B ru tal ist s e ed Oliver Hessian
In order to interact with Brutalist Architecture on a design level one must first take a position on the Brutalist movement or theory. This in itself can be difficult as defining the Brutalist “style” is confused by the separation of it’s key original contributors and the ripples of enthusiasts over the following 50 years. Each contributor to the movement appeared to have their own interpretation of this style that ultimately was about rationalising the modernist architecture of the 50’s and 60’s. Key ideologies were defined by Reyner Banham in his “New Brutalism” article as being: 1. Memorability as an image 2. Clear exhibition of structure 3. Valuation of material ‘ as found’ These principles define a fairly broad Architectural style, the simplification or architecture was something that appealed to a broad range of people, not just architects. Not only could a new building be current but it could also be affordable and sculptural, achieving an iconic monumentality, that was appropriate for many of the projects that adopted the style. The global education boom in the 70’s resulted in many Brutalist examples being University buildings.
G rad uat i o n St u d i o
Tutors: Sandra Kaji O’Grady Ken Woolley AM David Ostinga Contact: SID: 310285240 oliver.hessian@gmail.com
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“Any discussion of Brutalism will miss the point if it does not take into account Brutalism’s attempt to be objective about ‘reality’ - the cultural objectives of society, its urges, its techniques and so on. Brutalism tries to face up to a mass producing society and drag a rough poetry out of the confused and powerful forces which are at work.”
Peter & Alison Smithson
3
co n t en ts
Process
Introduction Brutalist Reaction
5
Brief The Scenario Program Area Schedule
10 11 12 17
Site Existing Analysis
21 22 23
Articulation Strategy Section Plan
24 25 26 27
Sustainability Solar Concrete Shading Identity
28 29 30 31 32
Precedent
33
Plans Perspectives Sections
35 45 56
project outline
Massing Iterations Horizontals Crystals Basement Celebrating the Existing Interim
58 59 67 68 69 70 73
Context
design
technological
research final
4
in tro d uct i o n Bru t a l ist Re a ct i o n: In order to interact with Brutalist Architecture on a design level one must first take a position on the Brutalist movement or theory. This in itself can be difficult as defining the Brutalist “style” is confused by the separation of it’s key original contributors and the ripples of enthusiasts over the following 50 years. Each contributor to the movement appears to have their own interpretation of this style that ultimately attempts to rationalise the modernist architecture of the 50’s and 60’s. Reyner Banham summarized the key ideologies in his “New Brutalism” article as being: • • •
Memorability as an image Clear exhibition of structure Valuation of material ‘ as found’
These principles define a fairly broad Architectural style; the simplification of architecture was something that appealed to a broad range of people, not just architects. Not only could a new building be current but it could also be affordable and sculptural, achieving an iconic monumentality that was appropriate for many of the projects that adopted the style. The global education boom in the 70’s resulted in many Brutalist examples being University or school buildings where budget was a main driving force. I initially framed the scope of the project within a future development scenario,
while this isn’t something that was pursued through to completion, the consideration for the existing building’s role in a future scenario is something that was regularly interrogated. With the generally accepted understanding of climate change and the devastating onslaught of natural disasters in recent years there is a current trend in the representation of future scenario’s to a post-apocaliptic style. What is interesting about imagining this scenario with reference to Brutalist architecture is that with the regression of human technology imagined the Brutalist building becomes an obvious choice of refuge, fulfilling its role as “Heroic Architecture” not just in a symbolic way but literally. While it is interesting to contemplate the relevance of an architectural style in an imagined future scenario, I still believe that exploring a possible future with a more optimistic outlook has proved a richer and more enjoyable experience. I believe the key to the successful integration of Brutalist theory into a realistic future will be to evaluate the key urban strategies and architectural successes and failures of the movement in order to establish which elements might be appropriate in a dense and technologically advanced urban setting. With a view on
squ i nt opera , f lood e d Lo n d o n
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In tro d uct i o n
GLOBAL SYDNEY Main focus for national and international business, professional services, specialised shops and tourism. It is also a recreation and entertainment destination for the Sydney region with national significance.
POTENTIAL BELLS LINE OF ROAD CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS
H
Bru t a l ist Re a ct i o n:
what the distant future requirements REGIONAL CITY Parramatta, Liverpool and Penrith might be. will provide for more lifestyle and work opportunities close to the
Rouse Hill
M7
20 km
Hornsby Castle Hill
M2
M2
PENRITH
Mt Druitt
M4
Blacktown
PENRITH EDUCATION & HEALTH
RIV ER
Currently there is a very different attitude towards institutional buildings where the public has lost a great deal of faith in large businesses particularly banks. A response to this change architecturally has been to associate transparency with these institutions to suggest that the inner mechanisms of the industry have nothing to hide from the public.
MACQUARIE PARK
WESTMEAD WESTMEAD
Chatswood
M4
WESTERN SYDNEY PARKLANDS
M7
M2
PARRAMATTA
M7
M4
ST LEONARDS
SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK
NORTH SYDNEY RHODES
Granville
Prairiewood Fairfield
SYDNEY Burwood
Although ultimately the proposed development does not re-instate the banking functions I have pursued the idea of inverting the building’s image. My overriding attitude towards the existing building, which I believed to have great architectural merit, was a response to the wider context of the site. St. Leonards and Crows Nest lie directly on Global Economic Corridor that has been proposed as part of the Sydney 2050 development plan. This corridor links the City of Sydney with North Sydney business centres and through St Leonards, arcing towards Parramatta. As a result of this the business centre of North Sydney is expanding towards St. Leonards and will ultimately converge, resulting in considerable densification for the area. Fundamental to the survival of the existing
Bondi Junction
Redfern Waterloo
Bankstown
Green Square
LIVERPOOL
SOUTH WEST GROWTH CENTRE Leppington
Brookvale– Dee Why
FRENCHS FOREST
NORWEST
M7
NE PE AN
As a style to adopt in this way Brutalism’s inherent ‘honesty’ makes it an interesting POTENTIAL SPECIALISED CENTRE building block or template for future CENTRE development. It is MAJOR this characteristic that The major shopping and business centre for the district, usually with council offices, taller of officethe and rest of has driven the development residential buildings, a large shopping mall and central community facilities. the proposal. The overwhelming PLANNED MAJOR CENTRE sense These places are currently being planned to become Major Centres. of will that is so confidently embodied by POTENTIAL MAJOR CENTRE These places may grow to take on the is role of Major Centres Brutalist architecture something that in the future. SMDA INITIAL URBAN warrants an equal measure of strength to RENEWAL CENTRE respond to it with any respect. EXISTING HEAVY RAIL It is this HEAVYbuilding RAIL LINK attitude toward thePLANNED existing that North West Rail Link construction commencing 2017, South West Rail Link operational 2016 led to the conceptual development of a HEAVY RAIL CORRIDOR with existing and short term capacity large and robust scheme. to support urban renewal of centres YEAR FUNDED Due to the diverse 10HEAVY nature of Brutalist RAIL PROJECTS LONG–TERM CORRIDORS buildings in order FOR to INVESTIGATION successfully react (Transport and urban renewal) VERY example FAST RAIL to or interact with an of this FOR INVESTIGATION style, architecturally, the response must be tuned to the particular building. I will begin to outline my such line of enquiry when developing a proposal for the Oxley Business Centre, originally The CBC (Commercial Banking Company of Sydney) Crows Nest, NSW. This building designed by Kerr & Smith Architects in 1971 represented the height of technology and architecture of its time, housing a large computer suite for processing customer information. The expanding floorplates and external cores are a response to the client’s desire for unobstructed internal office space. The client also believed the iconic, ‘secure’
imagery of the building was in keeping with its function. Ultimately the building represented everything the bank wanted its customers to believe in, cutting edge and secure. NORTH WEST GROWTH CENTRE
growing parts of Sydney.
