BDES3002: SYDNEY ORAL HISTORY LIBRARY DESIGN BOOK

DEISGN BOOK PORTFOLIO

BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENTS KASEY LIN

BRIEF

BRIEF & SITE ANALYSIS

1839

The Governor of New South Wales, Sir George Gipps, chose Cockatoo Island as the site of a new penal establishment for re-o ending criminals to alleviate overcrowding at Norfolk Island Prision

1841

Charles Ormsby became the Superintendent of Cockatoo Island penal and oversaw the construction of solitary confinement cells

1845

The Fitzroy Dock construction commences

17 First Nation prisoners died where death is due to the result of confinement in an overcrowded setting and low immunity to diseases a ected the island’s population

1857

Completion of Fitzroy Dock signaled the beginning of the maritime era and was exclusively used for the British Navy until the 1860’s

1858

New regulations came into e ect for prisoners where it was made mandatory to work the entire period of their probation to qualify for tickets-of-leave

Some gained nothing by their work and by the end of 1860, many refused to work

1871 - 1880

1869

Prisoner population declined significantly and when the establishment ceased operating, the remaining prisoners were transferred to Darlinghurst Gaol

However, the school for girls were closed due to the poor treatment and were relocated whilst the boys benefited from a well-appointed vessel and qualified teachers

1941

Ship repairs where needed during WWII and Cockatoo Island became the only dockyard where major repairs could be carried out

1989 - 1991

The Commonwealth Government announced that it would not be awarding a contract for a second supply ship to Cockatoo Island.

In response to the imminent end of dockyard, the workers on the island went on strike but ultimately shut down

2010 - PRESENT

Cockatoo Island Convict Site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List

1984

Last ship to be constructed on the island was HMAS Success and was the largest naval vessel built in Australia

1882 - 1889

Completion of the new dock known as Sutherland Dock and is currently the largest single graving dock

2001 - 2007

Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (Harbour Trust) was formed and commenced rehabilitation of the site.

Opened to the public and conserves significant buildings and structures, adaptively reusing historic buildings, and interpreting the island’s remarkable history.

PROJECT BRIEF

THE SYDNEY ORAL HISTORY LIBRARY

To design a Sydney Oral History Library that houses various facilities of oral histories of its residents that can be documented, studied and passed onto future generations. In addition to o ces for its sta , the facility will also provide audio and video recording studios, a library of transcripts and recordings, an archive of important objects, an auditorium, storytelling spaces and exhibition spaces whilst simultaneously promoting sustainability through passive design strategies.

COCKATOO ISLAND MILITARY GUARD HOUSE:

OPPORTUNITIES:

HERRITAGE BUILDING & SAFETY

Herritage building occupies most of the site’s space means limited space to work with. Site is near a cli sides so safety barriers needs to be considered for users.

NOISE POLLUTIONS

Dominate noise levels are evidenced from boats and segulls as the site is located near the shore. Sound proofing may be required for our building’s function that requires a quiet space.

LACK OF VEGETATIONS

Dominant grassland but lacks vegetation coverage to provide shading. Opportunity to enhance biodiversities and landscape design.

WIND ACCESS SOLAR ACCESS TOPOGRAPHY, VIEWS & ENTRY

Site is easily exposed to natural lighiting due to the lack of coverage on the existing Military Guardhouse. Can be utilised for passive cooling and heating strategies to reduce emobidied energy.

Strong westernly and easternly breezes can provide natural ventilation. Helps improves Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and provide thermal comfort for users.

Fairly flat site that provides view of nearby significant precincts on Cockatoo Island. Site is easily accessibly with two entry points for pedestrians.

The project wishes to maintain the size and spatial quality of the nave of the herritage church and natural lighting in the building, natural ventilation and needs of addition volumes. Due the sinking roof and crumbled ceiling, the church was able to enhance large inflows of natural lighting that is established by a skylight on the north side of the apse whilst renovation preserved the original elements of the historical church. Additional volumes were resolved through relocating these functions within or outside the church in a way that maintains the vision of the unified space.

Hence, the overall design preserve the historical building through utilising its existing spatial quality and size without destroying the retained elements, preserving and simultaneous ly adding new values that highlights and singularise the ancient church in a contemporary way.

Buildings surrounding the site are heritage listed and were designed by di erent architects with di erent floor levels and street alignments made the design process substan tial to synthesise with these factors. Hence, it was important to ensure that wandering between these heritage buildings and the new contemporary development should feel seamless for visitors.

Design developed building volumes that wraps around the heritage sites to produce two core elements of the museums – two intersecting circulation loop that o ers curatorial possibilities and a public space at the museums centre for cultural programs and daily activities. The two loops link the existing buildings and new volumes to create multiple visitor routes that connects exhibition, galleries, events and program space.

