View Full Version : Newcastle Courthouse (Newcastle Uni, 3rd year)
Brief: Design and documention of a 2 courtroom facility in the court precinct of Newcastle consisting of a district and a local court plus the required administration areas.
Site: Located on the corner of Church and Watt Streets, Newcastle Australia, opposite Fletcher Park and diagonally opposite the Police Station.
site plan
The future development of the grey area is currently unknown (Royal Newcastle Hospital grounds), however based on the developments currently on the other end of the site, it will most likely be medium density apartment buildings.
Very dodgy section (bottom half was done in photoshop, haven't modeled the basement levels yet)
The concept was a simple floating box containing the courts, intersecting with another box. The ground floor contains the majority of the administration areas, the first floor has the local court and the related areas, the second floor contains the district court. The order of the floors is based on the court hierarchy. The first basement level (not yet modeled) contains the correctional facilities (prison van, a few cells and interview rooms). The second basement will consist of staff parking (open) and two enclosed parking spaces for the magistrate and the judge.
The project is obviously still under development, any comments/suggestions?
I like the floating box idea.
Consider disabled access in a more positive way - not just a ramp tucked away at the side of the stairs - try and integrate it a little more.
The other thing to consider is that people hang around the courts for ages - waiting. The foyer space is good for that - but will need to be broken done into smaller more friendly spaces - think along the lines of small groups of people waiting for their case to be heard.
Also - I've always notices large numbers of smokers hanging around. In your case they would congregate/take over the street. Whilst we might not like smokers they are a reality.
Maybe split the foyer into an internal and external space? - But make sure that the smokers have options other than just hanging aroundthe entry!
So I guess - think about the public a little more, rather than the "client"/"court"
The new one in Adelaide works pretty well
And are there views from the site? from upper levels? if so you might want to think about the idea of the view being shared at all levels through an open foyer (rather than the courts being the central focus)
Courts are a little like shopping centres - once you're inside the attention is on the internal - but unlike a shopping centre, there's a lot of "hanging around" at court
I like the floating box idea.
Consider disabled access in a more positive way - not just a ramp tucked away at the side of the stairs - try and integrate it a little more.
The other thing to consider is that people hang around the courts for ages - waiting. The foyer space is good for that - but will need to be broken done into smaller more friendly spaces - think along the lines of small groups of people waiting for their case to be heard.
Also - I've always notices large numbers of smokers hanging around. In your case they would congregate/take over the street. Whilst we might not like smokers they are a reality.
Maybe split the foyer into an internal and external space? - But make sure that the smokers have options other than just hanging aroundthe entry!
So I guess - think about the public a little more, rather than the "client"/"court"
I realised a few days ago that the disabled ramp and the entrance to the building doesn't work, hopefully this will be recitified in the next day or two. At the moment I'm thinking about wrapping the ramp around the western side of the entrance and reducing the size of the Jury Assembly area.
I thought about having a clear, non ventilated perspex box for the smokers to utilise, but somehow I don't see it being approved for some reason. I'll try and open up some outdoor spaces near the entrance, but with all the new laws about smoking outside of buildings coming into effect, smokers will have no choice but cross the road for their fix.
Breaking up the foyer is something I need to work on as well, having feuding parties with no space to "hide" from each other is a bad idea. Unsure exactly how to break up the space though.
Also, at the moment the courtbox isn't supported, a few columns will be required in the corners near the entrance ...
My comments:
1. A corner site is a very unique situation that requires a very unique approach. Your building seems to be designed to the middle of the block. Why simmetry?
2. How you responded to the surroundings? By the aerial photo, looks like a beautiful place with a beautiful view. I can't see the influence of that in your project also.
3. A box intersected by another box is not a concept, it's more like a formal analysis :D . The idea of having a 'floating box' can be a start for a concept, but it needs to drive your design.
4. Everything looks so simplistic. C'mon, man, you're in 3rd year! It's not the time to be accomodated, it's the time to be daring!
I don't think your project is bad, but right now it just looks like another building in the city.
DanConnolly
23-08-2006, 16:07
im sure you have insane secruity requirements for courts just like here in the US. think about that in your entrance and foyer. instead of having the metal detectors and such added in later and standing out, try to think of an entrance that addresses the security systems.
i agree with the comment about the corner site. you have some nice topography to work with too. right now it is being treated like the back of the site
drummond
24-08-2006, 00:09
I agree with the need to put urban designs of this sort in their context for them to be seen to be working (or not ).Have you considered a photo montage? Sketchup works very well for this technique and you, already said you've got Photoshop as well...so your off to the races!
