Graduation Studio Report by Yunjing Guan

IN WHICH WE SEE OURSELVES BY YUNJING GUAN

...we each attain ourselves in the presence of the other... [A man] realizes that he cannot be anything... unless others acknowledge him as such. I cannot discover any truth whatsoever about myself except through the mediation of another. The other is essential to my existence, as well as to the knowledge I have of myself. -Jean Paul Satre, Existentialism is a Humanism

Each one of us is alone in the world. He is shut in a tower of brass, and can communicate with his fellows only by signs, and the signs have no common value, so that their sense is vague and uncertain. We seek pitifully to convey to others the treasures of our heart, but they have not the power to accept them, and so we go lonely, side by side but not together, unable to know our fellows and unknown by them. -W Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence

TABLE OF CONTENTS Vol. 1

RESEARCH

00. PREFACE 01. Be on site

Impression and Concern Visiting Kings Cross St Caniceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church

4 5 8 10

02. Philosophy Theory of Memes Self & Self- Self Esteem Self & Others- Empathy Self & Environment Construction from Atmosphere Looking into Loneliness

18 19 22 26 28 32 33

03. PRECEDENT STUDY Bruder Klaus Field Chapel Chapel of St. Ignatius

37 38

04. PROPOSING PROGRAMS Tower Cafe Where Payment is Voluntary Short Term Accommodation Library Others Apartment

40 41 46 48 50 52 55

Analysis on Street Pattern Analysis on Light and Shadow w

Windows Space and Perception Street

74 75 78 80

07. PRELIMINARY

05. PLACE

06. STUDY ON ABSTRACT ELEMENTS

62 70

08. PROCESS OF MASTER PLANNING DEVELOPED MASTER PLAN

88 97

09. MODEL 10. BILIOGRAPHYw

104 105

Vol. 2

01.

DESIGN

Social SPACE

108

Short term accommodation Cafe where payment is voluntary Courtyard & office Vegetable garden

02. Library Tower

03.

Solitary SPACE

Parishionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; apartments

04.

WEEK 05 DRAWINGS

140

05.

FINAL DESIGN

150

06.

MODELS

162

120

134

Vol. 1

RESEARCH

00. PREFACE |

| STATEMENT OF INTENT |

Kings Cross is on its way to gentrification. Gentrification

could bring in order but could also potentially replace the current unique culture. The chaos of Kings Cross is neither reminiscent nor respectful. What people are nostalgic about of Kings Cross is its freedom - freedom that tolerates and respects differing ideologies.

Freedom and independence are considered as two

sides of a coin. Respect generates not only from external environment but also from internal self-cultivation. External interference can only be provided to a certain extent. Essentially, only the person herself is responsible for her own self.

his design seeks for the answer from an individual perspective. The contrasting nature of human is that it is social as well as individual. Staying connected with society or being known by someone is essential for oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s self being, as the image of oneself is the reflection of the perceived image from others. At the same time, people tend to act differently to distinguish themselves from others in order to confirm their identity. The risk of being unique is that it might not be well perceived, as the means we use to express ourselves is always limited.

here is always a part of ourselves that is left not understood by the others. Ultimately, we will have to find our own way to resist loneliness and be independent.

he architecture responds to this proposition in two juxtaposed ways: social and solitary. Although the social space creates opportunities for people to meet, it does not erase disparity. Self-satisfaction obtained from social life is very limited and temporary. The social space allows people to have relief from their eternal struggle with loneliness, and the architecture seeks to ease a measure of their fear and anxiety temporarily. Meanwhile, the solitary aspects try to address loneliness by catering to intellectual curiosity. However, The end result is a question rather than an answer: does the infinity of the world make one forget his minute loneliness, or make his loneliness more unbearable?

01. Be on site Impression and Concern Visiting Kings Cross St Caniceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church w

IMPRESSION AND CONCERN OF KINGS CROSS A DOUBLE-SIDED DIVERSITY

King Cross is an area that encompasses diversity to a

large extend. Such diversity does not only involve people, architecture or food, but also nightlife entertainment and grayish area such as sex industries and drug culture.

On one hand, the compliant social environment in Kings

Cross is rare and invaluable. In a large context it is soil for the blooming of different culture; while zooming in to the individuals, it reflects the high level of empathy of the locals. This is what I see as the essence of the Cross: people communicate comfortably with others regardless of their appearance, nationality, professional background, social background, economic status, personal value... The fact that every human is different is embraced and respected.

On the other hand, inevitably the diversity,especially the

nightlife culture, also leads to some problems. Although some of the grayish industries are self regulated, its impact on the overall security cannot be neglected. Kings Cross used to be a hot-bed of crime, violence, robbery, car theft, illegal prostitution, burglary... The chaos in the Cross has finally resulted in two alcohol-related deaths in 2012 and 2013. These two incidents have pressured the state government to issue the new lock-out laws. The crime rate plummeted immediately after the law came in place and the police resource was released for dealing with other crimes. Nowadays the night in Kings Cross become much safer than it used to be.

nd now people became nostalgic for the passed vibrancy in the cross. It seems that the â&#x20AC;&#x153;dark sideâ&#x20AC;? is ambiguous rather absolute, and Kings Cross is situated in an endless tension between order and chaos. Is this what we called the uniqueness of Kings Cross?

IMPRESSION AND CONCERN OF KINGS CROSS

Impact of gentrification

he lock-out law is not the only change that happens in the cross. The impact from the law might be temporary, whereas the impact from gentrification is highly possible to be irreversible.

ue increasing land prices, the government is undertaking reclaim on the social housing in the neighbour suburbs for new development. A large number of low income groups are confronted with relocation to other areas. The diversity in Kings Cross might not necessarily refer to diversity in economic status, and it is usually associated with cultural diversity. However, essentially culture itself means â&#x20AC;&#x153;collective customs and achievements of a peopleâ&#x20AC;?.1 The old culture will definitely be gone with the old people.

he church might not be capable in counteracting with such a big trend by accommodating a limited amount of low income residents. Perhaps preserving the soil for cultural diversity would be a more effective way out. Then comes the question, what is the soil for cultural diversity?

GENTRIFICATION

01. be on site

VOICES FROM DIFFERENT GROUPS

“T

Regular church goer

he poor is being kicked out from the city and will be relocated in the middle of nowhere. But that does not solve the problem. Violent people will still fight with each other. People need to be educated rather than relocated.”

“When I was in Japan, Volunteer in garage store

I was amazed that even the homeless there were dressed neatly.”

“Kings Cross is always

Bookshop owner

changing. Now is more ordered but less vibrant. You cannot have both at the same time. Whether the cross is becoming better or worse really depends on how you think and what you are looking for.”

VISITING KINGS CROSS Kings cross during the day

he afternoon that I spent with two of my classmates in Kings Cross deviated largely from my previous impression of a chaotic suburb. Ostensibly, it does not seem to be too much different from other areas of Sydney. Perhaps there are people dressed a little bit differently; perhaps the number of night clubs and cafés is a bit larger than else where; perhaps there is architecture that does not exist in other places... And then I start to wonder what makes King Cross unique? Is it the collection of all these minor differences?

e had a coffee at the Cafe 169, located at the most conspicuous corner of the cross. I am not really an addict of coffee, but I enjoyed the 2 hours in the cafe very much. We were sitting on the terrace next to the street, exposed to the movement and noise of the pedestrian and the cars, the fast pace of the suburb. But at the same time, I did not feel myself as part of that pace, and I was clearly aware that I was drinking coffee, slowly and peacefully. The terrace seemed to be encompassed in an isolated realm. We were shaded from the sun by A Sycamore tree and the navy blue canvas awning; we were separated from the side-way by a thick balustrade; we were sitting on an elevated platform looking down to the street... I was amazed by how largely our experience and perception were changed by all those subtle differences. The difference itself might not be too explicit, but, true, it is the aggregation that makes a difference, I think. Then, we moved on to explore other parts of Kings Cross, and I started paying attention to details that contribute to the uniqueness of Kings Cross.

