Week 6 Presentation Reflection

I am really happy with what our team produced. The 3d renders by Alex were visually appealing and added great flavour and lift to the panels. The character story on panel three by Ben was great as it helped tell the narrative and ground the context through emotive connection.

The tutor feedback was positive and encouraging for the next assessment. Two points were raised by the tutors collectively.

1.) The sole trader who trades on behalf of the population of the Paddington cluster. - We were right in putting a question mark next to authority as possibly we could further develop a more grass roots equal system on how he/she is appointed.

2.) The high speed rail link. - Encouraged to develop that further and work out from the ground up how it works from the macro to the micro. Possibly three tiers of transit levels. An express one and suburban options.

Works by others was at a great level. It was rewarding and encouraging to see all the different angles people took on creating their future sub-urban context. There was a range of work from data full to ones using a lot of hand drawings. The vibe in the studio was positive with tutors and students alike having a good time.

I look forward to project two!

Development of context cont.

http://fxmoz.com/bartering/

The system of bartering has been around for thousands of years. In certain times throughout history, value of products & produce became more valuable than currency. Farms neighbouring Brisbane could become a rich and valuable entity dictating the economic state of the surrounding area.

Development of context

http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/300053/what-happened-greece-napoleon-linardatos

Greece's economic and political situation has pulled itself away from being a large player and possible removal from the European Union. As their financial situation worsens their moneys value to trade with other nations is reduced considerably.

Development of Trading facility

The facility was to facilitate and demonstrate the energy, technology and importance of the role it has to play within the context. Inspiration was taken from the london olympic stadium. The blend of people and technology informed my group's decision. See below.

http://fffiles.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Crystal_London_2012_Olympic_Stadium_exterior1.jpg


 Architectural development.

Placed into context.

The stock/trade exchange.

Development of panels

In charge of the panel design. I went through a rigorous process extracting elements that would enhance the overall story of the four panels. I wanted the design of the panels to tell as much of the story as the information they contained. The main elements of the train, hexagonal grid network and green space was carried through (see final panel).

Week 5 Architectural Possibilites

http://www.cg4tv.com/animation/stock-images-3d/future-city-3d-animation-hd.jpg

The image above is an architectural possibility that would fit nicely within my teams future scenario. I like the idea that our future could get better socially, politically, environmentally and aesthetically. A neat simple system that both learns from the environment and the people who make up its inhabitants.

The notion of a high speed rail system that is clean, efficient and neat is one that I'd like to develop for project two. My initial week one sketches are close to what I think could be a plausible possibility.

I am looking forward to developing this further in the coming weeks.

Week 5 Reading 2

Upon first glance of the reading the main image jumped out at me. The idea of 'architecture of atmosphere' made me want to read more.

'Cultural projection' came out of the text which added to previous readings that architecture is indeed a blend of a lot of external factors which intern influence it itself. The idea of the world changing since events like 9/11 isn't a lonely opinion. It is evident across many professions and industries that the world is changing. Laws are changing and subsequently 'architecture' as a whole is changing.

In the reading, the work of DS + R in theatre set design interests me a lot. I have always had a love for music, movies and musical theatre. The ideas of redefining convention through design by using stage space, fiction, non fiction and story telling are interesting. Each idea is used to undermine the other. Amazingly that in the chaos or like the jazz player in week one's reading, new and pleasant solutions are created.

What I take from this is the fact the story we are creating as a group is in itself giving us architectural entities to consider, put together and mix around. I am looking forward to what can be created as a result.

What I am learning through all of this is that the building blocks from architecture come from the narrative, the characteristics of the individual and the group, the believable plot, the unbelievable plot, the conclusion, the beginning, the middle. Our life is a story and it itself is building the set on which we do it.

Week 5 Reading 1

In the reading, Prices problem solving connection between the question and the end product is good for idea development. It is mentioned that the end product could be physical or not. Similar to last weeks reading the end product may be political rather than purely architectural.

His drawings of 'The Fun Palace' evoke alot of thought and business without having to read further into  the text. You can almost picture the activity that could take place without really knowing exactly what will take place. I found reading on that he wanted to challenge the participants of the space and to allow for a 'flow of space and time'.

These notions would be great to implement into the trading hub we developed last week in the charette.

http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/@@/D1983744E0F3013B82B57E84A030CE58/courses/1/DAB810_12se2/content/_4400872_1/embedded/Erasing%20architecture%20into%20the%20system.pdf

Week 4 People and Lifestyles

This design charette was also rewarding. Taking our knowledge of the readings and lectures we began to develop the idea further. Establishing the new urban set-out based on community needs and wants we came to a decision regarding the paddington central site. We decided that in order to bring people to the site there had to be a large reason why. We understood that if people wanted something they could easily purchase it online. A trade market is where it began.