Heres one I did for a small urban apartment presentation.
joHanneum Z
24-08-2006, 09:17
I also don`t think it is bad. It is a sound piece of work.
I agree that a corner site is a very unique situation that requires a very unique approach. But I also agree with the middle of the block thesis. Perhaps I would rethink the orientation in addition to the park ( also your weather site). Is this really the best one?- or would it better to orientate it more to the city? Okay park means free and nice and peaceful area, but isn`t there also ocean? Is much rain to your entrance site? -> more pics, Infos needed.
I am often also for an inclusion of history in thinking when designing. What was thee before? How was it orientated. It`s often good in real architecture building if you can argue with history. (- when it has a use for your project)
What about other good court projects? Courtprojects in similar situations?
it is good that you close you local court room so that it isn`t seen in, but think of natural light too, perhabs some horizontal light slots in 250 centimetres f.e will help (depends on your height of rooms). Your district court roof`could have parts of glass.
Also perhaps raise the room height so you give the court more importance. It's good that the district one is higher.How many people live in Newcastle?
How important is your court? Show importance. In urbanism buildings also mean so ...big square metres rooms,... parking areas... think of this.
I think more pics would help to design the project.
The security is very important, I agree of rethinking the entrance situation. I think also seperated ways of the building for the judge f.e., the jury and the accused one(s). It could be like tdmc said with breaking up in internal/ external space, but think of parts which connect these spaces in a good way.
Also think of emergency exit. What about "barrier free"? I don`t think your ramp means an ascent of 6 percent. Integrating ramp like tdmc sad is important too. Breaking up the foyer for different parties is also important too.
Go on, you are on good way.
architecture means thinking and thinking and more often rethinking to get the best solution.
Mate, I have to agree with the others about the middle block look to your development.
I might also add that your design seems to be significantly out of context with what is developing as a high density residential area which is currently dominated by the existing hospital. Given the coastal location I find the bold blank wall facing the beach to be a little arrogant and the structure I feel might suit the location with a more top hat approach to the roof.
Additionally I feel you need to better address and reinforce the corner not similar but as exampled below! This image also examples what I was refering to about providing a roof cap!
I would also add for the others that we don't need much security, remember Australia started as a penal colony, the only reason we have court houses is so that others can gain entry!!!! Hehe
My comments:
1. A corner site is a very unique situation that requires a very unique approach. Your building seems to be designed to the middle of the block. Why simmetry?
Unfortunately, I let the functions dictate the design of the building, as access into the courtroom needed to be from three separate sides it made sense to me (at the time) to go the symmetry route. The corner is didn't really take into consideration at the time (obviously), I'll try to improve this area.
2. How you responded to the surroundings? By the aerial photo, looks like a beautiful place with a beautiful view. I can't see the influence of that in your project also.
3. A box intersected by another box is not a concept, it's more like a formal analysis :D . The idea of having a 'floating box' can be a start for a concept, but it needs to drive your design.
I agree there as well, however as I stated previously it was the functions of the building that drove my design, the "concept" was to be a little ambiguous and easy to adapt.
4. Everything looks so simplistic. C'mon, man, you're in 3rd year! It's not the time to be accommodated, it's the time to be daring!
I don't think your project is bad, but right now it just looks like another building in the city.
I certainly agree with you there, but, is this such a bad thing? I believe our schools should be more about teaching students how to design buildings that could actually get built (i'm certainly not saying my design is buildworthy) instead of going off on some weird tangent for the sake of "art".
Thanks for your comments and thoughts Digdoi.
I agree with the need to put urban designs of this sort in their context for them to be seen to be working (or not ).Have you considered a photo montage? Sketchup works very well for this technique and you, already said you've got Photoshop as well...so your off to the races!
Heres one I did for a small urban apartment presentation.
I considered a photo montage, but I think I'm going to go for the full 3d route for the final presentation, Its a good idea, but at the moment there's a lot of empty space around the site and I'd like to quickly model the future development for the context. I'll upload some photos later of the site.
Perhaps I would rethink the orientation in addition to the park ( also your weather site). Is this really the best one?- or would it better to orientate it more to the city? Okay park means free and nice and peaceful area, but isn`t there also ocean? Is much rain to your entrance site? -> more pics, Infos needed.