Cafe 169

eaving my previous prejudice aside, I felt that Kings Cross is a complex suburb where areas of various atmosphere coexisted, from serene residential, to active food street, to chic commercial, to night life area, to dodgy corners... The more I explored this suburb, the more I am surprised with the richness, the richness of urban fabric, architecture, activities, shops, people... It is such a fertilised piece of land that accommodates and cultivates different culture.

Perhaps, this abstract term “uniqueness” is life itself, the richness of life itself.

Cafe Hernandez

01. be on site

Kings cross at night

have often been told never to visit King Cross alone at night. Along with some violent assaults reported on newspaper, Kings Cross as a kingdom of crime is preconceptualised in my mind.

e had a talk with the owner of The Cross Bookshop, who has offered a great amount of information on the dark side of the cross and some insights on the tension of order and vibrancy.

visited Kings Cross very late at night in a large group a few years ago. I can still recall there were a lot of hyper and drunk people wandering on the street, some with bottles in their hands; police cars on the street, standing by for any potential incidents; deem coloured light penetrated from night clubs; there was a van suddenly stopped by my side and a group of hyper people crowded in the it. Frankly speaking, I was scared that time.

few weeks ago I revisited Kings Cross at night. Somehow it seems to be slightly less active than it used to be. Not many people on the street. The street was well lit, but stills it felt dark and barren. This might be due the alcohol laws applied on Sydney region, restricting entry to night clubs and alcohol sale. The effect of the law is double-sided: It improves the order of a region but meanwhile suppresses the vibrancy of a region. There is no right or wrong, it is just the matter of balance and making choices.

1. The owner recalled that 12 years ago he was offered drugs by some random pedestrians in a dark park at 5â&#x20AC;&#x2122;o clock in the morning. 2. There used to be a pair of sisters sleeping underneath the bridge over the tunnel. The girls were evicted eventually and the space is now fenced. 3. The reason that the park adjoining the church is locked up at night is that there used to be people taking drugs and leaving the syringe behind.

Kings Cross at night is so much different from during the

day. Is it the activities that lead to such phenomenon? Or darkness? Now as the law is in place, what direction should we head to and how should we respond? Is it absolutely right to embrace order and to forfeit the reminiscent vibrancy of the past?

VISITING KINGS CROSS

Bridge over the tunnel

The park adjoining the parish

01. be on site

Impression of King Cross during the day

Impression of King Cross at night

ST CANICE’S BASIC FACTS CHURCH: The church was built in the 1880’s on land donated by the Hughes family of ‘Kincoppal’, Elizabeth Bay. The church is in the neo-gothic style, built of sandstone, brick and timber. There are two levels in the church. The entry level is primarily for worship use, but can also be used for other purposes such as wedding and baptism. The basement level is a multi-functional assembly hall, which can be accessed by anyone with booking in advance. PARISH OFFICE: It is the office space for administrative staffs and accommodation for the priest. SOUP KITCHEN: The kitchen operates seven days a

week, serving 80-120 people each day; it is worked by several hundred rostered volunteers who come from various parishes and schools, often associated with the Jesuit network in Sydney. Some food and supplies are bought but much is donated by local businesses and individuals.

REFUGEE OFFICE: The office is used by Jesuit Refugee

ROOF GARDEN: The roof garden is mainly used for

growing vegetables, which supply the Wednesday dinner, the neighborhood restaurants and a salad program. Additionally, the garden may also be used as a venue for events and psychological therapy of the clinic next door.

BATHROOM: The bathroom is opened during lunch time.

Soap, shampoo, clean clothes and laundry are provided. There will be volunteers cleaning the bathroom regularly.

BLAIKE APARTMENT: Currently the apartments are rented to some church staffs and some parishioners. MERTON

APARTMENT: Currently the apartments accommodates refugees who are in legal process for obtaining identity.

GARAGE STORE: The store sells donations from the neighborhood and parishioners at a cheap price. The income will go to operation of the church.

Service.

Soup kitchen

Refugee office

Roof garden

Parish office

Church Bathroom

Blaike Apartment

Merton Apartment

Garage Store Location of each component

01. be on site

Kings Cross Neighborhood Other suburbs

Outreach and scale of each component

Parishioners Volunteers Street people and refugees Church staffs Other groups

Groups involved in each component

ST CANICE’S

SUNDAY MASS

e attended the Mass on a Sunday. I do not have a religious background, and this is the first time I attended a religious event. At the beginning I was worrying if I would behave inappropriately, but to my surprise, the atmosphere was ceremonial and casual at the same time. Everyone was attentive to the preach and pray. No one looked at me with blaming eyes when I was not singing or praying like the others did. It is a place without judgment, truly. I grew up in a society full of judgment. Anything that does not comply with the mainstream will be gossiped, and very often being different is considered to be a shame. To me, a place without judgment is invaluable and not for granted. Perhaps, it is this essence embedded in the Cross that cultivates the diversity of culture?

Mass

nd I was particularly impressed with the moment at the end of the Mass when everyone was asked to greet and shake hands with the person next to him. Yes, I see the opportunity of connecting two people who would have passed by each other on the street. But somehow I feel it is much more than that. In my country, there is a term for people who are insignificant in a group, “transparent person”. The transparent people are not consciously excluded, they are just not remembered, lacking a chance to be included. I used to be transparent in my secondary school, but as I was devoting my mind to my own hobby I did not think I suffered too much from it. One day a teacher whom I thought I had never interacted with suddenly called out my name and greeted me. Perhaps it was because the joy of being cared and remembered has been so long forgotten that I almost burst into tears.

elow is a text by Jean-Paul Sartre explaining the significance of others to one’s being: ...we each attain ourselves in the presence of the other... [A man] realizes that he cannot be anything... unless others acknowledge him as such. I cannot discover any truth whatsoever about myself except through the mediation of another. The other is essential to my existence, as well as to the knowledge I have of myself.

Eucharist

01. be on site

Choir

ST CANICE’S

VOLUNTEERING IN SOUP KITCHEN

few weeks ago I went to help out in the soup kitchen. I was trying to call the church a day in advance to ask if they need any extra hands, but no one picked up the phone. In the end, we decided to show up anyway. When we, in a group of three, arrived at the kitchen, it turned out that there were many volunteers helping in the kitchen that day. The volunteers did not want to disappoint us and let us squeeze into the kitchen. We were asked to do simple things like making sandwiches and arranging the table. After we all finished with the preparation of food, we sat in a circle to pray. It was casual, especially as an atheist I did not feel that I was compelled to follow. The pray was more like the volunteers sitting around relaxing and sharing their life. I did not think we were very helpful, but the volunteers and sister Sharon expressed their gratitude to us for a few times. I might not meet some of the volunteers after that day any more, but somehow I felt myself connected and being significant to someone.

few minutes later came the street people. There were a few things captured my attention: 1. Most of the people came for lunch were very friendly. They smiled to me and thanked me. Some talked to me and shared their experience in China. I felt the magic of engagement. Before I was scared of “street people” due to the preconception attached to the term. However, in reality, no one was born with a term, and instead everyone was born as human. At least in the soup kitchen, I did not feel we were too different from each other. 2. There is a rack at the corner with donated clothes hanged on it. People are welcomed to take for free. Everyday Sister Sharon will add new clothes to it. When we were asked to help, she notified us to avoid a girl who would take away all the nice clothes, in order to make sure everyone has access to the clothes. It reminds me of the saying “Hell is other people.” When each human is granted with freedom, they are inherently contradictory with each other. Does a certain degree of imposition or order become necessary as such? 3. The volunteers and people come for lunch were rather separated and seemed to be focusing on their own business. If the essence of the church is about reconciliation, perhaps the structure of the operation of the kitchen needs to be improved.

Volunteers and street people in the soup kitchen

01. be on site

Hints from the staffs’ STORIES 1. The church used to open 24/7 to accommodate the homeless at night. One day the statue of Jesus was missing. The priest asked the homeless:” Did any of you see the statue? I am looking for it.” A few days later the statue reappeared in the church. 2. Later the church was forced to close down at night due to that it became a criminal center. People took drugs and traded drugs in the church. Smoking is another concern as the church is partially on timber structure and is not fireproof. Priest Christ

3. There was a gentleman who had been suffering from his wife’s death for one year and a half. He was so depressed and turned to the church for help. Elizabeth heard his story but did not know what exactly she could help, and she gave the gentlemen a hug. A few years later, the gentleman came back and told her that it was the best hug that he had ever had in his life.

