Folie Design

Through research ive found that as expected, this site has a history of Abandonment. During World War 2 the site housed an air raid shelter and has also seen periods of involvement in water based industries. However, consecutively this site has been forsaken and left to become derelict in favour of sites up river. In its present state it is blind to, and ignorant of, the environmental changes taking place around it and feelings of neglect and abandonment are pulp able.

when adding to this site I wanted to reflect this character in a way that slightly disturbs and reprimands the user.

Yet the site also needs to be activated in a way that will attract a stream of visitors.

My folie design and its insertion into this site is aimed at literally giving the site eyes.

opening the site up to a view of its surroundings; This folie will Function as a viewing deck and be sited mid way up the cliff next to the Story Bridge.

In keeping with the raw and functional nature of the materials pre-existing on site, this folie will be constructed of precast, reinforced concrete panels and glazing.

Its hoped that The Folie design employs the user to stay informed and aware of environmental changes effecting the sites future development

City walk.

A repetitive experience during the walk to site was capturing glimpses of the story bridge from different angles and through different buildings. In each Instance the bridge was given a new context ; relating to what ever was in the foreground. Below are the sketches I completed through the city walk to show the glimpses of the story bridge.

Upon arriving at site , the glimpses and previews I had captured of the bridge and the anticipation built from the city surrounds failed to materialise.

The energy of the city above and the vibrancy of the riverside precinct to the right of site had vanished. Even the story bridge, towering above, felt distant, foreign and disconnected. The Howard smith wharves site feels forgotten, abandoned and alone.

The site was closed off from view, and despite the redevelopment work, an over all sense of abandonment was palpable.

When looking at the redevelopment

plans they feel false. How can such an inhabited lively public space be born on the site of the Howard Smith wharves?

(26/3/11 www.brisbanetimes.com.au)

I have chosen to include these existing plans for redevelopment as it is useful to understand the way another designer views the site and what potential they see; and assess to what degree my own site analysis differs.