The Architects

Peter Zumthor and Mies Van Der Rohe are both statements in the world of architecture. Van Der Rohe's simplistic style embodies the heart of contemporary architecture. The impact his designs have on those who are fortunate enough to visit them, or even own them are no doubt emotional, psychological and spiritual, along with the obvious physical effects. He elegantly connects the surrounding landscape with his buildings through large, open facades and water. Furthermore, this invites a very calming atmosphere.

Zumthor particularly focusses on materiality throughout his builds. He has explored textures, colours and patterns. This intern demonstrates the various functions of spaces, as it creates shadows and highlights. In contrast to Van Der Rohe, Zumthor's designs are much heavier. While both architects are quite diverse, they both realise the profound impact that water can have on the emotional wellbeing of an individual exploring a space.

The Concept

My light rail stop aims to address the theme of 'sustainability'. The vast quantities of timber used (which I intend to be recycled), combined with the lightness of my design (as there is a lack of solid walls, thus minimising the total embodied carbon) are the main design choices I have implemented in order to answer the common sustainability issues. However, my building extends beyond the impacts on nature to those on the public. Through developing 'green' spaces, I have tried to also influence the emotional sustainability of those living in the inner Sydney. The heavy pollution of cars and buildings can be very draining and overwhelming, which is why I am designing with the intent of reuniting society with our natural environment. This is also shown in by the plants and trees on the lower level, along with the falling water.

Water, air and the weather are just as much building materials as concrete and bricks:

The above concept is inspired by Van Der Rohe's seemingly light and easy designs. The sense of movement which his buildings evoke is highly successful in providing energy to the spaces he creates. That is why I have tried to develop my light rail stop based upon this idea. Not only does the thin film of water contribute to the excitement of my design, but it also divides the two sides of the stop in order to prevent unsafe crossing. The idea is that the water will cease to fall when there isn't any oncoming traffic in order to allow a safe passage to the other side. This design is very lacking in solid structure, such as using glass balustrades and having open sides, instead with details which will protect passengers from the edge. This is in order to allow the public to experience the weather, along with the atmosphere of surrounding Kensington.

Building around a newly formed landscape.

Zumthor's buildings were heavily centred around the landscape it is situated in, along with creating natural environments inside. I have attempted to both connect this building to the UNSW campus through the landscape, (especially the grassed ramps), as well as create a small separated landscape on top. This is due to the lack of nature present in the city which has a negative impact on the emotional, spiritual and psychological health of the public. Since we come from nature, it is crucial that we do not remove ourselves from it. This is also why I have added garden boxes and smaller trees on the lower level of the stop.

This sheet of falling water, along with the details along the edge of the platform create the illusion of a fully encased building, while in fact opening it up to its context and the weather, thus manipulating them to be building materials also.

This landscape created on the top of my proposed light rail stop not only emulates a clean and very useable garden, but also provides the perspective which a mountain would, thus allowing the public to gain a better grasp on the urban environment which surrounds them.

The curves in this building also contribute to the idea of building around a newly formed landscape as they contrast to the sharp edges evident in the surrounding buildings of this urban context.

Lumion File:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ll3jmsym46cufmu/Light%20Rail%20Stop%20-%20Lumion%20%28Complete%20with%20Scenes%29.ls7?dl=0

3D Warehouse Sketch Model:

The UNSW site was taken from the model; "ARCH1101 EXP2 'The Stop'", by Berenice Foo