the northern terraces 51
52 ground floor goods line site plan
library clerastories terraced farminginviting networks goods line views 53
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short section through terraces and libr5ar5y
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1. THE LIBRARYSituated underneath the northern terraces, the library acts as an educational facility where processesof empathy and understanding can occur between the users of the site. With its open plan and invitingnetworking, the library prompts users of the site to be led within. It provides the people with a quiet spacewithin what is to be quite a busy site outside. Clerestory windows from the above terraces, allows for adiffuse light to enter the space, perfect for the quiet atmosphere desired. The reading room is a specialfeature in the design with a window facing out on to the pool of water, encouraging a tranquil lightingscheme inside.2. THE NORTHERN TERRACESThe Northern terraces are technically facing the south as they ascend from the ground but with theirprotruding qualities above the ground level of the Goods Line, this means that plants grown here wouldreceive the most optimal sun making them ideal for plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers andpeas. With the slope of the design and the addition of a pool at the end of the terraces, this means thatdrainage and irrigation is easily controlled throughout the site.3. THE OFFICESThis part of the scheme is partially more enclosed compared to the other spaces in the design butstill respects the concept of programmatic transparency. The offices act as the business model of thedesign where decisions and programmatic concerns should be discussed. With its open plan within,the offices highlight a more of a team based environment view, encouraging users to make use of thespace in a collaborative way. There is also a close network to the workshop, highlighting the importance ofcorrespondence between the two.4. THE POD MAKING WORKSHOPSThis is the most important aspect of the scheme as it takes the design back to its roots and the reasonwhy the space was created in the first place. The space acts as the birthplace of pods that will be loadedup with plant seedlings and distributed out into the abandoned pockets of the city to liven the atmosphereand raise awareness of refugee issues. The workshops are the space where these pods are customdesigned depending on the needs of the city. With a delivery point connected to the workshop, distributionto the road is effortless and production within the space becomes easy and reliable. With glazing acrossthe whole facade, light is abundant allowing for a pleasant work space for users.5. THE CAFEWith so many plants being produced on site the addition of a cafe seemed the perfect way to tie all theprograms together in a non-imposing way. Any plants that may not be used in the production processof the pods, can be donated to the cafe and used to produce food to feed the users of the site. Thecafe would also encourage refugee users to provide the public with a better understanding of their culturethrough language and food.6. THE SOUTHERN TERRACESThe southern terraces are facing the north, however, because they are mostly buried beneath the goodsline, sunlight to these areas would be scarce making these planes perfect for plants such as beets,broccoli, spinach, potatoes, carrots, garlic, cauliflower, etc. Once again, working on the garden as acommunity would allow for all people to bond over a common interest while learning new things aboutvarious cultures. 57
the beekeeper the library & office the market & farm58
the auditorium the water tank & waste disposal the open platform pod design options 59
Perhaps one of the most important elements yellow: gouldurn stof the scheme is the process of the program white: hackett stitself. With a loading dock connected to theworkshops and Darling Drive, the distribution green: mary ann st cul-de-sacof the pods that would be constructed there, purple: jones st cul-de-sacbecame a major part of the design both interms of urban planning and the smaller siteitself.Through a study of the area in close proximityto the proposed site, a few locations werepinpointed as appropriate areas or pocketswhere the pods could be distributed to inorder to liven the urban environment of thesurrounds in Glebe and Broadway.By walking through the area and based onresearch, areas such as cul-de-sacs andunderutilised squares or parks were chosenas spaces that needed revitalising andactivation in order to produce a positive cityexperience for both residents and refugees.Through this scheme, this positive experiencecould be one of cultural recognition andappreciation while also allowing refugeesto get out into their community and sharetheir story. The program would allow for thecommunity to become part of a supportiveunity of cultural advocacy.It is assumed that if the program weresuccessful, it would extend past the bounds ofthese suburbs, this city and even this country,raising awareness and understanding in anempathetic way and bring forth the conceptof breaking apart borders and constantlyadjusting and reconfiguring them. red: crn harris st60 site plan pockets
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needs better connection to the rest of the program needs increased height of terraces for larger window opening64
alterations & revisionsWith the scheme coming together as a The connection of the proposed schemewhole, there were still a few issues to resolve with the next door Hardwood building,in order for it to reach its full potential. although more prominent now compared to the initial stages, is still somewhat lacking.The network between the library and the rest The introduction of a vertical green wall wouldof the scheme needs more integration in the break the boundaries of the border creatednetworked connections of the rest of the by the facade and bring the two buildingsprograms. All the other programs are closely together as a whole rather than two separaterelated while the library may read as a separate elements.element more in tune with the powerhousemuseum that it faces. The clerestory Finally, the program itself needs to be muchwindows themselves are quite reduced and it more resolved in order for it to become viableis questioned as to whether they would have according to laws and policies already in placeany effect on the lighting conditions down at the moment. A look into possible strategiesbellow. An option is to increase the heights of how these policies can be manipulated toof the terraces on the northern side so that suit the intentions of the program could assistlarger opening are formed. This would mean in making it a reality on the streets of Sydney.less number of terraces so plants types wouldbe limited to this change. 65
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ConclusionsAs architects, we have a duty to our clients, This scheme may be simple in its mindset butour residents and our society to create designs it has the ability to prompt positive results for athat better everyone’s spatial experiences but socially hostile public influenced by informationsometimes somewhere along the line, we fed to them by governments and media. Bybegin to put our pretentious need for approval sharing the story of refugees and allowingfrom high brow society before the needs residents to see and experience first hand aof the people that in actual fact need our communication of understanding and friendlysympathetic intervention more than we need liberality, cultural recognition and acceptanceour pride. We construct utopian fantasies occurs where people who may be lackingthat seem to answer to some of society’s a certain degree of empathy, can changeproblems but we forget to take a step back their mindset and in turn make an impact onand realise that there are so many other decisions made by higher powers.factors that need to come into play in orderfor our schemes to be even remotely close Small interventions have the potential toto utopian. It is that idea of assemblage that change big influential policies if done in adraws all these factors together allowing us subtle and gentle maneuvering of mindsetsto realise that all these complex connections and values. It is in this way utopianism orrunning between them must be utilised, ‘perfect’ societies should be approachedmanipulated and directed to form visions that so that they transform from speculative intoare realistic in the close by future. realistic uprisings. 69
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REFERENCES- Deleuze, Gilles and Félix Guattari. A Thousand Plateaus. Minneapolis: University of MinnesotaPress, 1987.- Fathy, Hassan. Architecture For The Poor. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1976.- Herz, Manuel. From Camp To City. Zurich: Lars Müller Publishers, 2013.- Miles, Malcolm. Urban Utopias. London: Routledge, 2008.- Mockbee, Samuel. Design Like You Give A Damn. New York, NY: Metropolis Books, 2006.- Pepper, David. Modern Environmentalism. London: Routledge, 1996. 73
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