LIGHT RAIL CORRIDOR
ER
POTENTIAL OUTER SYDNEY ORBITAL CORRIDOR
GLOBAL ECONOMIC CORRIDOR The corridor of concentrated jobs and activities in centres from North Sydney to Macquarie Park and from the City to Airport and Port Botany, will remain the powerhouse of Australia’s economy.
SPECIALISED CENTRE Places such as hospitals and business centres that perform vital economic and employment roles across Sydney.
B KES URY RI AW V
BANKSTOWN AIRPORT –MILPERRA M5
RANDWICK EDUCATION & HEALTH
M5
SYDNEY AIRPORT
Kogarah Hurstville
PORT BOTANY
global economic corridor Sutherland
POTENTIAL OUTER SYDNEY ORBITAL CORRIDOR
Campbelltown–Macarthur
bond centre, Paul rudolph, hong kong
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in tro d uct i o n Bru t a l ist Re a ct i o n: Brutalist building then is it’s integration into a future density and urban scenario. My attitude was therefore to propose that the building be celebrated and integrated into a larger development. The role the existing building was to play in the development was then integral to it’s development and needed to respond to it’s own strengths. I believed that an inversion of the current opaque character of the architecture would benefit this transition. In order to determine how this might be achieved the relative successes and failures of the existing architecture were assessed. In many cases of Brutalist architecture the most recognisable and arguably successful parts are the sculptural, often off form concrete elements. These parts represent the hyper masculine and practical honesty of the style revered by some and detested by many. These are certainly present in CBC building however taking on a much less aggressive image that can be attributed to the Southern hemisphere weather. The off form rough concrete has maintained a bright and relatively untarnished finish, something that the northern hemisphere examples cannot flaunt due to the frequent wet weather and dark skies. The composition of these large scale and elegantly formed parts make up the overriding image of the building. These can be separated into two groups:
the 6 vertical external shafts and the 3 horizontal bands with the uppermost being double height. These independently demonstrate a consideration for their own form as well as how they have been organised, by filleting the corners of the shafts they take on a less aggressive character. A similar strategy has been used to break the horizontal banding into two objects with the South East end forming a large filleted form adjacent to a rectangular one. It is these elements that I felt embodied the Brutalist successes and were at the heart of the design. While these were elements worth preserving I felt the glazing system detracted from the overall aesthetics, the opaque black nature only reinforced the ideas of secrecy and hostility. With these filling the gaps the building felt unapproachable and could potentially lead to the building being isolated. Architecturally I proposed to remove all the glazing and retain the concrete elements, instantly this changed the image of the building, while the floorplates were retained all internal walls are removed to make way for the new program to be injected in. The program was as much of an inversion as the architecture with the new elements to serve a very public function. This would allow the building be directly interacted with by the public and in this way celebrating it’s success and beginning it’s new role as part of a future
existing building
Existing Building
stripped back existing
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in tro d uct i o n Bru t a l ist Re a ct i o n: development. The new elements were to be represented as lightweight and fragile, transparent volumes that sit within the robust and coarse embrace of the existing, allowing moments where the occupants can occupy space between the new and old and tangibly experience the contrast between the rough concrete and smooth modern glazing. The theory behind Brutalist architecture is almost as evasive as defining the style, with many practitioners focusing on different aspects. However a common theme within many of the projects, possibly as a result of their function, was community. While some examples of Brutalist communities are celebrated as a great success there are also a number of significant failures. It is possible to argue that the economic or political framing of these projects is to blame for the various failures however the idea of community is something that I have pursued with this proposal. Having studied the successes of projects such as the Barbican Estate in London, I believe this is relevant to this project particularly due to its context. With very little to respond to architecturally within the local area I looked to drive the project with internally manifested criteria and inspiration. I believe as well as this being a valid criticism of the local area, much of which is unlikely to be maintained far into the future, this
approach to the development has ensured coherence across the project by regularly relating back to the original building. This strategy also reinforces the idea of community as the project, despite being oriented to external factors such as light and views, is predominantly internalised. The massing focuses the public space into a semi enclosed courtyard with functions that serve a wider local area at ground level. The continuation of this courtyard into a vertical atrium maintains the ideas of connection and community at the higher residential levels.
Stripped back existing building
Views to Guanabara Bay
While many Brutalist examples of residential communities attempted to generate the idea of ‘streets in the sky’ with elevated walkways reaching across the grand landscaping of the Barbican centre and shared balconies in the Smithson’s Robin Hood Gardens, these have widely been accepted as unsuccessful in most community environments. While this strategy has proved very successful in some cultures, particularly some South American developments such as Pedrogulho housing development in Rio de Janeiro where the main social space is the shared circulation space. The failure of these concepts although not strictly architectural do interfere with some of the sustainable principles I was trying to employ. Providing external public walkways prevents internal space from accessing as much light and discourages opening
Playground
Views to Serrado Mar Mountains
Block A Block B
Barbican centre, London Block C
The Golden Ratio:
Site Section showing Views and Surveillance
Pedregulho - The alternative to Favela living Brave New World
Pedrogulho, Rio de Janeiro Urban Housing 1 | Pedregulho Housing Complex | Rio de Janiero | Affonso Reidy | 1952
Robin hood gardens, London
Block A
R
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in tro d uct i o n Bru t a l ist Re a ct i o n: windows onto public thoroughfares thereby limiting natural ventilation that can occur in a shallow plan. As a result privacy and access to light and ventilation were prioritised over the idea of shared balconies. Rather than providing overlapping personal space the compromise was to attempt to re-create the shared oasis like community spaces that was so successful in the Barbican. By limiting access to facilities like the pool area and garden to residents only there is a sense of ownership which hopefully would encourage social interaction. The overriding concept I have attempted to pursue was to assess the strategies employed in the design of the original building and propose subtle variations of the same principles that subvert or mimic their inspiration while integrating in an understanding of modern construction possibilities and design strategies. Some of the shortcomings of the original Brutalist buildings are possible to remedy with either modern construction techniques or sustainable design principles that were simply not available at the time of their construction. Facilitating these advancements I have attempted to integrate the existing building into a modern, larger version of itself. The most challenging aspect of this relationship has been to re-create the careful balance and composition that is achieved in
the organisation of the original broadbrush strokes. In order to help with this organisation I divided the proposal into 3 new sections, meant to represent their own personality, as though they are new shoots of the original Brutalist seed.
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P roject O ut l i n e Metropolitan Sydney 2036 Bri e f:
POTENTIAL BELLS LINE OF ROAD CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS B KES URY RI AW V
Metropolitan Sydney 2036 H
Brutalist seed:
GLOBAL SYDNEY Main focus for national and international business, professional services, specialised shops and tourism. It is also a recreation and entertainment destination for the Sydney region with national significance.
ER
POTENTIAL OUTER SYDNEY ORBITAL CORRIDOR
GLOBAL ECONOMIC CORRIDOR The corridor of concentrated jobs and activities in centres from North Sydney to Macquarie Park and from the City to Airport and Port Botany, will remain the powerhouse of Australia’s economy.
Rouse Hill
20 km
NORTH WEST GROWTH CENTRE
Hornsby Castle Hill M7
M2
M2
PENRITH Mt Druitt
RIV ER
M4
Blacktown
PENRITH EDUCATION & HEALTH
MACQUARIE PARK
WESTMEAD WESTMEAD
M2
PARRAMATTA
M4
PLANNED MAJOR CENTRE These places are currently being planned to become Major Centres. POTENTIAL MAJOR CENTRE These places may grow to take on the role of Major Centres in the future.
