Friday 28 October 2011
bringing identity to the terminal
In my research into Australian identity, I pondered the idea of mobility and the idea of cattle and cattle sheds came about. In essence, the idea is that cattle themselves represent a mobile form, distributed across our nation, even exported globally. These "mobile units" are mustered, mounted upon a host transport, brought to a station, cleaned, fed (refuelled), vaccinated, stored and shipped back out. This concept is the exact idea of our regional mobile architectural services. The following images I took inspiration from, I hoped to utilise the simple warehouse/shed style portal frame with natural skylights. They are industrial and completely functional fit for purpose, but capable of being "designed" to suit this specific function.
Sunday 9 October 2011
Parliamentary Analysis - A link to Canberra
In an effort to give some pre-established national identity to the terminals in particular, I have done a brief analysis on the design of Parliament House. While the terminals and mobile architecture won't be used primarily to serve parliament, they will be designed with parliement in mind. This comes back to the idea of why we are designing this in the first place. This reason is that parliament currently doesn't effectively represent the voice of all of Australia and that regional Australia, our nation's economic and iconic backbone, requires additional services that urban centres are readily provided. Parliament house is still iconic and in most part effective, but this system is designed to be an addition to parliament, not a stand alone icon. As such, i wanted to further understand why the design of our Parliament building is the way it is. This might help to form the basis of some simple forms/spatial arrangements and relationships to inform my own design.
EFTE - Material for Inflatability
The following is a small sample of material research into something that could function as an inflatable shelter, while also giving a comfortable climate and being strong enough to resist weather and the general wear and tear that a mobile architecture might encounter.
I came across EFTE during the Sydney Architecture Festival 2011, where I worked constructing a shelter designed by Greenleaf Engineers for the Emergency Shelter Australia Exhibition as shown below:
The prototype shelter (while not using EFTE) was proposed to use EFTE as a wall sheeting membrane as well as an inflatable roof cushion for insulation, and also its ability to incorporate 3rd generation, flexible solar sheets to help the shelter generate power. While this shelter only used a prototype vinyl membrane, filled with several inflatable camping beds, the structure was incredibly cool during the midday sun on site at Circular Quay, Sydney.
EFTE (ethylene-tetra-fluoro-ethylene ), originally developed for the space industry, is unique in that it does not degrade under ultraviolet light or atmospheric pollution.
Is extremely long lasting, it can be used as part of the permanent building envelope. Furthermore, as the surface is very smooth and has anti-adhesive properties, the envelope self-cleanses under the action of rain. This passive cleaning minimises the need for heavy maintenance.
This system combines exceptional light transmission with high insulation. Each layer can incorporate different types of solar shading enabling the designer to optimise the aesthetic and environmental performance of the building envelope. It is also available in cladding systems that react to the sun and change their solar transmission and insulation throughout the day.
http://www.vector-foiltec.com/en/profile/vector-foiltec.html
This material has so many advantages to coincide with its intended use in this project that I won't waste your time with all of the deatils, but visit the link above if you want more information that I have found about the company, projects, benefits and technical specs of EFTE.
I came across EFTE during the Sydney Architecture Festival 2011, where I worked constructing a shelter designed by Greenleaf Engineers for the Emergency Shelter Australia Exhibition as shown below:
The prototype shelter (while not using EFTE) was proposed to use EFTE as a wall sheeting membrane as well as an inflatable roof cushion for insulation, and also its ability to incorporate 3rd generation, flexible solar sheets to help the shelter generate power. While this shelter only used a prototype vinyl membrane, filled with several inflatable camping beds, the structure was incredibly cool during the midday sun on site at Circular Quay, Sydney.
EFTE (ethylene-tetra-fluoro-ethylene ), originally developed for the space industry, is unique in that it does not degrade under ultraviolet light or atmospheric pollution.
Is extremely long lasting, it can be used as part of the permanent building envelope. Furthermore, as the surface is very smooth and has anti-adhesive properties, the envelope self-cleanses under the action of rain. This passive cleaning minimises the need for heavy maintenance.
This system combines exceptional light transmission with high insulation. Each layer can incorporate different types of solar shading enabling the designer to optimise the aesthetic and environmental performance of the building envelope. It is also available in cladding systems that react to the sun and change their solar transmission and insulation throughout the day.
These properties coupled with very low levels of embodied energy and outstanding environmental characteristics result in an ecologically benign climatic envelope.
Through sophisticated load analysis and patterning, it can be engineered to virtually any size or shape. This coupled with its innate flexibility allows designers the opportunity to create structures of unusual lightness and elegance.
This material has so many advantages to coincide with its intended use in this project that I won't waste your time with all of the deatils, but visit the link above if you want more information that I have found about the company, projects, benefits and technical specs of EFTE.
Inflatable Architecture - Thoughts of Flexibility
With the requirement for this project, and as a theme developed by our previous design group, our mobile architecture units which will be distrubuted around regional Australia. These spaces will need to be flexible enough that they can adapt now and over time.
