Week 2 Howard Smith Wharves - Folie (Entry Six)

My Concept were the cuboid forms that could reflect light and the environment etc - so the folie would be dynamic. Affected by seasonal variation and contextually grounded. These cuboid forms would also create the framing.

I designed the first option as such and with the later options, I experimented with the forms a little bit.

Folie Design Option 1 (Left) & Option 2 (Right)

Folie Design Option 3

..............I think Option 1&3 would best convey the intended message of a very evocative and contrasting vantage point. Option 2 is more uniform.

Later on, I took the design a little further on and thought about the context and how to contrast the key concepts of 'monumental' architecture and 'fragmented' architecture.

I separated the folie into two halves. One half was at human scale - 2.4 metres high, the other half represented the monument and was 2 metres high. The monument segment was inhabitable, you could only see it. It was to be seen from a distance and from within the structure but nothing else could be done with it.

Context

 The actual space (below) was fragmented with the same cuboid forms from my original sketch - these would reflect light and the environment. They would create  frames and reduce the monuments into something fragmented and localized.  

One end of the space would not be fragmented (below) - this would represent the open and direct view of 'monument' architecture. You could see the cliffs openly  and it would represent the Experience imposing/powerful and isolated monument architecture is.

 When in the space - you could look up at the sculptural hemisphere above - it would be imposing - uncomfortable to look at and it was unreachable - much like the Experience monument architecture.

By creating these two conditions within the folie (externally/internally) I hoped that the Function of the folie would be for people to Experience something that informed them and something that they could learn from visually. It might not be as strong and obvious - but it could perhaps be suggestive.

In terms of Tectonics, I thought of having tension chords to uphold these cuboid forms as well as the hemisphere above the roof. The roof of the structure would be upheld by columns in compression. 

Hemisphere is bolted centrally to roofing and fixed on its four 'corners' with anchored cables. 

Section showing I beam fixed to concrete columns and metal cables upholding the cuboid forms. The plan shows the columns in the corners and rigid bracing to allow for a unobstructed architectural experience.