The Raft City Within a City

redefining utopia

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WE WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND RESPECT THE AWABAKAL PEOPLE, TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND ON WHICH THE UNIVERISTY OF NEWCASTLE IS SITUATED, AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE WHO NOW RESIDE IN THIS AREA. WE EXTEND THAT RESPECT TO ELDERS - PAST AND PRESENT- AND FUTURE CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE HOLDERS.

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table of contents

MANIFESTO

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SPECULATIONS

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PRECEDENT

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CORE VALUES

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FORMATION

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STRUCTURE

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PLANTING THE SEED REMEDIATION

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ACCOMODATION FOR 50 PEOPLE TYPICAL LIVING

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manifesto

THE DESTRUCTION LEFT IN WAKE OF HUMANITIES SEARCH FOR SATISFACTION LITTERS OUR HISTORY. THE ENDS MUST NEVER JUSTIFY THE MEANS, WHEN THOSE MEANS ARE TOXIFYING LANDSCAPES, PEOPLE BEING RIPPED FROM THEIR HOMES DUE TO WAR, FAMINE, AND POVERTY, OR FOR MERELY NOT CONFORMING TO THEIR CURRENT FLAVOUR OF SOCIETY. THE PRIVILGED FER, NOT WANTING TO TARNISH THEIR SPOILS

BY TURNING BACK TO SEE THE DEBRIS, INSTEAD CHOOSE TO AVERT THEIR GAZE. THE RAFT FORTABLE

IS NOT FUTURE

A CITY THAT AIMS TO FOR THOSE THAT CAN

MAKE A AFFORD

MORE IT,

COMNO.

IT INTENDS TO SERVE AS A STEP TOWARDS FIXING THE PROBLEMS MANY WOULD RATHER IGNORE. TO SERVE AS A POINT IN TIME WHERE, AS A PEOPLE WE PLANT A SEED INSTEAD OF SEEKING OUT A NEW FOREST TO CLEAR.

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SITUATED ON ONE OF THE MOST TOXIC SITES IN AUSTRALIA, ITS AIM WILL BE FOR BOTH ENVIRONMENTAL AND HUMAN REMEDIATION. THE ONLU REQUIREMENT FOR LIVING WITHIN THE CITYIS THAT YOU DO NOT ALREADY OWN ‘INVESTMENT PROPERTIES’. LOW-COST PODS OF VARYING SIZES AND TYPOLOGIES WILL WILL BE OFFERED TO NEW RESIDENTS, IRRESPECITIVE OF BACKGROUND. THESE ROOMS ARE PLUGGED INTO A SHARED COMMUNAL SPACE, WHERE PEOPLE ARE CONSTANTLY CONNECTED TO A BROADER COMMUNITY. THE THE VIDE TION IOUS

RAFT ALLOWS THOSE IN DIFFICULT HOUSING CIRCUMSTANCES TO LEARN SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE NEEDED TO RE-ENTER SOCIETY AND PROTEMPORARY ACCOMODATION TO THOSE IN NEED. THROUGHOUT THE DURAOF PARCEL OF LAND. THEY MAY ADDITIONALLY BE EMPLOYED IN VARCAPACITIES AROUND THE RAFT TO DEVELOP NECESSARY SKILLS.

THE TOWERS ARE BUILT WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS CITY WILL EVENTUALLY MOVE ON, ALLOWING NATURE TO RECLAIM AND DECOLONISE THE SITE. IF NEEDED, THIS CITY WILL THEN MOVE TO THE NEXT ‘TOXIC’ SITE TO BEGIN THE PROCESS AGAIN. (APPROXIMATELY EVERY 100 YEARS).

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SPECULATIONS SPECULATIONS

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POST - WORK THE BELIEF THAT AUTOMATION OF ENVIRONMENT WILL FORCE A DRASTIC REDICALISATION OF ‘WORK’ AS WE KNOW IT. THIS WILL BECOME A SPRINGBOARD FOR CREATIVITY AND CULTURE WHERE HUMANITY CAN BEGIN TO FOCUS ON IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE WITHOUT ECONOMICAL STRESSED.

