Re-configuring space to incorporate existing structure...

Week 12 / Existing Structure / Car Park

I experimented with the use of the existing car park slabs, and tried to envision how i would use them considering their bunk and size. I decided to cut the slab making  a smaller footprint, allowing for access ways and ventilation.

Altering the slab in such a way also allows for a courtyard typology for green space and light infiltration into the building.

Week 11 / Project Direction

After consulting with Cameron in this weeks tutorial, i received some helpful feedback on the current direction of my project. Cameron noted that my current proposal which included clearing the entire site was not neither socially or environmentally sustainable. I decided that since my key concepts of minimising gentrification, and encouraging social sustainability, and enhancing character of the suburb would be better achieved if elements of the current structure where retained.

As Cameron explained it, a brand new development would upset the current fabric of Paddington, changing the exhisting character drastically... it would create a richer development to retain some structure and form.

New retail spaces would also introduce higher rent prices, eliminating the desired "boutique" culture of small retail outlets and thrift stores.

I decided to re investigate the site, and the current structures and the possibilities that existed with retaining elements of this.

Focusing on the existing car park in particular.

Week 10 / Project Development

Week 9 / Organisational Sketches

Ground Level Plans

The idea of linear urban space was explored with sketches of the site. These access pathways are to create public spaces which flow through the site, these are the primary pedestrian walkways, but also act as communal spaces, gardens and green spaces. The function of these spaces varies as the user enters the site... with adjacent spaces labelled as "active spaces". These space have the potential to become communal hubs for knowledge exchange, art and performance areas and market places and open air eateries. 





This sketch shows a visualisation of a section of the main pedestrian access way / linear public space, the surrounding "active zone" and the adjacent building. Here the area directly adjacent to the public space, the "active zone" has several community garden projects and stalls.

Outdoor Theatre Space

Week 9 LINEAR PUBLIC SPACE / Circulation & Access = Creating a User Experience

KEY TERMS

HUMAN EXPERIENCE
GROUND LEVEL INTERACTION
LINKAGE
ACCESS
LINEAR PUBLIC SPACE

To create a place which is unique in it's approach to user interaction, I began to explore the possibilities that exhist in pedestrian walkways and the role they could potentially play in user experience, through and around the new development. These paths have the potential to serve several functions, rather than simply that of a physical vein of movement.

The project THE RED LINE, by BIG Architects uses this concept to produce a distinct red line of circulation which changes in it's role as the user progresses through the site.

The project is comprised of several very different urban forms which serve very different activities, I feel that my development will be similar in this regard, comprised of several different urban forms, it is however the pedestrian paths and linear public space that will link the development and enrich the human experience.

"We propose a project defined by a linear public space that like a red line ties the three distinct urban areas together. It invites public life along a new water front promenade, brings it onto a rooftop hiking path to enjoy the views over Tampere, and into the tribunes of the new improved stadium."  Bjarke Ingels, Founding Partner, BIG.

A linear public space, the red line, meanders through the three new developments and connects them to the surrounding neighbourhoods. The red line changes shape and function throughout the area – from a boardwalk with harbor baths and saunas along the miniature skyline to a public hiking path reaching the peak of the perimeter block, finally ending as a running track along the stadium building.

www.archidaily.com

Week 8 / New Retail Models

Image source: Google Maps

This image of Latrobe terrace captures the current trend of thrift stores in the area, often defining Paddington, these stores represent a mode of retail which promotes a strong connection to cultural heritage, as well as the reuse and recycling of used goods. My development aims to express these notions in a new and innovative way, promoting cultural heritage, whilst also promoting "sustainable" retail models and incorporating affordable housing.

KEY ARCHITECTURAL RESPONSES:

In order to design a development with clear objectives, some key architectural responses have been formed in response to key issues:

GENTRIFICATION - Affordable housing, Student Accom.

DENSIFICATION - Vertical Stacking, Urban Hierarchy, Mixed Use development.

CULTURAL HERITAGE - Arts/Cultural Spaces, Thrift/Reuse, Adding to rich cultural heritage already present.

RETAIL SPACE - Re-inventing retail space, incorporating various modes of Retail (Rigid, Flexible, Semi-Flexible)

COMMUNITY FOCUS - Green Space, Education, Knowledge Share.

RETAIL

The retail component of my development will play a significant part in the final design. Re-inventing the current trends in retail models as well as consumption patterns. In project i we mentioned the clear separation of PUBLIC/PRIVATE/CORPORATE spaces in urban areas, and how this can be challenged.

A successful model for this is the "pop-up" shop, here retail becomes more of a community platform, to showcase craft, art and design while still being a retail model.

RE-INVENTING THE TRADITIONAL


One of the most historical retail/public urban spaces is that of the town-square. This space has been one of the most simple expressions of social urban spaces, often transforming into a cultural or retail space. This typology of urban space stuck with me as a model on which to experiment applying my architectural responses.

