Sketching Building Tectonic and Layout

These sketches were done regarding built form thinking in plan, section and elevation

Spatial Adjacency Diagram

More detailed spatial analysis with relationships and connections starting to be made.

Spatial Adjacency Analysis

This then allowed for spatial adjacency analysis

Spatial Analysis and Relationships

To begin to develop an effective floor plan, I started by listing all possible spaces required for each program.

Circulatory System with Connections

These are more detailed versions of the circulation patterns with the connection between the different programs starting to be explored.

Circulatory System Diagramming

With a thorough analysis done, spatial analysis could begin, with a number of diagramming techniques used to develop the concept from the heart circulation patterns to a built form.

I started by doing some basic diagrams and sketches to further explore the circulation patterns of the heart and lungs and how that can be converted into built form.

Program's Social and Cultural Importance

HSW’s was once a pivotal zone for the functioning and shaping of Brisbane. It has a rich heritage and cultural importance, therefore, to renew the identity, the education of its past should play a role to reconnect people with the site and its past importance.

The site acts as a transition zone between four different suburbs, therefore it is socially important to provide space for social interaction between residents of these areas. The sporting facilities aims at providing such spaces with the added provision of physical activity and interaction through team based activities. It will act as a gathering point for all communities as shown below.

Program Relevance and Need

This diagram shows the spread of sporting facilities throughout the Brisbane area, with only one other sporting venue within a 1000m radius of HSW, with limited facilities present within the CBD area.



As shown below, the spread of gyms throughout Brisbane seems to be based on a distance radius of 750 m. Based on this as shown here, a gym is also a relevant program

The spread of museums and galleries within Brisbane seems confined to South Bank and the CBD. Considering the sites cultural significance, I believe it is again, a relevant program.

Building Program

Based on the circulation patterns of the heart, the optimum number of program types is two distinct elements with a shared program as the third. Therefore it was decided that the following program will be used within the building:

1. Museum and Education Centre – shares information on the rich heritage and cultural importance of the site and its role in shaping Brisbane. Explores the principles of Biomimicry and how they can be applied in modern architecture.
   
   
   
2. Sporting Facilities – number of facilities that provide recreational opportunity for surrounding residential zones. Fundamental part of the creating a rich identity as it imparts a large amount of activity and movement within the building. Includes indoor sports fields, swimming pools, gymnasium, bicycle storage and ten pin bowling
   
   
   
3. Restaurant and Bar – gives a central program linking the museum/education precinct with the sporting facilities.

Circulation Patterns

The circulation patterns of the human heart and lungs was explored for application into my building design.

Unoxygenated blood from the body enters into the left atrium of the heart:


The left ventricle then directs the blood to either the left or right lung:

The lungs re-oxygenate the blood:

Oxygenated blood moves into the Right atrium:

The Right ventricle then pushes the blood back out to the body cells:

These same principles can be applied loosely to a building:

From the site, users enter the building into the foyer and reception area:

They are then directed either right or left to two separate program types:

Completion of activity at these program spaces occurs:

Both sides re-enter a common shared program:

Users can leave the building back in to the site:

Closer Analysis of Site Movement and Action

Now were looking at a closer scale to really understand the movement and action which is either current or desired in the future.

First of all we can see the area identified by the visibility analysis as our preferred building zone and the original folie in the bottom left.

As the building zone is situated on the current car park, a separate car park is obviously needed and is therefore placed in a less visible part of the site.

Vehicular access, shown in red, is a key type of action and access will be required to the building, car park and existing wharf buildings.

As identified within the folie design, there is a significant exercise route, shown in yellow, which runs through the site connecting the Botanical gardens and the New Farm Riverwalk.

The introduction of a city cat terminal brings new movement and point of arrival, as shown in blue.

Finally, we see regular pedestrian movement with 2 current entry points and 2 desired connections in the river walk and down the cliffside. By introducing these two new entry points connection is increased effectively which is a key concept of the design.

Looking at all of these types of action and movement together shows the need for careful planning to ensure safety and functionality of each is retained and or enhanced.

Contextual Analysis of Concept

Despite already posting similar diagrams to these during site analysis, I have to admit that they were done simply because they were a weekly requirement. They weren't really thought about and I didn't learn anything from them because I hadn't developed my concept to a point where they were useful. They were related to folie concept which hadn't at that point been developed into a strong statement which could be taken forward into the next stage of building design. Now that my concept has been resolved and key concepts have been identified, some of these concepts can be explored at a wider contextual level. And due to the development of this concept from my intial folie, these diagrams are still highly relevant but now they will be looked at in a new light and can really act as a starting point to understand my concept.

