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C o nt e nts Foreword 8 The Disintegration of Borders & 12 Subsequent Redefinition of Asylum Based Typologies Beginnings: The City of the Sun 20 Site: The Goods Line 26 Architectural Program 30 The Metaphorical Drawing 32 Precedent Studies 34 Preliminary Design 40 Consolidation of Conceptual & 44 Programmatic Strategies Final Design 46 Alterations & Revisions 62 Conclusions 66 References 70
ForewordThere is no doubt that architecture can be security and comfort, the utopian ideal hasconsidered as a utopian action given that become a sought after state of being withdesigns are created with an outlook towards firms around the world boasting of their foolthe future, in the hopes of improving or proof, perfection based culture and designs,resolving a negative issue. However, these equipped to handle every situation with whatrevolutionary ideas, although encouraging can only be described as incomprehensiblesocial reform and ease of lifestyle, can in fact intervention.achieve the absolute opposite consideringthe controlling nature of government bodies. So, how does the architect release the trigger of unintentional pretentiousness and beginThomas More describes the imaginary 16th to tackle utopian schemes in a fashion thatcentury perfect island society, Utopia, as prevents them from collapsing into an abyssbeing a place where man can, “live with a of dystopianism? The following portfolio is anjoyful and peaceful mind, free of all worries... effort to understand whether a true utopianbut feeling secure about the livelihood and model can be based around one of today’shappiness of himself and his family.”1 most important issues, the refugee crisis.Does this not directly allude to a social 1More Thomas, Utopia (Louvain 1516), ed. Edward Surtzconstruct that all individuals desire in our (New Haven, Conn., and London, 1964) p.112.contemporary society? A mechanism of 9
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21.3 M Number of Refugees Worldwide 243.7 M Number of Migrants Worldwide 13,750 Number of Refugees accepted into Australia per year12
The Disintegration of Borders &Subsequent Redefinition of Asylum Based Typologies“A man has a set of habits in action, thought, decision becoming a catalyst for conflictand reaction which, when we wish to between power driven nations. The situationdifferentiate him from other men, we call his is not improving. Innocent civilians may not beindividuality. When we consider a society, we intentionally targeted but it is the fear of livingsee that it is a pattern of such individualities in an unstable and war-torn nation that forcesand, more important, that each individuality is them into a state of displacement beyond theirthe creation of all the rest- each idiosyncrasy control. This constitutes in the conception ofin action, thought, or reaction has developed a new architectural typology, the asylum orunder pressure from the many other for better word, the refuge. Fathy suggestedidiosyncrasies that adjoin it and under the that although all individuals have their owndemands of climate, work, and trade.” 1 distinctive characteristics, they still continue to shape each other, moulding and constantlyDespite the intention of technology and reconfiguring according to each other. Canglobalization to bring communities closer this idea of networking connectivity not betogether, the world continues to operate further expanded on in the development ofin a constant state of turmoil, with every a fairly new typology rather than pushing us away from each other through racist politics based on fear and pride? 13
Australia does not feature anywhere near the solution for the most vulnerable refugees, top 10, or even the top 30 most generous including torture survivors and people countries, hosting refugees, not even when with serious medical problems. When you repeat the calculation on a per capita or bureaucracies begin to blame these certain per dollar basis. Australia currently hosts just minorities for economic and social problems, 35,000 people seeking protection, and grants a displacement of social values occurs where visas to about 8000 of them each year. That instead of combating all kinds of xenophobia coupled with the fact that government bodies and racial discrimination, the spread of hatred intend to put a lifetime ban on asylum seekers and fear overruns what could have been wishing to enter the country suggests that this developed into a realistically ideal utopia. is one of the most ripe and significant issues to face our 21st century world and nation. But how can this ‘realistic utopia’ be realized With the tiny minority of dislocated refugees through the means of space? How do we coming in after experiencing unimaginably as architects produce a credible solution that difficult conditions, it is difficult for residents of benefits all parties involved without offending Australia to comprehend the state of turmoil or constructing pretentious assumptions? that these people have been through. This lack of empathy as well as the government’s With the intention to close the Manus Island inattentive policies that set the health and refugee processing centre due to detention safety of people in danger