Ideas to Jot

It's always nice to jot down some ideas from feedback!

This student learning space has absolutely got to prove that the architectural profession can get it:

http://best-homedecoration.com/creative-wall
-design-from-plastic-bottle-by-klein-dytham

*right*

*on budget*

*be successful* and

*be inspiring*

With all that in mind, is is essential that some really interesting and boundary driving ideas are utilised when creating this space.

Maybe through the means of a creative, sound-proofing, plastic bottled wall? Easy to acquire, cheap, "different", creative and above all, ecologically, economically and environmentally friendly.

Alternatively, recycling glass wine bottles can be as effective, if not more so. A little more expensive, whether that be through acquiring them or drinking your way through them! plastic bottles are obviously a lot flexible in terms of portability; the glass bottles being more of a tool for more solid and permanent walling which is not something the space requires, but could, possibly benefit from.

http://i.treehugger.com/images/2007-3-14/bottle-wall.jpg

Feedback Session

July 07, 2011 @Harcourt Hill, J-Block

Today proved to be an interesting and informative day regardless of the unfortunate poor attendance (no students).

The purpose of today was to create a discussion in order to generate a brief from which a successful "Social Learning Space" can be designed. Led by us, the conversation covered all the areas that we were unclear about, such as; materiality, end users, atmosphere, furniture and technology.

We started off talking about the issues surrounding the current failure of the space, the steady decline, it was decided, was due to dwindling student numbers due to closure of the accommodation as well as the current building works at Harcourt Hill Campus.

The future of this space's success will rely on being unique in its flexibility; many of the other teaching and learning rooms on campus are rigid and inflexible.
Coming from this meeting, we realised that for this space to be successful we need to find its niche.

Site Visit and survey

July 02, 2011
June 22, 2011 @Harcourt Hill, J-Block

We returned to J-block to have a more comprehensive look around and to take measurements as part of a site survey.

During the visits it was evident that the building had undergone several changes over the years; building services are unkept and unmanaged and any previous renovation has clearly been done on a tight budget. The overall feel of the space is unappealing and disorganised.


In apprecitation of its current use as a Student Union bar (which plays host to over 2000 students studying on campus) we both found it quite hard to see past the tired interior and disjointed layout.

The building does however possess some interesting characteristics and features. There is a beautiful existing parquet floor that we both feel should be restored, along with this there is a spiral staircase that is currently 'de-comissioned'.