Project 3 - Submission:

Final Sectional Model:

Link to 3D Revit Model

Site Plan:


Floor Plans:


Sections:


Renders:


Interior Perspective Vignettes:

Model Development:

These images show a timeline of my gallery from conception through to a full 1:100 scale model.

I chose to take the section through the courtyard, as this is the space that divides the gallery. From the courtyard forward towards the atrium on the lower level is all public space, whereas from the courtyard backwards is the offices and workshop areas. These spaces are restricted to employees of the gallery only. I also chose to take the section through the courtyard as I want to give it an "outdoor feel", hence the glass roof. Opening it up through a section adds to this idea that you could in fact be outside.


Getting the front facade right with the intertwining levels and the different angles was the hardest part of the model making process.

I decided to make the roof detachable so that you could get a good look at the inside of the gallery and see all the different rooms and spaces. If the roof was a permanent fixture you would not be able to appreciate the gallery for what it is.

The top story is the apartment space for the client, it also includes a living area and a catering prepared kitchen for gallery functions. I decided to make this separate to the majority of the gallery as it is portrays more of a homely feel. I didn't want my gallery to have kitchens and living spaces scattered in with gallery spaces and viewing rooms.


I think that I managed to successfully achieve the desired aim from my front facade.

With other buildings on either side of the gallery there was no need for windows etc down the sides. This does tend to make the model look a little plain, but I think once it is placed on the site you will able to truly appreciate it.

Finally, here is the model almost entirely completed. As there are multiple pieces to my model, the largest front section has been stuck to a base so that it stays relatively sturdy. I didn't want to risk having too many loose pieces when transporting it to Uni, or when displaying it.

Parti/Poche Exploration:

Even though I decided that using computer design software would be more successful for my gallery than hand drawings, I still thought it would be important to include some. These images try to capture the main shapes of the structure and how they fit in with one another. It also shows the separation that the courtyard provides, and the way the second story is connected but almost like a recluse from the main gallery at the same time. The windows in the front atrium work to create casting shadows through the front space, and will constantly change as the day progresses.

Narrative Exploration:

Character of the Gallery Owner:

Newtown is notoriously known for its savvy "out there" fashion, and for being almost riskily alternative. For this reason I think it is important for this style to be exhibited in the gallery owner. It almost seems that Newtown expresses fashions before they become fashionable.
The quirkyness of Newtown needs to be within the gallery owner so that their personality not only fits in with the gallery, but the immediate surrounds of the gallery. This will also appeal to the general public and draw them back to the gallery time and time again. The owner needs to be relatively young to fit in with the demographic of Newtown, while being lively, enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the art being displayed. The owner also needs to be constantly on the lookout for new and exciting projects that could be utilised in the gallery. The top story of the gallery (or living space) gives the owner an escape from the gallery should they want it, and an area that they are free to do what they wish with. I can imagine that the Newtown personality could sometimes become overwhelming, so even though the owner must embrace it, they have a escape should it be necessary.

Character/Personality of the Gallery:

Newtown was recently dubbed as "Sydney's most creatively well endowed suburb", yet it still manages to fly under the major tourist radar. One thing you have got to keep in mind is that while Newtown is by far the most Bohemian district of Sydney, it is different from Bohemian communities in other parts of the world. This is Australia after all, and the Australian personality still shines through, perhaps even more forcefully than in any suburbs.
This gallery must have a similar personality to that of the owner. They must work together in a way that one could not work without the other. Although I want it to blend in with its surroundings, it still needs to have an independent personality of its own. This will be the defining factor that makes it stand out from being just any other gallery. Due to its overall size and reinforced by its large street overhang I think its grandeur and presence will be unquestionable. This will be a large source of providing interest and curiosity to the people of Newtown.

Art to be Exhibited:

Newtown has long been home to large numbers of visual artists and writers. In the 80's it was the hub of independent music, and now it has become the cradle for the performing arts, actively nurturing young playwrights, actors and dancers. The area is literally littered with performing theatres and venues. My gallery hopes to take advantage of this local talent by exhibiting their work. Photography is very popular form of art in Newtown, both of the local street art and the people that occupy it. This is what I would like to express in my smaller galleries, possibly advertising them for sale giving the artists a way to get appreciation and a return for their work. The larger gallery will be used to express works like larger paintings, and even larger photography. All of these galleries will be used simply for wall mounted art work. Three dimensional art such as sculptures will be displayed in the courtyard. I don't really want to place a restriction of the style of work that is displayed in the space, so it will include not only sculptures but abstract models as well.

Established Narrative:

"Expressing its individuality through conformity."

