PROJECT // process - Details of the Stage

An example of what the stairs going down to the stage would look like.

Stage, looking down elizabeth street

PROJECT // process - Details of Gallery Space

Above are some detailed drawings of materials used in the construction of the gallery space. Below is an example of a concrete studio space (on a slightly larger scale). This image inspired my when designing the small concrete boxes of the gallery. Incorporating large glass openings in the form of bifold doors helps to soften the harshness concrete can sometime exhibit and makes the spaces more transparent and welcoming to the public.

sketch of Gallery space look down Elizabeth street

PROJECT // process - Details of Library Pod

Below are some details of how the Library pod would be constructed and what materials they would be.

One of the library pods in the contexts of Elizabeth st, looking at the corner of albert and elizabeth st. 

PROJECT // process

The Library boxes

A typical library pod - A glass box with a light weight steel frame will incase four cubicles of marine plywood seating areas. The glass creates an inviting feeling of transparency, whilst the custom made plywood seating creates semi-private cubicles.

examples of how plywood can be used:

 http://homeinteriorsandaccessories.blogspot.com.au/

http://homebars.barinacraft.com/post/31917604497/seashell-seat-marine-life-inspired-creature-comfort

glass boxes

PROJECT // process

I began to look at how these small buildings would actually work on the site at a real scale.

 section through the stage - the actors enter the stage by small operable moving floors that lift you up to the stage.

 plan of the stage

 section through gallery boxes, note the gentle ramp that takes you up to the to of the mound. 

structural ideas for the library pods - essentially there would be big steel frames that wrap around a glass box, creating a very transparent setting although being raised above street level it still has a sense of privacy.

 plan and section of the gallery space. 

 ideas for how the gallery space might open.

WK THIRTEEN // activating the myer center facade

Pompidou center, Paris 

(http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/1276224585-conservapedia.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.archdaily.com/64028/ad-classics-centre-georges-pompidou-renzo-piano-richard-rogers)

After looking at how the small library pods, that are proposed to activate the myer center facade, would actually work in terms of structure and possible attachment I began to look at exemplars to get inspiration. I decided to have a free standing structure that stood in front of the myer center but still had some elements that pieced through the facade creating a connection between the cultural and retail streets of queen and elizabeth. Unlike the pompidou, the walkway that connects the 4 library pods is suspended in between two mirrored structures. see sketches below.

The structure would consist of a light weight steel to reduce materials used in construction and to not be too intrusive on the aesthetics of the street but still create an iconic building that gives character to Brisbane. The idea of a free standing structure will help cultural street create its own reputation as opposed to being part of the Myer Center itself. It will also allow for construction to occur at any time with out disruption to the patrons of the neighboring buildings. The structure is based on the structure of the pompidou in terms of the size of the members and spacing between them. The rigid structure is softened slightly by library pods that overhang onto elizabeth street. The structure could be a base for plants to grow on, such as vines and other climbing plants. 

A library with no books. The 4 small pods within this structure offer spaces to study and read digital data that you can acquire. Each pod allows access to a different genre of data these include; science, arts, history and language. The data can be uploaded to your computer through a wireless network, you can chose to loan it or purchase it.

WK THIRTEEN // final locations of cultural entities in elizabeth st

Cultural entity A - (library) the facade on the back side of the Myer Center noticeably lacks activity and vibrance. In order to activate this facade small cultural entities (libraries and research pods at human scale) will be attached.

Cultural entity B - (art gallery) is the center point of elizabeth st and a meeting location for the pedestrians. 

Cultural entity C - (openair theatre) albert/elizabeth st intersection, allows people to become aware that the pedestrian street exists and shows them a glimpse of what happens in the street.