portfolio.
Luke Vellacott
QUT SoABE + Aerovate New Build Interior
Brisbane MoWP pages 01-08 semester 2, 2023.
QUT SOABE + Aerovate pages 17-24 semester 2, 2023.
The Noosa Museum pages 33-40 semester 1, 2021.
Convalescence pages 09-16 semester 2, 2022.
QUT Riverside Precinct pages 25-32 semester 1, 2022.
Professional Work pages 41-44 2022 - 2024.
Brisbane MoWP
“There is a history of the City of Brisbane that has been put on hold in place for history that is more marketable, adjusted for the general populations watered-down taste. However, there is a large history within the city context that has been ignored, history that is important.
The Brisbane Museum of War and Peace aims to rectify this, and bring the stories of Brisbane’s forgotten past into the light again. Through an architectural style seen in the Brisbane Central Business District Context forgotten to time brought into the contemporary landscape, the stories told within are displayed amongst a green landscape.
The intention of this project is to promote the largely forgotten history of Brisbane through
a museum context. The primary stories are related to the Indigenous Australians, the modern wars and the other smaller stories, such as the history of Brisbane’s organised crime scene in the Valley. These stories, some with extremely difficult and sensitive topics are placed surrounded by a ecobrutalist context which provides a strong contrast to the stories being told.
There are two sites that were initially chosen to house the project, each having a unique site context and connections. This site and concept were chosen by the client to progress to the next stage of development, being 549 Queen Street. This existing site poses strong potential connections to both a large park and the river, as well as being on the fringe of the Brisbane CBD itself.
Brisbane Museum of War and Peace
Museum Entrance
Define the Extents
As the existing site is actually two city blocks on the corner of a park and the edge of the central CBD, the site was selected on the basis that it will bridge nature, and the CBD through to the Fortitude Valley location.
To create a sustainable, and exciting new cultural museum however, the small laneway is to be demolished to accommodate the program.
Initial Massing Response
After consulting the local connections to the site, as well as the climatic and social conditions the initial massing was extruded to the appropriate height as per the initial client brief.
The mass allows for deep sun penetration for the floor plates where desired, and the open air courtyard created invites the public into the building, and allows visual connection out.
Identify Connections
There is two imperative connections that have to be considered on the site that the new building must address. These are 1) the Centenary Place Park, and 2) The CBD and the Brisbane River Just beyond.
These site lines are important to the site, and the building will address both physical and visual connections to both these locations.
Final Architecture
The final building, an eco-brutalist structure inspired by the existing modernist buildings in the Brisbane CBD is created. The massing steps down to greet and designate the entry for the building, and the large amount of greenery and planting provided by the design promotes a sustainable future, as well as creates a juxtaposition for the museums content to be displayed.
Section A 1:500
Section B 1:500
Convalescence
Centre for Mental Health + Wellbeing Within Nature
As a result of the covid-19 pandemic, the world became much more aware of the substantial need for redevelopment of how we approach mental health, particularly in cities of concrete skyscrapers.
Brisbane is no exception. Buildings are lining up, taller and taller along the Brisbane River and as this trend continues, the need for visual and physical connection to nature in everyones lives within the city will undoubtedly need to escalate.
Convalescense is situated in a spot most advantageous to this goal created. In a largely abandoned, soon to be developed lot this proposal has the potential to create a green heart within the city.
The goal of Convalescense is to aid the everyday person living within Brisbane city
with their mental and physical wellbeing. Taking biophilic principles from the obvious connection to nature, to planning the building around tree root diagrams this proposal sits within a strange context with open arms to the people who seek it out.
The program of the building follows a simple mental health journey one might take; Ground level you are unsure and will reflect, Level 1 you will start to work intrinsically, Level 2 you begin to talk to friends and family and finally Level 3, you can find professional help.
Understanding that there is a need is important, but creating daring buildings like this, which aren’t for profit but rather for people is the change this world needs.
Interior Gardens
Nature-Based Site
To create a nature-based wellness center, the site must be prepared and analysed for the potential usage. As there was no existing greenery, taking cues from the local context three dominating trees are presented.
