Thursday, March 31, 2011

THEME GROUP SELECTION

With & Around ICON

Theme Leader: DaVor Mikulcic

OBJECTIVES AND THEME FOCUS:

  • The goal of this theme group is to explore possible future vision for HSW site. Unique position as integral part of Brisbane's Icon - Story Bridge, it creates a fantastic challenge and opportunity to come up with a vision that will reflect the life of town and its citizens in 21st century, as proposed MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT.
  • The focus will be on "working with different scales", through constantly creating and organizing spaces, and "human being". Complex activities on very tricky site, particularly the orientation, make this project quite challenging, but in same time inspirational and unique.
  • Through Design studio environment explore variety of ideas
  • Translate ideas through different presentation tools & technique, including free hand sketches, scale models, computer models and drawings, photomontages, movies etc.
  • Create futuristic, provocative, responsible and multifunctional outcome.
  • Push boundaries of stereotype and create innovative and unique design.
  • Come up with design which address wider urban context.
  • Final design must demonstrate ability to present idea from wider urban context, as architectural composition which submerges form and function through to finest detail.
  • A Small Manifesto for this theme group this semester is: "CHANGING THE SCALE CHANGES THE ATMOSPHERE“ quoted by Junya Ishigami.


THEME LEADER:

DaVoR Mikulcic Dipl. Eng. Arch. (Sarajevo) ANZIA, RAIA Registered Australian and New Zealand design focused practicing architect with over 25 years of international working experience with offices in Wellington and Brisbane.



BRIEF:

Design for WMA site – MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT. With proposal challenge Brisbane City Council plane requirements. Project should include: commercial areas (possible shops, offices etc.), entertaining activities, public spaces (open and covered),new ferry terminal, and architectural hard landscaping must be part of overall design. Site area is as indicated through initial brief. Further Brief development is encouraged and proposal can be negotiated.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

FOLIE DESIGN - FINAL

















Design Tectonics

This design juxtaposes the elements which generate the Folie’s essence and concept – the approximately 4m x 4m x 4m structure is installed halfway up the cliffs which look onto the Howard Smith Wharves. This obscured structure merges to the site yet its distinctiveness creates a disruption to the natural environment and surroundings.

Hard lines and materials - which represent the harsh manmade elements of the city - are juxtaposed by soft natural grass which envelopes the hard structure – thus remanent of the initial concept. The artificial materiality of the cold structure (steel and glass) is also contrasting to the natural growth and organic form of the green walls (grass). The lightness of the steel and glass is conflicting with the heaviness of the plush grass and greenery. The juxtaposed obscurities surrounding this structure allow for a space with is unique in both aesthetics and experience.

Design Functions & Experience

The structure itself in bright and open to the elements – and although the interior is mostly green walls – the openness of the glass panels allow for natural light to seep in. The experiential qualities of the space include a completely unique green space in which you can view various angles of Howard Smith Wharves as well as a reflection space. The experiential facets of this design are well entwined with the function – experience is function. Experience views, experience space, experience being.



Friday, March 18, 2011

FOLIE CONCEPT



Concept

“A city is the victory of the man over nature and, as every manifestation of man power, is against nature.” - Le Corbusier

The battle between natural and artificial; organic and mechanical; ecological and manmade, remains evident and powerful. This raging battle is exposed to us silently everyday – this concept works to voice the environment and not only acknowledge but demonstrate its power in the form of a small installation.

In contrary to Le Corbusier’s quote this Folie design exhibits the power of nature and commemorates the natural disturbances which have powered through the site. This Folie design reveals the reality of nature fighting back against the artificial ‘victory’ which man has manifested over time.

IDEATION - GREEN SPACES





Monday, March 14, 2011

SITE & CONTEXT




Site / Context

Location

Howard Smith Wharves – Brisbane, Queensland
The site is located beneath the Story Bridge.


Site Preface

Most recently Howard Smith Wharves was flood affected and is currently in the process of rebuilding. This is not the first natural disturbance to affect the area, as in the year 2000, one of the site buildings collapsed into the river. This heritage site has been vacant for many years and awaits refurbishment and rebuilding.



INDIVIDUAL SITE VISIT