Proposed Time Line

Our time line of events showing the progression of Paddington 2012 through to 2062;

TIME LINE

Week 6: Reading 01 - Environmental Adaptability

Unlike previous readings that talked about adaptable architecture, the reading ‘Environmental Adaptability’ by Baneriee and Southworth in City sense and city design: Writings and projects of Kevin Lynch, discusses adaptability of the environment.

In discussing the topic, flexibility is noted as an important issue when discussing adaptability - a flexible environment does not necessarily mean an adaptable one.

I gathered from the reading that flexibility environment implied one that allows the user a variety of choices in the present with what one can do it the space. However giving the user more choices does not make the space suited for changes in the future. Environments that allows for these future changes would be deemed as adaptable environments.

I’d imagine incorporating adaptable qualities into future buildings could range in complexity depending on the type of building and its use. I believe adaptable residential dwellings would benefit highly due to our ever-changing needs, wants and the evolving nature of the way we live our lives with the innovation of new technologies. I don’t believe we have focused a lot in terms of adaptability for our proposed future scenario for Paddington so perhaps this would be a good topic of brainstorm in our next meeting.

Summary of Main Concept Components

OVERVIEW

The elimination of physical shops, due to the “virtual shopping” revolution, now means retail precincts within Paddington no longer exist. To counter-impact pre-existing congestion, suburban infill and climate change problems, Paddington is now a sustainable walkable community that practices community engagement and sustainable practices. A new Zero-Carbon CBD now exists within the Paddington Precinct; an initiative by Paddington City Council to aid the Brisbane City Council in decentralise the original Brisbane CBD.  Vehicular access is also now denied to the precinct with the exception of; La Trobe, Gibbon and Enoggera Terrace for thoroughfare purposes. Existing suburban roads are now public spaces of engagement and community interaction as well as being the foundation of the sustainable ‘Paddington transit link’ and energy generation grid.

NOTES FROM JOURNAL OF GROUP MEMBER ANDREW KNAPPSTEIN

THE POWER GENERATING GRID

The Power Generating Grid; advanced technological infrastructure under laid in the foundation of the precinct allowing differences in temperature and pressure to be converted into energy. All activities on the grid help to power the precinct. Outdoor activities requiring physical exertion are encouraged. Residents of the precinct are producers of the energy resulting in zero energy bills and the elimination of 3^rd party energy companies. The grid is unplugged from the main electrical grid leaving the precinct running on renewable energy 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, unaffected by possible power outages.

SOURCE: http://www.sciencemag.org/content/319/5864/807/F3.large.jpg

SOURCE: http://www.greendiary.com/reenergy-bike-concept-charges-portable-gadgets-on-the-move.html

THE PADDINGTON LINK

The Paddington Link, a Personal Rapid Transit system in the car-free zone of the precinct. An automated pod rail powered off the Power Generating Grid is destination based, not station based aiding in reduction in travel time and congestion. The Paddington Link is a 24hr transit service with zero carbon emissions and runs on neighbourhood pathways, once suburban roads.

IMAGE BY GROUP MEMBER ANDREW KNAPPSTEIN

VIRTUAL SHOPPING; 2 EXAMPLES OF

Virtual items of clothing can be sampled on the body with the consumers existing wardrobe. Items contour to the shape of the wearer’s body, adjusting accordingly, recommending the appropriate size.

Virtual household items are projected into the living space giving a physical, real time, visual representation of the items in real space. Technology allows multiple items can be sampled and purchased simultaneously, from varying online stores.

IMAGE BY YOURS TRULY

SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

• Walkable communities promote pedestrian engagement
• Power Generating Grid encourages outside activities, laying the foundation for communal bonding
• Densification of residential areas whilst maintaining equal living and green spaces allows for suburban privacy and comfort in a high-density context
• Transportation hubs located within 400m walking distance in the precinct promotes fitness and health by encouraging walking and cycling.

