Week 7| Studio: Project 2 Development

This week's studio focused on our individual project direction - our individual project intent.
Our tutor, Natasha, started off with a short explanation on briefs and then discussion on what might be considered within our design intent.

formulating a brief: needs - requirements - desires

Types of briefs to come across: client-architect in either domestic/commercial, design brief in council, reversed brief - informed client, development brief - involving tenancy coming in, and room data sheets - for larger projects.

Design Intent - typology/whom?

What are you providing? Infrastructure, services.

Lifespan of the entity. How long will it be there?

Zoning/hierarchy. Public vs private. Large command to small command (eg. chambers to committee rooms)

Spatial relationships. Moving through spaces: security issues. Movable walls. Flexible seating. Furniture requirements.

Spaces. When do they come to use the space? Wifi/projectors/technologies.

Pre-studio task: Project 2 development: Where to from here?
1. Deciding on your architectural project type as a response / solution to problem(s) identified from the group work.
Project 1 identified the possible architectural entity as a 'forum' within the chambers of parliament: House of Representatives and the Senate.

I believe I will focus on the House of Representatives since it's known as the people's house.

Forum --> Chambers of Parliament --> House of Representatives

2. Choosing / defining your project site.

Green: House of Representatives

Red: Senate

3. Formulating a brief including a program of spaces.

Provide facilities/structure for the public forum.
Spaces:

• Press Gallery
• Ministers
• Officials
• Opposition Executive
• The table : Mace
• Speaker
• Australian Flag
• Parliamentary Members Seating
• Public Gallery
• Amenities
• Audio/media box
• Security
• Entrance
• "Public box"

Architectural entity – public forum – structure ideas:

• Move the forum between the 2 chambers by relocating the structure – “pod” from chamber to chamber when public consultancy sessions are in order.
•  Transform the chambers of parliament by altering the structure.

Playing around with the position of seating. Hidden public seating underneath the existing seating structure. When public consultancy sessions are in order, the hidden seating rises up and splits up the existing seating. All seats are raised forming a new layout. Public galleries to be eliminated to allow for more space.

Or

Parasitic Architecture.

Instead of “pods” moving from chamber to chamber, a physical permanent structure to be attached to the existing building.                                                                                                                                         

I explained my two ideas to our tutor. The two dot points above were the ideas. From the discussion it was concluded that I needed to set up parameters by asking questions all in relation to our theme (flexible):

•          Who: types of users
•           When: what times will it be used?
•      Where: location of space within the space
•           How: in what is its purpose? Can it be used for a different function?
•           Logistics – for the pod idea. Who’s going to control it? Who’s going to move it? Where will it sit when not in use?

From the discussion with Natasha, the idea of 'parasitic architecture' stuck. I believe I will further research into it since it seems like a unique way to solve how I can integrate the 'public forum' into the chambers.
The youtube video below shows the possible evolution growth of a parasitic form. I believe this might be something to consider with the public forum structure. Perhaps overtime more structures will be attached to the 'public forum' and attempt to connect across to the other 'public forum'.