Final Panels

Sensor Doors

Well i think i found this crazy sensor activated door system a little too late to add them into my design. I think these would be very effective for the lift doors as they could also restrict access to certain parts of the building (vip, green room) if users dont possess the aforementioned security activated ticket/headset.

3D Projection Surface

I had no idea this sort of thing existed yet but judging by this video 3D projection is far past the prototyping stage. This is perfect for incorporating into my performance space as it not only satisfies the brief but also has the potential to attract substantial attention to the a building. Given that I am proposing large smartglass panels on the eastern facade i figure this could be good to incorporate when the panels are closed (and smart glass is activated). This technology would work on this particular wall of the building as it is proposed by the BCC to redevelop the Eastern side of the site into parklands. This means that users of the park areas are able to be continually engaged either by live performances (panels open), or 3D visual projections (panels closed).

MagiFlex Surface

This Magiflex material could be quite interesting if used appropriately within my design. Its appeal is not only in its 3 dimensional qualities as its ability to resemble water would also draw reference to the surrounding site (Brisbane River).

Info from the Magiflex website:
"Magiflex is a multi-lensed effect plastic manufactured in Vinyl, polycarbonate or cellulose propionate. It is available in sheet or rolls. Magiflex gets its’ effects of motion from thousands of minute parabolic lenses moulded into both sides of the surface. These lenses create shimmering patterns, stardust sparkles, shimmering silk, geometric repetition, all remarkably three dimensional. It is available in a wide variety of patterns and colours both translucent and opaque." (www.magflex.co.uk).

SmartGlass

This is ideal for application in my design. It harnesses digital technology to ultimately alter the function of, what has up to now, just been a piece of glass. Other than cost I see no reason why this technology should not be utilised in all exterior windows within my performance space.

Proposed Facade System

So i thought that this system would be pretty effective in creating the spatial qualities of both internal and external facades. Essentially it involves a series of steel rods arranged in a grid system through the external wall or roof with large sheets of waterproof elasticised projection material on either side of the rods. Basically each rod would be independently controlled by a motor which would tell each rod in what direction and what distance to screw through the wall. The appeal with this design is that the fabric is able to act as a flat surface for the projection of video/images, or, alternatively can be randomized in form to create visual excitement without the use of video projection. It has also been considered that it may be worthwhile making the exterior fabric somewhat reflective in order to create interesting geometry through the reflecting of the natural light and shadows within the site.

Digitally Interactive Surfaces

OK so here are some examples of the sorts of interactive surfaces I am looking to employ in my design. The surfaces should aim to maximize interaction with the public through the use of educational and recreational activities. Being that the performance space sits in such close proximity to All Hallows school, it is expected that students would make up a significant portion of the clientelle between the hours of 3pm-5pm. It is for this reason that i would suggest providing an intellectually stimulating digital experience in the publicly accessible areas of the building.

This first video shows the 'Reactable' interactive music module. I thought that this could not only be incorporated in the stage space but also be installed on the upper foyer level to promote movement through the entire foyer space. This also allows a secondary performance space as members of the public are able to put on 'performances' over the course of the day/night.


I thought this would be a good option for the stage floor surface:


Finally these last two clips show what I am after in terms of technology in the foyer space of my building. I want to incorporate this sort of group-friendly fun because i want to engage the public as much as possible and not restrict the digital experience to only those who have paid for a performance, movie or meal
.

Here is a demo of Microsoft's 'Surface' technology. It is essentially an interactive touchscreen surface which is able to be installed into tables for commercial purposes. The video becomes particularly relevant in terms of resteraunt application at the 6:30 mark. They discuss how Surface is able to display digtal menus as well as its ability to be linked with the restaurants P.O.S system to support digital billing. It increases customers connection to digital technology as various interactive games/activities become available between courses.

Design Brief

Further investigation of digital design in musical performance spaces has certainly had a late influence on the design of the main performance area within the Howard Smith Structure. Due to the perpetual shift towards the digital creation and performance of music it is fair to say that the focus of contemporary performances has become more concerned with visual and audio effects. This is the case as digital equipment and software are gradually taking the place of human performers and it is becoming easier for one person to utilise a range of tools to ultimately make the concept of a 'band' redundant:



This ability for DJ's and producers to be able to carry a performance solo will have a significant impact on the design of the BOH spaces. As the building is primarily concerned with the digital aspects of music, it is expected that the majority of perforances will in fact only require 1 or 2 people on stage at any one time. This will greatly reduce the required area of the green room and other stage related spaces within the structure.

