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I gained a unique perspective in global architecture and international design practices in the Southern Hemisphere.
Dutton park
public library
Advanced Architecture Studio
Bond University
QLD Australia
Spring 2023
Brisbane, Australia
Semester Abroad
Deriving a Program Established
by the Movement of the Sun
In this Advanced Architecture Studio at Bond University, our assignment was to create a new public space within Brisbane's Boggo Road Precinct.
Using collaborative brainstorming in tandem with multiple visits to the Denver Polo Club, my partner and I engaged in a collaborative brainstorming session to explore a spectrum of potential innovations.
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My specific focus was on designing a public library situated on the South West Peninsula of the site. The goal was to expand the current public area of the Precinct, incorporating the library while ensuring connectivity to the surrounding public forum.
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I gathered inspiration from the Australian Sun to determine the form and program in order to optimize natural lighting, offer versatile indoor-outdoor spaces, and strike a balance between public and private experiences, preserving a tranquil environment conducive to knowledge and reading.
Growing up in the mild climate of the Rocky Mountains, my experience with architecture has been with snowy weather in mind.
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Thus, I was intrigued by the impacts of harsh sunlight on buildings in the subtropical climate of Brisbane, AUS.
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This inspired me to utilize the sun as a determining factor in the design of my library. I investigated how the sun could be the basis for my program and used to guide people's occupancy in a variety of spaces.
At the State Library of Queensland, Donovan Hill & Peddle Thorp Architects use filtered sunlight to create a tranquil experience.
The Influence of the Australian Sun
on Design in the Southern Hemisphere
This initial sun observation on the site of the library helped me determine where best to locate outdoor spaces and areas that benefitted from natural lighting.
In Section drawings, I explored how enclosed spaces could regulate the affects of sunlight on exposed spaces.
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The main terraces are located within the enclosed spaces to direct sunlight towards the lower floors and enter enclosed spaces.
This determination allowed me to categorize the library program based on lighting needs.
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The planned location for the library is the Southwest corner of the site, somewhat separated from the larger Precinct. Despite this, it captures a vibrant and dynamic scene, surrounded by the primary school and intersection, offering additional views of the Brisbane Skyline and Harbor.
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Understanding the site context helped to inform how the library could function as an extension and interconnection of the current public spaces.
The Boggo
Road Precinct
Brisbane is a lively city along the Pacific Coast of Australia. In the Inner Souther Suburb, The Dutton Park Neighborhood and Boggo Road Precinct offers an ideal setting for new public infrastructure. This is the site context of the new library.
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During an initial site visit, we explored the undeveloped area, addressing its sloping topography and current circulation. On the South East side of the Precinct, notable public spaces include the Ecosciences building, Brisbane Crossriver Railway, and Historic Boggo Road Gaol [jail]. To the North lies the Dutton Park State Primary School and intersection of Boggo and Annerley Road.
a program
In balance
In order to organize the variety of needs of the library, I explored how users would circulate through public and private spaces, differentiated by their enclosure and light filtration.
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To find this balance, I initiated a curving axis that directs users through the main public area and traverses both enclosed and exposed spaces.
While exploring the balance between public and private spaces, I discovered the use of a cylindrical void to orient the upper and lower floors along a singular vertical axis.
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Circular in plan, the cylinder could be designated as the core of the building for vertical circulation as a recurring way finding feature. It also provided the possibility to layer the outdoor terraces above one another on each floor.
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This revelation also provided an excellent solution for filtering light down to the lower floors. The roof of the cylinder could filter harsh sunlight and diffuse it downwards creating an illuminated central atrium.
cylinder of light
The Final Design is a showcase of the previous collected elements that determined a conclusive layout. Library programming such as book shelves, reading spaces, study rooms and gardens are spread across 1,400 square meters of space.
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The main terraces experience moderate to high levels of sunlight but upper level terraces provide unique protection, projecting sun rays at undulating angles onto the lower levels.
A place of curiosity
and tranquility
All plans are a testament to the power of hand drafting. My understanding of scale and organization through hand drawing inspired and excited my journey to the final design. Because hand drawing is so expressive, it influenced the intended emotional experience of my process and the depiction of the library plans.
