DAB510 WEEK 6: Volatile Bodies - A Room For The Transformative Body Development

The Mechanism For Shaping the Body

Shadows are Dark and Twisted

Geometry is Metaphoric of the Storey Bridge

The Forms Created Resemble 1930s German Expressionism

Resolving the Influences on the Body 

 Materiality and the Body

Mock Up - Section and Plan

Refinement of Section

Refinement of Plan

When considering how to influence the movement of the body, it is primarily important to specifically analyse geometry and form of the space surrounding. I have chosen to experiment with the shape of a triangle for many reasons. Firstly and perhaps most obviously, the triangle is derived from the original node design which payed homage to the geometry and tectonics of the Storey Bridge structure. It is important to understand the strength of this form, and exploit it in such a way as to influence the mental state of those who experience it in architectural language. I believe it is one of the most confining shapes, and reflects a certain jagged world, represented in 1930 German Expressionist art pieces and film.

In this exercise I have attempted to further resolve the main operable aspect of the original node, being the windows, in an attempt to influence the movement of the body around this element. A rather simple change, the windows now must be opened by the user from a position close to the ground. The window then folds open above the users head, creating a deeply intimate space for one to reflect on the influences of the surrounding cityscape in their own minds.

DAB510 WEEK 5: Volatile Bodies - Bodily States

The intent of this new design will be to distort the view of the circumferent city, thus altering the way we perceive the built environment which influences the metaphysical feel of the site as a unique place. This idea has implied psychological influence created by the social and cultural power these surrounding built elements portray. The mind as a volatile entity is transposed into a spectrum of physical form and language through expressions, movements, and actions which are a reflection of our interpretation of the contextual social and cultural strata. Psychiatric Disorders are a prime example of this volatility within the human mind, and are explored extensively in the 'Black Swan' film (2010), which is based on the production of the Ballet 'Swan Lake' and the experience of the central character's torment of mental illness.
I have drawn from elements portrayed in the film and the ballet, in an attempt to capture the most relevant physical references made through physical movements and language, that relate to the volatility of the human mental condition. The person in these images is presented as a form of art, but in fact, she herself suffers from a series of psychiatric conditions. It is living proof of the beauty within all of us and is symbolic of the hidden historical beauty of the Howard Smith Wharves site within the broader modernising city context. The form created by the juxtaposition of the Storey Bridge and the city background will embody the social and cultural effects which create volatility and turmoil in our mind's representations of everyday life. This will also be projected in the building envelope through the triangular metal forms (as seen in the images).

Ever since I began caring for someone with a distinct hidden beauty, I wanted to find a way to express this through architectural language. I feel like this is something which I can execute well due to my life experiences. A romantic, elegant, and misunderstood part of the city is represented in this place. A blatant contrast in form and geometry is also generated through the organic curvature of the bodily form and the rough tectonic nature of the steel triangulated structures which allow natural light, and dark shadows to form over the abstracted body and make reference to the original node design. This is in acknowledgement of the tougher times which shadow the mind, which also, in contrast, generates a reveal of light and promise for the future.

DAB510 WEEK 5: Volatile Bodies - Preliminary Research

How Does This Body Play with Space?

A Reflection of Context

The Body Itself Sometimes Appears Limitless

A Place to Reflect

Discomfort and Pain can be Portrayed Through Form

Windows are a Prime Space for Play and Reflection

How does the Body Interplay with Everyday Objects?

An Extraordinary Pose

Will the Swan Fly Free?

An Evocative Sketch

Point with Architectural Context

The Swan Fights for Survival

She Struggles to Fly

And Flaps Her Wings

Then Comes Fight - An Escape from the Mind

Sometimes Flight is a Fright

There Will Be Struggles Along the Way

And We May Fall

Form Influences Feeling

How a Simple Shape Can become Affective

The Solution by Design will be Derived from Fighting & Sufferance

This was some research I conducted during the first task for this project. I felt it was important to further analyse feelings and emotions based on some contextualised images, as well as through professional ballet performances.