The Final DDI Submission - Multimedia, Film & Design

This was the final submission of our individual designs for the Deakin Design Institute Masterplan. I was quite happy with the solution I had come up with in contrast to the given site and I quite enjoyed the project, having much (what I think) resolved a schools needs successfully or close to it.

This was a project that taught me much about the principles and designs involved in proposed university buildings and masterplans. I learned a lot in such a little amount of time and I now really appreciate what architects and designers have to do to make a school such as the one we designed work and work well, to achieve the goals for its purpose.

Although the building was one of two buildings, I could have not done the project to this degree without the consistent consulting of my associate (Christine - The kind Swedish exchange student). Reason being is that from the start of the project we designed our buildings in colse proximity, taking each others designs into account with much discussion.

As our buildings complimented each others with good reason that saw the successful split of one building into two. As previously stated, the soul ideal for the two buildings were to strengthen natural light, ventilation and circulation (through the newly created lane).

The final design saw the refined process of solved spaces with defined and separated areas of private and public parts of the school.

In the section shown above in the poster, we can see how I retained the historical facade on the left of it. Maintained within this was a fully integrated functional space that allowed 'the old intertwine with the new.' We see how the problem of a fully integrated cinema with stadium seating was implemented as the basement was used to solve this problem. The outcome was that I could not build a cinema, also used for presentations and lectures on the bender level. Going into the basement allowed me to 'kill two birds with one stone.'

My floor plans were refined to maximize natural lighting and circulation space, but maintained the soul concept of my initial design. This was a evolution of drafting and articulation to try and streamline and really make people want to be their as apposed to being forced to be their. I think its a building that interests me and is one I would like to be studying at.

The bar area, cinema, gallery space, computer labs, studio space, lecture rooms, private study spaces, film room and staff offices all to me came together intricately interestingly.

My model was by far the best and most detailed model I have ever attempted while here at Deakin Universtiy. My model was constructed from 3mm MDF and was held together by locktite. The model was a full structural and presentational model in one. It is able to be taken apart to show structure with columns and beams, while the slab encased detained floor plans etched into the floors of every level. Walls and my intricate ESD designed roof were all able to be dismantled to show further detail within the building.

Although I have written a little here, the poster above says it all. I hope you enjoy it :)

ARCHI_Trooper........AFFIRMATIVE

At this present stage in the semester, I have so far really enjoyed the scope of work surrounding studio 4B. Looking back over the past two projects, though I did not achieve the academic results that I would have liked, simply by being positive and diligent through the procurement of these projects both my confidence and design awareness have tremendously strengthen. Initially when I first began to work on the second project, the development of our individual buildings, I found the task to be considerably challenging as the scope of works, the necessity for group connection and the limitation of time played a critical role in determining project success. Though I was able to satisfy the design requirements for that submission, a day later after re-contemplating over my final submission and the supporting studio feedback, I have been able to identify where and how my design solution could have been either architecturally improved and/or heightened.

One particular aspect of the project that I felt added a strong sense of achievement and value to this unit task was being able to enjoy the entire school proposal on a single model. From a personal observation I felt that the group model, despite the initial complications concerning its assembly, was indeed a great success because of the vibrancy, colour and form that eventuated in its final congregation. Furthermore in regards to the final project re-submission, another important aspect that eventuated as a direct outcome to having a group model was that it allowed every student and/ or onlooker to clearly acknowledge issues concerning overshadowing, the creation of wind tunnels and access to views in relation to the greater scheme. Prior to the day of presentation though each student should have reflected upon these important issues, I think that because so many of else were involved in the proposal it was therefore harder for one to completely acknowledge how their individual design would relate to the greater scope of works. Inturn with the aid of a group model everyone was able to instantly evaluate the impact of their design in relation to the greater cohort. Though architectural models do consume considerable time and resources, as a student architect with each coming project I am evermore learning to appreciate just how valuable models are to the design process because they allow the design team to readily comprehend issues such as the building structure and its architectural expression.

Interval: 2D - 3D: Sound Diffuser systems:

My idea is to design a sound diffuser for the interior of my designed auditorium. The feel of the space can be contributed to the design of these items as they create a dramatic visual effect once applied to the interior.
The designs I have been looking at are related to extensive research for a commercial, generic diffuser. Next I have to make a series of maquettes to think and analyse the joins and the profile of the diffusing system. The information I have been following, suggests pyramid or quadratic style designs formed with a lightweight construction.

"A sound diffuser is not to be mixed up with sound absorber. While a sound absorber absorbs the audio-waves, the sound diffuser sends the audio-waves in many different directions. This is good if you don't want an entirely dry room, but want some sound reflections for recording, say, drums.The more expensive diffusers sends audio waves in different direction based on frequency" wikipedia.

"The QRD® 734 Diffusor has proven to be a versatile general purpose diffusor. It’s uniform scattering, wide bandwidth, and broad selection of finishes make it a logical choice for almost any speech, critical listening, or performance facility.... Class A fire rating, light weight, impact resistance, and color and texture options",

- ElectroLab Incorporated, Sound Diffusing Specialists.

'Sound diffusors may be too heavy for some ceiling application - or too expensive for large scale coverage'. There is a need for lightweight, cost effective sound diffuser.

'Denaume Porter' - studio sound diffuser, 2007

DDI review

After getting it all together frantically for the review, I was left feeling happy with what I had come up with but disatisfied at the same time. I felt my concepts were strong but I had just not given myself enough time to explore different parts of the project, parts that may have been more important in conveying the design than others for review day. As seen in my posters below, I spent considerable time on the planning and my facade worked, but as pointed out by the review panel, I didn't explore the design 3-dimensionally as well as could have been and didn't have any sort of images to show this.

