What Makes a Public Building?

I read a very interesting article entitled "State of the Arts: What Makes a Public Building?" by John Macarthur, published in Architecture Australia, Volume 96. In this article Macarthur analyses GoMA and the extension to the Library in South Bank from an architectural perspective.

He makes some very interesting points as to why the buildings are so successful in a design and public sense (although he later notes that many non-designers view the buildings as over-designed, quoting that "the public realm is already made up of investments and identifications with architectural ideas about public space on which architects disagree"). He says that GoMAs biggest success is its grandeur and immense scale still being percieved as welcoming and domestic. This is achieved through creating constant occupiable edges that fit the site.

GoMA, Brisbane (http://www.australianhumanitiesreview.org/archive/Issue-March-2008/jolly.html)

Meanwhile, he claims that the library extension is successful due to its characterisation of being largely public. it does so by being "...based around a large public room that is open to the elements and through which passers-by wander. A kind of internet lounge, a creche and a cafe open off the same shaded but open court that houses the library's front desk and security line. he main spaces of the library are then organised and secured at the upper levels, overlooking the public room."

This is very interesting to consider, and I have already begun to use this approach in my current design by having a large open space situated at the base with free circulation, while the retail and other elements are located above where a visual connection in maintained throughout using a transparent façade and massive light wells.

Macarthur goes on to state that the main point for appearing public is that the lobby space is physically open, which is only possible in very few climates (eg: Brisbane), where it is warm and calm enough. This site location should therefore be taken advantage of in such a manner, as very few buildings have the privilege of being able to include open spaces year-round.

State Library, Brisbane (http://mylesmuse.blogspot.com.au/)

Developing Shapes

I have begun to analyse the actual shape of the Meyer Centre, as it's where I'm locating my design. It has proven quite difficult to get very detailed design information on the centre, so I have had to base my findings on the shopping centre retail layout:

The overall floor space is over 63,000 square metres, which means that I won't be providing a detailed design for the entire complex. I will focus on the overall design and systems, along with detailed elements of particular sections that are more informed by the future scenario (such as the open space below consisting of parklands, aimed towards the CBD residents). I'm going to remove the bottom 3 floors of the centre to accommodate this open space. Since Albert Street is sloped up towards Queen Street, this will allow ample ceiling space from all access points. The upper most level will be converted into open roof space by removing its structural components. The resultant section can be seen below:

Although this is still a very rough section, it shows the relationship between the varying structural elements and their gradual transition of levels, mimicking the slope from Elizabeth Street to Queen Street. I want to reflect this form in the top level as well to allow people to move from the upper interior level to the roof space with limited effort.

I have begun to explore ways of creating this transition on the exterior of the building, while visualising the relationship between the circulation space, the main structure of the building, and the moveable facade. As demonstrated in the Giant Interactive Headquarters in a previous post, as well as right here in South Bank, landscaping can be used to successfully manipulate direction on multiple planes. I want to use this idea, as it not only provides terrain for circulation, but it also creates a more natural element that reflects the future spaces of the car-free CBD. It can also aid in creating small portions of privacy to the open space below the structure at the busy intersection of Albert and Queen Street.

Separation of the People

The composition of the building, despite still being in very early stages of design, has already evolved as I have continued to consider functional needs of future Brisbanites. The basis of my ideas began with the idea of having a raised level to provide two horizontal planes of primary circulation and activity. Though I knew I want to provide multilevel circulation in a way that reduces the feeling of vertical travel, I produced a quick diagram to explore very general functional ideas:

After discovering the Giant Interactive Headquarters, I began to think of ways to provide vertical circulation in a way that is extremely gradual, otherwise people will remain on the ground level where stairs and large slopes can be avoided. 

With this, I began to tie the idea of multiple pedestrian levels to other facets of the overall design and scenario. By providing two levels, a direct connection is made to the maglev and maglev stations, producing a large number of pedestrians that are already circulating on the upper level. This provided a further though; from the very beginning, the ground and raised level are already divided by types of users, which creates varying needs for the activity and function to be provided. The upper level, as they are commuting along the outer maglev train line, is primarily consistent of visitors to the CBD, including workers, students and those coming to perform specific activities. On the other hand, the ground level will largely be residents of the CBD, and will hold a slower paced atmosphere. Although these demographics will obviously break this initial boundary, the general atmosphere and desired needs of each level can be contemplated and enacted within the final design. 

This also ties into the facade system and its intended function; the upper level may be enveloped by the adaptable part of the facade while the ground level facade section can remain static to provide alternate functionality, such as privacy. 

In this diagram I have explored the points for and against each of the depicted layouts based on the multiple circulation/activity levels as described above.

