29. - Simple use of textures on the
horizontal plane
- Activation of edge, creating vibrancy in
front of previous dead spaces
- Hierarchy of space
DESIGN: creating a public square; activating dead edges
Situated below main road, above the railway, with shoprite to the right, and werdmueller on the left. (explain about the context).It is geographically well placed, closely located to the main road, to residential area, located on arterial routes, and within walking distance of an economic hub.
transit stations are social and commercial hubs.
4. The station as a catalyst. The Werdmueller stands an elephant in the mud, it never having been provided with the planned artery road it was designed in mind with.. By uplifting and reinstating the context with a notion of development and improvement, we can begin to infect the Werdmueller with life.
We first decided on the form of the building, and how it would sit on site: creating the public square, the loop along with Roscommon to become a purely pedestrian space, and servicing the buses in this distinct in/out method.
Here we take focus on what we wanted to do with the public space, while simultaneously working on the design of the station itself. This is what we came up with.
The concept was to divide the design into two elements: a refined pod, the ultimate bus station serving device; and the roof, which harvested rain and solar energy, provided shade, protected the pod from heat gain and allowed for easy ventilation.Prioritized our goals:Low energy use (devoid the need for fancy technology)Fairly low maintenanceRetail space (economic sustainability)Bus logisticsImprove public space, create a public square: activate edges
The concept was to divide the design into two elements: a refined pod, the ultimate bus station serving device; and the roof, which harvested rain and solar energy, provided shade, protected the pod from heat gain and allowed for easy ventilation.
Some sketches of initial designs/concepts
Now we start explaining how BIM helped us go through these stages
Solar heat gain testing – for surface heat and to calculate possible solar energy that could be produced
Wind tunnel testing with accurate prevailing wind direction and speeds
Renders of final design
Renders of final design
Renders of final design
- connect the suburbs across the train tracks to Claremont’s public transit stations- uplift surrounding contextrevive the Werdmueller by providing it with the context it deservesThe new public space and transit centre the first step to revive the Werdmueller centre (partial contributor to Wermuellers decline was the proposed road artery that was supposed to connect to with the werdmueller.. By regenerating a public space and transit hub in the area, we would hope to reinstate the werdmueller with a context that is for the public and economic activity as much as it is for transport)CATALYST: (n) a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change
A plan view of site showing how werdmueller is wedged between TAXI, BUS, TRAIN and MAIN ROAD. It is bound to no longer be an elephant stuck in the mud, but a thriving bull proud and iconic, the way it should be.Importance of a public forecourt
CLOSING LINE: The important notion is that we need to activate this space, inspire the urban context, and reconnect divided spaces. Our design was one of million architectural possibilities; now lets evolve it.
