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. 

WK THIRTEEN // cultural street scape

SITE: Elizabeth st

Albert st + Elizabeth st intersection

looking up Elizabeth st

Albert st + Elizabeth st intersection

looking down Elizabeth st 

WK TWELVE // sketching form ideas for the three cultural entities

library/research spaces (section through Elizabeth st, looking at myer center) - the pods can be used for researching and studying and the walking path between the pods is where you gather your digital data.

gallery space

The above diagrams show at each room interval there is a sensor which allows more artwork to be viewed on your ipad as you walk through and up the gallery space.

preliminary sketches (gallery space)

* The 3rd cultural space will be that of an open air theatre in the intersection of Elizabeth st and Albert st. It will include seating and a stage for the actors, see below.

WK TWELVE // topography exploration

Above is some exploration of what the topography could look like in Elizabeth st. I like the flow of b. as the rise and dip is not too unrealistic (2m above/below street level). The topography in d. and e. is too step and instead of attracting people to use the space it will deter them. In c. the variation of spaces is quite good, but I think that some of the spaces have to be slightly bigger. A mix of b. and c. will be most appropriate.