One Central Park

“Landscape is architecture…here we have created a continuity so the facades extend the park into the sky.” Jean Nouvel

Central Park is a $2 billion, mixed use urban renewal project in the previous industrial focused inner Sydney suburb of Chippendale. The first stage of redevelopment begins with One Central Park, designed by Ateliers Jean Nouvel and PTW Architects, one of the ten residential and commercial buildings that will structure the Central Park development.

The heart of the design, a 6400 square meter public park located in the centre of the development, is influenced primarily by Sydney’s vision to increase green urban space by 20 percent by 2020. A luscious canopy is created from 250 species of Australian flowers and plants which flow seamlessly from the public park up the side of the floor to ceiling glass towers. The leafy foliage visible between each floor is a tangible expression of the hidden infrastructure and Central Park’s commitment made to sustainable urban living. In an old industrial setting, the vertical gardens depict an amalgamation between the urban and natural world, providing an integrated experience of both.

One Central Park has received a 5 Star Green rating for both design and building through a strict maintenance of high standards of environmental sustainability. All the thermal energy needs of retail, commercial and residential buildings in Central Park are covered by a central thermal and electrical plant. Furthermore, on site water recycling and black water treatment plant and solar energy allow it to meet the green energy initiatives associated with the development. The design also includes a cantilever section with a heliostat to capture and reflect sunlight to the park below.

References and Image Credits 

1. The Urban Developer. “Sydney’s $2 billion Central Park development welcomes its first residents“ Last modified June 25, 2013. http://www.theurbandeveloper.com/developments/residential/sydneys-2-billion-central-park-development-welcomes-its-first-residents/

2. Financial Review. “Sydney Central Park project shows sustainable living“ Last modified November  28, 2013.  http://www.afr.com/p/202020_vision/sydney_central_park_project_shows_IFwlwOc7VqwlXPkqUD85GN

3. CentralPark. “The Birth of One Central Park” Last modified 2013. http://www.centralparksydney.com/live/one-central-park/architecture-and-design

Flinders Street Station

“The weatherproof, articulated filigree vaulted roof-scape is a respectful yet dynamic interpretation and contextual response to the history, function and location of this very special place in the heart of Melbourne.” Ascan Mergenthaler, Herzog & de Meuron

HASSAL + Herzog de Meuron’s winning design for the $1 million redevelopment of the historic Flinders Street Station in Melbourne, transforms the station into a modern 21^st century transport hub with new cultural and public functions. Emphasising the site’s predominant civic nature, their design incorporates a major public art gallery, a public plaza, an amphitheatre, marketplace and exhibition space for arts and cultural festivals. The design seeks to strengthen and build connections throughout the station precinct, providing dynamic and engaging pedestrian laneways which encourage audience interaction and attract people to the site. Rather than only focusing on its commercial use, an emphasis is placed on making the station a destination in its own right, interweaving public orientated attractions into the existing historic fabric. The built form pays tribute to the original19th century design seeking to provide distinct spatial environments for each passenger whilst maintaining the elegant grandeur of its main street frontages. The distinct vaulted canopy displays beauty in a modern expression which can be experienced both in scale and volume, but also maintaining a humble warm ambience, dispersing dappled natural light.

References and Image Credits

1. Hassel. “HASSELL + Herzog & de Meuron win Flinders Street Station competition” Last modified August 8, 2013. http://www.hassellstudio.com/en/cms-news/hassell-herzog-de-meuron-win-flinders-street-station-competition

2. Major Projects Victoria. “Flinders Street Station Design Competition Winner” Last modified 2013. http://vote.majorprojects.vic.gov.au/entrant/hassell-herzog-de-meuron

The High Line

“Our proposal is designed to remain perpetually unfinished, sustaining emergent growth and change over time.”

The High Line by James Corner Field Operation and Diller Scofidio + Renfro is the inspiring redevelopment of an abandoned elevated freight railway, 1.45miles long in length, spanning 22 city blocks through the west side of Manhattan. This seamless amalgamation of nature and urban infrastructure create a unique public space bursting with life, growth and activity. Nature has reclaimed this post-industrial structure without destroying the rustic character of the railway. In the bustle and hustle of city life, a place where one can pause and linger, where distraction is appreciated. With the pathway often splitting and converging, weaving through the lush vegetation and leading to nondescript semi-private areas, it allows the public to meander to their will. This linear pedestrian walkway is a mass of contrasts, movement and stillness, organic and built, which succeed at providing a reinterpretation of what city spaces are capable of.  

References and Image Credits

1. Dezeen. “The High Line.” Last modified June 15, 2009. http://www.dezeen.com/2009/06/15/the-high-line-by-james-corner-field-operations-and-diller-scofidio-renfro/
2. Dezeen. “The High Line Section 2 opens.” Last modified June 13, 2011. http://www.dezeen.com/2011/06/13/the-high-line-section-2-by-diller-scofidio-renfro-and-james-corner-field-operations/
3. High Line. “James Corner Field Operations and Diller Scofidio + Renfro.” Last modified 2013. http://www.thehighline.org/james-corner-field-operations-and-diller-scofidio-renfro

Herbert Jacobs House #1- Situ Studio- Suspended Exploded Model

This three dimensional exploded basswood model suspended from the gallery ceilings of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Herbert Jacobs House #1, created by Situ Studio, is on display in “Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward” exhibition. This house was one of the first of Wright’s open plan, economic, energy efficient Usonian houses. The simple yet precise nature of the model makes the presentation of each of the house’s components, from its window frames to copper piped radiant heating system, clearly defined and distinguishable yet still viewable in connection with one another. “The three-scale models illuminate the internal mechanics of functional space in relation to exterior form.” Situ Studio

References

1. New York Times. “Frank Lloyd Wright. The Re-model.” Last modified May 29, 2009. http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/29/frank-lloyd-wright-the-re-model/?_r=0
2. Situ Studio. “Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward.” Last modified 2009. http://www.situstudio.com/works/projects/frank-lloyd-wrightbrfrom-within-outward#

Image Credits

1. David Heald, Model of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Herbert Jacobs House #1, New York Times, viewed 31 July, 2013, <http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/29/frank-lloyd-wright-the-re-model/?_r=0>

2. Keith Sirchic, Herbert Jacobs House, Situ Studio, viewed 31 July, 2013, <http://www.situstudio.com/works/projects/frank-lloyd-wrightbrfrom-within-outward#>

Introduction

I am an architecture student, halfway through second year of university. Meaning... halfway to my degree, and that scares me more than anything. Whilst I can't see myself in any other career path and do enjoy aspects of it, I have yet to truly love architecture as a whole. I have yet to become motivated and energized to undertake research and read about architects and their works. 

See, hopefully this is where this blog will come into use. It will track my architecture journey, as well as my endeavour to grow to love architecture. For now, I'll attempt a fortnightly post and though it might start off as a chore, I hope to look forward to these weekly sessions in the future.

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