STUDIO FOUR: DESIGNED ECOLOGIES DESIGN PROCESS BOOKLET ELLIOT LEVI (694359)
PART ONE EXPERIMENTING WITH APPROACHES TO DESIGN
INITIAL SKETCHES COMING TO TERMS WITH THE SITE This exercise was useful for coming to terms with the shape of the site, but in light of subsequent studio work it’s clear that many of the elements present in these sketches - bridges and detail elements such as planting and seats - were ‘easy’ design elements to add at this stage. They were what I resorted to in the absence of a higher-order concept and vision for the site.
EARLY LINEWORK DESIGNS 100M & 30 M These were especially good for understanding the dimensions and scale of the site, as well as the way I was thinking about how to design at different scales.
DESIGN ONE ONE DESIGN Transition between different creek sections and styles. Transition between different creek sections and styles.
Larger body of water with aquatic plants & boulders.
Current channel to reference history.
'Natural' creek bed. (Planted.) Plantings, level changes, and rocks to slow water flow and prevent flooding.
DESIGN TWO TWO DESIGN One creek reflects thethe urban-ness of the whilewhile the other reflects a morea ‘natural’ or picturesque aspect offacet it. Oneside sideofofthe the creek reflects urban-ness of site, the site, the other reflects more ‘natural’ or picturesque with a vaguely similar form.
Large portions of channel left straight to reference history.
Angular 'faux' creek edge.
Access to boardwalk from embankment at other areas.
Boardwalk over potential flood area.
Outcrop over water. Possible viewing platform here.
Dense planting beside boardwalk.
Aquatic & semi-aquatic species.
Planted outcrop.
Possible viewing platform/seating
DESIGN EXERCISES WITH WATER As the first set of design exercises involving water this was fairly useful as a means of realising that water was not only a constraining factor in the design but also as a means of driving a design outcome.
DESIGN ONE
Based on an abstraction of a rocky creekbed into square-based prisms of various sizes, heights, and materials. This means the nature of the space would change with the volume of water flowing into the channel. The water is likely too polluted for something like this to be viable, but the experience of such a space could be interesting.
Higher prisms placed to allow for crossing.
Possible materials: - Concrete of various textures. - Aquatic/semi-aquatic plant species. - Certain metals. - Stone.
DESIGN TWO A simple design based on a series of tiered channel sections designed to create several small waterfalls and a less linear progression through the site. Additionally, the sides of the channel are raised so that the water level may rise above where a user would walk. Overall I don’t feel this to be a success as such a scheme probably isn’t feasible, and even if it were the manipulation of water here is not enough to drive an entire design.
Effectivey a series of pools that overflow into each other.
DESIGN THREE The idea here was to play with the way a user experiences the water by changing their vertical and horizontal position relative to the channel.
Significant changes in height.
Thus, they move from side to side of the channel and even go below it. This particular design isn’t well developed, but the driving concept was certainly worth exploring.
Translucent sides to this section of channel. Users walk beneath the channel.
OVER THE TOP DESIGNS EXAGGERATING LEVELS AND MICROCLIMATES This studio exercise forced me to explore more of the various possibilities that a change in level - dramatic or otherwise - can open up in terms of views, shade, microclimates, waterfalls, and theatrical progression through space.
INSPIRATION FROM ANTI-DESIGN DIFFERENT SIDES FOR DIFFERENT USES A simple design based on an ‘anti-design’ (for pirates!) that split the two sides of the channel into seperate functions: one for taverns and debauchery and the other for storing plunder. In this interpretation of the anti-design for the real world, one side is commercial and the other more ‘natural’ - like a park. Probably not right for our site, but good for exploring how different typologies might apply to the site.
Planter boxes.
Bridge and lock (differerent water level on each side).
Flexible/seasonal space for stalls/ whatever.
Linear greenspace with dense beds as well as BBQ/chill areas.
OTHER SPACES AROUND SITE & POSSIBLE POINTS OF DIFFERENCE A simple comparative exercise that helped me focus on the linearity and context of the site as possible points of difference. While not all of the ideas the exercise sparked were factored into the final design, thinking about the site as a linear progression of distinct areas really served to direct my future work.
SPACES AROUND SITE SITE PIPEMAKERS’ PARK
MERRI CREEK & CERES
EDINBURGH GARDENS
CHARACTERISTICS PIPEMAKERS’ PARK
EDINBURGH GARDENS
MERRI CREEK & CERES
- 3.8 km from site.
- 4 km from site.
- 4.2 km from site.
- Adjacent to Maribyrnong River
- Fairly traditional park typology typical of older suburbs/the inner north.
- Mostly a ‘restored’ creek; that is, closer to its ‘natural’ configuration than it was prior to works.
- Post-industrial site, with structures repurposed for cultural facilities and activities. - Sits within a fairly traditional park setting, as though the post-industrial nature almost needs to be disguised from the outside.
- No water body (bar the rain garden). - Almost certainly the best place for a summer picnic and beers in Fitzroy.