NORTH SYDNEY RHODES
Prairiewood Fairfield
SYDNEY Burwood
Green Square
LIVERPOOL BANKSTOWN AIRPORT –MILPERRA M5
Bondi Junction
Redfern Waterloo
Bankstown M7
ST LEONARDS
SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK
Granville WESTERN SYDNEY PARKLANDS
This will entail studying at a range of scales the existing reports of Sydney’s development SMDA INITIAL URBAN RENEWAL CENTRE strategies for the future while also injecting EXISTING HEAVY RAIL elements of optimism towards the future that PLANNED HEAVY RAIL LINK North West Rail Link construction commencing South West Rail were showcased at the inception of2017, Brutalism. Link operational 2016
Chatswood
M4
M7
Brookvale– Dee Why
FRENCHS FOREST
NORWEST
M7
NE PE AN
My intention is to develop a program of required functions at an increased density to REGIONAL CITY chosen propose a future development in the Parramatta, Liverpool and Penrith provide for more lifestyle and work opportunities closehowto the area based around Brutalist will ideologies, growing parts of Sydney. ever I will attempt to reconcile the differences SPECIALISED CENTRE Places such as hospitals and that perform vital in technological possibilitiesbusiness andcentres modern economic and employment roles across Sydney. sustainable theories in orderPOTENTIAL to construct a SPECIALISED CENTRE picture of how urban development may benefit MAJOR CENTRE The major shopping and business centre for the district, usually from a return to Brutalist principles in a with realcouncil offices, taller office and residential buildings, a large shopping mall and central community facilities. istic prediction of future development density.
RANDWICK EDUCATION & HEALTH
M5
SYDNEY AIRPORT SOUTH WEST GROWTH CENTRE Leppington
Kogarah Hurstville
PORT BOTANY
HEAVY RAIL CORRIDOR with existing and short term capacity to support urban renewal of centres LIGHT RAIL CORRIDOR 10 YEAR FUNDED HEAVY RAIL PROJECTS
Sutherland POTENTIAL OUTER SYDNEY ORBITAL CORRIDOR
Campbelltown–Macarthur
LONG–TERM CORRIDORS FOR INVESTIGATION (Transport and urban renewal) VERY FAST RAIL FOR INVESTIGATION
syd mead - superhighways
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P roject O ut l i n e The S c e n a r io : The scope of work will be to upgrade the existing building to give it purpose as a functioning part of a greater development. I believe this is the most effective way for the building to be maintained and appreciated, rather than it potentially becoming a relic in a rapidly growing area the building with it’s new function and adjacencies becomes a part of architectural history that not only holds it’s own in the future but can be celebrated for it’s qualities. The new public serving program will support an inverting of the buildings current character with opaque black glazing to a more transparent shell of sculptural concrete cradling a series of public functions that allow users to directly interact with the architecture. The adjacent plot will include a continuation of the public functions including access to a cinema complex at basement level. These will also include a Grocers, Retail units at street level with lettable office space above. This will form the reciprocal volume to the height of the existing building. Above this will be an open volume containing private amenities for the residential units above, which will form the majority of the densification. A detailed breakdown of the Area schedule can be found below.
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P roject O ut l i n e Pro g ra m : Overall As an observation of the surrounding area and the inevitability of the densification of the local area the program is based around an ambition that this location acts as a beacon for the expanding city centre of North Sydney along the Global Economic Corridor towards Parramatta. There is therefor a heavy residential contingent included as part of the development but also a strong public focus at the street level. As part of this new focus for the plot the existing Brutalist building will be invigorated and actively incorporated into the new public elements of the program, allowing the building to be celebrated and functional well into the future. Basement The existing building currently has a 4 storey basement that currently functions as a car park, as part of the proposal the adjacent site will be excavated beneath Clarke Lane to provide additional space for a small Cinema complex. The space directly below Clarke Lane then operates as a circulation space, however light is brought down into the atrium via skylights in Clarke Lane. This generous space is imagined as serving several functions, such as a performance space, allowing the car park floor plates to act as galleries for viewing. This space could potentially combine with the car park to host a large market spilling down from the main plaza.
• • • •
car park the arches plant cinema theatre
12
P roject O ut l i n e Pro g ra m : Ground floor The ground floor is imagined as a continuous surface reconciling the existing level change across Clarke Lane. This then becomes a public space serving the local area and the residential units above. The functions within the existing building area are seen as new objects within the hollowed concrete framework. The existing building forms the edge of a plaza where the building can be appreciated in full view from the stepped entrance from the upper street level. The grocery store and cinema elements encourage activation of the plaza as well as utilising the underground parking. 1st floor
• • •
lobby grocery store cafe
• • •
retail unit cinema foyer & ticketing delivery & storage
• • •
restaurant kitchen, store & wc’s cafe & bookstore
•
lettable office space
The first floor rests at the existing buildings 2nd floor allowing generous space beneath the new functions. Within the existing the public domain continues with the cafe expanding into a bookstore at one end and a restaurant at the other. In the centre a “core” element houses the WC’s, kitchen and additional storage. On the adjacent site above street level the floorplates become lettable office space, these could be subdivided as appropriate and are accessed from one of the 3 cores.
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P roject O ut l i n e Pro g ra m : 2nd floor The Second floor of the existing is entirely occupied by hospitality functions a restaurant and bar rest inside the concrete frame with balcony space at the north end for outdoor seating, allowing the clientèle to occupy the space between new and old. Plant level The level between 2nd and 3rd concedes space to the sunken rooftop pool above and double height space for the restaurant. The flanking spaces can then be utilized for additional plant for the pool. The equivalent level in the new development again provides lettable office space.
• • •
restaurant bar bar seating & balcony
• •
plant lettable office space
•
lettable office space
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P roject O ut l i n e Pro g ra m : third floor / existing roof The fourth floor rests at the top of the existing and provides some outdoor amenities for the residential apartments above. These include a 25m pool and deck with changing facilities and showers. The pool sits within the tallest sweep of the concrete facade and at the north corner to maximise light access. The adjacent plot also has a rooftop, however this one provides green space for the residents. The 10m clearance, allows light access to as much of this space as possible. The areas where light access is to low will be hard landscaped and provide bbq areas complimenting the shared garden. fourth floor
• • •
pool deck changing facilities sky garden
• •
gym facilities residential apartments
The first level of the residential volume will house gym facilities for the residents, providing a close link to the pool area below. This is also the first floor plate that links the two sites, allowing the residents with apartments at this level direct access to the gym and pool facilities. The apartments on this floor are some of the smallest and are all 1 bedroom apartments.
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P roject O ut l i n e Pro g ra m : Fifth to roof The remaining floor space is proposed to be a mix of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments. These will be designed to modern sustainable principles and will be of 2 distinct aesthetics with the volume of the existing building taking on a lightweight and transparent appearance while the other inherits some of the more massive and sculptural qualities of the original building. The upper roof level is proposed to host a solar garden where energy can be collected over the course of the day while providing varying shading conditions to optimise user experience and efficiency.