The idea progressed and we came up with the notion of a stock exchange where there is a chaos of people, movement and energy. The stock could be produce, goods, other products etc.

From here we began to give thought to the system of delivery to keep the social and economical order fast and efficient. We played with the idea of a high speed rail network that liked the trade markets and clusters of civilisation together. Digitally, we considered downloading food was a possibility through this high speed service.

As a result of this we established that it would become the sole transport network alleviating the need for cars. This would give the unused roadways back to the people in terms of green spaces or equivalent.

In terms of people and lifestyles we brainstormed multiple character ideas. The main idea that we cam up with was a sole representative. A person that on behalf of the people would trade stock, peoples skills etc. to other clusters that needed it. As we developed this idea we realised that this person had a level of power in the community and thus a political influence emerged. This is similar to the readings reflected on recently.

The idea of skill set trading was something we began to develop on that day also.

Week 4 Reading 2

Firstly I like Mark Wigley's idea in the reading involving the outside community in the study of architecture promoting experimentation and idea generation. I think its important to mix in a structured setting with the design lay-person. These ideas are often out there as there are no pre-learned architectural restraints that we as architectural students now have (to a certain extent).

This collaborative approach implemented through magazine, office & school is in my opinion quite innovative. The notion of a group rather than the famous architect is interesting and sparked a thought in me as to why I study architecture. Is it for the name? The title? The fame? Perhaps on some level but I respect the notion of collaboration as i have already seen it evident in the week three design charette.

The idea raised in the reading of changing the medium of architectural theory delivery is something that is worth raising. A more fluid approach without limits is what comes across in the text. Being coined as weapons is a strong word but perhaps valid. Perhaps the system has watered down what we are learning and what we are capable of doing.

How would this work in my groups future developed scenario? Would the institution of learning in general become different? Perhaps like the feudal days your learnt your skill working under the supervision of a master or tradesperson. Very interesting discussion indeed.

Week 4 Reading 1

This reading is perfect to developing my groups idea conceived from the week three design charette. The thought that architecture can address matters relation to the social and political is very timely. The reading mentions that buildings share with the patterns of people. T.J Clarkes comments in the reading echoes this by saying that architecture constructs a 'way of life'.

I agree in part to this comment however I believe the sharing of patterns of people is more likely to be the case. Yes we can control how a person moves about a space but can we give them a reason why? To construct a social order I can see the correlation between creating a scenario that can be justified and predicted to continue in a set fashion. As an example the world is at its peak oil limit. See the diagram below showing this in the USA.

http://images.smh.com.au/2009/11/17/865518/peak-oil-420x0.gif

 If I were to say that in 50 years there would be no more crude oil and I designed architectural entities that would take this into account, would that imply I have constructed a way of life or more so facilitated that patters of people who have adapted?

Week 3 Sustainable Future

This weeks design-charette definitely got the imagination flowing. Many areas were covered and explored rigorously which was quite rewarding and intriguing at times.

To begin we started with the basic human needs (visible below) and explored the notion of creating new needs as per the readings. We explored what Paddington central had to offer now to support those needs and what it would require for future sustainable use. We posed the question - What would draw people in to the space if technology continued and people stayed home to do all their shopping. With this idea we explored what a shopping centre would become if people didn't come there to shop. 

Space would be created for other uses such as virtual sports, storage for online sales stock. We also thought that this space could be used to have more of an interaction with the produce and products. Things like kicking a soccer ball, running in some new shoes etc.

The tutor feedback that was really positive was based around the image below. We played with a scenario that if Australia ran out of its exports, countries would no longer want to trade with us. This would create a system of inward trading where skills and produce would be the currency of the time.

We started to think of new urban and sub-urban structures or models that would and could facilitate such a drastic change in social order. We discussed the situation in Greece where such a system has emerged.

As another outcome we played with the idea of the sun dieing rendering the surface of the earth to be cold and harsh however this was discouraged by the tutor as too dystopia esque.

Week 3 Reading 2

The thought that there is another city being created that we cannot physically touch, taste & smell but are already immersed in is a frightening thought at first glance. I have never heard it described as a city before. But then again, why not. I suppose the question that came to mind initially was - what makes a city?

This question got answered by the notion raised by the reading as 'the continual partial everywhere'. Being where you are in the world but also in a virtual sense, where your friends and family are in the world. The technology of today driving social media is on such a roll. The now appears to be replaced with the notion of aspace-Existing in a space without time or borders.