Week 5: Architectural Possibilities - Idea Development Log

The following is a general overview of our proposed future for Paddington Central so far to give context for our Architectural Possibilities;

Conditions of the Future Built + Natural Environment

• Elimination of “brick & mortar” shops due to the “virtual shopping” trend
• Retail precincts within Paddington are no longer existent
• To counter the introversion of typically social activities (gyming, shopping, etc.) Paddington has been converted into a sustainable walkable community in an attempt to encourage community engagement and sustainable practices (this point is to be further discussed)
• New Zero-Carbon CBD Precinct within Paddington(decentralised from the existing CBD)
• Zero Emission and Clean Tech Company hub within the precinct
• No vehicular access except via existing main traffic paths (La Trobe Terrace, Enoggera Terrace)
• Existing roads are now public spaces of engagement and community interaction à market places, pop-up shops, seasonal community events

The following images shows the progression of Paddington Central

PADDINGTON CENTRAL 2012 - IMAGE BY GROUP MEMBER BERNADETTE MANGANO

PADDINGTON CENTRAL 2037 - IMAGE BY GROUP MEMBER BERNADETTE MANGANO

PADDINGTON CENTRAL 2062 - IMAGE BY GROUP MEMBER BERNADETTE MANGANO

From here:

ARCHITECTURAL POSSIBILITIES

Personal Rapid Transit Hub & Bikeway Entrance (Hai Chau):

Flexible Mixed-Use Public Space (Andrew):

Showroom Style Retail Mall & Dining Precinct (Scott):

Energy Generating Clean Tech Gym (Bernadette):

Week 5: Reading 01 - Erasing Architecture into the System

The chapter ‘Erasing Architecture into the System’ by Arata Isozaki, from the book Re: CP” elaborates further upon this concept of adaptable and easily dismantled buildings. As in previous week’s readings that discusses the need for adaptable architecture, this weeks reading presents the Fun Palace by Cedric Price, an indeterminate, modular, adjustable building program that enabled adaption and extension.

Essentially, the permanent framework elements of the building are designed by the architect. All other design aspects are left to the discretion of users according to aesthetic preference and budget.

In asking the question of what would buildings look like/consist of if they shifted away from the traditional “four walls and a roof idea” concept of what a building should be, the Fun Palace is just one answer.

The example proves that such a building program is possible however the question I am more interested in is whether it is possible for them to become the norm for building solutions in the future. I understood from the reading that whilst this type of building program sufficiently and quickly fulfils the functional need required, aesthetics are not as highly considered.

Taking this into account along with last weeks reading which discusses the influence of mass media and consumerism, even though the box fulfils its functions, it could be safe to say that initial reactions from society, especially those not appreciative of the theory behind it, could reject it due to its lack of sophistication and aesthetic appeal.

Just as in the first weeks reading which mentioned that it is very easy to overlook new technology because they aren’t a hit, when it comes to architecture, if not a state of emergency, it is easy enough for non-educated design people to overlook this design due to its lack of aesthetics.

Furthermore, which this building programs may signify the redundancy of the profession of architecture as noted in the title of the reading.

Week 4: Idea Development Log Continued

A Facebook post I made following on from our activities in Week 4;

"Regarding the in-home virtual shopping idea, if we go along similar lines to it, thinking in terms of People and Lifestyles, instead of showing just random people who live in the area, perhaps link it back to how the change of the retail industry has affected their occupations/lives? Not that we have to do it for all (not even sure if it's necessary) but I think creating the connection could be good since the Suburban group is focusing on that retail part of Paddington.

For e.g. Jobs such as Interior Designers could change dramatically. Instead of having 3D renders and perspectives of interior spaces to show clients, after doing a site visit, they could take clients to their empty homes with their phone/laptop/whatever and implement virtual items into their house to show them what it would look like?

Thinking out loud again! We can discuss all this tomorrow - I will be getting to uni around the 6:00pm mark, after work. See you all then :)"

Week 4: People + Lifestyles - Idea Development Log

Further idea development from Week 2's idea development log due to its relevance to Week 4's subject matter;

Social & Cultural issues that need to be deal with in order to maintain Social Sustainability:

• Walkable communities allow for pedestrian engagement
• Power Generating Grid encourages outside activities which lays the foundation for building a community and bringing them together
• Densification of residential areas whilst maintaining equal living and green spaces of a detached dwelling
• Raised Green spaces (Suburban back yard) allows residence to still have their suburban backyard

Social & Cultural issues that need to be deal with in order to maintain Environmental Sustainability:

• Creating a walkable community
• Transport hub located within 400m walking distance within the precinct
• Encourages walking, cycling whilst reducing the reliance on the motor vehicle and fossil fuels.

