Amendments To Design

As suggested i have segmented the podium so that smaller discussion spaces are created. This is done with the introduction of a ramp allowing for disabled access. The ramp now leads onto a extended balcony that is over a commercial section of the building that serves to the kind economy for Woodfordia.

Thoughts and Critique

Overall i am please with my work and the progress i have taken in tackling a complex issue. I also a appreciative of the guidance that my tutor Steph has given me by constantly challenging my ideas. The overall feedback that i had was good. Comments from guest tutors were that my strategy of planing and archetypes in my scenario was well considered. There some considerations that i was asked to make. The podium was well considered but the general consensus was that i did not push this idea and that it did create a contradiction to the idea of people government. The form was felt to focus on a singular speaker. I Agree with this perception and hope to make changes to better this design.

Presentation Slides

Open publication - Free publishing - More architecture

Final Panel

Perspectives

Physical Model 1:200

Critical Section

Floor Plans

Final form development

I have simplified the form to allow for movement within the site an to allow for a viewport out. A roof over the building will shelter users.

Initial Form Development

Below are some initial mockups of sketch models that i have done, i realise that it is a little out of scale but has provided me with some understanding of the site.


 

The slope of the site will provide an opportunity to create a place to sit and make decisions.

This play on form is to create wide openings where people can filter through and small openings at the western and eastern sides.

In the centre overlooking the community is where people will be seated.

In consultation with my tutor a concern is that the seating is in the open and exposed to sunlight and will be an uncomfortable space. The form is disjointed and may conflict with my vision of interdepartmental collaberation. 

Master plan development

 After drafting a master plan development, i laid out all the needed infrastructure close to natural resources such as the water catchment and the solar farms, i also arranged the majority of residential lots to the north and south of the loop to harness the northern sun and breezes.

After my Tutorial consultation it was suggested that i move away from designated commercial space and stick with what i had intended at the start of this project. another comment was to free space at the top of the loop as it is an important part of the festival.







































Above is the final plan that has been amended i have created more space at the top of the loop and have taken away the commercial zoning to replace it with more residential mixd with comercial.

Density role in infrustructure

This data supports the case of the loop community and the idea to create a higher density for Woodfordia. 

Trade of the future

The internet and social media phenomenon is transforming way we exchange goods and trust in people. This translation into future contexts is intriguing and forces us to to think how do we architecturally cater for this virtual layer of sharing.

Mapping & Urban Plan

To determine the natural organisation of my urban plan  it is important to understand the influences both natural and man-made. Above is analysis of the sun's path and wind direction. Identified in the hatched section is the ideal spot for residential developments as it is orientated north as well as facing the natural flow of breezes.

To the east of the loop is where food will be produced, it will be natural that markets an retail of food will be preset in the eastern section of the loop. on the opposite side is where water and electricity will be stored an generated. Eco-infrustrcure would be placed on the wester side.

Loop City

This concept of the loop city i found gives insight into to the urban form i have chosen for Woodfordia.

The loop was a combatant to minimise urban sprawl and create urban density to reduce the load on infrastructure. Much of the concepts follows my ideas on architects becoming designers of ecosystems rather than individual buildings.

Three Contexts

The last post I left identifying the influences i have to understand, these influences i perceive to be in 3 contexts. It also harps back to our lecture where a good understanding of macro and micro is important. Below are the three contexts i have identified and have mapped a predicted state. On these maps i plan to overlay the influences that will form Woodfordia

Urban Plan Development

The distillation of a loop community was well liked by my tutor and peers. At this stage while i have decided on the organisation, the locations are still to be decided. The above diagram highlights that external influence will determine the makeup of the loop community.

A section through the loop higlights the delightfull spaces that would be present on this tremendous site. As the community is perched high up, every resident gets a view to the central festival space. the eventual governing body also has oversight into their community and vice versa, transparency being the powerful agent here. 

The central space currently used for the festival i still plan to use. As it is in the flood plain it would not be suitable for a major community. My solution will be to elevate the community to form a ring around the festival space which turns to an open green space when not in use.

Exemplar Archetype

Housing Complex by BIG Architecture  

This complex creates a steeped typology by arranging basement parking accordingly. While enhancing views it encourages connection with other tenants and creates community in the outside environment. While this development uses the car parks to create form.  A development like this is easily made possible by the natural contours of Woodfordia.

Yokohama Terminal

The utilisation of contours to create a interesting urban space provides inspiration towards the circulation within my urban spaces.