aside to other being deemed illegal in Papua New Guinea, countries for processing, has led to a hostile the forced displacement of refugees has attitude between both resident and refugee once again become a major humanitarian communities. issue in Australian society, one where awareness must be raised. After experiencing As architects, we cannot solve the world’s a temporary permanence of residence, these problems but we can offer a foundation or asylum seekers are in need of sensitive model that does benefit people and society assistance with the integration process, for the better in a sensitive and understanding where they are accepted and merged into way. Why is it that our architecture cannot their new home with empathy and a sense of cater to people of all social backgrounds open-mindedness. regardless of contextual demographics? Why should it be difficult for our cities to open their This leads to the aim of a project that hidden pockets to a wide variety of people encourages a reconfiguration of the city, and not just city dwellers? with workshops that assist communication, understanding and education between the With globalization breaking down the borders residents of Sydney. The project should not of nations through advances in technology aim to solve the refugee crisis, although that and social media, it is difficult to deduce would be ideal, but it should raise awareness why these efforts have not been extended of the problem while answering to a need that in a humanitarian way. Resettlement is a vital can be realistically solved, the fusing together14
of a variety of cultures in an accepting and “We may draw some general conclusionsinspiring way. We can begin to look at how on the nature of Assemblages from this.refugee camps have established themselves On a first, horizontal, axis, an assemblagearound the world but are these typologies comprises two segments, one of content,not the complete opposite of what a safe, the other of expression. On the one hand it isworking environment should be? If current a machinic assemblage of bodies, of actionstypologies are inadequate to meet the means and passions, an intermingling of bodiesof a utopian ideal, the urban planner must reacting to one another; on the other handtake inspiration from another source. it is a collective assemblage of enunciation, of acts and statements, of incorporealArchitecture can be understood as a transformations attributed to bodies. Thenmultiplicity of desires in the sense that people on a vertical axis, the assemblage has bothdesire shelter, security, privacy, a depiction of territorial sides, or reterritorialized sides,self-expression, authority, political power and which stabilize it, and cutting edges ofmany more aspects. These flows of desires deterritorialization, which carry it away.”2are the driving forces of Deleuze’s concept ofthe ‘Assemblage’ and never has a concept As Deleuze has stated, “don’t ask whatbeen more relevantly in tune with the issue it means, ask how it works,” it becomesbeing discussed thus far. clear that rather than giving meaning to an architecture that has already been putAn assemblage does not occur organically but together, the assemblage seeks to pullrather in a ‘machinic’ manner, as desire does this architecture apart and understand thenot originate from an organic form of being. processes it generates between the relationsThe assemblage of cities, communities, of actors involved.houses, infrastructure, etc, are the productof the ‘machinic’ desires and should not be Assemblages do not seek to be divided intoconsidered a collection of things. No, what territories or borders but rather encourage theproduces an assemblage is the connection connections between elements. Consideringbetween these elements as it is impossible to globalization, fixed boundaries no longer havesee them as separate entities. the same connotations or effect that they used to. It is in this way that the assemblage comes into play in the reconfiguration of the city. The approach involves a living and breathing, contracting and expanding system that constantly reconfigures to new borders. By involving the people in collaborative practices and solidarity networks, we create a resilient and emergent ecosystem in their new neighbourhood. 15
TERRITORIAL Stabilisation of the assemblage. Comfort and order. Prevents chaos. CONTENT RETERRITORIAL EXPRESSION/FORM Machinic assemblage of Formation of new Collective Assemblage bodies, actions, passions. assemblages as a Bodies reacting to one result of exchange Acts, Statements between the two. Enunciation, transformation another. DETERRITORIAL Erdoes the wall of order Erases the boundaries. Introduces the unknown.16