03. SUSTAINABILITY

Research faciality where air circulation is the biggest energy demands in laboratories and should therefore be reduced and is exposed to significant a ernoon sunlight which glare needs to be prevented.

9 10 11

Highly e cient chilled beams were used to cool non-laboratory spaces, and a cascade circulation system that recycles air from o ces and common areas in labs that are vented out. Walls facing a ernoon light needed to be almost all glass to allow natural lighting into the centre’s laboratories and therefore, installed high-performance triple glazing with two low-E coatings, one to deflect exterior light and the other to reflect and retain internal heat. Retractable shades are also installed within the windows where when lowered, they create a solar chimney that allows the air between the window and shades to absorb external heat.

12

Strong focus on utilising natural lighting and ventilation into the building from the environment helps create an open learning environment where the use of the large windows exhibits both as an aesthetic and passive design factor can be a unifying feature to attract visitors into the building.

6 7 8 4

& DESIGN

HISTORICAL STORYTELLING OF COCKATOOISLAND

INTERACTING WITH SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT RELATIONSHIP WITH FUNCTION AND SPACE

“WITHIN THE SPACES OF TIME”

Cockatoo Island was previously operated as an establishment where convicts endured harsh living conditions but unlike the present, the island’s remnant now provide visitors with a window into an era of the islands’ past in the present.

Hence, the design will focus on storytelling Cockatoo Island that allows the audiences to interact and experience the island’s history. This can be acheived through spatially locating the functions of the space on each level to act and assist like a timeline - past, present & future. (i.e. library = past, auditorium & storytelling = past, present, o ce = future etc).

This will o er curatorial possibilites and a public space for cultural porgrams, hence allowing the audience to interact with their surroundings whilst experiencing the historical and cultural signifiance of the island.

OVERALL FUNCTION

ANALYSIS

Based on the bubble diagram, each space has been character ised and allocated in accordance to their similarities. This is due to the fact that some spaces identified works best with each other, addressing flexibility amongst the programs.

Storytelling spaces and exhibition spaces are grouped as they work in similar functions as they both attract visitors to their spaces and tend to receive noises. They can also work together in a way where storytelling spaces can use the exhibition space to provide an interactive and visual experi ence to explain the cultural and historical significance of the island.

O ce, kitchen, group studio and interview recording are also grouped due to their relationship of what is required in a work place. These spaces also requires privacy as this signifies a dedicat ed work area that is not accesible to the public.

Lockers and reception area are grouped together as they are usually the first point of contact and are therefore most likely located at the entrance. Recep tion area can provide security for vistors who wishes to leave their things and also assist directing them to their location when needed.

FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENT OF EACH SPACE

RESTROOMS

MAIN CONSIDERATION OF DESIGN

DEDICATED FLOOR SPACE

INTERACTION TO OUTDOOR

Some functions work similarly with each other as spatially locating these similarities on each level can assist a “timeline” - past, present and potentially future. At least 3 di erent levels will o er possibilities for these experiences to allow visitors to interact with the historical and cultural significance of the island.

Ultilise the climate to achieve passive design strate gies such as natural lighting and ventilation. Consider using the surrounding site and outdoor charactertis tics to allow visitors inside the building to simultane ously interact with each other.

ACCESSIBILITY VIEWS AND SURROUNDINGS

Ensure visitors can easily access and identify what these spaces are dedicated to during their journey and transition. Helps ease the mode of getting around the space without getting lost and allows a seamless journey through the spaces provided.

The building should ensure good views for the visitors to see across the island’s present character istics as a way of understanding and experiencing the island’s history and culture.

MECHANICAL SPACE

DESIGN FEATURES

Public vs Private

Majority of levels are occupied by the public with the exception of the top floor being mostly private. This is because o ceworkers would need privacy within their workspace.

Frequently used space orientated to the north

This allows natural lighting to enter the building and reduces embodied energy. Helps recieves optimum sunlight in winter and minises heat gain in summer.

Circular accessibility and ventilation

Movement is vertical circulation as you reach upwards but inteiror is a circular movement. This allows easy accessibilty for each space, with natural ventilation entering each area.

Large windows and glazing

Allows users to enjoy overall view of the site. Small windows should be employed in the west, south and east to avoid overheating in summer. Glazing can be utilised to prevent glare and visual discomfort.

DESIGN STAGE OF BUILDING ENVELOPE: FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION

NEW FLOOR INTRODUCED

Form is built upwards so that it does not interfer with the herritage site. Splitted into 3 levels to emphaises the concept whilst mainly orientated north as it is exposed to good lighting that can be utilised for natural lighting.

Some levels were shi ed backwards or where pushed forward to create a more disjointed form. This provided more spaces for the bottom as it introduces a “ground level.”

New configuration now forms 4 level in total. Second level is sitting on top of the herritage site creates an opportunity to design an exposed balcony for the audience to see over the Military Guardhouse.

