Week Nine: Urban Analysis

To help me with the determination of my building functions, I thought it would be a good idea to do some site analysis for the Burnett Lane site. Below are my key findings, summarised in sketch diagrams and dot points:

Social Nodes:

One of the things that stood out to me in the site analysis was the presence of the two large "social gathering" spaces in the site: King George Square and Brisbane Square. Both public square act as platforms for social interaction and activity. I propose that the new cultural centre will create an integral link between these two public spaces, thus strengthening their relationship.

Cultural Nodes:
There are limited cultural nodes within the CBD itself, and even these are quite minor. Cultural nodes are a major attraction within cities, both to locals and tourists. By transforming the site into a cultural precinct it will draw a diverse range of people to the site.

Accessibility:

The streets surrounding the site are very busy, predominantly one way streets. These restrict pedestrian flows to traffic lights and sidewalks. In the imagined future scenario of a congestion charge being placed on the CBD area, these streets would drastically reduce in traffic, and call for the need to accommodate cycling and pedestrian-oriented transport, as well as the proposed rapid transport system (pods).

Views Analysis:

The site offers unique views of different aspects of Brisbane; to the north we have views of Adelaide Street, the old facades of Brisbane and King George Square to the far right, and to the south we have the urban grit of Burnett Lane with views of exciting graffiti art on the building facades bordering the laneway and we are able to experience the verticality of the site.

Photos of site


Streetscape:

The existing streetscape consists of heritage listed original facades of buildings from the first level upwards. This is an import feature of the site to preserve and in order to continue the character of the street, this heritage listed facade should be maintained:

Physical Attributes:
Sun/Wind Analysis:

The building will receive most sun between midday and late afternoon. The site will not receive much light in the mornings in winter.

Wind Analysis

Functional Analysis:
Building typologies in the area: predominately commercial and retail, with some residential - apartment/hotel typologies.



Greenspace Analysis:
Limited greenspace in the surrounding CBD and Fortitude Valley areas; imagined scenario injects more greenspace into the site and the surrounding CBD.