Public Proscenium 

This concept of stairs creating public domain for voice is highly intriguing, it also serve as a window into this domain.

Structured VS Organic Planning

With an economic structure that can be seen as organic i cant help but feel that planning would would develop organically. Organic planing has its positives but also has certain flaws. After looking at Dharavi in Mumbai it is evident that the slums that developed organically has suffered in infrastructure leading to extremely poor sanitation but has also developed to allow for a high employment rate, strong sense of community and a high percentage of people with shelter. While there is a laot of improvement to be made to living standards certain essence to how they should not be overlooked.

"Dharavi, a Mumbai slum where 600,000 residents are crammed into 520 acres, contains the attributes for environmentally and socially sustainable settlements for the world's increasingly urban population, he said. The district's use of local materials, its walkable neighbourhoods, and mix of employment and housing add up to "an underlying intuitive grammar of design that is totally absent from the faceless slab blocks that are still being built around the world to 'warehouse' the poor". (Robert Booth The Guardian, 2009)

If Woodfordia developed organically with critical infrastructure what will it look like?

Distillation Of Script

At this stage in the design process i can say i coming to a stage where i can satisfy the criteria of  the script and am comfortable to move to the next phase. While the script is not compleate at this stage there is enough information to synthesise the stage. At the bottom of this post is the Brief for this stage.


So here is the script:

"Disillusioned by current goverments in the midse of global finacial turmoil a group of people seek like minded individuals to establish a self governed community in Woodfordia. Inspired by the success of Auroville in India, they acquire rights to self govern under "The Woodfordia Act" by the Australian and Queensland Government. Core beliefs are set in place that form the framework of Woodfordia, they are listed below.

Priority to nation – priority to planet
Individualism – communitarianism
Independence – Interdependence
Autocracy – Democracy
Humanity against nature – Humanity part of nature (permaculture?)
Unsustainable production, consumption, development, lifestyles –Sustainable production, consumption, development, lifestyles
Patriarchy – Gender equality
Intercultural and inter religious intolerance/hostility – Intercultural and inter religious tolerance/harmony
Conflict resolution through confrontation/combat – Conflict resolution through cooperation/negotiation
Safekeeping through defense – Safekeeping through security

Governance is set in place that adheres to three key ideals, Transparency, Choice and Accountability. Leadership is given to the most able person rather than an elected official, it is his or her duty is to work in consultation with the community who all have a voice. Their Voice is delivered and heard through new age technology where transparency, choice and accountability is easily achieved. Woodfordia's Economy is made up of three components.

A Collective Economy - Mutual economy where the wealth is shared

Commercial Economy- Economy of the trade of goods and service

A Kind Economy - Economy that provides every citizens basic needs 

All three models of economy are of equal importance, and freedom is given to each individual achieve their fulfilment knowing that their basic needs are met every day. The result in 2050 is a thriving community with economic stability and happiness knowing that their voice is heard."

SCRIPT
Following criteria are to evaluate your ability to strategically communicate an architectural proposal through a creative as well as logically and realistically constructed series of events in the form of a factitious story


REALITY (12.5%): Have relevant contexts you can observe today been studied and well incorporated into your Architecture Fiction? Has the development been documented appropriately in your blog and outcomes been presented well in the final presentation/submission?

Description: It is important that your story is based on contexts that we are in today and assumptions you make are realistic and believable based on what you can observe today. Imagine yourself in your scenario and how you would be living in your version of the future. Please remember that you are to develop and present Architecture fiction, not Science fiction.


CREATIVITY (12.5%): Have background contexts extracted from your team's scenario developed in Project One been refined and developed into a unique and imaginative plot for your Architecture Fiction? Have the development been documented appropriately in your Blog and outcomes been communicated well in your presentation/submission?

Description: You are to develop an unique story to present your architectural entity deeply embedded in near future contexts. Your imagination and creativity therefore is critical to show your proposal is relevant and communicate important aspects of your proposal successfully. The story has to be developed and presented through methods of your choice such as a series of captured scenes, storyboard and/or a movie.

Technologies Role in Governance

The rise of social and new age media means we are all connected more easily and have instant access to information, hence this being called the digital age. What does this mean for a Woodfordia? 

An idea is to take governance on the web so everyone has a say and decisions are made by people with their government. it also ensures that governance is "transparent, gives choice and is accountable"

I like this idea Further exploration required...