•
residential apartments
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Grocers Grocers
P roject O ut l i n e
454 m²
Retail Retail
110 m²
Existing Building
Area S c h edu le : Area Schedule Name
Restaurant
Area
00_Basement 1
237 m²
Cold Room
10 m²
Kitchen
39 m²
WC
47 m²
Bookstore
Car Parking Car Park
Restaurant
1415 m²
Cinema Circulation
57 m²
Lobby
267 m²
Plant
104 m²
Theatre 1
381 m²
Theatre 2
315 m²
WC
96 m²
Books
111 m²
Reading WC Store
87 m² 9 m² 9 m²
07_Second Floor New Building Office Office
841 m²
Existing Building
01_Basement 2
Bar Car Parking Car Park
1415 m²
02_Basement 3
1414 m²
03_Basement 4 Car Parking Car Park
1093 m²
New Building
114 m²
Cold Room
6 m²
Function
36 m²
Kitchen
32 m²
Restaurant
297 m²
WC
21 m²
08_Plant Level
300 m²
09_Third Floor
Foyer
172 m²
Store
37 m²
WC
45 m²
New Building Gardens Gardens
Grocery Grocers
291 m²
Store
151 m²
862 m²
Existing Building Pool
Existing Building Cafe Kitchen 1
14 m²
Servery
15 m²
Residential 290 m²
05_First Floor
Swimming Pool
266 m²
Deck
293 m²
Changing
125 m²
Sauna
10 m²
Steam
11 m²
10_Fourth Floor Gym
New Building Grocers 454 m²
Retail Retail
8 m²
Balcony
Plant
Cinema
Grocers
5 m²
WC
Plant
04_Ground Floor
Lobby
178 m²
Washup
Restaurant
Car Parking Car Park
Bar
110 m²
Existing Building Restaurant Restaurant
237 m²
Cold Room
10 m²
Kitchen
39 m²
WC
47 m²
Bookstore Books
111 m²
Reading
87 m²
Store
9 m²
Balcony
90 m²
Cafe
33 m²
Class Studio 1
59 m²
Class Studio 2
53 m²
Female Change
20 m²
Female Showers
25 m²
Female WC
11 m²
Gym
362 m²
Male Change
67 m²
Male WC
7 m²
Studio 1 Balcony
11 m²
Bath
10 m²
Bed
26 m²
Living
53 m²
Studio 2 Balcony
24 m²
Bath
19 m²
Bed
17 m²
Living
43 m²
17
Class Studio 2
53 m²
Apartment 3
Female Change
20 m²
Balcony
23 m²
Female Showers
25 m²
Bath
8 m²
Female WC
11 m²
Bed 1
21 m²
Gym
362 m²
Bed 2
25 m²
Male Change
67 m²
Living
61 m²
Male WC
7 m²
P roject O ut l i n e
Apartment 4 Balcony
13 m²
Balcony
11 m²
Bath
8 m²
Bath
10 m²
Bed 1
17 m²
Bed
26 m²
Bed 2
16 m²
Living
53 m²
Ensuite
4 m²
Living
37 m²
Studio 1
Area S c h edu le :
Apartment 5
Studio 2 Balcony
24 m²
Bed 1
22 m²
Bath
19 m²
Bed 2
23 m²
Bed
17 m²
Ensuite 1
3 m²
Living
43 m²
Ensuite 2
5 m²
Hall
Studio 3
18 m²
Apartment 6
Balcony
20 m²
Bath
9 m²
Balcony
16 m²
36 m²
Bath
7 m²
52 m² 11 m²
Bed
14 m²
Living
30 m²
Bed StudioLiving 4 Balcony
Apartment 7
Bath
6 m²
Bed
17 m²
Balcony
17 m²
Living
43 m²
Bath
8 m²
Bed 1
17 m²
Studio 5 Balcony
9 m²
Bed 2
14 m²
Bath
11 m²
Living
33 m²
Bed
23 m²
Apartment 8
Living
28 m²
Balcony
29 m²
Studio 6
Bed 1
26 m²
Balcony
16 m²
Bed 2
11 m²
Bath
7 m²
Ensuite 1
6 m²
Bed
15 m²
Ensuite 2
3 m²
Living
28 m²
Living
57 m²
Studio 7
Apartment 9
Balcony
15 m²
Balcony
19 m²
Bath
11 m²
Bath
7 m²
Bed
21 m²
Bed 1
17 m²
Living
46 m²
Bed 2
12 m²
Studio 8
Ensuite
4 m²
Balcony
9 m²
Living
60 m²
Bath
5 m²
Study
5 m²
Bed
12 m²
Apartment 10
34 m²
Balcony
21 m²
Living Studio 9
Bath
7 m²
Balcony
11 m²
Bed
19 m²
Bath
8 m²
Ensuite
4 m²
Bed
19 m²
Living
56 m²
Living
46 m²
Study
10 m²
Apartment 11
11_Fi f t h13Floor 13_Level Apartment 1 Balcony
17 m²
Bath
4 m²
Bed 1
14 m²
Bed 2
16 m²
Living
48 m²
Apartment 2 Balcony
10 m²
Bath
8 m²
Bed
24 m²
Living
29 m²
Apartment 3 Balcony
23 m²
Bath
8 m²
Bed 1
21 m²
Bed 2
25 m²
Living
61 m²
Apartment 4 Balcony
13 m²
Bath
8 m²
Bed 1
17 m²
Bed 2
16 m²
Ensuite
4 m²
Living
37 m²
Apartment 5 Bed 1
22 m²
Bed 2
23 m²
Ensuite 1
3 m²
Ensuite 2
5 m²
Hall
18 m²
Balcony
32 m²
Bath
9 m²
Bed 1
23 m²
Bed 2
17 m²
Ensuite
4 m²
Living
56 m²
Apartment 12 Bath
11 m²
Bed
17 m²
Living
40 m²
Apartment 13 Balcony
16 m²
Bath
6 m²
Bed 1
26 m²
Bed 2
17 m²
Ensuite
8 m²
Hall
23 m²
Apartment 14 Balcony
19 m²
Bed
16 m²
Ensuite
5 m²
Living
40 m²
Apartment 15 Balcony
17 m²
Bed
27 m²
Ensuite
5 m²
Living
46 m²
Apartment 16 Balcony
41 m²
Bath
5 m²
Bed 1
29 m²
Bed 2
12 m²
18
Bed 2
17 m²
Bath 1
5 m²
Ensuite
8 m²
Bath 2
5 m²
Hall
23 m²
Bed 1
22 m²
Bed 2
15 m²
Living
44 m²
Apartment 14
P roject O ut l i n e Balcony
19 m²
Bed
16 m²
Ensuite
5 m²
Balcony
23 m²
Living
40 m²
Bath
10 m²
Bed 1
17 m²
Area S c h edu le : Apartment 15
Apartment 22
Balcony
17 m²
Bed 2
17 m²
Bed
27 m²
Bed 3
12 m²
Ensuite
5 m²
Ensuite
5 m²
Living
46 m²
Living
63 m²
Apartment 16
Apartment 23
Balcony
41 m²
Balcony
45 m²
Bath
5 m²
Bath
7 m²
Bed 1
29 m²
Bed
9 m²
Bed 2
12 m²
Bed 1
16 m²
Living
58 m²
Bed 2
17 m²
Ensuite
7 m²
Circulation Circulation
250 m²
Living
52 m²
Apartment 24
12 _S i xt h14Floor 14_Level Apartment 5 Balcony
23 m²
Living
50 m²
18_Twelft 20_Level 20h Floor
Balcony
31 m²
Bath
6 m²
Bed 1
17 m²
Bed 2
12 m²
Bed 3
7 m²
Ensuite
4 m²
Living
68 m²
Store
3 m²
Apartment 25 Balcony
19 m²
20 m²
Bath
5 m²
Bath
4 m²
Bed 1
14 m²
Bed 1
13 m²
Bed 2
13 m²
Bed 2
12 m²
Living
Bed 3
14 m²
Apartment 17 Balcony
Ensuite Living
10 m² 55 m²
Apartment 18
36 m²
Apartment 26 Balcony
26 m²
Bath
9 m²
Bed
23 m²
Living
49 m²
Balcony
11 m²
Bath
8 m²
Bed
24 m²
Balcony
21 m²
29 m²
Bath
11 m²
Living
Apartment 27
Bed 1
14 m²
Balcony
45 m²
Bed 2
14 m²
Bath
5 m²
Living
Bed 1
22 m²
Apartment 19
33 m²
Apartment 28
Bed 2
21 m²
Bed 3
17 m²
Balcony Bath
Ensuite
6 m²
Bed 1
16 m²
Living
51 m²
Bed 2
12 m²
2 m²
Ensuite
4 m²
Store
Living
Apartment 20 Balcony
29 m²
26 m² 5 m²
52 m²
Apartment 29
Bath
10 m²
Balcony
Bed 1
25 m²
Bath
12 m²
Bed 2
17 m²
Bed 1
21 m²
Bed 3
17 m²
Bed 2
12 m²
Ensuite
7 m²
Ensuite
10 m²
Living
105 m²
Living
74 m²
Study
13 m²
Circulation Circulation
Apartment 21 Balcony
9 m²
Bath 1
5 m²
Bath 2
5 m²
Bed 1
22 m²
Bed 2
15 m²
Living
44 m²
Apartment 22 Balcony
23 m²
Bath
10 m²
Bed 1
17 m²
Bed 2
17 m²
Bed 3
12 m²
Ensuite
5 m²
Living
63 m²
14 m²
271 m²
121_Level 9_ T h i r21 t e e n t h F loor Penthouse 7 Balcony
23 m²
Bath
4 m²
Bed 1
18 m²
Bed 2
19 m²
Bed 3
16 m²
Ensuite
4 m²
22_Level 22 Circulation
Apartment 23
Circulation
153 m²
Balcony
45 m²
Bath
7 m²
Bed
9 m²
Balcony
36 m²
Bed 1
16 m²
Bath
15 m²
Bed 2
17 m²
Bed 1
28 m²
Ensuite
7 m²
Bed 2
26 m²
Living
52 m²
Bed 3
28 m²
Ensuite
7 m²
Apartment 24
Penthouse 1
19
Living
74 m²
Circulation Circulation
271 m²
Bed 2
12 m²
Living
76 m²
Study
P roject O ut l i n e
9 m²
Penthouse 6
21_Level 21
Penthouse 7
Area S c h edu le :
Balcony
57 m²
Bath 1
9 m²
Bath 2
8 m²
Balcony
23 m²
Bed 1
33 m²
Bath
4 m²
Bed 2
31 m²
Bed 1
18 m²
Bed 3
14 m²
Bed 2
19 m²
Living
Bed 3
16 m²
Ensuite
4 m²
Penthouse 7
222_Level 0_Fou rt22 eent h Floor
65 m²
Balcony
53 m²
Living
67 m²
Penthouse 8 Balcony
59 m²
Bath
9 m²
153 m²
Bed 1
19 m²
Bed 2
37 m²
Balcony
36 m²
Bed 3
18 m²
Bath
15 m²
Ensuite
5 m²
Bed 1
28 m²
Living
83 m²
Bed 2
26 m²
Bed 3
28 m²
Ensuite
7 m²
Living
92 m²
Circulation Circulation Penthouse 1
Study
10 m²
Penthouse 2 Balcony