This weeks' idea development relating to technological issues which may affect the lifestyles of residence in the proposed future of Paddington Central;

The Virtual Shopping Experience

• No more “brick & mortar” shops
• Shopping will become completely virtual
• “Retail experience” is now created within the space of the consumer; in a personal context
• Virtual consumer products can be tested within the home environment/tried on/experienced before purchase
• QR codes for virtual consumer products can appear on public advertisements – consumers can “scan” a virtual item and take home to “try out” later (scanning from specific high-end brands may come at a small price as a means of making money
• In terms of clothing, virtual items can contour to the wearers body, recommending the appropriate size
• In terms of furniture, virtual items can be projected into the living space to allow the user to visualise the item within their home, at a real scale, in real time
• Increase in consumer satisfaction reduces waste

Power Generating Grid

• Differences in temperature and pressure on the grid is converted into energy
• Grid is linked to gyms within the precinct so that physical energy exerted is converted into energy
• Every day activities such as cycling, jogging, etc. all aid in energy production
• Residents of the community are producers of the energy eliminating energy rates from third party companies and zero energy bills
• All energy dependant devices are powered by the grid (street lamps, The Paddington Link, etc.)

Car Free Zone

• The Paddington Link, a form of Personal Rapid Transit in place of cars – pod rail system powered by energy from the Power Generating Grid
• Means of sustainable form of transport
• Means of reducing congestion within the precinct by disallowing access to vehicles
• Due to existing underground infrastructure, PRT will run on existing pathways as well as above
• Destination based, not station based à reduction in travel time
• Precinct produces own renewable electricity, generating zero carbon emissions
• “Unplugged” from the main electrical grid à unaffected by power outages

Week 4: Reading 01 - Politics and The Situationist International

The reading ‘Politics and The Situationist International’ by Edward Winters, analyses the approach in which architects and artists take to create objects of aesthetic value in a world dominated by consumerism; a world advertisements define what is beautiful and urban society is blindlessly brainwashed by the mass media.

One of the terms specifically discussed in the reading is Dérive.

Dérive;

In psychogeography, a dérive is an unplanned journey through a landscape, usually urban, on which the subtle aesthetic contours of the surrounding architecture and geography subconsciously direct the travellers, with the ultimate goal of encountering an entirely new and authentic experience.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9rive

The theory is that our urban landscape has changed in such a way that the process of “Dérive” no longer occurs. I interpreted this as meaning the natural process in which humans move through the urban landscape, discovering it unconsciously by aspects that draw us through an experimental experiential journey can no longer occur involuntarily with the pollution of urban society by the mass media to blame.

Considering the reading, I think the question “How can artists and designers create work in a world dominated by consumerism?” is a valid question worth asking. What happens when we are told what we need and what we want, which then begins to affect our values and behaviour? Our actions are no longer intuitive; our needs are no longer intrinsic.

I believe aesthetics, values, needs and wants are subjective and constantly changing as we move through life but this natural process of change and evolution is disrupted by the pollution of our minds by the media. So what happens when society is told what they need and what is beautiful?

Our current research for our proposed future for Paddington is rather idealistic. We are focusing on a sustainable, zero carbon, self-sufficient community but in retrospect, following reading of this article, is this future possible? In order for the scenario that we will be proposing to become a reality, it must be one absent of media brainwashing and consumerist dominance. I believe this future is possible, however, the question now is, how do we eradicate these pitfalls from society now? This is something that should be researched further and included in our timeline. 

Week 3: Idea Development Log Continued

A Facebook post I made following on from our activities in Week 3;

"Hey champs,

Regarding the whole digital shopping thing, I understand that we were leaning towards having "showroom types of retail shops" where people don't actually purchase things.

Having a look through the third link on the first week readings got me thinking a bit more as some of the stuff on there is pretty wicked. Maybe we could go back to the initial idea of having it in the home and having no physical shops at all (I'm not sure who suggested it first but I remember feeling hesitant as I wasn't quite sure how we were going to justify it!)

