The Speed Dating Agency and Train Station Downtown Britomart, Auckland City
Prologue A Narrative Process
This proposal emerged from a written exploration of a Tolstoy narrative, Anna
Karenina, that plays out on the site of the downtown Westfield Shopping Centre. From the beginning the project used characters as a device to explore potential architectural possibilities and political issue of the site. The love story storyline promoted an exploration into intimate interactions between characters within possible proposed programs. These interactions were both happy and tragic. What resulted in the final proposal, from these personal interactions, was a combination of programs which reflected their personal situations. These programs came together to form a Speed Dating Agency on site. The Agency aligns these interactions into an architectural journey which feeds into the urban fabric of the site through the proposed City Rail Link. In this final book, the architecture is presented through the speed dating narrative. This will communicate the sequence that the spaces are experienced and convey the ‘production’ of the event that the architecture attempts to create; An arrival, a Speed date and a departure.
01
The Proposal In response to the tragic decline of the Westfield Downtown Mall and Queen Elizabeth II Square, a Speed Dating Agency proposes to take their place while hovering above a trench in the earth, which follows the curve of the proposed city rail link. The Agency aims to instill a romanticism into city the which will spread through the rail link to other parts of Auckland. It’s existence will ignite a flurry of romantic activity in and around the building and will activate the public gardens and plaza that will exist in the space either side of the Agency. The architecture is a place where Auckland’s intimate romances and political conflicts are exposed, celebrates both speedy and slow arrivals and departures and chance meetings. It also put forward the comment that in a fast paced city, which is Auckland’s future as the proposed city rail link suggests, a piece of architectural romance that saves the site from being overtaken by large economic and commercial exploits, should exists in the downtown urban milieu.
02
1:500 Site Plan
The Politcal Explained The existing political conditions of the site were played upon preceding this proposal which
explored the different viewpoints of my characters both culturally, economically and politically. In book two, issues where explored through characters response to a controversial proposal; that of a Marae. This proposal was chosen in order to expose the political opinions of the parties involved in the future planning of the site. While Precinct Properties ownership of the site will privatize the land, resulting in a proposal that has the most economic gain, the land will become lost to the public. If ownership is given to precinct its vital that there be space for public life and culture. My exploration in book two, through narrative, proved that the earth the site sits on is highly valuable both culturally and economically. The extreme opposition to such a controversial proposal would lead to an argument of who the site really belongs to and the situation that if anything spectacular or unusual was proposed an argument between parties would lead to a design that is second best, a situation which has occurred more than once in Auckland.
Being aware of this situation lead towards the idea of creating a place of arrival and departure, to celebrate both the past, the site as a place of arrival historically, and the future, with the Auckland City Rail Link passing beneath the site.
04
..the building opens up to Queen street where the architectural jounrney begins...
Architectural Response to the Political In responding to the notion of the site being a place of arrival and departure, the cut opens
up the underground and carves through the site. Given the valuable condition of the land, it is a provoking element of the site to physically design with. Cutting and then revealing as opposed to completely covering over attempts to reference the economic and cultural tension that the value of the land creates between parties involved. Choosing to keep the cut open would mean ground level space is lost but instead what is in its place is a grand train station that links to Agency spaces and to the underground space of Britomart, which is making reference to past site reclamation.
06
The cut prompts a re-evaluation of the space at ground level. From the outskirts of the site the public gardens and plazas whisk members of the public away from the edge to the core of the site. It is in these more intimate spaces where chance meetings and rendevouz start to take place.
While the Plaza spaces are public... The Speed Dating Agency hovers between between public and private.
The hotel itself, would be privately owned, and the Speed Dating Areas would be for those who are taking part in the speed dating event while the Lonely Heart Garden, Preparation District and Cooking School would be open for the public to experience. This results in a dynamic architectural integration of mulitple programs that have difference levels of public and private accsess, opening and closing hours which create a varying flow of people occupying the buiding a different times.