The orientation is pretty much dictated by the proposed development to the north and east of the site (apartment blocks to the north right on the boundary). I'll upload some photos of the site later.
What about other good court projects? Courtprojects in similar situations? I really like Hassel's courthouses; Melbourne Commonwealth Law Courts (http://www.hassell.com.au/projects/proj13_1.html) and the Adelaide Commonweath Law Courts. (http://www.hassell.com.au/projects/proj361_1.html)
it is good that you close you local court room so that it isn`t seen in, but think of natural light too, perhabs some horizontal light slots in 250 centimetres f.e will help (depends on your height of rooms). Your district court roof`could have parts of glass.
Also perhaps raise the room height so you give the court more importance.
The intention is to have several windows on both the northern and southern sides of the courtbox to allow natural light in, these windows will be covered in perferated stainless steel to maintain privacy. Parts of the roof of the district court will be transparent as well to allow more light in, however I want to avoid hotspots and keep the light as even as possible throughout the court, so this will take some thought.
The security is very important, I agree of rethinking the entrance situation. I think also seperated ways of the building for the judge f.e., the jury and the accused one(s). It could be like tdmc said with breaking up in internal/ external space, but think of parts which connect these spaces in a good way.
I agree, security certainly needs to be intergrated into the entrance of my building; it shouldn't just be an afterthought.
Thank you for your comments.
I might also add that your design seems to be significantly out of context with what is developing as a high density residential area which is currently dominated by the existing hospital. Given the coastal location I find the bold blank wall facing the beach to be a little arrogant and the structure I feel might suit the location with a more top hat approach to the roof.
Originally we were informed that the future development to the east would be right up against our building, so the eastern facade will need to be firerated, however I discovered last night that there will be a small park at the corner, so I'll work on the eastern facade.
I would also add for the others that we don't need much security, remember Australia started as a penal colony, the only reason we have court houses is so that others can gain entry!!!! Hehe
Heh yup, we do need a little bit of security but its normally an afterthought here, just have a look at Toronto Courthouse (no pictures, the guards had bigger guns than I and I swear they would've used 'em if I pointed my camera in their direction), they have a dirty great big scanner and conveyer belt in the middle of the entrance.
Thanks for your comments mate.
I believe our schools should be more about teaching students how to design buildings that could actually get built (i'm certainly not saying my design is buildworthy) instead of going off on some weird tangent for the sake of "art".
Good architecture is about both. That's the thing about REALLY good architecture - it is buildable and can eliven/enrich the soul. It's damend hard work, but the results will speak for themselves.
It's a difference about kind of "saying near enough is good enough" and trying so much harder. I'm not criticizing, just observing that good architecture need not be off at some wierd tangent. Also consider that the time at uni is when you can test ideas with the constraints of the "real world"
You have a rational philosophical approach to your design solution - that's good. It does however seem to be "site" focussed rather than outward looking/considering the surorundings. That's an ok starting point, but I'd be looking at integration with (or domination of?) the surrounding area - the building as a whole.
The Hassell Adelaide project works well - the photos are not, in my opinion very good - they protray the building to be much "grander" than it really is. It actually has a good presentation to the street/square, and a sense of openess upon arrival (like your foyer). Materials and finished are mixed around internally and that work - "solid" "substantial" material;s and finishes. The photos are actually quite distorted (getting to be fish-eye in some cases).
I'd think about playing with your "building blocks"/components a little more - but overall it's refinement, certainly not "start again"
Just playing around, pulled the floors out to meet the courtbox, thoughts?
Just playing around, pulled the floors out to meet the courtbox, thoughts?
still want to know (want you to work it out for yourself) what your concept is.
without a concept, there is nothing to guide you in making these decisions, and without which we can't give you useful comment about your design.
post-rationalise if you have to, come up with something and let that be the guide in how you go about developing this building up
I think the concept was based on the floating box/courts ? - that bit works, but the rest needs a little more attention
I think the concept was based on the floating box/courts ? - that bit works, but the rest needs a little more attention
as digdoi said, a floating box is not a concept, it's the language employed to tell a story... but what is the story? why a floating box? where did it come from?
ok, I get what you're asking - how about ..."the elevation of the court above society".. or .."the untouchable naure of the judicial system"?
but let's see what axie says
imasayer
25-08-2006, 17:39
If the floating box is the concept, then I don't think you are making it clear enough. The large bands above and below the windows don't really help the concept at all. I would push the box out more and have it coming out of a pure form. (solid box and transparent box?) What you described calls for two clear and distinct entities.
