UNSW Built Environment Alumni: Reactivation – Henry Chan (Landscape 09)

Reactivation: Initiate a vibrate and self-sufficient metropolis

Site Plan

The project connects and rejuvenates­­­ Glebe Island from a neglected post-industrial landscape into a valuable component of the urban landscape. Instead of the passive design approach to reclaim post-industrial landscape into an ecological precinct, these proposed reclaim site should make greater use of its perimeter and become a metropolitan attraction that brings users deep into the space.

Moreover, Glebe Island will be the frontier to compensate for the urban development that is disturbing the equilibrium between the Sydney’s market gardens and its green spaces that support the urban context.  Hence, Permaculture design principle was present to resolve this disruption of the human support system.

The Newly established human support system, will focus on a complex design process looking at water, topography, vegetation and anthropology at different stages that result in a fusion design which highlight the contrast between the industrial and natural landscape.

Permaculture garden at Glebe Island

Green wall at Glebe Island Silo

As a result the outcome will be successful to create a lively connection between the Park & City by relating Glebe Island as a catalyst to meet its goal for Sydney to become a sustainable city by 2030.

3D Perspective

Analysis

UNSW Built Environment Landscape Architecture Formula for Stillness: Applying Hockney to White Bay

Peter Morris – Landscape Architecture 09

Seeking key principles from Hockney's California Dreaming series

By understanding the specific experience of David Hockney’s illusion of stillness within particular paintings, a set of techniques and principles have been discovered and applied to the site at White Bay.

Master plan of proposed civic space

After investigating modern artists and their independent and focused explorations of space on the pictorial plane, I found Hockney offered new methods in approach to the design process.

The site is in part an extension of the previous semester’s reconstruction of the Wattle Bay studios and outdoor art gallery at the north-east peninsular of Glebe Island and so lends itself to a more art inspired space. It is a 100m pedestrian access-only civic space primarily created for the workers in the surrounding buildings and contains cafes, small bars and a multi-functional outdoor area.

Calmed and seperated elements

The ultimate experience for the user addresses the human need for order and discovery by extracting key principles used in a Hockney painting and systematically re-applying them to the site. In the short term, the user can enjoy uncovering the site’s narratives, the artful display of elements and their spatial order while in the long term a more holistic appreciation of the site would see the calming effect of Hockney’s stillness emerge in the design.

Narrative discovered over time

Addressing the built form

Elements as part of the whole

Summation of movement not seen