One of the first concerns of mine for designing these mobile units is the size and weight. Obviously, the larger and more complicated these are, the more heavy infrastructre will be required to manage them, and the more difficult they will be for users to interact with and operate. Also, if the units can be smaller, and more flexible once they reach their destination, there will be the ability to ship more at one time to make the whole process more economical.
I struggled at first with the idea of the whole structure needing to be incredibly rigid, clad in steel, or timber etc. While this might give them a certain strength, I thought, is it really necessary to have to fortify them this much?!?! The following is an image I found, and have previously posted which I reviewed and gave me a new idea:
The mobile units will basically require 2 things:
1 - A solid, transportable body, allowing connection (and containing) to services which will carry equipment and personnel depending on the required function.
2 - Enough space/s to be able to perform its required function
I had the idea to utilise this shell/frame as a services/storage core and combine it with clip on sides, which would expand into various spaces. I had a meta think......."why am I thinking about rigid 90 degree joints and rooms limitied to the sizes set out by this core?". The same day I drove past the Moscow Circus, set up in a park several blocks from my home. The ticket booth/entry was a caravan, surrounded by a giant inflatable castle style design. I thought...."if they had to transport this everywhere and set it up time and time again....this is such a simple way to do it!" As tacky as it may look, it functions brilliantly and packs down within the caravan which it currently frames.
Here are some exemplars I quickly found to see what is possible with this system:
With the added level of flexibility I require for my mobile units, the required spaces will change.
For example, if it were to be used for a mobile dentist service:
- It would require a waiting space, a dental work space (requiring the services and specialised equipment- light, air, water etc) and the spaces for the dentist and dental assistant to stay.
For example a mobile classroom might require:
- Teaching equipment and services (internet, AV equipment etc) as well as a space large enough for a handful of students to sit and study and a place for the teacher to stay.
For example a mobile parliamentary office might require:
- Internet and AV services, a flexible meeting space of various sizes, a place for a politician to sleep, this may also include space for their family to sleep and travel the country with.
etc etc etc................
This system would allow a variety of clip on sized rooms, to act as the secondary spaces to the service core. They would perhaps fold down once delivered to site, and inflate/deflate with the flick of a switch and an inbuilt air-compressor to the service core.
One of the first concerns of mine for designing these mobile units is the size and weight. Obviously, the larger and more complicated these are, the more heavy infrastructre will be required to manage them, and the more difficult they will be for users to interact with and operate. Also, if the units can be smaller, and more flexible once they reach their destination, there will be the ability to ship more at one time to make the whole process more economical.
I struggled at first with the idea of the whole structure needing to be incredibly rigid, clad in steel, or timber etc. While this might give them a certain strength, I thought, is it really necessary to have to fortify them this much?!?! The following is an image I found, and have previously posted which I reviewed and gave me a new idea:
The mobile units will basically require 2 things:
1 - A solid, transportable body, allowing connection (and containing) to services which will carry equipment and personnel depending on the required function.
2 - Enough space/s to be able to perform its required function
I had the idea to utilise this shell/frame as a services/storage core and combine it with clip on sides, which would expand into various spaces. I had a meta think......."why am I thinking about rigid 90 degree joints and rooms limitied to the sizes set out by this core?". The same day I drove past the Moscow Circus, set up in a park several blocks from my home. The ticket booth/entry was a caravan, surrounded by a giant inflatable castle style design. I thought...."if they had to transport this everywhere and set it up time and time again....this is such a simple way to do it!" As tacky as it may look, it functions brilliantly and packs down within the caravan which it currently frames.
Here are some exemplars I quickly found to see what is possible with this system:
With the added level of flexibility I require for my mobile units, the required spaces will change.
For example, if it were to be used for a mobile dentist service:
- It would require a waiting space, a dental work space (requiring the services and specialised equipment- light, air, water etc) and the spaces for the dentist and dental assistant to stay.
For example a mobile classroom might require:
- Teaching equipment and services (internet, AV equipment etc) as well as a space large enough for a handful of students to sit and study and a place for the teacher to stay.
For example a mobile parliamentary office might require:
- Internet and AV services, a flexible meeting space of various sizes, a place for a politician to sleep, this may also include space for their family to sleep and travel the country with.
etc etc etc................
This system would allow a variety of clip on sized rooms, to act as the secondary spaces to the service core. They would perhaps fold down once delivered to site, and inflate/deflate with the flick of a switch and an inbuilt air-compressor to the service core.
Australian Icons - Architecture & Identity
The idea behind this whole scheme is to take a sensitive approach to both the landscape and the identity of regional Australia. The following are examples of Australian architects renowned for their "Australian" identty given to their designs. The one thing in common between all of these is a very raw feel to the materials, especially corten steel and local timbers. To me, this is important in selecting how I will choose to visually identify my architecture. I do not want my terminal to have a feel of over glamourisation that doesn't reflect the rustic, raw, harsh climate, landscape and vernacular architecture, built out of necessity throughout Australia's history.
The Australia Pavilion by Wood/Marsh Architectsat the Shanghai Expo 2010. The singular materiality of the cladding reinforces the form, with the earthly tones of the Corten steel referencing the ubiquitous Australian landscape while the highly sculptural skin expresses the modernity and quality design of our cities.
