Advanced Planting Design

SUBJECT OVERVIEW:

This is a studio-based subject that develops advanced skills in the theory and practice of planting design.

COLLECT:

It requires students using different techniques to collect 75 species plants. The aim task is to capture what the feeling of the plants gives to people instead of producing a science dictionary. Normally, plants study is boring for students as it asks students to remember the name of plants and how to distinguish different species. In fact, even though students who get the high mark in plants study, they still can not develop the ability to using plants in design.

Through this assignment, I pay more attention on the shape of plant and pattern, observe the light and shadow as well as the texture of plants. It is a totally different way to study. It encourages students to express what the character of plants they will focus on and present it through different techniques. I used collage, line drawing, watercolor, paper works and photo works to complete the assignment. It’s very interesting.

PROPOSE:

The task is to use the plants that students have developed through COLLECT and applicable techniques discovered through the semester to develop a planting design.

 

Landscape Architecture Thesis_Indigenous Space at Parkville Campus

SUBJECT OVERVIEW:

Unlike many universities in the settler societies of Australia, New Zealand and Canada, Melbourne University contains no specific space or facility that acknowledges indigenous academics or students or the traditional owners of the campus. This studio explores architecture and landscape possibilities for such a space on the Parkville campus. Specifically, the studio asks students to explore how to make such a place work in the institutional and educational context of Melbourne University.

This subject is the culmination of each student's studies in the Master of Landscape Architecture. Through this studio, I learn how to do the design as a completed process. From identifying the problem to find out a solution for the problem, from surveying current situation to provide the theoretical position, and from site analysis to the final proposal, the links between every step should be logical. In order to make the convinced design, every argument should be supported by strong reasons and sufficient investigation.

This design task is no easy, especially for an International student. I met a range of difficulties and felt frustrated and confused a lot during semester, but it is worth it.

According to the data collection and analysis, there is a problem taking my attention.

That is the low completion rate of the Indigenous students at Melbourne University. From those data, we know that in the recent year the number of Indigenous enrollment is around 200 but only quarters of them are able to finish study, so I keep on researching and trying to find out the reason for this kind of phenomena.

Based on further research, one of most significant factors is social and cultural isolation. One of possible solutions for the problem is cultural exchange. It has been considered as a central effect to keep and persistence study at University. So I want to find out how the cultural exchange programs currently are operated and how many programs of cultural exchange are held at campus.

From the investigation, actually there are variety of cultural exchange activities and events within Melbourne University. But why so many of Indigenous students still feel they are cut off the main stream society. It is assumed that there is not enough to encourage cultural exchange just depending on current curriculum and teaching programs. As part of non-indigenous students, in my opinion, those activities have not affected significantly.  Thus, I agree that a particular kind of physical form of cultural exchange is needed at campus. So I begin with my search on a physical form. What are its features? How will it impact on a new campus life?

From investigating other the influence cultural exchange programs, I found that equivalent is very important. Thus, the aim of my theory position is that using equivalent expression way to approach a balance status. Neither mode should dominate the other. The whole design should be as an integrated structure that encourages cultural exchange and social interaction between Indigenous and non- indigenous people at campus.

                              

From map collection section, I found that there are two interesting places at the campus. One is sitting on South Lawn where it is the main green cover space. The other one is sitting beside Union Lawn where it is the main hard paving open space. Behind both of them have interesting historical stories. For instance, the ceremonial axis was added on south lawn in 1970s. At the end of this axis is the oldest building at the university, Old Quadrangle and it is also known by the Tudor Gothic architectural style.

The other one is from Masson road to the Old physics building which now is the center of indigenous student education. As known, the former lake on Union Lawn was progressively filled in after this east-west linear development. So in order to achieve a balance and equivalent results, in my opinion, two same length axes would be generated within University, one is the original North-south axis and the other is East-west axis. In order to generate two characters for the South Lawn and Union Lawn, approach of the design would adopt two expression strategies.