Manager Elizabeth

4. The door of the offices (both of the parish office and the JRS office) is constantly locked, even during office hours. Anyone coming for help has to ring the doorbell first and the staff would come out. It is a way of protecting themselves. But Priest Christ emphasized the direct faceto-face interaction through the door and refuse the use of any electronic access control system. 5. The parish is a community, a home rather than a professional organization.

02. Philosophy Theory of Memes Self & Self- Self Esteem Self & Others- Empathy Self & Environment Construction from Atmosphere Looking into Loneliness w

THEORY OF MEMES THEORY OF MEMES

he word meme originated with Richard Dawkins’ 1976 book The Selfish Gene. It usually refers to “an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture”, but it can also be expanded to a “big meme complex” such as ideology.

awkins believes that “cultural transmission is analogous to genetic transmission”. Meme is a parallel term to gene in biological field. Meme can replicate and will spontaneously propagate from one brain to another brain. Like gene, meme is also indulge in competition with each other, due to limitation in resources(time and attention). “ Under natural state, memes with advantage will dominate the meme pool causing new memes find it hard to invade eventually.2

The initial state of a meme pool

n a social context, this theory can be reflected as the inherent exclusivity of ideology or value.

SHIELD OF RESPECT

n an etymology dictionary, the term “respect” means “refraining from injuring”3. Placed in this context, “respect” could mean someone constantly consciously or unconsciously fighting with his inherent momentum of physically or psychologically injuring the others. The act of respect reveals not only the recognition of the significance other ideology, but also more importantly the recognition of the value of human.

Advantaged meme dominating the pool under natural state

magine a shield that encompasses each meme, it does not aim for protecting itself but for protecting the others from its self-inflation.

he diversity of Kings Cross might result from such a “shield of respect”. People might not necessarily accept the diversity itself, but they are seen as human before anything else.

would see the diversity of Kings Cross as phenomena of the essence of respect, and the intent of my design will be focusing on reinforcing such essence.

Shield of respect protecting other memes

TRIANGLE OF RESPECT: A SUMMARY OF RESPECT FROM THE FINDINGS

SEL ESTE

SE BEING CARED

BEING KNOWN

BEING TREATED WELL

HOBBY

IT Y

BEING LOVED

BEING EXCLUDE

BEING ATTACHED

BEING BENEFICIAL

ENVIRONMENT

LACK OF APPRECIATION DEPRESSION DESPAIR

02. Philosophy

LF EEM

ELF LACK OF FOOD LACK OF ACCOMMODATION LACK OF RESPECT FROM OTHERS

MANNER BEHAVIOUR

PA TH

APPEARANCE

OTHERS

ELF

ARROGANCE FEAR LACK OF UNDERSTANDING LACK OF COMMUNICATION

SELF& SELF- SELF ESTEEM QUOTES FROM KEY STAKEHOLDERS

•

Homelessness and poverty can happen on anyone. People are all potentially vulnerable.

•

We do not aim for providing professional aid, we just need to be with them.

•

Social connection is important.

Priest Chris

Manager Elizabeth

PhD of Love

•

They mostly need a hug when they are depressed.

•

This is a place where everyone got to be known and remembered.

•

Some homeless tole me that they felt lonely in their room (social housing). Sometimes they lost their social circle when they are provided with accommodation, and they choose to go back to the street.

•

The sense of community and accompany is important.

•

The soup kitchen is serving much more than just food.

•

We provide a sense of service. We want everyone to enjoy the delicacy of food and life itself.

SELF & SELF- SELF ESTEEM

02. Philosophy

The significance of self

part from food and accommodation, the significance of oneself is equally essential in constructing one’s self esteem. The significance of oneself might be related to one’s achievement in a certain field, but it does not eliminate the connotation of one’s social relationship with the others.

elow is a text by Jean-Paul Sartre explaining the significance of others to one’s existence: ...we each attain ourselves in the presence of the other... [A man] realizes that he cannot be anything... unless others acknowledge him as such. I cannot discover any truth whatsoever about myself except through the mediation of another. The other is essential to my existence, as well as to the knowledge I have of myself.

SELF ESTEEM

herefore, people all have the desire of care and attention. Staying connected to others(anyone will do) is highly important for one’s self esteem.

FOOD

SIGNIFICANCE OF SELF

ACCOM

he church has been doing well in this aspect, and I will be focusing on further reinforcing it. The reason is twofold: Firstly, the physical capacity of the church is limited, and hence its resource does not suffice in extending its outreach. Secondly, there is potential in connecting the church to other professional organization, but the opportunity of constructing anyone’s significance to the others is usually rare.

ast but not the least, the importance of being significant to the others is not limited to vulnerable people, it applies to everyone. And therefore it is not the rich donating themselves single-sidedly, they are also gaining something significant back.

SELF & SELF- SELF ESTEEM

SOCIAL CONNECTION

nstead of providing long-term social housing, the design will try to offer an opportunity for one to reclaim social connection.

Facilities:

Short-term shared accommodation Multi-functional space for public activities Space with opportunities to meet different people Internet access Power-point

SOME THOUGHTS FOR DESIGN

he space should be designed to encourage inclusion of activities, in a way that people would feel free to bump in.

Spatial

quality matters a lot in influencing oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s psychology. A large generic space tends to keep the occupants quiet. A medium space makes people comfortable to behave actively. A small space is associated with not only privacy but also loneliness.

Individual and social connection

02. philosophy

Inclusive space and soft boundary

Scale and psychology

SELF & OTHERS- EMPATHY Stories IN the PARISH

There was a policewoman volunteering in the soup kitchen. She said:” I used arrest these people, and now I cook for them.”

COMMUNICATION OUT OF CHARACTER

n the book “The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life”, an analogy is made between life and drama. When people are bounded by a group, they “tend to maintain the line that they are what they claim to be; they tend to stay in character” in order to continue the established balance of the interaction. Under such context, people are inclined to suppress their candid view and project the view that is relatively more acceptable to the others.

s social animal, we inevitably inhabit in a social framework and are burdened with a social package. Very often we cannot express how we think, what we want to do or what we are. And our characters are seen before ourselves are seen.

ased on the inspiration from the story and my experience helping in the soup kitchen, I see the opportunity of freeing someone from his social character. The church is unrelated to people’s existing background, and no one would pay excessive attention to it. More importantly, people come out of their own will. Perhaps establishing interaction without existing characters would help them seeing each other’s true self.

02. philosophy

A CAFE IN WHICH PAYMENT IS VOLUNTARY When I was in the soup kitchen, I realized there was not much interaction between volunteers and people who came for lunch. Perhaps the soup kitchen can be pushed further targeting all residents around this area. Inspired by the salad kitchen program(the salad/soup is sold in a package of two, one taken by the customer, the other goes to people in need), I think it might be possible to propose a cafe in which payment is voluntary. In the cafe there will be a container in the counter, people feel free to pay amount of money they want like giving tips. The cafe will still worked by volunteers. The income will be used to sustain the cafe. In the future, when there are less people coming for free food, the cafe will still be there worked by volunteers. The income will go to charity organization helping other people in need.

People in soup kitchen

Salad program

Volunteers People in need Customers PROPOSED CAFE

SELF & ENVIRONMENT PRESENTATION OF SELF IN DIFFERENT OCCASION

man might act like a different person in different occasion due to influence from social and physical environment. All these personality are part of him. Although the book “The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life” says people choose to do so for the purpose of inducing the respond that he expects from the others5. The act of making a certain choice is he himself6.

n other words, human is inherently multi-faceted. Although we can choose consciously or unconsciously to behave in a certain way, we might all have potential in behaving like anything.

CONTRAST OF DAY AND NIGHT IN THE CROSS

n other words, human is inherently multi-faceted. Although we can choose consciously or unconsciously to behave in a certain way, we might all have potential in behaving like anything.

