Project 3: Design Principals

Ok, so before we got started in designing our individual buildings we discused the incorportion of certain sustainale aspects, mainly in regards to materiality.

• Polished concrete floors for thermal mass


• Rammed Earth (possible use on some walls - also for thermal mass)


• Timber structure - recycled, box beams? (interior)


• Concrete columns - outdoor feature


• Sliding door feature - where applicable (project 1)


• Earthy colours


• Bricks?


• Vast expanses of glass (preferably north facing)


• Built-in furniture - recycled timber (tie in with sliding doors)

Project 2: Final Master Plan

Above is the image of out groups proposal of the Master Plan for Torquay's year 10, 11 and 12 school. We got an overall good review with only criticism on the student drop off zone. We decided as a group that we will wipe out the parking spaces to the left of that area, creating a big loop and waiting area for parents. This will allow for a less congested drop off zone.

This diagram shows how we have approached traffic control and major pedestrian access routes

Fluid mapping was an interesting method of analysing the wind patterns in the area on a smaller more visual scale. The three images above illustrate the fluid mapping carried out to test out our Master Plan against the strong afternoon South-Westerly wind and strong morning Northerly winds. Using this method of testing we could concluded that our scheme wouldn't create wind tunnels and provided sufficient protection from the elements. However it also indicated that we may need to extend the wind barriers for the South-West.

Inorder to test the outdoor spaces created we decided to make a boxed up model of the master plan to ensure that we were taking full advantage of the northern sun, particularlly because the location is suseptible to the cold. It is successful in the fact that there is plenty of light in the main central courtyard area. In this case, shading may be neccessary for the ourdoor learning spaces that we created. The ampitheatre is completely shaded which perhaps needs to be addressed as it may create a dark spot.

Flora and Natural landscaping

Transportation seems to be a key issue when looking at this school site. With congestion reaching the entire road fronting the school, it has become evident that a new system needs to be established. Oue design group decided that a drop off pick up area needs to be developed going into the so, so as to stop back log at the top.




Only breifly investigatng the nature of the local flora, it becomes obvious to my group members and I that simple but diverse landscaping can be a tool that unifies the entire school setting, furthermore it it can diversify as an outdoor learning area.





Looking then at planting, the use of native flora is one way of tying the site with the area of Torquay

Projuct 2: Master Plan Development

The major aspects to be looked with the development of the site include wind direction, sun position, traffic conditions, future develop of Torquay, community integration and the integration of indigenous planting.

This was the rough schematic layout that Mel, Koula and I worked out for our master plan. The bubble diagram enabled us to indicated simply where we thought the different faculties could possibly go and the spaces that may be created between them.


Working out our central axis we further developed the buildings, giving them variable form and connection with eachother, dependant on orientation an spesific landscaping. We also began thinking of the car parking solution, building orientation inregard to achieve sustainability as well as their relation with each other. It was difficult to find a solution to the parking as major conjestion problems were already existing with the recent increase in population the the Torquay local.

Our solution was to include a specific bus zone with its own entry to encourage public transport (also being the environmentally friendly soltion to transportation). We also included a teachers and visitor parking, with adjacent sepearate parent drop off and pick up zone.
Connected to the bus area is a separate car park for the fitness centre which may be used by the extended community before or after school hours. From this a maintenance road also connects giving passage to the wrest of the school.

Project 2: Master Plan Research

For the next part of the project we were asked to develop a brief and create a master plan for the design and construction of the Torquay College 10, 11,12 Senior School on the site of the SurfCoast Shire Council offices.

So after some much needed investigation we found some handy examples on the Design Share website

http://www.designshare.com/index.php/home

This website, relating to educational facility planning, provides exelent case studies of various interesting school designs from around the world.

We found the planning of Canning Vale High School in Perth Western Australia of particular interest, with the apparent intereaction between the buildings to provide outdoor spaces.

Also of interest was The example below of a school in Washington in America. Marysville Getchell High School has a well planed out traffic system that is benificial t the students attending the school as well as the locals living in the area in regards to the add on effect of congestion in neighouring streets . It incorporates a good pick up and drop off area for students. It also includes a bus pick up zone and designated parking areas which we will need to consider in ur own design.