C.H.A.O.S - Graphic Novel

C.H.A.O.S a graphic novel

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what really is architecture anyway; architecture is whatever you want it to be. it’s how you feel, how you live, how you shape your environment...whenever, wherever and with whomever. it’s about time we put an end to clinical environments and on rules and dimensions that equal “space”. there needs to be an end to dictatorship of what is considered “good” architecture and “bad”. life, and the experience of design is all subject to the sensitivity of human emotions. we need places that represent true humanity. we need fragility, C.H.A.O.S, vulnerability, resilience and in the midst of this, a celebration of the goodness of humanity.

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THE FUTURE IS YOU, THE fUTURE IS NOW

THE FUTURE IS C.H.A.O.S

THE FUTURE IS FARM

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[thursday june 16, 2030] .....*meow*

:== goooood morning@!

ROCKHAMPTON! it’s a fine and sunny day......////

.....*meow*

.....today will be fine with a light chance of.....

.....*meow*

.....*meow*

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urrgh, go away .....*meow*

.... so what song are we playing today jim?

Well mike, we have a new techno demo from the band R107 fir3, let’s give that a spin.........

urrrrgh

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.....*meow*

.....*m

MO

DAD, I’M GOING TO WORK , SEE YA LATER HEY?

.....*meow*

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*meow*

OLLY

GO BACK INSIDE!

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!!!

MISSI

MISS

“ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt this program to update you on our state of emergency. the river has broken it’s banks and water is rising, we cannot guarantee the city is safe and we urge you to abandon your homes and find shelter and safety as you can. i repeat, there will be a loss of livestock and homes, the water is rising. we do not have time for hesitation.....”

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EVACUATE

EVACUATE

EVACUATE

ING: 24YR OLD CAUCASIAN FEMALE...

SING: 65YR OLD ABORIGINAL MAN...

*wrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

“pilot, what’s that in the river”

DAD? 9

no, no, no, no

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*SOBBING*

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[2075]

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[2075]

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“Goodbye to The Architecture of Concrete Desires”

Human beings are increasingly aware that architecture cannot save us. In times of disaster and societal turmoil, it would be foolish to believe that architecture is capable of resisting external forces. When it rains, it will flood and buildings will fall down when the earth trembles. This project asks a question, how can we embrace the departure of the over reliance on architectural prejudices in future or disaster proofing? I wish to consider the communal act of building and resiliance of our cities, an act not reserved for few intellects or specialists but the spontaneous and continuant activity of a whole people with a common heritage, acting under a community of experience.

As climate change persists and flooding continues to occur frequently in rural cities like Rockhampton, we witness not only unsuitable designs failing, but ill-planned food systems taking a worse turn. Today, the exposure of low income area to natural disasters can have a significant impact on well-being due to the exposure to limited food production and food crisis. Nearly a quarter of damages wrought by natural disasters are borne by the agricultural sector (FAO, 2015). In this connection, an understanding of the interplay between the occurrence and the impact of natural disaster on food crises and how the availability of macroeconomic buffers could help to mitigate the impact of such shocks is important. From the food security report of 2015 by the Queensland government, it was found that: 1. Climate change is making weather patterns more extreme and unpredictable, with serious consequences for Australia’s agricultural production. These challenges could result in imports of key agricultural commodities such as wheat increasingly outweighing exports.

2. More frequent and intense heat-waves and extreme weather events are already affecting food prices in Australia. Food prices during the 2005- 2007 drought increased at twice the rate of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) with fresh fruit and vegetables the worst hit, increasing 43% and 33% respectively.

3. Climate change is affecting the quality and seasonal availability of many foods in Australia.

Many foods produced by plants growing at elevated CO2 have reduced protein and mineral concentrations, reducing their nutritional value.

4. Australia is extremely vulnerable to disruptions in food supply through extreme weather events.

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During the 2011 Queensland floods, several towns such as Rockhampton were cut off for up to two weeks, preventing food resupply. As one of the fundamental human needs, this vulnerability is important and therefore I propose a case study for a catalyst.

Because in order to reduce the insecurity of food during floods in Rockhampton, there must be the development of strategies that respond to the unique risks to which different ecosystems and livelihood groups are exposed.

Each flood, Depot Hill south of the CBD, bears the grunt of the floods. This is exactly where a community grown initiative in the lowest area of disadvantage has the best ‘soil’ for the development of new economic and agricultural self-sufficiency.