02. philosophy

LIGHT, DARKNESS AND HUMAN

aylight is associated with social activities, as most of the people work and study during the day. Daylight also provides vision for environmental danger and predators. Therefore, we tend to feel safe and ease during the day. This indicates the correlation among darkness, loneliness and fear. In addition, darkness is also linked with dishonest, as it provides disguise. It seems that a dark night is the time when human is the most vulnerable, having the highest potential in losing himself.

herefore the reinvention of the parish will be assigned two different characters for daytime and nighttime. In daytime it will be focusing on a sense of prospect, while in nighttime it be will be focusing on a sense of refuge. However, the ultimate goal should be helping one to rediscover his own self rather than just for the sake of â&#x20AC;&#x153;humanityâ&#x20AC;?. The church being forced to close at night due to that it became a criminal center has dragged me into the contemplation of a series of questions: what is the boundary between good and bad? Do we define it by the intention? Or by the result?

SELF & ENVIRONMENT

IMAGINED ST CANICEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S during the day

he daytime St Canice will aim to provide an environment with pleasing spatial quality. The visit do not just use the space functionally but also enjoy the environment themselves. They communicate with others here, they improve themselves here, they leave their memory here.

Features:

Connected space Vegetation/ garden Interior well lit by daylight Comfortably shaded exterior

02. philosophy

IMAGINED ST CANICEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S AT NIGHT LIGHT HOUSE -An artifice showing the way home -Metaphor of guiding one who once was lost

A TIMBER HUT IN THE FOREST WITH A LIT WINDOW -An image that indicates safety, and that someone is waiting for you -But do avoid any exclusive openings

FIRE PLACE -An image of home -Sense of refuge -Creates Warmth

A SOFT PLACE TO SLEEP -An image of refuge and good dream

02. Philosophy

Construct FROM ATMOSPHERE INSPIRATION FROM ROOF GARDEN

ATMOSPHERE AND ARCHITECTURE

he roof garden is mainly used for growing vegetables and for supplying different activities. But when I visited the garden, I was impressed with the casualness of it. It was simply a place to enjoy life rather than a machine that produces food effectively.

turn to Zumthor for the starting point of relating atmosphere to architecture.

T I

nspired by the garden, I decide to apply the concept of respect into design in a way that it celebrates life itself instead of as a rule. And perhaps I could start from imagining what atmosphere would invoke respect, and design based on the atmosphere.

We perceive atmosphere through our emotional sensibility ... Here I am. Sitting in the sun. A grand arcade- long, tall, beautiful in the sunlight. The square offers me a panorama - the facades of houses, the church, the monuments. Behind me is that wall of the cafe. Just the right number of people. A flower market. Sunlight. Eleven o’clock. The opposite side of the square in the shade, pleasantly blue. Wonderful range of noises, conversations nearby, footsteps on the square, on stone birds, a gentle murmuring from the crowd, no cars, no engine sounds, occasional noises from a building site. I imagine the start of the holidays making everybody walk more slowly. Two nuns- we are back to reality now, not just me imagining- two nuns waving their hands in the air. ... So what moved me? Everything. The things themselves, the people, the air, noises, sound, colors, material presences, textures, forms tooforms I can appreciate. Forms I can try to decipher. Forms I find beautiful. What else moved me? My mood, my feelings, the sense of expectation that filled me while I was sitting there. Which brings that famous Platonic sentence to mind: <Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder.> Meaning : it is all in me. But then I perform an experiment: I take away the square and my feelings are not the same. An elementary experiment, certainly please excuse the simplicity of my thinking: I remove the square and my feelings disappear. I could never have had those feelings without the atmosphere of the square. It’s quite logical really. People interact with objects. As an architect that is what I deal with all the time. Actually it’s all my passion.7

LOOKING INTO LONELINESS

One

cannot depend entirely on humanity aid and constantly require deliberate respect from the others. Human is social as well as individual. If one chooses to be peculiar, then he must be responsible for the agony from not being understood by the others. Due to the limitation of language or media of communication, there is not a person in the world who can one hundred percent understand another person. This is the loneliness we have to resist ourselves. There are not any existing generalised way of resolving such loneliness. We all have to go out and search ourselves.

02. Philosophy

We live like a cell, interacting with the outer world through a membrane. Our true selves is within the membrane. No one can see the complete picture of it.

In a society, usually the membrane is shaped in a regulated way so that there is spot for us to be put in.

When one choose to become a peculiar individual, there might case that she cannot fit in society. The world might evolve towards pluralism, but before that, a certain degree of loneliness is inevitable.

03. PRECEDENT STUDY ON PHENOMENOLOGY Bruder Klaus Field Chapel Chapel of St. Ignatius w

BRUDER KLAUS FIELD CHAPEL PERSONAL REFLECTION Usually when we look at architecture, we pay attention on form, materiality, structure, history and concept. The focus on human perception and experience were not consciously mentioned until very late when phenomenology was introduced to architecture. What does atmosphere mean? It is a collection of all the tiny and subtle detail in oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. Sense not limited to vision, but also acoustics, smell, tactility, personal memory, collective memory... It is constructed from something concrete in reality. The chapel has incorporated the experience and custom in the construction by referencing the local way of making pottery. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, the action of burning the timber logs does not only leave the mark and black colour onto the concrete, but also leave the smell of pine trees and create the toughness of tactility. The relation to the sky and the metaphor of stars are also incorporated into the architecture. These hint the reality far beyond the physical architecture itself, the construction process, vernacular craftsmanship, local custom... Somehow the architecture is an aggregation of experience that is as rich as the meaning of life, rather than an artifice that is constructed from manufactured material. Additionally, the abstract and geometric form has also allowed space for visitors to interpret the architecture based on their own experience.

Chapel of St. Ignatius DOOR

door is the first thing a visitor encounter in architecture. Here the allusion of the Seven Lights from God is embodied in the seven apertures on the door panel to create a prelude or a glimpse of the motif. The specially designed door handle is a tactile representation of this religious motif. Through this peculiar iteration with the door, a memory that is exclusively related to this chapel yields. And perhaps such exclusive memory is associated with an attempt of creating the genius loci in the chapel.

Texture

he surface of the door and internal walls is purposely textured. This could be read as deny of architecture as monolithic geometry and an implication of craftsmanship. The door might have been cut by a mechanical saw, but mark on the surface indicates that it has also been crafted by human hand. So does the mark on wall surface. Another effect of the wall surface is its subtle reflection of light. Such subtleness cannot be reproduced by any type of media. The sensation can only be obtained on site. It is not just the architecture, but the superimposition of the physical and the perception of the viewer (position, time, emotion...).

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

nstead of concealing the marks left from construction process, the architect chose to elaborate it into decoration. In the case, the architecture becomes four dimensional, emanating what it was, what it is, and perhaps what it will be. I particularly like the puzzle-like shape of the panel. It keeps me constantly imagining how they were assembled, which comes from the collective memory of jigsaw fight.

LIGHT

he light here is not merely an indicator of zoning or the religious motif, but also related to the particular experience related to a certain activity. Its subtle integration with circulation reminds me of Le Corbusier’s Promenade Architecture, in which architecture is “framed” into a series scenarios and changes dramatically along with the position of the viewer.

03. PRECEDENT STUDY ON PHENOMENOLOGY

CONCLUSION

• • • • • • • • •

Involvement of craftsmanship Indication of construction process, celebrating the marks and joinery Experience of a variety of types of sensation Deny of monolithic geometry Use of allusion, metaphors and collective memory Indication of dimension of time Can be interpreted beyond the physical architecture Associated with the perception of the viewer Peculiar form as an attempt to create its own memory and genius loci

04. PROPOSING PROGRAMS Tower Cafe Where Payment is Voluntary Short Term Accommodation Library Others Apartment w

TOWER

BELFRY | BEACON | LOOKOUT It is there toSend out messages; Be with people; Guide people home; Allow people to see very far into the landscape; Allow people to reach the sky.

OPEN SPACE A place to feed birds. Birds roused by the bell, And then disappear in the trees, Disappear in the sky.