This image shows paths of arrival and the main methods and movement and action within the site. As previously mentioned, understanding movement, arrival and action is key to my concept. The main point learnt from this exercise is the possibility for City Cat connection to the site, bringing a new source of arrival, movement and action to what’s already evident.


Visibility is another key concept which can be explored in the wider side context. A strong visual connection with the city and other surrounding areas will help to create the building’s identity. Having redone this diagram to allow for a clearer message, this image shows various views into the site from suitable points, clearly showing two highly visible areas highlighted in red.

Views out of the site are obviously also important with this image showing the likely views from each of the highly visible areas. The zone on the right was selected for design development due to the stronger connection and views from and to the cityscape and the strong connection which can be then made with my original folie.

Circulatory System

Definition:
the circulatory system is responisble for the transport of materials (blood, nutrients, oxygen) throughout the human body to billions of cells and collects wastes such as carbon dioxide.

The circulatory system seems to relate directly with my revised concept of the building becoming a physical being with the movement of occupants through the site becoming the energy and action.

The circulatory system can be seen as a highway travelling throughout the entire body connecting all of the body cells. Therefore the people become the blood, moving throughout the building in an effecitve way, connecting all of the program spaces while creating energy and action within the building giving a sense of life and identity. Action, user flow, linkages and connection are crucial to impart the physical being (building) with action and energy.

The human heart and lungs are the central figures and provide all of the movement within the circulatory system. Therefore it became my biomimicry exemplar.

Bodily Systems

One of the main parts of the concept is the development of the building as a physical being. The human body was therefore the most logical path of biomimicry inspiration relating to how the human body becomes a functioning physical identity. First of all comes the important bodily systems which all stay separate and each have their unique function and processes but also work together to provide the human body with function. This is highly relevant to the multi-use facility which requires separation in some respects but unity as a whole for the building to function effectively. Within these body systems is the circulatory system which deals with the movement of blood and nutrients around the body. This complex system of movement and circulation was the starting point for my building design.

Metabolism

Metabolism Definition:
A set of chemical reactions that occur in living organisms to maintain life

Background Information

• Two Components - catabolism (breaking down) and anabolism (constructing components)


• allows growth, reproduction, maintenance of structure, respond to environment


• chemical reactions of metabolism organised into metabolic pathways


• one chemical changed into another through enzymes


• most structure (plants, animals and microbes) made of three classes of molecule - amino acids, carbohydrates and lipids

Having done this brief background research, I dicovered that the bodies metabolism didn't relate to my concept as well as I would have liked with no real application to the movement around the body. It is still interesting to understand these systems and their ability to maintain life within an organism. It will still be considered for future biomimicry development but first a wider view of the human body will be taken to attempt to find a better biomimicry exemplar.

Developing the Concept

To create a new identity for the site, the building must become a physical being with people movement becoming the action and energy required for it to function. The site becomes a physical conductor to these processes and the creation of identity is strengthened through strong visual connection and physical connection to surrounding suburbs. The attachment of symbolism creates strong grounding and uniqueness to HOWARD SMITH WHARVES.

Things to be looked at for a biomimicry exemplar

• the movement of people making connections and linkages


• metabolism of the human body


• moving through the building in an effective way - CIRCULATORY SYSTEM


• different parts staying seperate but working together - BODILY SYSTEMS

Reviewing Concept Key Ideas

• Identity



• Visibility



• Connection



• Activity



• Symbolism

Week 7 Tutorial Reflection

Week 7 Lecture Reflection

The Next Step?

Possible Biomimicry Exemplar

Window Plant - Sun Collection

Integration of Ideas

As an attempt to develop a cohesive concept and biomimicry exemplar, the key ideas from both the practical approach and lichen research were integrated To give the following key ideas:

• Growing out of the Site


• Absorption and Protection from Water


• Two elements, intimately linked and related = SYMBIOSIS. What are the two elements?


• People and Building, Building and Site, Building and External Structure


• Growth Pattern – branching pattern – main element in the middle, branches radiating outward, cells along branches

The possible functions of the proposed multifunction building were also explored. Possible program components include:

• Educational/Museum Facility – Biomimicry and Site history


• Open Air Amphitheatre


• Restaurant and Bar

Practical Approach to Biomimicry

The following post relates to a concept written by Jeremy Faludi – sustainable design strategist and researcher – Stanford University, worked for Biomimicry institute, Project FROG

After suggesting that designers, builders and engineers have little knowledge about biology, therefore a practical approach and direct method is best, as outlined below:

1. Define the problem and it’s context


2. Find organisms with a similar problem and context – see what they do, find many divergent animals to see which has the best strategy.


