Project Reflection

This project overall I think was quite confusing as we do not have a clear brief as to what is expected for the final design. The possibility of this project was so broad as we can all see in our final presentations that many people have done designs from large scales to small scales, some even went into fields such as urban design, industrial design etc. It was not a project what I would have expect for a 4th year architecture design. In terms of time frames, I feel that the project was so big in my regard that I do not have enough time to resolve issues in a higher resolution. For my project, it was quite unique that me and three other of my friends decided to take this as a collaborative project and distribute the work load evenly but distinctively on our own way. My experiences from this collaborative approach have brought many real life issues of what we could expect in the real world after graduating. Issues not about designs but about collaboration, discussion, arguments, and negotiations. I do believe that as a team we did tried our best to finish this project with minimum issues as possible, but it really made me think that it is much easy said than done. Each designers have their own taste, style, and approach in doing things; not to mention people using different software and tools that brings more problems to the discussion table. All in all, I think that collaboration can be very effective and productive if done right, if not this would be a hell of a nightmare. In the real world, collaboration cannot be avoided and one should focus on solving problems as a common goal.

Final Presentation Poster

Project Description of Parliamentary Convention Center

My project responsibility is to design an Information gathering and distributing center between the public, professionals, and the government. Or namely Convention Center as the typical architectural function. This project is required to create spaces and platforms for interaction between guests, visitors, professionals, or even world leaders. Main spaces like theater could be used for example TED presentations, SBS Insight programs, or any other important topics to promote information sharing. Ballrooms for important ceremonial functions, could be a G20 submit where world leaders gather together discussing on economy issues or scientific function for medical breakthroughs etc. Exhibition and gallery spaces displaying national issues or solution proposals from the government to the public. Interactive spaces are considered to bring an informal sitting areas for guests, visitors, professionals to sit together discussing on issues. On general, the convention center are opened to the public unless there is high profile events where security is an issue.

Fundamental Idea behind the Canberra Parliament House Project

This is a collaborative design project between myself and the other 3 members of the team. Base on the initial idea of converting existing political system into a model that emphasize professionals, experts, and specialists of the nation to be recognized as the brains that leads a country. A political system that brings better transparency into governmental organizations, giving better influence from the people and allowing them to give information on national issues to these brains of the country, these people will be selected by their life long commitments to bringing greater good and contribution on their respective fields to the society. The idea of providing a platform that fuses public and politics. The project have been distributed into 4 sections - Parliamentary access and main circulation spine, Information gathering and distribution center namely convention center, Research facility and information processing offices for governmental personals, Chamber of professionals, specialist and experts for discussing on top national issues. 

Final Design Composition and Description

Combined collaborative design model of new Canberra Parliament House

Exploded Model Composition

Distribution of Media gives a wide variety of different mediums to provide different sets of purposes and functions. Circulating and distributing from center foyer space.

Location is of vital importance in this case where two large spaces required for the building. By locating foyer space on center near to the frontal facade of the building opens up the circulation. Fan shaped theater located on side to save space and to deal with the weird form. Access to main parliament house and new adjacent office building are important to note and so the circulation pattern formed a "T shape". Spiral rams are an inspiring element in this regard as it contributed a special and memorable journey between floors. 

Space underneath slope theater created an interesting volume allowing winter sunlight to penetrate onto the floor.

Foyer circulation surrounds the existing building facade meanwhile having skylights that emphasize the history of parliament house. 

Spiral ram vertical access circling a glass tube with a large tree planted in the middle to reflect four seasons of Canberra. Display panels can be place around the outer glass facade that converts this space into a gallery walk. 

The elegance of this curve produced a sense of excitement and curiosity for guests and visitors, make walking an enjoyable experience without using the lift. 

This view from the top of the spiral rams shows an overall spatial quality and a combination of different architecture elements coming together harmoniously into one single spatial dimension. 

Hero shot of the exterior convention center

Research & Examplers

Adaptive Facade Mechanical System

Facade variations and patterns

Double layered facade system

Interior light and shade from facade patterns

Inner and Outer Layer Facade

Organic Curves 

Steel structures and facade as protective shell

Elevated Building

Balancing proportion on both ends of the building

Curvy interior void openings

Polygon steel structure as facade frames

Design Progression & Drafted Layout

Steel Louvered Facade <> Steel Structure <> Glass Facade <> New Building <> Existing Building <> Interior

Enlarged Layout Developments

Interaction space layout configuration 1

Interaction space layout configuration 2

Exhibition space layout configuration 1

Exhibition space layout configuration 2