From the master plan, on South Lawn, straight form avenue, artificial flat grass land and trimmed boxwood plants could more directly convey a traditional culture through the Tudor Gothic style. It is a stable and square. The whole space deliver a sense of order and hierarchical. The straight axis is emphasized by strong leading position to the Old Quad building.

Compared with the South Lawn, the Union Lawn, the style should be more dynamic. Free combination, article curve and changeable topography would be approach through the design. It does not like the South Lawn, there is no obvious straight line shown on the ground for the visitors to see, but you can feel it when you pass by.

From sections, I want to deliver two different experiences to visitor through level change. The feeling of different space reflects different culture, I hope people could realize that what the difference are, after then they would start to understand better each other.

Story line

Based on my understanding of Indigenous culture and history, a story line would add on the east-west axis. It is separated into four parts.

The first part is Leave. We had known that Indigenous were the true owner of Australian land, but they chose left when white people came. The colonial changed land and development it follow a European style. So the tiled block I want to it represents the destroyed landform. Through the same angle shown on the middle, a visual line could be discovered by the user. At the same time, it would provide a sitting area on Masson Road.
                                        

The second part is lost; the place once was covered by a viable and calm swampy, but it had gone. I employ concrete form to present water. Undulating water wave is fixed one the top of these tubes, and then let them to form a maze. I encourage people to feel other’s life when they pass by.

                                   

The third part is suffering. It is known that displaced is not easy. I used the existing balcony where locates on the Raymond Priestley building façade. It is changed as an exhibition space. The space would be little bit dark; sun can only go through from roof. It would be look like cage.

                                    

The last part is new start; the meaning of flag would be revealed through the journey along the axis and intensified by the contrast of the dark and suppressed ‘suffering’ and bright new start. At the same time, I am so impressed by the Melbourne beautiful sunset. The place could provide a viewing platform to appreciate the sunset.

Around the Union Lawn axis, remain space should emphasis it. For instance, sloping landform on the Union Lawn where connects to Masson Road would encourage people to engage the story. The transitional area would employ water sculpture as a connection. For one side, it could memory the former swamp where it was, and the other side, it could provide sitting area for students. From the CC section, the surface level of water sculpture is same with ground level. 

The open space in front of Old physics (CIE) would be the gathering space provided for Indigenous people within the University. It is the location where the two cultural axes cross together as well. It represents the friendship between the two different cultures would be forever. 

Constructed Ecologies

SUBJECT OVERVIEW:

Constructed ecologies engage with the key principles of ecology as a fundamental requirement for landscape architectural practice. The focus is on ecosystem function at various scales.

THE SNOWY RIVER TOUR:

The objective is for observation & recoding both in written and graphic manners, critical thinking, self- reflection, and theoretical association with on-ground observation about the ecological systems and sites which we will see in Kosciuszko National Park.

Journal

It is my first time to approach the highest peak in Australia. Unfortunately, the weather was windy and rainy on that day. However, I was still very happy. Through studying ecologies, I am not an ordinary tourist any more as I paid more attention on the ecologies’ system of Snowy Mountain. The flora and fauna what I saw and found on the trip are recorded in my journal book. I think that is a wonderful experience.

Sustainable Urbanism

SUBJECT OVERVIEW:

This studio introduces the fundamental theories about the forms and processes that manifest sustainable environments along with those that apply to decision making and implementation over the extended time frames.

PHASE 02 – DEFINING YOUR WORK

TASK 4: PHOTOWORKS

The objectives of this exercise are to allow students to develop compositional skills, express or create a work showing time/temporal aspects, activation and spatial structure, break a scene into visual components, strategies compositions whilst shooting base material and learn to use the camera as a tool of investigation as well as documentation.

These images are photomontage. All of them reflect the spatial information of site and show the relationship between forecourt and building as well as surrounding environment.