PROPOSED ROOF

PROPOSED BALCONY

Thus, a dedicated level is inserted above the ground level to create the exposed balcony floor as the rest of the levels are shi ed up.

The balcony is created with an exposed center for the visitors to look below or above from the Guardhouse.

Final form with a few changes to give the building more character helps easily distinguish the di erent levels that are occupied by di erent functions.

VIEW OF SUTHERLAND DOCK PROPOSED ROOF

FORM IN REGARDS TO CLIMATE:

VIEW OF SUTHERLAND DOCK

VIEW OF CONVICT

FLOOR ROOF

ORIENTATED NORTH N

VIEW OF CONVICT

N

The new form still maintains the original decision of utilising natural lighting and view of cockatoo island within the building as it is still orinetated north.

WINDOW & FACADE PLACEMENTS: FINAL BUILDING ENVELOPE:

VIEW OF SUTHERLAND DOCK

VIEW OF CONVICT

GROUND LEVEL HERRITAGE BUILDING SUN PATH EXPOSED BALCONY N

Windows are arranged accordingly in terms of the island’s main attractions and historical remnants as windows are postioned on all sides. To prevent glare, a facade is proposed on the east as it recieves the most amount of light and glazing should be utilised.

FLOOR SPACE

HERRITAGE BUILDING

GROUND LEVEL

SUN PATH WINDOWS PROPOSED FACADE LOCATION

Once window and facade arrangements have been identified, the overall building envelope is formed as a result from the function.

ARCHITECTURAL

WEST ELEVATION

ELEVATION

MATERIAL CATALOGUE

CROSS LAMINATED TIMBER

Higher life cycle assessment in terms of strength to weight ratio, embodied energy, air and water pollution. Lower U-value due to it’s thicker panels, hence requiring less insulation.

WHITE PLASTER WALL

Environmentally natural material that is breathable and free of chemcials. It has strong durability that makes it last for a long time, sound proofing, fire and water resistence.

CELLULOSE INSULATION

Low embodied energy and o en installed in interior walls to make buildings quieter; useful for o ce spaces and libraries. Fire resistance, low to no toxicity and low carbon footprints that helps sequest carbon from escaping into the environment.

TIMBER FLOORING & FACADE

Natural element that produces no toxicity and is therefore safe to handle. It is recycable, renewable and biodegradable and hence, reduces carbon emissions that makes it an energy-e cient material. Cladding facade orientated North to minimise glare and provide shading from the natural lighting.

Glazing is used to to improve energy e ciency and thermal comfort. This is acheived through the use of high SGHC glazing for north & south facing windows to maximise heat gain during winter whereas low SGHC for west and east facing widnows to minimise ecessive solar heat gain in the summer.

Moreover, some windows are operable to allow active comfort in the environment and further promotes natural ventilation in the building.

NATURAL LIGHTING LED ARTIFICAL LIGHTING

WALL TO FLOOR SECTION

lighting where studies have shown that exposure to natural light helps our bodies produce Vitamin D and increase productivity.

Use LED lighting with high CRI rather than fluoresent lighting for artifical lighitng as it is more energy e cent for those who visits at night and meets the required lighitng standards.

REFELECTIVE SURFACE & STORM WATER STORAGE

Light coloured roof with reflective surface helps cools surface of building where rainwater runs down the roof slope to a stormwater storage to be reused. Stormwater storage is re-used for restrooms or kitchen sink through the mechanical room.

UTILISING THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

Existing herritage site will be used as an immersive and interactive space that acts as an outdoor storytelling. Allows the design to preserve and simultaneously reduces new structures being built.

NATURAL VENTILATION OPEN SPACE

Open spaces to allow airflow into the building for natural ventilation to improve thermal comfort and passive cooling; reducing embodied energy.

HISTORICAL TIMELINE:

“Cockatoo Island’s History.” Our story | Cockatoo Island. Accessed November 14, 2022. https://www.cockatooisland.gov. au/en/our-story/.

PRECEDENTS:

1. Saieh, Nico. “Convent De Sant Francesc / David Closes.” ArchDaily. ArchDaily, July 9, 2012. https://www.archdaily. com/251389/convent-de-sant-francesc.

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. Office, Jennie. “Many Stories: Wa Museum Boola Bardip.” ArchitectureAU, July 8, 2021. https://architectureau.com/ articles/wa-museum-boola-bardip/.

5. “WA Museum Boola Bardip.” Hassell. Accessed November 9, 2022. https://www.hassellstudio.com/project/wa-muse um-boola-bardip.

6. Ibid.

7. Ibid. 8. Ibid.

9. Risen, Clay. “Amherst College New Science Center by Payette.” Architect, April 3, 2019. https://www.architectmaga zine.com/project-gallery/amherst-college-new-science-center.

10.Ibid. 11.Ibid.

12. Ibid.