[6] Inspiration

Before the conceptualisation process begins I would like to examine some precedents and architectural manifestations of desert type/military architecture. The following images are a compilation of ideas and exemplary designs which exhibit an element or concept I wish to produce within the final design project. This list of images will continue to be added to as the semester progresses.

[6] Interim Presentation

The three A3 panels produced for the mid semester project presentations as well as the artist statement; this will become the framework for developing an individual response to a mobile agent of parliament.

[6] 'Desert Assault' [Individual]

as·sault n.

1. Make a physical attack on.

at·tack v. at·tacked, at·tack·ing, at·tacks v.tr. 1. To set upon with violent force. 2. To criticize strongly or in a hostile manner. 3. To start work on with purpose and vigor.

'Desert Assault' is the theme I have developed for approaching the individual component of the mobile architecture design project. It is based on strategically infiltrating the centre of Australia to establish a network of outposts and sentries. Further investigation, conceptualisation and realisation will be conducted throughout the semester, see the image below for the idea as it is currently:

Nodes of political and social interaction

[6] Exemplar [Individual]

Rick Joy

"Award winning American architect Rick Joy is renowned for this climate responsive and landscape sensitive work, based mostly in the desert region of Arizona. Using a robust palette of materials, including rammed earth, hardwoods and rusted steel, Joy’s work looks as much from the earth, as sitting within it. Joy’s practice predominantly includes residential work, with Tubac House being his most celebrated. Joy’s work has been both published and exhibited widely with a group of architectural experts recently choosing a Rick Joy house as one of five most influential and inspiring homes in recent times, alongside work by Rem Koolhaas and Shigeru Ban."
- http://www.architecture.org.au/255-aaa-black-talk-rick-joy (accessed September 2, 2011)

[6] Individual design [Desert Context]

I started to generate more specific interest in the Desert Context and outlined key parameters associated with this sector of Australia. From here I was able to develop an initial design strategy for project 02; I will be able to develop this further after the presentations on Friday and begin to formulate a strategy for a desert inhabiting, resilient and mobile architecture.

[6] Week 6 Development [Individual]

I have progressed quite a bit individually over the past few days, not so much in terms of a conceptual design or representation of an architecture, but more so in the creation of a strategy for beginning the process of developing a mobile architecture. I have established some parameters for the project which will help to form my individual project brief. Precedents have also been investigated to help generate a set of opportunities extending those provided by the context specific issues of a mobile architecture located in the desert. 

Below is a sequence of sketches which illustrate my development individually.

[6] Parasite [Individual]

"Parasitic architecture can be defined as an adaptable, transient and exploitive form of architecture that forces relationships with host buildings in order to complete themselves. Parasites cannot sustain their own existence without siphoning energy from the surplus supply demonstrated in host buildings."
- http://www.freewebs.com/parasitic-architecture/ (accessed August, 28)

[6] Architectural Purpose

Below are the 4 sectors of 'Australian Identity' with an architectural purpose layered over each.

Desert Sector:

Coastal Sector:

Bushland Sector:

Rural Sector:

[6] Capital Infrastructure and Presence

 Existing Infrastructure:

 Proposed Infrastructure:

 Distribution map:

[6] Individual design [Desert Precedents] 02

SENTRY: Typology 01

- this architecture is mobile to a limited distance on its own with a system of movement reliant upon external movement capabilities and a level surface required.

SENTRY: Typology 02

- very light weight , simple and has a vernacular essence to it.

SENTRY: Typology 03

- exhibits the opportunity for a partially mobile unit where a component detaches from the host and moves out.

SENTRY: Typology 04

- Although this design is not mobile, it resonates as something similar in this images through the dynamic orientation, placement and heights of each space. This could become an inspiring image in detailing how the modules interact with one another.

SENTRY: Typology 05

- Again this design is not mobile, however there is a strong emphasis on movement - movement of the sun and how light interacts with the internal spaces. This will become a key area of design conceptualisation where the module will continuously be re-orienting and re-positioning making climatic response more difficult. 

[6] Desert Context

mil·i·tant/ˈmilətənt/

Adjective: Combative and aggressive in support of a political or social cause.

siegeNoun/sēj/

1. The offensive operations carried out to capture a fortified place by surrounding it.

out·postNoun/ˈoutˌpōst/

1. A small military camp or position at some distance from the main force.
2. A remote part of a country or empire.

sen·try/ˈsentrē/

Noun: A soldier stationed to keep guard or to control access to a place.

[6] Individual design [Desert Precedents]

I started to look into military style architecture and infrastructure for the individual component of the design project. Designing a mobile architecture to allow inhabitation of the Australian outback requires an understanding of climatic, topographical, demographic and various other context specific parameters. 

Currently, my idea is to implement a network of strategically placed Outposts across central Australia which create central meeting hubs and nodes of stockpiled resources. Sentries then mobilise from Parliament House travelling to these Outposts to enable large political functions to occur in these isolated regions, otherwise to tour remote desert communities connecting them with parliamentary issues. 

OUTPOST: typology 01

OUTPOST:  Typology 02

OUTPOST: Typology 03

OUTPOST: Typology 04

OUTPOST: Typology 05

OUTPOST: Typology 06

[6] Australian contexts

Within the second last group meeting and design development session, we generated the idea of context specific mobile architectural units. We identified 4 sectors of Australia of which within each the climate, topography, population, demographic and infrastructure vary quite dramatically. These sectors include desert, coastal, bushland and rural; and are shown below. These 4 regions or contexts form the identity of Australia; through establishing a network of architecture and infrastructure to enable political presence within these isolated zones, a heightened 'Capital presence' can emerge.

For project 02 coming up, I will be focusing on establishing this mobile architecture and infrastructure across the Desert Sector. 

Australian Identity: Water colour painting of Australian Landscapes

Identifying Australian contexts in generating Australian identity.

[6] Capital Strategy

I have written more formally below the strategy for approaching this architectural design project:

The urban composition and architectural content of Canberra fails to represent the status of an internationally prestiged capital city. Unlike exemplary capitals world wide, the Australian capital is not iconic in presence and symbolic of Australian identity. 

Similarly, Parliament House fails to satisfy the purpose and presence of its establishment; remote locatios of Australia are dislocated from the ‘engine room’ of Australia and as a result have a limited influence on the direction of the countries development. 

Establishing an architectural network across Australia can enhance and extend the presence and purpose of both Canberra and Parliament. Utilising mobile architecture as an agent of political presence within remote Australian 

contexts can introduce an innovative and iconic mobile ëCapitalí exemplifying Australian identity through contextual response. 

[6] Architectural Purpose

As part of developing the purpose of the Architecture, I explored this idea of a 'networked architecture' where parliamentary agents are mobilised along existing a proposed transport infrastructure linking Canberra with isolated regions. These mobile modules are supported by a 'base' or 'host' which houses supplies, resources and infrastructure needed within these remote locations.