It responds to the day and night life of the city. 07
08
Time for an Architectural Romantic Journey [Lonely Heart Gardens]
[Cooking School]
[Preparation District]
[Date For Six]
[Speed Dating]
[Cosy Heart Hotel]
[Lonely Heart Hotel]
As
a means to realise an architecture which follows the narrative of a speed dating event the concept of a programmatic journey from one end of the building to another aims to create a romantic space in the urban environment. The concept of the speed dating narrative is described by the pictogram. This order of programs informed the spatial organisation of the building. The journey begins at the Lonely Heart Gardens. 09
10
Date For SixDate Loopfor Six Lonely Hearts Hotel
The Lonely Heart Hotel
Speed Dating LoopDating Speed
Lo ng S
ec t
ion
Cu t
Cosy HeartsCosy HotelHeart Hotel
Level One
Cut on
The Lonely Heart Gardens Lonely Heart Gardens
ec ti
PreparationThe District Preparation District
rt S Sho
Cooking School Cooking School
Level Two
Level Three
Level Four
Level Five
Level Six
Entry Point: Lonely Hearts Gardens Drift up to the garden with a lonely heart from the train Date for Six
station below or drift into the lonely heart gardens from Queen Street. Here the flowers grow only to be collected by the garden workers and those wanting to Lonely Heart Hotel impress their date with a bouquet of colours. If one has aThe lonely heart, contemplation can be found here. Hidden behind screens of glass and timber, one Speed can see through the wall and spot a good-looking other in Dating the train station below. Floral, woody and sweet perfumes are sold in the gardens. Cooking School
The Preparation District The Lonely Heart Gardens Cosy Heart Hotel
25
The Preparation District On deciding to cure a lonely heart after lingering in the garden, the archi-
tecture provides a divide in the journey. Go in the speed date straight away or prepare for one that is to come. The preparation district holds boutique clothing stores where tuxedos, dresses as well as less formal but clean cut attire can be purchased and adjusted to fit individual body shapes. The architecture opens its walls so while shopping activity in the other boutique stores can be seen. Date for Six These sets up possible chances for longing glances across spaces, Luxurious,
gold bounces light around the room.
The Lonely Heart Hotel Speed Dating Cooking School
The Preparation District The Lonely Heart Gardens Cosy Heart Hotel
26
The Cooking School
Prepare a meal for that special someone, improve your cooking skills to
impress future romantic interests or even organise a meal to cook with your speed dating partner after the event. After passing through the preparation district, views over to the cooking school show a busy sight. A homely scene, the cooking school teaches unusual dishes and inspires people to create a date entirely from scratch. Warm soups and bite size foods are on offer to taste test. The cooking school is a mix of woody
tures, patterns
and
smells
Date for Six
tex-
that tingle the taste buds. The Lonely Heart Hotel Speed Dating Cooking School The Preparation District The Lonely Heart Gardens Cosy Heart Hotel
29
The Speed Dating Loop When the time has come for the date, the speed dating mezzanines start
to fill up. The speed dating rooms loop up to the sky. Take a bridge across the trench to the other side of the building where the first speed dating level commences. This part of the building is for those involved in in the event
deep rich colours
itself. The , dark brown copper tones and low lighting create small pockets of intimacy for the speed daters in an otherwise busy environment bursting with conversation, laughter and first meetings. Low light conceals identity and form situations where a double take is needed to recognise someone. Date for Six The Lonely Heart Hotel Speed Dating Cooking School The Preparation District The Lonely Heart Gardens Cosy Heart Hotel
30
1:200 Short Section
32
The Arches Located in the biggest arch of three are the speed
dating mezzanines. The Speed Dating loops up within the arched structure that is supported by the driven piles that line the cut in the earth as well as a series of columns. The form of this arch brings to mind cathedrals and temple spaces. A romantic form that clad with copper reflects the sunlight off its surface. The building does not shy away, it wants to be seen. Although within hidden and intimacies occur resulting in a building that flirts with its surrounding but hides what is seen behind frosted glass.
33
Hotels Date For Six The date for six provides a more relaxed atmosphere. Desirable for those who wish to wine and snack on delicious morsels from the cooking school while dating iin groups. The rooms are like lounges, with playful colors and funky patterns.
The journey culminates at the Lonely and Cosy Heart Hotels. Towards the end of the evening ocfor Six cupants can choose to continue their journey Date onsite at the hotels or depart. For dates that went well, the Cosy Heart Hotel is a romantic hotel designedThe in Lonely ulti- Heart Hotel mate luxury while the Lonely Hearts Hotel, for those whose dates did not go well, is more fresh in Speed feeling. Dating After completing the journey through the whole building one can exit at the end and Cooking School depart in order to catch the last or first train of the day home
The Preparation District
Date for The Six Lonely Heart Garde Cosy Heart Hotel The Lonely Heart Hotel
Date for Six The Lonely Heart Hotel
Speed Dating
Speed Dating
Cooking School
Cooking School
The Preparation District
The Preparation District
The Lonely Heart Gardens
The Lonely Heart Gardens
Cosy Heart Hotel
Cosy Heart Hotel
Ending Point
34
Starting Point
Cosy Heart Hotel Rooms and exit point.
