#nmgreenspace william hallett
Title: North Melbourne Greenspace Audience: Residents of North Melbourne Location: Scotia Street, North Melbourne Time/Date: 1pm 30/03/14 Duration: 6 hours
Intervention Summary The city of Melbourne is an ever changing environment which has fallen victim to the modern day disconnect of technology.
This intervention focus’s on community engagement through a public greenspace and theatre to bring the community together. By installing a temporary greenspace I want to pose the question to local residents as to whether or not a space like this would be successful.
2 _ Introduction
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Location Map
3 _ Site
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Site Photographs
The site is located in Scotia Street, North Melbourne.
Scotia Street site between two of North Melbourne’s most popular streets, Errol Street and Curzon Street. A hidden internal block surrounded by development, this space offers a rare opportunity to give life to a forgotten landmark.
Sitting between both new and old residencies, this abandoned expanse calls out for a fresh take on this ever changing environment.
4 _ Site
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SCOTIA STREET
SITE
ERROL STREET
Plan & Section
5 _ Design
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Diagrams
These sketches are initial diagrams that I developed when thinking about my concept. These were used to inform my thinking and in turn help address my intervention. Although these images show basic ideas, they were a great help in what I wanted to explore.
6 _ Design
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Walk past the installation
Take a glance and continue
Stop and ingage
7 _ Design
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8 _ Errol Street
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9 _ Scotia Street
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To generate conversation I wanted to strart addressing questions that I have been asking myself. By sticking key questions and statements would invite occupants to give their opinion allowed for the ball to start rolling, and from this suggestions could be made. Making the installation interactive was something that I wanted, it created a platform for occupants to give their own opinion. This alone is a key driver to seeing whether or not a project like this would actually work, and in bringing people together and voicing their own ideas, a discussion board can be shown.
10 _ Installation
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11_ Movement
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The installation consisted of a greenspace with seating space, questions posted for occupants, and a feedback sheet. Situated on Scotia Street just off Errol Street, this exercise directly related to my chosen site which is roughly 50m further down the street. As I had chosen to do my intervention on the Sunday afternoon, I wanted to get an honest response from local residents. By doing this I knew that my installation would not be overly busy, but instead give me a good grounding for what residents wanted. The main typology of occpants consisted of couples, smaller groups and people walking by. This allowed for me to start conversation directly and at first instance occupants were interested with what the signs said, and from this they wanted to know more. 12_ Installation
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13 _ Movement
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I found that the signs were a key to bringing people into the installation. Due to the location of the site people need to engage from first instance and be brought toward the site. In discussion with several parties it was highly noted that Scotia Street is a common thoroughfare for both residents and travellers to pass through. In sitting between two busy steets it was mentioned that it was a relaxing walk that made you feel more at home, and not so much in the congestion of Melbourne’s hustle and bustle. As I got more involved in the installation people started asking me questions about what I was doing and in doing this I noted
14_ Installation
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Conclusion: This intervention was a great way for me to address the ideas that I have been working on.
By going to the site and interacting with the people who actually reside there gave me an insight into my client base.
I will continue to explore these concepts to help further develop my project. And maybe do another intervention!
16_ Conclusion
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