Architecturally this begins a whole string of thought. One question comes to mind - How do you design for an aspatial city? or more so - How do you design for aspatial people?. Do we design to block out the virtual connection as mentioned in the reading through the shielding tent? Or do we run with this and open up ourselves to accept the probability that a space that we design 'here' will become someones virtual space viewed aspatially through the virtual eyes of someone else across another side of the planet?

I am very keen to explore these possibilities further.

Week 3 Reading 1

Frank Duffy's comments that there is 'no such thing as a building' really jumped out at me. It got me asking - 'well what is it then?'. 4 layers making up a building is interesting as I always thought that the exterior and the interior are the main ones. Shell, Services, Scenery and Set. The six S's then expanded on in the reading came to an interesting conclusion that a building is always tearing itself apart. The why question bell rang in my head as to why this would be so. Through my studies I was under the understanding that each component of a building worked together in harmony.

The image below from the reading paints it well.

http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/@@/D1983744E0F3013B82B57E84A030CE58/courses/1/DAB810_12se2/content/_4400869_1/embedded/how-buildings-learn_c2.pdf

The rates of change being the factor behind the statement got me thinking of buildings that I come in contact with on a day to day basis. The first thing that I noticed is that most of the buildings at QUT share the same SKIN, STRUCTURE & SPACE PLAN. A personal revelation if you will - The structure according to the reading is estimated to survive 10 times longer than that of the space plan. Very, very cost effective however with a slight compromise to comfort and noise reflection when concrete is the structure represented.

Week 2 Reading 3

Westerfelds view of corporations highjacking the the word 'Green' as a method of greenwashing got me thinking. Examples such as oil tanker companies and motels waiving the 'green' banner in the name of promotion and cost saving in some way makes me upset. I suppose this is good marketing however it is exploitation or 'linguistic detoxification' as mentioned in the reading.

Advertising on television and the internet promotes all things green as good and earth friendly. People want to be green and now places are catering for that. Kickbacks here are inevitable however I was impressed that places such as hotel chains are making legitimate adaptations such as electric car recharge ports.

For designers, the implementation of the 'green' notion whether exploitative or not, is real and needs to be considered on multiple levels.

Week 2 Reading 2

This reading was interesting as it first gives a bit of historical insight into the devastating tsunami that only recently decimated Japan. It was intriguing to learn that these stone blocks have lined the coastline for years as a memoriam and reminder of what dangers the natural environment can do. The specific stone that warns people not to build their houses below a certain point is a reminder that the past can teach us lessons that we in our lifetime would not normally know. 11 houses that were saved because they listened to this warning and respected it. Its a warning that as the 87 year old man mentioned, should be taught in schools.

The next interesting point came from the technology that was implemented to stop the waves. The failure of these measures told me that there comes a point where we must respect the natural environment. Contrary to the ice-breaker from week 1 readings, some things in nature are not meant to be tamed.

The fact that it may not occur in 400 years does not mean that it won't. Brisbane flood is a poignant example as buildings and infrastructure continued to be designed as peopel thought the flood would not happen - at least in their lifetime. I think we can learn from the Japanese villages and put in place measures that will benefit us for generations to come.

Week 2 Reading 1

I agree with the notion of intensification of towns and cites rather than encroaching on green land. The question raised of how is indeed valid. The adaptive re-use or design for addition notions of last weeks readings helps link a solution I believe although with established towns and cites that did not design with this in mind makes it not so easy to do.

The idea generated by the reading (see below) looks to work however architecturally the lower density spaces in the centre (I have highlighted with the red circle) may receive some negative issues. Lack of natural lighting and ventillation would occur and cause a problem to both the physical and mental well being of the inhabitants.

Transport of these new areas were raised in the reading as an issue. This seems to be a recurring theme and definitely something I will be looking at for the assignment.

Soucre: Barton, Davis and Guise, 1995 http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/@@/D1983744E0F3013B82B57E84A030CE58/courses/1/DAB810_12se2/content/_4400861_1/embedded/Urban%20Form%20And%20Locality.pdf

Week 2 Theme application

Based on the group design charrette, I have chosen to go with the suburban theme. Last week I was looking forward to doing the virtual theme however I thought it more of a challenge to include ideas generated from the virtual and place it into the suburban context of Brisbane in the future.

The digital age is growing so fast and needs and wants are following in similar fashion. This is a relevant topic which I am looking forward to doing.

Week 1 Reading 3

'What we want and what we need keeps changing'. This statement by Maggie Koerth-Baker rings true with our heavily advertised society. Wants are turned into needs. There is a greater weight placed on need rather than want. Architecturally we are taught to cater to the basic needs of an individual then to the level of comfort they like. The level of comfort is subjective and endless creating a pool of future needs to arise.

