Project 1 - DDI

Above are a few perspectives of the design intention for the allocated site. The idea being that the ground floor of the built fabric needed to almost bleed into the public spaces in order to activate the areas effectively. I found that planning for retail and food to the perimetre would encourage bothe public and students to use the spaces mamking it a welcoming place to be in. A key factor to this concept was the bending and folding of elements as it worked itself up the facade. The intention was to draw the viewereyes to follow the direction of the folds therfore drawing them to look above. The use of timber as a strong bold element to the built environment school entry helped define an entry point but at the same time it formed a transition and a sense of direction towards the inside of the building. Other elements above the balcony such as the canopy and the green perforated mesh folded panels give the build a sense of scale. Because my focus was the ground floor only, it was essential that there my proposal integrated with the scheme above, if this dididn't happen it would clearly demonstrate the building did not work together.

Project 1-DDI

After an intensive planning process co-ordinating, configuring and amending, the master plan started to take shape and began to look like it could possibly work. Within our group we produced a series of layered floor plans, moulding our key responsibilities - to provide a space for two schools, School of Sustainable Built environment and the school for Industrial Design, and to provide a Conference Centre. It was an enjoyable process having to combine thoughts of 5 people to come up with a proposal as we learnt from one another, each one stimulating another idea and so on. It then became challenging once our group were then allocated individual spaces for refinement. I was allocated the ground floor of all the buildings and then each other person was allocated each segment of the floors above. This proved to be very difficult but interesting. It was a learning experience I shall never forget. Trying to co-ordinate each of the four other group members individual design to relate to the ground floor plan and mine to theirs. The reason this became a task was because as each person continued to refine their design to the lead up of the submission, I would need to amend my design so that it will also support the design intentions from above. To make things even more difficult, it was essential that we did not forget about "the bender" - the spine of the four schools, and of course ensure that the schools surrounding our site were in harmony rather than conflicting with each other. The finished product was a success, knowing that the spaces were working with one another re-iterrated the importance of co-ordination with projects.

The above image is an inspirational concept of diferent materials, objects for the public spaces. With my design, the key objective was to activate the edges of the building and also to engage the public. Through research, if found a commom trait in affective public spaces which .Ii wanted to incorporate in my design. The use of water, whether in fountains or ponds, art, lighting and the like proved to be affective means of activating spaces for public use. The idea was also to use patterns and textures through paving to direct the public to certain spaces without the means of signage.

The internal space for the ground floor of the both schools was mainly common public spaces with restaurants, bars, cafe's, shops etc. The idea was to provide tenancy's such as a small express supermarket, coffee shops, book stores, newsagency, medical and food tenancy's as these we be of great use to the students as well as the public, keeping in mind that student accomodation was also near by and that this precinct need to facilitate the needs of those living their as well as those studing at the design schools.

4B Reflection

So it's all over for another year and I have to say, this one's been tough and challenging but at the same time probably the most enjoyable in terms of work, classes, and rewarding. Having a small class has been awesome, everyone has become closer and I definitlely have learnt so much from my peers and may have been a little lost or not have the opportunity in a bigger class so it's been great.

The most enjoyable parts of the semester were, for me, resolving concept and our design in the groupwork as well as making the Interval project. I found working in a group extremely helpful and rewarding and I had a lot of fun making and seeing my project for the Interval come to fruition. Falling sick and being put almost 2 weeks was a fair struggle and lead to my poor management of time in the last project and was probably the major cause of my stress as I struggled to model my Refine project.

All in all, I really enjoyed the semester of design, probably more than any other. I've learnt alot about myself and have furthered my design skills and am looking forward to hitting the ground running next year. Thanks Richard & everyone, hope you all have a wicked summer, I'll catch you all after the break!

Adrian

REFINE - REFLECTION OF COMPLETION

The shown images above define my finalized refine assignment.

Top Image - The 1:20 model of my DDI building.
Middle Image - Smaller images showing different views
Bottom Image - Perspective from the cantilevered curtain walling interior space.

While the refine assignment was one that demanded 'refinement' of a part of the proposed school of film and multimedia bulding, thus here it is.

The model at scale 1:20 showcases a clear idea of what the proposed building could look like realistically. It comprises of a detailed roofing system that allows much needed natural light and shading for a student design space (The Studio).

The roof was built with a detailed truss and beam system that is supported by columns directly beneath them throughout every level of the building. Timber roof perlins support the slate tiled roof with a light chosen colour reflecting light and heat away through thermal mass.

Columns were constructed with 400 x 400mm that sufficiently hold the load from above and the large spanning concrete waffle slab above them.

