| Urban Soundscape |
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This scheme explores the notion that urban forms are shaped by invisible forces, where sound is adopted as a representative non-visual urban determinant. Form generation is guided by an in situ audio recording of the urban cacophony – the pulse and hum of traffic, voices of the citizens, cathedral bells and birdsong – which is then converted into a 3D sound surface.The sound surface is subdivided into a grid, echoing the strict gridded geometry of the Brutalist buildings anchoring Town Hall Square. Explorations of pedestrian flow patterns realized through fluid dynamics simulations leads to distortion into an irregular curved grid. Program is allocated to grid elements according to proximity to existing adjacencies, references to historical usage, and the creation of new functionalities for a twenty-first century town hall. For instance, the ten grid elements adjoining St Andrew’s Cathedral are designated as a contemporary cloister.
The ribboned steel and glass roof is generated from other grid elements, which are further subdivided and manipulated to control light penetration and sound reverberation. The roof envelops a temporary exhibition space and a dual purpose audi(o)torium and council chamber. The glass wall between the spaces permits public scrutiny of the democratic process and free observation of public events. The positions of columns on the lower concourse level also conform to the meta-grid. Spaces on this level are intermediated by porous boundaries – curtains are embedded with liquid crystal fibres and can become fully opaque. The mayoral offices are arranged in a non-hierarchical manner encircling a common meeting room. The market area is fed by the pedestrian flow to Bathurst Street. Various markets operate on alternate days and are converted into food stalls in the evening. |
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Design Pragmatics Studio | Bachelor of Arts in Architecture | University of Technology Sydney | Spring 2007 | Instructors: Frank Minnaert + Alex Phegan
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Andrew Willes 