Following on from the idea of "no physical shops" due to the changing nature of retail as already previous discussed, perhaps people could shop online like we do now but when they find something they like, they can "virtually" try it out in their own home. In the case of clothing, the clothes could automatically adjust to ones body shape and recommend the right size. This allows buyers to try on items with their existing wardrobe, as well as trying on multiple items from various online stores and purchasing them at the same time. In terms of furniture and what not, they could virtually project an image of it into the house to envisage what it may look like. This won't work in all cases, like pharmacies, for obvious reasons.

Even taking ideas from the "virtual library" shown in the lecture, QR codes could be shown on public advertisements/where ever and the public are able to scan the code, take a virtual copy of the item into their phone and then "take it home" to try on.

This is just one idea I thought of in terms of justifying how this whole "digital" (or perhaps virtual) shopping idea could work. From here we could say that Paddington Central is no longer a retail space and from there, it may be easier to justify all the great ideas we've got going on and WHY they are there - justifying why we've trashed physical shops altogether.

Feedback/more ideas would be fantastic! I think we've got some great ideas but from group meetings and previous Facebook posts I feel that we haven't really gotten that "justification" part down yet. I've also been feeling a bit lost when tackling my research because I wasn't quite sure how we were justifying things, so I decided to brainstorm a bit more on this area. (Sorry for the lengthy post, hope you can make it this far! Haha)"

Week 3: Sustainable Future - Idea Development Log

Conditions of Future Built + Natural Environment

• Incorporation of a Zero-Carbon Precinct (Research > Masdar City)
• No vehicular access except via La Trobe Terrace, Enoggera Terrace and another street (to be determined)
• Light Rail system implemented
• Zero Emission/Clean Tech Companies within the new CBD precinct
• Streets are now communal walking zones and cultural hot spots

Suggested Technological Advancements

• Physical retail stores will now be experiential – consumers will experience the product in store but no purchasing will be carried out
• All consumer purchasing will be done online
• E.g. Clothing can be tried on in store for sizing  then purchased from the consumers home
• Prices of goods would presumably be reduced due to lower overhead costs
• Car Free Zone > Personal Rapid Transit in place of vehicles
• Cycle Power from Gym
• Alternative forms of energy

Some of the questions that came up were;

• How do we deal with the theory of “instant gratification” gained through immediate and impulse purchased plaguing the current generation?
• How does the idea of virtual shopping affect the way society lives their lives?
• How do we justify eradicating all forms of vehicular access (aside from the ones mentioned above) into the precinct?
• How would the idea of self-sufficient power actually work?

Week 3: Sustainable Future - Studio Activity

The following images are mind maps created during our Week 3 Design Charette on a sustainable future. As we had free reign over the brainstorming session, our ideas were very diverse to start with and covered a broad range of aspects.

In our second brainstorming session, we narrowed things down substantially whilst still retaining our initial ideas. We began with the simple idea of “Digital Shopping” and worked from there as can be seen in the following image. One of the conclusions that we came to was, if all shopping was to become digital, we would no longer be required to drive to shopping centres and retail precincts to conduct our purchases. Following on from here we thought “What if no cars were allowed into the Paddington precinct?” Naturally, we progressed into making Paddington into a walking community with health and fitness being main aspects of society. From here we narrowed down on the demographic specifying that the precinct would be populated by a younger, health conscious generation.

Feedback from the tutor suggested that we think more broadly in terms of the demographic as, although some suburbs do show higher rates of population by specific groups of people (race, age, working class, etc.) it would be very difficult to justify a precinct mostly populated by just the one demographic. Naturally, there would be all different types and who is to say that baby boomers and retirees can’t be health conscious and participate in exercise and fitness activities?

Week 3: Reading 01 - Shearing Layers

The reading “Shearing Layers” by S. Brand in How buildings learn: What happens after they’re built? begins by discussing the initial marketing of Architectural Digest as an architectural magazine and its evolution towards focusing on the interior. A general perception by heads of the magazine that readers revamped the interiors of their homes more often than the exterior led to this change in focus. In discussing this change, the author elaborates upon the concept of buildings fundamentally consisting of layers, all of which possess varying life spans.

