Concept Development..

Key concepts of original folie proposal to continue throughout design process:

• Looming presence of bridge, feeling of being watched.
• Separation, Fragmentation
• Encounter, Discovery, Learning
• Site history

Folie Design

I am strolling across the Story Bridge when something intriguing catches my eye. It is in the distance and I wonder, “How do I get down there? What is that place?” Countless times I have made the journey and yet I’ve never questioned what might lie beneath. A magnificent structure, which is deeply iconic of Brisbane City, the bridge has always stood tall with its far-reaching visibility, enforcing a looming presence upon the city and surrounding suburbs. I decide to explore this mysterious place existing beneath, taking a left at the end of the bridge following a pathway. I look up and see the underside of the bridge; I’m overwhelmed by its presence. I have never experienced the structure in this way. It’s as though it’s following me.

I realise this place has a very strange but beautiful quality; why is it that I’ve never noticed this place before. Historical buildings stand at the bottom of the steep, towering cliffs surrounded by an expansive park; a path stretching its length. I continue to venture through the space; still feeling like something is looming behind me.

As I approach this structure, I notice that it has similar materiality to the bridge behind me. I get closer and start to see reflections of the site around me in the glass panels. As I get closer, the reflections alter; they entice me to look around. I discover a whole new view of the city, the water, the way a tree hangs over the path. Moving forward, the reflections begin to align. I can see the Story Bridge in one of the reflections; I knew it was there, however, I see the site in a different way. Connections begin to happen. I can see the historical buildings in the other glass panel and I am again reminded of the ominous presence of the overshadowing bridge. I see some very faint silhouettes behind the glass, so I walk through and look back, there are people sitting within the structure, looking at the framed views of the site; pondering, thinking, relaxing.

I feel as though I have really discovered something today. I have learnt about a whole new place and I want to learn more. What were the old buildings used for? Why are they here? Why have I never been down here? I go home feeling quite amazed. What an incredible encounter I’ve had today.

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.

Architecture for Learning

What is learning?

1. The acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, practice, or study, or by being taught.

The previous statement is a traditional definition of what "Learning" means, however the idea of "Learning" can be interpreted in different ways. To me, learning is about:
- Breaking down Boundaries
- Experiencing new things
- Allowing oneself to be exposed to new ideas
- An open mind
- Exploration
- Discovery
- Encounter
- Tangents, Overlays, Links, Webs, Patterns

The following video showcases examples of Architecture for Learning. The idea that a building itself can become a teacher was a notion that resonated with my thoughts about learning, and is a concept that could be explored in the design of the Folie.

Howard Smith Wharves: Research

The Howard Smith Wharves were constructed in the 1930s and are the only surviving evidence of the Port of Brisbane’s earlier location in the central city area. Air-raid shelters that were built during WWII exist on the site and are the most intact example of air-raid shelters surviving in Brisbane (Department of Environment and Resource Management, 2009). Several years ago the Brisbane City Council proposed a commercial development for the site which was rejected by the state government after significant disapproval from the residents of New Farm. A new Park Improvement project was undertaken but has now been put on hold due to the January Floods of 2011 (Brisbane City Council, 2011).

REFERENCES:

The State of Queensland (Department of Environment and Resource Management), Queensland Heritage Register. 2009. “Howard Smith Wharves”. Accessed March 2, 2012.

Brisbane City Council. 2011. “Howard Smith Wharves Restoration Project”. Accessed March 2, 2012.