DAB510 - Week 6 Reflection

This week we had Professor John Frazer lecture us on "Computing without Computers". In short he made a discovery of instigating an idea within a set amount of parameters and algorithms to let a computer model develop it into a million outcomes. This is based on the cells to the finest degree. He argued that our cell and genetic structure are more advanced thnt our intellectual knowledge at this stage and this is true. These cells consist of both generic and site specific functions. Generic just for the growth and specific for the adaptability.

The program he used is different for all applications. My question in regards to this computer based design solutions is the quality of design. As humans we are developing an understanding of space and to accomodate its evolution. There is no one use space can be used for and this is why i question the quality of a computer simulated design resolution. Not only this but as architects we tie spaces together to work harmoneously, the feel, the touch, the sensory, the smells. I don't believe a computer could analyze this though in the applicaitons shown on screen as to where light penetrates through a site and optimal room locations is quite beneficial (but this can be formed on any type of applicaiton in this decade).

Unforunately this week Davor was in NZ and unable to attend the tutorial. I went through the site with some peers to understand the positives and negatives of the site. All the statements below are based purely on functionality.

Constraints:

1. Existing buildings must be kept.
2. Security on site.
3. Transitional spaces
4. Public Transport (Ferry)

The existing buildings serve a purpose on site for there sole functions  and the removal of this wouldn't be a suitable solution. Prior to the floods there was a chainwire fence with barbed tops seperating the transitional spaces from the industrial.

The site proves to be a difficult site because of the south facing situation. During winter minimal light will penetrate unless the space we create is on the rivers edge but this minimizes to connection of the space to the cliff. During Summer at midday sun will penetrate the whole site but this is unwanted as our tropical climate proves this uncomfortable.

DAB510 - Week 5 Reflection

The lecture explained details of the industries current methods in procurements and what our role is within the industry. The lecturer (Prof. Mark Burry) explained that from the start, you will receive a brief but this will change nothing. You will always have to reverse brief the client to provide design solutions but in doing so, design is a developing idea to create innovative spaces he also elaborated that design is never finished, not even when the job is completed. There will always be kinks in the design which you or the client will have to resolve.

This tutorial was the first time for many that met Davor and in his introduction he described his philosophy as "there is no point of designing a building which does not function". We all introduced ourselves and explained what we think of "inter-cultural community's".

My interpretation of this tutorial group was to learn about others cultural identity within the group and how it relates to Brisbane to create a foundation of knowledge about Brisbane's culture... well the students culture. I find the quickest way to learn about culture is through interaction, observation and participation and this tutorial explores all of these aspects.

We further separated into groups of four to delve into the sites functionality and the idea of inter-culturalism. These are our findings.

 

First we looked at the current uses and how that may impact on the design concept with the constraints.

Current Uses:

1. Bike Path (connecting the city, newstead and valley together)
2. Heritage (bomb shelters)
3. Ferry Terminal
4. Hardstand storage (Industrial uses)
5. Views (Tourism)
6. Connection of the River, Cliff and bridge.
7. Dock.

Possible Uses:

1. Place + Culture = Space?
2. Public Space
3. Transitional spaces

The possible uses were very broad as to define a functionality of the space. So we tried to break it down further. What is inter-culturalism? Is there any such thing? By creating a space dedicated to a culture does that embrace it?

My understanding is that even if we create a blank space for a sole purpose, it can still embrace inter-culturalism due to its capability of being blank and able to adapt to different cultures. By creating a space dedicated to a certain culture will work as well due to people feeling out of place, removed of the social position and share the experience of culture. By creating a space for all cultures, this will result in not enough depth into the design and is rather ignorant to our own identity.

Our next approach was to identify certain functions that remove all cultural barriers and we understood that the following proved effective:

1. Food
2. Leisure
3. Sport
4. Music

 During the presentations of our findings i had a mental epiphany which raised questions in regards to time. Time as both in 24/7 and the adaptability of this project to the future. I think there will be issues in security of if the proposed space is to be functional 24/7. The project i think will require easy adaptability to the futures uses.