5 minute read
Jeffrey Smart Exhibition Space
The Site
Venice Biennale, Giardini, Venice Italy
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Project Brief
The design brief was to design an exhibition at the Australian Pavilion at the next Biennale Arte Di Venezia.
The objectives were to select an Australian artist and at least one piece of their work to display.
The brief asked for an exhibition inspired by the selected artist, that is room-filling, volumetric, and theatrical that will create a unique viewing experience for guests.
Limitations
The interior of the space can be manipulated in anyway as long as the interventions are temporary. The space can be reconfigured into any which way as long as the design wont damage or leave anything permanent in the space. The design will have a life of 10 months after which the site must be able to be returned to its original state.
The Concept
The main concept was derived from selected artist, Jeffrey Smarts artwork, Labyrinth. The artwork depicts a never ending maze, which inspired me to replicate life size sculptures of devices painted in his artwork, whilst making viewers explore his work through Smarts labyrinth.
The concept helped with the spatial layout as well as transporting viewers into the theatrical world of Smarts artworks, while inviting them to slow down and explore the space.
The space envokes feelings of melancholy and solitude, making viewers reflect on Smarts life and work, whilst being transported into his world.
Ground Floor Plan
The walls and ceiling of the space have been tiled with bronze mirrors to create an illusion when inside as well as reflect the lighting throughout the space. The bronze colouring helps create a dark and melancholic feeling inside the space.
Artemide suspended track lighting was used to achieve a dark yet well-lit space, showcasing just enough of the space for viewers to truely experience what is offered.
An LED light strip facing up towards the bronze mirror ceiling acts as a guide for the viewers to navigate through the space. With LED light strips placed at each entry point of the maze to act as an extra guide for viewers.
The direct lighting on the artwork sprays a warm glow to allow the viewers to inspect the work with its natural colours and textures on display.
Elements such as the yellow cross walk from “The Stilt Race, JS”, a large lamp post from “Cahill Expressway” and a metal railing from “Morning at Savona” were replicated at a life-size scale and brought into the space to invite viewers into Smarts art world, whilst reading and learning about his life, and the meaning behind his art.
The entry into the maze takes viewers to the outskirts, with signage indicating they must go left or right to enter the maze.
Text has been placed around the space on the walls to allow viewers to read & learn about Jeffrey Smart and his artworks.
The design of the maze has only one entry and exit, inviting viewers to explore every corner to witness the full Jeffrey Smart experience.
A streetlamp and a yellow crosswalk have are replicated from Smarts artworks, “Cahill Expressway” and “The Stilt Race”.
The streetlamp is equipped to turn on and is used as a guidance point for viewers to explore more art.
Benches have also been placed to encourage viewers to sit, slow down, and take a break to view the art on display.
The spotlight highlighting each artwork is to act as a guide for the viewers to slow down and enjoy the piece of artwork before them.
A white powder coated steel railing has been replicated from Smarts artwork “Morning at Savona”, wrapping around the walls acting as a barrier between the viewer and the artwork.
Jeffrey Smarts final work before he passed, “Labyrinth”, is placed in the centre of the maze surrounded by his other works as an honour to his talent and creativity.
The lighting reflected in the ceiling is visible from every angle inside the space, as well as hints of each artwork from certain angles.
Both
QR codes are placed beside each artwork so visitors can read more about each peice, learn more about Jeffrey Smart, as well as access videos and audio guides to enhance the experience for each visitor.
To accommodate for visitors who may be visually impaired, audio tours are available through the QR code placed at the entrance at the visitors counter, with headphones available to those who may need them.
Law Firm Office Fit-out
The Site
Project Brief
The brief was to complete a workplace fit-out for a chosen company. The site is located in North Sydney and needs to pomote and facilitate the flow of the team and collaboration. The space needed to accommodate approximately 100 employees, including 2 receptionists.
The space needed to look professional and welcoming to clients and employees, whilst providing a point of difference and be attractive to encourage staff to work in the office.
The clients have asked for a bright eco space that reflects their mission. They want to incorporate as many natural materials and plants as possible. They have also asked for large amounts of collaboration space as employees tend to work together.
The Client
Freed, Morton & Baxter are an environmental law firm located in Sydney, Australia. They specialise in environmental legislation and case law to advocate for the protection of communities and then environment.
They have extensive experience working with air quality issues, power & renewables, oil & gas, buildings & infrastructure projects, environmental impact assessments and water & waste management cases.
The firm has a total of 170 employees and has work from home flexibilites, so not all 170 will need to be accommodated.
The Concept
The concept for the space focuses on fluidity and movement, with the main drive being contour lines. The concept focuses on mother nature and the tranquility we can experience from our natural environmnet.
A focus on biophilic and resimercial design to create a space for the employees that is calm, comfortable and efficient to encourage productivity and healthy work-life balances.
Level 28 Floor Plan
The clients opted for an open plan layout with 4 private offices for the CEO, and the three senior name partners.
On the north side of level 28 is where the senior partners workstations are, with the rest on level 28 and 29 for the rest of the employees.
Level 29 Floor Plan
Long Section
Short Section
The south side of the building has been divided into three separate workstation areas, with focus desks and a colalborative spaces acting as a visual guide to separate each area.
Flooring has also been used to indicate different spaces,with outlines of brass inlay and timber flooring to indicate area change.
All workstations are equipped with storage drawers, as well as planters to provide privacy for employees.
Acoustic ceiling baffles are hung above each workstation to provide enough acoustics to soften noise echoed from the terrazzo flooring.
As well as timber acoustic perforated ceiling tiles to ensure noise levels are low to not distract others.
Level 28
Level 28
The reception and hallway follow a fluid movement like a river or a lake, guiding users of the space from one end of the building to the other.
A custom ceiling feature in the hallway illuminates the space whilst following the soft curves and leading staff through the space.
The kitchen and break space are closed off from the rest of the working spaces to provide noise insulation, as well as block of any smells from food.
Lots of timber was used to treat the ceiling, as well as for the chosen furniture to create a warm and cosy environment for staff.
The north side of the building boasts views of north sydney, with a large collaborative space, boardrooms and private offices. With a view of the city available from every angle within the space.
Custom circular timber and fabric ceiling baffles have been hung above the workstations, acting as a divider to separate the spaces.