Top of two collage images, in my opinion, they show the first impression and main information from the site. That is large hard paving plaza sitting at the front of modern style building and symmetrical shapes of planting area are located both sides of the plaza. But if we stop and look a bit little closer to the site, we can discover that the decoration white color lines are arranged in the radical form and the circle point is rightly sitting at the entrance of the building.

My conclusion

1 Even though the plaza is quite flat, and lack of elevated element to define varying character space, the line showed on the surface apparently perform as orientation function. According to environment psychology, people would feel uncomfortable, having to stand too long in an empty space, and is therefore encouraged to move on to another space or location. So these white lines control people’s views, direct their visual to focus on the entrance and lead people movement. 

2 because the color of line is same with the columns’ showed on the building’s façade, they enhance the relationship between building and forecourt that strongly emphasis the site’s identity.

Design hunch

Keep these white lines at the front of building

Consider using more interesting method to change the white lines

The concentric circle, initially, I just compose it for fun because compare to other two collage images, it does not deliver complete information about spatial of the site, but at last, I decide to put it on A1 sheet as it give me another angle to look this site, and interpret the existing circumstance of the site.

The outer circle, I shot them from one end of line to the building.

The middle circle, I shot them form the other end of line and look for surrounding environment.

The inner circle, it is the focus point at the entrance of building.

Those two images beside the concentric circle, are the series that deliver the temporal concept in the site. They explain the direction of the relative movement principle.

The left one, I consider building is moveable object that means when I stop at one point, along with time passes to see how the shape of building changes.

The right image reflects the opposite idea that human is a movable object and the building is the static object.

The lower foot prints record my movement on the site.

At the same time I record the flag movement when I was moving.

The upper one, I shot the left planting area at the front of building along on my path way.

My conclusion

1 The spatial sequences need movement or spent time to explore that means revealing and hiding views of objects presence. In my opinion, it is referred to as sequential viewing or progressive realization. Because the viewer is teased by linking the partial view of the object, he/ she are unable to observe the whole thing.

2 there is close relationship between landscape with nature and time. The cycle of seasons, processes of weathering and the alternation of day and night, sun and moon, but most of them are unseen fore. How to reflect them in design approach? On this site, I found that material would directly affect on those temporary issues. Like wind, the softer material, the more wilder to create a visual display of natural and temporary complexities.

Design Hunch

1 The design should encourage moving toward the object with the hope of seeing more of it.

2 Explore more about material

PHASE 02 – DEFING YOUR WORK

TASK 5: STUCK IN PLAN

Landscape Architecture as a discipline often relies on Planometric representation of its design work. However, unlike Architecture it is often the only ‘plane’ of the design that is explored. This task will encourage students to explore the idea further by examining the relationship between the plan and perspectives/views of the site.

I selected two design precedents that align with my design hunch.

The first one is “Climbs the Stairs”. The designer is Diana Balmori. 

There are two points inspiring me.

1 the garden climbs the stairs, running in undulating lines of different textures and colors. Envisioned as a dynamic urban space, it moves in time and with seasons.

2 it’s an elegantly simple composition, and definitely takes advantage of the topography of the stairway and foreshortening perspectives utilized to create a constantly changing perspective of vegetation.

The second precedent design is “Chain of Ether”.

Similar with the first project, it is a simple composition.

It is a 25-foot tall by 110-foot long, wind-activated artwork that consists of 3960 squares of aluminum chain mall. These hanging panels of metallic fabric are extremely light weight and responsive to subtle changes in the wind. The artwork was designed in collaboration with Davis Architects in San Diago.

In order to make my design have a strong relationship with Oracle building, I made a simple conclusion and select several elements from the building.

Light weight

Human scale

Symmetrical

Tectonic

Vertical

Smooth

Geometric

Base on the character of the building which it is 20 century office building, my design will look like this.