153 m²
Bath
8 m²
Bed 1
30 m²
Bed 2
19 m²
Bed 3
26 m²
Ensuite 1
8 m²
Ensuite 2
7 m²
Living
83 m²
Penthouse 3 Balcony
57 m²
Bath
4 m²
Bed 1
25 m²
Bed 2
17 m²
Bed 3
24 m²
Bed 4
22 m²
Ensuite 1
6 m²
Ensuite 2
5 m²
Ensuite 3
6 m²
Living
121 m²
Penthouse 4 Balcony
44 m²
Bath
13 m²
Bed 1
16 m²
Bed 2
13 m²
Bed 3
18 m²
Bed 4
26 m²
Circulation
16 m²
Ensuite 1
3 m²
Ensuite 2
8 m²
Living
69 m²
Penthouse 5 Balcony
56 m²
Bath 1
13 m²
Bath 2
13 m²
Bed 1 Bed 2
17 m² 12 m²
Living
76 m²
Study
The Residential component of the development totals 153 Apartments consisting of: • • • •
56 x 1 Bedroom Apartments 81 x 2 Bedroom Apartments 14 x 3 Bedroom Apartments 2 4 x Bedroom Apartments
This is achieved by repeating the layout from the Fifth Floor up to the Twelfth then repeating this layout on the Thirteenth with Penthouse apartments filling the Fourteenth Floor. The First Floor restaurant seats 106 with it’s own kitchen while the Second Floor restaurant seats 154 with 2 x function rooms that seat up to 10 each. The Bar seats 100 and has a capacity for roughly 250 additional standing including the balcony space. The lettable office space totals 2529 sqm and the Cinema auditoria seat 400 each.
9 m²
Penthouse 6 Balcony
57 m²
Bath 1
9 m²
Bath 2
8 m²
Bed 1
33 m²
Bed 2
31 m²
Bed 3
14 m²
Living
65 m²
Penthouse 7 Balcony
53 m²
Living
67 m²
Penthouse 8 Balcony
59 m²
Bath
9 m²
Bed 1
19 m²
Bed 2
37 m²
Bed 3
18 m²
Ensuite
5 m²
Living
83 m²
20
co n t ext Si te : The area of St. Leonards and Crow’s Nest at present is predominantly offices, mostly small scale lettable office space with a few larger corporations seeking cheaper rent than the nearby hub of North Sydney. Future development in the area suggests a growth of large office buildings and high rise apartment buildings of which there are already a few completed and approval for several more 15+ storey residential blocks has been granted.
The site plan shows the site’s proximity to St. Leonards and the Pacific Highway, however it also highlights the current lack of desirable public hubs, with the train station forming the most prominent public space in the local area.
Site Railway Line St. Leonards Railway Station Pacific Highway Waringah Freeway Hospital Green space
N
21
co n t ext Ex ist in g B u ild i ng : The CBC (Commercial Banking Company of Sydney) in St Leonards represented the height of technology and architecture of its time, housing a large computer suite for processing customer information. The expanding floorplates and external cores are a response to the client brief of desiring an unobstructed floorplan through the building footprint. The client’s also believed the iconic, ‘secure’ imagery of the building was in keeping with its function. Ultimately the building represented everything the bank wanted it’s customers to believe in, security and technologically advanced. In a period where Sydney’s future as a rapidly growing global city is unquestionable this iconic and now heritage building is situated in an area where significant development will be required in the near future.
22
co n t ext An a l y sis With the change in level across the 2 sites straddling Clarke Lane, the first site strategy was to unite the ground plane across the lane and remove the plinth level of the existing. This creates a shielded courtyard from the Pacific Highway while also allowing the South entrance to the site to frame views back towards the existing building. The principle corner of the site faces a directly north forming an axis on a diagonal across the site that lies directly north-south. Movement through Clarke Lane will be maintained although the floor surface will be continuous in order to delineate the courtyard spaces a primarily pedestrian area.
D
The main entrances to the site would be from the primary flow of pedestrian traffic coming along Pacific Highway in both directions. The change in level provides retail opportunity at street level with the entrance bringing people down into the courtyard.
C
D
C
N
B
A
B
A
A
B
B
C
C
A
D
D
23
D e sig n Artic ul a t io n : The organisation of the volumes forming the spaces begin to develop some expression that suggests their function as they begin to relate back to the existing building. This is achieved through the continuation of levels from the existing building to form respective levels in the new, while trying to maintain a sculptural balance between the old and the new as well as the solid and the voids. The borrowing of sculptural form for the external cores also begins to tie the scheme together as a whole. While these may be expressed materially in a different manner the gesture may be all that is required to relate to the original.
24
DESIGN Stra t e g y :
Existing site
stripped brutalism
basement extension
increase density
Site extents extend beyond the Oxley Centre site and across to the adjacent car park plot. Existing structure on this plot would be demolished.
The Oxley centre would be stripped back to it’s sculptural bones removing all internal partitions, window frames and floorplates.
Existing 4 storey basement would be extended to join the adjacent structure at the same depth to make space for cinema auditoriums.
Towers will then be designed to increase the density of the site significantly. These are to contain a mix of residential units.
25
D e sig n Sect io n C o n c e p t : These were developed towards a new concept that split the large scale mixed use development into 4 parts: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Existing Next to Existing Like Existing Above Existing
4.
3.
1.
2.
These were to emerge as variations grown from the exiting building. The Adjacent section inherits the horizontal lines from the original tying the two together to form a coherent plinth for the development. This section was to take the horizontals but express them in a much more lightweight fashion with tapered floor plates to accentuate the difference between the modern architecture and the original. The “Like Existing” volume housing half of the residential accommodation then reverts to the existing expression of heavy concrete balconies flowing round the buildings perimeter curves with the lightweight interiors nestled within this embrace as with the proposed conversion of the existing. The residential volume above then begins to morph the existing typology to express a modern, lightweight interpretation of the original Brutalist Architecture, referring back to the “Next to Existing” articulation with tapered floorplates and glazing punching through the balconies.