These trees define everything spatially, and help the building to become as biophilic as possible.
Create A Wholistic Journey
To aid and replicate the mental health journey that is often so silent, the program is organised per level of the building.
The understanding of the mental health journey follows private to public, where as you ascend the building you are allowing more people into your journey.
Extrude Form Around Nature
Once the nature has defined where it begins, a form is wrapped around it, giving careful consideration as to where nature is at all times.
The voids are maintained throughout the process, as to continue that the trees have defined the space and will not move.
Extract Final Mass
From the defining massing and principles, a final mass is produced. The stepped planters create an effect as is the building is bending down to greet a person, rather than be dominating in the space.
The massing also provides a unique opportunity to create visual and auditory effects with a waterfall defining the entry point.
Section A 1:500
Section B 1:500
QUT SOABE + Aerovate
QUT School of Architecture and Built Environment + Research
“There exists a necessity for change; no longer can we settle with the mediocre in pursuit of a purse. Buildings are more than commodities - they occupy the earth just as we do. Buildings that can breath, and support life is the task ahead of humanity.
The School of Architecture and Built Environment as well as the Aerovate Research Centre will provide a world class facility housed within a building that responds passively to its surrounding context. It aims to inspire a new generation of designers to attempt something unique and to provide rigorous demeanour to each mechanical problem.”
The intention of this project is to chiefly, combat the ever present challenges that are being faced by the climate crisis. The
Aerovate Research Centre provides a basis of how to accomplish this task - air flow management and passive cooling. The new architecture and built environment building will respond with a stack ventilation system, where the air is pulled into four stacks with turbines atop to generate power to completely take the HVAC system offgrid.
The proposal is also built around the basis that complete demolition is not always the most environmentally-friendly solution. D Block was stripped to the structure, with a new more efficient and inviting glazing system will be implemented as well as a refresh of the interiors. Additionally, a level of E Block is to be renovated to include the new Aerovate floor plan.
Building Axonometric
Building Services, Wind Turbines
Meeting Spaces, Staff Offices, Outdoor Terraces
Academic Offices, Staff Area
Higher Degree Research Offices, Staff Area, Outdoor Terraces
Meeting Rooms, Lecture Rooms, Student Space, D Block Services
Block Level 5
Meeting Rooms, Lecture Rooms, Student Space, Lectorial Rooms, Studio Spaces, Student Lockers
Computer Labs, Studio Spaces, Student Spaces, Aerovate Lab
Block Level 3
Computer Labs, Studio Spaces, Aerovate Lab, (Aerovate GFA also on this level in E Block), Student Support Services
Lectorial Rooms, Student Workshop, Staff Labs, Showcase Room
Student Workshop, Staff Labs, Entry Lobby
Retain Courtyard
Allowing for both the existing building extents and the defined building footprint for the ground and level 1 levels, a courtyard was placed in between to retain an existing courtyard as well as create a new, green environment where existing filed pavers where placed.
Create Link to D Block
Another mass is created to step down to the existing D Block building, to cement the new build within its surrounding context.
The tiered effect of the massing also creates visual site lines that are not obtrusive or intimidating to people in the park or arriving on campus.
Stack Ventilation Massing
The building mass and footprint is turned on an angle on the site to create interest, as well as provide the best angles for the stack ventilation effect.
The blue arrows indicate the strongest wind currents all year around from the south and south west, and will generate the most current for the turbines to spin.
Roof Landscaping
Using the tiered outdoor spaces, a courtyard is returned to the space where a portion was removed for the new building. This satisfies the clients brief, as well as promotes sustainable practices for the university construction projects for the future.
The landscaping also provides some benefit to the shading of the outdoor decking so that occupants can feel comfortable outside.
Riverside Precinct
Science + Engineering Precinct Proposal for QUT
Rendered Axonometric
As you breach the crest of the Goodwill Bridge, your eyes are drawn to the large timber structure looming just over the edge of the threshold of the trees signifying the QUT campus. As you begin to move through the dense mangrove forest and onto campus, the tower sits dominating on the site.