Perhaps a look into the Garden City educating about natural processes suchmovement by Ebenezer Howard where the as horticulture stand as a minimal impactmethod of planning that tries to clear complex program that engraves its purpose in bringingand interrelated relationships between communities together first before tackling thehumans and the environment can help initiate problem at a larger scale? With processesa new methodology for refuge program- and workshops such as gardening,based typologies. With these ‘ecotopias’ harvesting, bee-keeping and educating,coming in full swing of what new generations relationships between people from all kinds ofsee as relevant to a healthy and prospering cultures are developed where they empowersociety it is easy to deduce that they, “should a collective methodology that paves the waybe a culturally diverse place where each small for the challenging of existing institutional,community lives out its own values.”3 juridical and political frameworks. “Everybody wants the same thing, rich or poor…not onlyHoward visualized a cluster of several garden a warm, dry room, but a shelter for the soul,”5cities as satellites of a central city all linked a place where all diversities can congregateby road and rail, with a focus on bringing and work together towards a common goodecological principles into the city. Although not with respect and witty obliviousness of choicemany garden cities exist in today’s age, the to politics of discrimination.movement did succeed in emphasizing theneed for urban planning policies and helped A program can undoubtedly be establishedevolve our thinking away from the industrial around the city of Sydney as a set ofand man-made aspects of architecture constellations with spaces catering to multipleto a more organic and natural approach to functionalities. But it is the processes of thedesigning that values healthy relationships. program itself that enunciate whether effortsA town planning approach to the problem at to bring the community together and createhand would be ideal on a large scale but with a enhanced city lifestyle are successful orconstraints to one single site in this particular not. What is desired to occur is a functioningproject, it became clear that a more calculated ecosystem where flows, networks, andand slyly crafted design could easily become cycles of production and consumptiona ripple effect on neighbouring sites, close- generate self-sustained living. The method ofby suburbs and perhaps eventually cities, growing should urge not only the growth ofstates, countries and the world as a whole. green space but more importantly a dialogueA reevaluation of, “the power relations of between people, becoming an educationalphilanthropy, and by implication the tension source of language, culture and acceptance.between conventional planning and the need The same can be stated for workshops andto develop appropriate social architecture,”4 café related environments but the differenceneeds to occur through a calculated method is that this part of the program would allow forof occupancy. finances to be in check and an honest cycle of production to follow.This poses the question, could growing and 17
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Through the processes of production and manipulated to suit the needs of this project.education, a realistic utopian ideal is able to As an element of public architecture, who isbe reached while answering to the problem the say that a program could not simply beat hand. However, even with a program built in the margins of these boundaries. It isin place, it cannot be guaranteed that now that we realize that the breakdown ofgovernments will take disciplinary action to borders doesn’t have to occur in a physicalmake it a reality. The public domain should sense. In this case, the border of politicalnot be considered private property and yet jurisdiction is manipulated and reconfigureda number of regulations suggest otherwise, into a newly formed assemblage that suits theinquisitive of whether our society is becoming public’s needs.the embodiment of a panoptical dialoguebetween user and space and therefore risking We can never achieve a utopian state. This isan unsolicited collapse into dystopianism. inevitable. However, we do have the potential and means to rise above naïve and radicalBy denying access of our cities to refugees, notions governed by unnecessary politicalpeople do not realize that governments are input to create an urban fabric that is bothactually also denying access to the rights revolutionary and realistic. When societyof their own citizens. How can our public begins to loosen the strains bellowing fromdomain be experienced to its fullest potential the institutional grasp of bureaucratic bodies,with laws that dictate every single step we and take control on the laws governing whattake? Is public property even public anymore? we believe is ‘our’ space, then we will trulyCan we possibly manipulate the laws already experience a ground-breaking and innovativeput into place to achieve a laboratory of state of design. A design of activism thatcommunal reckoning? answers to the world’s current issue of displacement and opens up the initiative forWhen we view public space, we begin to dialogue between all races.piece together all the urban tactics that cometogether and network as a living and breathing 1 Hassan Fathy, Architecture For The Poor (Chicago:assemblage fit with a fluctuating mind of its University of Chicago Press, 1976). p. 50.own. What makes up these public spheresare parks, arcades, sidewalks, parking 2 Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, A Thousand Plateausspots, cul-de-sacs and many other entities. (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1987),They are the architecture of commons and p.88.should not be disregarded in the pursuit for 3 David Pepper, Modern Environmentalism (London:public space reclamation. Parking spaces, Routledge, 1996), p.323.for example, are dictated for the purpose of 4 Malcolm Miles, Urban Utopias (London: Routledge,parking a vehicle but what is to say that this 2008). p. 75.is their only use? Here we have an situationwhere public laws can be put to the test and 5 Samuel Mockbee, Design Like You Give A Damn (New York, NY: Metropolis Books, 2006), p.50 19