The above images are by Sean Godsell. Landscape sensitive architecture by its lightness and ability to keep inhabitants visually connected to the environment. The translucense of the "skin" act as climate control as well as a major factor of delight.
Again by Wood/Marsh Architects, the ACCA (Australian Centre of Contemporary Art) in Melbourne, VIC. There are references in the building to the past occupation of the site, namely warehouses and foundries, in the predominant shed vocabulary of a steel frame and taut metal skin.
The Visitors Centre Karijini National Park, Western Australia by Woodhead Architects is another example of this regional Australian aesthetic with an aboriginal inspired twist.
The building is defined by an assembled collection of freestanding overlapping weathered
steel wall panels which emerge directly from the red brown earth and are arranged in plan to
provide an abstract representation of the Kurrumanthu. Integrated with its surroundings, the building form confidently engages with the inherent strength of the landscape.
The next important aspect I feel to be very important in dealing with the Australian bush landscape is the response to potential bushfire threat. A number of the following exemplars utilise design features that integrate this natural disaster in a way that either gives us a constant reminder of the potential threat, but also integrating the operability of such features into the everyday use of the buildings. The design should aim to embrace the the bushfire as part of the landscape without the need to radically clear and destroy the surrounding flora.
The above is H House by Ian weir - QUT landscape architecture lecturer/architect/industrial designer. Having completed the collaborative design subject 1 year ago with Ian, I have a new found appreciation for bushfire sustainability through architecture. This house in Bremmer Bay, Western Australia, utilises landscap strategies and architectural specifications to protect inhabitants from large heath fires which frequent the area. An internal "fire safe" room is actually the laundry, so that users are familiar with the space, integrated into their daily living. The design also features no eaves, but instead drop down radiant heat shields over the windows which are operable daily and act as the sun control so that inhabitants know hw these work and can comfortable and quickly lock the house down in case of bush fire. Ian also used flame retardant treatments on all external timbers and cleared minimal flora from around the house in an aim to protect this region as one of the world's most biodiverse areas. The idea is not to live and hide underground, but to embrace the beauty and integrate our daily life with the environment.
Link to Ian Weir's demonstration of the house on ABC's New Inventor's program:
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s3023743.htm
On the subject of video media, here's a link to Grand Designs Ausralia - Season 1, Episode 1. This episode I'm glad to say featured what I considered to be a stunning house, born of bushfire. While the house may not be the most protected from future fires, the owner re-used materials from the site which were devastated by the Victorian bushfires. These elements weren't hidden, instead utilised as a reminder of the beauty and also the formidable nature of our landscape.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkrdP0AcDlg
Lastly, I came across this building by Woodhead Architects who designed the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre to experience the unique role of fire, both culturally and environmentally, as part of its design and construction process. During in the construction process the vertical timber elements were deliberately set on fire enabling the architecture to become a registration of the role of fire in the landscape:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7am8kE5KwP0
The building is defined by an assembled collection of freestanding overlapping weathered
steel wall panels which emerge directly from the red brown earth and are arranged in plan to
provide an abstract representation of the Kurrumanthu. Integrated with its surroundings, the building form confidently engages with the inherent strength of the landscape.
The next important aspect I feel to be very important in dealing with the Australian bush landscape is the response to potential bushfire threat. A number of the following exemplars utilise design features that integrate this natural disaster in a way that either gives us a constant reminder of the potential threat, but also integrating the operability of such features into the everyday use of the buildings. The design should aim to embrace the the bushfire as part of the landscape without the need to radically clear and destroy the surrounding flora.
The above is H House by Ian weir - QUT landscape architecture lecturer/architect/industrial designer. Having completed the collaborative design subject 1 year ago with Ian, I have a new found appreciation for bushfire sustainability through architecture. This house in Bremmer Bay, Western Australia, utilises landscap strategies and architectural specifications to protect inhabitants from large heath fires which frequent the area. An internal "fire safe" room is actually the laundry, so that users are familiar with the space, integrated into their daily living. The design also features no eaves, but instead drop down radiant heat shields over the windows which are operable daily and act as the sun control so that inhabitants know hw these work and can comfortable and quickly lock the house down in case of bush fire. Ian also used flame retardant treatments on all external timbers and cleared minimal flora from around the house in an aim to protect this region as one of the world's most biodiverse areas. The idea is not to live and hide underground, but to embrace the beauty and integrate our daily life with the environment.
Link to Ian Weir's demonstration of the house on ABC's New Inventor's program:
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s3023743.htm
On the subject of video media, here's a link to Grand Designs Ausralia - Season 1, Episode 1. This episode I'm glad to say featured what I considered to be a stunning house, born of bushfire. While the house may not be the most protected from future fires, the owner re-used materials from the site which were devastated by the Victorian bushfires. These elements weren't hidden, instead utilised as a reminder of the beauty and also the formidable nature of our landscape.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkrdP0AcDlg
Lastly, I came across this building by Woodhead Architects who designed the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre to experience the unique role of fire, both culturally and environmentally, as part of its design and construction process. During in the construction process the vertical timber elements were deliberately set on fire enabling the architecture to become a registration of the role of fire in the landscape:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7am8kE5KwP0
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