DESA1002 'Nine Quarter City' - <Anna Prowse>

Abstract

‘Half the World – Isfahan was given this name for its beautiful Islamic architecture. Mosques, palaces and gardens are the main sites of the Iranian city. The city is based around the square - Naqshe- e Jahan – which is also the basis of my site. My structure is a unique location, alongside the river and Garden Square. The building acts a ferry terminal and also a restaurant. The ground level operates as a public thoroughfare for tourists and residents to enter the garden from the river and the rest off the city. The terminal is a main spot of transport for the city. Although upstairs is a restaurant with views overlooking the garden and up the river. The building is influenced by David Chipperfield’s America’s Cup building is Valencia. The structure moulds into the site, involved with the surrounding environment – columns in the water allowing ferries to engage with the terminal. The design allows trees to almost be apart of the building – rising beneath the roof, alongside the ramp where customers arrive. The ferry heavily overhangs on the water becoming prominent image up the river - ideal for a ferry stop. The long horizontal feel to the building is due to the seemingly heavy slabs, although structurally are light. This allows for thin lightweight columns to run through the levels. The ramp continues the thick flow of the building rolling up the side of the building – providing easy access at night and out of travel times. The ramp then flows down into the public garden path into the famous square. As a visitor to the park the structure is a very horizontal, expansive structure seen on the side of the park. The structure utilises the site – the expansive deck giving extraordinary views down the river and across the park.