A Growing City

A city grows from the ground and its context. 

Lines represent connections between building within an urban context. Movement throughout a city determines the development of communities and this dictates how people interact with each other. A good community vibe is as a result of walkable neighbourhoods and close proximities to human needs. More people in the street provides more opportunity for social interaction. 

A mixed use building facilitates these 'pathways' inside the building with all needs provided in one spot, thereby becoming the community...

Contrasting line and shape are symbolic of the architecture as well as culture in Port Elizabeth and South Africa in general. The mixture and unusual combinations of  architecture, historic and contemporary, tall or short, relates to these dynamic sculptures(particularly the last, golden one). The geographic context of Central, where the proposal will take place consists of steep hills and 'cliff faces' and because of this, a common sight is buildings that see to be balancing on the edge or becoming part of the rock as if they 'grew' from it! 

Trafalgar Centre (proposed building) is on top of this hilly part of central and is therefore the point where this all connects. It is fitting that the design concept should reflect this 'growing', 'developing' 'combining' idea.

Product Design

The Concentric Convergence

-a table to encourage interaction

This table will be used in the Hi-Bru coffeehouse as an alternative seating as apposed to the proposed fixed bar seating which will be a feature in the space. 

The product needs to incorporate the theories that I've chosen to base the entire design concept on. 

New Urbanism:

Sustainable urban design principals. The weaving element of the wire represents a 'growing', or 'connecting' to the urban environment. The choice of materials also relate the design to its urban context: concrete and steel and a touch of timber for a contrasting, tactile aspect. This contrasting element is also part of my concept and stems from the inspiring contrasting nature of South Africa.

Architecture and Society (Environmental Psychology): 

I question how do people react to and with this table. Also how does it affect the behavior of people with each other. A puzzle is included in the design of the tabletop. This induces interaction with the design as well as with the person sitting with you at the table. The design concept of Hi-Bru is to connect different people and cultures through the experience of coffee therefore this is quite fitting.

The Design

Inspirational mood board

A 3D sketch of the design

A front elevation of the table, note the staggered feet attachment (symbolic of growing from its context)

Below is the presentation poster that i submitted today. The conceptual development is also included here if you would care to know more detail. 

This table will be manufactured to full scale as the second part of the project, within a budget of R1500 if possible.

The second product  will be a vacuum coffee maker and will follow in another post!

3D representation of Trafalgar Centre

This is my 3D model of the chosen building for my project.
It is simply to show what the building looks like currently and is submitted as part of the 'computer presentation' module along with a short fly around movie. The model was drawn in autoCad and then imported into Lumion to apply materials and lighting and create the movie and stills.

Corner view

Lawrence Street View

Clyde Street View

Courtyard at the back of the building

View from the top of the ramp

Cocoon of Light

Installed in the heart of the city of Lausanne is Flux Cocoon 

by Allegory

Inside the light web

Entirely influenced by its location, the project is situated at the crossing between vertical 

and horizontal circulatory movements, interpreted as the flux.

The framework is an abstraction of the knot created by the crossing of each pedestrian’s virtual trace at this precise point in space.

Elevator and pedestrian walkway

Wait is that inside or outside

Amazing how the exterior public space simply flows into the building. One can hardly tell the difference between outside and inside.

The kind of concept i am looking to achieve in my "Hybrid" design.

Marketing Poster

Sort of marketing poster to set the scene for my proposed development. However the name is still missing. I cant decide on one. 

Chongqing City (urban design proposal)

Chongqing City (urban design proposal)

Amazing proposal where the design relates to the city and landscape and provides great public space.