The first concept: in my opinion, people like to stay in container. Here, container is not for dinner or cooking. It refers as space. Our classroom is container, car is a container and this office building is also a container. Base on the forecourt is a transition space where it stays between public and private. I propose to construct a semi-container or fake-container at the front of the building.

The second concept: consider to emphasis the relationship between forecourt and building so that to claim the site’s identity. I would like to continue the white column element where on the building façade and generate a range of white ribbons on the plan of forecourt. Base on the major function of forecourt that provides space for office staff to relax and visit, I would break the strictly geometric style of building and introduce freedom form in order to bring dynamic effect on the site.

In my view, absolutely flat plan will let people fast pass by as I mentioned in the last presentation. Without affecting the convenience access to the building, I want to create some elevation elements which could be used as defining different space on the forecourt.

The third concept: in order to reflect the sustainable effect, except the white ribbons, all the semi-container can be dismantled to change another shape, as well as the modular paving can be changeable and moveable.

PHASE 02 – DEFING YOUR WORK

TASK 6: PROGRAMMING

Students have been assigned two programs. Based on the techniques and principles of programming and or disjunction/deconstruction outlined within the provided readings taken from "Architecture and Disjunction," Bernard Tschumi, students will now experiment with the insertion of these programs into your site. Your design hunches/preliminary concepts developed to date should not be left behind. Your new programs will interact/deconstruct/infect etc. your previous concepts. One of the three strategies; Crossprogramming, Transprogramming, Disprogramming should be selected to inform and guide your design strategy.

Base on the last feedback, I reconsidered the two programs. The following photo is my physical model.

Test:

Compile the two programs—running and graffiti together in one installation like a treadmill that the running track pattern like a surface covers on the container.  

After running on the panel 5 minutes, people can get a clean canvas and then they can draw graffiti on the cover.

The ribbon on the forecourt can be changed the shape depended on people’s requirement. Different people have different sitting position.

Test another shape of container. The left one is unworkable because the ribbon can not go through the container.

I tried to calculate precisely cure of ribbon but I found the visual outcome is worse than before. —_____________—  it costs me lots of time!!!!

Final

Planning

SUBJECT OVERVIEW:

This subject aims to develop knowledge of, and skills in, selecting and creatively applying established methods of landscape assessment and planning to a broad landscape, including precedents in application locally and internationally.

GERERIC SKILLS

1 correct use of technical terminology

2 basic GIS spatial analysis applications

3 Landscape planning and planning processes

4 Analysis and synthesis of data to propose solutions

5 Evaluation of planning decisions

6 Communication of design and planning ideas verbally and graphically

To be honest, it is no an easy studio for me. However, I learn a lot about how to deal with enormous data and how to select data shown on the maps. To give a successful presentation, I think the most important point is about not only the designer knows how to make the boards aesthetically but also to present clear graphical information which is easily understood by the reader.

History

SUBJECT OVERVIEW:

In this studio, we will be exploring ways in which history and narrative can be used productively for generating landscape design.

The design is to refer the historic narratives related to the site, including cars, golf and outback and regional travel across Australia. The site is in the Melbourne CBD and comprises less than half a hectare of city space between LaTrobe and Victoria Streets. It will provide a semi-public open space for a miniature gold course playground but only lasting 10-15 years, and a massive underground car park of 9 levels in depth.

Our brief is to design a temporary semi-public open space primarily pitched toward tourism and travel. Central to the project is the provision of 9 holes of miniature golf that ‘Miniature (Golf) Australia’.

Site Planning and Design_ Commercial Street in Inervloch

SUBJECT OVERVIEW:

This studio follows a multi-objective approach in exploring the interrelation between site and design in landscape architectural practice. Site exploration and conceptual design aspects of site transformation are introduced, alongside 3D representation techniques.

It is my first studio in University of Melbourne and it is also my first landscape design in overseas. It was hard at the beginning, however, I learnt as fast as I can. After the semester, I understood the four basic points of landscape design. They are critical thinking, design process, communicational skills and material space.