BIG Architects experiments with the same town square model creating a new neighbourhood with a strong focus on sport and recreation...

"...the streets animated by a publicly orientated functions for education, news and culture, and commerce resemble the functional diversity of a medieval downtown."

www.dezeen.com

Week 6/7 Reflection on Critique for Project One

A term that was mentioned to our group in our presentation was the term "generous architecture", a building that gave something to the community both in a physical sense and in an emotional, even spiritual. A building that had the ability to add a new dimension of interaction, education, and well-being to the community could be achieved by introducing a community space which has a Strong focus on these elements.

Out integration of the concept of a "gift wall", is a simple idea which could be developed further into a design philosophy. This gift wall is a physical structure which allows people from the community to give and take, knowledge, skills, and also acts as a creative outlet.


http://www.interactivearchitecture.org/kinecity-comment-wall.html

Week 5 / Project 1 / Individual Statement

Key Terms: 

New densities / New dimensions to the city fabric

Gentrification

Preserving culture and Heritage - Socio-cultural sustainability

Vertical Hierarchy

Our groups main objectives for Project One, where to retain the cultural richness of Paddington, adding to it's already unique heritage and character by means of a "generous architecture". This type of development will aim to add to what trends are currently evolving in the suburb, such as a social, food-based atmosphere (cafe culture), a rich variety of demographics (lower to high income residents, as well as students) and a steert scape which retains it's heritage buildings.

Our development will lead the way in high-density living, responding the predicted population increase for the area. These towers are responsive as well as generous in what the aim to give to the area, and how they aim to shape future trends. The towers will offer a new lifestyle, challenging current trends in high-rise living, there will integrated affordable/student housing along side higher-income residencies. The current trend in gentrification of inner-city suburbs will be reversed, by offering a variety of housing types, and cultural spaces.

Our development will also explore a system of urban hierarchy, where connectivity to ground level, will situate the tower firmly in the existing community, rather than impose a new way of life. Upper-levels will be allocated to housing, and green space.

Our group also examined traditional models of community space, such as market place, and tower squares. Here it was noted that there is a clear division between types of space - corporate, private, public and green, Our aim is to challenge this division, and create a  more integrated model where public, private and green space work together to create a new type of social environment, with new goals and objectives.

New Technological Advancements - Relevant to site/context

McCamley's New Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Could Make Urban Wind Farms a Reality

http://inhabitat.com/mccamleys-new-vertical-axis-wind-turbines-could-make-urban-wind-farms-a-reality/

Relevant to Paddngton, Hilly Topography...

Hertage & Cultural Diversity - Socio-cultural needs of the Future

How can architecture preserve this desire for the future of humanity?

This is relevant to the character suburb of Paddington:

Basic Principles:

- Build on whats there
- Preserve whats good about place
- For see possible issues and built to avoid them
- intellegant integration of old/new

Example of successful preservation/enriching of culture in architecture development;

Inca public market by Charmaine Lay and Carles Muro
http://www.dezeen.com/2012/01/24/inca-public-market-by-charmaine-lay-and-carles-muro/

This plaza replaced a traditional market-place...



Minimal interfernece with streetscape:



Vernacular style of construction, timber beam / cement

Week 4 / People and Lifestyles

Future Paddington Citizen / Future Australian Citizen

The prediction of a future citizen was realised by noting current trends in human behaviour, on both a local and global scale...
Some key general trends where :

Global Trends in Human Behaviour -

Increased awareness of environment
Increased use of technology - antisocial, isolating
Increased awareness of global issues
Movement towards vernacular / markets / recycled materials / green space
Dislike of large-scale unresponsive architecture (selfish-architecture)

Local Trends -

Cafe Culture remains popular
Social environments in high usage
Increasing in housing prices in affluent suburb
Demographic varies from small family, high-income bracket (home owners), to students (renting).
Cultural richness of area is generally appreciated and enjoyed (heritage facades maintained)

Paddington currently has a appeal due to it's status as a "character suburb", it has history and is well maintained. it also has a cafe culture which is particularly popular, this shows that the social atmosphere of a cafe remains popular.

BCC Local Plan LaTrobe Tce / Given Tce, Paddington.  http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/bccwr/lib181/chapter4_latrobegiven_lp.pdf

"‘timber and tin’ hillside character" - BCC Local Plan LaTrobe Tce / Given Tce, Paddington.

The local Plan for Latrobe Tce / Given Tce currently reflects a strong desire to preserve the "‘timber and tin’ hillside character" that Paddington currently offers. While low-density residential and retail developments are proposed for this area, this key term is to be enriched.This preservation will enrich the human experience of Paddington, adding to their cultural and social experience, which is was outlined by our group as both a need and a want of the inhabitant.

Our proposal is to reflect this character, whilst also responding to global trends.

Preservation and Restoration

http://www.arkhefield.com.au/

 

Integration of new public building into hertiage streetscape  

Teruel-zilla! by Mi5 Arquitectos and PKMN Architectures  

Exemplars / Week 3

B.I.G Architects http://www.big.dk/#projects

Examples of  responsive design, with the organisation of a hierarchy of urban space.