Yes this narrative contradicts itself, but I wanted to express how the gallery fits in with the Newtown society, yet stands out through its personality at the same time. At initial glance you are drawn to the gallery through the intertwining levels and blocks, but once you enter you realise the gallery displays art from the people of Newtown. Encapsulating the "vibe" of Newtown in one single building.

Revit Development:

This image shows the development of my gallery in Revit. This is the front (or street) facade. You can see how I have tried to employ the different intertwining levels like the researched architecture by Zaha Hadid. The front atrium is two levels high with large front windows maximising light exposure and give a sense of grandeur as you walk in off the street. The front door hasn't been covered on purpose to draw attention to the entrance and once again add to the grandeur of the gallery. The top story will be the living quarters for the gallery owner, working as an escape from the public. This image gives you a small glimpse off the staircase and front reception/atrium space through the glass windows and doors.



This image shows the rear of the gallery, this is what would be seen from the access laneway. There is a large roller door for transporting artwork in and out of the gallery. The workspace and storage at the rear of the building is also quite large to allow easy access to the courtyard for the sculptures. The door provides access to the office spaces so that employees don't have to constantly flow through the atrium should there be a function on. A small roof has also been installed on the rear of the building to provide some protection from the elements. The top level looks very intertwined when viewed from the street, but from this angle it looks to be almost the same block as the rest of the building. This is due to the angular glass roof over the courtyard, which is shaped to utilise maximum sunlight. Originally I thought I would keep the courtyard roofless to give it a real outdoor feel, however as the courtyard provides access to office spaces and the workshop I decided that it should be covered. This would also offer protection to the outdoor artwork and allow access to patrons even in poor weather.

Revit Architecture Exploration:

After quickly modelling up the outline of my proposed gallery in SketchUp I decided that AutoDesk's Revit Architecture would be a more appropriate program to model the gallery. Mainly due to the site plan, floor plans, and interior images that need to be produced for submission. Revit is much more capable of creating these plans and has larger capabilities for interior layouts.

The image above shows some sample layouts for the ground floor of the gallery. They incorporate the front atrium with a reception area, along with large and small gallery spaces, a courtyard for sculptures and workshop/storage spaces.

The second level is going to have the small bed-sit apartment with a bathroom for the gallery curator, as well as kitchen facilities to cater for gallery functions.

SketchUp Development:

Being an architectural computing student I decided to begin modelling the site and gallery in a relatively easy 3D modelling program called Google SketchUp. This will allow a great deal of flexibility when it comes to idea concepts and making changes. It also helps to give an idea of scale, and what the gallery will look like from different parts of King Street.


I added the image of neighbouring buildings, once again to give an idea of what the gallery will look like in its King Street environment. With the very unique Victorian style that is prevalent in King Street a contemporary art gallery may seem somewhat out of place. However I think this could work to the gallery's advantage, and by modelling it up in SketchUp I aim to find this out.



This shows a quick mock-up of my designed outlined below and how it would look in relation to the buildings either side. The intertwined stories work to step down from the higher building to the lower level building. Due to the restrictions outlined in the brief I have chosen to keep one of the shops in place. This means that rather than having gaps around the gallery because it doesn't completely fill the site, one shopfront can remain and the gallery can consume the remainder of the site.

Site Model:

These images show the model created for Site 3. This is to establish the direct surroundings of the gallery and how it will sit in the context of its environment. It will be used to establish levels of neighbouring buildings and how the gallery will interact with the available space on the site.

Conceptual Sketches:

Part of the criticism with my previous two assignments was the clean-cut lines of my sketches. My poche renderings seemed almost like site plans with lines being solid and hard. I find it difficult to portray three dimensions in my sketches so I had some practice with the original building on site three before I set about designing my gallery. As an architectural computing student I do tend to neglect the hand drawing side of design. This studio class has opened my eyes to how critical quick sketches can be.

Currently I am torn between modelling my gallery up using computer software, or sticking with hand drawing. I think a quick Google SketchUp or AutoDesk Revit model could give much more insight into what I am trying to achieve with my gallery than my hand sketches could.


These initial conceptual sketches have been inspired through some simple axonometric shapes drawn from some of my inspirational galleries. I've tried to capture the front facade with the thick sidewalk overhang protruding into the path of pedestrians and capturing their attention. The living space on the second level is supposed to give the effect that it is separate to the gallery spaces, yet still intertwined with body of the building. The second story will not extend all the way back as the courtyard needs direct sunlight. My vision involves lots of glass with gallery viewing from all different angles. I am also torn whether or not to include public spaces on the second level.