A couple of inventions caught my attention.

1.) Electric clothes - The positive implications of this is quite astounding. Charging items like i-pods and phones has in recent years become one of those needs. We need our phone charged so we can stay in contact, do the banking, do work, find your way etc. This invention has realised that and established a way to service this need. Very impressive.

2.) Neurological control - If in fifty years we can drive cars with our mind then what could we do to the buildings and houses we design and inhabit? Imagine a house that could convey your mood or thoughts. At times that could be somewhat dangerous. I am intrigued as to how this will begin to develop even in the next 5-10 years.

Week 1 Reading 2

The story of the Arktika is a relevant one showing that technology and delivery of trade can help to reorganise and form an array of nations such as the European Union. With the use of the ice-breaker, trade could be established away from historic national divisions into a new and effective way. This is important to note as it seems any system be it a nation or a company relies on its product (technology) and an efficient way to meet a demand of such. Sometimes even create that demand.

For future thinking, the world is already become smaller through the internet and international travel. What is next? is my question and if we as designers can work that out early on we can design to make it a seamless transition. What I am saying is we could design a system as if it is common place even though it has not happened - much likened to the Brooklyn bridge that was designed to hold double the weight of cars because the designer saw ahead that cars were the future of travel. As a result it is handling the 21st century traffic with ease.

Week 1 Reading 1

The first reading beyond architecture brought across 4 ideas that jumped out to me.

1.) Indeterminate Architecture – Architecture that is uncertain and without end is an interesting thought. Most works of art are said to never be finished so is it the same for architectural works?  The possibility for more definitely exists and is evident as buildings are always getting extended and having parts added to them along their lifespan. 

To say that buildings have to have a capacity for change is an interesting one and possibly a strong point for all architects and designers to consider. The modular buildings referenced are one way that this can be done but I believe their is ways that we haven't explored yet.

2.) Buildings with no capacity to change - To say that the can only become slums or ancient monuments is a loaded statement. I believe firstly that all buildings have the capacity to change like anything on this earth. This then renders in my opinion that slums or ancient ruins just haven't had a chance to adapt through someone with a vision to see it happen.

3.) Expendability - I liked the notion that we as designers are coming into an age where design is departing form 'doing the most with the least'. Although I respect the idea of innovative cost-effective thinking, a new modern opportunity presents itself to explore design without boundary.

4.) Modern architecture should be like free jazz - This paints a wonderful and flamboyant picture that architecture can be like the cool illustrious era of the new york style 1920's to 1940's jazz movement. Free yet refined with a hint of cool and elegance.

Week 2 Future Visions and Scenarios

Our groups main ideas for the regional theme evolved around the concept of a self sustaining micro economy where the venue could generate produce and income to support itself when the music festivals aren't running. Another main thought was the venue could host more frequent and perhaps smaller shows throughout the year attracting a more steady flow of people.

The virtual theme got us thinking about where technology is headed. We began by focussing on the birth of the internet and then its evolution to the present and beyond. The idea of our memory being uploaded to a global server once we die got us thinking about a virtual after-life. Governmental censorship was also raised and its possible impact on our virtual memory. The question that we left with was how architecture would facilitate such innovation.

The urban theme was perhaps the most enjoyable as we could use that of virtual but in a more practical way. This way we utilised existing infrastructure that otherwise became obsolete as a result of the implementation of the cbd congestion tax. Existing infrastructure such as roads, freeways and bridges were turned into green spaces, building foundations and light transport networks such as a monorail. The network of roads used in London was considered a good model to implement.

Additional access between buildings was considered and inspiration was drawn from Futurama with singular people transport tubes. Questions were then raised as to who would own such systems either private or government.

Suburban made us first look at what makes a cbd. We then focussed on the individual's needs for survival and beyond. We came to the conclusion that technology has made it possible to have a whole world relatively virtual. From shopping to working we can live independently. The idea of a human pod came as a result similar to the science fiction movie Wall-e. Once this was established an exciting topic was raised. Virtual architecture (similar to that in game design), could become the place that satisfies our aesthetic and functional desires and needs.

Perspective sketch

A high speed highway runs along the connecting bridges.


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Location:Geraint St,Bracken Ridge,Australia

Network and structure of services

Services which would normally exist underground, now form the structural linkages between the linking bridges.


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New system sketch

A new global network level is established supported by a grid of towers that grow out of the original surface of the earth.


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Location:Otway St,Caloundra West,Australia