Woolloomooloo Site Visit

The project work of Architectural Design Studio will revolve around an existing site in the developed urban area of Woolloomooloo, whose surrounding existing structures we will represent as various Arts University Campus buildings to understand their flow of movement and relationship to the community. There is a strong history in this area and a sense of calmness and solidity despite the site being close to busy hubs such as King Cross station and trainline, a wharf, the city and industrial and public spaces. This integrity I would like to keep closely in mind when going through concept designs. 

Railway line at the end of Dowling St, which borders the site

Sandstone wall and modern timber building opposit McElhone St side of the site

The landscape itself is very dramatic. Cut sandstone walls and varying sections create a lot of vertical visual diversity. This gives the opportunity to provide different spaces in close proximity due to their vertical separation however the rough sandstone, brick and timber buildings keep a consistent flow of materiality that ties the suburb together.
On my way to the site I noted the stairs, pictured below:

Butler Stairs, two blocks north east of the site

There are a number of such stairs in the area that I believe are a smart use of the small spaces between typically tall terrace boundary walls. Further down these stairs I noted that the repetitive shape of the terraces reminded me of the relationships noted in our lecture - of the relationship between planes as linear elements, continuous flat planes, continuous folded planes... 
 

Terrace roofs as seen from Butler Stairs

Due to the break between the roofs I would look at their pattern as continuous flat planes. This gives a separation between residencies, a sense of privacy and individuality, however a continuity across the site and down the slope. Similar terraces are located to the north of our site, which will represent tutorial rooms for the sake of our project. As the site context has such steep vertical elements and set planes, to create a continuity into my design I will have to incorporate the concepts of planes, their relationships to themselves and their surroundings. 

On arriving to the site I took time to walk around the perimeter, noting how many steps across parts were, standing and listening to the environment (quiet, with minimal traffic, but the occasional noise from the passing train or kids leaving preschool across the road). 

Site tree tops forming canopy

I noticed the number of trees on this particular site. As the surrounds are a harsh vertical sandstone environment, most vegetation is in the form of shrubs or climbers and because of this the trees on the site are a unique feature to this site which I would like to try to maintain and integrate as much as possible. These trees form a light canopy above most of the site, which contributes to its characteristic and instils a sense of protection from the tall vertical wall opposite on McElhone St, made higher by the building extending above it. 

The site is inbetween two vertical heights - Dowling Street is the lower flat street ending at the railway line, while McElhone St is about 3800mm higher, with Reid Avenue joining the two heights and forming the third and final street bounding the site. 

Administration building

 Across Reid Avenue is the Administration building, which tackles being on this inclined site by being built on a pedestal. This gives the building a domineering presence and also forms no relationship with the street levels.
Our site, in contrast, is already formed into two distinct flat plains. I note that there is little existing relationship with the sidewalk due to a small brick borderline however there is potential for this to be changed and developed. 

Zone A of site

Zone B of site

As Dowling St ends in a dead end, I expect there would be minimal traffic there. In comparison, McElhone St is a traffic route over the railway line and between the wharf and the major road William St, therefore that road would receive more movement. Looking internally at the set up campus however, our site has more weight toward Dowling St as it is expected the Lecture Halls would be a movement hub as well as the long row of terrace study rooms. 

Terraces on Dowling St

 
The main access routes to the site are from north of Dowling St and both North and South of McElhone St. This should be taken into consideration when designing with movement flow in mind. 

A point of interest was a piece of graffiti on the site, on the adjoining terrace on the northern site boundary. This piece of artwork depicted traditional Japanese houses or temples situated on mountainous outcrops and some waterfalls. I have always been a fan and admirer of Japanese simple, whole and peaceful designs and may keep this art in consideration for designs. 

Graffiti on northern border of Zone B