Initial Concept Sketches

This tubular form presents a walk through folie that immerses the user into the filtration process was the Brisbane River. The entry point starts off with the discoloured 'dirty' water of the river gradually purifying until the user is released from the journey with the filtered water re-entering the river. Ultimately this cleansed release allows the user to reflect on their experience viewing water and in turn the Brisbane River in a 'new light' as a valuable resource.

This sketch illustrates another method of experienced based learning through the viewing of filtration processes interacting with the form by moving through it and the purified water cascading from the top. 

Above is a more detailed sketch of the concept from the previous image illustrating the direction of water flow from and back to the river entering through tube A and returning filtered through tube B.

Raising the water cube above 'head height' allows the user the interact with the space without having to walk through the cascading water. The user becomes a part of the space looking out of the river through a clear sheet of water symbolising looking out at the river in a 'new light' as a valuable commodity. 

Layering of water cubes along the lines of this concept creates an interactive structure for climbing, sitting, relaxing, viewing, playing and studying. The filtration process of the rivers water is pumped through the transparent cubes and releasing the filtered water into a shallow pool that flows back into the river. This is a very sensory stimulating experience inviting the users to be involved in the filtration process.

Positioning these cubes in a layout with four quadrants represents the surrounding suburbs that are closely intertwined and strengthen each other encouraging connection between users on a social and cultural level. The above formation of transparent water cubes also provides more opportunity to sit facing inwards to the fountain like release of filtered water or outward viewing the river and city beyond. Users area again able to interact with the design whilst being educated through the filtration process of the rivers water and being encouraged to see through a 'clearer eye' uncovering the value of the Brisbane River and its necessity in our social and cultural context.

In the tutorial a tutor discussed some issues that arise in this structure including it purpose being lost in too much happening. The viewer is encouraged to face inwards due to the cascading water and its pooling effect taking away from the existing qualities of the site and its surroundings that should be the focus of the design. It was also criticised as being too intruding deterring the user from interacting with the pool area as there isn't sufficient space and cubes protruding too far and low. Views into the corresponding segment are also interrupted by these cubes preventing the user in one quadrant from connecting with a user in another quadrant.

These issues forced us to consider design alterations and alternatives, the first being turning the structure upside down so that the interrupting cubes were raised allowing full viewing of surrounding quadrants. This alteration maximised connection with other sections of the design which symbolises the connection between the CBD, Kangaroo Point, Fortitude Valley and New Farm which the quadrants represent. However, this process was seen as forced and still not site specific enough as well as the tutor seeing it too much as a fountain rather than a representation of the clear connection and support between its surrounding communities on a social and cultural level as intended.

The tutor discussing the previous design idea with our group encouraged us to play with more organic forms that tie more closely to the natural elements of the site. Above is an illustration portraying the same concept of viewing the filtration process and allowing the user to interact becoming a part of the space. 

Above is a sketch which illustrates the subtle connection of the user, the design and the site where the level of interaction depends on the users intent. A cyclist or passerby may simply walk through the curved structure expelling filtered water, however, will not fail to view the process of water filtrating from the river through the form. As this user exits in which ever direction of travel they will leave reflecting on the filtering of the river and continue along the bank with an enlightened outlook on the river. Users who chose to interact on a more personal level will play in, dip their toes in and sit beside or simply touch and engage with the water will only enhance their thought process of their experience.