Thanks for the comments guys, I've been busy over the last few days but I'll answer your questions and upload some updates tomorrow.
A few other ideas to play around with before you lock in:
1. Since the courts are such a dominent 'blank' on the facade by their nature, did you consider pushing them to the back and let the office and such have access to the natural light at the street sides? This also has a better security path from the secure loading/unloading in the basement up a private elevator to the courtroom and back out...
2. Court rooms are supposed to awe those in them with the sense of 'The Law' and generally have quite high ceilings ( on the order of 12' or higher' clear - not counting air and lighting and electrical and structure ): Can your floor to floor heights accomodate this?
3. I do not like how tight you have pushed the building to the street - it feels claustrophobic and dominating - not integrated or very neighborly. Also, the very tight entry is sure to be a major pain with all the people trying to get through 2 doors. With the building opening to 2 streets, why not have a large covered porch area with many entrance points to facilitate the peole movement?
4. Where are the jury chambers? It looks liek jorors have to enter through the judges suites? Is this okay?
5. You might consider adding an anteroom or reconfiguring the main entrance to each courtroom to help keep sound down. With the large atrium effect you have, areas open to the void spaces are likely to be very loud and that isn't good when opening doors into court rooms.
6. Are you not required to have 2 fire stairs over there? I only see one?
7. Mechancial space? Elevator equipment? All of those are unfortunate but necessary and they have to be in the right spots so you really can't ignore them...
Take a look at the very rough idea attached for a summary of the flip-flop in spaces I am suggesting...
Just a quick update with a few images dealing with some issues raised in regards to the entrance:
The entrance ramp (not modeled completely) wraps in from the right hand side now, also the stairs are angled inwards and are set back from the path to make the entrance more pronounced.
My tutor suggested breaking up the courtbox with some windows instead of hiding them behind perferated stainless. The box is to be clad in corten panels which will need to be oxidised offsite.
just a quick image of the internal spaces.
A few other ideas to play around with before you lock in:
1. Since the courts are such a dominent 'blank' on the facade by their nature, did you consider pushing them to the back and let the office and such have access to the natural light at the street sides? This also has a better security path from the secure loading/unloading in the basement up a private elevator to the courtroom and back out...
My original thought was to have the courts along the northern (blank) wall, but after discussions with my tutor I decided to move them to the front and make the courts a feature of the building. In hindsight, it was a bad move.
2. Court rooms are supposed to awe those in them with the sense of 'The Law' and generally have quite high ceilings ( on the order of 12' or higher' clear - not counting air and lighting and electrical and structure ): Can your floor to floor heights accomodate this?
My ceiling heights are currently 4000mm (13'1" I think) for the local court and 5000mm (16') for the district court. Air con ducts will run along the floor in the local and in the ceiling structure for the district.
3. I do not like how tight you have pushed the building to the street - it feels claustrophobic and dominating - not integrated or very neighborly. Also, the very tight entry is sure to be a major pain with all the people trying to get through 2 doors. With the building opening to 2 streets, why not have a large covered porch area with many entrance points to facilitate the peole movement?
I guess my argument against being not very "neighbourly" is that I've taken the route that the courts should be seen as a dominating and powerful force in our society.
4. Where are the jury chambers? It looks liek jorors have to enter through the judges suites? Is this okay?
The jury deliberation rooms are on the second floor (there's not jury in the local courts) north of the courtbox. Access to the courtbox for the jury is through the catwalk.
5. You might consider adding an anteroom or reconfiguring the main entrance to each courtroom to help keep sound down. With the large atrium effect you have, areas open to the void spaces are likely to be very loud and that isn't good when opening doors into court rooms.
Could you explain what you mean about an anteroom? Acoustics isn't something I've considered in this design unfortunately, I'm not exactly sure how I can dampen the sound within the void.
6. Are you not required to have 2 fire stairs over there? I only see one?
Technically, this building would require two fire stairs over here according to the BCA, however the solution I worked out with my tutor today was to make the prisoner circulation corridor 120/120/120 fire rated with direct access to the fire stairs, which means that from any point in the building you will be within 20 metres of the fire stairs. Its certainly not an ideal solution, but is workable.
7. Mechancial space? Elevator equipment? All of those are unfortunate but necessary and they have to be in the right spots so you really can't ignore them...
