WEEK 4 - Community Node Proposal

The Node that I have designed for Mullumbimby is called the "Inception Node". Mullumbimby is know for its alternative performances and creativity in music, drama and art; and so my node can be used as a small performance space and for photography. I found the features of Mullum to be modest, but sometimes essentric and alternative in nature, and so I started with the concept of my node to be "psychedelia". I began investigating functions of kaledescopes and creating multiple reflections. I aimed to create spaces that would somehow distort out typical perception of reality.

 

The Inception Node, is a zone to facilitate
performances and photography. The Mirror Dome
has reflective surfaces within the inside of the entire
framework which displays the reflections of users.
A performer using this space will have their
image reflected around the entire roof of the dome
to display a visually interesting and appealing
distortion to the observing audiences. The two
other separate corners of the node are to
facilitate individual spaces for users to view
themselves in multiple planes and gives them the
opportunity to take photos and view themselves
from an alternate and unusual perspective. 

Mullumbimby is a quiet and essentric town, whose identity I associated with
expressing subtle themes of psychedelia and a free lifestyle.
I first associated my node with that of distorting one of the 5 bodily
senses and so chose to manipulate users vision. I first intended to develop
a human kaledescope and then developed these resulting mirrors
that disorient and replicate reflections within the multiple mirror planes.
I have chosen to enclose the outer frame of the node with timber, as I feel
this complements and reflects the countryside and environment of
Mullumbimby, and felt this would enable the Nodes to blend more
seamlessly into the selected zones. 

 

I have Positioned Mirrors in my node so that the reflection of the users is duplicated across multiple planes. I endeavored to create visual experiences for users that is somewhat disorientating and unfamiliar.

As individuals stand within the right side inclosed and more private spaces, they are able to observe their own multiple reflections and take photos if they desire.

The larger face of mirrors surrounding the performance space projects reflections of performers of buskers out towards an observing audience.

The structure of my node consists of a steel frame that is enclosed on the outside with timber to blend subtly with the natural elements in Mullumbimby. 

WEEK 3 - Design Investigations & Possible Solutions

For the development of my Node design I endeavored to first experiment with mirrors and how I could possibly create a performance area and manipulated the visual perceptions of audiences and users of my node.
I first experimented and made a kaleidoscope to investigate how mirrors could make multiple and endless reflections of objects.

I then began experimenting with materials and made a small mock up model of a potential design for my node. I constructed triangular face and stuck them together facing towards eachother so that objects between these faces would have multiple reflections. The materials used is cardboard, glue and reflective book contact paper.

 

Front view of my mock up node attempt#1

Back view of my mock up node attempt#1

WEEK 2 - Contextual Investigations and Responses

After visiting Mullumbimby I walked away with the impression that Mullum was a town that inspired artists, performers and those interested in textiles. My initial idea was to create a sound dome with a psychedelic theme, where buskers could come and play music, but also have their musical sound somehow distorted to create a confusion and disorientation - to tie with the "psychedelic" theme.

Interior view of Cultural Centre Stage

Sketch of Mullumbimby District Cultural Centre (view from car park) + the interior floor plan layout.

Sketch of Outside Pottery Building next to cultural centre (view from car park).

I decided to scrap my inital idea and continued brainstorming. A sound dome that manipulated sound seemed too intangible. I stuck with my "psychedelic" theme and started thinking about kaledescopes and how to somehow influence our usual perceptions of realty.

WEEK 1 - SITE and CONTEXT

Mullumbimby is a quiet and humble community although does hold an edge of eccentricity. The townspeople seems very relaxed and context with the towns slow-paced and relaxed lifestyle. the character and essence of Mullum is something to be nurtured and maintained for the long-term.
 atmosphere.


 Historical
As mentioned by Malcom Price guest lecturer, Mullumbimby was inhabited around the 1850s. 
the towns train line was opened in the late 1890s, and was shutdown in 2004.  the town was mostly an agricultural town right up until the 1960s. In the 1970s the town individuals interested in alternative culture, and this can still be seen in the town today (Lecture, Malcom Price).

Old Mullumbimby Post Office (location of Mullum markets).

Geographical

 The name Mullumbimby means "Place of small hill or mound" as described by Malcome Price in our first lecture for the sememster.  After visiting Mullumbimby I noticed the town was very lush with many hills and valleys.

Mullumbimby Mapping

Cultural
 Asmentioned in Malcom's lecture, the town is most of family's raising children, artists, film makers. The town holds mostly a demographic of young and old people, although there is a few in between. 

Artwork painted onto a toilet door in local cafe at Mullumbimby

Social
Mullumbimby is known for its market spaces and gardens.The following images are of the community gardens in Mullumbimby. Site for social and community interaction.

Reading 1 - Reflection

Davis, H. 2006. “Introduction: two billion buildings.”In The Culture of Building . 3-21. New York: Oxford Universy

The result of a constructed building is the process of varying disciplines working together and doing their part in the particular development. Builders, bankers, architects, urban designers all do their bit in the production/ development process. When it comes to considering designs for Mullumbimby, it is important to focus on the specific culture of the town and for those in the building development profession are sensitive to the specific needs and desires of the town. So often large cities have become lost and sterile in some of their establishments. I intend to be sensitive to the culture of Mullumbimby, for it to be sustained, nurtured. Designs should hold long-term value for the culture of the community (Davis, 2006, pp.13).