecture 2020)

(Southern Cross Station - Jackson Architecture 2015)

Collaborators

Parisa Bazargani

Irina Tepavcevic

Kate Dunstan

Kawthar Kordia

Form Finding to Form Making

A1: Form Finding/ Form Making Micro System

Form Finding

We will work with different materials and densities to create different form options. This can also be explored by using different shapes to form meshes. This could add a challenge of rigid qualities and structural elements when working between triangles and squares.

METHODS

• 6-10mm Jump Rings

• Link Chain

• Paperclips

MATERIALS

• Stainless Steel

• Alloy

• Plastic

CONNECTIONS

• Magnets

• String

• Zip Ties

• Hooks

• Fishing Wire

FORM SHAPES

• Square

• Triangle

• Rectangular

• String

• Abstract

Rules- Hanging Chain

When a chain is hung between 2 anchor-points there is a link between the ‘x’ and ‘y’ values of the chain.

The longer the ‘x’ value the shorter the ‘y’ value

AND

The longer the ‘y’ the shorter the ‘x’.

By decreasing the ‘x’ we can have a longer and lower hanging chain but as we increase this ‘x’ value the shorter the hang becomes.

When the chain is hung it will automatically finds its lowest point by using a gravitational pull. This may not always be the center of the chain but will change depending on the different heights of the anchor-points or how many anchor-points there are.

Increase x; Decrease y

A2: Iterations and Possible Variations

Points

These meshes use anchor points to change their forms. By increasing the number of anchor points the forms are changed. The meshes are the same as depicted earlier in meshes 1 and 2 as well as a few digital forms.

By adding between 1 and 6 anchor points the mesh becomes more rigid and has is formed less by the use of gravitational pull, but also allows a different form to be created especially when working in digital methods.

Pysical Mesh

These meshes explore physical modelling tools to produce their shape and form. By adjusting the shapes of the mesh, the size of the chain and the density different forms could be developed. Forms were completed in 2D and 3D whilst working with gravitational forces. These forms will influence the masterplan proposal.

The forms could become: cutouts, pavilions, land formations, interactive spaces or grassed areas.

Digital Modelling

The following examples show how the chain could be implemented into a form in the digital world. A couple iterations were completed using the same mesh depicting similar results as seen in the physical modelling.

These meshes use digital modelling tools to produce their form. These meshes used similar shapes and ideas as seen in the pysical modelling but use different strengths and forces and some with more anchorpoints.

These forms will influence the masterplan proposal. The forms could become: shelters, rolling hills, levels, canopies, hubs or cutouts.

Adjusting Strengths

These models explore using different strengths and forces to alter the shape.

Row 1: 4 anchor points and their placment within the upper, mid or lower section within a 200x200mm box.

Row 2: Adjusting the tension of different meshes.

Row 3: Gravity direction where 0 is the middle of the box.

Row 4: Increaseing the number of anchorpoints from 4-7.

Row 5: Absract Forms changing the anchor points and gravity forces.

LEGEND

L= Lower Section

M= Mid Section

U= Upper Section

W= Weight

d= Gravity Direction

p= Anchor Points

g= Gravity

Anchors

A3: Ideation and Speculative Design

Form 1-Nicole

The mesh was taken from the first matrix. It had 5 anchor points one on each corner of the grid and one part way along the side. The form created with this mesh is a bridge to connect 2 sides of the harbour/ river together. People will circulate through this concept in many different ways from a businessman who may walk in a direct motion to a child running from side to side. The mesh will form the base structural beams and be overlay with a material such as glass or a mesh. The form will be multiplied and joined together to pass over the 100m gap of water and will be high enough for boats to pass under.

Form 2- Kate

This mesh was taken from matrix 3 of the physical iterations. By rotating the form 90, 180 and 270 degrees the program is able to change. It could be a canopy, seat or a bridge allowing both cars and pedestrians across.

Form 3- Irina

The form chosen followed a similar appearance to the mesh in matrix 5. The presented form is a sheltered bridge siting at the end of the harbour adjacent to the site which considers both vehicle and pedestrian access. The focus program for this site is a community based place for meeting whilst being interactive against the waters edge.

