“Originality is going back to origin” Antoni Gaudi
Undertaking this project I have engaged in intensive research about Space Syntax theory. Space Syntax theory provides designers with a tool to simulate the likely effects of their design both in buildings and on a broader urban scale. This theory can be broadly applied in the fields of architecture, urban design and planning. I accessed the existing and proposed network of Rosebud town with specific software under Space Syntax methodology. The result of my assessment of alternative networks reveals that the best axis for movement is the one from the food precinct to the Sound Shell and the jetty. Moreover the Point Napean road needs to be narrowed down to become a shared zone by pedestrians and cars, with speed limitation of 10km/h.
Space Syntax Theory aims to build a technique to analyse any kind of spatial configuration, whether inside a building or an urban area. Moreover, Space Syntax as a method for analysing space and its interconnection to a user of the space aims to quantify the quality of space. Quality of space in this context means the attributes of space. Some attributes from a space syntax point of view are: a space could be convex or concave, has a larger visible area or less visible area and be more integrated or less integrated with other spaces around.
“A great building in my opinion must begin with the unmeasurable, must go through measurable means when it is being designed and in the end must be unmeasurable” Louis Khan
Inspired by the Antoni Gaudi quote “Originality is going back to origin”, I decided to investigate the history of the Rosebud area. The township was previously called ‘Banksia’ before the sinking of a ship, in the bay close to the town, named Rosebud. Banksia is a unique flower and is native to Australia, making it a meaningful form-generating tool for this project. Using this inspiration, I painted some Banksia flowers in an impressionistic style and tracing them to simplify the organic forms. These forms became a powerful driver for the project and I utilised them as sections of the building for the project to create spaces. I then converted the sketches to digital model and CAD drawings to rationalise the form and accommodate the brief of competition.