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Beginnings: The City of the SunBased on Campanella’s book of the same architect who was taking the opportunity toname, Leonidov’s City of the Sun schemes unite in one place everything that he had cre-display an array of nostalgically designed pure ated so far.”3forms, highlighting an appreciation for Italiansocialist utopian concepts. In each drawing The main part of the city was to be built uponof the city, Leonidov includes the image of a a high hill, divided into seven rings or circum-hovering spherical sun symbolising a source ferences made to represent the seven plan-of life and existence which can be linked back ets (Leonidov liked to reference space andto the Lenin Institute as a reoccurring con- astronomy through his work). With each cir-ceptually dynamic form, constantly changing cumference it would become even more dif-in response to various functions. The unusual ficult to storm the city making it impossible todiversity of three dimensional forms, particular- catch its center and referencing the politically conical pyramids, links back to his constant turmoil of the time.experimentation with technology and form as, With equal division of labour, it is sufficient“The constructivists defined their movement for each person to spend only four hours aas a “method” and not as a “style”- their goal day working; but it is essential that they allwas the action- the demonstration of the prin- work, because the idleness of one wouldciple of organization- rather than the appear- have repercussions on the profit and the ef-ance of an object; they embraced process fort of the others. The citizens possess noth-and rejected the results.” 1 ing; instead, everything is held in common, from food to houses, from the acquisition ofAlthough it would have been ideal for the knowledge to the exercise of activities, fromdesign to reflect a utopian city in reality and honors to amusements, from women to chil-while, “It was an architectural programme on dren. Knowledge in the City of the Sun is notthe basis of which he was trying to give form enclosed in books kept in separate placesto an ideal town in an ideal society through such as libraries but is openly on show toconcrete designs,”2 it is important to under- everyone’s eyes. Visualizing in this mannerstand that the process behind experimenting promotes a quicker, easier and more efficientwith a cacophony of ideas and technologically form of learning, in that it is connected to thesound solutions was of greater regard than art of memory, which underlines the evocativesimply producing one socially acceptable de- and emotive power of images.sign. Even though Leonidov was restricted from“However utopian the pictures of the City of practicing his version of architecture with thethe Sun may appear, the buildings with which rise of Stalinism, he still continued to develophe filled it were born of the imagination of an his ideas and foster his own individual style of 23
utopianism in an attempt to find the formula his time, a late attendee to the Constructivist for the perfect Socialist society. His individ- movement or simply too much of an utopian ual designs and social ideas may not have and visionary dreamer. been physically produced but his approach to architecture displayed a talent for bringing 1 Roann Barris, “Russian Constructivist Architecture as technology, design and social ideologies to- an Urban Carnival: The Creation and Reception of a gether in an effortlessly picturesque manner, Utopia Narrative,” in Utopian Studies, Vol. 10, No. 1, well ahead of his time. (1999): 53, accessed June 6, 2015, http://www.jstor. “In the twenties and to some extent in the thir- org/stable/20718008. ties, many progressive Soviet architects did move ahead of technology. And the brightest 2 Andrei Leonidov, “Reminiscences of my Father” in Ivan of these was Leonidov. He was a dreamer.”4 Leonidov: The Complete Works, (New York, New York: With mounting tension over economic ten- Rizzoli International Publications Inc, 1988), 24. dencies in the USSR, it became difficult to 3 Andrei Gozak, “Ivan Leonidov: Artist, Dreamer & Poet,” prove that Leonidov’s constructive method- in Ivan Leonidov: The Complete Works, (New York, New ology would actually be useful, necessary or practical for the new society that was still York: Rizzoli International Publications Inc, 1988), 15. building its foundations. Moisei Ginzburg high- 4 Mikhail Makotinskii, “He was very Talented” in Ivan lights this fact suggesting that, Leonidov: The Complete Works, (New York, New York: “Solving his problems by Constructivist Rizzoli International Publications Inc, 1988), 28. means, and very bold ones, though they are technically feasible and theoretically ap- 5 Catherine Cook, “Mediating Creativity and Politics : plicable, Leonidov at the same time creates 60 years of Architectural Competitions in Russia” in The something which it is economically impossible to realise today. Having taken a bold leap out Great Utopia: The Russian and Soviet Avant Garde of the ordinaries, he has fallen into a certain (New York, New York: Guggenheim Museum, 1992) utopianism.” 