Form 4- Nicole

The mesh was taken from the first matrix. It had 5 anchor points one on each corner of the grid and one part way along the side. This mesh forms a canopy and green space area on the site overlooking the harbour. This angle is steep enough to cater for covered space below whilst also allowing people to walk over the top. This space is very large scale to allow functions and meetings to be held below the canopy. People can circulate in many paths within and above, whether on a lunch break, walking the dog or taking pictures.

Form 5- Kawthar

The designed program follows chains in matrix 4. The outline of the 2D chains create a floor plan and zoning within the design above. These spaces could be offices, receptions, observation decks and green space. The diagrams also take boat circulation into consideration within the building and around it into the Harbour.

Form 6- Parisa

The program for this design is a art hub, a centralized space for the community and a meeting place for both residents and those visiting Docklands. The space could include many zones such as; a gallery, performance areas, and gardens all flowing into a centralized courtyard.

Form 7- Kate

This mesh was taken from matrix 3 of the physical iterations. This mesh could form a shelter on land or over a river or a bridge. It could also be a collection point shelter for Yarra river cruses and other boat pickups, sheltering the boat from waves and passes by as people board and depart. This form could be multiplied in a linear arrangement to carry forth more spaces and link together around the harbour.

Hybrid Proposal

These 3 diagrams portray various possible hybrid proposals, for the Docklands site, using the forms created in part A3.

The meshes and forms chosen, focus on connecting the pieces together, both land and people, creating a centralised space for the community. The proposed design provides a series of activities such as cafes, recreation, sports and galleries whilst maintaining a relationship with the water of Victoria Harbour and the Yarra river. All these designs are of a fluid nature, connecting all aspects of Docklands through integrating a multifunctional space.

The locations were chosen as they work together and integrate different programs into the Docklands site. These programs consist of boat shelters, green space, seating, cafes and function spaces.

A4: Reflection

Reflection

The process of form finding enabled us to work with various forms, materials and techniques both physical and digital. The 200x200mm box constrained the chain-mesh models to a similar size.

For finding was an interesting process enabling us to find raw forms persuaded by gravitational forces and slight changes of anchor points. The chain mesh models have huge potential for abstract and free flowing forms that describe the waterfront in Docklands and create a place for the community to gather and connect with the water environment.

As a result of the physical modeling we were able to refine our designs and create new forms working with hollow spaces and larger volumes digitally. This allowed us to experiment whether they had similar effects to the 200x200mm box whilst keeping with the mesh theme.

I found that when working with physical chains we were all able to bring new methods, materials and forms whilst having similar ideas, but when this was translated into the digital world, the rectangular and square meshes all looked very much the same. As we did not focus on re-creating the chain-link forms digitally, we focused closer to the mesh it created if it were fully enclosed and this iterative design process was lost to a certain degree.

Bringing these meshes and forms into Docklands as a team we would like to focus on connecting the pieces together, both land and people, by creating a centralized place for the community.

These designs could inform the waterfront development by using similar functions, techniques and spatial organizations.

Waterfront Development

B1: Victoria Harbour

Introduction

Docklands is a modern harbour development located 2kms west of Melbourne’s CBD. It is an ongoing urban renewal project to join both the Docklands and CBD district together. Docklands has been a port for container shipments for many years hosting large infrastructure including wharfs and railways. Docklands is a multi-use suburb being home to industrial sectors as well as commercial and residential buildings. It is also home to some of Melbourne’s icons such as the observation wheel and the O’Brien ice-house arena.

Based along the Yarra river and Victoria Harbour, the site poses many opportunities and challenges that come with waterfront development.

The chosen site is a parcel of land which is currently home to a boat shed and tower.

Neighborhood Context & Existing Building

Nicole Farnell

The following pages introduce the neighborhood context and existing buildings at Docklands, Melbourne. The images overlay-ed across the maps show what exists at the current point in time and its location in relation to the Harbour and the site. Docklands is brightly coloured with murals on walls, the blue reflection of the sky against the water, green patches of grass and trees along the water edge and the multicoloured containers at the North-Eastern border. The diagrams show different elements of Docklands including the 8 precincts, Building heights, Zone overlays, and development activity. Docklands is a large projects constructed overtime therefore always has a crane or two constructing buildings or moving containers off ships.

Zones & Overlays