DESA1002 'Nine Quarter City' - <Jonathan Davies>

Abstract

Personally, I have found this semester to be an enlightening exercise in the importance of boundaries in successfully defining a project. Having a context clearly defined from the beginning made developing a suitable program far easier. Within the context of Venice, I opted to design a hydroponic growth facility to reflect the needs of the city and the proud culture it has developed from centuries on the water. With the function of the building aiming to attempt to rejuvenate the Venetian economy and act as the first step towards economic independence the design had to be laid out in a logical manner that provided a division between the public and private areas. Whilst there did need to be a degree of separation I also wanted to maintain a strong visual link to the purpose of the building from all points- the growth area. The form of the building is designed to try and integrate itself into the site it sits in not through adherence to an archetypal architectural style but by keeping within the scale of the buildings in the surrounding built environment. As well as growing fresh produce in the building I wanted to incorporate a horticultural school to continue the education of the Venetian citizens. Toilets and a cafeteria were included in the plans to provide for the students of this school and the staff of the facility. A system of terraces were placed on the building to accommodate the needs of the staff and students using the building, each accommodating a slightly more private function. The lowest of the terraces holds a cafeteria; the middle terrace an outside space for the office workers and the topmost terrace for the academic staff. These terraces have a roof structure built to provide shade and architecturally express my main concern with the building- connecting to the surrounding environs. This concept has been realised by the physical protrusion of the building over the canal.