- More urban elements remain closer to the CBD. - CERES, parks, the Abbotsford Convent, Collingwood Children’s Farm, and other community/cultural facilities adjacent. - Dedicated bike route to/from CBD.
POSSIBLE POINTS OF DIFFERENCE FOR DESIGN - Linearity of site leveraged to create a set of distinct areas along it that fit within a coherent overall plan - in a similar fashion to how a long street changes as it runs through different neighbourhoods. - Directly reference and embrace the ‘urban-ness’/context/history of the site rather than conceal it: it’s current features and context could be points of interest and have much potential. - Water made a key aspect of the design, not an adjacent or bonus feature as at Pipemakers’ Park.
PART TWO EMBRACING THE LINEARITY
CHANGE OVER DISTANCE I TESTING TECHNIQUES I realised that the length of the site was such that a form that changed over distance according to some principle or another would make for a more dynamic and potentially more interesting design. In this section I expriemented with techniques for generating such a form.
TEST ONE This form was generated using a series of sections and sweeping along two rails between them.
TEST TWO This form was also generated using a series of sections and sweeping.
TEST THREE This form was generated by splitting a surface with curves then generating channel geometry by sweeping as well as by using the ‘surface from curve network’ command.
CHANGE OVER DISTANCE II EXPERIMENTING WITH SECTIONS A continuation of the previous experiment, but in these two tests I focussed on generating more angular geometry that could be converted to walkways. I also worked on incorporating channel cross-sections that could contain water flows seen on the actual site. However, the results are a little boring.
TEST ONE
TEST TWO
CHANGE OVER DISTANCE III EXPERIMENTING WITH AN ABSTRACT FORM In contrast to the previous two experiments, here I used a different technique to generate a changing linear form: drawing an abstract plan diagram and converting it into 3-D geometry. Layered abstract forms derived from verbs such as spike, undulate, fold, and so forth were assigned functions such as watercourse, pedestrian route, and bicycle route. The result was then worked up in Rhino.
TAKING IT INTO RHINO The linework from the previous page directly translated into 3-D space and connected on the z-axis with curves. On the following page is the result of creating surfaces using the ‘surface from curve network’ and ‘sweep’ commands,
INTERPRETING THE FORM TO GENERATE DESIGN IDEAS As the geometry generated by the previous technique was quite compelling, I decided to use it as inspiration for a more developed concept. I also applied some of the techniques I used to create a totally new design with some similar features.
DESIGN IDEA I A sketch based on the view on the previous page. It is of a flexible space below the main route that also functions as a connection between the route and the channel.
DESIGN IDEA II A new design made with the techniques used to generate the geometry seen previously. It features a winding channel with litter traps, as well as multiple routes that change levels and follow a winding course. This general concept greatly influenced my approach to the final design.
APPLYING LESSONS & TECHNIQUES WORKING WITH THE WHOLE SITE Here I combined the techniques learned in the previous experiments to generate geometry along the entire site. The results are quite erratic, but creating several forms would later help me determine a series of sections and curves that would suit the water flow of the site and generate a (hopefully) interesting scheme.
RESULT ONE This was created using a series of sections linked together using a considered series of curves determined in plan.
RESULT TWO This was created using the same series of sections, but a different, simpler series of connecting curves.
PART THREE THE DESIGN EMERGES
DETERMINING ‘MOMENTS’ ON SITE CONCEPTUALISING DIFFERENT AREAS In order to better conceive of how different points along the site would look, feel, and work as part of a linear design that changed over distance, I sketched a series of ‘moments’ that would guide the design process. These were later developed and used to illustrate how the site would change as a user progressed through it.
MOMENT ONE - ‘DECONSTRUCTED’ At the northern end of the site where the geometry is more erratic, the channel deeper, and different levels more pronounced.
MOMENT TWO - ‘TRANSITION’ A very rough(!) sketch of a point where the geometry is beginning to flatten out and become more ‘rational’ or conventional, although still has a few fairly dramatic characteristics. Probably around half way along the site.
MOMENT THREE - ‘CONSTRUCTED’ At the southern end where a constructed wetland is cleaning a portion of the stormwater, there are more conventional built elements, and the geometry is flatter and opens up into larger spaces and wider paths.
TESTING MOMENT GEOMETRY BACK INTO RHINO Here I experimented with potential geometry for the ‘deconstructed’ and ‘constructed’ moments with a view to linking them up using intermediate sections and curves.
DECONSTRUCTED ONE
DECONSTRUCTED TWO
CONSTRUCTED ONE
SITE GEOMETRY AND WATER FINALISING FORM AND MANAGING WATER After creating a rough final form, I generated a plan and then worked out the water system for a constructed wetland with litter traps. A complex task, and one which I could only do in a rudimentary fashion. Nonetheless, it was an important step in my design process.
APPROACHING FINAL PLAN & GENERAL FORM Below is the earliest of my iterations of the master plan. As soon as I had this to work with, I began more thoroughly intergrating water into the design.
WORKING IN THE WATER SYSTEM A couple of diagrams of the potential wetland system. They are out of scale, but were helpful for understanding how it would work and guided the design of the final water system.