Without addressing and redesigning farming practices to suit rural cities, impacts will be felt most strongly where supply chains are disrupted, as market prices increase, assets and livelihood opportunities are lost, purchasing power falls, and human health is endangered, leaving affected people unable to cope. However it is more than just the crisis itself; it is the fundamental changes that follow crisis—changes not just in how we make and consume goods, but in how we live and work. This is why it is so important.

Therefore I use this graphic novel to tell a story of how the opinions and suggestions of the community in a local area can be used to build what we call Vernacular 2.0.

A typology united through a common goal to discover new ways of enhancing food security in the built environment.

As architects of the future it is important to step back from being the ‘Heroes’ or ‘Master buildings’. We need to become facilitators of the ideas of other people, to design based on what people need, to be generous and kind and humble in our approach to the sensitivity of design.

Finally, we must all relax our stance on what is considered good architecture.

Architecture that dares to step outside the boundaries of form-work and baroque façades should be celebrated. Why does architecture need to fit in the confines of “physical architecture”? Who gets to define architecture? Is it not built environment?

Therefore if the perceptions of built environment being relative to an individual perspective changes the very nature of the artefact? Why does architecture need to be prescriptive to ancient definitions?

I have a million questions, yet all I can say is if someone wants to build structure with a green frame and a pink roof, let them do so, and let them live.

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“We have reports that speculations on the ‘Great 100yr flood,’ may be turning into a reality. rockhampton must begin to take precautions as this flood will be unlike anything we’ve been through before”

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“Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth... these are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women’s empowerment.

Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all.�

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i must do something for the city, i cannot allow the legacy of my father and great grandfather to end in vain.

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“how do we prepare the city....?” *** “depot hill will be hit the hardest and i’m afraid people will starve. ..maybe if we start to prepare now, we can have a fully operation sufficient system by the time the water rises” *** “what about a self sustaining suburb, then city, an elevated farm system for food security.” “a farm!” “a farm?” “a farm!!!!!!!”

“...just letting you know locals know we have free milk and bread at ‘tony’s Corner’, we’ve also for 2-for-1 eggs and meat is discounted too. all food must go.........”

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“......i have an idea”

*/////////////*

“.....i have an idea”

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*ring ring...... ring ring..*

*ring ring...... ring ring..*

“.....joey speaking”

“ i have an idea, there is a way we can create a new economic system that feeds the city! .....in the rail yard, you’ve got plenty of space right?-

“why don’t you come over to my office!”

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“Come In”

“so tell me a little more about your idea...”

what if there was a city farm, right here in depot Hill. What if we used all this empty land we’ve got in the rail workshops and started a catalyst for sustainable development here that could spread to the rest of the city.

Interesting, but why a farm?

well, we all know that our environment is in danger. we’ve been hearing about climate change for years, but what about our food security. resilience through urban farming, flood water harvesting and community engagement. what if instead of fearing the floods, we welcomed them with open arms “i’ll make a poster, maybe we can post it around town, see who is interested, that way we can assess if anyone is willing to contribute”.

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“Let’s go outside...”

current

a vision

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ok, now this is getting interesting...

“you see, the future is not more technology, but it is vernacular adaptation, people power and accepting vulnerability of our entire existence....�

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s g

“Hmmmm......”

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.....do you understand what i mean? let’s build up the lowest of the low, let us not pretend as though they don’t exist but let’s actually give Depot Hill a chance! An opportunity to become a place so full of mindfulness and community engagement that the rest of world will take note. “hmmm... i think there may be something here” 27

“...it would be beautiful, and raw. unpredictable and indeterminate, we never know what the farm could fully be, or what could be changed tomorow. the beauty of uncertainly, the very essence of living.

It will be nothing this town has ever experienced...celebrating our lives, our culture and our community....�

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“i’m on board, let’s build it!”

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“....

“....put one up there!”

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“people of Depot hill, come to the rockhampton Railway workshops tomorrow afternoon at 2pm. we will be discussing climate change, our local and regional resilience strategy and ideas for a city farm. we want you to also bring your idea’s and dreams along.”

.all are welcome”

“.......all idea’s are valuable”

“cool mum!” “hey we should go” “a farm? in depot hill?”

“climate change?”

“sound’s crazy”

“sound’s amazing” 31

the architect

“i think we should have.....” “if we build this thing, i’ve got a mate who can ....” “i have plenty of materials .....” “i’m unemployed so i have time to....” “i have a background in horticulture...” “i’m happy to help with finances...”

