Week 12 -Site Access and Navigation

Current Predicament

Currently, the central space where Queen and Albert Streets presents challenges for pedestrians to navigate. The two main contributors to this are the overabundance of available street front entrances/exits and the channeling of pedestrian traffic. Large obstructions in the center of the street and narrow side awnings mean people tend to cling to the side of the street, either for shelter or simply because there is no other way to get through. When a junction is reached, these channeled streams collide creating areas of conflict. By far the worst location is outside Hungry Jacks. Because this is an iconic and identifiable location, the area outside has become a meeting point/lingering area severely disrupting the flow of pedestrian traffic.

Future Proposal

My proposed solution to this problem is to open up the space by removing the corners, as the corners were the primary reason for there being areas of conflict. Also by opening up the central street areas approaching the junction, people will be encouraged to use the whole street. When inclement weather occurs, improved larger side awnings will provide shelter and channel pedestrian traffic less than previously. New high-density developments will replace the current low-density buildings on the northern corners of the site. The iconic Hungry Jacks will be re-developed but remain, thus helping the site keep its identity. The new buildings will have more clearly definied entrances and exits, none more so than the new subway station access located under the pod tower.

Week 11 -Site Clean up (CAD)

Current Site

Week 11 -Key points going forward

Key points to consider as design takes shape

• Zoom out a little in regards to master-planning and consider a greater context
• Look at how the building influences surrounding space
• How will people navigate this space now and in the future?
• Connections with other streets -utilizing public transport?
• Investigate opening up lower levels for increased public space and doing the same to other surrounding buildings as well.
• What is the importance of a name or label? Is there a need to create an ICONIC SPACE? 
• Possible names -The Plaza? Brisbane Plaza? Queen Street Plaza?
• Exemplars -times square for example: how do people navigate that space?

Week 10 -Tower and Pod concepts

Tower Concept

Pod Concepts

Week 10 -Additional Reading Reflections

Yona Freidman -function follows form

A simplistic introduction that i can immediately relate to, refers to how the function of a space is mostly predetermined by the equipment (furnishings and fixtures) that it will contain. The author states; "Function, mapped by a graph can follow any form".

This is true, but not always the ideal scenario in my opinion. For me when I approach designing a building, I consider the function before creating the form. But predominately the function does not dictate the form.

Winy Maas -Architecture is a device

Always a controversial design discussion when the ground zero site is involved. But it is very true that from an event defined by division, unification will rise out of it.

I agree with facts of the article, but disagree with nature in which it presents architecture. It talks about the profession romantically as if there is something incredibly unique about it -there used to be. To be frank, the profession has not been that way for a long time and becomes ever increasingly mainstream.

Week 10 -Defining Future Scenario/Site Selection

Images and works highlighting factors within my future scenario

Future technologies such as this will enable so many new things to be done. Works cultures will begin a fundamental change by 2030, with an ever increasing amount of people conducting their work from mobile locations. This will create redundancies in CBD office space, with an increasing focus on buildings being mixed-use. This technology will also help this process, with its inclusion within pods allowing for real multi purpose usage.

Systems similar to this can be implemented to quickly create different variations of pods, based on simple template. These units can be pre-fabricated off-site, then easily installed into structural systems. Creating a graphic such as this, would also be useful in my final presentation for explaining the construction process of pods and building retrofits. 

Times Square in New York is an excellent precedent for what my chosen site may work towards becoming in the future.  One can draw inspiration from how it has become such an iconic landmark, but also learn from the mistakes that have made this space sometimes chaotic and difficult to pass through. By closing the space off to automobiles, Brisbane's Queen Street has already done a key thing that New York's Times Square has not.

Another iconic crossroads within a world city is London's Piccadilly Circus. Currently it is more similar in scale to how I see central Queen Street becoming in the future; Times Square is vast. Again, traffic running through this area divides and congests it.

One thing to draw from both of the iconic locations mentioned above is their names. They have a name for the specific site,  thus giving them identity. This is currently not the situation in Brisbane. The site is known merely as the juncture of two streets or colloquially; 'outside hungry jacks'. If this is to change in Brisbane creating an iconic space at the heart of the city, it requires a 'label' that everyone can refer and relate to.

This graphic from 2003, illustrates future pedestrian bridges and through-city routes proposed by the Brisbane City Council. Some of which have already been built, re-enforcing my predictions (below).

Possible extent of pedestrianized streets by 2030. Although streets on the CBD periphery such as William Street, Alice Street and Eagle Street would most likely remain open to traffic. For public access and so deliveries can be made.

Design for Abode Tower in Melbourne currently under construction.  Drawing inspiration from this facade, a retrofitted pod tower doesn't necessarily have to possess a particularly disjunct form. In reality, I envision that the 'pod towers' of the future might perhaps be very sleek and attractive.

Possible 2060 Brisbane subway map -London Underground Style.

Okay by 2030, of course this much infrastructure will not be built in Brisbane. But this image can give an indication, as to the improved connectivity I foresee within the city center.

Mid Semester -Initial Architectural Possibilities Through Concept

Various visions for CBD environment

George Street will become pedestrianized in line with new City Council plans. Light-rail will become an integral part of connecting the CBD. Possibility of enclosing space above current Queen Street mall, allowing side awnings to be removed from buildings and fully opening street area to pedestrians in all weather.

Adelaide Street will remain a major route through the city center. Opening up to pedestrians and light-rail services that will connect with other major transportation infrastructures. Lower density structures from today will be replaced as the CBD urban density increases dramatically.

Initial vision for Queen Street and Albert Street intersection 2030. This will become the heart of central Brisbane, a hive of activity at all hours. Increased urban density will not only lead to the redevelopment of lower density areas, but also the retrofitting of previous office towers/spaces left redundant by the change in work cultures.