3. Translate the best strategy into a buildable result

I will now try to apply this concept to the Howard Smith Wharves Site for inspiration.

1. Identifying main natural problems of the site:

• High Risk Flooding Area


• Lack of Sunlight and Ventilation


• Lack of Connection

2. Organisms which respond to these problems

Flooding:

• Ants – nest building to avoid inundation


• Polynesian Box Fruit – Case protects during years at sea


• Ground Squirrel – Dikes prevent flooding


• Otters and Crocodiles – Ear Flaps keep water out


• Beavers – Damming Principle


• Gentoo Penguins – feathers protect from water


• Beaked Sedge - Floating Mats adjust to water levels


• Reindeer – Guard Hairs repel water


• Barking Spider – Silk protects from flooding and protects water

Lack of Sunlight and Ventilation:

• Ants – air scoops providing cooling/ventilation


• Praire Dogs – Burrow shape creates ventilation


• Corals – exoskeleton absorbs UV light


• Plant Structure – maximises light absorption


• Window Plants – Crystals draw sunlight into plant

Lack of Connection:

• Cypress – Branching Pattern Enhances exchange and transport

Lichen as Biomimicry Inspiration?

As a follow on from the previoius tutorial, I revisited the site themes that I had identified during my intial site visits. The themes identified were:

• Forgotten


• Transition Space


• Disconnected


• Dark, Damp, Humid


• Lack of Identity


• Dominated

Considering this against the key concept words of IDENTITY, CONNECTION, MEMORY GATEWAY, SYMBOLISM, RESPONSIVE allowed a me to create a ten second narrative to help guide the conceptual development of my project. The narrative:


A building growing out of the site, forging its own identity and creating a relationship with site users which provokeds memory and a sense of place.

Based on this concept, lichen was identified as a possible biomimicry exemplar as it grows out of site, creating its own identity from nothing. It also creates a great relationship and connection with the site on which it grows.


Research was conducted on LICHEN to see whether it may be a suitable exemplar.


The image below is of a moss carpet bathroom mat.


This bathroom carpet is made of imputrescible foam called plastazote. Each cell welcomes a piece of moss (ball moss, Island moss, forest moss). The humidity of the bathroom and the drops flowing from the body, water the mosses. This vegetable carpet procures a great feeling to your feet.

This concept may prove worthy for further study in relation to the construction and design of Green Walls on building facades.

Some further research on lichens provided the following information:

• Close partnership between a fungus and an algae


• Two types of organism in the partnership are so clossely interwoven that they appear as a single individual.


• Distinct form - many different shapes and types


• Algae can survive by themselves. The specific fungi in lichens – cannot survive on their own


• Fungal partner forms the main body of the lichen, with algal cells either scattered among the fungal hyphae or arranged in a layer just below the upper surface of the lichen


• Colonise some of the most inhospitable habitats on earth. In less extreme climate – inhabit just about any solid surface – rocks, walls, trees, concrete.


• Successful due to their partnership. Algae provides the fungus with some of the organic nutrients which it needs. In return, the water, nutrients and gases absorbed from the environment by the fungus are shared with the algae. Fungus plays a pivotal role in providing a physical structure to shelter the algae from excess sunlight and in particular, water loss. SYMBIOSIS – both partners benefit


• Variety of different growth forms


• Lichens reproduce wither by tiny parts of the lichen breaking off and growing somewhere else or by the fungal section producing spores.


• Lichens absorb water and minerals from rainwater and directly from the atmosphere over their entire surface area.

The following quote from David Attenborough also seemed relevant to the warmer climate of Brisbane.

Lichens can also tolerate heat which would desiccate and kill most plants. They shrivel but remain alive and, when the opportunity comes, they take up moisture at extraordinary speed and in great quantities, absorbing as much as half their dried body weight in a mere ten minutes." (Attenborough 1995:217)

The image below is a typical cross section of lichen. This may provide inspiration for roof or wall structure, building layout or facade treatments.

Lichen has already been used as inspiration for architecture by Kate Van Horn, from Cal Poly Pomona. She is designing a Mars Colony inspired by the growth patterns of Lichen. By looking at different methods of their growth, reproduction, and aggregation as they occur in nature, she has developed a structural system that mimics Lichen on a more profound and fundamental level. Lichen can be described as composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic association of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner, usually either a green algae or a cyanobacterium. The following images are images from her design.