26
D e sig n Plan Co n c ept : With the existing building forming the border of a public courtyard that runs over Clarke Lane and beneath the existing structure the opposite development sets up a perspective toward the impressive Brutalist elevation stripped back to its essentials. The new core insertions make geometric reference to the originals using the half circle and chamfered corners to express the sculptural elements. As part of the developments emergence from the original the vertical structure / core are expressed externally however rather than around the perimeter they form the expression of the external atrium between the two volumes and tie the residential volume back to the ground plane.
new core s w ra p i ns i de ext e r n a l at r iu m
entra nc e a nd cou rtya rd s h a p e v iews bac k to exi sti ng
new core s vs . ol d
m a s s i ng dev elopm ent
27
t echn o lo gi cal Sus t a in a b il ity : Sustainability and energy efficiency can only become a more significant part of our future, particularly in the construction industry. While many theories already exist regarding what is “sustainable architecture” my chosen perspective for this scenario understands that an improved understanding of building’s life expectancy needs to be implemented. This can be viewed in one of two ways; either a building has a limited life expectancy and operates within this time frame but leaves very little wastage at the end of it’s function, leaving a green footprint for the next generation of designers and users. This might manifest a biodegrading architecture with a “sell-bydate”. The alternative is to design for a much longer life cycle of architecture, where planning and construction is of a high quality to allow for non-deteriorating building fabric and flexible planning for customizing or effective re-use. A consideration for increased density and future development must also be considered. This latter understanding of sustainability is the framework within which this proposal will be designed, looking at the ambitions of the concrete construction industry as a primary material.
28
t echn o lo gi cal Sola r : A potential energy source could be proposed for the roof level of the project. Supported from the necessary plant enclosures on the roof might be a solar panel system for collecting energy. This is imagined as a dynamic screen of panels that adjust over the course of the day. Considering the elderly inhabitants of the building, they are unlikely to want to be in full sunlight during the middle of the day when the sun is the strongest, this then benefits the solar collectors as it is the peak time for exposure. By rotating and stacking the panels during the morning and evening the green space is fully open and usable however over the course of the day the panels rotate into a full screen allowing just dappled light in through the spacing thereby enabling the residents to use the space in comfort.
sola r ga rden
29
t echn o lo gi cal Con c re t e: While concrete has a relatively large energy footprint it remains one of the most enduring construction materials. Significant improvements in the technology of mixing and fabrication are also streamlining the process for less wastage, increased structural efficiency and improved longevity and maintenance. Brutalist architecture relied heavily on this building material for its sculptural and structural qualities. Many examples chose a bush hammered or shuttered finish for the materials surface expression. Particularly in the UK where polished concrete exteriors degraded significantly against the grey skies and rain this rough finish aged more gracefully and complimented the honest theoretical ambitions of the project. With the improvements in concrete construction technology that are already taking place it is possible that the same theoretical application would produce a varied aesthetic in a modern interpretation of Brutalist architecture. For example concrete continues to become more efficient in spanning distances with less materials and a high control over finish is possible. Perhaps most interesting is the application of Photocatalysts into concrete in order to produce self cleaning concrete facades. This technology uses UV light to react and decompose organic materials that would otherwise foul the surface. This then washes off in the rain.
bush ha mm ered conc rete , ba rbi ca n
un ite d’ ha bi tati on, l e cou rbu s i er
j ubil ee C hu rc h, ri c ha rd m ei er
ba rbi ca n tow er, c ha m berl a i n, powe l l & B o n n
30
T echn o lo gi cal Shadin g : As an integral part of the elevation development would be the expression of some passive strategies. This would take the form of expressed North facing horizontal shading and vertical East and West shading elements. This is an aspect of the design that I would have liked to develop in more detail as it would give the overall volume of what is a large project much more definition. This expression is beginning to emerge on the most prominent corner of the site through the use of the tapered floorplates expressing the swinging facade that allows light deep into the plan of the proposal. These shading elements as well as forming the expression of the building also tie into the structure and serve a practical function. Principles that refer back to the Brutalist ideas of honesty of expression. The vertical shading then begins to highlight some of the areas where the internal space has burst out of the floorplate boundary facing West. These large concrete louvres relate back to the vertical shafts of the existing building as well as the vertical rough hewn concrete used to construct them.
cor n er ba lconi e s w i th ta pered s ha di ng
31
D e sig n Iden t it y : As the personalty of the different areas started to develop the expression of each needed to be clarified. This series of explorations began to look at how the different volumes might develop their own expression, shifting between light and heavyweight expressions. I explored this through the horizontal expression initially, looking at how the levels could be inherited from the existing building but the floorplates taper at the edges to give the impression of an extremely fine construction. However this expression detached the plinths relationship with the existing solid horizontals too much. I then considered possibly exploring different material expression for this volume while maintaining a massive feel. This might be achieved through the use of semi transparent material like poly carbonate. This would take on an almost opaque and smooth finished expression that would sit comfortably with the concrete during the day. In the evening this would then allow the new podium level to invert the original by emitting from the horizontal bands.
32
r e search Pre c e den t : The Barbican Centre, London As the largest single development realised in the Brutalist style in an extraordinarily coherent fashion, considering the duration of the project, the Barbican Centre exists as a excellent starting point for understanding some of the larger scale ambitions of this period. The entire project was designed with the optimistic outlook of the future that I intend to pursue. Socially the development encourages the growth of a large community within its walls, creating an urban oasis within the city of London. A balance of incredible density and beautiful landscapes is struck within the embrace of bush hammered concrete sculptural gestures. Some of the aspirations for the Barbican were unsuccessful such as the elevated walkways that were intended to link to a wider network of walkways that were never adopted, leaving the community as somewhat of an island. However within the site these walkways serve an effective purpose and allow for some amazing spaces and a continuing landscape at ground. The balance between sculptural expression, voids and landscaping are the lessons I wish to take through to this project as well as an acknowledgement and respect for history, something the Barbican also had to address with the London wall ruins as well as the chapel.
33
Re search Stru c t ure a s I m a g e : The proposal for re-using the existing building is imagined as a series of fragile jewel-like objects cradled within the embrace of the existing sculptural concrete frame. I then wanted to take this concept through to the treatment of the tower above and in the neighbouring plot, however the challenge is to re-imagine what the modern equivalent of a sculptural and robust concrete external structure might be. In the Brutalist era concrete form was limited to the massive raw form it took by budget and concrete technology. This project is proposed to be a long life building and therefore warrants a large budget to save on life time costs. Also concrete technology has significantly improved to the point where function can be served with less material and in a far more elegant form. These initial sketches show some of the ideas of what form this might take and the images below show some of the modernist influenced design that I believe offers an idea of how functional and aesthetically timeless external concrete structure might manifest itself in an architectural form. However care must be taken to avoid pattern making as this is something that will not relate well to the original Brutalist style.
j ean pau l phi l l i pe
j. M ay er a rc hi tects
Lin col n c entre , new york
j ea n pau l phi l l ip e
34
Si te Pl a n :
N
F i na l
The adjacent plot sets up a new structural grid that roughly responds to the uneven original spacing columns at 6m centres, where the load is not being carried by the cores. These are purposely kept away from the street facing boundary in order to isolate the horizontal expression in elevation.
35
F i na l
The basement is served by three sets of vertical circulation: the existing building’s cores bringing 2 sets of stairs and lifts down through the car park, the grocery lifts that link to the car park levels as well and the cinema cores with 2 x lifts that also serve the office spaces above. Additional WC’s are located in the lower foyer of the cinema as well.
N
Bas em en t Pl a n:
• •
car park cinema
36
F i na l
The ground plane is levelled off forming a lowered courtyard from the South edge. This is enclosed with public serving amenities such as a Cafe, Grocery store and Cinema. While at the upper street level providing retail opportunities. The main cores are primarily for the residents above and also for office access in the South core.
