Week Twelve: Building Form

PUBLIC THOROUGHFARE:
As mentioned in previous posts, I wish to create a public thouroughfare through my building in order to create a direct connection from Adelaide Street to Burnett Lane, improving accessbility whilst attracting actvity to the building site. The thoroughfare will allow users to either use it solely as a thoroughfare and pass straight through the building or stop and eat/sit/play for a while. The thoroughfare will consist largely of retail outlets creating a urban laneway vibe for the site and will continue with the retail character of the area. In recent times retail has been generally poor due to conservative spending (following the global financial crisis) and increased internet shopping, with people mainly spending money on food retailing and hospitality (cafes, restaurants and takeaways). With this in mind, the retail portion of the development should largely consist of these types of outlets.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN:
In response to current and future global issues, the building will implement passive design techniques and sustainable principles throughout the design to limit the environmental impact of the building. These will include energy efficient products, such as light fittings, solar panels and insulation. The building will also implement passive technologies by utilising natural ventilation, day lighting and thermal mass to achieve thermal comfort. The buildings also aim to reduce resource consumption through the use of water tanks and the recycling of gray water for use in the irrigation of public spaces on the ground plane. This project strives to encourage a sustainable development process from conception to completion. The building will use recycled materials where possible (bricks etc.) and will retrofit the building, keeping the existing facade in tact in order to preserve the historical nature of streetscape and save materials. The building will respond to the natural environmental conditions in the most sustainable and efficient manner through the implementation of passive technologies and systems.

Passive Ventilation Systems 

PRESERVATION OF THE HERITAGE LISTED FACADE:
The facade of the existing building is an important feature of the site to preserve and in order to continue the character of the street, this heritage listed facade will be retrofitted along with some of the existing building plates. The building will be shaped to ease the transition from the solid street frontage (facade) to the pedestrian lane behind.

Transition from the Streetscape to the pedestrian Lane.

VIEWS MAXIMISATION:
The building will be designed to maximise the unique views that are offered by the site showing different aspects of Brisbane; to the north we have views of Adelaide St, 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 exciting views of graffiti art on the building facades bordering the laneway and we are also exposed to the verticality of the site.

Maximisation of Views Strategies

FUNCTIONS:
The proposed four storey cultural centre integrates shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, performance and arts spaces and educational facilities. In this prime location within the Brisbane CBD, this to become a central node for locals and tourists alike to visit.

A summary of the proposed scheme can be seen below:

Ground Floor	Retail (cafes, restaurants and takeaways), courtyard.
First Floor	Theatre entrance, events/exhibition space, reception, amenities.
Second Floor	Cafe and outdoor seating, exhibition space.
Third Floor	Educational areas (art, performance, technological facilities).
Fourth Floor	Rooftop Bar and Cinema