Jae Ward: EXPERIMENT 1

Manual Drawing Assignment
Photos by: Me

This manual drawing project required me to take an existing duplex house design and alter it to match the style of an architect we were assigned. My architect was Antoni Gaudi, and I had studied some of his work for a previous assignment. This was one of the few projects that issued us creative licence, and the design of the new exterior raised many discussions and debates in regards to construction and materials.

Atrium and lift core: 1 Bligh Street
Photo: Me

Walking into 1 Bligh Street from the street is simply breathtaking. I was lucky enough to have a guided tour of this building 6 months ago. The 120m full height central atrium contains a low rise and a high rise lift core constructed from glass and steel, which create dynamic views that are accessible to all floors. The elliptical shape of the building aligns with the northern grid and the main facade is orientated towards the harbour, maximising views from the office space, while the services and toilets are located toward the southern side of the building. Solar blinds surrounding the building open and close with the rotation of the sun around the building. The building is the first to use a black water treatment plant that potentially saves 80% of town water used, and can mine black water from Bondi sewer main. Approx. 44 football fields worth of glass was used in the construction of the double skinned, double glazed window system, and most materials are green options or recycled.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Photo: Annie Griffiths Belt (National Geographic)

Covering over 70% of the Earth, water exists in all three states of matter (liquid, (vapour) gas and (ice) solid). Water gives life to all of us and is a truely beautiful part of nature. Its beauty is matched by its destructive nature. From the smallest stream, it can form raging rivers and breathtaking waterfalls, such as Victoria Falls. As a student of architecture this serves as an exaggerated reminder of the effect that water can have over time on buildings and the surrounding environment.