One of my favourite elements of this site is its long, narrow, linear nature. I therefore designed a space that embodied these elements through the use of long and narrow spaces. The long and narrow space of the apartment is mimicked in the space below in the courtyard and office area and the roof.
For my building I wanted to create a space that acted as a neutral background to the work whilst also complementing the works. The idea of extending the rectangular forms past the front of the building and into the street was to give an indication to the purpose of the building. It also wanted to interrupt the street line so people would be inclined to look at the building and then hopefully want to come in the building and buy art.
The materials intended for this building is rendered brick (painted white), polished concrete and metal paneling. This would act to create a contemporary building compared to the 1800's style of the other buildings in Newtown. This difference in facade compared to the surrounding buildings would hopefully entice people passing by to enter the building.
Light enters the building from the roof. Either side of a raised platforms is treated with glass allowing light to enter, this does not allow a direct light but a reflected and therefore diffused light.
By only using approximately half the length of the site i was able to create a storage area that was accessible from the lane way. This storage area connects to the workshop therefore allowing the owner to easily transport works from the storage to the workshop and then the floor.
By having the office at the entrance of the building, the owner is able to greet and watching people entering and exiting the building. Having the office on the ground level also is easily accessible for the occupants.
Whilst it is not ideal to have the kitchen off the ground level, it is on a split level (2m off the ground), adding to the aesthetics of the building. The kitchen acts as a transitional space between the public and private areas.
The apartment is a open plan living style. Only 2.5 m wide, this space embodies the long, linear nature of the building. The walls of this space transition from a solid wall to a curtain wall, allowing the occupants to view the sculptural courtyard, gallery space and the street. To the back of the site on the second floor is a private courtyard for the occupants of the apartment.
The gallery space is composed of three rooms create by the use of screens. The rooms all interlock with each other or are accessible from the central courtyard. Each space is composed of walls for hanging paints, but also with cases for prints. The first space is a medium size space, the second space is the largest of the three rooms and the last space is a smaller space. The gallery space if of double height but also of single height due to the apartment running across the top of these spaces.
The courtyard is long and linear. A curtain wall separates the courtyard from the internal spaces. The sculptural courtyard allows light to enter from above into the internal spaces. The courtyard connects directly to the workshop therefore allowing easy interchange between the storage area and the courtyard.
The use of the metallic surfaces and the red colour of the apartment was to create a lively building. The surface texture would play with light creating an interesting effect on the internal spaces. The surface textures would reflect the light because no light is directly pointed at the artworks.
Site Analysis
Perspectives
Room Detail (1:50 at A2)
Sections (1:100 at A2)
Ground and First Floor Plans (1:100 at A2)