TOWER

THIS TOWER Keeps the heroic role of the church. It is there as a beacon, That can be glimpsed everywhere. It is there to be with people gently, Without a sense of sublime

04. Proposing programs

Base The idea of separating the base from the tower is to diminish the overwhelming mass of the tower, cutting the visual continuity from the bottom to top. However, this would make the arduous journey to the top become deceptively approachable. As compensation, the walls of the base are removed to reveal the stairs that is purposely made slender, asking the passers-by whether they want to take the challenge and climb up the tower.

TOWER

CLIMBING UP THE TOWER The roof top and handrail is minimized to push the viewer to look out. While the edge of the slab is extended to reduce the sense of danger.

They will be approaching the light source overhead, touching the rough inner surface of the tower.

A series of small high windows which people have to tiptoe to see through. Through the windows is a variety of view to the changing fabric. As ascending the tower, at a particular point there wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be any more small, as I want to push the visitor in the half way a little bit.

A small balcony for people to look at the roof garden.

The extremely narrow and delicate spiral stair is there to ask the passers-by a question: Do you want to see the view above?

04. Proposing programs

TOP OF TOWER

There is an analogy of ship in the geometrical volume in Le Corbusierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s houses. It is much beyond a formal metaphor, it contains strong sense of prospect and expedience. It is embedded in the experience of climbing, in the top position, in the view it indicated, in the collective memory of ocean.

A CAFE WHERE PAYMENT IS VOLUNTARY BRAINSTORM IDEAS

Evolutionary version of the existing soup kitchen Serving everyone

Plants to attract attention away from disparity

Plants tagged with names to attach memory

04. Proposing programs

INCORPORATING NATURE IN ARCHITECTURE Such architecture may: Make people feel good being alive; Make ordinary elements in daily life noticeable and appreciated

Green facade system

Sound of rain and roof

SHORT-TERM ACCOMMODATION Brainstorming IDEAS

A confined space yields the courage to look into the night sky

Soft dreams

A precedent bay window bed from Glenn Murcutt

The act of opening a window creates a sense of prospect

Soft drapery

04. Proposing programs

METAPHOR OF A TRAIN When situated in a confined space, People are forced to look out. Together with the proximity of a corridor, As a hint of movement, It reminds the inhabitants that the parish Is just a transitional stop, and that they have a better future else where.

SHORT TERM ACCOMMODATION FIRST ATTEMPT OF TYPOLOGY PRECEDENT

Sendai Mediatheque by Toyo Ito

Many Small Cubes by Sou Fujimoto

My Representation

Circulation

Structure

Hall

Living

Service

Bed

CONCLUSION The site is too confined for such a radical approach. Space is not sufficient to solve the practical issue brought by the scheme.

Outcome: Reflected ceiling plan / Shadow and light flickering on ground floor

04. Proposing programs

SECOND ATTEMPT OF TYPOLOGY

CENTROIDAL ORGANIZATION

Corridor ORGANIZATION

Hierarchical corridor

The corridor organization is settled as it matches the metaphor of train.

LIBRARY FIRST ATTEMPT

SECOND attempt

Pocket space for quiet reading Integration of roof garden Introducing natural sunlight

Roof garden to retain existing view of neighboring building

04. Proposing programs

MULTI FUNCTIONAL HALL

WISHING FOUNTAIN WITH COINS

FEATURES

A LITTLE PERSONAL WISH

Open the existing facade Soft boundary Medium space Connection to other facilities

There are people in need. There are people willing to help. There are people taking advantage of such kindness. People struggle to distinguish the people who are really in need. Then we cannot avoid to judge them from their appearance. The wishing fountain here is a little wish to diminish judgment, and to bridge the kindness to someone really needs it. It is a pool collecting spare coins for someone who might need it for emergency.

STAIRS FROM ROSLYN STREET

PUBLIC BATHROOM

A PRELUDE

Windows

Hands touching the rough surface of concrete handrail, Walking through the canopy, Hearing the sound of the leaves and the breeze.

A timber louvered windows with glimpses to the trees is a nice spot for washing hands.

FLOOR Kaleidoscopic reflection on the finish of tiles.

04. Proposing programs

APARTMENT FEATURES A few glass bricks in the wall between units and stairs, Light as a minimal means To indicate the existence of others Residents can choose whether they are part of the parish or not Garden incorporated into the apartment No modular housing

APARTMENT

PRECEDENTS

GIFU APARTMENT BY SANAA

MANY SMALL CUBES BY SOU FUJIMOTO

ORGANIC ORGANIZATION OF VILLAGE

TYPOLOGY

04. Proposing programs

ROOMS AND CUBES

Putting the typology on site

Ground floor Living

Bedroom

First floor

Kitchen

Bathroom

Balcony

Second floor

Third floor

Fifth Floor

APARTMENT

REFLECTION The form is too chaotic and does not apt to the environment The circulation space between each cube is neglected A certain degree of order is needed

04. Proposing programs

CURRENT SCHEME A hierarchical grid More universal and flexible dimensions Circulation space taken into consideration

PRIMARY UNIT

SUPPLEMENTARY UNIT

STRUCTURAL UNIT (100mm band on the inner side)

LIVING

KITCHEN

KITCHEN + DINNING

BEDROOM

BATHROOM

CORRIDOR

BALCONY

05. PLACE Analysis on Street Pattern Analysis on Light and Shadow w

ANALYSIS OF STREET PATTERN SITE AXONOMETRICS • • • •

Need to look at the site more carefully before ambitiously demolishing anything adjoining buildings. Big change in scale. Space of surprises. A lot of street amenity.

05. Place

STREET PRESSURE ANALYSIS Relaxing area Stressful area

ANALYSIS OF STREET PATTERN

ELEMENTS THAT RELAX PEOPLE • • •

Human scale Variation Richness in elements

U TURN

SMALL PIECE OF BUSHES

BICYCLE LANE

STREET ISLAND

LOW TERRACE

OVERHANG

STREET AMENITY

SHADE

OPEN SPACE & VARIATION

05. Place

ELEMENTS THAT STRESSES PEOPLE

BOLD FACADE WITHOUT SETBACK

TALK AND BULKY BUILDING

SCALE/ SPEED/ QUANTITY OF CARS OF ROAD

EXCESSIVE SOLAR EXPOSURE

UNBALANCED SCALE

HEAVY TRANSPORTATION

CUL-DE-SAC

BARE CONCRETE WALL

ROAD TOO STRAIGHT

LARGE PIECE OF EMPTY LOT

LOW DENSITY RESI

TREE

ANALYSIS OF STREET PATTERN

RESPOND TO CONTEXT • •

Eventually the parish should be a large source of the relaxing energy. But cannot eliminate the existing pressure, it can only superimpose onto it.

05. Place

OPPORTUNITY AND CHALLENGE ON SITE OPPORTUNITIES:

• • •

Slow down Roslyn Gardens Large street front at the turning corner Connecting Clement Street

CHALLENGES: • Height difference at street corner • Church close to existing residential buildings

ANALYSIS OF STREET PATTERN

Analysis on Street Elevation

here is large diversity in the street elevations in Kings Cross. They narratively display the history and the nature of each building. The street facade can basically be sorted in three groups: 1.historical facade; 2. Developer residential; 3. Contemporary architect designed facade.

he historical facade is rich in ornamentation, in which the internal layout and gravity are recognized and reflected in the external appearance. It contributes much to the variation of the street facade. Ornamentation is rarely seen in the facade of developer residential, as cost efficiency is the most important consideration. Yet it does reveal what are the essentials. Sense of order, large use of orthogonal elements, and subtle variation achieved by manipulation of solid and void. In the third group are mostly public buildings. It seems that the architects are trying to incorporate the richness of variation within the framework set by the dominating orthogonal facade. It conveys ambiguity that the buildings distinguished itself from the context yet it is part of the context.

ndeed, none of the facade from a single group can represent Kings Cross, yet it offers some hints on the relationship between the role and the form of the architecture in Kings Cross.