I'll update my plans with the required spaces in the next couple of days. They were taken into consideration, but aren't clear in these images.
Take a look at the very rough idea attached for a summary of the flip-flop in spaces I am suggesting...
I really like your idea, it would be a little tight in the site (19 x 38m) but it would be better than what I have. Unfortunately with less than a week until this is to be submitted I don't have the time for a major redesign, but your suggestions are certainly appreciated.
A quick photo of the apartment block currently on the site.
Photo from the site looking south west towards the police station.
Photo from the police station looking towards the site.
Just incase someone wants to have a closer look ...
Could you explain what you mean about an anteroom?
An Anteroom is a small room before the main room that helps to block out sound or temerature differences, kind of like an airlock at a front door.
The design underwent some major changes today, the new design is still a major work in progress, but overall I'm MUCH happier with the design than I was with the first version. The courtbox remains, but its not as in your face as the last version. Anyways, with only 6 days until submission I have a lot to go ...
Anyways, here are a few images of the new design, any comments would be greatly appreciated.
The entrance in the previous design was extremely poor, this seams to work much better ...
View from the south west, unsure exactly how I will do the windows on the corner, any suggestions?
Might be easier to show the model ... [updated model]
Must say mate I'd still like to see some reinforcement of the corner and top hat to the roof given it is so coastal.
I think your entry could use stairs still direct to the frontage and not at all sure of the entry portico, would like to see something extend over the footpath for protection and better identification of entry. I would also prefer to see the entry clearlt recognisable from the side street / corner where most pedestrian traffic (they have lost their license to drive and trying mostly to get it back) will come from downtown civic station / bus interchange.
I'm still not exactly sure what you mean by a top hat Richard, could you clarify that please? I'll see what you mean about the entry not being visable from the corner, i'll see what I can do, cheers.
Is this what you mean by extending the portico Richard?
Mate what I mean about top hat is to substantiate better the top of the building by providing a more structured roof element. Given the coastal location this will most likely be a more common element to the emergent character of the precinct, although not so common to commercial buildings it will be rather inherant to those of a residential use. This is now almost mandated in NSW for coastal locations with regards to residential flat buildings under the residential flat buildings design code.
See pic!
Ahhh! thanks for clearing that up mate. It certainly would work better in a coastal area ...
Just not sure if I can intergrate it into the design without a major reorginisation which, unfortunately, I don't have the time for prior to the submission.
Anyways, with only 6 days until submission I have a lot to go ...
so...
a) what is your concept now?
b) please explain your techtonic language you have employed to express that concept.
we are only asking this for your own good... ESPECIALLY when it's got 6 days to go until submission.
In regards to the portico, I mean something cantilevering, you wouldn't get away with support in the road reserve.
The other consideration I would give is to make the entry bold, supportive, giving foundation and dominating with the strenght - OUR STRONG LEGAL SYSTEM.
The strength of this structure seriously scared me standing at the base!
DanConnolly
29-08-2006, 16:14
In regards to the portico, I mean something cantilevering, you wouldn't get away with support in the road reserve.
The other consideration I would give is to make the entry bold, supportive, giving foundation and dominating with the strenght - OUR STRONG LEGAL SYSTEM.
The strength of this structure seriously scared me standing at the base!
i think that the entrance now seems strong. walking through the entry with the massive block of courtrooms hovering over you. maybe you could hide the columns so it really seems to be hovering. i dont know if this would be bad or not. just an idea :D i like the improvemnt in the entrance, but im lost with the rest of the building. got any new plans?
The entrance in the previous design was extremely poor, this seams to work much better ...
Not necesarily more complex means better. I think it still has some issues judging from the close up picture.
First the structure looks odd, it doesn't relate to the box it's holding or anything around it. It's just four columns laid there. You should somehow incorporate the columns to the box or make them dissapear somehow.
Also the portico in the entrance is interfering with the structure you have. They're both elements with strong pressence to intersect them without a good reason.
maybe something like this
imasayer
29-08-2006, 17:17
The design underwent some major changes today, the new design is still a major work in progress, but overall I'm MUCH happier with the design than I was with the first version. The courtbox remains, but its not as in your face as the last version. Anyways, with only 6 days until submission I have a lot to go ...
Anyways, here are a few images of the new design, any comments would be greatly appreciated.