“it would be nice if my school could help out..”

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Guide to starting a farm [pre-flood]

Step 1: locate the site. Here we have Depot Hill, the Intersection between house and industry. the perfect soil type for nurturing innovation from the ground up.

Step 2: Consider your power sources, choose renewable over all other types if you can. however when starting up, you may need to use quick methods to get your farm up and running. and ensure it will be effective in running engines, or closed system machinery. be sure to adapt your energy sources as the farm develops.

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Step 3: set up efficient modes of transporting produce from one end of the city to another. perhaps consider the idea of a “food Train�. fruit’s and vegetables are loaded on, and taken into the cbd, designated stops are sale points, all revenue goes back into the development of resilient seeds. use empty pockets of land to design flood water harvesting systems underground. let water pool into designated caverns across the site, to stop water rising. filter this water and voila! problem solved.

Step 4: start to incorporate wind turbines and solar balloons as you can, also do not be afraid to expand organically and infiltrate surrounding contexts. now you have a general power system, start to choose your produce based on local needs, required output and what is in season.

Never over produce and never plant fruits and vegetables that are not typically in season.

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Step 5: construct a biodome. this may take a while to complete however it will become the shelter for your most important plants during wet seasons.

Step 6: be sure to use materials that are structurally sound, the biodome can be partially sealed but must remain at an optimum temperature for plant life. consult your expert engineer’s and scientists of your local community. don’t underestimate the research that can take place by universities in the area.

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Step 7: always touch the earth “lightly” with all structures that are built. Taking care not to disrupt the natural ground surface will help keep your soils from eroding away.

Step 8: consider how much help you can harness from different sources. Backpackers often travel around the world to work on farms in exchange for food and accommodation, maybe this is a place they can “Visit” a new age “Visitor Centre”.

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Step 9: plan for night-time use, evening workshops and creative performances.

Step 10: aquaponics are a great system. always remember that.

Step 11: all waste is valuable. start collecting fertiliser material from toilets on site, cows produce methane. Don’t waste this. (See inset image)

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Step 12: dedicate specific structures to specific tasks. in this farm we have: A caretaker’s residence and office, a microprocessing plant, a seed lab and library, community herb gardens, public toilets and wash-rooms, pavilions and places for rest, vertical and horizontal gardens, a green house canteen, water storage, silos and micro fish farms.

allow the community to input as much as they can. let people use their personal skills to build, harvest, sell, manage, repair, network etc.

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step 13: you should have by now a functioning farm AND WORKSHOPS collective hardwork. Always remember to let your farm develop and weeks as opposed to years. put the community first, stay local an

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S for production of food in the city. literally enjoy the fruits of your grow organically, respond to needs based on predictions for days or nd organic. Above all, resist the temptations of over production.

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step 14: perfect sustainable farming systems; then set your sights on regional expansion. the more inclusive the implementation methods, the better. even if the strategies are as simple as a community garden on every street, or as complex as waste collecting systems in every public park, every action makes a difference. the future is vernacular.

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Guide to starting a moving farm [post-flood]

step 1: pRIOR TO THE fLOODS, invest in elevating the ENTIRE TRAIN SYSTEM THAT PASSES THROUGH ROCKHAMPTON to be above the 10.1M (asl) 1918 FLOOD HEIGHT

step 2: REDESIGN the single “Food train” to BECOME multiple “Micro-Trains” that can roam the city through the week.

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step 3: thESE trainS like the rest of the farm WORKSHOPS will be built from salvaged materials on site. THEY SHOULD BE ENTIRELY ADAPTABLE AND ABLE TO BE RECONFIGURED as needed.

BEYOND PROVIDING FOOD, SOME can ALSO have tools on board to help repair leaks in homes, and flood PREPARE the city.

step 4: Once two or three micro “food Trains” have been built, they can start to operate and service the neighbouring suburbs. especially during a flood when travel to grocery stores can be difficult, these trains can also transport food (Meals on wheels) to people who are most in need. (e.g. the elderly and Disabled).

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ROCKHAMPTON CITY FARM IS...

C.H.A.O.S

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CHANGING. HOW. ARCHITECTURE. OFFERS. SOLUTIONS

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changing. how. architecture. offers. solutions

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the beginning....

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Acknowledgements rOBERT tAKKEN (tUTOR) lIZ bRODGEn (lECTURER) rockhampton regional council &

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all, the people depot hill.

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ololade adeniyi [2016] 54