oliver hessian urban research studio student residence study centre venue
THE HUB
site
After the masterplanning phase a proposal was chosen and sites allocated from the plan. The site was surrounded by some of the taller buildings on the site and initially proposed to be only 15m tall and zoned for office. After a discussion with the Masterplanners it was decided that this plot might be re zoned for residential or civic use as well as having the possibility to increase significantly in height, with respect to the light corridor that was provided for the plaza in front of the existing brewery building. Initially there was also a proposed underground connection for students to UTS that would run past the site.
analysis
Opportunities:
Views out Potential for amazing views from roof top space over retail units to the West towards the Heritage brewery and public plaza as well as over the roof tops towards the Sydney University quadrangle.
Movement Although limited traffic at ground level there is the potential to link into the UTS connection below ground and draw traffic in at this level
Height The current massing for the plot is quite conservative considering the neighbouring buildings. This suggests that an increase in height could be accommodated on site and potentially a reduction in footprint to increase the street presence of the building. Connecting to the underground link will also increase the overall area.
Analysis
Threats/Strategy: Frontage Relatively poor street frontage on landlocked plot. This also will mean that the light access to the lower levels of the building will be quite low. Reducing the footprint will may help with this as well as maximising the roof terrace presence from the public plaza
Views In Limited direct views onto building facades. This would suggest that eye catching facade design that works at drawing visitors in from the oblique views onto the facade down the adjacent streets, particularly from 6 ways and the plaza
Activity 3 main sources of public activity surrounding the site, 6 ways, the brewery plaza and the boulevard from UTS and Broadway. The site needs to draw from each of these as much as possible to be engaged.
Brief
A key aspect of the Masterplan proposal was for the new precinct created to have the ability to embody the huge student community in Sydney, particularly the large amount of International students passing through the area daily. With UTS, Sydney University and Notre Dame all occupying the area I believed the development site was an ideal location to locate a facility that would represent the character of the new area and act as a hub for students with an emphasis on arriving International students. With this in mind the brief proposed was to provide a facility that provided temporary accommodation for arriving International students while also providing study resources and a venue to be used by existing and local students. The emphasis on the program was to encourage arriving students to settle into Sydney and encourage social interaction with other internationals as well as local students. With this in mind the schedule of accommodation included initially: • • • • • • • • • •
Performance venue Nightclub / bar Cafe Lounge / living room equivalent spaces Study space Computer resources Tutorial rooms Lecture space Student residences Rooftop bar / restaurant
This brief was developed and refined as the project continued.
concepts
Connection Maintaining a strong connection at all levels with the surrounding area physically and programattically engaging the student themed district. Internally encouraging a community atmosphere to encourage arriving students to meet new people. Maintaining connections visually and acoustically through the building across multiple levels. Sydney The character of Sydney should be embodied in the student district. This might be represented in the topography and the resulting potential for vistas and maximising the benefits of the climate. “ A place that upon arriving in Sydney makes you instantly glad you made the decision to study here� Looking at local materials and developing a palette that is in keeping with Sydney’s character. Meeting Creating a destination not only for those residing but for local students and residents to interact, study and socialise.
massing The masterplan proposal was only 4 storeys tall. However it was discussed that this should be increased to better balance the massing
The maximum volume was projected to a height that matched the surrounding proposals that were designed to maintain light to the central plaza
Respecting the light access to the plaza and considering how this might affect the articulation of the volume .
To allow light deep into the plan and maximise cross ventilation the upper core was subtracted this also encourages an introverted community for the students to inhabit.
The focus of the massing was maximising the views to the west towards the Brewery and Victoria Park. The massing was terraced and also eroded at the rear in response to mid morning light conditions
In order to tie all the subtractions together in a cohesive manner the key dimensions from the student units were used (3 x 3m) allowing the interior function to be expressed in the massing.
Further subtractions were made in response to the ground plane. Entrances on the north edge and south East corner eat are expressed as well as a frayed boundary where the cafe faces the smaller massing to the west.
