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!

Project 3: I found a little something called 'Inspiration'...

A private residence by Wright Feldhusen Architects

Moonah Links Accommodation by Hayball Leonard Stent

Project 3: Design Principles

The following is a list of design principles that our group came up with and will follow for project 3.

• Polished concrete floors - where applicable (thermal mass)
• Rammed Earth? (possible use on some walls - thermal mass)
• Timber structure - recycled, box beams? (interior)
• Concrete columns - outdoor feature
• Sliding door feature - where applicable (project 1)
• Earthy colours
• Bricks? (recycled of course!)
• Vast expanses of glass (preferably north facing)
• Built-in furniture - recycled timber (tie in with sliding doors)

Note: Principles are subject to change!

Project 3: The Big Project

For this project we are asked to each design a number of sustainable school buildings within the context of our group's evolving master plan, therefore this project requires us to work on an individual basis, but also continue to work as a team member.

We allocated school buildings.

I am going to be designing a building which includes an entrance foyer, administration offices including staff lounge and an auditorium which can be utilised by the Torquay community.

I'm off now, on the lookout for some inspiration!

Project 2: Master Plan Final

Project 2: How Impressive!

Below are some photos of our fluid mapping diagrams and sun shadow massing models.



Below is a photo of an escarpment wall in The Australian Garden in Cranbourne. I thought this wall was a practical form to act as a wind barrier as well as being a perfect compliment to our indigenous landscaping.



See, I told you a lot of thought went into our master plan!

Project 2: Ok here goes...

The following images are our master plan development diagrams. Do not be fooled by their sketchy appearance, a lot of thought went into them!

We spent a great deal of time discussing and playing around with little bits of trace paper in order to achieve the requirements of the brief. Along with the general requirements, we aimed at addressing four particular issues in our masterplan;

1. Attempt to solve the traffic management problem that currently exisits on Grossmans Rd
2. Provide protection from the south - westerly wind via man made objects, topography and/or vegetation.
3. Provide various outdoor learning courtyards, particularly north facing
4. Consider the cultural context of the SurfCoast and the connection between the school and the community.

Project 2: Master Plan Research

For this project we were asked to develop a brief and create a master plan for the design/construction of the Torquay College Senior School on the site of the SurfCoast Shire Council offices.

But what is a master plan? and what information should a master plan present?

Luckily, the Design Share website (http://www.designshare.com/index.php/home) came to the rescue. It is a great website on educational facility planning and provides case studies of clever school designs from around the world.


This is a plan of Canning Vale High School in Perth Western Australia.

This is a preliminary site concept for a proposed secondary school in Bendigo.