Design Developmen - Diagrams for Presentation Panels

I have convert some of the main concept into diagrams so that it is easier for audience to understand.  The core concept of my design is about curating experience, and also things like circulation, passive heating and income substitute are quite important so i decided to explain them with diagrams.

Design Development - Plans

With my CAD model complete, i began to work on all the plans that i will need for the presentation boards.  

 Floor Plan

Sections

Elevations

Design Development - Curated Journal

The cover of my journal is made by MDF through laser cutting, and then blinded by loose leaf rings.  It is curated and divided into four section; introduction, site analysis, design development and final concept.

Design Development - Replacing Industrial With Sustainable

It occurred to me that what is the reason to 'duplicate' the industrial history of Brooklyn? If it is the same, why should i recreate something that is in the past and wasn't pleasing?

My conclusion was, replacing the industrial-like steel structure with wood. 

I can achieve what the steel structure could achieve by using wood, which symbolise that the benefits of the industrial-focused community (economy) can too be achieved by wood.  Which represent that economy can be improved if not maintained even with sustainable in mind.

Outdoor Space

The outdoor area outside of the auditorium is one of the main feature, it provides social interaction and most importantly the opportunity to interact with nature.  I have added occupiable space so that together with the seating wall of the auditorium it create a massive outdoor space.

Gallery

Gallery room and wall are changed to continue the idea of recreating industrialism through wood.  Movable wooden panel not only creates a more industrial aesthetic but also blocks summer sun to heat up trombone wall.  The canal side of the gallery are supported by steel structure just like the auditorium.  I have kept these elements from the previous concept so that the link of industrial history is not lost.

Library

The library also have the supporting steel structure to aesthetically grouped with the remaining major buildings.  A upper corner are made outdoor to provides an outdoor reading area so that direct visual connect can be made, this will hilights the surround nature environment.

Studio

The studio is covered with long wooden structure to create similar aesthetic with the rest of the buildings.  it also work as shading devices, but did not block the view the the bottom meeting rooms.

Meeting rooms' view of nature is quite important as it is often used by the communities' planning meeting, therefore i want the, to have direct visual connection to the exact thing that they are planning for.

Pedestrian Bridge

The look is inspired by the Brooklyn bridge and wooden panels are added for few reasons. First is to block some of the views so that it create a surprising element when they reach the platform.  Secondly, the shape of the panels moves up and down to create a wave like visual quality, this is to represent the canal.

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 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 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.