05. Place

ANALYSIS OF LIGHT AND SHADOW

he purpose of drawing this diagram is that I want to withdraw from my stereotype of sun, my stereotype of shadow as well as the stereotype of solar access analysis. Is shadow always bad? Is the sun always good? We are not vegetation that needs photosynthesis, why do we contend for sunlight? The sun in Sydney is so strong, and sometimes when we look to the north, we cannot even open our eyes. The earth constantly exposed under the non-filtered sun is thirsty like dessert. While the cozy streets near the site are mostly protected from direct sunlight. In an open space, shading is not necessarily associated with dodginess. Shaded corner can be beautiful. Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t our rationally designed architecture accommodate such natural beauty that is out of its own system?

05. Place

THE POETICS OF SHADOW

he white balance of light in a shaded area is similar to the one in the early morning before sunrise.

shaded corner is always considered to be dodgy, humid and undesirable. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like that architecture becoming a game contending and stereotyping sunlight and view. A shaded corner is never ugly. There are flowers and moist air like the morning in a mountain. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wanna sacrifice the existing beauty for my architecture.

ANALYSIS OF LIGHT AND SHADOW

UTILIZING THE SHADY AREA

A WORLD OF TINY SCALE

Entrance (library)

GARDEN OUTSIDE LIBRARY

A metaphor of the Gulliver’s tunnel that transform a large scale space into a small scale space.

The most typical scene in Thumbelina is the intensified sense of nature- amplified plants, dews, chirp...

Ideal spot for quiet and solitary activity - a library

GARDENS ON THE ORIGINAL SITE BOUNDARY My impression of a sunny garden is Monet’s painting of his Giverny garden. The wobbling wild flowers and weeds shimmering the sun in a gentle breeze.

05. Place

WATER FEATURE The organ of rain A series of brass gutters that collect rainwater and transform it into another form of existence, making the experience of gloomy rainy days memorable.

CASCADE AND FOUNTAIN

Reflection of rain

The rainwater then becomes a cascade running down the sloping site as an ambiguous boundary and eventually ends in a fountain-like drain,

The image of rain is associated with diffuse reflection. Below the blurry horizon there is another blurry world. There is potential in the treatment of the flooring material to abstractly represent the collective memory of rain.

06. STUDY ON ABSTRACT ELEMENTS Windows Space and Perception Street

Windows

A window towards the south enables a person to gaze distant view.

A bay window with view to tree is the best spot for contemplation.

When sit next to a window on a first floor, the proximity of trees makes feel that as long as I stretch my arms, I can touch the leaves.

A balcony where people can meet and greet a new person.

A balcony where I can touch the canopy, where I can touch something that usually a bit distant from me.

It was a narrow rustic spiral stair. There grows a lot of lush plant on the roof top of the adjoining hut. On the platform of the spiral stair, it feels that as long as I stretch my hands, I can touch those tender branches.

A Juliette balcony embraced by Jacaranda. Imagine when the door is opened from the inside when the tree blossoms, For the instance, the viewer may even perceive the air and temperature in a purple tint.

WINDOWS

A completely exposed space

Roof as the most significant element that defines internal space and creates sense of enclosure

•

The object’s connection to the ground and the sky reveals the sense of gravity, and therefore the sense of volume and the sense heaviness.

•

A narrow window tends to flatten the external view into abstract pattern, offering an enigmatic way of separating the inside and outside.

•

In a room that encourages indoor activity, window is merely a device for solar access.

•

Although the view is largely limited in a vertical window, the narrativity of the view is retained.

The presence of wall further defines internal space and creates sense of enclosure

The contrary relationship between openings and wall and the various senses of enclosure that generated from it

06. STUDY ON ABSTRACT ELEMENTS

FORMAL DINNING AREA OF CAFE

The Boston Ivy curtain on the door changes along with the light and seasons.

A religious metaphor of the formal dinning area of the cafe.

WINDOWS

FUNCTION OF WINDOW

ON A FACADE It can create sense of order. It can break the sense of order. It can draw attention.

VISUAL COMMUNICATION It frames something. It indicates viewing. It bridges two sides of a wall.

06. STUDY ON ABSTRACT ELEMENTS

WINDOW & SPACE It lights a room. It release confinement of space. It introduces view and creates sense of prospect. It extends space. When windows overlaps, it creates sense of depth.

WINDOW & Behaviour It puts someone under display. It can create visual connection. It might invade privacy.

Space and Perception PLANE OR VOLUME?

Staring at the chaotic corner across from St Canice’s church, for a moment space disappeared. What was left was only a collage of different materials in different geometry. Although sounded like illusion, it is actually closer the true reality, as a building is essentially constructed by planes- walls. It suddenly makes me wonder what space really is.

redraw the sketch in a flattened way, the geometry is still recognizable as space and volume, and are ambiguously planar and volumetric at the same time. What does the geometry mean? Enclosure? Distance? Boundary? Space is essentially empty and “invisible”. Is it because it is defined that it can be perceived?

06. STUDY ON ABSTRACT ELEMENTS

A square can indicate

a volume, a plane and an opening.

Two overlapping squares can show transparency;

They can also indicate space in between. The top edges might be associated with height difference, while it is the bottom edges that indicate space.

If two planes intersect perpendicularly, they start to create volume and enclose space

We tend to perceive a building as a massing. We do not spontaneously recognise the fact that a building is space enclosed by walls, unless the architect purposely express it. Whether the nature of the space should be perceived from the exterior is arguable, especially in an urban context where privacy is valuable.

The function of wall is two fold: It displays characteristics to the external viewers; it shelters the inhabitants.

It certainly needs to respond to the two contrasting environment, but should it be “opaque” or “transparent”?

STREET WHAT DEFINES A STREET? A street is defined not only by the road, but also by an imaginary membrane formed by building facade, trees, lamppost etc.

06. STUDY ON ABSTRACT ELEMENTS

Street and the block it defines together create the experience of street.

07. PRELIMINARY DESIGN w

GEOMETRY OF CONTEXT Point of focus, junction of various main pedestrian.

There is strong sense of movement on Roslyn Garden( from straight building facade and fast driving speed).

Height difference of 2 meters. Landscaping can be introduced to buffer this separation from adjoining building.

Setback, creating space for gathering after Mass.

Residual space from the intersection of two grids. The geometry suggests change of scale and draws a focus to the area of intersection.

The treatment to the boundary needs to simultaneously address both sides of the boundary.

Cul-de-sac, as well as a point of connection.

GEOMETRY OF DESIGN A wishing well or sculptural water feature is to be placed at the spot.

Open area to reserve sunlight and street access to the multi-functional hall underneath the church.

Transition from public area to semi-private area.

The point of focus will be addressed by locating a tower and preserving the existing Maria statue.

A rectangular form that simultaneously address the transept and the linearity of the street.

Residential area is planned along this line, completing the street elevation of Roslyn Garden and Clement Street as well as connecting the parish to the neighborhood.

07. PRELIMINARY DESIGN

SCHEMETIC DRAWINGS

BASEMENT PLAN

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

SCHEMETIC DRAWINGS

SECTION AA’

SECTION DD’

07. PRELIMINARY DESIGN

SECTION BB’

SECTION CC’

Cafe Public Bathroom JRS Office

08. PROCESS OF MASTER PLANNING w

07. PRELIMINARY DESIGN w

Developing Master Plan

Radiant plan is a result of the extension of the point of focus above.

Open kitchen to encourage interaction between volunteers and customers; seating along the street is a typical cafe arrangement in Kings Cross.

Semi-outdoor seating reinforces the nature of the cafe as a public space, aiming to diminish disparity among individuals and hence encouraging interaction among people with different social background,

The arrangement of the apartments follows the grid of the orientation of the church, and simultaneously rounds up the end of Clement Street.

Roslyn Garden

et tre

BASEMENT PLAN 1:800

This incurvated geometry is a respond to the central axis of the church.

A spiral water feature celebrates the rainwater collected from the roof. It connects the site and draws a dynamic boundary between the parish and the adjoining building. The flow of water is also a natural response to the sloping topography. 89

Developing Master Plan

Structure Replicating the sense of vertical of the church.

