Sam Jones - Design 4 Mid-Sem

Design Brief: Mapping and 'making' in response to site history

This groupwork paper gravitates towards the Albert Barracks Wall, located on the University of Auckland campus. The wall represents a multitude of overlaid histories that speak of political, geographical, colonial, and indigenously-historical significance. Once a military base to protect European soldiers from the threat of the Maori, the Barracks' history has been shamelessly swept under the rug. Now, the context of this wall is unknown even to those that pass the wall on a daily basis, highlighting the seen and unseen qualities that site possesses. The program is to create an innovative learning environment for future Architecture students within Sector 100 of the University campus, bordering the Albert Barracks Wall; Thus, creating a space that responds to the Barracks, it's histories, and the evolving demands of future learners.

Initial Site Sketches: Looking at the role of the wall within site; How does the wall function in the context of the University?

The Unseen Irony: The Albert Barracks Wall once stood as a symbol of Colonial dominance, built by Maori labourers as a defence against Maori protestors.

Mapping: A minimalised mapping of the historical layers of Auckland in relation to site and our existing Architecture School.

Mapping: Unveiling the original Auckland Coastline, locating the Colonial landmarks, and unearthing the sacred Maori stream Waihorotiu.

Mapping: Mapping the indigenous histories of the area. The Pa that once stood before Colonial intervention.

Site Interventions: Using Aldo van Eyck's urban design as a precedent for interventions that create dialogue between the user and the wall.

Modelling: Concrete-cast model of the void left behind by the Albert Barracks Wall. The imprint/blueprint of the wall.

Modelling: Timber & Concrete massing-model derived from figure ground drawing. Envisioned as a learning centre consisting of two wings, with a central ramp that delays the threshold of building entry. Furthermore, an attempt to question the role of the wall through a juxtaposition of different thicknesses, textures and opacities.

Proposed Section: Section taken from the corresponding model through the central ramp that acts as a threshold of building entry. Planning and details of the proposed building are sketched below in the blackened terrain.

Modelling: Questioning the concept of enclosure. How do different wall thicknesses, porosities, opacities, heights and voids determine (or question) the feeling of enclosure?

Modelling: Questioning the concept of enclosure. How do different wall heights, angles, steepnesses, porosities, and voids determine (or question) the feeling of enclosure?

Stone Design: Using Stone-filled Gabions in response to the materiality of the Albert Barracks Wall, where different amounts of light can pass through depending on how densely-packed the Gabions are. Thus, the stone appears in our design in a non-literal manner that opposes the traditionally heavy, opaque nature of stone.

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Individual Work + Stool

Groupwork