Week 8 One to Hundred

For this week, I have been exploring through drawings and diagrams possible building experiences that I would like my users to engage with. The following are sections and interior sketches of my proposed architectural entities.

This first sketch is an exploration for a deck that would sit out over Saltwater creek, it is a feature I would like to tie in with the following sketches of a performance space. The user would first move through a multi-purpose deck space and then move down steps toward the amphitheater.
In these drawings I have sketched 2 separate and somewhat unrelated architectural solutions which I aim to converge into one seamless architectural solution. For the next stage of my project I wish to further develop this idea. I also want to establish a level of connectedness to the other buildings on the site, weather that is a sheltered path that leads to and from the other buildings and the space in between in a shared courtyard space.

Week 7 One to Thousand

1.
Below are diagrams and sketches that begin to explore how my buildings/ architectural resolutions might be situated onto the Drill Hall site. I like the area that looks out over Saltwater Creek, as I think this could frame some captivating views and situate the community amongst the trees in a sense, which further hints towards their communities love of the natural envionment the Byron Shire and its ecological sustainability.
2.

 3.
The following diagrams and sketches demonstrate the composition of the site. I wish to place the car park within close proximity to the drill hall to facilitate ease of access for the community including the disabled.  The entrance would still remain the original entry but for foot traffic only and would also act as a loading dock -  it would not be used for regular traffic.

 

After further exploration through sketches, I am wanting to place the performance space/ amphitheatre towards the back of the site that steps down into the creek. Tieing in with my Psychedelic/ altering perception theme for Project 1, I would like to make the performance space inconspicuous at first, as something that needs to be discovered. The users would first move through the Multi-pupose building/ deck space that would then lead them through to the auditorum. 

A factor which is important for this design proposal is the flow and movement through the site. I dont wish for the buildings to be completely separate, I would like to design it in a way that the buildings are connected and still hold some kind of relationship. I dont wish for the users to just experience the one building and not the others. 

...‘flow, continual flow, continual change, continual transformation' (Brand, 1994). 

Brand, S. 1994. “Flow” In How buildings learn : what happens after they’re built. 2-11. New York: Penguin Books.

Week 6 Possible Architectural Directions

1.

The impression received from Mullumbimby is that the residents are content with their humble and quiet town, although an addition to encourage and facilitate community interaction and events would work towards enhancing and growing their currently lifestyle and artistic creative cultures.

Mullumbimby residents engage and experience frequent creative, eclectic and eccentric creativity regularly as it can be seen all over the town through its artwork and sculptures. For the Drill Hall site it is important to look at what activities already occur and what other activites could be broadened or facilitated to enhance creative community expressions and culture.

2. 

 As an architectural designer I have drawn up other potential activities which could encourage use of this site even more, and also to provide upgraded facilities to accommodate for these. The median age of the community is 42, and so is assumed that there is also a sizable elderly community within Mullumbimby. Community activies and events which could all take place within with site are as follows in the diagram including already existing activities.

3. I endeavor to formulation architectural solutions that the entire community can benefit from and not just the "creative" community within Mullumbimby and the surrounding Byron Shire. What could be proposed is a multipurpose space that users could use and manipulate as they please to suit their needs. My proposal would be to have 3 main areas on the site for Performances, Community Activites/Creative Industries and the Drill hall would remain as Primary building of use for the MDCC group.

4. The quote from the week 6 reading encourages my aim to use the the given site to its full capasity, but also an entity that does not overwhelm the site and will provide enough flexibility to change and transform with the needs and desires of the community as they see fit;

....‘this scheme permits maximum movement through the site, emphasizing discoveries and presenting visitors with a variety of programs and events. Developments in architecture are generally related to cultural developments motivated by new functions, social relations and technological advances.’

Tschumi, B. 1987. Cinegramme Folie: Le Parc De La Villette. Princeton, N.J: Princeton Architctural Press.

WEEK 5 Speculation & Scenarios

1. 

My "Inception" Node for project 1 was designed to serve as a small performance space for performances and photography. The interior is lined with mirrors with the aim to distort typical reflections of performers and users. duplicate planes to distort users typical perception of reality. Elements which could be investigated within the next two phases of this project, is the use of mirrors to distort perception and create some interesting visual experiences, and also to carry forward the geometric formation of the Node with its multiple angular planes. My new building would carry forward the use of wood to blend modestly into the surrounding characteristics of Mullumbimby. I would somehow like to incorporate the mirrors again, perhaps on the ceiling to duplicate interior reflections and views to distort perceptions and evoke an engaging and unique experience within the building.

 

Image taken from the feild trip to Mullum (car park view). 

2. 

Investigation of Mullumbimby History/ Culture. Mullumbimby presents itself as a humble, colorful, eccentric, vibrant and naturally beautiful community and place which has been shaped by its heritage and history.  The Byron Bay shire along with Mullumbimby is well known and loved for its breathtaking beaches, landscape and lifestyle which makes it an extremely popular holiday location.

Byron Bay Shire has a strong relationship and connectedness to the natural environment and this is something which has enforced and encouraged by the local shire and council. 

The main industries in Mullumbimby is farming of bananas, sugar, timber and beef. Up until 1970 this was a low key town. Mullumbimby was drawn into the spotlight in 1973, as it was going to be the host town of the Aquarious festival, which eventually moved and took place in Nimbin. Although, this still encouraged visitors and "new age" individuals (surfers/ hippies) were captivated by this town and its beauty and so moved in! 

The Drill hall is of particular reference to this Project as it is the site for the next 2 projects. The Drill Hall was built in 1915 and was used for up until 1950 as a military training site. After 1950-1970 the Hall was unused and somewhat forgotten. After 1970 which brought in the new age visitors and residents the Hall reopened by the Mullumbimby District Cultural Centre (MDCC) which used the hall for acting, threatre productions and drama performances. The building was also shared with the Mullumbimby Adult Learning and Pottery Association (MALAP). MALAP eventually moved their kiln into a small building located at the back of the site as an established pottery studio. The Drill Hall overall had and still accommodates many activities for the community and other organisation to engage in. 

3. 

The site for the Drill Hall (above in RED) is situated in the residential area of Mullumbimby and so it is an area that is not overly developed. Architectural possibilities for this zone I think must be something that is un-invasive, modest and embraces and enhances the characteristics and cultural values of the surrounding Mullumbimby community. 

When the community was asked about what kind of developments they would like to see carried out in their community, they expressed that they would like it to remain relatively unchanged (as mentioned in the 2012 Byron Bay Council: Community Strategic Plan 2012). 

My aim for Mullumbimby is to create an architectural resolution that encourages and enhances community engagment and facilitates and drives creative and artistic  Mullumbimby culture. This proposal will be commited to environmental sustainability and will highlight and encourage Mullumbimby's connection and relationship with the surrounding landscape. It is important that this community is sustained and enhanced for the use and enjoyment for future generations. The flora and Fauna are important in this Shire and needs to be considered in a project such as this. 

4. 

It is desirable for the Drill Hall to encourage artistic and creative growth within the community and this is a perfect site to do that. With this project it is a form to facilitate cultural practices within the community and enhance its growth. I quote from the week 5 reading states that; 

...‘an understanding of architecture not merely as a professional activity, a practical endeavour, but as a form of cultural production’ Kazi, 2009).

Kazi, O. 2009. "Architecture as a Dissident Practice: An Interview with Diller Scofidio + Renfro."Architectural Design 79 (1): 56–59.