Bay window with a bed.

A cantilevered shared space connecting the two apartment massing.

D C

A A

B D

Pool for collection.

rain

water

GROUND FLOOR PLAN 1:800

07. PRELIMINARY DESIGN

SECTION AA’ 1:800

SECTION BB’ 1:800

SECTION CC’ 1:800

SECTION DD’ 1:800

Developing Master Plan

AXONOMETRIC

07. PRELIMINARY DESIGN

Developing Master Plan

07. PRELIMINARY DESIGN

Developed Master Plan

LAYERS OF THOUGHTS

he master planning displays a juxtaposition of social connection, solitary, apartment, and the existing church. It is a symbol of the multifaceted nature of human, while simultaneously it provides freedom for the occupants to interpret the architecture in their own way. Such freedom is also embedded in architectural language. A large number of metaphors and allusions are incorporated in the design in an experiential and implicit way, so that the architecture is there as a choice rather than an act of imposition.

n response to the street pattern, the site is fragmented into small pieces, creating open space at human scale and breaking the linearity of the street. The small open spaces are connected as a labyrinth becomes an inner network of short cuts that activates the neighbourhood.

Some spots with a strong pattern of activities have been preserved to its original states in a reinterpreted way.

he light and shadow are incorporated juxtaposition of social connection and solitary.

the

Developed Master Plan

LAYERS OF THOUGHTS

JUXTAPOSITION OF FOUR ZONES: SOCIAL CONNECTION, SOLITARY CHURCH AND APARTMENT

GEOMETRY OF RESPOND TO PHYSICAL CONTEXT

SUN AND SHADOW CREATING VARIOUS SPATIAL EXPERIENCE.

07. PRELIMINARY DESIGN

PROGRAMS OF AMBIGUITY

THE MEMORY PRESERVED

METAPHORS AND ALLUSIONS

Developed Master Plan

AXONOMETRICS

07. PRELIMINARY DESIGN

101

Developed Master Plan

BASEMENT PLAN 1:600

07. PRELIMINARY DESIGN

GROUND FLOOR PLAN 1:600

103

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Erving Goffman, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life (Norwell: Anchor, 1959), 10-100. Geoffrey Baker, Le Corbusier - An Analysis of Form (Thames: Taylor & Francis, 2001), 189. Jean Paul Sartre, Existentialism is a Humanism (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), 17–72. W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence (New York: Dover Publications, 2006), 148. Peter Zumthor, Atmospheres (Basel: Birkhäuser Architecture, 2006), 20-25. Richard Dawkins, The Selfish Gene (Oxfors: Oxford University Press, 1990), 310-313. Robert McCarter, Steve Holl (London: Phaidon Press, 2013), 100. Robert Venturi, Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture (New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 1977), 8-105.

105

Vol. 2

DESIGN

01.

Social SPACE

Short term accommodation Cafe where payment is voluntary Courtyard & office Vegetable garden

01. Social SPACE

Short term accommodation

109

Short term accommodation

COMMON SPACE

he main building height is set below the opening of the church. The central load-bearing wall is slightly pulled up to match the scale of the building across the street.

double/triple height common space with slanted glass roof. The idea behind is to preserve natural light to the church and to introduce natural light to the common space. Finally I decided to make the common space double height, as the scale is more suitable for a casual living style.

Early attempt on elevation

01. Social SPACE

Roof STRUCTURE

he initial roof structure is an imitation of flying buttress, expressing tension between the old and the new. Then the column that connects the two buttress suggest sense of anchor, bounding the two buildings together. The gutter embedded in the column further reinforces the connection to the ground, as there is water running through from above the ground to the drain underneath.

hen the structure was reviewed later, the imitation to the buttress was found literal. And the rafters disturb the view to the church facade from the mezzanine corridor, which is contradicting the purpose of using glass roof.

So horizontal rafter with

arched bottom is used to achieve a more modest form. A deep beam is place on top of the column, controlling the view to the church facade in a more intentional way: on one hand it frames the view; on the other hand, it blocks the direct view to the church on mezzanine level and draws the viewersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; attention to the interior.

111

Short term accommodation

STAIRS

he stairwell is also a light well. Staircase is made of perforated steel panel to allow skylight get through.

Openings

are reduced to perforated brickworks to emphasize the daylight from above.

01. Social SPACE

BEDROOM & CORRIDOR

here is horizontal sliding window on the partition wall. The design is aiming to reduce the sense of isolation.

he window is set at eye level of a sitting person, and stops just below the eye level of a standing person. There is ambiguity between meeting someone and missing someone, hence leaving space for people to make their own choice. Louvre is used above the window to obtain natural lighting for the corridor, while the leaves are set at an angle to achieve a certain degree of privacy.

have always been struggling in how much architect should get involved in influencing the life style of inhabitants. I do not have an answer yet, and I do not aim to encourage any social life style at this intimate scale. My approach is just to reveal and to draw attention to some moment that people might overlook in daily life, so that people would rethink what they have been used to and make their own choice. 113

Short term accommodation

The bed

s mentioned in the design intent, the core topic in this project is loneliness. Everyone has moment of solitary, In modern society in which diversity is encouraged, each human is considered as a unique individual. Being unique entails disparity, entails there is an increasingly large part of ourselves remaining not understood by the others. The attention, kindness and empathy that one can have on others is limited, as everyone has her own life. Loneliness is inevitable.

rchitecture alone cannot solve the problem of loneliness, as the resource architect has and the realm that architect can get involved is limited. Personally, one cannot fully rely on architecture to solve everything. Help is limited. Architecture is limited. Eventually it is the person herself is responsible of her own self. And the best respect is to trust one that she has the ability to eventually solve the problem by herself.

hat I am trying to do in this design in this design is firstly to acknowledge the fact that human all has to resist loneliness, and secondly release a little amount of the anxiety and fear generated from loneliness.

Situated in a confined space, people are forced to

look out. The bedroom is purposely made tiny, creating sense of temporary and encouraging the inhabitant to look beyond. The night sky might seem dark and fearful, while this cabinet-like bed offers sense of refuge, giving the inhabitant courage to look for the stars.

he relation of the window and the trees is to soften the desert view of a typical city, shifting the inhabitantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; attention on her loneliness and drawing her attention to something enjoyable.

01. Social SPACE

CAFE WHERE PAYMENT IS VOLUNTARY

115

CAFE WHERE PAYMENT IS VOLUNTARY

01. Social SPACE

The bed

The cafe consists of three parts: an open kitchen with

bar seating near the street; semi-outdoor table seating; interior seating in the basement level of the church. They together create a flow space on the ground floor, encouraging movement around the site.

the kindness of the ones who share. There is direct visual connection among the main seating area, the kitchen and the vegetable garden. The customers are exposed to the working environment so that they know where the service and food are from. Meanwhile, the kitchen and the garden are designed in an enjoyable way, conveying the message that sharing and helping others is enjoyable.

ext to the counter for food order is a thick hollowed column with a slot on it. The slot is there for the voluntary payment for the food. Customer has her own freedom to decide what she wants to pay for, food for her self or food for others. The separation of payment and food order helps establish such freedom.

However, although sharing is the main idea in this cafe,

I do aim to acknowledge the effort of the volunteers and

117

01. Social SPACE

Vegetable garden

119

Vegetable garden

Entrance to public bathhouse

he key idea is to make the entrance a decent place in order to induce proper behavior. The corridor is designed as a transition space, separating the bathhouse from the open garden. On the wall between the garden and the corridor there are a series of openings. They function as frames and draw attention(surveillance) to the activity in the corridor.

he idea might sound utilitarian and rigorous, thus it is then developed as a spatial installation. The openings of the bathhouse and the partition wall on the corridor are arranged in an arbitrary way. Inside the corridor the openings generate unique light and shadow and frame the view of the open garden. Viewed from Outside the corridor, the staggered openings on the two walls shift their proportion and composition as the viewer walks, creating an interesting visual effect.