5 703. The City of the Sun represented too many romantic ideals that may answer to Socialist image credit: paradigms in the future but do not suit the requirements of Soviet society at the time. Le- p.20: https://rosswolfe.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/ onidov’s heavy reliance on utopian schemes ivan-leonidov-color-sketch-for-the-city-of-the-sun- inevitably led to a lack of materialised buildings 1940s-1950sf.jpg with only his 1938 staircase in Kislovodsk becoming a reality. Maybe he was ahead of p.22:https://thecharnelhouse.org/2013/02/23/ivan- leonidovs-late-series-on-campanellas-city-of-the-sun- 1940s-1950s/ p.25 top: http://architecturelabuploads.s3.amazonaws. com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/moscow02.jpg p.25 bottom: https://rosswolfe.files.wordpress. com/2015/08/ivan-leonidov-palace-of-cul- ture-of-the-district-of-moscow-russia-competition-eleva- tion.jpg?w=440&h=40224
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Site: The Goods LineLocated in the heart of Sydney city, the site quite small, still makes a difference to the wholeis not necessarily the Goods Line but more project as a whole. With its current vacancy,a forgotten sliver of space between the it almost becomes a barrier between thePowerhouse Hardwood building and the new new Goods line and the Hardwood building,Ultimo Pedestrian Network. separating the two when really what should occur is a network connection between theSituated in an area rich in heritage and cultural two. Not only that, but access to the Darlingdisposition, it is difficult to understand why Drive from he east of the site is blocked offthe site is not livelier than it currently is. Even by an uninviting retaining wall where so manywith the introduction of a bubbling pedestrian opportunities could possibly be explored.network, the site still lacks a certain pizazzespecially considering that this particular Being the site of an old rail corridor and inpocket is completely separate and different in close proximity to the Museum of Appliedcharacter compared to the rest of the site’s Arts and Sciences (Powerhouse Museum),design. there is quite a strong verticality running south to north, towards the harbour. TheSo this poses the question, how can this very prominent aesthetic features of both thedesign, while answering to social issues, Hardwood building and the Goods Line alsoalso answer to the needs that the site clearly dictate another particular approach to whatdesires. That in between space, although the design could be. 29
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GREENHOUSE WORKSHOP 500 m² 150 m²STORAGE LIBRARY 30 m² 250 m² OUTDOOR FARMING CLASSROOMS 500 m² 120 m² SHOP AUDITORIUM TOTAL AREA: approx 2000 m² 100 m² 100 m² private connection light connection W/C strong connection 30 m² entrance OFFICES & business related MEETING RM consumer related horticulture/agriculture 80 m² education back of house CAFE 75 m² ENTRANCE 50 m² Architectural programWith all the research put into understanding between themselves with residents workingwhat could result in a positive working together with refugees. The green growthenvironment especially for the specific site area would ensure that the city has aand needs, it was realised that the preferred healthy program in place that encouragesprogram for the design would be the sustainability and positive eco processes.combination of an urban farm, education and The education facilities interconnect with this,production facility. teaching users not only on the principles of green living but also on the various culturesIn the initial stages, functions such as that live and thrive in our city. The educationworkshops, offices, farms and greenhouses part becomes the backbone of the program,were layed out with anything growth-wise, ensuring that all processes run smoothly.taking priority as it would govern the success And finally the production side of the programof everything else. The main idea is that the allows for the design to be financially anddesign would function as a community of physically sustained so that it may growthought. beyond the margins of the site and establish itself in the pockets of any city desired.The program thus far can be divided intothree major parts: green growth, production All these programmatic elements are alsoand education. Through the interconnections introduced in an effort to revitalize the Goodsbetween these three major parts, the users Line, allowing for more fluidity of movement toof the site are able to establish a dialogue occur throughout the site. 31