This project has been developed from the understanding of the significance of the built form and the impacts it makes on the environment. The Riverside Tower achieves the sustainability goals that it and QUT are searching for in this modern age.
A traditional view on buildings made from massed timber is the buildings are limited by the material, and cannot generate unique forms while staying to the sustainability goals that timber is unique for. This building challenges that idea, and builds on ideas
of nature - integration and the importance of natural light. Additionally, this building serves as a grey area in terms of typology. As the gardens wrap around the campus, the building attempts to be a intermediate green space to link a more ‘city-like’ campus typology that Gardens Point sits in.
Diagrammatically, the form was conceived to funnel occupants into the heart of QUT from the pedestrian access points such as Goodwill Bridge. The terraces allow occupants to have consistent and easy access to nature, and the design allows for them to be completely immersed in it. This created the unique stepped approach to the building from inside QUT.
Hence, the QUT Riverside Precinct will be the beacon for creativity and sustainability, shining on a forgotten corner of the University.
Nature Integration Design for Disassembly
Green Gradient Funnel into the University
Funnel Movement
The current axis of movement coming off Goodwill Bridge is only in one direction, around P Block (seen behind). The concept pierces a new route for pedestrians into the heart of the University.
Urban Edge
Greenery is placed consistently throughout the site to blur the edge between gardens and campus, as well as provide carbon offsetting and shading for occupants.
Stepped Terraces
Stepped terraces make use of green shading to the north, and allow for occupants on all levels easy access visually and physically to nature. It also benefits the view of the Brisbane river to P block behind it.
Threshold Gateway
The bridge connects the forms together, and presents a large threshold for occupants as they enter the university from Goodwill Bridge. The desired view is commanding, and a beacon for the University.
Blur
The Noosa Museum
A Proposal for The Township of Pomona, QLD
The town of Pomona is divided into two, and has lost its direction in the built environment. This proposal seeks to rectify this; connect the two sides of the track through nature. Nature is the binding force of time, always present and never changing. Nature connects the past and the present, therefore nature should connect spaces through its threshold.
As the brick building rises from the
ground the material is seen to be bruised and battered, as this is the final step in your approach to the park; the material, the form has no power over us. A making space, an observation space, to reflect on the past and look toward the future where materials of hurt such as brick and timber no longer have power over the people who linger in these places.
Building Axonometric
“As you drive along Reserve Street, you are greeted with the omnipresent culture of a small rural town. You know immediately where you are: Pomona. Your car continues through the roundabout, round the bend, and across the train tracks dividing the road into two. You head north, along Factory
Street and see a small congregation outside the old museum; groups of all ages and walks of life spilling out onto the surrounding footpaths, just as you saw driving along Reserve Street a moment ago. You drive past, feeling contempt; this small town has healed from its deep fractures.”
Proposed Factory Street Redesign
a Collection of Community Buildings (Follies) in Cooroora park
Storage
Gift shop
Foyer/function
Male toilets
Female toilets 6. Pottery making 7. Kiln area
8. Modern history
9. Colonial house diorama
10. Gubbi Gubbi exhibit
11. Item restoration
12. Viewing deck/model
13. Disabled toilets
14. Virtual reality exhibit 15. Cinema room
1. Factory street
Accessible path
Gardens
Coorooy park edge
Proposed dwelling
Existing dwelling (renovated)
Professional Work
‘Mayukwayukwa Refugee Camp’ Competition Entry
Designers - PRJ
Completed - 2023
Role in Project - Rendering only
Software - Adobe Suite, Revit + Enscape
I was asked to contribute a series of renders and drawings for the group PRJ and their submission for the ‘Mayukwayukwa Refugee Camp’ Archistorming competition held early in 2023.
The brief was to create a new Sustainable Development Center on the site, with a need for only using sustainable practices and local materials in easy-to-build ways for the local refugees to make their own
dwellings. The competition also asked for a series of dwellings to meet the needs outlined more specifically in the brief.
In response, I was tasked to communicate through the renders the architectural intent of the designers. This resulted in a series of powerful images displaying the simplistic yet well-crafted dwellings that are low-impact and locally-sourced.
