The series focused on how simple, low-cost, and easily modified buildings are significant to innovation and economic growth. One of Brand's ideas involve that value of organic buildings - a building of 4 walls that has the ability to change and expand and grow overtime. He also touches on the idea of Shearing Layers in his last part of the series. I believe, the idea of Shearing Layers will be focused on throughout this design studio. Our tutor even mentioned it and came to the conclusion that in order to achieve flexibility it involves creating layers. The shearing layers of change are (in order of temporal factors): sight, structure, skin, services, space plan and stuff. All these layers operate in different timeframes.
Shearing Layers of Change
View more presentations from Richard Claassens
The studio focused on our first assignment. We went through what has to be done and the remainder of the studio was spent in our groups on discussing out Capital Strategy. I believe that we will be focusing on Community Presence in the Parliament.
Individual Project Development
Capital of Australia - Canberra Research
The information on the diagram below has been gathered from the following documents:
- Australians' Perceptions of their National Capital
- National Capital Authority
- The Griffin Legacy
- Parliamentary Zone Review
Also gathering information from a person that used to live in Canberra through a conversation (italics are my questions):
there isn't a strong connection to the city centre and the density is lacking. dude, it'straight road to the city center. only old suburbs are connected to the parliament whereas the new ones aren't. there is no direct route from some areas without passing the parliament.
what is public transportation like in canberra? buses is all. most people have cars.
so it would be good if we can upgrade the public infrastructure? add trains and even connect to other states? there is a train to sydney. and maybe a half way train to victory. if you want to improve the infrastructure, you will need to check griffin's plans first.
do you think the green space is useless in that parliamentary zone? no, it's cool.
so you wouldn't want to enhance it? you used to be able to go their to have an afternoon nap. also was the way down from the top of the parliament.
what about on the river? is there any development there? no
Diagram of identified problems and issues associated with ways capital city worked today in Australia.
Parliament Research
The information on the diagram has been influenced and been gathered from the following documents:
- Parliament in the Twenty-first Century
- Essays
- Transcript: Parliament House Architecture
Diagram of identified problems and issues associated with ways parliament worked today in Australia.
Information from above and below that has helped create our problem statement. Also through our group discussions.
Need to come up with an architectural solution to replace/enhance one or more specific function the parliament house currently provides. Question: what functions does Parliament House provide?
Parliament ← where a body of people can meet to discuss matters of the state. Why not have a place in the parliament where the public can come and voice their opinions to the parliament. This can provide a direct connection between the parliament and the public.
Parliament in the 21st century
Issue: growing imbalance within the structure of government
role of the political party → “arena of party configuration”
ascendancy of the executive → transfer of the power from parliament
19th century = responsible government
do not want governments to control parliament
Parliament committee – a specialised device for handling work beyond capacity or capability of the large chambers
Also a response to the decline of the parliament. Small group of members meeting as committees
Internal structures allow:
- communication with citizens
- concrete contributions
- broader opportunities for back benchers
- non-governing groups to engage in meaningful deliberations about public policies
21st century – a movement to allow for greater public involvement within the political system. Parliament: all about making decisions: let public see it happen: transparency.
Environmental change has affected functioning of parliament. Could specific roles in legislation, policy development, investigation and oversight be enhanced? Integrity institutions of good governance → accountability and transparency in government
There is a weak connection between the parliament and the public. parliament is seen a monument. Enhance public and parliament connection in place (Canberra) ← we don’t want to get rid of the place. It’s part of Australian History.
The people of Australia want to be heard/involved with decisions that affect their lifestyle. Protests are not enough. Voting isn’t as effective if most the Australian population are not educated enough on the options. Another form of communication = virtual.
Public presence:
- not just viewing through tv or virtually
- physical presence
- meeting rooms – public galleries
transparency – enhance it
public gallery: view the proceedings of both the House of Representatives and the Senate from the public galleries in the chambers whenever the Houses are in session.
Seat of government: Brewer’s Politics: “the building, complex of buildings or city from which a government exercises its authority”. Main function of parliament is debate. Why not make a better public view point to watch. Let light in – controlled by skin. Parliament is to embody: celebration, discussion, protest. Canberra – “meeting place”. Enhance the meeting place through the interaction of the public forum instead of focusing it to be a tourist attraction.
A conversation with another friend who used to live there (italics are my questions):
Daniel, do you reckon there's a public presence in the parliament house in Canberra? There is a public presence although they cannot influence any matters brought up with in parliament that day. Did I answer your question as intended?
yes that's good. it's for this assignment. trying to find a flaw that we can respond to or something. so do you reckon the public presence is ignored? It's not that it's ignored, the public can influence legislation and laws prior to the parliament sitting via their local MP.
yup that's true. ok so last question: have you ever sat in proceedings in either of the house - the public galleries? oh and if you did. what was it like? did you like or not? I personally have not but I have heard it is quite interesting, the parties do get quite rowdy when it comes to some topics.
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