After reading about industrial design there were 2 phrases that stuck in my mind most that Shakespeare had written and that apply to industrial design. They are:

'Ornament is but the guilded shore to a most dangerous sea'; and
'Weary, stale, flat & unprofitable'.

Perhaps in future assignments I should spend more time on presenting my ideas to enable others to understand the building and what it might be like to inhabit it. More time also needs to be spent on thinking of the building as a whole 3-dimensional form, not as seperate entities driving by planning, elevation, then a model.

Interval: Initial Thoughts

Crikey, its almost the end of Week 7 - I guess I'd better put in an appearance here...

To start with, a quick introductory image to put a face to the name:

C'est moi à Marseille

My first thought about the new project is that it's a welcome relief to do something creative that's a bit different for a change. I think this is the first time since first year I will have done a studio project that doesn't directly involve the design of a building of some sort - and for me that's a long time!

I can't say at this time I've thought too deeply about the actual item I'll create (that's planned for this weekend) but I've begun thinking about the basics of generating volume from components that are for the most part flat. Here are some images of objects making use of various methods:



Elements layered in parallel with space between and others slotted in at right angles as a method of connection and change in direction (Couldn't resist this image - I had one of these dinosaurs as a kid!).



Perhaps an obvious example - Gehry's cardboard chair




Twisted materials (perhaps hung from a ceiling, etc?)




Some cool mannequins I spotted in Paris last year.


Looking forward to seeing what people come up with for Tuesday...

DDI Submission: The Health & Well-being Centre

The Health & Well-being Centre

The design for this building has evolved and responded to three main themes. These are ‘The Bender’, the building’s programmatic requirements, and the integration and cooperation of the building’s services, structure, and orientation.

The ‘Bender’ grounds itself at this building, and it is the Bender that has been the originating and orientating point for this design. Through ramps and delicate overpasses this building reinforces the importance of the Bender by helping the Bender to meet the ground and by using it to create dynamic public spaces that provide Geelong’s residents and the waterfront visitors with a variety of options for accessing, using, and appreciating both the waterfront and the DDI campus.

The program of the Well-being Centre has been structured around the expected number of students that will be enrolled in the DDI. Of these 5000 students it is expected that 1000 will use some part of this facility on a regular basis, and that at any one time there will be a likely maximum of around 40 percent (400 people) using this facility.

This program defined the requirements of the swimming pool, basketball court, strength and cardio areas, and the building’s amenities. The aesthetic and function of the architecture that houses this program has been largely derived from the structure and the services.

Earth ramps, roof gardens, and a distinct roof line supported by an interesting and exposed structure have been the main architectural solutions and focuses. This has been combined with the integration of low and natural energy building services systems that work together with the structure and the program. These combine to pre-condition the fresh-air intake, naturally ventilate the entire complex, control the building’s heat gains with a naturally driven, heat-exhausted (north aspect) double-façade system, and with diffused top-lighting of the main interior spaces.

These three themes discussed above are the entire scheme and they are each distinguished prominently in the design solution presented for the DDI Submission. Their inclusion into the project has been done with success however the forms and the elements of this building complex require a better synthesis. The present architectural proposition must now evolve the aspects of the Center’s three themes into one simple and easily understood architectural statement.

Perhaps it must begin this synthesizing process with a new emphasis that shifts from the current emphasis of structure over building form. To refine this architecture a new approach could begin by identifying an appropriate form, or ‘mass’ to house the required program and its systems on this prominent site. This will require a review of this building’s urban design role and a response that reflects this reassessed urban position through a new orientation and a new formal building mass. A further step would be to (rationalize this design) and develop a structure that makes this form possible.

Concepts & Facade Design

So after looking at Newson's work and having a think about Industrial design, I sought to design the facade with all in mind and have experimented with the repetition of shapes, colours and materials. Triangular and pentagonal shapes have been played with, rotated and arranged in ways that might feature along the facades. In the drawing below, ideas for the facade include a structure that takes shape around the rotated shapes and a material such as a fabric with coloured lights featuring behind or on the material will be used to designate the computer lab spaces for both the industrial and ESD schools.

On the Clare St facade, solar chimneys will feature to make use of the ventilation on the site and also provide scope for detailing. The flowing lines seen in the images are inspired by the streamlining seen in a lot of projects such as steamtrains, aircraft and a lot of products using metalwork - aided in design by the industrial revolution. Bright colours are inspired by the work of Newson and will add flare to the building and give it a sense of identity as a creative school within the DDI.

With the building sharing the computer labs with the ESD school, environmental principles will also be a focus of the building. Daylighting is vital and the following points have been considered:

• Orientation (preferably east-west)
• Bright interior surfaces
• Perimeter daylight zones
• High extended windows on perimeter walls
• Light shelves on facades
• Minimising direct-beam sunlight penetration into work spaces
• Correct choice for glazing
• Roof apertures
• Skylighting
• Use of reflective roofing on sawtooth clerestories

Ventilation is also important and the following has been noted:

• Evaporative cooling
• Thermal chimney effect (windcatchers...wind coming through the ground floor and rising through the staircases and corridors)

Ideas for materials have also been thought of in terms of both reflecting industrial design and being environmentally conscious:the building must be deconstructable like industrial products, disassembling important
Recyclable materials (R.A.R.E architecture...waste=food)

All the concepts and ideas need to be tied together with the planning and all sorted and finalised for presentation.