“8 House is our second realized example of architectural alchemy – the idea that by mixing traditional ingredients, retail, row- houses and apartments in untraditional ways – you create added value if not gold. The mix allows the individual activities to find their way to the most ideal location within the common framework – the retail facing street, the offices towards northern light and the residences with sun and views to the open spaces. 8 House is a perimeter block that morphs into a knot, twisting and turning to maximize the life quality of its many inhabitants,” Bjarke Ingels, Founding Partner, BIG

Week 3 / Future Scenarios

Lecture Week 3 / Pattern Language

In order to make a future prediction for the context of our project, the concept of a pattern language becomes incredibly relevant.

The lecture explains that this pattern is informed by key social, economic, and enviromental principles which are specific to context.

In the instance of our Project 1 site, Paddington Central, our group attempted to outline these key trends in the area. The way we did this was to list the current trends in the area, such as changing demographic, housing market changes etc... and predict how these trends would develop in the future. We focused on the lccal scale as well as the global scale, since an informed prediction would have to consider both global as well as local issues as influencing the future of the area.

We potential in the area, as well the potential negative impacts that larger issues may have on Paddington, such as population increase, traffic congestion etc.

Since Paddington Central is currently low-density commerical / low-density residental, with a close proximity to the CBD, we decided to focus on the future of commerical developmets in the area. Due to it's location, and it's diverse character, Paddington has the potnetial to develope into an affluent suburb, with housing afforbaility to potentially drop. Our group discussed how to integrate low-cost housing and intellegant cultural/commercial developments.

We listed key feastures that would be desirable in a mixed use development in this location.

We also outlined the basic needs/wants of residents, and how the developmet would respond to this.

Our outcome was a concept we titled URBAN HIERARCHY or URBAN LAYERING.

This idea will be explored further, but it is currently a basic concept which re-invents the current trends in mix-use suburban developmets. Some key factors of this URBAN HIERACRHY are community, flexability, accessability, and adaptability.

 

Week 2 / Thoughts and Reflection

Future Suburban Scenarios / Future Retail Scenarios

Suburban Theme outlines the need for a future vision of the current retail industry, and the suburban shopping culture. This was the first theme to interest me, as well as my first preference for Project 1. 

This theme, among others was explored further in the Design Charrette:

Some key points in relation to this theme was that of the need for retail developments to respond to the current trend in online shopping. This trend can potentially effect the physical structure of shops, especially that of the grocery store.

Scenarios of the Future is an online publication by Forum for the Future;  a charity organisation based in the UK. Their online publication outlines a vision of the "Future of Retail", here a forecast is outlined on the retail industry, and how it will potentially evolve. According to the publication, what we are accustomed to in physical sense, with simple tasks such as grocery shopping, will transform rather drastically. The architecture of the grocery store will see major developments to comply with environmental issues of the future (energy consumption, resource management), grocery items that do not require inspection before purchase, such as canned goods, will be available on line and will no longer take up valuable shelf space, reducing the physical footprint of the store. Barton (2000),  also outlines the future of the "shopping district" as no longer containing predominantly shops, but rather will develope into a mixed-use districts which include residential, this will integrate retail more seamlessly into our everyday activities, as well as minimise the need for car-trips to shopping malls.

Inspiration and Innovation

"The Mervhandising System" / OMA

Online Source : http://www.dezeen.com/2012/08/01/by-oma/

This Project is current in development by OMA New York, as the future of retail merchandising for brand Coach. The project draws on the history of the brand as well as the past systems used for categorised storage systems in retail. A statement from OMA described the project as;

"Inspired by the categorised storage systems of the stores that first opened in the 1940s, the units will create both shelving and space dividers that can be adapted to suit different locations."

“We wanted a system that could tell the story of any of Coach’s wide repertoire of products, whilst projecting the legibility of its original stores. We created a system of modular display units that can be assembled to respond to the specific needs of each locale. In typical instances they are used for display; in others, they come together as an interior fixture. These units can also enclose spaces for program or curation, and by creating enclosures, they can also act as façades. OMA’s intention is to use combinations of this logical system to create magical spatial possibilities for Coach, in line with Coach’s motto of ‘logic and magic.“

This notion of drawing from the history of retail concepts can be compared to the allocated reading by Fackler (2011), here the importance in learning from and referencing history, and past failures and successes is crucial in creating innovative designs for the future.

 

References:

 

Fackler, M., 2011. Tsunami Warnings, Written in Stone. Accessed 20 July 2012.(http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/world/asia/21stones.html)

Barton, H., 2000. Urban form and locality. In H. Barton, ed. Sustainable communities: the potential for eco-neighbourhoods. London: Earthscan, pp. 105-122. Urban Form And Locality

Online Source: “Scenarios of the Future:Future of Retail”

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=25726352