I found this concept to be very interesting. I believe that looking at a building/space in terms of layers changes how one would approach the design of it, how an owner would look at renovating/renting it, how a real estate agent would approach selling it, etc. as opposed to viewing a building/space in the traditional sense. From a business perspective, it was mentioned in the article that an architectural firm attempted to keep long term clients by approaching their projects from a time perspective – the use of the building over time.

This ties back into previous blog posts of previous readings which high lighted the need for adaptable architecture - architecture that can change with the needs and wants of the users over time. I believe this could be made possible if architects and building designers were more aware of the varying longevity of different parts of the building from the early stages of design.

The reading made a good point in noting that adaptable architecture allows growth but growth can come in varying forms. Architecture that inhibits good growth in terms of adaptability and improvement in aesthetic shortens its longevity. The reading noted that “graceless turnover” is the opposite of adaption.

Week 2: Social + Cultural - Idea Development Log

Our very initial ideas for the project in terms of Social and Environmental Sustainability. A lot of discussion and brainstorming occurred in the studio with the following being the main points we discussed. Andrew and Bernadette were the main note takers. I will be expanding upon this list in next week’s Idea Development Blog entry following our group meeting.

Social & Cultural issues that need to be deal with in order to maintain Social Sustainability

• Densification
• Raised living (same amount of communal space, living space etc)
• Raised Green spaces (Suburban back yard

Social & Cultural issues that need to be deal with in order to maintain Environmental Sustainability

• Creating a Second walkable community
• Everything within 200m walking distance from major hot spots/hubs, eg. one place to eat/transport hub.

Week 2: Social + Cultural - Studio Activity

Exploring Future Possibilities in regards to Social and Cultural Contexts.

Week 2’s Studio activity required us to form groups of four and brainstorm possible future scenario in relation to social and cultural contexts relating to four different areas: Regional, Virtual, Urban & Suburban

The fast paced nature of the exercise made it feel like we were just making up scenarios and guessing our way through. I think being able to justify the scenarios will be something that we will have to work upon as the semester goes on.

REGIONALOur group came up with two scenarios relating to the regional context.

The first idea was a utopian community dominated by intellectuals in which “illiterates” and ”uneducated” are unwelcome as part of their society. The main problem I had with this scenario was “If simpletons are absent from the community, how would we know if the intellects are actually educated and intelligent?” On which basis would we be able to define and judge their intellect? I felt this also took from the idea that if there were no poor people, there would be no rich people. Another issue brought up by a group member was “Who would fulfil the lower tier occupations?” which would be necessary for the successful functioning of the society? It was proposed that technology could play a major role here. In retrospect, I believe this was our weakest scenario.

Our next regional scenario focused on organ harvesting through human farming. This idea was taken from the book Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro in which clones are created for the only purpose of organ harvesting for “original” humans. What arose from our discussion was that there appeared to be many movies and books which already extrapolated upon this idea of cloning albeit in very different ways. This gave light to the idea that it is something already heavily discussed in the present time and although rather grim if though of in terms of “organ harvesting”, may not be such an impossibility.

VIRTUAL

We attempted to brainstorm solutions of a virtual nature for problems of a physical nature. Here we focused on The Virtual Office and The Virtual Car.

I felt the Virtual Office and Virtual Car were directly linked ideas. The Virtual Office concept had to do with eliminating the physical office environment which, with the rise of modern technology, is becoming redundant. With the birth of the Virtual Office, less people would be required to travel to get work henceforth reducing the amount of traffic entering the CBD.

However, it was discussed in the studio that not all occupations would benefit from the Virtual Office and a large number of people would still be required to travel into the business district. From here we brainstormed the idea of the Virtual Car – pod-like automated system throughout the city. Idealistically, success of the Virtual Car would consequentially follow with the complete removal of cars from the CBD. As all pods would be programmed to run in sync with each other on an automated system, the idea is that accidents and congestion would be nil due to the eradication of the involvement of human error. Pods could be called hailed or requested much like a taxi, via phone or text message. Travel would be destination based reducing travel time dramatically. I think the idea of the Virtual Car was our strong idea from the brain storming session.

