SITE STUDY =)

Site Analysis for Digital Planar Library design presented at the mid-semester crit

Looking at the first image, our concerns looked towards the existing pathways and traffic flows to ensure a smooth transitory through our design. Our design is looking to open entryways on all direction, therefore it was important to look at where people come from; or where the dominant entry was from. In response to that, we might consider to design the exterior to have a welcoming gesture to support that. Our design will look to harness the inactive and transitioning spaces of the site and turn them into a place of high activity.

The second image shows how the current hotpots of sector 100. As it stand, the majority of the site seems to be underpopulated and is a concern for us moving forward with the design. Hence, judging from both congregation and circulation data collections, our design will engage with both elements to redirect and populate it as the central heart of the university. It is important to note that the current footprint of Elam B houses a large population under its shelter. People seem to sit around the benches outside of the building which is sheltered from the rain. Apart from that, the greenery near the barrack walls seems to always be populated as people gather around there and enjoy the vegan lunch.

Circulation and congregation was an important factor and consideration for our design, as our project aims to create a social information hub (library). The nature of the site currently stands as a centralised zone for sector 100, understanding the way people move through this site and how people congregate is important for us to know where and how to position our services. Through understanding the hotspots of congregation points, we can potentially learn where to set up follies/pavilions/shelters for the users as an extension of the library.

Site Analysis responding to our current (week 9) design proposal

The image above looks to mark out the protected trees in the vicinity of our proposed design. There are currently three protected trees on the edges of our proposed plan, which is something to be mindful of. Since our building is submerged underground, we can propose the protected trees to be planted on top of the green roof or move the protected trees a few metres from its origin point. (In rangitoto high school, some students planted a kauri tree on the rugby field as a graduation prank. But, the school wasn't allowed to remove it because it was a protected tree. However, they were allowed to move it a couple metres away from its original position.)

Looking at the existing forestry, sector 100 boasts a diverse species of trees and plants. Whilst on a walk around the quieter parts of sector 100, I noted a whole range of international trees that were planted on the school grounds. It was interesting to see that each tree had a plaque to it with it's name, location and species.

The genus loci atmospheric drawing that was done earlier is to reiterate the quiet and peaceful nature of sector 100. With the current settings and flora on site, it would be a wonderful opportunity to turn the surroundings into a park. Currently, Sector 100 is part of the UOA's heritage trail where users can follow a map and visit UOA's heritage and cultural buildings i.e the clock tower, old government house etc. Through our folly intervention on the larger sector 100 site, we are looking to populate and bring in crowds to the currently "dead" parts of the site. The large lawn in front of the old government house does not see any use apart from graduation and the occasional site visits from students. Our interest will definitely benefit from the existing surroundings as current old heritage buildings will be a feature of the park.

The orange on the site map above marks on potential grounds which the follies can inhabit. The folly will be our device to active the dead-spaces by providing opportunities for people to gather and surround through their own generated curiosity.