The Final Word

SRD 364 has been completed. I can not believe how fast the semester has gone. And I am amazed at how much I have achieved this semester.

SRD 364 was a challenging unit but also a great one because the projects were more realistic, in particular Projects 2 +3. I learn't a great deal as well. Two things I have learn't this semester I can list off the top of my head are; 1. How to make a video using movie maker and 2. How to make a model using the laser cutter!

Of course I couldn't have done it alone, (and I didn't) so a thanks goes out to my fabulous group 16 members; Koula and Emma. We can truely say that we worked hard this semester because we really did. I can't even remember how many times we met up at Emma's apartment (central meeting point) to work on Projects 1 + 2 and all the times we worked in the studio from 9-5. This is a huge effort considering we all live in Melbourne and we all catch the vline train to and from uni. But I guess looking back now this was probably a positive. Oh and I can't forget to mention that I believe our group worked successfully because we all contributed equally; Koula contributed her knowledge, Emma contributed her laptop and I contributed the biscuits which I would bring to class nearly every Thursday! LOL.

Thanks guys, I feel lucky to have had such a good group and I hope that you have achieved as much out of the projects as I have.

Melanie.

Project 3: Presentation Poster

Take a closer look at my poster! It contains; plans, sections, details, an environmental sustainability diagram and internal/external perspectives of my design.

Project 3: Final Design

My design for project 3 has been finalised, glued together, modelled in sketchup, illustrated, printed, presented and finally reviewed by Jeremy.

Now I'll explain it.

In point form, to make it easier.

• We were asked to design a sustainable school in Torquay.
• The project tied together three key themes; sustainable design, learning environments and connections with the community.
• I had to design the admin, entry foyer and auditorium (well I didnt have to but I wanted to!)
• Our group's concept was 'open and adaptable.' This was a bit challenging for me because I wasn't really designing any 'learning spaces.'
• My design's main focal point are the curved lvl timber beams which are exposed and finished in order to reveal the timber's warmth and tactility.
• In contrast to this, I utilised timber on the facade to achieve a 'sheathing' of the building. The sheath of undressed vertical cedar lining boards would be allowed to weather over time.
• The sustainable features of my design are; use of recycled and renewable materials including timber and rammed earth, large expanses of glazing in admin area to maximise natural lighting (this is west facing therefore external louvres as well as the use of low-e glass have been added), passive cross-ventilation as well as an underground labyrinth system and finally the use of rammed earth to provide thermal mass.
• With the learning environments, I tried to adapt Pam (the principal)'s concept of flexible learning spaces into my building by having; open and adaptable admin and staff spaces alongwith an outdoor performance space adjacent to the auditorium.
• My building connects to the Torquay community through its form as well as through the auditorium which is a unique building (in terms of function) to the town and therefore it will be significantly utilised.

Overall I'm pretty happy with my final design, the review with Jeremy went really well. I got some positive feedback and hopefully this translates to getting good marks...hint...hint!

Project 3: Final Physical Model

Here are some photos of my physical model at 1:200 scale...

Please note: No laser cutting was involved!

Project 3: Final Floorplan

Ground Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

Project 3: Rough Sketches

I am playing around with the idea of having large curved timber beams in my design. They will be exposed and be the focal point of my design. They will span over the administration block and the entrance foyer and their support structure will rest on the auditorium's rammed earth wall. The auditorium will be mainly constructed from rammed earth, however the auditorium's west facade will consist of rammed earth with a separate timber 'sheathing' structure that will evolve in shape to imitate the rising levels of the auditorium's seating levels.

Project 3: Attempt at a Floorplan

Oh no, I am stuck with my floor plan. The overall shape came about during the masterplan process. The admin block is on the left, the auditorium (which is accessable to the Torquay community) sits on the right. The buildings are angled to create space between them which will become the main entrance and public foyer. I am having planning difficulty with the admin block. I dont want boring little office boxes!