N
Gro u n d Pl a n :
• • • •
foyer cafe cinema grocers
37
F i na l
The existing first floor extends the cafe into a bookstore at the north end with the floor stepping up internally to provide more daylight access and improved views over the existing balustrade height.
N
Fi rst Fl o o r P la n:
• • •
restaurant bookstore offices
38
F i na l
The second floor hosts a combined restaurant and bar, again with the north end stepping up internally to a balcony area where the balustrade sits at regular height, allowing improved views out.
N
Seco n d Fl o o r P la n:
• • • • • •
restaurant kitchen wc bar balcony offices
39
F i na l
The fourth floor contains a swimming pool on the existing roof level and a communal garden adjacent. An amendment that needs to be resolved at this level is that a link should be provided between the 2 communal areas. This would form the only physical horizontal link between the 2 projects and would require a whole set of studies.
N
Thi rd Fl o o r P la n:
• • • •
changing pool deck gardens
40
F i na l
• • • • • • • • •
gym studio male change female change cafe balcony bathroom living bed
N
Four t h Fl o o r P la n:
room plan
area plan
41
F i na l
room plan
area plan
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT PRODUCT
balcony bathroom living bed study circulation
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT PRODUCT
• • • • • •
N
Fi ft h t o E l e ve nt h F lo o r P la ns :
42
F i na l
room plan
area plan
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT PRODUCT
balcony bathroom living bed study circulation
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT PRODUCT
• • • • • •
N
Twel ft h & Th i rt e e nt h F lo o r P lan s :
43
F i na l
room plan
area plan
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT PRODUCT
balcony bathroom living bed study circulation
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT PRODUCT
• • • • • •
N
Four t een t h F lo o r P la n:
44
F i na l Cor n er Ba l c o ni e s :
45
F i na l Stre et Vie w :
46
F i na l Caf e:
47
F i na l Publ ic Co u r ty a rd :
48
F i na l Stre et Vie w :
49
F i na l Swim m in g Po o l:
50
F i na l Res t a u ra n t :
51
F i na l Bas em en t Arch e s :
52
F i na l Boo k st o re Ca f e :
53
F i na l Apar t m en t Vi e w:
54
F i na l Ga rden s:
55
F i na l Sect io n A:
fourt eenth
t w e lfth
fi ft h fourt h
t hi rd
se con d fi rst
g round
base ment
56
F i na l Sect io n B:
fourteenth
twelfth
fif th fourth
third s econd firs t
ground
basement
57
g rad uat i o n st ud i o Process: Oliver Hessian Contact: SID: 310285240 oliver.hessian@gmail.com
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P ro ce ss M a ssin g :
Harbour
North Increased Density
Sun & Views
Orientation
Plan Depth
Considering the site’s proximity to North Sydney, the demand for increased density will increase sufficiently to warrant an extension to the existing Brutalist building as well as undeveloped plots in the local area, such as the car garage on the neighbouring site. Precedent as already been set in the area for 20 storey high rise apartments. This is sets the framework for scaling the proposal.
The existing orientation of the building is at 45 degrees to North South. And the harbour views from the upper parts of the building lie to the south. In order to maximise light access and potential for these views from the apartments the two buildings lean to the East and West.
To further improve the orientation of the apartments the massing twists over their height to ultimately lie on a true North South axis.
The larger of two masses has a very deep floor plan leading to poor internal conditions particularly at the base. In order to avoid this the volume is split into 2 across a North-South axis. This also relates to the desire to externalise the main core of the building as a response to the existing Brutalist building.
59
P ro ce ss Itera t io n s: Fractured: An alternate response to improving light access and reducing plan depth was explored treating the overall massing as a crystalline form that would ultimately be embraced by a concrete exoskeleton as a continuation of the concept for the re-use of the existing structure. Spiral 1 Focusing on two central cores that are gradually exposed as the massing responds to the sites orientation, the apartments spiral to the summit maximising terraces to the Northern sun or the south views while minimising overshadowing. The imposing, exposed core shafts create an iconic form and impressive perspective from the ground plane. However their location prevents the basement floors from operating as the proposed cinema complex.
60
P ro ce ss Itera t io n s: Spiral 2 Re working the spiral concept with different core locations and increasing the density produced an interesting proposal. The towers meet at the top to form a structural arch while still allowing light deep into the site and maximising north orientation or harbour views. These towers re-connect at the top level without detracting from the quality of the space below too much. This aspect is continuos loop is a concept that offers improved density on the site as well as complimenting a dynamic solution to the site opportunities. Spiral 3 Again attempting to increase the density on the site while maintaining a representation of the modular. The trimmed massing of the spiralling organisation produces an effect that seems to relate back to the solid forms of concrete associated with the Brutalist style. These spiralling strips might relate back to the tiered bands of concrete suspended between the external structure of the existing building, while the exposed cores respond to the vertical shaft organisation.
61
P ro ce ss Itera t io n s: Separation: A development of the structural transition concept these diagrams show and exploration of separating the existing volume from the new with a tall open area that might serve as a pool or even green space for the accommodation above. The transition is then represented through the large structural arches supporting the building above and incorporated into the existing structural aesthetic. I don’t believe this literal continuation of the structural system is flattering to the sculptural proportions of the existing building and therefor am inclined to suggest that the volume above should be represented as a separate object that may relate to the Brutalist building in a more subtle and less destructive way.
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P ro ce ss Itera t io n s: Valley: I developed a variation on the spiral concept that responded to the site orientation, allowing light access across the site and optimizing views to the harbour as well. The massing also responds to the height of the existing building, sweeping down to the same level at the front corner of the site. The Ground floors are also imagined as allowing movement through the site to the existing building with a large internal foyer for ticket sales for the cinema below and additional retail units to those that face the street. This stepped volume would consist of a range of apartments each with balconies that look inwards towards the communal space that runs diagonally across the site at podium level. This axis will need to terminate in some way, either linking over to amenities above the existing building or as external vertical circulation, again responding to the existing building. The treatment of the external skin of the massing would be developed as a sculptural but robust exoskeleton as well as the cores situated at the corners, these accentuated verticals will hopefully tie the proposal back to the existing building.
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P ro ce ss Itera t io n s: Valley 2: In order to try and increase the density of the site without compromising the access to light and quality of space at the lower levels the north edge of the massing was shifted vertically. This allows for more inhabitable space while the lower levels have an external facade. This however is West facing which isn’t optimal. Central Core: In order to resolve the location of the service core options were considered for a single central core that could service the cinema level in the basement as well as the two towers. The requirement to walkways at each level however proved to be too solid a screen. Loop: Another option was to bridge the towers at the final levels creating a continuous loop. This would provide prime accommodation without shading the lower levels too considerably. This would also provide structural stability across the project while adding significant floor space.
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P ro ce ss Itera t io n s: Structural Transition: As an exploration of how the existing structure might be integrated or extended to form the new structure the primary external cores were modelled and extended with 3 different profiles into different structural concepts. The first was a simple imposition of the profiles over the top of the existing cores and extruded up. These would then form the primary structure for the new building elements. The arched concept imagined a large open volume above the existing building with the arched structure supporting the building above. This felt like a suitably grand gesture to match the ambition of the Brutalist building. The final concept was a more gradual transition where the original profile merged into a more slender and elegant structural section as a reflection of the advancements in concrete technology and therefor architectural expression of Brutalist ideology. It’s possible that these concepts could be merged to form a smoother transition while maintaining the sculptural moves that respond well to the existing architecture.
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P ro ce ss Itera t io n s: Podium: In order to begin visualising the project as a homogenous development that integrated the existing building this series of studies looked at how the site’s desired density might incorporate the existing building while also providing a separation for the residential units above. This was an attempt to imagine a common space or possibly garden for use by the residents while also allowing the public functions to occupy the ground plane. These volumes are also a response to the site orientation and solar movement, maximising the terrace solar exposure and potential for views back to Sydney city. Sweep: An exploration of how the existing building might inform the proportions and architectural organisation of the existing, while attempting to modernise the expression by wrapping the new elements in continuous bands of concrete originating from the existing building. I believe taking the proportions from the existing is a successful strategy however this composition lends itself to a pastiche style that would undermine the existing building and the principles it was designed to.
