Site Investigation
Key Elements:
- Context - High density CBD/Fortitude Valley/New Farm/Kangaroo Point
- Bridge - shelter/noise/light and shadow/shade/viewpoints/connection and access/pedestrians (walkers, joggers, cyclists, climbers) and vehicles
- Cliffs - vantage point and protection (prospect and refuge)/shelter/nature/sense of adventure/towering height (app. 30m)
- River - connection and transport (ferries, city cat, sailing, kayaks)/natural attraction/riverwalk/tidal changes/flood (sense of community brought to the area)
- Air Raid Shelters - historical social and political element/change of use over time
Observations:
- 'forgotten' inactivated space below sprawling city above
- undefined by its lack of attraction in need of architectural element
- potential and opportunity to provide an interactive intervention bringing life to the site
- only accessed by few people passing through the site
- used as a thoroughfare for commuters with no reason for people to stop and enjoy the site
- needs visual appeal, purpose and meaning
Basic History:
- Brisbane's main commercial shipping port until it moved to Hamilton
- Air raid shelters constructed during the war in which after they were used by the State Government for the Water Police Headquarters and storage areas
- some of the wharves structure was lost in the 1974 flood
- Flooded again in January, 2011 resulting in the councils proposal for a boutique hotel site being cancelled (proposal included gallery and public space)
- Council has introduced a planning measure to ensure developments habitable floor level is up to one meter above 2011 flood level.
- Site currently barren, lifeless despte being part of the Riverwalk project and start of the New Farm floating walkway.
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