DEGROWTH AS GLOBAL POPULATION CONTINUES TO GROW, SO TOO DOES DEMAND FOR THE PLANET’S FINITE RESOURCES. SIMPLY PUT, THE PLANET CANNOT SUSTAIN THE LEVEL OF ECONOMIC GROWTH THAT THE RICHER NATIONS OF THE WORLD HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOM TO. DEGROWTH PROPOSES THAT TECHNOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC GOALS ARE SHIFTED FROM GRWOTH-ORIENTED EFFICIENCY RESULTING IN FURTHER GROWTH AND CONSUMPTION, TO EFFICIENCY RESULTING IN REDUCED ENVIRONMENAL IMPACT. THIS DOES NOT INHERENTLY IMPLY A DEAD-END SOCIETY, MORE ONE THAT AIMS TO BETTER USE WHAT WE HAVE INSTEAD OF USING WHAT WE HAVE WASTEFULLY UNTIL THERE IS NOTHING LEFT.

BAUGRUPPEN BAUGRUPPEN AS A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY HOUSING MODEL GIVES POWER TO THE COMMUNITY UPLIFTING NOT ONLY THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE BUT ALSO FORCING SURROUNDAING DEVELOPERS TO RAISE THE QUALITY OF THEIR DEVELOPMENTS. IT ALSO PROVIDES A GREAT ENVIRONMENT FOR COMMUNAL LIVING.

GENOSSENSCHAFT GENOSSENSCHAFT WAS INTERESTING DUE TO THE INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE OF THE SITE AND THE 30,000 WORKERS FORMALLY EMPLOYED HERE. THIS SITE’S PHYSICAL CONNECTION TO THE HUNTER VALLEY COAL INDUSTRY AND THE SPECTER OF JOB LESSES OF IT’S 14,000 WORKERS AS THE WORLD TRANSITIONS AWAY FROM COAL PRESENTS POSSIBILITIES FOR A GENOSSENSCHAFT DEVELOPMENT.

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PRECEDENT

wohnpark alt-erlaa THE WOHNPARK ALT-ERLAA IN GERMANY WAS DESIGNED AS A HIGH VOLUME, SELF-CONTAINED URBAN DEVELOPMENT. BUILT BETWEEN 1973 AND 1986 IT ALLOWED FOR A LARGE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS TO LIVE WITH A HIGH QUALITY LIFE THAT WAS RARELY FOUND IN SIMILAR DEVELOPMENTS. THE TALL STRUCTURES OF THE THREE BUILDINGS ALSO ALLWED FOR LUSH VEGETATION AND OPEN PUBLIC SPACES TO COVER THE MAJORITY OF THE SITE. 10

PLUG-IN CITY THE LOOMING COAL LOADERS AND THE MASSIVE SCALE OF THE SURROUNDING WHARF INFRASTRUCTURE LED ME TO COMPARIOSNS WITH ARCHIGRAMS ‘PLUG-IN CITY’ ITS DIVERSE MODULARITY PLUGGED INTO A SUPERSTRUCTURE ARRANGED AROUND A CENTRAL CRANE ALLOWS FOR A FLEXIBLE AND TEMPORAL APPROACH TO HOUSING AND THE POSSIBILITY OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE IN A RATONALISED MASTER PLAN.

Every day is like sunday IS A CONCEPT BY DOGMA, WHERE OFFICE PARK ‘PASTORAL CAPITALISM’ IS REINVENTED AS LIVE/WORK SPACES FOR A NEW COMMUNITY. WHERE TWO SPACES FORM THE DIVISON: BEING ALONE IS MINIMISED AND BEING TOGETHER IS MAXIMISED.

CLIMATE REFUGE WHAT STARTED AS A STUDY OF SUPERBLOCKS ENDED UP AMALGAMATING AND TRANSFORMING THROUGH PASSIONATE GROUP DEBATES AND INPUT INTO THE CLIMATE REFUGE. A PLACE FOR REFUGEES OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND UNDERPRIVILEGED TO RETREAT TO WITH RISING SEA LEVELS. THROUGHTS WERE ALSO PUT INTO PURIFYING AND RECYCLING WATER FOR USE ON SITE. 11

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CORE VALUES

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QUALITY OF LIFE

FLEXIBILITY

QUALITY OF LIFE WITHIN ‘THE RAFT’ IS DETERMINED THROUGH EVERYDAY SATISFACTION RATHER THAN ECONOMIC STANDARDS OF LIVING. IT IS BELIEVED THAT SHARED COMMUNITY SPACES WILL ALLOW FOR IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. ‘THE RAFT’ PRIORITISES ITS CITIZENS CONNECTION TO EACHOTHER AS WELL AS NATURE OF THEIR HABITATIONS.