The same logic is then used to articulate the terraced balconies creating pockets and niches for the residents to inhabit.
masterplan
Maximum
light access
passive + community
daylight + views
units
ground plane
corners
studies
Key drivers for the massing development were: • linking the basement and ground plane • maintaining a active West facade to engage with the retail buildings • increase height while being sensitive to surrounding massing and light access • maximise views to the West • create engaged community spaces for arriving and existing students Initial massing studies looked at how the basement and ground might be linked with a venue and how the building height could be increased without dominating the low retail volume to the West. The set backs were aimed to provide maximum access to the views towards Broadway and Sydney University while also creating a community atmosphere The upper level set backs might be incorporated into the lightwell concept and how this might be oriented in the block. I considered stepping back from the South-West corner as this is the only part of the site that addresses the boulevard to the South. I explored an elliptical erosion of the block due to the curves ability to maintain views to the West as well as internally to help achieve internal connection between the inhabitants. This could be taken through to the basement in order to allow the set backs to act as a lightwell and direct light down into the bottom levels. I began looking at how the ground and basement levels could be engaged as a public meeting/gathering space that might be used for performances. A stepped plaza served as a functional option that offered seating for gathering people as well as a thoroughfare between levels.
Precedent: materials
As the massing concept developed into a series of subtractions from the initial volume I wanted the materials to express these architectural moves. With this in mind I looked into how the original volume might be expressed as a heavy weight and robust mass and the subtractions to then contrast to this in the same way a freshly milled rusted piece of steel might look when the shiny interior is exposed. With this in mind brick was chosen for the external volume, this was also a material that resonated with the local area which includes several Deco buildings in dark brick. Although the project was budgetless the material choice fits well with a project that would be relatively low cost due to the student accommodation aspect. As the contrasting material Glass was chosen to play on the transparent ad reflective qualities allowing maximum desirable light in and views out . The detailing was designed to minimise the weight of the framing and cover all structure so the interior volume appeared reflective without the elevations being interrupted by floor plates between glazing panels. Although these are the two primary materials 2 other roles needed to be represented in the building. The structure and the human scale. I attempted to maintain rules for the use of these elements whereby Timber would be the material that responded to human interaction due to its warm nature. This would be used for handrails and window frames, flooring, furniture. For the structure which would be a robust concrete frame and lift core I decided that allowing the natural material to be exposed would provide the desired neutral finish. Ideally the concrete would be as pale as possible.
Above: Barbara Hepworth Opposite: QB Design, H- Arquitectos, Mark Koehler, SilvesterFuller
precedent: housing
I looked at some of the examples of successful or interesting housing proposals and how these were arranged and represented architecturally. A concept that I felt was commonly successful was allowing the unitised nature of mass dwelling to read in the overall massing and composition. The work of BIG frequently played on this. Another area of research was looking at how fenestration and elevations are approached in the projects to avoid of embrace the repetitive nature of housing openings / interiors. I considered how the reveals might be exploited to exaggerate or down play the external skin. Given more time this is an area I would like to have developed further in the proposal.
Opposite: BIG architects, Tokiwadaisq Sugamo, Mateus-Arquitectos, Clavienrossier
plans: venue
The basement area maintains a strong link to the Ground Floor through the tiered seating that provides for the performance space. Below is the main bar and nightclub area for students to come in the evenings.
green
store
stage
plant
bar
dance
basement
pool
plans: foyer
The Ground Floor responds to the local ground conditions where the West edge becomes a boundary for the main plaza and the cafe responds to the low rise building that occupy this space. The South West corner is the only part of the site that has a presence on the boulevard to the south so this acts one of the entrances. The food court in the adjacent scheme to the North has a large entrance encouraging the flow of people towards the entrances on this edge. The major street is located to the East and this represents the most formal of the ground floor elevations with the core coming down into the porch area. To the South a bike park area has been provided for the students using the proposed cycle ways through the site.
cafe
seating
bikes
reception
lockers
ground
plans: mezzanine
The mezzanine area of the atrium is provided for students and residents to relax and links to the cafe below. This is imagined as a series of living room style places with access to balconies allowing for pockets of space to be inhabited by groups of people. This is an area of the brief I would have liked to have spent more time on developing as I believe this could potentially be something more exciting or challenging.
lounge
lounge
first
plans: study
View from lower study level core
The lower level of the study space occupies more of the footprint of the site. Provided on this level are 6 tutorial rooms that can cater for around 30 students each as well as open plan desk and meeting spaces. These spaces are located on the periphery of the plan to allow natural lighting and ventilation while the toilet facilities and print resources occupy the centre.