01. Social SPACE

FIRST ATTEMPT OF OPEN GARDEN

he design is a pathway in the middle of the garden sandwiched by two copper panels. On the panels there are similar openings as the wall on the corridor, continuing the spatial installation in the open garden. Outside the panels are plant beds scattered on the lawn.

he way these elements are organized in an rearrangement of the fabric layers of a typical street in Kings Cross. The corridor wall represents the continuous facade; the independent scattered plant beds represent the discontinued high rise buildings; the copper panel represents internal spatial experience. The idea behind is to create unusual experience with the existing ingredients.

here is another layer of thoughts behind the copper panels. The spatial experience mentioned above happens when one walks between the two panels, while the garden can also be viewed from the windows on the upper storeys on adjoining buildings. The contrasting perspective can create interesting spatial experience that is associated with time and memory.

121

Vegetable garden

PERSPECTIVE DISTORTION OF geometry

Plane and perspective

Horizontal plane and horizontal movement

Cuboid and vertical movement

Vertical plane and vertical movement

Vertical plane and horizontal movement

Horizontal plane and vertical movement

01. Social SPACE

123

Vegetable garden

SECOND ATTEMPT OF OPEN GARDEN

n this attempt, the analogy to the street layers is removed, and the central pathway is made into a maze. The contrasting viewing experience from inside the maze and from the windows on upper floors is kept.

01. Social SPACE

Final design

he final design is a simple vegetable garden. This option is chosen based on that it creates connection to the cafe, and has more potential on social aspects. Also a simple design can release and balance the site.

125

Street corner of Roslyn garden

01. Social SPACE

The bed

he design is a shallow pool on the roof top of the JRS office. The idea is twofold.

Firstly, water is used as a reflective media to introduce

the surrounding element in an unusual way to create a monumental scene. The reflective surface is minimal so that it does not compete with the church and the shortterm accommodation building that it showcases. A thin walkway, which is a series of small platforms, stretches out to the middle of the water, allowing one to submerge herself in this particular moment.

Secondly, the outer edge of the overhang of the JRS office entrance is purposely made slightly lower than the other edges. There is a tilted steel plate covering the top surface of the edge.

hen there is no wind, the water surface is still. When there is wind, water falls down to the pool below from that lowered edge. This design highlights the contrast between tranquility and dynamism, between constancy and ephemeral.

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02.

Solitary SPACE Tower Library Office

02. SOLITARY SPACE

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The TOWER

his tower has different roles for the exterior and for the interior.

he external form of the tower is designed to have a unique profile, so that it can be recognized from the distance or in a hazy day. Together with the chime, it conveys a message that the church is here and guides people.

dditionally, The shape is inclined towards the direction of the view, telling people that there is something happening there. The height of the tower is 33 meters, slightly higher a than the 10 storey adjoining building. Due to topography and height control of the neibouring building, up to Rushcutter Bay, the tower is the highest building.

nternally, The tower is there as a question rather than a solution, The stairs are purposely designed narrow and fragile, questioning whether one would want to take this arduous journey,

t the lower part of the tower, there are small windows which one has to tiptoe to see through, And when she reaches a certain height, there will not be any more windows. She is directed only by the dim sky light and will have to resist this harsh darkness and loneliness. But once she reaches the top, what awaits him is the magnificent view all the way to Rushcutter Bay.

hen one is faced with this vast landscape, there might be another question coming up to mind: Does it this view make you forget your minute loneliness or make your loneliness more unbearable?

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The LIBRARY

ithin the library there is subtle hierarchy between social and solitary. Although reading and knowledge is usually associated with solitary, communication is still essential.

he window seating is a space that encourages interaction. When one is reading by a window that is next to a pedestrian, she might attract attention or curiosity from the passers-by. This is a good opportunity enhancing oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest of knowledge.

he idea of solitary is translated by a suspended shell. It does two things: firstly, it breaks down the scale of the entire space, so that it defines the role of the space as a community library; secondly, it creates an independent study space. The separation is ambiguous. The shell stops at one metre above the floor around the height of shoulder of a sitting person. It only cuts off the direct visual connection. She could still glimpses the movement of the people looking for a particular book outside. The noise, the air and the dust are all the same.

he shell does not intend to isolate the occupant. What it indicates is a state of mind of concentration and tranquility.

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The Parish OFFICE

he office is remained in its original location but elevated to first floor. The building at this spot can be directly seen on the way from the train station to the church.

On the facade facing to this direction is where the

existing front door of the parish office is. This is the first place where people come ask for help. People ring the door bell and manager Elizabeth with come out and talk to them at the door. This location is crucial. In the new parish it is important to keep this iteration at this spot so that people can orient themselves and do not get lost.

he current issue is that the door is always locked. There is no transition space between the office and the public. Elizabeth has to make sure she is safe before she opens the door. In order to solve this situation, the office is moved one floor up, and Elizabeth will answer the door through the window and meet people in the common seating area in the library downstairs.

On the facade facing to this direction, currently there

is a light box hanging on the first floor. One day when I finished with the annual night mass event and was at the front ground ready to head home, my attention was suddenly caught by it. I was surprised that an ordinary

light box can be so beautiful and calming. It is there as a glowing crystal floating in the air quietly, tinting the surrounding in a yellowish and greenish tone.

he proposed window at the location of the light box is designed to be a circle, an unusual shape for window, highlighting what has happened and will continue to happen here, and acting a new light box at night.

02. SOLITARY SPACE

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Parishionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; apartments

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FIRST ATTEMPT

n this attempt, the key idea is the interpretation of home. Design of apartment tends to be universal, due to the unpredictability of the inhabitants. This has contradicted with the common language of the rest of the site. Therefore the design will focus on the elements that can directly contribute to spatial quality to address the idea of home. Arch is introduce in the ceiling, as its shape is similar to a cave, providing strong sense of refuge. The Arch is made from brick, which carries warmth from the kiln where the bricks were burnt. A low beam separates the space into main living area and utilitarian area. There is a balcony stretching out from the living room. Stepping in it, one would immediately submerge into the greenish atmosphere of the canopy. The issue of this attempt is that the architecture is purely generated from the interior. The response from the exterior is lacking. Hence the elevation is looking awkward and alien.

03. Parishionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; apartments

OTHER ATTEMPTS AND FINAL DESIGN

fter a few unsuccessful attempts of different combination of decorated elements, I shifted my focus on the overall composition.

series of similar arches are used to simplify the previous over-emphasized hierarchy. The central big arches are split into two uneven arches to break the symmetry. Geometrical decoration is adopted in the design of the frame on the balcony, matching the Art Deco style architecture that can be commonly seen in Kings Cross and also addressing the mysterious form of the rest of the site.

he internal arrangement remains almost the same, except for two changes. The separation between the balcony and living room is moved one metre inwards to achieve better thermal performance as the facade is north facing; A low table is added below the low beam in order to accommodate a TV, as the future inhabitants are mostly aged parishioners.

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Street elevation

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04.

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WEEK 05 DRAWINGS

Basement 3 Plan

Basement 2 Plan

Basement Plan

Ground Floor Plan

04. WEEK 05 DRAWINGS

Section of parishionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; apartment

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04. WEEK 05 DRAWINGS

Street Elevation

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04. WEEK 05 DRAWINGS

Section of short-term accommodation

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Section of tower and library

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05.

FINAL DESIGN

Juxtaposition of four areas: social area, solitary, church and parishionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; apartment

Extroverted areas and introverted area

Solar access

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SHORT TERM ACCOMM

TOWER

LIBRARY

ORIGINAL STATUE

05. FINAL DESIGN

APARTMENT

APARTMENTS FOR PARISH STAFFS

Ground floor Plan

ENTRY TO SHORT TERM A

STORAGE JRS OFFICE

CAFE WHERE PAYMENT IS VOLUNTARY COLD ROOM

PUMP ROOM WHERE MONEY IS COLLECTED

CAFE SEATING

MULTI FUNCTIONAL HALL

WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER

05. FINAL DESIGN

ACCOM

PARISHIONER APARTMENT

PRIEST' S APARTMENT

C T

Basement Plan

05. FINAL DESIGN

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05. FINAL DESIGN

06.

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MODELS

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06. MODELS

167