THE CITY IS FLEXIBLE IN IT’S NON-PERMANENT STRUCTURE. THE CITY’S AIM IS TO MOVE EVERY 100 YEARS ONCE THE LAND IT OCCUPIES IS REMEDIATED. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS PROCESS THE CITY MOVES TO ITS NEXT LOCATION,

REMEDIATION REMEDIATION OF PEOPLE AND REMEDIATION OF LAND ARE THE HEADLINERS FOR OUR CITY. THE CITY’S PURPOSE IS TO HEAL THE LAND ON WHICH IT SITS BEFORE MOVING TO ANOTHER SITE, AND IT HOUSES AND UPSKILLS PEOPLE IN NEED SO THEY MAY RE-ENTER SOCIETY CONFIDENTLY.

FINANCIAL EQUALITY FINANCIAL EQUITY IS CENTRAL TO THE IMPERMANENT NATURE OF THIS CITY. THE CITY SUPPORTS 10% OF ITS POPULATION AS PEOPLE IN NEED. THIS IS INCLUSIVE (BUT NOT EXCLUDING) OF THOSE WHO ARE HOMELESS AND REFUGEES. THE CITY AIMS TO REMEDIATE THESE CITIZENS INTO LARGER SOCIETY, AIDING THEM WITH SAFE HOUSING AND FREE EMPLOYMENT TRAINING IN EXCHANGE FOR SKILLED LABOUR.

ALLOWING

NATURE

TO

REACCLIMAETE.

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY IS CENTRAL TO ‘THE RAFT’ CONCEPT. THE COMMUNITY PLAYS A KEY ROLE WITHIN THE DECISIONS AND RUNNINGS OF THE CITY WITH A COMMUNAL SELF-GOVERNANCE SYSTEM, FOCUSING ON THE REMEDIATION OF THE LAND AS WELL AS THE REMEDIATION OF PEOPLE IN NEED INTO THE LARGER COMMUNITY.

SUSTAINABILITY THIS CITY PROMOTES SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN THE PROGRESS TO REGENERATE AND REMEDIATE THE LAND ON WHICH IT SITS. THE CITY IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A PERMANENT STRUCTURE, BUT RATHER MOVES ON ONCE THE SITE HAS BEEN HEALED. ALL DECISIONS RELATED TO THIS CITY CORRESPOND TO THE FOUNDATIONAL NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE.

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FORMATION

FORMATION OF BUILDING MODEL

CREATING A ROOM SCHEDULE FOR ‘THE RAFT’ WAS A CLEAN PROCESS WHICH PRIORITISING MAXIMISING THE PUBLIC/COMMUNAL AREAS OF THE BUILDING, WHILS REDUCING THE PRIVATE AREAS TO MINIMAL FLOOR SPACES. THIS WILL ENCOURAGE INTERPERSONAL CONNECTION TO THE COMMUNITY AND SHARING OF DOMESTIC DUTIES. 18

ROOM TYPOLOGIES

AS THE ‘RAFT CITY’ PROMOTES COMMUNITY AND SHARED SPACES, THE PRIVATE SPACES SUCH AS BEDROOMS ARE MINIMAL. THE ABOVE ARE VARIOUS TYPOLOGIES FOR DIFFERENT LIVING CIRCUMSTANCES WE BELIEVE WILL SUITE OUR RESIDENTS. FOR THOSE WHO ARE ‘IN NEED’ A HOUSING OPTION WILL BE SUPPLIED FOR THEM BASED ON A 13m2 PER PERSON RATIO. ONCE THEY WANT TO MOVE ON FROM THE CITY THEY CAN CHOOSE TO PURCHASE THEIR HOME, OR LEAVE IT FOR THE NEXT PERSON. 19

POPULATION DENSITY

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DEMOGRAPHICS

SINGLES: 898

MARRIED COUPLES: 877

COUPLES WITHOUT KIDS: 125

CHILDREN: 800

THOSE IN NEED: 300

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STRUCTURES

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FINANCIAL STRUCTURE 1.LOTTERY FUNDING LOTTERY WILL PROVIDE INITIAL INVESTMENT INTO THE CITY. THE PRIZE WILL BE FREE CONNECTION PORTS, IN A TAX FREE CITY.

2. GOVERNMENT BONDS ETHICAL INVESTORS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE GOVERNMENT BONDS, WHICH WILL BE DIRECTED TOWARDS THE PROGRESSION OF ‘THE RAFT’ CITY AS A SUSTAINABLE AND REGENERATIVE PROJECT.

