Context:
The HSW site has a rich history behind it dating from the 1930's when the Story Bridge was constructed. This history directly relates to my proposal for the tectonic qualities of the library, as well the the items the library will have available to the public. The HSW has been the victim of Brisbane's vulnerability to flooding numerous times in the past and has become the resting ground for the debris that wash down the river.
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| Howard Smith Wharves |
The site is also central to the Brisbane area, surrounded by a variety of suburbs, industrial areas and also directly linked to the heart of Brisbane city. For this purpose newspapers seemed to be a fitting commodity that the local population may find an interest in as well as the topic of flooding in the area.
Concept:
The Brisbane floods and the shock of the powerful currents and continuous downfall of rain that lead to the loss of many homes and properties around the Brisbane area. The design from my Folie has followed through into my library design and shaped the media I will be displaying inside the structure. Its all about awareness and an appreciation for the power of nature.
Function:
To provide a library to the local public that offers people a unique opportunity to view newspapers from over seas that focus on Brisbane's natural flooding disasters. The exterior and interior spaces will provide both a calming and disturbing experience to the user, to help reinforce the devastation that the floods have caused.
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| Interior Spaces |
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| Floor Plans |
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| Sections |
Tectonic:
Materials that I'm interested in using are shipping containers, for two main reasons, the location being Howard Smith Wharves and the relations to shipping history as well as the idea of objects being washed ashore or into the cliff face. The image below demonstrates how far raging waters can carry these large containers. This idea also relates to my Folie design of debris washed ashore.
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| Boxed in (2012) |
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| Designing with shipping crates |
Some interesting websites and blogs showing architectural uses for shipping containers:
http://contained.tumblr.com/
http://www.minimalisti.com/architecture/02/shipping-containers-architecture-house-modern.html
http://gizmodo.com/5817002/a-building-made-from-shipping-containers-would-probably-scare-dexter-witless
http://designlike.com/2012/04/12/solar-powered-house/
Contribution:
The library will contribute to the public by providing a new user experience and an unusual platform and material to interact with. The information is already widely known and understood by locals, but the opportunity to reflect and remember the hardships and how far we have come will be ever present.