study
second
plans: study
The upper level of the study space is galleried around the centre to allow light from the skylight to reach the centre of the lower level. This also allows for connection between the spaces. A lecture spaces and another tutorial room are provided on this level along with more open plan desk space. The exterior is puncture with large windows that reach past both floors these create an impressive visual towards the west from the stair and lift core and allow maximum light and ventilation through the space.
study
third
plans: twins
terrace
kitchen/ dining
previous proposal
The first accommodation level has the greatest depth in plan in the accommodation wings. To utilise this space and respond to the tiered section 3 main housing types have been provided. When designing the accommodation a few key decisions had to be made regarding the organisation of individual rooms. The key drivers were to orient the study space in the rooms towards the communal areas, maintain privacy in the sleep areas and where possible naturally ventilate the bathroom. In some cases this has been prioritised over having the bed by the window. This decision was driven by the overall objective being to encourage the residents to socialise and these rooms are intended for a limited period of stay. In all cases temporary residents go outside onto either the terrace or balcony to enter their individual rooms. These walkways however are covered. At this level is a series of Twin rooms, in order to allow a level of privacy for both occupant the bathroom facilities have been separated and used as a divider of the space, although this creates to different scenarios and internalises the bathroom I felt this was the most desirable layout. The inward facing occupant would require a privacy wall between the study area and bed however benefits from having the desk facing the social areas
terrace
kitchen/living dining
fourth
plans: doubles
balcony kitchen
kitchen
dining
dining
balcony
Previous proposal
A development of the brief was suggested to vary the accommodation options and in respond to the different lighting condition on the North East corner. This massing response then allowed for a change in program at this corner. One of the suggestions was to provide some more long term tenants to help with the integration of the arriving temporary students. This has been achieved by providing a 3 bedroom apartment on the 4th Floor and a 2 bedroom on this floor while also providing a cluster in the South East corner that still relies in the communal cooking facilities but provides a separate living space. These additions then cover a wide range of requirements for arriving students. All clusters also have access to outdoor balcony areas that make the most of the views Sydney has to offer. The double rooms provide a naturally ventilated en suite bathroom, double bed and study area. In this case the sleeping area is in the centre of the plan, in keeping with the thinking that this is a space for rest where as the study space has an opening elevation onto the sociable balcony area, which in itself is a space imagined to be occupied by the students with informal furniture. Cross ventilation and light access is still enabled with the external window with a bench seat at sill level.
terrace
kitchen/living
fifth
dining
plans: singles
balcony
bath
bath
balcony
dining
kitchen
Previous proposal
dining
kitchen
bath
bath
The single rooms are the most basic accommodation and require occupants to share the bathroom facilities are the end of the hall. For this reason the balcony has an extra operable layer of facade to shelter the residents on this journey but also allow in the summer months to open up this layer to make the most of the large balcony area, with great views towards the west. Again an 2 bedroom apartment is provided in the North East corner for longer term residents.
terrace
dining
living
sixth
kitchen
plans: restaurant / bar
To make the most of the potentially spectacular views from the roof to the west a restaurant and bar is located on the roof. This is imagined as a student oriented venue with cheap food and a relaxed atmosphere.
terrace
terrace
food
drink
kitchen bar
seventh
plans: roof terrace
An outdoor rooftop provides extra seating for the Restaurant / Bar makes the most of Sydney’s weather and views.
seventh
east elevation
north elevation
west elevation
South elevation
context
The strategy used to develop the massing of the site produced a dense occupation of the site which compliments the densely developed area of the masterplan. The building also responds positively to the plaza as the West elevation forms an important part of the definition of this space.
sections
sections
The balcony section provides a large amount of amenity space for the residents, however this is something that I feel reinforces some of the best elements of being in Sydney from an International’s perspective. Being able to come back from Uni for the day and sit out on the balcony out the front of your room with some new friends and take in the views. This is something that was developed in section in the form of layered facade where the balcony is the social space over the central terrace and the bedroom elevation is operable to allow a level of control over this privacy. The central skylight is proposed as a social area with dual facing benches with planters sandwiched between to increase the privacy from one side of the terrace to the other as well as help cooling. The skylight allows light deep into the plan at the study resources level.
model
perspectives
perspectives
perspectives
perspectives