3.CONNECTION COSTS SIMILAR TO UTILITY BILLS, PORTS/CONNECTION WILL BE THE PRIMARY COST OF LIVING. THIS WILL COVER WATER, ELECTRICITY, GAS AND ‘COST OF ACCOMODATION’.

4. COMMUNITY LEVY THERE WILL BE A COMMUNITY LEVY WHICH WILL CONRTIBUTE TO THE WELLFARE OF THOSE IN NEED SUCH AS THE HOMELESS OR REFUGEES WITHIN THE CITY. THE PROJECTED AMOUNT OF THIS POPULATION WILL BE 10% OF THE TOTAL CITY POPULATION.

5.COMMUNITY THE COMMUNITY WILL SHARE COMMON AREAS SUCH AS KITCHENS, LAUNDRY AND LOUNGING FACILITIES TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION, AND THEREFORE REDUCE LIVING COSTS. EACH PERSON WITHIN THE CITY IS GIVEN A PARCEL OF LAND TO LOOK AFTER WITHIN THE PROCESS OF REMEDIATION. BY SHARING GENERAL GOODS, SUCH AS CLEANING PRODUCTS AND BASIC PANTRY NEEDS, THE COST OF LICING IS REDUCED.

6. LAND AND PEOPLE REMEDIATION ‘THE RAFT’ CITY’S PRIMARY GOAL IS TO REMEDIATE THE TOXICITY OF THE LAND USING REMEDIATION METHODS. THIS MEANS THE CITY CAN BE MOVED EVERY 100 YEARS, TO RE-START THE HEALING PROCESS. THE CITY WILL PROVIDE SKILL LEARNING AND CAREER PREPARATION SUBSIDISED BY THE COMMUNITY LEVY TO THOSE IN NEED, THUS USING THE CITY AS A STEPPING STONE INTO GREATER SOCIETY.

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GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE 1. ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE TO BE EQUALLY REPRESENTED IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS. THIS INCLUDES RESIDENTS AND NON RESIDENTS ALIKE. THIS WOULD INCLUDE RESIDENTS, WORKERS, HOMELESS PEOPLE, VISTORS/TOURISTS AND DELIVERY DRIVERS. THE GOAL BEING A MORE EQUITABLE COMMUNITY.

2. A COUNCIL OF 30 INDIVIDUALS WILL BE SELECTED AT RANDOM FROM THE PUBLIC AND COMMUNAL SPACES WITHIN THE CITY WITHIN A CITY. THIS WOULD LOOK SIMILAR TO JURY DUTY/CENSUS, WHERE THE AIM IS TO CAPTURE A SNAPSHOT OF THE INHABITANTS AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THIS ADDS DIVERSITY OF OPINION AND REDUCES THE RISKS OF LOBBYING, NEPOTISM OR OVER REPRESENTATION OF THOSE WITH VESTED INTERESTS.

3. VOTING ON ALL IMPORTANT DECISIONS IS ENCOURAGED VIA A PROXIMITY LOCKED APP. ANYONE CAN HAVE A SAY WHILST THEY ARE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. THIS APP WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE DECISIONS BEING MADE WITHIN THE CITY, AND THE STAGES OF IMPLEMENTATION, ALLOWING FOR COMMUNITY-BASED DEVELOPMENT.

4. VOTING IS NON-COMPULSORY BUT IF A QUORUM OF 1500 IS NOT MET THAN THE VOTE IS DEFERRED TO COUNCIL. EVERYONE IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE REGARDLESS OF AGE OR ABILITY AND ANALOGUE METHODS WILL BE MADE AVALIABLE FOR THOSE WITHOUT ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY OR HAVE ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES.

5. FINANCIAL DISADVANTAGE IS THE PROXY FOR ELECTING THE CHAIR FOR ANY GIVEN COUNCIL. COUNCILS ARE RE-ELECTED QUARTERLY (EVERY 3 MONTHS) AND NO ONE CAN BE SELECTED FOR A TENURE LASTING LONGER THAN A CALANDER YEAR.

6.THE DAY TO DAY ADMINISTRATION AND MAINTANENCE OF THE COMMUNITY IS CARRIED OUT BY PAID EMPLOYEES THAT MAY COME FROM WITHIN THE COMMUNITY OR WITHOUT OF THE CITY LIMITS.

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PLANTING THE SEED

site formation

THE CHOICE OF LOCATION OF THE TOWERS WAS PRIMARILY DERIVED FROM SITE CONDITIONS OF WIND, SUN, NOISE AND EXISTING PLANTATION.