Lonely Heart Hotel sits atop the gardens.
Long Section
As the final image the long section brings to-
1:200 Long Section: Connection To Britomart
gether the entire architectural journey that has been explored. The material qualities, atmospheres and spatial organisation of programs work towards shaping a flurry of romantic activity while celebrating arrivals and departures and intimate encounters on the downtown site.
35
Kitty mind eases as she peruses,natural dyes are brewing for specific uses.The city hum fades in the the background; she focuses on picking fruit for lunch. Kitty gathers a bunch. Navigating her way over a small bridge and a stream she can hear the markets and imagine their glowing gleam. The gardens are busy with other people too, Kitty is aware of only a few. The garden spaces are like bunkers, with light coming from above. Cathedral like and exquisitely refined,the structure of the roof transcends time. Kitty stays for quite a while. As the sun is leaving. rain drops start to tap at the ceiling, and still, a wave of people are coming for the evening. The bachelor reclines into the chaise, location of talk and of laughter, debate and shelter. The simple act of waiting is accepted in this place, the light is dim and shadows deep. Staircases appear to lure people higher, higher, higher, moods are warm like a burning hot fire. Drinks loosen nerves, tight fitting jeans and clothes hugging curves Patterns and shapes are what makes a wall, some spaces are small and some are tall. Whispers and eyes flickering like candle light,the building is keeping secrets locked up tight. Sensual and lux, cravings are intense, mirrors reflect the room and its opulence. The bachelor cracks side smile,he will be here for a good long while Leap from train to platform,he gazes up the amphitheater staircase.A tidal wave of people flowing down,while some head out intocity like water being sucked out to sea. Footsteps are music to both an ear, his visions towards all compass directions is clear, He weaves up moving further towards the sky, the colorful markets linger in the peripheral vision of his eye Feeling like he is on a stage,the Government Official holds his head proud, The building pulsates like a musical score, whisking people in and embracing them all. He walks past a busker, smoker and one or two tramps.they sit on the edge of the flow.Under beautiful big lampsthey all have different life Faces are blurred as he walks fast, then his speed is slowed by the columns, that look like mastshop to the side, legs moving now hastily; they go, is he chasing after something? We are not to know. Levin reluctantly left the Marae, he onlyhad one person on his mind. Hopeful to run into her, but he must make it to his ferry on time. He stands in the shadow, the golden afternoon sun is setting. Its last warm rays are resting upon a wall,he walks towards this spot.Kitty floats up and out of the garden bunkers, she notices a stream of light resting upon the corner of the Marae. Levin crosses her mind but she is soon preoccupied by other thoughts.As she averts her eyes and moves towards the market.....Levin moves into the spotlight. Kitty and Levin interaction is one of missed opportunities and unexpected meetings. Levin thinks about Kitty often but Kitty is somewhat focused on other priorities and is taking time for herself. Due to this when they do bump into each other it is with a mix of tongue tied talk and surprised expressions on their faces. While Levin wants more Kitty is not prepared. His advancements are not reciprocated. Anna plans to arrive at 7 in the market where people are on the move, and scenes are changing so evidence of her presence is confused. She wanders through, eyes are searching faces for the one she knows.The bachelor knows to meet at 7 05.He stands atop the stairs,with a watching eye.He talks to his companions as a disguise.All of a sudden the glance is met, From one location to another.It lasts for too long so their eyes must divert,to give no reason for people to talk. A Longing GlanceAnna and the Bachelor meet the bachelor less than half a year ago. This interaction is one of hidden secrets and highly devised planned meetings. They are careful with their actions towards each other in public. When with other people they interact mostly with glances, a brush of the hand and small smiles. When they approach each other they must behave as if nothing out of c Kitty mind eases as she peruses,natural dyes are brewing for specific uses.The city hum fades in the the background; she focuses on picking fruit for lunch. Kitty gathers a bunch. Navigating her way over a small bridge and a stream she can hear the markets and imagine their glowing gleam. The gardens are busy with other people too, Kitty is aware of only a few. The garden spaces are like bunkers, with light coming from above. Cathedral like and exquisitely refined,the structure of the roof transcends time. Kitty stays for quite a while. As the sun is leaving. rain drops start to tap at the ceiling, and still, a wave of people are coming for the evening. The bachelor reclines into the chaise, location of talk and of laughter, debate and shelter. The simple act of waiting is accepted in this place, the light is dim and shadows deep. Staircases appear to lure people higher, higher, higher, moods are warm like a burning hot fire. Drinks