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