THE TOWERS RISE ABOVE GROUND LEVEL BY 3m TO AVOID CLASHING WITH MOST EXISTING TREES AS TO RETAIN AS MUCH OF THE EXISTING SITE AS POSSIBLE.

EACH MEMBER CREATED A SITE PLAN WITH JUSTIFICATION FOR THEIR CHOICES, AND THROUGH OVERLAYING THE PLANS WE FOUND THE IDEAL SITE PLAN.

THE EXISTING BUILDINGS WILL BE UTILISED FOR COMMUNAL PURPOSES SUCH AS DELIVERIES INTO THE CITY AND STORAGE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES.

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REMEDIATION

SITE MASTERPLAN

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STAGE 1: 0-25 YEARS

STAGE 2: 25-50 YEARS

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STAGE 3: 50-75 YEARS

STAGE 4: 75-100 YEARS

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STages of remediation 1. 0 - 25 YEARS REMOVAL OF CONCRETE ON SITE. REUSE OF CONCRETE INTO FOUNDATIONS FOR TOWERS. FIRST 5 TOWERS ASSEMBLED AND PLACED ON SIT WITHIN PROXIMITY TO THE ROLLING SHED. REPURPOSING OF EXISTING BUILDINGS ON SITE. ROLLING SHED IS USED FOR TOWER DWELLING ASSEMBLY, AND STORAGE. ADMINISTRATION BUILDING FOR FURTHER SITE ADMINISTRATION. AUXILIARY BUILDINGS FOR MACHINERY AND MISCELLANEOUS STORAGE FOR SITE REMEDIATION. CARE AND ANALYSIS OF EXISTING FLORA AND FAWNA ON SITE. PHYTOREMEDIATING MEADOWS PLANTED IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF TOWERS. POPLAR PLANTING ON OUTER AREAS OF SITE. COUNTINUED ANALYSIS OF NATIVE WILDLIFE AND PLANT LIFE THAT ENCOURAGES IT. VERTICAL GARDENS INTIATED WITH HYDROPONIC POD INSTALLATION FOR EDIBLE PLANTS.

2. 25 - 50 YEARS ASSMEBLY AND INSTALLATION OF TOWERS 6 - 9. CONTINUED CARE FOR EXISTING PLANT AND WILDLIFE. FURTHER PLANTING OF NATIVE PLANT LIFE, NOW BEGINNING TO EMERGE FROM TOWERS. PLANTING OF SPECIFIC MEADOW PHYTOREMEDIATING PLANTS BASED OFF STAGE 1 MEADOW RESULTS. PLANTING OF GREEN BUTTONWOOD MANGROVE TOWARDS CENTRE OF SITE AND NORTHERN BOUNDARY. BEGIN ARTIFICIAL WATER CATCHMENT CONSTRUCTION IN VARIED LOCATIONS ON SITE. BEGIN BOARDWALK CONSTRUCTION BETWEEN TOWERS.

3. 50 - 75 YEARS ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION OF TOWERS 10, 11 AND 12. CONTINUED CARE FOR PLANT AND WILDLIFE. FINALISE ARTIFICIAL CATCHMENTS. PLANT BLACK MANGROVES AROUND CATCHMENT AREA. BEGIN ROLLBACK OF PLANTING PLANS. FINALISE CONSTRUCTION ON BOARDWALKS AROUND SITE. MINIMISE MACHINERY USE ON SITE.

4. 75 - 100 YEARS DECONSTRUCTION OF TOWERS AND DWELLINGS, LEAVING ONLY TOWER CORE AND STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS FOR BOARDWALKS. REMOVAL OF ANY POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS ELEMENTS ON SITE. ANY FURTHER MAINTANENCE TO ENSURE LONGEVITY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH MUST BE PRIORITISED. DISCONTINUE USE OF SITE AS AN ORGANISED MASS DWELLING.

5. POST 100 YEARS SITE REMEDIATION CONTINUES TO SPREAD TO NEIGHBOURING AREAS, AS THE WILDLIFE REACCLIMATES THE COASTLINE. SEA LEVELS RISE, AND THE MANGROVES PROVIDE SOIL STABILISATION TO PROTECT THE EXISTING NEWCASTLE RESIDENTIAL AREA. AS THE PROCESS CONTINUES THE WATER TABLE AND SURROUNDING CATCHEMENT SLOWLY LOSES TOXICITY, AND BOOSTS THE ECOSYSTEM. THE ‘RAFT CITY’ MOVES TO IT’S NEXT LOCATION ALONG THE PRE-EXISTING COAL TRAIN LINES, AND BEGINS ITS REMEDIATION PROCESS AGAIN. THE AWABAKAL LAND IS RETURNED TO ITS TRADITIONAL OWNERS.