I am much happier with the design as well. The box within a box is starting to come together. I would have you simplify the form a little. You seem to have random things just popping up or out for no apparent reason. Don't be afraid to simplify this a little. It will only strengthen your idea. I don't quite understand you site, are there any buildings next to your building. You look like you have a two-sided building right now. You need to address the other sides as well. It looks to me like it would make more sense to mirror your building on the site in order to address the corner condition.
I would also think about how your building meets the ground at that corner. Right now you have a rather brutal pedestrian experience going on where the sloping sidewalk is. What can you do to bring that down to a human scale?
DanConnolly
29-08-2006, 18:40
why that canopy over the sidewalk? it doesnt look like it is signifying the entrance. i think it conflicts with the mass of the courtrooms too much
imasayer
29-08-2006, 18:45
why that canopy over the sidewalk? it doesnt look like it is signifying the entrance. i think it conflicts with the mass of the courtrooms too much
I agree.
You should take some time to think about, and answer Swank-e's questions about your concept. I think that this will help you make good decisions for the last few days of your project. You will have a project with more clarity.
Why not erase that one wall and put some stairs there?
And same comments as posted above: I'd also mirror the building. You're not using the corner ...
Good luck with the deadline btw.
DanConnolly
29-08-2006, 20:15
good idea with the stairs. i think it humanizes the entrance while still showing your original idea of the massive overlooming courts. i agree with cacapis that something has to be done about the supports. is it possible to hide them somewhere?
You should take some time to think about, and answer Swank-e's questions about your concept. I think that this will help you make good decisions for the last few days of your project. You will have a project with more clarity.
phew, i thought i was being ignored!
Sorry Swank-E, it wasn't my intention to ignore you, the truth is I've been struggling to come up with a viable post-justified concept for the last few weeks. At its core my concept is that law (ie: our courts, as the perponderance of our law is still common based) must be 'visable and clear' as stated by Sir Garfield Barwick in Watson v Lee (1979) in the High Court of Australia, hence the raising of the courtbox and pulling it out from the other elements ...
Thanks for the comments and ideas people, I agree that the building needs to be flipped to put the entrance at the corner and something needs to be done with the supports (cacapis's ideas work much better). Unfortunately I've spent the day studying for an exam (law, funny enough) tomorrow, so I haven't progressed much in the last day.
Mark Timms
30-08-2006, 15:29
I have to echo what Kevin has been asking...
Concept is so important. It drives the design...
As with others, I also prefer the architectural language of the latest design compared to the first. THB, the first attempt could have been an office complex, department store etc... this new scheme feels solid and dominant, like its structure has forced itself out of the ground:wondering Which to me is part of what a courthouse should represent.
Your floating box idea is far more realised within this scheme as well. The courthouse itself being public and visible as much as it can be...
I also think you should consider handing the building so the entrance is more aligned to the corner of the site. A corner site has such a dominant position within the street. At the moment the building still turns its back on it. It this is your intension, what is your reasoning behind that?
Good luck with the submission!!
Thanks for the comments Mark, just a quick update before I crash, I flipped the building around so the entrance is on the corner, which changed the planning in the basement and the exits of the two fire stairs, but overall I agree that it works better than before.
I still need to work on the corner windows looking towards the beach, the entrance and the supports for the courtbox ... among other things.
Here's the updated .skp if anyone is interested ...
DanConnolly
30-08-2006, 15:46
nice improvemnts!
ahh, but now the 'floating box' doesn't appear to 'float' ABOVE the other volumes which are of the same material! how is it expressed as 'floating'?
DanConnolly
30-08-2006, 16:11
i think it does appear to float if you are follow the entrance path. im assuming the materials will be different. i think the supports still need to be edited. they look like awkward legs
At its core my concept is that law (ie: our courts, as the perponderance of our law is still common based) must be 'visable and clear' as stated by Sir Garfield Barwick in Watson v Lee (1979) in the High Court of Australia, hence the raising of the courtbox and pulling it out from the other elements ...
I'd say this isn't enough...I'm not a fan of the fact that you keep on making changes, yet you can't come to grips with concept. Once the concept is found, it will drive other actions, spark more creativity, align the design into one cohesive thought. So many people here are giving you thoughts about the site because that is all they have to go on. Don't overweigh site specificity and focus too much on that because that is all you are hearing...unless that is your intent.
Dare I say, but visible and clear is not the statement you are making. The gathering spaces are very visible and clear, but your statement is of contrast here. you can see everything but the courtroom...why?
