Site Analysis - Concrete Lawn
The Historical Context
Site
Site Analysis - Concrete Lawn
Cast shadows from 9:00, 13:00 and 17:00
The concrete lawn is located at The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria. The site is in the northern end of the campus and it links a few of the University’s facilities such as the Union House, the Melbourne School of Design and the Raymond Priestly Building. The open space of the concrete lawn provides opportunities for organizing events and carnivals.
Site Analysis - Concrete Lawn
Spatial Composition
A planar form of defensive state, of mountainous decree.
Inspired by the jagged forms of rocky mountains, how they form ‘passes’ through its weathered erosions.
A geometric pattern allows for orderly state of fashion within this form. The concept of a planar form is then carried over to display discord and unevenness.
This form recognizes a sense of rigidity to conceal a closed space, yet vulnerability in its opened frame above.
By representing earthquakes working in unity with wind, this form later contributes to the grafting of the assemblage and final concepts.
Landforming
As over time, earthquakes create channels for winds to flow.
Tributary areas and cracks were created from unequal polygons; however the papered wind serves to emphasize the presence of fissures.
As the paper form adds further depth and flow to the grounds of the land, a dynamic composition ensues.
Assemblage
In which one has no presence without the other.
There lies the essence of Mediterranean shorelines. Serenity emerges in forms carved from the heart of ocean’s ever changing waves.
‘Grafting’, a compositional technique, was interpreted as instability within the forms, in which the lack of presence of one, will not allow the other to sustain itself and ultimately collapse. This perception was greatly influential in the entirety of the Assemblage concept.
Self-movement and freedom were emphasized due to the subjectiveness of this particular technique.
Spatio-Temporal Narrative
To stay in the same place, position, stance... Such unyielding natures when in disregard only replicate demise.
May fleeting winds be guide To endless dreams; constant stride Kingdoms fall Yet remain ever tall
Attention demanded Of Higher commanded War greets dawn Their sons, gone Rain fails to cleanse Wound which cause ends Spaces of occupancy Hereafter decayed ominously
Grounds stained dark auburn Amidst pillars white as bone To defend a throne Their unyielding stubborn Unbreakable, like diamond stone
Youthful births resumed Unknown to fathers, entombed Children wait In silence by the gate
Many to few Reduced to one Happy crowds renew To solitude none
Promises set anew Spirits wake Only to ever view Their beloved lord’s mistake.
Superposition
The collage of a narrative upon the site.
The combination of the spatio-temporal narrative, assemblage plan and a site plan considering the lighter shadows of dawn upon the site. This is all overlaid by another individual collage which is fixated on the fragmented density of cooler areas of the site, population movements and the concentration of activities.
A dynamic composition with subtle fragmented space was developed from this arrangement, emphasizing structural independence and freeform movement.
Experience
The collage depicting the consequence of occupancy and the choice of privacy which stems from it.
A collage done by hand. Media: Coloured paper, watercolour
The piece considers the subject of occupancy and the potential separation that arises from it.
Concrete material being a major factor, firm spaces are prompted to merge, calling for unity from those who seek to inhabit it.
A distance between its owners exists indeed, however to suit their needs.
Cohesion of Forms
The
plan of the Final Project
The final outcome represents spaces formed by the intent of suspension and conjunction. Part of the outcome produces a rising peace
The other of discord, partially enclosed planar spaces which provide privacy and exposure dependent on position. Another, a mediator that channels between the couple parts and links them to portray a unified family yet of opposing elements.
Family members alike, however, can easily trade roles within this time and space. One is drawn to the form as their perception deems fit.
Cohesion of Forms
Initiation of ideas for the Final Project
The suggestion of privacy within occupancy resembled a desired sense of security within one’s preferred space. From there, the concept of discord and harmony was realized through sketches based on the spatio-temporal narrative.
Harsher, bolder forms contrasted a delicate structure in comparison. Curved variations gave way to reinforcing voids vaguely symbolizing gateways in suspension.
The initial spatial composition and landform alongside elements of the assemblage concept, were merged into one solid form. The erratic yet dynamic elements of it solely combined as a whole, was far more unnerving and unstable.
Cohesion of Forms
Progression of ideas for the Final Project
Firmer ideas allowed stronger realization of the main concept. The impression of peace and harmony is intended to have replicated through a more refined form with reduced sharpness and intensity than its counterpart.
Key ideas evolved from basic geometric shapes, grew in complexity, devolved, repeating the process over again. Being a cyclic process the concept similarly impressed on an aspect of the narrative, a time loop.
Cohesion of Forms
The Evolutionary Cycle of the Forms
Forms representing the final outcome. Together they act in unity, an inseparable family. From the beginning to end and back again, there is a continuous cycle they are bound to. From basic form evolves one of greater complexity. It later devolves into another simpler variation only to reconstruct itself once again.
Repeat.
Cohesion of Forms
The Final Model; Aerial views
Scale 1:200
Cohesion of Forms
The Final Model; Views from surrounding buildings
View from Raymond Priestley
View from Melbourne School of Design
View from Baldwin Spencer
View from Union House
Cohesion of Forms
The Final Model; Elements which Unite ‘Discord’ A free-spirited nature which acts independently as it sees fi t.
The first phase, a delicate form in comparison to its following brethren. Intends on expressing protection slightly smothering, like a doting parent to their child.
This raw form of concrete relates to in-situ context. This is emphasized by the tones of paint across a rough textured material, balsar wood.
The second phase of chaos. A form which cannot rest and gratuitously unnerves with its broad appearance. Exudes some temperament in its stance to its inhabitants.
Cohesion of Forms
The Final Model; Elements which Unite ‘Discord’ A free-spirited nature which acts independently as it sees fit.
The third phase of siblings of discord, the most mature. It is the amplification of the second phase; alongside with a minor suspension.
It decides accordingly to, guide its occupants to a close friend that controls contrasting elements, the Mediation.
It portrays distortion in time and space, reinforcing an endless cycle within its family of raw concrete forms.
Cohesion of Forms
The Final Model; Elements which Unite ‘Mediation’
One that controls the cyclical passage between elements of opposition.
A close friend whose choice is of neither side. It is a transition between the sides of unyielding ‘Discord’ and an obedient ‘Peace’.
To its owners, it offers space to breathe openly, relax in the calm of one’s surroundings.
To them, it willingly provides the fleeting experience of temporary occupancy before one has to return from whence they came.
Potentially, it can be seen as the purest. The most comforting.
Cohesion of Forms
The Final Model; Elements which Unite ‘Peace’
A light for the end, a false hope in which afterward forces return to an identical beginning.
A high-rise that in its entirety, relates to a type of concrete so deceivingly pure: Precast.
The Mediator, is emphasized in pure white.
The Peace, is veiled in pebble white, having subtle signs of being tainted. Core board acts as its inner material.
At first glance the form appears to ascend to the heavens via suspension.
Whether left unrealized or not, it deceives, leading back to its chaotic side of the family.
Yet another white lie. May the cycle continue.