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EXPANSION PLAN

SPANNING OVER 450KM THE HUNTER VALLEY COAL CHAIN IS MADE UP OF COAL PRODUCERS (MINES), RAIL HAULAGE PROVIDERS, THE AUSTRALIAN RAIL TRACK CORPORATION (ARTC). COLLECTIVELY THE HUNTER VALLEY COAL CHAIN FACILITATES MORE THEN 20,000 TRAIN TRIPS AND THE LOADING OF 1,600 VESSELS ANNUALLY IN ORDER YTO EXPORT MORE THAN 80 DIFFERENT TYPES OF THERMAL COAL TO DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD. UNDER THE PRESUMPTION THAT THE COAL INDUSTRY WITHIN AUSTRALIA WILL MOVE TOWARDS GREEN ENERGY SOURCES, ‘THE RAFT’ AIMS TO UTILISE THE EXISTING COAL RAILWAY IN ORDER TO EXPAND ITS REMEDIATION SITES. IN NEW SOUTH WALES ALONE THERE ARE 35 MAJOR COAL SITES WHICH WILL REQUIRE SERIOUS REMEDIATION METHODS TO RESTORE LAND TOXICITY AND ALLOW LAND RECLAMATION.

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ACCOMODATION FOR 50 RESIDENTS

PERSPECTIVE RENDER

RENDER SECTIONS 44

FLOOR PLANS

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TYPICAL LIVING

THE BED LET OUR A SOFT CREAK AS SHE THREW HERSELF DOWN. A LONG SIGH. THE RUSTLE OF HER PLANTS CLUTTERED N=IN THE CORNER COULD JUST BE HEARD OVER THE MUFFLED DIN OUTSIDE HER DOOR. SHE STARED UP AT THE CEILING, WATCHING AS THE LAST BESTIGES OF GOLDEN LIGHT CREPT BACK THROUGH THE OPEN WINDOW. BEYOND THAT, DOZENS OF LITTLE LIGHTS WERE FLICKERING ON, PUSHING AGAINST THE DARK.

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EXAMPLE BEDROOM

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THE FREQUENT PITTER PATTER OF THE CHILDREN’S RUNNING WEAS DULLED AGAINST A SUN-TOUCHED FLOOR. GREEN SHADOWS WERE TRHOWN AROUND THE WALLS, CAST FROM THE COUNTLESS LEAVES LINING THE WINDOWS. THE GROUND WAS STILL COLD AGAINST HIS BARE FEET. A GENTLE GUST OF WIND CIRCLED AROUND THE ROOM, FLUTTERING THE PAGES IN HIS HANDS. IT WOULD NOT BE LONG UNTIL THE SPACE WOULD BE FILLED WITH THE NOISE OF CONVERSATION.

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EXAMPLE COMMUNAL LIVING #1 51

CUTLERY CLINKED AGAINST PLATES AND MIXED IN WITH THE TYPE OF CONVERSATION THAT OFTEN ACCOMPANIES GOOD FOOD. VOICES BOUNCED AROUND THE ROOM, RUNNING UP AND DOWN THE STAIRS. HER HEELED SHOES WOULD HAVE USUALLY CLACKED LOUDLY AGAINST THE FLOOR BUT AGAINST THE DIN, THEY WERE HARDLY HEARD. SHE PAUSED BUT FOR A MOMENT BEFORE BEING GREETED ONTO A NEARBY TABLE.

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EXAMPLE COMMUNAL LIVING #2 53

THE GENTLE CROAK OF CICADAS FLITTED ALL AROUND HER, FILLING THE DARKNESS BETWEEN THE MANGROVES WITH THEIR SOUND. HER FOOTFALLS PLAYED ON THE BOARDWALK, EVERY STEP SENDING SLIGHT VIBRATIONS THROUGH THE WOOD. LIGHT POURED FROM THE LAMPS LEAVING POOLS OF GOLD IN HER PATH. SHE COULD SEE LIGHTS FROM THE TOWER BEFORE HER, DOTTED THROUGH THE TREES. A SCAMPERING NEARBY. IT’S GETTING LATE, MAYBE TIME TO HEAD HOME.

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EXAMPLE MANGROVE BOARDWALK

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