Conceptual Sketches/Diagrams

The two sketches at the bottom of this post were done in the early stages of design where I was just trying to get a feel for the available space on the site. I thought I had best include them as there are many elements that I will most likely take with me for the final design (raised structure over walkway). These drawings were useful in helping me get an understanding of how to zone the required spaces to fit in the site beneath the bridge. I decided that the performance area would have to be rotated 90 degrees to maximize city and river views and too have minimal spatial impact along the threshold created by the Story Bridge.

Digital Biz

So I have looked a bit further into digitally interactive design and have stumbled upon a couple of examples that I thought could be modified and utilised within the Howard Smith performance space.

This first clip illustrates how digital technology is able to be utilised and manipulated to create a totally immersive and engaging environment. I think that this particular concept of digital graffiti would not only draw cultural references to the surrounding Fortitude Valley, but would also allow constant evolution of spaces through the unique artistic expressions of occupants. The performance space is expected to see quite a bit of public interaction and therefore several smaller 'graffiti screens' may need to be considered as a viable alternative.

Chairman Ting - Digital Graffiti Art @ The Athlete's Village from Carson Ting on Vimeo.

This second video is of a 3D display in a railway station in Zurich, Switzerland. It shows a relatively simple method of achieving the illusion of a 3-dimensional digital experience through the use of layers (both horizontal and vertical) of illuminated spheres. This would have quite a significant spatil impact and could essentially be built into any flat surface within the structure. The only foreseeable downside to embedding this into the walls or floors would be that the maintenance guy would almost definately go on a killing spree if the innermost bulbs were to fail- perhaps use panels to allow access to the bulbs from all sides of the installent. Maybe consider other forms of lighting also i.e. projection.

Digital Fabrication

In lieu of todays lecture on digital fabrication, I thought i might investigate some forms created using digital techniques. Perhaps the key point i took from todays lecture is that a structure need not have any digital function to represent the digital world. This is evident in the structures below as all forms have been created using digital software and hardware yet most do not require fancy lighting or touchscreen technology to suggest their digital beginnings.

Future Bar Design

Project Thoughts

Given the dynamic nature of the area surrounding the Howard Smith site, I have decided to design somewhat of a musical performance space. I feel that it would effectively accentuate the cultural ties the site holds with the surrounding areas.
I also think that it would be a very appropriate function given the perpetual shift towards digital equipment and practices in both the creation and performance of today's music. For example:



The natural slope bounding the site to the North would not only offer elevated views of live performances but may also maximize the acoustic qualities of musical acts within the Howard Smith site itself. Considerations could be made to employ some sort of semi open stage that is able to be seen from both outside and inside the building itself. Or, alternatively, angled screens may be installed on the upper level of the structure to offer uninterrupted views of musical performances from the site's elevated extremities.

Expressive Facades

Here are a few of the more outrageous examples of how structures are able to be visually emphasized by applying digital technology to the facades of buildings. This first building is the Galleria West in Seoul:










This 'wooden mirror' concept could be employed on a greater scale to make a very interesting facade or interior space. It is probably more likely to be effective within the building as dynamic light factors, like the sun, may mess with the associated camera component. Considerations would most likely need to be made in order to minimise the sound of the moving wooden tiles (rubber underlay or reflective gel tiles instead of wood). Weatherproofing techniques would also need to be considered if it was decided to install something similar on the exposed facade of a building.


Flare Facade:


Aperture Facade:


Kiefer Technic Showroom:










Digital Building (Beijing):














This final video shows how a group of European hackers were able to use knowledge of the digital world to ultimately alter the function of a building's facade. It is mentioned that people walking past were able to remotely control the display using their mobile devices. The scale difference between object and human in this case would no doubt have resulted in a far more immersive experience for the user.

Future Design

Design for the future must aim to address current issues that are likely to affect the population in future years. This first clip shows how some fresh thinking and a funky background beat may be able to solve the problems likely to arise as a result of global warming.



These next two videos are more in relation to existing structures and buildings. Whilst some of the buildings have little to no relevance in terms of digital technology (stonehenge), many show the way in which the approach to architecture has dramatically evolved in order to keep up with the perpetually advancing technology around it.

Jaques Fresco

Here are a couple of interesting clips I dug up from Youtube. They are essentially one man's unique interpretation of the direction in which architecture is headed, and how technology will evolve and be utilised in order to accomodate this. Pretty old but still relevant.

Project 1A

So im fairly new to this whole blog thing but i have managed to post my panels for part A of project 1. I'm not sure why they are not able to be viewed in a larger window but i will attempt to repost them as soon as i figure it out.