loosen nerves, tight fitting jeans and clothes hugging curves Patterns and shapes are what makes a wall, some spaces are small and some are tall. Whispers and eyes flickering like candle light,the building is keeping secrets locked up tight. Sensual and lux, cravings are intense, mirrors reflect the room and its opulence. The bachelor cracks side smile,he will be here for a good long while Leap from train to platform,he gazes up the amphitheater staircase.A tidal wave of people flowing down,while some head out intocity like water being sucked out to sea. Footsteps are music to both an ear, his visions towards all compass directions is clear, He weaves up moving further towards the sky, the colorful markets linger in the peripheral vision of his eye Feeling like he is on a stage,the Government Official holds his head proud, The building pulsates like a musical score, whisking people in and embracing them all. He walks past a busker, smoker and one or two tramps.they sit on the edge of the flow.Under beautiful big lampsthey all have different life Faces are blurred as he walks fast, then his speed is slowed by the columns, that look like mastshop to the side, legs moving now hastily; they go, is he chasing after something? We are not to know. Levin reluctantly left the Marae, he onlyhad one person on his mind. Hopeful to run into her, but he must make it to his ferry on time. He stands in the shadow, the golden afternoon sun is setting. Its last warm rays are resting upon a wall,he walks towards this spot.Kitty floats up and out of the garden bunkers, she notices a stream of light resting upon the corner of the Marae. Levin crosses her mind but she is soon preoccupied by other thoughts.As she averts her eyes and moves towards the market.....Levin moves into the spotlight. Kitty and Levin interaction is one of missed opportunities and unexpected meetings. Levin thinks about Kitty often but Kitty is somewhat focused on other priorities and is taking time for herself. Due to this when they do bump into each other it is with a mix of tongue tied talk and surprised expressions on their faces. While Levin wants more Kitty is not prepared. His advancements are not reciprocated. Anna plans to arrive at 7 in the market where people are on the move, and scenes are changing so evidence of her presence is confused. She wanders through, eyes are searching faces for the one she knows.The bachelor knows to meet at 7 05.He stands atop the stairs,with a watching eye.He talks to his companions as a disguise. All of a sudden the glance is met, From one location to another.It lasts for too long so their eyes must divert,to give no reason for people to talk. A Longing GlanceAnna and the Bachelor meet the bachelor less than half a year ago. This interaction is one of hidden secrets and highly devised planned meetings. They are careful with their actions towards each other in public. When with other people they interact mostly with glances, a brush of the hand and small smiles. When they approach each other they must behave as if nothing out of the ordinary is going on. It’s lunch time and the stalls are busy.Anna is searching for something new, She reaches for an exotic fruit. a few meters away she can see someone else picking up fruit too.She looks up and quickly looks back down,Anna feels a pair of eyes now staring her way. she begins to pretend she has not noticed Anna and Kitty were good friends as children but a family feud has since caused their interactions to be full with tension and uncertainty. Often not speaking at all is the best way to deal with the situation. When they do see each other there is measure of curiosity about the other person so there is often a series of double takes that The interaction between these two is one of suspicion, rivalry and contempt. The Governor has suspicions of the connection between the Bachelor and his wife. He has not yet approached the subject with Anna. The bachelor contributed to the design of the Governors family home but their was a design disagreement so their opinion of each other has been tarnished. Upon seeing each other the interaction is one of dismissal paired with forced politeness if they must converse. Both are proud people and each tries to intimidate the other. The bachelor is running late,he sets a fast pace.He wants to grab his favourite coffee, at his favourite coffee place.The Government Officer,is also running behind time,he needs to get a coffee fix,or his mind will turn to slime.While the bachelor walks he looks aside,and what does he see?The Government Official of course,making his way to the same place as he!The two speed up,same taste in coffee they share.The don’t want to see each other. but refuse they refuse to go else where. r. Levin is a land owner from Waiheke Island. He commutes every day in to the city by ferry. In the midst of trying to figure out where his life is leading him and how he intends to succeed in being happy he is utterly lovesick for Kitty. Having already proposed to her once and was rejected, due to the fact that she was not ready, he must be patient and find a way to take her heart. He wanders around Britomart aware of her presence. Levin is a sincere person and takes great pride in his family history. He is half Maori and half European, although he identifies more with his Maori ancestry. His family has strong