Interactive Centre of Biomimicry - Concept

CONCEPT AND RELATION TO FOLIE - PURPOSE AND USER

This Interactive Centre of Biomimicry (ICB) focuses on experienced based learning fundamentally aiming to encourage a more positive outlook on the Brisbane River and its impact on its surrounding communities and ecosystems, ultimately presenting the river in a ‘new light’.  The ‘Rain Box’ design for the folie presentation was based on this concept where water was utilised in an interactive manner inviting people into the site to experience the river resulting in a more positive outlook.  A visible filtration system assisted the educational aspect of the design displaying the pumping of water from the discoloured muddy looking river over a glass framed platform with water cascading semi-enclosing the user within the space. As the journey through these framed platforms progresses as does the filtration level of the water succeeding to the final stage of cascading purified and clear water symbolising the clarity now experienced by the user in terms of appreciation for this valuable natural resource. Actively moving through the platforms with only partial views and change in water quality allows the user to experience gradual enlightenment on their journey for a bigger impact at the final view. Depicting the river in a positive ‘new light’ through the ideology of water filtration processes has provided fundamental values that proceed into the design development of the ICB.

Positioned at the cross section of a high density cultural interchange and residential area the character and history of the site reflects social, cultural and political biodiversity. In this context the ideal users of the site include students and academics from surrounding educational institutes, people walking and cycling along the river walk or travelling via ferry past/to the site as well as the general public. To ensure maximum benefit to all potential users of the design access to the site has been significantly improved from its original access related site constraints. The most obvious improvement to accessing the site is the incorporation of a lift shaft and stair system connecting the top of the cliff to the Early Learning Centre protruding from the cliff face and continuing down ground level. A path system and boardwalk based of maximum connectivity flows from the base of the lift shaft out onto the water through the ICB and provides a terminal for ferries increasing access and widening user possibility. Embedding the Early Learning Centre within the face of the cliff allows ease of access by workers in the surrounding areas dropping their children off before work rather than positioning the centre out into the river. This also connects the design more closely with the site utilizing vertical and thermal mass qualities of the cliff face whilst providing a larger visual appeal drawing people into the site. A bike rack has also been incorporated along the main pathway for increased access purposes and encouraging people to stop and use the space rather than using it as a thoroughfare alike its currently primary use. 

·         Roof top cafe and garden connecting to the cliff has a dramatic effect on access to the site.

RELATION TO BIOMIMICRY – FUNCTION AND FORM

The main element of the design located out into the river demonstrates biomimicry practices in function and form mimicking water filtration processes of sea squirts. These organisms are tubular in form where water and organic matter is entered into a filtration ‘basket’ resulting in filtered water being released and organic matter left behind for the benefit of feeding by other organisms. The exoskeleton or building envelope of this structure reflects the form of the tubular membrane of sea squirts whilst the designs filtration chamber mimics functional filtration processes found in the organisms’ filtration ‘basket’. Remaining nutrients filtered out by the sea squirts is also represented in the design where the function of this is to benefit other organisms this is mimicked in the form of interactive educational pods that originate in the filtration chamber alike the ‘basket’ for educational benefit of the users of the site. This ‘dome of filtration’ is then the nutrient source of vital processes discovered in nature that can be used in environmental design for human benefit. In this project it is evident that mimicking forms in nature is often necessary to convey particular natural processes as function and form co-exist in balance assisting each other for the most efficient design.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS

• Save energy if garden is lower pipes can reach the community garden rather than pumping water all the way to the top

·         Filtrating water from Brisbane river to expel over dome for natural cooling and educational purposes

·         Introducing learning from natural processes

·         Use textures topography views n vistas

·         Transparent skin – allows natural light –ventilation

·         Sustainability!

Various historical events have dramatically impacted on socio-cultural and environmental aspects of the site resulting in its character that exists today.  Major events include World War Two leaving behind Air Raid shelters, the relocation of Brisbane’s Port effecting industry and use of this section of the Brisbane River as well as major flooding in both 1974 and 2011 with dramatic effects on infrastructure and erosion. This design aims to utilise the site conditions without dramatically imposing on it which has inspired the main element of the ICB to be positioned out onto the river as well as the designs biomimicry relation to sea squirts and enhancing access with a ferry terminal and boardwalk. In line with creating a minimal footprint on the site and biomimicry focus the design is vertically driven maximising views and its aesthetic appeal from surrounding areas attracting people to the site. Positioning the ICB over the river has implications of flood levels and related challenges including how the design will respond to flooding.

Due to the educational purpose of the design and natural processes at its forefront other environmental values have also been incorporated to assist the user in their understanding and appreciation of nature whilst having a positive effect on the environment.  Key environmental design considerations explored in this design include natural ventilation, natural light, water filtration, photosynthesis processes and the collection and use of solar energy.  This sustainable approach to designing an interactive educational centre ensures users fully are immersed in the....

EDUCATIONAL ASPECTS

·         Parallel approach water – Brisbane dirty literally filtering Brisbane water becoming the sustainable part of the design make the filtration system visible to the outside – educating them already

·         Filter information and send to different chambers – different users wanting different information PODS

o   Information is sorted from chamber

·         Education based on new age methods of communication providing in a digital learning experience which inspires interest to follow up this learning into a hands-on approach where they can interact with the community garden using water filtered from the river and follow the riverside boardwalk to further their adventures.

·         Digital gallery for public viewing - Digital biomimicry imagery to encourage the excitement of learning – non-specific as they choose their more specific learning experience-  land uses and ecology

·         Pods sort out info according to what they need – personal interest

Early learning centre – allow children to experience natural process and learn about the environment

·         undergoing gardening and experimenting with the cliff and digital  - supporting office workers

·         Interactive pods for intimate learning

·         Foyer (dome) introduces choice and pods are they movable?

SENSORY EXPERIENCE

·         Sensual experience – sight, smell, touch, sound,taste

·         Isolation to stimulate reflection

·         Pub Europe waterfall facade interavtive sensors allow entry into the building

·         Entrance – deter people?

·         Moving through the tubes visible to users

·         Spiral stairs or ramp around the tubular system – access garden and cafe

·         Guganhim museum spiral ramp – experience height and dimension of structure in pods

MATERIALS - ecospecifier

·         Building Envelope (exoskeleton)

·         Dome of Filtration

·         Pod System

·         Underwater cinema and office construction

·         Lift shaft and stairs

·         Decking and paths including cliff to top deck

·         Ferry Terminal

·         Early Learning Centre – cliff construction