This project, leading from our last research based analysis of the site and context, encouraged us to explore how various ephemeral and ambient qualities may be translated into material propositions. It was a shift to focus on how these qualities can be related to more architectonic solutions, such as its relation to a program, materials, structure, and services. It was the integration and fine balance between the conceptual and the technical, body and the urban, local and the global, enduring and the ephemeral, time and experience.
I found this project to be insightful in the way it challenged us to develop a solid concept that pushed the boundaries of Architecture yet making sure we kept a solid footing on principles such as structure and services. Too often I feel we can be playing words and develop ideologies that infest our universities today, but how we put bones to those words is the real challenge!
CONTEXT - The proposal lies within the heart of Wellington City, on an existing public park, skateboarding ring, basketball courts, and playing field. Research indicates there is a need to build a light rail train station on this land, and our brief requires us to provide additional programmes implemented within our concept such as Restaurants/ Cafes/ Retailing, and the weekly Sunday Market.
PROPOSAL AND DESIGN CONCEPT - My first projects research subject was based on the fact that Architectural form that designers give so much precedence to is usually in a secondary periphery view to the general public's primary human programme. The reality is that the public's focus is on their present programme - eating their ice cream, talking to somebody, playing football, skateboarding, or driving the car - and not on the aesthetics of various building facades. My concept speaks of developing ARCHITECTURE THAT EMBODIES THE USERS PRIMARY HUMAN PROGRAMME, honing into the idea of incorporating the skateboard programme throughout the concept. - from the analogy of the train as being that skateboard, the ability for skateboarders to skate on the building surfaces itself, and the aesthetic form that speaks of this movement.
