B.1 DESIGN FOCUS In order to create an “exciting and eye catching installation” we need something innovative, something that will stand out. This location is unique for a public sculpture as the viewing time is approximately 40 seconds and seen at speeds 100km/h. While there is no time to get up close and inspect the work itself, the aim is to leave an impression so lasting that it promotes viewings to consider the work after they have viewed it and they have driven past it. This will encourage “ongoing interest in the Western Interchange by encouraging further reflection about the installation beyond first glance” (as stated in brief). In order to do this and create this, we wish to produce something that can be appreciated on face value yet is complex enough to provoke further thought and consideration. Considering this, and also the unique idea that the majority of the audience will only view it while driving past at fast speeds, our project wishes to explore along the lines of complexity and blur, considering notions such as motion, experiential and the experience, repetition and asymmetrical geometry.
Situated outdoors as the Wyndham Gateway project will be, the ICD Research Pavilion demonstrates the benefits and opportunities of strips and folding as a design approach when exploring lighting and shade. As strips and folding allow for multiple and different sections or strips, lighting from the inside can create an interesting effect on the outside with the light coming through. This has a great effect at night, rather than having basic up-lighting of the structure from the outside, an entire new effect is created as the emphasis is placed on the gaps in between the form or ‘strips’ of the structure rather than the form itself as it would be in the daytime. Additionally, during the day the shade created by the form of the structure can not only be a by-product of the structure but become an interesting aspect incorporated in the design with the structure’s form and gaps. This is more prominent in Biothing. In this structure the thin strips raised above the ground cast notable patterned shadows that can add in another dynamic and alter with the light direction.
The design approach of strips and folding has a variety of opportunities to realise these intentions in our project. The idea of complexity can be increased by folding, provoking viewers to be encouraged to investigate and think about the different layers. By repeating strips we can enhance the idea of ‘blur’, as viewers pass so quick. We can explore positioning, heights, shapes and so on to provoke different responses from the viewers and create and change the experience while passing. Folding and strips have the ability to fold and intertwine with each other, increasing complexity within its own form.
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