My Girlfriend!

My Final Panel

This is a poor quality version of my final Panel

Final Review Images

For the final review I presented a rough draft of the final layout. There were some mixed feelings about the style of presentation but overall the design of the building seemed to go down pretty well. Just need to tidy up some areas and create an order to my ideas. Think writing a script might help that for the exam.

Materials and Construction Decisions

A few of the latest images taken before this weeks technical review. Things will have to change though. Less direct sunlight from the south, reinforced concrete portal frames amongst other things.

Some sketches in progress

In order to get to grips with materiality throughout the building I have decided to sketch my way through the spaces and make the decisions this way. It seems to be much more successful than to simply hatch a plan or elevation in CAD as it gives me the chance to discover where depth and recess should be applied and what lighting conditions will affect the space.

Forest Growth

Just a quick image as I begin to emplore the forest space and its depth. This image will grow as I gather more textures and information about the space

Timber Swimming Pool

At present I am trying to work out how feasible it is to have a timber lined swimming pool(or at least timber appearance to the lining). Not completely resolved yet.

Pool Progression

Tactile Plans & 3D view of pool

Review comments

Before my review I knew I was not happy with the way the forms were turning out at the moment and this was also brought up by Michael Stacey and Steve Platt. They did however understand that the form was not decided and the renders merely represented the aural spaces I have designed. They seemed fairly happy with the layout and arrangement of the site, few areas need looking at and resolving in more detail (car park/drop off and retail units). I think I did a fairly good job of explaining the reasoning behind each placement and the journeys I am creating.

The points they brought up were:

- Why are the buildings the shape they are - if it is about the aural experience should the outside visuals tell you about the internal audio experiences? Or is it more like the Jorn Utzon Bagsvaerd church with rational plain exterior and undulating aural interior.

- Working out the structure and how these buildings would be made will help the drawings and also the design of the spaces.

- By 'calming' certain buildings and spaces down, this will help enhance the more interesting architecture. If the Sports played in the dry sports hall do not require anything other than a quiet box then this is what should probably be provided.

- References - Alvar Aalto plans, Utzon Church, Palladio, Sergison Bates.

The main question that still remains is how I am going to present this in the final review. I have plenty of ideas but I just havent had the chance to fully think it through.

This project is too big!

I am beginning to realise how much I have to resolve when I start to model everything in 3D. This project is a little bigger than I had originally planned and I understand why previous 6th years advised against large buildings. Oh well......

Doggy Drop-off

I was reminded that the Guide Dogs require a secure "Spending Pen" to relieve themselves. I have incorporated this into my NRSB design and expanded the building for the other uses set out in the Briefing document.

Finding form through Audio experiences

I have been working out the aural experiences throughout my site and am now trying to put it all together into a three dimensional space that works on a practical level.

Pool Concept

My initial thoughts for the pool design were very traditional and stuck in the realm of the visual. I decided it was much more to do with the feeling of the spaces, their audio qualities and the textures that guide you than whether it looks like a professional swimming arena.

The main areas I am trying to resolve are:

1. The pool ends - turning points. The visually impaired swimmer needs to be aware of the ends of the pool to turn or to reach for the finish. I want to create a bigger landmark at the end of the pool using architecture to signify and amplify this edge condition. Perhaps through natural lighting or perhaps through a textural sensation (e.g passing through an archway that has a mist of water that falls over the swimmer) and also through the changing of the reverberation of the space.

2. Lane division. Traditional red and white floating lane dividers are very hard and harsh if bumped into and do not provide a comfortable way of separating the pool water. I realise that they also help control the amount of waves and turbulence created by other swimmers so it is not as simple as just replacing them with a soft floating device as this may not work. I want to use the roof to express the lane divisions. I also want to use the roof architecture as the 5m backstroke turning markers.

Through these initial concept renders I have experimented with tapering both the roof and walls in at one end so that the Eastern end of the pool is both darker and smaller and through introducing light and increasing the size of the space, swimmers should be aware of their position in the pool hall. I have also introduced a viewing window from the tram line that passes by and a series of slit windows down the Southern facade that are set at precise intervals to help guide people along the pool edge.

This is far from complete, and I will continue to explore more ways I can use the architecture to help a visually impaired swimmers experience.

Scheme Progression

Sensory Landmarks

Binaural - Virtual haircut

Some freakishly real binaural clips - It really scared me!!

Musical Architecture

Croatian Sea Organ - An interesting idea about using the landscape to create sounds. May be useful in my scheme.

Excavation/Exploration Paths

Site Layout

Wordle

Wordle Image representing my Design Briefing Document