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P ro ce ss Itera t io n s: Growth & Integration: As a strategy for integrating the existing building into the new development elements of the existing architecture are imagined as repeating round the perimeter of the adjacent plot as if the projects were built in parallel. As a diagram this is represented as a literal repetition of the existing building elements that are then arranged and scaled appropriately to serve the new functions. While this is a crude exercise, there are aspects that demonstrate that taking influence from the old will aid it’s integration into the new. However these elements must be upgraded or manipulated to serve the new demands. Public Plaza: The existing building forms the border to an open public courtyard that is in turn a part of the continuous plaza formed at the level of Clarke Lane. This courtyard in itself then frames a view back at the existing building so that it can still be regarded with as much respect as it deserves, this shaping of the courtyard serves a double function as it also opens the space to northern light. This gesture is then continued vertically in order to allow light deep into the site for the residential apartments above. These volumes are then manipulated to maximise this effect.
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P ro ce ss Horiz o n t a l s: I began exploring options for how a new building might relate to the existing structure over the top, without diminishing the stature of the original. This set of tests looked at using the internal column grid to grow from inside the framework and form a formal punctuation in the vertical language of the building, allowing light to spill out from the proposed entertainment function for the existing structure, before continuing again. It became clear that continuing the full floor plate was a more successful massing exercise that only extruding the massing to the back of the site. I believe this is because of the robust nature of the existing building, it warrants a bold continuation of form. In order to root the new proposal in the old I explored the idea of continuing the existing external structure through the new proposal. I believe this began to start forming a more convincing proposal. The existing building’s mass was split into a rectangular half and filleted plan in the other, where the computer room used to be. This is a detail I explored when extruding the new proposal by splitting the floor plan in half, something that might be read in elevation, and improve the relation to the existing building.
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P ro ce ss Cryst a l s: As a continuation of the concept for re-using the existing structure the extension for apartments over is imagined as a lightweight and crystalline form housed within an external structural framework.. The challenge for this concept is the transition from the existing structure into the new. The new should be just as iconic as the existing however should be a more accurate reflection on modern concrete construction and the possibilities in the future of creating iconic concrete architecture.
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P ro ce ss Bas em en t : The existing building currently includes 4 levels in the basement. The uppermost is mostly housed in the plinth and contains the plant however the lower 3 have been converted to a multi- storey car park. This offers a rare opportunity to open this facility to public parking. As cars are the predominant form of transport for the local area this compliments the public program proposed for the ground floor by providing parking facilities. As part of the proposal this basement will be extended beneath Clarke Lane and excavate the footprint of the adjacent site providing space for a small Cinema complex below the courtyard area. The space below Clarke lane would then become a large atrium for circulation between the car park levels and the Cinema while also attempting to bring light down into the basement. The Cinema would split it’s program between the public facing ticketing at ground level and a lower lobby area for food and storage etc. Ultimately leading onto 2 theatres.
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P ro ce ss Cel eb ra t in g E x i s t i ng : The proposal for the existing Oxley centre will radically change the experience of the building. The past associations with safety and boldness are now associated with the deceptive and arrogant nature of the banking industry. The intended use for the building is also very different being intended for public interaction and socialising a different image is required. By retained the sculptural qualities of the building and enabling these qualities to be interacted with towards a long sustained future, the success of the original building can be woven into the fabric of the new proposal. The new architectural elements are proposed to be in obvious contrast to the massive sculptural qualities of the Brutalist style. These are imagined as a series of orthogonal polished volumes sitting inside the protective embrace of the existing structure. These would sit above a similar enclosure at ground floor acting as a lobby for the residential apartments above. The smaller jewel like boxes would contain a series of intimate spaces used for dining, relaxing or socialising by the public. They would be served by a kitchen and possible bar and linked by a series of walkways. The walkways would allow the users to interact with the existing concrete framework. The materials would allow light to reflect and refract down through the volumes as light might bounce through a diamond set in rock. 71
P ro ce ss Cel eb ra t in g t h e E x i s t i ng : These public functions are proposed to celebrate the Brutalist building by allowing the public to interact with it’s sculptural and raw qualities in a very direct way. In order to achieve this the volumes inside are proposed as a series of lightweight and highly polished objects suspended within the concrete embrace of the existing. The upper level will incorporate balcony walkways around the edge where users can occupy a space between the new and the old and experience the contrast. Stepped This concept imagines the various programs as two intertwined sets of volumes with distinctly contrasting appearances stepping up through the existing volume. One volume would be expressed as the raw and industrial volume represented in steel and glass and emitting a cold blue glow. This volume would represent the Bar and Cafe elements as well as the external spaces. The other would be represented as highly polished timber volumes creating a warm internal environment and emitting a gentle orange glow. This volume would house the restaurant and the bookstore.
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P ro ce ss Cel eb ra t in g t h e E x i s t i ng : orthogonal The stepping volumes seemed unnecessarily complicated and would prove difficult to organise for equal access as well as unnecessarily demolishing the existing floorplates. In order to progress the schedule of areas the volumes included within the existing structure were organised across 3 floors: Ground: • •
Cafe with outdoor seating Foyer for accommodation/amenities above
First Floor: • • • • •
Book store/ reading areas linked to cafe Restaurant WC’s for restaurant and cafe Kitchen Storage
Second Floor: • • • •
Restaurant Bar Kitchen WC’s
Roof: •
Swimming pool with changing facilities to serve residential units above and adjacent.
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In terim B ru ta l i st Se e d Oxl e y Bu sin ess Centre, Cr o ws N est
site:
Ground Floor
Ba s e m e n t: Car p ar k & Ci nem a
Oliv e r He s s ian
N
Ba sement C i rcu la ti on
F i rst:
R es t au rant & B ooks t ore
site:
Context
s eco n d :
Restauran t & Bar
Book store
F o u rt h :
G y m & 1 B ed r oom A p ar t m ent s
N
Pu bli c C ou rtya rd
R es t au rant
th ir d :
S w im m in g Pool & Garden s
FiFth:
1 & 2 B ed r oom A p ar t m ent s
Ele va ted Ga rdens
Sw i mmi ng Po o l
s ect i o n B :
t w e lve :
L ong S ec t i on
2 & 3 Bedroom Apa rtmen ts f ou rteen
tw elve
N
f i f th
Apar tment f ou rth
F o u rt e e n :
Penth ou s e Apa rtmen ts th i rd
second f i rst
grou nd
S treet Vie w
s ect i o n a :
s ect i o n B :
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In terim Res t a u ra n t :
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In terim Bar:
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In terim Sect io n C :
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In terim Cou r t y a rd N i g h t Vi e w:
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Re search Vi s i o n s o f t h e Fu t u re : T h e n It’s clear when researching visions of the future from the 60’s and 70’s that the aspirations for the future were based firmly on the current technological advances with particular emphasis on transport technology. This makes sense in a time where the mass production of the car and mass flight were booming.
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Re search Vi s i o n s o f t h e Fu t u re : N o w What is interesting is when researching the more current visions of the future, the subject matter is quite often similar. New transport technology often is at the centre of any future urban representation.
factory fifteen - London
These visions are, as they were in the 70’s often depicted in film as a subject that captures the audiences imagination. However with a few exceptions there appears to be a much less optimistic view of the future than before. Many of these visions support a belief in the ‘Supercities’ of the future, where the majority of the worlds population is concentrated in dense urban areas. The balance in this scenario is therefor to increase the height of buildings while maintaining some semblance of enjoyable green space and light conditions.
minority report - concept
This scenario is particularly relevant to Sydney as a city confined by valuable resource rich land at the city limits and a rapidly growing population. With the generally accepted understanding of climate change and the devastating onslaught of natural disasters in recent years there is a current trend in this area of representation to post-apocaliptic scenario’s.
minority report - concept
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