Design Development - Drawing Connection to History

I added several steel structure in my design to draw a connection to the industrial history background of Brooklyn, to create a industrial-influenced design that represent Brooklyn itself.

Continuing this idea, i looked at the Brooklyn bridge and redefined it in my own way.  Created a small pedestrian bridge that joins two side together.

And i was to create an opportunity for artist to present their artwork in their studio, so i turn the wall that connects studio and library into a glass wall.  This allows each artist to showcase their work, after all, the name of the project is 'showcase'

For the pedestrian bridge that joins the two side of canal together, i looked at the Brooklyn bridge and interpreted in my own way, and shape the pedestrian bridge as a translation of the actual Brooklyn bridge.  It symbolise the relationship of the two buildings are just like Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Bridge

Reference
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Brooklyn_Bridge_as_seen_from_FDR_Drive_in_Manhattan.JPG
http://img.allw.mn/content/travel/2012/08/83.jpg
http://c1038.r38.cf3.rackcdn.com/group1/building2664/media/tejh_freedom_tower_brooklynbridge.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/LOC_Brooklyn_Bridge_and_East_River_7.png
http://onebigphoto.com/uploads/2012/03/brooklyn-bridge-under-snow.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/LOC_Brooklyn_Bridge_and_East_River_3.png

Design Development - Occupiable Space

I think this image is very simple yet powerful.  A want to create occupiable space and informal gathering space in front the auditoriums for several reasons.

First it will then connect two building with the same function together.  And also the area benefits from winter sun and i think this will attracts people to utilise this space.

And then i can use the path between to create contrast, from a small space then suddenly a huge outdoor space that is close to nature. because of the contrast, this will enhance the spatial qualities of the outdoor and natural aspect.

And lastly, Adding brick walls to the gallery and also two trombe walls to reduce energy used on heating during winter.

Reference
http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2011/10/bepaletto2.jpg

Design Development - Designing in CAD

I decided to take the designing process to computer, so that when i finished it i can use it to generate plans and hero shots.  

From the basic model i made, i played around with the edges of each space.  I am trying to create a more exciting space with path that circulates around the spaces, allow people to feel and experience contrast and freshness.

I started by looking at the south entrance and the main gallery, using structure-like design to recreate Brooklyn's industrial background. I also wanted to use similar material like steel structure and brick wall to enhance the history of this area.

Design Development - The Experience of Path and Space

I want to make the form of my field station a whole piece instead of 'separated' buildings.  Going the explore the edge of the buildings but still maintain the boundaries of each zone and also integrate path into it.  The field station need to be view as a single structure, or at least as two parts that are joined crossed the canal.

Improvements:

• Quality of the space
• Experience of the Path
• As a whole
• Combining Path and Space

I did some rotations on the plan of the basic structure, following the path and imagine I'm actually walking in the space.  I wrote down the feeling or 'elements' of each space that can provide the correct 'experience', and also on how can i improve the form so that it is less rigid but more organic.

Design Models - Mass Model in CAD

I continue the design process on Sketchup so that i have measurement of how big the space is and how much space i am using.  With some minor change to the design, a basic structure of the field station is completed.

Design Development - Path and Space

With all the spaces and view ready, i can finally join them together and this will help me to determine the basic form  of the design.  I have created a path that have all the views to curate the experience i want, and will also travel pass all the space that i have planned.  

with the path and space location decided, i began to shape my building according to the space available.  This is only the basic form that will help me to reach my final design.

I am not very happy about the form of the space between paths, so i think i will have to change it.  Taking options like extend the path, creating a path that travel through spaces, or even create path on roof of the space.

Design Development - Space Analysis and Diagrams

A list of functions were given by the brief, but i want to combined spaces with relative functions so that i will have larger multifunctional space.  So first, i listed out all the functions and its allocated space and then joining them with other space that have some commonalities.

I ended up with 6 spaces:

• Lobby and Reception - 300 sqm
• Auditorium and Lecture Hall - 1500 sqm
• Exibition and Classrooms - 1500 sqm
• Library, Studio and Meeting Rooms - 1100 sqm
• Restaurent and Kayak launch - 250 sqm
• Circulation and support - 250 sqm

With spacse defined, next step is to draw connections and relationships.  Using a matrix will allow me to figure what space to be connected, and where to put them.  In the bubble diagram, each space will have the function listed, its allocated sqm, and important characteristic like 'canal side', etc. 

Design Models - Form Exploration Model in CAD

Design Development - Viewpoint Analysis

To curate experience successfully, i need to make sure that there is a set of viewing platforms alone the path. Not only located on the path, but in a way that people will definitely saw it before continue their journey.  This can be achieved by having sharp turnings and some sort of attractions, like a hole on the shell of the building.

