Peer Evaluations

Moving Element 2

The second moving element blends the boundaries between interior and exterior, and also between urban and natural environments, as per my theory. The movement of this element is created by the growth and changing appearance of plants and flowers in a vertical garden. 

The GIF below shows the growth of plants in the second moving element through the course of the first year of the building's use. With the changing seasons, different plants will flower so that the colours and appearance of the vertical garden change throughout the year. 

The vertical garden is visible from the majority of the faculty's studio spaces. This gives students and staff the feeling of being connected with the building's natural surroundings so that there is no defined separation between interior and exterior. 

View of Garden From Studio, Autumn

View of Garden From Studio, Spring

View of Garden From Studio, Summer

Moving Element 1

The first moving element is the student common area. It moves on tracks to follow the path of the sun, allowing students to experience the outside weather patterns and passage of time whilst they are inside the building. Per my theory, there needs to be a co-existence between interior and exterior spaces, which is achieved through the movement of this element according to the sun and time of day. 

GIF/Diagrammatic Representation of Movement:

The photos below were captured in Lumion to show the different positions of the common area and the views from inside at different times of day. 

Morning:

Midday:

Afternoon:

Evening:

Lumion Progress Shots 2

Interior of Computer Lab

Exterior Shot of Computer Lab

36 Movement Textures

LINEAR:

ROTATIONAL:

SCALAR:

SURGE:

UNINHIBITED:

EVOLVING:

3 Chosen Textures to add to my model:

I applied the spiral 'surge' texture to my model, designed as a carpet material for the lecture theatre. 

I added the scalar texture as a feature wall in the student common area: 

I used the linear texture as a fabric covering for the couch in the library and computer area of the building. 

2-Point Perspective

Axonometric Drawing

I started by drawing a simplified rectilinear version of my building to practice drawing axonometrics and putting together GIFs in Photoshop.

I then drew most of the elements of my building to create an axonometric diagram which shows the curved geometry of my building. 

The Moving Elements

In brainstorming ideas for my moving elements, I watched the video about 'The Shed' which Russell posted to his blog. I also found an article about 'The Quadrant House' which features a moving terrace that follows the movement of the sun to move about 90 degrees.

(Article Reference: Alan Griffiths, "Moving terrace follows tehe sun at Robert Konieczny's Quadrant House," Dezeen, May 21, 2019, https://www.dezeen.com/2019/05/21/quadrant-house-robert-koniecznys-moving-terrance/.)

Similar to these builds, I am considering adding a movement element which adapts to the movement and presence of sunlight to change the positioning of the roofing or window elements of a common room area.

Progress Shots Exp 2

Floor Plan

The building connects to the Squarehouse and to NIDA. A lift has been placed outside the Squarehouse which allows access to the upper floors of the Squarehouse, before continuing to transport people to the upper elements which form the new architecture faculty. A spiral connection allows access from the architecture faculty to NIDA. 

The size of the building above does not take into account extra space required for things such as bathrooms or storage, but these spaces have been accounted for in the plan shown below. 

Theory of Movement

In thinking about the functionality and materiality of my building, I thought of the recent increase in new library buildings and renovations across Sydney. In my opinion, many of these buildings, while not being overly ambitious or striking in their architecture, are examples of great design relative to the rest of Sydney's architectural landscape.

In particular, these libraries provide a sense of community, the feeling of which I think is important to the small school of architecture and university experience we have been asked to consider.

I selected an article about Green Square Library's architecture:
Charles Rice, "A diorama in a messy city: Green Square Library and Plaza," Architecture AU, September 10, 2019,  https://architectureau.com/articles/green-square-library-and-plaza/.

Key words/phrases: 

• Open traversal 

•  Seamless loop 

•  Coexist 

•  Flexible 

I then developed my own theory based on this, and other readings: 

Seamless, sinuous connections between spaces will serve to create a harmonious learning environment in which there is a co-existence between interior and exterior, and between urban buildings and natural surroundings.

Another source which I found interesting:
Karissa Rosenfield, "Norman Foster's Interview with The European: 'Architecture is the Expression of Values'," Arch Daily, April, 2015, https://www.archdaily.com/563537/interview-norman-foster-on-the-role-of-architecture-in-modern-society.