PROJECT TWO :: Concept Design

I have been working more on my concept and design. I have taken inspiration from the form of slime mold. As I'm looking at the networking of the mold as a way of connecting the HSW to the surrounding parts of Brisbane, I'm taking the idea of little cells moving towards one main space, a space of learning and social interaction; a networking hub.

PROJECT TWO :: Concept

So far for this assignment, I have been tossing up my options for a resolution from nature to solve the issue of connection to the site. I had started to look at vines as a solution for connection and a metaphor, though with further discussion with Yvonne, we decided that vines might not be the best way for me to explore and improve connection. I am looking at connection as a not only accessibility, but also connecting the site to Brisbane more.
Yvonne suggested I had a look at "Slime Mold."

richard-seaman.com

I have been doing a bit of research on the organism and have found that this form of mold crawls, or 'creeps' along the ground almost as though it is in the search for others of the same mold.
An experiment involving slime hold took place in tokyo to see how slime mold has the ability to to find each other.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/01/slime-mold-grows-network-just-like-tokyo-rail-system/

"When presented with oat flakes arranged in the pattern of Japanese cities around Tokyo, brainless, single-celled slime molds construct networks of nutrient-channeling tubes that are strikingly similar to the layout of the Japanese rail system, researchers from Japan and England report Jan. 22 in Science. A new model based on the simple rules of the slime mold’s behavior may lead to the design of more efficient, adaptable networks, the team contends."


It was from this experiment that I have gained my inspiration for my design. I want to use the Slime Mold as my inspiration and create a building that will not only connect the site physically to the immediate parts of Brisbane, but also for HSW to connect more in the sense that it relates to the city. In terms of a learning space, I am still working on this, but I'm planning on a space that brings people together, a space that through 'networking' brings people together to learn.

PROJECT TWO :: Connection Site Analysis

These are some of the analysis I have made of the site at HSW. I am focussing on the connection aspect, as this is what I have found to be the issue that I would like to focus on for Project 2.

 Car Access to the Site

  Walking Distances

Pedestrian Access

PROJECT TWO :: Nature as a Metaphor 2

This week I started to look at 'Connection'. When asked what the site meant to me last tutorial (5/4/12) I said that I have driven over the Story Bridge numerous times and never once wondered what inhabited underneath. It was an unknown place to be prior to this subject. From here, Yvonne and I discussed that I should focus on the connection to the site, and connection as an issue that I use nature (as a metaphor) to solve this problem.
Hence my researching vines as a connecting element. I think I have gone to literal. With further discussions with Yvonne last week, I am going to look at connection in a different light. Updates to come..

PROJECT TWO :: Nature as a Metaphor 1

This first panel, I have had a look at some examples of inspirations from nature. I find the first example rather interesting.

These 2 examples of nature, are 2 of the more interesting metaphors I have found during my research. The first example is the inspiration behind the first Architectural Structure I have researched.

PROJECT TWO :: Folie Concept

PROJECT TWO :: Site Analysis

While we were to do a more detailed site analysis, I was carried away looking at metaphors of nature. I have put down a few notes and observations I have made of the site.