Architectural Possibilities

The tutorial this week was intended to explore the architectural possibilities which arose from our future scenario. As the future vision we were exploring incorporated many multi-use zones, the possibilities for an architectural installation or typology were limitless. A few ideas were quickly brainstormed during a mind-mapping session on a large piece of paper. This was the result.

As can be seen, many typologies presented themselves for the future vision. Many remained general ideas, such as business or offices, while others such as schools, urban farms and entertainment buildings exhibited more exciting proposals for a future building, as the way in which they are used would be drastically different in the future.

The idea of concentrating the city and making it more dense presented the idea and challenge of housing in the future. With more people living in the city, more housing is going to be needed, but housing cannot take up most of the room as the city still needs to function as a city both socially, economically and environmentally. The idea of community blocks was explored, creating spatial differences between housing, working and green space, within a connection of roads and public access paths.

The resultant buildings on these community blocks were conceived to become multi-use buildings, incorporating housing, green-space, commerce and retail areas all within one building skin. Rooftop areas are to be heavily utilised in order to maximise food production areas and reduce alienation from nature for the inhabitants. Retail is to remain on the ground floor as usual, keeping the usual high street feel to Queen street. while commerce is to be above this area.

Inspired by modular buildings, the group began to experiment with movable structures which could accommodate 24 hr usage. The main idea was to be flexible and provide flexible space which could be used for both working and living, socialising and relaxing. A basic idea of half level pod systems were explored which could move with respect to the users need.

The idea of a new transport system was already discussed within the sustainable future section, however this is the first time an idea of a pod rail system was given any form or thought. The idea is that these pods would run throughout the new city centre and could carry relatively few people at once so that they can come and go quicker. It was decided that a pod should accommodate 10-20 passengers.

The basic interior of these pod systems were explored including how the pods are powered, how they move and the amount of space each user would have. The way in which the pods operated were also considered and involved an automated system which controlled the whole network and allowed the pods to move more frequently, at high speeds, stopping at every station. Payment revolved around the already existing go-card system, however they would be used through the portable identification panel each occupant would have which recorded their lifestyle and community standing.

In order for these pods to work, new access points were devised incorporating the construction of new levels which would run above Queen street. This worked in two ways, first it allowed easier access to the pod system meaning the network would be more functional. Secondly it freed up the ground plain for more food production and social activities such as performances and markets. It also allowed more integrated connections to the multi-use buildings as a second street level was created, the retail strip along the ground floor and the residential strip higher up.

This was the final "master image" of what we expect the pod system, elevated walkways, freed ground plain and existing buildings would look like. Obviously this is an idealised version and the actuality of it would involve much more structure, detail and people, therefore making the image appear less clean and utopian.