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the metaphorical drawingThe metaphorical drawing was the first image interconnection between the nodes, thethat really began to shape what the project or planes and the plantlife. At the bottom ofprogram of the design would be and what it the drawing we see four different people inwould look like. With interests in horticulture plan with four different corresponding planesand assemblage as an interconnecting representing the variety of perspectives.concept already established, the next step This idea corresponds to the programmaticwas transforming concept into image or concerns of refugees with the emphasis thatfragments of a space. each and every person has a different point of view and different needs.The drawing began with the illustration ofa number of planes in various directions Although this drawing was a lot morerepresenting a multiplicity of spaces and conceptual than spatially accurate, it organisedelevations. Over the planes a network of a lot of the thoughts that were explored in thenodes have been layered and connected to essay and acts as the starting point for aeach other with each node having its own scheme that would explore the complexitiescharacter while still having a interdependent of interconnectiveness between varyingrelationship with the rest of the drawing. Over perspectives whether they be refugees orsome of the nodes the depiction of various citizens of Sydney.trees in plan have been placed to show the 33
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precedent studiesAtelier d’architecture Autogeree: architecture but should rather carefully assessPassage 56 the social, cultural and political context before coming up with a solution that is appropriate.Although not he most aesthetic project The social fabric of the neighborhoodfrom all the precedent studies, I was mostly becomes revitalised before, during and afterdrawn to this project due to its inherent construction illustrating the importance ofcharm and unpretentiousness. What used process.to be an abandoned in-between space, hasbeen transformed into an ecological garden The very entrance to the project acts as awith engaging a partnership between local wooden constructed threshold betweengovernment structures, local organisations, outside and inside space while still beckoninginhabitants of the area and a professional users to enter within its confines. The veryassociation which runs training programs in program of the design prompts a collectiveeco-construction. The success of this project outlook for the community with aspectsjust goes to show what a difference an that accommodate meetings, screenings,architectural solution with a planned program workshops, games, plus commercialembedded within the social constructs of its interchanges and activities revolving arounddisposition can really make. gastronomy and horticulture.The design explores the meaning of proximity Even though the physical impact of the designand borders, something that this Assemble is minimal, it is the thought that has beendesign is very in tune with conceptually. put into its conception that resonates andIt highlights that in order for a meaningful inspires the production of my own design.practice to occur, we do not necessarilyneed to construct a spectacular form of image: http://ecococos.blogspot.com.au/2010_12_01_archive.html 37
Agricultural terracing Koji Kakiuchi: GasshoTerraced paddy fields became a very What interested me most about this projectimportant part of the project’s development in was its response to unforeseen disaster.the latter stages as the concept of growing Conceived as a small alteration, these sheltersvarious items on a slope was utilised in the were designed as pop-up structures to beconception of how theoretical concepts placed over remaining concrete foundationscould come together. of homes that were swept away during the march 2011 tsunami.Due to the fact that the site is quite thin andenclosed by two major elemental buildings/ Not only does the design provide thespaces, using this method would ensure that people with shelter but it also provides thefor the processes of growing, solar energy community with a means to come togetherand its effect would no longer be a problem. in a motivational way where the remnants of what is left become the beacons of hopeOn what is generally a quite flat topography, for new development. The people are notthis addition of changes in elevation would only given a space of retreat but also givenadd that point of interest while also being a place to reminisce on memories of thepractical to its purpose. past while still being open to future plans.Image: http://amongraf.ro/17-hypnotizing-photos-of-rice-paddies-will- image: http://www.designboom.com/architecture/koji-kakiuchi-gassho/38 show-you-the-beauty-of-rice-farming/7/