1) Destination-oriented services, retail and residential spaces on the upper level(s) (resident based)

    Open public space on the ground level (visitor based)

• can have building function as residential units 
• upper level destination-oriented retail creates greater possibility for use of that level
• ground plane already main circulation space for CBD visitors - little redevelopment necessary

2) General retail, circulation and open space on the upper level(s) (visitor based)

    Public open space / possible residential (resident based)

• much more aligned with maglev stations on functional and demographic basis 
• greater opportunity for a CBD-wide network to be created on multiple levels
• facade more likely to be useful - can extend to ground to provide various functions based on level
• creates resident-focused space much more similar to suburban housing to decrease fear of having limited space when moving to the inner city
• dilutes the work and visitor crowds in the residential areas to maintain a slow-paced peaceful area for living

Giant Interactive Headquarters

While reading Architecture Australia, I came across an intriguing building that, although not its main focus, provides varied levels for mixed activities. As the building acts as a headquarters for a large gaming branch for a wealthy organisation, a multitude of spaces are present, ranging from offices, living quarters and meeting rooms to a large gymnasium, swimming pool and circulation spaces. The structures weaves effortlessly throughout the site, gradually shifting horizontal planes to create raised walkways and sloped hills that morph into roof space.

Because of this ease of transition between levels, I found the building very informative for my design in presenting ideas on spanning over these levels without the extensive use of stairways and escalators.




The sloping gradient of the building and its pathways is notable throughout, and is described as a very "coherent" design despite it's immense scale. The exterior is also home to a large amount of green space; another point which I wish my design to reflect. The final characteristic that I want for my design that is present within this building is the blurred line between indoor and outdoor spaces, where a transition between the two isn't as simple as stepping through a doorway, and where indoor spaces often feel open to the outside world.

Systematic Rigidity and Flexibility

The most important conclusion I have drawn regarding building adaptability, specifically regarding facades, is the need for the potential alteration to provide a functional result as stated in a previous post. I have developed a very basic concept for a facade system, as I want it to be able to form and be formed by the building, its uses, and the users of the space.

As stated in the annotations, the major functional quality of the facade system, besides sun shading, is the manipulation of the spacial size of the exterior versus interior spaces based on pedestrian and user needs. Though I couldn't find detailed information regarding pedestrian traffic in Brisbane, I collected Melbourne CBD pedestrian information to gain a basic understanding of the general pedestrian traffic patterns within an Australian city (as seen in Table 1). This diagram also shows a strong contrast between the use of a flexible facade and a rigid core structure. The facade acts as an extension of the building to create a temporary form/envelope that is interesting and functional while the main structure remains simple to aid in "future-proofing" the building: having a set gridded structure allows strength with limited structural elements that creates ample space for rooms and areas that can be continually redeveloped as future needs evolve. 

The facade system could potentially utilise a sensory detector to alter its shape based on the flow of traffic to keep consistently updated. Apart from aiding in the facade, this information can also be used to determine appropriate functions for the general nature of the buildings itself. 

This image shows further conceptual ideas on the workings of the facade, though much more research and time will need to be put into this idea, along with the rest. As noted, Tim Kundig should prove to be an excellent source for research and ideas as he often includes mechanical features within his architectural designs. 

Adaptability as Functionality

The issue of adaptability is a strong driving force in designs aspiring to survive the unknown future. While there are many designers utilising this feature, very few succeed at making it overly beneficial. While many adaptable façades, structures and instalments present aesthetically pleasing forms, they often lack functionality and purpose.

Because of this, I want to take the idea of an adaptable façade and take it further, to use it as a tool that addresses future needs in a direct manner, allowing its purpose to be obvious. As stated by K. Lynch (1990):

"(Flexibility).. proves to be a difficult thing to accomplish, however. This is not the problem of choosing a form that, while serving one purpose today, will serve a different, but definitely known, purpose tomorrow. Preparation for a known change to come may have its complications, but can be approached and solved in a straightforward manner. The more adequate our predictions of the future become, the more will our anxiety for flexibility be transmuted into such tangible problems. But as long as our environmental patterns outlive our original guesses, we face the rather harrowing problem of providing for unspecified future change, of providing generalized flexibility"

This is a very interesting point, as it is directly linked to our future scenario issue. We have no definitive idea of what the future will hold in store, so we must analyse current trends and problems to imagine a future solution that addresses not only problems currently in existence, but those which have not yet come to fruition. Lynch Carries on to say:

"Multipurpose" spaces, large clear span areas with movable partitions, are often cited for their flexibility... But although such unspecialized, "non-directed" forms may be of great value in maximizing present choice, they are not necessarily more adaptable. Once occupied and in use, with partitions established, they may be as resistant to change as any other. Their only advantage lies, not in the lack of structure, but in the fact that by wide spans major structure is concentrated at certain few points. Changes in other zones are therefore less vital."