I know you don't have the concept figured out, but hopefully I am giving an example of holes in your thinking as to solidify something for the future...
imasayer
30-08-2006, 17:14
Sorry Swank-E, it wasn't my intention to ignore you, the truth is I've been struggling to come up with a viable post-justified concept for the last few weeks. At its core my concept is that law (ie: our courts, as the perponderance of our law is still common based) must be 'visable and clear' as stated by Sir Garfield Barwick in Watson v Lee (1979) in the High Court of Australia, hence the raising of the courtbox and pulling it out from the other elements ...
All you need to do is take a stance on this. I think if you clarify the role of law in the society, as you have started to do, that may help you make the decisions necessary to finish the project. I think you should push the metaphor a little. If the floating box represents the law and courts, what is the base that holds it up? What is the rest of the building in relationship to the courts. What is the separation and what does it mean?
You don't have to answer these specific questions, but similar questions may help you along.
More quick updates, did the courtbox (thanks cacapis) and glazing today, as well as fixed some planning issues. The entrance and the security xray machine needs work. Also, as Swank-E keeps reminding me, the concept still needs to be developed more.
Material wise, I'm thinking of either corten or titanium (heavy and dark v. light and shiny) for the courtbox, copper panels for the firestairs and possibly insitu concrete (plywood formwork) for the remaining elements. Any other suggestions?
Updated .skp
Material wise, I'm thinking of either corten or titanium (heavy and dark v. light and shiny) for the courtbox, copper panels for the firestairs and possibly insitu concrete (plywood formwork) for the remaining elements. Any other suggestions?
What is causing you to choose the materials? why 3 materials? why not LED panels? why not a heavily patterned metal or glass panel? how about a double glazed facade with a heavy spandrel? maybe a deep stone cladding? how about brick? maybe terra cotta? stacked carpet tiles? thinset slate? starck white Meier-esque panels? tensile textile forms? corrugated tin? hardcoat plaster(stucco) with an excruciating texture?glass block? shakes?
anything can appear heavy and dark next to an open glazing and a well lit space.
I suggest concept to help...rather than choose the "popular" materials...
just my two cents...I'm afraid I have to keep on the concept droning. I've found it very problematic and unsuccessful to develop post-conceptual thought after the birth of your "baby" in my past...
I suggest concept to help...rather than choose the "popular" materials...
I went the popular route; its what happens when you've lost your passion for architecture, but you're hanging on for those last 6 or so weeks until you graduate ...
You are right though, I really do need to get the concept straight if I'm going to pull this off. Corten was mentioned as Newcastle was formerly the steel centre of Australia (a large BHP plant was located here until 1999) and a reference to the 10 - 40 or so coal ships sitting a couple of clicks offshore. Insitu concrete was suggested as I wanted to have a heavy texture on the back wall of the foyer as it will be exposed to direct sunlight.
Mate
I've got to say I'm REALLY not liking the low level entry and it's enclosure under the floating box. I would seriously consider your entry program as more direct.
imasayer
31-08-2006, 17:00
I went the popular route; its what happens when you've lost your passion for architecture, but you're hanging on for those last 6 or so weeks until you graduate ...
It is pretty easy to burn out the last few weeks as I recall. Do something to relax yourself and come back to this with a fresh set of eyes. Take a few hours and go for a long walk, go get a drink, or a massage, or a hooker.....well maybe not a hooker. Do whatever you need to do to clear your mind of the stress so you can think critically about this project. This it your last project, I think you will be really sorry if you don't give your self every chance to succeed... no excel.
You have the basis for a really good project, you just need to make decisions now that continue to improve it.
axie - stay cool, take a deep breath
I think your work is ok - it presents well. The community here is asking probing questions - maybe next time you'll think a little more about the concept/philosophy of the project as you commence - it certainly help inform the solution and lead to a sense of "rightness" if you have a solid starting point.
In the meantime - get your project finished off - let the questions the forum has asked ok roll around in your head and formulate some responses - will you need to write a paper to accompany the deisgn solution - will there be a critique/peer review? What are your peers doing - comparable, do you think they are doing any better?
Relax - only a few weeks to go!
Pedro Barradas
01-09-2006, 10:07
Axie, you are in 3rd year, the project is NOT bad at all, I donīt know your curricula, but around here to become an architect, you have to have a master degree (2 years plus 1 intern), so 3rd year= half way to become an architect, and you are already become saturated... go to the beach, relax... the after school life is 10 times more difficult....
:cheers:
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