ARCH1101: June 2015

Concept Statement

The concept behind the additions to the Squarehouse were based around the blending of the natural world and the digital world. This will result in an efficient and inspiring place created to house the UNSW School of Computational Design.

The block-like structure to be added to the Squarehouse follows the existing features of the Squarehouse. It adds further meaning to the current structure by simulating digital information, with windows shaped and arranged to mimic a QR code. Inspiration was taken from the “monolith” in Stanley Kubrick’s, 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Bridges span from Squarehouse to NIDA, UNSW Fitness & Aquatic Centre, Roundhouse and Tyree Building. These bridges simulate the natural curves of the tree branches that surround the Squarehouse. Made from timber and glass, they give a natural feel to the architecture and allow occupants to be exposed to sunlight, whilst being protected from less comfortable elements. The art collective, Numen/For Use, inspired the bridge connection through their installation, Tape Paris.

The bridges also move at the connection to NIDA and the Tyree building. Occupants wait at certain points in each of these buildings and press a button, similar to an elevator. The bridge then moves to the waiting person to allow for efficient movement between buildings.

Contained within this structure will be the following:

1 x 100 person Lecture theatre
2 x 50 person Lecture theatre
5 x Classrooms
10 x Staff Offices
2 x Studio
1 x 3d printing/laser cutting workshop
1 x Library
1 x Gallery
2 x Meeting space for staff
5 x Meeting space for students
3 x 25 person computer lab
2 x Research space
Mains and USB power supply in every desk

Tree Top Bridge, Perth, Australia

Tape Paris, (2013-14), Numen/For Use

Still of the "Monolith" from Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Mashup of 3 News Articles

The design industry is "way behind" architecture when it comes to technology, according to designer Ross Lovegrove, who says design schools should put a 3D printer on every desk.

"Design schools have got to really get into computational design," Lovegrove said. "There is no digital process in design schools." Today's cities are not sustainable, no matter how we look at them. The natural environment still manages to fill us with a sense of awe and amazement. The design industry needs to embrace digital production techniques in order to be able to create the complex forms made using advanced software. The cities of the future will be pulsating. At times, they will increase in density and may even shrink as people from rural areas, other cities or other countries enter and take advantage of the special attractions they offer in terms of jobs, culture and education. At other times, the increasing density and new types of professions will drive people out of the city into surrounding areas. The 'natural architecture' movement aims to expand on 'land art' by acting as a form of activism rather than protest. This new form of art aims to capture the harmonious connection we seek with nature by merging humanity and nature through architecture. Local experts, equipped with the methods and instruments from the best universities worldwide, will adapt to the local conditions to create the most liveable environment for their citizens.

Natural Architecture

http://www.designboom.com/contemporary/naturalarchitecture.html

Design schools need to embrace digital

http://www.dezeen.com/2015/04/14/ross-lovegrove-design-schools-way-behind-need-embrace-digital-milan-2015/

How To Create Sustainable, Pulsating Cities of the Future

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gerhard-schmitt/sustainable-cities-future_b_7236992.html