SPACES, ROUTES, WATER Sketch diagrams of how the first iteration of the master plan could be worked up into a more developed design with routes, greenspaces, and changes in channel geometry.
MASTER PLAN SPACES, ROUTES, WATER The next iteration of the master plan. It is divided into three different plans: one for greenery and spaces, one for water, and another for routes. This booklet is too small for much detail to be evident. Check out my final boards!
N
LEGEND 100 M
MAJOR GREENSPACE
50 M
0M
SMALL ‘CHILL’ SPOT
10 M
DENSE PLANTING
SPARSE PLANTING/OPEN SPACE
MEDIUM DENSITY PLANTING SEMI-AQUATIC PLANTING
AQUATIC PLANTING/CHANNEL
WATER ENTRANCE POINT LITTER TRAP & RETENTION POND
SEDIMENT POND (1.5 - 2.0 M DEEP)
MACROPHYTE ZONE (0.2 - 0.4 M DEEP)
WATERCOURSE
DEDICATED BIKE ROUTE DEDICATED PEDESTRIAN ROUTE (ABOVE DO NOT FLOOD AT PEAK FLOW.) SECONDARY ROUTE - ALL USERS POINT OF TRANSITION BETWEEN ROUTES
DETAIL GEOMETRY AND WATER SYSTEM Diagrams of the spatial arrangement and water system of a 100 metre section of the site at a point of transition between the ‘deconstructed’ and ‘constructed’ geometries. The constructed wetland begins at this point, but at one end it also features a relatively deep, winding channel and a litter trap. The routes also change levels and there are connecting elements between different parts of the design.
SPATIAL DIAGRAM POINTS OF TRANSITION BETWEEN ROUTES TAKE VARIOUS FORMS: STEPS, RAMPS, SIMPLE SLOPED TURFED AREAS.
LITTER TRAPS AND RETENTION PONDS IN CURVED AREAS BENEATH PATHWAYS.
BEGINNING OF SIGNIFICANT GREENSPACE.
A
‘CHILL’ SPOT
TRANSITION BETWEEN PATHS LITTER TRAP & RETENTION POND
PLANTING OR TURF
DEEP, COMPLEX CHANNEL GEOMETRY
PRIMARY PATH
WIDENING CHANNEL & CONSTRUCTED WETLAND.
SECONDARY PATH
A
WHEN PRIMARY CHANNEL NOT OVER CAPACITY, LOWER LEVELS ARE ACCESSIBLE AND FUNCTION AS TERITARY PATH.
WATER DIAGRAM HIGHEST WATER LEVEL (~4000 ML / DAY)
- PRIMARY CHANNEL PROFILE OF APPROX 4 M / SQ: 3 .7 M WIDE BY 1.1 M DEEP.
PRIMARY CHANNEL AT CAPACITY (~300 ML / DAY) LITTER TRAP & RETENTION POND
- PRIMARY CHANNEL PROFILE OF APPROX 4 M / SQ: 3 .7 M WIDE BY 1.1 M DEEP.
SEDIMENT POND (1.5 - 2.0 M DEEP)
- LITTER TRAP AND RETENTION POND SEPARATED FROM PRIMARY CHANNEL BY 1M RISE (FOR USE ONLY IN HIGH RAINFALL EVENTS).
MACROPHYTE ZONE (0.2 - 0.4 M DEEP) - PRIMARY CHANNEL PROFILE OF APPROX 4.5 M / SQ: 4.5 WIDE BY 1 M DEEP.
TERTIARY AND SOME SECONDARY PATHS AND RAMPS SUBMERGED DURING PEAK FLOWS .
- 1 M DROP AND WATERFALL AT THIS POINT. - CHANNEL FLOOR UP TO 8 M BELOW BRIDGE (FOR HIGH WATER LEVELS).
BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTED WETLAND. CHANNEL ALONG REST OF SITE ALTERNATES BETWEEN SEDIMENT PONDS (NEAR WATER ENTRANCE POINTS) AND MACROPHYTE ZONES, WHICH FORM THE LARGEST PORTION.
- CHANNEL BEGINS WIDENING OUT INTO CONSTRUCTED WETLAND. - PRIMARY CHANNEL DIVIDED INTO SEDIMENT POND (2 - 3 M WIDE BY 1.5 - 2 M DEEP) AND MACROPHYTE ZONE (2 - 4 WIDE BY 0.2 - 0.4 M DEEP).
MACROPHYTE ZONES HEAVILY PLANTED WITH RUSHES AND SEDGES (EG. JUNCUS HOLOSHOENUS, FICINIA NODOSA - SEE MATERIALS).
WATER LEVEL OF PRIMARY CHANNEL.
- PRIMARY CHANNEL PROFILE APPROX. 4 M SQ.: 8 - 11 M WIDE BY 0.2 - 0.4 DEEP (MACROPHYTE ZONE)
GEOMETRY RENDER A simple render illustating a user’s perspective on site. This is the final page of the booklet. Congratulations on making it this far! For final renders and diagrams see my final boards!