Floors, a concrete waffle slab was selected to service the building and support a large span simultaneously. In the model this is replicated by two sheets of precisely cut MDF and timber joists spaced a 400mm apart throughout. A timely exercise of patience, precision and many super glued fingers more than 15 time if I can recall correctly. This flooring system consists on every level.

The detailed facade. An existing solid brick wall that was replicated by using three sheets of accurately cut MDF to showing depth and scale. A technique developed to place scale bricks on to the facade was also a trial and error exercise that took some tome to perfect. In the end, a quality external wall with much detail.

Curtain walling, this saw the successful 'ENCASING' of the historical facade that will showcase and frame a part of a once popular method of building. While allowing people alike to enjoy the wonderful views of the city and it's CBD of the south. Down lights at night will really showcase the great texture of the solid brick facade at dusk. Constructed with steel, timber and glass (perspex) that showed my vision quite clearly to the point.

This is the final assignment in my undergraduate degree before being admitted into the Masters of Architecture (Design) course. The greatest preparation for what is to come next year in 2009.

REFINE - THE CONSTRUCTION

The construction of the final project for this semester... refine, was a tedious one. One that may not quite seem that way but images can be deceiving. The use of laser cutter requires accurate precision. If this is not carefully obtained the project would not work full stop. I was given 0.25mm accuracy buffer in construction in all my pieces that would have made life difficult if I miscalculated any parts, therefore having to sand down pieces producing less accurate fitting perpendicular fitting pieces of MDF.

As the laser cutter requires absolute accuracy, I had to check my measurements 5 times. Everything was seriously rechecked at leased five times. Together with patience and steady hands I was able to produce a fine, clean, detailed model as required to scale 1:20.

Constructing the facade came from three sheets of 6mm MDF to closely replicate it in real life. Using Loctite 401 (Glue) and clean cut joints replicating construction techniques, with columns, perspex, a replicated waffle slab system and the curtain walling facade system. I was able to build and produce model that exceeded quality and clarity in this assignment.

I could not be prouder of a rock solid scale model that closely replicates (clearly) a part of my design to the detailed scale.

I would say that just the model, once the pieces were all cut to put together would have taken about 20 hrs to build and roughly 100 hrs in total to design and build.

Refine

picture of model

This was the largest scale that ( I believe most of the class) have ever built model this large at. At this scale you cannot really fudge details and great care must be taken because every mistake is pretty obvious because of the scale. Making the model was fun, the process took a while for me in particular because I had decided not to use the laser cutter. I wish I had known it would have taken as long as it did then I would have planned ahead more and had more time to work on the images. It was all part of the learning process next time instead of assuming that building a model will take twice as much time as expected, I will assume it will take triple.

images

The only regret about the semester I have was not having had the time to further explore the relationship between the column and the courtyard. There just was not enough time, I had to start building the model or I was never going to finish. All in all the semester was one of the most useful semesters in terms of learning presentation techniques, exploring new methods of doing things and learning to "zoom in" taking into account the effects of a project on the large scale.

Refine review

The last project proved to be the most difficult and challenging one for me, one that I enjoyed and found extremely frustrating at times. I struggled constantly with the computer modelling program and stressed out with time running out towards the end of the project.

I tackled the model by making it in the construction sequence it would be built in. The steel structural columns and I beams were put in first with the footing system disregarded and not considered (bottom level designed by Joe). A bondek flooring system was then modeled, followed by the stairwells and paths, walls, roofing system and facade.

After struggling with the model, I enjoyed taking perspective shots within the atrium space and bringing the images to life using Photoshop. The first image I took captures the feel of the entrance space of the Refine area. With an recess into the building, I wanted to show the light being drawn into the space both directly and that reflected of the perforated metal panels that are used on the facade system. The image also shows the dramatic play of light created by the walls and structure. The second image, facing the other direction, shows the open nature of the atrium space in the afternoon, with the large amount of diffuse light being drawin in through the roof and facade. It shows the soft lighting that is appreciated and enjoyed by those moving through the space. The night perspective was the most difficult in trying to capture the feel of the space. It does show the reflective nature of the flooring from the stair landing and shows the stark contrast between surfaces and provides a buoyant feel within the vertical circulation space.

The model itself was challenging but rewarding once complete and, as with the other projects, I have learnt from this that certain areas of work are more important than others. For example, a large amount of time was spent on the model and for presentation purposes, such detail could not be appreciated. Resolving the construction of this area of the building was extremely rewarding, and the project improved my presentation skills and has given me the confidence to quickly model my concepts in 3D digitally, something I struggled with in earlier projects.