Concept Development..

Howard Smith Wharves is a place of rich history that should not be forgotten or neglected. Though a new development should envisage a bright future for Howard Smith Wharves, its past should not be overshadowed and forgotten.

The history of the site conjures images of damage, with parts falling off the heritage listed buildings on site, the floods, the breakage of the river walk and the presence of air-raid shelters built during World War II.

As a concept the Folie could represent this damage, forcing people to learn about the history of the site. It's form could be inspired by the idea that it may have been a piece of the bridge that has fallen off and landed on the shoreline. Borrowing from the aesthetics of the bridge and constructed out of steel with a deceptively haphazard appearance due to the motive of the design. Dark and reflective glass panels would also be a feature of the design, providing reflections of the site. These reflections are physical yet also make reference to psychological reflections - reflections as memory. Depending on where the viewer stands the reflections in the glass would obviously be different.. apparently without purpose. However, when standing in a certain place the reflections align and the viewer is able to see the images of the bridge, the river, the heritage buildings, the river-walk framed at the same time. This is the encounter, the discovery, the trigger to learn.