My key views will be:

• Views of the Oasis
• Views of the old Brooklyn
• Views of the nature
• Views of the new Brooklyn
• Ovweviews of the Canal

The concept is to experience community change, and this will be experienced by experience all the view in order.  Currently, the areas marked yellow is the 'new Brooklyn' and it is not developed at the moment.  This means that the view of 'new Brooklyn' depends on the community stakeholders, their planning will have effect on the whole experience curating.  This is how my design creates future and how future affects my design.

The Viewpoint Analysis

(Left) The location of all the future buildings.  (Right) The view of Oasis from outside.

(Left) The view of old Brooklyn from Oasis.  (Right) The view of nature within Oasis.

(Left) The view of new Brooklyn.  (Right) The overview of Gowanus Canal.

Design Development - Forms and Paths

Taking the idea further, i would like to add shell over it so that its aesthetic matches the industrial look.  And also i want to create multilevel paths so user can experience the height of buildings and landscapes.  When the path reaches the middle (where the overview is), it will break free from the industrial looking casing and this representing a new birth of Gowanus Canal

I then simplified the design a bit more to get rid of all the smaller bits that aren't necessary.  Separate the paths so that it actually link all three sides of the canal together.  And to design a building not only to curate experience but also mets its functional needs, i need to work out the design of each elements separately then combining together.

I have take the building into 3 parts:

• Shell / Form
• Space
• Path / Viewpoint

Steps:

1. Viewpoint analysis
2. Space Analysis
3. Putting them together on site
4. Create a path that join them all
5. Form design

Design Development - Abstract of the Creek Before Canal

From the previous exercise, i have created a very abstract shape that represent the Mill creek.  Using this shape as a base, I'm generating the form of my field station from it.

Using element like growing plants on structures to represent a rigid form in an organic way.  Some part of the structure will be fully opened and just with structure steel around it, and the plants will occupy it as the time goes by.  This will create new shelter and new form for the building which represent how the future affects the building.

Simplifying the design and make it less powerful, so rather than taking the attention away from nature, it stay in harmony with the surrounding.  The building also act as a connection between two islands and features a view point that gives an overview of the canal.  Lastly, the metal wires in front of the buildings will slowly occupied by the plants, which represent how the Brooklyn was once dominated by industrial but now turning back to the nature.

Vines

Reference
http://www.trendir.com/house-design/2014/03/12/lush-gardens-peekaboo-roof-pool-define-contemporary-home-6-trellis.jpg
http://www.gardenista.com/files/styles/733_0s/public/img/sub/uimg/07-2012/700_cukeclimbers.jpg
http://tovtov.com/wp-content/uploads/exterior-inspiration-awesome-vertical-trellis-design-for-vines-plants-trestle-as-decorate-small-space-backyard-climbing-plants-garden-landscape-ideas-perky-trellis-design-for-garden-and-landscape-fix.JPG
http://www.veggiegardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/v-obelisk.jpg

Design Development - Tree Root Inspired Design

I went back and look at the design of galleries in oasis, and thinking how can i relate my main buildings to all the galleries around it.  So i found more pictures of tree root....

More Pictures of Tree Root...

So i began to draw roots and see that if i can turn it into something interesting, i started from drawing a side view to more of a top view.  I look at the negative space created by overlapping tree root and wonder what if they are actually buildings and the roots represent paths.  I throw the picture into photoshop and invert the colour to see what would it look like.

It looks like structures arranged in a circle and pointed inward which create this investing circulation and pattern.  I began to explore the form in more of an architectural planning perspective and play around with the size of the buildings, organic shapes and width of the paths.

And while i was drawing, the picture reminds me of a river and group of islands.  So i pulled out a historical map that i found ages ago; a map of the Gowanus Mill Creek.  I used the same tactic to create a form that will represent the history of Gowanus in an abstract way.

Reference

http://landflux.org/resources/Shallow%20versus%20deep%20roots.jpg

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2013/191/d/c/root_silhouette_pack_001___hb593200_by_hb593200-d6ctjvt.png

http://www.relationshipsglobal.net/Shared/Uploads/Images/Prod_62_root.png

https://nicosteyn.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/roots.png

https://thecompounder.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/tree-roots.gif

http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/064/4/4/hazel_tree_root_by_ogge87-d4rtz0b.jpg

http://static1.squarespace.com/static/50dcbaa5e4b00220dc74e81f/5143e265e4b0dd2a72ff70b9/5143e266e4b0dd2a72ff70c1/1363403378214/