James Corner Field Operations with Diller Snohetta: Vulkan Beehive 39Scofidio + Renfro: The High Line This design was of interest due to itsIf there’s ever a perfect example of dead and emphasis on the importance on agriculturalunderutilised space being turned on its head ecosystems especially that of the beehive.to now form a major part of the shaping of Snoehetta have tried to encourage morea city, its absolutely the New York High Line. awareness of agriculture by bringing bees toNot only was the Goods Line inspired by this the city and giving visitors information on howremarkable work, but its very conception they contribute to a healthy city environment.represents the power of the public and thereclaiming of the public sphere, something It is an example of boundaries between citythat really needs to be addressed in Sydney. and countryside being blurred in order to experience the best of both worlds.Bringing together major buildings within thecity, as the High Line pursues through all In this design, an aspect of Snohetta’s designkinds of spheres, it stays true to its integrity in intent is taken into account as what wouldan unpretentious but rather lovely way. Its flow become a variety of pods would also houseand fluidity of movement through space is to the possibility of a city based beehive.be commended and to a point inspired thedissertation of this project. image: https://blog-espritdesign.com/artiste-designer/concept/vulkan- beehive-les-ruches-urbaines-snohetta-26304image: http://www.archdaily.com/24362/the-new-york-high-line-officially-open
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preliminary designThe preliminary design encapsulates the the sliver of the site, it was suggested thatcreation of a series of pods layed out on to this would become another causeway withthe site, each housing a different function. more activity present. It was desired thatThe form of the pods was dictated by the the proposal would also encourage moreconceptual idea of a cube that has been movement along the Goods Line but with therestructured according to whichever program specific focus on the pods, the connectionwill occur. While the main program of the site was not really there. This design separatedis meant to be farming, other pods house the two areas and didn’t really come togetheractivities such as offices, libraries, water tanks as a whole. Even though the design intent,and markets. approach and program are all appropriate, the design wasn’t really tying together properlyThe pods explore the reconfiguration of the or playing with the constraints of the site. It isnet of a cube highlighting that breakdown of almost as if these pods have been ploppedborders and emphasising that the individuals on the site as temporary elements with notusing them, would have the choice as to how much consideration for how they couldthey want them re-imagined and produced. become a concrete architecture.It is giving the people who were stripped oftheir rights, a right to establish exactly what But what made this design positive wasthey want to gain from the program without its potential to expand whether it be as andictating what they should or shouldn’t have. architectural concept or even as an urbanThe design of an irrigation system along the planning scheme. It was suggested that thesliver would ensure that each planter box site could possibly become a birthplace forwould be properly replenished while also a larger expansion project that would expandencouraging movement throughout the site. out into the city and raise awareness onWith the pods opening up to each other on important issues. 43
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consolidation of conceptual & programmatic strategiesIt was at this point that it was realised that With all this in mind it was decided that undera concrete program had to be developed the Goods Line we would have a workshopin order for the design to work as a specific and offices where plants and seedling grownentity. With the realisation that the previous on the terraces would be transferred intoscheme would need a concrete piece of pods that would be designed and sent outarchitecture to tie it together, a new scheme into the city. The site would be the birth placethat addressed the issues of the site was of the program.developed. This was the point at which theinspiration of rice terracing was taken into Another major part of the design thataccount and incorporated into a scheme developed in these stages was the needthat began to play with the site constraint and for transparency. In tune with the concept,suggest that this is where the program could it would be ideal to allow all users to breakbegin its roots before expanding out into the down the privacy barriers of each programcity. and get a glimpse into the process of allowing this program to work.It was suggested that rather than housingfarming in the pods, a terraced design would Although the design process was comingbe more appropriate and better to manage. A together as a whole, the rice terracing hadplay on space also began to occur as it was to be rethought in order to ensure that itdecided that gaining more area under the would be viable. Having it only elevate in onegoods line would open up more opportunities direction would not be practical or feasible.that would allow the scheme to conjoin to A lot of space was also unused under thethe city. With that in mind, I began to use terraces which brought up questions ofthe current geometry of the Goods line to whether the program could be extended tomake cuts that would lead towards the city this part of the design.and ensure areas under the bridge wouldgain enough exposure. These cuts would It is still important not to forget about the podsalso ensure that appropriate networking and of the design as they were the driving forcetransparency would be possible through the behind how it developed thus far. All thesedesign. aspects shaped what the final stages of the design would develop into for a more cohesive and empathetic schematic approach. 45