He frequently mentions the notion of having a set gridded structure that remains permanently, while the other spaces can be filled with a variety of activities and uses that can be altered as needed. This point of view seems much more informed that those who state that if a space is open and empty, it must therefore be adaptable and future friendly. Though this is sometimes the case, I want to explore the contrast of a set, rigid structural element with a flexible one that work together to form a future-proof building.

(Link to Lynch's article: http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/@@/B33B10DFF30DCE28CE38C05C58FEEEEB/courses/1/DAB810_12se2/content/_4400873_1/embedded/Environmental%20adaptability.pdf)

Successful Pedestrian City Centres

This article uses Copenhagen as an example to provide a list of characteristics that are essential in a city that is to utilise pedestrian only activity. For the most part, these can be fully extended into a Brisbane context to create a design that complies with their program.

COPENHAGEN'S 10-STEP PROGRAM

1. Convert streets into pedestrian thoroughfares

2. Reduce traffic and parking gradually

3. Turn parking lots into public squares

4. Keep scale dense and low

5. Honor the human scale

6. Populate the core

7. Encourage student living

8. Adapt the cityscape to changing seasons

9. Promote cycling as a major mode of transportation

10. Make bicycles available

http://www.metropolismag.com/html/content_0802/ped/

Adaptable Façade Systems

One of the major focuses for my final design is going to be that of adaptable architecture - a necessary characteristic in a constantly evolving city-scape. However I want to take this farther than a façade system and into the general quality of the overall building(s). For now I have conducted some research on adaptable façade and building systems in order to provide a foundation for influence.

The ABI (adaptive building initiative) was started by the engineering firm Buro Happold. It was created to explore how buildings respond in real time to environmental changes. It tries to bring a "new capacity" to buildings by enabling architecture to perform with controlling functions and adapting to weather conditions. Their website states that besides practical applications, it is intended to develop solutions for possible future scenarios. This ties in perfectly to the objectives of the final design for this semester. The engineering firm collaborated with Chuck Hoberman, an American inventor who creates 3D mechanical puzzles and toys. A post on their website links to a magazine called "Patterns", which provides an interesting article about how adaptable façades make people comfortable (pg 23) - http://issuu.com/burohappold/docs/patterns-16?mode=window&printButtonEnabled=false&searchButtonEnabled=false&backgroundColor=%23222222

Chuck Hoberman has also worked with Foster and Partners to create the 'Campus of Justice' in Madrid with adaptable ceilings. The images below are design ideas by Hoberman used to influence the ceiling (http://www.blueprintmagazine.co.uk/index.php/everything-else/from-toys-to-adapable-structures/), showing that creative minds can find inspiration many forms.



The 'Tessellate' website provides an array of information regarding their adaptable façade systems and how they can be applied for the benefit of the building's users. In their words, they create a "living building."

Their façades mainly compromise of shifting screens that overlap. These general mechanical idea can be considered for my proposal, although this is primarily intended for the use of shading and aesthetics. I'll have to be careful to take the idea much further in order to address much more complex issues. Their website (http://www.tessellatesurface.com/) provides many more images and videos demonstrating how the systems work. 

Post-Presentation Development

Following the oral presentations and exhibition last week for our group future scenario presentations, we were divided into specific tutorials in order to allow more one-on-one interaction with each tutor in preparation for the final assignment. My group was placed in Davor's tutorial (urban).

The purpose of this class was to decide on our individual project direction, including the type of design to be focused on, it's scale and the users of the space. As discussed in the lecture, the scale can range from a small shop to a large multi-res building, but the level of complexity must be of a high standard. It also must be represented in human scale as well as in relation to the overall context, which is extremely important to demonstrate how the design is a direct result of the future scenario.

Though I didn't gain a detailed idea about my design intent during the tutorial, I had previously decided that I want it to strongly relate to vertical circulation, adaptable spaces and facades, as well as the social sustainability of allowing large masses of people to circulate through the space. This would be possible to demonstrate through either a maglev train station, retail buildings or residential buildings. However, I want to take more time to develop a more interesting functionality as it will provide the basis for the design.

In the lecture it was stated the design should take place in the 2020's unless otherwise justified. I may ask to have the time period slightly later, as in our concept the total car ban doesn't occur until 2032, which is a primary turning point in the layout of the city. We are also allowed to slightly alter the initial concept, so I may just push the car ban date forward.