URBAN

It was proposed that in the future, the Brisbane City Council would implement a congestion charge similar to that imposed in London at this present time. Our brainstorm session involved thinking of various issues that might have to be dealt with should the congestion charge become a reality.

Cost was the most obvious issue. How would be cost be determined? Would it be raised every year? Would those who paid the congestion charge to enter the city be required to pay for on-street parking? In order to avoid the congestion charge, it was theorised that drivers would park outside the zone and then take public transport or others means into the city. However, how does this affect the stagnation of cars in suburbs along the congestion charge border, especially in residential areas? Would the charge be enforced after business hours and on weekends? If so, how would this affect the culture and social environment of the city? How would pedestrians travel through the city? What about workers that are required to travel in and out of the city various times a day?

Should the charge be implemented, the revenue created could be used to advance the current public transport system in order to manage the increase in use which would occur should cars be completed prohibited from entering the city.

SUBURBANFor the suburban context we explored the proposed idea that shopping has become virtual.

Virtual Shopping in the Home

Retail has gone virtual. Advancement in technology results in consumer products in virtual format. Items are downloaded online/physically scanned from public marketing schemes and virtually experienced within the comfort of the home prior to purchase, INCREASING consumer satisfaction.

Virtual Shopping in Public

The technically advanced format of “mobile tagging” adds further dimension to advertisements.  Personal devices are used as scanners, allowing consumers to scan virtual consumer items of interest into their device to experience later. Items can also be purchased in the same manner with immediate shipment following confirmation of shipping details.

Week 2: Reading 02 - A History of Greenwashing

I found the reading “A History of Greenwashing: How Dirty Towels Impacted the Green Movement” published on www.dailyfinance.com by Jim Moavalli to be far more entertaining than the first reading. It discusses the birth of the word “greenwashing” and its exploitation by corporations in modern day society for fiscal gain – minimal credit for maximum credit.

It also brought to mind this quote by Andrew Maynard:

Sustainability is like teenage sex. Everybody says they're doing it, very few people actually are doing it. Those that are doing it are doing it badly.

I unfortunately believe this to still be the case today as it is very easy to question whether enough is being done to promote sustainability. That being said, I believe there is also a very large difference between promoting and practicing.

Should all new buildings built post-2012 be minimum 6 star green rating? Should all new construction utilise only recyclable and/or rapidly renewable materials? Should the Green Star Rating be based on a credit point system? Should all sustainable products be 100% subsidised by the government?

Forcing people into a situation with only the choice of passive/sustainable options would undoubtedly create for a hostile situation. But does the right method involve enticing them to implement sustainable features into their lives with subsidies and short term savings overriding basic education on the issue at hand?

Week 2: Reading 01 - Urban Form and Locality

The reading “Urban Form and Locality” by Hugh Barton is an analysis of urban planning in which he discusses prominent patterns that have been studied, relating to issues of dispersal/concentration, usage, low/high density and the form of a city.

Although I do not have much experience with Urban Planning, I felt its similarities to architecture in that there is no “one-size-fits-all” rule. In comparison and analysis, patterns were found to have both positive and negative attributes, however, for e.g., a linear concentration of urban forms could work in one context but not another.

I felt that depending on the existing context, a combination of specific patterns would lead to the most successful urban plan. It would also be important to take into account the existing social and urban infrastructure on a macro scale as well as the needs of the society and the objectives/goals to be achieved (Mining town? Farming town? International city? Satellite city? Fishing communities?).This is opposed to planning an urban area without consideration into neighbouring areas and the type of society that inhabits it.

I sensed that Architects were not the target audience for the article, however they stand to gain a lot from it. Everything architects design exist in a greater context and their ability to understand the context, not just in terms of sun paths, wind, traffic paths and superficial characteristics, but in terms of how it has come to be and why it exists the way it does, will help to inform their design decisions.

The planning strategies extrapolated upon by Barton will not only help us to better understand our cities but will also aid in the planning of future cities. Employed correctly, they will lay the foundation of cities that compliment the functioning of society in an urban context instead of marginalising them. Successful urban planning of cities for the people will aid in successful architecture for the people.