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48 assembly point
final designThe final design took in all the research The assemblage project became a carefullythroughout the semester to present a scheme crafted proposal, stepping back from thethat would answer to the current affair of the utopian pretentiousness of an architect’s beliefclosing down of the Naru detention centre. that they can simply build any design that willThis event began to raise questions about benefit its users regardless of what they wantthe justice system and displaced social or think. Assemble takes the architecture andvalues of Australia. How could we introduce gives it to the people allowing them to have aspaces that would convey an understanding purpose worth fighting for, allowing them toand sympathetic way of viewing culture have a right to their own space.without being too imposing or dictatingthe movements of people who have been In this sense, the architecture doesn’t becomeinvoluntarily dictated to up until this point? an arrangement of space, predetermined for its users but rather, as stated in the essay, aThis led to the exploration of possible breakdown and reconstruction of barriers tostrategies that could answer to this problem create meaningful connections and networks.and the development of a concept that would The architecture begins to use transparencyensure that these strategies become a reality, as an asset that plays on programmatic fluidityspatially. Assemblage was the concept and and spatial exchangeability with a bottom-uprefugee urban farm and program was the framework for analysing social complexity anddecided agenda. articulation. 49
With the original idea of the multi-dimensional present in the offices. As they enter the platform pods progressing into a physically assembly point, they are greeted by an open static form of architecture, the design itself space with a cafe that spills out across the became an open platform, housing the platform. From here, the linearity of the site is programmatic needs of refugees, residents quite distinguishable with each way rising up and visitors of the area. The design would at different elevations to form terraces along encourage all individuals to come together the landscape. Not only did this add interest to achieve the purpose of the program to the thin expanse of the site but it allowed to encourage the establishment of an for the Goods Line to become activated, ecosystem of production that would ensure visually bringing people into that central node that all people communicate with a sense and encouraging them to explore further from of open mindedness and clarity towards a terrace to terrace. The gradual ascending better future where fear over outsiders does nature of the terraces further highlights the not overrun true dispositions. fluidity and networking of movement through the design. The individual is prompted into the site from either the Darling Drive entry point or from The terraces house the farming of the scheme the Goods Line, both leading to a main where seedlings would begin the cycle of the assembly point where all programs meet as scheme’s production, before being placed if they are constellations gravitating around into the pods constructed in the workshop the one point. This is an example where the and sent into the city to encourage a good boundaries of program begin to be blurred working and life environment for all people as each activity feeds into another and every including refugees. At the end of both the action has more than just one purpose. From southern and northern terraces are pools, the Darling Drive entry point, the user walks collecting the water drainage from watering under the Goods Line, stepping through and once again, allowing another assemblage one threshold to another while also being led like networked connection to occur while through the space by the repetition of the enhancing the experience of cafe patrons. glazed elements of the workshop on one side and the offices on the other. The very vectors On the northern terraces, we see that each and original geometry of the Goods Line itself terrace has a clerestory window, allowing light triggers this envelopment into the confines of to shine into the space down below which the space. is to be the library and education facility of the scheme. Partially underground with light With glazing being a prominent feature in the illuminating from above, the veritcality and design, the idea that transparency of views gradual difference in ceiling height throughout into what is happening at all times to all viewers the space, allows for a non-imposing and soft becomes a reoccurring element. As a person atmosphere that caters to positive learning moves through the thresholds they are able and education. All of these elements have to see the construction of new pods for the been fused together through networked city or the organisation and collaboration correspondence.50
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